When the Sanctuary is Home

In the morning darkness there were toothbrushes silouhetted against the white sand outside. Rich and I took a road trip up to Ponte Vedra Beach for a conference this past week and on the way we stopped at my friend Annette's home in Melrose. She and her beau Ed have been busy making the house a home and what a sanctuary it is!

Just off the kitchen is a screened-in walkway to the next building that looks out on a deck that frames a koi pond, complete with waterfall. The hot tub and hammock felt perfectly at home there - can you say resort? From the tiki bar in the sand to a path through the Florida wilderness where a decently worn bench welcomes you at the end, everything here is calm and ready.

And the cooking was all comfort too. As usual I found myself goofing off in the kitchen rather than helping, but that's perfectly fine at Annette's because she is an incredible cook! She makes everything look so easy, so simple. She is grace in the kitchen. Biscuits and gravy with eggs couldn't have been more delicious than with the company of good friends and great people.

We had a wonderful time lounging on the couch at night watching movies and laughing loudly and an equally good time talking in the morning's soft light, finding respite before traveling on to a crowded conference and busy beach. Thanks Annette and Ed!

Young is Relative, or a Relative

It's not possible that these young women are 21 years of age, is it? Rich and I went to The Brew Garden in Clearwater to hear Lee Pons tickle the (electronic) ivories and as we watched the patrons trickling in over the hours we began to feel conspicuously *old*. The kids coming in really looked like they were seniors in high school. They were not. Could it be that our perspective has changed? Hmmmmm.

There were a few other patrons who looked old enough to imbibe and the place did have some great atmosphere going on. The lighting was warm, the wood clean enough to reflect and the outdoor seating was well appointed. Guess it would be since they serve food and there's no smoking indoors (LOVE that!).

And would you believe it? They had yummy beer. It would seem my distaste for beer has disappeared along with that big hill I crossed over. Turns out I like dark, slightly sweet, no bitter beer. An enthusiastic welcome to Grimbergen Dubbel!

Voracious Vacationing

I have had so much fun on vacation this week that I'm going to need another vacation just to recover!! My grandson's daycare was on vacation this week so I took vacation from work to watch him full-time while his parents were working.

He is a little busy body! He has discovered every door and drawer in my condo. We went to the beach on Tuesday where he screeched at the waves and ate a mouthful of sand. On Wednesday we got rained out so we went to the library for some book reading and frivolity with like-minded friends.

My friend, Debbie T., introduced us to the dolphins at The Clearwater Aquarium on Thursday. Mason had a great time standing up against one of the aquariums where big fish, stingrays and sharks passed right next to him.

Each day our activities were punctuated by food and naps. I've discovered the attachments to my blender and made the most delicious yogurt - yes yogurt - blended with LOTS of blueberries and peaches. Yum! And who knew that peas and mashed potatoes all whipped up together could taste so good? Mason of course.

Today, Friday, we walked a mile or so in the hot, hot sun to the playground with a stop along the way at the Suncoast Bird Sanctuary. Mason got a bit testy when I took him out of the swing, but his disposition ensured a swiftly returning smile.

He had a chance to test out his new shoes at the playground too. The Florida sun makes most walking surfaces unbearable without shoes. He's not walking on his own yet, but helping him still beats carrying him!

I'm pretty sure I must be the luckiest grandmother ever to get to spend so much time with my grandson. Watching every tiny stage in his growth has been wickedly fun and it doesn't pass my notice that I missed so much of my own child's growth.

Being a parent means working and worrying. There's so much responsibility for ensuring *everything* is just right for the growing baby. That means less time watching in wonderment. Grandparents don't have that going on. I get to observe, participate and sleep soundly at night.

All those good things people say about being a grandparent? Completely true!