Smell the warm and salty air

See a wave reflect a beam
Stop and find a pretty shell for her
Make it real your summer dream
-- The Beach Boys "Your Summer Dream"

I've been out of commission with Strep throat for a week, but not before having a wonderful weekend in Corolla, NC. Amazing, amazing weather; so warm and beautiful, and a fantastic time with good friends. We stayed in the sun every possible minute. It's ironic to be loading these picures as I watch the snow melt outside...what a difference!

The Short People had a ball too, as you can see from the photos. They played outside until they dropped; on Saturday an eerie silence sent us downstairs to check on them all six children were in their beds putting themsleves down for a nap!

Since our Corolla weekend I've been pretty ill; the seventh time since May. I just returned from some lab testing at the hospital...still on the hunt for what is going on with me. Hopefully we'll find something soon. 'Til then, the beach is good medicine.

And there's no difference
Between the Earth and the sky
There's no reason
We have to die
--"Evergreen" Matthew Sweet

"AND YOU WILL ALWAYS LOVE US,
AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR MOMMY,
EVEN AFTER YOU ARE DEAD "
-- India Turman

This is a common refrain in our household. The Short People and I will be playing a rousing game of Candyland, driving in the car, or eating lunch and India will launch into this now-familiar statement. She's said it so often that Kate will join her and they chant in unison. There's always that special emphasis on the word "dead".

It all started with "The Lion King". India was curious and asked lots of questions about Mufasa "gettin' deaded"; then last spring after my grandmother passed away India had many more questions. At one point she even asked me if Granny fell off a cliff just like Mufasa (talk about comic relief)! She's a bit obsessed with the subject; can't decide which I dislike more...incessant talk about "The Little Mermaid" or incessant talk about death.

The other day India wanted to know where your body goes when you die. I explained about graves and cemeteries, and she insisted that we drive past one so we did. I really believe in answering kids' questions in a limited, simple, but honest way so I try to be truthful in discussing difficult topics. So we talked about cemeteries as a place to honor our loved ones and the comfort that brings to the rest of us. I opted to avoid discussing cremation and explaining that is what her Daddy and I have chosen...especially since a recent fire safety segment at school scared the begeezus out of her!

I strongly believe that our culture inappropriately shields children from death. No longer do we see farm animals die so we may eat, no more do we hold wakes in our home; death is sanitized to the point that we just don't talk about it. Now people like me are hired to enter schools and counsel children on how to deal with something that was just a part of life 50 years ago. With that said, however, I feel there is a happy medium of what is appropriate for a 4 and 2 year old and walking that line can be difficult at times. India and Kate are not upset by the subject, just curious. And I'm okay with that...to a point. India's death refrain always stops me cold. I hide my tears, hug them close, and tell them "That is exactly right, my loves. Exactly right."

We spotted the ocean

At the head of the trail

Where are we goin'

So far away

And somebody told me

That this is the place

Where everything's better

And everything's safe

--"Walk On The Ocean"

Toad the Wet Sprocket

All this gobal warming has produced some wonderful spring-like days on the Eastern Shore. My body has been tricked into thinking summer is coming, and I'm trying to soak up every minute before reality hits hard. We've felt incredibly close to nature the last few days thanks to gorgeous weather and the gift of two rare visitors.

The first was a bald eagle, who graced us by standing in our backyard about 50 yards away... until I decided to make a break for the camera and he flew off. Sorry guys, I would love to have a photo of him but I chased him away!

I did snag photos of our next visitor. This jellyfish was undulating along Cape Charles Beach Sunday when we went for a stroll. The Bay is full of "nettles" (tiny, opaque jellyfish) in the summer, but to see a large, live, colorful jellyfish in action in the Bay in JANUARY is something I've never witnessed. The Bay is unusually warm for this time of year and I think a lot of strange things are happening in there. This big beauty was fascinating as she undulated and waved her tentacles. The photos just don't do it justice. Just glad it was too cold for swimming!

All of our outdoor adventures took place between doses of Ibuprophen for India. She fought high fevers all weekend (103.8 at it 's highest) but would recover with meds and start playing soccer or running down the beach until we made her stop. After 5 days of high fever I took her to our pediatrician and she has strep...never once complaining of a sore throat! Now I am thowing out toothbrushes and Lysoling anything that doesn't move in the hopes that Kate won't come down with strep too. We are planning to head to the Outer Banks with a big group of friends for the weekend and I need to go...that way I can keep fooling myself that Spring has Sprung.

Kate Starts Preschool

I can see you in the morning
When you go to school
Don't forget your books
You know you've got to learn the golden rule. --Supertramp "School"


Kate managed to simultaneously break my heart and thrill me to my marrow all in the same day as she started preschool on Thursday. Having two days a week to grocery shop, clean, paint (an impending "This Old Turman House" project) and, perhaps most significantly, actually go the restroom or shower without Short People commmentary is heady stuff. And the fact that Kate seems to already LOVE it makes the whole plan so much more palatable! Now I'm just left with the "what kind of stay-at-home- mom are you" guilt that goes along with unnecessary preschool enrollment, and I'm dealing with that with a few glasses of wine and lots of support from my friends who assure me I'm not going to Hell for enrolling Kate at Belle Croft with her sister.

But Kate is THRILLED! I was dismissed Thursday, her first day, with a smiley "Bye, Mommy!" and greeted in the afternoon with a tour of all her favorite spots. She also managed to keep her underwear dry the whole day, which for me is almost more exciting than anything else. I will not shed a tear when I say goodbye to diapers, that's for sure. What a grown-up girl Katie is. I can't believe that I have one child old enough for Kindergarten next year and another who is wearing underwear and attending preschool. Time flies...

I'm down to my last cigarette

Gonna smoke it down, and try to forget

I know i could make it through the night

If i could only get a light

-- Blues Traveler "Can't Get a Light"

Smoke 'em if you got 'em, baby! This was one of my stocking stuffers from Santa, aka my parents. I know, sick kind of gift, but these are the same people who gave me a mannequin for Christmas in 2001 and have also given me a real coffin for our annual Halloween party. I was telling my parents about a nebulous childhood memory involving a vending machine that sold toys, from which we purchased a small smoking monkey. Dad remembered the incident and couldn't track down the monkey, but did find this smokin' number. The girls love it, and ask questions like "Is the baby finished it's cigarette yet?" or "can we make him smoke again?". Probably not the best role-modeling for the Short People. I should have a talk with them about the evils of tobacco.

All right, this is for Clare...what do we name him? Everybody please send a suggestion. This baby needs a moniker, especially for when he enters rehab. How can you participate in group therapy if you don't have a name?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Auld Lang Syne--attributed to Robert Burns


We celebrated the New Year with gusto, kicking things off with an impromptu party. What began as a chance for my friend Debbie to escape from being a housebound new mother and giving her other two children an outlet to play quickly transformed into 7 children, 6 adults, a bonfire, a Pizza Hut run and a bottle of wine. Tracy called to inform me that he ran into Debbie's husband Brad coming out of surgery (he's the physician, not the patient) and was bringing him by for a drink. At the same time, our friends John and Susan pulled up, children in tow, to borrow our bathroom (they were returning from a trip across the bay and didn't think they could make it the 20 miles to their house). They stayed too, it was a great time, and a perfect way to start off a holiday weekend. This is perhaps my favorite thing about small town living...where else could that kind of party serendipity happen?


Saturday was also a day of celebration. First for Tracy and I, because we purged the house of literally BAGS of toys for donation that the girls have outgrown. Most of the remaining toys are now ensconsed in THEIR room upstairs, so we can actually see the floor in the den for the first time in 4.5 years. Saturday was also a celebration for Kate because she moved into a big girl bed. She scoffed at our offer of a bed rail, stating "I a big dirl (girl) an' I don' need dat". She slept through the night without incident and is so proud of this as well as her almost exclusive move to "un'wear". She's so cute, walking around muttering under her breath about "hewwo kitty un'wear", "big dirl bed", and "I so gwown-up".

Sunday we started the great Christmas Decoration Purge. I always dread this, and there is still so much to do. It's a depressing process. I am very much a sunshine and outdoors kinda girl, and the end of the Holidays signals the beginning of a vast stretch of endless dreary days. I feel like hibernating (translation: eating and sleeping) until spring. This is always a hard time of year for me, but particularly so now that we have children because where we live is so isolated that there is not much entertainment. Winter days can seem endless on the Shore. Thank god for craft supplies or I wouldn't survive 'til spring!

Sunday night we went to our friends John and Susan's for a New Year's dinner party. Pretty cool to sit on their back porch and listen to the ocean bring in the New Year. We were home at 2 and the girls were up at 6:30 so you can bet that we are pretty tired and a litte hung over today! Hope all of you are feeling better than I am and are having a great start to 2007.

It's all over, there isn't any more.
It's all over, but what's it over for?
Just when you think the party's started...
It's over, it's over, it's over.
--Squirrel Nut Zippers "It's Over"

What a whirlwind! The holidays were full of sugarplums and cookies, decorating and wrapping, shopping and parades, and Nutcracker, Nutcracker, Nutcracker. The Turmanators were incredibly busy, as you may have noticed by the dearth of blogging during December. Today's photos include the girls decorating cookies, posing for our Christmas card, playing with presents, India backstage at the Nutcracker with her friends, and Kate posing with a sooty kiss from Santa on her cheek.

This was the first year that both of the Short People really understood the magic of Christmas. There was much anticipation, first for our visit from Pops and Gigi (Tracy's parents) the weekend before Christmas, and then for traveling to Richmond to have Christmas with my family. The girls were thrilled to stay at Daden and Yoyo's house...once they were assured that they do have a fireplace and Santa will know how to find them. It was wonderful to have Clare and Derek there; they alternate between families and this year was ours.

As with most children, the excitement of Christmas was often accompanied by unadulterated mania. We found ourselves resorting to humming the refrain of "you better watch out, you better not cry..." more than once, ashamed to admit.
I also must admit that my recent lapse in blogging is also the reason for our trip to Richmond for the Holidays. My father has been diagnosed with both an ulcer and, much more seriously, an aortic aneurysm. Riding in the car for long periods is too painful so we decided to travel to him instead. He was scheduled to have surgery this week but it has been postponed for a month or two. I suppose I just didn't feel like writing about all holiday activities without mentioning what was on my mind the most. A recent follow-up has shown no growth in the aneurysm so I am feeling better about things. My father's health concerns have certainly been a reminder of how important it is to enjoy every minute of life and family. And isn't that also what the Holidays are all about?

25 days and Counting!

The snow is falling down
Up in some northern town
But a Carolina Christmas
Is still the best around
Wrap up your teddy bear
Hang your stockings up with care
It's a Carolina Christmas
Were chillin in our underwear
--"Carolina Christmas" the Squirrel Nut Zippers

Not quite in our underwear, really, just shorts, although I hear cooler temperatures are coming with some rain today. The 70+ degree weather is not dampering our holiday spirits, however. Decorations are out...not acutally UP, but out. Until our halls are decked the Short People are contenting themselves with CVS's singing and dancing santa with penguins. We've been so often that I'm concerned the employees may think I'm casing the store, but the girls dance right along and beg to hear them sing again and again. Thank god they don't know that monstrosity is for sale!We also kicked off the holiday season today by decorating a gingerbread house. I think this will be a new tradition for the Turmanators. This year I just used a kit since I barely have time to use the restroom and brush my teeth now, but maybe one year I will do the whole thing from scratch. The girls loved sampling the candies and helping set everything in place with glue made from SUGAR (they were truly amazed by this). Tonight we begin counting down the days 'til Christmas with our advent calendar. Also the ABC family network begins it's marathon of Christmas movies tonight, so those with children or who are young at heart...check it out.

ha sido un invierno eterno
y loco me vuelve la nieve
primavera venga ya venga la
primavera venga ya venga
primavera
"Queremos Bailar" - Dan Zanes

Hola, mis amigos y amigas! Welcome to the Short People's "Mundo del Espanol". Like most preschoolers, India has always enjoyed dabbling in Spanish (the influence of "Dora" seems to know no bounds). But lately her interest is, shall we say, excesivo? Any counting to be done? Do it in Spanish. Want to say "hello", "goodbye", "thank you" or "your welcome"? All the Turmanators must answer with the appropriate Spanish phrase. Don't know how to say something in Spanish? No problem; India just makes it up! She's enjoying herself and we are having a great time trying not to let her catch us cracking up.

Recently she asked to eat at a Mexican restaurant despite the fact that she does not care for the food. When I questioned whether she really wanted to dine there she haughtily retorted "I ASSUME they will have little cheeseburgers".

But my favorite thus far: when India asked Tracy if she could watch a movie in the car and he responded "I doubt it", India questioned "Is 'I doubt it' Spanish for 'I don't think so'?

Today's photo is of our new patio and firepit (just for you, Brian, Janice and Clare). Tracy's birthday (his first 39th, he says) was this weekend. We did a lot of celebrating; his favorite homemade spareribs, dinner out with friends, etcetera, but our best celebrating was done right here. We spent much of the weekend roasting marshmallows, having a glass of wine and stargazing. Perfecto!

Happy Thanksgiving

You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Excepting Alice
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Walk right in it's around the back
Just a half a mile from the railroad track
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
--Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant"

Very obscure song reference today, but it is a family tradition to listen to "Alice's Restaurant" every Thanksgiving. If you aren't familiar with the song, it has a vague (very vague) connection with Thanksgiving and some radio stations play it on the holiday. If you want to hear the song, you can check out this performance on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_7C0QGkiVo


We had a marvelous Thanksgiving. Here are a few things I'm grateful for:
* For such good friends and family
* For happy, healthy children
* That I didn't have to host Thanksgiving at my house this year
* That no one was upset that my "famous" gravy was a tad greasy
* That Susan sent us home with two pieces of her pecan pie
* That Tracy cleaned up the rest of the kitchen mess this morning before going to work
* That I'm not out Christmas shopping today...my own personal Hell.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP,

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS,

MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER

STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a box of rain -
wind and water -
Believe it if you need it,
if you don't just pass it on
Sun and shower -
Wind and rain -
in and out the window
like a moth before a flame

--"Box Of Rain" The Grateful Dead

Today was to have been a day of freedom. A WHOLE DAY ALONE. Alone shopping, which is one of my least favorite things, yes, but still...I've found I like shopping a whole lot more than I used to if I have the opportunity to do so by myself. Anyway, I had a babysitter scheduled so I could travel to civilization and wipe out all of our Christmas shopping in one trip. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, lunch at the Baker's Crust, a trip to Starbucks perhaps?

Evidently the weatherman had other ideas.

A nor-easter is slamming the coast today, resulting in high winds, torrential rain, wind restrictions/closures on the Bay Bridge Tunnel (couldn't go even if I wanted to), and leaking at our house. So I cancelled my trip, and have spent the ENTIRE day cooped up with the Short People and fervently looking for water drips in every room.

On a positive note, the Short People have behaved rather well considering they would rather eat spinach for breakfast than remain in the house all day. They spent a lot of time creating fabulous costumes (at one point India was wearing a velvet dress, Strawberry Shortcake bedroom slippers, a macaroni necklace and Indian headdress) and making appalling messes. Somehow the girls conned our dog Daisy into playing Polly Pockets in the above photo.

Another bright side to my imprisonment is that I was able to get a bit of Thanksgiving cooking done ahead of time. Tomorrow we are going to our friends John and Susan's, joined by Susan's parents and another set of friends and their children. I was assigned an appetizer, sweet potato casserole, asparagus casserole, and stuffing. Since Tracy will work a half day tomorrow it was helpful to have some things done ahead. We'll head over there after naps for our Thanksgiving feast. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Sometimes I feel so uninspired
Sometimes I feel like giving up
Sometimes I feel so very tired
Sometimes I feel like I've had enough

But don't let it get you down
There is no reason for not failing
You've got to smile and turn the other cheek
So today you might get up
But by tomorrow you'll be sailing
Traffic -- "(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired"

My friend Janice (this is gonna sound familiar, Jan) and I joke about the ebb and flow of the stay at home Mom. Some weeks you are a Goddess. The universe revolves around her and her masterful planning. The house is run with near military precision.The floors are clean. The children are clean. The library books are returned on time. The meals are healthy and organized. She is amazing.

Then the tide turns, and the Goddess is gone. I'm not sure where she goes, but the Interloper who replaces her is not very efficient. When the Interloper is here, cleaning, errands and household tasks are completed begrudgingly...if at all. She forgets to buy the chicken for dinner, misses her haircut appointment, doesn't feel like vacumming AGAIN and resents the fact that children must be fed three wholesome meals a day ("didn't I just feed you lunch?").

The Goddess took a road trip for a few weeks and the Turmanators have lived in squalor and chaos with the Interloper. But the Goddess is back! As a result, the sheets are changed, the floors are vacuumed, everyone has had flu shots and haircuts, meeting minutes have been typed, and Christmas shopping has begun. This also means, of course, that the Goddess will resume blogging. Sorry to those of you who have expressed some disgust with the Interloper in this regard.

Enjoy some photos of a recent playgroup and of our adults-only trip to the Hotel Hershey for some much-needed pampering, and know that the Goddess has it all under control. For now.

Halloween Was A Real Drag

Well I'm not the worlds most masculine man

But I know what I am and I'm glad Im a man

And so is Lola

Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola

Lola -- The Kinks

Cross-dressing was the unspoken theme for the men Saturday October 28th at our annual Halloween Party. We hosted the Indigo Girls, the Ugly Stepsisters, and my personal favorite, Tracy as Brittany Spears. I was a "hanging judge", complete with noose and rope marks on my neck. There were so many great costumes; it was difficult to get pictures of everyone and some of the photos we did take didn't come out (camera problems...think I need a new one for Christmas. Any recommendations?).

I love the photo of the table with the (unententional) spooky effects.We had a fabulous time and I think the guests did, too; things didn't wind down until about 1:30am. Of course, the short people were up at 6:15 old time so we were a bit tired on Sunday!

On Sunday after a quick nap we took the girls to the Camp Silver Beach http://www.campsilverbeach.org/home.htm Halloween Party. It's a great event sponsored by the YMCA with games, hayrides, a hay maze and other activities. It was so windy they kept losing their clown hats, but we had a fabulous time.

Since the party weekend the Turmanators have been really busy deconstructing the decorations, going trick or treating, then high-tailing it out of town without the short people for a long, relaxing weekend. I'll be sure to post more pictures of the party, Halloween, and our trip to Hershey, PA soon.

I see a red door and I want it painted black

No colors anymore I want them to turn black

-- Paint It Black, The Stones

No, I'm not depressed, I'm preparing for our annual Halloween party. Every spare minute is spend draping anything that doesn't move with cobwebs, black paint, bones or fake blood. Food preparation is taking an unsettling turn, with finger-shaped cookies, black chicken (bat) wings, and other gruesome goodies. I love Halloween!

Thank goodness I enjoy preparing for this event, or I might actually find myself depressed after all. While all this party prep is going on our roofers decided to start a couple of weeks early so 5 men are banging away above me. I have to check the bathroom windows to make sure my privacy is secure before entering. The new patio that was supposed to be done a week ago is still being finished. I heard a rumor it will be done today, just in time to install stairs to reach it. (My insurance agent father is not too keen on us hosting a party for 60 people that could include grievous bodily harm). A nice gentleman is here fixing my oven, which is now completely pulled out of the cabinetry.

I'm also a bit behind because we were out of town for a long weekend. We had a great visit with my family, but my appointment with an endocrinologist ( the whole reason for the trip) was a bust. He thinks I need to see another endocrinologist at UVA ( another 4-6 month wait for an appointment). Not only am I discouraged and disappointed, had I known we were wasting our time I could have been home being useful. I am not a procrastinating, last-minute kind of girl. I make lists. I am organized. I am in control... Oh, god, who am I kidding? Perhaps the only person in control in the house this week is Kate, who keeps interrupting me to demand a snack, juice, help getting into a dazzling ball gown, etcetera.

Sorry no photos today, just wanted everyone to know that we are still here just incredibly busy. I should have some fantastic pictures after Saturday night...I've heard rumors that some of the costumes are a bit unusual. Should be a real "scream".

When I wake up in the garden

Peaceful slumber wakes my eyes

The sun and moon are always present

There are no more crying people around

--In The Garden, Susan Tedeschi

We have hit a new plateau with the short people. For the past 4 plus years we have been awakened before 6 a.m, sometimes 5:30, and even the occasional painful 4:45. To be fair there was also the occasional 6:15 and once, like a gift from heaven, a late, late 6:30. My personal favorite early morning moment was the year that Kate was a few months shy of one and we (STUPIDLY) agreed to host a New Year's party. Everyone left at around 2:30 or so, we put away about half of the food (but not Tom's hand rolled sushi...sorry) collapsed into bed, and were woken up before 6. Hung over. That one was our own fault.

But for the last week or so...I hope I'm not breaking the magic spell by talking about this...they have been sleeping until 7:00!!! What a treat. Tracy and I are thrilled. We can actually receive local weather on foggy days (only time we get reception), and I have even been able to lounge in the bed with coffee for 15 minutes. When the girls finally do wake up India turns off the night light, gets socks for herself and Kate, opens the door, and they scramble down the hall to our room like little squirrels. They love climbing into bed with us and snuggling under the covers for a few brief minutes before we are up and running. It's wonderful.

Clearly fog has been a big factor here lately. The first photograph is of a misty Onancock Creek. Fall on the Eastern Shore often equals fog. The schools are often on two hour delay due to fog this time of year, and I sometimes feel like I've stepped onto a movie set for Wuthering Heights as the heavy mist rolls across the fields from the bayside. Those days are perfect for warm tea and a good book...too bad the short people think foggy days are perfect for play-doh, messy baking activities, and endless rounds of dress-up.

On sunny days the Turmanators have been squeezing out every last drop of outside time. These girls love to be out of the house and winter is hard for us. We don't get much snow, just very cold dampness. So we "make hay while the sun shines" and enjoy the beauty of fall whenever we can!

In my mind a thousand times
I played the part and read my lines
You and I would be the stars
And I don't even know your name
--"I Don't Even Know Your Name" The Mavericks

"I not Taferine Penn (Katherine Penn) aaaanymo'. I don' wike dat name. I TIDDY TAT TATE (Kitty Cat Kate).

Kate has changed her name. Thank goodness she's unaware that it is possible to make the change legally binding or she would do it. She's quite adamant, and whenever anyone asks her what her name is she tells them it's Tiddy Tat Tate.

She made one of these name change pronouncements at The Book Bin; our local bookstore and coffee shop. They are promoting a Halloween activity for toddlers and asked to take a photo of Kate and my friend Andrea's son, Christopher, dressed in costumes relevant to the books they are promoting. The poor photographer was mystified when she asked Kate for her name. Funny, she seemed REALLY glad to get out of there (she doesn't have children) once she had managed one decent shot. Let's just say the two were less than cooperative.

Most of the rest of us enjoyed ourselves. Kate liked having her picture taken and was allowed to keep her magic wand so she was happy. Andrea and I were given a free coffee so we were happy. But poor Christopher didn't want to wear his pirate hat, didn't want to put down his lollipop, and was bonked in the head a few times as Kate tried to "magic" him with her wand. He's such a cutie and always wants to hug Kate but she is heartless and rejecting because he steals her snacks. Hopefully she will treat him the same when they are 16.

I should have remained in the Book Bin where my children are occupied and I can socialize and drink coffee. The yard is a wreck with patio construction and our new countertops are being installed as I write this. It is all very exciting, despite the chaos, even though I have buyer's remorse approximately every other day. This old house has it's drawbacks, but it has a lot of personality and warmth and we are thrilled to add our touches.

One of my favorite things about the patio installation is the excavation because I am discovering all kinds of artifacts in the dirt. Here's a sample of yesterday's finds. They are pictured on our old countertops...bye bye ugly, old, cracked, blue laminate! Tracy is sick of me scavaging for treasures. Anyone want to dig in the dirt with me?

Strange how hard it rains now

Rows and rows of big dark clouds

When I'm holding on underneath this shroud

Rain

--"Rain" Patty Griffin

What do you do when your yard looks like this AND the television is on the fritz? Boogie to some bluegrass, of course! The short people's love of the genre is growing...not sure if I'm as pleased as their father. I like bluegrass as well as the next girl (okay, maybe a little more than the next girl, since it's really not all that popular) but I don't want to hear it EVERY TIME I turn on the stereo or get in the car. Kate requests "a wittle music fo' my feet" to inform me she craves that high lonesome sound. They particularly favor The Mammals "Fall On My Knees" (see http://www.themammals.net/) because there is a "whoo!" they love to sing along with. India emphatically informed me today that "every song should have a "whoo! in it".

And what do you do while you listen to bluegrass? You play the Angelina Ballerina memory game, of course! Thank you, Clare. The girls had a great time and India and I conspired to give Kate a few matches so she wouldn't be too discouraged. Notice Kate's blanket "bebe" in the background; she managed to literally sweep the board a few times as she manhandled her ratty lovey. Allen and Sarah, if you are reading, it's the one you knitted for her and it's still her fave.

I spent a few rounds of the memory game cramming various fruits and vegetables into chicken orifices and boiling chicken unmentionables to make a broth. Not one of the most pleasurable moments in cooking for me, but Tracy's parent's home-grown potatoes should make a delicious addition to our roast chicken tonight. Thanks for the bag, guys!

There is a town in north Ontario

With dream comfort memory despair

And in my mind I still need a place to go

All my changes were there

--"Helpless" Neil Young

We had a weekend of flashbacks. We took a trip to Patrick and Carroll Counties for Tracy's 20th high school reunion and to visit my grandmother and my grandfather. We had a great time and laughed a lot (thanks, Cliff and Rebecca, for the most hilarious party recap ever...my stomach was sore the next day from laughing so hard!).

We had the opportunity to walk around Stuart a bit and run into some familiar sights and faces. It is quite surreal to visit a place you last lived in 1989 and find so much the same. I saw an old neighbor, a friend's father, another friend's mother, and lots of other people and places I knew a long time ago.

My grandmother "Makey" will be 90 in a few weeks, and my Aunt Katie took her to Myrtle Beach one last time over the weekend. We arrived in town in time to see her off. I've watched her age so quickly in the last few years that each time I visit I worry that it will be the last time. I love to watch her with our girls and wish they could know her like I do. What an amazing woman she was and is; losing her mother at an early age, living in a barn with her father and 5 sisters after their house burned down, suffering several miscarriages, losing her husband when her children were teens, operating her own business in what was at the time a man's field, surviving cancer, and this weekend taking off for a 6 hour trip that is probably beyond her both physically and emotionally. But she did it! Clare, notice her mouth is open in the photo as always, and I even said "don't forget to close your mouth, Makey!".

Visits to my grandfather in Carroll County are bittersweet. Since my grandmother passed away in the spring he is lonely and often tearful. He is growing thinner and more bedridden, and visiting in a nursing home is never easy. But his health seems good and he is always so glad to see us, as are we to see him. During one visit they wore princess gowns and tiaras, which created quite a stir amongst the other residents as well! I suppose they don't receive much royalty in the Galax nursing facility.

Tracy's class reunion was a blast. The short people enjoyed the family portion, especially because they were able to meet our friends Cliff & Rebecca and Dena (Cliff and Rebecca gave India her "lovey" and they have grown up hearing Dena stories from my childhood). India can't stop talking about her new friend Anna; they seemed to form some sort of instant bond. And India was excited to see our friend Randy because she knows him and will always remember the time he was visiting and she "throwed up" and had to go to the hospital. The evening was, of course, the most fun. It was great to see so many familiar faces and catch up as well as tell old stories. The DJ mixed the typical 80s music, there were lots of surprises and lots of folks who hadn't changed one bit! Mike and Brooke, so glad you came by, too. The evening made me really look forward to my reunion next year. I had such a good time that my camera sat on a table, untouched, for the entire party.

Crooked little smile on her face
Tells a tale of grace
That's all her own

Spinning, laughing dancing to her
favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
And she's all alone
--Seven Years, Norah Jones


Tutus are de rigeur with the short people; Every day is a ballet. India is full-tilt into her class and LOVES her instructor. "I wish Miss Dana was my Mommy!", she cried after a day of head-butting with me. Oh, how that stung.

And Kate is counting the months until she can be a "bawawina" like her big sister. A friend gave Kate a pair of ballet slippers her daughter had outgrown, and each Monday we must pack them for Kate to wear while she and I wait in the green room during India's lessons.