Go Fly A Kite

   I just posted this video to my YouTube channel. It said I could share it so I clicked on blog and here it is.  I just keep learning new stuff all the time. And, that's a good thing.                          What did you learn new this week?

   

                    

My Week # 4

 It's been hotter than....

Well, you get the picture!

But, I've been busy this week. Monday, even if the temperature was around 100, Santa came to the Commons to pay us a visit. Just a photo op sort of thing. And, he was dressed for the season, too. SUMMERTIME!

Wednesday my daughter baked muffins for our morning coffee klatch ... yummy and since she's just like her Dad always was, the life of the party, we had a great time. 

I'm on book 3 of a Chesapeake Bay series written by Nora Roberts. I'm enjoying them. I really enjoy the 'Southern Eastern Shore' when we go visit my granddaughter and her family there. A trip there is planned for Saturday. We're celebrating the August birthdays then. 

Hope everyone is staying cool as they can. I went out for lunch to a Mexican restaurant that's just a block from my apartment for lunch today and the steering wheel about burned blisters on my hands! I made it there and back without damage, though, thank goodness. And breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I walked back into my air-conditioning!! 

Vertigo and Other Things

That dang vertigo got me again this week. It's been the bane of my existence the last couple years. When I have an episode, it takes me days and days to recover. That's not fun! But, I feel almost normal this morning.... whatever that is.                                        😀

My daughter and I went to the Monday matinee to see "Where The Crawdads Sing". It did not disappoint! I loved the book, I loved the movie! 

But, I do have to ask myself if it was movement on that huge screen that got my balance 'unbalanced' for it was just hours after I got back home that the walls in my apartment started wiggling and swimming. Who knows? I sure don't. 

                            But, on to other things! .......

I am in the process of putting together an 'abridged' version of our lineage for my children. I hope I get it done so I can give it to them for Christmas. Genealogy has held me captive for over 40 years... Every time I think I will give it up, it grabs me again. Of course, doing a DNA test with Ancestry got the juices flowing again. It's all so fascinating. How many of you do genealogy? Have you had a DNA test done? 

I got up at 7 this morning, got my shower and a cup of hot chocolate... I know, you are saying HOT CHOCOLATE in the middle of this extreme heat... but I had a hankering for some so I did it. Took my cup and the book I am currently reading and headed to the balcony. (I'm reading Nora Roberts 'Sea Swept'). It was so peaceful... a slight breeze, the sun not blistering yet as I was in the shade. 

I watched the osprey leave the nest for what I thought was breakfast. A few minutes later I saw him come in with breakfast for his mate. Bless his 'little pea-picking' heart.. he takes care of her. 

Hope you all had a great week just past and that your week coming up will be even better. I sure hope mine is!!                                                                    Tootle Doo,

                                                                                                                 

My Week # 3

 

Looking Out My Window....  I see a food truck. I've already been down to check it out. Wasn't sure what to order but I'd been craving a hotdog lately so that's what I got. Maybe I'll try their Korean fare at another time. 

I Am Thinking About.... how we residents can upgrade our activities around here. They just about stopped during Covid and haven't picked back up. Wonder if others get as bored as I do at times?

Something New This Week was.... I got my hair cut. It hadn't seen the insides of a beauty shop since before I left to visit Michael the first week of June. Need I say it was getting out of control!! 

How I'm Feeling....  very good about some organizing I've done this week. It's always good to be 'on top of things'. Makes life so much easier.

What I'm Watching.... the most amazing documentary on Netflix. It's "100 Days With TaTa" about a very special relationship between a young man and his great-grandmother's sister. He moves in and takes care of her during Covid. A foreign film (sub-titles) but worth it. So endearing! 

Something fun this week.... I am waiting for a visit from Ben Franklin tonight.  An impersonator is coming, dressed in colonial clothing, taking on the role of Ben F. Should be very entertaining. 

 

       Tootle-doo,

                    Latane

My Perfect View

 I went to the community room this morning to attend our 'church' service. Several mentioned to me that they were envious of the view I have from my apartment. It's true!! I have the best apartment in the place. Of course, that's my opinion but I think some of the other residents agree. 

I take pictures and post them on facebook, Instagram and on this blog. So, you may have seen some of these at one or all of these places before but I just wanted to share 'my view'! 

A pair of osprey live on top of the cell tower providing me with lots of fun and photos. 

And, even rainbows when least expected!

The pond is ever-changing. Sometimes I can't tell if I am looking at the trees or a reflection in the water. 

In summer there are cattails and wildflowers growing along the pond banks. 

I often grow flowers on my balcony. Sometimes I grow herbs.

Birds sit in the trees filling the air with their melodies. This little bluebird preferred a flag pole. 

This year I have mini sunflowers brightening my balcony

I get to watch the fourth of July fireworks...

and the full moon peeking through the trees.

And, when troubles begin to burden me, I have a nice quiet place to sit and calm and reflect and regroup.

My Week In a Nutshell #2

Looking Out My Window....  I see a cloudy sky. We are supposed to have some thunderstorms today. Had some yesterday and will again tomorrow. We need the rain so I won't complain. (Oh, I made a rhyme! 😁) The heron comes and tries to catch his dinner. Sometimes he preens himself.

I Am Thinking About.... how busy I have been and how I am feeling so good about what I have accomplished this week. Lots of cleaning, organizing, I guess you could call it summer cleaning, not spring cleaning! 

It makes me happy that I am doing some good things in my life.

Something New This Week was.... purchasing a new toaster oven. It also has a convection option which I am not familiar with so I have been doing some research on how I can best put that new gadget to work for me.

How I'm Feeling.... blessed beyond measure. 

A Treat for myself this week was.... a beautiful bouquet that I picked up at the grocers last Sunday. I have enjoyed it's presence all week, just sitting there making me happy all week. 

What I'm Watching.... on Discovery+ I found a series called 'Back in Time for Dinner', filmed several years ago in Canada. It features one family (husband, wife, 2 teenage girls, 1 teenage boy) who live through what it was like in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. 

The house was completely decorated for each time decor. They had to dress and act like they were really living during that decade. The food cooked, no tv, no cell phone etc (until later), games played, oh the outfits they wore made me say, 'I wore that!' As she entered each decade the wife walked into her retro kitchen with one question "Do I get a dishwasher yet?"

It was a lot of fun reliving those times through watching it happen on 'Back in Time for Dinner'. 

Something fun this week.... if you remember from a couple posts back how I had fun with my doll, Aaron, while my grown children were here... all in good fun! 

We have coffee time down in the community room every morning here at the Commons. A place to drink some jo, gossip a bit, catch up with friends. I took Aaron down with me yesterday and he was a huge hit! I'm gonna have to keep my eye on Aaron, there were a couple gals who might have snuck him away! 

That's it for this morning..... tootle-doo!

                                                Latane

Wisdom Wednesday #1

                                                 WISDOM WEDNESDAY    

                                                         (every 1st Wed. of each month)

We women are born givers. We care for, we dry tears, wipe bottoms, cook meals, lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, support and love our husbands, listen to the children's cries and joys, tell goodnight stories, go to PTA, ballgames and dance recitals. We care for those sick, those in need, those with broken hearts and broken bodies. That's just what we do!

It took me a long time to realize that I deserved and needed to be cared for and nurtured as well. It's hard to let go of 'how we think we should be, to become who we are'. That wonderful woman you've been to others you now need to be for yourself. Take care of yourself. Take time, be selfish, don't feel guilty. You deserve it! 

                                                            Our Role in Life

     fun with grandchildren                        cooking                                     a loving mother

     

being a loving wife                              taking care of parents                           loss of a child

         

             fund-raising                                        shopping                                loss of your spouse 

 With all that you give, it's now time to concentrate on some things for you. 

                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                    Just for you

    

                   Just have fun with life. 

   It certainly is far too short to not take care of yourself 

Playing With Dolls

 Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends and family

I could wax on and on about how great our country is, how we are grateful for freedom etc, etc, etc. but I won't. 

                Today I'd like to tell you a story. 

You see, some 30 years ago I made a few porcelain dolls (the porcelain parts were already molded but I had to do all the rest). I had 2 granddaughters and they were each gifted with a doll.                             

I made a little boy doll, named him Aaron. To this day he sits in a tiny chair in my bedroom. I think he's adorable and I enjoy his company. 

He's no trouble and doesn't talk back!

For some strange reason, my family dislikes Aaron, think he's spooky. He reminds them of Chucky from the horror movie. 

My daughter, Susan, won't even sleep in the room where he is!!!!!

I am not talking youngsters here. Susan will be 60 next birth-day, and she is scared of my sweet little doll!

I had moved the doll from the room where Michael was staying and put it in the other guest room. After Susan arrives, she starts to bed in that 'other guest room'.  Here she comes with that doll, holding it like it's hot as a baked 'tater. So, I take Aaron in my arms and hold him, cooing to him just like he's a baby.... just to tease them. 

When Susan goes into the bathroom before going to bed, Michael sneaks into her room and lies Aaron on her pillow. We wait... then we hear the shriek! And, here she comes again, holding that doll at arms length. Michael and I are dying laughing. I don't know when I have laughed so much and so hard. It was worth it for that reason alone. 

3 days later, Susan and Michael are getting into his car so he can take her to the airport. I always stand on my balcony to wave goodbye. I holler to get Susan's attention. There I am holding Aaron and making his little arm go up and down waving goodbye to Susan. Another shriek! And, again, Michael and I crack up laughing. 

It may not sound so funny to you but it was just the best ever! Sixty-year-olds and an 88 year-old playing with dolls. haha

Friday Day Log

 I have seen some blogs who do a 'day log' ? totally the wrong name but I can't think of it right now. Anyway, I liked the idea so I tweeked it a bit and decided that each Friday would be my 'day log' day. 

Looking Out My Window....  I see a large pot of mini sunflowers that I can't seem to keep watered enough. They are wilted again this early in the morning! 

I Am Thinking About.... how I am slowly getting back to my normal schedule after a month of busy, busy, busy!

I Am Grateful.... that my visiting children got back home safely after a 'visit to Mama's'.

I Am Writing... need to get back to that novel I am working on. A month-long hiatus! It's a book #2 of the Springtime series.

How I'm Feeling.... more rested, raring to go this morning. Wonder how long that feeling will last?😁

What I'm Reading... I'm 2/3 of the way through The Venice Sketchbook. It's a delightful book and I am enjoying it. 

What I'm Watching.... Jeopardy. Have for years, love it when I know the answer. And, hey, it's helping keep this old mind of mine sharper. Not too sure who I like as host.... just saying.... Alex can't be replaced. 

That's it for this morning..... tootle-doo!