A Sunday Equinox

Yes another picture of a hurricane lily. This one popped up in a place where I'd never seen any before and that always baffles me. It happens frequently. How in the world do they spread? Anyway, I liked the way the picture shows the little slipper-shaped anthers and in the spirit of honesty, I had to look that up. I'm pretty sure I did a science project in the 7th grade entitled, "The Parts of a Flower" and thus, must have known what an anther was then but I have long since forgotten that little factoid and by next month, I will have forgotten it again.  

Hank and Rachel came over today to discuss wedding things. Those two have got this figured out! I mean, from the caterers to the flower arrangements to the DJ to the coloring sheets that they're going to put at a table with crayons for kids to color. "Dress the Bride and Groom!" "Decorate the Wedding Cake!" 
I am so impressed. 
Rachel had asked our group if anyone had a necklace that she might borrow for the wedding and I was happy to volunteer whatever I have. So while they were here we did a little survey of my necklaces and I do have some pretty ones. They are, for the most part, not very valuable in the monetary sense, but they are beautiful and have a lot of sentimental value for me. She liked one the best but took a few others to try on with her dress. The one that caught her eye right away is one that Lis gave me for my birthday this year. Lis has the best taste in jewelry and she knows me. This necklace has lavender stones and lavender is one of their colors. Hank wants me to fix him up a pocket square to go with his suit jacket. Something from his mama and I am pondering that. 
Y'all! This is going to be a big deal wedding! Please remind me to carry a handkerchief because there will be tears. 

Just as they were leaving, the Weatherfords showed up. They were on their way to the river to do some kayaking but stopped by so that Vergil could help Glen sight the crossbow or something like that. It is crossbow hunting season and so it is time for Vergil to fill their freezer. And Mr. Moon, too. Just as with fishing, there are very specific days that deer may be taken and there are doe days and buck days. Does are preferred for meat around here. While the fellas did the crossbow thing, Levon and August came inside to play games and wheedle treats out of me. I had opened the freezer for something and August said, "Do you have any treats in there?"
"Well, yes. I do," I said. I had bought some organic Healthy Choice fudge bars last week and I offered one to August and gave him one to take to his brother who was outside at the moment. A little while after that, Levon came in having eaten his fudge bar and asked if he could have a peanut butter, raisin, and honey sandwich because that is what he always gets at my house. I am very generous with the honey and he knows that. So I made him one of those on a cinnamon raisin English muffin and August realized he needed a toasted English muffin with butter on it so that, too, was prepared. 
What is a grandmother's house good for if not delicious treats? 
Jessie and I were talking a few days ago about how kids cling to tradition when they visit their grandparents' houses. They really do. Ask anyone, young or old, about visiting their grandparents and they will say something along the lines of, "When I went to my grandmother's house, she always..."

It's that always, whether it's the making of cookies or the telling of stories or the games they played together or the Purple Cows they had for dessert or something that even in adulthood is remembered and cherished. And honestly, I think that's as important to the grandparent as it is to the child. 

It is to me, at least, although sometimes certain traditions outwear their charm. For instance- is Maggie EVER going to sleep in her own bed when she spends the night? 

Ah, she's a pretty good bedmate. 

And then that little family left for the river and Glen and I have had a nice afternoon together. 

Jessie sent me some pictures from their outing. 

August is capable now of paddling his own small kayak. Sometimes he needs to be hooked up to the other one but he is getting strong. I love how Vergil trusts in his son's abilities and although he does not push them into things, he allows them to do the things that he knows they can do. I am sure he got this attitude from his own mother and I respect her so much for passing that along. A true gift. I often feel that I was too protective as a mother in some ways and that it did my children no favors although in other ways, I may not have been protective enough. 
That sort of sums up parenthood right there. 

How lucky we are to have such a beautiful river in our backyards. 

And at the end of the journey, you play in the sand. 

Summer is coming to an end, despite the heat we are still having. Today is the equinox and tomorrow the day will be the tiniest sliver shorter than the night. As beautiful as fall is, I always feel a shiver of sadness at its coming. I love the relief of it, the crisp blue-skyness of it, but it is such a definitive season, foretelling the time of darkness and endings. 

Here is a little bit of summer still hanging on here.

I wonder how long it will be before I post my first camellia picture? 

And here's another photo proclaiming the arrival of fall. 

That is a ground blind. In my library. 
I hear all the best libraries are putting in ground blinds this season. 
Sigh.

Once again I wonder how in the world I came to meet and fall in love with and marry an athlete, a hunter, a painter-turned-businessman, a fixer-of-everything, a builder of much. 

I guess it's pretty simple really- he makes me laugh and he's my knight in shining armor whom I never expected to meet. 
And other things. 
As you know.

Love...Ms. Moon