My Cinderella/Hawkins Day

(Writing Prompt WWU May 18, 2013)

Ironic............I wrote on this prompt, was undecided if I was ready to post it or not, came back a couple days later and ended up losing the whole post. Where did it go? Who knows. It's out in cyber space some place I guess. So 'to post or not to post' became a lost post................I will try again to write on the topic of the writing prompt......here goes.

Waking around my usual 6:00 am I ventured downstairs to meet the sunshine if there was any and have my breakfast, wondering just exactly what I would do with this day. While filling the toaster my 'Cinderella-voice' said "You should spend the day relaxing and doing just nothing because you don't often get a chance to do that; there is always tomorrow to do the chores". That no sooner having been said when my 'John Hawkins-voice' boomed "There is far too much to be done to be lazing around doing nothing; there is laundry to do, floors to clean, dusting to be done, the kitchen to clean, the cars need washing; the list is endless" as he cracked his long leather whip next to my left ear. Wow Cinderella had her work cut out for her if she figured to come up against this fellow John Hawkins.

The muffin was toasted; butter or not.........Cinderella said no, Hawkins said yes because I would work off the calories doing my chores. Should I have peanut butter or just plain..........same argument. Hawkins won both rounds; I licked my lips after my English Muffin adorned with butter AND Peanut butter. Had I thought to throw jam into the argument I may even have had some jam on my muffin as well.

Finishing up the last of my tea, Hawkins roared "get up you lazy woman you, get the first load of laundry in the washer; while it washes you could have the kitchen cleaned up before the second load goes in" as the whip again cracked, beside my right ear this time. "Just relax, there is no hurry to get anything done, in fact there is all day tomorrow; the laundry isn't going anywhere, it will be in the exact same place whenever you are ready to look at it" chided Cinderella. I was quite prepared & satisfied to listen to this 'Cinderella-logic'; the 'Hawkins-logic' seemed altogether too harsh; the trouble was it was becoming very tiring trying to sort out the constant bickering that was taking place inside my head. I wasn't quite sure how I would reach a final decision on the matters at hand without suffering some serious guilt feelings regardless of the path I chose to take.

Soon it was lunch time; as I listened to the back-and-forth of the two factions I realized I still hadn't made a decision about what I was going to do with my day (or had I?).............

Shall I have soup, a sandwich or both; with butter or not; with cheese or not; what kind tuna or chicken; mayo or none; mustard, no mustard; shall I add lettuce or not;................the choices became endlessly silly, the arguments equally foolish. In the end I made the biggest, fattest sandwich filled with every possibility to which I added a bowl of soup......which had all been supported by Hawkins who used the same argument as he had at breakfast. I was feeling so full after lunch I didn't want to even get up but he was there cracking the whip again, urging me to get moving because I had only half a day left to get all the work done while Cinderella soothed me with her usual idea that it could all be done another time.

So..........I sat all afternoon listening to the argument as it slowly grew sillier and, as the day progressed, less intense (probably because the day was dwindling and before long it would be time to fix dinner............then time for bed if I could get through the decisions surrounding 'what to fix for dinner'). Whew what a day! Dinner turned out to be very late because preparations were impeded by indecision in fact by the time I finally decided I didn't want to make a decision, some kind soul suggested we just go out to eat.

I didn't want to do this again tomorrow so I sent Cinderella and Hawkins over to my friend with the promise they would have much more fun with her than they did with me. Just like that they were gone and I had no problem deciding when to go to bed, what time, what to wear, what time to set the clock for; all of those hard decisions seemed easy to make (knowing very well I could leave tomorrow till it came)........!!

Sometimes

(Writing Prompt WWU May 08, 2010)

 

"[But] we accept irony through a device called metaphor. And through that we grow and become deeper human beings.” 

                                                      ― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

(Do we now? I'm not altogether sure about that; are you?)

'Life is a rat race' conjures up certain images; of rather large mouse-like critters with long skinny tails scurrying about in underground dark sewer pipes, eating any dead or decaying matter they come across. They run about, over, under, beside or atop of each other, coming and going every direction in a hurry, fighting each other for food scraps discovered, and looking for a way out of their predicament. Rather than just flippantly repeat this metaphor, if I think about its meaning or implication, I don't think 'life is like a rat race' at all, even though it can become trying at times. I'm also not sure how, through this metaphor, I have grown or become a deeper human being.

 

'Life is a fox trot' brings to mind a happier scenario even if pretty quick paced. As I think about the fox trot I think about dancing in general which could mean the waltz, the square dance, the polka, the schottische, the line dances; the list goes on, which sets a varied pace and different circumstances. Most of these dances are done with a partner so that would mean life with a partner (as the music plays).

Not a bad picture of life on the dance floor although out of necessity, I would have to beg to sit out a few along my journey of life. What could life be while I was sitting out? Hmmmmm.

 

'Life is a dog walk'.......now that could ring some bells for me since I have very often commented to my dog 'ah to have your life would be so grand' but again when I really think about it I can see a few down-points to living life as a dog. I wouldn't want to give up the luxury of the toilet, nor the privilege of eating at a table, the ability to get a drink if I was thirsty, food if I was hungry. It wouldn't do anything for me to be covered in hair all over my body or be accidentally left outside in the rain or be led around on a leash.

That is but a few images I see when I envision life as a dog walk so again after thinking about it seriously I don't think of life as a dog walk.

'Life is a ladder' kind of goes with the quote by Miley Cyrus "Life's a climb but the view is great". This urges the mind to go UP and up and up; I see a never ending climb though, rung after rung after rung, with the possibilities of good things 'just over the next rise' which never seems to come. Somehow life with expectations that never materialize doesn't make me jump for joy; I would have to say I wouldn't describe life as a ladder.

I must be careful with the metaphors of life; if our life is not what they allude to we might not elude their allusion.......:)

 

Sigmund Freud said "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar".

 

I say 'Sometimes life just is'..............what do you think?

Meet Hannah

Meet Hannah Elizabeth Der. What a sweetheart. Hannah is the latest and newest grandbaby.

 

We got to cuddle with her tonight. She was so quiet; never making a sound except to say she was hungry once.


There is something so very special about a brand new baby.........they are really quite a miracle!

 

Enjoy your little family Karli and Tobias. Congratulations!

Welcome Hannah

Welcome to the newest and latest grand baby!! Baby Hannah Elizabeth arrived last evening at 7 lbs 2 oz (a whole pound heavier than her big sister)........proud mom and dad, Karli and; Tobias.

We will get to see her tomorrow.........exciting!!

Goodbye to Ella

GOODBYE ELLA !

 

Ella said goodbye to her family and went to sleep for the last time today. She was loved and will be missed forever.

 

Rest now Ella.

Hidden Treasure

(SWP Feb 12, 2011)

She began sifting through the mountain of ‘stuff’ in the shed as the rain made swift-moving rivers on the window. Just a few minutes ago the sun shone brightly; she wasn’t sure how this sudden downpour had manifested so assuredly. She was sure though it had stolen her resolve to look through the boxes her dad had stored in this old shed. The pain of her dad’s death was fresh and it was going to be hard enough to open up these old memories, let alone try to do it on a dreary grey day in the rain. She would need the warmth and comfort of a beautiful sunny day to tackle this old shed. Her trek back to the house was slow even though the rain threatened and pelted down hard. In a way it felt like the rain was pounding on her sadness; appeasing it somehow.

Inside the house, after putting the kettle to boil, she picked up a piece of paper that seemed to have fallen from the mantle. It looked quite old & she feared tearing it as she tried to unfold it. As she unfolded it she found it to be just a plain piece of paper wrapped around a photo of what appeared to be a beautiful chest of some kind; the kind of chest that held the treasures stolen by the pirates at sea. On the back of the photo was written ‘heed the hidden place” and it was marked with a little squiggly heart, sort of like a signature of some kind. It didn’t seem to mean anything to her and she was thinking to toss it (heaven knows she already had enough paper to contend with) but something like a slight tap on the shoulder seemed to encourage her to place it back up on the mantle.

The tea kettle called so she headed out to the kitchen in answer. Soon it was singing and as she poured the water over the tea bag she noticed the sun was out again. It seemed the rain had stopped abruptly, the very same way it had begun. With any luck the boxes in the shed could be sorted by dinner time so, steaming hot mug of tea in hand, she headed back out to the shed.

There were boxes of clothes, a couple cartons containing Christmas decorations, several boxes of ornaments her dad had packed up when her mom had died, boxes of old canning jars, a garbage bag full of old shoes, an artificial Christmas tree, several small totes filled with tools, a few large garbage bags filled with returnable cans and bottles, various rakes, shovels and garden tools. Backed up to the shed was the truck she had rented to load up as she sorted then distribute to the goodwill or the garbage dump. She had almost filled the truck box and there was only a few things left in the shed. She was doing really well between moments of sadness and melancholy and small fits of laughter brought on by some of her discoveries. There was only a small pile of items she had segregated for further inspection which she would take into the house to take a closer look at and a few more items to sort through at the back of the shed.

She lifted up a big garbage bag full of miscellaneous items and what she uncovered left her speechless. Staring at the most beautiful chest she had ever seen, she realized it was the chest in the picture she placed back on the mantle in the house.

Lifting the lid slowly she felt another slight tap on the shoulder; her dad’s presence was compelling and tears were close to the surface as she sensed this chest was of particular significance for her. Inside she found nothing; an empty chest. Puzzled, she knelt down on the floor. Examining the chest from top to bottom, all sides, inside, she was ready to walk away when she again felt that slight tap on the shoulder, as if to remind her of something. Ah yes! She remembered the writing on the back of the picture “Heed the hidden space”. There will be a secret space that she must find; she was certain of it now. Over and over she scrutinized every inch of the chest for some sign of a hidden place.

Finally she found it; she noticed the slightest crack along the left side edge. She would need something with which to pry it open. As if meant for the job there was a small blade hanging on the wall just above her head. She slipped the blade alongside the crack, pried up and the whole bottom came up and she was able to see what was hidden underneath the false floor.

Tears fell as she looked at her mom’s and dad’s wedding rings, the beautiful heart shaped locket her dad had given her mom, her dad’s medals and most touching a photo album. Opening it up she found her past staring up at her, from the time her mom and dad met, their wedding, her birth and every little event and occasion following along the journey of her life, with accompanying stories and comments. She was speechless.

She sat for a long time smiling, laughing, weeping. A more beautiful treasure she could not have found. She would keep it forever and pass it on to her daughter as it had been passed along to her, of course with a few added chapters.

 

The Question Is.........?

It was  April 30 (Tuesday) and I was very excited to be picking up my granddaughter and her boyfriend from the airport........they were coming for a short visit. Plane arrived on time; we collected them, their luggage; drove home; they had a relax day on Wednesday; George & I worked; we went for Sushi after work......a nice start to their visit.

After Sushi that evening they wanted to walk on the beach at sunset so we headed to Whiterock and the beach. They walked along the beach while I took some pictures then they headed back in to take a few pictures with us. At the first opportunity Brodie (ring in hand, on bended knee) said to Shelby "I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.......will you marry me?" We were all shocked but none more than Shelby........she was speechless for a time but then she said "YES!"........with tears all around George nudged me out of my shock saying "Grace, take a picture, take a picture!!". People watched from the walkway, then cheered when they realized what was happening. George said "Wow I've never been to a proposal before!" (As a matter of fact nor had I; it was very moving and romantic.) Way to go Brodie; you surprised everyone. No wonder you had been so quiet and reserved all evening; keeping that all to yourself!

So how can you top that one?.......I'm not sure!

Thursday we went to Granville island where Shelby got another of her purse/bags she likes so much. We had lunch then Shelby and Brodie bought some seafood to make seafood pasta for us for dinner. We came back home and they made a yummy dinner for us.

We went to Forks, Washington (Friday). That made Shelby's year (she said) to see the home of 'Twilight'. We walked and they romped on the beach at LaPush; took lots more pictures; spent the night; generally saw everything there was to see related to 'Twilight'; Shelby bought souvenirs. It was an enjoyable two days but lots of travel in a short time. We needed to be back home for Sunday though....(for the pic-a-nic).

A pic-a-nic it was for lunch on Sunday. Then back to the beach in Whiterock; ice cream; then back home to rest.

We had a baking and rest day on Monday. Made cookies and ate cookies and froze cookies!

Tuesday came too quickly and they had to head back to Edmonton. We stopped to have "all-you-can-eat" fish and chips before heading out to the airport to send them on their way. 

Thanks for coming to visit. We were so glad you were able to come spend some time with us; enjoyed having you both.

This is the poem I wrote in honor of your engagement:

Sunset on the Beach

I'd give anything in the world he was thinking

if that little girl with the red hair would

come sit with me, hold my hand

Not only will she sit with you

she will spend her life with you; cherish her; cherish him

The setting sun honored this your special day

As the walk on the beach was nearing its close

your world dwindled to exclude all else

locked in each other's arms

standing in a sunshine of your very own

Best friends pledged their love one to the other

As we affirmed the heartfelt scene before us

tears of happiness like droplets of rain

sprinkled cheeks in promise

Fading light blessed your engagement

On bended knee he offered lifetime commitment

Accepting a forever pledge of love, of sharing

she returned her own special promise

blessed by the sleeping sun
sheltered safe in the arms of creation

Your path will be filled with every circumstance

happiness, sunshine, sadness and raindrops

queries, surprises, shocks and knowing

accept each one as allotted

wrap them all, learn their intention

Hold fast to the memory, newness of this day

forever let it guide your journey together

see clearly choices, decisions, commitment

Let it allow who you are as two

enhance who you will be as one

Happiness always as you prepare for a lifetime together

For Shelby and Brodie,

on the occasion of your engagement

As this new stage of your life begins

I wish you both

health happiness and forever love
Love always, granny                          May 01, 2013