Brief (breef) –noun
1. a short and concise statement or written item.
2. an outline, the form of which is determined by set rules, of all the possible arguments and information on one side of a controversy: a debater's brief.
3. an outline, summary, or synopsis.
4. briefs: close-fitting, legless underpants with an elastic waistband.

About me

Hi ... I'm Lisa ... and I'm a grandma, a mom, a wife. I'm also a writer and editor - a laid-off newspaper writer and editor looking for a way to keep my writing muscle flexed. When I realized there are few blogs by and for grandmothers, I decided to give it a whirl. This is my whirl.

So, yes, I am a grandma. A first-time grandma as of summer 2008. There are a few of the "grandma" stereotypes that fit me: I love rocking chairs; I don't mind at all the thought of our little Bubby - or any who follow - calling me GRANDMA; I think that (cool and unique) socks make a perfectly fitting gift (although I draw the line at underwear).

Those are the only "grandma" traits I think I possess. So here's a smattering of non-grandma things that will tell you a bit about who I am, for those really seeking enlightenment by clicking on the "About" tab of this blog:

• I've been married to the same man for nearly 30 years, which is quite a feat, considering I got married the week before I turned 18. We have three beautiful and amazing adult daughters, one awesome son-in-law (married to our middle daughter), the most beautiful and goofy grandson in the universe (child of the middle daughter and her hubby), two cats, a pointer/pit mix dog and a black lab/pit mix we recently acquired -- after our 12-year-old black lab/collie had to be put down last summer.

• I love to read - books (fiction and non, no romances, no chick lit), magazines (Entertainment Weekly, Real Simple, More), the daily PRINT newspaper (despite its dwindling size and the bastards who laid me off), websites and blogs, cereal boxes. I also love movies (drama and documentary) and music (no jazz, no country, minimal pop). I love going to rock concerts (Candlebox, Black Crowes and Live are must-sees). And I love "True Blood," "Flight of the Conchords," "Saving Grace" and "Men of a Certain Age."

• I like my coffee black and prefer Columbian, Kona or Italian roasts. I'd choose tortilla chips and guacamole over M&Ms or chocolate cake any day. My favorite beer is Bohemia (when I'm not drinking 7&7s or the occasional pomegranate martini). I like to bake more than I like to cook. I'm just now getting the hang of caring for perennials and am hoping all those I planted this year come back next year.

• I'm a Christian. I pray daily, hourly and sometimes even more often than that. God probably gets a little tired of the running commentary in my head, but hey, we're told to pray without ceasing and I take that seriously.

• I'm a Cancer and pretty much fit the description to a T.

• I started taking piano lessons at the age of 43, having never read music or played an instrument in my life. I'm not great, but it's increasing the dendrites in my brain. I suffer from incredible performance anxiety though, so very few folks are subjected to impromptu recitals. But Bubby loves to bang on the keys when he's in town!

• I'm a long-distance grandma, with my Bubby living in the desert while I live in the mountains. That's hard as hell. And this blog is one of the ways I hope to cope.