SOOOO MANY YEARS!

2021-02-08T12:39:00.000-05:00

February 2021

What a previous year we had and seems like it may get worse yet. I don't necessarily mean the Pandemic and I hate to sound political but WOW!

So far me and my family have been blessed and very careful of this virus.We do what we can as the instructions say and my grandson in Florida is in school and doing very well. I dont think I have left my house in a year because of this Pandemic and its a good thing for me as I don't really like to visit neighbors or go to bars or even resturants all year. My darling husband does the mask thing and washes his hands a lot as he is my shopper. He does not like to sit and watch movies and has no inside hobbies, so, he goes grocery shopping or doctor visits. I go with him but sit in the car. It is fun to watch people wear masks or forget them and have to go back to their car for the. Is that a little Sadistic?

Oh! Also, I sit because I have back problems and mostly confessing to being lazy. At my age I think I deserve to be lazy.

I felt like I was in a familiar nursing home this past year, my house, and had my own private caretaker, my husband. He is the most wonderful man who never thinks about himself. If you read my other blog about moving to Florida and not liking it too much I am hoping that this year I will. My five children keep in touch to see how these two old people are doing and my two daughters in Florida do visit. One daughter gets checked for Covid before she comes while my other daughter a Nurse has gotten her two shots of vaccine. We are still waiting for appointments on getting our shots. I am so frustrated by that part of this Pandemic.

I am hoping that all this garbage we see on TV is not taken too seriously. Remember it is all Political .

I mean take the bad part of what is going on seriously staying as well as you can but stop with the radical news. ( It gives me indigestion) Yes, I am a Republican and proud of it!!
.

Still, until this disease begins to diminish and we can take off the masks and see faces again as I miss smiles and hugs, just do what you can to stay well.

Colors Abound in Tennessee

2020-09-09T12:55:00.000-04:00

Oh how I miss Tennessee. About this time September 2020 just about the whole state is going Fall colors. Not just the leaves turning colorful but all the decorations.

Each year tourist come up just to see the beautiful colorful mountains. Here I am, moved to Florida and it feels like summer all the time. I miss the seasons in Tennessee and the places to visit. Because of health issues my children in Florida insisted we move closer. I understand that but I was trying to put it off for another five years. Didn't work, they insisted! Funny how you listen to the wishes of your children as you become a senior citizen.

My home there was near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinberg, very touristy and I guess I will be a tourist.

Every home and store and resturant had some sort of Fall decor. Beautiful! It does get crowded even with this Pandemic going on I understand.

I miss you Tennessee!

Always liked Rod Stewart songs

2020-02-08T12:53:00.000-05:00

Here is my Maggie Mae:

If you like Rod Stewart you will know this song of which I named my new dog.
My Boston Terrier left us for doggie heaven just before we left to move to Florida.
Distraught I was I

thought I would never want to go through the death of a pet
but when I saw this pet I just had to have her. She is a min-pinchi. Maggie Mae.

A Writing

2020-02-04T10:57:00.001-05:00

I just came a cross a folder I had of my poetry or poems I have done a few years back.
A bunch of it was for a writing swap on a group I belonged to. I was living in Tennessee and wrote a lot but since my move last year I haven't.

So let me amuse myself and get back to blogging by putting up one of mine.

Cloudy Day

Against a baby blue sky they appear
Clouds, pristine white
Clouds, tinged with gray
Changing shape as they slowly glide by
First, shaped as an elephant, then a dog

Amused, I watch as they float by
Then, suddenly, rain drops
gracing the land below giving needed
nourishment to the earth below

First it comes in droplets that make it
easy to stay and watch
Then a shower of rain, that makes me alert,
but wet.

Clouds, providing water for this parched land
Clouds, giving me a picture show on that
large baby blue screen.

by Diane Yates (me)

"I'm Back"

2019-07-23T09:57:00.000-04:00

I'm back means to me:
I am back living in Florida again. This is a big move for me as I loved Tennessee.
After spending 35 yrs. in Florida before, living in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains was
not only amazing to see the four seasons change and feel the cool breezes (occassionally) between
the trees, the need to move BACK to Florida was necessary, so my adult children advised, because
they feared we were getting old. HA! We are!

After 12 yrs. in Tennessee and many request to move South, I gave in. It was not that I wanted to move, but the three out of five children wanted us to be close enough should we need help.
Yes, my husband has a heart condition and me, I'm just getting old 84 this September having arthritis problems. My Children seem to become the parent while I return with my husband to childhood, knowing what is best for us.

My Garden

My Birds and the Mountains

I did feel we had a few years yet to need help from them to do what ever was necessary. Fear my husband's illness would take him away from me and I would be alone was more of a concern I think.

Well, we are here now in hot, hot Florida. Then again it has been hot, hot all over the country.
I am just beginning my 9 month here and I still miss my mountains but I do get to see my children and theirs more often. As a famous journalist once said or maybe more than once "There is more to the Story".

Mirror, Mirror

2018-08-09T13:03:00.002-04:00

A Fairy Tale of sorts.

I believe there are a lot of my “sisters” who are over 70 who could write this slight fantasy also. However, being in my 80’s I owe it to myself to mention this mirror first.

I needed a hair cut, not styled, just trimmed. I wait usually two months before making an appointment. As I walk-in the receptionist remarked “I Remember the face Mam, but not your name-?” Probably because I do not like being out of my own comfort zone.

Now, to get to the Magic Mirror part.

Got my hair washed, using white hair shampoo. Then cut,blowing it dry, a little tease all this done with my back towards the mirror.

“Well, all done” as she turned the chair for me to approve her work.

I can honestly say I was pleased! I looked good.! Maybe even younger. It had to be magic!

. Tell you why!.

When I got home I wanted to take a selfie and send it to my adult children. My new haircut.

My IPhone is ready for me to take my"selfie" . Well, it turned out that I looked like an old lady 👵🏼 ... me! No change, same face. Hair did not do anything different. Very disappointed!

Really, I believe they spray an age reducer on those mirrors for us oldies. I say this because my bathroom mirror never lies either do selfie ‘s. Its the real me.

I think I will go more often to the same Salon to get my hair trimmed, with same hairstylist just to

look in their Magic Mirror.

Maybe a facial even!

Got a facial after all and same face!

Hummm!

Summer - Hot -

2018-07-16T12:46:00.000-04:00

Summer is not my favorite season. It was when I was school age being the end of the school year and fun time in the neighborhood. Now. at this age I'm at I find the weather too hot for playing outside with the neighbors. In fact, no one is outside in this neighborhood of reitrees, too hot!

Do enjoy the flowers and trees in bloom all summer but maybe I am a little weird for the next season I love to see the colors in the leaves as they start to change in the trees and fall into a pile on the ground likes pretty skirts of color.

I also like the Winter as the trees become bare and the shapes of the branches make for designs you can't see when covered in summer green leaves. You see a'lot more through those dark branches. Homes and barns and abandoned buildings you didn't even know
were there.

SNOW, which I am sure a lot of Northern friends find trouble with but here I only see snow laying on the branches like decorations or a 2 inch cover on the sidewalk. This is in Eastern Tennessee I am at.

I was thinking that since I was born the end of September, that may be a reason I love Autumn or Fall (call it either).

Now for me, I am a bit of a recluse. I love my home and most of my "doings" are either at my crafting or writing. I even prefer to write letters than telephone. Age has a few limitations also for me at least and I envy those that get up an go. Having the ablity to FACETIME my five adult kids and their kids is a blessing since we all live in different places. So for us older folks having an IPAD or IPHone and not being afraid to use it can be a plus for us. My feelings regarding Iphones for the much younger set and how they use it is a little different though.

I will just stay in the aircondition

during the HOT summer days and keep hoping for Autumn or Fall to arrive, then my Winter and hopefully it begins all over again as Spring.

November 2017 Autumn

2017-12-01T12:43:00.001-05:00

It has been awhile since I had something to write about but I will now:

Took a trip to Florida for three weeks to visit my friends,my son, my sister-in-law and my two lovely daughters. It was a whir-wind with our RV in tow. Finally resting in Lutz Florida to await Thanksgiving Celebration.

It was a lovely, delicious Thanksgiving at my sweet daughter Valerie's home with a visit for the first time from my new Great-grandson "Tripp". His mother and father from Texas and my son and daughter-in-law Jennifer Rothschild. Had the luck of my grandson from college there too, Connor. What a wonderful visit all day on Friday. I am showing a photo of all of us which includes grandson Matt, grandson Jag, son-in-law Robbie. Did I miss anyone? Yes, son and daughter-in-law David and wife Hilda from Louisiana and daughter Cindi from Pensacola.

There were four generations together for first time and I fully enjoyed being the "Queen Mother" as shown in photo also. I had tears of joy when they arrived and tear of sadness to "Tripp" leave.

Family minus a few not able to join us, but missed.

The next day we started for home in Tennessee. The traffic was horrendous for those traveling North to South but our South to North was a breeze and watching along the Interstate the trees changing color the nearer we got to our destination. You see, Autumn and Winter, I love these seasons, with Spring coming in as third. We were glad to be home! Be it ever so humble.

Hot Summer!

2017-08-11T12:56:00.004-04:00

This has been awfully hot for East Tennessee this year but has just started to let up this week but still too hot.
This of course, has led me to stay inside air-conditioning or fans about but even so being cooled I found myself to be lazy and my thinking shut down as far as crafting or writing goes. However, to try to keep my brain alert I started doing puzzles. First on my IPhone but then and now with puzzles done at the table.

I started with a 1000 piece puzzles titled The 1980's. Wow! Never again, it took me forever.
My dear husband tried to help and we finally got it finished with one piece missing. Get that! 1 ONE piece missing. I called the manufacturer who said he was sorry and would send another. I said "Not the same one please, not 1000 pc." I picked out of their catalogue a 450 piece and it went nicely and took about a week to complete, maybe 10 hrs. Then another one for 300 pcs, a breeze but not challenging enough so now we are doing a 500 piece old time photo puzzle. This one taking longer even with the help of dear husband. Being retired and hot outside this gave us something to do other than cleaning the house. YAY! We are hooked!

My memories started to flow back also. I remember my parents having a cardboard table set up and a puzzle on it all the time. See, I forgot about that until we finished our puzzles. It must bring alive nostalgic moments. If only it could help my literary sense.

One exciting thing! I became a Great Grandma to a beautiful (we all say that) baby boy. His name if Phillip Clayton Rothschild III. That's because my son is the first, his son the second with same name.
I suggested, at least I think it was me, when they sent me a video to tell me they were preggie I suggested that they think of calling him by TRIPP. Triple Phillips for the P and Trip for triple.
Aren't I creative? At least I hope it was my creativeness. If it wasn't my idea I am sorry but I am getting older by the minute as I either said it to them or heard it from them. I just love this little guy and I hope I am allowed to live to see him at the very least go to first grade.

Now, I haven't blogged in awhile so here it is. Hopefully the next blog with be about rving in our camper to some interesting place. WELCOME FALL!!! I MEAN AUTUMN .

Dust, Colllections and Aging

2017-02-07T14:57:00.001-05:00

I would like to be 40 and know what I know at 80+.

You never can imagine what being 80 plus would be like when you are 40. Even if you still had parents living near you where

you could see the changes as they age, you just don't believe it happens to you.

The things that happen as you age when you are 50 or 60 don't seem too different except your children are older, your parents

may have passed and there are those parents who need care. You just don't see that in your head happening to you.

Then unexpectedly as you get to be 70 you noticed a difference in your thinking, walking or your desires.

At least I did at 70. I started seeing a doctor more as Medicare creeped in at 65.

I kept on asking my doctor what I should expect physically right now as I was never this age before. The Doc being in her 30's or 40's

had no answer because she was not there yet.

Enter a geriatric doctor, who of course is also younger than 70 but I feel maybe her studies in that field of aging gave her

more insight. Good idea but hard to find one or not taking any new patients. Seems my generation feels same as me and

still quite a few of us around. I would like to be 40 and know what I know what I do at 80+.

You never think about or imagine what being 80 plus would be like when you are 40. Even if you still had parents living near you

where you could see the changes as they age, you just don't believe it will happen to you.

Changes that happen as you age when you are 50 or 60 don't seem too different except your children are older, your parents

may have passed and there are those parents who need care. It’s not something you dwell on at that age.

I like to collect. I have done that for 30 yrs. I collect all kinds of things that I finally sold (thank you eBay), as our circumstances changed.

Once again I began a new phase of collecting, that of which I picture below.

Now I look around at what seems like dust collectors.

These collectibles, which use to give me pleasure to look for and "collect", still give me pleasure in my home. I started to put away for whatever,

my trinket boxes and my glass balls. Put away I mean, boxed up and labeled for the "whatever". Into the garage they went.

No, I don’t consider myself as a hoarder, just have an eye for lovely things.

I still have to deal with my miniature tea sets, pie birds, Harmony House collection, and Cats Meow's each set holding a memory for me.

I also have my breakfast room, called a Bird Room, filled with wall

pocket birds. Almost forgot to list those because they will always stay.

I hate dust!! I hate the fact that I have arthritis! Both intersect with each other as my arthritis of aging makes it difficult dusting.

When collecting years ago I never thought about upkeep of collecting things.

So, let those who are in their 30's or more know what it is like to be 80 plus from me. Be thoughtful of that body as it will reach a time when “ things” occur to it.

Now in my 80's I spend time watching my birds at a bird feeder while I sit, meditate and wonder "what's next".

I like to collect. I have done that for 30 yrs . All kinds of collections not even mentioned before, some I had already sold (thank you eBay),some I still have. Now I look around at what

To me became dust collectors. Dust, I do not like to collect.

These collectibles, which use to give me pleasure to look for and "collect", still some give me pleasure in my home.

Cats Meow - Places we visited

Harmony House

Miniature Tea Sets

Bird Pockets/etc

Although I started to put away, for whatever ,in my garage,

my trinket boxes and my glass balls. Put away I mean, boxed up and labeled for the "whatever". Sent to garage for a vacation.

I still have to deal with my miniature tea sets, pie birds, Harmony House collection, and Cats Meow's each set holding a memory for me.

I also have my breakfast room, called a Bird Room, filled with wall pocket birds. Almost forgot to list those because they will always stay.

I hate dust!! I hate the fact that I have arthritis! Both intersect with each other as my arthritis of aging makes it difficult dusting.

When collecting years before I never thought about upkeep of collecting.

Maybe hiring a cleaning lady a good idea?

Ending of 2016/Begin 2017

2017-01-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

Need to tell you all about my New Year's Eve. I bet a lot of you had a wonderful time watching New York drop the ball. Well, I was in bed.

My granddaughter decided to get married on New Years Eve so her " to be husband", now a husband, would never forget their anniversary. However, most of my family lived out of D.C. and had to fly in from Florida, Missouri, Louisiana and DH and I drove with our dog Katie from Tennessee and we were all worried about flight changes, snow etc. but it worked out well and we all got there.

We stayed at a lovely hotel and used Uber (first time) for going places except my daughter, mother o the bride, made sure we had things to do. She hired a trolley to take us to and fro the Victorian house that grand got married in and buses to take over 100 attendees back and forth to their hotels. Parking and places hard to find and parking areas outrageous to pay for. Frugal Me!
The wedding was lovely but I had to walk down the aisle limping in my gown as I am having knee problems. No big deal as they were all waiting for the bride.

It was not your conventional wedding as her Dad past away a couple years back and she didn't want anyone else to take his place. No bridesmaid but her dog Harriett all decked out in a wreath of flowers walked in front of her to where the fireplace lit up with candles and her to be husband stood. Amazing how this dog knew she was to sit next to the bride and just look up at her and the groom the whole time. I think Harriet, the French bulldog, was an amazing idea and behaved so well.

The reception was amazing as it was in the same Victorian house and each room had a different menu. You could have, vegetarian, Asian, American sliders, and two others I never got to. Then the eating area with tables dressed with candles and flowers filled the largest room in the house.

Dancing and champagne tower I missed as I had enough of the DJ music. Going into a less inhabited room on the first floor where my DH decided to have a glass of wine in a quiet area for awhile. Then from 6:00 till 10:00 we knew our legs and feet had it so we took one of the bus shuttles back to the hotel. (which was like a new greyhound bus).
Besides our little Katie (dog) was alone in the room and I felt sorry for her.

We were in D.C. with all five of my children (adults) for those days plus a couple before to get makeup and hair done (not my idea), and to help if needed. New Years Day dear husband and I and Katie left for home. It was to me a great reunion with my five adult children which all together does not happen that often.

Grandfather(DH), Groom, Bride, Mother and Grandmother (me)

Wanted A Lap Dog.....Got Her!

2016-12-05T11:30:00.003-05:00

This is my second Boston Terrier. First one was Petie who is now in dog heaven
This one is Katie who will be 8 this year. I wrote about her in this poem as a birthday present
to her, Happy Birthday Katie Dog.

Katie Dog

She keeps me still, she keeps me quiet, she sits upon
my lap.
She follows me where ever I go,
Upon my bed as I take a nap.

I know how much she loves me. and its
easy to give back.
She listens to my every word, as if to understand,
I am sure she really does, for she is truly,
this " Woman's best friend."

Empty Nesters!

2016-12-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

December 1st, We started putting up Christmas decorations around the house outside first.
As I started replacing the wreaths of Fall I had up and noticing the leaves falling from our trees, creating spaces in between, I could see bird nests. Empty!

I have photos of birds buiding in these nests and of their babies hatching and growing feathers.
I watched as they tried to fly out on their own, mama bird watching. It gave me thought of what some of us have also watched but not necessarily birds. Yes, I am a bird person!

Thoughts of Empty Nesters came to my mind. Isn't that what we are sometimes called. Empty Nesters, children flew the nest.

We make our homes welcoming to our babies.
We watch and nurture them every day. Like birds in nests, we keep them warm, feed and hopefullly instructed as to how to behave. I saw how the Mama and Papa bird would bring their babies something to eat, lean on them to keep them warm and when time came instructed them on how to fly.

They do eventually fly out of those nests that once rested on my summer wreaths or in the corner of a roof or in the bow of a tree. That is what I feel is an Empty Nester. We as parents become Empty Nesters too. Our babies become adults, get their wings and start to fly out of the Nest we made for them. Some come home to roost, some to visit from time to time but still not the same as keeping them close by.

Those nests around my home are either gone or just waiting for Spring to be occupied once again. Then once again the birds, some the same ones, will be setting up their home and I'll be watching.
Just as ours, will always find their way to their home.

Just like my little birds have flown.

Finally! My Season

2016-10-25T18:15:00.001-04:00

The weather is starting to change
The colors I always wait for each season have
started to show their beauty.

Some trees have already turned to gold and yellow,
deep red on the top of their branches and some the
entire tree

It seems late this year, this turning
or maybe I am just anxious for hot
weather to leave

I still have the rest of this season to
enjoy, even when snow will appear

A glowing fireplace, cup of hot chocolate
snuggling beneath a soft blanket, my pup on my lap
That is all I need to relish the cold winter days.

Note: That black spot under the tree is our neighbors
pet goat.

As it Was.....

2016-09-25T10:02:00.002-04:00

Children of the 30s & 40s The Last Ones -- A Short Memoir

Born in the 1930s and early 40s, we exist as a very special age cohort. We are the last ones. We are the last, climbing out of the depression, who can remember the winds of war and the war itself with fathers and uncles going off. We are the last to remember ration books for everything from sugar to shoes to stoves. We saved tin foil and poured fat into tin cans. We saw cars up on blocks because tires weren't available. My mother delivered milk in a horse drawn cart.

We are the last to hear Roosevelt's radio assurances and to see gold stars in the front windows of our grieving neighbors. We can also remember the parades on August 15, 1945; VJ Day.

We saw the boys home from the war build their Cape Cod style houses, pouring the cellar, tar papering it over and living there until they could afford the time and money to build it out.

We are the last who spent childhood without television; instead imagining what we heard on the radio. As we all like to brag, with no TV, we spent our childhood playing outside until the street lights came on. We did play outside and we did play on our own. There was no little league.

The lack of television in our early years meant, for most of us, that we had little real understanding of what the world was like. Our Saturday afternoons, if at the movies, gave us newsreels of the war and the holocaust sandwiched in between westerns and cartoons. Newspapers and magazines were written for results. We are the last who had to find out for ourselves.

As we grew up, the country was exploding with growth. The G.I. Bill gave returning veterans the means to get an education and spurred colleges to grow. VA loans fanned a housing boom. Pent up demand coupled with new installment payment plans put factories to work. New highways would bring jobs and mobility. The veterans joined civic clubs and became active in politics. In the late 40s and early 50s the country seemed to lie in the embrace of brisk but quiet order as it gave birth to its new middle class. Our parents understandably became absorbed with their own new lives. They were free from the confines of the depression and the war. They threw themselves into exploring opportunities they had never imagined.

We weren't neglected but we weren't today's all-consuming family focus. They were glad we played by ourselves until the street lights came on. They were busy discovering the post war world.

Most of us had no life plan, but with the unexpected virtue of ignorance and an economic rising tide we simply stepped into the world and went to find out. We entered a world of overflowing plenty and opportunity; a world where we were welcomed. Based on our naive belief that there was more where this came from, we shaped life as we went.

We enjoyed a luxury; we felt secure in our future. Of course, just as today, not all Americans shared in this experience. Depression poverty was deep rooted. Polio was still a crippler. The Korean War was a dark presage in the early 50s and by mid-decade school children were ducking under desks. China became Red China. Eisenhower sent the first "advisors" to Vietnam. Castro set up camp in Cuba and Khrushchev came to power.

We are the last to experience an interlude when there were no existential threats to our homeland. We came of age in the late 40s and early 50s.The war was over and the cold war, terrorism, climate change, technological upheaval and perpetual economic insecurity had yet to haunt life with insistent unease.

Only we can remember both a time of apocalyptic war and a time when our world was secure and full of bright promise and plenty. We experienced both.

We grew up at the best possible time, a time when the world was getting better not worse.

"We are the "last ones."

Author unknown

This is not written by me but it is a reflection or memory of those days to me.

Gracefully becoming a Queen

2016-09-21T14:37:00.001-04:00

To grow old gracefully. What does that really mean?

. When I think of that saying I think of the Queen of England. Possibly she is growing old gracefully who knows. She certainly looks it! I thought that I would do that. To me "growing old gracefully" meant that I was going to try to fight growing old, by being graceful about it. How do you do that?

I should've thought about that when I was about 20 years old. When I was 20 I was getting married and then started having children and didn't think about getting old. My generation was more about starting a career or a family. Nothing on TV about exercising or diets or healthy foods to prepare. Heck all the TV ads were for cigarettes. Possibly if 60 yrs ago there was a lot of what we see now on tv with all kinds of meds and creams and workout tapes and on and on, I would not today at 81 be overweight, have wrinkles, arthritis and sometimes wonder what day it is. At least would have tried
maybe back then.

Growing old gracefully is definitely not for the old people. We don't like it, we don't want it, but what is the alternative. How many times have people my age said that? The Golden Years, just love that.

No, I must admit there are many elders,(hate the word "old people") unlike me who are doing more. They are going out more, joining gyms, joining clubs, volunteering going on walks, or just walking to the mailbox, getting involved. Great! Cheers!

Some people who are way over the age of getting Social Security, have to take medial jobs just to live. We are all not healthy beings and some look like they should be home being graceful.

I envy those who you see in the videos dancing or doing exercise routines or can bend their legs over their heads and do all kinds of mobile stuff at 90 yrs old, but that's not me. I wish my adult children understood that. IT IS NOT ME!

Me, I'm a sitter. I love to watch movies on the TV. I love to do artwork in my journals. I do Crafts, write blogs, poetry and make up stories and this is all done in the sitting position. I am not afraid of the computer or the internet.

So my point is, about growing old gracefully, I am my own Queen of England. You may not see me out and about, you may not see me taking walks, but my own luxury of being graceful is exactly what I'm doing now. Doing what I want to do and at my speed.

If you are over 70 try to be as graceful as you can but at your speed, because you may be a little slower later on. Then again, maybe not.

Excuse me, the mail just came, got to WAlk to the mailbox.

An Idea from the Heart!

2016-09-05T11:34:00.001-04:00

This post is for those who are still fortunate enough to have mothers and fathers or sisters or brothers or relatives of any kind still with us. If so, you are very lucky, as most of my relatives have passed. This does sound like kind of a sad sort of a Blog entry.
I would like to relate something to those of you who have the presence of senior family members available to you.

To Begin With:
I have done a lot of journaling, diaries, writings. I started late in life and I envy those who have diaries or journals from when they were 10 years old and continued on for years. I didn't, not until I was retired and older. I guess I started journaling in my 50s and I am still doing it. Recollections of the past are a little harder as you age. My five children will probably have about 12 filled journal books to read, not too interesting but may be a little insight of their mom.

I bring this up in my blog because just recently I had a wonderful
visit from one of my sons. The fourth of my five children here for a visit. We started talking as we drank our coffee on the back deck. He was very interested in my life as a youngster. He even set up his iPad to record as he interviewed me on different things that occurred during my years before he was even born. It was kind of nice to answer his questions as a brought back a lot of childhood memories of my mother and father and best friends I had, most of who are no longer here for me to reminisce with.

I just wanted my readers of this blog who may have still the opportunity to do the same as he did, to find out what their parents or their grandparents had to say about their youth and maybe you will have an insight of them and can hand that down to your children. .

It was a lovely time I spent answering questions he had, telling him and recording the good times and the bad times of my youth. It did make me think of why I never ask questions to my parents or my siblings, who were older than me , about family life back in the 40s, the 50s, 60s with them since I was the youngest of 3 girls. Some one older always knows more than I did growing up.

I do believe writing journals or diaries about your life when you're maybe 11 years old if great. I wish I had done the same but what child really thinks about doing that especiallly now. I was more into collecting MovieStar autographs back in the 40's and 50's. That my dear readers is a whole story by itself.

What has been very popular for awhile now, are the Ancestry websites. Researching on websites available but don't miss out on what is already there for you if you're lucky enough to have some one who witness those times too. The next generation may not be interested in blogs or journals or scrapbooking,that are the rage now but back in the 50's and being a parent of 5, working at a job for 30 plus years made personal time a luxury.

On Mother's Day a couple years ago I received a beautiful box from same son. Inside it were slips of paper and my first thought was why is he sending me slips of paper.? I opened up this beautiful box and saw many slips of folded paper, written on that started out with "Thank you Mom for..." There were a lot of strips of paper folded up , many of the things he wrote brought back memories, to me also. I wish I had done that for my Mother.

So, if you have a mom or dad that are still with you, I would make a suggestion you try to do the same thing as my son did. Take time to sit down and ask questions before they are no longer with you. Then make a thank you box unexpectedly to send to them or even a thankful box sent to a close friend . Quite an unexpected and wonderful gift:

THANK YOU PHIL!

Mother's Day Part 3 The End

2016-06-04T10:27:00.002-04:00

Well, I was hoping to get more interesting photos in case you were intrigued in my birds in the nest, now some are birds on the wire.

We have been watching our Robins nest like awaiting the birth of one of my grandchildren. Yes, I know that is extreme but I do have a good imagination.

We have had an accident with one baby Robin. It fell and after putting it back in the nest apparently it did not go well and Momma took it away. So now she had two left and they did very well.

They got their wings. Still not leaving, as Mom was eager to get them fed, strong, and out flying.
One day this week I noticed only one full grown was left but still Mom came back and fed it but was determined to get it flying like its sibling. Didn't see the one who flew the cuckoos nest but this one was a little to frightened yet.

Next three days sitting on the edge of nest, flapping wings not ready yet. Then yesterday DH tapped the nest and she/he flew off. Empty nest now!

However, a serious storm arrived and swept off the other bird nest from a hanging basket and it landed on the bottom deck. One bird was dead but the other two must have flown away as this nest was also empty. Hopefully that is what happen as they had their feathers and looked ready for them to hit the road, that is not a pun.

Robins Nest Used Up! So neat too.
But before I end this saga of Mothers, here is a new set of birds in our Cherry Tree.

Mother's Day Part 2

2016-05-26T17:25:00.002-04:00

We are waiting for our three wrens in the nest on our back porch to get a little bit older but here are photos of our Robin's nest and their two little ones. One fell out, DH put it back in nest but it must have died as it is no longer there and the Mom thought it best to take it away from the two she had. I bet that was very hard to do for her.

This is the Robin Family.
Here is the Wren Family.

Notice one is taking its time, probably a male. They now have feathers on but Momma is camera shy so we let her be.

There is something amazing of Mother Nature as now the sun is really getting hot and she still sits on top of them. My DH put an umbrella over it to keep as much sun out and she found them and back in the nest. Good Husband.

Tomorrow is Mother'sDay

2016-05-07T13:47:00.004-04:00

I believe I am the only bird watcher (breeder of) wild birds in our small neighborhood. I bet some call me The Bird Lady.

Being that tomorrow is Mother's Day which should be everyday I feel, only the retailers really love the weekend. I do also as I am the proud Mom of five adult children. "Phew"!

However, to get back to the birds, as we were walking around yard with hubby, we spotted a lot of darting here and there of birds. Now I know we did put up a lot of bird houses but for some reasons certain birds do not like handmade bird houses of wood, plastic tubing and funny faces with an open mouth. That must scare them half to death.

We put up a large Lion (fake) head on the deck wall for years. This time a Robin decided it needed a hat so a hat it got. Made of nest. This lion head is not real of course but a favorite of mine as one of my daughters is Leo being an August babe. So, off it went without any eggs in it yet, I must add.

However, today as we went pass my wreath next to our front door, there was that Robin but this time delivered, so she is now a Mom.Two beautiful blue sky eggs. Now, it stays there till they emerge and become another generation. So, I thought I would try to see this brother and sister arrive, get fed and finally fly away. I try to document their emergence with photos. Here I have the first of two photos taken three different days, maybe more than three. Looks like room for more.

The nest: (Empty)

The 2 in nest:

Going out on the deck for a morning coffee I spotted a sparrow flitting around one of my hanging lantana baskets. Much to my surprise, another nest and another mother to celebrate the day, in my Lantana basket.

Another nest:

So, on this Mother's Day weekend here are two new mothers I know about. I havent checked the other baskets yet.

Here are two Mothers, no longer here to wish a Happy Mothers Day to in person, but will always remember their goodness to me and the love they gave. My Mother, Hazel and my husband's Mother Thelma.

Have a really good Day all you dear Mothers wherever you are on this earth or beyond.

I share:

My Mom Hazel born 1901 - 1988
Hubby's Mom Thelma born 1910 -2006

My Lap Dog

2016-04-12T12:56:00.003-04:00

This is my second Boston Terrier.
The first one was Petie who passed after 16 yrs.
Now I have Katie another Boston Terrier who
will be 8 this year with us. So to celebrate her
Birthday I tried to create a poem.

More than Just A Lap Dog

She keeps me still, she keeps me quiet as she sits upon my lap
She follows me where ever I go, even my bed when I take a nap.
I know how much she loves me, and it is easy to return it back

She listens to my every word. I tried to listen to hers, a whimper,
a growl, a bark or a look, she makes me understand.

This love she gives me is comforting I know she understands
for my lap would grow much colder without her
Katie, my comforting pet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kate

You Turkey!

2016-04-02T10:19:00.001-04:00

Taking a look about our community on a beautiful Spring day, my husband spotted turkeys. Now, it certainly must be Spring, even though the weather has been somewhat erratic, as these turkeys were gobbling about. Notice the plumage on that big turkey. Yes, that is the male. He is getting ready to find himself a female to mate with, just like the birds are building nests. It is that time of season. So, I thought it was just like this turkey to show off and find his female. I enjoyed these photos so hope you do too.

Boy, are they in for a surprise come Fall season!

Awakening Site

2016-02-12T13:12:00.000-05:00

A surprise this morning upon wakening
Pulled open the drapes
Snow is falling!

Why not? It is Winter here in Tennesse
Just a surprise that is all
No weather report last night to say

Snowflakes were larger than normal,
Unbelievable that each snowflake can be different.
Falling into the warm street they melt
Still roof tops and yards getting whiter by the minute

Red Cardinals seeking the feeders
They linger in the trees so bare
Calling to their females to gather
He sees the feeders at last

Snow still falling, landing like a blanket
Pristine and white
as far as I can see
From my bedroom window its a welcoming sight to me.

Window Watch

2016-01-18T15:52:00.001-05:00

A Picture Window

Very cold today. But I stay inside cuddled up in the chair with a blanket and my dog, watching the birds outside trying to keep warm by eating out of all the three feeders I have out there.

This reminds me of another picture window. Many times Dave and I would go to Maryville from home and drive up 4 11.

There was a house facing the road, a very neat, nice home . Every time we went by I would look out at this house towards their large front window. I could see a hospital bed and somebody elderly laying in that bed, not looking out of the window, just quietly laying there.

l would tried to wave, hoping that this person would look my way but never did. Every time we pass over the period of months maybe a year or two it was the same thing. I was just wishing that someday that man or woman would turn their head see me and waved back. That never happened!

Recently, we drove past that same house. I noticed there is no person laying in the bed looking out the front window just the back end of the couch or sofa appearing now.

That big picture window would overlook a porch which would have potted plants and out further, bushes where I am sure birds would be flitting about. Now the drapes are drawn, the shades are pulled down on that same picture window and on the front porch instead of potted flowers there are different kinds of sitting chairs and kids toys, so different.

A regret I have, that I never took the initiative to walk up to that house, ring the doorbell, and ask if I could come visit whoever that was laying in bed by the front picture window. Years ago that would've been the thing to do but now people are so frightened of anybody who rang the doorbell or knocked on the door for fear it might be Intrepid and that did cross my mind.

I have heard people on TV or even people I know or meet that say they have their no regrets. I think it would be wonderful if you could leave this earth without any regrets . We all have them whether they be small ones or big ones and I know I probably have some of both. That person in the window, never know to each other, will never know a stranger cared.

Yes, Happy New Year!

2016-01-15T10:36:00.002-05:00

The New Year begins:

I was surprised that I have been able to have 80 years of saying Happy New Year, well, at least the years I was able to know what the sayings Happy New Year meant and able to say it.

The end of 2015, December, was very gratifying to me. Mainly because I got to take a trip to Florida to see my children, grandchildren, relatives, old friends. It does get tiring hopping from one place to another, they live in different cities, but gratifying to see their faces and spend time with them all.
I was glad after three weeks to get home though. There is no place like home! as Dorothy said.

We just bought a new camper and this was her maiden voyage. We have had campers for years. all size campers, but this small one was the most coziest and comfortable to be in and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You see, I do not like to put anyone out by staying in their homes. As a youngster living at home, my parents never visited relatives for more than a day. The only time I remember staying in someone's home was when I was eleven. There was a beach house my mother, father, and sister and I stayed at for a week. It was because my father was a house painter and his friend offered the home to us while Dad did the work of painting it. That does not count.

I didnt make any New Year's Resolutions. I always forget about them by March anyway. You know the ones, lose weight, exercise, join some art clubs, etc.This year I have noticed on Facebook and several other websites that we are asked now to pick a word that will reflect your attitude towards 2016. I picked the work BRAVE. I feel that at my age now I must be brave enough to accept my future of maybe getting weaker, not being able to do some things because of aches and pains.
Maybe, losing some old time friends. Politics in 2016, as it ends scares me. I just felt that I heard the words Be Brave Diane as I read what others were using for their word of the year and Brave just fit me.
I will try! So pick a word for 2016.

In Savannah, Georgia State Park