Tag: Celebrate!

Posted in Sunday Report

Wrapping it up

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

All of the graduations wrapped up on Friday last. Samantha gave a beautiful speech at her 5th grade celebration. I cried a little, but the cookies were good.

Nova finished up her third commencement ceremony at Central High School. They try to have it outside in the stadium, but the monsoons hit, so it was moved inside and live-streamed. It was our traditional Eville ceremony with a choir and band – the others have been sans music, though they played some canned P&C at Samantha’s. I do love me some Pomp and Circumstance, always a trigger for tears.

Last night was the Shannon’s School of Dance Recital and Samantha danced twice. I thought I got a video of her first dance, but I neglected to push the record button. I do that more often than I’d like to admit. For the second, “Wednesday”, I stuck with stills. Her daddy sent me his videos anyway. She is a lovely dancer.

Samantha is second row, first on left.

We’re in the process of buying a new car and I’ve settled on one that I hope to buy next week. I’m quite a wheeler-dealer. I used to use my looks to get a good deal, but now I’ll play the sweet old lady and see how far that gets me. I’m rather in love with the automobile, but I also know he won’t let me walk away — sweet little old ladies pay cash…

Tomorrow we’re going to put on our mud boots and head out to the Illinois cemeteries. I’ve got decorations for all of my grandmothers. I enjoy the loop – we drive up through Mount Carmel through West Salem and up to Parkersburg, then back down to the Marion Church Cemetery and on to Albion and Grayville. If we’re able to get an early start, we could make it to Carmi and Grandmother Gainsey.

During all of this month I have been sick. I’ve blamed allergies, so just kept going, but my coughing has been ubiquitous. I had a routine CT scheduled for Wednesday and it came back showing some fluid in my left lower lobe. I saw the doctor on Thursday and she gave me a Z-pak and we’ll follow up the CT in 3 months. I haven’t had time to worry about it, but I am really tired.

So I think I’ll just lay around the shack and nap my way through the day. The rain is supposed to Finally clear out tomorrow and I’ll wager I’ll be much cheered if the sun shines.

Hope you’re feeling well in your neck of the woods!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Sorry…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Okay, I lied again about those extra posts. When the daughter is around, there’s not a lot of down-time.

Yes, we did bet Golden Tempo, the longshot winner of the KY Derby!!! What’s even better is that we had a party of 10 to cheer the ponies on. It really was a Great Race–first woman trainer to win the roses, two brothers who came in neck-and-neck in first and second place, and the first in a while of fast track vs. muddy in Lousville.

In what seems to be my normal behavior lately, I have no pictures of yesterday. The Jr girls were in attendance and their mom took graduation pictures of them on the grounds, so you’d think it would have dawned on me to mark the occasion digitally. But, alas, you’ll just have to take my word for it – we are all gorgeous.

It has been a blast and today will wrap up with a visit from Aunt Dee and a visit to Aunt Donna. Tomorrow morning at 6am, she’ll be on the plane back to NYC.

Casey’s doing even better, kind of showing off for his daughter, I think. We see his surgeon again this Friday and I bet he can go back to driving. >sigh of relief<

Next week is Mothers’ Day, time to put out the garden. We’ve got one more week of low 40s temps, so that works out perfectly. I’ll see you then.

Hope you’re surrounded by Love in your neck of the woods.

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 Sunday Report

Marching into March

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

We’re back, since Friday, from our Birthday Trip! Despite the lack of co-operation from the weatherman down in WDW, we had a great week of celebration.

Upon our arrival home, we were thrilled to be greeted by warm temperatures and sunshine, with bits and bobbles of green popping up here and budding snowdrops ready for bloom. I managed to get a little cleaning-up done in the Peace/Bird Garden, but paused as I consider a complete revamp of the plantings. The deer are uncontrollably attracted to eat my Garden Phlox; though I’ve used hot pepper spray and pepper, that doesn’t last and inevitably the beautiful flowers are eaten. I’m considering moving them into the back fenced Edible Garden, and then put the coneflower here and maybe the liatris and salvia over there — that will give me plenty to think about as we roller-coaster through this very whimsical first month of meteorological Spring.

before
after

Casey is scheduled for a hernia repair on April 6, so I am trying to get every little bit of moving and lifting out of him before the procedure. He is more excited about getting a new pressure washer to blast the green off of our yellow house, but I’m stoked for new raised garden beds. There’s something for everyone.

I’ll be starting up my garden blog again this year! First Day of Spring is the 20th this year and we’ll celebrate Ostara and Welcome Glad Spring at Growing Every Season 2.

In addition to resuming the garden blog, I’m compiling a group of poems that I found while going through my personal effects in the attic. Some of the best are from my high school days (“The Prisoner of 2228 Dusseldorf Drive”), and my college days (There’s a jazz band), but most need some editing and recalibration. I’ll let you know when they’ll be published over at Souvenirs – aka Rave on, Madwoman.

I might be over-extending myself, but I’d like to edit the All My Ancestors -Climbing the Family Tree blog posts and check into getting them printed. Let’s just say I’m very enthusiastically embracing all of my writing outlets this year.

In the meantime, it’s a pretty day

and I’m headed outside to

Breathe in Peace

and Breathe out Love,

and blow off the weight of the warring world.

Peace, dear readers…

Posted in Sunday Report

Cake Pops…& birthdays

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Samantha came by yesterday to help me make cake pops. They turned out tasty, but not too pretty, and we had a lot of fun. My baby grandie will turn 11 next week! I’ll be out of town, so this was our Party…

Nova won 1st Place at her Speech Competition last week! Go, Nova!

My New Yorkers are in Ireland, competing in the All Ireland competition, so I’m sending Radiant Beams of Supportive Vibrations to them as they dance.

There’s a convergence of Holy Days this week – Tuesday is Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year, and Ramadan starts at sunset. Oh, I guess Ash Wednesday is the real Holy Day, and Ramadan goes on for a month, but New Year and Mardi Gras are serious Party Days. Bring on the Jambalaya and Hurricanes…and Spring Rolls.

On Thursday I’m meeting up with Dee to see the USI play, “Almost, Maine”. It looks like another good one.

On Friday morning, we’re setting out for Disney World, where I’ll be spending my Birthday #73 week. Arriving on the 22nd, we’ve got Lightning Lanes for TRON that evening, our first time to ride it with the lights on. It’s a great ride, a little short, but the lights should enhance the experience.

To celebrate my actual birthdate, 2/23, we’re spending our day at Epcot, browsing the Arts Festival activities, and riding the Best Ride Ever-Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. That evening I’d like to get over to Raglan Road so I can have some tribute songs and dances.

The next morning we’ll rope-drop Hollywood Studios and snag Slinky Dog, another of my favorites, and one that I missed riding last trip. We’ll be sure to visit the Tune-in Lounge and The Brown Derby Lounge later in the day, and to check the queue lines for Rise of the Resistance.

Our final day will be at Animal Kingdom, saying hello to the animals at the Safari, and riding Avatar: Flight of Passage. There’s a new “ride” there – Zootopia: Zoogether – under the Tree of Life, where A Bug’s Life used to show; we’ll be on hand for that. In the past, we’ve been able to snag a table at the Nomad Lounge overlooking the river to watch the character boats float by, waving and smiling, and we’ll try to do that again.

A couple of the days are predicted to barely reach 70, but that sounds Great! It’s been a while since I needed a jacket there, and I’m looking forward to it. All sun, no rain – who could ask for more?

I get a little carried away when I’m planning, but I’m flexible when there are unexpected diversions. We always have fun just being together, and if you know me at all, you know that I love celebrating my birthday. It comes at a time of year that needs light and laughter, and I always take advantage of it. I’ll take you along next week and we’ll celebrate together!

Peace

Posted in New Year's Eve Special Edition

Looking Back

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Here we are on the Eve of a New Year, celebrating this last day of the Old Year. We’ve got all the lucky food (Hoppin’ John, cabbage, cornbread), so 2026 is practically guaranteed to be happy.

2025 was a good one. I got my cataracts removed and fancy lenses implanted that allow me see near, far, and wide without glasses. It’s amazing. Our gardens did fine, our house didn’t fall down. We spent time with our children and grandchildren. Our health is good, able to walk six miles a day at Disney in October. I’ve heard the world is in a mess, but I concentrate on my local community and try to help where I can. Instead of politics, I obsess over the British Royal Family, so Harry and Meghan, and their fantastic failures, have made me smile.

2025 in pictures…

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Our celebration today includes watching some New Year’s Eve movies: Oceans 11 (the heist takes place on NYE) and Trading Places (goes from Thanksgiving to NYE). After eating all those beans, we’ll need to lie down and sleep it off over a movie we’ve already seen, then shake ourselves awake to kiss at midnight and go to bed. It’s a wonderful life.

As I play my rendition of Auld Lang Syne at the piano this evening, I’ll be thinking of you, bringing you to my mind, sending Peace to all of you auld acquaintances who stop by to read my writing. See you next year.

Peace

Posted in Christmas with the Sonnystoners, Sunday Report

Ghosts of Christmases Past…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I’m hurrying out the door to pick up Samantha – we’re going to the Philharmonic Orchestra’s Peppermint Pops again this year and I can hardly wait to belt out the Hallelujah Chorus! In the meantime, here’s what we were doing nine years ago…

December 6, 2016, starring Nova (mostly) This was made for me by 1Drive, so it ain’t my usual perfection, but it will do….

Nova sang at the Eville Music Academy Winter Concert last night and did a Super Job! I know because her Dad sent me a video…sadly, I was unable to attend. So this little video is to thank her for being herself – she’s The Best!

Since I’m being so lazy, I’ll throw in a re-blog of the same event, three years later with her sister…

Countdown to Christmas: 16 more days…

I’m still working on Christmas presents, so there’s time to straighten up and get on my list!!! You’ve got my number and surely you know where your phone is! I’d love to hear from you!

Have a great week!

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

Posted in Random, Sunday Report

Rained Out

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

It was a soggy week here at Sonnystone. I’m personally sick of it, and even the gardens seem over it. Despite the assault of storms, we made our way through a fairly mundane 7 days – time with Samantha, hair appointment with Dusti, monthly phone call with Kathy. Now, we are ready for something Fresh!

Eliza and her mother will be here by Wednesday evening and the Fun will begin. The rains are supposed to recede and we’ll put our pool up for floating and frolicking. Ellis Park will be dried by next week-end, so we’ll have a Day at the Races. Eliza is demanding Orange Chicken from the Mall food court, so it had better be there. They will be here until August 1, when we’ll head up the road to Ohio for the Columbus Feis and the Dublin Irish Fest. Sooo excited!

We’ve kept most everything propped as relentless rains pelted down, and that’s about all we can do. I’ve harvested and am still harvesting tomatoes of all sorts and green beans are plentiful.

After I talked smack about the squash and the bell peppers, they decided to give me some fruit…

My poor Peace/Bird Garden is simply saturated. It looks a little tired overall, but if you focus on the blooms, they are bursting with energy!

We’ll be finishing up the preparations for our company these next few days. I would love to hear from any of my dear readers who might want to meet up with us. Let me know! You know how to find me…

Peace