I’m posting some pictures from the visitation for family that is far away. Wish you could have been present. The gathering was small, since only those few we were able to call knew about the separate visitation for our side of the family. But they included Ben Allen and Emily’s closest local friends, so I think it meant a lot to them.
Lydia’s Graduation Weekend
This post is for those who have asked for pictures from Lydia’s graduation. It will be mostly pictures, but I’ll tell you a little about what we did. “We” means Ted, Beth, and Serena; Ben Allen and Emily; and Sarah, Rainey, and William. We all drove up together in 3 vehicles. I had the 2 back seats out in my van so I could 1) bring 2 rented wheelchairs for Ted’s parents’ use, and 2) have room for all Lydia’s stuff to vacate her apartment and bring her back home. Continue reading “Lydia’s Graduation Weekend”
Unusual sightings at Chenoweth
February 15 was a banner day for odd things around here. The first occurred as a result of Neil. You family members know Neil — Sarah’s old friend that we have been helping. He asked to use our dining room for a romantic Valentine meal for his wife, seeing as how he couldn’t afford to take her out to a nice restaurant. I said o.k., and he made all the arrangements through Serena. I didn’t think I would need to be involved at all. (But you know me). Continue reading “Unusual sightings at Chenoweth”
Enjoying the next generation
Due to not-so-gentle proddings by a certain family member, I’m finally going to post about William Roscoe Hartman, II, affectionately known as Will. I was present for his birth on Dec. 19th, which was a great privilege. The birth story and pictures are in our January, 2010 newsletter. If anyone reads this who didn’t get one, let me know. Continue reading “Enjoying the next generation”
Konsidering Kudzu
Finally! A post by me! It’s not about politics. It’s not about current events. Well, I suppose you could say it’s about current events on a local level; a family level.
This summer, for the first time in the 21 years we have lived in Shelby County, I’ve noticed kudzu growing in places along the roadside. When Lydia was home, she lamented that it was all over the farm. In one of my reflective moments, I asked myself, “Why would kudzu show up now, when it hasn’t been here in the last 21 years??? What has happened in the last year that would have spread kudzu up here?” So what did I answer myself? It came to me in a flash! Hurricane Ike! Last September, Hurricane Ike still looked like a hurricane as it passed over KY, downing many limbs and trees with 60 – 80 mph winds. Ike blew up here straight from Kudzu Kountry! Could Ike have kalamitously karried kudzu seeds which were, with the unusually high rainfall this year, koaxed to sprout krazily in our kounty? I think it’s a great theory.
Now I’m praying for several winters with deep freezes to kill off that krazy kudzu before it becomes king of the road!
Serena’s Daffodil Tea
On Saturday, April 4, at 1:30 in the afternoon, 13 guests gathered at our home to experience Serena’s class project for “Tea Room 101”. This is a half-credit class which has included 5 sessions with Debra Richardson, the proprietor of The Yellow Carriage House Bed and Breakfast (who also conducts periodic teas), and work assisting her with teas in December. Although Serena has put on at least 5 high teas before, this was the first on which she was to be graded, and therefore Mom kept her own help to a minimum. Serena had her friend Caitlin come to help with last minute preparations and serving during the tea. I was the official hostess — getting to greet guests, sit at the table and enjoy scrumptious treats, and leave all the cleanup to Serena and Caitlin. I like this kind of entertaining! Continue reading “Serena’s Daffodil Tea”
Thomas Archeologist Trio Unearths Mudroom!
We FELT like archeologists, and we certainly did a lot of unearthing as Lydia, Serena, and I spent most of the day Monday turning Ben Allen and Emily’s cluttered mudroom into a usable space once more. I didn’t think to take any “before” pictures, but you family members know what it was like — barely room to walk through it to the garage. Continue reading “Thomas Archeologist Trio Unearths Mudroom!”
I set my husband on fire, mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
No, really! Well…I put something in his ear and set THAT on fire. Continue reading “I set my husband on fire, mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Artist in Residence
Serena’s art is going to the dogs….in a manner of speaking. Her art tutor had her playing around with different shades of red and red-brown on brown paper, as a break from oil painting (in which she is doing extremely well, by the way). Serena chose a picture of a dog’s head to experiment on. Continue reading “Artist in Residence”
Another Catalpa tree bites the dust
Actually, the dust (driveway) bit the Catalpa. Catalpa wood isn’t strong, and this one shattered when it hit. The day, Wed., 2/11, brought high winds(gusting up to 40 mph), and a short but heavy storm. This is always a bad recipe for old trees. The ground gets saturated, the wind blows, and the roots come out. Much of our 1/2 mile front avenue was once bordered by Catalpas, now probably 100 years old. A wind shear a few years back took out 5 in close proximity to each other, and other storms have claimed a few more. Continue reading “Another Catalpa tree bites the dust”