Meanwhile, Back At The Birdfeeder...

We went on our yearly loop upstate to hook up with relatives who gather at the old family homestead for the 4th of July. The town has a great little parade and fireworks exhibit (on years when it doesn't rain), and there is a bbq at a big old house near enough to walk down to all the town's festivities. This year it didn't rain, but it wasn't warm. It is interesting to catch up with folks you only see once a year--there is always something to talk about.

So, we got back last night--and thank heavens for that. This morning the news is full of the traffic mess at the Throg's Neck Bridge, which is still closed in BOTH directions due to a fire under the roadway. I have never been so unfortunate to be sitting for hours behind a big road disaster, and I hope I never have to.

I'm looking out my kitchen window and enjoying the last of the bird feeders, which happens to be a goldfinch thistle seed feeder. We stop filling the bird feeders for the summer as we run out of seed, and then start again in the fall. The thistle seeds last the longest, and we have half a bag left, so the birds are still out there checking it out. We have enjoyed watching the goldfinches turn from olive to bright yellow for the summer. They have to tip upside down to get the seeds, and the feeder is designed especially for them. Since it is the only feeder out there, the other birds have been eyeing the finches, and the chickadees have figured out how to eat from this odd arrangement. There has been one persistent sparrow, and low and behold, this morning he was tipping himself upside down to get at those thistle seeds. He isn't too good at it yet, but I bet he'll succeed, since thistle seeds seem to be particularly tasty.

Underneath this feeder is a pot with two cherry tomato plants. The cardinal was in it picking out the seeds that have fallen down into the pot. Everybody has their way of coping, each in his unique manner, some by adapting and trying something new, and some by staying with the tried and true. I confess to finding pleasure in observing the process--and not just in birds!

When In Rome.....

MyTreasure and I took a three city intro-level tour to Italy a couple of years ago, and had a wonderful time. Italy is wonderful, and even though I haven't seen most of the rest of the world, I hope to get back there again. We did make one big mistake though, which would be easily remedied the next time we go. I love to shop, and MT HATES to shop. I learned early in our marriage that if I wanted to buy something, MT was an enormous hindrance. Whenever I am in the store, I hear conversations going on around me: wife "Oh, this is nice!" husband "What do you need that for?" Oy! Leave him home, for heavens sake!

When MT and I are traveling together, we make time apart so that I shop a little, and he goes and looks at whatever amuses him. I love to see what they are selling in different places--even the grocery stores. Most of the time I pick up something small, just to remember the trip--I'm not big on buying a lot of stuff that will just sit around the house, along with the stuff that is already sitting around the house. I keep my eyes open and try to pick something that I will be able to use, or enjoy over the long haul.

I didn't find anything that I wanted in Venice, but there were vendors selling beautiful burnout velvet scarves in Florence, and in Pisa there were all sorts of Pinocchio ornaments and toys. MT said "Don't buy it now--you'll only have to carry it." Well, the carry part is true--luggage is heavy enough without the extra purchases, so I waited until Rome.

Italy is not like the US. Things are very regional, even though the country is a lot smaller than here. S0--what you see in one city, you will not see anywhere else. We got to Rome, and the souvenirs were nothing like what we had seen along the way. I ended up empty handed. That's okay--nothing was there that I really needed. I came home with some tubes of tomato paste, and a jar of truffles. But, I did pass this tidbit on to our neighbors before they went on their trip, and they thanked me when they got back.

I came across a doll pattern for a little Pinocchio, and I finally got around to making him up. I think he came out well, and here he is--not as traditional as the ones in Pisa, but nice enough for our next doll exhibit next month.

Sunny Day Blues

Yesterday I was out on the sidewalk walking along, and oddly, the sun was shining. Flowers were blooming, the temperature was just right and I felt like I had been let out of jail. We have had such a stretch of rainy days, alternating with days that have no rain, but look like it it will any minute. The temperatures have been moderate, but not all lovely and warm like June is supposed to be. Who would have wanted to have a wedding in this June? (When I was playing weddings at our church, back when people actually got married, the most popular month had switched from June to October.)

I was surprised to find that my disposition was so affected by the sun--and how glad everyone was to have it back. Of course, it seems to have lasted for one day in a row--again. Thunder storms are predicted for this afternoon. As I write, it is growing darker and darker. Back to square one!

Aftermath

Our choir director's wife is having their first baby, so it was only appropriate that all the choir mothers should get together and have a baby shower for this new mother. The director thought it should be a surprise, and so a fake string orchestra rehearsal was arranged at our house, and they arrived at our door, cello and viola in hand. Well, the mom was surprised, and took it very well. We all had food and great games (thank you Garden Fairy!) and I think we all had a great time. Sometimes you just have to celebrate, and what better occasion than a new baby, being born to a great couple.

My daughter (Mother Necessity) came to offer spare hands for the kitchen, and my granddaughter wanted to come as well--she is eight, and this was her first baby shower. MN baked the beautiful cupcakes in the picture, and handled the food details that often bedevil a hostess--get it out hot, and get it all put away at the end.

Several guests lingered, much to our pleasure, as we could have good conversation after most of the food was over, and the other guests had taken their leave. I think it was a pleasant afternoon for everyone--all in all a successful party. Thanks so much to MN and GF. Yu'all come back another day!

The Fam

Memorial Day came and so did the fam. But, we decided to forego the traditional backyard bbq and have brunch at a nearby restaurant. My Mom and Dad came in from Florida, and since it was within a few days of their 65th wedding anniversary, we decided to celebrate more formally. 65 years is definitely a day to be marked, especially in these times of easy in, easy out. Look at us, all dressed up. Good lookin' bunch, don't you think? Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

Life's Economics

Oprah just had a program about people struggling through this time of belt tightening. Oprah, of all people--a tiny bit hard to relate to her circumstance when she has risen so high and had such great success--by her own merits. I'm afraid the only belt tightening going on there has to do with her creeping waistline. But, she is trying to tell the stories of families who are going through tough times. However, the interviewees today didn't ring any bells with me.

The one lady had been living well, but had lost her job, and really still wasn't doing too badly, considering her husband is still working. But when asked what she missed about having only half their income, hair highlights and manicures were pretty high up on the list. And she now has to shop in the dollar store.

Good grief! I had my hair frosted once and since a lot of it seemed to fall out afterwards, I didn't do it again. And dare I admit that I have never had a manicure? Or a massage, gym membership, cell phone contract, or charge account balance? For years I cut my own and my children's hair, made my own clothes (I have a designer one-of-a-kind wardrobe), and hung my own wallpaper. My mantra was that any dollars I could save doing something myself were dollars that did not have to be earned (and taxed).

Somewhere people got the idea that living well means not doing for yourself, and that hiring everything is the way to go. Well, I wonder when they will realize that their incomes are no where near the range of the very wealthy (or the plumber working under their sink), and that they are bankrupting themselves and their families through this faulty thought pattern. Wealth will always be a pyramid, and the largest number of us will always be at the lower end of that triangle. Quality of life has much more to do with richness of the mind than richness of the pocketbook. There is enormous satisfaction in being self sufficient, and it also allows for greater independence. I bet I could count on one hand the times that I have had to sit and wait for a repairman or a workman who may or may not show up--just not my problem.

As to the dollar store--they sell bottles of nail polish and emery boards for a buck. And I am proud to say that at the age of 60+ I can still paint my own toenails!

Work Clothes

When I was singing in a local opera company, I used to do my make-up and hair before leaving the house, and then drive to wherever the performance was. It was a little odd, since the opera chorus has only three characters types: villagers, peasants, or courtesans. The courtesan parts were the best, since the costumes were always extravagant ball gowns, and I had quite a collection of rhinestone finery and fans to accessorize. You know how it is when you see Santa driving his car. I confess, I loved dressing for work.

MyTreasure has always had a tuxedo to wear whenever he does an orchestra concert. Very early in our marriage I went to a rummage sale at a local church in a high end neighborhood, and came across a rack of clothes that had a very lovely tuxedo with silk lining and lapels that looked like it had been worn once--probably to the previous owner's wedding. I held it up for size, and a lady came over and asked me if I was interested. I tried on the jacket and she gave me a price of $5. I said that I didn't know if it would fit, and she dropped the price to $3. So, it went home with me. It really was beautifully made, except that the pants had buttons on the fly, instead of a zipper. MT tried the thing on, and lo and behold--a perfect fit! It looked like it was made for him. Sleeves and pants lengths were exactly right. He wore his $3 tux to all his concerts--I bet close to 30 years. He hated that button fly. Then he outgrew the button fly. It was time for a replacement.

As we approached the year 2000, retail decided that a lot of men would be purchasing tuxedos to party in. Yeah, right! Didn't your man rush right out and snatch one up? Isn't that part of everyman's wardrobe? Don't they all want one? MT took advantage of the postmillennium sales and got himself a new tux. We went on a cruise with family right after, the tux went along and was paraded out for "formal night". I thought my aunt's eyes would fall out. "You have your own tux?!!!" She can't get my uncle out of his velcro sneakers and baseball hat. Oh well....

So, yesterday MT has a concert. He's headed out the door looking beautiful, off to work. Quite the guy! Eat your heart out ladies!