Love letters

 

Sometimes I mourn the demise of hand-written letters.   Yet, I can't remember the last time I actually wrote one of my own.  How two-faced is that?

Realizing today would have been my father's 112th birthday, I went deep-diving in the cedar chest..... where I discovered 4 generations' sentiments.

So sad not being able to remember my father's voice,

but seeing his handwriting still warms my heart.

Postmarked August 1917, it reads (in part):

"Having nothing to do will write to you and send you a greeting before People's Meeting.  It's an hour to wait from seven to eight.  Can't spend it better than drop you a letter and tell you a part of what's in my heart ...

(signed) from Frank the Crank to Adele, I hope you're well."

📬

Sent June 27, 1942 ... see the censor's stamp!
I suppose a 'V Letter' is the precursor to e-mail?

"Dearest, Today I received an added birthday gift from you by getting more letters from you.  I got a thrill in reading them."

and ...

"I wonder how things are in Lanesboro and can just see some of these families there that thought they had things so nice and secure."

"To you all my love and kisses sweetheart.  I keep thinking of you always and please take care of yourself. Do not worry."

📬

I 'little while' later (June 1957), I wrote

Funny what I believed a dime could buy!

📬

Finally, this memento from my Daddy's last vacation.

Mother's words written on the back of an airsick bag:

Still cracks us up.

Happy Heavenly birthday, daddy.  I love you!

Tuesday 4 - Childhood

 

Welcome back to Toni's place!  
... and what an invitation when Annie says, "This week is all about you!"

Okay, then!  
For the purposes of this game, I'm referring to 'childhood' as that happy, carefree time of my life before our family moved to the north community where I began 5th grade.

Were you an adventurous child at all?

Not even a little!
I don't know that my parents were so strict as (they were) over-protective.
I can't recall specifics, but there was an undercurrent that Bad Things might happen to little girls who strayed too far.

What were some of your favorite places to go when you were a child?  Amusements parks, Movies, restaurants, zoo, etc.

Other than the movie theater, there was little in the way of entertainment.  Of course, there were churches and a bowling alley -- which I was forbidden to visit.  

On special occasions my parents took me to Fuller Lodge for dinner.  Otherwise, there were no restaurants or fast-food places.  We'd have to drive to Espanola or Santa Fe -- but that wasn't a big deal.  Unlike today, eating 'out' was more for nourishment than entertainment.

Thankfully, my father was big on taking summer vacations .. his '53 Ford Crestliner eating up miles across these United States.

What games did you play outdoors?  Indoors?

As a young girl, I like nothing more than exploring the canyons with my father.  P.F. Flyers on my feet and armed with a shoe box, I delighted in discovering lizards and horny toads.

Imagination was a big part of the 'Chapel kids' game play.  My father made me a wooden stick rifle; a few years later stilts.  (I was a lot more coordinated then than I am today!)

Indoors?  I loved television.

My BFs included Roy and Dale, Fury and Flicka, Rin Tin Tin and Lassie.

..... and who can forget Huntley and Brinkley?  Good night, Chet ... Good night, David.

Where did you grow up and do you think it affected who are you today?

I lived in Los Alamos, New Mexico from 1952-1968.

Did it affect me?  Great question  ..... I'm leaning towards yes.

Among the things I most covet is security.   The mountains are my favorite; and while I no longer participate in Winter sports, I adore snow. 

I love living here in Alabama -- near family -- but sometimes I let my mind wander.  Indulge in a little daydreaming, if you will.

Stock image

Y'all take care now!

Hugs, Myra

A week in the rear-view mirror

 

Good morning!

I had a wonderful surprise call from Troy and Lois last evening.  He began by admitting a craving for steak and invited us to join them at Epicure tonight.  They'll even come by and pick us up ... how cool is that?!

While I should start cleaning the bathroom, I'm more inclined to stroll about the nicest neighborhood on the planet.

Outside my window?  Let's just say the Muggy Meter's getting to me.  Even Macie and Grace have to think long and hard about going outside.

Tom finally saw the retinal specialist on Monday.  Nice man!  One thing led to another, and we elected to go forward next month with the (out-patient) surgical procedure he recommended.

Two successive Monday's I've had to miss Bible study -- but Cindy's prompts never fail to make me think.  Still on the subject of Jennifer Rothschild's 'Thought Closet', here's a couple of examples:


"Bring something that is in your closet that doesn't belong there."
or,

"Bring something (from your closet) that identifies you."

Coming up?

"Don't forget to bring in something from your closet that really needs disposed of; thrown away."

(I should be embarrassed to admit -- I've several candidates.)

It's easy to forget, Rothschild's really referring to our Thought closet.

While I'm no longer patronizing every Estate Sale that comes along -- there's really nothing I need -- we did visit a nearby mid-level sale on Tuesday.  It being the second day, everything was 50% off.  In my case, the facilitator was obviously D-O-N-E.   For $3 I came home with a large Threshold bathmat, new-in-box holiday-themed cheese spreaders and several olden hangers.

Hangers, you say?
Well, speaking of closets!

Not unlike Christina Crawford's 'Mommie Dearest', I've come to detest wire hangers.  Except, the plastic variety often cause my clothes to go slip-sliding away.   Not a week before, I'd made a note to check estate sales for more substantial hangers-up.   Like these:

My grandmother embroidered this.

.... or these

...origins unknown, but I'm imagining elderly ladies sitting with their yarn and needles.  Sweet!

Speaking of sweet ...

look what Sandra (aka Mad Snapper) made for me!

I never imagined I'd see my name up in lights.

... or my face in the comic strips, but why not?

I'm reminded of something Jenna Bush Hager said her grandfather told her in his final days:

"Don't forget to enjoy the game."

Salut!

Hodgepodge

Here we are again!   Does anyone else feel like the calendar's spinning like a ceiling fan?

Y'all know the drill, soooo ...
... let's Hodgepodge!

It's National Splurge Day... what's something you might splurge on today?  What have you splurged on recently?

I've no plans to splurge today.
We did, however, splurge on an early Father's Day lunch last week.  Situated in an old seafood place, Epicure was about to go down the tubes (according to the owner).  He explained they opted instead to renovate and rebrand.

Super cute atmosphere

and delicious, plentiful food.

Do you have a beach bag?  What's in it?  Is a trip to the beach on your summer bucket list?  Do you have a summer bucket list?

I've his-n'-her's bug-out bags ... including one for the dogs.
No beach bag.  At this time in our lives, I'd prefer to sit on a high-rise balcony and watch the waves.

Our Summer bucket list is non-existent ... but I'm open for ideas! 

What's a song that makes you think of a summer past?  What comes to mind when you hear it?  What memories does it stir up for you?

How about this

It was the Summer of 1966(?) and my family did a Great Lakes cruise.  Teenagers on board were singing along ... cheerfully and loudly. 

Sushi -- yay or nay?  Have you actually tried it?  If you love it, what's your go-to order?

That's a hard nay!
Yes, I've tried it ... and even attended a 'how-to' class.
(I may or may not have referred to it as "Hiroshima's revenge.")

I own a ridiculous amount of:

Paper.
I love living in the digital age, but still keep a filing cabinet + several portable ones.

Then there are these

.... documenting every day since we moved here in March 2018.
Granted, it's a bit obsessive.  But if anyone asks what I was doing on such-and-such a date (where I went, ate/read/watched/etc.) it's a good bet I can tell them. 

Insert your own random thought here.

So are the days of our lives!
Wishing y'all a blessed one.

Hugs, Myra

 

Date Night

 

Update!
As promised, here are my answers to the 'best of' Movie Challenge:

Schindler's List

Bridges of Madison County

Forrest Gump

Madam X

The Deer Hunter

Sound of Music

Castaway

The Other Side of the Mountain

Gone Baby, Gone

Saving Private Ryan  

What made me ...
Laugh the hardest?

None of the above. That designation goes to City Slickers.
or, Going in Style

Cry the hardest?

It's a toss-up between Bridges of Madison County and Saving Private Ryan.  They both gutted me.

Loathe the ending?

Gone Baby, Gone.
If you've not seen it, I won't give anything away.
But if you're still curious, here's a short explanation (link).  While Googling, I learned all these years later people are still arguing the Private Investigator's "ethically correct decision that might be morally wrong."

Me?  I suppose my parents didn't raise a Girl Scout after all.

Thank y'all for playing along!  It was a good time.

❤️

Is Date Night still a thing?

Since the pandemic, we've only been to the movie theater a few times -- spending an absurd amount of $ for mediocre concessions, falling asleep (him) and/or getting cranky (me) at the commercials.  I miss Looney Tunes!

Ah well.  It's hard to beat home-popped popcorn and the feel of one's own recliner.   

Someone (I forget who) recently said --

"Do you remember when you saw a Special Movie for the first time?  Maybe it was White Christmas ... or Casablanca ... Titanic.  That first viewing made an impression on you ... it created memories that stayed with you."

I remember 11-year-old me returning from having seen The Parent Trap.  "Mommmm, you have to go see it ... it's the best movie ever!"  Obviously, I'm no professional critic but there are several that are hard-wired in my consciousness.

A while back there was a movie challenge going 'round Facebook.  It went something like this:  "Every day for 10 days I select an image from a film that has had a big impact on me -- for any number of reasons.  I post it without a single explanation and nominate somebody to take the challenge."

Nope, I'm not nominating anyone; there are no prizes for correctly identifying each of these.  (But I will be super impressed!)  This is just for fun. 

In no particular order, here are my top 10.  

I'd love to know ...

Which of your most unforgettable movies made you:

Laugh the hardest?

Cry the hardest?

Loathe the ending?

I'll share my answers in the comments in a day or two.
Thanks for being here!

Hugs, Myra

Room with a View

I don't know if it's a side effect of aging but ...

Retired and living life in the Slow Lane, I find myself inexplicably interested in the neighborhood goings on.  Of course, I'd be so embarrassed if anyone caught me watching!

I remember one elderly lady who lived across the street from us in Abilene.  Probably because he thought it funny, her husband confided, "Elena likes to go out to the garage and stand on a step stool to look out the windows."   Busted!

Am I turning into Elena ...
or her?

(Who remembers Gladys Kravitz?)

Back when I had a life (lol) I gave little thought to nearby residents.   Like me, most folks got up and went to work each weekday ... returning home like clockwork:  Drive inside and close the garage, never to be seen until the next day.
Everyone minded their own business.

Home in Arizona

Most cookie-cutter homes in our development had a similar layout:  Guest quarters, laundry and garage at the front, family rooms and kitchen at the back.  Even the backyards had privacy walls.

It never occurred to me, Macie and Grace had little concept of what lay outside their 4 walls.

Until they arrived in Alabama ...

Day #1 ... what on earth is all that green?

Tom's music room faces an undeveloped parcel of thick foliage.
(Because it belongs to Chapman Christian Academy, there's little likelihood it will be turned anytime soon.)

Our family room sits between here and the sunroom.
It's nice when I want to sip coffee, unseen in what passes for night clothes.

Other days?
A few weeks ago, I was determined to find a little chair to fit in this far corner ... to lurk out of sight.

Fortunately for my pocketbook I found no suitable (affordable) chairs.  Because ...
the perfect observation point was right there all along

at our dining room table.

Right now there's little to see, but soon the private school katty-corner across the street will resume classes.

It may not be much, but it's my very own Room with a View!

Our girls living their best life!

Have you a favorite spot to watch the world go by?

Hugs, Myra (aka Gladys)

 

Back to the Kitchen

 

..... No, I'm not attempting any more egg rolls!
Today, Annie's carrying on Toni Taddeo's weekly tradition we know as Tuesday 4.

She asks ...

Is this kitchen in the photo one that you would enjoy working in?  Did you have one of those step stools in your home growing up?

At first glance, yes.
Except the 'schoolhouse green' would have to go.  Maybe turn the stove sideways to make room for a little countertop/glorified spoon rest.

We never had one of those step stools, but I was sure envious of my friends who did.

What appliances are absolute necessities in your kitchen ... and what can you do without?

I can't imagine living without the refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker.   Slow cooker and instant pot, too.

You can take the stove/oven.  Aside from breakfasts and occasional holiday fare, it gets less use than most.  (Yes, I'm more than a little reluctant to heat up the house!)

After the plumbing debacle of 2018, we've no dishwasher -- and I'm good with that.

What items are always in your pantry?

Besides 'normal' baking supplies and spices, our must-haves include:

Him: chicken soup, Hormel chili (hot and mild), pasta, Coca-Cola
Her:  JIF peanut butter, pistachio nuts; unsalted dry-roasted nuts
Them: Royal Canine (kibble)

How about your counter tops?  Filled with things or empty?

I prefer a clean slate, but Tom's prescriptions, inhalers, Chromebook, etc. aren't going anywhere soon.  (Picking my battles!)   When our friends were over the other night, he boxed everything and moved it to the office.

Oh, have to show y'all this photo the day we moved in!

Tom:  "We need a bigger house."
Belyn (realtor):  "I can help you with that!"

Now ...

Despite my love of shiny things that whirr and whirl, a lack of cabinet space keeps my habits in check.

Please, pull up a stool!

'Til next time!

Hugs, Myra

 

Both Sides Now

 

Some gotta win  .....

Two weeks ago, at the conclusion of Bible study, our leader tasked us to bring in our oldest pair of shoes to Monday's meeting.

Guess who won?
Ha!

Actually, this was intended as a lesson:
What's something in your Thought Closet that's worn out?

"Just because it's still there doesn't mean it belongs."

Nevertheless, we enjoyed the resulting "show and tell."

Linda opened her bag to reveal 1967-era kitten pumps, still with the dime her father put inside.  (I may the only person on the planet who didn't realize, that was in case a girl needed to find a pay phone to 'come get me!')

Too late for me now, but seeing another's 40-year old boots reminded me, daddy was right -- quality endures.

Do your oldest pair of shoes have a story?

👠

Some gotta lose ...

Day before yesterday I was so pumped to try a FB recipe featuring some of my favorites -- pulled pork and collard greens:

What really occurred?

At least I had the good sense to use Tom's skillet (v. my Blue Diamond)

Speaking of OLD SHOES, I might as well have tried to chew my rubber waders.
Tough doesn't begin to describe it!

I don't know if I dare try again.

Would you ... could you ... venture an opinion where I went wrong?

Okay ... I'll let myself out.

👠