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Last night, after returning Nora from her music lesson, Steph and I went to Mt. Carmel Brewing to celebrate her birthday. She had this lovely flight, one sample for each decade, and I sipped about half a beer since I'm still pretty congested. But I did have a lovely mushroom flatbread.
I have to admit that fifty years ago I couldn't have anticipated such an outcome. Fifty years ago there were phone calls to the grandparents, celebrating the first granddaughter after five grandsons for one set, the first grandchild for the other. A package of Oreos from my husband because I'd so missed them during my pregnancy, back in the day when the doctor would despair over any weight gain more than a pound or two. A visit from my brother- and sister-in-law that included a pair of pajamas in size 18 months because their youngest insisted on the pajamas with clowns.
I couldn't have imagined being able to have such a celebration because the budget was so tight that we forewent the hospital baby photo. And yes, I have regretted that. Back then, a photo was precious, delayed, and you never quite knew how it would turn out.
Fifty years ago I couldn't have imagined being 73. Living in Cincinnati, of all places. Having been a widow for many years. Having a wonderful group of grandchildren and grand dogs. Having a tiny phone that I could carry around and that could take instant pictures and connect me with the news.
Having a sewing machine with auto-tension. That's huge too. And ok, having more than one.
There is a new restaurant in town, open for just breakfast and lunch. In the entry is this lovely print.
A couple of other restaurants have come and gone in this location, but this one seems different. Really good food, pleasant atmosphere, happy people. Fingers crossed for them.
Today is my daughter Steph's birthday. A big one. Sending her all kinds of good wishes.
I'm looking forward to picking up my grand girl for her music lesson this afternoon. I enjoy the pick-up, the conversation, sitting in the mall outside the music store, maybe getting some soup for her on our way home.
Still thinking about last weekend. And looking forward to the coming weekend too.
Steph's birthday is this week, the big 5.0. Sarah and Winnie are coming on Friday and it will be a celebratory weekend. Lots of good food and fun times. It's easy to find West Sixth beer around here, so I'll definitely get some of that. A birthday cake. Some hot cross buns. The Sweet Tooth bridge mix that Sarah loves.
I woke up cranky because of the many tasks to do today. Starting with taking out the trash early because last night I was just too weary to do it. Sometimes I wonder whether I'm just lazy, other times I wonder whether I'm a bit depressed. Or maybe just getting older. As the day goes on, the list is getting things crossed off and some bonus things have been added. I haven't numbed out in a book . . . much.
Unplanned until the day before - a rare overnight with daughter Sarah in Lexington. It was the best time!
I was pulling into town on Friday earlier than Sarah, so I went to Keeneland to pick up Sarah's race packet for the next day. So many runners and their families, and I was able to get Sarah's set of shot glasses for her fifth year running. Run the Bluegrass is a huge race, billed as American's prettiest half marathon, plus a seven-mile run.
There are little whiskey barrels for the top three finishers in each age group, and these were once again elusive for Sarah, who placed 5th of 250 in her age group. She was less than a minute behind the second place finisher, really excellent since she doesn't have the training time some other runners do. Maybe next year for that.
We stayed at the downtown Hyatt, courtesy of credit card points. Dinner and basketball on Friday night. Cheers from down the hall at midnight when University of Kentucky won. (They lost on Sunday in overtime.)
After the race we ate at Joe Bolognas, which we always enjoy. It's an Italian restaurant in an old synagogue with stained glass windows. A quick stop at the art exhibit at the 21c Museum Hotel. And then to the local brewery for their annual birthday party. Free glasses and cupcakes. The glasses say, "Are we in heaven? West Sixth is 7."
And just like that, we were in our vehicles, heading in separate directions. It poured, really poured, coming into Cincinnati, but it was a good trip home for both of us.
My favorite baseball phrase comes in February: Pitchers and Catchers Reporting for Duty. But my next favorite is just two words: Opening Day.
And that was yesterday. It was a perfect day, sunny and high 60's. Reds won. There was a pinch-hit three-run home run by one of the new guys. And the Pirates stranded three men on base in the 9th. Fireworks at the end, heard from my porch. It is truly spring now.
Several years ago my friend gave me the quilt to turn face up when the Reds win and face down when they lose. Last year there were a lot of face downs. Hoping for a better year this year.
Yesterday my grand guy was home sick. To chirk him up, we texted game updates. Today he's better and back in school.
I feel as if it's my spring break as well as the grands'. We've been to The Gruff, Scene 75, and Sky Zone. Eating, playing video games, jumping (for them.)
I had hoped for warm weather for them, but that hasn't been the case every day. This morning I went to Kroger early and scraped frost off the windshield.
Tomorrow I'm having company for dinner and I've done zero prep. I thought that surely I could have my house looking sparkling, but no. I do have a few more hours. And a purchased apple pie. And groceries.
For awhile I was keeping up my house so nicely and was so happy with myself. Then came the virus and the holidays and things went back to their usual now and then cleaning. Then the winter blues with no desire to do much of anything.
But, the good news is that my new mattress is here and it's as good as I'd hoped. I have new sheets in the dryer now too. And new pillows to try out.
I am terrible at Artist Dates but did have a good one yesterday. My friend Carrye and I went to an outing sponsored by a nearby quilt guild.
They put a lot of effort into it. Downstairs in an historic building were vendors, with a nice selection of things to consider. Upstairs were lots of quilts, large and small. One thing I found really interesting were all the recycled quilt magazines free for the taking. I did resist taking any.
I did not resist getting a pack of fat quarters when we visited a near-by quilt shop. They were in spring colors, sort of light-hearted Easter themed but not in an obvious way. What caught my attention was the shop sample, in the Yellow Brick Road pattern that Joanne gave me. I've been wishing for a spring table runner or wall hanging. Not that I'll get this one finished by this Easter, but it will be fun to put together.
What struck me about the day was the happiness and friendliness of the quilters, mostly women. They were having a good time connecting with their friends, enjoying the quilts, generally having a happy time. They reminded me of why I used to enjoy being in quilt guilds.
These days I seem to be more of a stay-at-home kind of person, less apt to enjoy being in groups. Something to think about.
