Home from my week long Georgia mountain trip with my family. Big fun. I did have an elderly woman fall that left my son-in-law thinking I'd broken my neck. Mainly bruised hip and shoulder and my elderly ego. Good news: rest of trip I barely had to carry anything but did have to listen to cracks about falls...no pun intended.
Saw my old stomping grounds near Gainesville, Ga. Visited Babyland General, which our family helped build, due to Lucy's obsession with dolls. She got to revisit with 3 of her living dolls. Boys were not much interested in all the dolls. They did want a toy...$$$. They came away with the teeny tiniest ever baby doll inside a cabbage. We had to scoure the area the rest of the day to make sure the tiniest Real baby wasn't trying to choke on them.
Not trip to Helen Octoberfest complete without...The big guys introducing a brother to the joys of pooping in a port-a-potty. Thankfully I got to miss that show. Can you say hand sanitizer? Not to mention other parts that needed sanitizing!
Leaf colors changed overnight with the cooler temps and rain. Very beautiful driving home yesterday.
DukeBoy and I used a real life folding paper map. Drove down some country roads and cute towns to avoid Atlanta traffic and see the sights.
Oh, speaking of sights. The Richard Russell scenic highway in North Georgia is a beautiful way to get across the mountains. Make sure your brakes are good and your gas tank full.
My favorite food on our trip was the banana bread from the Sweetwater Cafe in Sautee, GA. I went there hoping to catch up with my old friend, Carolyn Wood Hayes. She is former owner. Sadly it didn't happen. Bread was marvelous though. If you see this Carolyn let me know. Would love to catch up.
Best cabin experience: Still Waters in Epworth, Ga. So lovely. Wonderful hot tub, porch, beds, great for kids, creek, swing, secluded. Found on Home Away by Cody.
Best view from dining room: Dillard House.
Best hikes: Tallulah Falls and Toccoa Falls.
Best place to buy apples: Mercier Farms
Good to be home. I like having a secluded spot to read, write and type.
Peace for your day. Clicking my red shoes...no place like home.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Friday, October 20, 2017
Early retirement is Grand x 3
Still loving that Pat Conroy book with reflections from his blog. Lucy promised she'd gather my journals and publish them after my demise. I'm not sure this was a genuine promise. She has inherited her DukeBoy Dad's flair for the sarcasm.
It took me longer to get blogging today. Made the mistake of checking email...It was good to learn to that I won't have to spend 30 minutes ironing the napkins for Thanksgiving. I can tie them in a knot. Thanks Martha. Not a joke except the ironing part. The knot looked pretty. Becca, if you read my wanderings please take this free tip since you are the Thanksgiving hostess.
Took the trek to Columbus yesterday to discover there are no Affordable Care Act options available to DukeBoy and me. Sad to lose the subsidy. I know many of you are fortunate to have coverage through work or retirement and don't struggle with the cost of health insurance. We are fortunate that we can return to DukeBoy's previous employer, but at double the cost we were paying. Choosing to retire before 65 has afforded us time to play with our grands before they head to school on a daily basis. It's worth it to us to double up on our insurance payments to pay for this luxury. Of course, it will come at the cost of making other decisions about how we spend our money.
Some of you reading this aren't able to make these choices...I'm sorry. $ can't replace grand #2 yelling to me from the other room before going to bathe, "Sughar, don't forget!! I love you!" Or "Ugh, Ugh, Ugh" that grand #3 serenaded his parents with at 5 A.M. He's learning to say, "Sughar". Smiles. Or Grand #1 asking to go to my house and play with me while his brothers are sleeping and Paw and his Momma are cooking. Of Course, we Can!!
Ok, I'll get off ACA but I am sad that the plans I made for retirement are sidetracked by those who don't have to buy their own insurance.
It's another gorgeous day on the Hooch. My grands are waiting to make my day grander.
Another great pleasure I receive daily is Garrison Keillor reading to me the Writer's Almanac.
Such a wonderful voice. ( Decided to leave on the underlining because it's making me a little crazy removing it!)
Only thing better
It took me longer to get blogging today. Made the mistake of checking email...It was good to learn to that I won't have to spend 30 minutes ironing the napkins for Thanksgiving. I can tie them in a knot. Thanks Martha. Not a joke except the ironing part. The knot looked pretty. Becca, if you read my wanderings please take this free tip since you are the Thanksgiving hostess.
Took the trek to Columbus yesterday to discover there are no Affordable Care Act options available to DukeBoy and me. Sad to lose the subsidy. I know many of you are fortunate to have coverage through work or retirement and don't struggle with the cost of health insurance. We are fortunate that we can return to DukeBoy's previous employer, but at double the cost we were paying. Choosing to retire before 65 has afforded us time to play with our grands before they head to school on a daily basis. It's worth it to us to double up on our insurance payments to pay for this luxury. Of course, it will come at the cost of making other decisions about how we spend our money.
Some of you reading this aren't able to make these choices...I'm sorry. $ can't replace grand #2 yelling to me from the other room before going to bathe, "Sughar, don't forget!! I love you!" Or "Ugh, Ugh, Ugh" that grand #3 serenaded his parents with at 5 A.M. He's learning to say, "Sughar". Smiles. Or Grand #1 asking to go to my house and play with me while his brothers are sleeping and Paw and his Momma are cooking. Of Course, we Can!!
Ok, I'll get off ACA but I am sad that the plans I made for retirement are sidetracked by those who don't have to buy their own insurance.
It's another gorgeous day on the Hooch. My grands are waiting to make my day grander.
Another great pleasure I receive daily is Garrison Keillor reading to me the Writer's Almanac.
Such a wonderful voice. ( Decided to leave on the underlining because it's making me a little crazy removing it!)
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Inspired by Pat Conroy
My morning read: A Low Country Heart by Pat Conroy. My Beach Music was signed by him during a good-bye Talladega party in the mid 90s. Our family was again following me to a new locale. Pat was charming and "became the room "as Sandra, his wife, describes in her introduction to this new read. Sandra, is the sister, of Nancy, who is now one of God's saints like Pat. Nancy, provided much love and light while we were neighbors in Talladega. I have a great story about bathing a cat that occurred at Nancy's house. Another day. Let's just say, "I don't ever have to bathe a cat again!!"
He's inspired me to blog again because this book is a collection of his blogs. He too wasn't enamored with technology. However, I do have a leg up on him with journaling. Lucy said when we were packing up my Mom's house. "I bet your Mom said every Christmas,'oh thank you, Karen, for another journal'." All the journals I'd given my Mom were neatly gathered and bereft of words except the ones I'd inscribed in my annual inspirational Merry Christmas sentiment. I took those journals home and am currently using them for myself...I always give ones that I'd like to have. Method...When we moved Lucy recently from across town to be my neighbor...guess what? Journals with inspirational messages that were given as Christmas, birthday, congratulations gifts. All bereft sans the page or two where she appeared to have truly tried to "get into" journaling.
While I'm typing my figures are itching to pick up my pen. Recently my thoughts have turned to creating a library spot for my journals. Ha. I must have read somewhere that someone did that. My Mom did but of course her's were empty. Most of mine are very well written perhaps even somewhat Pat Conroyish. Funny, filled with interesting antidotes that will later fill my books, right.
Perhaps the best thing about blogging is that you get to hit that publish button and others do read it. You, my blog followers, aren't the ones who approach me in Wal-mart or the halls of the nursing home and tell me that you miss my News articles. Those accolades inspire me.
We have a new editor at the Valley Times- News. He isn't aware of what a gifted columnist I am.
Our champion challenger of all things sacred, Cy Wood, is no longer editorializing Valley life. He is the reason I'm doing my "read through the Bible in a year". He threw down the gauntlet.
I'm in 2 Chronicles, started August 1st. Here's your challenge...It's pretty interesting and let's you know the world does go on despite our inability to follow God's lead.
Life is grand xs 3 here on the Hooch. DukeBoy aka Paw plays with TNT everyday. Swinging has nearly replaced car riding as a way to get these guys to nap. Luckily they are still young enough for bucket swings. It's quite sweet when their little heads finally drop into the coma of swing sleep.
Our newest sweetie is crawling and "being the room" with his charms and dimples. We have a plethora of dimples on the Hooch.
Peace for your day. Pat, I hope you have met my Dad and he's telling you some of his stories. I regret that I didn't listen as much as I could have. Glover, DukeBoy's Dad, has some great ones too.
Thanks for the inspiration.
He's inspired me to blog again because this book is a collection of his blogs. He too wasn't enamored with technology. However, I do have a leg up on him with journaling. Lucy said when we were packing up my Mom's house. "I bet your Mom said every Christmas,'oh thank you, Karen, for another journal'." All the journals I'd given my Mom were neatly gathered and bereft of words except the ones I'd inscribed in my annual inspirational Merry Christmas sentiment. I took those journals home and am currently using them for myself...I always give ones that I'd like to have. Method...When we moved Lucy recently from across town to be my neighbor...guess what? Journals with inspirational messages that were given as Christmas, birthday, congratulations gifts. All bereft sans the page or two where she appeared to have truly tried to "get into" journaling.
While I'm typing my figures are itching to pick up my pen. Recently my thoughts have turned to creating a library spot for my journals. Ha. I must have read somewhere that someone did that. My Mom did but of course her's were empty. Most of mine are very well written perhaps even somewhat Pat Conroyish. Funny, filled with interesting antidotes that will later fill my books, right.
Perhaps the best thing about blogging is that you get to hit that publish button and others do read it. You, my blog followers, aren't the ones who approach me in Wal-mart or the halls of the nursing home and tell me that you miss my News articles. Those accolades inspire me.
We have a new editor at the Valley Times- News. He isn't aware of what a gifted columnist I am.
Our champion challenger of all things sacred, Cy Wood, is no longer editorializing Valley life. He is the reason I'm doing my "read through the Bible in a year". He threw down the gauntlet.
I'm in 2 Chronicles, started August 1st. Here's your challenge...It's pretty interesting and let's you know the world does go on despite our inability to follow God's lead.
Life is grand xs 3 here on the Hooch. DukeBoy aka Paw plays with TNT everyday. Swinging has nearly replaced car riding as a way to get these guys to nap. Luckily they are still young enough for bucket swings. It's quite sweet when their little heads finally drop into the coma of swing sleep.
Our newest sweetie is crawling and "being the room" with his charms and dimples. We have a plethora of dimples on the Hooch.
Peace for your day. Pat, I hope you have met my Dad and he's telling you some of his stories. I regret that I didn't listen as much as I could have. Glover, DukeBoy's Dad, has some great ones too.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
August gardening in Georgia
Yes, I'm alive! and up in the night!
I got a Mac so I'm not sure if I can make this work or not. This is all supposed to be easier. We'll see??
Worked in my front garden for 3 hours yesterday. No humidity. 1 bazillion weeds pulled. Clipped seed from all my coneflowers and blanket flowers. Aggravated hummingbirds by pulling up the vine that bears their name. It should be called smothering blanket vine. All over the place.
Gardening like childbirth. No memory of what August was like in the past or I'd never have planted a thing. Too sad to watch it all die because I missed a day or 3 of watering.
Weather was perfect to garden in yesterday. Cloudy, cool, breezy. 3 wheelbarrows full of weeds to the street. Only quit because I'd used up all my bend-overs for the day.
New neighbors make life pretty awesome on the Hooch. All my grands and their parents. Makes life easier when one brother changes his mind about spending the night. Walk across the yard and get the screamer so he can see his Paw. Never mind that it's his Sughar who is carrying him across the yard in the dark. Also great to walk next door for butter, salad dressing or whatever thing that will make life easier at the other house. "Please buy me some bacon when you go to the store. I have a box of summer tomatoes."
My heart goes out to the people in Texas. I remember watching flood waters rise. They didn't get to my house but it was anxiety provoking wondering what if? UMCOR with the UMC church is a good place to donate money. Our family did disaster relief in Ocean Spring, MS for them a few years ago. They do good work.
Returning to bed now. Maybe I'll sleep. Grateful for a dry house. Peace.
I got a Mac so I'm not sure if I can make this work or not. This is all supposed to be easier. We'll see??
Worked in my front garden for 3 hours yesterday. No humidity. 1 bazillion weeds pulled. Clipped seed from all my coneflowers and blanket flowers. Aggravated hummingbirds by pulling up the vine that bears their name. It should be called smothering blanket vine. All over the place.
Gardening like childbirth. No memory of what August was like in the past or I'd never have planted a thing. Too sad to watch it all die because I missed a day or 3 of watering.
Weather was perfect to garden in yesterday. Cloudy, cool, breezy. 3 wheelbarrows full of weeds to the street. Only quit because I'd used up all my bend-overs for the day.
New neighbors make life pretty awesome on the Hooch. All my grands and their parents. Makes life easier when one brother changes his mind about spending the night. Walk across the yard and get the screamer so he can see his Paw. Never mind that it's his Sughar who is carrying him across the yard in the dark. Also great to walk next door for butter, salad dressing or whatever thing that will make life easier at the other house. "Please buy me some bacon when you go to the store. I have a box of summer tomatoes."
My heart goes out to the people in Texas. I remember watching flood waters rise. They didn't get to my house but it was anxiety provoking wondering what if? UMCOR with the UMC church is a good place to donate money. Our family did disaster relief in Ocean Spring, MS for them a few years ago. They do good work.
Returning to bed now. Maybe I'll sleep. Grateful for a dry house. Peace.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Happy Easter
Easter eve. If tomorrow is more beautiful my heart may burst.
Of course, this is assuming I'll get out of bed tomorrow. 10,000 steps on my Fitbit . Most of them from bending, twisting, toting and planting in my garden. What a day to be on the Hooch. Zero humidity...or at least it felt that way. Remember social work school. Not weather school or whatever the name of that profession is?? Visited Ponders' nursery yesterday. Good thing I have 2 car seats in my back seat now or I'd still be digging.
Ok my big news is that I'm Sughar to three boys now. So fun to have a snuggly baby to go with those two barely sit in your lap three- year- olds. He is a good baby...no gas stations have been robbed, however, he only sleeps for about four hours which is pretty amazing for someone barely seven weeks old. His brothers love him and he definitely knows when they're in the room.
Our non-flash light egg hunt with the cousins was fun. Daylight savings time makes sunset very difficult to wait for when you are 3 and can see some of the eggs from the porch. Sughar declared the sunset on the Hooch and time to hunt! It was my party and we can hunt if I want to! It was a good call to hunt and not wait. Swinging with our neon glowing bracelets was more fun then carrying a flashlight and a basket and running at full tilt trying to avoid other 3 year olds. Our cousins helped make the evening lots of fun and a sugar high was had by all. 60+ eggs later.
T-ball, thanks to Duffey's Pest Control, is who-lare-re-us. Most of the kids on the Pirates are 3. So funny seeing them decide which way they're gonna run when they FINALLY hit the ball. Some of them run to the infield to retrieve the ball Finally hit. Sometimes they are the only one that has noticed it was Finally hit. Dirt in the in-field is fascinating to 3-year-olds.
Retired life is still good. Lots of time to play with all 3 boys. Sleep, read and now garden again.
Happy Easter to all of you. Prayers for peace.
Of course, this is assuming I'll get out of bed tomorrow. 10,000 steps on my Fitbit . Most of them from bending, twisting, toting and planting in my garden. What a day to be on the Hooch. Zero humidity...or at least it felt that way. Remember social work school. Not weather school or whatever the name of that profession is?? Visited Ponders' nursery yesterday. Good thing I have 2 car seats in my back seat now or I'd still be digging.
Ok my big news is that I'm Sughar to three boys now. So fun to have a snuggly baby to go with those two barely sit in your lap three- year- olds. He is a good baby...no gas stations have been robbed, however, he only sleeps for about four hours which is pretty amazing for someone barely seven weeks old. His brothers love him and he definitely knows when they're in the room.
Our non-flash light egg hunt with the cousins was fun. Daylight savings time makes sunset very difficult to wait for when you are 3 and can see some of the eggs from the porch. Sughar declared the sunset on the Hooch and time to hunt! It was my party and we can hunt if I want to! It was a good call to hunt and not wait. Swinging with our neon glowing bracelets was more fun then carrying a flashlight and a basket and running at full tilt trying to avoid other 3 year olds. Our cousins helped make the evening lots of fun and a sugar high was had by all. 60+ eggs later.
T-ball, thanks to Duffey's Pest Control, is who-lare-re-us. Most of the kids on the Pirates are 3. So funny seeing them decide which way they're gonna run when they FINALLY hit the ball. Some of them run to the infield to retrieve the ball Finally hit. Sometimes they are the only one that has noticed it was Finally hit. Dirt in the in-field is fascinating to 3-year-olds.
Retired life is still good. Lots of time to play with all 3 boys. Sleep, read and now garden again.
Happy Easter to all of you. Prayers for peace.
Friday, December 9, 2016
First family retired Christmas for EBs
Yes, I'm still alive. Busy e ness. You know what I mean. I wrote this for our local paper and thought I'd share with the rest of you who take time from your Busy e ness to ready my ramblings.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Christmas time in the small town…sat on the tool box of the
old red Glover pickup last night to watch the Christmas parade go by…drank a
free cup of hot chocolate from a local church…drove around looking at “holiday
houses” and small town Christmas street lights…admired Baby Jesus and his
family on the dry hillside in Langdale…viewed the “horsey-go-round”. While
having dinner with a friend this week we discussed our love of this town,
actually Valley area. She and I live in
two separate towns. We can get anywhere we want in about 10 minutes unless
there’s a train-for me. We know most of the people we bank, church, shop with
and we see most of them again at church . She grew up here but I didn’t.
I first came to this
Valley in the late 70s to see a boy whom I’d date a little at Alabama. His
parents made me feel welcome. The youth at Lanett UMC did the same when I
attended the Lay Witness Mission weekend.
Forty years after our first date we are still together, Veasey Creek was
where we got engaged, and we’ll celebrate 35 years of marriage on December 20th. We are now in our 6th month of
both of us living together as retired people. “How is that working out? “The
most asked question when we run into friends in Walmart, Kroger, church.
My Advent devotion this morning was how most of us keep
asking God to forgive us for the same old sins. So true…retirement is about the
same old sins. However, this week Donnie aka Dukeboy, has engaged in some new
behaviors. He’s been assisting in the
assembly of a wooden swing set for our most precious twin grands in the
world. Today they are assembling the
twisty slide. His partner in this effort, the man with the tools and experience
in construction, has decided to not make a career of swing set assemble. Dukeboy is retired and plans to stay that
way. Good thing he loves those grands
which is motivating on this 32 degree day to show up and assemble the twirly
slide. Prayers that it will come together beautifully. We, the family, would
like to have a big reveal for the grands today.
They love their yard and have missed their play place aka construction
zone.
My new retirement behaviors are…vacationed for a week with
girlfriends, gave up gardening due to the drought, did grow lettuce in my pots
out front which is probably frozen this morning, called about piano lessons…no
teacher yet, trekked to Tuscaloosa twice for football games…this is one more
than we usually attend. (We picked a good year to go twice. Roll Tide.)
While I write this I’m looking around my house at my Santas
and Baby Jesus Boys. It always make me
smile to unpack them. Lugging the boxes
up the steps is not as entertaining. I
walked four miles last Friday carrying boxes back and forth. It was such fun though to see the grands
looking at each one and asking to hold them.
I do have a “holdable” group. My
prayers for you this Christmas are that you are part of a holdable group that
keeps you smiling and enjoying the warmth and love of this season. Peace from
the Valley…and West Point, Lanett and…..
Friday, August 5, 2016
Discoveries from the retired folks
Yes, we are
still retired. We don’t have paying jobs
anymore. What are we doing with our time? Mainly playing. It is a time of
discovery. Discovering things such as…do
not take twin two year old boys to find Dory. She is still lost as far as I’m
concerned. However, I was able to find a
small shoe, a bobo (pacifier), and my dignity…it too was under the theatre
seats. It was near the area I crawled
around with my phone light trying to locate the afore mentioned objects. A lady
sitting near the area was very nice and offered to help me instead of calling
the police to report a weirdo crawling near her leg in a dark theatre.
On that same trip we discovered there are
booster seats located outside theatre doors.
These are what evidently keeps children from being swallowed by the thwonging
flip up seats. We once served a church
that had theatre seats…the mother of these two boys was also once swallowed by
a thwonging theatre seat. Hers was
during a hymn in the worship service so her screams were muffled…the lights
were also on… Note to self. It is much
easier to extract a distraught toddler from a thwonged theatre seat in the
light…this might have caused the FIRST shoe loss. Perhaps the reason that we
didn’t see the booster seats were #1 toddler on hip, #2popcorn bucket in hand, #3large
purse containing toddler cups, 2 of the most expensive bottled waters ever, snack cups, boot-legged reasonably priced chocolate,
bobos, wipes, cell phone with flashlight, lots of cash for discount theatre day
#4other toddler on Dukeboy hip, #5 dimly lit hallways designed for people with
younger eyes. I neglected to mention that we noticed the seats when other
people were carrying them in for their young children…we had lots of time to
notice because the previews which are usually 20 minutes long were 30 minutes…are
you kidding me? Do these movie planners
have toddlers?
We thought
we had this theatre thing locked up… we’d had lunch at a burger joint with a
playground. A massive, wonderful playground. Get them tired before a relaxing
movie. All I can think of though is “Where’s
the Beef?” I’ve never been to a chain restaurant where they were “out of beef”. Chicken is good there though. Did I say wonderful playground? Actually massive is the best
description. Dukeboy went up top and I
stayed on the ground. Next time I’m
taking the top. Did I mention this was a
MASSIVE playground? It must have eight slides!!! On all four sides, and a fort
underneath. God is merciful though. The
only other children there left shortly before after our arrival. Their parents probably were beef eaters. I
enjoy other kids too but when you are trying to eyeball Two Two-year- olds it’s
much easier when you only have those two to choose from. Did I also mention this was July and I was
sweating profusely after all that fun on the MASSIVE playground? Time for a cool relaxing movie, ha!
We also
discovered since retirement some of the best entertainment is in our own
backyard. This news is for another day.
Thanks to all of you who attended Dukeboy’s last sermon and retirement
party. We had friends from every church
we’ve served. Wonderful food and lots of well wishes. It was a great day to
start retirement.
Karen
Erwin-Brown is a retired preacher’s wife, retired therapist, and full-time
Sughar of twin two year-olds. She lives on the Chattahoochee with her retired
preacher.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Porch sitting news
Porch sitting. The choo-choo is blowing by on the other side
of the Hooch. Pine straw awaits
spreading. Two bales a day is my limit. Playing with boys is more fun than that
job. Birds chirping…please get off that branch and eat some grasshoppers! Yes,
those buggers are back. Conventions
being held at various places in the yard planning which flower to chew next.
All the rain has things wonderfully green including the weeds which of course
grasshoppers don’t eat.
Winds of change about to blow through this porch. Rev. Donnie Erwin-Brown, aka DukeBoy is
retiring. June 12 at 11 A.M. is his last
sermon at Shawmut UMC. I hope all of you
who have shared this journey of his ministry will come to hear that
sermon. Many will be listening from The
Church Triumphant, aka the Saints, many of whom DukeBoy has said final words
over. We hope to see some of those
babies he’s baptized, couples he’s married, and kids he’s helped raise. Donnie has served five United Methodist
Churches in his thirty years : Pell City, East Lake, Lanett 1st, Harrington
Heights and Shawmut. He also directed
the dining hall of the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega and was
Headmaster of the Episcopal Day School in Talladega. He’s done a great job of feeding people over
the years…a husband who loves to cook is truly a gift from God. Many of you had
his food even if you didn’t hold membership with the UMCers. Come and help celebrate his ministry. He will
be tickled to see you. His retirement plans are to play with the boys. They do love their Paw.
Someone said to me the other day..."You won't be a
preacher's wife anymore.” Had to put my thinking cap on for that one…married 34
years…I remember slinging my stuff into boxes on the move to Pell City and
thinking “I hate to move. I’m marrying a UMC minister. They move a lot.”
Fortunately, Donnie has had relatively long pastorates so we haven’t moved a
lot. We’ve actually lived in our current
home for fifteen years. Our third
“owned”home. We’ve also shared an apartment and two parsonages. Fortunately being a preacher’s wife has given
me friends in several churches and cities.
Two of the counseling jobs I held were housed in the churches we served:
East Lake and Shawmut. East Lake helped
raise my baby for 7 years with a daycare and a school on site. Guess there are
lots of reasons to be glad to be a preacher’s wife.
Not sure what the future holds for this family but like the
song says, “I know who holds the future”. Thanks to all of you who have loved
our family through the years. Food,
fellowship, shared worship, fundraising, mission trips, funerals, weddings,
baptisms. Several of you have asked,
“Where are you going to go to church?” The answer is??? We’ve never had this as
a question. We will visit and save that decision for a later time. Hope to see many of you while we think on
it. Peace for the journey and thanks to
all of you who’ve been a part of it for our family.
Don’t forget June 12 at 11AM eastern time. Donnie Erwin-Brown preaches his final sermon
“on the payroll” as a UMC minister, Shawmut UMC in Valley, AL. There will be a reception from 12 to 2:30
following the service for those of you who have commitments at other
churches. Hope you will come and hug his
neck. If you have a memory to share via email or a picture to send for a memory
book please send to Lucy at theroysters@charter.net.
RSVP to Karen at rivgarden@charter.net or 706-518-0640.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Barely February...or how I nearly swam through January
Retired for nearly a year now. “Time doesn’t fly…it zooms” to quote my older
beautiful sister. She has a January
birthday. People ask me what I do now
that I’m retired. I stop to think…well,
play…pick up toys, make cheese sandwiches, dance, sing, laugh, redirect, and
laugh, play …yep, that’s about it. I do
read at night. Not writing as much. Write cards to friends.
My bucket list must have a hole in it …learn to play the
piano, garden more, go to Paris, singing lessons, have coffee with friends…all
those were there. I’m sure I’ll add more
and perhaps do some of those.
I do “play” in the
nursery for English as a Second Language.
On Tuesdays from 10 to 12 at Shawmut UMC in Valley. Even when we don’t have customers I can to
play with my Grandtwins for two hours.
Cool, I know!
The Naomi group for widows meets the second Thursday evening
of each month at 6 PM at Shawmut UMC.
Donnie and I come to support…they really do their own leadership now. A meal is served and we provide support for
those who are recently widowed. It’s
free and open to the public.
Our house was quite lively during the game for the National
Championship. The loud noises you heard
were from our porch. Donnie was pretty
excited to say the least. Roll
Tide.
We did have a few days were I thought we might get washed
downstream with all the December rains.
Always interesting to see flocks of geese swimming where dry land is
supposed to be. Also watching a crane
look for fish on our land/water park.
This weekend promises more rain but no snow for us. Boo.
Would like to play in snow with the boys. They got new coats and boots for Christmas
that need testing.
I’m still cooking.
Seems that most of my Wednesday family concoctions have an Asian
flair. Perhaps I’m just good at stir-fry? I do like chicken and rice and vegies. Had a great meal with some new Korean
friends. Glad I spend time in the floor
with boys because we sat on the floor for the Korean lunch. Delicious food and lovely people. It takes a lot of energy to communicate when
the languages are different but well worth the effort. Can’t imagine their side of it since they
have to communicate with almost everyone in English and I just have them. Their brains must grow weary of the
effort.
It’s now February and I’m still working on this …Had a
marvelous day of gardening on Saturday.
Picture perfect weather. Watched
an eagle, two hawks and a bluebird fly over me.
The bluebird sought safety and the woods were strangely while the big
birds were about. Planted some bulbs
that I hope will have enough cold to draw flowering strength.
Great porch visit
last night from the boys and their sweet parents. Warm enough for an impromptu meal out
there. Twins ate their meal from their own small
table. Did I mention they are precious
and sweet? Well, I should have and I
did.
Hope all of you venture outside a little on these spring
like days. Know that I’m well, happy and
retired. Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts. Peace from the Hooch.
This will also appear in the Valley-Times News.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
How I spent December..I know you wondered??
It's a sunny 35 degrees at nearly 11AM and I'm still in my jammies.
Learning how to use Windows 10. I am too old. Never read the Windows 8 for Seniors--not high schoolers...All my computers skills are self taught...so glad that fact goes undetected. I'm proud I have a SMART phone that I can use to get to the internet while my laptop is circling...you know what I mean...the little "o" that orbits for hours on end...like being on hold with the cable company without all the free commercials for products giving comfort while you wait to talk to a human.
Enough about that...found my blog again after 4 months absence. Some of you must have missed me because 301 of you still looked at the old stuff last month. I'm back with more cheery family updates, helpful hints, where I ate and ate and ate, number of Christmas tubs in the basement and...
news on the flooding of the HOOCH!
Did you think it would ever stop raining? Today the Hooch is in the banks at my house. Not so for most of last week. Geese held a dance party on the lawn/lake with about 20 happy honkers over the weekend. Think it was all those who couldn't get enough of New Year's Eve. Also saw a crane, many white seagulls??, two eagles, a flock of blue jays, and a flock of black birds--I didn't see the one that pooped a berry on my head in my back garden.
Little Hedgies loved exploring all the puddles in the garden with their new winter boots. So precious in their silly monster toboggans especially when they get that one-eyed pirate look going.
Christmas was such fun this year. Did Callaway lights in convertible again. Also Nativity at Nazarene Church. Merry-go-round. Lights at Sughar's--had boys take turns helping me turn on all my lights in my house...I now know why it takes Callaway so long to get theirs on. It took me about 10 minutes to do 4 rooms. Maybe I'll be on one of those "Great Light Fight" shows next year. Ha.
Special evening at Lagrange College hearing their lessons and carols service. RJ has gotten me there for 2 years but alas she's leaving us for God's country--T-town not heaven. Perhaps she'll return during the holidays next year for that special treat. Additional joy comes from the carol singing that happens from the audience--wonderful.
Fun Christmas party with my NYC niece, sister, all the Hedgies and Duke Boy at the Montgomery Zoo. Beautiful non-rainy day for Zoo light safari. Did the combo ticket to see animals first, then rode train to see the lights. Great way to do a family Christmas gathering. Super play ground. Boys did all the slides to the waiting mud puddles. We were at the zoo so the mud wallowing critters didn't care if we weren't cleaner than them.
Also had fun seeing my beautiful Mom and sister's family in December.
Sadly,the flooding washed away a Christmas weekend gathering.
Thanks to Duke Boy for lovely Advent services at Shawmut UMC. Our church was lovely with a Christmon Tree, poinsettias, and dear friends. Christmas Eve service was washed out.
Sad but we did get to see Santa ride by inside the firetruck. Too much bad weather to sit on top.
Guess that was another light event. Love standing in the dark driveway waiting for Santa to flood our street with lights and sirens. Very cool. The little Hedges did a lot of puddle jumping then too.
Well that was my December along with few other parties, lovely gifts and too much food. Food made me remember the discovery of "deep fried bacon". It is literally to die FROM...ate it twice..once at Acre in Auburn for our anniversary and again on Christmas Eve during our family time.
Peace and joy in 2016.
Learning how to use Windows 10. I am too old. Never read the Windows 8 for Seniors--not high schoolers...All my computers skills are self taught...so glad that fact goes undetected. I'm proud I have a SMART phone that I can use to get to the internet while my laptop is circling...you know what I mean...the little "o" that orbits for hours on end...like being on hold with the cable company without all the free commercials for products giving comfort while you wait to talk to a human.
Enough about that...found my blog again after 4 months absence. Some of you must have missed me because 301 of you still looked at the old stuff last month. I'm back with more cheery family updates, helpful hints, where I ate and ate and ate, number of Christmas tubs in the basement and...
news on the flooding of the HOOCH!
Did you think it would ever stop raining? Today the Hooch is in the banks at my house. Not so for most of last week. Geese held a dance party on the lawn/lake with about 20 happy honkers over the weekend. Think it was all those who couldn't get enough of New Year's Eve. Also saw a crane, many white seagulls??, two eagles, a flock of blue jays, and a flock of black birds--I didn't see the one that pooped a berry on my head in my back garden.
Little Hedgies loved exploring all the puddles in the garden with their new winter boots. So precious in their silly monster toboggans especially when they get that one-eyed pirate look going.
Christmas was such fun this year. Did Callaway lights in convertible again. Also Nativity at Nazarene Church. Merry-go-round. Lights at Sughar's--had boys take turns helping me turn on all my lights in my house...I now know why it takes Callaway so long to get theirs on. It took me about 10 minutes to do 4 rooms. Maybe I'll be on one of those "Great Light Fight" shows next year. Ha.
Special evening at Lagrange College hearing their lessons and carols service. RJ has gotten me there for 2 years but alas she's leaving us for God's country--T-town not heaven. Perhaps she'll return during the holidays next year for that special treat. Additional joy comes from the carol singing that happens from the audience--wonderful.
Fun Christmas party with my NYC niece, sister, all the Hedgies and Duke Boy at the Montgomery Zoo. Beautiful non-rainy day for Zoo light safari. Did the combo ticket to see animals first, then rode train to see the lights. Great way to do a family Christmas gathering. Super play ground. Boys did all the slides to the waiting mud puddles. We were at the zoo so the mud wallowing critters didn't care if we weren't cleaner than them.
Also had fun seeing my beautiful Mom and sister's family in December.
Sadly,the flooding washed away a Christmas weekend gathering.
Thanks to Duke Boy for lovely Advent services at Shawmut UMC. Our church was lovely with a Christmon Tree, poinsettias, and dear friends. Christmas Eve service was washed out.
Sad but we did get to see Santa ride by inside the firetruck. Too much bad weather to sit on top.
Guess that was another light event. Love standing in the dark driveway waiting for Santa to flood our street with lights and sirens. Very cool. The little Hedges did a lot of puddle jumping then too.
Well that was my December along with few other parties, lovely gifts and too much food. Food made me remember the discovery of "deep fried bacon". It is literally to die FROM...ate it twice..once at Acre in Auburn for our anniversary and again on Christmas Eve during our family time.
Peace and joy in 2016.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Birth Month news
Sitting on my porch listening to music drift down the river. Not sure of its source. Kinda cool. What a lovely fall day. You may remember that since October is my birth month that I assume God created the whole month for me. As a little girl the State Fair was always on my birthday. For me! All this gold, blue, green, yellow, pink, purple in my garden accompanied by the cool breeze on my porch...must be for me!! My world is big enough to share. Enjoy.
Commerce must rest a little on Sundays. This morning I'm hearing trucks amongst the bird songs. Leaves are falling like gentle rain from my oaks. DukeBoy and I returned to our walking routine this morning...can tell I was off a week. Hip didn't like it. I didn't stretch before going...
Big week for my brother and sister-in-law and their sons with the opening of the movie, "Woodlawn". Lots of good publicity . Hope it's a hit. Check it out if you want to see a football story with a Christian message. I haven't seen it yet.
Prayers for old friends whose parents are ill. Good news is that in heaven at the customer service window I expect that all questions will just be "hugged out". Know I will need it. God will probably be glad to do a face to face loving eyeball of me instead of a continual ear bending to my complaints about this glorious world he gave me. (Currently at least 4 different bird calls happening.)
Our precious little BW died last Monday while I was out of town. House is very quiet without her. She never barked but always managed to be wherever you were. She loved us for just shy of 13 years. DukeBoy and Rockman gave her a teary burial. I was out of town.
Good visits with college roomie. Treated like Queen for a couple of days. Thanks for the hospitality.
Great wedding of dear beautiful lady. Wish much happiness to Margaret and Earl. First wedding I've attended wearing my new rain boots. Aging is grand. Makes you as brave as a teen-ager but with appropriate caution.
Our grands continue being grand. Surprising me daily with their cuteness and love and new ways to defy gravity.
Commerce must rest a little on Sundays. This morning I'm hearing trucks amongst the bird songs. Leaves are falling like gentle rain from my oaks. DukeBoy and I returned to our walking routine this morning...can tell I was off a week. Hip didn't like it. I didn't stretch before going...
Big week for my brother and sister-in-law and their sons with the opening of the movie, "Woodlawn". Lots of good publicity . Hope it's a hit. Check it out if you want to see a football story with a Christian message. I haven't seen it yet.
Prayers for old friends whose parents are ill. Good news is that in heaven at the customer service window I expect that all questions will just be "hugged out". Know I will need it. God will probably be glad to do a face to face loving eyeball of me instead of a continual ear bending to my complaints about this glorious world he gave me. (Currently at least 4 different bird calls happening.)
Our precious little BW died last Monday while I was out of town. House is very quiet without her. She never barked but always managed to be wherever you were. She loved us for just shy of 13 years. DukeBoy and Rockman gave her a teary burial. I was out of town.
Good visits with college roomie. Treated like Queen for a couple of days. Thanks for the hospitality.
Great wedding of dear beautiful lady. Wish much happiness to Margaret and Earl. First wedding I've attended wearing my new rain boots. Aging is grand. Makes you as brave as a teen-ager but with appropriate caution.
Our grands continue being grand. Surprising me daily with their cuteness and love and new ways to defy gravity.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Grateful for small town grandliving
I do love small town life. DukeBoy and I are walking pretty regularly now and he's taken me to many places I've never been. Some I won't return to without my protector with his cane aka dog stick. This girl isn't a fan of large dogs--two dog bites--under my belt so to speak--the backside of it.
So far we haven't encountered anybody who wanted to chase us, unless you count a Jack Russell puppy and a baby kitten. Not scary.
DukeBoy loves to take me uphill--think it's so I'll shut up because I can't talk...hmm...
Good people in this town too. Good encounter with Officer Robinson in West Point. He didn't give me a ticket after disagreeing with him about my seatbelt usage. I'm a fanatic seatbelt wearer but I do occasionally need to pull it off my chest on a hot day--this evidently looks a lot like fastening to a police officer who is doing checks from hidden streets. I was glad to not have to see the inside of the WP jail. We were both very polite. I've written gratitude notes to Officer Robinson and to the Chief of Police about my experience.
Another great encounter at the Valley Wal-Mart with Shay and Ron. Both were at the checkout counters. Shay invited me to her register for check out. Ron immediately stepped over from his unoccupied register and began to scan the large items in my buggy so I wouldn't have to put them on the belt. Shared with them how impressed I was with their service. It was the first time I'd ever had that experience with buggy service at Wal-Mart. They were quite friendly and jolly. Both were fit and trim--I know we normally equate jolly with Santa-sized people. Time to work on my gratitude notes for them.
Life with Hedgies continues being amazing. They are very smart, loving, and energetic. Both crawled in my lap frequently yesterday while we were playing. Today is their 18 month birthday .
Having fun with cooking. Hedgie Girl and I are cooking together on Wednesdays now while the boys have their afternoon nap or no nap in the cribs. We are 3 for 3 on successful dinners. 1 Pioneer Woman chicken enchiladas, 2 Southern Livings: Mushroom Stroganoff and a Pork Stir-fry. Time to open the restaurant...that may have to come when the boys are old enough to bus tables. They are learning to pick up toys so maybe that won't be too far off.
Here we are playing with "My Buddy" from Hedgie Girl's doll playing days. They are fascinated for about 5 minutes with the moveable eyes. Adult- sized Hedgie Boy thinks this looks like "Chuckie" so it's not allowed at his house.
Share with folks your notes of gratitude. Look for places to be grateful this week. Notice the good stuff.
So far we haven't encountered anybody who wanted to chase us, unless you count a Jack Russell puppy and a baby kitten. Not scary.
DukeBoy loves to take me uphill--think it's so I'll shut up because I can't talk...hmm...
Good people in this town too. Good encounter with Officer Robinson in West Point. He didn't give me a ticket after disagreeing with him about my seatbelt usage. I'm a fanatic seatbelt wearer but I do occasionally need to pull it off my chest on a hot day--this evidently looks a lot like fastening to a police officer who is doing checks from hidden streets. I was glad to not have to see the inside of the WP jail. We were both very polite. I've written gratitude notes to Officer Robinson and to the Chief of Police about my experience.
Another great encounter at the Valley Wal-Mart with Shay and Ron. Both were at the checkout counters. Shay invited me to her register for check out. Ron immediately stepped over from his unoccupied register and began to scan the large items in my buggy so I wouldn't have to put them on the belt. Shared with them how impressed I was with their service. It was the first time I'd ever had that experience with buggy service at Wal-Mart. They were quite friendly and jolly. Both were fit and trim--I know we normally equate jolly with Santa-sized people. Time to work on my gratitude notes for them.
Life with Hedgies continues being amazing. They are very smart, loving, and energetic. Both crawled in my lap frequently yesterday while we were playing. Today is their 18 month birthday .
Having fun with cooking. Hedgie Girl and I are cooking together on Wednesdays now while the boys have their afternoon nap or no nap in the cribs. We are 3 for 3 on successful dinners. 1 Pioneer Woman chicken enchiladas, 2 Southern Livings: Mushroom Stroganoff and a Pork Stir-fry. Time to open the restaurant...that may have to come when the boys are old enough to bus tables. They are learning to pick up toys so maybe that won't be too far off.
Share with folks your notes of gratitude. Look for places to be grateful this week. Notice the good stuff.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Command performance
Letting the sprinkler do my job tonight. Taking time to catch up on my writing. Fishermen speeding back up the river to enjoy
their catch or swap lies? Porch is just
tolerable from this day of near 100s.
Birds and tree frogs happy with my sprinkler. Hope the plants will express their gratitude
by morning. Currently it’s a sad droopy
display.
Many of you have asked how I’m liking retirement. I’m fairing much better than my plants. Most of the hemisphere knows I have twin
grandsons—16 months old. Finally got
their superman capes finished. Velcro
and 4th of July T shirts.
Super easy. Thanks to idea of
Mumpsey in Birmingham. She has a year of experience on me in the grand
mothering world. Not sure if twins count
double like going to church twice on Sunday?
Back to capes. Boys don theirs
and prance around the room to the Superman theme. They can even hum some of it now. We are trying to learn it on the drum. #1 Hedgie Boy was pretty impressive with that
today in front of friends. His mom was taking
a nap so she will just say, “of Course, he did”, when she reads this. Hedge #2 can get his cape off
unassisted. I’m happy to say he still
has eyebrows. His favorite part of cape
wearing is sucking on the Velcro. Or so
it seems. I wish I could get in these
little heads some days. I could only
hope to discover they adore me half as much as I do them.
Paw has become “go Duke”.
They learned to say this during the NCAA tournament, which Duke
won. That’s for those of you who haven’t
seen DukeBoy recently. Now when they see
their Paw he is often “go Duke”. The
Duke hats in their Easter Basket reinforced this cuteness. If it’s possible that Paw could be more
smitten than me with these boys then I’d say he is.
They love our porch as much as we do. There are many hidey holes and lots of toys
to keep them interested. When it’s not
too hot most of our meals are here. Little BW loves this because the boys throw
food from their chairs. It’s great to
not have to vacuum. She’s not a fan of
fried okra though as evidently the boys aren’t either some days…sweeping. Otherwise the ants, that are smaller than the
grains of rice that the New Testament gets written on, come for a visit. I picked up what I thought was a large crumb
from the porch tablecloth. It was 1,
000, 000 ants. Those buggers bite too
especially if you interrupt their meal time.
Renewing friendships has occupied some of my retired time.
It’s great to have time to visit and not have to worry about what work I need
to catch up on. I’ve also taken up
something rather bizarre. Are you
sitting? I’m cooking some. I know…hard to believe??? Kind of fun.
Peace to all of you from the banks of the Hooch. Special
prayers for those facing losses of loved ones.
Karen Erwin-Brown is a stay-at-home Double Sughar to twin
grandsons. She spends her retirement
playing, gardening—picking up dead plants—in this heat, and enjoying beating
her husband at Canasta.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Saturday morning on the Hooch
Chilly( no winged creatures out) on the porch.
Geese honking, birds--lots of birds--chirping up the sun, NoName sideling by the back steps--hunting, flowers in little pots awaiting my presence..."put me in the pot that the squirrel digs in ...please! I like lying upside down on the blazing hot sidewalk for several hours until you come home again."
Great fun day with DukeBoy yesterday. Riding the back road of Highway 29N. Stopped in a couple of stores for bargain hunting--"junque" stores. Lunch at Sprayberry's in Newnan, old school variety. Bar-b-que was fab. Then on to our friends at Southern Roots--like a salad bar of wonderful living plants. Then to downtown Newnan. What a hopping place. Ken's Bargain Store, it's a variety of treasures. Did make a purchase at a thrift store in Hogansville on the way home. Lovely crystal wine glasses that match my one- piece- at- a- time etched flower glasses of all varieties that I love to hunt. They were only $3.95 for 4!! Psyched!
Sad news on the way home. My sister has a kidney stone. Hoping it's out by the time I'm writing this. She is my beautiful older sister who makes Jane Fonda look like a hag. She is younger than Jane but has less resources for beauty alterations available to her. She's also married to the same man for nearly 50 years.
Time to plant!
Peace for your day. Had lots of fun with the littlest Hedgies this week. They like to don a blankie and run around the room while you hum the Superman theme song. Too precious.
Geese honking, birds--lots of birds--chirping up the sun, NoName sideling by the back steps--hunting, flowers in little pots awaiting my presence..."put me in the pot that the squirrel digs in ...please! I like lying upside down on the blazing hot sidewalk for several hours until you come home again."
Great fun day with DukeBoy yesterday. Riding the back road of Highway 29N. Stopped in a couple of stores for bargain hunting--"junque" stores. Lunch at Sprayberry's in Newnan, old school variety. Bar-b-que was fab. Then on to our friends at Southern Roots--like a salad bar of wonderful living plants. Then to downtown Newnan. What a hopping place. Ken's Bargain Store, it's a variety of treasures. Did make a purchase at a thrift store in Hogansville on the way home. Lovely crystal wine glasses that match my one- piece- at- a- time etched flower glasses of all varieties that I love to hunt. They were only $3.95 for 4!! Psyched!
Sad news on the way home. My sister has a kidney stone. Hoping it's out by the time I'm writing this. She is my beautiful older sister who makes Jane Fonda look like a hag. She is younger than Jane but has less resources for beauty alterations available to her. She's also married to the same man for nearly 50 years.
Time to plant!
Peace for your day. Had lots of fun with the littlest Hedgies this week. They like to don a blankie and run around the room while you hum the Superman theme song. Too precious.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Not time to eat potato salad
Had the opportunity to visit friends in Palmetto, GA and see their lovely home. While there the man of the house asked me about this blog. I confessed my neglect of this method of connection.
Afraid I'm rusty. Not for lack of content.
My grands are still the grandest in the land. Wal-mart is even fun with one in the buggy talking to Leon on the toothpaste box aka pretend phone. Heaving the bananas over his head from the bottom of the buggy while my attention is elsewhere. No old ladies were injured...including me . I'm a good catch.
Saw my first hummingbird of the season checking out the red on two wind chimes on my porch. Note to self. Need red flowers on my porch. Have bluebirds growing babies in a gourd house on my crepe myrtle. Also house wren in my mother's coffee pot on back porch. I love river life except for a near broken hip....Here's my side of the story...
Sitting in the dark on my porch. Talking to my sister on the phone. Heard a buzzing noise. Looked to my left shoulder. A cockroach the size of a Boeing 707 had landed. Flicking him with my hand while falling to the floor where I was trapped between the chair and ottoman wondering how far I'd flicked that monster. Remained calm listening to my sister. (She never knew I might be headed for ER.) Finally managed to rock myself out of wedged state. Thank God for grands. Got light on, got wooden block--large one--moved a pillow--voila--then kaboom--squish. Then I told my sister the story. Life on the Hooch. Never dull. So glad I wasn't my friend, Ann, because if I was then y'all be remembering me while eating potato salad at the church... she is likely to have a deadly heart attack under similar circumstances.
Watching Dancing with the Stars. Noah just danced his final dance. Very moving. Reminds me of my Dad's daily overcoming of his physical challenges to provide for his family and show other veterans what they could do.
Get out in all this springiness. Blue sky..wear sunscreen and bug spray in the evening.
Check out Southern Roots Nursery in Newnan. Great owners. Good folks.
We also have a bakery in downtown West Point and a doughnut shop in Lanett. Oh dear...
Peace from the Hooch.
Afraid I'm rusty. Not for lack of content.
My grands are still the grandest in the land. Wal-mart is even fun with one in the buggy talking to Leon on the toothpaste box aka pretend phone. Heaving the bananas over his head from the bottom of the buggy while my attention is elsewhere. No old ladies were injured...including me . I'm a good catch.
Saw my first hummingbird of the season checking out the red on two wind chimes on my porch. Note to self. Need red flowers on my porch. Have bluebirds growing babies in a gourd house on my crepe myrtle. Also house wren in my mother's coffee pot on back porch. I love river life except for a near broken hip....Here's my side of the story...
Sitting in the dark on my porch. Talking to my sister on the phone. Heard a buzzing noise. Looked to my left shoulder. A cockroach the size of a Boeing 707 had landed. Flicking him with my hand while falling to the floor where I was trapped between the chair and ottoman wondering how far I'd flicked that monster. Remained calm listening to my sister. (She never knew I might be headed for ER.) Finally managed to rock myself out of wedged state. Thank God for grands. Got light on, got wooden block--large one--moved a pillow--voila--then kaboom--squish. Then I told my sister the story. Life on the Hooch. Never dull. So glad I wasn't my friend, Ann, because if I was then y'all be remembering me while eating potato salad at the church... she is likely to have a deadly heart attack under similar circumstances.
Watching Dancing with the Stars. Noah just danced his final dance. Very moving. Reminds me of my Dad's daily overcoming of his physical challenges to provide for his family and show other veterans what they could do.
Get out in all this springiness. Blue sky..wear sunscreen and bug spray in the evening.
Check out Southern Roots Nursery in Newnan. Great owners. Good folks.
We also have a bakery in downtown West Point and a doughnut shop in Lanett. Oh dear...
Peace from the Hooch.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
My reTired life
Exciting times in the Valley. Spent two days this week pulling weeds and spreading pine straw. My results are impressive. Wish my back and legs could share the enthusiasm for success. Up in the night due to inability to get comfortable, I think. Could be the iced tea at supper. Probably not decaf.
Did have exciting time travel with the family, minus DukeBoy plus the Divine Ms. M.
Omaha was our destination.
Visited there in 1979 to see Camp Sumatanga friend and his wife and returned for a visit while I was there. They now live in Avoca. In an old schoolhouse. Very cool and totally non cost effective but a beautiful save of a great landmark. They are both musicians and our smallest Hedgies were treated to music, instruments and dancing. What fun. The mural covered the wall in the auditorium. Check out their website www.greenblattandseay.com
Spring arrived in Omaha about the same time we did. Crabapple trees, lilac bushes, and tulips. Oh my...Visited Laurentiz Gardens too. Wild turkeys looking for girlfriends. Saw the sign at the front desk about " possible aggressive behavior" after Hedgie Girl gobbled at one of the guys and he responded loudly. Big turkey. Indoors there was a Lego display with some beautiful creations feature thousands of Legos. Quite impressive. I remember trying to assemble a Santa leggo--not in my skill set. DukeBoy did quite well with it.
Too chilly to be outside pulling weeds this morning. Started this awhile back and didn't finish due to weed pulling. Nearing the end of pine strawing. Would have done sooner but DukeBoy and I went to LaGrange Master Gardeners plant sale last week. We NEEDED another plant. Got some neat stuff : brown fig tree, moonlight cactus--grower told me that I'd have to stay awake to see it bloom--good luck with that---hostas, bachelors' buttons, herbs. More things to plant and WATER. Craziness.
Did have exciting time travel with the family, minus DukeBoy plus the Divine Ms. M.
Omaha was our destination.
Visited there in 1979 to see Camp Sumatanga friend and his wife and returned for a visit while I was there. They now live in Avoca. In an old schoolhouse. Very cool and totally non cost effective but a beautiful save of a great landmark. They are both musicians and our smallest Hedgies were treated to music, instruments and dancing. What fun. The mural covered the wall in the auditorium. Check out their website www.greenblattandseay.com
Spring arrived in Omaha about the same time we did. Crabapple trees, lilac bushes, and tulips. Oh my...Visited Laurentiz Gardens too. Wild turkeys looking for girlfriends. Saw the sign at the front desk about " possible aggressive behavior" after Hedgie Girl gobbled at one of the guys and he responded loudly. Big turkey. Indoors there was a Lego display with some beautiful creations feature thousands of Legos. Quite impressive. I remember trying to assemble a Santa leggo--not in my skill set. DukeBoy did quite well with it.
Too chilly to be outside pulling weeds this morning. Started this awhile back and didn't finish due to weed pulling. Nearing the end of pine strawing. Would have done sooner but DukeBoy and I went to LaGrange Master Gardeners plant sale last week. We NEEDED another plant. Got some neat stuff : brown fig tree, moonlight cactus--grower told me that I'd have to stay awake to see it bloom--good luck with that---hostas, bachelors' buttons, herbs. More things to plant and WATER. Craziness.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Happy Easter from the Hooch
I just opened my blog and realized I hadn't posted since Valentine's Day. Whew.
Had a grand/great evening last night with my grands and some of my greats.
2nd annual flashlight egg hunt--without the monsoon that struck the first one. Actually it was a lovely evening for egg hunting. Emily won the prize for the only girl egg hunter. She actually should also have it for the most prolific egg hunter. She found her 12 and then helped her cousins and brother find theirs.
I'm sorry that Ryan didn't find any lions or tigers but it wasn't for lack of trying. He checked out every inch of the yard.
Hedgie boys : #1 like the flashlight and #2 filled his basket/bucket then proceeded to put it on his head--upside down, of course.
My Mom is here and helped Hedgie #1 put his eggs back after he'd dumped them out for the 5th or 10th time to get the flashlight.
If you drive by my house at night you will think you've encountered a new cemetery due to all my lights on the paths in my garden.
Thanks to the lovely staff at EAMC at Lanier and the local Wal-Mart where my Mom had an encounter with the floor. All is good, as is God. She got a goose egg but she liked the chocolate coconut ones that Duke Boy made much better.
Speaking of Duke--go Duke.
I'm including an article that I'd written earlier in the month. I will update it and submit the paper soon.
Easter Blessings for all of you. We got ours at Wal-Mart this week.
Peace from the Hooch.
Had a grand/great evening last night with my grands and some of my greats.
2nd annual flashlight egg hunt--without the monsoon that struck the first one. Actually it was a lovely evening for egg hunting. Emily won the prize for the only girl egg hunter. She actually should also have it for the most prolific egg hunter. She found her 12 and then helped her cousins and brother find theirs.
I'm sorry that Ryan didn't find any lions or tigers but it wasn't for lack of trying. He checked out every inch of the yard.
Hedgie boys : #1 like the flashlight and #2 filled his basket/bucket then proceeded to put it on his head--upside down, of course.
My Mom is here and helped Hedgie #1 put his eggs back after he'd dumped them out for the 5th or 10th time to get the flashlight.
If you drive by my house at night you will think you've encountered a new cemetery due to all my lights on the paths in my garden.
Thanks to the lovely staff at EAMC at Lanier and the local Wal-Mart where my Mom had an encounter with the floor. All is good, as is God. She got a goose egg but she liked the chocolate coconut ones that Duke Boy made much better.
Speaking of Duke--go Duke.
I'm including an article that I'd written earlier in the month. I will update it and submit the paper soon.
Easter Blessings for all of you. We got ours at Wal-Mart this week.
Peace from the Hooch.
"Thoughts on retirement"
“They say” about retirement, “ I had more time when I was
working than I do now.” Perhaps but I’m guessing it was a different sort of
time. I do have more time. I’m spending mine in very creative ways…
Playing with twin grand boys
Napping
Thinking about doing gardening
Washing clothes
COOKING!!!
Reading
Napping
Prancing the FITBIT around in contests for winning steps
Visiting with friends and family
Napping
Participating in Lenten Bible study
Renewing my library card—embarrassing—expired for 2 years—in
my defense I was reading on my Kindle
Dusting stuff in my booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett
–please come and buy it—great sale—no dust
Almost forgot—cleaning out my garage—it has a floor and
walls—amazing
Napping
Mopping my porch—the boys did it first with the knees of
their jeans and their hands—nasty
Letting my hair grow out---not sure how much longer I can
take it—no pun intended
Reading recipes trying to get inspired to cook
Watching cooking shows trying to get inspired to cook
Trying to actively stay away from all people who are sick
Being sick
Getting well
Sucking on zinc lozenges—I need stock in these because I’ve
told all my friends to buy them
Napping
Boy proofing my house x 2
Napping with the boys
Napping with Duke Boy after the little boys go home
Watching the Super Bowl—yes, I did. The Sea Hawks…do not get me started.
Thinking about washing my windows.
Thinking about painting my kitchen
Enjoying watching the Big Hedgies enjoy the little Hedgies
Attending a 1 year old birthday party for 2
Napping
Learning to play the piano—ok the baby, not so grand, piano—ok “Twinkle, twinkle little star” with
the number guide
Hoping one of the grand boys will become a piano player
I know it’s amazing that I have time to write this because
I’m so busy. I also still go to church,
do programs for my circle, help host the Naomi group, write letter and cards to
friends, pray, eat, bathe, sleep at night, and miss my work—sometimes.
After writing all this I now know why I have to nap so much. The next time you wonder why retirement is so
tiring try jotting down all you do with your time.
Thoughts on retirement
“They say” about retirement, “ I had more time when I was
working than I do now.” Perhaps but I’m guessing it was a different sort of
time. I do have more time. I’m spending mine in very creative ways…
Playing with twin grand boys
Napping
Thinking about doing gardening
Washing clothes
COOKING!!!
Reading
Napping
Prancing the FITBIT around in contests for winning steps
Visiting with friends and family
Napping
Participating in Lenten Bible study
Renewing my library card—embarrassing—expired for 2 years—in
my defense I was reading on my Kindle
Dusting stuff in my booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett
–please come and buy it—great sale—no dust
Almost forgot—cleaning out my garage—it has a floor and
walls—amazing
Napping
Mopping my porch—the boys did it first with the knees of
their jeans and their hands—nasty
Letting my hair grow out---not sure how much longer I can
take it—no pun intended
Reading recipes trying to get inspired to cook
Watching cooking shows trying to get inspired to cook
Trying to actively stay away from all people who are sick
Being sick
Getting well
Sucking on zinc lozenges—I need stock in these because I’ve
told all my friends to buy them
Napping
Boy proofing my house x 2
Napping with the boys
Napping with Duke Boy after the little boys go home
Watching the Super Bowl—yes, I did. The Sea Hawks…do not get me started.
Thinking about washing my windows.
Thinking about painting my kitchen
Enjoying watching the Big Hedgies enjoy the little Hedgies
Attending a 1 year old birthday party for 2
Napping
Learning to play the piano—ok the baby, not so grand, piano—ok “Twinkle, twinkle little star” with
the number guide
Hoping one of the grand boys will become a piano player
I know it’s amazing that I have time to write this because
I’m so busy. I also still go to church,
do programs for my circle, help host the Naomi group, write letter and cards to
friends, pray, eat, bathe, sleep at night, and miss my work—sometimes.
After writing all this I now know why I have to nap so much. The next time you wonder why retirement is so
tiring try jotting down all you do with your time.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Happy Valentine's Day
Hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine's Day.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Nothing but blue sky...
Amazing day on the Hooch---blue sky, an eagle, ducks, cranes, daffodils
back pain from cleaning out the garage--in the loosest since of clean...toting limbs to the road, loading things in the car to go to Bluffton Antiques for my booth---where a sale is going on.
Then wonderful supper by Duke Boy--he was on a high from the Duke big win over Notre Dame.
I let him beat me at Canasta too so his winning streak could continue. Don't tell him.
If you didn't leave the house today you must venture out tomorrow and show the groundhog that you're defying his prediction.
Peace.
back pain from cleaning out the garage--in the loosest since of clean...toting limbs to the road, loading things in the car to go to Bluffton Antiques for my booth---where a sale is going on.
Then wonderful supper by Duke Boy--he was on a high from the Duke big win over Notre Dame.
I let him beat me at Canasta too so his winning streak could continue. Don't tell him.
If you didn't leave the house today you must venture out tomorrow and show the groundhog that you're defying his prediction.
Peace.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Unparalled play
My second Wednesday of retirement. Let dog out, feed dog, make coffee, unload dishwasher, turn on dryer, read a chapter of Max Lucado, "You'll Get through this", finish taxes, take dog out, pay bills, finish coffee, straighten guest room, put away linens,
When did I do all this before?
Everyone, well, not everyone, since I've yet to meet everyone on this planet or any other... but the people I see asked me with a distressed look, "what are you going to do with yourself?" I say probably play with boys more---did that from 8 to 5:30 yesterday. Came home and took 38 minute nap after supper. Leftovers reheated by Duke Boy while I sat in my chair. Thanks DB.
Those guys are 11 months old now. Being with them beats any clinical studies I've ever done. They are a constant source of joy and puzzlement. 11 month olds don't know that developmentally they aren't supposed to do anything but parallel play. Chasing each other through a tunnel isn't parallel. Too funny. Not sure if stealing the other's toy counts as play? When did we get too big to need a lap? Sitting on the floor provides many opportunities for snuggles and check ins. Pee pie new favorite game. Played with lap quilts over each boy. Good to have time to visit with Hedgie Girl too as she also tries to figure out what's in these boys heads since language is still forming. Fun to watch her and Hedgie Boy love these boys with patience and kindness. Glad to be included in the days and nights.
When did I do all this before?
Everyone, well, not everyone, since I've yet to meet everyone on this planet or any other... but the people I see asked me with a distressed look, "what are you going to do with yourself?" I say probably play with boys more---did that from 8 to 5:30 yesterday. Came home and took 38 minute nap after supper. Leftovers reheated by Duke Boy while I sat in my chair. Thanks DB.
Those guys are 11 months old now. Being with them beats any clinical studies I've ever done. They are a constant source of joy and puzzlement. 11 month olds don't know that developmentally they aren't supposed to do anything but parallel play. Chasing each other through a tunnel isn't parallel. Too funny. Not sure if stealing the other's toy counts as play? When did we get too big to need a lap? Sitting on the floor provides many opportunities for snuggles and check ins. Pee pie new favorite game. Played with lap quilts over each boy. Good to have time to visit with Hedgie Girl too as she also tries to figure out what's in these boys heads since language is still forming. Fun to watch her and Hedgie Boy love these boys with patience and kindness. Glad to be included in the days and nights.
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