Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Anniversaries
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Stadium Gig
Our oldest auditioned on Friday to play guitar at the "Rock The Lakes" concert. It was his first "stadium gig."
Thursday, June 14, 2012
How to Find a Happy Place

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Birth Order and Mitchell Patterson

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Feeling Left Out
This morning I read in the newspaper that there will be a presentation/book discussion at a church up the road given by my mom and my aunt. I hadn't been aware.
I suppose I had only minimal involvement in the book itself. I did save the manuscript from the fire, if you will, and passed it on to my aunt who spent months at editing and word processing.
It was a blessing to know the book's author, my step great grandmother. For years I visited her and took her out to the circus or restaurants, despite the claims that she was dirty, crazy, and "not really part of the family."
The book was published after her death, and for some time I was included in marketing efforts and sales. I wrote a few pages that are included in the back, explaining my relationship to Mrs. Carr.
So I started feeling a little sad this morning, to be "left out" ( perhaps better said, "without notice"). Then I asked myself how often I fail to include God, my creator and companion, to the events in my life.
I can but try to be a better communicator, someone who invites others. I want to remind myself to take the long view, working hard to not forget the many hands that have helped me along the way.
Side note: last night's performance of Broadway Baby" by Women's Select Choir had me thinking of Pat.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Cherry Trees and Flan
Yesterday we had the privilege of hosting five International students from Mexico. We walked along the canal, drove by some Cobblestones and braved the cold lake breeze at the pier.
They were excited to see their first real cherry tree. Their enthusiasm was adorable.
Here at home we had planned a menu that featured local ingredients like maple syrup and kale. Mr. WestberryDad grilled chicken, NY state style. I made a maple flan from our farm eggs.
It was their first home cooked meal in more than two weeks, as they have been living in a hotel and working twelve hour days at the amusement park. I enjoyed watching the food on the table disappear.
I was honored when one boy said, "thank you so much for the flan. It reminded me of home."
W had some extra help with his Spanish homework. N fed the animals with extra "farm hands." The girls squealed and giggled as the sheep took grain from their hands.
It was a delicious day.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Shenanigans
There are times when I sense the grumpy old German in me rising up.
I don't, generally, enjoy silliness and boy shenanigans anyway. If I were to be totally honest I'd admit that even the sound of the dogs romping around makes me crazy ( they've been playing on top of this big box on the porch since it was delivered).
I was raised to believe that "when it's time to work, you work." "Play time is after the work gets done."
Last night we were working in the football garden, named so because it is nearly the size of a football field, and the little boys were playing at high speed. The truck radio was cranked up, windows down, and J was dancing on the seat, bed, and roof of the vehicle...MY Ford F150. W was using his garden sign as a bat, swinging at clumps of dirt.
And I was terrifically annoyed.
The older boys have dished out plenty of silliness these days, laying on the hammock reading "The Bro Code" and playing guitars or video games instead of doing chores and paperwork.
In my mind I've called them "numskulls," a word I heard as a child when my Grandfather was frustrated with me. http://www.dailywritingtips.com/numskulls-noodles-and-nincompoops/
How can I learn to be more patient with boy/puppy shenanigans?
I'm very, very grateful that "The Dad" is taking three of the four to a Boy Scout campout tonight...in the rain...while I work. There's likely to be concentrated boy silliness there. Thank you WestberryDad!!!