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

Tiny Visitor

About three weeks ago, my daughter took a trip to Guatemala so we had our almost two year old granddaughter, Aria, for a few days.  I picked her up on my way home from Brainerd where I had been taking care of  Aubree and Ethan.  She was a bit unsure about leaving Dada behind, but once we were in the car all was well.  I got her safely to our home, and she spent the next four days herding our dog, Maxine and our cat, Henry.  She called them woof woof and meow meow.  It was important that we all be in the same space.  

Aria enjoyed playing with Baba's toys and potatoes.  It was fun to watch her play with the blocks that my parents bought for my girls when they were young.  She also found their old puzzles and my globe.  

Brian and I found an rocking horse alongside the road a couple years ago that was free.  We decided not to pass it up as the grandchildren might like it.  She was shy about it at first, but once she got the hang of it, she loved it.

I was a bit concerned about making sure she ate enough so I tried to offer what she might like.  Actually I felt like she ate quite well, and I kept it pretty healthy.

She absolutely loved the animals, and I know she loves Baba. She loves Grandpa, too, but is a bit shy with him.  He can be overwhelming.  One night she stood by my side when I was cooking and grabbed my hand.  She said, "See" and pulled me to the computer room where Grandpa was sitting.  Pretty cute.  So overall, it was a successful stay.  There was some difficulty with getting her to sleep so I made an executive decision to sleep with her in the spare bedroom.  My sleep was essential to being able to keep up with her for four days.
She didn't ask for Mama or Dada, but the last day she did find their photo and laid down with it.

I feel blessed to not be working at this time which allows me the time and freedom to spend time with my beautiful grandchildren.  They grow so quickly, and I don't want to miss these precious moments.

Thought for the day:  I love these little people, and it is not a slight thing when they,  who are so fresh from God, love us.  Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop

Call of the Wild

Our previously wild cat, Henry, has been living in our home now for six months.
About a month ago, I noticed him at the patio door looking out with interest.  Before long, he was standing up and peering out and then started pounding on the door.

So I decided to let him out because I did not want him to feel like a caged animal and be unhappy.  He would go out for a few minutes and then pound on the door to get back in.  As time has gone on, and spring seems to finally have arrived, he has been outside for up to three hours.  He always comes back which makes me happy.  Normally he comes in wet or dragging leaves and pine needles on his thick fur.  One morning I saw him take off and head hurriedly across Hwy 40 which runs in front of our home.  This is a very busy highway so now I only let him out the back hoping he will forget about what lies on the other side.

It seems that even though he is well fed, warm and very much loved, he cannot ignore the call of the wild.  At least he won't be making any little kitties while he is out and about.  

I can't really explain why I love this creature so very much.  It must be a combination of the throwback to my childhood of having tamed a wild cat plus his appearance in my world shortly after losing my sister.  He gave me focus at a time when I needed it.  Today I told him I love him to the moon and back!

Thought for the day:  Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!  Theophile Gautier

The River of Life

Over the years it has seemed to me that life is much like a river.  During childhood we tend to be in the quiet, lazy part of the river, perhaps floating along on a raft.  During adolescence, the current picks up a bit and then in early adulthood, it feels like we jump in a boat.  That boat takes off quickly, and before you know it, you add things to the watercraft.  It gets heavier and moves even faster.  At times you wish for a break where you could pull over and rest a bit.
Before you know it, you are entrenched in relationships, children, jobs and all that comes along with these things.  It feels like the boat is going faster and faster and no chance comes along to pull over to the shore.  Then maybe in old age, the current slows a bit as we again hit the quiet part of the river.

When I was young, one of my favorite books was A Lantern in Her Hand.  I read it many times.  The main character had dreams as a young girl of marrying a doctor, moving to New York and becoming an opera singer.  In reality, she married a farmer, had several children and did not become a singer.  She often would say, "Please stop time just for a moment", but that never happened.  Time keeps moving on and with it goes our lives.

So I wonder if after we have maneuvered our boat over miles of the river, surviving the rapids along the way (life), do we empty into the wide expanse of the ocean (death) where we may finally have calm waters and an end to the worry of time?  Some thing to think about.

Thought for the day:  Life is the sum of all your choices.  ~Albert Camus

School buses and Rainbows

During spring break my daughter and grandchildren from Brainerd were finally able to come for a visit.  Aubree has been asking to visit Baba's house for a long time.  We started out with dinner in Woodbury to celebrate Tahnee and Olivia's 30th birthday.  Then we made the trek to Wisconsin, and they stayed with us for three nights.
I told Aubree  that if the sun came out she would be see rainbows in the house because I have a crystal hanging in the window as well as leaded glass windows.  The sun did appear, and she was very excited to see rainbows on the walls, floor and even on her arm.  Magical things can happen at Baba's house.

Ethan is into school buses right now, and we have a very busy road in front of our house.  Every truck that went by seemed to be a school bus, but on Monday we did see actual buses.
The weather warmed up so we went outside to attempt to play in the snow.  It was difficult because the snow was so deep, but we managed.  Ethan likes to shovel so he worked on that.  We made a trek to the local park where they used the slide and swings; Tahnee and Aubree made an attempt to slide down the hill but not too successful due to warm temps.

Grandpa Brian got into the scene by making a snowman with the kids and playing a game with Aubree.  

So all in all, I think they had a good time at Baba's house.  When we reached the Minnesota border on their way back, Aubree told her mom to turn around and go back to Baba's house Right Now!

So now whenever I see a school bus, I think of Ethan and of course, whenever those rainbows appear my thoughts turn to Aubree.

Thought for the day:  Most grandmas have a touch of the scallywag. ~Helen Thomson

Barbie at the Mall of America

About a week ago I went to Woodbury to spend a week with Melody, my 8 year old granddaughter.  Her parents were dropped off at the airport to fly to sunny Mexico, and we headed to the Mall of America.  Most people who know me would surmise that malls are not my thing, especially the largest one in the country.  We got parked and both of us made note of which "state" we left the car.  Parking was not easy as I was driving my daughter's car for the first time which is quite a bit larger than my own.  Melody remarked at how crowded it was and why didn't people stay home when the roads were bad.  Good question.

Our first stop was the American Girl Doll store where I resisted the pressure to buy her some thing.  Then we headed to the amusement park where she rode a couple rides before deciding to move on.  The line was too long for the Mine Ride.  A new attraction was Barbie's Dreamhouse so we definitely had to check that out.  I am also not a huge Barbie fan, but when Melody and I are together that is put aside.  We have watched numerous Barbie movies several times.
Let me just say that the Dreamhouse was very PINK and the theme song playing was Everybody Needs a Ken.  So much for feminism.

After touring the kitchen and other rooms, we headed to the area where you could dress up, walk the runway, get makeup done and do Barbie's hair. 

So that was it; we made it through the whole Dreamhouse.  Outside was a Barbie VW Beetle.  My next car?  I think not.

We had some ice cream and for lunch had food court pizza.  The last stop was the Underwater World.  This was my first time seeing that, and I was pretty impressed.  We managed to find the car and get out of the parking lot and made it safely home. 

I am hoping I don't darken the doors of the Mall of America for awhile, but it was great to spend time with Melody, as always.

Thought for the day:  We used to build civilizations, now we build shopping malls.   Bill Bryson