Happy as a Lark

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

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The new year is almost “old news” now.  Parties have ceased and supper has resumed  in routine to ordinary food in ordinary dishes.  The children at school are not nearly as shocked with the year being 2020, as I am.  I never even got over the year being 2000!  It is still  as unbelievable to me, as it was in my youth, to imagine.

New Years day was as clear a day as I have ever seen.  It was chilly enough to warrant a coat.  I was cooking cabbage by seven and rolling pastry out shortly after for the big pot of stewed chicken.  Today, we were having a mid day meal at “Aunt Js'” home. which is only five minutes from Will and Jennys’ home. 

Aunt J is Wills’ aunt, and was  the sister of his mother, ” Miss Claudia”.  I liked her the first time I met her.   She was a teacher and eventually ended up  becoming a principle, before her retirement.  It seems, she has also had a hand in tending to every child born in the family, as well.   I can say with all certainty . . that everybody loves Aunt J.

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We all enjoyed the meal.  Brynn ate black eyed peas, cabbage and chicken & pastry along with the rest of us . . .Lyla, ate a jelly sandwich, for she is a picky eater.  She eats a lot of fruit and vegetables too, though she has no idea about the vegetables, for Jenny has become an expert at hiding things like spinach in her diet.  

Since Aunt J was sick at Christmas, this day we exchanged presents.  Poor Aunt J was already struggling with the first Christmas without her sister.  She had already cried, because I made that “orange ambrosia” that she and Miss Claudia loved-now, she cried again, when she got several framed pictures of Miss Claudia, in her first gift.  I encouraged her to open my gift knowing soap and candy were not likely to make her cry.  We did all laugh about that, later.

We had pie for dessert. It was a chess pie made with a recipe from Sydneys’ dad.  I had never cooked from this recipe, but had heard Jasons’ praises sung, often about this pie-amongst other things.  I had even interrupted their dinner, the night before in quite a state because neither of my pies had “set” and I was sure they never would . . .but they did, as Jason had said they would , as he was having dinner.

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As soon as we got back, Jenny got Brynn to sleep, and I fixed a plate for Miss Thelma.  This time I would stay long enough to visit.  

By the time I got back, Brynn was awake and Will had fallen asleep.  I had to return to work on Thursday, so I left, to get back to the rabbitpatch,  before dark.  

I was welcomed with open arms – and paws.  The “icing on my cake” was that Tres would be there shortly, as well.  He had left Wilmington . . .with all he owned, so he wasn’t going back anytime soon.  I can not scarce take it in . . .Tres will be here a few weeks, until his move to Elizabeth City, to start school in January.  Sometimes I get to say this . . “I am happier than any lark, ever dared to be!”   . . .Today, was one of those times!

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If you visit the rabbitpatch regularly, you are well aware that I go “kicking and screaming” in to modern notions.   I do not rush headlong into every new way of doing things, for sometimes I get that option.  To me, trends are too temporary and hold little allure for me, whether it is fashion or hairstyles or contraptions which are outdated quickly.   . . until now.  The first time that my “pride went before a fall” was in April.  Brant and Tres bought me a firestick for my birthday.  Brant installed the thing and I cancelled my very expensive cable service immediately.  Now I could watch my old movies and documentaries for FREE!  I could watch artists paint and listen to lectures . . and it didn’t cost me a dime!!  I am still liable to applaud if someone asks if I like it!  . . .Well, it has happened again.

For several years, I have told my children, not to buy me gifts.  One day, I am going to move and I might want new towels to match the kitchen or a rose bush to plant in the spring.  Jenny never listens and neither do the rest of them.  This year Jenny gave me some version of “an Alexa”.  Jenny has had one for a few years and frankly, I saw little use for the thing at first.  Then, Lyla and I started to listen to music as we baked and that softened my attitude, somewhat.  Then, I liked that I could ask what those odd terms that the British use in recipes, really meant.  Jenny asked about the weather, and I liked that too.  So . . . Tres installed the thing . . .and I immediately asked about the weather.  I set an alarm and woke to gentle chimes instead of  the usual blasting and frantic serenade, I was used to.   Now, the thing has a lot of sophisticated features that I may never use, but when I am washing dishes and wondering about things like tulips or who wrote “The Catcher in the Rye” . . .Well, the thing knows all of that.   . .and how the “Dog Star” got its’ name, too.  The biggest selling point is that “Yo-Yo Ma”  will play the cello at the “drop of a Hat” if I but beckon.  

It seems “an old dog can learn new tricks”   -it may just take a little longer.

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On Saturday morning, I woke to a howling wind and rain.  I didn’t care, for Tres was home , , ,I took great joy in that.  For many years, Tres lived in Wilmington and I never saw him enough to suit me.  He will leave this week end to get settled in Elizabeth City, to further his education. I have known this for months, but it just seemed too good to be true. 

Last night, Tres, Kyle and Christian were here and the farmhouse, felt like it used to  – in those beautiful days,  before the children  grew and scattered. So on this morning, I let the thing wash over me all over  again.   . .just like the rain, outside of the window, by the “morning table”.  It would be a few hours before any of them stirred, anyway,  I made coffee and settled in to bask in the goodness of this morning.

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After breakfast, Tres, had several projects in mind for the old farmhouse.  He started on one straight away.  He has  more plans that will take up the whole week.  They are all long overdue repairs, but I haven’t an inkling of any sort of business that involves tools.  The Warren family  is composed of two types of people . . .mostly -artists, mainly writers and musicians . . .or mechanics.  It seems you get one or the other capability.   Family reunions meant every hood was raised and motors checked, while some of us were singing,  Of course, I was singing.

The week end rushed by, as it  always does.  Tres and Christian had eaten well, tackled several projects and we all shared lively conversations.  On Monday, I regretted having to go back to work, but I did notice, that I actually had a spring in my step as I walked out the door.  I had a good supper planned and would look forward to that time all day.   . . 

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23 thoughts on “Happy as a Lark”

  1. I settle back for a cozy read when I see your post coming up. This one is beautiful. Your people are delightful, even those who cry. How wonderful that Elizabeth City will boast one more loved character in your writing!

    I’m so glad you like your Alexa. I curtail my use when John is near, because he is highly distrustful of her. I particularly like setting a timer in the kitchen without touching anything.

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  2. Oh Rabbit…I can’t believe you have gone soft.. .Alexa? Pooh! I can think of ways it would be helpful ..but I can also see where it is part of the dumbing down of America.(we don’t need to learn anything..Alexa knows)
    Having our sons home is the icing on the cake. My #2 came in the day after Christmas and goodness..we all enjoyed getting together that much more. The grands loved their Uncle Ray and did not want him to go back to parts unknown to us. He patched the roof leak around the fireplace …but a 4″ rain still filled the firebox up. Not his fault just really heavy rain. Hasn’t this weather been crazy?
    Do pray for our friends “down under” things are pretty hot down there…animals too are suffering terribly.

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    1. Hahaha! Beverly, my Alexa is just a fancy radio, timer and alarm clock-but she may have to answer a few questions! You are funny! I am so glad you have your family. They are our happiness atrnt they? Ttres has been doing repairs to this old house and I am so grateful! I am praying for Austrailia too. thank you love Michele

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  3. Your after Christmas post resonated with me. Thank you. I loved reading about your family members coming and going and settling back to ‘normal’ food, although your pies sound wonderful, and not at all ordinary.

    I sometimes wonder if I should have tried harder to keep up with technology. Your Alexis sounds like the Google World thing my husband bought after a weekend visit to my sister and her husband. He was impressed by theirs. He uses it often, and I love how easy it is to play music I love.

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    1. Hi Maureen! I am often tardy in replying, so forgive me- Thank you for your kind words for they brightened my day. You are right that an Alexa is like the google world, The music feature is worth having one. thank you again-

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  4. Yay for Tres coming home and yay for an old dog learning new tricks. It seems to me that we can value what is good about the past while at the same time looking forward to what is good about the present.

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      1. My pleasure! I like old-timey things, but I wouldn’t want to be without electricity and many other blessings of modern life. Now, if we can develop technology so that we can have some comforts without destroying the planet. That is my dream.

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  5. People are often hesitant to embrace new technologies.
    Someone talked once of something that would change our lives forever, things would never be the same, and they lamented at the number of jobs and things of the past that we would no longer have.
    I couldn’t help but think of the farrier, as he watched the new-fangled horseless carriages putt by.
    There are fewer farriers these days, owing to the advance of the machines.
    And they all drive trucks.
    I watch native Inuits in their traditional garb, speaking their own languages, telling stories of dogsleds and seal hunts, living in the yurt.
    Then they go out and hop on a snowmobile I am envious of.
    I watched a monk in Tibet, in his red robe, sitting on the floor of the temple, praying.
    Then he pulled out his cell phone.

    Alexa, what’s the definition of neophyte?

    All my best,

    Scott

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    1. You are so right- everything was new once after all. I laugh at myself about it. I guess that I just like to think twice or more if something may change my life-so far I am happy with the Alexa. Really it is a fancy radio, with a timer, for me. Haha! Have been listening to music from the 40s as I peel potatoes! loved your examples of modern life. your fan and friend, Michele

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  7. I like you cannot believe it is 2020. Somehow I’ve been catapulted into the future. It just doesn’t register. I too like to do things as I’ve always done them. I’ve yet to fall to the Alexa thingie. It however does sound tempting in what you described. SO happy for you that your Tres is at home until he goes to school. How wonderful for you! As for those firsts …. they are always the hardest, especially Christmas. Thank God I have that behind me regarding my Mom. Please tell Aunt J it will get better with time. Thank you for another peace-filled, nostalgic post. I so enjoy coming here, Michele!! Much love to you! xo

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  11. There is no more peaceful feeling I believe than when our kids are safely snuggled under our roof, even if just for a night, it is such a wonderful feeling! Happy New Year dear friend, may you have counteless days of being ‘happy as a lark” in 2020….(like you, I’m still astounded by the year 2000, I remember us talking about it in grade school, and how old we would be, but never thought it would actually come, lol!!)

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  12. Pingback: Happy as a Lark — rabbitpatchdiarycom – Sarah's Attic Of Treasures

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