Thursday, September 24, 2009

I stole the quote below from a blog of a friend's blog of a friend's blog. It seems so perfect. I want to go there...later. However, to be that still...makes me jumpy just thinking about it. Nervous. There is comfort in this jumble I know. I SO feel like Scarlet O'Hara. I want to rest in that place...LATER.

When despair for the world grows in me, and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life or what my children’s lives might be– I go a lie down by where the wood drake rests in the beauty of the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought or grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting for their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

- (the great) Wendell Berry

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Keepin the brain ALIVE! with Spanish

The two most effective ways of keeping those neurons in good shape is to learn an instrument or a language. It is moving those neurons enough from short term to long term memory that has my neurons panting.

Julio gives me a kiss.
Julio me da un beso.

This is harder than it looks. Oh English grammar neurons, where are you? You COULD help with my Spanish Grammar. Indirect object, Direct object, Indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, os, les), Direct object pronouns (mi, lo, la, te, les, las,...? )

...help

Monday, September 14, 2009

MOURNING

is so very odd. The sweet memories come in such unexpected places. A Bible verse in Deuteronomy for Ron today. A song at church for me. This part is not odd. This is the part of mourning that I expected.

What I didn't expect is this place I am in--which is no place at all. I had a wonderful 24 hour camping time with Arcie, and I am exhausted. The exhaustion is odd. A verse in Deuteronomy encourages parents to tell children about God all through the day. I did that with Arcie. In a way she is my spiritual child. She knows so little. I am teaching her little bit by little bit. It was wonderful -- but I am exhausted.

Little things exhaust me. I have an aversion to all kinds of things -- mostly commitments. Cody is exhausting. And yet, Cody keeps us going. There is nothing like a young animal or person that NEEDS you.

I need to be spoiled - to do what I want when I want. And I need to be pushed to do things. So Cody and Spanish class push me. But every once in awhile, like today -- I just sit down and do NOT. Today I am NOT doing anything until I want to. I've spent two lovely hours sorting photos in MY PICTURES. Nonsensical - yet good. Nobody needed me to do this - I just wanted to.

Mourning is odd because mourning touches every facet of my life but is just beyond knowing. "Why am I doing this? thinking this? rebelling against that?" I don't really know. My universe has made a major shift - and the rest of me is trying to catch up.

I used to think of mourning and grieving as being sad. Mourning is mostly quizzical, "How come she is not here?" How can someone who was such an integral part of my life all of a sudden NOT be part of my life?

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I recently finished this book for my granddaughter Gweny. Click on the words at bthe bottom to view larger photo book. Then at the top right, you will see in yellow, "Full Screen". That will give you the biggest picture. Have fun. I did. :-)

Click here to view this photo book larger

Thursday, September 03, 2009

POPSICLES
for my granddaughter


When Gweny comes to visit we make popsicles. Sometimes I cut pieces of watermelon or cantaloupe and put a popsicle stick in it and freeze them. This time we had leftover strawberry and banana smoothie, so we made popsicles. They are always healthy and Gweny lvoes them. They are a snack that isn't very filling - so she can have one whenever she wants. Happy Gweny. Happy Grandma.

POPSICLES
for my dog...er, Ron's dog

We bought a Kong for Cody when he was pretty young. A Kong is a hollow toy to be lined with sticky stuff like peanut butter or honey. Thought it was a great idea, but honestly - in a few minutes Cody had licked out the peanut butter and I couldn't figure what was so wonderful about Kongs? THEN Cody's trainer said she fills them and FREEZES them. Now it takes a LONG time for Cody to finish his popsicle. Keeps him busy.

What do I fill them with? Well, I googled "Kong recipes" - and there are some great ones that basically got me going. They mentioned mixing stuff with canned pumpkin because it is thick and easily flavored. Tonight Cody enjoyed his peanut butter and bacon flavored pumpkin-sicle. YUM! Two days ago I soaked his dry dog food in water until mushy and added oatmeal, yogurt, and a little bacon fat. Both Cody and Phoenix LOVE their treats.

Kong Recipes: http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/02/dog_recipes_for_kong_chew_toys.php