Saturday 15 April 2017
Friday 6 January 2017
Gardening
Hi Gran,
I've been thinking about you a lot recently.
Partly it's because Andy Murray finished last year as the world number 1! You definitely would have liked that.
Partly it's because the card holder that Rick made for small hands to use when needing to hold a large number of cards has come into use as we teach Jake simple games like Go Fish and Old Maid. I'm not sure if we'd have managed a game with you, but I like the knowledge of all the games we played together now being passed onto the next generation as Jake and Sophie grow up.
Partly it's because I've now got enough space to have my own vegetable garden this spring, and I've started mapping out where everything needs to go. Talking to Mum reveals some fond memories of Rick in winter planning the next season's garden, and whilst my version is online and fueled by internet research, I'm excited to be taking a leaf out of his book to grow food for my family. We also got some gardening tools and gloves for Jake and Sophie so that they can come and help us out.
Partly it's because I'm planning on keeping bees, most likely as a joint venture with Kelsey's mom this year and then by myself next year if it all goes well. The garden here is beautiful and keeping bees will only increase the growth and prettiness. I'll take some pictures for you as I know you would absolutely delight in it, even if you were never going to get here to see it.
Partly it's because we took all the great grand kids old enough (Sophie stayed at home) to a musical at the fantastic Young People's Theater in Toronto. It was a funny take on Dr Seuss' books, but the idea of having all the great grandkids together at the theater for the first was one that you would have definitely loved.
Finally it's because there's an internal clock in my brain that goes off every now and then that says it's been a long time since I've seen Gran so it must be time to plan a visit, and then I remember that I can't even if I wanted to, and almost two years later that's a sad realisation to have. So I wanted to find a way to talk to you about all the things that we would have chatted about in your living room over coffee and Sainsbury's sandwiches.
I've been thinking about you a lot recently.
Partly it's because Andy Murray finished last year as the world number 1! You definitely would have liked that.
Partly it's because the card holder that Rick made for small hands to use when needing to hold a large number of cards has come into use as we teach Jake simple games like Go Fish and Old Maid. I'm not sure if we'd have managed a game with you, but I like the knowledge of all the games we played together now being passed onto the next generation as Jake and Sophie grow up.
Partly it's because I've now got enough space to have my own vegetable garden this spring, and I've started mapping out where everything needs to go. Talking to Mum reveals some fond memories of Rick in winter planning the next season's garden, and whilst my version is online and fueled by internet research, I'm excited to be taking a leaf out of his book to grow food for my family. We also got some gardening tools and gloves for Jake and Sophie so that they can come and help us out.
Partly it's because I'm planning on keeping bees, most likely as a joint venture with Kelsey's mom this year and then by myself next year if it all goes well. The garden here is beautiful and keeping bees will only increase the growth and prettiness. I'll take some pictures for you as I know you would absolutely delight in it, even if you were never going to get here to see it.
Partly it's because we took all the great grand kids old enough (Sophie stayed at home) to a musical at the fantastic Young People's Theater in Toronto. It was a funny take on Dr Seuss' books, but the idea of having all the great grandkids together at the theater for the first was one that you would have definitely loved.
Finally it's because there's an internal clock in my brain that goes off every now and then that says it's been a long time since I've seen Gran so it must be time to plan a visit, and then I remember that I can't even if I wanted to, and almost two years later that's a sad realisation to have. So I wanted to find a way to talk to you about all the things that we would have chatted about in your living room over coffee and Sainsbury's sandwiches.
Wednesday 23 November 2016
School for teenage codebreakers to open in Bletchley Park
School for teenage codebreakers to open in Bletchley Park
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/24/college-of-national-security-teenage-codebreakers-school-open-bletchley-park
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/24/college-of-national-security-teenage-codebreakers-school-open-bletchley-park
Saturday 29 October 2016
A picture for the mantelpiece
I've already shared the proof of Aliya's 2016 school photo with you lot on WhatsApp, but I can just imagine taking a hard copy over to Gran's, which I have no doubt she would have proudly added to her mantelpiece collection. I miss Gran so much, and imaginings like this help me stay connected with her.
Do you think she would also have participated in the WhatsApp group? It's fast becoming our virtual mantelpiece!
Do you think she would also have participated in the WhatsApp group? It's fast becoming our virtual mantelpiece!
Friday 7 October 2016
Our house is a very very fine house
I often reflect, as we continue to lay down roots here, how much I would have loved to tell Gran about all our adventures. I went walking with Sophie recently and mentally updated Gran on the news, given that Keysoe is a long way and a long time away. I think she would have delighted in watching Jake become a young boy and Sophie developing her delightful personality.
In particular, I think she would have delighted in our new home, which we started moving into today. She would have loved the openness of it, and the quietness of the trees outside. Of course if she was here, we wouldn't be in this house, and that's always a hard fact to deal with. But her legacy means that in the six months that we've been here, we have two great cars, two great jobs, kids happy in their respective daycares and now the dream house. I feel that all of this fits with my understanding of the spirit of Gran, to do things for yourself that you wouldn't normally do, and for that we will always be truly grateful. I just sometimes wish that I could have my cake and eat it, and share our excitement with her.
In particular, I think she would have delighted in our new home, which we started moving into today. She would have loved the openness of it, and the quietness of the trees outside. Of course if she was here, we wouldn't be in this house, and that's always a hard fact to deal with. But her legacy means that in the six months that we've been here, we have two great cars, two great jobs, kids happy in their respective daycares and now the dream house. I feel that all of this fits with my understanding of the spirit of Gran, to do things for yourself that you wouldn't normally do, and for that we will always be truly grateful. I just sometimes wish that I could have my cake and eat it, and share our excitement with her.
Sunday 22 May 2016
Lots to talk about
In the month or so since the last post here, we've had a lot to talk about. I think Gran would have loved being part of the many conversations. There have been
What a lot of life there is to enjoy.
- Choir tours
- Support for refugees
- Being there for friends
- House painting (choices, choices!)
- Birthdays for the eldest great grandbabes
- Shared iPads
- New jobs (alien free!)
- First tractor rides
- Drawings galore
- Conferences
- Articles and essays
What a lot of life there is to enjoy.
Thursday 21 April 2016
Adventures in the New World
Given how easy it is now (with a new iPhone and a quick internet connection!) for me to send pictures, messages and even have random phone calls with mum and dad in the middle of the day (including several times when Jake requested to call them to show them what he was playing with), I cant' help but think of times when I could have Skyped Gran just for fun, as whilst she'd never had made it out here to see our new life unfold, we could have given her such a good feel for it. However, I will put pictures up here that make me think of Gran, or that she would have enjoyed. Here's 4 for starters:
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| The bronze fireguard made it safely, though we had to ship it rather than risk it bending in a canvas bag |
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| We drove past a house in the middle of nowhere that had a pristine croquet lawn, complete with a sunhouse for spectators. We may have to make friends with the owners/buy the house! |
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| The squirrels are dedicated critters out here. Look at the acrobatics of this one trying to get into Jake's birdhouse! You could have a lot of fun with a water pistol each morning... |
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| One generation removed, but Sophie gets the idea of Skype quite nicely and I'm sure Gran would have been offered e-biscuits too!
More to come I'm sure over the weeks and months, but safe to say the spirit of Gran has come with us to New Hampshire!
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