NC Visit 11-30-11



Jerry, the dog, chows down

In just three days, I'll be on my way back home.  I have mixed feelings about that.  On one hand I'm eager to pick up where I left off, back in New York, with renewed enthusiasm; yet I'm feeling quite settled in here and the time has been oh, so short.  Even the dog and cats have welcomed my presence into what is usually their domain while their humans are at work and school.

Jerry and Joey have eaten to their satisfaction

The sunrise was spectacular, followed by what is now a beautifully bright, sunshiney morning.  I can see the reflection of crows in my screen as they fly clumsily back and forth outside the window behind me.  The dog sometimes barks at their intrusion when they choose his yard as their landing pad.  I can't blame him.  Their awkwardness and obnoxious caws can be distracting.  But I must admit -- I kind of like them because of the way I associate them with a "journey's worth" of morning memories.  



Now it's Willy's turn

What shall I do with this day?  That is the question.  I know I will spend part of it working on the blanket that I'm crocheting for Ian.  As I had hoped when I brought it with me, it looks like the timing is going to be just right and it will be finished before I leave.  If not, I had said there were only two other alternatives:  It would either stay here until my next visit or I would pack it up and ship it home to work on since it requires its own piece of luggage.  That was fine for the trip down since I had Allen's extra pair of hands then.  I had all I could do juggling one large piece of luggage along with a shoulder bag and a violin. 

I need to wrap presents, too.  Oh, and I mustn't forget to slice up some oranges later!  Yesterday, Daniel said "It sure will seem funny to come home and not find sliced up oranges waiting for me in a dish."  How sweet is that?  But then...he also said, "Hey Gramma -- since you like to clean, how about if you clean mine and Ian's rooms while we're in school today?"  The little twit.  

NC Visit 11-29-11



Raining out the front door...



Raining out the back door, too...



I was looking at weather listings on my homepage and thought I must not be reading correctly since it is much warmer in Hancock, NY than it is in Hope Mills or Kannapolis, NC.  I'm sure the folks at home are taking advantage with late-in-the-season cookouts and such but I hope they won't mind that I am hoping for a little snow when I get back home. 

I guess I am just one of the diehard "Catskill Mountain folk."  Or, as one nice young man put it, several years ago during an outdoor group gathering : "Dorothy, you're. . .you're just a country girl!"  He meant it as a most sincere compliment and, understanding that, I was very touched by the depth of his perception.  However, spontaneous laughter was the response from all the other students and Cindy nearly rolled down the hill, she was laughing so hard.  It was a fun, lasting moment during a fun day.  I call them "memory moments" or sometimes "God times."  You can't force them to happen but when they do, you can feel them being preserved in time and you know you'll have them forever. . .and they will surface at the most unsuspecting times.  Times such as this when all I wanted to know was the temperature so I would know what to wear.

My journey is filled with "memory moments" and I am grateful. . . . . .

    

NC Visit 11-28-11

Our "light endeavors"

It is Monday morning and a little cloudy.  Ordinarily, the two could be a depressing combination but somewhere along my life's journey I have learned to rejoice in the light of each new day, regardless of the weather's so called dreariness.  While I have no control over the weather, my attitude belongs to no one but me. In other words, if I am "gloomy," it is because I have chosen to be.  Admittedly, there are times when I am weak and I do choose "doom and gloom" and wallow in it for awhile but even then, I realize any change in my attitude must come from within.  During those times, I am so grateful to be blessed with the incredible love of my family and friends. 

Love is Patient. . .

This morning, I am "rattling around" in this big, quiet house while Jenn is at work, the boys are in school and Allen is headed back to work in Philadelphia.  The dog, Jerry, was very happy when I made my appearance earlier but Joey, the cat, not so much -- he thinks I have no business telling him what to do in his own house. 

In the stillness, my heart is warmed by the sentiments of some of the wall hangings:  "Love is Patient, Love is Kind...It Always Protects, Always Trusts, Always Hopes, Always Perseveres" -- "On a farm so long ago...all my fondest memories grow" -- "God doesn't give us what we can handle; God helps us handle what we are given."  The third is a reminder that hangs on a wall in each of our kids' homes (a gift from me to each of them when we lost their father) and I hope it comforts them as it does me.

God doesn't give you. . .



Last night I helped Jenn string more lights and garland on the front porch.  It's nice to be here at this time of year and have the opportunity to share part of the Christmas season with more of my family.  Maybe another time I'll arrange my trip so that I can be here for the Hope Mills Christmas parade, when Jenn's handbell choir rings at the gazebo.

I've been toying with the idea of walking to school later to see her students (and Daniel) rehearse for their play but I'm not sure about that.  It's very tempting since I would welcome a vigorous walk and I can almost see Gallberry Farm School from the upstairs windows.  Trouble is, it's not possible to walk there "as the crow flies" and I don't think the routes in that direction are pedestrian friendly.  Then, add to that the fact that my directional sense leaves much to be desired.  (Ha!  I should have brought my GPS!)  

On a farm so long ago. . .

NC Visit 11-27-11, later. . .



Ready for church



On our way



Here we are



2:00pm. . .

There are often moments of enlightenment that feed your spirit when you follow God's nudges even when you want to try not to acknowledge them.  I cannot describe all that I have felt today.  Let me just say that this morning was one of those times when my soul was fed and my spirit nourished far beyond what I might have anticipated.  With complete clarity, I realized, "I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this moment and not only that, I even know why."  I am so thankful for moments like these!   

NC Visit 11-27-11

6:45am. . .

Day is breaking at Pecan Grove Loop.  I have a real yen for a cup of coffee.  Then. . .get ready for church. Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent. The anticipation begins!  It is my prayer that amid all the commercial glitz, we will all remember, with awe, the reason for the season! 

NC Visit 11-26-11

Saturday. . .chilly this morning, then sunny and warm.  A good day for running errands, going to lunch, doing a little shopping and Jenn had an appointment for a haircut.  It's nice to be able to do Christmas shopping for my NC families while I'm here.  The refurbishing of downtown in old Fayetteville has made it very inviting and quaint.  It reminds me of downtown Oneonta, back home in NY -- except that it's a bit larger.  

More Christmas decorating. . .more music. . .more crocheting. . .then we watched 'A Christmas Carol' (the new version.)  All in all, a pretty nice day.  I'm looking forward to church in the morning where I'll also be thinking of the folks back at Emory, picturing our Hanging of the Greens service, the Memory Tree, and Carmen at the piano.

The days are flying by.  But I guess they do that no matter where I am so I'll just do what I always try to do -- cherish each one and be glad for it. 

NC Visit 11-25-11

No Black Friday shopping for us!  Just a relaxing day. Jenn and Daniel started getting out some of the Christmas decorations while Allen, his dad and Ian went golfing.  I did some crocheting and Jenn and I played music for awhile.  I'm glad I decided to bring my violin. I think I have missed playing.  Later. . .dinner at Cracker Barrel and good-byes to Allen's parents, who were heading back to Florida the next day.  I always enjoy poking around in the "stuff" at Cracker Barrel even if I don't buy anything.  I forgot my camera, though, so...no pictures.