Nice invite . . .

Middle child called yesterday and invited me to lunch at the Mohegan Sun. P&D's Pop wanted to stay home and paint while out was out of the house so I was off on my own! Parked in the old UNC parking lot and met Kiddo and his Mom at the bottom of the escalator. We walked right smack through the whole Casino, clear to the opposite end and Margaritaville had a grill problem! So we backtracked and ate at Kiddo's favorite, Bobby's Burger Palace. It was very good and fun to see the kids together having a good time! There was one bad note though. Middle child told me that Kiddo's older brother was going back to work after lunch at McD's on Route 12 the day before yesterday when his friend driving a Chevy Malibu, were stopped to make the left turn to Cardinal Honda and were rear ended by a twenty-five year old lady in an Audi who was texting and hit them without even slowing down. Both kids were brought to the hospital and sent home with Valium and other pain pills for whip lash. Incredibly eye witnesses say she never even put on her brakes. The seat backs in the Malibu broke and her hood was bent up. Hope the kids don't have too many residual problems. Kiddo's brother is twenty years old today. Scary idiots out there still using their damn toys while driving. I'd go after her big time. That is just callous, self-centered, stupidity.

Grampa invited me to go see the last of the Hobbit movies. Must admit I like them. Then we stopped at New York Pizza for lunch. I watched UCONN Men lose in overtime to Temple and I quit watching the Women's game against East Carolina because it was ridiculous. It's not good for the Women to have to play so far below their station.

Well I guess those are the last complaints of 2014. On a plus note I received at least three singing Birthday calls. What a hoot!

Quote:  Where boasting ends, there dignity begins.   ___Young

This experiment may fail . . .

Digging out the best of 2014 bird photos for FB Group

P&D's Pop has just returned from the VA with his latest hearing aids and I am the recipient of another two dozen roses, the first two have finally faded away after two weeks, and . . . the old hearing aids! I'm wearing them now and of course I realize they were not meant for me but thought it would be a good trial to see how they work. So far my only complaint is that every sound is too loud! Gees, I can't even sniffle without hearing myself! The sliding door in the bathroom is like thunder! But . . . on the plus side I can hear much better. I told P&D's Pop that I feel as if I should speak more quietly and he said that would defeat the purpose! So, I'm going to see how long I can keep this experience going without giving up. I asked him where the volume button was and he said that was one of the problems with this set of hearing aids - no volume control, just on or off. He likes his new set because they do have volume control. We'll be going out to late lunch, early dinner at The 99 and I'll see if I can handle the new ears well enough to not be jumping out of my skin!

It's only about 35 degrees this morning but bright and sunny. Not sure if I'll walk outside or in the house. Been very lazy these last couple of days. Finally working on my counted cross stitch project from last year and that feels pretty good. I know it seems odd to say a counted cross stitch project feels good but it does make me feel warm and comfortable as I watch the little tiny stitches become a neat scene on the very small canvas. Get a kick out of it. Sandee may be right; counted cross stitch isn't that difficult it you just plug away at it. I like working with bright colors on the very fine special fabric that is used. If I like this small project she gave me I may look for a bigger project to keep me quiet, thoughtful, comfortable and carefree! It's a soothing project unless it ticks me off when I make a mistake and have to pull out a lot of stitches! 

Time to organize my calendars for 2015 and box up 2014. Life is precious and even with my complaints, life is worth enjoying on God's unpredictable Earth.

Quote:  I saw one excellency within my reach - it was brevity, and I determined to obtain it.   ___Jay

Beautiful bright warm December day . . .

My seventy-second Bluebird; perfect.

Find it hard to believe that we're at the end of the year and it is a balmy 50 degrees in bright sunshine. Will have to go for my walk after the UCONN women finish beating up on SMU. It is ridiculous that the powers that be have put UCONN basketball in jeopardy with the American Athletic Conference. It is the dunce conference and UCONN basketball does not deserve it; football yes. UCONN football is an oxymoron. I don't understand the politics of college sports but obviously, as usual, Connecticut is a loser. The only thing left that is fairly decent in Connecticut is UCONN basketball and Mother Nature. Dégoûtant.

Oh well, Grampa is at the flying field on this gorgeous day. We brought Kiddo home from his Frication and I'm keeping fingers crossed that we don't end up with his terrible cold. Wow, he's caught a doozy. He was sick before and during Christmas. Seemed a little better today. We had a really nice small clan Christmas dinner. The roast beast was excellent and tonight we will eat the remaining slice along with turnip, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad. Tomorrow I will make soup with the bones I've already cooked up. Really don't want to think about taking the tree down because it is looking so fine. I may give it until 2015!

Quote:  Of nineteen out of twenty things in children, take no special notice; but if, as to the twentieth, you give a direction or command, see that you are obeyed  ___Tryon Edwards

Il est né . . . Joyeux Noël . . .

Over thinking . . . perhaps . . .

It's a good thing blogs don't have to make sense!

Been fuming lately about the murders in New York of two policemen; the demonstrations calling for the deaths of law enforcement officers; the rioting and chaos where many blacks are ruining the lives of other blacks; not understanding why many American blacks who are really mulattos will not accept their mixed ethnicities. Roots are what we all need to grow into the best person we can be. It makes no difference the mixture but what evolves as a person is important. Anyhow this lack of understanding on my part has led me to rethink Facebook. I know, that seems odd. But I can't square the drab, dull, foolish, inane quotes, memes and statuses with people who really give a damn about the welfare of the people of these United States. I include myself in these observations. I realize I'm rambling but it's because I can't get a grip on any logic. Everything seems to defy what seems logical to me. I don't understand why the color of ones skin is some kind of litmus test. The people who think they are helping others by putting up sayings are empty headed. We should be acting properly when we go out. We should be studying the politics and the people we put in office. We should help drum out the fear mongers and rely each person to uphold the just laws of our country. We must throw out the elites who would decide for us what we must be. We should be able to go anywhere in this country and not fear being in the wrong neighborhood.  We should be able to tell the truth.

 In this weird blog of mine tonight I'm trying to find out why liking stuff on FB is important to my life when most of the stuff is trite. Not sure how this fits in with what I've said in the first paragraph but I think that people on social media can't really get to the heart of anything because you have to see people, hear people in person to appreciate and understand what is being said.  Blurbs, tweets, interviews do not give us the truth or the trust we must have if we are to really discuss the evil in our society. I've decided to cut down on the likes in general and stick to family likes! I believe I'll continue to post my birds, flowers and scenery on the two FB groups that I enjoy. I enjoy them because most of the people involved on these sites are really only interested in nature and beauty. I particularly like the international group because the photos are lovely and amazing. And it doesn't make a difference what part of the world you are from. I suppose that makes it quite impersonal but there is something heartening in people who share a love of nature, art and beauty.

So for the time being I shall cut back my perusing FB and trying to be a nice friend to all. There is something missing in this somehow one sided, impersonal, unreal method of communicating. It seems as if we are yelling, laughing, crying, to no purpose. It is not warm and comfortable like when you actually talk to someone or write to them to share some sweet or sober thoughts. It's as if we don't think when we use the new technologies to communicate via social media. There is nothing social about typing ones smallest thoughts for all to see. See, I'm getting grouchy again and I think it's because I want so much to scream at the people of the world to go away. Just go away and be quiet and calm for a while. Think, think some more, think again and for heaven's sake be quiet; be peaceful; be loving; be kind; be generous; be brave; speak the truth; fight to protect what is good and noble; point out what is evil and destroy it. It is confusing. It is hurtful. Is there a god of good and a god of evil? Is man never to improve? How can man be so inhuman, despicable, hateful, perverse?  Is there a better place to be?

Quote:  Philosophy is a bully that talks very loud, when the danger is at a distance; but the moment she is hard pressed by the enemy, she is not to be found at her post, but leaves the brunt of the battle to be borne by her humbler but steadier comrade, religion.   __Colton    ( Really? Neither is doing a very good job or have we given up on philosophy and religion and that is the problem?)

All kinds of neat goings on . . .

White-throated Sparrow - only seen here in Winter

A little after mid-night on the 18th Baby Carlos was born. He's a beautiful baby boy and joins his cousins Carleigh and Taylor as the apples of their eyes. Whose eyes? Our southern family's eyes. It's pretty darned sweet to have three little ones in the family as Kiddo is already 10 years old. Hope I get a chance to hold Carlito before he gets too big to be held. Such peace, warmth, comfort and pleasure to hold a baby in your arms.

Just a while ago Oneco friends bearing gifts arrived at our door. With the homemade cookies, always the very best in the whole wide world, and dark chocolates from Sanborn's, was a beautiful tray. The  design was counted cross stitch Spring flowers which S. made. It's beautiful and I have leaned it up on the little bookcase by Grampa' chair in the living room. It's just perfect. We'll be joining them for dinner this evening at Twin Oaks. Looking forward to a Black Russian and escargots; whatever else I have will be just dandy as being out with friends is always a great relaxing time.

Kiddo came for his Frication and gave me a concert on his brand new saxophone. He's playing well. Last Friday's chorus and band concert were the best ever. I can only expect them to keep improving. Something to look forward to.

Quote:  Old friends are best.  King James used to call for his old shoes; they were the easiest for his feet.   ____Selden

Having trouble warming up . . .

Loon caught  a quahog!

Karen and I decided to brave the cold and wind to see if we could see the Snowy Owl at Charlestown Breachway in Rhode Island. We didn't get to see the owl but we did get some shots of loons, ducks and sea gulls. We were out walking along the water's edge for at least an hour and even though we had dressed warmly we were so cold because of the wind. The birds were being buffeted! Some ducks in the channel were trying to swim against the extremely strong tide and couldn't make any headway! They were being pushed backwards so they opened their wings and flapped along with their feet seemingly paddling against the tide. Later we saw some ducks riding out on the tide. They were going like bats out of hell. We spoke with a man who was also taking photos but he said they hadn't see the Snowy Owl in three days. The owl was also seen at Moonstone Beach but a lot of people came out to photograph him and the four wheelers on the beach scared him away. Tarnation! I've never seen an owl in the wild never mind a Snowy. We'll probably try again on our January trek.

Had a good visit with younger sister yesterday. It's nice to be with someone who kinda sorta knows you inside out. We always have a good time, good lunch and great dessert. P&D's Pop got rid of a lot of stuff that's been hanging around this old house for years. He got a few bucks and we didn't have to pay someone to come and take it away! They didn't take the books or records though so I'll have to see about giving them to a church or school yard sale. Amazing how much stuff we've accumulated over the years in addition to what came with the house.

Will pick up Kiddo tomorrow for his Frication. He let us borrow his walkie talkies to see if we like using them to communicate from the kitchen to the basement and they're working fine as long as I remember to turn mine on! Went to his Christmas Concert Tuesday evening with middle child.  Best concert ever.  The band concert was very good and the chorus was pretty impressive.  So glad they have a new music teacher and best of all Kiddo now has at least one man teacher!  That really is great. I'm surprised by how well they did because I've met their teacher and he is a very mild mannered, young, thin, shy young man.  But I think the "young" is the important part.  The kids like him and actually pay attention.  Whoopie!

Quote:  The meaning of song goes deep.  Who is there that, in logical words, can express the effect music has on us?  A kind of inarticulate, unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite, and lets us for moments gaze into that!   ___Carlyle