Questions, questions, questions!

 

If this is Wednesday, well, you know.  It's time to play the

Without further ado .....

What are some memories you associate with Spring?

Funny you should ask!

I spotted the following comment on my hometown FB page a couple of days ago.

"The smell of Ponderosa pines brings back memories of making chains from the needles: To make one link, you'd pull out two needles and loop the third one back and stick the point into the base.  That intensified the smell of the needles, too."

I was stunned to realize someone besides lonely me used to do that at recess, too!

Then, I couldn't help but add my own Springtime recollection:

"When the lilacs bloomed wild against our apartments' concrete wall, one of us 'Chapel' kids would filch his or her mother's honey jar.  We'd drizzle that deliciousness across the blooms and eat them."

April showers bring May flowers.  Was that saying proven true where you live?  Snapdragons, anemons, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias.  which one on that list is your favorite?

The lowly carnation will always hold a special place in my heart.

What are you top 3 distractions, and how do you deal with them?

Facebook

Blogger

Macie and Grace

(not necessarily in that order)

How do I deal?

I don't!  I just go with the flow.

Do you eat beef?  In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu?  A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner -- which beef entree would you choose, and yes. You have to choose. (Unless you're a vegan, and then you may pass.)

If you know-know me, you know I love beef like some folks love breathing.  How often?  At least 6, sometimes 7 days a week.  I'll take a grilled rib-eye, medium rare ... thank you very much!

In what way were you creative during the month of April?

I don't know if this qualifies as creative -- but I've been stepping up my cooking game.

Starter  for Chicken Detox Soup

Insert your own random thought here.

 

Happy Hump Day ... stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

New to me!

Hi there!

Am I the only one who loves gizmos?  You know, a better mousetrap.  

Over time, unpleasant experiences have quelled my impulse purchases (well most of them, anyway).  But this time, I've a hunch I'm into something good.

Remember my pillows dilemma?  (And I thought I was the only one. Ha!)

One of my friends who suffers from chronic back pain has been raving about something called an 'entire comfort' pillow.  

What's a buddy to do?  I wasted no time hitting the 'Buy Now!' button.

Does this look like something you'd use?     

And now we wait.....

🌷

So, I've a question for y'all:

Do you wash your lettuce?  How in the heck do you dry it?

I don't recall this being a big deal until all that business about Romaine.

Anyway.  I'd washed the leaves and lay them out to dry.  Impatient, I'd use wads and wads of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel - which then needed laundered.

Better to spend a few cents more and buy Green Giant's triple pre-washed variety.

Until,

Gag!

I consulted Google, who sourced someone's Italian grandmother.

In brief,

"Spread greens out out on a clean kitchen towel in one single layer.  Roll them up in the towel the long way (hot dog v. hamburger). Fold the rolled-up towel end-to-end with the seam on the inside, so that you're holding both of the towel ends in one hand.

Stand on your patio, balcony and whip the towel forward and around over your head.  Don't let go of the towel!"

Ready for this?  Two nights later I was watching Shark Tank, when I saw a young lady pitching her new invention, the "Salad Sling."  Same concept!

She didn't get a deal, but I found her invention out on Grommet.com.

I can't help but entertain visions of me whipping this like David v. Goliath!

(No, I've never out-grown the joy of playing with my food.)

🌷

Random thought ...

Have yourself a splendid Sunday!

Hugs, Myra

  

   

Penny for your thoughts!

 

Joyce has done it again ...
Delivering some fun 'posers' so we might play Hodgepodge!   

BTW.  If you don't feel like linking up, I'd love to hear your responses in the comments!

Ready?  Ready!

Joyce says, "Find a penny.  Look at the date and tell us something about your life or what you were doing that year."

On the surface, 1985 was a good year:

We worked hard and played harder.  I felt my best, and never had to concern myself with bills.  Unfortunately, looking back I was a bit selfish -- and worse, spiritually bankrupt.

It's true. Sometimes you gotta suffer a lot of losses before you can fully appreciate what remains.

Were you given an allowance as a child?  Did you have to earn it in some way?  Did you learn to save money when you were a child, or is that something you figured out as an adult?

Yes, I was given $10/week for keeping my room tidy and caring for our dog.  However. Between buying Photoplay magazines, and junk food, precious little was left over.  

Not until I began collecting SS did Tom and I begin saving in earnest -- to purchase this home, quit my job and relocate across the country.  Yes, in that order.  All I gotta say is, thank goodness our house in Arizona sold quickly!

April 23 is National Take a Chance Day.  What's a chance you need or want to take?

It's high time I quit worrying about the 'what-if's' and start road-tripping again.

I was recently struck silly  ... remembering all the times I'd jump behind the wheel and drive to Dallas for the weekend.  No cell phone, not even a city map!  Nowadays I over-think every little thing.

What's some outdated slang you seem to use a little too often?

Offhand, the only thing I can think of is, "Holy Toledo!"

Okay.  I know this is all in fun.  But I'm puzzled why so many coming of age'rs are quick to label expressions 'outdated'?

Check THIS out!
(I don't know about y'all, but I still say 'slacks.')

It's National Poetry month and Joyce always likes to make us work our brains a little.  "Roses are red, violets are blue ... you fill in the rest with something original.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Times are tough, but don't forget!

So are me and you. 

(Please excuse the grammar!)

Insert your own random thought here.

Tomorrow would be my mother's 106th birthday!

Like many of y'all, I wish I'd asked more questions about her early life.

... in particular her days spent in nursing school: More than a few references she made to smoking cigarettes inside the dormitory's big porcelain tub.  Or, on Minneapolis' insufferable Summer nights when they'd drag mattresses out onto the fire escape.  I was incredulous, trying to reconcile my docile mother with the vision of a carefree student nurse.

But words don't lie!
Evidence these notes on her hat.

Mother shown front right.

 

Even her mask!  (ca. 1936)

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mom.
Thanks for the memories!

Hugs, Myra

Thoughts Across the Pond, and other things

 

G'afternoon, my friends!

Please tell me, I'm not the only one who watched coverage of Prince Philip's funeral this morning?

And, am I the only one who holds her breath at moments like this ... praying no-one stumbles.

Don't get me wrong.  I've never been particularly enamoured with he or the Queen.  But neither could I escape the tug, watching history play out.

See, as early as 1981 I've been right there:  Seated on the floor in a darkened living room, approximately 6" from the television screen.  A box of Kleenex in my lap, I leaked tears of joy for a beautiful stranger.

16 years later:  Again I sat transfixed ... bawling my already-reddened eyes out for that beautiful stranger.

Unlike the MSM, I don't give a whit about the Brother's Drama.  Even the sight of First Born and his Rottweiler couldn't dampen my fascination.  (Sorry, Victor.)

There's no question, I love my country.  But (I think) the solemn, magnificant pagentry and beauty exhibited by the U.K. is unequalled. 

Perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world?

There's your future queen.  Class act.

🌼

Closer to home .....

Preparation for the big pour (concrete) has begun.

A team was out this week to dismantle the deck -- upsetting not only the chipmunks that lived beneath, but Macie and Grace who've used it as their private jungle gym.

Poor Tom's at a loss to figure how he's going to get the lawn mower out and into the front yard.  Oops!

🌼

So, I think I've stumbled on an inexpensive hack -- to alleviate my back/hip pain and free up space in the linen closet.

It's painfully obvious (that) my mattress needs replaced.  The new fitted sheet looks like someone put a Cadillac cover atop a VW bug.  Buying one of those egg crate mattress toppers crossed my mind. 

Instead, I took two heavy quilts and the enormous weighted blanket.....  lay them atop the mattress and covered the mass with the fitted sheet.  It's not the most attractive thing, but it does seem to help.

I'm not due for another DEXA scan until December, but my primary wants to err on the side of caution and is sending me for x-rays.   Yesterday she shocked me by saying, "I have to say good-bye."   Her family is moving out of state.  She confessed to having more than a little trepidation and asked for my prayers.

Oh man.  I can't recall ever having loved a doctor like I do Dr. O ... and couldn't help but blurt that out as she was leaving.  (Good grief, where did that come from?)  But she just called back, "I love you, too."

Why does life have to be so unpredictable?

It means a bunch to know y'all are there ... 

Sit! Stay!

(please)

Hugs, Myra

 

   

Hodgepodge

 

Good morning  y'all!

I'm hooking up with Joyce n' company for the weekly 'Hodgepodge.' Basically, she asks the questions and we answer on our own blogs.  

'Reminds me a little of the 'slam book' questionnaires we used to surreptitiously pass in junior high!  No-one's looking to confiscate your notebook now.   Come'on and play along!

 What is something you currently find 'taxing'?

Going in, Tom and I knew we were opposites, but lately it's getting worse. I'm totally the kind of person who, for instance, packs days before a trip.  I try to plan for every eventuality.   He's a last-minute type.

Yep, I need to just step back and take a deep breath.   If it comes to it, let him be late.

Joyce has seen this question asked in various forms on several social media sites:  

You can only keep 3:  Coffee, jewelry, tacos, wine, books, dogs, chocolate, Netflix, make-up, leggings, cheese, cats.

Which 3 do you keep and how easy or hard was it for you to decide?

Easy-peasy!
Coffee, dogs, leggings.

Tell us something you know or have learned about forgiveness?

I still struggle.  What do you say we keep it light!

What's something you'd recommend that is often overlooked and under-appreciated?

How about, learning up-front the location of public restrooms wherever we may frequent.

Give us a favorite word that starts with the letter K, and tell us why this is the one you chose.

I've been buying Kamora for 20-some years -- but some people have never heard of it?  Basically, it's the  poor man's answer to Kahlua.  I think it tastes the same --  but is way more affordable and contains less calories.  Not so syrupy sweet.  

Insert your own random thought here.

Not a thought; rather, a question for my fellow eyeglass wearers:

I love my first-ever glasses, but hate the way they attract smudges.  And despite their being 'scratch resistant' I've had to have the lens' replaced twice in 12 months.   Poly-something.  (I just call them plexiglass.)

What are your thoughts on glass lenses?    Grateful!

Hugs, Myra  

 

Do you still?

 

Update:  

Thank you for all the well-wishes and prayers!  Tom's surgery went great.  We see the surgeon again tomorrow morning; and fingers crossed, this will correct the double-vision that's been plaguing him for the last few years. 

* * *

A few years ago, Carol (Buttercup Counts her Blessings) published a series of entertaining posts titled, "Do you still?"

I got to thinking about that when -- as part of Anne's recent postcard exchange -- I realized there were NO postcards to be found.  Anywhere!

I don't think the pandemic is at fault; rather, they quietly disappeared when I wasn't looking.

Not wanting to back out on my promise, I went to mother's hope chest.  Ta-dah!  Sure enough, there lay 80-some souvineer postcards.  Because they're unblemished by pen or postage, I've no idea their vintage.  Most contain black and white photography of architecture reminiscent of 1940-50's Europe.
(Victor, please correct me if I'm wrong!)

Imagine, buying a postcard of your President's family!

Not knowing what on earth to do with them, I returned the whole lot.  Perhaps I should research to learn if they've any value.

Anyway!   I recall when, on summer road trips, my father would buy a picture postcard -- and mail it back home to himself: "Having a great time!"

This from Expo '67 is the only one I could find.

I love seeing his distinctive handwriting.

Speaking of handwriting!

How about this 1944 greeting from my mother to her parents on the farm.

Lauderdale Beach Hotel where my father lived while in the service.

Sadly, when I took mother there in 2000 she had no recollection.

That may have been the beginning of her dementia, but I was too thick-headed to notice the signs. 

Sorry, I digress!

Do you still see postcards for sale?

When I was still working -- and affixing postage on the resort's out-going mail, I occasionally peeked at what our guests had written:  "We went to the Grand Canyon yesterday.  It was grand."   or my favorite: What one young man wrote to his teacher and classmates: "I'm having a great time in Fenix!"  

When was the last time you received a postcard?  Or sent one? Would you do so again?

Hugs, Myra

 

  

  

  

Another Saturday night

 

First, I want shout out a big thanks for your comments on my last post.

Does anyone else ever suffer post-publish anxiety?  Regrets?   I woke up in the early morning hours talking to myself.  "Should I have really written that out-loud?"

 

On a lighter note .....
Here are a few vignettes from my little corner of the world.

I'm feeling 

..... a bit bushed, actually.
Our weather radio kept going off during the overnight hours.  Thankfully we missed the severe weather, but folks south of us had a heck of a hail storm.

... prompting someone to suggest the angels were golfing.  Love it!

So, Tom and I each got our 2nd vaccines.  He had a rough time Thursday morning, but aside from a bit of nausea today, I'm okay. Mighty thankful it's over!

I woke with more than a little aches and pains -- but I'm chalking that up to a sudden face-plant I 'performed' in the early morning hours last Monday.

The villainous hurdle

The witness

Seriously, mom?


Me

I've a new favorite thing!

If you like garlic, you're gonna love this stuff.

Trust me!

This, on the other hand, pegs my Ick-O-Meter.

Would you eat these?

I'm pretty sure even our squirrels would turn up their noses.

Tom's taken a real liking to all the finches and cardinals that gather at the feeders out back.

... But our hearts belong to the squirrels.  I think he felt bad watching one little guy try time and again to scale the sheperd's hook thingie.

Next thing I know, he's devised a little serving tray, permanently affixed to the adjacent fence.

Cracking peanuts

Tom's having eye surgery Monday morning.  It's routine, but always a bit nerve-wracking when facing anesthesia.  Prayers and positivity's sure appreciated!

Good night, now.  Have yourselves a super Sunday!

Hugs, Myra

 

Offended much?

 

I may well be the most UN-woke person on Planet Earth.   And you know what?  I'm okay with that!  

  

The names of this year's Grammy nominees meant nothing.  In fact, when I heard 'Cardi B' I thought someone was referring to a medical procedure.

Hey.  I enjoy laughing at myself as much -- if not more than my critics.  I'm not particularly thin-skinned, but.

There are occasions that cause me to wince.   Like the day I learned you're no longer supposed to put two spaces after a period.   Or this morning when an etiquette 'expert' informed her viewers, using punction in a text is a big no-no. 

I'm not exactly offended by a popular commercial.   But annoyed?  You bet-cha.

"Un-become your parents."

How lovely.

(Obviously, I'm not in their target demographic.)

No. You know what I really find offensive?

They're out there.  Most of you have probably seen their boorish comments on friends' posts.  Maybe even your own?

.... calling attention to your misspellings or mis-use of words.  Why?

..... or, unsolicited criticism of one's mother.  (Hello BB)

Please don't misunderstand.  I want my friends' honest feedback on what I've said.

(😎You know who you are.)

Still, I'm curious.  It's something we discussed at ladies Bible study a while ago.

When offended, do you retreat?  Or do you retaliate?

Hugs, Myra

 

Bucket ... or Chuck-it?

I like what Fr. Maple wrote in this morning's devotional:

"Springtime is the real start of the New Year.  The first flowers show themselves; all around us there are signs of new life."

🌷

As tradition goes, many people choose New Years to make Resolutions ... Dream Boards ... Bucket Lists.

Hey, I was right there!  Even as late as my 70th birthday, I entertained the thought of riding a mechanical bull.

Then the pandemic hit.

I don't know about y'all, but that which I'd envisioned paled in a big fat hurry.

Maybe that's why one man's "Chuck-It List" made such an impression.

(You can read it HERE)

The author speaks of things he's willing to let go of:

 "Anything that drags me down or holds me back from living a happy and comfortable life.  People I never want to meet.  Activities I detest." 

and my personal favorite,

"Places and experiences that peg my Ick-O-Meter."

I chuckled throughout, and even laughed out loud.  Then realized, maybe all this time I've had it backwards.

I'm gonna get right on it.

How about it?  Do you have a Chuck-it List?

Stay well ...let's chat soon!

Hugs, Myra

The thing about food

So, the other day I asked, "What food(s) would be most difficult for you to give up?"   I sure enjoyed your answers!   Like some of you, coffee and peanut butter would be right up there in my Top 3.  But #1 goes to the not-so-humble burger.   As a child, mother used to predict, "You're going to turn into a hamburger one day."

Personally, I don't think there's anything better than biting into a burger and having the grease juice run down your arm.  So far, the best I've found is a little joint on Lake Martin:  1/2 lb., served medium rare with grilled avocado, jalapeno slices and pepper jack cheese.  And mayo.  Lots of mayo. (*grin*)

Anyway.  Unlike my mother who'd 'eat to live' -- fresh fruit and veggies -- I'm my father's daughter.  Normally a solemn sort -- except he'd wax euphoric for good food ... among them, fried eggs, scrapple, and cereal floating in a generous bath of Half n' Half.  And that was just breakfast.  You want to talk Fourth of July and New Years rolled into one?   If, when we road trip'd through the Deep South he'd discover grits on the menu.   (Nope, that didn't exist back home on the Hill.)   He's been gone a long time, but every once in a while my son and I will repeat one of his favorite expressions: "You know, I could sure go for (fill in the blank)."

    

For a while now, Tom's been on a burger kick.  You know the joke men tell about their girl refusing to order fries -- then filching theirs? (Next time dude, make that TWO orders of fries!)  Ya, I'm that gal.  Not for fries, but rather, these delicious morsels of blackened onions.

He's been making lots of pizza, too.  Gotta admit, it's better than many commercial pies we've had!  He takes an inexpensive Tombstone, then adds LOTS of (uncooked) Italian sausage, black olives, and Mozarella and Parmesan cheeses -- then bakes it in the air fryer for 6-7 minutes, then on 'air fry' for another 8.  Golden and gooey!

I ask you ... how's a person supposed to diet?

Not doing that anymore!

OK.  It's not likely I'm willing to do what it takes to fit in a Size 8 again .... but I am stepping up and back onto the trail.

(Meanwhile)

In the words of my new heroine, Courtney Luper:

"As long as I'm 1% better than I was yesterday, I consider myself successful!" 

🐣 

Wishing everyone a most blessed Easter Sunday!

💜

Hugs, Myra