Happy Birthday Sweet Grace

Happy Birthday to the sweet Grace Farley. It feels like yesterday that you came into the world. The first child of my best friend. You made Suzanne and Steve parents. And I know you were a lucky girl to get such wonderful parents.

You brought sunshine into the world. And I am so happy to have been a witness to the fabulous person you are. I hope that you are having a big birthday and that your dear Paul is spoiling you.

Happy Happy Birthday.

The Clean Out The Attic Plan

I purposely did not schedule classes for the next three weeks because I wanted a block of time when it was not too hot or not too cold so I could actually clean out the attic.

Not scheduling classes is something I have to do many months in advance. So even though I put a block on these weeks I was talked into a class. That’s OK. IT’s one class, of three sessions that will be at my house. So no excuse not to do the attic.

I did allow a couple of private lessons to get put on the calendar. That’s Ok, they are on Zoom, from my house. Today I had to take Shay to the vet and I had a haircut. On the way to the haircut I stopped at Office Depot to get extra sticky post it notes to put on the things that need to mark as going from the attic to the dumpster. Those things didn’t take up too much time.

Then my mother’s car had the check engine light come on and was flashing. So I had to go sit in the parking lot of her retirement community and wait for AAA to come pick up her car. That was only three hours.

While I was there I decided I could stop at Costco and buy trash bags I needed for the attic.

I did schedule the arrival of the dumpster today and paid for it. It’s coming next Monday. I also scheduled the task rabbit guys who helped carry the Christmas out of the attic to come and carry the stuff out of the attic I want to get rid of.

So all that stuff left me with 30 minutes when I actually went to the attic and started opening boxes and looking at what I want to get rid of. The dust was extraordinary. I told Russ I needed the shop vac to go up the attic tomorrow.

I tagged about 20 things so far. I found a giant box of Christmas ornaments that I ordered after Christmas some time years ago and never opened before. So far that’s the only treasure I have found. Some boxes I have had since college, like my B & W speaker boxes that my father told me to always keep for when I moved. I have not moved those speakers in 35 years. I think the boxes can go.

Also I found three VCR and DVD boxes. No idea if we still have the machines, but I don’t need the boxes. I started looking at the pile of suit cases. I know that we have not used most of them in years. I think that they might be a good donation to shelters where unhoused people have to come and go from. I need to research that. Any friends involved in those who know the answer, let me know.

I did find the tread mill we stupidly put in the attic 20 years ago. That is going in the dumpster and that is why I need the men.

So I may be off to a slow start, but I did actually go in the attic today. Tomorrow I have a zoom and an eye doctor appointment in the morning, but then, I promise, all afternoon in the attic.

Promising

Every election year Russ and I vote early. We don’t want to miss the responsibility of voting. We don’t want to leave anything up to chance in case we have to go out of town or possibly get sick.

We went today to our regular early voting sight at the Unitarian church. In a normal year we drive up, maybe wait in a line of a couple of people and vote. We are out of there in five minutes.

Today, the fourth day of early voting in North Carolina, we went to the Unitarian church an hour after the poll opened. There was a very long line out side the building. Could have been about 40 people in line. It moved steadily. And as it moved, an equal number of people added to the line.

The poll workers were happy and efficient. They loved that so many people have been voting. The worker at the door said it has been like that since the doors opened on Thursday. It was a promising sign that so many people are voting. Our democracy depends on sending an overwhelming message about what the people want.

If anyone needs help getting to the polls I am happy to provide or coordinate a ride for you. You just need to vote. Just plan on it taking a little longer, but it will be worth it.

Quick Surprise Visit

Yesterday, while sitting in Hobby airport in Houston I got a text from my Florida friend Suzanne. She was in North Carolina and just realized she was actually close to me. Well, she was close to where I live, not where I was at that moment. Suzanne is a self reported by poor geographer. It had not dawned on her that when she made reservations at the Fearington Inn, she would be practically in my back yard.

Well, as a southerner, I had to see her while she was in the old North State. I texted back that I free for breakfast this morning and thankfully that worked for her. So in spite of getting home late last night thanks to a delayed flight, I got up early and went down to see her.

She was here for a wedding and because of some child care issues she was alone as her sweet husband Chris stayed home with their boys. When I arrived at her room I chastised her for not staying with me, but understood the draw of the Fearington Inn. It was quite a treat to get to eat breakfast there since you can’t do that usually unless you are an overnight guest. We had one little dining room all to ourselves which was perfect so we could gab over our splendid cappuccinos and yummy eggs.

It was much too short a visit because I had a zoom lesson with a pair of students in London at noon, but Suzanne understands that as we first met at mah Jongg lessons I was teaching in Cashiers. Since then we have met up at the Tides Inn twice and I have been to visit her at her home in Tallahassee. So now we have added Pittsboro to our meet up places. It was just this time no Mah Jongg playing was involved.

Sadly we forgot to take a photo, but this one was from the last time we were together in Virginia. I told her next time to come stay with me, if I am home or not, she is always welcome at my house.

My Generous Cousin Meredith

Finally my cousin Meredith was in Houston, where she lives, when I was there. The last few times I have gone to Houston she has been out of town. Usually she is at Roundtop which is one of her shopping meccas and that takes priority. As a non-shopper, I don’t understand shopping taking priority.

So not only was Meredith in town, she also came and took mah Jongg class and brought her friend Amy. They were superior students and can now play mah Jongg.

Not only did a Meredith pay to come to take class, but she brought me a very cute gift. It was this darlin’ Texas bag, with a boot charm and tassel, a smaller pink bandanna bag, a Texas shaped clip, a pink twilly, and a Texas wood cut out tag. It was like the “welcome to Texas” gift bag extraordinaire.

That was the gift the first day. Then the second day she showed up with two gifts for Kari and Nancy, who organized the classes and host me. They were lucite trays for hostess towels with mah Jongg towels and mah Jongg cocktail napkins. So cute.

Gift giving is definitely Meredith’s love language. I wish she could just be my personal shopper because she is by far the most superior gift giver I have ever known.

Then let’s gild the lily. Meredith took me to the airport after the farewell lunch. How else could she be the best cousin?

Fun, Fun, Fun

Nothing but fun today. My Houston crew makes me so happy. I am ever thankful for Nancy and Kari who organize my classes and takes care of me. Last night after class we went to dinner with Lisa and Anne and everyone’s husbands. Poor husbands are good sports to come have dinner with the mah Jongg teacher.

Today we started classes with a fabulous lunch and then we went right into class. The second day of Beyond is so much fun because the students are used to me. Most of them have taken a few classes from me before so it is wonderful for me.

After the first class we had beginners. They are not as used to me. But today they had a lot of joy because they played two real games and some people even won.

I had a great surprise because my cousin Harry came to see me at the end of class as his darling wife Meredith was taking the class. She even won a game!

I got to wear beautiful jewels today thanks to Kari and she made me model them with Nancy. I wore them out to dinner with them, but I forgot to take off the necklace and give it back. If I want to leave the state of Texas alive I need to return that necklace tomorrow.

Teaching here is always joy and I hope the classes have had as much fun as I have. One more class tomorrow.

Mah Jongg Houston Style

When I come to Houston everything is fancier, except for me. I am still just me. That does not stop Houston from trying to fancy me up. So today Kari, who is the queen of all jewelry, brought a bunch of things to “frost me” for class.

They were quite spectacular. My favorite was the Chanticler necklace with the rooster bell. He cocktail ring went quite well with my blouse. I had to trade out the Cartier earrings for a different pair because I was worried I would lose one.

It’s great to get to wear all this beautiful jewelry, but it would be bad to lose it.

Tomorrow I will get a new suite of jewels to go with that outfit. So much fun to play dress up and teach mah Jongg.

The Glamorous Life of a Mah Jongg Teacher

I will never complain about being a Mah Jongg teacher because it really is the most fun job. I love meeting new people and sharing the game with them. What I don’t love is delayed travel.

I am on my way to Houston. I have to say Houston, especially Nancy and Kari are very kind and generous to me. I have a big group coming to learn and am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Even my darling Cousin Meredith is coming to class.

I try and fly into Hobby because it is so much closer to Nancy’s house, where I am staying. That being said, I have to fly Southwest. Not my favorite, but not usually terrible.

No matter how many times I check the app it always shows my flight on time… until the second I get through security and then it changes to delayed. To be expected as I am taking an afternoon flight. I usually try and take the first flight in the morning to avoid this, but that is not the way this trip worked out. So on both ends I am taking a later flight.

No matter how delayed it is I have to get to Houston as classes start tomorrow. By the time the students show up all this travel stuff will be behind me and I can fall into the joy of teaching.

When Daddy Leaves

Daddy left for a meeting today and Shay was not up for that. Since aruss has been working from home for the last few months Shay has gotten very used to supervising him at all times. She will sleep on her bed in his office. She will sleep on her bed in the breakfast room when he takes calls from there. She will heard him into the sunroom and sleep on the sofa while he works next to her. She will sit in his lap at his desk while he is on zoom. She is the chairman after all.

The bottom line when Daddy is in the house she is with him. So when Daddy is not here she is adrift. I don’t have as many sitting down jobs as Daddy. At her age Shay does not like to go up and down the stairs as often as I do so she is often left stranded on a floor or on a bed by herself.

Eventually she got me to stay in one place and she snuggled up as close to me as she could. Every inch of her bodying touching mine at all times.

At least I am accepted as the second fiddle.

Evidence of Childhood Kindness

This week an envelope came in the mail from my friend Andy. She always is the first Christmas card we get of the season and I thought this was too early even for her. I opened it and it was a child’s drawing and a note from Andy.

She had been cleaning out things from her kids school years and happened upon this school assignment by her daughter Madi. Madi and Carter were classmates and friends all through their school years. Madi was a great kid, but not Carter’s best friend.

I looked at the drawing, which strongly resembled Carter from the eye and hand of a third grader, then read the words. It was a description of Carter. It was sweet and kind and generous, written in the best third grade script I had seen.

I sent Carter a photo of it and asked her if she had ever seen it or remembered the assignment. She had no clue about it, but also thought it was so nice.

You never know how people see you. Just like you never know what affect you have upon other people. Both kind and hurtful words stick. It is nice to learn later the good things, but it is best to try and be kind in the first place.

Madi was always a nice person and has grown up to be as thoughtful and kind as she was in third grade. She is in medical school now and I venture to say she has better than average handwriting for a doctor.

I appreciate Andy sending me this. It is nice even all these years later to see evidence of kindness in children. It’s not a surprise coming from Madi.

It’s Eleven Weeks Until Christmas.

I know it’s October and there are people who are decorated for Halloween. Down the street a neighbor put up a 16 foot scary statue and around the corner there is a 12 foot skeleton. I have not seen many pumpkins yet, but it was a dry summer so they might be in scare supply.

I don’t care a thing about Halloween. My house will probably be dark. I can’t have the candy in the house. I don’t have a child who needs a costume. I don’t have to go to a parade. I am just waiting for Halloween to be over so I can work on Christmas.

I am in my full blown dreaming of Christmas stage. Today I worked on my new decoration of the year. I ordered some gifts. Planned some menus. Worked on my Christmas calendar. I scrolled through some websites to get ideas.

Last year since I was not getting Carter and Claire for Christmas I had both Thanksgiving and Christmas together on Thanksgiving and then continued the celebration all through December.

This year I get them for Christmas, but once I discovered Decorating for Christmas in the middle of December I am never going back. I used to have Thanksgiving and then begin decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. This made the Thanksgiving weekend all about work.

Well I never decorated the house for Thanksgiving and ai love the Christmas Decorating so much the answer is to decorate in the beginning of November and enjoy it all the way though New Years.

Turkey eaten under the mistletoe is more yummy than with a cornucopia. So hurry up Halloween. I am already for Christmas. It’s only eleven weeks until Christmas.

Rug Cleaning Miracle

Almost 30 years ago I hired Lane Blank to decorate our house when we put an addition on it. She became a great friend in the process and has remained so.

She always recommended products of the highest quality and they have all held up all these years. When we decorated the guest room and the nursery she picked out a wool carpet for each room.

The guest room was a light colored back ground, but since it was the guest room we thought it would get the least use. The nursery got a blue rug. Over the years the nursery went from having Carter get sick on the rug to having that room turn into Russ’ home office and get things spilled on it. The guest room got more use than we thought as that became the room Russ would go to when he woke up in the middle of the night as he does every night.

For 30 years we only ever vacuumed the carpets. They had gotten stained and discolored. I had no idea if they would ever be presentable again. Three weeks ago I called Mike at Fargo Hanna. I asked him if they might try and clean these rugs. A couple of days later two men showed up at my house and rolled them up and took them away. Not an easy job with all the furniture on them.

Today they returned them. I also ordered new pads for them which they cut and rolled onto the rugs so that when they placed them back in the rooms and unrolled them the pads was in the perfect position.

I could not believe my eyes. They were like new rugs, especially the blue one that had the stains from lots of baby and childhood events. I could not find where the stains had been.

It’s a great lesson to buy good quality to start. The second lesson is don’t wait 30 years to have a rug cleaned, especially if it can be picked up and taken away by Fargo Hanna and have them clean it.

Thanks North Ridge

I had a great last three days at North Ridge Country Club teaching both beginners and Beyond beginners. The staff at North ridge is always so good to me and many of them have been helping me there for years and always remember me.

Today was my last day of this series. I have a two hour break between my afternoon and evening classes so two of my favorite students who I now consider friends, Diane and Sue came to play with me.

It is so great when I get a chance just to play mah Jongg and not teach mah Jongg. Diane had organized her group of friends to learn from me two years ago and they are all still together as a group playing weekly.

Sue brought me a gift of Mah Jongg pasta! And Diane beat me two games. Nothing is better than beating the teacher. For me nothing is better than becoming friends with my students.

Who The Hell is That?

I have hardly watched any news. I can hardly watch live TV. The political commercials make me crazy. The news is all bad. So for a few seconds I turned on the TV. It was the current occupant of the White House sitting in the Oval Office. Sitting at the desk with other people standing around him while he talked.

I had no idea what he was talking about because all I wanted to know is, “Who the hell is the person in the red dress?”

I think this is a new tactic and it’s working. No one will care what he is saying if there is someone else more bizarre standing near him. Perfect distraction for when he babbles on and makes no sense. No one is following or trying to follow what he is saying.

I can’t wait to see what kind of freaks and geeks the staff roll out over the next month. It’s working. I’m not enraged at all about what he said. I didn’t even hear one word. I couldn’t stop staring at the distractor.

Tournament for Good

I am directing another wonderful tournament in Raleigh on November 2. This is a day tournament with lunch and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of NC.

Send a check to Hayes Barton Place to register. If you have e questionnaire call Ann Janvier at 919-270-4842.

Come join me for a fun day a play and a chance to win a prize.

Lazy Sunday with the Dogs and Friends

The best thing about old friends is you are happy just to hang together. No pretense. Just fun. We played lots of games today. Enjoyed yummy French Toast cooked by Lane.

Russ had lots of dog snuggle time as well as a big walk with Shay. The boys were supposed to go to a car show, but it was canceled. Not due to the rainy weather, but some logistical issue.

Lane and I did go to visit a new store that must remain a secret because I got some Christmas presents there. It was nice to go to a real store run by the owner who gave excellent customer service. We stopped for iced tea on the way home as Lane and I are known to do.

Since we have visited this house of the Blanks many times we knew the drill and washed and changed out sheets as we always hope to be invited back. We are trying to get them to come to Maine so we can repay the favor.

After lunch and a few last hands of Monopoly Deal it was time to head home. Sad, sad. But I didn’t have to drive and played Pitch all the way home, the new game John taught me this weekend. So many games, so little time. Back to regular life. Sad, sad.

Dog Island

The best thing about visiting the Blanks is the boat trips to Dog Island. dog Island is aptly named by Lane and Jon because it is a place where dogs can roam free. Not a real island, but an island created from years of dredging. It is a sandy spot where Jon pulls the boat up and Lane jumps out and anchors us.

The Blank dogs willing jump from the boat to the water and swim to shore. Princess Shay on the other hand, in her life jacket, must be carried from the boat, never to have her feet get wet.

The others run wild on the beach. Shay, who immediately got a burr, must sit in Russ’ lap where thankfully the burr attaches itself to his shorts.

It was sunny for a while and Jon regaled us with the story of changing out the clothes dryer on the second floor for one of the many other dryer on the first floor…all alone. Too bad the whole incident was not filmed because it would have made an excellent full length feature, with a number of cautionary tales. You would have to have history walking up and down the step stairs from the ground to the second floor to fully appreciate a story where Jon wrestles a dryer by himself in the middle of the night up the stairs.

Needless to say, we are happy he is still alive to share the story with us. Thankfully the house is also still standing after the retiring that came along with the job.

The dogs had their fill of Dog island and we thought it was time to return home to beat the black thunder clouds that were gathering. We almost made it home before the rain…almost.

Happy Birthday Sweet Russ

The day that Russ Lange was born was the best day of my young life. I didn’t know it at the time. I was probably going down the slide at my pre-school in Dayton, Ohio. Eventually, 26 years later I would discover the fabulous Russ Lange and decide I definitely should spend the rest of my life with him.

So it’s a great day to celebrate all things Russ. He did mostly what he always does, work! Thankfully he ended a little early so we could drive to the beach to spend the weekend with our very dear friends Lane and Jon. For Russ the best thing is that Shay gets to come with us as the Blanks house is a dog party 100% of the time.

We went out to dinner for a big time and the dogs stayed home. Thankfully Shay fell right in with the Blank Pack and all the dogs came running out of Lane and Jon’s room when we got home.

We played Monopoly Deal after dinner, sans Russ because it’s his birthday and he never wants to play games. Instead he passed out with a YouTube of a violin repair man while Shay snuggled with him.

Oh the exciting life of Russ Lange. We did have his favorite apple pie for his birthday. I am so thankful he came into the world. I will celebrate him everyday.

Yay for Jack Smith

It’s been a very full week of classes and many medical checkups. I have not watched any news this week. Hardly had time to read much, but there is one story that I have heard a bunch about because it is everywhere. The incident of the Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt questioning Jack Smith in a hearing and thinking he was going to trap Jack Smith to perjure himself.

If you don’t have any idea what I am talking about look it up. Anyway, I get such a big laugh out of how quickly Schmitt is proven wrong for the error of mixing up the Atlanta Hawks with the Iowa Hawkeyes and there trap he so excitedly thought he was creating blows back on him.

So the news I did see was an interview with Jack Smith afterward and his calm steady demeanor was such a contrast to the Senator from Missouri. His honesty and thoughtfulness and dedication to the rule of law made my heart happy that there are still good honest people who want to follow the constitution. He was not at all political, but legal. What a difference to the political guy trying to do a gotcha and falling on his face.

I had never heard of Eric Schmitt before this week and I will never forget him now. Talk about ruining your prospects for higher office. Made me a little happy. We need more Jack Smiths.

Three Classes, One Day

I taught three classes yesterday. When I got home at 9:40 from my final class I totally forgot that I also write a daily blog. I woke up this morning thinking about my annual physical I have before I go teach two more classes. And all the other things I needed to do today and then it dawned on me, no blog yesterday.

So this notice serves as my make up posting for yesterday and let’s see if at 9:40 tonight, or whenever I get home from my classes, I remember to write today’s blog.