Early April morning musings

I didn't get around to posting this until after lunch, but it was initially written at 6 a.m. this morning.... 

Our grandsons are visiting this week, so blogging time is curtailed. It's still dark outside, yet frogs are awake, croaking like their lives depended on it. They are quite loud at night; my eldest grandson likes falling asleep to their rhythmic songs.

Eldest grandson fashioned this space plane with additions to origami, lol.

 

My life as a grandmother is SO DIFFERENT, and because these interludes are far and fewish between, I tend to let my being absorb that realm, which before we moved to Humboldt County wasn't so altering, in part the kids were little and they napped, lol. Also that we saw them more often, at their residences, whether it was for several hours at a time or over a few days. Yet who I am has changed too; the sewing isn't paramount, though my youngest grandson wants a turn at the machine, and the writing is less. Less what, I'm not prepared to analyze, but it's less and I am semi-retired, and after a few days of an eleven and seven-year-old, I am also feeling my age, LOL.

Easter was a marvelous day; they hunted eggs and one went missing, not sure at all who or what claimed it in the space of maybe twenty minutes from me hiding it and them seeking. Today I'm teaching my older grandson how to make split pea soup, using leftovers from Easter ham to flavour the peas [It was DELICIOUS and he loved the process!]. This afternoon I'll set up my old sewing machine for the younger chap to practice his fledgling skills. A few errands will be squeezed into the schedule, as well as changing out waterers for the hens. Ruthie has totally gotten over her broodiness, but Gigi is edging that way, so we'll see how that evolves.

Ruthie from this morning; we're SO RELIEVED she's off the broody soap box! 

How do children evolve? The elder grandson is working on a 1000-piece puzzle heaped with Shakespeare references. His younger brother loves origami, but I'm not a great pupil, hahaha. My husband is a little better; his space flyer turned out looking like a plane, while mine was...less identifiable. When these boys were five and one or six and two.... When they were six and two we rarely saw them due to Covid. But even at seven and three, they were more interested in toys than choosing pastimes which suited their developing moods. Now they are exploring their personalities, and Grandpa and I follow along, grateful for their temporary presence in our lives.

Because as long-distance grandparents, their footprints will fade in the coming rain. Origami shapes and perhaps an unfinished puzzle will be markers of their visit, as the chalk-drawn two-square arena out in the yard will be washed away. Toys will be tidied, books back on the shelves, stuffies piled with Legos and blocks, Hot Wheels and plastic animals that don't get used as much as previously. Part of that is the boys are outside more, which is AWESOME, but also toys aren't the focus like before. Younger grandson loves art, pipe cleaners and markers alongside the origami papers he brought, hehehe. Older grandson enjoys cooking and watching sports at night with Grandpa. Their photographs decorate my monitor's screen saver, but those images are mere snippets of the past, never to be lived again.

After they leave, I'll tidy the toys, put away art supplies. I'll pray their memories of this week are joyous, and that our quiet North Coast life will be a balm to which they can return, seeking not that missing Easter egg, but space where frogs sing, chickens poking about. Where their childhood was rooted in simple pleasures, no screens other than the evening TV for entertainment. That despite the distance, they can recall what blessings they are to us, and know this is a haven for anytime they need respite, solace, peace. Not only in the immediate years, but as they age, and hopefully we'll be around for those months and days and moments. Life is precarious, who knows what will happen after I close this entry, then start some breakfast. Well, the chickens also need to be fed, but the mystery continues. May your week be filled with love and grace and peace, and I'll check back when time allows.