My Melody

With school out for the year, I was blessed with a visit from Melody.  There are special things we do when she visits such as playing Go Fish, hiding the trolls, watching movies, visiting the Dollar Store and going to the library.
Generally, she hides the trolls and asks Brian to find them.  She also helped me set up my fairy garden and hid the fairy for Brian to find.  She had to go home before he got home from work so he had to find the trolls and fairy without her.

We had a wonderful time together.  She can now ride her bike without training wheels so we rode to the park and library.  It's fun to watch her pick out books as she puts much thought into it.  She acquires a stack and then goes through them again before deciding which ones are coming home with us.  She always asks me who my favorite grandchild is.  I love them all so that's a tough one.  I told her that she is special because she was my first.

Our only downfall was when it was time to practice her piano.  It was the last week of lessons for the year, and she was given instructions to practice and not be dramatic about it.  Well, she sat down at the piano with good intentions but soon the drama began.  She wanted me to help, but I didn't do it quite right and then she felt like I was too annoyed.  So she asked me to leave the room.  I heard her play and then suddenly it stopped.  When I went to check on things, she was curled up on the floor crying.  She told me she hated piano and wanted to quit and that she was no good at it.  So we discussed that, and she tried again to no avail. She gave me a note that said "Baba, you need to hate me."   Finally she went upstairs and packed her stuff and planned to go home.  I took her on my lap and told her that some times we have to do things in life we don't want to do.  By this time we were both crying because I realized she was well on her way to finding out life can be cruel.  I wanted to keep her my little grandchild.  We got through it and all was well again.  However, I didn't ask her to practice the next day because I just didn't have it in me.  I will leave that to the parents.


I love having Melody come visit and hope she doesn't grow up so quickly that she doesn't want to come any longer.  Baba loves her so much.

Thought for the day:  A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer.  Unknown

In The Throes of Summer

Ah, Summer is here!!  Yes, even though a few weeks ago it seemed as if winter's grip would never let go, we are now in the wonderful arms of summertime.  

The gardens are growing and flowers blooming.  The hummingbirds, orioles and blue jays grace the backyard.  The wondrous smell of newly mown grass and freshly cut alfalfa fill the air.  The brutal side of the season has visited us recently with the loss of trees and electricity.  We still welcome summer and all that comes with it.

We were able to pick strawberries last week and gathered 20 pounds between the two of us.  I froze several bags and made a strawberry pie.  Yummy.

I have become a watcher of the weather in order to decide when to wash my clothes and have hung them out for several weeks now.  I have not used my clothes dryer at all.  Yesterday was the first time the rain surprised me, and my clothes were washed all over again.  I found the perfect basket for holding clothespins, and I have become quite proficient at hanging my clothing.  It makes me think of the ladies in the 1940s and 1950s who had a bit of a contest to see who could get their wash on the line first.

When it gets hot and humid, I like to go down to the river and take a dip.  Last week was the first time I went this year.  Normally I go with Brian, but he has been working long hours and our time together is rare.  So I convinced myself it was alright to go there by myself as long as I stay right by the shore. My self talk also consisted of reminding myself how difficult the long winter was and how much I deserved that trip to the river.  The water level is so high that jumping in by the shore is plenty deep.  So I have ventured there about three times now, and it is the most amazing feeling.  The water is just perfect for cooling your core and helping you get through the heat but not so cold that you can't handle it.  I feel like a new person when I get out.

So I am embracing summer and loving it very much.  I am trying to live in the moment and not think about how quickly it will be gone.

Thought for the day:  If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.   Bern Williams

Back From Outer Space

Yes, I am back.  I am not totally sure why it has been so long since my last blog entry.  I could come up with any number of excuses, I suppose.  It is summer finally after a long brutal winter.  My husband has had some major changes in his job schedule.  I turned 55 in May (less energy?)  I was busy planning a family reunion. The truth of the matter is that I just didn't feel inspired to write.  Certainly don't want to feel like blogging is just another thing to do; I want it to be enjoyable.

So today is July 1st, and I finally feel like it is time. Some times we put things off and tell ourselves that tomorrow is another day.  We will see if my inspiration is short lived or if I will be a regular blogger again.

Thought for the day:  How soon not now becomes never.  Martin Luther