ReVisiting OLD HAUNTS

Gosh, this has been a GOOD trip to Illinois.    First I saw the Solar Cars and that was neat.   Would like to see them going down the road.   Ah, well, another time for that.

Then to the Farmers Market in Bloomington and on to the Poetry Reading that I've wanted to see for a LONG time.   Saw Kathy (Kim's good friend), and her Mom that I've known for a VERY LONG TIME.   Both are excellent but have to say some of the others in the Poetry group were very good too.

Then we got to see Jeremiah play ball.   He is a good player and it was so much fun to see him hit that ball and hear that "PING" of the bat.   It was very hot but those little men never complained as much as I would of.

Then last night we went to Heartland Theatre and saw eight 10-minute plays.    All very good but there were a few that no one could deny were just excellent.  

The most amaizing thing that happened there to us was some old neighbors of ours were sitting right beside us and none of us recognized them, but the daughter recognized Ted and I and out of all that group the five of us were seated all in one row.

Today we drove to Ipava, Illinois to a family reunion and it was fun, warm, and the food was excellent.   Kim is making a rhubarb pie and she and Ted think it's for him but I have news for them.   YUM   YUM

Ellen

LAUGH

I'm not sure just how to write this blog.    I just have to say that I used to laugh a lot at my kids - not AT them but what they did or said.    I truly think they all have a good sense of humor.    I love a GOOD LAUGH - a BELLY LAUGH - right from the GUT UP.  When one of the Grandchildren giggle I can't help but giggle with them.

Sam used to do that, Sierra does it, and Benjamin can make me laugh quicker than most anyone. All of them can do it, some it just seems to come to easier.  

 Today I looked at Kim's blog from yesterday to see if my friend commented.    I thought it was a great tribute to my mom and the poet.   This friend LOVED my mother when I thought my mother was just about the weirdest thing on the planet.   When my mom died and I saw this friend at the funeral home I just almost collapsed.   She was so special to my mom and I knew mom would be pleased that Linda came.

Well, as I said, I just looked to see if she put a comment on there and saw Kim's remark about me making up words.   It hit a funny bone and if Illinois had a little rumble this morning it was my laugh vibrating up there.

A good laugh is ALWAYS good.

Ellen

HOME

I get a meditation from a minister in Nashville now and then and yesterday she talked about going "HOME" to a family cabin.   Her father has Alzheimers (SP) and this cabin has been in their family for years.   She used to go there as a child and told of all the good times they had had there.   Things she had done with her father there and her grandfather and grandmother.  

She said when she walked in a flood of memories came to her.   All the people that she remembered from her past and she could even hear her mother laughing.  It felt like "HOME" and by the time the meditation was over she ask where OUR HOME was.

I guess I don't have a PLACE I can call home.   We have moved so many times over the years and never put ROOTS down in any one place.   Certainly not this house.   If I had to pick one place that we loved the most it would have to be the house in Winchester.  

There was always something to do at that house.    I learned to use a Buck Saw there and to split wood.  We had this wood buring fireplace and one time we had a big (I mean BIG) tree given to us if we went and cut it down.   That was a job.   BUT...we did it and some of the branches we brought home we just really big.    I asked Ted if I could use his hand saw to help but he said he'd buy me a Buck Saw.   I used that thing and LOVED it. 

One day I had seen him splitting some wood and wanted to learn how.   I knew he'd never let me so I waited till he went to Huntsville to see his Broker one time and went out.   It took me about an hour but I finally got it. 

That's where I want to go when this body gives out and most of my family know what they are to do with my ashes.   SO...that would be HOME to me when I really go HOME.

Ellen

FATHER'S DAY

Well, this strikes a nerve in me.   My own father died when I was nine and it took me years to get over that.    He was a really good Dad.   He taught me to milk, bragged on my hand writing, took me out to look for new born calves on an old "Plug Horse" we had named PET.    He would be on one of his good horses but Pet went about anywhere we wanted her to.  

Now, we don't make a big deal out of Father's Day, Mother's Day or any other special day for that matter.    We just try to BE on any given day.   I think that's what my Mom and Dad did too.

I do want to say something about my children's father though.   He is out weed-eating his LobLolly Pine trees he put out 2 1/2 years ago.   500 of them to be exact.    Yesterday we mowed till I gave out and had to quit.  It was 88 degrees and just too hot for this OLD woman.

SO...Ted finished for me.   TOday he is outside (another 88 degree day) and there he is finishing up mowing between the rest of the little trees and I ran to the grocery store.   When I got home he was weed-eating around them.   Now NONE of this really has to be done - he actually likes to work in the heat.  

After he helped me carry the groceries in out of the car I asked if he couldn't find something else to do in the heat and he said he was trying.

He taught all our kids to drive, gave them some great values in life, was always there for them when I just couldn't be, and still seems to be.     He's not perfect - neither am I - but I will say he's been a good mate and a GREAT FATHER from my point of view.

Happy Father's Day, Ted.

Ellen

GREED

Greed is a word we hear a lot these days.   The bankers, oil people, polititians, even an old woman when she has free fabric offered her.

You see, last year when we were in Louisiana they had a lot of blankets brought into the sewing room for kits that were too large.   These were actually just pieces of flannel that were supposed to be 36" X 36".   Well, people bought 1 yard of 36" X 45" in fabric and so we had the extra to dispose of.    It was beautiful.   It was new.   It was FREE.  

I just didn't know what to do with all of this (like 5 tubs of blankets that needed altered) so most of it found it's way into our truck when we headed home.   I really intended to make blankets for babies and small children at the Domestic Abuse Center.

I found when I got home my interest in it had waned and I kept putting off doing the blankets.   I finally did finish one.   The other day I took some of it to a Senior Center that I knew sewed all kinds of quilts and felt sure it would be put to good use.   BUT...I still have one tub of fabric here.   It was getting to me and making me feel guilty for bringing it.

I tried another regular baby quilt that I had done and just couldn't get my heart in it.   Then I pulled out a pattern for a large quilt I have that is easy to do, quite pretty when done and the top takes very little time.   I reduced the size of the quilt and made one yesterday afternoon.   I am quite excited about this new venture and realized I just needed a little different course to take.  

I wonder if the bankers, oil men, and polititians would use a different direction to use their energy it might make a difference in all our lives.

Ellen

COUNTRY MUSIC

I am usually very happy where we live.    Tennessee was like coming home to me when we moved here some 25 years ago.   Has it really been that long? 

BUT...this week we have had the big Music gathering downtown Nashville and all the big names are there.  The year we moved here it was at the old fairgrounds and tickets were not to be had or I'd of probably been out there dragging Connie and Mark along to see whomever we could.   I loved being around all the big stars and made them stand in line four hours (FOUR HOURS) to get an autograph of Barbara Mandrell.   I almost hate to admit that.  

I remember the time I went to the Post Office and Eddie Arnold was there.   I probably fell over my own feet trying to get to my car.   I told Ted I'd seen him and he told me he thought I was dreaming stuff up but a neighbor confirmed that it probably was as his office was there in Brentwood.

Then there is BONNEROO in Manchester this whole week-end.   That's in a FIELD with a big stage and people go for the whole week-end.   I guess some take tents but a good many just sleep wherever they can.
Sounds terrible to me now.

Now if Willie Nelson was there I'd be there with all the rest of them even though we have seen him twice.   If he's "ON" his music he can't be beaten.    Like him or not, he plays a good guitar.

Ellen

SUMMER HEAT

Supposed to be in the low 90's today and a heat index of over 100.    Days like this make me wish we had a pool.   Just for a couple of months.

Beans are growing good now.   Garden looks better than any garden we've had in several years.   Lots of rain and heat that only mother nature can provide.    Even our rain barrel just can't compete with her.

Yesterday found me taking the shawls to be shipped to Dover Air Force Base.   I dreaded having to get those wrapped and in a box.    The lady where I usually take things to ship looked at me with a skeptical eye as I walked in with 6 Prayer Shawls and 2 stuffed animals.    She said she had "just the thing"  when I told her what they were.    So...under my watchful eye she put them in a big "shrink bag" and sucked the air out with a vacuum and they went into a decent sized box.    I was so happy and will be anxious to see how they traveled.    I'm hoping the removing of the air in there didn't pull the lettering off the letter I had sent to the Chaplain.    :)

Need a change from all my donating and giving away this week.   Going to water aerobics and then do a little shopping for ME.

Ellen

Craftie friends.

Yesterday found me back at Bone and Joint.    One leg did't want to work at all Monday and I was beginning to wonder just WHAT was wrong.

Yesterday it was 90% better.   After the Dr. put me through several "strength" tests he said he didn't know what it could be except some nerves got overworked.   He said I could take more mobic but I declined and asked if there was something that didn't have such side affects.   He recommended E. S. Tylenol so that's what I'm working going to do for awhile anyway.

Then I went to a home of one of the ladies in my knitting group.   It's in a HIGH END of Brentwood and man, it was a BEAUTIFUL home.   You could put our little house inside her front room and kitchen.   It was just beautiful and then she started showing me what she had been QUILTING.   She is such a talented lady and they have the most beautiful back yard.

An enclosed patio that can be opened to this scenic back yard with a swing set that most of my grandkids see in my neighbors yards.   But... the most beautiful part of that yard was the pond.   It's all landscaped with a waterfall and the beautiful pond and gold fish (Huge GOLDFISH) and I was caught up in all of this.   She showed me how they have to keep a mesh netting over the pond because of the Herrin eating the fish.   She has about 12 fish and they are all named.   Well, anyway, I was kind of hoping a Herrin would come and land while I was there.   They are just the MOST BEAUTIFUL bird.

I had lunch with a friend and got a wedding gift and even delivered it.   SO... had a great day and today we are off the WInchester and the Senior Center there to see if they will finish a quilt for me.   I'm also taking a LOT of fabric to these ladies as they are ALWAYS needing fabric.

Ellen

Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers

I have three Prayer Shawls to send to Dover Air Force Base this week.   They will be given to families of Fallen Soldiers at the Dignified Transfer of the Bodies.

They asked that we write a short note to put in with them.   What on earth could I write that would ease the pain of a mother, wife or father that has lost a daughter or son or husband? 

I guess I send our loving concern for them and tell them we hope they feel the love that went into making these shawls and know we are praying for them. 

What I really want to say is I hate this war - any war.   They are just so useless and disgusting to me.   I don't understand how we can send our young men and women across this globe to fight while we drive our cars as fast as we can and drink the bottled water and use all the plastic bags we can.   I'm not throwing stones, I'm as guilty as anyone of all of the above.   I wish we would bring ALL our service people home FOREVER.

Didn't mean to get on my soapbox but guess I did.

Ellen

EMPTY HOUSE

Well, Kim and the kids pulled out about 5:30.  It didn't take long to feel the emptiness.    Ted's mom used to say "I'm always glad to see you come, and I'm always glad to see you leave".    I usually feel that way too but this time I wished they didn't live so far away.

All our grandkids are growing up.   Meagan has graduated from High School.    Sam (14) wants a job.  Jordan (10) is flying here from Virginia by herself this year.    Benjamin is growing up as are Jeremiah and Sierra.  

So...our role as grandparents is changing.   We aren't sure just how this will play out but there is a change in the air.    I'm not even sure we like this new role.   I always LOVED having a baby around.

I just realized two of Jim's kids have babies. AND...Dorothy has twin girls that are two.     HMMMMM

Ellen

AEROBICS

Yesterday was a first.    I have a confession to make and know once I do I'll probably be put into a HOME FOR THE AGED.   HA  HA  HA  HA  HA
Kim left with Sierra headed to Aunt Jill's work and Grandad took Jeremiah fishing - one more time.   I was headed for Water Aerobics and then Publix.

I got about half way to the pool when I realized I had forgotten my bag with clean underwear, towel, and flip flops in it.   I had worn my suit under my clothes.

I first thought, "Oh, heck,  I'll just go to PUblix and forget aerobics".    Then I figured I could dry off under the hairdryers and get by enough to spend 15 minutes in a grocery store - even a high end grocery store like Publix.

SO....that's what I did.    I was really a wet mess by the time I got the Publix but no one looked at me like I had a disease - at least not to my face.

So...if this is my last POST you will know I have finally been put away.

ELlen

Visit of Illinois Daughter and Grandkids

Yes, she did help me set up this blog. BUT...I'm not quite as handicapped mentally as she made me sound. Sometimes I actually do things on my own. AHEM!!!!

I keep reminding my grandchildren that when they are 74 I hope they remember what we did. Benjamin gets hysterical at me trying to do the WII and I hope I can see him when he is my age.

On to what has been happening.

Jeremiah and Grandad went fishing yesterday. I had all my friends praying that they would NOT catch any fish because I didn't want to have to fry them. They didn't catch any but Ted said he'd take him somewhere else today and hopefully they WOULD catch some. SO...all you good friends out there start praying again.

Kim and Sierra are going to see Jill and Connie and I am going to water aerobics.

Tomorrow is another day.


Ellen

BLOG

Well, I wanted a BLOG and now I'm not sure what to do with it. I think I have TOOOOOOOOO much help to be creative this morning. Sorry.

Kim says, PGGGGGGGGGG to me. Oh well, I'll get my juices flowing one of these days.

Be patient with an old woman.


Ellen