Monday, July 25, 2022

Life As I Know It


Well look who's here! It's Maggie's turn to spend the night and it's so nice to have her around. She's such a sweet woman baby girl. She has determined that she might sleep alone in the guest room tonight instead of sleeping with me while Boppy sleeps in the guest room. I'm not pushing her either way- it's her decision. But that would be a big step. 

So far since she's been here she's given me a make-over with her Claire's make-up set. 


"Claire's has the best make-up," she told me with all of the confidence of a professional make-up artist. She allowed me to choose what color eye-shadow I wanted and of course I chose the aqua. 
"Does it bring out the blue in my eyes?" I asked her. 
"It brings out!" she assured me. 

We have also played a game of Battle and got almost through a game of Go(ld) Fish before she said, "Let's pretend it's over." 
Fine by me. 

Then she helped her grandfather vacuum-seal some actual fish. 


I got chicken at the store today to make some air-fried chicken tenders but she said she'd rather have fish so we are going to eat some of Owen's grouper. What an honor! I asked her if she thought she'd like to go fishing with her Boppy when she gets older and she was quite enthusiastic about the prospect. Her mother and her aunt Jessie sure do love to fish as did her Great Aunt Dee Ann before she left us and as does her Great Aunt Brenda. Those Moon genes are strong genes. 

Here's some great news- Rachel is officially graduating with her MSW degree on Friday! We are all so proud of her. 


Y'all- this woman has accomplished this major achievement despite some truly hard circumstances. I mean- stuff that no one should have to go through. She's simply amazing. And by the way- she got a 99% on her last paper. AND she already has a job. 
I am in awe of her strength and resilience and determination. Not to mention her intelligence, work ethic, and oh yeah, sugar cookies. 

Let's see- what else? Oh, I just figured out today that my bananas are making banana babies. 




Is there anything more exotic and gorgeous than a banana flower? I want banana flower wallpaper and banana flower curtains and banana flower rugs. 

And now I have to tell you that Darla is gone. 
Not gone as in dead although I am certain that she is that, too. 
Yesterday she had gotten to the outside coop from the hen house and last night, when Mr. Moon went to put the chickens up for the night, she was nowhere to be seen and she hasn't shown up today. So I guess a predator, the same one that attacked Annie, most likely, snagged her. Nature can be cruel. We have got to figure out what's getting in and how. Meanwhile, her three children, the probable roosters, are all orphans but appear to be quite able to look after themselves now. Their aunties keep them in line, letting them know in no uncertain terms if they are crossing any lines or stepping outside the bounds of selfish behavior when it comes to eating the corn scratch. 

And so it goes. I better go cook some grouper and cheesy noodles. I have some broccoli which Maggie used to adore but now turns her nose up at. Lily says that really, the only green vegetable she'll eat right now is cucumbers. I bought some of those at Costco today because my garden is not producing any which is a huge disappointment. I have not made one pint of pickles this year which is so very wrong. Again- so it goes. 
At the moment Maggie is playing in the library the way she does, creating scenarios and stories and acting them out with dolls and a stuffed Babar, a telephone in an old purse of mine, apples in another. I rejoice at her ability and desire to do this as I believe that it shows incredible imagination which will serve her well her entire life. 

Oh, the gifts of my grandchildren! And oh, the gift of my grandchildren. 

Love...Ms. Moon





29 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about Darla, but not surprised. Poor thing.

    Congrats to Rachel. She looks suitably nervous of Maurice. I would be too.

    I'm glad Maggie had a good time with you, and vice versa:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rachel is a wonder! And that is not Maurice but a kitten of Hank and Rachel's. Maggie is terrified of Scratch. But she did have a good time here.

      Delete
  2. oh, RIP dear Darla. So sorry to hear this, Mary. And Rachel, congrats to her for all her hard work! Banana blossoms just gorgeous.....and Queen Magnolia.....what can I say? Sigh.....the lovely Miss, she is.
    Susan M

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Magnolia is the boss of us all. But she does try to be a fair and gentle ruler.

      Delete
  3. Ahhh. So sorry to hear about dear, old Darla. I always enjoyed hearing about her and her last round of rearing chicks. She went out doing what
    she probably enjoyed. We should all be so lucky in that respect. You're
    so lucky to have 'fresh' fish. When you live in the Midwest, not so handy!
    Congrats to Rachel. Job well done.
    Paranormal John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is sad. We've had Darla for a pretty long time in chicken years.
      We are hugely lucky to have fresh fish. My husband loves to catch it and I am so very happy to cook it and eat it with him.
      We're mighty proud of Rachel.

      Delete
  4. Master of Social Work: I am so impressed. May she help hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people.
    Dear Darla. No longer in limbo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sure that Rachel will indeed help so many people.
      And yes- Darla is definitely not suffering any more.

      Delete
  5. WOW Maggie- beauty! The baby is very nearly gone from this cherub - she is becoming gorgeous , like her big brothers. They look like Lily, lucky!
    Moon Fish Banana Flower- great album cover, let the "boys" know!
    Congrats on the social worker degree, she will be amazing helping folks deal with life! What a sweet photo of her and the cat.
    Well, Darla probably fed a little fox family - her last good deed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. actually Moon Fish Banana Blossom sounds better

      Delete
    2. Yes, I'll send along that suggestion to the old boys. I hear they are working on a new album of all new material. They need to hurry it up!
      Rachel is more interested in research, I think. Whatever she does, she'll be great at it.
      And yes, Darla was probably snatched by a fox but we are not sure at all.

      Delete
  6. Sounds like the makings of a sweet evening. Congrats and well done to Rachel.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Darla hung on as long as she could. I hope her end was quick.
    The banana blossom is stunning. I am always surprised to learn how some of our fruits look on the trees. Avocado flowers are another one I was amazed to discover. People who have walked the walk and lived the life make excellent social workers. You are indeed blessed with grandchildren. They bring a special delight into our lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wouldn't banana blossom earrings beautiful? Miniature ones, of course.
      Rachel is going to be terrific at whatever she decides to direct her talents and education.
      Grandchildren are pretty awesome, aren't they?

      Delete
  8. Yay Rachel! Well done, from someone who has never met you. so sorry to hear about Darla though. We had banana plants where we lived in Queensland where my first two babies were born. I remember the bananas and the nest of snakes that lived at the base of one, but don't remember the flowers at all. Maggie is growing up, a little, wanting to sleep alone now.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have both my grands with me now. Your last two sentences resonate powerfully. I feel like the luckiest grandma ever. Next week, I will be coming back again. Before I go home, I will have a third grandchild: Ruby Ann.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruby Ann! What a fantastic name! Oh, congratulations, Debby!

      Delete
  10. How beautiful Maggie is. She's looking like a grownup already, that wonderful face. And she's talented. What a combo.

    Sorry about the wee chicken. And I'd like to know who's getting in there, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie certainly ACTS like a grown-up. She's quite certain in her opinions.
      Yes. We absolutely have to figure out what is getting in to the coop and how it's doing it.

      Delete
  11. Looks like another fun sleepover! Maggie sounds so self-assured already! Hooray for her! She will be a woman who will stand up for herself!
    Sorry about Darla.
    Congrats to Rachel, a wonderful accomplishment! Best wishes to her for a successful, happy future!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very few dare to tell Magnolia June what to do. She is her own woman and always has been.
      Thanks for the words about Rachel!

      Delete
  12. "Let's pretend it's over" might be my new favorite phrase. I can think of so many applications. Meetings at work? Bad books? TV shows that have jumped the shark?

    Congrats to Rachel on her degree. I am so impressed by anyone who tackles graduate school. She has more gumption than I do.

    Too bad about Darla. I suppose it was inevitable but still -- a surprise to have her snatched like that. Unless she just went somewhere to die, as animals sometimes do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know- right? "Let's pretend it's over" is something we all need in our lives.
      Rachel just dove right into graduate school and she got it done! She's so amazing.

      Delete
  13. I thought for sure that a couple of my banana trees would bloom this year as they are so big but nothing so far. Perhaps Maggie will become a writer.

    I don't think nature is cruel. Everything has to eat. Would it be less cruel or more cruel for the animal to starve? Isn't Mr. Moon doing the same when he hunts and fishes? Are we humans not cruel, then, the way we raise and slaughter the meat we eat?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been thinking that Maggie may become a writer. Or actor? Something in the creative vein as she is obviously so very creative already.
      I agree with you about nature. And of course humans are as cruel, if not more so, than the animal world. If Darla fed a fox family, I am glad for it.

      Delete
  14. The divine Maggie -- she really, really is. I love how you write about her as well! Congratulations to Rachel! That's so fantastic, and the world is lucky to have her working in it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie would crack you up, Elizabeth! She's something.
      As is Rachel. We have some strong women in this family.

      Delete
  15. “Let’s pretend it’s over”—adore that! Maggie is such a star. Congrats to Rachel, what an achievement, I’m so happy for her. Sad news about Darla. 37paddington here.

    ReplyDelete

Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.