"It's strange that words are so inadequate.  Yet, like the asthmatic struggling for breath, so the lover must struggle for words."

TS Elliot.

Welcome "Finny" and Happy Birthday, "Owie!"

This weekend the family celebrated two occasions...  We celebrated a belated birthday.  Owen turn 4 last month, and none of us were able to attend.  His brother, Finn, turned one month old a few days ago!  This was reason enough to celebrate!  It was another fun-filled chaotic weekend on the river!

A magnificent creation!

This morning, after finishing a long and difficult shift, I was thrilled to have a little change of pace and something different to talk about.  This beautiful specimen was found outside our facility....and in all my 60 + years I have never seen anything like this!

This is the Pandorus Sphynx moth.  http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Eumorpha-pandorus

Moths are to butterflies as dandelions are to petunias.  In other words, they are not regarded as highly. I believe, after seeing this, that they have been short-changed.  There is beauty in all things.  Everywhere....  You just have to stop and look.

Hello again!

It has been a while, hasn't it?  Life moves at such a fast pace.  There is little time to pause.  There's news, however, that must be told!

Please join me in welcoming Gryffen, who was gently birthed, at home, two weeks ago!

Gryffen joins his brother, Owen, and his sister, Lilah, to complete this beautiful little family.

Lilah and Owen visited nana and papa while Griffen was getting settled.  We went to Tudhope Park in Orillia where much fun was had by all!

Lilah was just a little upset to leave...but that was fixed quickly with "one more time, then!"

I found a farm that was still selling strawberries.  I had a marathon freezer jam making spree....and my freezer is full until I split the dole with family

And in those moments when the air is warm, I have spent my time here...

What is happening at your home?  Are you enjoying life?  I am!

Hello!

Has it really been three weeks since I posted?  Where does time go!?

We have been so busy lately!  Let me show you!

I attended the Annual Rug Display and Show.  Below are two of my favorite hooked pieces.

We have done several short cruises around the Bay.

Captain Mocha...

My chickens arrived!

Someone has been earning her keep!

My garden is coming along!  I planted 40 garlic plants, 18 tomatoes, beans, peppers, squash, onions and melons.  My grapes did not fare well over the winter, and we have also lost our peach trees.  (Sigh!)

This weekend was spent refilling the sandbox with new sand in preparation for a visit from Two Littles who will be staying with nana and papa while their mommy and daddy help brother Griffen make his grand entrance!   That's not all, though...  The chickens were cleaned and watered, an old metal swing was spray painted, a gift was started for a gal at work, and papa put up a new gazebo!  (Aren't the Mosquitos terrible??)

We've also had company!

It's hard to tell but the shell must be 14" across!  I won't be swimming off our dock this summer!

Life seems to move so quickly...(another sigh!).   There's always so much to do...  Hope to check in again soon!  

Take care!!

I'm afraid that this blog has fallen to the fate of everything that requires a degree of effort.  Since starting to work full time, 12 hour night shifts, I have slept my way through blogging and painting and just about everything else that I have ever enjoyed.

So folks, I will be back now and then until March of 2016 when I throw in my hat and join the ranks of unemployed and loving it.

Thank you for every comment that you have left along the way.  I will continue to visit your lovely blogs.

Wendy

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle....

Today I visited my best friend.  I can say that in all honesty.  

I've known Fran for 25 years.  She watched me struggle through to the end of a  difficult marriage.  She guided me when I assumed the role of a single parent.  She introduced me to a better man.  She has always been on the sidelines cheering me on.  I was always MORE than "good enough" in her opinion.

Visits were always encouraged.  She always made time for me, and if I arrived an an in opportune time, I never knew it.  She restored my sense of self worth and value.

She told be that I was HER best friend.  I am sure that she told everyone the same, but she was believable...and I never doubted her word.

  

In her presence, my cup filled and runneth over.  Is this not how every "best friend" should make you feel? 

Fran is the embodiment of goodness and pure love.

She is living in a nursing home now, and today I summoned up the courage to go and visit her.  I wasn't sure how I would find her, as her family told me that she had become confused, and difficult at times.  Would she remember me?  I fretted over that...so I silently whispered the prayer she had taught me 25 years ago.

"Is there any remover of difficulty save God?  Say praised be God. He is God.  All are his servants and all abide by his bidding."

I approached her and watched as she lay sleeping.  How tiny she is now.  At 100 years of age, she has become smaller, and more frail.  She reminded me of tiny newly hatched chick...transparent...translucent....so very fragile....

We had a good visit.  As I reminded her of who I was, and of who she was, she began to waken and become that person that I knew so well.  We reminisced...and she did well.  Her mannerisms are the same...the way she used to laugh, click her tongue and flick her finger when she was amused, returned.

I reminded Fran of the trip we made to Ottawa to visit the Peace Tower.  Many years before, her father, Frank Hollister, had created the stained glass windows that adorn the Tower.  She was given the red carpet treatment and was taken on a personal tour so that she could see her father's creation close up.  She needed to get closer than most, as she has been legally blind for most of her life.

She told me that she remembers the trip.  If she doesn't, she was very convincing.  

I love you, Fran.  You filled all the empty places.  You still do.