in this moment

June 29, 2013 Image

I baked the cake I promised my boys yesterday, after I said, “No” at the grocery store. They were both drooling over a display of square cakes near the bakery decorated in patriotic red, white and blue. Two heart shaped chocolate cakes are cooling atop the oven now. Those two cake loving boys are still sleeping which meant I got to lick the beaters, bowl and spatula all by myself. It’s a good thing I caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror to clean the telltale chocolate cake batter off of my face before they wake up. I’m tackling the thistle roots in the garden next. It must be Saturday morning.

June 29, 2013

June 24, 2013

la lune calendar

summer days
summer haze
a sliver o’crescent moon
as June began

summer days
summer haze
semicircle half a moon
as days goes by

summer days
summer haze
three-quarter moon
makes the sky brighter
as time flies

summer days
summer haze
before you can blink
the moon is full
how can that be
so many moments
have gone by
I’m keeping track
on la lune calendar
doing moon math

summer days
summer haze
next thing you know
a sliver o’crescent moon
will smile again
in July

June 24, 2013

June 21, 2013

girl power

I mowed the yard this morning.
I wanted to try out the mower after my dad, nephew and oldest son tricked it out.
Blades sharpened.
Oil changed.
Something with the spark plug for an easy one pull start.
I texted my friend Kim at 12:14pm, “Mowed. Check.”
She texted back, “Good job…and even in this heat.”
I replied, “I’m not a shrinking violet. I’m a crazy daisy. ;-)”
She sent back a, “LOL.”
I’m smiling now, at the satisfaction of a job well done.
Best of all, the day is still young.

June 21, 2013

June 17, 2013 Image

I’m packing away
a comforter today
the one my Grandma made
to top my childhood twin bed
twas my winter comforter
made of heavy fabric
for extra warmth
with a tangible weight to it
you know
when you’re nestled underneath
you can feel it
even as you sleep
Grandma and Grandpa’s love
always with you
they worked as a tag team
in nearly everything
my sister’s bed
sported a matching comforter
Grandma made two
nearly the same
a lot like my sister and I
for years I’ve said
(a bit tongue in cheek)
“She is the blonde version
and I’m the brunette.”
but beyond our similar look
face shape, smiles bright,
dimpled chin from our dad
we’re more alike than not
on the inside
I’m packing away
a comforter today
thankful
for the warmth, comfort and strength
this decades old blanket
made with Thompson Love
gave me
through the fall, winter and spring
now past

June 17, 2013

June 16, 2013 Image

“When your life appears to be the most stable and calm, unexpected changes will occur.”
~ quote from the book, “Understanding and Sharing” chapter 7, page 141

I’ve just begun to sort through the boxes that hold the remnants from my childhood bedroom. It was February of 1994 when I packed up my basement bedroom at 21 Jones Place. I remember the date because that’s when my parents moved to their dream house, a new construction built just for them. Today I removed a slim spiral bound notebook from one of the boxes. It’s an odd size, 7 3/4” x 5”. On the cardboard cover I’d written, “Ceramics” and my maiden name, “Janean Thompson.” On page one, opposite from the quote shared above, the upper right hand corner of my notes declare, “1-30-90.” That’d be from second semester of my freshman year in college. Eons ago. Light years. More than two decades in calendar reality, not based on dramatic storytelling time. Of course I found this quote today, “6-16-13.” One of many notes I’ve uncovered this morning that I left for my future self. That’d be me. The woman I am now. The mother of two boys, ages 13 and so close to 10, who sees photographs of that teenage girl with the mane of long brown hair and smile so bright, and wonders, “Who was she? Where did she go? What were her dreams?” My soul whispers in reply, “I’m still here. Look inside.” I’m trying to. My sister’s wise advice is, “Just be you.”

June 16, 2013

June 13, 2013

never a dull moment

This morning there was the most mega cat vs. dog race of all. Oh my word, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you! Snuggles was so smart and hid in the hallway bathroom bathtub. Blue didn’t figure it out (even though that crazy cat kept right on with her mountain lion growling). It wasn’t until after our walk that he found her. THEN he tried to get in the bathtub with her! I grabbed him by the collar and hauled him out. As I did, Snuggles ran away to the master bath, her safe spot. I closed Blue in my youngest son’s bedroom to give Snuggles time to make her getaway. I found her hunkered down, sitting alongside the tub in the master bath. I sat on the opposite edge, to hold and cuddle my Brave Like A Mountain Lion Cat. She was quiet. No growls. No purrs. I think she was in shock. That big Blue dog is still looking for that cat. He’ll be on the main floor sniffing one moment, then he runs upstairs to look for Miss Snuggles in the next. I really think he just wants to play, and considers their mega chase as a game. With his wagging tail and goofy grin, Mr. Blue is saying, “That was fun! Bring it on! I’m ready to do it again!” Me?! I’m just ready for coffee and some breakfast. The best part about Blue starting his day by chasing the cat was he didn’t strain against his leash as much on our morning walk. He even missed a chance to try to chase a wily rabbit that was sitting statue still less than six feet away. The rabbit and I acknowledged the other eye to eye, as I walked on past with my wolf-lookalike dog, Blue. Woof.

June 13, 2013