Water Lilies By Jade - Watercolor

Our granddaughter spent Sunday and Monday with us. We went to see Ramona and Beezus (thumbs up), we went bowling (the rails for little kids are super), we went to Bonnie Springs Ranch (she liked it as much as her great grandmother did when we took her there last spring) and we topped off the visit by doing a little painting. What do you think? She's eight years old. She did this all by herself. I just kept her company while she painted.

The British Open

We watched quite a bit of the British Open and I have to say we were completely charmed by the winner. I usually root for Phil Mickelson. I also like John Daley, but I will gladly add "Shrek" to my list of favorites. He's gracious, poised and loves the game. I would love to walk the St. Andrews old course. I don't play golf, but I think that is such a beautiful place with a wonderful sense of tradition and history.

New Windows, Hooray!

Workers are installing our new windows. They are energy efficient and they are pretty! By Las Vegas standards, our house is old. I like to preserve or restore things whenever possible, but windows from fifty years ago just don't do the job here in the desert. I originally had my heart set on Pella or Andersen windows, but I fainted when we got a quote. Jim picked me up off the floor and we decided to go with a different company.

I thought the installers were going to be here on Friday, so I secured the cats in the guest bathroom Thursday night. I wanted no escapes through doors or windows. The guys didn't come until Saturday. (Having read Diana's posts about Italian workers, I thought maybe I wasn't really in Las Vegas... Maybe I was in Italy:)) The cats weren't too happy - four cats, one bathroom, no cat tree - not a good thing. I moved them to a bigger room last night. My philosophy on punctuality has become much more relaxed. (Diana's construction stories always have a happy ending, so what the heck:)) I now say there is no reason to stress as long as we are not left with a big hole and no glass covering it overnight. I'm getting used to their schedule. If they're supposed to be here by 1:00, they'll be here the next day. If they're supposed to be here by 7:00, they'll be here by 8:00... The important thing is that they are really nice guys who are doing a super job.

If you can't say something good about someone, sit right here by me. - Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Ha! I have to find a good biography on this woman.

I'm almost done with Pride and Prejudice. It's excellent. Austen is so witty. What really surprised me is that she wrote it when she was just 21. It was published years later and I'm sure there was some editing, but I'm amazed that a 21 year old could write this! Of course, I will read more Austen. I have no idea how I missed her. I've read many classics, but no Austen until now.

In the last two weeks, I also read The Brutal Telling, a mystery by Louise Penny and Prayers for Sale, a novel by Sandra Dallas. I recommend both books. Prayers for Sale is about the friendship between two women in 1936. One of the women is 17 and the other is 86. It is an uplifting book. I don't want to give too much away about it. I don't want to spoil the ending for you if you decide to read it. Both books are quick reads, but they're not fluff.

Happy Birthday, Tammy!

Tammy and her friend Lissa
Candy and Tammy
Tammy, Tracy and Candy

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Sherry, I Did My Best

Jim took quite a few pictures, but in most of them, my dad isn't facing the camera. Here he is with my youngest sister and my aunt (his sister). It would have been a good picture, but his eyes are closed!

On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin, Grand Old Badger State

We had a break between summer sessions and we flew up to Wisconsin for my dad's 75th birthday party. My stepmother had the party at their cabin on Lake St. Croix. We were there for a long weekend. The weather was gorgeous. We got to visit with both of my sisters, and my dad's three sisters and about 45 other people. My stepmother has 6 children so it makes for a big gathering with children's spouses and the grandchildren. We ate like little piggies. Dad took us for a pontoon boat ride. It was a blast.

Jim's daughter Randi took care of our furry children, the garden and the house while we were gone. Good job, Randi! Thank you!

We're back home in the desert. This is the painting that I talked about in the previous post. I was playing with colors. I know it's not my best painting, but I like the colors if I do say so myself:)