Alison Hodgson

Expert on the etiquette of perilous times.

FYI

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The kids and I have been outside almost all day. I have been mowing and gardening. The big kids have been going in and out doing work and then taking frequent breaks outside. I was weeding in a large garden bed when Eden came up to talk.

“Bees sure do love honey,” she announced.

“They certainly do.” I agreed.

“First there’s the pollen then there’s the honey. Did you know the Store People steal the honey from the bees?”

“No I didn’t.” I realized later that this was a lie but I’d never heard it framed so violently.

“Yeah, they take it and put it in bear packages,” she said gravely.

“Oh my!” I said. I have found this to be a safe response in any kid conversation as it conveys concern and interest but is noncommital.

“Yes.” She said and walked away.

I just thought I should let you know that any bottle of honey in your possession is stolen goods.

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The girls asked if they could have “a spoonful” of frosting. I said yes and then walked into the kitchen to see them brandishing these spoons. The smiles above are somewhat toned down from the maniacal ones I first saw.
Later I made quesadillas and Eden was eager to help. She got out her handy little safety knife and I gave her a small cutting board. She happily diced green peppers while I cut chicken, sliced peppers and onions and then cooked it all up. We talked while we worked and she would reach over to grab additional peppers as needed. It was such a natural gesture. She didn’t ask for more, she just helped herself as any one would who was helping me cook dinner. I told her how much I love cooking with her – and it was true, not just motherly enthusiasm. Her quiet industry and graceful confidence brought beauty to, what could have been, a mundane task. Lovely.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2007/05/734/

Three Things Thursday

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Three Things I am doing this Spring:

1. Gardening. This year I have some very big projects. I added a very large bed (in which I am planning to plant primarily vegetables) as well adding space to some existing beds. I know this sounds ridiculous as I already have so much more garden than I can handle, but the one I added is in a very sunny spot and it is going to bring together two others and create a very pleasing area.

2. Building a fire pit! I am trying not to make this too difficult. The plan is to buy some large fieldstones (I have been going to the gravel pit for years. They know me.) and some sand, dig up the grass and throw it all together. Where I am hemming and hawing is in the siting of it. Our yard is surrounded by tree covered hills. I am also navigating a gazebo, a garden shed and a swing set. I am thinking about hauling the rocks, buying some good wine and then inviting over a couple of strong and opinionated friends (David and Dan take notice) and just let it happen.

3. Painting the house. I know I know, you don’t often see that dingy, yellowish tan, especially combined with the raised dark boards that bring to mind Elizabethan England and the Wild West in the same thought. That IS rare…and there is a reason, it’s hideous. Last year we had other big projects early in the Spring, so painting got pushed back until late June. We had big plans for getting one side done a month but then painted about 20 feet with a paint that was mistinted. I went back and forth on how white or creamy a creamy white should be. It got hot, we got testy and before we knew it, the summer was gone. We have been waiting for nightime temperatures to stay above 50 (how can you make the degrees sign on a Mac, anyone?). We are getting there this week.

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Kids, if one of you would come over here and neducate my children while juggling the Bean and Handsome Jack, that would be great. I awoke at 2 a.m. again and began to finally drift back to sleep around 5;30 when Eden started shouting, “Is it morning time?” She had misplaced Pinkie in her sleep and came out of the depths in her searching to hear birds chirping. I climbed into bed with her and the next hour and a half was a torturous medley of questions about Jesus, prayers, plans for an all female family member sleep over, pleadings for milk and concerns for Jack.

Around 7:00 I kicked her out to go get Paul who sent her right back. I repelled her again and Paul awoke enough to realize that if I was trying to crash in Eden’s room that could only mean I had taken a bullet for him. This didn’t keep Eden out though, she kept returning with more news and notes. Finally I told her not to come back without a cup of coffee.

She returned almost immediately. I opened one eye. “How many spoons of sugar do you like?”

The next time I rolled over, Paul was there with the actual cup.

Let the healing begin.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2007/05/737/

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You know there are times that, even if you’re not prone to swearing, you look in the mirror and think D#*%* I look good!
This was one of those times.
Eden felt pretty good too.
The necklace she is wearing belonged to my Grandma Wolfe who died when I was three, more than a year younger than Eden is now.
It’s only been worn a few times in the last thirty (three) years. Somebody is making up for lost time.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2007/05/738/