Posted in Special Edition

Breaking News!!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

If you’re a long-time reader, you know that the Kentucky Derby is an Official Family Holiday for the Caseys of Sonnystone Acres. Yes, we wear hats, drink juleps, eat fried chicken and pecan pie, and generally carry on as if we were in Louisville. I am well-known for overthinking the entire Spectacle, and others make more sane, and profitable, wagers.

At times, we’ve gone out to our local thoroughbred racetrack and rubbed elbows with the hoi-polloi, watching the race on the Turbotron; other times, I’ve been in NYC with granddaughters who embraced the style of the event. Most of the time we’ve watched from our diner, sipping our Bourbon of Choice.

Always, I’m on the line with my children, Melissa and Michael, enjoying our wins and commiserating our losses.

This year, 2026, my girl-child will be in residence for both Oaks and Derby Day!!!

I will pick her up at around midnight tonight (before her plane turns into a pumpkin) and she’ll stay Friday through Sunday.

Give us a call if you’d like to visit! No Irish Dancers this trip, but Missi is pretty entertaining on her own. There will definitely be sibling pictures, and while she’s here we’ll celebrate (early) Nova’s birthday and graduation.

I’m so excited!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Minimal Effort

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

People, it’s Derby Week! I am ready to study up and share my scintillating insights into the Run for the Roses. You don’t want to miss that! Plus, we’re trying a whole new menu this year!

I apologize for these recent posts that are done so hastily, but here I am again, running out the door, throwing some words at you.

Last week, Dee and I met up for lunch and a matinee of Merrily We Roll Along. When we arrived at the theatre, we were the only people there –Just us, everything locked, a big sign advertising “Dear Evan Hansen”. It was Monday when I got in touch with the Box Office and they were, “we got the chance to do the Evan Hansen and pivoted in December, tried to get in touch with everyone”. I guess they did a pretty good job, except for us. To be honest, I’m not too excited to see this musical and it definitely messed with my schedule, but I’m heading back over to USI shortly.

The yard is out of control now, so Boy-Child is here mowing the top acres for us. I knew he’d come in handy one of these days.

I promise I’ll take my time for the Derby Week posts and make up for all this neglect. I’ll be back Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so Watch this spot and join us as we Party!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Weekly Wrap-up

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Was it just last Monday that I wrote you that we’d weathered a rough week? Here I am again, your intrepid reporter, to let you know that we’ve weathered another rough week…

When I started sneezing and wheezing on the drive back from Chicago, I blamed allergies, but had a sneaky suspicion that it was a rhinovirus aka a cold. I hoped it wasn’t, but it was, and Casey caught it. It was a real booger for me (get it) to cough up the tenacious sputum, but this guy with two inguinal incisions was laid down with excruciating pain with every spasm. It was a bit of a set-back, to say the least. We saw the surgeon for routine follow-up on Friday and, guess what? the doctor had had the same bug, and they commiserated with each other. His incisions are healing well and his progress, though slower now than we’d hoped, is positively positive.

My patient lost a filling during this ordeal and we’re going to the dentist tomorrow after his annual eye exam. That will test his stamina, and I’m skeptical, but he’s in charge.

Our lawn is going to need mowing before Casey’s able, and I’ve talked with Michael about coming over and getting the front and side knocked down before it gets too overgrown. I have always wanted to forego mowing the meadow, all the way down to the woods with only a path around it, to see what wildflowers would grow up there. Looks like I’m getting my wish this year (for a while) and there are lots of oxeye daisies, violets, and others I can’t name. I can’t seem to get a good picture, either, but here we are…

I think last night and tonight may be our last days of low temps in the upper 30s – fingers crossed – but I had to bring my tomatoes and peppers inside, where they’ll stay for a couple of days.

I’m meeting Dee for the final USI theatrical production of the year: Merrily we Roll Along. I’m gaining a new appreciation for Sondheim this season. We have enjoyed all of the shows and we’ll definitely attend next year.

I hope it’s warming in your neck of the woods.

Peace

Posted in Monday Musings

A day late & a dollar short

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Last week was quite the week for healthcare around the acres. Casey’s double hernia repair went very well; of course, it hurt and the pain meds are a blessing and a curse. On his surgery day, I was sick as a dog, coughing, sniffing, and eyes so watery I could hardly open them, but I bravely wore a mask and did my duty. The next days are a blur of care-giving for both of us, but by Thursday I was feeling much better and Michael came by to do a few chores for us. The husband was going through his “will I ever poop again?” phase and I threatened him with an enema until he pushed through on Saturday. I’m nothing but supportive with my patients…

On Saturday, my favorite plant store opened and I was the first one through the doors. Within 30 minutes, the lines were an hour long, and though I managed to get tomatoes and peppers, herbs and some flowers, the crowds were so deep I couldn’t really buy everything I need. That’s okay, we’ve got a while to go before this stuff goes in the ground.

The Peace/Bird Garden, however, is another story. My current favorite perennial there is garden phlox, which happens to also be a fave of the deer, so several weeks back I dug it all up, planning to put it in the back fenced garden. Somehow, I managed to leave in the phlox and dug up three coneflower plants instead. By the time I figured this all out, the phlox in the ground had grown quite quickly, so yesterday I got out and re-arranged the garden, adding one more phlox and re-planting the coneflower. I’ve got allium (a member of the onion family) all around the perimeter, hoping to discourage the deer and I have a few other tricks up my sleeve…

Whilst digging and moving, I moved just wrong and ended up laying on a heating pad most of the day yesterday. No, I did not take any of Casey’s pain pills… It’s somewhat better today, but I’m taking it easy.

The weather in these parts shows super temps from 50s to 80s for the next two weeks, but I’m so skeptical. I judge by my experience with Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May (5/2 this year) and more often than not we’re wearing coats with our hats, so I’m holding back planting my warm-weather crops for now. My peas and onions are doing great and my potatoes are peeping up, too.

Casey has his follow-up appointment with the surgeon this Friday. Until then, we’re free and I plan to visit as many local garden spots as I can.

Sorry to make you wait for this rather plain missive. Hope you’re feeling well where you are.

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Still on Cloud Nine

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I don’t know if there are words to describe the emotions this ol’ grandma has felt this last week, especially watching my Emma dance. It’s very akin to Joy, but more radiant? It’s a little like feeling proud, but more incandescent? It was beautiful, she is beautiful, and so deserving of her status as Top American Irish Dancer in the World. I’m so grateful for these experiences and thankful for my family.

We made it to the Art Institute of Chicago on a cold day, but it was warm inside. I was so thrilled! I’ve never seen so many impressionist artists in one place. There was Monet, Manet, Pisarro, , Renoir, and Cassat.

America was also represented well, with a great Norman Rockwell that personifies Chicago baseball, “The Dugout”, Grant Wood’s “American Gothic, and the renowned “Nighthawks at the Diner” by Edward Hopper.

The Matisse Exhibit featured his paper cut-outs, a technique he started to use in the 1940s. I didn’t know that.

We said our good-byes to the Jose Fam at dinner after the Awards Ceremony on Friday, and started back home in the storms Saturday morning. Geez, gas is $4.59/gal up there! About 50 miles into the trip, we began to see it drop to $4.20, then 100 miles south, the prices were down to $3.97; another 100 miles down, $3.78. Here in Eville, gas at the Walmart is $3.69. What’s with that??? I just shake my head.

Tomorrow’s Casey’s surgery, a simple hernia repair, no biggie. I’ll be playing nurse for a few days, and get caught up on my reading. The weather after Wednesday looks gorgeous and I’m hoping to get out and buy plants!!!

My allergies really flared up on the drive home yesterday – we went the backroads through the Illinois cornfields – so it feels like Spring to me! Hope it’s blossoming in your neck of the woods.

Peace

Posted in Special Edition

Number 6 in The World!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

My #1 grandie Emma Magnolia Mayne Jose danced her way to sixth in this premiere competition.

I am so happy to see her hard work pay off.

You may remember that she is the current North American champion, and now is the top American in The World.

My heart is full!!!!

Posted in Sunday Report

Evening Edition

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

It’s been a busy week here at the Acres. We added fresh mulch all around the house foundation beds, rearranged some perennials in the Peace/Bird Garden, and planted peas, onions, and potatoes.

EVSC was on Spring Break, so I spent some time with Samantha – always a treat!

Thanks to my cousin Lori, I got to meet (on facetime) her granddaughter, Saylor Reese Deig, a most adorable little doll-baby, who cooed and smiled and is obviously brilliant!

Today we met up with the Juniors and had a nice lunch, an early Easter get-together. I always forget to take pictures at these things, but take my word for it, we are all darling af.

Now we’re packing up for our trip up North for the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2026 aka World Irish Dance Championships. It’s being held in Schaumburg, Illinois, about six hours from here, and we’re so excited to be there! Eliza dances on Tuesday and Emma on Friday.

The weather looks absolutely hideous, cold, wet, windy, brrr, so I’ve given up any idea of walking much, but we will Definitely be going to the Art Institute of Chicago ! I can hardly wait to see “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”, the backdrop for the Sondheim musical “Sunday in the Park with George”.

The Art Institute also owns “Nighthawks at the Diner” and currently there is a fabulous exhibit of works by Henri Matisse!

We’ll be returning by next Saturday, so I’ll get you caught up on our trip next Sunday…unless, of course, one of the girls actually Wins the World Championship, or comes in top 10, in which case, I’ll post a quick Breaking News Report. Wouldn’t that be great?

I hope Spring is springing in your neck of the woods.

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Welcome, Spring!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Okay, it’s true, I lied. I did not get around to starting the new garden blog last week. I have several justifications for delaying its launch, but mostly I was busy with other stuff. I had my annual physical and I must brag that I passed my mini-mental exam with flying colors! St. Patrick’s Day is a Family Holiday with us, so the feast was feasted on Tuesday. It was a jolly day, and followed so quickly by Ostara and its accompanying menu, I’ve been an absolute Bacchus. So I didn’t get any blog blogged…

But if I had posted anything, it would look like this…

Growing Every Season

It’s been a most wonderful start to the season of renewal, rebirth! Up with the dawn to greet the sun, I could feel a resurgence of energy.

We spent the day playing outside. Casey finished the new garden beds and filled them with garden soil and the earthy smell of manure wafted in the breeze. I brought out the over-wintered plants and started cleaning out the shed.

Later on, we had a lovely quiche and asparagus, washed it down with cider, and went down to the firepit to relax and light a fire.

We cannot see the sun set from the grove where the fire blazed, but 12 hours and 6 minutes after Ol’ Sol rose in the east, he set in the West.

If I had written it, it would go something like that, and end with

…Keep on Growing…

When I finally get that blog going, you’ll be the first to know. We’re trying to get as much heavy work done as we can before we leave for Chicago on the 30th, so we’re super grateful for such balmy weather!

Hope you’re having a lovely day in your neck of the woods!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Weekly Wrap-up

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

There’s nothing like a trip to Rural King to get you in the Spring planting mood. Monday morning I bought an excessive amount of seeds for both early starts and my countertop garden, and grabbed up a houseplant.

Casey got his pressure washer delivered and my back porch has been transformed.

Check out my new raised beds. He’s tilling them today and we’ll get a load of soil next week.

I spent a lot of last week following up on what I’d spent the week before thinking/stewing about. In the last decade, we’ve all seen families torn apart by politics/religion, and one of them was my birth family. You know, if you’ve been paying attention, that after the last election I turned it off, changed my habit of living in the internet world of “news”, but one can hardly avoid the fact that he’s started a war. I don’t know if that’s why, or is it something else, but many americans are beginning to see him in a different light.

So it was that a couple of the estranged-ers reached out to me (after 10 years!), a little embarrassed and even ashamed, kind of like they woke up… I have grieved losing these dearly-loved people, and once I was sure that they were sincere, my family and I opened our circle. We stepped back and made room for more Love. We are Family and we’ll do whatever it takes to hold each other up, to help us get through.

I hope we’ve reached a tipping point somehow and more and more of us come together to repair what has been so tragically broken in our country and in our hearts.

Looking ahead…

We’re expecting a hard freeze Monday and Tuesday, so we’re preparing some covers for our roses. We’ve lost the first buds for the last two years! But my lovely forsythia have got their blooming done…

I don’t care if the Irish like it or not, I’m having corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes on St. Paddy’s Day. This year, I’m adding a new dessert: Lucky Charms Treat Bars, which should be magically delicious.

Then there’s Ostara, the Vernal Equinox, the #1 day of Spring. That involves quiche, green salads, baked bread.

Hope Springs Eternal…I hope…

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Short, but sweet…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

It’s been rainy, gloomy, bleak week here at the Acres. I’ve been grappling with my Self, sorting out and expanding my point-of-view — Changing my Mind. Of course, I change my mind like some people change their underwear, but that’s an ADHD thing. What I’m talking about here is a shift in perspective. It’s bewildering at first, and I mourn the loss of my old way of thinking, but I’m kinda excited to see how this all plays out.

What the hell is she talking about, you ask? I don’t know, but I spent so much time Thinking this week that I have nothing else to report.

But I do have something here to make you smile. From 2020, it’s our Camp Sonnystone video. Enjoy!

Peace