I slowly open the back yard gate and peer down the alley. The alley looks empty, but Mama said that it was time. I step into the alley without letting go of the gate. I lean as far as I can into the alley, without letting go of the gate. And suddenly there he is.
I let go of the gate and begin to run. I run past Wally's yard. I run past Jefferies' yard. I run past Bobbie Moore's yard. I am very far from home. It is scary, but exciting. There is a dog in one of the yards. I can't see him because of the fence but I can hear him barking. It is scary but exciting.
Then I look up, and there he is. He is smiling and his arms are wide. I take a leap and he scoops me up. He kisses my face. He kisses me on the eye. The stubble of his beard picks my face. We are laughing. He's happy that I came.
He carries me high on his arm. I can see the dog now. He is still barking and jumping against the fence. Nothing is scary anymore because we are laughing.
We come to our own back yard. The gate is still open. I look into his eyes. I'm not supposed to leave the gate open. But he is still laughing and swings me down to the ground while he closes the gate.
Once released from his arms, I can run to the house and announce to everybody - "Papa's home".
Monday, May 29, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Its raining
Its raining. Its raining hard. I'm all alone on the back porch. I have my pick of the big red rocking chairs. I like the bigger one better because I can sit cross legged on it and rock higher. There's thunder and there's lightening. Bernie told me that Bobby Moore's grandmother got hit by lightening standing in their back garden. But I am safe. I'm on the porch.
A little while ago, Monica was back there with me. Before it started to rain. We were playing cut-outs. We got matching cut-out books for Easter. Rita helped me cut out the dolls because they are on the covers and the paper is thicker and harder to cut. I cut out the clothes myself.
Monica gets mad when I put the same dresses on my dolls that she puts on hers. Its hard for me to decide what my dolls should wear. When I see what her's are wearing, it seems like a good idea.
Monica got mad at me and went inside. It was too windy to keep playing anyways and then the rain started. I liked the smell and the sound of the rain. Watching it hit the sidewalk.
Our sidewalks were smooth and flat from the alley all the way to the front of the house. That was good for roller skates but not so much for collecting rain puddles. There would be good puddles in the alley but if you jump into them barefoot, you might hit a stone or piece of glass. Alley puddles were better when it was colder and you were wearing boots.
It gets darker and the wind gets colder. I don't want to go in the house because I will run into Monica and she is mad at me.
Mama comes out on the porch. She brings me a sweater. She takes the smaller rocking chair, letting me stay in the big one. We sit together and watch the rain. I love Mama.
A little while ago, Monica was back there with me. Before it started to rain. We were playing cut-outs. We got matching cut-out books for Easter. Rita helped me cut out the dolls because they are on the covers and the paper is thicker and harder to cut. I cut out the clothes myself.
Monica gets mad when I put the same dresses on my dolls that she puts on hers. Its hard for me to decide what my dolls should wear. When I see what her's are wearing, it seems like a good idea.
Monica got mad at me and went inside. It was too windy to keep playing anyways and then the rain started. I liked the smell and the sound of the rain. Watching it hit the sidewalk.
Our sidewalks were smooth and flat from the alley all the way to the front of the house. That was good for roller skates but not so much for collecting rain puddles. There would be good puddles in the alley but if you jump into them barefoot, you might hit a stone or piece of glass. Alley puddles were better when it was colder and you were wearing boots.
It gets darker and the wind gets colder. I don't want to go in the house because I will run into Monica and she is mad at me.
Mama comes out on the porch. She brings me a sweater. She takes the smaller rocking chair, letting me stay in the big one. We sit together and watch the rain. I love Mama.
Friday, May 26, 2006
The company
Company was coming. The air was electrified. Houses were cleaned. Pies were baked. Larders were replenished. And, if the company came from far away, bedrooms and sleeping spaces were shuffled to accomodate. Possibly the reason for some of my time on McKinstry.
Company had to be shown the Detroit Zoo. Company had to be shown Belle Isle. Company had to be shown Edgewater Park, especially, the fun house.
One year, when Company included the Grandparents, we all walked to the home of Petit Noir who lived on Pearl near Vernor Highway to show them TV. On a Tuesday night, of course, so we could watch Milton Berle. That year we also showed them a Drive-In Movie and went to see Trail of the Lonesome Pines.
Dinners were planned. Dinners that required more than one table setting not including the children who were fed early and then pressed into service to fetch and carry, serve and clear.
After dinner the floors were cleared for dancing and entertainment. Children were encouraged to perform and so did the adults. At Ma'Tante Vonna's house on Clark Street there was a victrola in the living room with good dance music records. Squares would form up and Tony was the caller.
First couple lead to the right. four hands around and Birdie in the Cage. Birdie fly out and the gent fly in. Gent fly out and two couples swing.
After the dancing started nobody paid much attention to the kids. We got to play outside. It was dark out. If it got too scary outside, nobody noticed if you found a quiet place to sit just inside the doorway and watch.
When the party was at our house, and bedtime had been achieved, no one noticed if we crept down the staircase to listen.
Company had to be shown the Detroit Zoo. Company had to be shown Belle Isle. Company had to be shown Edgewater Park, especially, the fun house.
One year, when Company included the Grandparents, we all walked to the home of Petit Noir who lived on Pearl near Vernor Highway to show them TV. On a Tuesday night, of course, so we could watch Milton Berle. That year we also showed them a Drive-In Movie and went to see Trail of the Lonesome Pines.
Dinners were planned. Dinners that required more than one table setting not including the children who were fed early and then pressed into service to fetch and carry, serve and clear.
After dinner the floors were cleared for dancing and entertainment. Children were encouraged to perform and so did the adults. At Ma'Tante Vonna's house on Clark Street there was a victrola in the living room with good dance music records. Squares would form up and Tony was the caller.
First couple lead to the right. four hands around and Birdie in the Cage. Birdie fly out and the gent fly in. Gent fly out and two couples swing.
After the dancing started nobody paid much attention to the kids. We got to play outside. It was dark out. If it got too scary outside, nobody noticed if you found a quiet place to sit just inside the doorway and watch.
When the party was at our house, and bedtime had been achieved, no one noticed if we crept down the staircase to listen.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Red Leaves
When I moved in here winter had a strong toehold and most leaves were off the trees. Across the parking lot, about 4 doors down from me is a lovely large tree. It is the focal point of the view from my living room picture window. There were a small clump of branches on that tree that were clinging to some red leaves. I kept waiting for the leaves to fall. They never did.
All through the winter, through the snow and ice, winds and rain, those sturdy red leaves hung on. Then spring started to spring and most of the trees around here started to bud. This tree remained bare. When other trees were visably green, this tree started to bud.
Ah, I thought to myself, now those fragile red leaves will be pushed off by the new buds. I have been checking it faithfully every day. I search the ground beneath the tree for fallen leaves (from my easy chair, of course, I don't go outside and search). I've never found any.
The tree is quite green now, and because I know where to look I can pick out the red leaves. There they sit. Red leaves among the green.
All through the winter, through the snow and ice, winds and rain, those sturdy red leaves hung on. Then spring started to spring and most of the trees around here started to bud. This tree remained bare. When other trees were visably green, this tree started to bud.
Ah, I thought to myself, now those fragile red leaves will be pushed off by the new buds. I have been checking it faithfully every day. I search the ground beneath the tree for fallen leaves (from my easy chair, of course, I don't go outside and search). I've never found any.
The tree is quite green now, and because I know where to look I can pick out the red leaves. There they sit. Red leaves among the green.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Dinner with Elise and Larry
My dinner with Elise and Larry was in no way remarkable. Elise got married the same year I did. We stood up at each other's weddings and it is always delightful to spend time with them.
Many years ago Larry suffered a stroke and he has been fighting long and hard to regain normal functions. There is a slight list to his stance and a slight slacking of facial muscles that advertise him as a stroke patient. But, he has regained his speech and motor skills and seems to enjoy a high quality of life. His mind and memory are the equal of any of us this age.
When I arrived at the restaurant (Ram's Horn) they were already seated so I joined them and over dinner conversation told them about my recent encounters with advanced arthritis. As we were leaving, I pointed out a walker with a seat attachment and said that that was what I was going to need when I got to the walker stage. The man it belonged to said "just take it." I said I would if I thought I could outrun him, but no.
After dinner they came over to mine to see my new place. As we walked from room to room (not that many) Elise and I had to find a place to sit while we chatted and discussed. Larry was content to stand and pace and check things out. He even went down and checked out the basement. My point here being that among the three of us he is the most fit.
Many years ago Larry suffered a stroke and he has been fighting long and hard to regain normal functions. There is a slight list to his stance and a slight slacking of facial muscles that advertise him as a stroke patient. But, he has regained his speech and motor skills and seems to enjoy a high quality of life. His mind and memory are the equal of any of us this age.
When I arrived at the restaurant (Ram's Horn) they were already seated so I joined them and over dinner conversation told them about my recent encounters with advanced arthritis. As we were leaving, I pointed out a walker with a seat attachment and said that that was what I was going to need when I got to the walker stage. The man it belonged to said "just take it." I said I would if I thought I could outrun him, but no.
After dinner they came over to mine to see my new place. As we walked from room to room (not that many) Elise and I had to find a place to sit while we chatted and discussed. Larry was content to stand and pace and check things out. He even went down and checked out the basement. My point here being that among the three of us he is the most fit.
Friday, May 19, 2006
My Cousin Elise
I had dinner last night with Elise and Larry.
For those of you who are generationally challenged, Elise is my first Cousin, daughter of my father's sister ReJeanne after whom I am named, because she is my Godmother. Elise and I were close growing up, partly because we were close in age and because among we siblings, her mother liked me best (duh).
I remember spending parts of many summers at her house on McKinstry street just a block away from Clark Park. Elise was an only child in her early years and quite spoiled. Her father was called Petit Blanc. It was a nickname but we didn't know that at the time. He came by that nickname because he actually had a twin brother who was called Petit Noir.
Ma'Tante Jeanne and Petit Blanc had three children born at 7 year intervals. That's why I'm thinking they each had the "only child" experience.
Sitting in the kitchen on McKinstry, watching Ma'Tante Jeanne cook was not like watching my mother cook. I had watched my mother make hamburgers. She opened the butcher papered package of ground beef and tore off little chunks and made patties. So now I prepared to watch Ma'Tante Jeanne make hamburgers. She opened the butcher paper and dumped the whole lump of ground beef into a bowl. I thought to myself "WTF" or something similar that would have been appropriate for the times.
Then, this aunt of mine, of whom I was quite fond, took an egg and broke it right over the meat and started mixing them together. I had to leave the kitchen so I don't know if that was the only thing she put in there. Of course, I didn't eat my hamburger at dinner. Ma'Tante Jeanne knew I was a picky eater and was quite kind about it.
Another McKinstry kitchen memory is of the rhubarb that grew in their back yard. When Ma'Tante Jeanne harvested the rhubarb to make pies she would give me and Elise each a stalk with a mound of course salt to dip it in. Ah, good times on McKinstry.
I'll save the story of dinner with Elise and Larry for tomorrow's post.
For those of you who are generationally challenged, Elise is my first Cousin, daughter of my father's sister ReJeanne after whom I am named, because she is my Godmother. Elise and I were close growing up, partly because we were close in age and because among we siblings, her mother liked me best (duh).
I remember spending parts of many summers at her house on McKinstry street just a block away from Clark Park. Elise was an only child in her early years and quite spoiled. Her father was called Petit Blanc. It was a nickname but we didn't know that at the time. He came by that nickname because he actually had a twin brother who was called Petit Noir.
Ma'Tante Jeanne and Petit Blanc had three children born at 7 year intervals. That's why I'm thinking they each had the "only child" experience.
Sitting in the kitchen on McKinstry, watching Ma'Tante Jeanne cook was not like watching my mother cook. I had watched my mother make hamburgers. She opened the butcher papered package of ground beef and tore off little chunks and made patties. So now I prepared to watch Ma'Tante Jeanne make hamburgers. She opened the butcher paper and dumped the whole lump of ground beef into a bowl. I thought to myself "WTF" or something similar that would have been appropriate for the times.
Then, this aunt of mine, of whom I was quite fond, took an egg and broke it right over the meat and started mixing them together. I had to leave the kitchen so I don't know if that was the only thing she put in there. Of course, I didn't eat my hamburger at dinner. Ma'Tante Jeanne knew I was a picky eater and was quite kind about it.
Another McKinstry kitchen memory is of the rhubarb that grew in their back yard. When Ma'Tante Jeanne harvested the rhubarb to make pies she would give me and Elise each a stalk with a mound of course salt to dip it in. Ah, good times on McKinstry.
I'll save the story of dinner with Elise and Larry for tomorrow's post.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Doctor, doctor
OK, the pain in my left hand and wrist has passed the point that I expect it to go away on its own and I went to the doctor. She tested my strength and flexibility, took some blood work and sent me to the other side of the building for a series of xrays. I remembered to mention the pain behind my left knee so they xrayed that too. I forgot to mention the bottoms of my feet since that has been a lot better for a while now.
The Xray lady came in holding the same chart file my doctor had and led me to the xray room. She sat me on a rolly stool at the foot of the xray table and started to position my arm. It started flat on the table. I could do that. Then she needed it turned away from me. I could almost do that. Then she said, now turn your hand so that its facing you. I wanted to ask her if it said anywhere on that chart that my problem was a limited range of motion. She got all her wrist pictures and said While I develop these you can climb up on the table and lay flat on your back. I almost cried but didn't mention how many pillows it takes on my bed for me to lay on my back. Then she started with straight leg, bend it this way, lean it that way. Man, what a workout.
The prize goes to the person who said arthritis. It seems my left arm is consumed with arthritis from shoulder to fingertip. Also the knees. She gave me some samples of Celebrex. I took one as soon as I got home, about half hour ago. I can already feel less pain and more range of motion as I type. Why, oh why, didn't she give me one of these before the xrays?
The Xray lady came in holding the same chart file my doctor had and led me to the xray room. She sat me on a rolly stool at the foot of the xray table and started to position my arm. It started flat on the table. I could do that. Then she needed it turned away from me. I could almost do that. Then she said, now turn your hand so that its facing you. I wanted to ask her if it said anywhere on that chart that my problem was a limited range of motion. She got all her wrist pictures and said While I develop these you can climb up on the table and lay flat on your back. I almost cried but didn't mention how many pillows it takes on my bed for me to lay on my back. Then she started with straight leg, bend it this way, lean it that way. Man, what a workout.
The prize goes to the person who said arthritis. It seems my left arm is consumed with arthritis from shoulder to fingertip. Also the knees. She gave me some samples of Celebrex. I took one as soon as I got home, about half hour ago. I can already feel less pain and more range of motion as I type. Why, oh why, didn't she give me one of these before the xrays?
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
I Burned
So far this year, I have caulked, I-Poded and now I have burned a couple of CDs. Am I a new age woman or what.
And, since I spent the whole day at the Casino Windsor, and I know its Tuesday, I didn't get any pea soup. Maybe next week.
And, since I spent the whole day at the Casino Windsor, and I know its Tuesday, I didn't get any pea soup. Maybe next week.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Wednesday
Today is Wednesday. It is the time on Wednesday that, if I were a working person, my workday would be over. It is the time on Wednesday that I often say to myself, "Damn, I didn't get any Pea Soup."
There is a very nice little family restaurant across Wayne Road from my complex named Rana's. Rana's has a very nice soup bar. Tuesday is Pea Soup day. I love their Pea Soup. There comes a time on most weekends when I think I will have to get to Rana's for lunch on Tuesday and have some Pea Soup. Some Tuesday mornings I remember this and make a concious decision to wait till later in the day and get some soup for dinner instead. Then it is usually about this time on Wednesday that I say to myself, "Damn, I didn't get any Pea Soup."
I have been wearing a wrist stabalizing brace on my left wrist and as I type this the start menu keeps popping up. I'm not sure what key I am inadvertently bumping.
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There is a very nice little family restaurant across Wayne Road from my complex named Rana's. Rana's has a very nice soup bar. Tuesday is Pea Soup day. I love their Pea Soup. There comes a time on most weekends when I think I will have to get to Rana's for lunch on Tuesday and have some Pea Soup. Some Tuesday mornings I remember this and make a concious decision to wait till later in the day and get some soup for dinner instead. Then it is usually about this time on Wednesday that I say to myself, "Damn, I didn't get any Pea Soup."
I have been wearing a wrist stabalizing brace on my left wrist and as I type this the start menu keeps popping up. I'm not sure what key I am inadvertently bumping.
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