Rules Change

"How was your supper last night?" "How were the rides?" "How was the weather?"  You know the answer, 'Fair!"  For some reason our mind set, and the rules, change at the Fair.  Bailee rode the Ferris Wheel that through my eyes seemed to tip precariously to the right.  A clam fell out of my netting onto the table and I retrieved it to join the rest in a hardening cup of butter (or a near facsimile.)  I paid THREE DOLLARS for ONE game of shoot the green solo cup and I allowed her to ride the merry go round operated by a man carrying a portable oxygen bottle who couldn't take an entire breath without gagging and gasping for air. I made sure she held tightly to the long railing as she ascended up the giant slide and then, we sent her to buy cotton candy with a strange (we'd never met till 10 minutes prior) young man allowing her to buy the largest bag for $6.00 and then eat most of it!!
For the 6 years and 7 months prior to that we have barely let the child out of our sight, sugar is at a minimum, strangers are a HUGE negative even if Grandma, Papa or Mom knows them, and she even has to wear her helmet on the four wheeler...... going backwards. We carry hand sanitizer with us everywhere and push doors open and closed with our elbows. There isn't even a 3 second rule even at my house!!  So what in our small town brains changes at Fair Time?  No wonder she looked at us with those amazing brown eyes each and every time we allowed and even encouraged this strange behavior!!  I think it might just be a slight, summer, out of body experience that we all encounter when the carnies arrive, the lights sparkle on the midway, the smell of freshly oiled donuts hits our nostrils and the carnival atmosphere invades our normally, well adjusted brain.  For some strange reason, the rules change and maybe a couple of times a year, that's a really good thing..(or maybe just Fair....!)

Little Robin Red Breast

My cute little robin has returned to my front porch, door window.  A few weeks ago she persistently built a nest and laid four robin's egg blue (Oh, that's where that came from) eggs. We had a cat bird (so to speak) seat as we could watch them hatch, eat, grow and fledge from inside the house.  It was only a couple of weeks and they were off.  Next we cleaned off the nest, the mud and the bugs and washed the window.  Our little birdternity ward was spic and span and closed!!

SHE"S BAAAAACK!  I saw a few dried pieces of grass hanging by the door.  I swept them away.  She put them back. I swept them away. She put them back. I swept them away. She put them back and sat on them. I scared her away and Lee set a brightly colored coffee mug on her nesting spot. She put them back!  Survival of the Fittest at EIEIO....... I finally parked my broom, bristles up, securely in the drip edge of the door frame.  So far, 48 hours and she has not returned. She's smarter than I gave her credit for if she stays away.  For if she returned, I was preparing to bring new meaning to the term....robin RED breast!  We might have been the first household to murder in warm blood, the bird whose arrival signifies spring! The first batch was cute, warm and fuzzy.  The novelty wore off quickly and the second batch would have been messy, annoying and shitty....literally.

This nest seemed to be bits of hay (from a bale by the creek, hair from some critter (we're surrounded by many) and mud (no shortage of that lately.)  I've always cleaned our hair brushes in the spring (mostly mine as a humming bird couldn't build a nest from what Lee has left) and thrown the hair out on the lawn in hopes of helping our feathered neighbors build their nests.  This could be the perfect example of "be careful what you wish for!"

Oh, those apron strings!

I received this in an email from a friend the other day, a male friend no less.  It seems the older we get, the more we remember and relish the "old days!" I just hope we don't lose sight of the fact that for our kids and grandkids, now will be their good ole days and it's up to us to make them worth remembering!

THE APRON (Notice that a "Medium" is a size 14 - 16) (notice the price of 24 cents, last pattern I looked at was 10.95.) Remember making an apron in Home Ec? (Mrs. O'Connell suggested I turn mine into a pillow???) Read below:  The History of 'APRONS' I don't think our kids  know what an apron is.  The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing  hot pans from the oven.  It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.  When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..  And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.  Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow,  bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.  From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.  After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.  When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.  It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.    .   REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill  to thaw.  They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.  I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

The Heat is On

The heat is on and I'm not really a fan.... Those 60 and 70 degree days were just right!  Yesterday was so muggy we spent the afternoon in the theater watching "Escape from Planet Earth."  It was pretty much as though we actually had... a cool 60+ degrees, double concrete walls, comfy recliners and popcorn....we never heard the thunder or the torrential rain until I took a cottage cheese break ( for B) and wandered upstairs.... finding a different world. I'd never make it in the south..just sayin'

The inaugural cottage sleep over was a success.  They never heard the coyotes but did hear the roosters who like to announce sunrise....often a few hours ahead of schedule. School was officially out on Wednesday but they (Jess & B) attended University on Saturday...Monsters University that is, in 3D.  They finished the day with a picnic at their cousins and Papa and I headed to a crappy Applebees early bird dinner:-(

Speaking of birds, yesterday when Jess and I were lounging on the porch, we heard a loud crashing sound barreling down the wooded, side hill. Out came a large red tailed hawk with it's prey securely in it talons.  It quickly did a 180, on the lawn in front of us, and headed back up, up, up... dropping the critter to it's demise and flying high above the trees to the south. According to those in the know, it will return to retrieve it's supper a bit later.  It was pretty exciting and just another nature event that EIEIO offers us.  I love this place more every day!

A busy week in store. I'm heading out shortly to secure a rather substantial surprise for Miss Bailee (shocker) and a little bit of R & R for the compound.  We'll see how it goes before I offer more clues.
Dentist tomorrow, monthly fun lunch with the gals on Wednesday followed by fair food (not a critique) for the next couple of nights. The week-end will bring a really fun wedding and then before we know it, it's July.  July is already jam packed with lots to look forward to....top on the list is a visit from Uncle Jeff...

Well, now you all know the rest of the story.  Have a fun week-end and stay cool.

Hello Summer:-)

My very favorite day of the year, the longest day of the year and by the looks of things, the nicest day of the year.  This date is always filled with special birthdays.  My great niece Alli is 7 years old today and going to enjoy TWO parties...one for her pals this afternoon and one for her family and friends tonight.  She'll sleep well tonight as will her Mom who is the consummate party planner.. Our cousin Kay is turning ...well she has a 7 in her birthday too:-) and our friend Ryan is celebrating with a new house to renovate.. Congrats and Happy, Happy to you all!!

Tonight will also be the first sleepover for the "girls" in the cottage.  The mini fridge is stocked and Papa will blow up the air mattress later.  I will be nestled in my nice, comfy bed just a few feet away. I'm just old enough that I have refusal rights to sleeping on the floor!  We'll have a bonfire and smores too so they'll be tuckered out from 2 parties, swimming and all that fresh air.  There's a slim chance I'll take and share some pictures!

Happy Summer all and let the good times roll :-)

School's... Out... For... Summer!

School's...Out...For...Summer!  Love those lyrics from Alice Cooper ( Alice himself, not so much.)  Great day yesterday with yearbook signing, weepy good byes and awesome report cards. I really don't remember having this much fun with my own kids but then again.... I seldom got those awesome report cards.  Academics were all filled with 4's.  Conceptual art was a 3 and we still don't have the complete skills associated with throwing, catching and skipping. Darn..and those will SO be skills that colleges are looking for.
The anticipation of second grade has already begun.  Who will be my teacher (Kelli Moraghan)?, who will be in my class?, will I have homework?, where will my room be?, can I still see Mrs. Flick and Ms. Webster?....all questions that will be answered soon enough.
Who said that summer was a time for rest and relaxation.  Sign up for Rec and Soccer was yesterday and dancing will begin for a month in July.  Friday field trips will be in for this year and spending days with Miko, Tate and "Mr.Todd Mulvaney" are running at the top of her "can't wait" list! Also on that list are Grandma field trips to the Seward House, the Harriett Tubman museum/house and a stop at our very own Underground Railroad landmark, the Stone House.  Since Bailee watched Lincoln with us (her first really big "adult movie," her infatuation with all things Lincoln has blossomed. For her end of the year reward, Addy, the Civil War period American Girl doll, has joined our family.  Bailee has already read 4 chapters of the first book and has a new found appreciation for sleeping in a bed and eating turkey subs versus the tobacco worms that Addy was forced to eat by her "overseer" and sleeping on a pallet.  I think this will be an amazing way to teach some history along with a good dose of overcoming racism.. Addy's differences from Bailee were all cultural in B's eyes.....the color of her skin was the last thing she mentioned when I probed for differences.  How joyously refreshing!  For the first time, Addy slept in that comfy bed last night.  If only our illustrious state lawmakers would see that this was the way to learn!!
It's going to be a summer full of fun and learning and we're not even going to know it!!!

Who doesn't need cash?

Monsters on tap for Saturday

A new friend

Mrs. Flick's flower in her flower:-)

A Good bye hug for Mrs. Flick

A trip to the Glen for Addy & B

Open Mouth........insert foot...

Open mouth,.insert foot has been the crux of my exercise workout for years.  I usually get in a few rounds at least a couple of times a week. It's really progress, as in years past, I may have exercised several times a DAY!  With age, my legs have grown larger, my joints tighter, my hip stiffer and my pedicure less...French. For these reasons and more, it's harder to actually reach my mouth. Also with age comes a tad of wisdom and I now occasionally think before I speak.  As for feet exercise and thinking before speaking, each is an acquired trait.
Someone recently extolled the virtues of reflexology. They explained that all things can be controlled by the feet.  Silly me..all these years I believed it was the other end!  But old dogs can learn new tricks and I decided to "sit" and listen.  That in itself came with age! They explained that soaking your feet in certain additives would cleanse your body of toxins.  I had always been told (by example in my early youth) that that was what enemas did!  Next, pressure points were explained with this chart. No matter how hard I pressed on the ball of my foot (5), I still could not see shit...unless of course I pressed just above my heal (19)...then I could plainly see it! I have seldom had issues with my vocal chords so I opted to pass on (6) and (17) works wonderfully, especially when I sneeze or laugh....it Depends! This week I've decided to press on with numbers 20-23.  It can't hurt to try and it may alleviate my granddaughter yelling "Run old lady, run!"  There are some things that I don't think soaking and poking will cure especially those pains in number (2)!  Speaking of those, I'm heading out to vote once again on our school budget.  A little manipulation in the reflexes might be needed to kick a few in the butt...I can do that...with a left foot kick and a big dose of number (11) ♥

Father's Day

A dark and dreary Dad's day but fun nonetheless.  Lee had the day to himself which is not all that different than any other Sunday (or weekday!)  He shot in the morning and then we picnicked at the pond.  Wendell had all three boys and assorted grands and greats to help him celebrate.  He was even surrounded by his beautiful and intelligent daughters in law!  One lucky man if we did say so ourselves.

Papa and B with his gift

♥

A "cool" card from Uncle Jeff

Great Grandpa opening his goodies

Mom's "Father's Day" gifts from B. :-)

Oma and sleepy Adri

Face Book was full of wonderful posts and pictures of Dads and Grandpas. It prompted lots of fun stories and tales from long ago. For all the doubters of Face Book's worth, it's a pretty awesome sharing venue...especially for those of us who now are eligible for discounts :-0

MAD $

Another Bailee story..shocker!  Last night we were discussing the eagles and whether or not the parents would continue to return to the next once the fledgling(s)  had fledged!  Bailee had said, "Don't worry Grandma I will Google it and do a little research!"  That led to a discussion about Google stock and how the stock market works..mind you I'm still talking to a SIX year old!  She explained that she still didn't quite "get it" so we went over it again.  Simple terms, simple concept of owning shares and simple response..:'Got it!" 

Fast forward to 2:30 this morning, lying wide awake in bed. I was thinking how cool it would be to actually buy her a share of Google and let her watch it remain a bull or transform into a bear.  I once bought Jeff, Jess, Casey, Kevin and Lizzy a share in Planet Hollywood...Charmin is worth more now (used!)

I think I would be safe w/ GOOG... I decided to turn on the TV and low and behold, there was Jim Cramer. I love Jim Cramer!  His show, Mad Money, was hosting family night! The entire premise of this episode was, The Family that invests together, stays together.  The audience was full of moms, dads and their kiddos.  Jim was advising on the top 5 stocks to buy for your kids to get and keep their interest in investing even as young as 5 years old. Amazingly enough, here were his 5 picks!

1. Disney          DIS       $64.30
2. McDonalds   MCD      98.85
3. Wholefoods  WFM      51.35
4. Gap               GPS        40.64

AND..Ta da...........
     5.  Google          GOOG   877.00

On his last family show he had advised buying Nike in place of Gap and Apple instead of Google.  He remarked that Nike was becoming too Chinese and Gap was USA all the way. Apple was still good but Google was climbing faster and farther.
I know you're all  thinking she's way too young and I'm way too senile to try and teach her the basics of investing and saving.  She eats, breathes and loves math....what better time than now. She has 60 years to make money and her 6 year old brain is a sponge...a winning combination! We're already thinking about the business savvy of a lemonade stand on her corner right next to a bunch of hot, sweaty and thirsty bridge workers.....  A  little girl on Cramer's show made over $350 last year on her very own lemonade stand and she was seeking advice on how and what to invest in..... She was 9!

I say, "You Go Girl..Booyah!!!!!"

Give 'em the bird!

In this day and age of protests and petitions and since I have become an amateur aficionado (that might be an oxymoron) on my local birds, I am proposing that New York State officially change the sanctioned state bird!  The bluebird is generally associated with happiness and New York State's  laws, policies and governing habits just don't seem to exude happiness.  Instead, I'd like to offer the suggestion of assigning the cowbird as our state bird.  Not because we are a state that has traditionally been a farm filled state with flourishing pastures and meadows where beautiful Guernseys and Jerseys roam aimlessly but due to the very nature of the cowbird itself.

A small sparrow Mom is feeding her "foster" cowbird baby (who is much larger)

They were so named as they feast on insects that were generally stirred up by cattle. As the cattle roamed, the birds remained mobile as well to continue to follow the herd and their source of food. For this reason and probably others, the cowbirds laid/lay their eggs in other birds nests and let these surrogate feathered friends raise their young..... Getting my drift?  If for some reason the cowbird eggs are removed from the nest, the cowbird may well return and destroy the foster bird's own eggs.
Such a simple, workable, sanctioned and championed process that even the bird world has it figured out.  If somebody else will subsidize and/or support my family, why not??

For this simple reason, I propose that Governor Cuomo and the bird brained NYS Legislature change the official state bird from the bluebird of happiness to the mooching, entitled, worthless cowbird...In fact, I think I'll send them a.....................................wait for it.......................TWEET right now!

FYI: this is an adult cowbird... Virtually a nasty blackbird incognito!.

The Legend of the Tooth Fairy!

This is a story of a little girl....... and expectation, anticipation, extraction, imagination and inflation!!!

Once upon a time there was a little six year old.  This is a year full of firsts. First grade, first friendships, first homework and first teeth falling out.  If only it were that simple.  Bailee and her first loose teeth have been entertained for the past several weeks with stories of strings, Grandpas, doorknobs and tooth fairies.  She believes wholeheartedly in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny but had her doubts about the Tooth Fairy.  We all explained that when she lost a tooth, her doubts would either be allayed or confirmed. Upon returning home from school on Monday, there was a little blood from wiggling and her two bottom teeth were leaning on each other... (for molar support;-)  She told her Mom she was  ready for the string and doorknob!!
Dental floss was used.  It was firmly in place.  Bailee was seated for the procedure.  The nonhuman end was secured firmly to the doorknob.  Ready?  "yep," she replied.  OK here goes........................ "STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"   OK. we'll take it off and wait for them to fall out...  The floss was now located under the tooth and it wasn't leaving.... Bailee wiggled and wiggled and wiggled some more.   Voila... one tooth out.  Now, having the space to grab the other tooth she, wiggled and wiggled and wiggled some more....Out came tooth number 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Woo Hoo!

"Help"

Off to Grandma and Papas to share the good news and prepare for the tooth fairy.  Tomorrow morning she'll know for sure.  When arriving back home, she had written a letter for the TF, placed her teeth in the pillow that Grandma had made for just this occasion neatly by her pillow and was amazingly asleep in no time.

Then the magic happened!  She arrived in all her blue Fairiness.  It was quite a sight to behold and it was all caught on camera (not by the NSA but by Mom.) Tuesday morning bright and early. Bailee ran into her Mom's room and asked if she could check under her pillow ( I would have just looked!) Low and behold she hollered, "Mama, she IS real!!"  She left me a dollar!!!  Prompted to look again, she found 2 brand, new ten dollar bills!  She was so excited to know there was a tooth fairy, her Mom heaped on even more excitement...I know she's real, I even managed to get her picture!!

Whew!!!

2 out, 2 more there

WOW !!!

All done!

Needless to say, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words..OK maybe just $20.00!  That day after school, Bailee filled out a deposit slip and she and Grandma took a trip to the bank to deposit all of her reward. 

And they all lived happily ever after....until the next tooth loosens...and no Bailee, the tooth fairy doesn't pay more for the bigger teeth....Nice try:-)

Off to the Bank

Sunday Funday June 9th edition

After a wet, damp week, we embraced a sunny Sunday with open arms.  Breakfast out, shocker, and girls off with friends (family) to the Zoo for the morning.  They had a great time seeing all the new animals and a special Sunday performance by Siri.. the elephant not the "genie" in our iPhones! I mowed, Lee shot, birds sang and chickens...well you know what chickens do..... Girls home after lunch and we spent the rest of the day in play!!  Bailee wanted to continue our "Sing along with Mitch fest" in the cottage (she seems to associate "the Old Grey Mare" w/ me...personally I just don't see it;-) but a with a majority ruling, outside won! We found a wonderful funky vine that will be just perfect for our fairy garden project as well as a mossy log and some perfect rocks.  We marveled at our Tulip tree which is in full regal and towers into the sky at least as far as Jack's beanstalk went. Nature's beauty is pretty spectacular here at EIEIO. Just to prove our elderliness.... Lee and I were relaxing in the golf cart when he spotted our elusive Baltimore Oriole.  Only once have we been visited (when we were actually looking.)  Our excitement (Lee's too) was a trifle generational and pathetic as we grabbed our iPhone cameras....We missed it but we now know they're still here and will be back!!! We ventured to the "other side" of the bridge and affirmed that our monkey vine was still present and secure, sauntered through the purple haze of posies and swatted fervently at small flying creatures who were intent on using us for landing strips.... To Bailee they were, indeed, the size of 747's and were either going to eat her or carry her away.....It was Epic!
We topped off the day at the Lodge for supper and Dee Dee's for ice cream.  We've decided that our evenings at Dee Dee's are as entertaining as a restful few minutes at the Commons or a visit to WalMart... (check out today's small photo..OMG!)
Here we are on to Marvelous Monday and a week of village visits for Bailee (library, post office, bank and courthouse,) work for her Mom and a little bit of everything including a new crown for Grandma..(after all, I am a Queen...I have a sign that says so!!!

Swinging

Tulip Tree

Jess "acquiring" our entry archway to the fairy garden



What we're hoping for.... ours not completed yet!

Rain, rain you can stay:-)

Maybe I'm just dyslexic.... Most abhor Mondays, I love them. Most like to vacation, I dislike it. Most hate rain, I love it! 
I just took a little stroll to the lower falls just to look!  I've seen them a thousand times and each time is brand new and exhilarating.  Even the occasional mosquito didn't take away the awesomeness....If that's a word?..if it isn't, it is now.  I just may have to load my large picnic umbrella and my outside wicker rocker into the golf cart and move them to my "Overlook!"  After all, I no longer have my "Overbrook" and the falls (and all surrounding it) provides me with this lush, watery vista. Not a bad trade off if I do say so myself!
Just a few steps (many actually) or an ATV ride up the hill provides another amazing sight to behold. I'm ashamed to say I have yet to make the journey to the top to view it.  It's a matter of preference....It's why I no longer ride motorcycles....I prefer not to have my legs apart that long...and my hips concur....(oh so many changes from my youth;-) Anyway...Jeff, Jess, Heather and Lee have all made the trip and extol the beauty...30+ year olds seldom extol much so I'm convinced it's spectacular.  It's on my bucket list. I just haven't found the right bucket to haul my ass up there! I am also, semi content for the time being to look and listen to it's "lowerness." (versus Queen Parsons' "highness")
Here are some photos of the Queen in all her glory and my lower hydrophilic's haven

Parsons Falls

The "study" and "other things" spot..so I've been told



140 feet straight down

A tiny cascading falls in the creek behind the house



My glorious lower falls ♥

I am Lucky!

Across the Pond

A football franchise in London..........England? Lots of chatter in the past few days since Roger Goodell (commissioner) once again brought up the possibility.  Soccer, which is known as football in Europe, is hugely popular. I watch it with much verve and adoration...oh wait, that's David Beckham I watch. Anyway, the prospect of an NFL team calling London home is interesting at best.  It has worked for baseball teams to be located in Canada...that's another country! Although fans can actually drive there. The difference in currency obviously has been worked out and you still don't have to have a passport to get back and forth...unless you're flying.  I guess if I had to fly to see a football game, I'd stay home...which everybody knows is my favorite thing to do and my favorite place to be.
The question now is, "who goes?"  The insiders seem to think the Jacksonville Jaguars are topping the list.  Or should we say "Jag-u-ars."  Moot point, they'd the London something...The trend. or maybe rule, in Europe is that the sports teams are singular. I'm thinking London Bridge or maybe even London Fog or hey, how about the Old England Patriot?

I'm assuming the leagues would remain the same...NFC and AFC and of course the NFL itself. But hey, don't the N's stand for national and the A for American? I guess Toronto doesn't care in the baseball world so maybe London won't care either.
Projections are, the move may be as soon as 5-10 years away. By that time, they might have the logistics in place to get the teams, their players and their firearms, their drugs and their families safely into a country whose police force doesn't even carry weapons.
Who knows bloke, it might not even come to pass and we can just lowe it......seeen! (That would be: who knows my friend, it may not even happen and we can forget it....yeah whatever!)   And that was English too!

 

Flip that House!

I would love to have the cash and ambition to flip a house. I think I have the knowledge and the skills to know what should stay, what should go and what would sell..... Who am I kidding? I can't even flip my own house!!  Five years and I'm still paying taxes, still insuring it and still awaiting the funds to restore what was expended for EIEIO.  As I've confessed before, I watch way too much HGTV. I also drive by too many run down houses that I'm sure, with a few dollars and a little TLC, could be cute as a button...if you like that kind of house.... We all know the old saying, Location, Location, Location. They say "929" as it's become known (when did we start giving everything a name?  EIEIO, Ralph..ooo TMI) would sell for double what we're asking if it were only located someplace else.
Anyway, back to flipping..... I have a warehouse where I could store things like cupboards, doors, flooring etc., I have experience in designing, decorating and hiring contractors. I have fairly good taste (other than the kind for chocolate and bacon... which FYI, Yankee candle makes a bacon one
 
now!!...just sayin'.)  I have the ability to research and find exactly what I want at a fairly reasonable cost.  Sometimes I splurge....I'm a woman and that's my prerogative ( and yes, that's how it's spelled...I checked!)  I'm probably way too old to start a new venture but then again...age is relative (and thankfully they don't give a damn!!:-) I still have a couple of projects up my sleeve for EIEIO which will placate me for the time being but one of these days you just might see me "flippin' out!"

"You'll shoot your eye out"

Jeff's favorite movie is "The Christmas Story."  I've given him all the ornaments for his tree and even a couple of small leg lamps for the mantle. Every Christmas Day we're subjected to "The Christmas Story" movie marathon.  Last Christmas Uncle Jeff gave Bailee her first Daisy BB (for Bailee Brown, of course) gun.  We've managed to keep it in the box until last week when Papa decided it was time for her first lesson.  She's a quick learner!  The box went up in the yard and the shooting glasses went on.  The rule book was reviewed and a quick oral exam was passed.  It was time!  The stock was a bit long so a few adjustments were made till it could be shortened.  A few shots went astray..(none as badly as Grandma's shooting expertise.)  Finally, she hit the box....a few more misses and Papa was getting ready for the lesson to end.  We all agreed on 6 more tries to just hit the box.  Her little arms were tiring but she wanted to "shoot 'em!"  I said, "If you hit it 2 out of the 6 tries, I'll give you $5 (thinking that would focus her a bit).  She replied, "How about if I hit it 4 of the 6 and you give me $20?"  Not a chance, I thought, and made the wager!!!  Boom, boom, boom, boom.. the first four were center on the box! CRAP... I mean CLAP... which we all did and that gave us all a second wind.  Maybe it was time to go to the next level....the beer can ON the box!!!  A few errant shots and she blew off that ole mil can straight away!  I think we've created a monster!

Sorry Andrew Cuomo (not really)

Look out Sarah Palin:-)

A little reconstruction!