The Autumn Of My Life

 Chilly mornings, warm afternoons, and crisp evenings.  Autumn is finally here.  Nature hangs up her green robes and slips into her most spirited attire.  Dynamic reds, vibrant oranges, warm yellows and rich purples.  How beautiful she looks!  Simply breathtaking!  She enjoys this wonderful time before the bitter cold of winter sets in.  There is much to be done.  The pumpkins in the fields are given a frosty kiss each morning.  She paints the leaves of the trees red, orange and yellow before they fall to the ground.  Her gentle afternoon breezes wisp by the apples that are ripe and waiting to be picked to be baked into pies and crisps or made into warm sweet cider.  She dashes about the corn fields mapping out a clever maze.  Cooler evening breezes are rendered for football games and hayrides.  She pulls the shades of evening down earlier and hangs up the harvest moon.  Her heart is warmed by watching friends and families gather together to give thanks and enjoy their blessings and bounty.  She giggles at costumed children collecting candy and she helps animals prepare for the harsh season to come.  What a glorious time of year is this season of autumn.  Embrace and enjoy.  Happy Fall Y'all!    

Kaleb

Tonight I went and watched my grandson , Kaleb, at his first middle school football scrimmage.  There he was in line with the other players waiting to be introduced, standing about 5 feet 7 inches tall with blonde emo styled tousled hair and looking so grown up.  I wondered how the years could have possibly passed by so quickly.  My first grandchild.  A grandson.  Although I was much too young to become a grandmother this little boy came into my life 13 years ago and I fell head over heals in love the minute I saw him.  When he was very young and I would take him shopping with me sometimes people would mistake me for his mother.  When they made a comment he would say, "That's not my mom that's my Nana!"  But sometimes he would just look at me and smile and my true identity remained our secret.  Kaleb has always had an eye for the ladies.  One day when he was maybe 4 or 5 he was talking about some "hot chick."   I decided to see what a hot chick was to him.  I asked him if his aunt Boo was a hot chick and he answered yes.  What about aunt Nellie?  Yes.  I asked him if I was a "hot chick."  "No Nana" was the response.  I asked him if Grandma Brenda was a "hot chick" and he nodded yes.  When I asked why she was and I was not he said, "Sorry Nana, her's just better than you."  Was I hurt?  No, she is very pretty after all, and that conversation we had is one I will always treasure because it makes me smile.  My preferred grandmother name is "Nana" and I was always called that until one day when I picked up Kaleb and one of his grade school friends.  He said to me, "Grandma, this is my friend, Jake.  (I think that was his name)  Grandma???  What was that all about?  Of course that was about Kaleb growing older. I guess he does have to grow up.  He is a great kid. Loving and sweet with a bit of a mischievous spirit.  He is very handsome and has a sensitive side also.  No matter where football takes you, Kaleb, you are always a MVP in my heart.

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

The British hostess of the show I am watching told a young lady that if she could conquer sky diving then telling her crush how she feels about him would be "Easy peasy lemon squeezy." I love a good catch phrase and was instantly intrigued. This is one I have not heard. After some searching and researching online the best I can conclude is that "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy" was used in the lemon squeezy detergent ads in the UK in the 1970s. I began to recall other catch phrases from advertisements. Remember “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” (Pantene shampoo?) Or, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing." (Alka-Seltzer). You gotta love "Where's the beef?' (Wendy's)

And "I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV." (Excedrin).  I have cried out once or twice "Calgon take me away!" and asked "Can you hear me now?"  I have also exclaimed "Sorry Charlie!" and "Leggo my Eggo!"

Last but not least, one of my favorite's from way back is "He likes it! Hey Mikey!" (Life cereal)

David's Birthday

David's birthday will soon be here again, and again he will not.  This doleful day will not bring joy or celebration.  No candles, no gifts, no party.  His warm smile will not be seen, nor will his sprightly laugh be heard.  The day will be filled with sweet memories of days long ago.  Somber and troubled memories will also loom.  Moments will be spent wishing things would  have gone differently in so many ways.  Old photos will be viewed prompting smiles to appear and tears to fall.  He will be missed but never forgotten.  One gift, given by him, will be remembered.  That gift of the realization that life is precious and brief.  Time is too short to be wasted on any silly thing that would keep you from your loved ones.  Love and understanding should be given each day.  And forgiveness is crucial. 

Happy Birthday little brother.  I love and miss you so much.

Addy Addy Addyson

I have known and loved this little girl for three years now. Addyson Juliann.  My 8th grandchild.  She is my daughter, Robin's, second daughter.  We celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday.  She wanted a "Princess and the Frog" party, and that is what she got.  She was all dressed up in her Princess Tiana wedding gown complete with veil.  Her mom told us the story of how they went shopping for a party dress and Addy did not settle on a dress until she found just the right one.  Visions of watching her try on wedding gowns and finding the "one" came to mind, but just for a second.  That is not for many years to come.  Today she is a beautiful little girl, who's charm is captivating.  She has even been known to cry when watching a sad part of a movie.  She quotes funny lines from movies and sings "clean up clean up everybody clean up" when picking up her toys.  Taking care of her baby dolls is just about her favorite thing to do besides playing outside.  Happy 3rd birthday Addy Addy Addyson.  You make my life happier. 

Temptation

I stopped at the supermarket on my way home from work today.  Grabbed a cart and sauntered through the isles.  I picked up some items I needed and some things just because they were on sale.  White peaches were 98 cents per pound.  Never heard of white peaches so I slipped a few into my cart.  Once I found everything I wanted I headed to the checkout.  The young girl working as the clerk scanned the items and
informed me of the grand total.  I swiped my debit card in the little machine and waited for instructions.  My PIN number first then the question, "Do you want cash back."  It seemed like a good idea so I selected
$20 back.  I finished  pushing all the buttons and then temptation hit.  The clerk handed me two twenty dollar bills while saying "And twenty dollars is your change."  Bonus!  Twenty extra dollars!  Then I thought maybe I hit $40 by mistake...........yea right.  I looked at my receipt and it clearly showed $20 change. 
I paused and then asked the clerk if she should have given me 2 twenties.  Of course she said no.  I smiled and handed one of them back to her.  She thanked me and I headed out the door.  I felt good because I had done the right thing and avoided temptation.  I laughed as I drove home wishing I would have been so strong when tempted to buy those Oreos! 

My Camp

I was listening to the news and they said Oksana Grigorieva's camp denies that she released the tapes of Mel Gibson's rants to the public.  I was surfing the Internet and read that reports from Sandra Bullock and Jesse Jame's camps are divided on whether or not Sandra and Jesse are planning to get back together. 
The politicians all have their own camps.  Even Lindsay Lohan, with all her troubles, manages to keep a camp.  So, I want to know................. where is my camp?  Who is in my camp?  Do I need a camp? 
Do I want a camp?  Can we have a campfire?  Smore's?   Who wants to be in my camp?  Taking all
serious inquiries! 

                             

Life is a Beach

A few weeks ago I visited the Sunshine State for the first time.  We had a wonderful time. 
My favorite part of the trip was going to the beach.  We visited three beaches, each one delightful
and different.

       




Anna Maria Beach was my favorite.  This was my first encounter with the beach ever, and it was invigorous. The sand was soft and white.  The water was warm and tranquil.  It was clear and
little fishes swam around my feet. My granddaughters and I collected various seashells. Shore birds
were eager for a treat and plucked potato chips from our fingers.  A couple of  brave souls, and I was one, even placed a chip atop our head and the birds snatched it right up.  

Daytona Beach was delightful.  The water was crisp and cold.  I walked along the ocean in sand that was darker and even orange looking in spots.  We walked out into the ocean and although the water was shallow the waves were forceful. 

                 

Cocoa Beach is on Florida's Space Coast.  The sand was kind of a light gray-brown.  The water was refreshing.  We swam near the shore in waves that were tame while surfers and their boards were out further in the ocean.  Waves were breaking into foamy white water.  Little sand crabs popped in and out
of their holes and I walked along the soft hot sand picking up seashells.