Goodbye foxtrot. Hello cha cha!

Last night wrapped up four months of fox trot lessons. I love the fox trot. Mr. Macho? Not so much. Our numbers were down in class last night, which translates to a more individualized lesson. Our teacher was able to dance with us all and clean up some of our mistakes. It also frees up space and gives us more room to move around. Our beginning hustle class will move to the intermediate spot next Monday. Cha cha will fill the first hour. I just have to say that it feels so good to be able to get back to taking both classes. And. We have learned some good hustle moves! 

Low key this week. Some of my best girlfriends are out of town. My lunch group will consist of two today. One friend is out of town waiting for a granddaughter to be born. Another friend is at her daughter's wedding. We will carry on without them. Won't be as much fun. We'll give it our best. 

Our yard is in great shape right now. Mr. Macho mowed the grass on Sunday. (Saturday was too wet.) Flowers are blooming and everything looks so green. 

***

I am mindful of how much peace I am enjoying today as opposed to what is going on elsewhere. My heart aches for the people of Nepal. I will donate somewhere in hopes that it will help. Even if it is in a small way. If everybody did something small it would be big. 

Baltimore. What can I add? Only that it upsets me when preachers deliver eulogies with extreme anger in their voice, then walk outside and declare they want peaceful protests. Do they not realize that their public anger has incited mayhem? The ounce of prevention was theirs and they wasted it. 

Let there be peace on earth. And. Let it begin with me. 

Springing forward.

Honestly. The weekend was a big mixed bag of emotions for me. It was so great having the two coast sisters here. And yet, I felt like I was trying to catch up with what they were doing all weekend. We had some good laughs, too much food, and general good adventures. 

The rain didn't dampen our spirits as we made our way to Old 82 - the new seafood restaurant in town. The Back Door/Front Door Restaurant used to be located in the building. Nephew James (as he wants to be called now) was our waiter and he was excellent. We met a lovely new, young doctor in town sitting right next to us enjoying the poboy. We all indulged in various oyster offerings. 

Friday dawned rainy, also. Again we refused to let it do any damage to our plans. We lunched with these two sweet nieces at the Stromboli's Restaurant in Starkville. Calzones and pizzas were the fare. It gets a thumbs up! Afterwards we drove to the MSU campus where we enjoyed the loveliest brief ceremony honoring 20 students receiving the Spirit of MSU award. Our niece, Margaret, was a recipient. We were all so proud of her! During the past four school years she has contributed greatly to her school. Well done, Margaret!

Margaret in the middle, and four of her fairy godmothers - Marsha, Paulette, Mimi, and me!

Seated and waiting for the ceremony. 

Back to Paulette's where we unwound with grapefruit martinis! They were so yummy. 

Was asked Mr. Macho to be our DD to take us to Tales of the Crypt, a local attraction during our Spring Pilgrimage. Some students from our state Math and Science School, here in town, choose and study a particular person buried in our Friendship Cemetery.  During the Tales of the Crypt each student brings that person to life in a performance - in the cemetery. It is done at night, which makes it more dramatic. Most characters portrayed are from the Civil War era. A few are more recent. This year's performance was exceptional. Tales of the Crypt has been a part of our Spring Pilgrimage for 25 years. 

Saturday dawned and I made my way back to Paulette's to join the sisters for a tour of two antebellum homes. 

Here we are pictured on the very balcony where Jefferson Davis gave a speech in his night shirt. 

After we toured two houses the owner of this home (who happens to live across the street from P*) invited us to lunch. It was a happy gathering of new friends eating burgers standing up. The hosts were worn out, I am sure, after two weeks of visitors touring their home. We didn't linger.

Back at P*s we almost lost our drive. But. P* roused us and suggested we hop back in the car, drive back to Starkville, and enjoy the Cotton District Art Festival. And. That is just what we did. We each made a purchase from one of my most favorite local vendors from Eupora, The Crooked Handle Spoon man. 

Saturday night we dined at a new to me restaurant, Thai by Thai. We each had something different and tasted each other's food. I had ordered Thai chicken panang (I think). It was so good. 

Sunday was spent visiting at Paulette's house. We all ate a buffet dinner in the cafeteria at our local university. Mr. Macho joined us. Back at Paulette's we sat on the front porch and appreciated sunshine and enjoyed a visit by her son and his family. Mr. Macho couldn't keep his eyes open. I wasn't happy about it, but we drove home early in the evening. The other three sisters went on having fun without me. 

Today we all head back to reality. I have washed clothes and worked in the yard. Am about to do a little sewing. Tonight = dance lessons. 

While I was in the yard I spotted a frog. Sure sign of spring. Frogs are my friends. I hope he eats lots of bugs. I also spotted a cocoon in my oak tree. Will leave it hanging and check it frequently. I have a new lily that needs planting. Just not sure where to put it. 

*****

Sunshine today. Cooler temps tonight. More adventures tomorrow.

Peace. 

Visitors.

Oh my! What a nice weekend we had. Much family gathered in our home to celebrate the birthdays of Mr. Macho's Dad and Sister. Everything felt very smooth. Food was good and plentiful. It felt relaxed. I so enjoyed having the gang over. 

Out-of-Town Son and wife arrived late, as we expected, after we had retired for the night. So we didn't get to visit with them until Sunday morning. After a lunch of warmed up leftovers we jumped in our cars and visited a few local antebellum homes on our Pilgrimage Tour. The homes we visited weren't large or grand, yet they spoke of history and early life in our county. 

OT Son and wife left after three houses. She is in the home stretch of her school year and will graduate next month - top of her class, no less!! She is so smart. And she is looking particularly beautiful these days. 

***

This visitor arrived at my kitchen window yesterday morning. At first, and for most of the day, her wings were closed. I thought she was just resting and staying away from birds and predators. Fast forward to late afternoon and she finally spread her wings. I realized how beautiful she was and grabbed my phone to snap this...

Just look at her design! 

This morning she is gone. 

*****

More visitors are expected this week. Sisters, Mimi and Marsha, are coming to town! A long weekend of fun and laughter should ensue. 

***

I will pay my beautician a visit today and have a luncheon to attend. The rain just keeps on coming. At least the pollen in being kept at bay. Everything looks so green right now. 

My sewing projects are on hold until next week. 

Today. Be sweet. 

Attack of the allergies.

Oh yes. Despite all the honey I have consumed to help prevent the allergy attack - it has happened. It is no wonder. Yesterday I swept porches - front and back. It was a good day to sweep, being damp and humid helps keep the pollen from flying quite so high. Then. I vacuumed and dusted for the rest of the day. Including some of the blinds. Dust was flying everywhere. And so. At the end of the day I was sneezing and the sinuses were raw.

*****

Easter weekend was calm. We chose to attend the looong church service on Saturday evening simply because a friend was being confirmed. The protocol was disorganized. There were screamers in attendance (children, not adults). The reception was second rate. At best. All in all, I am glad we went. Because of my friend.

Sunday dawned and I had Easter joy in my heart. The morning was leisure and pretty. We had a nice neighborhood walk after breakfast. Then I fixed the Easter dinner. At Mr. Macho's request the side dishes to our ham included - butter beans and creamed corn. I added a simple fruit salad and rolls.

We had the required deviled eggs in accompaniment. I didn't add the dill pickles and they tasted a little flat to me. I'll go back to the pickles next time. 

Ever since we visited sister, Mimi, on the coast I have been desiring the orange dreamsicle cake she talked about. So I whipped one up on Saturday. And. It was good. I have put a large portion into the freezer lest I ingest it all in a day. Oh my. It is dangerous. 

Mr. Macho drove over and picked up his Dad and brought him home to share our Easter feast. It was a pleasant quiet dinner. Enjoyed by all. After that, and cleaning the dishes, we all retired to the den where Mr. Macho and I fought the sugar comas while his Dad watched whatever sport was on the teevee. He stayed for a good long time (until we woke and got our wits about us) then Mr. Macho drove him home. 

Easter peace. Check. 

***

Today I move forward. A run to the grocery store will put us in good shape for preparing the birthday dinner this weekend. Mr. Macho's Dad and sister both have birthdays this week. His Dad told him this week that he couldn't believe he made it to 86. Surprised himself! He is funny. 

***

Our sweet Lauren has started a therapeutic horse riding program. She is fired up and loves it. I can hardly wait to talk to her and see what she has learned. She must learn to saddle and care for the horses, as well as learn to ride. Plus. And plus. 

Sister, Mimi, celebrated a big birthday herownself yesterday. The big 6-0. Eek. I am the next in line to join that club. Not happy about that. But I have a while. So, I'm not going to get all blitzkrieg, just yet. 

Well, well. Another day, another adventure. And I'm off.

Peace out.