Saturday, November 1, 2008

"I Have Measured Out My Life With Coffee Spoons; . . ." T. S. Eliot

For the past 10 days I certainly have done so!

We got home from Florida on Wedn
esday, and I have been running (either physically or mentally or both!) ever since.

I grew up in a family that keeps the coffee going fresh all day long; and though they aren't quite that bad anymore, it's still common to have your
morning
coffee, your afternoon coffee, and sometimes an evening coffee as well. And my sister Maxine, with whom Eler Beth and I stayed while in St. Augustine, carried on that tradition. She uses Maxwell House Lite, and it was the most delicious coffee I've had in ages, better than any expensive brand I've tried lately. Maybe it's her water that makes it so good; whatever it was I drank a lot of it!

I have pictures to show and interesting tidbits to write about, but I'll be back to do that later when I have more time and brain matter to put to it. I will say this -- Eler Beth is an excellent traveling companion. She was a joy on the way down because everything about the trip, everything she saw, was something new and amazing to her, and I wish I could still feel that exuberance and pure joy she felt. I did remember a lot of things about traveling to Florida to visit Maxine when I was a kid, and that was fun having those memories pop into my mind. Above, Eler Beth, with her boogie board, and Maxine heading out to the
beach t
he last afternoon we were there; Right, taking her board out into the waves; Below, having a blast!

Andrew, on the way down, was just eager to get there. He has called every day since we deposited him in Palm Bay, and he has been having a great time. The friend he is visiting is going to be moving up here next year (if all goes well), so this may be the only chance he has to visit her and her family in Florida, and I think they've made the most of it. Eler Beth was my only companion on the way back home, and she kept me awake and entertained.

Two weekends ago I was so full of grief for our young friends that I forgot my big news. Thomas went out that Friday and bought me a Hyundai Santa Fe! He had looked at one a couple weeks before that he felt was too high, and the dealer wouldn't come down. The one he bought was two years newer and $4,000 cheaper than that one, and it and I have bonded. I drove it to Florida, and it did great. It has great pick up, and the gas mileage wasn't bad. My Honda Accord will now pass to Andrew.

And speaking of our young
friends, J and her mother are doing pretty well. They have a big support group of family and friends who are keeping them busy. Andrew talks to J practically every day by phone. The two sisters are doing better, but it is still difficult. The retired couple who have acted as their guardians for so long actually do have temporary guardianship of them, which is what the mother wanted. Andrew talks to or texts one or the other of them about every day too. Their lives are slowly getting back into a routine now.

Thomas cared for all the animals while we were gone, and he did a great job. No one died or disappeared, lol. And I know Eler Beth has already written about Nadia and the new-male-that-doesn't-yet-have-a-name mating. So we expect eggs to be laid within the next two weeks.


We had ordered a fancy hutch for Clark, and it came while we were gone. On Thursday Eler Beth wanted to put it together; I wanted her to wait for Thomas to help her. She convinced me to let her at least get it out of the box to look at and see how hard it was going to be. I told her she could and I went to take a nap. Then she woke me up and begged to be allowed to go ahead and at least start on it. I gave in, and told her to do it in the driveway so she wouldn't lose anything in the grass.

The next thing I knew she was waking me up, telling me she'd put it together. And she had! All by herself! The next day she prepped the ground where we had decided to set it, I helped her lay down some bitty brooder wire and cover it with earth, then we positioned the hutch and wire so that nothing could dig in and 'possum can't dig out. She seems to be very happy with her new home.

I guess that's it
for now. Sometime next week I'll be back in a regular routine, and I'll be around to see what everyone has been up to.

30 comments:

Rose said...

my dad & stepmom live in Florida, we go every Christmas break.

Joann said...

Nadia's mate is named Boris... LOL!! I read it in her blog. She did a GREAT job with Clark's new home... WOW!! Good for HER!!! Glad you all had a great time in Florida.

Joann

Paula said...

I love the way Eler Beth will tackle anything. She will go far in life.

Ken Riches said...

Glad that you had a nice visit to Florida. We have a timeshare on the Atlantic coast and go every year. We love the ocean, and I enjoy a little boogie-boarding from time-to-time.

Welcome home and good job to Thomas for keeping the animals alive.

Leigh/BlueDragonfly said...

There's just something about that first cup out of the pot-anytime of day.
I'm glad your travels went well, and everyone is safe and sound(that includes the animals)!
:) Leigh

Lynne said...

Love the photos, she looked like she was having a blast! Wondered how warm the water was as there wasn't many people about, LOL. If its not super warm I won't go in. I have family in the St Augustine area, we thoroughly enjoyed a visit there years back. I have one of my favorite pictures of my girls on my desk from that visit. They were actually sitting next to each other and were having fun!

Yasmin said...

Glad you and Eler Beth, had a nice break seeing your sister, great photo's too. Glad your friends have the support that they need at this time, must be a great comfort to them.

Enjoy your Sunday

Yasmin
x

Anonymous said...

Yay for your new car! What is Clark?
Have a great weekend!

I Have Tea said...

first of all - welcome home! glad to hear you and the kids had a fabulous time. Eler Beth's pictures attest to that!

second, I have always loved that quote by T.S. Eliot. and congratulations on your new vehicle!

I'm really glad to hear your friends are healing and have so much support. Keeping them in prayer.

Beth said...

Congrats on the new car! I bet it still has that new car smell, too!

Sounds like a great trip. I've been to the Gulf coast beaches, too, but my favorite is the Atlantic coast beaches. Your pictures make me ready for our annual Florida trip!

I think it's so neat that Eler Beth enjoyed the adventure of traveling. I'm the same way, even when Ken and I go somewhere around here! I'm fascinated by the countryside, the road, the houses and buildings...you never know what gem you'll find along the way, and Eler Beth will never be bored as long as she has that curiosity.

Glad your friends are doing well and beginning to get back into a routine. That should help a lot.

Love, Beth

Chris/cacklinrosie101 said...

That beach looks heavenly. LOL I can feel the warmth. And to come back to a new Santa Fe...love those things. btw: my mother always had a pot of coffee going 24/7 at our house when I was growing up. HUGS

Unknown said...

Looks like fun! Beaches are always fun! Love the hutch!

When you have a chance can you remind which state you're in so I can update my blogroll? Thanx!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to see you back on...and I know you so enjoyed your Florida trip and visit...and that coffee thingy was just the same in my family...I don't drink coffee but hubby enjoys his...once the pot is empty tho...it is washed and readied for the next morning...unless we have company who wants some that is...LOL..look forward to more about your trip..happy day and God Bless...hugs...Ora

Lisa said...

I use Maxwell House Lite and I love it. Everyone keeps telling me to get this brand or that fancy brand but I always go back to this anyway.

Glad you had a nice trip. I love the relationship you & Eler Beth share, it sounds just wonderful. Well done to her on the cage, what a go getter!

Rose said...

Speaking of great coffee. I just purchased this new Keurig Coffee machine.....no more coffee pots to clean or filters to deal with. I love it. Coffee tastes amazing. They have a site online to view.

Hugs, Rose

Joyce said...

I lived in South Florida (near Ft. Lauderdale) for several years. I do miss the beach living here in TN. but I also love the changing of the seasons. Can't have both I guess. Great photo's. Glad you had a good time.
Hugs, Joyce

Anonymous said...

Florida is fabulous isn't it? I'm glad you all had a great time.
I know I'm not showing up on the dashboard. Turns out you have to unfollow me and then follow me again and I'll pop up. It all had to do with the adult content warning. Oy.
School's got me snowed under so I haven't been around in awhile but I'm gonna get back into the swing of things soon.
:D
MJ

Coelha :B said...

That ocean looks so nice! :) Have a good week! Julie

sober white women said...

I would so love to on the beach right now. I will have to try that coffee. I am a huge coffee drinker.
Kelli

Happy Being Me said...

Today's weather is like a day in Florida - Way to go Elder Beth on building Clark's new home - I don't think my Mr. could of done such a good job. Happy to hear you had a great time and am looking forward to seeing your alerts come across. Take care and enjoy your day,
Katie

Traci said...

Sounds like a fun trip! Love the beach pictures.

natalie said...

I adore T.S. Eloit! And My daughter has some poems almost entirely to memory! when you talk about how sweet Eler Beth is, I truly miss my daughter so much!
Thanks for a beautiful and edifying entry!:):):)
affectionately yours
natalie

Bill said...

I had a coffee pot implanted in my side many years ago. I wouldn't know what to do without a hot or cold cup of coffee around.
I liked the pictures. They reminded me of our trips to Florida.
I know you will like yur Santa Fe. Libby has a Tuscon and wouldn't trade it for anything.
I hope that Clark likes his new house.
My Regards to all, Bill

Lucy said...

Super nice web page. I wish I had your talents. Lucy

Anne said...

Glad you had a good time in Florida. Eler Beth IS the perfect traveling compamion. I hope you get rested. Anne

Jenna said...

Great photos of the beach. It looks so relaxing and inviting I wish we had time for a mini vacation right now.

Love the hutch! And way to go Eler Beth for putting it together all by herself!
Jenna

v said...

Visiting ur other blog. I like coffee too but only limit to one intake per day (or not more than 2). And, I agree that love 4 reading has to be cultivated and spread everywhere...

Joyce said...

Sounded like and looked like a wonderful trip. Happy you had a good caregiver for your animals...the photo's are lovely...
Joyce

Linda said...

I just got back from Florida on Wednesday too....maybe we crossed in the sky :)
Just stopping by to say hi since getting back....glad you had a nice trip, we did too!

Pooh Hugs,
Linda

Heather said...

I am glad you had a good time in Flordia. My in-laws live just out side Jacksonville, and St. Augustine is probably my most favorite place to go.