Bon Voyage, Ma Petite Fille!

There is something surreal about driving your only child to the Philadelphia International Airport, squeezing the stuffing out of her, and then driving away...while she goes off to board her one-way flight to Paris to begin her new life.
The twenty two years I devoted to raising her passed before my eyes in a split second, as I helped her unload her 50 lb. bag - carefully weighed to avoid extra fees - and her supplemental 20 lb. bag and her backpack and the bag she's named 'Marc.'
Even more surreal, though, was the comment from an acquaintance about my daughter's decision to teach overseas:  "Why on earth would she want to do that?"
Why should anyone chase their dreams?  Young people should just live in their parents' basements, that way mom will never have to endure the agony of missing them.
I gladly carry that burden.  But mine pales in comparison to that of another mom I know.  On the same day my girl left for France, her son was chosen for the US Army's elite Special Forces.  While my child is in a cozy classroom, hers will be navigating dangerous territory.
Ships are safest in harbor.  But that's not what ships are made for.

Sage Quotes

When I come across a quote - usually it's from an artist of some kind, and that includes the whole pantheon of artists:  writers, painters, actors, etc. - that really moves me, I like to record it.  Now I have a nice little collection of inspirational quotes that truly cheer me whenever I pull them up on my laptop.  

Here are a few:

I’ve found that writing is just as difficult and lonely as it was before I won the Oscar.  Matheny

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly ... to listen to stars and buds, to babes and sages, with open heart; await occasions, hurry never ... this is my symphony. --William Henry Channing

Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great -  RW Emerson

I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.  George Burns

To live is the rarest thing in the world.  Most people exist; that is all.  Oscar Wilde

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.  R. Frost

I didn't want to work. It was as simple as that. I distrusted work, disliked it. I thought it was a very bad thing that the human race had unfortunately invented for itself.  -- Agatha Christie

I am the master of my fate:  I am the captain of my soul. ~~W. E. Henley

One has no talent.  I have no talent.  It’s just a question of working, of being willing to put in the time.  Graham Greene, author of 26 novels, who had a daily quota of 350 words

My Backyard Foxes

Last spring, two baby female foxes (I've seen between their legs) began traversing through my yard every evening, with their mother.  At first they stayed far from the house, but with a little prompting, ie., two hard-boiled eggs placed ever nearer, they are now right up to the house.   I've fed them each an egg every night since spring.  The photo is of one of them eating some stale bread I put out for the birds.

A couple of times - once when I was in New York City and again when in I was in D.C. - I had to get the D.H. to feed them.  He asked if the eggs needed to be peeled first.

"As if that's how they are when they rob the hen house!" he said.  "Hard boiled and peeled!  I suppose you'll set up a heated tent for them when the snows come."

Hey, nothing's too good for my little foxies.

Lately they are maturing and no longer eat together.  Nature dictates that now, they will compete for food, rather than share it.  However, grown up female siblings will share in child care of their baby foxlets.  Isn't that cool?

Feels Like Fall

Here in the Mid-Atlantic we're supposed to get from six to eight
inches of rain this week (thanks, Tropical Storm Lee)...right through the weekend.


Just bought a pair of tall, navy blue Hunter mucking out boots from ebay - they're coming from Toronto, so there's probably no way I'll get them for the Penn State/Alabama game on Saturday!  I'm sure I'll ruin a pair of shoes tailgating, but it'll be worth it.  It's the only time of year I see certain special friends.  


I made this painting of Pears last fall.  I hope the person who bought it is enjoying it!