Do you ever run out of something to write about? If I had a quarter for every time I’ve been asked this question, I’d buy all my Grands ice cream cones every week.
When I committed to write this weekly column eleven years ago, I had many stories about my young Grands. My friend, writing mentor, and fellow Herald-Citizen columnist, Jennie Ivey, told me that when I ran out of those stories, I could look around, listen, and read, and there would always be something to write about. Jennie was right.
The problem is too many things. Topics swirl in my head and I sometimes begin several columns before choosing one. But this week, that didn’t work. Bits and pieces keep churning in my thoughts.
Last Monday for the first time our oldest Grand, age 16, drove alone to our house, and my eyes watered, a lump filled my throat. Samuel came to spend the night with Husband and me. This Grand began staying overnight when he was a toddler. By the time he was three, he stayed one night a week. Thru the years, he and his siblings have taken turns – each week one spends the night at our house.
The next day, before Samuel drove his family’s little red truck out of our driveway, we hugged and he said, “Thanks, Gran. I had lots of fun.” Right now, this Grand knows love through food. When we feed him, he’s happy. I’m thankful every time he takes his overnight turn because there’ll be the day when he’ll say, “It’s okay. You can skip me.” Then I’ll wipe big tears.
You know that June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable month, don’t you? I thought June was Dairy Month. According to nationaldaycalendar.com, this month also celebrates cats, the great outdoors, country cooking, turkey lovers (shouldn’t that be November?), zoos and aquariums, accordion awareness, and more. Twenty-five in all.
I could write about fruits and vegetables. About garden-fresh green onions and lettuce available now and buying produce at Farmer’s Market. My mouth waters for summer tomatoes and a mess of green beans.
Bird-watching is entertaining. When birds began building a nest in my new bluebird box, I was as excited as a first-time daddy who passes out cigars. From a distance, I watched birds dart in and out of the small hole and thought they were really brightly colored bluebirds. Using binoculars, Husband identified them as tree swallows.
I studied tree swallows and blue birds in my bird identification book and then discovered that for years I’ve called House Finches by the wrong name: Purple Finches. I learn something every single day.
It’s time for the WCTE Great TV Auction! Check it out at https://wcte.givesmart.com.
Why is it that minutes after I carry my laptop computer outside to write my neighbor starts mowing his yard? Grands. National Days. Animals. Local happenings. There’s always something to write about. And for backup, there’s a bulging folder labeled ‘Possible Columns’ filled with notes beginning 2011.
Filed under: Writing | Tagged: samuelovernight, Writing |
Susan Writes 
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