Welcome to the new week! I hope your weekend was grand. Mine was a mish-mash of highs and lows.

Canon Rebel selfie One significant weekend high? I participated in a workshop on using DSLR cameras in manual mode instead of auto. Meaning learning about the "three-legged stool" of aperture, shutter, and ISO. I'd read on those things, watched videos on those things time and again. But being all about numbers, which are not my thing, the concept just would not stick in my brain. Going over it in person with a pro finally made it make sense for me. The workshop was presented — for free! — by my pastor, who is a fantastic photographer (and blogger) who's more than happy to share his gift. I look forward to our next workshop: a field trip to a regional park to practice our new skills.

And a significant low? Friday night I learned my cousin — who would have been just 40 years old today — passed away unexpectedly earlier in the day, was found slumped over her computer. Tragic story, with the reason (we hope) to be revealed today once the autopsy is completed. She had a brain tumor removed in recent months, so that likely played into it. A brilliant light snuffed out too soon, breaking the hearts of many. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. And cross your fingers for me too, please, as it'll be a busy week; family will arrive from Wisconsin for the funeral in the next couple days, with a few scheduled to stay at my house. I look forward to seeing my relatives, but the circumstances just plain suck.

Anyway... that was my weekend. And this is GRAND Social No. 56. Thank you so much for joining me!

link party

How it works:

All grandparent bloggers are invited to add a link. You don't have to blog specifically about grandparenting, but you must be a grandparent who blogs.

To link up, copy the direct URL to the specific post — new or old — that you want to share, not the link to your blog's home page. Then click the "Click here to enter" text below and follow the directions to add your post and graphic to the list.

You can add up to three posts, but no duplicates, please, and none you have promoted on a previous GRAND Social linky. And no contests, giveaways, or Etsy sites, please.

Adding a mention at the bottom of your linked posts, such as This post has been linked to the GRAND Social linky, is appreciated. Or, you can post the GRAND Social button anywhere on your page using the following code:

Grandma’sBriefs.com

The GRAND Social linky is open for new posts through Wednesday evening, so please come back to see those added after your first visit.

If you're not a blogger, you have the pleasure of being a reader. Bloggers who link up would be honored to have one and all — bloggers and readers — visit, read and, if so moved, comment, even if just a "Hey, stopping by from the GRAND Social."

Looking for another grandparent linky? Be sure to visit Connie's Grandparent's Say It Saturday Link Party each Saturday.

Thank you for participating in the GRAND Social!

With no children or similarly obliging subjects regularly available in my nest, practicing portraits with my new camera means my animals are the primary subjects.

The dogs usually think I'm offering a treat when I try to photograph them, so most shots of Mickey and Lyla are blurry shots of them speeding toward me in hopes of nabbing a treat or of their noses sniffing out the camera in search of snacks for their service.

Which leaves the cats as my primary posers.

Isabel doesn't care too much for the position foisted upon her and makes no bones about cussing me out for it.

My sweet tabby Abby, on the other hand, happily lends a paw any time I need, posing perfectly for shot after shot—in color, black-and-white, macro and more.