OUR LATE AFTERNOON TRIP TO MANHATTAN meant we'd be getting HOME closer to dark than not. That's alright as I always drive around town for a few minutes before going HOME after being away shopping in other communities. The fireflies were busy fluttering about making my journey lit with enjoyment seeing them once again as Summer calls them into existence. New memories are made for me as I admire their green glow in the park atmosphere. If I could run to catch them I would like to.
Many memories come back to me as I was in awe and wonder as a child seeing their gentle presence in Marion when visiting family. I grew up in southwest Kansas where fireflies are nonexistent so seeing these small creatures was a treat to a child from another part of the state where telephone poles are considered to be trees. Fireflies and wonderfully calm nights are a precious memory to me playing the cousin from elsewhere. We'd spend hours running to catch the fireflies, place them in jars and watch their twinkling light magically blink off and on. Look Ma, no batteries.
Before the Summer is gone, I'm going to try to catch some fireflies and reflect about days gone by. I am not too old to do this yet. With company coming, I will have to catch some and watch them in my personal space.
I HAVE A WEEK TO GET THE HOUSE CLEANED and ready for company. A week. Thank you, Lord for this week.
Fireflies and lemonade...hot Summer nights. Lawn chairs and iced tea. Company coming and have fellowship chatting. Homemade ice-cream and chocolate topping with cherries. No hurry to be anywhere, but right where I am. Fireworks will be lighting up the skies of Kansas in small town America in a week. Our beautiful country and her freedoms being celebrated right where I live. Lord, Please give me strength to carry on as I am not as strong as I once was.
Yesterday, we deliberately loaded the car again with donations to take to THRIFT as we were going to Manhattan to shop for a new red wheel barrow at MENARDS. There wasn't much traffic as I drove to GOODWILL to make a donation. It makes quick work dropping off our donations at this location. This chapter in our retirement book will read for awhile as we have so much more to get rid of as I think about the basement here, the carriage house, the other garage at the COTTAGE.
One load at a time is scaled back to going through everything and getting rid of so much all at once. I know physically I can not make this happen so the one load at a time is the best option for now. Amen and amen.
Went to Wendy's for a salad for our supper. Hubby talked me into it. I gladly accepted. We sat in our parked car at the MENARDS parking lot to eat our Apple Pecan Chicken Salad. The weather was nice enough to have the windows rolled down and eat our salads before going inside to shop.
We are now the proud owners of a new wheel barrow as our old one wore completely out. Our evening was productive.
Picked up some bottled water, a birthday card and wipes. They had some patriotic t-shirts for $4.99. Picked up a couple to help put us in the mood for the Fourth of July that's fast approaching. Needed some locking gas caps for our cars as there is a concern of thieves stealing gasoline from our tanks. We were HOME bound afterwards.
Took a detour on a back road on Military Trail. A pleasant drive which has little traffic so I can lolly gawk as I go taking in Nature's tree lined winding roads back to the community I live in. Going HOME seems relaxing as I am in no hurry. Josh Turner CD is playing as I go. Singing along with him makes the trip HOME pleasant.
Having our HOME in order is a priority. I received word today that my sister-in-law has co vid and so does my baby brother. She seems to be on the mend as her symptoms are different than my brothers. Both are HOME recovery. Praying for their health.
In these uncertain times, I am more than ever determined to thin out the clutter and have a lighter weight lifestyle. To God be the Glory...great things He hath done. Amen.
Blow out the candles.
Today is my Grandma's 129th Birthday. You've been gone awhile. Hallelujah she lived and was a brave and kind Christian woman that prayed in a cave for her loved ones. She lived through many challenges coming through because she knew the Lord. Anna Elizabeth. I'm named after both of my Grandmas named Anna. Adding a De in front of that seems appropriate. Deanna I am.
Grandma, I wonder what you'd think of LIFE these days? You were a very productive, constructive and creative wife and mother to 11 children. A wonderful cook and gardener that never learned to drive a car. You sewed, cooked, canned and cleaned. Had beautiful wild flowers and snapdragons. Hair down to there and wore small print dresses never jeans or slacks. No make-up and no jewelry. Plump and pleased to have food. Maker of much. Worked the farm fields as a child, had a third grade education, married your step father's younger brother at 16, worked extremely hard for what you had and left your abusive husband while carrying babies from Canada back to Kansas for a better life away from the beatings and the poverty he created.
You took a stand and made a difference. Husband came to his senses coming after you making promises to stop drinking and together you lived as Husband and Wife in the middle of Kansas making a HOME on a small property where you could raise the children and make a LIFE worth something. A strong faith in God you had and now you are in HEAVEN. Happy Birthday, Grandma. You are a GRAND woman. I love you.
I laundered the two pillows you made me when I was a child. The smoke stain and fire smell are no more, but the fibers broke down. Now I will have to figure out how to repair them as I desire to hang onto them a tad bit longer.
~d
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