Hilltop Delight…Remember?

Sitting at the light at Hilltop, waiting for it to change to green, I gazed over to my right at a parking lot,  filled with an odd assortment of older model vehicles. That's what I saw, but what do I see? Something altogether different.

I see an ordinary white building in the center of a paved parking lot. Around the outer perimeter of this lot, facing the building as though this were a wagon train encampment, I see vehicles of another sort. Instead of sitting empty with sales banners on the windshields, these cars, these pickup trucks have families eating ice-cream cones, older couples sipping on shakes, and young couples sharing a pizza. Off to one side of the take-out window is a mechanical horse, awaiting it's next victim  young rider. The menu board is posted outside and one could feel delightfully overwhelmed by all the choices. Banana split? Sundae? Ice-cream cone? Pizza? Wedgie? Stromboli? Fried chicken? Slushie?

Eating here as a kid, on the rare occasion that we should stop, would invariably mean a twist cone.
Half chocolate, half vanilla, but always topped with a perfect swirly twirl. My sister Roxanne never wanted her cone so my older sister Kim and I would sometimes argue whose turn it was to eat it this time. It was here that I ventured into uncharted territory and had my first Slushie; a Blue Raspberry icy treat that turned my tongue blue and gave me the worst brain freeze ever.

This white building was Hilltop Delight, a burger/pizza/ice-cream joint that catered to the young crowd on weekend evenings, and the more, shall we say mature crowd for Sunday dinner. This was the place to be after youth group events and for me, was the location of my second date with Leo.

We had attended a Damascus concert at the high school in Salisbury and then decided to stop, along with my best friend and her date, at Hilltop. Leo and I got out of his 1974 Monte Carlo and instead of ordering from the window and then waiting outside until  our number was called, we went inside to sit at one of the booths. I slid in first, trying not to appear nervous. He sat next to me and together we perused the menu.

I didn't know what to order. Was I to pay for my own? Would he? What was he getting? Why doesn't he order first and then I'll just get the same? What was I going to do?

I ordered a Chocolate-covered Frozen Banana.
Because that is not awkward to eat in front of the guy you are trying to impress.
It was probably the cheapest thing on the menu and I was still stressing over the money that I didn't know if he had or not.

First and last Chocolate-covered Frozen Banana I ever had.
I think every other date we had there involved pizza and shrimp. No bananas, unless it was in a split.

After we finished eating, we said our good-byes to our friends and we headed back out across the parking lot to the car. It was then and there that Leo held my hand for the first time. Briefly, just long enough to walk to the car, but inside I melted a little.

I glance up at the stoplight and it changes from red to green. I accelerate and move slowly through the light, not quite ready to leave.The white building fades out of sight again. The families are gone, the busyness replaced by silence. Had I been sitting there for a long time, remembering? It felt like it, but it was only seconds. Seconds with a perfect swirly twirl on top.

Love,
Dianne

I'll Take a Large, Caffeinated Coffee

I. Need. A. Cup. Of. Coffee.

Make it a large.

No decaf.

I usually sleep pretty good after night shift.

Not today though.

Too much to do, too little time.

Sigh.

Now it is time to get my head back into the nightshift mode. I am reclining on the couch, giving Ryan a list of what to pack for the weekend at my sister's. The girls need picked up at 5:15 from volleyball practice and I need to be ready before that so that once I drop them off back at the house, I can leave for work.

We have a bridal shower on Sunday (ExCiTeD!!) for Aaron and Lisa-Anna, so my head, even though sleepy, is full of thoughts, ideas, and plans. Not exactly sleep-inducing.

The house looks like it's normal, very lived-in state of chaos and I chose to sleep on the couch. Not exactly sleep-inducing.

I am already thinking about next week and my schedule. Shakespeare's vet appointment. Amy's orthodonist appointment. And there is something else, I know there is; I just can't think of it. Not exactly sleep-inducing.

Now it is 4:46. I have 30 minutes to pack my dinner and breakfast, get dressed, pick up the girls, rally Ryan for what he needs to get done, and ignore the rest of what I can't get done. Not exactly sleep-inducing.

Oh, but wait, I am supposed to be awake now. I need something that is awake-inducing.

I. Need. A. Cup. Of. Coffee.

Make it a large, with caffeine please. And make it to-go.

Gotta love a good cup of coffee. Mm-mm-good.

Love,
Dianne

A New Kind of Therapy

Today is Thursday, August 29. On this day, I want to remember a few things in years to come.
Here is some moments, some thoughts in my day:

I think cupcakes should be a food group. Don't you? Doesn't everybody?

And if not, why not?
You could pretend, for a day, that they are quite good for you.
Chai Latte Cupcakes.
Yum.

And if cupcakes are a food group, then I think random rocks on a windowsill should be included in all the design and home interior books.

Just because.

And if cupcakes and rocks are allowed in life's scheme of things, then tiny yellow butterflies that dance around you when going on a walk should be a necessary part of self-esteem therapy. (Is there such a thing??) If one doesn't feel special when butterflies salute you, then not much else will work I'm afraid.

Well, I did find something else that may work.
Playful kittens that follow you like you are their very best friend in all the world.
Yes, that'll do quite nicely.

Wouldn't you agree?

And in case any of you would like some of this therapy, I have 3 little kittens (minus the mittens) that would love to find a home with you. I already 4 therapy cats as it is. Too much therapy and I may need another cupcake.

Hint, hint.

Love,
Dianne

A Favorite Psalm

After watching Shakespeare out the window, through the rain today, I decided he was as stir-crazy as I was and decided to take him on a dusky walk. After sliding through the mud and getting him on the leash, he was more than ready to run at full throttle. I learned a few things on this walk aka wild run.

1) Although it is pleasant to walk in the cool of the day, you really can't see as well. Don't let the pictures fool you. Editing allows light to come in. 

2) Shakespeare is not good at being a seeing-eye dog. Although he kept me on the driveway, he did not keep me out of the numerous mud puddles. Or in some cases, mud streams.

3) Canvas sneakers are not a good shoe to wear to keep your feet dry. I thought of rain boots after the fact.

4) The sky is beautiful after the rain, especially when it hints of sunshine and warmth.

5) As the sky gets darker, I can see even less where I am going. This whole walk makes me think of life as in: 

     ~When I take off at a crazy pace, running about in a frantic panic, I get nothing accomplished. Shakespeare tries very hard to run and his legs are churning, but as I am holding him back, he looks pretty silly. I have days like that, and I am sure I look silly too. 

     ~When I don't look where I am going or have no idea where life is taking me, I often step right into a big mess. Just like a mud puddle, problems are in my path because that's life. Some of them I can avoid or I can prepare for; others I just have to slog through. 

     ~It helps if I can see where I am going. I need light to navigate the puddles. 

     ~Where does my light come from? 

Psalms 27:1-6
The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.


Love,
Dianne

P.S. Shakespeare and I made it back to the house in one piece, a rather muddy piece, but together. He's sleeping and I should be. G'night.

Breath of Onion

A Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich….mm-mm-mmm. Loaded with steak, roasted green bell peppers, Swiss cheese, and sautéed onions. It looked so incredible; I really think it was calling my name. So, I placed my order and anticipated that first mouth-watering bite.

That first bite was a bite of onion. A large onion, causing my eyes to water a little and forcing me to remove it from my mouth And then I remembered that I don't really like onions all that much. I mean, I like them in really tiny little pieces, sautéed in butter or olive oil, and mixed with other ingredients. I don't know why they have to look so good, but for me, taste so strong, so wrong. And not just strong, but lingering and that's more my issue.

Much to my son Aaron's delight, I took him out to see Lisa-Anna in January 2010. (Stay with me here; this does involve onions.)  Just a quick trip to NJ for the day because my boy was falling in love. Can you hear the violins playing? As it happened, I was already worked up over the drive to her house (while not major city driving, it was more city than this girl liked!), getting kinda lost and then just spending time with my son's girlfriend. I wanted her to like me. I didn't want to be weird.

We met up with her at her house, and then headed out to find the nearest mall so they could be together without all of us just sitting at her house. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "What kind of food do you like?"
L.A.: "Not onions."
Me: "Oh me neither, they just linger and I burp them for days." 

So much for not being weird. Aaron is trying to get my attention in the rear-view mirror. I am sure he was thinking of ways he could shut me up and yet still be polite.  I tried to defend myself later, trying to show him how me and his girl are kindred spirits in a way. After all, we both don't like onions much.

Here is a picture from that trip. I think it's funny because we match. Not planned. Not discussed. Just a random thing. Now, that's weird. "Let's go visit your girlfriend, and I know let's match!" Actually, I was dressed first that day. Just making sure we all know that.

Onions. I really would've enjoyed my sandwich more without them, although I did eat a few. Burp. It brings to mind a song that some of the Bender Grandkids wrote about the aforementioned vegetable. Sung to the tune of the hymn "Breathe on me, Breath of God", it goes like this:

"Don't breathe on me Breath of Onion

for you shall make me stink,

and people will stay far from me,"

Don't breathe on me Breath of Onion."

And on that note, I bid thee goodnight. Burp. 

Love, Dianne

Hebrews 12:1-3

Yesterday, I mentioned how each of my youngsters felt about school. 

We are one day into the school year and I asked them tonight how they felt about it now. 

Before school started: 

With nose wrinkled, and corner of mouth drawn up in a wry grin, he said, "blah, I don't want school!"

Tonight, after he was tucked into bed, when asked how the first day went, 

he says, "Fantastic!!"

I think it was the blue shoes. 

Everything is fantastic in blue shoes.

Then there is Heather, the one who was neither excited nor dreading this day. 

Beforehand, she wondered about how her schedule would go,

 if she'd like her classes, 

and what friends she would be with. 

Her first day as a Freshman was a hit!

She liked her classes.

She was with various friends throughout the day.

She has 4 new kids in her class

and for Salisbury, this is really good!

Last, but not least, is my Senior, 

the one who most anticipated this day. 

She was excited to see her schedule and was ready to get this first day on the road. 

This girl was ready!

"I am Senior, hear me roar."

But tonight? 

The swagger had left. 

The day had been deemed "terrible".

Her classes, other than her electives, were not her preference.

Her best friends? Not in her classes. 

It is feeling like a very long year. 

Dear Amy, Heather and Ryan,

You survived your first day of school and I am proud of you as always. Go into that school and make a difference! Hold your heads high, befriend the underdog, respect your teachers, be courteous to those around you as they work like the custodians, the kitchen workers, the aides. Make it your goal each day to be a blessing to your teachers (yes, even the substitutes), your friends, your fellow classmates and your bus driver. Even when you don't feel like it, you may be just the person someone needs at this right time, this right place. You are at your particular school, in your grade at this time in your lives for a reason. You may never know what that reason is, but regardless, live each day to it's greatest potential. I'll be praying. ~Mom

Hebrews 12:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Love, 

Dianne 

Tomorrow It Begins

Tomorrow my youngest 3 kids head back to school. One is definitely ready; it's her senior year after all. One is a little bit ready, a little not ready; she is heading into 9th grade. The last one is not looking forward to this much at all.

And me? I don't mind. I mean it's always a little sad sending them off, another year older, but exciting too. One of my goals as a parent is to raise my children to be responsible adults and part of that is sending them to school. As I see them learn to read and then later, write their own stories, or write their name in bold, lopsided letters which gradually progresses to neat cursive writing, or do math, whether it is 1+1 or 2x + (16y-4x), I am excited.

Tonight, the oldest is off with some of her fellow Senior-ites for a last campfire of summer vacation. The next one, my Freshman, was relaxing on the couch, helping me with a project and then heading to bed on time. My baby, my 4th Grade little one, was staying up as late as he possibly could, playing as long as possible and avoiding the inevitable. He's all tucked in and properly kissed good-night now.

Me? I'm still up, but the alarm clock is set for 0700. One of them asked if I have to take pictures tomorrow. "Oh, dear child, what do you think? Yes, yes, yes. It's a tradition. Just be glad we do it before the bus arrives and that I don't follow you to school. "

Tomorrow my three babies head back to school.
Tomorrow my youngsters, growing into responsible, independent adults head back to school.
A little sad, yes, but a lot more exciting.

Here's to the school year 2013-14!

Love,
Dianne

Tea Party for One

I may have just made the perfect cup of tea.

I don't drink ice-tea and I usually don't drink much hot tea; my girls are the tea drinkers in the house. But tonight was a hot tea kind of night. I am alone at the house this evening and as the clock beat out each steady note, I began to think that relaxing with a cup of tea would just hit the spot.

A sweet friend gave me the loose tea (I believe this was a chai blend) and I gathered my jar of it, my tea pot that strains the leaves right into my cup, and my favorite cup of the moment. I have a wide variety of mugs and cups for hot beverages and I pick the one that fits the mood. It makes it taste better. It does. Try it, you'll see.

Another friend who is a tea connoisseur of sorts advised me to steep my tea for two minutes. Just two minutes, no more, no less. I tend to do more, usually because I forget that I am making tea, and end up sipping something akin to potpourri.

Is it any wonder I don't drink much tea?

I set a timer this time. 2:00 minutes. I gathered the honey jar and a chopstick with which to twirl in the honey, gathering a sticky glob on the end to stir into my tea. Oh, this was going to be good. At least, I hoped so. Like I said, I really don't make a good cup of tea.

The timer chimed. The leaves were strained and an herbal steam already calmed my thoughts. The honey was swirled in and the Celtic music was playing softly in the background.

I sipped.

I felt like a tea connoisseur of sorts.

I swallowed.

I smiled.

Perfection.


Tea should be taken in solitude. ~C.S. Lewis

At least for this evening, that is. 

Love,
Dianne

Rain Rain

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.
Roger Miller 

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again.
Arthur Freed 

“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how 

to fall upwards.” 

― Vladimir Nabokov

“Never run in the rain with your socks on.” 

― Billie Joe Armstrong

Love,
Dianne

Lovin' The Pumpkin

Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberries are on the menu. For dessert? Pumpkin pie.


But wait, I don't like pumpkin pie; at least I didn't when I was a kid. The best part about pumpkin pie? The crust, of course. I would scrape off the whipped cream and set it to the side. Then I'd eat the pumpkin filling, only because if I didn't I would never have been given a piece of pie to begin with. Then I would put the whipped cream back onto the now empty crust and truly enjoy the rest of my dessert.

So why oh why am I so hungry for pumpkin lately? (No, I am not pregnant before that thought even enters your head.) I think it is a mindset, a conditioning of my thoughts. The leaves are being subtle about it, but they are changing. The air is cooler at night. The crickets are chirping in their hiding places. The monarch caterpillars are munching the milkweed. The goldenrod is becoming golden. My burning bush is beginning to look aflame. Therefore, pumpkin comes to mind.

I am drinking pumpkin spice cappuccino. I am smelling pumpkin scented candles. I am looking up pumpkin spice cakes, cupcakes, cookies, creamers…oh, can you hear me sigh?

Pumpkin.

My new love.

So glad you're here.

 Love,
Dianne

School Shopping~an August Tradition

 School shopping on the Wednesday before school is a day both looked forward to and dreaded simultaneously. Who doesn't like new clothes? New supplies? New gear for the year? It even makes me want to go back. Well, almost.

Here we are, at Frostburg State University, waiting for Adrienne to talk to the correct personnel in Financial Aid, in the Business Office and The Billing Dept. Okay, I just changed my mind; I don't want to go back.

After we got in a little walk around campus, Adrienne returned to the car, a little frustrated and ready to go. We headed to Walmart because we knew they'd have every school supply known to man . And because crayons and markers will make her forget financial aggravations. 

The funny thing is this: we didn't even buy crayons and markers (not even the smelly ones).
Instead, we got pencils (both the click-ie kind and the old-fashioned need-to-be-sharpened kind), a pencil sharpener, ballpoint pens, yardsticks (yes, the 3-ft long kind), spiral notebooks, one backpack and two gym bags.

And soon, supplies in hand, we went on down the mall to eat.  I tried to get a group shot without looking. So much for heads.

We ate, we talked, we schemed out next stop, we lost a tooth.

No, really. Ryan lost the second tooth in as many weeks. Lots of "ew"s"and "gross" all around.

Since the supplies were already obtained, the next items on the list involved clothing, both for the school and for the upcoming wedding. Sometimes, it gets a little long and boring waiting outside fitting rooms. Notice the goofy shenanigans of my firstborn and last born. Tsk, tsk.

Some of us would say that "a little long and boring" is understated just a bit.

Another school shopping day is done and sipping milkshakes, we headed home. I didn't realize how exhausting this all could be, but I started this at 10:48pm and fell asleep. It is now tomorrow as I hit "save" and "post".

Love,
Dianne

Thankful for Hammocks

Can I just say that climbing into a hammock is a bit challenging?

And can I further say that climbing into a hammock while balancing one book, one laptop, one cellphone, a blanket and a pillow, and a cup of coffee is more than a bit challenging?

But I did it with only spilling a little bit of my coffee and all in the name of relaxation after night shift. Many times I just come home, sometimes I sleep, but usually I don't take much time for rest. Instead I jump right into the dishes, the laundry, the stuff that makes a house function. Then about 3:00, I begin to crump, to slump, to be a grump.

But not today. Today I made a choice to rest. To sleep when I needed it. To read instead of dust. To swing instead of sweep.

I heard a program the other night on the radio talking about the importance of sleep, something of which I get too little of on a regular basis. Important for my health, vital for my sanity, imperative for my spirit.

It takes effort sometimes for me; I feel like I am wasting a day off by sleeping it away.

Tonight though, instead of crumping, slumping, grumping...
... I am chipper, skipper (I did go for a walk), and hipper (but only because it rhymes).

Love,

Dianne (still grinning at 10:30pm)

A Gate that Inspires

“The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ~

Love,

Dianne 

Flower People

After eating half the house today, I wanted a walk. BBQ chicken, stuffed peppers, potato salad, corn on the cob, and Heather's brownies with ice-cream. Groan. I needed to walk. Along the way, I was impressed again by the amazing beauty that surrounds me in these Pennsylvania hills.

Weeds Wildflowers of a wide variety nodded their heads in greeting and I was reminded of how they are like people.

 Some are pretty but at the same time they are saying, " Touch-me-not!"

 Some are soft looking and gentle on the outside with a spirit to match on the inside. 

Some have incredible amounts of hospitality, always providing food and shelter.

Some are beautiful, but can cause discomfort.

(You know, like an allergy.)

Others may seem high and mighty, like Queen Anne's Lace, 

but really are easy to get to know. 

See how the clover loves her. 

Then there are those that just come out of nowhere,

bringing a spark of joy when least expected. 

Sometimes even in the hardest of hearts, or the ones that feel drained of life, 

there is still a glimmer of beauty. 

And then there are the purple flowers that always find a way to shine, 

even when backed up against hard circumstances.

(You know, like a barbed wire fence.)

Others are a mystery.

No idea where they came from or their purpose.

They make you want to get acquainted. 

"Hello Beautiful!"

Some are extroverted.

Some are introverted. 

Some are useful, producing fruit to feed the hungry. 

But, despite all their differences, their colors, their purpose, they are all lovely. 

Handcrafted by God for our enjoyment. 

Yes, even the weedy ones. 

Love,

Dianne