Confessions of a Grandma

 Don and I drove to South Carolina to attend the wedding of my step-grandson, Will. Will Will and Katie The wedding took place on Dataw Island, a beautiful outdoor ceremony followed by a reception in the country club. We stayed in a tiny cottage in the historic center of Beaufort, rented from Vrbo. Since the wedding was at 5 p.m., we had time to explore the area a bit. I really like the low country scenery and historical charm. Sitting quietly in the curtained gazebo I was visited by multiple cardinals. They came to visit the feeder, not me, but I can always pretend! How I will always remember Will!

 From a communication sent by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders: In my view, the mainstream media often pays too much attention to the rich, the famous, and the powerful. Meanwhile, in every part of our state and country there are extraordinary people who, day after day, in quiet ways, lead by example and have an enormous impact upon our communities and our daily lives. They may be teachers or librarians, doctors or nurses, farmers or small businesspersons, bus drivers or janitors, firefighters, police officers or any other type of workers. Day after day, these are the people who have a positive impact upon our communities and our daily lives. He went on to introduce Vermonter Ann Chandler on the occasion of her 100th birthday.   Mrs. Chandler was a pilot. Her military pilot husband taught her to fly and bought her her own plane. An aerobatic plane! She enjoys gardening, playing golf, and hunting. On her birthday, she was anticipating a good maple syrup season.

The Blue Lotus Meditation Center (formerly the Venice Wholistic Center) where I (pre-COVID) attended a number of programs including mindful meditation, book discussions, nutrition forums and healthy meals, yoga, writing groups, Soul Collage sessions and Buddhist studies was severely damaged in hurricane last summer.  For whatever technical reasons, the insurance claim was denied and so the building was demolished and the land is up for sale. Before the wrecking crew arrived there was a gathering of those who were involved with the center and one of the monks led a meditation on impermanence. It was a way to say good-bye to the place.   I am on the far right, if anyone is interested. It really was nice to have this closure on a sad passing for all of us. A lot of work had gone into renovations over the past two years. We wait to find out the next chapter. There are some interesting prospects on the table.

 I decided that I would eat oatmeal for breakfast because I heard somewhere that it is beneficial in keeping cholesterol in the healthy range.  But I found out that I don't like the bother of having to make oatmeal every morning and the idea of the overly processed, rather disappointingly textured instant stuff -- well I just am not going there. I did find a recipe for oatmeal muffins that I really like. It makes a dozen muffins, so they are ready for that many days in a row. I have one with my decaf and I have been enjoying the routine for quite some time now. I also heard having the same breakfast almost every day helped relieve the stress of decision making. I am NOT at my decision-making best first thing in the morning. Sometimes I add blueberries, sometimes I chop up some dates and walnuts, add some apple chunks, and always add in some ground flaxseed. Basic Oatmeal/Applesauce Muffins Ingredients 1 1/2   cup   oats   1 1/4   cup   flour (I use 3/4...

  A beautiful morning for a walk on Monday. It is the Sunshine State. Spider webs Path through the FL fauna Mayaka River

  This was from the week we had winter in Florida. Minnesota man in shorts! I am in the middle with a green sweatshirt on. I am grateful for this group as it gives me opportunities to walk in area preserves/reserves/state parks where I might not venture on my own. I usually walk on neighborhood sidewalks. Of course, in this group there are six bad knees and two bad backs, so the walks are slower and shorter than I might do on my own. That's okay. I can be grateful to be temporarily pain free and healthy and inspired to know that we can accept limitations but keep moving as long as possible. Even if it's just out of stubbornness, which is what it would no doubt be for me. I finished reading The Overstory by Richard Powers. I really loved it. Apparently, it's one of those books one loves or just can't get into. I was definitely on the love side, so call me a tree hugger if you must. My craft project for this week was crocheting these two little baskets. I seem to have som...

  These are not my photos. They come from the internet. They just fill me with an appreciation for the beauty in the world and appreciation for photographers as artists. I actually did see these travelling rocks in Death Valley.