Our Night at the Museum

Last Wednesday, Moose's teacher took the entire 3rd grade class to see Night at the Museum 2 at the local theater. The kids loved it and we heard about it a lot.

30 miles from us, in Canyon, is the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum. We have been there more than once and it is one of our favorite places to visit. On Friday night and Saturday night, this week only, they had Night at the Museum. Not the movie, mind you, but an actual Night at the Museum.

It started at 8:30 p.m. and lasted until 10:00 p.m. The lights were out, a map was provided, and live people were interspersed throughout the museum exhibits, both to share their knowledge and to scare the beejeepers out of a certain 9 year old boy.

We had a terrific time and I am reminded once again why I love this little corner of Texas.

I am a traditionalist

Happy Memorial Day

Our hostess for this week's Fun Monday is Mariposa. She would like to hear about, actually I guess she would like to read about, those small indulgences that make life bearable. I have several. This will come as no surprise to those who know me.

My favorite pamper? Sheets. I grew up with inexpensive sheets and this was back in the day before thread counts were listed on the packaging. Now? Nothing less than 600, sweetie. If you have not slept in great sheets before, please do so now. Well worth the extra money since they get nothing but better the more you wash them.

Next on the list? Manicures. I no longer have acrylic nails but I do go in every couple of weeks and have a manicure. I have never been a nail biter but I do chew on my cuticles. Disgusting, I know, but I do it less if my nails are well tended.

Now please go visit every one else and let's all just pamper ourselves silly this next week.

Hyacinths and Second Pennies

"If, of thy mortal goods, thou art bereft,

And from thy slender store

two loaves alone to thee are left,

Sell one & from the dole,

Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul"

- Muslihuddin Sadi, 13th Century Persian Poet

The Fun Monday assignment for May 18, involving pampering, reminded me of this poem. I first heard of "hyacinths" when I was a young mother and often used this as a rationalization for those small pleasures that made life so liveable. I still do.

In another version of this, a young couple has but two pennies to their name. They use the one to buy bread and the second to buy hyacinths for their soul. I love the second penny analogy.

I once heard of a couple who named their pleasure boat "The Second Penny". I knew instantly what that boat meant to them.

I have told this story to my children and around my children for all of their lives. My youngest and I occasionally do exceptionally whimsical things in the name of "hyacinths for our souls". It is nice to remember to breathe and to remember that pampering yourself does not necessarily involve a great deal of time or money. It mostly just involves remembering to do it.

quick update

I have been busy. Since I last posted, I have continued working full time and teaching religion classes one day a week. I have maintained my position as chief dog-hugger and vet-payer, as well as wife, mom, and grandma. I have done very little else.

My grandson, on the other hand, has not only made the a/b honor roll at his school but has also been Baptized, received his First Communion and been Confirmed. His dad came up for these events, which pleased all of us who love the boy, but none more than the boy himself.

So, belated Happy Easter, belated Happy Mother's Day, Happy Anniversary to me and my husband, and I think I'll throw in a presumptive Happy Memorial Day and Happy Father's Day just in case.