by Judy Handley | Oct 29, 2022 | 2022 Life Logs |
2022 Life Logs, Day 302: Sailboats, Soccer, and Democracy
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022
Weather: Beautiful Sunny Day; High 59, Low 39 degrees
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
The weather gods were good to us today. This morning Heather, Jed, Sam, and Ollie motored Eider, their sailboat, from its mooring in Marion to a temporary mooring in Mattapoisett where it will be hauled out of the water for the winter on Thursday.
It was sunny, not too much wind, with calm waters, so they could work on taking down all the sails while underway. I met them in Mattapoisett just after noon as they came up to the town dock to empty the holding tank and off load the sail bags.
Then Heather and Jed headed out to the mooring to secure the boat and came back to shore in the dinghy to meet us on the dinghy dock.
I drove every one back to Marion to pick up their car so that Heather and Sam could head home while Jed, Ollie, and I drove on to Fall River for an afternoon soccer game. Jonah stayed home today to clean house as the Goldstones were hosting a dinner party tonight. Jed, Ollie, and I arrived at the soccer field in Fall River just after 2 pm. It was a beautiful afternoon for a soccer game.
Unfortunately, Ollie’s team was overwhelmed by the Fall River team. But Ollie, number 18 in his Falmouth crimson red uniform, played a good game and somehow managed to keep his composure after a big loss.
So that explains the sailboats and soccer part of the title of this log. Now on to democracy. It was almost 5:30 pm when I got home, so I headed outside to play with Shadow. When we came in, I got dinner ready for both of us and sat down in front of the TV to eat. I thought I’d catch up on the news while eating, but what was on was a live campaign speech by Barack Obama for candidates in Wisconsin. As I listened to him, my eyes filled with tears as he so skillfully described an America from another time—the time when you could disagree with someone without it leading to violence, when Democrats and Republications could find some common ground. But no more. The point of his speech was to convince the audience that it is the Democrats who have their backs in terms of the economy and personal rights. He was agreeing that those things are of huge importance to people’s lives, but he was also saying that without a democratic form of government, none of that will make any difference. His plea was for people to use their vote to take a stand. I voted early, yesterday, by mail. However, you vote, make your voice heard.
by Judy Handley | Oct 28, 2022 | 2022 Life Logs |
2022 Life Logs, Day 301: Lawn Work and FHS Band Step-Up Night
Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
Weather: Sunny, Windy, and Cooler; High 54, Low 42 degrees
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Autumn leaves are wonderful to look at, but when they fall, the work begins. I spent a good part of my day using the leaf blower to clear the leaves from my driveway and side yard area, plus the concrete pad in front of Shirley’s house and her front yard. I also ran some errands and went to water plants at the Woodin’s home, as they are out of town. Then, just as I started to settle in for the evening, Heather called and told me about the Falmouth High School Band Step-Up Night. Jonah plays trombone in the middle school band and for tonight’s high school football game, the middle school band was invited to come sit in the stands and play during the game. Heather asked if I would like to join her and Ollie for dinner at Home Port Sushi and then go to the game. So off I went. Dinner was great and the football game certainly brought back many high school memories.
But most of all, I enjoyed being there to support Jonah and the middle school band. The experience provided them with a great opportunity to decide if they want to be part of the high school marching band next year. Yes. Next year Jonah will be in high school. I cannot believe it!
by Judy Handley | Oct 27, 2022 | 2022 Life Logs |
2022 Life Logs, Day 300: 48 Years Ago Today
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022
Weather: Sunny and Windy; High 69, Low 44 degrees
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Forty-eight years ago today, Mark and I were married. I reserve this one day each year since his passing to allow myself to remember how wonderful our life was together and to feel just how lonely my life is without him. I have wonderful friends, a loving family, and a list of things to keep me busy forever. But that doesn’t take away that empty hole in my soul that moved in when Mark died. I’m sitting here drinking a glass of Pouilly-Fuissé, the first wine we ever drank together,
while hearing in my mind the lyrics of Hank Williams Sr’s song, “I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry.” Tonight, with the slightest sliver of a moon in the sky, the second stanza of that song is most fitting.
I’ve never seen a night so long
And time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind the clouds
To hide its face and cry.
When we first found out that Mark had cancer, in typical Mark style, he was more concerned about me than he was himself. I told him not to worry. I promised him that I would be fine, no matter the outcome. And I am fine. But I sure miss him with all my heart and soul.
I walked with Shadow today and enjoyed the beauty of the changing colors of the leaves. The oak leaves are just starting to turn. They turn a deep scarlet red and then seem to instantly turn brown. But today I enjoyed the green and scarlet leaves.
And I love the mix of bright yellow leaves that look like someone took a paint brush and tipped their edges with bright red paint.
I enjoyed the time outside, but after the walk, I spent the rest of the day inside cleaning house. Not fun, but necessary.
At 3 pm, I stopped that and headed into town to pick up Sam and take him to rowing practice. It was so windy that they didn’t row tonight, but the kids had a great time playing a version of Capture the Flag, Tug-of-War, and various other games on the beach.
And their coach had them take time to pose for a team photo atop the lifeguard stand.
Tomorrow is the last practice until spring, and I know Sam will miss it. But he has an elaborate plan for off season training. He truly loves rowing and has really enjoyed the company of his teammates.
When I dropped Sam off at home, Heather invited me to come in and have a drink and visit. It is rare that she is home as she is usually off taking one of the other boys to soccer practice. But the frenzy of fall practices is easing off and she almost didn’t know what to do with an evening at home. She shared that today was a productive day for her. In addition to a full day of work, she finalized plans for hauling Eider out of the water next Thursday. She went to Town Hall for early voting since she will be in Egypt on Nov 8. And she bought tickets for Revels, our annual celebration of the winter solstice. I really enjoyed out time to talk. Life might be lonely tonight, but life is good.
by Judy Handley | Oct 26, 2022 | 2022 Life Logs |
2022 Life Logs, Day 299: Dreary Day
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Weather: Rainy Morning, Clearing Mid-Afternoon; High 68, Low 56 degrees
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
This morning when I took Shadow to the Vet for his annual check-up, it was rainy and dreary. But at least it was warm. I had on my rain jacket and had to take it off because I was too hot. I ran some errands in town before heading home, and when I did get home, I made some calls about a health issue my sister is having, helped finalize plans for a Newcomers field trip, and had a Zoom call with my primary care. He is going to order an MRI for my back, but in the meantime, wants to take a round of Prednisone. After lunch, I went to play Mah Jong and as I left to head home, I had thoughts about not playing again. I’m not very good at it and just don’t enjoy playing. I know it is good for my brain, but I have never been a game player. I’ll give this some more thought, but I think it is just not for me. In the middle of the Mah Jong afternoon, I had to sit out a game to talk to the companion who works with my sister. Dealing with Patsy’s health issues is becoming a full-time job.
The fun started when I got home. The rain had stopped, so Shadow and I took a walk and played fetch down by the dock. That I enjoy. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny. I need to clean house, but I know I am going to want to be outside. I’m going to try to get up early and get in a couple of hours of cleaning and then spend the rest of the day outside. The temperature drops on Friday, so tomorrow is the time to be outside.
Three weeks from tonight, I will be in Puerto Rico. I am looking forward to spending a week with Justin and family. Today Jo sent a photo of Coco and her friends who joined a 4-H club at school today.
I look forward to spending time with Ziggy and Coco and learning more about their everyday life.
by Judy Handley | Oct 26, 2022 | 2022 Life Logs |
2022 Life Logs, Day 299: Dreary Day
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Weather: Rainy Morning, Clearing Mid-Afternoon; High 68, Low 56 degrees
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
This morning when I took Shadow to the Vet for his annual check-up, it was rainy and dreary. But at least it was warm. I had on my rain jacket and had to take it off because I was too hot. I ran some errands in town before heading home, and when I did get home, I made some calls about a health issue my sister is having, helped finalize plans for a Newcomers field trip, and had a Zoom call with my primary care. He is going to order an MRI for my back, but in the meantime, wants to take a round of Prednisone. After lunch, I went to play Mah Jong and as I left to head home, I had thoughts about not playing again. I’m not very good at it and just don’t enjoy playing. I know it is good for my brain, but I have never been a game player. I’ll give this some more thought, but I think it is just not for me. In the middle of the Mah Jong afternoon, I had to sit out a game to talk to the companion who works with my sister. Dealing with Patsy’s health issues is becoming a full-time job.
The fun started when I got home. The rain had stopped, so Shadow and I took a walk and played fetch down by the dock. That I enjoy. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny. I need to clean house, but I know I am going to want to be outside. I’m going to try to get up early and get in a couple of hours of cleaning and then spend the rest of the day outside. The temperature drops on Friday, so tomorrow is the time to be outside.
by Judy Handley | Oct 25, 2022 | 2022 Life Logs |
2022 Life Logs, Day 298: Peaceful Day of Little Consequence
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Weather: Foggy Morning, Then Overcast; High 69, Low 61 degrees
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Foggy morning–so peaceful. Went to the chiropractor – walked with my friend Olga Mitchel and Shadow – enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather – spent time working on an upcoming Newcomers field trip – visited with Karen Baranowski – played fetch with Shadow down by the dock while enjoying views of the changing colors of the marsh grass
– went to CVS to get my flu shot – went to Heather and Jed’s to do laundry – took Ollie to soccer practice – brought Ollie home and finished the laundry. Those were my ‘moments’ today.
It was sunny, not too much wind, with calm waters, so they could work on taking down all the sails while underway. I met them in Mattapoisett just after noon as they came up to the town dock to empty the holding tank and off load the sail bags.
Then Heather and Jed headed out to the mooring to secure the boat and came back to shore in the dinghy to meet us on the dinghy dock.
I drove every one back to Marion to pick up their car so that Heather and Sam could head home while Jed, Ollie, and I drove on to Fall River for an afternoon soccer game. Jonah stayed home today to clean house as the Goldstones were hosting a dinner party tonight. Jed, Ollie, and I arrived at the soccer field in Fall River just after 2 pm. It was a beautiful afternoon for a soccer game.
Unfortunately, Ollie’s team was overwhelmed by the Fall River team. But Ollie, number 18 in his Falmouth crimson red uniform, played a good game and somehow managed to keep his composure after a big loss.
