Margaret's Profile

"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to... Continue reading

Posted 3 days ago at Stargazer

Comment

17

TGIS

Thank God It's Saturday! Although I adore my Littles, driving to and from their house isn't my favorite thing to do, even in light traffic. Sharky and Obro's dad comes back tonight from Iowa which will be a relief to... Continue reading

Posted 5 days ago at Stargazer

Comment

10

Photos from Near and Far

In mid-January we've finally reached some below freezing temperatures. For me that means three layers for walking: a turtleneck, a shirt and my warmest parka. I should also wear gloves but I'm way too lazy! Yesterday I reluctantly drove Mom... Continue reading

Posted 7 days ago at Stargazer

Comment

17

Four Generations

First there's Mom, needing more and more care. Then I come along, the "meat" of the generational sandwich. After that, we have my 30 something daughters who are mostly independent. When will they get off my Verizon family plan though?... Continue reading

Posted Jan 14, 2025 at Stargazer

Comment

19

All The Light We Can(not) See

This lovely lady got to come home from the hospital yesterday, after three days and three nights of a million blood draws, tests and interrupted sleep. She charmed the medical personnel by talking to them about their families and lives,... Continue reading

Posted Jan 11, 2025 at Stargazer

Comment

16

Shooting the Moon

I've been too busy to try out my iPhone 16 Pro camera much, but I wanted to see how it would capture the moon in the gorgeous blue sky. We've been lucky enough to have a couple incredible winter days;... Continue reading

Posted Jan 9, 2025 at Stargazer

Comment

16

Hello

Hello from Mari who sometimes struggles to neatly lick up the left-over milk froth from my mocha. When she first came to live with me during the year Younger Daughter went to South Korea to teach, I proclaimed that there... Continue reading

Posted Jan 7, 2025 at Stargazer

Comment

16

Reality

First there was the fireplace, misbehaving then working. Then came the cell phone running out of storage inexplicably, no matter what I did or how many YouTube fixes I tried and apps/photos I deleted. Just like the fireplace, nearly the... Continue reading

Posted Jan 5, 2025 at Stargazer

Comment

15

The January Jollies

The Eve: John, Younger Daughter and Anders came over for dinner and later John and I were "serenaded" by several hours of loud booms, car alarms and gunfire. Happy New Year? I did manage to drink two beers; I'm such... Continue reading

Posted Jan 3, 2025 at Stargazer

Comment

12

2025 Approaches

The New Year is almost here and although I know it will have delightful and happy moments, I'm feeling down about what's going on in the world and country. And in my house where I'm missing my gas fireplace! Mari... Continue reading

Posted Dec 31, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

14

The Semi-Resolution

I'm anti-resolution but when a friend posted this on Facebook, I had a definite ah-ha moment. I do need to work harder on letting go of stuff and spend more time appreciating the moments. That doesn't mean that I'll relinquish... Continue reading

Posted Dec 29, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

17

A Bloody Christmas

No, literally. Xmas Eve day/evening was as overwhelming as expected with Gma trying to take care of Anders, who only wanted his Mama. He's at that age, plus has double ear infections and a fever, so he was extra fractious.... Continue reading

Posted Dec 26, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

16

Merry-ish

In our twelve days of Christmas, we have one 17-month-old with double ear infections, two daughters needing to work today (but still do holiday prep), three grandsons ready to decorate the sugar cookies I baked yesterday and a stressed-out partridge... Continue reading

Posted Dec 24, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

13

Hurry up and Wait

Although life has been somewhat busy taking Mom to the grocery store and dealing with her needs, it's going to get much more frenetic starting tomorrow. I don't make cookies until close to Christmas; I prefer them very fresh. So,... Continue reading

Posted Dec 22, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

15

Grinchmas

When the holiday spirit fails, there is nothing like visiting some lazy reindeer at the local nursery! My friend and I also had lunch and coffee, followed by browsing the lovely (but expensive!) merchandise. I picked up this Beanie Baby... Continue reading

Posted Dec 20, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

9

Wednesday Whining

In typical Northwest fashion, we went from an atmospheric river to a windstorm and finally to a partly sunny warmish day. Naturally, Younger Daughter had tickets to Zoo Lights during our torrential downpour; the only reason I ended up going... Continue reading

Posted Dec 18, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

14

Wrong

I was wrong (again). There are times that I'm happy about that circumstance and other occasions, like the election, where I feel distraught and disappointed to be right in my pessimistic predictions. So, John called me ON THE ACTUAL PHONE... Continue reading

Posted Dec 16, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

18

Decembering

I take my holidays with a dash of spice and as much humor as I can muster. So, about the llama farm... As I've mentioned to several people, llamas are adorable from afar or in cartoons; they're like a made-up... Continue reading

Posted Dec 14, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

14

Falalala

As the Big Day approaches, I remain somewhat in denial about wrapping my few gifts (for the Littles) and figuring out my Christmas Eve meal. I'm hosting the holiday again which in some ways is easier. However, Older Daughter would... Continue reading

Posted Dec 12, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

16

Margaret in the Middle

One of the books we may choose in Book Club is called "Sandwich" and I'm hoping to read it. Not only because it's supposed to be hilarious (much needed these days!) but also due to its appropriate theme of being... Continue reading

Posted Dec 10, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

18

Figgy Pudding

When John's daughter invited us to accompany her Littles and her to Seattle for the Figgy Pudding Caroling contest, I admit that I was...conflicted. It's not that I don't like music, more that getting to the Big City can be... Continue reading

Posted Dec 7, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

12

Treeful

Mostly every Xmas decoration I put out has meaning to me and memories tied to it. Now it's also become which items would delight the grandsons! I will admit this freely: I'm not about the tree. To me, it's a... Continue reading

Posted Dec 5, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

17

The Afterward

Words couldn't really express how delightful and positive my weekend was. I cherish those kinds of experiences because life can be bumpy when it's not being wonderful, right? Carpe diem! The expectation of constant happiness isn't realistic. So... Monday morning... Continue reading

Posted Dec 3, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

7

Polar Express Train and more

What an experience! The train ride, our Ukrainian dinner and the Airbnb stay far exceeded my expectations. Fortunately, we got a gorgeous day--cold but clear. The Little boys were excited about the train which was festively decorated inside; we got... Continue reading

Posted Dec 1, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

11

Onward

And it's on to the NEXT holiday... what a whirlwind this time of year is! Many people in my neighborhood have had their Xmas trees up for weeks. I don't do that. No judgement from me, it's just not my... Continue reading

Posted Nov 29, 2024 at Stargazer

Comment

11