Little Orphan Annie

We enjoyed a recital from Grandma tonight of "Little Orphan Annie" and recorded it for everyone to enjoy here. Just click the arrow below and turn on your volume (It takes about 5 seconds before you'll hear anything).

My Grandbabies

You know I love all of my Grandchildren. Here are my two youngest.

Yesterday we went to Jill's to celebrate Carrie's birthday and had a great time. You can see photos in Jill's album on Facebook.

Thankful

I just wanted to write and say hello to everyone. I have really enjoyed getting your phone calls and receiving cards from many of you and your little ones. I was especially touched by a recent call from Elisha who offered to let me come and stay with her family for as long as I wanted. While I won't be taking her up on that right now, I was very touched by her offer. Sarah was also very kind to offer to fly me home. You all know I am not that fond of flying so I will keep traveling the old fashioned way (in a car) for now, but also appreciated her offer.

I am anxious for my trip back to my homeland here in the near future and hope to see many of you then. I'll keep you posted on the details as they are all ironed out. I love you all and think of you often.

Umatilla Basketball Trip

Together Again...

The pumkin' pie...

the cheerleaders...

Kay Leigh loves Grandma...

Sissy's biggest fan!

Go Vikings!!!!

It was heavenly to be able to give my family hugs, can't wait to hook up with the rest of you for hugs, smiles and tears all-around, love, Mom/Grandma

The Children's Hour

Grandma is doing great but not sleeping so well. The one upside about the sleepless nights, she says, is that she is remembering some of her favorite poems. She asked me to look up this poem and once I found it and started reading, she jumped in and basically recited the whole thing.

She also mentioned that she lost the poem she wrote for their 50th (the one about the first 50 years and the 10 kids). Does anyone have a copy or know of someone that may, or have it on video and could re-write it?

Grandma says "Love ya all". Here's the poem (by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) for everyone's enjoyment. If you try, you can probably almost hear Grandma's voice as your read it!

The Children's Hour

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupation,
That is know as the children's hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes,
They are plotting and planning together,
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me,
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all?

I have you fast in my fortress
And will not let you depart,
But put you down in the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow