Memorable Memorial Day

We had an enjoyable Memorial Day with the local grandchildren here. We played croquet in almost 100 degree weather. It was a short game. Then, inside, we tackled Chinese Checkers. I haven't played that since I was their age. The twelve year old used tricky strategy to win. He made me laugh after seeing my red Phillies baseball cap and commenting "Nice Piner hat, Nana." He also praised my hamburgers. Our lunch was followed by a Klondike bar, with the usual question from the 10 year old: "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" to which I replied, "I'd have my grandchildren over." And she replied, "Are we that bad?" You have to laugh. I didn't know you had to suffer for one!

May in Atlanta

I recently returned from visiting with my grandson and his family in Atlanta. We had fabulous adventures in new restaurants and the best Greek pizza ever. It was accompanied by a salad of Baby Arugula with green apple and lemon vinaigrette. Wonderful! We had fun shopping in the city and playing in the backyard. I flew back on the only Pink cancer awareness plane in Delta's fleet of 800 planes. Just lucky.

The best part was mornings on the bed with Giorgio and Jack. Singing songs and greeting the sun peeping through the window. For little boys with curly hair, I am grateful.

PS

If you haven't looked at B's web log lately, you should. She has links to all the old songs our family sings. It was so amazing to hear them. Most I didn't know were even recorded. That YouTube is an amazing tool. Her link can be reached by clicking on the words Floortime Mom on the side of this page.

Be careful what you wish for

Did I say Rain, glorious rain? Well, enough already! It rained nicely while I was away visiting grandson, so hubby didn't have to water, but now we are under flood watch. First fire, now flood. Is there a happy medium? More about the trip later.

Rain, Glorious Rain

Florida is on fire. Literally. And, though none of them are close to us, you can still smell the smoke in the air. So, today, when it finally rained, it was a mixed blessing. With the rain, comes lightning, and strikes can cause fires.

It had been 20 days since we had any rain drops in our rain gauge and then, it was just .2. We last had .9 on April 15. It's been a long dry spell and all I do is water to keep the lawn and gardens alive. But now: rain, glorious rain and well over an inch of it. I can relax and enjoy the first green beans from the garden. We did have baked potatoes and pork schnitzel with them, but I didn't want anything else stealing the spot light in the photo. For rain, I am grateful.

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day we make a special attempt to honor our mothers with cards, presents, and maybe a special meal in a restaurant. But, what are the special memories that the thought of Mother brings to mind. When I think of mine, I remember Saturday afternoon at our house with the Opera from the Met on the radio, and Monday night Novenas after dinner at Morrison's cafeteria, just the two of us. I remember Mom's great singing voice, and her beautiful calves, shaped by wearing high heels at work each day. I remember her in a mini skirt in the 70's and her hair in a French twist. I remember wonderful recipes she whipped up and still does. I can only hope that my children come up with half as many fond memories of me as I have of my Mother. For her I am grateful.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

First Gladiola

Today, I picked my first gladiola from the garden. Yesterday, it was the first green bean. I should have a nice pot of them in a few days. Green beans, that is.

Garden work is always tiring physically, but so relaxing for the spirit. Bugs in the garden are nothing compared with bugs in the computer or printer. Garden bugs you can live with. But, electronic ones drive you crazy. Here's to more outside time. Let nature heal.