Five years and the eve.

The year ends softly. 

It has been a good one.

Tonight? I am looking at the moon, full and bright, and thinking about five years ago.

New Year's Eve was my Dad's last night on earth.

He died in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, 2013. 

For the next several New Year's Eves I lit a paper lantern and sent it off into the night sky in remembrance of Dad. This year? I did not buy the paper lantern.

However, I did find two old sparklers leftover from my 60th birthday a year ago.

So. In remembrance of you, dear Dad, I sparkled. 

From the song, Stardust, by Hoagy Carmichael...

Sometimes I wonder why I spend

The lonely night dreaming of a song

The melody haunts my reverie

And I am once again with you

When our love was new

And each kiss and inspiration

But that was long ago

Now my consolation

Is in the stardust of a song

My peace fill your home in the New Year. 

Time after time...

We just now got home from visiting Mom. We also got to visit the locals...two sisters, one brother,  and Beach Boy and his family. Another brother and sister-in-law with duel citizenship (the coast and Madison) were down to visit, too. 

So, lots of family hugging and loving. 

We have done a Christmas trip to be with Mom several times since Dad died 5 years ago. Mom tells me with real emotion how deeply she appreciates us traveling to be with her at Christmastime. I believe her. It does my heart good. To do it. And. To hear it. 

I look in her eyes and see my past. And. I see my future. 

She is how I will look. If I live long enough. 

As long as she lives I hope to repeat this trip. 

Time after time. 

Christmas vacay...

So. Over the course of last weekend, whilst the grand chilluns were here, my angles' attention kept getting redirected. It brought back memories of my childhood and how we used to rearrange the Nativity set according to where we thought the cast members needed to be. With so many siblings, you can imagine, positions changed hourly. The funny thing here is that last weekend, somehow, the angels kept re-centering on the one with the broken wing. Mind you, none of my angels are fancy perfect angels. They are well worn and some are down right different. I like angels that way. Isn't it poignant that they ended up honoring the broken angel? There is a lesson here. 

Out of Town Son and his wife gifted Macho with a drone. The first one was defective and the replacement arrived yesterday. The battery on this one charged nicely and Macho nearly had lift off in the kitchen. The weather is frightful outside and it is hard waiting for the inaugural flight. But wait we will. New kitchen + flying drone = disaster. 

But. He is tickled with this drone and looking forward to earning his wings. 

I gifted Macho a canjo. It is a one stringed banjo with a can. This can happens to be of the Prince Albert variety. It came with a pick and a song book with music for a canjo or dulcimer. And. 

He is having fun with it! What a treat to see him enjoy this instrument!

Macho hung my new wind chimes for me today. Sadly it is a calm day and they are silent. It is a large set of chimes and they make church music. 

My second batch of Christmas waffles are being cooked as I type. I'll take some down to Mom next week. Maybe put some in a pillow case and hang 'em on a nail in my closet. That is what I learned last year from some dear cousins. My uncle, their dad, would hang his waffles in a pillow case. They thought it sacrilege to freeze the family waffles. I confess, I have been know to stick them in the freezer. Every time I make a batch I think, "This is the best batch I've eve made". This batch is no different than the rest, but I think it is quite possibly the best batch I've ever made! 

We thought we finished all our in town errands yesterday. Only for me to discover I am almost out of moisturizer. Ugh. One more trip to town and we will try to make it fun. Keep up our Christmas cheer. 

You do the same. Keep your spirits light.

Shalom. 

O Little Town of Bethlehem...

"...Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by..."

I love the family shot. Here we are with our offspring. And their offspring. All present and accounted for. It was one of the best Christmas family gatherings ever.

I wish. I wish I could freeze the picture of each grandchild as they opened their gift. It felt like every one was a home run. The baton the Millie got was a hit! Lauren seemed pleased with her iTunes gift card and Tucker, in his understated way, exuded warmth when he opened the Seahawks hat we gave him. 

I have to save the best for last. It was the most precious reaction and I knew she loved it right away. Our Merritt loves the "Annie" movie, and all things "Annie" right now. She had requested from Santa, no less, the old version of the movie since she had not seen it.

When she opened our gift a smile lit her face. She fell back on the floor and just could not stop smiling. I knew. It was the best thank you I think I have ever seen. 

"...Yet in thy dark street shineth

The everlasting Light..."

Peyton and I shared some Christmas reading. She humored me and we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" together. Then I read another book to her - "Bright Christmas, An Angel Remembers" by Andrew Clements. She listened intently. And. I cried through the entire book. It is one of those especially sweet poignant Christmas stories. 

"...While mortals sleep, the angles keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim thy holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to men on earth."

Phone dump...

Don't exactly remember the date of my last post. So here is what has gone on lately....

Garden club presentation? Check. Had much help from a dear friend. We tag teamed this bitch and got it done! And. It looks mighty good if I do say so myownself. 

December 8. Deep south snow. So unusual anytime. Much less before winter is officially here. 

It was gorgeous. Then it was gone. Best. Kind. Of. Snow.

It snowed more in my rural area than in town. So. I was surprised to get home to this when it had already melted while I was hunting the groceries.

Picked my basil pre-frost. Then. I made the pesto. 

The drive over to T-town Saturday morning was gorgeous. The snow was still in the woods and it was early. The sun coming up and shining on all the white in the woods was marvelous, wonderful, Lord of Lords! King of Kings! Yes. It was that moving. 

Helped Daughter at her art sale. Well. I didn't do anything but sit there and lend moral support. She did all the work. It was fun. The venue was small. And indoors. And the hosts provided a good bathroom and tasty brunch snacks. 

Win. 

 Christmas traditions are being checked off the 'to-do' list this week.

I hope these taste as good as they smelled whilst I was cooking them. 

I give most away to our offspring. Keep just a few for Christmas morning coffee. 

 Learning new scarf tie techniques this week. 

Christmas oranges. Another of our family traditions. 

It smells like Christmas now. 

Yesterday I got to attend Cecilia's Christmas program.

She was the cutest snowman ever. 

Hit the ground running today. After a quick trip to church for a good 40 minutes of Christmas meditation...I ran through the grocery stores to pick up items needed to get us through the weekend. 

And now? 

George Michael and Mariah Carey are keeping me company while I construct the gumbo.

If you haven't heard it yet, ask your Siri to find Wham's "Last Christmas" and Mariah's "All I want for Christmas" and just try to keep your feet still.

You're welcome. 

Holy trinity. It's gettin' very spiritual around here. 

More kitchen constructions this afternoon. 

Bunko and dirty Santa with my church peeps tonight.

Shalom. 

Under the weather

On the way home from senior mass and brunch on Friday I stopped to snap this photo...

I texted it to Mom. This is where she went to college. It is my alma mater, also. She graduated in 1941. There was a legend about the ginkgo tree. I'm not sure if this is still the same tree, but it might be. Anyway. The colors on College Street are still loudly proclaiming fall. 

I had been swallowing with a scratchy throat for several days. I didn't feel bad until I got home. Then I just laid on the sofa for the remainder of the day. Whatever perkiness I felt Friday morning disappeared. 

Saturday I wasn't up to snuff but Christmas decorations were calling my name. Macho said he would help when he finished his yard work. I waited for a bit. Then I realized that I was at the best I was going to be all day. I could not wait for Macho to finish. So up in the attic I went to retrieve the decorations. 

The pencil tree I bought two years ago is easy for me to handle by myownself. And so I did.

I even got 2/3 boxes down by my self. I commenced to decorating. Macho finished the yard stuff and came in to assist. 

He put his ornament on the tree. Yes. This one is specifically his. 

Handcrafted by our Daughter with materials from his Dad's house. The sentiment is advice from her Granddaddy to more carpenters than we will ever know.   

These are my Christmas angels. They are not fine or rare.  Some were very inexpensive. One was a gift from a client at the tax office where I worked for a dozen years. One belonged to my Aunt Eleanor. One came from my mother-in-law. Two I found in an antique store. The most precious angel was made and hand painted by our first granddaughter. 

This is my view from the sofa today. After church we opted to come home and stay put. I am following the EMCC Lions on Twitter as they play for the National Junior College Championship. 

We are winning, so far. 

I am feeling better. 

Go Lions!

Shalom. 

Thanksgiving in pictures.

 We played "name that baby" and "name that artist". We played pantyhose bowling. 

During the coarse of the weekend I attended a funeral and a baptism. 

My belly was full.

My heart was full. 

Life was  full. 

And rich. 

Shalom. 

One quiet moment.

It has been a hectic two weeks. Hell. It has been a hectic year!

For this one quiet moment I am giving thanks. 

I think I have sat shiva for my friend, Tony, for the better part of the year. Like my Dad, I mourned him while he was suffering. Then in what seems like the span of a breath, he no longer resides on this earth. Lupe, his wife, is grieving quietly. She wants no fuss. Like Macho, she tends to be introverted. They have a sweet relationship. They understand one another.

We move forward from our grief. One foot in front of the other.

Time will march. We will follow. 

***

There has recently been a Facebook challenge to post black and white photos. No people. No explanation.

These didn't make the cut...

Man. I really got into the black and white. I loved it. Especially the no explanation part. 

And then I got the best one...this black and white from Out-of-Town DIL...

She chucked the deuces up. 

This is gonna be one cool cheeka. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

and

Shalom!

Tony.

On Friday our dear friend, Tony, died. He was diagnosed with alzheimer's disease last year and his pancreatic cancer diagnosis came in April of this year. It has been a slow, painful decline. And now? Heaven has become just a little spicier.

Tony was all American with a Mexican heritage. He was a solid citizen and a good Catholic man. He, and his wife, Lupe, were some of the first people to make Macho feel welcome at church. Tony was a man's man. 130 pounds of Mexican charisma. He was the man with the candy in his pockets for the children and without being offensive at all - he was always sweetly complimentary to the ladies. He and Lupe were steadfast and always were the worker bees when church things needed doing.

We will miss him. Tremendously.

October got past...I failed to post "Ink-tober" instagram photos. November is slipping by without my usual "gratitude" posts. And. I am more relaxed for it. Too many other things to think about and do. Yet. I am so grateful for this life. Even in the death of a friend I find the thanksgiving. I am so thankful to have known Tony. And to have been his friend. He added color to the world. To my world. To Macho's world. We loved him. And. He loved us back. That is enough to be thankful for.

We are gearing up for holiday mayhem. I will hold off our Thanksgiving meal until Friday, when our children and grandchildren will arrive. The feast will begin mid-day. And last until everyone is sated. Games will be played. Memories made.

Family Christmas gatherings are in the works. It is getting harder to gather with all the different work schedules. For extended family. And immediate family. Even though it is getting harder I still look forward to all the little miracles that lead us to celebrate the birth of God's love for us. The light in the windows. The lights on the trees. Candy canes and gifts under the tree. Angels everywhere. The good cheer that goes round. The softening of hearts. The outpouring of charity. Love.

Spread some kindness today.
Shalom.

A "Dumb and Dumber" kind of day.

Yes. It is prep day. You know what I'm talking about. First bottle. Done. Now comes the wait. You know what is to follow. You appreciate no photos today.

Life's necessary procedures.

Shalom.

Hello November.

We said goodbye to October among friends. All in costume, we dined at a local restaurant and then braved the haunted house brought to us by our city police. A fund raiser for their benevolence fund, we stood in line way too long for only a few thrills. Not scary, but we got startled several times that made it fun

Costumes in our comfort zone, we dressed as referees. Complete with whistles and yellow flags. 

Thursday I ran from event, to event, to event. Bible study was followed by a senior lunch at the YMCA. From there I ran to a garden club meeting. 

Once that day was over I relaxed. 

Macho and I drove to the Coast on Friday to attend Beach Boy's football game and visit with his family. The bonus was that I also got to visit with Mom each day I was there. 

Macho and Peyton at Friday's football game. Unfortunately our team did not win. End of the season.

Sunday Millie got ready or church. Her mom fixed her hair in a bun. It was very chic.

I think she was even more excited about the tights she was wearing. 

On our way home we got to visit with Out-of-Town Son and his family. We need to visit more because I fear Cecilia is shy around us. The good news is that I can now tell everybody that a baby girl will be added to this family next year. She is due April 1. No fooling.

November has brought a change in time. Several changes in weather. And changes in scenery. I absolutely love driving through my state in the fall. The weekend trip to the coast and back was adorned with every shade of fall color you can imagine. A feast for the eyes. On arriving back home we found our driveway carpeted with maple leaves. Maybe tomorrow I can gather them for composting. After I shop for some groceries. Dressing will be constructed this very week. I hope. Feasts are being planned. Gatherings are in the works. 

Today I heard that my grandchildren are starting to tell "Nanny" stories. And. That makes me laugh. My stories are cautionary tales. 

Go outside. Enjoy the colors.

Shalom.

Fall arrives indoors.

With cooler temps come warmer projects. Crocheting juices are reawakened and my projects are spread throughout the house. Yarn bombs have exploded here. 

The changing of the wardrobe. Shorts are packed away. Sweaters are gently tucked into drawers. 

(We still haven't turned off the AC. Yet.)

French bread is baking as I type. It was an easy recipe. 

I guess I should clean the oven door?

I have put on my sweater and taken it off about 2 dozen times today. Room thermostats and my thermostat are not reliable in early fall. 

Soups and bread are tempting my palette. I will let you know if the bread tastes good.

Sister Lynn is in my heart this day. Reconstruction is happening right now. 

God be with her. 

***

When great minds think alike....

...and you show up for your hair appointment and your stylist has animal leggings on, too.

It was a fun moment.

Be sweet.

Shalom, y'all.

Hey. Remember me?

Yea, yea, I know. Where have I been? 

Busy. That's where. 

Doing stuff. That's what. 

Festivals and whatnot. 

Got to ride up the road with my girlies last week for a fun shopping day.

Didn't buy a thing but lunch.

Daughter, The Super Carrot, and I attended the Kentuck Festival on Saturday. The weather was just right, and there is shade at the Kentuck.

Wish I had a armored car full of money. There was lots that I would have bought that day.

I purchased the new signage that dons my den wall now. 

I also purchased this nice abstract tile. And. Have ordered her two sisters to keep her company.

Prolly on my kitchen wall above me sink. Thanks for the suggestion, Daughter!

So today I have lunch with my same two girlies. (One of us is MIA: up north caring for her very sick daughter. One of us was home sick herownself. That left three of us.)

Time of life talk - retirement, divorce, aches and pains. We didn't linger like usual...the divorce is a daughter of one of us. She had to get going to meet a grandson after school while her daughter met with her attorney. Sad business, that. 

After lunch I dropped by our art center to secure tickets to see the Vienna Boys Choir. 

I found this ginkgo leaf on the sidewalk downtown. The photo doesn't do the green justice. 

I love the fall leaves. Our colors are just starting to be noticeable. We had so much good rain this year that leaf dropping has been delayed. The ginkgo usually turns after most trees have already gone bare. Then they become a brilliant gold color and, in the course of about a day, the tree lets go of the leaves. We have several in front of church. The day they drop there is a gold carpet to walk on. It's pretty cool. 

Our temps are finally cooling. It was 49 this morning. Supposed to be 39 tomorrow morning. 

And yet. I still have my summer clothes in my drawers and closets. We haven't turned off the AC.

Yet. 

I just might put the quilt on the bed tonight. Turn on the ceiling fan and get cozy. 

I do like fall. 

Shalom, y'all.