A Mother Goose Story



Some of my favorite mugs......



Once upon a time...........   I was a member of the Mother Goose Club.  This was a Home Extension Group in Greene County.  I remember joining when Ryan was just a baby in my arms, close to forty years ago.  The group was made up of women from the Cedarville area and all were fairly close in age and were doing the same things I was doing, raising a family.

Being in this OSU Extension group required monthly meetings, each meeting had a subject matter that one or two members would bring back to our club after they had attended the county meeting. 

As the years progressed, the size of the group grew and so did the number of children.  We held our meetings at each others homes and often hired a babysitter to watch the little ones while we held our meeting.

This was the highlight of my young married life.  I was able to interact with other mothers that were going through the same growing pains I was going through.  Of course after the planned subject matter was presented and talked about, things usually came around to our individual concerns and questions.  We grew close and became very good friends.  Living in the same community we found a common interest in the school, farm life and even church.  It was a wonderful time of sharing, taking care of each others children, fixing meals when friends were going through difficult times and even gathering as couples as time went on.  I will never forget my friends from that moment in time.

Funny how things change as children grow up.  Interests move to what our children are involved in and not so much about ourselves.  Membership changed, some friends could no longer participate, many homemakers who had children in school all day took jobs away from home.  New younger members joined and continued the Mother Goose tradition. 

All too soon, I participated less and less, kids events pulling me this way and that.  It was difficult to say goodbye to that special time.  Today, maybe twenty-five years later, I cut another tie to that past.  I cleaned a cupboard that kept protected and safe all my favorite coffee mugs.  I managed to collect mugs with geese on them.  I am ready to let them fly away, on another adventure.  I am donating them to a local coffee shop in Cedarville.  Maybe, just maybe, a former Mother Goose member will sip hot coffee from my mug and be reminded of simpler times, when our children were small and friends for life were made.

Mothers Day, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

Here we are again, it's Mothers Day......    I think everyday for me is Mothers Day, my wonderful children are in constant contact, I would most certainly say that I am blessed and I love them so much.

I decided to go back and read last years blog, it seems I only just wrote it, I remember the day like it happened yesterday and I am smiling and in tears at the same time.  I wrote about my horses and Ryan and his family coming down and helping to groom them as a Mothers Day gift.  Two of those special horses have found greener pastures, where spring is everyday and grass is always green.  I also wrote about my daughter's, Trisha and Emily giving me the gift of a "cleaning fairy", she comes monthly now, woohoo!

I am again surprised at how quickly life can change in only a year.  I am reminded to live each moment to the fullest.  Follow your heart, live your dreams, be joyous, find a reason to smile and share your love.  Each moment counts and each is a blessing.  In this past year there have been losses that rocked my world and in this year there have been discoveries that have been life changing. 

My life changing discoveries are overwhelmingly wonderful, my heart is overflowing.  I welcome into my life three brothers and their families, nieces and nephews, cousins and second cousins.  A part of my family has been kept hidden my entire life, to sudden know of them is the one most amazing things that may have every happened to me.  

So, I spend this Mother's Day sending love to all my family.  Love to my children, grandchildren and my brothers and sister and a special prayer to my youngest brother in Afghanistan, flying a Black Hawk Helicopter.  Be safe little brother.   They are all in my heart today. 

Not My First Big Job

Kellen, McKinley, Aidan and baby Tatum

Our daughter and her sweet husband are taking a long weekend Valentine get away.  I am sure it is much needed, they have four children!  The children will be taken care of at home, with different family members coming to the house to do a couple days each until their parents are back home again. 

For our daughter it means working overtime to get everything ready.  She was trying to get all the laundry done, packing for the trip and making endless lists for the family helpers to read that hold vital information to the children's needs.  She also managed to freeze some meals ahead, making sure enough food was in the refrigerator for the five days they would be gone.

Everyone had a "bug" a couple weeks before they were scheduled to leave and many trips to the Doctors office was required.  I think the baby is the only one still on antibiotics.  Trisha was seriously wondering if they would be well enough to go themselves. 

I am scheduled for Sunday evening through late Monday night.  Trisha sent me an email about Monday morning school information.  I am to make sure the Valentine boxes go to school with three of the children and inside the boxes are the cards they are giving to other classmates.  I was also given instructions about Kellen's packed lunch, he wants his ham and cheese on a white bun with ketchup.  Kellen is very worried I might get this wrong.

Trisha called the other day, concerned that I might have a hard time, did she forget that I raised three kids?  I know how to fix meals, I know how to send kids off to school and so what if babies don't sleep through the night, I assured her I would hear her if she was crying.  I told Trisha not to worry, I would be fine and her children were in good hands.

Then she reminded me about the time I was visiting a friend and her family.  My friend had a daughter about first grade age.  My friend had to work at school on bus duty and that particular morning her daughter wanted to ride the bus.  I agreed to put her on the bus at the appointed time if my friend wanted to go on to school and do her bus duty.

After years of putting kids on the bus, I knew we should be outside waiting a little before time, in case the bus was early.  My friend lived off the road a little ways, so there was a lane to walk.  We could see if the bus was coming and the bus driver could easily see us waiting. Their dog went out with us and was racing and playing in the snow and at some point the dog crashed into this little girl.  Suddenly everything went wrong, little girl skinned her knee and it was bleeding, her tights were torn and I panicked!  I didn't want the bus to not stop if we weren't waiting, so I had the little girl wait (crying in the lane) while I ran to the house for a washcloth and bandages.  Of course I could find no band aids and I was terrified that while in the house the bus would come.  I grabbed the washcloth and went outside to clean up the wound.  Oh dear, big hole in the tights, boo boo bleeding and the bus is coming.  What could I do?  If I didn't put her on the bus my friend would panic when she didn't get off and I had no idea where the school was and this was before cell phones!  The little girl got on the bus.........

About an hour later my friend came home.  She was laughing at least.  She said she was shocked when her only child and the love of her life got off the bus.  When she left home she was sure her daughter was in good hands.......  Oh my gosh!  I will never forget trying to do such a simple thing and it went so wrong so quickly!

I assure Trisha all will be fine, this is not my first big job.   

Post script:  Everything went well, no disasters, baby slept through the night, the children got to school on time, they ate my cooking and were perfect in all ways.  I know why the young have children, it can be exhausting!  It was wonderful spending so much time with our grandchildren, they are smart and responsible and respectful.  It was awesome!  They even ask me to play my flutes!  A very happy Grandma here!

Trisha's Story

My daughter, Trisha is a constant source of amusement to our family.  I have told her often she needs to write this stuff down and yet with four children, I'm pretty sure she has no time for that.  So maybe I'll tell you a couple of stories about her and she'll have them recorded, even if it's by her mother.

If you have brothers and sisters or children of your own, you know that they are each different, even when they are brought up in the same environment.  You have to figure when the environment is the same, genes must come into play in regards to your way of acting or thinking.  I fear Trisha is a lot like her mother, that would be me........  Sometimes she even surprises me!

Trisha has a very strong dislike of mice.  Not due to anything that happened at home, although the cat that our kids grew up with was a great mouser and would insist on hunting a night.  Upon stalking and catching her mouse, she would bring it to the girls bedroom and play with it awhile and then proceed to eat it.  Trisha would tell me of the event in some detail, I will spare you the descriptions.

Trisha's dislike of mice came when she was in college.  First she found the sofa she was using had a mouse hole under the cushions.  Don't think she ever saw a mouse there, just the hole.  The second event occurred when she and her friends rented an old house together one year.  As I recall the story, Trisha fell asleep on the bed with a bag of chips and a book.  When she awoke to the noise in the bag of chips and was confronted with mouse on her bed.  She then discovered mouse droppings in her closet, the kitchen drawers and wherever else.  I will never forget her call to me that morning, she was very upset and needed to know what to do. 

Trisha was off to the store for traps, bleach and poison.  She bleached the silverware for days before she would use it again.  If a mouse was caught in the trap, the trap and mouse went in the trash, there was no way she would touch that thing!  Oh, the days of knowledge didn't all come from the college class room.

Trisha and Bill and their four children live in a very nice new house.  They have a very old house cat that stays in the house, unless she can find a way to get outdoors.  Greta, the cat, has very cleverly learned to open the screen door on the sliding glass door and escapes on occasion.  Upon these joyful escapes, she hunts.  Greta, being a generous cat, brings her mouse to the back door to show her family what a great hunter she is and then she proceeds to eat it on the step, leaving blood drips behind. 

This event sends Trisha, the girl who grew up on a farm, in an old farm house, over the top!   The first time this happened, the cat was allowed back in the house, only after Trisha had thoroughly wiped her clean with Lysol bleach wipes.  It then occurred to Trisha that the cat might get sick from cleaning herself with the cleaning solution on the wipes.   She then proceeded to give the cat a bath.  

The Other Mother's Day Gift

I think my children were trying to come up with the most unique and wonderful gifts they could find this year in 2010.  My son, Ryan, calls me Mother's Day morning, he is at work doing Sunday overtime.  My son is a very hard worker, he graduated from a vocational school as a welder and has worked with the same company since '87.  Not many people are so lucky today.   His job has changed over the years and he has moved into more specialized work.  When offered a chance to work overtime, he takes it. 

After work Ryan stops by and I'm in the studio working on a card order.  I am happy in my studio, the doors are open, I hear the birds, breeze blows through and my Cd's fill the air with flute music.  Ryan and I chat and he tells me that he'll be bringing his lovely wife Tere and the girls down for my Mother's Day gift.  Oh, I'm not going anywhere, he gives me a hug, kiss and an "I love you" and I tell him how sweet he is.  He tells me not to tell anyone, it will blow his cover.  Guess what Ryan, I'm telling the world how wonderful you are!!!!

Pretty soon Ryan and his family come calling.  The girls excitedly carry in beautiful cards and a pot of pretty snapdragons.  They are beaming ear to ear.  "Guess what Grandma, guess what we came to do?"  Who could possibly guess, weren't the flower and cards enough?  "We came to brush all the horses for you," they say. 

All three of my horses are in their twenties now.  Bones, my horse, is twenty-nine, the oldest.  For the last couple of years he has had a difficult time shedding his long hair.  Our mini, Chance, has the same problem.
They look like sheep they are so matted looking.  Knipper is the only one that sheds naturally, his mane is thick and long and are in dread locks every spring.  I hate admitting that grooming my horses in not on the top of my priority list these days.  Twenty years ago the horses were brushed and ridden at least three times a week, almost year round.  Interesting how life changes your priority lists.

The horses were haltered and tied to the hitching rail, did they have visions of another time?  Did they rem-ember being gathered up, groomed and saddled and then taken out into the fields for a good run with wild and joyous freedom?  Were their memories of long past endurance and competitive trail rides racing through their heads.  Those were my thoughts as everyone hovered around the horses, chatting, laughing, and grooming.  We even shared a couple of stories of "remember when?".

In the afternoon sunshine, Bones, lowered his head a little, half closed his eyes and savored the brushing, even though he really hates that process.  Knipper loved having his mane and tail detangled, he thinks he's quite good looking when his mane and tail are flowing in the breeze.  Chance love the attention by the girls, he is just their size and he didn't move a muscle while they worked on his long hair and his beautiful mane and tail.  All three horse were treated with apple slices, they were hugged and loved upon.  What could be nicer on Mother's Day?

Photo:  Right upper:  Cait leading Bones and Lizzy on board.
            Lower left:   Cait with Knipper
                                Lizzy with Bones, allowing them to graze.

Mother's Day 2010

Today is Mother's Day.  The sun is shining in my world and it is chilly.  I am in awe of the power of love in my life.  From my wonderful husband and children and friends.  I see this love in other things too.

I may have mentioned the robin nesting on the lamp at the front door.  This Mother choose this perfect spot for her nest.  It is high enough to keep the "hunter cat" from bothering the nest and it is also protected from rain.  Their nests are made with mud and grasses, if these nests become too soggy with water and the wind is blowing, they will fall from the tree branch.

I have been watching these robin parents.  They hatched what I believe to be only one egg.  I can't really see in the nest, I am just too short.  I have seen the robins coming to and from the nest on the lamp and knew they were feeding baby birds.  The activity was constant to and from.  The parents caring for the young, searching for insects/worms in the yard.  They are good parents instinctively.

Two days ago I went out to get the mail, totally forgetting about the robins.  As I came back toward the house a baby bird flew from the nest, into the ground cover near my feet.  His wings were well developed and yet he still had downy fuzz on his back where feathers would soon come.  The parent robins were there in a instant, chirping and hovering and causing a lot of commotion.  I knew if I lingered the cats would come to see what the ruckus was and this could be the end of a possible fledgling.  I went quickly in the house and looked out the window.

Things calmed down immediately.  Whew.  Now all I could do was say a little prayer that this baby would be safe.  The parents will take care of that baby if it comes out of the nest too soon.  I turned it over to a greater power in my prayer.  

Today, I see the robin parents, hopping around the yard.  As I continue to watch them looking for food, I suddenly see the third robin.  It is the one that left the nest early.  He now has tail feathers and looks almost adult like.  He follows one of the robins around the yard and the one he follows feeds him.  I am rewarded with the knowledge that my prayer was answered.

As a mother I understood the distress caused when a young one leaves the nest too soon.  As a mother I know I can continue to nurture, leaving the nest is natural and normal.  My children have fledged and are doing great!  I am a very happy Mother. 

Photo:   Not robins....   but last year's hummingbirds

This Years Mother's Day Gift

My children are wonderful, I may have mentioned that before.  Mother's day is always remembered.  I am happy to receive cards with loving words, I know they are heartfelt.  I have gotten flowers, a sweet smelling Lilac bush and even a red Japanese maple tree for the yard.  All are wonderful and appreciated.

This year for Mother's Day my girls have decided to give me a gift together.  I'm very excited about the gift, although I'm also a little nervous.  My gift will arrive on Tuesday about 9 am and I have to get my house in some order before the arrival. 

I know some of you have probably been following my blogs awhile, you will know why I'm a little uncomfortable getting a gift like this.  I have to admit that at this stage of my life there are some things that just aren't as important as other things.  I wonder if my girls understand this or if they just can't stand it any longer......  I think they are sweetly telling me I need help!

Have you guessed what my gift is?  Shall I give you more hints?  Do you hate to dust, mop the floor and take down cobwebs?  Do you put off spring cleaning because it is just going to take too much time?  Have you figured it out yet?  I can't wait to share!  They have found a lady to come in and do my Spring Housecleaning!  Oh my gosh, can there be a better gift in the whole world?   They are so excited to have found something to make my heart race with excitement!  Woohoo!!!

But wait, oh my gosh........   I need to get ready for a house cleaning person!  Oh dear, I can't let someone come into my house and see that stack of books sitting on the table, waiting to be read.  I can't let them see I haven't swept the dog hair up this week.  Oh no, I really should pick up......   And what about the flutes laying in every room.   Will she know they are not to be waxed and polished?  Should I try to find some order to the pile of mail that needs addressed on the dining room table?  What about all the outdoor stuff that blew into the house from my open windows with no screens yesterday.  (we have screens, I just hate them!) 

When she comes and does her day of work my girls have hired her for, will I be totally spoiled and long for her to come back?  It would be so nice to have someone come and do this on a regular basis, maybe I'd actually be able to think about cleaning the corner that surrounds my computer.  And what do you do with yourself when someone is cleaning in your house?   Do you leave?  Do you hide in your bedroom?  Do you go have a massage and forget about about the dust bunnies hiding in places you ignore while she is cleaning your house.  What if she becomes tangled in the giant spider web and needs help getting out.  Or maybe her vacuum becomes clogged with hidden dog hair and she can't finish the job.  What if she comes to the door and faints.   Oh dear, this is causing me to be a little queezy..........  am I dizzy with excitement or embarrassment?

A Mom's Blessings

Mothers Day is coming.  I am the mother of three wonderful children, Ryan, Trisha and Emily.  They would make any mother proud, I am so glad they are my children.

I remember once when Ryan was visiting a friend, he was eleven or so.  The mother of Ryan's friend said to me when I picked him up, "He is so polite, and even carried his plate to the kitchen."  I wondered if she had the wrong child, wow, some of the home training did stick.  Our children always carried their plates to the kitchen after a meal, otherwise that same plate left on the table might be used the next meal.  I hoped to instill in my children that there is always a consequence for everything, good or bad. 

Ryan is now married to a wonderful woman, Tere, and they have two very sweet girls, Cait and Lizzy.  Ryan is a wonderful Dad.  He is very hands on as a husband and father, it is nice to see his loving and caring side.  Ryan is always a phone call away from helping me when I need a hand.  I love this about him.  He is very much like his Dad in this way, always ready to help someone.  He has a good heart and a wonderful smile, he is a great son.

Trisha is my oldest daughter, is married to a wonderful man, Bill.  Trisha and Bill have four beautiful children, Aidan, Kellen, McKinley and Tatum.   Trisha is so much the superwoman Mom.  I hope she allows herself to relax a little.  With four children, that could be difficult, I don't know how she does it.  If children can be like a parent, she is probably the most like me.  I see the same "blondness" about her that I am, sorry Trisha.  She is focused and smart and such a good mom!  She invents ways to teach her children in the smallest ways and makes learning fun and interesting.  It would be nice if she lived closer, I could maybe more help to her than I am now. 

Emily is my youngest, she is a teacher and has a quick and a little sarcastic kind of wit, I love that about her!
She is an amazing woman.  When she sets her mind to something, she can do anything!  She is running her first half marathon this coming weekend.   She is also near enough to help me out when I seem to be in a crisis.  She has helped me do art shows, clean house before company comes and will clean the kitchen after a meal at home.  What a sweet and loving girl she is.  She always asks me if she can do anything for me or if I need anything.  She is very thoughtful like that.

Being a Mom is something I never really thought about, it came naturally, although I really felt totally unprepared.  I didn't really know I was unprepared, that comes with youth, good thing instincts kick in, I suppose.  I look back, trying to remember how I managed with so little knowledge about raising responsible, caring and thoughtful children.  I have to say it was just dumb luck.  Maybe it came from the way I was raised.  I think the Creator just sent to this Mom, good kids. 

Trisha will often ask me how I coped with this or that challenge she might be going through.  I often tell her that I don't remember that problem.  I'm sure I had to deal with it, but in the big scheme of things it was small and maybe not important enough to mark as a stepping stone.   You just follow your instincts, you'll know what to do.

I'm not saying I raised this three alone, Richard was always there, keeping things in balance.  I'm just sharing my contribution, it is almost Mother's Day.  I cherish being a Mom to these three amazing children.  I've been blessed.  Not a day goes by without me knowing that I've been very lucky.