Goin' South

I tagged along with the Hubbinator to Florida this week. It's so nice to get a big dose of sun and ocean. I feel like I'm a much better person when I'm near water, so I take every chance I can get to be near it! That's a mojito I'm sipping, which has contributed to the goofy smile.

Precocious Boy

There's my grandson, Logan, in baby jail! I thought this was an appropriate photo to post after getting the news that he was "expelled from day care". The poor little guy. The dratted babysitter didn't even have the decency to discuss it with my daughter face to face. No, she slipped a letter under his butt in the car seat, which was discovered after they got home! The letter said that he demanded too much attention and was taking her attention away from the other kids in her care. That he wouldn't take a nap. That he couldn't "self soothe". Excuse me? He's 8 months old! He's a baby, not a potted plant for crap's sake! I know I sound like the indulgent grandmother here, but he really is a pleasant little boy; everyone has commented on this. He's just an active kid, very interested in everything around him. If she felt she had more kids than she could handle, just admit it...don't blame it on Mr. Logie. We were joking about it, after the initial shock..."Well, here's the beginning of Logan's career as a juvenile delinquent!"

Dreariness Appreciation 101

Gray today and more to come. Sometimes I wish I lived in the desert. I need sun and lots of it. Right now. This was one of those days when I knew what mood was coming. After all these years I know better than to fight depression, because it only makes it worse. So, I batten down the hatches, so to speak, and wait for it to pass through me and away from me. Just let myself cry, full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. The hardest part is staying patient enough for it to run its course, to have faith in the fact that it doesn't last forever. Meanwhile, I took this swell photo of the elements outside my kitchen door. Well, time to open that bag of Twizzlers and zone out, baby.

Goodbye, Little Blue

We have several bluebirds hanging out in our yard, looking for nests and munching on grubs. I look forward every day to seeing them out there. I don't know why, but to me they have always represented good spirits coming to visit and I always smile and send them good wishes. This little fellow was resting by the doorway to our shed and allowed me to come so close to take this picture that I soon realized he was not well. I left him alone then, and kept away the occasional harassing mockingbird who cursed at me from a distance. He passed away not long afterwards. I hope I am that peaceful and accepting when my time comes.

Jonesing for Peeps!

Oh, man...I am all about the Peeps. The crunch of the sugar against my teeth as I munch away on that smooshy, marshmallowy blob of completely needless caloric intake. But first, like any gourmet delicacy worth its while, the proper ritual must be observed. The cellophane wrapper is removed in order to allow them to "breathe". Depending on the humidity, approximately 72 hours' exposure is required to deliver that satisfying chewiness I so deeply crave. It's the small things that give me joy (and weight gain).

Bob & Me

So it turns out my hubby's childhood crush was Nancy Sinatra. Which I can understand, I guess, what with the boots and the walking and all that. But what was going on with my formative years? Robert Goulet? Was I just born without the coolness gene or did Mom drop me on my head?

The naughty laundry

The minute my back is turned, that nasty laundry pile travels across the floor and manages to implicate my dog in various nefarious activities which are illegal in some states. His little libido will never be the same!

Pre-Cult Picture

Okay, compare this to my "Sci Fi" photo below! This was taken back in 1972, I'm guessing. The only thing that hasn't changed is the innate dorkiness of the subject. This was in the period of my youth that I refer to as "the calm before the storm". When I think of what direction my life took not long after this photo was taken! Some kids run away to join the circus. I guess I did something like that...married at 19 to a control freak and landed in a religious cult for a whole decade. Still, when I look back on those years it reminds me that surviving that experience was good training for the rest of my life. I can weather whatever hurricane life sends me. I may not always do it in what some would consider the orthodox or so-called "normal" way...but I'm doing it.

Spooky Moon

Caught this picture the other morning of the setting moon.

My Sci-Fi Pic

Took a quick photo while bopping around outside after our last snow...It just looks kinda sci-fi to me. Hmmm.

Mad Props and a Shout Out to the Stinkbugs

Yo, Stinkbugs! You little twerps turn up everywhere. I go to my craft basket...two of you are cozying up underneath the bag of marbles. I look up from my kitchen counter and you're chillaxing in my philodendron. Nothing discourages you. The Hubbinator drops you in the toilet bowl and I walk in an hour later to see you walking on the water through the benefit of surface tension. You look death in the face and turn it into a day at the beach! So blech and a tip of my hat to your tenacity. Just don't let me find you doing the nasty in there.

Chillin' On the Prairie

When the weatherman says it's gonna be windy, multiply it by two. Surrounded by open fields on all sides, there's nothing standing in the way of that old North wind. But I love it here. It's so peaceful and private. Just a little unassuming rancher outside of Oley, PA and I like it that way. My brother once described this house as having a great view from every window and I agree.