I saw some nice cards and postcards at the Amsterdam airport by Dutch artists whose style I like, but they didn't say who they were, and they weren't big enough to put on my wall. Drawing squiggly designs occupied me for a while, and meals are always a help, not because the food is great, but it's something to do. Somehow we got from Amsterdam to Texas and it didn't seem to bother me too much that I didn't get a wink of sleep for two days. Other than being tired, of course. But at least day felt like day and night felt like night. Arriving home in the east from the west is another matter. You feel like eating lunch and you look outside and for some reason it's pitch dark. And if it's light out, that means it's day. Strange.
Home (in Texas) is a little less home now than it used to be. I have another life now, and so does everybody else. I would like to settle in and be at home again, but realistically, I am now a visitor. I have only a few days of doing really special things and wishing it would last longer but of course it won't.
One highlight of this visit was telling stories to Elijah and Noah, (Jeshurun listens, too, ha-ha). I never have any plan for my stories, which is what makes it fun. You never know what will happen, or what will make the kids laugh.
Why is it that kids are always better than adults at a memory card game? Noah would have beat me every time, but he kept giving some of me some of his cards so as to be sure that I would win.
Playing chess with a five-year-old is a different sort of experience. You sort of make up the rules as you go, and break them whenever you please. Noah's acting out the characters gave it an entirely different flavor. Frequently I had to tell him, "you can't do that," and "you can't do that either," and other times I let him do it anyway. Every time I captured one of his men, he was thrilled. He was really thrilled when I started saying "Check! Check! Checkmate!"
Going from high-speed Dawkins's to regular speed Olivia and Charlotte was something. Are these sweet little girls a little lethargic? No, it's just the contrast that makes it seem so. Cuddling with Olivia when she first wakes up in the morning, drawing mazes for her to complete--wonderfully pleasant and normal things for a grandma to do--alas--valuable moments fading into the past.
I made one of the worst pie crusts I have ever made, but the pumpkin pie was good anyway. Then we had more pumpkin pie with perfect crust made by Mercy. Sharon and Mercy and Leah are all great cooks, and Ben will dry tons of dishes if you get him talking.
My failed shopping trip in Jerusalem is no matter now, because Sharon had several skirts to give me. I came with a light suitcase and went back with a very heavy one--a few more clothes, some quality shampoo, a quilt, and other useful odds and ends.
I saw much less of everybody than I would have liked, with various ones flitting off to Canada, or Indiana, or Mexico, or going to work long hours. It wasn't exactly a restful vacation, but it was a good change of pace, with a taste of luxury--comfortable couches, instant hot water, luxury baths, good cooking, and fresh air. Not to mention Christian fellowship. Now I'm good for a whole long beachless, family-less year. Why are there so many planes flying over? Probably so I won't get bored.
I like this funny picture of Elijah:
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