On The Threshold

One of the many things I love about Green Country is the experience of all four seasons.  When we lived in Wyoming, I only knew Summer and Winter.  We had a short-lived Autumn and I don't really remember Spring... tulips, maybe, but they grew in the cool air of Wyoming Summers too. 

Today I walked about my yard with my camera, taking notice of the comings and goings of this season.

Green leaves faded as red and gold overtook the crepe myrtle outside our bedroom window

Bare branches exposed where lush greenery once thrived, now sparse, 

painted yellow and striped in brown from the brush of chilly winds.

A Hyacinth Bean sprouts anew.   Does she not know that Winter is coming in the back door?

A rose bud reaches for the sun who shines this day into a soft warm pleasure.

The Verbena and Geranium bloom next to the tropical fern outside our back door, 

not the least bit worried about the forecast for frost.

While our front walk looks like a path through the grave yard of summer's bounty,

and the gutters fill with dead leaves,

the holly tree grows ever more green, filling herself with lush red berries,

feed for birds and delight for me.

Winter is coming, I know.  

But now is the threshold where all stands in between.

The morning chill makes me pull  the bed covers over my shoulders, 

thinking there will be no open windows.

The sun warms the day, confusing my senses.

I am on the threshold between this life and the next.

I grow.

My bones feel dry.

I feed the birds.

I delight in the day.

21. I am grateful for leaves dancing in the wind.

I hope you can stop and look up today.  I hope that whatever is changing in your life right now is only a threshold to something warmer, brighter and new.  I hope you grow toward the sun.

 Yaya

One of the perks of being married for thirty-nine years is that He-man has had plenty of time to get used to my obsession with changing the furniture.  

About three months into our marriage he got his first taste of how I roll.  He came home from work to find the sofa that was against the wall when he left that morning, sitting in the middle of the living room. The television had been moved from a book shelf to the top of the dining room buffet and a window that used to be in the kitchen had been covered over with red flowered contact paper.

He shook his head in what I thought was surprise, but found out later was complete disbelief.  He said very little, only muttering under his breath off and on throughout the evening while trying to manipulate his way around our newly designed apartment. 

I couldn't understand why he was so bewildered.  Changing things gave me a chance to do some deep cleaning.   And besides, new perspective is good for the soul, right?

 
After more than three decades of having my own home, I must say that I have yet to find a permanent place for our furniture.  Just last week I changed the sofa from one wall to the opposite.  I separated a pair of bookshelves and moved one behind the sofa and one to the entryway.  And most risky of all.... I moved the recliner to another corner.

He-man was cool with the move.  No more bewilderment.  No more muttering.  Why, I don't think he even had a different perspective.  Just acceptance.

Yesterday I did it again.  I didn't like the new arrangement, so I paired up the shelves again on a different wall, moved one sofa to another room, brought in a chair from the bedroom and Autumed-up the mantel.

This was He-man's reaction ---------------------->

Now I don't know if that is humble acceptance or just too old and tired to grumble.  Whatever it is, to me it is the sweet realization that he likes me just the way I am, obbssesions and all.

After so many years of still surprising him with a new furniture arrangement, he is no longer surprised that I do it.   He just grins, looks for the remote and settles in to his newly designed space.  

10.  I am grateful for growing older and smoother.

I hope you are given a new perspective.  I hope this day feeds your soul.  I hope you grin and settle in to what ever surprises are offered.

Where We Live

Craft-Tee and Nice-Nephew live in Wyoming on small acreage outside of town.  

 

The term "small" may be deceiving to those of us who live in the big city. Because it is really land, lots of land under starry skies above.   

 

They bought a small farmhouse and have revamped it into a modern, comfy space they call home.

 

 
They added a large addition to house a master suite and living room. With their own sweat and brawn they dug a foundation, poured concrete, built walls, set in cabinets, installed tile, plumbed in a bathroom and upgraded the electrical.

After months and months of home-owner-remodelingitis,  Craf-Tee and Nice-Nephew finally were able to sit down, put their feet up in their new living room and enjoy a night of nothing more than television and idle conversation.

Their new open kitchen accommodates large crowds like our  crazy family. And the granite island is a perfect place to land a case of Bud. 


 












The master bedroom is big enough for a king-sized bed and small enough to feel cozy and warm.

The master bath is vast and open with a walk-in-shower, free standing soaker-tub, dresser and vanity.

 

But most impressive is the large walk-in-closet with a window and a washer and dryer.  What a smart idea.  Choose your clothes, change your clothes and clean your clothes all in the same space.

All the inside doors were finished in the original dark stain, keeping the integrity of the old farmhouse intact. 

 

Pairing charm with upgrades is always a winning combination.

Craf-Tee is a pretty crafty lass.  She designs and sews quilts, as well as purses and totes.  She makes signs and wall art and takes amazing photographs.  

And she always decorates for the season.

She took inexpensive plastic pumpkins, applied a couple of coats of chalkboard spray paint and drew Jack-o-Lantern faces on them. Cute, huh? 

There is another bedroom awaiting a redo in their home.  Right now it serves the special-needs-children who occasionally stay with them on weekends.

But the plan is to transform it into a nursery.   

Craf-Tee and Nice-Nephew are adopting a baby.  

While waiting on the waiting list... the nursery takes shape in their heads and will soon become a reality in their house.... just like their baby.  

Before long Craf-Tee and Nice-Nephew will be singing the song all new parents sing, "Will we ever sleep all night again?"

But for now they are well rested and excited while waiting for the big day in their newly remodeled home on the land that they love.

7. I am grateful for ways parents can become parents, even when they thought they couldn't.

I hope you find time today to walk upon the land.  I hope you have a place to call home.  I hope your deepest desire becomes a hopeful reality, even as you wait.

Where We Live

JD and his wife, Pleasure, moved to a new home in January.  They had been nestled in a adorable, tiny house in the downtown district, but quickly outgrew it with the addition of Tornado and then Little Miss Boo.

Their front porch beckons you to come and sit a spell in the comfort of it's shade as you take in the view of flowers and greenery.




 

Inside you are greeted by a wall of family faces.  The light on the hall table is always on, welcoming frequent visitors and family returning home.

To the right of the staircase is the Game Room, where Sunshine and Dreamer pair off in a dog race, obstacle course, sing fest or any other virtual game.





They create art, throw a few punches at the bag in the corner or play with their dog, Copper.


Messages of gratitude, kindness, and encouragement are hung as art throughout their home - large or small they are constant reminders of lessons JD and Pleasure want their children to learn.

 

The first thing you see when you enter their living room is a large brick fireplace next to a window where two chairs, one for papa bear and one for mama bear, rock all the little baby bears.

A large comfy sofa and a bookshelf for favorite reads and more family photos borders the room.












And a child proof (not Tornado proof, however) gate keeps curious little bodies out of the bathroom and medicine closet, most of the time.

In sight of the living room is the dining and kitchen.  This is where Tornado feeds his growing body and Dreamer fills, or at least tries to fill, his empty stomach.  Little Miss Boo doesn't claim a seat at the table yet, but her chair regularly sits on the counter while mom prepares meals.

JD constructed the shelves that hang on their dining wall in his new garage, now large enough to house a workshop as well as the family van.

Like his father, he enjoys wood working.










Another message of encouragement rests on the shelf next to dreamer's picture.

The master bedroom is on the main floor, directly off of the living room.  JD, Pleasure and Boo try to sleep through the night in this room, but sometimes JD gets a tire call and off her rolls, or Boo gets a tummy ache and away she cries.  Usually Pleasure is out when her head hits those pretty blue pillows.

Dreamer sleeps in the room at the top of the stairs.  Bunk beds, made by JD, allow boys to imagine they could be towers, caves, forts and anything else but a bed.

 A shelf filled with baskets, made by he-man, holds all of Dreamer's clothes and special keepsakes.











Dreamer is a huge Longhorn fan and proudly boasts an bright orange hand painted Longhorn on his bedroom wall.











Like his sister, Sunshine, Dreamer loves animals, especially bears.  I bought him this book for his birthday nearly two years ago and he reads it most every night.  It is always available for reference whenever Dreamer needs it.

Like most homeowners, JD and Pleasure have signed their personal autograph on their new home...painting away the previous owners signature, rearranging furniture and hanging art.

The upstairs bath they left basically untouched however.  Pleasure added pops of color and a bright shower curtain to make it a bit more kid-friendly.

They are very happy to have two baths now, especially after their "other-home" experiences of squeezing five people into one small bath for the morning readiness rush.

The Nursery for Tornado and Little Miss Boo is nestled between Dreamer's and Sunshine's bedrooms on the second floor.  Seems very appropriate since Tornado idolizes his older brother and sister and mimics every move they make.

At the far end of the hall is where the Sunshine pours in.  Her room is normally neat as a pin and in perfect order.  It is filled with bright colors, comfy pillows and mementos of special experiences with friends and family. 







However, this is how I found it today.  Well, don't you think everyone needs to break away from the norm and let it all hang out sometimes?


The blur on the right of the picture is a Tornado on the move.



That's our tour for today.  Thanks for visiting JD, Pleasure, Sunshine, Dreamer, Tornado and Little Miss Boo's abode.

I hope somewhere in your day today you are beckoned to seat in the shade and ponder the beauty around you.  I hope there is someone to encourage you to be wise, kind and true.  I hope you are blessed with family faces, sunshine and dreams.

Where We Live

Today we are going to tour Red and City Gal's house in San Rafael, California, twenty-five miles north of San Francisco.

They bought the house when City Gal was seven months pregnant with their little girl.  So naturally the nursery was the first room they made over.



They have lived in their 1958 ranch style home for a little over three years now which means their daughter is walking, talking and marking space as her own..

  

This is the play room where Little A makes her artistic voice heard.  She entertains her friends, lets her imagination fly and uses every inch of her play space for fun, fun, fun!


But I think I have gotten ahead of myself.  Anytime a kid is around, I loose my head.  I just let them lead me around by the heart.

Let's start over, this time beginning with the front door.  A great landscape and tidy yard makes one want to slow down and take in the view when walking by.

The gently winding sidewalk leads to the front door which takes you into a cozy living room with an abundance of natural light streaming in from large patio doors.

If  lucky enough to be invited to dinner expect a home cooked meal by City Gal and Little A or even Big Red.  They all love to cook, especially when they can use the veggies and herbs from their own garden.

With the pleasant California weather, they spend as much time as they can outside which is why they concentrated their efforts on redoing their backyard last year.


Looks like Little A has chosen something yummy for tonight's dinner.

I'm going to guess that the hammock in the back corner is where Big Red likes to relax while the girls uncover the newest growth.

Check out those raised beds.  Such an efficient way to grow a garden.  You can reach it from all sides and don't have to break your back squatting down to weed or harvest.

 Red tells me that their back yard is walking distance from China Camp State Park.  He says that they visit often to hike, run or ride his mountain bike.  Wildlife is abundant and they are grateful they live so near a refuge.  Little A is on the ridge above their home. The neighborhood is at the bottom of the picture looking over San Pablo bay. The Richmond-San Rafael bridge is in the foreground and the bay bridge in the background. To the right you can see Sutro Towers in San Francisco and the tops of the golden gate.

There are miles of single track under a canopy of oak and bay trees with streams and ferns below. A trail run or a couple laps on his mountain bike on the weekends has become church for Red, where he renews and recharges for the week to come.

A comfortable guest room awaits visitors.  So if you find yourself in San Rafael, give Big Red a call and you might get to nestle yourself under a bright quilt after a dinner of spinach pie and a leisurely walk about the neighboring hillside.





I hope you have a yummy dinner around a table of friends.  I hope you get a chance to let your artistic voice heard.  I hope you allow yourself a moment in the arms of nature.  I hope you have a special place where you can be renewed, recharged and feel the church of God's creation.