Dear Mom,
Your grandsons and their/our neighborhood friends did you proud.
Love Your Oldest Daughter,
Janean
(Who has made lots of tracks in freshly fallen snow, Blue and me. I wrote a mini blog about it last night and titled it, “paws and boots.”

December 14, 2013
This is a Facebook note I wrote in reply to my mother who was lamenting all the newly fallen snow on her block without any children playing in it. She is a retired elementary school teacher, first third grade, but she spent most of her time teaching kindergarten. The magic and beauty of a new snowfall isn’t lost on her. She still greets snow with verve, sparkly eyed enthusiasm and the most dazzling of smiles.

Blue is a snow dog. We were outside for two hours early this morning. During that time Blue ran and played with Jake (his canine buddy across the street with a fenced yard), we walked around the block so he could “go” and to greet the shoveling neighbors, in between those other endeavors the dog romped on the long leash that is temporarily fastened around the front yard tree while I cleared the driveway and sidewalk (even though we aren’t going anywhere). That was my 6:30a-8:45a. Then breakfast all around. Snow dog is love seat napping now. I have one more cup of coffee waiting to drink, but then I may join him. Happy snowy Saturday here.

December 14, 2013

snowed in

Whether or not we get a bunch of snow and ice tonight, I’m declaring us, “snowed in” for the weekend. Enjoying the first fire in the fireplace in a really long time. Stacked dry wood in the garage before the flurries hit. We have cheese, bacon, and chocolate…oh, all right, we have the more traditional bread, eggs and milk too. Home feels good. Today had lots of happy in it.

December 13, 2013

My youngest son slept in this morning. Sweet ten year old boy needed those extra zzzzz’s. The sound of his door creaking open from the top floor drifted down to where I stood in the kitchen. I smiled in anticipation even before I heard his joyful exclamation, “IT’S SNOWING!!!!!” He spied those tiny white flakes through the big picture window. I met him in the front door hallway. He hugged me. We stand nearly eye to eye. A few hours later, on the phone with my father, he told me my mother met the snowy morning in much the same way. Joy is all around us, especially in the simple things, those quiet moments, like a prolonged good morning hug that says, “I love you” without the actual words. Snowflakes are no longer dancing on the wind. My youngest boy has been window gazing periodically, still hopeful for a blizzard and no school snow days. Patience. Winter is just begun.

December 8, 2013

bedtime

sent my boys to bed hours ago
stayed up for quiet time
love seat dozed
lulled by ticking clock
soothed by wind chimes
chiming from back deck
woke up enough
to decide to go to bed
took Blue out fast
wore my fuzzy slippers
the night sky is clear
the moon and stars are bright
saw Orion
smiled
hustled back inside
the wind is blowing
like it’s going to storm
I haven’t checked radar
just an intuition forecast
that, and I saw a sundog in the sky today
driving my oldest boy home from school
a rainbow in a cloud
I love those
I never think they are saying, “rain is coming”
I think they are a gift from God saying, “My promises are real. My covenants, like the rainbow I gave Noah, to say I’ll never destroy the Earth by water, ever again. Trust Me. I got this.”
fanciful perhaps
but it works for me
even if rain follows too
I love rain
it soothes me
as does being cozy, warm inside my home, listening to the blowing, gust of the wind, not worrying over rain, sleet or snow one bit, because there is a new roof now, in gorgeous burnt sienna shingles
win-win
no matter what
happy thoughts
as I finally tuck into bed
a l’il after 1:00am

November 14, 2013

my day thus far

A l’il excitement walkin’ the dog this morning. Started off the same as usual, on the literal bright side, with sunshine, blue sky, glints o’glittering light upon the melting snow. Next thing I know, Blue’s hand-me-down pinch collar fell off as I walked him through the park. Second day in a row. Yesterday I heard the, “clunk” as that silver metal collar hit the ground with the leash attached and I grabbed ahold of his regular collar ninja FAST. Today we both heard the clunk and that too smart for his own good pup took off at an all out run! He headed for the fence line, darted to a grove of pine trees, while I ran the other way, snow boots makin’ tracks, and shouted to that racin’ dog, “BLUE! Come and get me. Good boy.” I wanted him to stay in my line o’sight. I kept on running, and called out, to keep him in the park, and away from the road. The road scares me. He has no sense. Crazy dog wants to chase cars. Blue got close enough I could catch him, it’s a game he sorta loves. Me? Not so much! Grabbed that collar, clipped the leash and caught my breath as we walked on toward home. I’m a long distance walker. Walking I can do. Running has never been my thing. (Insert a visible shudder as I flashback to high school P.E. and that mandatory run ‘round the track.) Home now. Thankful. Breakfast, coffee and art making is next for me. Gotta have the art made, framed and delivered between 5-7pm tonight ‘cause the “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” Art Show is tomorrow. Ah. Art. That always makes me smile. Quiet content kind. Even when I’m runnin’, literally and figuratively, on not much sleep ‘cause the wee hours of the night are calmest for art making in this house with busy on Spring Break boys, a wild woofing pup, and cat that sleeps atop me at night. That’s my day thus far, and a snapshot of what’s ahead. Saw the sun comin’ up from my bedroom window and said, “Good morning.” Needed that calm and peaceful moment to face what was comin’ next.

March 28, 2013

up and at ‘em
feet on the floor
children still sleepin’
dog and I
out the door

it’s half past six
there is a cold snap
in the air
we walk upon
the sidewalk
snow packed
here and there

we turn a corner
toward the park
the dog and I
on our favorite walk
there is pink mist
thick on the horizon
in front of us
on either side
me without my camera

then I look behind us
the dog wonders,
“Why did she stop?”
the sun was rising
fiery red shown
from behind the clouds
blending to pink
golden too somehow
spectacular
amazin’
so movin’
I said aloud,
“Thank you, God
Today is Yours.”

He is the Creator
The Greatest Artist
His palette holds
every color
His canvas is the sky
He created everything
even that dog
and me

March 27, 2013