The children up here do not start school until the Tuesday after Labor Day so this is officially the last week of summer for them! And it's pouring down rain! It started this morning about 5:30am with a thunder storm that nearly lifted the house off the foundation! Nutty hates thunder and lightning so guess what time I got up today? (It was either get up or invite Nutty onto my bed! I got up!)
It's damp and chilly so I decided to cook a turkey! It's in the oven right now and already the house smells like Thanksgiving! Aren't those memory smells wonderful? It wasn't until after HC Baker died that I ever cooked a turkey. He was always the turkey cooker. And he wouldn't be pleased with my method. Actually when I was remodeling this house, one of my painters told me to use a cooking bag and I did. It works perfectly. The good news this morning is I had a turkey in the freezer and a cooking bag! Life is good!
So as I sit here and write, I'm thinking about all those memory smells that make me smile. A baking turkey is definitely one of them. Here's another one - What about that musty smell when you open the Christmas decoration boxes? For me, that's goes all the way back to my childhood. I think nowadays, our home storage areas are more "damp free" and we box things in plastic tubs, but I still love that musty smell. It reminds me of my Dad who was always the person to carry the boxes up from the basement.
I sent a note to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Cherry the other day who are living in Columbia, South Carolina. I told them when I was growing up, we always spent some vacation time in Columbia and close-by, Lake Murray. My sisters and I would play under the pine trees. I love the smell of those pine trees and the pine needles. I do have quite a few pine trees up here and occasionally that pine fragrance drifts across my front yard and into my windows. Love it! It reminds me of family vacations and my sisters.
Pipe smoke - my Dad
Baby Magic lotion - my children when they were babies
Fried apples and cobblers baking - my grandmother, Mamaw
Wet dog - lots of pets and my Mother hollaring at us to get that dog out of the house!!!!
Burning leaves - I do believe it's against the law in Louisville to burn leaves in the city but boy up here, everyone burns their leaves. And lots of people (including me) have a fit pit and have a fire every night (not me). Love the smell of burning leaves - a sure sign of autumn, back to school and football games.
They (not sure who "they" are, but...) say smell is the strongest one of our "senses" and I believe it. A very strange, startling, "wondering" thing happened the other night. I was sound asleep and was immediately awakened by the smell of HC Baker. (For many, many years, he wore the fragrance Brut...he was such a trendsetter!!) I turned on the light and just knew he would be standing right next to the bed. I don't remember if I was dreaming or not, but it was so very real to me. Now that's a memory smell!
What are your favorite memory smells?
Oh, gotta go and check the turkey! xxoo
Continued prayers requests for EE, CH, and friend BC who is again fighting the cancer battle. And just want you to know, Lesley's mother is doing so much better! Thank you!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Guess what arrived today?
SUMMER!!!!! Finally on August 20! And it's not because the kiddos started school today. They do not start until the Tuesday after Labor Day. I guess the weather was just tired of being cold! Lots and lots of boats out on the lake today. I heard the water temperature is 64. And as strange as that may seem, that's warm! Maybe if it stays warm for a few more days, the water will warm up even more!
Spent the morning with Gracie at a soccer practice. Garrett was at football practice. Fall sports seem to be in full swing. Gracie's first soccer game is Saturday in Traverse City. Garrett's first football game is next Wednesday. He's on the JV team this year and there are only 16 young men on the team. It's gonna' be a wild season! I made my annual donation to the Cheboygan High School Athletic Association so I can sit in the press box for every game, JV and varsity. That's a good thing when it's rainy and cold and snowing! Can't wait for the kick-off!
I forgot to mention a few things in my last L O N G blog that I think are worthy of comment.
1. Emily and Brett celebrated 19 years of marriage this summer!
2. When school starts, Emily will begin her 20th year of teaching middle school math.
3. Louisville grandson Adam who just graduated high school got a full time job! He should have been starting college this fall but forgot to mail all his paperwork in time!!!! Libby was very upset and said - GET A JOB! And he did.
4. All of Libby's children are gainfully employed! She says PRAISE THE LORD!
5. My sister Linda got another wonderful report at her quarterly doctor's visit. Her visits have changed to every six months now! I said PRAISE THE LORD!
6. My sister Mary made it to Ireland and back without too many dead bodies in her wake. American Airlines caused her to miss her connecting flight in Chicago and she had to stay in a hotel for the night - big expense! Then upon arrival she discovered they had lost her luggage! I said PRAISE THE LORD I wasn't there to witness the carnage!
7. Some of you might already know my sister Mary got a new dog, Henry. He is a collie puppy and full of energy. Next, my sister Linda (after the death of Charlie at 14 years) got a new dog. They rescued Pearl, a 3-year old beagle/terrier/hound mix. Linda, Bill and Pearl are very excited to be a family! So...our 3 new family members are Nutty, Henry and Pearl! Life is good!
Now I think you are all caught up!
I loved seeing all the photos on FB this morning of all the precious children and young men and young ladies ready for their first day of school! I hope and pray everyone had a great day. OH, and by the way, you have to go back tomorrow!!!!
Another thing I've seen a lot of on FB is the Kentucky State Fair food! The photos are very interesting. Who thinks up all that stuff? HC Baker and I did try a deep-fried snickers one time at a county fair. A snickers bar is my favorite candy bar. Well, it appeared to be wrapped in a kind of wonton wrapper, looked like it was going to be delicious, and one bite into it, everything inside had melted and then dripped down the front of my blouse! In the trash it went and to the ladies room I went. OOPS!!!!!! I remember that county fair and the bathrooms were my all-time favorite...porta potties! Didn't work for me and we left in search of a proper restroom! HC Baker never did understand my "moments"!
Enough for today! I know you're tired after the first day of school. I'm praying for all the teachers, administrators, staff and the children. May God's richest blessings shine on all of you and keep you safe.
Happy Summer! xxoo
Continued prayers for EE, CH, Lesley's mother, and all the children and teachers. It's not too late to hug someone TODAY and tell them you're proud of them!
Spent the morning with Gracie at a soccer practice. Garrett was at football practice. Fall sports seem to be in full swing. Gracie's first soccer game is Saturday in Traverse City. Garrett's first football game is next Wednesday. He's on the JV team this year and there are only 16 young men on the team. It's gonna' be a wild season! I made my annual donation to the Cheboygan High School Athletic Association so I can sit in the press box for every game, JV and varsity. That's a good thing when it's rainy and cold and snowing! Can't wait for the kick-off!
I forgot to mention a few things in my last L O N G blog that I think are worthy of comment.
1. Emily and Brett celebrated 19 years of marriage this summer!
2. When school starts, Emily will begin her 20th year of teaching middle school math.
3. Louisville grandson Adam who just graduated high school got a full time job! He should have been starting college this fall but forgot to mail all his paperwork in time!!!! Libby was very upset and said - GET A JOB! And he did.
4. All of Libby's children are gainfully employed! She says PRAISE THE LORD!
5. My sister Linda got another wonderful report at her quarterly doctor's visit. Her visits have changed to every six months now! I said PRAISE THE LORD!
6. My sister Mary made it to Ireland and back without too many dead bodies in her wake. American Airlines caused her to miss her connecting flight in Chicago and she had to stay in a hotel for the night - big expense! Then upon arrival she discovered they had lost her luggage! I said PRAISE THE LORD I wasn't there to witness the carnage!
7. Some of you might already know my sister Mary got a new dog, Henry. He is a collie puppy and full of energy. Next, my sister Linda (after the death of Charlie at 14 years) got a new dog. They rescued Pearl, a 3-year old beagle/terrier/hound mix. Linda, Bill and Pearl are very excited to be a family! So...our 3 new family members are Nutty, Henry and Pearl! Life is good!
Now I think you are all caught up!
I loved seeing all the photos on FB this morning of all the precious children and young men and young ladies ready for their first day of school! I hope and pray everyone had a great day. OH, and by the way, you have to go back tomorrow!!!!
Another thing I've seen a lot of on FB is the Kentucky State Fair food! The photos are very interesting. Who thinks up all that stuff? HC Baker and I did try a deep-fried snickers one time at a county fair. A snickers bar is my favorite candy bar. Well, it appeared to be wrapped in a kind of wonton wrapper, looked like it was going to be delicious, and one bite into it, everything inside had melted and then dripped down the front of my blouse! In the trash it went and to the ladies room I went. OOPS!!!!!! I remember that county fair and the bathrooms were my all-time favorite...porta potties! Didn't work for me and we left in search of a proper restroom! HC Baker never did understand my "moments"!
Enough for today! I know you're tired after the first day of school. I'm praying for all the teachers, administrators, staff and the children. May God's richest blessings shine on all of you and keep you safe.
Happy Summer! xxoo
Continued prayers for EE, CH, Lesley's mother, and all the children and teachers. It's not too late to hug someone TODAY and tell them you're proud of them!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Where have I been?
Yes, it's definitely been too long since I last posted. I'm afraid I fell into a slump. Ya' know, HC Baker has been dead three years now, and it is easier to get up every day and know he won't be there. I accept that and move on. However in all the books, etc., I've read about being the surviving spouse, not one of them mentions the third anniversary. (I guess it's covered in the part about everyone moving on at their own speed!) Well, on July 1st, I realized on August 1st (our wedding anniversary) I would be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary alone. And that's when my slump began. I actually worried about what I was going to do on that day, how would I celebrate, should I have a party, should I stay in bed all day with the covers pulled over my head, what to do, what to do??? I hate this part of my life. Not knowing!!!!! I'm not good at not knowing. So here I am, on August 16, and the good news is I survived my slump. I'm not quite sure how, but I did. So let me fill you in on what's happened since July 1.
On July 2, my sister Linda and her husband Bill arrived for a visit. Bill had never been here before and quite honestly, I was so worried he wouldn't enjoy his visit, and he'd never want to come back. Bill hates being cold and our summer's up here never really warm up. We have beautiful summer days, but for the most part the "high's" never reach the 90's. We're lucky if they reach the 80's. And this summer has been quite chilly. (Tuesday of this week, the high was 59 and that night the low was 37!!!!) So I had to make sure Bill didn't get cold. And the weather did cooperate. He did wear a jacket a couple of times but for the most part, he had no complaints. HOORAY! And he did have a great time...all of us did. We celebrated the 4th of July with the Indian River 4th of July parade, a cook-out and sparklers when darkness fell. Plus we had Gracie for entertainment!
Once Linda and Bill left, I went to work on several unfinished projects to keep my mind occupied. I was looking for something new to do and found watercolor classes being offered at Blooming Ideas, a wonderful gallery and boutique in Indian River. I signed up and ordered the supplies! July 18 began the Indian River Summerfest. It was at last year's Summerfest that I adopted Nutty, so I decided to have a birthday party for Nutty. And I did. It was great fun! Several friends came bearing doggie gifts and Nutty loved every crumb! The next week I attended my watercolor classes and discovered I enjoyed it. I am now in the process of painting a picture of my home. My toughest critic, TR Baker, looked at it and asked if I painted it. I said yes and he said that's really good! It's not finished yet, but I'll get back to it soon.
Next, Gracie and I worked on table decorations for a luncheon benefit for the Women's Resource Center. I had agreed to decorate and host a table for the event. We decided on a Derby theme (as I had the stuff). We painted little straw hats bright colors and then Gracie decorated them with flowers, feathers, sequins, bows, and ribbons. She did a great job. Then we glued each one to a straw, put the straw in a Derby glass filled with small bottles of Julep "fixins", and we were done. I also found a large birdhouse with twin spires so we used that for our centerpiece. It looked great! OK, by now it's July 25 and August 1st is fast approaching.
Emily and Gracie stopped by the house to ask if I could help with something. It seems on August 1st, Emily had meetings and Brett would be very busy at the candy store and Gracie had to be in Gaylord, MI, (about 35 minutes south of us) and could I possibly take her, wait for her and then bring her back home? YES! YES! YES! So on August 1st at 9am I picked up Gracie and drove her to Gaylord. Once her lesson was over, we went to lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping. She loves to go to Hobby Lobby, Bath and Body Works, and one of our favorites, TJ Maxx (we had a gift card!!!).
That evening, several friends (having no idea the significance of the day to me) suggested we go out to dinner at a terrific place up here, the DLB (Douglass Lake Bar). When I arrive back home, Nutty was there to greet me. I've thought about HC Baker all day and the life we had together. I miss him and every second we shared and would do it all over again. "If God takes you to it, He'll get you through it" could not be more true for me. And I know this journey is not over yet, and I know there will, in all probability, be more difficult moments, but I also know I will survive. I survived August 1, 2013, and I will survive each and every day that is in my future.
(Hang on for a few more paragraphs...I'm almost done!)
Last weekend TR Baker and I went to Chicago. We went for several reasons but the most important one was to be at the finish line when my dear, wonderful friends, Joyce and Cinda, crossed the finish line at the Susan G. Komen, 3-day, 60 mile walk to benefit breast cancer research. 60 miles - did you hear that? And it's the second time they've made this walk. Two years ago they walked in Washington, DC. I couldn't make that trip but I could get to Chicago. Once I decided to go to Chicago, I contacted several special friends to see if they had time to connect with TR Baker and me. With one exception, they said they could. (Missed seeing you Lorri!) When we arrived in Chicago, while waiting to check in to our hotel, TR Baker and I met two lovely ladies from Oklahoma City. They were sisters and one of the sisters was in Chicago on business and she had convinced her sister to join her for a fun weekend. We had a great time getting to know each other. I told them I really wanted to visit Oklahoma City to see the memorial. They said I must and they would be happy to welcome me. I think I will! And if I get that far, I think I'll go on over to Arkansas and force myself on my great friends, Tim and Pat!!!! OK, there it is - your warning! I'm heading your way in the near future! While in Chicago, we were able to see Bonnie and Liz, daughters of an up-north friend and Ryan and Michelle, young friends with Louisville contacts who are expecting their first child in October! How lucky we were to share some time with these special friends. We got a late start for our drive back and didn't arrive home until 1:30am Monday morning. When we got out of the car and I looked up to the heavens to thank God for our safe journey, I was awestruck by the stars in the sky. I felt as if I was seeing the entire galaxy. God is good!
Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of visiting with another dear friend, Mary Beth, from Louisville with ties to my past many, many years ago. I was Mary Beth's first ballet teacher and have known her since she was a child!!!!! She is the daughter of Si who is the Costumer for the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY. Si was up for a visit. She has shared her creative art with "the story" for 50 years and is still as lovely as ever. What a treat!
OK, that about brings you up to date with my life. I conquered my slump! But let me take you back to Ryan for one more moment. Being with Ryan has always been a joy to me. He is a smart, caring, creative person with incredible concern for the people of the world. He is also a poet. I encouraged him to pursue his creative side and after reading some of his work was reminded of one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver. A line from one of my favorite poems of hers says, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" As I told Ryan, ask yourself that question several times a day. I am and I hope you do too. xxoo
*Continued prayer request for EE, CH, and Lesley's mother! Thank you.
On July 2, my sister Linda and her husband Bill arrived for a visit. Bill had never been here before and quite honestly, I was so worried he wouldn't enjoy his visit, and he'd never want to come back. Bill hates being cold and our summer's up here never really warm up. We have beautiful summer days, but for the most part the "high's" never reach the 90's. We're lucky if they reach the 80's. And this summer has been quite chilly. (Tuesday of this week, the high was 59 and that night the low was 37!!!!) So I had to make sure Bill didn't get cold. And the weather did cooperate. He did wear a jacket a couple of times but for the most part, he had no complaints. HOORAY! And he did have a great time...all of us did. We celebrated the 4th of July with the Indian River 4th of July parade, a cook-out and sparklers when darkness fell. Plus we had Gracie for entertainment!
Once Linda and Bill left, I went to work on several unfinished projects to keep my mind occupied. I was looking for something new to do and found watercolor classes being offered at Blooming Ideas, a wonderful gallery and boutique in Indian River. I signed up and ordered the supplies! July 18 began the Indian River Summerfest. It was at last year's Summerfest that I adopted Nutty, so I decided to have a birthday party for Nutty. And I did. It was great fun! Several friends came bearing doggie gifts and Nutty loved every crumb! The next week I attended my watercolor classes and discovered I enjoyed it. I am now in the process of painting a picture of my home. My toughest critic, TR Baker, looked at it and asked if I painted it. I said yes and he said that's really good! It's not finished yet, but I'll get back to it soon.
Next, Gracie and I worked on table decorations for a luncheon benefit for the Women's Resource Center. I had agreed to decorate and host a table for the event. We decided on a Derby theme (as I had the stuff). We painted little straw hats bright colors and then Gracie decorated them with flowers, feathers, sequins, bows, and ribbons. She did a great job. Then we glued each one to a straw, put the straw in a Derby glass filled with small bottles of Julep "fixins", and we were done. I also found a large birdhouse with twin spires so we used that for our centerpiece. It looked great! OK, by now it's July 25 and August 1st is fast approaching.
Emily and Gracie stopped by the house to ask if I could help with something. It seems on August 1st, Emily had meetings and Brett would be very busy at the candy store and Gracie had to be in Gaylord, MI, (about 35 minutes south of us) and could I possibly take her, wait for her and then bring her back home? YES! YES! YES! So on August 1st at 9am I picked up Gracie and drove her to Gaylord. Once her lesson was over, we went to lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping. She loves to go to Hobby Lobby, Bath and Body Works, and one of our favorites, TJ Maxx (we had a gift card!!!).
That evening, several friends (having no idea the significance of the day to me) suggested we go out to dinner at a terrific place up here, the DLB (Douglass Lake Bar). When I arrive back home, Nutty was there to greet me. I've thought about HC Baker all day and the life we had together. I miss him and every second we shared and would do it all over again. "If God takes you to it, He'll get you through it" could not be more true for me. And I know this journey is not over yet, and I know there will, in all probability, be more difficult moments, but I also know I will survive. I survived August 1, 2013, and I will survive each and every day that is in my future.
(Hang on for a few more paragraphs...I'm almost done!)
Last weekend TR Baker and I went to Chicago. We went for several reasons but the most important one was to be at the finish line when my dear, wonderful friends, Joyce and Cinda, crossed the finish line at the Susan G. Komen, 3-day, 60 mile walk to benefit breast cancer research. 60 miles - did you hear that? And it's the second time they've made this walk. Two years ago they walked in Washington, DC. I couldn't make that trip but I could get to Chicago. Once I decided to go to Chicago, I contacted several special friends to see if they had time to connect with TR Baker and me. With one exception, they said they could. (Missed seeing you Lorri!) When we arrived in Chicago, while waiting to check in to our hotel, TR Baker and I met two lovely ladies from Oklahoma City. They were sisters and one of the sisters was in Chicago on business and she had convinced her sister to join her for a fun weekend. We had a great time getting to know each other. I told them I really wanted to visit Oklahoma City to see the memorial. They said I must and they would be happy to welcome me. I think I will! And if I get that far, I think I'll go on over to Arkansas and force myself on my great friends, Tim and Pat!!!! OK, there it is - your warning! I'm heading your way in the near future! While in Chicago, we were able to see Bonnie and Liz, daughters of an up-north friend and Ryan and Michelle, young friends with Louisville contacts who are expecting their first child in October! How lucky we were to share some time with these special friends. We got a late start for our drive back and didn't arrive home until 1:30am Monday morning. When we got out of the car and I looked up to the heavens to thank God for our safe journey, I was awestruck by the stars in the sky. I felt as if I was seeing the entire galaxy. God is good!
Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of visiting with another dear friend, Mary Beth, from Louisville with ties to my past many, many years ago. I was Mary Beth's first ballet teacher and have known her since she was a child!!!!! She is the daughter of Si who is the Costumer for the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY. Si was up for a visit. She has shared her creative art with "the story" for 50 years and is still as lovely as ever. What a treat!
OK, that about brings you up to date with my life. I conquered my slump! But let me take you back to Ryan for one more moment. Being with Ryan has always been a joy to me. He is a smart, caring, creative person with incredible concern for the people of the world. He is also a poet. I encouraged him to pursue his creative side and after reading some of his work was reminded of one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver. A line from one of my favorite poems of hers says, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" As I told Ryan, ask yourself that question several times a day. I am and I hope you do too. xxoo
*Continued prayer request for EE, CH, and Lesley's mother! Thank you.
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