APRIL FOOL'S DAY

Definition of FOOL (Webster's): 1 : a person lacking in judgment or prudence
2 a : a retainer formerly kept in great households to provide casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with cap, bells, and bauble b : one who is victimized or made to appear foolish : dupe
3 a : a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding b : one with a marked propensity or fondness for something
4 : a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard

These definitions seem to be across the board; very different from one another. Chapters could be written about each point.

I am told I can act foolhardy (synonym: adventurous and or rash). I would like to think that I am very adventuresome and that I add a tad of rashness to that at times, without even giving it a thought! But to be made to feel that you are a foolish person (be duped) or, be victimized, is not fun, is it? Personally? I would not put those two descriptions of ''fool'' in the same sentence. They mean very different things to me: ''made to appear foolish'' versus ''victimized."  (I remember many times hearing, ''what did you do that for?"..and other things...those times are not fun are they? Or to trust yourself over to someone and they appear to be using you temporarily for their own gain or for whatever reason?)

I used to be and would like to be once again, a ''dancing fool''; that is to say, actually dancing often for expression of joy and life and laughter. But where is there to dance anymore but ones own home? I used to dance all the time or just move to music, choreograph my own dances, listen to music, play the flute, put on records (oops that gives away my age; records were 45's; and, I have now found a whole small suitcase besides the medium stack of 45's I knew I had!!!) Got to one day in the summer put those on and my daughter's and I will wear out the deck with foot stomping fun.
My prudent decision to take piano and take it seriously has been extraordinary!

I am not a fool for candy but chocolate, dark chocolate is rather nice! And food? Well, I just am a fool for all kinds of food! 

I am fool for gardening, gardens, nature walks, hot air balloon rides, driving down an unknown road to be surprised by what will be there. So many things outdoors but I won't bore you. A fool for water and ''a cool breeze blowing through my hair like a peppermint patty!!" (remember those commercials?) A fool for watching animals (safari's) and sometimes certain birds. A fool for color and curiosity....and so on and so on......

I do not know what that dessert is that Webster's defines as ''Fool: a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard," but will check that out later and report back tomorrow, APRIL FOOL'S DAY, if I am able.


Be a fool for someone else and have a lot of fun bringing joy into their life focusing not on yourself but the other person; help them learn to laugh and love and enjoy one day at a time......suzzie

April 2, 2010

I looked up the dessert ''Fool." This is what I found. Thought it best to just copy and paste the information for those of you who want to know more about this dessert.

Fool or Foole  http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/FOOD_IS_ART_II/British_Food/British_desserts.html

"The mind races through the numerous allusions made to fools, from the fool that accompanied King Lear on his howling journey across the moors to the more modern blunderer plaintively asking "What Kind of Fool Am I." But the name of this gossamer dessert comes from the French word foulé meaning pressed or crushed, and refers to the combination of crushed fruits and thick cream. It is a dish that is sublime in its simplicity.
The British countryside is a paradise for berry lovers. It offers gooseberries, red currants, strawberries, raspberries. One can even sing "here we go round the mulberry tree" while plucking the small, blackberry-like fruit. Any of these fruits might have been used to make fools.
This simple dish, so refreshing on a summer's day, might find its modern equivalent in popularity to the omnipresent 'yogurt with fruit on bottom,' though no artificially sweetened yogurt can compare to fresh crushed fruit and cream. The fool is also the beginning of ice cream, a dish that required refrigeration to arrive at the status it holds today as summer's favorite dessert."

So basically Fruit fool is a classic British dessert, dated as early back as the 16th century. It is a mixture of sweetened fruit puree, whipped cream and whipped egg whites. It is usually enjoyed when fresh fruits are in seasons.
Bon appetit !
 

MARCH 8, 2010

MARCH 8, 2010 our first grandchild is born; a boy of course. Ensslen's produce heirs; and we had two girls? Isaac was 8lbs. 5ozs. and 20 inches long; his daddy, Michael,  was 9lbs. and 21 inches long. Both babies were breech; web says if one child is breech chances are his children may be breech; interesting.

                                                         ISAAC MICHAEL ENSSLEN
                                                                 March 8, 2010
                                                        (due: 13th: C-section/complications)

Man this website is not cooperating; doesn't let me move things where I want them today. And where did this underlining feature come from; can't get rid of it?

ISAAC says, "Hi, this is MY DADDY (Michael) and over here to the right? That is MY MOMMY(Heather).

This next picture is ME of course. I am resting before I 

WOW everyone with my wiggles and giggles. As you can 

see, Nana, my grandmommy on Daddy's side made the 

monkey announcing my entrance into this world! Notice

she didn't get to finish making my name in dark letters 

because I was impatient and wanted to nurse. My needs

are top priority you know; food, yummmmmmy. "

Now let me tell you why I arrived on the 8th of March. I was rather stubborn and stayed breech through and through. The doctors told Mommy and Daddy to choose  a day within a week of my due date, the 13th of March! Well, I think they picked Monday the 8th because that is Nana's favorite number; Nana and Aunt Sarah's favorite number is 8 actually.  Nana told me that a friend of hers in her 5th grade class, her teacher was Mrs. Gambril (I wonder who my teacher will be?), lived in a house with the number 8 so that became her favorite number signed, sealed and delivered forever, and,  forever. So I was born in the morning at 9:26 on March 8th.

"So what do you think of this picture of MY DADDY AND ME taking a nap together; we fit like a hand in a glove; WE do! Daddy thinks he's a big man; well just you wait DADDY, I am going to be bigger than 6 foot 4'',,,you just wait Henry Higgins...you just wait!!! I look cute don't you think?"
There is one more picture of me smiling but Nana can't seem to upload it. It says it is in Jpeg format but she doesn't know how to use the computer very well. I will have to teach her another day about computers and uploading. Then you will get to see my smile that will WOW you as well." 

"So, I am home now in Strasburg and a very happy baby. I love my doggie Bailey; she wants to lick me and save Mommy and Daddy from bathtime but they won't let that happen; this disappoints me. Just think, my first disappointment in life! 

"Well, so life begins for me with these two amazing parents who have hugged me till I can't be hugged anymore; squeezed me like an orange for juice and kissed like no one has ever been kissed.!! I am going to take my nap now and will Wow you another day with more news. Goodnight" love, Isaac Michael

Things Are Not Always As They Seem

This photo was taken in 2008 or 09'. Which photo
is the orginal; that is, which is right-side up? Is the scene of sky or water? Manipulate the photo vertical as well. How do you look and observe what is around you?

Are things always as they seem? Sometimes we see clearly and other times but a dim reflection. Sometimes we see as face to face and other times, never at all.                            

In the 90's I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a long African safari in Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe with my mother, two sisters and a neice. I got to the point where I could spot a leopard and cheetah before our private guide; it was wonderful. No longer do I look at the ground when walking. Once in a ''blue moon" I realize I'm looking down at the ground and immediately catch myself; it is too beautiful to miss what is around me no matter the season.Watch other people as you are walking and notice how many people just look at the ground when walking [(smiley face :) ]. We are creatures of habit. Spring is ''springing up'' and that means all kinds of ephemerals will be popping their little heads up from the ground. The birds are already making tons of chatter and the peepers are up for the first time. Here in Glenmoore, ''they say", you know those people who know everything (ha ha ha) ''they say," "that the third time the peepers come up and chatter that spring is finally here." Well, right now the peepers are so loud from the pond you can hear them through the windows!! Just a few more weeks.!!!

So next I will have to publish the song my mother always sang to us in the spring! She was always singing.

QUOTES: "...the obstacles which have been overcome..."

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that
one has reached in life as by the obstacles which have been 
overcome while trying to succeed.
                                                                            - Booker T. Washington
                       To overcome: 'one' of the legacies of my Father.

          
I just read this quote the other day and boy did it hit a chord; it was serendipitous! Could Daddy
have known how I would need his words and example? Not really, but his love for me desired to
prepare me, as best he could, for my future. God knew; he provided for me through Daddy. 

(this quote hit me with regard to overcoming personal, spiritual, relational struggles, etc. not job...and so forth)

Daddy always said to me ''semper paratus," ''run the race," ''fight

the good fight," ''don't let things knock you down." He wrote me very few letters 
when I was away. However, when he found out from Mom that I was not doing so well he would write. The letters held wisdom and great encouragement. (another favorite was ''Veni, Vidi, Vici!"-I love that one!) Dad always got right to the point.


I remember one year, while living up in Maine, a letter he sent.  Now Daddy was not an artist by 
any means even though he did illustrate many principles via sketch. He drew a picture at the top 
of the yellow-lined page.  Black clouds and one white with a big sun bursting through the dark

cloud, a smiley face on the sun and rays extending outward.  He said, ''horsey keep your tail up,'' 
''in every dark cloud there is a silver lining," ''you will overcome." I always knew he would be there for me; mom too.

One main thing he would say now and then as I would go into his office for counsel or, help with 
math (ha ha ha), he said looking me straight in the eyes, "now, you just be little Suzzie* 
and ............"  As a child I had many concerns and struggles.  Certain concerns I seemed to veer toward my Dad and others my Mother. (* I never knew why Daddy chose to spell my name like that on every sheet of paper I ever saw. I love it, it is endearing to me) 

So, now when things get rather catywompus I hear Daddy saying, ''now, YOU JUST BE LITTLE SUZZIE...." and it brings some comfort to me. I love(d) my Daddy very much. He passed away June 22, 2003 at the age of 80. Had he not smoked he would have made it well into his 90's; the Heritage family is like that.


Daddy had tons of sayings. Many came from the book of Proverbs actually. He just made them 
into ''Skeet's tongue." I hope that at the end of my life I can say, as he lived, "I have 
fought the good fight, I have run the race for which God has called me 
heavenward." I need a letter from him now.   And I have one: his legacy! (sometime I will write how Daddy got the nickname of 'Skeets')

The last thing I will say about Daddy for now which should really be mentioned  earlier in this

entry:

In the morning when we were all a little groggy and just coming downstairs or sitting at the table 

eating our breakfast, in walked Daddy from outside** with the biggest smile and lifted spirit, he'd

say,  "toe heel toe kick toe; toe heel toe kick toe." All the while he performed this shuffle kick step; just like that, two times. More words followed which exhorted us to get moving, think positive thoughts, charge into our day, "tackle" (he was a very good football player at Rutgers Univ.) whatever the day would throw at you. Man, I have never been one to jump out of bed; I am a night person. 

Obviously Daddy was a type A personality; so am I. It has its upsides and down. I'm so glad 

I am like Daddy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     --''suzzie''

**(Daddy got up every morning by 5AM or earlier: next I will tell how he pulled me out of bed 

upside-down to get me off to school on time; oh brother!!! But I loved it too; that was him)

WONDER to WANDER or is it WANDERING WONDER

Who dares, stand glancing way out to Yonder
to the future with wandering wonder?
Warm sets the sun its beauty ablaze
filling soul with wonder to wander!

Beneath cuts the valley that meandering river,
running far from this place that I stand!
Hold fast sturdy raft, to my side of the shore,
bear me up in that day, wandering wonder!  - suzie  10'

ok, now I know that poem may sound dumb to some of you or all of you (ha ha ha! je je jeje) But, it doesn't to me; it makes a lot of sense. And why do I even need to say anything about it. Guess its that lack of confidence and feeling dumb; so, by saying something it makes it all ok or something like that to put it on here. so yeah. that's it. I'm putting it out there anyway. I like it for what it is.  
PHOTO ADDED: January 24th 4pm 

Just took this yesterday at ''Crow's Nest," Elverson: a Natural Land's Trust Park in PA. Don't you just love water. It is a little blurry blown up this large but for me it makes it more powerful and moving. Go to: www.natlands.org

                        This moment in time, 

                   water swells and  it ripples, 

              surging onward down to the sea. 

          And what does it greet along the way? 

              If I could but ride along and see!!!!!    -suzie

THOUGHTS OF MY MOTHER/journal

January 14th, 2010: Missing my parents: today missing Mom more for some reason. (this is the very first time I have thought of using my blog as a journal ''journal." Will see how it goes for now. [To my adult children, I kinda like this idea so you can read stuff that I may not have yet told you about Nana and PopPop. So I am just going to keep adding to this through the year. So, be sure to click on the ''In Honor of My Mother or Father to the left of the page scrolling down to see future stories. I'll date each new entry to help you keep track (this is more for me than you..ha ha ha..you know me and written material.. ha ha, love, mom)]

Today I was walking around the house getting an asundry of things done when it hit me as I passed my mother's antique corner closet. She always wanted me to have it. She decided early on which antique she wanted each of us (5) to have some day. Well, Mom collected antique plates and some not so antique ones. She has salt cellars, teacups and so on. In the bottom she always stored dip bowls, reuseable snowmen toothpicks, seashells for serving none other than ''seafood," and other items. When I was small I would sneak and turn the key that opened the closet snooping through "the stuff." Besides enjoying looking at the things it was fun thinking I was getting away with something; ha ha ha.

Then one day when I was about 17 or 18 Mom told me she wanted me to have the corner closet. She felt it ''fit me." I didn't know what she meant but she saw me as someone who would really take care of the items and the piece; that I would always cherish it. She saw me as a future great homemaker, driven to detail and conscientious. Someone who would entertain and use a dining room and so on. That's enough on that.

So, I found myself wanting to write in a journal about memories of Mom but thought I would start a section here as my journal on memories of Mom, Dad and our family and see how I use this spot over the coming year, if I do. I think I am ADD. I get distracted from one task to another. I think that is why I forget that I have beautiful linens for end tables and other things here and there that I could use blah blah blah.

Back to Mom.
So I spent some time looking at my mother's plates she collected over the years in the corner closet. I did some rearranging while looking. I wonder why she chose cerain ones. I know she told me some stories but I don't remember any. I have a terrible memory; always have! (that is why I take a lot of photographs; I remember b/c of what I see or remember a photograph and then comes the memory).

One plate says "Palestine" on the back. I know why the farm scens and serene scenes. Mom often had this look on her face when she was outside. A look of awe about the beauty of the sky, birds, trees and definitely scents. She used to take us on picnics and we would sit under pine trees looking up at the sky. Sometimes we would be quiet; other times she would say poetry or tell us a story.

With me Mom would say, "Ohhhh Suzie, look at that sky, would ya?" Or, she would say it and leave out the ''would ya." She'd let out a breath of wonder. Mom loved so many things one of those was us kids: Skeeter, Jackie, Hannah, Suzie and Amy. She would also say to me about you four kids, "Suzie do you know how lucky you are?" She would have these looks of love, wonder and appreciation in her eyes and pride for me. She also said that because I did and do complain about things. She was a good listener when I was down.

Mom was most definitely a thankful person. Always counting her blessings. In winter, I was small maybe 8 or 10; if there was a winter storm with snow blowing she loved to walk down the center of the long farm field that extended down Jessup Road. She told me later it was so peaceful and just gorgeous the snow hitting her face and so on. She also did not mind getting her head wet! I do not like that for some reason. I didn't find this out about Mom till in my twenties. We were going out to the horse barn and it began to rain. Well, I am running to get out of the rain and she is just walking along, almost a saunter. We laughed about it. She'd say, "oh Suzie, you're silly." And we laughed some more. I love water though. Swimming, playing in water...yeah, its great. Usually once I am wet you can't get me out of the water. I do turn purple though, my lips since I was a child. Mom said it was because I didn't have any meat on my bones. Once I was outside and the winter wind was blowing so strong. The driveway was icy. She had just come off the side porch and I yelled, "Mom,
I'm blowing away....!!" And sure enough, the wind pushed me across the ice of the driveway. It was scarey!!

Well, I have said enough for today. I miss Mom a lot particulary today for some reason. I feel like I could cry; like there is something down inside but it doesn't come out. As time goes on I still miss my parents; it never goes away. But it does get easier.

When I picture my mother I see a beautful lit up face with smiling eyes and mouth, someone who loves/loved me and would hug me if I needed or wanted a hug. Mom always had time for us and made time; a giver not a taker.
I love you Mom very much, Suzie

January 16th, 2010: You know, Mom was so interested in everything we kids did and were interested in. She told me more than once how she could have had tons of more kids. One reason why was because we were all so interesting and different; she loved learning, enjoying and watching each of us with our various gifts/talents, etc. that more kids meant more to enjoy! She was a fascinating woman and so nice. People just liked Mom; as I got older and Mom got Altzheimer's other adults would encourage me by sharing the great things they saw in Mom.

WATERCOLOR PLEIN AIR

Since beginning my blog I have posted only three (3) of my watercolors in the heading. "I've never talked about them! Wow, how did I miss that?"

The watercolor currently posted above (to the right as well) was painted during a watercolor class several years ago. The instructor is a member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society in Philadelphia. Her name escapes me at the moment. (Alice ?) I was extremely timid in my new found hobby and am just now working on confidence; I want to find my own style.

Alice took the class to a very narrow Pennsylvania road; one car and perhaps a motorcycle width with deep gulley's either side. Knowing I would struggle no matter what view I chose I decided to just plop myself where I was and ''go for it."

I was surprised and pleased with what I did. Today, I would add more depth of color/contrast. It looks stiff to me. I haven't named it yet either so I need to think about that too.

For motivation to get back into watercolor painting I have decided to take a class with Jean Uhl Spicer a published watercolorist; I cannot believe her class is close by in Wayne, PA.

Check her book out at:

http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Beautiful-Flowers-Watercolor-Spicer/dp/1581804083

GUESS WHO

                                                  It is said that he claimed,
"when I arrived it was made of brick, when I left it was made of marble."
post guesses por favor?

SHORT MAN WITH LARGE HEAD/Serendipity Photo

I just have to post this picture. Jonathan is learning to take pictures with his new camera/panorama's. Check out how the camera got a shot of a man's head and it ''just so happened'' someone in the distance was at the appropriate point to place the man's head on another persons legs!!! (are they the legs of a woman?) What a serendipity shot.

PART OF ME LIVES IN SHANGHAI

                  One of our sons now lives in Shanghai as of Monday, January 4th 2010.

I was not expecting to talk with him for quite some time. When I got on to check my mail I found he was on line and I tried video chat. Isn't video chat THE BEST!!!  Before we had to wait months to
get news from a loved one, photos, etc. across the miles. And there he was as clear as day; we talked and talked. I am so thrilled for him to have this experience. He has always been interested in going to China.
Now he needs a job; ha ha ha.!

Apparently China does not allow people to access blogs; Jonathan cannot access my blog from China.

So I will, for now, see Shanghai through Jonathan's eyes and words. My hope is, by May or June to visit for a couple of weeks. First he needs to find a job and find his way around so he can give us the quintessential tour. (don't know if I spelled that word correctly/oh well too bad.) Maybe I should start a blog here
about China. Will think on that.