Grandma Lu's Friends Return

About the time Bella was asking Grandma Lu what she was going to do about her chickens needing coats, Marlee and Grandma B walked into the Sitting Room. She had her friend, Maddie with her too. They had had fun at the festival, but were more than ready to get back to Marleewood and be with their friends and Grandma Lu.

 Grandma Lu sighed a sigh of relief when she saw them. Soon after they had arrived another friend of Grandma Lu's came in with a smile on her face and some balls of yarn. She had all different colors. She said, "You know what, I got to thinking about you. I think I need to apologize to you. Of course, I will teach your little friend to crochet. We will make her chickens some coats. It will be such fun."

Bella was so excited, but there were more surprises coming.
Soon Arieanna came in carrying a bag of apples. "I'm sorry I didn't come to help you Grandma Lu, but I decided that I would get you a healthy snack instead of all those cookies and doughnuts you eat. We went apple picking today. We brought you some for your snacks and a picture for your photo album of my me'me and me and your sack of apples."

Grandma Lu gave her a big hug and thanked her for the new picture.
Grandma Lu was thinking that Arie's apples would make a wonderful apple pie. Hmm. She does love her sweets doesn't she?

Liam, Landon, Joshua, and Jordan's mom came in right behind Arieanna and her me'me.

"Hi, Grandma Lu, the boys and I went to a pumpkin patch. We got you some pumpkins to decorate the front of Marleewood. I'm sorry I was too busy with the baby. There are times that I can't help others, but today was a perfect day to take the children and do something nice for you too. You are always willing to help others no matter how busy you are. I want my children to always know that helping others is the right thing to do not just for other people, but for themselves as well."

Spencer had been doing very well with his reading, but he loved to listen to stories as well. He said, "Grandma Lu, whatever happened to the little red hen?"

"Ah, said Grandma Lu. Well, the farmer and his wife, loved their animals, but it seems to me that they were having some fun with friends. They liked to dress up and have fun, just like we do. Just a minute, I think I have a picture of them. Ah, here it is. Let's turn the page in my old book and see what happens next."

The Little Red Hen Gets Unexpected Help

"The little red hen did plant those cotton seeds all by herself. There were thirty-six of them. That's a lot of seeds, isn't it? How many of you can count that high?"
"The seeds began to grow in a few days. First there was one leaf then a lot of leaves. Each cotton plant loved the sunshine and the rain. The leaves reached up as high as they could towards the sun.
 The little red hen went to the cotton garden every day and scratched out the weeds with her little feet. The little red hen had asked her three friends each day if they would help her. Each day her friends said,  'No' in their own way. "Not I," barked the dog. I have better things to do." Oakley, wanted to play. He had such fun with his pink plastic pig."

"Sybil, the cat was too busy getting into mischief; sometimes with her sister, Sadie."
'I like to see if I can jump at people and scare them especially at night. Sometimes I break things and it is so funny', meowed the cat."

"Jake, the turkey continued hanging out with his friends. But one day he said, "Maybe I should help the little red hen. She seems like she is working all the time and not having any fun at all."
"Jake's friends said, 'It's all her fault. She didn't need to plant all those seeds. Now she has to be in the garden all day working. We aren't going help her. We need to get big and strong so we can go to the dinners that we have been invited to. We need to practice how to say, 'Gobble, gobble'. We also need to learn how to make our tail feathers get big and beautiful. We are very handsome you know'."
"So Jake followed his friends and didn't help his friend, the little red hen."

 "The cotton plants grew very tall and within three and a half months each cotton plant had cotton bolls on it. Each cotton boll had thirty-six seeds."

"One day the farmer's wife looked out the window. She saw a huge cotton garden that was almost as big as a field, that was full of  cotton plants. The field looked like a field of snow. When the cotton plants get full grown their flowers or bolls (pronounced, bowls) are white and fluffy. From a distance they look like a lot of cotton balls."

"The farmer's wife was amazed at what the little red hen had done. She said, "I am going to help the little red hen get all that cotton out of the garden. It is a lot of work because all of the seeds have to be taken out of the bolls. There is a machine that will do that called a Cotton Gin, but the little red hen's garden is too small for that. I will pick all those bolls for her. I will ask my husband to help me."

 "After the cotton has been picked it has to be washed and cleaned. Then it is woven into material and sometimes yarn and lots and lots of other things. It goes to big companies and is dyed into many different colors. and patterns. I'm a little worried about my chickens getting too cold. I will make them some coats to keep them warm'."

Bella said, "Oh dear, Grandma Lu, I do need help learning to crochet. Are you sure you don't know how to crochet?"
                                         **************
Many adults will always remember Eli Whitney as being famous for inventing the Cotton Gin. Little known is that he was also a farmer's son and went to Yale. He went home from college and invented the violin at the age of 12. Soon after he began forging nails and interchangeable parts for guns and his cotton gin.

This is a tiny replica I found of his cotton gin.

The Little Red Hen Had Three Friends

For the first time in a long long time, Grandma Lu had found herself in a situation of being in charge of a huge building and the people inside without anyone to help her. Grandma B was gone and the folks that were in Marleewood seemed to be needing her help, but not willing to help her. She decided that she would let everything go and tell them that there was going to be a story today in the Sitting Room. She had an idea.

Just as she was about to start CoraLynn came in. She looked around, saw the scattered toys and said, "I'm a big help at home to my mom, Grandma Lu. I even cook and clean for her after school sometimes without being asked."
Grandma Lu gave her a hug and said, "You know what? Just because you are such a good helper, how about you come with me into the Sitting Room. I was just going to tell a story. We will have some fresh cookies and something to drink. How about that? Then after the story you can help me clean up the playroom. How does that sound?"
CoraLynn nodded her head and smiled. Then she went to the sitting room with the rest of the folks.

Soon everyone had gathered in the Sitting Room to listen to Grandma Lu's story.
Grandma Lu was all settled in her old easy chair. Then she began telling her story.
"One day there was a chicken that was called the Little Red Hen because her feathers were a brownish red color.

 "The little red hen lived on a farm.  She was always very busy and had lots of friends, just like you do. One of her friends was a silly puppy. His name was Oakley.  Oakley was a sleepy dog, but he also liked to play because he was very young."

"She also was friends with a cat named Sybil. Sybil was also young but loved to take naps when she wasn't being naughty, " Grandma Lu chuckled.

"The little red hen had another young friend that had moved to the farm in the spring; Jake the turkey. He liked to hang out with the older turkeys, but was nice to her most of the time."

One day the little red hen found some seeds. They were cotton seeds. "Well, well, well. These are very nice seeds. Who will help me plant these seeds?'

"Not I," said the lazy dog. "I need to take a nap. Those seeds can wait."

"Not I," said the cat. "The sun is nice and warm on my fur. I'm going to take a nap too. Maybe some other day."

"Not I, said Jake the turkey." I have been invited to dinner in a few weeks. I have to hang out with my other friends to find out what I need to do. Sorry."

The little red hen said, "Okay, then I will do it."

One of the children said, "But I thought you said that the dog and the cat and the turkey were friends of the little red hen's. Why didn't they help her?"

"That's a very good question. Let's see what happens in the rest of the story."

"I'm Sorry, Grandma Lu..."

Grandma Lu had never been in charge of anything except her own house. Grandma B had put her in charge of Marleewood while she took Marlee to the Walnut Festival. Things were going from bad to really bad. She found herself walking in circles and talking to herself. "This just will not do, Girl. You have to get a hold of yourself. If B thinks you can do this, then you have to show her and yourself that you can. You need a plan."

" Okay, well, Emma and her mama made cookies. So I have snacks for those that want one. Liam's mom is awake so I think I will ask her to be in charge of snacks and drinks. Hopefully she will help."

"I know a lady that can crochet so I will call her to help Bella learn to crochet. Hopefully she will come to my rescue."

 Grandma Lu was feeling disappointed and didn't know where to turn next when she heard a crash. She heard Connelly say, "Oops, I didn't mean to."

"Oh dear oh dear. I surely hope that wasn't anything of B's. I think that most everything at Marleewood is not expensive and most things have been donated. I just will not worry about it, but I had better get in there and see what happened.  Hopefully Connelly is alright."

Grandma Lu was relieved to see that the crash was just a box of toys that had fallen and spilled on the floor. So she asked Arie if she would help Connelly pick up the toys.

"This day certainly reminds me of an old old story about a Little Red Hen. I wonder if this just might be the right time to tell a story"....

The Magic Word Is Please

Well Grandma Lu didn't have a clue what to do now that her friend, Grandma B put her in charge of Marleewood. "Oh goodness, what shall I do first, I wonder? I wanted one or two of Emma's cookies and a cup of coffee, but I guess I better check on everyone and see if they need anything before I think of my own tummy."
She walked back into the Day Care Room and she couldn't believe her eyes. "Well bless their hearts. They are all sound asleep."

Grandma Lu saw that Liam's mama was awake and motioned to her if she wanted a drink. She nodded her head; put her baby down to finish his nap and went out to the kitchen with Grandma Lu.
Grandma Lu found some coffee and cold drinks in the fridge. She put some of Emma's cookies on a plate. "I bet Marlee isn't sleeping. I can't wait for Grandma B to send me some pictures on my phone."

As the two friends were chatting over a cup of coffee and a snack Grandma Lu's phone began a pinging sound. It was Grandma B sending pictures of Marlee and her great job of dancing at the Festival.

"Oh look. She sent several of them. How fun. She is only three years old and loves to dance."

"Maddie and Marlee were in the parade too. It was raining and cold. Not a fun time for the parade. That's too bad."

Bella came out to the kitchen and said, "Grandma Lu you need to teach me how to crochet. It's going be cold soon and I don't want my chickens to get cold. They need some coats. Go get your stuff please. You should probably hurry, okay?"
Grandma Lu said, "But I never...."

Myla said, "No, Grandma Lu you need to read me a story. My Uncle Lance always reads me stories. I  need you now."
Grandma Lu said, "But I can't...."

Grandma Lu heard babies crying and felt little hands pull at her pant's leg. "I said please. My mama said that's the magic word. I need you now."

"Oh B, where are you? I'm not cut out to be in charge of this. I need help!"

Grandma B was at the festival having a good time wasn't she?

All Grandma Lu Wanted Was A Cookie

One day Grandma Lu had driven by Marleewood and noticed that there were quite a few cars there. "Hmm, I wonder who all is there today. I wonder if B has any snacks made."
As she pulled into the parking lot she noticed some cars that she didn't recognize. When you live in a small town you generally know what kind of vehicles people drive for the most part, unless, of course, they get something new or different.

When she walked into the back kitchen she was so pleased to see that Emma was there making cookies. They made the whole place smell so good. She watched her roll some of the cookies all by herself. Her mama was there helping her. It was good to see her.
 She looked around for Marlee and Grandma B. "She hopefully has a fresh pot of coffee made to go along with those yummy cookies."

Before Grandma Lu could find her friend, she heard a ruckus going on in the front kitchen. There was Johnnie Belle climbing in the dishwasher. She was helping Emma do the dishes.

"Oh my this is a busy place today. I wonder where my coffee is." About that time there was music coming from the Sitting Room. When she walked in she said, "Well, I'll be. Just look at that. That just warms my heart. Emma and her Grandpa dancing while the cookies are baking. I think I will wait on that snack for a few minutes and enjoy the show. This is a memory maker; that's for sure. Emma and her Grandfather will remember their fun time together for many years."

When Emma and her grandfather finished their dance Emma said, "Guess what, Grandma Lu, I have a new baby brother. His name is Ethan and I love him. Come see."
So of course, Grandma Lu got up and went into the Day Care Room. They had created that room for people that were shopping originally. There were volunteer sitters that would care for their children. It was used often just for a place for a nap too while the older folks were visiting. Sometimes no matter how old you are you just sometimes need a rest. As Grandma Lu walked further into the room there she saw a beautiful baby boy. There was Emma's new baby brother sound asleep on his grandmother's shoulder. Emma soon snuggled in too.

Grandma Lu could hear voices in the Sitting Room. When Grandma Lu went to see who was there, she discovered Joshua holding his little baby brother, Liam. "Oh what a big boy you are, Joshua. You are being so gentle with your new baby brother. You are a very good helper for your mama."

After Grandma Lu visited with all the grandparents, parents, and children she hadn't seen for awhile she decided to go back to looking for a cup of coffee and a fresh cookie or two. All at once Grandma B came rushing through the Sitting Room. "Oh good, there you are. You need to be in charge of Marleewood today because I need to take Marlee to the Walnut Festival. She is dancing with her dance group and I have to get going. Thanks! Talk to you soon." And then she was gone.

"But what do you want me to do today? I don't know how to be in charge of anything.  I haven't even had my coffee, B! B!"
It was no use. Grandma Lu was left on her own.

Thumbelina Said "Yes"

Grandma Lu said, "The cardinal rose up high in the air and flew over the forest and over the big water called a sea or ocean. They flew over high mountains that had snow at the very top.
They reached the warm countries where the sun shines and the sky seems so much brighter. They could smell the beautiful smell of flowers again. There were marigolds and zinnias and many other beautiful flowers. Yes, there were even butterflies. Oh they were so very pretty."

"At long last the cardinal flew to a blue lake and there by the side of it was a beautiful forest. The trees were a beautiful green and the flowers were many different colors. The cardinal told Thumbelina that this place was his home, but she would not be comfortable there. He told her that she needed to find a flower where she would like to live."

 "He flew over a field of beautiful flowers and placed Thumbelina in the middle of one. There she saw a beautiful tiny man. He wore a crown on his head.
"Thumbelina whispered to her friend, the cardinal, that she thought that the little man was beautiful. The little man was frightened at first because the cardinal was so much bigger than he was but when he saw Thumbelina he was so happy. He thought she was the most beautiful little girl he had ever seen. He reached down and brought up a crown just like his and put it on her head. He asked her what her name was, and if she would be his wife and be the queen of all of the flowers. Well, Thumbelina was certainly happy because he wasn't a frog, or a mole so she said, 'Yes, I will marry you'."

When the flowers heard Thumbelina say that she would marry the king of the flowers they all opened up and out of each flower came a tiny little lady or a tiny little lord. It was so very beautiful to see.

Often times when people even real people get married their friends and family give them gifts, well Thumbelina got a new pair of wings from a large white fly. They fastened them to thumbelina's shoulders. That way she could fly from flower to flower.
Grandma Lu said, "They had a huge party and the cardinal sang a beautiful song for them. He felt a little sad though because he loved Tiny and would have loved to keep her with him, but it was not to be. Just like us when our friends or we move."
Grandma Lu told the children, that the beautiful little girl would have one more name change. She was at first called Tiny, which the cardinal called her and then Thumbelina. Now her name would be Maia.

"The cardinal was sad, but he flew off over the sea and landed on a window sill of an old friend that loved to tell stories. Do you have a friend that loves to tell stories?" Grandma Lu chuckled when all the children said, "Yes, we do. You love to tell us stories, Grandma Lu. She hugged them all and said, "Yes, I do. I really do."