Growing Things

We will have had a bit over two weeks home from Colorado before leaving to return there, pack Mom up and bring her home with us. I had big plans for that time; it is the last we will have alone for some time. Of course the time flew by. But I've accomplished at least some of my plans, and one surprising one. I've finished my Christmas shopping! Gifts for 16 grandchildren--done! I'm so proud of myself. I've dreamed of doing this year after year and this year, I've made it. My granddaughter, Allegra, assisted me by reminding me of the interests of each grandchild. What a little lady to be so involved with her cousins that she could advise me with great insights.

Our yard of growing and dying things is looking a bit better. Layne has been working hard and I've been working quite a bit less than that trying to get the yard ready for winter rains. We've got more trees planted and hope to put in a few more plants within this next month. Maybe we will have a yard before too long. At the moment the living things are outnumbering the dead ones; that is always a good sign. Our little kitty, Cherry, keeps us company in the yard during all the quiet moments. She has become something of a yard mascot, as she follows us everywhere. She's a people kind of cat. I love her. The hills beyond our yard are turning a beautiful green, thanks to our early rains. The most beautiful time of the year has begun!

This week has been hectic and lovely. Grandkids were here, running through the house and generally perking things up. Grandson Scott helped with our yard project. Scouts were here, using our yard as a camp ground. It is fun to have the place filled with life forms.

On Saturday I did some face painting at a stake Halloween Carnival. I was not especially looking forward to it as I know so few people here. But, during one of my painting breaks, I ran into some Fremont friends. It was such fun catching up on their lives and laughing together over mutual memories.

We visited our old stake today, as we spoke in a Fremont ward this morning. How wonderful to be among old friends. I have come to appreciate friends that share a long history with us; who know us and love us in a familiar, affectionate kind of way. I love our new place, and the new friends we are making but it is the old friends that I find I most treasure. I didn't realize how much I would miss them once we left our familiar home base.

My life is full of life of all sorts; changing, growing kinds of life. I find it fills my soul with a quiet happiness.

Pictures: top is grandson Timothy, who visited us this past weekend with his brothers. He is the youngest child of our son Reed. He is Carmen's brother. The other picture shows Layne getting ready to plant some oak trees that he grew from seed. We are hoping they will love their spot, as trees planted before them did not.

The Races of Life

Our month with my mom is over. We are home once again, for a couple of weeks. While we were in Colorado Audrey and 4 of the grandkids visited us. We had such fun together. While they were there our neighbors, Bev and Ernie Trutner also came for a visit. We had a great bond. We went from quiet, peaceful days with Mom to busy and wild times. I liked both.

While all of this company was with us, we drove to Lisbon Valley, Mom's girlhood home. It is a haunting, beautiful place. Mom's cabin homes are still there. Also there are the graves of her father and brother. Several years ago she bought a gravestone for her brother, Larry. She has been anxious ever since to place it on his grave. We finally arranged it and went there with that errand in mind. Two of my nephews met us there. We spent the afternoon placing the stone and wandering the property. It was, as usual, quite wonderful. I especially wanted the grandchildren to see the place. I believe they enjoyed it. It was a sweet moment to observe my mom watching her family place the stone on Larry's grave, according to her instructions. Her anxiety over this errand was at last put to rest. I was happy to be a part of that.

Layne and I came home last Monday. It took all day as flights into and out of Denver were packed all day. But we were lucky and made it home in one day. Good thing. Tuesday the heavens opened in a big way. Wind and rain filled the day. I've never seen a storm like that one here; it rained ALL DAY! Trees blew down and water was everywhere. Our three cisterns, used to collect rainwater, all filled to overflowing. I love this kind of weather. Layne donned his bright yellow raincoat and waded out into the storm to rescue some of the trees that were blowing out of their ties. It was all pretty exciting. It is Sunday now and you'd just about never know there was a storm as our days are now warm and friendly.

It feels like we are racing through life! I wish I could hold time back a little. There is much to be done before we head back to Colorado to bring Mom home with us for the winter. We'll fly back on the 28th and drive home with her, arriving on Halloween. Then she will be our girl until Spring. These are interesting times with Mom. I miss the vibrant, talkative woman she was, but still enjoy her. I feel a great need to care properly for her as I feel that she is a noble woman and deserves to live in a generous environment. So I pray for generosity!

The pictures above are out of order. The top one is of Mom looking at the placement of her brother's gravestone, shown in the picture under hers. Next is Layne in his yellow rain gear out in our Tuesday storm. At the bottom is Audrey and me with grandchildren Scott, Allegra, James and Isaiah in shirts we got for participating in a walkathon at Apple Fest, a harvest celebration held each October in Cedaredge. We had such fun!