The Last Word

 

Okay, I hope this post doesn't offend anyone.  I've not seen it talked about in Blogland before.

What am I talking about?  The Last Word.

Gosh.  In the last 6 months I've attended more funerals than in all my years.  Just the other day I learned my very first blog friend/commenter passed.  Then yesterday, a favorite coworker's wife.

Each time, I come away thinking, "I really need to let someone know what I want."  (... rather, what I don't!)  Great intentions.

But do you think I've actually done anything about it?

I like the quote, "Funerals are important rituals.  They don't just recognize that a life has ended, they recognize that a life was lived."  

Better, a Celebration of Life.

You see, that former coworker's wife knew her prognosis was poor.  Last year they took a trip back home for what she called, my Celebration of Life.  All the family was there -- together with long-time friends.  A grand reunion, if you will, featuring the beaming guest of honor.

L'chaim! 

I love that idea!

I'm not sure if this is a trend, but I'm seeing more and more slide shows at services.   Unlike the posed portraits (usually from a church directory), the images I'm seeing on the 'big screen' often provoke laughter -- at least, muffled giggles.  

When my friend Sharon passed, I was delighted to see what a young beauty she'd been.  Coming into someone's life as a card-carrying member of AARP, their past isn't something I think about.

Maybe this sounds conceited, but I've been putting together my own slide show.  There's nothing I could do about it, but what if I don't like what Tom or Troy have chosen?  (lol!)

The rest isn't so important as my Destination. Right?

 Gotta have the last word! 

I'm not in a rush, but I hope when the time comes someone will remember I loved this quote.  (Minus the part about glitter, haha!)

Have a day!

Myra

As promised ...

 

..... today I'm going to flip the mirror.

I'm not talking Real Challenges.  You know, like the threat of nuclear war or the "C" word.  We're right there with you!

No, I'm talking about random little annoyances.

In the sort of world filled with mean, scary people and places, it's okay to shine the light on them ... to realize how silly they are.  Just maybe we can laugh at each other AND ourselves.

Here are 10 of my First-World Pet Peeves

Full trash containers

Wire clothes hangers

Low-rise jeans

$20 bills

Manufacture tags on sheets, towels, pillows

Long book chapters

Repeated messages, reminding me of an upcoming appointment.
(I'm 75 years old, not 7.  Karen.)

Straight-in (v. slanty) parking spaces

Saran Wrap

and finally ...

Drivers who don't do a finger wave when I slow to let them in traffic

I'd love to hear some of yours!

Be sweet,

Myra

On a lighter note!

I thought it fun to join the Sunday Stealing folks in their quest to "C'mon, get Happy."  They found this one, designed to "inspire happy thoughts on a frigid January day."  (Obviously, temps vary based on locale, but it's a lovely sentiment.)

10 Things That Make me Happy

Since my blog's almost old enough to vote, some long-time readers already know all about my passion for good food and furry animals.  

So, politics and living persons/pets aside, what else?

In no particular order, here's my "right now" list of 10.

Cold weather

Black-white photography

Butterscotch

Real leather -- the feel! ... the aroma!

Roasted espresso

Heavy wooden clothes hangers

Hunters plaid

Dandelions to wish upon

Open fire -- be it a bonfire, campfire or in the hearth

Enjoying a simple meal and Real Conversation with one or two like-minded friends

Coming up?  Let's flip the mirror!
 

Mother cautioned me never to say "hate"; instead, next time I'm going to share my Top 10 current pet peeves.  

I hope you'll join me ... and maybe offer some of your own.

Hugs, Myra

Hey, hey Hodgepodge

 

..... It's been a minute!

I think everyone's familiar with the game -- Joyce asks the questions and we answer in our own way on our own blogs.

If you're inclined, please feel free to pour a cup and sit a while.  It's mighty chilly out there! 

Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow or a snowy walk ... which winter activities do you choose?

I'd like to say ice skating ...  but that was 50+ years ago.  My back permitting, sledding still sounds like great fun.
That's my favorite game in the Winter Olympics.

Have you done any of these activities so far this winter?

Only in my dreams!

Everyone is posting pictures from 10 years ago on their social media sites, so let's jump on the bandwagon, too.  Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016.

(And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun.)

When we lived in Arizona, the only way to get Conecuh sausage was via (pricey) shipping.

Thankfully, my Alabama kids had an "in" with Santa Claus.

What's a trend you hope disappears in the new year?

Restaurants/bars with URL codes v. regular menus.  Just stop it!

(First runner-up -- the Taylor/Travis phenom) 

They say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it.  National Granola Bar Day.  Do you like granola bars?  How about just regular granola?  Do you like bars of other kinds?

That's a hard 'no' to the first two.

I wouldn't refuse a Kit-Kat bar, however!

A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river or a deep well.  Which one describes something about your life right now?

Let's go with a trickling stream.
Make that a slow-moving stream.

I'm cautiously optimistic -- not because Life's significantly improved, but (because) I keep looking for morsels of joy along the side of the road.

 

Insert your own random thought here.

Hugs, Myra

This n' That

Good morning!

So, where does the third week of 2026 find everyone?

I'm going with "soft reset" ..... more thoughtful choices.
Not so much a hard line in the sand.

If I want onion rings -- and swish them through Duke's mayo on the way to my mouth -- I'm not going to beat myself up about it the next morning.

Like my affinity for pumpkin pie.  Normally, one slice a year and I'm good.
What's with these cravings, then?  I suspect it may have something to do with my hand soap -- Dove's pumpkin cinnamon.  

Thankfully, Wal-Mart sells these dear little 4" pies -- perfect for the occasional treat.

Speaking of pumpkin!

While my home's decidedly Autumn, I learned there's an official Color for the year.
Pantone "Cloud Dancer"

I dunno.  I can visualize that (decor) in a Manhattan apartment; perhaps a yoga studio

(Does your home have a season, a color?)

Apart from the white noise, ours was a pleasant sort of week.

Against all odds, the little lemon seed I planted last Spring continues to grow.

For Jean

There have been opportunities to giggle

and Friendships that flourish

The 'Gatherers' monthly luncheon

Sue, me, Brenda, Kay, Cindy

... which brings to mind:

Does anyone remember that splendid book, Simple Abundance?  There's a tired volume sitting in my bookcase, but it's been more than a decade since I opened the cover.

Then!  Outa the blue clear sky I spotted this in my Facebook feed.

The author's invitation to join the Swell Dames Club.  (I've not heard that word since my grandmother was still living!)

Excerpting --

"Gee, you're swell ...

A swell dame lit up every room she entered because of her irresistible lightness of being, which is why Life always seemed like a romantic comedy, even when it wasn't.

We'll share words of encouragement and wisdom through the trailblazers who have gone before know a thing or two that we might find handy today.  We've got Women with a Past, Girls Old Enough to Know Better, the "It" Girls, and now ..."

While I won't be spending $ to join right now -- more thoughtful choices, remember? -- I'm loving that such a place exists.  Maybe right here in Blogland!

Finally ..

This corkscrewed its way right to my heart.

In other words ...

Have a day, y'all!

Myra

 

Currently in Coosada

G'evening sweet friends,

Forgive if this isn't a normal "Currently" ... I'm simply talking (rambling) off the top of my head.

Outside my window?

Thankfully, Saturday's Big Blow has moved on.  I'm grateful for the cooler (cold?) weather it ushed in -- not so much the resulting damage to our fence and back gate.   As the late-great blogger Rick used to say, "That's the cost of Doing Life."

What's curious?
I used to believe I could never ever live in Alabama because of the weather.  There are few things that Terrify me.  (Yes, that's capital-letter T.)   In no particular order -- snakes, air travel and tornados.  

Saturday morning found me at the desktop, mindlessly scrolling when I heard nearby emergency sirens begin to wail.  "Huh?"  Thankfully, my cell phone alerted me, "tornado warning."  Almost casually, I gathered our helmets and went to rouse Tom -- who then, in a stupor knocked over my favorite table lamp.  Kicking broken pieces under the table, I watched out the window while he fell back to sleep.  Neither of us unduly alarmed ... lol!   Prepare what we can and pray for that we can't.

PS - Prayers, please, for the missing boater authorities still searching for on the Alabama river.

Time to say Goodbye

...to the eggnog, syrupy sweets ... all things Christmas.   Because I honestly favor protein v. rich, doughy food stuffs.

... not so much the barren, empty feel of our dining room.  That's the spot in our home I try to 'adorn' with seasonal pops of color, but nothing's come to mind.  (If you've any January-ish suggestions, I'd love to hear them!)  

Grateful

Our visit to the hospital Friday night wasn't so awful -- or especially long.  When Tom's primary heard he had been experiencing significant abdominal pain she (strongly) suggested we go to the ER.   The CT scan didn't show anything concerning, but they don't like his hemoglobin levels and have referred us to (another) specialist.  

Reading 

Okay, I'm making an effort.  Remembering what someone suggested:  Even while not in the mood, make it a point to read at least 10 minutes every day until that becomes a habit.   Not my usual genre, but I'm giving (a Prime freebie) "Eight Years of Lies" -- 3-1/2 stars.

Watching

NFL playoffs ... mostly behind closed eyelids.  I wonder whatever became of that girl who lived for these moments ... who could recite players and statistics without trying.

Looking forward

... to a new (Bible) study tomorrow morning
... for another opportunity to wear my favorite heavy articles of clothing
... and buying a Publix rotesserie chicken to fix a big old pot-full of de-tox soup.

... not to mention, reading what you're up to!

I'm gonna "Have a Day!" .....  and hope y'all will, too!

Hugs, Myra

Speaking of words ...

Recently another blogger shared a cute story about her little grandson.  When he was two years old, instead of saying, "Happy New Year!" he'd exclaim, "Happy New You!"

As often happens, that's become a family tradition.

... which got me thinking.

Whenever my father and his brothers -- one a minister, the other an undertaker -- would get together.  (Sounds like the beginning of a comedy routine, doesn't it?)   At some point, one would announce, "It's Canapra time.  Who else wants one?"   (ie, an adult beverage.)

My cousins and I aren't often in contact, but yes.  "Canapra" has come up on more than one occasion .. accompanied with a knowing grin.  

There's others.  I love how my son still uses some of his grandfather's expressions -- "shnipples" (aka, gift wrap litter) or "trutsic" when one of his girls was being naughty.

Obviously, I've no idea the correct spelling of any of these; I doubt you'll find them in Webster's Dictionary.

Then again!

One of my earliest memories was my sweet mother coming to massage my back at bedtime.  Her practiced hands were usually soft.  But my favorite?  "Momma, please do 'tap-a-da-mint"!  The best I can describe it -- she'd use the sides of her palms and gently-but-rapidly pat my back like a drum.

Now that Macie Ann's prone to coughing spells, we've learned to raise her to an upright position, massage her throat and I do "tap-a-da-mint" on her little chest.  One day Tom overheard me calling, "Come here and let momma do "tap-a-da-mint."  He asked, just what was I saying?

I asked Alexa.  And what do you know!  It's not a family-ism, made-up word.  Rather, a real technique used by massage therapists and trainers.  Per AI, "Tapotement invigorates, stimulates muscles and loosens mucus."

I don't dwell on these things, but it's comforting in a way -- spontaneously revisiting a piece of my past.

Do you remember -- or still use -- any old "made up" word or phrases that only a family member would recognize?

For Auld Lang Syne ... have a day!

Myra

Words

 

G'morning glories!

Is everyone accustomed to the absence of their Christmas trees?  While I'm waiting until Epiphany to take ours apart, there's little doubt I'm going to be bothered by that void for a few hours.  Maybe longer.

Our New Years Eve was predictably quiet.  Someone mentioned PBS, so I tuned in to see the latter part of a musical salute to Rogers and Hammerstein ... don't forget the lyrics!   Next, a 30th Anniversary celebration of Andrea Bocelli and friends.   Some might not wrap their head around his duets with the likes of Ed Sheeran ... Brian May ..... Shania Twain ..... (etc.) -- but it worked!  

Tom's still feeling under the weather, so I heated up a can of black-eyed peas -- threw in some leftover broccoli for color ... then a handful of dry roasted peanuts for crunch.   As long as I've known him, Tom refuses to eat a pea, so after an obligatory cup for good luck, the rest went in the trash.  Later, I put together another sausage and spinach quiche that's not only easy-peasy, but Addictive.

My favorite gift may be something I gave myself.   A new private journal I want to title, "Lessons and Blessings"  -- borrowing from Latane Pam at Closed Doors, Open Windows.  (So sorry for my brain cells going haywire there!)

Speaking of words!  Coming around the long way to my Word for 2026.

Despite it harping on my consciousness for weeks, I just couldn't get behind the often heralded, "Carpe Diem!"   It sounds like a marching order ... something felt at a collegiate pep rally.  "Boom Shakalaka! Boom Shakalaka!" 

I'm too tired, folks.

Then I remembered a movie quote which resonated to my core.   Has anyone seen 'The Last Word'?    (You can click on a little teaser, here.)

Excerpted from what may be my favorite Shirley MacLaine performance ever:

"Please don't have a nice day -- have a day that matters, have a day that's true, have a day that means something.  Have a day."

A bit much to put on a sampler, eh?

Instead, I'm going with --

"HAVE A DAY" 

Y'all will probably be seeing a lot of that this year.  

From my heart ..... have a day!

Myra