THE MOUNTAIN FOLK WILL GATHER

At my father's funeral, several relatives mentioned how wonderful it would be if all the Shook (paternal)/ Michael (maternal) relatives could come together for a reunion other than at a funeral. I think the last time Daddy's family had a reunion, he was in charge. That would have been a good while back, maybe some thirty years ago. (I have come across photos of an earlier reunion that must have been 52 or so years ago because I'm little in the photo and obviously more into playing than looking at the camera.)

So, in honor of Papa, I've taken it upon myself to be the organizer of a huge gathering that will take place on July 4th, 2009, in Matney, NC, a little spot in the road below Banner Elk and Pigeon Roost, NC. The mountains will be a-crawlin' with many folks who still remain in the area and those who come from places as far away as Japan (hopefully),

Here's a tidbit...Papa's mom and her sister (Ruth & Ada) married two brothers (Hoyle & Tom). Both the girls and guys had one other sibling, so there's a bunch of folks to bring together. In all the information gathering I've done, I've also discovered that Papa's grandmother was married once before she married my great-grandfather. That means there's a side of the family I never knew (most of whom have to be ancient by now) to contact. Additionally, my grandmother's father had 7 siblings who lived to adulthood, so there's the possibility some of them might attend. Something tells me this reunion would make a great PBS documentary since the family is huge and all rooted in the Appalachian Mountains and traditions.

Daddy was the oldest of 10 children. I think this photo is the only one in existence of all ten of

them together with their parents. My mother probably took the picture around 1944. Of the ten children, eight still are living, as is Grandma Ruth (age 106). (Grandma's key to longevity: tell the truth and don't trust doctors! )

The other photos are of my great-grandparents, Green & Etta Beard Michael. Grandma was a good 6 inches taller than Grandpa and a sister to Granny Clampett. :0) :0)

MOOSE CROSSING!

Eliza fortunately had her camera by her side as she, Bella, and her friend, Ashleigh, were on their way to a waterfall to swim not far from the house where we stayed in Vermont. According to her report, she was driving along, saw this huge "something" saunter across the road, and realized that she was close to having an encounter with a MOOSE! She got uber excited and failed to zoom in before she took the photo. Nonetheless, she captured proof of her sighting, and that's all it that matters. Yeah, Eliza!!

(I think this guy/gal's a juvenile, but regardless, it's a huge, stilty-legged moose!)

BELLA

Isabella Rose Tighe melts my heart. She was my best friend and buddy in Vermont, and we did some great hangin' out. She's an amazing child...an old soul in a beautiful, energetic, loving little 8-year old body.

I taught her to knit; she really learned fast and stayed with it the entire week. We did some great imaginary play in the pond, splashing about while she played the "surfer" on her raft. I was the rather slow but reliable "motor boat," pulling her along from my inner tube. We laughed and laughed as we watched "Cheaper by the Dozen 2," and only we were privy to the silly pictures we drew of the family in our sketchbooks (Bella's rendition of her mom was GREAT!).

At night,as we slept together, we snuggled in real close and told secrets and stories. Her little body next to mine took me back to nights with Samuel and Eliza in the bed with me, and her breath as she slept was gentle and peaceful like a baby's.

I'm in love with her.....such a bright, curious, wise, spirited, fearless, sensitive, loving child...

...my Isabella Rose

PARADISE

A week in Danville, VT...no cell phone reception...no TV...amazing vacation house...daily skinny dips in the pond...showers in the waterfall...majestic mountains (very much like NC)...sacred, love-packed family time...great meals...very, very friendly
people...moose (Eliza has the photo)...kayaking...good walks...naps...good reading...good knitting time...lots of laughter...it couldn't have been better! Joe kept saying over and over that he felt like we were in paradise. I totally concur!

OFF TO VERMONT

Joe's home and ready to go...Eliza's packed...I haven't begun yet...

We're off this afternoon for a week of family vee-cation, as Eliza used to say...

Not sure which route we're taking....

Not sure where we'll spend the night tonight....

Totally free-formin' it....

Meeting Bobbi and Isabella tomorrow at the farmhouse in Vermont...

No cell phone service at the farm....

No TV.....

Lots of music, books, lakes, kayaks, canoes, ponds, loons, flowers, farmers' markets....

Don't plan on doing much connecting with the Mid-Ohio Valley except to check in with Alex, the housesitter....

Wishing all love, peace, and lots of laughter....

T.

LOOK WHAT THE CAT--OOPS!! I MEAN ELIZA--DRUG IN

Following in the footsteps of her beloved older brother (who brought home not only one, but a mama with four babies--a mama cat who happened to get pregnant AGAIN before I could get her spayed), and knowing that her beloved mother would not turn away an abandoned baby in need of food and water, Eliza, now known as The Most Recent Good Samaritan to Felines, rescued this adorable little bundle of fleas and poop last evening on her way home from spending the day with friends, John and Desiree.

To add insult to injury, Eliza's big sister and partner in crime, LoriBeth, who's in from Maui and won't be here to assist in kitten care, joined in the pitiful chorus of "Oh, we have to find him a home, a place like HERE! Can we please, please, please keep him??"

The firm response to their pleas is a resounding NO WAY!! Eight cats are already pushing the limit, and an additional one, no matter how cute, pitiful, adorable, loving, etc., is out of the question!!!!! (Note Lori's look of disbelief when I held firm to not letting the kitty become the next farm kitty.)

(I must concede, however, that the idea of taking this little fellow to the Humane Society is more than I can deal with, especially since our last experience there was not one that made me feel like the animals were not in good health and not well-cared for.)

DILEMMA!!! WHAT TO DO?? We're leaving on vacation to Vermont in two days, and we have to find a place for Finn (yes, he does have a name) by then.

Any volunteers?? I'll be glad to ship him free of charge to any pet loving individual or family in the continental US who will open his/her/their hearts to sweet, adorable FINN....I'll even throw in a worming from the vet.....

AWAY...HOME...AWAY

The holiday weekend found Eliza and me on the road to Boone for a visit with Mom, my Uncle John's memorial service, visits with friends and family, and a trip to Pigeon Roost to see Grandma Shook and my Uncle Bradley and Aunt Mabel. How great to re-connect with our Russell Road neighborhood family, the Harrills, have dinner with the Randalls, and have some hang out time around the house!! Laughter and good times abounded in Boone...yet another reminder of our family's many blessings!

Prior to going , I busted "arse" around the farm, trying to get things in shape for a week's absence. Thanks to my excellent housesitter, Alex, everything, excluding the grass and weeds (which had to have grown 6" in 5 days) around The Farm's in good shape. I have to keep in mind that the chore list has an additional 500 things to add now that summer's in full bloom, but so far, I'm pretty much at ease with this summer as an exception to the rule in terms of outside accomplishments. Give me another year, and I'll be at it full pace again.

The good news at The Farm is that Clousseau, the very sick white cat, is now at home after an extended stay at the vet's, and is quite OK...The car seems to be fixed and happy with all its new parts and battery...We've had enough rain to do me for a while, but at least, we're not in the throes of a drought like last year, and soggy soil makes for easier weeding.... I did find my debit card after whining about it in my last post. At the moment, things are calm and uneventful here....¡¡GRACIAS A DIOS!!

As always, some of my most meaningful moments while in Boone were spent with my grandmother, now 106 1/2. Grandma was alert with me. She knew me immediately, and she told me to "go to the kitchen and get a bite to eat." When I asked her if she was hungry, she told me no, but then told me she'd like a pancake, so we got her one that was left over from her breakfast. I slathered it up good with some blackberry jelly and fed it to her. She ate the whole thing and drank a glass of chocolate milk as well. (I think she associates me with food!!) When I told her she looked "purty," she looked at me with a smile and said, "Am I purtier than you?" Then I told her she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and she replied, "That does make me purtier than you, don't it?" She looked at Eliza and told her, "You're an awful purty girl, too." When she looked at Mom, she said, "You're Steve, Zeb's Steve." Other than those little exchanges, she was pretty quiet, just asking over and over if we were going to stay with her.

I know she won't remember our being there, but it always makes my day when I hear her say she loves me...She still has that twinkle in her eye and warmth in her hand as it rests in mine.

Here are a couple of photos I took while away...Again, Blogger is being cantankerous with posting ones other than these, so I'll keep trying. For the moment enjoy...

a glorious red lily....

and a rhododendron blossom, just a day or so before opening.

In two days, Eliza, Joe Davis, and I take off to Vermont for a week with Bobbi and Isabella. I think I'll have computer access there, so I'll try to post a few photos from there.

Happy summer to all, wherever you are, and as always, thanks for checking in with Namasté!

THE LAST TWO DAYS = FRUSTRATION

Cleaning, sorting, organizing downstairs...
Cleaning, sorting, organizing upstairs...

Pause for a Major Interruption...

A sick, white cat requiring a late night trip to the vet..
A sick, white cat requiring an early morning trip to the vet...
A sick, white cat who's spending the night at the vet's office...
A sick, white cat who's going to cost me close to $500....


Cleaning, sorting, organizing again...
Cleaning, sorting, organizing...


Pause for an Interruption....


A sneezy, snotty, wheezing orange cat...
A sneezy, snotty, wheezing orange cat who needs to go to the vet...
A sneezy, snotty, wheezing orange cat who's going to have to wait to go to the vet
because the very sick white cat is already there.


A trip to the mechanics shop on Monday...
A trip to the mechanics shop on Tuesday...
A car that still smells like burning something or another when it's driven...


A lost debit card...
A found debit card...

A lost for the second time debit card...
A not found second time lost debit card...

Irritation, exasperation, frustration..
burn out with losing stuff...

Irritation, exasperation, frustration...
burn out with cat yak...

Irritation, exasperation, frustration...
burn out with car repairs...


I'm done, done, done with this spell of crazy energy,
bad luck...
whatever you want to call it.

I announce,
I pronounce,
and
I send forth to the Universe with every cell in my body...


I'M DONE WITH THIS RUN OF "MALA RACHA" ....I'VE HAD ENOUGH....GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK!!!!!


So mote it be!

EXPERIMENTS

(1)

(2)

(3)

I welcome comments / feedback. I'm (again) playing with the camera (rather than getting chores done), and learning some new things about color adaptations, etc. Your thoughts?

Gracias....

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Tanya, Tanya, oh Tanya, can ya,

tell us how your garden grows??

With a rare, beautiful, red Night Blooming Sirius,

deep purple lilies,

delicate peach lilies,

A lovely Anthurium,

And three happy Buddhas,

All in a row.

(Stay tuned for glorious white datura soon to bloom!)

CROWS, CON'T.

This morning I was working on transcribing Daddy's letters onto the computer, and it's most timely, considering what I wrote yesterday, that today I came across this...

"...One thing I always enjoyed having was a pet crow. The last one I had came from Maryville, Tenn. It fell out of the nest, and my cousin found it and gave it to me. Several years back, Uncle Monroe Shook raised a pet crow which carried off everything it could carry in its beak. Uncle Monroe left his glasses on the front porch not thinking about the crow, when some of the family saw the crow flying off the barn with them in his beak.. They said it looked like the crow was wearing them the way it was flying. It flew to the barn. When one of the girls sent to search for the glasses, she found a hat-full of shining objects where the crow had carried in. A knife, spoon, and a fork was among part of the findings. Also glass, nails, pieces of wire and a wrench which Uncle Monroe thought he had lost. Someone killed the crow not thinking it belonged to Uncle Monroe. I have had a lot of enjoyable days hunting crows. I guess I have shot a thousand or more the past few years. I enjoy calling them in with a mouth call. This morning a crow came to my feeder and carried a slice of bread off while I was standing near the feeder. They watch me from a distance and know exactly when to come and carry off whatever I have left for them to eat...."

Written in a letter from Papa to Samuel, May, 1986
(I transcribe his letters exactly as he has written them, making only a few changes in spelling.)

CHANNELING PAPA

My dad loved, honored and respected crows as one of the most intelligent birds on the planet. As a child, I'd go crow hunting with him fairly regularly. He'd hide me in a rhododendron thicket, give me a gun (which I never shot) and tell me to sit still and wait for the crows to come in once he started calling to them with his crow call.

He had a repertoire of various calls he'd use to lure the crows in; he could imitate a juvenile crow in distress call, a wounded crow, angry crows after a hawk, flirtatious calls, a dying crow, etc. He knew which one to use at whatever time in order to pull the wool over the savy birds' eyes in order to bring them his way.

A couple of times, Papa let me try to participate in the calling, but I just didn't have his talent, and his frustration at my inability to bring in the crows led me to quit trying. However, when he gave me his crow call several years back, I knew he wanted me to try again and again. And so I have since his death.

Day before yesterday when I got home, there was a group of crows in the pine trees at the end of the side yard. I fetched the crow call and listened closely to their exchanges. Then, I gave it a shot. I didn't do anything fancy like Daddy used to; I just listened and responded, trying to make the same sounds the crows were making in the tops of the pine trees.

Much to my surprise, every one of them started cawing right back at me. We did a call / response thing for probably 30 minutes until I gave up. It takes some pulmonary stamina to maintain the repetition and level of their call. ( I'll attribute breathing techiques in yoga to my ability to sustain my end of the avian conversation.)

Boy, it was neat! and I was excited!! I just couldn't believe I finally succeeded in calling in the crows. What I most wanted to do was call up my dad and let him listen over the phone. Then I realized that through them, Papa was talking to me. The lively conversation, the playfulness of the crows, and their seeming desire to connect with me lets me know all's well with Papa as he embraces his new existence in the world of spirit.

Thanks be....Namasté...

(Art Credit: "Talking to Crows" by Louise Louviere)

TO DO'S FOR THE SUMMER

Since tomorrow is the last day I officially have to be in the office, I've been thinking about what it is that I REALLY want to get done this summer. As any Virgo (I'm a double Virgo at that!), I've begun to put my list together:

I want to...

~go home to Boone and spend some time in the mountains

~hang out with my kids (a week in Vermont will be my special vacation with them)

~clean out the basement and make paper (a leftover from last summer's list)

~clean out the garage (ditto to above)

~type on Daddy's letters every day

~do as much work for Cuba as possible

~stay on top of the weeds (an annual chore for the list)

~get my Etsy shop up and running

~read a couple of books

~exercise (a top priority...other things on the list may not get done, but I HAVE to get my body moving)

~watch some good movies

~organize and sort / clear out closets (a leftover from so many years back I can't count them)

~sew a couple of things

~work on the Arts & Humanities series a bit...

The list will expand as I have more time at home to see the many things I can't think of at the moment.

My decision for Wednesday, however, is to take my first day off and do as little as possible!

FATHER'S DAY

Yesterday on the phone, I told my sister I hadn't allowed myself to do much thinking about what Father's Day would be like without Papa around this year. It's not that I hadn't thought about the day as it approached; I just didn't want to acknowledge Papa's not going to be on the other end of the phone when I call home this afternoon.

As I watched the tribute to Tim Russert on TV this morning, I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. I feel sorry for all the Russert family, in particular, for his son, Luke. I know what it's like today not to have my father here to talk to. I'm lucky he lived 55 years of my life.

But as I write this, the music of the birds flitting about outside and the crow calling in the distance bring Daddy close by my side. The sun's out on this glorious morning, and some of the seeds I planted last week are peeping through the ground. If Papa were here at the farm, he'd be sitting out on my back deck, taking in every movement in the brush, every bird in the sky, every cat in the field. As I walked down to my sparsely planted garden a minute ago, I could see Zeb in my mind. I'm sure he'd remark about how pitiful the beds look at the moment, but he'd be glad I have a few things in the ground nonetheless.

I'm going to pull out Daddy's crow call and slingshot later on today. I've been studying the sound of the crows, listening carefully to their calls and "singing" them in my mind. Now, I just have to see if I can imitate them with the crow call. I've also been picking up round rocks to use in the slingshot. My goal is to hit a special place on the barn, a place I watehed Daddy nail countless times from the back porch. Then, I'm going to devote the afternoon to typing away at his stories as I get them in electronic form.

I want him near me all day today....I want to sit in the silence and hear him give thanks over Sunday lunch....I want to hear his dry-witted chuckle....I want to see him feeding his squirrels....I want to leave a lipstick kiss on the top of his head....I want to hear him over and over in my mind telling me "I love you, sweetheart."

I am thankful for this day and for many blessings, one of the greatest of which is to have been "Zeb's girl."

(Daddy and me - Summer, 2005)

TOUCHY FEELY

TOUCHY FEELY

Solo Exhibition - Joe Davis

Utah State University - Logan, UT

FUN IN LOUISVILLE, KY

Despite the fact those of us you see in the photo had our heads squashed between headsets or our eyes crossed reading composition after composition for 8 hours every day at the AP Reading in Spanish in Louisville, KY for the past week, we managed (with very little effort, really) to have an absolutely GREAT time.

Here's the secret to our fun---We hung out "a lo cubano!"...Despite the incredibly poignant and tragic story each one has to tell about leaving his / her beloved tropical paradise, these folks know how to live life to the fullest and laugh and dance and tell jokes and love / respect each other deeply.

Let's see...we ate in a Cuban restaurant twice....we sang and danced at the Cuban restaurant for most of both evenings...we went to Churchill Downs twice, the last time thinking we would watch history in the making if Big Brown won the Triple Crown...(he came in last, much to our chagrin, especially since we all had purchased Big Brown memorabilia just in case he made history) and, we even went to the Louisville Slugger Museum (surprisingly interesing) and the KY Arts & Craft Guild (quite nice).

Here's our parting group shot, taken just a few minutes before we all went our separate ways...OH! rumor has it that Ileana will celebrate her 50th birthday in March...The cubanos adoptivos might just have to go to Houston to help her celebrate!

Photo - Front Row---Yoli (Venezuela), Inés (Cuba) - - -Back Row --- Ignacio (Cuba), Ileana (Cuba), Ysidoro (Cuba), Tanyita y Ricardito (Cubanos adoptivos)

PEACE .....

(photo by Tanya, - Spring, 2008)

If you haven't checked out One Million Peace Signs lately, take a gander. (link on the right of the blog)...Some pretty neat photos..

SEASONAL DISCOMFORT

A.... AACCHHOOO! AACCHHOOO! AACCHHOOO!

L.....LOTS and LOTS of Kleenex piling up in the trash can beside the computer...

L.....LITTLE or no relief in sight....

E.....EXTRA doses of Rescue Remedy, Stinging Nettles, and Feverfew...

R.....RED, swollen eyes...

G.....GRASS, HAY, WEEDS...all things that produce offensive little pollens....

I......ITCHING eyes, ITCHING roof of the mouth, ITCHING ears, ITCHING throat...

E....EERGH !!!!

S.....Sneeze, snort, sniffle...sneeze, snort, sniffle... sneeze, sneeze...snort, sniffle...

It's so, so pleasant.....

MAJESTIC PEONIES

It's peony time here at The Farm, and it's a banner year for these majestic flowers. Last evening, I cut a bouquet and brought them in for the dining room table centerpiece, and this morning, they've filled out spectacularly.

Although many, many people talk about the sweet scent of the peonies, I, who pridesmyself with having a KEEN sense of smell, can never smell these flowers. I don't know why my olfactory sensors never pick up on peonies, but I don't smell a thing with them in the house.

I'm waiting for the deep, deep magenta bush to open, and once it does, I'll post a shot of it as well.

Also, there's more farm news to report since we have two new cats here (making a total of 8 felines). Brett's cats survived a 16 hour airplane ride from California and arrived at The Farm in the wee hours Saturday morning. We welcome Oscar and Felix to their new home. I'll post a few photos if they ever get up the courage to come out from under the couch long enough to pose.

Off to head outside....It's another glorious morning!!

I GOT "BUZZED" THIS AFTERNOON

After I finished watering the lower beds this afternoon where I had just planted some squash and eggplant, I was lost in thought about how I was going to repair several leaks in my garden hose, leaks that delayed the watering process for a good thirty minutes and soaked me in the process. When I got about half way up to the house, a loud, in fact a very loud and rather strong, bzzzzzzz interrupted my thoughts and engulfed me from every direction. At that very moment, I realized I was literally in the middle of a swarm of bees, millions of bees...so many bees that I could barely see in front of me, so many bees that I felt a bee breeze from all the flying taking place around me.

For a very brief moment, I was quite flattered with the thought that these little creatures might have considered me their "queen" for the afternoon, but that quickly passing thought transformed into a level of PANIC as I realized it appeared these frantic little insects with stingers looked like they wanted to land on ME !!!!!!! YIKES!!!

Time stood still. In a matter of no more than 3 seconds, I contemplated racing into the house (that would mean a swarm of bees inside the house!), screaming bloody murder (frightened bees many times STING!), and wondering if was going to be one of those people who wear bee beards at the local Honey Festival (I've never had any desire to wear bees!).

Every cell in my body rang the panic alarm, but in the back of my mind, I heard my own voice, telling the kids to be like a rock when the bees buzzed around them. So that's what I did; I stood absolutely still and pretended I was a huge (and petrified!!-no pun intended) rock that held no appeal whatsoever for the millions of bees buzzing around me.

As quickly as they came to check me out, they took in unison. I suppose the real queen flew by, and her admirers realized I was not the woman of their passion and devotion. THANK GOD!!!

My trembling legs got me to the house, where I promptly opened a bottle of wine and toasted to my good luck. I did venture out a few minutes later to see if I could locate the swarm, but the bee clan apparently decided to move on, and that was totally OK by me !!!!!