Category: Family

Building for the Wee Folk

Doright Manor is set in the midst of a delightful forest in the Florida panhandle. From our screened in porch we enjoy the shade of oak trees, the majesty of pines, and the splendor of magnolias, along with all of the critters that call the forest home. 

I’ve always thought it the ideal place to offer sanctuary to fairies if we provided a proper home for the wee folk. Studly Doright wasn’t convinced that we needed a fairy home, though, until he saw the one at Saint Helen’s home in Hereford, Texas, on our visit in May.

 

Studly’s brother, Shaggy Doright, built Saint Helen’s fairy house.

When we knew we’d be entertaining our Dallas grandkids for two weeks, Studly decided that constructing a fairy home would be the perfect activity.

And so it begins: 

We each had our respective tasks:

   
    
    
    
  

  
 Mine consisted of documenting the process and staying well out of the way.

We didn’t quite complete the project yesterday afternoon. Studly and I ran out of energy before reaching the finish line. But we made a good bit of headway.

Tomorrow is another day.

Peace, people!

Wild Adventures: Day One

The adventure started at breakfast when Jackson celebrated by putting whipped topping on his Eggo waffle.  

Once we were all dressed we headed to the Wild Adventures amusement park in Valdosta, Georgia.

   

Dominique was all smiles until I confessed that I weigh 300 lbs. just as we were getting underway. “You don’t weigh over 40 pounds do you?” I asked, pointing to the warning sign on the car in front of us:  
She was ready to climb out before I told her I was just kidding.

The three of us got soaked on the Roaring Rapids. Considering the temperature was in the mid 90’s, the drenching felt wonderful.

 
We rode it twice back to back. The operator didn’t even make us get out of the boat for our second go around.

For much of the day I was a spectator. It seems I didn’t need to ride every coaster in the park. Maybe I’m growing up finally? Jackson and Dominique are in the very top car of this ride that went backwards, forward, then backwards again.
  
Several of the rides were nearly devoid of riders. No long lines in the sweltering heat!

   

We’re going back for another go tomorrow. Wish me good health and endurance!

Peace, people!

Hanging With The Grands

I’m having such a wonderful time with my grandchildren, Dominique and Jackson, this week. 

We stopped by Studly Doright’s (Poppa’s) office.

 

Aren’t they cute?
 
Later in the day Jackson and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. He’s all about asking me to challenge him to do physical stunts, such as climbing trees and jumping over obstacles. I’m such a wimp, though, that I can never come up with a suitable activity.

I loved his question, “Nana, do you have any trees that need climbing?”

  
Dominique and I spent an hour making bird feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter, twine, and seeds. 

 Here are the final products:

 

Now we need to hang them.

The kids chopped down a couple of saplings.

 

Jackson is a born lumber Jack.
 While I watched from a safe distance. 
 

Gator in the House

I succesfully rendezvoused with our son Jason in Jackson, Mississippi, and brought our grandkids, Dominique (13), and Jackson (10), home with me to Havana, Florida. No sooner had we gotten unpacked than Dominique headed to the lake with her fishing pole, and Jackson suited up to ride his minibike.

   
 

I had a glass of wine and handed over supervisory duties to Studly Doright, aka Poppa.

Dominque caught a fish right off the bat.

 
Prompting Jackson to come join in the fun:

  
And then our resident gator made an appearance:

 

 
I believe I’ll go have another glass of wine within the safe confines of Doright Manor and pray that no one falls prey to our reptile friend. 

Peace, people.

The Grandkids are Coming! The Grandkids are Coming!

Saturday (tomorrow!) I am meeting our son in Jackson, Mississippi, and bringing our oldest granddaughter, Dominique (13), and our youngest grandson, Jackson (10), home with me for two whole weeks! 

Eeeee! Time spent with the grands is the best.

I have a list of fun stuff to do while they’re with me in Havana, Florida, including trips to the beach, to the water park in Valdosta, Georgia, and to the wonderful Tallahassee Museum. Plus we’ll fish off of the dock in our backyard and maybe play Pokemon Go! I see exhaustion in my future.  

The blog might take a backseat for two weeks, but surely I’ll have time to add some pictures of our adventures to keep me in the habit of posting daily. I have a few posts queued up, as well.

Now I need to go freshen the bedding in the guest rooms and make sure my stock of snacks is sufficient for two hungry kids.

So excited! Peace, people!

We saw the kids in May when they were forced to sit still for a photo.

A Box and a Bottle 

The box sat unopened on the kitchen table, a bottle of red wine close at hand, long-stemmed glass in reach.

Off came the lids and memories spilled forth: 

Newlywed couple, too young to know the perils of an uncertain future.

Pensive new mom in a white nightgown holding her firstborn, swaddled in soft blue bunting.

Happy one year old, face covered in frosting.

Another newborn held tightly, this one covered in pink.

A grinning toddler waving chubby fists over a Cabbage Patch birthday cake.

Wine poured, a tentative taste.

Years roll along. Kindergarten, primary years. Slow days, fast years.

Field day ribbons in primary hues.

Teachers’ notes in calligraphy

Cards from grandparents, now long gone, the signatures unique and cherished. Tangible proof of their love.

A bit more wine, a smooth second sip. Sweeter, deeper, longer.

High school awards, who knew they’d had so many?

Yearbook photos from different schools

Letters from crushes, embarrassingly frank, oh this is blackmail material!

Pour another glass. Wipe a tear away. 

Graduation photos with family and friends.

Caps and gowns

Alma mater in the background

That glass went quickly! Pour another. Be generous. That’s good. 

Adventures abroad

Wedding gowns and cummerbunds

Honeymoons

First grandchildren, three months apart

Sweet babies. She has my nose. He has your smile. More wine? Please.

New grandchildren are born

Personalities emerge–this one a tomboy, this one mercurial, this one a charmer; all loved

Marriages shift

New alliances form

Those were difficult days. Yes, more wine, please. 

Holidays and birthdays

Moving days, so far away

Family reunions, look how we’ve grown! From two scared kids to this grand family.

Enough for one afternoon. Besides, we’re all out of wine. Close the box and kiss me.

   




My Feet Hurt Even Worse

Today I took over 14,000 steps at Disney Hollywood Studios. When I walked to catch the bus to return to the Pop Century Resort I could easily imagine my ankles snapping into jagged, ragged, splintered pieces at which point I would simply drag myself by my forearms to the bus stop. 

No one would give me a second glance as I pulled my bloody stumps onto the vehicle unless of course I accidentally crossed the yellow line at whch point I would be gently reprimanded.

—————BUT—————

I rode Star Tours not once, not twice, but three times, and even though I was never named as the rebel spy I personally know two people who were. 

I survived two rounds on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and even managed to look like I was having fun on the second try. The Tower of Terror didn’t claim my life this year; although, it was a close call. What a great, terrifying ride! 

I discovered the joys of Toy Story Mania and would gladly ride it non-stop if the lines weren’t so long. 

Indiana Jones thrilled me with daring escapades in his stunt show spectacular, and I was seated close enough to feel the heat from the explosions.

————HOWEVER————-

Tomorrow I must return to Studly Doright and Doright Manor. My heart is ready. My feet are begging for it, but dang, I’ll miss Disneyworld, CB, Lord Jeff, and kids. What a great time. Now I’m having a beer. Or two.

‘Til next time Disneyworld. Rock on.

 

Aerosmith grants backstage passes to their show. The catch? You have to ride a roller coaster with multiple loops in the dark. And by the way, it goes from 0 to 60 in under four seconds.
  
Star Tours has something interesting around every corner.
  
Inside Toy Story Mania–maybe the most fun ride ever! Trust me, it’s not just for kids.
  
Toy Story Mania is way more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
   
Peace, people!

Joy In Hereford

Random photos from our week in Hereford, Texas.   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   

My Feet Hurt

I walked over eight and a half miles today on hot asphalt in 100° temperatures. I climbed the equivalent of twelve flights of stairs. My feet feel like two burning lumps of raw meat. My back is crying to be put out of its misery.

-BUT-

I rode Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and some other mountain I can never remember the name of. I rode in a flying ship a la Peter Pan and watched a symphony in 4D. I toured a Haunted Mansion and picked up a hitchhiking ghost. I sailed the seven seas with Captain Jack Sparrow. And, I did battle with a group of space aliens alongside Buzz Lightyear.

-SO-

I’ll put on my stinky sneakers and head out to another theme park in the morning. 

What a wonderful day! Thank you CB, Lord Jeff, and kids for allowing me to tag along.

Peace, people!

Saint Helen’s Birthday Bash

Studly Doright, the love of my life, was raised by an extraordinary woman who I’ve dubbed Saint Helen. Last week Studly and I traveled to the Texas panhandle to join in the celebration of Saint Helen’s 80th birthday.

The event, held at the Senior Citizen’s Center in Hereford, Texas, on Sunday afternoon was grand, with well over a hundred people in attendance. I turned to one of my children as I observed Helen greeting yet another guest and said, “You’re going to need to hire folks to come to my 80th.” 

I believe said child muttered something about there being no way I’d make it to 80 before dutifully responding, “Sure, Mom!”

Eighty is only two decades away for me, so I better start being nicer to people. Dammit. 

Back to Saint Helen, though…I took a great many photos and while most of my followers are not among her friends I hope you’ll indulge me. She really is a terrific person and the very best mother-in-law imaginable. 

 

This wonderful cake was made of cupcakes with a layer of icing covering them to make it appear like a regular sheet cake.
 
 
Helen, on the right, with her childhood friend Billy Tobe and his wife, Louise
 
My daughter, her middle daughter, and I arranged all of the flowers for the event. Not bad for three novices. 
Daughter Ashley created this arrangement for a memory table.
  
This creation on the reception table was mine.
   

My lovely 11-year-old granddaughter, McKayla took charge of the flowers on the refreshment table.

There was much laughter, tons of hugs, and general merriment all afternoon.   
Saint Helen’s friend, Leona
    
Father Tony bearing gifts of homemade sauerkraut and store bought water guns.
  
Monsignor Bloom with Saint Helen
  
    
Friend Annette.
  
Cousin Leighton.
 
 
Saint Helen with Studly Doright

 
Studly and I with Saint Helen and our children and grandchildren.
 

Two of the great grandkids kung fu fighting. No one was injured in this battle.
  
All of the great grandkids who could be present. Two had to leave early and one missed the celebration due to circumstances beyond his 3-year-old control.

 
My five grandbabies. Nothing makes me happier than having them all in one place.
I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than with this bunch. 

Peace, people!