grandmamac

I stopped smoking three weeks ago because my family wanted me to, I didn't like being treated like I had leprosy when in public places, and stores aren't carrying my favorite brand anymore. Notice that I didn't mention that I quit because I wanted to. I enjoyed smoking my little cigars with morning coffee and a newspaper. Not really being into this self-imposed deprivation is making it harder cope, but I've been told that if I relapse my family would be disappointed. Oh, it booked my guilt... Read Full Story

Hubby and I have been in Hudson, Florida, for the last 5 weeks painting the house I bought (and said I never would) and landscaping the property. There are some things that a western Pennsylvania raised girl finds curious in this state: 1. Booze sold in grocery stores and drug stores. But you can't buy it before lunch time on Sundays. 2. A window in the shower. 3. Flat golf courses where the ball rolls forever, sometimes in the wrong direction, though. 4. Solar lights that actually work... Read Full Story

Making the national news is easy if you are a drug addicted movie star, shady politician, sports spectacular, or a suicide bomber. It’s more difficult for the “guy next door” to see his name in print or google himself unless he does something truly newsworthy or …incredibly stupid. Ninety-nine percent of the time, he chooses the latter which is fine with me. Reading about the sexual preferences of golfers, the ponzi scammers, religious fanatics, and wacko world leaders gets tedious in time... Read Full Story

I love a good mystery! Give me some clues I can wrap my mind around and I'll develop a possible scenario. I can't help doing it. I believe it's innate and fueled by my insatiable desire to read at least one mystery book a week. The Tiger Woods recent media splash is the jump start my mind needed to occupy itself during these dreary, cold days. I've considered the few facts we've been given, taken into account the personalities of the main characters, and factored in what research tells us... Read Full Story

I have some thoughts that I want to share on the following topic. Please feel free to make your comments. I’m interested in what you think. Maybe we can start a movement! PLANE SEATING: I flew to Florida this past weekend and was unpleasantly reminded about why I don’t like flying that much. On the first leg of the trip, I was seating next to a large woman wrapped in a blanket so she looked like a gigantic, white cocoon. The seats dividing armrest was up since lowering it could have lopped... Read Full Story

“Experience necessary.” We’ve all heard and seen that phrase at one point or another when searching for a job. What has always bothered me is, if so many employers want experienced people, where does one begin on the ground floor? When I was in high school and wanted a summer job, I checked the classifieds. Those two words showed up in ads for a filing clerk, a data entry position, and salon hair washer girl. Now, how hard is it to learn to file papers and charts alphabetically or any other... Read Full Story

Some people wish to climb Mt. Everest or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef or have some other lofty goal that they will attain someday. I know I’ll never be able to afford to climb Everest or to even buy a plane ticket to Australia so my “bucket list” consists of less stupendous aims. Even so, working through the items is most likely going to take courage, stamina, and work since they appear on the list at all. Someday I’m going to… …stop smoking little, peach cigars. I started smoking and... Read Full Story

I'm giving special badge awards today and you don't want one. The No Common-sense Badge is awarded to the following people. May they wear their badges with pride. A kitchen fire destroyed a man's house and killed his pet. Now, a grease fire can happen to anyone so he doesn't get a badge for starting it. His badge was earned for frying fish for his soon to be 15-year-old, ailing dog. Fried fish for a sick dog? Everyone knows fish is healthier for you when it's baked. Hey, buddy, when the fire... Read Full Story

Between Feb. 26 and Mar. 8, we went to Plant City twice for the annual Strawberry Festival which drew approx. 500,000 visitors over the 11 day schedule. The event included exhibits, vendors, livestock shows/auctions, amusement rides, and entertainment featuring local and famous performers including George Jones, Jeff Foxworthy , Randy Travis, Travis Tritt , and Jessica Simpson . Hey, the racing pigs were there, too! Free , but limited, bleacher seating is available for the big star shows if... Read Full Story

I’m at the 62-year-old Pasco County Fair in Dade City sitting on metal bleachers with a huge funnel cake balanced on my lap waiting for the Robinson’s Racing Pigs show to begin. The wind blows the cake’s powdered sugar onto my navy shirt, Hubby’s right side, and the entire back (head to waist) of the man sitting in front of me. I imagine him stymied later as to how he got sugar-coated. Soon the likes of Hillary RodHAM Clinton and Al BOAR will speed around a wood-chip oval and swim a narrow... Read Full Story