Posts

Two More Poems

Whenever the Wind Blows When I fall asleep I sleep quite hard Whenever the wind blows Slumber invites me Into worlds beyond this one When I fall asleep My eyelids become heavy My thoughts are put on hold Whenever the wind blows My husband can’t believe How quickly I drift off When I fall asleep How the trees dance And leaves often fall Whenever the wind blows There’s a calm cool breeze That surrounds me but I miss it When I fall asleep Whenever the wind blows                                                                                  ...

Thank You Rob Buyea

Image
I mention my discovery of Mr. Terupt in this post .   Rob Buyea makes reference to several books throughout the two books that I’ve read and I have made my journey into some of those books. So here are my reviews on “Belle Teal” by Ann M. Martin and “Belle Prater’s son” by Ruth White “Belle Teal” is told in first person by a girl who’s been named after her grandma – Belle Teal.   The story takes place roughly 1961 – 1962 I’m guessing in Virginia. Two things stand out for me.   One is that Belle’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s or another form dementia.   It isn’t explained.   Even back then – there wasn’t the same understanding that we have now – and are still trying to explain. The other is/was the relationship between her classmates.   One is a black student who has just transferred into an all white school.   Another is a high and mighty princess, also a first timer for that particular school. The other is the son of an abusive drunkar...

I Know I'm Alive, For There is Much Pain

When we first moved into the ward, our ward had been assigned to clean the building the last four months during the year.   It was finally changed to every third month – which is what I thought should be done all along.   But who am I? Before we left the house, I took something for my allergies, as I knew we’d be going to the garden, which would probably make my sneezing act out even more. Usually our family is there at least three or four Saturdays to assist.   When we arrived yesterday, I figured it was the Elder’s Quorum that was in charge, as there were doughnuts, juice and chocolate milk to reward the cleaners afterwards.   Jenna handed me a vacuum cleaner and told me that “we” were going to vacuum. “I” started out with the Relief Society room and then worked my way to the nursery and then the primary room.   I didn’t have to get any of the rooms on the other side of the chapel as I was told somebody else took care of that. The vacuum cleaner ...

Softball season has started

--> The school that Jaime attends is surrounded by three ball fields – one to the south, one to the west and one to the north west.   In the center is a parking lot where many parents will drop off and pick up their children.   For the most part the lot remains empty during the school season.   But on the last week or two the parking lot is filled with more cars than parking spaces. I told Jenna to come and look for me in the Church parking lot – which I learned has become the overflow parking for the softball fans.   I called out her name last night, for I could see her searching the Vantana parking lot.   I’m certain she’ll remember to look for the car in the Church parking lot for the remainder of school. Yesterday morning I had Highness as the sun made its way over the horizon and could take him for a walk without getting caught in the rain.   We left the house at 7:30 but school doesn’t start until 8:40. As I passed...

Humane Sacrifice

Image
                    Jenna had a high pain thresh hold for many years and didn’t seem whimpy at all.   But now she seems to be the opposite – making mountains out of molehills (so to speak) She took a spill quite recently and landed on her hand.   In the process she may have sprained her wrist.   She wore an ace bandage to school and says she wants a cast – but I don’t believe that her wrist is broken.   But she says she is too weak and has a tough time with it.   One specific example that she used was in getting dressed. I reminded her about Katy Plumis who you can read about here and here . Jenna asked me to remind me about how Katy lost her arm.   I told her that Katy had been thrown out of a car because she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.   Katy’s cousin was killed in that same accident. Jenna then says to me that she’d rather lose her arm than h...

Happy Memories

Image
--> When Jenna was younger, we would go for walks ALL of the time.   I would point things out as we passed different yards.   “Oh, look at the flowers”   “See that pretty pin wheel”     The thing that she seemed to overlook with each yard I pointed out was the well.   I never understood why she couldn’t see them.   Several yards contained some form of a wishing well.   I don’t know how many walks we took before I realized she was looking for a “whale” ******************************************************************* Jenna was three the first time we had taken her to Arizona.   We were actually in the city part when Jenna asked, “Are we in a dessert?”   I turned around in disbelief.   How did she know that Arizona is a desert state?   “Yes we are.” I proudly beamed. Jenna appeared to be highly disappointed.   And here is why: “I have looked and looked and I have not see...

Mystery Solved . . . or at least Somewhat Satisfied

Amongst mom’s journals are more photos of – who are these people? Corey scanned the photos he had come across and emailed them to me asking if I might possible be able to identify any of members.   We didn’t actually know if they were photos from our family or my mom’s stepfather and the only grandpa that we ever knew. Uncle Bruce said he’d be coming to town to visit mom. I wasn’t certain what month he would arrive but said he could come to the Memorial Day BBQ if he happened to be in town at that time.   It wasn’t until we were at the BBQ that I learned he had initially thought he’d come in June, but changed plans for the BBQ. I had told Corey to bring the photos to the BBQ and ask Uncle Bruce about them – as he might be the only one with some clue – though Bruce doesn’t seem like the sentimental type – not at all.   Nor does he really know his dad or his dad’s side of the family – which is where it was decided that most of the photos were from.  ...

DownPour on My Birthday

Image
I recall a few of my birthdays were cooler than normal – requiring a sweatshirt or summer jacket.  Never a rain slicker!  Not quite a monsoon but certainly not what I’ve grown accustomed to.  I can’t see to drive on the roads.  There’s not enough light.           Corey and Joh offered to pay for new glasses – but I don’t know that a stronger prescription is really the answer.  The way the doctor explained it to me is that I have weird shaped eyes that just don’t seem to let in the right amount of light needed for me to see throughout each day.  I’m certain that I will go blind eventually.            Besides I’d rather have spent the money on shoes or new pants for Roland or something that seemed to take precedence for me.  And we have been blessed in major ways.           On Saturday Jenna spen...

A Little Romance . . .

Image
--> I we nt to Alpine Ridge where mom is staying.   I was surprised to see Harold sitting on her bed and visiting with her.   He was saying that he has six boys – while mom has only four children – two girls and two boys.   But she claims to have a lot more pictures than Harold. I told her I had come to take her to a family dinner – but we had time to visit before we left.   Jenna’s eyes lit up when Harold mentioned Peanut Brittle.   He said he had been in a place before this one and they let him make peanut brittle in the microwave.   But one day the microwave started smoking and they never let him in the kitchen again.   And then he had to move. Jenna absorbed it all – hanging on to his every word.   I decided that his mind works the same as mom’s and his time frame is different as well as some of his facts.   He said he wanted to take mom flying – not that he’s a pilot.   He wouldn’t be driving the plane, but would...

That's My Jenna

Image
Her hair always seems to be disheveled at best Doesn’t wish to hold barrettes or bows or curls Usually she has hair hanging in her face She is far from being one of those prissy girls She’ll wear shoes just in order to climbs trees Clothes don’t stay clean or well kept for long She loves the outdoors, she loves to explore She’s always been free-spirited and head-strong Her favorite Princess is Brave’s Merida Who is concerned with things more important than looks She discovers as much as she can first handedly And has many adventures through her books I would like to say that she is one of a kind But I see in her my own mirror to the past When I was the one with the mussed up hair Climbing trees and making adventures last                                     ...

Exploring is a Natural Part of Childhood Growth

Image
Someone from the community garden had made the comment that each of our kids will look back to the days they went exploring and played while their parents worked in the garden.  Jenna has always found pleasure in farm equipment and likes to pretend she’s driving the broken down tractor, but she is especially enthralled when Parker comes to the garden with his parents. Last Monday there were four of them who went exploring.  Jenna wore my garden hat, and it made for a cute picture – though I did not have my camera to capture the children as they prodded and poked through the trees.  Watching the four of them reminded me of my own youth when my brother, cousins and I would explore beyond Grandma Helen’s backyard and delighted in our adventures – well, at least two of us did. Grandma’s house was located on a hill right behind the Salt Lake City capitol building.  I have the fondest memories of her house.  At the time, I did not realize that Grandma...

My Garden Pants

Image
When I purchased these pants – I don’t know how many years ago – it was not my intention to wear them in the garden.  They were comfortable shorts – okay, maybe a bit longer than shorts, but something I could throw on during the summer and not feel the heat of the fabric surrounding me like an unwanted blanket.  There is a knot in the front.  Well, several knots, really.  I don’t know how to maintain them.  I have tried different methods for keeping them straight when I put them in the wash, but somehow they always manage to twist themselves together.  It seems the harder I work at keeping them straight and make attempts to keep them from knotting, the more knots and tangles will form before I remove the pants from the washer. I can’t find them now, but there used to be some rather ugly stains in addition to the knots.  Thus they became my garden pants.  As they were already stained, I didn’t figure being in the dirt with them woul...