Almost Christmas

 One of Katie's favorite brovvers is in town about to pull in the drive way.  He'll be here a week.  Whoops he's here.

The electrician will be here at 3PM and change out the kitchen light.  It will be the first time since I have had the house that I won't keep trying to turn on the light, when it IS on.  It's an old house and when it was incandescent bulbs only 60 watts allowed in that fixture  When fluorescent became more widely available it was still too dim.  Still trying t flip on the switch.  NOW-- this fixture will have LED at 1000 lumens.  

Took the car and got two more tires for it. Now I have 4 new ones.  Needed.  And an oil change.  Brakes will be worked on next.  $$.  Then transmission flush.  $$.  Serpentine belt...$$...................and more.  Just getting things in order  Nothing is conked out, but the brakes need attention. 

Katie horked all OVER the place and at 2 in the afternoon!  She never throws up except mornings.  WHAT a mess.  I had 4 big ones to clean up just as brovver was waking in the door.  Couldn't;t even say hello.  Running from pool to pool.  Ewww.

We're going to be on a Star Trek binge watch starting this evening.  All the iterations.  We always do.  Although last time he found some of the old OLD game shows on Tube and had those on.  All those old names...and we got to see the Garry Moore show where Carol Burnett got her start.  She was a pretty young woman.  I imagine she was in her 20's.  Saw Harvey Korman on with her on the GM show as well. 

he found her "team" and they all worked beautifully together.  I miss seeing those shows.  I can't record now or I would record and watch. I don't have cable or any electronics much except the TV and it's accoutrements.  Gone are the days.  I miss doing DVD's.  Anyway...

See you again shortly.  Meanwhile have a merry Christmas and a much better New Year.  XX  

Was Wondering

 I was wondering why there are folks who punctuate every sentence they write down with a question mark?  What can they be thinking?  That of course IS a question? Even when no question is involved, they still end the sentence with a question mark?  I wish I had an eraser that worked on posts on Face Book (which is where I always see that idiosyncrasy) so I could get rid of the question mark?  Just sayin.  Um...?

Seriously, enough people do that to make some folks..me for example, wonder what on earth happened to get them started with that, and continue through their lives.  Those are likely the same ones who end every spoken aloud sentence with a questioning sound at the end.  Ex: "The tree is dead"?  Instead of the declarative "The tree is dead".  All other sentences are  uttered with a questioning tone at the end as well.  

\Where are my ear plugs when I need 'em.

Worked a lot yesterday and enjoyed doing that.  Got the house vacuumed all over, swept where there is no carpet, polished where there is wood...glass washed where there isn't any wood.  Fresh clean linens on all the beds...cleaned out the bathroom...washed the floor, polished the wood kitchen floor.  got down a couple cobwebs that appeared because of industrious spiders.  ( I used to call them "spizders"). 

Did some stuffs for me as well.  And for the Mistress of the house.  When she wakes I will Zoom Groom her.  I hope to get her in to the Vet for a claw trim.  Another favorite brother of hers will be here Tuesday for Christmas.  Can't wait.  Hate when he leaves.  I'm going to make my chocolate peppermint cake, and take it to yet another favorite brother's home for Christmas dinner.   They like it as do I.   You all oughtta be here.  If you were I'd make one for you all too.  We can sit at the big table and eat extremely generously iced cake, and swaller down coffee or tea.  Whichever  one you want.  Forks if you want 'em. I put lots of icing between layers too.  It's home made too.  None of that canned stuff. 

I need the living room painted but too reluctant to do it myself.  In any case, I still would have to take stuff off the walls and move furniture.  I wish a magic fairy would come on here and do that for me. 

I must not have slept well.  I have sat here almost dozing several times.  Guess I'll say bye for now.  

And THEN....

 And then, you got'cher other fear mongering two TV ads that's on all the time.   I won't write their names as I don't want to be sued for just talking.

They try to scare the seemingly vulnerable senior people.  They act on the premise that anyone over 50 is lacking in common sense and the ability to add two and two.  So, in order to sell their goods, they prey on what they presume are weak minded people.  I especially get a kick out of that man whoever he is in the commercial "so when something goes wrong, and it WILL" dealio to scare the listener into calling NOW before it's too late and the thousands of dollars they portray with a sales slip in their commercial will become YOUR reality.  

I always try to read the very fine print at the bottom that goes so quickly.  I finally did see what I just knew was going to be there.  You will be getting used parts when you call on them, or remanufactured, i.e. repaired parts.  What I would like to know is: what is the waiting time for these repairs they say they will pay for with the premium monies you have kicked in monthly I guess.  I've seen folks who paid $$$$$$ for home repair on demand thru this type of business.  They went through H-E double hockey sticks to get a long delayed repair job with surly repair people and  with demands on the homeowner.  The one next door had to take down a FENCE so the stupid man could access the A/C.  Ever hear of walking down the deck steps? Go thru their front door and come out though the back door?   They dumped the shoddy company. Me, I pay with money saved for such things.  I don't want their 'repaired already', "re-manufactured" & used parts. Especially not on my car.  You get little enough when you buy a new one...why have a car with parts like that.  Don't know if it really affects the car's value.  Probably just in my blue eyes. 

OK.  Done with my harangue.  :-) 

7AM one morning headed to Knoxville.

Still Kickin

 A  cold rainy day and lots of running about in it to get things done.  

Had an appointment for an eye exam which I was happy to keep. I've had to wear older glasses for awhile as the newest pair from last year were lost.  I learned I will have to wait 3 weeks for the new ones.  They used covid as an excuse.  Same 3 weeks last year and no covid.  Hm....something amiss there!

Meanwhile I was perishing for some lunch.  Stuffed now with my fresh strawberry smoothie I make for me...and a nothing-much sandwich.  The calories are all in the bread it is so simple. 

I have most pf my Christmas shopping to do STILL!  I am gone 90% of the time to the Big Cty or running like a crazed thing when I'm here trying to catch up on house cleaning and chores and trips to the grocery and all that.  Cooking for who's here and trying to grab some sleep.  I wish I knew a decent something-or-other that would de-puff  baggage under my eyes from lack of sleep. 

Even the eye Dr. noticed them.  I told him the things at hand, and he said stress and tiredness was causing an eye sensation at the corner of my eye that I have been having for a week.    

Hey. Sorry.  A recitation of what's wrong is not me. 

Anyhow, thought I'd ask how everyone is.  Think I may turn up the heat just one notch, and call Katie to warm my lap.  This was last night just before bed.  Those are my lamb slippers.  Oh and for those who asked what the large framed picture with Latin words and old music notes...it is a hand lettered animal parchment I got in Spain when I was there as well as  other Countries with my former husband.  His job.  Me, I was just along  as well. 

Tempus Fugit

The Header pic was last week until three days of high winds took all the leaves away. 

 Time does fly.  That is a certainty..  You celebrate New Years, you turn around twice and it's the 4th of July.  Independence Day.  Blink three times and it's Christmas.  Life is like a windstorm blowing through.  The short span isn't obvious until you get older.  Several people have written their comments to that phenom when I have written of it several times before.  How time seems to drag by on heavy chains when you are a child or teen...and somewhere in your twenties, it seems a normal type pace, but then...then it speeds up.  Never enough hours in the say when you are busy...and that idea I said at first..turn around and months, a half a year of your life gone, up in smoke. 

Then, I was reminded yesterday on the way home after smelling creosote  heavily scenting the outside air as I drove toward the hospital.  I smiled...and in my mind went back to seven years of age.  Where I and a cousin one year older than I were standing beside a country roadside while my mother was in a store.  It was summer...hotter than a fire place all roaring in the winter and the creosote oder was rising up from the roadbed.  It was a good day for Rich and me and we were having a sweaty, hot but enjoyable time while waiting for mother.  I go back to that time every time I smell that oder.  Rarely do,  but always a sweet memory.  Mother brought us out a Coke to share.  Then  we got a Cremesicle. Orange sherbet coated vanilla ice cream. 

Fragrance, smell if you will, is a perfect Time Machine.  If I smell Johnson Paste Floor Wax (I'm sure it is not made any more) I go back to my grandmother's beautiful home in Roanoke.  Hardwood floors gleaming throughout all levels, highly polished and always that paste wax oder.  The quiet of a ticking clock...the beautiful wood cabinetry, the leather chairs and couch...the Windsor Chairs in the reception area, the wooden stair case upstairs; the heavy wooden front door with ornate thick, leaded and stained glass panels in it..so many things.  Green window shades at every window pulled just right for day.  I see them all sniffing floor paste wax.  Go outside of Grandma's house, and when the fog lifts see the coal dust settled on the porches from all the coal furnaces warming homes all over the city.  And the distinctive smell of coal burning in those furnaces.  As a little girl, I disliked it, but if I could smell it now, I would smile. 

Occasionally in a dream I go back there and hep wash dishes with a bar of Ivory soap.  Yes.  Seriously.  I'm not that old, but they were.

What do you remember most from your earlier childhood?  And did you also collect Little Lulu and Superman and Donald Duck? 

Darn if I'm Not Back

 Thank you for all that you said in comments.  I was having a particularly low moment and feeling discouraged.  You made it all better.  Just like a friend should.  Thank you so much.

I am, as I said to a friend yesterday, as busy as an out of control chain saw!  I'm buzzing and sawing through chores and duties and many things that I traditionally had a schedule for.  That can't happen right now, a schedule, so I hit a chore or duty when I can.  As the popular saying goes, it's all good.

It's cold out there- which I love.  The sun is shining strongly which the cat loves. Well, me too.  I went out yesterday after much of the busy work was done and enjoyed the heck out of just grocery shopping.  It was gorgeous out...and I noticed other blogger friends had the same weather as I was having.  A brisk delightful wind, maybe 12-15 mph that stayed...didn't fade, and the leaves falling from the trees like rain from the sky.  I have always loved that sight since I was a child single digits of age.  The temperature was low 50's, the sun shining like everyone enjoys, the leaves sweeping across the streets and lawns making that crispy sound as they dance along the hard surfaces.  It's one of those times I don't mind my hair blowing around my head (it's long) as I love a wind shampoo.  The entire afternoon lifted me up in Soul and spirit, making a wide happy smile on my face the entire time I was out.

Anyone else love nature so to speak?  I am thankful for all its iterations.  Sun, rain, even snow.. . (don't like ice storms though...for certain).  There is beauty to be had in LL of its changes. My favorite seasons are Fall and Spring.  Winter is third and Summer...that's last because of the oppressive humidity. 

Someone sent me a picture he took with his phone while making a round at work.  I took it and sharpened it up a tad just so I could present it to you as well...my good friends.  Here it is:

One of Things

 Hi!  Thought I would tell ya that yesterday I decided to delete the blog.  I started deleting going  backward, with the more recent ones.  Then I went to the "lets just quit" button.  I sat there with my mouse pointer on it...thought to wait the rest of the day and wound up with not doing that.  I am here right now and I don't feel compelled to delete it.  I'm of two minds.  But I will come and see you each regardless of what I do. stay or not.  You're a long standing part of the family.  :-)   

It is a sunny day again.  We have had a week of those.  Glorious.  Hope it's the same where you are if you too like the sun. 

Just one of those things.  I dunno. 

Spring...taken  across the street.   What we call Tulip Poplars...others call magnolias. 

Good Grief!

 Good Grief!  Here I got all tickled after seeing and buying a sunflower plant that had one large (it was a baby sunflower) and 4 baby sunflowers underneath.   I paid 10 dollars + the usual 10% state tax, and had to pay the lawn mowing man to plant it as my soil is very hard, clay and chert.  I can't dig a hole.  So that was just over 20$ for my little fella.  I was so proud of him.  Today they came and mowed (not the owner--- who is the one who planted the sunflower for me. His daughter and a helper did the yard today while I was gone, and killed it the plant. Took me literal years to find one already planted and growing and doing well.  I wanted to nurture it and make it grow tall.  Poor thing was about 10 inches tall. I'm truly sad about them mowing it down.

I know there are more important things in the world to worry about but my life is already filled and overflowing with important issues.  I was taking a small joy in this little feller to offset the rest.  

Meanwhile I started a slow cooker pot roast this morning.  It's done.  I had some...my goodness gracious...GOOD GOOD GOOD. That is an expensive meal now.  The meat alone was $16.00 and add the rest...veggies etc.  It was and is worth more than every penny.  Rare that I fix a meat meal for myself.  I do for one of Katie's human brothers though when he's here.  He may get here in time to have some.  It's darned good.  I'm not a good bet on saving  any for him!  

Meanwhile it's Labor Day and the most still and empty one I have ever seen.  Used to be some great sales back in the last years.  Not now. Nothing anywhere.  

OK  Done moaning about my sunflower.  So long little fella.

Lunch and Stuffs

 Well, I had lunch with a colleague of mine!  It was old home week extraordinaire!  Loved the gossip, catching up work talk..and just seeing someone who went thru the same tough times of career.  

He's forced to eat better now.   Heart issues. Told him I had never NOT seen him practically empty the salt shaker in his food.  No more.  It's been months since I saw him as he was recovering from surgery.  I only knew about it when his wife included me in the  text notifications after it happened.  We ate food that we ordinarily wouldn't choose.

However, I have to say I would have chosen two of the four veggies offered in the veggie combo.  The baked potato and broccoli..I asked for butter on the side...I always do.  Delicious with that seemingly quarter pound of butter they seem to plop on top of it...but I eat it without.  Just a little salt, and LOTS of pepper.  I had steamed broccoli too...nekkid of their buttery seasoning.  I added the usual, salt and pepper.  I chose the fried apples and the coleslaw which are always  excellent, but too too fatty for me so I asked my friend to eat it if he wanted to.  (you have to choose 4).  It is an excellent restaurant but the food is SO caloric.  He had salad.  I don't care for salad. Never have.  We talked a long time and got up and headed to our homes. 

I'm sitting here waiting on lunch to digest so I can get up and prance around doing my low impact aerobics.  

Occasionally I eat a meal like everyone else.  Going to "Cracker Barrel" does me in.  I just have to get the meatloaf and 4 sides...or the chicken fried steak and all those sides...have to.  I suffer awfully later, thinking I may blow up, explode, on the way back to the car.  But it's worth it sometimes. I love that place.  And oh, keep sweets away from me.  One bite and I'm done for. I broke myself of them months ago (again) and I've lost close to 10 pounds so far with eating good-for-me-foods and not much of it.  Maybe some day my Prince will come.  :-) 

Light outside says Autumn is here.  Temperature however says broiling summer. 

Looks like Cecilia and I are fellow weenies!  See her comment last blog up regarding exercise and masks in the last blog above. Loved it.   Picture below is taken in the arboretum. 

Time is Like the Wind

 In my opinion, time when you are quite young..seems to go so slowly.  Every minute is an hour...every hour is a day.  Your 13th birthday, when you officially become teenager will never ever get here!  And then, on that so important birthday you'll be so old, when you're a teenager, thirteen whole years old;  with the rank and privilege of attaining that age (you think).   I still remember a book for young girls called "Seventeen".  I no longer recall the author.  I couldn't wait to get to 17 years of age and make that story come true.  Then, it seems the weekend is a hundred years away, and my gosh, school's summer vacation is like...never!  Like a slow drip from a faucet...that's the passage of time.  

Someone commented once to me that the seeming slow passage of time is because we ARE young, and everything is new to us.  I thought then that each new thing- and the days were full of them when we were very young... must be "taken in", experienced, thought about, compared with other things that have come our way, and considered; after which it will be added to our memories as we go along.  Slow.  Seems like.

Then, the older we grow the faster time passes it seems.  There is New Years Day...all anticipated and celebrated.  Turn around twice, blink once and it's the Fourth of July.  Turn around again and it's Christmas and another year is added to our memory and we're a year older.  How did THAT happen? 

For the present, right now, I'll say it's hot and humid out there still...seems as though THAT will never end, but it will.  I have avoided walking etc. outside for several months as the weather is just "too too", for me.  It's the gym or walking videos on-line.  Can't wait to get outside again.  I have been a weenie this summer. Usually I just go anyway and look like I've been in the shower when I get home I will have sweat so much.  But September will lessen the humidity and out I go.  

What's going on with you all?  Is time normal to you...fast, slow?  Have you noticed?  ;-) Do you care? :-) 

I took this at the park in the Fall.  And soon, in about 8 weeks I will be seeing it again.  Hard to believe when looking out this morning, and seeing wet fog and feeling the humidity. 

How Does it Go? "Rain Rain go Away"!

Yesterday was my youngest's birthday.  As with all of them, this son is special.  And they all three make me happy and proud (really...they do). This one had a birthday on the twenty- second.  He is the best Dad and husband to the best wife he could ever have chosen.  The entire family is blessed by their union.

The baby of the family, the Birthday Boy,  has excelled in his choice of career; and even his most significant hobby, photography.  His work in photography is such that he can sell it.  He always said he can't be an artist as he hasn't that talent, but he can try to create art with photography.  Happy Birthday with love again, to an unchanging, always family oriented, his own family and the rest of us as well, man.  Blessed as a boy and, as a man.  

I have become an enthusiastic aerobic doer...flinging myself about to music in Katie's room (computer room) as much as I can.  I just have to keep it down some (HR) is all.  I can do anything, as long as it is within reason.  The thing that has totally knocked me down is mask wearing.  They reduce my oxygen intake to scary proportion. So  I am totally unable to wear the hospital-looking white ones any longer.  It must be cloth and as thin as possible and for as little time as possible.  Days at the hospital forced to wear one for 6-7 hrs., are very difficult. That's only every other week though.  Stores are hard too, but 6-7 hours...I can't even tell you.

Some branches have fallen from my dogwood tree.  I hope that it is going to be alright.  There is what an arborist once called "cornflake" patches on the limbs.   They cost a lot to come out and diagnose.   It's a lichen I know. 

Have a happy day blog family.   I'm glad to be in the family.  X

What Was the Name of That Again?

 Kidding...the words in that song, among others were "oh, what a night"!  In this case it was a night of having a kitty there with me as I tried to sleep.  

I woke at 4AM with a sense of not breathing as well...kinda humid air and stuff.  I became aware of a very warm cowl wrapped around  on my head and face.  It breathed.  I wasn't. 

 I tried to make her move by petting...it didn't work for awhile.  Finally it did.  She was annoyed enough to move over. My ankle and shin  meanwhile, were showing signs that they were absolutely going to cramp.  Little 'shivers' of the muscle in that area.  And I have strong muscles, believe me. You can't walk run/workout as much as me though all my life and not have.  (And now I have a few aerobics I am trying out).

ANYway, for the third time in my life-I had to get up and leave the bed..I'll leave that to your imagination as to why.  Between being swamped with warm cat body, and twitching muscle in my ankle and shin AND needing to rise for whatever reason, I got up and started on my trip to the small room.  As my feet hit the floor, I realized the full blown strong cramp had seized the opportunity (had to put it that way...I'm a punster) to grab my ankle and shin.  I really lurched about on that painful leg; and who was in the dark there waiting for me on the floor?  Guess.  (I never turn on lights) I tripped over her...valiantly kept my mission to myself thank goodness, as I was fuller than tick, and made it all hurting- like- the- dickens-with cramp, to my destination.  Having come out to return to bed...someone had beat me to it and was on my pillow.  Yes, I moved her.  

I managed to go back to sleep.   Oh, what a night.  

Saved by the Plumber

 Wellsir, the Plumber did arrive when he said (sorta) and he and I spoke about the symptoms the commode was exhibiting.  He walked in and tried to figure what the matter was. There was faint sound of water running, but not in a way that  the source could be pinned down.  Took the lid off Friday, with him on the phone with me,  and there was no water running inside...the flapper was down...that other thingy over to the left of the flapper ??? who knows the name...was behaving.  No water rushing in it.   The chain where it should be.  No discernible sound emitted...but though I lowered my head,  I still couldn't tell where it came from.  So faint.  

Flushing it 5 times in a row (allowing the wasted water to fill up between each flush seemed to have stopped it for two days.  Then, it started again.  So I called him early Monday morning and he came over several hours later.  He said he would go ahead and change both things..the flapper and that other thingy to the left of it.  So far, so good.  Louder though.  I hope that's all there is to it.  It was just such a faint sound.   I had gone under the house to see if it was the hot water heater..checked the two water faucets out there. Oh, and I worried a LOT.

We're having some beef, onions, and some cream gravy tonight.  Green peas (I LOVE those things).  Wait.  Not me.  Her brovver is having them.  I am having soup...some saltines and probably a lot of fruit.  I have gotten some pounds off by eating more wisely.  No  dessert type sweets except natural ones by which I mean fruits.  (Yas..I know...those have carbs and calories too, but at least they aren't "empty").  I could lay down in gravy, mashed taters, green peas... you name it...and just waller.  Love carb stuff.    However, I grew a backbone- and so since May, I am doing better.   

Got the yard mowed yesterday (not me...the thing is like Mt. Everest out there). And got my little sunflower planted. as well.  Lawn man had to use a posthole digger to get the hole for the little feller ready. And the root ball was no bigger than a man's fist. He's out there, Sunflower, by the fence in case he will need support as time passes.  

What are you all doing?  

Not Looking Forward

Tomorrow I leave early, and I will have to wear that mask for another 6-8 hours unrelentingly.  I wouldn't not be there, so it is all worth it. Have (and want) to be there while a family member is going through a very hard and unpleasant time.  

I do believe the hummingbirds are romancing out there again.  I read that they fly upward...way up about 10 feet or so together, and they drop down together- and up again...and continue for several times.  I think this is courting.  I'm glad we all don't have to do that!  

With the temps in the mid and high 90's each day and sometimes 100. I am especially glad I bring their nectar to a boil  when I cook for them; and keep it in the fridge between servings every couple of days.  The boiling helps it not spoil quite as fast in the intense heat.  I take the feeder down every 3 days, clean it and refill with fresh nectar.  And I don't like that the nectar is so hot for them in the sun when the temp is so high.  Can't do anything about that but I can keep it fresh. 

This is a male Ruby Throated Hummingbird on my deck next to the feeder.  

They are bulking up :-) for their trip back to Central America in another month.  They eat non stop just about for a good month to get ready for that trip...non stop over the Gulf of Mexico.  They don't hitch rides...they fly it all.  The males leave here first, and the females several weeks later.  I always have one who lingers, always a girl, till mid October.  I keep her fed.  

Good Grief

Well, I made a poor me post yesterday.  I decided to delete it.  If someone wants to be rude to the max...let 'em.

Anyway, here I am with new blogger forced on me.  A little bit of this and a little bit of that...groping around trying to find what does which and why.

Let's see about images in posting.  Someone this morning said they had a hard time.

It worked!  

Meanwhile, for those who saw my "poor me" post, sorry.  I haven't done that before.  Must have had indigestion.  Speaking of which!!!  I stopped all sugary sweets such as H-er-shey bars, my fave...or any other, except a tablespoon of whatever flavor preserves (the low sugar ones) as dessert.  My hard to budge pudge is starting to wave buh-buy to me since May!!  Go ME! Well, I also am careful how many calories I have too taking into account walking and some extra on-line walking..well, not me, but the program.  They are easy to  find  Just type it into UTube.  

Other than that...just wanted to pop by again and say why I took the other post down...though it remains "out there" forever and ever I am sure.  people for hundreds of years can say, BOY...what a wimp. 

Life and Times of....

Good Grief!  Whatta day yesterday.  I'll get to that.

I'm going to run around and vacuum again to make all the cool vacuum marks on the carpet.  I just sit and look at them for a while till I must get up and walk somewhere- and poof!  Tracks of the vacuum cleaner doing its work are gone like snowflakes on a hot summer day.  (what a weird example I chose..sheesh).  All I see are Katie's footprints and my own.  I can see every where she has gone in a day.  Wish I could levitate.

So, I am doing the vacuuming again as I am having a very small little party of two for someone's birthday.  I'll make a lemon pound cake and lemon glaze for it.  The remains must go home with the Honored Guest or I will just sit with it and my fork and finish it off!

Got to go to the post office to return a package of something I never ordered.  Seems it's a new scam.  Here is a link as to what it is:  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unordered-merchandise

I had no idea of this and called the company and tried my best to make them understand that I  did NOT order the stuff that came.  It was a call center I got of course...you know what operators they were.  Quite an accent going on there.  Anyway, they were decent about it and did tell me the last 4 digits of the credit card no. used.  I looked with them on the phone with me, at all of my cards..none of which matched.  They sent me a label to send it back.  Beware of this scam, guys  It's new and really catching on with the punks.

Anyway, I had to go to the hospital yesterday to be with someone, and I had to wear a mask the time I was there of course.  But the time turned out to be from 9:30 till 5:30.  Breathing in my exhaled air all that time. That was  8 hours.  My legs felt like lead as we went to the car to leave..and all evening until I went to bed,  as I had a yucky time slogging thru the house and I was very tired.  Usually I am the energizer Bunny. It wasn't until today that I realized that my very bad reaction was the lack of oxygen all those hours yesterday.  I have a certain heart condition that was helped a great deal 5 years ago so that I don't notice it any longer.  But not much air all day took me right back to those days before surgery.

I can't go outside and rest from the mask as it was  (true) 100 degrees when I left.  Nowhere in the hospital that you can pull it down and breathe.  I doubt they will permit the face shield.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I have to be there.

You can't help me I know.  Just talking.  I'm ok with the mask until so many hours as yesterday.  Short times are alright.

Going to head to the PO, have an appt. with State Farm to see what do they mean by their changing everyone's policies.  I was sent a form letter that the changes were going to be in two separate envelopes!  Good grief!  Gotta pick up some makings for lunch tomorrow for the friend  and find a gift.  Come home...make vacuum marks and then bake the cake.  Pull some weeds before it gets to the mid 90's.  Water the plants...clean the kitchen floor again...and bunches of other things.

How about you?

wild geranium at the arboretum...

Been Busy

A friend of mine.  I found her in May. 

Anyway, the house and even outside of my house smells like fried potatoes and onions.  All crispy brown, some of them.  The others not, but all, crispy or not, are delicious.  I went out to water the succulent on the front porch- and the air for several feet out was redolent of the cooking potatoes and onions.  Caused by my opening the front door I am sure.

Ever have some homemade fried potatoes and onions with eggs in the mornings?  Oh, my gosh.  They were made for one another.  Bacon too, of course.

One son will be here tomorrow until Saturday so I got those ready and what one son doesn't help me to eat, another one will, I am certain.

I've been doing a lot of work in the house.  Had to re-do the kitchen floor yet again.  It's wood so a pain in the neck.  But it's cleaned up.  The house got a good drubbing outside yesterday.  It's once a year cleaning; and this time the carport was included as well as the porches.  Good to see it looking so clean for now.  A house is a never ending chore. But I am grateful to have one to complain about.
*Pee Ess: Thought I had better say that *I* am not the one who did all the outside cleaning. It was a pro house cleaner*. I did all the inside of course.  :-)  

Question.  However:  Pease don't beat my brains out if you choose to answer.  😱 It's just a question. I hope for civility, and I really would like to know.  Here is the question.

What real good does a cloth mask do?  Air circulates through it- in as well as out.  Yes, I wear one when I must, but a friend made a crack the other day...can't say I disagree with him...that it's the same as pulling your underwear over your head and does as much good.  Just doesn't look as awkward.

See you soon over at your place. 💗

New Blogger

I haven't switched over to see what the new blogger will be like but from the few I have come into contact with on Katie's blog, there are a few problems.


I think Katie, Admiral, and I may just hang it up when they force the change.  I don't want to deal with trying to post a photo, how to read blogs or even post one.  Takes all the joy out of it.  They say "too bad" at the end go June...they will make the new one yours...want it or not.

I will try once...that'll be it.  Ain't nobody cares, in any case.  :-)

Well, it's just after 7.  I need to get ready for the day.  Katie's brother is here till in the morning.  I'll get that breakfast started (bacon and eggs) and soon, head to the gym.  Too humid to enjoy walking outside.  Treadmill here I come.

I'd rather be there but...wringing wet humidity.  So...off to the treadmill.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dad's out there.

 I mean this equally if you foster pets, care for them or are enjoying a pet at your home.   They, as well as our human children deserve love returned for the love they give us unstintingly.

And Happy Father's day to any Mom's out there who, like me, reared their children largely by themselves.

My Dad deserved to have a Mother's Day card from me on Mother's Day as well as a Father's Day one because he had the responsibility of bringing me up.  The values he instilled in me and my two brothers- were the same values I used as I raised my own children.

Two of my boys are Father's to their sons in a way that makes me proud.

Bumble bee at work, taken on  a walk.

Hm....About that Roast

I made the pork roast and it will have to be another recipe next time.  It was good, but didn't ring my chimes as they used to say.

It's pulled pork now,  and will make excellent sandwiches or even served as is on a plate with sides.  However, it's bland despite my additions.  Everyone has their own taste preferences.  This is good, as I said.  I would like a different slant on it so to speak.

BUT, thought I would tell you that unless I come up with something else...I will probably not make it again.

Hotter'n blue blazes lately.  Enough to make my solid thick front door hot, and radiating heat inward to the entry way.  Went from Winter to Summer in the snap on fingers it seems.

I would go to the gym for tread milling except you must wear a mask and that is not my idea of an enjoyable time there.  And they want you to clean whatever you're on.  The only thing that touches the treadmill are my feet.  I don't hold onto it anywhere.  My arms are at my sides.  So I don't want to have to clean it.  They have employees.  If I sweat and slobbered all over it..OK.  But I don't.  I'm not anxious to go there with the doors thrown open to the heat and humidity, having to wear a mask too, and etc.  So, I'll wait or stay outside.

What's up in your town?

Day by Day

Day by day, we're at least using  time.

Meanwhile I am going to make a pork roast.  I have it out of the freezer.  A rather small one..about three pounds.  Not sure what to put with it.  Slow cooked but..do you do the potato and carrot, celery and onion thing?  Broth?  Suggestions are welcome.

Sun is out.  Two days in a row...I don't know how to bear up!  But soon as I get my hair flat ironed, off I go.  Milk, eggs, and bread.  Tell me now if you need anything or it will be too late in half an hour.

See the purty morning?  You wish there was a way to get the power lines out but there's not.


I have learned the hard way.  No matter how neat you think you are, you're not if you eat at the computer.  You can drink a smoothie you made but for pete sake go the table for the sandwich if there is one.  You gunk up the keyboard even though you think there is nothing there.   Yes there is  And it adds up.  I wore several letters had off of my Magic keyboard after 5 years of constant typing (Apple) and so I ordered a new one.  Didn't care for the larger size...I made a wrong decision.  So I traded the full sized one I just got for one of the boys' smaller one he was using. Bluetoothed it up and it makes a crisp non -gunk sound as I type.

Thought on the slow cooker pork roast.  Pretty please?

Fortunate

I am fortunate to have my home permeated with the wonderful aroma of a pot roast in the slow cooker.

I was at the grocery late morning and I saw several beautiful pieces of meat in the grocer's meat case.  I stood there and though the cost was way too much...I had to have it.  So I chose one,  got some carrots (I have everything else) and came home to prepare it.

Just as the house was redolent with salmon patties Saturday, so is the house afloat  with there rich smell of roast and veggies cooking.

I got the meat thermometer out and had to check the roast though it has only been three hours.  I think the cooker is too hot things are getting done too soon.  The cooker is deficient because of its age I would say.  I will look for another. I have it turned down quite a bit but things are still bubbling in there.  I took one piece of potato to try after checking the temperature of the meat.   OH. MY. Word!  Good.

I'll be eating on this for a week.  But it sure is better than what I would be having otherwise.

Here come the Judge.

That song...All Alone am I....

Well...they go "ever since your goodbye"  but the first thing there in the title works.  I am all alone now since 1100.   Well, except for Katie Isabella.

I've had a lot of company for about a week and a half but now as of 11 this morning...alone.
Don't like it,  But...I'll get used to it again.

One thing I fixed was spaghetti and Sicilian style meata ballas for supper the night before last.  We loved it.  Last night, I made something even less spectacular.  Salmon patties!  I love the things.  They were cooked up nice and lightly browned on both sides.  The entire house smelled of them through to the next day but...who cares!  I had 4 leftover patties that made a great (to me...only to me) salmon sandwich.  Hate to tell you this but I had one for breakfast instead of my cereal or eggs.  When you're from the South, you're gonna have a Coke too.  Then your coffee.

Washed more windows today...changed bed linens, dusted, took out houseplants for the summer --and cleaned the tub and surround, potty and sink.  Already did the floor.  Clean towels...hey, come on over!

Saw me a bobcat when he crossed my path walking.  Could not take a picture.

Ate more left over salmon for supper and a 10 oz. small  fresh fruit salad this evening.  Good I reckon.

See ya on your blog...

A post of Gratitude

Each year I tell my friends here, and those near to me where I am, that I am filled to the top with gratitude for my three sons.  They were each the extreme best gift I have ever been given.  I have maintained that ever since the first one came along to change my life to a perfect one because they are in it.

Each one was wanted, cherished, loved to the ends of the earth- and no matter what else was/is in my life, they were and are the only gift I am exceedingly grateful for beyond ability to express it fully.

You all who visit me here are always patient with me when I start on this on  each Mother's Day, and I will on Father's Day as well.  Many Father's have had to be the mom as well as the father...as mine was with me.  That is why I wish the Dad's a happy Mother's Day as well.  I in turn, was and am the father as well as the mother.

A privelege, a blessing and a gift.  I am thankful for each boy.

Sons are like a heritage from the Lord.  Children, a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed s the man whose quiver is full of them.

Happy Mother's day to all moms of fur children and human ones.  All are truly loved and cared for and we are glad of them.  

wild geraniums.  I took the photo last year. 

Days of Water and No Chocolate

Guys, I am taking a new med that has a side effect of weight gain.  NOT what I need.  So right now, after telling the Dr., we made a decision to try to work a bit harder to not go over my recommended calorie quota.  It also increases appetite so, yup...I had a two hundred calorie daily count over..no wonder I gained.

However, I have lost 2  pounds.  Working on it.  Want 6 more.  I'm still squeezy though.  Don't want to lose my charm!

The picture in the header was taken a month ago while I stood on my deck and looked into my woods.  You can see the pale fog lying in the valley below. Part of why I took the picture.  You can guess the time as that is the sun popping up.

I picked a few roses this morning and a couple lavender azalea blossoms.  Put them in a small glass and here they are.

I could wax poetic about that rose lower right.  Already have but only to someone I sent the picture to.

Now I have hiccups for pete sakes.

Got my walk in...faint drizzle while doing so.  I ran my mouth so much with walking friends up there it took me longer to finish.  Made me a tart cherry smoothie when I got home.  I add one Splenda to it.  Takes the edge off.

What are you all doing?  Lot more than me I would say.

Them Wuz the Days

Hey guys..I was just texting a dear blogging friend and talking about making an angel food cake with drizzled on pink icing.  It went from that to an angel food cake with thick pink icing.  Then, it went to a memory that popped up for me as I was texting so I will share that text with you all.

Here is is:  I copied and am pasting it for you.

Maybe like my friend, best at the time, Phyllis.  We went to Kroger and bought a frozen Sara Lee cherry cheesecake. We were going to have it the next morning with coffee.  We got in my Pontiac..and she looked at me...I at her. It was like 9 at night.  This was when our kids were little, I might add.  They were home with their Dad's. Anyway, she opened her purse and brought out a big ol’ jack knife and split the cake down the middle, right there in the car...we handed one side to me..kept the other, and we  ate it  all, making delighted pigs of ourselves & laughing our heads off. 

 I swear, there is nothing like memories.  We used to go in stores together, young moms  laughing like hyenas the whole time...constant chatter and having the best of times.  And what we found to talk about while I was either down at her place, or she up at mine..who knows!   I met her not long after I answered an ad for someone to sew for people..and called to make an appointment with her to find out her husband is a policeman.  When she told me her name, I said, Oh,  A policeman by theat name gave a ticket last week.  She confessed it had to have been him as who else had such a last name?  We got to be the best of best friends back then. Miss her. 

Let's eat.  

Last Person on Earth I Think

Folks, I usually never ever do this.  What?  Tell  you strongly how I feel about something that used to be  of no concern.

I was reading a blog a few minutes ago  and the person ended an interesting blog with the letters that indicated we should stay at home.  But the person felt compelled to use the "F word " indicator...i.e STFAH.  Even abbreviated it hurt my heart.

Tell you what. I hate hearing, reading or seeing an allusion to the word.   And the most surprising  people say it.  For all to hear and see...male, female, child...they don't care...whichever suits them.

I detest reading a blog, a Face Book post, or an instagram description to see that ugly word rubbed in my face.  Seems female persons decide to use it as a descriptor more often than others.  I think the language does contain MANY other words to describe
dislike/hate/ugliness/interesting/forcefulness/and so on.  I wish these folks would consult a thesaurus or dictionary rather than force those of us who can speak without cursing, to come upon their blog or post and be forced to read their ugly word.  Have some civility about you, persons who feel the need to use this word.  Please.

Everyone else seems to go on and on about politics.  I spare you.  I never say a word as I am not here to argue or distress anyone.  But I am sharing this today.  Hope it is not offending you. I am here to share everyday things, and hope that you will share with me too.

 

They Say Confession is Good for the Soul

So:  My name is Carole and I am a Western and Cowboy fan!  I LOVE the old shows, black and white or color, I don't care.  Faded a lot-- as is "Rawhide" but I don't care.  I will squint and keep adjusting to make it all out regardless.

I get to see all the Western stars who have passed now as the shows are so old.  There may be a few still living.  I don't google to see.

I look forward to them like some kid each Saturday and watch as many as I can while I am getting other things done.  It's a harmless affection for the old TV shows from the 50's thru the 70's as the latest--- (as in Bonanza).

I love seeing Steve McQueen, from the late 50's in Wanted Dead or Alive and see the only nice Bounty Hunter out there!  😊 But I love seeing all of the others.

I loved watching Wild Wild West but they took it off air so..I hope I'll find it again some day.

The kid in me, where these shows are concerned, is so far and away from my usual adult personality.  I am much more serious and more into other things including all things History.  But Saturday...as when I was a little girl...I'll settle in to watch my fave horse operas and that will keep me until the next Saturday.

Humpty Dumpty

Will they put Humpty Dumpty together again? That's the question of the hour.

Hi and hello and good day to you.  I wanted to give you a break from my too frequent blogs.  But as with the bad penny...look who's back?

Experimenting for the first time with an online order.  Just a loaf of bread...nasty  gummy white bread as they don't have whole wheat...and 4 cans of tart cherries.  Wanted to see what it was like.

WE have had an entire month of rain...with 2 exceptions, and looking at my Dark Sky app..we have another week of solid rain..well, except for Thursday at 30%, coming up.  The City said the continuing rain is making it hard for the sewers.

Went and got my hair done.  They sanitized all the time...most people cancelled so social distance was no problem.  WE  don't have a case in my town yet.  But it's going to happen.  Just a matter of time.

Beginning to be like the old stuff us kids used to see in school about duck and cover.  Just as depressing and just as dark.

I'd head out t the park or elsewhere but...every present  rain makes that nothing to savor.  ''Hey. speaking f savor, I made some fried chicken and yeller rice last night.  Nommy.

You know what?  I may make a crustless pumpkin pie!  Knowing me, it'll be gone in three days!

Stop by if you want some.  Everything but the calorie filled crust...good as that always is.

The rain beat these poor guys off the tree within 3 days of blooming. 

It SEEMED Like a Good Idea at the Time....

Here's my prob.  I have had disc problems and other related problems in my lower spine hence a continual back ache.  Hurts like heck all the time but I grin and bear it as it sure beats being immobile.  I am grateful as always, for what I have and what is given.

Back to the topic.  I have a 3" memory foam topper on the firm mattress.  Cheaper than buying a new mattress at those horribly inflated prices and never really knowing whether the one you chose will truly be what you need until it's too late. Love the foam topper, but after daily use for several years, it sags somewhat under the heavier portion of the body.  (no, I don't weight "that" much).  I rotate it every 4 weeks I will say,  for the record.  Oooh, I feel like Perry Mason...let the record show...let the record so state...or is that Hamilton Berger?

Anyway, my lower back feels like someone tried to cave it in with a baseball bat each morning on my very painful rising...even sitting on the edge of bed while Katie almost headbutts me off onto the floor is painful.  {My walking rather fast also does my back in but the alternative is not exercising.  I don't swim and don't wanna}

Moving on..I had a light bulb moment last early evening.  I recalled that I had a "sofa saver" under the sofa as I had accidentally bought another when I already had one.  Light bulb said "Take out the sofa saver and put it on the mattress UNDER the memory foam pad.  It may provide a bit of support that will alleviate the pain."  I obeyed the lightbulb.  I laid with great expectation on the bed later and I thought..."I can do this if I try hard".  Well, I managed till 0600, but the gathering pain got me up.

I learned two things.  I can feel the creases in the sofa board...each one.  And, it's too hard really.  Not good and counterproductive of course.  However, it did improve my sleep a bit regardless...until the pain got too too bad.  I took the sofa saver out- as it would not really do..and folded it back to its home under the sofa on the floor until a moment arrives when it can be used for its stated purpose.

One never hears good things many times about the "pillow top" mattresses and surely they too will flatten. Maybe I could rent a barn and sleep standing up with Mr. Ed or his cohorts.

Oh Yuk. Ingredients.

Guys, I did the "don't do" of grocery shopping, which is do not shop when hungry. I was very hungry.  I was crusinin' the frozen dinner aisle and saw what I thought was a great brand name box with some yummy looking chicken, gravy. 'taters and corn in it.   It came home with other choices too, and I paid no mind to the price at the time of sale.  I missed all the earmarks of DON'T DO IT! Had I noticed the price, it would have been a dead giveaway as to brand and quality, but oh no.  Hungry to the max, it looked good and so I fell for it.

Came home. Immediately put it in the microwave.  Started to eat it...it tasted good...but strangely mushy and all mixed together.  I thought to get up and scan the product code with my phone so as to account for the calories in my "Lose It" app.  So I did.

Friends, Romans and Countryman!  I saw 800 some calories appear on my app...and the makers name which I had not noticed as they changed their packaging design.  I got up, ran in and looked at the box and oh NO!  It was the king of cheap dinners and made with....well, I'll just show you.

One of my better friends was over the other day and  while talking about diets, she just happened to mention how she loved that particular dinner...the one I accidentally bought.  I said nothing except that she might want to look at the calories.  If someone tells you they could eat that 6 times a day...leave them alone.  Never again.  Since they changed their look, I will pay strict attention.

Ew.

Oh What Fun. Not.

I get to go to an appointment with the dermatologist in an hour to see what it is that is red and itchy on my calm serene brow!  It's on the left side  that is exposed to the sun while driving, and I am a natural redhead with the skin and blue eyes that make my face look like a  white china plate with two blue marbles on it when I haven't any makeup on.  Blonde brows and lashes too...Oh My!  So...since I only have sun screen  on my face if there is any in the makeup I use..I'm not usually protected from the sun's rays on my face.  The rest of me, yes.  If I pay the price, I do.  We'll see what he says.

(PeeEss:  Now I know, as I have been and I'm back.  If you've ever had stuff frozen off you anywhere...give me some "bless your hearts"s.  I had 16 squirts that lasted (I counted) about 4 seconds each squirt.  That hurt like heck!  My forehead is still burning!)

Cold out there, but not as awful as the past several weeks.  I got to go out side yesterday (I detest the gym) and loved every second of it.  I always feel like a million dollars all day and all night and the next day too.  That alone is a great incentive to keep it up.

Katie wrote  yesterday that she got super mad at something that was outside yesterday early morning; and she exhibited displaced aggression toward me who was standing by, hoping to talk her into calmness.  She came over and whapped my legs a couple of times.  Not as badly as she could.  It was half hearted I could tell. "Just sayin' " is about what it amounted to in her thoughts when she saw me there.  But half hearted, yes.  However I am glad I was wearing  denim jeans. Even had the zipper up and a belt on!!

Made  a peach cobbler, home made from scratch except I didn't make the peaches :-) and oh, was that good. I made it for Katie's Client's parents..(son and DIL) but I found to my sadness that son doesn't like peach anything.  Good grief.  Going to make something called cherry pudding  It's a cherry cobbler though made with sour cherries.  I took one to work once and it was vacuumed up by co-workers.  They loved it (no, the cherries tasted somewhat tart, not sour) as there was sufficient sugar involved.  Lost the recipe some time ago.

I think I may make another pot of soup.  I eat on it night and day.  All three meals.  That's how much I love it.  Can't ask for anything more nourishing though.

As is the name of the blog...I am rambling on (and on and on).

Gotta comb all this hair on my head.  I'll get the hairdresser to take 3-4 inches off the back next time.

See ya soon.  Hope no zombie cats come to YOUR yard and start a fluff-up!

Shiver Me Timbers

Oh gosh, it's 21 F  out there so that means a trip to the gym.  Just too much spending an hour in that cold.  It penetrates my gloves after 20 or so minutes and that is pretty miserable.  The rest of me stays alright except my face.  I usually let 32 degrees F be my gauge.  Anything under that temperature is gym time.  I detest going there as it is boring to the nth degree.   But I am grateful to have one to go too.  Really.  When it's suffocatingly hot or bone cold...it's the place to be.  

From the arboretum

Gees Louise

Man, every year this happens just a bit earlier and earlier.  On January 10th, look who popped up?

And those are my daffodils...the ruffled double ones.  The blades have come up out of the earth about 5 inches or so.  Guys, why didn't you stay DOWN there until there was no more possibility of snow and ice?  You've lived here for YEARS for pity sakes.  You KNOW that we even have snow in many an April around here.  WHY do you DO this every year the past 10 years?  This year you are two weeks earlier than last year and that was still in January.  We talked about your behavior then too!   You have lived here a long time and you know you used to come up in the last of March.  What's the problem?  It's COLD.

And look who ELSE came out to join you?

A violet!  WHAT is the MATTER with you?  Recede under the earth and take a good nap.  I'll tell you when to come up.  OK? Sheesh!  You guys make me worry that you'll be killed with frost, ice, snow.   Give me a break.

pee ess:  I took the header picture here in my yard last Spring.

A Special Day

My second son is having a birthday today.  Happy Birthday, son.

I have  always told all of you here each year how grateful I am to have all three sons. And  that each one's birthday is a brilliantly happy day for me.  Because I am grateful through and through to be their mother.  And my love for each one is unparalleled in my life.  NO one can and will take their place in my life.  Others will love them as well, but they will always be my treasures.  And I am commemorating the birth of one of them this day.

A gift to me.

I am extraordinarily proud of my boy on his birthday as he grew to be what he most wanted to be.  At eleven years of age, he knew he wanted to be a teacher.  He laid that ground work all his school years through High School and with many AP classes.  He began University with his AP courses advancing him in grade level so he was younger than he might have been had he not had the AP courses... when he finished all his degrees.  He looked like a student at one of the early schools where he taught. He told us of standing outside with his grade book in his hand watching children get on the bus and one sidled up to him and told him he's better get that grade book out of sight before the teacher saw him.

Time has passed, and he has been teaching for some years now.   He is a Fulbright Scholar again.  Here is his latest trip this year; Costa Rica and Uruguay.

He had just landed in Uruguay. 

And, he was honored with the CATO Award last year.  A signal honor.

I am bustin' my buttons  dear Bruce.    Happy Birthday precious boy. 

A Day in the Life of a Flower

You know, since 1999 when I got my first little point and shoot digital camera, I found that my identity was not what it seemed.  I will tell you why.

I was and am fascinated with wildflowers mostly...along with some more common garden flowers or tree flowers as well, i.e. magnolia, (a strong favorite of mine) and violets, another strong favorite of my heart and  a few others.  I progressed to a DSLR and became a mostly macro enthusiast, along with landscapes.

 But wild flowers, even those dressed in more plain robes than some more flamboyant flowers, are something I love to find and engage with, both mind to mind,  and with the Nikon.  And when I do engage with them and post their portraits to Flickr, I usually find that I was and still am when I venture out again, in a conversation with the flowers which I usually pass on to friends and viewers.  IF I am not told the conversation is personal between us, that is.  AND if there was a conversation.  Sometimes they are silent.

If there are any Flickr members here who have seen my photo stream- especially my flower portraits, then you will know of a few of those conversations I happened to hear among the flowers.  They did not speak to me personally now...or ever.  But they allowed me to be privileged to listen as they knew and still know I am like them in my heart.  I still do join them, and the occasional bee or other insect who joins the gathering.  We all listen; and the flowers tell a story of their day and evening, sweeping we listeners into the fragrant soft heart of adventure and Being.

I came upon some ladies one day, leaning at a post, quietly murmuring.  Here they are, and what they said:







Now you know me fully.  I have a softly petaled heart.

Once Upon a Time

I was reading in a magazine an experience a girl had when she was just about 12 years old.  She knew  reality about Santa Claus, but she still cherished the hope that he would bring her something she wanted so much for Christmas.  That Christmas she got nothing and there was not a tree as her parents did not believe in gifts and trees at Christmas after the time the child stopped believing in Santa Claus.

The girl was saddened she wrote.  Her parents felt badly for her  then and the father went to a drug store and got her a silver colored music box.  She was so glad of that gift, but it was the last of any in that family.  She wrote that she still has that gift after all these years.  To me...how sad.

It reminded me however of another type of experience when I was nine years old.  It was the day before Christmas eve and Santa was at City Hall to greet all the boys and girls who came by.  My brother, eight years older than me, and his girl friend took me.  Santa gave every child a stocking when they visited so I was at least looking forward to that.

When we came into the room, I saw him sitting in his chair waiting on the children.  I was next in line.  I hesitated a bit as I was in the company of my high schooler brother and his girl.  It wasn't just Santa and me in the room.  I spoke after a minute and said, "you didn't put anything in my stocking last year." I was going to say thank you for the gifts though, but Peggy, my brother's girlfriend said all gushy- like, "Oh she still believes in Santa Claus"!!  Even Santa felt sorry for me.  I was looking in his face and I saw the look he had on it after Peggy said that to me... as he had seen mine reflect the awfulness of what she said.

I just stood there after she said that.  Santa got up and brought me my gift for being there ,and Peggy said some stupid equally gushy things about how sorry she was to break it to me.  (yeah, right).  My brother had to deal with my sadness when we left. She asked how old I was and finding I was 9, she declared it was about time to get with the program. I have always not cared for her.

Happy New Year dear friends.  Thank you for coming by when you do.  XXX