When we bought a 1962 yellow VW van to drive across the country I insisted that we call it “Daffo-down-dilly.”
When I met Linda Werner she had scads of flowers in her yard. She made it a habit to share the first bouquet with someone outside her family. That is a practice that has brought lots of smiles and joy to me, also.
When my husband and I lived in California I was always amazed at how WRONG it was that the daffodils in the Bay Area bloomed in February! That was not spring and just WRONG to this Ohio girl.
He took me to a place called Daffodil Hill. Just lovely flowing fields of daffodils. They would inspire him later in Ohio.
Mr. Kuehner owned farm land on Woodford Road. I think he lived with his sister. I am uncertain if he was still farming the land in front of his house by the time my parents bought that apartment building at 3804 . I do remember my mother once sending me up his driveway to the house (which my friends were certain was haunted) to buy fresh tomatoes from him. There was a well in front of the house. They were pleasant, but I was frightened.
The best part of his property was the creek that flowed along the bottom. It frequently flooded in spring and emptied into a drainage pipe that went under Woodford Road. This was about 1958 and I was allowed to play in that creek in the spring unsupervised. Putting on Totes clear plastic boots over my shoes, I ventured out for an afternoon or two. The memories from that time have lasted a lifetime.
There were some stones in the creek bed that could be moved around to change the course of the flow. The stones also had fossils embedded in them. (I never understood that this was a big deal geologically until I was much older.)
There were also and occasional empty land snail shell embedded in the creek bank. I was enchanted. Grandma Rush used to bring me seashells from her bus trips to Florida. Here I found my own! At the opposite end of the creek there was a huge weeping willow tree where I could get under the golden spring tendrils and hide. Or at least I thought I was hidden! As an adult those willows are majestic, but not really good “cover!”
The rushing water would flatten the grass along the edge of the creek. But the very best part was when the daffodils would bloom. Such lovely golden flowers I had never experienced! And fragrant too! The single large flower of the King Edward was my favorite. Double blooms seemed showy and confused the petals, losing the trumpet.
More daffodils memories to come! They are starting to bloom here ;-D
Traveling recently Bob saw a sign for English Style Fish & Chips. Decided we would go there later that day for lunch. Imagine my surprise when we went to order. Along with the typical choice of how many pieces of fish with those chips the menu offered wonton soup, crispy tofu and potstickers. Typical English Fish & Chips? I don’t think so!
Their on-line presence says: “101 Fish & Chips is a family-owned restaurant has been serving up this British Pub favorite in the tri-city area for over thirty (30) years. They use only the finest ingredients, freshest produce and seafood to provide their customers with the highest quality in flavor.”
Oh, I forgot to mention they also sell Beef Lumpia. I do not even know what that is! The fish was lightly battered and the chips were great.
Betty is dying. Sarah is expecting. Brandon’s twins turned one year old. Life cycles occurring. With or without my attention. Can we tune into the cycles without even being conscious of it?
Evidently, unless we are intentional about being present, many, many details slip our notice and so we can only acknowledge that we missed out on some significant events!
For example, I have a “Little People” plastic toy that sits on a wooden keepsake cabinet. My grandson, who is now 8 years old, approached me once several years ago when we were spending the day together and asked, “Wanna play paaar-ates?” I admit, I had to think for a while about what he asked. I said, “Okay how do we play?” He grabbed a stick and said “This is your sword!” Ah the inspiration from a cartoon about dragoons and pirates!
He has recently emerged from his gun fascination and surfaced long enough to realize there is still fun in board games, Legos and digging in the dirt area we reserved for him. Especially in getting as dirty as possible on any occasion!
With cash bribery he has been determined to learn how to tell time on an analog clock for his Pop and tie his shoes by himself. Bingo!! Done to Pop’s satisfaction and Grandson is $20 richer. Says he only wants to use it for one more piece in the Plants vs. Zombies game. Whatever!
My plastic pirate reminds me to smile at innocence experienced and gone now. But alive in my memory with a tingle of joy!
So I do not know what today brings, but I want to pay attention. To everything. Moment-by-moment. Or I might just miss something too sweet to forget later on! Go play!
Okay I am finished for now, maybe.
dun as in to make repeated and insistent demands upon …
read these puns she dunned
According to Wikipedia ” Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an actor with dual American and British citizenship, who is known for his intense method acting style, often transforming his body drastically for his roles. Bale is the recipient of many awards, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globes, and was featured in the Time 100 list of 2011. “
In the circles I run with this would be more amusing:
My friend Dan keeps me chuckling with his puns. While I have not done that very often, the next few days will be filled with them. Could not resist his lead!
My husband loves tea. He took an entire year to read about tea, buy loose tea leaves, try teas. Now he is trying to use up all his loose tea. Does that make the older leaves “Tea Rex?”
On the other hand I am often crying, “Please! Please! Doesn’t anyone need a nap besides me?”
