Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Time with Kate

A Time with Kate from Croft on Vimeo.

Since Grayton Beach, for almost two weeks, Kate returned to Northcroft for a visit. We picked fresh fruits, made jelly and apple sauce, visited Mrs. Oliver and helped where we could. We made dozens of pictures of humming birds and butterflies and walked the mountain roads to visit other neighbors. We bought fresh vegetables from Wendell’s vegetable stand on Lucius Road, ate them and served them to Terr when he came up of the week end.

The following week Kate and I revisited an old favorite pastime; hunting through the woods for natural materials to build fairy houses, then spending hours creating the whimsical buildings and landscaping them. Between these activities we played endless games of Rummikub and had our heads in the light of our computers reading email and watching a film series called Seven Up.

The final days took us to the shack where we painted a mural on the large piece of plywood that I had installed on top of the worn-out bathtub. We studied fish pictures and lily pads and set to work with high expectations. We were proud of the endeavor and ever so pleased with the results.

Today, I tried to trap her with the very net she used (several times) to chase a pesky flying squirrel that was trying to eat the cabin, but alas, I had to let her go back to New York and to her own life.

When she was gone I was sad, but the beauty of this place was left with me. I walked around savoring the moments of reflection. When entering the house, a butterfly and a simple moth reminded me of life’s wonderful blessings and purpose.

Safe travels, Kate. I’m glad we had this time, in this place of your childhood, to play again and to reconnect. My thoughts and prayers will be with you wherever you may go.

P.S. It will be nice to get back to Atlanta and catch up with all of you there. I’ve missed you.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Aidan turns NINE!

The last 9 years, August 25 has blessed this family in more ways than one; today Mike shares his birthday with our blue eyed, California wonder, Aidan. Have a great day sweet boy and know that we are thinking about you today here in Atlanta.
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

"Little" Mike, my first born...




August 25, 1965, the day that changed my life forever...and I mean that in a good way! You have always been a blessing in my life, my rock and my pride and joy. Happy Birthday, Son. I love you forever.
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Sunday, August 15, 2010

Catching up Before the Grayton Explosion!

Things have been so incredibly busy for the last few weeks that Chatterbox postings have been neglected. I can't even remember all the things I wanted to put in our memory bank, except for a few very special events that stand out in my mind...One is that FORD GOT HIS LEARNER'S PERMIT! Can you believe it? How fast our young ones are growing up. I pray God puts angels all around him every time he gets in a car and he will be a really safe driver. Congratulations Ford.


Andrew had a successful audition and earned a position as a cast member in the Atlanta Workshop Players company! This is in addition to being a member of the Wesleyan Players at his school. Congratulations Andrew!

Also, good wishes are in order to Andrew and Emily, because they tried out for cast of James and the Giant Peach today. I heard that their auditions went GREAT, but the cast is very small. Fingers crossed!



Let's see...Check out Regas Interiors in the September issue of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles! Kim's Decorator Showhouse room made the pages of this popular magazine. It should be on news stands next week. Congratulations Kimberly!

Grandad and I had a wonderful time watching Morgan, Molly and Ford rock climb at their new Rock Climbing facility, then afterwards taking them out for dinner and a double birthday celebration for Molly and Ford.

Issy and Joe had wonderful overnight camp experiences in North GA before our trip to Grayton Beach.

The Pedersen/Kelley family came to visit a few days before leaving for the beach. It was so good to spend some extra time with them. Kate surprised us with an early arrival, too; and we haven't stopped cooking yet! It has been so good to have all of you close.

AND...A huge Happy Birthday to our August-born children and grandchild! Mike (25th), Beth (16th) and Aidan (25th); God bless you and keep you always.

Now, for the beach trip...I'm going to do this a little backwards this year. I have hundreds of pictures to sort through; but for now, until I get some pressing things done, I will leave you with our traditional, family beach-ending song and dance to ponder. After days together, when things are coming to an end, someone starts the music, and all hurry to join in the Day-O conga line of goodbye. It was a glorious Fweakijam 2010. More to follow, but until then...Enjoy!