GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

  Our grandson, Tristan, the fisherman and crabber is showing his latest catch.  A 20" Rainbow trout!  He has been fishing since he was three and is a master of his art.  Not only does he catch them, he cleans them and cooks them for dinner.  Same day....is that FRESH!! We watched him fry it up last night on face-time. Almost felt like we were there.  They live in Oregon, and are only minutes from the ocean and rivers.  What a great place for a boy to grow up.  We miss them, but they have a great life there. I'm excited to pull out the watercolors and spend time painting more cards.  I was out of card-stock, but loaded up at Michael's the other day and hopefully can enjoy what I love.  The table is small, but I'm making it work.   Hope you are doing something you love today!!

    Our little grandson, Tristan (age 6) continues to amaze us with his fishing ability.  Jill sent me these pictures that show him pulling in a big salmon by himself.  Look at the arch in that pole!  He reels it in, and his daddy nets it for him. I don't know how much it weighed, but you can tell by his expression it's heavy!!   Back home, it's cleaned and filet for a yummy and healthy dinner! How I wish I was in Oregon right now enjoying a piece of that fresh fish. A big event in any boy's life is a dog.  And this is "Lucky".  A beautiful female golden lab.  She's 8 weeks old and will be so loved by Tristan and his family. On the home front ~~~ My dearest continues to improve and get stronger every day!  It's so marvelous to see him gaining weight that is from a good appetite and not that water retention.  He is doing arm and leg exercises and we walk in the complex twice a day.  The goal now, is ...

  It still looks like "Fall" at the Villa.  This is the scene from our bedroom window where I have set up a new place to blog.  I have a small desk and it's nice and quiet, unlike the desk in the TV room. I'm missing this little guy!  Tristan is getting so big.  Now I see him every time I open my computer!! This has been a hard few months.  Two funerals, one wedding, and one 80th Birthday party for a friend.  Lot's of traveling, lots of miles put under out belt.  But it looks like we are past that and now the baking and preparing for Christmas is on. Three boxes in the mail and looking forward to lots of family time Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I am looking forward to a new year.  I don't make resolutions, but I do have a few goals in mind.  I'll share those a little closer to 2017, as they may change...HaHa. Will try to get around to visiting everyone again this week.  Thanks for all your comments.

Remember the song "Sunrise, Sunset"?   "Where is the little boy I carried".....It seems only yesterday that we saw Tristan for the first time in the hospital in Oregon.  Now he's big enough to wash the boat for a fishing trip.  Three and a half!!! I'm glad to see our daughter and sil are teaching him a work ethic early on. We Skype a lot and he knows Grandma and Grandpa via that wonderful techology.  The other day, he got on the phone with me and I ask if he was going to play out side.  "It's raining, Grandma" he said.  He sounded so grown up..."Sunrise, Sunset"  Turn around and they are in school, or graduating, or married......I'm thankful I've lived long enough to see those events with many of our grandchildren.   But Tristan is the "baby" and I hate to see him grow up so fast, especially when we are here and he is in Oregon. Just a little reminiscing this morning...better go get a cup of coffee and ...

Jill just sent me a couple new pictures of Tristan.  Sept. 12th he'll be 15 months.  Walking everywhere!!  He truly is amazing.  But then aren't all grandchildren?? I had to laugh out loud when I saw this one.  I see a comedian in our future. It also made me think of the little rhyme my dad taught me when I was a little girl, and I've passed on to our kids. "I'm sleepy, sleepy, sleepy And I want to go to bed. Had turkey for my dinner and 'lasses On my bread. My hands are sticky, sticky My face is dirty too ~ Here comes momma with a washrag Boo Hoo Hoo!!   A gift from above ~ grandchildren 

The visit with Tristan was very therapeutic  after the passing of my brother.  It's a reminder of the cycle of life.  Something we all face.  But this healthy, happy little boy was just what Grandma needed to help me in my grief.   He's grown so much and doing all those "firsts"; rolling over, sitting up, teeth, "dadada", getting ready to crawl.  Wonderful to see. I brought back lots of videos for Grandpa.

  Our little Tristan is 3 months now and growing.  I wish I could hold him, kiss those sweet cheeks and remind him I'm his Grandma! Can't wait to see him again in person. We have baby pictures of our oldest daughter, Michel and Jill, and can't believe how much Tristan looks like those baby pictures.   They change so much in these early months.  He's truly a beautiful blend of Jill and Jaya.

  The video of the mother deer and her babies in Jill's front yard wasn't working for anyone.  Not sure what I did wrong, but it was so cute as the momma brought both her little fawns right up to the porch.  Nature is all around them, and they enjoy it up close and personal. I'll ask Jill to get a still shot so I can post it later.   This is Jill and their precious Tristan at one month.  What a happy and fulfilled momma.   I sent her a poem someone put on fb saying a boy's first kiss was from his momma.  So true.  What a sweet kiss it is.   Happy Birthday Tristan...You are One Month Old!