Baby Joe

Jeanne, Jeane, John, K. Joe, Joe

Uncle Joe

Mama, Joe, Jeane

Visiting

I took my mother to Louisville on Thursday to visit her brother, Joe, and his wife, Jeane. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrell and then visited at their house. It was a good time, we talked and laughed. Mama had a nap. Joe and I had an interesting conversation about photography, negatives, prints, digital cameras. He has many photographs that he wants to have saved to a cd or web album. He has both the negatives and contact prints. It will be great to see them all. Joe is an expert on cameras, as well as many other subjects. I always learn something from him.
My uncle Joe is also very funny. He tells the best stories. He can hold his audience as long as he is willing to talk. We howl with laughter.
But mostly he is quiet. And gentle. It is always a joy to get to be with him. I love him a lot.

Gloaming

The word 'gloaming' appeared in Theodosia's blog tonight and then I read the word in a book I have started reading. How odd the word came to me twice in one night and such an unusual and wonderful word. There has to be a reason for this to happen. Gloaming, just the sound of the word makes me melancholy. I'll hold the word close, I think it wants to be with me.

http://theodosia.squarespace.com/

Gaines Land

I've been thinking about our walk in the woods yesterday. We ventured onto some of the Gaines land, which we now own. I imagine it has been years since anyone with Gaines blood has been on that land. I may be the first in a long, long time. The little area of land we covered is strewn with rotting logs, a thick floor of leaves, mushrooms, sticks, rocks, water trickling along, briars, strange things, wonderful things. I can just imagine what might be there this summer, snakes, bugs, spiders. Interesting things. I like knowing the land is there. Dabney Gaines owned it many years ago, and a lot more land, this is the last of it. We intend to always keep it in the family.

Walking in the Woods

Today we went for a walk in the woods. We started out in an old cemetery. It seems all those buried there died in the same year, 1875. All were named Massie. I wonder if I can find out anything about this.
From the cemetery we walked onto the Gaines land, which we now own. It has been many years since anyone with Gaines blood has been on this land. I hope to spend a lot of time walking these hills and little creeks. Trees have fallen and are rotting, mushrooms are growing on the logs, briars are having their own way and the rocks are timeless. We'll be good to your land, Dabney.

Uncle B

February 8 is the saddest day of the year for me. On this date in 1976 my Uncle B died. His name was Wellington Virgil Matthews, such a strong name. I haven't recovered from his death and don't expect I will. His sudden death left us all stunned. He taught me many things, we shared our thoughts and ideas. He always liked me no matter what I did, supporting my every decision. We shared books, he encouraged me to read, we had long conversations about what we had read.
But the most important thing was that I loved him dearly. I grieve for the loss of him and mourn for the years I have lived without him. Many times I need him and long for his presence. Sometimes I feel his hand on my head or patting my knee. I feel his melancholy and I miss him.

Leah

Leah is here tonight, sick, coughing, congestion. She has gone to sleep and seems to be resting well. I met Susan in Bardstown this morning, after going to Owensboro to take Olivia to day care. Leah is disappointed that Olivia isn't here. Maybe they will get to be together this weekend. Everybody should be here sometime during the weekend.
On the drive from Bardstown, Leah was so excited by the frozen water falls on the rocks along the roadside. She said they were frozen rocks with ice cubes on them.
The deep crevices in the rocks made me think of the depths I have to go to find myself. I keep losing myself. I know I'm somewhere though, deep, mired down, weary.
As soon as we got home Leah wanted to feed the fish, Zelda and F. Scott. They seemed happy to see her. They love anybody that will feed them.

NO SNOW

I was hoping for snow. The news kept promising snow. Just rain. It's not even very cold outside. I loved being snowed in with books, cats and cokes. When my children were little we were so happy to have snow days. Even though we knew we had to make the school days up, it was such fun to be at home in our pajamas. I used to love those early morning snow day calls, no school. Yeah! I'm going to sub in a kindergarten class next week. Olivia is going with me on Tuesday. I wish she would never have to go to school, or Leah. They are so carefree, school will take that away. I'm trying organize autographs and letters, it is a daunting task. I think the easiest way is to just put them in random order. I'd forgotten I had so many. I also have Mama's collection which is much larger than mine. This may keep me busy for a long time.

Powder

Mama now has her powder. I finally remembered. I even remembered to take it to her when I got home from Owensboro.

Coty Powder

Today I took Mama to Owensboro to get her box of Coty powder. We left as soon as she got finished at the beauty shop. Since we had to get groceries we saved Walmart for last. We keep reminding each other to not forget the powder. We decide to eat lunch at Lic's. Mama has chicken salad and I had a gourmet sub with no corned beef. For dessert we shared a dish of choco cremes. I ate more than Mama. From Lic's we set out for the Dollar Tree, where we spent a week. Both of us found all kinds of interesting things. Mama bought 30 items and I bought 20. Mama said she was Christmas shopping. Next we go to the mall. Mama was looking for Cuddl Duds, which we find at Penny's. She wants to buy me pajamas but I can't find any that will fit both my top and bottom at the same time. Mama waits in the car for me while I go to Hobby Lobby (which I hate). I can't find what I want but find other things that I think I need, which I don't. Then to Walmart. I need apples but don't like the ones at Walmart so go across the street to Foodland and buy ones just like the ones at Walmart. Neither had honey crisp apples, which are my favorite. We decide to eat supper at Waffle House, where we remember we have forgotten the powder. We are both too weary to go back so it is my job to get it tomorrow. Could we have a show of hands of those we think I will remember!

FAMOUS BISTRO

I loved Famous Bistro so much that I just had to share it with Jeanie. As I hoped, she loved it too. Our food was delicious, she had a grilled cheese, the bread was so wonderful, the butter rich and the cheese thick. She ate this with a cup of black eyed pea soup. I ate potato salad and broccoli salad. Endless iced tea washed it all down. Even though we were full, we just had to have the creme brulee. It was to die for. Lunch with Jeanie is always the best part of my week, my time to relax and slow down. Book talk is such a necessary part of my life. My goal for 2007 is to read much much more than last year. Too many things had my attention and my reading suffered. After eating lunch I went to the Museum of Fine Art to see the Anthony Quinn's Eye exhibit. I didn't know he had 3,000 pieces in his collection. The exhibit had 100 (some were originals of his own work) of them along with information about the pieces. I loved the quiet in the museum, and loved the exhibit. I should do many more quiet things. And eat at Famous Bristo every chance I get. I'm sure Jeanie will join me.

OUR TRIP TO OWENSBORO

Mama and I went to Owensboro today. Lunch, the most important thing, was first on our agenda. We talked about eating at Lic's since Mama had been talking about their chicken salad. I like one of their sandwiches but can never remember which one. Ruby Tuesday was an option since we had to go to the mall. Before Christmas I saw a place on 2nd Street that I hadn't seen before and it looked interesting so we ate there. It turned out to be FAMOUS BISTRO. I'm not good at parallel parking so I barely got the car off the street. We chose a table away from the door, a table with photographs under glass. The photographs were current and some faces were familiar. As I started to look around the room I realized the walls were covered with art and old photographs. Some of the photographs were framed individually but many were matted in groups, some seemed connected, some not. The owner, George, wasn't there but we discovered the photographs are of his family, mostly taken in Greece. Mama wasn't able to see them very well but I took some of them off the wall so she could try and get a look at them. Two of the photographs were of an old man, one shot was of him looking in a store window, the other was a full face shot as he walks away from the window. I can't get the picture out of my mind. Above that frame was a photograph of five women. All had their heads covered in scarfs, two had canes. They are all smiling. The largest frame holds several small photographs, the most intriguing is of a woman sitting beside a table with her hand holding her chin, she is in shadows, a lighted lamp on the table is a direct contrast to the face in the near dark. Fascinating. We had wonderful food, salami grinders, potato salad made with new red potatoes, broccoli salad that was to die for. Plenty of iced tea. It was all so good. Then on to the mall. Our first stop was Sears. Mama isn't crazy about being pushed in a wheel chair so we parked at the Sears end. She had a gift certificate and was looking for a rug to put in the front of her kitchen sink. She wanted to buy me everything we looked at. She decided on two rugs, one for the kitchen and one to go beside her bed. Next we looked for a pair of gray pants, which we couldn't find. All the time, she is wanting to buy me things. We are happy to find the battery she needs for her phone that is for the hearing impaired (she can't hear it ring). Just as we get to checkout she remembers she left her gift certificate at home. She buys the rugs and is happy. We head back to the car and go park at Penny's, again to look for gray pants, which we find, but do they fit, NO! So she says she will buy Coty powder, and will buy me some too. No, I say, I don't use it. I tell her I don't think Penny's has cosmetics, she says of course they do. They don't. Well, they used to, she says. And hand lotion too. Back to the car we go. Next to Staples, which we forget until we are far down the street, back we go for her journal. I forgot to get it for her for Christmas so now she has it. She has kept her journal in the same type of book for many years. Now to Walmart. I have to make a return. She needs a watch band, which we find and the kind jewelry lady puts it on for her, we forget the powder (I just now remember), she gets her glasses fixed in the optical shop, then on to the grocery where she finds everything she wants. To the car and home. All day she has worried that she is in my way, I'm bothering her, she wants to buy me things, she should be dead, she knows I'm about dead, are my ribs hurting (yes, they are, but I don't tell her), can she cook my supper, am I weak (no, I'm not), do I need some crackers (no, still full from lunch), do I have to do anything tomorrow (probably), and so on. She doesn't realize that I'm glad to do these things for her. She taught me this behavior although she was always much better at it than me. It was a good day, a happy day. We ended our trip with her hanging her cane in the strap of my purse which hampered her efforts to get out of the car.

After Christmas

Now that it is after Christmas I have time to reflect on it all. I was so tired and had so much pain that I hardly knew what I was doing. I didn't even cook enough to feed everybody. I loved having them all here but I fear I didn't take very care of them. Even now, I haven't completely recovered. Boxes of decorations and wrapping paper are still not in the attic. But the boxes are packed and just need to be labeled and taped. After they're in the attic I'm sure I'll find things I've missed and will have to start a new box. It was worth it all, the girls had a good time and loved all their presents.

Cold

Cold is coming.

Theodosia's Blog

www.theodosia.squarespace.com

Reading

I just finished reading THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards. Before that I read THE ECHO MAKER by Richard Powers, which won the National Book Award. I'm listening to MODERN TIMES by Bob Dylan. I'm thinking about lots of things.

Elizabeth's Post

Hi im Elizabeth and im at my bubbes house. My bubbe got a new cat it is so small. we have not named her yet. I like sylvia. The cat jest pooped on bubbe and we all made fun of her. She said get it off me. it stunk. We gave her a bath.

Arthur Dalton House

The elements are getting the best of the Arthur Dalton house. Since I first saw it most of the roof has fallen in and the walls are giving way. I was hoping it would last longer. But I guess it is getting tired. The house hasn't lost it's dignity and integrity. It still fascinates me and tells me stories.

Gilbert Keown

Gilbert Keown is a good man. I know this because he saves his table scraps for a stray bob-tailed cat who lives at the city park where he walks every morning. He has plans to fix a sleeping box for the winter so it will have shelter. He says I should save my scraps and bring them when I walk, the cat doesn't much like cat food. Gilbert Keown will be 88 years old in December.

Georgetown Spider

This spider lives outside Susan's house in Georgetown. The spider is a hard worker, spinning webs and looking for food. They say it has been living there for quite some time. It's web spans the bush and attaches to the house which gives it a spacious living area. It is a fine spider.

Still Alive

Today I substituted at school. One of the little boys looked familiar to me so we were talking about people we both know. He asked me if I knew Pookie Ralph. I told him that I did and Pookie used to be my student. He was so shocked and said, "And you are still alive!" He said Pookie is really old and is grumpy too. He made my day.

Olivia's Birthday Party

Olivia's birthday party was today. She will be 4 years old tomorrow, September 11. Her favorite color is pink and she is a princess. She liked everything about her birthday except her balloons. She had said she didn't want any and was not happy to see them. She is afraid they will fly away and she will be sad so she doesn't want to have them around. We had to move them away from the table and then she was happy. She liked all her presents. She had requested a Rubber Ducky party so she was thrilled with all the rubber ducky things. Three of her friends came to the party and they had a good time playing and looking at the presents. Olivia is a sweet little girl.

Water

What is it about warm water that makes me sad? Even if I haven't been depressed all day, a warm bath sometimes shakes me to the bone with sadness. Usually it is fleeting but occasionally it grips me for days. I've been caught in it since last night. Not bad enough to put me to bed ,but close. I can almost pat Black Dog on his head.

Flowers

My flowers are blooming and blooming. I can see different colors all over the yard and porch. The bees and butterflies are having a wonderful time. The herbs are also blooming. I hope they all survive the coming winter.

No Julia

Julia has run away from home. The last I saw of her, she was frolicking with two dogs, boys, no doubt. Even though I like her, I hope she doesn't come back. Maybe her first owner came for her and she is now happy to be home. But she was really happy here. She ate like a queen and I talked to her. I hope she has food and attention tonight. But not attention from those two boy dogs!

Kitten

I have found a kitten that I want. But it doesn't look like it will be mine. It is a little calico kitty, long hair and beautiful markings.Since Chloe died I miss having a lap cat. Sadie wants to sleep in the room with me but she isn't a lap cat. I can read much better cuddled with a cat. I haven't given up hope yet but it is dimming.

Mud Turtle

I noticed the cat creeping around the yard with her back bowed and her tail as big around as an eggplant. She had found a mud turtle. He must have been lost and looking for water. His shell, tail and legs were as dry as a bone. I'm only guessing it was a he. Olivia was here and he scared her to death, she cried and screamed if he moved, even if she was far away. I poked him with a rake which made him snap and jerk. He made his way under the picnic table and rested there for a while. The next thing I knew he was almost at the back door. We fed him dog food which he liked quite well. I soaked him with the water hose and he almost said thank you. The last we saw of him, he was making his way to the garden behind us. He is probably eating tomatoes and cabbage, happy to be finished with his adventure.

Emergency Room

I took Mama to the emergency room and laughed most of the time we were there. We waited for what seemed like an eternity, Mama fussing most of the time. "If they don't call us in 5 minutes, I'm leaving." I've forgotten why we came." "I'm sure you're awfully thrilled we're here." "I'm not staying any longer." "Why are all these people here, I wish they had all stayed home." "Let's go." "Well, I'm leaving." "I wish everybody else would go home." "They've forgotten us." "I bet they didn't tell them we are here." "I bet the doctor and nurses have gone to lunch." "I don't think they like us." "I'm not ever telling you my head hurts again." "I don't know why I don't just die." "I bet you wish I would." "I'm starving to death." "You better go eat something, you'll be sick and it will be my fault." (x50) "I'm going to the car." "Why do they keep calling other people." "I'm going out the door." "Well, where is the door?" Finally, it was our turn. Several times, we were asked her symptoms, which were pounding in and around her left ear and pain in her head. The doctor discovered both of her ears were completely blocked. The nurses irrigated both ears, soaked them, prodded them, poked at them and finally strange things came out of them. Now, several hours later, her head is still pounding and hurting. But it was worth the trip, we laughed and ate. So it was a good day all around

Julia

Do we have a dog? It appears we might. A few days ago we noticed a dog hanging around. I tried to run her off and JW tried really hard to send her on her way. But she wanted to stay. Finally, I gave in and fed her. I fed her at one o'clock in the morning. She was very grateful. She became quite confused. As I fed her JW was still trying to send her away. She wouldn't go. She just rolled over on the ground and put her feet in the air. I bought a bag of dog food. She eats it but would rather have real food. She likes cat food. She has hurt two of her feet, one of them badly. She is hobbling around on three feet, holding the injured foot close to her body. It doesn't keep her from following me all over the yard. She is such a gentle dog, sometimes she howls at the light in the flower bed, and she likes me. Her name is Julia, a most unlikely name for a beagle hound.

Black-eyed Susans

I planted a clump of Black-eyed Susans in the front yard. There were lots of small rocks in the hole I dug so I pulled them out and pieced them together around the base of the flowers. They seem to be taking hold, I hope they live.

School

The girls start a new week of school tomorrow. Elizabeth says 4th grade may be her best year of school. Kristin says her classes are going okay. They will soon be settled in and going strong. Leah and Olivia will both be in day care tomorrow. I wish they could all just stay at home.

School Girls

Kristin, Elizabeth and Leah started to school today. Kristin is in the 8th grade, Elizabeth in the 4th and Leah in day care. Susan also started a new year of teaching. I hate for them to have to go. I would rather they be carefree and play in the swimming pool.

Girls in the Mountains

We recently took all four girls on a trip to the mountains. Our first stop was Cumerland Falls. The mist from the falls sprayed on them as they looked over the railings.

At Cumberland Gap we took a trip up the mountain to Hensley Settlement. We all had fun walking around and going in the buildings.

Digging Pix

Digging for Worms

Leah has been digging for worms in the neighbor's garden. She works hard to find one and then doesn't want to touch it. She is so excited when sees it though, jumping up and down squealing. The squirrels will be surprised to find their corn all over the ball court and shelled corn cobs all over the yard. She has also reorganized the dirt around the tomato plants, it should make them sweeter.

Rain

After days of weeding, planting, and mulching it is finally raining. It is gentle and persistent, just what those roots need. My hours outdoors were the best I've had in a while. The birds and cats kept me company. The cats are having a wonderful time with the catnip. Chloe found it first, she rubbed her face on the leaves and then she ate them. Everyday I have to straighten it up and pull the dirt up around the vines. Sadie likes it but not as well as Chloe. The birds seem to like the feeders better than they did in the winter. Little yellow finches are everywhere. No hummingbirds yet though. Maybe soon.

Easter granddaughters

Easter was fun with our granddaughters. They dyed dozens of eggs and decorated them with paint, stamps, and stickers. Then they left them in baskets for the Easter bunny to hide. The bunny had some help from Granddaddy. The girls were excited to find so many eggs. The girls all had beautiful clothes for church. They are all sweet wonderful girls. We all ate breakfast together on Easter morning.

Leah and her baby doll

Leah's baby doll can suck her thumb. Her arms and legs can move so she can sit while Leah reads books to her.

Leah's birthday pictures

We all had fun watching Leah open presents and having such a good time with her cousin and sisters. She liked all her toys and books.

Leah's Birthday

Leah celebrated her 3rd birthday on April 14. She had cupcakes and opened presents with her Daddy, Mommy, and sisters, Kristin and Elizabeth at home in Georgetown. On Saturday, in Fordsville, Leah had a Dora cake and ice cream. She had fun opening more presents, books, straws and a glass, a Dora video, and a baby doll. Leah is a sweet, beautiful little girl. And already 3 years old!

Leah and Sadie

Leah and Sadie sleep well together.

Raking

I have raked most of the herb and flower beds. I even have a blister to boast. The curry, rue, and tansy had to be cut back considerably. Thyme has survived being neglected and will soon flourish in the warm sun. I've been lost but I'm finding myself in the dirt and weeds, as well as the green things that are happy that spring is here. I moved some of the rocks and found the most wonderful bugs. No worms yet. The bugs are red and black, they scurry away from me, looking for a new place to hide. I saw one ladybug, red with black spots. It was tiny sitting on the handle of my snippers. Kristin, Elizabeth, and Leah also helped with the work. John Wayne hauled off the sticks and cut up the leaves with the lawn mower. Kristin and Elizabeth drove the mower and Leah rode in the wagon. We wished for Olivia to be here with us. Now I have to think about mulch and a summer of weeding. I want blooming flowers and fragrant herbs.

Sick Children

Yesterday Olivia was here sick and today it is Leah. Olivia and I read many books yesterday. Leah will like them today. They like THERE'S A WITCH UNDER THE STAIRS. Olivia doesn't believe us when we tell her we have a basement. I don't want her to see it, she might be scared. Leah wouldn't like it either. The contents of our basement could tell the story of our lives in this house. I went down there earlier today and it is a fright.

HATS OFF TO MARCH

Every March Sue would decorate her bulletin board at school with brightly colored hats she had made out of wallpaper samples. She had pink hats with flowered ribbons, purple ones with bows, red, yellow and blue hats decorated for spring. Her caption, HATS OFF TO MARCH, was cut out of green construction paper. The clouds and wind were made of white paper and cotton batting. She made me hats for my bulletin board after she retired. I always put them on the bulletin board as soon as March rolled around, then left them through April. Today, March 2, is Sue's birthday. So, hats off to March and Sue. I miss you.