05/10/2009

Yesterday I picked up a few more things at the Amish greenhouse that I’ve been going to for quite a few years now. It’s an out in the country spot that I’d heard about through a friend and thought I’d check out for myself. Been going ever since. They have a flower that I’ve never seen before in another greenhouse. Don’t know the name of it, but it’s gorgeous with its deep burgundy bell shaped flowers that heavily bloom all summer long. That’s one reason I keep going back. Aside from that, I just love seeing their children year after year and how they’ve grown. In the beginning, mama ran the greenhouse. Now the girls run it and they do a fantastic job, always eager to help carry flats and baskets out to the car for their customers. They remember us each season, and we tease each other back and forth. I go with my friend Annie and I ask the girls how much she spent . . . . did she spend more than me this year? They tease me and say that I spent JUST AS MUCH as she did, and laugh. We go back at least twice a season after taking inventory of what we have, and what we still need. And we always need new perennials. Ask me and I can’t say why. It’s just more work, and I have a ton of it now from what I can see. And everything needs weeding too. My head hurts when I walk the fence and see all that needs weeding.

An added bonus to making the trip to this greenhouse is finding a sign along the road, “Bakery open today.” In no hurry, we veered off down a winding road to find a sweet little Amish bakery. Yesterday when we stopped, 3 little girls were just unhitching their horse and buggy from a post outside the bakery. After I’d made my purchase, I wandered over to them and made small talk. Asked if I could have a little ride around the driveway. They were all smiles and said sure. I could sit on their padded seat and two of them stood. The little one sat next to me and away we went. What fun! I had 3 dollar bills in my wallet, and gave them each one and thanked them for the ride. More big smiles and thank-you’s.

Today is Mother’s Day. I’ve been invited to my adopted daughter’s house for breakfast. Heidi and Brad are like my own. I bought an extra ticket to a comedy show last weekend and took Brad along. (I asked Justin if he’d like to go with me first, but he said no.) We had a great time. Will I hear from my own children today? Don’t really know. Jarad is still out of the country, and I won’t be home a lot of the day, so we might not get to talk, but I’m almost sure he’ll try to call. Justin, no idea where his head is at. We (his girlfriend and I) had words again, and he will side with her on most everything. We did have lunch on Friday and he didn’t mention today, so I didn’t either. If he wants to remember me on Mother’s Day, he will. They worship her mother, so I’m sure where they’ll be today, but a phone call would be nice. It sort of bother’s me that I’m more thought of and respected by someone else’s kids than my own at times. Or so it appears.
Anyhow, after the breakfast I’ll meet Pat at his parent’s house. They plan to grill out for dinner, although it’s a bit chillier today than I’d like for an outside gathering. I bought Elaine one of those beautiful baskets again this year. We got her one last year and she loved it.

Oh, I haven’t written about the Heart Concert! Annie and I got tickets to see Heart in concert a few weeks back. Awesome! Totally awesome concert. It was at a casino in Milwaukee I’d never been to. I got tickets for the Sunday show because I could get better seats and they were at a table no less in the 3rd row. I was so stoked for this! Seeing Heart in concert was on my bucket list. I’ve wanted to see them for ages, but they never come to Wisconsin. Thought I’d have to go out of state, so when I saw that they were coming here, I snapped those tickets up immediately. I’m an old rocker, what can I say? There aren’t a lot of bands I’m anxious to see, but this was one I couldn’t miss. And I’m a seat snob too. If I can’t get floor seats, I don’t want to go. I don’t see me in nosebleed seats at my age. Just not important enough anymore. In June, Annie and I have tickets to see Ron White, the comedian. Should be another entertaining evening.

A couple of weeks ago, Annie’s neighbor committed suicide by cutting his jugular vein. His daughter said that he’d had severe depression for years. 2 weeks before that he’d made an attempt and then called 911 in the nick of time. This time it didn’t work, though from the scene, it appeared he was making an attempt. I was telling Justin about that and he said a few weeks ago a local truck driver got a DUI. He was heard to say that if he couldn’t drive truck, he didn’t want to live. True to his word, he called the judge that sentenced him, told the judge that it was his fault and proceeded to shoot himself, while still on the phone.

It’s so hard for me to accept that there is not one ray of sunshine, a single thought that life is worth living. Bridget just got a DUI. When we talked two days ago, she said she’d thought about killing herself. She had it all planned out. A car, a full tank of gas, and alone. But another day later and she thinks differently, or so it seems. We had lunch yesterday and talked about it at length. She DOES have so many reasons to live, and THIS IS something that will pass. In her big picture of life, this is a small blip and a big lesson to be learned, end of story.

For me, life is still very precious and I have things to look forward to. Each spring brings new life out-of-doors and I very much want to be a part of it.

Happy Mother’s day to all moms. I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. Life is good.