Fall taps Winter on the shoulder, “My colors can’t get much bolder, it’s time for crisp winter white, long dark day, to cold, cold night.”
The red-headed Green Man fully agrees, “Leafs, yellow and brown are up to my knees, I’ve talked to the creatures; they say they’re ready, They’ve packed their homes, slow and steady.”
Seed pods stand strong, ready for the cold, ready to winter-dream of being green and bold.
Strong winds will sail them far and wide, A blanket of snow will give them places to hide.
Friday was busy and full of smiles and hugs from Sara & Jon and the little grands. I am so glad that it worked out that I could watch the my gr’daughters get their awards before I headed to Oregon.
It was a beautiful fall drive from Washington to Oregon, and my truck remembered how to get back to the nursing home just fine. I spent some time with Mrs. M at the nursing home, and then I followed her gr’daughter over to Mrs. M’s duplex. It is a 2 bedroom in a little community near Gresham. After the gr’daughter left, I unpacked and did a little freshening up around the place, then went to explore the area in my truck.
Yes, I did get lost once, but it was worth it. I now have a better idea of where I am and where most of the places that we may need to go are. Mrs. M doesn’t drive, and I know that it’s hard for me to get to know a place if I am a passenger. I bought a map:>)
I made it back over to the nursing home the next morning with no wrong turns. Mrs. M was ready to go, after fond farewells with her roommate and the staff. It was obvious that she was well-liked there. I packed her up, and when her gr’daughter got there, we left. By Saturday afternoon, Mrs. M and I were as settled in as two strangers could be. She seems to take well to changes and is amiable about the big and little things. Ahhh, that makes things easy for both of us.
White Picket Red Berry Gate Wood Village, OR PHALL PHOTO 2013
Sunday & Monday
Mrs. M and I had an exciting day and evening yesterday. The nursing home sent a nurse to look over the meds and check her vitals. We should also have visits from physical therapists in the next few days. We were sitting here filling out some papers after the nurse left, and we heard a loud boom; the electricity went out. With Mrs. M’s directions, I found the flash lights and batteries, but didn’t have the right batteries for the radio. We still don’t know what happened, but we were in the dark for only an hour or so.
Once the power came back on, I turned the thermostat up to get us warm. I smelled something burning and got up and looked around. It was coming from the wall heater, so I turned it back off. Then 3 smoke alarms started screaming out. I turned those off and Mrs. M called the landlord; he got here pretty quickly. It turns out that dust build-up inside the heater caught fire. As he was testing the heater in my bedroom, it started smoking too and set the alarms off again.
Please vacuum out your heaters for winter use. Might as well check your flash lights and emergency radio for batteries while you are at it.
PHALL PHOTO 2013
That was our crazy Sunday. Yesterday I took a long walk around the neighborhood. I had my camera and found some of the season’s last flowers and some other great colors and textures to take photos of. We had a big plan to go get groceries, but at the last minute, Mrs. M’s back pain flared. She called the gr’daughter to come over while I ran our errands. Yep, got the batteries. It was nice to be back in Oregon, where an attendant pumps your gas. Everything else feels pretty much the same as Washington.
My little grandson, Tiven has been gone almost 6 months, and November 3rd would have been his 4th birthday. I have been fighting tears for several days, but yesterday I was able to get away and let them come as they wanted to. I miss my little guy every single day. That’s all for now.
Autumn Rose for Tiven. 3 Nov 2009-26 Apr 2013 PHALL PHOTO 2013
Let me know how things are going with you. Still getting our routine down here, so I haven’t got back to editing the memoir postcards. Not online much either.
Of all the people on this planet that I know, no one brings the magic and joy of each holiday to life, as Leslee does. Halloween and Christmas are her yearly pedestal projects, but oh, her Valentine and birthday creations are also grand. She beckons the inner child from anyone in her orbit, and sings the fairies from their hiding places.
Sadly, Leslee has been out of my orbit for too many years. She’s getting closer though, and once I knew that she was back in…I began to feel a girlish giggle and a fairy’s impish grin emerge from somewhere deep within. They swim up through the pain and loss that I have experienced in her absence. What wonders will now be unleashed?
Within about 18 months, 25 years ago, I met four incredibly strong and supportive women. Leslee was one of them. The other three, Gwen, Vickie and Roxanne, each have special ribbons that bond us together. If I had to pick one word for the ribbon that connects me to each, it would be humor for Gwen, strength for Vickie, and spirit for Roxanne. Of course, they are all a mixture of those, and many other beautiful silk ribbons.
This writing inspires me to remind us all to write a love/friendship letterto those that we share that special ribbon with. Have I ever told Gwen how much her laughter means to me, or Vickie, how her steadfast strength has always helped keep my feet on the ground, or Roxanne, how her gentle spirit soothes me like a babe in arms? And Leslee, how the fairies welcome me into their circle when she is in my life? She sets my imagination free.
My Community Storyboard friends are having some issues with the fall season. I decided it was time to bring out one of my Season’s Keepers and Wonders to cheer them up a bit. I hope Fallina helps. Please excuse the lack of formatting…grrr.
Fallina; Keeper of the Leaves
Fallina, Fallina she paints away the green;
her pallet of colors is from red to brown,
and every shade between.
Long ago, she used to pout up a storm, when the leaves fell from the branches,
but now Fallina, with her pallet and brushes, has leaf-painting dances!
Others in the forest were unhappy with the changes too,
they simply had no idea of what they could do.
There was no place to hide when the birds found the need,
and the chipmunks and squirrels found no nuts and no seeds.
Then along came Fallina with her paint dances to cheer up their day.
They had fun splashing colors; they could now wait for May.
With everyone happy The Gatherer came out with a smile,
Putting twigs for the birds, and nuts for squirrels into a humongous pile!
THE WRITE PLACE... 