I'M JUST AN OLD FASHIONED GIRL!

As I watched the live voting of the Eurovision Song Contest, I will admit to lamenting.  Perhaps you will think me 'old fashioned' or a  'prude', and if so, I take it as a compliment rather than a derogatory remark.  My first question was 'Australia?'  They 'applied' so they should be 'in'.  I have absolutely nothing against Australia, Australians or Antipodeans in general.  In fact, one of my oldest, best friends lives there, and her children are Australian by birth.  However, they have their own continent!  Once again, I have no problem with inclusion, but it stops becoming the Eurovision Song Contest and becomes the 'World' Song Contest, or perhaps, Nations Song Contest.  Like football, (soccer,) there is a European Cup and the equivalent in the Americas.  When they all want to join in, it becomes the 'World' Cup.  However, this is not the reason for my lamenting.  My lamenting is for the lack of wholesomeness.  Dress flamboyantly, that is not a problem, but at least be clothed!  Eurovision was never a 'family' show, (it was on too late,) but it was 'clean' and, for want of  better word, 'nice'.  The Belgian entry oozed Eurovision, in his (what would have been in the seventies) outrageous outfit.  We did watch the voting, live, and I was tempted to turn it off.  To anyone who thought it was the most amazing array of talent on the planet, I honour your opinion.  In the same way, I trust that my opinion would be given the same option.  We can agree to disagree.  Would that not make a perfect Europe, or indeed, a perfect world!  As I step off my soapbox into the rest of the week, I congratulate Sweden on their win, fifty years after, probably, the most famous Eurovisionists of them all.  

Sunday was American Mother's Day.  I did not partake. I received some messages.  Several people wished me felicitations for the day, and I responded in kind.  I still do not find it automatic to wish others the same, first.  Obviously, another tradition where I live in the past!

Avoiding the storms was on the agenda for the first part of the week. The 'flash flood' warnings were skipping across phones and computer screens.  Emails from the local radio stations were prolific.  Thankfully, despite the tremendous amount of rain, we did not experience the flood aspect.  

In what was possibly one of the busiest weeks for 'the firm' since inauguration, there was little time to do much at all.  My daughter was 'flying solo' for part of the week, as Edward had to be in San Antonio.  "What's for dinner on Wednesday?" she asked.  She was okay with the choice and I had to remodify what I had decided to make for dessert.  Interestingly enough, after making the Lemon and Elderflower pudding, (without lemon or elderflower, I would add,) I realised that the cordial amount added, (I used good old-fashioned Robinsons, from the old country) was in American spoon size, and not English!  I was horrified with myself.  How could I not realise that it was an English recipe!  The measurement for the cake tin had been in centimetres!  I made amends by spooning some over the top of the cooked cake.  It seemed to work.  Thank goodness it was not my Waterloo!

Despite being busy, the week held no special interest.  We did receive a call form an attorney, who was put through to Grant.  Of course, all I could here was one side of the conversation.  "No, she is not local. Yes, she is English.  Well, I think Dana wanted the best so he shipped her over!"  I could fill in the blanks.  It was a better conversation than that of a week earlier, when an attorney told me that he could not understand a word I was saying, had no idea whom he had called, and could he please speak to Dana!  How tempted was I to say he had the wrong number!

"How much is priority mail?" came the call from the next room.  I gathered the question was because a large package was coming my way, and a trip to the post office would be needed.  I was correct. However, rather than lament the time I would be away from my desk, which was still covered with different projects, I picked up the keys, took my purse, donned my hat and headed out.  One person was being helped and there was no one in line.  People were milling around by the passport application centre, and some were waiting for mail that had been sent to them that needed a signature.  I was pleased there was no queue for the main counter. From behind an enormous stack of parcels came a loud shout.  "Hey, sweetie.  How are ya?  How are those grandbabies?"  It had to be Vikki.  I responded as I walked through the others and told her that I was good, and the kids were great.  Everyone turned to see not only who I was, but where was this voice coming from!  Parcels were pushed to one side, and I was invited to stand at the window.  Now that is good 'old fashioned' service, I thought!

Shopping on Saturday was not particularly exciting.  We did not lose the truck, as I had lost my car two weeks ago, and we go done quite quickly.  Samantha decided to feed the baby 'on the go', and tipped some powder into the bottle of water.  She did not have one ready made, and I watched, in awe, as usual, as she took out a tiny battery operated whisk and mixed the liquid to perfection.  She never ceases to amaze me!

Several ladies gathered at the pool on Saturday afternoon.  It was rather fun!  It was not a party, nor were men prohibited!  It just so happened, that several neighbours, all female, chose to come to the patio at the same time.  Loud chatter and raucous laughter ensued, which gave way to quieter and more 'one on one' conversations.  It was a glorious afternoon, and the sun shone.

Rain came and went on Sunday.  I chatted to my sister for a while, and we laughed as we talked about the grandchildren, and how we are now the 'older' generation, and would still do things the 'old fashioned' way!  It was a good visit, and a more modern technology was the winner today, as we used facetime to chat.  Sometimes modern works!

Once again, I am unsure as to any exciting things on the horizon for next week.  I only hope that a week on, the contestant who appeared to have lost his trousers found a new pair!  I suppose I am in the same category, now, as was my grandmother, when girls wore low cut dresses and the older generation would always remark, 'cover yourself up, you will catch a cold!'  Life goes on!  I doubt Australia will become part of Europe next week, but what a tale to tell if they did in ............ another story!

whisk

THERS DAY