It’s week 2 of Birthday Month here at Sonnystone Acres, and we started off right with a lunch date. Dee and I held court for 2.5 hours on Monday. I love yakking with her so much!
The bathroom project concluded…
Casey has now moved on to the stair landing and stairs. I don’t want it carpeted again, but it’s pretty rough. We’d not seen the naked steps in a while, so were pleasantly surprised to find none have to be replaced. Hopefully, we’ll just clean, sand, paint, add some of those carpet things on the treads and voila! better than new.
For Valentine’s Day, I baked a quiche, a loaf of bread, and a cherry pie. I was planning the quiche, and when I took the frozen pie crusts from the freezer, they were broken up, so I had to let them thaw and put them back together. I just happened to have some cherry pie filling and that seemed a fitting present for my handsome, hard-working Valentine.
My Valentine on his birthday, November 2024
Cousin Lana and I were really looking forward to seeing today’s performance of “Clydes” at UE Theatre, but last evening we decided to reschedule. Lana is not feeling too well and we were a little bit afraid of the weather for her drive from Grayville. We thought we were being overly cautious last night, but Surprise! Surprise!
Though the weatherwoman predicted a “dusting” of snow, we got all of this!!!
I ‘m going to try to rearrange the theatre tickets for later, but there is some hint of more snow toward the end of the week, so we may have to miss it. Bummer.
The Jr family have been sick with flu the last several days, but I’m hoping Samantha is well enough to go birthday-ing Monday. I have a lunch planned for Thursday, and Haley’s wedding reception is Saturday. I still have a couple more birthday lunches to plan, and I could add more if you’re interested! We’ve got 12 more days to celebrate!
It’s been a somewhat boring week here at Sonnystone Acres, though my social life is about to pick up. To celebrate my #72 Birthday on the 23rd, I’m rounding up friends to meet me for lunch.
It all starts tomorrow with my former sister-in-law and always-friend, Dee. I usually see Dee once each year in the hottest part of August, while Melissa and her family are here, so I’m curious to see how she looks in cold February!
I have several other lunch dates in the planning stages, all of them at my favorite bar/grill, and I’ll be reporting in as they occur. (If you’d like to grace me with your presence, shoot me a DM and let’s get together, yeah yeah yeah.) Until then, I thought I’d re-blog this post from 2020. Hope you enjoy!
On This Day…
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On this day in 1964, the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time, as teenage girls screamed hysterically in the audience and 73 million people watched from home — a record for American television at the time.
I know where I was: about a foot away from our black-and-white console TV in the basement of our quintessentially 60s finished basement with whole family present. The first song they did was, “I want to hold your hand” and I didn’t think their harmonies were very impressive, but I couldn’t take my eyes off them. When they came back out, they did “I saw her standing there” and I did a bit of a scream, if I remember.
Of course, I watched the next three weeks as well and was as obsessed as any other. I think my friend Karen and I watched at least one of them together. In 1964 the Beatles released Seven albums, the first two in January before the Big Arrival to be in Ed Sullivan. I was given “Meet the Beatles” for my birthday that year. “The Beatles Second Album” was released 10 April 1964; it was their third release, but who was counting? In June their movie, “Hard Day’s Night” was released to more screaming fans (including me). In July came “Something New”. The November release was “The Story of the Beatles” with interviews and discussions of Beatlemania”. In December “Beatles 65” was released– perfect Christmas present!
Beatlemania was followed by the British Invasion and Ed Sullivan was bringing them all in, though he did censure Mick Jagger, of course. It was a grand time to be memorizing song lyrics.
“Rubber Soul” came out in December 1965, another Christmas present, but it wasn’t shake-your-hair and scream music. The Beatles were growing up, too. .
By 1966, the Beatles had grown tired of live performance. George Harrison was the first to burn out on Beatlemania, though Paul Thrived on the Adulation. McCartney finally gave in to his band mates’ insistence that the group stop touring toward the end of their August tour of the United States. Afterward, George informed manager Brian Epstein that he was leaving the band. However, he was persuaded to stay on provided there were no more tours
Shortly after the USA tour in 1966 ,the album “Revolver” was released and by that time you could see that The Beatles were definitely moving in a different direction that was more cerebral. They’d been to India and their music showed their journey.
In 1967, June, The Beatles changed the world of music again with the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. That same year they made another movie, “Magical Mystery Tour” and I missed a lot as we were moving around from here to California. I did get Sgt. Pepper for my birthday in 1968, though.
During the second half of the Beatles’ career, the members began to assert individual artistic agendas. Their disunity became most evident on The White Album. Ringo briefly quit the group while it was being made. They were divided over who would be their manager after the death of Brian Epstein and never came to an agreement.
They launched into a multi-media project called “Get Back” that later became “Let it Be” and it was a disaster. The dysfunction of the group, the arrogance and ego of John and Paul are on full display and it’s tough to watch. Yoko is like hiding under the seats, warbling. George briefly left the band during this time. The situation was so bad that the project was not released for several years after the band had already broken up.
Abbey Road, the album that is my favorite, was released in October 1969. They weren’t actually working together, but their producer had a way of making us think they had.
The final time that the four members recorded together collectively was the session for Abbey Road‘s closing track “The End” on 18 August 1969. Lennon privately informed his band mates that he was leaving the Beatles on 20 September, although it was unclear to the other members whether his departure was permanent. On 10 April 1970, McCartney issued a press release that stated he was no longer working with the group, which sparked a widespread media reaction and worsened the tensions between him and his band mates. Legal disputes continued long after, and the dissolution was not formalized until 1974.
The Fab Four who performed on Ed Sullivan lo those many years ago were not the same group who sang me to sleep with the dark “Golden Slumbers” or who surprised me with “Her Majesty”. John’s heroin addiction and Paul’s controlling personality were Bound to Explode. George was always my favorite, anyway, and the Beatles demise freed him to create his own music, which I consider the Best and many of which have become part of my soundtrack. Ringo? Ya gotta Love Ringo…and he really is a good drummer.
Back to the present…
I have The Beatles well-represented in my CD collection, so today I’m lining them all up for a listen: Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt. Pepper, White Album, and Abbey Road. I’ll finish up with George, my fellow Pisces: All Things Must Pass and Brainwashed, fitting for the current era.
The day is gloomy, perfect for catching up on my reading, baking some bread, and fussing over my coleus plants. Hope you’re finding some fun over in your neck of the woods.
It is a beautiful Imbolc Week-end here at the Acres, sunny and mild; I definitely saw my shadow, so we can look forward to six more weeks of winter. These next four weeks promise fun for all, filled with birthdays, rollicking comedy with cousins, and lunches at fancy places.
I have a new sink in the upstairs bathroom, thank-you, Casey! As usual, I forgot to get the “before” picture, but we are quite a ways from the finished project, so these photos will have to do.
I completed January’s dopamine menu with the exception of visiting the Zoo and the Museum. Let’s just start the February Menu with those:
Visit Zoo
Visit Museum
Finish up the bathroom project.
U of E Theatre is presenting “Clydes”, a “riotous” comedy this month, so Lana and I (and flat Ronna) will go on the 16th.
Grandie #4 will move into double digits (10) on the 22nd. She’s going to have an ice-skating party with her friends on 3/1, but celebrate with me on the 23rd.
Also on the 22nd, Cousin Lana’s grandie, Haley, will marry her fella, Logan; we’re invited to the dinner/dance following the civil ceremony! There will be at least five cousins there at the Carmi VFW, so look out!
The 23rd is my Actual Date of Birth, and the Jrs. will be around to help me celebrate.
Currently, I only have one lunch planned, so I can fit a lot more people on my lunch card. Seriously, if you live nearby, DM me and let’s meet up. We could walk at the mall, too, if you’re interested; I’ll be there a couple of times a week.
These next couple of weeks, the weather forecast is as good as it gets for February. Fingers crossed that the mild trend continues.
I wrote some really preachy stuff and somehow lost the best part and decided it was a sign from Beyond that I should not preach. Lucky you, huh? Well, I do hope you’re all doing well after a rocky week in America. My On-This-Day photos were kind of sad: January 20, 2017…
The group that assembled that day wasn’t large, but it was hopeful.
My sign said “We are All One”…. I stand by that.
Here at Sonnystone, I’ve been a little under-the-weather. Seems like January and February bring out the worst in my health, so I’m sure we’ll have a nice go-round with our healthcare system and be ok by Spring… Hope.
To keep myself entertained, I’ve been propagating the my coleus, which had been first propagated last October. I got a pretty good stand of dill from my countertop hydroponic garden, and the chive is almost ready to come out of there; the lonely cilantro needs just a little longer, too.
I’m verry late to the game, but I am listening to a 90s jam-band, Widespread Panic. Their song, “Ain’t Life Grand?” became my theme song about four years ago and since I got down the old stereo, I bought their best CD “Panic in the Streets” and have been listening to it and their CD “Another Joyous Occasion” on a loop. Their keyboardist, John “JoJo” Hermann, is as good as Bill Payne and Roy Bittan, who are the best. Music doth soothe the troubled soul. It can also make you dance…
Just one quick preach…this excerpt from “Desiderata”
Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at Peace…
Have a good week, fellow Children of the Universe…
Last week was uneventful here at Sonnystone Acres, spent watching the snow melt… Casey tried to outsmart Twitch, the flying squirrel, and the jury is still out on who won the skirmish.
Upcoming this week: Eliza Belle Mayne Jose’ will turn 14 on the 21st and Emma Magnolia Mayne Jose’ will be 19 on the 24th. Eliza is in the 8th grade at Avenues and continues her Irish Dance instruction at Doherty-Petri. Emma is starting her second semester at Colgate University and she, too, has continued her Irish dancing. Both girls are consistently at the top of their competitions and are World qualifiers. More than just dancers, they are good students and decent people, and I’m so proud of them.
In their honor, here’s a recycle of last year’s tribute.
The wheel is turning and we can’t slow down… My New York Irish Dancer grand-daughters both had birthdays last week. Eliza, my #3 grandie, turned 13 on the 21st; Emma, my #1 grandie, turned 18 on the 24th. I am a little dizzy thinking about how the time has flown. They are gems in my crown and their futures look so bright that I gotta wear shades…
My #1 and #3 grandies,
Eliza and Emma, 2024
Emma Magnolia Mayne Jose:
Eliza Belle Mayne Jose:
Three more days of cold and we’ll moderate into “normal” winter temperatures around 40–it will feel tropical! Hope it’s thawing in your neck of the woods.
Well, hasn’t this been a real wing-dinger of a week? We ended up with an inch or so of ice followed by five inches of snow from Sunday to Monday, then picked up another four inches of snow on Friday to Saturday.
I got caught low on groceries and had to venture out to the store between storms, where I was accosted by a lady for stepping in front of her at the milk shelves… She berated me so hard that I put back half my groceries just to get through the express lane and away from her, so my cooking has not been the gourmet extravaganza I had planned. Chili is just fine and cozy for snow days anyway.
That ice storm was brutal to our trees, and a medium-size limb became a spear as it fell on our garage roof, leaving a small hole that Casey temporarily patched up between storms.
Since the whole town is littered with downed limbs and trees, and so many folks have been without power that there were emergency shelters set up by the Red Cross, I’m grateful we’ve been warm all week. The schools were all closed, so many a Mom is on edge and my heart goes out to them. Today we’re supposed to get above freezing, so I expect the stores will be full and I’m sending strength to the hospitality and retail workers.
Casey’s in his element in this weather and has manned the snowblower like a champ, keeping our driveway passable and the birdfeeders full and out of the ice. He added a third sunflower seed feeder and got out walnuts for the squirrels to fight over. There are at least three dozen birds at the buffet constantly, sunrise to sunset, on the ground, in the magnolia tree, at the water bowl, just trying to stay alive.
While the days have been bright and beautiful and the birds and squirrels have kept us busy and entertained, today is the first day we’ve actually seen Ol’ Sol breaking through the clouds and it’s a great way to start the day!
I am planning a whole week of Getting Out of the House! Hope I see you there!
Gazing out of my windows, I watch the birds fighting for a spot at the feeders and queuing up for a drink at the water bowl. The black birds want to hog the food, so we occasionally bang on the windows and clear them out, giving the smaller birds an brief opening to get into the troughs. Tough to get pictures from inside…
Intermittently, the snow will change over to ice or sleet, then revert back to innocent, puffy flakes. It’s all very pretty, a blank slate, ready for a new Dopamine Menu.
After a week of inner whining, this fresh view is just what I needed to regain my peace. We’ve put away the Christmas decorations, and I’ve taken this opportunity to move furniture, rearrange shelves, and re-think where it all goes- or should it be displayed at all? This has extended to our upstairs, where I’ve stashed the heirlooms that my brother recently brought over, and there’s a good deal of work that needs to be done. It probably seems odd to put this task on my Menu for January, but once I get started, I really enjoy organizing and the added nostalgia will trigger heap big emotion.
January Dopamine Menu
Try two new recipes
Learn Handel’s Water Suite
Organize heirlooms and photos
Read four books, one from each of these genres: biography, mystery, science fiction, and historical fiction.
Lunch with friends x2
Willard Library, Zoo, Museum
Creative Writing Class (starts January 7) (more on that next week)
While we were in NYC, we watched all the current episodes of “Shrinking” and I loved it. I’m looking for something that will grab me like that series did. We don’t have any paid channels, but free stuff like Pluto gives us access to a lot of old shows that we can watch in order — Casey’s working his way through Gunsmoke– but I can’t decide what I’ll stick with. Any suggestions?
Jojo’s Academy of Music will resume classes next week! Samantha and I were at the Mall yesterday, where she got me all caught up with her Christmas fun and we tried on hats…
Since Casey retired, I don’t mind our winters so much, but ask me again in about 6 weeks. I doubt I’ll be calling this snow “pretty” next week, but today it’s gorgeous and the fire is warm.
It feels to me like we missed New Year’s Eve. We got back from NYC on the 29th, and my cousin arrived on the 30th and spent the night here so we could take her to the airport (about 5 minutes away) on the 31st. I thought she was leaving yesterday morning, but her flight was actually in the evening, and was then delayed, finally leaving around 9pm. By that time, I was so physically and mentally exhausted that I just crashed as soon as we saw her off. I didn’t get my mind on preparing for this New Year, so today I’m going to make some lists as I put away Christmas decorations.
For now, I leave you with my old stand-by to welcome this turn of the page.
New Years by Dana Gioia
Let other mornings honor the miraculous. Eternity has festivals enough. This is the feast of our mortality, The most mundane and human holiday.
On other days we misinterpret time, Pretending that we live the present moment. But can this blur, this smudgy in-between, This tiny fissure where the future drips
Into the past, this flyspeck we call now Be our true habitat? The present is The leaky palm of water that we skim From the swift, silent river slipping by.
The new year always brings us what we want Simply by bringing us along—to see A calendar with every day uncrossed, A field of snow without a single footprint.
We had a Super Christmas Celebration with Michael, Jess, Nova, and Samantha on Sunday, starting off our morning at Nellie’s North before heading back to Sonnystone to open presents. We then trooped off to see Moana 2 – which I really enjoyed, as it supports all my beliefs regarding Ancestors and their presence in our lives.
Now we’re ready to drive down to Nashville for the night, catching an early-morning flight to NYC. Very Excited, to say the least, and still watching out for Santa and his reindeer to fly by…
Wherever you are, whatever you celebrate, I am beaming Peace and Love to you — Reach out and grab it!
According to National Geographic, The winter solstice marks the exact moment when half of Earth is tilted the farthest away from the sun. It usually happens on December 21 or 22, at the exact same second around the world. This year, that exact moment was 3:21 this morning, so Today is the Winter Solstice, celebrated by Humans since the dawn of time at such Sacred Spots as Newgrange, Stonehenge, and the Nasca Lines, where folks would gather to welcome back the sun.
How did the Ancients know it was the solstice? I don’t know, but I think it had to do with shadows. If you stand outside in the sun (hopefully it’s shining where you are) at noon today and look at your shadow, it will be the Longest Shadow you cast the entire year. I’m going to check that out today.
One of the most enduring Winter Celebrations is Yule, begun in Scandinavian countries but soon co-opted by the Brits and made familiar to us in their madrigal “Christmas” songs. To Welcome the Light, there was feasting and singing, and a Yule Log — the bigger the better – was lit outside, with the festivities lasting for several days.
We still write our wishes on a log and send them up in the smoke of our fireplace, and of course we’re feasting and singing. But for me, this is the New Year, the Beginning of a new chapter, and a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.
I’ll also be baking today! Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and snickerdoodles are the menu!
The News from Sonnystone Acres 