Friday, May 3, 2024

How Can He Have Grown Up So Fast?


Lily asked me a few days ago if it would be possible for me to pick up Owen and take him to his eighth grade formal dinner dance that was going to be held tonight. Parental work schedules were not cooperating. Of course I said, "YES!" Not only to be helpful, but also because the opportunity to see my oldest grandson off to his first big social event was not to be passed up. 

You know how much I love that boy. I remember when he was a really little guy and I was taking care of him a lot I used to think, and sometimes say, "I love him too much." 

And I probably love all my grandchildren too much if that's even possible, but it's that first one that flips that grandmother-love switch to ON in the heart. It's that first one that gives you your grandmother name which is fitting, as it was that one who made you a grandmother. 

So I really enjoyed the sweet little ride to the beautiful event location where the dinner and dance are being held. It's on a beautiful piece of land with an old barn where weddings and all sorts of gatherings are held. We talked about being nervous and dancing and if girls asked boys to dance these days (not so much...sigh) and all that stuff. I think he was glad I was the one taking him. I hope he was. I sure did tell him that a lot of girls would want to dance with him because he is tall and handsome and nice and smart and sweet, and, and, and.
He said, "Thank you!" 
And I did not cry until after I'd delivered him to the venue safely and when he got out of the car he said, "I love you, Mer." 
"I love you, Owen," I said. 
And oh, how I do. He is living his life. 

I did more garden work today and pulled a lot more weeds. Not hard work and it wasn't hellish hot but it wearied me. Before I came in to take a shower I picked some kale for a salad and decided to see if there were any beans worth picking. 


Well what do you know? I dug up two potatoes yesterday and I've asked Mr. Moon to dig up a few more so that we can have green beans and potatoes with our dinner. 
I'm pretty excited. 

Last night's soup turned out to be pretty darn good, actually. A dollop of sour cream and the parmesan rinds did not hurt. A few glugs of sherry gave it even more of a more delicate taste. And the bread was delicious. So I do not regret having made that soup. I will point out that there were indeed also fresh things in it- kale and collards and carrots. 

Here are two beautiful things I got in the mail today. 



The book is decorated with embroidery, beads, and I am sure natural dye. Not to mention its own piece of jewelry. Within the handmade paper pages of the book, I found that butterfly, also embroidered and beaded. Wire is involved so it can be shaped. 
As I wrote in an email to the artist, she could not have picked more perfect examples of her artwork to send me. I feel so honored and so known.
I will do my Mary thing and figure out where they belong in this house of objets d'art and amusement. I am pretty sure the butterfly has already told me where she wants to be. 

And so here we are. Clean sheets. First sips of a martini, and now I will go snap those beans and scrub some potatoes. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon


32 comments:

  1. Your garden work is paying off! As for Owen, he is precious beyond measure. As well as tall, handsome and a good worker.

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    1. I have to say that Glen has done at least 75% of the garden work this year.
      You are exactly right- Owen is precious beyond measure.

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  2. Enjoy those gifts and have a sweet night. Owen is so handsome!

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  3. Owen is really a young man now! All dressed up, lovely.
    Enjoy your new things.

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  4. It is a strange feeling to have a grandchild is nearly not a child, isn't it? What a lovely package! I'm sure it brightened your day.

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    1. It did, Debby! It did indeed brighten my day.
      William and Owen are very close to the same age, aren't they?

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    2. William is 13. But it is different now. He is more inclined to do his own thing, not hang out with grandma. Today I set off for a walk. I was shocked that he jumped at the chance to go with me. We had a hour walk and we talked and talked. It was beautiful.

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    3. I completely understand how much that meant to you. Beautiful indeed.

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  5. How lucky you and Owen both are. I don’t think any child can be loved too much. So glad and surprised the soup turned out delicious after yesterday’s description. Those handmade gifts are stunning!

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    1. I don't think any child can be loved too much either if it's a sane and healthy love.
      I wouldn't exactly call the soup delicious but it was not bad! Glen finished it up today for his lunch and said, "Thank you for making us this good soup." He's a sweet man.
      Ms. Liz does good work, doesn't she?

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  6. I am glad the soup turned out well. The book and butterfly are absolutely gorgeous. I have clean sheets today too (Saturday here) but had to go to the laundromat to get them, my 27 years old washing macine died this morning.

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    1. I am so sorry your old washing machine died but you certainly got your money out of it!

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  7. Forgot to say how handsome Owen is now.

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  8. Owen is growing into a handsome young man. Another lovely day in the garden, it sounds like. We're still warming up here, freezing at night and slowly warming during the day. I have pumpkins coming up in the kitchen and my tomatoes are getting too big for the kitchen table. Soon.

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    1. I'm glad you've got your seedlings going. They offer promise, don't they?

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  9. Your garden is producing well. The fresh homegrown veggies look outstanding. It appears you are well supplied. Owen is handsome, hardworking, responsible and caring. An ideal combination. Your love and support of him is outstanding. His future is bright. All kids need a Mer in their life. The gifts you received are beautifully crafted. You have a very thoughtful good friend.

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    1. We will indeed be well-supplied here very soon.
      I am so very proud of Owen. His mother tells me that he can be less than perfect at times although I find that hard to believe. And I am so glad that Owen has a Mer in his life because that means I have an Owen in mine.
      Aren't those gifts beautiful?

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  10. Oh gosh, I hope Owen had a good time at the dance. I remember how scared I felt when I went to the 8th grade dance. I wore a padded bra and was worried that it would smoosh flat if a boy tried to slow dance too close!

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    1. He did have a good time!
      Oh gosh. Padded bras. Do they still make those?
      Did yours get smushed? What a terrible worry that would have been.

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  11. green beans and potatoes! that's what we had last night. I had enough beans picked and my neighbor, the one who cut my ditch, who works for a farmer came to the door with a big bag of freshly dug potatoes still with the dirt on them. and what a special gift from Liz.

    as for Owen, that boy. he'll be a man soon and what a man he will be.

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  12. I can't believe Owen is off to a formal dinner/dance! I don't remember having any formals in the eighth grade, but it's possible we had them and I just didn't go. I do remember a few middle school dances involving shiny disco shirts. But anyway, Owen looks great and I'm sure it was bittersweet seeing him off on a true teenager event.

    The book and butterfly are beautiful. And yes, they are very YOU.

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    1. We didn't have anything formal going on in what we called Jr. High either. We did have very casual dances, generally in the cafeteria. We were way before disco shirts.
      Steve- it was SO bittersweet. You remember the little Owen. He'll be as tall as you soon, I think.
      Didn't Liz do a good jo of sending me what I'd love?

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  13. Oh, my god does he look grown-up! I hope he had a wonderful time. Those dances can be anxiety producing, I think, for both the girls and the boys. But oh so much fun!

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  14. I know we have many things in common, Mrs. Moon! But I sure didn't know cheese rinds in soup was one of them. Cool!!

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  15. I look at that picture of Owen and think, "I wonder if he will grow into his feet!" He has a very good understanding! If he takes after his Grandpa, he definitely will!

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    1. I'm thinking. He's already wearing bigger shoes than his daddy.

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