My Grandson, The Ninja

I arrived in Arizona 3 days ago and I'm just starting to get over the jetlag. So I'm still mostly hanging around my daughter's house, which of course means being able to watch my grandkids. I especially love how close they are. Sure, they fight—and little Dominic can definitely hold his own against his older sister—but most of the time they are adorably close they are to each other.

Cats That Aren't Mine

I'm staying with my daughter, Jenny, during my Arizona visit. And she has three cats. Two of which she had years ago when she and Zachary (my oldest grandchild) still lived with me; and one who is newer.

My Pedicure

Ever since last October, I've been having a problem walking. Specifically, my Achilles tendons—in both legs—have been getting and staying inflamed for some unknown reason. What's more, last February, I tore or ruptured my left Achilles tendon completely, which shifted the location of the tendon in my calf muscle. As it happens, I also tore my bicep tendon some years back, and it felt exactly the same. If it is the same, I shouild regain the use of my foot in a few more months (and it has been improving, slowly.) But my other ankle is getting worse. Plus, I have thick calluses from spending so much time in the past 16 months outside barefoot.

More Pool Time

This really is a nice neighborhood for kids. My littlest grandkids, Gianna and Dominic, have friends who live within a few doors of their house. And the neighborhood is somewhat secluded, so it's a pretty safe place for them to be. Of course, swimming pools are a potential danger. But the neighbors know that the kids are not permitted in the pool area without an adult present. And today, that adult was me.

Ionic Footbaths

Michael, my (only surviving) ex, has always been all about health and nutrition, with a special emphasis on alternative modes of healing. So, a couple of years ago, he purchased an ionic foot bath kit. This device is claimed to draw toxins from the body through the soles of the feet, using a mild electric current and slightly salted water.

I've been doing one every day for about a week now.

Portraits of Young People

To say my grandkids, 4-year-old Dominic and 6-year-old Gianna, are tech-savvy would be understaing the case. So, when Gianna showed up at my bedroom door to tell me she'de lost her tooth, I took a photo and then decided to "artify"it.

Full Moon

As I've previously remarked, my daughter, Jenny's, back yard is peaceful and calm, a lovely place to sit and toke or think or both. And tonight is just a few hours shy of the official Full Moon, so here are a couple of shots I got tonight.

My Friends, The Cats

Most days I've been here I've been more or less alone, as other family members work or are at school or gymnastics or whatever. However, I do have company, in the persons of three cats who live here. Two of them used to live with me so we aren't complete strangers. Let's meet them.

Rendering Found!

I've always said I have a memory like a steel sieve. But I was so certain that I had packed my primary desktop computer, named Rendering (because I used it for rendering videos and other CPU-intensive purposes; when I built it, it was a pretty hot box), in a carton I cleverly labeled, "Rendering", with instructions that it was to be shipped to Maui in the first batch of boxes. But it never arrived.

Safe In Hawaii

All good things must come to an end, and that also applies to vacations, I've been visiting some of my kids in Arizona for the past month, but I miss my husband, our dogs, and our home. I also miss clean air and moderate temperatures. So, it's time. And today is the day.