My blog is a way for me to share in the wonder of each day. I know there are others like me that due to medical issues have our days numbered and would like to make the most of them in a positive and gifting way for ourselves and for those around us.



Saturday, November 1, 2008

Indian Summer?


My husband left me!

Well, sort of anyway. He went hunting for the weekend and will be back on Monday. Unfortunately he didn't get a buck or elk license this year but goes for moral support and cooking and just to be part of it.

Hightailing it for the hills

All of my family has hunted for many years and in fact the place they are hunting at right now is where my Dad and his Dad and brother's have hunted continuously for almost 50 years. I used to hunt but of course I can't now so I'm glad my husband get's to go and hang out with the other guys.
Our family has always used the buddy system so no one has to go up hunting by themselves. The unlicensed people go with the rest for fun and for safety. It has been used for good several times when someone has been injured or has become sick.
Several years ago, my husband and my dad were hiking along the hills when Dad became very tired and lethargic. His limbs were heavy and he just couldn't go on. His lips and hands began to feel numb and tingly too. He was about 70 at the time and is like a mountain goat when it comes to hiking in the hills but this time he was in trouble. My husband left him on the hill and hightailed it back to camp for the truck. He picked Dad up shortly near the trail where Dad managed to climb down to and waited on a rock. Rick and my brother's loaded up camp double time and headed back to town with Dad.
He has had 2 previous heart attacks and has some stints in his artery's so they were worried it was his heart. When they got back to town and got him checked out they eventually found out it was a reaction to a new medication the doctor gave him just before leaving for hunting. Once he quit taking it he cleared up in a day or so thankfully.
Dad is 76 this year and doing quite well and is having a great time. This morning he was the only one that got lined up with a buck and he almost got a five point. (In Colorado when we say a 5 point, we mean the buck had 5 points on each side, not altogether).

Now for the holiday of the month. Halloween!

What a beautiful Halloween we all had in Colorado. The weather was perfect and I looked forward to having kids come by for treats knowing that they weren't freezing or bundled up in coats and gloves over their costumes. It was great to have all of our grandkids come by for something special from Grandma and Grandpa. I even took the time to make a bunch of homemade popcorn balls and some caramel covered apples for them.
I took some cute pictures of them here.
Our cute little witches??






A Bear, A Mermaid, and a Dragon








Maybe Pete's Dragon? Big sister's little bear!









Amber made Mariah's little Mermaid costume last year and she wanted to wear it again. She makes a great mermaid.
A baby bear or an
opposum?
My little Mermaid


Little Bear meets Bully Dog
Grandma's little bear








I was a little surprised that we didn't have more trick or treaters come by, not even the teenagers that invariably come looking for something sweet. Even with good weather I guess most kids go to family or friends parties or go to the spook houses that are so much fun. I loaded all the kids down with a toy, a handful of candy and a home made popcorn ball on a stick.
One of the scary items I had for kids to feel in a pot!


For the older kids and preteens I had a pot inside of a black bag. Inside were some items that felt like eyeballs, liver, and a brain. they loved it and I supplied hand wipes for clean up. I think most kids like to be grossed out and maybe even a tiny bit scared, which is what makes Halloween so fun. I don't believe that having fun in this way is somehow going to bring evil into a childs mind. I always did however forbid my kids to wear witchy or devil type costumes and had them choose fun or funny costumes. We usually made them up at home anyway.

I guess every holiday has changed alot over the years and even Christmas, Hannakah or whatever holiday we each celebrate isn't quite the same anymore. The holidays have become so commercial that the real reason for it is almost lost. It becomes each families choice on how their kids view them and how they celebrate them.

For Christmas each year we usually baked a birthday cake for Jesus (as well as one for my brother who was born on Christmas Eve, poor guy). The manger scene and the story of Jesus birth was read when they were young too. We enjoyed the fun parts too with Santa and all the gifts to each other. Every Holiday is so much more fun and rich and enjoyable when kids are part of it. Their innocence and excitement and exuberance just spills over and infects everyone around them.
I really miss that, especially on Christmas morning. It's only benn a couple of years since I haven't had a child waking up on Christmas morning to the wonder and excitement of the day. It's just not the same at home and that's exactly where my grandchildren come in. We are lucky enough to be able to share in some little way with them through the holidays, even if it's not that particular day. I guess my ideals comes from my past, growing up in a large family and raising a large family.
I think it's interesting to learn about other people's traditions at the holiday's and I hope to read about your's soon.
The best gift in life is life! So..share it!

14 comments:

Brenda said...

Hi Reva, the kiddo's look so cute. We actually went unconventional this year. Grace did dress up for her ballet class, other than that on Fri. she got the day off and we popped in Christmas music, baked Christmas cookies and watched Christmas movies. Crazy I know.
Remember when we were kids and would get to the Shipman's house and they'ed invite us in and give us homemade popcorn balls? None of the other Trick or Treater's got popcorn balls, only because they were friends of the family from church. At least that's how I remember it.
And the times it would start snowing. Fun and safe times back then.
Glad Rick got to go hunting with the guys. I'm sure they enjoy having him around as he's such a good cook!
Love ya,
your big, little sis, Brenda

Putz said...

it is really interesting how we all are thinking along the same lines...tisme2 is going to do cultural differences on a christmas scene i have already given you strange christmas traditions on her blog...i don't hunt because i am afraid of dropping dead up there.....

Nadine said...

Cute pictures.

Thank you for stopping by and yes, I'm still willing to look at your writing. I would be honored.

Attic Clutter said...

Oh Reva..
...you were left by a man ~!! LOL Ya they do like to hunt.. ~~
Your little Halloween grandkids are just adoreable(:) how fun.. glad you came an saw my little monkey guy (:)'
hope you have a wonderful day..hugs, Patty

Jess said...

The kids looked so cute... and your pooch is cute too!

Hope your hubby has a great and safe trip.. and that you enjoy the time to yourself!

Penny Engel said...

Aw, such cuties!!! Mine are posted on my blog too.. (well, not MY kids..but my grandkids).. Yours are adorable! Come see mine if you get a chance!

Beverly said...

I love your post here...your zest for lve shines through.

No one in my family hunted, but we had some good friends who were great hunters...could hardly wait for the season to start.

Your Halloween pictures are so cute. It was a great night for trick or treaters in Virginia too, not too cold. I hope to post some pictures of Ella today as Little Red Riding Hood.

Life on the farm... said...

Cute.. cute, I am a like a widow during hunting season, but it doesn't start for gun, until Thanksgiving! But I still get to hear about all the deer signs!

Sam said...

I've never been hunting and actually only know a few people who have been. I think it's just not that common around here.It's always interesting to me to read about things that are unfamiliar.

That's a scary story about your dad, but I'm so glad it had a happy ending.

The kiddies are adorable in their costumes. Sounds like you really know how to celebrate Halloween! It's fun!

Hugs,
Sammy

angelinjones said...

I have also experienced the Indian summer. Numerous brown thrushes and catbirds are hollering from the surrounding underbrush, many indigo and painted buntings are working the seed feeders, and a mixed flock of songbirds is hunting through the ragged hackberry canopy along the coulee.

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Angelinjones
Interactive Marketing

Putz said...

i saw mooomy kissin santa clus underneat5h the christmas tree last night, SHE WASN'T VERY BRIGHT

Betty said...

Are you okay, Reva? I notice you haven't posted in a few days. I enjoyed the pictures of the kids.

Nancy said...

Sounds like you enjoy the holidays! Your little trick-or-treaters all looked so cute in their costumes! And your going the extra yard to make it so much more fun for them with the added items in the black bag is something else! Know they love to come to your home!

In PA (where I am originally from) they would call that buck a 10-pointer. Strange how things vary from one state to another.

Have a great Sunday, and I enjoyed my visit!

(((((( HUGS ))))))

Attic Clutter said...

HI Reva ..
Just popped in to say Hello(:)
My sons like to hunt too ~!!
hugs, Patty