I have not painted a single thing, this past week-nor cleaned any place out.  I did pull grass daily and every other day, I hung clothes on the line.  This week was filled with visits with loved ones. 

I was in Elizabeth City until Friday.  The little girls and I did all sorts of things.  Lyla helped with chores and little Brynn is very eager to do what she can.  We made a dessert together-old fashion banana pudding-and told our stories, but more than anything else, there was “Biscuit”, that adorable beagle puppy. 

He occupied a good deal of our time.  We were  outside a lot, but the heat was just awful.  When Biscuit was tired of playing and had “done puppy business” we went in.  He is likely to steal whatever any one left unattended.  It can be a shoe or a stuffed toy-anything he can carry.  He dashes off , madly and I had to hide my amusement at the sight of it.  Brynn was especially cute holding  that puppy -and Lyla is so motherly tending to him.  I felt so privileged to witness the first days with Biscuit and the little girls.  I wondered how many secrets he would know, as the seasons passed, how many heartbreaks he would heal . . . and what lessons would he teach.  Dogs do all of those things. 

Not long after I came back to Bonnet Street, Mama and I went to see cousin Chris and wife Aino. They have a lovely piece of rural property, very private .  There is an old barn, a new shed and a patch of woods . . . and a small lumber yard.  I fell in love with the place . Aino showed me her flowers and herbs.  We had a delightful time and left with fresh corn. 

Sister Delores and niece  Dana came a day or so later .   We celebrated with a country supper of fried chicken, summer squash, fried green tomatoes and a peach cobbler.  One of the “twin cousins” stopped by and joined us.    It was a happy time. 

The next day, I gathered with friends-two friends that have  shared life with me for thirty years!    We had a breakfast at  Janets’home and toured her splendid gardens Later, we were siting on the banks of a creek talking like only old friends can, and on a whim, decided to visit some thrift stores.  We loaded up and off we went.  I finally found a cake plate cover . I had needed one for a year or more-and Janet and Rae found some things too.  We are all thrifty by nature, so it was the perfect outing.  

On Sunday, the kids came home.  I was up early, preparing  for a “Sunday dinner”.  The dishes reflected the season-there was corn, cucumber salad,  and slaw from a fresh cabbage.  I also made macaroni and cheese and an ice cream pie.  Mama made iced tea to complete a traditional summer meal. No one left hungry or complaining.  It was a relaxed and happy time.  I do cherish such occasions.

  On Monday, I left for Raleigh.  I had four days there and goodness, it was another happy time.  Little Ryan is still quite small for his age, but as agile as can be.  His imagination has been allowed to flourish and so he pretends a lot of things.  He is a good brother and Banks, at eight months now, adores him.  Banks looks like a little doll and is trying to walk.  He pulls up on whatever is available.  He has a toy that he can walk behind as he pushes  it along.  Sydneys’ mom came over for a visit and together we tended to the children, while Sydney ran errands.  We are a good team, we agreed.   

I arrived  back at the rabbitpatch on Thursday evening. The old crepe myrtle eas blooming- and so was the young one that I discovered last year. The flowers are showy and fragrant.   They boast until frost and who could blame them?  The thorned vines on the fence took full advantage of my absence-and grass grew, where it ought not to. At least, all of the flowers and bushes were alive and well.  Mama and I went to visit Aunt Christine and Uncle Gene, a few days later  I am blessed-so many folks to love and to be loved by.  We looked at old pictures, that Mama had found. That was fun and how good to see pictures of my great,great grandparents.-and their siblings.  It was a nice visit. Second cousins were there-and a baby third cousin.

I can scarce take in the state of the world these days.  In general, society is different now and  have unfamiliar ways to me.  There may be an abundance of knowledge, but there is a lack wisdom.  It is a somber affair  just to read the news. 

Under such circumstances,  it is especially fine to be in “good company”.  It is pleasant to have  conversations with substance.   . .and to celebrate such things as a babys’ first steps.  All of the angry noise of the world hushes in the moments spent on the banks of a  a creek or in a friendly home.  Not once did anyone use an app to answer a question, instead we talked to one another., with lilting voices and expression.  I am not against technology, but it has replaced a lot of  things, that if we don’t make an effort ,  are just lost. 

I remember asking the elders how to make a certain dish.  I can still hear their voices, explaining the procedures, telling me who had taught them and which uncle loved it.  Likewise, children were not treated like a science project  for nobody looked at charts about development, instead we asked an experienced aunt . . .and babies were held,  not carried around in a plastic contraption to be set in a floor while the adults talked. 

Rest assured, that I enjoy the many benefits of a life lived today . . but oh, how it restores my spirit  to be with loved ones that remember, as I do . . .  a different way.