Here it is September already, and my favorite time of the year, fall season is around the corner. A smorgasbord of things going on.
Prince William came this week, decked out in his baseball uniform, lugging a bag containing a ball, bat, helmet and glove, announcing he wanted me to go in the back yard and practice hitting balls with him. I was half asleep, but like a dream, found myself in the backyard pitching baseball.
He was here a couple of hours, left to go home for homeschooling and piano lessons and returned around 6 pm for another couple of hours. This time he was lugging another package, some kind of stand, used to hold a baseball, while the batter practices hitting the ball. Wanted me to assemble the contraction. Now my mental adroitness and dexterity in assembling such things are next to zero. But Prince William is insistent and persistent, telling me I can do it. And sure enough his unwavering confidence in me paid off and I was able to assemble. Returning to my back yard for another baseball practice. Two baseball practices in one day. Never dreamed my retirement years would include baseball practice.
In between baseball practices, he got out the hoe and shovel and began planting his fall garden. He only planted a few flowers, because today I purchased bags of soil to improve the ground for planting and went to Lowes for more seeds. Keeps me busy, trying to stay abreast of all his projects. Today when he comes, the first thing he will ask is, “Do you have any surprises for me?” He will be delighted to have the soil to spread and seeds to plant. I have some herbs, spinach seeds and a few other surprises.
He always walks in asking if I have a surprise for him. I’m a little slow on the uptake, because the real question is, what’s the surprise he has in store for me? A case of an Octogenarian matching wits with a five year old. Not an ordinary five year old, but one with total recall, more curiosity than Einstein, and more projects on his agenda than a newly elected politician. And can definitely filibuster with the best of them.
Just winding down his summer, swimming, driving a boat on Lake Lanier, ending his basketball season, he has not slowed down, entering school, after prekindergarten, doing great with his reading and piano lessons. His Dad sent a picture of him at the baby grand, playing a tune with only a towel around his bottom. He is almost too busy to get dressed, jumping from one project to another.
It seems all his golf lessons he began at age two are history, inasmuch as it is difficult to squeeze in his busy schedule. And the bottom line is, he keeps me busier than a one-armed paper hanger, when he arrives. But the greatest joy of my life as I observe his bright little brain develop and go from one thing to another, with such intense interest in so many things.
Time spent with him never violates my eleventh commandment, which is: “Don’t bore me.” In this connection, as I write, I’m not complaining, but explaining, just how interesting life is relative to time spent with a five year old.
In between his visits, I’ve been trying to work on my FaceBook site, and must say I have definitely met some very interesting and enlightening other writers. To my many readers, covering 80 countries, hope you check it out and leave a comment. Let’s Talk!!!
Have a Blessed day.
Let FREEDOM RING
Just ME, AC
E-mail: annecleveland@bellsouth.net
