God. All I Talk About Is Food

Well, I think we all knew that this is what was going to happen last night. And it turned out to be a really sweet and fun meal and since I always cook too much, there was plenty for all. We hadn't sat at a table with Jason for quite awhile and it made me happy to have him join us. I think that Owen and Gibson really appreciated it too and I know that Mr. Moon was glad to have him. Jason is a good guy and he is the father of three of our grandchildren and always will be. Divorce can be a destructive thing for a family or, it can be something that yes, is hard and often heartbreaking, but can be far less devastating if all the parties involved can remember that love is what brought two people together to begin with and love is what created the family and love for the children is the overwhelming thing above all that needs to be maintained. 
When my mother divorced my father, I was five and did not see the man again until I was thirty. In those days, there was really no push for the father (usually) to maintain a relationship with the children after a divorce. When I divorced my own husband, my children were very young and I knew that no way in hell was I going to let them grow up without knowing their father and we worked it out. It wasn't always easy but I think that it was worth every bit of the emotional work both my ex- and I put into it and to this day, all of us are on very good terms including Hank and May's stepmother and their Daddy Glen. 
Now Lily and Jason are having to do that intricate dance and again, it is not easy but by god, they make it work and they even all go on vacation with each other, current partners and all. I truly admire that. 

And on with the story...

I slept so late this morning but Gibson slept even later than I did. Oh wait, let me back up- that sweet, sweet child asked me to read him two of his old childhood favorite books before bed and that made me happier than anything he could have done. We read "The Little Red Hen Makes A Pizza" and "Professor Wormbog in Search For The Zipperump-a-Zoo." 

But you already knew those would be the two books, didn't you? 

Gibson did the voices of the slackers, the dog, duck, and cat who refused to help the Little Red Hen do anything until she asked them if they'd like to share her pizza. He's been doing this ever since he was so little. He knows how much I love reading out loud and I think he is proud that he is the grandchild who still asks me to read these books. 

So yes, as I said, he slept late, I slept late, but pancakes and eggs and bacon were made and eaten before noon so all was well. Mr. Moon had to go do something deer-related after breakfast and so Gibson and I had a good chat and then I got to some chores while he did the virtual reality thing. I took him home later on and Lily and Maggie were about to go have a girl's lunch at Wendy's and Ms. Magnolia asked me to come too and despite having vowed a few months ago that I would never darken Wendy's door again, I went because it was Maggie. 

She played her first game of soccer this morning on a city league team. And guess what? She was the only girl. 

Watch out, boys! Maggie's here to play! I'm proud of her. Lily said that when they first got there and she realized she'd be the only girl, she didn't want to stay but Lily convinced her and the coach was very supportive of her and told her that every year they have one girl on the team and she's always one of the hardest-working players. 

Here she is at Wendy's. I have a story to tell about that place but I won't bore you. However, I will say that it will be a cold day in hell before I ever darken a Wendy's door again. But. Isn't Maggie beautiful? Look at those eyes. 

And honestly, I had a great time. Owen joined us after he got off work. The Publix where he's employed is just a very short walk from the Wendy's. 

Here he is, ordering his food with app on his phone. 
Jeez. This world is too much for me. 

And now Mr. Moon has gone to collect him as he is spending the night tonight. He and his grandfather will get up early in the morning to go duck hunting and then they'll probably go to the Waffle House for a great manly, post-duck hunting breakfast. They'll be ready to eat and warm up. It's cold here for our thin southern blood. 

I know you've been wondering where the pictures of Maurice are so I took this today. 

She was stalking me while I watered the porch plants. Those fronds you see hanging down are from one of the palms I planted in front of the porch that Mr. Moon claims to hate because they block his way up the steps. My plan has always been that they will grow up and their fronds will not interfere with porch access. 
And they are growing. 

Okay. I admit we will probably be dead by the time they achieve any great height but I am proud of my palms. 

And here I go to make my third grandchild-requested meal in a row. 

I do love my babies. 

Love...Ms. Moon