A Time to Dream

Happy Birthday, Nicolas

May all your dreams (or most of them) come true.

Rainy Week

No travels or adventures this week, but home is a lovely place to be. The terrible flooding in Louisiana and raging fires in California remind me that I am so fortunate to have a home. 

The brass pine cone and quail pair I once tried to sell at the store booth. So glad I decided to bring them home.

Jackson Jaunt

Great that the weather was fine, traffic was light, and the scenery was pleasing.  Made a drive to Jackson yesterday to have lunch with two friends. I wanted to take pictures of a lovely green barn, a deserted store, unusual houses, etc. But I only managed one picture while stopped on a bridge that's being repaired.

After eating at Carriage House Cafe we stayed to browse the booths.  I liked the name of this one.

One vendor specialized in children's clothes.

Of course, this caught my eye.

Friends, food, conversation, and treasure hunting...what a great combination! 

Back to School

This is the first week of school for the children in our area. Gunner has his freshman year ahead of him, and Nicolas is now a fourth grader. Lucas starts up kindergarten this Wednesday and Friday. Of course, at this time of the year I think of my teaching days and recall students, experiences, and responsibilities. I'm very thankful for my 33 years as a teacher but certainly appreciate retirement. 

The utility room is where I keep some of my school mementos. The antique school bell was a gift one Christmas from T. K., and the stitched school scene was done by my mother.

The jar holds game pieces and magnetic letters from my classroom days.  The stack beside it shows a small collection of children's books. 

This set shows dearly beloved books. I read them many times to my different classes, especially Ellen Tebbits and Caddie Woodlawn.

When I first started collecting old things, this primitive basket was supposed to be for a child's lunch. Whether it truly was or not, I couldn't say, but I do know I have cherished it for a long time. The worn books beside it were offered to me by a former student. They are very old and coming apart.

I will always be a fan of Crayola products.There's nothing like the smell of a new box of crayons.

The poem below is one I would write on the blackboard and have my students copy in their best handwriting on the first day.

                         First Day of School

I wonder  

if my drawing 

will be as good as theirs.

I wonder 

if they'll like me 

or just be full 

of stares. 

I wonder 

if my teacher 

will look like Mom or Gram.

I wonder 

if my puppy

will wonder 

where I am. 

                        -Aileen Fisher 

Special Evening

It was a lovely Saturday night for a celebration. 

Happy to meet Justin's mother and stepfather. Lauren and Justin have been dating for four years, and this engagement party gave us the opportunity to get acquainted.

Subtle Changes

Here I go again changing the placement of objects here at home.

I've had the birdhouse church on top of the hutch for so long it was actually hard to move it. Trying it out on a candlestand that my dad once put together for me.

Same was true about the bear. He's usually sitting on the bed.

My brother was here yesterday for lunch, and we spent the afternoon looking through scrapbooks and photo albums that had belonged to my mother. In one scrapbook we came across this touching bit of the past. I may decide to frame this sweet memento.

Love Ryan's childish art and my mother's handwritten note.

Seeing the old photos of a time period that's long gone was very emotional.
But how I love those black and white pictures from the past! 

I shed tears when I read a letter I had written to my mother when my dad died.
It was among the many sympathy cards she had kept in a scrapbook.

It will take Ron and I several sessions to sort through all that Mother saved. She kept so many mementos, and I tend to do the same. 

Untitled

Hi! Even with the heat I was ready to get out of the house for a couple of hours. My main mission was to find a book for some pleasure reading. However, I ended up with more than a book. Two bracelets from Cato's, two pottery pieces from Goodwill, and numerous Walmart items. Time to go home.

Tonight I am reading my book selection. So far very good.

Looking Backward and Forward

   We spent the last days 
of July in Texas 
in order to be there for Chloe's 3rd birthday party. 

 Sure hated to leave these two sweethearts.

Back home our clothes need washing, and the yard needs mowing. Oh, I already wish for my comfy spot at Les and Pennee's house.

August is here, and we are looking forward to an upcoming date. An engagement party for Lauren and Justin is planned by friends in Memphis.

Before I go, here's a fun sign I found in one of the shops on the square in Celina.

HAPPY MONDAY!