Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Day is Ending

Day is ending
I make a quick short walk
as I put up outside walker.

The camera almost always in my pocket
looking for something that catches my eye.

JUST RECEIVED - PROM PICTURE OF MY GIRL
AND NOW MY WALK

inside
 markdown flowers on my table
they still look fresh

Need to turn the computer off...

Friday, April 26, 2019

Another Good Day

My Laurie and husband arrived from Tampa for a quick visit.
So good to see them.  They brought lunch, I made deviled eggs and a Lemon cake
was on hand

Jim and Jamie along with them for lunch they brought.

My nurse Beth, fell and is on crutches, plus working she did not join us.





kept thinking it was Sunday, usually when family visits.\

Sunny but a lot of wind.

Such a blessing to have 3 of my children with me on this day.

Thankful
I am.

Tomorrow night is a prom night for one of my younger granddaughter's.

My world has changed, it seems like yesterday so much was different.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Thankful

I read these words
and think

A rough year I seemingly have come through
so very thankful
for all who have helped me
physically and mentally.


Terri
thank you for your special words

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Iris

Iris are blooming

some old fashion that I have had for years

and new Iris,

A special friend brought me bulbs last year
this yellow.

Also a white and peach.

The Iris bloom twice.

Spring and Fall.

Pleased that the daily rain has stopped
today all sunshine.

A special day yesterday, my son took me to several places I have wanted to visit (use to drive myself
to Nashville but no longer do I try that trip) oh so weary when returning home.

Lunch, sitting by the window, white table cloth and napkins was so nice,  wonderful waiter, a Greek restaurant
enjoyed stuffed eggplant and for the first time enjoyed Lamb.  Never would eat in the past
as the little Lambs would surface in my mind.
Also Pita Bread and Hummus - so good.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Beautiful Day

Beautiful sunny day
not like Easter Sunday in the past
where I cooked, baked, a big table full, new outfits for all and church
but it was still a wonderful day.

My Jamie and family stopped by, wanted to bring me a plate of food but I was fine.
On the way to her motherinlaws for dinner,  maybe I should have pushed myself with cooking
not up to it
and did not.

Brought me an Easter Basket, just what I need the chocolate bunny, will eat it all and maybe
gain a pound.

May everyone
reading this
have memories
of a wonderful day
like mine.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Ironing

I have always loved to iron
many would look at me and shake their head
when I shared.

Ironed for 5 children and my husband.  His shirts for years I enjoyed ironing to perfection.
Not a wrinkle, all clothes lined up and I would view proudly.

Married 63 years ago, lived in Michigan in a very small home with a basement,
washing machine with a roller to extract water, water into the tub to save water and reuse,
clothes hung on a line in that basement.

Oh my
I smile as the memory comes to mind.

Some homes later I hung on a clothesline outside, oh how I loved doing this, seeing the
clothes, sheets blowing in the breeze.

Later moved to the upscale homes and you dared not having a clothes line outside.
Found myself solo, built and remodeled a number of homes, aways a clothesline if not contested.
My country cottage built 10 years ago the home I drew the plan for, the simplest and I love the most I immediately put up my clothesline.  Several years ago had to stop hanging outdoors on a small slant of the land for health reasons, feared falling.
  I still hang some items outside on a rack on the deck.   Love the smell of sunshine on
clothes.

For several years the ironing board in the upstairs storage room, this is where I would iron
on rainy days.

Missing my ironing board
I requested helper to bring it downstairs
placed it at the end of the
great room
surely out of place
but I do not care
last week I ironed 10 items
on a rainy day
and what a joy
I found doing it.

Friday, April 19, 2019

I Worried

I worried
are they going to return
it seems late

but yesterday spotted
they are back
my Blue Birds

so pleased
my special girl helper
spotted them.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

I Worried



I Worried


I worried a lot, will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not how shall
I correct it?

Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?

Will I be able to sing, even the sparrows
can o it and I am, well,
helpless.

Is my eyesight failing, or am I just imagining it,
am I going to get rheumatism,
lockjaw, dementia?

Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing
And gave up.  And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.

Mary Oliver



I read this poem
early this morning
and could add many to the list of worrying
but will let them go.






Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Monday, April 15, 2019

Pizza and Cool but Sunny Day

I rarely eat Pizza but like it occasionally.
The market I shop at sends out a great brochure weekly which features new items in the store, recipes
and coupons you can apply to items.
Last week they featured a special
pizza with thin crust
so thought I would try, interesting it was made in Germany.

Followed the instructions, put pizza on oven rack as did not have a special pan, the crust was not
like I thought it would be.  Nurse daughter said I needed a pizza pan so ordered one from Amazon
and will try the pizza again and see if crust more to my liking.

Will mention the best pizza ever is the Vegetarian from Whole Foods.   When my son spends the
night in Nashville and eats at Whole Foods he usually brings me a slice which is huge and covered with a lot of vegetables and crust is good.

What I see as I look out through the door leading to screen porch
beautiful.   This day began in the 30's but quickly warmed up, not to my liking but tomorrow will be perfect.




Thursday, April 11, 2019

Their Arriving

Adjusting blinds before going to bed
and see the Hummingbirds at the feeder
was able to capture a shot of one through the blinds.
Today

Lilacs are blooming and love my new  red umbrella
Evening meal
salmon, mixed greens and Jasmine rice.  The evening meal is new, have just been snacking.
trying for 3 meals a day
plus snacks in between.

New books on the table by my leather chair
Mary Oliver
is the best
have most of her books
and this one is new to me.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Beautiful Day

A perfect day
sun shining, 80 degrees, so what more could you ask for?

Grass man arrived early after a special neighbor brought a dozen fresh eggs from her chickens, the lawn looks great, now if the young man who went to school with my youngest daughter will arrive and weed flower beds all will be perfect.  He has helped in the summer at homes for 20 years.

A Hummingbird checked out the feeder and wish I had my camera in hand,  last year they were so skinny when arriving and this one was fat and so colorful.   Tried to do research online but no luck.

Could not reach my helper for errands so I took off, I drive fine but have to be careful getting out of the car.   All was fine and everywhere I go in this local town there is someone to help me if needed.
Love it here passionately with a 40 plus year history.

Hair washed, market visited and back home'
Wanted to browse Lowe's but weary and could not chance it.

Lunch on my deck, felt like I was on a vacation.

I bought a Spring Roll.  When I go to the counter and order the Shrimp and Avocado, the young man makes it fresh one for me.   At home, it is almost like a small salad and I thaw a few more Shrimp from
my freezer to add to my meal.   Also, avocado and spinach dip with cracker and my ice tea.

Son would frown but cut a slice of carrot cake from the freezer and a big glass of milk.

A meal at 1:00 and then a snack in the evening usually my pattern but need weight gain and pushing another meal.

Have not weighed since doctor appointment a week ago, weighted last night and could have cried
with all of my increase in eating I  had gained only one pound.

After 2:00 and I crash, up at 5:30, I go from feeling wonderful to can hardly move, but then
do not rest in between.
Trying to learn a new way and not easy.

Now in my 80's and viewing many I truly think from 80 onward a lot happens.   But some it
does not.   I believe my body has just worn out, a never stopping person but would it have kept
so much from happening - I doubt it.

I look at this picture of me and my son in Spring of 2017, wishing for something similar soon.
After his departure and until recently I was on a decline
.   But today the best day in a long long time.

Image of two youngest granddaughter's
oh my,
they have changed so much.
Time is flying,

Everything is surfacing in the garden
I am so pleased and happy.
'

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

New Day

This morning the fog is so thick
usually all through the night as I am in bed I can see neighbors lights in the distance
not last night.

Evening image
My son tells me "too much sugar" in what I eat before a scrambled egg :)
fruit, yogurt, apple sauce, Kefir, apple juice and a slice of cinnamon cake with green tea.
try and get 1/2 down with the now blood pressure medication and antibiotic for another UTI.

Like this
my daughter nurse Beth sent to me
All I know is
at the moment I have so many blessings
but still, desire much I was able to do in the past.

Son on a long trip to California for an annual trip with boyhood school friends,
safe travel wishes going forth
from the cottage at the edge of the woods.

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Spring

Early this morning after an all-night light rain
it looks like Spring.


Flowers were brought out of hiding in the garage and put on the screen porch.  Yesterday
my helper drove the truck and we went to Lowe's and picked up ferns and a truckload of mulch.
Oh how I miss driving my old truck but it is not automatic and too difficult for me.

Much has changed
but what remains
is all good.




Thursday, April 4, 2019

Happiness

Happiness is your son walking through the door after a long flight from Thailand
Much he is helping me take care of.
and I am very thankful.

Today is his birthday
so Happy Birthday my special son