Since I've been gone ....

 

Macie Ann
2003 - 2026

As some of y'all Facebook friends heard, yesterday afternoon we gave Macie Ann back to God.

Yes, she'd been suffering from congestive heart failure for some months, but we'd just visited her vet the day before.

I'm more than a little surprised at the enormity of my grief.  Sorry, I've been emotionally unable to visit or comment on blogs.  But y'all didn't come here to hear an old lady keening.  Loss.  We all feel it; we all experience it.  

So humbled when Pastor Janet showed up this afternoon with this pretty little plant!

Then, while we were standing at the front door suddenly a little white butterfly flew past her head.  (Superstition or not, yes, I believe.)

In other news!

Miss Butterfingers here recently smashed her cell phone, which necessitated a visit to the Verizon store -- where they made us a deal too good to pass up.  (IMHO)   

I'm learning to love my Pixel, not so much Tom.   Why?  Aside from an aversion to modern technology, this is the same fellow to takes perverse pleasure in giving telemarketers a piece of his mind.   Now, according to the salesman, these phones can tell if a call is legit.  If it suspects spam, the call's automatically sent to voice mail ... so Tom's even unable to answer.  Hee-hee!  (I really should curb my enthusiasm.)

Our "Gatherers" (ladies group) enjoyed our monthly luncheon at Outback.

I was a little concerned about their price point -- then delighted to read their Summer Specials:  3 courses starting at $14.99.  I began with a full-size Caesar salad, then a 1/2 pound "blooming" burger with broccoli side and a slice of cheesecake (to go).

Thinking there had to have been a mix-up, I talked Tom into going back the next day.  Seriously folks, we've both Big Appetites but couldn't finish our meals.  Bonus points because our burgers were cooked to-order (medium rare) perfectly.

Friday night we went to hear our friends Frank and Cindy performing "boomer-tastic" songs at the Smokehouse. 

(Disappointing food but great music.)  Whew, it's been a long time since we've been "out" after dark.  How'd I get so old, so fast?

Finally ...

It's not yet time for Friday Factoids, but I wanted to share this little gem.

Recently, as Tom's oxygen tech was leaving, Brad called out, "See ya next month!"

To which I replied, "God willing and the creek don't rise."  

You've heard that, too?   He stopped, turned and asked, did I know what that meant?  Well, ya!

Not so fast, Myra.  According to lore, the "creek" doesn't refer to a body of water, rather the Creek Indians.

Gotta stick that one in my bonnet, next time I'm playing along with Jeopardy!

And on that note!  
It's going on Canapra time. 

I'm going to do my best to have a good Friday, and hope y'all do the same!

Warm Hugs!

Myra

Watercooler Wednesday

 

Welcome back to the Watercooler!

I lifted this week's question from Facebook:

If you could go back to when you were 17 years old and throw your own sock hop -- what groups or singers would you book to play?

I'll start!! 

The Hollies, Monkees, Stones, Procol Harum ...

..... for the Good Times! 

Hugs, Myra

And that's the way it was

 

Gosh, how can it be Friday.  Already?!

I want to recap my week before it, like many things, becomes a fuzzy memory.

Last weekend we were able to celebrate Easter with the family -- who arrived bearing belated birthday swag ... and cheesecake!  How they spoiled me with an array of fancy (to me) skin creams and serums.  For a minute, I thought I'd been dropped into an old episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.  (Anyone remember?)

I have to admit, our meal was tasty ... the conversation even better.
But!  I'm inclined not to believe everything I read online.  By all accounts a 6# chuck roast should be cooked on low 8-10 hours.  I got up at 2a to prep the meat -- but come 10 it was close to being over-done.  Close call! 

🪻

The next day we'd a new-to-us destination for Tom's cardiac tests.  So excited when, several months ago, we learned UAB was offering an alternative facility for those not wanting to navigate downtown Birmingham.   Yes!!! 
 

Reality check.  UAB-West isn't really that far removed ... then, more than a few people were telling me, Bessemer's supposed to be the "most dangerous" city in the nation.  Okay, then!  I put my ID and credit cards in my stealth arm wallet and said a prayer for travel mercies.

Turns out, the hospital is beautiful; everyone was more than accommodating.  We didn't see anything faintly resembling mean streets ... but have to admit, coming home we saw more of the city than I wanted.  I'm giggling about it now, but the app on my phone took us on 30mph, winding two-lane streets and through mid-century neighborhoods 'til we didn't know which way was up!   Thankfully, by the time we reached Alabaster I spotted a sign to I-65.   'Google Girl', you're fired!

🪻

Wednesday I finally broke down and had my ears RE-pierced.  (Curious, how skin knits itself back together when I quit wearing earrings after retirement.)   I know my memory's not what it used to be, but today's protocol?   It's not a Big Deal, but 3 times a day for the next 6 weeks I have to sterilize ... then not wear anything except studs for the next 6 months.

Makes one wonder how those girls who used to pierce themselves with an ice cube and a needle made out, lol.

🪻

Did I tell you, we Tom decided to kick DISH network to the curb and go with Spectrum streaming?  It's a long, ugly story -- not inexpensive -- but we're back to DISH.   In the end, no-one could provide a 'fix' allowing him to stream audio through his hearing aids. The internet was not what we paid for.

Because 'someone' is more than abashed, I don't have the heart to continue pouting about not getting my favorite NBC programming.   Until powers-that-be kiss and make-up, I've discovered Amazon Prime allows me to rent individual episodes of One Chicago and watch on my Chromebook.  

🪻 

... and so it goes.

Unfortunately, the weeds out back aren't going anywhere ... and I'm running out of excuses.

But first, coffee.

Hugs, Myra

Easter Parade

 

Welcome to Saturday 9!

... and thank you to Crazy Sam, for today's questions.
Unfamiliar with this week's tune?  Well, click here and sing along!

This song is best known from the 1948 movie of the same name, but it was originally written for a 1933 Broadway play called As Thousands Cheer. In the play, a young man reads about the parade in a New York newspaper and decides to go and show his lady love off to parade goers. What's the most recent parade you attended?

I'm not a big fan of parades.
Yet, when I learned Sean Dietrich (i.e., Sean of the South') was named Grand Marshall of Millbrook's Mardi Gras parade, I was all agog.  (Is that still even a word?)

No if's, and's or but's ... he's the real deal.

On Broadway, the song was performed by Clifton Webb. He'd had a busy stage career, appearing in musicals as well as plays by Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward, but when he was in his mid-50s, he was considered too old to be a leading man. Broadway offers stopped coming. He was unexpectedly cast by Otto Preminger for the film noir Laura and a new career was born. He worked steadily in Hollywood for 20 years and earned three Oscar nominations. Tell us about a time you were grateful your life took an unanticipated turn.

Back in 2012 a certain (unnamed) hospitality organization suddenly acquired the Phoenix resort where I'd worked 10+ years.

Unfortunately, it took 5 more years for me to realize my mental health was more important than the almighty dollar.

When Tom heard me say I wanted to sell our house and move to Alabama, I think he thought I was joking.
Nevertheless, we did and I couldn't be happier.

 

Today he's fondly remembered by the students at UCLA who have benefited from The Clifton Webb Scholarship of the Arts. If you could give an endowment to a school or charity, what would you like it to be used for?

I'm all about no-kill animal rescue organizations. 

The biggest chocolate Easter egg was made in Italy, measured 34 feet tall and weighed a staggering 15,000 lbs. Do you think it's possible to have too much chocolate?

Oh, ya!
Everything's better in moderation.

 

After chocolate, the top-selling Easter candy is Peeps Marshmallow Chicks. They're so popular that they were once the subject of a Jeopardy clue. Do you often watch Jeopardy?

I don't watch it so often anymore.  Back in the day, I loved Jeopardy!
Even if I don't know most of the answers, it's still a learning experience.

Back in the day!
My workplace (WTSP-TV) in Tampa/St. Pete

Jelly beans are also popular this time of year. In a 2024 poll, jelly bean fans responded that black licorice is their favorite flavor. It's Crazy Sam's least favorite. How about you? What jelly bean flavor is at the top of your list, and which is at the bottom?

Black's my favorite, too.  And cinnamon.
Least?  Strawberry.

We've been talking a lot about sweets this morning. The only holiday that generates more candy sales is Halloween. When do you eat more candy: Easter or Halloween?

Halloween ...
tho' I finally learned to buy only those candies I personally don't care for.

 

 

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are doing more of their holiday shopping this year at discount "dollar stores" than at department stores like Target and Walmart. Do you often make trips to the "dollar store?" If yes, what do you usually pick up there?

I do my 'regular' weekly shopping via Wal-Mart's online cart.  (Knock wood, I've not been 'let down' by fresh produce yet.)

The Dollar Tree's shares a parking lot, however, and it's fun to 'pop in' for seasonal decorations or greeting cards.

These stoneware plates, for instance!

Easter table.
Want a good giggle?   I picked up these plates back when they were only $1, but the napkins?  I found a set of 6, Ralph Lauren -- at an Estate Sale last year for only $5!

Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated?

A good night's sleep!

                                                Easter Blessings,