The strength of a woman

 After witnessing the birth of my second grandson, Landon, I am awed.

Somewhere, buried deep in the psyche of a woman lies a caliber of strength earmarked specifically for motherhood purposes. It's the same strength that enables a mother to lift a car off her child in spite of needing help removing a lid from a jar earlier in the day. It's a feral strength and it takes your breath away.

Courtney utilized this feral strength last week while birthing Landon in a mere 7 hours. Once the bag of waters was broken and the contractions intensified, Courtney's demeanor shifted from chatty to determined. The room became quiet as the minutes between contractions were used for rest. This feral strength is what moved Landon into our world after 1.5 hours of pushing. This feral strength will allow Courtney to endure the demands of both a newborn and two year toddler in the coming weeks and months.

This strength will be shelved eventually, showing itself now and again when conditions require it. It's what we woman are made of.
 

Landon is sweet and pure and soft and loved immensely.

Welcome to life, little guy...

It's time

courtesy of brownfamilyadventures.blogspot.com

I look at the belly, stretched to no-more-capacity, its surface undulating with baby's movement like a grey whale surfacing for air. I cringe as I envision the tendons and connective tissues groaning in protest while supporting the baby for one more day and say, 'ENOUGH ALREADY'. 

I smile politely when the stranger approaches and lets loose with the inane comment of, "Wow. You're huge. You must be exhausted!"  'You think?' I want to say as I concentrate on NOT allowing my eyes to roll in their sockets with exaggerated motion, fearing this time they will become stuck in the 11 o'clock position.


My tongue feels flayed and swollen from continually biting it as different ones express their dismay that baby has not yet arrived.

And I'm just the grandma-to-be.

The good news is that baby Landon will be born - soon.

And in the meantime, Daughter-in-law, Courtney, deserves a standing ovation for her grace, patience and humor as she awaits the birth of her baby boy.

courtesy of underthehoneymoon.blogspot.com

yellow mellow fall

Saturday was the quintessential autumn day. Mild with a slight breeze. Falling leaves. Both sun and rain. Who cannot enjoy such a day?

Attempting to capture the beautiful hues of fall.

One last snapshot of beautiful flowers before rain, wind and frost erase their presence.

Otis, ever the faithful companion.

Unfold

Political ruminations

Until now, this present moment in which we are experiencing our separate realities, I have not been aware of how personal politics can be.

I have a friend whose daughter's life was changed the moment a drunk driver, heading the wrong way on a freeway, hit Sarah head-on. Because of her injuries, Sarah requires full time care. The implementation of the first phase of Obamacare last year guarantees quality health care for Sarah for the duration of her life. I know which presidential candidate this family will be voting for.

Another acquaintance of mine is gay who hopes to see equality for all regardless of sexual orientation. Concerned about the conservative mindset of a Republican presidential candidate, I know which presidential candidate this friend will not be voting for.

A tenant of mine who has been out of work for three years, losing her home in the process, is disheartened by the lack of 'change' that our current president promised in 2008. She has told me who she will vote for.

My concern centers around a stalled economy that is directly affecting my own business. 
 

Is is possible to ignore our own nearsightedness, a myopic view that blurs any issue other than the one affecting me? Is it possible to focus instead on the greater picture- that of equally important issues which need to be considered while casting a vote in the upcoming election?

I like to think so.

Shifting gears..... politics tie my stomach in knots.  Humor helps......

 courtesy of: visualnews.com

courtesy of: thesun.co.uk