My girl, my rules!

I'm pretty sure that I'm no different than any Grandma.  I can smile almost anytime just thinking about my granddaughter.  Her new favorite saying is, "I wasn't born to be perfect, just awesome!"  You win..... you were and you are.  She has a sense of humor that is timeless.  She knows what to say and when to say it....she has yet to learn what not to say...(all good things take time) but often the spontaneity is priceless and what makes B...B! I'm pretty sure she could be a great actress and I hope she jumps at the chance to try out for school theater... Voice projection shouldn't be an issue!  Memorization should be a piece of cake and  facial expressions and characterization should flow like water.  Of course I'm just a tiiiiiiny bit prejudice and what comes naturally at home, doesn't always appear in public...unless you don't want it to.
Here comes the grandparental paragraph of protest.... Common Core, Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYS  Legislature...I do not want our children (especially mine) to spend 5-10minutes on one addition problem in class negating the opportunity to think how a butterfly stays in the air.  I do not want a 12 step program for our children....of any kind...ever!  I do not want our children to be exactly like every other child in their classroom.  I do not want our children to feel responsible for their teacher's job.  I do not want our children to feel that if something is difficult, their parents can "opt them out."  I do not want the ability to run and play, throw leaves in the air and socialize on a playground to be replaced by 50 worksheets by Friday! and I certainly do not want our educational curriculum and teacher evaluations to be written by those who have NO educational training and are only loyal to lobbyists and PACs.
I DO want theater, music and athletics to be available and abundant. Much can be taught through these activities that don't facilitate the need for paper and pencil and remaining sedentary. Thankfully our teachers have given themselves the permission to relax a bit.  They must still follow their "mandates" ( I hate any word that begins with man/men) but they realize why they became teachers and where, and whom, they should be focusing their energy.  A few advantages of small town school districts.  I have never thought homeschooling was the answer but I have met many children (and now adults) who were homeschooled and they are bright, outgoing and successful.  There are many programs for homeschoolers that facilitate sports, arts, field trips and socialization.  Charter schools seem to be popping up more and more.  Private schools give their students so much more than just the three R's. They allow respect, reasoning and reality.  Unfortunately these options are not available or affordable for everyone................or are they?  Who's raising our children? Who's responsible for the next generation's leaders?  If it is ours...then we are the ones who need to make the changes by changing who makes the rules.... It's our playground and I think we have many folks in government that need a permanent "time out!"

The "Sandys"

I managed to stay awake and alert throughout the entire 87th Academy Awards.  When it begins one day and ends another, it's a long show!  I'm not a Fashionista so I'll leave those critiques to those in the know. What I liked would undoubtedly vary from the experts.
I do, however, have my opinions on pretty much everything else ....so here goes:


Thumbs Up:


Lady Gaga...I was super impressed.  Underneath the eccentricity is a woman with a golden voice.
The surprise introduction of Julie Andrews and the emotional embrace.
The passionate and heartfelt thank yous.  Those given the opportunity to reach astronomical numbers used the platform for much needed messages.
Tim McGraw and his tribute to Glenn Campbell. A message reminding us all "they won't be missing us" sung in a way that resonated with millions.....and me for sure!
Neil Patrick Harris....always a quick wit and mostly flawless delivery.  The opening was, as predicted, amazing!


Thumbs Down:
"Everything is Awesome" musical number.. belonged at the Nickelodeon Awards.
Micheal Keaton's incessant chomping on his gum even after he knew he would be on camera for anything "Birdman" related.
John Legend's comment about black men.   Saying that there are now more black men incarcerated than were slaves in the 1800's doesn't exactly strengthen their purpose.
Neil's Birdman "take off" on those tidy brighties...I mean whiteys!
The entire Red Carpet... a waste of time and money. Start the show earlier and end before the next day!

50 Shades....

It was a bitter cold February afternoon.  In my trench coat, I walked slowly to the theater. "One senior citizen for 50 Shades please!"  The attendant winked as I entered the lobby.  With popcorn in hand, I entered theater # 7..There was a hush! (Of course there was. There were only 3 other elderly perverts in attendance......in their trench coats)  The lights dimmed. I was in time for only one preview but I was thrilled as the one eyed object on the screen was not a minion. The fallout for attending only children's movies for the past 5 years)The feature was beginning. It was suddenly very warm. It didn't take long for shy, frumpily dressed Anastasia to clumsily "fall" (literally) in love ...or lust with Christian....(now there's an oxymoron!) I often found myself holding my breath.  I also quite enjoyed the butter dripping down my chin as I frequently missed my mouth with the heavily lathered kernels. I closed my eyes and winced in pain.  (Crap it was just my vest's zipper pressing marks into my tightly clenched fist.) For a mere second I wondered if there was a Harry Potter commercial as I witnessed rows of broom handles lining the bedroom wall....And there were Christian and Anna gazing deep into each others eyes as he trailed the large feather along her body.  I'm pretty sure that peacock would have been proud to be represented. I needed to use the restroom.  My medium diet coke was pounding in my bladder screaming to be released.  I could not leave....It was as if I were tied to my seat.  Soon the options were few and the red room was history. I made a mad dash....literally ran like hell as people smirked and asked if I had trouble leaving;-)  It was the shortest peewipewash in history. Breathing heavily, I returned to my seat.....little had been missed.  I continued to barely blink for the next 60 minutes.  I never realized counting to six could be so very provocative.  The end was coming ;-)  It was over:-(   If nothing else, I had made one amazing revelation.  I now knew exactly what a "One eyed, one horned flying purple people eater" looked like.... and I liked it!

Brrrrrrrr

"The cold never bothered me anyway!"  Way to go Elsa but who knew we'd be plunged into this arctic freeze...for months.  I really do enjoy winter.  The change of seasons brings us all something to look forward to.  If the snow ever melts, we'll all be looking for those elusive robins, the first signs of daffodils and even those wonderful peepers.   Soon we'll be happy to see all the signs of spring and warmer weather. Then come the spring rains........and mud.  Next we'll be hoping the temps will rise and we can mow lawns, plant gardens and bask in the sunshine. On the 90 degree days, we'll be waiting for the first leaves to fall and 70 to be the norm.  The colors of fall surpass almost everything...at least in my book.  Finally the first, beautiful snowfall and everything is blanketed in wonderful white.  And then it snows....and snows....and snows..YAY....We finally have a winter that isn't pretending. The thermometer plunges, snowplows emerge, the people complain.....really???
You've chosen to live here....possibly all your life..or some have actually moved away and come HOME! Basically, it's February, it's winter and we finally get a break from everyone bitching about global warming.  Sit back relax and enjoy...soon enough it will be muddy season and a whole new gaggle of gripes will appear:-)

Eagle Eyes..mine

Yesterday was an exceptional day.  As you all know, I'm a wee bit eagle-centric.  I have been noticing  an eagle (or two) flying up through the  falls and perching in the back yard trees...(which will now be known as Eagle Pass.)  Well, yesterday was a banner day.. The kids were here for supper and they spotted a couple eagles feeding across the road.  "There are two, no wait, 3, 4, holy shit there are 6 eagles across the road." I was literally tripping over myself to get to my camera, my binoculars and trying to decide which window to peer from first.  I still get goose bumps when I see one, so seeing six nearly gave me the big one!  The kids made fun of me but I saw them scampering from window to window too.  They were perching in trees close to the house ( the eagles, not the kids) as well as one landing ON the house. It was my own personal Alaskan adventure.  I sat up late doing a bit more research on fledglings. I wondered where they went, when they began mating and how long they stayed near their parents.  It appears that I have eagle tendencies.  They spread their wings and venture out into the world for a bit but they come home to "roost!"  They don't begin their families until they are mature (4-5 years) and they mate for life. The may divorce if their mate is unable to have a family (Whew, I dodged that bullet.)
Recently I have taken some photos of what I couldn't really identify but thought was a hawk.  Now, I see it was a fledgling. They're not a pretty bird until their white feathers appear in their 5th year. Until then, they continue to search for safe nesting sights near water....usually.  They often appear larger than their parents as their feathers are longer and thicker until they are fully mature. They also have dark eyes and beaks which, during the maturing process, will turn yellowy orange! 
I am thrilled that babies are surviving and settling here. That means that we'll see more and more of these majestic beauties for years to come. I'm so glad they chose EIEIO...


This fledgling is nearing maturation... notice the beak changing to a brighter orange.  The other two fledglings still have dark gray beaks...so possibly they are last year's babies!

Who Me?

It's Friday the 13th.....one of three in 2015.  Three is the most of this superstitious date that can happen in one year....so get ready.  I never really thought of myself as superstitious but I continue to notice symptoms that make me a full blown.................nut job.  Her are just a few of my quirks:

• I sing (out loud) the Buffalo fight song at the beginning of each play. in each game...even the Seahawks games... ( I do change the name to fit the team!)
• I refuse to park backwards (headed out) in my garage
• I don't take my bracelets off...even in the shower!
• I say my prayers every night...and if I should fall asleep before doing so, I say them the second I awake.....and apologize.....and hope he/she is listening.
• I forward any post that intimates that me, my family or my friends ...... will have bad luck. (sorry FRIENDS)
• I refused to take off my wedding band until our 30th anniversary...when my fingers gained so much weight (not me, just my fingers) and I had to have it cut off....my ring!
• I cross my fingers...a lot...although arthritis has set in and sometimes it takes two hands to get the job done.
• I will not kill a cricket...although it has seriously crossed my mind;-)
• I try very, very, very hard to never break a promise...That's why I seldom make them.
• And the usuals...If a black cat is crossing in front of me, I'll stop or slow down or even turn down another street.  There's one on West Cayuga St. that has eaten up a few gallons of gas. I never do the ladder thing and I've thrown a shitload of salt over my shoulder.

Superstitious?  Who me?

15 Things Only Over-Thinkers Will Understand

 

BTW, I could over - think with this guy.....anytime!        

By Anna Bashkova

I don't know who's to blame for creating a generation of over-thinkers, but I blame...someone. I think. Maybe it's 'cause we're overly sensitive and wicked smart? Could that be why we're so introspective? But whatever - we cool, we cool.
If you're an over-thinker you might relate to and understand at least one of these things:

1. When we say "we’re sorry," we mean we're really sorry. If we feel like we’ve hurt your feelings, what you didn’t see is the hours we spent going over every single detail of our fight. Seriously, rest assured knowing that whether you accept our apology or not, this will not soon be forgotten. ( If we don't say we're sorry, we pretty much couldn't give a F---)
2. We’re not insecure control freaks, we just think. A lot. I mean you don’t have to call us back right away when you’re out, but just know that our mind is playing out a bunch of horrible scenarios in which you’ve cheated. Or died. That’s right, if we reach your voicemail, we can’t help but consider that you might not be alive. (This goes mostly for our children)
3. Our critical thinking skills are pretty on point. Seriously, we have mastered the art of interpreting what people really mean by what they say.
4. But our friends don't seem to appreciate our analytical ninja skills. They end up saying “you are so over-thinking this I can’t even,” when we proudly tell them that we’ve figured out what something really meant. 
5. Sleep is probably the most difficult aspect of our lives. Laying silently in the dark without any distraction inevitably makes us sink into our racing thoughts.
6. God forbid someone unfollows us on Instagram or unfriends us on Facebook. We won’t rest until we figure out who it was and why.
7. We delete texts, hesitate over writing emails and Facebook messages, delete and re-write tweets. All because we could and should have said something other than what we did. It takes us forever to write an important message. Okay, basically any message. (because we're pretty sure EVERYTHING must be spelled right and grammatically correct)
8. When we go out we can be the life of the party - if the party is authentic and exciting (and has enough alcohol), we can live in the moment. Until the hangover. The next morning we are left in fear of what we could have said to that one person we'd rather die than act like an idiot in front of. ( I know..end of sentence preposition..no-no..I didn't write that)
9. Of course, any pain in our body leads to us imagining the worst case scenario. We need someone to talk us off the ledge, and tell us they've experienced a pain similar to the one we're describing.
10. We can’t let things go easily. We’re convinced that if we run over the details of a few more times, it will somehow change the outcome and we will uncover some new understanding of the situation. (so, so true)
11. We send a lot of screenshots of stuff…and evocative details. (and birds) We need second opinions.
12. We actually enjoy a break from our heads. If someone takes us somewhere stimulating enough that we won't have to be mind-numbingly introspective for once, we’ll love them forever. Well, you know. (Like a Beach Boys concert)
13. What did they mean by “I'll see you soon?” What does “soon” mean? Like soon soon? Or "soon"? We like when someone makes our lives a little less complicated and tells us straight up what they mean. I mean, we’ll probably spin it to mean something more, anyways, but it's still nice. 
14. If we meet someone that makes us live in the moment, we'll hang on to them for life. Or as long as we possibly can. 
15. On the other hand, if we meet someone who seldom thinks, who can be told anything but understands nothing, We can easily just "Let it go!"

Vacation

Ahhh, let vacation begin.  No sandy beaches, no ocean views, no humid temps, no reported good news.......................just peace and quiet, no dinners to make, no farting or burping just calm to intake!


LEE HAS LEFT THE BUILDING for the sunny (or not) south and my  R & R commences. Hey, it's been over 40 years of wedded "something" and if separate vacations work......don't be a hater.  The entire bed is mine and it smells as wonderful when I wake up as it did when I went to bed.  If I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at 8:00 instead of meat and potatoes (and dishes) at 6:00, that's totally my choice.  The laundry consists of clothing that doesn't reek of gasoline, oil and smoke and if I want it to pile up in the basket for several days...Pile away! "Lonely," you ask....not for a second. We're generally in separate rooms sitting in separate recliners watching separate TVs.  There is one thing I might miss.....The Hall Sex... that's when we pass each other in the hall, smile and say "F--- You!"   Yep, I'm definitely gonna miss that!

Old Souls

I wish I had enjoyed history...when it wasn't!  As I read and reflect more on our predecessors and their knowledge, the old adage what goes around comes around is merely.. the truth.  We've actually become no smarter over the past two centuries. What would be smart would have been to merely learn from our democratic ( in the rawest form of the word) ancestors and try diligently to not repeat their mistakes.  Politicians today are so consumed with their written legacy and their narcissistic, arrogant ways.  I'm fearful they'll only be remembered for their stupidity and us for being complacent.
I watched a docudrama about the Roosevelts last week.  It was enlightening to say the least. Eleanor will never be remembered for her beauty but her brains should have changed small courses of history. For generations the answers to such mundane problems were/are written in the historical errors of others and their willingness to claim them and go forward.  Yet, we still continue not to listen and repeat, repeat, repeat.
Some small examples of greatness penned by Thomas Jefferson offer generational insight:


John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the White House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time.  He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

 

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe ."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes,  a principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
-- Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

Hmmmmm...More reading, less talking, more learning, less loss:-(

Let it go!

Recently read an article in the AARP Journal (shut it.)  It listed things that you no longer need after 50.  Obviously it took me a bit longer (nearly 13 years) for it to sink in.  Old habits die hard!






Let someone else do it. Let someone else clean it. Let someone else make the payments.
Let it go. Here's to no more … more. Give it up:
1. The three-dozen-egg carton, the 2,000-pack of Sweet-n-Low and the Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar-size ketchup.
2. Super-sized fries (no one in the car to take the last handful, or take the edge off the guilt).
3. The minivan. How about a snazzy car, a smart car, even a 64 Chevy convertible?
4. A brand-new model four-over-four house — even on the golf course. Even if your kids live next door. Especially if your kids live next door. bigger is no longer better...(unless it's pants)
5. A one-horse open sleigh. Yes, you've been meaning to get the horse but …
6. A Costco membership. You'll never need that many paper towels, unless you run a car wash. You'll never need that much toilet paper unless you run.............OK, keep the TP on hand in bulk!

7. The gym membership. How about the dog, the shoes, the SPF 50 and a walk!?

8. Those seven, nine or 20 unfinished scrapbooks and birdhouses or any craft project!
9. All those teaspoons, fruit spoons, salt spoons, cheese knives, crab picks and lobster crackers liberated from restaurants along with the extra lemon, the fistful of sugar bags, the basket of rolls.
10. Fourteen matching place settings … 14 unmatched place settings are more fun, funky and functional. (unless you host Hatfield Christmas and then you just need them!) The fancy, gold and white Limoge has been shuffled off to family in Georgia...who are much more appreciative than any kin around here.....my blog..I can say what I please!
11. Just one extra shot — tequila, espresso, Botox.
12. Your very own chickens ....Oh HELL NO...I just got those fine feathered friends to keep me company, cackle at my jokes and offer little judgement...not to mention...EGGS!
13. Four-inch heels for the wedding reception.  Gone for good...One blue, black and brown pair of granny heels for special occasions and funerals....which could be the same event:-)

 

14. Another cat  Never, No way, Hate 'em
15. Another hat.... I was just given a handmade chicken hat which is probably my favorite chapeau to date!
16. Another hobby.....bird watching is here to stay...age makes no difference!
17. A bigger flat screen.....you ALWAYS can use a bigger TV... We're up to 73"
18. A bigger boat. we ditched the boats!
19. A bigger mortgage. NO mortgages....whew!
20. More than 700 channels in one night....totally happy with my cable and Netflix
21. More than 700 calories in one hand......Hmmmm
22. Double cheese.....never try to take away my cheese!
23. 3-D.   just plain blurry anyway and makes me duck too often!
24. Four-wheelers... those and motorcycles are a thing of the past...Don't like my legs apart that long!!
25. Quintuplets..never hoped to have them or date them!


And a few of my choices I "let go!":


Spanks......let it go...wherever it wants.....
Selfies ......I take photos of others...............period! Narcissism is an affliction I don't have.
Worry of what others  think.....who am I kidding...I never did!
Travel.......I prefer home....If I haven't been there, I'll Google it!
Wrinkle cream.......doesn't work
And last but not least...................SEX...............As our age, those 60 seconds are precious ticks on the clock not to be wasted!...................just sayin'

It worked!!!!

Well, it worked:







Just kidding......

Addicted

It's not shocking news that I love the wildlife at EIEIO...From feathers to fur, I'm addicted to them all.  Ok, maybe not the black ones with the white stripe! I have been known to entice their visits with a variety of treats from seeds to fruit to venison.  They reciprocate by returning and allowing me the chance to wallow in the wonder of nature's creatures... Trite but true.  I'm not the hunter of the family.  I tried once to kill a squirrel and ended up merely wounding a birdfeeder and Bailee's slide.  It's just not in me......unless it has 8 legs and then I'm Rambo, The Terminator and the Godfather all rolled into one hot mess. Luckily octopi are exempt and rarely found in or near the lakes and creeks of upstate New York.  I try to provide my woodland buddies with treats they will enjoy and will fill their bellies till the snow melts and the woods can provide.  The eagles and the hawks get their venison, the cardinals and Jays their sunflower seeds.  Corn for the squirrels, deer and turkeys and peanut butter pine cones for everybody. I was always fearful that once the feeders were full, they'd become dependent on me but all my research says "nay!"  If they're hungry enough, their instincts will kick in and they'll find food.  I am, however, always looking for new and tasty treats for them all.  Today, I hit the jackpot.  I have a few reservations as the only dealer moniker I would fancy would be in a healthy poker situation!!! But here it is.....no backroom shady deals and no money changing hands (hooves.) Assuming it's highly addictive, our hills will be filled with happy critters. If, on the other hand, I see evidence of tightly rolled leaves laying randomly on the feeder, I will assume it's all gone awry and EIEIO will need to revamp it's priority from wildlife restaurant to rehab! It may no more be "Let it snow?" instead......choruses of  "Let it Go!"



I think the "Black Magic" might be amazing...Stay tuned;-)

Monday "Mourning"

Ahhh......it's Monday. The day..my favorite..... although I'm feeling a bit blue (and green) and disappointed.  The blue and red of the Buffalo Bills are my "go to" team....Unfortunately, they don't "go to" the Super Bowl much anymore so in the past few years I have adopted  the Seattle Seahawks as my second favorite child. They sure haven't let me down in my past few seasons of Fantasy Football.  Last year I had the luck (and skill, I'd say) to pick Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch along with their defense...I did well!  This year I once again chose Lynch and he seldom let me down....not even at press conferences.  Nobody should make you talk if you don't want to...even at that salary.  (an issue I have never had a problem with....(I know I ended the sentence with a preposition...sometimes I can't even help it!) Last year's Super Bowl winners were the Seattle Seahawks...not by fluke but by skill. This year, they were back again.  As vociferous as Richard Sherman is and as classy as Russell Wilson is, they were in it to win it again this year with cockiness at a minimum.  They were purely going to let the Patriots deflate their own haughtiness and simply take the high road. ....................until the last 49 seconds. It was their game to win....and to lose.  Not going to play the blame game and be a spoiled sport Monday morning QB... This offense was given a play (I believe by the OC) and they followed their marching orders..... unfortunately....they weren't "Marshing Orders!"  Seems so simple to go to the Beast, go up by 3, play really good D for the seconds left and head to the winner's circle.  On any given Sunday!  And yesterday wasn't ours!
On to the quest for Super Bowl L ..maybe BiLLs?:-)