Oh, the places I'll go!

On the bright side ...

Tom's nurse arrived Monday morning wearing a newly required N95 mask.   After removing his PICC line she lingered a while, allowing that Tom was her longest patient.   Crazy, but we're going to miss one another!  I made sure Hillary knows the welcome mat's always out, coffee's at the ready.  Before leaving she gave each of us a hug.

Oh, I also got a thumb's up for my decision to start double-masking.

We're free to move about the Country.

Oh, the places I'll go!

The next day my car finally had a serious exam, new tires, new brakes, etc.

The bill stung.  But given what the National news said -- the average cost of a used vehicle is now $28k -- I'm counting my blessings.    

Oh, the places I'll go!

Sure enough ... yesterday's e-mail from the Los Alamos HS Alumni began:

"It is our hope that 2022 will be the year that life gets back to some semblance of balance for everyone!"

This is the first reunion because ALL classes, 1944-2021 are invited.

Then, a thinly veiled warning, "This could be the last for a while, or forever."

Oh, the places I'll go!

Mind you, I've never had any desire to attend a prior reunion.  This time, however, I found myself feeling enthusiastic.  Given the cost of airfare, hotel, etc. the little angel on my left shoulder's shaking her head, "Have you lost your mind?"  Plus, there's that little business about me vowing to never again board another plane.

Like my late father, I've always had a yen to travel.  Unfortunately, I don't share his exaggerated sense of adventure.  I'm certain he'd say, "You only live once!"

Unfortunately, COVID numbers are still on the rise; we've two friends currently hospitalized.  As she was leaving, the nurse observed: "It's not IF everyone gets the virus, it's more like WHEN."

Reluctantly, I've put Florida on the back burner.  Albuquerque, probably

.

But you know what's been playing in a continuous loop in my head?

Blame it on Sean's (seandietrich.com) storylines, but I really want to crawl behind the wheel of my Camry and mosey along Alabama's backroads:  Visit fresh produce stands ... discover cafes known only to the locals -- whose servers address everyone with terms of endearment ... roll down all the windows and sing at the top of my lungs.   Do motor courts still exist?

Oh, the places I'll go!

Meanwhile, I suspect a requiem for these soles is in order.

The places they've been!

Have a great rest of the week, okay?

Keep safe!

Hugs, Myra

 

 

Put Another Nickel In!

 

Music, Music, Music!

Welcome back to Tuesday 4, where Anne keeps Toni Taddao's weekly blog post alive!   Today she asks .....

What kind of music do you like the best?

That depends on my mood.  It's a toss-up between Country and Traditional Pop.  You know -- Connie Francis, Nat King Cole, Al Martino  .... 

Don't forget the lyrics!   

Does the radio play in your car; and if so, what station or kind of music plays?

I was sure startled to get in my car at the shop and hear music coming from the dashboard.  I'd probably forgotten it had a radio!

Does music play in your home often?

Not so much.  Unless I have to dust or vacuum .. and need some Fleetwood Mac to get motivated

What do you think of the music played in restaurants or stores?  Do you find it relaxing or annoying?

I think it's fun!
... and a great marketing ploy, considering I'm apt to linger in the aisles while an old favorite's playing.

What part has music played in your life?  What kind of music played at your wedding or at parties you have been to?

There's no way I could comprehend my life without music!   The soundtrack of my life is as varied, as vibrant as a kaleidoscope.

Thank you for the music!

How would you respond?

I'd love to hear!

Hugs, Myra

Saturday 9 - I'm the Only One

 

Hey there!

My head's been all over the place this week.  Since that's not necessarily a great place, how about we play a little Q-and-A?  Thanks, Sam!

Unfamiliar with this week's tune?  (Me, too.)  Hear it here!

Melissa Etheridge sings this song as though her heart is breaking.  What's your favorite love song?  Is it about falling in love, being in love, or losing love?   There's too many to pick just one, but here's an enduring favorite.

 

'I'm the Only One' is a favorite song of American Idol contestants, having been performed four different times.  We we were to have a Saturday 9 karaoke night, what song would you do?  Given my vocal skills (not!) ..... Send in the Clowns seems appropriate.

A rocker at heart, Melissa Etheridge began her career in her teen years, playing with local country groups.  Which do you enjoy more: country or rock?  Classic country.

In 1985 Melisssa sent a demo to Olivia Records, hoping for a record deal.  She was rejected.  Her debut CD was released in 1988 on the Island label and went gold.  Tell us about a time you bounced back from professional adversity.   1975: I'd been recently terminated from my job.  Broke and depressed, I was hardly in the mood to 'party' -- yet my BF convinced me to go and meet 'a friend' who was looking to hire a secretary.  The salary was a non-starter, but I wound up falling in love and marrying him.

In her personal life, Melissa has faced major challenges, including breast cancer and the death of her son.  She credits music with helping her heal emotionally.  What gives you strength?  Definitely music; but more so, my faith.

Melissas is a vegetarian, so her diet emphasizes plant-based foods like fruits, grains, nuts and vegetables.  What was your most recent meal?  Would it qualify as vegetarian?  I enjoyed another bowl of 'Male Chauvinist Chili' last night.   'Love (most) veggies but I'm a carnivore at heart.   

In 1993 the year this song was popular, a massive storm dropped a record 56" of snow in Mount LeConte, TN.  Have you done much shoveling this winter?   Oh, I'd better not go there! 😛

One of the most popular movies of 1993 was A Few Good Men, starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson who famously said, "You can't handle the truth."  What's the most recent movie you watched?   Sandra Bullock's The Unforgivable

Random question: Dessert is on us!  Describe your perfect ice cream sundae.   Uh-oh.  I'm not really fond of ice cream, but wouldn't say 'no' to one of these: 

Vice Cream Sundae.

Reminiscent of a White Russian, but in ice cream form.

Hey, I'm feeling better already!  Happy Saturday, y'all!  Hugs!

Let it snow!

Winter... my favorite season!

Highly unusual, but it's snowing in Coosada!

Actual snow!

While this bears no resemblance to "the ones I used to know" ... I'm enthusiastic!

...Not so much, Grace.  Or her daddy.

I'd better leave it right there!

What a better time to indulge in a bowl of Male Chauvinist Chili?

Yep, you read that right!  You can read the recipe right HERE on Terri's blog.

With a name like that, how could I not brew a pot of my own?   Early yesterday morning I asked Alexa to play 50's Doo-Wop and began chopping, sauteing ... sampling.

Given that Tom's never met a bean he actually likes, I eliminated those, plus the japapeno.  Bowing to my Ketovore leanings, I doubled the meat.  Oh, and I added a small can of V8 'just because.'

In between trips to the kitchen with spoons-in-hand, we agreed this is the best chili we've had.

What else?

The trouble-shooter from Ashley Furniture came by.  Nice guy!  Not two minutes later he confirmed damages and promised a speedy resolution.

(Ummm, that was 10 days ago ... the part is still on back-order. Sigh.)

On the bright side!

The Nurse Practitioner finally called back Friday morning.  As long as Tom continues to do well, by the end of the current prescription we can discontinue the 2x/day infusions. Woot!

I think that's all.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going outside and grin at the sky.

Please stay well; we'll chat soon!

Hugs, Myra

 

Late, late!

 

... for a very important date.  (With the Hodgepodge, that is.)    As ever, thanks to our host, Joyce, for letting us play in her yard!   

She asks .....

What do you wish you'd done more of last year?   Reading more good books v. Facebook.

Less of?  Stress eating, eating out of boredom.

What's the tallest building you've ever been in?

NYC's Empire State.

Do you have a fear of heights?

Somewhat, but nothing crippling.  

Do you have a word for the year?  Elaborate if you'd like.

Yes, it's Enthusiasm.  This is proving harder than I thought!

January 11 is National Milk Day.  Are you a milk drinker?  What kind?  Your favorite recipe that calls for milk?  (Cereal doesn't count!)   I'm not really a fan ... but wouldn't turn down a cold glass of almond milk with coffee ice cubes.

What excites you most about the future?

Keeping things light...

What do you miss about the past?

Insert your own random thought here.

How about a question for you?

Since yesterday's post, I've been thinking about that 2007 movie starring Morgan Freeman, "Gone Baby, Gone."   Like I was telling Sandra, Tom and I nearly went fist-to-cuffs over the ending.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts ...

Is it ever right to do something that is illegal and widely deemed to be immoral because you believe that it will lead to a better outcome?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'm looking forward to two four whole days with no appointments.

Hugs, Myra 

Tuesday 4

 

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 ... new topics to discuss each week!  Today?  We're talking true crime ... and mystery!

Was there a notorious crime in the news that caught your attention or interest?  Did you follow that case to its conclusions?  If there was no solution, do you pay attention to news about the case long after?

At the risk of sounding like a cliche, the O.J. Simpson murder trial had me captivated.  Yes, I was spell-bound by the chase ... I so wanted him to be innocent.

Does the mystery genre of literature and movies interest you?

You bet-cha!

Does any one book, series or movie stand out for you?

Book:  The Silent Patient

Series:  Murder, She Wrote (runner up, Columbo)

Movie: No Way Out (runner up, Gone Baby, Gone)

Ever play Clue or any one of the new mystery games available?

Not yet.

Do you enjoy solving mysteries or puzzles?

Sure do (try)!

Some towns are known for mysteries about what took place there.  Do you have something like that in your town or state?

I'm sure there are, but I'm not familiar with anything.

If not, how about telling us about something that has always puzzled you?

How about ... 

who REALLY killed JFK?

... how about you?

Hugs, Myra

And then it was 2022!

Paperwhites blooming on Pastor Janet's lot next door.

... and up the road a ways!

From our Meteorologist:

"If you had 'Everything but Locusts' on your Alabama Weather Bingo Card ...

come claim your prize!"

I was sooo glad to return to ladies Bible study Monday morning!  It's all about the camaraderie.   Altho' this new study has me feeling underwhelmed, I'm remembering how I felt about the last one in which I participated -- how I wished I wouldn't have to sit through the remaining 7 sessions.  (Note to self: Be careful what you put out in the Universe!)

Tuesday brought another visit to the VA.  But good news!  It looks like Tom's eligible for a new set of hearing aids ... yeay!

Then UAB.  (*sigh*)

Come to find out, as soon as Tom's infusion therapy 'stuff' concludes, we're to go back for more tests.  His cardiologist wants to perform something called an atrial ablation.

At least we gave ourselves a consolation prize -- in the form of a visit to the Cheesecake Factory.  I probably shouldn't say this out-loud, but perhaps, my biggest pleasure in life right now is good food.

... and their herb-crusted salmon is some of the best!

I'd been saving my 'cheat' day for something remarkable.

The Cinnabon Swirl fit the bill!

I hadn't counted on the sugar consumption (first since June 1) messing with my stomach ... but it was totally worth it! 

So ya,yesterday was Epiphany.  In a normal year, our tree would be boxed, the decorations put away.

I'm just not feeling it.

Even my beloved Mrs. Murphy's 'acorn spice' (handsoap).  It may not lend itself to the season, but I was sad to see it's no longer available.  Rather than a girly floral scent, I settled for something called 'oat blossom.'   The forrest greens, the browns, the persimmons are staying!

* * *

Given my Word-of-the-Year, when I first wake up I've taken to asking myself, "What can I feel enthusiastic about today?"  I really, truly had my heart set on a Springtime excursion to Florida.

Better I practice patience; set my sights on something closer to home.  Like the FB quote I saw this morning:

"Sometimes God slows you down so that the evil ahead of you will pass before you get there.  Your delay could mean your protection."

Or, He's got something better in mind.

Color me Looking for a Good Time,

Myra