Draft 2021

So, last night after washing my face and I picked up my glasses to put them back on. As I raised them to my face, the left lens fell out onto the floor and I saw that my nearly new (only 6 months!) glasses frame had broken. For me, this is a bit of a disaster as I can't see to do anything without my glasses. I've worn glasses since I was two years old. My vision is pretty crappy - I don't use my left eye at all, despite years of patch wearing - man, I hated that patch over my right eye. I couldn't even watch tv and enjoy it when the patch was on. So, last night - around 11 - dearest husband went out to Walgreens to buy crazy glue. While he was gone, I couldn't do anything! Couldn't read, couldn't watch tv, nothing. So I put on a video to listen to (strange habit of mine, I'll have to write about that another time) and went to bed. This morning dh let me know he'd had to glue the lens to the frame, as there was no way to secure the frame and th

Atomic Blast, Bikini Atoll, 1946 When I was a child, I don't remember my family being especially patriotic. We didn't make a point of attending parades and we marked July 4th merely with a few sparklers and some watermelon. I didn't even realize until I was nearly an adult that my dad had been in the navy. He probably missed being considered part of Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" by a few years - or maybe even months. When my dad was in high school in rural Iowa, WWII was in full swing. Like most other young men of the time, he knew the draft awaited him as soon as he graduated. He went ahead and enlisted in the Navy before graduation, figuring the Navy would be a better place to serve than the army. Fortunately, by the time basic training was finished, the war was over, so my dad never saw combat. Instead, he was a radio operator on a support ship in the Bikini Atoll for Operation Crossroads. In the summer of 1946, the U.S. Navy decided to te

Today my youngest son graduates from high school. As I sit here writing this, it seems I can remember every moment of his 18 years. The baby who scared me our first night home from the hospital because he slept through the night; I, however, didn’t, because I had to keep making sure he was still breathing! The first time he and his older brother actually played together; we had just gotten home from the grocery store and I was in the kitchen putting things away. Zach was about 6 months old. I heard this hysterical laughing in the next room as Stephen, 2 ½, and he were playing a version of peek-a-boo and chase around our swiveling chair. The toddler who was glued to my side; the little boy with an insatiable appetite for being read to. He especially loved tales of King Arthur, Robin Hood and Peter Pan; later this would switch to Shakespeare and Terry Pratchett. His comment after being left in the toddler room at church one Sunday: “Mommy, there are crazy people in there

Lilacs are in full bloom now in central Iowa. These were a mother's day gift from Michael. I also got to order two lilac bushes to plant in our front yard. Sarah and Melissa at a Lilac Arboretum nearby. There was large home school gathering there yesterday, but Melissa and I decided to visit an equally socially-reclusive friend instead of braving the crowd, and Sarah, of course, was in school. So how did we get these pictures, you ask? Well, I often worry that my social issues will unduly influence Melissa and cause her to miss out on activities that she might otherwise enjoy. Although, she hates large groups and park outings, and has since she was little. So, it really isn't my fault. No, it isn't my fault. Really. But, just in case, we went the evening before and had a lovely time amongst the gorgeous lilacs. Now, I don't have to feel guilty. Or maybe, only a little bit.

Monday was a really productive day for me. I found a whole wheat bagel recipe. It was easy and fast to make them - and lots of fun to watch them pop-up in the boiling water stage! I know they look burned, but it was just the poppy seeds I used for topping. I also dipped them in sesame seeds and a little garlic salt. Melissa arranged all the foods and took these and all the following food pictures. I had bought a lot of rhubarb at the farmer's markets here in the last couple of weeks. I intended to freeze some, but am short of freezing containers. So, I used up some rhubarb by making a whole grain quick bread. I also made these rhubarb custard pies. The rhubarb custard pie was my mother-in-law's recipe. It was the first pie she ever made as a little girl, probably some time in the 1930s. The recipe is easy as, well, pie. Hilde's Rhubarb Pie 1 cup rhubarb 1 cup cream 1 cup sugar a little white flour for thickening. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes, or until done.

I pulled out an old bread-making cookbook this morning to search for a whole grain bagel recipe. I remember that this book came with the hearth oven insert I got for Christmas 6 or 7 years ago and I haven't ever really used it. (The book, not the insert). I opened the book and out fell another Christmas present I received that year from Stephen, who was 12 or 13 at the time. A Sonnet for Mommy You are the rock I build upon, You are my substitute for earthly brawn, You are the master up to which I run, You are the source of all my heavenly fun. You are the shade that helps to dim the glare, That keeps the sun off my precious lair. You are the mace that keeps away the bear. You are my lantern in the dark of night, You are the shelter where I hide in fright. You are the book I read each day with care To find the path to trod on, if I dare. You are my harbor on a stormy sea, You give me the strength to get up and be, The strength I need to stand up and be me. Merry Christmas, Mom.

Stephen There just aren't words to describe how much I love my children. So today, on Mother's Day, I want to thank them each for making me a mother. I also want to thank my husband, who has made it possible for me to be the best mom I can be. Zachary Today was a great day, full of love for each other. It started with blueberry buckle, the newspaper and coffee; followed by a delightful walk in Brown's Woods, a little mushroom-gathering and garden-planting. Now, we're soon to finish the day with homemade pizza and salad, shared together with much laughter at the dinner table. Sarah As time passes, love only grows deeper. Melissa I love you guys! You make every day Mother's Day.

Today we got up early to hit the first Downtown Des Moines Farmer's Market of the season. DH, Melissa and I arose at about 6, leaving enough time to take the dog out, make a pot of coffee and drink a cup, and snuggle on the couch a bit before leaving. Farmer's markets usually create a fair amount of anxiety for me - what if there's something good and I miss it? What if I'm not there early enough to get the best selection? This can make a trip to the market with me a bit, well, unpleasant. But today was different, somehow. Either I'm conquering this particular anxiety (yeah, right) or it's because there's not much besides greens, rhubarb and asparagus this time of year. Except for the rain, we had a fun time, the three of us. I'm thrilled with the produce I got as well: salad mix, spinach, asparagus, ramps, garlic and leeks. We found some fantastic locally produced whole grain bread (dried cherry walnut was incredible!) and an array of cheeses fro

Stephen, 1988 Saturday evening was my second oldest son's senior prom. He will graduate later this month. Next week, my oldest son finishes his sophomore year in college. My oldest daughter is finishing her freshman year in high school and my youngest daughter is now 11. It seems like only yesterday when I was a mom of four children under the age of 10. I can remember exactly how it felt to hold each of them in my arms, inhaling that wonderful baby smell and feeling their soft, fuzzy heads against my cheek. I remember their first words (hi, truck, dada, and mama, respectively), when they each first walked, their favorite baby foods, their triumphs and their sadnesses. Zachary, 1990 The years have simply flow

Melissa has turned into a fearless crocheter this year! We discovered the wonders of felting and she has really gone to town, turning out purses galore and now watch this: With just two cycles in the washing machine, she's created a basket! This one is for one of her dear friends whose birthday is in a week or so. Cool, huh?