strange day
Today was a very strange roller coaster day. My Mom's next door neighbor is letting her home go back to the bank, since she can no longer live alone and can't sell it or continue to make the payments. She has lived there for more years than I can remember. When our extended family first came to visit Island Grove (in the early 60's), she was living here. I watched the effect my Mom's friendship had on her over the years. This lady who would never eat in front of anyone, actually came to our house to eat. She has for the last 15 years made her money by buying things at yard sales and auctions and reselling it at her own yard sales.
This weekend she is having a massive yard sale of nearly everything she owns. Mom and I helped watch the items in the various rooms off and on today while she sat in one room and took money. Her daughter packed and carried items out for people. Sitting there and wandering the rooms allowed me far too much time to think. Steve used to love her yard sales. He would go each day, in fact sometimes several times in a day. They would haggle and talk and he would rarely walk away without something. He enjoyed finding something cool at a yard sale.
It will be very sad for Mom to see Doris gone away for good. She is moving to Tennessee. It is hard to watch them talking and see the awareness that they will probably never see each other after the move. Over the years they have shared so many times, good and bad.
Then, of course there was the stunning part of the day when my brother decided to take my car to the back yard and clean it inside and out. My first response when he asked to do it was: "I don't have any extra money for this!", since that is usually the only time my brothers do things for me (you know the syndrome: if I do this for you I can hit you up for a favor or money and you will feel guilty if you say no to me). He shocked me by saying, I don't want anything except to do this for all the times you have been there for me. Could have knocked me over with a feather!!!
Evening came and with it the cold really settled into the house. I really miss Steve - he would carry the wood into the house and I would keep the fire going to get everything nice and warm. Today was one of my bad days for walking or lifting and I was just to lazy to carry wood into the house or start a fire, so I am cold. The heater has to be carried into the house for the bedroom tomorrow. The pilot has to be lit on the heater in the kitchen. Sometimes it is just easier to stay cold. I would have made such a terrible pioneer. I can picture it now: My husband comes in after working outside bringing in the last of the crops from the fields. He is dog tired, cold, and hungry. THere is no supper and the place has icicles hanging from the windows. There is no fire in the fireplace. I however am warm curled up in the bed with every blanket we own piled around me. I am reading a book and munching day old bread. Oh yes, I would have been kicked out in the snow very quickly!!
Well, maybe I will get more industrious tomorrow and get the fireplace ready for a fire.
Of course, I could just wrap up like the teddy bear I appear to be now. I have on a robe that engulfs me in warmth and good memories that Steve got for me a few years ago.
I am sitting here listening to the radio and sipping a cup of hot tea while I let my chaotic thoughts flow out in a never ending lava.
The last few days have been just awesome in their majesty and beauty. On the way home from Star last night, Dad and I saw a Doe and tiny baby at the side of the road. THey were in no hurry to get away from us - just content to let us stare at them. They were so amazing that I brought the car to a complete stop right beside them. It was like a moment out of time and reality - they were so close we could have rolled a window down and touched them. They showed no defense or fear of us. Seeing them was like feeling a touch from God!
This weekend she is having a massive yard sale of nearly everything she owns. Mom and I helped watch the items in the various rooms off and on today while she sat in one room and took money. Her daughter packed and carried items out for people. Sitting there and wandering the rooms allowed me far too much time to think. Steve used to love her yard sales. He would go each day, in fact sometimes several times in a day. They would haggle and talk and he would rarely walk away without something. He enjoyed finding something cool at a yard sale.
It will be very sad for Mom to see Doris gone away for good. She is moving to Tennessee. It is hard to watch them talking and see the awareness that they will probably never see each other after the move. Over the years they have shared so many times, good and bad.
Then, of course there was the stunning part of the day when my brother decided to take my car to the back yard and clean it inside and out. My first response when he asked to do it was: "I don't have any extra money for this!", since that is usually the only time my brothers do things for me (you know the syndrome: if I do this for you I can hit you up for a favor or money and you will feel guilty if you say no to me). He shocked me by saying, I don't want anything except to do this for all the times you have been there for me. Could have knocked me over with a feather!!!
Evening came and with it the cold really settled into the house. I really miss Steve - he would carry the wood into the house and I would keep the fire going to get everything nice and warm. Today was one of my bad days for walking or lifting and I was just to lazy to carry wood into the house or start a fire, so I am cold. The heater has to be carried into the house for the bedroom tomorrow. The pilot has to be lit on the heater in the kitchen. Sometimes it is just easier to stay cold. I would have made such a terrible pioneer. I can picture it now: My husband comes in after working outside bringing in the last of the crops from the fields. He is dog tired, cold, and hungry. THere is no supper and the place has icicles hanging from the windows. There is no fire in the fireplace. I however am warm curled up in the bed with every blanket we own piled around me. I am reading a book and munching day old bread. Oh yes, I would have been kicked out in the snow very quickly!!
Well, maybe I will get more industrious tomorrow and get the fireplace ready for a fire.
Of course, I could just wrap up like the teddy bear I appear to be now. I have on a robe that engulfs me in warmth and good memories that Steve got for me a few years ago.
I am sitting here listening to the radio and sipping a cup of hot tea while I let my chaotic thoughts flow out in a never ending lava.
The last few days have been just awesome in their majesty and beauty. On the way home from Star last night, Dad and I saw a Doe and tiny baby at the side of the road. THey were in no hurry to get away from us - just content to let us stare at them. They were so amazing that I brought the car to a complete stop right beside them. It was like a moment out of time and reality - they were so close we could have rolled a window down and touched them. They showed no defense or fear of us. Seeing them was like feeling a touch from God!