A Monday Memory....

I remember the day when....

this "Super Hero," my nephew pictured above, was born.

The equally exciting news that day was the confirmation that the Englishman and I were expecting our first child - the darling seated next to him.

Fast forward many years .... 

to West Point Academy and the Acceptance Day Parade for the Bicentennial Class of 2002.

I was thrilled to be invited to attend this special event with M's family.  What an impressive scene, all those young Plebes marching on the field in formations. At the close, each section marched to the far end of the field and through an opening to the inner courtyard. Then two enormous iron gates were shut firmly behind them.

I remember I cried then.

I also remember I cried years later, seeing M's military uniform hanging on the handle of my mother's hall closet when he was on leave from Iraq and visiting the family.

Tears of thanks for the brief respite from the fear.

During that very difficult time of his deployment,  I was blessed with a Principal, fellow teachers, students and parents at the school where I taught Third Grade, who joined my efforts in supporting him and his fellow soldiers.  Letters, cards and banners were created and mailed daily to more than a dozen of them during those years.  

I remember when he visited our school at the end of that deployment, to personally thank everyone for their support - our Principal broadly smiling as she escorted him into the gym to speak to the students.

I remember the intense feeling of relief that he was safely back with us.

Though I was unable to attend M's wedding just over a year ago in California, I remember the joy I felt that he had found such a wonderful girl with which to share his life.

And now, I will remember that on the 28th of June, I received the exciting news that M had become a Daddy!

His wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy - who will carry on my Dad's family name.

Did the sky seem a little brighter this past Saturday morning?   It just might have been the beaming smiles of my parents, as they looked down from above, equally joyful at the news.

Friday Fotos....

A basket of bounty!

The Englishman and I joined a "CSA" a few months ago.  

(As opposed to the C. I. A.)

What is a CSA, you ask?

CSA - Community Supported Agriculture - allows families and individuals to share in the bounty of a local farm's harvest each week during the growing season.  You pay for either a full share or half share up front.  By joining with other people in our area who are interested in putting their resources behind locally sourced food, we are helping to sustain, in our case, a local family's business named Argos Farm.

We pick up our portion in a basket on Friday mornings.

Our first pick up was June 13th and we will continue until mid-October.

This week's goodies included beets, broccoli, cabbage, mustard greens, mixed lettuces, arugula, kale, Swiss chard and a garlic scape.

We were also able to purchase a dozen eggs, freshly laid by their hens this morning.

The colors are gorgeous!

Angela, one of the owners of Argos Farm who greets us each week,  has set up a private Facebook page for those of us who belong in which to share recipes and uses for our bounty.  She also suggested that I immediately wash all the items when I get them home, dry them thoroughly on paper towels, and store them wrapped in paper towels in the fridge.  I've followed her advice and I must say everything is lasting beautifully!

Parsnips and beets

This snake like stem is actually a garlic scape - the flower stalk which emerges from hard-necked varieties of garlic. 

According to a print out Angela gave us about this delicacy, "it is highly prized and traditionally used in Southern and Eastern European cuisines, along with Middle Eastern, Korean and other Asian cuisines,..."

I'm learning something new every week!

Wishing everyone brilliant sunshine and cool breezes this summer weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"It made a difference to that one!"

As can a friendly smile, holding open a door or lending a hand.  

One person - one gesture at a time - can make a difference.

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Change is good.....

but dollars are better!

This was a popular chant in our house when the girls were growing up.  

One of them in particular was averse to ANY change, of any kind.

To be perfectly honest, I understood her feelings completely.

For most of my life, I too feared change.

Things like, if given a choice when going out to eat, I would choose to go to the same restaurant and would order the same appetizer, entree and dessert.  Every single time.

I would wear my hair in a certain style, day after day after day. 

I was shocked when my mother changed some of the furniture in  the bedroom I shared with my sister growing up.  It took me years to get used to that!

And on and on and on......

I wanted everything to stay the same!

For me, there seemed to be a feeling of security in keeping things the same.

What is that expression, something about the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know?

"What if I don't like it?" "What if I don't know what to do in new situation?" "What if...."

But over time, when changes became inevitable, 

I gradually began to see that change could in fact not only be good, but great! 

There were new restaurants to discover, new foods to try, new hair colors to try, new destinations to explore and wonderful new people to meet.

The more changes I tried - the easier it became - and the more I liked it.

When the fear of change creeps back, I need only look behind me and see from recent experiences that all has been well.  And often even better than I would have hoped for.

The truth is, there are many changes in life over which I have absolutely no control or say in.

So I've learned to "go with the flow" and simply

as the British so wisely advise!

Tip for a Tuesday....

Got AC?  

Have you changed or cleaned the filter lately?

In order to optimize the efficiency and life of your units, do the following:

If you have central air conditioning, wash or replace the filters located inside your home, either in the ceiling or wall, on a monthly basis.

Window units?  Filters are found on the units themselves, and should also be washed or replaced monthly.

Doing this will save you money and keep you cool!

For more information visit This Old House website:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20209975,00.html

A Monday Memory....

Happy 2nd Anniversary, to Mr. and Mrs. G!

The joy of this happy couple was shared in equal measure by everyone in attendance!

Three generations....

Don't you just love Flower Girls? Our darling granddaughters had a wonderful time!

Friday Fotos....

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

Why, with basil, dill, asparagus, rhubarb, rosemary, lamb's ear, marigolds and .....

lovely, sweet strawberries!

Certainly not the largest of gardens, but a good start for the Englishman and I.

Early days, as he says.

Wishing everyone a wonderful, peaceful weekend filled with sunshine and cool breezes!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Note: taken from the website: lessonslearnedinlife.com   Worth checking out!

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Today marks the first time my Mother is no longer with us to celebrate her birthday.  

She was absolutely thrilled last year when she turned 90! It was a milestone that she had looked forward to for many months. From the 18th of June on, she would use her age as an excuse to get out of doing things she didn't want to do.  "I'm ninety now," she would announce, as if that gave her a free pass for the rest of her life.

It broke my heart she only got to brag about that for two months.

My family and I were blessed to have shared many of her birthdays over the years.

I believe this was her 65th

And I know this was her 85th.

(She looks as though she hadn't aged a day between those decades!)

She loved roses and we gave her a few new bushes over the years.  Tending the seven rose bushes in my current garden brings me comfort and sweet memories of my Mother each time I "make sure to clip the rose back down the stem to where there are five leaves" - as she so carefully instructed me.

My Mother's pure joy of having reached 90 has been a powerful lesson for me. 

She has taught me that aging is something to be celebrated not mourned.

After all -

"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."

Tip for a Tuesday....

 Leave plenty of room....

between you and the car in front of you.

In order to avoid this:

Did your Dad regale you with stories of his narrow escapes during his driving career while teaching you how to navigate the large machine you were now commanding?
I thought that one tale, in which my Dad described that he had to "stand on the brakes, " was merely an expression he used to illustrate the intensity of the experience.
That is until a couple of weeks ago - when I literally stood on my brakes!

While traveling north on the Garden State Parkway, I suddenly became aware that the traffic in front of me had slowed dramatically.  Well, that's what I thought. To my horror, I realized that they had in fact abruptly stopped their vehicles - from a speed of 65mph. 

Realizing they did not have enough room, the car directly in front of me pulled sharply to the left, onto the shoulder.  This left me a chance to stop before crashing into the car in front, which I managed to do with literally inches between us. At the same time, I could see in the side mirror that the van behind me also pulled to the left in order to avoid hitting me in the rear.

It's one of those experiences in which you think, "No, that's not what's happening" while at the same time thinking, "Oh my God, we're going to all crash!"
Why yes, I was literally shaking as we all resumed our travels and got back up to speed.

Oh, and the reason that several cars suddenly came to a stop?
An unmarked police car was on the right side of the road, with his lights flashing.

Seriously? We needed to STOP for that?
Slow down, absolutely!  But there was no need to come to an abrupt stop.

So again - my "tip" is to leave plenty of room between you and the cars in front of you in case you too need to stand on your brakes. 
Those extra feet can mean the difference between a multi car crash or just being a shaken, but very grateful driver.

A Monday Memory....

Summer Reading.....

Did you receive a "Summer Reading List" when you were in grammar school?  They were handed out in our school on the last day of classes, with instructions to read at least five books on the list.

I clearly remember one summer's day, riding my bike to our local library. At that time, it was located in an old house with the children's section housed in the basement.  Descending the stone steps at the back of the building brought cool relief on that particularly hot day.  I roamed the stacks and finally settled on Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The story held my interest from the very first page, and it is one I have returned to many times over the years. I've read other books in the series, but this has remained my favorite. 

When my girls were little, we celebrated the last day of school by heading off to a lovely children's book store, located nearby. We spent time perusing the titles, old and new, finding it hard to narrow down our selections to just a few.  All manner of topics were available, from fiction to nature to mystery.  I confess, I was as excited as they were to see what new treasures had been placed on the shelves.

I've set up a couple of reading spots in this house now for the grandchildren.  Books on shelves, in baskets, and behind tiny doors, are all waiting patiently for the wee ones to discover.

And I can't wait to share my favorites with them! 

Friday Fotos....

Roses bursting forth - note the large visiting Basset Hound, Barney, against the fence!

 My Basset, Bentley, sneaking underneath....

Front of house window boxes

Roses, flowering thyme, daylilies reaching for the sun....

Lovely lavender about to flower....

Newest rose bush, "Stormy Weather," by the front door, giving off the most glorious scent as you enter and exit!

Wishing everyone a sunny and serene weekend.  

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads - 

most especially my wonderful Englishman!

And a very Happy 3rd Birthday 
to our darling granddaughter, C - on Sunday!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Simple Pleasures

I took a hot bath last night.

As the tub filled, I marveled at the process.

I was grateful.

I did not have to fetch the water,

Nor build a fire to warm it.

I did not have to carry it, 

Heavy, one bucket at a time,

Taking care not to slosh it,

Up the flights of stairs to the second-floor tub.

I simply turned a handle.

There it poured,

Water, flowing uphill,

Hot, clean, refreshing, abundant,

Thank you, God, for simple pleasures

That really aren't that simple, after all.

~ Susanne Wiggins Bunch

gratitude prayers

Prayers, Poems, and Prose for Everyday Thankfulness

June Cotner

Aren't you glad you didn't live before indoor plumbing?  

There's something to be grateful for - every day!

Wednesday's Wisdom....

How clean is too clean?
Listening with half an ear to the news the other day, an item about a study released by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology regarding children's health piqued my interest.  It involved a report concerning how the level of cleanliness in the home affects young children later in life.  I did a search and found this follow up discussion on Web MD: "Infants are much less likely to suffer from allergies or wheezing if they are exposed to household bacteria and allergens from rodents, roaches and cats during their first year of life, the study found."

Hmm.....

As quickly as my "guilt" gene kicked in, because yes, I kept a spotless house when my girls were little, I immediately dismissed the thought and said to myself, "That's rubbish!"

The Englishman and I like a nice, tidy home.  I worked hard from the time we married to set up and maintain a setting that was clean, comfortable and stress free for us.  And then the kids came along....

Daughter #1 had her first bout of pneumonia and a fever seizure when she was 3 years old.  (I lost count of the number of bouts of bronchitis that followed over the years, in addition to several more bouts of pneumonia.)  So yes, I grabbed the Lysol and made sure to disinfect every surface I could reach on a regular basis. 

When our Pediatrician realized that the pattern I pointed out after years of regular sick visits indicated possible asthma and allergy problems, we were referred to a specialist.  After tests confirmed my suspicions, a plan of action was recommended.  This included daily showers and hair washing for daughter #1, daily changing of all her bedding, daily dusting and vacuuming.  All of which I faithfully followed.  I also continued to keep the house as tidy as possible to avoid any build of additional dirt. Regardless of the weather, windows were kept closed in order to keep pollen and allergens out.

Over the years, some visitors expressed discomfort at how "spotless" my house was.  The truth is, I didn't keep it that way to impress or intimidate them.  I did it for my child's health and my sanity. When your kids have health issues, you do whatever you can to help them.  

So back to the study.  Did keeping the house "too clean" add to #1's, and later #3's, allergy and asthma problems?  I might have thought....possibly.  Except for the fact that #2, raised in the same conditions, never had any of those issues.

I've learned I have to do what my gut tells me and what works best for me and my family, regardless of studies or advice from others.  I suspect that is what most other people do too.

Tip for a Tuesday....

Save it....

Last week I picked up some more treasured items from my mother's house.  Among the parcels set aside in the garage was a large manila envelope.  Inside it, my sister had placed several cards, letters and drawings my three daughters and I had given to my mother over the years.

What a gift these aging papers bring!  As the reality of her passing continues to settle in with each of us, my daughters and I find great comfort and joy in sorting through what were clearly treasured items for my mother.  

For me, the most precious item was a letter I had written to my mother, which was delivered to her while she was attending a Church retreat called "Cornerstone" in 1993. In the letter, I thanked her for a recent "Guardian Angel" pin she had given me. I then described in great detail how she had always been my Guardian Angel - from seeing me through bouts of croup as a youngster, comforting me during the angst of the teenage years, and now sharing the joys I found being a mother myself.

If I ever look back and wonder, "Did she know...." - I need only open up that card to reassure myself that I did in fact tell her how very much she meant to me.

My tip? Whether you are a mother, daughter, treasured aunt or dear friend, save those cards and notes you've received from those you love.  Stick them in a box or drawer, to reread and savour.

In doing so, many years from now, you too will give a very special gift to those loved ones you leave behind.

You will reassure them that they took the time to tell you how very much you meant to them.

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A Monday Memory....

Anyone else old enough to remember these?  

I recently came across a "pin" of these products on Pinterest, which immediately sparked a memory from June days gone by. In our grammar school, the last week of classes called for intense cleaning, beginning with our desks.

We were required to bring in our own supplies - wax and clean rags.

My mother generally sent me in with Pledge and an old undershirt.

My nearest desk neighbors would sometimes have the Jubilee wax glass bottle, pictured above. 

 I confess, I preferred the smell and consistency to my Pledge spray.  Thankfully, fellow students were always generous when it came to sharing their cleaning products.

Wiping down the desk tops always proved to be the easiest part of the operation.

Discovering what was lurking in the deep recess of our desks could bring either joy or disgust.

As I recall, the girls seemed more methodical in their approach - pulling out individual items and laying them neatly in a pile on the floor.  The boys?  They would pull out the lot all in one go.  Or maybe the teacher would find it necessary to speed up the process for them, and simply turned their desks over, emptying the contents in a lump in front of their feet.

Once our desks were cleaned, books stowed safely on the back shelves for the summer and excess debris packed away in our bookbags, we turned our attention to the rest of the classroom.  Individual and group duties were assigned by our teacher, the more coveted tasks being those which required a trip to deliver something, somewhere else in the school building.

A few people may feel that students shouldn't have to clean up their classrooms - it should be left for the staff. The truth is, at least for me, I enjoyed those days.  

Putting the room to rights, as they say, gave us a sense of closure.  As we toiled, our endeavours offered a last chance for a few more casual conversations with classmates, before heading off in our separate directions for the summer.  And we most certainly learned cleaning and organizing skills.

There was also a sense of camaraderie, and a bit of relief I suspect, as we set about our tasks.  A feeling of having come through the year together.  

In my life, some of the more lasting "lessons" I learned in school didn't come from a textbook.

Tip for a Tuesday....

General Election Day in New Jersey.

VOTE !

My mother frequently said this.

And you should always do what your mother says, right?

I'm voting today.

Are you?