Posts Categorized: Love

In the Backyard

Summer’s truly here; the air conditioner’s been running regularly for a couple of weeks. I’ve done quite a bit of work in the yard, trying to get things done before the heat sets in. Things look pretty good. Of course, a garden is “a thing of beauty and a job forever,” which is a quote I have on a little plaque that sits on my garden bench.

Before we went to Tennessee in April, I carefully rearranged the potted plants on the patio into spaces around the yard, trying to be sure that they got the appropriate amount of sun or shade they each needed, and were placed where the sprinkler system would keep them hydrated. We were away almost two weeks, and when we pulled into the driveway, home again at last, I was taken aback at how awful the lawn looked. I went straight to the system’s controls in the garage and discovered, to my horror, that, while I had set the timer correctly, I had not actually turned the system on. EEEKKKK.

The patio plants all looked pretty poorly. The lavender looked dead (and it was). But, with some care, everything else came back fine.

 

 

I’m excited to see the big, fat berries on the holly bush.

There will be pretty red berries for Christmas!

 

And, the crape myrtle tree has lost a branch!!

 

 

 

 

But the most interesting, and a little bewildering, thing that I discovered in my yard this spring—

I was out in the yard a couple of weeks ago, and, as I rounded the corner from the back yard to the side where the ferns grow, I looked down and saw . . . yes, a hot dog. I looked at it long and hard. It’s a hot dog.

I’ve not ever seen a dog, or dogs, roaming around the neighborhood. Every now and then I see a cat (or rather, what’s left of a bird in the yard). But, really, do cats eat hot dogs? Maybe. Anyway, I left it where it was and went on with my yardwork. Then, I went inside for some lunch.

 

 

When I went back outside, to work some more, I checked on the hot dog. As you can clearly see, the space was empty. Really? The hot dog noshing dog/cat/whatever was waiting, quietly, observantly, cautiously for me to leave. Then they returned and retrieved their lunch? Seriously? Do squirrels do that sort of thing? (And really, I wouldn’t put anything past a squirrel.)

 

 

Anyway, no other aberrant food items have been deposited in the yard, at least none that I’ve noticed. Rain poured down last Sunday; if I had a gully, it would have been washed out. I hope it’s not the last of the good rainfalls.

 

 

Shout praises to the Lord, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord!You know the Lord is God!

He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture.

Be thankful and praise the Lord as you enter his temple. The Lord is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever.

Psalm 100 (Contemporary English Version)

Travelogue, Part 2

Years and years ago, when Kevin was in elementary school, he misplaced a cassette tape we had borrowed from the library. It was overdue, and, believe it or not, at that time our library did not charge late fees. But, we did need to find it. While he was at school one day, I meticulously went through his room, searching for the missing tape. He had some shelves along one wall, with bins that held various toys and games and supplies. He had a bookshelf, a chest of drawers, and a desk. I went through every single one of the spaces, searching for the tape. I did finally find it, in (and I am not making this up) the last place there was to look. He had a chair desk with a shelf underneath the seat, and that’s where the tape was. But, before I got there, as I searched all the other places, in every single space I pawed through, I found:

In every single space!!

 

I had a very similar experience while we were in Tennessee. David’s mom (who celebrated her 95th birthday while we were there), is in a rehab center now. I spent a couple of days working in her bedroom, straightening up and cleaning up the space. She had several purses. Actually, twenty-five of them; I counted. I went through every one, making sure she hadn’t accidentally left cash or credit cards in them (or who knows what). They were basically empty. Nothing valuable. But in every purse (every one of them) I found:

In every single one!

It was a little deja-vuish, reminding me of the search from years before.

I also found these interesting items in my mother-in-law’s room:

If you’re not old enough to recognize them, here’s how those things were used:

Then, for fun, I got to go to North Carolina to have lunch with friends in Black Mountain, and go to the Appalachian Folk Art Center in Asheville. And then, for more fun, David and I went to West Virginia to visit my cousin, Nancy.

We went to the Monocacy National Battlefield, in Frederick, Maryland, which was interesting, and a place we were unfamiliar with.

 

 

Kevin took me to task last week for including the fact that, when we left town, there were baby birds in a nest in the garage, and, upon returning, we didn’t immediately check on them. You’ll be relieved (or, absolutely unconcerned) to know that there was a completely empty (no carcasses) and clean nest up there. Apparently, the parent birds did a lovely job of sidling in the space at the bottom of the garage door with food for their kids, and shepherding them through their childhoods until they were ready to fly away.

 

 

 

 

Live under the protection
    of God Most High
    and stay in the shadow
    of God All-Powerful.
 Then you will say to the Lord,
“You are my fortress,
    my place of safety;
    you are my God,
    and I trust you.”

Psalm 91: 1,2 (Contemporary English Version)

Traveling is great! Seeing family and friends and visiting new places are invigorating! Now, I’m about ready to rest in my (physical) place of safety for a while.

I Really Never Know What to Do at Times Like This

Here’s what happened to me last weekend. The doorbell rang and there was a man I didn’t know standing on the porch. He explained that he was the son of a lady up in the next block. “You know, the one with the little dogs.”

“I don’t really know anyone in the next block,” I said. And he told me his story.

He was visiting his mother (up in the next block), and she’d left the house on some errand, and he needed to go get his daughter in Waxahachie  (a real town in Texas, up near Dallas-you can look it up).

“I lost track of the time,” he went on. “When I realized I was running late, I picked up my keys and rushed out the door and pulled it shut. It locked behind me before I realized that I hadn’t picked up my wallet or my phone. So I don’t have any cash or credit cards or ID, and I can’t call anybody. I need gas for the trip. Can you help me out? I need about $25.00.”

Hmmmmmm.

I understand that, because I am an honest person, I’m inclined to think that other folks are honest, too. And sometimes I’m right, and sometimes I’m wrong. Really wrong.

So now, what to do? What to do?

I’m sure I looked skeptical.

He pointed to the car parked across the street.

“That’s my car. I can give you my license number. I sure hope you can help.” (Insert sad-looking but hopeful face here.)

Of course, later, I thought of all the questions I should have asked.

Do you live here in Waco? I can call a friend for you.

Has your mother lived here a long time? Did you grow up in that house?

What’s your mother’s house number?

How many miles is it from here to Waxahachie?

Can you spell Waxahachie?

 

I’m am also aware that it is exactly the sort of thing that I might do.

So I gave him $25.00.

“I’ll bring you the money, when I get back into town,” he said, oh so earnestly.

I waited a few seconds. then I said, “You know, why don’t you just pay it forward.”

“Oh, no!” he said. “I’ll bring it back. I’ll put it in an envelope and put it in your mailbox.’

“No,” I said again. “You just go ahead and pay if forward.”

So I’ll never know, will I, if he’s an honest man or not. I’m willing to choose to think the best.

 

Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:42

 

I will admit to checking the curb the next morning, to see if there was some sort of graffiti that might signify “gullible lady lives here.” The curb was clean.

Easter

The more things change …

Several months ago, April took the job of Preschool Director at their church in Fort Worth, which means that traveling to Waco on weekends is pretty much off the table. After Peter spent his spring break with us, and I returned him to Fort Worth at the end of the week, I said to David, “If we want to do any Eastery things with Peter, then he’s going to have to come back here. Next weekend.”

I talked with Kevin, who at first said, “No, we really have some things going on this weekend,” but with some additional consideration (April had a paper due on Easter Sunday, in addition to other school-related work and church preparation), they said, “Yes, it will be a great idea for Peter to come to Waco again.”

After taking him to Fort Worth the previous Friday afternoon, I went back on Thursday and picked him up after school and we arrived in Waco in time to drive through Chick-fil-A and get David a nugget meal and Peter some Waffle Fries for their dinner in the snack room at the Mayborn Museum before their traditional late-night Thursday visit.

I’m sorry not to have a photo of Peter as everyone is cleaning up the cookout area and folding up the long tables to return to the church building. He joined the men who were carrying the folded-up tables to pickup trucks. As the tables went by, held up by an adult on each end, there’s a little pair of feet, walking along in the center of the table, helping out.

David drove him back to Fort Worth Sunday afternoon. I went home and had a nap.

A couple of days ago, I went to Target and was hoping to get some post-Easter deals, but no Easter stuff was on clearance. Oh, yeah. WE had Easter egg hunts and Easter basket treats last weekend. But not everybody else.

So now, I’m resetting myself. It’s Easter this Sunday. It feels a little like I’m celebrating twice. And, it’s time to listen to some music, don’t you think?

Royal Choral Society

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Flash mob

Flash mob in German

 

 Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! (New King James Version)

Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. (New Revised Standard Version)

Praise the Lord! Our Lord God All-Powerful now rules as king. (Contemporary English Version)

Revelation 19:6

The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! (New King James Version)

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah and he will reign forever and ever. (New Revised Standard Version)

Now the kingdom of this world belongs to our Lord and to his Chosen One! And he will rule forever and ever! (Contemporary English Version)

Revelation 11:15

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (New King James Version)

King of kings and Lord of lords (New Revised Standard Version)

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Contemporary English Version)

Revelation 19:16

 

 

Now, there’s really nothing else to say, is there.

 

Holidays and Traditions

Many families have all sorts of traditions that aren’t at all related to holidays. “First tooth comes out” traditions, “You’ve got your Drivers’ License” traditions, “You got a great report card” traditions. We’re always looking for a reason to celebrate, aren’t we.

And some of our most entrenched and precious traditions are built around the faith-based seasons and days in our family. For us, Christmas is loaded with them, and Easter isn’t too far behind. Dying eggs, hiding eggs, and finding eggs. New clothes, new shoes. In girl families, there might be new purses to go with the new shoes, new jewelry to compliment the new clothes, new lipstick, new eye shadow, and, well, that’s what it was like in my family when I was growing up. However, I grew up and had a boy family, which might mean a new shirt.

But I grew up with the traditional complete new outfit for Easter. We got up on Easter morning, looked for the eggs hidden in the living room, ate some chocolate, pretended to eat some reasonable breakfast, put on our new clothes, and went off to church.

And, in the next generation:

So, there should be some cookies baked, some eggs decorated, hidden, and found, there will be Worship in the Park on Sunday, and, possibly, at some point, a chocolate bunny will be involved.

 

This day belongs to the Lord!
    Let’s celebrate
    and be glad today

Psalm 118:24 (Contemporary English Version)

 

 

I’m glad to celebrate and be glad. Today, tomorrow, and all the other days.

 

 

Angels Unawares*

A stranger was kind to me a couple of days ago. I thought it might make a blog post, and I thought of the quote “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

I looked up that quote, to be able to attribute it correctly. I put “kindness quotes” in the search engine, and got a page of poster-like things containing various quotes written in cute scripts and fonts, all attractively portrayed. The quote I was searching for appeared several times. It’s by Tennessee Williams from the play A Streetcar Named Desire, spoken by the character Blanche DuBois. When I looked for the context of the comment, I decided it wasn’t what I was looking for.

I found this: “You cannot imagine the kindness I’ve received at the hands of perfect strangers.” Somerset Maugham. This quote is from the novel The Narrow Room, and I can only find the briefest blurb about it, so, with no real context, I’m not sure it’s what I’m wanting, either.

I kept on looking at the quotes, which seem to be basically screen shots of posters. I found a couple I liked:

“The unexpected kindness of strangers when you’re having a stressful day just makes everything easier.” Lacey Chabert (actress, voice actress)

“At this point, the only reliable resource is the kindness of friends and strangers.” Robert Hayes (actor in such productions as Airplane and Sharknado 2)

“If you rely on the kindness of strangers, be prepared one day to pay them back.” Linda Poindexter

I’m unfamiliar with Linda Poindexter, and when I searched for her, I found that there are several ladies who share that same name. I think she’s the one who was an Episcopal priest.

I also like this non-stranger-related quote from her:

“If one drop of rain can find its way to the ocean, then one prayer can find its way to God.” Linda Poindexter

But, on to the stranger issue. I’ve mentioned before about how I occasionally embarrass Jeremy in New York by trying to chat (in a friendly way) with people in the grocery store, the way I do in Waco, Texas. Earlier this week, I said, “Oh, excuse me” a couple of times, when I rounded a corner from one aisle to another, and came cart-to-cart with another shopper. We smiled at each other and went on. Someone barrelled out in front of me and said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” And we smiled at each other. We just interact more, and in friendly ways, here in the Lone Star State, even though we are pretty much strangers to each other.

Which brings me to the kind stranger I met earlier this week. I was heading into church Wednesday morning, to help clean out a supply room. The wind was howling and I was shivering as I walked across the parking lot. I did have on a dress and extra shirt, a sweater, and a jacket (all buttoned up to my chin). A few people were walking in, too–leaders for the community college-staffed English and GED classes that we provide space for, Monday-Thursday mornings.

My heavy knit jacket–
I replaced the buttons recently. The button holes had stretched a little bit, and the buttons kept popping out.

The back of my jacket–
This is how the tie belt was tied when I bought the jacket, and how it usually stays.

A woman was walking a few feet ahead of me, and as we walked into the building, we were commenting on the chilly, blustery day. There are two sets of doors at the entrance, and as I walked through the second one, I realized there was another lady behind me. “Oh, exucse me,” I said. “I didn’t see you there.” We smiled at each other and walked on in. A few feet further, there are a couple of steps up into the main hallway.

“Oh, wait! Wait!” She said. I stopped and turned around, but she went on toward my back. Her arms were full of her teaching supplies, but, one-handed, she untied the fabric belt at the back of my jacket. She reached around and pulled one end of the belt and the other around my waist.

“Tie it,” she said. And then smiled in satisfaction when I’d had it snugly around my waist. “It’s warmer now,” she said. And I said, “Thanks.”

She went happily along to her classroom, and for the rest of the day, I made sure my belt was tied when I was out in the wind.

Maybe in Brooklyn, or other places, someone might have said, “Mind your own business!” Maybe in Brooklyn, she’d never have been so bold. And while I was a little startled, I took it in what I’m imagining was a loving concern. A kindness from a stranger.

 

Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2 (Christian Standard Bible)

One of the poster screen shots had the “I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers” quote, but attributed it to W.E.B. Dubois. Hmmmm. No, I didn’t think so. I looked up Mr. Dubois and found several quotes (none, however, related to strangers). I liked these:

“Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.”

“The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.” W.E.B. Dubois, PhD.

* The King James Version translation of Hebrews 13:2 says: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” When I was growing up, I always thought that “unawares” was a word that modified the noun “angels,” instead of the verb “entertained.” I didn’t really know what “angels unawares” were, but it sounded lovely.

 

New Year’s Reflections

The new year (I know, I’m a little behind) is a time for looking back and seeing how things have gone (or, are going).

The fingernail report–

Back in the fall, I had a cyst removed from my nailbed. It took forever to grow all the way out. If you’re interested, you can read the story.

It seems I’m always loosing plants during cold weather because I’m not diligent about taking care of them. Here’s:

The plant report-

Another year older

The boy report–

Three years from “head all the way below the bar” to “head all the way above the bar.”

So, my health, my yard, my grandson. Things that preoccupy my thoughts and time and energy. I could place a lot of “happy face” emojis here, but … I guess I’m still more a word person.

 

 

Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.

James 1:17 (The Message)

 

This is how I feel sometimes–like rivers of light are cascading down on me, in the things that give me such joy and delight.

Christmas Perfect, or Christmas Memorable

If all your Christmases run smoothly, and everything’s perfect–just like it was so carefully planned, how do you remember one Christmas from another? Do they just blur together, in one big holiday collage of red and green and a tree and lights?

Not at our house. We live in RealWorldLand, where the best laid plans stay lying around, being balky and uncooperative, which means that we are often, at holiday time, remembering previous disasters/missteps/etc. Like, “Remember the time Mom put Snickers bars in the toes of our Christmas stockings, and we had the fire going on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning, and when we dug the candy bars out, they were all melted in their wrappers?” Stuff like that. Nothing particularly serious. Just memorable.

Jeremy and Sarah arrived the Friday before Christmas, from New York. They rented a car and drove to Waco from DFW airport. (Even though Jeremy really appreciates the public transportation in New York, he seems to have missed, a little bit, being able to drive.) We had a pretty relaxing time, doing some cooking (there were still some apples left over from Halloween, and they crafted some homemade applesauce, which was yummy, and for Christmas dessert, they made Apple Crisp). Memorable.

Jeremy dug through the game closet and pulled out games to play.

Jeremy and Sarah and I played a round of Ticket to Ride. Then we played again with David. I was in last place, seriously in last place, both times. Then, we played again with Kevin. I won. By a lot! Which proves that, while a little bit of skill is important, luck plays a significant part in this game. Memorable.

Also memorable this year, April wasn’t able to come. Peter had been sick, but was well enough to come (if you don’t count that fact that his ears were still stopped up and he often appeared to be ignoring us). April, however, was pretty sick, missed her own family’s celebration, and stayed in Fort Worth. We’ll remember that Christmas without April, but we hope it doesn’t happen again.

As I planned and prepared for Christmas dinner, I kept thinking, “Oh, I should have  . . . .” And I bought the ingredients. (And, I had actually baked and sliced two small turkey breasts for Christmas dinner ‘way back right after Thanksgiving, and put them in the freezer. Unusually ahead of time.) Quite memorable.

Kevin and Peter were arriving late afternoon on  Christmas, and we were cooking and getting ready for a good part of the day. The counter just kept getting more and more crowded. Just as I was putting some of the final dishes out, I suddenly felt really weak and shaky. I plopped into the rocking chair in the kitchen and said, “My blood sugar’s low.” “What do you need? What do you need!” “Juice,” I said. “There’s white grape juice in the fridge door.” They brought it over, and kept putting out food and arranging things. The turkey was heating up in the oven, and they kept asking what else was supposed to be out and where was it. Finally, it was just the turkey that needed to come out.

Some nice, sliced turkey pieces, lying artfully amid the glass pie plate shards.

 

Jeremy picked up the glass pie pan that was holding the turkey slices and carried it to the serving area. About three inches away, the pan slipped from the pot holder in his hand and crashed to the floor. Turkey and glass shards everywhere. Fortunately, some of the turkey was still in the oven. On another pie plate.

Jeremy looked down at the mess and said, “Was that plate special?” “Well,” I admitted. “It belonged to my mother … but I have the other one. There’s another one!” There was enough turkey for everyone (well, for the everyone who’s not vegetarian). Pretty memorable.

 

The kids worked on a desk/bookshelf for David’s office. Then they erected a small enclosed (plastic) greenhouse sort of thing, for me to use to keep my plants safe during the winter. Mem.Or.A.Ble!

And some things aren’t all that memorable; they’re just traditions that we like to keep up!

We went to the Christmas Eve service. Maybe we won’t remember the exact details a few months from now, but it was good to see family members who have come back for the holiday to visit. It was good to sit in the dark with my own family, and hear the songs and the story. It was good to see the candlelights all around the room. It was memorable.

 

Mary, too, pondered all of these events, treasuring each memory in her heart.

Luke 2:19 (The Voice)

Wishing you many memorable moments to treasure in your heart.

 

What a Week . . . End

Peter has come for a visit the past two weekends. This past weekend was the regular Thursday-Monday visit, but the weekend before, Kevin and a friend had planned a campout (not for little guys, and just as well, the temperature was frigid and the wind fierce), so Peter came for Saturday and Sunday. He and David went out to breakfast, as usual, but, alas, they could not visit the Mayborn Museum, as they usually do. Because the Mayborn is part of the Baylor campus, and on the river side of things, just across from the giant football stadium, and as parking is at a premium on game day, the museum is closed when there’s a football game. They came home from breakfast at loose ends. “What’ll we do now?”

The last time Peter was here, on a Sunday, we went to the library near church, because it’s the only one open on Sundays. We found some friends from church who were using the computer in the children’s part of the library. There were some interesting things to do. So, to the glum men of the house, I suggested that we might try going to the library. Oh, yes! Yes! Yes!

This past week, I picked him up on Thursday after school.

He took a long time to fall asleep Thursday night (all the excitement of a trip to Waco)! David said that at 12:15, Peter came wandering to his office and talked about a dream. “He said he was flying in an airplane,” David said the next day.

“And he fell out and the wind blew him to safety?” I asked. “Yeah!” he said.

But Peter easily went back to bed and fell asleep quickly. And slept until … 4:15, when he appeared at my bedside. “I’m hungry,” he said. “Do you want your Nutella kolache?” I asked. “Yeah,” he said.

We went to the kitchen, and he ate about half of it.  “That’s all I want,” he said. “I’ll eat the rest later.” He told me about the airplane dream and then walked back into the living room and got on his air mattress. And went back to sleep. He woke up again at 8:50 Friday morning, which put us a little bit later for zoo arrival than usual. We typically like to get to the zoo parking lot by 8:45 a.m. (it opens at 9:00), so we can get a good parking place under a little bit of shade, so that the car’s not so hot when we leave. But, now, in November, that’s not really problem.

One of his most favorite things to do at the zoo is to play in this dirt, which is in a little artificial wishing well. He pretends we’re making stew, and we gather leaves and small sticks and pebbles, and he stirs (not much, because the dirt in there is pretty tamped down) and stirs. This time, he ran across a quarter and a penny. “No,” I said, anticipating the question. “You cannot take this money. People put it in here and made a wish. We are not allowed to remove it.” He covered it back up before we left.

When we left the zoo, we stopped at the snack bar for something to eat, and he chose a small bag of Chex Mix. Notice how the bag says “Savory?” Traditional Chex Mix is “Savory.” Peter does not, apparently, like “Savory.”

We went to Wal-Mart for stuff for the rest of our meals. We checked the Chex Mix area, and, it was as I feared. There is no such thing as “Regular” Chex Mix. There is Chocolate Chex Mix and Bold Chex Mix and Honey Nut Chex Mix and Muddie Buddies Chex Mix. Even the Cheddar Chex Mix says “Savory” on it. (And the chocolate/muddie buddie/Honey Nut varieties seemed like a no-go for his folks.)

I suggested that we make our own. We visited the cereal aisle to look for possibilities. We settled on Rice Chex, Rice Krispies, peanuts, Pretzel Goldfish (which we had to get at Target), Cheerios, and I gave in to yogurt raisins. I added cashews to the list, after seeing it in another recipe, but he said no. And, we already had some cheese crackers to add. And that’s it. No spices or flavorings or butter. No baking and stirring every five minutes. Just the ingredients, all stirred up together. We had it for dinner Saturday night.

 

AND, he wanted to make Rice Krispie treats, and we should get some marshmallows. Fortunately, I had already gotten some at Central Market in Fort Worth, before I picked him up. I cannot get the kind I need (vegetarian) at HEB. I haven’t looked at a health food store, but I might could get them there. (And, if you’re confounded by the problem, Peter and April are vegetarians, and regular marshmallows are not vegetarian. Read the label for the solution to that conundrum.) So he went home with a plastic Glad box of snack mix and one with Rice Krispie treats.

Sunday morning–time change, and he was up reasonably early, which made getting to church easy.

Monday morning, he showed up at my bedside at 5:50, which is just about the time that David gets up. He was surprised at how early Peter was awake, but, really, it’s about the time that he would usually get up (at the REAL 6:50!). (I AM NOT ANY KIND OF FAN, AT ALL, OF TIME CHANGE!) David got up, Peter went to play, and I got up and started Peter’s laundry.

I wanted to visit a nursery I like in Arlington before delivering Peter back home. I pulled off 35 a little before I thought I needed to, to put the address into the phone so I could get good directions. We stopped at a gas station for me to do that. Peter needed a restroom, so we went in. Then we walked up and down the aisles, looking for a snack for him that I was willing to purchase. We finally whittled it down to pumpkin seeds.

At the counter, as I was opening my purse for money for the seeds, the clerk looked down at Peter and said, “I like your hair.” He looked up and said, “Thank you.” She looked at me and said, “Can I give him a cookie?” Now really. What was I going to do?!? Say no!? Which was like being rude to a kind person who wanted to give a gift to a child. So I said, “Yes.”

 

 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

Proverbs 31:17 (New International Version)

I may not be quite as vigorous or strong as I used to be, but I can still pick him up. When I really need to. But it’s hard for me to carry him around. However, at the nursery, there were these little carts for people to pull around to put their plants on. With a long handle on the front. And, in my case, a boy sitting among the plants. And, for the most part, uphill. Which might explain why, yesterday before I started walking on the treadmill, I took one of the pain pills I take when I’m feeling extra sore. But we’re talking about my arms here. Right!?!

First, Chik-fil-a, then the Mayborn, then the Zoo, then cookies, and so on and so on and so on

As soon as Peter’s parents seemed interested in Peter’s new Pre-K school, I went online to look at the school calendar and discovered when the Monday holidays were, put them on my own calendar, and, as soon as seemed appropriate (a day or so after school had begun), I mentioned it to Kevin and suggested that we begin to think along the lines of “when can Peter come to visit again?”

And so, Columbus Day it was! I picked him up, as has been the norm, at school’s end on Thursday (because, really, even though there is school on Fridays, it’s Pre-K and there isn’t going to be a visit from college reps or big “we-hope-you’ll-get-into-the-university-of-your-choice” testing). And isn’t a trip to the zoo just as educational? I think SO!

And, truly, he seems taller and stronger and, well, all the ‘ers there could be.

Thursday–meeting Granddad at the Mayborn for Late Night, which includes Waffle Fries before visiting the rooms. And, a quietish early evening for Mimi, who spent quite a bit of the day in the car.

Friday–ZOO! Freshwater Aquarium, playground, tortoises, grilled cheese at the cafe.

I took this photo and sent it David to see what it was. I got this in response: “In general, assassin bugs hunt on various types of vegetation, including trees, weeds and bushes. Assassin bugs are able to fly but they are poor fliers in general with some notable exceptions.
Although most assassin bugs are slow-moving and non-aggressive, they will use their rostrum in self-defense if handled carelessly. Such bites may be rather painful to humans because the bugs inject the same salivary secretion used to dissolve the tissues of their prey. This results in the death of a small area of cells at the site of the bite. The symptoms are an intense burning sensation, often followed by a small, itchy lump that may persist for several days. However, no true toxin is involved so it is rare for the reaction to last long or to extend beyond the site of the bite. Some bites occur when the bugs are purposely handled out of curiosity, but most happen through accidental contact while gardening or working in the open. The sharp pain associated with assassin bug bites is usually enhanced by the surprise accompanying the experience.
The beneficial qualities of assassin bugs far outweigh their negative potential, and learning to get along with these indispensable predators is in our own best interest.” BAD BITES!! You’d think I’d have learned my bug lesson by now!

Well, it didn’t bite me, and we were at home and ready to make some cookies for a friend who loves Halloween.

Also on Friday, Peter was talking to me about Columbus Day, and how it was a holiday on Monday and we should have a cake that said “Columbus Day” on it, and have it for breakfast on Monday, with hot chocolate. He is always full of ideas that are really rather stream of consciousness things, and I said, “Sure.”

On Saturday, he said, “What about our plan, Mimi?” “What plan?” Sign of exasperation. “Our plan of a Columbus Day cake and hot chocolate for breakfast!” “Oh, that plan.”

So Sunday, before going to the library to get another video, because the Bob video we got on Friday only had ONE Bob, and some other characters in other videos, and the library doesn’t open until 1:00, we went to Wal-Mart for cake ingredients, etc. And then when we got back to the library, there were some friends from church, finding some interesting activities on the computers, and we didn’t get home until 3:00, and then I had to be back at church by 4:00 for a training event, and when I got home a little before 6:00, we went straight to Kiddieland to ride the train and a couple of other things, and then we rushed home for a quick bath and some dinner, and enough time for a book before bedtime at 8:00, so I was up until midnight or so, baking and decorating that little cake.

At then at breakfast, David said, “I thought there was supposed to be hot chocolate,” and I said, “EEK!” and warmed up some milk and put chocolate syrup in it.

 

 

How can we possibly thank God enough for all the happiness you have brought us?

1 Thessalonians 3:9 (Contemporary English Version)

 

There’s another Monday holiday the first week of November. I have my hopes up.