Moss Fairy

2011-02-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

Theodore Laurence Kouri was born on February 13th, at 7:37 pm, second child of Kevin and Emma Kouri, 21 inches long and weighing in at 9 lb 2 oz! Little brother to Sapphire Elizabeth, and added responsiblity for Cabot and Cooper!

This all may be perfectly true, but to me the miracle of new birth will never grow stale! One minute this little baby was hidden away in his Mummy's tummy, and now he's here, all snuffly and gorgeous, and smells so delicious!!!

So, thank You, Lord, for this beautiful little man! Thank You for a safe delivery! Thank You so much for taking care of our little family...

January 2011

2011-01-31T13:04:00.000-08:00

I'm not really prone to making New Year's Resolutions...after a few weeks they don't mean anything anymore. Nevertheless, this January marks the beginning of a new me! I have over 100 lb to lose, and have started off well, losing 10.6 lb in just 3 weeks! I'd post a photograph of me now, but I simply can't abide to look at me! I'll wait until I'm positively anorexic before I post 'before' and 'after' photographs!! I have a semblance of pride left in me!! I have joined Weight Watchers (yet again!), but this time I have a few friends who joined with me, which makes for great support.
Hurray for new beginnings!

Remembering Christmas Eves Past!

2010-12-17T23:46:00.000-08:00

A long time ago, when my children were quite small, too small to notice such things even, I would sit up all night on Christmas Eve wrapping everything in tissue paper that was destined for their stockings. At the bottom of each stocking, (which, by the way, I had knitted for them when they were babies), was a tangerine or clementine, a walnut, and a handful of chocolate coins. I made tissue~bags full of M&Ms: 6 green ones for Hannah, 6 green ones for Emi, and 6 green ones for Soe. Then I'd start on another colour, dishing out the exact amount of each colour...to be fair! I was quite mad! There were wind~up toys for the bath, Hello Kitty pencils and paper and envelopes and toothbrushes and coloured pencils and combs. Hello Kitty stuff was a hot item in the stockings! They all had exactly the same in each of their stockings, so careful was I that one wouldn't think that they had been out~stockinged by her sister. After they were all stuffed, around 4:30 in the morning, I would oh so carefully lay them at the foot of their beds, remembering that wonderful feeling, years before, of the weight of the filled stockings across the foot of our beds at Marston Magna! Tiptoeing everso quietly, I found my cozy bed, where my slumbering best friend lay, quite oblivious to all the hard work that had gone into this annual affair! But alas, no sooner had my exhausted head snuggled up into the soft pillows, 'twas then that the pattering of little feet came running, accompanied by squeals of joy: "He's been! He's been! Wake up, come on, wake up!!" .... My girls are grown now. Sapphie is going to be 2 the day after Christmas, and her little brother or sister will be here in early February. My 3 girls have so much to look forward to! Pattering feet on Christmas Day in the morning!

Leweston Manor - 1958-1963

2010-09-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

A long time ago, when I was quite new, I went to school and lived at Leweston Manor, a convent in the North Dorset rolling countryside. I wasn't an ardent scholar, let's face it, and the smell of the chemistry lab determined that I would never excel in the sciences. I have recently been reminded that I would often feign collapse at the beginning of any class in the chemistry lab to get out of the class! My fervent interests lay in reading about the Elizabethan Voyages, Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, art, and needlework. I enjoyed Ancient History, Algebra, Geometry and Latin. My piano lessons were a delight. Mrs. Likeman was a true saint! On those days when she just knew that I hadn't adequately practiced my scales and arpeggios, she'd whisk me off to her cottage and we'd make toffee, or draw pictures of her rose-covered cottage in Long Burton! When I first went to Leweston we slept in a dormitory of about 12. Mother Margaret Mary's cubicle was in the corner of the room, and it was always a great mystery to us what it must be like behind the locked door. Anne Fuller decided it for us, and threw my teddybear over the high cubicle wall! I had to retrieve old Ted, so with the aid of many helping hands I managed to 'hup!' my way up and over. Unfortunately, for the crucifix, which was lying just so on her pillow, when I jumped down onto her bed, it went flying, and landed in more than a few pieces on the floor! I gathered up old Ted and threw him back over the wall, then gathered up the scattered cross, and poor Jesus, Who had fallen off, and replaced them lovingly and carefully on Mother's bed. Then clambering up onto the bedstead, and taking one last look into this immaculate, private world of a young nun, I 'Western rolled' it out of there! I was an instant heroine! The bar had been set, and from that day on, if there was a dare to be given, it always fell in my lap! One of the more pleasant challenges was to sneak into the huge walled fruit garden and pick large amounts of redcurrants for the huddled masses on the other side of the wrought iron gate...it wasn't locked, simply 'out of bounds'. Hmm, in reflection: was I, indeed, the heroine they made me to be, or actually, their slave?!! No matter...when I think back on Leweston Days, there are only smiles in my soul!

How To Blow Bubbles!

2010-09-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

LESSON ONE: Sit quietly and calm your soul. Raise loaded bubble-maker to within an inch or two of your lips and blow gently, but with determination.

LESSON TWO: In the event that Lesson One doesn't produce any bubbles, shift position slightly, and repeat Lesson One, eliminating the 'calm your soul' and 'gently' directions.

Okay, Auntie Hannah, now you try!

20 years shepherding the flock!

2010-08-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

There are 20 blossoms in this gorgeous bunch of roses, each one representing a year, as we celebrated 20 years of ministry in Newport yesterday. An overwhelming amount of love and effort went into the day: the kitchen crew came early on Saturday to prepare for this barbeque extravaganza. The chaps busied themselves around the 3 huge grills showing off their well-practiced barbequeing skills! Hundreds of people came: even from Holland, Scotland and the Philippines!! My poor chickens became extremely anxious while the barbequeing was going on, and held a little prayer meeting, praying fervently to their Maker that we wouldn't run out of chicken before the day was through!! I had to keep going back to them to reassure them of their safety! Thank you, Newport Church Family, for your unprecedented show of appreciation and love toward us...we love you dearly!

Reveries

2010-08-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

Take me down to the sea again,

To the crashing, spewing foam.

We'll spend happy days by the sea, my dear,

Then wend our way back home.

June 2008/August 2010

Old friends

2010-08-05T05:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't it extraordinary that true friends can just pick up after 45 years, and it's as if you just blinked your eyes...?

Here is a picture of Cizzy and Sal after a lapse of 45 years, enjoying a week in the sun, catching up on each others' news, remembering when...Cizzy flew all the way to Florida from England, so important was it that we spend some time with each other.

I feel renewed, and inspired by her visit...I MUST find more friends!

Continuing bounty!!

2010-07-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is what we're having with our pork chops this evening for dinz (no rude comments, you lot up Whitcombe Down way!!!). They're going to be corn and basil pancakes a la EatingWell Magazine. I think they'll be delicious...

Tea up!

2010-07-19T13:13:00.001-07:00

Polly, remind me later to let you in on a little secret I know about Marilla!! You're just not going to believe it!!

Gifts from the earth!

2010-07-19T05:35:00.001-07:00

Here's my idea of a first class summer morning breakfast! Just picked blueberries from Holland (Vermont!) and freshly roasted on the porch coffee! Ahh!

Garden delights!

2010-07-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Fresh and pretty! The baby Tom Thumb lettuce was picked before the storm, and the mint, chives, tomato and borage flowers afterwards. A nice accompaniment to 2 thick juicy steaks, grown by a friend! I thoroughly enjoy eating food, when I know where it was grown!

Enjoying Elevenses With The Girls!

2010-07-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the girls enjoying their elevenses, some are racing each other to the stump, and some are catching flies! Amazing to think that...

This was only a month ago!

What time is it?

2010-07-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

One o'clock...two o'clock...three o'clock...

The Sailing Life

2010-07-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, America celebrated her 234th birthday, and to mark the occassion, Sapphie took to the water!

"Rocks ahead! Tack to starboard!"

"Clear to shore!"

"We made it!!"

Happy Birthday, Cally!

2010-06-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is Cally. Carolyn Margaret Brown was born in Longtown, near Carlisle, Cumberland, on June 22nd, 1947. I first met her when our family moved back to England from a few years in Malta, to find the Browns had moved into the Court House down the lane. I still remember her telephone number from all those years ago: Marston Magna 425! Cally wasn't too thrilled with all my freckles and dark skin, but in a very short time, we became good friends. Her lovely Dad, Gilbert, was the manager of Martin's Bank, next to the Cadena, in Yeovil. Her wonderful Mum, Sarah Handsome, or Sally, as she was known to us back then, played a mean piano and made the best cuppa I've ever had in all my born days! She used to be in the theatre in her younger days. The Browns had a little (was it pink?) Austin, NAO something! They often took me to the sea with them (was it Seatown?) The very first thing that we'd do is find kindling and firewood so that Gilbert could make a fire to boil the kettle to make a pot of tea!! Always, there was tea! I don't remember sand, just pebbles, ow! We had to wear plimsolls in the sea to protect our feet! The water was always freezing, but that never stopped us...in we'd go and stay in until our lips turned blue, then out and rubbed down with thirsty towels, on with the thick jerseys, and ah! the perfect time for a nice cup of tea!! Bravo, Gilbert! Cally was my mostest, bestest friend! Blood sisters for ever! Happy Birthday, Cally!

Beautiful Waters

2010-06-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

These photographs of our beautiful country overwhelm my heart and fill me with gratitude and wonder! Especially on those days when I wish England was 6,000 miles nearer! Georgina, if you read this blog, find something beautiful and post it with happy comments! It might ease the pain of separation, somewhat!! It does help!

Just look at this beautiful picture! A great spot for a picnic: quiche, salad, crusty bread, with apple/walnut oatmeal cookies! Don't forget the fly rod!

Best Friends Share Everything!

2010-06-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, Cabot...here's the deal: You share your drinking water bucket with me...

...then I'll share my toothbrush with you!

And everyone will be happy!

Little Jewels!

2010-06-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here are Ruby and Sapphire, having a little sit and enjoying the moment...I love their Wellies!

Keeping up with the News!

2010-06-17T07:18:00.001-07:00

Hmm, I wonder how the stock market is doing today? It all looks like double Dutch to me!

No Parking!

2010-06-16T04:48:00.001-07:00

I love these photographs of Tillie, my great niece, who lives in Australia. Despite the fact that she showed the snake her 'No Parking' sticker, the snake decided to befriend her!! Would that we would all be so accommodating to all of God's creatures!! Terrific work, Matilda!

A Face-lift for the Manor House

2010-06-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is the corner in the back of the house where I was born where I spent hours and hours...it looks slightly overgrown now, but the memories are still quite bright. You can see how close to the house the church is...were you to dig down under this room with the tiny window you'd come upon a secret underground passage from our house to the church, used by monks centuries before in an effort to evade the cruel soldiers of Oliver Cromwell!

Here is Mummy's rose garden, shaped in the likeness of a Celtic Cross...It has been kept up most beautifully...

And here is the new back of the Manor...I really like it! The coal shed has gone, and the whole thing looks more open and welcoming. Mum and Dad would both be delighted at the renovations! Looks like a great day for the Marston Magna Village Fete in the Manor Gardens!

Poppy Patch

2010-06-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

These beautiful poppies, along with the German bearded iri, and mound of catmint, grace the middle of the veggie patch, and sit under the pear tree, which, incidently, has yet to fruit. Perhaps I should encourage the partridge to sit in it, to warm and encourage during those early summer frosts that have turned into a perennial event! Tomorrow, one or two of these exquisite ladies will have dropped a petal or two, and I would have been sad to have, once again, missed the day, when they were all in their full regalia...et voila!

An Efficacious Way to Start the Day!

2010-06-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

If you wake up in the morning, and it's raining and quite chilly, and your back feels like someone has been pounding on it with their new sledge-hammer all night long, then here's a great way to come alive: a 10-grain apple pancake, slathered in real butter and topped off with Vermont's finest maple syrup, all accompanied by a cup of delicious, fresh, home-roasted coffee...ahh!

A Quick Introduction to the Girls!

2010-06-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Here are the girls! From left to right: Felicity, Greedy Anne, Marilla, Mrs Lynde, Polly, Dianna, Daisy, Maisy, Gloria, Emily, Alice and Rosie! They seem very happy with their new house!

It's been a blast!

2010-06-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hello All! We've just had a 4-day pyjama party with our very best friends, Cooper and Cabot, who are our urbanite half-brothers who live in Burlington. Cabot broke all the records for not eating anything he shouldn't, apart from the monkey's leg and the green dragon. They learned how to sit and accept 'cookies' like real gentlemen, without chomping off Mummy's hand! Their Daddy is coming to pick them up later, and we'll miss them a lot, but it will be a little calmer around here at dinner time! Honestly, anyone would think that they're completely starving, the way they carry on! It was quite a feat, we can tell you, for Mummy to separate the hooligans (them) from the well-mannered two (us)!! So we look forward to the next visit with eager anticipation!

Sapphie Comes Over for a Play Date

2010-06-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

We had a fun day together today, Sapphie, Emi and I. They came early for breakfast, then we played some songs on the piano, and explored around the house and garden for a while. After her nap, we ate lobster mac 'n' cheese, then went for a walk down to the river. This is a picture of Sapphie reading the paper after her lunch, wearing her new hat made by
Great Cousin Carol in Yorkshire...what a clever cousin!

Over the sea to Skye

2010-05-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, over the sea to Skye...

Carry the lad who's born to be King, over the sea to Skye...

I can hear her calling! I need to go.

Here chooks!

2010-05-29T07:24:00.001-07:00

Just two weeks to go, and we'll be starting to grow our little brood of chickens! I'm ready!

Ta-Dah!!

2010-05-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished Chook Palace, all stained, and ready for the day-old chicks, who will arrive before we can blink an eye! And here is the slate bearing the eternal truth:

Chanticleer, all over again!! Actually, I think we've decided to abandon the Chanticleer idea...a lot quieter, and a lot less worry!

Omnibus I

2010-05-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have decided to go back to school! Not as a teacher, though, but as a student! Today was day one of my new course, Omnibus I, Biblical and Classical Civilizations. It should take me 6 years to complete Omnibus I - VI, so by the time that I turn 70, I should be fairly well-versed in the classics! Today we 'went' to the Sistine Chapel, and asked the question: "Who do you suppose that beautiful woman under God's left arm is?" Depending on your viewpoint, I suppose she could be Mary, who by the time Michelangelo painted his famous fresco had received the title of Mother of God back in the Middle Ages. Since Michelangelo didn't follow biblical descriptions of the cherubims, he probably didn't think too much about time-lines either, so this gorgeous female could then be Eve, even though she wasn't created until later. I, personally, think that this is the personification of Wisdom, who is portrayed in Proverbs as a woman. Entirely appropriate, for Wisdom to be included in this earth-shattering event! I suppose we'll never know this side of Heaven who she is, but rather fun to ponder such things! We looked at the whys and wherefores of Genesis, and now my homework is to read Toledoth 1 - 5, or the first 11+ chapters of Genesis. I'm going to enjoy being a student again! Soli Deo Gloria!

A Leeky Census!

2010-05-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

A dear friend left this bag of ramps(wild leeks) hanging on our door knob early this morning! What a lovely surprise...so this evening we're having ramps and mushrooms gratines: saute 10 trimmed ramps and quartered mushers in a couple tablespoons of (real!) butter until golden. Take off heat, add half a cup of heavy cream and pop in small casserole dish. Cover with breadcrumbs mixed with Gruyere cheese and broil until golden topped! After dinner go for a brisque walk around the field 4 times to help move all that lovely cream through your veins!

The Wasp Nest

2010-05-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Who decided the perfect spot

To build the nest, was it Dot?

Was she the one, on bended knee,

To plead to her inflated Queen?

Or did a host of cheering wasps,

To the throne, raise Dot aloft, and

Carry their newly elected Queen

To boss them about

And live her dream...

In this her treetop paper palace?

Tea-time With Marilyn

2010-05-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

The other day, I went to my friend's house to enjoy a nice cup of tea and soft, sweet conversation with Marilyn and her dear mother, Betty. The table was set so prettily with beautiful china that had been Marilyn's grandmother's, who lived in Wales. How clever that Marilyn made some jam tarts out of a Tasha Tudor book that I had given her for Christmas a while back...Tasha Tudor had corgis! Corgis/Wales...

And just look at the exquisite centrepiece! It's a shooting-star hydrangea...so beautiful! A gift to Betty from Marilyn for Mother's Day...

Chicken House Project - Phase V

2010-05-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

Now things are really beginning to take shape!! I love the shape of this very fine chicken house...it looks like a robot head, complete with square mouth, square eyes, square ears, and a nice square brain vent in the back! Those nesting boxes are big enough for broody ostriches!! What lucky chooks...

My best friend is going to try to pull a piece of granite from the old barn to lay down under the door, to make a nice step...

Framed-in Nesting Boxes

2010-05-11T14:29:00.001-07:00

My best friend is nibbling away at the Hen House Project, using up every single spare moment in the course of his very busy days. Here he is, with his cheer leading team, after he framed in the 4 quite large nesting boxes this afternoon. Think eggs!

Still Waters

2010-05-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

...He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul...

Hen House - Phase Three

2010-05-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

This is what the hedgerow looks like now! All cleaned out and free of barbed wire fencing ! But this is what it looked like before I got in there with my trusty pruning saw, strong arms and cable cutters:

The rafters are up!!

What a clever friend I have!

I think we're supposed to tie a tree

to the chimney at this point...

Here chook chooks!

Chicken House - Phase Two

2010-05-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Since my best friend started the hen house we had a foot or so of snow, but now we have clear skies and another bout of ambition! So here's the next phase. While Larry was hammering away, a hawk was screeching at him from the tippy top of a cedar tree right above the hen house!! He seemed to be screaming: "When will they get here? I'm starving!!" We'll have to seriously make provisions for anti-hawk attacks from above!

I have been working hard on the hedgerow, too, removing all the old barbed wire fencing, and the dead scrubby brush. It's beginning to look quite smart.

Surprise!

2010-04-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

Glad I retrieved the chair cushions, tea cup and book!

The Beginning Phase

2010-04-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

From humble beginnings...! I can almost taste the omelettes, the poached eggs, the quiches, soft-boiled eggs with soldiers!! Here chook, chook, chook!

Down By The River

2010-04-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

To walk leisurely down to the river. To breath deeply the sweet, pure air. To hear the shrill call of the hawk. To taste the glory of the deep woods. To see, to notice, the tiniest leaf pushing up through the moss. To sense the very presence of God. My heart is full!

Goodbye Mister Meow

2010-04-23T18:51:00.001-07:00

Our hearts were so heavy this morning, as the moment came to bid Mister 'farewell'. And so, quietly, gently, he fell asleep in Hannah's arms and crossed over into the land of endless bliss: plenty of spats; unending supplies of catnip; no boundaries; no kitty litter needed there! He was laid to rest next to Caleb, with forget-me-nots planted on top of his grave, and a great view down the back hill to the river...He had used up all his 9 lives, and how!! Goodbye, dear Meow!

Here's the church!

2010-04-21T05:10:00.000-07:00

And here's 'my' church: Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Marston Magna. I used to think it was ours because it practically sat in our garden. Our family always sat in almost the front 2 rows, well, behind Mrs. Hallett, who had to sit in the very front row. She played the organ very loudly, and often with many errant notes, which caused all my brothers to spurt off in elbow-digging giggles, which in turn initiated a prod from my Mother, which was tricky since she'd be trying very hard to hide her amusement at the whole affair. The boys would sit in front of us, and we girls would sit with the Mater and Pater. I liked to sit next to Mum, but more importantly, I made sure that I'd be sitting directly behind Richard. He was the naughtiest of all the bros, and therefore the most adventurous. When we knelt down to pray, then I'd be able to untie his laces if Mum's eyes were closed. Dad was oblivious to all the shenanigans going on around him, especially during the hymns. He loved to sing, but would often belt out the ancient hymns injecting his own words, thus creating another burst of giggles in the brothers' pew. Vi Chaney and Mrs. Batson would be vying for the top note at all costs...more prods!!
I loved going to church. We'd all dress up in our very best suits and overcoats. Leather gloves, hats and sensible shoes. Prayer books were retrieved from the drawer in the chest in the hall, and off we'd go: across the green, through the gate and up the well-trodden path to the church door, where the vicar would greet us. We'd file down the aisle to our family pews on the left, kneel down to pray for a minute or two, then we'd sit and wait for the opening hymn.
There were always beautiful flowers in the windows, and under the pulpit from whence came the 10-minute sermons, interminable did they seem to the boys in front! No heat at all in our church, in those days, so you had to make sure that you wore your wooly underthings!!

Marston Magna

2010-04-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

"I remember, I remember the house where I was born,

The little window where the sun came creeping in at dawn..."

This is Marston Magna Manor, the house where I was born, along with my brothers and sisters. My father bought the house after WWII for a song, and had 1,000 pounds knocked off for the church bells, and 1,000 pounds knocked off for the pesky ghost!!!! We lived there for about 45 years: carefree childhood, village life where everyone knew everyone, family butcher just round the corner, the brook that ran in front of the house in which we paddled and collected tadpoles and sticklebacks, the graveyard where we spent many happy hours playing pirates on the graves, and playing leapfrog over the Moore brothers' graves!! When we lived there, the front of the house was covered in climbing roses, and the heavy, oaken front door was always open, held ajar by a wrought iron lamb. The windows, too, were always open, and 2 cherry trees graced either side of the front gate...I remember, I remember!

Spider In The Bath

2010-04-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the cartoon that goes with the blog.

Spider in the Bath!

2010-04-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

I like bunny rabbits, I like frogs.
I like pussycats, and I like dogs.
Talking to a tiger is like falling off a log.
Being friendly to the animals is easy!
I've got a couple of hamsters in the garden shed;
One's called Sebastian, and the other's called Fred.
I've even got a teddy bear I take to bed!
Being friendly with the animals is easy!

chorus:
But, a spider in the bath, a spider in the bath!
A creepy crawly, creepy crawly spider in the bath!
I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh!
With hairy legs and beady eyes that terrify and tantalize!
But, a spider in the bath, a spider in the bath!
A creepy crawly, creepy crawly spider in the bath!
I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh!
I thought I'd put it down the drain but now he's climbing up the chain!
Spider in the bath!

I like elephants, and I like mice.
I'd take a lion cub at any price.
I've even heard that crocodiles can be quite nice.
Being friendly to the animals is easy!
I like caterpillars. I like snails.
I like a lizard with a very long tail.
I'd even go swimming with a big white whale.
Being friendly to the animals is easy!

chorus

I've a horrible feeling that the spider's still there!
He's hiding in the bathroom, but I don't know where.
But bath time's over now, so i don't care!
I thought I'd put him down the drain but now he's climbing up the chain!

Spiders! Eugh!

Daffidowndillies

2010-04-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

"I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud" - William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay;

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed...and gazed...but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

New Life

2010-04-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

How lovely to have all the kids come home for Easter...I'm still reeling! The nest of alabaster eggs is still on the table, reminding us of the beautiful weekend. It hardly seems possible now, but we had 86* F. temperatures on Saturday...followed by a beautiful Sunday...all to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, the Christ! From death to life...a second chance...softened hearts and opened eyes. New life given so freely. Life at its best!

Here's Sapphie all dressed up in her beautiful new Easter dress from her Noni Kouri...

Oh, Happy Day!

2010-04-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

A hike down to the river with Emma and Sapphie, Hannah, Sadie Dog, Cooper Dog, Moses Dog and Cabot Dog, and my joy was almost complete! (Soe, Colin and Kevin were up on Jay Peak, enjoying a day of Spring skiing and boarding.) This was the first time down to the river since my knee surgery, and the silly knee works!

We made our way down to the swimming hole, but the river was still very full. This didn't daunt the puppies in any way, and they all went in after sticks, although Cooper missed one and ended up in the middle of the raging river!! A little worrying to say the least, but he's fit as a fiddle and was able to swim to shore, none the worse for wear. It was 86* Fahrenheit on April 3rd 2010! Wow!

Here are a few piccies taken on the hike...my favourite is the one of the tree nibbled by the beaver, but the tree became caught, so he had to leave it where it landed! All that effort!

The Easter Bunny

2010-03-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hopping down the bunny trail

Hippoty hoppity

Easter's on its way!

Musings

2010-03-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

Sapphie and Cabot

Got up in the morning,

The snow had all vanished away.

And the look in their eyes

Seemed to say to the skies,

"Now, how to amuse them today?"

(With dreadful apologies to A.A. Milne!)

The Robins are Back!

2010-03-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

March 23rd was the day they returned to Down Meadow, and I thought they were very late! But they knew something I didn't know...winter would return on the morrow with a vengeance! And they were right! Snow and wind and 20* F...think I'll just crawl back to my beddie and hide for a while under the duvet...bon hiver!!

Saint Patrick's Day Feastings

2010-03-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

My best friend's great-grandfather sailed from Dublin and landed on the shores of 19th century Rhode Island, and made Providence his new home...for this reason, my children can claim a vestige of Irish blood, mingled harmoniously with their French, Spanish, Puerto Rican, English and Scottish ties! And so, to celebrate their illustrious relations, we had a delicious boiled dinner tonight for supper...a small beef brisket slow cooked for a few hours, along with whole cloves and 18, no fewer and no more than 18, peppercorns; joined later by spuds, turnip, carrots, onion, and of course, the essential cabbage! And so, my friends, with tongue in cheek, I make a toast to celebrate the connections...Eire Go Brach!!

Snowdrops

2010-03-16T13:07:00.001-07:00

THE SONG OF THE SNOWDROP FAIRY

Deep sleeps the Winter,
Cold, wet, and grey;
Surely all the world is dead;
Spring is far away.
Wait! the world shall waken;
It is not dead, for lo,
The Fair Maids of (March)
Stand in the snow!

A Day Without Coffee...

2010-03-15T04:23:00.001-07:00

Winston Kouri is the most expressive creature on the face of God's green earth! Check him out! I haven't had a good cup of coffee for a good 48 hours, and this is exactly how I feel!! Larry roasted some of those delicious Hawaiian green coffee beans, a gift from Soe and Colin from their 'moon', and I believe that I shall grind some up and make me a good strong pot of it before I attempt to do another thing! Here's to a revitalizing cup or two of Kauai's best!

Observing the Sabbath!

2010-03-10T05:28:00.000-08:00

The Bible is quite clear: ...and they shall hallow My Sabbaths. Terrible warnings are found therein concerning lifting one's finger on the Sabbath! And so, here we are, contemplating, being very careful not to do anything that might be construed as 'work'. We call it Sabbath Rest! ...and on the seventh day He rested, and it was good, it was very good!

Connections

2010-02-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

When I was much younger, I used to teach skiing at Bromley Mountain in Southern Vermont. The ski school was run by an energetic Austrian chap called Herman Goellner, who made quite a name for himself as being the only chap in the world, at that time, who could do a Mobius flip on skis. It seems quite tame now, doesn't it, as we watch the Olympic freestyle events, and the amazing somersaults, twists and flips that they seem to do so easily...but at the time, this was quite an accomplishment. He came from Zell am See, near Salzburg, and I often wondered why he would leave the beauty of the Alps to come to our little hills. He brought with him, in succeeding years, a whole entourage of friends from the same village, to work at the Bromley Mountain Ski School. All were excellent skiers, and became great friends, as we lived and worked next to each other for many winter seasons. In the late spring, they would all return to Austria to their families, friends and their summer jobs.
The memory of our friendship was rekindled this winter, when our family gathered at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, to spend a few days there, celebrating the wedding of Soe and Colin. The Lodge is run by Johannes von Trapp, affectionately named "Hannie" by his siblings. Before they bought the farm in Vermont in 1942, the von Trapp children lived for a while with their maternal grandmother in Austria in a village called...can you guess? Yes, it was Zell am See!

Old friends

2009-11-14T14:10:00.001-08:00

Last month, as October opened her gates to heightened colour, snow flurries, and all that a northern autumn holds, Caroline came to stay for a couple of weeks, bringing with her a fresh air of enthusiasm and excitement; warmth and stories, generosity and love. It was a lovely visit, and rather fun to, all at once, want to show her everything that Vermont had to offer. The first day, we let her rest...and indeed, that was a good idea, since her luggage had never left England's green and pleasant shores! Surprisingly, it arrived on our doorstep by 10 o'clock the following morning! Here are a few of the things we did together: picked apples at the Shelburne Orchards; followed by an afternoon at the Shelburne Museum; dinner with the girls at American Flatbread; went to see "Where The Wild Things Are" (Papa cried!); dinner on the lake at the Eastside in Newport; Simon Pierce in Queechee, where we had lunch, then watched a couple of vases being blown and shaped by 2 glass-blowers; we went to the Billings Farm Museum in Woodstock, then on to the Woodstock Inn and a lovely amble through the town..a beautiful fall afternoon; heading north again, (and this COULD be the highlight of her trip!), we stopped off at Exit 17, and took her to the truck stop for dinner!! Real style! Caroline and I, one Sunday afternoon, took a mini-trip up to Averil and beyond to look for a moose, unsuccessfully of course..they rarely show themselves when you actually go looking for them! One day, Caroline took Murgatroyd (my little red VW Rabbit), and said she was off to 'explore' Newport! She had an errand to do, but when, after 5 hours, she hadn't returned, I started to feel a cold chill. The 'what ifs' started in my mind: She's lost! She's in a ditch! She accepted a ride! She's definitely lost! No map! No cell phone! Sun's sinking...getting dusky! So Larry and I jumped in the truck to go and look for Caroline. Just as he put her in reverse, along came Caroline and Murgatroyd down the drive....ahh! Unbelievably enough, she had parked the car, and literally spent 5 hours exploring Newport!! It was the joke of the century! But I've been thinking: this is a pretty neat little lakeside town, and because we live and work here, we don't see Newport as the charming place others see. The boardwalk and state building and the marina, she had lunch at the Montgomery cafe, popped into the newly renovated bookshop and spent ages in there perusing the books and drinking coffee, and a few more of the great shops on Main Street. She spent an extraordinary amount of time at the Pick and Shovel, marvelling at the variety within its walls. She came, she stayed, she went ... I miss her. It was lovely. Her she is hanging over Queechee Gorge!

Shopping

2009-11-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

Sapphie Elizabeth is ready to go

Down to the shops, down to the shops!

Why is her mummy so terribly slow,

Terribly, terribly slow?

Sapphie Elizabeth is all decked out

With new coat and hat, new coat and hat!

And is trying so terribly hard not to pout!

Terribly, terribly slow!

Sapphie Elizabeth just loves to go out.

Out to the shops, those magnificent shops!

Come on Mummy, stop mucking about!

Let's down to the shops and play!

October

2009-10-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

There's just something about October that makes me want to put the garden to bed, tidy things up around the place, get organized, make bread, eat honeycomb by the spoonful, knit, spin, sew, make jams and fruit butters....is there an internal instinct to survive that which is to come? Maybe, although the sense of urgency is not embroidered into the beckoning. We have picked apples, incorporating the delicious fruit in both sweet and savoury feasts, as well as simply enjoying their crispness along with wonderful cheeses of all moods. Larry bought some cheese back with him last weekend from a retreat up at the other end of the lake, where the monks make delicious cheeses...just the ticket for a sunny fall lunch, alongside a tall glass of Cold Hollow Cider. Here's a jacket, designed by a friend, that I have recently made for that Sapphie Girl, and a cozy sheep hat, the pattern to which I found in Woodstock a couple of weeks ago, on one of our fall exploring days...

There's just something about October...

Did you know...?

2009-10-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

Almost home...and there you were with your brother, playing in the road, you poor, silly deer! I saw you, but it didn't help, because there was a long line of cars coming the other way...if you made it, you'll be a little sore tomorrow. Did you know that I tried to miss you? I almost did, didn't I? Do you know that my heart is broken tonight? Did your brother escape? No sign on the road at all afterwards; but a thump, and a dull, sickening ache in my heart are all that remain. I wish I could make you feel better...wish it hadn't happened.

2009-10-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

On a hillside in the Autumn, on a warm September night,
Maples flashed their firy plumage, heralding the goose's flight.
Farethee well, deer honkers all, love you dearly, hear your call.

Glacial treasures

2009-10-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

And can it be that these green hills have known the depth of glacial chills?

Have felt the slow, determined path of moving ice, and cracking glass?

When did the earth warm just enough to shape the lake, the ridge, the bluff?

And can it be that these green hills can know the joy and sense the thrills

That threaten to o'ertake me now, and leave me with the wonder 'how'?

Ceres - the goddess of vegetation and fruitfulness

2009-09-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

Ceres, the goddess of agriculture in Roman mythology, balances precariously atop the gilded dome of Vermont's State Capital, hugging her wheat sheaf. Although, in this photograph, the illustrious deity has been overshadowed by a changing maple leaf! Apologies, dear Ceres, from an inexperienced photographer...

At this time of the year, I become quite domesticated, even fruitful, in my daily 'doings'. Making delicious soups and breads, knitting, jam-making, tidying up the place, all, I suppose, in anticipation of winter's blasts. It's an unwritten beckoning, an instinctive obligation, a 'just in case' feeling. Activities not peculiar to man, when one considers the frantic nut-hoarding of the squirrels in the woods!

And so, dear Ceres, whoever you are, figment of man's imaginings though you be: be pleased today, as this one, together with her squirrel friends, rushes madly about, doing this and that, at a ludicrous attempt to ready her house and home for the coming winter. Goddess of agriculture, vegetation and fruitfulness, we thank your Creator for His abundant blessings in the garden and in the fields, and for His Spirit who inspires us, and for His Son, who gives us life and that more abundantly!

Swan Song in the Meadow

2009-09-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Just look what I found in the meadow this weekend! A splash of floral splendour, that simply could not be left out there in the field for no-one to notice. I gathered them greedily then rushed home to let them drink deeply in my little Simon Pierce vase, almost hidden beneath the maple leaves. Autumn is here, and last night we had a chilling frost. It's time to start knitting and spinning and reading Robert Frost...time for jam-making and apple-picking, time for bread-making and leek and potato soup. Time to fill the house with warmth and provisions, logs and verse, prayer and praise...

Before I Was A Mom - by ?

2009-09-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Before I was a Mom

I never tripped over toys

or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not

my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind

and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child

so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night

watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because

I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small

could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of

having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel

to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond

between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,

the joy,

the love,

the heartache,

the wonderment

or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

before I was a Mom.

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

* * * * * * * *

This beautiful poem has touched my heart, so I have included it in the Mossfairy pages to bless others. Thank you so much, Linda, I shall treasure it always.

* * * * * * * *

A love song for Sapphie

2009-09-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

Skinneraminky dinky dink,

Skinneraminky doo,

I love you!

Skinneraminky dinky dink,

Skinneraminky doo, I love you!

I love you in the morning, and in the afternoon,

I love you in the evening, underneath the moon!

Oh, skinneraminky dinky dink,

Skinneraminky doo,

I love you!

Love from Lalla xxx

Upside down in the garden!

2009-09-07T18:34:00.001-07:00

I love just messing about in the garden! I spent the best part of this morning upside down in the front rose bed, and as I weeded and trimmed, I remembered that Mum had given me my very own spot in the garden at Marston Magna. It was a corner wedge, right behind the brick wall that held the iron gate from the front to the back garden on the side of the house. My little bit of earth never felt the warmth of the sun, nor did anything grow in it, but an acacia tree, backed by the stone wall onto the lane. This wall seemed to wick any water from the soil, and try as I would, the acacia tree remained the sole live corner dweller. But it kept me out of mischief for hours on end...mostly I made fairy houses and fantastic worlds out of rocks and twigs and moss...always the moss!

This weekend we had a surprise visit

from Hannah, who spent her waking

hours upside down in the garden, thinning out the baby beets. She seemed so content to be just pottering, continuing the generational delight of pulling weeds and growing things. I took a photograph of her through this sunflower, because it had an enormous bumble bee on it...heaven only knows where it went to! She went home with a beautiful red cabbage, a few onions, and 3 jars of that scrumptious crabapple butter!

...and after!

2009-09-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my very first batch of crabapple cider butter! I'm so pleased with the result: it's absolutely delicious. I could have possibly been a little more proud, however, had I not spilled 2 jars of this heavenly concoction onto the floor! The dogs weren't terribly enthusiastic about cleaning up the dreadful mess, but between us, we managed to do a good job while the first batch was having their boiling water bath to seal them. So, in my advancing years, I'm still learning lessons: it's never to late to learn; if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well; and always play it safe! For the first lesson, I found a wonderful Amish recipe, but as a matter of fact, it called for 18 gallons of crabapples! So I put my algebra to work, and figured out the formula!! The second lesson involved the idea of not trying to hurry things up; by taking my time, I would have been more successful, and the last two jars would have remained standing. The third lesson received quite a good grade until excited anticipation sent the last 2 jars toppling...I shall be much more careful next time.

The apples came from the crabapple tree outside the church on Crawford Farm Road. It has never failed to produce an abundance of apples, and is always a delight for sore eyes when it blossoms in early summer. We shall enjoy the apple butter in the ramekin for dinner tonight, as an accompaniment to the chicken we shall cook on the spit outside. Hannah's coming!!

Crab Apple Butter ~ Before The Fact!

2009-09-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

The colour of these crab apples is exquisite, and it seems such a pity to put them in a pot with sugar and exotic spices and boil the Dickens out of them! The resultant crab apple butter, however, soon eradicates any pity I may have had earlier. Poured into glass jars, sealed and set on the shelves until Thanksgiving, this is the true beginning of Harvest Home! Let the pickling begin!

Poor knee!

2009-09-01T12:27:00.001-07:00

Just look at this amazing flower! One of the few that the darling deer left unscathed. If you look closely, you can just about see a honey bee enjoying his breakfast, packing his trousers with the golden treasure. That's when I thought about bees knees, and hoped that this bee's knees were feeling a lot better than my poor knee, which seems to have conked out altogether! I was on my way to the orthopaedic surgeon, when I noticed the sunflower simply shining in the morning's glory, so I took her picture with my phone, and I'm so glad that I did because the rest of the morning went slip sliding down the hill at an out-of-control rate! The sorebones asked me (quite seriously!) how long had my legs been so crooked!! So I told him 62 and a half years! But I was quick to add that they'd done me right proud for all those years, with no complaints until now. So after a thorough examination of the offending knee, they drew 3 vials of fluid from the knee joint! I can't even begin to describe the intensity of the pain! The needle was fatter than my fattest tapestry needle, and in it went, right into the angry joint. The following cortisone shot was a breeze...in fact, even produced a chuckle! An MRI has been scheduled soon, then we'll go from there. I wish I was a bee!

Bringing harvest home...

2009-08-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

This week has been incredible! Beautiful sunshine, renewed energy, and up until today, an almost pain-free knee! I have taken every opportunity to be outside soaking up the Ds, and being productive in the garden. On Monday, I cleaned the oven!! Well not exactly, since, of course, nowadays, they clean themselves. It was exciting because it was the first time I'd ever cleaned this one, and now it's all clean and shiny. On Tuesday, I tootled up to Holland to pick blueberries at the Lionel Fortin patch, and, although the bushes looked pretty picked over, I lay down under the bushes to find them beautifully laden. I picked 6 quarts, and a basketful of early yellow apples, some late raspberries, and Lionel threw in an heritage tomato and others and a couple of cucumbers, which was just fine since Moses has pulled up and eaten all the cucumber plants! When I returned home, I froze 6 quarts of blueberries and 2 quarts of applesauce! I dined on tomatoes and cucumbers and salad greens. So begins my most favourite time of the year: bringing in the harvest and laying it up for the winter months; jam making; bread making; knitting and spinning. Here's a lovely photograph of Lionel helping to fill my basket! He and his wife, Simone, are the very salt of the earth.

Cicada joins us for breakfast!

2009-08-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

Out of the blue, 'twas the least we could do,

We invited Cicada to breakfast!

It hadn't been planned for Hannah to land 'pon his back,

So impromptu, ere breakfast!

Tucked hidden away, seventeen years to the day,

He stretched and he grew under bark.

'Til at last he was cooked, and out of there booked

It, though hard 'twas to see in the dark!

So merrily skipping, careful not to be tipping

The cream, she came to set table;

But alas, and alack, landed right on his back,

Which rendered that poor thing disabled!

People weren't that keen, to invite him, I mean!

For unhealthy thoughts 'twould awaken.

But with membranous wings, though he now couldn't sing,

We sat him right next to the bacon!

So thanks for the song that you'd taken so long

To develop, but now you lie still...

Under JP's hydrangea, what could be stranger!

You lie silent on top of the hill!

Rain, rain...

2009-07-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

There's no doubt about it: the joy of downpours is certainly growing old! However, having said that, it's always a joy to go into the sunny garden after any such recent downpour, to find everything simply dripping. And so I went this very morning, to find the Black Cherry roses bashed and washed by the 'stair-rods' shower that had descended upon us in the past hour. The sun was blazing now, and their upright mates were happily absorbing the brilliant sunshine, while it was quite plain to see that there was simply no going back for the fallen roses. So I snipped them off, carefully remembering my grandfather's instructions to cut on an angle just above the next 5-leaf grouping down, and popped them into Soe's swirling silver (get it? swirling/sterling!) christening cup that had been her Granny Dot's. What a picture!

Moss Down by the River

2009-07-25T15:01:00.000-07:00

Over a month ago, I wrote...and we're back! But I wasn't, not really. I'm not sure that I'm really back yet. I'm feeling pressured to write from all quarters, so I shall write, but it's not from the heart...yet!

This weekend, Soe and Colin have come to stay, and we went to the river in Derby, and marvelled at the beauty of the rushing stream, dyed by the ever-present tannin from rotting oak bark. There was a moss-covered rock...

...and we're back!

2009-06-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

We (Moss Fairy and I) are fully recovered from a debilitating Russian virus, and it's so good to be able to write again. Much has happened since April's entry, and my heart is full! In a nutshell: the snow has gone; the garden is finally daring to throw caution to the wind and bloom; Hannah's home; Emi has been hooded; Latin teacher~hood has ended; the christening dress is completed and Sapphie has been dedicated!

The Great Awakening

2009-04-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today was a delicious day packed with different weather patterns and full of activity. Blue skies in the morning, perfect for tilling up the garden, forming the beds, pruning all the fruit trees, (yes, I know it's a peculiar time of the year to be pruning, but it just felt right, and it's always worked before!), pruning the roses in the back garden (ditto, above!), digging the dandelions. In French, they're called 'dents des lions' which means teeth of lions, and I could almost hear them growling at me as I carefully removed them in one piece, tap root intact! It's so exciting to see that all the roses made it through the winter unscathed, and all have lots of strong, new growth starting up around the bottom of each bare stock. The climbing rose is totally out of control, and when things are just beginning to come alive, the old rambler is simply covered with new growth. It'll be a sight for sore eyes a little later on. We have added a couple of plum trees this week to our developing orchard, a generous gift from Sim and Lionel Fortin. Next week we plan to add another pear, a couple of apples, and a pair of cherries. That should do it for a while. There are forget-me-nots all over the place which gives a wonderfully domesticated feel about the place, despite the fact that our old chum, the naughty Black Bear, has come a few times to reorganize this and that. He wasn't at all sure that he liked the squirrel feeding station, and took tremendous pains to tear it all apart. Very clever of him to remove the squirrel house from the tree! He had to lift it up an inch or two and then pull. He tried to take the bench off the porch, but it proved too cumbersome for him, so he left his mark on it before stomping off. It's so lovely that we can all live in harmony with each other! A little heaven on earth...

To The Garden He Came

2009-04-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

To the garden he came, silent and heavy.

To the garden he came, sorrowful, pleading.

In the dark of night he came,

Fording Kedron Brook he came,

Needing his Father he came

To pray.

He bade them to stay, except for the three.

He bade them to pray, on bended knee.

And so he went, and fell on his face,

And so He wept: Abba, gratiam Tuam da!

In the garden of Olives, all alone,

He relinquished His will to His Father's plan.

He relinquished His blood in the sweat that flowed

From His brow, in the garden, all alone.

He returned to the three, the sleeping three.

O, could you not stay on bended knee?

How weak is the flesh, yet the spirit strong!

Watch and pray. Watch and pray.

The chant is carried to us today.

The breeze soughed gently, that dreadful night,

The dove felt the rustling, took to flight.

The fruit of the trees, the olive trees,

Wept with Creator, wept in the night.

Wept throughout ages, that believers might

Along with the dove, feel the Saviour's plight.

Drink deeply, often, of the olive tree,

And remember the prayers that were prayed for thee.

Remember the Wind, the Oil and the Dove.

Remember the Anguish that was snuffed out by Love.

Remember, remember the Fruit of the Tree!

It seems like yesterday....

2009-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, when our family was almost new, Soe Woe and I went to pick up Hannah and Emi from their school, the Equinox School, up in Dorset Hollow in Southern Vermont. The school was started by a handful of parents who were looking for something exceptional for our children. We found it on our back doorstep, among our own friends, with the leadership of Ron Reuben, headmaster extraordinaire. We loved all the teachers. We loved the daily ebb and flow of the teaching program. We absogoshdarnlutely loved each other. Soe couldn't wait to join the gang in the following school year. She couldn't wait to learn those circle song-games like "Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow", and "Go In and Out The Windows". Dawn Pliner, the mother of her very mostest best friend, Aura~Joy, would be her Kindergarten teacher. And then, just like that, we were gone. Gone from all that we held near and dear. Sadly, we took all the sheep up to live with the John Thorssin family up in the Hollow. We packed up our meagre belongings in the U~Haul, and we were gone. Goodbye house and barn. Goodbye dear ones. Goodbye Equinox School. Goodbye Mach's Market. Goodbye Mill Pond and ducks.
Hello Boothbay Harbour, hello home-schooling, hello new world and new friends...but the sadness of leaving Vermont is engraven on our hearts forever. It was April 17th 1985: Soe's 5th birthday...

So, here's the orignal...

2009-02-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

LEISURE ... by William H. Davies

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep and cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait 'til her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this, if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

With sincere apologies to WH Davies...

2009-02-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

What is this life if, when cobwebs clog,

We have no time to sit and blog.

No time to gaze into our dreams

And write, contented, near the streams.

No time to see, when snowflakes fall,

The stately pines, majestic, tall.

No time to share the beauty found

Along the woodland's mossy ground.

No time to wait, to linger long,

To hear the earth's sweet, mirthful song.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stop and stare.

Happy Birthday, Moses!

2009-01-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

In the first year of my life, lots of amazing things have happened, just a few of them are worth setting down for biographical posterity!
Let's see now, I think we'll start with those things which I wish had been mastered, and yet look forward to this coming year when they will be, for sure:
1. Swimming. I'm not 100% sure that this is an enjoyable passtime. Last year the river was so high and raging from all the rain, that it took all my courage to follow Sadie in to retrieve various sticks, and each time I ventured forth, my life (short, as it was) flashed before me. Mama Sally tried her level best to convince me that this was what I was supposed to love by going in with all her clothes on, but the resulting image was so alarming, that all of my worst fears were confirmed, and I ran from the river with my tail firmly tucked!
2. Come! Yes, well, there's a very good reason why this command hasn't yet been mastered. First of all, when I was little, we went to Obedience School. I loved it! I made lots of friends and was rewarded with delicious bits of something or other every time I did whatever it was that was asked of me. Later, we'd practice, and again the treats were forth-coming. Now, when I Sit!, Stay!, or Come!, okay, there's a pat on the head, or a 'Good boy!', but hey, where are the treats? I mean! So now, when Mama Sally calls me, I look at her and then sit down! I'm trying to teach her to remember the treats, and I believe she is beginning to understand! Boys, some humans are really hard to train!
Let's look at some things that have transpired in this first year: some good, some not so good (apparently!):
1. I'm a great retriever.
2. I like to nose around in the waste-paper baskets.
3. My favourite things to chew are loo-paper holders, gloves, socks, fat-wood, and paper towels with bacon drippings on them.
4. I do have a basket full of toys. These keep me occupied when the above aren't around.
5. I just adore to eat Sadie's poos! Mama Sally says O God and walks away, but Papa runs at me screaming, which only makes the game more fun! Sometimes, I'll run away, and he thinks he's fixed it, but then I sneak back and get the rest when he's far away!
6. It rarely happens, but when Mama Sally is sick, Sadie and I are allowed to lie on the bed and make her feel better. We get lots of treats during these times.
7. Sometimes, Sadie and I get to go to the Oasis Pet Resort and Spa. We get to play with lots of friends and get our pedicures, groomings and shampooings done. We like to spend a little time here, yet sometimes, we've had to stay a bit too long, and we miss our walks in the woods.
8. A rare treat is when Cooper and Cabot come to visit. They're urbanites and live in Burlington, but you'd never know it. They fall right into place up here in the Northeast Kingdom, especially when Cabot wears his orange collar!
All in all, it's been a pretty fantastic first year, and I think I shall go outside and chase a red squirrel to celebrate birthday #1!

A Lullaby For Sapphie

2009-01-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla-bysie,

Do you want the moon to play with?

Or the stars to run away with?

They will come if you don't cry.

Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla-bysie,

In Mama's arms a-keeping,

And soon you'll be a-sleeping,

Sing lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla-by.

Two Weeks Old!

2009-01-08T14:21:00.001-08:00

Sapphie my little one! My own and my dear!

Today is your birthday! Two weeks, to be clear!

I wish we could snuggle, I wish we were near,

To celebrate this milestone in your very first year!

Feeding Our Furry and Feathered Friends

2009-01-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

We are extraordinary! Human beings, that is. Case in point: there is a multi-billion dollar business out there, which creates contraptions which prevent squirrels from raiding the bird-feeders. Poor little things! Thank goodness that in the Book of Genesis, the Almighty didn't tell us to "have dominion over all that creepeth on the earth, and make sure those pesky squirrels don't steal the sunflower hearts!" In response to the growing need for a separate squirrel feeding station, where none could possibly be accused of 'stealing' anybody's hearts, my beloved husband has spent a large portion of his annual income on setting up such a place. First of all, he had to make sure that this sanctuary, for so it is, was in close proximity to the red squirrels' winter establishment: the rock wall in our back garden. He hauled in a huge stump on which to plonk the block of 'squirrel candy': at $24.95, quite the deal! The next step was to attach to the huge pine tree the greatly 'engaging' Squirrel Spinner, which, he was assured, would capture the squirrels' attention in their relentless pursuit of corn on the cob for heaven's sake! All for the very affordable price of $47.95! Now for the chefs d'oeuvre! A rust-resistant/weather-resistant/bird-resistant little house, the roof of which is raised by the hungry squirrels in order to retrieve the tasty snack inside. To further enhance his purchase, he opted for the bargain kit of house and 5lb. of this tasty snack for the amazing price of $52.95!! It took the squirrels a few weeks to get the picture, but O the joy when we watched squirrel #1 raise the roof of the snack shack, to be followed a few days later by his cousin having a twirl on the corn-spinner! Last week a family of 9 wild turkeys, a Tom and his 8 wives, discovered the block of candied corn on the stump! What a sight for sore eyes. They were later joined by a pileated woodpecker, who was tired of looking for slumbering bugs. For the vastly extravagant amount of $125.85 we have, in our backyard, entertainment of the finest kind. We still feed the birds, but I'm so pleased that there is no sign warning: NO SQUIRRELS ALLOWED!

Sapphire Elizabeth Kouri

2009-01-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is the whole reason for living...

Where Have All The Bloggers Gone...?

2008-12-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

Where have all the bloggers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Gone to sle-ep every one.
When will they ever learn?
When will they e-ver learn?

Hey, you guys! Wake up! It's snowing like billy-o, Emi's about to produce, Soe and Colin are engaged, Kevin saved a couple of folk from their blazing home, Papa's been on Fox News oh my word, and Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat! Please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do. If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you! For all you fine folk looking for a little prosperity in the new year, the Figgy pudding will be stirred on Monday...yes, I know it's 2 months late, but I'll compensate with an extra glug or two! We surely will miss the Banana this year. Now I know how my parents must have felt when I came to America in 1968. (Or maybe they raised the flag and had a huge celebration!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

GOD BLESS US ALL, EVERY ONE!

Advent

2008-12-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

Advent refers to the 'coming' or 'arrival' of something or someone. Typically, we think of the birth of the Messiah, Who is Jesus, the Christ. This is one of my favourite times of the year, a time of expectation, of secrets, of staying up all night, creating, wrapping up those secrets. It is a time of greenery and tradition, making memories. I love the fact that Soe has her Ornament Making Party every year, reminding us of school days when school chums used to come to the house to make exquisite ornaments. My very favourite one was a tiny Christmas fairy, the details of which were extraordinary, and to whose front had been glued two beads of enormous proportion! (All modestly hidden under her paper dress!) One of the puppies, however, made short work of enjoying her for an Advent snack! This is the time when Christmas puddings are made, using the very best ingredients, and being careful not to be stingy with the orange brandy! Tradition tells us that all who stir the Christmas Pud will enjoy prosperity in the coming year! This would be the year, then, to come on over to my house on the Pudding Making Day, to put all your financial fears to rest!
This year is no exception to that presence of expectancy: somehow, there's a magic hush in the air. We are all anticipating the imminent birth of Emi and Kevin's first child, a miracle in the making! We're holding our breath, savouring each moment of each day. As a mother, I'm quietly following Emi's progression, and remembering...it truly is a miracle, with the birth of each new child.
Another memory is in the making: we, along with some of the family, shall all gather at Soe and Colin's new house to celebrate Christmas together. Sadly, Hannah will be unable to join us this year. Lucy and John shall come and join us, and maybe Baby Kouri will be here by then! Jerry and MariaLuisa may come too. What a time we'll all have! This is our first year without any parents/grandparents, so it'll be such a good thing to be together, to remember, to encourage.
Our little tree in the woods looks so beautiful, it seems to be heralding in this wonderful time of Advent, this time of mysteries and excitement..."How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!"

Big Kevin's Tree

2008-12-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

I've come a dozen times or more in the last few weeks, and each time I've discovered that inspiration's running awry! I really love to write, and find it strange that my heart and brain have cramped up to such a degree. And so, though I have no idea as to content, I have made a promise that today, when I log in, I shall not log out until I have put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keys!

We have recently spent a couple of days with dear friends and family up at Sugarbush, in Vermont, to celebrate family and friends and Thanksgiving. Apart from companionable conversation, delicious food, detailing our thankfulness and blessings, and generally enjoying each others' company, Big Kevin jazzed up the whole event by performing his (now!) famous Annual Christmas Tree in the Woods Lighting Ceremony! Despite Kristin's whining about why couldn't she watch it from the living room, why did she have to come outside?, he was not to be discouraged! And, of course, partly because of Kristin's groans and moans, he had to do an emergency oh-my-word-I-hope-it-works sort of a test, so he quickly plugged it in and immediately out just to make sure. When we were all crammed onto the porch, dogs and all, did we do a count-down? I can't remember! But on went the lights, and my heart soared! I have a feeling that a few in the party were merely humouring the light lighter, but it was clear to see what great pleasure he derived from this simple act of giving! When we came home, one of the very first things I did was to go into the woods with the dogs to find the perfect little Christmas tree, I clothed her with the prettiest little fairy lights attached to a very long green landscaping extension cord and turned her on, not with the attending crowd, just me and the dogs. It was one of those moments: quiet, peaceful, magic. I thought of Kevin and Liz, and how much they mean to us, and wished that, if it could be, they could be a part of that moment...only to realize, on contemplation, that they had! I shall try very hard to take a picture of this magic tree and post it here. I'm not sure that I can remember how to do it, but will try.

Philosophy and the Soul, a good choice!

2008-11-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

Si vis studere philosophiae animoque, hoc studium non potest valere sine frugalitate. Haec frugalitas est paupertas voluntaria. Tolle, igitur, istas excusationes: "Nondum satis pecuniae habeo. Si quando illud 'satis' habebo, tum me totum philosophiae dabo." Incipe nunc philosophiae, non pecuniae, studere. Seneca, Epistulae 17:5

If you wish to devote yourself to philosophy and to the soul, this pursuit is not able to be strong without frugality. This frugality is voluntary poverty. Therefore, take away those excuses of yours: "I don't yet have enough money. If ever I shall have that 'enough', then I shall give my entire self to philosophy." Begin now, to devote yourself to philosophy, not to money.

Good advice! When philosophical thinking becomes passion, then finances will fall into the correct perspective!

Remembrance Day

2008-11-11T00:09:00.000-08:00

A friend from Canada gave me a poppy on Sunday. My sister forwarded a pictoral message entitled "Lest We Forget". I am awed at the courage of these brave, patriotic soldiers, whose choice to go isn't an option, but a life's drive, a must go. No greater love be known, but the love that lays down his own life for another's sake. I remember a few here: Uncle Richard, Richard Madden, Jesse Strong, Helen's son, Tim's friends...and I'll remember the fields in France, to which poppies return each year to remember the blood that was spilled...so many to thank, to honour.

Teddy Bear's Picnic

2008-11-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

If you go out on the lawn tonight
You'd better go in disguise!
If you go out on the lawn tonight
You'll never believe your eyes.
For Bruno Bear, as bold as you please,
Will come and dine, way down on his knees
On sunflower hearts I hung in the sun for birdies!

A Gaggle of Geese

2008-10-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

It happens every year round about this time, when one goose says to another goose,"Gaggle, gaggle, gaggle!" And then that goose turns to his nieghbour and almost repeats what he just heard, "Goggle, gaggle, goggle", who honks to his friend, "Gotta goand google", who, honking sweet nothings into the ear of his fiance, includes "Gotta, getta, going!!" It's the old Norman Rockwell thing all over again. Nobody really listens, but in this case, the geese somehow get it right, because as everybody knows "Gaggle, gaggle, gaggle" means "Come on, you lot, it's time to fly south again! Pack your bags and line up straight!! And don't forget your goggles!" And off they go gaggling, goggling and giggling all the way, flying low over the house to make sure I come running out to wave them off, and in the waving, feeling just a little part of me leaving with them, and knowing that if I don't warn them about Chesapeake Bay, they won't beware...Have a good flight, a warm winter, and we'll see you in the Spring...so long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, adieu! And off they go, ribboning their way across the autumn skies to warmer climes, that tiny part of me trailing behind...wait for me...

The Malta-Weave Knitting Bag

2008-09-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Today I found my Mummy's bag
The Malta-Weave striped knitting bag.
It used to hang right by her chair,
Her comfy, sagey fire-side chair.
She bought the bag when I was new
And she not more than thirty two.
It used to house her knitting things
Her needles, patterns, wools and pins,
With which she'd knit such lovely things
For tiny maidens, tiny kings!
It's nice to know that I love too
The art of knitting that she once knew.
It's nice to know that in that bag
Lie memories that never lag
When brought to mind, when stirred anew,
Of island warmth, of childhood muse.
I'd like to think she sees me now,
As I knit and click and hum and how
In this little bag I find such joy
As I knit for our little girl or boy!

Take Me Down To The Sea Again...Again

2008-09-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

Have just been remembering some fine memories of Boothbay Harbour, Maine, especially when we first arrived. We had to finish off the school year at home, which I thoroughly enjoyed. We would do our scholastic studies in the morning, and then in the afternoon we'd often go to the beach for our 'Marine Research Unit'! There was a terrific Aquarium nearby which had an amazing educational program for the children, and we had a few friends who worked there, so we had great opportunity to have many guided tours around the place. I was particularly remembering the enormous blue lobster who lived there. He was so.o old! And the cool rock pool, which housed horse-shoe crabs and one of our favourites...the sea cucumber, which never ceased to entertain us by squirting us! Every time! We spent hours and hours down on the beach at Hendick's Head on Southport Island, where we'd find no end of shells and crabs and star fish. At low tide, a group of rocks were left high and dry on the sand, the tallest of these, the girls christened 'Commercial Rock'. I'm not sure that I can remember why! I think they used to play a game that Soe called 'Let's 'tend!' There was always a part for everyone in this 'tending game, and I expect they used to make commercials on Commercial Rock. Telling stories, pretending, collecting treasures...of course, the whole setting was made that more exciting by the fact that the Wicked Witch of the West from the movie 'The Wizard of Oz' had a house just there, down the bay on the rocks, and that certainly added a spicy seasoning! However, if you spent too much time pretending and making commercials, you'd have to swim back to shore, because the tide was tricky, and would rush back in, surrounding all the rocks, before you had time to say 'Shiver Me Timbers!!'
Hannah and Emi were part of the Dolphin Swim Team, which met at 4 pm every afternoon at the 'Y'. Any kid that could swim from one end of the pool to the other could be a part, and they were thrilled and proud to be able to wear those red hooded sweat-shirts with the dolphin on the back. A team to be reckoned with were those Boothbay Dolphins!
On the beach, down by the sea, the whole ebb and flow of it all...a great place to be a child...even when you're old...a great place to be a child!

Woodland Walk

2008-09-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today, I wore my Mama's hat,

Her bright autumnal titfer (tat).

We walked among the ferns all drippy,

We walked the old familiar way,

Down to the river, down to the pond,

Down by the way of the loon's clear song.

An acorn at my feet I found,

Then lichen, moss and bark and flower,

And soon my arms were full of fall

Of dripping earth and autumn's call.

So homeward bound with all we'd found,

To share with friends

And nourish all!

Swallows and Amazons

2008-09-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to put my childhood memories, which are legion, into a book of memoires, but I think I don't have to anymore. It has already been done! Or rather, this is what seems to be.
I have recently started to read a series of 12 books written by Arthur Ransome, the first of which is 'Swallows and Amazons', first published in 1930. Perhaps you, like countless children since, have read this series, and your lives have been dramatically influenced by it. In the first book, we are introduced to the Walker children: John, Susan, Titty, Roger, Vicky and their Mother.
As children, my four siblings and I, deprived of television and video games, spent our days captivated in one adventure after another. As soon as one mystery was solved, off we'd go on another adventure, which often involved pirates and smugglers and kings and princes, (especially those imprisoned in towers!), murderers and body-snatchers (we lived right next door to the village graveyard)! Our imaginations ran wild, and nobody seemed to think this was detrimental to our growth, except, perhaps, with the exception of when we kidnapped John Innes, who was 4 at the time, tied him up and left him in my chapel to think about his dreadful crimes. It was hours later that his sister, Jessica, came looking for him, and we remembered with horror where we'd left him.
I'm sure that such naughtiness was never displayed in the Walker children, but this book, and in fact, the whole series comes highly recommended, especially if you missed it in your youth.
Beautifully written, this book would be a welcome change to any Book Discussion Club!
Well, I think I shall saunter down to the dock at Houseboat Bay, tackle up the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and tack on over to Wild Cat Island, where I'll no doubt encounter the two intrepid Amazons, Nancy and Peggy Blackett!

Her Rings

2008-09-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

Today, I wore my Mother's rings.
They fit so well. They suit me well.
I wore them as I pulled the beans.
I wore them as I watched the scenes
Of Gustav hurtling into land.
I wore the everlasting band,
I wore the red, I wore the gold,
The love within these rings I hold
Within my heart which loudly sings.
Today I wore my Mother's rings.

Home again, home again, Jiggerty jig!

2008-08-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

It certainly has been a topsy turvy week and some. Mama Sonia has packed her bags, according to Sonia Elizabeth, and has winged her flight to heaven to join Papa Roger, who has been calling her now for some months. It is a great comfort to me to know that they are together again, to part no more. Sonia told me that at one point, a couple of days before she died, she was talking to someone, instructing them to please make sure that her golf bag was packed, and that it should be packed just so on the bottom...this was very important! Must be that Daddio had organized a tee time! We all flew down to Winter Park to see her off, and to comfort and console each other. It was a good time for that, but as Father Walsh said, this is the end of that era, and that is very hard to swallow. Gone are the days of Mama Sonia's fantastic gourmet dinners. Gone are those dreadful political discussions which became more and more volatile by the second! Just the kind of debate on which the Wall family fed, well, some of them, anyway! I remember Uncle Chente sounding off like a machine gun, then Mama Sonia, totally undaunted, joining in the fray. Papa Roger would screw up his face in disgust, and tell everyone they were nuts! They were able to spew away at each other, and within moments, slap each other on the back, and with mirth and love filling the room, turn their attention to other matters. Gone are the lunch dates, the dinner dates, the museum dates, the art gallery dates, the play dates, and saddest of all: the shopping dates! Thank~you, sweet lady, for all the memories. Thank~you for adopting me as your daughter, and introducing me thus. Thank~you for accepting me for who I am. Thank~you for coming canoeing with me up at Kidney Pond, and keeping your cool, well, almost keeping your cool, when the moose swam out to check us out while circling around our canoe! Phew, with me extremely pregnant with Hannah, that was a little hair-raising! Thank~you for spoiling my children with all those amazing trips to DisneyWorld, Epcot, SeaWorld etc. and their shopping trips. We came to bid you farewell this past week. Did you know that? We were all so sad. You looked so pretty in your periwinkle suit, and your hands crossed just so. Vinny and Lucy poured their hearts out and made us all cry. Jerry honoured Patricia, and thanked her profusely for all her unselfish attention to your every need in the last months. Larrito applied some of that wonderful love~glue on his brothers and brought a semblance of reconciliation between them: for understandably, emotions have run high, and it's been difficult to come to terms. Father Walsh came up trumps! You would have been pleased. But you were millions and trillions of miles away, having a picnic with Papa Roger under a heavenly willow tree, which definitely was not weeping, enjoying the love that still holds you two together, and will, while eternity rolls along!