Posted in Sunday Report

Full Fall mode

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

We’ve enjoyed a beautiful week of Autumn with Sunshine and temps in the 60s. The trees have changed each day, adding more yellow here and a splash of red there. Yesterday it rained and this morning the temp attempted to reach freeze-point, so the blustering wind is making a blizzard of falling leaves.

The view from my back windows…

The beautiful last hurrah of the past season reminded me of the poem “Autumn Day” by Rainier Maria Rilke…

Lord: it is time. The summer was immense.
Lay your shadow on the sundials
and let loose the wind in the fields.

Bid the last fruits to be full;
give them another two more southerly days,
press them to ripeness, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

Whoever has no house now will not build one
anymore.
Whoever is alone now will remain so for a long
time,
will stay up, read, write long letters,
and wander the avenues, up and down,
restlessly, while the leaves are blowing.

Translated by Galway Kinnell and Hannah Liebmann,
“The Essential Rilke” (Ecco)

Meanwhile, out on the back porch, the Giant Coleus, now two years old!, stands tall over the mint, and the Nasturtium is growing as if it’s Spring, blooms cascading onto the floor and leaves as big as a plate!!!

The Ancestors have prodded me back to writing and I’ve unearthed more photos and information regarding their adventures, so it’s been a week of researching and writing a Family Story that I’ve wanted to share for several years now. In my rush to crank out phrases to meet my word-count goals, I wrote before I had completed my research and had to delete a good part of the story and start again. I think the deletions count as pen-to-paper, don’t you? The goals are good, I suppose, but this week’s writing has been Fun and I don’t want to spoil by measuring my accomplishment with a random number. Anyway, a picture is worth a thousand words, isn’t it? I believe so…

Did I mention that we have a leaky roof? I said, let’s move!, but Casey thinks we should just fix it, so we’re in the process of getting estimates on that job. I can hardly wait to hear the sound of men scuffling around my roof, but for now I’ll just cozy up next to the fireplace and read a good book…

Hope you’re dry and warm in your neck of the woods…

Peace

P.S. This post is a 2-minute read with 433 words, but it was Actually Really 6,433 words…see how that works?

Posted in Sunday Report

November, again

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I have remembered My Ancestors with flowers and music this All Hallowtide, lighting candles and feasting on harvest soup. I am very grateful to have been born into this line of DNA, especially for the love and care I was given by my parents and grandparents when I was very young.

23 years ago today, my Mom died. She was only 71, was in decent health, still planning her life and I’m sure she was as shocked as we were when she passed over into whatever dimension we transition to from here. That was probably the darkest November of my life, but the short days and long nights wear on my general cheerfulness.

What we need right here, right now, is a Dopamine Menu:

EVPL Book Sale 11/8-9

Get a flu, covid, RSV shot

Wilson Auction 11/7-8

Xanadu 11/23

11/26 Annual Thanksgiving Sleep-over,

11/27 waking up to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by feasting with the Jrs Give Thanks!!!

11/30 Casey’s birthday #71 – what a youngster!

There’s a lot of blank space in there which could open the door for some of that bleak November vibe to settle into the old bones, so I’m Taking a hint from the now-defunct NaNoWriMo challenge to write a Novel (50,000 words) in November….except I have never wanted to write a novel – not since grade school, anyway. I prefer to write features and columns, if you know what I mean from Journalism 101, so I’ve crafted a bespoke challenge to entertain me during this shady season.

I don’t mean that I’m going to publish something daily. I have an outline of topics for long-read type essays, and a list of characters for family tales that could extend to short stories. I’m stoked this time, though, so I ought to get in at least two weeks before I start flagging. Lord knows I have little else to do, but somehow my attention strays easily.

Which reminds me…I did this thing out in the Peace/Bird Garden.

Before
After

I’ve been looking at the peace sign upside-down for years now, meaning to change it around someday.

Upside-down or Inside-Out

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

The Return of the Sunday Reporter

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Hey, kids! I hope you’re doing well, weathering the changes peacefully. I retreated for a month in September, staying away from all but essential outside intrusion, practicing the Presence in nature and in my natural habitat, my home. Though I had a Big Wake-up to News experience while at Disney World recently, I found that grounding myself intensely during that month allowed me to maintain my detachment, staying present in a way that intensified the FUN we had.

I’m working on a nice video, but here’s a quick preview of my gorgeous grandies and some cool characters…

Observant readers may notice that Casey looks different in the above picture, and not just in the aging-old-dude way. Check it out — after 5 years, he cut his hair…

Before
After

I feel like I have a new husband!

During my break from writing this column, I’ve written Nothing. Oh, I made several lists, took notes on some lectures I’ve listened to, and devised an ad for FB Marketplace, but my urge to compose some lofty prose has dried up like the leaves rustling through the yard.

Driving down to Disney we stopped at an RV park, situated ourselves near the restrooms. What we didn’t realize is that the doors required a code, and there was no one in the office to give it to us. It was uncomfortable and I determined that we should sell Goldie and stop acting like we still have the travel trailer (after 5 years, you’d think I’d learn). After our return from Florida, Casey cleaned her all up, put her out in the yard with a For Sale sign, and she sold in less than 24 hours. Truly, Goldie was one-of-a-kind and we had many great adventures in her. We still have our drive-around-town cars, but will probably look around for something newer soon.

I’m prepping for Allhallowtide – the 3-day observation of All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints, and All Souls Days. I prefer to call it Dia de los Muertes and I am setting up an Altar of Ancestors to Remember and Celebrate, decorating with flowers, planning a meal of harvest food, and watching Coco for inspiration.

Check back in next week to join the festivities!!!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report, The Gardens of Sonnystone...

Garden in Photos 2025

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Though the garden does have some green beans still to be harvested, it’s pretty much done and dusted for this year. I’ve figured out a lot, learning from both my mistakes and my successes, and plans are underway for an even more spectacular garden next year.

June

sweet cherry 100s

June

July

butternut squash
sweet cherry 100s

July

August

August

September

What the September gardens lack in fruit, they make up for in flowers…

While the Peace/Bird garden’s seem like their blooms are gone, the birds still spend considerable time munching on the black cone remains, and will continue to throughout the winter…

Autumn is still teasing us with heat, but we’ve had a lot of rain and the temps are dropping, so I’m hoping for a colorful display of leaves this year.

We’ll be in Disney World for a week, leaving 10/10, but we have some plans to divide and move some perennials upon our return. At the end of every garden season, we plan for the next!

Hope the flowers are blooming in your neck of the woods..!

Peace

Posted in Breaking News

I’ve hit the Pause Button…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Thanks for checking in on me!

I’m working on some other projects right now and need to give this chronicle a rest. There’s not much happening anyway, so you’re not missing anything!

In the meantime, check out the monthly archives in the box to the right to read some past reports, or pick a category to peruse special topics.

Be back shortly!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Last week’s news

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

We met up with the Jrs at Ellis Park last Sunday for the final race of the season. I can’t win a bet to save my life, but Casey did alright, as did Samantha!

I had surgery on Tuesday to re-center my left optical lens and it went well. This time around the anesthesia left me drugged for a couple of days, more than in the past. Maybe I’m just getting old? After my follow-up appointment on Wednesday, we walked over to the downtown Market on Main. I’ve been meaning to visit since it started up in June, however, it doesn’t look like I’ve been missing much.

Anyway, I did drag around the garden, trimming and uprooting, harvesting, and arranging. Fall is in the air, and both gardens are finishing up their service.

My son, Michael, will be 44 on Wednesday, but we’re celebrating today at our usual celebrating place, so I’ll cut this missive short.

Enjoy this Long Week-end!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

I started a new blog…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Family Stories will be a blog about the lives of my shirt-tail ancestors – aunts, uncles, cousins – and I’ve got some good tales to tell. For the Introductory post, I introduced myself and said a few words about my other ancestry blog. Looking for a photo of some sort, I came across a prose poem that hit me in my heart.

It appears that Della Joann McGinnis Johnson probably wrote the original version of this, but others may have edited/contributed. Whoever it was, I thank them. I’m happy to report that I’m not the only crazy person who feels the presence of their ancestors – even consulting with them – and who views graveyards as living things. This explains it…

THE STORY TELLERS

We are the chosen. In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors – to put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. To me, doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead, breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the story tellers of the tribe. All tribes have one.

We have been called by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out to us: tell our story. So we do. In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood before now and cried? I have lost count. How many times have I told the ancestors you have a wonderful family you would be proud of us? How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was love there for me?

I cannot say.

It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why do I do the things I do. It goes to seeing a cemetery about to be lost forever to weeds and indifference and saying I can’t let this happen. The bones here are bones of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes to doing something about it. It goes to pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish. How they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family. It goes to deep pride that they fought to make and keep us a Nation. It goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for us. That we might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we do. With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we are them and they are us.

So, as a scribe is called, I tell the story of my family. It is up to that one called in the next generation to answer the call and take their place in the long line of family storytellers. That is why I do genealogy, and that is what calls those young and old to step up and put flesh on the bones.

Because I love writing this Report, because the format of “that was the week that was” is easy, because my loyal readers enjoy even the boring parts, I keep on truckin’. But, honestly, I want more people to read my stuff. I’ve got some stories to tell and they’re good ones. Hang with me while I get them written and published over at Family Stories. Until I get going, there’s a lot of good reads at All My Ancestors.

We’re off to the Races today with the Jrs (minus Nova, who has to work)! It’s perfect weather, and I’m feelin’ lucky…

Hope you’re feeling lucky, too!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Weekly Wrap-up

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Last week was good. Appropriate cards and greetings were sent to the lucky people who married my children. My long-time hairdresser coaxed my tresses into their usual bleached-blonde-blowout — yes, I actually pay to look this bad. A new longevity-of-phone-call record was set by me and my soul-sister – and I could have talked longer! BruBurger saw me twice, first for a lunch with my sister and then, a couple of days later, dinner with husband to celebrate our Anniversary.

My green beans and cucumbers are popping right up!

I’m still out early in the mornings to water and trim. Tomatoes and Peppers are finishing up their fruiting, but they look pretty spent. As soon as this heat passes, probably Wednesday or Thursday, I’m going to tear in and tear out in both the Edible and the Peace/Bird. I have the beginnings of an idea to transform the P/B garden this fall, complete with native shrubs and some sort of fencing to keep out the deer.

Speaking of deer, we have three fawns that visit daily, hanging out in our backyard with their moms nearby. They are darling. This summer we’ve attracted a couple of skunks – Pepe’ and one of his girlfriends, no doubt – who keep digging along our foundation. Pepper Flakes to the rescue.

I am returning to my Ancestry research. I’ve had my subscriptions on hold for a while, but upgraded to an international version for six months, and will be trying to catch up with my Scots-Irish roots, going back to our 17th century years in the Highlands. My German greats arrived later, and will be easier verify, so I expect to find that I’m some sort of baroness. I publish our family stories over at my Ancestry Blog, and if you have never visited, you really should! It is chock-full of interesting characters, many of whom haunt my house and heart. I’ll be bugging you more about this, so why not bookmark it and give it a read? www.allmyancestry.wordpress.com

Despite the oppressive heat, we’re going to Try to go to Ellis Park tomorrow to watch the thoroughbreds. The last time I attempted this maneuver, the heat shut down the track, so that could happen again. The season is nearly over, so I’m getting a little desperate. I don’t remember the last time I didn’t go to the races at least once in the summer!

Hope there’s some shade in your neck of the woods!

Peace