THE VISITOR

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img_0365We had a visitor last night. Whew! There is no doubt about it, a little black and white creature ventured into our country air, and he brought his fragrant calling card with him.

In the middle of the night I woke up to bright lightning flashing almost constantly and the booming of thunder filling the air. Opening the window to feel the fresh air flowing in just seemed like the natural thing to do. There didn’t seem to be any wind, so I just relaxed and listened to the storm. Memories of long ago storms when I was a child filled my mind, and I easily fell back asleep.

So it was with a rested mind and body that I woke up, reached over for my eye drops, and thought, “What in the world is that?” It took a while, but another memory seeped into my brain. I remembered the time our dog tangled with, you guessed it, gasp! A skunk! My husband washed and washed that poor dog, and neither one of them was ever the same again!

Closing the window was my first reaction! Looking out over the lawn I could see no sign of the dreaded little fellow. He probably was spreading his message to someone further on down the road. It is funny how a never to be forgotten smell can bring back so many memories. Usually it is our sight or our hearing that reminds us of long forgotten events.

But nothing, nothing, ever seems to be more of a reminder than the pungent odor of our friend, the skunk. His place in the universe as an odor carrier is secure.

I’m just glad that I didn’t meet him while walking along our bike trail. He wouldn’t have wanted to move over for me, I’m sure.

 

 

 

 

 

CONFUCIUS

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lake-mcdonald-glacier-national-park-montana-752x501.jpgTo put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order;  to put the family in order we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life we must first set our hearts right.

Confucius

On a day like today I think it would be helpful if we can look at our hearts and minds  and decide what we as individuals can do to accomplish our goals for our families, our nation and our world. I am reminded of the Three Dog Song, “One is the loneliest  number that you will ever do.” But together great things can be accomplished for everyone everywhere.

THOSE LITTLE BLUE LIGHTS. NUMBER TWO 

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Walking thru a darkened house in the middle of the night when you are in need of a drink of water or some other such matter that is urging you to rise up from your warm bed has always been a matter of being careful just where you walk. If you have children in your house, heaven only knows what may lie in your path, just waiting for you to stumble over something that would leave you on your knees. 

If there are four-footed animals sprawled around in odd places it can be even worse. They may be sleeping so soundly that you are on top of them before they even decide to open their eyes and figure out what is going on. If there is a stairway or even just a couple of steps from one level to another, you are taking your life in your hands unless you turn on the lights. And that brings forth moans and grumbles from your significant other who really doesn’t appreciate the brightness you have brought into the room. 

A couple of nights ago while on my way to the kitchen at about 3 AM I looked out the window and there was the moon, shining brightly down on the tile at my feet. I thought, hey, it really is bright in here tonight. I can see where I am going so clearly. Then I glanced into the kitchen, and it was pretty light too. A beautiful little shiny blue light shone on the wall oven. Over in the corner the digital numbers of the microwave gave light. Glancing into the living room, all of a sudden my IPad came on with a message “alert”, and I could see all of the furniture clearly. The WiFi charger that stood on a table had another very vivid blue light. 

Intrigued, I went to my office where the WiFi coming into the house stood, and another blue light!  All of these appliances were doing double duty for us all night long. When I got back to our bedroom, the digital clock was also casting forth a warm glow.

There have been times, I must admit, when I have complained about the cost of our electric bill just to be complaining about something, I guess, but I am looking at that bill with a new “light”. It is helping me out all night long. It is keeping me from having an accident because I can’t see well enough in the dark, and it is also keeping our house warm or cool, depending upon the weather. 

Little blue lights, or white digital ones, just some of our modern devices that help us to enjoy our lives a great deal more. I am really happy that I have lived in this time and been able to take advantage of all the good things being invented. I am looking forward to the next new invention and I know it will probably have another “blue light” to help me see thru the night. Just like Kris Kristopherson sang, “Help me make it thru the night!” 

THOSE LITTLE BLUE LIGHTS

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Well, I knew it would happen someday.  While trying to post the picture of the pansies for my blog, somehow my clumsy fingers hit this picture of Judy and Lee Rider in our driveway a couple of years ago. And the darned thing published. Great picture, but my goof.  So this is Number one and I am going to post again, number two.  

Mothers, Mother in Laws, Step Mothers

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It’s Mothers Day! The day that we share all of the love and affection that we feel for the women in our lives.

“Mothering” is the term that we bestow upon anyone, mostly female, but sometimes male, when we want to show empathy or caring for another person.

There are lots of kinds of mothers, who come in different sizes or shapes or colors. The term “mother” is applied to many different types of women in our life.  There are many women who will never legally wear the title, but that doesn’t mean they don’t do the mothering. We all know women who are the mothers to their brothers and sisters, or their patients as a nurse, or students as a teacher, or just about anyone they care about.

Being a mother can be difficult, but it has its own built in rewards. Many poems and odes have been written to glorify mothers, to show how much we care about them. Thinking of our mothers can bring beautiful smiles on our faces just thinking about them or remembering them from long gone days.

But I would like to add two more names to this select group. Mother in laws and step mothers. When I started thinking about this I was amazed at how many of the women in my life are at least two of them, and some of them are all three, as I am. When you become a mother there are all kinds of classes to help you learn how to do the job. You have the experience of your own mother as a backup.

But when you become a stepmother or a mother in law you are in uncharted waters. You want to succeed with all of your heart and soul. But there is a sense of competition when you add the phrases, “step” or “in law” to the mixture.  Someone else has already held the position that you now hold, and you are determined to do your best. Always there is a period of adjustment for every one involved, and it usually doesn’t happen as fast as giving birth.

But mothers, no matter what kind, have a way of bringing forth the nurturing ways that are inherit in most humans, and these are the ones we are honoring today.

So today while you are remembering your mothers with love and honor, I know you are also giving a “shout out” for those “other” mothers, the ones who have your best interests at heart, but came into your life at a later date.

Women, the odds are pretty great that someday you will be a mother in law also, and maybe even lucky enough to be a stepmother. We are all in this world to learn from each other, and these are pretty rewarding positions. Love and compassion and understanding are among the qualities we revere in our mothers, no matter in what form they show up.

Happy Mothers Day, everyone. Have a wonderful day, no matter where you are.

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SPRINGTIME WORRIES

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When you can look out your bedroom window, and see a view that is so magnificent in all its glory, all the white and pink blossoms bursting forth to show the world that another spring has arrived, it seems impossible to believe that this beautiful scene could be the cause of untold worries for the farmers that have brought it forth. Ever since the end of fruit season last fall you have been looking forward to a new year, to beautiful  blossoms, and a wonderful crop of cherries, or apples, or peaches.  Being a fruit farmer, or a member of his or her family means that you always have these expectations of the next years crop sitting somewhere in the back of your mind.

Most years you are lucky, the trees bloom, somehow the dreaded freezes just manage to avoid you and you end up with the wonderful fruit that Michigan is so famous for. Pleasing all of your customers is one of the main goals in your life. There is nothing like handing an apple to someone and seeing their smile in return.

But right now we are under a freeze warning for our area tonight. We don’t actively farm ourselves anymore, but all of our neighbors do.  The laborers in our area are all dependent upon good crops.  Our customers and that includes us, all want this great Michigan fruit. So we do the best we can, we watch the thermometers hourly , and we send our prayers soaring upward in hopes that all will be well this time.

But one thing I do know, no matter how cold it gets tonight, no matter if the pistils turn black, the farmers will be determined to try again next season because this is just what farmers do, they plant, they grow, and they pray. And somehow it works, and we are all thankful for that. .    IMG_0136

GRATITUDE 

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Today is a day for me to give some special thanks and gratitude to two very special women in my life. Yesterday I had my annual physical here in Michigan and it really pleased both my doctor and me. Better blood pressure, chlorestrol, and a good feeling that I am feeling much better and stronger. For several years Tammy Jager had been encouraging me to get a walker or some such thing because I was having trouble taking long walks. I resisted her mightily for a long time due to my pride and foolishness. But this winter another voice joined the chorus, Debra Rider, and I began to realize that they only had my best interests at heart. So I broke down, bought a red Rollerator, started walking each day, and now I walk 25 minutes at a time.  I met new friends while I was in Florida, and found that there are lots of us who can use a little help.  And I love it because it has brought me freedom. I don’t need it at home, thank goodness.  I heap praise upon my husband, Bob Rider, who always tags along with me.

But it gives me great pleasure to give kudos to Debra and Tammy whom I love, especially because they didn’t give up on me.  I owe them for many special things in my life, but this one deserves a special thank you.

OUR FRIEND VERNA THORNTON

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hearts_sSometimes  we have to smile  at our memories, be thankful that we had our friends as long as we did, and look for the words that express how we feel about them. Verna Thornton was probably the first friend that I made after I moved to Florida and discovered the Creative Writers Club at Betmar Acres. One of the original founders, she was an enthusiastic member that almost always showed up on Monday morning. As our facilitator she guided us in our writing, suggesting many subjects that she felt we would be interested in. As a poet, she excelled, and she and I felt a kinship from the very first time that I went. I was so impressed by the way her words could always make me see a picture in my mind. She just had a way with descriptive words that could make you laugh or cry or remember something in your own life.

Verna has gone on beyond us this week. She hadn’t been well after a bad fall a month ago, and we had missed her at our group meetings. I talked to her a few days ago and she was very determined to get better so that she could attend again in November. She lived alone, after having taken care of an ailing husband for many years. When I got the phone call I was shocked because I hadn’t expected it.

I found this poem written by Verna in our annual book put out by our group this spring, and am printing it to show you how she felt about moving on from us.

FLYING FLOWERS

I was just a little child

And watched the pansies die.

Grandma tried to comfort me

As I began to cry.

Then she sat me on her lap.

She hugged me close and said,

“Pansies droop and petals fall,

But they’re not really dead.

Notice how the butterflies

Have colors bright and gay.

They are wilted pansies, dear,

The ones that got away.”

Now, my pansy bed is filled

With deep exotic hues,

Yellow, purple, rust and bronze,

Mahogany and blues.

Vibrant colors, trimmed with black,

Their scent is everywhere,

Sunshine yellow on them all,

Their fragrance fills the air.

Rippled by the summer breeze,

They’re nodding in the sun,

A dark and somber little face

Peers out from every one.

Wistfully, they try to speak,

And each one seems to say,

“How much longer will it be

Before I fly away?

I’m bound to earth by stem and roots

My days are passing by.

How much longer must I wait

To be a butterfly?”

Today our Verna is a beautiful, shining butterfly, so watch for her wherever you go.

BACK HOME AGAIN

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IMG_0855One of the first things I look for when we drive into our driveway is  the beautiful forsythia bush.  It is about the first thing that blooms in our yard every spring and it seems to send a welcoming signal that it is glad we arrived home safely.     After a long ride north making the transition from hot weather to cool we are just thankful that we have made it once again.  Walking into the house and checking everything out, I am really glad that I left it looking great, everything put into its place and no heavy housekeeping to do.

Because of course now comes the fun part. Unloading the car, hauling it all in, and now it must all be put away in its place. Just the opposite of when we packed it all down south, now we must do the unpacking. But one thing I have learned,  I don’t have to do it all the very first day. There are plenty of other things to do. The batteries seem to have given out on the television remote. The clocks are all flashing, plus the stove and microwave. I know this means the electric went out, probably in a storm. There is no food in the frig and so I start my big grocery list right away. The water must be turned on and adjustments made to the thermostat.  Of course I must make sure the wi-fi is working.

Going on an extended trip is a wonderful thing. Coming back seems to be even better.  The birds are starting to find the feeder. Looking out at our beautiful green yard we can see the raking ahead of us. But there is no doubt, looking at the waiting bed is starting to look better and better. It has been a very long day.

Ah, it is so good to be back home and looking forward to the holiday with family this year. Tomorrow is another day, or maybe even Monday or Tuesday.

In the fall the cycle will begin again, and we will start the list making and the packing. We will be looking forward to a warm sunny winter with old friends and new.  The time will fly by until the siren call of Michigan beckons us again.  Two wonderful seasons and it is almost impossible to choose one over the other.  We just count our blessings, and name them one by one.