Confessions of a Grandma

I was in the mall in Port Charlotte this past weekend.  Shopping on a weekend is something I generally try to avoid, but I found myself nearby and I did have a couple of things I needed to purchase. One of the things I needed was face cream. I like a moisture/sunscreen combination. I think I already wrote about my darling grandson asking me a while ago, "Grandma, no offense, but did you know there is stuff you can buy that takes away wrinkles?" Well, I don't believe there is such a magical substance, but there are creams and serums that slough off dry skin and brighten and even tone a little bit.  I try to do what I can do in my low maintenance kind of way. Within reason.   This stuff sounds really good.  And the sales staff will rave about it.  But they don't have the price tag displayed like they do online. I did try to make a deal--if I bought it and my grandson did not notice a difference I would get my money back.  Alas, I am not such a sk...

Just finished: I think Matt Haig is a brilliant writer and I really enjoyed this book.  It is the story of an alien from another planet in a far away galaxy who comes to earth on assignment.  It is not so much a fresh look at what it means to be human as a comforting look.  And the writing is so, so good.  I also recently read: This book is also essential about what it is to be human.  It's about a family of vampires trying to pass as ordinary people in the neighborhood.  I am long over my vampire fascination, but I enjoyed this book a lot. Also: This is historical fiction based on the story of Anna Eliza Young, a wife of Brigham Young who ended up campaigning for an end to polygamy interwoven with a modern day murder mystery that takes place on an isolated compound where polygamy is still in practice.  Interesting, although I thought it bogged down at times. Currently on my nightstand: Goldberg, of course, is one...

I just recently heard this story on National Public Radio (which is, in my opinion, one of our country's treasures) about DonorsChoose.org. It is about an online site where teachers can present ideas and request the funds for needed materials to implement those ideas from those inclined to make contributions. Well, I wish I had known about it while I was still teaching but it is worth passing on to those who still teach or love someone who still teaches. It is kind of sad, though, that some teachers have to use it to get basic things like paper and pencils for their students.

I was so taken with the banners I made with the kids, that I decided to make some for myself.  I hung these in one of the bathrooms over a mirror.  Why? I just like the color. And I made this for over the kitchen sink. And with the leftover material, a pillow cover:                                                  I will send out a few Easter cards. I attended a vernal equinox celebration, Ostara.  There were adults and children there dancing and singing and story telling, but I don't have permission to post personal pictures so you get to see the bonfire.                                 And, of course, I continue to walk along the beach.

I gathered all the financial records together a while ago and sent them to the accountant.  I was dreading it greatly and I really had to force myself to take care of that little piece of business. So this morning I had a voicemail from the tax accountant when I got home--call me as soon as you can.  You know darn well that a Sunday morning call like that does not mean good news coming my way.  It wasn't good at all, but what can I do but bite the bullet and pay up? The difference was not a large increase in income, but the loss of my spouse.  This is the first time I filed as a single.  Good grief the IRS can add insult to injury.  I thought Mike was priceless, but the IRS put a more precise figure on him, apparently. Of course, having to pay income tax does indicate that I have income.  That is a good thing so I am not going to complain...too much.  I do wish I had more say in what my taxes pay for though.  It could be a better, more ...

I could say it is to welcome spring, but this is a project I worked on with an elementary religious education group last Sunday.  The kids made the flags and cut out the letters and glued them on.  I completed the banner by sewing on the bias tape at home. I didn't even realize it was the first day of spring already until around noon today. By then I was finishing up cleaning the pantry and the kitchen cabinets--spring cleaning!--so I must have sensed the season on some level.

Ahhh.  My orange scented jasmine has started to bloom.  The fragrance is so heavenly.  I love sitting outside and just sniffing it in.   The spike of aloe is all that was left after the bunnies nibbled on it over the past month.  I added some additional succulents to the pot, hoping the bunnies get the message. Of course, I can't fault the rabbits too much.  I didn't nibble on my bougainvillea, but I sure did get carried away with the pruning saw.  I filled three barrels for the yard waste pick up last week.  I inherited the plant when we bought this place.  It is pretty, but so unruly. It was an impenetrable sphere before.  I think all the scratches on my arms were worth it to open it up and give it a more airy look. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here for the past couple weeks.  Sometimes I wonder why I live someplace else.

A friend had a spare ticket for the Venice Symphony.  Venice has a brand new Performing Arts Center.  The performance was a great treat for me. The program included an overture by Rossini and Bach's Concerto in D minor for Two Violins.  The two main violinists were Angela and Jennifer Chun--in incredibly beautiful silk dresses. I don't see music being made in person very often.  It always amazes how much physical intensity it takes in addition to the mental concentration and the gift of talent. The final piece was Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Opus 10 by Dmitri Shostakovich.  He completed it at the age of 18, a graduation project for the St.Petersburg Conservatory.  As i said, the gift of talent.

After I dropped my sister-in-law off at the Sarasota airport last week, I made a stop at the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy.  It is just around the corner from the airport. one of the gates  a potting shed musical cricket glass flowers plantings in a tub alligator sculpted from tools ballerina bench  rocking chair for a fisherperson hat and umbrella stand table One of my Vermont friends and neighbors is a whimsical artist so I am hoping she will enjoy these pictures and the many others I took.

I was busy a couple of weeks ago on sewing.  I finished a small quilt. It is not so Florida-y, but it is always fun to throw a quilt together.  This was a manageable size for practicing the quilting on my machine.

It was so nice to have company for the past week. Walking on the beach Talking about life Planning a meal Going out for a meal Floating around in the pool Browsing through a consignment shop Strolling through the botanical garden It all went by so fast.  And the weather was Florida at its finest. Spring break is not just for college students.

There are bloggers who go away on vacations with a whole series of posts ready to go each day they are away.  Someday maybe I will be that organized and self-disciplined.  Maybe. Someday I may even go away for an exotic vacation.  But not this week. However, I will be having a visit from my wonderful sister-in-law, Jeannie.  I am sure I won't be posting all week and I probably won't be commenting either. But then, I should be back next week with new stories to tell.