Confessions of a Grandma

In lots of ways, certainly not the best of years. It started off with a flurry of knitting -- pink  hats to wear to the Women's March in January. My family was represented in Washington, D.C.,  Montpelier, VT, and Sarasota, FL. A knit hat didn't last so long in FL though. Eventually, I tried to ignore politics and news generally --  although I am ready for action should Mueller be fired.  So that didn't work out so well.  Also I keep up interest in Move to Amend, working for an overturn of the Supreme Court determination that corporations enjoy the protections of individuals.  A corporation is not a person IMHO. I took some watercolor painting lessons I volunteered at Instride Equestrian-Assisted Therapy during the winter months in Florida again.  I work in the literacy program which is built around the life and times of this guy, Little Red: He was looking particularly handsome this day.  In VT summer mont...

A very happy Christmas to all.

Happy Winter Solstice

So one of my friends asked me if I had more shopping to do and when I told her I was all set, she called me a bad word. I am just not now, nor I have I ever been, a person who can work under pressure.  It's not something I feel any superiority about.  Quite the opposite.  I cannot work under pressure at all.  It's not a good thing. I was the student who always had papers completed a week before the deadline.  If I didn't have it done in that timeframe, I would be unable to do it at all.  One time I had a research paper due for an audiology course.  The topic was Meniere's Disease. Life circumstances were conspiring against me at the time and I finished that paper that the day before it was due -- all except the bibliography.  Do you think I could sit down and whip out that bibliography?  No I could not.  I just. Could. Not.  The professor was not at all impressed and I got quite the dressing down for my lack of time management. ...

Okay.  My Christmas present shopping is done.  And wrapped.  And ready to go. Half of my cards are out and the remaining will be getting stamped tomorrow and then they will be on their way. My Christmas decorations are out.  Meals are planned.  Get togethers are on my calendar. There is snow on the ground. I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready! Not that I'm wishing time away ...

There are some good things about winter, even I will have to admit. A bowl of warm soup is good thing.  Personally, I would eat soup in any season, but there are those who think it is only for cold weather and they look at you funny if you serve them a steamy mug of squash soup on a hot day. Holiday decorations, especially lights, add a festive touch on dark nights.  I do not go all out with the decorations myself but I do like to take a ride around town and see the places that do. Some days are so bad I am forced to stay in no matter what I think needs my attention in the outside world.  I can just be appreciative that I have warm shelter and some soup on the stove. Baking.  Again, not something I do a lot of myself -- but how very nice to be thought of by those who do.  When I do feel the urge to bake, there is the fragrance and the warmth from the oven. Flannel sheets on the bed -- especially now that I have a sweet gentleman friend who sometimes slip...

Note: This schedule is not of my devising (obviously), but something I found in a Better Homes and Gardens article. 1. Pick a theme. Not just it's Christmas -- that's not theme enough.  What is the color scheme?  Modern or nostalgic?  So many options!  Just don't get caught being so last year. 2. Craft your wreath. Remember that if you forego the traditional greens and red ribbon you can have something that spans Thanksgiving (provided you plan ahead) through New Years.  In any case, be sure your wreaths coordinate with your chosen theme! 3.  Make candles. Why make your own? Really, you have to ask?  Do you want to be steeped in the spirit of the season or not? 4.  Sew the stockings. I suppose you could also knit them?  It's all about the theme (see #1).  Or take this opportunity to jump outside the theme box a bit and personalize stockings for each member of the family according to his her special intersts. 5.  Put up...