get kids on bus rush over to sister’s house
talk at the island in the kitchen while sitting on stools as she eats her oatmeal
get warm coats on and go outside
feed chickens and bunnies
talk lots laugh lots
hike through the woods
go inside, watch a movie with crocheted blankets and animals on our laps
start a fire and eat chili
sing hymns
say goodbye, I had the best day today
with you.
❤
Good afternoon! I took David to the orthodontist this morning which was nice because (does this happen in your family?) as is typical, the car is the best place for my children to open up and talk. We have nice conversations about anything and everything. So I got to hear everything that David wanted to talk about. After his appointment (“What did they do to you Dave?” “They put in a new, thicker wire.”) we scooted into the Goodwill store quickly to look at 1) dishes 2) DVDs and 3) books. Then….Dunkin’ donuts for a snack. He got a mint hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich on waffles. I got a snack sized breakfast wrap thing and a hot tea.
I dropped Dave off at the middle school (right before he got out he said, “Wouldn’t you rather just take me back home?” and I said, “No, get out.”) and then parked so I could walk and as I walked I talked to my friend Kathy on the phone, and sipped hot tea.
*****
This weekend’s great event was getting up super early in the morning (4), and leaving to drive three hours for a visit to our college boy. Rich and I took the younger children with us, but Jacob had work so he wasn’t able to come along.
We were in terrible moods for half the trip. It was dark and raining and we had to stop at every red light on our way to the highway, which was driving Rich crazy because we were literally the only ones on the road. We also couldn’t figure out how to get the new DVD player in our vehicle to work but eventually David figured it out and the sound of Looney Tunes filled the air. About an hour down the road we all started perking up. We left so early because we wanted to surprise Ethan by getting to him in time to take him to breakfast. He wasn’t even awake yet when we pulled up to his dorm. The dorms are kept locked so I called him on his cell phone to tell him we had arrived. We saw his light turn on behind the blinds in his window as he quickly pulled on his clothes and came out in the chilly rainy weather and into the family car, where we all smiled at him.
We ate breakfast at a very nice, casual place, filled up with nice ordinary people. We felt comfortable and happy and our waitress was capable and pleasant as well. I ordered steak and eggs. We all ate so much food that we were able to completely bypass lunch.
After breakfast we went for a little drive and then stopped at a Norman Rockwell museum. Next up was bowling. We also visited a bookstore in town which was great (used bookstores are my favorite).
We headed back to the college. Grace and I sat and read our books for well over an hour. The college kids had an event going on where you could get an empty Pokemon character and stuff it yourself to make a stuffed animal, it closed with a zipper in the back. It was so cute to see all these big college kids sitting around boxes of stuffing, not unlike sitting around a campfire, talking away as they made toys, of all things. Seth, Sarah, and Caleb managed to each get in on the action, too. The college kids were so nice to them. Grace and I would look over at them and then look at each other and smile little smiles of joy. Rich and Ethan played pool downstairs together, and David joined Grace and I and put his head down on the table to take a nap.
We began to get hungry so we left for an early dinner. (It was so rainy and chilly–39 degrees!) Ethan was craving pizza so we found a well-reviewed pizza place 20 minutes away which ended up being amazing. The place was a very low key, “hole in the wall” sort of place with an awesome view of the town and the train tracks. Very busy. You had to order at the counter and then sit down to wait for your pizza to be done. When it is done they call your name and you go up to get it (no waitresses). There was a lady at the table next to us who talked to me about our large family. We rarely get the comment “are they all yours” any longer. We used to get it all the time when the kids were small, but now that three of them are taller than me we don’t get that question as often. But she loved the kids and it was a friendly little conversation.
The pizza was incredible. Their most popular pizza was made with their garlic knot dough and was simply covered in garlic, I think it took a full 24 hours for my breath to get back to normal. I had two pieces of it, it was topped with tomatoes and cheese. We bought three large pizzas and simply stuffed ourselves until there was only one and a half pieces left and Rich said, “No more, the rest is for E to take to his room with him.”
Then it was time to drop Ethan back off at his dorm. There were tears shed but all in all it was a most pleasant day! Beautiful. You know, there is just nothing like the feeling of being safe and loved in your family.
Rich had to take it twice. 🙂 family photo at the breakfast place! Isn’t the decor great? I love rooms that are filled with stuff everywhere you cast your eye. Inside the well-decorated bathroom there was a sign which said, “Girls, PLEASE do not steal the decor!” The word please was underlined three times.
I admit I am a little sad that our oldest son is not in this photo, but aren’t they handsome? Seth is 7, David is 14, Caleb is 11, and Ethan is 18.
*same breakfast, same facial expressions*
I’m laughing as I look at it. Their breakfast was called the “gut buster”
beautiful mountain stream
We went to a Norman Rockwell museum, which was a building full of every cover and/or illustration that he ever did, plus little signs giving more information about his life and pictures. There were NO original works, but we have been to the real museum in Stockbridge so we were okay with seeing the many many prints.
my favorite:
Rich’s favorite:
The pizza was so good. Rich even said it was better than Grandes. (the place we go to “back home” all the time, which we’ve been going to for our whole married life).
*************
So I wanted to tell you guys that I’m finally on instagram if you want to follow me here is my link: SHANDA’S INSTAGRAM .
Happy Monday!
This is going to be essentially a silent blog post other than what I’m typing right now because the photos are so beautiful….I want them to pull you in….I was outside for two hours this morning. I walked over roads and woods and fields. I took photos of every interesting sight I saw, the loveliness pulled me in and as I wandered along on my feet, and in my thoughts, I felt myself getting quieter and somehow, melancholy.
I came home, ate lunch, and this busy mama of seven took a three hour nap.
Restorative is the word that comes to mind.
*****
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want….He restoreth my soul….He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
You have put gladness in my heart, more than their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lay down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
You are loved, my friends.
These mashed potatoes are soooooooooo good!
I’m still using my Grandma’s potato masher.
fiesta potholders
martha stewart pot
The potatoes were a snack for these fine young men. (By the way, I took all these photos last week but didn’t post them yet). Ethan had a week home from college.
Rich was away on a business trip for five days. I took this picture of the boys for him after their football practice….as you can see, Seth is full of energy STILL!
This morning he was showing me how his shorts didn’t stay up and I said, “Dressing you is like trying to dress a broom stick.” and he said, “That’s because I’m skinny.”
He also said, “When I grow up I’m not going to get married so I can still live with you.” “You don’t have to get married but you could still have your own place,” I replied. “I’ll be your neighvor.” he said. (exactly how he pronounced it)
WHAT??? All I did was walk out the front door when I discovered this very very cool green insect on the dresser on the porch. Isn’t it amazing?
You can make discoveries at any time and any place. Keep your eyes open.
I want to draw this bug. Wouldn’t it be fun to draw this bug?
I have a fascination with the Salem Witch Trials but this book was disappointingly difficult to read. It put me to sleep every evening. I finally put it down and read reviews on amazon — gratified to see the majority of them felt the same as I did. I bought this book at Costco and will be returning it.
The Trouble with Magic, by Ruth Chew (my latest read to Sarah book)
Little Women
The Little’s Surprise Party
Young Amelia Earhart
Tales of Peter Rabbit and his Friends
Heidi (full of illustrations)
Art book
Charlie Brown book
I love having books everywhere I turn here.
Sarah reading to Mama.
Seth reading to Mama (with Sarah next to us).
Little Bear books are the best. You know they make me tear up? Heartwarming stories. And then she wrote Hunger Games, can you believe that? (I did read Hunger Games and enjoyed it but got bored with the rest of the series, haven’t seen the movies.)
Dress up
Another homegrown pumpkin (we had four)
Kids are the best
a bunny bee and soft flower petals
(isn’t it so cute?)
To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of the them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends and every day of Christ; and to spend as much time as you can with body and with spirit, in God’s out-of-doors–these are the little guide-posts on the foot-path of peace.
Henry Van Dyke.
((David caught a snake.)) Yesterday Michael and Logan walked to our house to visit and said they rescued a snake from the road, it’s tail was run over so they put the hurt snake in the woods. I was so happy with them.
Our cats love sleeping in laundry baskets.
DAVID!!!! getting so tall and changing daily…..drinking that yummy raw milk does wonders. He’s been on the Rip Stick (see it behind him) a lot lately. He loves to go to football practice with his brothers and while they are on the fields, he is on the parking lot with the rip stick (for 2 hours!). Last night he was hungry and made himself a little pot of rice for a bedtime snack. He’s the best at making rice and has a scientific precise way of making it. He’s also been eating tortilla chips and salsa on a constant basis. It always amuses me to see the kids to through “their favorite snack” stages. I remember when Grace would eat a can of corn every day.
In a weak moment, I let Parker take a nap next to me.
GLOWING GLOWING GLOWING…….the outdoors is simply dazzling.
“Early in the morning, my song shall rise to Thee.”
Ethan and Tessa making pasta for dinner.
Is there anything more cozy than being outside and looking at the bright windows of YOUR house, with YOUR family inside???
Last night Seth looked back at me as he was going downstairs to bed and said, “Mom in the morning I want eggs for breakfast,” and he pointed his finger at me like Gary George, and continued, “Fried. Two.” Then, a thumbs up. I was smiling, “Okay Seth!” So this morning I put a healthy amount of butter in a cast iron pan and fried him up two eggs, served with whole wheat toast.
He said to me, he said to me with his mouth full, “This is a good breakfast, mom.”
Rich wanted to take us to Pinkberry at the mall on Monday evening (the kids had no school again on Tuesday so we could stay out late). Sarah and I didn’t want anything from Pinkberry (she said it was *too cold*, and I had already had ice cream at home-twice).
A few weeks previously, I had unfortunately and unwisely mentioned to Sarah as I zipped up her too-small winter coat from last year, that I was going to get her a new one. I say that was unwise of me because she promptly held on to that information and never let go, bringing it up in conversation as much as possible.
Since we were at the mall and didn’t want Pinkberry, we decided to search for the winter coat.
It had to be just right.
The first one she tried on had way too many buttons. I almost lost my sanity just buttoning it up for the photo. It was very well made and pretty, though. (Jessica Simpson girls Peacoat, at Lord and Taylor).
I don’t remember who made this one but it was a definite “no”, although the zipper was nice.
I loved this one from Gymboree, but Sarah immediately deemed it “too hot”. She could not wait to take it off, which is quite the opposite of what we were looking for in winter wear.
It was a very nice coat, though. Perfect, really. Unless you have a child who easily gets too hot.
Then we tried a black jacket in a short length- also from Gymboree. I liked it but she did not. Then I got to thinking about the whiteness of the fur collar….and how annoying it would be to watch it get dingier and dingier as the year went on. It was short, but a little too short.
A very lovely coat at Norstrom’s made by The North Face….the lining was super soft and it was reversible. Too hot though. I probably would have gone back to get this one if we hadn’t found The One later on in the shopping trip.
She tried on this super cute mini boden shirt.
She hugged this headless mannequin several times. They had an instant connection.
She tried on a vest…I loved it…so soft….she said it looked like a sheep…the lining was gorgeous! However, it was not a coat.
This was my personal favorite, as Rich said later, “it looks like you, Shan”. This is the coat I would have bought if I were shopping for myself and not a six year old. From JCrew.
Hanna Andersson. I LOVE their clothes, the quality is so good and their things are adorable. It’s the kind of shop in which I want to buy everything in sight. I fell in love with this coat instantly. I’m not sure why she was sad in the photo.
Same coat in peach…and adorable mittens. Sarah got more thrills from accessories than the main purchase. In fact, she walked out of this store with *a purse and gloves* AND a coat.
We were done and went to go find Rich and the others. As we waited for Grace and her friend to show up, Rich was telling me a story. I’m not sure what he was saying but I thought he was super handsome so took a photo….making him stop and ask “What are you doing?” in mid-conversation.
Seth was doing wrestling moves in his chair next to his Dad. At one point his shoe went flying.
So what coat did we chose? I took a little portrait of Sarah with my good camera yesterday, but first…some nature photos. What a gorgeous fall day it was, and as I went down to the chicken coop I sighted a new-to-me bird. After using my handy dandy app (Merlin Bird ID) I figured out it was this:
Isn’t it so cute? There were about five of them in the same area of the lawn, busily eating lovely wildflowers which had gone to seed.
The design of it’s back feathers (wings) is so pretty. And I love the touch of yellow.
I was on my stomach in the cool green grass as I watched them.
The hens are usually fenced in but I let them free range yesterday afternoon, which they obviously enjoyed. It made me nervous the rest of the day for fear something would attack them. We watched them well and they stayed safe and a had nice couple of hours scratching the ground and eating whatever they could find that looked tasty.
“Mom, come and see how I get on this all by myself!”
noooooooo thanks darling!!!
Chipmunk down by the stream….what a nice place to live; water, rock ledges, holes, acorns abundant, and tunnels, all so convenient.
It’s a great time of year to go bird watching what with the beauty of the trees, good smells of autumn, and busy little birds trying to fill up their tummies.
black spotted back.
fresh running water….a haven for birds and animals.
Sarah’s final selection…..the pop of bright blue flowers makes it special.
It is thick and warm for the upcoming winter months. Inside the coat there are drawstrings to tighten the waist, and she selected adorable little gloves to match.
She couldn’t wait to take it off….goodbye coat, see you when the snow flies!
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
they are welcome
this morning I wore green plastic garden shoes
water
forest
scolding bluejays
dropping acorns
magic
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
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.
It was a Flicker.
Good to be Home 