Gam and the Grands use lots of materials to create and entertain their minds. For grab-and-go tools there are crayons and markers even canvas for painting designs. Gam sets art supplies in a green wicker basket for whenever genius strikes. Imagination’s playground is the kitchen table for masterpieces and the like. Sis and Bubba will flip through their sketchbooks in search of unmarked pages. Which isn’t always easy because making art may come in stages. When a story unravels an artist may use just one of the sketchbook sheets. Other times it may take multiple attempts and pages for the story to be complete. Sis found a page untouched and scribble-free for whenever she’s good and ready. She dips the brush in her favorite color then sprinkles it like confetti. The Grands explore all the colors at hand with no regard to quantity. If they run out of brown while tinting the earth they’ll mix colors by stirring constantly. Primary colors like red, yellow, and blue make brown for an old tree trunk. Bubba plunges his brush in the artists’ painting palette to paint the trunk from the top to the stump. The children sit for an hour or so to draw, color, and paint. They only pause for a snack and a drink which is eaten without complaint. Magical rainbows are an amazing sight Sis brings to life on her pages. Bubba paints a picture of the deep blue sea with lobsters escaping their cages. Each Grand has a set of watercolors so no one has to reach. Over one another to dab a color to share a vibrant peach. After painting the sun in a warm orange hue Sis rinses her brush out with water. She swirls and twirls and rolls it about using a paper towel as a blotter. Once the artwork is complete and ready for review. What’s the next thing that the Grands do? They tear out their sheets from the sketchbook pads to find Gamma, ‘Skippity-Doo’, The children find their way to Gamma in the kitchen an appraisal of their work is required. The glasses come on. The throat is cleared. Time to share some Gamma wisdom. Art is an extension of our thoughts and feelings from the depths of our insides. As demonstrated by our drawings, paintings, and sculptures it’s a sketchbook of our minds. After putting away the paint supplies it’s time to explore another… form of art that’s mindful and clever the Grands gently nudge each other. Molding clay into shapes and sculptures is more fun than the Grands’ ever thought. It’s thick and sturdy yet bendy and stretchy the Grands like it a lot. Bubba proceeds to making an active volcano with lava spewing about. He starts with brown and builds from the ground with red flames coming out. Sis loves the colors of a rainbow as discussed she begins with a basic plan. She rolls each piece in the shape of a snake that coils into a perfect band. More structures come to life like a flower Sis made with such care. The yellow petals and dark green stem make the daisy a piece to share. After working with clay, please wash your hands, before moving to the next project. Gamma keeps sidewalk chalk in the antique buffet in the dining room by the closet. The sun is shining and there’s no better time to get in a quick drawing. Using sidewalk chalk in so many colors get on your knees and start crawling. A rocket ship flying into outer space Is a powerful sight to see. Sis sketches a rocket as seen on TV She’s an artist from A to Z. Grab more chalk and start the task of staying within the lines. Don’t forget to draw the flames Blast off to the moon in the sky! As the day begins to draw to an end The Grands are happy and calm. Art is the way to experience the day It’s the ultimate marathon.
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“When I grow up, I’m gonna be just a dad and a farmer.” Gamma’s Grandson Bubba’s Low-Key. Smart. Handsome. Happy. Love’s his Momma. A Good Boy. For the longest time (he’s four), Bubba just wanted to be a dad. Not a ninja. Not Spider-Man. Not a policeman. Not a fireman. Just a dad. This ‘just a dad’ idea interested Gamma. She thought about it for a bit and then a bit more. After careful consideration, Gamma concluded… Bubba’s a thinker, a tinkerer, a real class clown. He’s also part of a “dad village”. Bubba sees the comings and goings of several dad role models. His Dad is funny and makes him laugh. Always a jokester. His best friend’s Dad is an adventurer. Go carts. Four wheelers. Fast rides. His Papa fixes things with his tools. Appliances. Bikes. Stuff around the house. It’s no wonder he wants to be ‘just a dad.’ Until he took a trip to Garrett Farms. Cooler weather’s on its way, Crazy talk spoken today. Higher temps feel like the 80s Beach balls, bare feet, ukuleles. It’s a beautiful day to be outside. No rain. Few clouds. It might be wise. To scroll the net to find events. Family activities for ladies and gents. ‘Ding, Ding, Ding’ Garrett Farms wins. Animals, hayrides, fun with friends. Let’s climb aboard Gamma’s bright red truck. Baby in the middle, buckle seats, giddy-up! Once they arrive go through the market The Grands blast off like a human rocket. “Slow down,” Gamma said with a look so serious. “No rush, stay close, don’t be too curious.” Open the doors to a colorful sight Red, yellow, purple, green, orange and white An array of veggies but what’s white? Vanilla ice cream. Alright. Alright. Alright. Gamma’s excited to see field peas. Purple hull, crowder, lady cream, what a treat. The sweet little lady, so delicate and mild Everybody loves them, even a hard–to–please child. Pay the admission for children and adults. In a few minutes, we’ll be having a ball. Through the doors, get a stamp on the hand. “It’s a perfect Star,” said Gam’s li’l man. What’s green, blue, yellow, and red (read) all over? A newspaper? Gam looks over her shoulder. It’s a tall balloon full of compressed air. Climb the ladder, slide down, and add some flair. Gam knows bouncy houses never get old The Grands jump, bump, spin, turn and roll. One more tumble down the slide, here we go. On to the next big event ‘Cheerio!’ Food-filled cups for the animals to nibble Corn, oats, and hay make an animal kibble. The first goat seen appears to be stuck Between the checkered fence standing in the muck. Sis gets closer and tries to help The black billy goat who’s starting to yelp. After a minute, he pulls out his head Waiting patiently, ready to be fed. More goats come to eat except a few Some are as full as a tick on a mule. The hogs are sleeping and snoring on their back. Tiptoe around and give the dog a Scooby snack. Piglets snort and run around. They’re so silly when they leap off the ground. One wants a pet and a roll in the mud Next to the pigs, a cow chews his cud. After the animals' bellies are full On to the next tent to see what’s cool. The Grands get excited as they peek in It’s a fall harvest corn sensory bin. One tosses the ball while the other gets buried Make a corn angel everybody seems so merry. Baby Brother gets impatient ‘cause he wants in Takes off his shoes, stands up, and climbs the bin. All of the Grands are laughing and smiling Could this be heaven? Gam’s face is shining. Heaven is joyful. That’s what they say Perpetual happiness much like today. The Grands are thirsty. So is Gam. Head to the market and try to slam Cool drinks down the hatch to quench thirst Not too much, don’t want to burst! Ice cream time, Sis wants vanilla. Bubba wants a swirl. Baby Brother a banana. Pick up the snacks, and grab an apple on the way. It’s so hot, take a seat, and avoid the fray. Pumpkin-picking time is quite a thrill. They’ve done this before. They know the drill. Choose your color, shape, and size. Place it in the cart and collect your prize. Pay for the pumpkins, load the truck Squeeze them in and with some luck Plenty of room for produce too Peppers, peas, canned tomatoes for stew. Grands want to jump in the corn again. It tickles toes when it touches the skin. Too much fun it’s hard to stop Look, there’s cornhole, and off they hop. After a few more games time to go Take the tractor, tour the farm, and grab a hoe. Candied apples, flavored honey in sticks Bite off the plastic, squeeze firmly, and have a lick. Don’t forget the maze made out of straw One could get lost if not very tall. Play hide and seek, run into dead ends A few steps backward and try again. Gam asked the question, “What was the best part?” “Corn bins,” shouted the Grands, soon to depart. Fall Farm Days are a peaceful way to begin The holiday season Giddy-up, Yeehaw, Amen. They’ll be Swinging, Swaying, Records Playing, Dancing in the Streets They’re dancing in Paducah (Dancing in the Streets) Along the riverfront (Dancing in the Streets) Slow Smoking the favorites (Dancing in the Streets) A BBQ treasure hunt (Dancing in the Streets) All we need is music, sweet music And loads of ribs on shiny food trucks Cold drinks and key-lime cheesecake, Mmm Fried Twinkies for only eight bucks. BBQ on the River (Dancing in the Streets) It happens annually (Dancing in the Streets) Proceeds go to good causes (Dancing in the Streets) Locally-loved charities (Dancing in the Streets) Dancing In the Streets BBQ on the River is a once-a-year affair The Grands have a blast, as does everyone there. Gamma spoils them rotten by buying frivolous things Including fuzzy hats and Tachi swords ‘Ba-da-Bing.’ As summer departs and fall arrives It’s kind of ‘cool’ and all that jive. Downtown is hopping each September Folks start talking about BBQ on the River. The first of three days has the lightest crowds Food lines are shorter, noise levels less loud. Sis strains to hear as decibels rise Still, she’s a trouper and rolls with the tide. Gam parallel parks the car on Broadway In front of Stella’s, not too far away. In two short blocks, there’s plenty of action A sea of white tents is a welcomed attraction. The crew strolls along when they come across a six-foot yellow chicken in all the chaos He’s dancing a jig while shaking tail feathers Grands are in stitches, slapping knees together. Gam scours tents to find face-painting A tradition the Grands have long been creating. So many designs from which to choose Princess, Mardi Gras, or a brown moose. Sis is decisive and picks a tiger Pink, teal, and white, it could be a fighter! Bubba shakes his head, ‘no paint for me’ He plops on the ground with a skinned knee. Climb the stool so the artist may create Sis’ sweet face is the perfect slate. Sis doesn’t move, blinks only twice The artist dots white paint around the eyes. A sweep of pink paint across the forehead. The perfect shade, no purple or red. Cheeks colored teal with a bit of glitter Black lines add depth to make the critter. Using black and teal, the artist does compose A tiger’s snout on Sis’ little nose. Glitter sprinkled lightly, the perfect touch Picture with Bubba in a tight clutch. Through the flood gates close the river Musicians play and sound superior. Guitars and drums, a singer too Playing tunes rock/rhythm and blues. The Grands hear a steamboat’s calliope deliver The greatest hits from the artist John Denver. Take me home country road to the place I belong The music’s so fun, the Grands sing along. Running up and down on the rocks by the shore Free like a bird, Gam watches them soar. Time to sit down and take in the view There’s so much to see and much more to do. Let’s check out the vendors to see what they’ve got Slush puppies, fudge cakes, and more stuff that’s hot. They walk to the end of the road and stop We’ve seen everything time is ticking ‘tick tock.’ Too excited to eat, the Grands want to play The blow-ups are waiting on display. There’s a maze, an obstacle course, and a giant monster truck. Make sure you’re tall enough, don’t want to get stuck. Sis and Bubba jump with a five-minute timer Make each minute count climb higher and higher. The monster truck is tall, at least 20 steps Slide down, hit two bumps, and pray it doesn’t collapse. “Just one more time,” begged the Grands to Gam. It’s so much fun, they’re trying to cram Every activity they see at the river Into two hours like quicksilver. As we start making our way to the car The last booth is calling their names from afar. Bubba picks a sword. It’s called a Tachi. A wonky hat for Sis. Grands are full of malarkey. BBQ on the river is a beautiful event Comparable to no other held in tiny tents. Over $400,000 raised each year To help local people who could use some cheer. Keep on Dancing, Dancing in the Streets BBQ on the River is a community treat. Fun and games for all, it’s a treasure trove Helping those in need is the way to go! While eating dinner, the Grands talked about baseball, basketball, and all sports with clout. After much deliberation, Bubba declared Baseball’s THE game. He’s ready and prepared. At first, Gamma thought Ninja skills would be best Propelled by obsessing over swords and dark vests. But, to her surprise, baseball was his pick Throwing, catching, and hitting balls with a stick. The idea came from a neighborhood friend, a boy who was older and wiser than him. He signed up for scrimmages and forty-minute games. All he needed was a glove and an arm with good aim. Once registration and schedules were complete Bubba got worried and developed cold feet. It consumed conversations before the big day. If Gam was too pushy, he might run away. Gamma remembers when ‘his mom’ was small She enrolled in a dance class in early fall. Though only three, Gam thought she was ready. Later, she discovered there were butterflies in her belly. From what Gam recalls, the class was competitive. Mom needed more coddling, more positive than negative. Their temperaments are similar. The truth slowly unravels. Despite all their trash talk and constant babble. A few days went by without a discussion. Allowed to sink in to avoid combustion. On the big day, Bubba asked not to go. Gam said, “Give it a try before saying no.” Baseball’s on Tuesdays, same as Sis’ ballet. There’s little downtime, no nonsense, no delay. They’ll meet at the ballpark before baseball starts. Sis can encourage and calm Bubba’s heart. After parking the car, Gam and Sis see Bubba is in the backseat as still as a tree. On the way to the ballfield, he fell asleep Eyes closed in the car seat, counting sheep. Sis wakes Bubba up, but he doesn’t get out. Gamma gently asks, “What’s this all about?” He confesses his worries and the things that he dreads. He’s concerned that the baseball might hit him in the head. Be prepared is Gam’s motto. She usually is. She packed Sis’ shoes, the white and pink Keds. Maybe Sis can play. She’s only five Let’s ask the coaches and give it a try. Sis can play. Hooray! It’s not too late. Add her name to the roster. Wow, this is great! Bubba stays apprehensive and hides behind Mom. Sis hits the field. She starts tossing the ball. Gamma said, “Bubba, let’s go play catch.” Bubba comes out of hiding, ready to dispatch. With Sis on one end and Bubba on the other. It’s not so bad when you’ve got each other. A whistle blows from the coach at the Rec He motions the kids in for a talk and a stretch. He says it’s crucial to warm up the muscles. Gamma agrees. No worries, no fusses. Up go the arms, legs bend, touch your toes Gam and the Grands reach high and low. The coach said to sit cross-legged, Indian-style All follow instructions, each flashing a smile. Gamma sits on the grass in athletic-cut shorts She extends and lengthens as her body contorts. The grass was itchy and prickly on her thighs She scratches and slaps at the gnats flying by. After the pep talk and pregame warm-ups Run the bases. Don’t trip. Watch out for bumps. Gam sits this one out. The Grands think it’s fun. Run like the wind. Baseball has begun. Kicking dirt with your shoes, smokey hue in the air Go to first, second, and third if you dare. The last stop is home plate. It’s the most important. Scoring a run is the purpose or something. Jog out to the field. Remember your glove. Look up to the sky. A ball falls from above. Hold your glove steady and wait for a thump Solid catch, ‘Yippee,’ and a celebratory high jump. The best part is batting. The Grands are excited. They’ve sat on the bench, patient and quiet, awaiting instruction on how to begin. Helmets on first to protect the big grins. First at bat is Sis. She swings at the ball. Take off running, go fast, and don’t fall. Next is Bubba, he’s four and ‘number-one’ son. Good swing, go to second, turn third, homerun! One more inning in the outfield, concentrating on the game Other kids hit the ball. It’s much of the same. The second time at bat, Sis and Bubba start it off. The enjoyment on their faces is the ultimate payoff. At the end of the game, there are snacks and drinks Confessing their hunger, Gam gives them a wink. Attempting new things is never a mistake Confidence gained, a ‘piece of cake.’ Driveway hoops on a Sunday Funday. It’s Labor Day weekend with no plans Three days of chillin’ and grillin’ with the clan. Hanging out with Daddy and Brother Ty Video games and finding buckeyes. Sunday’s for church and stories of Jesus Los Amigos for lunch will surely please us Monday is Labor Day. What shall we do? Gamma requests the Grands' input, too. The day was hot, humidity high brought sweat on the head that began to slide Down Bubba’s neck and onto his back He got an itch and asked for a scratch Shoot a few hoops and make a fastbreak Take turns in the paint and stand up straight The basketball goal stands at seven feet tall The Grands want a bucket, though they’re a bit small. Bubba dribbles the ball with such precision To the front of the goal with no apprehension How do you shoot when you’re just a tot? Squat down, toss the ball, and try a granny shot. Sis gets her turn and dribbles around Listening to the sound of the ball as it pounds. She takes the shot all the way to the hoop Sounds of a basket a swish then a swoop. The play continues for a short while Dribbling, layups, and lots of smiles. The sun is high. Bright light fills the skies. The goal’s hard to see. Bubba squints his eyes. The Grands heard Gam say, “Let’s eat and get a drink. Gam needs coffee so she can think.” She suggests whole-grain cereal or a piece of fresh fruit It’s cool, sweet, and healthy to boot. They missed the parade. It started too early. Slow in the morning. Gam’s not in a hurry. Sis responds with the standard, “I’m bored.” Quiet time’s ending, playtime restored. The natives are restless after filling their tummies YouTube kids start singing, dancing, and humming. Gamma believes she can’t take one more song Ninja Kids Ninja Kids all day long. Carson Park announced a celebration, With live music, ice cream, and blow-up attractions. The flyer reads, ‘Activities until four’ An event the Grands will want to explore. It’s essential for children to run and play Releasing energy every day. They load up the car; excitement abounds Gamma and the Grands are going to town. The children think the park has swings Monkey bars, slides, and other park things. Horses live there and have so for ages. Complete with a paddock, race track, and stables. Turn into the park to hunt for a spot. Looking for shade, it’s way too hot. Hop out, wait for Gam, and proceed to the middle Across the race track ‘hey diddle-diddle”. First, it’s the blowups so Sis can jump. Bubba’s so fiery he can feel his heart thump. He stays in the shade of the giant balloon. Sis soars down the slide while Gam listens to tunes. Not long after bouncing, everyone’s parched. Off to concessions, they doggedly march. The first and last stop is Paradise Snow Twelve inches of ice ‘ho-ho-ho.’ Sis is the first to choose her flavor So many to pick from and to savor. She decides cotton candy is the way to go Pink is the color, not indigo. Bubba’s turn to choose one or the other Cotton Candy in blue it’s his favorite color Selections secured, the three take a seat All ready to relax and prop up their feet. The first bite is chilly. It’s frosty on the lips Slides down the throat like a faucet’s cold drip. It’s more like ice, Gamma thinks, than snow A flimsy, plastic spoon doesn’t scoop down below. Forcing the spoon into the cup like a stick Realizing an ice pick would best do the trick. Sis makes a sad face and says she can’t taste The cotton candy goodness she chose to embrace. Bubba’s is good. Sis gives it a try. Pink has no flavor. She lets out a sigh. Gamma gulps down a spoonful and agrees Blue is much better than pink times three. In school, children learn sharing is best Bubba wants Sis to feel happy and blessed He shares his blue snow cone with Sis without asking Friends forever and love everlasting. Nothing's better than a snow cone on a hot, summer's day.
Gamma’s childhood home in Wallace Park. Things We Lost in the Fire is a (2007) film starring Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro. Berry is the mother of two children and wife to her recently deceased husband. Del Toro is the husband’s best friend and a heroin addict. In the story, an electrical fire causes minor damage to the garage. However, the loss is more grave than a small fire. The sudden and tragic death of the husband is the fire. All is gone, lost in the fire. Gamma remembers losing her things in a fire. She was in fourth grade and lived in Wallace Park. One afternoon, a church friend of her mom’s needed a babysitter. Happy to help, Gamma’s mom agreed to watch the friend’s two children while the friend worked on her college thesis. After loading up the car to go a few short blocks away, Gamma and her family went to help a friend in need. After a few hours with the friends' kids, Gamma, her mom, and her brother returned home. Usually, her mom parked the station wagon in the driveway. This time, she parked it on the street. The children hopped out of the car and ran up the sidewalk to the front door. Their mom only steps behind. After using the key to unlock the door, Gamma stepped up and pushed it open. The suffocating vapors and intense fumes smacked all of them in the face. The thick, dark smoke was impenetrable. The two-story brick home was on fire. As the fire trucks arrived, the family stood silently in the street. Gamma thought, ‘All is lost’. Her things like Barbies, clothes, toys, and pictures are all gone. People from the neighborhood started to gather. Gamma helplessly squatted close to the curb with her mom and brother. Nobody moved, not even an inch. The high-powered firehose forced its fury on top of the roof over the family room. The Fire Marshal determined the cause of the blaze was due to a lightning strike. The best way to describe the scene was shocking. All was gone, lost in the fire. Sis’ friends from Pre-K A fire was about to ignite in Gamma's Grand’s world. It was Sunday afternoon. Sis was bored. She started rummaging through random pictures from inside the drawers of the dining room buffet table. Instantly, she recognized one of the photographs. It was a picture of her Pre-K class from last year. She snatched it from the drawer and headed to Gam’s bedroom, a place of refuge in times of trouble. Sis’ bottom lip started to quiver. Her smile turned upside down. Teardrops rolled down her cheeks. Her body slumped over like an old lady with osteoporosis. Gamma asked what was wrong. At first, Sis wouldn’t say. All she could do was look at the photograph, then at Gamma, then back again. After a minute, Sis shared her sorrow. She missed her friends, the ones she made last year at Pre-K. Sis missed playing on the playground with them. She missed drawing pictures with them. She missed sitting on the carpet watching movies with them. All was gone, lost in the fire. There have been other losses. Recently, the family lost two pets. Sissy was their dog. She was a kind, gentle, 14-year-old golden retriever mix. The children loved petting her thick, wavy hair. They would pretend Sissy was human and have her wear hats. Bubba put socks on her paws to keep her ‘feet’ warm. It was hard to understand why she was here one day and gone the next. Gamma had scheduled an appointment at the veterinary clinic for her to go to sleep. Sissy had suffered a long illness. It was time. How could Sis and Bubba be saying goodbye if she was still here? Again, with the pouty lip, tear down the face, and bowed head. All was gone, lost in the fire. Sissy is sick and needs to rest. Saying ‘good-bye’ is never easy. The second pet loss came a few months later. Apollo was a rescue cat. He slept in the heated garage but spent his days inside the house. Apollo enjoyed roaming the neighborhood but stayed close to home. The family guessed he was 12 years old. His only health issue was a bad tooth. Apollo came to live with the family in 2014. Previously, those in his old neighborhood kept him fed, not sheltered. The rescue happened after a cat attack. A concerned neighbor brought Apollo to the veterinary clinic where Sis’ mom worked. Cats in the subdivision had bullied Apollo. He was a lover, not a fighter. After healing, Sis’ mom decided to bring him home. This past summer, he got into poison and died. He was here one day and gone the next. All was gone, lost in the fire. Apollo’s a lover, not a fighter. Experiencing grief isn’t easy at any age. Understanding it is a whole different thing. Children have trouble with finality. How could something so loved go away and never come back? Is Sissy in heaven? When will she be back? When will we see her again? When will we see Apollo again? Then, something clicks. Children realize it’s permanent. Sis’ friends from Pre-K aren’t in her class anymore. Things will never be the same. All is gone, lost in the fire.
Things Lost Sister grabbed the picture out of the drawer. She looked at it once and then a bit more. Off to bed to sit and think. Preschool friends lost in a blink. Sis wondered why they were gone. How can it be? Did I do something wrong? We had so much fun, they were my friends. Would it ever be the same again? Gamma’s not sure how to respond. She watched Sis’ face grow sad and withdrawn. With one single tear streaming down her face Gamma knew heartache had taken place. Sis pointed to friends and made a mental tally Spotting three of her besties: Jessa, Jason, and Miss Allie. Her eyes remained fixed on the photo from that day The camera captured smiles just outside the hallway. It was time for a hug, Gamma decided No words were necessary until emotions subsided. The quiet was comforting; no send or reply Just the warmth and the ease of a loved one nearby. They sat quietly for a moment while Sister cried It’s nice having feelings you don’t have to hide. The two rocked together more slowly at first As the swaying continued, the tears dispersed. After taking the time to grieve with no words, Gamma asked the question,” Why do you hurt?” At first, there was silence, then Sister replied. Sharing thoughts and sentiments she began to confide. “You remember Jason, my friend at school? We played on the playground and sat on the stools In art class, we drew pictures and made things with clay. I don’t see him anymore he’s a few doors away.” “Jessa’s my friend. She liked playing with dolls. We dressed them in clothes and helped them to crawl. Miss Allie’s the teacher who told me I shined. She’s the one I’ll remember because she was kind.” Gam took a deep breath and mulled it all over. She thought about one thing and then another. Sis is getting older it will be okay. To hear the truth about loss today. “Let’s talk about this,” Gamma said as she waited. For Sis to agree, talks aren’t over-rated. Sis peeked through the hair that fell around her face. Ready to listen and respond in good faith. Gam asked, “Do you remember about the house fire, The lightning-sparked meltdown of the electrical wire?” That day was scary, sad, and just wrong. Gam wondered if her feelings were lifelong. A week or two later, Gam received a surprise. New Barbies, new clothes, and new shoes in her size Gam liked her new toys and the dresses with pockets. But it’s hard to forget the old things in her closet. Gam’s mom said she knew what it's like to lose things. She lost her dog, Lady, when she was fourteen. As time passes, the hurt becomes less. Memories are happy ones, and you’ll feel blessed. Let’s think about loss like friends in your past. They’re still at your school, just not in your class. Friends come and go, animals too God’s gifts from above, on loan to you. The first day of Pre-K and Kindergarten Two sleepy children are snug in their beds Sweet dreams and good things mull around in their heads. Playdates, pool parties, and toes in the sand Late summer nights and sleepovers with friends. August is here, and routines will soon change For two idle children, life won’t be the same. One is quite happy about new adventures The other has feelings of apprehension. Beginnings are scary, impossible to ignore This story starts on the eve before. It’s Sunday night, and Mom sets the alarm A ringing and dinging full-on marathon. All must be up by seven o’clock One hour before the school bus stops. Alerts, flashing lights, and plans are in place The children must wake up and keep up the pace. Sis isn’t an early riser. Sis is the hardest to rise from her slumber Encased in her sheets like she’s inside a bunker. To successfully engage, Mom needs to be clever She sends Baby Brother for the critical endeavor. He slaps down his hands like he’s beating a drum On Sister’s double-bed dum-ditty dum. From under the linens, Sis slowly does rise She stretches her arms and opens her eyes. Baby Brother’s a’ grinnin’ one ear to the other Sis offers a half-smile and throws back the covers. Meanwhile, Bubba’s sleeping through all of the babble Dreaming of race cars and kicking pea gravel. It’s his turn to awaken and face the new day Thank goodness he’s easy and doesn’t delay. Rolling out of the bed to the closet, they go Change from pajamas and into school clothes. Bubba sleeps and dreams. Sis puts on shorts, a shirt, and a dress Trying to decide which outfit looks best. Bubba likes clothes that don’t make him twitch, Soft cotton t-shirts will forgo the itch. The routine continues by keeping teeth white Toothbrushes and toothpaste, brush brush, don’t fight. With two at the vanity, pushing and shoving The one to the side is the more peace-loving. Here’s the thing to consider when dealing with siblings The closer the age, the more frequent the quibbling. Sometime in the future, it won’t matter in the slightest. It’s sister and brotherly love at its finest. Wipe faces and hands, set the towel on the sink Keep things moving, there’s no time to blink. To think only last week they slept until nine No rushing. No worries. No reason to whine. Nothing better to do than play with shoes. Everything’s a flurry before exiting the door Baby Brother just sits there and plays on the floor. More grooming is necessary before taking leave Sometimes, hair brushing will cause Sis to scream. She got a new hairstyle before school started Long hair and tangles have finally parted. Bubba sees a barber for a big boy haircut Snip snip with the clippers, he keeps his eyes shut. Time to grab backpacks hurriedly off of the hook Sling over the shoulders, take a quick look. They notice their feet don’t have any shoes Where did they put them? They go looking for clues. Could they be in the closet or by the backdoor? Check out Baby Brother, he’s got ’em on the floor. Walk down the driveway and to the bus stop Mom eyeballs her phone, it’s eight o’clock. The children look up from the street below They see Gamma’s watching inside her window. New routines take practice, understanding, and conversation As children explore life’s undiscovered destinations. Kindergarten is fun. Bubba’s in Pre-K.
Best Chef Restaurant loves sugar! Bedtime approaches somewhere around nine Prayers and pajamas for when it’s time. There’s one hour left before tucking in sheets The children are ready to make the sweet treats Best Chef is located inside Gam’s bedroom The actual cooking is in the bathroom The sink is for washing the dirt from the hands Paper towel germs are thrown in trash cans. The bathtub works best for prepping the cakes It’s just the right height and has lots of space. The closet is used for food and supplies Brooms, mops, and pans tucked away in disguise. “We make sweets here,’ Bubba says and continues On back to the kitchen to grab all the menus Before it gets maddening and orders fly in Bubba and Sis take a breath and begin. Gamma’s the customer; sometimes it’s mom Service is snappy and doesn’t take long Bubba points to a note that’s taped to the door A checkmark means open, X closed until four Hours for Best Chef Restaurant are written on a sticky note. A checkmark means open and an X means closed. The staff’s in the kitchen there’s lots to do Sis says, ‘We should hurry. It’s only us two.’ There’s clanging and banging and noise getting louder Gam prays the two children aren’t using gunpowder. Best Chef opens soon; time to review The menu for Sunday before orders accrue Bubba mentioned the sweets and went on to say “We have gummies, milkshakes, and bananas today.’ Sis loves all the veggies and likes making salad Like tomatoes with basil to please Gamma's palate. “What will you have?’ asks Sis, pen in hand She waits for an answer still in command. Writing the order down correctly is important at Best Chef Restaurant. Gamma loves all the choices and ponders a minute She could start with dessert and end with spinach. Sometimes it’s not easy to know what you want So many good options in this restaurant. Gam makes a decision and starts this fine meal Ordering soup, salad, and drink with a lemon peel. Sis writes down the order and quickly spins around Off to the kitchen, barely making a sound. When she returns with her delights on a tray Gamma’s excited to see her display. It’s alphabet soup made of spongy foam letters And a toy boat with lettuce that’s no longer tethered. Alphabet soup made of foam letters will fill up the tummy and make you feel better. The main course is finished; it's time for a perk Bubba takes the sweets order since he likes dessert Sis picks up the dishes to keep a clean table Gam orders gummies on top of a bagel. The children watch Gam as she takes her last bite They hoped she liked it and thought it quite nice. Next up the check that Gam gladly accepts She grabs her brown wallet where money is kept. Grands like shiny coins not paper with ink. Drop into the register to hear ‘clink-clink.’ Bubba says, ‘Come again. We open at eight.’ He appreciates the tip and makes his escape. It’s always nice to have a little jingle in your pocket. Bubba places an X on the door to mark closed, Gam welcomes the info and leaps to her toes. It’s about time for the Grands to take flight Eighty-sixing themselves until tomorrow night. The map of the Louisville Zoo. ICEEs for everyone! The day was simply too splendid for classes, thought Alice. “In my world, there would be no classes,” said Alice to Dinah. “Everything would be nonsense.” (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg. 5) After three and a half long hours, Gamma and the children arrived at their destination. “Oh, the zoo, the zoo, no time to be blue,” exclaimed Gamma. “We’re here!” The children nor Gamma could contain themselves. Quickly, the seatbelts unbuckled. Gamma and the Grands darted to their feet and out of their seats. All were ready to see the animals at the Louisville Zoo. Most of the conversations in the car revolved around the must-see animals. The giraffes were top of the list with their spotted coats and considerably long necks. Second to the giraffes were the monkeys. The third must-see was the zebras. First things first, bathroom breaks and cool drinks. Does it sound like nonsense; to take a potty break and then refill the tank? The day was simply too splendid to make sense. After buying the tickets and walking hurriedly through the zoo’s gates, straight ahead was an oasis. It was the largest selection of ICEEs ever compiled. There were endless flavors: Banana, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Cherry, Cherry-Lime, Cola, Cotton Candy, Flamingo, Lemonade, Grape, Green Apple, Igua-Nana, Llama-Ade, Mango, Peach, Orange Cream, Mixed Berry, Mermaid, Penguin-Melon, Pina Colada, Pina Kuala, Pink Watermelon, Shark Bait, Strawberry, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon, and White Cherry. It was scorching hot outside and temperatures were expected to peak at around 100. An ICEE was required. Each child chose their flavors; Bubba Blue Raspberry, Sis mixed it up with Banana, Blue Raspberry, & Bubble Gum, and Baby Brother had traditional Cherry (mom’s favorite). As the children sipped their ICEES by the zoo sign, Gamma snapped a picture. She thought it clever to have a photo of the map should things go sideways. Armed with cool drinks, Gamma and the Grands started down the zoo path. After a quick left, there HE was; Cottontail Bunny. Standing as still as a statue. He didn’t scurry away as the White Rabbit did from Alice. Cottontail Bunny was ready and willing to be their guide. Like Alice’s fascination with the White Rabbit—Cottontail Bunny drew intrigue from the children. He hopped within inches of their feet. He wasn’t scared. He didn’t even flinch. His little body, with the strong, hind legs easily kept up with the Grands—No matter that he was 25 times smaller. The extraordinary journey through the zoo had begun. Their first stop was the Conservation Carousel. It’s a magical ride with 24 wooden horses and 24 wooden animals of all kinds, many endangered. The delightful music and the array of animals rising and falling to the rhythm of the carousel were fairy-tale-like. The carousel is over a century old and arrived at the zoo in 2000. It was a magical place to begin our journey down the zoo path with Cottontail Bunny. There are 24 horses and 24 additional hand-carved animals on this century-old carousel. Hippity-hop, Hippity-hop, quickly arriving at our next stop. Cottontail Bunny introduced Gam and the Grands to the rhinoceros. The most distinctive feature of the rhinoceros was the large horn on its snout. The horn is made solely of keratin. When parents say, ‘Eat your carrots or veggies’, it’s not only for the beta-carotene to help you see better but for the keratin to strengthen your hair, skin, and nails. All animals have keratin in their nails, hooves, horns, and hair. Keratin helps the rhino develop a thick skin that acts as a protective plating. Bubba noticed the mud-coating all over the rhino's body. Though they have tough skin, rhinos may still get sunburned or get bit by mosquitos. So, they roll in the mud. Who knew? The rhinoceros horn is made of 100% Keratin. “Look,” shouted Sis, “It’s the giraffe house.” The Grands were very excited and ran swiftly inside the glass building. Once inside, “Shew-wee,” said Bubba. The giraffe house was stinky but the giraffes themselves; were spectacular. There were two inside the building. Both were tall. One was taller. Baby Brother was in ‘awe’ at the sight of the long-necked creatures. He reached his hand to the sky to touch the elegant animal. He was only a tiny bit too short. The giraffe house at the zoo. Cottontail Bunny encouraged Gam and the Grands to pitstop at the outdoor garden. Inside were hundreds of native Kentucky butterflies thriving within the ecosystem. The sanctuary was swarming with tiny insects. “Who are you?” asked the smoke-blowing caterpillar while awaiting Alice’s response. To answer the question, she blew the smoke away from her face and consequently blew the clothes off of the caterpillar. Alice looked around to see what happened, and the caterpillar had turned into a butterfly (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua). Most enthralled by the beauty of the butterflies was Gamma’s middle grandchild. He was very much interested in petting the graceful insects. Bubba didn’t want any part of petting goats, donkeys, or other animals inside the petting zoo. His ideal petting zoo was the butterfly sanctuary. He stuck his finger to the butterfly and gently stroked its wings. He was petting a butterfly. The butterfly sanctuary is home to 100s of native Kentucky species. “It’s hot,” sighed Gamma. “We need to cool down.” Baby Brother’s fair skin was turning a bright shade of pink. Cottontail Bunny knew what to do. He led the crew up one hill and down another— and to everyone’s surprise, an ice cream stand materialized. Gamma motioned everyone over to the concessions and placed an order. The only flavor was vanilla. No one minded. It was a creation of pure genius; coolness from the ice and sweetness from the cream. After a few bites melted on Baby Brother's tongue, and slid down his throat and into his belly, the snow-white color of his skin reappeared. Heat exhaustion averted. Vanilla ice cream on a hot, hot day at the zoo. The African Outpost was simply amazing. Capturing the Grand’s attention almost immediately was the African elephant. By far, the largest land mammal in the world and the largest of all three elephant species. Adult elephants can measure the same size as an in-ground swimming pool. The average weight is 11 tons—the equivalent of five midsize cars. The elephant in the room was the type of food elephants eat. They eat mostly foliage. Gamma couldn’t imagine getting that big and wide by being a vegetarian. Other animals of note in the grasslands included male and female lions, hippopotamus, giant tortoises, cheetahs, and zebras. The black-and-white striped horse was on the children's must-see list. The only problem was the viewing distance. The zebras gathered at the back of the enclosure making it difficult to see—time to go. Cottontail Bunny prodded the children to move along. There was so much more to see. The African Elephant is the largest of three species. Around the corner was thick vegetation. Gamma and the Grands stepped further and further into the brush. It was cool and damp within the confines of the sugar cane and jungle-like trees and plants. The sunlight vanished—so did the sweltering temps. It’s time for a photo-op. Cottontail Bunny hid in between the sugar cane as other guests approached. After a short break, the journey continued. A cool jungle path led to sugar cane. “I told you I’d find the monkeys,’ Sis proudly exclaimed. She did indeed. And not just monkeys but gorillas. The most impressive of the gorillas was the ‘silverback.’ Silverbacks earn their stripe after reaching the age of 12. They are the leaders of the gorilla packs and the strongest primates in Africa. One of the larger gorillas in the park enjoyed a whole lettuce head and fruit. The sliver streak on the gorilla’s back appears after 12 years of age. To follow the White Rabbit, Alice needed to shrink to fit through the keyhole. She followed the advice of the Doorknob and drank the ‘Drink Me’ potion. After drinking it, she fell into the ‘Drink Me’ bottle and sailed on the Vale of Tears through the keyhole. Alice landed on the beach where Dodo commandeered other fish and birds to dance (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg 13). The idea was to air-dry. Unfortunately, the waves kept crashing to shore and getting them wet. After seeing all there was to see at the African Outpost, it was time to explore Glacier Run. Cottontail Bunny led the crew down a steep hill. At the bottom were misters. Like the waves of an ocean lapping on the beach, the purpose of the mister was to get zoo guests wet. Unlike the birds and the fish on the beach in Alice’s Wonderland, Gamma and the children wanted to get wet. The mist was cool and damp on their skin—a welcomed relief. Glacier Run was home to the Polar Bear, Grizzly Bear, Seals, and Sea Lions. Bubba wasn’t happy to venture into Glacier Run. Bears were scary with big paws, sharp teeth, and giant ‘roars.’ Gamma assured him they were safe. The bears were inside their very secure enclosures. Gam and the Grands advanced toward the Grizzly Bear. His enclosure was the largest, or so it seemed. He had gigantic rocks to climb, waterfalls to bathe in, and caves to take shelter. The walls between the guests and the animals are strong and tall. Cottontail Bunny stayed behind as the crew approached the bear. A tasty snack he would be, if not careful. The Grizzly was busy doing grizzly things and paid no attention to the zoo guests. Polar Bears are roughly the weight of ten men. The next stop along the zoo trail was home to the Polar Bear. The snowy white bears are marine mammals and can weigh as much as ten men. The furry creatures spend much of their life hunting for prey though only having a success rate for ‘the hunt’ of less than 2%. Their senses are keen. They can smell prey over a mile-and-a-half away. There was only one Polar Bear at the Louisville Zoo. He was in a glass cage with little to do other than stand or sit. At first, he stood on the second tier of a two-tiered cage. The space was encased in glass, consisting of concrete floors, a shoot or slide, and an old Glacier Run Wilderness Tour truck. The bear appeared confused and discontent. All three Grands: Sis, Bubba, and Baby Brother watched in amazement. Polar Bears are the largest arctic mammals. Sis wanted to have a closer look at the fuzzy, white bear. With her face pressed against the glass, she watched and waited to observe his next move. Sis was curious about the bear. At the beginning of Alice’s Wonderland, Alice became curious about the hole the White Rabbit disappeared in. As she peeked down through the rabbit hole, she said, “Curiosity often leads to trouble” (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg. 7). The enclosure’s clear glass looked like it was treated with a layer of metallic oxide. This can create an opaque effect that blocks out images on the other side of the glass. You can see through it, but the smokiness makes it more difficult. As the crowd gathered around the foggy glass, Sis continued to peer through, face to hands and hands to the glass. Slowly, the bear walked down the three steps that connected one floor to the next. His head turned side-to-side and sniffed the air as if searching for prey. Suddenly, the bear spotted Sis and made a ferocious sneer, lunging at the glass window. Everyone gasped. Sis jumped back in disbelief. All were shocked. Sis didn’t know whether to cry, run, or hide. It was both scary and embarrassing. The unexpected pounce was terrifying. It was an embarrassment because the crowd stared in silence. Sis buried her head in Gamma’s side and softly cried. After a few minutes, the excitement was over. Sis’ apprehension continued as we pushed forward to the next attraction. After visiting the sea lions, Cottontail Bunny reappeared. Had Sis made the bear mad by peering through the glass? Did the bear spot Cottontail Bunny on the path? Could that be the reason for the lunge? In Alice’s Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat angered the Queen. He tripped her up, causing a fall that pulled her skirt over her head. Never matter—it wasn’t the Mad Hatter. The crew climbed up the hill, getting further away from Glacier Run. ‘Birds of a feather stick together’ as do Gamma and the Grands. The Flamingos were next on the zoo path—those pretty, pink birds with skinny legs and fluffy feathers. Everybody loves pink flamingos. There were at least 100 of these exotic birds at the zoo. Alice and the Queen played a game of croquet with flamingos. The birds were the croquet mallets; the hedgehogs the ball. More nonsense. Pink flamingos eat algae, vegetation, and animals that are in shallow waters. Cottontail Bunny enjoyed seeing the flamingos. He encouraged Gam and the Grands to persist along the zoo’s path. What’s that sound? It's laughing children heard above all other noises. They had reached Splash Park. It was near the end of the zoo trail. Splash Park was a nautical-themed water park. There was a climbable fishing boat, dump buckets, small water slides, and fountains of water poking through the concrete floor. It could be said—the highlight of the day. Gamma and the Grands were soaked in sweat and ready to get wet. Cottontail Bunny watched Gamma open the gate to Splash Park. As the children stepped through the human enclosure, they waved to their new friend. Cottontail Bunny had stayed beside Gamma and the Grands the entire adventure. For today, it was time to say goodbye. Cottontail Bunny had to return to the forest. The children whispered, ‘Until next time,’ and down the zoo path hopped Cottontail Bunny. Bubba and Baby Brother enjoying Splash Park. Sis is running the good race at Splash Park. It’s the end of the day
Time to make our way Back to the car It’s not that far Only one more hill Then we can be still Resting in our seat And off our feet Thinking about the zoo trail And our new friend, Cottontail The day was simply too splendid for nonsense. In the book Disney Alice in Wonderland, Especially for Angela, Adapted by Barbara Bazaldua, 2017 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Rain and games go hand-in-hand. Monopoly, Scrabble, Candyland Never mind if one can’t read. Gamma’s there to fill the need. Here’s the thing with ones so young, Playing games to have some fun. Learning that we all can’t win, Losing happens now and then. At four years old, Sis got upset, Fueled by winning above all else. Now she’s five; it’s okay, Other players can seize the day. As for Bubba, he can’t wait, Ready to participate. Now he’s four and wants to win, It looks like ‘Here we go again.’ Pick a game and choose it wisely, Candyland will do quite nicely. Take a seat and pay attention Did Gamma forget to mention… The object of the game is simple, Colorful paths for plastic people. Cards with shapes to guide each move, Curvy curves and tiny grooves. Draw a card to see who’s first, Gamma prays for no outbursts. They made it through without squabble. Onward, upward at full throttle. Sis goes first and draws a card, Double squares, two moves, not hard. Bubba’s next and breathes in slow, Wondering how far he’ll go. Picks the card with a cupcake, Catapults him to first place. Gam awaits Sis’ reaction, Will it be dissatisfaction? Sis looks up; all is well, The big girl smiles; Gam exhales. “It’s okay,” says Sis and grins, “It’s just a game. I won’t always win.” Gamma’s turn is uneventful, Move two squares and keep it simple. Players race without hassle, Aiming for the rainbow castle. No surprise, Bubba wins, Sis is the second to slide in. Gam is third. That's last, you know. Keep it moving, on with the show. For game two, Sis is the winner, Bubba starts to pout and whimper. He is four so was Sis last year, An observation is quite clear. With aging comes understanding, Win or lose, life’s demanding. If you’re second, third, or last, Try again and have a blast. Gamma and Grands are playing Monopoly. It’s a game of finance that can’t be played sloppily. It’s a bit of luck and a roll of the dice. Play for hours and hours with no handheld device. Monopoly is the next game in line,
Kids never played; it should be fine. Who’s the banker? Time to decide, The one who counts to 105. Once agreed, set up the board. Select a figure and award, Dollar bills to each player, Properties and houses will come later. Once again it’s time to choose who’s first, Grab the dice, shake, and disperse. The highest number starts the game, Car, dog, and barrel are all claimed. Land on a property that’s available Same-color squares make it capable To purchase houses or hotels Raise the rent and tip the scales. Play continues for an hour or two, They all pass go ‘Yahoo.' Bubba gets restless, can’t sit still, Maybe it’s time to cut a deal. Gam counts money for each player It’s been fun with lots of layers Money, Go to jail, and Community chest New board games are the best! Place the games neatly in each box, Pieces, cards, boards, and tops. All were happy they got to play, Waiting for the next rainy day. |
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