Playing With Dolls

 Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends and family

I could wax on and on about how great our country is, how we are grateful for freedom etc, etc, etc. but I won't. 

                Today I'd like to tell you a story. 

You see, some 30 years ago I made a few porcelain dolls (the porcelain parts were already molded but I had to do all the rest). I had 2 granddaughters and they were each gifted with a doll.                             

I made a little boy doll, named him Aaron. To this day he sits in a tiny chair in my bedroom. I think he's adorable and I enjoy his company. 

He's no trouble and doesn't talk back!

For some strange reason, my family dislikes Aaron, think he's spooky. He reminds them of Chucky from the horror movie. 

My daughter, Susan, won't even sleep in the room where he is!!!!!

I am not talking youngsters here. Susan will be 60 next birth-day, and she is scared of my sweet little doll!

I had moved the doll from the room where Michael was staying and put it in the other guest room. After Susan arrives, she starts to bed in that 'other guest room'.  Here she comes with that doll, holding it like it's hot as a baked 'tater. So, I take Aaron in my arms and hold him, cooing to him just like he's a baby.... just to tease them. 

When Susan goes into the bathroom before going to bed, Michael sneaks into her room and lies Aaron on her pillow. We wait... then we hear the shriek! And, here she comes again, holding that doll at arms length. Michael and I are dying laughing. I don't know when I have laughed so much and so hard. It was worth it for that reason alone. 

3 days later, Susan and Michael are getting into his car so he can take her to the airport. I always stand on my balcony to wave goodbye. I holler to get Susan's attention. There I am holding Aaron and making his little arm go up and down waving goodbye to Susan. Another shriek! And, again, Michael and I crack up laughing. 

It may not sound so funny to you but it was just the best ever! Sixty-year-olds and an 88 year-old playing with dolls. haha

Friday Day Log

 I have seen some blogs who do a 'day log' ? totally the wrong name but I can't think of it right now. Anyway, I liked the idea so I tweeked it a bit and decided that each Friday would be my 'day log' day. 

Looking Out My Window....  I see a large pot of mini sunflowers that I can't seem to keep watered enough. They are wilted again this early in the morning! 

I Am Thinking About.... how I am slowly getting back to my normal schedule after a month of busy, busy, busy!

I Am Grateful.... that my visiting children got back home safely after a 'visit to Mama's'.

I Am Writing... need to get back to that novel I am working on. A month-long hiatus! It's a book #2 of the Springtime series.

How I'm Feeling.... more rested, raring to go this morning. Wonder how long that feeling will last?😁

What I'm Reading... I'm 2/3 of the way through The Venice Sketchbook. It's a delightful book and I am enjoying it. 

What I'm Watching.... Jeopardy. Have for years, love it when I know the answer. And, hey, it's helping keep this old mind of mine sharper. Not too sure who I like as host.... just saying.... Alex can't be replaced. 

That's it for this morning..... tootle-doo!

June, Crammed Full.

 June is almost over. And, my June was so crammed full of events, travel, fun, exhaustion .... you get the picture. I mean, it was almost too much for this ole gal to take but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 

If you follow my blog you know I left the first part of June for my son's home in Alabama. It got very hot so we headed north back to my place in Va. The kiddos redid my balcony so I can really enjoy it. Then, my youngest daughter flew down from N. Y. for the weekend to help celebrate her sister's birthday. 

It was one ridiculously funny, lovely, tiring time. We ate and ate and ate some more. We had seafood, pork barbeque, Mexican and a bunch of junk food. We spent hours together (me and the three of my four kids) talking about times past, teasing each other, playing Uno and a Memory Chess game. Then, we'd eat some more, stay up late, sleep late (well, some of us did). It was just the best weekend.

When Susan flew back on Monday I was so tired, I thought I would never recover. But, Tuesday morning we (son-in-law, the birthday girl, my son and I) drove 1 1/2 hours to my granddaughters house to have a birthday celebration! More food, more fun.... 

I got up this morning to spend the last day my son will be here before he heads back to Alabama. Tomorrow.... I crash!! 

                        Here's some photos from the weekend. 

A Happy Place

                                                           Mercy Me!

My balcony on 3rd floor was/wasn't a place of joy for me. It never seemed to be what I wanted it to be, a place to read, take pictures, paint... an extension of me out there. It truly was uninviting. 

But, just look at it now...

Chairs and table, a taller size, one which I can work on. The chairs provide me a view that being shorter in this older age did not. (I am shrinking , you know). 

I was looking through the railings before. Now I can see over them. 

I love it! 

Many happy days spent on my balcony ahead, I am sure. 

Throwback Thursday

My husband sitting on his brother-in-law's cabin porch in 2004. 

One of my favorite picture of him. 

Summer Solstice!

      Wow! Today is Summer Solstice! The beginning of Summer. 

Last week I was in Alabama and the temps felt like summer. Michael and I arrived back in Virginia last night and I wake up to 58 degree weather! What the heck? But, the heat is coming. Oh how I dread it. 

                                I am not a summer girl! 

I am so thankful for the trip to my son Michael's and the safe journeys there and back.

He's a good son! 

a picture from Dec. 2020

I have a lot of things to catch up on since I have been gone 3 weeks. 

You know how you get behind if you are not at it every day. 

So...

Tootle-loo

for now 

A Peaceful Flower Garden

 Michael has planted a nice little flower garden underneath some trees in his side yard. It's sort of his little peaceful place. I want to share some of his pretties with you. 

A portion of his garden

I love the variegated hosta. 

Coral bells

Canna lily. I love the color.

Cone flowers

A nice piece of driftwood. When he's sailing, he finds pieces of driftwood. Even his friends collect them for him.

A bumblebee helping himself to pollen in a Rose of Sharon blossom.

The Rose of Sharon

A gorgeous lily. 

Well, that's the tour... at least of that part of his yard. Hope you enjoyed it. 

Tootle-loo!