Journal

J+M+J

With the winter dragging on in the state of South Dakota, my thoughts turn to the happy, and warm, memories from our vacation. I remember that they were playing Christmas music, which did not match the scenery. Especially out of place were the songs ‘Let it Snow’, and ‘Winter Wonderland’. The weather is frightful? I don’t think so!

I have been meaning to post these pictures of the most notable characters we saw in W.D.W. It was strange, we didn’t see many girl characters while we were down there, except in a play. However, we did stumble upon Cinderella’s Stepsisters and Stepmother, who were amusing to watch. Unlike other costumed people, they interacted with the people posing for pictures with them. For example, one girl had a sparkly, multi-colored hairband. When it was her turn to pose for  photo with them, the sisters fingered the band and said in a high pitched voice, “What is this? It looks like a rainbow smashed into her head and collapsed on itself.” I was interested in what they would say to Maria, so I hurried her into the short line. When Maria was a baby, she was terrified of people in costume. While she waited, she looked nervously about her, as if still unsure that such people were safe.

 

When it was Maria’s turn with the stepsisters, they looked her over for something to make the highlight of their talk with her. They found one: a goofy piece of ribbon that maria insisted on wearing about the park, a substitution for the Minnie Mouse bows other little girls were wearing. The untied the sloppy bow, and retied it beautifully, as if they were professional bow-tie-ers, making all sorts of comments such as, “This is the biggest bow I’ve seen. it looks just like mine.” Maria was thrilled about this. Take a look at her face in this picture:

We also saw the Winnie the Pooh characters in a restaurant. This is Eeyore, who approached our table while I was facing in the opposite direction. I noticed Dad getting out his camera and wondered why to myself. Moments later, I was scared out of my skin by a large, gray, furry object descending down onto my shoulder. I nearly shrieked with fright.  

 

 

 

Another important character was Buzz Lightyear, because the entire time we were in Disney World, John Paul had a bee in his bonnet about seeing Buzz Lightyear. He couldn’t stop talking about it. Finally, we saw him on our last day. Also, Joseph and Alexander had Buzz Lightyear hats which Dad had bought for them.

 

 

 

Last but not least, two characters from the movie Cars.  Alexander and Joseph love to play with their toy Lightning McQueen and Mater, so it was fun that they got to see them in person.

A+M+D+G

J+M+J

I am now sitting on a chair, knitting and typing this post. Thoughts from the year behind me fill my head, and wonders and anticipation of the year ahead. It has been a fine year. It seems to me that almost every blog I now of gives a brief overview, complete with links, of the blog year, so I shall do the same. Frigid January brought stitches close behind the new year, (I hope this year we have a better start). We also went model airplane flying with Mr. Wilson.

February brought the chinese new year, building our own model airplane, making stations of the cross, Valentines, my second of three bouts of Strep throat, Clover, our first bird, and my bangs.

March brought signs of spring, my birthday and Easter. (And, unfortunately, no pictures.)

With April came Alexander’s birthday, Penelope, and results from my exam.

May brought tulips, tornadoes, dance recital, and orioles.

June brought butterflies, flowers, and a trip to the zoo.

In July, there was fireworks, dog-sitting, and drawing.

With august came a skunk and corn, and John’s birthday.

In September we had painting, tomatoes, and a wooly bear.

October came with new pointe shoes, and a pie business (from which I made near $100), and All Saint’s Eve.

November brought the first snow and Mom’s Birthday.

And December closed the year with a grand finale of our trip to Disney World!

This is a poem I always think about at this time of year.

The Death of the Old Year

Full knee-deep lies the winter snow,
And the winter winds are wearily sighing:
Toll ye the church bell sad and slow,
And tread softly and speak low,
For the old year lies a-dying.
Old year you must not die;
You came to us so readily,
You lived with us so steadily,
Old year you shall not die.
He lieth still: he doth not move:
He will not see the dawn of day.
He hath no other life above.
He gave me a friend and a true truelove
And the New-year will take ’em away.
Old year you must not go;
So long you have been with us,
Such joy as you have seen with us,
Old year, you shall not go.

He froth’d his bumpers to the brim;
A jollier year we shall not see.
But tho’ his eyes are waxing dim,
And tho’ his foes speak ill of him,
He was a friend to me.
Old year, you shall not die;
We did so laugh and cry with you,
I’ve half a mind to die with you,
Old year, if you must die.

He was full of joke and jest,
But all his merry quips are o’er.
To see him die across the waste
His son and heir doth ride post-haste,
But he’ll be dead before.
Every one for his own.
The night is starry and cold, my friend,
And the New-year blithe and bold, my friend,
Comes up to take his own.

How hard he breathes! over the snow
I heard just now the crowing cock.
The shadows flicker to and fro:
The cricket chirps: the light burns low:
‘Tis nearly twelve o’clock.
Shake hands, before you die.
Old year, we’ll dearly rue for you:
What is it we can do for you?
Speak out before you die.

His face is growing sharp and thin.
Alack! our friend is gone,
Close up his eyes: tie up his chin:
Step from the corpse, and let him in
That standeth there alone,
And waiteth at the door.
There’s a new foot on the floor, my friend,
And a new face at the door, my friend,
A new face at the door.

2009 shall bring my fourteenth birthday, my first year of high school (still homeschooling), and many more things, which I look forward to with excitement, and a little bit of nervousness.

A+M+D+G

This is a poem I always think about at this time of year.

The Death of the Old Year

Full knee-deep lies the winter snow,
And the winter winds are wearily sighing:
Toll ye the church bell sad and slow,
And tread softly and speak low,
For the old year lies a-dying.
Old year you must not die;
You came to us so readily,
You lived with us so steadily,
Old year you shall not die.
He lieth still: he doth not move:
He will not see the dawn of day.
He hath no other life above.
He gave me a friend and a true truelove
And the New-year will take ’em away.
Old year you must not go;
So long you have been with us,
Such joy as you have seen with us,
Old year, you shall not go.

He froth’d his bumpers to the brim;
A jollier year we shall not see.
But tho’ his eyes are waxing dim,
And tho’ his foes speak ill of him,
He was a friend to me.
Old year, you shall not die;
We did so laugh and cry with you,
I’ve half a mind to die with you,
Old year, if you must die.

He was full of joke and jest,
But all his merry quips are o’er.
To see him die across the waste
His son and heir doth ride post-haste,
But he’ll be dead before.
Every one for his own.
The night is starry and cold, my friend,
And the New-year blithe and bold, my friend,
Comes up to take his own.

How hard he breathes! over the snow
I heard just now the crowing cock.
The shadows flicker to and fro:
The cricket chirps: the light burns low:
‘Tis nearly twelve o’clock.
Shake hands, before you die.
Old year, we’ll dearly rue for you:
What is it we can do for you?
Speak out before you die.

His face is growing sharp and thin.
Alack! our friend is gone,
Close up his eyes: tie up his chin:
Step from the corpse, and let him in
That standeth there alone,
And waiteth at the door.
There’s a new foot on the floor, my friend,
And a new face at the door, my friend,
A new face at the door.

2009 shall bring my fourteenth birthday, my first year of high school (still homeschooling), and many more things, which I look forward to with excitement, and a little bit of nervousness.