Another Month Gone!

Wow!  Another month gone by.  Where did it go?  I was looking at my calendar for September just a while ago and thought, wow, it's October starting tomorrow.  It seems like the older I get, the faster time goes.  I also notice that I had a lot of doctor appointments in September.  And more in October.  That must be a sure sign I'm getting older. 
New glasses, a tooth extraction which called for adding another tooth to my already semi-full partial, and the usual 6-7 month checkup for cholesterol and blood pressure, plus a trip to the ER for a near panic attack brought on by too much stress.  (Really it was strained chest wall muscles, which caused chest pain, which in turn caused the panicky feeling.)
So, I continue to take the meds, exercise, try to eat right, and keep on keeping on.  Fall is in the air so I will be raking leaves and getting the yard ready for winter.  I also keep busy with my hand work and card making.  I am thinking of taking a painting (acrylics) class that is going to be offered at our local Senior Center.  I keep going to my crochet club and singing in the choir.  I still read voraciously.  I enjoy all that I do and wonder sometimes how I managed to work for a living for over 50 years. 
So, as another month passes and another one comes along, I just will keep on keeping on. 

Peace,
JE

From Outside my Window

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in my living room near an open window.  I looked out when I heard talking.  Right outside my front door, not over 12 feet away stood 3 boys and two girls, all who  looked to be about sixth graders (give or take a few months,)  The stood talking, mostly the girls talked, the boys just stood there looking confused, and somewhat awkward (like most pubescent boys do) and the girls were "all up in their faces."  I couldn't hear what they were saying, but suddenly the boys did an about-face and took off walking west.  The girls just stood there, then one of them shouted, "Hey, look at this," as she flew "the bird" at the boys.  Then, both girls did the natural "girly" thing:  they both screamed, and took off running east!  I think the boys were clueless!!!
Ahh!  Youth!  Growing up is hard to do!

Quick Book Review

I don't think I have ever requested that our local library purchase a book.  In fact, I know I haven't because until just a few weeks ago, I didn't know they took patron requests.  Anyhow, I asked them to get "A Killing in the Hills" by Julia Keller.  I had read about it coming out on one of my literary websites and thought it would be something I would like.  It was a pretty good one.  It was the author's first novel.  I was slightly disappointed that it was so wordy.  I think Ms Keller could have told the story in a lot fewer pages. 
The author really hit the poverty in the Appalachian regions on the head.  I have relatives living in that area and have seen it first hand.  Her descriptions of the area were right on, too.  This novel was what I call a "smart book," where the author isn't afraid to use the ten dollar words.  I like books like that.  I just thought there was too much "personal crap" going on behind the scenes with the main character, which didn't really add to the story, and which she left the reader hanging out there wondering what happened with her daughter and her sister.  Makes me think that this will become another series.
All in all, I would give it 3 stars out of 5.

Read on,
JE

Politics! Bah Humbug!

With the elections heating up, I am  already tired of the smear campaigns.  I for the life of me, cannot see the true value of slamming the other candidates.  To me, it only lowers my opinion of the candidates!
This about sums up my feelings of politics:

Maybe when November comes well all get some much wanted peace (and maybe some change, too.)

Peace (maybe)
JE

The Baby Grands!

No, I'm not talking about duel piano concerts.  I am just giving you an update on my two wonderful small grandchildren.  They are so cute and full of vim and vigor.  I get tired just thinking about watching them!!  I love them dearly and I want to share pics of them.  Here they are!  aren't they  the happiest kids ya ever have seen?

They make my day!

Peace,
JE

Arachnid Followup

Okay, I was amused by the spider and centipede episode, but I checked in on them a day later and GROSS(!): half of the centipede was gone.  So now, the spider and the other half of its prey is gone.  I cleaned up the corners of the room where any other wildlife might be hanging out and scrubbed the floor.  You were right Beatrice P. Bear.  Those creatures need to be elsewhere but in my house.  However, it was a good lesson for "survival of the fittest."  And, obviously, I am the fittest!  Or at least the biggest!

Peace (reigns once again),
JE

"Come Into My Parlour, said the spider to the fly."

You've heard of the survival of the fittest?  Well, here in the corner of one of my rooms, (yes there's dust bunnies, I know) is this tiny spider who has caught a huge centipede (at least huge to the spider) in his or her web.  The more the centipede struggles to be free, the more web the spider casts.  How long until the spider moves in for the "kill?"  Or will it wait until the centipede wears itself out and finally gives up and dies?  It's interesting how nature works, isn't it.  More updates as they happen!

Silence is Golden

For about 15 months after my wife died, I was alone. Then because of factors beyond her control, my daughter Prof moved home from Montana and into my attic. That was almost 4 years ago. A year and a half after she moved in, her sperm donor, who had been housing my grandson, Kiddo, decided that he didn't want Kiddo anymore. So I took him in also. So I haven't been alone since I retired, or at least, I have had someone in residence all the time since then. Last week, Prof left on Wednesday for the state capital, where her guy lives. She is staying with him for the long holiday weekend. She told Kiddo that in light of his recent behavior, (which is blog fodder for another time,) he was to find another place to crash for the long weekend. He huffed and puffed and blustered about how unfair she and I were being, but he called his dad and asked if he could crash there just for a few days. Dad said yes, believe it or not. But, Dad wouldn't give him a key and expected him to live by the rules of their house. Again a lot of blustering and bitching, and finally he gave in. I haven't seen or heard from him since last Wednesday. He texted his mom and said that Dad was being an ass (as usual) and he was staying with his friend Nick. That's okay with me.
Meanwhile, back at Casa Mine, I have had the whole place to myself. I have played the stereo loudly, have danced in the living room, have sang in the shower at the top of my lungs, and have run around in my underwear. It's quiet, and staying really neat. Any mess made since last Wednesday can only be mine. I have dined sitting on the kitchen counters, and eaten peanut butter with a spoon straight from the jar. I have stayed up as late as I wanted without the lights bothering anybody and I have NOT had the TV on more that 2 hours all the time I have been alone.
If Prof and Kiddo do decide to move on, I will miss them. I will miss Prof's tales about her job, and life. I will miss her cooking and just having her here to rely on for certain household chores. I will miss Kiddo's ramblings and even his blustering. But will I miss the constant noise of just having others in the house? NO! For, you see, silence is golden.