I am grateful that Howard Dean brought us together! ♥
I'm feeling so humbled by all that I have to be thankful for, at a time when there is so much strife and sorrow in the world. I do not take it for granted and I deeply celebrate it, from having five amazing children and soon six beautiful grandchildren to both Bill and I being healthy at 60 to simply living in the beautiful place I live, in Vermont, in the United States. How could I ever complain again about anything? But, of course, I will. Especially about those who harm others and those who cannot see the good in others. Ah well. Good thing I have reason to feel humble.
And I smiled really big about the poem, puddle! What rhymes with big belly? :-D
Love the new thread puddle...image and words! Visitors from northland south arriving in GSO. Today daughter and spouse from Cincinnati and The Rock couple from MI/ Fla. gathering with Brenda here at 216. Tomorrow Granddaughter, husband and their daughters--two and five arriving at Brenda's house where they all cook up a feast!
We do have a clear blue sky and 60 degree weather to welcome them.
Have a lovely day, all. So happy to read that many big stores are closed today! Finally! Love to all.
We have over a foot of snow; more expected later on today. It's 10 degrees F, and I'm wearing a hat on my head to keep warm. We heard the weather report on Monday, and decided to have Thanksgiving on Wednesday. So, David cooked the turkey, made the stuffing, the cranberry relish, and two pies: pecan and pumpkin. We took the food down to our son's house, and his in-laws brought all the rest of the fixiin's. We had a good time, but left before dessert because the weather over the mountains was black with clouds. We were able to get home before the snow,though there was lots of traffic. Then on Thursday, snow all day long, and we had leftover turkey for dinner.
When you live in the mountains, you have the weather as a major factor. And, I don't do hazard anymore if I don't have to. This weekend will continue cold and snowing, but we're warm, have food, have communication, and power. So, I'm grateful.
It seems that everyone has had a good Thanksgiving, peaceful, good food, gratitude.
Miss you J, I had to see how you were doing. Glad you had a great Thanksgiving. My sis campaigns for Bernie down in South Carolina. I'm like, "but have you met him?" I'm hoping to see a pic of them together one day. I should have known you'd like him. I'm worried about Trump too, and the kind of people who are amused by him and would vote him in just to see what happened. Sometimes I just want to smack people.
I don't know who brizo is, but hallo! Bernie is my Senator and, yes, I have met him. He spoke at a town gathering and I needed to speak with him afterward to ask his support for some nursing legislation. He took my hand, held onto it, and listened to me as if I were the only person in the room. His hand was warm. His heart is also warm, evidenced by his kind willingness to serve and his great respect and support for nurses. He went on to be a sponsor of the legislation. He may seem brusque or loud, but he is very bright, attentive, aware and caring. He has a quick mind and he has held the same position on issues for over 30 years. Talk about consistent and trustworthy! So I am volunteering for Bernie up here in Vermont, at HQ. :-)
It was a productive day here. I got up an hour earlier than my body wanted to, to meet a friend at her barn and do some photography. She brought out her horses and ran them in the field, on a lead and then off. Such beautiful animals, including a colt. It was in the 50's and near 60 all day!! We also took a very long walk through fields and woods. I am fond of November's fallow fields. Then I came home for lunch, caught a half hour nap and planted over 100 Spring bulbs. After that we went hunting in the village graveyard for Snowflake Bentley's grave, but didn't happen to find it before dusk. We did happen upon the grave of an old friend, though. Tonight the temperatures drop and we may wake up to a little snow. I'm okay with that.
So glad Kiddle and Dad are helping Puddle. I think of Kiddle like Brenda....only he lives Farther away! We had a lovely Thanksgiving celebration..if long! Thursday evening, Friday..most of the afternoon and evening, this morning Rock Lady daughter, husband, her daughter, husband and cute but active two and five year olds called from outside the building to see if they could come up. My grand-daughter wanted to see my apartment. Short visit and they were off...and here I am happy, but tired!
Hey, hey, ho, ho....daughter from Cincinnati brought me a Bernie shirt. Lovely blue and perfect size!
Company flew away. Beau's in mourning. Nice visit!
listener, brizo is an old friend from the poetry/dating blog, more recently facebook and in person. She's a winner--funny, kind, bright, and an *excellent* poet. Gave her this addy when facebook failed.
Sorry to be AWOL Saturday. We had another family day, this time at Grandbaby house! :-) I got to hold her and she is so absolutely sweet!!
Sunday is for finally cooking our own Thanksgiving style meal here at home. Ah, but my darling husband scrubbed the kitchen beautifully for me, so I can start in fresh tomorrow!! YAYYY! I love to cook, but cleanup isn't as exciting. Back when I can! LOL! :-)
Bitter cold here. Blue skies, then clouded over. Snow covering everything.
It's been a quiet few days from Thursday through today, and welcome. Fire in the fireplace, magazines, books, a time for reflection.
The attack on Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs is tragic. The edited video, the rhetoric about fetal samples for research, the propaganda and hysteria have contributed to the violence. Words mean, and ignorance, prejudice, fear, and extreme ideology, mean that their interpretation can be violent.
Colorado Springs is one of the most polarized cities in Colorado with respect to guns, religion, abortion, and perception of government. When will politicians take responsibility for what they say, for honesty, for integrity, for reason, for recognition of the common good? Disturbing politics today, an extreme coming from 30 years of propaganda and fear mongering. Just my thoughts.
Well, back to sitting in front of the fire and reading.
Pat, we do need true leadership, compassionate and intelligent, people we can trust. Imagine. We need to keep imagining it, and keep watch for such people in our midst. Like Howard. Like Bernie. Oh, the possibilities.
I am weary of crazy vigilantes and eager for great good hearts to prevail!
How much snow have you on the ground now? We saw some beautiful snowflakes today, but only a dusting. Still, they were perfect, beautiful crystals, the very sort that would have sent Snowflake Bentley to his shed to examine them under a microscope. Such beauty.
About a foot and a little more of snow, but it was light, not water heavy, so our driveway didn't need plowing. Bright blue skies, but only 30 degrees F. a nice quiet day, though the fireplace has to stay on to keep it warm inside.
If I am to have the wonders of spring, summer, fall, I guess I have to also have winter. Not my favorite season.
Listener, thank you for your encouragement about leadership and imagining a better future. I am an optimistic person, my life has been a gift of family, friendships, work, opportunities, places I've loved, and a system of government that has allowed me freedom and responsibility. But, the gun deaths everyday, the lies, the closed minds, the propaganda that serves no one are definitely a worry.
Well do our best and hope that we have a turnaround in this country that shows critical thinking, responsibility, integrity, and the common good.
Yes, good memories from Thanksgiving. Glad you are enjoying the day, Shirlee.
Welcome, brizo! I'm certain that you will add to our discourse here. So glad that everyone had a good Thanksgiving, even with some mini thanksgiving dinners. What fun!
I was in San Jose for a week with no computer! Cooked Thanksgiving dinner for 16, then had the left overs on Friday night for "game night" 15 more people. Came back home ready to sleep for a long time!
Mini Thanksgiving dinners sound lovely, Puddle. Another rainy, drizzly, chilly day...walking llimited to hallways atrium walks..to get a breath of fresh air. Mail room which is closed in and warm, large bricked back entry-way. Make do...until the weather clears!
Does anyone hear from Jo? Miss her, here.
Somehow I got on townhall.com e-mail list. Apparently a proudly tea-party site. I continue to read their missives.....under the know thy enemy theory. But what a bunch of hateful people! They have now decided that Ted Cruz is their best shot...recognizing that Trump has lost the standard Republican vote and Carson is too flaky. Hope this is a sign that they are fading.....
My kid's dad is a life-long Republican, and his visit was full of "home invasion"s--truly odd: it seemed to be a response for virtually everything, lol! He also thinks Obama is a foreign policy disaster because he hasn't solved Syria. This man is the child of a night guard, and is a self made millionaire, and sounds to me like a brain disabled kindergartener, politically.
The Delta We all live on the delta of Noah and care soil washed from the mountain stream blues in the air. Garden growing, grown bounty, blessing, sorrow and pain Gifts given and taken by flood and the rain. Earth, the dirt warming arms open waiting seed and the rains will soon come irregardless of need. We are here in the Garden It came before Time Offer pipe five directions for seasons in rhyme.
~ Phil Specht
No Room In need of rest Stable hay bed mother's memory best held in heart not head. Remember? no room a start distant night in December a thankful heart. No room for hate in a thankful heart Never too late for love to start.
Shirlee, I see Jo's posts on Facebook and she seems okay. I've sent her a hallo and hope to visit with her the week after next. We'll see what's good. I'll update when I hear. Thanks for asking. ♥
Hi everyone, I am fine, thank you! Thanksgiving was awesome, a multi-day celebration, glad to hear that you all had a nice time as well. Very busy and having a lot of pain in hands and not typing much. please don't think that I am ignoring you when I post on fb and not here!! I post on fb because I can share a post w/o typing a lot, here there is always a lot to say but can't always deal with the pain to type it all. listener the next few weeks are very busy for me so I don't think it will work, I am making up doc appts that I had to postpone when going thru moving etc. and have relatives and old friends visiting between now and Christmas plus a lot to do. sorry for not posting more often, this little bit and my hands are worn out already. Love to all!
So good to hear from both Jo and Phil. After this I won't worry about Jo knowing her hands are bad. Moving..packing and unpacking, settling in takes some time. Thanks to Phil for the lovely poems...just so right!
Rainy, damp, chilly again today....but a warm apartment!
Thanks for posting Jo. I was just coming by to do so in your behalf (spent the day out and about and working on projects). We can look to the New Year, then. Sending love meanwhile!!! ♥
Obscurity Live and let live garden in the twilight weeds wandering into the weeds here not knowing the name this constellation that star a communication satellite evening Venus primrose moonflower vespers
Ah, warm, 50 degrees, sunny. And here's a goofy poem for winter.
Winter
When you get old you get cold from the tip of your nose to the tips of your toes. You shiver and cringe at winter's frigid binge.
Oh to be warm on a beach in a swarm gathered together snow birds of a feather. A warm clime, just sublime.
A grin here now that it's warm.
And oh, what to say about the ongoing tragedies, and a Congress, state legislatures, citizens who insist that guns are more important than safety, human life. Maybe it won't take an asteroid to continue extinctions. We've become clever enough to do it ourselves. But, rather than thinking that, I appreciate the beautiful day .Maybe, maybe, we can do something about this violence, this stalemate.
Nancy told me it was snowing for about three hours this morning (5 to 8--long before I rise). So the 33rd day of dark has brought *snow*!! And I didn't have to go to school today!
What has happened to us as a people, that Congress after the recent slaughters: Planned Parenthood and San Bernadino would vote to defund Planned Parenthood and deny gun legislation that would protect people from terrorists? One out of four women in this country has used Planned Parenthood, and we have 335 mass shootings, 30,000 deaths a year by guns. Is this Mao's China? Stalin's Russia? We have been taken over by greed, aggression, disregard for people and life, and I am heart broken.
I suspect that down deep, those that voted that way don't really agree with what they are doing, BUT it is now their job to do anything they can to embarrass Obama. The country be damned! Just make Obama look bad. You'd think that they'd be smart enough to realize that it's not working. Obama get's things done in spite of them.
An article from my in basket yesterday: http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/10-most-popular-and-wrong-arguments-gun-advocates-make?akid=13735.14854.A6E5U9&rd=1&src=newsletter1046770&t=4
And you can check out Bernie's stances at the best site I've seen for him yet: http://feelthebern.org/ Share this one on FB. It is an amazing site. 18 issues on the front page, pick an issue and there are choices downstream. Wonderful wonderful! (some of you may remember this as wunnerful, wunnerful Shoot, I can see his face and leading his band and lost the name)
Thanks for the links, folks. We have come out of a cold, rainy spell and today and this evening we have 60's and clear. Just in time for the annual Festival of Lights that Brenda and her co- worker plan for downtown. Streets closed to traffic ...open for people enjoying the bands and entertainment. Plan to go and help? with the sign in of entertainers for a bit...and then back to the street to enjoy the entertainment.
Something horribly wrong with our country. Vote these fiends out!
Is everybody else feeling jumbled this week too? Today I had a very strange experience. I was sitting waiting to go in for a mammogram and checked Facebook. I had posted Bernie Sanders' solution for gun control, which has 10 points and is very sane and reasonable. My cousin (not close at all) posted a comment saying that without her gun she would not have survived a home invasion and that Bernie Sanders would be the worst thing that could happen to women. It hit me at the wrong moment and it did not hit me well. Another time I might have offered a compassionate word about her home invasion and pointed out that Bernie's plan would not preclude her owning a gun. Had she not dissed Bernie off-handedly (and clearly without reading his proposal) we could have had a conversation. But I could not deal with it right then, and uncharacteristically simply deleted her message. I made myself not look at it again until I was done with the appointment and back in my car. She had posted that I had deleted her message because I disagreed with it and how is that open minded? So I explained that I was okay with her opinion on guns, but her words about my Senator were not okay on my page. This evening I discovered that she unfriended me. I'm not sure whether I should feel bad or rejoice. Some of each, I guess. =Sigh=
I went a very long time not commenting politically on Facebook and I think I may renew that approach. Thoughts?
Okay, so I couldn't sleep until I sent my cousin a private message. While I don't feel a need to reinstate the relationship, I did need to take responsibility for my unkindness in deleting her comment.
So here's what I sent: "I feel badly that I deleted your post rather than simply responding to it. Reacting instead of responding is incredibly unusual for me. When I saw your post, I was at the hospital waiting to have a mammogram, and didn't handle the negativity well. Because I feel sure you own your gun legally and are an upstanding citizen, please know that there is nothing in Bernie Sanders' proposal that would preclude you having a gun. Nonetheless, I will delete that entire thread. I'm glad you came through the ordeal okay!" "Blessings on you in Advent and for a super sweet Christmas with your grands."
I'm still heartsick at our Congress for voting to defund Planned Parenthood and refusing to enact gun legislation to protect the people. This is not a government I can find any identification with. These Republicans and the NRA and its sympathizers are thugs.
That said, a day to clean up paper clutter, pay bills, walk Molly.
Thank you, Listener, for your suggestions and commiseration. I think it's true, be creative, look for the positive options, try to understand the rational of people. But, I think I've reached my tolerance endpoint with respect to guns and the violence and mayhem we are subjected to every day.
With respect to your defriending. I have done that. It's, in my perspective, not about being open minded so much as not willing to have castigation, demeaning, hysteria, and right wing propaganda on my stream of friends. I even defriended an old high school friend whom I still love but am not willing to have my day impacted by right wing and fundamentalist fervor. For me, that was an okay thing to do.
Thanks, Pat. ♥ I think the "jumbled" feeling is precisely that ache of commiseration with the good souls who long for compassion and sanity in our world.
The irony is that it was my cousin who defriended me, not the other way around. Should my conciliatory message to her cause her to send a new Friend request I will quietly decline. That is simply self-respectful.
It's sad because we are the same age and the few times we saw each other growing up she was nice to me.
Just finished Grey's for time nine or ten. Think I'll do it one more time, and then switch to Downton, pre-6th season, so I'll be all ready. . . .
Random notes--
Why is it that the only two ways to have babies at Seattle Grace Mercy West Grey Sloan is either an emergency C section or totally without meds? In ten years, don't think I've ever seen a nice epidural.
When Faye Dunaway was playing the needs to retire general surgeon, in the operating scene, she's wearing a REALLY wide mask. On second viewing, I realized it was three masks sewn together. And she doesn't wear a scrub cap, rather a fabric shower cap. Both of which keep the area in front of her ears covered. So much for the subtlety of too many facelifts. . . .
Teddy's hubby when we first meet him is 42. When he goes on the table the the last time, he's 35.
Jackson Avery looks like nothing so much as the Grinch.
listener, over Thanksgiving, for two days I heard the father of my child almost literally ranting about home invasion. I've never actually known a person before in my life who said that. It's a faux gnus dog whistle. He has his dad's gun (his dad was a night guard at a steel factory), but no ammo. Don't think he's shot a gun in his whole life. . . .
I think that 10% that's bat shit krezzy actually gets scared when things are going too good, and they start to look around for stuff to be scared by. A fact that doesn't escape a certain flavor of politician. Or media owner. So we need to be afraid of Mexicans, and Aye-rabs, and home invaders. and FEMA. . . .
puddle, having scrolled back through my cousin's FB page when she first Friended me, I know that the home invasion she spoke of actually happened. But, yes, the fear mantra does seem to sap compassion and make people feel suspicious.
Speaking of details... I was remembering this weekend that we once saw Don McLean in concert at a small town fair in NH, and were sitting just a short distance from the stage, with no one in front of us, and that he sang American Pie among many bothers. Jonathan Edwards and Livingston Taylor were there too, but Don McLean was the best act. It was in the late 70's at the Deerfield Fair, but we could never recall when it was exactly. Well, I decided to Google it and discovered the gig list of the people who did the sound for the event. Turns out it was 1977, and on my 22nd birthday! :-D
Lovely Sunday here in GSO. We are lucky here in Greensboro the crazy element of the Republican Party seems to be in the minority, however, a few with money and publications are trying to bully their way around town. Statewide we have a governor, etc. on the nasty side. Gov. Refused to accept the expansion of Medicaid. How stupid and cruel can that be?
Official news ....the non-profit that Brenda has worked for which produces the Festival of Lights for Christmas and the Fun Fourth celebration is closing down. Hoping some of the other non-profits will at least pick up parts of the activity. The Director has decided it is time to pass on the responsibility after a nearly 40 year run. This lady has been responsible for saving much of downtown GSO by getting buildings and areas on the National Historic Register. Time to pass on the responsibility ...she is going to be helping her son with a 330 acre blueberry farm! She is in her mid 70's. GSO owes her a huge debt of gratitude! Betty Cone has been a busy woman for the good of Greensboro.. Came here with her husband and first baby from Winston-Salem...next city west.
Well, I hope you are all celebrating in one form or another, since it is the First Night of Hanukkah, the Second Sunday in Advent and the Feast of St. Nicholas! :-D
Shirlee! WOW! Three cheers for Betty Cone for caring to save the town and its history!!! Huzzah! Hurrah!! Awesome!!!
Thanks, Listener...I will pass this on to Brenda who works part-time at the restored Carolina Theater which has been and will continue to be one of Mrs. Cone's first loves.
Looks to be a sunny. Good walking weather week here in GSO.
I'm in warp drive getting ready for our 6 year old granddaughter to come for a few days. Dad is working in the Gulf of Mexico this week, and all the other members of the household are headed to London…! Her version of getting to go to London is to spend time at Grammie's house, and she is super excited! So are we!! We're going to put up our Christmas tree while she's here and I'm taking her Christmas shopping here in town, and to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. ♡
Today was busy. Tomorrow we are driving to Maine to pick up our 6 yr old granddaughter and bring her home (same day) for a few days. Super excited! Must get to sleep… But I want to talk about politics with all of you. So here's a nugget: Zephyr Teachout, who was in charge of THE BLOG in its heyday, has endorsed Bernie Sanders, based on her experience of him in Vermont. :-)
Thanks for the news, Listener. Enjoy your gdaughter...while you have the energy! Ggrands are nice....but way beyond my energy level. I would expect that Zephyr would endorse Bernie--who else? Hillary would probably make a fine Prez....but I would need to get used to her somewhat shrill voice.
Yes, Jo! Lawrence Welk - and his bubble machine. My folks watched him faithfully! So, of course, we kids did as well.
Been busy as can be. Trying to condense our household and move out of the Mother-In-Law in the basement. We've been using it as a music room and various other things. I'll miss having two kitchens as it was mighty handy when doing big parties. It will be nice having a regular sized bedroom though. The one in the MIL was so tiny there was only 18" on either side of a queen bed. Now we'll have a king (split California King, that is. One we can adjust the head and feet. Hoping for some ease of back and knee pain since it has a "zero gravity" setting) We'll both be squished into Burt's office, but I'll like the opportunity to be closer to him. We'll see. He does have a propensity for yaka yaka yaka. At least, he's interesting.
Good news on Zephyer endorsing Bernie! YAY. A big disappointment Warren endorsing Hillary's budget plan.
A gray day here, though not cold. I just wrapped and packaged four fruit cakes that David made for relatives. He's become a gourmet cook and enjoys making fruit cakes every Christmas.
I will vote for the Democrat who is nominated. I'm hoping that it will be Bernie, but I have a sense he's already made significant changes in Democratic policies through his statements about equality, the middle class, corporate greed, the environment, and terrorism. If we can elect Democrats, maybe we can reverse some of the stalemates and obstructionism and get on with looking to the future.
Not much news here, just doing lots of reading, writing, and walking Molly. There's a poetry reading on Sunday, but I don't think I'll attend. This is a pretty fallow period for me. I'm thinking that maybe I can't spend my whole life writing. A grin.
So, we made it "there and back again" to and from Maine, to bring our sweet granddaughter here. Oh my goodness, this is a truly happy, content and confident bright light of a person (age 6) who has had a solidly good life of joy so far. It is such a peace and delight to spend time with someone so sweetly free! She can talk confidently and without ego about being loved all the time (by me). I am heartglad and nurtured and encouraged by her presence. In a perfect world we would all be this free and intelligent at the same time. Age six and she comprehends concepts like the solar system and gravity! We thought she might enjoy playing "I'm thinking of an animal" on the trip here. But she had a better idea. She said "Let's do the ABCs with dinosaur names!" Then she proceeded to do just that. Wow! Then she sang Frosty the Snowman IN SPANISH, following it up with Feliz Navidad, and ending by singing at the top of her lungs: "I want to wish you as Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!!!" Life does not get happier than this!! Tomorrow she will help us choose our Christmas tree and decorate it, plus I'm taking her secret Christmas shopping here in town. Something for Daddy from the Maple Store (he makes their syrup!); something for Mommy from Snowflake Chocolates; something for her sister from the local toy shop, and something for her aunt from the Snowflake Bentley local-gifts shop. :-D On Friday she gets to choose a teddy bear from the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. Talk about a festival of LIGHT. She's a bright light all right. ♡
I can feel your excitement and joy, Listener. It's wonderful that grandparents can be with grandchildren and feel the magic of Christmas. She will remember it all her life.
It feels like November sped by, and December is doing the same. I've read that time is speeding up, and I wonder if that isn't part of the reason for anxiety, along with the 24/7 news around the world, especially the "if it bleeds, it leads" variety.
We are in a time of incredible change, unlike anything we humans have known with our huge populations, technology, mobility, kinds of work and the insecurity that comes with big corporations, and politics internationally. I wish the media would try for a better balance, that we would find ways for calm and rationality and acceptance that this is the era we are experiencing. Some good news, I think, that so many nations are participating in the climate conference and beginning to cooperate with shared information about terrorism.
Have great fun with your little one, Listener. My granddaughter and husband in MI are expecting their first on Dec. 31. E xtended family is posting their guesses on our family page on FB....down to times of day...and/or night!
Lovely, sunny walking weather in GSO.
Is it officially time to wonder/worry about Puddle?
Nice to see you had your puddle-radar on, Shirlee, and great to see you back, dear puddle. I was beginning to wonder if I needed to speed-dial you-know-who. ;-)
Pat, I concur with your thoughts on the world. I still believe there is FAR more good than bad in the world. We simply need to encourage the good. The bad will sow the seeds of its own destruction. I think creativity must be the embodiment of pure Love.
Still having a wonderfully sweet time with our Grand!! Must sleep because tomorrow I'm solo with her. XOXOXXX
Ah, Friday again...and the only person arriving is Beloved Brenda bearing dinner and meds. Helpers in and out...so happy to have them...but they need either my body or my time.
I wish we could all snap our fingers at Puddle's phone company and just say "shape up"!
Ladies, I AM getting old! My son...middle child...two sisters on either side turns 60 today! Best birthday present he has received was a card from his two year old grandson.so he reports!
A brighter day today, and that helps. Hi Shirlee. Yes, we're all getting older. I try to think of it as a new adventure. We've never done this before. We've never had time, quiet, the choice to do what we want to do, the closeness of our children who have also lived to middle age. And, to have the love and cherishing that they bring, it is a gift, a blessing. I'm glad that you have the chance to walk, to be with your family and friends.
An old friend called yesterday, and I could tell that she gets lonesome the way I do. As teachers we were surrounded constantly by students, colleagues, the goings on of the day, and it felt like such valuable work. Now, I can choose, and I sometimes wonder, what should I do. What is asked of me? I'm not comfortable living only for myself; yet, after a lifetime of teaching, I'm not thinking about working among so many people again. And so, I ruminate, what am I about, what should I do, and how should I appreciate this unique time.
Shirlee, I am the age of your middle son, and I like his view of life very much. The sweetest bits of life are given us by the little ones who are so innocent and sweet! I had a truly lovely time with my granddaughter today and at the end of our 48 hours together she told me and then told her Daddy that she wants to always come to my house by herself, and not with her sister anymore. Given how very deeply she loves her big sister, I think no higher praise can be given!
We went to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory today and she chose a pale pink bear and two outfits for her bear. One outfit is a fairy costume in a wonderful purple fabric that changes to blue, and sparkles in sunlight. The other is a lacy white frock with light blue sash and light blue ear bow, with a Nutcracker for the bear to hold and be like Clara in the Nutcracker (a performance her family goes to every year). Don[t tell a soul, but after she named her bear Rose, I secretly got out my Rose essential oil and rubbed it on her bear's neck. ♡ Doesn't that sound like a Grammie thing to do?
71 comments:
I am grateful that Howard Dean brought us together! ♥
I'm feeling so humbled by all that I have to be thankful for, at a time when there is so much strife and sorrow in the world. I do not take it for granted and I deeply celebrate it, from having five amazing children and soon six beautiful grandchildren to both Bill and I being healthy at 60 to simply living in the beautiful place I live, in Vermont, in the United States. How could I ever complain again about anything? But, of course, I will. Especially about those who harm others and those who cannot see the good in others. Ah well. Good thing I have reason to feel humble.
And I smiled really big about the poem, puddle!
What rhymes with big belly? :-D
Love the new thread puddle...image and words!
Visitors from northland south arriving in GSO.
Today daughter and spouse from Cincinnati and
The Rock couple from MI/ Fla. gathering with Brenda
here at 216. Tomorrow Granddaughter, husband and
their daughters--two and five arriving at Brenda's house
where they all cook up a feast!
We do have a clear blue sky and 60 degree weather to
welcome them.
Have a lovely day, all. So happy to read that many big stores
are closed today! Finally! Love to all.
So endlessly glad for Howard Dean and the Deaniacs he inspired and brought together!
Good Morning,
We have over a foot of snow; more expected later on today. It's 10 degrees F, and I'm wearing a hat on my head to keep warm. We heard the weather report on Monday, and decided to have Thanksgiving on Wednesday. So, David cooked the turkey, made the stuffing, the cranberry relish, and two pies: pecan and pumpkin. We took the food down to our son's house, and his in-laws brought all the rest of the fixiin's. We had a good time, but left before dessert because the weather over the mountains was black with clouds. We were able to get home before the snow,though there was lots of traffic. Then on Thursday, snow all day long, and we had leftover turkey for dinner.
When you live in the mountains, you have the weather as a major factor. And, I don't do hazard anymore if I don't have to. This weekend will continue cold and snowing, but we're warm, have food, have communication, and power. So, I'm grateful.
It seems that everyone has had a good Thanksgiving, peaceful, good food, gratitude.
Take care.
Kiddle and dad arrived! And are werking. Yes,
Miss you J, I had to see how you were doing. Glad you had a great Thanksgiving. My sis campaigns for Bernie down in South Carolina. I'm like, "but have you met him?" I'm hoping to see a pic of them together one day. I should have known you'd like him. I'm worried about Trump too, and the kind of people who are amused by him and would vote him in just to see what happened. Sometimes I just want to smack people.
I don't know who brizo is, but hallo! Bernie is my Senator and, yes, I have met him. He spoke at a town gathering and I needed to speak with him afterward to ask his support for some nursing legislation. He took my hand, held onto it, and listened to me as if I were the only person in the room. His hand was warm. His heart is also warm, evidenced by his kind willingness to serve and his great respect and support for nurses. He went on to be a sponsor of the legislation. He may seem brusque or loud, but he is very bright, attentive, aware and caring. He has a quick mind and he has held the same position on issues for over 30 years. Talk about consistent and trustworthy! So I am volunteering for Bernie up here in Vermont, at HQ. :-)
It was a productive day here. I got up an hour earlier than my body wanted to, to meet a friend at her barn and do some photography. She brought out her horses and ran them in the field, on a lead and then off. Such beautiful animals, including a colt. It was in the 50's and near 60 all day!! We also took a very long walk through fields and woods. I am fond of November's fallow fields. Then I came home for lunch, caught a half hour nap and planted over 100 Spring bulbs. After that we went hunting in the village graveyard for Snowflake Bentley's grave, but didn't happen to find it before dusk. We did happen upon the grave of an old friend, though. Tonight the temperatures drop and we may wake up to a little snow. I'm okay with that.
So glad Kiddle and Dad are helping Puddle. I think of Kiddle like Brenda....only he lives
Farther away! We had a lovely Thanksgiving celebration..if long! Thursday evening,
Friday..most of the afternoon and evening, this morning Rock Lady daughter, husband,
her daughter, husband and cute but active two and five year olds
called from outside the building to see if they could come up.
My grand-daughter wanted to see my apartment. Short visit
and they were off...and here I am happy, but tired!
Hey, hey, ho, ho....daughter from Cincinnati brought
me a Bernie shirt. Lovely blue and perfect size!
Love to all...enjoy the rest of the week-end!
Company flew away. Beau's in mourning. Nice visit!
listener, brizo is an old friend from the poetry/dating blog, more recently facebook and in person. She's a winner--funny, kind, bright, and an *excellent* poet. Gave her this addy when facebook failed.
I thought maybe brizo was Puddle's friend. She will be a good
addition to the group ...her words are in tune with ours.
:-) Then welcome again, brizo!
Sorry to be AWOL Saturday. We had another family day, this time at Grandbaby house! :-) I got to hold her and she is so absolutely sweet!!
Sunday is for finally cooking our own Thanksgiving style meal here at home. Ah, but my darling husband scrubbed the kitchen beautifully for me, so I can start in fresh tomorrow!! YAYYY! I love to cook, but cleanup isn't as exciting. Back when I can! LOL! :-)
Hi Friends,
Bitter cold here. Blue skies, then clouded over. Snow covering everything.
It's been a quiet few days from Thursday through today, and welcome. Fire in the fireplace, magazines, books, a time for reflection.
The attack on Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs is tragic. The edited video, the rhetoric about fetal samples for research, the propaganda and hysteria have contributed to the violence. Words mean, and ignorance, prejudice, fear, and extreme ideology, mean that their interpretation can be violent.
Colorado Springs is one of the most polarized cities in Colorado with respect to guns, religion, abortion, and perception of government. When will politicians take responsibility for what they say, for honesty, for integrity, for reason, for recognition of the common good? Disturbing politics today, an extreme coming from 30 years of propaganda and fear mongering. Just my thoughts.
Well, back to sitting in front of the fire and reading.
Pat, we do need true leadership, compassionate and intelligent, people we can trust. Imagine. We need to keep imagining it, and keep watch for such people in our midst. Like Howard. Like Bernie. Oh, the possibilities.
I am weary of crazy vigilantes and eager for great good hearts to prevail!
How much snow have you on the ground now? We saw some beautiful snowflakes today, but only a dusting. Still, they were perfect, beautiful crystals, the very sort that would have sent Snowflake Bentley to his shed to examine them under a microscope. Such beauty.
Drab, cold, rainy day. Snow prediction gone. More rain.
Gray and rainy day here.....but grateful NOT to have your
beautiful snow. Had more than plenty of that in Michigan :)
Re-couping from a multi-day family Thanksgiving. Lovely
time, though. Good memories. I am staying inside today
In something warm and fuzzy!
Love to all.
Good Afternoon,
About a foot and a little more of snow, but it was light, not water heavy, so our driveway didn't need plowing. Bright blue skies, but only 30 degrees F. a nice quiet day, though the fireplace has to stay on to keep it warm inside.
If I am to have the wonders of spring, summer, fall, I guess I have to also have winter. Not my favorite season.
Listener, thank you for your encouragement about leadership and imagining a better future. I am an optimistic person, my life has been a gift of family, friendships, work, opportunities, places I've loved, and a system of government that has allowed me freedom and responsibility. But, the gun deaths everyday, the lies, the closed minds, the propaganda that serves no one are definitely a worry.
Well do our best and hope that we have a turnaround in this country that shows critical thinking, responsibility, integrity, and the common good.
Yes, good memories from Thanksgiving. Glad you are enjoying the day, Shirlee.
Son brought and left a couple of "miniature Thanksgiving dinners." Told him I thought that sounded so much better than "leftovers." He grinned.
"Ted Cruz Describes Alleged Planned Parenthood Shooter As 'Transgendered Leftist Activist'"
Aren't you glad to be a Democrat?
I'm even happier to be an Independent. :-D
Welcome, brizo! I'm certain that you will add to our discourse here. So glad that everyone had a good Thanksgiving, even with some mini thanksgiving dinners. What fun!
I was in San Jose for a week with no computer! Cooked Thanksgiving dinner for 16, then had the left overs on Friday night for "game night" 15 more people. Came back home ready to sleep for a long time!
At work again, so this is abbreviated.
much love to all!
Mini Thanksgiving dinners sound lovely, Puddle.
Another rainy, drizzly, chilly day...walking llimited
to hallways atrium walks..to get a breath of fresh
air. Mail room which is closed in and warm, large
bricked back entry-way. Make do...until the weather
clears!
Does anyone hear from Jo? Miss her, here.
Somehow I got on townhall.com e-mail list.
Apparently a proudly tea-party site. I continue
to read their missives.....under the know thy enemy
theory. But what a bunch of hateful people!
They have now decided that Ted Cruz is their best
shot...recognizing that Trump has lost the standard
Republican vote and Carson is too flaky. Hope this
is a sign that they are fading.....
Love you all, stay warm, well, etc.
My kid's dad is a life-long Republican, and his visit was full of "home invasion"s--truly odd: it seemed to be a response for virtually everything, lol! He also thinks Obama is a foreign policy disaster because he hasn't solved Syria. This man is the child of a night guard, and is a self made millionaire, and sounds to me like a brain disabled kindergartener, politically.
PHIL POEMS!
The Delta
We all live on the delta
of Noah and care
soil washed from the mountain stream
blues in the air.
Garden growing, grown
bounty, blessing, sorrow and pain
Gifts given and taken
by flood and the rain.
Earth, the dirt warming
arms open waiting seed
and the rains will soon come
irregardless of need.
We are here in the Garden
It came before Time
Offer pipe five directions
for seasons in rhyme.
~ Phil Specht
No Room
In need of rest
Stable hay bed
mother's memory best
held in heart not head.
Remember?
no room a start
distant night in December
a thankful heart.
No room for hate
in a thankful heart
Never too late
for love to start.
~ Phil Specht
Shirlee, I see Jo's posts on Facebook and she seems okay. I've sent her a hallo and hope to visit with her the week after next. We'll see what's good. I'll update when I hear. Thanks for asking. ♥
Hi everyone, I am fine, thank you! Thanksgiving was awesome, a multi-day celebration, glad to hear that you all had a nice time as well. Very busy and having a lot of pain in hands and not typing much. please don't think that I am ignoring you when I post on fb and not here!! I post on fb because I can share a post w/o typing a lot, here there is always a lot to say but can't always deal with the pain to type it all. listener the next few weeks are very busy for me so I don't think it will work, I am making up doc appts that I had to postpone when going thru moving etc. and have relatives and old friends visiting between now and Christmas plus a lot to do. sorry for not posting more often, this little bit and my hands are worn out already. Love to all!
So good to hear from both Jo and Phil. After this I won't worry about Jo
knowing her hands are bad. Moving..packing and unpacking, settling in takes
some time. Thanks to Phil for the lovely poems...just so right!
Rainy, damp, chilly again today....but a warm apartment!
Love to all, stay well, warm, happy etc.
What a sad news day….again.
We need real leadership. Work for the good guys, throw out the bums, and let's get this place cleaned up!
Thanks for posting Jo. I was just coming by to do so in your behalf (spent the day out and about and working on projects). We can look to the New Year, then. Sending love meanwhile!!! ♥
Lessons and Carols tonight! :-)
Phil is on a roll this week!
Obscurity
Live and let live
garden in the twilight
weeds
wandering into the weeds here
not knowing the name
this constellation
that star a communication satellite
evening Venus
primrose
moonflower vespers
~ Phil Specht
32nd day of dark was cloudy and warmish. More chilly on the way.
Good news! http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/02/bernie-sanders-electable-beating-top-republican-candidate-poll.html
Ah, warm, 50 degrees, sunny. And here's a goofy poem for winter.
Winter
When you get old
you get cold
from the tip of your nose
to the tips of your toes.
You shiver and cringe
at winter's frigid binge.
Oh to be warm
on a beach in a swarm
gathered together
snow birds of a feather.
A warm clime,
just sublime.
A grin here now that it's warm.
And oh, what to say about the ongoing tragedies, and a Congress, state legislatures, citizens who insist that guns are more important than safety, human life. Maybe it won't take an asteroid to continue extinctions. We've become clever enough to do it ourselves. But, rather than thinking that, I appreciate the beautiful day .Maybe, maybe, we can do something about this violence, this stalemate.
Enjoy your day.
Nancy told me it was snowing for about three hours this morning (5 to 8--long before I rise). So the 33rd day of dark has brought *snow*!! And I didn't have to go to school today!
I'm glad you got snow, puddke!! Free insulation for your roof! We got a few loose flakes but nothing to speak of. :-(
Didn't mean to imply that anything stuck, lol! Just that we did have it, witnessed and all.
Good Morning,
What has happened to us as a people, that Congress after the recent slaughters: Planned Parenthood and San Bernadino would vote to defund Planned Parenthood and deny gun legislation that would protect people from terrorists? One out of four women in this country has used Planned Parenthood, and we have 335 mass shootings, 30,000 deaths a year by guns. Is this Mao's China? Stalin's Russia? We have been taken over by greed, aggression, disregard for people and life, and I am heart broken.
I suspect that down deep, those that voted that way don't really agree with what they are doing, BUT it is now their job to do anything they can to embarrass Obama. The country be damned! Just make Obama look bad. You'd think that they'd be smart enough to realize that it's not working. Obama get's things done in spite of them.
An article from my in basket yesterday: http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/10-most-popular-and-wrong-arguments-gun-advocates-make?akid=13735.14854.A6E5U9&rd=1&src=newsletter1046770&t=4
And you can check out Bernie's stances at the best site I've seen for him yet: http://feelthebern.org/ Share this one on FB. It is an amazing site. 18 issues on the front page, pick an issue and there are choices downstream. Wonderful wonderful! (some of you may remember this as wunnerful, wunnerful Shoot, I can see his face and leading his band and lost the name)
much love to all XOXO
Lawrence Welk? ;-)
Thanks for the links, folks. We have come out of a cold, rainy spell
and today and this evening we have 60's and clear. Just in time for
the annual Festival of Lights that Brenda and her co- worker plan
for downtown. Streets closed to traffic ...open for people enjoying the
bands and entertainment. Plan to go and help? with the sign in of
entertainers for a bit...and then back to the street to enjoy the entertainment.
Something horribly wrong with our country. Vote these fiends out!
Sunny, bright, cool day.
Who is puddke? LOL! Sorry about that puddle. Russian alias? :-D
Is everybody else feeling jumbled this week too? Today I had a very strange experience. I was sitting waiting to go in for a mammogram and checked Facebook. I had posted Bernie Sanders' solution for gun control, which has 10 points and is very sane and reasonable. My cousin (not close at all) posted a comment saying that without her gun she would not have survived a home invasion and that Bernie Sanders would be the worst thing that could happen to women. It hit me at the wrong moment and it did not hit me well. Another time I might have offered a compassionate word about her home invasion and pointed out that Bernie's plan would not preclude her owning a gun. Had she not dissed Bernie off-handedly (and clearly without reading his proposal) we could have had a conversation. But I could not deal with it right then, and uncharacteristically simply deleted her message. I made myself not look at it again until I was done with the appointment and back in my car. She had posted that I had deleted her message because I disagreed with it and how is that open minded? So I explained that I was okay with her opinion on guns, but her words about my Senator were not okay on my page. This evening I discovered that she unfriended me. I'm not sure whether I should feel bad or rejoice. Some of each, I guess. =Sigh=
I went a very long time not commenting politically on Facebook and I think I may renew that approach. Thoughts?
Okay, so I couldn't sleep until I sent my cousin a private message. While I don't feel a need to reinstate the relationship, I did need to take responsibility for my unkindness in deleting her comment.
So here's what I sent:
"I feel badly that I deleted your post rather than simply responding to it. Reacting instead of responding is incredibly unusual for me. When I saw your post, I was at the hospital waiting to have a mammogram, and didn't handle the negativity well.
Because I feel sure you own your gun legally and are an upstanding citizen, please know that there is nothing in Bernie Sanders' proposal that would preclude you having a gun. Nonetheless, I will delete that entire thread. I'm glad you came through the ordeal okay!"
"Blessings on you in Advent and for a super sweet Christmas with your grands."
Good Morning,
Gray day, cold but not chill.
I'm still heartsick at our Congress for voting to defund Planned Parenthood and refusing to enact gun legislation to protect the people. This is not a government I can find any identification with. These Republicans and the NRA and its sympathizers are thugs.
That said, a day to clean up paper clutter, pay bills, walk Molly.
Thank you, Listener, for your suggestions and commiseration. I think it's true, be creative, look for the positive options, try to understand the rational of people. But, I think I've reached my tolerance endpoint with respect to guns and the violence and mayhem we are subjected to every day.
With respect to your defriending. I have done that. It's, in my perspective, not about being open minded so much as not willing to have castigation, demeaning, hysteria, and right wing propaganda on my stream of friends. I even defriended an old high school friend whom I still love but am not willing to have my day impacted by right wing and fundamentalist fervor. For me, that was an okay thing to do.
Hello to Jo, Puddle, Barb, Listener, and Shirlee.
Thanks, Pat. ♥ I think the "jumbled" feeling is precisely that ache of commiseration with the good souls who long for compassion and sanity in our world.
The irony is that it was my cousin who defriended me, not the other way around. Should my conciliatory message to her cause her to send a new Friend request I will quietly decline. That is simply self-respectful.
It's sad because we are the same age and the few times we saw each other growing up she was nice to me.
Just finished Grey's for time nine or ten. Think I'll do it one more time, and then switch to Downton, pre-6th season, so I'll be all ready. . . .
Random notes--
Why is it that the only two ways to have babies at Seattle Grace Mercy West Grey Sloan is either an emergency C section or totally without meds? In ten years, don't think I've ever seen a nice epidural.
When Faye Dunaway was playing the needs to retire general surgeon, in the operating scene, she's wearing a REALLY wide mask. On second viewing, I realized it was three masks sewn together. And she doesn't wear a scrub cap, rather a fabric shower cap. Both of which keep the area in front of her ears covered. So much for the subtlety of too many facelifts. . . .
Teddy's hubby when we first meet him is 42. When he goes on the table the the last time, he's 35.
Jackson Avery looks like nothing so much as the Grinch.
listener, over Thanksgiving, for two days I heard the father of my child almost literally ranting about home invasion. I've never actually known a person before in my life who said that. It's a faux gnus dog whistle. He has his dad's gun (his dad was a night guard at a steel factory), but no ammo. Don't think he's shot a gun in his whole life. . . .
I think that 10% that's bat shit krezzy actually gets scared when things are going too good, and they start to look around for stuff to be scared by. A fact that doesn't escape a certain flavor of politician. Or media owner. So we need to be afraid of Mexicans, and Aye-rabs, and home invaders. and FEMA. . . .
puddle, having scrolled back through my cousin's FB page when she first Friended me, I know that the home invasion she spoke of actually happened. But, yes, the fear mantra does seem to sap compassion and make people feel suspicious.
The antidote appears to be contemplation and/or meditation. If you can't open this article, let me know and I'll email you the text.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/mindfulness-meditation-practice-changes-the-brain/
BTW, I love how you pick up on details and goofs on the screen! :-D
Speaking of details...
I was remembering this weekend that we once saw Don McLean in concert at a small
town fair in NH, and were sitting just a short distance from the stage, with no one in front of us, and that he sang American Pie among many bothers. Jonathan Edwards and Livingston Taylor were there too, but Don McLean was the best act. It was in the late 70's at the Deerfield Fair, but we could never recall when it was exactly. Well, I decided to Google it and discovered the gig list of the people who did the sound for the event. Turns out it was 1977, and on my 22nd birthday! :-D
Lovely Sunday here in GSO. We are lucky here in Greensboro
the crazy element of the Republican Party seems to be in the minority,
however, a few with money and publications are trying to bully their
way around town. Statewide we have a governor, etc. on the nasty side.
Gov. Refused to accept the expansion of Medicaid. How stupid and cruel
can that be?
Official news ....the non-profit that Brenda has worked for which produces
the Festival of Lights for Christmas and the Fun Fourth celebration is closing
down. Hoping some of the other non-profits will at least pick up parts of the
activity. The Director has decided it is time to pass on the responsibility
after a nearly 40 year run. This lady has been responsible for saving
much of downtown GSO by getting buildings and areas on the National
Historic Register. Time to pass on the responsibility ...she is going to be
helping her son with a 330 acre blueberry farm! She is in her mid 70's.
GSO owes her a huge debt of gratitude! Betty Cone has been a busy
woman for the good of Greensboro.. Came here with her husband and first
baby from Winston-Salem...next city west.
Well, I hope you are all celebrating in one form or another, since it is the First Night of Hanukkah, the Second Sunday in Advent and the Feast of St. Nicholas! :-D
Shirlee! WOW! Three cheers for Betty Cone for caring to save the town and its history!!! Huzzah! Hurrah!! Awesome!!!
No cheers for Governor Fiddlesticks.
Thanks, Listener...I will pass this on to Brenda who
works part-time at the restored Carolina Theater which
has been and will continue to be one of Mrs. Cone's
first loves.
Looks to be a sunny. Good walking weather week
here in GSO.
Everyone OK, here? Cool and sunny here. Take Care.
I'm in warp drive getting ready for our 6 year old granddaughter to come for a few days. Dad is working in the Gulf of Mexico this week, and all the other members of the household are headed to London…! Her version of getting to go to London is to spend time at Grammie's house, and she is super excited! So are we!! We're going to put up our Christmas tree while she's here and I'm taking her Christmas shopping here in town, and to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. ♡
Today was busy. Tomorrow we are driving to Maine to pick up our 6 yr old granddaughter and bring her home (same day) for a few days. Super excited! Must get to sleep… But I want to talk about politics with all of you. So here's a nugget: Zephyr Teachout, who was in charge of THE BLOG in its heyday, has endorsed Bernie Sanders, based on her experience of him in Vermont. :-)
Thanks for the news, Listener. Enjoy your gdaughter...while you
have the energy! Ggrands are nice....but way beyond my energy
level. I would expect that Zephyr would endorse Bernie--who else?
Hillary would probably make a fine Prez....but I would need to get
used to her somewhat shrill voice.
Have a happy day all. Much love.
Yes, Jo! Lawrence Welk - and his bubble machine. My folks watched him faithfully! So, of course, we kids did as well.
Been busy as can be. Trying to condense our household and move out of the Mother-In-Law in the basement. We've been using it as a music room and various other things. I'll miss having two kitchens as it was mighty handy when doing big parties. It will be nice having a regular sized bedroom though. The one in the MIL was so tiny there was only 18" on either side of a queen bed. Now we'll have a king (split California King, that is. One we can adjust the head and feet. Hoping for some ease of back and knee pain since it has a "zero gravity" setting) We'll both be squished into Burt's office, but I'll like the opportunity to be closer to him. We'll see. He does have a propensity for yaka yaka yaka. At least, he's interesting.
Good news on Zephyer endorsing Bernie! YAY. A big disappointment Warren endorsing Hillary's budget plan.
Good to see you all here. Much love and hugs.
Hi Friends,
A gray day here, though not cold. I just wrapped and packaged four fruit cakes that David made for relatives. He's become a gourmet cook and enjoys making fruit cakes every Christmas.
I will vote for the Democrat who is nominated. I'm hoping that it will be Bernie, but I have a sense he's already made significant changes in Democratic policies through his statements about equality, the middle class, corporate greed, the environment, and terrorism. If we can elect Democrats, maybe we can reverse some of the stalemates and obstructionism and get on with looking to the future.
Not much news here, just doing lots of reading, writing, and walking Molly. There's a poetry reading on Sunday, but I don't think I'll attend. This is a pretty fallow period for me. I'm thinking that maybe I can't spend my whole life writing. A grin.
Take good care of yourselves.
So, we made it "there and back again" to and from Maine, to bring our sweet granddaughter here. Oh my goodness, this is a truly happy, content and confident bright light of a person (age 6) who has had a solidly good life of joy so far. It is such a peace and delight to spend time with someone so sweetly free! She can talk confidently and without ego about being loved all the time (by me). I am heartglad and nurtured and encouraged by her presence. In a perfect world we would all be this free and intelligent at the same time. Age six and she comprehends concepts like the solar system and gravity! We thought she might enjoy playing "I'm thinking of an animal" on the trip here. But she had a better idea. She said "Let's do the ABCs with dinosaur names!" Then she proceeded to do just that. Wow! Then she sang Frosty the Snowman IN SPANISH, following it up with Feliz Navidad, and ending by singing at the top of her lungs: "I want to wish you as Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!!!" Life does not get happier than this!! Tomorrow she will help us choose our Christmas tree and decorate it, plus I'm taking her secret Christmas shopping here in town. Something for Daddy from the Maple Store (he makes their syrup!); something for Mommy from Snowflake Chocolates; something for her sister from the local toy shop, and something for her aunt from the Snowflake Bentley local-gifts shop. :-D On Friday she gets to choose a teddy bear from the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. Talk about a festival of LIGHT. She's a bright light all right. ♡
Good Morning,
I can feel your excitement and joy, Listener. It's wonderful that grandparents can be with grandchildren and feel the magic of Christmas. She will remember it all her life.
It feels like November sped by, and December is doing the same. I've read that time is speeding up, and I wonder if that isn't part of the reason for anxiety, along with the 24/7 news around the world, especially the "if it bleeds, it leads" variety.
We are in a time of incredible change, unlike anything we humans have known with our huge populations, technology, mobility, kinds of work and the insecurity that comes with big corporations, and politics internationally. I wish the media would try for a better balance, that we would find ways for calm and rationality and acceptance that this is the era we are experiencing. Some good news, I think, that so many nations are participating in the climate conference and beginning to cooperate with shared information about terrorism.
Well, have a good day today.
Have great fun with your little one, Listener. My granddaughter and husband in MI
are expecting their first on Dec. 31. E xtended family is posting their guesses on our
family page on FB....down to times of day...and/or night!
Lovely, sunny walking weather in GSO.
Is it officially time to wonder/worry about Puddle?
Love to all....
Phone again. Sunday night till this afternoon. Have no idea what happened. Nice, howsomevah, to be back.
Nice to see you had your puddle-radar on, Shirlee, and great to see you back, dear puddle. I was beginning to wonder if I needed to speed-dial you-know-who. ;-)
Pat, I concur with your thoughts on the world. I still believe there is FAR more good than bad in the world. We simply need to encourage the good. The bad will sow the seeds of its own destruction. I think creativity must be the embodiment of pure Love.
Still having a wonderfully sweet time with our Grand!! Must sleep because tomorrow I'm solo with her. XOXOXXX
Ah, Friday again...and the only person arriving is Beloved Brenda
bearing dinner and meds. Helpers in and out...so happy to have
them...but they need either my body or my time.
I wish we could all snap our fingers at Puddle's phone company
and just say "shape up"!
Ladies, I AM getting old! My son...middle child...two sisters on either
side turns 60 today! Best birthday present he has received was a card from
his two year old grandson.so he reports!
Love to all, stay well!
Hi Friends,
A brighter day today, and that helps. Hi Shirlee. Yes, we're all getting older. I try to think of it as a new adventure. We've never done this before. We've never had time, quiet, the choice to do what we want to do, the closeness of our children who have also lived to middle age. And, to have the love and cherishing that they bring, it is a gift, a blessing. I'm glad that you have the chance to walk, to be with your family and friends.
An old friend called yesterday, and I could tell that she gets lonesome the way I do. As teachers we were surrounded constantly by students, colleagues, the goings on of the day, and it felt like such valuable work. Now, I can choose, and I sometimes wonder, what should I do. What is asked of me? I'm not comfortable living only for myself; yet, after a lifetime of teaching, I'm not thinking about working among so many people again. And so, I ruminate, what am I about, what should I do, and how should I appreciate this unique time.
Have a good day, y'all.
Shirlee, I am the age of your middle son, and I like his view of life very much. The sweetest bits of life are given us by the little ones who are so innocent and sweet! I had a truly lovely time with my granddaughter today and at the end of our 48 hours together she told me and then told her Daddy that she wants to always come to my house by herself, and not with her sister anymore. Given how very deeply she loves her big sister, I think no higher praise can be given!
We went to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory today and she chose a pale pink bear and two outfits for her bear. One outfit is a fairy costume in a wonderful purple fabric that changes to blue, and sparkles in sunlight. The other is a lacy white frock with light blue sash and light blue ear bow, with a Nutcracker for the bear to hold and be like Clara in the Nutcracker (a performance her family goes to every year). Don[t tell a soul, but after she named her bear Rose, I secretly got out my Rose essential oil and rubbed it on her bear's neck. ♡ Doesn't that sound like a Grammie thing to do?
Very Grammie thing to do &hearts:
New Christmas thread!
Thank you, Puddle!
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