Confessions of a Grandma

 My sister and I attended a book reading that was held at a sculpture park . I took many pictures as we walked around the park before the presentation, but there are far better photos on the website.  The book reading was from Songs from a Voice Being the Recollections, Stanzas, and Observations of Abe Runyan, Song Writer and Performer.  Yes, that is the official title and you can see more here . Excerpts were read by the author and then there was a Q & A. I bought the book but I have not read it yet. From what I heard I think I will enjoy it when it comes up in my queue.  It was a lovely way to spend a lovely almost fall day.

 Kay, in her Musings  today, asked about nicknames. It got me thinking about growing up. My brother Ed considered it his mission to give all the neighborhood kids* colorful and yet strangely appropriate nicknames. Some persist to this day, for better or worse. This past weekend my brother and his wife had a get together of the old gang, sadly somewhat diminished in number. Still, I think it's notable that my brother has maintained closeness with his childhood friends and I have a couple honorary brothers because of it. It was nice to be around people and lots of good food from my brother's outdoor kitchen. He and his wife run a way-stop camp ground for bicyclists who are riding across the state. Their house (not pictured) was built in the late 1700's and was a stop for wagons and coaches for many years. *What happened to neighborhood kids all out playing in yards and schoolyards. Where do kids go these days?? Anyway, I have had several nicknames with various stories attache

 I went to the grocery store yesterday and picked up just a few items that I needed. When I went to pay, the checkout clerk asked, "Did you find at least some of what you were looking for?" That was kind of a twist on the usual question.  I had noticed recently that there are bare spots on the shelves and there have been recent times when the store has been out of certain items that are usual on my list. The clerk told me that they were having trouble keeping fully stocked because there are not enough truckers. I didn't plant even a single tomato plant in a pot this year but now I am wondering if I better start planning a vegetable garden. Oh, let's be real -- maybe join a CSA. Yikes! Maybe I am too late! I just checked out a local farm online and their CSA program is sold out through next summer's crops. Also in the news this morning was an article about the school bus driver shortage. Massachusetts is planning to use their National Guard troops to help out and a

  😠Morning News: FBI investigating Vermont State Troopers for creating fake COVID-19 vaccination cards Wait. What?? First of all, how sketchy does one have to be to be part of a market for fake vaccination cards? If you are against vaccination have the courage of your convictions! Second, there are always those with intent to take advantage of the gullible. Even if it means resorting to something criminal. Many get away with it but they all thing that they will be the ones who do. Third, we pay to train and employ police to protect us from those who choose to engage in criminal behavior. So is it money well spent? Not always is what I conclude. Don't cry to me about respect for the badge. It's the person who wears it that either earns respect or not,

  AND The fact that pumpkin spice everything season is starting just tipped me over the edge. I believe the number of grumpy cat memes are evidence enough that I was indeed a cat in a previous life.

 The good news is that my left eye retina is firmly reattached. The bad news is that I still have trouble seeing clearly. I have macular edema in my left eye. My vision is distorted in that eye and I often see double when reading or attempting any close work.  My ophthalmologist was somewhat more encouraging than the retina specialist. He told me that the fluid buildup was in a bad place but that the amount of fluid was not terribly great. I have had a change in the glaucoma medication yet again. The specialist implied that the old med could cause the fluid. My regular doctor thought it could be interfering with reabsorption of fluid caused by the retinal surgery but not directly responsible for the fluid in the first place since it is in only one eye. I'll be re-examined in a month. If the fluid is not gone in that time I will have to have more direct treatment -- that medication being directly injected into my eyeball. In the immortal words of Dorothy Parker, "What fresh hel