Firefly or Lightening Bug...that is the question!

There are many things that let you know that summer has arrived. The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and the kids are out of school. My favorite sign of summer's arrival is the return of the lightening bug (southern WV speak for Fireflies). The kids were out enjoying the longer days with some friends from our neighborhood. We'd been skating on the road and then the whole gang came to our house to jump on the trampoline and play on our swing set. As everyone was starting to head for home, we noticed them. Little lights that started in the grass and slowly started rising into the air. Josh and Abby were so excited. "Mommy, go get our bug catching jar...we want to catch fireflies!"

They had a great time. In a matter of minutes they had caught more that 30. The simple joys of summer. I remember many nights spent during my childhood in the back yard capturing lightening bugs. After the hunt was over, the fun of keeping the jar next to my bed and watching the lights until I drifted off to sleep. Josh and Abby opted last night to open the bug catching jar and watch the fireflies fly away. It's just as well. I am sure that we'll be out at dusk many a night catching lightening bugs!

From Generation to Generation, Amen

Growing up, I knew I had a lot of grandparents, but it wasn't until I was older that I realized just how unusual it was. I especially knew that I had a lot of grandparents on Christmas Eve, when we'd leave our house around 3pm just to make the rounds and see everyone. I didn't have a lot of grandparents because of blended families or anything like that. I had a lot of grandparents because there were many generations of my family still living. When I was born, there were 5 generations of women on my mother's side. I have included a picture of us. It includes my great-great Grandma Cobb, my great Grandma Geneva, my Grandma Jean, my Mother and I. Althought there were not 5 generations in every family line, there were 4 generations in each family line. You see, I had 1 great-great grandmother, 4 great grandmothers, one great grandfather and all four grandparents when I was born. I don't remember my great-great grandmother. I can't tell you how old I was when she died or anything about her, but I have a picture.

I can tell you a lot of things about all my great grandparents. I have memories about times spent with all of them. My grandma Violet (my dad's dad's mother) was a Avon saleswomen. I remember that one of the local newspapers featured a story about her around some anniversary of her service with Avon. She lived in a block house in a place called Kanawha Two Mile. I remember going with my grandparents to visit her. Her house was full of neat things - many of them Avon trinkets. She used to give us Avon ornaments every Christmas. Before she died, she moved in with my grandparents. Since they were my next door neighbors, we spent a lot of time there. I remember that before she died, she told stories about her life that we recorded on cassette tapes. I wonder what ever happened to those tapes. And I wonder more if anyone still has a way to play them. I don't remember the exact date that she died, but I do remember that it was spring. I remember that all the family gathered at my grandparents house after the funeral and playing in the back yard with some of the cousins.

My grandma Lessie (my mom's dad's mom) was a stong and independent lady. When I was little she lived in a trailer that was across the way from my grandparent's house on the Pritt family farm. I don't remember much about her house, but I do remember that it had a distinct smell because she heated it with oil heaters. Most of my memories of Grandma Lessie were of the time she spent in Hodges Nursing Home on the West End of Charleston. I went to visit her with my grandparents. I remember that she'd often ask me to sing songs for her. I remember the mural on the wall outside her room had birds on it. And I remember that the lady down the hall used to yell a lot. She died on Christmas Day and was buried in the family cemetary on the family farm.

My Granny Mabel (my dad's mom's mom) is the one that I have the most memories of. She was a wonderful lady who knew just about everyone in Kanawha county (or at least her phone records would suggest she did - she loved to talk on the phone). She lived to the ripe old age of 101 and was young at heart until the day she died. I was closer to her than any of my other great grandmothers. I used to love it when she'd come to stay a few days with my grandmother (her youngest child) because I knew that there were always adventures in store. I remember being a very little child playing in the basement of my grandma's house while she and Granny Mabel strung and canned beans. I also remember learning to sing hymns - I truly believe that my Granny had memorized the alto part to every hymn ever written. And she knew the words to every verse. I remember that she would drape sheets over the kitchen table and climb under with me to play house or have a tea party. And when you consider that she was in her 70 and 80s when I was a child that makes it all the more special. She was able to start at the beginning of the year and in date order tell you the names and birthdays of all her children, grand children, great grand children and great-great grand children. And I don't know how the others felt, but she had a way of making me feel like the most special person in the world to her. The thing that always amazed me about Granny Mabel was her unwaivering faith in God. She outlived her husband, who died more decades before her, and 4 of her 7 children. And although she was sad about it, she never turned her back on God. She lived long enough that she got to see me get married and she was alive and well when Joshua entered the world. She died right before Thanksgiving in 2002 - while I was pregnant with Abigail. I have never been sicker in my life than I was the day of her funeral.

My final great grandmother (and my only great grandfather that I knew) was my mom's mom's parents. My great grandma's name was Geneva and she died today, June 23, 2009. I remember visiting her house which was just down the hill from ours and watching the interaction between her and my great Grandpa Howard. I remember the family gathering when my grandma's older sister Pasty would come in for visits from Texas. And the Blackshire family reunion was always a must attend event. It always included the horseshoe pitching contest and a series of games and relays for the kids. My cousin Lee and I use to practice the wheelbarrow race and the three leg race for weeks. And our practice often payed off. We loved to win. My grandpa had alzheimer's disease and when it was clear that Grandma Geneva needed help caring for him, they moved from their house on Tyler Mountain to a trailer on the Pritt farm and then into my grandparent's house. I watched as my great grandfather retreated to a time in the past and "forgot" who my grandmother was. I think it broke her heart. When he died they had been married for 60 years or so. That just doesn't happen anymore. A few weeks ago she suffered a stroke and never recovered. And today with her death it is the end of a generation in my family.

I take comfort in the fact that I still have all four of my grandparents with me. And that my children, like me, know them and have been blessed with a relationship that most never have. Growing up I never realized what a special gift the opportunity for that relationship really is. I am so very thankful to have had it. From generation to generation - Amen.

The end of a season

Josh's team played today in the quarter finals of our C-ball league tournament. We played Pearson Security - a team that we won against and lost to in the regular season. We knew that they would be tough, but after yesterday's come from behind win, I thought we might be able to pull it off.

We were the home team again. We took the field and showed a few jitters. We gave up 4 runs before recording 3 outs. We got up to bat and showed some power and put up 3 runs ourselves. Sadley that was most all of our offense for the day. And Pearson was just getting started. Our team kept their heads held high and showed good sportmanship throughout the entire game. We only played 4 innings and Josh only got to bat one time. He made good contact but was thrown out. He was on deck when the batter in front of him hit a pop up. The shortstop caught it and doubled up the runner who was too far off first base. The season ended with Josh on deck.

We have our end of the year picnic on Thursday. It should be a great time. We have outstanding coaches and great players. I know it will be a fun event. Now we can spend the rest of the summer having fun.

Drama at the ball park!

EconoMart played our first tournament game today. Seeding for the tournament was done by random draw because there had been several closely contested games and many parents and coaches were unhappy with umpiring decisions. Although we finished the season in 5th place, we were the first team drawn and therefore got a bye in the first round.

The tournament started last night. We played our first game today against R&E Electric. Our team was the home. We came out in the top of the 1st and played tough defense - 1, 2, 3 inning. We scored a run in the bottom of the first, but several of our big hitters started off slow. And then it started. One mental mistake and our team lost their heads. A couple of runs scored. We continued to struggle at the plate. And then more mental mistakes lead to more runs. Before we knew it it was 7 to 1.

Then the comeback began. Our hitters started hitting and it was 7 to 4. Then we again played tough defense. When we came up in the bottom of the 6th (the last inning of the game) we were down 3. Nathan lead off with a single. Then a single from Joel. Then one from Corey. Then one from Dreavin. Then one from Sam. Josh got up with no outs and the bases loaded. He hit a single and knocked in the tying run. Then our younger batters came up. All the parents were cheering like crazy as Shaine stepped into the box. "Just hit it!" we screamed. And he did. A little dribbler back to the pitcher and the winning run crossed the plate. Our dugout cleared. Everyone from the bases charged home. I looked up and saw Peyton jump into Josh's arms. They were estatic. Our first come from behind win of the season. They couldn't have picked a better day for it. Hopefully the emotion and intensity will spill over into tomorrow's game.

Camp Mountaineer

Josh has spent the week at Cub Scout Day Camp at Camp Mountaineer. He's had a fantastic time with his friends and had earned some new badges and belt loops, too. During the week he learned to shoot a bb gun, to shoot a bow and arrow and to ride a horse. He got to swim, and row a canoe, water slide down a very steep hill and go fishing. Yesterday, all the cubs had a gigantic water battle. They've learned about native american dance and have learned new songs and cheers. Tonight each animal pack (Josh and his friends were Toucans) either led a song on did a skit. Josh's group's skit was the grand finale at camp fire.

It was a great experience. Next year he gets to go back to camp and actually stay overnight for 3 nights. It will be something to look forward to.

A Winning Weekend

Josh's ball team had a busy weekend. We had a game on Friday night, on Saturday and today. Josh got out of his batting slump on Friday night when he went 4 for 4. He continued his hot hitting yesterday and went 3 for 3. In fact, all the players hit well and his team won 14 to 4 over one of the team that still had only one loss. When we played them the first time (we play each team twice during the season) we lost by one run. It was a very close game. In yesterday's game we played good defense for the entire game.

Today's game was good, too. Josh went 2 for 3 with another inside the park homerun. He played the entire game at catcher. This game was a little more intense. We started out playing great defense and took a 7 - nothing lead. Then with some shaky defense we let them back into the game. A couple innings later it was 7 - 6. Then it was 12 - 6...then more shaky defense and it was 12 - 10. Josh lead off the top of the 6th. That at bat was his inside the park homer. His team scored 3 more runs that inning to go up16 - 10. We did allow a run to score in the bottom of the 6th but held them to win 16 to 11. Hopefully we'll continue our winning ways and win our final two games of the season. Then on to the tournament. I'll keep you posted.

BLING! Earrings for Abby

Some of you may know the drama surrounding Abby and pierced ears. Several times she has asked to have her ears pierced and then decides against it when she sits in the chair. A few months ago we actually did the paperwork and the lady at the jewerly counted "shot" the first one into Abby's right ear but the gun misfired and the earring didn't make it completely through her ear. After 30 minutes of trying to convince her to let them try again, we left the jewerly store with a new pair of earrings but no piercings for them to go through.

Thursday night was Abby's best friend Leah's birthday. So Abby went to Leah's house that night for a sleep over. When Leah's Mom brought Abby home on Friday morning, Leah told me that she was going to get her ears pierced on the way home. Abby looked at me and said "Mommy, I want to get my ears pierced, too." We didn't go on Friday. But for the rest of the day and several times on Saturday morning she asked again if she could get her ears pierced. So we called and found out the hours and confirmed that they would be able to do both ears at once. Abby, Mamaw Brenda and I loaded into the car and headed off to get it done. We found our way to the jewelry counter and Abby found a pair of pink flower studs that she liked. I signed the permission form, they marked her ears and loaded the guns. Abby found a nice stuffed puppy to hug and sat in the chair. Before she could change her mind, it was over. Her earrings look so cute. And she is so happy to have it done. She can't wait until Tuesday so she can see which earrings Leah chose and show her the ones she got.

A great night of Baseball

We started our long weekend of baseball with a game versus Victory of WV. This is one of the teams that has several of Josh's friends from school on it. One is his very best friend Josh Poe. Our team was short a few players tonight due to vacations, so Victory supplied us with one outfielder each inning we were in the field. Josh started the game in left field, but when our catcher got hurt in the first inning, he took over at that postion. He had an outstanding game for hitting. He went 4 for 4 with two singles, a double and a home run! Josh also got to play second base for an inning. He did really well and actually recorded an out at second.

It was a great game all around. We won 16 to 8. Hopefully we will continue our winning ways tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

School's out for Summer

The school year officially ended on Friday. The kids both did very well on their report cards and both were promoted to the next grade. Josh was able to earn all A's and S's with the exception of handwriting. And his low B in handwritting improved to a B+ once they started learning cursive. Abby earned check marks in all areas except that she never learned to tie her shoes. Her Kindergarten teacher didn't push this at all. I guess sooner or later she'll have to learn that skill.

The kids started back to Sunbeam on Monday - the daycare center that they attended from birth through pre-K. They were both excited to see their Sunbeam friends. The change of pace is good for them. Sunbeam offers a good summer program for the school aged children who return. They always go on trips - Josh was excited to tell me that Wednesdays are skating days. And they do structured activities throughout the summer. An example is that the children will be talking walks daily and logging their miles with the goal of walking to Charleston by summer's end (that's 132 miles each way). Throw in the special themed activities, like trips to local radio and tv stations to learn about broadcasting, trips to the local senior centers to sing and interact with older folkes, and trips to local parks, they'll be back to school before they have time to get bored. And hopefully before they forget all they learned this year.