My Dad And His Things

   My dad died over 15 years ago on November 15, 1996, the year my first child was born. It's not surprising that I miss him more during the holidays but this year, I don't know why, I feel the loss even more deeply than in recent years.
   Last Sunday I was at my sisters house watching football with her boys, wearing my dads well worn USC sweatshirt, as I usually do on game day. This poor sweatshirt is but a rag from it's glory days when my dad wore it on the weekends doing his chores and watching USC win in the Pac10.  Sadly, my pathetic attempts to clean my bad cooking habits from it's cuffs with diluted bleach have had very bad effects. As I was sitting out on the patio visiting with my sister at half time, her husband walked by with a shoulder full of vintage Christmas lights. He beamed and said, "I'm hanging Willard's lights." Chris, God love him, painstakingly fixed all the broken bulbs and proceeded to string my dad's lights for his Grandchildren to enjoy; my dad's great grand kids. I told him that he may have his lights but I was wearing Willard's sweatshirt - to which my sister added, Chris wins. He's wearing Willard's tennis shoes. We don't want to let go.
   Yesterday I got a Christmas box from my sister in law, Micky that included my dad's old USC Alumni license plate holders that she had held onto all these years. In my barn sits my dad's pride and joy, a classic Century ski boat that could tell some tales. My nephew has my dad's old Chevy pick up truck that my mom was embarrassed to be seen in. Clearly, we don't want to let go.
   I know it's not the material things that keeps us close to my dad but every time I put on that ratty old sweatshirt I feel better. It's a little like a hug from from Heaven.
   Merry Christmas, Willard. We love you.

Bob Dylan - Thunder On The Mountain

                   This may be the best song ever written.
             Never mind. It IS the best song ever written. For sure.

My morning dialog with Lily.

Lily is getting dressed to go to town, meet some friends and attend the local Raspberry Festival. She explains that she wants to be casual and comfortable. She begins getting ready at 8:30.

Lily: Mom?
Me: Yes?
Lily: Should I wear this gray sweatshirt or my Santa Cruz sweatshirt?
Me: Your Santa Cruz sweatshirt.
Lily: If I wear this gray one instead, should I wear my white belt or brown one?
Me: Your brown one.
Lily: Are you just saying that to stop me from asking more questions?
Me: No, I lie.
She goes upstairs. Later -
Lily: Mom?
Me: Yes?
Lily: Should I wear my Santa Cruz sweatshirt with this white belt or the gray sweatshirt with the brown belt?
Me: I like the Santa Cruz sweatshirt.
Lily: Why?
Me: Because I think it's hip.
Lily: (Smirks) Mom?
Me: Yes?
Lily: Whenever you say "hip" it defeats the purpose.
Me: IT LOOKS GOOD.
Lily: Okay! You don't need to yell.
Upstairs she goes. Later -
Lily: Mom?
Me: Yes?
Lily: If I wear the gray sweatshirt should I wear the white belt or the brown one?
Me: The white one.
Lily: Why?
Me: Because it looks good.
Lily: But I've worn the white one the last 3 times.
Me; Then wear the brown one.
Lily: But only Annikah and Cassidee have been around to see the white one....
Me: What shoes are you wearing?(Trying hard to feign interest.)
Lily: My Vans
Me: Wear the white belt.
Lily: Are you sure?
Me: Yes.
Lily: Okay...
She appears content and dashes upstairs. Later -
Lily: Hey Mom?
Me: Yes?
Lily: Maybe I should wear this white sweatshirt.
Me: Ok.
Lily: What do you think?
Me: I think it looks nice.
She disappears upstairs. Later -
Lily: Can we leave in 10 minutes? (That would be 10:50)
Me: Yes.
Lily: I've decided to wear this. (Gray sweatshirt and brown belt.)
Me: Ok. You look very nice.
Lily: But this hood is really uncomfortable..........

I think I'll try to get a prescription for Valium when Prom time rolls around.

Stealing material

This is their material.

This is mine.

My nephews children have more......appeal.

See what I mean?

You'd think it was a soccer game in Europe.

VANCOUVER -- Angry Canucks fans are on a rampage, smashing windows, looting and torching cars and dumpsters on the streets of downtown Vancouver.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Downtown+Vancouver+Rocked+Stanley+Post+Game+Riot/4953593/story.html#ixzz1PSHR0Bgl

            Just a few miles north of us, hockey is taken very seriously.

A random cooking observation

This reminded me of sperm. Sorry. Maybe it's all of the Anthony Weiner press lately.

                  I crushed and minced it in my mushrooms and onions that topped off our mini burgers.

It's about time.

                 Safety Man has found someone who appreciates his dry, sophisticated humor. Finally.

He's a happy man.

I don't know what got into me.

Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery! These are the 9 Circles of Hell made famous by Dante Alighieri in his famed masterpiece, Dante’s Inferno, his first story of The Divine Comedy. Dante’s Inferno: This epic will take you on a harrowing trip through Hell as Dante braves the forces of evil, slaying demons and monsters of extraordinary imagination.

 I've started to read the Divine Comedy.  I can't wait to get to Paradise. So far, Hell has definitely been a big bummer.  

Today is a Big Day

                                                 Safety Man calls her Lilylalaylilylavaro. 

Joe calls her Pookiewaddles Onion Breath.

                                                                I call her Lily Jane Taylor

She is 13 - kind, appreciative, self driven and a little obsessive. She's perceptive, curious, self sufficient and a teeny bit manipulative. She's quick, clever and very confidant. I know she's not perfect but she seems perfect to me.

                                              

When she was 6, Lily took guitar lessons for a short lived 6 months. It was enough time for her to write these lyrics and give me some insight into what goes on in her itty bitty head.

                                                        Do you expect me to believe in you?
                                                        I know what a joke you are.
                                                        When I'm done talking to you...
                                                        frogs will croak...
                                                        dogs will bark...
                                                        people all over the world
                                                        will know what a fraud you are.
                                                        Oh yeah,
                                                        when I'm done talking to you
                                                        you'll be in a jail cell
                                                        with nothing to do...
                                                        when I'm done talking to you.

                                                            Lily Taylor/ October 2005

It has a nice ring to it, don't ya think? I don't know ( or want to know) who she's referring to but she did share that the movie, "School of Rock" inspired her because she heard the word "fraud" for the first time and liked it.
When she was 3, Lily was strapped in her car seat while I was driving. She had objected to being restrained but sat patiently for a while then announced - Mom, I want to take your head off and put it on me then I'd put my head on you. That way I'd be the boss.
Luckily for Safety Man and me that thought must have been fleeting for to this day our heads are still safely attached.

                                            She's an interesting person. I love that about her.

                                          

Lily has no, nada, zilch patience for the great music I listen to but I'm sending her this song anyway. ~ May you always be courageous, stand up right and be strong. May you stay forever young.

    May you always see the light surrounding you.

I love you, Lily Jane Taylor.

Happy birthday.

Random May

The Cherry blossoms are falling.

They fall like showers and coat the yard with a thick snowing of pink. Safety Man loves it but I focus on the rotting mess in a few weeks.

Our neighbors chickens are visiting often. Lucky for us we got a dozen fresh eggs left on our patio last weekend.

My peonies are getting ripe to bloom soon. I can't wait.

Did I mention that I'll have a teenage daughter on May 21?

The Band, The Weight

I really hate to brag, but my tulips are BEAUTIFUL!

Easter 2011

 I took only a few pictures this Easter and most of them were of sweet Lucy. She's very cooperative.

                                                      

Mary - Patty Griffin

Good Friday

Cleaning Chronicles - Part 4

     I'm starting to notice that my house is getting much dirtier since Bev, the professional, is no longer with us.
I see terrible things like dust building up on the baseboards and gunky corners under my kitchen cabinets AND cob webs above my bed, on my hanging lights and in my laundry room. Dirt, dust and grime. Oh my! Hey! Speaking of grime, did you know that the big ol' stainless steel fan hood above my range needs to be cleaned? I found out that it's VERY greasy up there. A tricky contortionist position needs to be held in order to reach into it's nasty crevasses and a shower cap should be worn at all times. The last time I swept my mudroom floor I collected enough of dirt/ bark/ school papers/dirty socks/& something resembling an old chewed up yellow Starburst - to fill a small pool. My bathroom mirrors look better with the splatter of spittle then they do with the dreadful cleaning streaks. None of this is good. Neither my competency nor my attitude is improving. I'm simply not made for this kind of work.
     I'm thinking that I may need a real job. What would be better than cleaning my house? Animal control officer in the Everglades? Maybe. Publicist for Charlie Sheen? Perhaps. Rodeo clown? Absolutely. Let me know if you're hiring. Oh, and if you're blessed with a cleaning lady you should give her a big hug today.
  
 ~ Poor Pathetic Me.

What's wrong here?



Today is April 14.




My tulips are confused.




My cherry blossoms are concerned.




This can't be good for the berries.




Ethel, on the other hand, seems to be rolling with the weather quite well.




Burrrr.




This is craziness.



A Day at the Park

If I loved these babies anymore my heart would burst.