A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich

I enjoy this author for the simplicity of her stories and her characters' commentaries on life in general. Here is one of my favorite passages from this title, which I finished today. My favorite memory is the same.

From A Lantern in Her Hand  by Bess Streeter Aldrich

“What memories do you have Grandma?”

“I have many…my little girlhood days when Chicago was a village…the three weeks’ journey from Illinois to Iowa…the fun in the Big Woods behind my sister Janet’s house. I can shut my eyes and smell the dampness and the Mayflowers there. The old log school and then the new white one with the green shutters…my wedding…the trip from Iowa to Nebraska…There are many memories. But I’ll tell you the one I like to think of best of all. It is evening time here in the old house and the supper is cooking and the table is set for the whole family. It hurts a mother, Laura, when the plates begin to be taken away one by one. First there are seven and then six and then five…and on down to a single plate. So I like to think of the table set for the whole family at supper time. The robins are singing in the cottonwoods and the late afternoon sun is shining across the floor. Will, your grandfather is coming in to supper…and the children are all playing out in the yard. I can hear their voices and happy laughter. There isn’t much to that memory is there? Out of a lifetime of experiences you would hardly expect that to be the one I would choose as the happiest, would you? But it is. The supper cooking…the table set for the whole family…the afternoon sun across the floor…the robins singing in the cottonwoods…the children’s merry voices…Will coming in…eventide.”

First Labors of Spring, A Fondness for Manure, Sending Love

1. Steve and I (mostly Steve) tackled the heavy job of pulling out three monster Barberry shrubs. While he used his truck and did the man-sized work, I trimmed and raked and cleaned up. At one point, he quipped, "Isn't this nice?!" That's what I always say, so it was funny to hear Steve say it. I agreed and said, "Yes. This is what I enjoy the most, to work outside, especially side by side."
2. I walked across the horse field with my eyes down, maneuvering the manure. I stopped to admire the huge cedar posts of the lean-to where I like to sit and daydream when I have the chance. "This is my field and my manure.", I thought to myself. I smiled at that happy thought, deeply thankful that it is so. 
3. Chelsea has left an address for a mail-drop later next week. I think of what we can send. We're to write on the package, "Please hold for thru hiker Chelsea. ETA 3/14/14".

Caring, You Guessed It, Promised, Celebs

1. The sweet innocence of a small child's prayers: Her father heard her say this as she pulled her blankets closer around her neck and closed her eyes, "And please help Aunt Chelsea be warm, just like me."
2. School was supposed to be closed today for teacher workshops. On Tuesday, the board decided to open it because we've missed so many days due to snow. Well, it snowed last night...and school was closed today. Oh, the irony.
3. The weekend forecast calls for sunny and mild weather so I walk the property to take stock of spring projects. The daffodil bulbs I planted last fall along the fence line are all poking through the grass. They kept their promise as I hoped they would.
4. Sketchy cell service from Chelsea won't allow a call, but it does allow a text. It began, "Guess what?!!!" She ran into the author of the last AT book I read by David "AWOL" Miller at a hiker hostel. She got his autograph and a photo. : ) 
*His book is one of the best among this subject, in my opinion.

Happy 21st Birthday!, Around the Corner Underground, Carded

1. We named her Audrey, which means noble strength. I think it suits her perfectly.

2.  I see those daffodil leaves poking up through the mulch. Brave harbingers of spring!
3. We'll join Audrey and Jared for a celebratory dinner and order a Margarita for the birthday girl. 

Whatever, Sticking Fast, Vanilla and Pearls

1. March can't make up its mind. It certainly keeps life interesting. It was 60° on Sunday followed by a snowstorm on Monday. We have to just go with it.
2. Have you ever licked your finger and then dipped it in sugar? All the landscape was first wet with rain, then sprinkled liberally with snow. The sugar-snow stuck to every weed, branch and twig. I'm driving through a confection.
3. Home made Tapioca pudding makes me very happy.

High Spirits

1. It wasn't "Good-bye". It was, 'See you in April!".
2. Claire, Daniel, and the children drove Chelsea seven hours to the trail head, then hiked a mile up with her to see her off.
2.a. I am very thankful that all my daughters love, care for, and respect each other. When siblings are young, they fight and bicker and it makes a mother wonder how it will all turn out. 
3. An unexpected text! It ends, "Don't be worried! Everything is fantastic. I'm so happy to be here!!" (I take note of all the exclamation points.)
4. I glance out the windows as we sing this song in church. I see the mountains that Chelsea is walking and it all fits together. "Yes", I admit to myself, "I would do it too, if I were her."

They Always Make Me Laugh While I'm Away

1. Whenever I'm away, I'm kept abreast of the goings-on back home via text.

Tess: "Dad's making beer and watching a Korean chick flick all at the same time." 

Steve's texts are in code and concern the dog, who had anesthesia the day prior and whose intestines were sluggish.

Steve: "Henri is back to normal."

Me: "Great!"

Steve: "Deuce"