Labor Day has come and gone, so I guess that means that summer is over? Ever since our kids were little, Labor Day meant that school started and we got into a regular schedule. For us, like many others, that schedule included all the normal stuff, soccer, baseball, basketball, dance classes, piano classes, doctors' and dental appointments and so on. Homework, class projects and teacher conferences added to mix. Somehow we muddled through. Dinner became a supper on the run or a Crockpot meal that could be eaten whenever. There seemed to be no end to the laundry and the showers ran constantly. How did we juggle it all? Summer always seemed a distant dream back then. Now all the hustle and bustle of the school year is over and everyday can be like a summer day, lazy and one to be savored.
This summer, 2013, we did a little bit of savoring and I am so very thankful that we did. May was a beautiful month in the mountains and we took a short trip to a beautiful, peaceful inn where we met some old friends. We didn't hurry to see any sights: just enjoyed being together. There is nothing like a visit with old friends to refresh and relax.
In June we visited with some new friends as well as family. That journey was more than sixty years in the making and could be a blog post on its own and may very well be so one day. Right now it is sufficient to say that it was an out-of-body experience, especially for my husband. We were humbled and felt love like we had never felt before. That is my story and I am sticking to it, for now.
We then made our journey to "the special place" of all our summers, Charlevoix. The old cottage opened its ancient arms and hugged us tightly. Although everyone couldn't be with us this summer; we did have two grand-darlings to spoil and their parents to help rein our spoiling ways. Writing this down now sounds dull, but it really was exciting and every bit as wonderful as ever. The kids went to "Gang" on the beach where they played and partied like rock stars! It's funny how each generation of"Gangsters" think that they discovered this place. I guess that they do discover it because everything is new and exciting. Golf, tennis, treasure hunts, the troll door in the tree, golf kart rides to see deer and trips to the "Dairy Grille" are all part of the experience. It sounds mundane but believe me it is anything but. To those little ones this place is heaven. Did I mention that bike riding around the park is as great as the Indie 500? I loved every wet-towel, dripping popsicle, chicken nugget, pizza eating, ice cream cone minute of it and sobbed like a baby when we had to leave.
Back at home we found a swamp where our garden had been because it had rained the whole time that we were away. The rain continued, but we found a little joy here and there. We had all the grand-darlings together when the two little ones and their mother came for a visit. This old house rocked and rolled. Each day was an adventure and best of all, there was ice cream everyday. I love summer. We swam when the sun peaked out its head. We even managed to get G'papa to a movie!
Time passes quickly when one is happy and enjoying life, but when sadness comes the effect is like all the air is sucked out of the universe and time stops. We lost a dear friend this summer. He was an old friend and one of the first people we met when we moved to this place so many years ago. His life was a story that is not mine to tell, but I will say that he loved his wife and family deeply and wholeheartedly. Each time I read a funny joke in my e-mail, I have to remind myself that he is no longer at his computer chuckling along with me. I miss that chuckle! There really is no one like an old friend. There is a shared history between you that is always there. Our history has stopped and it ended this summer.
We got another chance to visit with the far away grand-darlings in August. Their mom had a conference in one town and their dad had a meeting in another town. Papa and Tiki (us) went to the rescue! A trip to an aquarium, a park and more ice cream were the order of the day. Again, we loved every minute of it and boo-hooed when it ended and they waved their little hands as we each went our separate ways; they to the west we to the east. I hate that feeling! There is always a hole in my heart when they leave me. Papa feels it too, but you know how men are. Christmas is a long time away, but there is Thanksgiving to think about.
August brought more joy! We had little one number five for a couple of weekends while her parents had some weekend jaunts. she, the Brazilian tornado, lost her first teeth at our house. We saved the little pearls so that the tooth fairy could go to her house . She is a delight.
Our older grand-darlings are not as present as they once were, but they are teen-agers now and we understand. They were once small and lost teeth, dripped popsicles and played with our hearts. They still play with our hearts but now in a more almost-grown-up sort of way. We savor any time that they are willing to visit with the old folks.
Late August brought another old friend to us. She and I have been best buddies since we were in the seventh grade. We are so different that I wonder how in the world we have managed to keep our friendship alive. She has travelled all over the world and is as smart as a whip. I have been a few places and can multiply a recipe to feed the masses. How can we still love each other and talk for hours on end? We have that shared history that i mentioned before. We remember each other as the awkward teens we once were. We knew the same people and neighborhoods. We miss the ones we have lost as we have grieved together over our fathers and my mother. We compare husbands and discover that, even though they did not have the same careers, they are alike in so many ways. Together we checked our wrinkles and complained about knees that have betrayed us. In between the comparisons we cooked together, shopped together and cried together when she had to leave. There is another hole in my heart today because she is back at home and I miss her!
Okay, I am a cry-baby and proud of it. Some one once told me that an old Jewish saying was that, "Tears are to the soul what soap is to the body". So after a summer of much cleansing, I am moving forward toward fall and winter. We, the hubster and I, are refreshed and renewed, at least I keep telling myself that. The truth is that I still miss some of the hustle and bustle as well as the promise that September brings.
Another good friend pointed out to me that everyday can be like summers past, relaxing, lazy and full of promise. Retirement does have some advantages. That is _my_ story and I am sticking to it!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Opinions
What is wrong with this picture? It frustrates me to no end that expressing an opinion brings on rants and wrath from others who do not agree! Do we all need to agree all the time? In my opinion, no. If we all agreed, we'd be swimming in a sea of vanilla ice cream. Baskin-Robbins offers thirty-one flavors. We could follow their lead.
My opinion, which I freely admit is an unpopular one, was posted by me on Facebook. Good grief, what a storm it caused. My so-called "friends" cried foul in a big way by posting and chastising me in no uncertain terms. They, of course, have the same rights that I do. Yep, I get that. What is so hilarious to me is that they think that they are more "right" than I. Opinions offer a great option; that is that there is no right nor wrong. Some even called on Christianity to chastise me. Oops, that stung. I'll bet even Jesus had opinions. He was the only perfect human being, in my opinion, so he probably was wiser than I, in my opinion, and kept them to himself. Even in my advanced age, I am not always wise nor quiet. One friend asked if it made me feel good to offer what she thought was a nasty remark. No, because it was an opinion.
Let's get this straight. I have lots of opinions and I mostly keep them under wraps. That is a surprise to anyone who knows me and thinks that I speak out a lot. What is going on in my head is a lot more than what I'm saying, so in the interest of friendship, I button my lip! If I said everything that I was thinking, well, never mind.
Today's observations were on Mrs. Obama. First of all, let me say that I admire her in many ways. She is smart, accomplished, loves and supports her husband, is a good mother, and pursues her causes. That is my sincere opinion of her. The other more unpopular opinion is that she needs braces, and her bangs are unattractive. Today she wore a coat that was perfectly tailored to church only to mess up the look by adding a belt later in the day. That is in my opinion! So I didn't like the belted look, shoot me now!
The presidential daughters are nice-looking kids. They seem to be well-behaved and gracious too. However, there have been times over the last four years that I thought (thought being the operative word) that their outfits were more befitting ladies of the evening. Revealing and older-than-they-are outfits are never attractive, in my humble opinion. Reaching back in time I remember a certain daughter who attempted leaving our house in a pair of jeans that Swiss cheese would envy. Certain father ordered her to remove the offensive pants and replace them with a more appropriate pair or she risked having sharing her night with the parental units instead of her friends. She complied and all was well. It was and still is our opinion that kids should dress like kids and not emulate rock stars nor movie stars. Children are children; not small adults.
So in closing , my friends, I do not wish to bring the house down with any of my opinions. They are from a conservative, senior citizen, Christian, who believes in the freedom of speech including humble opinions. If you don't like to see them in print, you will not hurt my feelings if you choose not to read them. In return I ask that you also exercise your freedom of speech by posting your own opinions anywhere you'd like, including Facebook. I can then either read them or not and agree or not. In my humble opinion, this a good thing!
My opinion, which I freely admit is an unpopular one, was posted by me on Facebook. Good grief, what a storm it caused. My so-called "friends" cried foul in a big way by posting and chastising me in no uncertain terms. They, of course, have the same rights that I do. Yep, I get that. What is so hilarious to me is that they think that they are more "right" than I. Opinions offer a great option; that is that there is no right nor wrong. Some even called on Christianity to chastise me. Oops, that stung. I'll bet even Jesus had opinions. He was the only perfect human being, in my opinion, so he probably was wiser than I, in my opinion, and kept them to himself. Even in my advanced age, I am not always wise nor quiet. One friend asked if it made me feel good to offer what she thought was a nasty remark. No, because it was an opinion.
Let's get this straight. I have lots of opinions and I mostly keep them under wraps. That is a surprise to anyone who knows me and thinks that I speak out a lot. What is going on in my head is a lot more than what I'm saying, so in the interest of friendship, I button my lip! If I said everything that I was thinking, well, never mind.
Today's observations were on Mrs. Obama. First of all, let me say that I admire her in many ways. She is smart, accomplished, loves and supports her husband, is a good mother, and pursues her causes. That is my sincere opinion of her. The other more unpopular opinion is that she needs braces, and her bangs are unattractive. Today she wore a coat that was perfectly tailored to church only to mess up the look by adding a belt later in the day. That is in my opinion! So I didn't like the belted look, shoot me now!
The presidential daughters are nice-looking kids. They seem to be well-behaved and gracious too. However, there have been times over the last four years that I thought (thought being the operative word) that their outfits were more befitting ladies of the evening. Revealing and older-than-they-are outfits are never attractive, in my humble opinion. Reaching back in time I remember a certain daughter who attempted leaving our house in a pair of jeans that Swiss cheese would envy. Certain father ordered her to remove the offensive pants and replace them with a more appropriate pair or she risked having sharing her night with the parental units instead of her friends. She complied and all was well. It was and still is our opinion that kids should dress like kids and not emulate rock stars nor movie stars. Children are children; not small adults.
So in closing , my friends, I do not wish to bring the house down with any of my opinions. They are from a conservative, senior citizen, Christian, who believes in the freedom of speech including humble opinions. If you don't like to see them in print, you will not hurt my feelings if you choose not to read them. In return I ask that you also exercise your freedom of speech by posting your own opinions anywhere you'd like, including Facebook. I can then either read them or not and agree or not. In my humble opinion, this a good thing!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Christmas X three
aChristmas is a vague memory or a blur as I write tonight. This year we celebrated differently. I don't like change. My mother used to say that when things stop changing; we'd be pushing up posies. If that is the case, I'll take change but I don't like it.
Every two years or so, two of our children and their families celebrate Christmas with their spouse's family. Ugh, I really don't like sharing. Did I say that? Really? Well, it is true. Our daughter spent her Christmas day with her husband's family and ended it with a dinner at my sister's house, because our grown-up daughter lives in our hometown. Funny how that worked out and a subject for another blog. She beat a path to our house the day after Christmas with her family in tow and stayed with us until New Year's Day. We loved it! Having her two children here was the star on the tree. The old house rocked and rolled with laughter. We cuddled, or muggled as grand-darling son number two calls it. Grand-darling daughter even distributed a few kisses which is so not like her at all. I think that she might be catching on that we like that a lot! We had tea parties and Barbie-fest and loved every minute of it.
Our son and his wife went to her hometown for the holidays to be with her extended family. No amount of begging on my part would have made them leave our youngest grand-daring with us. Believe me, I considered begging because Brazil is a long way to go for a home town visit at Christmastime, for our youngest grand-darling, our second son and his beautiful wife ( a newly-minted American citizen, I might add). Why would anyone want to spend Christmas on a beach, with fruity cocktails, ornaments hung on palm trees, and non-stop food? Sign me up! Did I just say that? The pictures they've posted of her beautiful family cavorting on the sandy beaches and dancing to a rhythm I have have never heard are a sight to behold. They look happy and well-loved. It makes my old heart glad that there are others who love them as much as we do. They come home tomorrow night and I know they will be glad to be in their own beds again, safe and sound. My daughter-in-law will be homesick for awhile, just as I used to be when I'd come back to this foreign place after a visit home.
Our two other sons were here with us for Christmas. We had a lazier that usual Christmas day. Change isn't all bad. We opened gifts and gorged on brunchy food and then rested. I took a nap! On Christmas day! Alert the media because that might have been a first. I am most often cleaning up the gift wrap and cooking for the big dinner on our special day. Again, change isn't all bad. Is it? Hubby had ordered lobster and steaks for dinner. That man loves to shop online in his jammies! Dinnertime found us with melted butter dripping off our chins as we cracked, pulled and gobbled the tasty lobsters over the kitchen island. Different is good, I say.
We celebrated Christmas three times this year. Opening gifts with the ones who were leaving before the real day, next on the actual day and then the day after because Santa had made a special late night trip to be sure the grand-darlings didn't miss us! A good and grand time was had by all.
Our teen-aged grands were here for ever single celebration. They hung with the best of us and celebrated like rock stars. We baked cookies, shopped and played games before during and after the big day. I love that part. Their gifts were grown-up sort of but Santa remembered to put tooth brushes in their stockings, just as he always has. We are big on traditions here at the casa. Our oldest, and best hunter, again found the pickle ornament! For his hard work he won a clear yard-long tube of bubblegum balls. I said that the gifts were grown-up, sort of, didn't I? Remember the toothbrush?
Pulling off three Christmas celebrations is a daunting feat but this year I had a elf. Our first grand-daughter was my co-pilot/elf. She baked and decorated and then baked some more! Her hands, so like her father's, rolled and cut and then meticulously placed the sprinkles and dots on every snowman, star, tree and reindeer. Together we made trays of treats for the celebrations. I love that tradition.
Again, our precious god-daughter came over for a baking session. I am beginning to channel Martha Stewart. She was fresh from her first real-out-of-grad school job in the big city. She is a beautiful child inside as well as out. Her parents, our friends, have done a remarkable job raising her to be a such a grounded unassuming young woman. She is confident, cosmopolitan and she likes to bake! Her sweet little hands flew over dough as if they had wings and she too decorated each cookie like an artist!
Reading all this about our random, crazy, tradition-filled holidays might make one wonder why it was written at all. The reason behind it is this; I don't relish change but can, under pressure, be a trooper. When our children were growing-up I believed that every Christmas was the very best. How could it be any other way? My parents had set the bar very high for celebrations and I wanted to do the same for my own children. I think that we must have done something right when I hear them telling stories of Christmases past. Writing it down, even in this abbreviated form, keeps it fresh in my mind and warms my soul. If I could, I'd do it all over again. Christ himself would agree, I think, that celebrating however many days, times and however far away is a good thing. There I go, channeling Martha again.
Hey, kids, let's do it again soon. You may be miles away in the real world but in my heart you all are still here under our tree in your jammies shouting as your tear open your gifts. The faces of your grand-parents, now all gone, are there too watching over you with love in their eyes.
I miss what once was but continue to embrace what might come next. Change isn't all bad.
Love,
Mom
Every two years or so, two of our children and their families celebrate Christmas with their spouse's family. Ugh, I really don't like sharing. Did I say that? Really? Well, it is true. Our daughter spent her Christmas day with her husband's family and ended it with a dinner at my sister's house, because our grown-up daughter lives in our hometown. Funny how that worked out and a subject for another blog. She beat a path to our house the day after Christmas with her family in tow and stayed with us until New Year's Day. We loved it! Having her two children here was the star on the tree. The old house rocked and rolled with laughter. We cuddled, or muggled as grand-darling son number two calls it. Grand-darling daughter even distributed a few kisses which is so not like her at all. I think that she might be catching on that we like that a lot! We had tea parties and Barbie-fest and loved every minute of it.
Our son and his wife went to her hometown for the holidays to be with her extended family. No amount of begging on my part would have made them leave our youngest grand-daring with us. Believe me, I considered begging because Brazil is a long way to go for a home town visit at Christmastime, for our youngest grand-darling, our second son and his beautiful wife ( a newly-minted American citizen, I might add). Why would anyone want to spend Christmas on a beach, with fruity cocktails, ornaments hung on palm trees, and non-stop food? Sign me up! Did I just say that? The pictures they've posted of her beautiful family cavorting on the sandy beaches and dancing to a rhythm I have have never heard are a sight to behold. They look happy and well-loved. It makes my old heart glad that there are others who love them as much as we do. They come home tomorrow night and I know they will be glad to be in their own beds again, safe and sound. My daughter-in-law will be homesick for awhile, just as I used to be when I'd come back to this foreign place after a visit home.
Our two other sons were here with us for Christmas. We had a lazier that usual Christmas day. Change isn't all bad. We opened gifts and gorged on brunchy food and then rested. I took a nap! On Christmas day! Alert the media because that might have been a first. I am most often cleaning up the gift wrap and cooking for the big dinner on our special day. Again, change isn't all bad. Is it? Hubby had ordered lobster and steaks for dinner. That man loves to shop online in his jammies! Dinnertime found us with melted butter dripping off our chins as we cracked, pulled and gobbled the tasty lobsters over the kitchen island. Different is good, I say.
We celebrated Christmas three times this year. Opening gifts with the ones who were leaving before the real day, next on the actual day and then the day after because Santa had made a special late night trip to be sure the grand-darlings didn't miss us! A good and grand time was had by all.
Our teen-aged grands were here for ever single celebration. They hung with the best of us and celebrated like rock stars. We baked cookies, shopped and played games before during and after the big day. I love that part. Their gifts were grown-up sort of but Santa remembered to put tooth brushes in their stockings, just as he always has. We are big on traditions here at the casa. Our oldest, and best hunter, again found the pickle ornament! For his hard work he won a clear yard-long tube of bubblegum balls. I said that the gifts were grown-up, sort of, didn't I? Remember the toothbrush?
Pulling off three Christmas celebrations is a daunting feat but this year I had a elf. Our first grand-daughter was my co-pilot/elf. She baked and decorated and then baked some more! Her hands, so like her father's, rolled and cut and then meticulously placed the sprinkles and dots on every snowman, star, tree and reindeer. Together we made trays of treats for the celebrations. I love that tradition.
Again, our precious god-daughter came over for a baking session. I am beginning to channel Martha Stewart. She was fresh from her first real-out-of-grad school job in the big city. She is a beautiful child inside as well as out. Her parents, our friends, have done a remarkable job raising her to be a such a grounded unassuming young woman. She is confident, cosmopolitan and she likes to bake! Her sweet little hands flew over dough as if they had wings and she too decorated each cookie like an artist!
Reading all this about our random, crazy, tradition-filled holidays might make one wonder why it was written at all. The reason behind it is this; I don't relish change but can, under pressure, be a trooper. When our children were growing-up I believed that every Christmas was the very best. How could it be any other way? My parents had set the bar very high for celebrations and I wanted to do the same for my own children. I think that we must have done something right when I hear them telling stories of Christmases past. Writing it down, even in this abbreviated form, keeps it fresh in my mind and warms my soul. If I could, I'd do it all over again. Christ himself would agree, I think, that celebrating however many days, times and however far away is a good thing. There I go, channeling Martha again.
Hey, kids, let's do it again soon. You may be miles away in the real world but in my heart you all are still here under our tree in your jammies shouting as your tear open your gifts. The faces of your grand-parents, now all gone, are there too watching over you with love in their eyes.
I miss what once was but continue to embrace what might come next. Change isn't all bad.
Love,
Mom
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