Tea Party

Gram loved sharing tea parties with her good friends.

Dropping In

(October 8, 1988)

The crumpled napkin by the place,

A drop of tea inside the cup,

A crumb or two, the chair pushed back

Where you moved it getting up;

A breath of freshness in the room,

A damp spot where you jacket laid –

I watch the rain come down and smile

And think about the change it made.

Delicious Moments

Delicious Moments

Fall 1994

I get up in the cold to set the thermostat. Crawling back between the red flannel sheets that still hold the heat from by body I stretch my toes down to where Twinky lies outside the covers. The warmth spreads up and over me. I never want to leave this place.

Coming home on a winter day, I unlock the door and step inside. For an instant I catch the odor that I grandchildren say is always the same – part stove wood; part old cottage. The wide room pleases me. The warmth melts me. The pictures look down and smile. I’m home.

The sleet stinging the windows is the only sound as the street lamps spot-light the icy road. One by one the cars come in for the night. Everything waits. Beams from headlights signal one more car. I hear the crunch as the car turns in. She’s home.

The Sun

Gram was an environmentalist even before it became fashionable!

Love Song to the Sun

(After flora carbons)

(Spring 1991)

Your presence means life to me,

Your absence spreads dismal pall.

I seek you; come too me as I wait.

We’ll be together, nothing between us

One last time before my courage fails

I know it’s no fault of yours.

Funny, isn’t it? And isn’t it always so?

Others have caused our misery,

And now the truth separates us

And keeps us from our old familiar ways.

How can I live without you,

And yet how can we be together as we were?

Come nearer, I lift my face to your gentle touch,

You who I have loved, who melt my cares

Away and make me happy

Let your kisses be innocent as once it was

As you cover me one last time.

Oh, I know I’ll catch a glimpses of you

As I busy myself and think with downcast eyes

Of all the joy we knew

And never imagine I don’t love you still

And long for the old times when I was happy

And singing in your presence

But you can never touch me as you did

And I’ll be so unhappy as I avert my face

While walking by, always in the shadows.

Ouch!

Here's a little something that folks who live in Maine, or who have visited Maine in Spring, can appreciate!

All About Mosquitoes

June 9, 1989

It has been a rainy, damp spring with the warm torpid atmosphere that favors these minuscule masters of the fine art of torture. Even as I write one hovers over me droning it’s monotonous hum.

It is impossible to keep them out. When the door opens to let the dog in a miasma of mosquitoes hangs close over her, and rides in on human inhabitants, plying their bloodsucking technique all the way.

Yesterday when cooking, one was attracted to the batter and I couldn’t continue until I’d stopped and dispatched him. Later, when I got in the car I killed one on the upholstery and had to get out and go about removing the blood stain.

Gardening has been difficult even though I dress like a nun and apply enough fly dope to keep humans away. I come in with a mottled forehead, bloody bites all along my hair line, and itchy neck and a bite strategically located to give me a black eye.

When we take out morning walk we gather little switches with the leaves attached and walk along switching ourselves right and left.

At night; at night with the light out, you are left at their mercy and they have none. As I lie there, I can hear them approach, and then more than one, as they sing in different keys. I wait as they gather, the taking both hands I swat myself silly then lie with my ears ringing, listening for the drone that will signal failure. Another technique is to quickly pull up the sheet, trapping them under it and slap at them.

If only they’d light and bite and go away. It’s the idea of the tiny helicopters hovering and changing their minds and hovering somewhere else and then changing their minds again.

I refuse to fog them away of zap them away as these methods take too many innocent victims but I do hope that we have lots of fly catching birds that hatch very many fledglings each with a huge appetite.

Glass Face Mountain

This is a piece I also posted on my (other) blog. However, I think it belongs here as well. And I take strength from these words ~ much needed strength. Thanks Gram!

Glass Face Mountain
(May 24, 1997)

Glass Face Mountain, look through the
morning mist
And across the river.
See us gathered at the window to
bear witness.
You have heard the killing word
spoken here,
Seen the numbing glance that destroys
And from which there is no returning.
There is a cold season when ice, like
glass, covers you face
And the leaves lie beneath the snow
then return a tender green.
We are on the side of life!
See us here at the window.
See us clearly as the mist rolls away
And the heron fishes the river.
We are not hollow people.
Our lips do not speak death.
Our eyes are warm to people and
all things beautiful.
We will keep the faith and though
we scatter
And though hollow people walk the earth,
Glass Face Mountain, until our
ashes mingle with the earth from
which you give rise,
Know that We Are Alive!

(Glass Face Mountain is in Oxford County, Maine near where my Aunt Diana used to live.)

Fashion for the Seventy Year Old

My Gram was a very fashionable woman. Here are her words of wisdom on the topic:

Fashion for the Seventy Year Old

You have probably recognized by now that all parts of your 70 year old body are not as attractive was they used to be.

Let’s talk about your shoulders. Have you basked them in the Florida sun until they resemble old leather? We told you not to, so wear a soft cotton blouse in an attractive pastel shade to cover them and reflect the heat. Sleeves should come at least to the elbow since few of us can pass the upper arm test. The exceptions are those who have been skinny all their lives. Take a good look at the rest of your arm and chances are you’ll want a long sleeve with a ruffle at the wrist.

Swan necks are few at seventy whether it be Audrey Hepburn or your next door neighbor. A little stand up collar, a turtle neck, or a soft scarf to reflect some color to your face will do nicely. An exception is the plump lady with a lovely skin who can wear the boat neck and look well. We are all envious.

This same lady will have to be sure her skirt fits well and is long enough that it does not ride up when she bends over. Don’t be beguiled into those too short skirts. We graduated from them. Since longer skirts are in vogue we can be comfortable, smart, and warm all at the same time.

Panty hose have been a boon to women since their invention. Sometimes it’s a struggle to get into them especially in hot sticky whether. I’ve found that a size larger than the instructions suggest ends the struggle without making that much difference. Of course the worst sin you could commit would be to wear wrinkled panty house so don’t go too far! Enjoy the different colors they present, also weights. We no longer have to choose between being warm or smart looking.

Many seventy year olds despair of finding something comfortable to wear on their feet. Be patient. If the size eight’s are a little too tight and the eight and a half’s are too loose, have the salesperson put in an innersole. If the shoes are sill not comfortable do not wear them for another minute. Try sneakers. If Sybil Shepard can dance in them, so can you. Wear them for your morning walk and keep wearing them all day. You’ll have many to choose from, and you’ll think you are walking on a cloud. Comfort is “In.”

We tend to lose our high coloring as we age. Don’t let the years rob you of your right to stand out in a crowd. Bright, bold colors and patterns will keep you from blending into the wall paper and let people know that you are still here to be reckoned with.

We should be protecting the delicate skin on your faces now. A good way to do it is to bring back those hats that men find so attractive. Choose enough of a brim to shade your provocative eyes and decorate it to match your outfit.

I’ve told you some things we can do fashion-wise, but if you are seventy and can still dress yourself, my advice is; don’t take any advice from anybody. Do just exactly as you please!

New Song

Here is one I previously posted to my (other) blog. It definitely belongs here as well.

I’m Learning a New Song

(Winter 1998)

My song fell away into a minor key.

I can’t sing it any more.

The notes came heavy and dark

That had always been my song

That I sang with confidence and strength.

No more. I’m learning a new song,

One I can sing with joy.

I haven’t sung for a while –

My voice is whispery and weak

And I must choose the notes with care.

I’m taking a green note for growing

And a gold note for warmth

And maybe later many shades,

But for now I’m working on the green and gold.