One Happy Day

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

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For the first weekend in a while, I am at the rabbitpatch. We have big plans for Sunday -Daddys’  -eighty fifth  birthday party.  Today, I have a lot of cooking to do, for everyone is coming . . . even little Ryan, who I have not seen since Christmas! 

The windows are up in the old house, for the morning is mild.  The song birds are back in full force and  the air is filled with the sound of spring.  The air smells green and sweet.  The yard is greening in patches . . .and it looks scrappy, for besides the violets, all sorts of  wild flowers are  popping up hither and yonder.  There are wild hyacinths and dandelions and many of the lilies are up, plotting their  dazzling future  .  If this continues, young folks will surely fall in love, as they have through the centuries. . . and I can not blame them.

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Before noon, I had a large pot of brunswick stew ready and a huge pot of chicken and stock ready for pastry.  Since the day was ideal for line drying, I was doing laundry, too.  I am sure the boxer was in shock at my tending to  housework, after weeks of neglect.    

Sometime, in the afternoon, an announcement was made, that the governor had closed all NC schools for the next two weeks.  I am not sure what this means for teachers.  I do know that the groceries have been nothing short of “mad” the last week and many items are scarce.  Churches are even closed, tomorrow.  All gatherings of ” a hundred or more” are to be postponed.  Many folks will be working from home.   Well, Daddy can still have his party, but great precautions are even in place for that. 

I am old and have never seen the likes of this. I am a bit stunned at “the state of the union.”  Whether the panic is justified or not, the climate is full of fear and that fear is  every bit as contagious as the virus.  This is a time to pay special attention to all the conditions.

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Sunday was born with a chill .  The sky was a steel blue and there wasn’t a bit of shine anywhere. In the absence of song birds, the morning was a silent affair. With  the weather as it was, Mama would have a full house today.   

The only thing that I had left to do was to make cole slaw.   In light of that, I read while I drank coffee.  The boxer slept like a contented child and for a little while, there was “peace in the valley”.

Kyle and Christian woke, and the phone started ringing, an hour or so later.  I started chopping cabbage.  I put the boys to work . . . housekeeping, mainly.  They neither one like housekeeping and would have preferred mending the picket fence to dusting, but someone has to dust . . .and I was chopping cabbage.

Just after noon, we drove up to my parents’ house and I was right . . . there was a full house.

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By the time all the food was put out, there wasn’t a square inch of counter space left.  Folks were everywhere, for everyone showed up.  When Brant and Sydney arrived with little Ryan, several of us made a beeline to their car.  Jenny ended up with Ryan, right off.  Somehow, she usually does.   Jenny adores Ryan and I take great joy seeing my children, loving one another . Few things mean as much to me.

Daddy was having a good day, and he smiled and laughed a lot to our delight.. My cousin, Faith showed up and how glad I was to see her.  She hadn’t seen Chuck and Chris and what a sweet thing it was to see my cousins reuniting after many years, for life has a way of separating us.  For a moment the wildness of our childhood came back to me.  We were always full of unbridled something, joy, chaos, adventure and on occasion, fierce opposition-when we were untamed children.  Who knew, that left to our own devices, we would learn the things that mattered to get along in the world.  The adults rarely stepped in to plan an agenda for us or settle our arguments, after all. Tattling was highly discouraged, unless there was danger involved.  Truthfully, looking back, there often was, but somehow, we all lived to grow up anyway.

After the gifts and a pineapple birthday cake, after my cousin Chris’ homemade ice cream and after Aino and my sisters had the kitchen in order . . .we all packed up and  most of us left  with some sort of remnant from the menu.  It had been one happy day.

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With stores empty of mostly everything and schools closed and everyone that can, working from home, this week will be out of the ordinary.  I am going to Elizabeth City on Monday and hopefully, will make a trip to Wake Forest not long after that.   I hope to see my parents . . .well there is little chance of boredom. 

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37 thoughts on “One Happy Day”

  2. Glad to hear your dad is doing well, and enjoyed his party.
    A belated Happy Birthday to him.
    How proud and happy he must be to have such a large and loving circle about him.
    “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
    Look around at the bounty of your father’s harvest.
    You must be proud, too.

    All my best,

    Scott

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  3. A very happy birthday to your father. As for the fear…yes, it is a fearful time, and rightly so. Our bodies have never encountered this virus, and it is a killer. Much, much higher than the seasonal influenza we have a vaccine for. May your entire family stay safe and be well.

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      1. Wow! I’m not quite sure what to say other than thank you very much. That would be a first for me. So nice of you. Take care of yourself during this health scare our country is having. And I send you my best regards. (Steve)

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  5. Hooray! There is a silver lining for you!! You can go to Elizabeth City unexpectedly!!

    I enjoyed the activity before the big birthday bash, and your writing about the celebration itself was most satisfying. I’m so happy everyone was able to be there, despite the virus panic.

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    1. It is a different time Beverly and I do not know what may come, but for now we are all well and taking precautions. I am so glad to have Faith every day and especially now. I pray for this world . . . and mention you by name. love Michele

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  7. Happy birthday to your father! I’m glad you were able to celebrate. As for the grocery stores, I think things will get better once the initial panic buying is over. Our store was still out of toilet paper this morning, and short on meat, but had everything else in at least an adequate supply. And I know a store nearby that had toilet paper yesterday afternoon and evening, so that’s a good sign.
    Like you, I think the fear of this virus is almost as dangerous as the virus. We just have to take a deep breath, follow the government guidelines, and remember that it will all be over eventually!
    Take care, Michele!

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    1. thank you Ann- I think things may calm too, but I have wondered about delivery trucks and what they are up against. This will pass and my heart breaks for the losses, but maybe we will take something from this that helps us in some way. Staay well, my friend. Thank you-love Michele

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  8. I needed to read this today, Michelle. Thank you. I’ve been on this earth for over 60 years and I like you have never seen the likes of this panic that is being displayed. I’m glad to know people are still going about the ways of living. Bless you for setting an example! xo

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  12. Hi my friend. Another great post. This is Peggy from aquietandpeaceablelife blog. My blog was corrupted and I had to start over and get a new computer. I now have started a new blog peggyscountrylife. Just click on my gavatar picture and it will show my new website. I have missed my blogging friends. I was frustrated with wordpress when I tried to salvage my old blog. Sounds as if life is flowing along at the rabbit patch. Much love to you and your family.

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  14. Be careful when you’re out and about, Michele. This thing is serious. I worry you could unknowingly put your Daddy or Miss Thelma at risk. Things are strict up here in Massachusetts. No gatherings of more than ten. Weddings and funerals are dealing with this sad situation. Pretty much everything is closed at least for the next few weeks. It has been a whirlwind of a week! Stay well and stay safe, Michele!

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  15. Happy belated birthday to your dad Michele! How have you been doing these last few weeks? We do not get out much due to this virus thing. My Lincoln kids did get here last weekend and I am so grateful for that! Got to play with the grandson and there is not much better than that.
    Stay healthy Michele!

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    1. Sweet friend, all is well here. We are busy as there is a lot to do here! I am cleaning and writing a lot. Daddy is not a bit better. My grandchildren are quarantined-Brant lives in a “hotspot” Wake County, NC I so hope you are good- Payers for everyone!! What a time!

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  16. What a wonderful family time and I am so happy you were able to have it before the “allowable” number of people gathering in one place dropped so much. As you can see, I am enjoying your blog in this quarantine…a time to catch up on lots around the house and my favorite blogs! I do hope the fear dies down, and pray for the well being of people all over. It is certainly a time to count our blessings and be thankful for the little things in life we often may take for granted. God bless and stay safe and well, you and your loved ones. 🙂

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