Humble and Kind

 

Well into my 20's all I ever wanted was to be pretty.

Cancel that.  I just wanted to look in the bathroom mirror and not hate my reflection.

Pretty people seemed to have it all.  I put them on a pedestal.

Later, not so much.

A few years ago I was struck to the core by a former fellow student's wife's obituary.   Dozens of condolences mentioned not her physical or financial assets, but how kind she was ... humble.  I don't know about y'all, but that's the sort of legacy I'd like to leave.

No doubt, sitting outside my former boss' office for 15+ years contributed to my appreciation for the soft-spoken minority.  If there exists a bigger name-dropper, status-conscious individual, I don't know.  I'll probably go to my grave wondering if M ever knew how many of us were shaking our heads, snickering behind her back.   Sad.

I long to be like my mother, humble.  She was 'hard-wired' for kindness.

Like these, for instance, who've made an impression on me.

Jenna Bush Hager

I don't watch "Hoda and Jenna" regularly, but love their funny, unassertive personalities.  One morning I heard them talking something or another re. major league baseball.  (*yawn*)   Offhandedly, Jenna said, "Yeah, my dad worked in baseball for a while."

("Dad" - former President Bush, part owner of the Texas Rangers.)

My former husband, R   

While in line at the movies, a man noticed his company jacket.  Approaching us, he said "I've just starting work there.  Do you work 3rd shift?"

Without saying, "I'm the plant manager", R simply replied.  "No, I'm on days."

'Mo' Barkey

I've no idea what she was doing, sitting in a middle seat behind me in Coach -- maybe that was the only available seat on that particular flight?  

Nevertheless, I enjoyed eavesdropping on her conversation.  The elderly woman in the window seat was plainly terrified.  Her first flight.   

I was enormously touched to hear MB say, "Give me your hand" and began making conversation to distract.  This n' that.  She spoke about she and her husband being here in Alabama to visit her mother-in-law ... the wrong-doing brother-in-law ... the daughter who's just beginning to drive: "God help us."  "Here's her photo; doesn't she look just like her daddy?"

Daddy?  "No, he couldn't come home right now; he has a job in Atlanta tomorrow."

(Love him or hate him, "he" is none other than "Sir Charles" (Barkey) -- a former NBA All-Star turned CBS analyst.)

Is there someone you know, who also embodies these traits?   I love to hear about them.

I hope y'all enjoy a great new week!

Hugs, Myra

Saturday 9

She said
Stay (I Missed You) 1994

Nope, I don't remember this song -- but thanks to Crazy Sam we can hear it HERE.   Want to play along?  I hope you will!

In this weeks' song, a woman is accused of only hearing what she wants to.  "Selective listening" is when you choose to focus on what's important to you and ignore what isn't.  Are you often, sometimes or never guilty of selective listening.

Often.
I believe much depends on the speaker(s) -- tho' I could have made a better effort while in school.
Many of my report cards -- yep, my parents saved every one -- mention my day-dreaming.

She turns the radio up when she hears her favorite song.  What song have you recently sung along to?

Aside from the great oldies played at the supermarket, I don't listen to the radio. Unless it was a PBS doo-wop special, I'd have to say a hymn at church.

This weeks' featured artist, Lisa Loeb, has always been a big reader.  Her band was called Nine Stories as a tribute to her favorite author, JD Salinger.  If you were to name a band to honor your favorite author, what would you call it, and why?

Swiping Hearts
A 2023 release by Jeffrey Deaver

No particular reason, I just like the sound of it.

This weeks' song is her first and biggest hit.  "Stay" was on the soundtrack of Reality Bites, a novie starring her friend and one-time neighbor Ethan Hawke.  Ethan gave this song to the film's director, Ben Stiller, who agreed it was perfect for the film's closing credits.  When you watch a movie, do you stick around for the closing credits?

Yes.
We don't usually go to a movie theater but made an exception for last year's Sound of Freedom and Oppenheimer.  I went twice, and stayed 'til the theater was practically emptied.

In the 1990's, Lisa was popular for her style and appeared on many magazine covers, causing People magazine to comment, "Though she rose to fame as a singer, she's probably just as well known for her glasses."  Do you wear glasses?  If yes, do you consider your eyewear purely functional, there to improve your sight, or are your glasses an extension of your personal style.
   

Some of you know, I regret ever having cataract surgery.  Practically the only time I don't need glasses is when I'm driving.
Thankfully, cute eyewear's available online at reasonable prices and I've several pairs.

Today Lisa does a show on Sirius Radio, and she enjoys broadcasting while her favorite collaborator, her cat, sits on her shoulder.  Is there a pet in the room with you as your answer these questions?

Yes, Macie Ann's my shadow.

Almost 11, she's become increasingly clingy ..... I have to watch where I step!

Lisa raises funds for SCOPE, a charity that helps children from low-income families attend summer camp.  When you were a kid, did you go to camp?

1961 and 1962

Can you guess my place in line?

In 1994, when this song was popular, the nation's attention was riveted to a white Bronco driven by a man named Al Cowlings.  Without looking it up, can you recall why this was newsworthy?

Ooooh, yes!!!  We were watching live.

Random question:  Can you do a cartwheel?

Hahahaha.  Not for all the gold at Ft. Knox!

I hope y'all are having a super Saturday!
Thank you so much for visiting.
💛

Hugs, Myra

Currently in Coosada ...

 

Hi there!

Outside my Window ... 

It's 55*, wet and windy.
A few days ago I finally broke down and turned on the AC, but I have to admit, this brief cool spell is refreshing.

In the kitchen ...

More hits n' misses.

As we speak, Tom's making up a second batch of his (about to be) famous egg salad.  Yum!  While I didn't add any food coloring to the Egglettes this time, I did enjoy the earlier 'rainbow' salads!

Just add lettuce!

On the flip side ...

I normally love my InstantPot -- not so much when preparing chicken breasts.  In spite of every how-to, it came out bland and almost rubbery.

Still, I Butterfly'd them and added sauteed spinach and alfredo sauce (as seen on FB). 
When called to come plate his supper, Tom's remark said it all:  "What am I supposed to do?"    

I sure identify with a favorite author's blog post, "Better Late than Never."
(https://jajance.com/Blog/page/4/)

At the recliner ...

I just finished reading

Billed, "#1 Best Seller!!!", it was the opening line that sealed the deal:

"One thing about me: I HATE flying."

Not halfway through, however, I should have hit the 'dele' and went in search of tastier fodder.

Nope.

Despite the implausible plot and dotty characters, there was something in the narrative than kept me keeping on.

3-1/2 out of 5* 

Grateful

..... for a wonderful Friday night 'date' with Troy and Lois at Prattville's RT Jones Golf Trail.

3 of us enjoyed salmon and grouper, but Tom's enormous chicken-fried steak stole the show.

We were so busy yakking I forgot to take pictures, but we gave the Oak Tavern 2-thumbs up.

Excited! 

... not for the 3 doctors' appointments coming up next week, but ...

 
Jennifer Rothschild's appearing in Prattville and our Bible study ladies have tickets!

When we first heard she was coming, I blurted out, "I think I've got a girl crush on her."
Said another, "I think we all do."

It's not until August, but the way this year's flying, it will be here before I know it.

Makes me smile

OK then, it's back to the recliner!

Have yourselves a great new week ...
Stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

 

  

Q-n'-A at the Hodgepodge

 

    Thanks to Joyce, our Hostess with the Mostest!

    This week she asks ...

What's a skill you think everyone should have?

Checks + balances + budgeting
Swimming

Too, basic auto maintenance.  Not only am I'm still confounded by my car's Information Station, I'm (deliberately) ignorant about putting air in the tires.

 

Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

Hahaha.  Gift Bags were invented for folks like me.
The only 'real' cards I buy these days are the 50-cent variety at Dollar Tree ... the obligatory sort.

This makes me a sad, remembering the days when a friend and I'd regularly exchange the funniest ones we could find at the Hallmark store.  Loved those places!  Do they even still exist?

It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

I discovered a forgotten loaf of frozen banana nut bread just last week!

The recipe's practically as old as Methuselah, but last year I began using a little more buttermilk than what's called for. My taste testers gave it two thumbs up. 

Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

Not really.  It depends!

I used to believe this ...

... but took a long look in the mirror and didn't see a halo.  I've had more second chances than I deserve.

What is your idea of fun? 

We used to love attending open air arts-and-crafts festivals... but Tom's no longer able and it's no fun going alone.

The last time I had FUN was attending a big estate sale with Cindy and Diane and lunching after.
Time spent antiquing/thrifting with friends is right up there, too.

Insert your own random thought here.

Eclipses aside...

Have you tried taking a selfie through a toilet-paper roll and making yourself look like the moon?

This link (click here) makes it look easy. Cute!

My efforts were, (ahem!) less than stellar.

I don't get it!

I've never seen an egg-shaped moon before, have you?

Were I to look up in the sky and see this, I'd be running for cover!

Much better!

Let's see your 'moonies'!

Hugs, Myra

  

Friday letters

Today I'm thinking advertising.
...... specifically, my hiring manager who, back in 1988 predicted, "You'll never watch a commercial again in quite the same way." 

Thank you, dear ....

Publix

Whoever's responsible for creating your commercial spots deserves an award.  And a raise!  It's not often I go on-line to re-play one of your commercials.  For instance?

As the young folks say, this one gave me "All the feels"!  

Boar's Head

Your suggestion, "Compromise elsewhere" is perfect.

Short and sweet, you make me re-examine my own priorities. 

Wal Mart

Thank you for featuring pre-teen/adolescent models with a bit of baby fat.   Maybe it's just me, but I think it's refreshing to see real girls -- not Olsen twin look alikes in serious need of a cheeseburger!

Jimmy Dean

I love your pre-cooked sausage patties!  But what's up with this?  The box advertised 4, but when I peeled open the vacuum pack there were only 3.     

Where's the missing piggie?

Finally ...

Thank you, Blogger family ... for playing along with Wednesday Watercooler.   It's fun to learn a little more about your likes -- and which ones of you not to invite on a Winter ski trip.  (LOL)

As promised, here are my responses:

1.  Either Florida or Georgia ... close enough to drive back here to family for a weekend.

2.  In no particular order -- Maine, Texas, New Mexico, Florida

3.  Hawaii -- I can't wrap my head around having to jump on a plane or ship to visit dear ones on the mainland.

Okay then ... that's it from the top of my noggin.  I hope y'all enjoy a fantastic Friday!

Hugs, Myra

Watercooler Wednesday

 

G'morning!

Looking back at my FB Memories, it's hard to believe we've been here in Alabama 6 years.   .....which begs the question, "What took me so long?"

Counting my birthplace, I've moved (states) 6 times.  I know many folks double that number; others have never replaced their vehicle's license plate.

Just for fun, I'm curious:

• IF you could live in any state other than the one in which you currently reside, which state would you choose?
  
  
• WHAT are your three favorite states to visit on a vacation? and/or,
  
  
• In what part of our country can you not even imagine having to live?

Remember friends, these are only hypothetical!  No-one's suggesting you pick up your tent! 😉

I'll share my own answers in the comments later.
We're expecting another Big Blow this afternoon, so I may have to be off-line a little while.

Thank you so much for making time to visit at the Watercooler!

Hugs, Myra 

Currently (Part 2)

 

Good Saturday morning!

Here are a few glimpses of my Week.That.Was.

In a nod to all things Spring, two days before Easter I finally got around to switching out the dark table settings.   See my Easter basket?  

This would be prettier if I could have found the pink pistachios ... but who wants to deal with stained fingers.  Remember?

I've not colored Easter eggs in years, 

but asked myself, "What would happen if I drop a little food coloring in the Egglettes?"

Not quite what I had in mind ...

... but they still tasted good

Tom was feeling well enough to accompany me to church services.

... where I immediately regretted not having a solitary pastel in my closet.

Bible study 'girls' (minus 4)

Later Tom grilled some tasty steaks for lunch.

... and yes, a necessary nap followed!

🌻

In other news ...

It's not the Ritz, but I love how K transformed the bathrooms.

Left to my own devices (ha!), I'd have probably just grabbed a roller and started painting.

Nope, he came in and sanded down every square inch of crumbly, peeling border and cheap paint.   K is one Amazing Worker ... and even made time to sit down on the floor to 'baby talk' and played with the girls.  Grace would have been happy to go home with him!

The color (I picked) is darker than I imagined, but it's a nice change -- and helps disguise my wrinkles.

🌻

When Lisa (Musings of a Middle-Age Mom), recently shared what's her favorite meal at Casual Pint my taste buds began to dance.   Since I'm not willing to drive up to Hoover, however, I wanted to try and replicate their Pretzel-wurst.

"Bavarian-style 10 pretzel with sliced Conecuh smoked sausage, kielbasa, and craft beer marinated bratwurst. Served with housemade beer cheese, whole grain mustard and cheese cubes."

It went something like this --

Yes, we like our protein!

While there were no giant Bavarian pretzels to be found, I found a frozen variety and served it with something called 'Beer and Brat' mustard.

Yummy!

Stay tuned for more hits n' misses from my test kitchen!

Large, medium or small, I hope you enjoy a great weekend!

Hugs, Myra

  

Currently in Coosada

 

Helloooo again!

Can it really be Thursday already?   I've no excuse for staying away except, Life got in the way.  

This morning I'm 'Thursday Thankful' .....

For our drop-dead beautiful weather!   In spite Tuesday night's confirmed tornados in surrounding communities, there were no lives lost, no significant property damage.  Nevertheless, the idea of a tree falling atop my little Taos is in my thoughts more often than not. 'Going back on The List.

Anywhoo, I finally got up about 2 and went to bed with my MVP (weather radio).

Thankful that K actually followed up and is presently on Day #2 of our bathroom(s) remedial treatment.  Suppose running into he and his parents at Easter Sunday services may have been a God bump?

Thankful that the youngest member of our little congregation is continuing to thrive.   Day before yesterday Samuel had his 17th successful surgery; his momma writes, "hoping this could be the last and his ostomy takedown will be soon."

How cute is that?!

(Still!) Thankful for Jennifer Rothschild's Bible studies.   I wanted to share a couple of talking points (from 'Amos') that rang my chimes:

"Faith is a long obedience in the same direction" and

"Are you a Pilgrim ... or a Tourist?  (Popping into church each Sunday, then going about your life.)

and finally ...

Thankful for Facebook memes that make me laugh-out-loud!

This.Is.Me

I'll be back soon with photos from Easter in Alabama!

Hugs, Myra