My Other Mother

You have to be at least 80 to rock a Christmas vest and turtle neck.

Norman is my Grandma. Her real name is Betty.

She's my favorite old lady.

I've called her Norman since I was a kid. Norman after Henry Fonda's character in On Golden Pond, one of my favorite movies.

She called me Ethel, after Kate Hepburn's character in the same movie. My nickname never stuck. I can't say I'm unhappy about that fact.

Norman is fun. We laugh until the tears roll. She shares her wisdom with me without me even knowing I'm learning. She tells me about the lean years, living in the Depression, and how she snagged such a cool cat like my Grandpa. She never has a cross word, goes easily along with everything anyone wants to do, and is happiest just being with her family.

I stayed at her house Saturday night. We had a bit of a slumber party, visited the guys out at the cabin, and then returned to her house. We looked at old pictures and as I cleaned her living and dining room, she told me about all her little figurines and doodads.

What a fun time. I have to do this more often. As I watched her struggle to walk from place to place and the vagueness that would come over her face from time to time, I realized, I won't have this person in my life forever. And I want to soak her in as much as I can.

Before








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After

Take a phantom, Snake (an army dude from a video game), a monster, and Harry Potter. Mix with fresh, chilly Fall air. Sprinkle throughout a neighborhood, add candy liberally. Garnish with pumpkins and finish with a nap on the couch.

That's one great recipe for a Happy Halloween.

7 pounds of candy, most of it forgotten by now. We'll donate to a worthy cause. The smiles and the memories, now that's what was really collected.

Happy Halloween!

Today is all about pure, guilt-free joy. Eat lots of candy, smile and laugh a lot, talk to lots of neighbors, kick a pile of leaves, wonder at a pumpkin carving worth of a museum, get a belly ache from too much candy corn, sip hot cider, marvel at how some of the kids can walk in their costumes, count the vampires and the Britneys, make a kid's night by emptying your candy bowl into his bag, savor the smiles.

My dad died five years ago today. The anniversary of his death reminds me that life is short, eat the candy, celebrate the happiness without any guilt. Set aside your worries and enjoy the joy. My dad always wished that he had done more of that. His greatest regret, shared with me on his last lucid day stays with me.

I'm not down today. I'm happy that this day is pure kid enjoyment from top to bottom. Dad would like it that way.

It's All in the Attitude

Bad pictures, but you get the gist. Big instrument. Much pride.

Apples and Pumpkins

A trip to an orchard and a pumpkin patch is a must in the Fall.

The next day, I made All Day Apple Butter with part of the bushel of apples we bought. This recipe is VERY sweet, cut the sugar at least to half and taste and adjust to your preferences once the cooking process is well underway.

Since my dad had a 350 tree orchard, I know not to buy the first quality apples. I always get the ones that are a little battered. Still delicious, they're a little ugly, with leaf spots and maybe a bird peck or two. They taste the same and cost half the price!

I was able to score a bushel of Cortlands for next to nothing. They're a delicious eating apple with bright white flesh. The secret to really awesome apple recipes is to use a mix of many different types of apples, but since I got such a great deal on these, I couldn't pass them up.

A Walk in the Park

We love Minnehaha Park. Sea Salt closes on October 25. We had to get in one more trip there for Po'Boys and a wander along the Mississippi.

It was cold, Young One wanted ice cream anyway.

The leaves were beautiful, the fresh air delightful, and the time away from responsibilities was very much needed.

We'll return again in the Spring when Sea Salt opens again.

Cabin Fever

Happy Fall!




Every year I repeat over and over again how much I love fall. I always say it's my favorite season. And it is, until the first snow. And winter is until the first hints of Spring come.

Our little family cabin in the woods is most enjoyed in the fall. I love the smell of the fall woods, especially the sugar maples. The crunch of the leaves as you walk is delightful. Geese are honking as they head South in perfect Vs.

The cabin is on a gravel country road. The walk in either direction is beautiful. We often see Bald Eagles hunting, perched in the woods watching over the open fields.

The quiet here is unlike any other. Cell phones don't work. There's no electricity. Battery powered, hand-held dohickeys get left in the car for the ride home. They aren't needed here when there are dead trees to knock down, sticks to bang stuff on, and the woods to hike in.

Nerf War 2009

A Good Reminder, A Good Balance

Taken by Young One on our vacation up the Gunflint Trail

I watch the clock. I'm Type A and somewhat proud of it. Ask me to get it done and it will and then some. I'm an overachiever, perfectionist, can't relax if the house is a mess kind of person. I can't sit down if there's laundry to do or beds to be made. I rarely just watch TV. I'll watch, but I'll be emailing, writing, folding laundry, sorting coupons.

D is the exact opposite. And it's good for me.

He reminds me that, for right now, good enough is perfection. And I need to hear that.

We were watching City Slickers on TV the other night. I was folding laundry. All three of us had our laptops up and running. Mine was closed so I could fold towels. Young One's blow out birthday bash trip to Dave and Busters had occurred that day. Five boys at an arcade had wiped all of us out. Young One had a sore throat.

I looked around and commented wryly about our "family togetherness". And D quietly reminded me that it was enough.

And he was right. We balance each other and I need that. It was fine just to be that night. Fine to be together and apart at the same time. It was enough.

Thanks.

Happy Birthday My Son

12! TWELVE!

I can't believe it.

I remember your birth day as if it were yesterday. You'll always be my baby.

Thanks for making me a mommy.

Star Spangled Morning

The alarm sounds. Showers for all. Breakfast. "I spilled strawberry jam on my shorts." Empty dishwasher. Load dishwasher. Shut off lights. Pick up a stray pair of socks. Toss socks down laundry chute. Teeth brushed. Last minute backpack stuffing. Coffee. Feed the fish. Coax the dogs out into the foggy morning. Bed made. Hurry. Rush. Where are my keys? Get your cello. Kiss the hubby. Wave at the neighbor. Making a left onto a busy road. Balancing commuter mug on the steering wheel. In depth discussion on the merits of the latest video game purchase. Drop off, gorgeous sunrise. Star Spangled Banner being played on a portable keyboard by the school flagpole. Stand at attention, hand on heart. Giggles. "Have a great day. I'll pick you up at 2:40." "Don't worry, I'll be there early." "Love ya, mom."

It's going to be a great day.

My Favorite DayIn My Backyard--Up the Gunflint Trail

Junco Lake and Stream

No makeup or hair allowed on camping vacations.

Just a glimpse of a rainbow. I think we were at the end.

The Gunflint Trail. The only hint I'm going to give you about the location of our secret campsite!

Junco Lake. A short schlep from the country road to our campground.

Morning bliss. This was my view over my Kona coffee. ahhhhhh

My boys.

Our favorite time of day. Sitting by the campfire.

One of our neighbors.

Another neighbor. The Minnesota State Bird, the Loon. He (she?) visited most nights.

There's nothing better. A good view, a good book, and a comfy seat.

Paintbrush flowers.

My Favorite DayIn My Backyard--Lake Superior's North Shore

The Big Lake!

He doesn't fall for the "throw rocks in until the lake is filled" anymore. Bummer!

North Shore Coastguard Station, Grand Marais, Minnesota

At the tip of Artist's Point. I bet he didn't realize there was a seagull behind him.

Artist's Point


A couple of beach bums.

North House Folk School's Hjordis. I love this organization.

Another peek. It's just too beautiful.

Grand Marais Harbor.

Frogger

Who needs electronic entertainment when there are frogs and minnows and crayfish (translation crawdads, crawfish) to catch?