A Beautiful Day in This Neighborhood

It appears that I have not posted in awhile. That is because I have been trying to add pictures, and they will not post. I find that extremely annoying.

Yesterday (Saturday) our family had a yard sale. We will be doing this again on Saturday, it was sooo much fun.

Okay, well not actually FUN, but enjoyable and profitable enough to do again.

With more stuff. Lots more stuff.

THGGM made the best sale. He sanded a pair of dressers we have had for about 28 years. Then, he painted them black and added brushed nickel hardware. They looked great. I wish I had thought to take a picture of them.

We met a few more neighbors, too. I really like my neighborhood, you might like it too. There are some great houses for sale around here. As THGGM walks the neighborhood nearly everyday, he picks up the info at each 'For Sale' sign. There are still a lot of 'walkers' in our neighborhood, as evidenced by how many people recognized him. "Oh! You live HERE!"

I am happy to announce that I have successfully ALMOST completed ONE sewing project. I broke down and bought the suggested handles. It does seem wise to follow the directions for the first few times, and I have ALMOST done that.

Oh,and I also made a "Cowboy Bag" for Jonge, with which he was not impressed.

And, I must note that today, June 29, 2008 was as nearly perfect a summer day as possible. Cool, cloudy, a bit breezy. BEAUTIFUL.

(Well. Would you look at that. A picture finally saw fit to post.)

The picture is of Oldest Son, who once on a day as lovely as today looked up from his book and said to me, "This is the perfect kind of day to stay inside and read a book."

I looked up from my book in my corner of the living room and gave a hardy amen to that.

What Are You Reading This Summer?

Goodness. I have not been keeping good records of what I've been reading.

I recently finished "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" recommended to me by Daughter-in-law. I LOVED it. I know, I know, I've already said that. But it is SO good. I loved "Jane Eyre" also, but hated "Wuthering Heights" so much I could scream. Where were the parents of yore, protesting that impressionable children were required to read that awful tome? If Heathcliff and Cathy had any redeemable qualities, I missed discovering what they were. I think the Bronte's would have been fun to know.

Recently I finished "Gentian Hill" by Elizabeth Goudge. That woman could write. This was my second time reading it, and I'm happy to say that I now own it in hardcover. What's not to love about half price book day at the thrift store? Incidentally, I did not go there today.

This morning I picked up a book THGGM is reading. He found it in an old desk in the garage. It is N.T. Wright's "The Last Word". VERY good. I read his "Surprised by Hope" earlier this year. Did anyone catch Stephen Cobert's interview with Bishop Wright? Thankfully, we have Youngest Son to give us a head's up when momentous events like this happen.

I'm still reading Madeleine L'Engle's "A Circle of Quiet". I've read this one many times. Yet, every time I do, it feels 'new'. Most likely because of where I am in life at the time I read it. The copy I am reading is a 10 cent thrifted book. As I turn each page, it detaches from the binding. It's akin to reading a book in 'post-it note' form. I love Madeleine L'Engle's poetry (when i'm in a poetry mode, which isn't too often) and her Crosswick Series is one of my all time favorites. I probably should read "A Wrinkle in Time", but I've yet to. I did stay up late one night many years ago to finish "Many Waters". I remember that I was holding one of my yet unread L'Engle books thinking that I should read it, and found out the next day that she had died.

Which reminds me...

Last week as I was moving around books to make room for fabric in my sewing area I held a book of the twenty-third Psalm illustrated by Tasha Tudor. BEAUTIFULLY illustrated by Tasha Tudor, I should say. Had you heard that she passed away June 18 at the age of 92? She captured something of childhood that few illustrators have been able to do. Maybe it's simply that she knew many happy children.

I think that before the summer is over I will read Sheldon Van Auken's "A Severe Mercy" again. I love that book. Since I do not know whether or not Mr. Van Auken is still alive, I fear touching his book.

Although my stack of books 'yet to be read' is beginning to lean, I still am enjoying rereading old favorites.

So, what are you reading? Leave a comment, or email me.

Six Months to Christmas

Sewing In the Noon-tide and the Dewy Eve

My dad had another early morning doctor's appointment today. Whenever I set up doctor's appointments, I seem to forget that I do not like to go out early in the morning. It's like I truly believe that there will be a point in time when I suddenly am not like I actually am.

My mom, until her brain gave out, kept all of my dad's records up to date in her head. I knew my dad had been given these test in the past, but I could not remember when.

Strangely, what I could remember was that at the office where the test was done the last time, they had a fabulous mobile of fish made with old CDs and craft foam. I often wonder, if I were to donate my brain to science, would someone take one look at it and say, "What are we supposed to do with THIS?"

Anyway, it was almost five years ago, the nice lady told us.

When I arrived home, I decided that I was going to just sit down and sew the very Very VERY simple project laid out before me.

I now know five ways NOT to do it.

On the sixth try, I actually got it. I don't remember how now, but for a brief moment I thought that I truly might have retained the ability to learn.

So, I have the 'bag' part of my lined bag finished. I still need to make the handles. I want to try to make cotton clothes line handles. My hope is to use up the stuff I have on hand, and I do have that.

The rest of the afternoon I spent folding up little bits of material, dreaming of what I could do with them as I layered them in the cabinet.

It's fun to dream.

She Has Sewn

Tonight, I ventured down into my basement to sew.

The machine works great!

Although I was reminded of the simple fact that I do not know how to sew.

Random, We've Got Random

I need to be better prepared for weekends. I seriously underestimate how many meals there are in an average weekend. One would think that by the age of 50 I would have figured out some of this, but alas, I have not.

THGGM and I are preparing for a garage sale. This means, he drags stuff out, and I drag it back saying, "NO! Not that!".

On my own, I have realized that I must cut back on my thrifting. It's not that I spend too much time at it, or that I spend to much money. I don't. But, even in a house this size with just two people and an aged cat, soon, we would run out of room and need to add an addition.

Speaking of adding on, I don't believe it would take much to dig a basement, as the sink hole is still sinking bit by bit. And, there is another suspicious feeling dip farther back. Oh. And now we have moles. I am sure that wherever they had been living must have flooded, so they have moved into the ready-made apartments beneath our lawn.

And the healed dishwasher? It is ONLY healed if we stay in the room with it. NO PROBLEMS at all. Unless, of course, we do something totally out of it's will for our lives and go to bed. Then, it weeps giant tears all over the kitchen floor. We have tried everything, but that is the only possible solution. We must stand right next to it, or it will leak.

At the same time I bought the great picture (see below) I also bought a resin figure of a girl, a "June Birthday" figurine holding a rose and wearing pearls, which are the June birthday flower and stone. Having turned 50 this month, I thought I was worth the 80 cents it cost, as it seemed to somewhat represent me. THGGM wasn't as sure of it's value, but he doesn't like to be heard in public denying me the right to spend 80 cents. I don't know which is worse, hearing me whine for something, or having him say 'but where will you put it?' Anyway... when I got it home I found the perfect spot for it in my pink/rose/pearl/girl bathroom. Then, I turned her around. She used to be an angel, but her wings fell off.

And the picture with this post? This is our backyard toad. He likes to surprise me by being exactly where I mean to step while holding plates of food on my way to the table in the backyard.

I like to think of him as THGGM, the early years.

Poor People Fun

If this picture posts, you will see what I found while thrift shopping today.

A lovely round floral print. It's exactly what I wanted in this corner.

If it doesn't post, you will have to take my word for it.

I paid $2.60.

Last night I finally finished Anne Bronte's "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall".

Such a good book! I highly recommend it.

I feel sort of sad now. I will miss everybody. We'd been together since Traverse City.

Meme about Me

I found this on Gabby's site. It's been awhile since I've done one of these, so here goes...

What is in the back of your car?
I do not have a car. In the back of THGGM's car is a package of pink tissue paper.

What color is your toothbrush?
Pink

Name one person who made you smile today.
Famke

What were you doing at 8:00 AM?
Arguing with THGGM about who was going to shower first.

What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
Marveling over the gorgeous sunset!

What is your favorite candy?
Peanut M&M's!

What is the last thing your said aloud?
Messages can still be left on the voice mail even if I am on the computer.

What is the best ice cream flavor?
Blue Moon

What is the last thing you had to drink?
Grape Flavored Water

What are you wearing right now?
Something hideous, yet comfortable.

What is the last thing you ate?
Almonds

Have you bought any new clothes this week?
No new clothes. No thrift clothes either.

When was the last time you ran?
Yesterday. Famke was here.

What was the last sporting event you watched?
Whatever it was that Tiger Woods just won.

Ever go camping?
Yes

Do you have a tan?
No

Do you take vitamins daily?
Yes, quite a few actually.

Do you go to church?
Yes

Do you like Chinese food more than pizza?
It's a tie.

Do you drink your soda with a straw?
I drink my pop straight from the can.

Are you someone's best friend?
I am THGGM's best friend.

What are you doing tomorrow?
The list is long. Very long.

Where is your dad?
Home, looking for his lost hearing aid.

Can you say the alphabet backwards?
Just a minute. Let me turn around. Yes. Yes, I can.

Do you have a maid service clean your home?
No. But we talk a lot about what "Theresa" hasn't done.

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Yes. Those ugly rubbery things. They look absolutely awful on me, but I don't care.

What color is your car?
Okay. Rub it in. I do not have a car. THGGM's car is grey.

How do you like your popcorn?
Sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

How did you get your worst scar?
I was sitting on my couch reading when SUDDENLY a screen fell over, removing my eyebrow.

Look to your left. What do you see?
A microwave

What color is your watch?
Silver

What do you think of when you think of Australia?
"The Thornbirds"

Do you use chap stick?
Not much

Do you have a dog?
No

Last person you talked to on the phone?
Daughter

Have you met anyone famous?
Not when they were famous.

Any plans today?
Not now. It's getting late.

How many states have you lived in?
Just this one. I like it here.

Do you dye your hair?
NO ONE would dye their hair this color. I guess that means, no.

Do you like cats?
I like MY cat.

Maybe I'm Not Supposed to Sew?

Yesterday I truly planned to sew. The machine is actually plugged in. I have a very simple projected laid out on my sewing table. All systems

were 'go'.

But, Daughter appeared at my door with a message that THGGM had called, his glasses had broke, and she needed to drop me off at the eye doctor's office so I could drive him home.

The hope was that they could make them while he waited.

That would have been nice.

But, the machine in our area that does amazing things like make lenses in only an hour was also broke. Another company was available, but they do not cooperate with our insurance company.

We were put in contacted with the next closest lens-making machine, which was over an hour drive away. Really, we had no choice.

THGGM could not remember having a spare pair of glasses. It had been over two years, which means we had moved since then, so I looked through all of the possible drawers in all of the tables that had at one time or another been THGGM night stand. No spare pair turned up.

So, since he was unable to see to drive, and his old glasses unfixable, which would mean that I would have to drive him to the far side of Lansing, I got to work with my jewelry glue and his magnetic sunglasses.

Using jewelry glue and wire I was able to stick and tie his two-piece frames to the sunglasses. It was extremely unsightly, but at least the poor man had sight. This enabled him to drive, and me? Well, it made me happier about going.

We arrived before the 7:00 cut-off for having lenses made in an hour. It was in a very nice mall, so I was able to get in some shopping. They had a fabulous Schuler Books in the mall. It wasn't nearly as enjoyable for THGGM, who was 'stuck' wearing sunglasses.

Isn't this a long and boring story? Yes. Yes it is. Just wait. It gets better.

In exactly an hour, his new glasses were finished. I just find that SO amazing. How DO they DO that?

Anyway...the drive home was wonderful. Michigan is absolutely green and beautiful this time of year. No matter which way we looked we could see deer grazing on all of the lovely corn. I'm sure we saw over a hundred deer.

THGGM was very thankful that he was able to get his glasses replaced. He had already used up half a sick day, something that he does NOT like to do.

At about 9:15 we arrived home. He had his old, broken, glued and wired glasses in his new case. They ARE certifiably a piece of junk now, but since he didn't get sunglasses this time, we thought it might be a good idea to keep these in the car for an emergency.

He opened up the storage compartment. And, guess what?

There were his spare pair of glasses.

Title-less

My dad had another doctor's appointment today. Usually, I enjoy sitting in doctor's offices, people watching and reading the few magazines I do not get. Like boating magazines. Today we didn't have time to read much of anything.

This doctor was very nice, but he liked to talk. And talk. And Talk. And TALK some more. We sat and listened while he TALKED for over an hour.

I just wanted to go home.

While Pa and I were at his appointment, Famke was at her appointment with the eye specialist. I don't know if you have noticed from her pictures, but she has a chronic problem with a goopy eye. Today Daughter was told that there is one more round of drops they can try before the only other option will be surgery, as it doesn't look as if she will out-grow this.

I hardly notice her eye trouble anymore, but her uncles are frightened by it. Eye-boogers, they call it.

Anyway, when I finally did get home from the veeeeeeeeery looooooooong doctor's appointment I decided that it was time to set up a spot for my sewing machine. It is now on a very nice table in the basement, surrounded by piles of fabric. But, before I set it up for good, I have to run a few things past THGGM, who is not a fan of any sort of 'visible' mess. I just may have to relocate to the other side of the basement as I am unable to do anything without making a mess.

But, at least I feel as if I am on the road to sewing. It's been seventeen days since I got it, so I suppose that's not too long. Tonight, I may even PLUG IT IN!

Oh, I did read part of a fascinating article in the November, 2007 issue of National Geographic. It was on memory. I wanted to read it while the doctor was talking and Talking and TALKING, but I thought that would appear rude. I must find this, as it contained something about a study on canaries brains.

I've always thought that bird brains were interesting.

Children's Hankies

These were 50 cents each.

Too too cute!

Was That a Weekend that Just Flew By?

I THINK I remember the weekend.

It was busy.

But, I did manage to sneak away on my own Saturday to do a little bit of thrift shopping.

Good thrift shopping.

I found two great vintage tableclothes and two adorable children's hankies.

That reminds me, last weekend I found a very nice bird book for under a dollar.

When I got it home I got to thinking that I had bought a VERY nice bird book at an antique store in Traverse City.

I found it, still in the car.

So, now I have TWO very nice bird books.

And the picture? That is the view I had while washing dishes. THGGM napping in his swing with a teething baby.

Oh, and tonight, on the off chance that our dishwasher had been healed, we decided to try it.

It was.

I love it when that happens.

Friday Morning

Yesterday I spent the majority of the day reorganizing my kitchen.

This morning, I thought I'd best reorganize the links in my 'favorites'.

Oh, wow.

How things change!

My most recent 'favorites' are on Daughter's computer, so I've been having a bit of difficulty reconnecting with everything from the past year.

What a surprise to see the things I linked to in the past!

On Daughter's computer are all of my links about feline diabetes.

On this one? Dog constipation. Yes. I have a sub folder for that.

Haven't had a dog now for two years.

So...what weird things are in YOUR links?

The Ash Grove

Last summer I bought "The World's Greatest Songbook". It's one of those melody-only books with chord charts. They tend to be expensive when purchased new, but this one was 59 cents at my favorite thrift store.

Obviously by the title, these aren't obscure songs. One if them, "The Ash Grove" didn't seem familiar to me at all, except for the familiarity of having a song bring up sad emotions, as songs often do.

The words reminded me of what my mom experiences everyday. Maybe in my head I should change the name of her nursing home from "Heaven's Waiting Room" to "The Ash Grove".

THE ASH GROVE

The ash grove, how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking
The wind though it playing has language for me.
When over its branches the sunlight is breaking,
A host of kind faces is gazing at me.
The friends of my childhood again are before me,
Each step wakes a memr'y as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden, its leaves rustle o'er me:
The ash grove, the ash grove that sheltered my home.

My laughter is over, my step loses lightness,
Old countryside measures steal soft on my ear;
I only remember the past and its brightness,
The dear ones I mourn for again gather here.
From out of the shadows their loving looks greet me,
And wistfully searching the leafy green dome,
I find other faces fond bending to greet me;
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.

So...

Two weeks ago, while on vacation, THGGM and I walked into a shop in Sutton's Bay. The shop keeper was playing a CD of dulcimer music, and the song that greeted us as we entered was "The Ash Grove".

I did inquire about it, and the shop keeper said that they used to sell it, but it was no longer available. She said she likes it so much that she decided to play it that day anyway.

For me, I'm sure.

When things like that occur, they never seem like coincidence to me.

I left the shop all excited to get home and check if "The Ash Grove" is on the dulcimer CD I bought a very loooong time ago.

THGGM left moaning, "I suppose you'll want to buy a dulcimer now."

Pa's Here!

Pa came today and was entertained by Jonge.

Jonge got to tell him in person that he uses the big boy potty now.

I'm sure it was the compelling episode of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood that Jonge watched with Pake on Friday that pushed him onward.

When my dad left he told me he was going to get his labs drawn and then go home and lay more tile in his basement.

Maybe I don't need another vacation. Maybe I just need a week in the hospital to rest up.

Filling Up the Sink Hole

Today I made a phone call to the city about our backyard sink hole.

A very nice man assured me that there are no records of old mines under my yard. This was a relief to me.

Not too long ago an entire garage on my parent's street (only a mile from me) was eaten by the earth. Don't think that this scenario wasn't going on in my over-active imagination.

I cannot get the image of Famke standing in that sink hole out of my head!

Anyway, he agreed with THGGM and the neighbor man who said it looked like the collapse of an old septic hole.

He said to fill it up with dirt.

Tonight THGGM and I removed bricks that were buried as a border of sorts in the front yard.

Those went into the hole first. Lots of bricks. I did ask THGGM for a tally, but he responded rather snarkily (in my humble opinion) that he was not counting. For the record, I personally added eight.

We dumped all of the dirt from last year's pots on top of that, and then added a large bag of dirt.

Although it looks good, it still feels mushy to me.

Earlier this morning, I looked out the window to see if there had been any more sinkage. There wasn't. But what I saw was a robin standing on the edge looking into the hole. I could almost hear it thinking, "Wow. That must have been some worm!".

Rainy Days and Mondays...

I do believe that I have a minimum of 20 blog post ideas bouncing around in my head.

Someday, I may get to them.

I dare not spend too much time online, since it ties up my phone line. I do need to call DSL, but I'm waiting for a bunch of doctor calls. A whole bunch.

Jonge and Famke came today. They were sweet and cuddly all day long, and both slept for two hours. The two hours overlapped somewhat, which is something I hope for but never expect.

Last night I went to my dad's and we met with the nurse from Visiting Nurses. He has always needed to be on a low sodium diet, but that need has greatly increased, so his sodium intake must greatly decrease. No more "Meals on Wheels". Instead of concentrating on what he CAN'T eat, I've decided that we just need to concentrate on what he CAN eat. Fresh stuff. Yum.

I certainly have become adept at reading labels. I've been reading them for the carb/fat counts for years now. And, since my cat was declining rapidly two months ago and seemed at death's door, I've even been known to stay up late to cook a piece of chicken for his dinner. I've yet to go the route of having freshly ground rabbit sent to my door, but he does get some tasty morsels. He looks pretty healthy, now.

But, since I've been reading the sodium contents of all the packaged foods in my pantry I've been severely stressing. Do you know how much sodium is in ONE teeny tiny serving of instant sugar/fat free pudding? THREE HUNDRED MGS! Do you know how close that brings me to becoming the salt of the earth? Well. That got me so upset that I actually stood in the doorway to my pantry and ate two servings of extremely stale potato chips.

I try. Really, I do.

I did notice that there wasn't any sodium in any of Famke's commercial baby food lunch. So, if worse comes to worse I suppose I could buy my dad an interesting assortment of baby food.

Since I last reported, our backyard sink hole has gotten bigger. Just for the record, I did not know it was a sink hole when I stood Famke in it. I thought it was just a convenient place to store Jonge's soccer ball when not in use. The first storm caused a depression which sank the ground into itself. The storm yesterday afternoon pushed all of the sunken grass deeper into the hole and left a deep mushy circular hole in the yard. We dare not get close to it until things dry out around here. If it is an old septic tank hole I am certain I could find enough junk around here to fill it up. Is that legal? We have an old piano in the basement...

Oh. And just for fun, rain came in over our living room window. Neither THGGM nor I want to talk about that. At least not with each other. I almost wish I hadn't pointed it out to him.

I haven't used my sewing machine yet. Nope. I have talked to it. It seems nice enough.

I did find time to play though a music book of lullabies I found in Traverse City last week. It has lullabies on one side of the page and illustrations by Bessie Pease Gutman on the other. I tried playing them today with Jonge and Famke. Famke LOVED it, Jonge asked me to stop and announced "NO NIGHT-NIGHT!"

Speaking of which, while I was tending to Famke and Jonge was delighting himself with the tea set, I didn't notice that he was actually dipping his tiny cup into my coffee mug and slurping down the contents. I do hope he is sleeping okay tonight.

And, even though I know the EXTREME and UNNECCESARY sodium content of my white chocolate sugar free pudding, I made some tonight. Don't tell ANYONE this, but I made it with 1/3 2% milk, 1/3 half and half, and 1/3 leftover coffee. It was wonderful. Why is it that it doesn't taste salty? For all that sodium it seems I ought to at least be able to taste it.

Well. Before I go to bed, I must wash the dishes. By hand.

I am so glad to list myself in the ranks of those who suffer in silence and keep my troubles to myself.

Aren't you?

Famke Is Ten Months Old Today!

Even with squash in her hair and eyebrows, she is still adorable.

We had a lot of fun playing today. I got out a little tea set and Jonge thought it was the GREATEST thing ever. While he stirred up delightful imaginary coffee drinks for me, Famke played drums using pans and wooden spoons.

She is now able to get to where she wants to go. Like her mommy, she fears all the wrong things. She seems to have her mommy's high pain tolerance also. A little thing like toppling over does not even slow her down.

Ten months.

Oh, wow.

Pretty Pink Peonies

This afternoon I looked out my pink bathroom window and noticed that my peonies had been knocked over by all of the rain last night.

Of course, I grabbed my cutter and rescued them.

If only this picture were a 'scratch and sniff' as they smell woooonderful.

I expected that the hours long storm with heavy rains would take it's toll on my flowers, what I didn't expect was to find a sink hole in my backyard.

Remember that cute picture a few posts down of Famke standing in my backyard?

Did YOU notice how her feet did not show? I did. But it made a nice little bowl for her inexperienced feet to stand in.

Well.

Were she standing in it now, which she will NOT be, I believe we would only see her head.

THGGM and I took a cane outside and poked around in it a little bit. Then we thought better of it and went inside, to wait for the next round of storms to work their magic.

I must say that it did bring to mind the Old Testament story of Dathan and his brother.

My Dad

My dad is home, and seems to be doing VERY well.

He didn't even take the offered wheelchair ride to his car. He walked.

THGGM and I had dinner with him tonight. It was the first time he tried out his new central air conditioning. That is certainly going to help his breathing.

Whew. What a relief.

It has felt like one long day from 4:00 am Monday morning until we left the hospital at 4:00 pm this afternoon.

I did manage to get in a brief trip to the thrift store early this afternoon (see below). Wow. Back to normal. Whatever that is.

A Good Day for Thrift Shopping

Look what I found today!

There I was, at my friendly neighborhood thrift store, and what should I find but a baby scale!

THGGM wasn't with me. He was at home, mowing the lawn.

I thought it might be hard to explain my purchase of a vintage baby scale to him, but, after thrity years of living with me, things like this no longer phase him.

I LOVE the graphics. The tray has a chart of 'What a girl should weigh' and 'What a boy should weigh'.

Now, just bring your babies to my house, and I will be happy to weigh them for you.

Friday Frosties

If I'm remembering correctly, these two are watching an episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

Mr. Rogers is talking about learning to use the potty.

Compelling.

Random Is As Random Does

Today I made it to the hospital in time to talk with the doctor. So far, they have removed two quarts of fluid from my dad each day he has been in the hospital. From what I've seen, they walk out with at least that much blood, too. The good news is, he should be home sometime this weekend.

I fondled my new sewing machine today. Even took a picture of it. A picture which refuses to post. I hate that.

Let's see...

What HAVE I been doing since I haven't had a computer? Not as much as one would think. I've done some hand sewing, and have five lovely stitched pears. I have no idea what I shall ever do with them, but they worked up quickly and easily out of thrifted napkins.

Everyday this week I have paused to remember what I was doing at this time LAST week. Last Thursday THGGM and I shopped in all the varied and interesting shops in downtown Traverse City. We've gone there enough over the years that I now seek out certain shop owners. There is a toy store with the nicest lady who stocks discontinued toys and games along with other interesting things. Things like the REAL Brio toys. Someday I hope to spend a lot of money in her store. I think she hopes so, too.

"Hope" is my word for the year.

Having no computer left me a little more time for reading. I've read Elizabeth Goudge's "Gentian Hill" for the second time. Somehow, the first time through I missed all of the history. Made me want to look up more on Admiral Nelson. I finished "Letter's to a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke. That one has been on my list for some time. It did not disappoint.

Presently I am reading Anne Bronte's "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall". Considering just how much I HATED "Wuthering Heights" this Bronte sister is to me the much better writer. Heathcliff and Cathy were such nasty excuses for human beings. I would not be surprised to find out that Anne Bronte wrote a book in which one of her characters tore a post from the earth and beat some sense into them (some might question whether i am truly a pacifist i suppose).

My dishwasher broke last night. Or, something connected to it did. Something that keeps water from running out from underneath it and into the basement. I have a hard time thinking of a dishwasher as a necessity. There are just two of us living here, and we barely do what could be called 'cooking'. Still. I need to whine about it a little bit. We've lived for years at a time without a dryer. Many months without a washing machine. I like line-drying clothes and THGGM likes to 'people watch' at laundry mats. I have a design book that shows the broken dishwasher of an artist. She keeps her craft supplies in hers. I'm eyeing that space differently now. I had a stern talk with my stove and refrigerator today. I really do need those.

I'm supposed to call someone before five. I cannot remember who.

Not remembering. Is it being 50? How tired I am? The early stages of Alzheimer's? On the second day my dad was in the hospital, Daughter and I took Jonge and Famke to visit my mom at the nursing home. As I pulled into the parking lot, I told her I was surprised to find a parking place, as it is always so busy on Friday. As I was parking, she looked at me and said "You do realize that it is Tuesday today."

I'm also annoyed by little things. LOTS of little things. Particularly those twirly things that have fallen off the trees in our yard. If they would be content to remain outside, I could make peace with them. But they insist on coming inside to look for opportunities to twirl around in here.

Little do they know, twirling around inside is something I do, and with wild abandon.

Oh! And those gracious people at Dell DID replace the key that I had inadvertently sucked up in my vacuum on that rare day of days that the fuzzies in my keyboard annoyed me. In fact, they did it by giving me an entirely new keyboard. A new modem too. Dell. They are good people. Not at first, but if you can get through to someone who knows more English than "We will ship you a new power cord" when that could not POSSIBLY be the correct response to the question you are asking, well, then you get to the good people who honor things like warranties.

Truly. I am blessed. I'm very aware of that.

Well, Well, Well.

My computer was delivered today! Now I have to find the time to figure out how to hook it up to DSL. In the mean time, I have returned to dial-up, which I had forgotten even existed.

My dad is still in the hospital. Today he did much more coughing, which really wears him out. He also had x-rays, a CAT scan and some other kind of heart test.

I was there when the pulmonary specialist came in this morning and he had several ideas for what he may like to try in the future. But first, the bronchitis must be cleared up. He does not have pneumonia, but bronchitis.

Jonge and Famke came to play with me for the day. We watched three baby woodchucks frolicking in the school yard across the street from us. They were SO fun to watch. Jonge really enjoyed that. He also helped me look for more flowers. Everyday I am surprised with some new flower.

The prettiest flower in the yard today was Famke. Notice how she can stand on her own. She can crawl now too. As soon as I get a spare minute I will have to rework everything in my house so she cannot pull things off tables and onto her head.

Yesterday Daughter and I took Jonge and Famke to visit my mom at the nursing home. She was as delight to see them as they were to see her. They enjoyed giving her kisses, and showing all of the new things they can do. On the ride to the home, Famke, who was looking out of the back window, kept saying "Oh! Wow!" over and over and over. It was so cute.

And, one more thing. I must praise the hospital where my dad is staying. It is Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids. Oh, my. What a nice place to visit (although, I wouldn't want to STAY there). Scottie's coffee is the best. I prefer the sugar free caramel latte, large, as hospitals tend to make me very sleepy. And, what a gift shop they have! Having just spent a week shopping in cute little shops all over northern lower Michigan, I'd have to say we weren't in any that were better than the Blodgett Hospital gift shop. Even the view from his room is spectacular. It's like being in a tree house, overlooking tall pines and a pretty lake.

Of course, the most important aspect is the care my dad is receiving. I had one bad experience once when my dad was there, so I am always a bit naggy to the nursing staff about staying on top of certain things. My dad will not ASK for anything, because he 'doesn't want to bother' someone. Even today, while barely able to catch his breath, the student nurse who was there to give him his meds asked how he was, and he choked out "Fine." (By the way, this apple fell FAR from THAT tree. Ask how I am and I will tell. More than anyone ever wants to know.)

So. That's been my week, so far. I have a NEW sewing machine sitting untouched on my dining room table. I hope to get to it sometime this summer. Maybe after I figure out how to get my DSL back.

Then, I'll finish unpacking and look for where I left the vacuum...

Vacation Is Over, and I Am Fifty.

I've added two new posts directly below this one.

Yes, I did buy this Bailey's cup - not to drink from, but to plant grass in for my poor old cat. He is old, but can still run fast. I am old and cannot, so I dare not let him outside to partake of the lawn as was his summer habit, since we have no fence. Won't the grass look cute sprouting from this cup? I think so.

It is true. On Sunday, June 1st, I turned 50. My wonderful children surprised me by giving me the exact sewing machine that I wanted. I am SO excited! One may wonder why I am excited, as the last time I used a sewing machine, a few minutes later I was flat on my back waiting to be hauled off to the hospital for emergency care. But that is a story found elsewhere in the bowels of this blog.

But the funny thing is, I spent the morning in the emergency room today. Although, not for me.

My dad called at 4:00 am (those early morning phone calls tend to age one, do they not?). He was extremely short of breath. THGGM drove me over and I called an ambulance. He is presently resting comfortably in the hospital while they work to remove fluid from around his lungs. He may also have a bit of pneumonia, so he is being pumped full of antibiotics. Sadly, this is just a day in the life of someone with congestive heart failure. Happily, lots of kind people were being extremely attentive to him, offering many more options for getting him back to the amount of health he can expect with all of the various and sundry conditions that ail him.

I am extremely tired. At fifty, I cannot function well on only four hours of sleep.

Yesterday, I didn't feel a day over 49.

Today, I do.

But then, I am.

The Dangerous Misadventures of Leland and Beulah

(see post below)

Shall these two become Leland and Beulah? They have that 'look', do they not?

Anyway, Leland and Beulah were purchased on our anniversary from a downtown Elk Rapids antique shop.

We hadn't been out of the shop more than five minutes before they were both senselessly beheaded by human error (with a little help from an old 'log cabin' bottle).

Instead of burying them at sea, I slathered their necks in Elmer's Glue and proclaimed them healed.

Soon, they will be happily dancing from a knob in my kitchen. The wire which is required to hang them should secure their heads throughout the rest of our natural lifetimes. Unless, of course, I pass them to THGGM and let go before they are actually IN his hand and they plunge once again to the ground.

Leland's Historic Fish Town

Leland is a charming small town on Lake Michigan.

As you can see from the pictures, the weather was spectacular that day.


















Just a bit south east of Leland is a small town on Chrystal Lake called Beulah. It's gorgeous there, too.

THGGM once had a sweatshirt with "Leland" on it. We always thought it would be fun to get one for me with "Beulah" emblazoned on the front.








Except that now, at our advanced age, we fear the town names would be misinterpreted as our actual names.

Yup. Leland and Beulah. That would be us. Or, at least we have that look.

(No offence intended to any lovely young things named Leland and Beulah.)