Friday, November 20, 2020

Just A Very Good Day


 Today was the perfect antidote to yesterday's in-town stress and anxiety and resulting exhaustion. This morning Jessie texted and asked if I'd like to go to a park or the Jr. Museum with them or hiking or something and I said that yes, I would, but I'd also love to have them out here because I am lazy as hell. She said they'd like that very much and so out they came and it was just a sweet day. 

August and I seemed to reach a new level in our relationship today. It started when we were in the driveway, sort of looking for treasure but sort of just hanging out. The boys had shovels and trowels and were scraping at the hard ground and finding little chips of glass and old china and I got a chair and just sat down so that Jessie and I could chat, which we did. She was sitting on the ground and August came and draped himself around her, mostly on her lap and finally she said, "August, this isn't very comfortable for me." 
"Come sit on my lap," I said, patting the cushiony comfort of my legs. I was not expecting him to take me up on my offer. As I have said before, August isn't a big snuggler but up he came, and there he sat for the longest time. I scratched his back which all little children love and which actually, all of us love. I often say that we do not realize how itchy our backs are until someone scratches them for us. We are apes at heart, are we not? And as such, we don't do nearly enough social grooming. Levon came and joined us for awhile, squeezing in next to his brother and I was in complete heaven. 


Eventually, it was lunch time and we all came into the house and ate various leftovers and peanut butter and honey and raisin sandwiches. Juice and graham crackers for dessert. And then it was book time. We read another two chapters of "Charlotte's Web" and "The Very Best Nest" and "Babar's Cousin: That Rascal Arthur" which we had never read and enjoyed tremendously. We agreed that it was a fine book and we were glad we'd read it. Levon had lost interest after "The Very Best Nest" and he and Jessie went out to play some more but August wanted to look at my big mermaid book again. This is a coffee table book that May got me one year for Christmas and August loves to look at all the mermaid pictures. We discussed the various mermaids from around the world and throughout history and I tried to explain what myths and legends are and we talked about the pictures and what they might mean and it reminded me so much of looking at my grandfather's big National Geographic book about early man. Granddaddy didn't read it to me- it was way too dense for a child of my age- but we talked about the pictures and what they might mean. A magical place from which my imagination to leap and I still remember that with a fierce fondness. 

I felt that way today with August. Like we were making a bond or strengthening a bond that has been forming between us since he was born but which has had to be nurtured slowly and organically. I never want to be a granny who demands kisses or hugs. That is wrong on so many levels. Nor do I want to pretend to be a character whom I am not in order to please children. I want my relationships with my grandchildren to be like my relationships with my children and my friends- based on our real selves and a mutual enjoyment of our company together. Otherwise- what's the point? 

But okay, yeah, yeah. I do give them M&M's as a going-away treat because I want them to love me so I need to get off my high horse and admit that truth. 
I am a grandma after all. 


Here's August explaining something to me while I was taking the clothes off the line. 


It may have been about his trophies, one of which he got for sewing "faster than a sewing machine!" 
Mmmm. Okay. 
No worries about his imagination. 

When Jessie and the boys were in the car and ready to go, August said to his mother, "Did you know that sometimes when I am talking to you I am talking to myself?"

She looked at me and I looked at her and we both laughed. Because...yeah. 
And then Levon added something about "toots" to the conversation which I am sure was hysterical because toots are never not funny. 
And off they drove. 
"I love you! I love you!" 

And I came in and made my cranberry relish and put the clean sheets on the bed. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon

34 comments:

  1. I imagine Mer's house is way better than the Jr. Museum what with chickens and tractors and digging and treasure. your mermaid book made me think of the Magritte book I had of color plates of his paintings that my grandkids loved to look at when they were little. also made me think of my Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I love that Pressed Fairy book! I've never met anyone who knows about it too! Isn't it delightful? And so funny too!

      Delete
    2. Well, Mer's house does not have wolves and eagles and foxes, etc. But I do have all of that other stuff.
      I don't think I've ever seen the Pressed Fairy Book.
      Hmmmm...

      Delete
    3. Wow, I just saw this. I have the Pressed Fairy Book too! Love it!

      Delete
    4. what fun. I've never known anyone else who had it either.

      Delete
  2. An excellent day! August looks like a serious little man. Thanks for sharing the sweetness of your day and family with us. Your grandkids give me so much hope for the future. Much love.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Barbara. They give me hope for the future too. And August is a fairly serious guy. But he does enjoy a good laugh.

      Delete
  3. stop the clock- look how grown up August appears to be! What a kid- He might like some phots of Alexander Queen's creations or of the Japanese kids who put really great outfits together to just walk around, they are so imaginative and cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. August is changing so fast. I am astounded. He did ask me to make him another dress yesterday when he was over.

      Delete
  4. The mermaid book sounds like the perfect gift for my grandson’s family where my young great-granddaughter loves mermaids and books with equal enthusiasm. Can you tell us the author? When I looked online i couldn’t decide which fit your description. You have a wonderful family. Love the photos of those beautiful grandchildren. And the chickens too. Miss the little flock we had years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Gene. The name of the book is "Mermaids, Nymphs of the Sea" and the text author is Theodore Gachot. I hope that helps.

      Delete
  5. May his eloquence never be taken from him in all the places it can happen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautifully perfect day! August looks more and more like his Dad every day......spitting image. and Levon looks so much like Jessie....... how much they love Mer......and Mer loves them......it is just a joy to see and absorb through your words and sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can definitely see Vergil and his side of the family in August. Levon? Not sure.
      And loving those boys and being loved by them is one of the greatest joys I could have ever imagined. Same with all of my grandchildren.

      Delete
  7. Lovely post. We hear of The American Dream and sometimes I think that you are living it Mary. Not a dream of fast cars, smart suits and huge TV screens but a dream of simple, homely things and of love and understanding and hope for the future - embodied in your children and grandchildren. Speaking of grandchildren - what's with August's harsh haircut? Has he just come out of the state penitentiary?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I often feel as if I am definitely living THE dream, whether American or not. I have all of the things that truly matter, right here in my house and yard. I am so very lucky.
      As to Augusts haircut- his mama does what he asks her to do when it comes to cutting that hair. I do grieve for those beautiful curls he used to have.

      Delete
  8. What a thinker August is. And how good to have that day. You really know how to enjoy a good day, and realize when you're in one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's it exactly, Boud- I try to be aware of the moments that are so very precious.

      Delete
  9. Sounds like a great day indeed. August is pretty insightful for such a young kid! It warms my heart to see him running around barefoot. Reminds me of my own childhood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet that August is a lot like you were as a child in many ways. And barefoot is always best if you can get away with it.

      Delete
  10. You are a lucky grandma! We know the years fly by so quickly so we take joy in the special moments along the way.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yep. Perfect day.

    I completely agree about not demanding hugs and kisses from grandchildren. Just happy hellos and good-byes; let them take the lead on how they wish to interact or not. You do have to love the stream-of-consciousness conversations the young ones come up with at times, even--or maybe especially--the ones not intended for anyone else.

    ReplyDelete
  12. August's imagination seems just wonderful - which is the way it should be isn't it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. A lovely day, well spent. Here, we're living with a little guy who is in isolation because his uncle was kind enough to expose him to covid, not knowingly but still, people, come on all already.

    Miss Katie's in lockdown and the little guy is in isolation. Fucking hell.

    I think I'd rather be in Florida, hanging with you and the chickens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Florida has one of the worst rates of COVID. No one where I live wears masks or social distances properly so I only go outside to retrieve groceries or take out trash. Ms Moon is lucky to have a private yard for herself, chickens and visitors. I am sorry about the little guy and Katie I hope both will be okay.

      Delete
    2. e is correct- I am so lucky.
      And I am so very, very sorry that you've been blindsided with these new developments. Dear god. This is so hard.

      Delete
  14. What a nice time you and the boys had! Loved all the books too.

    ReplyDelete

Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.