Dare I say it?

I have a dilemma. You may have had a similar experience. You run into the store to pick out a card, easy task right? Then you spend the next hour reading every card in the store and just nothing will do.

Here is my issue. What is the appropriate card-message for my 96 1/2 year old mother? Not just any message applies. "Take your day off!" No. "You've worked so hard for me!" Or "Now that we're friends!" There is always the mushy-syrupy-sweet sentiments, "You are the epitome of motherhood and you will be a saint forever for raising me!" Mom has received that one for at least 60 years X 9. Yes 9. I have 6 sisters and 2 brothers. 9 of us.

So you see, my mother IS the saint of the Mother's Day card message. She IS the one that reared 9 really good people. She nurtured us X 9. She plowed through the teen years X 9. She helped educate us X 9. She saw us wedded X 9.

When I reminisce about raising my own 3 (sounds measly, doesn't it?) funny stories are evoked. The stories are my family's lore. 1. Stept throat and screaming son story. 2. Vomit in the church on Christmas Eve story 3. Daughter's first chicken pox covered with a band-aid story 4. Arriving one minute late to pick up my children from school (thanks a lot Nintendo!) 5. Almost missing the football bus story 6. Daughter telling her granddaddy she bet he couldn't cough and poot at the same time 7. College son vomiting everywhere, even in his brother's shoes...

And I am awed because I know my mother did so very much more than I can imagine. She rocked it. And. There is always the feeling that I can never measure up to her lofty height ( I say this tongue in cheek because she is also the incredible shrinking women at 96 1/2).

I here and now apologize to my mom for hiding under the back steps when I didn't want to take a bath. I am sorry I wet my pants and you had to bring me dry ones to school. I apologize for being the know-it-all teenager. I apologize for going to the White Horse on that Earth Day back in '73. I apologize for scaring the wits out of her when I decided to marry after dating only a short time (but I would do that one again - because it was right and has lasted 40 years.) I am just sorry I scared her.

Here are some possible suggestions to card makers for this occasion:

1. Happy Mother's Day - I love you!
2. I know one day I am going to miss you. So let's enjoy today. Happy Mother's Day.
3. Enjoy Mother's Day, again!
4. You have been my best Mom all my life. I love you. Happy Mother's Day.


I mean really? 96 1/2?!!!!

Mayday! Mayday!

Where did April go?

It left fast. Right along with the storms that blew through on Sunday. 

I attended a sweet wedding shower for the finance of my neighbor's son on Sunday.

Then Mr. Macho and I vegged out reading our books and watching back to back movies. 

My body was tired from the YMCA work on Saturday. I have no business being on the business end of a shovel. Reminder to self: don't do that again!

The back of my car in the Lowe's parking lot last Thursday. Got it all planted that afternoon. So far, only one thing is looking peeked. The storms of yesterday brought good rain. 

This bed is looking much improved! See below for a before picture. 

The bushes were unruly and the weeds were taking over.

After yesterday's rain I realize that these beds are totally out of rain coverage. They were dry this morning. Regular watering is going to have to be put on the agenda. 

***

Off to Loaves & Fishes this morning. I hope we have some hungry guests. I baked 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies. Okay. I did the "break and bake" variety. But! I 'cooked' them myownself. 

More adventures are on the horizon this week. 

I am making my own weather.

Namaste. 

Wo out.

It has been another bizzy week. I am feeling tired. And I have miles to go before I sleep. Miles to go before I sleep.

The front beds at my YMCA are shaping up nicely. I have weeded. I have had help. We have trimmed bushes. It is a work in process. Tomorrow we will spread the mulch. I usually do the dirty work after my workout while I am still sweaty.

Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon planting blooming things in myveryown yard. I put out petunias, periwinkle, zinnias, lantana, and choral bells. I also put out some coleus, caladiums, and sweet potato vine plants. I had to dig up some of my amaryllis, which I potted for future Master Gardner sales.

Tonight Mr. Macho and I will attend our Catholic elementary school's annual draw down. Most likely we won't stay until the end. We have given up on caring whether we win. We will eat a little. Hopefully, dance a little. Then come home.

Daughter and grands are coming over tomorrow. I baked a poke cake this afternoon. I think they will like it. It is of the orange variety. We will dine on tacos for lunch. And. Corn on the cob.

I am fighting the notion that I am about to catch something. I do feel draggy this afternoon. I hope it is just because I have been so busy. Maybe it is barometric pressure change. We are due for a storm on Sunday.

Graduations and wedding shower invites are arriving daily in the mail.
Love is in the air.
Namaste.

Saturday tour of flowers.

From my back yard...enjoy!

Day lilies.

Snap dragons.

Iris.

Gerbera daisies.

Dianthus.

You're welcome!

Earth.

Tomorrow commemorates Earth Day. Seems like Facebook has made a special day of every day. If it isn't sibling day - it is Linda Day! or Susan Day! Or somebody's day.

But. Earth Day. 

The first Earth Day I remember started out well enough for me. I was a junior in high school. Long story short, a bunch of high school juniors and seniors ended up being driven "downtown" in the back of police cars, parents being called, walk of shame out the doors of the station. High school party gone wrong. Yet. I am ever thankful that there was intervention at that precise moment. Deeper trouble would have descended had the police waited a few hours. Not until years later, many years later, did I realize that the boy I was dating had begun the chain of unfortunate events of the night. He later ran for, and was elected sheriff of my old home county. He was basically a good guy. But. He ratted on his friends. And. His girlfriend. As we would have said back then - bummer. 

And. Life went on. Today I will go volunteer some hours at our Catholic elementary school in their new garden. Weeding, digging, planting. Thanking God for our good earth. And celebrating.

Earth Day! 

The week started off with celebration of Christ's resurrection. Easter Sunday dinner was delicious. Mr. Macho slept most of the day away, attempting to get over a nasty cough. He had been up for two nights hacking until I thought he would expire. It is still hanging on, but is much better and his sleep has improved 1000%.

I am enjoying the dianthus in my yard. I hope to start a butterfly garden out my kitchen window. 

Whilst planting the tomatoes in our new raised bed this week I discovered this creature on my patio. She skittered to the door jamb so that I couldn't get in for fear of her leaping on me. I had to find my hidden key and let myself in the front door. Then I took a bunch of photos of her right out the laundry door, banged on the door repeatedly, and still she didn't budge. Only when I left her alone did she find her way down and away. I have since learned that she is a broad head skink. She is big around. She eats bugs and spiders. I will leave her to her appointed task. Daughter has dubbed her "Herpes". So now, Herpes lives on my patio. It is a symbiotic relationship. I let her live. She eats my bugs. Win-win!

Thursday morning post walk photo of the Easter bunny that breakfasts in my yard. I love her. She is always welcome. 

***

The week has had ups and downs. I am ending on a good note with heartfelt appreciation for accidental, monumental connections. I won't go into detail, but sometimes a simple phone call will turn into a blood transfusion moment. Life is exchanged. Love is exchanged. Hard becomes soft in the sharing. Forgiveness flows in all directions. 

****

Smelling the red beans cooking on my stove. This pot full has promise.

Happy weekend, evahbody!

Namaste.

He is risen!

This will be my Happy Easter post. I guess it has been two weeks that have elapsed since I last sat here typing my thoughts. This year Lent has sped by, and here we are - Easter! Already!

We all do Lent differently. Not until I was an adult did my mother tell me that Sundays were free days from whatever you gave up. I still don't cheat on Sundays. Although. I have to confess. I blundered during my Lent this year. I confess that (after giving up alcohol with Mr. Macho) I drank a glass of wine when I was out of town. It was an unplanned breaking of my Lenten regimen. Still. Same night I popped a peppermint in my mouth when I left the restaurant...then realized what I had done. Every year I give up all sweets. I also ate the muffins my sister bought for me. I knew it was cheating when I passed them off as a breakfast food. One Friday I even ate a small portion of a chicken casserole. On NO MEAT FRIDAY! That is all. My sum total confession. So. I accept that I am not perfect. I'm okay with that. And. No. I didn't tell Mr. Macho that I had that glass of wine. Yet. I guess I need to 'fess up to him?

This morning I ate two of the cinnamon rolls I made from scratch yesterday. My Lent is over after Good Friday. The Cruxifixction has happened. The Passion is over. The suffering has occurred. I have the benefit of knowing the Resurrection WILL happen on the third day. And so. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Tonight? A glass of wine. Happy Easter, y'all.

Tater salad. Check. It will be accompanied by ham, marinated cucumbers and tomatoes, brussell sprouts, and homemade rolls. 

The baked goods. Before they were baked. 

This little fellow has been spied out my back window for two mornings now. I love his visits. He leaves his calling cards. He even stayed around yesterday while Macho and I drank coffee and chatted on the porch. Didn't bother him in the least. 

Today the tomato bed was constructed. I flitted around pretending like I was helping. But this guys knows the truth. (He did all the work.) 

No Easter baskets here this year. No candy. But there will be wine!

Shalom. 

Day of rest.

Ah. Sunday. Weekend. What a busy month March was. April is starting in the fast lane, also. 

Friday, the last of March I enjoyed a long leisurely lunch with my girlfriends as we celebrated Patricia's birthday. Afterwards I ran to get a few groceries before I headed back to town and Stations of the Cross and fish fry at church. I got home with take out in tow for Mr. Macho and myself. We settled in to watch the MSU Lady Bulldogs work the miracle of beating UConn in the Final Four! I must confess I fell asleep and missed all of the fourth quarter. But! I woke just in time to see the final seconds of the game and the magic shot heard round the world! I sat straight up and could do nothing but shout! It was so exciting. I could not believe my eyes! I had been so hoping they would play well and have a good game. 

Saturday we woke up to a picture perfect day. After breakfast we had a walk in the neighborhood and I just had to say it was a great day to be alive! 

Mr. Macho and I worked in the yard for the majority of the morning and tag teamed our old azalea. And I do mean old. It is over 30 years old. It hasn't bloomed well for several year. It was infested with Lacy azalea bugs. We cut it to the ground. I believe it will come back. Hopefully we can spray and keep the lacy bugs at bay. 

After lunch I headed to town. 

Here are a few snaps from yesterday...

Here I am at Ole Magnolia in my borrowed hoop skirt. My friend Lee depends on her friends to help docent during our annual Pilgrimage. It is so fun. Good weather plus Saturday equaled a heavy and steady crowd of people. It felt frantic a moments, but it also made time seem to go really fast. 

Lee always has the most lovely arrangements in her front hall and on her dining room table. 

I left a few minutes early so I could grab a pizza and get home in time to get dressed for the ball! Yes. I said ball.

Our local Junior Auxiliary Ball was last night. I think we enjoyed our first and last trip to the JA Ball. It was interesting. It was quite the occasion. I enjoyed the fun of dressing up. 

We saw so many people we knew and met even more good folks. Being an insider is an asset when attending the Ball. And we aren't insiders. So we made the most of our Cinderella evening. 

We sat with our good friends Stephen and Frieda. 

We did get to dance a few dances. The band was good. And loud. The young crowd was getting wound up when we left. My ears are getting old. 

****

I have a beef brisket in my roaster. Tomorrow I will travel to Daughter's house once again to gather the children after school while their dad has another heart procedure. We hope this one will fix whatever the problem is. We want his ticker to keep ticking for a very long time. 

***

I have completed my Master Gardner classes. Our test will be on Tuesday. Open book. Discussions are acceptable during the test. Not worried. 

It's all good. We got this.

I better go feed the bear.

Namaste.