The Sandbox

Spring is here, it is slowly warming up a bit. Our deck, which Ken has named “The Sandbox” awaits us.  It is the place where the neighborhood “kids” (mostly grownups) and our family hang out and enjoy some beverages, share food and stories and lots of laughter.

The Sandbox was an extravagance last year during the midst of Ken’s recovery. While he was off he coordinated getting estimates, making the plans for its size and location, and picking out the material to be used.

 

He chose durable composite for the flooring and vinyl railings. There is no maintenance to it other than cleaning.

We bought Amish made chairs which are constructed from recycled material, mostly milk jugs, again with no maintenance. After we are gone, our children will have to fight over who gets that furniture because it is so durable it will last for a very long time.

 

He chose a coordinating Sun Seeker awning to protect us from the sun when it is too hot.

 

We spent many hours enjoying The Sandbox last year and we can’t wait to get back out there. The sun has been deceiving lately, making us think it is warm when in reality the temperature is still too cold to endure much time outside. I know the time is drawing near when we will be able to enjoy the Sandbox because the birds are flocking back to our feeders, placed strategically for our viewing while on the deck. The songbirds are starting to get their color back and the seed is going down quickly. The suet has finally thawed enough that the birds are enjoying it again. We will be making several trips to Tractor Supply to keep those feeders stocked.

 

It is amazing how much we look forward to the relaxation and fellowship with others on our deck after a day’s work. Also, stunning is the sky which seems so close at night, the moon moving and maneuvering into place, and all the stars we can see. Amongst the stars we are amazed at how many planes are in our sky, right over our head. Inevitably, while sitting out there during the summer, it seems a small plane will zoom overhead. It has become a standing joke that he is watching us. Most likely he wants to join us in the Sandbox.

I do my best, with lots of coaxing from Ken, to keep the flowers alive and blooming. I didn’t do well with the plants I put in the natural pots. They turned brown easily and just didn’t produce. I moved them to the flower bed beside the house and they did somewhat better.

 

The potted plants also were not as stunning as I had hoped.

 

 

Someday, maybe, I will get that green thumb I always wish I had! Ken bought a hibiscus plant for the deck last year which thrived beautifully and bloomed all summer with deep rose colored flowers. It is now hibernating in our basement, the leaves dried up and falling off. I see new growth at its tips and hope it produces as beautiful once it is outside.

Now that Ken has his strength back, I am looking forward to the grill getting a good workout. He is a great grill master demanding only the best from himself. He will be out there tomorrow smoking stuffed peppers and making smoked mac and cheese. What a great meal to come home to after work!

Now I really can’t wait to get out there in the Sandbox! Let's kick up some sand!

Catching Up to Grandma

How can it be? It seems like only a short while ago that I held you on my lap, rocking you to sleep in my arms. You were a perfect structure of tiny body parts, miniature in every way, except those bulging cheeks, so familiar to preemies. I nicknamed you Mr. Magoo because that is what your cheeks brought to my mind. We have shortened it over time, dropping the “Mr.” and sometimes just referring to you as “Goo”. So appropriate was the name Magoo because it rhymes with Andrew, something I did not realize when I started calling you by this nickname.

We enjoyed you and your twin, Aaron, as “babies” longer than most grandparents because of your small size. We could carry you around without problem at older ages than most children because you didn’t weigh what you should.

Eating was a problem in your early life, one that you definitely have overcome. Sometimes it seems you will never get full! But that eating has caused growing. Your body has developed into a handsome, strong young man. And yes, I say the word “Man” when referring to you because you are not a little boy anymore.

At 13, you now stand as tall as me. The final measurement was last night at my house. Over the last couple of years you and I have compared how tall you were against my body. When you realized you were getting closer a couple of years ago, it became a familiar phrase from your lips: “Grandma, I am almost as tall as you!” You would stand your body close to mine, looking up to see where you still had to grow. “Yes, you are almost as tall as me, Andrew, but you are still not up to my shoulders!”

“Grandma, I am catching up to you,” you said as your hand over your head touched my shoulders. “Yes Goo, you are up to my shoulders now. It won’t be long.”

This past summer, you said, “Grandma, I am as tall as you!” with excitement in your voice. “Stand back to back and let’s see,” I told you. “You are close but there is still an inch or two before you are as tall as me.”

At Christmas, we tried again. The gap had gotten smaller. “It won’t be long now Magoo before you and I are the same height.”

A couple weeks ago, while I was making your favorite banana pancakes, we tried again. “Grandma, I am as tall as you now!” “Not quite, I said, but close.”

Last night, after eating dinner together, just before you left, you stood right in front of me, pushing close to my body. “Grandma, I am as tall as you now!”

We turned around, back to back, and I said with surprise, “Yes Andrew, you are as tall as me! How did that happen?”

You left with a smile of accomplishment. I stood there in awe of what a sweet, kind, handsome, and TALL young man you have become. I love you Mr. Magoo.

TGIF!!!!

Thank God it is Friday!

 

Sometimes life seems so hectic and we just want that down time. I am so looking forward to down time tonight and this weekend. As I walked into the office this morning and said, "Hello", the next sentence out of my mouth was, "It's Friday!"

A co-worker raised her hand and said, "Thank God!"

As I said hello to another co-worker and asked how he was, his comment was, "I am glad it is Friday!"

I am not alone here and I am sure I am not alone at a lot of workplaces. We are ready for the weekend!!

Sammy the Cat

 My pets become like family members. I talk to them, play with them, teach them and discipline, similar to a child.

I become emotionally attached to them and still grieve over some that have passed.

What is it about pets that make us never give up hope when they are lost?

There is a cat in our area who is somewhat famous or at least recognizable. No, he didn’t do anything heroic, nor does he perform fantastic tricks (that I am aware of anyway).

I see him on my way to work all the time. 

A family in our area has been looking for Sammy the Cat for quite some time. At first I just saw flyers on telephone poles asking for his return. Then I started spotting ads in the classified section of our newspaper including his picture.

Billboards have popped up all over our area with his picture and a reward being offered if he is found. It started out at $1000.00 and is now up to $3000.00. That’s a lot of money!! That is not to say that this is what his owners think is he is worth. Considering all the advertising they have done to find Sammy, it appears he is worth more than money to them.

There was a segment on our local news about Sammy, an article in our local newspaper, and even commercials asking us to find Sammy.
 

Where is Sammy? His website findsammy.com says he has been seen. How long ago? Are there still sightings of him?
 

Is he such a special cat that someone would keep him for such a long time from a family so obviously heartbroken over his loss?

Is Sammy in another world, possibly the victim of eating poison, meeting his Maker by the squeal of a tire, or did some other animal get him?

Or could Sammy still be out there, fending for himself all this time? 

Obviously, his owners still believe he is alive and nearby. I hope they find him soon.

A Letter to Austin

Austin, my youngest grandson, had a difficult time at Christmas last month. His innocence was so sincere, yet his buddies planted doubt and it was shattered for him and our family. When he said to me, “Your youngest grandson is no longer a little boy, I felt great sadness. My answer to him was, “I still believe."

 

Dear Austin,

You asked me a question, a very important one. 

Do you believe?

In Santa Claus? In Christmas? Happy childhoods?

I remember being an excited child at Christmas. I would hear the tinkling clanging bells from Santa’s sleigh as I lay in my bed, waiting for any signs of his arrival. I wondered how he didn’t get burned coming down our chimney and landing in our furnace, for we had no fireplace. I believed somehow he did it, how I will never know.

I believe Christmas is a magical time of year. We wait expectedly every Christmas Eve for the joy and wonderment it brings. I believe we are supposed to believe,

          in Christ’s birth

          in His love for us

          in children’s imagination

          in the joy of Christmas

          in true love

          in families

          in giving and taking

I believe in the seasons coming and going over and over every year without fail.

I believe we should allow ourselves and our children the freedom of mind to envision miraculous things and places, to visualize them, feel them, and let the excitement of these imaginings grow.

I believe the world is full of good people who care deeply about each other and appreciate the comfort of having each other near.

God tells us to believe in Him, in the Christmas Story which will forever be true. I know you believe too, Austin.

Most of us have believed in Santa and his powers and it is a wonderful, exciting, happy time for us, as children and adults. Children making lists, having trouble sleeping, counting the days - the happiness and excitement of these children makes adults believe too.

Yes, Austin, I believe. I hope you always do too.

Just One More Time

My grandson is a special person. I know, we all think that about our kids and grandkids. But he is. I even nicknamed him “Special A” several years ago.

Aaron is a sensitive, caring young man, now 13, who worries about people and events around him. He has a special way about him and it shows.

His belief in God is evident. His goodness and sweetness comes through each day. Quiet by nature, he is a thinker, a philosopher, and a gentle hearted boy.

Before Christmas, his guitar teacher helped him learn several Christmas tunes to play for both sides of his family at each family celebration on Christmas Eve. This is the second year he has done this. Both times he did well and made us all proud of him and his abilities.

Last year, he had a college student teaching him. Right after Christmas, Aaron found out Nate would not be able to continue as his teacher.

Along came a little bit older man named Joe. He and Aaron hit it off and Aaron enjoyed his lessons and new teacher. I saw a big improvement in Aaron’s talent. The songs he played on Christmas Eve were more difficult than last year. Aaron exhibited more confidence.

Once again, Aaron looked forward to telling his instructor about his family performance. He was proud of himself and rightfully so.

Due to the holidays, Aaron’s first lesson of 2015 was to be last night, Thursday, Jan. 8.

But once again, he won’t be able to tell his teacher how things went. You see, Joe died unexpectedly of an aneurysm on Sunday.

Yesterday Aaron was home from school due to the cold weather. He said he is so sad and just keeps waiting to go to his lesson to have fun with Joe. He said, “I keep wishing I could tell him about the Christmas concert. I just wish I could have had one more lesson with him.”

Aaron told me Joe always had a positive attitude and Joe believed he  could be really good. He says he will always remember Joe.

Aaron is inspired to prove Joe right and says he is going to try his best.

 

“Joe, if you can see this, I want to thank you for being a good influence in my grandson’s life.

Thank you for believing in Aaron. You are right – Aaron does have the ability to be really good.

And one more thing, Joe – Aaron gave a GREAT Christmas Concert in 2014.”