New Leaf

So I've been fretting about how I don't post on here enough. Make that ever. But I get so caught up with posting pictures and making everything fit and be witty at the same time. I can't do it. Just can't do it. So with some inspiration with some of my best friends who blog, with the exception of my sister who always makes things wittily fit, I am going to try to post more of my thoughts and life. I'm not promising this will be interesting or informative but I'm gonna give it a shot.

So keep your eyes to the monkeys and hopefully our lives will blend with yours a bit more in the near future.

Summer 2011

It was fun.

We were on the run.

Got lots of sun.

And now it's done.

Memorial Day 2011

Every Memorial Day that I have been home since 1982, I have participated in the service Hendrum holds at the five local cemeteries to remember those who died during or after protecting our country in the armed services.

All but one of the churches that once held these people have long ago been destroyed or moved but the markers of the members remain.

The words of the poems I have read each year flow quickly off my tongue from memory: In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row that mark our place. And in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved but now we lie in Flanders Fields...

The flowering crab trees line the path that people walk to the graves of their loved ones. They remind me of new life decorating the resting place of the dead.

The list of names is read - the order always the same - each year a little bit longer.

The 21 gun salute has been reduced to 12 as members of the Legion have joined the ranks of those whose names are read.

I visit the graves of grandparents, aunts, uncles.

Even some cousins lie here.

I see the decomposing graves of other people's babies

while my babies look at the stones of those who have gone on before.

This is as close as they will ever get to the physical remains of their grandpa - though they don't see the importance of that right now.

It is the time to say goodbye to friends recently and long ago buried, listen to the soulful sound of taps and remember.

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky.

All is well, safely rest - God is nigh.

I'll craft if I want to

A friend at work put a bug in my ear about where she could get matching knit hats for her daughters that weren't a million dollars. I can't knit to save my life - oh, how I've tried. But I can crochet like a demon.
Any pattern. Any timeSo I printed off a couple of free patterns and went to town. I made this style in two sizes and one other style that I didn't take any pictures of. Sadly, I didn't have the size crochet hook to make the size I needed and I only had brown yarn but it was good practice. It felt really good to pick up the hook and feel the yarn slide through my fingers again. It's just like falling off a horse. I think I may work a few more before I'm done. I think Em kinda liked it, too.

Last pictures of 2010

It has been a while. Again. Even through the days home bound from the snow storm, I found it hard to pull myself away from the newness of the Wii to post. But now - here I am.

Swinging with Big Baby

Thumbs up!

Rocket's first snow

Happy boy

My first batch of divinity
(with a little help from Mom)

Hanging pretties on the tree

cookie creations

Sweetie

Battling with Gram

One hot puppy

Perspective

Pondering

Sun dogs 12/26/10

Beautiful morning

No, I didn't take time out from the present opening and what not to get out my camera so I have nothing to show for that part of the break. I have no excuse.
There you go. Enjoy.