February 2, 2022
I figure, in light of it being my 55th birthday and 2/2/22, I would write something about a memorable birthday. Birthdays at our house were celebrated with a cake and a small gift of some kind. There was a rare balloon, sometimes ice cream, no streamers. It was usually celebrated with family; we weren’t allowed guests. Mom was the opposite of house proud; she didn’t want guests using the three-hole outhouse. We were made to feel special for a few hours, but chores still needed doing and we were expected to do them, even on our birthdays. The day the bull got out was a memorable poor birthday. I wanted to throttle him.
Five years ago I had my first real birthday party. A surprise party sprung by my coworkers and boss, my husband had to drive me to Clear Creek Casino under the auspices of dinner out. Once there, I was greeted by my friends and he beat a hasty retreat. I was festooned with a crown and a sash and we dressed for dinner. Dinner was a buffet of epic proportions and we enjoyed all manner of delicious things The joy of sitting with friends, laughing and enjoying each other’s company was delightful! Next came a little gambling, beverages, and dancing. Oh, the dancing! I live to dance and don’t get the opportunity much, so when I get the chance, I usually close the floor down. I met an old friend from high school there and we chatted while we danced. She works at the casino and admits to getting onto the dance floor as often as possible. We had so much fun! In the morning, my son and daughter-in-law gave me the gift of a mani/pedi and I spent an hour being treated like royalty. This thoughtful, unexpected gift of a party in my honor and my first spa day ever was so special so, though life has markedly changed since then, I mark that birthday as a pretty darn special one.
February 5, 2002
“Hey, why are you helping me to sleep? I mean, I don’t even know you.” This statement was spoken to me by a five-year-old at the preschool where I work. This was the little guy’s first day back after a prolonged absence from school. I was stroking his hair/head to help him go to sleep, he rolled onto his back from his side and looked at me with inquisitive eyes. “Hey, hey, Teacher?” His face is impassive. He isn’t worried. He isn’t stressed. He just wants to know. When he was at the preschool before, he had been helped regularly by a particular teac her and I wasn’t her.
He said, “I will not play with you until you show me you can be a good friend.” as boys gathered around on the playground, excited to see him again. They all clamored about and cried out for his attention. They all wanted him to be “their” friend and not play with the others. He wouldn’t choose until they had simmered down, maintaining a slightly alarmed but steadfast demeanor. He picked a child who had spoken into his ear and pointed to the sandpit and off they went. The others stood rooted where he had been, staring longingly after him.
This little boy is tough. He took a spill on the playground that did more to scare than to hurt. He cried with gusto until he realized he wasn’t bleeding; he took stock, his sobs turning to sniffles, and his sniffles to the swi – i – i – i wipe of his nose on his sleeve. His head came off my chest where he had been held, safe in my arms, while we checked him out and he’d had a good cry. Seeking his friends, who had gathered in a group some distance away, anxiously awaiting the verdict, his eyes locked on theirs. He gave a great sigh and trotted off toward the group like he was getting back into a marathon he’d taken a spill in.
This little guy is going to be fun! I wonder what he’ll say next?
June 8, 2022
I am back after a hiatus because of computer problems. The computer is restored and I can once again write. Spring is here, the wettest one on record. The June forecast is a bunch of little storm clouds with rain dripping from them for the foreseeable future. We have been riding to keep our horses fit and just finished our first competition. While I was pleased with Mr. Howell’s performance, my own was lacking, so I am going to work to change that. In the meantime, I have a small garden and over 30 large pots of flowers going. Our gazebo is up and our trellis over the walkway is installed. I spent March until now catching every virus in the Preschool, but other than aggravated asthma, I am well. I have more stories to publish and share with you readers. Thank you for sticking with me!
September 7, 2022
School is in session! I have started college courses! Yikes! For the summer session I took Math 102 and College 101. The math really frightened me at first, but I got into a rhythm of studying and found that it wasn’t so bad. Some of it I recognized from high school, but much of it, I didn’t. I aced both classes! I am now poised on the brink of my first “real” semester and will be taking Media 110, Media 111, and Intro to Digital Photography. These courses I am excited to explore. I will drive myself, because I intend to extract every last morsel of knowledge from my college experience as I can. In the meantime, as you can imagine, my blogs will be put on a hiatus. I am hoping to learn more about the the whole blog process in my classes and will update and fine tune the blog as I can. Thank you for staying with me!