Make a bubble when there is trouble. February 22, 2010

“Tomorrow you will need to play in your room all day.  I am going to finish painting the window, and will also get the cork board up on the wall.    Dean that reminds me, I will need some help getting that tacked up so you will have to make some time to come in and help me.”

“Oh I won’t have time tomorrow I will just ask one of the men to come in.  When do you need help?  In the morning or the afternoon?”

“What I need is your help, and not some dirty man to come and try.  I will spend as much time explaining what to do as doing it.  I might as well just do it myself!”

Violet took a deep breath because she could tell that her parents were going to have an arguing dinner.  She sat very still and tried to move as little as possible and make no noise at all as she ate.

“Well then do it yourself!  You know you are not any better then those men that work hard all day long every day, it is their work that makes it possible for you to go shopping and be the lady of the manor.”

“Lady of the manor?!  Violet are you done eating your father and I need to have a conversation, go to your room.”

Violet quickly slid out of her chair and ran up the stairs to her room, quietly closing the door behind her.  She could still hear them downstairs arguing.  She decided to sing a song, to try and not hear.

♫ Magical flowers in the field, and fluffy clouds in the sky ♪

♫ Animals dig, walk and run and they even fly up high  ♪

Just then she heard a loud crash from downstairs, and then another.  She knew it was best to hide in her room and not go look to see what was happening.   Then she remembered something her Aunt Grace had said to do when her parents were angry with each other.

“Make a bubble when there is trouble.  Make a bubble when there is trouble.”  She closed her eyes tight as she said it, and imagined that a big bubble was all around her, just like the kind she would blow from the bottle.  “Fill it with blue just for me, fill it with blue just for me. “  As Violet repeated it, she kept her eyes shut tight.  Suddenly she felt very warm and happy and then she finished “show me… Grey!”

With her eyes closed she could see Grey, in the barn, in his stall.  She could smell the hay, and she could see Max laying not far away.  Violet was so enjoying it all that she did not hear her mother come in the room.  ©

breakfast with hawk January 21, 2010

As they headed to the next stop it was a little rougher, more bouncing around in her seat then sitting in it; and that led to a lot of giggling.

“Gotta admit, there is usually not this much laughing involved in feeding.”

As they came upon another gate Violet could see more cattle starting to come their way.  Like before her father broke up the hay bales and tossed them out, but this time he threw the hay along her side of the truck.  It was fun to watch them come up to the truck and rub against it.

Her father got back in and said “Ok one stop to go and then let’s drive over to the edge and overlook the river to have breakfast.”  At the last stop, after he had tossed the last of the hay out, he used a broom to sweep out the bed of the truck.  It was funny to see him sweeping and in a truck made it even funnier to Violet.

He got back in the cab and said “Ok here we come breakfast!” turning the truck towards the left; the sun was up now and it was bright outside and they were driving toward the sun.  As he pulled the truck to a stop they could see the edge of the canyon wall, and across the canyon a waterfall.  It was so pretty and quiet with one lone bird circling over head.

“Do you know what kind of bird that is?”

She thought for a moment and slowly shook her head no still thinking very hard.

“That is a hawk, he is circling looking for breakfast.  When he sees what he wants he will swoop down and grab it, fly off with his breakfast and watch the sun come up as he eats… just like us.  You open those bagels and I will pour us some juice.

Violet yesterday when you saw the truck in the water, before it happened is that the first time that has ever happened?”

Violet thought it was a silly question because of course she had never seen a truck in the water before but slowly she said “No it is the first time I saw a truck in the water, it was awful and I hope I never see it again.”

“Well I can tell you yesterday was the first time I ever saw it  and it was scary.  I do not think either of us will ever see something like that again.  But what I mean is have you ever saw something and then later saw it really happen?  Or was yesterday the first time?”

“Do you mean I really did see it before and then see it happen?”  to Violet it seemed almost like a dream and not something that really happened.

“I think you did, I think you have the gift of seeing.  And that can be a wonderful gift but I think until we are sure we should not tell anyone.  Sometimes people worry too much about such things and sometimes people might want you to have a special teacher because of a gift like that.”

“I don’t understand” she said as she watched the hawk swoop down into the canyon out of site and she was wondering what he was getting for breakfast “what is the hawk going to eat?”

“I don’t know maybe a small snake or bird or even a mouse or something.  Violet this is important I want you to pay attention.  I want this to be our secret, do not tell anyone what happened besides it might never happen again so why have anyone wonder about it – maybe it was a one time thing.  BUT if it does happen again I want you to tell me, just me because it is our special secret.” ©

headed camping January 13, 2010

Violet and Grace rode back to the barn and left the horses with one of the hands and then headed to the house to clean up.  As they walked in the house Violet’s mother said “Violet run upstairs and brush your teeth, get your toothbrush in the travel container and bring it with your toothpaste and the necklaces from Grace and meet me in the kitchen.  Oh and for heavens sake make sure you go to the bathroom too, because we are leaving in a few minutes.”

Violet ran up the stairs excited to be headed camping, every weekend in the summer they leave on Friday night and go camping with 2 of her uncles and their families and then come home on Sunday night.  It is a lot like getting to live near the river and the swimming pool.

She quickly got everything done and ran down the stairs and as she walked in the kitchen she heard Aunt Grace telling her mother “just keep her busy, she will have less time to miss her and then ..oh hello Violet are you all ready to go?”

“Yes I am!”

“Well you help your mom get everything loaded and I will meet you in the driveway in just a minute.  I have to close up my suitcase, and get on the road myself.”

As Grace headed up the stairs Violet and her mother went out to the camper.  Violet shoved the bag of necklaces under her pillow and placed her toothbrush and toothpaste in her drawer.  Meanwhile her mother was adding some last minute things into the refrigerator.

It did not take long and it was time to say goodbye to Aunt Grace and watch her drive away. Then Violet got tucked into the camper and the door locked and her parents into the truck.  Violet could see Max sitting watching them drive away and she wished that just once he would be allowed to come camping too.  When she could no longer see Max she crawled up to the top to watch out the window all the way to camping.  She knew to stay to the right side, so she could watch the river and the waterfalls as they came into view. ©

the ranch January 11, 2010

Violet and Grace headed to the barn, mounted their horses and headed off to explore.  Violet gave Grey an extra hug when she got on and whispered “I love you Grey!” into the back of his head.

The ranch was a wonderful place with a river flowing along the one side,  you could not easily access it however.  The property edge was actually the top of a steep canyon wall that went down to the fast flowing river.  That was where they decided to go first, it was a beautiful place where there were many birds of prey including hawk and eagle.

You had to be careful to not get to near the edge, because it was a long harsh fall down and there was nothing to protect you from going over.  You could hear the water rushing below and across the river there was a waterfall coming out of the canyon wall.  It was a wonderful and relaxing view no matter where along the canyon edge you chose to stop.

Instead of stopping though they decided to casually ride the length of the property along the edge, taking in the sites and the sounds and even the fresh smell of being out in the wild.  Every now and then you would see a pheasant darting across the ground, or even whistle pig or ground hog as the city folk call them.  There were also snakes out there and you had to watch for them.  A snake can not only spook a horse but can strike at them.

“Imagine if you lived in the city Violet, and you had to play in the park or a yard or even a back pasture like at your grandparents.  Sure would be different then all of this wouldn’t it?”

“Yes Aunt Grace, it would be different and I am sure I would hate it!  Visiting is one thing, but to live there?”

“Well you know one of the things about being a good girl, and growing up is sometimes having to learn to thrive in a new place.”

“What does thrive mean?”

“Hmmm well to thrive means choosing to be happy and to do well, choosing to find all the good things and to scoop those things up and keep them around you.  Anyway it is getting late, and we should be heading back – you are all headed camping tonight and I am headed back to my house.  Uncle needs me.  Do you know that when I am gone he doesn’t even wash the dishes?  Can you imagine!”

where is Beth? January 8, 2010

Running into the barn Violet said “Here are the brown…ies  where is Beth?”

“Oh she realized she needed to go, to go home. ” replied Aunt Grace with a casual smile and wave of the hand “I was thinking, let us have a brownie and then we will head out on the horses so that you can show me your favorite places here at the ranch.  It has been awhile since you got to go an ride; hasn’t it?”

“Yes! that will be wonderful fun and we can” her reply was cut off as one of the ranch hands came in through the back of the barn.  “Hello little one I hear I need to saddle up Grey for you and a horse for Grace so you two can head out for some adventure.  You better get your boots on!  And if you do not mind me saying Grace, you may want to change out of that pretty blue outfit of yours.”

“Yes of course” Grace replied “eat your brownie on the way to the house, and I will carry this to the kitchen” she said as she started to pick up what was left from their tea.  “How long will it take to ready the horses?”

“Oh by the time you two get back, the horses will be ready to go, don’t you worry about that.”

“Alright well thank you, come along Violet lets go.”

The two of them headed to the house, and left the silver tray from tea on the counter near the sink in the kitchen.  Violet got a big drink of water and they both went upstairs to change.  Violet changed into her boots, and grabbed her sweatshirt and wondered what her Aunt would wear to ride.  “I bet she will look like a rodeo princess” she thought.

Then she heard a tap at her door and looked up to see her Aunt.  She was wearing jeans and a blue jean jacket and even had on BLUE boots!  “I wish that Beth could have stayed and come riding with us.”

“Well Violet sometimes it is best for people to move on, do what they need to do, and not what we want them to do.   That is what happened with Beth.  But I am excited for a good ride, are you?”

“Yes! Yes I am.”  You see one of the things that Violet loved most in the world was to get up on Grey’s back and to ride! ©

at tea January 7, 2010

It was a lot of fun to having a great tea party and not just pretending a great tea party.  What fun to be having lunch, and a party all at the same time.

“Violet do you remember when you and Beth first met?”

Violet looked at Beth and was a bit confused and asked “I do not know, do you know?  Beth came over not very long after I got the play house and I do not know when that was – I am glad she is my friend and here a lot.”

“Yes I can see that, and I think Beth you are a good friend for Violet.  Do you two ever think about why you really only get to play here, in the barn?”

Violet noticed that Beth looked sad while Aunt Grace was talking and she had not had any of her tea or her sandwich.  Just then Aunt Grace said “Violet would you please run into the kitchen and get the brownies I left in there.  You will see them on the table in a plastic container with a blue lid.”

Violet nodded and knew she had to go, but was worried about Beth, looking at Beth she said “yes Aunt Grace, I will and I will hurry back.”  She could tell that Beth knew she was talking to her and she quickly ran to the house, through the door and into the kitchen.  Looking around she saw the container on the table, grabbed it and turned to hurry back out the door but then she heard her mother talking.

“Well I am not sure yet, it would be a big change and a lot smaller too.   No I do not think we would take any animals except my cat.  Oh she is young and would not know the difference, and would adjust just fine and besides” as her mother turned she saw Violet “hang on .. Violet what are you doing?  Listening to other people talk is rude! and you are supposed to be in the barn with Grace!  Do you need a spanking?”

“No” she replied shaking her head, suddenly she felt afraid and sad and worried “I had to come get the brownies, I am supposed to hurry.”  And she ran to the door and all the way back to the barn. ©

cleaning up January 5, 2010

The girls decided that with such a special guest coming today for tea, it would be best to clean up the play space.  They spent the morning straightening this and straightening that – dusting here and dusting there.  Violet even went to get the broom and sweep up the floor.  When she came back in she asked Beth “Wouldn’t it be fun to get some flowers and put them in a cup on the table?  You know like at fancy grown up parties. “  Beth agreed so out the back of the barn the girls headed to find some flowers.

Soon after they returned with small yellow and white flowers and Violet went to get water for them.  They decided it was best to use the sugar container to hold the flowers, after all the sugar was just pretend anyway and they could pour from the creamer container; as if it was a small tea pot.

Just as they had placed the finishing touches on everything, they could hear voices from the front of the barn.  It was Aunt Grace talking to one of the ranch hands “Yes thank you, I do appreciate that – as you can see I have my hands very full.”  As the girls turned to look they saw Grace and both of them took in a deep breath at how wonderful she looked.

Today Grace was dressed in blue, and her long hair was up in a big loose bun, with a few small silver curls, falling down on to her face.  The pins that held her hair up were beautiful and as the light caught them they seemed to twinkle.  Her hands had big jeweled rings of silver and and blues and greens and in her hands she had a large silver tray.

“Hello Violet, I decided today we would have real tea and not pretend.  I do hope that is ok with you” as she said it her eyes seemed to glisten like the jewels and the smile on her face gave away the fact that she was as excited as Violet and Beth.

“Oh yes! that is wonderful and look we picked pretty flowers for the table, so it is like a real party.”

“Very nice, I like them” Aunt Grace said as she set the tray down on the table and then she asked “is Beth here?”

“Yes, of course she is right there”  as she pointed just behind her Aunt “Beth this is my Aunt Grace isn’t she beautiful? Come over here and sit down.”

“Hello Beth it is very nice to meet you and yes come let us all sit down.  Now let me see what do I have here?”  Grace placed a plate in front of Beth, Violet and herself and handed each of them a cloth napkin to place in their laps.  Then she asked Violet “Could you please place the tea cups and their plates in their places?”

“Now Beth would you prefer the cheese sandwiches or the cucumber ones or some of each?”  but Violet quickly interrupted “Oh Beth doesn’t usually eat very much, she might just want the tea if that is ok.”

“Of course it is, but I will put a sandwich on your plate anyway, just for balance” and she winked at Beth as she set the sandwiches out.  “And now I will pour the tea if that is alright.”   Grace picked up the silver tea pot and poured some of the hot tea into Beth’s cup and then into Violet’s and then into her own.  “Now cream and sugar look fun, but instead I brought some honey from my brother’s farm.  Here let me show you.”

Carefully she took a small spoon dipped it into the honey, gave it a twirl and then placed one in each of the cups.  “You can swirl it around now, it will help to cool the tea and will sweeten it..just so.  And when you are ready to drink the tea, just set the little spoon on the teacup plate.” ©

in the morning January 4, 2010

When Violet woke up she quickly remembered the gifts under her pillow.  She grabbed the bag and dumped them out into her lap.  Then she lined them up in a row and said “1, 2, 3 which one is for me?” as she finished saying it she heard a large noise downstairs that made her jump.  When she looked back down at the necklaces she saw that the black one had moved forward and was nearest her so she picked it up and put it on and placed the others back in the bag.. saying “thank you” as she quickly shoved the bag under her pillow.

Then she ran down the stairs for breakfast and to try to find out what the large noise had been!  At the bottom of the stairs Violet turned toward the kitchen and saw her father and one of the ranch hands were in the kitchen pouring ice into coolers that were set on the table.   As her father saw her come into the kitchen he said “change of plan kiddo – hurry and get dressed and you get to have breakfast in the barn today” as he was talking he turned to the counter grabbed her lunch box and handed it to her “plenty to do today to get everything ready for the weekend.  Best you stay out of the way.”

Now this was an exciting day, thought Violet.  A new necklace, breakfast in her lunch box, and Aunt Grace is coming to the barn for tea today too.  What could be better?  She quickly ran upstairs, got dressed and grabbed her lunchbox and headed for the barn.  Opening it up she found a napkin folded across the top of a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, some grapes and 3 chocolate kisses.  Violet opened the thermos to see what was inside and was excited to see it was lemonade.  “This is a lot more fun than breakfast in the house!’ she said to her faithful border collie Max as he came in to see what was happening.

Just as Max and Violet were finishing their breakfast Beth arrived.  “Oh Beth I am so very glad to see you, and I have so very much to tell you!’

Violet settled in to catch Beth up on what all had happened with Aunt Grace, the gifts, the rules, breakfast in the barn AND that Aunt Grace wanted to join them for tea today.  “Isn’t it the most wonderful day ever?” she asked Beth as she finished.  Beth had to agree that a lot of great stuff did seem to be happening and that it would be fun to meet Aunt Grace. ©

rules January 2, 2010

Violet then placed the remaining two necklaces into the bag and said thank you; pulled it closed and placed it under her pillow.  Turning back to her Aunt Grace she asked “like that?”

“Yes exactly like that! Very good, now the next rule is at the end of the day when you are headed to bed; take off the necklace that you have worked with all day, say thank you and place it in the bag with the other two.  That is simple enough to do, right?”

“I can do that”  but Violet was a bit sad, because she knew it was time to take off the necklace she had on and get it back with the others under her pillow.  As she looked at her aunt she realized it was that time, so she took the necklace off said thank you as she held it in her hand, and then placed it in the bag with the others and under her pillow.

“One last thing, you take good care of them.  It is up to you if you wear them swimming or in the bathtub and such, just remember to always say thank you and always keep them in the bag when you are not wearing them.  Tucked under your pillow safely; no matter if you are camping or spending the night somewhere else or just here at home.  Ok?’

“Yes Aunt Grace I will!  Thank you so much for such wonderful necklaces, I promise I will take care of all of them and follow all of the rules, I PROMISE.”

“I know you will Violet, now lay down it is time for you to go to sleep and remember tomorrow I am coming for tea with you and Beth.  Lay down and close your eyes and I will help you fall asleep.”

As Violet laid down, Aunt Grace placed her hand on the top of Violet’s head and said “shhh quiet thoughts for quiet sleep .. good night Violet I love you.”

As soon as Violet felt her hand on her head she felt so heavy and so tired and Aunt Grace sounded very far away as she said I love you. ©

gifts January 1, 2010

Violet watched as Aunt Grace pulled from her pocket something that had long silver chains dangling from it; she was so excited to see what the gift was she had forgotten to even breathe.

“Breathe Violet, inhaling and exhaling are important” Aunt Grace said with a laugh as she opened her hand to show Violet what she was holding.  There were three necklaces in her hand, each had a long silver chain, and each necklace was a pretty colored stone; one was green, one was blue and the third was black.

“These necklaces are very special, and I think you are ready to have them, care for them and wear them.  But there are rules of how to use them; would you like to learn the rules and to keep them?”

Violet now had all three necklaces in her hands and was looking at them and smiling; she could not help but notice how the light in her room bounced in and out of each of the necklaces.  It was like the light was inside and outside all at the same time, but each one was solid.  “Yes I will follow the rules!  Thank you very much for such pretty necklaces to wear!”  Violet was smiling and once again nearly bouncing as she sat next to Grace.

“Ok well like I said there are rules to use them and you must follow them” her voice was stern, and as she was talking Grace pulled a small cloth, gray bag from her other skirt pocket “you can only wear one of them at a time; and at night all three will be kept in here together, under your pillow”  she opened the bag, and Violet slid the three necklaces inside.   “Then in the morning when you wake up, you will open the bag, and dump them out; place them side by side and say 1, 2, 3 which one is for me? Then choose the one you will wear that day.  You will know which one, you will just know; take the one you will wear that day and put it on and then place the other two back into the gray pouch, say thank you, close it and put it back under your pillow.  Now show me, pretend like it is morning – what will you do?”

Violet took the small gray bag and shoved it under her pillow; then she reached under and grabbed it and opened it up and dumped the three necklaces onto the blanket in front of her and said “1,2,3, which one is for me?” as she looked at the necklaces she could see the light was shining more brightly on the blue one, she scooped it up and put it over her head. ©