"A weed is no more than a flower in disguise." (Author Unknown)

Beware of some weeds that may cause severe itching and great discomfort!!!

Of course, sometimes to our delight, we find something beautiful growing bravely among the weeds...

Missing my "GROWIN' Owen....

and watching his growin' (and glowin'!) mommy

Vroom-Vroom

As the motorcycles approached the track nearest to where we were sitting, it sounded like the drone of a thousand bees.

Coming around the steep turn, the cyclists were all slanted so low to the ground that it was amazing that they were able to stay up!

Of course, not all of them did as a few came careening around...lost their balance...and went crashing into the side pebble pit.(luckily, there weren't any serious injuries that day!)

This was my first experience at Barber Motorsports Park watching the mototcycle races and it was a unique one.

Sunday was a glorious day here in Birmingham...warm temperatures....bright sunshine...blue skies...and low humidity. Dave's brother and sister-in-law were in town from Pittsburgh...so, we made a picnic lunch, packed up the car, and headed out to the beautiful track about 20 minutes away.

Spectators were sprawled out all over the place on the rolling hills of grass surrounding the winding track. We picked out our "spot" and settled in for a few of the races while enjoying our sandwiches and a cold beer.

Chairs were unfolded and tents and umbrellas were put up on the grounds as people of all types and ages arrived for this event-The Honda Superbike Classic. It was a real "people-watching" treat as you can imagine!

At one point we walked down closer to the track and tried to snap a few pictures as these cycles were traveling at speeds around 190 mph!

Absolutely amazing!

(We are under the little light blue and white striped umbrella!)

(Dave brought along the Sunday paper to read in between races...)

He ain't heavy....he's my.....SON! : )

It looks like Adam is getting a little boost to his exercise program these days! I wonder how he felt after Owen got off and held his arms out for "more"! : O

We're expecting three more!

Now that I have your attention....no new grandbaby announcements...I am speaking of the three eggs that have now been laid gently in the nest by my front door. (See post below: "Home Sweet Nest")

I have been anticipating the eggs for several days now...and just spotted them this morning.

Now I need to get online and see what species of bird is nesting at my front door....and how long it should be before I hear the little chirping of three new baby chicks!

Updates coming...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Adam!!!!!!!!!

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Daddy Happy birthday to you!"

This picture looked like Owen was singing to his Daddy, so I thought that it was appropros for this special day.

My first-born turns 34 (!!) today! I can hardly believe it!

My dear, sweet Adam....I am sending you birthday hugs and love today and always! You are so awesome...

and I love you so very much,

xoxo

Mom

Home Sweet Nest

Mid pleasures and palaces, though we may roam,

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. John Howard Payne

As one approaches my front door, there is a hanging planter filled with trailing ivy as well as a few Spring flowers that I fill it with every year.

But, there won't be any flowers this year.

A family of birds from my neighborhood decided to make their nest at my front door...carefully placing pine straw and other bits and pieces of nature into a lovely swirling nest.

I have looked inside--no eggs yet--it could be that the nest is still in under construction--but, I dare not touch this new little home until long after the new family has hatched and flown away.

This little ritual calls on all of my maternal instincts and gives me a sense of peace to know that I will have a new little "family" sharing my space.

I guess that the real estate market isn't quite as bad for the birds as it is for the rest of us...!

He said it! He said it!

At 7:25 this morning I got a phone call from Minneapolis.

Jenny's mom, Judy, is visiting with the kids and Owen this weekend and she had some news for me.

Owen said "Grammie" !!!!!!!

Well, it was more like "Gammie"....

But, I'll take it! : )

So, what's the big deal???? : )

Stopping, and remembering...

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."

H. Ellis

In the rush of going and doing I still find myself stopping and remembering...

Not a day goes by that my dad is not in my thoughts.

I know that it will get easier in time...but, for now, it seems to get more difficult with each passing day.

The finality of it all is what I struggle with the most.

Something will happen and I tend to think about how Dad would enjoy the moment.

As I continue to get the joyous news of more grandchildren coming this year, my heart aches for the fact that Dad will not be here to get to know two more great-grandchildren.

I remember the pleasure that he got the last time that he was with Owen when the family got together to celebrate Mom and Dad's 65th wedding anniversary. He was down on the floor with Owen, even though his 89 year old body made it quite difficult.

As Dad was sitting on the chair with his feet propped up on the ottoman, I remember the delighted look on his face when I placed his first great-grandchild on his lap...ready for a bottle.

I recall that Dad seemed weaker than I had ever seen him...with some labored breathing and wheezing. But, he did not let that stop him from enjoying the glorious moments with his family.

He was the Patriarch....and these were the times when I know that he had to feel that he was a very successful man...Not in terms of money or possessions...but, in love.

I miss you, Dad....and I will hold on to the memories of you forever in my heart.

Me and the trees in Point Clear

"I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do." Willa Cather

I was so intrigued by the trees in Point Clear...especially these along the walking trail by the bay.

With their outstretched arms they seem to embrace the sky with their strong presence...They have survived nature's wrath and are still standing-- as a testament to their strength and determination.

They offer a vision of hope to all those who have the privilege to walk under them...

Point Clear memories...

While taking a long walk along the bay in Point Clear one morning this weekend, I came upon this bench sitting out on the trail's path.

I loved the message on it...so I snapped this picture...

before sitting for a while... : )

Doesn't this girl ever stay home????

Well, it seems as if that answer would be "no"...as I am heading out of town again tomorrow.

One of my dear friend's daughter's getting married at the Grand Hotel on the coast in Point Clear, Alabama.

This beautiful place brings back many memories as my family frequented it quite a bit many years ago. Since that time, it has been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, purchased and rebuilt by Marriott...and, now, open for business again.

I had earlier visions of sitting on a swing on their beautiful grounds....or catching some warmth and sunshine by their incredible outside pool...HOWEVER,

the latest weather reports seem to indicate that (another) storm system is making its way through the Southeast again this weekend...bringing with it temperatures down in the 40's!

I have already unpacked my bathing suits...

Life's A Beach!!

While visiting with my family in Florida recently, Owen got his first official taste of the beach.

He was mesmerized with the sand and sat for a over an hour and a half playing with his shovels and buckets.

Quite a change from the frigid temperatures and snow that he had left behind in Minnesota!!

All that playing can wear a fella out!

Roll Tide?

As my nephew, Braden, (see picture below...isn't he adorable?!) gets ready to graduate from high school, he is starting to visit colleges to get a feel for where he would like to go.

Fortunately for me, one of his visits includes going to Tuscaloosa (45 minutes from me) to see the University of Alabama.

So, he and his mom, my baby sister, Karen (see picture below...isn't she gorgeous?!) are here for a few days.

Dave and I bought him an Alabama hat to get him in the spirit....so, we will just have to wait and see what happens.

Roll Tide, and all that.... : O

braden

Karen

Such fun! I love having Karen around...she will be here until Thursday!!!

ooops

Today's video also corresponds to the posted pictures of Owen feeding his stuffed Elmo...and, what you couldn't see in the photos....he ends up disposing of everything into the trash!!! It's a good thing that he wasn't using the good china to feed Elmo...Too funny...!

Owen and his gang

This goes with the pictures that I posted earlier!

The "Call me Grammie" Dilemma : )

"Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud." Hermann Hesse

My dear grandson, Owen, has begun mimicking everything that he hears these days. His ever-expanding vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds as he begins to find meaning in the world around him through words. It is such fun to hear...he can even sing the "Happy Birthday" song....and, if you listen really closely you might even be able to discern a familiar word or two in the song! : )

He can call his other grandparents by their chosen names: "Mimi and Poppie". He can even say "Dave" as clear as a bell...and, "all done", "no"(he loves that one!), "more", "bye-bye", "eyes", "ears", "nose", "mama", "daddy" and "hi" have, of course, become staples in his speaking vocabulary.

HOWEVER...(and you knew that there had to be a "however" in this post somewhere!) he still cannot say "GRAMMIE". And, believe me, it's not that I haven't tried!

I have repeated over and over, "Grammie", "Gammie", "Ga Ga", "Ammie"....etc. etc. in hopes of hearing him say any of those words in recognition of me. I'd even take "G" or "Grrr" at this point.

But all of my attempts have failed miserably.

Ironically, while doing webcam with him on Sunday...as he saw my face appear on the screen he said, (quite clearly, I might add) "MIMI" !!!

You should know that I am not the only one trying to teach little Owen my name. Adam and Jenny work on it all the time with pictures of me that they have around the house. I was even told that the babysitter works on it, too. Adam told me the other day that he is even offering money to the person who can get him to say "Grammie".

At one point I had thought about maybe changing my name in that obviously the "g-r" combination must be a difficult one for him.

I had decided to let him call me his favorite word right now: Instead of "Grammie" he can call me "NO".

What do you think? : )

Don't be a FOOL!

Happy April Fool's Day!

: )

Tickle Me Elmo gets his dinner!

Aunt Marsha bought Owen a "Tickle Me Elmo" doll last year.

Owen loved it as long as it wasn't turned on and going through its laughing gyrations--including rolling over on the floor and shaking its arms up and down while hysterically giggling. Once it was turned on, he became quite frightened of it and wouldn't go near this laughing creature.

However, he became quite attached to the silent and still Elmo and began to treat it like his child. This included putting Elmo in his high chair and pretending to feed him.

I couldn't resist posting these pictures today....

Open wide, Elmo!