GrandMuMMing Monday

I was blessed with tender loving grandparents.  I can remember my Gramma Holly laying on the floor of her apartment coloring a Flintstones coloring book with me.  My Grampa Orv made brief visits most days, just to see the little ones.  The whole neighborhood knew he had Wrigley's spearmint gum in the back seat of his work car.  My Gramma Tee made our bed with crisp fresh sheets each time we had a sleepover and she gave me the can with foamy cleaner and a scrubber on top to spot clean the den carpets.  My Grampa Larry treated me like a cherished treasure.  I try to treat all children as someone's grandone, but there's nothing quite like my three treasured ones.  Children want nothing more than to have all of you. (Posted on Saturday cuz we'll be at the coast for a couple of days...)

Zesty Friday

Zesty also equates to zen for me, an enlivening enterprise.  Blackberry picking equals zesty zen, a favorite summer activity.  An empty gallon milk jug open opposite the handle with a strap for around the neck, this leaves both hands free for picking.  A leather glove on the left hand for moving prickly vines, pruners in my pocket, and an old white tube sock with five holes in the toe for each finger on my right hand allowing bare skin plucking while providing protection to the wrist and forearm.  Cowboy boots for rattlesnakes. 

Old Favorites Thursday

The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter.  Kind of like reading Proverbs and Dr. Spock in a memoir.   I read this book aloud to my three sons as they were growing up.  I read it again every few years.  A simple and satisfying life is something to cherish.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

Drink Water!  For many years now that has been a cornerstone habit for me.  I was pleased when at a wedding recently and while chatting with my former sister-in-law's sister, who is an esthetician with her own skin care line, she stated she could tell by looking at my skin that I drink lots of water.  I'll put that in my book!  Best preventive for hangover as well.  You can put that in your book!!!

Fresh Food Tuesday

Permaculture, learning what thrives on our property.  This new word crossed my path in this last year and I'm enjoying reading and learning more about it.  A thriving patch of chard is my foremost gardening goal today, and I'm hoping to harvest some rhubarb soon.

GrandMuMMing Monday

"GrandMuMMing," it's a verb I created.  It represents the activities revolving around the best prize ever.  I had absolutely no idea how wonderfully special it is to be a grandparent.  Simply put, if you ever wonder about the decision to be a parent, grandchildren make it totally worthwhile.  Parenting is the hardest job ever.  Worthy work, yet still very intense and depleting.  GrandMuMMing is complete bliss.  At least it is for me. 

Zesty Friday

Adventure, something new, a fresh trail, an untraveled road...  that makes my heart sing.  I am amazed that we can cross our threshold and find adventure each week.  We, my companion, husband, and friend, find adventure...on foot, by bicycle, in a kayak, or hanging onto the handlebars of a motorcycle.  The wonders of nature!

Old Favorites Thursday

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood, my favoritest favorite old favorite.  For its two messages speak deeply to what I see kids looking for as they've wandered through the door of my classroom through the years.  A mother knows her children and will fiercely protect them.  Evil lurks.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

Today was my first Bikram Yoga class in over four years.  I was going through menopause at the time.  My doctor told me two years ago that 160 is a good weight for me.  Well, four years ago was the last time I was at that weight.  Since that time the cells swelled and expanded, contracted and trimmed at the rate of five pounds a year.  Bikram Yoga is like compost, there is more to it than we understand, good soil for this healthy habits goal.  Today is also the first day of my "new chapter" blog.  As I retire from twenty-two years of teaching, I am giving myself a year to explore, consider, dream, and renew.  Looking forward and looking back.  Something new, a public journal and advise column.