Road Trip!!

 

 

This one will be just Charlie and me

heading to the Northlands.

 

 

So it makes a busy night.

There's always a last load of laundry.

Run the dishwasher

pack me

pack Charlie

pack audiobooks

pack gifts

pack winter gear

etcetcetc.



 

Friday night is Aidan's Chinese New Year program

followed by a dinner of

- what else? -

Chinese cuisine at a local eatery.

 

I've been told that Saturday will feature

frozen waffles

a Monopoly marathon

and a trip to the thrift store.

 

Sunday

we'll be looking at a couple houses.

(Keep your fingers crossed)

 

The day will be capped by a visit to Margo's house.

She and Naphtali have a presentation

for the "docs"

on their trip to Haiti.

Naphtali has only dribbled a few details

 so I'm excited to see and hear more of the story.

 

Monday will find me homeward bound.

I may sneak in another stop

at the thrift store before I leave town...

 

 

 





25/365 Rain at Dawn

Rain patters, rousing

The day with dulcet tones.  Dreams

 Fade to shifting mists.



24/365 Shadow Boxing

Sparring partners dance

 Across the sky - taunting as  

They jab, feint, parry.

 





23/365 Waking

Dreams entwine with dawn’s

Soft rays.  Sound intrudes chasing

Sleep into cold light.



22/365 A Welcome Change

Warm sun.  Soft winds.  Snow

Melting to clean, laughing streams.

Lift your face and smile.



21/365 Steadfast Flight

Silent wings carry

Geese unerringly homeward

Through the falling snow.



20/365 Waking

Landscape in grey and

White waits for sunrise to wake

The colors of day.



Happy Birthday

 

 

 

Birthday greetings for Jacob!

I'm not sure what's required of me in this situation.

Should I feel traumatized that my youngest has turned 30!?

Cards and confetti have been mailed

and though it seems impossible that 30 years have been

measured in this way

the reality is that they have not only passed

but they've been full:

 

 of happy and heartbreaking events

 

of old friends and new

 

of places and opportunities

 

of growth and change

 

of more than could be told.

 

Happy Birthday, Jacob.

Here's to another 30 years!!

 



19/365 Sundogs

Alight with wonder

Bright, arcing sundogs herd the

 Westering sun home.     



google images

 

 

 

 



Making lemonade

The bad news is

is that we hit our high temp for the day (6)

at about 7:30 this morning.

Wind chill factors out at around -17.

 

The good news is that the CPW

of my extravagantly expensive down coat

is becoming quite reasonable.

 

 

And for you photo junkies:

 

 

Here's Charlie,

debuting the new kitchen floor.

 





18/365 Snowy Day

Wisps of snowy lace

trail from rooflines to vanish,

Swirling on the wind.



17/365 Bedtime

Keening winds search the

Walls with icy fingers.  Cold

Feet find warmth in pairs.



16/365 Foggy Day

Distant pinpoints of

Light dance behind the murky

Veil of chill, grey fog.



Monday Morning

Another grey week followed by

another grey weekend bringing us to

another grey Monday.

Are you seeing the trend?

 

But the other day a package arrived.

 

 

Packages, as you know, travel with

their own sunshine.

Doesn't a package always put a smile on your face? 

 

I'd recently seen something on Pinterest

that I figured could be replicated at my house.

So I searched Amazon for that *just right* option and ordered this:

 

 

 

to apply to my washing machine.

 

 

 

The dryer has a funny lip under the door which kept me

from running the decal across its front...

 

Bright, cheerful, cheap - always a good combination -

providing a small spot of sunshine in a grey winter.

 

 

 

15/365 Rain

Mournful rivulets

trace a path down dusty panes -

dull, grey winter rain.



14/365 Dusk

Racing against the

setting sun, storm clouds crowd the

weary day’s last light.



13/365 Shadow Play

Sharply etched shadows

shift as the moon climbs behind

the slumbering trees.



12/365 Eastern Sky

 

Time quickens. Dawn’s grey

pearl fades as vibrant pinks spread

the word – a new day.



11/365

Swirling icy winds

play among bare-twigged branches

bent against the sky.



24 Hours

We hear it all the time -

 

the difference that 24 hours can make in a life.

 

News, or an event, whether

unexpected or

anxiously awaited

can truly change everything.

google images

 

 

Yesterday at this time I was excited,

full of anticipation and energy,

ready to tackle the day's projects.

 

I felt strong, confident, capable.

I performed my tasks at home and walked

to work with a sure, firm step.

 

And then, betrayal.

 

My knee buckled while I was working.

I don't even have an interesting story to tell.

I was simply walking from point A to point B.

There is no tale of derring-do

or athletic prowess gone awry

to chronicle my pain.

 

There was pain.

A reasonable, manageable pain.

 

What is unreasonable

is the effect this has had on me.

Yes, prudence would skip my morning workout. 

Skip painting the base cabinets.

But I find myself

reluctant

to trust the knee with ordinary expectations.

 

Suddenly I don't feel strong.

 

Even with the ordinary and inevitable

processes of aging

I've never felt vulnerable or challenged by

a brush with middle-age mortality.

The unwelcome spectre of change or limitation

 has never been an active threat.

Until today.

 

Even as I write this I recognize a certain level

of over-reaction.

I'm not given to over-reacting.

I'm calm and sensible.

It's only a wrenched knee for Pete's sake!

 

But most of us - even on our most rational days - look for

the small markers that may signal

a need for attention.

Today I'll adjust my plans

take it easy

probably even drive to work.

 I'll no doubt take an inventory of goals

and reasonable expectations;

make an examination of current routines.

There's a challenge here and I can already

sense a response.  

 

What do I need to do to safeguard

my expectations?

 

 

 

 

 



10/365 Dawn

Sharp white contrails pierce

dawn’s coral bands as heavy

eyes watch the sun rise.



9/365 Winter Sun

Winter sun shines bright

but false, telling shameless lies,

mocking my cold bones.



If you're wondering...

It. is. cold.

Just cold.

 

Generally, the poem I post each day contains

my observations

from the previous day.

A system that works for me.

 

I know it's early but I'm already having

trouble with the idea

that my impressions of today will be

dominated by flannels and sweatshirts and

hot oatmeal...

 

The birds have taken refuge somewhere out of

the wind.  I wish them well.

The sun is up but is telling the most

shameless lies.

 

It. is. cold.

 

So, I'm enjoying my hot oatmeal

with blueberries.

 

The tantalizing aroma of spinach puffs is moving from

the oven into my office area.

mmmmm

 

When I finish this post it will be time for flannels and a sweatshirt

so I can get to work.

The plan is to prime, paint and hang

the cupboard doors

and to start on the base cabinets.

 

We're making progress.

There are nine boxes of flooring in the back entry.

Walls have changed color.

The railing is gone.

(really gone - I can hear the garbage truck outside right now!)

 

My day is waiting - hope all is well for you...

 

 

8/365 Fresh Snow

Soft and light a clean

blanket gently covers all

offering no warmth.



Sunday Morning

Over the years there has been one phrase

- three little words -

that never fails to make my heart race.

I heard it again this morning.

*sigh*

Hold the ladder.
 

google images

 

 

 



 

7/365 Winter Sky

Cloudless blue sky, bright

but chill, an endless page for

Winter’s long lament.



6/365 Night Sounds

Raging winds assail

the night.  Tattered dreams await

dawn’s promised repose.



5/365 The Cardinal

Crimson elegance

alights to dine, bold against

winter’s grey landscape.

4/365 Sunrise

Crimson streaks fade to

pink heralding a new day,

sunrise on the Plains.



3/365 - January Moon

Sliver-thin crescent

gleams, nestled in the velvet

bosom of winter.

2/365 - Squirrels

 

Saucy acrobats

perform in treetops framed by

my kitchen window.



365 Day Challenge

I mentioned in a recent post that I was considering a 365 day challenge.

There were, as there always are,

several factors involved in the decision.

 

Discipline, creative outlet,

mid-life yearnings

for something different, yet essentially me;

something that requires a stretch while feeling rather comfortable

all played their part.

 

 

Moving from "mulling it over" to

"publish post" was maybe the hardest part of the process.
 

So, today I give you the first of

 

365 Haiku for Your Consideration 

 

 

Winter’s sun kisses

my face, teasing.  Icy breath
belies the caress.


Stop back, follow along, come with me...

 

 



Patience rewarded!

I figured out where to find my photos.

 

This will have to do for a "before" shot:

 

 

 

Cupboards are already door-less and empty.

 

 

Here are a couple not-quite-after shots:

 

 

I love the color.

 



Projects abound

We're painting in the kitchen.

(As you may well guess I forgot to take "before" pictures - oops!)

Project one.

 

I'm also still learning the new laptop Tim gave me for Christmas

so even though I did take several

"here-we-are-in-the-middle-of-the-process" pictures

I don't know how to edit and add them.

So, computer:

Project 2.

 

Of course, if you're pulling doors from cupboards

you're going to clean, sort, toss the contents:

Project 3.

 

Starting yard sale piles for this spring:

Project 4.

 

My attention has been piqued by this blog:

Cute and ...cute - take a look.

So, rather uncharacteristically, I bought the book.

Just like that.

Kindle edition - instant scratch for that

particular itch.

I plan to pursue a 365 challenge of my own.

Soon.

Project 5.

 

And some well defined strategies like

 going to bed earlier

getting more exercise

looking for humor

for a

healthier, happier me.

Project 6.

 

 

 

 

 

January- again!?

Whew! 

 

As I sat down the other night it hit me - the holidays are finished. 

No crochet hooks, knitting needles or yarn in hand.

Lists have been completed and tossed.

We neither have, nor are, company. 

The suitcases are empty and back in storage.

Time belongs to us once again.

 

So, of course, I immediately began

planning new projects. 

 Making a list or two.

Scheduling a trip.

 

Even if we avoid the pull of "resolutions"

it is all but impossible to forego

the opportunities for reflection that come with a new year.

 

Health?  Check.

Family?  Check.

Travel plans?  Check.

Creative license?  Check.

Changes?  Opportunities? Commitments?

Check, check and check.

 

My daughter left for Haiti this morning - a medical mission.

When she returns house hunting begins.

She and Aidan hope to be in their own place by May.

It has been a tough year for them.

We've helped as we could but it's not our life.

The hard blows and tough decisions have been hers.

We watch, wait, take our cues and do our best

but she handles it.

We're proud and amazed by her clear-headed strength.

 

My son is busy with studies again this year.

Pre-med.

He'll be back in the garden as soon as possible.

It sounds like chickens are part of the plan for this spring.

A wedding is also on the calendar.

At times the west coast seems another world

and we feel the separation keenly.

Weekly phone calls are part of his routine and we

treasure each one.

We're proud of the direction he's taking.

 

My mother turns eighty next week.

She works - too many hours - because

she likes having money.

It makes me laugh to hear her say that.

She has an Alaskan cruise scheduled this spring.

Everything will be interesting to her

and she'll come home full of stories to share.

She'll probably ask to steer the ship!

 

I obviously come from hardy stock and

 am pleased to see the next generation holding their own.  

My own plans for the year ahead are somewhat vague.

My primary role for many years

was accommodation and orchestration.

And I'm good at that but feel the need for a bigger plan.

So we'll see what the next few weeks bring.

Resolutions? Probably not.

Resolve? Sounds good. 

 

 

 

 

 

a breather...

A quick trip to visit Naphtali and Aidan over the weekend

brought the expected pleasures of their company

as well as a couple unexpected projects 

generated by a stop at Unique Thrift.

Charlie's bed has a new cover.

A new tablecloth.

Several new chain loop scarves.

And there is a faux fur throw in the works for me.

My biggest problem recently has simply been that I don't stay home 

on days when I could be home attacking my list.

'Tis also the season for errands and shopping and appointments

while at home:

There are presents waiting to be finished.

Some are waiting to be started.

Packages to wrap.

Cleaning for company.

Cards.

Cookies.

Tim ran the errand that was scheduled for today which

meant that a couple things - like stopping for 

Charlie's new tags - can be moved to

tomorrow when I have an appointment and will

already be out and on the run.

So today I've been able to get some wrapping done.

New bird feeders have been made and are

setting up in the fridge.

This was a pinterest idea which I've modified slightly.

Turns out my birds prefer their food to be

somewhat stationary.

So rather than thread and hang - as in the pin that caught my attention -

I make a hole to slip over a short twig on

a branch.  The birds can then stand on the branch to eat.

(Using a thin branch will keep the squirrels at bay.)

As you can see below

I cut the top from several plastic cups and packed in the seed mixture 

rather than using the cute cookie cutters featured in the pin as I found it.

It's serviceable.

I've since seen a pin with a large seed wreath that looks 

like it was made in a jello mold.

I'll probably try making a batch to fit a 

square grid suet feeder.

And if I get moving again now I can check off a few more 

items on my list before I go to work.

Giving thanks

Another *first* for me today.  

Even though a spring form pan could be found in my cupboard for years

today is the first time it has seen any action.

Thanksgiving will be spent with my mother and sister.

Green bean casserole - french cut is my preference - and a

pumpkin cheesecake 

will make the drive with me.

Today's soundtrack featured a young Jacob questioning the 

wisdom of trying a recipe for the first time on company.

In general he had/has a point but

honestly

how many pumpkin cheesecakes can 

the average among us try before the big day?

Tomorrow's plan includes a sleepover to allow for

scrabble

and tackling outdoor Christmas decorations on Friday.

No shopping.

Tim will be joining his family at his mother's.

Naphtali has plans that will keep her close to home.

Not sure what Jacob has going...

Aidan is spending the weekend with his dad.

Even though the list reads like a fractured fairytale

there is much for which to be thankful.

We all still speak to each other.

Monday morning

It's finished!

The Annex is officially open

and nearly full!

Isn't Tim good? 

 You'd never know this wasn't an original part of the house!
He removed the siding from that section of the garage wall and pieced it back
together to cover the shed.
Shelves and hooks help organize the stuff we moved in from the garage.
And there is still some room available!

We both parked in the garage last night.

And  yes - our grass is that green.  

Brown and crunchy all summer and look at it now!

Here's a look at another Sunday project:

Larry and Mary have left the state - headed for retirement in Arizona. - we wish them well.

Larry came down last weekend for a quick goodbye and dropped 

off a huge plant and the large crock.

I took advantage of several crocks already on hand and cleaned up
 the stock of fireplace supplies.

In a serendipitous turn - earlier this week, at JoAnn Fabrics, no less, I found

a package of *clips* for brick surfaces and was finally able to

hang the match holder from my dad's place.

The following is my contribution to the always surprising *small world* category.

Friday I helped serve Thanksgiving dinner at Kennybrook - around

350 people - who were split in 3 different dining halls

and served in 2 shifts.  A fun time.

Afterwords I ran into friends from long ago,

Tom and Laila Messerly, who were there as guests of one the residents.

As we were chatting,  Selma - now a resident -

who used to live in Harvey ND and got to know Tom and Laila 

after she moved to the Des Moines area, joined us.

Growing up in Harvey, she had know Tewkesburys forever 

and, of course, Box T, where I volunteered as a cook for several years.

Probably 5 - 10 minutes of friendly chitchat 

but it touched off a landslide of good memories including this 

breakfast staple from camp:

I'd never had it and couldn't imagine that it would go over well 

but the girls loved it!

  maybe it was just the combination of fresh air and hard work.

Any way, I bought a box during our grocery run on Saturday morning.

Bon Appetit!

Cheers!

Time is flying by too quickly!!

Already Wednesday, somehow, Thanksgiving is next week!

A birthday package for a friend back in Nebraska is late!

On the other hand

next week I can begin decorating for Christmas.

My quilt top is done.

The spray painting I needed to get done is done.

I've got bird feed thingies that I found on Pinterest hanging outside.

And I've bottled the first of my cranberry cordial:

Confessions

I will admit that the processes of Christmas 

are beginning to have their way with me.

Understandable if there are projects requiring preparation,

like this one for Aidan,

 which has to be ready to go at Thanksgiving.

Or a quilt waiting for my attention.

I will admit to trolling through the aisles at Hobby Lobby 

humming snippets of Christmas carols, 

making plans,

 trying to remember what I already have in storage.

I haven't done any real shopping yet - other than the few things I need for Aidan's 

countdown packages.  

Oh and, I have ordered a couple things for him from Amazon.

 Well, now that I'm thinking about it there is a package of ornaments in the closet

and I did pick up another small tree.

And something for my mother - 

but I'll probably give that to her before Christmas so it doesn't really count...

But - just look what called my name at World Market the other day:

 for the spare bedroom.  

They'll be adorable on the wall

above the bed and it's going to require

all my self control not to decorate that room tomorrow.

turn, turn, turn...

Yes, it's that time of year again.

Leaves have been raked and bagged.

The deck has been stripped of its summertime finery.

Flower pots and garden hoses have been stowed away 'til spring.

Firewood was delivered yesterday.

An extra blanket graces the bed.

Flannel sheets will return on the next wash day.

Jackets and scarves are a pleasure to wear.

Oatmeal with blueberries is back on the breakfast menu.

google images

Monday morning

I did something last night that I haven't done for a long while. 

It started out innocently and with the best of intentions while I painted my nails:

Read for an hour, let the polish dry and be in bed by 10:00.

Next thing I knew it was after midnight.

The nails were dry.

The book was finished.

It was a very satisfying tale.

Tuesday morning

It's too wet to rake leaves so I've been in the kitchen:

whole wheat pasta with artichokes, mushrooms and spinach in a light alfredo sauce

 and

pumpkin muffins from a pinterest recipe

So very tasty!!

I've also tried something with the fireplace.

The colors on the following picture are skewed on purpose - trying 

to get more definition for the masking tape on the walls.

It's been terribly humid these last few days 

and the masking tape does not want to adhere.  It is

falling even as I write...

probably not the best conditions to try this.

Oops - one side is down.

The picture is so poor but there are boxes taped off on the walls

representing the placement of narrow trim painted in a contrasting

color  - in this case about 6 inches from the ceiling and side walls.

If you click to enlarge it the tape is much easier to see.

This was one of my inspiration photos:

I'm on the look-out for a set - yes, a matched set, of sconces to place in the boxes.

About 15-18 inches tall.  The cabinets can be painted. Or not.

That this will be a very traditional look surprised me but 

hey - it's calling my name.

And while it may be more traditional than expected our own 

touches will keep it on the casual side.

Would you believe I chipped the polish on one nail messing with the masking tape!?

I work after while so I will need to do a quick repair job.

Friday morning

Today's attempt.

I'll let this one sit for a few days. The candlesticks have 

already been rearranged.
The window panes sit at an angle rather than
 flush against the wall.

Squirrely days

 This post could just have easily borne the title of Jackdaw days 

as my attention seems to be drawn to any variety of shiny distraction these days.

Squirrels, though, with their heads down bounding from spot to spot, 

digging, planning, working so hard at  what may be a fruitless cause in another month or so 

are an apt comparison to the prevailing mood chez moi.

Tuesday morning

There is no lack of reasonable tasks available each day.

More-urgent is not always the same as most urgent.

The siren song of interesting ideas lures me 

from the safe productivity of my lists.

Is it the layering of leaves outside

that prompts such a desire to replicate

the colors and clutter of fall inside our homes?

Is squirrelishness our response to the changing  seasons?

Tuesday night

One of my recent obsessions has been the fireplace mantle.

My pinterest page is suddenly full of mantle pictures. 

Studying them has made me aware that 

the mantle may be only a part of the problem.

It really is a big picture issue.

Let's start with a reminder that I love my fireplace.

Maybe not the glass doors - but the idea and use of it I love.

I've tried a variety of things over the course of the last year.

We have talked about major renovations:

a tile surround

paint

built-in bookshelves.

This week, though, the emphasis has been on 

spending no money - re purpose what is already here - a challenge

I always enjoy.

Wednesday morning

The windows come from Dad's house in Hampton.

They flanked his fireplace.

He gave them to me during the siding/windows project and I've 

carted them several times across the Midwest since then.

There are sliding glass doors opposite the couch which 

limit the seating options in the room.

The small cabinets on the side provide storage and balance.

Perhaps a bookshelf-type hutch on top?

The lamp relieves what had always been a dark corner.

Do I need one on the other table, too?

Well, this is today's look.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Another month will mean decorating for Christmas 

and it will all change again.

Confessions on a cold morning

My Kindle is searching the Oxford Dictionary for "succumbation" as I start this post.  

The yellow bar is barely crawling along...

My venerable print copy was checked first - found nothing - so I figured I should 

put the resources available through technology to work.

That yellow bar is still crawling...

If it proves to be a word then I may claim the privilege 

of poster child.

You may remember the recent meatloaf incident...

This latest succumbation resets the bar.

I bought Christmas ornaments the other day.

Still crawling....

Yes, I've had a list of projects posted for several weeks already.

Hold on while I put another log on the fire.

 0 results for succumbation.

Yes, I've revised the list several times and actually begun several projects..

Yes, I've looked through Pinterest and various books/magazines

 for Christmas ideas.  

None of that counts.

Buying ornaments is in a different category.

I've succumbed.

Color my world

I was on the road yesterday between Fort Dodge and Grimes.

The sky was blue and the fall colors were incredible.

Screaming reds.

Vibrant oranges.

Pulsating burgundies.

Flaming yellows.

At one point I caught sight of the traditional calendar shot

of a country church on a hilltop

surrounded by a wondrous array of color.

Unfortunately, this photo courtesy of google images only begins to 

capture the familiar scene.

It was the iconic image that we all recognize

or have our own variation tucked away ready to be conjured by 

the nostalgic magic of a classic fall day.

Our neighborhood is also arrayed in it's finest fall collection.

Bronze, purple, and gold intermingled in stunning 

                                           combinations as the trees morph from one color to the next.