Friday, May 28, 2010

"That is so...'80's"

I asked the prima donna, if she was going to wear jeans to Carowinds today. The look was astonishing. You are kidding me? She returns. I am so below doing that. I have my stuff together. Okay, I say.
Yesterday she took an order of dinner to bring it up to my room, in a Chinese accent and never helped me one bit. She is so passive-aggressive, I just love it. She never does what I tell her to do, or ask her to do, but she always jokes at me back so hard that I don't remember that she didn't do it until I am doing it, myself. She pretends slavery to me and gets a fan, when she see the smallest persperation on my brow, from my "flashes". Then she jokes about how we danced in the 80's by moving her neck a certain way that puts me in stitches. I hope she has a good time. I feel like I have Jo with me, in her. I still miss you anyway, Jo.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

I just love the last weeks of school!

Every one of our schoolage younguns has Spring fever. Thank God for the women, Elyse and Emily, who help and concern themselves with the fallout from the Spring fever.
Not one pair of pants fits Ezra from the beginning of the year. Every morning is a scurry to find the one pair that still fit him. Yesterday, I didn't see him until I was out the door and I had put the pair of pants on him that were a part of the painting the outside bench incident. Needless to say it was attrocious. He didn't mind.
He and Ethan are on a mission with Elyse to finish every living CS Lewis book there is. More power to them. They gabble and talk about how they have to read this one before that one and then, now, Ethan is up to "The Final Battle" while Ezra is just cracking the first book Prince Caspian. I read 4 chapters mommy. What is the rush? I say, tongue in cheek. You are only in first grade. They did get some of my genes, I am refreshed to think that. Elyse is the moderator of the discussions and the unreading teenagers taunt from the sidelines that they cannot understand what all of the hullaballoo is about. They have no time for anything with finals at hand.
Algebra is kicking my Enoch's pants. I have never seen him so out of breath studying before. Dad used to say, I want to see you studying around the house. Now, I know what he meant. I find studying teenagers around my house, in every position there is. The lay on the floor and they lay on my bed and they have books and are sprawled with their eyes glassy. I did most of my studying on the train, between Queens and Brooklyn, so most of my brain is stuck in the subway somewhere between 179 St and 99St. En said, I really misjudged Algebra and miscalculated how much I needed to put into it. Needless to say, I talked about it every other week. Now, He is warning me that he didn't do his best. That is alright, you will take it again, I hope. He probably didn't fail, but now the beginning portions of the class are coming clear to him and he obviously wasn't paying attention to the Spring classes. We will see.
For Evvy, all eyes are on the class trip to Carowinds, an amusement park. She is walking around and imagining what she and her girls will do. I love that look in her eyes. This year, there is no fluting contest there, for her. She's given up on the music interest, to my complete dismay. Leaving us with bills to pay for the flute, left. Help us, Holy Spirit. She will just go to Carowinds and have fun. What else is there?
School days, School Days?

Monday, May 24, 2010

Remembering my baby Enoch!





O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine would I be;
Thou blest "Rock of Ages," I'm hiding in Thee.

Refrain:
Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee,
Thou blest "Rock of Ages,"
I'm hiding in Thee.

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow's lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o'er me its pow'r;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest "Rock of Ages," I'm hiding in Thee.

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like seabillows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.


I spent the first weeks of his life, pinching him, to hear him cry. Checking his color regularly, that he wasn't turning blue. I was a burdensome mother. Are you alright? All of the boys, to this day, when they fall or hurt themselves, reflexively, say "I am alright, mom!" He especially shows deference to his mother's emotions.
My baby was put to sleep with this hymn. He had the shortest babytime of everybody, because Evvy came right after him. I had tactics for keeping the 2 of them still to feed him. Reading and singing this hymn was the first choice at night time.
I miss those baby days. But I am pleased at the 16 year old who has grown out of some of the severe naughtiness that I thought would never pass. The precocious toddler has turned into a pretty reliable, young man. Thank to God. I am grateful for his watchful eye, even when it costs me my vegetable garden, as his sensitivity

One visit to the nursing home aunt Ra-Ra, said, look at Sonny, up under Mu? She saw the sweet relationship that we have. I couldn't appreciate it at the time. I do now.

They said, uncle Sonny would come home to check up on Mu, wherever they went. He couldn't enjoy himself, if he didn't know that Mu was okay. I thought that was sweet. I couldn't imagine a big man like that being so close. Not a Momma's boy, exactly, just very concerned.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

My Grandma appreciated every day that she had with that great grand baby.



It was about 3 weeks that she had enjoying Muffy. Muff was a ray of sunshine, that diminished her pain. I remember the look on her face, when she would talk about that baby. We all loved that season and Gram seemed like she was trying to hang on to make it to my wedding. She missed it by a couple of days. I looked in her eyes and I said, Grandma, I want to sing a song for you. I was thinking about Wind beneath my Wings She said sing me a hymn, Jayne. I said Grandma, I don't know any hymns, by heart. She and Uncle, both laughed at me. How can you be a Christian and not know any hymns. Uncle got on the Organ and they pulled out Abide with Me and I learned that hymn. I was really sad that she didn't let me tell her how much I loved her. We were crying and singing.
But because of that, I learned every hymn that I could.
Even 27 years lated, I am brought to tears when they sing Abide with me. We sang that together and she taught it to me.

Isn't he adorable? By the way...who is 16 tomorrow!isn't He?

Friday, May 21, 2010

"You are smelling yourself?"





How many times did mommy say that to us? It meant you just said something fresh, out of line, or disrespectful. I don't know how we understood that derivation. Perhaps a smack or spank, after the reproof, brought enlightenment to the meaning. I am in a season where most of my house is trying their wings and "dissing" is rampant. How do I translate into their language..."the smack" and the sentiment of the cliche' that we grew up with.
You are going to have some very disrespectful grown men, if you don't take them in hand now, I was told yesterday. Well, I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Would they be more disrespectful than you are to tell me that they will be disrespectful. Disrespect is not an issue in Walkerdom. Ineptitude in labor is. You don't know what you are doing and you didn't do as you were told, is a greater reproof.
It is true that I haven't gotten around to really giving a specific job to the little guys. At 10 and 6 they walk around like babies, having things completed for them and with people picking up after them.
I have accepted the reproofs of my grown daughters and am trying to think of what would be appropriate and consistent chores for those fellows to groom them for life. I know that this is late in life for these fellows to take up the challenge of participation in the family way, but it was an oversight.
I am often too tired, after work and before work to follow after them for their irresponsibility. My women and teen helpers have challenged me to get up and aim my younger fellows in the right way.
With the help of God, I will. I will not be too proud to accept the rebuke and be more consistent with my babies. "Moss, don't grow on a rolling stone?" to quote Grandma Ruth.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

It is a sunny day after a couple of rainy days, down here in the Charlotte area.

We are not used to this cool down. I, for one am grateful for the relief from the oppressing heat. My okra bed is grateful and my eggplant bed is grateful. My thumb is not green yet and my garden is exposed to the elements, mainly my children.
I set out 2 beds of veggies, with the help of a good neighbor and my Enoch decided to steal some of the dirt from my veggie bed. (I get no respect);) The dog went into my bed and dug up something, first. I have to buy a little fence to protect my garden. I intend to grow some eggplant and my seedlings are coming up, but there is always the element of children and teens to contend with. I love them, but they are an enemy to my garden. In that we will have to fight about it. STAY OUT OF MY GARDEN! LEAVE MY DIRT ALONE, I SAID!
I don't know if my strawberry plant will survive.:(

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I missed the recent CS Lewis wave in the house.


Hot items fly through the family and you either ride the wave, or you miss it. Ethan discovered CS Lewis and flew through his books in the time of about a month. We have watched the movies as a family, but, this was different. Can I read it to you mommy? I am sorry honey...I am busy, I am working, I am tired. Now it is over. We read exactly 1 chapter together. I am not so enamored with the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or the series. Elyse had her season, about the same age as Ethan is now and the other children are movie watchers. But to catch the light in the eyes of Ethan, was a right of passage as a mother for me.
That was the first book that aroused fear in me, mommy. I could really feel it. I looked into his eyes and saw the grown man developing from the little fellow that I knew. It was like a graduation and so silent a transition. As though, CS Lewis had opened a part of his brain that he will never be able to close. Now, I will love the series, just for doing that to my son. I saw that in Elyse, but I thought it an individual thing, this time, I missed the bus, but I see the growth of my baby's mind and I am blessed to see that.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Sarah Palin came to NC.

She was full of redneck jokes and spoke to the population of NC in the way that they love to hear. We sat around the computer to watch her on the News. She is sooooo pretty and confident, no matter what kinds of stuff she says or what mistakes people catch her in. I like my children to see those kinds of examples of public speakers.
Evvy is our Sarah Palin imitator and after the watching season, she made up the funniest monologue about her. Imitating her. We were doubled over laughing. Sarah was speaking to the National Rifle Association. Evvy said what else is there to do in Alaska except killing the moose. She said, "I wake up every morning to my alarm clock which is the sound of the moose honking and 2 shots and quiet." The right to bare arms is in the constitution and Sarah was really good talking to the people of NC, for whom that is a very important right.
We are learning about the country and the dynamics of America.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Adventure...


Accccchhhhh! No milk for my coffee? I have to travel to the store and get a gallon. Not a problem. I should be able to go to the store and buy a gallon of milk to put in my coffee. Right. I think that I will try to go to Walmart. A little further down the road than Lowes, but the prices are better there.
I decided to brave and try my whits with our car that is called Fretful Carriage, because she doesn't like to go for anybody but Daddy.
I had an episode, when I tried to ride in her last week, she cut out on me. I will saddle her up and try again, I said to myself. I must be quiet, because, I am not supposed to be out at that time of the morning, maybe. According to some. Did you take your meds? Did you forget your glasses? Did you...?? Anyway, I escaped. I got one mile up the road and what? She died again. She hates me. You hate me, I said to Fretful. I am not going to Walmart! I will go to Lowes.
I got her to go back on, after a little rest and we road on to Lowes. Lowes is right across the street from my house. Whew, I made it and no more putting out on me. She made it all the way to, Lowes.
I will not waste movements, I will not bother my honey. I will buy the week's groceries. (Who told you, you could?)(Don't forget, you are too sick to buy groceries and calculate and ...) Well, I did it. I bought the groceries and I got back home and I paid the piper for it too. Too bad for me, that I am too sick to know any better.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Sometimes alot of labor is not well received.


They didn't appreciate the delicious culinary arts of their big sister. Beautifully crafted and I thought delicious, but far below the tastes of the younguns. They don't care for individual quiche tortilla shells. I loved it. I will be eating it all weekend. They wouldn't. Don't give up, dear helpful woman. I am grateful for you tireless labors in our home.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The "Terrible" Teens! A Tag Team




Would you go to bed! Will you get in your bed!
I saw Grandma Ruth, at my age dealing with teens and chasing those uncles of mine, up the stairs with a broom. I saw my mother 2 decades my junior in my teen years, counting with her sleepy drone. "I said, I am counting to three."
I have tried both of those and they just keep me laughing. They watched Buzz and Woody play sleeping in that movie Toystory and they have it down to a science. They call out the word "resume" and at a creek of my movement from my bed they fall down and play dead and the positions are completely outlandish. I didn't know that a body could lay down with legs, nearly at their head. They look like ragdolls.
Last night, I had a burst of energy at the bedtime and was able to get out of my bed to chase them with Grandma Ruth's imaginary broom. Give me a broom I looked and couldn't find it to chase them with it. I wanted to.
I laughed at the fact that things are always the same and these teens, who challenge me to push past my comfort zone of energy and thought, will soon be grown and no longer in my broom beating influence.
They are really adorable and I call them twins and they are. One thinks and challenges my thinking and the other does and moves like the wind. Thing one and thing two, as they were from their littlest days, I would write about a teenage couple of thing one and thing two. Maybe I shouldn't have read the Cat in the Hat to them so young. They are always thinking and always talking and always flying my dress as a kite in the house. (in a way)
I really love this season with those two and I love their relationship with eachother. Dear brother and sister to eachother and aware of their closest emotions and yet not identical. "Resume"

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

It has been cooler, these last few days.

Fickle weather, we are having. Last week 80's and 90's and this week 60's. I love it. It gives me a reason to pull out the last few wearings of the sweaters, before I put them away and pull out my "bathing suits". I am the proud owner of 7 bathing suits, now. A gift from a sweet lady at church. I have every intention of using them, this summer and going to the pool in my community, as often as I can. (Lord willing and "the creek don't rise.") It always seems something else is calling me from jumping in that beautiful pool. Well, anyway, my Mothers Day is behind me and I am happily looking forward to the end of school and the summer festivities. Our house is a camp with someone of every age range looking for activities and purposeful play.
I love it that way. No more toddlers. Ethan and Ezra, run around like Tom and Huck, getting into trouble. Their most recent mess is the painting of our bench. The mess they made, behind my back. I can't bring myself to beat them for it. They meant well. I will get the turpentine and get it up soon. After I clean up today's mess. What a couple of troublemakers and rabblerousers, that I love.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's

Day!

I woke to the delights of husband and children doting on me, like a queen. I am a blessed woman. All of the cards and good wishes, all of the gifts and happy thoughts are more than I ever deserved.
Fun and funny enjoyments for me, were photographed, by my home photographer and youngest daughter Evelyn. I am delighted and refreshed to the task!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My Emmy is 20!


20 years of my woman Emily. Born of fun and laughter, trying all of the reigns and continuing her seasons of greatness and love. Thank God for her!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

The Birthday of our Eldest and Dearest Friend!

What a fellowship...We gratefully feasted and enjoyed the fellowship with oneanother on the precious birthday of our friend. Thankful that God has spared us to see the day when we are elders and not just younguns, as we once were.
Every kind of precious food, was enjoyed and we nearly burned down the house trying blow out some, trick candles.
Many, many more birthdays to you, precious friend.



What a joy divine...











Leaning on the Everlasting Arms...

Title- The Studious One!

Title-  The Studious One!
artwork by Elyse

Of biscuits and syrup

Of biscuits and syrup
tasty treats

Happy Saturday!

Happy Saturday!
a day at the Raptor Center.

Widdle Emmie in outer space school

Emmie jumped on the bus and off it flew out into the atmosphere. There was a set of clouds with turbulence right above the house and it took a few minutes for my Emmie to buckle her seatbelt. They hit the bump hard and it knocked my Emmie out of her seat and she bumped her head. The video camera came on and the monitor looked through and stated, Ms. Emmie, where are you? You are not in your seat. Where are you? I am alright I fell because I hadn’t buckled correctly. Well jump up Emmie we have a long way to go and you have to be buckled there is entirely too much turbulence in the stratosphere for you to unbuckle now. As soon as we are through this weather system there will be straight sailing but right now you must buckle. Emmie scrambled into the seat with intensity and purpose now. She watched every cloud pass her window and her nose was pressed to the window trying to see the top of the house as it drifted slowly out of sight. Soon they were not only out of sight of the house, the sun came out brightly and just as quickly they were putting on the atmospherical breathing apparatus and the outerspherical lights. The ABA and the OL. These precautions were to make them appear to be satellites to the radar as they were out in the ionosphere. Emmie knew all about this now. She had gone to the orientation and had a good breakfast and it took them 20 minutes for her to get out past the atmospherical pull and to feel the zero gravity. It would be 15 minutes before the gravity simulators would take effect, a glitch in the system which was being worked on. Until then, they enjoyed the couple of minutes of floatation, while being connected to the seats by belt. The first thing they saw everyday was the strataflotsam. The items which had been dumped into the atmosphere by earlier generations. What would their generation do about this ecological waste area that remained floating above their heads? This was a question for the generations. For now it was the area that they had to guide through on the way to school.

Midnight at the OASIS

Midnight at the OASIS
Sunset in Huntersville

My little Emmie

ran to the bus on the first day of the last year of school. 2 buns on the side of her head. She kissed me and ran at dawn to the bus. She was starting the adventure of a lifetime. I would never see that little girl again, she was going to woman school!

My Father and I 1989

My Father and I 1989

to the tune of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

A VISIT TO PAPA











Are you going to Mary Immaculate?

Apricots, Chocolate Cherries and Pie,



Remember me to the one who lived there,



He once was a true love of mine,



Tell him to buy me an acre of land,



Apricots, Chocolate Cherries and Pie,



Between the muddy Hudson in Jamaica Bay,



Then, He’ll be a true love of mine,

Tell him to sow in it seeds of pure cream,



Apricots, Chocolate Cherries and Pie,



And build Ice cream mountains and buildings of whipped cream,

Then, He’ll be a true love of mine,



Tell him to reap them with sickles of M&M’s,



Apricots, Chocolate Cherries and Pie,



And chew bubble gum and eat till we’re done,



Then, He’ll be a true love of mine.



Tell him to run it off down the motor parkway,



Apricots, Chocolate Cherries and Pie,



After your done 50 pushups



and jog down the West Side Highway,



Then he’ll be a true love of mine…

(Don’t wait for me today dad, The kids are sick again, My tummy’s bulging again, My heart is aching again, And now there’s no love there…)





He once was, a true love of mine….So, Girls, I do beg you don't miss your Daddy,Apricots, Chocolate cherries and Pie,You have one short chance to see him on this side, Go visit him and let your light shine.