Summer time!

Passages...

Well, he's off to preschool and loving it! After all, he's two and a half!

He had a great summer with a trip to the beach, after adjusting to being a big brother. Miles was born in July and they're like two peas in a pod!

Here I get some quiet time with Miles; such a sweetie! It's been a busy year, but wonderful beyond words.

Beth

On occasion, I have questions

"This is not a war of choice. This is a war of necessity. Those who attacked America on 9/11 are plotting to do so again. If left unchecked, the Taliban insurgency will mean an even larger safe haven from which Al Qaida would plot to kill more Americans. So this is not only a war worth fighting; this is fundamental to the defense of our people." Barack Obama (8/17/2009)

What's the matter with our President? Where is his leadership? What is he waiting for? The administration are talking about the "deteriorating" situation in Afghanistan. Why is it deteriorating? Why are we there? What is the mission? Where is the help for our troops?

Why did he put General Stanley McChrystal in charge and then ignore his advice? This excuse about the Afghan election being fraught with corruption is just that: a big fat excuse! Sure the government there is corrupt; so is the government here. That's no different from two months ago when he made the above statement, no different from last year, and the year before that. But we have sons and daughters and husbands and wives in harm's way today - right now!

This President needs to show a little leadership, a little backbone. Prove to someone he's not a lightweight. Make a decision, get it done, send troops.

Beth

Spring Wonders

Pink dogwood blossoms bring a bit of joy to my heart each year. This adorns a new little tree we planted two years ago. It can never replace the big, old one we lost, but will provide pleasure aplenty, nevertheless.

This tiny, graceful bell belongs to Solomon's Seal, planted near the kitchen stoop.

Why didn't I know that our little barberries by the front walk were hiding miniature blossoms beneath their new leaves? They remind me that I need to get out more, and explore this little piece of the planet we call our yard. I hope your spring forays will have you spying something new, too!

Beth

New Addition

Punkin is the little sable Burmese snuggled up between Blue above and Lance below. His birthday in October had some influence on the selection of his name.

Lancelot left us shortly after Punkin's arrival; Punkin and Blue have been growing closer to one another and to my yarn!

Inspection is learned early; in fact, probably not a learned trait, it's most likely an instinct. Here Punkin is checking out the ends yet to be woven in to the back of the Log Cabin Blanket VI.

Beth

Someone's Growing...Fast!

How can you do this to me??


When his mama came in to find him standing in bed for the first time, she ran to get a camera and snapped this picture. Of course, this is not what she saw originally...but the fact that she didn't come rescue him right away, (instead, took a picture!) brought on this expression!

Thanksgiving Day, playing with his "car" at Grammy and Grandpa's house; it's an old car and one that his daddy "drove" when he was little.

Storytime with Grammy. He's just delightful now and enjoying his world. Amazing what he's doing for mine!

Beth

Ready for Fall

Time flies when I am having fun! Doing a lot of knitting, playing with Ryan, beginning to cook a bit again....

My grandson is doing much better after medicine to help his acid reflux. He cut his first tooth, is trying to crawl (but managing to get wherever he desires, anyway), and enjoys all the "old" toys we managed to save over the last 40 years. This has reduced Grammy's anxiety by leaps and bounds!

I have been spending a bit more time in the kitchen; cooler weather inspires me in that direction. A delicious Apricot Honey Cake was the latest baking venture; the apricots sank to the bottom of the batter, so next time I will make them smaller and add later. But the cake is delicious so I will show it to you sometime.

Before summer slipped away, we paid a visit to Biltmore to see the flower carpet. It was a beautiful warm, clear day and we enjoyed the outing greatly.

This mountain spot is worth the visit; tickets aren't inexpensive, but one could spend an adult weekend here and and enjoy every moment. The house is decorated handsomely at holiday time and so is the surrounding village, with loads of good shopping!

I am going to enjoy Autumn this year! Hope you do, too.

Beth