Am I Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? | by Linda Brendle

Squirrel (Photo credit: Kenny Teo (zoompict))

No, I’m not even smarter than the local squirrels.

Last year I wrote (and whined) a lot about the squirrels who were stealing my tomatoes. I had two little plants and was so proud when the little green fruit started to show up. But one by one, before any of them could get larger than a golf ball, they disappeared. After searching the internet and picking the brain of every experienced gardener I knew, I narrowed down the usual suspects to squirrels. I went to the local hardware/lumber/garden/everything store where the resident expert sold me some pellets that were supposed to repel all comers, but the tomatoes continued to disappear.

For Mattias: How TV Programming Was Different when I Was a Kid | by Linda Brendle

Source: http://logos.wikia.com/wiki/File:WTVT-TV’s_Test_Pattern_Video_ID_From_1955.jpg

Mattias, not only were the televisions sets a lot different when I was a kid,  but the programming was also a lot different from what you see now. For one thing, there wasn’t nearly as much to choose from – when we first got our TV, we only had three channels. For another thing, programming wasn’t available 24 hours a day. The first news programs came on around 6:00 am, and the broadcast day ended at midnight with the playing of the National Anthem as Old Glory fluttered in the breeze. After a few minutes, the flag was replaced by a test pattern and a steady tone that went on all night.

Happy Father’s Day | by Linda Brendle

To all the fathers who held us close and made us feel secure and loved:

My Daddy and me – 1947

For Mattias: How TV Was Different when I Was a Kid | by Linda Brendle

TVs are a lot different now!

We just got back from week with our kids and grandkids. Christian and Amy are wonderful people, great hosts, and interesting company, but Mattias and Zoe were the main attractions.

Zoe is 4 years old and is little Miss Sunshine personified. She is always smiling and rarely argues, and she fell in love with Grandpa David. I got my share of love from her, though, and we had fun planting seeds and going to the park.

Mattias is a more serious 9-year-old. He gives see-you-after-school waves and good-night hugs, but most of his interaction is verbal. He likes to talk and ask questions. One of his favorite questions is How were things different when you were a kid? I answered some of his questions, but I’m sure there are lots of differences left to explore. I’ve decided to devote a little space to the distant past from time to time, so Mattias, this post is for you.

Being a Grandparent Is Its Own Excuse | by Linda Brendle

I know I’ve been AWOL for a few days, but there are valid reasons. Here are two of them:

   Zoe’s first ballet recital.

She and the others acted silly during warm ups, but when the music started, she danced like a princess.

Mattias got his yellow belt.

If you’re a grandparent or had one, you understand.

We’re getting back on the flying standby merry-go-round at 12:55 am. Pray it doesn’t take us 22 hours to get home.

Blessings,

Linda

 

 

Sad Travel Tales and Bright Spots | by Linda Brendle

We’re on our way to Portland – kinda. We got up at 3:30 this morning so we could be ready when Danny and Sherian, performing way above and beyond the call of friendship, picked us up at 4:30 to drive us to DFW. I guess after years of living in the country they’re used to getting up before dawn because they were good company on the 97-mile drive from our house to the airport.

Memorial Day – Lest We Forget

This is the post I wrote last Memorial Day. We still remember.

Remembrance and Hope

Memorial Day is a day of hope and remembrance, of remembering those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Why is remembrance important, and what is our hope?