Santa came to town….

  I’m going to share with you some photos from our local Chamber of Commerce “Christmas at the Farm” event yesterday at Parmelee Farm.  Santa came for a visit, and I have to say, one of the highlights of my holiday this year is  getting to take some of their photos.. their reactions were priceless and all over the map… it brought all the  – childhood awe- of the holiday front and center – I don’t know about you, but the jolly old fella scared the crap out of me when I was young.  My son wanted nothing to do with him either, although we admired him from afar and always made sure to leave cookies and milk and grass and treats for the reindeer come Christmas Eve.

 Do you recognize this guy talking to Santa about predicted  flying sleigh travel weather for Christmas Eve?…. I’ve gotta tell you, considering he’s from one of the biggest political dynasties of our time, you’d never know it.  Ted Kennedy Jr. is one very warm and down-to-earth person who really gives a damn about the average Joe, and especially those with disabilities.  It’s refreshing, just that.

  Have I told you lately?… just loving this season for so many reasons.  Those kids above? yeah. That.  Why do we forget it?  Let’s not…  And Liz Jones?  I just received your lovely note, thank you.   This post is for you –


 Susan Branch Christmas Art

Decked again…

   We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and  I hope you all did too. Come friday, as promised, I hauled Christmas out of the basement.   I even trekked out to the grocery store forgetting it was THAT DAY…. and boy let me tell you… if you’re one of those who enjoys Black Friday Insanity…. I just don’t get it.  People lose all sense of – sense- from what I can see. Everyone looks stressed and in a hurry, piles of “stuff” are being sifted and sorted and tossed, you have to park two miles from where you’re actually shopping (well it seems like it) …and … the crowds!!!….Took me fifteen minutes to get past the outlets, just to DRIVE BY them!  There were four cops on traffic duty too where there normally are none. One of them was my nephew, waving the traffic by as I hoped he wouldn’t be hit by one of the impatients.

     So ….Christmas at our house this year – I left some things down in the basement and bought a few new things just to change it up some.  If I were very wealthy I would change the whole theme every year because there are so many ways to decorate and I love them all!  (almost).  My grandmother had a large white christmas tree she put in the bay window for all to see – one year she had all red decorations, another it was all blue.  Sounds gross, right?  It was just gorgeous.   For years now I’ve tried to soften the tree with pastel glass ornaments, I do love them… but… when I decked the tree this year with all that pastel.. it just didn’t say Christmas.  I took a step back… had the men folk come in and give their opinion.. and asked.. what’s missing??… what .. is … missing?

     The husband said – to me…  Christmas is GOLD and RED and GREEN.

     That’s it.

      (Lord help me)  I could see his vision.  And the garland looked like it was strangling the tree, truth be told.   Off came the pastel stuff and the garland with the choke-hold, and I had a field day with GOLD and RED and GREEN.  I sprinkled red berries among the branches too.  While a real tree is ideal, with four dogs who might drink the poisoned water from a real tree (pesticides) , we fake it.

   Pardon the crap photos… I’ve gotten lazy with the iphone.

 

Chocolate covered oreos… is there anything better?….
We’ve changed up the furniture in the “keeping room” of This Old House…
The kitchen table used to be up against that window.. 
(hence the light fixture in weird location) 
and those chairs were next to the fireplace.
We switched them and love the flow of the highly used
living space now and those chairs actually get use. 

Mantel simply decked this year… and lit with tiny white lights at night
 Kitchen window
I’ve got a thing for old fashioned bottle brush trees…

Notice the two automatic foot warmers installed at the 
base of the bed. 
The kids did the outside this year….nice job, guys! 
Since it’s the season where folks return to their roots to
visit with family and friends…  Our sons GF was out on the eve before Thanksgiving
catching up with  friends who also hale from this area. 
Guess who they were chilling with…
If you aren’t a music fan, that’s Nick Fradiani  (last year American Idol winner) 
on the left, our Kenz, one of her friends, 
and are you a Patriots fan?  Camille is a former Pats cheerleader 
and Gronk’s current GF. 
I love Nick… after all he’s been to and through, he’s still just
a down to earth  home town boy.  Way to go, Nick. 
 Happy Holiday Season, All. 
If you’re posting your holiday stories, traditions, decorations,
leave the link to your post in the comments section.
I’d love to share it – 
P E A C E

Of Turkeys and Trees

   I do love Thanksgiving, the sentiment, the food, and I don’t want to be one of those who skips right over it because of the importance of being thankful .. grateful…  But my truth is it marks the beginning of  the Christmas season I love even more.
   I love holiday lights on a hushed snowy night.  I love seeing candles in my friends and neighbors windows.  I love christmas cookies and christmas trees and ornaments and wreaths on doors and Charlie Brown specials on TV – I love finding or making meaningful or useful gifts for my family.  I love trying a new recipe and making some of the old favorites.  I love finding silly things to put in the kids stockings (they are 26 and 19 and I still stuff their stockings)    I love that my kids love our traditions and I hope they keep them through the years and pass them down  in whatever ways hold the most meaning to them.  
    Some of you may think I’m missing the most important thing. The reason for the season in the first place.  Well, I’ve made no secret of the fact that I am not religious.  What I know is that I don’t know, and so I go about this holiday in the spirit I think it is intended whether you are a religious person or not… the spirit of caring, of giving, of sharing, of hope and joy and a wish for peace and good will toward all.
      This week I will gather with family and we will eat and laugh and drink and probably bicker as well.  But we will be together – Amen.
     Come Friday – I’m hauling out Christmas.  

     Happy Thanksgiving, all –

Home

     Something I have always believed in is how important it is to put effort into making your home a place of respite, a refuge, a welcoming space. My grandmother had a small house that she made so warm and inviting for family and friends and I appreciated it even as a child.
      We can’t control what goes on outside but whatever we face, being surrounded by things we love and feeling embraced when we walk in the door is so important. That doesn’t have to mean -money- or big elaborate spaces. A collection of beach rocks….feathers found on woods walks… The kids art projects, dog toys heaped in a big basket,  etc… All free, all add warmth and meaning. Choosing colors you find soothing or energizing for wall paint, sheets, pillows, etc. goes a long way and doesn’t break the bank. Switch up the furniture in a room, gives a whole new feel. Sometimes it gives the furniture a whole new purpose. 
     In my frustration over the horror show that is the news, I’ve taken a look around the house and de cluttered some, switched up furniture, bought a half price sale rug and put it in the bathroom. Feels like rejuvenation without spending much at all. Feeling down? Take a look around and de clutter, swap around, add a color. It’s good for the soul.
     The road home is more enjoyable when you know you’re landing in a place of peace. I wish that for all of you – 


This area held the kitchen table until a few days ago when we moved it over to the fireplace and swapped this stuff into the space instead. Now those chairs are actually getting used
and the kitchen table is in a more open and inviting space.  
It all works so much better now and it looks like we did the place over. 
More pics soon… 
Oh, what a half price sale rug can do for a bathroom… really
warmed it up.  And those two little topiary trees…
you wouldn’t think to put them in a bathroom but they
add just the right non-bathroom  anti-antiseptic touch. 
My Christmas Cactus haven’t even waited for Thanksgiving this year…



the boyz in raincoats…

Bailey with the look thats saying –  “Nooo, really? Now? But I’m comfortable, mom.”  – 
 not wanting to give up her perch so I can change the bedding… 

         The holiday season is upon us and I’m looking forward to sharing food and laughs and stories with others and I pray for peace to blanket the earth, for sanity and Good to trump all else. One can always hope.  As always, thanks for stopping by.

-CLICK –

       At 50 I’m still learning, still growing up  ( and out, just ask my jeans)… but this, I know, is true – you’re never to old for personal growth.. just have to be open to it.  For me that  means letting go of a few things and owning up to a few others.

        Who among us hasn’t experienced  anguish, stress, anger, disappointment, anxiety, loss, regret, embarrassment,   pain – both emotional and physical.   It’s part of the experience of living, can’t be avoided.  The key is to roll with it, not let it consume you, not let it waste the “precious”…… the time we have to enjoy the things that mean the most.  What that is to each of us is probably very similar even in it’s differences.  It’s the little things, the things we might easily put aside if we let the negatives consume us, that can enrich us the most and help us find balance.
       
     One of my pure joys –  I take a lot of pictures.  Remember the little boy in the movie Sixth Sense and his famous line….. “I see dead people”.    If you’re a shutterbug, you know what I mean when I say… ” I see Pictures” … everywhere I go.  Meaning, I see things I want to capture, hold on to, stash in the memory file because I love them so…. in the slant of light on fallen leaves… in the regal stance of my dog on a stump in the field…. in the red hues of the trees behind my red horse.  You get the picture…

….because she looooooooves her cat. 

                            … I get to walk this lane daily… in all seasons its a beautiful thing…

…these halloween geeks.. I love them so. 

   So go.. take pictures mentally or physically, see the beauty in all that is around you. It’s there in the steam off your morning coffee… in the light slanting through your windows, in the crayon scribble masterpiece your toddler left on the newly painted wall,  in the smile from a stranger just because… in the “thank you” your father mouthed as you turned to leave.    –   CLICK  – 

Anger and letting it go

   You all  know I’m opinionated and vocal about it if you’ve been reading here for a while.    I’m getting tired of it.  Quite frankly, it’s not good for me.  The experience with my father that has me dismantling his previous life has put me on edge in a way that isn’t healthy for anyone.   I’ve been at odds with my mother on a few things relating to my dad, my husband for the same reason,  The lawyer I thought I should use for Title 19 issues then realized that was so unnecessary for a heck of a lot of money –  My kids are just there and are probably feeling my frustrations as well, although they have nothing to do with it really.  I took one of my dogs for a walk last night to unwind and I found myself snapping at him just a little too sharply when he strayed too far up the trail.  Like maybe five feet too far.  *SNAP.

  That’s when I said… Whoa.  Who is this.  What are you doing here, Karen.  Is this how you want to be?  Is this what you want to feel every waking moment?  Life is too short. LET. IT. GO.    And what are you holding on to, exactly…. do you even know?    How often have we all heard that simple concept.   Let It Go.

   Even though I said those things to myself last night…. I again found myself aggravated this morning about something that’s not all that important in the grand scheme of things.  And to be honest.. I was just about to type the offense and my defense at the unjust behavior here in this post.  But again… it really does come back to… do I want to feel this way?  These things are gonna happen in life… it is what it is.  People have issues, people struggle. They react because of their own baggage, usually has nothing to do with those they react to unjustly,   Do I let it consume me or do I LET IT GO.

   Hard, hard thing… this kind of change, and yet it seems like it should just be so simple.

   So here I go again… I’m going to try like hell to Let It Go.. and just be and do and see and hear and BREATHE.   Maybe -feel- with a little less hurt and a little more empathy.

   Speaking of which – Update on my Dad –  he is settling in at the nursing home – a good and upbeat one by most standards.  He is subdued, and sits most hours of the day in his lounge chair stairing at the TV in a dark room.  We introduced him to a few very nice men who live at the same facility.  He has yet to reach out,  but he might at some point.  He has a beautiful window that he keeps drawn closed.  My hope is that he finally learns to reach out and expand his life to include others in a way that will enrich his own.    Is it the ending to a life story he would choose?  No.  But he steered the ship to where it landed and I’m doing the best I can to make his ship-ashore experience a comfortable one.  Although our relationship was a strained one, it really does feel good to do right by someone, for no other reason than to know that you are showing some mercy, compassion,, doing some good.

   I think.. I hope.. I actually pray… that I am finding my way there.  Suddenly it feels like it.  Thank you for all your kind words. I so appreciate each of your perspectives. We all live a similar and yet different experience coming from all different places and sharing those things opens us up to a bigger perception.    Amen.

Scenes from “welcome” day…

  The dogs came off transport yesterday along with their rescue crew… the day was spent walking, feeding, bathing, vetting, settling in.   I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… what an awesome feeling it is to be working along side like-minded people who are there only for the good of the animal.   Four dogs also were home last night with their new families, before we even opened to the public. It’s a beautiful thing… and….     Hooray for the Underdog!…  now send us a little prayer of success this weekend as we try to place 56 more dogs and puppies with their forever families.

Another day for the Dogs

 They’ve left the South and are on their way up to New England… 60 dogs and puppies who ended up in a bad place, only to be rescued by our awesome rescue crew down south.  They have been caring for these dogs, getting to know them, vetting and training for the past few months.  Below are the pictures of just a few, the ones I wish I could take home myself, truth be told….

 Ryan in particular is my very favorite… he’s already got at least three approved applicants who want to take him home.  The one who is determined to be the best fit will be his new family.  I would have named him Merlin.  He just looks like a Merlin to me.

  So wish us luck.. big adoption weekend for a lot of shelter dogs who are coming a loooong way (30 hours) to find their forever home.  You know I’ll post pics next week.  If you’re local, we’ll be at the Chester Fairgrounds – adoption event 10-4 Saturday and Sunday.

What remains

     So, the deconstructing of my fathers life continues.  We have managed to empty out his home completely, except for the cat, who needs a home as well.  First day on the market, it has sold, cash deal to close at the end of this month.  His car is also sold… both went very cheap, but at fair market value, hence the quick sales. It will be a blessing for him as the money will go to his care now.
    The cat… Felix.. the one thing he sheds a tear for and asks about repeatedly,  ( not the other daughter he never hears from or sees)… will need a new home also.  I haven’t worked that out yet.  I have ten days to do so, and then the new owner takes over.  Four dogs here and two of them would rip him apart. So that’s not an option.  He’s never seen horses and he’s used to a warm inside-the-house bed at night. I don’t think the barn is an option either.
     As for Dad… he has a very nice room with a pleasant view, right now all to himself. There are other men who live at the facility who are very nice, very capable, kindly even.  They, like him, still have all their marbles.  Good company if he chooses to reach out. We have introduced them.   I’ve set up a bird feeder outside his window and there is a candy bowl I keep filled for the caregivers who come and go. He now has his big recliner we bought him last year that lifts him out with a remote control. The chair seen below in the picture wasn’t going to be comfortable enough for someone who lives in his chair watching the tube.   He has a new flatscreen TV and is being waited on and the food is very good.  Indeed, despite his best/worst efforts.. he is a lucky man.
    There is still a lot of paperwork to wade through, meetings, things to set up, and time will tell if he’s truly settled and accepting.  My resentment at having to be the sole responsible party for his care waxes and wanes.  I’m still working at being kind. Most of the time I get it right, but not 100 percent of the time.   He’s still working at realizing all that is being done on his behalf.  We weren’t close.  I go through the motions at the nursing home as the caring daughter, the only family member who visits, but it feels like a lie.   And then it doesn’t.  Sometimes I feel good about the effort I’m making even when it’s a pain in the ass.   Sometimes it feels good to see him comfortable and apparently pleased with his surroundings. Sometimes I find the nearest ear and vent the anger I obviously still possess about many things.  That’s often my mother, who divorced him many many years ago.   Sometimes he pisses me off  and I walk out – like so many times before.  Saturday after bringing him more of what would make him comfortable, I was yelled at for not returning his wrist watch, which he had given me just 24 hours earlier to have the battery replaced. He was so angry, he shook.    The reason it stings is he’s not lost his marbles at all… he is not in pain.  Why the great anger over something so trivial when I am obviously giving him 150 percent.

     I came home upset, but my husband helped me see that deal more clearly.  He said –  “Karen… look at his life now.  Even though he’s comfortable and it’s a pleasant environment, it’s a huge change all the way around. It has to be frustrating for him to have so little control”.      

Truth, this.

   And yet it still stings me.  So,  at the age of 50, I still have some growing up to do.   A thin skin I still possess.