Mumblings On A Friday

Well this weekend is said to usher in the beginning of summer. Unofficially of course. Yet Memorial Day is usually when most feel that summer has begun. I myself like to think of June 21 as the beginning of summer. It lends itself to making me think that summer is longer than what it may feel like some years. Yet like most I am already in the swing of summer.

The recent rains have finally started the grass to growing and mowing is quickly becoming a weekly if not more often chore. I do not mind this as I always enjoy my time on the rider mower with my ear buds deep in my ears listening to my music at high volume as I plow across the yard. It is an escape of sorts. Lost in the music and enjoying the smells and sites of nature.

Although the heavy rains filled our pond to its brim once again it also brought about a few friends that I could do without. A good share of snakes and snappers have come to reside in our little water hole. Something that I do not take too kindly too. I am happy with the many frogs we have yet the snakes and turtles... well they can go. Vincent works to keep them out as best he can and already he has taken some of both out.  Yet I noticed today as I was enjoying the morning that there are still some there. The trees and brush have been cleared enough around the pond so that it does not lend itself much to them residing for long yet I am not too keen on stepping upon one as I am strolling around my pond admiring the sites. I give my neighbors way too many things to laugh at. I do not need the scared of snakes dance to be another attraction.

I decided to transplant some of the wildflowers that grow so abundantly in our yard this year to some choice places where I could allow them to grow and not mow over them. This adventure has proven to be quite enjoyable and I think it may become one of my yearly traditions. I have always disliked mowing down so many of the flowers that grow each spring. I also bordered my yard with other perennials along the bottom where it meets the woods. I am hoping that they will create a colorful border as the years pass. One that does not need to be tended so diligently yet allows a nice splash of color as we sit on the back porch and look out.

As I have said previously it has been a bit of an odd year thus far. I being the thinker that I am, continually try to figure out the reason for the difference. Yet have not been able to put my finger on anything specific. It seems that life as of late is sort of scattered in so many arenas. Although there is no reason for it, there seems to be a bit of an uneasiness in me. Like I said I am a bit of an over thinker so I try not to over think this situation.  Still,  I am continually taken back to the same square of thought. I wonder if any of you have felt such things as this.

If so what are your conclusions on the topic? Or am I just being a bit of a silly and once again thinking and over analyzing way too much. I guess I can blame it on the pre menopausal events that have seemed to overtake me as of late. Goodness I never thought that turning 50 could be so much fun. (That is a sarcastic statement!!) Yet I refuse to allow a little thing such as age get me to a place where I feel sorry for myself and come to a conclusion that because of it I am unable to enjoy life anymore... 50 or not I am still going to have all the fun I can.

Well enough of the rambling....I leave you with this thought to ponder as the day continues.

Confront the dark parts of yourself,

and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.

Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.

Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength

August Wilson

Enjoy the rest of the day. May blessings come your way

Update to Earlier Posting - Ryans Story

Earlier today I posted about the aftermath of the tornados that ravaged through our state earlier this week. One of the accounts that I spoke of was a pregnant mother who attempted to shield her three other children (5, 3 and 15 months) by placing herself over them in the bath tub. Although her efforts were heroic and all she could do, the family was thrown in multiple places as the tornado ripped through their neighborhood, taking their home down to the foundation.

The mother, daughter, and 15 month old son were later found and taken to a nearby hospital. Cole, the 15 month old later succumbed to his injuries and passed. The mother and 5 year old daughter, remain in critical condition. I also spoke of Ryan, the three year old son who was still missing. I found out earlier today that he was found early this morning. Despite hope for a better outcome, he did not make it.

Attached is a link in regards to their story as well as means to help the family out if any of you feel led to do so. There is nothing more heartbreaking than the loss of a child. The hurt seems to be felt more when a face can be put with the one who is no longer with us. Three short years is a brief time to have an impact on this world, yet from the smile on this little boys face, I can tell that he touched many. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to struggle with the events that have befell them this week. The loss of two of their children (and brother) as well as the continual recovery of the mom and sister as well as rebuilding.

One Never Knows

Morning all. Once again I find myself distant and not blogging as much as I would like too. It has definitely been a year of distractions and other things to keep my attention and energy. I have so missed being here and keeping up with everyone and what has been going on. Yet I think that all of us can identify with how life can sometimes just have other plans.


Since I last was here I made yet another trip to my grandkids for a visit. It was my granddaughters 8th birthday and of course I could not miss that. She is growing up so fast. She had a slumber party this year with four other girls. Oh how that brought back memories. Although I will say that it seems little girls grow up faster these days. I am glad she is what some may call a nerd. Interested in school and reading. Although I know that it will not keep her from some things forever, for now she can still be a bit of a little girl. No Justin Beiber for her. Yippee.....


Earlier this week we also had our first official scare with Oklahoma weather. It seems to be such a frantic year for everyone when it comes to weather these days. In April it seemed that it was the southeast that would take the brunt. I kept my tongue tight as I knew that May was the month that Oklahoma always seems to experience its share of tornado alley. The month went smooth for some time until earlier this week. For three days we were warned that severe weather was an extreme possibility. We had went to our moms for a visit and was heading home when we were hit the first time. We were caught in a good storm with all the makings. Strong winds, heavy rains, and hail. Fortunately no tornados were produced at least not in our vicinity. We did however get Vince's truck battered sufficiently with the golf ball to tennis ball hail that fell. A cracked windshield and plenty of dings were our evidence when we finally arrived home that evening. The next day brought even stronger warnings. I prepared the tornado bad as well as the bag with items in it that I may want to have if everything blew away.

It is not an easy thing to pick what one would put in such a bag. Jewelry, trinkets, important papers and such. Thank goodness for backup drives. As all my photos and such can also be kept if need be. As expected, the storms started in the early afternoon and exploded immediately. We watched as they marched across the state growing into massive tornados. We knew that they would eventually have to cross over us and sure enough they did later in the afternoon. In a matter of 15 minutes the storms started and escalated themselves up to tornado status and headed straight for us. Getting Winston into the cellar was a bit of a chore. Last year when I went to the cellar he was still a bit of a pup so I could easily toss him in when he declined from wanting to do it himself. This summer was a bit of a different story. At 95 pounds I was glad Vincent was home with me as I am not sure if I could have gotten him in by myself.


We listened on our weather radio as the tornado sirens went off and we could hear the wind howling above us. When we finally emerged some wind damage was evident. A wooden fence had been blown into the neighbor's yard, taking the pickets and stabbing them into the ground upright, yet all our homes were ok. The storm had just passed north and west of us by not quite a mile. Later that day we went out to survey the damage and I was astonished at how close we were to being hit. The more severe damage started to show itself just a quarter of a mile from our home. Trees uprooted and stripped of their bark, roofs torn from homes, mangled metal twisted around fences and thrown into the tops of trees. Tornados hit on all sides of us. To the south and west, to the east and to the north.


Some ways north of us a mother huddled with her three kids (7,3, and 15 months) in a bathtub. The storm took their home completely off the foundation and threw all four of them in multiple directions. The mother (5 months pregnant herself) was found beneath debris. Two of the kids were found near a lake not far from their home. The 3 year old little boy Ryan is still missing. The 15 month old little boy later died of his injuries and the mother and 7 year old girl lay in a hospital in critical condition. Remember this family and little Ryan who is still missing. It is a clear example of how quickly something can be taken from you and how much we need to remember how precious life and those we hold dear are.


Last time I was here I promised to return and start up my blogging at a more frequent pace. I am hoping once again to do that. Yet like last time I am not sure what life may throw my way again. It has been a funny year, full of things unexpected and a reflection and realization of things that are constant and fixed. I hope that spring/summer is bringing all of you happiness and times of special joy. For those of you who may be traveling through some rougher times, I wish you the energy and wisdom to continue and to find the rare gems along the way that will make the journey worthwhile.


Blessings until we meet again.

Blessed Beltane

May is a time of fertility and new beginnings after a long winter.

The Faeries are afoot!

They dance in the hills and roll in the grass,

reveling in the joy of warm May breezes.

Our spirits are high with the lust and heartiness of spring.

New life is stirring and appetites are keen.

 

Laurie Cabot - Celebrate the Earth