Full Houses

The house has been full this week, full of grandchildren, full of grown up kids, full of family. It's been wonderful! Wonderful and exhausting. LOL! I wouldn't trade it for the world. I worked two short days Monday and Tuesday, took Wednesday and Thursday off, and worked a regular day yesterday. My son and his family came to say goodbye at Dunkin. Four sweet children, one as big as his parents, and three littles. I sent them off with hugs, I love yous, a box of Munchkins and a snowbrush. I wanted to cry, but held it in. 

Adam cooked the turkey for Thanksgiving and we all gathered at Bethany's house. There were 14 grandchildren, all seven of my kids, 2 sons in law, 2 daughters in law, Nathan's new girlfriend Fille, my nephew Will, my friend Gail, Adam's dad and brother, and me. That's 31. We were missing Nathan's kids who spent the day with their mom and her fiancé. There was a football game on TV (I think), two puzzles and a game of Euchre in the dining area, a game of Scrabble and lots of conversation.

Number 12, also known as Parker, turned seven on Thanksgiving Day. We celebrated his birthday with pizza and cupcakes at our house on Wednesday night. Nate and Fille brought the kids and I was able to get some pictures of my grandchildren. It was super special to see my two four year old granddaughters play together for the first time. 

I should have thought to catch family group pictures, but maybe we'll save that for summer.

Feeling Cozy

 A post before November slips through my fingers and disappears.

Winter is just around the corner. We had a taste of it this week, complete with snow two to three inches thick on my car Tuesday morning. Good thing I keep that snow brush handy year round! On Monday morning my gloves were still hidden away upstairs, but I'd heard more snow was in the forecast and donned both my new Grinch hat and last year's gloves when the snow was deep and formidable. My commute is barely long enough to warm up the car and I am super thankful for my heated seat.

I've recently revisited my felting needles and stabbed out a few fabulous friends. I have six complete, aside from hangers and they're so cute. Unfortunately the arthritis in my left thumb/wrist is not in favor of my creativity. (Either that or I was too enthusiastic about finishing more penguins than my hands could handle.) I'd hoped for five penguins and five snowmen by Saturday but may have to be happy with what I have, which is better than nothing. Ruth and I are doing another craft sale.

Speaking of Ruth, we went out shopping a couple Saturdays ago. I texted her early that morning and said I wanted to go looking at furniture. There is nothing quite like a best friend to encourage us on the adventure. LOL! First we went to Bob's Discount Furniture where we saw some fabulous dining room sets, and then we went to Ashley where I fell in love with a cute little loveseat the perfect size for the end of my living room. So, so cozy. It arrived today and I love it!

The Powers That Be decided to shake things up a bit at work. The manager that hired me a year ago was suddenly moved into a different position outside of our store. (It was a surprise to her as well...) We got a new manager along with three new employees who had formerly worked with her at a different coffee shop. The first week was tough with the entire store being rearranged and few of us sure what was happening. This week was better. We're getting to know each other and falling into a groove. Maybe it's going to be okay after all.

October

 I've made it all the way to the end of October without a post. I'm somewhat disappointed in allowing myself to let go of this lifeline which has been a place to sort through thoughts and emotions, to unwind and decompress, and to record a multitude of significant life events. Maybe that's part of the reason I've loosened my grip...

It's been a tough year for me in the political sense. Where I once considered myself conservative, I've been forced to rethink where that vein was taking me, and the message it was sending my friends and family. My own faith and spirituality have taken an unanticipated turn in the past 10 years, and with the downward spiral of the party I once considered my own, I knew I had to make a change. As a child I was taught about a Jesus who welcomed the stranger, fed the hungry, and healed the sick. My heart aches as I watch the church I loved take a different path. The political policies promoted and excused by former "Christian" friends have the potential to bring pain and trauma to so many people living among us. When our words and actions do not produce the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) then they are not of Christ, even if the American Church does everything it can to justify what is happening. 

My heart longs for the church I once thought existed (Yes, I know it still does, in isolated pockets...). I want to feel like I belong in Christian circles, but the truth is I cannot accept what I see them embracing. Every so often an old hymn or worship song touches a nerve deep within and the tears roll down my cheeks. Perhaps, on a small scale, I am finally understanding the tears of the prophets... My faith has not been discarded, it honestly hasn't really changed. It's just that the light is exposing what had for so long been shrouded in secrecy.

So, that's my October post. Tomorrow it will be November and that's always a good time to look back at the past year and remember all I have for which to be grateful. The list is long and plentiful.

So That Was September

It's almost gone already, my favorite month of the year. There's just something about September. It comes with arms full of blessings, and countless heartaches. It's been a full year since my sweet friend's husband passed on and I followed her home to Florida. It's been a year since I waited out Hurricane Helene and made my way back north to home. September has marked the passing of birthdays, an anniversary (ten years for Hannah and Sergio!), and my father's trip "home" 16 years ago. (How has it been so long?)

It's been another month of stretching and growing. After the heinous assassination on September 10th, I had two former friends lash out at me, one asking if I thought the murder "justified." Honestly, I am speechless. I'd heard his name prior but never listened to him speak, didn't know his face, or anything about him and his perspectives. How could anyone ever think something so horrible would be justified? Our country is writhing in anguish. I pray we can heal our wounds and find it in our hearts to love our neighbors, forgive our friends and family, and live in peace.

This past Saturday Hannah and I packed up the kids and went to the Rochester Public Market. I was comforted to see people from a variety of ethnic groups all together in one place. It healed a little piece of my grieving heart. We bought corn and potatoes, tomatoes, apples, a bottle of olive oil from the West Bank, a couple of donuts, and two empanadas. It was a beautiful morning. 

What Happened to August?

 August slipped away without even one blog entry. Shame on me! It was a beautiful month of friends and family. I did not go away on vacation this summer, but between my friends and family, it feels as though I did.

Ruth and I have been hanging out together. We've gone shopping, eaten out here and there, and hung out at her house, and set up another craft sale booth. 

My flowers have bloomed and faded. The bees and butterflies have been fantastic!

Hannah and I took the kids to feed the birds and find the Fairy Houses. It never gets old.

I spent more than a few hours drawing out on the back porch. The boys would come out for a little while, add something to my page and run off. This is a picture that Killian and I drew together. The stems of the sunflowers started out as tall grass. I can't remember what the bonfire was to begin with, but in the end he came over, took a look at the picture, and declared, "I made a fire!"

Ruth is slowly teaching me to crochet. She made the chick. I made the bluebird, with a little help from her. They really are so much fun! This weekend we're setting up our booth at the Macedon Lumberjack Festival. We're both a little excited. Here's hoping for good weather!

We had the wonderful privilege of an out of town visitor last week when Jim flew north to be home for a few days. He gets homesick sometimes and felt a deep longing to be with us. II picked him up at the little airport in Niagara Fall, NY on Monday even a little after 6 pm and knew better than to let an opportunity to see The Falls get away from us. We spent about an hour and a half at Niagara Fall State Park (the US side) before heading back home again. It was a beautiful night!

I went to work for six hours on Tuesday morning and met s few of my kids and Jim at Sea Breeze Amusement Park where we spent the afternoon riding the rides and soaking up some sunshine.

On Thursday Bethany and crew accompanied us to the Great NY State Fair for more fun and games. On the way home my car was rear ended and we limped home from Baldwinsville, NY after trading Bethany and Henry, who were in my car, for Sergio so Henry and Bethany could get home a little sooner.

On Thursday evening we gathered as a family. I was blessed to have six of my seven kids in one place. We were missing Josiah who had to work but had been at our house for dinner on Tuesday when Bethany, Nate, and Dave were missing.

Before Jim's arrival, at the very beginning of the week, I caught up with my friend Gail and we took a walk along the lake shore looking for glass in Sodus Point. We just missing getting soaked by a downpour when we got back to the car just in time, and stopped for lunch at Burnap's Farm Market on the way home.

It's been a beautiful summer indeed!

Summer of 2025

It's been a wonderful summer so far. Tomorrow is July 31 at which point our summer will be halfway gone. Thankfully there is another month to savor, and who doesn't love August?

It's been weeks since I last wrote anything, but so much has happened. My childhood best friend and I have spent many hours together since being reunited. I've sat with her at two craft shows and we have several more planned. The crocheted dolls, animals, and video characters she makes are so cute! She's been teaching me to follow patterns and hopefully I'll gather a collection to sell as well.

July 12- Ben, Hannah, and I went to the Brad Paisley concert at CMAC in Canandaigua, NY. It was a warm sunny July evening and my very first CMAC concert. We had a fabulous time.

July 19- We went to the Sterling Renaissance Festival together. It's about an hour away, close to the shore of Lake Ontario. Though I have been to the Ren Fest twice in Minnesota, I had never been to our own. So much fun! 

July 20- We celebrated Hannah turning 30 with a picnic/birthday party at Webster Park. It was a grand success! 

July 26- Ruth, Gail and I met up to wander the Waterfront Festival here in town. On our way through we met my friend Elizabeth who lives up the street. It was a stifling hot day so we decided on an airconditioned lunch following our shopping spree.

July 27- I have two crochet creatures to sell. Ruth helped me put the finishing touches on this sweet little bluebird. I did the face and feet, and she put some fantastic feathers on top of his head. LOL!

Reunited

I spent 5 hours with my long lost pal last night. I went to her house, which is less than 10 minutes away, and then we went to dinner at Jeremiah's. We've spent a lifetime apart but I've never stopped loving her. Her dog isn't entirely sure about me (LOL!) but she licked my hand several times when I wasn't looking at her so I think there's hope that we'll be friends too.
Photo from 1979 maybe?

Bits and Pieces

May 24- Breakfast with my sisters at Busy Bean Cafe in Penfield. We seldom go out as a threesome so it was really nice to meet up and spend some time together. I think we're all hoping this happens more often.

May 25- I took a beautiful, late Sunday afternoon walk at Highland Park with the family. The boys had time and space to run and jump, hide under trees, and climb on rocks. The lilac festival and all its activity is over and done. The park has been left calm and peaceful.

May 29- Hannah bought a family membership to Rochester's Strong Museum of Play and we took a drive there together after I got out of work and Idris was out of school. There is always something fun to see and since it was late afternoon the crowds were thin. Just the way Kili likes it. LOL! I watched the baby while Hannah and Sergio played mini golf with the boys.

May 30- I drove to the White Rabbit Dessert Experience to meet some out of town cousins who, for reasons unknown to me at the time, did not show up that evening. I decided to make the best of the night and, after waiting 45 minutes, ordered myself a dessert. 

June 1- My sister Priscilla and I met for breakfast by the Erie Canal and took a walk. Later that afternoon I drove out to Williamson to drop off a bag of gluten free flour to a friend and decided to get an ice cream cone at Yia Yia's on the way home. I picked Rainbow Sprinkles in honor of Grandmanita.

June 6- This past Friday evening I returned to White Rabbit Dessert Experience (on the proper day) and met my cousin Colleen and her daughter Celia who were in town for a class Celia was taking at Strong Memorial Hospital. (I'll be in big trouble if I keep up this dessert habit...)

June 7- Several weeks ago an acquaintance/Facebook friend and former Williamson Children's Librarian let me know she would be in town the first week of June and wondered if maybe we could get together. It sounded like a fabulous plan, so Saturday morning Nancy and I met at a diner in the Webster Village. Although we have "known" each other for years, it was our first time to sit down and chat. We were in the diner for about four hours. It was a very nice visit indeed.

June 8- Yesterday was the 6th birthday of Grandchild Number 12. Before his party my friend Gail and I met for breakfast (Yes, there seems to be a recurring theme here...) and calling hours for a former classmate. Since there was time in between, and it had been on Gail's mind all week, we stopped at a little craft sale/flea market at the Emporium in Ontario, NY. As we wandered the booths a table full of crocheted animals caught my eye. As I was approaching the table, unknown to me the vendor was approaching me. She called my name and I found myself slightly shocked and almost utterly speechless to find my Once Upon a Time Constant Companion, Ruth, standing there. It has been years since I last saw her and now she lives in the next town. I found myself teary after leaving and am looking forward to spending some time with her in the near future.

That's What Friends Are For

My friend Shelly was in town this past weekend and we spent the day together yesterday. We'd hoped for good weather but the warm breezes we'd imagined were not to be. Instead of a day of sunshine, thick clouds rolled in making the sky dark, dreary, and occasionally dripping. I picked her up at her hotel in time for breakfast. I had two pancakes, two eggs, and two sausage links with coffee. She had an English muffin and a diet Pepsi. (To be fair, she had already eaten something at McDonalds before my arrival.) During our morning meal a mutual friend named Frank showed up in the seat right next to me. I think he was surprised to see her sitting across the table. Ha ha!

Since the sky was dark and drippy, we decided to visit the mall and walk. We checked out some cute clothes, popped into a toy store or two, and each bought a drink. I had water and she had another diet coke. We walked the mall at least twice before heading back toward Webster where we went to Wegmans in search of a Banana Pepper Sauce she'd seen online. We hadn't been in the store long when who should we see but Frank... Twice in one day. In the distance I saw our friend Barry who works at Wegmans. Shelly hadn't seen her in years and had just been asking about her. Of course we had to chase her down and say hello. We'd thought to buy salad fixings in Wegmans and take them home to my house but there was an ailing child at home, so we went to Panera Bread and ordered salads there instead.   

A trip back home isn't entirely complete without a trip to the lake, so I took Shelly down to Webster Park where the wind was blustery and the waves wild. She braved the cold wind just long enough to take a video of the lake which she promptly sent to a friend in Georgia. At this point in time the sky was cloudy but calm, so we took a chance and went for a walk in the woods at Webster Park. We only got lost for a minute or two because that's what always happens on those trails through the trees.

In need of a potty, we headed for Target and a walk through the store, before heading up the sidewalk to Barnes and Noble where we perused the aisles of shelves, chose a few books for purchase and sat in the Starbucks Cafe to talk and share Pink Drinks before the store announced it's impending close and I took Shelly back to the hotel. We haven't spent so many hours together since our photography trip to the Finger Lakes in 2012! It was a wonderful day with a forever friend.

Bits and Pieces

It's been a little bit... Once upon a time I wrote something every day. It's been a place to which I could return when my memory wasn't clear enough to identify a place or time, or even to clearly recall a past event, but now the days pass by unrecorded. Is it that there are no wonderful events to journal? Are the events too personal to record? Or is it that I am simply too tired and distracted? Probably yes to all in one way or another.

* Work is exhausting. Or maybe it's the spring pollens. LOL! I'm always tired in May. Now my feet are tired along with the rest of me.

* Apparently May is a good month for catching up with doctor appointments; cardiologist last week (She asked if I knew I was prediabetic...), dermatologist yesterday (She says I can keep my spots. Ha ha!), and the dentist next week. (Here's hoping he'll let me keep my teeth.) These along with a weekly allergy injection and maybe a walk with my therapist.  Last week I took him down to the woods where I sat on a bench surrounded by trees. He was on Zoom through the app on my phone.

* I've been able to pick up a few hours at work and starting next week I'll be the 6am to 2 pm person on a regular basis. I might have to schedule a 2:30pm nap Monday through Friday. At least through allergy season. My cousin's granddaughter is home from college and working at the donut shop too. It's been interesting getting to know her.

* My cousin's little recuse dachshund slipped his collar the other night and ran off before she ever got him into the house. He's lost in the woods and orchards between her house on Lake Rd and where we used to live. Terrified and alone. She is heartbroken. I hope they find him soon.

* The weather is spring like and the world has turned green. The Apple Blossom Festival is in Williamson today and we're forecast to have severe storms right when the parade should be going down Main Street. Go figure! The Lilac Festival in Rochester has been full swing this week. I found some beautiful blossoms around the block from my house.

Lake Stop

Quick lake stop tonight. I didn't stay for the sunset, but I did stay long enough to exhale the stress within. At least for the moment. Honestly, there is nothing like water to calm the heart and soul. Enjoy the pictures... (They loaded backwards and I 'm not feeling like trying to fix the order. Ha ha!) 

This evening's collection.

Not yet sunset

I may have been lake licked...

Young couple

Mill Creek bridge and outlet

Chunky driftwood

Between the boulders

(It looks like an exotic beach. LOL!)

Thoughts from Ocean City, Maryland

I don't know exactly what kind of closure I thought visiting ocean City might bring. There was no rush of emotions, although I'm sure I could have worked them up if I tried. Ha ha! That would have been a pointless waste of emotional energy. Instead a took in my surroundings, imagined what it might have been like 45 years ago, and breathed out past yearnings.

Another childhood friend, an earlier love of mine, when he found out we'd eaten dinner at Hooters on the beach (Hey. it was walking distance from our hotel and open when most places were closed...), suggested their crabcakes but I'm not eating crustaceans. His response, "Well there's still pit beef, Thrasher’s fries and Smith Island Cake!!" Gail and I didn't find pit beef or Smith Island Cake this trip, but we did share an order of Thrasher's Fries and they were not only an Ocean City original but fabulous too (with vinegar on top)!

Gail wasn't interested in walking down the old fishing pier or across the sand to the water's edge. It was cold and windy, and she was tired. While she sat on a bench on the boardwalk with her book, I took a walk by myself. I didn't walk all the way out the pier by myself, instead I walked as far as the steps down to the sand and underneath, like I imagined we might have done at 14... 

Had it been warmer I'd have taken my shoes off and put my feet in the water. Had I been more relaxed I'd have sat in the sand and gazed out over the ocean... Instead I picked pieces of shells and pebbles from the line of debris left by the waves and tucked them into my pocket and, just for old times sake, wrote a note in the sand... One like we used to write in the snowbanks along the creek during the winter we spent together in 3rd grade. And then I scuffed it out with my foot.

"The box" is is pretty much packed, the memories, hopes, and wishes tucked inside. The box has a cover but it isn't quite sealed up. I haven't yet found the perfect ribbon with which to tie it shut... but I know that's coming too.