Happy Birthday Benjamin James

Twenty seven years ago today I lay in a hospital bed. My doctor, a man who loved cigars and tried frantically to smoke them while on rounds, would stick his head in occasionally to make sure I was ok. Eventually he sent me walking the halls and told the nurses not to call him until it was time. You probably have guessed that I was in labor and about to give birth. Yet this time was my first time. Little did I know that in a few short hours I would be holding my first born, Benjamin James, and screaming for some fried chicken.

BJ as we call him came into the world a strapping baby of 9lbs 9oz. Let’s just say his head paved the way for my next two that would come later in life. I was glad that I had a large baby. The idea of having a small little one of 6 or 7 pounds scared me. BJ came into the world half grown. I remember that summer spending many a day in the park beneath the shade of the large oaks that were scattered around. I would read to him and play him music as he slept his afternoons away. Needless to say he was nice and tan before the summer was over.

I still remember the first time I felt him move in my stomach. I was sitting in the college library, reading when I felt what was like a small flutter in my stomach. I did not think much at first yet when it occurred the next time I knew it was him. That pregnancy was magical to me. It was the first therefore everything that I experienced was new for me. I remember evenings sitting on my sofa and talking softly to him inside of me. Wondering and at times worrying about all that was about to happen to me. Yet I can honestly say it was one of the most wonderful times of my life and one I would never change or trade for the world.

Today BJ has grown to a strapping young man. He still has those deep blue eyes that seem to pierce right through you. His smile, when he gives it, could melt an iceberg. He always could get anything with that smile. He is still a quiet boy who loves life in his own way. He still loves good cooking and big dogs. (His fiancée Brandi is a great cook and he owns a pit bull and a mastiff) He still is my little boy. Funny… although he is my oldest he always seems to still be my baby.

So on this Cinco de Mayo,

I wish my little boy a big happy birthday.

You will never fully be aware of

just how much I truly love you dear.

You will forever be my sweet baby boy.

Love you Bunches

Mom

So Much To Do...... So Little Time

It seems that no matter how hard I try these days I cannot get all the things I wish to do in a day completed. I know it is probably because I have way too many things on my to-do list. And of course I am easily distracted by other things which are not on my list. It is a bad habit of mine, I will admit it. Yet it is hard not to venture outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather as well as all the color that is present these days. I have to do it at least once or twice a day and sometimes more. Luckily I do have Winston to use as an excuse. I am not proud of it, but what can I say.

I love the mornings especially as the sun is just rising and making its way up from the horizon. The sounds of daybreak are some of my favorite. I am an early riser which yes makes me a morning person. What can I say… I know there are those of you who appall people like us… You know those who rise at the crack of dawn and sometimes before. Winston like me is also a morning being. He does his morning business while I start the coffee. Then we sit on the porch and enjoy the whippoorwills calling one another for a bit. The air has been dry as of late and that makes for some cool mornings. The hot coffee helps  with the early morning chill.

With all the extra planting I have done this season, I have plenty to tend to each day. I am a bit worried as the days become warmer. I know that I will be watering like crazy. Yet I guess there is always a price for beauty. Over the weekend we ventured to the moms to visit and I once again gathered more flowers to plant. I dug up some grape hyacinths in my mother’s yard as she has literally hundreds of them everywhere. In the spring it looks like she has purple carpet. I also went to the local cemetery. It lies at the end of a narrow road outside of town. On each side of the road are thousand of corn flowers. They range in a various colors from that beautiful corn blue to light and dark purple, pink and white. I managed to gather a large bunch to replant here at home as well as reseed. Once again adding to the never ending to do list I have.

Besides the additions, I still have a couple hibiscuses, a columbine, and some elephant ears and I think my planting will be completed for the season. Of course there is the quart jar of mixed seeds I need to scatter around the pond and the 2 gallon bags of marigold seeds that I still have not put out. But we will not talk about that at the moment. 

So with all that said I probably had best get busy with my day, as there is a lot to do. Blessings to all of you and may your day be filled with sunshine and color.

Another Great Giveaway

Thought I would let you all in on a giveaway going on over at Ewitch.  Angie is graciously giving away an 8x10 of one of her Merfolk prints.  All  you have to do is head over to Her post on Ewitch and follow the instructions.  I have to say she is quite talented and is always doing something new. 

Celtic Tree Month - The Astrology of Willow

hose born under the sign of the Willow are ruled by the Moon. They hold many of the mystical aspects of the lunar realm. They are highly creative, intuitive, and intelligent. Many times they have a high psychic ability. They have a clear sense of cycles and the manner that each situation has a season. They tend to possess a more realistic perspective and are usually more patient than other tree signs. Because of the intelligent aspect, Willow signs often have the ability to retain knowledge and then regurgitate strictly by memory. They often are filled with potential yet have a tendency to hold themselves back for fear of coming off as too arrogant or overindulgent. It will be their powers of perception that will ultimately allow their true nature to shine through. This will lead to their success in life.

Willows must be careful of the rhythm of their moods. Paying close attention to their dreams can help tremendously in this. Willow signs are best suited with Birch and/or Ivy signs.