Celebrating

 

Senior citizen style, in the slow lane!

Good evening friends,

Color me excited!

After 11 long months, my son and DIL's home's sold Thursday for full asking! 

They went to Atlanta for a Tina Turner tribute concert this weekend for Lois' birthday -- but this coming week's going to be busy, busy, busy.   They're staging their own Estate/Moving sale next weekend and have asked Tom and I if we'd come help out.   I'm excited -- but remembering the crowds at those I've attended, plenty nervous, too!  Hope Troy''s got a big bat!

🎉

 

I know Mardi Gras' come and gone -- but today Tom's observing his 81st 'Happy New Year'!  Woo-hoo!

Since it takes us a little longer getting around, we began Friday afternoon ...

... where I treated him to a pedicure.

I splurged on a gel manicure -- my first in 5 years -- and gasp!

Throwing caution to the winds, I'm now the owner of 10 crimson nails.

Even in my younger days, I've never worn anything more daring than beige.  3 days later I'm still startled when I look down -- like my hands belong to someone else ... a mannequin, even.

Simple pleasures!

 

🎉

Yesterday was low key; Tom slept most of the day.  By late afternoon, however, he felt up to grilling steaks we enjoyed with asparagus and cottage cheese.

Does anyone else spread cottage cheese over and around their steak?  I've never had Beef Wellington, but pretend that's what I'm eating.  (lol)

🎉

Spontaneous?  Not until I'd returned from church did Tom decide what he wanted to do/where to go.

I presumed we'd go to our favorite (Longhorn Steakhouse), but he felt more in the mood for Mexican.

There's never a bad time for chips and salsa!

Or margaritas.

... Which, of course, mandated a mid-afternoon nap!

I totally forgot to buy birthday candles -- but given this petite birthday cake ...

I thought the taper made for a cute juxtaposition.

Making a wish

Happy New Year!

... every day's a great time to have a great time, don't you think?

The End.

Thanks so much for visiting!

 

Hugs, Myra

If this is Wednesday ...

 

... it must be time to Hodgepodge!

Won't you join us?

What do you find the most boring part of your life at the moment?

Honestly, I can't recall feeling bored since I retired!
I've a vivid imagination and often weave story lines in the most mundane circumstances.  (Yes, even when watching a certain movie I dislike. LOL)

February 22 is George Washington's birthday.  You'll find his face on the US $1 bill.  What's the last thing you bought for roughly $1?

A thrift shop sells their hardback books 5-for-$1!

See any names you enjoy?

Is it ever okay to tell a 'little white lie'?  Explain.

I believe so, yes.

I'm thinking of a young lady at church who struggles with her self-worth.  I may not care for S's new purse (for instance), but the joy on her face when I complimented it?  Nope, no regrets! 

What's the last thing you 'chopped'?  Cherry pie, chocolate-covered cherries, a bowl of cherries, cherry vanilla ice cream, maraschino cherries, a cherry lifesaver ... your favorite cherry-flavored something.

It's been many years ...
 but the memory of becoming violently ill after eating too many cherries is still there.
Y'all can divvy up my share.

Describe yourself with 3 words using your first, middle and last initials.

M is for mindful.  (What's left of it!)

E is for eager.

G is for grateful

Insert your own random thought here.

Just one of the 'Little Known' factoids I've discovered here and there.

If you're ever stumped for conversation (lol) ...

Have yourselves a large rest of the week .....

'Hope to see you soon!

Hugs, Myra

 

Mondays Matter

Like 'Currently', only different.

Matter: (noun) An affair or situation under consideration; a topic.

Good evening! 🙋‍♀️

Our week's not been especially exciting, but I wanted to poke my head in before another day passes.

Outside my window...

I couldn't help but steal this from our Chief Meteorologist's FB page.  Ever feel this way?

Speaking of rain ...

The other day I glanced out and saw our flag laying on the ground in a soggy state.  Part had become entangled in a tree branch; there was nothing else to do but amputate.

Back in third grade I (my father) did a Science Fair project about grafting but that was far too long ago to have retained anything.

I had high hopes this end piece would flourish, but no.

Feeling grateful ...

For a great Cracker Barrel lunch Saturday with son and DIL.

While we don't get together often, I love how they're always up for an opportunity to break bread and tell stories.

Speaking of breaking bread ...

I accidentally hit a home run in the kitchen yesterday.  Because I've no dutch oven large enough -- and didn't feel up to cooking the chicken breast, I called an audible.

Here's what all went in the slow cooker/crock pot:

1/2 sauted onion, 3 garlic cloves, 32 oz. (low sodium) chicken broth, 16 oz.  salsa verde (green salsa), 8 oz. cream cheese, 2 c. Monterrey Jack cheese shredded.

Followed by 1 lb. cubed chicken.  Publix was sold out of their rotisserie chickens, so I opted for a 1.3# bag of Tyson breast strips and tossed in the whole works.  (Work smarter, not harder -- right?)

And, 10 oz. roasted chili peppers.  I know some of you don't like super spicy foods, but my order of flash frozen Hatch had been delivered the day before.

My bad!  The last two years' crops have been disappointingly moderate, so it didn't occur to me to do a taste test first.  This year's yield is anything but!  I quick-like fished out about half with a slotted spoon, and the chowder still had a nice little bite.

I think Tom had 3 bowls full!  Consequently, he's spent a lot of time in the little gentleman's room today.  Poor guy tries his best, but his stomach's still more Chicago, less Santa Fe.

I'll bet it would still taste good without the peppers.

I'm loving ...

Our new Bible study (Elijah)!

Unlike our previous study facilitator -- Sandra Richter, I'm looking at you -- I don't think Priscilla Shirer has an egotistical, condescending bone in her body.

Even when some of the material is dry, I find myself sitting forward in my chair.  Engaged.  I leave, not feeling angry and twisty but joy-filled.

Looking forward ...

Tom's turning 81 on Sunday!

I still have no clue what I'm going to do.  He doesn't want a party and won't say where he wants to go eat ..... but I want him to feel appreciated, you know?

I'll think about that tomorrow!

Remember when!

(ca 1945)

Thank you so much for making time to visit.

Stay safe out there!

Hugs, Myra

 

Hodgepodgery time!

 

Hey there!   I don't know anyone who's unfamiliar with Hodgepodge, but just in case ... this is what Joyce has to say:  "Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe."

'Hope to  see y'all there!

Pantone's color the year for 2023 is Viva Magenta.  Etsy's color(s) of the year are indigo-and-honeycomb.  Your thoughts?  Would we find any of these three shades in your home or wardrobe? 

I'm probably the least-likely person to follow trends.  Just to be sure, I checked all 3 ... and I'm feeling underwhelmed.  Nope, I'm happy being an earth-toned person in an earth-toned home.  (With generous splashes of crimson.)

Is there a room in your house that needs painting this year?  Will you do it yourself or hire out?

Yes, but it has to stand in line behind other, more pressing projects. 

Something you had to do recently that could be described as exciting as watching paint dry.

Please don't hurl rotten eggs my way ... but I'm going to say watching Top Gun Maverick.

Tom really wanted to watch it the other night. I'm not a fan at all but tried to pay attention for his sake.

Who would you most like to sit beside on a 10-hour flight?  Tell us why?  Have you ever taken a 10-hour flight?

I can't think of anyone I'd be willing to fly with.   Yes, I've flown all my life -- once almost 10 hours from NYC to Athens, Greece.  Never entirely comfortable, I promised myself when we relocated that I'd never fly again.  

What's something you did growing up that would get you into trouble?

We "Chapel kids" used to climb into the apartment's Demster Dumpster and root around for valuables amongst the garbage.  Usually, it was empty pop bottles we'd take to the grocery store in exchange for pennies and nickels.

That, or if we could coax someone to drive us up to Horse Mesa, we'd climb over the corral and (try to) climb aboard a friendly horse.  It never crossed our minds that might be dangerous.

According to Google, the top searches in 2022 were Wordle, election results, Betty White, Queen Elizabeth, Bob Saget, Ukraine, Mega Millions, Powerball numbers, Anne Heche, and Jeffrey Dahmer.

Hmmm .... what does this say about us?  How many of these words did you search last year?  What would you guess was your most "googled' word/phrase/question.

I've no idea!  Perhaps, like me, folks tend to become unsettled when someone/thing you thought would be around forever passes away.  

The only thing I regularly Google every morning is the 10-day weather forecast.

Insert your own random thought here.

Borrowed from my friend's FB post.
I need to do this more often!

Hugs and glad tidings!

Myra

Thankful Monday

 

Good morning friends,

I should be out helping Tom change my windshield wiper blade, but I'd rather yak with y'all for a bit. 

Poor car!   When I came out earlier this morning to go to Study it looked like a flock of birds had partied hearty last night.  The hood, windows and both sides were covered in white you-know-what.  Besides, I've a doctor appointment at 2 and don't want her thinking I don't bathe regularly.  LOL!

💛

First, I want to give props to Sandra for answering the $60,000 Question I posed last time!  She asked her phone, "Why do people buy others' old photos?" and it came up with this:

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/snapshot-collectors/501614/

Who knew there were collectors for this sort of thing?   Seeing that trunk-full photos, yes.  I was dismayed.  Creeped out, even.   It made me think of that old Robin Williams film "One Hour Photo."

Maybe, unlike his role as a mentally unbalanced photo developer, these people are just lonely.   That, or one line from the article which resonated, "I was seeking out an image to reflect back a feeling I could not articulate."   Thanks, Sandra!

💛

Thanks to Sue at Pear Tree Lane who posted, "Since we grow our own garlic, I learned how to ferment garlic with raw honey.  With so many new viruses around, we need to protect our immune systems.  Garlic and honey are two of the many foods to help."

Hey, I'm up for an experiment!  I chopped and peeled and doused the cloves in the raw honey.

Now, I'm supposed to open slightly and burp it each morning ... for two weeks.  Tom and I both love garlic, but I'm beginning to question if I can make it that long.   This is only Day #4 and the aroma?  Let's just say I've taken to opening it outside.  Whoa!

💛

Thanks to dear DIL who turned me on to Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser!  I'd never use housecleaning and 'fun' in the same sentence, but now I'm a believer!

It's even made the headlamps on my 18 year-old Camry look new again!

💛

Thanks to friend Billy who came over the other night to manhandle the refrigerator and washing machine so he could get back and reattach the dryer's hose vent.  (And give me a stern warning about not cleaning it out at least once a year.  I thought maintaining the filter was all that's necessary.)

At least that gave me an opportunity to inventory and clean up all the 'stuff' we hastily put up nearly 5 years ago.  Humming, "Behind closed doors...."

Kitchen nook

I told you our house is small!

Billy has such a good heart, I bought him a big old Valentine's box of Ghirardelli chocolates.

💛

Finally, thanks to each of you.

Won't you be my Valentine?

Hugs, Myra

  

Friday Fotos

 

Happy Friday!

I thought it would be fun to join others in observing Friday Fotos. Since y'all can't be here in person, these are some recent glimpses from my little corner of the planet.  Come on along!

📌

Last Friday I visited Prattville's old historic district.

There's just something about original brick that totally captivates me.

Ever wonder what happens to unsold 'stuff' at estate sales?

It's likely they wind up in a warehouse like this.

Seeing this liked to break my heart.

Yep, 'Four for a Dollar."

Who on earth?

I don't know about you, but my photographs are my most precious possessions.

It would kill me to see them tossed in a big old trunk like this.

If you've any theories who'd actually buy them, I'd love to hear them.

📌

On a more pleasant note ...
while we were out running errands yesterday it was already 1 o'clock and I was starting to get hangry.

I suggested a new-to-us little cafe in this same district.

(Stock image from web)

Same charming brick walls.

The Coca-Cola cracks me up because (much to Tom's dismay) they only serve Pepsi.

Tom had a double cheeseburger, fries and soda, and mine was a yummy Buffalo chicken salad.

Would you believe, for less than $20!

📌

Not mine, but I fell in love with these 'book nooks' on Facebook.

I can totally envision this in our spare Bedroom/Office/Depository of all objects I don't know what else to do with.

As seen at the hair salon.

Nope.  Since the likelihood of HGTV remodelers showing up at our door is slim and none .....
I'm content with this reading and sipping spot in the sun room -- away from the television. 

I don't remember sharing this side with you.

Yes, the little welcome sign is hung too high.  (OCD me!)  I'm still waiting for Tom to spray paint a piece of metal art to hang below it.

📌

Finally, now you see what I see each evening ... my favorite place on earth.

With one of my favorite residents

Her sister wasn't in the mood to have her picture taken.

Be it ever so humble, right?

Have a bright and blessed day!

Hugs, Myra

Tuesday's Matter

 ..... Like 'Currently', only different!

Matter -- (noun)  An affair or situation under consideration; a topic.

   Good morning!

This was supposed to be 'Monday's Matter' but yesterday's best laid plans sort of imploded.  I've got lots to yak about, but let's start with the FUN stuff.

🎉🎉🎉

Those of you on Facebook already know what a Good Time I enjoyed Saturday morning.

Since moving here, sure.  I'd heard about Millbrook's infamous Mardi Gras celebrations -- purportedly the largest outside of the coast.   I dunno.  Call me a stick-in-the-mud, but Mardi Gras has never held much appeal for me.

That is, until I learned from church friends, Sean Dietrich (aka, Sean of the South) was the parade's Grand Marshal.   Hot doggedy!

I sure wasn't expecting Tom to wake up in such extreme pain that we thought I'd have to take him to the E.R.

Thankfully, about an hour later he rallied.  Big whew!

18-year veterans of the festival, Cindy and Frank had cautioned us to "arrive early", but neither of us was prepared to see what looked like double the population -- all looking for a place to park along the parade route.

Sometimes church music directors, sometimes Revelers

Almost 2 hours early, we ducked into the Smokehouse for one of the best breakfasts I've enjoyed in years.

Would you get a load of the size of Tom's pancakes?!   I had the breakfast bowl -- a goodly portion of grits, covered with over-easy eggs and topped with spicy sausage.

No-one claimed to know anything if Sean would be at the festival signing autographs or photo opps.  Thankfully, I'd reached out on his website to ask.   Jamie (his wife) replied, that while she'd be at the beach with childhood friends, Sean planned to be at the Rex -- an adjacent beer/wine joint -- at 1:15.

Lawdy, you'd have thought it was February 1964 -- not 2023, and I was hoping to catch sight of You Know Who.  (lol!)   Yes, I've had a bit of an adult crush on Sean for years.  Fan girl.

My 'loot'!

Random Reveler dog

Sweet baby girl.

When one of the Revelers tossed her this stuffed unicorn she was over the moon.

🎉

Even with Tom's rollator there was no way we'd attempt to navigate the festival itself, but Tom suggested, "Let's at least drive by the Rex."   Not only was there ample parking, but Sean stood just inside the door shaking hands and hugging necks.   My friend Brenda (who'd met him before) agrees:  He looks you in the eyes and listens like you're the only person in the room.
 

I didn't know what to say, except 'Thank You.'   Then, "I'd like you to know (that) in large part, YOU are responsible for me being here in Alabama."

I explained how, prior to moving I was in a high-stress, unhappy work situation.  Reading his stories of Real (good) People in Real Places ... well, at first, I thought this sounds like something out of a Hallmark made-for-TV movie.     Then, I found myself longing to experience it for myself.

He looked genuinely surprised.  With a big grin, "Wow, Thank you for telling me that! Please give me a hug!"   

Tom was more interested in meeting Marigold his blind rescue dog.

I strongly suspect Sean's friends kept her a little away from all the crazy people, but Tom walked over and petted her.  "So soft!  So sweet!"

If you don't know her back story, you can click here.

🎉

In other news ...

I had my annual eye exam yesterday, and loved the new-to-me technician.  She's been with Dr. I for 38 years!

I won't be needing new glasses, but I am excited to have cataract surgery next month.  From what I've heard, it's going to be a whole new world.

I knew of an estate sale taking place nearby in Old Cloverdale, so we detoured that way.  While the objects d'arte and jewelry held little appeal, I love touring these enormous old homes with their period architecture, the furniture.

I needed these glass appetizer plates like I needed another hole in my head, but they still came home with us.  They're surprisingly heavy; I need to be careful!

I'm trying to down-size my portions and I think these pretty plates beats the faux Tupperware container I've been tossing in the microwave.  

Looking forward to tomorrow night's Church meeting where (I hope) the congregation will vote to dis-affiliate from the United Methodist Church.  So weary of all the dissent!

Other than that, it's another Pleasant Valley Tuesday ... the sun's been shining for 4 days.  Woo-hoo!

Sorry for my exuberant ramblings on.

It's like I feel we're sitting across a table from one another and before you know it, they're flickering the lights.  Time to go!

xoxoxox

Myra

 

 

Oh I wonder, wonder

 

Good morning!

Does anyone else's mind take occasional detours ... asking questions that have little merit?  I thought I'd share some of mine; perhaps you'll do the same.

 

No surprise, at my age it's necessary to visit the bathroom in the wee small hours of the morning.  Moving like a cat burglar so as not to wake the dog, I sneak back under the covers

. 

In spite of bisecting two busy roadways, the 1-mile stretch of Chapman Road has little traffic, outside school hours. 
  

Then, trying and failing to fall back into a sound sleep, there comes a sound of a car traveling past my window.  A few minutes later, another.   3:00? ... 4:00?

Who are these travelers?  Where are they going?   A pilot, perhaps, headed for Montgomery ... a short-order breakfast cook ... a surgeon.

I don't know why these 'wonderings' occupy my consciousness ...but it's fun to fantasize.      

Speaking of dogs ...

Those times they get to feeling 'off' -- are they (like me) concerned about their own mortality?

Does anyone really pay attention to their Followers app?  Arrivals.  Drops outs.  I recently took a good look and realized more than a few (that I know of!) are now deceased.  More I don't recognize.   

Trying not to over-think it, sometimes I fret.  Was it something I said?

Finally, I wonder if I'm not losing my faculties.

Perhaps I need to start listening to more audio because my mind's playing games with me.

For instance?

"High up, high on the mountain we founded our chalet."   6th grade Myra, clad in a Girl Scouts uniform.  It's yesterday once more.

Another.   "We're GO-ing to the hukilau, the huki-huki-huki hukilau ... everybody loves the hukilau, the huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau."   I'm pretty certain I've not heard that song since elementary school glee club.  Yet here it is.  For days.

Scary how sometimes I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but line-for-line I remember each one of those stinkin' lyrics.  Oh they're coming to take me away, ha-ha, ho-ho!

Are we having fun yet? 

Old friends

Thanks so much for making time to visit!   Have a blessed, happy day!

Hugs, Myra