Morning Glory Studio

party time!

 

 

            Today Chris celebrated his third birthday at ChuckE Cheese - it's sort of an indoor carnival with pinball machines, rides, food, etc. Big enough to accommodate several parties at the same time. When my sister and I arrived, we saw Chris at a pinball machine...he and his dad similarly dressed in black safari style pedal pusher length pants  and white shirts. Both wearing New York Yankee caps, backwards, of course. Chris was really liking the game and didn't want to be interrupted, let alone say hello!

Shortly, it  was time for a little stage show, featuring ChuckE Cheese and friends, followed up by cake and a special picture with ChuckECheese. As soon as the festivities were over, Chris high tailed it back to  the games ... and my sister and I left!

My first, last and only trip, ever!

Just as I was preparing to write this post, Norman came home from his PM walk...I hollered out to him" Hello! Hello! - several times. Hearing no response, I started downstairs; halfway down, I said to him: "Why didn't you answer me?  His reply: "Well, you said when you have your earphones in you can't talk."  The real reason: He was on the phone talking to his son...

And that's the way it was on this Saturday 17 June!

Cheers~

and now he's three!

 

(Bebe Chris @ 13 days old)

Today is bébé Chris' third birthday! Seems that just yesterday he was a tiny little one in the NICU...he was about six weeks early. And now, he's bouncing around, talking lickety split and filled with curiosity. He's still little ( I think)  but ever so active...and cute. We will celebrate his birthday next Saturday...as he, his mom and Great Granny (my sister) are driving today...returning from a trip to Ohio to attend his great uncle Miekel's graduation from HVAC school and training. I expect Chris will have lots to share.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Memos, Mail, Me | Memorial Day | 29 May 2017...

 

Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Though my father was in the military, he did not die in service to his country but stayed in the military as a retired officer until his death in 1984. He is buried in Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton, OH.

Now that Memorial Day is here, Summer has arrived! Well, at least meteorologically. Welcome!

11:15 am ESDST: The sun's up, here-n-there, for a brief moment. Unobscured by the rain clouds that persist, the sun shines... we're enjoying a quiet morning: doors wide open, listening to light classical vocal jazz tunes. I asked Norman if he thought there were more female vocalists compared to male; based on the past hour plus, I vote for women; I'd say 3:1.  Just a very unscientific observation.

Aha, the sun's attempting to peek out again. Perhaps it shall prevail and those with plans for:  

• cooking out;
• enjoying the neighborhood pool;
• a long walk or
• a bike ride...

who will be able to do so without worry of having to dodge in between raindrops or canceling plans altogether. And after all, the meteorologists said the sun would reign! 

I have spent most of the morning here at the dining room table - my favorite AM spot - still in my  jammie's, enjoying an extended MSQT, looking at the June calendar and mapping out the month's necessary "to do items," such as deciding when to go get my car inspected (every two years for EPA (environmental protection agency) standards; making notes of other reminders and appointments, planning the month's activities, - three  birthdays this month , including the bébé' s THIRD!  

I haven't had breakfast, so absorbed have I been in the looking forward. Thinking I need to get a move on, perhaps even have brunch..and before I close, share last week's mail: 

1. a wonderful thank you card from Karen that I will definitely use in my AMAZe (About me: A-Z) project...the card brought back some very special memories;
2. yarn for a new scarf/shawl -that I'll begin someday...soon.

Joining in early for a change with Sian From High in the Sky . Do visit to read what others have to share. Now, I'm off for a walk!

Cheers~

unraveled wednesday | in the queue...

            My current stack of new books - all acquired last week. The top and bottom ones on the stack, I'm currently  reading; the ones in between, waiting for me to read. Textbook and Thank You for Being Late were gifts from my friend Kathy. Thanks to everyone for your feedback and encouragement re: reading the Inspector Gamache series in order. I'm on chapter two and did return the newest title to my friend.

Next weekend begins Book Bingo; I have two titles in the queue  - I think 'cause I've not downloaded my card, yet. Thanks to a bright idea from Mary, I am going to read at least 10 as audio books - between my credits with Audible and the library's resources, I might wind up doing all 25. That will be a real experience for me; I can nearly count on one finger the number of audio books I've read... Do join in Book Bingo...check out Mary's blog for all the details.

Monday, I was looking for double pointed needles in my stash (to finish the Tip Top zebra hat) and found these two projects: one a sock, long ago started and the other, a scarf  I'd planned to knit, primarily because I liked the yarn so. So, I decided to add these two projects to my current PiP (projects in progress - or not) collection. This brings my knitting to 6 items in the queue. That should last me for a while - if I stick to my plan and schedule... By the way, the word is complete,  one of my three for 2017. 

A very pleasant and unexpected visitor dropped by today: my soon-to-be 3 years-old great grand nephew, Chris! He and my sister came over and spent a couple hours. Chris came supplied with a notebook and colored pencils and the minute he walked in the house, spied my colored pencil-like crayons...of course, nothing would do but that he use them... When Connie and Chris arrived, Norman had gone to the store. When Norman returned, he and Chris bonded instantly and went for a long walk. 

What's in your queue? And do check out Kat's blog to see what's in others' queues...

Cheers~

 

3 surprises...

 

Surprise #1:

        This morning when I arrived downstairs for my daily MSQT (morning solitude and quiet time), I glanced out the window  and much to my surprise: SNOW ! On the deck and railings! Just a dusting but it was cold enough that the snow was more crystal-like than fluffy and certainly not wet! Recall that we had 80 degrees temp on Wednesday!

Surprise #2:

        Friday at 1 PM is Journal Club Day; this is an online session facilitated by Jamie Ridler and participants are from all over the world. I went out about 11:40 am to Starbucks to buy a box of  Teavana Peach Tranquility tea. Not a  box to be found at either of two stores (and earlier this week, I'd also checked at a third store) - so I wound up buying 5 loose packets from each place...and ordering a box via Amazon...probably should've done that in the first place...Rushed home in order to be on time for the session...only to read my email (sent yesterday) that the session was cancelled because Jamie is ill. I think I thought the email had our login info and I just starred it and moved on...

Surprise #3:

        The best surprise: A visit from bébé Chris - tho' I guess I'm going to have to stop referring to him as the bébé - in 3 months he'll be three!. He and Norman instantly bond - it's a guy thing. They looked for the cat, who very gingerly came onto the deck, no doubt looking for food and then they sat and watched Sesame´ Street for a bit and chatted. A guy thing. 

A little later,  Chris, his mom and granny left ... Since then, the afternoon has been very quiet. It's still cold...the wind has picked up. Who knows, maybe more snow is on the way...

Any surprises on your Friday? Have a good weekend.

Cheers~

it's Christmas!...

 

 

... the sky is tinted with varying shades of pink as the sun begins to set on this lovely Christmas day. We have been graced with sunshine and temps in the high 40s...perfect weather for a nice afternoon walk. Our holiday has been very peaceful and quiet; Norman's son arrived about 1 pm and later in the afternoon, my grand nieces and the bébé - now 2 and a half; guess I'll have to start referring to him as Chris...

It has been a long while since we've had a toddler or young child in the house at Christmas; I'm thinking 14 years ago, when it was Kayla's turn. We got him a road rug with four wooden emergency type vehicles...he knew/understood  the markings on each - one is an helicopter - and made the appropriate sounds and gestures...  Next he read his book; that took all of 3 minutes - well maybe 4.5...

... and then he spied my cache of 48 colored Staedtler color pens. Well, nothing would do but that he could get them in his hot little hands and write, draw, color. etc. I convinced him that a box of crayons and a big sheet of paper were more what he needed so we headed up the stairs to my craft room to retrieve such. Ah! A gold mine: computer keyboard; drawers and doors to open; ink pads and stamps; lots of stuff to investigate and touch. I couldn't find the crayons - of course; tomorrow they'll show up - of course. I substituted markers...what fun to take the tops off, make a scribble and put them back on. Tiring soon of that, his attention returned to the pens so I hastily introduced watercolor pencils and a water brush. He seemed to take interest in taking the tops on /off and wanting also to rubber stamp. I started back upstairs without him...nope, that wasn't going to do..."I'm coming too!" he announced by fretting a bit...

Back downstairs, he stamped a bit and then resumed his fascination with the colored pens so I relented and let him play with them. Seems that what he really enjoyed doing was taking the tops off. Time to go! Not a happy camper. I assured him that he could come back anytime as my dad always said. For some reason, that seemed to pacify him for the moment...

Off they went. I cleaned up the kitchen and great room areas. It's 10 pm...Norman's watching the Sunday Night football game. We had a lovely time Christmas Eve with friends and Christmas Day with family.  As soon as I push publish I'm going to turn in early. As I texted my sister: "I think you texted me your cold...I've a slight sore throat and feel a tad achy." I'm going to take an aspirin and call it good night.

How was your holiday weekend?

Cheers~

 

a new library...

                    

                    Yesterday, after a nearly three years' wait, the doors to our brand new, state of the art library opened. It is a grand structure, three levels with a terrace that overlooks the adjacent park - where I often walk on my daily outings. I can easily see that I may be spending some of my afternoon quiet moments on that terrace, especially when the weather permits. 

The community was all out and very impressed...to say the least. The photos are two of my favorite happenings from the event: the top is of 2nd & 3rd grade school students,  members of a steel drum band. They were so intense as they played...and they made great music.

The second is of two little girls, probably not quite 2 years old, sitting in a little well, both reading Show Me Happy ... and probably wondering what the heck was going on...Too cute!  I'm going to have to take (bébé ) Chris there, soon.

Looking forward to checking out the resources soon.

Cheers~

jan 2016 - one down, eleven to go...

            (click on photo to make larger)

    I often forget to share my monthly Collect app photo collage, so I thought I'd give it a try this year...my intent is to post on the first of each month...obviously, I missed my mark, so, I'll try again in March. 

We always greet the new year at home, watching the ball drop at Times Square...and then we old folk go to bed! Once upon a time, many decades ago, I made a pact with a then boyfriend that come the year 2000, we'd meet one another in Times Square  and ring in not only the new year but also a new century. I didn't make it...and I often wonder if he did...

Stitching, snapping photos, journaling and trying a few new things: hand lettering; resuming sketching  plus the weather - especially the blizzard got my/our attention this month. During February 2015's snow storm the bébé  was too young to go out and play - this year he got a chance. Not sure how he liked that white stuff. Our girl Kayla also celebrated her 15th birthday. And I decided to try a Pomodoro Technique app, just to see how it helps me stay on schedule; I often get so engrossed in doing something that I lose track of time. It has kept me more aware...

I was particularly mindful of the sunrises and sunsets and on the 31st, we were treated to both of Mother Nature's spectacular paint brush. A fitting way to end a month.

Welcome February! I'm looking forward to a month of storytelling. What's on your agenda?

Cheers~

 

dec 22 | books for the bébé...

I ventured out among the crowds today... among my errands, a stop at Barnes & Noble to buy books for the bébé.  I tried to buy books that spoke to his auditory, tactile and visual senses  and of course, are also some of the old time favorites for generations of children. I left with a pretty sizable haul.

We're going to have more fun reading his new books Christmas Day.

Cheers~

dec 18 | jolly ol' st. nick...

Dear bébé Chris,

    This photo of Santa and your mom was taken on Christmas morning 1987, I think.  Santa is great grand Uncle Jim who always sported that big smile. Uncle Jim worked for the USPS and did special delivery on Christmas morning...having delivered all his packages to other little boys and girls,he'd dropped by on his way back to the North Pole to see your mom.  When I look at this picture, I often wonder what your mom was thinking...I'm not sure she was too sure about this Santa thing but she did accommodate, even if a tad hesitant to do so. 

Have you been to see Santa yet? And what's on your list? In just one week Santa will be dropping by to see you!

Cheers~

Great grand aunt Honoré