Saturday, May 22, 2010

duck


Country decoy

Ruth over at synch-ro-ni-zing (see Blog List at the right of the screen) has written a moving tribute to her father. In her tribute she said that if an inanimate object could represent a person, her father would be represented by his beautiful barrister bookcases. That got me thinking. What would best represent me? My home? My photograph albums? This blog (if my family ever reads it)? I think to my children it might be this wooden decoy from North Carolina.

My brother got it for me one Christmas when I was strong into my country phase. He was shocked by the price at the cute little country store but he got it anyway. My family couldn't quite understand my decoy love. The distressed finish, the "worm holes", the worn ivory paint, the little beady eye, the shape and feel of it, the wood-burned logo on the bottom. It was shabby chic before there was such a term and was the source of much teasing. It came in two pieces. The strong heavy body and the delicate long curving neck and head. My daughter broke the curvy neck piece when she tried to use the decory and it's wooden tray to anchor the corner of a sheet tent she was making. The neck was glued back together. The crack is still visible.

The decoy and it's tray sat in the middle of my dining table for years. We always referred to it as the "duck". I'm not sure if it is really supposed to be a swan or a goose. Keys and messages were often left in the "duck tray". It was decorated with pine cones and green boughs at Christmas and various bows, hats and other embellishments throughout the year. My son delighted in annoying me by turning it's head backwards. Now it sits primly on top of a corner bookcase, seldom noticed or commented on. I would put it on my mantel if it would fit. A beloved object. Wonder what they will do with it when I am gone?

Friday, May 21, 2010

some happy moments - wedding dress shopping, road trip, macarena

Jill trys on a bridesmaid dress

Jaime (far right) and friends leaving for their trip to St. Augustine and the Suwannee River Music Festival.

Some sad times lately. One wedding postponed (canceled?) and another one scheduled. Jaime has been VERY sick. Cory has been having a lot of back problems but is slowly improving. Jonah and Jill continue to bicker constantly. I wish they could get along better so we could do things together.
Happy moments:
Jaime is still not well, but she and her friends took off for their road trip yesterday. Hopefully they will have a lot of fun and she will feel better.
I went shopping with Stephanie and her mom, Debbie, to buy a beautiful wedding dress. I just had to share the photo of Jill trying on a raspberry bridesmaid dress especially since I am pretty sure my son, Cory, never looks at this blog. Cory and Steph are planning to be married at her father's house in Virginia in September. I know it will be beautiful. The raspberry color is perfect with Jill's tan skin and dark hair. Don't know if she will wear this dress or just have a raspberry sash.

Jaime, Roger and I attended my friend's surprise birthday party last week. Saw a lot of people I don't see that often. It was fun. They had awesome white sangria and great food at Cafe Don Jose.

Cory and I went to the park yesterday to pick up Jonah and Jill and to let Mia run off some energy. Russell had the stereo out on a covered patio where he and a line of kids were dancing the Macarena (spelling?) and a lot of other line dances. Jill was right in the middle of it all. It was so cute. I am so grateful for the park program.

Happy moments to come:
Roger's sister Mary and I plan to have lunch and go the opening of Sex and the City 2 on the 27th. Got to figure out what to wear. That same day is the end of school party. Also, Roger, Jaime and I are attending my friend's wedding at the end of the month. This morning Roger and Cory and I are going to the driving range with Mia. Happy times.