Opening Day

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Dove season opens at noon.

My brother surveys the field.

He has spent the last 20 hours out at the farm.

Roasting a pig.

This is probably the last hunt we will have here.

Berry Farms is booming.

It was a bittersweet day.

 Mental P. shows up in the nick of time.

Can anyone spot her sporty hunting vehicle?

There is some shooting.

There is some laughing.

 The pig is ready.

 It was a feeding frenzy.

It was the best pulled pork I have ever had in my life.

And I've had some pulled pork...

 I'm sorry, but how cute are these girls and their Muck Boots?

I need some Muck Boots.

And a truck.

 Somebody found this baby chicken snake.

It may have found its way into a car truck full of cute girls.

And these little boys were so proud.

There is about to be a mighty fine dove dinner here in Middle Tennessee.

Life is grand. 

Blessings

“The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.” 
― Isak Dinesen, Seven Gothic Tales

On the Day You Were Born

When my babies were born, we were given this book.  It immediately became my favorite, and as soon as they could talk, The Bird and Augie asked us to read it to them every day.  They actually asked us to read hundreds of books every day; "Hello comb, hello brush...."  It was a rare day that I could get through reading this one to them that I didn't choke up a bit, and that was just the way it was.

And now?  In the 10 or so days since they have become college graduates, and have set their sights on their next steps, all I can think about is this book.  And how we did, indeed, sing when they came to this Earth.  And to us.  And I still get teary.

The gift of all gifts; they are my heart.  I am so very honored that they came through me. And this spinning world is all theirs.

On the day you were born
the moon pulled on the ocean below,
and, wave by wave,
a rising tide washed the beaches clean
for your footprints...
...while far out at sea
clouds swelled with water drops,
sailed to shore on a wind,
and rained you a welcome
across the Earth's green lands.

On the day you were born
the Earth turned, the Moon pulled,
the Sun flared, and, then, with a push,

you slipped out of the dark quiet
where suddenly you could hear...
...a circle of people singing
with voices familiar and clear.

"Welcome to the spinning world." the people sang,
as they washed your new, tiny hands.

"Welcome to the green Earth," the people sang,
as they wrapped your wet, slippery body.

And as they held you close
they whispered into your open, curving ear,
"We are so glad you've come."

- From On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The one where The Bird gives shopping advice to her brother:

I don't think I know the outcome of this shopping adventure.

But I will find out in 3 sleeps!

I am Virginia and Philly bound!

My college graduates.

Wasn't it just yesterday when they went to kindergarten?

Monday Morning Memories

 The Nashville Marathon has come and gone.

So have my Virginia Belles.

CBW and Baby Sis.

But not before they slogged through 13.1 miles.

In a wind driven rain.

Up and down Nashville's friendly, hilly roads.

In an amazing race time 2:37-- they rocked it.

While I waited in my toasty, dry car.

Dozing.

 

Oh, and there may have been cocktails.

Now, we detox.

We will let our stomach muscles rest from all the laughing.

And make plans for the next reunion.

Nashville Blogfest anyone?

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

My soon-to-be college grads coming down to the wire:

I know I sound like a broken record,

but where has the time gone?

Hold your babies tight.

Forever and forever.

Life is precious and capricious.

And sometimes too short.

Today I ask you to send special love and prayers

to my Virginia Blister Ann Marie.

As she says a final goodbye to her teenaged daughter.

Hold your babies tight.

And, please, everyone wear a seat belt.

Angels Everywhere

The Players:

A jack-knifing semi

Mental P

A drunk driver

Many, many angels

The Scene:

Very foggy interstate

Easter Night

And all I feel is lucky and blessed.

Strangers on the highway

Tennessee State Police

EMS

University Medical Center staff

Loving friends and coworkers

Family

Angels are everywhere.

This n That Thursday

Drivel

• I am physically, emotionally and spiritually incapable of parking straight within a denoted space.
• All these joking Cardinals on the news are annoying me.
• The real estate market is hot here.  Almost every house is selling for above asking price.  And within a few days of listing.  I think this is good news for all of us.
• Also, Wall Street clearly could care less about this sequester business.
• The birds are all very amorous around these parts.
• And the coyotes are loud at night.
• Life is good in these here hills.
• In 12 sleeps, The Baby Bird and I are going to Florida for a little dose of sea and sun.
• Has anyone checked out the new app Vine?  It's like Instagram, but in a six second video you can start and stop as you film to make a fun vignette.  I am a little obsessed.
• I am making my budget for the year for my new real estate business.  It is a lot like asking a crystal ball for answers.

What do you think of this:
                                               Goose & Co.
                                Nesting Specialists Since 1982?

Hump Day Haiku

i know it looks it

but i promise i am not

prom seventy eight

This 'n That Thursday

• It was pert near 70 here yesterday.  "Pert near" means almost for those north of here.
• In other words, I wonder if I will ever stop sweating.
• I'm still church shopping, but I went to a beautiful Holiday Healing service last night.
• Dora got her hair done yesterday.  I get mine tomorrow, if the world doesn't end first.  At least Dora can go out on a high note.
• I am ready for Christmas.
• I am also ready for March.
• What are some good books on iTunes?  I need lots of stimulation for our drive to Connecticut.
• Wait, Downton Abbey is on the same night as the Alabama/Notre Dame game?  How did that happen?
• I am writing my first real estate blog post today.  I'm nervous.
• Below is Dora's report card from her spa day yesterday.  She made the Honor Roll.  But I'm a little concerned that she only got 9's for behavior skills.  We need to have a chat.

• Happy Friday Eve!  Be careful out there.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

My children and I have been absolutely gutted by the tragedy in Newtown.

I struggled with what to post today, and have decided that we will try some normalcy.

Our grief will be continued to be shared privately with one another.

And we pray for everyone.  Everyone.

As we move forward, my soon-to-be graduates are job hunting.

And my gifted and brilliant daughter?

Contemplates being an Au Pair in Paris...

I don't think it would be the best use of her talent and mind.

But it sure would be fun to visit.

As long as she is happy, healthy and safe, I am behind her 100%.

My Bird's gotta fly.

Fragments on Friday

• It's Veterans Day weekend.  Please reach out to a hero, and thank them personally for their service to you.  Thank you, Debbie.
• I leave early tomorrow morning to go participate in the OBX Half Marathon on Sunday.  Once again I have procrastinated and it may be ugly.  I'm not prepared as much as I'd like.
• But I get to be with some awesome Blisters.  So it's all good.  Plus, there may be some wine afterwards.
• Dora is going here.
• This is her itinerary:  THE DOG WHO THINKS HE’S A HUMAN:
  » Morning Creek-side Nature Walk
  » Afternoon Playtime (with fellow-human)
  » Nightly Bedtime Story with Signature Bedtime Biscuit & Tuck-in
  » Four additional escorted outings throughout the day
• I kinda wish I was staying there with her.  I mean, who wouldn't want a Bedtime Biscuit and Tuck-In?
• I have so much to learn at work.  I feel like I need a kindergartner to teach me the computer stuff.
• I love country music all of a sudden.  This song is my new obsession.  Brad lives here in Franklin;)
• Have a safe and wonderful weekend.  Wish me luck.  Please.

Monday?

• Is it me, or are the weekends going by in a blur?
• I have turned into a football lunatic.  
• Aren't those tap lights the best?
• It is going to be 80 and sunny every day this week.
• After all the paperwork is done, I am joining a real estate firm this week.
• I have a lot of paperwork and a home study to complete.
• I think I will do my paperwork by the pool here.
• Rumor has it, the pool here never closes down. Like, never.
• Dora and I are dog-sitting.  It is quite the adventure.  Meet Xoco:

The Hairless Princess Dog.

What are you doing this week?

Blue

Missing my babies today.  

We had such a wonderful weekend together.  

So very proud of them,

And the fact that they have both roots and wings.

And in other news, Lindsay Lohan and her mother involved in a drunken brawl.

With each other.

Special.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

In three sleeps.

Friday Frivolousness

• I am now a licensed Tennessee driver, have a Tennessee car tag and have registered to vote.  Y'all watch out.
• There is a full moon tomorrow that has some astrologers sending out warnings.  I am heeding them, and my daughter now calls me a wiccan.
• There is a great article in today's paper about my brother's property.  I hope to have my real estate license soon, so come on down here.  We could have a lot of fun;)  A lot.
• I went to a tea the other day where a royal butler served us.  It was straight out of Downton Abbey.  Without the Abbey.  Or the clothes.
• This coming bacon shortage has me a little scared.  I might need to hoard.
• Oh my.  Real Housewives of Miami.
• Coconut oil.  I have it in every room now.  All three of them;)
• I am a big fan of the sentence fragment.  Big fan.
• In seven sleeps, my babies will be here.  So happy about that.
• Well, I am going to lay in some supplies and hunker down for this scary moon.  What are you doing this weekend?  Come on, tell this old wiccan.

EDIT:  Added a link for Annie.  A description of the September 29 full moon.

Hump Day Haiku

i hope your wednesday

is a seamless day of bliss

and a happy ride

out my front window this past Sunday

This 'n That Thursday

Mindlessness:

• I have a job interview later this morning.  Could be interesting.
• I need to dash out and buy some stockings.
• It's humid here today, and I am not looking forward to said stockings.  Or the suit jacket either.
• Wish me luck.
• I am down another 3 pounds.  Wheat free living is the life for me.
• My nephew plays football for the school my brothers attended.  I hope to go to every game.  They need more cowbell, though.
• I am the big sister to my brothers, but they are basically my mentors.  They are incredible men.
• I cannot wait to change my car tags.  I can see all the Tennessee cops eyeing this old yankee gal with her Connecticut plates.  
• FYI: I have taken the steps to re-register the car, it just takes time.
• I am having dinner with a college suitemate, her parents and her daughter on Saturday night.  I am thrilled.
• Oh yeah, this daughter is also my god daughter.  Thrilled.
• Okay.  Gotta go get some stockings.  Go get my game face on, and get this day under way.
• Have a great day, everyone.  Be safe.

Hump Day Haiku

boxes all unpacked

cable and internet? check

mama takes a break

Moving Day has Arrived...

Ready or not.