Day Two Hundred Seventy Three 2010

Riding The Rails

Grand kids Elijah and Shelby checked out a vintage piece of L&N railroad history at the depot this afternoon.

I think they were impressed by its size. Pretty cool. Did people who had to travel long distances this way think it was fun way back then? I'm sure these two would have been asking, Are we there yet?

Day Two Hundred Seventy Two 2010

Autumn Sky In Solaris

Sky of blue, trees of green. Today was Autumn Day perfection. The Maple tree in my backyard is starting to turn. Days like these go by way too fast. Grab them while you can get them!

Day Two Hundred Seventy One 2010

The Power Of One

This purple Morning Glory was the only thing blooming in a sea of weeds on our hill side this afternoon. Just one. Probably why it caught my eye.

Day Two Hundred Seventy 2010

Good Stuff!

Daughter Kelly came in for the weekend and stayed over last night. This morning, she treated me to a Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate. I'm not into coffee, but I could drink hot chocolate all day, especially this decadent treat. (We got a tall, which is small in Starbucks speak--just the right size.) Try it! You'll love it.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Nine 2010

My sweet niece Julia Foy celebrated her 13th birthday this afternoon (one week early, but who's counting--besides, she gets to spend her real birthday at the beach!). We enjoyed a most delicious cake, ice cream and punch, and Julia enjoyed opening her gifts--what we in this family call "flat presents" which means lots of moolah! And here she is, way back in 2000 when she was 3, and now, a whole decade later, a teenager (well, almost) who finally gets to have her own Facebook account. Still the same sweet, funny, smart, talented person she's always been and of course one of my favorite people in the universe. I love you always and forever, Julia! You rock! I know I'm going to "like" you on FB!

Day Two Hundred Sixty Eight 2010

Pumpkin Time!

For me, Autumn is the most wonderful time of the year--pumpkins and gourds, scarecrows and pumpkin people, Indian corn, candy corn, and leaves turning their true colors.

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"Back into your garden-beds!

Here come the holidays!

And woe to the golden pumpkin-heads

Attracting too much praise.

Hide behind the hoe, the plow,

Cling fast to the vine!

Those who come to praise you now

Will soon sit down to dine."

~~ Grace Cornell Tall

To Pumpkins at Pumpkin Time

Day Two Hundred Sixty Seven 2010

Decisions decisions ...

So many to choose from! Elijah surveys a most excellent choice of pumpkins and gourds at a local farmer's market this afternoon. He picked out something small for himself and also for his mom, dad, and sister.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Six 2010

Jump, Flip, Bounce

Elijah Man bustin some moves on the trampoline this afternoon.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Five 2010

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Daughter Kelly sent me this picture of ornamental gourds she bought at a vegetable stand down the road from her house. 25 cents each. Not too shabby. Even better--they're for me! She knows I love gourds. The gnarlier the better. It's nice to be thought of. Thanks, Kelly! Welcome, Autumn! The most wonderful time of the year.

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"the air is different today

the wind sings with a new tone

sighing of changes coming

the harvest gathered

a flower, a nut

some mead, and bread

a candle and a prayer

returning the fruits

in thanksgiving

to the grove

and receiving

it's blessing

again"

--Rhawk, Alban Elfed

Day Two Hundred Sixty Four 2010

Goodbye, Summer

The sky over my backyard around 12:30 today.

The last day of Summer sunshine was already stretching my shadow along the grass even though it was only lunch time.

My waiting-for-Shelby sky (in Solaris).

Elijah had the best time putting stickers on a sheet of paper today. They came in the mail with a magazine offer. Free fun.

Shelby's thoughts are already into October. She's been drawing Halloween related pictures for a couple of weeks now.

The boys of Summer. Elijah waits his turn at bat in his fifth T Ball game this afternoon. He only has one more game. His game was at the same time as Shelby's fast pitch softball game. Since she has many more games to play, we opted to watch Elijah's team.

He hit the ball hard and he got to play infield and some first base and he played well. The kids still don't have much of a clue about what to do with the ball once they have it. Elijah scooped it up and was immediately tackled by one of his own team mates who must have really wanted the ball. Funny stuff. I can't think of a better way to say goodbye to Summer.

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"Not that I have any objection to autumn as a season, full of its own beauty; but I just cannot bear to see another summer go, and I recoil from what the first hint of autumn means."- Vita Sackville-West

Day Two Hundred Sixty Three 2010

Seems I have missed yet another day of taking a picture, but this one will do just fine. Grandson Elijah in his cowboy hat two years ago. This is one of my favorite of him.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Two 2010

Backyard Meanderings

Day Two Hundred Sixty One 2010

A Pile Of Cousins And One Button

Since I was a slacker today in the photography department, I shall share a blast from September, 2006~cousins Sarah, Julia, Shelby, and Ashley all piled up on my sister in law's couch at a Labor Day get together. I always marvel at how young they look in these way back when pictures. Cute as a button. And speaking of cute buttons, that tiny white fuzz ball is Angel Button, my sister in law Cyn's pup dog. They've all grown up in four years. My precious nieces and granddaughter (and you, too, Button!). I love you all!

Day Two Hundred Sixty 2010

Web Site

He spun a web across our back door last night. Then he took it all away this morning and decided to hang out on the door frame. He's totally unpredictable. Creeps me out.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Nine 2010

Charlie Pup Is A Hit

Elijah and Shelby's puppy, Charlie Brown, came to Elijah's T Ball game this afternoon and became the center of attention for Elijah's team. Needless to say, Charlie was a hit, which is always a good thing at a T Ball game.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Eight 2010

A Blast From The Past ~ 2005

Granddaughter Shelby playing with her Play Doh at Granny's house September 9, 2005. She was 4 years old. What a great kid! Love you, Shelby!

Day Two Hundred Fifty Seven 2010

Shelby's First Fast Pitch Softball Game

Granddaughter Shelby played her first fast pitch softball game this afternoon. The last time she played ball was when she was 5 years old and played T Ball.

She got to do some fielding by first base.

Shelby at bat.

Ready to run.

Rooting for her team.

Shelby's team won the game 10-2. She played well and said she had a good time. They play through October, so there are lots of games ahead. You did good, Shelby! I'm looking forward to Game 2!

Day Two Hundred Fifty Six 2010

It's Magic

I suppose any kid who has eaten a kid's meal at ChickFil-a knows that if you take the little book included in the kid's meal back to the cash register, they will exchange it for ice cream. Grandson Elijah has done this many times. Today, as he was eating his dish of ice cream with chocolate syrup, he suddenly asked, "How are books turned into ice cream?" I about choked on my Coke Zero as I realized what he was implying. I mean, you hand a book to the cashier, she takes it away, and she returns with ice cream for you to eat. Elijah was simply making an innocent connection that I had never even thought about. You turn in a book and it's turned into ice cream. Later this afternoon, as I was telling his mom about it, he asked the question again--like yeah, how are books turned into ice cream? I said, It's magic. He liked that answer. Ah, the innocent age. So sweet but so brief. Love you, Elijah Man. You made my day.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Five 2010

Buddy, Bee, Beans

Slow day at my house in Solaris.

Have a happy week, everyone!

Day Two Hundred Fifty Four 2010

Blast From The Past ~ September 10, 2006

I did not take any pictures today, so I will share a blast from 2006. This was the first time that Neil's mother Ruth got to hold her great grandson Elijah. Three generations. Sweet picture. How time flies.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Three 2010

Shelby's Last Run

Granddaughter Shelby ran for the final time today in the Cougar Run, her school's only fundraiser.

She's in 4th grade this year. This was her fifth Cougar Run. I love the bandanna. She said it made them look like Pilgrims.

They raise money for their school by collecting pledges for running and walking laps around the big parking lot for an hour. She's ready to run!

Run, Shelby, run! They were blessed with great weather this morning--cloudy skies and a nice coolish breeze blowing. The rain held off until it was all over.

Three generations of Capshaw Kids--mom, daughter, granddaughter. Holly wore one of her vintage T shirts and ran some laps with Shelby. (I watched and took pictures....)

The final tally: 19 laps! That's the most she's ever done in five years. Way to go, Shelby!

Oh yeah.

Big smile after the run, but it was bittersweet. She was a little sad because this was her last run.

Shelby's Capshaw Cougar Run through the years. Look how she's grown! Way too fast. You did a good job, Shelby! I love you and I'm proud of you always.