May I have this dance?

Two nights ago I was outside at my son's house. We were looking at the garden in the deep heavy dusk with the light of the moon. The children were running around in the moonlight and he and Rachel were asking about all the plants in the new gardens in their new house.

Their yard is big with lots and lots of perennials. I knew most of them and gave advice (in a nice motherly way) about what were weeds and what were plants. 

They have one entire bed of Moon Flowers of which I am so envious. I think that was why they bought the house, and Aaron really can't stop bragging about the Moon Flowers. 

Jonah was so excited, "I know, I know...they only bloom in the moonlight."

Sometimes life is so hard and so tough that I think the only time left to bloom is indeed in the moonlight with the day behind us and the darkness prevailing.

I looked up, directly at the moon, and there was Jupiter dancing away with the moon. We all just sat in wonder starring and watching. It was the most enchanting night. Later, as they all went inside to make milkshakes before bedtime, I biked on home by the light of the moon and her partner, Jupiter.

I couldn't help but think how fickle that man in the moon is...later he will be dancing with mars and Venus, well the list goes on and yet Jupiter and Mars and Saturn and Venus all move on and continue their brightness. And, yes, I was crying by the time I got home.

I closed the garden gate and poured a glass of wine, built a late night campfire and sat outside alone in my garden just thinking. Those are hard moments. Those are important moments.

I was singing before long...and here you go...one of the songs I was singing.

And for all you lovely ladies out there...pour the wine, build a campfire, and sing a song. Love to all.

Hurry over, folks! There’s a Rumplestiltskin show today!

Hurry over, folks! There’s a Rumplestiltskin show today!: It happens once a year. I open my curtains and see the big red truck pulling into my driveway. Two young folks jump out and come up to my doorstep. The front door is open before they have a chance to ring the bell or even look around at their surroundings.


I really don't know what happened to this page and the photo, but just click on the above site, and thanks for reading!

Meet the Artist!

If you missed the premiere of T.C. Steele, you can get caught up with this
 interview with the Daily Journal. Just click on the title...Meet the Artist.

The next show is June 4th at 12:00 at the T.C. Steele cabin. Here is the 

information! I would love to see you there! There will be a reception following

 and you can spend your day exploring the lovely grounds.

12:00 pm
Where:
T.C. Steele State Historic Site
4220 T C Steele Rd
Nashville, IN 47448
USA
Cost:
$7/Adults, $5/Seniors, $2/Children 3 - 12
Contact:
Cate Whetzel
812-988-2785

Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

Where do stories go when they are finished?

Where do stories go when they are finished?: Stories come and go in my life as they do yours. We live them, we tell them, we dream them, we think about them.

Mama robin in her nest on my back porch! Shhh....

Here is the link to this week's column. As always, I thank you for reading. Just click on the above link and you will find the story! 

 

I have been watching a sweet little sparrow make her next on my white picket fence!

We’re making the most of this sweet, short life

We’re making the most of this sweet, short life: Some days the rain pours down and emotions run as deep as streams or as wide open as the Indiana prairie. On these days my thoughts are scattered and sprinkled with the here and now as well as the bygone and future...

Here are the lovely 7th grade students after they planted my new cherry tree!!

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the link to this week's column. I hope you enjoy it as it is definitely full of heart and soul. As always, thank you for reading.

Lou Ann

The polls...

Working the polls is certainly an eye-opener in the American system. It also is a great way to connect with friends and neighbors.

Yesterday we were all at the polls by 5:00 to begin our duties. (Our inspectors were there earlier.)

I am not sure you have worked the polls before, but here is a little synopsis of jobs before the polls open!!

There are forms to sign...at least a dozen of them. We have to initial the back of all ballots...the initials of a Democrat and a Republican. (The poll clerks work in teams of a Democrat and a Republican.) Did you ever look on the back of a ballot and see these initials?

We have to all inspect the machines and turn them on as a team. Signs must be hung, books checked over, sheets to be gathered for tally marks.

Each team (there were four teams at the Catholic church) must take the oath given by the inspector. At 6:00 on the dot, the person in charge of our entire area (head inspector?) opens the doors and declares the polls open with the words, "Hear ye, hear ye...". I love that moment.

Yesterday there were lines waiting for us. As a poll clerk we must find each person, have each one sign and choose the ballot they would prefer, Democrat or Republican, for the primary.

There are always those folks who do not understand how primaries work and want to split their ticket, or don't know who to vote for.

There are, of course, spoiled ballots, discrepancies, and all kinds of problems that are hard to even imagine.

We work from 6-6 taking a few breaks for food which is always provided for by the ladies of the Eastern Star. Even though we sit most of the day, we are very hungry!!

At 6:00 in the evening, again the doors are closed with the words, "Hear ye, hear ye...". Then the work begins.

We must count all ballots, signatures, spoiled ballots, etc., and everything must balance. We had a discrepancy of 100 which kept us there until 7:30 in the evening until Lee (my friend, colleague, and judge in my area) found an easy arithmetic error. Again, we signed all the papers, took down signs, and wearily closed the lights. The ballots had to be escorted to the court house by our inspector and a judge, one from each political party. 

The fun began later in the evening as we all met at Monuments Pizza for pints of beer, pizza, stories, and to watch the numbers come in on the mounted television.

By the time I got home I just crawled into bed.

It was a good day, and one that I will again repeat in November.

We had a record number of voters...good job, Indiana, for voting. 

Lou Ann

Go vote, Indiana!!

Early morning rising as I am working the polls. I am just heading out the door at 4:45 to do my civic duty and be a poll clerk for this day.

Please go vote, Indiana. How exciting that we count this year, and your vote does count.

Now off I go....