The Streetpoet

Peter called this morning on his way out on a four mile run around Westlake and invited us to drive out to have lunch with him. The only thing I really had to do today was make the cupcakes for Seth’s birthday tomorrow, and it’s such a treat for us to see Peter in the middle of the day that I decided to go. It’s a 40-50 minute drive for me as I still don’t take the freeways, so we were all good and hungry when we got to Peter’s work. He took over the driving and we went to Sharkey’s for lunch, then back at his work I hopped back in the driver’s seat for another 40-50 minute drive home, and we can usually make it in time for naps at 2pm. But not today. On the way home I noticed the brakes were “sticking” and half an hour later I was having to push the brake pedal all the way to the floor before it would start responding. We were so close to home, I just wanted to get home! But we stopped in the Home Depot parking lot to wait for our rescue.

Here’s my patient boys.

I can see Seth all grown up in the black and white…something about the angle and expression.

Mom came and loaded us all up in her car, and relieved me to take Jerome in to the bathroom in Home Depot. Either we’re not out much, or he’s really good at holding it, or both, but I’ve never had to take him into a public restroom before! I took him into the ladie’s room as there was no one in there, and he couldn’t quite manage by himself in the men’s room and there was a man offering to help him so I quickly drug my five year old little boy into the ladies room to risk a lesser form of indecency.

Mom took us to her house and let me make the cupcakes in her oven and roasted a leg of lamb for our dinner! She sent us up to her neighbor’s with her scrap bag and let the boys feed the chickens and goats. The boys got to gather eggs and pet the kids! Seth watered Mom’s plants on the porch…

And Jerome helped make applesauce with Grandma.

Peter put brake fluid in my car and drove it home. I’m grateful to God for keeping us safe and giving us such wonderful, available family to help us in times of need!

Good morning, sunshine!

He is such a delightful, happy baby! Five months have flown by and we can’t imagine life without him.

Today we read about how they used to make cartoons drawn by hand and a craft called a thaumatrope with two separate pictures that when twirled look like one. We drew a bird on one side and a cage on the other.

We also read about the atmosphere and how to make a terrarium…

And about those palm fronds… the boys had a blast building houses and forts in the yard with our neighbors this morning while the air was clearer. Later in the day the smoke was billowing into our valley again, but we dared to go out in it to return library books. The boys were disappointed that the library was closed due to a power outage, so we came home and made brownies and worked on their Awana verses. When Daddy got home they helped chop some of the palm fronds up for the trash trucks to take tomorrow. During dinner Jerome was talking with Peter about Narnia and wanted to know if the ipod is good or bad (as he holds a double fist between his eyes, indicating a cyclops)! 🙂 Peter started reading “The Magician’s Nephew” to Jerome this evening. I love listening to Peter read out loud to us, and I’m grateful he does it even though it tires him and when he could be doing anything else. It’s wonderful how the boys listen to him!

That’s Autumn in Southern California. Santa Ana winds are blowing. It’s hot, windy, dry, and very smoky from fires around our valley, but not here…yet.

We don’t sleep as well when the wind is blowing, but part of the cause of our wakefulness was a dozen or so palm fronds landing and tumbling on our roof at 4:30 am! Seth is rather leary of the wind. He keeps asking “Mommy, do you like the wind?” “Daddy, what is the wind?” But he never seems satisfied with any answer.

What I love about the wind is hearing the wind chimes Peter bought in Maine as our honeymoon souvenir.  🙂

When we got home this afternoon from spending some time at Papa’s house, the yard was strewn with leaves and huge palm fronds and the boys set to work gathering them into a pile. The light was the yellow/red glow of smoke clouds and there was ash flying through the air and pooling in the corners around the yard.

I’m grateful for God’s protection during past fire seasons and I’m trusting Him for this one, too. Now, what to do with all these palm fronds?!?

Donna threw Noel’s Bridal Luncheon in her backyard today. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and a beautiful party!

Here’s the bride.

Noel and I.

Noel with Aunt Mary and Grandma Guy.

Jane came home for the shower!

And finally a picture with Gigi!