Seven and a half minutes of fun...

There's a football game on some Fridays at the high school beyond my high back fence. Begins at 7, ends approximately at 10 p.m. I heard the band, especially the percussion unit, beginning their pre-game practicing outdoors, at 6:35. They go through the alleyway just beyond my back fence, to the playing field area. I opened the bathroom window in the back of the house so I could hear them go by, as I like very much to hear them. The only thing I can see because of the high wooden fence, is part of their faces and heads, and any headgear they're wearing.

I have a little white metal chair in my bathroom, and sat on that while I waited for them to end their practicing and come marching through on their way to the field area. I'm reading a book currently, and took that in there with me to read while waiting. Suddenly at 6:48 or so, they were all gathered near the school to begin their brilliant march through the alleyway at 6:50 p.m. This is the first time that I have heard the entire 'little concert' of the drummers, and I have to stand on my tippy-toes to see them. (I've had orders from my caring grown-up children that I must not use any stepstools or stand on anything higher than the floor.) I saw the first few pass by, and then, would it be the two drum majors (?) came marching by. I could see part of their faces, and the black hat with a huge black plume! I am so glad I could see the beginning of the band.

So magnificent, I thought, so many of the band members were wearing the black hat with the huge black plume, and then the rest of the band came marching by, like a never-ending train you watch when you are stopped at a railroad crossing. There are so many students in that band, it must be almost 150 to 200 people! There were some hatless, carrying music stands, and probably instruments, and other paraphernalia. I am very impressed with this high school's band! Near the end, there were open vehicle-carts or trucks carrying heavy xylophone tables, and other heavy instruments and equipment. There must be a dozen or fifteen chrome-plated large horn instruments, and this evening I saw one bronze-colored one. I must do some research to find out what those beautiful instruments are.

When the wonderful show was over, as that part lasted only seven and a half minutes, I closed the window, took a deep breath, and came here to tell you all about it. Perhaps one of these game-nights, I will attend a high school football game so I can see just how colorful, talented, and magnificent a band can be. I think perhaps it will be at DeSoto High School, as my granddaughter Veronica is in that band. Won't that be exciting for me to attend a game? Indeed, yes, it will!

Tonight as I am in my pajamas and under my blankies, I will hear the band march back from the field to the school, and then I'll go to sleep. I sometimes wonder why I get so thrilled every time I hear a school band, and just now I think I know. Each one of our six children played an instrument at school, and each was in the school band, including parts of the band that were stage band, jazz band, and marching band.
Music is so sweet to my ears...

To Bed By Six P.M.!

Did you ever have to go to bed at 6 p.m. because you were so tired? One night about a year or two ago, I had to go to bed by 7 because I was exhausted. I thought that was extreme. Last night's bedtime was more extreme.

I was going to sit down with a book I just started, and just before I had a chance to sit down, my mind said, "You are so very tired, just go to bed and we'll see how soon you will feel better." So I respected my mind's decision and changed into my pajamas, cuddled up under my blankies, and went right to sleep, about a minute before 6 o'clock. How's that for breaking records?

I slept very well, like a log, until 8:18 p.m. for my usual trip to the bathroom. I felt somewhat better than I did before six o'clock. I lay back down, thought I would drift off to sleep, but no soap. I had to get up, and went into the kitchen to do my day's dishes which were 'left for tomorrow'. I did them all up, and sent a responsive email answering that of my sister Regina. I also sent a family email about the recall of contaminated cantaloupes. I then went back to bed.

For some reason, for me there are no two days alike. My usual routines change -- I can't seem to depend on any agenda of mine. Is this how it is when one retires?

And Time, Time passes so fast. One of our grandsons is turning from 21 to 22 as I type, and I'm wondering where all that Time went since he was a baby, then a toddler, as cute and cuddly as each one of our grandchildren is. Sometimes I wish that Time would stand still so I could chain it to my wrist.

Some of my days run away so fast, that when I am getting ready for bed, I think, "Didn't I get up out of bed just an hour or two ago?" There are so many things to do, many hobbies, much reading to do, writing letters, listening to music, doing a little cooking, that I can never understand how some people can get bored!

Today I found a recipe for sauteed very young squash and zucchini, and I used the new little veggies I bought at the Saturday Farmers Market. The recipe said to cut them in half lengthwise and saute them in some olive oil, and seasoning of salt and pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and dill weed. They browned on both sides to a lovely color, and I had some for my lunch.

That project made me think of cooking thin rounds of yellow summer squash when I was quite young. That was many years ago, but I still can see the wood/coal burning stove, frying pan, and those rounds of yellow squash in my mind's eye. I did eat some as they were cooked, I must admit.

My parents moved to the countryside when I, the oldest of three, was nine and a half years old. Mom and Dad had to tend to the barn chores, and garden, and I was appointed to help in the house. I was helper at meals, and laundry, and so many other household chores. I don't remember the age I was when I was sauteing those squash, it could have been that summer, and the next, and the next. I began helping in the spring of the year we moved from town to country.

I also helped in the barn, milking cows. But let me tell you, I don't think it was a long stint of milking cows. I was 'under' a cow milking, and she kept swishing her tail, and I was complaining, and suddenly the cow kicked, I think the pail of milk was spilt, and we couldn't afford to have that happen. I was crying and Mom told me to go down to the house and make supper. I guess I was just not a milker, never liked it, as I was scared of the cow's feet. But still, to this day, I am in love with cows. I think they are one of the most wonderful of animals.

Now, how did this subject come out of my typing fingers? Oh, yes, the sauteed squash...

I'll see you at the Corner Post...

'T was a very busy and happy weekend!

On Saturday, September 24, my son Bill was going to sing and play his guitar at the Cooper-Young Farmers Market in Memphis. His wife Jennifer and my granddaughter Melanie (the one who helped me to set up this blog) picked me up and we went to see and hear Bill at his gig; we also bought some fresh vegetables and fruit.

It was with great pleasure that I sat and enjoyed his happy presentation. He is also known as Bill in the
"BillShipper.com" entity. He writes songs and sings them, as he has done for many years. His time slot on that day was two or three hours in the morning. This was a very informal occasion, with so many people walking nearby with their children, going for vegetables and other items. Men setting up a home-made manner of making beer at one of the nearby stalls, the man with the lunch items, the maintenance man walking around making sure things were running in tip-top shape, a-righting a few mikes and other things when the windy gusts came along. People meeting and talking in small groups, young kids coming with their parents and finding other kids to play with; the Farmers Market is quite a nice place, I'd say.

I was also watching some little boys playing on the area near the 'stage' on the set-up for performers at the Farmers Market. There was one little boy about 2 1/2 or almost 3, who was so fascinated with the garden hose lying on the ground next to a building there. He was trying out and experiencing a few little ways to step between the lengths of hose, somewhat like Marines at boot camp, running around little obstacles and not tripping over them. That kept the little guy busy for quite a long time.

There were also a couple of a little older boys, and the little guy would attempt to do what they were doing. He was so adorable, just learning all the 'boy' things that boys do. Of course, I was watching my own son most of the time, but I couldn't help turning my eyes to this precious little young man and his antics. His mom was seated under one of the small canopy umbrellas, watching Bill's performance, and watching her little one, taking excellent care of him with her watchful eyes and scurrying to get him out of danger from time to time.

Jen and Mel left with their veggies to go home, and I stayed to the end of Bill's gig. For lunch, he and I  purchased some delicious food from one of the vendors at the Farmers Market for our lunch there. We enjoyed our conversation while we had our lunch. Because he had another gig around 4 or 5 o'clock that afternoon at Cedar Hill Farm, we stopped at my place to take my vegetable purchases in out of the heat of the day.

We then went to Bill's house so he could get ready for his next gig. Melanie would be going with us to Cedar Hill Farm. Jennifer would be going with her daughter Veronica, who is in the marching band at her school, to a competition some distance away. So many things going on in one day -- sometimes it makes me wish I could be in two or three places at the same time!

There were many pumpkins in various places on the farm, and of course, I had to take some pictures of them. One of my very favorite times of year is autumn with the gorgeous orange-colored pumpkins! When I was in first grade we had to color in an outline of a large pumpkin on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper one day in October, and I shall never forget that picture of the pumpkin colored with an orange crayon. To this day, one of my favorite colors is orange!

The farm is quite an operation, probably having hayrides and other pastimes for school trips, and such, it has a small restaurant, and lots of things to enjoy.

After the program was over, we started out for home, satisfied that Bill's group of songs went over very well; people like his compositions. He had decided that it would be a treat to stop at Velvet Cream in Hernando for our dinner, because he had stopped there once and really liked it. It is an ice cream stand which locals call "Dip", and which has a very big menu. I'll bet you could get anything you would like there! It is busy most of the time. That place even has a quaint drive-thru. It would be quite a treat to go there again, in my opinion!

We took our food home to my place to eat, and spend some time together talking. The portions are quite large, and mine was enough for more than one meal! We three really did have a great time talking, about so many subjects. How wonderful it is when that happens, sort of unexpectedly. It was such a pleasure!

It was nine o'clock or after, when we broke up our very enjoyable little party. We would have a very busy Sunday, after a most busy Saturday! I may be able to tell you about Sunday's doings, in my next posting. Keep tuned.

See you around the Corner Post...

A little different route; beech (?) trees; carrot pancakes.

Since it was rather cool this morning (WAIT until winter arrives!) I didn't want to walk too early. At two p.m. I decided the time was right. I went up Chesterfield Drive, turned left on Richland which has a 90-degree turn after a bit, to the left, and I walked, still on Richland, to Custer. Turned left on Custer, and back to home just a few houses from where Custer intersects with Chesterfield. I am getting to know a bigger part of my neighborhood. It turned out to be a 23-minute walk, in bright sunlight so I got enough Vitamin D activation, and enjoyed being in a slightly different setting.

There are two trees, possibly beech? at one corner, and I stopped to admire them. They look a little similar to birch trees. I must look it up to determine what these lovely trees are. Their trunks are mottled a bit with two or three shades of gray. Very beautiful. It would be a good project to paint a picture of them.

During mid-afternoon, upon thinking of delicious, traditional potato pancakes, I felt that I would experiment with carrot pancakes. I finely grated (so they would cook quicker than being grated on the larger holes) one carrot. I broke an egg into it, added a bit of salt, a bit of onion, and two tablespoons of gluten-free flour. I put in the oiled skillet a tablespoon of the blended mixture, making a little filled circle of it, and did three more small pancakes. They browned to a turn quite quickly, were turned over, and the other side browned a bit. Those went onto my plate, and I made four more small carrot pancakes. I must be truthful. I ate all eight of them for my dinner. I had never tried to make carrot pancakes before, and am so pleased that they turned out so tasty. Try it, you will like them. But I think you should use more carrots if you have more than one person at your table!

Skyping is such a wonderful thing to be able to do. I haven't skyped with son Gerry and Joyce his wife, since before I moved here. It was a happy little time late this afternoon when the skyping connection notified me. They have a grown kitty cat named Shanti, and she really joined in on the conversation, with loud mews and mrowers. She finally left the scene and went to lie down somewhere, when she thought our conversation was boring, and participated again later for a couple of minutes. I wonder if she would be more interested if there were a cat in MY house!

See you around the Corner Post...

A little scare... and a marvelous discovery.

When I tried to get onto my blogspot, I forgot to put 'my' in front of grannablog. Someone else has "grannablog." I had such dispirited feelings about this, because I didn't want to have to change the name of my blog! I thought for a couple of minutes, and remembered that there is a 'my' in front of my own grannablog. Thank goodness! That was my little scare, because I didn't remember it fast enough.

Once in a while I sort of get grabbed by the leg as I am passing by my computer. It happened again about forty minutes ago. Yes, forty minutes, doing 'research'. I was looking up Thistle and Shamrock, and suddenly, unexpectedly, I found myself watching and listening to a young man in Slovakia playing the fujara. I had heard the sound before in Slovak music, but I didn't know what it was or looked like.

It is somewhat like a didgeridoo, or similar instrument used in other countries. Perhaps every culture has its own take on this type of music. The ones shown in little videos were made of wood, very beautifully carved, and well polished. They sound very much like a flute, also.

There was another little video of a craftsman/artist making a fujara. What extreme patience and talent this man had. This opens up an entirely new area into which I can delve.

I wonder if it is very difficult to play, as it looks as if it is. I know that it must take a lot of training and practice. There were also small groups playing the instruments, so spiritual-sounding.

Then I clicked on another little window on YouTube, and found a futujara, with a long tube attached to a similar instrument. This reminded me of my grandson Tim who plays a melodica very well.

Being flabbergasted by my discoveries, I just couldn't break away from the mighty grip that my friend Computer had on me.

You wake up in the morning, after a fitful night or a wonderful night, never knowing what the day will bring! Isn't it marvelous that Life can do this for us?        A surprise a day       Is just the right way.

See you around the Corner Post...

My famous walk.

I feel so satisfied when I take a walk. This morning at a little after 8 o'clock, I did my walking exercise, and it took me about 22 minutes. Son Bill later was teasing me, saying a REAL walk would be about three to five miles! But he was just kidding, of course, since I am not a REAL person. I sort of do things in my own way.

On the way back from my walk, I saw across the street a little boy with an orange shirt and a yellow umbrella. He seems to be about 4 - 5 years old, and he was quite engrossed in walking from his driveway onto the sidewalk along the street, tapping the umbrella on the ground like a cane. Then suddenly, he looked up and spotted me on the other side of the street, ran back to his open garage, and disappeared.

I thought, "I'll bet that his caring parents taught him that if he saw anyone he didn't know, to quickly get back into his garage." I also had the idea that his mom or dad was in the garage doing something. As I got nearer to his house (of course I was still on the other side of the street), I could see him peeking out at me.

As I passed his driveway, I could see him several feet away from the open garage door, and I waved a
friendly wave at him from across the street. He did wave back. That made me feel good, that he was no
longer frightened.

As I got closer to my own house, I looked to see where he was, and he had started out again to the sidewalk from his driveway, tapping with his "cane" as he walked in his own little world.

About my 'famous' walk. There were times that I liked walking very much, and I'd take a walk after my chores and baking were done, and our kids were at school. But after my back problems, I did not like walking, as it was quite painful. With surgery, most of that problem was taken care of, but with increasing years changing this body, I didn't always feel like taking a walk, and I became more sedentary.

With coaxing from Son Joe and others, I did begin to take a daily walk. It was so pleasant, on the tree-lined streets, and the walks continued for quite a long while. Then I began to lose energy and desire and stamina. Back to the sedentary life. I know our kids like it when I get out for a walk.

From time to time, I start doing my walks, then I stop for some reason. I think my 'walk' is a see-saw thing, now it is, now it isn't, now it is...

See you around the Corner Post...

Excitement at having a blogspot...

What a gorgeous day this one turned out to be, weather-wise, temperature is 85, with lots of sun, and nice warm breezes. Melanie came over to get my blog started. That was nice of her: she needs a lot of patience with me, because my brain isn't a computer brain. I guess I'm an old-fashioned person.

I came across the very precious drawing done by Billy Carter, the Carters' firstborn, just a couple of days ago. I thought it was the perfect subject of the first posting on my blog. Of course, I'm VERY excited with my new blogspot.

One of the topics I'd like to discuss is lipstick. Yes, lipstick. I always wore it, not terribly bright red, but softer colors. As I got older, I didn't wear it a lot. Some women asked, "Where is your lipstick?" I guess it is a faux pas to be without it in public.

I looked in the mirror, and realized, yes, I do look a bit pale without it, since my complexion is fair, not ruddy. (It used to be ruddy during that long phase called menopause.) So this year I began to wear lipstick again. I like the muted red colors. I'd love to see MaryAnn again, so she would notice that I do wear lipstick sometimes.

MaryAnn has a pool at her house, and friends and family come to play in it, in the summertime, of course - she and her husband live in a wintry state - and they all have the most marvelous time playing Marco...................................Polo, a lot. It is such fun watching them. I always watched, when I went to her house, because I cannot swim.

I've eaten my dinner, done up the dishes, and now I think I shall read for a while. I have found that if I don't read for a while, like three or four months because I'm extremely busy unpacking boxes and stuff, I begin to be cranky. I guess I didn't realize that reading truly is a therapeutic exercise. So I have been reading every evening for a while, and it has made me sweet and lovable.

I'll see you at the Corner Post.

One of My Treasures...

This came out of one of the boxes I unpacked two or three days ago. The Mom represented is my baby sister Regina who has three children. Billy the first one drew this wonderful version of his Mommy with his new little baby brother Andy who having his lunch right now.

How a toddler sees a mom.