Confessions of a Grandma

My iron stopped heating.  Incidents of burning myself were greatly reduced, but lack of heat is not a desirable feature in a clothes iron so I purchased a new one. Like most irons it has a number of settings -- delicate, normal (cotton) and maximum (  jeans ). A setting for jeans!!  That made me laugh out loud and also announce to my new iron that no one irons jeans.

Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving Day filled with family, fun and food. And most of all -- Peace.

I took a step toward conquering my dread fear of all things electrical.  A small step. I have been helping my friend Ginnie move/downsize.  She was getting rid of this lamp.  It didn't work, but it could be fixed.  She thought my son might like it for his new place. It's a Scatchard Pottery lamp.  I thought maybe I wanted it for the spare room once Kevin moves out! I made a trip to the Home Depot nearby and purchased a new bulb socket.  I found a number of how-to videos on You Tube.  I picked one that seemed very clear and worked as I watched, pausing where needed. Success!  I plugged the lamp in and gingerly turned it on.  I saw light!  No crackling, no sparks, no massive shock setting me on my bum!  Damn, I was proud of myself. For $4 and an investment of less than an hour (including watching videos, but not running to the store) I have a really nice Vermont lamp.

This past week I noticed that the night light in the convenience half-bath downstairs was out. Hmm, I thought to myself, time to change that bulb. Of course, I didn't get around to it right away, but the next day I was going to dry my hair and the hair dryer remained silent. Then I noticed that the little light on the electric toothbrush charger was out. I plugged the hair dryer into the outlet by the second sink.  Nothing.  I took it downstairs and again, nothing.  Every other plug and switch seemed to be working.  What other explanation could there be?  The bathroom wiring was shot, the wires were frayed and disintegrating, about to cause a major fire. Have I ever mentioned the fact that I have an irrational fear of electricity?  I swear I was killed by lightning in a previous life. After several minutes of panic, I thought to check the circuit breaker box. Everything looked okay. I saw the new outlets in the kitchen which all had GFCI buttons. ...

We went to the Ringling Museum of Art on Monday. The next day we were in the pool and a woman asked about what we were doing and I mentioned the trip to the art museum.  She looked at my grandson and commented "Well, THAT must have been boring!" In fact, not at all.  Both of the kids were very much attentive and appreciative, very much enjoying the experience and making serious observations.  I would not have taken them if I thought it would be otherwise. My grandson continues to paint when he is not in the pool or the Gulf.  The trip actually had the influence of turning his effort toward human figure. (after statue of David) (after Asian art exhibit) This is amazing to me because a year ago he could not hold a pencil in his hand.

So many kids are heading back to school already, but my grandchildren are enjoying two weeks vacation on the Florida beaches. The water temperature is about body temperature...no inching myself in like in the lake.  And the kids, especially Dane, are in the water like a flash but it seems it is the wet that lures them, not the temperature.  Warm or cool, water is water. We went to the North Jetty Beach in Nokomis after dinner at a seafood restaurant the other night.  The children ordered a hamburger and chicken fingers, which kind of defeated the purpose (but I keep trying, without success to expand their palates, so that means I am insane).  It was too early  for the sunset -- seniors and children go for the early bird specials. But I did get a photo of the sunset when we got home. Thunderstorms happen most evenings. We went back for swimming the next day and we saw a mama manatee with a calf!  They came very close to the sh...