I'm Twice Her Age

Since we last visited, the city-girl daughter turned 25.

I sewed those flashy silver sequins on a red shirt at her subtle request.

She told me since she had never gotten a "4" dress like her sister, I should do it.
What was I thinking? I never realized the flash was something she wanted.

She had a lovely day with lots of flowers.

A single rose from her male acquaintance before their lunch in the next city
(not her significant other, mind you)

And a lovely bouquet of varied pink flowers from Miss Jeni.
Once I saw the lilies, I knew it had to be from Jen.

The birthday girl retired early--
as a responsible young lady should--
ever mindful of her obligations the next day.

Neon Bugs

And She Doesn't Cook?

The city-girl gets caught up in the moment sometimes. We talk about all sorts of things. We discuss current events, human behavior or the latest celebrity gossip.

And sometimes in the the midst of all this, I'm cooking.

While I'm busy doing chopping, I'll cleverly ask her to stir what's on the stove. My hands are wet or messy, so I'll ask her to check what's in the oven or fetch me something out of the cabinet.

She's been "helping" in the kitchen since she was a small child so she does it without hesitation. But I really pushed the envelope when I asked her to turn the eggrolls while I prepared more...

But I know how she likes eggrolls.

Puberty In Reverse

This is on loan from Momo.

If I remember correctly,
she came across this little gem just about the time
Pop was in his mid-fifties.

After doing some research I have learned that the grouchiness
can be attributed to andropause. It is very common
and is basically male menopause.

With all the remedies for female menopause, why haven't we allowed the same acceptance to the male equivalent? It's a shame that andropause doesn't get the attention and those suffering with it don't get treatment.

When Life Gives You Lemons

Here's a photo of my latest project.

Blue, Lina and Haji were kind enough to demonstrate
the practicality of a wine cork rug.

I've been saving wine corks since JB and I married,
about eight years ago. I never had any steadfast plans for
the corks, although I once had thought they would make an
interesting floor covering for the basement bathroom.

I'm now working on rug number two.

The cork contribution has dwindled considerably as these days I may add
two corks a week at best and JB has become strictly a canned beer man...

Any novel ideas for beer cans??

The Best Laid Plans

Try as I may, I still can't grasp the idea that lists, goals and plans don't guarantee success.

I'm in denial, the city-girl daughter tells me matter-of-factly. She not cynical, shes says. She's a realist.

Okay. Okay. I'm listening, but I'm not really hearing any of it. Learning to ride the waves, rather than resist the pulls and tugs of daily living, I've decided is the key.

Just last week, I photographed this delighted traveler as she was setting off for a short visit with a childhood friend.
After finishing another semester of school, and working too many shifts waiting tables, she was obviously embracing a few days off to relax and catch-up
.

So off we go--in plenty of time--to the airport west of our little kingdom. With more than an hour to spare, we were feeling good. That is until the city-girl daughter's ticket number could not be found in the system. It was only after she and I had both tried several times, did I notice her flight was booked at the airport to the east of our little kingdom.

Back in the car we went, knowing are chances of catching the flight (more than 50 miles to the east) were slim to none.

No harm, no foul is what my old friend the nurse always said.

During the drive, arrangements were made to catch the next flight via phone. It really worked out better because we had time for lunch and a proper send-off.

She doesn't look near as excited the second airport, does she?

Upon seeing this sign, she reminds me I have always told her she was special.

This face is in response to the TSA asking if there were any sharp objects in her bag.
She replied, "Tweezers?"

Having completed all the necessary check-in procedures, she explains the events of the day to the anxious folks who have a limo waiting for her in Atlanta.

The Best Dancer

I will always be in awe of this incredible talent.

The Music God Made

JB and I went to see this fellow a week ago, last Tuesday. I am happy to report that while he may have aged, his voice is still perfection!

I have many, many pictures!

The lyrics below are to a song that was actually performed at my second wedding. When I heard it again at the concert, it made me think of all sorts of things.

If love is in fact the music that God has made, I should really learn to not dwell on the sour notes.

I'm A Delicate Flower

So I can relate to my dog, Blue.
I did not pass my certification exam Thursday.
Disappointing? Yes. But not fatal.
After another round of hitting the books, I'll give it another shot.

So what happened to the Academic Excellence student?
I'm thinking a wee bit of test anxiety...

So, I'm taking a breather for the next day or so. I plan on learning to relax.
The city-girl daughter has suggested I don't know HOW.

The problem is there's always something that needs to be done.
But Lina has no problem just chillin' while JB mows our bajillion-acre yard.

But even JB know when to take a break.
He rescued a turtle while mowing and brought it to safety in the Hosta bed.

The flowerbeds and the garden are calling my name.
But I've been encouraged to stay inside as the humidity is very high
and I am a delicate flower.

A Dose Of Reality

We've been getting a lot of rain and thunderstorms here lately.

It's all we can do to keep up with the yard and flowerbeds.

There are times, I think we are fighting a losing battle.
I went planting-crazy a few years back and now everything is everywhere!

It's so hard to stay inside and study when you look out the window
and there is so much that needs to be done--everything is calling your name.

The city-girl daughter has encouraged me to "get my inner geek on."
I've been working at it. I've been cramming for the big certification test on Tuesday for 2 or 3 days now. Studying makes me a bit crazy. I can only take so much of it and then I must drastically change gears.

So yesterday, I decided to take the day off from the books to do some much-needed spring cleaning. I cleaned out from under the deck where I store all my gardening stuff.

I worked in the humidity (in the shade) until my hair was soaking wet--about three times.


Then I stepped into the cool of the basement to clean and re-organize the area that houses all my gardening chemicals and birdfeeders.


I drank Gatorade and lots of water, but this post-menopausal body just doesn't seem to care. I fell out just before dark after a shower and 2 glasses of wine.

Happily Ever After

The wedding was 8 days ago.

According to the phone call I received from the new bride--day before yesterday--the honeymooners should be returning home today.

The city-girl daughter and I reconnected with the groom's family and met new family members. They're in-laws, but the absolute best kind. They're the kind of people that embrace you unconditionally and focus on the positive while refusing to admit anything lesser exists.

I'm so happy for my youngest and her beau of more than 7 years. With two sets of parents on each side, they have the strongest support system imaginable.

There were tears at the wedding. The city-girl daughter and I dabbed at our eyes and sniffed, while the groom's sister (a bridesmaid) used her entire hand repeatedly in an effort to keep her face dry.

Happy tears. Tears that melt your heart...

Doing The Deed

Looks like the baby girl is no longer a baby.

The city-girl daughter and I will be heading out on Wednesday for the mad wedding rush. We did another day of dress shopping today and I'm satisfied with my choices. I think the city-girl daughter is happy with hers, also.

Much to the dismay of my salesclerks, there will be no strapless gowns or halter dresses. I believe the mother of the bride should have a certain level of dignity. PUHLEESE!

I've spoken to the bride-to-be about twice a day here lately. I'm thrilled by the turn of events--usually she calls about once every two weeks!!


It's just so hard to comprehend her being at this stage in her life. Marriage is scary--of course, it has always been my experience that the females seem to understand this concept better than the males. (I'm not hatin' on the men. I like men. Why else would I have done this three times already??? I've just never seemed to find one up to the challenge!)

I've encouraged her to "just chill" and let the events unfold.

I'm ready to enjoy this celebration of two individuals sharing their love for one another.

What's Next, You Say?

"The goal of education is the creation and transmission of knowledge — not the creation and transmission of prestige."

I read an interesting article in the New York Times this morning and pulled this perfect-for-what-I-have-noticed quote.

An education is a wonderful thing, indeed. I finished school--finally--because I always felt bad because I hadn't finished. Unfinished business is the worse, don't you think?

It hangs over your head, keeps you up at night and shames you continually.

So I finished this. Hooray!

But never in a million years would I think anyone would be anything but ecstatic. What in the world was I thinking?

That nagging guilt over not finishing what we start, and the shame for not doing what needs to be done or what we know should be done--has transferred to others now.

I'm so sorry. I was obviously only thinking of myself.

Just A Mum?

A woman, renewing her driver's license ,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is,"' explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a ...?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mum."

'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation. "Housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Pop sent me this in an email earlier this week.

Don't Let The Sonofabitches Get You Down

I had a dream the other night.

I dreamt the world was a happy place. No phone calls from long lost friends inquiring about your level of happiness--no worried looks from relatives.

Is there such a place?

We have all learned--at least by our mid twenties--that the world offers constant challenges.

Suck it up and deal with it.

After the last exam on Tuesday evening, the city-girl daughter and I tried our hand at Scrabble.


We're dong much better these days with our wordpower. See the word SEVERE??

She was curious about how we would fare after yet another semester of college.

I wish I had finished school in my twenties. I know now what a difference it would have made in the last 30 years of my life. I am thankful to have finshed at whatever age--but still have this nagging thought in the back of my mind about how it would have altered things.

But still, an accomplishment is an accomplishemnt--and I am thankful for those who realize the effort involved. Thank you for so very much--Momo and Pop.

I spoke to an old friend the other day who told me how proud her children were when she graduated--and how her husband had tears of happiness for her...

I can only imagine how wonderful that must have been for her.

I am graduating Thursday--and then I must test for the Cisco certification (CCNA), Cheeer me on folks. I really need the encouragement. My oldest--the city-girl daughter-just doesn't understand why I am not more confident.

I guess I am just tired...

Driving Mizmell

It was just last Saturday that the city-girl daughter drove us both up the mountain to have breakfast at the Peaks of Otter lodge. It's truly beautiful--and about 10 degrees cooler!

After a mediocre breakfast (the food is not worthy of the landscape!) we walked around the lake for some photo ops.

I have photographs of her father holding her--just six weeks old--in this very spot. Were it not for the demands on my time--finishing up the last week of school--I would have dug them out and scanned the pictures for comparison. I know all my readers are highly creative, though. You get the general idea.

The city-girl has re-emerged as a rising tennis star. I was a serious tennis investor when she was in her teens. I'm happy to report that watching tennis is just as much fun (if not more so) when it is NOT highly competitive in nature.

I find it very refreshing these days to look at old things with a new perspective.

And next?

Tomorrow is the last day to meet with the adolescent boys who are my team members on my final project--to be presented on Monday evening. Two exams on Tuesday and I may be finally through.

And yes, there's an awards ceremony tomorrow evening. I should be receiving one for academic excellence... and I learned this evening, another for my networking studies.

Photos?

That's a difficult one, as I am the photographer in the family.

Its All On A Wheel

Trials are but lessons that you failed to learn presented once again,
so where you made a faulty choice before you now can make a better one,
and thus escape all pain that what you chose before has brought to you.

Meditations from A Course in Miracles.

Better Things Ahead

I never planted the hyacinths at the front walk. They appeared once I removed the fence--it had been there so long, the wire had relaxed into the earth and had to be dug from the ground. Once the area was cleaned though, daffodils and random tulips emerged.

When I traded my corporate job and house in the city for a an old farmhouse in the depths of rural America, there were a few who just couldn't manage to keep their opinions to themselves.

I remember.

They spoke their piece. Others merely shook their heads, acknowledging their complete inability to comprehend my choice.

But I was driven by what could be. I had a vision, right down to the last detail.

I've never been one concerned with pleasing the masses. I know that each individual is responsible for their own happiness.

I also know full well, someone will always have something to say. Rather than be upset with the talk, I'm happy to save someone else from the gossip-mongers--even if its only momentarily.

I'm also a very determined person. When I set my mind on something, it becomes a challenge to follow through to the end. I may complain a bit along the way, but I keep plowing along.

Since I went back to school, I've waded through assignments, juggled schedules and books. I've whined about biology but have become more ecologically aware.

And now, with just a few weeks from finishing my degree, I realize the unexpected benefit is I've learned a lot about myself in the process.

The Thrill of the Chase

Inevitably, something catches our eye.

And instinctively, we are in hot pursuit.

All thoughts are on achieving this one thing.

As the ultimate goal comes closer into view, we develop tunnel vision.

No one or nothing can stand in our way now.

All the excitement.
All the surge of emotions--both high and low--
with no thought beyond the chase.

No thought of what's next...