Making time to celebrate- Birthday, Anniversary, Lent and then Study Time!

What procrastination looks like in my life on Newark-Granville Road. 

-Setting a pretty table! Then blogging about it.

Behind the picture: table cloth was our cake table cloth at the wedding! The tartan taffeta also was the bridesmaid's skirts and a number of other fun accent pieces.  The Birthday plate is still going strong- Sally said- tomorrow is Daddy's birthday- why is it out now. My reply- I'm getting ready and it is festive.  The roses- you know sweet Joe gives me my wedding bouquet every year.  Granville's Village Flower Basket does such a great job. The china is Spode- I picked out for our registry - I still adore it.  Works HATSOFF to the Races glasses...and finally the FPC Lenten bag candles will be lit as part of our dinner and blessing.

So what am I procrastinating? What do I need to get to....school work! Sally admitted her helping me deliver FPC Lenten bags as part of her procrastination from school work too!  (Curious about the FPC Lenten bag- let me know- I have an extra!) Principals and Practices of Fundraising- Lilly Family School of Philanthropy- one class at a time until I earn my Master's degree.  The group presentation will be here before I know it.  Meeting tonight with the crew...I'd better get my work done!

But a big thank you to all the kind Anniversary wishes on Facebook. It was fun to go to the attic and snap some pictures from the album and post on Insta which then posts to Facebook.  We had a lovely day- lovely.  I had some time with Sally to get ready, then Joe and I enjoyed the Franklin Park Conservatory to find green, blooms, warm air, creativity, artistry, science, the smell of the earth comforting and congratulating us.  We wrapped it up driving around our old stomping grounds and enjoying Figlio's salad, pasta, and creme brulee- oh well it was a very good day in the life on Newark-Granville Road.

Valentine's 2021

Happy Valentine's Day to me.....why have I not blogged lately?  My poor, sweet Mac lost all ability to hold a charge.  Clare took it to Dr. Apple and no luck.  Dear Joe said....let's get you a new laptop and voila a few days after Valentines Day here it is.  Behind the scene scoop.

Why a mac? This goes back to when I stopped working when Sally was born. Three things I asked for when I left my professional world: a lap computer, we only had work PCs at that point, to keep my cleaning person- it is not my jam and I'm not that good; and to join Moundbuilders Country Club. I wanted to swim with my kids.  Fast forward almost 16 years and I think I'm on my 3rd computer.  The last one was Joe's hand me down.  The fun videos we found of it of the kids doing "news" shows!  Joe invested in the apple product to reduce the number of calls to him as my IT person.  I'm giddy, this is shiny and new.  And Joe said set up was pretty slick.  Life on Newark-Granville Road- tech scoop!

So how was your Valentine's Day?  Mine was nice.  We don't go overboard here- we have an anniversary and birthday to toast next weekend so we keep it simple.  I only sent a few Valentine's this year- just wasn't feeling it. COVID/midwinter/cabin fever/too much zoom blah.  Joe and I did get out for a lovely sunny hike/walk at Dawes! I made a yummy dinner and set a pretty table. It was festive and love-filled.  I enjoyed packages and cards from dear friends and family to keep my spirits bright.  We called Sarah to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY- love that birthday- what a great day to be born.  Reflected on that day oh so long ago...haha...my dear Dad took Matthew- to the neighbors with our cereal.  Then he took Mom to the hospital.  It must be one of my first memories. I remember it so well- the revolving door of people taking care of us until Dad and Gaga could get to us. I remember Daddy sharing the bay-bee's name- Sarah Catherine. I repeated it and liked it.  Oh what would life be like on Newark-Granville Road without calls and texts from Sarah, visits to Granville, Baltimore, Hagerstown....love to boo-boo!the snow is pretty. Sally is ready to go back to school- snow days are not as fun when in abundance and not really a day off.  Oh life is changing, growing, evolving, transfiguration...church sermon was great Karen...to be continued!

Blooming in February -2021

Keeping the love theme going for February posts...love blooms, blooming love...

The first pic I posted on Facebook/Instagram. These are Christmas flowers making an extended appearance.  The amaryllis is from Trader Joe's- the bulb simply in wax- how cool is that!  The first one I bought was low and felt like a dud. I bought another, I presented a few as gifts.  The 2nd one-shot up but didn't open for some time. The first one, the dud- opened low but beautiful. The 2nd eventually did bloom too!  Then I noticed other shoots coming, so I cut the dead/finished ones- I guess I deadheaded...and sue enough- more blooms have found their way to me in February! Poinsettia...I love to keep those going...often in the greenhouse.  So here is the greenhouse pic! I'll post this later on social media too. I like to share blooms in the winter! We all need the reminder and lessons of love and plants! A little green goes a long way about now in my life on Newark-Granville Road.

Love in COVID times, LOVE Local - it is February!*

 Sign of the times...the highlight of my day, a text from my mother: I got my vaccine!  Yes, after weeks of hearing how she could not get through or access the sign-up, weeks of reading other people's posts with green in my eyes, the stars aligned and it worked.  She grabbed the first appointment- that afternoon- her driveway had been plowed- so off she went.    And what did she do to celebrate?  She booked a flight to Florida- woo hoo!  Now we're anxious to hear Joe's parents share a similar update.  Life and Love in the Times of COVID-19 in our life on Newark-Granville Road!  (Joe's parents have their first shot!!)

Other updates...looking for great bread, I must share two links:

https://710bread.com/index.php/thursday-menu/  Order on-line- the baguettes are delicious and the croissants you can buy frozen and bake yourself!  We will try the bagels in our life on Newark-Granville Road this week. Order soon- they do sell out.  

https://seaworthybread.com/  This is the bread we've fallen in love with at the Granville Farmer's market..and now the winter market. Winter market ends this week- sniff...but you can pick up this bread by ordering online and at other great shops- including Black Radish Creamery's self- store-see the link!

https://www.facebook.com/BlackRadishCreamery  Bread, cheese, soup, hot sauce, honey, eggs, I can go on and on...check out this great new self-serve shop! Take a drive...I did! Location was a treat to discover.  1st. I love to drive Morse road.  2nd- I have noticed the attractive, "new" barn on 161 before the golf course for quite some time.  I assumed (always a mistake) it was part of a farm.  What a treat to pull into the creamery location and put two and two together! I recommend taking the back way from Granville (and regular readers know I love the back-road path) go Broadway, we call it the new road or Broadway extended- along the highway- this turns into Moots Run Road to Outville Road- you go left/south over the highway.  Then you turn left on to General Giffin Road - it dead-ends into the golf course- or you turn on to the start of Morse road and that is where Black Radish Creamy is! Check the hours and enjoy! ** Highly recommend the Charlie's Legend- Clothbound Raw Chedder- mild sharpness with sweet butter flavor. Yep- quite good. Compared it tonight to our beloved 2 year Shelbourne Farms!

Bye Bye January....hello February!  Take care dear readers- these are not easy times.  We know things will get better.  Happy update- the Christmas Cards arrived and we're sending some out...instead of sending Valentines, I'm sending Christmas cards.  I love to receive mail and send mail.  This means the USPS must be seeing movement and improvement- hooray. And please know if you want to chat, talk, gripe, celebrate, take a walk, share a drink- I'm here or I can be there.  

And now there are Three/Denison Everywhere!

The house is quiet.  We have quite a bit of leftover dinner, and I even reduced the recipe!  Life on Newark-Granville Road is down to three. And a driving teen so things are different.  Peter and Clare are happily at their schools. Being tested often and checking in on Sundays.  Peter forgot his ties and a pillow. We mailed the ties and ordered a new pillow.  It was nice to have my Mom join the delivery day.  Mom likes to see where her kids/grandkids are.  One year she drove from Central Pennsylvania to Omaha, Nebraska, staying less than 18 hours just to see my apartment and have dinner with me.  Hooray for her friend Carolyn R. for making that trip.  Not much fanfare for Clare's delivery- she packed Bessie the car and went.  I didn't even take a picture- 2nd semester sophomore year I guess?

Work is kicking in- Denison students are making their way back. Details about how we're keeping them and our community safe here:  https://reopen.denison.edu/hc/en-us  Denison Everywhere is Wed (and tomorrow) two dates to include international families- a zoom gathering for each hemisphere- so clever!!https://alumni.denison.edu/denison-everywhere/  This event is for all Denisonians- parents, grandparents, alums, partners- register pleas!  School started for me and I am so excited! IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy- Master's program- Principles and Practices of Fundraising!  Every Thursday 6-9 pm- via Zoom is where I'll be.

In honor of the last child at home- I posted another picture of her on the main blog page. Actually, it is somewhat of a collage.  We cleaned out old frames and gave them away- (three cheers for Buy Nothing Granville for taking my frames, and art supplies)-but I had to capture these pics. Oh, the fun of capturing the beauty of kids and leaves!  The reality is we don't have as many pictures of Sally so here you go.  I remember the day with the three of them running. Sally was well into potty training- (no more diapers for Ducky) and so proud of those big girl pants..and her boots. Oh, Sal-gal we love you. Our pumpkin and Snow Angel.  It will be good to have this quality time with you, in our life on Newark-Granville Road. 

MLK Day- Race Relations Trying to Do Better*

 We can do better. We will do better.  A colleague sent an email and it took me down a rabbit hole.  Here are a few websites I visited, and some actions I can take.

103 Things White People Can Do Better

http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/13-miss-buchanans-period-of-adjustment  I will listen to this.  N Related is the book: Talking to Strangers by Gladwell (above podcast host). I listened to this book. I have bought it and will review it reflecting on our world of today.  I will discuss it with my book club.

Speaking of Book Clubs:  Join or start a Daughters of Abraham book club in your Church, mosque, or synagogue. Interesting.  I really don't have time for another book club but- looking over this club's lists is interesting.  I like the idea of understanding different religions and acceptance, tolerance, and mutual support.

Tied to this is- buy from black-owned book stores! This is something I can do.  I like Ann Patchett so I buy from her, I also buy from Readers Garden. I can share the love, maybe you will too:

https://lithub.com/you-can-order-today-from-these-black-owned-independent-bookstores/

The good news is from this website, are things I have done! I've not only read- Orange is the New Black, but I also heard/saw Piper Kerman speak at Denison. Prism Reform (a big component of this blog page) is needed.  On my nightstand to read is The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.

Clare read it and recommends it!!  We did discuss it as a family.

Remember the wise words of Twitter user @itsjacksonbbz: You will continue to mess up racism. So continue to be teachable, open to correction from POC, and vigilantly monitor yourself for defensiveness and white fragility. You never “arrive” as an ally, you must continually *practice* allyship.

This isn't easy. This isn't going to be easy.  There is a lot wrong.

There is so much right thought- we're talking, we're trying. I believe deeply in education and conversation.

My font has increased and that is a good thing too.

Have thoughts for me about this subject in my life on Newark-Granville Road- please call or email and we'll find time to talk.

Our work today was to Feed the Dream! We used the day to do a ton of good and help alleviate hunger in Licking County.  So much of race relations is socio-economic.  If you are hungry you can't learn. Root cause issues. Here is the link to donate: https://web.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?tsid=16980  I should have included this in yesterday's post.  Thank you to our organizers, volunteers, and donors.

Update- 2/7/21:

-https://denison.edu/campus/multicultural-students/wh/140490   Denison 21-Day Racial Equity Challenage!  Community members included, invited, encouraged- join me! The first/launch:

We will begin our 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge on Monday February 8-February 28, 2021 through a self-directed, easily accessible daily “challenge activity” rooted in Mr. Moore’s following action values to establish an equitable community: Read, Listen, Watch, Notice, Connect, Engage, Act, Reflect, Stay Inspired.

Day 1 - Monday, February 8: The Wait for Racial Equity

• Challenge Activity: Listen to the Denison University MLK Day speaker, Dr. Danielle Allen of Harvard University, for a conversation on February 8 at 4:30 pm. Keep an eye out in the coming days for more information about events with Dr. Allen. (60 minutes)

*FPC- Our service today was beautiful (2/7/21).  It was a Godwink to have me reading scripture. I needed it. I was grateful to worship with others, hear music direct- unfiltered, pray and hear the stories of slaves, the reflections, the music, the lessons. Thank you Phillip and all involved //www.granpres.org/livestream

The book inspiring and called upon in the service:  Eileen Guenther’s In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spiritual. 

Gratitute for Gratitude and MLK Feed the Dream Details!

 I received some very special gifts this holiday season.  One is a package of "Gratitude Cards".  I am excited to share, send, and use these cards with quotes about....gratitude!  I admit to having a slight bit of a hoarding mentality. I always want to ensure I have the perfect card to send and will hold something in reserve. I'm trying to do better- the card isn't serving its purpose in my card file. So as I send these cards I thought I'd document the quote here. This way I have the quote for the future and can use it when writing- notes, blog posts, remarks, etc... So here we go. I am indeed grateful for the reverence and understanding gratitude plays in my life on Newark-Granville Road, it was a good friend who shared such a giving gift.

It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy!

(this is going to a dear couple volunteering with youth at FPC- they have and will make so many people happy.)

Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to Grace!  Arianna Huffington

(oh my this is going to another church connection, we are all about the Grace in covid times!! During a meeting yesterday we were reminded to give ourselves Grace, not just others.)

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.  Helen Keller

Gratitude helps us to see what is there instead of what isn't.

The Leithausers are grateful for what we have in our life on Newark-Granville Road. That is why tomorrow we gratefully serve: FEED THE DREAM!   On Monday: 1/18/21- MLK Day we will volunteer from 11-12 at Ross' please drop off food or money for the Licking County Food Pantry!  Details here: http://onedayoneton.org/?fbclid=IwAR0cFKYsn5_kJcD69UFkAHcVTVDMG3Jpt2_IjtyDsTHMS3ulcukhoq8J64k

Updated- 1/25/21:  THANK YOU- appreciate everyone's support- and truly kudos to the leaders and board, but we could not have done it without the gifts (and the Ross IGA/Market!!). Results:

$20,000 in monetary donations and 1.6 tons of food!  With the FPN buying power, that is the food and funds equivalents of 121.6 tons of food collected for this year!  Joleen shared this quote with the news:

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate acts of its members-  Corretta Scott King!  What a lovely community we call home, in our lives on Newark-Granville Road!