Day One Hundred Twenty One 2012

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.
~Robert Frost

Grandson Elijah played T Ball this evening. He hit a home run. His team, the Diamondbacks, beat the LugNuts 23 to 1. Go, Elijah!

Day One Hundred Twenty 2012

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away

My dear mother, Hampton Gailbreath Mabry, passed away this morning very peacefully.
Outside the nursing home, I saw this jet streaking across the sky, leaving its white vapor trail. And of course I thought of my mother flying away and I thought of this hymn, which I think is probably my most favorite. I'm hurt that she's not here with us any more, but comforted to know that she's at peace on 'God's celestial shore'.  I love you and miss you, Mom, more than I can say, but I'll be seeing you again someday.

Day One Hundred Nineteen 2012

It is a far, far better thing that I do,
than anything I have ever done;
it is a far, far, better rest that I go to,
than I have ever known.
-Charles Dickens

My family and I are sitting with our dear mother tonight in a nursing home, watching and waiting as she struggles to stay in this life, while her body insists that she's ready to leave and go on to the next and forever life. We'd love to keep her with us here. She's ready to fly away; she just doesn't know it yet.

Day One Hundred Eighteen 2012

I always thought these were huge mosquitoes, but I think they're called may flies. I got news for you, Mr. Mayfly, it ain't May, and no, you may not come into my house. I wonder if these make good bird food.
Happy TGIF, y'all.

Day One Hundred Seventeen 2012

Let’s dance! I snapped these two ants with my macro lens this afternoon. They were crawling around on a clover flower in my back yard and were about the size of the exclamation point in that first sentence. When they found each other, they paused long enough to say ‘hi’ to each other (and for me to snap this picture while they were still) and then they moved on. Places to go, other ants to see, I guess.

Day One Hundred Sixteen 2012

Pretty In Pink (Macro)

Day One Hundred Fifteen 2012

Grand daughter Shelby is very artistic and loves her art class at school. Today, when she wasn't taking tests, she enjoyed making an origami bird. Origami, from ori meaning "folding" and gami meaning "paper" is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. This was Shelby's first attempt, and she did it beautifully. When she pulled on the tail of the bird, it made the wings flap. Awesome job, Shelby!

Day One Hundred Fourteen 2012

Monday at the carwash...then the birds came.....

You say PEE-o-nee, I say pee-O-nee. Just sayin'.....

Honeysuckle  (update: my hubby Neil, who planted this, says it is Jasmine...he thinks) It looks like honeysuckle to me. Which shows you how much I know about plants.

Oh Monday Monday how could you leave and not take me....

Day One Hundred Thirteen 2012

Hubby Neil and I went for a walk around the neighborhood this afternoon. I love this big old house that sits at the end of our street. Don't tell anybody, but I've coveted this house since I was seventeen years old. (And don't tell anybody this, but I haven't been seventeen for over forty years now.)

Neil and I always seem to pick the coldest, most blustery days for our walks. But that's OK. It felt great to be outside for awhile in the fresh air.

The Irises finally bloomed along this old rock wall. I see Irises everywhere lately. Ours did not bloom this year for some reason.

This little stretch of country backroad is actually only one street over from our street. 

We do something good for us, and then end up at the DQ for an ice cream cone. So bad but so good! Hope your Sunday afternoon was delicious.

Day One Hundred Twelve 2012

Visiting grandson Knox, daughter Kelly and son in law Kerry today. It seems that Knox is a Beatles fan. He was really upset before we left for lunch. His mom turned on The Beatles' Abbey Road album. He calmed down listening to 'Here Comes The Sun' and fell asleep. Kelly said he cried the first time he heard 'Because'. This kid fits right in to our family. Hope he keeps his good taste in music.

Knox is enjoying eating 'real' food these days. On the menu for supper this evening: rice cereal and peas. Yum yum! It must be really good because he makes smacking noises while he's eating. He didn't take any naps today, but now he's finally down, hopefully for the rest of the night for his tired mommy's sake. Sweet dreams, Knox (and Kelly and Kerry)!

Day One Hundred Eleven 2012

This afternoon after school, niece Julia, grand daughter Shelby, grandson Elijah, hubby Neil and I hit up Mae Pearl's for some tasty frozen yogurt. And THEN we landed at Ralph's for some tasty doughnuts. Oh yum! Actually, we were so full from the yogurt that nobody ate a doughnut. But they'll make a nice breakfast treat in the morning. Or maybe a midnight snack tonight. Did I mention that Neil and I are going to see 'The Hunger Games' this evening? After supper, that is. Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day One Hundred Ten 2012

My hubby Neil met his cousin Jim this afternoon for the first time ever. I think they are either second cousins or maybe first cousins, once removed (never could figure that out). There aren't many people out there with the last name Ranft, especially in this family. I found Jim on Facebook, and we messaged each other back and forth. Today he was passing through our town on his work travels from Birmingham back to his home in Illinois, and he stopped by for a visit. Apparently, Jim got the 'tall gene' from his great grandfather, who is Neil's grandfather (Jim is 6'4" and Neil is 5'8"). Genetics are funny like that. But I do see a family resemblance. They had a good visit and discovered some things they didn't know about other family members. And it's always good to meet someone who has the same unpronounceable name as yours. 

Day One Hundred Nine 2012

To Paradise, the Arabs say, Satan could never find the way
Until the peacock led him in.
 ~Charles Godfrey Leland
(Macro peacock feather)

Day One Hundred Eight 2012

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

~Hans Christian Andersen

Day One Hundred Seven 2012

Grandson Elijah takes off after he smacks the ball in the first regular season T Ball game this evening. His team, the Diamondbacks (D'Backs) played the Astros and won the game, 16 ~ 9. Good game, Elijah!

Day One Hundred Six 2012

Beautiful Sunday

Enjoyed this beautiful windy sunny Sunday afternoon, mostly outside. Neil and I bought some plants from a guy who sets up his greenhouse in town every spring~~Lantana, a couple of Geraniums, an Asparagus fern and another couple of big potted ferns that I will have to re-pot. I hung my curtains (sheets, actually) up on the front porch, which creates a nice little cozy hideaway that's great for reading, plus the sheets block the afternoon sun. I'm sure people driving by think I've hung my bedsheets out to dry. They don't know I'm tucked away back there, sitting in my creaky wicker rocker, reading some novel, listening to my wind chimes making music. Not too shabby. Hope your Sunday was a good one, too.

Day One Hundred Five 2012

Neil and I visited daughter Kelly and grandson Knox today. Knox says "Hi!"

.

After lunch, we stopped by Stones River Battlefield (which is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee). A Civil War reenactment group was demonstrating the steps the soldiers went through to load and fire their cannons.

They should have warned us to cover our ears before they fired the cannon. Boom!

Grandson Knox was all happy on his grandpa's lap in his cap and shades, enjoying the sunshine. Then they fired the cannon. The loud boom scared Knox (and all of us) half to death. He cried for ten minutes, maybe more, after that. Poor kid.

Joe Cool. Before the cannon went off.

Granny and Grandpa and Knox.

As far as the eye can see....Across the street from the battlefield is the cemetery where thousands of Union soldiers are buried.

Long may she wave!

Back at the house, it's supper time for Knox. He is digging the rice cereal now.

Rice rice baby! We had a great time today. Knox was worn out and finally went to sleep (hopefully for the night!) Good times, great memories!

Day One Hundred Four 2012

Friday night life in my small town usually means people are looking for some place to eat. I just noticed I caught the time on the dashboard clock at 7:22. The days are certainly getting longer. Happy TGIF!