It was Princess Leia's fault.
Really. I was not to blame.
The meal was progressing routinely. Princess Leia was being her normal charming self, smiling and 'talking' and eating enthusiastically. Unfortunately, for me, I was seated right across from her, able to see her flash her million dollar smile and feel her magnetic personality. I know I am supposed to be the adult, one who is immune from laughing at a child, but it just didn't quite work out that way.
Deep down, inside, I understand it is not supposed to be funny when a toddler throws something at the dinner table, but Princess Leia threw her 'sippy' cup down with such determination, then smiled and looked right at Grandpa SO and me. I started to laugh, but knew I shouldn't, so I ducked down below the table to try to conceal my laughing. PL knew where I was and did her darnedest to lean over and see where Granny had disappeared to. There was a Cheerio box on the table and I tried to sit up and 'hide' behind the Cheerio box until I could 'get it together'. PL craned her little neck as far as she could to see over the top of the cereal box, which Grandpa SO described to me.......while laughing, I might add. I made the mistake of looking over the cereal box, right into those eyes, and she laughed even more. By now I was laughing so hard I was crying, but I was still trying to not let PL see me laugh at her antics. Then she started leaning left and right, making every attempt to make eye contact with her now out-of-control granny. Grandpa SO, who is usually the model of table decorum then began moving the Cheerio box left and right, allowing PL to keep me in her sights. It was two against one!
I can only say that I laughed until my sides hurt. Secretly, it was the most fun I've had in a long time, but please do not mention this to PL's parents. If I ever had to care for Princess Leia for any long-term, I'd have to take lessons on how to avoid her charms.
I can only hope that breakfast, tomorrow morning, goes better than tonight's dinner.
It really was not my fault.
Ancora imparo
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What I Like About Being A Granny
- Little hands holding mine
- Little voices saying, "Grandma, where are you?"
- Reading books, lots of books, to your grandchildren
- Twinkling eyes that look closely at you to see if you know you're being 'joshed'
- Dimples
- Discovering that your grandchildren have a sense of humor
- Discovering that your grandchildren can s-p-e-l-l
- Grandchildren think you are funny
- You can act your 'inner-child' age
- You can act silly and goofy and your grandchildren encourage your antics
- Your grandchildren do not care if you have make-up on your face
- Your grandchildren do not care if your hair is 'perfect'.
- Your grandchildren do not care if you are 'dressed to the nines'
- Your grandchildren do not care if your tableware does not match
- When your one-year old grandchild crawls up into your lap, just because..........
- When your one-year old grandchild looks up at you
- Feeling a little head under my chin
- When my grandchildren come to visit
- When a grandchild hugs me
- When a grandchild hugs me and says, "I love you"
Friday, July 30, 2010
All's Quiet
Two little voices and four little feet can sound like a thundering herd of caribou. (Not that I've actually ever heard a thundering herd of caribou.) The sound of a three-year old and four-year old playing is music to my and my SO's ears. Excitement is always around every corner when you are three and four. The toys at Grandma's and Grandpa's, while not new, are new enough to grandchildren to generate intense interest and concentration.
You never know when interest will wane, but when it does, Grandmas and Grandpas are always ready to move to the next activity. This morning, when a game of catch with Velcro mitts grew tiresome, a larger ball came out and Grandma invented the game of "Bowling For Grandpas", which was a big hit with the grandsons. Grandpa SO graciously fell floppily to the ground each time the ball hit his body. The more floppy he fell, the more chuckles and giggles were heard. Later, when Grandpa SO had to leave and go to a meeting, Granny took the remaining box of Animal Crackers, broke them in half, and proceeded to take the boys on a walk where they were encouraged to run or jump. The purpose of this game should be evident to anyone who ever needed to extract energy from youngsters. We were safely on sidewalks so their movements could be less controlled than being on the side of a street. When Grandma said "Stop", they had to freeze. If they were actually able to stop moving, they were rewarded with half of an animal cracker. I love a reward system that works, keeps children safe, AND extracts energy......all at the same time.
Of course, playing with grandchildren also exercises and tires out grannies and grandpas. I feel a yawn......number fifty-seven......coming on. It's nap time!
Ancora imparo
You never know when interest will wane, but when it does, Grandmas and Grandpas are always ready to move to the next activity. This morning, when a game of catch with Velcro mitts grew tiresome, a larger ball came out and Grandma invented the game of "Bowling For Grandpas", which was a big hit with the grandsons. Grandpa SO graciously fell floppily to the ground each time the ball hit his body. The more floppy he fell, the more chuckles and giggles were heard. Later, when Grandpa SO had to leave and go to a meeting, Granny took the remaining box of Animal Crackers, broke them in half, and proceeded to take the boys on a walk where they were encouraged to run or jump. The purpose of this game should be evident to anyone who ever needed to extract energy from youngsters. We were safely on sidewalks so their movements could be less controlled than being on the side of a street. When Grandma said "Stop", they had to freeze. If they were actually able to stop moving, they were rewarded with half of an animal cracker. I love a reward system that works, keeps children safe, AND extracts energy......all at the same time.
Of course, playing with grandchildren also exercises and tires out grannies and grandpas. I feel a yawn......number fifty-seven......coming on. It's nap time!
Ancora imparo
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Ultimate Futility
Dental hygiene is ultra important. Medical and dental professionals tell patients this all the time, and I subscribe to the notion. It is cheaper to pay for preventive maintenance than to fork out boatloads of money for dental repair, which can be prohibitively expensive, especially if one does not have dental insurance.
Hence, it pays to have your teeth cleaned every six months because at the end of that procedure, which polishes up your pearly whites to a brilliant shine, the dentist comes into your little cubicle and probes around in your mouth, uttering oohs, aahs, and hmms. These utterances are most assuredly supposed to cause the patient to feel that the utmost in attention is being given to the person with his or her mouth wide open.
However, I must protest that the dental profession needs to come up with a more long-lasting solution to teeth cleaning than the one ascribed to by the majority of dentists. Why? Because having your teeth cleaned is the ultimate in planned obsolescence. Why? Because, in the vast majority of peoples' lives who have just had their teeth cleaned, food particles will assault their teeth within, at least, four hours of their procedures. Teeth cleaning would be great if it could parallel the idea of having your house cleaned or your clothes dry cleaned........tasks that can have lasting effects for two weeks, if not longer.
Why cannot a prescription medicine be discovered that would be in the form of a pill that could be ingested right after having your teeth cleaned? This pill could be an uber appetite suppressant that could affect one's appetite for two, three, or even four weeks.
Imagine that! A pill that would make me not want to eat for at least two weeks.....all in the name of cleaner teeth!
I'll keep on dreamin'. It can't hurt. One of these times, one of my very good ideas will become a reality.
Ancora imparo
Hence, it pays to have your teeth cleaned every six months because at the end of that procedure, which polishes up your pearly whites to a brilliant shine, the dentist comes into your little cubicle and probes around in your mouth, uttering oohs, aahs, and hmms. These utterances are most assuredly supposed to cause the patient to feel that the utmost in attention is being given to the person with his or her mouth wide open.
However, I must protest that the dental profession needs to come up with a more long-lasting solution to teeth cleaning than the one ascribed to by the majority of dentists. Why? Because having your teeth cleaned is the ultimate in planned obsolescence. Why? Because, in the vast majority of peoples' lives who have just had their teeth cleaned, food particles will assault their teeth within, at least, four hours of their procedures. Teeth cleaning would be great if it could parallel the idea of having your house cleaned or your clothes dry cleaned........tasks that can have lasting effects for two weeks, if not longer.
Why cannot a prescription medicine be discovered that would be in the form of a pill that could be ingested right after having your teeth cleaned? This pill could be an uber appetite suppressant that could affect one's appetite for two, three, or even four weeks.
Imagine that! A pill that would make me not want to eat for at least two weeks.....all in the name of cleaner teeth!
I'll keep on dreamin'. It can't hurt. One of these times, one of my very good ideas will become a reality.
Ancora imparo
Cerebral Connections
Have you ever felt as if the wiring in your brain has gone haywire? Or, to put it another way, have you ever felt as if your mental spark plugs need replacing?
I'm feeling that way dealing with all of the passwords and user names that I must retrieve in a single day. To be internet safe, I maintain differing passwords and user names for every 'thing' on the internet. I know people who use the same password and user name for every 'thing' but I do believe that leaves a person more vulnerable to internet frustrations and outright disasters. However, keeping all of that information straight in my head is becoming a greater challenge as the years go by. As I use more and more sites and must come up with more and more passwords and user names, I just add to the internal 'phone' book I must maintain.
I know that there are products, on the market, that purport to improve mental acuity and even capacity. Ginko giloba is supposed to be one of those products. No way will I begin putting something into my body that I can hardly spell or pronounce. I like to ingest products that have alphabetical letters in the names, such as Vitamin C, D or B. Nothing exotic, thank you very much.
I think my brain is big enough, but it seems to be becoming more disorganized at a time in my life when I need even more mental organization and compartmentalization. I fear that at some point I'll be found, seated in a corner somewhere, drooling and mumbling every password and user name I've ever selected, only they'll all be mixed up. No phisher will ever be a threat to me then because I'll never remember the combinations that I dreamed up.
Now what are the words that I sign off with each time, after blogging?
It's beginning, isn't it?
Ancora imparo
I'm feeling that way dealing with all of the passwords and user names that I must retrieve in a single day. To be internet safe, I maintain differing passwords and user names for every 'thing' on the internet. I know people who use the same password and user name for every 'thing' but I do believe that leaves a person more vulnerable to internet frustrations and outright disasters. However, keeping all of that information straight in my head is becoming a greater challenge as the years go by. As I use more and more sites and must come up with more and more passwords and user names, I just add to the internal 'phone' book I must maintain.
I know that there are products, on the market, that purport to improve mental acuity and even capacity. Ginko giloba is supposed to be one of those products. No way will I begin putting something into my body that I can hardly spell or pronounce. I like to ingest products that have alphabetical letters in the names, such as Vitamin C, D or B. Nothing exotic, thank you very much.
I think my brain is big enough, but it seems to be becoming more disorganized at a time in my life when I need even more mental organization and compartmentalization. I fear that at some point I'll be found, seated in a corner somewhere, drooling and mumbling every password and user name I've ever selected, only they'll all be mixed up. No phisher will ever be a threat to me then because I'll never remember the combinations that I dreamed up.
Now what are the words that I sign off with each time, after blogging?
It's beginning, isn't it?
Ancora imparo
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Controversies
The news has been filled with a plethora of controversial topics, as of late. Well, when isn't the news filled with controversial subjects?
The soldier who purportedly disclosed sensitive military documents; a former president's daughter's purported extravagant wedding expenses; the oil spill - of course; the exit of the oil-spill's company's CEO; the he-said, she-said saga of a Hollywood star and his live-in trollop; etc., etc., etc.
Yesterday, I entered into a conversation regarding controversies, and what constitutes a controversy. My friend and I both agreed that declaring a topic, event, story, article or happening controversial was purely a subjective and individual choice. We agreed that just about any topic could be considered controversial by someone or some group.
OK, I concur. But.....today a real controversy reared its head. A topic which has universal and long-range ramifications..........
Soft-cookie versus crunchy-cookie texture
Each side of this cookie conundrum is passionate in the defense of its preference. Passionate to the fault of down-right disdain for the other side's viewpoint. As I am baking cookies this afternoon for the Three Musketeers, I have been, as always, highly attentive to the temperature accuracy of my oven AND the amount of time that the pan of cookie dough bakes. The pan absolutely must come out of the oven at the precise moment that done-ness occurs AND the cookies must be removed from the cookie sheet in a prompt manner, lest they become too crispy.
Yes, for those of you who may not want to hear this: I am a devotee of soft cookies. If that makes you not want to read Ancora imparo any longer, then you must do what you must do, just as I must do what I must do. I cannot, in good conscience, produce a cookie that is crispy. I just cannot bring myself to do what I consider is over-baking.
Oops, my confessional time is over. The timer just went 'ding'!
Ancora imparo
The soldier who purportedly disclosed sensitive military documents; a former president's daughter's purported extravagant wedding expenses; the oil spill - of course; the exit of the oil-spill's company's CEO; the he-said, she-said saga of a Hollywood star and his live-in trollop; etc., etc., etc.
Yesterday, I entered into a conversation regarding controversies, and what constitutes a controversy. My friend and I both agreed that declaring a topic, event, story, article or happening controversial was purely a subjective and individual choice. We agreed that just about any topic could be considered controversial by someone or some group.
OK, I concur. But.....today a real controversy reared its head. A topic which has universal and long-range ramifications..........
Soft-cookie versus crunchy-cookie texture
Each side of this cookie conundrum is passionate in the defense of its preference. Passionate to the fault of down-right disdain for the other side's viewpoint. As I am baking cookies this afternoon for the Three Musketeers, I have been, as always, highly attentive to the temperature accuracy of my oven AND the amount of time that the pan of cookie dough bakes. The pan absolutely must come out of the oven at the precise moment that done-ness occurs AND the cookies must be removed from the cookie sheet in a prompt manner, lest they become too crispy.
Yes, for those of you who may not want to hear this: I am a devotee of soft cookies. If that makes you not want to read Ancora imparo any longer, then you must do what you must do, just as I must do what I must do. I cannot, in good conscience, produce a cookie that is crispy. I just cannot bring myself to do what I consider is over-baking.
Oops, my confessional time is over. The timer just went 'ding'!
Ancora imparo
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Seven Generation Footprint
A recent article in the March, 2010 Reader's Digest caught my eye and, subsequently, grabbed my imagination by the collar and would not let go. The article, "Driven To Succeed", written by Margaret Heffernan, showcases a Detroit, Michigan woman named Andra Rush, who leads her own trucking company, Rush Trucking. Rush is a member of the Mohawk Indian Tribe of Ontario, Canada. In a Q and A section of the story, Rush is asked the question, "How has your heritage influenced your approach to business?" She replies, "In our culture, when you make a decision, you consider its impact on the next seven generations."
The next seven generations struck a chord with me. Not only is that a very long time, but to consider subsequent generations numbering seven, requires much forethought and planning. When I truly consider seven generations, I am overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. How could one really anticipate all that could and might happen over the course of time for the next seven generations? Rush talks about taking environmental precautions from the outset, which would be obvious. But, how can a person forsee what the future might be like or what the future might demand of those living their lives in the future?
I have difficulty planning for the next day or week, let alone the next seven generations. But the idea, however daunting, would serve to inspire creativity, ingenuity, and an atmosphere of cooperation with other humans as well as the environment. It gives me pause to ponder if we really could co-exist peacefully with Mother Nature without environmental and wildlife exploitation?
I know the answer to my question is 'yes', but are we ready, as a people, to make the necessary adjustments and sacrifices? How do we shed the attitude of "its mine to possess, and I want it now!?!?" Are we ready to see nature as an equal to our human needs, wants, and desires?
Now I must plan for dinner the the evening. This could be a challenge. I'll start small and work my way up to 'big'.
Ancora imparo
The next seven generations struck a chord with me. Not only is that a very long time, but to consider subsequent generations numbering seven, requires much forethought and planning. When I truly consider seven generations, I am overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. How could one really anticipate all that could and might happen over the course of time for the next seven generations? Rush talks about taking environmental precautions from the outset, which would be obvious. But, how can a person forsee what the future might be like or what the future might demand of those living their lives in the future?
I have difficulty planning for the next day or week, let alone the next seven generations. But the idea, however daunting, would serve to inspire creativity, ingenuity, and an atmosphere of cooperation with other humans as well as the environment. It gives me pause to ponder if we really could co-exist peacefully with Mother Nature without environmental and wildlife exploitation?
I know the answer to my question is 'yes', but are we ready, as a people, to make the necessary adjustments and sacrifices? How do we shed the attitude of "its mine to possess, and I want it now!?!?" Are we ready to see nature as an equal to our human needs, wants, and desires?
Now I must plan for dinner the the evening. This could be a challenge. I'll start small and work my way up to 'big'.
Ancora imparo
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)