bliss

I'm here visiting my mom again for a few days. It's a 2 hour drive from my house and I've been making this drive at least once a month for the past 10 years since we moved away. During the summer break my son and I come more often. He loves coming to see his grandma. He is the only grandchild in our very small family so he gets her all to himself.

I love coming here. Not just seeing my mom but being in this house.

This little nondescript suburban 3 bedroom we moved into when I was 15.

It smells like home. Like home cooking and comfort. And so clean.

Mom is somewhat of a neat freak, especially since my dad's been gone for

6 years. This crystal chandelier hangs in the dinning room. Too fancy

for the little space and nothing chic or fabulously shabby about it.

But it has cast a magical glow over countless Thanksgiving dinners,

birthday celebrations and now quite meals for one.

My mom has the greenest thumb out of anyone I know. If it's

green and grows she has it in her house. It's what I love

about coming here. All the houseplants that greet me when

I walk in the door. I wonder now if I actually make them nervous.

I've taken a few home with me before only to bring them

back a few months later, practically on life support.

Of course my mom nurses them back to health and the next

time I visit they're healthy and happy again.

Even her lemons are happy! I wish I had half her gardening talent.

Oh and her orchids! She can grow them like weeds. I'll have to

bring you back here in the Spring when they're all

in bloom. It's just exquisite. I never dared to ask her

for one and I think she might actually try to talk me out of it!

I did find something in bloom that I was able to 'grow'.

This was the first hat I ever made years ago when I first started

doing crafts. My friend and I were selling vintage linens at

a craft faire and I threw this together just to wear. I started

getting offers to buy it and from then on my little hat business

started. I made better ones of course but this was always

my favorite since it was my first. It sits here in my old bedroom.

It's just after midnight. My favorite time.

I have an urge to play our old piano.

My piano.

It's been so long since I've really sat down to play. I started piano lessons

when I was 5 and I wish I appreciated it more during the 14 years my

parents made me take them. I did learn to love to play and I

try to when I'm here visiting.

Maybe I'll sneak out there for a minute and see if I still remember

my favorite piece. Shhh....I'll try to be quiet like a mouse.

Let's see if anyone notices....