Monday, March 30, 2009

MY RADIO FLYER

My Radio Flyer has assumed a position of importance
in my life. I received this red wagon as a gift from my late
husband. His offbeat sense of humor was tickled by the
idea, when I had mentioned that I needed something to move
things around in the yard. I found a wheelbarrow to be too
heavy and awkward for me to manage, and I was always
needing some way to transfer plants, branches, and other
debris that seems to accumulate.
At first I was embarrassed to be seen pulling my red
wagon around the yard. I would wait until there was no
traffic on the nearby road and if a car chanced to come
by, I'd drop the handle and appear to be busy elsewhere.
Now , I pull it proudly and say, "What do I care if my wagon
is getting worn and a little rusty? So am I." If anyone is
embarrassed to see a little old lady pulling a red wagon,
that is their problem. I will never forget the day the village
"bad boy" stopped to see if I needed help!
I have hauled load after load of wind blown branches from
the silver birch tree in my yard over to a nearby field. In
the fall, it drops millions of leaves on the ground around
it. I rake, and bag and haul them away in my trusty wagon.
I have just cleaned and prepped my flower beds for spring
and loaded planters to haul back to their summer place.

Each Monday I take my plastic bags filled with garbage
from their cans down the long driveway to the bin for
collection. Some are heavy so I transport in my Radio
Flyer. My garage is across the road and anything I store
has to be taken there. I have made many trips back and
forth with items. Just yesterday, I needed a shelf for
towels in my bathroom and I knew my daughter had a
nice one stored there. So I took my wagon, loaded
it carefully and gingerly pulled it up the driveway to my
home.

I have had a hard time accepting that I am not as
young and vigorous as I used to be. Due to bad knees
and back , I cannot lift and tug to things as I once did.
I always enjoyed doing my own painting and papering,
changing furniture around . Now I have to wait for some
one to help. One fall from a ladder is more than enough.
I just have to accept that at my age, I need help and not
be too proud to ask for it.

Anyhow, back to my little red wagon. I was telling my
gentleman friend how much I depended upon it. He
confided to me that the only toy he could remember
getting from his father was a Radio Flyer wagon.
His father died when my friend was five years old.
Perhaps his father knew how useful the wagon would
be, as my friend used it for years helping his family.
He gathered many a load of firewood for them. So
he could relate to my realization that like diamonds,
"Wagons can be anyone's good friend." And to my
late husband, a belated "Thank you, it was a
wonderful gift!"

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Trying to find someone

Hi, I am trying to find my blog.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

SNOWFLAKE FRENZY

Today is the last of February
and I wish that it would hurry.
March will be welcome here
for we have had a frosty year.

As we are out tonight so late
A friend's birthday to celebrate.
The falling rain turned to sleet and
soon iced the walk beneath my feet.

On the long drive home,
in the headlights glare
the snow was swirling
through the chilling air.

It seemed like we centered
the blowing snow as into
the nucleus of it we drove,
me and the man I love.

The snow was a beautiful sight,
sparkling in the shining light.
It did not stay to give me fright.
But vanished quickly tonight.

To our homes we did arrive
and I had to breathe a sigh
for that lovely enchanted ride.
It's so good to be alive.

The weather now will be mild.
After a winter that was wild.
A few more days left to go
to enjoy invigorating snow.