And so it goes ...

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

It's a gloomy 54* morning ...  the sort that makes me want to curl up near the faux fireplace with a bowl of buttery Malt-O-Meal, swimming in a bath of Half n' Half.  It's 1959 all over again.  

Seriously, why is it?  Weather conditions (and stress) combine to make me crave comfort food -- or as one author calls it, 'nursery fare.'

First the good news.  We met with the neurosurgeon Wednesday morning.  Stunned.  This guy could have walked right out of Central Casting -- white hair and sparkly blue eyes (think Marcus Welby) that bore into yours like a laser.   Not once, but twice he apologized for keeping us waiting.  (Huh?!, I've never heard that from a doctor before!)

No fist bumps, no gloves.  Nope.  Firm handshakes for both of us.  He took his time explaining the bacteria and confirmed yes, we're in it (infusion therapy) for the 10 weeks so as to avoid a 'vertebral collapse.'  (I don't even want to think about that right now.)  But overall, he said Tom "looks great." 

Suspect a specialist of his nature would be offended, but gosh.  I wish he could be my primary care physician. 

Speaking of physicians.  Do you remember when -- if you were a good girl or boy -- the doctor would hand you a lollipop, or an equally inane something or another?   My mother used to similarly 'reward' me after a dentist visit with a trip to Baskin Robbins.  (I wonder if that's why, to this day, I'm not especially fond of ice cream.)

Anyway!   Putting aside my vow to never again darken the doors of America's largest retailer,  I agreed to accompany Tom to find a comfortable pair of 'knock-around' shoes.  And fulfill our weekly shopping list.  The feeling?  Not unlike one gets watching a Tennessee Williams play.  So!  I decided to buy my own reward -- a little (8") Blue Diamond skillet.

One less thing on my Amazon 'wish' list.  But I'm debating adding this.

At the doctor's check-in, his receptionist had one by her keyboard and everyone was raving about it.  Left to my own devices, I'd probably drink coffee all day -- but this gallon 'motivational' jug is pretty cute.  What-cha think?

So, the 'witching hour' is almost upon us.  We've never been approached by little ghosts and goblins, which is frankly a relief.  Of course, that's not going to stop me from sharing these memes.  Hope they make you smile!

Thanks for stopping by ... please come again!

Hugs, Myra

 

    

Currently, from the slow lane

 

Good morning!

Outside my window?

Google Girl says it's 52*.  Never mind that the mercury's supposed to climb a little later.  After 7 long months, I've donned my furry "Mrs. Claus" housecoat.  Welcome, stranger.

I'm feeling.

It's hard to explain ... the rush I felt watching my dad's 8mm-turned-DVD home movies.  The quality is horrible.  But they're all there -- grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins.  I felt like pointing and exclaiming "Look!" to someone who'd get it, too.  But no.  With the exception of one cousin, they've all gone on before.

I sit, transfixed by my father's adoring gaze.  How I wish I could read lips!

... mother's easy laughter.

And there?  Beside my crib?

One and the same that sits beside my 'grown-up crib.'

6 years of memories -- Day #1 kindergarten ... the 'Chapel kids' possee ... splashing in Sarasota Bay ... posing at Cypress Gardens.  My unsmiling aunt and uncle standing awkawardly aside.  65 years later, their body language speaks volumes.

I'm awed to witness my exuberance; the joy in simply being alive.  When did I become so serious?

I think it was (author) Sarah Ban Breathnach who suggested finding a photo of oneself feeling ridiculously happy and frame it.  Maybe she's still in there.

I'm thankful.

That Tom's temps are back to normal.  Maybe this means the infection's abating?  We see the neurosurgeon on Wednesday; I'm praying he might shed more light on this 'thing.'

One of my favorite things.

Has anyone tried Tyson's new grilled chicken strips?  Yum!  Publix was out of the strips, but we enjoyed the blackened filets last night with (new-to-us) Alabama White Sauce.

Good to know.

Despite being paranoid (*grin*), I don't dwell on the possiblity of a break-in.  Nevertheless, I had such a nightmare recently.  We've no pricy home-security system.  But!  It occurred to me, the siren feature on our weather radios might raise the dead.  At least the neighbors.  One now resides within easy reach of my bedside.  Just hope I never mix it up with my phone!

😍

T-t-t-hat's all folk!

Have yourselves a great weekend!

Hugs, Myra

Welcome to Wednesday Hodgepodge!   As ever, thanks to Joyce for posing questions each week.

Click here, if you'd like to play along ... there's plenty of time!

Do you (or did you used to ) watch talk shows?  Which are -- or were -- your favorite?

I've not watched a 'talkie' since Johnny Carson retired.  Aside from the occasional Hoda and Jenna segment -- or a Newsmax op-ed -- I avoid (what passes for) late-night entertainment like the plague.

Would you describe yourself as resilient?  If so, what do you think makes you that way?  If you answered 'no' explain why.

Absolutely. I won't speak of it -- but there have been times in my life I refused to let the dragon win.

Despite the scars, I've always thought the alternative was unacceptable.

What parts of life have surprised you the most?  Explain.

Every day's an adventure!

Why do you live where you live?

Given our ages and health issues, proximity to my son -- and his unconditional support -- is priceless.  

Humidity aside, if I knew how comforting it feels to live in the Southlands I'd have high-tailed it here sooner!

A memory from this week that made you smile?

There's little to smile about this week (just keeping it real).  So I went scrolling through the archives, back to 2010.

Neither Debbie or I really know our way around the kitchen. But when she and Carl came to visit, someone suggested making a chocolate crockpot cake.

Much hilarity ensued and -- in spite of ourselves -- it was delicious!

Insert your own random thought here.

Some of you may have seen this -- what I posted on FB a few days ago.  I needed to see this; perhaps someone else will, too.

Kurt Vonnegut tells his wife he's going out to buy an envelope: "Oh", she says, "Well, you're not a poor man.  You know, why don't you go online and buy an hundred envelopes and put them in the closet.?"

And so I pretend not to hear her. And go out to get an envelope because I'm going to have a hell of a good time in the process of buying one envelope.

I meet a lot of people.  And see some great looking babies.  And a fire engine goes by.  And I give them the thumbs up.  And I'll ask a woman what kind of dog that is.  And, and I don't know.  The moral of the story is -- we're here on Earth to fart around.

And, of course, the computers will do us out of that.  And what the computer people don't realize, or they don't care, is we're dancing animals.  You know, we love to move around.  And it's like we're not supposed to dance at all anymore.

Let's all get up and move around a bit right now ... or at least dance.

Happy Hump Day!

Hugs, Myra

 

 

The cards we're dealt

 

Hello friends!

Sorry for not having chatted recently.

'Pretty sure no-one's interested in more news about Tom's health ..... our long-awaited siding project ..... the new slipcover I've ordered.

Honest?  I vascillate between feeling confident on some days, lucky on others, (still) scared on others.  My emotions refuse to stand still!

Anyway.

I'll recap a few snippets from this week.  And totally get it if you'd like to stop right here and come back when I have something fairly entertaining to share.

We had a great visit with Tom's eye doc in Birmingham!

Canvas hanging in Dr. Jackson's office

It being Columbus Day, I decided to channel old Christopher and put aside my fears of navigating I-65.   Ha!  Just about the time I was passing a big rig at 80 mph, this F150 came roaring up behind me -- and passed on the left shoulder!   Instinctively I started to respond with my middle digit, then considered -- what if he was rushing to UAB, to the side of a loved one?

Then, what would Dale Earnhardt do?  Is it just me, or has it crossed anyone else's mind, how do NASCAR drivers behave in 'real' traffic?  They're the best of the best, after all.

Never mind my getting turned around downtown. (WAZE, I'm looking at you.  B****.)  I love to people watch, particularly students ... so full of life and self-assured.  Few masks in sight, but I did laugh out loud at one co-ed's shirt, boldly proclaiming, "War Eagle."  (Some will get this.)

Oh, and WAZE?  When you tell me to take a left in 1,000 feet?  Would it kill you to add, "At the KFC ... kaddy-corner from the Chevron"?   I've only a finite number of brain cells left, and I'm not about to waste them trying to grasp spatial concepts.

The home health nurse has been out a couple times for more blood.  I'd some concerns about Tom's BP numbers but she put those to rest.  For now, we're watching his fever and pain levels.

I'll say it again: it's always something.  Our friends, Jean and Bob?  Last Friday he went to her room and found her unresponsive.  After 3 days she's finally woken up, but they suspect she'd suffered a stroke.

And then I was chatting with our sweet pest-control fellow the other day who allowed Glenda's just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  What to do?  Paul said, "We're just gotta play the cards we've been dealt."

On that note!  How about a few memes to make you smile?

 

 Me

Also me

Happy Friday everyone!

Hugs, Myra

 

Sunday letters - Episode #5

Dear Cathy (commenter)

Thank you for asking about my mother's Springerle recipe.  Here it is!

I don't see anything about being adjusted for high-altitude baking -- but like everything else she made, I'm pretty sure that was the case.

I've got a question!

Like Springerle, I'm remembering another German cookie she made.  Hard (think, near tooth breaking), it had a white-ish, slightly sour icing.  The only way I thought it edible was dunked in my father's creamed coffee.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Dear Blog friend-who-shall-remain-anonymous,

So sorry you made the decision to step away from blogging.  But I feel strongly, this should be fun.  When it starts feeling obligatory, something's gotta give.

Just wanted to say, I miss you.

Dear Andy,

I was sure surprised to see you on your shiny red mower yesterday -- cheerfully criss-crossing our front lawn.

As I texted Pastor Janet, we're humbled.  And enormously grateful.

At the same time, I'm not accustomed to accepting favors.  My dad was the same way, "Ask not."

Not 24 hours later it's still bothering me.

Dear son,

I was surprised -- and a little sad -- to discover you and Lois deactivated your Facebook accounts.  But when you explained why?  Well, my heart filled with pride!

You exlained, "We each have our careers that take us away from home.  We came to a mutual realization -- when we're home, she's on one couch with her tablet; I'm on the other with mine."

You continued, "We'd rather look at each other instead of our screens."

Does he miss it?  "Not for a minute."

Dear Momma in Heaven,

Was that you chuckling I heard?

Yes, I'm sure it was!  Right after I told Tom I wanted a cobbler apron for Christmas.

How many times did you admonish me, "Go put on an apron!"   Eventually I'd capitulate, but not without grumbling.

Today?  I don't consider myself a sloppy person, but I'm sure weary of pre-treating all these stains.

So friends,

Have you begun making your Christmas lists?

Wishing y'all a relaxing afternoon!  Stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

 

 

Friday Fotos

 

Happy Friday, y'all!  It's been a while since I played 'show and tell.'

Humor me a hodgepodge?   My life, and welcome to it!

Anyone care to guess what this is?

How about now?

Pretty ingenious 'puke bag' don't-cha think?

What flight attendants wouldn't have given years ago for something like this!

Please ... tell me I'm not the only one who loves the aroma of wet brown paper towels?

Holding it close to my nose, I was immediately transported back to grade school.

Simple pleasures!

The girls are so happy their daddy's home!

These look like aliens in my refrigerator -- but they're actually Tom's infusion balls.

It's pretty simple.

He has 3 ports/lumens, but I only use the one; the 'ball' has its own pump.

And at the end of 90 minutes it looks like this.  Clever!

Now, who can guess what this is?

... or this?

Okay, it's my (non) favorite place.

After we dropped the girls at the groomer this morning, Tom was impatient to get the truck washed.

I'm reminded of the line,

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

Knock wood, all the rainfall we've been having has taken a hike and Tom can push out the mower.  (He already suspects there's pygmies hiding in the grass with poison darts.)

Good news.  We met with the Infectious Disease NP yesterday and his numbers look good.  We still have to continue pushing meds for the next 6 weeks, but they'll re-evaluate again mid-November.  Cross fingers, this caregiver's ready to hang up her cap!

Happy weekend, everyone.  Stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

 

The thing about names

 

1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket

(Courtesy Jack at Ship's Log)

Recently, while navigating Montgomery's I-85 I entertained myself watching the array of other vehicles.   

When it occurred to me, who names a vehicle after "The City Different" (Santa Fe)?  Or 'Brat'?

'Rogue'?  That's what my cousin named her first-born -- but who wants to pay thousands of dollars for something named after a trouble-maker?  (2: a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel.) 

Nope, I'm remembering names like Fury ... Challenger ... Trail Blazer ... or the Golden Rocket above.

Makes one sit a bit taller behind the wheel, ya know?

I wonder.  Do R&E employees have a few drinks, throw names in a hat and have their manager draw one?

Back in 2004 Tom and I were looking at new homes.  As sometimes happens, we learned the developer was afforded naming rights to the community's streets.

We came close, real close.  But I'm counting my lucky stars we didn't wind up with an address on 'Hamster Lane.'  (True story.)

Frivolity aside.  Most of my life I've been fascinated with names; and, in fact, wrote my Home Economics final on that very subject.

I think Sean Dietrich said it best:

"Personally, I've always thought a name was one of the most important elements of a person's jumpstart in life.  Your name is the first thing anyone will ever say about you.  Your name is the last thing that will be ever be written about you.

You will go through some very hard times in life no matter who you are, no matter what circumstances you come from.  Your life at some point is going to suck.  Within these darkened hours, your name will sometimes be one of the only things you have left.

A name will outlive you for generations.  A name is one of the only tangible parts of yourself that people will still be using, long after your remains are dust."

How about that?

G'evening now ... hugs!

Myra

Kitchen Dreams

 

Welcome to Tuesday 4, in memory of Toni Taddeo!   And a big shout-out to Pamela (Closed Doors, Open Windows) for this week's questions!

They say the kitchen is the heart of a home.  Tell us about YOUR kitchen.  What is your favorite part of your kitchen?

Like its owners, our kitchen isn't without a bit of wear and tear.  The cabinets could use a good refinishing; yet I'm drawn to their hom-ey feel.  Except for the dishwasher, we've replaced all the appliances.   Hands down, the Keurig coffee maker's my favorite!

My only regret is a lack of counter space.  Too, before we expressed interest in buying, the previous owners removed the wallpaper border that I loved.  Oh well, I'm over it now.

Before

After

  

If money were no object, what would be your 'dream kitchen'?

That is, if it came with a personal chef I could sit on that bar stool with a glass of wine and watch him work!

Tell us about a favorite memory from your kitchen, or from a kitchen in your past, perhaps your mother's kitchen or your grandmother's kitchen.

I've few memories from my childhood's tiny kitchen.  More often than not, my father was at work so mother didn't do much cooking -- our usual fare was a grilled cheese sandwich (her) and burger (me).

That is, until I discovered jelly-making in Home Economics!  A little praise must have gone a long way, because this girl became possessed.  I can't recall how many batches were made -- and given away -- before mother finally called a halt to the process.

Something else!  See that dent (circled) below the drawer pull?  Much to my parent's dismay, I'd use that pull as a bottle top opener.   Imagine my laugh-out-loud moment when I Googled my old address a few years ago and this photo was among those on the real estate listing.

If you could invite anyone in the world (past or present) to come visit with you in your kitchen, who would it be and why.

Needs no explanation ... my mother.   I'd give anything to watch her making the Springerle cookies my dad loved, and Grandma Willer's candy.  One of these days I'm going to try my own hand at its simple goodness. 

Thank you for making time to visit ... 

I 💛 having company!

Hugs, Myra

Cheeseburger in Paradise

 

Happy to join with Crazy Sam and friends
for another edition of Saturday 9!  

Unfamiliar with the song?  Click HERE

In this song, Jimmy briefly attemps a healthier diet, which included sunflower seeds, carrot juice, zucchini, and bulgerwheat.  Do you pay attention to your daily consumption of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, etc.?

Not like I should ... just sodium and carbs.
(15 pounds shed so far!) 

Jimmy sings that he'd like french fries with his burger.  Do you prefer to dip your fires or drizzle the ketsup over them?

Not a fan, really.  Back in the day, I'd dip them in mayo.

Which cheese would make yours a cheeseburger in paradise:  American, cheddar, Swiss, bleu, Muenster,or Monterrey Jack?

Bleu!

Buffett fans call themselves Parrotheads.  Concert attire for a well-dressed Parrothead often includes a Hawaiian shirt and a foam fin hat.  What will you be wearing tonight?

My usual -- grey leggings and an oversize 't' 

For someone with such an easygoing and laidback vibe, Jimmy is  very busy man.  His business ventures include liquors, restaurants, and hotels.  He's also published eight books.  All this in addition to making music!  On a scale of 1 to 10 -- with 1 beign lazy and 10 being highly motivated -- how would you rate yourself this morning?

8?

We've friends coming for lunch/supper -- so in a few I'm going to put on a Mississippi pot roast, do Tom's infusion, and vacuum.

Jimmy has some very famous fans.  Paul McCartney asked him to play at one of his parties, and Barack Obama invited him to perform at a fundraiser.  If you could invite anyone -- anyone at all! -- to play at your party, who would you ask?

What sort of party?

If it's the sort my friend Sue put on a couple week's ago (not happening!) I'd go with Willie Nelson.

A quiet dinner party?

I could listen to Julio Iglacious all night long!

 

Jimmy was born on Christmas Day. Does your birthday fall on a major holiday?

Are Irish music and green beer indicative of a major holiday?

In 1978, the year this song was popular, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was first minted.  The initial design was not a hit with the public because vending machines could not accept it.  What's the last thing you bought from a vending machine?

Coca-Cola and crackers (for Tom) at the hospital.

Random question:  If today's your birthday, your zodiac sign is Libra.  When did you last check your horoscope?

1983? 🤣

As ever, thanks to 'Crazy Sam' for hosting.

Want to play?  Click HERE.

Thanks for visiting!  Please come again!

Hugs, Myra