The Ol' Time Flies Syndrome

We are at the end of another year.  Amazing how quickly time passes.  Someone recently answered my question about the passage of time with the explanation that when we are very young, everything is new and unexperienced.  Taking everything on the full spectrum of our beginning lives in takes attention span and time if you will.  That makes the passage seem slow. Christmas, Easter, summer, and school  getting out, becoming a teenager, getting a drivers license,  the Prom, you name it, "never" gets here!

Now, presently,  we've seen and experienced much and as a result we  have become excruciatingly aware of how quickly our time here passes.  It is truly "in a blink of an eye"--- just as we have read. We, as like flowers,  fade within a day.

Another year is on the horizon of our days; and it is my most sincere wish that we all of us make it as kind and loving as humanly possible.  Each day is an opportunity to try afresh.  To make our lives count.  To "do unto others" and be the kindness that another might need whether human or animal.  It matters.

Taken in the spring.  

A Wonderful Day

Guys, all the family were together yesterday and that made it the best of days.  The weather was nice yesterday and today.  Yesterday we were all together for gifts and dinner.  So I didn't walk.  But today, my middle boy and I went to the park and hefted ourselves around the park six times for our own good.  He will go home to Charlotte Saturday- which I wish was not happening; but he teaches and school will be resuming Monday.

Here is the sky Christmas morning standing freezing on the deck in jammies again.   So pretty.

I have eaten as though nothing matters these past two weeks.  I will actually be glad to get back on the wagon of sensible eating again.  You think you want to eat all that junk, and when you do...it never seems to turn out well.  My stomach is never glad of my indulgence.

Katie got some wonderful presents form her boycat furriend.  And also from some girlcats that she loves.  Their momma sent an advent calendar,  some Katie toys and some kitchen towels with their State's name on it which I LOVED because I love that State after having lived there for awhile.  And a coffee cup mentioning my love for black cats.

Look what the middle son did yesterday evening with the at least...well and truly, third of a cup of real butter (at least) that was put on my potato.  I scooped it off as quickly as I could to avoid the extra 400 calories melting into my potato.  I forgot to say "put it on the side please".

Katie posted this picture of the superior artistic skills involved this morning in her bloggie.  All my boys are cat men.

Better (and more kind) Than the Alternative

I had several experience the past two days that gave me a lot of food for thought.

1.  Yesterday I went to the pet food store I always go to.  I had had a coupon in the mail for 12% off.  I put it in my wallet and headed to the store.  I bought a new (ahem) jumbo sized litterbox for her...and a new bag of dry food.  Her wet foods as well.  The entire thing was ninety some dollars.  I whipped out my coupon after the fact, and the cashier was kind enough to refund my money and start again with the coupon.  She wound up having to re-do everything singly, not in a clump of goods which was time consuming for her.  After several minutes, it was totaled and my coupon wouldn't work.  She studies it and it was half a month out of date.  I thought Dec. 29 and it was Nov. 29.  After all of that other part of what she through to help me, and it was a lot!  I said "well, guess I'll have to bite the bullet".  She said, "No, I'm honoring it." I was so surprised and so glad of that wonderful thing.  It saved me quite a bit.  As thought I didn't even have to pay our usurious 10% sales tax and then some more.  I was in a happy frame of mind all day.  It pays to be nice always-- and I always do try.

2.  Then, today I went to the drugstore to pick up another family members prescription.  I was called Darling, Sweetheart, and Honey throughout.  The pharmacy tech was a 30 some year old female behind the counter.  I'm not at the stage of one foot in the grave yet.   But I sure ain't no Spring or even Summer chicken. 🙀  I will admit, I don't care for the terms when they are applied to me ( just there at that store)  unless it's some luscious man of course who is saying them. The phrases could be looked at as condescending.  However, I smiled and  I was my usual self.  On my way out...the title of this particular blog came to my mind.  Before I got in the car, I was grateful to be thought of in so nice a way as to be called those endearments however over-used they may be in terms of speaking to someone older. Far and away better to be considered a dear and a sweetheart than the unsavory alternative.  I am always treated very well there.  I've been a customer probably 20 years.  I get hugs occasionally from the female pharmacist (even older than ME!)  and genuine big smiles and a little humorous conversation from several of the Pharmacists, and two of the male techs back there.  I love to laugh and so do they.

However, for  a short while, deep inside where I kept it, it annoyed me to be called those sweet things...for the reason I said.  It made me feel ancient.  AND... maybe I am the only one who doesn't know I am....  However, getting in the car I was smiling again and knew I wanted to tell you about it.

XX

Childhood Christmas

The thrilling excitement I felt as a girl,  especially from ages 8 years through till marriage.

As I mentioned, the excitement about Christmas as a girl between those ages was just past description here.  I don't have adequate adjectives or adverbs to do so, it was that exciting.  I thought I was going to bust wide open, I was that excited.

 I recall lying there in bed each year...after having  gone to bed voluntarily much earlier, waiting hours trying to go to sleep.  I was so excited about Christmas morning I could hardly sleep at all till long after everyone else had long gone to bed.  They were all old as the hills it seemed to me.

Now, truth be told I had been peeking for a good three weeks prior to Christmas.  I knew things were hidden in the large closet so I would sneak in there to look at what they were.  I tried with all my being not to look but I did.  I knew I would not have surprises on Christmas, but I couldn't help peeking.  I probably was not too clever putting them back either.  My mother sent loads of things a month before Christmas and they were absolutely opened early by me to try on...I couldn't stand it.   I knew they were going to be very pretty clothes and they always were.

But my one of my brothers got the best of me when I was just turned 12.  There was little under the tree that night when I forced myself to bed early.  And Wayne, my brother had been droning on about how he said the white shoe skates I wanted  so badly and so desperately were too expensive, and he was just warning me not to get my hopes up as Dad said they were too expensive for him... he would say.  I believed him.  I always did.

When all our gifts were opened Christmas morning, I was putting things away, when my brother came in with a large gift wrapped box saying it had been  missed and not put under the tree.  I opened it, and guys, it was my so so hoped for pair of white shoe skates, a great skate box and POM POMS too.  With bells!  I know I hollered!  I was like a kitty with extra whiskers and two tails or something I was so excited!  There were even a dozen tickets to go to the weekend skating times at the arena.

Floating on air...happier than being in a bakery with all my faves...smiling till my face hurt...little screeches I am positive, and running and about knocking Dad down with my thank you hug!

One of my best most memorable Christmas's ever.  Did you anticipate like that?  Were you giddy with excitement?

XX

Got to Thinking

Since I spoke of childhood a few days ago,  I thought I would finish that topic with a couple of goofs I made.

I was a Freshman in High School. One day, the bell had rung and we had changed classes.  I was settled into English class quite comfortably at my desk with my legs crossed. The foot of the (right) leg that was crossed over my left knee, was then tucked behind the calf of my left leg.  I was all pretzeled up with my legs twisted every which way.  Forty- five minutes went by.  The bell rang again signaling the end of the period; and when I made to get up my legs were paralyzed.  Truly.

They were unmovable.  The classroom emptied including the teacher and there I was frantically trying to unhook my foot from its place behind my calf with my hands!  I had NO feeling whatsoever in my legs.  Really.

After I arm wrestled my foot from its place behind my calf, down to flop on the floor with STILL no feeling, I was starting to panic.  I pried my leg from its perch over my other knee and tried to stand  to get feeling in my legs while holding onto the desk.  Minutes had gone by and kids were coming in and one was needing to occupy my chair!  Had to get moving somehow someway.

I stamped and danced about getting some more blood flow into my legs till I was finally able to leave the room but in a peculiar stumbling way.  It took several minutes to make it to the next room.  That was seriously the most worrisome thing and the stupidest I had done to that point.

Except the time I accidentally jammed a compass point into my palm in 7th grade.  Oh.  Ouch!  I did get sent to the nurse's office; and I tried to spin it put into the rest of the afternoon but she was on to that would-be ploy of mine.  Got sent back to my room.

The time I sneezed in 6th grade and something unfortunate happened to the chair of the student in front of me lives on in the annuls of embarrassment in my mind then-- and even now if I am unfortunate enough to think of it.

BUT time marches on...and I am not there any more.  WHEW!

Are you about ready for Christmas?  She is, I'm not.

OH NOES!

Oh my gosh, gee whiz, jiminy gee...today I walked outta the rest room in a very public place, the hospital, with a peculiar whispy sound following me.   I stopped.  Looked down and around.  Toilet paper!  I had walked out trailing TP on my shoe bottom!  Holy cow.  That was a first.

Or was this worse--- when I was in 5th grade and my underwear's elastic band gave totally out and my drawers dropped.  They really did.  On the street.  At least the other kids didn't see that. No passers by at the time (yes, it's engraved in my memory) but cars were passing and I had to step out of them and pick them up.

Another embarrassment was when my best friend and I took a 6 mile walk for pity sake and it was a school day.  We'd walked 4 of those miles on a dirt road called Alexaulton Creek Rd.  When we came out to a 4 lane highway from the dirt road, and were going to walk it to get back to town, a car passed, then stopped. The driver and his wife looked at us and pointed and said, "GET IN THE CAR"!  We did.  We were silent all the way back to our separate homes and got  chewed out every inch of every mile along the way.  Both for playing hooky and for being two 12 year olds walking out on the public highway and on a dirt road.

They didn't tell my Dad.  Don't know if my girl friend's parents were told.  We never brought that embarrassment up to one another again.

Ah.  Childhood memories.  I got a million of them.

I'm Thankful Every Day Without Fail

 I loved reading you all's comments last blog, and some of them expressed gratitude in so many words for what you have, including your routine and your workaday at home and on the job.  It is how I feel each day.  As soon as I open my eyes for a l-o-n-g time in my past to present, I have always given thanks for being safely conducted health and safety-wise  through the night.  I open my eyes- and because she's always there doing head bonks against my forehead,  first I always say good morning to her Majesty.

  Then I say my thanks for still being here (no, nothing is wrong with me that I am aware of...just feeling simple gratitude) to greet the day which I do.  Another day.  And a routine I have.   The day is beautiful regardless of the weather that wraps the day up as the gift it is.  Rain again...great.  Sun?  Even better.  Watered silk gray skies...bring 'em on.  Ruffled gray or white clouds covering the entire sky dome...welcome!  So glad to be here to see you each and every weather condition.  Cold, hot, warm, cool.  Rain, snow storm.   It's a gift that I have never taken for granted.  So I am appreciative.

Speaking of gratitude, I am grateful for friends.  Either here and in person, or on-line.  We in the CB and in our own blogs away from our furs, have made deep lasting friends.  Sometimes we are even fortunate enough to meet them.  And for me, such meetings have never been stranger-like.  I know these people.  Only now I get to see their faces.  What a privilege it is to have friends.

I wonder what you feel may be the best facet of your personality?  The part of your personality that everyone might say is what they think of when they think of you?  For me, it has to be humor and right next to it, deep empathy and care.  I'll mother you to the end of your patience sometimes if you let me.  😱  I think I'll put a cartoon in here that I found a week or so ago.  It was so like me with my kids as they grew.  I sent it to all of them to see...even though the joke's  on me.  I don't care.  I  am the first to laugh at myself.

Enough.  This is getting too long again.

It's Like a Video, Sorta

I get up in the morning..know the household things I must do and extra ones as well as company is coming for Thanksgiving.  Aside from that, as I made my way to the kitchen to feed her Majesty, Queen Katie Isabella and then myself some breakfast, I reflected how each day---grateful as I am to have that day, is a copy of the one before it if you keep a housekeeping routine etc.  Rather like- your feet hit the floor--- and the day unfolds as a carbon copy (does anyone but older folk even know what those two words mean)?

Anyhoo, you get up...go forward to whatever you must do first (aside from attending matters in the small room)...and each cog of the wheel turning brings down another needed action on your part...dishes, bed making, sweeping, cleaning her Majesty's litter box...dressing, proper foot gear for a long cold (or hot) walk while racking up steps for the day. Come home, make a smoothie, head out again to walk some more but in some big box stores just to add to the steps.  Go photographing, and other things such as seeing friends, go to bed and start it all over again next day.

It's a video and  for some folk re-play gets hit each day as soon as you open your eyes.

Events within the family change that of course, as I have had happen frequently in the past six years.  But then, that routine I spoke of earlier on here becomes a comfort and a sought after normality.  Once while taking Lady Bianca to her Vet,  I had squeezed that in between long and difficult visits to another town, I saw her Vet walk in and I said words similar to "how wonderful to see you.  It's so normal and good".  He stood there looking concerned and asked what was going on.  Something you wouldn't expect as they are there for the animal.  I told him.  He understood completely and come over and folded me up into a warm hug.  I appreciated that to this second in my memory.

Enough.  I ran off at the keyboard.  By the way, the picture was taken off the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC September 29, 2018 by me.

A loving gift sent a few weeks ago. 

Autumn to Winter.

 Fall and Spring and to a more limited extent Winter, are my favorite times of the year.  Summer is too humid for me .  Always has been. But if the wildflowers are out in abundance, that makes the sweat and ticks and mosquito bites much more worthwhile as I go cruising through the woods and other more wild areas with my camera.  I learned the hard way to use insect repellant 10 years ago as I was crawling around in the bushes (literally) I was looking for insects so as to take some macro photos of them. I unknowingly came home with a tick attached and developed early lyme.  Caught it within five days, and I have remained free of it after very strong month long treatment with antibiotic.

Last year I was able to find many more wildflowers than in the past three years.  Not sure why they seem to have gone away in my area.  This year was also a difficult one to find what I was looking for.  I tend not to take many pictures of roses and other more commonly seen flowers as they are everywhere.  But I do take some.  I am including below a Columbine I found this Spring however.

I could go to the gym this morning  to use the treadmill instead of being outside for a walk as it has been and will continue to rain all day.  I don't enjoy the walk if it is in the rain.  Some folks do.  Not my thang.

These delicate wild columbine flowers are only about an inch and a half long.  I love every year's new appearance.  Next Spring, I will be out looking for them and all the others again.

I took a cell phone photo of these two signs in one of my favorite stores.  I hope you enjoy seeing them too.

XX seeyabye.

Tell ya What

Still thinking about that crummy do it yourself thing at the supermarket.  Come in, do all the work, have a heckuva  bad time at the produce area...even they admit that... and go through the learning curve that you should not have to do.

I always fill in the opinion form on-line each week to put in for fuel points.  Surprised they give me any as I have been very pointed about the crappy change they made forcing you to use their scanner if you want out of there with melting/softening frozen foods in a decent time.  I hit them every which way I could.  It stinks to force customers to do it themselves and even more to close all the checkout lines except the self checkout and two regular ones in a superstore.  I won't.  I'll stand there in that interminable line till I grow moss on my legs I guess.  Walmart hasn't done it yet here in town so until they do, I guess they will get the bulk of my money.

Sorry, I am still wound up about it obviously. What kills me is in their stupid ads, they act like they're doing YOU a favor.

A couple of folks mentioned picking groceries up after ordering on line. That would be fine except a tip is naturally expected and that adds a lot to the grocery bill especially over time.

OK.  I think I'll stop it now.  :-)

Here is my back yard this early afternoon.    I own to the County line but this is a little bit of my back yard.  The fenced in part.  Fence was installed when the kids were small. Property goes straight on downhill.  All of us on the street back up to a forest.  I love it.

NOW what???

Guys I cut and pasted my words here from my FaceBook.  That's why it looks awkward.


Read about what the grocery stores are doing these days. It answered my question of "WHY"???!!! a week ago when I went to a very large grocery & market center here in town where they are "inviting" you to take some bags and a scanner and do your own scanning throughout the store. Then, ante up over at the self serve lines I guess. To enforce this, they have closed all but two checkout lines....and surely those will go too. Since I am not the only one who doesn't like the do-it-all-yourself, the 2 lines are filled with huge creaking carts full of stuff- and there you are with them. So, it looks like if you want outta there alive, you had better do what they are trying to make you do or stand and wait f o r e v e r. I read right after that, that all the stores are going to the do it all yourself mode. Sure saves them money and I don't imagine we will see any lower prices with the money they are saving. Having them do the shopping for you and picking it up outside means a tip for the person who delivers and puts them in the car. One store makes it a mandatory 5$ tip. So, that gets grocery buying more expensive. Others may or not make it mandatory, but you are expected to do so. Bet they issue brooms and ties them to us and make us clean the floors as well as we go. Save more money.

One store just finished remodeling inside and the price of an 8 oz. can of baked beans rose 20 cents.  Just sayin'.

The Beat Goes On

That title was a trick.  What I really meant is the internet problems are still ongoing after a few weeks off from them.  They are back and in spades.  The newest Tech was here today.  That's 5 calls I've made in 3 days.  Turns out it may not be on their end but on mine.  He went to pains while here to show me with an experiment that is was the wiring that needs looking at  so I have a call in to the electrician.  He unfortunately can't make it till Tuesday on his way back from another town.  So he jury rigged me a way to have uninterrupted internet in here.  The TV...well, that'll have to wait till Tuesday of he can get me up and running.  Katie will be devastated.

I always say, things COULD and they have been worse.  So I can usually not complain too much.

I was lucky that my tech is/was a cat man.  My Katie has a buncha human brothers so she loves men.  Not so much women except me.  When a man comes in to fix anything, Katie is all over them like paint on a wall.  Purring, weaving in and out of their ankles...little chirrups.  My newest man came in to look after my internet problems and Katie came hurrying in to greet him.   He just stopped what he was doing and petted and rubbed her face and head.  I said to him that he must have a cat.  He has two and always had them.  I like when I don't have to 'apologize' for and try to distract my sweet girl.

That's all I have to say today really.  I have other things going on but they will stay here with me until there is a resolution that I can mention as well.

Have a great rest of your Sunday.  I will too.  Just cleaned the bathroom and tub and surround and sink and potty.  So got something done.  Did the rest of the house Saturday.

Seeyabye

A Tale of Three Friends

Once upon a time, there was a little corner house near a forested park but still in the City.

The lady (that would be me) was walking along quickly in the frigid air when she saw a flash of white on the ground in the fenced yard of the little home on the corner.  Since it took her eye she stopped very briefly and looked closely.  It was a small white Duckie walking slowly with a companion at her side.   Right alongside of the Duckie, the lady saw, was a rooster!  A banty rooster to be sure.  AND with the two of them who seemed  very bonded even to someone looking upon them for so short a time,  there was a cat. It was a Tortie cat, so a girl cat accompanied them on their breakfast tour.  She was walking along with them as the Duckie and Rooster stopped to examine the yard for part of their breakfast.

About that time while the lady tried fruitlessly to take their photo, their mom came out of the house and the lady (me) called across the street and inquired if the rooster, duckie and kitty were hers.

She said they were, and nodded toward her daughter, who was perhaps 10 years old saying that they had been, the two of them, at the Tractor and Feed store and the daughter saw the two little ones there at the store;  and that they were for sale at $2.50 each.  So the little girl bought them out of her allowance.

Now the two feathered ones have a home right there on the edge of the woods in the City with the cat who already lived there.   And now they are all bonded feathery and feline friends and a family of three friends.  Their mom said the three were inseparable.  They will live happily ever after delighting the lady (me) and the others who walk past.  Everyone tries to take their picture and there are a lot of "Oh, I love them" speechifying type talking going on.

The End

The rooster is so dark you can't see him but he is facing the duckie.  Cat was off eating.

 This was taken from well across the street and cropped.  Very bad.

What a Surprise

Went to the garage...

Well, I made a bunch of from scratch Tollhouse cookies two days ago.  I had bought the morsels and assumed I had all the other ingredients.  Got the two baking pans out and the parchment paper.  The mixer and the wooden spoon and the two knives to cut in the butter to the flour gradually.  I laid out the half a pound of butter to soften in room temperature, and left so as to take a walk.

 On my return, I laid out the sugars, brown and white, the vanilla, the morsels, the two eggs, the baking powder, the salt and all I had to do then was haul the flour out of the fridge where I keep it in its bag after I insert it into a thick gallon sized ziplock bag for safe keeping.

I reached into the place I keep the flour in the fridge and drew it out.  The surprise was just a minute away.  I could certainly see there was not much flour in the bag.  Certainly not the 2 1/2 cups I needed.  I took the bag out off its ziplock and something made me look to see if there was a use-by or expired date on it.  Guys, there sure was.  November 2009!  I used that flour rarely and forgot I even had it as I rarely bake and just don't need flour.  Until then.  I had to go to the grocery immediately and get a bag of flour.  October 18, 2018 is on the bag in Sharpie black!   I guarantee you that embarrassing thing won't happen again.

Don't get me started on cans in the back of the cabinets.  I finally sorted them through a week or so ago and found some canned tomatoes from 2010.  Some northern beans coming in at 2011.  The only good thing with the cans is...I always look before I use one.  The flour, not so much.  I did dredge chicken in it occasionally...sigh.  But I ain't dead.  🙀

The cookies were so good I couldn't stand it.  I put a few dozen in a plate and while they were still warm, I took them to the mechanics and owner at the garage I go to.  It's only a mile away.  They went above and beyond for me on three occasions.

I only had 4 in 2 days (2 each day)  so I am proud I could keep mostly away at 80 c. per cookie.  The rest are in the freezer for visitors.

2009!  I still can't believe it was in there that long.  That was All Purpose.  The Self Rising is fairly current.

I loved the McCormick ads in magazines a few years ago.  They showed a photo of a spice can and jar and asked if ours looked like them.  If so, they were like, 15 years old!  That was a good service besides making them money.

AND I didn't eat all the morsels so my cookies weren't bald!

All in a Day

Ladies and Gents; cats and dogs of all ages!

With taking krill oil, as told to  do by my cardiologist, I have said goodbye to a good night's sleep.  One of the side effects is that very thing, a lack of sleep as well as flushing occasionally.  I don't know how (or if) red my face may be when there is a krill oil inspired heat but...if it does me good- then I can take it.  I'll find out when I get the next blood test done to see how my cholesterol is.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I have risen for the day of course, fed me and her...gone out to find the impossible...a bedding set with comforter, sham and bed skirt.  Make that twin size for the guest room.  HARD to find.  Now, I did find a few in garish colors and equally garish prints, but at 100 $ plus. I went everywhere in town that I could.  Very little to choose from, and ew-glee as well as expensive.  On-line is not a lot better and you can't see the fabric in person of course.

 Had lunch.  Strawberry smoothie.  NO strange green stuff in it. If I wanted a spinach and haddock or whatever smoothie (oh my cod) I'd make one.  (ain't no way).  I prefer fruit, milk, a bit of lite choco syrup and ice cubes all whirled.  140 c.  Pretty soon we'll see recipes for liver smoothies with green beans thrown in for veggies.  Maybe peas.   I'll eat the greens on my supper plate as part of a cooked meal.

 Milady is still indisposed taking her rest on the recliner.  I was going to see about having the car's oil changed until I remembered I have a 2-6 window pm (sheesh!) to get the heat and air unit serviced.  Talk about the whole rest of the day ruined... that would do it. I hate giving up most of the day to this.

I wonder if I don't get the memo about not turning on windshield wipers?  I've noticed more folks driving in the rain without the use of the wipers or the rest seem to put them on pause and get a swipe every 15 seconds in driving rain.  I'll use mine when it's raining untill I get the memo.

I used to smoke.  I quit 15 years ago cold turkey.  Look what I found in one of about 5 totes and zippered carriers I had jammed into one of the closets.  Remember I said I was cleaning closets and accumulated 4 leaf and lawn bags filled up with stuff from the closets along with clothes?  I found THESE in one of the totes.  I wonder if they still make those brands.  I used to smoke Salem brand.  How I got these two...who knows.  Musta felt desperate back then.

The Earth Keeps Turning

In the scheme of things...looking out of your "self" meaning simply not always for and about yourself, but at the life surrounding you and that you are in with the rest of the inhabitants here on earth, you see just where you are in that.  It can be enlightening.  I doubt think great masses of people do that however.  The human condition seems to be "it's all about me".

We all of us went to Asheville NC last week and to the Blue Ridge Skyway.  WHAT a totally beautiful place to be.  Biltmore of course but I am referring to Blue Ridge Mountains.   Oh, the serenity, the peace, the beauty...unsullied and undeveloped.  Worth the trip.  Biltmore too but not in quite the same way,.

We went as a complete family.  All the boys, wife, child, etc etc me.  It was a birthday gift to me.  One of the boys rented a van so we could all fit in and ride together.   All went beautifully. And outside of being out into the pouring rain walking from Biltmore-- down to the parking lot one had walked up to Biltmore from  (the rain that the weather man did not predict that very day, right up to when it started raining like a waterfall...and while we were all  getting drenched...I found none of us cared.  It added to the texture..the warp and woof of the day...a day I nor the rest of us will forget very soon as it was the first time to ever take a trip together as a family.  Rain'll never kill ya.  I am so grateful for that loving gift from the boys.

We stayed at a very very good hotel while there...very quiet and comfortable.

Wonderful weekend and as I found while I was focused on this loving event...life kept happening.  How about that?

By the way, a good friend took me to a large roadside seller over an hour away..that sells jams, jellies and honey made and bottled by the Amish community close to them. I have NEVER tasted commercial jams, preserves, whatever from grocery stores anywhere in the world that I have been and that's a lotta places, that tasted like these.  I bought 6 jars for pity sakes, pint sized...and if I allowed myself to, I'd eat them all at once.  Even if I busted wide open. Expensive and worth every dollar.

Chow..Ciao..Chew...or..good bye.

On the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Getting late.

LOVE it When That Happens!

Well sir, yesterday was my birthday.  I was in the pet food store when my cell phone rang. It was my teacher son calling from one of his classes in Charlotte.  He had asked his class if they wanted to sing Happy Birthday to me.  IF they say they do, they get the opportunity to do so.  He holds his cell phone up and the kids sing.  These are middle school teens.  I LOVED it.  Almost every year I get that serenade some time in the day.  Sometimes three times in the day from as many classes.  It never fails to be such a great gift!

I have the best sons in the world, and Katie, Admiral, Robin, Hopping John, Smokey,  ExCalibur, all of our babies, have the best brothers in the world.  We are each and all so fortunate to have one another in our lives.

I still have all the tons of handmade cards, notes and sentiments from the kids for many years!  Last year they totally outdid themselves!

XX

Hopping John

Admiral 

Katie Isabella

Robin...Matriarch who reared my children all by herself. Cherished.

Oh For Pete Sake

Well, the tech from you-know-what-company left that morning and the internet was perfect the rest of the day and evening.  However the next day it went off and on every minute seriously, all day and night.  I called you-know-who again and reported that it wasn't fixed.

They sent another tech out and he found more bad cable going around the house and took that away and replaced it.  Now...the rest of the day yesterday and all day today...perfect.  I hope it stays that way.

Katie was hard to catch but didn't say anything.  She went through several indignities while at the Vet.  Nothing was found about her side.  Go figure.  She was sure almost snappish to ME while I combed her.  I am happy to see it was temporary!

AN organization is coming by on the 25th to pick up clothing and small appliances for donation.  I have 4 giant leaf and lawn bags filled.  About 50 hangers that are not needed and just the cheapest plastic...so they will go to the dump.  But those 4 bags go out on the porch 9/25.  The house will be able to breathe better getting that bunch of stuff OUT.  I found still  hangered and still in the store bag woman's suit I bought back in like '95...Haberdasher Brand...expensive and well made.  Sadly out of style with wide lapels.   I just looked them up on line just this minute and all they have are shirts pants and hooded sweatshirts.  How the mighty fell! Back then, they were all about business clothing.  At the time I thought I was leaving uniform and starting a courier job back and forth to a large city that could use someone with my expertise.  Had three interviews, won the position...tried to resign from where I was doing what I did, and "they" said no, they needed me here.  Well, that shot my plans straight out of the water!  I had a lot of dress clothes for the job after accepting it.  I actually tried to get "them" to pay for the clothes I bought after getting the new position.  Never heard a peep.  Just never used them. Made me mad every time I saw them.  Nowadays they'd still get away with it...it was not an everyday situation.  So...off they go, sadly out of date and someone else can possibly make use of a lot of it.

OK...whined and groused.  OH..forgot to tell you once I got started on all the closets, I cannot STOP! I feel topped off with energy and can't be still.  I never can but now, worse than ever.  I pop up off the chair and head straight for a door.  Open it and here we go again.

XXX

Coreopsis I took a pic of.

Another Day...Maybe a Dollar?

Well, I had C*m**s* out today (their people troll the net for a mention of their name and they've contacted me several times via my blog's mention of them).

I cut the cord a year ago. I have an antenna, along with another phone service to serve as a landline and the only thing that comes in by cable is my internet. Instead of $2256.00 a year, my bill from them is a fourth of that now. I do have their fastest net which cost $12.00 a month more than standard but...I stream from Netflix when I ever watch the TV and it pays for me to have the faster.  Oh, Katie watches her baby shows from PBS each day.  But that's free and available with my antenna. I get 26 channels.  I (and Katie) watch 2.  Anyway, my landline (yes, I still want one) costs for a year what C*m**s* charged for a month.  I'm waaaaaay ahead.

I did have to go from the usual phone driven burglar alarm to a wifi alarm system.  It reports even faster via wifi. The tech came out today as I do have the inside wiring added on to my bill.  I chose to have that feature regardless of it's $7.00 per month--- just in case.  Today was one of the times I needed it.  He found lots of loose connections and the ancient splitter I had out there had about had it completely.  That's why the cable was cutting on and off.  Now I should be up and running with none of the horrible interruptions I had every few minutes for months.  (it would stop doing that for a few weeks and then, start up again).

There was the thing today; and in two hours I have to take Katie to the Vet.  Her side is sensitive to touch.  I hope I can get her into the carrier.  The minute she sees the carrier with its door turned upward so as to lower her into it...she runs.  If I can't, then we go another day when I can.


No wonder it's hotter in here!  I went to the thermostat just now and I had it set to a much warmer temp because the tech was going in and out and left the front door open. Now it will cool off.

Looks like it will remain hot and raining as it has been for 7 months now  Maybe in January it will cool down.  Anymore, the bulbs are up and blooming in January!

What are you all doing?

Change is coming

Katie is asleep in the corner here is her room, on her other favorite blankie, the red one that her Auntie Karen knitted for her as a welcome to the family gift back when she was gotchad. She is snoring to beat the band!  At night when she heads into bed, she parks next to my head and slips her face into my ear.  All is well despite tickling from the whiskers; until the snoring starts.  Hers.

Anyway, I posted in Face Book that I went to the park this morning as there was a vestigial coolness to the lightest breeze up there as long as I was under the shadows of the trees.

You can see the shadows on the other side of the park as well.  I love Fall, and it is well on its way.  My Dogwood is losing a few yellowed leaves now and its berries are out in clusters.

I sweated as though I had swam (swum??)  the entire walk!  I haven't been up there hardly at all since the heat and humidity that stayed without a break (until today) was so horrible.  I joined a gym so as to use their treadmill instead.  At least, though you work up a sweat, you're not in the same shape as though you were outside under the sun.

Thought to take a chance this morning and got up there just about 9.  Plenty of shade so I started trotting.

Did I tell you that as a gift, I am being taken to Biltmore House for my birthday this month?  And over night as well.  The entire family are going as well.  This is a first.  The boys are renting a Van so we can all travel together.  They are paying my Hotel fee,  admissions to functions, meals, the trip-- and I have the pleasure of their company as well.  Riches to me, having them all together including grandchild and my daughter-in-law, whom I love.  We are also headed to Blue Ridge Parkway too for photography opportunities.  I can hardly wait!

You guys doing anything good today?  xx

Going Hunting

For wildflowers.  It has been so hot and so humid that this summer I haven't been enthusiastic at all about going hunting as I call it, for wildflowers to take their portraits! They always sit so well for me.  They never complain or ask to get out of the assignment.  BUT they DO wriggle and bob about to my annoyance.  They are just kids so it's to be expected.

There isn't a lot left where I am able to get to so I'm not expecting anything.  I did have a bonanza of flowers in the Spring.  Some of the places I traditionally went are flower-less and have been for several; years.  Not sure why.  But it's sad.

I could take pictures of standard flowers, roses, daisy s and the like.  I enjoy them but wild flowers are my favorite.  They have the best conversations with me. My Flickr friends know of those whispered convos through the years.  I ask the flowers first and they gave me permission to tell their story.

Here's an old picture from a few years ago.  Won't find these about today due to season and availability ...but I can enjoy them from several years ago.  I hope you do as well.

Thankful Thursday

The cats have a blog hop called Thankful Thursday hosted by Brian From Brian's Home.  I love reading it anyway, but on Thursdays there are always many kitties who write of things they are grateful for.

Even though I am not linking as this is not a cat blog...Katie has one of those, I am very grateful today (and everyday, really) that my oldest son got another all clear so to speak after his last CT scan.  And the tiny tumor in his lung is gone now as well as a concerning area  elsewhere.  He has been going through aggressive chemo since March for this newest anomaly.  It came, after a five year remission.  But he is through this for now.

I didn't realize after the first shock of the reappearance, that I was physically affected by the terrible news.   But now, with the curtain lifted and safety surrounding him, I feel like a kitten again.  I have been un-stoppable these past three days.  I have more work done and happily with a smile, that I think I have done in many weeks.  I just felt like it.  A while ago, I completely cleaned and polished all the wooden kitchen cabinets...top and bottom.  I did the wood floor and it gleams.  I got the bathroom sparkling more than usual.  I have polished all the wood surfaces in the house and swept and vacuumed (I do all that anyway, but I just don't want to be still). If I could take off and fly, I swear I would.

 I am happy again.  It's been sad, and hard to deal with, as I walk every single step with him...shoulder to shoulder.   But now...we see sun again.

Just letting you know.  You have been very kind to me.

Turn the Page

Remember Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band singing that song..."Turn the Page"?  I listened to it a few minutes ago.  He was about my most favorite singer back then.  No one sang like he did.  I am magically transported back to '73 when I hear it.  Sure beats what I hear blaring and thumping out of car radios etc. nowadays.

 Glen Campbell was another favorite and no surprise..."Wichita Lineman" just spun me up.  Still does.  It was the perfect tune with the perfect lyrics.  Again, I feel transported back to "the day".

Dobie Gray with Drift Away.  Oh,  the memories.  "Give me the beat boys and free my soul...I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away". I can hear it playing in my mind.  Remember Cream?  Oh, man...loved their stuff.  I can see in my mind's eye what I was wearing mostly those days and I can hear the bands as though the music was playing right now.  (which it is).  The Doobie Brothers came along and became a fave.  Waylon Jennings later...Looking for Love".   "Who's Your Daddy" Toby Keith...Wish I had a Time Portal.

 Still have my 14oz (heavy) denim Wrangler bell bottom jeans from then.  I bought the men's as they were cut more to my liking.  Never was bottom heavy.  Took years for me to try to wear women's jeans. Manufacturers started using 12 oz. denim a few years later in '75-'78...then, it kept going to lighter and lighter weight fabric until it hit 6 oz. denim.  Like a dish towel in strength and weight. Not fit for jeans I thought.  So I grabbed the heavy denim ones while they were available.

That's when they started adding lycra... quelle Horreur!   (*that's a fave expression in my family..French for "how horrible"*) to women's trousers...whether you wanted it or not. The material became so light it was not able to do a more than passing job keeping the cold out during winter.

I sure skipped around in my story here.

The hots and humid are back with a vengeance.  We had three days off from the humidity.  Weather said first time in 3 months.

This poor thing was on top of the park's trash when I was walking this morning.

Funny How That Works

I love reading certain comic strips.  Three of them are  first, Zits and then Crankshaft and then, Sally Forth.  There are others but those three are especial favorites.

I was led to go to the website for one of them the other day to see if I could cut and paste a very telling cartoon the cartoonist had done on that day.

I was at the garage reading a newspaper they had laid out for the customers, and saw Sally Forth first off.  I will add I have not had a subscription to a newspaper in several years.  Won't start one in the foreseeable future, so I miss the best part each day, the comics.  Well, I admit to being a sports page fiend too.  Particularly so during collegiate football.

However back to my topic.  I looked up the website for that comic strip and scrolled back several days until I saw that particular strip.  I like it so much that I may go ahead and pay for a print.

FINALLY...the point.  I looked at the comments below the strips as I caught up with many I had not seen, and I was amazed at the sheer number/volume of comments written by trolls.  That was what was so amazing.  They, the trolls, knew the characters intimately which shows they read them every day.  Then, they sharpen their knives, get their vitriol and boiling oil ready in buckets...and go to town just eviscerating the cartoonist and his/her work.  What????  You hate it that much?  GO AWAY then.  Don't read it. Have you nothing else to do in each 24 hours than troll the comic strip sites and write as viciously as you are able?

The same went for Crankshaft only worse.  That strip addresses many important things sometimes, in a caring and oftentimes gripping way.  Especially when the writer addressed Alzheimer's.  I didn't know the mean spirit  could be worse.  But it was.  Trolls,  I wonder why are you reading these comics if you hate every frame and word?   So now, I will click "don't show comments" and go on.

Look what's going to happen in close to two weeks.  Poor old University of TN is going to try again to get out of the basement.  I'll be reading the sports and crying no doubt.  XO

Time

Here it is Friday.  Seems as though it was Friday only yesterday.  Time does go quickly.  And extremely slowly.  All of us surely have had the experience as youngsters waiting for something you had looked forward to, and time moved with glacial speed it seemed.

School's summer vacation NEVER would get there...Christmas would NEVER get there...your birthday and party would NEVER get there...you'd never get to be a teenager of thirteen...you'd stay 12 and all the other kids would be teens and there you would be.  Twelve.  The dance would be forever before the date for it to occur.  But, the finals were due instantly, the doctor appointment was there at the speed of light and so on.

I can't lay my hands on the book right at this moment as it is in the bookcase in the other bedroom.  But there is a book called Future Shock by Alvin Toffler.  Seems somewhere in the first hundred or so pages, he  took a shot at the "time flying" or dragging, syndrome.  He attempted an explanation as to why it seemed to happen.  All of us know it does not in reality but he had an explanation as to why we feel that way.  I'll look it up later and tell you.

Whoops, having a problem with Blogger...keeps saying I need to reload and when I do, I still get the same notice.

See ya later, gator.

The Bear Gets You?

What was that they said about-- sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you?  I only remembered it right, because the past two days, the bear got me.  But good.  It happens.  😫

Aside from that, there are still four total  utility poles up on either side of my house...2 per.  I'm betting they will come by in a swarm with the usual 5, count 'em, 5 looooong  bucket trucks to take the old 2 down.  But first...the actual utilities folks gotta come by and hook up their stuff onto the new poles after detaching from the old poles.  Sounds like several months to me of blocked driveway etc.  But you know what they also say...if that's the worst that happens to you...you have it made.  That is true.

Re: the Krill oil.  One friend said my 3000 mg is a high dose.  It is.  The cardiologist told me to take that much as the other meds, 2 of them, caused my lipids to be unhappy!  So, he is trying to get the numbers more in line with where they need to be with the addition of the Krill oil.  We will see if it works.   They old line "It's complicated" applies here.  :-)

This week will be full of things that aren't in the least enjoyable.  But that has to happen too.  No one escapes it when "stuff happens".

Trying to get up the nerve to clean one of the closets.  Oh goodness...I'd rather do about anything else than that.

I meant to see how much this piece and the table is at the consignment store.  Looking back at the pictures, I'd kinda like to have it for Labor Day, 4th of July Memorial Day and so on.

I love going through those stores.  If I were crafty..I would make one.

Sure you don't want to come on over and cheer me on while I clean the closet out?

You can watch my Flicker woodpecker  if you do....

taken by my youngest son

Sometimes City Workers Are Extra Nice

I headed out to the grocery store this morning and the City workers were already here getting ready to change the utility pole ("telephone pole") to either side of me.  They aren't finished with yesterday's changeout but they went ahead to stand a new pole on the other side of my home as well.  I guess they will do all the electrical disconnects and connects after both poles are in place.  The 13 kv lines are newly attached to the new pole to my right...and I am sure they will be  attached to the pole they are struggling with on my left before they leave.  Utilities connections are up to the Utility types...Comcast, etc. etc. Not the City.

What I wanted to tell you was...when I returned from the store they appeared to have most of my driveway blocked.  I asked a worker and he looked.  He asked if I would park on the street upwards aways.  I did and remarked that wouldn't you know it..I had just been on a grocery run.  He said he would help bring them in and darned if he and another worker didn't!  I hate going back and forth with bags if I don't have to and so they saved me from that.  It was an un-looked for nice thing.

Who else takes Krill Oil?  I was told by the cardiologist to start it...3000 mg a day.  If you take it, does it keep you awake longer at night as it does me?  I haven't slept really well since I started it. I looked it up and that is a side effect among others.  I hope it is doing me some good.  It's far superior to fish oil.

xx

Whoa! That Was Hard to Do.

That trip was a nightmare on the way there.  Rain, rain, and more.  HARD rain.  Standing water on the Interstate too.  Blindingly hard rain in places and...ta daaa...fog rising from the valley floor as I got into the mountains.  But before it rose, I got to navigate through it.

It held off largely in Charlotte though.  Just occasional rain and not too hard. Didn't keep me from my appointed rounds.  I finally got to spend some money later in the day.  The usually better two consignment shops had nothing to make me reach for my wallet.  That is highly unusual.  I got out of both of them, and my money was still with me. However I started meeting my match at the Black Lion.  Higher end... and I can only afford knickknack stuff. But what fun walking around in there.  Vast place.  Look at a couple of things I saw:

He was just over $300.00

Hey!  On SALE!  Gotta get! Not. 

I was glad to get home after being on the road going back.  Fifty million trucks at 85 mph ain't no fun to be a little car in the middle of.  In the 90's there, but here too.  So I didn't walk anywhere but from the frying pan to the fire.  :-)

Katie was beside herself when I got home.  Bless her heart.  She had a sitter but a sitter doesn't stay with you at night...comb and brush you...put your baby shows on the TV when she leaves and provide a lap on demand 7/24.

Just A Bit

Just a little bit before I'm gone a few days.

That picture I placed in the header is one of my gemstone rough amethysts.   I collect these gemstone roughs.  Love them.  I have everything..emeralds, rubies, both pink and blue sapphires, garnets, peridot, various Ambers with insects embedded, citrine, rubilite, rose quartz...all manner and colors of quartz crystals.  I also have the gemstones in cabochons. That's not my favorite as I prefer the faceted one...rough or cut by an expert.  When they are roughs, I don't really have to worry about someone coming in and fighting the cat and me over them.  They are beautiful.  Not in a form to create envy or taking to make money on them. They ain't cheap, no, but they aren't "expensive" in the way many think of it, either.   I collect fossils too.  No cracks about me being one, please.  :-)

I have some things ready to head on down the road in the morning.  I am headed over the Mountains to see my boy.  I will be forcing money on everyone there that I go to.  I have my rounds I love to make.  There are two huge consignment stores that I feel are perfect.  I am always in danger of asking them to just keep my wallet until I come to my senses.

I am exaggerating, yes.  I love going in the stores, but the most I have ever spent was $300.00 for a short oak library card case.

It's going to rain here...all the way there to his house, ( 5 hr. drive) and all the time I am there, and all the way back home again, and here...after I get here again.  Can't get a break.

Here is one of my fossils.  I took these shots, both the gemstone and the fossil, inside a so-called light box with my camera on a tripod and two lights on either side of the box, within one enclosure.

Wish me luck...sailing over the mountains and back again.  xx

Fearless Friday

No good reason for the title.  Just trying to think of one.  :-)

I was reading on Twitter that it is #NationalNewJerseyDay.  I tweeted some on that.  I had to live up there for awhile when I was younger.  The State posted on Twitter about some of the things to love New Jersey for, and pork roll was one of them..aside from the always fab Italian cooking.  There are many Italian descent folks there and I had many as friends and some scrumptious meals...at a home or in any diner.  But back to pork roll.  Oh! MY! Goodness!! I loved that stuff...I could eat the whole thing myself.  And it brought memories of all the sandwiches, hoagies, subs, you name it.  Pizza... Trips to the Jersey Shore (Seaside Heights) and much more.  I was in the Garden part of the Garden State.  Over by the Delaware River which ran between NJ and PA.  All the famous names in plays at the New Hope (PA)  Play House now called Bucks Co. Play House .  The musicals with equally famous people at St John Terrell's  Music Circus in Lambertville N.J.

Both great entertainment places faced one another, each in their own State and town, across the Delaware River. That old OLD Bridge I posted a picture of when my oldest brother passed away, was the bridge I walked across to get to PA and the Play House.  All gussied up on my taffeta's and heels and whatever else I could try to glamorize myself as I had nothing else.  :-)

Seeing that New Jersey Day in Twitter brought back good memories.

I'm a Southern girl through and through, but aside from the Jersey accent I never tried to master...I got along great despite the very real cultural differences and I was glad to be there.   I can still tell a NJ accent and a Philly one too, instantly.

By the way, the header picture is an Interstate sign that I pass every time I go over the mountains to visit my son in Charlotte.

So, what's up?

Saw this gate in a yard a few days ago.  Very creative!  Biggafy to see glass.

Fry-day.

It's Fry-day for a title because it's so humid and hot.

I'm gathering some presents for my daughter-in-law's birthday and getting them ready to give her.  Her special day will be here a week from today.  I cannot wait.  I don't think she reads this, but you never know.  One thing I am giving her is something I am hoping so much that she will love having.  She deserves to have it.  Her days are extraordinarily full...mostly with James, my grandchild, and his activities away from home besides constantly running after him at home.  She gets little time to just enjoy being a girl.  Well, that goes for just about all women these days--- but this is my daughter-in-law and she is a blessing to the entire family.  I wish I could be a blessing for her as well.

Speaking of James, I am expecting them over Monday.  I bought him an inside toddler trampoline like the one he has at his house to jump on and expend some energy.  He could have used it last Sunday  He was raring to go.  I mentioned on Face Book how it was delivered the evening before I knew anything about it.  I came out the next morning to find it still there thankfully, though it was 30 feet from the street all late afternoon and night.

How are you all?  Yes, I actually want to know.  ❤️  For me...I am grateful for each day.  Get long enough in the tooth, and you get grateful.  I am at that point, so I'm grateful.

Here's some flowers in the arboretum.  Wish I had someone who would come with me on these sweaty, tick and skeeter infested forays into the woods and parks.

 

Me and Her

I was trying a couple of apps to join Caturday Art more often and I not only helped her to do hers, but I did one for me too.  Usually I will not put myself in the blogs.  But this one, supposedly a "dream" effect is so dark, like, who can even tell it's me?

The surgery on my son was done yesterday, and he's recovering here today.  He'll head home tomorrow.  Face Book told the story on trying to get there.  That was a bad day.  I slept 8 1/2 hours last night.  First time in ages I got to sleep that long and it was  because I was up from 0330 on.  Anyhoo, here we are.  Looking silly.

Sure is Hot

Man, this has been a miserable summer.  I have whined about it every chance I get.  My aerobic-type activity level outside has gone down accordingly.  First year that has happened.

I complained on Face Book about folks in a box store or grocery, either one,  passing the time in aisle ways with their carts blocking the middle of the aisle while the persons discussing the state of the nation, block either side.  An impasse!

I got to thinking too about those who go so slowly, drifting on down the passing lane in town or highways, leisurely taking in the day...the sun...the rain...the lovely scenery, or checking out stores as they make their leisurely way down the pavement.  Those who happen to get behind them...sometimes forced into doing 25 MPH on a highway, must pass on the right--- which I think may still be illegal.  So the used-to-be passing lane is now the "slow" lane and the "slow lane" has necessarily become the passing lane. Love those self administered folks enacting their rolling road blocks too at a considerable reduced speed.  Making it impossible to pass at all.  Read that police have ticketed some..good.  Hope they keep it up.

Good grief.  I'll quit.  I must be on a roll or something.

My first tomatoes and pepper here a few weeks ago. 

Looking Across the Delaware River in NJ to New Hope PA.

Guys, I took this picture in the header in the town my brother lived when he passed away several years ago.  It was a perfect weather-type July day.  I hoped you would enjoy the very very old bridge.  Speed limit is 15 mph on it.  For good reason.  You almost swap paint when another car is on the way across from the opposite direction.

To the friend who asked in the last blog I did if my boy had his dreams come true.  Yes, they all came true. They did.   💗   He went on to the University, to the job of his dreams; and he got married and has wife and a son.

Look at this picture!  Any of you been to see Dolly Parton's home town?  Sevierville TN?  They have a statue honoring her in the city center.

If you're on your way to the Great Smoky Mountains, you may as well stop and enjoy the town too as it is right at the beginning of the mountains.  We here in TN. all love Dolly.  While you're in the area, try Dollywood!

Just stopped by for a few minutes.  It's been an extremely busy day for me.  Glad to be home, and I am sleepy already even though it is only 9:30 PM.  That's why I'm logging off.  Eyes are burning.
XX

In the weeds just past my fence in back.  Velvet on his antlers.