This morning I had the back door open, allowing the fresh air to pour in, while Yon got ready to build sheds with his Special Olympic friends. Mornings are tough on my brother and he is very grouchy until the coffee kicks in. But he loves helping to construct the sheds and hang out with his friends, and so we try to ignore his grumpiness and keep him moving.Meanwhile, the outside birds were not the least bit grouchy, instead they trilled and called to one another loving the morning coolness after this week's oppressive heat.
But our poor parrot Sparrow was beside himself listening to those unseen birds. He shouted to them and demanded they show themselves. Of course the wild birds ignored their caged cousins orders and went about their day.
Don and I head back to bed to sleep once Yon is off on his day trip. The house(except for indignant calls from Sparrow) is blissfully quiet with only ourselves, Tim, and Corey about. We sleep and then do a 6 miles bike ride in this perfect weather. Then after a few household have tos we retreat to the pool and drift off to sleep on a shared floatie raft in the pool. The balance was a bit precarious but it was fun and relaxing never the less.
We decide not to go to another graduation party and I feel a bit guilty. But a quiet house and yard, still clean and tidy after last night's garden party gathering ...well who could resist the opportunity to simply be,
I wonder why it feels so bold and reckless, like I am getting away with something, to spend a few hours not Doing, just Being.
Tonight there is 6 o'clock Mass in Hanson and then sitting down to sort out and pay bills. But now, right now, there is still a few more minutes to putter about the garden, watch baby bunnies, and enjoy the play of light and shadows under the grape arbor.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Yon and a summer day
Yon is so happy to swim in his very own pool I still feel guilty for not trying to figure out how to get one for him years ago. When my parents put their pool in I was newly married so it was a treat to be able to go over and swim in it. But Yon was just 10 and so his childhood memories are chock full of the pool.
We have raised our children, not in pools but on the private side of Maquan pond. Every summer I expect a sign to go up out at the gate from Aunty Maria saying"I have changed my mind, you cannot swim here, go home." But so far every year she allows us back in.
Since I grew up swimming at the public beach during my childhood,I could not imagine wanting anything better than the pond.
But Yon's disability means he always walks with that awkward gate. It hasn't stopped him from being a World Class athlete, winning a bronze in the 800 meter run at the Special Olympic World Games in 96. But his gate does present a problem when he is walking in bare feet on the gently sloping but sandy/rocky beach into the water at the pond. He also has to be ever vigilant not to lose his footing in the water as well, so it is no wonder that he has always preferred the pool to the pond.
He has also officially given up running, He is nearly 40 now and I am sure his body was beginning to protest. This year he asked for a bike and although I am nervous with him on it (because of car drivers of course) he happily takes his daily bike ride. He also walks his little dog cookie every day. And of course he swims every Tuesday and competes in swimming for the Special Olympics. (To round out his active lifestyle during the school year he plays basketball on Thursday nights. Now don't you feel like a slacker in comparison?)
So for him a pool and swimming is the best thing! The only down side is his dog tries to join him! For some reason he will not go in unless I do, even when the kids beg him. Although I am his sister I have years ago become another mother to him and our mom must not have let him swim unless she or dad were right there. So as much as he loves the pool he wait for me (or to a lesser degree Donnie) to hop in.
Today as the temperature soared to 90 he spent quite a bit of time playing beach ball with Joe and I. He laughs as the goat tries to join us, as Galaxy loves balls of all kinds! I am not sure many pool owners have to pass a rule banning goats and dogs from entering the pool area but at our house we do. Earlier one of the kitchen hens (the 2 remaining from late falls hatch) comes over to see what we are up to.
I have worked so hard for so long that it feels odd to be lazing about on the floaty in the pool. But we have been keeping an eye out on new rabbit babies, and the heat. I made lunch for 3 of us, I have spent quality with Joe and Yon, and driven Julie to work. Later today I need to get Nikki to Whitman-Hanson for her basketball game so even a lazy day is not really a do nothing day.
Yon is doing his laugh shout that he does when he gets very excited, and Joe teases him about his awful volley ball serve. Its a very good day, hot as it is and I am glad I get to be part of it,outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.
We have raised our children, not in pools but on the private side of Maquan pond. Every summer I expect a sign to go up out at the gate from Aunty Maria saying"I have changed my mind, you cannot swim here, go home." But so far every year she allows us back in.
Since I grew up swimming at the public beach during my childhood,I could not imagine wanting anything better than the pond.
But Yon's disability means he always walks with that awkward gate. It hasn't stopped him from being a World Class athlete, winning a bronze in the 800 meter run at the Special Olympic World Games in 96. But his gate does present a problem when he is walking in bare feet on the gently sloping but sandy/rocky beach into the water at the pond. He also has to be ever vigilant not to lose his footing in the water as well, so it is no wonder that he has always preferred the pool to the pond.
He has also officially given up running, He is nearly 40 now and I am sure his body was beginning to protest. This year he asked for a bike and although I am nervous with him on it (because of car drivers of course) he happily takes his daily bike ride. He also walks his little dog cookie every day. And of course he swims every Tuesday and competes in swimming for the Special Olympics. (To round out his active lifestyle during the school year he plays basketball on Thursday nights. Now don't you feel like a slacker in comparison?)
So for him a pool and swimming is the best thing! The only down side is his dog tries to join him! For some reason he will not go in unless I do, even when the kids beg him. Although I am his sister I have years ago become another mother to him and our mom must not have let him swim unless she or dad were right there. So as much as he loves the pool he wait for me (or to a lesser degree Donnie) to hop in.
Today as the temperature soared to 90 he spent quite a bit of time playing beach ball with Joe and I. He laughs as the goat tries to join us, as Galaxy loves balls of all kinds! I am not sure many pool owners have to pass a rule banning goats and dogs from entering the pool area but at our house we do. Earlier one of the kitchen hens (the 2 remaining from late falls hatch) comes over to see what we are up to.
I have worked so hard for so long that it feels odd to be lazing about on the floaty in the pool. But we have been keeping an eye out on new rabbit babies, and the heat. I made lunch for 3 of us, I have spent quality with Joe and Yon, and driven Julie to work. Later today I need to get Nikki to Whitman-Hanson for her basketball game so even a lazy day is not really a do nothing day.
Yon is doing his laugh shout that he does when he gets very excited, and Joe teases him about his awful volley ball serve. Its a very good day, hot as it is and I am glad I get to be part of it,outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
A little broody hen and other small happenings
One of the chickens has gone broody. Normally a chicken hops in her next box, lays an egg, clucks about it, and then goes about her business until the next day. However when a chicken becomes broody she decides to remain in her nest box, scarcely leaving for food and water. She lays each day and tries to hatch the eggs. sometimes she will even tuck fellow chickens' eggs under her. Sh loses condition and her feathers get all ruffled and scraggly looking. But she is too intent on being broody to notice.
This particular chicken is a little barred rock hen, a pretty girl with black and white stripes. Normally she is rather shy and skitters away if I get too close. Yesterday and today however she pecked my hand quite sternly as I tried to retrieve the eggs beneath her. She even drew a pinprick of blood and was not the least sorry for it!
Watching her and trying to interact with her, it is easy to see why they sometimes say a teenager is moody or broody.
I did manage to scoop the eggs out from under her but I wonder if I should just let her be or intervene? I could put some rocks under her or move her to her own little space where she can set to her hearts content.But perhaps she will miss her lady hen friends. I shall definitely have to watch to make she is getting enough nutrition however.
After gathering the eggs I weed the garden and throw the scraps to the eager hens. They love to peck at anything from the garden and it makes weeding less like a task and more like a fun pasttime to toss the ladies some greenery for them to nibble.
The goats meanwhile have been going through quite a bit of hay although I am not sure if it is because baby is playing with it and pulling to the ground to trample or if his food requirements have increased. I try to let them graze out in the side yard a couple of times a week because although their pen is spacious for 2 goats it does not have all the interesting flora and fauna that the yard does. Baby goat however, who is no longer a baby but a 135 pound adolescent who is quite strong and stubborn,baby insists on finding ways to break into the garden. This of course drives me crazy and means if I cannot carefully supervise he cannot be out in the side yard.
After chickens garden and goats I head over to re water mama rabbits and check on babies. We have new borns and 8 week olds and all need to be handled and inspected. As I do these simple tasks I feel my whole body relax and discover myself humming some ditty or other.
For me the animals are not a chore but a calming soothing time and I often wish I could simply do them, all day every day. My ancestors were all Irish farmers so I must tap into some ancestral memory as I feed, water, and gather. We must've grown more than potatoes! Now I sit plunked in the garden happy to type and listen to the waterfall in Yon's little pond. I can smell the peppermint which every year pops up in the most unexpected places. 2 of the baby bunnies just opened their eyes today and they stare in wonder at the big world around them. Ahhh to life.
This particular chicken is a little barred rock hen, a pretty girl with black and white stripes. Normally she is rather shy and skitters away if I get too close. Yesterday and today however she pecked my hand quite sternly as I tried to retrieve the eggs beneath her. She even drew a pinprick of blood and was not the least sorry for it!
Watching her and trying to interact with her, it is easy to see why they sometimes say a teenager is moody or broody.
I did manage to scoop the eggs out from under her but I wonder if I should just let her be or intervene? I could put some rocks under her or move her to her own little space where she can set to her hearts content.But perhaps she will miss her lady hen friends. I shall definitely have to watch to make she is getting enough nutrition however.
After gathering the eggs I weed the garden and throw the scraps to the eager hens. They love to peck at anything from the garden and it makes weeding less like a task and more like a fun pasttime to toss the ladies some greenery for them to nibble.
The goats meanwhile have been going through quite a bit of hay although I am not sure if it is because baby is playing with it and pulling to the ground to trample or if his food requirements have increased. I try to let them graze out in the side yard a couple of times a week because although their pen is spacious for 2 goats it does not have all the interesting flora and fauna that the yard does. Baby goat however, who is no longer a baby but a 135 pound adolescent who is quite strong and stubborn,baby insists on finding ways to break into the garden. This of course drives me crazy and means if I cannot carefully supervise he cannot be out in the side yard.
After chickens garden and goats I head over to re water mama rabbits and check on babies. We have new borns and 8 week olds and all need to be handled and inspected. As I do these simple tasks I feel my whole body relax and discover myself humming some ditty or other.
For me the animals are not a chore but a calming soothing time and I often wish I could simply do them, all day every day. My ancestors were all Irish farmers so I must tap into some ancestral memory as I feed, water, and gather. We must've grown more than potatoes! Now I sit plunked in the garden happy to type and listen to the waterfall in Yon's little pond. I can smell the peppermint which every year pops up in the most unexpected places. 2 of the baby bunnies just opened their eyes today and they stare in wonder at the big world around them. Ahhh to life.
Back to Blogging
I am giddy with excitement, finally finally, I can get back to consistent blogging. I have missed it dearly. It is always a relaxing outlet for me, to put something in print. Sometimes I blog as a way to sort through a problem. I often blog to capture a moment I want to remember. I blog to share to explore to commentate.
But this year's adventure in my Master's program has left precious little time to blog or do anything else for that matter.
But hopefully the summer schedule will allow some breathing room to focus on healthy eating, exercise, relaxation, and writing. Hmmm, I will still be doing course work for college, and studying for July 14th's horrifying math MTEL. I will still work with my special friend one day a week, and may be tutoring a child. Come to think of it, maybe I shouldn't write all THAT down or I will talk myself out of blogging?
There are so many things that have occurred in recent months that it is hard to even know where to begin or what I should catch up on. Perhaps it is not even logical to try to catch up....just forge on ahead. So here goes:
I am struggling to regain myself after a disappointing work setback. It does not help that I invested so much thought, daydreaming, and effort putting my eggs all in one basket. Never mind the sensation that finance woes would lesson in the magical month of September. Arrgghhhhhh. I still need to work through some stuff especially as I really do want all my eggs in one basket. I want full time teacher work here in Carver......
I am sure I am not the only one who has worked and put all effort and energy and dreams into one direction only to have the rug pulled out from under me. I simply have to look to my friends who have lost their home, or they're going through a divorce and or serious illness, to know it is part of the human condition. This of course offers little comfort when you are in the midst of disappointment, anger, and sadness.
It has been an odd sensation to not always be in total control of my emotions. Or to feel negative emotions so viscerally. I much prefer the me who wakes up happy and eager and enthusiastic.
But she is slowly returning, the me I am comfortable with, a little dented and dinged perhaps. But I am still standing. Of course all I have to do is remember the summer of 2010, Don newly out of work, my right arm useless, surgery scheduled to put in cadaver bones and screws and rods.... A few moments of contemplating the sheer physical agony of 2 summers ago makes me feel positively chipper...and very very grateful.
So for now as I sort through my plans and plug away at college I shall endeavor this summer to keep up the blogging, and perhaps even take time to stop and smell the roses, or at least keep the goats from eating all the roses!
But this year's adventure in my Master's program has left precious little time to blog or do anything else for that matter.
But hopefully the summer schedule will allow some breathing room to focus on healthy eating, exercise, relaxation, and writing. Hmmm, I will still be doing course work for college, and studying for July 14th's horrifying math MTEL. I will still work with my special friend one day a week, and may be tutoring a child. Come to think of it, maybe I shouldn't write all THAT down or I will talk myself out of blogging?
There are so many things that have occurred in recent months that it is hard to even know where to begin or what I should catch up on. Perhaps it is not even logical to try to catch up....just forge on ahead. So here goes:
I am struggling to regain myself after a disappointing work setback. It does not help that I invested so much thought, daydreaming, and effort putting my eggs all in one basket. Never mind the sensation that finance woes would lesson in the magical month of September. Arrgghhhhhh. I still need to work through some stuff especially as I really do want all my eggs in one basket. I want full time teacher work here in Carver......
I am sure I am not the only one who has worked and put all effort and energy and dreams into one direction only to have the rug pulled out from under me. I simply have to look to my friends who have lost their home, or they're going through a divorce and or serious illness, to know it is part of the human condition. This of course offers little comfort when you are in the midst of disappointment, anger, and sadness.
It has been an odd sensation to not always be in total control of my emotions. Or to feel negative emotions so viscerally. I much prefer the me who wakes up happy and eager and enthusiastic.
But she is slowly returning, the me I am comfortable with, a little dented and dinged perhaps. But I am still standing. Of course all I have to do is remember the summer of 2010, Don newly out of work, my right arm useless, surgery scheduled to put in cadaver bones and screws and rods.... A few moments of contemplating the sheer physical agony of 2 summers ago makes me feel positively chipper...and very very grateful.
So for now as I sort through my plans and plug away at college I shall endeavor this summer to keep up the blogging, and perhaps even take time to stop and smell the roses, or at least keep the goats from eating all the roses!
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