Make Memories, Not Headaches

May I be the umpteenth person to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, 'cause I'm sure I'm not the first!

Are you ready? Shopping done? House decorated? Gifts wrapped? Cards addressed? Cookies baked? You know the drill. I’m happy to say that I’ve accomplished most of that; however, my cards are unfinished, the flour and chocolate chips still sit in the cupboard, and the outside laser lights still sit in the shed. All in due time, folks, all in due time.

Since we move slower these days, I’m surprised at what’s already been accomplished. If the rest doesn’t get done, so be it. I have it on good authority that Christmas will come whether or not I have dozens of cookies made!

We’re having fun watching Shadow and Charlie goad each other. Charlie flies over Shadow’s head, then Shadow barks at him. One runs around the house and the other flies around the house. Between the barking and chirping, there’s never a dull moment around here.

May your Christmas or Hanukkah be spent with family and friends making precious, meaningful memories and stepping back to remember what’s important.

Quote of the Day: Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. Peg Bracken

Children Can Do the Darndest Things!

My tip for today is: if you’ve tried for a long time to do something to no avail, ask a child.

As you know, I acquired my parakeet Charlie over a year and a half ago. Since that time, I’ve tried to finger train him, but all he would do is shake and tremble and avoid my finger like the plague. I’ve been patient, I’ve checked out the internet on how to train a parakeet, I’ve talked, cooed, and cajoled him. All to no avail. Those two ounces of feathers outwitted me at every turn.

Three weeks ago, my eleven-year-old great grandson, Aiden, came over and headed straight for Charlie’s cage. I warned him to be careful and that he could stick his finger in the cage all he wanted, but there was no way Charlie would get on it. I continued to talk to his grandparents, Cyndi and Bill, about Stewart getting out of rehab the next day and making sure my home was ready for a wheelchair and other paraphernalia.

As we talked, Aiden came waltzing into the kitchen with Charlie on his finger. To say I was astonished is putting it mildly. We transferred Charlie from finger to finger—Cyndi’s, Bill’s, and mine, and Charlie acted as though he’d done this for years! In an hour’s time, Aiden had finger trained Charlie, something I couldn’t do in eighteen months. I can now get Charlie on my finger and bring him out of the cage just like a real pet. Thank you, Aiden! Never underestimate the power, patience, and persistence of a child!

Since this is after all a writing blog, let me add that I was at a craft fair Saturday offering Saving Lou for sale. Much to my delight, I sold all but two of the books I’d brought.

FYI: I’ll be at the Cleveland High School Craft Fair on December 1, selling Willard Manor. If you’re in the area, please stop by.

Quote of the Day: Children are not only innocent and curious but also optimistic and joyful and essentially happy. They are, in short, everything adults wish they could be. Carolyn Haywood