Currently ...

Hello there!

Outside my window ...

How Tom loves sitting on his bench, watching the wild birds!  Last week he came in, all excited, to report one of the cardinal sister wives is building a nest in one of the bushes that fronts our living room.  Unfortunately, she's positioning it directly under the roof's edge ... totally susceptible to our next rainfall tsunami.  What to do?  I suggested positioning a shower cap a few inches above the nest, but he's not crazy about that.  Ideas, anyone?

 I'm feeling ...

Pretty darn stupid!

15 years I endured OSHA safety training, to include ergonomic lifting techniques.  I knew better!  Still -- instead of taking time to remove the boxes in the front of our closet -- I leaned way forward, outside my center, to set down a heavy bankers box in the back.   Sproing!  All I gotta say is thank goodness for those Salon Pas patch-thingies!

I'm thankful ...

Long walks and talks with Pastor Janet.  Only a few years younger than me, she's enormously easy to talk to: 

Everything from remedies for thinning hair … to calories n' carbs … to, (me) "Whatever happened to those 4 words missing from the Apostles Creed (that) I was taught as a girl?"

In my (stinky) kitchen ...

Because Tom and I both love onions (of all colors - ha!), this recipe caught my eye.  Before making the meatloaf, yesterday I filled our big slow cooker full of sliced onions, drizzled them with melted butter and set the timer on low for 11 hours.  Easy-peasy, and now we've enough caramelized onions for months. 

French Onion Meatloaf

Good to know ...

So, this hack may be common knowledge ... but it was new to me!

During Debbie's visit, she watched me struggle to dispose of a skillet of hot grease.

Does anyone remember their mothers/grandmother's can of lard that sat at the back of their stove?   Deb suggested I simply line a coffee mug (or large bowl) with aluminum foil and pour in the grease.  Once it congeals, just wrap it up in a ball and toss in the trash.  Voila!

Oh my goodness! ...

So I recently became aware of charcoal-activated toothpaste that's supposed to help whiten teeth.  Sure enough, the gel is pitch black.  I'll spare you the visual evidence, but I nearly had a heart attack when I glanced in the mirror.  Just like something out of Tales from the Crypt!  

Makes me smile ...

My coffee buddy, Macie Ann

Have a beautiful day, friends, and don't forget … be safe!

Hugs from Coosada,

Myra

National Joe Day!

Whadya know?  Today's ….

Who'd have guessed?

If you're interested in a little 'Joe' trivia, just click here!  Without further ado ...

Who is your favorite "Joe/Jo" and what can you tell us about him or her?

My former boss, Jo Anne, is larger than life -- a brilliant mind, coupled with a terrifying demeanor.  My second day on the job I grew so frustrated, so angry I burst into tears: "What do you want from me?"

In spite of our (considerable) political and religious differences, she was my strongest ally.  It was Jo Anne who, on one dismal birthday, dragged me to a nearby bar and trash-talked Mr. Wrong.  In turn, it was me who dragged Jo Anne to the cardiac E.R. and sat holding her hand for hours until her husband could be located.

Oh, the work lunches we spent coloring butcher paper and drinking copious glasses of wine at Macaroni Grill!

We experienced 9/11 together.  And the next day, put aside our religious differences to light a candle and say a prayer.

I've hated her; I've adored her.  I miss her.

Who were you named for, and do you or did you know that person?

I was named for my mother:

She, Evelyn Myra … I'm Myra Evelyn.

Do you have a middle name and do you like it/use it?

See above. Mevely, is a derivative of both names. 

Have you ever named your car?  Tell us about it, please!

My first car - an ugly red Rambler station wagon - I called Murgatroid.  No idea why!

In later years, I named my Corvette 'Cesare' for a ship's captain I once knew.  (And adored from afar - ha!)

Tell us the name of a fictional character you have never forgotten and why you remember it so well.

I'm at a loss to define why ….. but Francesca (Bridges of Madison County) resonates.

Share something random with us about your week.

It's all been delightfully ordinary!

Friday night we enjoyed pizza and cheesecake with Troy and family.  Despite their health challenges, it was great seeing and visiting with Lois' parents again.  Wow, it's been 21 years!

Tom learned a hard lesson in the importance of following recipe directions, v. improvising. (I'd better leave things right there!)  But! If you're interested in an easy-peasy way of preparing spaghetti and meatballs in the slow-cooker, check out Ma's blog here.

It's been a long, LONG time since I've been enraptured by a book … shocked by it's conclusion.  I'm giving 2 thumbs up, 5 stars to Alex Michaelides' novel, The Silent Patient.

If you've read it, I'd love to hear your impressions!

Finally ...

Because it makes me giggle.

What do you call these onions?

A while back Tom and I became caught up in a verbal struggle.  I said, "We need a purple onion."  (Tom:  "We have two red ones in the refrigerator.")  Me:  "No, I said a purple onion."

… and so on it went.

Have you ever been so sure of something ... so wrong.

Examining one of these I read the little tag, "Red onion."

All in all, ordinary is good!

I hope yours is, as well … please stay safe!

Hugs, Myra    

Water Cooler Monday, March 25

Hi there!
Today's poser is borrowed from a Facebook meme:

What's the oldest thing you own … 

… and still use?

OK. This hand mirror once belonged to my grandmother, then my mother.  In spite of its weight, I use it everyday!

"I look in the mirror through the eyes of the child that was me."

-- Judy Collins

How about you?

What's the oldest thing you own that you use regularly?

Have a sweet new week ... be safe!

Hugs, Myra

Friday Foto Friends

Good morning friends!
What timing!  Here I'd already decided to share some glimpses of our week, when I saw Debbie at Breathing in Grace has returned to hosting Friday Foto Friends.  Thank you, Deb!    

Picking up where I left off ...

I was excited to see Home Depot's Survive-a-Storm shelters up close and personal ...

… but left empty-handed.

This -- the only remotely affordable model -- is lots smaller than we envisioned.  While it's not totally off the table, I'd rather not part with those dollars right now.

 'Think this may have had something to do with it?

Yes, thanks.  We enjoyed a super get-away!

I was concerned at Tom's initial reaction -- no cable television reception and super low lake levels.  Come to find out, each Winter they let 8'-9' of water out the dam; and don't recover those gazillion gallons until late May.  

That's OK, he soon got over himself.  So much so, he began pipe-dreaming of a permanent vacation place.

(If wishes were horses - not!)

750 miles of wooded shoreline!

I didn't know that!

Cool stained-glass entry … but I'm still not a fan of someone being able to peek inside. ( Sandra, I thought about you right away!)

Never having rented through VRBO, we weren't sure what to expect -- and brought along our own paper towels, TP, spices, etc.  Happily, we needn't have bothered!

Yes, that's an old shower curtain I carry -- in case one of the dogs has an 'uh-oh.'

Pre-stocked bev cart!

Does anyone else love this knotty-pine as much as me?

I could seriously live on this back deck!

Too nice not to eat outside!

Catfish fingers from Oskar's Café (thanks Sean of the South!) were so light and juicy.  I totally take back everything I said about not liking catfish!

If you click to enlarge, you can make out the finger braces the V.A. gave Tom until surgery can be determined.

Watching daddy fish.

69-year birthday selfie … 

So happy to have had pistachios for breakfast and Niffer's avocado/jalapeno burger for supper!

Peaceful easy feeling!

Finally ... new flooring awaited us back home.

I told Tom, we can never get rid of the loveseat because it matches the tile.  (SMILE)

Looking forward to enjoying pizza with my son and family tonight.  Have y'all any special plans this weekend?

Thanks for watching my grown-up 'show-and-tell' today!

Take good care and be safe!

Hugs, Myra

Water Cooler Monday: Listen to the Music

No, I'm not really here.

But thanks to the 'scheduling' feature, I'm able to act on a memory.  

Say what?  A recent McDonald's commercial has reignited some strong recollections from my own teen years.

(Quoting from the web) "Every parent in possession of an automobile knows it can feel like a claustrophobic cell if a joyous group of really loud kids have found an earworm of a song to sing together while you drive."

For sure, our Methodist Youth Fellowship chaperones must have had invisible halos.  In the back of 'Uncle' Art's station wagon we sang it loud, sang it proud (over and over) -- "Last Train to Clarksville."

So, today's poser --

Close your eyes ....
You're 16 years old once more.

What are you singing?

Oops!  I guess I should have rephrased this.  Just curious what was the first song that popped in your head from that age.... not necessarily a 'road' song.
(YAY for Wi-Fi at the lake!)

From the shores of Lake Martin ... hugs!

Myra

Good Samaritan Day

Thank you, Terri!

National Good Samaritan Day is observed on March 13.

This day is also known as Good Samaritan Involvement Day.  This is a day for unselfish actions to help those in need and to celebrate kindness.

The term, "good Samaritan" comes from the Bible parable where a Samaritan helped a stranger who had been robbed and beaten and left to die by the side of the road.  The Samaritan not only cleaned the man's wounds and clothed him, but took him to an inn where he paid for the man's care.

The term is used today to describe those who perform acts of kindness for those in need, especially those who are strangers.

Why not make an effort today to help someone who is struggling or having a problem?

When did someone come to your rescue; can you tell us about it?

Some of y'all may remember when, a few years back, all 7 of our smoke detectors went berserk at the same time and Tom couldn't turn them off.  (Turns out the original electrician had mislabeled the fuse box.)

One of my coworkers showed up that evening with new-in-box smoke detectors, an 8-ft. ladder and set to work replacing all 7.  When we protested his generosity, Brian replied, "No. It's not negotiable, so shut up already!"

When did you help someone out of a jam; can you tell us about it?

This isn't my story to tell ….. but I'm hoping we can soon be of assistance to our DIL's family.  I'll simply ask that you hold her momma and daddy in your prayers; God knows the details.

What are your thoughts on being a good Samaritan?  Some states (like Florida) have even passed Good Samaritan laws so you don't get into trouble with the law for trying to help someone.

All I can offer is, it's about time!

So many absurd lawsuits have too many good people running scared.

Thursday is National Pi Day.  It's a fun play on the date 3.14.  Will you have some pie to celebrate?

Sadly, no.  I'm postponing plans to binge 'til my birthday.

Did you know that Pi is the most studied number in mathematics?  Are you good with numbers?

Hahahahaha!

Aside from basic accounting, I jumped off that ship years ago.

Tell us something random about your week.

Soooo excited that we finalized our rental!   We'll be leaving for Lake Martin for 3 nights Sunday afternoon!   

Originally we talked about going back to Longhorn's for my birthday.  Instead, I suggested we just indulge in a nice lunch, then 'snick-snack' on junk food and wine while sitting with our pups on that pretty dock.

Oh, and thanks to everyone who participated in Water Cooler Monday!  Me? I'm still trying to successfully imitate the way 'cool' ladies manage to stand with their outer leg slightly forward and their hip turned just so.  

When I try that in front of the mirror I think it looks like I'm trying not to wet my pants.

So anyway!  WCM will be back later this month.  Here's a request: Is there a question you've never been asked ... but would love having the opportunity to answer?

I think the Ides of March is approaching.  Like daddy used to caution me, "Keep your wits about you."  

(In other words ... be safe!)

Hugs, Myra

  

Who moved the water cooler?

Um, that would be me!

So as not to step on Terri's toes, or miss participating in her Wednesday Medley, I thought Water Cooler Wednesday Monday might be a fun exercise.  

So!

Last week Pastor Janet began her sermon:

"As people, we are imitators."

(Putting aside my shopping list, I sat up a little straighter.)

For instance.

Children love to imitate their super heroes … teens adopt one another's urban expressions.  Even old married couples take on each other's characteristics.  

When I moved to West Texas in the Fall of '68, (unconsciously) words like y'all and fixin'-to became a permanent part of my vocabulary.

How about you?

Are you an imitator?  How so?

Have a great new week, m'friends … stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

Today on Chapman Avenue

Outside my window ... tiny, but optimistic!

Today, I'm 

Pondering .....

(Stock image from web)

The purchase of a 'twister pod' … engineered to withstand EF5 tornado winds.  We'd need to have a concrete pad poured, but at least Tom's open to the idea.

Grateful …..

To have come to an agreement with our home owner's insurance company.  They were more generous than we'd hoped!

One of my Favorite Things …..

My taste buds have fallen into a rut -- again.

This is (my) lunch -- almost every day now for a couple of weeks.

Imagining …..

Has anyone else ever begun seedlings or herbs using egg shells?

I've not tried growing anything since Girl Scouts, but it might not hurt.

Looking forward …..

The flooring folks have asked that we relocate for a few days while their work is being done.  I'd hoped we might find something 'pet-friendly' along the Gulf beaches -- but hadn't counted on Spring break.

Cross fingers, this cabin on Lake Martin is still available!

A Thought to Share …..

Have a super weekend … be safe!

Hugs, Myra