GRANDMOTHERS ARE SO SPECIAL!

What do you think it is about Grandmothers that is so special? Worldwide, they all have wonderful attributes that make their grandchildren gravitate to them. I know that I can remember mine and she was everything that a grandmother should be. She always looked fantastic, cooked and ate well and she showed me how to cook. Most of the recipes were just up in her head. Rarely did you find her using a recipe book. I wrote down what ingredients she put in but had to guess at the amount because she never measured. 

Grandmothers are the ones that we go to when we have a problem, no matter how big and important it seemed to me, she was able to put it in perspective  to look at calmly. She always gave me the 'big picture' just to show me that it was not the end of the world. I can hear her say, "Honeychild, just don't worry your pretty little head about it. All will work out and these cookies and milk will help." She was right.

Your Grandmother can be your biggest supporter, the one who cheers you on and comforts you but Lordy Mercy do not ever sass her. She will put the FEAR in you as fast as a New York minute. That presence, no matter how far away I may be from her physically or how old I was, this was what kept me in line. I was a fast learner and it only took a few times.

Then there is the pocketbook of a Grandmother. Always had hard candy, gum and tissues inside. The other magical things inside this pocketbook was her spare pair of readers, an actual checkbook, along with essential make-up, especially lipstick and lotion. No woman should be without these things. She clutched it as if it contained the secrets of the world in it. Yes, it was like the Mary Poppins bag. Nothing that she brought out from her pocketbook would surprise those around her.

Most Grandmothers also had that delicious, calming smell that I never figured out if it was the lotion, perfume or some concoction of what she cleaned things with. No matter what, that smell immediately brought me back to hugging her when I saw her.

My Mamaw took up for me when it came to my Mom. When I was a teenager, mini-skirts were very much in style. My Mom did not like them one little bit. Not only did my Grandmother buy them for me, she sewed some of my coolest outfits ever. She did this somehow without irritating my Mom too much. Mamaw was a top notch negotiator. She would bring up topics that my Mom took her through that really stopped the negotiations because she was telling the tales of back in the day when my Mom was younger. It reminded my Mom that maybe I was not such a bad kid after all.

Most all Grandmothers can inspire their grandchildren to always do the best that they can. They truly are magical that way. They feel as if they have earned the right to spoil their new grandchildren. I have noticed though that so many of today's generation of Grandmothers really want a sweet and sassy nickname instead of Granny. Nothing is wrong with that or the formality of Grandmother. I have taken a poll of some of the popular nicknames for Grandmother. Some are cultural but for the most part they are universal. The only rule is that it must start with the first grandchild and the others will follow suit.

Mimi and Mamaw were already taken in my family. So leaving those out, these are the ones that I considered for myself and sometimes a little fact or opinion about it:

Nanni (too much like a hired nanny)

Nonna (Italian)

Bubbe (the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's name)

Abuela (Spanish)

Glamma (for the glamorous Grandmother)

Lovey (Kris Kardashian's name)

Lola (Filipino - and a good friend shared this with me)

Cookie (sweet)

Bibi (Swahili)

Lolli (goes well if the Grandfather is Pop)

Mimzy (quirky)

Babushka (Russian)

Yaya (Greek)

Pipp (free spirited)

Tootsie (spoils with candy)

Nai Nai (Chinese)

Marmee (from Little Women)

GiGi (just a fun to say name)

CoCo (warm and comforting)

Bella (beautiful inside and out)

LaLa (musical)

No matter which name you choose for yourself, be sure to love it because it is close to impossible to change it to something else.

Grandmothers also have certain sayings. Some of the ones that I listed may be some of your most memorable quotes too.

Bless your heart. Come over here and let me see that boo-boo so that I can kiss away the hurt.

You have such a pretty face. Don't you want to pull that hair back to show it off?

Did you forget to put on your lipstick, honey? Here, dab a little of mine in case we see someone we know in the grocery.

I wish you would look a-yonder. A woman her age has no business wearing such as that.

Lordy mercy, sakes alive!

I am all give out.

This tastes pretty good even if I did make it.

Last Mother's Day I received this framed picture with Lola's Blessings. We just added one more granddaughter this month. Freya Louise! And more to come later, so we hope. Definitely will be a Part 2 of Lola's Blessings. It can hang right beside this one. Being a Lola is such a special honor!

One of my favorite pictures and quotes:

WHY SPRING?

 

If I were to put out a survey on what is your favorite time of year, I would be willing to bet on the two favorites that would always come up as a close tie. Spring and Fall! Both beautiful seasons, and I would like to throw my two cents worth in simply because it is my blog. In the whole scheme of Mother Nature, each season has high points and low points. We can adapt to what is being thrown our way for the most part. 

Try to find the good in the hot and humid summers by being grateful for air conditioning, convertibles, swimming pools and a saying that my Grandmother always told me. She said that when a Southern lady perspired, it made her glow and actually was better for her complexion than dry cold air. I often think of that when in the heat of the Summer. The cold bleak winter days also have things to be grateful for. It is a great time for skiers(of which I am not) but it is also a wonderful opportunity to shop for warm boots and great sweaters. Also, to be thankful for a warm fireplace to cuddle up next to and read some of the stacks of books that have accumulated.

Autumn also has lots of color involved as the leaves turn beautiful shades of orange, red and yellow. Sometimes I have to work on staying positive just knowing that soon we will be changing time and it will be dark at 5 and the North Wind will be blowing in soon.

Here are some reasons why I have chosen Spring as my favorite time of the year. The United States is a very large country and depending on where you live makes a difference on how you experience the seasons. Everyone finds their own way to survive. Spring in my area is usually quite delightful. It has been a little cooler than usual...60's for highs and 40's for the lows. It is quite doable dressing in layers. The sun feels so wonderful and it is lighter much later in the afternoon. I do need to remember sunscreen, even when driving in the car for my hands and arms. 

With my area of the country completing their second Covid vaccination, more people are venturing out to eat, but many are wanting to remain with outside patio dining. It has been stated that the two places that are still not totally safe to be is inside dining inside of a restaurant working out in a gym. Luckily many restaurants are setting up places to dine outside. The other day it was to be mid 60's, sunny and a little breezy. I met some friends for lunch. The breeze was coming in from the North and it did get a bit chilly. The restaurant had the tall propane heaters and brought one over to us. It helped tremendously. It was just so marvelous to be out with friends at a restaurant after a year of lock down. Masks still must be worn and social distancing from others. But we were our own little bubble so we could safely sit together, wear our masks when not eating or drinking and just enjoy something that will never be taken for granted ever again.

 This Charles Dickens quote sort of summed up how the days have been lately. We actually have not used heat nor air for two weeks. Today was the first day of turning on a little heat to take the chill off. Moderate temperatures and more daylight helps all of us feel better mentally. Just so good for the soul.

Spring is the time that many birds return and start to nest. Baby animals are everywhere.

We have some house finches who have built their nest in our Spring Wreath on our front door.

Another plus is spending more time outside. It is a real mood elevator for our brains. Higher moods and better memory help us to be more creative in our thinking.

Fresh produce comes in the Spring and it has been proven that fresh fruits and vegetables are so good for our health, mental and physical. So bring on the Farmers' Markets.

A CELEBRATION - TWO AND DONE

 

If you have received your 2nd vaccination then you will know the feeling that I am writing about. It is a feeling that there is now some light at the end of the long dark tunnel. There is hope that we will be able to get back to some kind of normalcy. We all will work that out as we go along. Masks? Yes, for now we will continue to wear our masks when out in public areas.

 The feeling of sheer happiness when this Easter we were able to have our daughter and granddaughters over for an Easter Egg Hunt and a luncheon. And because we had our shots and she had hers we did NOT have to wear our masks when together in our home. Her husband could have come if he had not been working because he has been vaccinated too. Another son could have been with us, however, he was also working. 

Other people I know were feeling as if they were on cloud 9 because as some of them shared with me they now feel safer to venture out. Some friends are now resuming their card games with others who have had their two shots. Others are going to public events that still have social distancing and masks but they now feel safer. Everyone has their own guidelines of how they feel safe within themselves. I am not ready to go inside a restaurant to eat. To sit on a patio with tables spaced six feet apart is where I plan on starting. There is something about having to wear a mask while at an outdoor public patio that is just not appetizing in my mind. Taking it off to have a bite of my salad or a sip of my iced tea is just not the way I envisioned going back to normalcy. It is a baby step to getting there.

Where is there? There will be a much safer place when we get to herd immunity. Everyone needs to cooperate with the vaccine so that we can get to a more normal way of life. With the new variant of Covid, it is even more important and is why we still need to wear masks when out in public places. There has been a jump in numbers of hospitalizations of younger people. Now that the age has dropped to 16 to be able to get the vaccine, hopefully we will see less young people hospitalized. 

The number of people who are less likely to get the vaccinations are being drawn in to get the shots by offering treats and having celebrities get their shots in public. They either talk or sing while receiving the vaccine. The Rev. Al Green received his shot while singing,  I'm So Tired of Being Alone, demonstrating that once you have your shots you don't have to be all alone. Mental health improves once you have a reason to be more hopeful. 

The federal government sent in troops to help in the process of drive thru vaccination sites. After a day they had places running so smoothly that as hard as it was to get an appointment for a vaccine a month ago, now they have times that you need no sign up for an appointment. And there is no long wait. It is a no brainer. Go get your shot to remain healthy and get us to herd immunity. Most people do not have side effects from taking the vaccine. The few who do say it is minor. After the vaccine your arm may be a little sore or you may feel a bit tired. Nothing that a Tylenol and maybe a little nap won't cure. I am thinking of the pharmaceutical ads where at the end of the commercial some voice comes in stating all of the terrible possible side effects yet people still take the drug the doctor prescribed because it makes you better. This vaccine does not have all of the possible side effects like the advertised drugs do. 

Hold on a minute. Now, companies and cities are offering other incentives to get your vaccine. Individual sport teams are getting in on the action. The Cincinnati Reds offered discounted single game tickets to fans who showed their COVID card. Krispy Kreme is offering a free glazed doughnut to any who flash their vaccine card. MEMpops, a local company is at one center offering free treats when people come to get protection from this deadly virus. Free beer at ball games and in the UK they have opened up a 13th century cathedral for people to walk in and request a song from the organist to play while they get their shot. Creative incentives are all over the place. I surely hope it works.

Companies are making their own pitches to the unvaccinated. The age limit has been lowered to all who are 16 or older. It is so very important for every one of us to encourage others to get vaccinated because this is the only way we can reach herd immunity. Jaren Jackson Jr., a Memphis Grizzlie player was in a photo getting his shot with the caption saying, "Roll up your sleeves everybody. For your friends, family and yourself." The city of New Orleans has a slogan, "Sleeves - up, NOLA!"

Some places are requiring you show your shot record to be admitted. There are people who use the same excuse for not wearing a mask. Telling others it is their right to choose not to wear a mask or get a vaccination. We all believe in freedom and the American way. So if they want to risk the health of everyone else, not to mention themselves by saying that it is their freedom with no proof otherwise is simply ridiculous. (my own opinion)

Now it is coming up for debates on the legality of requiring people to show proof of vaccination in order to participate. There has even been talk of having it as a requirement to attend school. Parents must show their children's vaccination card for other diseases. It should be interesting to see where this is headed. 

Back in 1905 the Supreme Court ruled that citizens would be fined if they did not get the smallpox vaccine. Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote, "A community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic of disease." The fact is that in today's times common sense is extremely controversial. There are fights breaking out when it comes to wearing a mask. 

It seems that it will be at the will of local businesses to decide whether or not that their employees and customers prove they've gotten one of the vaccines. We do know that 70% of Americans say they are already vaccinated or plan to be as soon as they can. On the other hand I have read that 20% say they would be less likely to get vaccinated if businesses required proof whereas 10% say that it would make them more likely to get vaccinated.

The Biden administration launched a national ad campaign encouraging people to get vaccinated with one of the ads having Willie Nelson singing, I'll Be Seeing You." One way to help persuade more to get their shots so that we all can be out and seeing each other more. 

In order to achieve herd immunity, a large portion of the population has to be vaccinated; this according to the Mayo Clinic. Only then will things really start getting back to normal, though what our new normal will truly look like remains to be seen. Let's be grateful for all of the new things that we have learned while being at home and now that we all soon will be able to be with others who are vaccinated. Just knowing that two of our four granddaughters and that two of our children, we can see in our home or theirs is such a happy gratitude. New Orleans children and grandchildren will be soon. Can hardly wait! Meanwhile, please mask up when out and about in public places.

IS HAPPINESS A SCIENCE?

 IS HAPPINESS A SCIENCE?

Choices! I have always believed that we are all in charge of the choices that we make. If you feel yourself being happy and can settle in to the life choices you make, then it can turn your life around. Happiness is truly the best makeup a woman can wear.

There actually are studies and research being done by scientists that prove the point of happiness is when one has satisfaction and meaning in their life. Being able to recover from negative emotions quickly while holding a sense of purpose; contrary to popular belief. Happiness is not having a lot of privilege or money. It is not constant pleasure. Turns out that it is much broader than that. It is the ability to connect with others and have meaningful relationships within a community. That is more or less the recipe to happiness. 

It is true that more money will make people happier to a certain degree. There is data out there that covers the last hundred years, which includes the era of depression and world wars, as incomes rose there was an increase in people's self-reported happiness. Their happiness was achieved once they went from a place of real threats of poverty to a place of being safe. After that point, more money did not seem to add to happiness. Nobel laureate psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman showed in his research that money increased happiness until about $75,000 annually. After that, emotional well-being did not seem to increase with income.

It has always been my belief that if I could just try having a big lottery win, then I could join in the study just to see if it did or didn't make me happier. It is not that I am unhappy now, in fact, quite the contrary. So the studies that have gone on seem to be true in my case. Still...I would love to know the feeling. 

Do we really need research to tell us that there is a strong relationship between our health and happiness? Of course, we know that being ill causes unhappiness. In fairness though, happiness can enhance health. It is not quite that simple minded. There is a science of happiness. If our health disrupts our daily functioning it can affect our happiness. What does matter is that after the diagnosis if we are able to adapt and compensate by deriving pleasures from other parts of our lives we can still have the "well-being with illness." Another name for this is resilience. This is not to make anyone feel that they are full of gloom and doom if they can't make that transition when illness is seriously disrupting every day life functioning.

Science does demonstrate that we can have an impact on only 12% of the things that determine whether we are happy or not. The happiest people among us understand that if we make the right choices, that small sliver is enough. This is from an article that I found written by Bill Murphy, Jr.

Genetics can have an effect on about half of our happiness. External events can become involved and that is where we own that little sliver of 12% of our own happiness by the choices that we make.

Happy people tend to choose to exercise. Even small amounts. We don't have to be marathon runners or spend hours in the gym. Just a small period of time throughout the day to be moving around. Being outside tends to make people happier. Even for a twenty minute walk around your garden, your office, or your neighborhood. Soak up the vitamin D. 

Even better if you can be outside with family or friends. Making time for others is good for the soul. We are contributing to our community by doing so, whether it is our family and friends community or our work community. Balancing work and family is a major part of being on the upper end of happiness. 

One last major focus of being happy is to always get enough sleep. Lack of sleep will ruin our lives. It can turn us in to irritable maniacs. And the BIG lie that many people tell themselves is that taking a nap is for "old people." It is not. There not only are whole cultures who believe that a little afternoon nap is good for us, there are famous people who swear by their afternoon naps. A few of them are Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Richard Branson, Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Albert Einstein. This is to name only a few.

Happiness is a science that you can choose to be a part of or not. It is not up to those around you. We get to decide.

THINGS OUR MOTHERS ALWAYS TOLD US

 

When I was growing up my Mother had loads of "sayings" that she used. I am sure to try to teach me right from wrong. Even though as I reached a certain level of maturity, I was saying to myself that I would never use these trite sayings with my own children. It seems that I was terribly wrong. Some of these sayings just popped out of my mouth. I am sure many of these have been used for generation after generation. I started with one of her favorites, "I wasn't born yesterday." This was used in many conversations, such as when I was trying to not tell the full truth about an incident so as not to get in as much trouble. Why I did it is beyond me. It just got me in more trouble. The truth will always come out when you have a Mom who gives you 'that look.'

Some of the sayings that I listed below I believe you will be able to relate to easily. 

~  Just you wait and see.

~  No such thing as a free lunch.

~  If it seems too good to be true, it is.

~  Keep making those faces and your face will freeze      like that.

~  Put that bottom lip out any further and a little red        caboose is going to come along and take a ride.

~  If someone told you to jump off a cliff, would you?

~  Because I said so!

~  I know what you are doing. I have eyes in the            back of my head. (Apparently, so did my teachers)

~  Just you wait and see. I can give you something to      really cry about. 

~  Close the door. Were you born in a barn?

~  If I told you once, I have told you a thousand              times and the answer is still NO.

~  Back in my day we had to walk 10 miles to school        in all kinds of weather.

~  Don't make me have to turn this car around.

~  Oh my goodness. If I let a word come out of my          mouth that was not ladylike I was told that she            would wash my mouth out with soap. (I did put          some Ivory soap in my own daughter's oatmeal          one day.)

~  Money doesn't grow on trees, you know!

~  You are not made of sugar and you will not melt in      the heat or rain.

~  Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall.

~  Don't get in the shower now. There is a                      thunderstorm outside and you will be hit by                lightning. (Turns out this is a possibility because          the electricity from the lightning hitting metal pipes      within the house. Another one that was true was to      not be on the phone during a storm. This only              applies to land line phones, not cell.)

~  Eat your carrots so that you will be able to see            better at night. (carrots as well as many other           vegetables are good for our eyes)

~  Don't sit that close to the TV. It will ruin your eyes.

     (This has been proven not to be true. It will cause

      your eyes to feel strained, just no long lasting              effect.)

~  I'm not asking. I'm telling.

And so...did you recognize any of the above sayings. We all know that our parents were just trying to do the right thing. I have often said there should be a parenting manual. But then again? Do we all want to turn out the same way? Our parents are just repeating the same stories they heard growing up and trying to raise awesome human beings to carry on with the world. 

Bearing in mind that words have power...choose carefully.

SEEING LIGHT AT THE END OF THE VERY LONG TUNNEL

 Just about this time last year our lives as we knew them were turned upside down with the Coronavirus. Word was getting out quickly that we needed to go into shutdown mode. In the United States, we had watched other countries begin going through this but now it has hit home. Everyone was in a state of shock. Businesses closed, schools closed and only the essential places such as grocery stores and pharmacies remained open. Only essential workers, such as health care, police, fire and medical personnel were going to work. Masks were being worn by some to avoid spreading the virus as well as getting the virus. There were no firm hard guidelines except from a wonderful doctor who kept being hushed by the leader of our country at that time. This leader refused to wear a mask and his followers did the same. Everyone had their own reasons and I am not here to judge. Many of those around him came down with the virus, as well as not only him but his family. The US had a multitude of scientists and doctors who were warning us about what to do and not to do. (This is where I am going to put my two cents in and tell you my favorite doctor of all was and still is Dr. Fauci.) Not enough people listened and the pandemic continued to grow. Deaths were inevitable, yet I am sure that the numbers in the US would not have been so high if we had all listened and followed the guidelines.

It was hard to explain why there was a shortage of toilet paper and paper towels. It was understandable about any product that was a disinfectant such as Lysol, Clorox, hand sanitizers, etc.  No one really knew what would be coming next.

Grocery delivery, curbside food pick up, drive thru pharmacies, virtual school with parents working at home many times along with their children on laptops. 

Let's skip forward some now. We have lived a year this way, slowly taking steps forward and the biggest step of all is the opening up of vaccinations and actually earlier than expected. There was a time when no one knew when one would be available and when it was available when the FDA would approve it. 

The vaccine was given to health care workers first and then the most vunerable, such as elderly and those with other health issues. Seemed only fair. 

The picture below is the very special documentation that my husband and I have received our first and second vaccination. It is so very important to hang on to this like you would your passport. In fact, there is talk of making an actual Vaccination Passport so that it would be easier when we travel.

There is now an overall feeling of happiness that a corner has been turned. The CDC put out guidelines that two weeks after the second vaccination, that family members who all had their shots could visit again without masks in their own homes. We have not seen our granddaughters in a year, except for waving at them in our garage while they were in the driveway or on Facetime. It just so happens that our two week period is up Easter weekend. Guess what we will be doing? Planning Easter with them. A small get together for a meal and an Easter Egg Hunt. This is our first positive step in the right direction.

Next on our list is to go to have a dinner or lunch out together or with friends (who have had their vaccines). If we keep numbers low we still plan on eating in an outside venue, as that is considered the safest. There must be social distancing from others in the public, however, we do not have to wear our masks with our family. Masks will probably be around for quite a while when out in public. Still, all in all, people are looking forward to getting back to some kind of normal socialization.

Guidelines need to be followed. There are people who do not want to take the vaccines. According to the research that I did one of the most common reasons is their misunderstanding about the side effects. Doctors tell us that if you have a reaction from the vaccine that for the most part it is mild and it means your immune system is responding to the vaccine. It means it is working. Not everyone has the side effects and so far it has not been proven but the medical experts believe that the difference of feeling sick and being sick is well worth it. There is no proof to date but they believe if you have the fever and fatigue with muscle aches you actually may have been hit hard with the virus. So rest up, nap and take good care of yourself. It will only be for a couple of days. Doctors are not worried and hope to spread the word that if you had more symptoms than most then you just might have dodged the bullet. They are worried that some people won't take it and the pandemic will drag on longer.

As I looked about for travel, I noticed that countries are beginning to allow US visitors in if they have had their vaccines. Hawaii currently has a two week quarantine and a Covid test for visitors from the mainland. With the vaccine, they are considering opening up without the quarantine as long as you have your vaccine card and are willing to take the Covid test. Most all of Europe's borders remain closed to US travelers and Canada has remained firmly shut and has disallowed cruising through February 2022.

There is something that we all can do and should do. Read up on what are some of the best foods to eat before and after getting the vaccine. It simply involves making smart and thoughtful food choices, which is always a good idea. We all need to sooth the inflammatory immune response. Dr. Will Cole put out a list of some of the foods that will do just that.

• Soups and stews made with bone broths. Not the kind of soup that comes from a can already made with lots of preservatives.
• Broccoli - roasted or in a salad and maybe cooked with a little cheese melted on top. Green veggies all have high levels of antioxidants which help fight inflammation in the body.
• 

• Blueberries are good in so many ways but most of
• 
  
•  all they also fight inflammation. Another plus is
• 
  
•  that they help to balance your moods.

• Green tea drinking not only helps aid your body at the cellular level with antioxidants but the ritual of drinking tea can also soothe the soul.
• 
  

• Garlic and onions help to feed the good bacteria in our stomach. A happy gut is a healthier gut. Amazingly dark chocolate is in this category.

• Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which our body breaks down to help decrease inflammation. Wild salmon is the best kind vs. farm raised. All of the above foods, I can go for. I have tried salmon in many different recipes and there is not one that I have been able to eat. I so wish that I could.

The good news for me is that I started getting rid of most of the inflammation culprits a while ago. Sugar, refined flour, vegetable oils, artificial sweetners, and many dairy products are just a few. Switching to almond flour and lower carbohydrates was a smart choice for me. 

Missing important family gatherings through all of this was very disheartening. We all tried to make the best of it. Now we will get to enjoy Easter with two of our children and two granddaughters. Our New Orleans family will soon be getting their vaccines and then we will be able to travel to see them. Positive outlooks all around. Our fourth child is in a country that we can't even travel in yet. She is soon ready to have our fifth grandchild. It will be through pictures that we will have to see through Facebook and Facetime and we will. Neither one of us are ready to get on a jet to travel that distance with the general public just yet. We aren't even ready to go to inside dining just yet. 

Baby steps...when the time is right.🧡🧡