Confessions of a Grandma

My grandson spent the weekend.  He had been so upset about my selling the house and downsizing.  I think he was maybe imagining one of those teeny, tiny houses that are built on a trailer bed.  He was amazed and pleased when he walked through my door on Thanksgiving and he said a number of times that he really liked my new home. Now he is upset that I will be going to Florida. It's not that I spoil him or anything like that, but we do have fun together. There was a tree lighting in downtown Burlington on Friday night.  We went to see the decorations on Saturday night. The tree is at the head of Church Street.  There is plenty of room underneath it for kids to run in a circle under the lights and that was an extremely popular activity.  It was a good way to stay warm because there was a definite chill in the air. The rest of the street was beginning to glow and light up as well.   It was dark within a few minutes of my taking these picture...

My daughter and grandson   curled up by the fire. Granddaughter looked up from her iPhone. Grandson restrains himself from diving face first into a special treat-- A chocolate cream pie that my friend Ginnie bought for him. On Friday, Dane and I took a walk down by the Lake Champlain waterfront.  He stopped to do a search for Champ, the lake monster. Champ was not in evidence, but we did spy some mallard ducks a little later.

A very Happy Thanksgiving!

  Here is a bit of history about this week's coming holiday-- Black Friday! Oh, no!  I mean Thanksgiving. Although if you watch the video, you will learn of a move by FDR to connect the day of thanks with an opportunity to do your Christmas shopping. Apologies about the ads, but hey, it is the holidays.  We are all used to them. I like the kids' interpretations of the first Thanksgiving here. Hope everyone has a happy day.

Oprah used to have this thing about "what I know for sure" (and maybe she still does?).  It made my uncomfortable.  I never feel that I know much of anything for sure. But certain things do seem clear to me. And having the news on most of the day for a few days has me convinced that those who think they know for sure are misguided and dangerous. And I am not just talking about the terrorists and the threat they pose to the world. I am not a Christian.  My personal religious symbol is a question mark.  Still, it is clear to me that this is my country too.  I was born and raised here, as were my parents.  Before that, not so much.  I guess there are those, some of whom are running for president of our country, who would say for sure I should pack my bag and leave. I am not strictly an atheist.  I don't believe in an all-powerful God, but I do believe in something, akin to a spirit of Godness in the universe.  I guess those who do know...

I took some snapshots of the outside of my new home. The front and the back: The end unit side: And as I enter the main drive: It was a gorgeous day last week when I took these, although the morning had been heavily frosty.  I took a walk in the new neighborhood and spotted this bit of color from yellow crab apples still clinging to the tree near the river:

It wants to be November today.  The winds is blowing and it is a wet, raw wind. The lights are on because it is dark already--4:20 p.m. as I write.  It is that drawing in time, get into warm pajamas as soon as it is dark time, eat hot soup time, wrap up in a soft throw and sip cocoa time, read a good book time. It's also get ready for the transition to Florida time. I gave myself a treat today.  My friend Ginnie of the broken pelvis wanted to get her nails done so I offered to drive her--and, hey, while I am waiting why not get my toenails done too. Beach ready!