I sharpened a lot of pencils and smiled the whole time during today’s Art Club. I had so much fun…and the children did too judging from the level of happy noise. The quiet has settled in now, so it must be time for cleanin’ up and headin’ home. Art Circle meets tonight. I sorta love it on those rare times that Thursday arrives with a double dose of art. *happy sigh*
~ Janean

January 10, 2013

I just shouted down the stairs to my youngest son, “It’s snowing!” He ran upstairs, from the basement depths, and promptly spread the word, by shouting the same to his big brother. My mom is probably doin’ some happy snow shoutin’ and smilin’ of her own, for a love of snow runs in the family. Blue dog loves snow too. Woof.

December 31, 2012

I have a hanky in my pocket
I’m leakin’ all kinds of tears
my heart, oh how it’s hurtin’
some solace waits for me there
my parents went south yesterday
the highway called their name
my cousin always lives there
next door to Grrr
who got me on this train
for grandpa’s birthday is the reason
number 97 is nearly here
I’m arrivin’ one day early
today’s the day I could come
“Happy last day of 96!”
I brought the last jar of alien goo
they’re really, “Green Tomato Pickles”
but either way, I made ‘em just for you

written Thursday, November 8, 2012
as I rode the southbound train from Normal to Alton, Illinois
the first leg of the trip

slow dancin’

We were canoodling when the phone rang, cutting off the music we were dancin’ to.
It was my mother saying, “I’m on my way.”
He said, “I don’t want to see your tears.”
I replied, “Then don’t look.”
There’s no time to kiss them away.
Gotta get my composure, blow my nose and grab my sunglasses to walk the dog.
Our sweet pup, Blue.
Met mom on the sidewalk.
Chit chatted and smiled sorta bright.
Held his hand when I came back in.
Assured him it was the tenderness that did me in.
I’m a girl.
It’s how I’m packaged.
Sometimes they are happy tears.

November 1, 2012

I began writing this post on our last day of vacation in Orlando, Florida. The day we headed home. In the midst of packing suitcases, carry ons and getting everyone and everything ready to GO, I tried to post this photo and story about my youngest son, but of course when you’re time crunched is when you’re most likely to have technical difficulties. So, I quickly saved as “draft” and decided to wait and post when I could finish a thought again. It’s now Monday morning. My husband is working, my children are at school, the happy-to-be-home-again-dog is sound asleep at my feet and the glad-we’re-home-but-mad-the-dog-is-back-too-cat is plotting from the floor above. Ah, q-u-i-e-t. Just what I needed most. 

On October 26, 2012, my youngest son (age 9) woke up happy and said, “Yeah! It’s Friday! We’re not going to the parks today!” Sweet boy who is happy to be going HOME. It’s his safe spot. I packed a patterned blanket, in shades of golden brown, on his request. It’s a comfort to him. He likes the cozy, softness it offers at night – it feels like something in between fleece and velour. It was worth the luggage space I gave up to bring it along for him. He needed that extra bit of home with him this wonderful week away. A week spent under palm fronds blowing in gentle breezes and a clear blue sky above. The gray clouds and rainy moments never lasted long or dampened the fun of the trip.

We made our own fun, he and I. He was my apple this week. The crowds were a bit too much. Rides not really his thing. Especially fast, dark and loud ones. Up and at ‘em rushing to eat breakfast and catch buses didn’t feel like vacation to him. Extra desserts agreed with him just fine though! So we swam in the hotel pool nearly every day, played video games at the hotel arcade, split brownie desserts down the middle, tucked in early and watched TV or read books in the quiet of the room while his big brother and dad rode the wild rides and stayed up late, adding to the crowds. Most of my vacation pictures are of him (palm trees come in second), caught my oldest son, husband and in laws a few times too. The memories will last. The smiles too. It was a lovely vacation. ~ Janean

October 29, 2012

white puffy clouds
bright blue sky
palm trees too
a day made for dreamin’
though the sun
played peekaboo
sighing sighs
the happy kind
serene smiles too
unwindin’
from the inside out
vacation days
go by too soon
real world thoughts
try to intrude
not yet
go away
it’ll keep
awhile longer
today is for palm trees
even though
the soon to be bare
maples and oaks
wait for me
at home

October 22, 2012

I enjoyed the whirlwind of creativity that started quietly and gradually grew in volume as drawings took shape, color was added, water too and then signed, titled, dated and done. Fastest hour of the day…and one of the happiest. Topic was “Seasons”, created in graphite and watercolor pencil. *serene smile and happy sigh* I love Art Club.
~ Janean a.k.a. Mrs. Baird

October 11, 2012