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A View Into My Universe

The past few days have included spending lots of time with my grandsons and I love that, although getting up early and on the road by 8, when I’m usually just waking up, was a shock to my system! 🙂 Yesterday with Sharky, my morning was filled with UNO, Hoot Owl Hoot (board game), Blackjack, crosswords off my phone, and drawing. Then, after picking up Obro early from daycare (he was thrilled!), we read many books and then dashed around their house, playing freeze tag, “invisibles” (the boys were invisible), hide a ball somewhere and say “hot” or “cold” and various other imagination games that the creative little guys devised. I’m delighted that, at 70 years old, I can still mostly participate in their activities. I did draw the line when they wanted to jump on me, hang on to my legs and have me drag them around or stand on my feet. A spring chicken, I’m not.

Somehow, I was too busy to take any photos although I did snap one of Mochi, their second cat. She’s a beauty and so sweet. Unfortunately, Ziggy wasn’t pleased at the addition to their household and that’s created MANY problems. As a reward for Granny Nannying, OD prepared a delicious meal of navratan korma, followed by homemade fruit salsa and cinnamon sugar chips for dessert. As I’ve mentioned before, my mother-in-law and mom were excellent cooks, but that’s evidently skipped a generation because I’m more the frozen pizza type.

My walking has suffered due to my grandmotherly helpfulness but at least I have autumnal beauty right outside my back door. Incidentally, my lawns are now both mowed, the cyclamen planted and my flowerbeds culled of straggly petunias. Did I jinx the weather by proclaiming we were in a second summer? We now have a frost warning for Monday! Bye, bye, coleuses?

My newly cut back grass has come back nicely from its completely yellow hue during summer. I didn’t water it at all after Anders’ third birthday party in mid-July!

Today meant visiting my younger grandsons. Anders misplaced his special rabbit at daycare on Thursday, going without him for a night (!), but Rabbit was located, thankfully. Doesn’t he look relieved? Sadly, this guy is now on two medications: an antibiotic cream for pink eye and another antibiotic for a strange sore on his leg. I took care of Ian for the doctor appointment, then went to the pharmacy for Anders’ medication, as well as entertaining both boys at times while their mom did household chores.

I peeked at Ian’s back and it’s way better. Whew! That’s the weird thing about eczema; it comes and goes for no apparent reason.

He’s such a sweet baby and enjoys using me to stand, then leaning his face into mine and wrapping his arms around my neck. I melt.

Have you ever seen such a cute little bat?

Tomorrow will be the Seahawks game and overdue time with John who has spent most of the week fishing in the morning and doing whatever mysterious activities he does for the rest of the day. He’s a fabulous guy and wonderful boyfriend, but if I lived with him, it would be challenging on many levels.

Speaking of challenging, I applaud those of you who commented on the political part of my last post; if you didn’t, I also appreciate that. Some of my friends don’t share my ideology or political leanings but have always been respectful. Even my late husband and I couldn’t discuss certain topics, the death penalty for one. We would start out talking rationally, and then I would let him know that I was finished with the conversation. He would keep expounding and I would get passionate…and rather loud and suddenly he would think of a project he needed to work on in the garage. So, eventually, we stayed off that topic. I also recall (on Facebook) those who never commented on any of my posts (usually about plants, cats or other innocuous subjects) coming on to lambast me when I would lament over school shootings or rarely put up anything remotely political.

Because of that, Facebook feels a little risky to me (if I want to avoid virtual shouting matches), so I’m Margaret Lite over there. My blog has always been a safe space, as I hope it is for all my commenters, whether we agree with each other or not. xoxo

Comments

19 responses to “Saturday Stuff”

  1. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    Margaret, this was a good read. The first paragraph gave me a real chuckle, particularly at the stuff your boys would’ve done if they could’ve! Glad Anders rabbit was found, amazes me how he’s grown. And Ian does look better, that precious little guy. Interesting what you wrote about people coming out of the woodwork on Facebook, that’s precisely why I left in 2016. After a school shooting I lamented the deaths and ease of gun ownership in this country, and was attacked by my sister-in-law, cousins, even a former English teacher. It pushed me right out of FB and was just the kick in the pants I needed. Anyway, you’re doing great in the grandparent dept! 😊

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Doug! They did jump on me a few times and I had to tell them that I’m old and didn’t want to be knocked down by their superhero strength. LOL I was relieved about the rabbit and Ian’s back; I forgot to ask younger daughter if she had put anything on it or whether it just cleared up on its own. I didn’t realize that trying to find solutions to children being gunned down in their schools was a controversial opinion. As for grandparenting, I’m there when needed (and more often!) but defer to the parents on everything. I’m respectful of their rules although I do bring the littles a few too many sweet treats. 🙂

  2. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    What a delightful way to spend your time with grandkids! I don’t think that is in the cards for me, but I’m OK with that too. I also got off Facebook due to its contentious leanings.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Their screen time is restricted, so we find many other ways to play; it’s fun but tiring. There were many times that I doubted whether I would be a grandmother and never expected to have four grandsons. I would have adapted either way–not much choice about that!

  3. AC Avatar
    AC

    Somewhere I have a pic of me with a grand on each foot. I was in my 60s still, so still have some life and strength in my body.

    This comment form looks different, so just in case, I am AC.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I’ve done it before (let them walk on my feet) but either my feet are in lousy shape or they’ve gotten too heavy. Or both!

  4. Steve Avatar

    Same with me — I am much more open on my blog than I am on Facebook.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It’s ironic because I don’t even know who is reading my blog whereas I had to approve all the friends on Facebook. Perhaps it’s because many of my Facebook group are former students so I still tend to be private with them.

  5. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    I can’t think of any really good cooks on my side of the family but my wife is a really good one and it has passed onto both my daughters it seems. I have been extremely busy this weekend and apparently missed your last post but will have to go back and read it.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      You are very fortunate! Three good cooks in your family. Both daughters, especially older daughter, are excellent. I could possibly be too but cooking for one is uninspiring and I’m unmotivated to go to the effort.

  6. Susan Williams Avatar
    Susan Williams

    Your grandsons are such a joy. Working parents are drawn in all directions and your help with the boys helps balance work life and family life. Working and raising children is not always easy and stressors are real.

    In my opinion, there is nothing like the love and attention from a grandmother. To this day, I have very fond memories of my grandmother and the time we spent together. Your denotation to the boys is heartwarming. Seeing them grow and thrive via your blog very much enjoyed.

    I can picture Ian putting his arms around you, while leaning in to snuggle too and pulling himself up to stand. So sweet.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Susan. That’s exactly what I’m trying for–smoothing out the rough edges of parenting for my daughters while being an important and loved person in my grandsons’ lives. I remember three of my four grandparents (one died when I was young); sadly, they lived far enough away that I didn’t see them frequently. Ian may be too little to say “I love you” but he certainly shows it.

  7. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    Sounds like a busy week! It’s so neat that you get to hang out with all the grandkids so often.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Every week is busy with grandsons! It wasn’t quite that way with one, but with four, my weeks are full and I do love that. 💙💙💙💙

  8. DB Stewart Avatar

    That boy’s eyes! Sometimes my youngest grandson leans back on my chest and looks up at the ceiling. He wants me to look up too. He’s obsessed with the ceiling fan, ha.

  9. Linda Avatar

    Spending time with grandchildren….and cats is always a pleasant and rewarding experience, Margaret! I love all your photos! I totally understand what you are saying about being no spring chicken! I will be 70 later this month and am grateful for being able to do the things I do….just more slowly, for the most part! LOL!

  10. kayak woman Avatar

    I rarely comment on anything political although I do post stuff. The big problem for me is that my views are complicated (like most people, I suspect) and I could write a “book” and still not articulate what I want to say. Making it short: I am against the death penalty (for complicated reasons) and I don’t think the execution should be on TV. I know that there have been public executions throughout history but TV hasn’t been around most of that time. Also, I’m not sure what the Trump admin’s motivations are for publicizing this but I don’t believer they are good. We’re “strong” and “tough”? Okay, whatever… Obviously I am not a Trump fan although I am (happily) married to one.

  11. The Mindful Migraine Blog Avatar
    The Mindful Migraine Blog

    Beautiful bubs and autumnal leaves. ‘politics’ is becoming more of a conversational hand-grenade than ever before – I grew up in a time when it was a taboo topic alongside religion, money and sx, but it feels even more dangerous these days… as an Australian we are going through our own upheavals here, but all that is happening in the USA feels very confusing… enjoy grandma cuddles! Linda xx

  12. Betty Renfroe Avatar
    Betty Renfroe

    Well, I bet you got equal exercise playing with your boys and good stretching too. I’m amazed little blue eye’s back looks so good. It’s wonderful!

    Your yard is beautiful. Hope the frost passes you by.

    I steer clear of political issues on FB. Most of my friends there do not feel as I do. No need to harp about it. A blog is different. You should be able to vent if you wish.

    Is Mahomes still quarterback for your Seahawks? Arkansa Razorbacks are horrible AGAIN.

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