Morning Walks

We live in a 30+ year old neighborhood. Many of the sidewalks have succumbed to the pressure of tree roots pushing up beneath them. I am seeing more trees stumps in the past few years - evidence that many trees have lived out their 30-year life span. And we have our share of rental homes whose owners have little motivation to keep yards and flower gardens neat and tidy. But I still enjoy the rather eclectic nature of our neighborhood (maybe this is a little of the 60s still in me!).

Not having a neighborhood association that is intent on legislating the visual appeal and uniformity of each home, everyone here is pretty much free to express their tastes in paint and landscaping. Granted, you do have to tolerate some of the extremes - multiple lawn ornaments, artificial flowers stuck into pots and flowerbeds, and a lawn that has gravel and rocks instead of grass (allergies?) - but you also get to see homes and yards of those who have done a beautiful job using their resources and creative abilities.

We have homes backing up to three large ponds in the neighborhood. Others have homes built on very steep slopes, making landscaping and mowing a real challenge. I enjoy seeing what these owners have come up with to adapt to their surroundings to make their homes and lawns lovely to view and also functional. I always get new ideas for my own yard as I embark on my morning walks and return with a greater appreciation for where I live.

New Beginnings

I am entering a new chapter of my life, and it's very exciting - being a grandmother.

While other women I know seem to be able to empathize and commiserate with others regardless of the event, trial or challenge that faces them, I never seem to be able to enter into another's experience fully until I am placed in a similar situation.

I used to work in a department next to Payroll. The women whose job was to monitor and produce everyone else's paycheck just happened to be all in the same age range - in their 60s. Each one had her own cubicle to call "home", and each 6'x8' domain was packed with photos of grandchildren, crafts made by grandchildren, cute little figurines of children, etc. Personally, I didn't "get it". What's wrong with these people? Their whole lives revolve around their grandchildren!

Well, I haven't taken grandparenting to quite this level, but I have to admit I'm smitten. I'm not sure what exactly happens in that 25-30 years between bringing your own little one home from the hospital and seeing that first grandchild, but it is one, miraculous transition! Who needs Six Flags? This ride is all I need!