Creek Day!

(Somewhere near Mount Pilot...)

Janet, here are the two flowers I was telling you about.

(I took these with my camera!)

Aaron in Tux

(Kevin and Aaron)

Junior Marshall Graduation Thing

Flower Garden (First Conversation)

I was watering my garden today. The flower garden. And I started imaging what my plants would say if they could talk to each other. Strangely, they all have British accents. Kind of like the vultures on Jungle Book.

And it went something like this....

Me: (garden hose in hand, spraying flowers. thinking out loud.) My rose bush is beautiful. Didn't I get that plant at Walmart? Yep, I need a rose bush that doesn't give a damn.

Miniature Pink Rose Bush: (male voice) What then? Did she say I don't give a damn? Now why would she say that? I'll say I care! I care more than most! I love to give the misses a new crop of blooms every day. Why, it's what I live for. How could she say such a thing?

Black Eyed Susan: (a female) There, there, dear. She just meant that you don't take a lot of fuss. None of us take a lot of fuss. Why do you think we're still here? We'd have perished years ago if we were a difficult lot.

M.P. Rose Bush: Well, I suppose she could have meant that.

Weed: Sure! She loves us because we're hardy.

Montbretia: We? Weed, did you say "we"? The only reason you're still here is because she hasn't noticed you yet. At least not when it's convenient for her to pull you up.

M.P. Rose Bush: Hold on now Montbretia! Or should I say "noxious weed". That's what she said the internet called you. Invasive species. Always clogging up stream beds, ruining habitats...

Montbretia: Ruining habitats, huh? Noxious weed, huh? Invasive species am I? Now don't go getting all political with me Rose. You know was well as I do that nobody is really indigenous. We're always moving in or moving out of somewhere. Look at Weed over there. He's only here because some stupid bird pooped out a seed and up he grew...

Weed: Now wait just a minute, Montbretia! At least I'm not spreading my bulbs like some pushy ... some pushy.... weed!

Montbretia: There! You said it yourself! Like a weed.

Daisy: Now, now, boys... stop it right now. We're all opportunists. I'll admit it. Look how I've spread. But look how happy it makes the misses. She loves having to dig up our extras and pass them on to friends. It's her bragging rights.

Montbretia: True. Likely true. (nodding head)

(Daisy notices Rose Bush looking low)

Daisy: Rose? What's the matter?

Rose Bush: Well, it's just that, well, you see, I don't spread.

Daisy: Oh, for shame Rose! You know better than that. You're the glory of the garden! You're a Rose! Don't you know how regal that is?

Rose Bush: Well, I don't think I'm a very regal Rose. I'm more of a rustic Rose. (perks up) But you know what? It's like she said, I really don't give a damn.

(Rose blooms again)



.

Kevin is torturing me with computer lingo.... help!!!

Good by, little froggies..

Born Free!

We were honored (and glad to get out of math) to join some friends of ours as they released their tadpoles back into the wild. Only they weren't tadpoles anymore! They were itty bitty frogs! Nature is so craaaaazy.

Here are some pics.

1 Corinthians 12:14-27 (New International Version)

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

.

Psalm 148:1-12

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and maidens,
old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

Woo doggies, I'm tired!

But it's been a good day.

Andy, Ben, and I did our volunteer work at the food bank this morning. Today we put boxes together. I was the tape lady. Oh, my aching arm!

After we got home I took a little sun bath and then vacuumed out the van. Filthy! Much better now.

Now I'm a sittin' here, relaxing for the evening. OH!! I forgot the most interesting thing! A friend of mine is teaching me XHTML and CSS. I had my first lesson last night. Lots of info!! You may notice little changes here on my blog because it's going to be my guinea pig. Fun!!

Later!

Love this picture...

a little friend of mine did in Sunday School today. I love the rainbow circles under her eyes.

Ode To A Sore Throat

Acid drip
down my throat
A swallow
and I grimace

I'm going to go ahead and post now...

even though I don't know what I'm going to say. But I feel a cold coming on, and I know I'll feel worse as the day goes on.

Okay. Got the girl. Audrey is home and napping! Good start to the summer! She has an internship starting in a few weeks, and she'll be looking for a job for the evenings.

Oh, this is exciting! Monday I'm going to start learning XHTML and CSS. I have a friend who is willing to teach me! Yay, friend! I hope to be able to build websites by the fall. Need a website?? Keep me in mind. :)

I'm still working on that dab-nabbit painting. It's not where I want it yet. I need to study sunrises some more.

Well, that's all for today. I think. See y'all tomorrow!

Hello, Peoples!

Today I write.

Still working on a painting of a series of sunrises. It's coming along. Audrey is coming home on Friday. Andy, Ben, and I will drive out to help her move out and back.

Aaron has a day hike on Saturday. I'd like to weed the garden. It's most funest to do after a rain. Oui?

Well, that sums it up for now. More tomorrow. I hope.

Have a great Thursday!

poem

I blew on my coffee
and fogged up my glasses

Do I burn my tongue
or bump into walls?

Either or.

More vacation pictures!

(still repeats if you've seen the facebook pics)

Chowder Festival, lake across from hotel


Llama's on the beach. I know!! Crazy. Loved it.


This is Jack, the llama. It's his frist trip to the beach. He doesn't love it.


Fort Fisher

Vacation pictures!

(These are repeats for my facebook friends, sorry!)

Fort Fisher


Fort Fisher


Cool thing that washed up at Fort Fisher


Beach at my hotel


Lake across the street from my hotel

what a "sweet" magic unicorn game...

http://www.addictinggames.com/magicalunicornrainbowmagic.html

And away we go!

Well, away I go. For a few days. Just when I was getting back into blogging again! Ah well, it will be here when I get back.

Other matters. Gosh, my head is in such a fog today I can't think of other matters. You'll have to make something up!

Kisses to all! Be back soon.

Salem Lake Yesterday

The boys and I went to Salem Lake yesterday while Shawn took his birthday nap and watched some golf thing on TV. ;) Andy and I walked the trail, Aaron and Ben rode their bikes. It was a gorgeous day!! I counted more than 30 turtles basking on stumps and such. Saw a couple tiger swallowtail butterflies, too. And here's what's amazing - seven miles around the lake, and I'm not a bit sore this morning. Woot! I'm getting there.

Happy Easter!

And Happy Birthday to my husband! In the 30 years I've known him, I don't think his birthday has ever fallen on Easter before. Kind of neato.

So, what is the Hudson family doing on this double special day? Well, we're going to church to celebrate what Easter means. (He is risen!!) Very important event! I'd say, THE most important event ... in the world.

Then, we're doing naps or walks or something (after a frozen pizza lunch), then, we're grilling out steaks and having the B-day festivities.

Yes, I bought the kids chocolate bunnies. "But Alice, what does chocolate bunnies have to do with Easter?"

"Why nothing. Nothing whatsoever."

Yeah, I don't like to try to spiritualize the extra holiday fluff. It is what it is, remnants of our pagan heritage. Eat up!

Y'all have a good one!

Andy's continuing who-done-it story. Chapter 2

A Murder Mystery in the Animal Kingdom
Chapter 2


“Eeeeee!” screamed Ty.

“Slate!” yelled Morgan.

Samuel looked down from the chandelier to see all the animals huddled around the penguin’s body. Still clutching the candle, and without lighting the three remaining candles, the robber crab scurried down the wall to join the others.

“Somebody check his pulse!” yelled Elizabeth as she paced frantically. But Otto was already on it.

“Feels like he’s dead,” said the tortoise, painstakingly slow.

Jennifer didn’t say anything but looked around the room, glancing at everyone.

“Who did this?” asked Morgan.

“Could be anyone,” said Samuel.

A look of sheer horror appeared on Ty’s face.
“Anyone but you,” said Elizabeth, turning to the robber crab. We were all looking at you on the chandelier.

Samuel thought about this for a moment, ignoring Otto’s next words: “Doesn’t look like we can call the police with this storm.”

“Then what are we gonna do?” yelled Ty.

“We’re going to find the murderer,” said Jennifer, “via interrogation.”

“Finally,” said Morgan, “The first good suggestion.”

“I think I’d rather rough it with the storm outside than stay here in my mansion with a murderer,” said Elizabeth.

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” said Otto, “Looks like a pretty bad storm.”

“Everyone get in a line,” said Samuel, “Since I’m the only one who we know is innocent, I’ll conduct the interrogations.”

(To be continued)

Today's Photo

Tulip in the front yard

Untitled


Some mornings,
this morning,
in a side garden
a moment of pain
and beautiful
too beautiful to say it well

I hear

The bird songs alone
their blows and kisses
absorbed and cherished

And ache

Too strong
for my weak words
Too rich
for brush and paint

Hi.

Andy's story will be continued after he gets back from his backpacking trip and takes a day or two to "unwind".... "De-tox." "Recover." "Etc."

So you'll just have to settle for me. :)

I had a great day in the sunshine today. Worked on the garden, did some other yard stuff. Laid in the sun on the trampoline. Laid in the sun on the hammock. Laid in the sun on the deck. I laid in the sun all over the place, didn't I? Or maybe I "lain"? I never know which verb to use.

Ben and I saw a play tonight. It was very cute. A Noah musical at the Quaker church. Tomorrow is going to be another beautiful day. I can't wait to lay in the sun on the trampoline. And lay in the sun on the hammock....

You guys have a great Palm Sunday. Hugs and kisses.

Murder Mystery in the Animal Kingdom, Chapter One

(first draft)

A Murder Mystery in the Animal Kingdom
By Andy Hudson

Chapter 1

In the animal kingdom, at seven o’clock at night, a party was hosted. The host of this party was a fallow deer named Elizabeth. Attending the party was Samuel, the robber crab, a tortoise named Otto, a penguin named Slate, a meerkat named Ty, a walrus named Morgan, and a caracal named Jennifer.

At seven-thirty, after they had all arrived at the mansion, conveniently for a murder story, there was a lightning storm. It was too dangerous for anyone to leave the building.

At eight o’clock Elizabeth (the doe and host) called everyone to the dining room to make an announcement. Suddenly, just before she could utter a word, the power went out and the room plunged into darkness. There was a scream, then the sound of a match striking. A candle was lit by Otto (the tortoise). Everyone looked around the room to see who had screamed.

“Sorry,” said Ty (the meerkat), “I’m just really afraid of the dark.”

Every sighed in relief.

“But what are we going to do about this darkness?” asked Morgan (the walrus), “Not exactly a fun party.”

“Don’t worry,” said Elizabeth, “I think we have more emergency candles in the supply closet. I don’t know if there’s enough for everyone, though.”

“I don’t think I’ll need one,” said Samuel (the robber crab), “I’m pretty small, I could probably keep close to someone.”

“I don’t need a candle either,” said Slate (the penguin), “As a penguin, I’m used to some pretty dark environments. You know they have six months of darkness in Antarctica.”

“Same as the North Pole,” mumbled Morgan.

“I can see in pretty low light,” said Jennifer (the caracal).

“Lighting in this room won’t be a problem,” Otto said slowly as he looked up at the ceiling. Everyone else looked up too and saw a large unlit chandelier.

“It’s pretty high up,” said Ty.

“Yeah,” said Slate, “But nothing compared to the mountains in Antarctica.”

“I bet I could light it,” said Samuel. “I’m used to climbing trees back home.”

“All right,” said Otto, handing the crustacean the candle.

Samuel began climbing the vertical wall, holding the candle in one claw.

“I didn’t know crabs could climb,” murmured Jennifer to Elizabeth.

About half way up, “Don’t fall!” blurted out of Ty’s mouth.

“I won’t,” called Samuel who had just reached the ceiling.

This was the hard part. Samuel had to jump all the way from the wall to the chandelier, which wasn’t hanging much lower than he was. He jumped. As he soared from the wall to the chandelier, the candle almost went out. He landed safely on the chandelier which rocked back and forth.

The animals below, enshrouded in darkness, all looked up at the bright light that was Samuel’s candle. None of them noticed the quiet noise of a door opening as Samuel struggled to keep hold of the chandelier. No one heard the door slowly closing as the first three candles were lit. But when the seventh of the ten candles was lit, everybody heard the splurch and the thud. They immediately turned and saw a penguin, on the floor dead, with an axe in his side.

(To be continued!)

Ben's Arrow of Light

(Graduation from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts)

We the People

One of the boys' assignments last week was to create a preamble and bill of rights for an object or animal. I wrote one for my big pink blanky. It was fair. But I love love what they came up with. Here 'tis:

(Ben's first)

Preamble

Me the Buddy, in order to make a more happy Buddy, has written a bill of rights.

Buddy's Bill of Rights

1. The Buddy must be fed two times a day.
2. The Buddy has the right to a hot dog after every visit to the vet.
3. The Buddy has the right to nap whenever he wants.
4. The Buddy has the right to go for walkies once a week.
5. The Buddy has the right to a spoonful of Gefilte fish every other day.
6. The Buddy has the right to a bathroom break whenever he wants.
7. The Buddy has the right to an unlimited amount of water.
8. The Buddy has the right to never be left alone for more than a week.
9. The Buddy has the right to a good dog sitter.

(Now Andy's)

Preamble

We the dead frogs, whom are about to be cut open for the education of the American people, in order to grant a better understanding of live animals and live human beings do not mind being dissected for science and school. We do, however, wish that for the safety of humans, the dignity of deceased amphibians, and for more knowledge given by each frog (in turn for its life), that you read and obey the following rules.

Bill of Rights

1. Dissecting frogs calls for very sharp tools which can inflict injury to living creatures such as humans. For your own safety, and for the safety of others do not throw sharp tools into the air, twiddle them with your fingers, or pretend to stab yourself with them.

2. Every frog has the right to its dignity. Do not verbally abuse frogs by calling them things like Kermit, Frogger, Long-Legs, or Bug Breath. No matter how smart you think you are, do not purposefully use the analogy "croaked" (meaning dead) in front of a dead frog. We find that highly offensive.

3. Every frog has the right to its dignity. Do not physically abuse dead frogs by poking us with your fingers, "shaking hands," or picking us up and shaking us - letting our limp legs flop around - unless it is part of the dissecting procedure.

4. Dead frogs do not like to see humans in pain. You shall not cry, vomit, or exhibit any signs of displeasure in front of a dead frog. If you don't want to dissect or see people dissect a frog, then please leave the room.

5. To ensure that the maximum amount of enrichment comes from each frog, follow the proper dissecting procedure. Do not just cut randomly into organs unless you think you know what you're doing. Never use a blunt tool for dissection because you will just end up turning your frog into paste.

6. Every frog has a right to be disposedof properly after dissection. Place your dead frog into the garbage and do not bury it. Many dead frogs agree that formaldehyde is bad for the environment.

loose ends

Hey. I feel like I've left a lot of things undone here. It's been so long. Best I wrap a few things up, although that doesn't mean "they go away".

First off, my friend Rhonda. She was a new-ish friend of mine in that I only started to get to know her well the past year. But she was one of those people who made you feel like you were the only person on the planet when she talked to you. Rhonda had many gifts, that being one of them.

She passed away 2 weekends ago from cancer. Her memorial service was last Saturday (thank you, Christy, for letting me lean on you).

Death hits me hard. It's so hard for me to grasp that I won't be seeing that person on earth again. Well, not until the New Earth. But meanwhile ... it's weird.

About a month before she was diagnosed Rhonda and I got together at her house for coffee. She showed me a greeting card that she loved and asked if I could try to paint it. Knowing my fail rate at following through with such ideas, we agreed that I would work on it for two weeks, and two weeks only. Then, whatever I had, be it bad or good, I'd give to her.

Sounded like a plan, and I hit it running. Again, which is so rare for me. I put my two attempts in a folder and gave them to her a few weeks later. Little did we know that God would use that image to encourage her throughout her illness. And not just my version of it!! Several of her friends, apart from knowing, gave her things with the same image: A woman with arms outstretched, singing and dancing her heart out. It's an image I've come to love very much.

Here it is again.

Rhonda J. Dering, 1962-2009

I can't say any more about Rhonda right now. More later.

Spring Rain poem by my friend Mack Arrington (thanks, Mack!!)

Spring Rain

Chill the air, the sound awake
The song begins my part I take
First two or three in rhythm set
Then millions join well met
Put on hat coat boots
Move step in time whatever suits
Do splash laugh look up fly free
Reach to heaven be
Touch earth twirl Winter wane
Dance me Spring dance rain

poem

untitled


trees are not cautious
they bloom at the first warm day

never mind if it may freeze tomorrow
or the next day

they would never let a gloomy forecast
postpone their exclamation points
or put off their colored Hope

if the sun is shining
and the air is warm

they bloom.

Song of the Day, dedicated to my friend ___

It's going to be okay, I promise you.

Look at me! I'm writing on my blog!

Ha! I'm still doing it!

Okay, enough sillies.

I am feeling SO much better. Got some antibiotics and sunshine and sleep. Lovely. I actually wanted to mop my floor yesterday! And I did it! The day before that I wanted to wash my car! And I did it! Ooo, what's next?

So, what's new with me? Well, Miss Girl is home from college for spring break. It's been fun seeing her pretty self. Spring break is too short! What else .. busy with the school thing. Doing some cooking in the evening...

Oh! Here's something you may not have known. Shawn (the husband) was in Asia for 3 weeks and got back home on Saturday. So that might explain the "not going to the grocery store for three weeks" thing that we did. We did eat up a lot of the random things in the house, but being that we were sick most of the time he was gone, we ate very dull. But now that I'm feeling better, and now that Shawn is home, I'm cooking again. Which can be really fun if you're not rushed.

Last night I made shrimp scampi. It was soooo good.

Tonight we go out for Mexican food. :) I happy.

Well, better get a running. Y'all take care!

i nap

Basically, that's all I've been doing lately. We've got the bug at our house. DO NOT ENTER. Actually, we're doing better and had a sorta-kinda school day. Every day a little better, I guess.

Anyway, here's me. On the floor. In the sun. Asleep.


Yep, that's what I've been doing with my time. How 'bout you?

Snow Day!

got scanner working!

(the silly thing was unplugged)

Here's a few more views. The color doesn't pop as well with the scanner, though.

stayed up late and painted a cloud.

Here it is. My scanner isn't working, so we'll have to settle for photos. It's a bit wonky in the picture, but imagine it square.

I owe y'all a big one.

And one day soon I'm going to write it! But tonight, I'm coughing, and it's late
(9:20!! pm!!) so it will have to wait.

Thank you for your continued patience. If you would like further assistance, please stay on the line and the next available associate will be with you momentarily ...

(enjoy this while on hold)