The Gramzie Chronicles

So many random thoughts, none of which will create world peace, but need to be organized in my head. Writing about them will help with my perspective. Faux wine. I was a dyed in the wool wine drinker. It had humble beginnings; remember Riunite? I thought I was a true sommelier, growing from a beer fan. Eventually, I did get to the big girl blends, with Chardonnay, specifically Butter, becoming my love. Not to take anything away from the reds, of course. I missed how special a simple meal would seem with that pretty stemmed glass accompanying it, but not the aftermath.   Thus began my recent search into the nonalcoholic brands.  Let me tell you, I'm not a vinegar fan, nor am I an avid cider consumer, especially when it tastes like rotten apples. Those first tries, no matter how well touted they were, ended up being an exercise in futility, crushing all hope for a flavorful alternative. Then I found Proxies. Not sickly sweet, just right. Some with a tingle of bub...

  I'm a creature of habit. I thrive on routine and order, making me likely the most boring person on Earth. This summer has thrown a huge wrench in those works, from expected (and unexpected) delays in the renovation to a sad family issue. I knew it was getting bad and out of control when I suffered the first  anxiety attack in  a very long time that flattened me, emotionally and physically for the last few days. Luckily, I was able to work through that setback and am pondering my options for the day. As you will not be surprised to hear, I have my work clothes on and will be assessing my paint supply for the kitchen. I know I can put in a full day on that room to finish my part in it. I also have other small items on my to-do list, not high priority, more so activities I can fill in time when I'm at odds with something to do. The weather has largely dictated the outdoor part of that list. The rain (welcomed, of course), as well as the extreme heat has kept...

  I'm mulling over a title for today's blog. It will come to me... At any rate, I'd like to know if you are a rule follower. Do you believe in the Golden Rule? Do you do unto others? Treat others like you want to be treated? I am, in my perfectly imperfect way. So, that brings me to what I'd like to analyze. When does being flexible, cooperative, helpful, and understanding reach a limit?  I think I'm at the max of all of these in regard to the kitchen project. So far, we are more than a month over where we reasonably anticipated having it done. Of course there have been conflicts that have come about that we could not have foreseen, that were really no one's fault. I get that. What is pushing me past wanting to be the perfect customer is being expected to tolerate being ghosted by the drywall crew twice. I let the first one go, and didn't mention it to the contractor, due to a very personal family matter clouding that day. But when I was assured they would b...

It's so hot and humid outside, I am happily ensconced in my air conditioned home. I have family members at my brother's little lake palace, but they're all at the lake. The sun has proven not be my friend as I'm recovered from skin cancer. So, sitting next to the shore isn't in the cards, even with a hat. One of my meds makes me more intolerant to the heat. So, here I sit instead.  I spent some time in the past few days, caring for my indoor plants. Some have had cuttings taken, others have outlived their usefulness with their failure to thrive. I only do this about twice a year. At the same time, a couple of my outdoor beauties did not survive the outrageous temps in spite of copious watering, so they've been given a decent burial, and replaced with heartier alternatives. The jungle is now at its best...for now.  Playing in the dirt, mowing, trimming, weeding, and blowing away debris is when I get my best reflecting done, I swear! The pace of life since returni...