Many years ago, when I was but a child [yes, hard to imagine] things within communities were different. The old saying about it takes a village to raise a child was in full force. In those days when you committed a transgression and it was seen by any member of the area you got called for it by said person whether or not they were in any way related to you. You might have never seen this individual before and invariably somewhere in the dressing down you got was the phrase 'Just wait until your mother hears about this!'  And hear she would  * sigh * My mother heard not a small number.

These days this isn't in any force at all and I think, maybe, we suffer for it. At least that's the premise I refer to when I find myself being the vocal party addressing some errant child. Yes, I do that. I am the meddling old woman who has something to say and I say it. Not all the time but often enough that a few kids in town and surrounds stop whatever they are doing when they see me coming. They don't usually run away but they get the all suffering look and wait for what is inevitable. Sometimes, just to mix things up, I compliment them. The humor this provokes [mostly mine] is a nice break. 

Today I got tired of being ignored by a six year old girl who happens to be Matt's girlfriend's daughter. I pointed out to her that she was being rude. Then I mentioned that responding when she was spoken to was the respectful and polite thing to do. Her mother was standing there so I didn't have to throw in 'the threat'. Mom heard it from the horse's mouth...and didn't immediately interfere. Finally the child looked at me and spoke. Wow! Anyway that got dealt with and I don't think any major feelings were injured in the process.

But the reason I even relate this incident is to ask whether or not you think we, as a society should say anything to children to help straighten their paths or if you feel that should only be the realm visited by the parents.

Things around here yesterday were boisterous. No, I mean chaotically, overpoweringly cacophonic.

Matt's father was here from up north. Matt's girlfriend, her two kids and two dogs were here, too. Now this may sound strange to those of you who are used to having a house full of folk but I'm not and it was staggering.  The dogs [including the beagle princess] were galloping through the house like it was Fall round-up. The kids were variously whining for attention or ignoring the attention they were getting. Video games were on and in full volume.

I adjourned to my room and put in some foam earplugs.

Today it is quiet. Ahhh.

I have become that crotchety old lady that snarls at the least disturbance.  * sigh *  The only thing I can say in my defense is that I do it well.

Greetings and salutations from the second floor of our local healing institution. I am lying around being lazy and indolent and dining on the remarkable conglomeration of food stuffs from downstairs. Actually the food isn't too bad so that's not really a complaint. Why am I here? I woke up on Tues. morning and my heart was hammering so hard I thought for sure I was having a heart attack.  As it turned out it was afib and diabetes. They managed to get my heartrate down from close to 200 beats a minute to the low 100's ...not great but much better. I am lucky. Very lucky.  It could have been much worse.

So, hi.   :)

Just a little reminder ___enjoy all you can while you can.