1. We have an old plastic dish from a Chick-Fil-A promotion (circa 1990ish) that states "YOU are special." One of Mike's high school buddies (circa 2001ish) was dancing around our kitchen proclaiming how special he was because he was eating off of the "YOU are special plate." Mike didn't miss a beat when he said, "You are special because you are eating off the dog dish." That old dish is still used for feeding the pets-- and giving me a wonderful memory whenever I look at it. That was funny then -- it still is funny now.
2. I was out taking pictures of the flowers the other day before the rains. Flowers, and birds, and butterflies are just like God's little gifts to us. I am convinced that anything we can do to help our bees, butterflies, insects, and birds enjoy their time on earth is a good thing. Butterflies are like flying flowers.
3. Anna (18 months) talks-- a lot.....I just don't understand her. "A-ba" is a go to for many things. She has been calling Mary Michael "Dough-Da" and Sally "Yeah Yeah". "Mamamamamamammana" is very distinct. "Dada" is clear and precise. "Nana" makes my heart melt. BUT what I really like how she uses sign language. The funniest one is when she slaps her thigh to get one of us to "come." That is the universal dog signal that her mom uses for Samson, their gigantic, black rescue dog. Anna doesn't miss a beat.
4. I have no problems wearing a mask. I pretend like I am invisible. My lipstick use has gone way down.
5. I am thinking of writing a book entitled, "Shit that Parents Shouldn't Need to Tell their Kids." My fact for today is "don't take a dog to a swimming pool or a funeral." I am not talking about a legit therapy dog. I am talking about the family pet that might .....well, the Weaver animals aren't the best behaved in the group. (I know, I know...they have plenty of personality.). Don't even ask why! True stories. Thank goodness it wasn't one of my biological kids. Molly, Dan-- don't take dogs to the swimming pool or to a funeral. If you have a tidbit of things that society might have forgotten to teach young adults, let me know. This should be hilarious.
6. The afternoon rains are terrific in my book. My plants are enjoying them even more. God does a great job of watering.
7. Because I am trying to be fancy, I put pine straw around my shrubs and flower beds. It looks great for about 5 hours. Then, the pets think that this is a special place to go to the bathroom. No lie. There's acres of woods and my animals like the flower beds. Humble pie is served daily around this place. See number 5 about the Weaver pets.
8. I started watching the Waltons last week. Each weekday afternoon, John Boy and Company are on the tv for two hours. (I have started recording them. I don't sit like a bump on a log for two hours....okay, most afternoons I don't watch for two hours). The Waltons have a special place in my heart..I watched them every middle of the night for the years between 1986 and 1988. I am enjoying them the second time around.
9. My summer reading program has kind of started. I am learning how to use audio books and e-books that I check out from the public library. I have not selected an author yet (for most of my life, I select an author and read all their books from Memorial Day to Labor Day.) (Yes, sometimes it extends past Labor Day but I have gotten to read lots of great authors.) Sheryl Wood, the author of the Sweet Magnolia series, is a front runner this year. So is Elin Hilderbrand....I am reading Golden Girl right now. Elin Hilderbrand won-- I'm enjoying her stories of Nantucket.
10. I look and listen for Mr. Biggles each morning when I come downstairs. Bigs always greeted me with this MEOW signifying that obviously I had forgotten that he hadn't had any fresh food or water for at least eight hours....and I sure needed to get him fed before I got a cup of coffee or really opened up my eyes. We have had at least one cat since 1975...Bigs was unique. He was the nicest cat I've ever known. Each morning I look for him before I'm really awake. I do miss him. He was a tuxedo cat with a top hat personality.
11. Italy vs. England soccer is on my mind. I enjoy the spirit of the Europeans. Go Italy!
