TMI - probably...

Thank you all for the kind comments about my sister in my Mother's Day post. I was actually looking for a picture of my mom to post when I came across that one. It brought me back to how I felt about her and that beautiful baby  girl when I was still a kid myself. 

She and I were almost 10 years apart. I loved that baby girl (who btw is now a pediatrician married to a neurosurgeon) like she was my own, took care of her, and watched over her until my sister moved with her husband to Mexico City.  We visited there a few times, but she did return to New Orleans eventually. In fact, she was in N.O. and pregnant with her 4th child the same time I was pregnant with my first. 

We both had baby boys that year. But I lived in Texas so we didn't see each other too often. Still the boys remained friends... her son visiting mine in Texas when he could... and us visiting family in N.O. often. 

Her son came with us when we took our kids to Disney World (around 1984/85). He was 16 at the time. He hadn't been feeling well... (low grade fever) before we left. But he and our 3 kids seemed to have a good time. 

Once back home, he was rechecked and eventually diagnosed as having Leukemia. They sent him to Seattle for a bone marrow transplant. We thought he was doing well. Our son even flew up there to visit him and came back saying he was doing fine. 

Then something happened (possibly the treatment couldn't be continued because it was affecting his heart - never knew for sure). And before we knew it, he died.

My sister (who was battling Cancer at the time) died 6 months later. 

Probably TMI here... but that picture brought it all back. So I shared.  Don't know if I will post it or not. Will decide later.

Decided 'why not share?'  I know that many go through difficult times... and get through them. People are stronger than they think they are. And these times we're living through now are stretching our limits. I heard someone say on TV this morning, "Are we trying to save lives or our lifestyle?" I thought that very well said.

Hugs,
Rian

Mother's Day 2020...

Happy Mother's Day !

This is a picture of my sister with her first child taken in 1956... I was 10. My sister passed away in 1987. She was 51.

I still miss her...

Made yeast rolls....

Yes, I finally made yeast rolls. This is not a significant accomplishment.... but it's something I've never attempted before. However, it is something I've always wanted to try (nothing exciting like climbing to the top of Mount Everest - which, btw, I have no desire to do). 

Anyway, the yeast rolls did come out fine... perfectly edible, but not as great as some I've tasted. If anyone out there has a really 'easy' but good recipe for yeast rolls, I'd love to have it. 

Thinking about other things I've wanted to do, I have always wanted to sky-dive. Almost did it once when my daughter and her friends arranged to do it on one of her birthdays a few years ago. I watched from the ground in San Antonio and could almost feel the exhilaration as they soared downward towards us. Still think about it. And I was told that at my age, I would need a doctor's OK. 

As for further adventures, I don't have a bucket list. There are some things that I would possibly like to do, but probably won't.... see the Galapagos Islands, visit the beaches of Oregon, visit possible family ancestors in England, Scotland, or Ireland.  

I would definitely like to go back to Oahu and spend more time there with my son and his wife.  The secluded lava beaches are amazing. It would be great to spend mornings watching the sun rise and evenings watching it set over the water... the sound of the waves, the fresh air - all unbelievable. 

Then - if and when this awful pandemic is ever over and if and when we ever feel comfortable traveling again, I want to go to the Hill Country and spend time with my daughter and her family.... as well as to New Orleans, Houston, and Baton Rouge to spend time with other family and friends. These are simple pleasures that are now missed.... even having dinner out with our youngest son, wife, and grand daughter here is a pleasure I miss and look forward to doing again more than ever.

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If we take it one day at a time... it's do-able.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, stay home and stay safe!
Some places may be re-opening, but please don't let your guard down... not yet. 

Hugs,
Rian

Had to add a picture of our mint here out front. It's doing so well... if it continues to spread, we may end up with a mint lawn. Smells wonderful!

a surprise treat... and a little rant

Hawaiian Surprise!!

We received this surprise package from Oahu this week! Goodies from Hawaii... from our son and his wife. Such a great surprise! There's macadamia nuts, cookies, candy, chips, coffee, etc. We thank you! thank you! thank you! Packages are such fun to get.

I occasionally send surprise packages too... usually things I know they like - like home-made nutty granola, or espresso cookies or our family's special rum cake. But it has been a while... maybe it's time to spread a little joy.

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On another note:  One of the outside ferals (we call him Sammy) has started climbing the tree in the back. This isn't unusual as lots of cats climb trees. 

But this is new for Sammy. We have never seen him up a tree. We expect he was after this squirrel that likes to pester him. Pretty sure he didn't catch him. But if you look at the 2 pics, Sammy looks guilty that we caught him in the act.

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Grand daughter's idea during sheltering at home... forget lemonade stands - Let's dance!

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Can't close this without leaving this next message:

Some businesses, beaches, etc.  opened this weekend... and from what we saw on TV, there was little social distancing and few masks. Can't understand it ... are people that obtuse?

This next chart is current for Texas:

(Now before someone goes all ballistic on me for not wanting to open up so soon, let me say that I can understand the need to work to pay rent and buy groceries, but it's hard to see how going out into crowds of possibly infectious people to spend a few hours having fun is worth the risk for your children or families. Yes, it gives you a few hours of emotional release - but at what price?)

Just my opinion...

As always, thanks for reading and please stay home and stay safe. 

Hugs,

Rian

Is it Friday May 1st already?

rabbit, rabbit!  not so white rabbit.... 

Happy First day of the month! Rabbit Rabbit! not so white rabbit!
Somehow this pic seemed more appropriate these days of worry and confusion than a cute little white rabbit...

I've been trying to post every 2 days. Yesterday got away from me again. But it shouldn't matter too much as there's not much new going on. 

Have you noticed that the days pass very fast... and the nights not so much? It's weird - as from the time I get up (around 7:30 or 8:00), fix coffee for DH and tea for myself, watch a few minutes of the news, and do a few other things - before I know it, it's 2 or 3 pm.??? This is generally the time I think of getting dressed (either that or taking a nap). Not sure why... as no one goes in or out. But my mom always told me that you should never stay in pj's all day. 

We had 2 outings this week, both to collect groceries from curb-side pick-up (as much as I'm a home-body, it is nice to get out). DH worked in the yard a bit, mowing and trimming. I baked some frosted tea cakes and am thinking about trying my hand at making yeast rolls - something I've never done.

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daughter and hubby

Our daughter's 50th birthday is this Sunday... but we won't be there. Normally we try to drive down for her birthdays - and this is a big one. But we're not ready to venture out quite yet. The hill country in Texas is so beautiful in the spring.... bluebonnets everywhere! She will send pictures and I will share. They have a few acres with horses, chickens, dogs, etc.  - and 3 ponds on the property. 


                                                     

These pics are our granddaughter with their Great Dane taken  last Easter when we were there. Everything was so green and the fields so full of flowers. She graduates this year and will be going off to college this fall... but with this pandemic, we're not so sure about either graduation or the fall. She's worked so hard and has done so well that having this uncertainty is hard (not just for her of course, but for all those graduating seniors).

I have to post a picture of the chickens (you know how much I like chickens)...

chickens drinking from front pond

Guess I'll close here and get back to making another mask. I read somewhere that flannel makes a better mask than cotton as it's not as porous. So I made a cat mask to send to  grand daughter. She has an adorable little cat called Gizmo.

Here's the mask:

It's Friday! (not necessarily TGIF... but still Friday) I hope you have a lovely weekend... get out and enjoy nature, try doing or making something new, or just make someone smile! 

Hugs,
Rian

It hit home...

Our youngest son came by to borrow the truck yesterday. We haven’t seen  him since this ‘shelter at home’ started. His wife is a nurse and works in the Infectious Disease department at a local hospital. Yes, she is definitely on the front lines. 

Since DH and I are apparently at the vulnerable age... and DH is going through radiation, they have been keeping their distance for safety sake. We talk, text, and Skype... but I miss the company, hugs, and dinners together. 

What really hit me was when  our son came to the door masked... as I was... and we both social distanced.  But this was MY SON and I couldn’t hug him hello. I understand and accept it... but it made the seriousness of this pandemic hit home in an even bigger way.

Our oldest grandson lives here with us, but our other children and grandchildren live further away. Of course they’re also sheltering at home for the most part.  Oldest son and his wife work in a hospital in Hawaii (yes, front lines again).  Daughter and her family live in the hill country so they are away from city crowds, but do work in essential businesses. We  all talk and text a lot and everyone checks in on everyone... but still there's that underlining buzz of worry (us for them and them for us).

We all try to act that everything is fine... and although it's really not, at least it's bearable for those of us that have food, shelter, and are luckily not alone. And truthfully, I'm willing to continue this sheltering and social distancing forever if it means not losing any of the ones I love to this virus.

But I also know that the situation is complicated... and unprecedented.... and everyone is trying to find their way. Guess we can only hang in there and hope that common sense and medical expertise will win out.

Someone had this on their blog not too long ago (sorry I forgot who), and I liked it. Facing this pandemic together through blogging as well as all the other technological wonders makes it more bear-able (no pun intended). 

And again, thanks for reading. I appreciate your being there more than you know. 

Hugs,
Rian

Sunday morning thoughts...

front window Sunday morning

I was enjoying the sunny view from my front window this morning.  Actually I was watching a little green lizard sun himself on one of the outside bushes. You can't see him, but thought I'd share the view. The sign at the top of the window says "Welcome" with the picture of a black cat etched on it. 

This is another view of our backyard taken a few days ago from the kitchen. It was in the evening when the sun and shade made the yard so appealing. There's a black feral cat sitting out there to the right.

back yard in the evening

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Life continues during this 'stay at home' period. We're more than willing to follow the CDC guidelines which simply advise us to stay at home and wear a mask if going out. We walk the neighborhood on occasion (wearing our masks), but don't walk as often as we should - due to pollen allergies. I think most of us use home delivery or curb-side pickup for groceries... and that's about the only outing we get.

I think the younger generation (50 and under) find this lock-down more difficult than us (baby boomers plus) for many reasons. They are more locked in to their get out, eat out, etc. habits, and they  more than likely need to work to pay for groceries, etc., And  they have young children in the home all day with them who need to be home-schooled! I can see how difficult it must be for them.

We (retirees) may have more vulnerability due to age and underlying conditions (although I think all ages seem to be vulnerable), but we have learned to live on a fixed income and stay home for the most part. We miss being around family... and I really miss hugs,  but these are small sacrifices to make for everyone's safety. 

I know that some are protesting for things to open up and I understand that they need their jobs to pay for food, rent, etc. for their families. But I guess I don't understand how their families will survive if these same workers contact the virus and die... or bring it home to their children. 

This pandemic is so widespread that I'm not sure there is a right answer. Guess we must all do what we think is best. 

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This is a lacy baby blanket that I started working on a while back... and need to finish it.

This is a small one I finished.

And this is another that is heavier and will be larger (more of a crib bedspread) - but using the same yarn and a single crochet stitch.

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turtle stones

dragonfly stones

I saw both of these on Pinterest and want to make them in my yard!

Ghost playing under quilt

Have a wonderful Sunday! And as always, thanks for reading. I hope you are all staying home and staying well. 

Hugs,
Rian