Sweet P and Honeysuckle

One of the last things Sweet P and I did together was take a ride over to Eisley's Nursery and she helped me pick out a Hall's Honeysuckle. I planted it the day we took her back to meet her Dad in Dixon. I have always loved Honeysuckle and not that I needed to plant one to remember her but it makes for a great memory of her visit. I realized how much she's growing up with her own points of few on subjects such as cell phones, relationships, books and life in general. With that being said she hasn't grown an inch since February according to our wall chart. I'm very thankful her Dad gave up some of his precious days with her so she could spend time with us.

Visiting Mom

People and family say I look like my Mom. Just a few short months ago I was having breakfast with my Dad and his good friend and he turned to my Dad and said, " she resembles Irene" I said thank you for the nice compliment. When I was younger I hated those words,, "You look like your Mom" I confess it was difficult for me because I wanted to be my own person. My Mom knew this too. Ever since I can remember my Mom always had her hair in place, lipstick on and dressed to walk out the door in a moments notice. She has not been that person for quite sometime the above mentioned no longer exists.

My Mom was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease about five years ago. I remember the day I took her to the doctor's office and talked with the nurse practitioner. My Mom was so unaware of her body movements, discussing the issue was more difficult than I realized. After that visit it took almost two years to actually receive a final diagnosis. The ordeal tormented me. I had read all the material and literature on the disease and realizing that there's a fifty percent chance that I could have the disease made the situation unbearable. I finally talked with a pyschiatrist a couple of years ago and got my head on straight - ( for now ).

I visit my mom at least twice a month and though her appearance is not the same, her humor is unbelievable ( meds can help). I've learned to surrender the situation, no expectations. I sit with her and read and what happens from that point on takes on a life of it's own. She loves to talk about her trips with a man she lived with for several years ( no longer in the picture) and I'm thankful she was able to see some of the country. I told her I had better get started if I'm going to catch up with her. She loves animals, always has...she repeats herself sometimes but I do too. She tells me a story of a turtle they found and how they took it home and then had to turn it loose in a nearby creek. She enjoys watching the birds and squirrels from her window. She has a bird in her room, her name is Pretty Girl. I keep my distance from her.

So, I mention all this because today during our visit I spotted a picture christmas card from my daughter and I asked Mom if she recognized the family and she said yes. I held the card in front of her and said who is this: pointing at Sweet Tater and she said that's Trish. I named all the family members in the photo and she said, "what?" she thinks Sweet Tater and Trish switched bodies. My point exactly, family resemblences. Grandma Irene said they are a good looking family. She just didn't realize Trish is all grown up.

Christmas 2008

Leisure Lee and I spent Christmas evening at his sisters house in GrassValley. Though this picture depicts a good time... I did not feel the Christmas Spirit. I find myself at a loss of words with his family anymore with the exception of the grandchildren and my sister and brother -in-law. I do find myself interacting with Big "E" this is Leisure Lee's nephew... I was happy to be at home toasting the close of the night with an egg nog!

Winter Time

Other than Christmas there are many reason why winter is beautiful. One of my favorite past times is looking into the sky, whether it's a glorious sunrise, a red-lined setting sun, and my ultimate time is the night sky! Recently I enjoyed gazing at the full moon with one of the planets and north star sitting next to each other. Also, Leisure Lee and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. We celebrated by attending a Carpenter's Service Pin ceremony whereby he was awarded his 35 year service pin. I enjoyed being with him and meeting new people. I actually met a woman who was born in Auburn and raised in the little town of Penryn. She knew my Dad and her family knows my Mom and Dad - we went to the same high school too. Anyway - it was great. Our traditional night out for dinner and attending the Festival of Lights Parade was preempted by a night of surprise

Post Cards from the Woods

So, my daughter, T has moved away to the woods on the east coast and everyday since her departure she has been sending me post cards. She's giving me tidbits of information on how she's fairing in her new environment. T is a pretty surefooted daughter, I knew she would make friends right away and build herself a new barn, so to speak. She's learned so much about her new town and community in just a short time, exactly 2 1/2 months. Did I mention she's a great Poet, writer, Mom, Wife, friend and a great person to hang out with. I read her blog everyday this gives me a snapshot of her daily life too, I read it faithfully. I want to share the many post cards I've collected. I miss her!!!

Painted Ponies

Childhood dreams fade as you get older and you sometimes forget what you really enjoyed as a child, until someone comes along and reminds you. M. Heads painted this picture and it is one painting of a thousand paintings of a huge equine mural in Canada. A very talented young woman, wouldn't you say. I loved horses growing up, everything from reading horse stories, paint by number oil painting and riding too. Honestly, I was always a little weary of riding and being thrown to the ground with a hard smack could be painful. I'm speaking from experience and that's okay because I learned to get back on, again and again. Somewhere through my journey and life taking me down it's own path I lost interest in my dream. A few years back I volunteered and assisted children with riding Ice Atlantic ponies or horses. It wasn't only rewarding for the children but for me as well. Maybe this is a little more than you want to know but I love the smell of horses, and barnes, all the aromas of a ranch. I especially loved the sound of a horse chomping on an apple or a carrot. Learning to ride and taking riding lessons has crossed my mind recently. Did I mention my grandfather, James was a horse trainer - I never knew this growing up and I wonder if I have a horse gene. That would be a nice gene to have, don't you think. My Mom has a beautiful framed picture of my grandfather on beautiful chestnut horse by the name of Cimmeron. Dare to dream - it really is quite an inviting thought.

Visit with Sweet Tater

It is so hard to believe that our granddaughter is just growing up... Sweet Tater is 11 1/2 now and she is just a beautiful young girl. Her Papa, Leisure Lee and I were lucky enough to have her stay with us for a few days while she's out here visiting from the woods. We just hung out, watched a couple of movies, did some shopping, bought a few books, tried are hand at watercolor and I taught her how to play checkers and she won fair and square. Before she left in June, I had taken a couple of pictures of her in her favorite tree and some how or another it was deleted from my digital camera (arg). I was just sick about it because to me it was a lost photo, a moment captured that I would never get back. So, when I asked her if she would mind posing for another shot, she was up for the task. I know she really likes to climb but the day may come when it's not cool. Yet, again I think Sweet tater will always love the outdoors and with that comes climbing. So, here she is sittin pretty in her tree - I already miss her!