Lolli, Polli, & Gustov

I know you have been wondering for a while now

what the deal was with some new arrivals at the Nest.

Well, here is what I shall call the

Prologue.

At the start of the new year, Ms. zuZu began to weary of the antics of the ever increasing population here at the Nest. She is, after all, getting on in years.


Since Ms. Z keeps all the faes in line
(that is HER story, anyhow)

it was becoming increasingly clear that she was going to need some help.

For a short while, Olivia was her constant companion with a compassionate ear.

Faeriekeeper (that would be me) gave the 'go ahead'
to begin recruiting,
trusting (bad move) that Ms. Z. knew exactly where to go
and who to talk to in order to accomplish this task.

Silly me.

I did not give it much thought, but heard whisperings of
the possible arrival in the Spring of an 'apprentice'.

At least that is what I thought I heard.

Shortly before Easter, Ms. Z. received a package marked fragile
and quick as a wink

or a blink,

off she scurried with the box...

...........giving me pause........

as she is always the first one to share
with me the glee of opening parcels.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

and with that, the whispering began again.

This time all the faes flew off with her
and the whispering grew so large
it reminded me of wind in the trees back home
just before rain
(or trouble)
arrived.

Someone else noticed the activity............

...but she kept her tongue.

next installment........soon.

FATHERS DAY 1986

We learn so many things from our Fathers.

They are the co-builders of our foundations.

I remember what I learned from my own Father.

Respect.
The value of money
Responsibility
How to stand on my own two feet

This photo is one of my own children learning from their Father.

We were young parents with a very limited amount of money to raise three children, own a home and a car on one basic income...his.

I took various jobs here and there to help fill in some of the gaps,

but our intent was that we would not leave the children's care to anyone
else.
This meant HE would have the job during regular hours
and I would take whatever I could during the hours he was home
to be with them.

This often meant we would meet at the driveway
and kiss hello and good-bye
as I quickly brought him up to speed on the goings on of the day.

He took his suit off, put his briefcase away and began his second job. Dinner, baths, etc.

I would call from whatever job and check in on everyone.

It worked very well.

But the little birds would need things or want some things that all children do.

So THIS dad signed up for a daily paper route.

We will call this job number three.

Every morning, way before the sun even thought of coming up
the daily newspaper would arrive at the corner.

I would hear them, but it was HE that got up and went out to start
the process of counting and rolling and putting in the car.

He would come back in and get the 'not so happy' children up to come along as he drove them to the designated spots
and they would run the papers to the doors.
So did he.

All this took place usually in the dark, cold, rain, snow, whatever.
More dependable than the postman
was this crew in the Chevy Cavalier Wagon

This was not the end of it, however.
They had to go back later that day or after dinner to collect the money from all of the folks who did not leave the money out each week.

That was not fun, either, but the bill had to be paid.

The small profit then would be portioned out to each child and they had to put some in savings and some they were able to use for the items that we could not really afford on our income.

Special sneakers, certain additions to collections, etc.

This Father showed these little birds that there is always a way if you want something.
They didn't understand then the hardship and sacrifice it was for their Father to teach them this lesson....

......but they know now for certain, as adults.
They had/have a wonderful Father who still, to this day, would do whatever he could to help them, help themselves.


I know they will wish him a Happy Father's Day from their hearts.

And far, far away,
with vivid memories such as these,
I send similar Father's Day wishes to the father of my little birds......
our little birds.

SOMEONE HAD TO SIT IN THE CORNER BECAUSE OF BAD BEHAVIOR


But she managed to snatch someone's teddy to keep her company
during 'time out'

~

We didn't use 'time out' when raising our little birds.

That became more popular a few years after we started the family, I think.

We disciplined immediately and they seemed to catch on really quick.

We were lucky that way.

One little bird in particular, was fearless

and that made for creative parenting, for sure.

We were such young parents taking on a huge and important job...

but we knew the importance of discipline

.....softened with love.

HELLO FROM DOLLYWORLD
Silly, but true.


Little Macy
(nicknamed 'Kitten' by her dolly friends because of her crazy infatuation with ALL
'Hello Kitty' paraphernalia)

and resident feline, Pia, pulled up a chair close to the T.V. last night

to watch...........

our favorite summer show:

So You Think You Can Dance.
(BIG CAT DEELY FAN...DO YOU THINK IT'S THE NAME??)

Macy, wishes she could dance, but sadly, is just *almost*as clumsy
as I am.

I convince her to move back from the T.V.

but only AFTER she insisted
(and got her way)
that she puts on her new outfit

And showing her furry friend....
who gives her approval...

and little kiss for good luck

Once the two hours of music and dance are over

the little miss is certain she can snag my vitamin water..

hmmmmmmmmmmm...this ought to be amusing!!!
(AND messy)