That Gram I Am

I do not not like plain scrambled eggs.

I do not like them Gram I am!

I would not eat them here or there.

I would not eat them anywhere!

Try them, try them you will see,

I've added applesauce, for free

Try them, you might like them now!

You might like them now, and how!

Say I do now like these scrambled eggs.

I do like them Gram I am.

I will eat them here or there.

I will eat them anywhere!

Thanks Grandma! I do so like your scrambled eggs!!

Thank you.

While watching Cara one day this last week, I decided to make her some scrambled eggs for breakfast. After she took her first bite I realized immediately that she didn't like them. As you can see, the hands went to the mouth to prevent me from feeding her. Remembering tricks from the old days of me being a mom, I found some applesauce and added it to the eggs. The rest, as they say, is history and she enjoyed her breakfast with Grandma.

I want to take a moment to thank Dr. Seuss for his wonderful books and for giving me the idea for this post.

Elephants & Books

I have been visiting Cara and her folks for a few days. Cara and I had lots of fun play time and we were working on making videos so Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Danilo can see some of the fun we had while we were together.

The other evening I asked Cara what sound does an elephant make and she proceeded to make the correct noise. I guess my many months of making elephants sounds for her to hear paid off. The attention to the elephant, you will notice, quickly was replaced by her book. (Sorry for the tv background noise, it's The View for those of you who missed the show.)

Remember

I find September 11 to be a difficult day as I reflect on the events that unfolded on that terrible day six years ago. I was more fortunate than many as I had no relatives or friends die on 911. That one day changed not just the lives of Americans but affected the world as a whole.

As this terrible anniversary arrives I hope each of us will remember those who paid the ultimate price. Innocent people were in the wrong place at the wrong time and forever are gone.

8:35 am September 11, 2001 the first passenger jet flew into the north tower of The World Trade Center. Ninety-two passengers and crew were on that flight.

9:03 am the second jet flew into the south tower of The World Trade Center, killing 65 on that flight. The total number of death certificates filed by The New York City Health Department is 2,617 for the victims through January 25, 2002.

9:37 am a jetliner flew toward the western side of the Pentagon and exploded as it smashed through the building primarily on the first floor, killing 189 in all.

Flight 93 United Airlines crashed in Pennsylvania as passengers fought to regain control of the aircraft from terrorist hijackers, killing 45. Some believe that the hijacker's target was our nation's capital.

I am not sure if we will ever know the correct number of lives ended that day. I found while looking through different articles that the numbers were not always in agreement. Loosing one life from the evil acts of someone is one too many.

Whatever differences in politics, religion, or military views there may be, I hope you will take a few minutes to remember those who lost their lives six years ago today. I also hope that the victims families find some peace.

Labor Day Recap

Labor Day weekend was spent visiting with Scott and his family. I think of this holiday weekend as the last chance to enjoy summer and to work on a few projects that you want done before colder weather sets in.

All dressed and ready to head for the zoo .



Waking up Saturday morning to a cloudless bright blue sky and lower temperatures, we all decided that it was time to head for the zoo. This was the first trip to our children's zoo as grandparents, and it was such a joy sharing this time with Cara and her parents. As I walked through the zoo with Cara I couldn't help but remember the many times that I used to bring her father and aunt here when they were small children. She shares with her father and aunt the excitement of seeing these animals and touching some of them. She had fun feeding them, peeking in each cage, and looking around the corner to see what was next.

Grandpa holding Cara up so she had a better view of things.

The sea lion really liked coming up close and staying for a few minutes so Cara could get a good look at him.

On Sunday we stayed at our house, playing a lot and doing a little bit of work that needed to be done. Swimming, playing golf, walking, and a little construction work were on the schedule.

Grandpa put the pool on the screened-in porch to keep the bugs away and also filled up the pool with warm water so Cara wouldn't get too cold. Skinny dipping anyone?

Hitting the ball required some help. Cara would laugh each time the ball got hit with the club.

Helping Grandpa & Daddy tow away the greenhouse that was taken down.

(Safety Note: Tractor was not running when she was on it. Out of the picture are Grandma, Mommy, & Daddy standing close to make sure that Cara doesn't fall off.)

Guess Who's Walking?

Cara and her parents have been visiting us over the past few days. While they were here we got to witness Cara perfecting the art of walking. It seems that several days before they came up here she started taking a few steps. At our house walking became the thing to do; crawling is for babies you know.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy.




In the video, Cara is saying "baby, baby" and walking toward the camera because she loves pictures of "the baby" and wants to see the one on the camera's viewfinder screen!

Thanks guys for the nice visit and a special thank you to Scott for his help on an outside project!

Esperia Travels, LLC

Cyndi and I are proud to announce that Esperia Travels, LLC is now a registered company in the State of Indina. The tour itenerary for 2008 is completed and Esperia Travels is accepting names for our scheduled tours.

Several months ago Cyndi conceived the idea to start a tour guide company specializing in small group tours through Emilia Romagna. After many months of hard work and research, Esperia Travels is now a reality. I will be handling the office side of the business while Cyndi is organizing and will be heading up the tours.

The CEOs of Esperia Travels

Since Cyndi's return home, she and Danilo have been working hard to get the internet site up and running. Danilo designed and put together the website, we owe him a big THANK YOU! Also, along on this adventure we put Ameridad to work as our proof reader. His new name is Moe (mean, old, editor) and we appreciate all of the time that he gave to doing this for us. The biggest thank you is to Cyndi for asking me to join her as a partner with Esperia Travels. I am looking forward to joining our clients and Cyndi on one of our tours in 2008.

Why the name of Esperia for our business? Esperia is the name that the ancient Greeks gave to Italy, meaning "land of the setting sun". At the time Cyndi was thinking of names for the tour guide company, Danilo was reading an Italian book called "The Marshes of Esperia". It is set in the Delta Po region of Emilia Romagna, one of the very spots our tour will be visiting. He recommended the name and as they say the rest is history.

At last the website is finished and we are ready for business. If you are interested in taking a tour with me, just drop me a note at info@esperiatravels.com or visit our website at http://www.esperiatravels.com/

click here to view our ad on Slow Travel.

Danger

I am interrupting my time travel posts to send out an important message! Danger lurks all around!! Be careful, let my experiences be helpful information for all. Today, with the weather being in the 80's and no humidity, I decided to do some outside work. Since my ankle isn't swelling so much I am doing a little more work and could not pass up on the beautiful day we were having.

Working outside today was the most difficult time I have ever experienced while doing yard work. I started off by trimming the overhanging limbs on bushes and prickly vines that would scratch me when I would mow. When I was working on one bush I suddenly felt like my underarm was on fire. I wasn't sure if I was bitten by something or if I touched poison ivy. I immediately left the bush, headed for our pool, and put my arm in the cool water. When the burning stopped I investigated the bush and found no poison ivy; maybe something bit me.

With the danger waiting in the bushes, I decided that I would do a little hand mowing around the pond. This might sound like a simple chore but I soon found out that it wasn't the case. After mowing for awhile I suddenly noticed in an instant that I was being stung on my leg, arm, and up under my shirt in a most feminine place by our local bees. Racing away and leaving the lawn mower, I noticed that I had mowed over an area on the ground that was swarming with bees. I didn't know that bees built hives on the ground; I will remember this new piece of information forever.

After heading again for the cool water of my pool to ease the bee stings, a little while later I decided that I would mow for awhile longer. Keeping an eye on the bees and getting as far away as I could from them, I was mowing the grass that was growing on the side of the pond. Although trying to be careful not to get too close to the pond, I managed to stretch too far and could see that if I didn't let go of the hand mower, I would be alongside the mower heading into the pond. Yep, I let go of the mower and watched it head for the pond. Lucky for me, or should I say lucky for Ameridad, the mower didn't go into the pond.

After everything happening I decided to head inside, fix a quick dinner, and talk a long hot bath. I will see what tomorrow brings but I'm not sure I will be ready for yard work. Ill' probably just enjoy the view from the house.



You have all been warned as to some of the hazards of yard work. Please take precautions when you are out in the great outdoors.