Our House is a Home Again

A New Beginning!

I may not see my floor for several years, 

 but I will not go to bed without a kiss and a hug either.

A chair is still a chair

Even when there's no one sitting there

But a chair is not a house

And a house is not a home

When there's no one there to hold you tight

And no one there you can kiss good night

-Hal David and Burt Bacharach

The family has arrived and it will take some time to get the hang of their schedules. Otherwise, it's smooth sailing.  I have two feelings right now, and Daniel Tiger told me this morning it is OK to have both at the same time.  Joy and Sorrow. We are so happy to be together, but I am still missing my dearest. What fun he would have, how much he loved to have family with us. Life moves very fast with two babies, but I will still be posting and will continue chronicling my life here.  

Thanks for all of your good thoughts and wishes.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny

 

The Reason

 Things are going well.  Three rooms and closets emptied.  The floors are tiled in both bathrooms.

The plumber is coming to install the fixtures.  Penny helped, and is surprisingly good with a crowbar and hammer.

 The milkweed is attracting Monarchs, though I haven't photographed a one. One comes right up to the patio window, inviting me to come out and play.  There is little time for chasing butterflies right now...

 The babies are coming!  I have been alone for months, and though you can get used to being alone, for me it never felt right.  We are combining households while DIL Charlotte goes to Law School.  We lived together for about six weeks when Tyke was ill.  We helped each other.  Tyke rocked babies

and watched movies with Jon.  Under extreme duress, we were there for each other. We comforted each other.  I have no reservations about this big change.  I am so looking forward to happy morning smiles, Daniel Tiger and breakfast.  Songs and games, snuggles and naps all come with the territory.  Long walks, books and music.  DANCING! Oh how I love my granddaughters.  

They are bringing me back to life.

There is a Mother who is not happy with me.  This Mother Cardinal was chastising me. (On the upper right hand corner of this pic)  I knew a nest must be near with so many visits to the deck.

 Watering plants and deadheading flowers, she would not stop.  TWEET TWEET!

I had no idea they are brown at first.

Oblivious to the fact that the fledgling was right next to me. There he is, baby cardinal.

A refuge in the garden.  When I am tired or worried, and who isn't these days?

Even an angry Cardinal is a pleasant distraction.

  Summer is half over, and all the hallmarks of summer have been postponed or cancelled.

Still, memories of summer's past is a comfort. 

 Celebrating every day seems appropriate with the pandemic taking so many lives.

 This girl loves the ceremony of fire. She gets very calm, as we all seem to do, watching a fire burn.

I miss Tyke so much especially in times like this ..

Dan Rather posted this on his facebook page and it spoke to me...I share it here with love.

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.”

~Louise Erdrich  

Take care my friends.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny

Fireworks

 How does the Fourth of July feel?  I guess I can't explain but each holiday has it's own smells, sights and feelings.  I woke early and hit the grocery store while everyone else in our town seemed to be asleep. I bought sweet corn, a watermelon, some burgers to add to the things I had already purchased in because I was to have visitors.

I cut up the watermelon and made individual cups to grab and go.  

I made Pasta, Pesto and Peas a Ina Garten recipe that Kristen had mentioned recently.  

Again small containers to grab so not to share a serving spoon.  

Something happened while I was preparing...

IT FELT LIKE A HOLIDAY!

Nothing has felt right in so long that it was almost shocking.  I got out some flags, and made a centerpiece with a jar of cracker jack boxes and old glory.

  

 Mike and Amanda were up north, and Charlotte was at home packing.  Jon came with his girls, and Kris, Doug and Penny came by.  Jon worked the grill with burgers and brats, Penny liked my choice of baked Lays chips and cheetos in little bags.  We even enjoyed tiny drumstick cones.  

   

The girls were dressed in red white and blue, with cousin Penny in a beautiful blue frock.  

We laughed about silly things, and got friends involved by text.  The girls danced and played.

You have never seen more serious dancing by two 16 month old girls.  So much twirling, and bouncing! Penny makes them laugh just by showing her face.  

Stevie carried around a photo of Tyke and I from our youth.  She loved it, and didn't want to put it down.  Grandpa is talked about and remembered.  The girls get snuggles from Auntie Kristen in Grandpa's chair. Nothing makes Kris as happy as holding a sleeping baby.  I concur.  There is peace and pure contentment there.

We are still working on the house and Jon took a carload of stuff to be donated.  I am almost finished emptying my craft room and office.  Oi Vey, the stuff I have.  My bathroom has a new subfloor and is ready for flooring.  Makes my head spin.

I mentioned fireworks, these were mine.  Penny and I went to the deck after dark and watched lighting bugs, so many of them all over our tree and in the grass.  Neighbors were putting on their own firework shows, and the full Moon was spectacular. Precious moments with this amazing girl.

She's got the biggest heart and grownup thoughts.  What a way to end a really nice day. 

These little beauties.  Lil' Firecrackers!  I love the way Stevie is looking at Irene.  Stevie is always smiling, but Irene's smiles, those big toothy grins are reserved for Daddy who is taking the photo.  So much fun these two, filled with energy, and mischief.  Listening to music with them a song caught my heart and I started to cry.  Stevie actually wiped my tears, and they both looked at me with so much love.  I know they are a part of Tyke and that he is still here with me through all three of our granddaughters. 

"Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around me.

Your presence fills my eyes with your love, 

it humbles my heart, for you are everywhere."

Guillermo del Toro

Take care my friends.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny