It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

I have my baby book, complete with my date of birth, height and weight, and first word. That’s it. The baby books for the siblings who followed were blank. One could say it gave them an air of mystique, not knowing any of those vital facts.

Of course, being the eldest, there are mostly only photos of me in infancy and early childhood, a rare photo here and there of my brother, a few with my sister. When my youngest sister arrived on the scene, I was of the age to use a camera fairly successfully. Thus, some of her childhood is documented in color.

My children’s baby books are detailed and completed filled. They have scrapbooks loaded with precious memories. I don’t think they’ve ever looked at them.

Truly, my mother was accurate in her assessment of the value of a baby book.

Waking from a fabulous dream, albeit one where my wallet was stolen – an occurrence which has happened to me at least three times and is fodder for another day – I took my morning stroll to retrieve the outdated mode of communication from the bottom of the driveway.

There, staring at me from the yard, in the gently breaking dawn, was a beautiful doe. We just watched each other, with me hoping there was enough green grass for her to munch on so she would leave the trees alone. (So far the septic field has provided the feast in good supply.) It made me wonder who else has been watching when I head down the pavement in the total darkness with my phone flashlight?

I used to be more of a night owl than morning person, and I still prefer that feeling of being the only one awake while everyone else slept. It felt like I was “on watch” and could relax once the morning came. (That’s got to be fodder for a therapist?) However, changing tides of grandparenthood have me rising early and getting my fanny in bed at a decent hour.

The darkness is now my early morning friend and we enjoy each other’s company, cup of coffee in hand.

My daughter and I are celebrating the end of the Hollywood actor’s strike. We’ve been holding out for over thirty years now, hoping the union could come to an agreement.

We anticipated all of this A.I. concern when she was a mere infant and I much younger. Of course, A.I. wasn’t a term, but we could foresee it. (That’s why we both have Taft-Hartley status and have never officially joined the Screen Actor’s Guild.)

Obviously, with the recent announcement, we shall both be renewing our careers. Look for us on ads for baby strollers or any geriatric support products.

Never seen it – old or new. So watching bits of it tonight (looks hokey) as I do tasks reminds me of a movie I saw in the condemned theatre of my hometown, the theatre which only opened for a children’s Christmas show and drawing for a new bicycle one Saturday in December.

I think for a few years my sister, brother and I were allowed to enter the hallowed halls of the defunct movie theatre – did I mention it was “condemned?” Some philanthropic organization in town hosted the movie and bicycle drawing and we got to go, most presumably to get us out of our mother’s hair. The movie? It was some scary thing about a ghost ship which had absolutely nothing to do with the holidays, let alone Christmas! It was the same movie each year. No creativity whatsoever in the management of this activity. That reminds me of another show, “Jason and the Argonauts.” It always aired around Easter! The dead skeletons rising up were enough to inspire resurrection stories, I guess? It, too, was a scary movie for a young overactive imagination.

Well, times were tough in childhood. We took what we could get!

Climbing off of the floor after placing a little baby on the play mat is not for the faint of heart! It’s hard to tell if the crinkling sound is the mat or my knees? Whichever it may be, I’m enjoying the challenge – and keeping the ibuprofen on hand!

It was a weekend of special effects and dance numbers – celebrating birthdays, enjoying a glorious sunrise, and meeting new friends. It was the perfect time to relish life as we gained an hour and had delightfully warm weather. I’m thinking of dusting off the tap shoes and taking a skip around the deck!

And if all the world’s a stage, Mr. Will, I think I may request better lighting. You know, the kind that doesn’t show the wrinkles?

Off we go to whirl around the world on a calm November Monday.

Just when I was adapting to the time, we go and switch it up again. Now instead of my 5:30 wake-up, I will be rising at 4:30 and for the next couple of weeks, “doing the math.”

“Why am I hungry at 10 a.m.?” “Why am I so sleepy at 9:00 p.m.?” I don’t mind this change as much as “springing ahead,” an idea which I have never been able to embrace. I can barely crawl let alone spring.

At least it’s still a pleasant temperature and my windows remain open at night, doors open during the day. Apparently November is as confused as I am.

Onward, Christian soldiers!

Never mind she has three boys with ‘nary pink in sight,
She occupied their brilliant minds and brought them much delight.
She has the best ideas, I’m so thankful that she shares.
Her thoughts keep me progressing, in spite of my grey hairs.  

The bouncy house she said I needed, now comes to save the day!
It’s in my daughter’s basement, providing ample play.
I’m trying to stay away from phones to keep my pups from screen time.
A smart watch is the answer!  I can sneak a look in the mean time.

So as I amble down this road, navigating little things,
I rely on my sister to give me advice in what her thinking brings.  
The problem I have seen thus far, and I know it might seem funny,
As much as I love and treasure her, she’s costing me lots of money!

It’s impossible to even explain how I recovered this brilliant work, made in the sleep-deprived hours of the night. Okay – I wrote it with a cup of coffee and in my pjs, casually watching the sun rise. I was just about to write an ode to my brilliant sister, “Parie,” who has raised Irish twins, when I discovered this creative mess. She’ll get credit tomorrow.

Ode to the New Parents

Your days are filled with triple the fun as you add another two! 
Precious little girls to fill your days, bringing joy anew.
It’s hard to say when you will sleep? A goals that’s tough to achieve! 
But with your constant love and care, you will, you must believe! 

Welcome to the world little babes, lucky little pups. 
You will soon learn to share your parents, toys and sippy cups. 
For all too soon you’ll be so grown, we won’t remember when, 
You were not yet with us, and we waited for you! Amen.

Well, apparently my yesterday blog did not post and drifted away! I’ll try to recreate because it was quite poetic. However, another poet and singer, John Denver, gave me a good chuckle today as I drove back from the All Saint’s Day Mass.

The song, “Back Home Again,” always makes me smile – these lines in particular.

“It’s the little things that make a house a home. Like a fire softly burning, supper on the stove…”

I do think a fire softly burning your supper is a reminder of home! What an excellent example of appropriate comma use. Here’s to all of the burnt toast chefs and to their children who still love it!