Confessions of a Grandma

I while ago I mentioned an article I had read online about what not to put in a garbage disposal. Recently I mentioned it to my plumber friend, asking him, "so what exactly can  you put down a garbage disposal?" He poo-pooed most of the restriction in the article and said that the big problem was that people didn't use the disposal properly. Run water, turn on the disposal, feed the scraps into it, turn off the disposal but keep the water running so that everything does not get left in small pipes that clog easily. I still will be composting most of Thanksgiving detritus, but it's good to know I don't have to be paranoid about tossing the occasional egg shell along with plate rinsing scraps. googled image

I am coming out of hibernation mode to wish United States readers a very happy Thanksgiving and the entire world a peaceful holiday season no matter the nature of your celebrations. Don't forget: On November 27 at 2:00 a.m.standard time, set your bathroom scale back 15 pounds.

I sometimes see people that I recognize from somewhere but I can't recall the name. It's worse when, like the time I went to introduce my boss (my boss from work!) and I could not for the life of me come up with her name. The Scottish have a word for that: TARTLE.  Tartle This Scottish word sums up in two syllables the moment when you’ve momentarily forgotten someone’s name (either one-on-one or when making introductions)! For those of us who tartle any time there are any introductions to be made, this word should be inducted into the English language on account of its sheer usefulness alone. I have noticed this phenomenon while walking in the woods and been struck by the beauty, but I did not know there was a word for it.   Komorebi This beautiful Japanese word komorebi describes the light that filters through the leaves of trees and can also be used for the mist that catches sunlight in forest (say after a rain or on a humid day). The closest term in English would b...

I probably come across as an old coot waging a war on modern technology. I am not really. I do see the benefit of advances and I even admire those who embrace and run with them. There are just some things I just don't want or personally need . . . even when having fantasies about my ideal kitchen in my ideal home. This LG refrigerator has an ice maker (I worry too much about mold since I use very little ice), instant view door (constant reminder that you need to clean the fridge?). It has auto close doors, which I might like, and the fact that it is counter depth is a definite good thing in my book. It has a smart grid and is WiFi enabled. Fine, but I am retired now and I have the time and a lifelong habit of writing my grocery lists on scraps of paper so I really wouldn't use that. I don't feel the need to communicate with my kitchen appliances. Just keep the food cold and I'm happy. It cost nearly $4000. This Kitchen Aid refrigerator has a Sabbath mode -- not ...

I was little. I woke up and I did not feel good. I don't know why and I am sure I didn't know at the time. I didn't have the concept of or words for "Bad Mood" but when I first read Alexander and The  Terrible,  Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (as an adult to my children) I recognized my young self in that story. Amazon As a child*, I could be whiny and obnoxious when I was sick or feeling off. My mother knew I wasn't sick and she was generally not the type to soothingly confront bad behavior. She might give it a try once and then threaten to send offending child to Australia by way of a swift but powerful swat to the rear end. This is what I have a pretty vivid memory of: she looked at me in exasperation and said, "Well, you just got up on the wrong side of bed, didn't you?" That put me into a tailspin. When my mother was busy with my baby sister I quietly went back up to our bedroom. There's a wrong side ...

I have been getting a message from Blogger -- try the New Blogger now. We are making  changes to make life easier (paraphrased). I avoid clicking the continue button to try the changes now. Unfortunately I know that the changes will come on their own. I am skeptical, perhaps even cynical, about changes in technology having any kind of salubrious effect on my life.         Honestly, I am not one who always resists change. I often embrace it. For example, I would certainly embrace a change in the current political situation. However, it is apparent that I no longer have the brain plasticity needed for adapting to changing technology. A phone answering machine that could sit on my desk next to my landline phone was the last advance that I personally felt added some value to my life. Anything after that -- meh. I get to the party late, usually kicking and screaming.

I have always needed my sleep. Under ideal conditions I go to bed, sleep for 7.5 hours, wake up refreshed and start my day. I can remember that happening a few times in my life. I remember visiting my cousins who did not have a strict bedtime in the summer.  They would be running around well after dark and I just wanted to sneak away and curl up in bed to sleep. I couldn't believe my aunt and uncle were so irresponsible as parents! Once as a teen I was invited by neighbors to spend a week at their lake cottage. One night we all went to see some friends of theirs who had a horse farm. It was fun until adult conversation went on . . . and on . . .  and on. By one in the morning I was pretty sure my eyeballs were bleeding. There are significant periods of my life during which sleep was elusive. There was a long stretch during high school  and college when I would wake during the night and could not go back to sleep. Every night sound seemed magnified and designed sp...