'tis the season

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few pictures to put you in the mood for Christmas

AUTUMN ROSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was a little girl, I always got excited when fall came, because I knew my birthday would be coming along soon. I looked forward to the popcorn balls my mom always made for me, the good cakes (especially her famous chocolate one) and usually some kind of a party with friends, family or both. I tried to do that for my kids, but I don't know if I made them memorable enough for them. Speaking of kids, I gave birth to 3 babies, had numerous, numerous, surgeries and difficulties, and very seldom did I get even a petunia from my husband. Sometimes he went hunting on my birthday -- but almost always got me a nice card. I now have a beautiful book full of beautiful cards from him. When I was told I had cancer, I didn't know how many more birthday I would have. I was 54 years old then. But the birthdays kept coming, thankfully, a beautiful card from Jerry, -- and I gave up hinting for flowers. A few days ago, I hit my 70th. A miracle of sorts. We went up town on Tuesday, my birthday, and I got dropped off while Jerry went to the Dr. I wandered around for and hour or more, then sat in McDonalds for a snack. We came home and Jerry baked me a delicious carrot cake. I told him later that I had seen some beautiful roses in WalMart and he asked if I got some. I said I had talked myself out of it. Well, later, he insisted on having us get in his old red truck, going back up to Safford, and buying some roses. Not just 12,but 36. Can you believe it? Then we rode down to the new bistro here in town and had a nice dinner. As I've thought about the roses, yes, it would have been nice to get a few in my younger years, but now - when I never expected to reach 70, and to have a husband who cares about me, that's very, very nice.

Does Anyone Have the Time

 

 

 

 

 

Lately, I have become obsessed by clocks, especially the old ones, rusty, beat-up, no longer working, wind-up clocks. I don't know why they fascinate me so. If I see one someplace, I just want to take it and give it a good home. I have many others to keep it company. My brood keeps growing, and with Dad joining in on the hunt, if there is an old clock in the vicinity it will be found. We have brought some back from Globe, Willcox, Silver City, Camp Verde, Bisbee, and Texas - Round Top that is. These clocks are a reminder of how fast time passes. Time flies. Just look at the grandkids. It seems like only yesterday I was flying all over the country for their births. Joyous occasions. And now, one married, one on a mission, one leaving soon for his mission, a beautician, one in college, a senior in high school: the list goes on. And our youngest grandaughter will soon be 11, and the youngest grandson soon to be 10. And the topper------We have already celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. Where does the time go?