Monday, April 04, 2005
Three sons in puffin shirts
When I was going through the boxes of pictures a couple weeks ago, some photos brought up some real nice memories.
I remember that this was a picture sent out as reprints in Christmas cards.
The back of this one says this was taken in May, 1987, about a week before the chicken pox came into the house for my sons and my daycare kids.
Umm, they would have been age 7, 4, and 2 then.
The boys are wearing adult size cotton T-shirts with puffin prints on the front. They used them as nightshirts until they got big enough for the shirt to fit properly, and by then the things were in tatters.
Our oldest son, Joe _Loved_ puffins at that age. He had posters and little stuffed birdies, and memorized a poem for reciting in a class at school.
There Once was a Puffin
by Florence Page Jaques
Oh, there once was a Puffin
Just the shape of a muffin,
And he lived on an island
In the bright blue sea!He ate little fishes,
That were most delicious,
And he had them for supper
And he had them for tea.But this poor little Puffin,
He couldn’t play nothin’.
For he hadn’t anybody
to play with at all.So he sat on his island
And he cried for a while, and
He felt very lonely,
And he felt very small.Then along came the fishes,
And they said, “If you wishes,
You can have us for playmates,
Instead of for tea!”So they now play together,
In all sorts of weather,
And the Puffin eats pancakes,
Like you and like me.
Busy critters
I left off just as I was going to Women’s Retreat.
While I was waiting for my ride, I stood in the doorway, looking out through the screen at the pouring rain. Just as it was slacking off a bit, a very pregnant squirrel came around the corner of the house and walked over to the base of the maple tree. She sat there and looked up at the branch about 12 feet off the ground. I could see her gathering all her breath and willpower, then she began to climb.
She made it to the first branch, then sat and rested, breathing deeply. As if she could feel my eyes on her, she looked right over across the porch, and me standing just inside the door.
I really wanted to get a picture, but I was afraid I would startle her if I opened the door, and the camera didn’t focus well through the screen.
Having gotten her second wind, she turned and began to climb in a sort of spiral pattern, so that she disappeared around the back of the trunk. Then I could hear the rustling of leaves, over and above the drip of the raindrops. A couple shreds and sticks came tumbling from the area of the first fork of the trunk.
She was getting settled in, and from what I had seen, she might have given birth over the weekend.
I shall have to keep our kittycats away from the vicinity of baby squirrels.
When he is outside, Oscar keeps going to the same bush and sitting and watching for quite awhile at a stretch. I believe there was a bunny’s nest under that same bush last summer, so he might know something us humans haven’t noticed yet. The neighbors who have gardens, both flower and vegetable, say that Oscar can get all the rabbits he can stomach.
A friend who was in the same car going to Retreat says she would like to borrow our cat. The rabbits have eaten off her tulips down to the dirt, and a couple other flowers are showing signs that they make a good snack.
However, her housing situation does not allow cats, so she is going to ask the maintenance man for some help. She does love her flowers.
Myself, I enjoy watching the critters. We tend to mow down most of the plantlife on this property.
Allergies…. the season is coming quick…..
Friday, April 01, 2005
Gettin’ outta town—-!
Well, Folks, I am off to the Spring Retreat for the central Illinois Mennonite Women. We will be at Camp Menno Haven in the middle of farm country, when it is springtime on the prairie.
Husband and youngest son have to be bachelors for a whole 30 hours, but I just know they can handle it.
Maybe I’ll write all about it when I get back. Then again, there are those dadgum privacy problems.
The Internet can be hazardous for some touchy issues…hmmm, well, “wait and see” usually works.
Write ya later, my friends.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Happy Birthday, Chris!
Today, this last day of March, when the wind is blowing and the clouds are scooting across a blue sky, we are having a real low-key celebration….
The youngest son, Chris, leaves his teen years. He says it is not such a big deal, he is too busy to party.
On the other hand, I am remembering that he was born at 10:30 in the morning on Palm Sunday. We had to call the doctor out of church services.
There were 13 student nurses with us in the delivery room—I had signed the proper permission forms because this was my third (and last) baby, and all was going well, and I really didn’t care by that point who was there to watch. I just needed the doctor down there and my mate holding my hand.
I remember Husband’s beard tickling my neck when he leaned over and said we would have to decide on another boy name. I said “Another Boy!” The doctor asked if I wanted him to send it back, because the boy looked big and healthy, and he should be a keeper.
When I got to my room, each and every one of those students came by and said Thank You, and how sweet, and we would be a great family. The one who was my actual caregiver was pleased as a peacock with her assignment.
There are pictures in the longer part, but I gotta quit typing for awhile. I want to get going with a hook and thread.
More Happy Birthday, Chris!... below the fold
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Blue Blouse
This blouse has become one of my favorites!
Yard Sale price paid = 50 cents!
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps Husband and I met for lunch at Latte Time. The sandwiches are scrumptious, and the company quite mellow.
Happening Outside? Spring!!
The best seat in the house is right here. I am over in the southeast corner, with the window beside my shoulder. There was a time when Husband’s computer was in this spot, but he gave it to me willingly a few years ago. Mainly because it is close to the kitchen, and I can run back and forth to stir soup or catch the timer for whatever is in the oven.
There are several tall trees in the yard, this might have to be the year when we have them trimmed again. We don’t spray or really have a plan for yardwork, just the occassional mowing and pruning.
The neighbors do much better, and these flowers are actually in ground beyond our property line.
Around back is a pine tree. The wind blowing through pine branches is a wonderful sound. Up in this one is a missus cardinal singing her little feathers off. Really, it don’t look like much, but it is her home and she sure sounds happy.
Today is expected rain, according to the man on the radio. We need it, there’s been dust lately.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Tuesday evening TV
This being Tuesday evening, I settled in on the loveseat to watch my shows, even knowing that JUDGING AMY was not on tonight.
NAVY NCIS is fine since I love to be watching Mark Harmon. Normally, I believe him to be a fine actor. He was in ST. ELSEWHERE, REASONABLE DOUBTS, and even a couple made-for-TV oddball movies. He played Ted Bundy convincingly, for crying out loud!
However, his talents are wasted on this show. He is supposed to be some gruff leader, divorced three times (which we might insinuate that he can’t get along with people), the head of the investigative team, a genius at making connections of the details.
The last few episodes have him acting like a den mother with a bunch of bickering spoiled street urchins. Not much science left in the show, unless one counts the open carcass resting between a scowling honcho and a scalpel wielding fellow in a lab apron.
Everybody gets to speak a line while leaning over the monitor, which is just at this last minute sending the missing piece of information onscreen.
Moving on to the next channel, there is HOUSE, MD. Hugh Laurie is the central gruff guy with a willfully kind heart. The writers are straying away from the original story, and have brought in a money man who judges all the medical personnel by financial needs. What I don’t understand is why nobody cuts the costs of all the tests each patient gets in every episode. And having three doctors standing around one patient is most unusual, don’cha think?
After a couple drugs didn’t work, or they interacted badly, HOUSE nonchalantly barks “Do an MRI. Find out why the Warfarin had this reaction”.
My husband was in a bicycle accident last summer, and I can tell you that the medical bills, even with great health insurance coverage, are not to be taken lightly. Months later, another envelope arrives with a balance at the bottom. Granted, not always the full amount, but the percentage for what comes out-of-pocket can mean doing without some coveted item for awhile. If the hospital and doctors are the ones doing the tests, just to see, then bring up those discussions first.
These medical shows haven’t a clue about when to say “Wait and See” or “All Done”
No wait, that’s happening in real life. Even Congress got in on personal and family decisions.
On the brighter side, I did get a cross marker done. Seeing that I didn’t have to pay too close attention to the shows, my stitch count stayed accurate, so no ripping out.
Bird Reporter
Somewhere deep down in me is a great dislike for the outdoors.
This was not a discussion of high priority before the wedding, yet it probably should be for anyone thinking they are ready to go through the trouble of making all things legal and tying up finances and vacation budget. The sanctity of marriage can take a backseat when choosing the kind and place for some R & R.
That being said, I do like to Read about folks who travel. There was a time when I renewed the subscription for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC before I bought macaroni and cheese for my sons. The budget just had to accomodate….as the saying goes,
Bread, and Roses too. Hearts starve as well as bodies…
This morning, I was reading the online site of the paper in Wheeling, WV. For awhile in the late 70s, I had a job which took me across the Fort Henry Bridge and through the I70 tunnel. The paper says the tunnel will be closed within a few months, for as long as a year, for update and maintenance work.
Also is a column written by Scott Shalaway. There is a reason this guy gets paid to write, because he does it quite well.
click on
Bird-watching to read all about it
Spur of the Moment Trip Opens the Door to Natural Wonder
Monday, March 28, 2005
Still in School
Goodness, my hand is aching. Algebra homework
“Solving Quadratic Equations using Factoring”
To do this, the Zero-Factor Property must be memorized.
If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0
There were 21 problems on the practice pages, each has four lines of figuring before getting to the answer.
I cannot do much in my head. Sometimes I even skip use of the calculator because I can’t see the route I have taken when I get to the conclusion.
I began at 2:45pm, took a bit of a break around 4:15, then finished soon after Husband got home at 5:30pm.
The main problem right now is the sore hand.
Duty called before hobby.
I wanted to crochet a cross marker tonight, but the knuckles can’t take holding onto another long, skinny tool.
Sleeping with my splint on tonight, I can tell you….
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Church Decorations
Easter was celebrated quite nicely at our church services this morning. We even had commmunion. The singing was wonderful for both the Adult Choir and Junior choir.
For Fellowship Time, I put out a basket of chocolates next to the coffee pots, and they were received quite gratefully.
More Church Decorations... below the fold
Last Sunday in March
Last night I carefully set my clock ahead an hour and fixed the alarm, then told Husband I was doing so. He gave a huge sigh, and went out to tell Chris that Daylight Saving Time is upon us.
The alarm went off at 6:25am. I stayed under the blankets for about 15 minutes, then got up and headed for the kitchen. I got the tea on to brew, and brought in both newspapers. Arranged them on the nook table, poured my Cheerios into a bowl, sliced a banana on top, sugared my cup of tea, and settled in for breakfast.
While reading the PARADE magazine, I came upon a blurb about Daylight Saving Time. Which ones of the United States do not participate in following Daylight Saving Time. That _next week_ is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time.
Retracing my steps down the hall, I stayed in the doorway to keep a safe distance. With a soft voice I asked if Husband is awake. Yeah, yeah, I’ll be up in a minute. Well, that’s okay, I saw in the paper that Daylight Saving Time begins next week. We are a whole hour ahead.
His response must have been fairly minor, because I cannot remember what he said.
Later, there was a note on the message bar for Chris
Uncharacteristic inaccuracy for the Mrs.
Daylight Savings Time is _next_ week…of course she realized this _after_ the alarm went off at 6:25 (swear word) am
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Way to my Heart
Youngest son is aiding and abetting some good tunes this afternoon.
He humored me while I played Three albums in a row—
Don Henley Inside Job,
Building the Perfect Beast,
and End of the Innocence
I was putting together the fixins for supper, which is to be chicken tacos.
While I’m cooking, I like to have the stereo going volume at about 7, and with a good beat.
At some point, Chris showed up in the kitchen with his guitar and just kept playing along with the music.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Free on Friday
This is one week when Friday didn’t seem to get here fast enough. I was plain tuckered out, but got only a 40 minutes nap in this afternoon. Mahalia decided that my tummy would be a good place to curl up, and the full glass of water I drank right before lying down seemed to filter through pretty fast.
The movie SPARTACUS was showing at the historic theatre. Kirk Douglas in his muscular late thirties wearing only a loincloth and training to be a gladiator. My, oh my. Manhood at it finest.
The only problem was the film was so long there had to be an intermission. Now the hour is late so the house is quiet.
Time for bed.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
For my Guy
Husband gave me a gift today. I am not sure he even realized when it happened. There was no exchange of goods, no affectionate touches, no opening of the wallet.
He has provided for me to have Time. Last summer, getting Fired from my job at the daycare center almost sent me off the cliff. There is history in my blood relatives of mental illness, nervous breakdowns, obsessive habits. I am one of the first females to make it to this age and have reason to go through normal(?) menopause.
Some days it seems I am kicking and flailing just to appear average.
Sessions with a therapist are helpful.
Even more so is the loving support of my guys. Telling jokes and stories about daily happenings, cleaning their own hair out of the bathroom sink, and consulting with my 14th draft of Paper 2 goes a long, long way for my sanity.
Yet we must come back around to Time. The freedom to fill my schedule wherever my inclinations lean. I got a phone call on Monday from the lady who is in charge of doing funeral dinners at our church. She asked if I could bring a salad, help serve, then stay and do clean-up. I was able to say Yes to everything for the service coming Wednesday morning.
The reason is because I do not have a paycheck job and my class at HCC was done at 9am.
We worked well together in the kitchen. Having known each other for years, these church folks, at one time or another we find ourselves doing the same tasks.
When one of my sons asked me why I still go to church when the guys do not, my answer is that I like the interactions with people of many ages. Being helpful, having a purpose. For me, church is not necessarily about the preaching and Bible quotes. It is more about social contacts in a pleasant setting. Hearing many voices singing words I can actually understand. In my youth, hanging out at the bar or going shopping were not very productive pastimes.
Although a funeral is a real downer, providing the family with fine food and a grief outlet is a way for me to feel useful.
Husband works hard for his job at the university. His income is adequate to keep the gas company rep, holding a wrench, from knocking on the door. The attitude of doing what he believes to be his duties with love is very much appreciated.
Thank You, Mister DOF….
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Back at classes
Well, Folks, the great Spring Break is done and we are getting back into the ruts of routine.
Algebra is at Chapter 6 Factoring Polynomials where X is not equal to 1. Homework practice problems took almost two hours, and the Instructor was dropping hints that a quiz could be coming next time.
Composition I is the First Draft of Paper 2 ready for Peer Response. That’s four pages due at 8am Wednesday. College research papers are not nearly as much fun as writing for a blog.
Husband made cables with connectors for something in one of the computer labs. He is so entertaining, sitting and watching reruns of THE SIMPSONS, yet doing work for his job. He says his salary covers these little extras, and I know he likes working with his hands this way.
Chris is typing even more than I am for a paper, so I know his schedule is catching up with him.
Seems like what goes around comes ‘round again.
~~love and Huggs, Diane