Stick Horse Cowgirls

I've been meaning to write this story for a long time, but to be truthful, the whole story with all the disturbing memories gives me a major case of the willies, because it involves someone who was a part of our family for several years.   Sometime in 1956, my paternal grandmother married a 60 yr. old batchelor against my father's wishes.  In fact, my grandmother did not even announce the event until it was over because I'm sure she  knew my dad would object.  He did not "hate" my grandmother's new husband, and there was always a polite, cordial relationship on the surface, but Mr. Cooper was more than just a little strange.  This old newspaper clipping  was the public announcement of this marriage. Mr. Cooper was dignified and refined in manner with a somewhat austere countenance.  He was also impeccable in dress and I especially remember that he always seemed to be "dressed up" and he wore long silky black socks that seemed a little weird to me. 

You'll see from our sidebar that last night V and I had a meet-your-fellow-blogger dinner with Sandra of addhumorandfaith .  It did wonders to lift my spirits and to remind me of the importance of connection.  People are, after all, "herd animals."  I know that being connected is healthy for us. I haven't posted in a while, but here I am: back and pondering on why I have been away from something I so love to do.  Those of you who have read this blog for very long will see a recurrent theme in my life.  When life gets hard--I mean really hard, because life always has challenges--I tend to go into a cave.  I don't really want to see friends, chat on the phone, and posting just seems impossible.  And life has crashed into me, once again, over the past couple of weeks.  Eventually I'll tell you about some of it, but that's not the point of this post.  And I don't want to always be whining...as easy as it would be for me! Still, the blog is sitting the

My big announcement !!!   Jack Wyatt H---- is here! He was born at 11:33 Saturday, October 17th, 2009 with anxious, excited extended family mostly present. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz, 20 1/2" long--and VERY handsome! My computer still has virus on it so posting is a hassle, but hopefully I can share these photographs! WAITING My daughter's labor started shortly after midnight and Jack was born with no complications, healthy and handsome!  We are grateful that family and friends were present to welcome baby Jack!  New Mother:  Her life will never be the same.  It will be better! Proud new dad with his newborn son. I've spent the last week at my daughter's home helping her with laundry, housework and taking care of the new baby.  They are doing very well, although everyone is pretty exhausted--including me!!! Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers.  They are much appreciated!  V.

It's drizzing rain here today, but yesterday was glorious. The weather was just perfect, and we spent the day burning our burn piles of fallen logs and sticks. Slowly, ever so slowly, my little farm is taking the shape I want. It is becoming tidier as my son and I (with help from friend Ryan) work to remove aged fences, tame underbrush, and keep the place mowed. Yesterday's effort was extremely satisfying. Shifting focus from myself (so hard to do--I have been just a tad self-absorbed!), let me say that my mother-in-law is improving daily! She's able to dress herself and move about the house. She is allowed to put 50% of her weight on her hip until she sees the doctor in two weeks so he can assess if she should put full weight to bear. We are learning about walkers and sliding bath benches, long-arm grabbers and other devices to help people with daily activities when they have had this surgery. In her home, MIL has physical therapy three times a week, occupational th

As I fastened these pearls around my neck this morning, I thought about how they are one of my “symbols” of freedom and new life. This new, single life is not one I ever asked for, nor did I want it; it is made necessary by my husband’s betrayal. Having said that, there is definitely an upside to this unfetteredness I feel after decades of being “one” with another. These pearls are real. The gen-you-wine thing and, therefore, priced higher than I am accustomed to forking over. But their authenticity was part of the allure for me. I am, after all, a Southern Girl (yes, it is capitalized!). And you know what Southern Girls say: Your smile can be fake; your hair color can be fake; your boobs can be fake; but your pearls must always be real! And, girlfriends, I subscribe to that. I purchased these from J C Penney (of all places), having spotted them as I strolled past the mark-down jewelry counter. They were marked down 65%. Why they had not sold before is beyond me, other than t