Grands Are Great!

Last Sunday, when I wasn't sure how I'd make it through the day because I was feeling so low,  I learned something quite wonderful — re-learned something quite wonderful. Grandchildren are sent just when you need them most!

My son made a wreath holder, my daughter purchased a wreath, I made an arrangement, the grandsons brought their bikes and we struck off for the cemetery.

Where I learned that activity and fresh air are antidotes for the gloomies. (I also noted that the bike seats on those grands' bikes need to be raised already. They are growing like weeds.)

When bike riding ended, we sat on a granite wall and talked for a while. Then the eldest grand said, "Let's go to Nonni's!" Oh dear. I remembered that there were ladders up, inside and outside, paint cans, nails, a regular fright show so I suggested another day. This did not compute with grands at all. I explained. Still no understanding. More explaining. Finally, Sam said, "So you don't have time for me today, Nonni?" Nearly broke my heart in two. And, though his father intervened reminding him that we'd spent a nice long time already, the gloomies settled in. 

In the end, a party was planned, which is when I re-learned another important thing. Make plans! Plans are good.

The party is today. I'm prepared more or less. Must do an apple cider run and a doughnut run. This will be one of those growing posts. When I have more pictures, I'll be popping them in.

A happy Saturday to you...

Such fun; such silliness!

It was a happy day!

Brrrr...It's a Novembery Day

Dull November brings the blast,
Then the leaves are whirling fast.

~Sara Coleridge

Hear those skittering leaves and the gentle howl of the wind?

We've been enjoying a busy Novembery day. John has been working outside and has now come inside...more on that in a bit.

This morning, he put the new siding on the cheekwall outside my sewing room. While I puttered in my warm and cozy room, he was outside in the wind and cold.

When I went outside to see what he'd been doing, I saw this little leaf in the puddle. Looks as if it has been there too long and is becoming a frog!



It even looks cold, doesn't it?

John's Afternoon Project

I am loving my new window and will show it again once the moldings are on.

Hope that you are having a pleasant Veterans Day and I hope that you've had the opportunity to thank a veteran. If one lives at your house, would you thank him or her for me?



The Heavens Declare

Did you see the asteroid last night? My daughter called at 6:15 telling me that it was clearly visible to the right of the moon and that by 6:28 it would be at its closest point. That sent me scurrying for the tripod, camera, and a housecoat.

So there I was after dark on the front lawn snapping pictures when a group of teens walked by. (Some of the very same teens who have been on the wrong side of the law lately.) They looked at me kind of funny (I do not blame them for this. It's not every day that you see an old lady on her front lawn wearing a red housecoat taking pictures of the sky.) I said, "Some asteroid, eh?"

They started looking around...at least they were looking up...and I pointed them to the bright, bright "star" to the right of the moon.

"Oh wow!" they said and kept on walking down the street looking up at the sky. It was cute.

l–r Moon, Asteroid, UFO, Streetlight

Last Night's Moon

Last Night's Hexagon Asteroid? Jupiter!

I'm not sure about this asteroid. I thought they were just chunks of rock, not six-sided golf balls dropping by. I may actually have to do some research: here, here, and here.

I STAND CORRECTED: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance 

Jupiter! That daughter of mine! And I am nearly hysterical thinking of standing out there on my front lawn for lame old Jupiter. Shoot. I have learned my lesson, thanks Christine!

More on yesterday's topic another day. There were nearly as many behind-the-scenes comments that I'd like to discuss (protecting everyone's identity, of course) and perhaps in the new year. We'll leave pretty Blogland to enjoy the holidays.

Voting Results 2011

Morning's news found that Mainers are a pretty uninformed lot over all. I'm so unimpressed with us. It's going to be hard to get over it. I'm feeling about the same way I felt in '08 when I woke to what faced us for the next four years and I believe my feelings were far more justified than I could have ever imagined on that sad morning.

So what have we done? We've decided to hang onto same day voting registration, which means we have the most liberal voting registration in the county. Come one, come all, come vote today. No time to check your creds. We don't really care.

Locally, we've passed the same school budget that has been voted down three times prior because we're just too tired to hold the line anymore. We'll take that grant money— thank you very much— even though it will disappear in one year's time and then we'll just add the program to our burdgeoning list of money pit items so that the tax payers can fork it over once again. I know that good education, no, EXCELLENT education does not cost an arm and a leg. In fact, the best educators I know are the homeschooling parents and the private school educators who care about basic education and have no need of the latest "bells and whistles." We continue to toss extra monies at our public school system with precious few results, but can one say, "It's not about the money, people. It's about the teacher and the support behind him or her" ? That would be no.

And so I am riled up enough to clean that nasty sewing room of mine, which is saying a lot. If I  disappear for a month, you'll know where I am.

A Different Perspective

And I'm speaking literally.

The projects continue outside and inside. Sometimes the projects are interrupted by another's agenda. Like yesterday when I saw my neighbor enter the garage door and so went to ask him if I could help. What did he want? He wanted to clear the leaves from the front lawn for us, but there was that dastardly pile of snow.

Thus ended my indoor project for the day as I soon found myself chipping away at snow and ice. Then I found myself dog sitting Shadow while my neighbor mulched leaves. It was the least I could do and everything looks so neat and tidy now.

Because I was hanging out with Shadow, I was able to take some photos of our home from a different perspective. I got to see what my neighbor sees. I'm so happy that his view is slowly improving.

Notice all the color that still remains toward the ravine?  We've had a wonderful extended autumn, if one doesn't mind an unexpected snowstorm and more muted colors than usual.

And if the foliage disappoints, one can always look up to those crystal clear blue, blue skies.

Thanks, Shadow, for getting me out of the house!

Today it's off to vote and finish that project.

A happy Tuesday to you...

Comfort

...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.~ Psalm 139:16 NIV

I take comfort in that for myself and for my loved ones. Last year, when Nan was going through her final days on this earth, a commenter (thank you, Lea) prayed the most comforting prayer: May she live every one of her intended days.

In our humanity, my family and I would never have chosen November 6 as Nan's departure date because it is also my mother's birthday. So we're all struggling a bit with this anniversary that presents a double whammy. You'll be happy to know that we are talking about it. So important.

My daughter and I will be working on a project together trying to create some new memories for this day and my sister and her family will be doing something together that will be meaningful for them as well. And we'll continue to talk about it.

I'd also like to share something that a friend told me recently. She was probing a bit to see how I was "really" doing, asking those pertinent questions. I responded with my usual, "I know where they are and I could not wish them back." To which she replied, "Your grandmother and mother are having an entirely different experience from your own. It is all right for you to say that you miss them terribly and to acknowledge your own pain."

Perhaps at that point I mentioned that scripture teaches us not to grieve and she reminded me that it does not. What?! No, it teaches us not to grieve as those who have no hope. We have a great hope.

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. ~Psalm 119:114 NIV

Thank you for allowing me to share my heart today...