Poetry, Plants, and Planning
Another busy morning. Took Molly for a long
walk this morning after I got back from the grocery.
Bought enough for the next three nights. Tonight,
chicken tortilla soup. It's hot here, but I like soup.
And instead of tortilla strips for the soup, I am going
to serve a jalapeno cheese bread I bought and some
fresh fruit (watermelon, cantalope, and honeydew).
I bought some more plants today and worked on those.
Vinca and impatiens. Washing more clothes, as usual.
How did I ever get all of these things done when I worked
full-time? I really think I was better at time management
when I was working full-time and going to school.
***********************
Dorianne Laux. I chose her for this month's poetry
circle, but I haven't chosen the poems yet. Need to work
on that today.
**************************
Making plans for the upcoming trip to FL. This weekend
is prom weekend, and I am excited for Wes. Can't wait
to see him in his tux and his lovely girlfriend in the dress
she chose. Picture time (and me sans camera). Wes has
a digital camera that I have never used, but I am going
to start using it. That night.
The following weekend (the 17th) my daughter receives
her master's. She never ceases to amaze me. She works
full-time, goes to school full-time, and still performs
with The Mattoid, even though she and her guy have split.
She is an astounding, amazing, passionate, and giving
person. The social work field needs more people like her.
Needless to say, I am proud.
On the 18th, she and I leave for FL. We are going to Naples
for my niece's graduation from high school. We're driving
there all in one day on the 18th, and plan to have a beach
day on the 19th. On the 20th, we're going to Key West
for the day. We're taking a boat from Naples to Key West.
We'll get back about 9:30 that night, and though I have
terrible anxiety issues, I am excited to think I can go on the
deck at night and see the stars from that vantage point--
away from lights, the dark ocean all around us.
We'll stay in Naples until the 24th, the day after my niece
graduates, and then it's on to Orlando to visit some other
family. I think we're driving home on Memorial Day,
but we haven't decided for sure.
Last year, at the same time, my daughter's dearest
friend was killed in a car wreck and we drove to Naples
to get away for a little while. We came back home
on Memorial Day last year. I hope this is a better
trip for her. And I am honored that she wants
to take a trip with her old Ma. Not all adult children
want to spend that kind of time with their parents.
********************************
Time to do another load of clothes and get back outside
to dig in the earth some more.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Monday, May 05, 2008
Productive
Been a busy, and yes, productive morning. I took
Molly for a long walk at the cemetery (about two
miles, I am guessing--up and down hills). Got home
and divided the hostas, replanted them in other areas,
dug up and replanted some coral bells, dug up my lavender
because it was just lost behind my knock-out rose bush
that my mom and dad gave me one year (it's about 5 ft
tall and 7 ft wide and loaded with beautiful blooms)
and moved it to another place where it will have room
to grow even larger and thrive. Weeded the herb garden
and replaced all the landscaping bricks.
I mowed, took my stuff to the recycling center (we
don't have a recycling pick-up program, so I keep
the stuff in bins and take it when it gets full), cleaned
the kitchen, did two loads of clothes, and cleaned
bathrooms. I'm tired, but I have much more to do.
Cooking another Rachael Ray dish tonight--it is another
perfectly spiced, aromatic, and delicious dish. Oregon-Style
Pork Chops with Pinot Noir and Cranberries, served
with Oregon Hash with Wild Mushrooms, Greens, Beets,
Hazelnuts, and Blue Cheese. And, of course, the bread.
Some crusty charred whole grain bread with butter
and chives ( the chives fresh from my herb garden).
I cooked tacos one night last week and my youngest
son (the only one at home) said, Mom, I love all
the different things you cook, but your tacos
and spaghetti are still my favorite dishes. Gotta
love that, even though I thought why keep trying
all these other things. But, he wasn't saying he didn't
like those; he was saying I like your stuff better.
Dug up one of Libby's blue shells when I was working
in the herb garden. I think Libby deserves a poem.
Maybe one day I'll get around to writing it.
Oh, and wow, the rhododendron in the front yard
is blooming, and so are the coreopsis and dianthus.
And the pansies in one of the shade gardens are so beautiful--
purple, yellow, and burgundy. And the heirloom Irises
just started blooming--lilac colored (the deep purple Irises
bloomed a few weeks ago and some of them are still in bloom).
And the magenta and white azaleas are also in full
bloom, the pink dying out but still blooming.
These are the natural things that fill me today.
**************************
Laurel,
I read this today about Eight Belles and wondered if you had.
My husband is a race car driver. He makes the choice. I can't
say I am comfortable with his choice, but I have learned to live
with it. He says he's safer in his race car than he is in his personal
vehicle on any street or highway. He does it because he loves
the classic beauty of the sport--knowing what he's done to the engine
to make the car more efficient and what he knows, as a driver,
that gives him an edge. He doesn't win big money--just usually
breaks even, but he enjoys the sport. But he can choose, and I think
that's the big issue. Eight Belles could not--someone chose for her,
and perhaps she did love the competetive nature of the sport,
but who can say. I just found it an interesting assessment
of the sport and thought you might as well.
Been a busy, and yes, productive morning. I took
Molly for a long walk at the cemetery (about two
miles, I am guessing--up and down hills). Got home
and divided the hostas, replanted them in other areas,
dug up and replanted some coral bells, dug up my lavender
because it was just lost behind my knock-out rose bush
that my mom and dad gave me one year (it's about 5 ft
tall and 7 ft wide and loaded with beautiful blooms)
and moved it to another place where it will have room
to grow even larger and thrive. Weeded the herb garden
and replaced all the landscaping bricks.
I mowed, took my stuff to the recycling center (we
don't have a recycling pick-up program, so I keep
the stuff in bins and take it when it gets full), cleaned
the kitchen, did two loads of clothes, and cleaned
bathrooms. I'm tired, but I have much more to do.
Cooking another Rachael Ray dish tonight--it is another
perfectly spiced, aromatic, and delicious dish. Oregon-Style
Pork Chops with Pinot Noir and Cranberries, served
with Oregon Hash with Wild Mushrooms, Greens, Beets,
Hazelnuts, and Blue Cheese. And, of course, the bread.
Some crusty charred whole grain bread with butter
and chives ( the chives fresh from my herb garden).
I cooked tacos one night last week and my youngest
son (the only one at home) said, Mom, I love all
the different things you cook, but your tacos
and spaghetti are still my favorite dishes. Gotta
love that, even though I thought why keep trying
all these other things. But, he wasn't saying he didn't
like those; he was saying I like your stuff better.
Dug up one of Libby's blue shells when I was working
in the herb garden. I think Libby deserves a poem.
Maybe one day I'll get around to writing it.
Oh, and wow, the rhododendron in the front yard
is blooming, and so are the coreopsis and dianthus.
And the pansies in one of the shade gardens are so beautiful--
purple, yellow, and burgundy. And the heirloom Irises
just started blooming--lilac colored (the deep purple Irises
bloomed a few weeks ago and some of them are still in bloom).
And the magenta and white azaleas are also in full
bloom, the pink dying out but still blooming.
These are the natural things that fill me today.
**************************
Laurel,
I read this today about Eight Belles and wondered if you had.
My husband is a race car driver. He makes the choice. I can't
say I am comfortable with his choice, but I have learned to live
with it. He says he's safer in his race car than he is in his personal
vehicle on any street or highway. He does it because he loves
the classic beauty of the sport--knowing what he's done to the engine
to make the car more efficient and what he knows, as a driver,
that gives him an edge. He doesn't win big money--just usually
breaks even, but he enjoys the sport. But he can choose, and I think
that's the big issue. Eight Belles could not--someone chose for her,
and perhaps she did love the competetive nature of the sport,
but who can say. I just found it an interesting assessment
of the sport and thought you might as well.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Babies
I had forgotten how much goes into the care of a baby, but there is so much joy in being with one of them (especially when they are as good-natured as my little Isaac!). But there's no stopping at any time. If they're sleeping, you're cleaning up and getting things ready for the next meal or place you need to go.
My daughter arrived yesterday afternoon. I am always happy to have her home, but I was particularly glad that she came to see Isaac and to help. We had a great time together and alone. She had a present on her pillowcase from Isaac--an I love my aunt bib...she loved it!
I just got him down but he didn't take much of his bottle. He napped very little today and had a busy day. We had swim lessons at 10 and his GiGi (me) got in the pool with him. The instructor said he seemed much more involved and comfortable today. I am sure it's not because GiGi had him, but because he and mommy and daddy have been going for a few weeks now. I loved it! In the water with him, holding him lightly on his back so he could feel the sensation of floating. Directing him to splash and kick. It was fun!
I have a feeling, though, that he may be up more tonight because he crashed so early. His bedtime is between 7:30 and 8:00, but he crashed about 7:20. We may be up some tonight, but GiGi's good to go. What a blessing he is.
Last night it stormed and the basement was filling with water and the sump pump sounded like it was hung up, so I went down there about 3 and really didn't get back to sleep until 6 or so. Hubby's outta town racing. #1 qualifier in his class, but I sure as hell wished he'd have been here last night to take care of the basement thing. Guess I need to know this stuff regardless, so I did all I could do. Which was to make sure nothing was caught in the pump (and it wasn't). It just rained so hard so fast that the pump could not keep up with it, but things are better tonight.
Mommy and Daddy will be back tomorrow. Let's hope Isaac has a good night!
I had forgotten how much goes into the care of a baby, but there is so much joy in being with one of them (especially when they are as good-natured as my little Isaac!). But there's no stopping at any time. If they're sleeping, you're cleaning up and getting things ready for the next meal or place you need to go.
My daughter arrived yesterday afternoon. I am always happy to have her home, but I was particularly glad that she came to see Isaac and to help. We had a great time together and alone. She had a present on her pillowcase from Isaac--an I love my aunt bib...she loved it!
I just got him down but he didn't take much of his bottle. He napped very little today and had a busy day. We had swim lessons at 10 and his GiGi (me) got in the pool with him. The instructor said he seemed much more involved and comfortable today. I am sure it's not because GiGi had him, but because he and mommy and daddy have been going for a few weeks now. I loved it! In the water with him, holding him lightly on his back so he could feel the sensation of floating. Directing him to splash and kick. It was fun!
I have a feeling, though, that he may be up more tonight because he crashed so early. His bedtime is between 7:30 and 8:00, but he crashed about 7:20. We may be up some tonight, but GiGi's good to go. What a blessing he is.
Last night it stormed and the basement was filling with water and the sump pump sounded like it was hung up, so I went down there about 3 and really didn't get back to sleep until 6 or so. Hubby's outta town racing. #1 qualifier in his class, but I sure as hell wished he'd have been here last night to take care of the basement thing. Guess I need to know this stuff regardless, so I did all I could do. Which was to make sure nothing was caught in the pump (and it wasn't). It just rained so hard so fast that the pump could not keep up with it, but things are better tonight.
Mommy and Daddy will be back tomorrow. Let's hope Isaac has a good night!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
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