Wordless Wednesday

A Hankerin' for Joviality

It has been one of those intense weeks. Nothing terrible. No one is hurt or in trouble. Just intense at moments. Not that there haven't been breaths of relief or hope.

Retina with jagged surface and membrane

Jim had appointments with a new ophthalmologist and then retinal surgeon and has scheduled surgery on November 16. It is outpatient and really is quite fascinating as they are going to remove a membrane that is contributing to retinal puckers. (See example) He is excited to improve the vision in his right eye by 50-75%, as it has already been helped with his cataract surgery last spring. Gives a whole new perspective on "pucker up", huh?

I've been in a good bit of pain lately, which is just par for the course, and I am thankful for techniques and medication that help so much. And then, I trip by catching my jeans on something and fall in the den. Nothing broken, can't even see a bruise, but my body sure is fussing. Hot baths seem to be the order of the day.

I did meet a wonderful and exuberant woman from the Nashville Public Library who did a workshop about books and play with young children and how this leads to reading. We made a good connection and it turns out that she was very interested in my involvement with vestibular integration (Minds in Motion) and mindfulness and invited me to lunch. I hope to hear from her so I can meet a new group of people in Nashville.

Just busy and tired and sore and needing some joviality and then I ran across this picture that Jim and I took in Florida this summer. We must have laughed for fifteen minutes and made sure we got a good shot of this because it just doesn't get any better. 'Nuff said.

An Adventure

Meg and I are getting ready to have a "Pretty in Pink Party" to support breast cancer awareness and research and honor and support the Kim Rowden Breast Cancer Memorial Fund. I encourage reading about Kim and what her fund supports at kimrowdenmemorial.org. Our fund raiser includes a friend's Mary Kay presence and Meg is starting out in Silpada silver jewelry sales and making her debut.

So, in all things pink, I discovered a new foundation called

http://pinkpumpkinpatch.org/

the Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation. They are brand new and support breast cancer research by contracting with farmers to grow and sell Porcelain Doll pumpkins, the sale of which donates $.25 per pumpkin to the foundation. It has been amazingly successful and the pumpkins are beautiful!








I searched the Pink Pumpkin Patch list for places to buy the pink lovelies and then Craigslist. Since Jim was traveling this weekend and driving doesn't hurt me, I decided to go on an adventure. OK, call this silly, but I traveled all the way to Glasgow, KY to a farm where they grow all kinds of pumpkins and gourds, including pink and blue ones. Not Porcelain Doll, but pink none the less.

The day was overcast but beautiful, as the leaves were just beginning to turn. As I got on the smaller roads, there was absolutely no one, no one but me. It was glorious. The road and the terrain was of course on the plateau of middle Tennessee which brought back floods of memories from travels as a little girl visiting my Granny Vaughn.

I had lots of time to think and process many ideas that have been turning about in my head and to notice details of the day. The trees that were already ablaze, the trees just starting to turn, the rock that had been cut and blasted to make the road, the sky as it changed with clouds gray and blue and sometimes sunshine peeking through. Pastoral scenes sped by and it was nice to be quiet. No radio, no talking, no music. And I finally found the pumpkin farm... thank goodness for my Garmin.

Tammy Harris was just wonderful and when she heard all about pink pumpkins and the party, she asked if I needed to go out in the field and get more! I had plenty and by that time knew I needed to get back and not overdo it. I had taken her the information about PPP Foundation so they might consider growing Porcelain Dolls in the future. I loved meeting someone new and someone who does something so different than me.

Going back the time passed way too quickly. The trunk was full of gourds and pumpkins of all sizes and colors: pink, blue, maroon, green, deep red, and, uh, orange. Most were $1 and the most I paid was $4. There were no grocery stores out near the farm, no gas stations, no convenience stores, no WalMart. Gives room for pause.

 

“Others inspire us, information feeds us, practice improves our performance, but we need quiet time to figure things out, to emerge with new discoveries, to unearth original answers.”
― Ester Buchholz

And after the quiet is the glory of returning home, jumps and licks from doggies, dinner with my sister and brother-in-law and nephews, and faces in awe of funny pumpkins and gourds of all colors and shapes. Warty ones from my adventures to Planet Pumpkin!

 So now it's back to preparing for parties and washing dishes and appointments and feeding the dogs. In the midst of it all, I am going to be mindful of what others are doing for those touched by a horrible disease and the paridoxical beauty of what we have around us if we only take time to look.

A Small Harvest

When the doggies and I went outside before lunch, I cut five okra, two bell peppers, and six strawberries. There are three young squash I am thrilled to see . . . finally. Since there are a profusion of tomatoes that don't get enough sun to ripen we might just have baked green tomatoes tonight.

And that is a small harvest. A harvest that I used to make a delicious lunch with Georgia Vidalia onion and edamame. Fresh tastes blended together and making a small harvest a magnificent feast. I believe it is all in how you take on the moment. That is something I am practicing:  mindfulness of the moment. "Mindfulness is the awareness that arises from paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally, to things as they are . . . not paying more attention but paying attention differently and more wisely." Mark Williams, John Teasdale

Yum!

Double yum!

Mindfulness is about not looking to the past or others for comparison, nor projecting to the future. It is about the fullness of now, fully embracing the people, nature, and spirituality of this moment in time. That makes any small harvest a feast and any small experience a joy.

 Written August 29, 2012

Sun Power

Ok, let's talk about power bills. Oh, yea. I know that makes the heart go pitter patter as in stroke mode, especially in the summer. Well, check these babies out.

This array of solar panels is located smack dab in the backyard of our house in Fairview. I am pretty sure that not everyone knew just how to take these babies or liked them in the back yard as indicated by how long this house was for sale, but let me tell you just how much we like them. Our first electricity bill in many months was $4 and our August bill is $80. As the weather cools off again, the panels will send electricity into the grid and give us credit to build up for the months ahead. I like looking at them myself. I guess we are one of these folks:  Tennessee Solar Power Users

When I look out the back windows and see the grid, I don't just think of power and electricity. It makes me think of sunshine and how much we need to be outside. Sunshine is one of the major ways to get vitamin D and how many of you have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency? Hmmmmm.... Light sets our circadian rhythms and keeps our moods lifted. I'm going outside right now to get some sun and some D. More power to you!

Your Typical Trip to the Beach

I think most of us can tell of trips to the beach. I certainly remember those from my childhood, in addition to the ones we took with my own children. My favorite story from my younger days is with Mom and Dad, camping at the beach I believe... unless it was in a beach house at Myrtle Beach. Nonetheless, we were swimming in the ocean, having so much fun in the waves, and it was made totally more incredible since Dad came in with us. Of course, when Dad does anything, even swim, he has to wear his glasses. And YES! Right when a lovely wave comes toward us, all the kids squealing for joy, Dad turns around to look and BAM! Wave in the face! And the afterwards picture is ... Dad without glasses!

We were so concerned about Daddy's glasses but he grinned as he assured us that some lucky shark now had great eyesight. Is that a great dad or what?

Watching the waves

You are at the beach and the first few days are amazing with trips to the pool, trips to the beach, trips back to the pool, seafood, and extra long naps if you can get anyone to take one. Then after that there are a few more grouchies, some grabbing of toys, complaints about food, general whining and grand efforts on the part of the adults at positive attitudes. And as always happens at the beach, rain. Which is why you come prepared with games, puzzles, books, and nowadays, a selection of unseen DVD's. Today was our rain day, complete with the beautiful water and waves, the view of a rainstorm approaching, and lunch at Pampano Joe's. I must say, there is just nothing like dancing in the rain.

Jim sees the rainstorm first

Running for cover!

No Heart Break Here

So, Mom is doing fab and will be going home soon from Siskin Rehab in Chattanooga. I know she is antsy to get to her own place as we all know we heal best at home. She has new medicines to adjust to and she and I are planning a September trip to the beach if her doctor gives her a go ahead. We have a lamp store in SanDestin we really like to visit. We call it our Thelma and Louise trip without any cliffs.

Needless to say, I am glad to breathe easy again, as we all are. When anyone in your family is hurting or has health issues, it is constantly on your mind and heart. With a go ahead from Mom and Dad, Matt and Meg, Vaughn and Riley, and Jim and I have trekked down to Destin for some beach fun and much needed relaxation. We rented a BIG Ford Explorer with Matt's business travel points and put a carrier on top, made sure we had plenty of books, coloring activities, and DVD's and all climbed in together for the ride. I think there was a plan, as Jim and I were in the back seats occupying Vaughn and Riley...

Why doesn't Jim look happy?

Meg, travel expert and bargainer extraordinaire, found this condo in Destin with three bedrooms and a balcony overlooking three pools, a lazy river that lights up at night and the bay. There is a bridge over the main road to the Ramada Suites where there is a pool with grotto and a rock waterfall, a fountain playground, and the beach! We can do things together or go our separate ways, but it is hard to turn down two boys learning to swim! It so reminds me of three boys swimming at Aunt NeeNee's and Uncle Ancil's.

Waiting

There is no good picture to post for waiting. Today Mom is having bypass surgery for blockage in the arteries of her heart. Not a surprise to her but always unexpected in the day to day. She drove herself to the ER, which totally miffed Dad. Me, too. Dr. Monte says she will feel loads better and probably didn't even realize she felt "bad". Amazing how fast and how easy this is now.  Waiting for Dad to call.

Waiting for the mortgage company to call about short sale or whatever on the house in Griffin. So, so depressing in this economy. A second showing at 3pm.

Jim is at Larcom Lane in Griffin after his last Sunday at St. John, loading a few more things and cleaning a bit more. He was, of course, waiting for the piano movers who didn't ever show up. We are donating the piano to Futral Road. They really need a newer one and we will know that the children will be enjoying it.

Waiting...

Look! Look!

I am trying not to hold my breath, but there are more and more tomatoes! Riley is going to have to learn to count higher than six!

I love the smell of tomato plants and leaves and isn't it ironic that I can't eat many because they hurt my stomach so? No matter. They are beautiful to watch grow.

The boys always check the garden first thing. Riley carefully counts the tomatoes.

I remind him to peek under the leaves for little ones that are hiding. It takes much patience for this at four years old. That is the patience that allows for following directions, and reading, and listening, and creating.

 

We are also patiently waiting for strawberries. Being an amateur, I picked a variety that will produce in June and in August. We will see. I also read that I needed to prune the suckers so all the energy can go to producing the strawberries. I have done this in hopes to see more progress. We are watching and waiting.

 

Seth has been busy this week with a new TV mount, remedying the "hole in the wall". He has been a great help to me. He and Kristen have been very creative with some plastic outdoor chairs that are now painted anew and lovely old pallets from a barn sale that are making an outdoor table for Seth's patio in Athens. Kristen is participating in a mini internship with a public relations firm in downtown Nashville and is doing a great job. Tim loves, loves, loves his new job at Oak Ridge, Jane is approaching graduation, and Daniel is in training this week in Florida. Rebecca continues to move toward her nurse practitioner goal.

Counting the fruit and waiting patiently for it takes time, huh?!

Who is Murphy anyway?

The adage, Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong," has long been a part of my "comment culture".  So, we had a Murphy weekend.

Seth and I hunted and hunted for a hammock for Jim for Father's Day, as last weekend Jim hung up the old one from camp days and promptly fell right through the rotted middle! Unfortunately no one was there to video that one! The one we ordered looked scrumptiously relaxing, but when put together, was designed for midgets to climb into. When I was finally able to get in it, I could not get out and up. Looks great in the picture, huh? Beware Internet shopping. Also, non-returnable.

It really is lower than this...

So then, Jim and Seth proceed to measure, remeasure and measure again to mount the flat panel television so it is so close to the wall and looks like a picture so it amazes all who visit. Wow! No wires to show either! And, Voila! Extra studs everywhere, unexpectedly, in the wall. Now a hole and ...

Back on the media stand for now.

So, back to Murphy... Apparently the Law was named after Captain Ed Murphy, an engineer from Wright Field Aircraft Lab. Frustration with a malfunction due to an error in wiring caused USAF Col. John Paul Stapp to remark - "If there is any way to do it wrong, he will" – referring to the technician who had wired the bridges at the Lab. Col. Stapp assigned Murphy's Law to the statement and the associated variations.

So, with Murphy on my mind, the Sunday school lesson from Dallas Willard's book, The Divine Conspiracy, focused on the Lord's Prayer. It was very interesting and a very different take on things as Mr. Willard has on all I have heard so far. He is a USC philosophy professor and an extremely deep, profound man with understandings far beyond those I have heard before. So I leave you with Seth and his success for Sunday and Dallas Willard's interpretation of The Lord's Prayer.

Success! Seth is so happy. He whistled the whole way through it! Ikea bookcase dividers look great and that pile of books now has a home, as well as giving me inspiration to finish organizing my corner.

Here is Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer. He suggests that we paraphrase the prayer from time to time because its richness lends itself to much meditation.

Dear Father always near us,
may your name be treasured and loved,
may your rule be completed in us-
may your will be done here on earth in
just the way it is done in heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
and forgive us our sins and impositions on you
as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don’t put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because you are the one is charge,
and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-
which is just the way we want it!

Whoopie!

Beau in the hood

I've got to say that the last week has been a bit too stressful for this gal. I was waiting for Jim to visit and for Seth and Kristen to come visit, too. Then Lily, Seth's sweet dog, and Abby have had to learn to play together without fussing and Tica, how to go potty outside before bedtime. Thank goodness for my Little Green to clean spots on the carpet. Arrrgggghhhh!!!

And then there is Beau. Now, it is my fault. A couple of years ago we went through this terrible experience of Beau chewing himself silly and making hot spots all over himself and finally, after lots of research, I took him off of dog food and went "natural". For a year he had doggie recipes with natural foods and then I introduced Newman's organic and he has been eating that with ground turkey for a long time now. No chewing! Happy dog!

So, tired of cooking turkey, and with Abby now, I just started feeding them all the same thing. Wrong!!! Beau has started the major tear up his body routine. Poor Beau. So he is back on his Newman's and turkey and trying to heal up and not so happy that he can't get to anywhere he wants on his bod.

Do you think if I wore his hood I would stay on task and not get distracted by the rest of my "bod" ? Ooooo, a marketing opportunity...  the Concentration Collar. Pick the style for your personality. Beau knows. Ask him.

Two Boys, Some Red Ripe Strawberries and Mom's Pastry Recipe

I have been searching and searching for somewhere to buy or pick Tennessee strawberries. I just can't buy and eat those California or Florida simulations that are slightly red on the outside and are white on the inside. And yea! On the way home from my doctor's appointment in Cool Springs on Tuesday I stopped by the roadside where a fellow was selling from his berry farm! Yippee!! Real Tennessee strawberries!!!

These are red through and through. And they are so sweet and juicy you can't eat them fast enough. I took a gallon to the Mannings and we promptly set out to share the Eaves' tradition of strawberry pastry dessert.

  

Meg has a real handle on the pastry; pardon the pun, as she is using Mombelle's rolling pin. You don't worry about neat edges and you can't over stir or over roll. This keeps the pastry from becoming tough and makes it very flaky.

 

 I consider it a plus that Meg has a convection oven to make the preheat and baking process go faster. It is very difficult waiting for this treat. And as you can see, Vaughn and Riley have this dessert under wraps. Mmmmmm... 

 

When we lived in Humboldt, I remember our
outings to pick strawberries. Of course, no one informed us about the ban on child labor, and we thought it was so much fun! I have a fuzzy memory about it but Mom says that Meg really didn't help much. She was very small and spent most of her time eating the strawberries she picked. We knew, of course, the rewards to come: strawberry shortpastry and frozen strawberry jam. I guess Mom wishes she could have transferred that child labor to our bedrooms...