Emerging From Covid 19's Shadow - Part III

The weekend after Easter continued with more family interaction. But on Sunday, we were guests rather than hosts. First a little side trip to West Des Moines since we were going to be so near there anyway. I had some online purchases to return to Kohl's and replace with items that fit. It was interesting that my credit for returns was within 60 cents of what I purchased. I couldn't have come closer if I had tried - and I wasn't trying. Next stop my son and daughter-in-law's in Winterset.

Nothing warms a great-grandma's heart any more than being excitingly greeted by a grand she hasn't seen in ages.

Ayden saw us drive up and by the time I got out of the car he was running into my arms. He has always been such a loving child and he hadn't forgotten who we were!

But as happy as I was to see everyone else, the one I was most anxious to meet was my newest great-grandchild, Louis. I had been waiting for almost two months and I wasn't sure I would get to see him yet. He had spent most of the previous week in the hospital and I didn't know if the parents would want to bring him to a big family gathering. 

He was still asleep when I held him, but opened his eyes for great-grandpa Bud.

Doesn't it look like he is thinking, "Who the heck are you?" He has the most interesting facial expressions. 

Louis' middle name is Edward. Gr-G'pa Bud has already nicknamed him 'Lou-Eddy'. 😏

Kathryn and Travis opening the gifts I had brought for the baby. I was afraid he might outgrow the outfit before he got it.

She's opening the silver Gerber baby spoon I had that belonged to her Dad when he was little.

Traditionally I have always given my grandchildren and great-grandchildren a baby ring when they are born. Because Louis was my Dad's name and because he had a signet baby ring, I gave them a signet ring for their little Louis.

The day was nice enough that most of the younger ones were able to eat outside which was a good thing because I don't think everyone would have fit inside the house.

Lots of good food and lots of new people to meet.

Not these two though - granddaughter Dominique and her boyfriend Ian have been together for several years.

But we were meeting grandson Devin's girlfriend Jessica and her little boy, Oakley, for the first time.

As well as Grandson Ki's girlfriend Laura, her oldest daughter, Dominique and bulldog, Hawkeye.

Ki with Laura's other two daughters Carver and Hayden with his son Greyson (back turned).

If you are an Iowa Hawkeye football fan, you might detect a theme in the name of Laura's girls and dog. 😉

A better photo of Greyson though he was a little upset - his bag of the Easter eggs he had found spilled out.

Back inside for some more family photos.  A proud grandpa Preston Louis holding Louis Edward.

Preston was named for my Dad Louis. Preston's Dad, Dennis, had the middle name Edward. So Louis Edward's name honors his grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. 

Kathryn, Louis and Grandma Shalea. Big yawn from Louis.

Shalea works at the University of Iowa Hospitals during the week and stays with Kathryn and Travis. This has been a boon for them all. She is there to help out and she gets quality Grandma time with Louis.

Lastly, a four generations photo: Kathryn, Louis, Preston and me. 

It was a really great weekend seeing family for the first time in more than a year. It took me a couple days to rest up but it was totally worth it! 💞

Emerging From Covid-19's Shadow - Part II

Five weeks later and fully vaccinated, we were more than ready for more company and this little sweetie had some Girl Scout cookies to deliver.

Oh, Lily, how we've missed you. Your sweet messages and artwork were bright spots and facetiming with you was great, but not as wonderful as being with you in person.

Your little brother Maverick has grown and changed in the year since we saw him last. He is three now and following your lead in the arts department. Such a little charmer, and so cute. 

Grandpa Doug and Grandma Shelly joined us. They hadn't seen you since September. And you brought Girl Scout cookies for them, too!

I wanted a four generations picture before you left.

Maverick was being a ham, but the rest of us, you, your Mom Alyssa and Grandpa Douglas and Great-grandma Ramona, posed nicely.

  

I wanted a picture of your Mom with her new Subaru Crosstrek.

Did you know Subaru means united in Japanese?

One more photo before you left. This time we got your Dad, Evan in it too. And there were lots of hugs all around - no more social distancing.

I hope we get to visit you at your home in Minnesota this summer. You can show me your room and all your crafts, artwork and treasures.

Thanks for coming to see us - and for bringing cookies, of course! 

Emerging From Covid-19's Shadow - Part I

What did I miss most about self-isolating for more than a year during the time of Covid? Seeing family members, of course. I saw both my sons once each and only from a 'safe' distance. I saw my daughter and step-son and some grandchildren/great grandchildren via Facetime. But nothing beats seeing them in person and being able to hug once again.

Our eldest granddaughter and her two children were the first to visit. On April 6 Rodney had a basketball tournament in town which Katrina invited us to watch. But we had only had our first Moderna shot of vaccine so opted for an in-person, socially distanced, visit from them on our patio. It was a beautiful day, so that worked fine.

At first Brynley was very shy. She did not remember us.

But after I gave her the book I had gotten for her 3rd birthday and wasn't able to give her last year, she began loosening up.

It was fun watching her play with 'Ballerina Barbie' and...

...her dog.

As well as catching up with Rodney and what is going on in his life. He is a mature 11-year-old now. 

Son Douglas and his wife Shelly showed up to visit awhile before they left to watch Rodney play basketball.

It was a brief, but wonderful, re-introduction to 'normal' life. I did relent and got hugs from Katrina and Shelly who were both fully vaccinated. And I took a chance and hugged this precious little one:

Who could resist?

If all goes well, I will never again have to wait a year+ to see family members.

Easter Sunday Start to Finish

 Early Sunday a.m.

Before sunrise and the sky to the west was the pinks, mauves and moody blues I love so much. If you click on the pic, you can just barely make out a bird flying almost exactly in the middle of the photo. 

The late evening sky was similar in color.

And again a bird photo-bombed the picture. 

I like it when I transfer my photos to the computer and see that I have unknowingly captured a bird.

The forecast was for highs in the 80's, perfect for our first walk of the year at Green Valley State Park. We took the cameras and headed out.

Unfortunately we missed the best photo op. Just as we drove into the park two hen turkeys crossed the road and headed into the woods. Their splendid feathers were intensified by the sun, but alas, we didn't get any snaps before they got under cover.

My only photos were of some coots.

The gusty winds were keeping them bobbing along.

The only other photo I took was this one of the Sycamore's bare white branches against the blue and cloud sky.

Except for the strong wind, it was a good first walk of the year at Green Valley. I look forward to many more.

Books I Read In March

Thirteen books read in March! Mainly because I've got a couple new authors whose writing is so good I can't put their books down.

 

1921 by Morgan Llywelyn is a book I've owned for years. It has been my nightly, 'fall to sleep' read for several weeks. Llywelyn helped me learn more about Irish Myths and Legends and Irish History than any other author. 1921 is about the Irish Civil War.

Paper Money was Ken Follett's first book, originally published under a pen name and then revised after he became a well-known author. 

the Poet by Michael Connelly is the first book in his Jack McEvoy series. It is also the first book I've read by this author. He is a most convincing writer. If you like 'can't put the book down' crime drama, you will like this author.

The Lincoln Lawyer is Michael Connelly's first novel of his Mickey Haller series. Haller is a defense attorney whose office is the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car. After reading this book, we watched the movie of the same name starring Matthew McConaughey. The book was much better.

Night Over Water is one of Ken Follett's WWII era books. This thriller features one of the last flights of a Pan Am Clipper.

A Column of Fire is the third book in Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series and covers the years 1558 - 1605. 

A Fatal Lie is the 23rd book of Charles Todd's Inspector Ian Rutledge series. As I've said before, I will read any and all books by this mother/son writing team. 

The Girl From Widow Hills by Megan Miranda is the first book I've read by this author. The library does have two more of her books, one of which was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection. I will probably read those two, also.

The Last Mrs. Summers is Rhys Bowen's latest book in her Royal Spyness series. I've been a fan of this author for some time. Her mysteries are what I classify as light reading - quick little whodunits. A previous reader of this book apparently does not understand Bowen's tongue-in-cheek approach. She (I'm pretty sure the reader was a she) had underlined many passages and written snarky remarks. If there is one thing I can't stand, it is the defacing of books. Especially new library books! Fortunately, the critic used a pencil. I erased all of the underlines and remarks as I read along, which detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

The Brass Verdict is the second book in Michael Connelly's Micky Haller series. As you can tell, once I find a new author I really like, I read my way through all that are available. I'm trying to read them in order of publication, though each story can stand alone.

The Scarecrow and Fair Warning are books two and three of Michael Connelly's series featuring journalist Jack McEvoy. I really enjoyed this character and hope there might be more featuring him.

Hornet Flight by Ken Follett is another of his set during WWII. I can't imagine why I never read this author before now, but I'm so glad I finally tried him. His writing is superb and I love the historical settings. One good thing about not reading him before is that I don't have to wait for new books to come out.

March was a good month for reading.

Of Wrens and Their Houses

 

Last year, around the 10th of March, I began hearing a bird I didn't remember ever hearing before. I tried to identify it by its song. But no matter how I described it, I had no luck. 

And it was so elusive it was weeks before I was able to get a very poor photo of it. But that was enough for me to finally identify it as a Carolina Wren. I've been obsessed by them ever since.

So this year when I heard this little one singing, I knew what it was.

I've been hearing it for a week and a half, but again, couldn't get a photo until this morning. It was singing from the top of the neighbor's tree. I had to point and shoot sideways through the window and these are the best pictures I got.

If I try going outside to shoot it, it's gone before I get the door completely open. 

Call them elusive, evasive, slippery, shifty, cagey or just plain shy, but I'll keep trying for a really good picture. It gives me something to do. 😉

I've often thought about putting up a wren house. Even before I discovered the Carolina Wrens I was aware of all the house wrens around. But I became serious about putting up a wren house to try and attract a Carolina Wren to it. 

I was going to buy one and then I remembered the wren house my mother-in-law gave me years ago that I had never used. It was a craft item she purchased from a local man. The nest part of the house is an O'Doul's beer can. It looks and sounds Irish, so it seems appropriate for me. 

I would be over the moon if a Carolina Wren called it home, but I would be happy with a Jenny Wren, too. 

Just as I was unaware we had Carolina Wrens in our area, I was also unaware until now that a favorite poet had written about them. The poem is from Mary Oliver's book Why I Wake Early.

   the wren from Carolina

     

Just now the wren from Carolina buzzed

        through the neighbor's hedge

a line of grace notes I couldn't even write down

                 much less sing.

     Now he lifts his chestnut colored throat

       and delivers such a cantering praise -

                           for what?

For the early morning, the taste of the spider,

                for his small cup of life

that he drinks from every day, knowing it will refill.

     All things are inventions of  holiness.

           Some more rascally than others.

                       I'm on that list too.

      Though I don't know exactly where.

  But every morning there's my own cup of gladness,

and there's that wren in the hedge, above me, with his

                 

                          blazing song.

Books I Read in February

 Only four books read this month, but that last one was the size of four alone! 

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury is the first book I've read of his since Fahrenheit 451 probably fifty years ago. I wasn't even aware that Bradbury wrote anything other than Sci-Fi until I happened upon this quote from Dandelion Wine: "Hold summer in your hand, pour summer in a glass. Change the season in your veins by raising a glass to lip and tilting summer in." That sent me in search of the book, which my library had, so...

At first I thought the poetic prose was a little too much, but I got used to it and enjoyed the story based on Bradbury's own memories of growing up in Waukegan, IL.

Farewell Summer is Bradury's sequel to Dandelion Wine published 49 years later. I didn't care as much for this book. 

Eye Of The Needle by Ken Follett is a spy thriller set during WWII in the time leading up to D-Day. Published first under the title Storm Island in 1978, it won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. 

World Without End by Ken Follett is the second book in The Kingsbridge Series. It takes place 157 years after The Pillars of the Earth and intertwines the historical Edwardian War (the first phase of The Hundred Years' War) and the Black Death. It was thought provoking to be reading about the bubonic plague of the 1300's in the midst of our current pandemic.

I am learning more history about early Great Britain from this series than I ever did in school. And I'm loving it!

With only four books to report upon, I have room for this poem about books and reading:

                    I Opened A Book by Julia Donaldson

I opened a book and in I strode

Now nobody can find me.

I've left my chair, my house, my road,

My town and my world behind me.

I'm wearing the cloak, I've slipped on the ring,

I've swallowed the magic potion.

I've fought with a dragon, dined with a king

And dived in a bottomless ocean.

I opened a book and made some friends.

I shared their tears and laughter

And followed their road with its bumps and bends

To the happily ever after.

I finished my book and out I came.

The cloak can no longer hide me.

My chair and my house are just the same,

But I have a book inside me.

And that is why I love to read.