09/30/2022

"Thirty days hath September . . . "

~Richard Grafton, 1562

I have to remember not to get

ahead of myself, enjoy today!

October will still be there on

the morrow!

Heard a rumor we're going to

be in the 70's today so I fully

intend to get some outdoor

time. It's interesting to look

around and actually see Fall

happening right in front of us.

A lot of my friends consider

Autumn their favorite season.

I spent yesterday decorating

for Fall, Halloween, birthdays,

so I actually get it. Must be

that whole not too cold, not 

too hot thing!

 

Methinks margs may not have

been invented for Summer after

all and I haven't had any for a

month of Sundays . . . high time!

Swear I'm going to get myself

in gear and enjoy this season

even if I freeze to death doing

so.

cool is in the air

where oh where is my summer

put on a brave face

09/29/2022

Sooooo loving me today . . .

It all began with breakfast with

a bestie from far, far way and

continued with sitting by the

fire with my guy!

There are times I fear just how

much I love fire . . . and it's not

even my element. Strange how

fire can bring joy and heat as

well as destruction and sorrow!

I would say that in wintertime,

fire literally saves my life. As 

I suffer from SAD, Seasonal

Affective Disorder, fire is my

all time go to.

It's rather like the universe

reaches out and embraces me

with its warmth and beauty.

I look into its charm and see

images long gone from my

life.

I can see my father sitting

in the rocker next to me with

his wisdom and advice. My

brother assures me he's in a

better place and my mother

seems to be content to be

rejoined with her nucleus.

God only knows when my

time will come, but I pray I

may be sitting by the fire,

sharing the moment with my

beloveds . . .

09/28/2022

I'm like a little kid all excited

that Halloween is coming . . .

But, that ain't the half of what

October is all about! October

is mine!! It belongs to moi!!!

I love sending out e-cards and

snail-mail the first of every

month, but especially October.

Can hardly wait for Daughter's

Only Brunch at the beginning

of the month.

So enjoy celebrating anything

October has to offer with my

friends and neighbors. Methinks

they get a kick out of it as well.

Much fun putting together my

otherwise imagined Christmas

packages. And just to mix every

thing up, I do x-mas in October

rather than Christmas in July.

Why not?! Everyone else does

December and not a good time

to travel per se!!!

So, peek at my kitchen table;

lunch bags, x-mas coffee cups,

little mugs of ale,  and other

gifts. Just love all of these little

joys.

Most wondrous to celebrate

anything and everything, but

October simply R O C K S !!!

just shy of my birth

find myself hardly waiting

how old did we say

09/27/2022

"Coffee, tea or me?"

~Donald Bain

Fun book, cute title and read

it only about a hundred years 

ago. Still, rather reminds me 

of how much I love coffee, 

like tea and even fancy my 

own soul from time to time.

So enjoy indulging in the real

McCoy from time to time, but

the price it too high, what with

not being able to sleep nights.

But, tea is an entirely different

thing. The English backstory, 

the pretty cups, the steeping in

a Brown Betty, honey and or 

cream, all such fun!

I was raised on tea actually, 

as my parents weren't coffee 

drinkers. Still, I don't remember

any particular pots. Might be

the reason I collect Brown Bettys.

I have them in three sizes and

nigh onto a dozen.

Methinks tea just doesn't taste

the same if it's not brewed in 

a Brown Betty and drunk in a

proper tea cup.

Join me?

09/26/2022

Empty house syndrome . . .

So love it when the kids

come home. Like cooking 

for them, enjoying every 

moment. Wouldn't  even 

hear of them doing the 

dishes . . . and yet, when 

they were kids, demanded 

it! Go figure!

Get a kick out of telling

tales out of school, as it

were. That whole, "Mom,

do you remember? Did

you know?" thing. Some

I did and chose to ignore.

Others, not a clue. Kids!

There is naught quite like

seeing and enjoying one's

kids as adults. Seeing who

they chose to become, the

values they honor, beliefs

they follow. Truly, I think

I'm the luckiest mom in

the entire universe. Most

moms probably feel the

same way.

I look at the wrap up time,

"Sorry mom, gotta go. 

Have stuff that's gotta get

done. Want to make it 'fore

dark." Kiss, kiss, good bye.

I'm caught 'twixt the adios

and the longing for them to

stay. Feel those pesky tears

coming on.

Methinks 'tis one's adult

children that is truly the 

prize at the end of the day.

You know you did the best

you could as a parent and

you hold that proof in your

own arms. 

God in heaven, I am one

fucking lucky woman!!!

Probably shouldn't use 

those two words in the 

same sentence . . .

09/25/2022

Let's talk drinks . . .

I so enjoy drinking! I try to

keep it to two times a week

although it's often three. I

had my first drink at 37 as I

didn't wish to indulge during

child rearing per se.

I had a beer first and liked it

right away. I've heard that it's

unusual. Love red wine, like

white and loathe, hate, despise,

abhor rosé. In fact, I dislike it

so much, I often refer to it as

pink!

I probably love red because

as a vintner, my father made

several reds each year, from

his own grapes, I might add.

This was back in the day, but

even then, his wines were

evaluated at $30.00 a bottle

here in Denver. So proud of

him!

Bottom line, I enjoy drinking,

as I first stated. So, to make

certain I don't become too

attached, I fast three months

out of the year. January, May

and September. 

Confession time . . . I am

looking forward to October

first. In fact, I've invited my

daughters for a Daughters

Only Champagne Brunch!

Me thinks we'll have a ball

and they'll see to it that I

behave!

raise your glasses please

a toast to all my daughters

yes lets misbehave

09/24/2022

One of the things that helps

get me out of my dark day 

doldrums is decorating my

dining room table.

Any excuse will do . . . the

seasons, sabbats, new moons,

full moons; all good. I've

collected seasonal decor ever

since I came back to the states

30 years ago. Methinks 'tis why

God invented garage sales, right!

It's so inviting to walk into the

room and see the table. The

only problem is, it's so pretty

I don't want anyone to sit there

and mess it up. Go figure!

Still, it gives me something

special to do every few weeks

and I enjoy doing it. Per a 

good idea, I've decorated for

Autumn. 

Still, Halloween lurks in my 

mind, inviting me to get on 

with those fun, dark Halloween

bits and pieces. Sooooo love it;

rather makes up for the bad

weather we'll be having.

And not to forget; wondrous,

lovely, glorious fires in the

fireplace . . . heals my soul!

stop pouting woman

autumn may be a good thing

may as well enjoy

09/23/2022

"It's okay if you fall down

and lose your spark. Just

make sure that when you

get back up, you rise as

the whole damn fire."

~Colette Werden

Alas, 'tis morning of the day 

after . . .

Now, it's time for me to suss

out how I wish to spend my

Autumn days, the things I

want to do and accomplish.

I still want to enjoy outside

as much as possible. I love

drives up in the mountains

to enjoy the fall colors. I'd

like to collect a few short

branches to decorate my

table.

I want to see our kids at least 

once or twice before winter.

That's the most important bit;

make no mistake. How I miss

them in winter, so I see fall as

the Last Chance Saloon, as it

were.

The things I enjoy during the

fall are the few warm days. I

love the entirety of October;

the full moon, birthdays, 

Samhain (Halloween to you).

I swear I'm going to enjoy

autumn even if it kills me.

Could we just skip winter?

Please?!

fall alive and well

so missing my summer warmth

lets just skip winter

09/22/2022 - Mabon, 1st day of Autumn

"Autumn has arrived.

I hear it in the whispering of leaves.

I feel the nights stretching away

thousands long behind the days

'til they reach the darkness where

all of me is ancestor." ~Anjana

Autumn Equinox has finally

arrived. It usually hits the 

21st, but this year, the 22nd.

At o' dark thirty, my guy built 

a fire to celebrate. A friend is

coming for a class and brunch

later on . . . so much fun! Can't 

help but wonder what the day 

will bring.

I'd the the first to admit, the 

arrival of Fall represents the

oncoming cold for me. And,

'tis true . . . both yesterday

and today, 50 degrees. I find

I'm already longing for sun,

but I'll try to behave and 

enjoy the now.

I look forward to Autumn

leaves on my dining table,

drives up the mountains,

color galore, and trying to

enjoy each and every day

prior to the onset of cold

and snow.

"I miss you most of all,

When autumn leaves start to fall."

~Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prévert

09/21/2022 - Last Day of Summer

"Lions and tigers and bears,

oh my!" Wizard of Oz

Today we bid adieu to my fave

season . . . 

I so love the sun in full bloom

and the warmth it brings to body

heart and soul. We're fortunate

that we live in a town where it

rarely gets into the 90's. We get

to enjoy the season without too

much of a good thing!

I would be the first to admit that

Autumn has much to offer in the

way of joy as well. For me, it's

that we still have an entire season

prior to Dread Pirate Winter.

Fall brings the gift of October

along with my two fave holidays,

my birthday and Samhain . . . or

Halloween in its more common

vernacular. I love that I've been

allotted another year of life and

get to celebrate it with fun decor,

visits from friends, fire and fave

foods.

I get a kick out of my 130 year

old cabin dressed up in the dreary

of the dead. The cobwebs come

with the place, but the witches,

black and orange, I spellcast

myself.

Bottom line, October belongs to

moi, though I may be so inclined

to share a bit of it with you. Come

on over and spend a bit of scary

with me. We can raise a smoky

glass or two and enjoy the season.

adieu mister sun

so love me some dark hallows

hoist a glass of smoke

09/20/2022

Entered li'l Miss Missy mode

at o'dark thirty this a.m. and

begged to return home. Almost

didn't quite make it . . . 

Nigh onto empty, coasted for a 

few, right into a gas station off 

the highway still a bit from home. 

Alas, 'twas $4.98 a gal, but I 

don't think I would have cared 

if it had been ten a gallon . . . 

would've even washed dishes 

if necessary . . . not that there

were any dishes, dirty or

otherwise!

Methinks I aged a plenty on

the way to my own little bit

of paradise! Wonder if I could

have another gas tank installed.

Or, I suppose I could fill up

before leaving. Now, there's 

an idea!

Sometimes, I surprise myself

with my own absurdities and

funny notions. I was going nuts

wishing to be home and every

thing seemed to conspire to

make me more nervous.

Really need to lose those pesky

nerves, stop worrying and learn

to live in the moment. Wonder

if there's even a pill for that?!

somethings wrong with me

so coming out of my skin

needs get my head straight

09/19/2022

Harking back to days of

yesteryear, sooooo loved

me some travel!

Think I liked Asia best with 

the British colonies being a

close second. Also enjoyed

places closer to home . . .

Utah was always a fave.

And now that I'm about a

hundred years old, I find

closer to home just as

enjoyable, if not more.

'Twas a good day the day

I bought the travel trailer.

I simply love climbing into

the pickup and going to see

the kids. Gives us some

privacy and they don't have

to interrupt their own lives

and schedules to house us.

Part of me asks, "Which

was better? Which did I like

best?" And maybe, each was

best in the time in which it

happened.

Not quite sure what our

upcoming days will hold,

but I imagine we'll keep

on visiting our children as

well as making trips closer

to home.

Any suggestions?

gotta love travel

may we entice you join us 

close or far away

09/18/2022

Sooooo love me a good book!

And in today's world, there

are all manners of ways to

read!

Thinking of the quite amazing

electronic books . . . I have 

to say, the whole being able

to make the lettering bigger,

having the pages back lit so

you can read in bed without

bothering your partner . . .

all phenom assets.

As my baby bro was blind, I 

actually grew up with what

was called, Talking Books.

The family would gather in

the living room of an evening

and we'd all listen to a given

segment together.

I have to laugh; now they 

exist in CD form and you can

listen to them any time, any

where. You don't even have

to belong to the Association

for the Deaf and Blind.

Still bottom line, I simply love

books. The heft of them, that

odd book scent, the texture of

the pages and some of them

even have pictures; go figure!

I get to thinking how

absolutely wondrous it is to

be able to read. Truly a gift

given. I find myself blessing

those who taught me when

I was just a little lass. Simply 

can't say enough about the 

joy a good book brings . . .

gift me a good read

almost no greater blessing

what do you suggest

09/17/2022

Contemplating here . . .

do differences truly matter?

Looking at the variations in

families; Christian, Pagan or

naught, gay or straight, rich

or poor, white, black or other,

professional or mainstream,

and all I can think of . . .

it all makes for interesting.

Can't help but wonder why

the hell do we get all wrapped

up in people's similarities when

it's the differences that are so

damn interesting! Same song,

second verse . . . boring!

I take the odd peek or two

at my life of yesteryear and

I find that what stays in my

mind are all of those glorious

eccentrics in my life. The odd

professor, the challenging

roommate, those amazing

conversations with that left

winger, the modes of dress

of women I much admire.

Exactly who I want to be

when I grow up!

Then, I try to bring up those

cookie cutter people I've dealt

with over my lifetime. Some

of them are sweet, sweet gals.

Others could be quite critical

of the likes of moi. Yet these

mainstreamers make up the

world that surrounds us.

I believe many like it that way.

Others may not even have

realized their same ole, same

ole. I do know we need them

in our lives and we should be

as accepting of them as we'd

like for them to be of us.

Nonetheless, guess I'm stuck

with that odd me; good thing

it makes me happy!

09/16/2022

Been thinking that there are

three types of cold . . .

Obviously, there's Winter cold

and that's to be expected. A

time for long janes, double

sweaters, warm coats, boots

and hats. And if you're moi,

that could mean some tears

as well!

Then there's camping cold

and trust me, there's nothing 

at all quite like camping cold.

obviously, you've done all

the planning in the heat of

summer and home. And then,

you drive up, and I mean up,

and all of a sudden you know

the true meaning of camping

cold.

Double everything . . . socks,

pants, shirts, jackets, and 

although you're hoping double

or nothing will save the day,

it doesn't quite. Campfires

help, but don't quite do the 

job. I've found the answer to

be in six blankets and a warm

body cuddled up next to you.

The cold that both saddens

and terrifies me, is spiritual

cold. We live in such a fast

paced world. Professional

runners have nothing on us

making that supreme effort

to cope on a daily basis.

By the time you've picked up

the house, done some cooking,

run to town for errands and

coped with all the unexpected,

there's precious little time to

even think about taking care

of your spiritual needs.

And this is important, make

no mistake. I truly believe

that whatever path you follow

is right for you and doesn't

merit criticism. No one has

the right to say what's right

for you, only you do. Still, if

something doesn't fit in a day's

show and tell; it always seems 

to be time for our spiritual

endeavors.

And speaking of endeavors, I

am going to endeavor to make

a change. Being nigh onto a

hundred years old, high time

(and maybe only a little time)

to correct this. My daily new

year's resolution from here

on out!!!

its all about change

calling on my better self

better tomorrow

09/15/2022

One of the most fun memories

of my childhood . . . camping!

I so remember those ghastly 

army tents. Seemed to take 

loads of time to put them up,

and by then, tempers were

flaring.

Mom's rule of thumb was, 

"She reigned at home and dad

reigned whilst camping." So,

he drove, put up the tent, built

the fire and cooked supper in

the dark.

I suspect dad loved camping

and mom put a good face on

it, but it wasn't her cup of tea.

Back then, we had blow up

air mattresses. They usually

lasted a couple of hours and

then flattened for the rest of

the night. We also had army

sleeping bags . . . not comfy.

During the night, no fire of

course, chilly in the dark as

well as freezing and starving 

by breakfast. Dad would try

his hand at pancakes, slightly

burned on the outside and

slightly raw on the inside.

Not quite sure why we liked

them so much.

We always went on hikes

and dad took lots of pics.

I still look at them, tiny

things, black and white.

I do rather thank the gods

for my little travel trailer,

easier, more practical and

comfortable . . . and yet, 

my childhood camping 

experiences . . .some of my 

most precious memories!

09/14/2022

It bears repeating . . .

anticipation, fulfillment, 

remembrance . . . which of

these is the greatest?!

I've talked about this before;

still, I've been reminded of the

quandary of late. And yes, I do

recognize all three have their

place in the chain of events!

I'm a planner. I get an idea and

I play with it until it's blossomed

into a fine plan. The anticipation

of it all just stirs my soul. Kind

of gets the old juices going and

at my age, that's rather important.

I always enjoy actual happenings.

Unfortunately, my mind harks

back as well as forward and I

have to remind myself to live in

the moment. Methinks, 'twas moi

the Zen masters were talking

about when writing about being

in the now!

Nothing quite like the whole

coming home thing, unpacking,

showering, falling into bed and

recalling every single detail of

whatever we just enjoyed. There

are times when I do so over and

over again.

So, it comes to me that all three

stages are of vast importance. All

three are necessary. The only thing

I might change would be for me

to learn that ever so important

lesson of living in the now and

enjoying every single moment.

I've always said, "I'm the most

unbalanced Libra I've ever known"

so most likely I'll be juggling all

three to the delight of my non-

existant? existent? audience.

*existAnt existed in the past and

continues to exist.

*existEnt exists, but its existence

do not necessarily continue from

the past

09/13/2022

Methinks I've finally discovered

the secret . . . the secret of why

I'm a tad heavy and my counter

part is not . . .

If he has a beer, he leaves about

an inch in the bottom. This is the

way it's done in polite society

in Mexico. Sometimes, I think

he's more Mexican than German!

We open a bottle of wine, we

drink half and he's inclined to

leave it for another day. My way

is to finish the bottle just in case

it might sour, you know!

He always leaves a tad of food on

his plate, also a Mexican custom.

He'll say no to seconds and I'll

say yes to thirds, if I really like

the dish.

On the other hand, when we go to

the grocery store, he buys double

and I buy single. Let me just say,

he eats well all month and I do

some pretty bizarre put-togethers!

I like to top off the gas in the pick

up and he prefers to wait until it's

running on red . . . Still, opposites

attract and it just might be why

we get along so well! Who knows?!

opposites attract

different makes for spicy

love me the odd ones

09/12/2022

Now that I'm about 172 years

old, I marvel at the changes I

have witnessed in my own life

span.

We got our first phone when I

was 10; a three-way party line.

Now, our cell phones fit in the

palms of our hands!

At about the same time, our 

town had one black and white

television station. Today, there

are hundreds and hundreds.

Mostly, dads worked and moms

stayed at home, rarely seen today.

She cooked proper sit down meals,

both breakfast and supper. Fast

food and take out reign today.

Our parents didn't even have to

give permission for our small pox

vaccines; we got them at school.

I can't even imagine the law suits

this would bring about today.

Special services in education were

just beginning and today there are

so many categories it boggles the

mind. For these, I am most thankful.

School lunches were homemade and

absolutely delicious. Methinks today's

smack of pre-packaging.

And no computers, just ribboned

typewriters. Long distance phone 

calls were prohibitive and telegrams 

quite fun.

Sooooo not saying the good old days

were better, just find the changes 

quite interesting.

days of yesteryear

nostalgia reigns eternal

good better or best

09/11/2022

"When life gets dark,

that's when stars

appear among us.

Shine bright, 

beautiful ones

Throw light from 

your burning hearts."

~John Mark Green

Today, we can't help but

remember the events of

21 years ago. I imagine

we are all casting our 

minds back, recalling 

where we were when the

news broke out of what we

refer to today as 9/11.

Teaching in my classroom

full of kids, suddenly the

television came on. The

principal informed us over

the network that we were

to keep our TVs on and 

that we would have the

students in our rooms for

the day. Furthermore, bath

room breaks were to be

accompanied by an adult.

I remember the shocked

silence in the room as the

broadcast continued. It

takes a lot to shut up teens

and this was more than a

lot! The silence 'mongst

the students was almost

deafening.

There were silent tears,

open mouths, arms up,

shaking heads, all in 

disbelief of what was 

happening. Some of my

young Christian students 

quietly rose, went to the 

back of the classroom 

and began praying. The

rest of us . . . crossing

ourselves over and over.

In 40 years of teaching,

I have never witnessed

any comparable event.

Heart wrenching beyond

belief . . .  never to be

forgotten.

I pray the 3,000 lives

lost that day may rest

in peace.

09/10/2022

The gift of a day . . .

We all get bogged down

a bit in life no matter our 

ages, our situations, our 

commitments. 

So what's to be done? For

us, it's all about taking a 

day. We stay abed, eat fun

foods, watch fun movies.

Methinks 'tis called vegging

out. Glorious!

I sooooo love the whole

being naughty business.

But what worries me, the

ensuing guilt. I can just

hear my mom asking me,

"What is this all about?

Get up, take a shower, get

dressed!"

I think I want to get to the

point where I can glory in

a lazy day, but guilt free.

Actually, I'm thinking I

don't have nearly the guilt

I did the last time we did

this. Maybe what I need

would be to make naughty

more often!

I can hear that invitation

just waiting to seduce me.

Go figure!

heard it said before

what a difference a day makes

lets plan a naughty

09/09/2022

I am blown away by all

the animals that visit us

at the cabin . . . 

Yesterday, perfect example!

Early a.m, up the rock walk

way come both a doe and

her buck. Beautiful, graceful

animals. The buck had a

humungous rack. Sooooo 

moving to see the grace with

which this pair moved. Wow!

We regularly watch this sweet

little doe who has an enormous

growth on her side. Rather

breaks your heart. She came in

twice. The second time, she

parked herself in the pergola

and had a long lie down. Didn't

even get up when I went to

check the mail!

About the same time, we saw

a mom with her two fawns in

the back yard. Cute beyond

description!!! Here we are

watching the front yard from

the porch and running inside

to check the back yard every

few. What a gift we were 

given.

Once they all left, we decided

to call it a day, but just as we

were headed in, two more doe

came into the yard. I find my-

self wanting to sing praises to

the Universe, make no mistake.

God, I sooooo love living in 

the cabin enjoying Mother

Nature every single day!

09/08/2022

Beginning to wonder about 

me . . . Actually, wondered 

about me my entire life, but 

that is as it is!

Confession time; I like, love,

enjoy murder mysteries. I like 

to read them, I like to watch

them. Can't think why, other

than I like the puzzles they

present.

Can't go too far into the harsh.

Sign me up for Bones, Monk,

Columbo, and my all time fave, 

Wolfe. 

I quite enjoy foreign flicks as 

well, Rosemary & Thyme and

Death in Paradise being 

absolute delights. 

I sometimes worry the angst

and agony of the murder

mysteries will creep into my

dreams. Might just be why

I like my guy right next to 

me and holding my hand 

whilst we watch 'em!

I also quite enjoy mysteries 

that have naught to do with 

murder! The Finder, White 

Collar, perfect examples. All 

the fun without so much of 

the angst!

Sooooo, going to have a read

just now . . . well knowing I

might just have to watch a

mystery this very eve . . .

Sherlock, here I come!

09/07/2022

What is it about a book?

I love the heft of a good book.

I like the scent, the intrigue 

of the title, the recognition 

of the author's name. And, 

not to forget the anticipation

accompanying that whole

waiting game!

Perhaps learning to read is

the greatest gift ever given.

Gateway into unknown worlds,

it's the awakening of the mind,

body and soul to possibilities

hitherto unknown.

I am ever grateful for those

talking books sent to us weekly

so my blind brother could read.

I am thankful to my parents for

reading aloud to us each evening. 

And, they modeled the joy that

accompanies silent reading. 

I am well pleased at the efforts

made to get me books from the

library each week. I owe a debt 

of gratitude to Virginia Lemons

for driving us to the library on a

regular basis. She gifted us with

possibilities unattainable in any

other way.

Pure magic to be able to listen

to a book whilst traveling, make

no mistake. Modern techniques

have made so many reading 

scenarios possible. Still, give 

me my own glorious library

any day of the week!

ive said it before

libraries taste of heaven

will say it again

09/06/2022 - Mole lovers ahoy . . .

So love me some summer

mole . . .

I look forward to that time

just before summer's end

and autumn's beginning . . .

There is a plethora of chiles 

of all different types from

all different countries that

come to fruition.

Methinks 'tis mole calling

my name! I get out my past

recipes. Get into my six wall

spice cabinets. Pick, choose;

the mouth watering begins.

The first of three days is spent

stemming, seeding and shaking

the dried chiles. After hours of

burning hands and teary eyes,

the chiles go in water to spend

the night.

On the second of three days, 

the chiles are slow boiled for

several hours and allowed to

cool.

Finally the third, bundle after

bundle of softened chiles are

blended in some of the water

they were boiled in. Put through

a strainer, remains are blended

yet another two times.

At the end of the day, a couple

of gallons of pure chile sauce

are put to boil. Now comes the

fun part . . . adding in anywhere

from 40 to 90 different herbs

and spices. Bits and pieces into

the pot, a stir and a taste.

At last, there's a moment, that

final moment when perfection

is reached. And thus begins the

prepping of glorious foods that

love mole, sharing with friends,

even freezing some for future

meals.

Did I say even say just how 

much I love mole?

09/05/2022

Daddy, ever . . .

"Gentle on my Mind"

~John Hartford

Never been exactly sure

why I am often overcome

with missing him, but 'tis

ever and always.

One of my first real memories

of him is his climb up Mount

Garfield with me in his back

pack. I had just turned three.

What a way to celebrate!

I remember one Friday night,

dad was stopped at a red light

when an old family friend

pulled up by us. Paul Griffin,

long time buddy of dad's, 

dared a drag race. Funny thing

is, Paul won and daddy got the

ticket! Mother was not pleased.

One time I was lucky enough

to be invited along on one of

his drives. I was probably 10

or so. I look over and his eye

was firmly shut. I shook him

and shouted, 'wake up' . . . he

burst out laughing. Turns out

he only had his right eye shut.

I can't eat pancakes even now

without thinking of him. They

were his speciality and I've

never been able to match them.

I so wanted to learn to play

the piano, but of course there

was no funds for such. Then,

he got a job building two fire

places for the owner of The

Far East restaurant. Daddy

exchanged the two fire places

for a piano. Such love I have

never known elsewhere . . .

Oh God, I miss him so much!

09/04/2022

Such exciting times . . .

Last night I received the news;

I am to be a great grandmother!

The elation made me feel rather

over the moon, giddy as a kid at

x-mas.

I'm laying in bed simply smiling

to myself; couldn't stop for love

nor money, as the saying goes.

And, I was reminded . . .

I cast my mind back to the day I

told my parents we were expecting

their first grandchild. We lived in

a land far, far away and alas, had 

no telephone. 

I remember asking a neighbor

if I could borrow their phone in

the evening; cheaper back then.

I baked a pan of fresh muffins to 

thank them and went on over to 

make the call.

The fun part was they overheard

me and of course were ever so

happy for us. The downside might

have been that the entire college

then knew before breakfast. Good

news travels just as fast as bad!

Can't help but think about that

magic moment when my own

daughter told me I was soon to 

be a grandmother. The myriad 

of emotions I felt was like bask-

ing in the beauty of a double 

rainbow.

And now I find I am to be given

the gift of being a great grand!

Feeling ever so blest . . . 

09/03/2022

How many things can you fit

in a day? Frankly, sometimes 

it boggles the mind . . .

Awoke in anticipation, broke

the fast in sharing and chat.

Already looking forward to

the next time . . .

Traveled on and indulged in

x-mas prep. We are in Dec

after all, right?! Errands to

run and people to please . . .

An unexpected luncheon,

quick and dirty sharing, as 

it were. Can hardly wait for

afters . . .

A working p.m. What is it

said about good intentions?

Eating yet again, but at least

avoiding imbibing  Just call

me Saint Whatever . . .

Rest at last, but may it not be

eternal! Waking up is the best

of sleep, after all! Can't help

but wonder what the morrow

has on the docket . . .

     just get on with it

     the difference of a day 

     hopes and dreams await

An afterthought . . .

a day ending in great news 

is a day like no other!!!

09/02/2022

6:30 a.m. this morn brought 

us our fave young bear, one 

we are particularly fond of.

No mom with him, so have

to wonder if he is weaned 

or just out on a walk away 

from home.

He happily walked to and

fro on our rock sidewalk,

obviously having a look- 

see. He must have been a

tad disappointed not to 

encounter breakfast.

Still, as we were off not

long after, rather glad to

see him depart.

Just to think, all of our

summer bears will be off

to hibernate end of Oct.

or early November. 

The part of me that's tired

of picking up knocked over

trash cans and scared when

they come too close to me,

will be just fine with their

long winter's nap.

goldilocks and moi

enjoying our bears just now

still time for their naps