Monday, May 28, 2012

Monday, May 28, 2012

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007. Mattie was in his "Super Mattie" costume, and was helping me do the laundry. In our complex, the laundry facility is located on a completely different floor from where we live, and therefore, Mattie always came with me on this chore. Though for Mattie, in order for him to buy into the laundry process, I had to make it interesting and exciting for him. So Mattie either rode down in the cart (when it was empty), or rode his bicycle through the hallways with me. Either case, with Mattie, laundry was never boring. Neighbors loved talking with him and always commented on how he was my helper. Mattie really had no other choice, since I wasn't leaving him in our home unattended while I went three floors down. So at a young age, Mattie learned the responsibility of how to do laundry.



Quote of the day: The abundant life does not come to those who have had a lot of obstacles removed from their path by others. It develops from within and is rooted in strong mental and moral fiber. ~ William Mather Lewis


In so many ways, this is a vacation or break like no other we ever had. Mainly because we have done absolutely nothing. We haven't even left Ellen's house to go out for meals. I have been too tired and sick to move, and Peter is now coming down with something. This morning, Peter and I went out on Ellen's deck and we were greeted by her neighbors on either side of us. I always find it fascinating how people in general are more friendly by the beach. Mind you many of the people we are surrounded by live in the Washington, DC area, and vacation on the Delaware shore in the summer. Nonetheless, the beach brings out either a feeling of relaxation, or perhaps trust in others, and I have found for the most part conversations are very easy to start and establish. This is unlike my typical experience of living in a big city.

Despite not going on daily adventures, Peter and I are slowly working on planting all sorts of things in Ellen's garden. Gardens can be a personal thing, so I naturally asked Ellen if she was okay with me taking this on. Peter and I both love to garden, and despite feeling exhausted it gets us outside, working together, and creating. In the process while we have been outside, we have interacted with many people living in the community. Plants and beauty can get people to talk immediately! We are finding that people are loving the brass colored sprinklers we put in the garden. When these brass things are on, they spin and the water looks like it is giving us a show, as it twirls in the air. Once the garden is finished, I will take better pictures of our creation. 

This evening, we went out for our first bunny walk since we got here. I did not have to journey very far. Right in Ellen's front yard, we were greeted by this sighting.

As we kept walking, I was absolutely oblivious to this sighting, until Peter grabbed a hold of me to look down. This fellow was simply sitting and looking at us! I absolutely love these bunnies and am intrigued by their long legs and how their fur blends in so beautifully with the sandy terrain!