Harvest: 9.23.2013

I sit in the cold arena, the cold air nipping at my skin. I've pulled out my fleece and my Uggs. It’s that time again. Time for Hockey, time for soccer. It’s time for apples and everything "appley" you can think of: pies, tarts, muffins, stuffing, apple sauce, crisp, dumplings, donuts, cider, and even wine. It’s time for pumpkins and carving. It’s time for football. It’s time for Crockpot meals and all the comfort foods you can think of.

It’s time for leaf piles and jumping. It’s time for late afternoon fires and an ice cold beer. It’s time for trick or treating and making scarecrows. It’s time for the geese to fly south with that beautiful V. It’s time for wood stoves and movies. It’s time for family. It's time for board games and Pictionary.

It’s time for the colors; scarlet red, burnt orange, vibrant yellow, and of course some ever green and brown for good measure. It’s time for bright blue skies with soft winds. It's time for Halloween and Thanksgiving. It's time to celebrate everything that is special to us and our families.

It’s my time… My favorite time… It’s time to slow down from summer, enjoy the Harvest and take part in fall. It’s my most favorite time of all… Fall. I wouldn't want to spend it anywhere else except here in New England where fall is at it’s best.

Dog Days: 08.08.2013

They called her the Mountain Lady. She loved the walks up the mountain and down the mountain. She was loyal and true. She always ran when she saw a bus coming down the road she knew there’d be a lot of them. It was the best when she had friends to climb with and that big yellow bus generally meant there would be at least thirty.

She loved to climb up the windy long path to that old fire tower sniffing the blueberries as she went along. Sometimes she saw others just like her with their person. Sometimes there are just families climbing together. Then there are the locals they know who she was and never tried to call her home or bring her back to that giant red house she lived in. It was funny sometimes she would be brought home and her mom or her dad would say; “Yeah she climbs it all the time, hard to believe with that round belly of hers!” Round belly I would think; yup I do…I love the treats I receive from those who climb the mountain as I do. They always think I must be hungry since I just hiked a long way. Often I’m offered water which is so cool and refreshing.

I love my mountain. I hope to always be here to feel the breeze and coolness of the breeze.

Though my mountain is spectacular there are some things that make me sad. Those who do not take care of the mountain, those who race their car on the main road; My favorite people walk on that road sometimes and it scares me when those cars come racing on the road. I often cross the road and always look to make sure they aren’t coming.

One night I heard a sound, so I went outside. I had to check it out. It was coming from the side of the road in the gully. I quietly walked out there. I couldn’t really see anything. The next thing I knew my back hurt. What happened? I tried to move but I couldn’t. I just hoped My dad would come along. Then a shiny car with a bright light came down the road. I recognized that car, he got out and checked on me. He began crying. ‘Wait no’ I thought don’t cry I’m alright! Then I realized I was looking down on this man. I watched him walk over to my home and knock. My mom started crying, my 2 sisters, and 2 brothers too. Then my dad came over and wrapped me In a blanket and brought me out to a special place in the woods.  He said he was going to make me a nice bed.  

I am happy I still get to watch my family but I miss their snuggles. I at least will always be on my mountain and remembered as Bella the Mountain Dog. I still hear people talk about me wondering where I am as they hike that special mountain; Mount Blue Job.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Here is a picture and a small comment about the real Bella with a group of HS students on a field trip.

Bella The Mountain Dog

Mornings 7.20.2013

She lies in bed scared to open her eyes. If she opens them they will come. So she lies still, so still she isn’t even sure if she’s breathing. She has to be breathing though or she wouldn’t be alive. It had been a long night of tossing and turning. She just couldn’t get a good night’s sleep anymore.  Mornings used to be so very different. Rolling out of bed at 11am, some coffee, a nice magazine or book to read, or heck she might even catch the tail end of Price is Right. Things are different now. Not different in a bad way just different. Now she wakes up around 6:30am, quickly gets dressed, makes breakfast while listening to the sounds of her home. Happy sounds, laughter, feet, barking, purring, mornings are certainly different now. Mornings are amazing in a new way. She learns so much about herself and about her little ones. Mornings are the best because everyone has slept well, everyone is full of energy and ready for a new day. Mornings were once a favorite for sleeping; now they are a favorite for celebrating family.

“Mom?”

“Mom are you up?”

Darn she must have opened an eye… Pancakes it is, let the fun begin…

Communing 7.11.2013

Silly boy doing flips…

Silly boy pushing down…

Silly boy not there, come on move…

Silly boy you have the hiccups…

What you like that song? I do too…

Yes of course I’ll buy some strawberries, a nestle drumstick cone, and some hot tamales…

What is that it’s time for a nap? I think so…

Silly boy it’s not time yet… what’s that you think it is? But you are early…

Hello sweet boy, I’m your mom….and I feel like you've always been with me.

Wonder 06.27.2013

Laying there on the counter, carefree. It does not even realize the power it has over me right now. Its snazzy purple case, its lightness in my hand. It does not realize how important it is to me.

I wonder, will it ring? Will there be good news? Or will…

Wait, it’s ringing…

“You make me smile like the sun,
Fall out of bed,
Sing like a bird,
Dizzy in my head,
spin like a record crazy on a Sunday night.
You make me dance like a fool,
forget how to breathe,
shine like a gold,
buzz like a bee.
Just the thought of you can drive me wild.
Oh, you make me smile.” (Uncle Kracker – You Make Me Smile)

I love that ringtone, it is the best ringtone I have ever had… wait, the phone is ringing…

I wonder who it is? My heart is beating out of my chest...is this the phone call I have been waiting patiently for; patiently? Yeah right...I have been boiling over with stress waiting. It’s been three weeks I wonder if they've already hired someone. 

Crap, I left the phone upside down I can’t even glance to see if I should answer.

Ok, ok, I’ll pick it up. Damn it! It’s just a follow-up call from my student loan company.

”No nothing’s changed lady. I still don’t have a job and right now you are taking up precious air time.  Yes I will let you know when things change.”

I hang up quickly.

Pacing through the house, I wonder if they tried to call when I was on the phone with that Representative. Crap, I hope that didn't ruin my chances.

It’s ringing again! This could be it… running to the kitchen… “Hello?”

WRONG NUMBER.

Have they picked someone else? Will they even let me know they offered the job to someone else? Will I get a call for an interview? Am I going to have a position in the fall? Are we going to end up having to move? Will my kids be ok with the changes to come? Why can’t I just know now?

I Wonder….