The gleaner . . .

Yes, 'tis I. Have no idea what possessed me today. Mayhap 'twas the autumnal equinox which dawned drab and dreary but turned out sunny, dry and delightful. After our drive to Groton and getting coffee and a very fresh cranberry nut muffin ( real live cranberries, mind you) at the Bakers' Dozen downtown and . . . completing a half hour of tiring exercises on the Wii I decided to clean the garden. By the end I was on my hands and knees because I couldn't bend anymore! But, I've got to admit the garden looks perfect. It's a good thing it's small this year. Now I've got to call my Master Gardener cousine and find out what we need to put in the soil to get rid of the beetle bugs that attack the cucumber vines when they are at their peek production and cause them to wilt no matter how much I water. Then Puppy's Pop will be able to spread some fertilizer too before tilling the soil and planting winter rye. I don't think I'll put any pumpkins in next year, instead I'll grow Indian Corn or ornamental gourds. Since I've downsized I'll have to be more particular about what I choose to grow. Can't believe I'm already planning for the Spring planting. Definitely a screw loose somewhere. I'm drinking tea too. I guess I'm going through a growth spurt.

Quote:  Haste is not always speed.  We must learn to work and wait.  This is like God, who perfects his works through beautiful gradations.  Moliere

Family time . . .

Just back home from the funeral parlor. I'm glad that we were able to be with Emma's family for a short time to cry, hug, express our anguish, and laugh as her Mom said," She's resting now but she'll be kicking ass in the next world." I had to give a loud, "Amen." Such a wonderful child who has given to other children so they can live more fully in this life. Emma believed in fairies and we were asked by her Mom to remember this lovely green sprite when ever we needed consolation or smiles. " Will do, Emma."

Sweet Emma . . .

You grace God's heaven. Give our love to all and sundry.

Not feeling right . . .

Odd day yesterday. Visited younger sister. We went out to lunch and ice cream too. S. is looking better than he had the last time I visited but is home bound. We had a beautiful quiet day. I got home and finished up some odds and ends before suppertime. Took a walk around the yard and when I came in Puppy's Pop was on the phone. His younger brother had horrible news for us. Their sister J's grand daughter, 9 years old had died of a brain aneurysm. Can't even imagine how her parents K. B. and 12 year old brother will cope. J. and her husband were in Florida. They got a flight back home last evening. We have no details concerning funeral arrangements. Beautiful, lively, kind, generous Emma was at the Sunday of Labor Day Party. She was having a grand time with kids and adults, gave hugs when she left with her parents and brother. And life flows on, not smoothly, but time just keeps passing. I can find no consolation for her family. They loved her, cared for her, schooled her and she's gone. I must believe that Gram is now in charge of Emma.

Quote: Each departed friend is a magnet that attracts us to the next world. ___Richter

Perfection . . .

The only perfection I see in this world is in Nature. This week she seems to have reached her apogee: nights in the 40's and days in the 70's, dry and clear. Can't ask for anything more. A few maples are just starting to turn red. The air smells bright and clean. All praise to the creator of this chaotic world and the law of intended consequences.Would that man had been crafted in the same manner.

Ate the best corn bread for snack last evening. Puppy's Pop and I spent time in the kitchen with a super young lady and her friend Rob. They stopped by to pick up a Nikon SLR that youngest asked us to give away. We immediately thought of Mary because she is a wonderful amateur photographer. She brought us her just made, warm cornbread. Believe you me it was close to perfection. He produces the Woonsocket Patch, an online newspaper of sorts and she works as a programmer at Meditech a private company in Massachusetts. They work hard but absolutely have a zest for life that is incomparable. Not sure how they fit all their interesting excursions into long commutes and busy work schedules but they do. It must have to do with being in your late thirties!

Kiddo told me he was going to take five of my pumpkins home with him but at the last moment decided he didn't wish to bring them to Groton. I know he's figuring that if they already have pumpkins his folks won't bring him to the big farm where they can have cider, choose big pumpkins, pick apples and take a horse and buggy ride. So I guess I'll be giving them away which is just fine with me. Not sure if they will survive until Halloween! I picked them early because the crazy bugs were all over them. I still don't use pesticides.

Quote: The sweetest type of heaven is home. __J. G. Holland

Back in the groove . . .

Yup. Started out at six today, a glorious September morning. Had breakfast, took a second to read the Bulletin, went shopping at Big Y for a few odd bits, took my two mile walk with Puppy's Pop. I'm starting to feel like the energizer bunny. It seems like months since I've felt "normal" whatever connotation you want to give the word. But I'm starting to feel in sync with life once again. Think the doctoring got the best of me for a while but having the youngest one visit for the first time in five years has put the zest back.

Never did mention that the Labor Day Horseshoe Tournament went well. Too much food as usual but that's okay. I won't have to cook so much for a while. It's amazing to see the great nieces and nephews growing up so fast. Will be off soon for Sacred Heart and lunch duty.

Quote: What we know here is very little, but what we are ignorant of is immense. __Laplace

Déjà vu . . .

Empty nest syndrome? Wow, didn't know it could strike again. Youngest and G. took the T from Attleboro at 1:52 this afternoon.They will stay in Boston for two nights visiting friends from SBRA before leaving for England Friday. Find it hard to believe they're already gone. It was the best visit this old house has seen. Only way it could have been perfect is if oldest and his wife could have been here too. At least daughters got to spend some time together and Kiddo absolutely loves his Aunt and G. Puppy's Pop and I got a chance to go to places we haven't visited in ages: Mystic Seaport, Sturbridge Village. D. and G. went up to Maine while Puppy's Pop and I were in Wrentham where Puppy's Pop won everything possible at the control line Northeast contest. He came home with the Mass Cup. We keep it for a year. Who knows, he may keep it for longer than that. He is that good. What a great show he put on. While the other men were flying I was having a good time keeping track of two Cricket Matches and walking a few miles on Wrentham's Parcourse. There are about a dozen stops along the path where there are different exercises set up to improve cardio fitness. Really neat. Since I've not blogged for a while I will mention that Puppy's Pop's younger brother is finally home from Yale New Haven where he was newly outfitted with brand spanking new wiring and a new pacemaker/ defibrillator. He was in the hospital for two weeks and is now home and on the mend. My older brother is also on the mend having undergone the same surgery as I. Now if we can all just stay out of doctors' offices for a few years I shall be content.

Quote: We need not power or splendor; wide hall or lordly dome; the good, the true, the tender, these form the wealth of home. ___S. J. Hale