Alan says it was warmer last night, above freezing at least, and the thermometer on our deck just outside the kitchen window says a whopping 36 degrees. But there is white frosty stuff on the shingles of Evelyn’s roof that I see from my upstairs office, and boy, am I glad I covered my succulents!
I covered the most delicate plants with some new-fangled frost cloth made in India that I got at Davis Ace Hardware Store yesterday. I also used one of the very light tablecloths we got from Aunt Rose’s house after she passed last year – makes a lovely plant protector and she would have gotten a kick out the pale green and white cloth lovingly draped over the tiny rosette plants.
We learned the key to a mostly stress-free Thanksgiving – have it at our house at the last minute. Alan’s brother Frank and his wife Pam were so looking forward to hosting the extended clan at their beautiful Grass Valley house and showing folks the almost-completed airplane in their comfortable shop. But it snowed last week and the heavy wet snow broke branches that struck power lines, and even with an adorable five month old named Jolee in the house the power went out. They called us and warned that they might need our house as Turkey Day backup, which is exactly what transpired.
We bought a lovely 17-pound turkey on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday were the hosts of 21, counting the awesome Jolee. Loving family, delicious food – how to host without any pre-banquet worries!
And now the part about “April is my bodyguard.” She and I worry about Mom. We hope the sadness Mom feels as her health gradually fails and her beloved companions die won’t overwhelm the spice, talent and delight that has been Saralee for 88 years. April wisely counsels that we “stay neutral,” and try not to get too worried, in spite of Mom’s quiet voice on the telephone, the joyless musings. Well, we find that she is quite cheerful with most others, and once again, are reminded that she does take care of herself. Us loving daughters would do well to learn from her…
Caption: Me and the lovely Jolee
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