blink {september 30, 2023}

And just like that, it's the last day of September. We are 3/4 of the way to 2024.  

The month began with a celebration of love, my son and daughter-in-law's fifth wedding anniversary and ended with a celebration of love, my daughter and son-in-law's wedding.

There was so much in between. Labor Day celebrations, heading to the river to watch the fountains go off one last time, lots of family birthdays, working at the farm, babysitting little grandson, checking and re-checking the wedding planning lists, making a boatload of white and milk chocolate dinosaurs for thank you favors (that took two full days), grieving the deaths of a friend's mom and a friend's husband, school buses picking up and dropping off the neighborhood kids, opening days for NFL and college football, baseball winding down to playoffs, Jimmy Buffett's death (wonder if he's found that lost shaker of salt), cool evenings on porches, the autumn equinox, getting the gardens ready for fall, planning the spring gardens, cooking with the bounty of summer veggies and now rolling into the fall veggies.

It's the rhythm of life and the beat goes on. Grateful for each day and the moments that come with them. 

the friday feed: chocolate dinosaurs {september 29, 2023}

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." ~ Charles M. Schulz

185 white chocolate dinosaurs and 185 milk chocolate dinosaurs, one of each lovingly packaged to thank wedding guests for their attendance, support, and celebration of the newly married couple. 

At today's end, we will have a new son-in-law!

💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 💠 

Tonight we give thanks for the great gift of friendship. Thank you for the circumstances that brought us together and have bound us into the sacred bundle of life. Thank you also for the gifts of our friendship: for knowledge that comforts, for words that encourage, for insight that blesses, for all the experiences shared, for the sweet bliss of deeply knowing each other in so many ways; for history and a hope of the future, for conversation and laughter, for silence, for bearing each other’s witness truly, for holding each other safe in our hearts with great love and tenderness.

~Daphne Rose Kingma

party time {september 28, 2023}

Party on the honey crisp..."bee" there!

 

wordy wednesday: boebert {september 27, 2023}

How did a name like Karen become such a powerful form of social commentary? 

The "Karen" meme is used to describe women who commit acts in public that are perceived to be racist, such as the woman who unjustly called the police on a black man in Central Park. “Karen” is also a term to denote a middle-aged white woman who is entitled, bossy, usually bigoted, and uses her privilege at the expense of others, usually people of color, the LGBTQIAA+ community, and service workers.

I know so many nice women with the first name Karen. One is a hospice nurse, one rescues dogs, one is a teacher, one is a pastor. They are good women who don’t deserve this negativity attached to their name.

Lauren Boebert’s lack of courtesy during a play, her sense of entitlement, and retelling her story for the reasons for her rudeness during the play are nauseating. 

"Boebert” could be all encompassing. It sounds like "butthead." Boebert could be for anyone, not just limited to females, and maybe starting with some representatives in DC...

showing my age {september 26, 2023}

Yes, this is me. I use complete sentences and punctuation in my texts.

Back in my teaching days, the students communicated with one another using their texting or emailing shorthand and then it transferred into their writing assignments. It was a real battle for them to understand that their abbreviated language and slang used in their internet-based communication was not appropriate for their homework assignments. Many times, I would comment, "Oh, this looks like your rough draft," and then get a WTF look from an 8th grader who thought his or her paper was a wonderful final product. Difference of opinions and difference in generations. 

Teaching them the difference between the everyday communication and why the language used in school assignments had different expectations became a goal for the students to understand before they went to the big world of high school.

monday's mulling: killers of the flower moon

How do I choose books to read? It's mainly based on recommendation but sometimes circumstance and coincidence come into play.

This is one of those circumstance and coincidence instances:

Last year while exploring NYC's Little Italy with friends, we got caught in a downpour and ran into the closest establishment. We sat down at the bar, ordered some drinks, struck up conversations with the wait staff (not many people in the place), and a young man who was sitting a couple seats from us. He joined our group.

The young man had a book with him, Killers of the Flower Moon. In my geekiness, I mentioned that the Flower Moon would be the full moon in the night's sky. We briefly talked about the book and at by end of the day, I had ordered it.

In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

One by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. Her relatives were shot and poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more members of the tribe began to die under mysterious circumstances.

In this last remnant of the Wild West, where oilmen like J. P. Getty made their fortunes, many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll climbed to more than twenty-four, the FBI took up the case. It was one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations and the bureau badly bungled the case. In desperation, the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including one of the only American Indian agents in the bureau. The agents infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest techniques of detection. Together with the Osage they began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.

In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. Each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it reveals the  callousness and prejudice toward American Indians that allowed the murderers to operate with exemption from punishment for so long. Killers of the Flower Moon is so compelling, but also emotionally devastating. 

The movie based on this book is coming out in October. I will go to the cinematic version knowing that once again the cruelty and inhumanity caused by greed and prejudice guides the rich and powerful. 

hugs and orville wright {september 24, 2023}

Another human interest story from the farm...

A woman and her mom came to our roadside farm stand to buy some produce. Mom was elderly, used a walker, and took her time examining the produce that she wanted to buy. The daughter finished her shopping and while we were waiting for Mom to decide on just the right pepper and butternut squash, Daughter handed these hug coupons to me. Her church prints these cards and the congregants can take them to pass along. 

I asked her where he church was. It's First Baptist Church in Downtown Dayton and she has attended church here since she was five years old. It's a beautiful old church, founded in 1824, and when T and I lived downtown, my dog and I frequently walked past it either on Monument Avenue or along the Riverwalk. 

She also mentioned that in 1948 Orville Wright's funeral service was held at this church and Mrs. Deeds (another big name in Dayton history) played the organ.

Orville Wright's niece, Ivonette Wright Miller, described his funeral:

“His services were at the Baptist Church at 2:30 P.M. with Dr. Charles Lyon Seasholes conducting. V.I.P.’s from all parts of the country were there. There was a loud speaker system set up so that the overflow crowd could hear the services from other parts of the church. At the conclusion of the church service we went to our cars. As the funeral procession moved over the Dayton streets, four jet fighter planes from Wright Field flew overhead. Flags were at half staff and the schools were closed at noon. When the services were performed at the cemetery, the planes flew low and dipped their wings…”

Back to the hug coupons. It was so touching to see the daughter let her mom take all the time she wanted to do her shopping. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors, the produce was new, and Mom was enjoying this moment of independence to choose the veggies she wanted. Mom insisted on paying for her own purchase and counted each dollar and exact change that she owed. 

It just seemed "Wright" to redeem a couple coupons for a hug from each of these lovely ladies.

Orville Wright's funeral

take responsibility {september 23, 2023}

This took me back to teaching days when a student got in some grade trouble because he didn't feel the need to do his homework. He and his parents came in for a conference and I was halfway expecting the parents to take their child's side (he doesn't like to read, homework is boring, he's busy with other activities, etc., etc.). They didn't and Dad got after his son. In a tough, no sympathy voice, "This your own ass fault for gettin' them grades." The kid's eyes bugged out when Dad said that (so did mine). It was a positive and productive conference and Little Johnny got a weekend to turn in his missing assignments with no grade reduction penalty.

the friday feed: heirloom tomatoes {september 22, 2023}

Tomatoes are the essence of summer and heirlooms are the best of the bunch.

The seeds are what make an heirloom tomato an heirloom tomato. They are passed down from season to season, taken by the farmers from the tomato plants that produced the best fruit. This process allows farmers to select for certain desirable traits like juiciness, size, shape, or color. Heirloom tomatoes are also often open-pollinated, which means that they are pollinated naturally, by birds, insects, wind, or human hands. No weird science-y genetic modification here.

The heirloom tomatoes that are sold at Treadway Gardens are grown right on the property. I love the names: Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Mr. Stripey. My favorites are the little red ones in front, the Russians.

With traditional tomatoes, flavor takes a backseat to more practical factors, such as disease-resistance and ability to last longer in grocery stores without spoiling. These tomatoes were created for consistency, but not necessarily flavor. Good for people who sell tomatoes, not the people who buy them. We're talking about those watery, mealy, flavorless guys that get sliced up and put on fast food burgers. Hard pass. Heirloom tomatoes, on the other hand, have been bred for their flavor and juiciness—which may also mean a lower yield and shorter shelf-life. That rich taste you experience when you bite into one likely has been developed over many years, which is why it packs a delicious punch.

The tomato season is short and the heirloom season is even shorter. My favorite way to eat them is sliced with a sprinkle of salt. Summer on a plate.

note to self {september 21, 2023}

What would I do without post it notes? Errand lists on the car dashboard, grocery lists on the kitchen counter, to-do lists stuck on my laptop, a reminder list on the trash can...

My son and his dog have visited the last few weekends. Rather than putting the dog waste bags in the garage trash can where they make the garage smell, there's a hidden spot outside for them and then I put them in the trash cans when it's time to put the trash out. Well, it's been a while since the doggy bags have made it to the garbage can so it's time for a hot pink reminder to get them in this week's trash.

wordy wednesday...glimmers {september 20, 2023}

This meme has been floating around social media and even though it's on the internet, sometimes you have to question its validity. After a little research, glimmer in this capacity is a valid term. In a nutshell, The term “glimmer” was introduced in the book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging in the Rhythm of Regulation by  licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana. In February 2022, psychologist Dr. Justine Grosso popularized the term in a TikTok video. 

Triggers and glimmers: Triggers are cues that move the body into those fight-or-flight or freeze states. Glimmers are also cues, but they are cues that move the body into that feeling of safety and connection.

Our brains have a tendency to look for the bad. Recognizing the bright side can have a beneficial impact on our mind and health. What this boils down to is that you have to be aware of what brings you comfort and peace, being mindful of the world around you and what can spark ease, relaxation, safety, connection or a feeling that things are going to be OK, even for a fleeting moment. 

You have to trust yourself to experience glimmers. Enjoy them while they last. By recognizing them you'll invite more moments of joy in your future and your light will shine brighter.

another virgo birthday {september 19, 2023}

Today is #4 child's 33rd birthday. He was a quick and easy delivery. He was so quick that the doctor almost didn't make it to the delivery room. The nurse assured me that she could handle this if needed but she didn't have to. Doc walked in, sat down, and pretty much out popped my little guy.

Even before he was born we had a few adventurous moments. When I was seven months pregnant my two-year old daughter climbed up the neighbor's tree and couldn't get down. What's a mom to do when her child is scared and crying? Without thinking, I just scurried up that tree to help her down. It was  easy climbing up; coming down was another story.

I called to my neighbor, "Peggy, I'm having trouble getting down from this tree."

Wide-eyed, she looked at me, and then, "John, John, Diane is stuck in the tree! Get the ladder, get the ladder! OhmyGod, OH. MY. GOD. What are we going to do?!!!" Luckily, her husband was such a calm and easy going guy, he looked at me, smiled, shrugged his shoulders,  and brought out the ladder. My daughter and I got down the tree without incident.

That's a story that still brings lots of laughs.

And my son brings me lots of laughs, too. He loves jokes, plays on words, is so witty, and has a way of making everyone feel at ease around him. 

I've watched him grow from a little rascal to a remarkable young man and now to a husband and dad. Wishing my fun and forever boisterous boy a happy, happy birthday!

monday's mulling: 15 months {september 18, 2023}

Little grandson is 15 months today. He reminds me so much of his daddy at that age: curious, always on the go, when he sleeps he is down and out, loves to push any buttons and flip switches, nothing is too big for him to tackle, and just a happy little guy. It's been such a joy to him grow and see his personality develop. Here's to many more years with this sweet little one 💙

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Do not ask your children

to strive for extraordinary lives.

Such striving may seem admirable,

but it is the way of foolishness.

Help them instead to find the wonder

and the marvel of an ordinary life.

Show them the joy of tasting

tomatoes, apples and pears.

Show them how to cry

when pets and people die.

Show them the infinite pleasure

in the touch of a hand.

And make the ordinary come alive for them.

The extraordinary will take care of itself. 

~William Martin

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Today would have been my mother-in-law's 100th birthday. She left this earth just a little over a year ago, August 2022. Little grandson was her 11th great-grandchild. It's amazing to think of the age difference, how she grew up vs. how little guy is growing up. So much change in 100 years but the one thing that is the same: she grew up surrounded by a loving family and little guy has the same.

a corny birthday wish {september 17, 2023}

I had to work the afternoon shift at the farm on my birthday. No big deal...beautiful day, good people, customers excited about all the pumpkins that we have. It's a happy, fun, peaceful place.

On my secret way into the parking lot, I passed the cornfield and saw something fluttering a ways down the row. Out of curiosity, I checked it out. A Happy Birthday balloon had floated away from a someone's birthday party and landed at it's final destination. 

Keep your eyes open for those micro moments, the little glimmers that fill one's heart with joy, peace, gratitude, and happiness. 

gratitude 66 {september 16, 2023}

66 Things I’m Grateful for on My 66th Birthday

Today is the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of the good things in life. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, helpless and hopeless during these chaotic times. For that reason it’s important for each of us to make an effort to remind ourselves of all the beauty and goodness around us, even when we’re not paying attention to it.

I am grateful for:

1. Another birthday to CELEBRATE!
2. 66 years of learning, growing, struggling and becoming. What a gift!
3. My husband, who shines a light on my heart every single day. He’s my rock.
4. My first-born son. A gift. The one who made me a mom. The one who helped me navigate parenthood as I tried to figure out first time childhood. I love his kind heart and his ability to make the best of any situation. 
5. My first born daughter. Another gift. An independent spirit who wanted to do everything herself (and still does), who moved to big cities and made it look so easy, and has a contagious zest for life.
6. My second born daughter. A treasure. Her gift to me is compassion and intuition. She was a sweet, quiet child but to watch her grown into an exceptionally successful business woman has brought me so much joy. She and her husband are blessing me with my second grandson.
7. My second son. Another treasure. The end of the line. The one with boundless energy, a big heart, and the one who gave me the gift of grandparenthood.
8. My daughter-in-law. A gem. She gifts me with laughter and enthusiasm for life and love.
9. My son-in-law who loves my second daughter to the ends of the earth.
10. My soon-to-be-S-I-L. An incredibly smart young man who is destined to do big things.
11. My little grandson. To see the world through the eyes of child renews the soul and keeps me young at heart.
12. My kids’ in-laws. To know they are loved by wonderful families makes my heart happy.
13. My siblings. Each one brings something unique to my life and is a thread in the tapestry of my life.
14. My friends, who bring their perspectives to my life and are also a thread in the tapestry of my life.
15. My three dogs who offered comfort, an opportunity to practice patience, and unconditional love.
16. A comfortable home and the many blessings it holds.
17. Living in the USA.
18. The many men and women who fought, suffered and died in an effort to birth what we now have in the US.
19. The people in all walks of life who have stood up for equality and paved the road for others today.
20. Poets, writers, musicians and artists of all types who show us our soul.
21. To live in a time of discovery.
22. Comfort – running water and electricity that provides warmth in winter and cool air in summer.
23. Rugged mountains symbolizing strength and endurance and invoke the same in me.
24. The sweet smell of ocean tides and the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing on a beach.
25. The enduring power of love in all of its manifestations.
26. For rivers, streams, and spring waters.
27. My chiropractor who keeps me in line.
28. Farmers who till the soil and care for livestock day in and day out to put food on our table.
29. The conservation minded who have pushed us to be responsible citizens in the care of Mother Earth.
30. The kind-hearted souls who look after wounded animals, stray and neglected pets.
31. For doctors and modern medicine that give hope to the sick.
32. Modern equipment that has provided medical treatments not available before.
33. Gardening, both flowers and vegetables. Growing beautiful flowers, growing tasty herbs this year, and getting dirt under my fingernails is satisfying. Having fun planning my gardens for next year.
34. Going to the movie theater and getting a big tub of popcorn.
35. The freedom to travel, whether it's local, in the US, or international.
36. Snow, sleet, rain and sun that enliven the human spirit and make things grow.
37. The gift of darkness so we can appreciate light.
38. A comfortable bed with soft sheets and fluffy pillows.
39. Clocks. They help me live in a world that requires I know time.
40. Coffee, wine and ice cream!
41. Restaurants that provide me with an opportunity to taste foods I may not otherwise taste.
42. Universities, colleges and schools that have and continue to enlighten generations of children and young adults.
43. People who invest in the arts and help to create great venues to bring us live performances.
44. For museums that help us hold onto our history.
45. For green grass and butterflies.
46. Bees and birds that delight while they pollinate and transport seeds!
47. The deer who trim my shrubs and keep the rabbits and mice company.
48. Bourbon.
49. Personal computers that have made it possible for me to write this blog and to help me find answers to questions in no time.
50. Washers, dryers, dishwashers, toasters, blenders, coffee makers and so many other appliances that have made our lives so much easier.
51. My planning ahead skills and my ability to go by the seat of my pants. What a dichotomy.
52. Rocks, stones and gems; their beauty, strength and grounding ability.
53. Rock bands, orchestras, choruses and all who gather together to create music.
54. Listening to music with the car windows down and the radio turned up!
55. Riding my bike. Seeing and discovering the area around me at my own pace on the neighborhood and back roads and on the bike paths. I stay away from traffic as much as I can. 
56. My yoga practice that gives me an uninterrupted hour to myself, that keeps me flexible, that clears my mind, that makes me appreciate the world around me.
57. My love of cooking, having fun with food to cook healthy meals for friends and family.
58. Chocolate. 
59. Traditions, holidays and time set aside for family and celebration
60. Sitting on the patio with a fire in the Solo Stove.
61. My job at the farmer’s market. It’s a fun job surrounded by lots of good co-workers and customers.
62. My good health. 
63. My spirit of wanderlust and curiosity.
64. Sunrises and sunsets. Beautiful beginnings and endings to the days.
65. The art work on my walls. 
66. The blogs that I read. They open up new worlds and new perspectives. Lots of food for thought.

the friday feed: pumpkin spice {september 15, 2023}

It's that time of year. Sometimes the pumpkin spice craze drives me nuts, but then again I marvel at the creativity for some of the items that have become pumpkin-spiced. 

asking for help {september 14, 2023}

I've been known to do something like this. It's usually when I want to get something done and no one is around that I will become like a ninja and be a master of my surroundings to accomplish what I want to do. Unconventional, yes, but it gets the job done.

This post has led to some soul searching about why am I hesitant to ask for help in other areas of my life. Maybe a fear of rejection, a fear of change, a fear of being a burden, a fear of losing control of the situation, or a fear of energy drain. I just thought this meme was funny and now I'm thinking way too hard.

 

wordy wednesday: portaloo {september 13, 2023}

Many years ago when we were in Italy, we went to a restaurant and were seated with a couple from England. As we conversed, we talked about some differences in each of our country's English. The man commented that we have a common language separated by an ocean of differences. 

In the Scottish blog that I read every morning, Angus and his wife shared their story of a construction project on their cottage by the North Sea. The workers placed a portaloo on the property for their use. 

At the farm, we have a porta potty. 

Portaloo, porta potty. Same thing, different sides of the Atlantic.

The other day, nature called, and I told my co-worker that I was going to use the portaloo. She gave me the most quizzical look. I explained that's what people in the UK call a porta potty and I just liked the sound of it.

Every so often, customers ask if we have a bathroom, typically for a child to use. We tell them about the porta potty. One time a customer gave a look that said, "Really?" My response was that she could take her child out to the cornfield. The porta potty won out.

Next time someone asks, I will direct them to the portaloo down the lane.

spam, spam, spam, spammity spam {september 12, 2023}

One of the annoyances with a cell phone.

Made me think of the Monty Python song:

Lovely Spam! Wonderful Spam!
Lovely Spam! Wonderful Spam

Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am
Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am
Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am
Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am

Lovely Spam! (Lovely Spam!)
Lovely Spam! (Lovely Spam!)
Lovely Spam!

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam!