Spring In January

Lily called me on Thursday night asking if she could
have a sleepover on Friday. I picked her up from school
and the adventure began. The weather was warmer
and the masses came out. First the yogurt shop
for a treat.




It was warm outside so Friday and
Saturday we went to her trees.







Saturday morning bright and early
we went to Forrest's Basketball
game. They are just learning the
basics of the game...(a lot of running
without dribbling, stealing the ball
from your own team mate). They had
fun though....


It was then time to take
her home, the family wanted
to take in some of the warm
January weather before the cold
returns.
Kevin and Forrest start out on the Green Line. This is a rails to trails
that one day will go from the Mississippi River across Shelby County.
It is amazing how many people are there. You had hop on the trails
at most roads that it crosses. This is one close to Kevin and Amy's house.



The family start off on their ride east over the Wolf River. There is a bridge
they will ride over to continue their journey. I want to walk it,
but, have not done so yet. I want to very much,
and I will one of these days.

I was sad to see them ride off. I wanted to go too, but,
knew my old feet could not keep up!

Mr. Smiling Man

I always try to smile and say hello....especially if I see a smile coming my way. So. today was no exception as I walked into Davis Kidd. I had some time to kill before my doctor's appointment, so I was looking forward just browsing the isles of books and magazines. I walked past a man sitting on a bench by the history books. He gave me a big smile that seemed to linger too long, but, I smiled right back and went on my way. I am in the fiction books and hear an employee asking a man if he needs help. He says no, but, everyone seems to be asking me that question. They laugh and I look up. It is my Smiling Man from when I walked in. He starts to walk by me, stops and says, "Do you need any help?" I laugh and say no. He comes back to me and offered his hand and tells me his name. I tell him mine, but, he does not let go of my hand. Finally he lets go and I look back at the books. He said something about a class he just got out of at Starbucks on connecting with people. I smile again and look at the books again. He is not getting the hint, and talks about my genuine smile. I am beginning to be "creeped out". He finally leaves, but, I do not feel like browsing anymore. I pay for my purchase and leave. Well, yes sir, Mr. Smiling Man was parked in front of me and waves real big and says, "Hello Beverly!" I smile and wave, got in my car, locked the door and skedaddled out of there!!!!

Flowers Not Found in Nature

I have been trying to figure out why I have no creative talent...Why did creativity pass me by?
By that, I mean, many of those in my family have it, why not me?
I will share with you the talented.....My grandfather PawPaw, my brother Bobby, my Aunt Helon,
Uncle Tommy, Cousin Dan, Uncle Tommy's grandson Samuel,
my wonderfully talented two sons Brian and Kevin...Folks, that is a lot of talent.
But, I have learned to live with it, knowing there is probably
something I can do that these other talented people cannot...What, you may ask?
I don't know....I was determined to find some talent, somewhat like Grandma Moses did.
So, I eagerly signed up for a Paint Party....and dragged my co-granny Patty along.

This was the first thing the teacher had us do....slap some paint all over the canvas.
Man, it was hard to do....really. But, didn't I do a good job?
Look at those lines, those swirls. Talent oozing forth.....



Here I am working on my masterpiece. I think I look pretty artistic.
I have that rag in my hand and all.



TaDa!!!! I did it! It is called
Flowers Not Found in Nature!



Patty has an original painting, too. No, hers is
not exactly like mine.....It's not!!! We are
talented, too.....



So, I realize that talent does like to hop around genetically.
My talent genes are recessive, but, I did pass them along
to my beautiful sons.

Meme Must Have a New Job

Forrest has not had a special day with just Meme in a while. The last time he spent the night he woke me up at 5 am and told me he felt like he was going to be sick....urp!!! So today I picked him up at school and we went to the Children's Museum. As we were getting out of the car, he asked, "Meme, do you have another job"? I wondered why we would ask that right then...he said, "I just wondered, cause you are taking me to the Children's Museum"...I understood then because I have preached to them that I would not have as much money since I am retired. He just knew that I must have gone out and got a job, to be spending big money on the Children's Museum.....which he loves, loves, loves....

Forrest and HP Gang

Forrest with his Harry Potter Gang...

Max? Salt and Pepper?

I love to pick up the grandkids from school. It is a time when they are so happy
to see you, I even get a hug!
As we went to get a snack, I thought I would grab a picture
of Max with my new iPhone.....I am not sure I got
a picture of Max....or the salt/pepper shaker...

Campus Pride

Lily received the Campus School Pride Award!
Very proud of her pride....

It's So Cold

It is a cold day in the park today! Can't you just feel
that wind blowing right through you....I could and still do!

Nutcracker

This moment is brought to you
by the little ballerinas of the Nutcracker....

Snow....

This is what it looked like last night as I went to bed.....



and this is what I woke up to this morning....

I am still in the holiday mode these days; at, least, on my blog.
This is the Christmas card my youngest son drew for his children, Lily and Forrest. It turned out so beautiful, that they used it for their Christmas card. I think he is so talented. I will have to sneak a picture of some of his other drawings whenever I am over at their house.

Play

I read an article today on the importance of play for young children. In this world of computers, video games and such, some children are losing out on just Play. It mentioned "fort making". I immediately thought of Max, Lily, and Forrest and their tents they make out of my couch cushion and every blanket I own. Since I fill them up with popcicles and as much sugar as I can find, it is nice to know I am helping their development by letting them Play as much as they want to.....Here they are in the tent they built...

Christmas Cookies

Amy shows us one of the Christmas cookies that she made with Lily and Forrest. They made cookies with friends and then divided them all up to share with lucky ones on their list. I was one of the lucky one, along with Memaw, and Granddad M. They were yummy! I saved my cookie tin, so that next year I know I will get COOK-ESSSSS, as a monster I know says!

Flowers

They will be here soon!!!



I even look forward to the "weeds", as my mother used to say.


We just have to hang on, spring will be around the corner!

My Thought and Mine Alone

I rarely comment on controversial issues. I try to get along with everyone. Having said that, I am about to throw caution to the wind and give an opinion. If you need to carry a gun to go into a bar "For Defense", maybe you shouldn't Go into the bar. Those are my two cents....What's yours?

Black Eyed Peas

Just so you do not worry about me this year. I just ate black-eyed peas and cornbread. So, according to Mama Gooch and my mama, I will have good luck this year!

Happy New Year!