Building Nests

In an old cherry tree just outside my kitchen window, I watch robins build a nest for their young every spring.  

Nest building is a careful and deliberate job.  For days the robin hops around my garden carefully collecting bits of mud and tiny pieces of grass and twigs.  

One sunny morning it happens - tiny eggs appear inside the feathered cocoon.  If I foolishly suppose the mother is away and climb a ladder to get a closer look at the delicate blue orbs -  the mother, who is always near, suddenly swoops and dives around my head to protect her young. 

Then comes warming and waiting.  One bright morning, quite unexpectedly, I see tiny heads and beaks bob up and down above the matted mud and straw.  These are busy days - searching for worms - constant feedings.  

Soon the young birds with new feathers take their first awkward free fall from the nest.  For several days the mother stays near by keeping guard - watching, teaching, and protecting her young from preditors as they gradually learn the secrets of flight.

Mothers . . . nest builders, guardians, nourishers and teachers of the next generation.  Mothers . . . inspiring, uplifting with gentle watchcare as their young find their wings . . .  and learn to fly.   

Did I Lose A Day Or Am I Losing My Mind?




DOWN HOME with Granny B

I'm starting to wonder if I'm losing it.  Maybe it's not full blown Alzheimer's but I think it's halfzheimers.  Thought I was doing so great today . . . got the hubby and children off to work and school, did my workout video and cleaned the house - then off to orchestra.  But when I get there. . .  no one else is there.  I'm thinking . . . didn't I read the e-mail carefully.  Is this where we are suppose to rehearse today?  Where is everybody?  How strange.  Everybody forgot but me?  Oh, well . . . I'll just go shopping instead. 

It took me the rest of the day to realize that it was Tuesday and not Wednesday.  Nobody was at orchestra practice because we practice on Wednesday.  Why did I think it was Wednesday when it was Tuesday?  I don't know.  But I did ask my husband to tell me what day of the week it is before he leaves for work from now on. 

Happy Mother's Day to Women Everywhere

You might think these words would make me the happiest . . .

"You just won the lottery!"

"Your book just made the New York Times Best Seller List!"

But these are the words I treasure most . . .

"I love you Mom."

"I love you Grandma."

"I love you Sweetheart"

There is no treasure so rare and precious as the love of a child.

Happy Mother's Day

to all women everywhere
who choose to
nurture,

encourage,

uplift,

teach

and love. 

What is the true measure of a year - or a life? 

 As we willingly care for the needs of those around us,

 we are renewed and reborn,

for real mother love transforms both the lover and the beloved.  The true value of a year or a life

is not measured by the number of our children

or by our seasons

but by our personal capacity 

to love. 

Each woman's contribution is meaningful;

each choice to love is significant and profound.

Grow Old With Me . . . The Best is Yet to Be




DOWN HOME with Granny B

OK so this is what I'd like to know. Why does it seem that every woman my age is so depressed about growing older?  What is wrong with wrinkles, grey hair and a soft tummy?  Frankly I think all this nonsense about dying your hair, getting a face lift and a tummy tuck is totally missing the point.  Growing old is wonderful.  Why not embrace grandma hood?  Wrinkles, grey hair and soft tummies are beautiful if seen through the eyes of love.

My grandson Liam thinks I'm wonderful just the way I am.



My sweetheart thinks I'm still attractive. . .

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness, For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."


Audrey Hepburn

Happy Birthday Logan

This is a special poem written for my grandson Logan on his third birthday. 
Happy Birthday Logan! Your grandma loves you very much!

WHEN LOGAN

by

Janene Baadsgaard

Alias Granny B

When Logan wakes up with the sun
He climbs off the top bunk bed
Finds his dinosaur T-shirt
And pulls it over his head

When Logan finds a shiny rock

And holds it in his hand

He has to throw it very hard

To see where it will land

When Logan finds his airplane

He holds it in his hand

Then off it flies through the air

To see wherever it might land

When Logan goes to the park

He finds the scariest slide

Then climbs so high he touches the sky

And watches a bird fly by

When Logan finds a long stick

He holds it in his hand

Then fights a duel to the death

With his big brother, mighty Sam

When Logan’s feeling tired

He finds his favorite book

And snuggles close to momma

She turns pages so he can look

When Logan goes to bed at night

His mouth opens in a yawn

Then he says his prayers

And Mommy sings a song

“Logan is my treasure

So dear and strong and brave

For him I’ll fight any dragon

My precious boy to save.”

Then Logan closes his eyes and sighs

And soon he’s fast asleep

Robot in one hand, a flashlight in the other

His dreams are rich and deep

Easter Celebrations in my own Backyard

Amy Graduates From BYU

My daughter Amy is graduating from BYU today.  Amy's experiences with her nephew Caleb who was born without a brain and the time she spent volunteering with special needs children in high school awakened a place in her heart and gave her the desire to go into special education.  Amy has a kind and loving nature and a calm and reassuring presence.  Just as she was finishing up her student teaching, a doctor ordered bed rest because of preterm labor.  Several months later, Tessa was born full-term and healthy.  Her husband Aden will be finishing his pharmacy degree in a few weeks also.  This couple has been working SO hard for many years.  I'm so proud of you both Amy and Aden and love you very much.  Congratulations!

The Guernsay Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a great read

I just finished reading a book that was an absolute delight and richly satisfying.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is told entirely through letters.  The plot centers around the German occupation of the Guernsey island during World War II.  I have to say this book has made it to my favorite list.  I highly recommend it. 

The Miracle of Spring

It has been a tenuous spring this year . . . courageous spring flowers suddenly blanketed in snow.  Yet always the storm clouds part and the sun shines through once again.  Winter's grasp never stays.  Glorious spring has come. As I contemplate Easter I hear these words . . .
"Each of us will have our own Fridays - those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces.  We will all experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put back together again.  We will all have our Fridays.  But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death - Sunday will come.  In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come.  In this life or the next, Sunday will come."  - Joseph B. Wirthlin 

Planning For Retirement

DOWN HOME with Granny B

You've probably read all those magazine or newspaper articles about planning for retirement.  The advice they offer is almost always about money . . . but money is only one thing to consider for a happy old age.  When was the last time you read an article that told you to go for a walk with your sweetheart or play ball in the backyard with your son if your want to live well in your golden years? 

No amount of money can compensate for loving relationships. 

I spent this weekend up at our cabin listening to the exuberant screams of my children and grandchildren careening down the mountain side on sleighs and watching them dig snow caves and build snow slides by moonlight.

You can't buy that. 

     

Orchestra Concert Tonight

If you're looking for something fun to do tonight, check out my orchestra concert at 7:00 at the LDS Lindon Stake Center 1050 East 100 North in Lindon.  It's free and open to the public!

THE REAL REASON I WRITE IS . . . YOU

I've had a number of people approach me lately and ask if I would sign a copy of my new book for them.  Often they seem embarrassed, like they might be bothering me or something.  In my heart I wish each one of those kind people knew that their request gives me great joy.

Making a one-to-one personal connection with a reader is why I write.  Writing is a solitary and lonely occupation . . . just me and my computer in my office.  An author's life also comes with a lot of rejection.  Yes I have a pile of rejection letters and unpublished manuscripts.  In addition to that, many publishers these days are having a hard time making a profit so the small piece of the pie they offer to the author keeps going down and down.  So, in reality, I could work a minimum wage job and earn more.

Every time I'm tempted to give up on writing, a thoughtful individual will contact me and tell me how much a few words I've written have meant to them. Though they are unaware, their personal contact and kind words are my real pay.  So I want to thank you, my readers, for your words of encouragement or for asking me to sign a book for you.  You simply can not know how much you mean to me.  You are the reason I write . . . not for the masses . . . for you.

For example, the other day I heard from Krista.          

Dear Janene-

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you thank you for your priceless new book, For Every Mother. Over the weekend, I purchased 4 copies- one for my mom, mother in law, my sister, and one for myself. I have just finished the first section about the Spring (which happens to be the season I am in now, with 3 small children at home.) I have been sneaking away every possible free moment I have had to get some reading in. This book has really moved me so far, and brought me a renewed sense of purpose and hope and remembrance of the importance of the work I am now doing. It means so much coming from someone who has been there, and done that. Many of your touching anecdotes have brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. I just wanted to say thank you, and I can't wait to finish the book. I also can't wait until Mother's Day, when I will present these priceless gifts to the most special women in my life. You have a true talent-this book is a treasure.

Thanks again,

Krista Chamberlain

Dear Krista,
Thank you so much for writing to me.  You are the reason I write.  When an author and a reader make a personal connection we become deeply satisfying and endearing friends.
With great love and appreciation,

Janene

Sometimes laughter is better than tears.

DOWN HOME with Granny B

When you're my age, you know life can be tough . . . but if you're still alive you have a good reason to keep dancing.  When you're a grandma you know that most of the things you worried about when you were younger didn't actually happen.  So you look for people who help you see life upside down and inside out.  You value the contributions of zany people.  If you're not familiar with the work of Steven Wright you might want to be.  He's the famous erudite scientist who once said: "I woke up one morning, and all of my stuff had been stolen and replaced by exact duplicates."

Here are a few more of his gems:

I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Borrow money from pessimists - they don't expect it back.

Half the people you know are below average.

82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?

Marjorie Hinckley once said, "I'd rather laugh than cry because crying gives me a headache."  So if you're having a hard day, choose laughter.

Happy Birthday Andrew!

this is a special poem

written for my grandson Andrew

on his FIRST birthday

Happy Birthday!

Grandma loves you SO much

ANDREW IS READY

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

alias Granny B

Andrew is ready with a great big moo

to be a brown cow at the farmer’s pet zoo

Andrew is ready with a great big sigh

to flap his wings like a bird up high

Andrew is ready with a great big neigh

to be a brown horse going my way

Andrew is ready with a great big baah

to be the sweetest lamb you ever saw

Andrew is ready with a great big laugh

To stretch his neck like a spotted giraffe

Now Andrew is ready with a great big smile

To snuggle with mommy and hold still a while

Andrew is ready with a great big yawn

To go to bed and dream all night long.

Soon he wakes up grinning like the sun

A new day begins - Andrew’s on the run

Grandma Envy

DOWN HOME with Granny B

In my younger days I used to have what I now lovingly refer to as grandma envy.  I figured the life of a grandma was a piece of cake.  I mean as soon as the baby needs a diaper change or starts to cry, you hand them back to mom . . . right?  When your grown children ask you to do something you don't want to do all you have to do is tell them you are too busy darning your false teeth and flossing your socks . . . right? 



Well now that I am a grandma I realize that life on the other side of the hill is not quite the way I had it figured.  One day my precious little granddaughter approached me with the dearest little outstretched arms.  Then she looked up at me, smiled and sweetly said, "I like my other grandma better because she buys me more presents."

When I was younger I planned to spend my mature years eating icecream for breakfast, wearing sweat pants and taking a nap whether I felt like it or not.  You see life always looks greener on the other side of parenthood - but the fact is . . . problems don't go away . . . they simply change  . . . into new  problems.

I like what George Burns said, "With a positive attitude and a little bit of luck, there's no reason you can't live to be a hundred.  Once you've done that, you've really got it made, because very few people die over a hundred."

My friend told me about a recent day babysitting her grandson.  After the grandson ran into the street right in front of a moving car, she chased him down the road, grabbed him by the hair and frantically yelled, "Don't you ever, ever do that again!"

Bug-eyed, her shaking grandson looked up into her red panting face and replied, 'Oh Grandma!  I think you need to take a nap!"

So hang in there all your frazzled parents.  Some day you will have silver in your hair, gold in your teeth and lead in your pants . . . and that is what a rich life is all about.