November 16, 2009 at 9:22 pm (family, projects)
I make socks all the time for everybody. This summer we got to see some of our nieces and nephews out west that we haven’t seen in many years. Lots of them have their own families, now.
I try to send socks to the bride and groom when there is a wedding, but I sort of got behind since I have three children with children!
So this summer I went prepared to present socks to the couples I would be seeing. The kids all thought they should have some, too. So I measured all their feet and promised they’d have some by the time it got cold.
Last week I sent them out, and Ben, a nephew in Omaha, took these awesome pictures of their feet.
How much fun for me!!
Alysse is happy with hers, and the rest of the family, too!
Stay warm this winter, guys, and thanks again, Ben!
3 Comments
November 1, 2009 at 5:37 pm (family, life)
Since I posted last, I have been back to Chicago twice to help my sisters with my folks. Stressful times. Dad has been on his cath for a few months. I think I mentioned somewhere earlier that it is permanent. This means that someone has to put dad to bed and get him up in the morning. The nighttime bag hangs on the bed frame, and the daytime bag is attached to his leg with elastic bands. The details of this process can easily be imagined. The most difficult part is that each time we change, dad wonders what all this stuff is.
This last time, we have added brushing teeth and shaving. He still does the teeth himself, but must be monitored. We shave him.
He tried so many times to talk–wanting to engage or connect with me–but is unable to complete a sentence before losing the thought. Trying to smile and pat his hand, or hug him and give him some assurance that we are most assuredly connected regardless, was little comfort to him, I think. He usually knew who I was, or he pretended he did. Once he asked if I was one of his, and once he asked me if I was the oldest or what.
He is on a waiting list for a room at a nursing home, but it could be the first of the year before one of the residents dies to make room. I have some apprehension concerning his ability to adjust, but it will be a great relief to my mom and sisters who are all angels.
On the home front, John has made some awesome improvements here. Since I’m a moron with a camera, J will have to get me some shots to post, which I will, soon.
Missed you guys.
3 Comments
August 24, 2009 at 12:44 pm (family, life, philosophy)
Been busy, but it’s not an excuse. Have enjoyed traveling to visit, and having all of my grandkids here at some point over the last month (and all of my kids!).
I’m making another trip to Chicago this week to take up the slack for my sisters for a few days.
But the real reason for my silence is that I’m dancing with some ideas that I’m not quite ready to clarify and express. Notice that I’m now ‘dancing’ rather than ’struggling’.
Some of the ways in which I perceive this reality have morphed interestingly. Instead of understanding the different way I might need to be, I’m somewhat closer to being already there. Several times while the kids were here, and we engaged in our habitual response to the stress, I was right there. My body is still doing the same things for the most part, but I’m able to objectify more readily. This facilitates deeper understanding not only of the process, but the unlimited options available to us (me) minute by minute.
As I said before, I’m not quite ready to express all of this in a coherent way yet, but it seems to be commencing unfoldment. Relaxing continues to be the key.
1 Comment
July 8, 2009 at 6:15 pm (family, life)
This is definitely something I will work on if I keep blogging.
We went on the road for the 4th and hit: Chicago, Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Council Bluffs (Neola). And I didn’t take any pictures. J has a new camera, so I figured he’d be all over everyone taking them, but he was waiting for me to tell him, and I was busy!
Spent a day with my folks, and all my sisters were there. 
Saw several friends on Friday and music buddies that night. (no pics)
Sat., in Iowa, partied with former band mates and their extended families. Played music all day and then watched fireworks. (me and Smitty playing)
Sunday, partied with some of J’s family in O after driving to GI to see his mom. Saw Inta and Mary Lou (sisters) and met 4 of his grand-nieces–all just dollys. (He took a picture of them)
I’m so grateful to Inta and Sue G for hosting get-togethers for us. We got to see more people we love that way!!
Long-ass drive, but well worth it: J drove mostly, and if it’s light out, I’m knitting!
Love my mountain, though! Always good to get back home.
5 Comments
March 7, 2009 at 5:16 pm (family, projects)
5 Comments
February 5, 2009 at 1:29 pm (family, life)
I suck at this. Don’t know exactly why (because I believe I do?), blame the wood (it’s not dry enough, I can’t reach the good stuff on the back pile, etc), I’ll be much warmer when J gets back. For the third day I got up in 52 degrees. I probably shouldn’t complain, since it’s 2 below zero outside (and we can always put more clothes on, I say), but I totally got up twice to stoke the damn thing, and it just won’t go for me!! John will be home tomorrow night but by then it’s supposed to get up to 40.
He has enjoyed his visit for the most part–good to be with family–we are all going to get there this summer for a Buss reunion and we are looking forward to that. The doctors are saying that J’s mom could go any minute, or hang on for months. His last three visits ended with her telling him to “go away”. He left here a week ago, and left there this morning. He will be glad to get home, and I will be glad to have a warmer house!!
It’s still snowing heavily and the local schools are closed…I’m working on this effing fire!!
4 Comments
February 1, 2009 at 2:23 pm (family, life)
J has gone to be by his mothers side for a few days, so Rose and I are holding down the fort. I fully understand how much work John does here, and always appreciate it. More, now, though, as I spin/knit in between almost constant maintenance: carrying in wood and keeping the fire going, attending the water systems (filter and humidification), feeding and watering the animals, driving Rose to work and picking her up, and etc. None of these things are at all unpleasant and I am enjoying this opportunity, but the status quo is definitely upended right now.
The purpose for this is more important. J’s mom seems to be coming into the home stretch, (see Benni for details about mom) and the family is gathering to say good-bye.
The bittersweet aura of an expected death is a difficult thing to respond gracefully to, and it puts me in a vulnerable frame of mind concerning my own parents. When I think about losing any of them, it’s hard to breathe, the one thing that gets us through everything.
So this morning, I’m sending blessings and good wishes (prayers) out to all grieving souls, that we might all access the power to breathe the breath of Love and Light. The illusion of separateness is transcended when a body dies. We don’t lose them, they become one with us for real. It is only the ego that experiences loss. Our spirits are inexorably connected and can only be experienced thusly when one of us dies. Much like a drop of rainwater landing in the ocean, the dying soul (drop of God) enters eternal and unconditional (cosmic ocean of) Love.
Be at peace.
3 Comments
December 3, 2008 at 9:12 pm (family, life)
As time continues to fly by, I am completely relaxed and content, though it would seem the opposite as I appear to be busily spinning, knitting and weaving myself toward Christmas! I wanted to take a moment to share Madeline’s family picture: http://academom.wordpress.com/ with Joshua looking especially cooperative in this one! We were there (York, Pa) for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful weekend of great food, marvelous hiking and, of course, Starbucks!! Also, I want to echo my daughter’s apt statement concerning our collective participation in outdoor enthusiasm: “We have the best family ever!”
2 Comments
August 24, 2008 at 8:41 pm (family, life, projects)
Of course, whenever the kids are all here, it feels like my birthday. But this time they gave especially memorable gifts. Memorable, because I will use them repeatedly. They bought me a NEW GUITAR!!! My old guitar, which I have played for almost 30 years (played quite a bit, actually) Has slowly been biting the dust. The face is cracked (not just the finish, but the actual wood), and it has been gradually losing it’s ability to stay tuned. Also the misplaced neck has messed up the fretting which also affects the tuning. I loved that guitar more than any I have ever played with only one or two exceptions—one being the Taylor we bought M for one of her graduations. But she has found one that I love as much, and I will play it more and more as I rebuild my callouses. I also received two season tickets to a local cultural series (rare in this locale) that we have patronized regularly since we discovered it. Now that I think of it, K and S, our benefactors, were the ones who turned us on to it in the first place! They will be used!
J and her family were on their first visit on the mountain, and her thoughtful gift of lottery tickets netted two $2 wins. And altho those tickets went back to NY with them, the positive energy will remain with us here.
Needless to say, we had a music-filled weekend with lots of (guitar playing and) singing with and without accompaniment. My g-kid, H (M’s oldest), has joined the ranks of a cappella singers whether by choice or coercion. We don’t care, she’s awesome!
Hiking in the mountains, cooking, eating, and music around the bonfire with my amazing family! Love my life!
PART II
On the project front, I have finally had some finished garments photographed (by my most excellent and cooperative J), (Do they still call it photography since it’s all digital?) for all my gentle readers:
Rose in bamboo camo tanktop
Fran in cotton/seacell blend tee
Kathy in hand-spun alpaca jacket
Madeline in wool/mohair duster
1 Comment
June 22, 2008 at 12:41 pm (family, life)
Well, it came and went without much notice. J mentioned it last night: “It’s the longest day of the year”, and I thought: “Didn’t we just have a fire going, like, last month?” So I bet we won’t need to light another one ’til Christmas!
I have never seen so many blackberries! Very prolific this year and since I will have grandkids on the mountain for the month of July, I know what will keep them busy! ‘Course, they will be weaving and spinning, too. Maybe one will decide it’s time to learn how to knit–I’m down with that. When we’re indoors, that is.
Gearing up for yet another trip to Chicago. “Frankstock ‘08″ is looming, and it looks like we will have the whole family there! Mom and Dad (at eighty-eight) have four daughters, 12 grandkids and 20 great-grandkids! Looks like only 1 of the greats will not be in attendance (which I’m sad about ’cause I’ve never met her). My daughter, F, tie-dyed many T-shirts which we then had silk-screened our “family tree” (which F designed) on the back and our very own “Frankstock” logo on the front. They’re cool.
From the trip this weekend until the first of August my project-centered existence will be suspended, and focus will be on all my favorite babies. If I get to spin/knit/dye/card, it will be for them to learn/participate.
Looking forward to a great month!! Stay cool.
Leave a Comment
Tuesday’s look
Hannah
Madeline playing
Frannie being sexy
River and Grayson playing kitchen hockey
Grayson at the Mex
Josh close up
Jack eating taco salad
These are scarves for the Buss girls (Benni, Guna, Inta and Mary Lou feel free to stake your claim!)
Mad’s b’day tee
Fran’s b’day butt wrap
