Dream On!

The good news is that it is a beautiful morning after a wild weather weekend. My 3 mile walk with my walking friends was crisp, quick, and full of fun conversation and laughter. Even better news is that I love baseball season, and my SF Giants swept the Diamondbacks. The Mister loves me, and I love him. Church was fun, informative, and busy. The Mister and I treated ourselves to In and Out burger. Life is very very good.

The bad news is the dream has died. My college guy has dropped out of college, given up on D 1 water polo, and taken a $10 an hour job as a line cook. At our family meeting yesterday, the Mister and I detailed what we would not be picking up the tab for any longer. I cautioned him about trusting Chef Dave for all these promises. You know, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. And yes, I used the Pimp word. I did caution him about being totally loyal and beholden to an adult Pimp in anything. The only time any reality set in was when I reminded him that he would have to live somewhere that had a wi fi set up and that he had to pay his own cell bill. We talked about a lot of things.


The dreams parents have for their children are real and full of hope. Those dreams are alive with possibilities, tears, investment, prayer, and encouragement. When dreams die an unnatural death, it is painful. I am so grateful for the beauty of a new day and the promise that I can rest under the wings of the Lord. He is my rock, my peace, my friend, and my savior. I have been humbled and know more now than I did a year ago when that dimpled 18 year old flung a yellow boy across a pool with a smile and a laugh. Dreams....I will have new ones, but I will be cautious about those that involve those that I love so deeply. Dreams....everyone has them. Dreams.....some come true and some don't.

Stuffed Burgers or Better Known as a Peace Offering

There are some things in life that are free. There are some things in life that are not really free and sometimes annoying. You know, how you have the opportunity to get a free luau but you need to sit through a time share presetation? That's not really free, and it is time consuming, and of course there's the stress from the pressure the salesmen are applying. Tonight is one of those supposedly "free" events and "nice opportunities" to relax, but guess what, it's not. The mister and I are being treated to "Stuffed Burgers" prepared by the college guy and his chef friend. The college guy has always been limited in his cooking talents. He's very good with Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, and Gringo Quesadillas. The cook idea is new and now it is a reality. He has decided to leave college and D-1 water polo behind and take a job at the Wine Country Card Club and Restaurant. His chef friend has always had a passion for haute cuisine and food preparation. In fact, he has been attending the local JC and starring in their excellent culinary program. It's another new chapter for the college guy and I am in observation mode.

The guys were supposed to prepare dinner for the Mister and I tonight and have it ready by 6:00 when I returned from work. Ummmm....it's 8:00p.m. and the food is still in the preparation. I'm a little hungry. It's an interesting picture watching the college guy being bossed around by the college chef. I know this dinner is a sales pitch. It's and opportunity for us to see how much the college guy wants to be a cook. The Chef is a great cook and we have eaten his creations before.

They were a little late getting here. They had a few distractions before they got here. Did I mention they were a bit odiferous? Talk amongst yourselves about what possibly they could be sporting as eau du freshness. I am sure dinner will be delicious. We are being treated to blue cheese and asparagus stuffed burgers. Salad and roasted sweet potato wedges are going to accompany our dinner. I am going to set the table and just observe. The college guy has yelled at the dachshund 3 times and the pointer dog twice. The mister has retreated to the computer room. It will be interesting when we finally get to eat. The college guy is actually cleaning the butcher block. I am smiling and yes wondering what's next. Oh did I mention, he's smoking. The Mister & I are definitely not smokers. And yes, he is smoking many things. I am smiling and I hope to eat by midnite. Love to all, fellow bloggers in the blog space.

Rhino Berry

The Rhino Berry, is just cool. I took it in a zip lock baggy for show and tell today with my kidlets. Their giggling and laughing, and yes, awe, was so much fun. It made for a smiling and grining classroom.

We are in the midst of 4th quarter and "Baseball Trivia." It's a game which stresses team work, academic excellence, and student managed classroom behavior and problem solving. I love this game so much because they get such a kick out of playing. It costs me King Size Candies and some class time, but it is fun! It's even better because it's my game, and my rules. I'm the coach, the manager, the umpire, and the Commissioner of Baseball! I love having a title. The kids think it's hilarious.

The rhino berry will be a trivia question along with the questions from the sport's page.

I hope you all have strawberry stands that sell rhino berries and asparagus. It's the BEST! Yet, another reason to love my valley.

Yum-oh!

It's Sunday and the last day of my vacation. I am procrastinating. That briefcase full of uncorrected penmanship papers, worksheets, and book reports has called me all week, but in total and complete rebellion, I have ignored the call. I am such a dweeb-a-saurus.


Apparently I still am not sure of the unique purpose for a 54 year old suburban empty nest mom's blog, but the blogger dashboard now has a new look and page. I have negotiated the page and hopefully will continue to write the drivel that emits from my foggy brain in a timely fashion.

back to "yum-oh!"

In our little burb, the best news in that the strawberry stands are open. Those gigantic sweet berries are wonderful! The prices are up, but who cares. My favorite stand also has baby asparagus and sweet snow peas for sale. Is that not absolutely glorious? Tonight the Mister grilled chicken, and I sauteed fresh zucchini with onions and fresh rosemary from my own plant, and steamed asparagus. Salad was the side dish and later we will tackle those amazing berries. They are so large and even have shapes. Yep, our local paper posted a pic of one shaped like a bunny. The Mister and I discovered a rhinoceros in our basket. It very much resembled the rhino from a box of animal crackers. It just makes me smile.

The wind is blowing; the sun is beautiful; my pups are sleeping, and the college guy has returned from his frolic in San Luis, and yes, tomorrow is a work day. I don't care. I am blogging, God is in control, and I have
berries in the fridge. Life, as I know it, is good.

Dinner was "Yum-oh!" Ummm, the briefcase, yeah, I'll get to it.

BTW, my heart is speaking again. Thank you, God.

The last time I posted, I was on my way to Savannah, GA with a fabulous group of women. The South was delightful. The food, especially at the Lady and Sons was fabulous. I drank sweet tea and learned much about history, ghosts, palmetto bugs, ghosts, the Civil War, etc. It was one awesome trip. I also laughed like I have never laughed before and actually lost weight. I'm sure it was the laughing.

Right now, the wind is blowing, and those of us in our precious valley are rocking and reeling from a freakish spring storm. I still love my valley.

I have been trying to decide what is the purpose of this blog. Am I supposed to be funny and sarcastic like Heather in Dooce? Do I give words of wisdom of which they are neither wise or dumb? Is this a diary or diatribe? I'm not sure.

I know I haven't written because life has thrown me some curves and it has attempted to steal my joy on a regular basis. I love reading other blogs and peeking into the vibrant lives of fellow bloggers. I love their struggles, their vitality, and their laughter. I still love my oldest's blogs, and the Fabulous Tales of Winkerbean, but I, blog space, have been remarkably sad and overwhelmed.

Sooo ..... since I really didn't have anything positive to say, I said nothing at all.

Silence is golden in a classroom, but not in a heart.