Ah-ha Moments

I took a walk lunchtime walk today. The sky was perfectly blue. The air was neither hot nor cold. The breeze was an unnecessary, but lovely, bonus. It was one of those amazing late summer days we so often take for granted.

Gena's Garden is in late summer shambles. The perennials are overgrown, in need of serious pruning. But today, I was there to enjoy all the life the garden contains. Iridescent green flies, little orange moths and tiger swallowtail butterflies were busy among the hydrangeas and the butterfly bush blooms. I had my camera today and took a few pictures. I wanted to get a nice butterfly shot.

A black and yellow butterfly landed on the purple blossom and I started to focus. Wait, there was something a little off about that butterfly... the bottom wing on its left side was missing, totally gone! Should I wait for a better butterfly?

I started to feel a little ashamed. Would I think a photo ruined if a human being without the usual number of limbs wandered into my viewfinder? Wouldn't I see the person, not the "disability"? So, why would I avoid taking a picture of this butterfly?

The butterfly stopped at several blossoms, gliding masterfully through the leaves and stems of the plants. How did it fly with that wing gone? It sure wasn't crying about the loss, it continued to do what butterflies do, flit around and collect nectar!

Enjoy this stalwart butterfly. They seem fragile, this one even seems broken. And yet, it carries on. We're all broken - some of us more visibly broken than others. Carry on. I will practice thinking you're beautiful the first time I see you!

Flowers for a Funeral... Too Soon

She was a teenager. And now, she'll always be a teenager. A community came together this evening to share the bits and pieces we knew of her time with us. The picture that emerged is shadowed by shock at her leaving us. We were reluctant to talk of the troubles, the struggles. Instead, we spoke of huge hugs, the "million-watt smile," the talents not often shown, the insightful conversations. Someone mentioned the shooting star that was her life and how we were all lucky to have seen it.

I got the message earlier this week. There would be a funeral and it was my week for flower duty. My flower partner and I came to the same conclusion... a pastel color palate would not do. "Our" girlie was not the sort for pink. I started to search "punk flowers" and "goth flowers" to get ideas. 

Music was a good subject of conversation for her and me. We each listened to music the other had never heard, and likely, would never hear! She liked death metal, I like bluegrass. We met somewhere in the middle with Celtic punk and had a great laugh when we discovered Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Chili Peppers and Chilli Pipers - this was on my mind when I placed the flower order: 

red roses, dark purple carnations, purple asters, purple statice, red alstromeria, red coxcomb (celosia), purple snapdragons, purple stock, fern, pittisporum and... 1 bunch of chili peppers.

Alas, the wholesaler was out of the chili peppers. I smiled, she would know I tried.

So today, I was privileged to design funeral flowers, deep red and purple flowers. How I wish they'd been wedding flowers. How I wish we'd shared the goth flower conversation. I am blessed to be in the group of people who loved her, people who will share the memory of that fleeting, sparkling, marvelous, impossible-to-hold-or-slow-down shooting star.

Genuine

It was "Wax Museum" day at the school. Black History Month research led to biographies of some well-known and not-so-well-known African Americans. Students then memorized a short presentation, dressed as their subjects and became animated figures in the class wax museum.

Visitors to the museum walked up to a figure and pressed the red construction paper "start button." The student figures recited biographies of David Blackwell, Maya Angelou, Mae Jemison, Jackie Robinson and many others.

On one desk was a hastily written note next to the start button. "Out of order." Nearby sat a miserable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although his speech was well rehearsed, this wax figure had melted into a puddle of nervous despair. The sign was a genuine expression of emotion. I smiled, offered a little encouragement and moved on, hoping that Dr. King might make an appearance later.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, my office friend and I looked up to see Dr. King stride into the room and sit in a chair. I pressed the start button and the wax figure literally jumped to life. Facts were stated in a confident voice and then, the wax figure smiled.

The message from our wax figure today was more than information about a famous American. It was about allowing others to see real emotion and then trusting the support offered. Pretty brave thing to write that sign. Even braver to allow someone to help with the repair.

Backyard Nature Study

July 28

 We knew when she started building the nest that we'd have a "boarder" for about a month. Here are some photos of the robin family who grew up on our deck.

When the babies left the nest, I felt again the maternal pride of a job well done and maternal fear of lost control. The parent birds hover for a few days, supplementing the chicks' self-feeding and protecting them from predators.

My own three chicks have left the nest. They don't need my hovering. Indeed, they're building their own nests and raising their own young. What a luxury to have years to raise our chicks. What a blessing to watch that circle go around and applaud the efforts of my fledglings!

July 28

Aug. 6 - Two Hatchlings
See the tiny bills at the edge of the nest?

Pausing to check out the photographer

Aug. 6, Feeding Two

August 7, Three Chicks

August 8

August 8, Three Hungry Chicks

August 11, Eyes Open, Feathers

August 13, Nest is filling up.

August 13, Getting Stronger

August 14, Very Crowded Nest!

They grow so fast! August 14

Upset Parent - Wants the photographer OUT of the way!

Almost Ready to Fledge - August 14

August 15 - Fly, baby, fly! (Ok, glide!!)

Checking In!

I got a message the other day that someone had left a comment on a blog post! Wow! Someone is still reading my dormant blog? I'm so awful at keeping up a with journals, diaries, blogs.

While talking to a friend this weekend I remarked that I sometimes wish I could remember how it really felt to be ...... fill in the blank with an age. Following through on those old journals or diaries might have given me the insight I wished for. I kind of doubt it, though. Those efforts were more like calendar entries than a record of my feelings. To be honest, I doubt I will ever record my deepest feelings.

Here are some photos to catch you up on a few feelings, though...

Grammy Love

Compassion

Relief... Melanoma In Situ, Stage 0

Fun

Confusion?

Smile-worthy

Wasn't that me just yesterday?

Visiting the Past - Cabo Rojo, PR

Pride - Flowers Arranged for a Wedding

Grammy's Heart Has Melted

Feeling the Love

Invitation to Peace

Round and Round

The seasons they go 'round and 'round!

When I began this blog I was a new grandmother.

Now look! There she is - first grandchild - four years old.

As the Circle Game continues, this first grandchild is now the oldest of three siblings... just like her mom, just like her grammy. (Well, I actually am the oldest of 5 siblings.) She's growing up quickly. I want to slow her down while she just wants to grow up.

Happy birthday, cutie! Grammy loves you!

Apple Crisp Time

This afternoon I made my first apple crisp of the season. It's cooling now on the stove and smells wonderful. We'll dig into it soon.

As I cut up the apples and smooshed butter into sugar and oatmeal, I reflected on the events since the last time I made the first-of-the-season apple crisp.

In no particular order:
My school community lost a young teacher to cancer.
Our youngest daughter moved out of the house, became engaged AND married.
We welcomed the new son-in-law!
I had the pleasure of a sister and brother attending the wedding.
Our granddaughters are expecting a new sibling soon.
My husband moved out of the office and into the house when he retired.
We had MOUNTAINS of snow!
My school community organized a 5K in honor of the young teacher we lost.

Really, a lot has happened in the past year. Most of it has been good. Maybe I'll get back to writing!