When Sarah And Steven Came To Town

Over the years, I have attended weddings of family and friends and I've wondered if the clergy performing the ceremony has any way of determining if this particular wedding is the one.  The one that lasts and lasts.  The one where the bride and groom are so good together that having them not marry would be a terrible thing.  

Or, as the officiant looks down at the couple before him/her, is there something that passes between the couple that silently shouts to the clergy and God,  "this marriage won't last six months."

When Sarah and Steven came to town, we got to see the first kind of marriage.  This is the one.  This is the one that will last.  They are so happy together.  And for as young as they are, they are truly grounded with a life plan.  They make each other happy, which in turn, makes them happy.  

And, what a fun time we had!  We went to the Cloud 9 bar, on the rooftop of an Embassy Suites in downtown Wilmington.  We went back to the aquarium, saw huge fish and took another group photo.  We went on a river cruise, had lunches and dinners at nice restaurants, had great pizza at a trendy place, went to the Cape Fear Winery and checked out the crazy artwork they have hanging all over.  We even went to a museum of strange stuff.  For $3.00 admission, we didn't expect much, but we saw fingers in jars, two headed stuffed animals and creepy things.  Money well spent?  Well, maybe not!

The "kids" spent some time at the beach and at our pool and lazy river.   The four of us spent some real quality time on our lanai in the morning, talking about all kinds of things over morning coffee.  

The little girl I took shopping, so many years ago, has grown up.  She has grown into a beautiful woman who found her soul mate in the form of a good looking, funny, warm and thoughtful man.  

When Sarah and Steven came to town, we had a great visit.  I can't wait to see them again.  

Mr. and Mrs. White on the river cruise

Sarah and her beautiful smile

On to the winery!

Who hosts painting frogs...

...Crazy artwork...

Pretty Fish 

Smiling Llamas

Tiny horses...

A strutting peacock

And Family

At the aquarium

Yuck, he's ugly

Sharks

Jellyfish

Spotted Jellyfish

Underwater

Nose to nose!

Animals

As you approach Leland, there are signs that indicate that Leland is a "bird sanctuary."  That's why I feel like Tony and I fit right in--our house is a bird sanctuary!  Our 3 baby cardinals have left the nest and are out on their own, but now, we have a mother Wren who made her nest in Tony's plant on the front porch.  We have to put water in the plant holder base so it will absorb upward.  Then, we water from a very small area in front so we don't flood the nest.  

But birds aren't the only thing that find sanctuary in Leland.  A few nights ago, Tony went to one of our neighbor's house to help him get rid of a copperhead snake in his yard.  I wasn't really happy with that decision, because Tony was wearing shorts and flip flops.  I worked in Novant Hospital's Emergency Room for years and have seen dozens of snake bites, most at ankle height and most on men who wanted to relocate snakes.  

Luckily, the snake was not very social and left as it became outnumbered.   

In addition to the animal population, we have the usual summer wasp nests, huge spider webs and this year, we think that Dixie got stung by fire ants.  She licked her paw and limped around for a day or two and had Tony at her beck and call!

Our company parade is starting today, with Sarah and Steven, who arrive late this evening.  And, of course, our dryer took this opportunity to break.  It will be fixed next week, but that meant we had to go to a laundromat to dry our clothes and towels.  OMG!  I haven't been to a laundromat since Jenna was a baby.  And, once we were there, I remembered why.  Only strange people hang out at a laundromat.

I'm pretty sure we were the only two people in there reading current issues of Time Magazine (come to think of it, we must have looked like the strange ones!)  On a positive note, I was wearing more diamonds that any of the women there.  No one was paying attention though because there was a young lady who was wearing jeans that were so tight, you could count the quarters in her back pocket.

We saw women in "dew rags" and "moo-moo's" and men wearing socks and sandals.  Overall, it wasn't one of our black tie and gala gown events or venues.  

All I can say is Thank God for dryer repair people!

Dixie's foot hurts!  Damn Ants!

Daddy took good care of her and she's all better

The Wren's Nest

Excited to see Steven and Sarah

Hilton Head, New Baby Birds and Wings

Donna and Bob were kind enough to invite us to Hilton Head again this year.  They rented a different house, which, as always, was beautiful. There were two living areas, a screened in porch and 3 bedrooms each with a bathroom. The pool was big and deep.  We got some rain, but for the most part, the weather was good.

Emma and Dixie played well together and Donna, Shannon and I kept the South Carolina economy going by making two or three shopping trips.  

Dixie spent a lot of time in the screened in porch, watching for and barking at squirrels.  Outside and above the pool, were two huge owls that hooted during the day and made spooky noises at night.  It was a relaxing time. 

This year, we took a day trip to Savannah, Georgia.  For a variety of reasons, the one hour trip took almost two, but we all had a good time and laughed about the delays.  Savannah is one of our favorite cities. It's well maintained and there is much to see.   We took a historic trolley tour that featured various characters from the 1700 and 1800's, who shared their stories and thoughts about the city and the events that shaped the south.  After that, we had lunch downtown and then went back to Emma's favorite place, the pool at the rental house!

When we got home, we found that the Cardinal eggs in the Jasmine plant by the lanai had hatched and we are now "fostering" 3 babies.  It's fun to watch mom and dad Cardinal feed them and go hunting for food.  They don't seem to mind us sitting in the lanai watching them, but they have chased away a few mocking birds that got too close to the nest. They also don't seem to mind the inside twinkle lights and the flood light outside, as it draws bugs or in their case, baby food.  

As always, we had a great time with Donna and Bob, but this time, our minds were partly in Charlotte where Tyson was getting ready to "get his wings," as Tony Jr said.  Time was not good to Tyson, he was 13 and having more health issues  as time went on.  He couldn't consistently stand and his life was a painful one.  My sister-in-law, Joyce, who raises Goldens said that putting a pet down is both the most kind and one of the hardest things you can do.  You don't want them to be in pain, but you don't want them to leave you either.   

Seeing new life in the birds and losing Tyson is somewhat ironic, but so true of life in general.  My mother used to say when people died, they were making room for new life.  She died in March, 2006.  Ben, who would have been her first great grandchild, was born in August, 2006.  I always thought she was making room for him.  Maybe it's the same with animals.  Maybe Tyson was making room for the baby birds.  On Monday, June 17th at 11:30 a.m., Tyson got his wings.  We will miss him. 

Enjoy our Hilton Head memories:

Dixie helped Tony drive

Emma and Shannon take aim at Chris with a cool water gun

Chris gets ready to fire back

Dixie takes over a chair in the main living room. 

 Why be in the hot sun outside when you can sleep in a comfortable 

chair inside with air conditioning?  I told you she was smart! 

Dinner at Cranes, one of our favorite 

restaurants in Hilton Head

Home to see the Daddy Cardinal feeding his babies

Tyson Memories:  

Our last visit in Charlotte with Tyson

Tyson, in his prime and how I will remember him 

Dixie and Tyson watch "critters" a few years ago

Tyson, resting on "his" couch

Tyson, Bernie and Dixie in our front yard

One of the earliest visits with Dixie...Tyson decides to check out

 her food and she is trying to decide how to take him on!

  

  

Random Thoughts

43 years ago today, at 4:01 a.m., Jenna Rae Morgan was born.  All 8 pounds, 20.5 inches of her.  She had a red scalp with a small duck tail of red hair at the base of her neck and beautiful blue eyes.  When she cried, it sounded like she was singing..."la, la, la."  To this day, she was the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.  And, believe me, with 8 grandchildren, I have seen some really beautiful babies.  

We have settled into summer already with temperatures here getting into the high 90's and low 100's.  I'm guessing that Hilton Head will be the same.  We will be down there starting on Sunday, visiting with Donna, Bob, Chris, Shannon and Emma.  We're taking Dixie with us so she and Emma can spend some quality time together.  We are also doing a side trip to Savannah which should be fun.  I have to wear long sleeves because of my skin.  When we were in Florida, I got some sun and it caused some real problems with my skin treatment.  My dermatologist said in a very sarcastic (but caring)  tone..., "so are you TRYING to get skin cancer or what?"  OK, I got the message.  When she heard I was going to Hilton Head, she said, "long sleeves, right?"  Yes, long sleeves, no matter how hot.  

After Hilton Head, Donna and Bob will come here for a few days to enjoy the weather they don't get when they are here in January and February.  

My niece Sarah, and her husband will be down in July, as will my sister, Fritz and her son, Joey.  David is driving up and will be here part of the time that Fritz and Joey are.  Tony Jr., will come up after that and the 3 Swegle men will compete for the "3 Men and A Bond," trophy.  I'm hoping Tony Sr., plays well, as I like the trophy right where it is!

We are worried about Tyson, Tony Jr's., Boxer.  Tyson is 13 now and not in good health.  He has had bouts with cancer and his hips collapse so it is difficult for him to get around.  As Tony says, Tyson was our first "grandpuppy," and we remember him walking around with Tony Jr's., slipper in his mouth, whimpering when Tony wasn't home.  We know his days are numbered and know it will be for the best, but it will be a sad day for all of us. 

Dixie continues to bring us joy.  When we sit on the lanai in the evening, she is on "bunny alert!"  Several rabbits, of all sizes and colors, have taken to sitting (and pooping) in our backyard. Dixie spies them and starts to bark.  They just sit and stare at her until we put her on the leash and open the door. If we have the lock off of the leash, it zips forward and goes to the end of the line, unwinding like a fishing line going into the ocean.  She bolts out, tail wagging, tongue out and feet flying.  The bunnies all go in different directions and she isn't sure which one to follow.  We know she just wants to play with them, but they aren't so sure!   We also have a mother cardinal sitting on her nest in the jasmine vine right outside of our lanai.  So, with Dixie, the bunnies and the birds, we have much to watch while we are out there. 

I have added pictures that match my random thoughts.  Some of them may have been posted before, but they fit the day and the mood. 

Enjoy

My baby is 43 today!

Alex, a beautiful grandchild

Owen, Coleton and Tyson

Anthony, all smiles

Alex, walking and talking (look at her feet!)

My other babies....Ben, Sam, Zach and Ellie

The 3 Men and a Bond Trophy

Tyson, our first grandpuppy; old, but still beautiful

Dixie, sleeping in with bed head

Napping, her favorite thing to do, after being with Daddy

This used to be my  chair

Of course, this used to be our couch, too!

Just resting

This is Anthony, trying to "b-waid" Dixie's tail.  Dixie is not thrilled!

Sitting at attention for treats!

Helping Daddy build furniture

Dixie's latest haircut