Beautiful Days

This is my kind of weather.
Cool mornings, sun shining and pleasant days.

The bumbles are busy everywhere

I smiled at my youngest granddaughter's
image
for tacky day at school.
Jamie, you are creative with a chip holder in her hair.

My pain and balance issue
may be with me for a while.
But continually thankful
this is all there is.

At the moment
my cane
is my best friend...

Black Walnuts - Posted One Year Ago and the Same Today

I walk
they are hidden in the grass
and I step on them
almost making me trip.
I ride the lawn tractor
and they make a loud noise
like you have hit a rock
and afraid they will hurt the blade.

Black Walnuts
There is nothing tastier
when added to sweets I bake,
cookies,  candy, cakes and this early
morning have put  Black Walnut
flavoring in the pumpkin bread
that is baking in the oven.

Very expensive when I purchase a small bag
of the nuts
and usually go for the black walnut flavoring.

I have hundreds of these black walnuts
and cannot enjoy them.

Over 30 years ago and new to the country
I was so thrilled to find the ground covered with these and the hickory nuts in the Fall.
I gathered and would sit with a hammer trying to crack them
Spending hours for the smallest jar of this delicacy
and black stained hands.

Old timers told me to put them in the driveway and as the
vehicles ran over them they would crack the husk.

Anyway I just gave up.
Do not like buying them when I have an abundance on the ground
here at the edge of the woods.

The squirrels sure love them.  
Their teeth must really be strong to crack them.
Shells everywhere on the paths in the woods.

I do know they bury them everywhere and all
through the year I see them scratching them up
sometimes in my garden.

Sometimes The Past Makes An Unexpected Visit

Sometimes when you vow to live in the present
and your doing very good,
something arrives
that takes you back to another life.

Garden and Guns magazine arrived
browsing
and come upon an article
"built to last"
an article featuring Braxton Dixon.

Many memories of this talented one.
When children were young, business was thriving,
my Jamie was on the way
an addition was added to a beautiful home.
Braxton did this addition and this home was featured
in the Nashville, Tennessean.
On to another wonderful home.
This was an English Tudor in Nashville and Braxton
helped me remodel.   This home was featured in Southern Living.

In a few years
a divorce, most was lost and this one set out on her own
down the path of simplicity and vowed to restore her sanity.

Old farm house was found and Braxton helped me remodel
and add a wonderful great room that featured beautiful
old wood from a railroad station that was torn down in Kentucky.

Brax, so talented with his 7th grade education, learned all from his father
and is now 92 years old.   Last time I saw him was when my oldest daughter
was visiting and we ran into him and newer wife at a restaurant.
He has built many a home for those who are famous in
the country music world.  His first wife was so special to me.
Still use one of her special recipes for Italian Meat Balls.

I knew him well because he ordered material from us
at a time when a business was thriving.
Also enjoyed some wonderful Italian cooking in years
past with special Anna.

Sometimes it seems like yesterday
but in reality it was long ago.

Now I live in a cottage with the old farm house
in view as I turn down my
gravel drive.

It took a long time
not to look back
at other lifestyles.
Then a magazine arrives today
and so much is playing through my mind.
Trying to just let it travel through,
do not dwell on it
and disappear once again

Many memories
and it is interesting that my lifestyle at this time
is so different,
 the happiest
and most peaceful.

Guess you can never totally erase your past.

Because

Because all that read my sharing are family and special online family
I need to share with everyone.

Doctor visit made earlier today and told just will take time for this container to heal.
Brused shoulders, hips, knees, neck and face.
At the moment concerned about slight difference in eyesight
and will have this checked out on Monday.
Cataract surgery months ago and vision perfect, still good
but small print a problem has surfaced and that is also fine but is new condition
and these are implants in my  eyes.

Balance has been not perfect for a few years but worse over last
2 years.  Therapist told me yesterday that since I have a permanent
hearing problem on right side and right ankle that was not set years ago
as I thought it was a sprain - that my right side is weak.  Have never
been told this before.

She is going to help me for a month with balance and eye exercises and
told this will help.   Sure hope so.

Always one to take care of herself with diet, exercise, weight and no serious
conditions of any kind over the years  - was told this sure was a big help in me not breaking anything.
Especially since I have been on prednisone on and off for 2 years for inflammation problem.

So
I will continue doing all I have been doing at a slower pace,
have some occasional help - as I have been doing a lot probably should not have been doing.
Do not share everything :)  All my life just thought I could do anything....

I will be forever thankful that I did not break a bone.

No more health sharing

I will be careful, continue to enjoy My Woodhaven
one day at a time
and I will heal....

So Early

Up earlier then usual
to let Callie out,
 thought I would sit and pray and meditate
and here I am on the computer.

When I am getting up
it is evening in Bangkok on another day
where my son is on his computer
sending me a few images.

I always think of his surroundings being more rural
and so wrong I am about Bangkok

First time I have seen the building where he teaches Yoga
Always smile as he shares of life in a far away land.

As I continue to heal
there are so many thoughts that go through my mind.
Much it is wise not to share or write about.

Level of care in this smaller town is not like I have had in the past.
As you age and other lifestyles surface
much is different from the past and a lot is new territory

Much I take for granted will happen
does not.  Some say they will do something
that never happens.

In my past years
I would challenge
be more vocal
these traits are disappearing
and think it is best at this time.

I think it is wise for me to lower my expectations and then you
are not disappointed.  Trying to take much
in life at this time not so seriously
and it is a challenge for this one.

Life continues surrounded by nature and
focusing on healing and trying to make decisions
of what is best for me
and in all honesty
I have no answer at this time.

So Long Ago

So long ago
but seems like yesterday...

Computer off

as day begins...

Resting

Resting in my chair
on a Fall like evening

I noticed
cantaloupe that has grown from  seeds of of this that were put in garden instead of compost pile.
Wonder if it has time to grow and ripen?

Spinach has arrived

A memory
of years ago
My Jamie and Jimmy
and this one...

Then
and now

Memories
that make me smile....