Grandmas and grandpas...opportunity knocks! Ideas during COVID

Here are my puppies with Auntie and 2 of the dozen jack-o-lanterns she created. Mommy & I were jack-o-lanterns, Grandma was himself. The puppies and I played tag before supper. We had a picnic in the garage because the weather turned cold & a treat hunt afterward in the yard. We all agreed it was even better than trick-or-treating because the older one is very shy and approaching strangers is stressful for him.
We are so blessed!
Sue

Here are my puppies with Auntie and 2 of the dozen jack-o-lanterns she created. Mommy & I were jack-o-lanterns, Grandma was himself. The puppies and I played tag before supper. We had a picnic in the garage because the weather turned cold & a treat hunt afterward in the yard. We all agreed it was even better than trick-or-treating because the older one is very shy and approaching strangers is stressful for him.
We are so blessed!
Sue

Fantastic.....@sueinmn, Thanks for sharing. I know how involved you are with your grandchildren. And in addition, you do so much for others. Of course, you run out of time.......no complaints from you about not enough to do. Thank goodness your garden has probably been put to bed. And I am so happy to see your hands free of bandages and braces. I hope all is going well.

Here is one for you. Jay created a special path up to the top of Adam's mound. Then he went around and sliced some moss off the river banks....put it carefully into Stanley, our side by side, and laid it like icing all the way up the path. Now, since we are into moss....we can't find enough of it. Decisions must be made.....do you want moss on the path, moss surrounding the bridge over the back stream? What spot gets the moss? We love it near and along the river in the winter but then in the summer everyone rides around and tears it up. Chuckling aren't you?

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

We found the most awesome moss up on the Iron Range this fall. It looks like balsam branches and creeps along the ground on the path in the woods. Thought you might enjoy the description. Now I have to see if I can look it up.
Joyfully enjoying Indian summer.
Sue

Jay says thanks. Near Hibbing????? We’ll wait till May? June?’
Chris

Biwabik. Actually up on the Laurentian Divide between Biwabik & Tower. Yes -around 4th of July it should be visible.
Sue

I will correct his location. Hmmmmm 37 years in St. Cloud. I thought it had it all mapped. I will see if we can get Hibbing to wake up.

Be safe and protect my friend. Today is your day.
Chris

I'm excited - I found the moss I was referring to - Lycopodium clavatum. Not surprisingly, I first thought it was the plant we have always called Princess Pine, another Lycopodium. Here is an article about them: https://blog.visitcranelake.com/clubmoss/
On the Grandparent topic, the stiff version of this plant was "fruiting" when we were hiking there at the beginning of October, and our littlest guy, not yet 2, was excitedly running through the patch, creating a white cloud of spores and laughing. The older one was excited that he got to sit on the "pillow moss" on the rocks this year - it's usually too wet. This makes me wonder if we can find a place in our gardens to create a moss bed next summer - it will be tough because we're on a sand plain, but maybe...gives me something to explore this winter.
Have a peace filled day.
Sue

Gotta share this we Jay.....thanks.

Here's a holiday tip - from my nephew, who at 49 is a grandfather of 4.

He had a very tumultuous early life, and my parents home was his sanctuary, with his own "stuff" there - which had to stay because his parents moved often & got rid of everything just about every time they relocated. One of his prized possessions was a small yellow Teddy named "Spare Bear." When his family moved out of state Spare Bear stayed behind to be loved by all his younger cousins, and finally went to assisted living with my Mom to remind her of her firstborn grandchild.

When Grammy died, I passed Spare Bear to his original owner, a struggling Dad of 4. Today he sent me a message that Spare Bear is now with his oldest granddaughter, aged 3, who is having a tough time accepting a new sibling. He thanked me for the memories, and for making sure he got his beloved bear.

So, if you have kids or grands struggling in these hard times, look around and see if there is an old favorite toy, blanket, quilt or afghan they might like as a memento. And maybe write a note about those times in the past to go with it.
Sue