Is it almost February? Goodness, it was a wonderful Christmas and January that lulled me into fireplace fires, crock pot dinners, looking forward to picking up grandson from school, friends and family on weekends.
It’s the little things for me, and the momentous things for family and friends that I have enjoyed this month.
1. I loved that older daughter went to NYC where she has never been before. Yep, this world traveler had never been there and she was there on New Year’s Eve. But then, she’s young. She’s still doing and traveling and doing and traveling some more.
Of course, she texted memorable photos…
Her photos brought smiles as I remembered this trip to the Guggenheim back in the 70’s.
And she brought home great gifts. It reminded me of the special things my Dad used to bring to us and Rick used to bring home for the girls after making a business trip.
2. She also, went to Austin on business. She wanted to find grandson another snow globe for his now growing collection. Only this globe she brought home is a “bat globe.” No snow. You see, Austin is famous for its bats that come out from under the Congress Ave. bridge in March and April and fill the skies above The Driskill Hotel. Yep, she knows her son; grandson loved it. If you’re intrigued at all, you can youtube the bats flying out from under the bridge in Austin or read about them here.
Batglobe from the Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX
3. I enjoyed reading your posts and commenting, not posting, simply commenting. Getting organized for two new courses, scheduling the consulting work and keeping up with grandson’s homework and volunteering simply overwhelmed the creative part of posting which I have missed.
It was these creative moments that consumed me since I last posted December 21.
4. The first week back at school for grandson, I was back at the Dragon Store collecting dragon dollars for a free an extra recess and watching the show as these young ones decided where to spend their money. As I collected dollars, a young mother friend adjusted the mercury (made with Christmas curly ribbon) on the thermometers to see which class would win an extra recess…not “free recess” as these smart kiddos pointed out to us. Over the holidays, grandson had helped me stretch out on the living room floor and make these thermometers for every class in order to track the dollars. Coincidentally, younger daughter also, teaches where their mascot is the dragons so she contributed, too, with the wood block cut out dragons. It turned into a family project and grandson took notice. I know because he dropped a dollar into his class’s bag.
5. More randomness on MLK Day. We had pizza last Monday on MLK day. You may remember my post last year about eating pizza on this holiday. You see, grandson did an MLK project back in first grade made with a pizza box, slices of info about MLK and we read them again at dinner. No, we didn’t pull out the actual box (remember, we moved and it’s well…somewhere), but thank goodness WP had that post tucked away in the blog under January, 2014! I wonder how many more years he’ll let us do this?
6. Remember the buzzard I missed back last summer? Well we got a second chance to photograph this big bird. Rick caught this one and I promise you it wasn’t fanning its wings to cool down from the heat. Brrr…it is chilly here.
Ta-dah…another chance came at the end of December to capture this amazing wing span. photo credit Rick Sullins
Wonderful post filled with so much – but I love to read about all the time you’re getting with your grandson. Precious memories + a bat globe? Awesome!
MJ
I couldn’t believe she picked this up at the ritzy Driskill Hotel. When I googled them, I saw them at Sak’s sold out! This thing about Austin being known for its bats was all new to me, and the perfect gift for grandson. I see him shake it every day and smile. It is fun times.
Wonderful post, Georgette! I’ve missed your posts, but I know that sometimes life is just busy being lived and blogging takes a back seat to that anytime.
Glad you all enjoyed the pecans: aren’t they addictive??!
And that is an amazing bat globe…Marshall would have loved that when he was younger!
I can’t believe I have just learned about Austin’s bats. But then our family attended Texas A&M not UT in Austin, except my sister for grad school.
(smile) So glad you caught the caption on the sweet and spicy pecans. Rick loved them by the handful.
You’ve had a busy January. Those are the kind of moments life is really about. That is one cool bat globe…I know my boys would have loved one like that when they were small!
I’m relishing them, suzi. And to think I have only just this year learned about the bats…where have I been?
You’ve been a busy lady, Georgette. It’s good to see you again. I can certainly understand the lure of crock pots and fireplaces during these cold days and nights in January. That bat globe is awesome!
Yep, during NFL and AFL finals, couch potato me watched football all day long. It was wonderful. hmmmm…when I look back on it, I guess I could have written 6 posts rather than 6 randoms. Thank you for reading all these words. (smile) Funny you wrote about recess this morning.
I was thinking the same thing, Georgette. 🙂
Aw, your randomness is filled with so much goodness! Yes, we have all missed you here i bloggingland but you’ve been doing important things like making memories with your g-son and family. The best way to occupy our time. Whoa, that bat thing is crazy but the bat globe is cool.
I think I have commented to everyone this morning my amazement regarding just discovering the bat thing in Austin. Daughter remembered the bats at Carlsbad Caverns, but in the city of Austin? Shiver.
Thank you for understanding my absence. I think 2015 will be the year of random posts. It suits me and my schedule just fine right now. For every time there is a season, no? I’m anticipating your family’s momentous news when they all become mom, aunt, uncle, grandma or grandpa next month.
Whoa! Cool click of the buzzard!
Love the bats in the bat globe. Your grandson likes bats? We like them here on the Tiny Ten. I have a very sweet video of a baby bat that I think your grandson would enjoy. I don’t know if I could put the link in your comment section. I would try with your permission. I have no idea where or who I got the video from but it melts my heart.
I think it would be very cool to go to NYC but the crowds might be a bit intimidating. Sweet your daughter brought home thoughtful gifts!
This was the best one of several Rick took of the buzzard that day as he lingered spreading his wings over and over, however they came out in shadow. He just couldn’t tell that bird “please turn 90 degrees” in order to get the front on view in great light. 🙂
Although we took the girls to Carlsbad Caverns in NM when they were about grandson’s age and where the bats emerge like clockwork from the caves in the early evening, he hasn’t gone yet. As far as I know he hasn’t had experience with them so I’m glad he’s more aware of them now. He does think the whole concept is rather cool to go with his snow globes. We all keep learning with wp. If you wish go ahead and lay the link in a comment; no worries. Bats are considered very docile except when threatened and they eat pounds of pests according to the link I embedded about them.
First try.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkeSSdwbnPg
Approved of course. 🙂 Adorable video that teaches us bats aren’t necessarily to be feared.
You packed so much into this post – catching up for lost time, I suspect! I especially enjoyed the theme which includes random acts of kindness.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. hmmmmm…RAK week is coming up next month! It usually coincides with Valentine’s week however the day is Friday, Feb. 13 this year.
There is a lot of good stuff in this post. Yes you could have done 6 but sometimes little random bits are easier and fun. The buzzard and the snow globe are both pretty awesome!
Thank you Kate, for reading all these. This was fun pulling it together.
Sounds like a perfect January! It has just flown by hasn´t it.
It certainly has. Hope all is well with you.
love those wings. 🙂 love the bat globe! very cool!
It was around Christmas when the buzzard came to visit. You were the first person I wanted to share Rick’s picture with, but waited for a suitable post. What a present to get another chance at capturing him.
I thought those were sugared or spiced pecans, and it seems they are. Mom always made them at Christmas, and they were a family favorite. The bat globe is wonderful. Perhaps you don’t know that there’s a huge colony of Mexican freetail bats just east of San Antonio, in Garden Ridge. There are so many that, during their season there, you can watch them come out of the cave on radar every night. It’s usually between 8 and 8:15 p.m. The first time I saw them was the year of the Bastrop fire, when I was hovering over radar pretty regularly, and I was sure a fire had started. Nope. It was the bats!
My dad used to travel to Chicago and New York for business, and it was such fun to anticipate the gifts he’d bring. I don’t remember if I’ve told you about my favorite gift: little wooden shoes made of chocolate, made by the Drost company.
It is hard to believe January’s coming to a close, isn’t it? It’s been so gloomy and dreary. I don’t mind the weather, but I’d better get in all the reading I can. Once the sun shines again, there will be work to be done!
The recipe came from Dianna at These Days of Mine. You can find the recipe here. They are easy and the perfect snack throughout the holidays. Sounds like you may already be well acquainted with it, but it was my first time preparing them.
I think the bat globe has stolen the show today. Interesting that you picked up the bats on radar. Pix’s video link certainly speaks to how well humans can respond to creatures and vice versa. I thought it was particularly well done describing all they learned about each other in the caring process.
I certainly do remember your fondness for Droste chocolates and the fact they were shaped as wooden shoes. As a matter of fact, I have bookmarked the Iowa Dutch store you recommended, that sells the speculaas cookies at such a reasonable rate. Regarding souvenir gifts, I remember my father used to bring us coloring books and each of us a box of water colors with paint brush; it was my grandmother who brought us the chocolate wooden shoes by Droste, or apple slices by the same. To this day I consider Droste and Godiva the best chocolates.
Dreary weather invites other pastimes and interests. It is a good reason to stay inside and read.
I love the bat globe.That may be a good excuse to travel to Austin, just to get one. My oldest son (10) would think it was the coolest thing ever!
As I just told shoreacres, I think the bat globe has stolen the show in this post. Grandson loves his and it stands perched on a dining room shelf rather than in his bedroom easy for him to spy, pick up, and give it a shake as he does homework. It was a unique find and I’m thinking I should make my next post exactly how daughter found it, which is a story in itself. Thank you for stopping by. I loved your Calvin and Hobbes explanation.
Another impressive bird. Love the “bat globe”!
Thank you for stopping by, Lisa. The turkey vultures and lions in your part of the world were spectacular.
Lovely to catch up with you & reminisce the last couple of months. I’m glad you’ve had a little break though I enjoy your blogs so much. Can’t believe February is around the corner – guess 2015 is gonna to fly by too!! Let’s get together soon for lunch – Panera is calling!! 😉
How about Friday?
Friday is perfect!! 11:30?
See you then. 🙂
I love January, and I’m glad to see that you do, too and the reason we haven’t heard much lately from your blog is because your so busy.. I thought of you at Christmas and wondered if you’d made some Lemoncello?
You have a good memory. No, no lemoncello this year, but you remind me I need to write it in this new 2015 planner for around the month of September to be ready to make in October. Or I could make it now to ferment for a year. I’ve never done that.
I LOVE the bat globe. What a perfect gift for a boy!
It is, isn’t it?
I missed your thoughtful posts — kept dropping by in case I missed a notification. Glad you are back!
Thank you, Renee. I just took a break as I had a lot going on. The new classes are fine with me as long as they are new one at a time, but this term I have two which is a lot of “inventing the wheel.” The consulting schedule is different too, and of course, there’s carpooling grandson to choir and sax lessons, etc.
Your comment and encouragement means a lot. I enjoy reading about the wave you are riding now in the publishing world. I’m so impressed with the travel and workshops you are taking to learn all you can. Changing your routine through travel can really heighten all the senses and make things memorable.
My grandchildren collect snow globes, too, Georgette. If they saw the bat globe they’d be fascinated, and we would ALL want one.
This post has some random connections, but I have another. Thank you for commenting on my post today, reminding me that Feb. 13 is not only “Blame Someone Else Day,” but more importantly, it’s also “Acts of Random Kindness Day.”
These globes take on different forms. He has a sports car from Las Vegas with tiny rolling dice floating inside, and then he has another rectangular piece from Hawaii that has surfboards riding the “waves” from end to end. I don’t know if these two count as globes, but they are just as fun. Happy RAK Week to you, my dear, who spreads so much kindness in your posts.
Time is just flying when you are busy, no!? A lovely post full of compassion and passion for you family and the people around you.
Why thank you, Otto, blogger friend to many of us. Thank you for understanding.
A bat globe? There is truly something for everyone. 🙂
I wonder if Michael Keaton has one?
He should! I love Michael Keaton, he needs to be in more movies.