look out below!

To celebrate the last day of National Poetry Month and Wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings, please get a chuckle or have an eye roll from an original poem (words), from a trip to a new yoga studio (wanderings), and "Why my car?" (wonderings). 

Birdie, birdie in the tree

Why, oh why, did you not pee?

Instead you had to drop a poop,

And now it’s time to clean that goop.

Ew.

💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜    💜

Today is the one year anniversary of my little grandson AJ's open heart surgery. He was 2 1/2 months old when he needed a repair for a hole in his heart. Now look at this little guy...smiling, laughing, growing, and bringing so much love and joy to our family. My little purple heart hero.

meadow rabbit

For Easter, I gave each of my grandchildren a little gift. It was easy to find a little something for the little grandsons. My granddaughter is six weeks old and at this point in her young life, she doesn't need a toy. It was a bit of a dilemma until I was putting some towels in the linen closet and saw the washcloths I bought for the grandkids to use when they visited. These washcloths are from Japan and are so soft - perfect for washing a newborn's skin. I found one with a rabbit on it. How apropos for Easter!

Each of these washcloths comes with a poem. What a thoughtful touch...but the poem is in Japanese. The store owner recommended the Google Translate app and voila, the sweet poem showed up in English. 

"Meadow Rabbit"

Does that flower-filled meadow still

exist today?

Jumping, jumping

A beautiful meadow with a rabbit hopping

with its long ears flopping.

I want to make a flower crown with you again.

monday's mulling: aullwood garden metropark

I follow the Five Rivers MetroParks on Social Media and enjoy the account because it's no drama, non-political, and informative. The other day a post popped up saying that the bluebells at Aullwood were in peak bloom. Aullwood is such a beautiful park and it was a beautiful spring day and my friend called and said, "It's such a beautiful day...wanna do something?" The plan came together.

Aullwood Garden MetroPark is one of the Miami Valley's most historic garden parks with a picturesque prairie, an old-growth forest with centuries-old trees, and a fragrant Lilac Lawn. It is located at the former home of conservationists John and Marie Aull.

Marie Aull has been called the godmother of the environmental movement in Dayton and the Miami Valley. Along with her husband John, she nurtured their woodland bordering the Stillwater River into a beautiful, peaceful landscape of flowers. This land they named Aullwood became Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, and was later given to the public. It was one of the first nature centers in the Midwest and has served as a model for other preserves across the country. Marie Aull lived from 1897 to 2002—her 105-year life touched an incredible three centuries. In 1957, she made history by establishing the Midwest’s first National Audubon Society nature center.

A bur oak stands close to the trailhead. The red arrow on the photo points to how high the water rose during the 1913 Great Dayton Flood. The Stillwater River is on the the right hand side of the photo. Right now it blends into the landscape because it's dirty brown from the recent flooding.

My friend and I came to see the bluebells and we weren't disappointed. Calmness and serenity surrounded us as we hiked around the grounds.

 In 1977 the Aull house, its private garden and a $300,000 endowment were given to Five Rivers MetroParks; in 2000 a new education wing was named for her; and in 2002 Aull died at age 105, her ashes spread at Aullwood, alongside her husband, beneath a 500-year-old sycamore tree.

Today, Marie Aull’s legacy lives on amongst the woods and wildflowers and animals of Aullwood. She saw life’s value and wanted to protect it and in the end, perhaps that is all that really matters. 

"This is a valley where nothing ever happens, where people simply live, where there is sun and slow peacefulness of day following day."

WALK GENTLY

AND MAY SOME OF ITS PEACE BE YOURS

 

sister dorothy stang

Dayton has some old and pretty cemeteries. Woodland Cemetery is the oldest, so full of history, and my favorite. Another interesting and beautiful cemetery is Calvary Cemetery, the Catholic cemetery. On the road into leading into the cemetery there was a stone commemorating Sister Dorothy Stang, "the Angel of the Amazon." One day last week I drove into the cemetery, saw a pretty patch of daffodils, and it hit me that was where Sister Dorothy's rock was. Where did it go? I went to the cemetery's office and asked the young lady where Sister Dorothy's rock went. She handed a map to me, put an "X" to show where it had been moved, and gave me vague directions, "Stay to the left." Oh my, map reading is not my forte. I go on lots of "adventures," and this time was no exception. I took a lovely drive around Calvary and eventually found the comemorative rock.

Dorothy Mae Stang was born in Dayton, Ohio. When she was 17 years old, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, eventually teaching in Chicago and Phoenix, and in 1966 she and four other Sisters went to Brazil to help poor farmers build independent futures. Sister Dorothy dedicated her life to defending the Brazilian rainforest from depletion by agriculture. She worked as an advocate for the rural poor beginning in the early 1970s, helping peasants make a living by farming small plots and extracting forest products without deforestation. She also sought to protect peasants from criminal gangs working on behalf of ranchers who were after their plots. Sister Dorothy is often pictured wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, "A morte da floresta é o fim da nossa vida" which is Portuguese for "The Death of the Forest is the End of Our Lives". 

Sister Dorothy spent nearly four decades defending the rights of poor settlers as well as working to save the rain forest from powerful ranchers bent on destroying it. On February 12, 2005, less than a week after meeting with the country's human rights officials about threats to local farmers from loggers and landowners, hired gunmen shot her and left her to die on a muddy country road. She was 73 years old.

On January 10, 2025, almost 20 years after her death, Sister Dorothy Stang became the first American woman included in the Vatican memorial for modern-day martyrs and was formally recognized by the Vatican as a modern-day martyr. Posthumously she received the UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights and deserves to be remembered as a leader of environmental rights and a champion of the poor. 

topsy-turvy

Had to do a double take on this one, but the first thing I thought was, "Oh what a feeling, when I'm dancing on the ceiling."

This one was a what-the-he** moment. No right turn but the only way out of the parking lot is to turn right. I slammed on my breaks and luckily no one was behind me. And then sensibility kicked in and off I went only to drive back in the parking lot to snap a pic.

 

the friday feed: easter eggs

My oldest grandson dyed a few Easter eggs but a busy 3 year old boy doesn't have a whole lot of patience to color a bunch of eggs. He was happy to put an egg in each color but didn't care to watch them turn to red, orange, blue, green, yellow, or purple. Maybe next year.

The adults had fun decorating the rest of the eggs. 

My son-in-law is a real yolk-ster! 🤣

And this is no yolk

The egg-stravaganza rocked!

Deviled eggs up next.

south park urban garden

South Park is a neighborhood in Dayton that has historic significance because of its association with John Patterson, founder of National Cash Register (NCR).

When Patterson founded the NCR in 1884, South Park, the neighborhood around the factory complex had a poor reputation. To encourage workers to live in a beautiful environment, Patterson employed corporate welfare and began to clean up the area. He hired the Olmsted Brothers to design the landscape around the factory and recreate the neighborhood's cottage gardens as models for residents. Residents also learned the principals of good planting so they had the skills to plant and maintain their own yards, and prizes were awarded for the best gardens. In 1897, the National Cash Register Company's Boys' Garden was founded to create a connection for boys in the neighborhood to learn responsibility that would ultimately make them successful citizens and workers and dissuade them from becoming a nuisance.

Fast forwarding to today, in its Burns-Nathan park the residents have small garden plots available to them for vegetable and flower gardening, lovingly known as the SPUG (South Park Urban Garden). During the growing season, the gardens are full of veggies and many of the owners put fun pieces of garden art in their plots to designate their spaces. It was a vibrant little spot in the neighborhood until "progress" made its way to the park and covered the gardens with an apartment building.

The other day, I was in South Park at the frame shop and after my errand there, decided to drive around the neighborhood. Much to my delight, I drove past the Burns-Jackson Park and saw a grouping of square structures - raised garden plots - that were waiting for garden produce to be planted. The good old SPUG had been revived.

wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

Pretty things...the second bouquet from the Spring flower delivery. The flowers' colors are so different from last week's. They're bold and bright, spring's way of proclaiming, "Here I am!"

We went to Cleveland for Easter. Monday's post poked fun at the differences in Todd's and my tastes in  gas station snacks. But what really opened my eyes is while looking for his Little Debbie donuts, I walked up and down three aisles packed with junk food. Gas stations with mini markets line America's highways, as do fast food restaurants, and they're everywhere. America has an obesity problem and these establishments make it easy to make unhealthy choices. Time to get off my soap box.

My son's neighborhood streets are lined with beautiful Callery Pear trees. As pretty as they are, these trees are now banned in Ohio due to their invasive nature. They grow quickly and have a prolific seed production that leads to dense thickets that crowd out native plants and disrupt  ecosystems. They do make a beautiful spring entrance.

Now for the good part. All three of my grandchildren were in one place. Such sweetness and joy. Their moms coordinated matching pajamas, which was another layer of adorable. I'm just a gushing grandma right now!

And here I am with my little ones, Owen, Hallie, and AJ. Trying to get a picture with these three took a lot of juggling between food schedules, naps and bed times, coloring Easter eggs, hunting Easter eggs, reading books, taking walks, playing, etc., etc. Finally a moment came where I had the three of them at the same time. These little people are my biggest blessings.

The dandelions are coming, the dandelions are coming! In a world full of roses, stand out like a dandelion in the middle of a green, plush lawn!

 

Trees

Today is Earth Day, so why not choose a poem about something beautiful in nature to celebrate this day.

One of my mom's favorite poems was "Trees," by Joyce Kilmer who wrote it in 1913.  Oscar Rasbach set the poem to music in 1922; this version was recorded in 1951. Mom loved this poem and recited it to her four children many, many times, and sang it to us, too. She had such a lovely voice.

For the last six years of her life, Mom was in assisted living, eventually moving to memory care. One time, after taking her for a visit to my my brother and sister-in-law's house, she commented that Pat and Patty had such a beautiful flowering tree in their yard. It is a beautiful tree, a redbud, but not they typical redbud color. It was vivid and bold. So surprise...I took a picture of it for Mom to have in her room.

She talked about that pretty tree and how she missed seeing and talking to her friends. I had recently read about April being National Poetry Month, so one day I said to her, "Mom, would you like to send some cards to your friends? I'll make some cards using this photo and put the poem "Trees" on the back of it," explaining National Poetry Month to her. She started singing the song to me. Wow...the power of music coupled with a long term memory. She was very excited to do this. She had a project and was ready to take it on. She first wrote a list of friends and family who would receive a card, then signed each card, "Love, Joan," and I addressed the envelopes.  We took a little field trip to the downtown Dayton post office to mail the letters. 

Eventually a couple friends came to visit after receiving their tree card.  She also received quite a few letters from others and she read those letters over and over.

My brother and sister-in-law no longer live in that house. I occasionally drive by to see how the tree is doing. It's grown and is beautiful as ever. "I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree..."

Trees

By Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

monday's mulling: his and hers

Mini donuts and dill pickles. The cashier at the Sheetz gas station in Lodi, Ohio, laughed and commented, "That's one crazy combination!" 

With the travel coffee mugs filled, we left Friday morning to go to Cleveland to celebrate Easter with our family - all of our kids, their spouses, and our three grandbabies. The plan was to arrive by noon. Andrew was working from home, Jennifer was looking forward to going to the grocery store alone (one of the many joys of new motherhood), Didi and Grandpa would babysit. After being on the road for a couple hours, the coffee was gone and the hungries set in. Sheetz has all sorts of food offerings. Todd wanted his sweet treat, me - something not sweet - so why the sheetz not! This is us - one crazy combination.

easter blessings to all

What does Easter mean to you? For some, it's a time to reflect on faith and celebrate nature and new beginnings. Maybe it's the time of year when you gather with friends for cherished traditions like egg hunts and Easter baskets. Or perhaps it's all of the above.

I've written about the neighbors who go all out decorating for the holidays. The Easter decorations showed up on April 1. Bunny ears on their cars, the Easter bunny sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch watching the world go by, and the now newest additions - the pink, yellow, and blue Peeps bunnies lining the front walk. 

Their enthusiasm for sharing and bringing joy to passers by reminds me of a quote by Robin Williams, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" There are people who see this and shake their heads at the commercialism of this important Christian holy day (it's not about the bunny, but the lamb), but this can be about both. Bringing joy and hope to people comes in many shapes and forms, including over-the-top Easter decorations.

Spring is a time of new life and new joy. Appreciate and enjoy the blessings around you.

the friday feed: cheers to george

Todd consults for a small mortgage company located outside of Indianapolis. In December he and the Capital Markets VP had a trip planned to New York to attend a seminar at JPMorgan Chase, with Jamie Dimon speaking. A few days before the seminar, George developed a cough, felt lousy, and another exec took his place to attend the event. Long story short, George had stomach cancer, a tumor on his liver,  and he died three months later at 46 years old.

George was a bourbon aficionado, he bought expensive bottles to add to his very extensive collection. As his health declined, George focused on finding a home for his bourbon bottles. He made a list of which friend would be the benefactor of a specific bottle. What a way to spend your dying days. Todd was surprised and honored to be one of the recipients.

a posthumous gift

from a friend who died too soon

mem’ries in each sip

driveway dandelion

Such beauty in the determination to grow in unexpected places.

wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

Last Wednesday was a delightful day. It started off with a rhythmic, flowing yoga class focusing on strength and endurance, improving flexibility, and promoting relaxation. It was a dynamic practice that released those feel-good endorphins and after the class was over, it felt good to know that I am doing something to keep this aging body moving. Next stop - Pink Moon Goods in the Huffman Historic District to pick up my first bouquet from the Backlot Buds CSA. Two young women own these two small businesses and help each other out. Pink Moon Goods offers a drop-off spot for the Backlot Bud  flowers. The flowers bring people into shop, which of course then customers need to look around and purchase something 😊 Last week's hellebores and tulips are going strong, the daffodils were beautiful for four days and then wilted away. I pick up my next bouquet today. 

My friend and I went to an art show at The Contemporary. A talented artist son curated an exhibit highlighting his artist father's work. Zachary Armstrong celebrated  the life and work of his father George Armstrong, a long time sculpture and ceramics teacher at Fairborn High School who creativity inspired a generation of artists. Zachary secretly gathered drawings, paintings, sculptures, and ceramics from his father’s home.  It was a love letter from one artist to another, son to father. We know the Armstrong family. Our kids went to school with one another.

Life is busy at the farm. Last year, Taylor bought a hoop house to expand growing capabilities. A couple weeks ago the frame went up and just the other day, it got its covering. I'm anxious to see what his plans are for the hoop house. He and my son are the same age, are good friends, and this young man is one of my bosses during the farmers market season. He is a good one, too.

Fun at the bird feeder. The other day a mama red bellied woodpecker came to the feeder and was pecking away. You have to look close but right below her is a baby woodpecker, nibbling away on a chunk of seed that fell from the feeder. Mama teaching her baby. So sweet.

The friends we visited in Florida in February are up here visiting friends and family and staying with us. They left warmth and sunshine to come up to unpredictable spring in Ohio. Right now, it's windy, chilly, and cloudy. We definitely got the better weather deal when we visited them. 

Well typical me, I spent the weekend food shopping and cooking. She is vegetarian and tells me not to go out of the way, but that's not how I operate. I spent Sunday fixing two lasagnas: one with meat sauce and one with lots of veggies. (I hadn't made lasagna in a long time and forgot just how long it takes to make). Then, two breakfast casseroles: one with sausage and bacon, the other with vegetables. I come from a long line of women whose love language is cooking, nourishing others through food. I navigated the craziness of the Sunday crowd at Costco, felt the relief of exiting the building, and walked to the car. Whew, done with that mayhem! I took the cart to the drop-off and this colorful sticker caught my eye. "Cocinar es Amor." To cook is love.
 

Fog

 Fog

By carl sandburg

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

Seeing the world through a soft focus lens...

My big dog on a lazy, hazy, morning walk - he was shrouded in mist-ery.