I found one Pink Perfection today and put it in my tiny pitcher. I can't tell you how much I love that little thing. I have no business at all bringing one more vase, napkin, dish, glass, pot, pan, or bowl into this house but I'm human. And the score at the dump seemed almost like a little giggle from the universe. Have I not been saying that the one thing I do miss in not being able to go out isn't restaurants or movie theaters or bars but instead- thrift stores- and especially finding pretty napkins in them? And here these things were at my dump, for free.
And of course I had one of my horrible dreams this morning in which I had a house so packed with stuff that there was no possible way I could clear it out short of burning the whole damn house down. And the main problem was that mixed in with all of the crap were things I really cherished and loved. And this is probably at the root of my clearing problems in real life- I am too attached to so many things and there are things that I'm not really attached to but feel guilty about getting rid of.
Ah. We all know this feeling, I think. But if I had to do it all again, I think I'd be a little more Zen about it all when it comes to collecting.
Silly pictures from last night. I love that Levon insisted on eating his pizza with a fork. As usual, I made way too much food. Two rather large pies with all sorts of good ingredients on them and neither boy finished an entire piece and Mr. Moon and I were only able to gulp down two pieces before it was definitely time to get those guys in the tub and in their pajamas and settled down.
But after stories and cuddles, they did both lay down in their beds and only got up once apiece and then slept to the incredibly late hour of 7:20 at which point Levon was happy to snuggle but August only wanted to put his head down by my feet and wiggle his toes in my face.
He's a cracky, that one.
So Mr. Moon got up with them and I slept way longer than I even usually sleep. We'd stayed up to watch Mary Wharton's film, Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President. It was on CNN last night and before it started, there was a short interview with Mary and I couldn't help but well up at the sight of her. "I used to babysit for her!" I had to say even though Mr. Moon was already well aware of this.
What an amazing film. I've always thought of Jimmy Carter as a man of true Christian beliefs- his actions always speaking louder than his words, his words always gentle and kind. And after watching this documentary, I am more convinced of that than ever. At one point in the film, I think it was during the hostage crisis, I told Glen, "He was just too good to be a president."
So Mr. Moon got up with them and I slept way longer than I even usually sleep. We'd stayed up to watch Mary Wharton's film, Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President. It was on CNN last night and before it started, there was a short interview with Mary and I couldn't help but well up at the sight of her. "I used to babysit for her!" I had to say even though Mr. Moon was already well aware of this.
What an amazing film. I've always thought of Jimmy Carter as a man of true Christian beliefs- his actions always speaking louder than his words, his words always gentle and kind. And after watching this documentary, I am more convinced of that than ever. At one point in the film, I think it was during the hostage crisis, I told Glen, "He was just too good to be a president."
The US just didn't get him. They couldn't imagine someone who would do anything, even if it was politically harmful to him, to resolve an issue in a peaceful manner assuring that no lives were lost. And then to find out that he truly, absolutely, without-a-doubt loves music and brought so much music to the White House was just a delight. And those musicians loved him! From Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson to Dizzy Gillespie to The Allman Brothers, of course, they all adored him and some, to this day, are still good, close friends of his. The joy in Carter's face as he listened to the music was simply as pure as anything I've ever seen.
And then of course, he was replaced in the White House by Ronald Reagan, and I'll never understand how that happened.
And then of course, he was replaced in the White House by Ronald Reagan, and I'll never understand how that happened.
Anyway, the film is amazing and if you get a chance, please do watch it.
And so today was about pancakes and reading stories to two boys, one of whom loves to sit above me on the little sofa, messing up my hair, and we laughed and chanted together at "Giraffe and a Half" with all the bees on the knees and rats in the hats and chairs in the hair and spikes in the bike and dragons in the wagon and rose on the nose and mole in a hole and snakes with cake and so on and so forth and then it was time for Boppy to take them home where their parents were happy to see them. After they left I took my time in cleaning up and straightening up and sweeping up and looking up at the clear blue sky and picking greens for a big salad for tonight's supper.
Here's some more camellias.
Jessie brought them to me yesterday and they are the same variety that I used to steal from the yard next door when no one was living there and now bitch about because the guy who bought the house cut down the almost-tree. Jessie actually stole these from her neighbor's yard and if I can get it together, I'm going to see if I can root some. See the almost lavender edges of the petals?
Be still my heart.
Love...Ms. Moon
I have the same little creamer in the same color. I love it, too.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've never been a conscious "collector" I think I would happily collect these in the different colors.
DeleteThose flowers are so gorgeous! Are camellias hard to grow in Illinois? I will have to look into that... So pretty!
ReplyDeleteFun, fun, fun with the little guys - lucky, lucky you!
I do not need to collect more stuff but I may have to google that little pitcher, altho, I would prefer a free one from the dump! We don't have a dump where I live, though.
I think that camellias are happier in the more southern states. But yes- you should check!
DeleteAs to the dump- trust me- I go there many, many times before I find anything fun so it's never a sure thing.
That is a gorgeous little pitcher! Nice find!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a grand day with the little ones!
Debbie
We had a very fine time with those boys!
DeleteDon't beat yourself up about too many collections. Some day you may have to get rid of some, and you will find yourself able because you must for a good reason, and life will still be good. And you won't fill the empty spot because you like it empty now. It just works that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne. That made me feel a lot better.
DeleteI've seen the J.C. documentary.......wonderful! I love that man! Hubby and I stumbled upon the documentary *Linda Ronstadt- the sound of my voice* 2 nights ago.......lordy.....time warp, tears and lots of singing and memories. If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend for you. Can be streamed in 4 parts off youtube. Your boys....pancakes...love, and reading.....what could be better?
ReplyDeleteSusan M
and OMG......that camelia in the fiesta vase..... lordy
DeleteSusan
I'll have to check that documentary out. I do love Linda Ronstadt.
DeleteI'm so glad you got to watch the Carter doc. Wasn't it good?
I always thank the children after they come and visit. I want them to know that it is very special for us to have them.
May you sleep well and happily tonight. Love those boys. so cute.
ReplyDeleteThank you, e. I love those boys too!
DeleteThrift stores, teapots and me.. it's probably good they're not so available at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely time with the silly boys, all three of them. I love to see them on the recliner with a blanket over, the image of cosy.
Thrift stores are places to hunt for treasure, aren't they? I miss them.
DeleteYep. My silly boys, cozied up watching TV. The biggest one is the happiest one, I think.
I just love finding stuff others have thrown away, and I'd have been totally thrilled at your dear little pitcher too! You're the only person I know who feels guilty at throwing stuff away even if it is stuff you don't really like. I just can't bear to see them there lying in the bin through no fault of their own, either :D. I sometimes re-home items through a local facebook group or by leaving washable items out on the front wall (which is the method for unofficial junk exchange in our neighbourhood.) Way back in summer after a hot spell we went to our dump and there were wonderful books everywhere. One shower of rain (very common in a British summer) and they'd all be ruined. I was just sad I couldn't take more, but I recycled some of the best to a charity shop. Couldn't do that at the moment, our charity shops here are totally closed because we have a mutant version of the virus running riot here and Britain's just gone into very severe lockdown. So sticking to "hope" at the moment, not to mention the vaccine which is already being rolled out.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of setting things out for people to take if they want. I should set up a table outside the fence, maybe. Glad you got to save so many books! There were some books in the pile of things at our dump the other day. Mr. Moon took a cookbook on grilling wild game. Why not?
DeleteI've heard about your mutant strain and we have it here now too. No one is talking about lockdowns though because we're not very bright. I'm serious. It's ridiculous.
My first presidential election memory was 1980. I was seven. It was the first time I was old enough to realize what was going on and who my parents were voting for. I still remember the horrible feeling when Carter and my parents lost (that's how it felt). And then in 1984 it happened again with Mondale. I live in MN you know, so that was even sadder. Those were really impressionable and formative memories.
ReplyDeleteI can never get enough of your flower pics.
I voted for Carter twice. Once right here in Lloyd, a few blocks from where I live now. I was living about ten miles away from here with my first husband. I was just horrified when Reagan won. What a dipshit he was.
DeleteThere will be more flower pictures.
Those camelias are just so stunning. And you're right about Jimmy Carter - he was just too good a man to be president!
ReplyDeleteHe really was. That sounds ridiculous but it's the truth.
DeleteI'll definitely have to watch that Jimmy Carter doc. He is such a good man, yes, perhaps too good to be president. And it looks like a fine time was had by and with the grand boys! I'm remembering, reading your post, that last night I dreamed a little child came into the room and climbed onto the sofa next to me, and cuddled herself under my arm. I love you, I told her, kissing her head, and she kissed my arm and said I love you too. Whoa, what does it mean?
ReplyDeleteI do not think we need to consult Dr. Freud about that dream. I might also add that perhaps there's a little spirit hovering about, waiting to be asked in.
DeleteI love you, woman.
What is it about Americans that we seem to follow amazing examples of humanity for president (Carter, Obama) by truly horrible ones (Reagan, Trump)??? Two steps forward, one step back appears to be our motto.
ReplyDeleteI think you're exactly right. Two steps forward, one step back although with Trump it was about ten steps back.
DeleteAt the beginning of this pandemic and my unemployment, I would ride the neighborhood each week looking for treasures people had thrown out. Your finds have inspired me to start that again.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad way to spend a few hours!
DeleteI would be excited about rooting a camellia too, I’m very sad they won’t grow here. Stories and cuddling with those darling boys sound divine. I miss thrift shops more than any other kinds of shopping. And you’re absolutely right, Jimmy Carter was way too good of a man to be president. The contrast is unthinkable. He’s a true gentleman and a very fine human. Much love.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
We're a big ol' group of thrift shoppers here, aren't we? We all seem to have quite a few things in common.
DeleteCarter just seemed so PURE. I used to dream that he'd come to my house for lunch. I wish he had!
Love back to you!
I've just been playing catch up the last two days on every blog I read. why is it that the day or two I'm too busy is the time when everyone publishes!
ReplyDeleteI love Jimmy Carter. Like you say, he was too good to be president and no one understood really how good a president he was.
Rescuing that little Fiesta Ware Pitcher from the Dump was a good call and it looks lovely with that shade of a single Rose.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that Carter is indeed an exceptional Human Being and still is involved in Habitat for Humanity Homes and just doing good for people. If only we had more Presidents of that caliber!
ReplyDeleteI remember my mom making a similar observation after Carter lost the White House -- she said he was a profoundly good person, but not a good president. (The implication being, I suppose, that presidents sometimes have to do harsh things.) Your camellias are looking great, and as you already know, I totally applaud your picking up that stuff at the dump. We have some clearing to do around here, too, and unfortunately we can't donate anything to charity at the moment because of the lockdown. So it's just sitting around.
ReplyDelete