Confessions of a Grandma

I visited a local artisan-made jewelry and bead shop and bought these jasper stones and pink pearls. I made this necklace and another of just the pearls on a gold chain. Very basic stuff, not at all at the level of the work on display at the shop. I used to wear simple necklaces, but then I hit those awful years of protracted hot flashes. A necklaces and bracelets became rings of fire around my neck and wrist. The only jewelry I could tolerate actually touching my skin was ear rings---and at that, only some of the time. I'm finding I can wear a necklace again, but I certainly am not going to sink any amount of big money into the idea. Mike has given me an antique silver pin, a gold and diamond pin, diamond earrings, pearl and gold earrings over the years. Then he gave up. All that stuff is in the safe along with my diamond ring and gold wedding band. It makes me nervous to wear it because know I'm bound to lose it and I would feel worse knowing I lost it than I would feel ...

Here's a new one! We always put our phone numbers on "do not call" lists, but we always get the occasional call even so. I love the "we are a paid fund raiser for ..." Like I don't understand that something like 90% of the money raised goes to the paid part and about 10% goes to the for part. Tonight...it's 8 P.M. and I just put on my pajamas because it's dark and Mike thinks I am going to get up at 5:30 A.M. to ride with him to Eustis (if he carries me and my pillow out to the car!)...a call from the Police Association of Florida. "Please hold for the next available..." Riiight. That's happening. Hold for an unsolicited telemarket call. What is the world coming to?

The wind has been blowing like crazy here--with great clouds of pollen rolling past. Our car is yellow but even though I had the option of getting a car wash when I was filling the gas tank today, I decided to wait until next week. We'll be taking a long drive to Eustis, FL tomorrow for an antique motorcycle meet. Mike is no longer in the old motorcycle business, but going to some of the meets gives him a chance to keep up with old friends and acquaintances. I won't have all that much interest in looking at antique motorcycle parts and listening to tales of the glory days, but it will give me a chance to do some exploring of that part of the state. I'm especially looking forward to spending a couple hours in Mount Dora--so close to Orlando and yet so far, far away. I was ruminating on gas stations, because if you read A Slower Pace as I do, you know that Linda has a way of writing about things that just get you thinking about things like that. Today she wrote about the old...

This strange looking image is pollen accumulated on the outdoor table. I was sneezing and sneezing on Sunday night and I started to be afraid I was coming down with another cold. I guess it was a relief to see the pollen covering the outdoor furniture and the car the next morning. There is a disadvantage to winter in Floirda and missing the worst of winter in the northeast--two spring pollen seasons. Nothing in life is ever perfect.

I do not believe I could ever live in a gated community or any place that has an association and here's why. I suppose it doesn't take a gated community to get into a hassle, though. A big THANK-YOU to Arkansas Patti for teaching me how to link. Patti, I know your computer is ailing right now, but I hope the thanks reach you eventually.

I was interested to read the post "Style--You Must be Kidding" in A Slower Pace . I picked up a copy of Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That's Right for Your Body by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London, the duo who does the TLC show, "What Not to Wear." Yes, I admit that I watch that show on occasion and when I saw the book at the local library, I checked it out and have spent some time skimming through it. Now, Stacy and Clinton, it seems to me, do not seem to fully understand that the metropolitan New York life style and fashion demands do not necessarily translate to life in, say, rural Vermont or retirement living near the beach in Florida. I have never in my life been to an event that required a cocktail dress or anything like a formal, full length gown, so the emphasis on "evening wear" just goes over my head. On the other hand, the styles that they picked out to flatter different body types really did show flattering fit. I...

Finally! A break in the unseasonably cold and windy weather that has been bothering those of us so spoiled by a more typical winter in subtropical and tropical areas of Florida. I met a friend for a long walk on the beach this morning and only wore one sweatshirt instead of the three I have been piling on. It was cloudy and just a bit sprinkly, but it was so good not to be fighting against the wind. The air was warm. The beach we usually go to is classified as a rural beach. The land behind the back shore is undeveloped and left in its natural state, which is pretty special. You never really know what you are going to see as you walk along, but we sure didn't expect to see four baby pigs trotting over the dunes and onto the beach. There they were--two black and two brown baby pigs, with one definitely the runt--so adorable. Their noses were covered in sand. They went down to the water, but soon realized that wasn't going to relieve their thirst. There was no evidence o...