July moments need to be captured before the month flies away.
We are past the midway point already.
July has had more drizzle than sizzle this year.
We are past the midway point already.
July has had more drizzle than sizzle this year.
Despite the rain,
nothing could put a damper on the joy
of being surrounded by some of my children and grandchildren
for the Fourth of July weekend.
I think back on the fall and the winter that we all have gone through.
Now, it is finally summer.
With school out of session, the children are able to take road trips to Grandma's house.
nothing could put a damper on the joy
of being surrounded by some of my children and grandchildren
for the Fourth of July weekend.
I think back on the fall and the winter that we all have gone through.
Now, it is finally summer.
With school out of session, the children are able to take road trips to Grandma's house.
Jonathan, Samantha, and Atticus got the prize for coming the longest distance. They drove across country from Scranton, PA, to Colorado Springs, CO. Keicha, with her precious cargo of my granddaughters Regan, Ryan's daughter, and Gillian, Keicha's daughter, made the trek across Wyoming from Ogden, UT to Colorado.
I was anxious to see Jonathan as I had not seen him since I left him last October after caring for him after his accident when he suffered trauma to his right brachial plexus. (Click to read about this.)
When I left him in October, he had no feeling in his right upper extremity and had no use of the arm or hand. He had surgery in February on this injury, and then had a long period of not being able to use the arm while he recovered from surgery. Now, he is back doing physical therapy with a therapist several times a week, and he reports that he does stretches and strength building exercises two hours every day. He is slowly regaining use of the arm and the hand. I must admit that I was overwhelmed with emotion when I first saw him and saw the progress he has made. I know he has much therapy ahead, but he has made so much progress, and he works very hard at getting back whatever use he can. His journey has been an arduous one, but it is one he has taken with courage and determination. I am grateful for all the support he has had on the journey. His wife and his son have no doubt been his closest and staunchest cheerleaders as they are by his side each day.
On the Fourth of July, before our family barbecue, we showered Jonathan, Samantha, and Atticus with a few gifts for the new home they just purchased in Scranton, PA, where Jonathan and Samantha live while they are teaching at Marywood University. My granddaughter Gillian painted this amazing elephant for Jon and Sam's new home. Didn't she do an amazing job?
The day was such an fun day. I took few photos, which was probably just fine with my grandkids. They always hate it when Grandma gets out her camera and becomes the paparazzi. Less is more where they are concerned in the photo department.
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| Atticus & Regan Hannah & Gillian Lunch on Grandma & Grandpa's Deck |
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| Celebrating the 4th of July Cousins & best friends Then and now |
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| Keicha, Michelle, and Samantha |
No bears were spotted as the adventurers explored the area around my house. Keicha took lots of wonderful photos of their times climbing rocks, hiking, and exploring the area around the nearby old Woodman Sanatorium, a treatment center run by the Modern Woodmen during the first half of the last century for those suffering from tuberculosis. After the exploration trip, they all came home with all sorts of stories about all they had seen and discovered. I think they all had a memorable time. (Hopefully, Keicha will do a blog post telling more about these adventures that I can share with you.)
Atticus came home tired and ready to spend time with his buddy Boston. Boston was very happy about that.
The time together as a family was way too short, but we tried to make the most of time we had. One day the girls and I went to the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center to the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit that is currently on display.
It is always a treat to see the work of Chihuly. This piece is on permanent display at the Fine Arts Center. No photos were allowed to be taken of the O'Keeffe exhibit.
We had a great day of viewing some wonderful art. This was followed by eating lunch at one of my favorite Mexican food restaurants. This isn't the best shot of Keicha. You all know she is quite lovely, but I like the effect I got by taking a panorama photo while sitting out on the patio at Jose Muldoons. The photo is going on the blog. (Sorry Keicha.) Of course, while we ate, I had to tell Grandma Sally's Jose Muldoons story. Have you heard it?
One day, about 20 years ago or so, Grandma Sally took her sister to Jose Muldoons for lunch to celebrate her sister's wedding anniversary. We decided to order margaritas with lunch since it was a special occasion. We had a great lunch and a good time together.
Grandma Sally wrote a check to pay the bill.
Those were the days before debit cards.
The waiter took the check and the bill.
Soon, he came back and said,
"I'm sorry, but I won't be able to accept this check."
"What?" said I.
"You said you took checks."
He said, "We do take checks, but we can't take this check."
He then politely handed me the check.
I'd signed the check: Sally Muldoon!
That is why you should never drink a margarita for lunch.
I did once, and when I went to leave, I thought I owned the place.
(Thankfully, I had enough cash to pay the bill that day.)
After lunch, Jonathan, Samantha, and Atticus met us for ice cream. I couldn't get any of them to cooperate for a family photo, so this is what you get. The image of all of us together enjoying ice cream on summer afternoon is one I will remember whenever I visit Josh & John's Ice Cream. I have so many similar memories of other times we gathered here for ice cream from years gone by. Do you have favorite places that hold special memories of times with family?
We ended our day by doing a downtown walking tour of Colorado Springs. This led us on another art tour as we viewed some graffiti in one of the alleyways. Jon is giving us an interpretation of what the graffiti writers were saying in this photo below.
That's my quirky and interesting family. We go from the art museum to urban art painted on the sides of building and find interest in it all.
I always wish all of my children and grandchildren could be together whenever we gather together, but in today's world, that is unrealistic.
Moments in July spent with loved ones are treasures.
Moments are no small thing.
Life is, after all, made up of a collection of small moments.
Gather those moments and hold them close to your heart.
