Saturday night, Rich and the boys stayed up late watching TV while the rest of us went to bed. The lights were off with only the glow of the television, and the boys were enjoying some time together after their beloved Dad had been away all week for business.
As is frequent at our house, and because their Dad is a runner and often has aching feet, the boys were called upon to give their ol’ Dad a foot massage. Seth, our seven year old, was happy to sit at his Dad’s feet and rub them. Eventually, Rich, who is always exhausted by the end of the day, drifted off to never-never land.
Waking up hours later, he found the living room completely empty and a note on his chest.
“There is often more wisdom to be found at the edges of life than in its middle. Life-threatening illness may shuffle our values like a deck of cards. Sometimes a card that has been on the bottom of the deck for most of our lives turns out to be the top card, the thing that really matters. Having watched people sort their cards and play their hands in the presence of death for many years, I would say that rarely is the top card perfection, or possessions, or even pride.
When I first woke up this morning, I sat in my bed with a cup of hot coffee and listened to the wind. It was a lovely autumn wind, yellow leaves were flying past the windows. Wind chimes were loud enough to hear and their music was saying, “It’s a windy morning!”
It has died down some, and the rain of yesterday is past, leaving clean fresh air and a brilliant blue sky. It’s hardly 50 degrees and feels invigorating but chilly.
I’m eating lunch as I type; vegetable soup.
The children are home from school for Columbus Day. Sarah Joy had a dentist appointment at 9, which I was not looking forward to after her year of kidney stone adventures. She was so sweet and brave until the last when the tears came…..she was worried that the dentist would pull her loose tooth out right then and there. The dental hygienist was sweet and understanding with Sarah. As a mom, that meant the world to me.
On Saturday we spent the entire day at the football field. Rich, myself, Sarah, Seth, and Caleb.
Rich officiated Seth’s game. Seth made several good plays as a quarter back (at his level, the boys take turns trying different positions). I was able to get this series of photos showing an impressive pass to his teammate, who did a great job at catching the ball.
Seth with the ball……
…..ball in the air……
…..with a catch and first down! Not bad for 6 and 7 year olds!
We had time to leave and eat dinner before Caleb’s game, which they won brilliantly.
It was raining on and off the whole day and we were soooooo ready to be home afterwards.
I love this little girl with all my heart.
And this one, too. Rich took Grace with him to go get a new garbage disposal.
The other day I was tired and grumpy but trying very hard to not say anything. Zak was here and he played a prank on Jacob in the kitchen. Jacob had left his cup of coffee on the counter while he went to the bathroom, and while he was gone, Zak put coins and butter in his coffee. I was in the kitchen, working, saw everything, and became annoyed. Jacob came out and dumped his coffee down the drain, and into the garbage disposal went the coins. I continued to be annoyed and I said to Jacob, “YOU put your hand down there and get the money out.” I assumed he did and the next day when I used the disposal it of course made (along with me) a terrible noise of distress and woe. I instantly knew what had happened and was mad this time. I put my hand down there and retrieved two almost unrecognizable pennies. I got the broom and used the end of the handle to try to get the disposal moving again, but no. I sent Jacob a text saying *no friends this week* (it was last week now) and he was still saying things like “It wasn’t me, it was Zak”…. like I cared WHO it was, which I did not—as long as I was not the one to have to deal with the messes of teenagers. “It was only one penny” they insisted. Rich was alway on a business trip and now my garbage disposal wasn’t working at all. As a homemaker, this was very unsettling. I called the plumber and he fixed several things (like a drippy faucet in the bathroom) but said he would have to get to the disposal in a few weeks. When Rich had time to look at it on Sunday, he discovered a QUARTER stuck so tightly in the disposal that there was nothing to be done but buy a new one. Thankfully, the disposal was old anyway and honestly needed to be replaced or I would still be annoyed at this moment. (I am over it and Can Now Laugh).
Rich and Grace came home with a garbage disposal so quiet I don’t believe it’s even working because I’m used to my old one that was as loud as a chainsaw and dripped gray water into a bowl under the sink each time I used it.
While they were out shopping for the disposal, I had asked Ethan *which would he rather take back to college with him, brownies or cookies* and he picked cookies and said, “Thanks Mom” which completely melted my heart. He kept coming in the kitchen to eat the dough. My kitchen was a mess because the disposal wasn’t working. True! Really! 🙂
I made the best chocolate chip cookies ever and even snuck in some wheat flour. I pressed pumpkin seeds on top of a dozen (kids won’t eat them, of course). Ethan took about a dozen with him to school.
This is an easy snack for the kids….buy a loaf of garlic bread at the store and bake it according to the package directions. Then, open up the loaf and put some sauce, cheese, and dried basil and bake it again until it’s done. Glorified french bread pizza.
I watched David play the piano.
And noticed Gentleman Gray sleeping in an odd place with his leg sticking out. 🙂
We ended up sitting on the floor in the corner together, petting the cat.
Jacob made the trip to Vermont yesterday with his brother. They took Grace and Tessa along, and Zak, too. Although it was sad to have to say goodbye to Ethan again, I heard this morning that they had a very nice time together on their little road trip, listening to music and stopping for coffee and a buffet for dinner.
The view from the porch yesterday evening was stunning.
Love.
“Blessing the life in someone usually requires a deep respect for their uniqueness, an openness to allowing them to uncover who they are rather than shaping them into who we want or need them to be. Innately, blessing life confers a greater freedom on those we bless.” ~Rachel N. Ramen, M.D.
Our Lord especially prayed, that all believers might be as one body under one head, animated by one soul, by their union with Christ and the Father in him, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. The more they dispute about lesser things, the more they throw doubts upon Christianity. Let us endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, praying that all believers may be more and more united in one mind and one judgment. Thus shall we convince the world of the truth and excellence of our religion, and find more sweet communion with God and his saints.
Matthew Henry
Lesser Things:
playing sports on Sunday
denomination of your church
going to church at all
wearing certain clothes
listening to certain music
medication for mental health issues
vaccinations
church attendance
women working outside the home
what we spend our money on
school choices
family size
judging people based on how active they are in the local church (you don’t “do” enough)
politics
halloween
alcohol
and so on
I will write about unity now and then because I love Jesus and I do attend church….I have been a church member since I was a teenager, as a Baptist and now as more of a grace/baptist/reformed/new covenant congregant.
I have some active experience in legalism…not any longer…but yes for years I was part of a legalistic church and I’m thankful for that because now I am very likely able to spot that kind of abusive behavior at the drop of a hat.
Do not lay burdens on my brothers and sisters is the attitude I find washing over me.
DO NOT DO IT!
Instead of laying a burden on someone about their child playing a sport on Sundays why don’t you GO TO A GAME AND CHEER???????? Or deliver donuts to them before going to church? After football season is over they will be back to sitting with you in the pews! They love God’s people, they love the preached word, but they have choices to make…they are parents, they are members of a community. And they may not make the same choice as you….but you are still commanded to love them in an active way even if you do not agree.
I in them and You in Me–that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. ~Jesus’ prayer to God
I’ve been reading and listening to Greg Boyle and his message is so right….that our “ministry”, our “service” does not end at that…it keeps going beyond service and ends at KINSHIP. It ends in KNOWING THAT WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER. I belong to my kids’ schools, I belong to my church, I belong to the people of my community, I belong to you, I belong to my country. I will do my very very small parts in creating that kinship.
(I am in introvert so I am not very “active” but I do support things as much as I can….in the church, schools, and community. My role is basically taking care of my family as THEY do what they love to do…which is be active. I smile a lot, too.)
I can cook all the dinners, wash all the faces, but if my heart does not melt as the little boy tucks himself into me as he reads his homework to me, than it is all for nothing.
I can take my boys to practice, go to all the games, but if my heart doesn’t melt at the sight of the coach stopping everything to bend down and wipe tears from my little son’s face and make sure he’s okay because he just took a football to the EYE….than I am nothing.
I can go to church and read my Bible, but if my heart does not melt at the man who is working his butt off to support his family during all the hours of the night so that he has to miss church to sleep, I AM NOTHING.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.… ~ the Bible
WHAT? I have the faith but *not the love* and I am nothing????
Yep.
So let’s be radical! Let’s support each other! but more than that….let’s BELONG TO EACH OTHER. Let’s go further up and further in!
Because that is what love is.
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Mother Teresa
butterflies are growing scarce the bees are getting sleepy
the children played outside and had a picnic of yogurt and graham crackers; I found the spoons outside this morning while mailing a card, it was during that time when the brief sunny rain fell
I was planting bulbs when I saw a rainbow in the sky
in the evening the sky was full of spectacular clouds
Jacob said, “yes the sky had a lot of nice clouds in it today,” as he played video games
and the glow of the house was cozy and warm
both David and Grace chose to do their homework on my bed which I think is very sweet
I took a little road trip on Friday to get our son Ethan from college. He has this whole week off from school and it’s been such a thrill for the whole family to have him back home again. I texted him when I arrived at the dorm and he had a big smile as he walked out to where I was parked. We both did.
I stopped at the Vermont Country store and it was the best store to browse around in. I bought some cleaning supplies and learned from the lady there that my clothespins are coming apart because I have always just left them pinned on the clothesline after taking down the laundry. She said I have to keep them in a tin or a clothespin bag. I’ve been hanging out the clothes for 20 years and never knew this. I thought they just weren’t making the clothespins like they used to. I am still a bit skeptical but I am certainly going to try it and see if they keep breaking. (I use the ones with the spring in the middle). And would you look at this kitchen goods display and all the King Arthur Flour things? I’m going to have to do my Mom’s Christmas shopping here.
Ethan and I also stopped at a little independent bookshop which was fun, too.
It goes without saying that we will be making this trip several times this year so it will be fun to get to know other towns….Vermont is beautiful! I would be happy to take along any friends who might want to join me in retrieving Ethan throughout the year so we can stop at neat little shops. 🙂
Ethan surprised his girlfriend Tessa that night by showing up at her house for pizza with no warning. They were one happy couple all weekend long. He is leaving in a little while to pick her up from school. (they have been dating for a year now) Sarah adores Tessa (the feeling is mutual). When I saw them hugging I said, “let me take a picture!”
Out and about for football games. Seth and Caleb both won their games this weekend.
Ethan and his best friend Zachary….both with a good month or more of college under their belts. And of course Parker the Dog is happy to see his boys again.
Ethan has a bad cold so I’ve been torturing him with cough syrup.
The two of us went on a walk together this morning and I brought along my camera to photograph some of the beautiful fall colors.
The sun is shining for the first time in days. It brightens everything, including our moods.
(just like Jesus–The Son)
I loved this scareCROW on one of our neighbor’s lawns.
looking up into the trees
We saw a hawk and a crow flying after each other (in an argument over something)
We saw a dead toad, a dead squirrel and a dead goldfinch during various times in our walk. Which was sad and rather odd.
Aren’t you glad I don’t take pictures of EVERYTHING????
looking up again
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
We saw a flock of bluebirds. I wasn’t able to get any good photos because I didn’t have a good zoom lens with me. There were about 10 of them flying about. The farmhouse at the end of our street has bluebird houses which were obviously greatly appreciated this summer.
He walked barefoot because he’s ours country boy. He has a straw in his mouth, too, but you can’t see it.
I rescued this fuzzy caterpillar from the road (lots of things are getting hit lately, as I mentioned earlier)…….
And would you look at this spider? It’s exquisite! I’m so glad we stopped and took a closer look at it.
Just a couple more random photos:
My brother Dave sent me this photo of Dad’s truck full of pumpkins and their puppy! (I like how his white socks are all different sizes)
and……..
Sarah and I finished another book! We read The Adventures of Benjamin Pink and it was delightful.
I read to her whenever we have some free time together and the other children are always welcome to listen with us, too, but she is the only one committed enough to stay snuggled up next to me. The others do their own thing as they listen. We started our third book this morning, it was one that I bought at the bookstore in Vermont with Ethan.
Well, it’s been a busy morning of digging pennies out of the garbage disposal, finding water leaking in the bathroom and calling the plumber, doing laundry and dishes, grocery shopping, taking Grace her purse at the school, cleaning up the house after a busy weekend, texting Jacob after he had a check up (perfect!so thankful), walking 3 miles with Ethan, and getting dinner started in the crock pot. It’s been necessary and nice to sit and blog for a little while here with my friends (and Ethan sound asleep on the other couch). Thank you all for reading along. I pray that each of you who stop by here today has a very blessed and beautiful week. I thank God for my friends and for this outlet where we can share and get to know each other.
Remember….you are loved.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Rich normally arrives home from work around 6pm but yesterday he arrived at 4:30. I was just taking dinner out of the oven, I had made an early dinner not for the reason I believed (I was so hungry) but because Father-God arranged it that way so we could eat together.
I made a big casserole of about 5 pounds of browned hamburger, plus lots of taco seasoning, a big can of enchilada sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of creamed corn, and cheddar cheese all mixed together. I baked it in the oven until it was bubbling and melty. It was sort of like a thick soup. My thoughts were that we could each have a bowl of it, with a dollop of sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and black olives on top. With a huge bag of tortilla chips, this was a dinner everyone loved. Basically glorified chips and dip.
We had a nice meal together around the table with Dave (14), Caleb (11), Seth (7), and Sarah (6). We were missing the three oldest children but I happily noticed how much David was talking and realized that with the three oldest growing up and not around to eat dinner with us as often, he is able to be the respected, listened to, older brother at the table. It’s all good. In a large family the middle children can let lost (or the youngest….but in our case Seth and Sarah have no problem being seen and heard). It’s that middle one, Dave, who hasn’t had much to say with the older ones in the room. He’s moving up in ranks, so to speak, and it is good.
We finished dinner at 5 and I said “let’s go to the school and go for a walk while we wait for Grace to be done at 6!” The children scattered while I yelled, “Get a jacket !!!” after them, 25 times.
Still, Seth and Sarah had no jackets when we got there.
The only thing I stressed about was that the typically quiet school road ended up being a lot busier than we expected. Every three to five seconds there was a car going by us. We kept the running, skipping, happy, offspring in the grass on the side of the road, trying to reduce their chances of running into the street. Rich was relaxed, but I was on heightened alert. MOTHERS! Can’t relax. *sigh* It’s all good though. (said a little less confidently).
He wasn’t concerned in the least……I love him…..we balance each other out.
Other than the traffic, it was lovely in every way. Cool crisp air, all of us together in a pack, and a nice walk up the hill and down. Great for the leg muscles.
Oh and did I mention Dave was catching Pokemon? He loves that game.
Seth and Sarah’s arms were like ice. Poor babies!!!! They insisted they weren’t cold!
It’s a very rare occasion when Seth gives me a sweet smile for the camera. He looks so handsome (and cold) in this photo.
We picked up Grace and went to McDonalds for 49 cent ice cream cones.
Incidentally, I bought Grace the shirt a week ago and she wore it for the first time yesterday. I said, “Grace, you wore your shirt today!” and she said, “I LOVE this shirt! It made me feel fabulous!” (tip for blue days!)
Even though I went out and had my nails and hair done yesterday, this little family walk was the highlight of my day by far.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
This was more of a gardening problem. I didn’t even plant the pumpkins but we were thrilled (the children and I) to find them growing in the garden. My mom is the expert pumpkin grower so I texted her the other day to ask when it was that you picked the pumpkin. We had one that had been orange for a while and two that were still green. She told me that if I started rolling it, it would break away easily from the vine so I went outside to roll a pumpkin. I was so excited.
But when I rolled it I was confronted with a ghastly sight of a family of grubs living underneath. One of them stayed attached to the pumpkin and I quickly flicked it away, far away out of sight. It appeared that they were eating the pumpkin as much as their tiny little mouths would let them.
“That’s Barry’s pond,” said Matthew.
“Oh, I don’t like that name, either. I shall call it–let me see–the Lake of Shining Waters. Yes, that is the right name for it. I know because of the thrill. When I hit on a name that suits exactly it gives me a thrill. Do things ever give you a thrill?”
Matthew ruminated.
“Well now, yes. It always kind of gives me a thrill to see them ugly white grubs that spade up in the cucumber beds. I hate the look of them.”
“Oh, I don’t think that can be exactly the same kind of a thrill. Do you think it can? There doesn’t seem to be much connection between grubs and lakes of shining waters, does there?”
~Anne of Green Gables, Chapter 2
The pumpkin did break away nicely from the vine and I carefully lugged it over to the hose to wash it off. I wondered if the grubs had eaten holes through the rind.
After a wash, I cautiously pressed my finger all over the blemished side of the pumpkin and discovered that it was still hard without any soft spots or holes. I sent photo after photo to my Mom and she was just as grossed out as I was, if not more. She suggested throwing the whole thing in with the chickens to enjoy. After all, what if the entire pumpkin was crawling with grubs? “I wouldn’t want to see what might be inside it.” she texted, “It’s like a little nightmare for Halloween.”
Like any loving chicken keeper would do, I did go back over to the grubs and scoop them up along with a worm. I threw the handful of dirt n’ grubs into a bucket and carried it down to the coop.
They were gone in no time.
By the way, grubs are the larvae of Japanese beetles. And guess what else I learned? Moles are the natural predator of grubs and only live in lawns that have them. They eat up to fifty grubs a day. If you have a lot of moles in your yard, you have a lot of grubs.
Aren’t things getting interesting?
So anyway, what to do with the pumpkin?
This is what the grubby side looks like today. Scratchy and rough, I’m keeping an eye on it for any spoiling. So far, so good. It’s our very first *we grew it ourselves* pumpkin!
It still has a pretty side and so I decided to place it by the walkway near the house, next to the rocking chair. I like to sit and wait for the bus and/or watch the kids play while sitting in my chair. Every once in a while I give the pumpkin a loving pat, or use it as an end table for my phone.
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion. Henry David Thoreau
Fourteen years ago I was holding my healthy newborn baby David in my arms and now look at him! He wants to be taken places like Home Depot. So that’s what we did…..armed with a list of things he needed, the two of us did some shopping.
He is endeavoring to make a “Mini Metal Foundry”. His Uncle Dave already mailed him the first item on the list, a “clay graphite crucible”, just big enough to fit a soda can. (He’s been collecting them and has a whole bin ready to melt.)
He says once his operation is set up his “crafting abilities will increase by 30 percent.”
(I’ve been laughing about that one for days)
What are you going to make with the melted metal, I ask.
“Well, I could make metal signs,” he explains…….”and other stuff.”
I felt anxious in the Home Depot with the list. I felt like a fish out of water. I don’t know where anything is. David was kind of amused. However, we were able to find everything we needed except for the five quart big mouthed bucket. Thank you to my husband for answering a few questions (via texting) we had about the drill.
Isn’t he a nice boy?
Happy Birthday, Dave!
We headed to Panera for lunch and guess who met us there?
Big brother Jake. 🙂 He was able to drive over after his class at college.
These two have a great relationship. David does as much stuff with Jacob as he possibly can. If Jacob is going someplace and asks if anyone wants to go along, David will always say yes. I’ve noticed that David has a lot of love and adoration for his three older siblings, but nothing but minimal toleration bordering on annoyance for his three younger ones. Interesting.
Just to show you that he is indeed taller than his Mom. (Panera was in the mall)
He thanked me in the car for his nice birthday things.
He took a selfie wearing his new hat and shirt.
He couldn’t wait to get to work on his project. He is currently outside on the patio mixing up plaster of paris, wearing a dust mask and no shirt. Every once in a while I can hear him singing to himself as he works. He knows what he likes and he does it. He keeps himself busy learning and doing.
On my way to let out my flock of hens, I saw a Solitary Sandpiper on the edge of the pond. This is the first time in 10 years I’ve seen one right here on our property, and according to my bird app, this bird is “rare” for our area. It bobs up and down when it walks and peeps now and then. It’s so cute!
I was highly annoyed when my cat ran after it, scaring it away before I was ready to say goodbye.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21
There was a scar on yonder mountainside, Gashed out where the cruel storm had trod; A barren, desolate chasm, reaching wide Across the soft green sod.
But years crept by beneath the purple pines, And veiled the scar with grass and moss once more, And left it fairer now with flowers and vines Than it had been before.
There was a wound once in a gentle heart, From which life’s sweetness seemed to ebb and die; And love’s confiding changed to bitter smart, While slow, sad years went by.
Yet as they passed, unseen an angel stole And laid a balm of healing on the pain, Till love grew purer in the heart made whole, And peace came back again.
from Streams, by LB Cowman
I let the chickens out, and as we have two rabbits in the coop, I went down to the edge of the pond to gather fresh clover for them. I dropped my handful twice in order to take photos. This spider web was a tiny perfect work of art. The spider was about the size of a grain of rice. I was careful not to pull up the clover which surrounded it’s beautiful web.
My cat the bird chaser now started bothering the fish. It was pretty neat, actually, to see Mr. Fish come close to Mr. Cat….and then get swatted for his efforts to be friendly. The fish followed him all along the edge of the pond.
I was happy to find a Solitary Sandpiper feather covered in dew. I brought it home in my pocket, along with two eggs from the chicken coop.
He froze for a photo and then jumped quietly off the rock, and then under it. I imagined a cozy home for frogs, just right, with lots of dampness.
gossamer upon flowers and grass; more spider art
The bunnies received their salad with joy and I headed back for the house.
It’s been cool this morning. I did some weeding, and texting with my Mama, family laundry was hung out to dry, I picked smooth tomatoes from the garden, and a pumpkin. Inside the house, there is a gray cat curled up in a ball on a red velvet cushion next to me.
I’m thinking about my son David, tomorrow is his birthday. He requested a cheesecake so when the Schwan’s truck came earlier I bought one from them. Now I just need to make sure we have 14 candles in the house.
Happy Monday!
You are loved.
“God is there to meet you in the center of each trial. And He will whisper to you His secrets, which will bring you out with a radiant face and such an invincible faith that all the demons of hell will never be able to shake it.” E.A.Kilbourne
I want to blog every.single.day. If I don’t blog, it’s because I have writer’s block, I’m sick, or I’m too busy…..even now I only have fifteen minutes.
I just love sitting here with my laptop, typing and sharing my photos.
I took this picture of a spider and then noticed a butterfly. (or is it the other way around?)
Yesterday I went for a walk and a pair of old friends pulled up next to me in their car. They had brought us vegetables from their garden, including a turnip the size of a bowling ball. Oh it was such a happy, quick visit. They asked about the children and we stood out in the hot September sun, by their car, chatting and smiling. When they left we hugged each other and then the Mr. stopped and said, “I hear a Flicker”, while looking up into the treetops by my house. Nothing. The Mrs. and I heard it too, but we both thought maybe it was the squirrel we saw. “No, it’s a flicker, remember, we had one at our place the other day?” he said to his wife.
We looked for it, just for a moment, but then it was time for goodbye.
We’ve almost eaten all the watermelon, and it’s that juicy and pink.
Today I did something for the first time. I’ve arrived late for Doctor’s appointments, I’ve completely forgotten Doctor’s appointments, I’ve showed up for the wrong day, but today was the first time I was exactly an hour early. I could not believe it. What a mother I am (this was a check up for Grace). We had time to leave and go to Barnes and Noble (double discount days for members!). She had a hot chai and I had a hot cider and we spent some time browsing the nice books and magazines.
We went to get Cassandra to bring her back home with us, and we made chicken enchiladas for dinner.
(Have you noticed the bug theme?)
After my vegetable friends left yesterday I wandered around with my camera and it was like a dizzy dream…..the sun was soaking into my bones…I was tired…buzzing sounds filled my ears….the smell of wild plants was the best potpourri ever imagined. The stinging bees and hornets and wasps were busy all over the place, they got along just fine as they each found a spot to gather from the flowers. They especially love the goldenrod.
I like to lean in very closely and just observe. They have such interesting ways, wings, eyes, legs……movements, every where I looked there were more and more flying insects, crawling, working, such tiny things almost unnoticeable unless a person stops to look for them.
The sun continued to bake everything under it, including myself. You know that feeling when you first get into a hot tub and you say “ahhhhhhhh” and close your eyes?
The experience was like a lullaby and I became so tired I lay back in the grass for a minute or so.
Looking up, I saw a bird way up high in the dead tree.
