Lesson 904: It Takes Time

Hello, Readers.

It's Friday night,

and some of you might ask,

Where's the party?

Two Fridays ago I had a birthday bash

for my 80 year old mother.

Last Friday 200 + people

celebrated Sam's graduation.

This week was supposed to be

 a recovery week

 but instead I launched into a few projects

that take time.

The first was Sam's written thank you cards.

Whether it is a text 

or post

or handwritten note,

milestone events require a note of thanks.

Our resident lefty put his legion glove aside

and picked up a pen.

I told Sam he had one week from the party date

to get them in the mail,

and warned him that the task was much bigger than he probably thought.

He yelped a few times from "hand cramps"

which I do believe.

Kids don't write too much--they type more.

But the teacher blogs I've been reading this summer

suggest that due to AI

writing assignments are going back to 

on the spot writing,

focusing more on thought processes

than perfectly edited final products.

My only suggestion to Sam

was not to write the same thing on every card--

thanks for the money I'm going to use it for college

would be a no-go at the Lamp Post.

He had to make them personal,

and shouldn't mention money or the gift specifically.

He took his time,

and he wrote literally for hours.

When we have a huge project at the Lamp Post

there are always points when the Captain of the Ship

(or Ringmaster if you read last week's blog)

calls for All Hands On Deck!

Sometimes it is necessary to push through and finish a task.

I addressed the envelopes

and updated my address book at the same time!

Mr. Lamp Post and Natalie put on the stamps

and return address labels.

We always keep the free ones you get

after you make donations to charities.

There are some that bend over the side of the card.

And I realized some are just stickers--

no return address.

If you get one of these on your card---

such as the heartfelt Miss You...

consider it a collector's item.

                                    Nursing a cruelly dumped kitten back to health

takes time.

Look at Whitford after two weeks at the Lamp Post.

We are starting to transition him inside for bits of time

so he can get used to Gus before they have their first

face to face playdate.

If you have any suggestions for introducing a kitten to a cat,

please post in the comments.

The strawberry moon from last week

brought forth delicious red berries!

We made freezer jam

and that certainly takes time--

but it is worth it.

Strawberry Jam tastes like June.

                                            Ellen Louise has completed her requirements

to be an official Speech Pathologist!

The six year program is certainly a time investment.

She walked through graduation in early May,

but still had to work to complete her required hours

until June 20th!

We celebrated at Harbor Ridge on the new upper deck!

And we highly recommend the cherry lime mule!

                                                    It takes time to rest the body and mind

from a busy and rewarding week,

so Eloise is headed to bed.

See you next week 

with a report on the

Semi-Annual Sock Sort--

a highlight of my yearly

Summer Cleaning Crusade!

--Eloise

Lesson 903: Circus Life

 Hello, Readers.

The weekend began with a graduation party

and ended with a glow walk through the zoo.

It has been non-stop activity here at the Lamp Post.

I often refer to myself as a Ring Master

because I invite you all in each week

for a ticket to see my

three ring circus.

I think I meet all the qualifications

for the Ringmaster job.

Circus Ringmaster:

• Role: The ringmaster is the public face of the circus, introducing acts, maintaining the flow of the show, and often adding their own commentary or performances.
• Responsibilities: They may choreograph opening and finale sequences, ensure the smooth running of the show, and interact with the audience.
• Noteworthy: Some ringmasters also act as the circus's artistic director. 

I very much enjoy my Circus Life.

I certainly have enough animals to 

care for and tame.

The number one question I have been asked this week is:
How is the cat?

Mr. Lamp Post rescued an abandoned kitten

at Whitford Park 

10 days ago.

The vet estimated little Whitford was 

only 4 weeks old upon rescue.

His eyes were glued shut,

sticky with infection.

He was limp

and nearly starved.

After just a few doses of antibiotics

his eyes opened--

but even more concern arose.

The Lamp Posters are happy to report

that with steady and continuous care

he's improving!

Little Whitford is very playful

and he can see!

He pounces and plays

just like any other kitty.

He is very lovable and friendly!

After another week of steady progress

the vet will give the green light for him to meet Gus.

I've had a talk with Gus 

and he appears to have a short memory.

He was rescued from a ditch

two summers ago.

King Gus told me 

he didn't want any peasants in the house.

I told him that this is America

and there are no Kings here,

and he's going to have to move

his striped rump over

and make room.

The second most asked question of the week:

How are you going to do without high school sports?

That has been one full and very busy ring

for many years.

The Lamp Posters will always be fans

and support the Huskies!

We polished off the baseball season

with the All Star Game.

As soon as Sam gave back 

his orange and black.

he picked up the

red

white

and

blue!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Watch the American Legion Baseball Players

in Ring #!

Before I forget--

here's the Strawberry moon.

The Ringmaster likes her camera.

These were taken about 11:00 pm

The real beauty came at 5:00 am!

The Ringmaster found great reward

in looking at the western sky 

during Whitford's early morning feeding.

At the graduation party

so many people asked this:
What happened to the shoes?

Photos of Sam,

artwork,

and artifacts of his accomplishments

were displayed on the garage shoe racks.

That is a question the Ringmaster

will answer next week,

because I'm just too tired to write anymore.

Plus,

Natalie and I are on a targeted House Attack

beginning this week

and will share the method to our madness.

I am happy I didn't break my 14 year streak

with weekend blog posts!

Enjoy your week ahead, Readers.

I'll see you on Friday.

Eloise

Lesson 902: Landslide

 Hello, Readers.

Tonight is a shorter blog

after a BIG few days.

Eloise is tired tonight 

and my heartbeat is busy.

When my resting rate is over 100

it is time for me to stop

elevate my feet

and read a book.

This tick trick

works like a charm to

bring my big heart back to

the nice round 60 number

 where it usually thrums.

Therefore, 

tonight I will mix my photos

in with the lyrics of the Fleetwood Mac song

Landslide.

The Harbor Creek vocal ensemble

performed it twice this week:

at Baccalaureate 

and again at Graduation.

Here are some pics from

Graduation on 6/5/25

and Grandma's birthday on 6/6/25.

Oh, yes--

and our rescued,

possibly blind,

4 week old kitten

Mr. Lamp Post named Whitford,

after where he was found,

half dead,

lying in a bush.

I've got some great blog topics

in the upcoming weeks.

Readers will have to wait until

my Creative Meter is recharged

and glowing.

See you next week,

rested, 

ready.

and full of stories.

Now I'm headed back to 1870's Texas,

with Gus, Call, Lorena, Newt, and Jake Spoon

to a place called Lonesome Dove.

Landslide--Fleetwood Mac

CLICK HERE for song if you'd like to give a listen.

I took my love

and took it down,

Climbed a mountain

and turned around

And I saw my reflection

in the snow covered hills

And the landslide brought me down

Mirror in the sky

what is love?

Can the child in my heart

rise above?

Can I sail through the changing

ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons 

of my life?

Well I've been afraid of changing

because I built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

and children get older

And I'm getting older, too

Goodnight, Dear Readers.

Happy, happy, sweet June!

Elosie