Random Thoughts

Wow, it is September already.  Time seems to move fast or maybe I just move slowly.

For the last two years, I have spent September in Georgia.  It is nice to be home in Phoenix this year.  Although fall in Phoenix is not a big change from summer, the days are shorter, the angle of the sun is different and the cool down is starting.  It is still in the high 90’s here and a lot of days hit 100 degrees, but compared to the oppressive heat of summer, it is pleasant.

I was very disappointed this summer that my Eve’s Needle cactus, which I have had for about eight years, got some kind of fungus and died.  As it started to fade, I took cuttings and was able to root several plants.  I have two really nice ones that I hope will survive.  I have also planted herb seeds.  I had tried herbs in pots in spring several years ago, but it was too hot for them, so I tried again last fall and did great with Cilantro, which we love.  It was fun to pick it fresh when cooking.  Seeds have sprouted for Cilantro and Basil and I had some cucumber seeds I planted.  Not sure how cucumbers will do and if they will have enough growing season but it is worth a try.  Today the cucumber seeds are growing well. 

I have a philodendron rooting in the kitchen window.  Patrick has two pots of philodendron he had when we met.  They are named Phil and Phil Jr. and live on the front shaded entrance most of the year.  Usually there are two or three days in February, I have to cover them or bring them in the garage, but last winter it did not reach freezing at all so they did well.  The new one will be Phil III and will be ready to plant in dirt in about another week.  Our house was a model home in 1988 and the garage has windows and a French door on one side, so lots of good light and a good place for plants to weather the colder days and nights.

Several weeks ago, Patrick discovered a termite tube in the middle of the garage.  It seems strange to me in this climate but subterranean termites are a big problem here.  We had a really good, wet monsoon season, which probably made the termites more active. Having the house termite inspected and treated was our fall project.  Not as flashy as some of our other projects, but necessary.

My youngest Grandson started kindergarten this year.  He has stayed with Gramma one or two days a week since he was about five weeks old, so I knew I would really miss him.  He told me before school started that he would only be able to see me on his off days!  I now see him on the weekends and he still likes to play with Gramma.  He is growing up quickly, so I savor the time with him, before he outgrows me.  Of all of the phases of my life, I have to admit being Gramma (and Grandma Linda to my older Grandchildren) is one of the most joyous.

Last week I went to a fashion exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum.  There were two special exhibitions.  One was “Fearless Fashion” Rudi Gernreich and the other was “Fashion’s Subversives”; both were very interesting.  They brought back really good memories of the fashion of the 60’s and my Mama. 

I have always been interested in fashion.  Both my Mother and my Grandmother Parish were excellent seamstresses.  My Grandmother worked in security at a large department store in Atlanta in the fifties and sixties.   I thought she was so beautiful and so fashionable.  She wore suites and hats and even after she was very old, she preferred “cute” shoes.  I recall a pair of pink patent leather flats she would wear even after she was using a cane to walk.

When Mary Quant became the rage in Mod fashion in London, I loved her designs.  I was a young teenager and there was a trunk show of her fashions at Rich’s Department store in downtown Atlanta.  My Mama took my friend Kay and me to see the show.  Of course the prices were very expensive and no way could we buy anything, but they did sell patterns and Mama bought one for a dress for me and made it.  Her sewing skills were amazing and I remember the dress very well, it was khaki on the top and black skirt with a square neck, sleeveless and with a lot of top seaming.  I wish I had kept it or could find a picture of me wearing it. 

I have been contemplating getting out my sewing machine and starting to sew again.  I have been looking through a lot of old pictures and sorting them for my Daddy.  I am impressed with all of the ones of Mama through the years and her clothes that were primarily made by her. 

In the 70’s, I became quite accomplished with my sewing machine and made draperies, curtains, baby clothes for Brian and even a swim suit for me. 

When Brian was about a year old, I made him little jumpsuits out of flannel, with the gripper snaps and zipped up the front.  It was like making doll clothes. Then Beau came along, I did not make clothes for him, but we did make costumes and fun things.  I have a picture of him and Grandma Jacque (Mama) making a kilt on my machine during his Axl Rose phase!

Since I have reached this time with more years in my past than are in my future, I am concentrating on remembering the good, the fun, the sweet things and forgetting the hurt, the disappointments and the painful times.  I am thankful for so many good memories which far outweigh the bad ones.

Of course with my Daddy going strong at over 100, I may have 25+ more years to enjoy!

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose unto heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Peace and Love,

Linda