It was as if they were looking for someone...
the way they looked up and down the drive...
and that someone was on the other side
of the fence...
nonchalantly eating leaves in the field.
They ended up running to each other.
~
~Last week a hawk was perched on the fence...
with his eye on the field...
I noticed a squirrel on the same fence...
~
I watched as he crept slowly toward the hawk...
then speeded up...
running to and scaring the hawk away.
Just below that same fence last week...I watched
Alivia creep slowly up the hillside...
toward me...I did not scare away!
...My son teases me because...
Alivia says "I want to go to Gramma's to play"
I get phone calls after school asking me to come
and meet her half way...here she is running to me...
So I see her coming and running...
or walking toward me all the time...
even if all we do is just sit in the gazebo swing...
like we did a few weeks ago...
but...this past weekend...
while we were busy
with a very cute project...
(that I will tell you about later)
~
well...something strange happened...
Alivia suddenly jumped up and ran...
the other way!
She had been distracted
by the smoke from Grampa's fire...
By the time I got there...he had
placed a chair to show her the boundary.
Grampa is just barely in the photo...
She actually worked collecting wood...
even while carrying a drink!
She helped with the raking!
Even raked some more!
Grampa had promised a ride in the trailer...
I noticed a squirrel on the same fence...
~
I watched as he crept slowly toward the hawk...
then speeded up...
running to and scaring the hawk away.
Just below that same fence last week...I watched
Alivia creep slowly up the hillside...
toward me...I did not scare away!
...My son teases me because...
Alivia says "I want to go to Gramma's to play"
I get phone calls after school asking me to come
and meet her half way...here she is running to me...
So I see her coming and running...
or walking toward me all the time...
even if all we do is just sit in the gazebo swing...
like we did a few weeks ago...
but...this past weekend...
while we were busy
with a very cute project...
(that I will tell you about later)
~
well...something strange happened...
Alivia suddenly jumped up and ran...
the other way!
She had been distracted
by the smoke from Grampa's fire...
By the time I got there...he had
placed a chair to show her the boundary.
Grampa is just barely in the photo...
She actually worked collecting wood...
even while carrying a drink!
She helped with the raking!
Even raked some more!
I should have known she had a reason...
for working so hard!
Grampa had promised a ride in the trailer...
(that meant me too of course)
...there would even be chairs...
We drove all around the back yard first...
We rode up to her yard...and then off she ran
We drove all around the back yard first...
then over to the field...
She may be spending more time in the future...
..."running to Grampa" and his trailer...
We rode up to her yard...and then off she ran
toward home!
Here's one of the old cemetery...
that lies by the drive...
and then finally home!
What had we been doing when she was
distracted by Grampa?
She wanted to paint a Bluebird at the top!
~
~
Together we finished it and was about to
- The End -
~
...since it was a bumpy ride...I decided to walk...
and take photos on my way back...
Here's one of the old cemetery...
that lies by the drive...
and then finally home!
What had we been doing when she was
distracted by Grampa?
I was showing Alivia how to paint a tree...
She wanted to paint a Bluebird at the top!
~
~
Together we finished it and was about to
paint something else...when she saw the smoke...
and off she ran!
- The End -~
This is for you Diana...
I put my little dolls up by your little dolls...
They are so much alike...
~
~
34 comments:
Hi Wanda'
I know why Alivia wants to come to Gramma's all the time...
all the one on one attention and love you give her must be very appealing and nourishing for her...
Does your husband spend a lot of his day working on your property...
and your son, do they have an acreage too...
It looks so green and attractive...a rural paradise...
Happy days Wanda
Hey Wanda! Besides photography, you are brilliant at painting too! I am sure you've a degree in fine arts :D
Wonderful pictures as always with the darling Alivia there :)
As always, I am left with wonder and so much to think about. Did I ever tell you that your posts also bring a feeling of peace and tranquility? A very welcome respite from all that has been happening here. I love that you take and share so many pictures, Wanda and even then I could just keep on looking.
Love the picture of Alivia's hair flying as she runs to her own home which is a very lovely home indeed!
Wanda, if I lived near to you, I would be calling and asking if I could come over to play with you too!!
I was awed by the exquisite tree being painted. What wonderful talent you have. Will you ever share any of your other paintings? If you ever paint too many trees, please send one my way.
You are also gifted with giving us (and so WE are gifted in return) such perfect captions for each photo...thank you...your posts are always works of art as well.
The doll look alikes are truly amazing...just love the fact that blogland has brought us all together and then you have almost completely identical saved dolls as Di!! Magnificent!!
blessings and contented hugs,
marcy
So much in your every post to enjoy!
I think Alivia must be a very happy child to add a bluebird (of happiness) at the very top of your tree!
...and I believe that I have the same faux Adirondack chairs...have you noticed that as they age they turn into recliners?
Wanda, What a heart-warming post. There is something so special about a loved one running towards us to embrace us. The open stance, the pull of love. How precious that your grandaughter lives close enough that she can walk to see you.
And so many learnings and delights that await her. We are so privileged to be able to offer so much to our grandchildren.
I always feel cosy, warm, and a sense of deep appreciation after a visit with you.
We have those chairs. And a tiny trailer. I wonder if ~I~ could get a ride around the yard?
I liked the critters on your fence, and the tree with bluebird is marvelous!
Have a nice weekend, Wanda.
Hi Wanda-
Our walk was especially lovely today as the air is crisp and I do better in the col temperatures. Your nature-land is so wonderful. I also enjoyed the tractor pulled cart ride and even more was watching Alivia frolic and explore. And by the way, her painting is amazing. Sheis quite talented. Have a wonderful weekend.
Love Gail'
peace.....
Wanda, I'm in awe of your artistic skills. I thought you might be good at sketching/painting because all your photographs have such an artistic quality to them.
I absolutely love that tree painting. And I agree with Marcy about the peaceful quality of your photographs, your property, your life, and the tree that you painted so represents all that. It's really lovely, you have to frame it and hang it.
It's really beautiful and it reminds me of the work my Mom used to do, she was very artistic too, she used to doodle beautiful sketches, and when she would paint with us when we were little her pictures were very much like the one you and Alivia painted.
I loved this post, Wanda, I loved how you gave us a glimpse into your visits with Alivia, into the proximity of how close you all live, into your everyday life and chores, and interests, and surroundings, and your playtime.
Really beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
Love, Eileen
PS ~ I think that's amazing how you and Diana have the same taste in dolls! I think they're adorable!
Such an enjoyable post. What a fun place to be a child!
Sunny :)
I don't know how to say how much I enjoy your posts. Have you ever thought of publishing your paintings and writings in a book form? Such a joyful peaceful outlook on life. Thank you for sharing your gifts. How lucky your granddaughter is and also you to have her so close.
You are such a talented writer and photographer, Wanda...
I love coming here so much.
You weave a wonderful tale of nature, animals, grandchild and grandparents. Can see why she loves to go to visit you.
Had to marvel at the squirrel that chased off what would normally have him for dinner and not as a guest. Tough little dude and that fawn was precious.
Hi Wanda,
I can surely understand why Alivia wants to come to you all the time.
It is always fun and an adventure at Gramma's. Alivia is so lucky to have you so near. Of course, you are lucky,too.
Take care.
awwww how I love seeing Alivia in your post running to gramma and grampa, so busying hauling wood, raking leaves and painting trees. Such a busy little girl all the while allowing us to see even more beauty of your home and that of your son's. I think it's wonderful how your children live close by so that you are able to watch your grandchildren grow up and how happy you all are being so close together....you are living a dream I carry in my heart.
Amazing how your's and Diana's dolls are so very much alike Wanda, did you purchase them as a set or one by one. I love the coincidence, just goes to show how we in the village are more alike than different.
Another wonderful post my friend, I absolutely loved it.....:-) Hugs
Hi Delwyn...I help a little but he does the majority of it, but I use to cut the field...we have a large farm tractor we use...Both sons' properties connect with ours...they are both along the main road.
Hi Stillness...thank you...but no degree of any kind here...I just play at it.
Thank you Marcy...maybe I should take up painting:)...no honestly...it's an interest only, I can't paint well...just a little lucky sometimes.
Hi June...you are right, sometimes I place those chairs on a hillside to make them easier to sit in!
Thank you Bonnie..that means a lot to me!
Thanks for the kind words Jain...that ride was bumpy!
Thanks Gail...we did the painting together...I'm a cooler air person too!
Thank you Eileen...I can only paint a little and it's very amatuerish...I never know what to blog about, so I just think of it as my journal with photos...thank you for appreciating it.
Thank you Sunny...it does give them lots to explore outdoors.
Hi Bernie...and I can't tell you how nice that is to hear...but no...all this is new to me...thank you for liking what little I do!
Thank you Jackie...coming from a teacher I will take the compliment with a smile.
I know Patti...that squirrel has me scared...Thank you very much!
Hi Choices...It is nice knowing they are all close by.
Hello Bernie...I know I'm very lucky to have them near...I bought the 2 small dolls at the same time, there were several types to choose from at Meijers...the larger one came from Walmart I believe...it is odd isn't it...I hope Diana sees it. See you later!
Another beautiful post, Wanda! The tree with the bluebird on top is fantastic! Alivia has a field day when she comes to visit! The "hayride" looks like fun! I can't believe your close-ups--to the deer, the fawn, the hawk. I enjoyed my visit! xxox
Hello Wanda,
I'm taking a moment before going to bed to read your post - I leave at 3AM tomorrow (Sun) on my adventure. It's been a busy few days, with no time for the computer.
Your captures of the creatures are wonderful but, of course, the story of Alivia is the most special. Grandchildren are our blessings, that's for sure.
Take Care!
PS I cannot believe how similar your dolls and Di's are!
The highlight of my day, no! week in fact. Beautifully shown and told Wanda. I am intrigued by the vastness and spaciousness of your home and grounds, and although my little bit of earth is tiny in comparison you're teaching me to stand still and just watch and listen because for sure there's plenty happening.
Thank you Margaret...most times those "hayrides" are "leafrides" after raking leaves later in the Fall.
Thank you Barb...You are well on your way now this morning!
Liz...Thank you...your yard may be tiny, but your view is vast and a beautiful one!
Hi Wanda. You have such a great place to explore. Love the deer photos and your granddaughter has such energy. I guess most do at that age. My niece is 5 and she's like the energizer bunny at times.
What fun you must all have and how nice it must be for your grandchildren to just run to through the woods to you. I really enjoyed your post.
Where to begin to sing your praises??? The dolls over dolls photo was very creative. And the painting of the tree - SO well done. What memories you are building. And the words "here she is running towards me" brought a lump to my throat. That says it all!
I posted about a cemetery, too :) I love the quiet, calm of YOUR cemetery.
I've had such a nice visit here today. Thank you.
Hi cindy...yes, at 6 you almost never tire!
Thank you Loree...I am thankful that they can!
Thank you Rebecca...memories are important to me...trees are about all I can paint:)
Wonderful post, Wanda! I enlarged several photos...
Looks like Alivia can start her own 'Etsy' Shop with her paintings!
The hawk and squirrel photos were very amusing :)
Love the ol' dolls too!
Have a wonderful week~ Maria
I loved your post Wanda and I apologize for being so late, it's been a crazy week here! Do you think that our dolls are some long lost family members? Or perhaps they were adopted out at birth! The family resemblance is uncanny!
Love Di
Love your photos!
I absolutely adore the photos of Alivia painting. Humm...I'm sitting here at the table with my granddaughter and all we are doing is finger painting! Artist I am not...! I also love the one of Alivia running to you. Precious beyond words!
Huh?
Blogger must have eaten my comment, or I8 was the one who did not have enough coffee when I commented here yesterday!! I came back to read your reply and I can't find my own comment!! And I'm sure I did not dream this! LOL!
I know I said how much I liked that last picture with the dolls, and how the real dolls and the ones in the picture almost look like twins. And then I complimented your granddaughter on her talent! What a great artist she is. She looks like a very clever and talented sweet kid. No wonder with a grandmother like you!! Have a great day Wanda.
This time I'll make sure I'll hit that submit button! LOL!
Hi Maria...not to mislead Alivia did have help with tree...but she is better at painting than drawing!
Oh Diana...I'm late all the time...I was just anxious for you to see how similar they were.
Stregata..thank you for your visit!
Hi Jacquelyn...I'm not an artist either...just find trees easy to paint...
Jientje...The same has been happening to me...and only lately...very frustrating...I think it's Blogger...not us!
What an awesome post. You really do my heart good!! Love the tree!! Quite the talent brewing there. Have a blessed day!!
My first time visit. I was intrigued by the blog posts and began reading them and associating words with pictures and came away from it all with a feeling that I was in some kind of fairy land where everything is perfect. It is hard to find perfect these days but this was a close look.
When ever we would go to the store, Wal-Mart when my now 14 yr old granddaughter was only 1 and 2 years old, we would go down the isle of baby dolls. We would pick out a prize * a new baby doll for her* and she would throw it into the basket never paying attention to her new prize...but each time we would go past THOSE dolls, the ones with the crying faces and not so very cute...she would reach out to them and we would always end up buying one of the smaller ones with the ugly faces....she LOVED them! and would kiss them and just cling to them....! even not so pretty baby dolls have a place in a childs arms!
I LOVE Alivia stories! So you are also a painter? and a baker and a cook and a photographer and an animal and insect rescuer and probably the world's best grandma and one of my very favorite bloggers? You are certainly a joy giver. Thank you!
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