Springtime is Company time

I love being able to see family. It lifts my spirits but makes me wish fervently for more energy to enjoy doing things with them. Monika has been here a couple of weeks and will be here until saturday. She is a joy to be around and I feel so proud of her for what she does in McCall Idaho. She is in charge of the city parks and supervises several employees. Shee just had her yearly evaluation and was rated as outstanding. It came with a raise so she is happy. She was already making $24. an hour which I think is outstanding for a girl without a college education who went off on her own when she was 17 to make a life for her self. She also has great people skills. Terry was very proud of her and told me she had taken McCall by storm. It is a lovely resort town and not too large as for as permanent residents. Her room mate came with her and has been helping Dave get new cabinets in Karin's house. I am happy to see her getting her house more livable.

Joyce and Ejner came for several days. They stay with his son but I have gone out to breakfast and done several hours visiting with them. My other niece Pat has been very ill in the hospital it Ogden and thoughtful Joyce has kept me informed of her progress (or lack there of) every single day. We went to the florist and picked out a beautiful azalea plant to send back for her. Gerry, the one Doc gave you inspired me to choose that. I have never thought of azaleas when sending anyone flowers. It reminds me of Noetic Science. They believe that everything we do changes the world. Sort of like the movie"The Butterfly effect." So you can tell Doc he started a new trend, and the azalea growers will thank him. I recently joined a group studying Noetic Science so I will blog about that when I learn more. anyway I really enjoyed Joyce and Ejers visit, even though I was running out of steam by yesterday. I still have another day to spend with Monika on Thursday. Then my Randy is coming on Saturday. I am always thrilled to see that boy. He is so wonderful to be around, and Colorado gets seeming far away now that I am not much up for travel anymore. Family is such a joy!!

Trevor's first romantic kiss.

My great grandson Trevor lived with me from the time he was two until five. I was seventy when he became my total responsibility. By the time he was five his mother had managed to get her life together and was able to take him. Unfortunately they had to move to Illinois so this was very heart wrenching for both Trevor and I. He was a joy and enriched my life a great deal, even if it was hard at my age. All of my family advised me not to do it, but I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do. It was the biggest leap of faith I had ever taken.During this time I took him every week to see his mom no matter where she was. Thus he loved her desperately and was thrilled when he could go live with her. She has become a wonderful mother to Trevor and his little brother Bryce.

Recently in school they were to write their story. This included who was their favorite people and why. Larena (his mother) read me this part on the phone last night and it really touched my heart. She was number one, of course. He said because she buys him so many things. She was not offeded at this but just glad to be number one. I told her he was probably so over whelmed with reasons that was all he could say.

Then he went on to list me as number two because he could always call me and talk about anything. He said I was very kind and I made him delicious devinty and when I cooked I always let him lick the spoon. Also that I taught him to play scrabble even though I always beat him when we played.

His Dad was number three because he supported him in all his sports. In the summer when he grilled they would toss the baseball around and sometimes they played catch with the football. Then "My dad works very hard to support our family." I hope when I grow up I will work hard and support my family.

Who knows what will impress a kid. i was pleased about his memories of me but the part that brought tears to my eyes was what he said about his dad. His hopes of being a good father couldn't have been a better closing line as for as I was concerned. Trevor has turned into quite the little writer which I am sure will bring him much joy in his life. Oh, how I love this little boy.

Season of the Sun

My lilac bush is planted. I think it is going to like it's new home. It is cultivated to grow in the desert, so I hope the Phoenix sun is kind and doesn't burn it before it has a chance to thrive. Plant a lilac and you plant a memory. Mention a lilac to anyone who came from the cold country and either their mother or grandmother, had one growing by their front door. This shrub has grown for centuries in various places and has not needed too much attention to burst into beautiful blossom. Their frangrance provides a special treat for the nose and nostologic thought of days gone by. Perhaps it is loved by so many as it is a reminder that winter is over and spring has came once again to their home town.

When their bliiming season is done they fade quickly into obsscurity. For a generation raised to believe that beauty and youth go on forever, lilacs are a reminder of the brevity of both.

For me lilacs are reminesent of warm spring days we spent trying to see who could make the best leaf wistle. Daddy always made us whistles out of willows but they took way too much time and know how. We could grab a lilac leaf and if it didn't emit a loud clear sound it was easy to toss it and get another until we perfected the sound we liked. We had two large ones by the ranch house and one in Teasdale by the back porch. After my mother died we planted several at the cemetary by her grave. They lived with very little care but didn't get large enough to bloom. My grandparents grave had two larger plants that produced an occassional blossom. Lilacs are a lesson in patience. I planted one in Boulder and it never seemed to get any bigger. When I went back for Terry's memorial it had grown tall and was covered with fragrant blossoms. It was like seeing an old friend, who could make me forget my sorrow for a moment.

One of my best memories of Marilyn Griffin was when she invited me to come down to their house and pick lilacs. Nathella had planted them long ago. They were a high bred variety with a dark purple hue. They were lovely to look at but had no fragrance so I was a bit disappointed in them and felt the old fashioned kind were best.

Now I must await the growth on my special variety. I may not live long enough to see it bloom. but somebody will. That will be good and perhaps it can bring back good memories for the future people who pass by.

A clean sweep

Sunday I hosted the scrabble meet at my house. I thought I could not handle more than twelve at my house, considering my age and energy. Thirteen came anyway and there was a waiting list. Much better than having a party where nobody comes. This happened to my sister Viola one time and she was devastated. I think it was nothing more than coincidence, as she had many friends but the feelings of disappointment have stayed in my mind and the memory comes up now and then. I adored my sister and she always shared everything with me so it was as though this was happening to me also. But I digress. Sunday it happened that all the most formidable opponents in the scrabble club came to have fun competing at my house. There was tons of good food and 0plenty of room for all. I was a bit intimidated playing all this heavy duty scrabble devotees. However I picked my spot where the light was good and convinced myself I knew as many scrabble words as anyone and that my strategy improved since joining the club. The scrabble Gods were with me , and I won all my games with great scores. 442 was the highest but I was happy with that. The players stayed on and on after I quit . finally about eight I went to the bedroom and changed out of my tight jeans into a pair of colorful logging pants and reclined on my chaise. Someone said,"Oh I think she wan5ts us to go home now. I said, "Well yes, this is not a very subtle but I am tired." All those wins and entertaining, meeting and greeting had worn me right out, I had fun.

A rainy day adventure.

Yesterday Sandy, Mary Jane and I had planned a little outing to see Eljen's Apartment. Elgen had worked as a school councilor with both of them years ago. He retired and moved into a tiny apartment at Warren house fourteen years ago. I had met him but never been to his place of abode. sandy has often talked about he creative he as been and that his home is a place to behold in creativity. First of all since he was not allowed to put any screws or nails in the wall he started making free standing shelves and furniture from corks. (Yes common wine corks) They are a sight to behold and hold all of his life's treasures quite securly. They are glued together with with some sort of caulking that sticks to them but remains somewhat pliable. Then for the really amazing thig, he has about 50 plants of various kinds, living happily in this 340 ft. apartment space. They are a site to behold. At this time the Amaryillis are blooming profusly among all of the greenery. Every plant anyone has ever given him in his life lives here. He has one that is 25 years old and is still very happy. Each one has card written on it as to it's origin and a name. Yes, there is Bo, Samantha, Victoria and on and on than with more individuality than one could take in a tow or three hour visit. He talks to them and told us on a day when he doesn't feel good they know dad will get around to watering them as soon as he can and it will be before they die for sure. It is amazing to see what one can do who thinks out side the box, and has a different sort of imagination. He also has string art on display and his mother's wonderful quilts. Even with all of these things the place remains funcional for simple living. Oh yes all counter tops have lovely jig saw puzzles framed under glass. Al in all it is a sight to behold and a testament to how one can entertain themselves with a limited buget and not such good health. There obviously are no limits to where the creative mind can take one.

We also had a healthy lunch of fruit, and splashed our way home through the pouring rain. It felt like a small adventure right here in our city. I am inspired to go buy some Amayillis bulbs as I used to grow them when we lived in Cedar City and they are a colorful and interesting flower. I wish I had some blooming right now to set by my Xmas Cactus that Dixie sent me two years ago. It is in full bloom now, and very lovely. I think it just got a little bit mixed up as to when Cristmas was after it made the journey here from Tropic. Karin and Dave found me a lilac bush that has been cultivated for Phoenix. I will see how it goes. Perhaps if I give it a beautiful name it will prosper and grow. when we went to Boulder for Terry's memorial a bush I had planted when he was a toddler had grown quite tall and was covered with blossoms. Their frangrance is more heavenly then any blossom to my mind.

An optical illusion

This is a picture taken by Richard Hansen and given to me long ago. I found it very interesting, as if you look at the dip in the center for a while it appears to come out like a bump instead of a dip. There were several metate stones found around the Boulder area and it was always exciting when you happened to run across one. I had a perfectly wonderful one sitting by my door step at the Boulder house, but it seemed to grow legs and walk away. I always wondered who would have the nerve to steal it from my very door step. I had a very good time when they were excavating the Anasazi ruins where the park is now. Whenever they found an intereting site Doyle Moosman would run down to tell me. I would drop whatever I was doing to go see. It was exciting but rather sad too. My most memorial one was when they found what the experts termed as an Indian Princess. I think this was because she had turquois stones around her neck and several pots burried with her. Also she was at the top of the mound. I have often speculated (as have many people) as to what could have happened to this whole tribe of ancient ones who seemed to have disappeared without leaving a clue as to whether they migrated or were all killed.

More Nerve than Verve

On new Year's day I did a Marathon scrabble fest and I was pooped out. I've been dubbed the Grand Dame of Scrabble. I sort of liked it but suddenly came to the realization that out of fifty members in the club, I am the only old person. I decided it takes a lot of nerve for me to keep trekking off to these meets. It occurred to me also that all these people are highly educated and have held very powerful jobs,(or still do). I couldn't help but think of my total lack of higher education, and not only that I frittered away my time in High School as I was much more interested in boys than I was academics. I can hardly discuss my career in Real Estate as everyone immediately think, "Oh well everyone in Phoenix went into Real Estate when they couldn't make it any place else." How do I know that is what they are thinking? Because their eyes glaze over, and I quit telling my adventurous stories. One thing about it I know for sure I had more fun on the job than anyone there. Lucky lucky me. At any rate I can hold my own in the group as for as scrabble and everyone is very nice to me. It is harder to play an A game of late , with the event of fading eyesight, and flagging energy.

I still make good snacks though, The latest quite delicious fruit salad you should all try because it is so easy. Simply cut up four navel oranges and 2pts of strawberries. Make a dressing of 1/2 cup orange marmalade and 2 tbs lemon juice. That is IT. I usually keep a few berries cut in half to decorate the side of the bowl so it looks pretty ,It's a hit. No extra sugar so healthy. Other than what is in 1/2 cup marmalade. I tell myself that can't be much. Holidays are so much fun but lots of people tell me they are pooped out when they are over. At least when you are old you try to limit your events and know to come home and take a nap.

I hope 2010 brings the best of everything to all.