May 10, 2012
-
it’s just SO wInDy…
I’m going to try writing for just 20 minutes.
The even breathing of two toddlers asleep beside me is one of the sweetest sounds on earth. Liesl and Trevin are both dead to the world. Today is the last day I babysit Jedrek and Trevin, the two little boys next door, while their mom teaches kindergarten at school. I want children that are this nice to babysit. It’s almost like a mini day off when they come because they play so nicely with Liesl and Andre. The other two little boys rode in the tractor for the last hour, so things were very quiet here.
The Wild Wind gusts crazily outside. I want to be planting gladiolus and peas, but I can’t bring myself to bundle up in a parka to do spring work. The last few days start with beautiful sunshine, but then a cuh-razy wind comes up. And the temps are cold. It’s only the beginning of May, I tell my grouchy self.
Since reading Michelle’s post about money and happiness, I’ve been thinking so much about that subject. It is well-articulated, as her posts always are. Read here: http://smilesbymiles.xanga.com/758949337/why-its-a-lie-that–cant-buy-happiness/?id=1525487467
It makes me realize several things. One is that I have not seen a lot of poverty. Oh I’ve walked the streets of L.A. and seen the ragged man pushing his grocery cart of stuff. And I’ve pored over photos of Port au Prince’s tin city. And I grew up at the tail end of a family where chocolate chips were a luxury and all they could afford in the early days was oatmeal for weekday breakfasts and puffed wheat for Sundays.
But I really don’t taste and feel poverty like many have/do.
The other thing I keep thinking about is happy people. If someone asked you to name the happiest person you know, who comes to your mind? I find this question really hard. A Truly Happy Person? My 2 year old–most of the time. My own dad, who is an optimistic grateful person who loved to find puffballs on wet years, walk his wheat fields, and bring in four leaf clover he’d find. Andrew Miller at church, who just always seems to have a smile. I don’t know. I have to keep thinking. Who is the happiest person you know? And what do you think is the source of their joy?
The two things weighing most heavily on my mind right now? Nine-year-old defiance. And the sadness behind the eyes of my friend who lost her son and her brother and her step dad in such a short time. We sing at a funeral tomorrow. And I so wish there was some way to share the pain.
I guess everyone is busy in their flowerbeds or picnicking. Or something. Xanga has been pretty quiet lately. I could pretend I’m teaching again and assign some writing:
Andrea Esh-a post from you on your political views
Christy Smucker-write us something about tears (I don’t know why. Just popped into my head.)
Linda Hershey-let’s hear about your favorite book of all time.
Esther Troyer-you’ve got lots of boys. HOW do you teach them to use the toilet like a gentleman?
Janel-where’s a place you’d like to visit?
Lisa T.-Did you buy the yellow and blue dress you posted on facebook the other day and do you like it?
Joanna-Describe your dream life in 20 years.
And Cindy-Tell us about That Big Run you just did. Wow.
There.
Just kidding. But I miss you all.
Today she told me that she weally, WEALLY wants a pet lion. Just a little one, Mom.
And he said, “Mom! Liesl wants to play boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Me: “Well that’s fine. Someday you might have a girlfriend, you know.”
Andre: “OK. But Mom. I don’t really want anyone to know we’re playing this.”
I must hang up jeans and wash lunch dishes.
But not before leaving this link that #itsayoderworld gave me to a blog that I just love: http://shari.zooks.us/
Peace.
Comments (14)
I am feeling melancholy right now after a rough week, but Liesl and her costume and wanting “just a little” pet lion brought a smile to my face! She is just so adorable!
Liesl is SO cute…and every time I read her name in your blog, I start hearing the notes of “I am sixteen going on seventeen….” (from The Sound of Music) playing in my head.
I just love that name!
My life in 20 years?? Hmmmmm…… 
Maybe an assignment is just what I need to get me writing.
Love this peek into your day.
very darling giraffe you have there!
A lion pet!? Interesting.
I finally got into my garden monday, I am about 1 1/2 month behind my mil.
It’s been a bit chilly here as well.
I hope the listed bloggers obey. I would love to read all about it!! Even though I have not been on here much recently…..
Hope your day tomorrow brings blessing to those you sing for. Also a happy person? My dad as well. More so now then I ever remember.
how do you ever tell little faces like that no? when they want a yes. seriously. HOW?
they are so cute. and not a lick of trouble i’m sure. 
and your answer to andre’s announcement about liesl’s playing plans? perfect. and funny and ack. so true! my oldest is 17…yours is too, or almost, right? and those days of having a girlfriend are closer…
and then i’m smiling about your writing assignments…good idea. absolutely. and then. what? cindy? oh.
thanks for thinking of me luci. and the wow. and yes. i’d love to tell you about it sometime. and how proud i am of my boys too.
have a great weekend!
I almost feel like I could be in your kitchen, leaning against the fridge, listening to you talk, just like you write! I hope your blustery, chilly wind stops so that you can go out there without a parka and plant your glads and things. My gardening project came to a halt when I discovered a full bird’s nest next to the bag of mulch, in the ground. The babies were alive and their bodies were pulsing. The parents were in a nearby pine tree. I decided to wait on the garden until the babies move out! I hope it’s soon! The weather is warmer (80ish) and mostly sunny and a teeny bit breezy. Perfect. The happiest person I know is probably my little grandbaby, Brendan. He smiles easily, all the time. He must know he is adored. He’s healthy, chubby wubby cute, gets enough to eat and has clothes to wear and arms to guide him and loving voices who talk to him. He has no responsibilities and seems to be delighted by the simplest things. I, too want to hear/read about Cindy’s big run!!!
”Esther Troyer-you’ve got lots of boys. HOW do you teach them to use the toilet like a gentleman?” Ha! And who says they do?? Actually, it is not a huge problem in this house. Oh, every now and then, it happens, they are human. But the really funny thing is, I do not remember teaching them. Maybe threatening them would be a better term!
So really wouldn’t be a very interesting post. But I could post about what it feels like to boss around a 6 foot man-boy!!
If pet lions look as cute as that pet giraffe, I may want one too.
You know what, I think when you hurt for someone else’s loss, I think you do share a tiny piece of their actual grief. I believe that. You take a tiny little piece away from them.
*define using the toilet like a gentleman
@down_onthefarm - Alec is actually only 14, which must make me about 3 years younger than you…hehe.
I know it’s crazy that a 14 year old drives, but here they can get a learner’s permit at 14, practice drive for 2 years with an adult along at all times, and then get their licence at 16. It’s freaky, I know. But I did it and my parents lived, so….
Just gotta tell you, that photo of you and your boys was so amazing. You’re all just beautiful, if you know what I mean.
@Richgem - You are so sweet to your little birds. And your grandbaby sounds positively delicious. Could you please share your weather.
@bethro78 - I LIKE what you said about taking a piece of the grief. I so hope we did that today…. Using a toilet like a gentleman simply means that you hit the target, you know. I am SO tired of wiping up pee around and under and on. Do you have a magic teaching trick? YOU have lots of boys.
Nine year old defiance? i totally get that.
Life has been crazy here. 3 day weekend away in OH to a wedding, just hubby and me. Home again to dentist appointments, gardening, mowing, coffee with Mom, flower-bedding;), food prep and house prep for my family supper here last night…oh boy! One of these days I’ll post again.
@quiet_hearts - well, no I have no tips. I just know the older they get the less they miss and the better they get at making it in. ha. Some of my friends will keep cheerios in the bathroom and toss a couple in the bowl for them to “aim” at. While fun, I sort of think my brood sees this as license to throw things in the toilet that shouldn’t go in there so I don’t do that. haha. Mostly I just keep a spray bottle with mostly water and a little bit of bleach to spray around the bowl and the floor around the toilet to combat the smell. ;D
Happy people… I would want to be one of those happy people… but in order to be thought of as that, my family needs to think that too! Sadly, I know they don’t. I need so much work on that.
I had to laugh at the boy/girlfriend conversation!
FOURTEEN?! i told my boys…and they are so jealous.
yes. three years younger. haha. i’ll go with that, but you probably don’t want to!
Goodness, I hope your blogger listed people post on their assigned topics.
You definitely thought up some great topics! Andre is too cute! There is something so adorable about a little kid who is embarrassed. 