Grandmas Goulash

I’m feeling a bit nostalgic today as I remember Thanksgiving past. No, I’m not thinking about dinner at my grandparents with tons of relatives and a huge stuffed turkey. While they are fine memories, my mind has settled on my first Thanksgiving in Georgia, where I spent most of the long weekend outside in my shorts and tank top, marveling at the late November flowers and basking in the sunshine. That’s a far cry from today, where the temperature was in the teens last night and forecasted highs won’t exceed the thirties. I’d be ready to head back to Atlanta, but friends there reported snow yesterday. My brother in Florida has fifty degree temps– a bit warmer, but I doubt he’ll be serving dinner on the lanai. My childhood home in northern Vermont is winning the frigid contest, however, with a wind-chilled temp of 0 degrees. Vermonters are hardy stock, however. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that they are headed out for a round of skiing to balance out the Thanksgiving overload.

Sit down and let the boys steer. If you had any aptitude for the job, we’d still be on the ship.   “They think  we’re  going the wrong way?” “When they meet the natives, they’ll stew over their error.” “At least it won’t be dog stew.” (131)

Golden Oldies aren’t always so golden. Sometimes I catch myself grimacing as I wonder why I had ever loved a song.  Different Drum  doesn’t fit that category. Whenever I hear Linda Ronstadt belting out the lyrics, I get nostalgic for the days when it seemed that nothing could “pull the reins in on me”. Some of that spirit has stuck through the years and more than one person has called me a rebel. Rebellion has never been my intent, however, I just strongly believe in following my heart. Decades later, I am pleased to watch Miss Muffin develop a strong sense of self. At least I am most of the time. When it comes to homeschooling,  we’ve had a few clashes. I’d like her to do her daily assignments in a specific order. She has other ideas. We’ve had more than one negotiating session to reach a compromise.  I’d love to see her learn a musical instrument. I dedicated myself to the piano at an early age and never seriously considered another instrument until I started playing

A Touch of Spice Snowball loved birds – preferably with a pinch of sage and a hint of cilantro.  Better Think Twice Nestled in the pines, the birds were twittering. “He thinks he’ll catch us like that? What a catbrain idea!”  It Sounded Nice Cozy starter home with view. Real estate ads could be so misleading.