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Archive for the ‘Everyday’ Category

In Lieu Of Flowers

Posted in Everyday, tagged , , on April 13, 2012| 5 Comments »

It’s 3:30 in the morning.  I find it hard to maintain my regular sleep routine after someone has died, not getting back to it until after each stage of their passing is complete.  Last night was the ritual of the wake.  The remains of that event, although out of my direct vision, linger throughout the house.  Sure, we told them in lieu of flowers send memorials to this charity or that organization, but if everyone had done that I wouldn’t be here surrounded by the fragrance of fresh flowers.

Being nostalgic and traditional as I am, I think a funeral without flowers is like a birthday cake without candles. Cut flowers and flowering plants are always appreciated by me. Thankfully Husby has a green thumb because a few of the attendees chipped in and got a full-blown shrub!

While I remain in the I-can’t-maintain-a-normal-sleep-routine-because-someone-just-died state it’s nice to be surrounded by something so lovely as flowers and the fragrance they carry.

As far as I’m concerned, if you feel like ignoring the “in lieu of” message and want to send flowers to a funeral, just go for it. They’re beautiful, fragrant, and are a perfect symbol of the whole circle of life thing. Husby and I will enjoy these plants and flowers for a long time.

Addendum: One of the organizations suggested for memorials in Husby’s dad’s name is the Como Park Conservatory. Talk about flowers!

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A Vigil

Posted in Everyday, tagged on April 9, 2012| 4 Comments »

Husby and I had a very eventful weekend.

We held a vigil for Husby’s dad, who has been declining steadily for the past six months.

Such a hard road he had to travel this past winter.  It would have been hard for a sturdy person like me, much less a fragile little man of eighty-six years.

He took it like a trooper though.

The toll of age affects not only the aged. A life lived affects not only the one who lived it.

My life has been permanently affected by the experiences Husby and I had throughout the vigil.  We met wonderful people.  We learned new philosophies.  We saw how strong and complex the human body is.  We also saw how frail it is compared to the enormity of the soul inhabiting it.

We are bigger than our lives here.  The vigil proved that to me.

To be part of such a significant event is nothing short of astounding.  Death is rebirth, and I believe that completely now.  It was an arduous road for Husby’s dad, but we were so happy when he reached the glorious destination.  I don’t know what that destination is, but I do know the end of life as we know it is not the end of existence.  I don’t just believe, I know.

Husby and I are so happy for his dad.  He’ll be missed, but never far away.

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I’ve Become My Grandma

Posted in Everyday, tagged , on March 26, 2012| 3 Comments »

I figured my grandma was really old (or actually starting to lose her faculties) when I realized she was overly concerned about the birds in her yard.  We’d be out for an event with the entire family and she’d want to leave before it was over because “I have to go home and fill the humming-bird feeder.”

Well, I’m not as old as my grandma was when she said that, but I’m becoming strangely entertained and amused by the animals in my back yard.  I know, it’s kind of sad.  I mean, aren’t there more important things to do than look out the window and watch the wildlife?

This past Christmas I bought Husby the present to end all presents.  Maybe it was because I thought he was the one turning into my grandma.  The gift?  A Squngee squirrel feeder.

Two cobs of field corn attached to a long bungee-type cord, attached to a tree limb.  Our little friends figured it out in no time and have provided us with hours of entertainment, not to mention brazen displays of their private bits.

Hungry squirrel stalks the Squngee. We're not making it difficult for him to get food, we're encouraging its physical fitness through repetitive leaping.

Success! Squirrel grips the cobs of corn while picking off a kernel or two.

As the squirrel hangs and nibbles the Squngee spins. That's where the aforementioned free-shots of the private bits comes in. I got this shot right before it was full-frontal.

A very satisfied squirrel after dismount. I've always been partial to animals that eat with their hands. So refined!

Hours of entertainment in my own backyard.  It’s amazing how I now understand my grandma’s maternal instincts toward the birds at her house.  It’s only a matter of time before I’ll have to excuse myself from functions to make sure the cobs on the Squngee are fresh and full.  But I don’t think I’ll ever stop blushing at the sight of those private bits.  Squirrels, so uninhibited!

What are you doing for entertainment these days?

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Inspired By Insanity

Posted in Craft Business, Everyday, tagged , , on March 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It’s hard to believe I’ve been away from the blog for a whole week.  I didn’t do it on purpose.  Let’s see if I can fill you in on what’s been happening.

1.  Husby and I have been spending a lot of time tending to his dad.  He’s had a rough time of it this past winter, suffering a stroke and a broken hip both within a two-week period.  He had to leave his home and move into a nursing home.  Throughout all of this his existing dementia has gone into further decline.

2.  Visits to the nursing home take a toll, and if that isn’t enough we also paid a visit to the funeral home to make arrangements for his dad, just as a precaution.  Husby is a big believer in being prepared.

3.  Demands of the day job have been pesky, getting in the way of all the things I really want to do.  Sure there’s time after I come home from the day job, but by that time I’m pretty well spent.  I’ve been sitting on half-done printing jobs, cutting jobs, beading jobs, pouring jobs, and writing jobs all week, never quite getting up the energy to complete what I’d like to complete.  The older I get the more that drives me nuts.  Completion is my goal, but the dang day job keeps getting in the way.

4.  In spite of my half-done projects I started a new project this week and guess what, it too is half-done.  But I can hardly wait to unveil it.  For now it’s a secret.  It will make its debut at the Chateau St. Croix Fete Des Fleurs in June, but I’m so excited about it I can hardly breathe.  Oh, all right, I’ll give you a hint ~ this person is my inspiration:

Christopher Walken, all-around insane guy.

No, the project has nothing to do with cowbells.  You’ll just have to wait and see.  I’ll be doing an internet debut too, so if you can’t make it to the Fete Des Fleurs fear not.  You won’t be kept in the dark much longer than those who will see it live and in person.

This weekend I’m going to gather up my gumption again.  There will be lots of completion of projects, a little bit of hanging out with the family for a casual spring break gathering, and catching up on the sleep I lost this past week.

For now, how about just a little more of that Christopher Walken insanity…

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March Madness

Posted in Everyday on March 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Today I’m honoring two people who have a lot in common.  They both dislike March, and the madness associated with it has nothing to do with sports.  They’re both responsible.  They’re both dedicated, prompt, and full of stamina.  They also both celebrate (?) an anniversary in the madness that is March.  Auntie B’s Wax salutes the vocational longevity of Nola and Charlotte.  They’re tough.

Fifty-seven combined years of service. That’s two thousand two hundred-eighty weeks. Man hours? That comes to a total of eighteen thousand two hundred-forty.  Nola and Charlotte have paid their dues, and are still paying.  Their work ethic is astounding, especially considering what they put up with on their jobs day in and day out.

Yes, it’s madness.  March madness.  They both deserve a big, fat vacation.  Or a Section 8 discharge for being crazy enough to endure this long.

Congratulations to you both.  You are indeed two tough MFs.

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