GT

Sometime ago, in October,  I was finally able to have to remodel the only bathroom in the Old  cottage on Bonnet  Street .  It was to take about three weeks .   I decided to stay at my parents home, for after all, we still had the dreaded task of cleaning out the house.  The days were warm, when I left.  The chrysanthemums and and roses were blooming.  The confederate  rose was simply boasting .  . .   so were the trees.   

I was  industrious from the first day I  arrived .   . .determined to accomplish as much as possible, during my stay.    Internet services had been terminated  at the house, in the weeks before-and the only television used an antenna.  I would surely stay focused on the task at hand.   

Three weeks later, the house was mostly packed up.   At first, I worked with zeal, knowing my sisters would be glad that I could help in this way.    .   .but my passion was sometimes stifled by memories sparked by things like a butter dish or a hammer. 

At last the boxes were sent to their   destinations  The renovation at the rabbit patch turned out to require much more extensive work than expected. 

The neighbors visited regularly and brought food. kind words and helped in tremendous ways with  the physical work.  We laughed and cried together and my love and appreciation for them increased daily. 

When the house had been sorted out, I turned my thoughts to Thanksgiving, for it loomed just ahead.  My children and I, opted to have it in the family home -one last time.   It was unusually warm before the holiday and with the the packing up  mostly done, The boxer and I “took to the woods”.   We had encountered several visits from “Jack Frost”  after all and   so I decided to make a footpath for the grandchildren, in the small woods behind my parents.  I feel so at  home in woodlands.   

.The boxer seemed to be ailing, I noticed in those days.

Jennys’ younger daughter, my dear Brynn, had a typical virus, as did Lyla,. in  October.    A few weeks passed, and strange symptoms appeared in Brynn.  By Thanksgiving, Brynn was in a wheelchair.  Specialists were consulted and agreed that Brynn would recover, but what a harrowing time, that was!   Lyla was so worried for her sister.  On the eve of Thanksgiving we planned to get up early and prepare a special breakfast for the family.  Lyla made the biscuits!    While the bacon was cooking, We made real hot chocolate and I declare it was a wonderful morning!

After Thanksgiving, I decided to tackle  cleaning out the old smoke house, now a storage barn.  Sister Connie came with my great niece Riley the most content child, I have ever known.  Sister Connie did the heavy work as my back was just barely improving.  We left the place fairly orderly.   . .better than we found it.  Another day, both sisters came.  On that day, we cleaned out the attic in the garage.

Our parents were married for over sixty years and accumilated  a lot of things!

Christmas was approaching and  with the renovation, still in progress,   the project wasn’t close to conclusion. Therefore we gathered again at our Warren house.   I gathered cedar and pine to decorate  the house.  A dear friend and neighbor, Teresa brought me old fashion pepperment  and I used baskets of pine  cones .  Christian bought apples and oranges  .  I loved the simple charm  these ordinary things created when paired. 

Beloved neighbors were invited to suppers  several times, to show my gratitude.  After one meal they took notice of the empty Christmas tree in the living room.  They insisted on stringing lights and I could not  persuade them otherwise.  It was a happy time.  We laughed like children!  What a precious memory that night became.   I used the fruit and candy  to decorate the tree.    It really was lovely!   

The grandchildren  brought homemade gifts and what time and thought  went into  them.  I remain so touched by each one .  So much, that we all vowed to adopt this example.    It  was the most simple Christmas, I have ever had, and yet more meaningful. 

“Cash” the boxer seemed fair at Christmas.  The grand children loved on him-Ryan even made up a game and Cash cooperated to our delight. 

 After that time, I took to making bone broth with carrots and oregano (a ine antibiotic)  Cash was loving all the food I prepared.  He happily ate and all seemed well.  

The bathroom was completed in mid January.  I had been away, close to three months!  Now, I would return to the rabbitpatch where more work  surely awaited. 

Golden memories were made and lessons were learned during my stay.  I had received love from all directions and played in the woods.   I learned patience is a  valuable virtue .  I saw the sun rise and the sun set.  . .and the winter sky at night, is a thing to behold.   

When Christian picked me up to go home, it was snowing!