No one is driving Miss Irène . . .

Star Flower

Wild Madder (?)

Bluets

Bird-foot Violets

While P&D's Pop was at school yesterday helping out with the flying and the mini car I drove myself to Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wauregan to get photos of an unusual flower. I also borrowed two of the plants and put them with my other odds and ends plantings near the garage. After watering Angie's flowers I wandered on to Green Hollow Road to All Hallows Cemetery in order to water the flowers on the Caron plots. Decided to meander up Green Hollow into Danielson where I joined Wescott Road and headed  onto Route 6 into Rhode Island where I took beautiful Route 102 pass Chopmist Hill all the way to Plain Meeting House Road. I wanted to photograph the beautiful odd looking violet flowers Grampa and I had seen on Memorial Day. The only way I can get to the Plain Meeting House Cemetery is over the main roads. Grampa has driven me there quite often on the old dirt roads but I would most certainly get lost on my own. I love the old cemetery. It's a very calm and peaceful plot of earth and most welcoming. I managed to get some pretty decent photos. Once again I borrowed a couple of plants to bring home for the garage spot. With the dark, rainy cold weather today the new plants are looking pretty chipper!

After I returned home and planted the newbies I left for Groton to pick up Kiddo after his classes. I stayed in Groton late so middle child and I could attend his Spring Concert. Wow! After the disaster at the Christmas Concert we were blown away by the Cadet Band, the Chorus and the Junior Band. Kiddo played a duet with his friend Hannah on the flute and he also played Frère Jacques as a solo. Really well done. He's the only sax player in the cadet band so it's not hard to pick him out when they're playing together. Really nice. Not sure how that poor mild mannered young music teacher is able to get so much from the kids who only meet once a week for a group lesson with flutes, trumpet and saxophone. But he did a good job.

Took a trip to East Granby to visit with younger sister. Went out for lunch and an ice cream snack before we repotted a couple of plants she had received at Christmas. It was a good day - even saw her lovely lady hummingbird close up!

Quote:  Ignorance gives a sort of eternity to prejudice, and perpetuity to error.  ___Robert Hall

Remembrance on the wrong day Memorial Day . . .

And living never skips a beat.

Stopped at All Hallows and saw: Ma, Pa, Little Louise, Mon Oncle Joe, Ma Tante Rose, Mémère Caron, Pépère Caron, Uncle Curly, Ma Tante Blanche, Ma Tante Mary, Ma Tante Marianne, Benny and Irene,  Mon Oncle Henri, Ma Tante Annette, Mr. Dore, Uncle George, Aunt Léonie, Uncle Sam, Aunt Bernadette, Henriette and Ray Deojay, Richard Levesque, Mr. and Mrs. Levesque and Wilbrod, Pépère Bonnin, Mémère Bonnin, the Misses Dore, Uncle Wilfred and Aunt Martha, Roger and Dot, Leandre and Terese, Uncle Ben and Aunt Esther, Dr. Gregoire and his second wife, Uncle Louis Veer, Uncle Racine and Aunt Yvonne, Bob and Liane Giordani. Went to Wauregan and saw Angie, Great Grandfather Clément Bonin and Great Grandmother Marie Cadorette Bonin. I looked for and failed to find Mr. and Mrs. Bouthillier and Émile. I don't know where Charlie is buried. Then P&D's Pop took me to Oneco. On the way we passed Sterling Pond and it was incredible to watch five young boys, no adults or parents, swimming, fishing and having a grand old time just like kids used to do way back when Grampa and I were growing up. What a Norman Rockwell  like scene in 2014. Maybe there are still some unspoiled kids left who just like playing together outside! In Oneco we saw Gram Rose, Sam, but couldn't find old Gram Rose. Went to West Greenwich, RI on Plain Meeting House Road and saw Grampa Rose, Great Grampa Rose and his wife and Great Great Grampa Rose and his wife.  I was happy to see that some friends of this old cemetery have worked very hard to repair the vault and monuments that had been neglected and vandalized over the years. There are many Civil War Vetrans buried here and one in particular had a beautiful, fresh flower display along with flags. Someone cares - that's truly loving, kind, sweet and true.  I saw two ground cover plants that I have never seen before - one was in Wauregan, a white star shaped flower and  blue violet like flowers at Plain Meeting House.  So that's what we did on this not Memorial Day Memorial Day

Quote:  Civil wars leave nothing but tombs.    _____Lamartine

That was difficult . . .

Ma and MaTante like Lily of the Valley - moi aussi!

Not sure why but bringing the flowers to the Cemeteries was very difficult this year - it's never easy, but it is a habit I've had since we moved to Moosup in 1969 and MaTante would buy geraniums for everyone on the list! Now I get three large pots for All Hallows and one medium for Wauregan. I always try to leave them for a week and go often to keep them watered before I bring them home and put them near the well head for the Summer. Perhaps it's the gray day, coolish temps but the memories are so strong today. I guess it could also be that I realize how much my parents, sister, grandparents, friends, Gram, dearest amie, aunts, uncles, cousins mean to me even after all of the years they've been gone. The thoughts that enter my head as I drive over the roads they also knew make me smile at times. Life just goes on no matter who dies and we are left to hug them tightly in our hearts, souls and minds until we also cross into the unknown and hope our living loves will also hold us dear for the rest of their lives on God's earth.

Quote:  No man can pass into eternity, for he is already in it.   ___Farrar

So impressed and thankful . . .

This little stinker is on the Oriole feeder - that must be why the real Oriole didn't land here!

The only Oriole we have seen this year is left of center in this shot.

It's almost mind boggling that in this era of failing institutions one lady at the Backus Plainfield Emergency/Lab found a way to help me out without all sorts of complications. I was scheduled for routine fasting blood work today but since I have been bitten by two ticks in the last week and a half, one of them a bad bite less than 48 hours ago on a Saturday, I wanted the Lab to add in the test for Lyme Disease knowing full well that I'd probably not succeed. The gentleman who did the preliminary paperwork told me that after I had finished with the lab technician I should go to the emergency room and a doctor would be able to see me and order the Lyme Disease blood work right there on the spot.  I thanked him for the information; he told me that's what other people do but I explained that was not a proper use of the Emergency Room in my case. When Debbie called me into the Lab at 6:45am I explained my predicament; so she calmly took an extra vial of blood and told me to call my APRN and make sure her office called in the extra blood work by 9:30  so she could label the extra vial correctly before it was picked up and brought to Norwich for testing. It took some phone calls to an answering service and a message but I finally got through to the APRN's office and then called Debbie, as she asked me to do so she could follow up. As unbelievable as it seems she managed to get the extra vial labeled and sent to Norwich. I was out doing some tree trimming, yes, I know, tree trimming on a windy day with all the pollen and ticks flying around, when she called and left a message telling me that she had been able to get it all straightened out. I was incredulous because it has not been my experience, at least lately, that most people actually follow through with what they say they will do. I really didn't want to bother her at her job but I did call and leave her a message to thank her for going above and beyond her duties. Amen

Now that was an excellent end to my conundrum.

Quote:  What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?  ____George Eliot

Almost petrified . . .

Kiddo's Mini-bike

In one of the trees up on the hill.  Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Almost two weeks ago I was bitten by a damn tick while I was watching kids playing in the Sacred Heart play ground. It took some doing but P&D's Pop was able to get it unhooked from my arm and I had no adverse reaction as far as I can tell. But yesterday, after shacking baseballs behind the garage as Grampa and Kiddo were having batting practice and also clipping raspberry canes I ended up with another tick on my left side above my waist.Grampa removed this sucker but I was impressed by how painful this bite was. It was just a tiny thing but wow, it hurt so much that besides cleaning the site with alcohol and Bactine I ended up sleeping flat on my back with an ice pack to stop the burning sensation. I also took Tylenol. Can you believe that it still pains me some today, as if someone were pinching a big chunk of flesh and twisting it. I will, of course call my APRN tomorrow because I've never encountered this type of bite before - worse than a bee or wasp sting. She's going to be so sick of me. Hope she doesn't throw me out of her practice! So today we were in Wrentham, MA for a Fun Fly and I usually love to walk along the shaded paths - not today! I walked around the perimeter of the Cricket and Flying Fields - far away from trees of any sort. I haven't even been tempted to sit out on my swing. Hoping I don't have to go through a bout of antibiotics but it's not looking promising. Hell's Bells - can't a woman just enjoy the out of doors? Not used to being attacked by ticks.

We stopped for a late lunch at The 99 in Killingly. I swear they had the best Summer Salad - Strawberry and Blueberry with tender grilled chicken. I ate every last bite. P&D's Pop had a big fat cheese burger. Poor man must have spent all the money he earned selling two of his planes at the Fun Fly. (Not quite, I tend to exaggerate.)


Quote:  It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.   ___Shakespeare

Time just goes flying by . . .

This is the one I was looking for.

Not the photo I was looking for!

Wow, can't believe that we're already halfway through May. It's incredibly beautiful outside today.  I went for a walk through Moosup and all the flowers and trees are screaming SPRING! The mowers are working overtime; the pollen is covering everything; the sneezes are not benign; the asparagus has to be picked every other day; the birds are raising their young; I'm trying to get some good photos but I rarely have the camera ready when the birds are ready to hang out in the yard.  This morning I saw an Indigo Bunting drinking out of the watering hole made by the hollowed out Tamarack stump.  I tip toed into Kiddo's room for the camera but of course Monsieur was already gone. Damnation.  I really wanted that photo.  I have been sitting out side for quite a while and all I came up with is a Blue jay and many photos of a male Grosbeak of whom I already have good photos.  I do have the tripod set up but sometimes I'm not sure where to put it and the birds come where I'm not!  Still, it's fun and I think I'll grab me some Sogno di Sorrento Orange Crema before I go back out.  That'll help relax me while I wait!

Kiddo had the best saxophone practice today.  Utterly surprised me.  He is getting ready for their Spring Concert so I'm not sure if that is what is urging him to play well.  In any case I really enjoyed it.  Then he and Grampa had some batting practice.  He broke the wood bat!  Pretty nifty. We also spent last evening at the Connecticut Sun's season opener.  It was not a pretty sight but we still enjoyed ourselves.  He said he would gladly go again.  So I was pretty happy with that outcome.  He followed all the plays, booed the refs when necessary and had lots of comments about how the women should have been playing! We had dinner with our friend Tea at Michael Jordan's, not the fancy place, the other place! It was all good. Tomorrow Grampa and I will be going to Wrentham for a flying contest.  It looks like the weather will be perfect.

Quote:  Too many wish to be happy before becoming wise.  ___Mme Necker

It's a beautiful day in May . . .

Happy days are here again! What stunning weather to celebrate Mother's Day. Decided to accompany Grampa to the flying field after early breakfast this morning but when we got there it was too windy for flying so while he scavenged fishing poles, old drills and various other tools I had time to get in a good walk. I was also able to get to 11 o'clock Mass and although it was really long it was pretty sweet and nostalgic for me - 10 little ones were making their First Communion. I will admit I left after an hour and a quarter but it was still nice. Hard to believe that All Hallows is down to only ten children making First Communion. Not sure how Father Damien keeps the parish running so smoothly.

Spoke with the three big kids and all are well and working hard. Had an odd occurrence yesterday when Fed X delivered two boxes addressed to moi. They were both from Shari's Berries but when I opened the first box of 12 chocolate covered strawberries the note within was from Tom, Sherri, & Zeke. We don't know these kind people! The second box was definitely from our oldest Kiddo and his wife. Grampa called Shari's Berries and explained the situation and they told him to keep the berries but they couldn't do anything about the poor lady who didn't get her box from Tom, Sherri, & Zeke! So he looked up the lady's number on line, she's from Naugatuck, and called her. He left a message explaining that if she knew Tom et al she should call them to tell them about her misplaced berries and then he wished her a Happy Mother's Day! I've shared the berries with the kids next door because two dozen is a lot to eat in 48 hours!

We just took a nice ride in the 37 Ford. It's running as smooth as ever. We also found out that Kiddo had a great time this morning riding his Dad's old mini-bike! That is so cool. I'll bet he's as proud as a peacock but I told the middle child I wouldn't let him ride it when I'm in charge at their house! She agreed that would not be a good idea. It's so hard to accept the fact that he's growing up so fast. His Mom remembers that the first time she rode a mini-bike here at home she went right into a wall. It's a good thing I don't remember all that stuff! Oh yes, and another thing - the bat is back in his bat house. Yay!

Quote:  How far that little candle throws his beams!  so shines a good deed in a naughty world.   ___Shakespeare

Safe at home . . .

Hunting bugs

Catbirds crazy about nuts

I was in Groton Tuesday to pick up Kiddo from school along with his saxophone and then we played outside in the yard for quite a while.  Two blond ragamuffin sister,waifs both, a preschooler and a first grader came to hang out. After Kiddo amused them by hiding a ball and they had to find it in the side  yard and much crying by the tiny one because she didn't win . . . and Kyle didn't give her enough time . . . and her sister took the ball even though she had seen it first . . . and her sister admitted she did take the ball . . . and I had to warn the little one that if she wasn't hurt she was not allowed to scream like a banshee and if she did she would have to go home; they decided to play scrub.  First grader was Scrub 1, preschooler was Scrub 2 and Kiddo, Scrub 3.  I was the jack of all trades - pitching, fielding, and trying to keep some order as we only had a home plate of violets and a first base which was the corner of railroad ties used for a raised flower bed. Kiddo tried to help Scrub 1 get into proper batting position by physically helping her from behind to get into the proper stance.  She almost fell over onto his back but finally, we proceeded to play and she made it to first base, the only base mind you, after I unintentionally hit her with the wiffle ball. Scrub 2 hit a soft pop up that I missed and ran to first.  I yelled at Scrub 1, "Run, run, run . . . go home, go home, go home."  She finally took off with the look of absolute fear in her eyes as she headed around the fenced in yard and started to take off for her home. I almost choked to death trying to stop her and realized that I had to explain why I was yelling at her!  She took it all in good grace.  Later on during the game when we had Scrub 4, another pretty little blond playing and they decided to have all four bases and Scrub 1 was on Third I yelled, "Go, go, go . . . go home!" she looked at me dumbfounded  before she dared to move, pointed at the squashed violets of home plate and asked if that was where she was supposed to go home. Oh wow, what a time we had.  As all of the Scrubs except Scrub 3 were leaving to go home for supper the neighbors kids from next door returned with their Dad and I happily watched as Kiddo taught this dark haired, lovely spitfire 3rd Grade girl how to play basketball.  They were doing really well and she was paying attention and getting baskets.  Then he got fancy and got a couple of shots in the basket from behind the net.  So she, in front of the net, turned her back to it and threw the ball over her head . . . swish!  As incredible as it seems she did it twice more and poor Kiddo couldn't keep up.  I had to laugh out loud.  I'm so glad that the Kiddo is getting old enough to laugh with me . . .

Picked up kid sister yesterday and after lunch with P&D's Pop at the Roadside and spending some time bird watching on the porch glider we went to All Hallows Church so she could see how good the church looks.  I must admit that even though I go to Mass almost every week I don't pay attention to the beauty of the stained glass and the other accoutrements of the interior.  It was a very nice visit.  After that we took a ride around some back roads and came down the Roller Coaster of Route 14A into  Plainfield and thence to Hank's for ice cream. Apres la glace, we went to Preston over the back roads and I dropped her off to spend some good times with kid brother and his wifey. It's amazing what decent weather can do to perk up life in this grand old world.

Quote:  If you haven't grace, the Lord can give it to you.  -If you haven't learning, I'll help you to get it.  -But if you haven't common sense, neither I, nor the Lord can give it to you.  __John Brown (of Haddington, to his students)

Getting lax and lazy . . .

Vinca on the top of the hill

Can't seem to get myself motivated for writing lately.  Since I've been on a lower dose of Synthroid I swear I'm more laid back than usual.  That's probably  a good thing;  I've been hyper for a while! Grampa had a beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers waiting for me when I got home from the Mohegan Sun yesterday, my early Mother's Day flowers and this evening we went to The 99 in Dayville for dinner. It was my choice.  Not sure why I like it there because it isn't anything really special. Perhaps it is because I've never had a drink, meal or dessert that wasn't very tasty; not extraordinary, mind you, but very good and delicious.  What more can you ask?  And it's a chain.  We ate at one years ago in New Hampshire and I was not impressed - so much so that I was never tempted to go to another one.  But a few years back when the one in Dayville had first opened I met a friend  who was visiting from Costa Rica there and I found everything to my liking and I still do! So it holds some charm for me and . . . P&D's Pop has not found any real reason to complain about it!  This time, just to keep him happy, I made sure he ordered two dinners for himself, yes, two.  He likes salmon and no matter where you go you never get enough salmon in one serving - since it was my Mother's Day Dinner I had the waitress order him two!  It worked out perfectly.  We even had desserts, beers and a monster Margarita, a $3.99 special for Cinco de Mayo.  I almost dropped when I saw P&D's Pop's face when we were greeted with "Happy Cinco de Mayo!" He's still so much fun to be with when he's trying so hard to be grouchy.  The waitress asked if we wanted popcorn; he said "No!" I said "Yes, please! He just won't be allowed to touch mine!" Popcorn is excellent with a Margarita while waiting for the meal. I made sure I kept the bowl on my side of the table! We still have so much fun driving waitresses crazy.

Quote:  If there be aught surpassing human deed or word or thought, it is a mother's love!   _Marchioness de Spadara