Friday Poems: Where the Sidewalk Ends

Today I'm in the mood for a classic children's poem (and poet) after the time I spent with the Noodle yesterday. I forgot to mention my visit to the most awesome Hicklebee's. Not only do they boast a resourceful staff and welcoming environment (a bathtub filled with pillows for weary parents), but they have the most colorful restroom with drawings and notes from many authors and illustrators.


hopskotch instructions left by a littler Jessica 
dated July 4th, discovered by a bigger Jessica yesterday


Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein


There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.




Sweet Sailing

Yesterday while the carpet was being installed, I headed to my MIL's house with the boy and the dog for a few hours. The dog can be left in her yard, unlike ours, so the boy and I got to spend some wonderful time together walking around her neighborhood. We shared a Peanut Butter Moo'd and played a new board game at the Treehouse.

We met Nana for lunch and went back to play another round of Monte Rolla. I have a hunch we'll add this game to our collection. It's the same concept as Chutes & Ladders (which I've always detested), where you slide back and forth in an effort to complete a course, except it's enjoyable and cute. I'd play Monte Rolla for hours.

When it was time to go, Jaden decided to spend a little of his allowance. There was a big debate between a bag of rocks or...


Nice choice little guy! 

Oh the adventures he had with the summer breeze on the walk back to my MIL's! Now that's what I'm talking about -- no Wii this or Star Wars that can compete with a good old fashioned wooden toy and a child's amazing imagination.

Score!

I'll be back with Friday Poems in a bit. 


Dressers

Are you wondering where I have been all week? 

I've been glued to my laptop screen trying to be all eco and REUSE someone else's dresser vs. going down to IKEA or somewhere and buying a new one.

Here are all the dressers I did *not* buy on Craigslist this week. But not for lack of trying! Even pouncing on new listings in my price range, I am beaten to the punch every time.


My sweetie needs a dresser and so I will continue to cruise Craigslist. I won't give up after only one week. Do you like my attempt to make icky CL photos look somewhat cute enough to post? 


In other news, we are finally going to be able to move our things into the family room starting tomorrow afternoon. The eau du chats is gone, along with the carpet, pad and vinyl tiles beneath. I was very excited by the concrete subfloor but alas, it is covered with black tile adhesive that is too big a job to take on. We are all more than ready to start unpacking finally. Nearly three weeks in the new house and it's total chaos still.

The sunsets and views in our new neighborhood help distract us though. Too bad I left my camera at my MIL's house or I'd download a few photos and share those instead of these.


Friday Poems: This Is Just To Say

I was looking for a poem to share today, something about summer or nature or the home. When I read this, I knew it was The One because of a special moment Jeff caught on camera while I was out on an errand the other day.


photo credit: Jeff Nichols


This Is Just To Say

I have eaten 
the plums
that were in 
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and
so cold

Snuff Box

No, I haven't taken up a new bad habit. Don't worry.

A real snuff box, only $1,350!
Photo credit: Snuffbox.com

Jeff broke his snuff box bone yesterday during a bike ride. He was going over a wooden bridge that crosses a (now dry) creek when his front tire fit just so in the gap between boards and BAM! down he went "Superman style" he called it. The boards go the same direction as travel, can you believe that?! Not perpendicular, who builds a bridge like that? He is in a fiberglass splint for now with a sports medicine appointment on Friday. 

We are very unsettled at the house too. While we were finally able to put the Noodle in his new room on Friday night, the largest room in the house is still heavily "eau du chats" and empty again while we try to figure out what to do. Meanwhile the storage pods need to be returned and they are not empty. And now my hubby is out of commission. Looks like I'm gonna be hiring movers twice. The dog is not adjusting well either, he's all Growly Growlerson.

So I have a lot on my mind. All I wanna do is escape into blogland but I can't! Sorry for the whinefest but I wanted to check in with my peeps.

My New Sights

Inspired by my Friday Poem, I took some photos on moving day of the sights around our new home.  We feel like we are out in the country and yet, only minutes from the Noodle's school and a lovely shopping plaza with the best old-time hardware store.


our yummy plums and pink oleander

The move itself went smoothly but the settling in has had a few hiccups between not finishing the painting in time to the "eau du prior tenants' cats" and me coming down with a bug and high fevers.


three amigos


across the back fence


not a bad place to wash up

Still, I know eventually we'll get the storage pods emptied, the furniture arranged and the boxes unpacked. I pray someday we'll get rid of the eau du chats. 

Friday Poems: New Sights

Considering today is Moving Day, I thought this little poem (from my now overdue Poetry by Heart library book) was quite perfect for Friday Poems.


photo credit: Muffett


New Sights
Anonymous

I like to see a thing I know
Has not been seen before,
That's why I cut my apple through
To look into the core.

It's nice to think, though many an eye
Has seen the ruddy skin,
Mine is the very first to spy
The five brown pips within.


I have many new sights to see in the new house as we make it into our home: new corners, new views, new neighbors, new trees, new critters, new routes to & fro, plus deer! I won't have new internet until Monday however; so if you're missing me here on the blog, you can probably find me tweeting (from my hand-me-down iPhone).

I wish everyone a relaxing holiday weekend! We plan to take a little R&R from unpacking on Saturday afternoon. We'll be swimming and BBQing (of course) with both sides of our family at my uncle's house. 

P.S. I will never look at an apple seed the same way after this poem. One reason you gotta love poetry!

Photo Snippets

Good morning and happy July! 

I have been up to my elbows in primer, paint and carpet since I returned from my big road trip. I've missed everyone here at Sweet Eventide so I am stealing a few minutes to share some photos before I dash off for another day of moving preparations. And to think I haven't packed a SINGLE box yet!

I hope you enjoy my road trip.















I'll see you all here tomorrow for Friday Poems. 


Kisses!


P.S. Those hallowed hallways belong to my beautiful alma mater, the University of San Diego. And the photos of me were taken by my darling son. :)

Friday Poems: Sea Fever

Yesterday I took the Noodle and my 9 y.o. cousin out for a few adventures, including playing at Mission Bay. When I lived here in San Diego, I rarely went to Mission Bay but now I see it is a truly great place to go with kids. Calm waters + lots of sand = happy kids.

You can't help but have sea fever here between all the Navy sightings and sailboats, not to mention the clear blue skies and windy afternoons.

Froggies say, "I must go down to the seas again!"


Sea Fever
by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white
  sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn
  breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the
  running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds
  flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-
  gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's 
  like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing
  fellow-rover,
And quite sleep and a sweet dream when the long
  trick's over.

You all know what I'll be doing this weekend -- driving back north through the lovely state of California. My husband is flying in tonight to help me out, isn't he the best!?! I'm a lucky gal. Sunday, I may or may not be priming the wood paneling in the new house. The big move is next Thursday.

I wish you a wonderful summer weekend!

San Diegan Etsians

Having such strong roots in San Diego, I naturally wondered about the Etsy action here. So I did a little cruising around the Shop Local section of Etsy today. Lookie what I found around town!


art print by Pictorial Boom

 
1931 Remington No. 3 by Poetic Home


custom hair decor by Lo Boheme

I'm not really big into the feathers, but she sure looks happy and carefree! I could use a little more swagger. Maybe a feather would help my hair too! And check that typewriter out! Flippin' cool if I do say so! 

I think it's fun to travel in real life and in Etsyland. Less backaches from schlepping in Etsyland though.

Road Trip

Greetings from San Diego!

...chugga chugga...i think i can....i think i can....

I decided to go on a road trip, visit my family and see the Mattson 2 art show for myself. I felt quite like the little engine that could, driving close to 500 miles over two days, just me and the boy. What an adventure!

I am planning a special post for tomorrow, today we're getting settled and relaxin'.

What are my lovely readers up to this week? Leave me a note!

Mattson Family Art Benefit

When Jamie issued a call for help for one of her favorite bands earlier this year, I shyly but quickly offered up a photo mounted on Plywerk.


Poster art by Julie Goldstein and Mark Tesi

Time has passed and a fantastic benefit has been organized. It's all happening this Friday night at Surf Indian in San Diego. Check PineappleLuv for more details and the full list of participating artists.

June 21st

June 21st is a day fraught with meaning for me. On this date 11 years ago, my father died. On this date 6 years ago, Jeff and I got married. Every so often, this date lands on Father's Day, like today and the year my father died. Yes, my dad died on Father's Day -- oh the irony.


clockwise, from upper left: 
Bob (Jeff's dad), Tony & Frank Valli (my dad and his father),
our wedding day, Martin holding Jaden (Jeff's grandfather)

Happy Father's Day to the fathers we are lucky to still have with us and also to the fathers who are gone, but will always be in our hearts.

Butano State Park

Why hello there! After I posted on Monday, we went off on a little overnight camping trip to Butano State Park. It's about 1.5 hours away near the coast and a lovely little getaway. 

This is only our family's second camping trip, our last one was at the same campground before the Noodle was even two years old. It took quite a bit of effort as we had to pick up camping gear from storage and gather supplies. That's the price of being spontaneous though!


Looks like someone thought all the effort was worth it! 

We did all the usual camping activities from hiking to making friends to grilling corn to making lots and lots of s'mores and even scaring the bold raccoons and jays away!



We even did a few unusual things like having the Mama wake up with the most vicious case of stomach flu ever! And the Daddy packing up the entire campsite by himself and carrying the Mama to the car, where she held on for dear life for the entire long car ride home! 

I am recovering now, phew! Next time I vow to remember that campsite #25 is the primo spot for us. There are more photos in my Adventures set on Flickr.

Follow Up

Today I would like to tell you about a couple of follow-up items from recent blog posts.

First, the winner of my giveaway received his Plywerked photo on Friday, just a day after his birthday! I was tickled over the timing. I was also tickled because Sean narrowed the field to two choices and let me choose his image. That was really fun for me. I tried to take some photos before I sent it to him in Austin but in the end, they were missing that magical touch. So I asked Sean to take a photo and here is the delightful result:


Sean holding his surprise Plywerk. 
Check out his bokeh action!

Second, I have added a bonus interview with Mara to my post about Dutch Door Press. Check it out, I really loved the answers to #1 and #4 especially.

Friday Poems: maggie and milly and mollie and may

Dear Readers,


Pardon my delay in sharing a poem but I was with all my boys, down by the seashore, celebrating the end of kindergarten. I think going straight to the beach after school gets out on the last day is a mighty fine tradition to begin in our family!




maggie and milly and molly and may
by e.e. cummings

maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember
  her troubles, and

milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing
  bubbles: and 

may came home with a smooth round stone
so small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.

I wasn't altogether absent today, I made an appearance over at the lovely Green Phone Booth this morning.

Happy Weekend!