a cheap date

The grandees and I enjoyed a whole day together

with lots of entertainment that didn't cost a thing.

After collecting them from their house, 

the first thing we did was to park in the shade near
the demolition of building where I used to work. 

So much to see, though not quite as exciting as an implosion.

If we turned our heads to the right we could watch a basket

of men rising to the top to work on a cell phone tower.

Very exciting, especially for the middle grandee,

who happens to be a boy.

Then off to the airport to watch planes take off and enjoy the breeze on a hot day.

And a little exercise running down the steep hill
and climbing back up the rain eroded path.

They were quite impressed Grandma knows about

veggie sticks and brought them as a snack.

On the way back home we read a chapter from the book we are reading together

while Grandpa drove. It kept things nice and quiet.

Then at Grandma's house: lunch, play, more stories and almost a whole

bags of cookies consumed (no one is claiming credit).

Seems something always is carried home from Grandma's house

and this time it was these colored little (shot) glasses I bought for them at 

20 cents a piece. Amazing how crazy they were for them.

They play restaurant a lot, so that might be one reason.

There's at least five things here so I'll join Amy's Five on Friday.

as lovely as a tree

Maybe it's because of the intense heat at this time of year, 

but I find my eyes often drawn to the trees.

Their leaves are rich with green in full array,

and shade stretching from them welcomes a cooler place.

"I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

"A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

"A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

"A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

"Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

"Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree."
Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918

Turning from the horrible events of recent weeks,
I gaze upon a shady tree,
and find some rest for a weary mind.

Five Things to Do

We often talk in our mentor group about how to help others when there 

is illness or other hard times. During this time of the Gardener being so 

sick we've experienced the care of community first hand.  

I notice five things that we especially appreciated.

1. Friends and family checking in on us with a text or email rather
than a phone call.  A note or card in the mail is sweeter still. 

Occasionally phone calls are fine but often we were too tired to talk.

2. Friends reminded us that they were there if we needed anything, 

even suggesting ways they could help.
 I know they meant it and felt free to call on them. 

3. We didn't need meals but an occasional break for me was nice. 

4. I appreciated encouragement for me through
a bountiful bouquet of flowers. 

See how they multiplied and I barely missed a small nosegay
I took to an elderly friend in a nursing home on her birthday. 

(Note to self: be sure to save small jars for giving flowers to others).

5. People that pray assured us of their prayers.
How much that meant to us!

out of the mouth of babes comes ...

…comfort. Do you find it true? Kids and dogs seem to sense when you're sad and know 

just what to do. I had a very hard adjustment when we first moved to Africa with a baby 

and a toddler. Tears came frequently, especially at the beginning of a new day. 

I'd sit in the kitchen, tears streaming down my face, 

trying to muster up energy to make yucky porridge, missing cheerios for the boys.
I wondered how I could manage this new way of living.
(I did eventually adjust and loved our life there.)

Along would come Eldest with his arms wide open to hug and comfort me. 

He wasn't quite three.

The Gardener has been very ill in recent weeks. I can write about it now because he is

 getting well. A vicious virus attacked his body. It's been a rough patch and good to see light 

at the end of the tunnel. One day Youngest son suggested I go over to spend time 

with the grands. As we cuddled on the couch to read stories, I could tell they knew something was up. 

They were so sweet and just being with them was a huge dose of a medicine called comfort.

Photos: my two best givers of comfort,

in Africa, long before they became grown men.

Five good things about mornings

In random order:

1. Breakfast.

2. Coffee

3. Time for reflection and prayer as a new day begins.

4. Checking on the garden in coolish morning air.

5.  And then a more vigorous walk around the neighborhood.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mornings are my favorite time of day.

They offer the opportunity for fresh starts, new projects,

renewed energy and endless possibilities.

Joining in Amy's Five on Friday.

fit for a queen

I could not think of a more fitting way to celebrate Judith's years of hosting Mosaic Monday 

than by posting about a tea party that was--almost--fit for a queen.

And changing my font color to lavender.

I helped to host a retirement tea for a colleague and friend who was, uh, yes, retiring.

By the time we put together our bits and pieces we

had a lovely event that I think she appreciated.

I concluded we need more such celebrations. 

Thank you Judith for your years of hosting MM. 

I hope you enjoy this "virtual" tea party

with these photos in your honor!

Linking a last time to Mosaic Monday.

five sounds of comfort

1. The sound of a lawn mower. Why? I've pondered that. Could it be knowing

there will be a tidy lawn when the noise stops?

2. The sound of tires on gravel. Why? Life is happening. Either

I or someone else is coming or going.
And, half the time it includes anticipation.

3. When waking in the house of a friend, or a bed and breakfast, 

the distant sound of clinking dishes (enhanced by the scent of coffee.)

Why? Someone else, not me, is preparing breakfast. 

4. The night sound of crickets.

Why? This takes me back to my childhood when we slept with our windows open

during summer nights. We would sleep with our head at the foot of the

bed--apparently it was cooler that way--and the sound of crickets

filled the night air. 

5. The hum, singing or chatter of a child deeply content at play.

Why? It's a good clue all is well.

When I mowed the lawn this morning I thought about sounds 

of comfort. There's more than five I can think of.

 How about you?

Joining Amy's Five on Friday.

more on bliss

I called ahead to request a quiet table for four

in a popular noisy Thai restaurant. Reluctantly they said

they'd save one when I mentioned "birthday," though

it's not their usual practice.

Three friends and I have a long-held tradition of celebrating our combined
birthdays by eating lunch out twice a year.
Sometimes it seems a long time between, so this time we

decided to start celebrating some "un-birthdays" so that we will meet more frequently.

As often happens, it can end up with two conversations
going on at the same time between the four of us.

I was thinking how nice it might be if we shared specifically about our lives,
 talking all four together. Kiddingly I said,
"Since I reserved a table for us, I'd like to bring up a topic for discussion."
The others were good with the idea.

Since my recent post on bliss, I've had the subject on my mind, so I suggested we
go around the table and share our bliss, or what, at this stage of life, brings joy.

And we added, "What would we would do if we had $25-50 dollars a week to spend

frivolously (though we knew that would never be.)

It was amazing to see what happened. As each of us shared,

of course there were rabbit trails, but they brought up interesting discussions.

And for sure we learned more about each other than we knew before!

Most interesting to me is that each one of us found

bliss in being able to stay puttering at home for a whole day!

 Our pleasant conversation lingers with me as if a sweet aftertaste,
and I think it will be with me for a long time to come.

5 Table Elements

1. Tablecloth found at garage sale reminds me of Africa.

2. Butter keeper found at a charity shop.

A well beneath holds water or ice for keeping butter cold.

3. Gifted salt and pepper on the table more for charm than use.

4. Very vintage salt cellars from my MIL are used to hold teabags after steeping.

5. The green of lettuce on my G.Will Churchill dishes enhances the table.

A bed for chicken salad to rest upon.

But more than any pretties on the table, it's about those that put aside the 

stresses of a day and sit around the table, sharing a meal and celebrating friendship. 

Joining Amy's Five on Friday.

My bliss

Apparently I once entered a contest naming three things I considered bliss. 

At least I found the scrap of paper and apparently did not win any prize for my thoughts. 

But I think I would name the same three again:

1. Abandoning the main route, meander along country roads, rolling down windows and breathing deeply fresh air. Appreciating God's creation and man's labor showing itself in lush green crops 

and bales of neatly stacked hay. Pass picturesque farmhouses and pristine hamlet churches, 

later returning to the main highway, wondrously refreshed.

2. Sharing a cup of tea with a friend.

3. Getting to stay home on a rainy day.

Would any of these be on your list?

Hold the Phone!

As I was thinking of a title I could hear my father saying, 

"Hold the phone!" 

I don't hear that expression used often anymore,
but it certainly was one of his.
It's means "slow down a minute."

Most of us probably hold our phones a lot more than we used to. 

My phone has become my camera, alarm clock and even flashlight.

But sometimes I like to put it far out of reach. 

I like texted photos.  Here's some from this week.

I took some flag photos on Monday, but it took some time for the breeze to catch it just right. 

It also caught this great view of our neighbors' house, so I texted it to them 

since they were out of town, saying hello on Memorial Day.

The grands and I went to a gym open play time. They were non-stop

for a full hour. I'm sure I was the only one over 40 there, but I did see some

of my young friends with their kids which was nice.
(Needless to say, I came home exhausted!)

Grandson jumped on a blow up surf board and pleaded,

"Take a picture for Daddy, Grandma"

So we did and I sent it off into the air.

There's lots of construction at our church right now and I couldn't help

texting Grandson a picture of this cable going into the ground. 

At nearly 5, he's interested in all such things.

Of course his dad would have to show him the picture. Let's hope he did!

My sister lives where these don't grow so I texted her a picture,

sending her a virtual bouquet.

She was up north for a wedding and texted me a

picture of the house we lived in during our teen and college years.

How we loved that rambling old house. It looks exactly the same.

And that's five texted photos for Five on Friday.

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