Lives of the Past

 It was a beautiful day outside today. Much too beautiful to spend inside watching TV or, heaven forbid, cleaning! Bazinga had been left alone for much of the day most days the last week, due to my new job, so leaving him behind was not an option.

We climbed into the car, with no specific goal in mind. I started the car, pulled out of the drive, and just drove. I turned the car east on federal highway 136. When it curved to go into Danville I kept going straight onto Illinois 119, which changed into another highway once we crossed into Indiana. We ended up on  George Rogers Clark memorial highway. Finally, we ended up in Attica, Indiana. There were interesting old buildings in the downtown area, which I may post on a future blog. Today though I have other thoughts on my mind.

 Not ready to just turn around and go home I turned down a road and followed signs that would lead to a church. I was hoping to find an old church with a cemetery with very old grave stones. I was disappointed to find a church probably built in the 70's. I turned around and headed back toward Attica.

 Still not ready to go home, I turned down another road or two of the "less traveled" type. There I found what I had been looking for. An old country cemetery. It was in the middle of no where. It had stories to tell.

One story was about Hazel B. York. She was buried next to her beloved husband.  Hazel must have loved her husband dearly and faithfully. She was widowed at the age of 28, but passed away at the age of 94. Sixty-six years passed between the loss of her husband Arthur, and her own death.

 Yet there she was, faithfully buried next to her husband, still with his name. Presumably, she never remarried. Perhaps she had found the love of her life and could never find anyone that could compare. I thought to myself that, perhaps, they had had a child or two before Mr. York passed. Maybe the business of raising children kept Mrs. York happy and fulfilled to the point that she never felt the need to replace Mr. York.  I hoped that she had lived a full life despite being widowed so young. Sixty-six years would be a long time to mourn a husband lost, and a very lonely life.

There were sad stories of children that had passed much too young. It reminded me of how lucky I have been. I have been very blessed with healthy children that I happily watched grow into adults. I never had to go through the pain and I have to guess pure agony of losing a baby. Losing children was such a common thing at one time in our history.

 There was more than one large headstone flanked by two, three or even more small headstones of children that would never grow up. Still lovingly tended, even after nearly a century. It was touching to know that someone still remembers such tiny lives, and not let them be left behind.

This particular little cemetery was not next to a church, it was not close to a community that I could see. It was however, well tended and each grave carefully preserved.

Cemeteries hold the history of our country. Not the big history found in books and websites. The little history of the lives of the people that built our nation. The people who fought in the wars, the people who raised the children that grew into the history makers in the books. The people that sacrificed and lived and laughed and cried. Their stories are there.

Looking Forward

After a week at the new job, I am exhausted and disheartened. Nothing seems to be going right and everything I try to do fights me. From trying to put my application in, to every step since then. It is like the universe is telling me that I am not supposed to be working there, but at the same time not giving me any viable options. It is frustrating. I feel like my life is at a crossroads, with no signs to tell me which way to turn. I feel like I'm supposed to reach for something loftier, but I have no ladder to climb to get there.

So, for now, I will try very hard to concentrate on good things. I will put my time in at work, work hard and do my best but look beyond the eight hours, and look forward to better things.

This weekend I get to go home for Kahlen's birthday party. I am so excited. She is changing so quickly now. My little grand baby, grew into a toddler and is turning quickly into a little girl. A little girl with definite likes and dislikes. A personality, with a sense of humor. I can't wait to see her. She will be two years old on Friday. TWO! Time passes so swiftly. Her smile will brighten my universe!

And there are weddings! And bridal showers to look forward to. The first of which is Alyssa's bridal shower. It is in about 2 and 1/2 weeks, another wonderful reason to get to go home. The next few months will be a whirlwind of activity and things to get done. I am looking forward to good times with family and friends. It helps to get me through the here and now.

Shades of Summer

 I started back to work this week. Unfortunately, it is at a Walgreens in Danville. When I found out I had to move back to this area, the one thing I very much did not want to do was go back to work at a Danville Walgreens. The job market around here was not cooperative, money got very tight, and getting a job where ever I could became a necessary evil.

That said, I have been very stressed by it, so a day of fun was in order. Willie and I both had today off work. I decided the best thing for stress was to go hiking in one of my favorite state parks.

 I have posted about this park before, Shades State Park in Indiana. I had winter pictures, spring pictures and decided some summer pictures were in order. Come this fall you may see fall pictures as well. I didn't think to bring my regular camera with me, so these were all taken on my iPhone, (which I have dropped on more than one occasion, I think it has affected my camera) the quality is not the best.

Of course Bazinga came along, too. The weather was very cooperative, finally the long heat wave seems to have broken. We got wet, and dirty and sweaty and stinky. I think we all had a very good time.

I don't have a lot to say, so I will just leave you with the images of a very stress free, very needed day. (Willie wouldn't let me take any pictures of him, big surprise, but he really was there!)

this little guy stopped long enough for me to get this shot, ignore my shadow please

The Sandbox Dilema as told by Kahlen

 Mama, Dada, Auntie Valerie and I, all went on a big bye bye to go see Nahma and Grampa a couple of weeks ago. I was very excited. I hadn't seen Nahma and Grampa in a long time. I like to go to their house, I also get to see Kitty and Puppy. I love Kitty and Puppy, especially Puppy. Puppy plays with me and lets me hug him and hold him. Kitty hides in a box most of the time. Sometimes Nahma will drag her out, and I will get to pet her, but then she runs away.

I like to play outside at Nahma and Grampa's. We play bubbles and um, puppy and um, play in water, and um pick tomatoes. It is a lot of fun.

There is this thing outside though that they seem to think I should like playing in. They call it a sandbox. I call it an evil ancient torture device. It has this stuff in it. They call it sand, I call it the pit of doom! They want me to sit in it, and touch it! What is wrong with these people? Do they take delight in seeing me suffer?

The first time they put me in the pit of doom I didn't have any shoes on to protect my feet! They put me in anyway! It was OWIE! Nahma and Auntie Valerie put their feet in without shoes too! Obviously, their feet are made from asbestos. I should call the environmental  protection agency on them, that'd show'em.

For whatever reason, Mama and Dada did not try to save me from this torture. Not even when Auntie Valerie started pouring the evil substance on my legs! OWIE! I yelled in vain. How could I ever make them understand!

But wait, this stuff is kind of interesting. It pours kind of like water, yet isn't wet. I can scoop it with the toys, and put it in the truck Nahma and Grampa got me. Oh, and I can drive the truck through this stuff. Hey, maybe this could be fun. As long as I have my shoes on and don't have to actually sit in it.

Kahlen, Bubbles, Side Walk Chalk and Swimming Pools

We recently got to have Kahlen here with us for a week and a half. As you know well, I enjoy having her here more than anything else! Getting to wake up to her giggles, and snuggle with her at nite nite, is the best way to start and end each day. And the stuff in between, well, that's the frosting!

Most of the time she was here it was HOT! Illinois, like most of the rest of the country has been in a super dome of heat and humidity. Otherwise known as summer hell. I try not to swear on my blog, but there is no other way to describe what the weather has been putting us through. But..... there is no such thing as climate change...... whatever, that's another blog, though.

With the weather uncooperative, we were not able to do some of the out door things I would have liked to do. Taking a stroller ride down to the park was out of the question. The slides and swings probably would have been to hot to play on anyway.  This meant creative activities would be the norm.

Not that we didn't get out at all. We went out in the early mornings. I found that there is one activity that will keep Kahlen occupied for hours. BUBBLES!  Kahlen loves bubbles! Every morning two words came out of her mouth as soon as her eyes opened. First, "Grampa?" No, Grampa is at work, I'd tell her. Second, "Bubbles?" Every morning, right after breakfast, changing clothes and brushing teeth, it was time for bubbles.

Little Miss Kahlen can entertain herself with a jar of dish soap and a plastic wand until she passes out from oxygen deprivation. If we were outside, she had bubbles in hand. I honestly don't know how she didn't pass out. She had me blowing them too, and I got a little light headed.

There were a few times that she would put the bubbles down. It was rare, and soon she was back at them. In between, though, she did find time for sidewalk chalk. She went about it in a way that made it look like she was marking her territory. She would draw something, carefully peruse the patio, and choose another spot. She would draw something there and then map out where her next masterpiece would be. It was all very meticulous and precise.

In the mornings, while she was busy with her bubbles, I would fill the swimming pool. It would have time to warm up all day in the scalding heat of the day and be ready to play in by the late afternoon.

Kahlen was not sure what to make of it. The first day, we had two other kids over. They were a little older and, of course, took right to the pool. They played and splashed and had a good time. I put Kahlen in, she stood there like she had never been in water before. She didn't cry, but she didn't move. Her feet stayed in one place for an hour. She played with her bubbles and watched the others play, but she never moved her feet. She didn't sit, she never put her hands in the water.

After the other two kids went home for the day, Kahlen and I went back out to the pool. I put her in, again she just stood there. I took her bubbles and threw them on the other side of the pool. She looked at me, and looked at the bubbles. "Bubbles?" she asked with the sweetest face and voice. I told her if she wanted them she had to get them. The magic of the bubbles got her to move! She walked very carefully over to the bubbles and picked them up. I was so proud of her. Now, if I could just get her to sit down. I decided that was going to take force rather than delicate encouragement. She walked over by me, poor innocent soul. She, wanted me to blow bubbles. I wanted her to sit in the water. I splashed her a little, her response? "NO!" I knew what this meant. I knew what had to be done. I picked her up, and sat her in the water. She was NOT happy! There were tears, her heart was broken. Until..... she figured out she could splash with her legs. All was good!

The rest of the evening was spent blowing bubbles in the pool and watching them dance on the water before they popped. Pouring water from one cup to another. Pouring water on "Nahma's" legs. Chasing puppy around in the pool and having a very fun time all around.

Another Visitor

 Before the mother of all heat waves captured and tortured the midwest, there was a day where it was nice enough to open the windows. No, really, there was......... I know it is hard to believe........... I am serious!

Willie and I went through the house and happily opened windows to let the air come through. Our house has about 20 windows in it and with the shade trees outside, it ventilates and cools very well, even when the temperatures reach into the eighties. I sleep much better with the windows open, we open them every chance we get.

 This last time we had a chance to open the windows we found a little visitor hanging out on one, literally, hanging out. He was on the outside of the screen. He seemed to have his feet tangled in the screen.  At first it took us a while to figure out if he was even alive. We poked at the screen and he didn't budge. We wiggled the screen more and still he held perfectly still. Willie said he thought he saw him move. I thought it was just jiggling with the movement of the screen. We watched him for a little while and he didn't move a muscle. I decided, as much as we had banged on the screen, and he hadn't flown off, he must be dead.

Then suddenly a wing moved. Did it move voluntarily, or did it just fall? We watched carefully again. We saw no other real movement. About this time, we started trying to figure out how we were going to get a dead bat off of the outside of the window screen. Then his head popped up. He started looking around. He was alive! I was so happy!

Turns out he was a sleeping baby. He was not stuck at all. Once he was fully awake he started moving around on the screen. He moved down the screen and over to the side. I was captivated. I sat on my knees watching him until my knees screamed in agony. Then I went and got a pillow and watched some more. Every once in a while a much bigger bat would come to check on him. Finding him fine, she would fly off to eat more bugs and mosquitoes. I kept watching. I must have watched this little guy for two hours. The sun was still bright in the sky when we found him and it was dark night when I finally left him alone.

The next morning, as excited as a giddy child on Christmas,  I went to see if he was still there. His mother must have come to get him in the night because he was gone. I was disappointed, but glad he was being taken care of. A few days later we saw a bat climbing up the side of the house. As long as they don't decide to live in my house they are welcome to stay. We have more than enough mosquitoes for them, and I am happy to let them devour as many as they can.

Best Weekend

 The weekend before last was a great one. Why was it so great? What made it so special? Valerie, Alyssa, Shane, and Kahlen came to visit. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Josh and Caitlin had been able to make it, too. It had been two months since I had seen any of them. I was so happy to see them pull up!

Kahlen had changed so much since the last time I had seen her. She has so many words now. She can tell you exactly what she wants, and you can understand her! She has gotten so tall. I have a spot in the kitchen where I measure her. It is where the family that lived here before us had theirs. I decided to leave theirs and add Kahlen to it. Kind of a little history of the house. Since we moved in here in November, Kahlen has grown 3 inches. Amazing!

The weekend was spent going to favorite restaurants, talking wedding and spending time together. We went to Heron Park one afternoon. Kahlen got to see swans and listen to bullfrogs. There are many, many bullfrogs to be heard there. She saw big carp plowing their way through the algae in the water. But I think her favorite part was riding on Daddy's shoulders and bossing everyone around.

My favorite part was just having all of us together. It is what I miss most being so far away. I even miss my kids arguing and yelling at each other, well, a little anyway. Maybe for my birthday I'll ask Alyssa to get mad at Josh and throw something at him...... Nah.

Of course the weekend went much too fast. It just feels a little more like home when the house is full. Knowing the rooms aren't empty. Having laughter fill the air. Saying goodbye is always so hard!

The one consolation was that Kahlen was staying with us for a week and a half. I know how hard it is on Alyssa and Shane when she is here with us, but I am so very, very grateful that they let us have her now and again. She just brings a sparkle and energy to the house. Days with Kahlen are always an adventure!

The Under Stimulated Brain

I was wondering today, why does sausage thaw faster than hamburger? Is it the higher fat content? Is there more water in sausage? What is it about sausage that it that it defrosts faster? Does it make a difference if it is pork or turkey sausage? Sausage tastes better than hamburger. You would think that it would, for that reason, thaw slower, in an attempt to not get eaten. This particular sausage is Italian sausage and  fated to become meatloaf with the hamburger.

So, that is but one strange question that has entered my under stimulated brain cells today. Since getting my iPhone I find myself googling things more and more. It is just so handy. Is Redd Foxx still alive? Google. How old is John Cusack? Google. What is Jeremiah Weed? Google. Why does my spell check not like "Foxx"with two X's but "Redd" with two D's is ok? And why doesn't it like "ok"? You know the important questions in life. Oh, and why did I use a picture of a flower for this post? Well, you won't find the answer for that on google. I just thought it was pretty and the grass hopper is cute.

I said my brain was under stimulated, you were warned.

Hot Summer Drive

Bazinga and I took a long drive through rural Illinois today. It was hot and sticky, the air conditioning in my car doesn't work. Bazinga didn't seem to mind, he spent most of the first part of the drive with his head out the window. He'd turn to look at me, with a wind blown face and seemed to smile. He was enjoying being a dog on a hot summer day.

As we drove along I noticed how the fields that just a few months ago were full of roaring water and absent of life, were now flourishing. There was green everywhere. Fields of soy beans for miles and miles. Rows of corn seemed to turn the county highway into a tunnel, with a sweet smell that made me wonder when sweet corn stands would start popping up.

 There was a thick humid haze in the air. The corn was thriving in it. You could almost see it grow right before your eyes. The wildflowers lined the edge of the road like sentries protecting  the corn from the sparse traffic that drove swiftly by without a second glance.

There is so much beauty in rural areas. Life renewing itself. Life that sustains other life. Without the bounty of these fields there would be no life as we know it. Without the acres of soybeans there would be no tofu for the city dwellers that look down their noses at the people who produce every scrap of food they eat.

The Midwest quite often gets dismissed by those who live on the coasts as a place they fly over to get to the important places. New York City seems to like to believe that the world, and the universe orbits around it alone. If you don't live there, surely you must want to. Do they realize how quickly their city would fall into collapse if the American farmer decided to quit feeding them? But they won't. The hard working farmer continues the American tradition of feeding, not just New York City, but the world in general. Happy he lives in the quiet countryside that others just fly over. Glad that the snobby high society is away in the city where such folk belong.  He feels sorry for them, they will never know the joy of a sweet smelling breeze on a hot summer day. They will never experience the beauty that he sees all around him. A fleeting beauty that must be experienced day to day to be appreciated fully. They will always look past such mundane things in search of something they can't attain. He is sad for them, but very happy they aren't here to spoil it for him.

And, on a different note.... This weeks pumpkin patch pictures. It seems to be slowing down on its pursuit of the yard and is using its strength to produce pumpkins!

This looks like a white pumpkin, but it's getting pretty darn big already.

Looks like I have some gourds too.

The Great Mowing Adventure as Retold by Bazinga the Brave as Dictated to Becky the Great, (he made me write that)

Today was yard work day. That big fat lazy Mia, was no help at all. Willie, Becky and I had a lot to do. (No, I don't call Willie and Becky, Mom and Dad. My mom's name was Izzy and my dad's name was Pig, they look nothing like them. Besides, why would I call my pets, mom and dad?)

One of my jobs, being the most important, of course, is to chase the horrible and terrifying creatures from the back yard. The humans call these, squirrels and birds. I call them natures excrement and devil spawn. My names don't seem to translate well, that must be why they call them their weird names. I am very efficient at my job. One day I will catch one and show them that this is my yard, they must stay out!

Another of my jobs, is to eat all of the sticks in the yard. If I don't do this the big grass eating machine with tear them up and throw them away. This is a huge waste of a perfectly good stick.

 

 That is when the big noisy grass eating machine comes out. I am not a fan of the grass eating machine. It not only eats the grass, but also eats all of my puffball sticks and sweet clover pops as well. When it is done it takes days for my puffball sticks to come back. These are my most favorite treats, that greedy grass eating machine shouldn't take them all.

The the other noisy thing that always comes out is the scary rock throwing thingy. This is something that only Willie the Strong is ever allowed to use. It starts up and pulls him all along the fence and trees throwing rocks and sticks and dirt all over the place while it does. Willie seems to be the only one that has any control over this beast. He seems to be its lead dog. He controls it well, though it often throws  rocks at his ankles in protest.

Becky uses the grass eating machine. She does not seem to have the same control over it as Willie has over the scary rock throwing thingy. It pulls her all over the yard. It takes her around in circles. It pulls her through the jungles, and the dog eating trees. She tries very hard to control it but I see her struggle. Though, it looks like she is having fun.... I think she is just putting on a brave face. I try to rescue her from the grass eating machine, but for some strange reason, she ties me to the deck. I think this is very stupid of her. I would be very useful.

 Finally, Becky stops for a break and Willie the Strong comes in and rescues her. He has much more control over the grass eating machine. He is able to make it go exactly when he wants it to. He makes it go in straight precise lines. Maybe that's why he does the front yard. That's what people can see. His part always looks so much better.

Then, as a finishing touch, I come back in and polish the cut grass. This is the very most critical part and I do it well. I roll and roll and roll in the grass. It is exhausting, but if I didn't do it everything else would be for not!  (Besides, and don't tell Willie and Becky this, it is fun! And the best part! I don't want them to know, because I don't want them to do it instead. I LOVE this part!)

Wedding Flowers

I've been working on wedding stuff for Alyssa's wedding. She is getting married in the fall and has decided on orange and brown for her colors. She loves star gazer lilies, so I've been trying to use as many as I can.

I haven't been making all of the arrangements the same though. They are all different, I hope she is ok with that. This is the first time I have ever done anything like this.  My biggest fear is that we will get them to the reception hall and they will have fallen apart. I think looks wise I am doing ok, I send Alyssa a picture of each one when I'm done, so far all's good. She will get to see them in person in ten days. Not that I'm counting.

 Valerie, Alyssa, Shane and Kahlen are coming for a visit on the 15th. I am not only counting the days, but the hours and minutes as well. I cant wait! I haven't seen any of them since May. I am definitely in severe withdraw!

We get to have Kahlen for almost a whole week too! I may just let her help with an arrangement too. They can put it on a very special table. A Kahlen table. I think a Kahlen table is a very good idea.

I'm having a lot of fun making these. My hand is sore and swollen from the wire cutters, but it has been so worth it. I feel so removed from the plans, this way I feel a little more involved. I just hope I get to help out with Josh's wedding to somehow.

Still have so much to do! I need more tiger lilies!

Happy Independence Day!!!!

 A parade went down my street this morning. I forgot to take any pictures. It was full of firetrucks and old cars and kids on four wheelers. There was candy thrown and kids with bags to catch it. People stood for the flag and watched kids do tricks on bikes. It was a typical small town 4th of July parade celebrating the birth of our country. It was fun to watch and made me glad to live in a small town that takes pride in our country.

I spent a little time in the garden this morning before the parade. I'm still trying to figure out what these strange bird looking flowers are. The point their "beaks" at the sun. They almost look graceful in the evening as they all point toward the garage.

It seems there are seeds inside the little white pouches. They are starting to split open. It has taken quite a while to get to this stage. I just wish I knew what they are.

I am anxiously awaiting the ripening of the first tomatoes. I can't wait for my first bacon and tomato sandwich, or tomato and cucumber sandwich, or tomato and tomato sandwich, YUM! I am very impatient this year. While I don't want summer to be over, I definitely want to devour some red ripe tomatoes.

 These little guys are just not growing fast enough. Perhaps they know their future. Perhaps they are aware that they will soon be on a sandwich, or salad, or just sliced on a plate with a little salt, (Shhhh, don't tell my cardiologist.)

My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'll have to get some fresh mozzarella cheese, and pick some basil from the garden, and slice the tomatoes. I can't spell the word for the kind of salad that is. I can't even come close enough for spell check to be able to figure it out. My mouth doesn't care though. It still tastes good!

 Of course the one thing that is growing very quickly is the pumpkin patch. Here are this weeks pictures. We should have plenty of pumpkins for the wedding.

Have a great 4th!