Monday, March 31, 2008

bowl of blackberries


bowl of blackberries
Originally uploaded by valcox
We're going to start a little garden, nothing ornamental --this will be a garden of berries, elderberries, blackberries, currants and more. It's all staked out!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Saturday, March 29, 2008

shopping for groceries


spotted dick sponge pudding
Originally uploaded by valcox
Our grocery store has a new section. I believe it's called 'British foods that will never sell in Pennsylvania'. But they try!

one striped, one spotted


one striped, one spotted
Originally uploaded by valcox

Friday, March 28, 2008

wake up


wake up
Originally uploaded by valcox
she is in one of his favorite chairs, so it's his job, rather, his duty to remind her it's time to wake up and move along now.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

red apples, green bananas

I'm trying out an old Kodak Reflex from the 1940's, it's really dirty!

apples bananas
Originally uploaded by valcox

leather couch red wall


leather couch red wall
Originally uploaded by valcox

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

cat paw


cat paw
Originally uploaded by valcox

Monday, March 24, 2008

painted nails


painted nails
Originally uploaded by valcox
I'm sure there's a good reason why only two fingernails are painted. Olivia is 17, so I didn't bother to ask.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

strawberries


strawberries
Originally uploaded by valcox
Spring has arrived! We found strawberries at the farmers market.

clay pot and lid


clay pot and lid
Originally uploaded by valcox
I've had this clay pot for a year, but until today, I've only used it as a centerpiece for fruit. Today it held, hot in the oven, our roast beef, veggies and potatoes for the better part of a morning and half an afternoon. It was a wonderful Easter dinner!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Friday, March 21, 2008

funny face


funny face
Originally uploaded by valcox
Now, if Sumo was a friend, I'm certain he would insist I delete this most unflattering capture, but he's not, so I won't.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

cat eye


cat eye
Originally uploaded by valcox
He loves it when I wake him from a nap and get in really close with the camera then move his tail to make it curl a little better. He loves that part.

purple plums on orange and blue


purple plums on orange and blue
Originally uploaded by valcox

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

winter flower


winter flower
Originally uploaded by valcox
My sister-in-law Gayle sent this for Christmas. At the time it was a less-than-impressive dirt filled basket, delivered by Fed Ex. Now, three months later, a southern exposed window and weekly watering...I'm impressed. Thank you Gayle!

The household are all sick, but I feel great. Between coughing and sleeping, Fred jokes that this is my payback for being so sick this time last year--I have immunity now.

Ok, I'll take that, while I go up and down the stairs for the umptenth time this week with another bowl of soup, more asprin and sympathy for one of the three!

cat with flower in window


cat with flower in window
Originally uploaded by valcox

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

olivia

I'm so embarrassed. Yesterday I saw myself as the type of mother we always joked about. The helicopter parents who hover, the baby boomer, type-A-personalities who know what needs to be done and get it done.

There I was in the high school office, Olivia home sick in bed. The second-to-the-last day to get signs off's for her Nat'l Honor Society application. Yes, she should have finished them herself. I nagged, she sighed, I should have taken the hint. Assuming this is what she wanted, what she needed. I gather up her hard work, 98% complete, made the appt, got in to see who I need, it's so simple!

The flush of embarrassment came moments later when I was told by the administrator to let it go--they couldn't help me. Olivia needed to do this herself. Others got their applications in within the two weeks. It wasn't my job to do.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Sunday, March 16, 2008

old chair


old chair
Originally uploaded by valcox
a relaxing weekend spent reading, writing, cooking, napping--plus playing with a very dusty viewfinder camera!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

asleep in winter, awoke in spring


asleep in winter, awoke in spring
Originally uploaded by valcox

dinner for Mrs. Duffy on River Road


Mrs. Duffy on River Road
Originally uploaded by valcox

The road flooded on both ends--Olivia and I took the long way around and drove past the 'road closed' barracades.

The house high and dry, her picture-window view of the fast moving top-of-the-banks river was spectacular. The pumpkin pie her favorite of the three meals.

18 different casseroles, 2 days

A busy couple of days. Olivia cooked and cook for her Nat'l Honor Society community service and did a great job. Guess who was prep, clean up, four-trips-to-the-grocery store assistant?...my legs are tired!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

teenage boys


teenage boys
Originally uploaded by valcox
Rush had a few friends over. I somehow got them off the video games long enough to pose outside for a few photos! Kevin and Ben.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

north 32, south 32


north 32, south 32
Originally uploaded by valcox

delaware river, awaiting flood


delaware river, awaiting flood
Originally uploaded by valcox
Fred suggested running down to the river tonight to see the flood waters coming. I was forced to grab my Nikon without the viewfinder contraption--as it's in pieces. So I slipped on the wide angle lens which I haven't used in so long. I was thankful I remembered my hooded rain coat. Fred waited in the truck ever so patiently, windshield wipers keeping time.

Friday, March 07, 2008

blue house, red door


blue house, red door
Originally uploaded by valcox

I'm in between camera contraptions and building a new one, parts and pieces, nuts and bolts everywhere. So I found a photo taken in January--to use for the daily blog.

At the time it apparently wasn't good enough to warrant a crop or second look. Now it'll do just fine!

Thursday, March 06, 2008

grandma's favorite chair


grandma's favorite chair
Originally uploaded by valcox
oh it brought me back to the 1960's, I hadn't seen the chair in so long. I remembered it from her days in Paradise California. The A-framed house with the wood panel interior that smelled of cedar. Sabrina and I loved that house and playing in the woods nearby.

This weekend, I saw a familiar knick-knack among grandma's books. A wooden cat, and from his mouth, a wooden mouse suspended by a leather tail. I picked it up for the first time in over 40 years, the memories rushing back. I asked if anyone else wanted it instead. No, they all insisted that it should be mine.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

homeward bound, salt lake to philadlephia

It's great to be home, I just need to unpack, catch up and upload some photos! Oh and get some coffee, I spent 3 wonderful days with my Morman relatives--no caffine allowed, lol!

running cat


running cat
Originally uploaded by valcox
...home again, I'll get caught up tomorrow with new photos and tales!

Saturday, March 01, 2008