Of all the animals we grew up with on that Oklahoma farm, everything from guinea fowl to piglets, the one animal we never had was sheep. Not a single one. No little fuzzy lamb was ever gamboling on the hillside. I guess sheep and red dirt just didn't mix.
Yet when the temperature dropped to 29 degrees the other morning and my window still open to the breezes I reached for the wool blanket. Just like fried chicken as comfort food, sometimes only wool will do. Wool checks the cold and warms the toes like nothing else. A little wool in the gloves, hats or socks makes the world a warmer place.
Warm wool and warm memories soothes.
Warm Christmas spirits comes not only from images of wee lambs, but also music, cards, cookies, movies: I watched Millions and Love, Actually to feed my holiday spirit.
Warm Christmas hearts come from people: family, siblings, and friends. Warm hugs can warm the cockles of your heart every time. The absolute best hugs come from grandchildren -- the gender doesn't matter.
Dancing into the Christmas season warm feelings also came from jobs well done, or maybe not well done, but done, finished, marked off the list.
See the truth.
God made time and he made lots of it.
Where dreams go to die, warm memories take over.
A quote from The Pooh Book of Quotations for no other reason than it warms me.
Piglet: "Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?"
"Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought."
Dancing into the New Year be warm through and through with memories and all the simple gifts of the Universe -- enjoy the life you have created.
A big fat warm thank you to Nora for her most excellent Taylor Breakfast post. No one could have done it better. Warm, tender, sweet and just enough smart ass for us to know it was from you. Your crazy aunt loves you.
Best of health to Brittany and anyone one else battling a health issue. Your crazy aunt, sister, mom, friend loves you.
Welcome 2012.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Taylor Christmas Breakfast in Fort Smith: Where the Old West meets the New South!
Merry Christmas to all my Taylor relatives! First, let me apologize for being so horribly late with this blog posting. I had grandiose dreams of compose a Night Before Christmas type poem to accompany my pictures, but that plan was a pipe dream so you are now getting a more understated post.
As you all know, I was granted the honor of hosting the Taylor Family Christmas Breakfast this year in my new hometown, Fort Smith. Instead of words, I have decided to let my pictures tell the story. So here it is, my Christmas Breakfast Pictorial Spread:
The night before breakfast, family has gathered at my apartment. As you can see, Andrew is appropriately excited.
No surprise to anyone, Mom burned the bacon. I told her not to be upset, we were all getting kind of tired of the hot dog jokes.
Don't worry Uncles! We have plenty of extra bacon!
Mom celebrated when she cooked the biscuits without incident (Aunt Jean helped).
Lovely Aunt Jane taught me how to make sausage gravy for hordes of hungry Taylors. I'm very afraid I will never be able to duplicate it on my own.
People line up for the food. I was afraid there was going to be a stampede, but everyone behaved themselves.
Jonathan was so anxious to get to the food!
Silence reigned except for the sounds of chewing.
The first empty plate!
The Taylor's who were so inclined went on a walk around Historic Downtown Fort Smith.
Trolley Ride!
Andrew looking oh-so-cool.
Michael. Need I say more?
Jeff and Michael doing something I forget... Changing poles maybe?
The two youngest skipping to my Lou.
They're king of the world! And the homeless... we found blankets under the bridge. I'm living such a cosmopolitan lifestyle now!
Pucker up, Brittany. I think it might be a love match.
Family Picture.
The Newman Family.
Enjoying lunch at my favorite local diner, Boom-A-Rang.
And here are the loveliest flowers ever! They were a thank you gift from Jerry and Jane. They are still in my office looking beautiful. I also got some Tontitown wine from Uncle Jeff and I got a wine holder and ornament from Jean, Cathy, and Brittany. I'm so lucky to have such a terrific family! Thank you all!
So, in conclusion, I think my first Taylor breakfast was very successful (sans bacon fiasco which wasn't really my fault). I hope I get the opportunity to host again sometime in the future and from me to all my family: Merry Christmas to all!
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Aroma of Christmas Fudge
Jean has been cooking up treats for days and the aroma is wafting all the way to Mukilteo -- in my mind.
All for the family breakfast party scheduled for 12/10/11 in beautiful downtown Fort Smith. The gang will be on hand at Nora's for this annual festival of culinary delights, visits, naps, and total enjoyment by all, except for Nora's cat, unless the cat has escaped the reindeer hat. If only the cat could make Nora wear the hat instead. I'll bet Nora's home is dazzling and Fort Smith sparkling. Here is hoping no bad weather interferes. I'm imagining a walk or two, some strolls from hotel to home and back, a view of the river, carolers somewhere. And all the laughter that can be imagined. I'm missing it all the way in Mukilteo -- in my mind.
I remember when Ian was nine or ten years old and he was so conservative it made my teeth hurt, good mother that I was I tried to "save" him and help him break out of his conservative shell and become liberated and liberal like me. One day it dawned on me that I had spent much of my life trying to get people to accept me just as I am, and why the hell was I not according Ian the same courtesy that I had craved. Accepting people just as they are is an important life lesson, I've learned most of my important life lessons from my children. Thankfully before I had done too much damage I backed off, like a good mother, and let him grow in his own conservative way. Ian is still conservative and I'm still liberal but we keep muddling through our lives, through the world, in our own unique fashion.
I pondered this as I was thinking of the family getting together for fellowship; bringing all their different talents, and personalities, and skills, and methodology, and uniqueness, and gifts. What is normal? What is natural? Computer skills, fudge making, hiking new trails? It is a glorious family of glorious gifts that I will be missing Saturday -- in my mind.
Jeff, Julia, Jerry, Jean, Tal, Jane, Cathy, Brittany, Summer, Jonathon, Michael, Andrew and lovely Nora who has opened her home and hotel to the gang, and to all the family not trekking to Arkansas, Merry Christmas -- from my heart.
Other than missing the breakfast, I am actually on the stupid computer looking for toy ideas for Connor, oh the things we do for love. Have you noticed how toy catalogs and advertisements haven't changed that much. Twenty years later the catalogs are full of Monopoly, Barbie, and Batman, albeit electronic Monopoly, Barbie and Batman. The electronic stuff is overwhelming to me so everyone else can keep Connor in those kind of toys, I'll stick to the basics, the classics. I won't make the mistake of baby dolls and pot and pans again though, it will have to be something that crashes for my Connor's full enjoyment!
What I really want to mention is how much I love growing older, especially after I became used to the invisible stage. Thank goodness that surprise at not being seen is over. When you are older, and practically invisible; responsibility is less, love is more, public opinion is less, passion is moderated. I really can disregard public opinion on make-up, clothes, rituals, norms, bras. I love the transcendent quality of life with less guilt, more good feelings, losing the need to go along. Everyone expects me to be slightly off, slightly liberal, slightly faulty, but old age or at least older age is the ultimate liberator -- in my mind and heart.
I keep hearing one of my favorite quotes rattling around in my brain so I'm going to give it to you. "Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding is the third."
Nora, please post a blog about the Fort Smith adventure and your exact part in it. Now I think I will go make fudge.
All for the family breakfast party scheduled for 12/10/11 in beautiful downtown Fort Smith. The gang will be on hand at Nora's for this annual festival of culinary delights, visits, naps, and total enjoyment by all, except for Nora's cat, unless the cat has escaped the reindeer hat. If only the cat could make Nora wear the hat instead. I'll bet Nora's home is dazzling and Fort Smith sparkling. Here is hoping no bad weather interferes. I'm imagining a walk or two, some strolls from hotel to home and back, a view of the river, carolers somewhere. And all the laughter that can be imagined. I'm missing it all the way in Mukilteo -- in my mind.
I remember when Ian was nine or ten years old and he was so conservative it made my teeth hurt, good mother that I was I tried to "save" him and help him break out of his conservative shell and become liberated and liberal like me. One day it dawned on me that I had spent much of my life trying to get people to accept me just as I am, and why the hell was I not according Ian the same courtesy that I had craved. Accepting people just as they are is an important life lesson, I've learned most of my important life lessons from my children. Thankfully before I had done too much damage I backed off, like a good mother, and let him grow in his own conservative way. Ian is still conservative and I'm still liberal but we keep muddling through our lives, through the world, in our own unique fashion.
I pondered this as I was thinking of the family getting together for fellowship; bringing all their different talents, and personalities, and skills, and methodology, and uniqueness, and gifts. What is normal? What is natural? Computer skills, fudge making, hiking new trails? It is a glorious family of glorious gifts that I will be missing Saturday -- in my mind.
Jeff, Julia, Jerry, Jean, Tal, Jane, Cathy, Brittany, Summer, Jonathon, Michael, Andrew and lovely Nora who has opened her home and hotel to the gang, and to all the family not trekking to Arkansas, Merry Christmas -- from my heart.
Other than missing the breakfast, I am actually on the stupid computer looking for toy ideas for Connor, oh the things we do for love. Have you noticed how toy catalogs and advertisements haven't changed that much. Twenty years later the catalogs are full of Monopoly, Barbie, and Batman, albeit electronic Monopoly, Barbie and Batman. The electronic stuff is overwhelming to me so everyone else can keep Connor in those kind of toys, I'll stick to the basics, the classics. I won't make the mistake of baby dolls and pot and pans again though, it will have to be something that crashes for my Connor's full enjoyment!
What I really want to mention is how much I love growing older, especially after I became used to the invisible stage. Thank goodness that surprise at not being seen is over. When you are older, and practically invisible; responsibility is less, love is more, public opinion is less, passion is moderated. I really can disregard public opinion on make-up, clothes, rituals, norms, bras. I love the transcendent quality of life with less guilt, more good feelings, losing the need to go along. Everyone expects me to be slightly off, slightly liberal, slightly faulty, but old age or at least older age is the ultimate liberator -- in my mind and heart.
I keep hearing one of my favorite quotes rattling around in my brain so I'm going to give it to you. "Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding is the third."
Nora, please post a blog about the Fort Smith adventure and your exact part in it. Now I think I will go make fudge.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Moments
I read with pleasure Taylor's wonderful, tender and funny, poem about how Tyler had touched his life.
And I heard from an old classmate from Pleasant Hill school days, he wanted to share how people had touched his life. He shared a memorial he created for a Northeast High School Class of 1964 reunion in which he included a poem, which I will include here. Beautiful and poignant.
Touching lives is a funny thing. Sometimes it is direct ( think Jean here), sometimes it is financial (think Janice here), sometimes it is removed (think James here), sometimes it hurts a bit (think mom and dad here), sometimes it is special (think James here), sometimes it is funny (think Jeff here), sometimes it is _____, you fill in the blank.
You have all touched my life.
And I heard from an old classmate from Pleasant Hill school days, he wanted to share how people had touched his life. He shared a memorial he created for a Northeast High School Class of 1964 reunion in which he included a poem, which I will include here. Beautiful and poignant.
One day your life will end,
And all that will remain
Are the moments when you've lived your life
to the fullest...
And if you're lucky
Those moments live on
In the lives of the people you have touched.
Omar Khayyam
Can anyone touch that? Andrew?And all that will remain
Are the moments when you've lived your life
to the fullest...
And if you're lucky
Those moments live on
In the lives of the people you have touched.
Omar Khayyam
Who has touched your life? Tell them, because lives do end.
Downtown Seattle is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. All the highrise cranes are festooned with colorful lights, there is glitter and glimmer on every door, sky high trees in every foyer, but best of all is the Seattle Space Needle with its gianormous Christmas tree sitting on top, soaring sixty stories up above the city casting its benevolent glow over all. At four-thirty in the morning it touches my life.
Was your Thanksgiving all you wanted or needed it to be? Did it touch your life? I know Jean and Cathy touched Brittany's life.
I overheard two old duffers in a parking lot. As one old duffer was collecting Trader Joe's shopping carts he explained to the other old duffer, obviously a stranger, "I'm not a nice guy, but these carts all over are ...." I didn't hear the why, but for some reason that delighted me. Hearing him say "I am not a nice guy..." touched my life.
Speaking of parking lots Jeff, have you found another one to entertain me? Have you and Julia made it to the Crystal Bridges Museum yet now that the hub-bub of the grand opening is over? I know you have hiked the trails, but have you actually darkened the doors of the great American art world class museum? You and Julia touched my life and I want to return to "do" the museum with you at some point in my old age.
I remember telling Joe Elliott once that I didn't want to die young, and he said, "Jan, it's too late." That touched my life.
Jerry is reading -- a lot. He sent me this message:
Just finished a book that was very interesting. I told you after reading "Cellist of Sarajevo" I wanted to read more about the Balkan's. I found a book written in 1920 by M E (Mary Edith) Durham, "Twenty Years of Balkan Tangle". Look her up on wikipedia and then if you are interested read the book. It is available online, free download. I know you are smarter than me and you may understand it. About halfway through the characters, kings, countries, wars I could not keep straight, so I just kept reading, and then you understand the Balkan's. And that is you can't understand the Balkan's. I read one other book but I think this one is better. I have one more to go. "The Balkans - Nationalism, War, and the Great Powers, 1804-1999".
AND THEN SENT ME HIS READING LIST:
Downtown Seattle is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. All the highrise cranes are festooned with colorful lights, there is glitter and glimmer on every door, sky high trees in every foyer, but best of all is the Seattle Space Needle with its gianormous Christmas tree sitting on top, soaring sixty stories up above the city casting its benevolent glow over all. At four-thirty in the morning it touches my life.
Was your Thanksgiving all you wanted or needed it to be? Did it touch your life? I know Jean and Cathy touched Brittany's life.
I overheard two old duffers in a parking lot. As one old duffer was collecting Trader Joe's shopping carts he explained to the other old duffer, obviously a stranger, "I'm not a nice guy, but these carts all over are ...." I didn't hear the why, but for some reason that delighted me. Hearing him say "I am not a nice guy..." touched my life.
Speaking of parking lots Jeff, have you found another one to entertain me? Have you and Julia made it to the Crystal Bridges Museum yet now that the hub-bub of the grand opening is over? I know you have hiked the trails, but have you actually darkened the doors of the great American art world class museum? You and Julia touched my life and I want to return to "do" the museum with you at some point in my old age.
I remember telling Joe Elliott once that I didn't want to die young, and he said, "Jan, it's too late." That touched my life.
Jerry is reading -- a lot. He sent me this message:
Just finished a book that was very interesting. I told you after reading "Cellist of Sarajevo" I wanted to read more about the Balkan's. I found a book written in 1920 by M E (Mary Edith) Durham, "Twenty Years of Balkan Tangle". Look her up on wikipedia and then if you are interested read the book. It is available online, free download. I know you are smarter than me and you may understand it. About halfway through the characters, kings, countries, wars I could not keep straight, so I just kept reading, and then you understand the Balkan's. And that is you can't understand the Balkan's. I read one other book but I think this one is better. I have one more to go. "The Balkans - Nationalism, War, and the Great Powers, 1804-1999".
AND THEN SENT ME HIS READING LIST:
I have been reading to much. Since the 1st of September I have read:
"Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner, one of your book club selections I think. I liked the history part of it, but the human side not so much.
"Lion of Liberty" by Harlo Giles Unger - A little different account of one of our founding fathers.
"Education of a Wandering Man" by Louis L'Amour - He quit school because it was getting in the way of his education. An avid reader. He hooked me when he said you can travel the world if you can read.
"The Last Stand" By Nathaniel Philbrick - Custer all over again.
"The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand - I'm sure you have heard of it.
"The Autobiography of Malcom X" by Malcom X and Alex Haley - I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I lot of his ancient history was off but the last 400 years he got about right. The history of slavery and the blacks in America.
"State of Wonder" by Ann Patchett - Parade Magazine had a list of 12 Great Summer Books. This was one of them. Not a bad book but...
"The Balkans: A History of Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Rumania & Turkey" - 4 different people, each wrote a history from different prospective. Fits right in with the Balkans.
"Where the River Ends" by Charles Martin - Just a book I found on the markdown table. Depressing
"Twenty Years of Balkan Tangle" by Durham, M E (Mary Edith) - Already spoke about this one.
"White Heat" - by M J McGrath - Another one off the 12 Great Summer Books list. Not a bad book but...
I've started "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson - Another one off the 12 Great Summer Books list.
Also "The Balkans - Nationalism, War and the Great Powers, 1804-1999" by Misha Glenny.
Also "Dune Road" by Jane Green - maybe will finish it, maybe not. Markdown table.
Unfortunately most of these authors have other books I would like to read. I'm gonna run out of time.
Did you ever read "The Semi-Attached Couple" by Emily Eden?
Touching lives is a funny thing. Sometimes it is direct ( think Jean here), sometimes it is financial (think Janice here), sometimes it is removed (think James here), sometimes it hurts a bit (think mom and dad here), sometimes it is special (think James here), sometimes it is funny (think Jeff here), sometimes it is _____, you fill in the blank.
You have all touched my life.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Taylor's poem in honor of Tyler Paul Groschick (1989 - 2011)
He taught me to shoot left-handed lay-ups
He taught me how to kick a soccer ball
He taught me how to throw a football
We played a lot of sports
He taught me how to hula hoop
(Well he tried)
He taught me how to turn book stops into prized possessions for your action figures
He taught me how to make a picnic in your house
We did weird things
He taught me how to get home from school
He taught me how to make a fort
He taught me how to play Mario64
We were the poster children for children
He taught me how to be a friend
He taught me how to be a son
He taught me how to be a brother
We learned about relationships
He taught me how to destroy your brother's Lego castles
He taught me how to be a protective brother
He taught me how to be responsible while Mom is away
We were the "Oldest"
He taught me how to reconnect after 10 years
He taught me that time doesn't change us like we think
He taught me that true friendship doesn't end
We were more than just childhood friends
I will think about him all the time
I will tell my children about him
I will be a better person because of him
We are brothers.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Harris's Go Home
This is part three of the three part saga of the Harris's Green Leaf adventure.
So it's Sunday morning and the end of a glorious stay at beautiful green leaf state park. How can all of this be brought to a successful close?
Well, it starts with the prying of reluctant teenagers from their slumber followed closely by a breakfast of something that just has to be unwrapped and ingested. After breakfast, we begin something that resembles a cross between the Bataan death march and a Chinese fire drill. First, all of the stuff that we brought with us is systematically removed from our cabin. Imagine if you will the packing up of P.T. Barnum's greatest show on earth, complete with the flying trapeze, sans the elephants, and you'll get pretty close. Usually there is some yelling at teenagers (our national pass-time) and someone can't find an iPhone or a wallet. After the chaos subsides, all of the stuff, for the most part, is loaded back into the 5 vehicles that were used as original transportation, but shall we say with less precision than before (for instances, the tooth brushes may be in the same container as the stink bait, and the container of left-over tub-o-stuff may be intermingled in amongst the clean laundry and spare batteries). And by the way, no list is needed as we basically just strip the cabin bare and then try to put back the stuff that belongs to the state (I think that's why we have no less than 7 medium sized stainless bowls at home).
Once all of the packing is complete, the kids and dogs are loaded up like in the movie the Grapes of Wrath, and we head to the park office to drop off our first-born male child as payment for our cabin. With any luck, he will be able to work off the bill before Christmas, but if not, we're usually back by Valentine's day for another stay and can pick him up then.
After settling up, we spend the next hour or so hanging around the camp ground with the other stragglers for one last chance to say goodbye and to do our best to help the others with their packing (we offer to drink their leftover beer and pop so they don't have to haul it). We make one last comment as to how much the color of the tree has changed in just 10 days, talk about how good the weather was, and relish in the fact that some lucky soul will get the rest of our fire wood. Once the last lawn chair has been pried from beneath our butts, folded up and loaded, we are ready to depart for home.
So, until next year, we bid lake Green Leaf fare well and start the new countdown... 355 days 'til Green Leaf!
Farts
It was a dark and stormy night here in Mukilteo; the wind blew, the rain blew, the water rose, the snow visited a few days ago. We have had four inches of rain this November and two inches of it was yesterday. I'm glad I don't have to drive to work for the next three days, or wade through any more standing puddles the size of Manhattan.
Storm # 3 is moving in right now after storm # 2 and # 1 and in front of storms # 4 and # 5. There is ten inches of new snow in the mountains with four feet of powder, I'm glad I'm not a snow boarder, truck driver, hiker, snow shoe-er, search and rescue team member, or traveler over the passes for a Thanksgiving holiday.
When I wrote on the blog about all the dogs at The Taylor Family Reunion I neglected the elder statesdog Maggie. How could I forget sweet sweet Maggie? Age I guess. Sorry Maggie, and all you Harris family members who love her. She is about as much trouble as a marshmallow.
I made some fantastic Pear Butter, but after cleaning all the bubbling gallops that bubbled onto my floor, stove, cabinets, micro-wave and refrigerator I probably will never make it again. Damn it is good.
Saw a great movie, finally, Un Prophete, a French gangster prison mafia movie, fantastic. And re-watched Elling, such a great enjoyable sweet movie.
I think melatonin is helping me sleep -- thanks Julia. Oh, by the way, in case none of you noticed Jeff has hiked a few more trails, and if I know Julia she hiked right along beside him. Hiking walking woggering fools. Julia are you up and running yet, or at least walking/jogging?
Has anybody tried the new chocolate filled candy cane yet? I bought my first one but I haven't cracked it open so I don't know how it tastes, but I do love the idea of it. Some people are so clever.
I made a tasty broccoli cheese omelet for breakfast, now that's what you can do with left over steamed broccoli.
I am sou chef to Stephanie's Thanksgiving dinner this year, well, actually Ian is sou chef, I'm just filling in with vegetables and desserts. It will be a lovely gathering of family, friends, book clubbers, and colleagues. Did I ever mention to you what a great cook Stephanie is? I think she is a little overwhelmed by the growing guest list, but game. Roger keeps telling her he can set up enough tables so every one will have a place to sit down. Stephanie doesn't do the scoop it out of a pot on the stove and use your lap as a table sort of dinner. I love Stephanie.
Ian had the nicest compliment. When Something Silver's general manager came back from the grand opening of the Disney World store, he said when the Disney executives did the final walk through for opening approval, and they are very strict, they said it was one of the very best merchandising jobs they had ever seen at a new opening at Disney World. That's my Ian. From the Disney executives lips to your ears, that's my Ian.
So, after Ian gassed up my car, made the library run, did the grocery shopping, the hauling in of said groceries, the laundry, and part of the cooking, I will now get busy and do my part for the big Thanksgiving day. See why Stephanie wants Ian as sou chef instead of me.
Now, as to farts. I have it on good authority that the average human being farts 7-10 times a day. So get ready for a fun friendly family Thanksgiving dinner -- then relax.
Love from Washington to all you Okies, Arkies, Texans, Californians and whom ever else needs a little love today.
Storm # 3 is moving in right now after storm # 2 and # 1 and in front of storms # 4 and # 5. There is ten inches of new snow in the mountains with four feet of powder, I'm glad I'm not a snow boarder, truck driver, hiker, snow shoe-er, search and rescue team member, or traveler over the passes for a Thanksgiving holiday.
When I wrote on the blog about all the dogs at The Taylor Family Reunion I neglected the elder statesdog Maggie. How could I forget sweet sweet Maggie? Age I guess. Sorry Maggie, and all you Harris family members who love her. She is about as much trouble as a marshmallow.
I made some fantastic Pear Butter, but after cleaning all the bubbling gallops that bubbled onto my floor, stove, cabinets, micro-wave and refrigerator I probably will never make it again. Damn it is good.
Saw a great movie, finally, Un Prophete, a French gangster prison mafia movie, fantastic. And re-watched Elling, such a great enjoyable sweet movie.
I think melatonin is helping me sleep -- thanks Julia. Oh, by the way, in case none of you noticed Jeff has hiked a few more trails, and if I know Julia she hiked right along beside him. Hiking walking woggering fools. Julia are you up and running yet, or at least walking/jogging?
Has anybody tried the new chocolate filled candy cane yet? I bought my first one but I haven't cracked it open so I don't know how it tastes, but I do love the idea of it. Some people are so clever.
I made a tasty broccoli cheese omelet for breakfast, now that's what you can do with left over steamed broccoli.
I am sou chef to Stephanie's Thanksgiving dinner this year, well, actually Ian is sou chef, I'm just filling in with vegetables and desserts. It will be a lovely gathering of family, friends, book clubbers, and colleagues. Did I ever mention to you what a great cook Stephanie is? I think she is a little overwhelmed by the growing guest list, but game. Roger keeps telling her he can set up enough tables so every one will have a place to sit down. Stephanie doesn't do the scoop it out of a pot on the stove and use your lap as a table sort of dinner. I love Stephanie.
Ian had the nicest compliment. When Something Silver's general manager came back from the grand opening of the Disney World store, he said when the Disney executives did the final walk through for opening approval, and they are very strict, they said it was one of the very best merchandising jobs they had ever seen at a new opening at Disney World. That's my Ian. From the Disney executives lips to your ears, that's my Ian.
So, after Ian gassed up my car, made the library run, did the grocery shopping, the hauling in of said groceries, the laundry, and part of the cooking, I will now get busy and do my part for the big Thanksgiving day. See why Stephanie wants Ian as sou chef instead of me.
Now, as to farts. I have it on good authority that the average human being farts 7-10 times a day. So get ready for a fun friendly family Thanksgiving dinner -- then relax.
Love from Washington to all you Okies, Arkies, Texans, Californians and whom ever else needs a little love today.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Harris's at Green Leaf
As promised, this is a continuation, that is “Part Two” of the Harris’s Go to Green Leaf Saga.
If you recall, part one entailed all that it took for us to plan and execute our Taylor Family Reunion (TFR) trip. This is the meat of the story which pretty much depicts what we do once we have gotten everything done to get their. In short, that is… as little as possible.
Each day starts with Amber waking up and scampering out the door with a furry beast so she can do her morning business (the beast, not Amber). From that point, she can either saunter down the hill to spend time with the other early risers, or come back to the cabin to nestle in around the living dead (those still asleep in our cabin). An hour or so later, I awaken to the sound of chipmunks scurrying, birds tweeting, and toilet’s flushing. There is life after sleeping in a frigid tent, and those gnarly life forms require sustenance. Depending upon the day of the week, and the meal schedule that has been planned for me to follow (on the color-coded card stock standard work documents provided by my very organized wife), I prepare breakfast. As I said at the beginning, being that our goal is to do as little as possible, breakfast is either something that involves the pouring of milk, or the use of a microwave oven. Once breakfast is complete for the 9 or so freeloading teenager/vagrants in residence at our cabin, me and Amber can do the dishes, straighten the cabin (pitchfork, hay bailer, pressure washer and leaf blower required), replenish our supply of linens and dish soap, and reference the color-coded card stock printed check list for the day’s activities.
The typical daily checklists include: prep/thaw item for evening meal, gather reading material, plan for lawn chair sitting time, plan for nap time, re-straighten cabin (pitchfork only required), early cocktail hour, card game/scrabble/other game time, re-wash dishes from lunch, re-straighten cabin (leaf blower only required) from lunch time, re-wash dishes from late snack time, re-straighten cabin from afternoon game time, TV time, listen to music, sit in lawn chairs by camp fire, talk with family, cocktail hour, prepare dinner, eat dinner, wash dinner dishes, straighten cabin for evening game/TV time, re-wash dishes from after dinner snack time, late cocktail hour, prepare beds for sleep, showers, late game time, Bed.
I said that this was a relaxing trip with a purpose of doing as little as possible. Now I know it doesn’t look very relaxing, but compared to a day not at Green Leaf, believe me it is. But, in our constant endeavor toward relaxation, we propose that for next year, we secure a second cabin for the 9 or so freeloading teenager/vagrants that will surely be along for the ride; and maybe, just maybe we can devote more time to campfire/lawn chair sitting and our daily cocktail hours.
If you recall, part one entailed all that it took for us to plan and execute our Taylor Family Reunion (TFR) trip. This is the meat of the story which pretty much depicts what we do once we have gotten everything done to get their. In short, that is… as little as possible.
Each day starts with Amber waking up and scampering out the door with a furry beast so she can do her morning business (the beast, not Amber). From that point, she can either saunter down the hill to spend time with the other early risers, or come back to the cabin to nestle in around the living dead (those still asleep in our cabin). An hour or so later, I awaken to the sound of chipmunks scurrying, birds tweeting, and toilet’s flushing. There is life after sleeping in a frigid tent, and those gnarly life forms require sustenance. Depending upon the day of the week, and the meal schedule that has been planned for me to follow (on the color-coded card stock standard work documents provided by my very organized wife), I prepare breakfast. As I said at the beginning, being that our goal is to do as little as possible, breakfast is either something that involves the pouring of milk, or the use of a microwave oven. Once breakfast is complete for the 9 or so freeloading teenager/vagrants in residence at our cabin, me and Amber can do the dishes, straighten the cabin (pitchfork, hay bailer, pressure washer and leaf blower required), replenish our supply of linens and dish soap, and reference the color-coded card stock printed check list for the day’s activities.
The typical daily checklists include: prep/thaw item for evening meal, gather reading material, plan for lawn chair sitting time, plan for nap time, re-straighten cabin (pitchfork only required), early cocktail hour, card game/scrabble/other game time, re-wash dishes from lunch, re-straighten cabin (leaf blower only required) from lunch time, re-wash dishes from late snack time, re-straighten cabin from afternoon game time, TV time, listen to music, sit in lawn chairs by camp fire, talk with family, cocktail hour, prepare dinner, eat dinner, wash dinner dishes, straighten cabin for evening game/TV time, re-wash dishes from after dinner snack time, late cocktail hour, prepare beds for sleep, showers, late game time, Bed.
I said that this was a relaxing trip with a purpose of doing as little as possible. Now I know it doesn’t look very relaxing, but compared to a day not at Green Leaf, believe me it is. But, in our constant endeavor toward relaxation, we propose that for next year, we secure a second cabin for the 9 or so freeloading teenager/vagrants that will surely be along for the ride; and maybe, just maybe we can devote more time to campfire/lawn chair sitting and our daily cocktail hours.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Fun
Fun?
The universe keeps telling me to have fun. I saw a billboard that said "Eat right, Be active, Have fun" and then a second billboard that said "Remember to have some fun today."
Fun? I've been feeling more sad then gay lately, but a few fun things have crept in anyway. Ian and I carpooled to work one day. That made me foolishly happy for some reason. You know you live a little tiny life when carpooling with your son makes your day happy. There I was dropped off and picked up at the buildings front door. I didn't have to street walk at 4:30 am.
Yesterday I had lunch with Jo-Anne and today I had breakfast with Claire. Fun? Well, if not fun it was certainly pleasing. Good friends, good comforting conversation, good connection to other human beings.
Ian and I were grocery shopping at 11 pm last night. Definitely different. I should have been in bed and sound asleep, but there we were getting the good bargains one hour before they were over, fun, well okay, I guess so.
I saw FW Murnau's 1924 German silent film The Last Laugh -- very different.
I had a Trophy Cupcake. I keep looking for a fried pie shop like the one in OKC. I haven't found one yet, but it's fun looking.
It's a miracle not being dead, that's fun.
The family has been contacted by Ray Mclain. I have been getting FB contacts and emails from him and it's been fun and more than a little nostalgic. We started first grade together about 60 years ago, we are both reminiscing about Pleasant Hill. He sounds really really smart and funny and musical and busy and interesting. He wrote a paper on the magnetic component of gravity. How's that for fun? Shall I tell him I've been busy clipping my toenails?
He told me a sweet story about his mother who passed away 43 years ago:
"A neighbor had plans to develop some of her property East of us. She wanted to widen the road in by ripping out all our cedars and pines down the North end of the yard. She said to Mom, "You wouldn't let trees stand in the way of progress, would you?" Mom's unforgettable retort that ended the conversation was: "As far as I'm concerned, in Oklahoma trees are progress!""
The nostalgia has been fun: Pleasant Hill, walking to and fro the mile and one quarter in all weathers. Miss Freed. Miss Clifford. Mr and Mrs Green. Mom. Barns. Bonfires. Hay. Crawdads. Gardens. Pigs. Skyview Theater, Springlake Amusement Park. Four Corners. Orchards and wormy peaches.
Where I am on the space/time continuum is okay. I'm not fighting my future, my lot in life, change. I'm not mad at family, bosses, migrants, neighbors, friends, technology, religion. I've quit wondering how I became such a doofus -- that's fun.
After all the deaths I've been touched by lately a fellow colleague told me to go home and tell all three of my sons that I loved them. Little did he know my passion for my sons. Now that is fun.
What ever the universe tells you to do today -- mind -- except for the be active part.
The universe keeps telling me to have fun. I saw a billboard that said "Eat right, Be active, Have fun" and then a second billboard that said "Remember to have some fun today."
Fun? I've been feeling more sad then gay lately, but a few fun things have crept in anyway. Ian and I carpooled to work one day. That made me foolishly happy for some reason. You know you live a little tiny life when carpooling with your son makes your day happy. There I was dropped off and picked up at the buildings front door. I didn't have to street walk at 4:30 am.
Yesterday I had lunch with Jo-Anne and today I had breakfast with Claire. Fun? Well, if not fun it was certainly pleasing. Good friends, good comforting conversation, good connection to other human beings.
Ian and I were grocery shopping at 11 pm last night. Definitely different. I should have been in bed and sound asleep, but there we were getting the good bargains one hour before they were over, fun, well okay, I guess so.
I saw FW Murnau's 1924 German silent film The Last Laugh -- very different.
I had a Trophy Cupcake. I keep looking for a fried pie shop like the one in OKC. I haven't found one yet, but it's fun looking.
It's a miracle not being dead, that's fun.
The family has been contacted by Ray Mclain. I have been getting FB contacts and emails from him and it's been fun and more than a little nostalgic. We started first grade together about 60 years ago, we are both reminiscing about Pleasant Hill. He sounds really really smart and funny and musical and busy and interesting. He wrote a paper on the magnetic component of gravity. How's that for fun? Shall I tell him I've been busy clipping my toenails?
He told me a sweet story about his mother who passed away 43 years ago:
"A neighbor had plans to develop some of her property East of us. She wanted to widen the road in by ripping out all our cedars and pines down the North end of the yard. She said to Mom, "You wouldn't let trees stand in the way of progress, would you?" Mom's unforgettable retort that ended the conversation was: "As far as I'm concerned, in Oklahoma trees are progress!""
The nostalgia has been fun: Pleasant Hill, walking to and fro the mile and one quarter in all weathers. Miss Freed. Miss Clifford. Mr and Mrs Green. Mom. Barns. Bonfires. Hay. Crawdads. Gardens. Pigs. Skyview Theater, Springlake Amusement Park. Four Corners. Orchards and wormy peaches.
Where I am on the space/time continuum is okay. I'm not fighting my future, my lot in life, change. I'm not mad at family, bosses, migrants, neighbors, friends, technology, religion. I've quit wondering how I became such a doofus -- that's fun.
After all the deaths I've been touched by lately a fellow colleague told me to go home and tell all three of my sons that I loved them. Little did he know my passion for my sons. Now that is fun.
What ever the universe tells you to do today -- mind -- except for the be active part.
Monday, November 14, 2011
My Heart Goes Out
My heart goes out to:
Sandy, my friend and fellow book clubber. Her brother, the director of Crazy Stupid Love, had a flu shot and became paralyzed. He will probably walk again after a year of intensive rehab.
Claire, my friend and fellow book clubber. A colleague of hers at AAA with failing health committed suicide recently.
Stephanie, her Aunt Carol's daughter and husband were found dead due to a homicide and then suicide.
Cully, my friend and Eddie Bauer colleague lost her sister several days ago.
Kristopher, a young employee at Onlineshoes was killed in a car accident yesterday. I only knew him by sight, a very tall lanky intense young man. He was in charge of all the video productions.
And then Amber's Facebook message about Tyler. Who doesn't remember Taylor, Taylor and Tyler at the family reunions. The smart, sassy, funny trio of delight and adventure. What a beloved person he was in our midst, smiling, willing, full of joy at the freedom and dirt that Greenleaf afforded him. Fishing, running, hiking, eating -- he did it all with gusto. A part of the web of our family history, our family stories.
It makes me sad, and my heart goes out to all their families. To all who loved and were loved by them.
Take care of one another, with love and affection and tenderness.
Sandy, my friend and fellow book clubber. Her brother, the director of Crazy Stupid Love, had a flu shot and became paralyzed. He will probably walk again after a year of intensive rehab.
Claire, my friend and fellow book clubber. A colleague of hers at AAA with failing health committed suicide recently.
Stephanie, her Aunt Carol's daughter and husband were found dead due to a homicide and then suicide.
Cully, my friend and Eddie Bauer colleague lost her sister several days ago.
Kristopher, a young employee at Onlineshoes was killed in a car accident yesterday. I only knew him by sight, a very tall lanky intense young man. He was in charge of all the video productions.
And then Amber's Facebook message about Tyler. Who doesn't remember Taylor, Taylor and Tyler at the family reunions. The smart, sassy, funny trio of delight and adventure. What a beloved person he was in our midst, smiling, willing, full of joy at the freedom and dirt that Greenleaf afforded him. Fishing, running, hiking, eating -- he did it all with gusto. A part of the web of our family history, our family stories.
It makes me sad, and my heart goes out to all their families. To all who loved and were loved by them.
Take care of one another, with love and affection and tenderness.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Harris's go to Greenleaf
In Acknowledgement of the fact that I have "groupies" who sometimes read what I write, and for everyone else's amusement, I provide this as a behind the scenes look at everything that goes into the Harris family's annual trek to the Taylor Family Reunion (TFR). This rendition would be the ugly cousin of the superb prose provided by Miss Jan, to whom we are all indebted for helping us preserve our memories of the 2011 TFR. I hope that what I write does not permanently scar that memory.
Cabins, cabins, who's got the cabins?
First, let me say that our planning for this trip began last year with the reservations being made at the park offices upon our 2010 departure, whereby a king's ransom was plopped down to reserve all of the cabins that the park has to rent (in case our relatives from foreign nations such as Great Britain and/or Texas decide to show up). At some point, after all of the travel plans have been firmed up, each family is assigned it's lodging, and the residual cabins are turned back in for some lucky person on the waiting list to snatch up.
Tee shirts
The tee shirt design, order, production, procurement and delivery process is wholly credited to one Mr. Jerry Clark Taylor, my fantastic Father-in-law. He is the inspiration and the impetus behind the whole effort. Ever since Memorial Day of 2001, a gathering that I foolishly chose to miss (traveled to a college baseball regional tournament in New Orleans) tee shirts have been a mainstay of Taylor family gatherings. The designs are executed by me with idea help from the rest of the family, but the inspiration belongs to our family's patriarch. The call for orders is sent by email, face book, phone call, letter, post card and pony express; and the replies are collected and tabulated by Jerry and flawlessly passed along to the tee shirt guy. OK, we do sometimes have to add on to or change our order, but eventually everyone gets a tee shirt that is close to the size they ordered. (Note: if anyone needs any of the tee shirts reprinted or done in an additional size, just let us know and we can make it happen)
Lessons learned
Every year, as we come upon some of the great things that helped make the reunion so much more enjoyable, we write them down so that when we start planning for the next year we can make sure to include them. I might also add that we also write down some of the not-to-do things like: don't put the bag of s’ mores supplies next to the dog in the back of the car, (which led to: make more frequent stops to check the dog, and bring more wet wipes for accidents in the car). But some of the good things were: need the gallon size bottle(s) of vodka; bring extra shelving (170 sqft) to store food in cabin -- see menu planning below; if you put individual toiletries on the packing list (and those items go into a toiletry bag), also put the toiletry bag on the list; don't speed in the park as the siren disturbs the wildlife; vodka has excellent medicinal properties and can be used for significant edge smoothing and for body preparation for naps; make sure children's smelly shoes are stored outside of cabin; make sure you have a means of securing children's shoes stored outside of cabin from being mistaken for food and taken by nocturnal wildlife; bring extra money to replace mysteriously lost shoes (you see how all of this starts to fit together); bring gallon sized bottles of vodka (I know, you think I'm repeating myself, but this is MORE gallon sized bottles of vodka); include cocktail hour in afternoon schedule (prior to afternoon nap); drink extra water to stave off negative effects of edge smoothing cocktail hour-- I could go on and on with the list, but you get the drift.
Meal planning
Other preplanning includes that which we do for the meals we have while at the reunion. If you have seen some of the pictures of our family you might have guessed that meal planning is something into which we put a great deal of effort. For the mid October gathering, our planning begins in February, usually with someone saying "OK WHAT ARE WE MAKING AT GREENLEAF THIS YEAR!!!?", and then the list making begins. We start with somewhere around 474 different favorite family recipes (for the 10 or so meals we will need to prepare) and whittle it down to just under a hundred. As we get closer to the reunion, and have to start thinking about buying the stuff to make the meals, we find a way to eliminate some of the less favorite items. This year we used voting, which was preceded by 190 minutes of debate (using standard British parliamentary rules), lobbying by outside interests, bribery, deception, and finally, last minute changes because the family members that insisted on the liver and brussel sprout casserole had decided not to come. For the Harris's the grocery shopping that supports this meal planning exercise is quite substantial and will be depicted for you in a major subparagraph below.
List making and packing
If any of you have read my earlier posts about my fly lady following, list-making wife, you'll understand that the list making aspect of our trip is one of greatly intricate detail... For a reason-- you do not under any circumstances want to leave anything behind in your house... and therefore you need to make sure everything that you own is on the packing list. (Note: this is such an endeavor that my US government employer actually gives me a special day off for preparation -- most people think that the 2nd Monday in October is Columbus Day, but it is actually Greenleaf packing day). Our list is actually a soft bound book (like a journal) of lists that can be kept for comparison to next year's list and that has also been rigorously checked against the previous years' lists. The lists have distinct purposes and are meticulously checked off, highlighted and color coded to indicate the packing status of each items. This is logistics! "Checked" means gathered into the kitchen area, "green highlight" means packed in freight container, "lined through" means assembled into the garage, "blue highlight" means needs to be purchased at Harp's, "X’d out" means loaded into car, coffee stain means you worked on the list late at night, etc. Everything that is going, goes on the list, and everything is then checked as it goes through its "phases". As I said, it's logistics and my wife is the queen of lists and logistics, so do not mess with her lists! ... I'm completely serious here! Don't you do it!
Once everything is loaded into the 5 vehicles that it takes to move all of our necessary items to the park, we can depart. Anything that does not fit into the 5 vehicles can either be shipped by overland freight, or removed from the list and purchased in either Muskogee or Gore.
Arrival at the park
Upon arrival, all the sh*t (note: during packing and transporting operations the necessary items have transformed into sh*t) that we packed is dumped out and placed into our 400 square foot cabin. This somewhat resembles the Siegfried and Roy illusion where they make a battleship disappear. You can imagine that this tends to make our cabin very "cozy", and when you add 13 kids and 5 dogs playing cards, games, and watching TV (note: the dogs do not play cards- that painting is not real) you can understand the need for the edge smoothing cocktail hours.
Groceries
As promised, this subparagraph is a depiction of the local shopping that is required to provide the meals and other activities that are prevalent at the TFR. To back up a bit, understand that every cubic inch of the five vehicles we use to transport our necessary items to the lake are full, so our food and other necessary items (things we forgot - if you can believe that) must be purchased locally. Once our mid-sized SUV is stripped of the spare tire, tools, carpet, headlining, and the 2nd and 3rd row of rear seating we are ready to do our grocery shopping. Prior to entering the store, we decide on a story of how we are purchasing food for a 600 soldier battalion of military reservists stationed at Camp Gruber (adjacent to the park) so as not to get responses such as "holy crap that's a sh*t load of food for a family reunion". We also electronically transfer the money from our 401 K accounts into checking to cover the impending expense (thank goodness for our bank i-phone app). We traverse the rows strategically filling our 4 grocery carts with items from every section of the store, but most prominently from the high fat and sugar areas, being careful to only select the snack items made entirely of trans-fats. Once we have completed the gathering process and head to the front of the store, the store manager sounds an alert siren and an army of people are brought in from the back of the store to process our purchase. After we leave, the store shuts down to restock and its owner goes to Muskogee to buy a new Volvo. Before returning to camp, we stop by the Gore liquor store for more gallon sized bottles of vodka.
Well that pretty much gets you up to the point that Jan wrote about. I hope this gives you some insight into how much we love this reunion. That should be obvious as no one in their right mind... OK, not even people not in their right mind would go through all of this if our time there was not absolutely like heaven on earth.
P.S. Stay tuned as I will soon be posting part 2 of this 3 part story. Part 2 will provide a point of view of the meat of the reunion different from the Norman Rockwellesque version provided by my lovely Aunt Jan.
Cabins, cabins, who's got the cabins?
First, let me say that our planning for this trip began last year with the reservations being made at the park offices upon our 2010 departure, whereby a king's ransom was plopped down to reserve all of the cabins that the park has to rent (in case our relatives from foreign nations such as Great Britain and/or Texas decide to show up). At some point, after all of the travel plans have been firmed up, each family is assigned it's lodging, and the residual cabins are turned back in for some lucky person on the waiting list to snatch up.
Tee shirts
The tee shirt design, order, production, procurement and delivery process is wholly credited to one Mr. Jerry Clark Taylor, my fantastic Father-in-law. He is the inspiration and the impetus behind the whole effort. Ever since Memorial Day of 2001, a gathering that I foolishly chose to miss (traveled to a college baseball regional tournament in New Orleans) tee shirts have been a mainstay of Taylor family gatherings. The designs are executed by me with idea help from the rest of the family, but the inspiration belongs to our family's patriarch. The call for orders is sent by email, face book, phone call, letter, post card and pony express; and the replies are collected and tabulated by Jerry and flawlessly passed along to the tee shirt guy. OK, we do sometimes have to add on to or change our order, but eventually everyone gets a tee shirt that is close to the size they ordered. (Note: if anyone needs any of the tee shirts reprinted or done in an additional size, just let us know and we can make it happen)
Lessons learned
Every year, as we come upon some of the great things that helped make the reunion so much more enjoyable, we write them down so that when we start planning for the next year we can make sure to include them. I might also add that we also write down some of the not-to-do things like: don't put the bag of s’ mores supplies next to the dog in the back of the car, (which led to: make more frequent stops to check the dog, and bring more wet wipes for accidents in the car). But some of the good things were: need the gallon size bottle(s) of vodka; bring extra shelving (170 sqft) to store food in cabin -- see menu planning below; if you put individual toiletries on the packing list (and those items go into a toiletry bag), also put the toiletry bag on the list; don't speed in the park as the siren disturbs the wildlife; vodka has excellent medicinal properties and can be used for significant edge smoothing and for body preparation for naps; make sure children's smelly shoes are stored outside of cabin; make sure you have a means of securing children's shoes stored outside of cabin from being mistaken for food and taken by nocturnal wildlife; bring extra money to replace mysteriously lost shoes (you see how all of this starts to fit together); bring gallon sized bottles of vodka (I know, you think I'm repeating myself, but this is MORE gallon sized bottles of vodka); include cocktail hour in afternoon schedule (prior to afternoon nap); drink extra water to stave off negative effects of edge smoothing cocktail hour-- I could go on and on with the list, but you get the drift.
Meal planning
Other preplanning includes that which we do for the meals we have while at the reunion. If you have seen some of the pictures of our family you might have guessed that meal planning is something into which we put a great deal of effort. For the mid October gathering, our planning begins in February, usually with someone saying "OK WHAT ARE WE MAKING AT GREENLEAF THIS YEAR!!!?", and then the list making begins. We start with somewhere around 474 different favorite family recipes (for the 10 or so meals we will need to prepare) and whittle it down to just under a hundred. As we get closer to the reunion, and have to start thinking about buying the stuff to make the meals, we find a way to eliminate some of the less favorite items. This year we used voting, which was preceded by 190 minutes of debate (using standard British parliamentary rules), lobbying by outside interests, bribery, deception, and finally, last minute changes because the family members that insisted on the liver and brussel sprout casserole had decided not to come. For the Harris's the grocery shopping that supports this meal planning exercise is quite substantial and will be depicted for you in a major subparagraph below.
List making and packing
If any of you have read my earlier posts about my fly lady following, list-making wife, you'll understand that the list making aspect of our trip is one of greatly intricate detail... For a reason-- you do not under any circumstances want to leave anything behind in your house... and therefore you need to make sure everything that you own is on the packing list. (Note: this is such an endeavor that my US government employer actually gives me a special day off for preparation -- most people think that the 2nd Monday in October is Columbus Day, but it is actually Greenleaf packing day). Our list is actually a soft bound book (like a journal) of lists that can be kept for comparison to next year's list and that has also been rigorously checked against the previous years' lists. The lists have distinct purposes and are meticulously checked off, highlighted and color coded to indicate the packing status of each items. This is logistics! "Checked" means gathered into the kitchen area, "green highlight" means packed in freight container, "lined through" means assembled into the garage, "blue highlight" means needs to be purchased at Harp's, "X’d out" means loaded into car, coffee stain means you worked on the list late at night, etc. Everything that is going, goes on the list, and everything is then checked as it goes through its "phases". As I said, it's logistics and my wife is the queen of lists and logistics, so do not mess with her lists! ... I'm completely serious here! Don't you do it!
Once everything is loaded into the 5 vehicles that it takes to move all of our necessary items to the park, we can depart. Anything that does not fit into the 5 vehicles can either be shipped by overland freight, or removed from the list and purchased in either Muskogee or Gore.
Arrival at the park
Upon arrival, all the sh*t (note: during packing and transporting operations the necessary items have transformed into sh*t) that we packed is dumped out and placed into our 400 square foot cabin. This somewhat resembles the Siegfried and Roy illusion where they make a battleship disappear. You can imagine that this tends to make our cabin very "cozy", and when you add 13 kids and 5 dogs playing cards, games, and watching TV (note: the dogs do not play cards- that painting is not real) you can understand the need for the edge smoothing cocktail hours.
Groceries
As promised, this subparagraph is a depiction of the local shopping that is required to provide the meals and other activities that are prevalent at the TFR. To back up a bit, understand that every cubic inch of the five vehicles we use to transport our necessary items to the lake are full, so our food and other necessary items (things we forgot - if you can believe that) must be purchased locally. Once our mid-sized SUV is stripped of the spare tire, tools, carpet, headlining, and the 2nd and 3rd row of rear seating we are ready to do our grocery shopping. Prior to entering the store, we decide on a story of how we are purchasing food for a 600 soldier battalion of military reservists stationed at Camp Gruber (adjacent to the park) so as not to get responses such as "holy crap that's a sh*t load of food for a family reunion". We also electronically transfer the money from our 401 K accounts into checking to cover the impending expense (thank goodness for our bank i-phone app). We traverse the rows strategically filling our 4 grocery carts with items from every section of the store, but most prominently from the high fat and sugar areas, being careful to only select the snack items made entirely of trans-fats. Once we have completed the gathering process and head to the front of the store, the store manager sounds an alert siren and an army of people are brought in from the back of the store to process our purchase. After we leave, the store shuts down to restock and its owner goes to Muskogee to buy a new Volvo. Before returning to camp, we stop by the Gore liquor store for more gallon sized bottles of vodka.
Well that pretty much gets you up to the point that Jan wrote about. I hope this gives you some insight into how much we love this reunion. That should be obvious as no one in their right mind... OK, not even people not in their right mind would go through all of this if our time there was not absolutely like heaven on earth.
P.S. Stay tuned as I will soon be posting part 2 of this 3 part story. Part 2 will provide a point of view of the meat of the reunion different from the Norman Rockwellesque version provided by my lovely Aunt Jan.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Email from My Friend Carol
My friend Carol sent me this email...
"Love the Blog . . . . . . How does one get in the family? marriage? adoption? stowaway?"
Mark do you want to tell her about passing a test before being allowed to marry Amber?
"Love the Blog . . . . . . How does one get in the family? marriage? adoption? stowaway?"
Mark do you want to tell her about passing a test before being allowed to marry Amber?
Jackson Wins Dirtiest Toes Contest
Jackson Taylor and Michel Newman were the finalist for the dirty toes contest but Jackson won by about two layers. Better luck next year Michel at the Taylor Family Reunion dirty toe contest.
It was the best of reunions and the worst of reunions. Jerry and Jane were robbed while we were sitting at the lake. Jerry and Jane were saddened but philosophical and grateful no one was hurt, and in the end stuff is just that stuff. Computers can be replaced but Jane's earrings that were a high school graduation gift from a beloved friend and her fortieth anniversary gift from Jerry cannot.
Marc's four, four week old orphan miniature dachshunds were the, need I say it, hit of the reunion. Daisy, Heidi, Emma and Dirk did not lack cuddling time with various family members. They were either sleeping, waddling around on the grass for a little play/poop time or nestled on someones chest. When the puppy formula came out it was all eyes on the wee ones. Stephanie, Nora and Cathy would have done a little dog napping if forty pair of eyes hadn't of been on them. Watching the orphans thrive was one of the biggest joys ever at The Taylor Family Reunion.
This reunion sort of went to the dogs. Summer had Rocco, Anne-Lizette had Rudy, Mike and Kathy had Harvey and Izzy, and Cara had Elly. I'm here to tell you a dogs life is pretty sweet.
Mark's reunion t-shirt was another hit. Jeff is every one's favorite and there he was in all his lovable glory eternally memorialized in the most fantastic drawing ever. Thanks Mr Mark you out did yourself causing so much pleasure to all the family.
Otherwise it was a pretty typical reunion. We sat and watched the orphans, the dogs, the campfire, the kids, the food, the fishermen, the walkers, the kayakers, the runners, the World Series fans, each other, the fall leaves change color, the rain, and the mighty fine Oklahoma lightening storm.
My two favorite reunion moments among many mighty fine reunion moments was Michael telling us the fire was broke after it had burned down to nothing one very warm afternoon. He couldn't throw his candy trash into the fire because it was broke. Love it.
And Connor trying to put his hand up to stop the Oklahoma lighting storm that followed him from the campfire and up the hill and into his cabin. "Stop" he said as he very deftly shut the door to the storm. That was something his Granny, nor his mommy and daddy could fix.
Connor didn't like the storm but he sure was entranced with Janice's video the next morning. When all was safe and sound and the sun was shinning his eyes got big and round with a big ole "woo" every time he saw another flash of lighting.
Connor bathed, ate, slept and pooped his way through the reunion. He learned to walk around the fire, go to the play ground, and run with the big boys. It was a magical year for this granny.
Well, there is a third favorite moment. After Conner had discovered the Goodie Box when ever he heard the words "Goodie Box" his little head went up like a Meercat on a swivel as he tracked the action and off he went. He would desert Granny or anybody and anything else. He did like the Goodie Box.
Other reunion moments was Jackson surprise when I presented him a prize for his dirty toes.
My pink hug from Avery, she didn't really want to hug me but her pink t-shirt could.
Popcorn cookies made twice: Jean and Amber.
The shopping trip for Vera Bradley and shrimp.
Next year there will be a bloody mary bar.
GG's fried baloney sandwiches.
Everybody loves a rain sanctuary, including Jeff.
We might have been baconed out.
Mark's two Seattle groupies.
Blaine helped everyone.
Hannah, Hannah, everybody loves Hannah.
Chocolate biscuits.
Tethered Janice.
Clark was missed.
Andy and Alec were welcomed.
Art doesn't wobble with his fake hip.
Bugs, bugs, bugs and bees. Enough to go around.
Jan let Connor wake up and play with a razor during her watch.
Stephanie deserted Connor if the bug was big and ugly enough.
It didn't matter if it was her watch.
Lots of good people and good food.
But my fun didn't end at the reunion. After the cabins at the lake I went to apartments, dorms, townhouses, homes and saw every bodies nests. Nora's new Fort Smith home is gorgeous; decorated, delightful, urban, two blocks from her new hotel and home to The Taylor Family Christmas breakfast December 10th, not the 3rd, due to some football game that interfered. You know you are in Oklahoma, or in this case Arkansas, if you plan events around football schedules.
We did a drive by to Brittany's dorm filled with girls and girls underwear every where. I have never seen so much girlie stuff in one place -- EVER. It was wonderful for me to check out Brittany's dorm because I have never had one or even been in one, it was all a brand new experience. All I knew about dorms was what I have read and reading does not do it justice. Imagine a girls dorm room and then triple that mental image and you might have an idea of the chaos.
Julia's townhouse is cheerful and whimsical with all of her bird art, one fat cat that could have been homeless if she hadn't of relented and took it in, and so precise and organized it inspired me to come home and get precise and organized. Even her closets were inspiring. She had a coffee bar, a nautical room, a bird watching deck, a shower to die for, hot and pulsating, and enough comfy couches and chairs for everyone. Perfect, perfect.
Jeff's is filled with memento's and photo's a veritable jaunt down nostalgic lane. Actually I don't think he has a home as much as he has a gallery. Seeing Christian at eight years old with his cousins and their matching plaid shorts brought a flood of memories. Jeff has lots of Jason's military paraphernalia; from graduating from boot camp to landing in North Carolina when the soldiers came home from Iraq. He has two shelves stuffed with treasures up to and including the candy box I gave him two days before. When I commented on it he said well I ate the candy, it's just the empty box!
I had so much fun meandering around Northwest Arkansas with my most excellent hosts. I went to NW AK to see Julia and Jeff, but my cup runneth over with other joys. Jeff sure knows how to stock a touring van with all the necessaries; water, beer, champagne, snacks, maps, Kleenex, walking sticks, step stools for his fat old sisters, and a semi-itinerary, never cast in stone always open for options. It did piss me off though when Jeff jumped on the trail he hadn't walked before Julia could get a photo of it. They have walked ever damn trail in a thirty mile radius and many in a one-hundred mile radius. Walking fools! Julia post some pictures.
Jean's home is filled with nests. Love it! Love it! There was Jean's three nests: one in the dining room, one in the bedroom, and one in the living room. She looked comfy to me.
And I want everyone to know I'm not a crazy old lady driver unless Julia, Nora, Jeff and Jean are crazy old lady drivers also. They went down the wrong side of the road, yes they did, and they took wrong turns, didn't know where to turn, had to back track. It was most satisfying to see them mess up. So there!
We had good food everywhere. The reunion was good as always, but the highlight will be the Instant Karma restaurant in Joplin Missouri where we had bacon wrapped deep fried hot dogs. Need I say more? AQ chicken was as fabulous as I remembered, and we had an Andrew sighting who was as fabulous as I remember, and we had enough left overs for Julia's birthday dinner the next night. Only Julia would appreciate a birthday dinner of left overs. Fun stuff.
We ate at Market Place, First Watch, and Mama Roja's, all new places to me and all such unique and delicious food. Then we ate at some old standbys like Braums where we went in to have a sausage biscuit and ate bananas and yogurt instead. If a Taylor is eating their way through Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri they are having fun. Yes we did!
I came home smooth as a cucumber. Ian gave good directions to the car. It took me an hour and a half from touch down to front door and an hour and a half to get back to life. I unloaded the suitcase, checked email and mail, looked for pictures of Connor on face book and was watching a movie by eight o'clock.
The Inn at Mukilteo is open for business;
girl parties -- Cathy
generational parties -- Kathy
family parties -- Amber
romantic not family parties -- Amber
wanderlust parties -- Jerry
run away parties -- Jean
spa parties -- Nora
play parties -- Brittany
shopping, eagle watching, driving, foodie -- any kind of party you can dredge up.
Any one up for a film fest party come on.
Ian left a note, "laundry done... dishes done... mail checked... Welcome home! See you on Monday! p.s. I left my car key just in case with my itinerary and money. Sorry I spent $5.00."
Now, I ask you, would you begrudge Ian $5.00 dollars after all that?
And he left a cheesecake in the refrigerator...
No more sitting around The Taylor Family Reunion campfire for a year.
Next year we will have a new design for our camp fire circle, instead of random groupings it will be those with fake limbs sit in one area, the asthmatic/COPDers another, we will have a geriatric section, those with health issues, those with dietary needs, those with kids, those with dogs, guests, and a smoking section.
Back to plain old ordinary life. Now what fun is that?
It was the best of reunions and the worst of reunions. Jerry and Jane were robbed while we were sitting at the lake. Jerry and Jane were saddened but philosophical and grateful no one was hurt, and in the end stuff is just that stuff. Computers can be replaced but Jane's earrings that were a high school graduation gift from a beloved friend and her fortieth anniversary gift from Jerry cannot.
Marc's four, four week old orphan miniature dachshunds were the, need I say it, hit of the reunion. Daisy, Heidi, Emma and Dirk did not lack cuddling time with various family members. They were either sleeping, waddling around on the grass for a little play/poop time or nestled on someones chest. When the puppy formula came out it was all eyes on the wee ones. Stephanie, Nora and Cathy would have done a little dog napping if forty pair of eyes hadn't of been on them. Watching the orphans thrive was one of the biggest joys ever at The Taylor Family Reunion.
This reunion sort of went to the dogs. Summer had Rocco, Anne-Lizette had Rudy, Mike and Kathy had Harvey and Izzy, and Cara had Elly. I'm here to tell you a dogs life is pretty sweet.
Mark's reunion t-shirt was another hit. Jeff is every one's favorite and there he was in all his lovable glory eternally memorialized in the most fantastic drawing ever. Thanks Mr Mark you out did yourself causing so much pleasure to all the family.
Otherwise it was a pretty typical reunion. We sat and watched the orphans, the dogs, the campfire, the kids, the food, the fishermen, the walkers, the kayakers, the runners, the World Series fans, each other, the fall leaves change color, the rain, and the mighty fine Oklahoma lightening storm.
My two favorite reunion moments among many mighty fine reunion moments was Michael telling us the fire was broke after it had burned down to nothing one very warm afternoon. He couldn't throw his candy trash into the fire because it was broke. Love it.
And Connor trying to put his hand up to stop the Oklahoma lighting storm that followed him from the campfire and up the hill and into his cabin. "Stop" he said as he very deftly shut the door to the storm. That was something his Granny, nor his mommy and daddy could fix.
Connor didn't like the storm but he sure was entranced with Janice's video the next morning. When all was safe and sound and the sun was shinning his eyes got big and round with a big ole "woo" every time he saw another flash of lighting.
Connor bathed, ate, slept and pooped his way through the reunion. He learned to walk around the fire, go to the play ground, and run with the big boys. It was a magical year for this granny.
Well, there is a third favorite moment. After Conner had discovered the Goodie Box when ever he heard the words "Goodie Box" his little head went up like a Meercat on a swivel as he tracked the action and off he went. He would desert Granny or anybody and anything else. He did like the Goodie Box.
Other reunion moments was Jackson surprise when I presented him a prize for his dirty toes.
My pink hug from Avery, she didn't really want to hug me but her pink t-shirt could.
Popcorn cookies made twice: Jean and Amber.
The shopping trip for Vera Bradley and shrimp.
Next year there will be a bloody mary bar.
GG's fried baloney sandwiches.
Everybody loves a rain sanctuary, including Jeff.
We might have been baconed out.
Mark's two Seattle groupies.
Blaine helped everyone.
Hannah, Hannah, everybody loves Hannah.
Chocolate biscuits.
Tethered Janice.
Clark was missed.
Andy and Alec were welcomed.
Art doesn't wobble with his fake hip.
Bugs, bugs, bugs and bees. Enough to go around.
Jan let Connor wake up and play with a razor during her watch.
Stephanie deserted Connor if the bug was big and ugly enough.
It didn't matter if it was her watch.
Lots of good people and good food.
But my fun didn't end at the reunion. After the cabins at the lake I went to apartments, dorms, townhouses, homes and saw every bodies nests. Nora's new Fort Smith home is gorgeous; decorated, delightful, urban, two blocks from her new hotel and home to The Taylor Family Christmas breakfast December 10th, not the 3rd, due to some football game that interfered. You know you are in Oklahoma, or in this case Arkansas, if you plan events around football schedules.
We did a drive by to Brittany's dorm filled with girls and girls underwear every where. I have never seen so much girlie stuff in one place -- EVER. It was wonderful for me to check out Brittany's dorm because I have never had one or even been in one, it was all a brand new experience. All I knew about dorms was what I have read and reading does not do it justice. Imagine a girls dorm room and then triple that mental image and you might have an idea of the chaos.
Julia's townhouse is cheerful and whimsical with all of her bird art, one fat cat that could have been homeless if she hadn't of relented and took it in, and so precise and organized it inspired me to come home and get precise and organized. Even her closets were inspiring. She had a coffee bar, a nautical room, a bird watching deck, a shower to die for, hot and pulsating, and enough comfy couches and chairs for everyone. Perfect, perfect.
Jeff's is filled with memento's and photo's a veritable jaunt down nostalgic lane. Actually I don't think he has a home as much as he has a gallery. Seeing Christian at eight years old with his cousins and their matching plaid shorts brought a flood of memories. Jeff has lots of Jason's military paraphernalia; from graduating from boot camp to landing in North Carolina when the soldiers came home from Iraq. He has two shelves stuffed with treasures up to and including the candy box I gave him two days before. When I commented on it he said well I ate the candy, it's just the empty box!
I had so much fun meandering around Northwest Arkansas with my most excellent hosts. I went to NW AK to see Julia and Jeff, but my cup runneth over with other joys. Jeff sure knows how to stock a touring van with all the necessaries; water, beer, champagne, snacks, maps, Kleenex, walking sticks, step stools for his fat old sisters, and a semi-itinerary, never cast in stone always open for options. It did piss me off though when Jeff jumped on the trail he hadn't walked before Julia could get a photo of it. They have walked ever damn trail in a thirty mile radius and many in a one-hundred mile radius. Walking fools! Julia post some pictures.
Jean's home is filled with nests. Love it! Love it! There was Jean's three nests: one in the dining room, one in the bedroom, and one in the living room. She looked comfy to me.
And I want everyone to know I'm not a crazy old lady driver unless Julia, Nora, Jeff and Jean are crazy old lady drivers also. They went down the wrong side of the road, yes they did, and they took wrong turns, didn't know where to turn, had to back track. It was most satisfying to see them mess up. So there!
We had good food everywhere. The reunion was good as always, but the highlight will be the Instant Karma restaurant in Joplin Missouri where we had bacon wrapped deep fried hot dogs. Need I say more? AQ chicken was as fabulous as I remembered, and we had an Andrew sighting who was as fabulous as I remember, and we had enough left overs for Julia's birthday dinner the next night. Only Julia would appreciate a birthday dinner of left overs. Fun stuff.
We ate at Market Place, First Watch, and Mama Roja's, all new places to me and all such unique and delicious food. Then we ate at some old standbys like Braums where we went in to have a sausage biscuit and ate bananas and yogurt instead. If a Taylor is eating their way through Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri they are having fun. Yes we did!
I came home smooth as a cucumber. Ian gave good directions to the car. It took me an hour and a half from touch down to front door and an hour and a half to get back to life. I unloaded the suitcase, checked email and mail, looked for pictures of Connor on face book and was watching a movie by eight o'clock.
The Inn at Mukilteo is open for business;
girl parties -- Cathy
generational parties -- Kathy
family parties -- Amber
romantic not family parties -- Amber
wanderlust parties -- Jerry
run away parties -- Jean
spa parties -- Nora
play parties -- Brittany
shopping, eagle watching, driving, foodie -- any kind of party you can dredge up.
Any one up for a film fest party come on.
Ian left a note, "laundry done... dishes done... mail checked... Welcome home! See you on Monday! p.s. I left my car key just in case with my itinerary and money. Sorry I spent $5.00."
Now, I ask you, would you begrudge Ian $5.00 dollars after all that?
And he left a cheesecake in the refrigerator...
No more sitting around The Taylor Family Reunion campfire for a year.
Next year we will have a new design for our camp fire circle, instead of random groupings it will be those with fake limbs sit in one area, the asthmatic/COPDers another, we will have a geriatric section, those with health issues, those with dietary needs, those with kids, those with dogs, guests, and a smoking section.
Back to plain old ordinary life. Now what fun is that?
Friday, October 14, 2011
See You In Oklahoma
It was weird saying goodbye to Roger, Stephanie and Connor last evening and telling them, "See you in Oklahoma." Weird.
I picked Connor up for our playdate and we drove to The Spotted Cow to meet a friend so I could show off Connor. She took a dozen adorable photographs of Conner and posted them on facebook.
All Connor wanted was the blue blue blue colored bubble gum gelato. I asked the clerk if it was any good and she shrugged her shoulders and said, "Well, all the kids love it." Then in the play area of The Spotted Cow, I said this is pretty icky ice cream and the other mothers said, "Well the kids love it." And Connor did indeed love it. He kept trying to dig around my vanilla for his bubblegum. I'm still learning to be a better Granny, next time it will be two cups not one.
Since Connor and I were otherwise engaged, Roger joined Stephanie for one of her training workout runs as she prepares for the half-marathon she will be running in Las Vegas this December. Actully both of them are going to run, Roger said it is a midnight run down The Strip. Now does that sound like fun to you? I think they are really looking forward to this trip although I can't imagine why. Vegas baby Vegas!
After their workout run they stopped for a romantic, if sweaty, dinner at one of their favorite dives. That's okay Connor was pretty worked up and was still shooting me with his Duplo Blocks gun.
See you in Oklahoma.
I picked Connor up for our playdate and we drove to The Spotted Cow to meet a friend so I could show off Connor. She took a dozen adorable photographs of Conner and posted them on facebook.
All Connor wanted was the blue blue blue colored bubble gum gelato. I asked the clerk if it was any good and she shrugged her shoulders and said, "Well, all the kids love it." Then in the play area of The Spotted Cow, I said this is pretty icky ice cream and the other mothers said, "Well the kids love it." And Connor did indeed love it. He kept trying to dig around my vanilla for his bubblegum. I'm still learning to be a better Granny, next time it will be two cups not one.
Since Connor and I were otherwise engaged, Roger joined Stephanie for one of her training workout runs as she prepares for the half-marathon she will be running in Las Vegas this December. Actully both of them are going to run, Roger said it is a midnight run down The Strip. Now does that sound like fun to you? I think they are really looking forward to this trip although I can't imagine why. Vegas baby Vegas!
After their workout run they stopped for a romantic, if sweaty, dinner at one of their favorite dives. That's okay Connor was pretty worked up and was still shooting me with his Duplo Blocks gun.
See you in Oklahoma.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Countdown Has Begun
I thought I would start a Greenleaf countdown but it seems I am hours and days behind. Par for the course! The whole world will get there before me, except for The Connorman.
I plan on spending a lot of time looking at Connor, watching Connor, admiring Connor, and just in general enjoying Connor as he experiences his first Taylor Family Reunion. It's going to be good. Can't wait.
I won't be at Greenleaf until next Wednesday, but things are still heating up around here. Roger and Stephanie leave for Colorado and Ian will house set while they are gone. Then I leave for Oklahoma and Ian will house set and watch both homes until Roger and Stephanie return. Then He leaves for Florida the day I return from Oklahoma/Arkansas. Whew, after that Roger and Stephanie and I will be on our own. Bless the child.
One time Tal said truckers don't eat where the food is good, truckers eat where the parking is easy. I had two hours between work and book club; to rushed to go home and come back, to much time to just sit and wait. So I found an easy place to park with mediocre food and had a mediocre dinner. Book club was great though. We read Stiff by Mary Roach a book about what happens to bodies after they die and some of their scientific uses. Interesting, but not for everyone.
At book club last night I had to confess my sin of absolute resistance to anyone telling me what to do. I was nailed on that one. Everyone knows me too well. And I have been that way for as long as I can remember. Gotta love Jan.
Gotta love Julia: She plans, organizes, walks, thinks, enthuses, volunteers, and grumbles a bit about her fellow man. Gotta love Julia. Can't wait to see her.
I'm making Jean's new crockpot lasagna recipe, can't smell it yet. She told me she would have food for Wednesday night and Thursday morning so me and the family didn't have to worry about the grocery store first thing. Gotta love Jean. Can't wait to see her.
Gotta love Jeff: he is bringing the kid snack stash and an adult snack stash and a big ole comfy camp chair for me. Gotta love Jeff. Can't wait to see him.
Then there are the teens, the car wreckers, the five year olds, the Texans, the walkers, the fishermen, the book readers, the campers, the collage students, and Connor checking it all out. Gotta love reunion. Can't wait to see you.
Yep countdown has begun and I'm in on it.
See you at the campfire.
I plan on spending a lot of time looking at Connor, watching Connor, admiring Connor, and just in general enjoying Connor as he experiences his first Taylor Family Reunion. It's going to be good. Can't wait.
I won't be at Greenleaf until next Wednesday, but things are still heating up around here. Roger and Stephanie leave for Colorado and Ian will house set while they are gone. Then I leave for Oklahoma and Ian will house set and watch both homes until Roger and Stephanie return. Then He leaves for Florida the day I return from Oklahoma/Arkansas. Whew, after that Roger and Stephanie and I will be on our own. Bless the child.
One time Tal said truckers don't eat where the food is good, truckers eat where the parking is easy. I had two hours between work and book club; to rushed to go home and come back, to much time to just sit and wait. So I found an easy place to park with mediocre food and had a mediocre dinner. Book club was great though. We read Stiff by Mary Roach a book about what happens to bodies after they die and some of their scientific uses. Interesting, but not for everyone.
At book club last night I had to confess my sin of absolute resistance to anyone telling me what to do. I was nailed on that one. Everyone knows me too well. And I have been that way for as long as I can remember. Gotta love Jan.
Gotta love Julia: She plans, organizes, walks, thinks, enthuses, volunteers, and grumbles a bit about her fellow man. Gotta love Julia. Can't wait to see her.
I'm making Jean's new crockpot lasagna recipe, can't smell it yet. She told me she would have food for Wednesday night and Thursday morning so me and the family didn't have to worry about the grocery store first thing. Gotta love Jean. Can't wait to see her.
Gotta love Jeff: he is bringing the kid snack stash and an adult snack stash and a big ole comfy camp chair for me. Gotta love Jeff. Can't wait to see him.
Then there are the teens, the car wreckers, the five year olds, the Texans, the walkers, the fishermen, the book readers, the campers, the collage students, and Connor checking it all out. Gotta love reunion. Can't wait to see you.
Yep countdown has begun and I'm in on it.
See you at the campfire.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Mexican
When I look at Connor, with his blue blue eyes and his blond blond hair, I wonder where has the Mexican gone. I think the Mexican gene is bred out.
And then on our playday Wednesday I took him fruit like I always do, but at the last minute I stopped at McDonalds for some sausage biscuits. When I was giving him his breakfast of fruit and biscuits he ate the fruit and left the sausage biscuit. Sad to say I think the Okie gene is bred out also. What's up with that?
When I tried to do my weeks cooking on Thursday, nothing was as good as I used to be able to make. I think my cooking gene has died. I know some of you are thinking: Did she ever have one?
I made potato salad and it was more like mashed potato salad, I might have over cooked the potatoes a bit. I made a Taco casserole in the crock pot and it was edible but a tad disappointing. Not particularly taco-ish. Not fantastic. Not a keeper recipe or I failed somewhere adjusting the ingredients. Then I made the zucchini tomato cracker bake and it was close to a disaster. I thought it would be similar to Aunt Fanny's squash casserole -- it wasn't. However a pound of butter did improve it somewhat, but then a pound of butter would improve sawdust wouldn't it.
I can't wait to get to Greenleaf and eat food I didn't cook. Even Julia's.
I can't wait to get to Greenleaf.
I can't wait to get to Greenleaf and hug talk laugh admire listen think relax remember nap and watch Connor.
I watched a fantastic movie, so if you want to see a movie about disgruntled parking lot attendants watch The Parking Lot Movie. Fantastic.
Right now I think I will take a nap.
And then on our playday Wednesday I took him fruit like I always do, but at the last minute I stopped at McDonalds for some sausage biscuits. When I was giving him his breakfast of fruit and biscuits he ate the fruit and left the sausage biscuit. Sad to say I think the Okie gene is bred out also. What's up with that?
When I tried to do my weeks cooking on Thursday, nothing was as good as I used to be able to make. I think my cooking gene has died. I know some of you are thinking: Did she ever have one?
I made potato salad and it was more like mashed potato salad, I might have over cooked the potatoes a bit. I made a Taco casserole in the crock pot and it was edible but a tad disappointing. Not particularly taco-ish. Not fantastic. Not a keeper recipe or I failed somewhere adjusting the ingredients. Then I made the zucchini tomato cracker bake and it was close to a disaster. I thought it would be similar to Aunt Fanny's squash casserole -- it wasn't. However a pound of butter did improve it somewhat, but then a pound of butter would improve sawdust wouldn't it.
I can't wait to get to Greenleaf and eat food I didn't cook. Even Julia's.
I can't wait to get to Greenleaf.
I can't wait to get to Greenleaf and hug talk laugh admire listen think relax remember nap and watch Connor.
I watched a fantastic movie, so if you want to see a movie about disgruntled parking lot attendants watch The Parking Lot Movie. Fantastic.
Right now I think I will take a nap.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Connor
My sweet angelic Connor has learned how to spit!
My sweet angelic Connor has learned how to make sounds like guns, growls, and grunts.
He can climb, crash, run, crawl, wiggle, jump, collapse, throw, ram and just plain out maneuver his granny.
He can converse. Do you want a sandwich? No.
Do you want macaroni and cheese? No.
Do you want yogurt? No.
Do you want a hotdog? No.
Do you want cereal? CHEERIOS!
Connor: Cookie?
Granny: No. Pear?
Connor: No. Cookie?
Granny: No. Pear?
No. Cookie?
No. Pear?
I believe that one was a tie.
He can snuggle, we spent several hours snuggling.
He likes to be read to. I think through out the day he brought me twenty books to read. Especially when it was time to take a nap. Five books is the going rate for naps.
He can kiss, giggle, tickle, smile, and blow the sweetest soap bubbles.
Only one potty accident.
When I arrived I entered through the garage and called up the stairs to Stephanie that I was there. I could hear Connor running down the hall, crashing down the stairs, and then flying into my arms all the time calling out; Grannies here. Grannies here. Grannies here. Grannies here.
It only took one hot bath soak, two pain pills, and 1 1/2 hours of groans on the couch to regroup. I can't say I am over it yet.
All in it was a pretty grand day and I get to do it all again next Wednesday.
My sweet angelic Connor has learned how to make sounds like guns, growls, and grunts.
He can climb, crash, run, crawl, wiggle, jump, collapse, throw, ram and just plain out maneuver his granny.
He can converse. Do you want a sandwich? No.
Do you want macaroni and cheese? No.
Do you want yogurt? No.
Do you want a hotdog? No.
Do you want cereal? CHEERIOS!
Connor: Cookie?
Granny: No. Pear?
Connor: No. Cookie?
Granny: No. Pear?
No. Cookie?
No. Pear?
I believe that one was a tie.
He can snuggle, we spent several hours snuggling.
He likes to be read to. I think through out the day he brought me twenty books to read. Especially when it was time to take a nap. Five books is the going rate for naps.
He can kiss, giggle, tickle, smile, and blow the sweetest soap bubbles.
Only one potty accident.
When I arrived I entered through the garage and called up the stairs to Stephanie that I was there. I could hear Connor running down the hall, crashing down the stairs, and then flying into my arms all the time calling out; Grannies here. Grannies here. Grannies here. Grannies here.
It only took one hot bath soak, two pain pills, and 1 1/2 hours of groans on the couch to regroup. I can't say I am over it yet.
All in it was a pretty grand day and I get to do it all again next Wednesday.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Confession
Do you know what red tomatoes look like when they are wrapped up in green cellophane? They look like some strange fruit that looks half like a plum and half like a tomato. Silly me! Don't tell anyone I did that.
But thanks to Nila, and her master gardening husband, I have a bowl full of bright red garden fresh Roma tomatoes. My favorite food in the world! Just ask Janice. One summer it is all I ate at her house.
I was able to get all of my cooking, laundry, movies watching, and book reading done yesterday. Today I'm off to watch The Connorman.
But thanks to Nila, and her master gardening husband, I have a bowl full of bright red garden fresh Roma tomatoes. My favorite food in the world! Just ask Janice. One summer it is all I ate at her house.
I was able to get all of my cooking, laundry, movies watching, and book reading done yesterday. Today I'm off to watch The Connorman.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Oops, there is more...
I looked out the window and Possession Sound is covered, covered, in thick thick fog, low down and beautiful. Beyond the fog the sun is shinning on Whidbey Island, brilliant, brilliant, sunshine beautiful and inviting. Then the fog takes over again and obscures the Kitsap peninsula and the Olympic Mountains, beautiful beautiful.
How is your world today?
How is your world today?
Sweet and Sour Liver
I'm looking everywhere for my sweet and sour liver recipe ( thanks Amber) so I can cook it up for my family at reunion. Sweet and sour liver for everyone. Just a thought.
Can we have a red underwear day? Or red shoes, or at least a red hat day? With all the OU and UA paraphernalia floating around I'm sure people can secure a red hat. Just a thought.
I was trying to figure out a game for the family to play at reunion and you all know how bad I am at games, so the game thinking turned into story telling thinking. I'm going to ask for stories so come prepared. You might have to tell a story about Summer or Jacquie or Cathy or Taylor or Jason or Christian. Just a thought.
Or a kind words day. I know this family is snarky and sarcastic, but maybe, maybe, just once sitting around the campfire we can say a kind word about the person on your left. Yes, even if it is Tal. Just a thought.
I hope Connor finds a turtle. Maybe I'll offer a prize to a turtle finding family member. Someone who can wander a little further afield than Connor and his granny. Just a thought.
I hope Nora finds an owl. She will have to offer her own prize.
Mark, per your blog request for T-shirt ideas, I think we need a Taylor Family mascot. Something bullish, fattish, hot dog eatingish, maybe a little fishingish, cookingish, nappingish, camp fire sitting aroundish sort of mascot. My favorite quintessential photograph of the reunion is last year's photo of Jeff -- relaxing in the camp chair. Its on last October's blog after the reunion. Or when the boys fought over leaves. Wasn't that Clark and Blaine?
Or "Connor's Staff" t-shirts works for me. Just a thought.
Also Marc I was asking about symmetric molecular quantum mechanics because I'm reading this book Andrew mentioned. You kindly offered you and Marc taking a shot at teaching me, but if the truth be known I don't really want to understand it, I just want to wonder at it. However I'm glad there are nephews in the world who do understand it. Thanks, you'll be my hero for a while.
I know Brittany's hero is usually her daddy, but who is every one elses?
Fried balony or phony balony soup? Just a thought.
My kitchen counter has some strange looking purple type fruit sitting on it. It looks half like a plum and half like a tomato. Ian must have brought it home last night. I'm thinking about waking him up and asking him, What the heck is this? But I guess I'll let him sleep a little longer, after all he does haul in and put away all my groceries for me. I don't want to upset the balance here.
My weekend is looking busy.
Yesterday I met Claire at the optical place to help her select new eye-glasses, yes she asked me, but rejected the orange and gold ones I thought were perfect. Nice dinner at The Ram after though.
Thursday instead of a playdate I'll have a playday with Connor. Babysitting duty, the folks have to work and the day care is closed. Oh woe is me...
Friday I'm off for a visit with Lynn, I haven't seen her since June I don't think. Anyway we'll do breakfast/lunch and maybe a drive. Always a pleasure.
That means I have to do everything else today. Cook my food for next week, get the laundry done, watch my movies, finish my Andrew book, and blog -- so here you are.
Blogs done.
Chocolate! We could have a chocolate day/evening! Then after the chocolate feast, THEN we could ask everyone to say something nice about the person on their left. Just a thought
Reunion is on my mind.
Can we have a red underwear day? Or red shoes, or at least a red hat day? With all the OU and UA paraphernalia floating around I'm sure people can secure a red hat. Just a thought.
I was trying to figure out a game for the family to play at reunion and you all know how bad I am at games, so the game thinking turned into story telling thinking. I'm going to ask for stories so come prepared. You might have to tell a story about Summer or Jacquie or Cathy or Taylor or Jason or Christian. Just a thought.
Or a kind words day. I know this family is snarky and sarcastic, but maybe, maybe, just once sitting around the campfire we can say a kind word about the person on your left. Yes, even if it is Tal. Just a thought.
I hope Connor finds a turtle. Maybe I'll offer a prize to a turtle finding family member. Someone who can wander a little further afield than Connor and his granny. Just a thought.
I hope Nora finds an owl. She will have to offer her own prize.
Mark, per your blog request for T-shirt ideas, I think we need a Taylor Family mascot. Something bullish, fattish, hot dog eatingish, maybe a little fishingish, cookingish, nappingish, camp fire sitting aroundish sort of mascot. My favorite quintessential photograph of the reunion is last year's photo of Jeff -- relaxing in the camp chair. Its on last October's blog after the reunion. Or when the boys fought over leaves. Wasn't that Clark and Blaine?
Or "Connor's Staff" t-shirts works for me. Just a thought.
Also Marc I was asking about symmetric molecular quantum mechanics because I'm reading this book Andrew mentioned. You kindly offered you and Marc taking a shot at teaching me, but if the truth be known I don't really want to understand it, I just want to wonder at it. However I'm glad there are nephews in the world who do understand it. Thanks, you'll be my hero for a while.
I know Brittany's hero is usually her daddy, but who is every one elses?
Fried balony or phony balony soup? Just a thought.
My kitchen counter has some strange looking purple type fruit sitting on it. It looks half like a plum and half like a tomato. Ian must have brought it home last night. I'm thinking about waking him up and asking him, What the heck is this? But I guess I'll let him sleep a little longer, after all he does haul in and put away all my groceries for me. I don't want to upset the balance here.
My weekend is looking busy.
Yesterday I met Claire at the optical place to help her select new eye-glasses, yes she asked me, but rejected the orange and gold ones I thought were perfect. Nice dinner at The Ram after though.
Thursday instead of a playdate I'll have a playday with Connor. Babysitting duty, the folks have to work and the day care is closed. Oh woe is me...
Friday I'm off for a visit with Lynn, I haven't seen her since June I don't think. Anyway we'll do breakfast/lunch and maybe a drive. Always a pleasure.
That means I have to do everything else today. Cook my food for next week, get the laundry done, watch my movies, finish my Andrew book, and blog -- so here you are.
Blogs done.
Chocolate! We could have a chocolate day/evening! Then after the chocolate feast, THEN we could ask everyone to say something nice about the person on their left. Just a thought
Reunion is on my mind.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
T shirt ideas
For any of you reading this, please send your 27th annual Taylor family reunion Tee shirt ideas to mark16708@yahoo.com
Some of the ideas I already have been given are:
Some arrangement of all of our names, either all or just the descendants (circular or in some shape)
A smiley face of sorts with the words "you make me smile"
Something nostalgic like the pickup truck design from TFR 23
Some sort of animated character who is representative of the quintessential Taylor
I also plan on designing a bacon poster to hang for the great Taylor Family Reunion recipe cook-off
Please reply this week with your idea or a vote for one or two of the ones above (front and back)
Some of the ideas I already have been given are:
Some arrangement of all of our names, either all or just the descendants (circular or in some shape)
A smiley face of sorts with the words "you make me smile"
Something nostalgic like the pickup truck design from TFR 23
Some sort of animated character who is representative of the quintessential Taylor
I also plan on designing a bacon poster to hang for the great Taylor Family Reunion recipe cook-off
Please reply this week with your idea or a vote for one or two of the ones above (front and back)
Friday, September 23, 2011
I'm Wondering
How is Marc's business growing?
Why I told Amanda I would help with mentoring five days after I told her I would never do it again? She did promise me someone easy, a delightful young gentleman, and overtime. Well, reunion is approaching and OT talks, so what the hell?
Why my ankles and knees hurt?
What is worse, 93 degrees temperature or 93 degrees of humidity?
It is MUGGY today!
Why Ian, who has shuttled dozens of folks to and from the airport, doesn't have a ride when he is about to fly off to FL?
Will I ever get to FL?
If I will actually make cookies, jambalaya, and get my hair cut today?
How Nora is liking her new hotel?
Andrew his new apartment?
If Roger and Stephanie can get any busier?
Last night Stephanie came home, hugged Connor and left for a five mile run. Then she came home, grabbed a hot dog, hugged Connor and left for a homeowners meeting.
Connor joined the menfolk in the garage last night as the big guys plotted their 100 mile bike ride for Sunday. He grabbed his helmet and then couldn't decide which of his two bikes to use, but he was fully engaged in the bike stuff activity and wasn't going to be left out.
What is Jean cooking?
Will the republican jockeying campaign get any more amusing?
If politics can scare Americans any more than they already do?
If Mark would like the film Lourdes? About Lourdes miracles.
If I will ever send Emma a reading list?
Can Jane be anymore elegant?
When will Art get back on the golf course?
How many miles Julia and Jeff have walked this year?
I know Julia will have the statistics.
How many miles Dan, Jacquie and Benjamin have walked this year?
When does the Muppet movie come out?
Can the Taylor's love their children any more?
How much fun will I have watching Connor at reunion?
What cabin will we Washingtonians have?
How entertaining will the four now five year olds be?
If Michael will remember I'm his favorite Uncle Jan?
How will Connor like turkeys, deer, wagon rides, balloon animals and snakes?
What Jeff will have in his Snack Stash?
And how long will it take Connor to discover the freedom of it?
How many steps from mundane to profound?
Will I ever understand chirality?
How does life work?
When will we connect with alien life forms?
Are we an alien life form?
Have you listened, lately, to Harry Nilsson's The Point?
"Hello, is their anybody out there?"
What will replace oil?
What would world peace look and feel like? Imagine.
Six Degrees of Separation -- I believe in that.
Back to the mundane:
I'm going to watch a movie, Himalaya, take a nap, and go have coffee with Carol.
Screw the cookies and jambalaya.
It's 93 degrees humidity.
May you have a nap-ish sort of day.
Why I told Amanda I would help with mentoring five days after I told her I would never do it again? She did promise me someone easy, a delightful young gentleman, and overtime. Well, reunion is approaching and OT talks, so what the hell?
Why my ankles and knees hurt?
What is worse, 93 degrees temperature or 93 degrees of humidity?
It is MUGGY today!
Why Ian, who has shuttled dozens of folks to and from the airport, doesn't have a ride when he is about to fly off to FL?
Will I ever get to FL?
If I will actually make cookies, jambalaya, and get my hair cut today?
How Nora is liking her new hotel?
Andrew his new apartment?
If Roger and Stephanie can get any busier?
Last night Stephanie came home, hugged Connor and left for a five mile run. Then she came home, grabbed a hot dog, hugged Connor and left for a homeowners meeting.
Connor joined the menfolk in the garage last night as the big guys plotted their 100 mile bike ride for Sunday. He grabbed his helmet and then couldn't decide which of his two bikes to use, but he was fully engaged in the bike stuff activity and wasn't going to be left out.
What is Jean cooking?
Will the republican jockeying campaign get any more amusing?
If politics can scare Americans any more than they already do?
If Mark would like the film Lourdes? About Lourdes miracles.
If I will ever send Emma a reading list?
Can Jane be anymore elegant?
When will Art get back on the golf course?
How many miles Julia and Jeff have walked this year?
I know Julia will have the statistics.
How many miles Dan, Jacquie and Benjamin have walked this year?
When does the Muppet movie come out?
Can the Taylor's love their children any more?
How much fun will I have watching Connor at reunion?
What cabin will we Washingtonians have?
How entertaining will the four now five year olds be?
If Michael will remember I'm his favorite Uncle Jan?
How will Connor like turkeys, deer, wagon rides, balloon animals and snakes?
What Jeff will have in his Snack Stash?
And how long will it take Connor to discover the freedom of it?
How many steps from mundane to profound?
Will I ever understand chirality?
How does life work?
When will we connect with alien life forms?
Are we an alien life form?
Have you listened, lately, to Harry Nilsson's The Point?
"Hello, is their anybody out there?"
What will replace oil?
What would world peace look and feel like? Imagine.
Six Degrees of Separation -- I believe in that.
Back to the mundane:
I'm going to watch a movie, Himalaya, take a nap, and go have coffee with Carol.
Screw the cookies and jambalaya.
It's 93 degrees humidity.
May you have a nap-ish sort of day.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Now what am I going to do with this?
I read recently a devotional that advised, when faced with a difficult situation, one should NOT ask "why", but rather, "what". More specifically it said, now that this is my reality, what am I going to do with it?
The verse quoted was Philippians 4:8, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV)
The author called this verse “directions on where to park my mind.”
What does this have to do with the Harris part of the Taylor clan?
Within the last month we've had some "stuff" happen that most would consider bad. Hannah had her first fender bender in her car and I cut my foot on some broken glass that I caused to be broken. Both incidents were the result of less than brilliant behavior.
But were they "bad"? In Hannah's case we were very lucky. No one was hurt and the damage to the other car was less than $1000 and therefore will not affect her insurance rates. Furthermore, her car (covered by liability only since it is not really worth that much) was "fixed" by a friend for only $565. Which is only $65 more than what my deductible would have been had it been covered by insurance. The good part to all of this is that it has provided an opportunity, for a relatively small price, for Hannah to fully understand the consequence of not paying full attention to her driving. The price tag is a bargain.
As for my foot, I've got 4 stitches, that should have been 8 -- due to the fact that the doc-in-the-box urgent care "physician" is apparently paid by the job and not by the hour. My doctor is being very cautious and has asked me to stay off of it as much as possible so it will heal. With reduced circulation in my feet, we do not want to take any chances.
What have I learned from this? For the most part, patience. Don't climb on a stool and stand tip-toed to rearrange stuff on a top shelf without your shoes on (see, I told you it was stupid). Stop, wait, put your shoes on, get a proper stool, or ask someone tall to help you (we have two such persons living with us -- for those of you who don't see him often, you won't believe how much Blaine has grown. He's now taller than Hannah). I need to learn that acrobatics are not my forte. Not in the shower, not on a stool, not even walking across a restaurant floor. I am definitely not ready for either Cirque de sole or the Ed Sullivan Show, although the spinning plates might have fit in nicely (watch out Topo Gigio)
So, what am I going to do with this experience? First of all I'm thankful I didn't break any of my wife's brand new fiestaware dishes. If I had, you all would probably have been attending my funeral and I certainly would not have been home today from work blogging. But more to the point, hopefully I will use it as motivation to continue to become more healthy -- eat right, exercise, and be more active... But probably not above ground level.
The verse quoted was Philippians 4:8, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV)
The author called this verse “directions on where to park my mind.”
What does this have to do with the Harris part of the Taylor clan?
Within the last month we've had some "stuff" happen that most would consider bad. Hannah had her first fender bender in her car and I cut my foot on some broken glass that I caused to be broken. Both incidents were the result of less than brilliant behavior.
But were they "bad"? In Hannah's case we were very lucky. No one was hurt and the damage to the other car was less than $1000 and therefore will not affect her insurance rates. Furthermore, her car (covered by liability only since it is not really worth that much) was "fixed" by a friend for only $565. Which is only $65 more than what my deductible would have been had it been covered by insurance. The good part to all of this is that it has provided an opportunity, for a relatively small price, for Hannah to fully understand the consequence of not paying full attention to her driving. The price tag is a bargain.
As for my foot, I've got 4 stitches, that should have been 8 -- due to the fact that the doc-in-the-box urgent care "physician" is apparently paid by the job and not by the hour. My doctor is being very cautious and has asked me to stay off of it as much as possible so it will heal. With reduced circulation in my feet, we do not want to take any chances.
What have I learned from this? For the most part, patience. Don't climb on a stool and stand tip-toed to rearrange stuff on a top shelf without your shoes on (see, I told you it was stupid). Stop, wait, put your shoes on, get a proper stool, or ask someone tall to help you (we have two such persons living with us -- for those of you who don't see him often, you won't believe how much Blaine has grown. He's now taller than Hannah). I need to learn that acrobatics are not my forte. Not in the shower, not on a stool, not even walking across a restaurant floor. I am definitely not ready for either Cirque de sole or the Ed Sullivan Show, although the spinning plates might have fit in nicely (watch out Topo Gigio)
So, what am I going to do with this experience? First of all I'm thankful I didn't break any of my wife's brand new fiestaware dishes. If I had, you all would probably have been attending my funeral and I certainly would not have been home today from work blogging. But more to the point, hopefully I will use it as motivation to continue to become more healthy -- eat right, exercise, and be more active... But probably not above ground level.
Spoiled, Blessed or Pathetic
Practically every morning Amanda freshens my cup of coffee when she gets in. Practically every morning! Beautiful Amanda.
James and I were talking books the other day and he mentioned the phrase "Steampunk," naturally I asked him what Speampunk was. When he identified the genre I said I've been reading Steampunk and didn't even know it. Next morning there on my desk was a Steampunk book he thought I might enjoy. Beautiful James.
Jacquie returned from her vacation with treats for the office while I was on my days off. She didn't want me to miss out on the Hawaiian treats which she knew would be gone by the time I came back, so she hid some, just for me. Beautiful Jacquie.
Several years ago we filled out a questionnaire at work: favorite movie, favorite quote, favorite candy, favorite color, favorite song -- stuff like that. At the time I listed "Circus Peanuts" as my favorite candy. Karla didn't know what circus peanuts were so she brought me some spectacular gourmet roasted peanuts. In return I bought her a bag of the Brach's Circus Peanut candy, my how she got a laugh out of how wrong she was. This Tuesday she brought me circus peanuts just because she had found a bag of, of course, gourmet circus peanuts candy. Let me tell you they were gourmet-ish good. I swear my boss, Karla, could find gourmet ice. Beautiful Karla.
And the list never ends. Nora and Julia got me Gladys. Jerry and Jane a plane ticket, Marc arranged for a car, Roger bought me a car, Christian is the guardian Angel of my car. Yesterday when the warning light came on Christian had me back in the saddle for $78.93. And Ian helps in all ways. Beautiful.
So am I spoiled, blessed or pathetic?
I have reached the age that at work they call me Mz Jan.
Spoiled or pathetic?
Ponder this:
Poor spellers: Yeats, Shaw
Poor mathematicians: Franklin, Picasso, Adler, Jung
Poor students and expelled from school: Dali, Poe, Shelby, Whistler
Bottom of the class: Edison
Dull and inept: Watt
Dreamer: Gauguin
Mentally slow: Einstein
Jack London was told he couldn't write
Picasso that he couldn't paint
Poem:
The Boat Ride
Mighty Jupiter
Cried two tears
Neptune hailed a boat
Mercury lent wings of flight
'Tended for speed and delight
The Muses giggled
Jobs forgot
Venus loved it
Mars did not
Sailing on Jupiter's Tears
I know, I know not as good as Mark's.
Here is a better one:
Not better than Mark's just better than The Boat Ride.
Moments
It's not about me
It's about moments
A bigger center
Room for more stories
More heartbeats
Wide angle
Life rushing in
Encompassing
Embracing
There's power
In yielding
Me.
Me thinks that is the end of the Taylor Family Poetry Saga.
Now that my car is fixed I'm off for a haircut, pedi, and maybe a few groceries.
Sail away to a glorious day. Beautiful family.
James and I were talking books the other day and he mentioned the phrase "Steampunk," naturally I asked him what Speampunk was. When he identified the genre I said I've been reading Steampunk and didn't even know it. Next morning there on my desk was a Steampunk book he thought I might enjoy. Beautiful James.
Jacquie returned from her vacation with treats for the office while I was on my days off. She didn't want me to miss out on the Hawaiian treats which she knew would be gone by the time I came back, so she hid some, just for me. Beautiful Jacquie.
Several years ago we filled out a questionnaire at work: favorite movie, favorite quote, favorite candy, favorite color, favorite song -- stuff like that. At the time I listed "Circus Peanuts" as my favorite candy. Karla didn't know what circus peanuts were so she brought me some spectacular gourmet roasted peanuts. In return I bought her a bag of the Brach's Circus Peanut candy, my how she got a laugh out of how wrong she was. This Tuesday she brought me circus peanuts just because she had found a bag of, of course, gourmet circus peanuts candy. Let me tell you they were gourmet-ish good. I swear my boss, Karla, could find gourmet ice. Beautiful Karla.
And the list never ends. Nora and Julia got me Gladys. Jerry and Jane a plane ticket, Marc arranged for a car, Roger bought me a car, Christian is the guardian Angel of my car. Yesterday when the warning light came on Christian had me back in the saddle for $78.93. And Ian helps in all ways. Beautiful.
So am I spoiled, blessed or pathetic?
I have reached the age that at work they call me Mz Jan.
Spoiled or pathetic?
Ponder this:
Poor spellers: Yeats, Shaw
Poor mathematicians: Franklin, Picasso, Adler, Jung
Poor students and expelled from school: Dali, Poe, Shelby, Whistler
Bottom of the class: Edison
Dull and inept: Watt
Dreamer: Gauguin
Mentally slow: Einstein
Jack London was told he couldn't write
Picasso that he couldn't paint
Poem:
The Boat Ride
Mighty Jupiter
Cried two tears
Neptune hailed a boat
Mercury lent wings of flight
'Tended for speed and delight
The Muses giggled
Jobs forgot
Venus loved it
Mars did not
Sailing on Jupiter's Tears
I know, I know not as good as Mark's.
Here is a better one:
Not better than Mark's just better than The Boat Ride.
Moments
It's not about me
It's about moments
A bigger center
Room for more stories
More heartbeats
Wide angle
Life rushing in
Encompassing
Embracing
There's power
In yielding
Me.
Me thinks that is the end of the Taylor Family Poetry Saga.
Now that my car is fixed I'm off for a haircut, pedi, and maybe a few groceries.
Sail away to a glorious day. Beautiful family.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Fate
I woke up this morning
and considered my life
How different things might be
had I not met my wife
Would one son be an actor,
the other a scout
That my daughter would be lovely,
there is not a doubt
Would fate grant my prayer
for more fruitful years
Or would I just be a memory,
sailing on Jupiter's tears
This time I've been given
Has changed my perspective
The people I love
Are my only directive
How best I can I serve them
Father, husband, provider
What God would prefer
is the only decider
And if I'm successful
I'll assuage all their fears
And all will be well as I go...
sailing on Jupiter's tears.
and considered my life
How different things might be
had I not met my wife
Would one son be an actor,
the other a scout
That my daughter would be lovely,
there is not a doubt
Would fate grant my prayer
for more fruitful years
Or would I just be a memory,
sailing on Jupiter's tears
This time I've been given
Has changed my perspective
The people I love
Are my only directive
How best I can I serve them
Father, husband, provider
What God would prefer
is the only decider
And if I'm successful
I'll assuage all their fears
And all will be well as I go...
sailing on Jupiter's tears.
Gauntlet
Here ye, here ye, here ye
to all family
friends
colleagues
book clubbers
and readers of one sort or another.
Here is the challenge.
Make a poem out of this:
sailing on Jupiter's tears
A phrase I ran across at work today.
Isn't life interesting?
For inspiration here is a poem my friend Lynn found.
God Says Yes To Me
by Kaylin Haught
I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
and she said yes
I asked her if it was okay to be short
and she said it sure is
I asked her if I could wear nail polish
or not wear nail polish
and she said honey
she calls me that sometimes
she said you can do just exactly
what you want to
Thanks God I said
And is it even okay if I don't paragraph
my letters
Sweetcakes God said
who knows where she picked that up
what I'm telling you is
Yes Yes Yes
Gentlemen, and ladies, sharpen your pencils.
to all family
friends
colleagues
book clubbers
and readers of one sort or another.
Here is the challenge.
Make a poem out of this:
sailing on Jupiter's tears
A phrase I ran across at work today.
Isn't life interesting?
For inspiration here is a poem my friend Lynn found.
God Says Yes To Me
by Kaylin Haught
I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
and she said yes
I asked her if it was okay to be short
and she said it sure is
I asked her if I could wear nail polish
or not wear nail polish
and she said honey
she calls me that sometimes
she said you can do just exactly
what you want to
Thanks God I said
And is it even okay if I don't paragraph
my letters
Sweetcakes God said
who knows where she picked that up
what I'm telling you is
Yes Yes Yes
Gentlemen, and ladies, sharpen your pencils.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Electric Flu on a Memory Stick
Electric Flu on a Memory Stick
Electric flu on a memory stick
sizzling
under the weather
remembering
trees
Electric flu on a memory stick
dancing around laughing
in merriment
cows come home to roost
lakes glimmer
children play
Electric flu on a memory stick
takes us away
to bygone eras
traveling virgin roads
unseen vistas
faded days
Isn't nature something? Wind, rain, fire in their milder forms takes care of us humans, comfort us. Wind, rain, fire in their extreme forms destroys us
Remember playing with the weather growing up? Running with the wind? Snow forts? Remember how dad would move our beds outside under the trees for those hot Oklahoma summer nights?
Remember the trees? catalpa, ceder, black walnut, oak, elm, mimosa. The magnificent magnolia dad planted. Was that a gift from you Jean?
Growing up in Oklahoma nature we had it soft, soft, soft. Somehow avoiding wind, rain and fire. No tornadoes, volcanoes, monsoons, typhoons, hurricanes or earthquakes. Soft.
My weather this morning is fog!
My friend, Cully, who moved to Florida says it is just like Seattle except 25-30 degrees hotter. How is it like Seattle? It rains every day.
Reflecting on the omnipotence of nature. They say the world's oldest profession is prostitution. I disagree; "In the beginning God created." The world's oldest profession is artist; artist at work, creating. And what a picture was painted. Ants to earthquakes, neutrons to universes, nanoseconds to billion year epochs... And wind, rain and fire for your viewing pleasure. You might as well enjoy today's blip -- and create something.
a poem I created sometime ago, but still love:
The Smoke's Lament
The smoke dreams
of the time it was wood
before the ax-man
before the fire
The smoke dreams
of it's potential
the possibility for growth
before the ax-man
before the fire
The smoke dreams
of substance
contribution
a carved mask
a hollowed out drum
a child's cradle
The smoke dreams
of going places
Jeff you asked about chairs on FB for Connor's staff. Chairs will be lovely, however Christian once said he knew people who loved cars, and he knew people who loved bikes, and he knew people who loved boats, but Roger was the only person he knew who loved anything that goes. So chairs would be lovely, but he might be on the go. He does create a go type energy.
Love to all you beautiful people.
Electric flu on a memory stick
sizzling
under the weather
remembering
trees
Electric flu on a memory stick
dancing around laughing
in merriment
cows come home to roost
lakes glimmer
children play
Electric flu on a memory stick
takes us away
to bygone eras
traveling virgin roads
unseen vistas
faded days
Isn't nature something? Wind, rain, fire in their milder forms takes care of us humans, comfort us. Wind, rain, fire in their extreme forms destroys us
Remember playing with the weather growing up? Running with the wind? Snow forts? Remember how dad would move our beds outside under the trees for those hot Oklahoma summer nights?
Remember the trees? catalpa, ceder, black walnut, oak, elm, mimosa. The magnificent magnolia dad planted. Was that a gift from you Jean?
Growing up in Oklahoma nature we had it soft, soft, soft. Somehow avoiding wind, rain and fire. No tornadoes, volcanoes, monsoons, typhoons, hurricanes or earthquakes. Soft.
My weather this morning is fog!
My friend, Cully, who moved to Florida says it is just like Seattle except 25-30 degrees hotter. How is it like Seattle? It rains every day.
Reflecting on the omnipotence of nature. They say the world's oldest profession is prostitution. I disagree; "In the beginning God created." The world's oldest profession is artist; artist at work, creating. And what a picture was painted. Ants to earthquakes, neutrons to universes, nanoseconds to billion year epochs... And wind, rain and fire for your viewing pleasure. You might as well enjoy today's blip -- and create something.
a poem I created sometime ago, but still love:
The Smoke's Lament
The smoke dreams
of the time it was wood
before the ax-man
before the fire
The smoke dreams
of it's potential
the possibility for growth
before the ax-man
before the fire
The smoke dreams
of substance
contribution
a carved mask
a hollowed out drum
a child's cradle
The smoke dreams
of going places
Jeff you asked about chairs on FB for Connor's staff. Chairs will be lovely, however Christian once said he knew people who loved cars, and he knew people who loved bikes, and he knew people who loved boats, but Roger was the only person he knew who loved anything that goes. So chairs would be lovely, but he might be on the go. He does create a go type energy.
Love to all you beautiful people.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Last day of summer
Fall has always been my favorite season. I've never been a summer, go to the beach or lay by the pool type of person... until this year. Yesterday just might have been the last day of summer. I know that's not what the calendar says, but this morning it was 60 something and the high today will begin with an 8 -- if that. College football kicked into high gear yesterday, which should have been a clue of summer's passing, but truthfully I just wasn't paying much attention. For the Harris's, this abrupt transition is the epitome of bitter sweet. Gladly gone are the all day and into the mid evening100+ degree temperatures and the accompanying $600+ electric bills, but sadly, so are the refreshing post yard-work jumps in the pool and even the hurry home from work before dinner dips. Sure, we'll be able to swim a bit more in the late afternoons and use the hot tub, but summer swimming is over. So, the time in the pool will be replaced with college football, Greenleaf, the fall classic (playoff basebal), Halloween, Thanksgiving, cool crisp days and nights, falling leaves, camp fires, and all of the color that goes with each of these. Not a bad trade for sure, but this year at our house, for the very first time, it's not a slam dunk.
P.S. Less than 6 weeks to Greenleaf.
P.S. Less than 6 weeks to Greenleaf.
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