I receive emails from a local homeowners' association. They can be informative and interesting. Yesterday's email made me giggle. It stated in part:
"ALL residents must be using the tougher and more aesthetic black garbage bags....Fines will be assessed to those who do not comply after individual written notice."
That just cracked me up. Now, let me say, I have never sat on the board of an HOA. It must be a most difficult job to meet the perceived needs of so many people, but I just cannot get my head around how the meeting of the garbage bags developed. Who came up with the wording? Aesthetic garbage bags? Am I the only one who finds this funny?
It pleases me to say, that a resident in compliance with the aesthetic trash bag rule, hit "reply all" with a most kind response. She did hit "send" before she intended. It stated in part:
"I'd like to (offer) a different solution rather than a warning letter and/or a fine. I will be glad to give you a few 'black, tougher, and more aesthetic black garbage bags' if you are having trouble, for any reason, obtaining them. I hope this action will build good will and I'd like to meet more of you and have a friendly conversation.....I want to be that difference. So, call me or email me and I will be happy to share some bags with you. I view this as a total win-win for all involved!"
I love this response. I immediately emailed her thanking her for her kindness and sweet spirit. There were numerous ways to respond to the HOA email. I giggled, some may have seen it as a threat, some may have gotten angry, some may have felt intimidated, some may have thought, "at last, something is being done about those hideous white trash bags!" One person reached out with kindness and offered a solution. Good for her.
Today, I wish that your most pressing problem be aesthetically displeasing garbage bags, that someone meets your needs with great kindness, and I wish you
Blessings
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
What Would You Change?
I have friends whose mother passed away this week. Many prayers were offered on her behalf. Certainly, they were not answered in the way in which we hoped. This is often the story.
She broke her hip before Christmas. She was doing amazingly, which was to be expected for she was an amazing woman. Oh, she did not find the cure for cancer, deliver great speeches, or swim the English Channel. What Dot Mason did was love people. She loved her family, and she instilled in them a graciousness in service. She loved her friends and her children's friends. She welcomed them into her home and into her life. She loved the hurting and under-cared-for. That was obvious in her "in lieu of flowers" requests. She did not promote herself. She always had a ready smile and word of encouragement.
The repair for her broken hip did not work. She was scheduled for hip replacement surgery, which had to be delayed because of a respiratory infection. There was great hope that the replacement surgery would soon happen. She, uncharacteristically, became discouraged. Pain will do that to a person; pain and setback after setback. An abdominal aortic aneurysm created the circumstance that would end her time on this leg of her journey. She lingered for a couple days; not enough time. Prayers continued, even as doctors declared the hopelessness of the situation. Her loss creates deep sadness, questions, and a profound sense of loss for her family.
What would they have done differently if they had known that this past Christmas would be their last with their mother, grandmother, and great grandmother? What would they have changed if they had known that her last birthday was truly the last, or that Easter was the last Easter meal she would prepare for them? I doubt they would have done anything differently. They would celebrate with her, just as they did; this beautiful, blessed family. On Tuesday, they will celebrate a life well-lived; a woman well-loved. They will celebrate in the hope that she, herself, taught them by her words, her deeds, her love.
Yes, Dot Mason was a woman who loved people. She leaves a beautiful legacy in her daughters, in her grandchildren, in her great grandchildren. She was one of the good ones.
For today, I wish you the opportunity to enjoy the company of the good ones and I wish you
Blessings
She broke her hip before Christmas. She was doing amazingly, which was to be expected for she was an amazing woman. Oh, she did not find the cure for cancer, deliver great speeches, or swim the English Channel. What Dot Mason did was love people. She loved her family, and she instilled in them a graciousness in service. She loved her friends and her children's friends. She welcomed them into her home and into her life. She loved the hurting and under-cared-for. That was obvious in her "in lieu of flowers" requests. She did not promote herself. She always had a ready smile and word of encouragement.
The repair for her broken hip did not work. She was scheduled for hip replacement surgery, which had to be delayed because of a respiratory infection. There was great hope that the replacement surgery would soon happen. She, uncharacteristically, became discouraged. Pain will do that to a person; pain and setback after setback. An abdominal aortic aneurysm created the circumstance that would end her time on this leg of her journey. She lingered for a couple days; not enough time. Prayers continued, even as doctors declared the hopelessness of the situation. Her loss creates deep sadness, questions, and a profound sense of loss for her family.
What would they have done differently if they had known that this past Christmas would be their last with their mother, grandmother, and great grandmother? What would they have changed if they had known that her last birthday was truly the last, or that Easter was the last Easter meal she would prepare for them? I doubt they would have done anything differently. They would celebrate with her, just as they did; this beautiful, blessed family. On Tuesday, they will celebrate a life well-lived; a woman well-loved. They will celebrate in the hope that she, herself, taught them by her words, her deeds, her love.
Yes, Dot Mason was a woman who loved people. She leaves a beautiful legacy in her daughters, in her grandchildren, in her great grandchildren. She was one of the good ones.
For today, I wish you the opportunity to enjoy the company of the good ones and I wish you
Blessings
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
25 - Weird Quirk of Mine
25 - weird quirk of mine
As if!! Seems almost every blog in this challenge has revealed something weird about me. I am in Florida with family. This will be the end of my blog challenge exercise. I am fairly certain no one's day will be ruined hearing that bit of news. I hope, if you have been keeping up, that you won't be too disappointed in me for quitting a week early. If you are, sorry about that. Have a little chocolate.
When I read this challenge, I knew exactly what I would write about. Truly, I have myriad quirks. I doubt seriously that I am unique in this. The ones I cannot recognize on my own are quickly brought to my attention by Mr. L and my children. This one, however, is only observable by me.
When I read books at night, as I begin to nod off, my mind creates characters and events and inserts them into the story. At the moment, I am reading two books; a novel, The Love Season, and a nonfiction account of the days leading up to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln entitled Killing Lincoln. I try not to read the Lincoln book when I am sleepy as parts of the information I am gathering will be used on my tours, and I would rather not share some made up character or event with eager 4th grade Learners. The Love Season will not be damaged by new characters and events, but having said that, it is most confusing to resume my reading the next day wondering where so and so is and why that event is not mentioned again.
I have a friend from elementary school who wrote in the comments after the post on my bad habits, "....they (your blogs) make me feel like I'm not as crazy as I sometimes think I am..." I love that. It always makes me happy to provide a public service; making others feel better about their own crazy.
As always, blogging seems quite an exercise in ego. To imagine that I have anything of any importance to say seems a bit misguided. Actually, I really think I blog for myself. This has been a fun challenge for me. Those of you who have had kind words, I greatly appreciate them. I chuckle when I think of another friend who shared the blog of my favorite quotes, saying it was his favorite of all the "What Now" blogs. I teased him that his favorite was the one where 95% of the words were not mine!
So, day 25- a weird quirk - check
31 day blog challenge - che....
As if!! Seems almost every blog in this challenge has revealed something weird about me. I am in Florida with family. This will be the end of my blog challenge exercise. I am fairly certain no one's day will be ruined hearing that bit of news. I hope, if you have been keeping up, that you won't be too disappointed in me for quitting a week early. If you are, sorry about that. Have a little chocolate.
When I read this challenge, I knew exactly what I would write about. Truly, I have myriad quirks. I doubt seriously that I am unique in this. The ones I cannot recognize on my own are quickly brought to my attention by Mr. L and my children. This one, however, is only observable by me.
When I read books at night, as I begin to nod off, my mind creates characters and events and inserts them into the story. At the moment, I am reading two books; a novel, The Love Season, and a nonfiction account of the days leading up to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln entitled Killing Lincoln. I try not to read the Lincoln book when I am sleepy as parts of the information I am gathering will be used on my tours, and I would rather not share some made up character or event with eager 4th grade Learners. The Love Season will not be damaged by new characters and events, but having said that, it is most confusing to resume my reading the next day wondering where so and so is and why that event is not mentioned again.
I have a friend from elementary school who wrote in the comments after the post on my bad habits, "....they (your blogs) make me feel like I'm not as crazy as I sometimes think I am..." I love that. It always makes me happy to provide a public service; making others feel better about their own crazy.
As always, blogging seems quite an exercise in ego. To imagine that I have anything of any importance to say seems a bit misguided. Actually, I really think I blog for myself. This has been a fun challenge for me. Those of you who have had kind words, I greatly appreciate them. I chuckle when I think of another friend who shared the blog of my favorite quotes, saying it was his favorite of all the "What Now" blogs. I teased him that his favorite was the one where 95% of the words were not mine!
So, day 25- a weird quirk - check
31 day blog challenge - che....
Monday, January 18, 2016
24 - Most Embarrassing Moment
24 - most embarrassing moment
There are so many options for this post. Often, it seems like the most recent faux pas is the most embarrassing, but there is one that stands out.
It is my senior year in high school. As mentioned in an earlier post, I am a cheerleader with very little skill; a loud voice, but in actual cheerleading skill I am quite deficient. The cheerleading squad is practicing jumps and pyramids (I always made quite the sturdy base. The Candyman, whom I loved dearly, once called me sturdy; what every female wants to be) and other stunts on the stage in the gym. Our opponent that night is Chattanooga Redbank. As their team walks into the gym, we cheerleaders are aware that new boys are arriving. I pretty much sealed my fate with the boys in my class during my life's 2nd most embarrassing moment. I am in 7th grade and playing intramural basketball. When, at last, I am called to go in (only because everyone has to have a chance in intramurals), I quickly have to put on the penny (little vest-like thing) of the person for whom I am subbing. In all my athletic glory, I find myself standing on the court with both my head and arm stuck in the neck hole of my penny, as the game continues around me. An MVP is born.
So, back to my senior year on the stage in the gym. Did I mention new boys, none of whom had witnessed my shame in seventh grade? I am feeling quite enthusiastic and energetic, and anxious to make a good impression. I gather all my energies, execute a perfect herkie cheer jump........right off the stage, onto my backside, under the basketball goal. Nice!
24 - most embarrassing moment-check
There are so many options for this post. Often, it seems like the most recent faux pas is the most embarrassing, but there is one that stands out.
It is my senior year in high school. As mentioned in an earlier post, I am a cheerleader with very little skill; a loud voice, but in actual cheerleading skill I am quite deficient. The cheerleading squad is practicing jumps and pyramids (I always made quite the sturdy base. The Candyman, whom I loved dearly, once called me sturdy; what every female wants to be) and other stunts on the stage in the gym. Our opponent that night is Chattanooga Redbank. As their team walks into the gym, we cheerleaders are aware that new boys are arriving. I pretty much sealed my fate with the boys in my class during my life's 2nd most embarrassing moment. I am in 7th grade and playing intramural basketball. When, at last, I am called to go in (only because everyone has to have a chance in intramurals), I quickly have to put on the penny (little vest-like thing) of the person for whom I am subbing. In all my athletic glory, I find myself standing on the court with both my head and arm stuck in the neck hole of my penny, as the game continues around me. An MVP is born.
So, back to my senior year on the stage in the gym. Did I mention new boys, none of whom had witnessed my shame in seventh grade? I am feeling quite enthusiastic and energetic, and anxious to make a good impression. I gather all my energies, execute a perfect herkie cheer jump........right off the stage, onto my backside, under the basketball goal. Nice!
24 - most embarrassing moment-check
Sunday, January 17, 2016
23 - Most Proud Moment
23 - most proud moment
I have this odd aversion to the word "proud." When adults tell other adults they are proud of them, it sounds discordant. Obviously, the intent of "I am proud of you" is encouragement and congratulations
So, I certainly recognize that my dislike of the word is, well......weird. Because of this (it is possible I need serious help), I do not care for this challenge.
Webster defines proud as "very happy and pleased because of something you have done, something you own, someone you know or are related to." Well, I still don't like it, but in the spirit of the challenge (sort of) I am going to twist it a bit to my happiest moment(s), which had very little to do with anything I did, nothing to do with what I own or who I know, and everything to do with to whom I am related.
My happiest moments were the days my children were born. I realize that mothers who did not have my experience were equally happy at the births of their children. All babies are little miracles; some are just a little harder to get here.
By the time my son was born, I had experienced two miscarriages, a battery of infertility tests, a regimen of fertility pills and painful weekly shots through my 36th week. You can imagine my relief and joy when we reached the point that the baby was "viable" and it looked as if we were really going to have a baby. At my 39th week doctor's visit, I mentioned some symptoms I was having. Thinking it was nothing of import, my doctor still decided to run some tests. After all, we had done everything we knew to do to get this baby here, so extra precaution seemed appropriate.
October 20, found me having regular but not painful labor pains. I figured a baby would be here in the not too distant future, so while I was aware of the contractions, they were not the sort that would cause me to bother the doctor. My phone rang. It was my doctor telling me that the results of the test had come back and I had a beta strep infection. When I asked what that meant, he explained that untreated, if passed to the baby, it could cause blindness, other issues, or death. He said he would immediately call in a prescription for antibiotics, and all should be fine. It was then that I told him I had been having contractions all day. He actually cursed and told me to go straight to the hospital. It was hard to comprehend what was happening.
It was the weekend, and my doctor was not on call. His colleague, whom I had met and really liked, would be taking care of me. To shorten this tale, I will not go through the 15 hours of labor, preeclampsia, wide-open IV of antibiotics etc. that took place. Just let me say, that I had never been happier as I was on October 21 when that baby boy was born, looking healthy. We had to wait three days to be sure he had not contracted the strep, which he had not. Grateful does not even begin to describe my relief.
Twenty-five months later, I had an equally joyful day; the birth of my daughter. Her birth came after a regimen of fertility pills, twice weekly shots through week 16, weekly shots through week 36. My entire pregnancy with her was overshadowed by my fear that she had no limbs. One of the medicines I took while pregnant had the possible side effect of reduced limb growth. For nine months, I was convinced that this second baby would be seriously malformed but dearly loved. Again, no ultrasounds. I did not express my fears to anyone. She was not a kicker and puncher as my son had been. Her main movements in the womb were just a rolling and flipping, further confirming my belief that she had no legs or arms.
Two days before she was born, she quit moving. A trip to the emergency room at my doctor's request, did confirm a heartbeat. That was a long drive to the hospital. On November 15, she was born after about 2 hours of labor. She was beautiful with the most precious legs and arms and feet and hands and toes and fingers that I had ever seen.
These two people, my son and my daughter, have brought me great joy, heartache, laughter and tears. Knowing them makes me happy, and maybe, just maybe, a bit proud.
23 - my most proud moment - check
I have this odd aversion to the word "proud." When adults tell other adults they are proud of them, it sounds discordant. Obviously, the intent of "I am proud of you" is encouragement and congratulations
So, I certainly recognize that my dislike of the word is, well......weird. Because of this (it is possible I need serious help), I do not care for this challenge.
Webster defines proud as "very happy and pleased because of something you have done, something you own, someone you know or are related to." Well, I still don't like it, but in the spirit of the challenge (sort of) I am going to twist it a bit to my happiest moment(s), which had very little to do with anything I did, nothing to do with what I own or who I know, and everything to do with to whom I am related.
My happiest moments were the days my children were born. I realize that mothers who did not have my experience were equally happy at the births of their children. All babies are little miracles; some are just a little harder to get here.
By the time my son was born, I had experienced two miscarriages, a battery of infertility tests, a regimen of fertility pills and painful weekly shots through my 36th week. You can imagine my relief and joy when we reached the point that the baby was "viable" and it looked as if we were really going to have a baby. At my 39th week doctor's visit, I mentioned some symptoms I was having. Thinking it was nothing of import, my doctor still decided to run some tests. After all, we had done everything we knew to do to get this baby here, so extra precaution seemed appropriate.
October 20, found me having regular but not painful labor pains. I figured a baby would be here in the not too distant future, so while I was aware of the contractions, they were not the sort that would cause me to bother the doctor. My phone rang. It was my doctor telling me that the results of the test had come back and I had a beta strep infection. When I asked what that meant, he explained that untreated, if passed to the baby, it could cause blindness, other issues, or death. He said he would immediately call in a prescription for antibiotics, and all should be fine. It was then that I told him I had been having contractions all day. He actually cursed and told me to go straight to the hospital. It was hard to comprehend what was happening.
It was the weekend, and my doctor was not on call. His colleague, whom I had met and really liked, would be taking care of me. To shorten this tale, I will not go through the 15 hours of labor, preeclampsia, wide-open IV of antibiotics etc. that took place. Just let me say, that I had never been happier as I was on October 21 when that baby boy was born, looking healthy. We had to wait three days to be sure he had not contracted the strep, which he had not. Grateful does not even begin to describe my relief.
Twenty-five months later, I had an equally joyful day; the birth of my daughter. Her birth came after a regimen of fertility pills, twice weekly shots through week 16, weekly shots through week 36. My entire pregnancy with her was overshadowed by my fear that she had no limbs. One of the medicines I took while pregnant had the possible side effect of reduced limb growth. For nine months, I was convinced that this second baby would be seriously malformed but dearly loved. Again, no ultrasounds. I did not express my fears to anyone. She was not a kicker and puncher as my son had been. Her main movements in the womb were just a rolling and flipping, further confirming my belief that she had no legs or arms.
Two days before she was born, she quit moving. A trip to the emergency room at my doctor's request, did confirm a heartbeat. That was a long drive to the hospital. On November 15, she was born after about 2 hours of labor. She was beautiful with the most precious legs and arms and feet and hands and toes and fingers that I had ever seen.
These two people, my son and my daughter, have brought me great joy, heartache, laughter and tears. Knowing them makes me happy, and maybe, just maybe, a bit proud.
23 - my most proud moment - check
Saturday, January 16, 2016
22 - Favorite Song
22 - favorite song
This is going to sound ridiculous, but my favorite song of all time is full of lies and grandiose proclamations. I love it. Gets my feet moving every time.
For your reading pleasure: "Can't Get Next to You" by The Temptations. Who can resist the lyrics, chica boom, chica boom, chica boom, boom, boom?
Lyrics:
I can turn a gray sky blue
I can make it rain whenever I want it to, oh, I
Can build a castle from a single grain of sand
I can make a ship sail on dry land tell 'me yeah
But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue
'Cause I can't get next to you
I can't get next to you babe
I can't get next to you
I can't get next to you babe
I can't get next to you
I can fly like a bird in the sky
Hey, and I can buy anything that money can buy
Oh, I
Can turn a river into a raging fire
I can live forever if I so desired
22 - favorite song - check, oh and you are welcome.
This is going to sound ridiculous, but my favorite song of all time is full of lies and grandiose proclamations. I love it. Gets my feet moving every time.
For your reading pleasure: "Can't Get Next to You" by The Temptations. Who can resist the lyrics, chica boom, chica boom, chica boom, boom, boom?
Lyrics:
I can turn a gray sky blue
I can make it rain whenever I want it to, oh, I
Can build a castle from a single grain of sand
I can make a ship sail on dry land tell 'me yeah
But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue
'Cause I can't get next to you
I can't get next to you babe
I can't get next to you
I can't get next to you babe
I can't get next to you
I can fly like a bird in the sky
Hey, and I can buy anything that money can buy
Oh, I
Can turn a river into a raging fire
I can live forever if I so desired
Unimportant are all the things I can do
'Cause I can't get next to you
'Cause I can't get next to you
I can't get next to you, babe (no matter what I do)
I can't get next to you
Uh-ya
I can't get next to you
Uh-ya
Ooo-ooo
Ooo-ooo
Chica boom, chica boom
Chica boom, boom, boom
Ooo-ooo
Chica boom, chica boom
Chica boom, boom, boom
I can turn back the hands of time, you better believe I can
I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand
Oh, I
I can change anything from old to new
The things I want to do the most, I'm unable to do
I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand
Oh, I
I can change anything from old to new
The things I want to do the most, I'm unable to do
Unhappy am I with all the powers I possess
'Cause girl you're the key to my happiness
And I
'Cause girl you're the key to my happiness
And I
Can't get next to you
Girl, you're blowing my mind 'cause I can't get (next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
Girl, it's you that I need, I gotta get (next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)
I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)
Girl, you're blowing my mind
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
Girl, it's you that I need, I gotta get (next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)
I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)
Girl, you're blowing my mind
22 - favorite song - check, oh and you are welcome.
Friday, January 15, 2016
21 - The Last Time I Cried
21 - the last time I cried
December 26. I am not a big crier over my own stuff. I cry at Hallmark ads. Certain songs at church can make me teary. Anytime I read scripture or publicly pray I choke up. When my family was at family week with my brother in Sierra Tucson, I wept buckets over a man named Fred (one brother asked the other during a session if I knew Fred) whom I had just met.
December 26, however, found me quite tearful. Mr. L was out running, and I had begun to take down Christmas decorations, when I became overwhelmed with sadness over my brother's death. I think also, this was a great Christmas with the boys and their infectious excitement, and it was over. Too soon, they will lose some of the magic of believing in Santa and elves and flying reindeer. So, I cried.
day 21 - last time I cried - check
December 26. I am not a big crier over my own stuff. I cry at Hallmark ads. Certain songs at church can make me teary. Anytime I read scripture or publicly pray I choke up. When my family was at family week with my brother in Sierra Tucson, I wept buckets over a man named Fred (one brother asked the other during a session if I knew Fred) whom I had just met.
December 26, however, found me quite tearful. Mr. L was out running, and I had begun to take down Christmas decorations, when I became overwhelmed with sadness over my brother's death. I think also, this was a great Christmas with the boys and their infectious excitement, and it was over. Too soon, they will lose some of the magic of believing in Santa and elves and flying reindeer. So, I cried.
day 21 - last time I cried - check
Thursday, January 14, 2016
20 - My Worst Habits
20 - my worst habits, uh, no! I will mention a few bad habits, but I have no, intention of sharing my worst habits. I would like to have a few friends left when this little challenge is over.
I have a bad habit of believing what I am told. I am capable of Elaine Benes type goofs like spreading that War and Peace was originally titled, War, What is it Good For. This is especially true if Mr. L tells me something in jest. I believe him, every time.
On the other side, I am often a skeptic, and have the bad habit of not believing what some people tell me. When the same people have the worst ailment, or luck, or are always being taken advantage of, I just quit listening.
With a few people, I have the very bad habit of not giving them a break. No matter what they say or do, it becomes a confirmation for my bias against them. This never happens right off the bat, but develops over a period of time and several interactions. Whatever happened to 70 x 7?
I do not make up my bed unless company or the cleaning lady is coming.
I cram things in drawers....I have 2 or 3 drawers I cannot even get open.
I leave clothes in the washer until they stink and have to be washed again......sometimes two or three times.
I lie on the sofa until Mr. L gets up and then I ask him to get me something.
When hand sewing, I drop needles on the floor or stick them in upholstered furniture where they are often found accidentally by unsuspecting souls.
When I cut a lemon for tea, I often leave 1/2 of it on the counter to go bad.
Okay, that's enough. I am getting depressed.
20 - some bad habits - check
I have a bad habit of believing what I am told. I am capable of Elaine Benes type goofs like spreading that War and Peace was originally titled, War, What is it Good For. This is especially true if Mr. L tells me something in jest. I believe him, every time.
On the other side, I am often a skeptic, and have the bad habit of not believing what some people tell me. When the same people have the worst ailment, or luck, or are always being taken advantage of, I just quit listening.
With a few people, I have the very bad habit of not giving them a break. No matter what they say or do, it becomes a confirmation for my bias against them. This never happens right off the bat, but develops over a period of time and several interactions. Whatever happened to 70 x 7?
I do not make up my bed unless company or the cleaning lady is coming.
I cram things in drawers....I have 2 or 3 drawers I cannot even get open.
I leave clothes in the washer until they stink and have to be washed again......sometimes two or three times.
I lie on the sofa until Mr. L gets up and then I ask him to get me something.
When hand sewing, I drop needles on the floor or stick them in upholstered furniture where they are often found accidentally by unsuspecting souls.
When I cut a lemon for tea, I often leave 1/2 of it on the counter to go bad.
Okay, that's enough. I am getting depressed.
20 - some bad habits - check
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
19 - What's on my IPod
19 - what's on my iPod
This is the second time I have written this because the router in my condo keeps throwing me offline. Just know I was much funnier the first time.
First, I have to give kudos to my son who gave me his old iPod several years ago. It is definitely the best hand-me-down gift I have ever received. He also, on a few occasions, has given me iTune gift cards, until he learned that I bought Toni Braxton music. He was not proud, and has not given me iTune gift cards since.
I am not listing everything on my iPod. That would just be ridiculous. In addition to what I do list are things like the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and the Stuttgard Chamber Orchestra. I only have these artists because I bought a CD of 111 favorite classical pieces. People, that's 111 songs for $9.99. What a deal! A huge number of them are way too high brow for me, as will be evidenced in the following list:
ABBA- I got this after seeing Mama Mia. I am not (well, maybe a little) ashamed to say that Nancy and I watched it, yet again, Saturday. I love that movie. Pierce Brosnon is aging quite well.
Andrew Peterson - he seems a lovely young man
Aretha Franklin - nobody, I mean, nobody like her. I once sang karaoke "Chain of Fools" to the church elders at a church Valentine's party. There is so much wrong with that, starting with "I sang." And, my son thought my listening to Toni Braxton was embarrassing.
B.B.King - oh yeah
The Righteous Brothers - "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" always takes me back to the Isaac Litton Jr. High girls' locker room. I have no idea why, but I am thinking brushes were used as microphones.
Bill Withers - Mr. L introduced me to Mr. Withers. My now favorite of his is "Grandma's Hands."
Billy Preston - Simmy and I can sometimes be found dancing in the kitchen to "Fancy Lady."
Bonnie Raitt - Mr. L and I do not always agree on music (or other things). He is more a Frank Sinatra, Big Band kind of guy, but we do agree on Bonnie Raitt. She is so good.
Dixie Chicks - They may have been unwise to bash the president, but I do like their music.
Enya - Mr. L is not a fan.
Eric Clapton and Tracy Chapman - give me one reason.......Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale - outstanding!
James Brown - of course....I feel good!!
Jim Wilson - his CD was a gift to us from a precious young woman who lived with us for a while. It is great dinner music, and she thoughtfully included it in a lovely thank you gift basket. When she lived with us I often had company for dinner. Wonder what happened to that habit?
John Mayer
Jon Bon Jovi
Josh Groban
K.T. Oslin - I love her stuff. In my mind, I am on I275 (I think that's right) headed to Athens, GA to see MP, belting out "Live Close By."
Lady Antebellum
Sugarland
Kenny Chesney
Mike Farris - Max loves Mike Farris. I think his second and third words were "Mike Farris;" right after "cracker." We often dance to Mike Farris, or get steps on my FitBit.
O Brother, Where Art Thou - thank you to Marshall for introducing me to this excellent movie and CD.
Steve Earle - another gift from Marshall. I truly love Steve Earle's music.
Otis Redding - who does not love Otis?
Robert Plant and Alison Krause - I bought this on a whim, and I am glad I did.
The Temptations - line dancing in the dormitory hallway at M.T.S.U. We were awesome!
Sarah McLachlan - I am transported to MP's senior home coming; "I Will Remember You." Still makes me teary.
Tina Turner - A thank you to my brother, Mike, for instilling in me a love for Ike and Tina Turner music.
Wilson Pickett - sock hops at Stratford High School. Nothing quite like a good sock hop.
The Zoe Group - love the music and the people.
So, there you have it. I would love to hear what your favorite music is. Perhaps I will make a visit to the iTunes Store.
19 - what's on my iPod - check
This is the second time I have written this because the router in my condo keeps throwing me offline. Just know I was much funnier the first time.
First, I have to give kudos to my son who gave me his old iPod several years ago. It is definitely the best hand-me-down gift I have ever received. He also, on a few occasions, has given me iTune gift cards, until he learned that I bought Toni Braxton music. He was not proud, and has not given me iTune gift cards since.
I am not listing everything on my iPod. That would just be ridiculous. In addition to what I do list are things like the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and the Stuttgard Chamber Orchestra. I only have these artists because I bought a CD of 111 favorite classical pieces. People, that's 111 songs for $9.99. What a deal! A huge number of them are way too high brow for me, as will be evidenced in the following list:
ABBA- I got this after seeing Mama Mia. I am not (well, maybe a little) ashamed to say that Nancy and I watched it, yet again, Saturday. I love that movie. Pierce Brosnon is aging quite well.
Andrew Peterson - he seems a lovely young man
Aretha Franklin - nobody, I mean, nobody like her. I once sang karaoke "Chain of Fools" to the church elders at a church Valentine's party. There is so much wrong with that, starting with "I sang." And, my son thought my listening to Toni Braxton was embarrassing.
B.B.King - oh yeah
The Righteous Brothers - "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" always takes me back to the Isaac Litton Jr. High girls' locker room. I have no idea why, but I am thinking brushes were used as microphones.
Bill Withers - Mr. L introduced me to Mr. Withers. My now favorite of his is "Grandma's Hands."
Billy Preston - Simmy and I can sometimes be found dancing in the kitchen to "Fancy Lady."
Bonnie Raitt - Mr. L and I do not always agree on music (or other things). He is more a Frank Sinatra, Big Band kind of guy, but we do agree on Bonnie Raitt. She is so good.
Dixie Chicks - They may have been unwise to bash the president, but I do like their music.
Enya - Mr. L is not a fan.
Eric Clapton and Tracy Chapman - give me one reason.......Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale - outstanding!
James Brown - of course....I feel good!!
Jim Wilson - his CD was a gift to us from a precious young woman who lived with us for a while. It is great dinner music, and she thoughtfully included it in a lovely thank you gift basket. When she lived with us I often had company for dinner. Wonder what happened to that habit?
John Mayer
Jon Bon Jovi
Josh Groban
K.T. Oslin - I love her stuff. In my mind, I am on I275 (I think that's right) headed to Athens, GA to see MP, belting out "Live Close By."
Lady Antebellum
Sugarland
Kenny Chesney
Mike Farris - Max loves Mike Farris. I think his second and third words were "Mike Farris;" right after "cracker." We often dance to Mike Farris, or get steps on my FitBit.
O Brother, Where Art Thou - thank you to Marshall for introducing me to this excellent movie and CD.
Steve Earle - another gift from Marshall. I truly love Steve Earle's music.
Otis Redding - who does not love Otis?
Robert Plant and Alison Krause - I bought this on a whim, and I am glad I did.
The Temptations - line dancing in the dormitory hallway at M.T.S.U. We were awesome!
Sarah McLachlan - I am transported to MP's senior home coming; "I Will Remember You." Still makes me teary.
Tina Turner - A thank you to my brother, Mike, for instilling in me a love for Ike and Tina Turner music.
Wilson Pickett - sock hops at Stratford High School. Nothing quite like a good sock hop.
The Zoe Group - love the music and the people.
So, there you have it. I would love to hear what your favorite music is. Perhaps I will make a visit to the iTunes Store.
19 - what's on my iPod - check
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
18 - Pet Peeve
18 - pet peeve
Recently a friend posted on FB the following: "I had a pet peeve once. It ate too much, so I let it go." I like that a lot. When I read it, I realize that I have a few pet peeves. I do try to not let them eat too much of my joy and peace of mind. Having said that, below is a list of pet peeves, in no particular order.
1. Pretension - I do not enjoy people who pretend to be something they are not. I think on some level, we all do this at times, some pretending to be less and some pretending to be more. My wish for all of us is to just be who we are, although that is really tough if one hasn't figured that out.
2. Not getting one's money or check out to pay for groceries until they have all been rung up and bagged! - Did you think this was the one time the store is going to give them to you free? Drives me crazy, but I try not to let it show. Is that pretending?
3. Persistent and consistent tardiness - AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Why for the love of Pete? Help me understand. I hear people say, "well, I have a lot to do." So do I. I just do it on my own time, not yours. Uh oh, I am getting red in the face.
4. Rudeness to waitstaff - to what purpose? Once in a very busy restaurant our waiter was rushing around working as hard as he could. One of my dinner companions, known for rudeness, stopped him, and in a most demanding voice asked, " are we going to be waited on any time soon?" This young, long-haired, tattooed, pierced (three things of which my dinner companion disapproves), hard-working waiter replied, "probably not." I wanted to give him a standing ovation!
I think this about covers it. I am sure if I thought longer, I could come up with more, but why would I want to do that?
18 - pet peeve - check
Recently a friend posted on FB the following: "I had a pet peeve once. It ate too much, so I let it go." I like that a lot. When I read it, I realize that I have a few pet peeves. I do try to not let them eat too much of my joy and peace of mind. Having said that, below is a list of pet peeves, in no particular order.
1. Pretension - I do not enjoy people who pretend to be something they are not. I think on some level, we all do this at times, some pretending to be less and some pretending to be more. My wish for all of us is to just be who we are, although that is really tough if one hasn't figured that out.
2. Not getting one's money or check out to pay for groceries until they have all been rung up and bagged! - Did you think this was the one time the store is going to give them to you free? Drives me crazy, but I try not to let it show. Is that pretending?
3. Persistent and consistent tardiness - AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Why for the love of Pete? Help me understand. I hear people say, "well, I have a lot to do." So do I. I just do it on my own time, not yours. Uh oh, I am getting red in the face.
4. Rudeness to waitstaff - to what purpose? Once in a very busy restaurant our waiter was rushing around working as hard as he could. One of my dinner companions, known for rudeness, stopped him, and in a most demanding voice asked, " are we going to be waited on any time soon?" This young, long-haired, tattooed, pierced (three things of which my dinner companion disapproves), hard-working waiter replied, "probably not." I wanted to give him a standing ovation!
I think this about covers it. I am sure if I thought longer, I could come up with more, but why would I want to do that?
18 - pet peeve - check
Monday, January 11, 2016
17 - Favorite Childhood Book
Day 17 - favorite childhood book
I did not really have to think about this. By far, as a child, The Honey Bunch books were my favorite. They were written by Helen Louise Thorndyke from 1923-1954. If I were at home, I would check to see which three I have. They were given to me by a friend of my mom's. The first one was entitled Honey Bunch; Just a Little Girl. All the rest were Honey Bunch; Her Very First (fill in the blank).
I am fairly certain that I had a copy of the first one. I loved the charming Honey Bunch and everything about the stories. I was not aware of the generational difference between Honey Bunch and me, I just know I loved the way reading the books about her made me feel.
She had a neighbor, a boy, to whom she was very close; I did as well. My brother by another mother was named Carl and we were as close as two friends could be when we were children. We checked every morning to see if the other one was up, and if so, our day of play (outside - in any tolerable weather, we were outside) would begin. Honey Bunch and her neighbor were the same.
There was one specific episode that I most remember. It was Honey Bunch's birthday, and instead of being given her gifts outright, her mom hid them around the house, and then she would say, "Honey Bunch, will you check in the desk drawer and get me an envelope, please?" When Honey Bunch would do as her mother asked, she would find a little gift hidden there. I thought that the most magical way to receive gifts, and vowed that if I ever had children I would do something similar for them. For many years I wrote poems with clues that sent Marshall and MP on a treasure hunt of sorts until they found their gift. As they got older, the hints became more and more obscure. I hope they remember that as fondly as I do.
It is my plan as Violet, our granddaughter that is expected in February, grows, I will track down Honey Bunch books for her. I will also, as Simeon and Max learn to read, send them on rhyming treasure hunts for their birthday gifts.
While driving together for some 13 hours in the past two days, Nancy and I have talked about a lot of things. We have known each other for 57 years. That's a lot of history. We pondered why some memories are so vivid, and why some snippets are remembered and some are forgotten. I do not know, but I hope I get to know Honey Bunch all over again through Violet's eyes.
Day 17 - favorite childhood book - check.
I did not really have to think about this. By far, as a child, The Honey Bunch books were my favorite. They were written by Helen Louise Thorndyke from 1923-1954. If I were at home, I would check to see which three I have. They were given to me by a friend of my mom's. The first one was entitled Honey Bunch; Just a Little Girl. All the rest were Honey Bunch; Her Very First (fill in the blank).
I am fairly certain that I had a copy of the first one. I loved the charming Honey Bunch and everything about the stories. I was not aware of the generational difference between Honey Bunch and me, I just know I loved the way reading the books about her made me feel.
She had a neighbor, a boy, to whom she was very close; I did as well. My brother by another mother was named Carl and we were as close as two friends could be when we were children. We checked every morning to see if the other one was up, and if so, our day of play (outside - in any tolerable weather, we were outside) would begin. Honey Bunch and her neighbor were the same.
There was one specific episode that I most remember. It was Honey Bunch's birthday, and instead of being given her gifts outright, her mom hid them around the house, and then she would say, "Honey Bunch, will you check in the desk drawer and get me an envelope, please?" When Honey Bunch would do as her mother asked, she would find a little gift hidden there. I thought that the most magical way to receive gifts, and vowed that if I ever had children I would do something similar for them. For many years I wrote poems with clues that sent Marshall and MP on a treasure hunt of sorts until they found their gift. As they got older, the hints became more and more obscure. I hope they remember that as fondly as I do.
It is my plan as Violet, our granddaughter that is expected in February, grows, I will track down Honey Bunch books for her. I will also, as Simeon and Max learn to read, send them on rhyming treasure hunts for their birthday gifts.
While driving together for some 13 hours in the past two days, Nancy and I have talked about a lot of things. We have known each other for 57 years. That's a lot of history. We pondered why some memories are so vivid, and why some snippets are remembered and some are forgotten. I do not know, but I hope I get to know Honey Bunch all over again through Violet's eyes.
Day 17 - favorite childhood book - check.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
16 - Timeline of my Day
Day 16 - timeline of my day
I am writing this yesterday, for today, I plan on my timeline being.....7:00 am: walked to lighthouse, 9:00-4:00: laid on beach, 4:00-10:30 (I am only going to be up this late because Downton Abby is on) reclined in electric rocker/recliner (I love this chair), 10:30: went to bed.
So for yesterday, which is about as riveting (all times are Eastern, and approximate):
5:30 - woke up
6:30 - got up
7:30 - departed Ocala, Florida to drive to Sanibel.
11:30 - arrived Sanibel. Now, for all you people out there who wonder why Mr. L and I are always early, let me share just one example of why it works in our favor. As we (I am with my friend, Nancy; Mr. L is coming next week) are crossing the causeway, I decide to call the condo office to see if by some small chance our condo might be ready. Check-in is at 3:00. The lady at the desk began to laugh. She had just said to the person in charge of housekeeping that 3C1(our condo) needed to be checked to see if it is clean as the Switzers often arrive early. Check-in for us today was at 11:30. Lovely! Car quickly unloaded and all stuff stashed.
12:30 - 2:30 - lunch, a little time shopping so Nancy could get a hat, sunglasses, and a sweatshirt, grocery shopping.
2:30 - 3:15 relaxing!
3:15 - 4:00 - that silly FitBit tyrant followed me here. Paying homage on the beach is pretty okay, though.
4:00 - 5:00 - Nancy's husband is in the hospital in Nashville. Of course, she is quite worried. Turns out she is going home Sunday instead of Wednesday. I am sorry she has to go, but I totally get why.
5:00 - 6:00 - dinner at George and Wendy's.
6:30 - bedtime - tornado warnings, power outage, flight changed, snacks eaten. A different sort of day.
16 - timeline of my (very unusual) day - check
I am writing this yesterday, for today, I plan on my timeline being.....7:00 am: walked to lighthouse, 9:00-4:00: laid on beach, 4:00-10:30 (I am only going to be up this late because Downton Abby is on) reclined in electric rocker/recliner (I love this chair), 10:30: went to bed.
So for yesterday, which is about as riveting (all times are Eastern, and approximate):
5:30 - woke up
6:30 - got up
7:30 - departed Ocala, Florida to drive to Sanibel.
11:30 - arrived Sanibel. Now, for all you people out there who wonder why Mr. L and I are always early, let me share just one example of why it works in our favor. As we (I am with my friend, Nancy; Mr. L is coming next week) are crossing the causeway, I decide to call the condo office to see if by some small chance our condo might be ready. Check-in is at 3:00. The lady at the desk began to laugh. She had just said to the person in charge of housekeeping that 3C1(our condo) needed to be checked to see if it is clean as the Switzers often arrive early. Check-in for us today was at 11:30. Lovely! Car quickly unloaded and all stuff stashed.
12:30 - 2:30 - lunch, a little time shopping so Nancy could get a hat, sunglasses, and a sweatshirt, grocery shopping.
2:30 - 3:15 relaxing!
3:15 - 4:00 - that silly FitBit tyrant followed me here. Paying homage on the beach is pretty okay, though.
4:00 - 5:00 - Nancy's husband is in the hospital in Nashville. Of course, she is quite worried. Turns out she is going home Sunday instead of Wednesday. I am sorry she has to go, but I totally get why.
5:00 - 6:00 - dinner at George and Wendy's.
6:30 - bedtime - tornado warnings, power outage, flight changed, snacks eaten. A different sort of day.
16 - timeline of my (very unusual) day - check
Saturday, January 9, 2016
15 - My Dream Job
Day 15 - my dream job.
I know it is going to sound corny or contrived or all Pollyannaish, but I have my dream job. The only thing missing from my job is lots of dollars, but I still make decent money for the time I spend. My inability to predict the weather is also a drawback. The weather causes me extreme anxiety during tour season, which is stupid, but true nonetheless.
I work approximately 65 half days a year. My days are spent outside. I walk, I talk. I work with the best teachers. I spend time with students - precious, smart, sometimes overly enthusiastic students. Mostly, I have gracious parents. I tell stories of famous and not so famous folks. I am in the hustle and bustle of downtown. I set my own schedule. I teach, but I do not administer tests, I do not have papers to grade, no parent-teacher conferences to conduct, nor faculty meetings to attend. I have the best part of teaching with none of that icky stuff. People, I wear tennis shoes to work! My dream job? I have it.
Day 15 - my dream job - check
I know it is going to sound corny or contrived or all Pollyannaish, but I have my dream job. The only thing missing from my job is lots of dollars, but I still make decent money for the time I spend. My inability to predict the weather is also a drawback. The weather causes me extreme anxiety during tour season, which is stupid, but true nonetheless.
I work approximately 65 half days a year. My days are spent outside. I walk, I talk. I work with the best teachers. I spend time with students - precious, smart, sometimes overly enthusiastic students. Mostly, I have gracious parents. I tell stories of famous and not so famous folks. I am in the hustle and bustle of downtown. I set my own schedule. I teach, but I do not administer tests, I do not have papers to grade, no parent-teacher conferences to conduct, nor faculty meetings to attend. I have the best part of teaching with none of that icky stuff. People, I wear tennis shoes to work! My dream job? I have it.
Day 15 - my dream job - check
Friday, January 8, 2016
14 - What is in My Handbag
Day 14 - what is in my handbag.
This one sort of cracks me up because I do not carry a handbag. I carry a wallet on a string. I can get quite a bit in it, but this won't be nearly as entertaining as if someone who carries a whopping big purse like, say.........my daughter-in-law were writing this.
In my purse there is my phone in a case which houses my insurance card, 3 debit cards, 2 credit cards, my drivers license, Mr. L's and my membership cards to Cheekwood, a reminder card/magnet for my next mammogram, a card reminding me of my ophthalmologist appointment 9/30/15 - guess I can throw that away. I also have a card for a house painter and a specific person at Venetian Nail Spa for a pedicure. She gave me her card because I tip a lot for a pedicure as it embarrasses me to have someone sitting at my feet working. It does not, however, embarrass me enough to not have it done.
In my actual wallet on a string, I have a vintage hankie that belonged to "Miss" Eva, $49, a blank check, oh, wow, I just found another $20 (yay), 4 used tissues (throwing those away), coins including a Lyndon Johnson dollar that was given to me by Clark Buchi, a handful of cough drops, and a larger handful of cough drop wrappers.
I am not sure how you would have survived this day without knowing this.
Day 14 - what is in my handbag -check
This one sort of cracks me up because I do not carry a handbag. I carry a wallet on a string. I can get quite a bit in it, but this won't be nearly as entertaining as if someone who carries a whopping big purse like, say.........my daughter-in-law were writing this.
In my purse there is my phone in a case which houses my insurance card, 3 debit cards, 2 credit cards, my drivers license, Mr. L's and my membership cards to Cheekwood, a reminder card/magnet for my next mammogram, a card reminding me of my ophthalmologist appointment 9/30/15 - guess I can throw that away. I also have a card for a house painter and a specific person at Venetian Nail Spa for a pedicure. She gave me her card because I tip a lot for a pedicure as it embarrasses me to have someone sitting at my feet working. It does not, however, embarrass me enough to not have it done.
In my actual wallet on a string, I have a vintage hankie that belonged to "Miss" Eva, $49, a blank check, oh, wow, I just found another $20 (yay), 4 used tissues (throwing those away), coins including a Lyndon Johnson dollar that was given to me by Clark Buchi, a handful of cough drops, and a larger handful of cough drop wrappers.
I am not sure how you would have survived this day without knowing this.
Day 14 - what is in my handbag -check
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
12 - If I Won the Lottery
First of all, let's come to the understanding that if I am going to dream I won the lottery, it will be none of that $35.00 scratch-off stuff. If I am going to dream of how to spend lottery money, I am going to dream that I win the largest jackpot of all time, and while I am at it, I am the only one in the entire country who has the winning numbers. So, in this flight of fancy, let's assume that I have won $700,000,000.00; a nice even number.
What to do, what to do. First, I imagine that about $350,000,000.00 would go directly to Uncle Sam. That still leaves a rather hefty sum of discretionary funds. What is left would be spent as follows:
1. My church's debt retired plus $7,000,000.00 (10% of gross winnings).
2. Contributions to various ministries with Living Water and Wayne Reed Christian Childcare Center being at the top of the list.
3. Pay off all debts that any family members carried, including my children, our mothers and siblings. I suspect this would not really amount to much.
4. If my children wanted their children to attend private schools, I would set something up where their tuitions would be paid.
5. I would set a sum aside for my grandchildren, but they could not touch it until about age 30, and then only a moderate amount annually. Too much is more dangerous than too little, I believe, and the last thing I would want to do is suppress their hunger for productive lives.
6. I would offer the leaders of the Strong Tower Church a lot of money for the property where Otter Creek used to be. Then, I would buy The Purple Cow and give it to Dan and Debra, happily enjoying the knowledge that it was located next door to my home because, I would build three houses on the church property one for us and one for each of our children, if they wanted it. The old sanctuary I
would remodel and use as a venue for weddings, receptions, small retreats, without charge. The green common areas, I would have landscaped beautifully with lots of playground equipment. Can you tell, I have thought about all this?
7. I would find a house for rent in Sanibel or Captiva and rent it in perpetuity for the month of January. Or, better yet, I would buy The Sunshine Island Inn on Sanibel. It has been for sale for years. I would remodel it into 3 apartments, one for each of us, and I would offer it free of charge for people I know, especially young families who cannot really afford a vacation, but not in January. That would be so fun!
8. Some of the money I would put in an interest bearing account so that my children would not have to worry about our care as we age.
9. The rest of the money would be available for those who need it; young families, aging folk, homeless (I would love to build a tiny house community for housing the homeless as some money is spent creating jobs helping them afford their own homes), medical research, home repairs for those who cannot afford it, seed money for new and worthy businesses, the possibilities are endless.
Above all, I would try very hard to do all this anonymously. Of course, if you see three houses being built on the corner of Granny White and Otter Creek Road, you might figure it out.
Well, this was a foolish and fun exercise.
Day 12 - if I won the lottery - check
What to do, what to do. First, I imagine that about $350,000,000.00 would go directly to Uncle Sam. That still leaves a rather hefty sum of discretionary funds. What is left would be spent as follows:
1. My church's debt retired plus $7,000,000.00 (10% of gross winnings).
2. Contributions to various ministries with Living Water and Wayne Reed Christian Childcare Center being at the top of the list.
3. Pay off all debts that any family members carried, including my children, our mothers and siblings. I suspect this would not really amount to much.
4. If my children wanted their children to attend private schools, I would set something up where their tuitions would be paid.
5. I would set a sum aside for my grandchildren, but they could not touch it until about age 30, and then only a moderate amount annually. Too much is more dangerous than too little, I believe, and the last thing I would want to do is suppress their hunger for productive lives.
6. I would offer the leaders of the Strong Tower Church a lot of money for the property where Otter Creek used to be. Then, I would buy The Purple Cow and give it to Dan and Debra, happily enjoying the knowledge that it was located next door to my home because, I would build three houses on the church property one for us and one for each of our children, if they wanted it. The old sanctuary I
would remodel and use as a venue for weddings, receptions, small retreats, without charge. The green common areas, I would have landscaped beautifully with lots of playground equipment. Can you tell, I have thought about all this?
7. I would find a house for rent in Sanibel or Captiva and rent it in perpetuity for the month of January. Or, better yet, I would buy The Sunshine Island Inn on Sanibel. It has been for sale for years. I would remodel it into 3 apartments, one for each of us, and I would offer it free of charge for people I know, especially young families who cannot really afford a vacation, but not in January. That would be so fun!
8. Some of the money I would put in an interest bearing account so that my children would not have to worry about our care as we age.
9. The rest of the money would be available for those who need it; young families, aging folk, homeless (I would love to build a tiny house community for housing the homeless as some money is spent creating jobs helping them afford their own homes), medical research, home repairs for those who cannot afford it, seed money for new and worthy businesses, the possibilities are endless.
Above all, I would try very hard to do all this anonymously. Of course, if you see three houses being built on the corner of Granny White and Otter Creek Road, you might figure it out.
Well, this was a foolish and fun exercise.
Day 12 - if I won the lottery - check
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
11 First Celebrity Crush
I have never been star-struck. My first concert was The Monkees. My cousin wanted to go, so I went along. I remember being so puzzled by her and most of the other girls in the arena screaming and panting as though they could not catch their breath. Some were even sort of fainting. I am fairly certain no one would make me respond that way. I was pretty excited when I met John Glenn, but all I did was stutter and go into social awkwardness overdrive.
Having said that, when I read this challenge, I immediately knew my answer. JAN MICHAEL VINCENT!! Who, most of you ask. I am going to be honest in saying without having Googled him, I could not name a movie in which he acted. I think of him as a Disney actor, but the only Disney movie Google mentioned was The World's Greatest Athlete. I certainly do not remember seeing that specific movie, but I do remember thinking he was the best looking boy I had ever seen. So, in my tweenage angst, I wrote him a fan letter. That is the only fan letter I have ever written in my life. (The only autograph I ever asked for was Don Zimmer's). I do not recall if he responded. I am thinking not.
In my efforts to be able to explain my fascination, as mentioned, I Googled him. He has had an exceptionally sad life as a result of alcohol addiction. That beautiful young man, with so much potential (good looks-I have no idea if he could act), is a broke and haggard looking old man who is wheelchair bound. He developed an infection from an accident that, due to his alcohol abuse, would not heal so his leg had to be amputated.
I started this challenge remembering a young girl with a crush on an older boy. I end it feeling sad for a hurting old man.
Day 11 - first celebrity crush -check
Having said that, when I read this challenge, I immediately knew my answer. JAN MICHAEL VINCENT!! Who, most of you ask. I am going to be honest in saying without having Googled him, I could not name a movie in which he acted. I think of him as a Disney actor, but the only Disney movie Google mentioned was The World's Greatest Athlete. I certainly do not remember seeing that specific movie, but I do remember thinking he was the best looking boy I had ever seen. So, in my tweenage angst, I wrote him a fan letter. That is the only fan letter I have ever written in my life. (The only autograph I ever asked for was Don Zimmer's). I do not recall if he responded. I am thinking not.
In my efforts to be able to explain my fascination, as mentioned, I Googled him. He has had an exceptionally sad life as a result of alcohol addiction. That beautiful young man, with so much potential (good looks-I have no idea if he could act), is a broke and haggard looking old man who is wheelchair bound. He developed an infection from an accident that, due to his alcohol abuse, would not heal so his leg had to be amputated.
I started this challenge remembering a young girl with a crush on an older boy. I end it feeling sad for a hurting old man.
Day 11 - first celebrity crush -check
Monday, January 4, 2016
13 - Favorite Quote
Day 13 - favorite quote
This one is really hard for me as I dearly love pithy quotations. I have a list of quotes that I am trying to teach my grandchildren. Even though at times they may not understand exactly what the words mean, I am hoping they will seep into their DNA. I hope they will remember them when they find themselves in situations where the quote will serve as a reminder of a better way.
Apparently, I am incapable of sticking with the rules, so I will share these quotes followed by what I believe to be my favorite quote. Oh, and many lines from the famous St. Francis prayer are favorites, and very convicting. It is a bit harder to first seek to understand rather than to be understood.
Favorites: (some paraphrased so three year olds can more easily understand them).
1. "You would not worry so much about what people think about you if you knew how seldom they did." Amen, and amen!
2. "Fun has no joy unless we share it." Some days, the boys need to hear this one often.
3. "Be kind whenever possible; it is always possible." Mr. L lives this. It is on all his emails.
4. "Comparison is the thief of joy." I think Betsy Piper has this on the wall in her 8th grade classroom. Betsy Piper lives this. I will never forget her saying many years ago when she and Dennis were struggling financially, "if I lived anywhere else, I would be very rich." She is very rich in too many ways for me to describe.
5. "Give more than you take." Obviously, this means so much more than material goods.
6. "This day will never happen again." This is an admonition to enjoy this day, but it is also a comfort when a day goes off the rails - tomorrow is a new day with a fresh blank page.
7. "Everything you learn is yours to keep." My mom drilled this into our heads. While she did not have the opportunity to go to college, she is a lifelong learner. This is one reason why at age 91, she is loved and sought after by people of all ages.
8. "If serving is beneath you, leading is beyond you." I am married to a lovely servant leader. When I first read this quote, he is the first person that came to mind.
9. "Give without remembering; receive without forgetting." The first time I heard this quote was at my daughter's graduation from nursing school. It stated very succinctly, a lesson I learned years ago from the loveliest man, Charlie Armstrong, a.k.a. The Candyman. He was just sharing some of his
life's philosophy, and if his lesson could be written in one sentence, this would be it. Lessons learned at the feet of such people are one of the main reasons I choose to be part of a church family.
10. "Heart matters, but so do actions." Sometimes when people do or say hurtful things, often people will respond with, "well, her heart was in the right place." Sometimes, that just is not enough. Also, a broken heart that does not go into action is a heart not truly broken.
My favorite quote:
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does The Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
So simple, yet so hard. I feel that it sums up what I most want to be as a believer. I don't have to say the right thing, believe the right thing, follow some contrived 5 steps, do worship a certain way, vote a certain way, act a certain way....I just need to be - just and merciful and humble. Lord help me; it is
what I strive to be.
Day 13 - favorite quote -check, check.............check
This one is really hard for me as I dearly love pithy quotations. I have a list of quotes that I am trying to teach my grandchildren. Even though at times they may not understand exactly what the words mean, I am hoping they will seep into their DNA. I hope they will remember them when they find themselves in situations where the quote will serve as a reminder of a better way.
Apparently, I am incapable of sticking with the rules, so I will share these quotes followed by what I believe to be my favorite quote. Oh, and many lines from the famous St. Francis prayer are favorites, and very convicting. It is a bit harder to first seek to understand rather than to be understood.
Favorites: (some paraphrased so three year olds can more easily understand them).
1. "You would not worry so much about what people think about you if you knew how seldom they did." Amen, and amen!
2. "Fun has no joy unless we share it." Some days, the boys need to hear this one often.
3. "Be kind whenever possible; it is always possible." Mr. L lives this. It is on all his emails.
4. "Comparison is the thief of joy." I think Betsy Piper has this on the wall in her 8th grade classroom. Betsy Piper lives this. I will never forget her saying many years ago when she and Dennis were struggling financially, "if I lived anywhere else, I would be very rich." She is very rich in too many ways for me to describe.
5. "Give more than you take." Obviously, this means so much more than material goods.
6. "This day will never happen again." This is an admonition to enjoy this day, but it is also a comfort when a day goes off the rails - tomorrow is a new day with a fresh blank page.
7. "Everything you learn is yours to keep." My mom drilled this into our heads. While she did not have the opportunity to go to college, she is a lifelong learner. This is one reason why at age 91, she is loved and sought after by people of all ages.
8. "If serving is beneath you, leading is beyond you." I am married to a lovely servant leader. When I first read this quote, he is the first person that came to mind.
9. "Give without remembering; receive without forgetting." The first time I heard this quote was at my daughter's graduation from nursing school. It stated very succinctly, a lesson I learned years ago from the loveliest man, Charlie Armstrong, a.k.a. The Candyman. He was just sharing some of his
life's philosophy, and if his lesson could be written in one sentence, this would be it. Lessons learned at the feet of such people are one of the main reasons I choose to be part of a church family.
10. "Heart matters, but so do actions." Sometimes when people do or say hurtful things, often people will respond with, "well, her heart was in the right place." Sometimes, that just is not enough. Also, a broken heart that does not go into action is a heart not truly broken.
My favorite quote:
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does The Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
So simple, yet so hard. I feel that it sums up what I most want to be as a believer. I don't have to say the right thing, believe the right thing, follow some contrived 5 steps, do worship a certain way, vote a certain way, act a certain way....I just need to be - just and merciful and humble. Lord help me; it is
what I strive to be.
Day 13 - favorite quote -check, check.............check
10 - An Old Picture of Me
When I originally read this prompt, I thought I would just post the picture and let that be that. However, after reading the date on the back, and then spending time giving much needed homage to my FitBit lord, my mind began to reminisce.
The time is spring 1977. I was a few months short of my 25th birthday and my 3rd wedding anniversary. I am in Bernheim Forest, an arboretum near Louisville, KY. Mr. L and I spent the first three years of our marriage in Louisville. I did not remember this day specifically until Mr. L reminded me that nature called when we were on one of the forest's hiking trails, and I had to answer the call. There was much hilarity, for tee teeing in the woods is not a skill at which I excel. I get very little practice, thank goodness. That's what he remembers from the day. Go figure.
While I do not remember how I specifically felt this day, I know that we were coming to the end of our time in Louisville. I was sad when we moved from Nashville there, because I was leaving everything I knew. Those years proved to be wonderful, and the unfamiliar surroundings proved to be a huge blessing in our marriage. So, when this picture was made, it was a bittersweet time, looking forward to returning home, but with a deep sadness at leaving new friends and new places. Louisville is a wonderful city.
In earlier blogs I have talked about the Trevathans who made our time in Louisville beautiful in so many ways. I would not trade my relationship with that family for any amount of money. But, they were not the only people we met and grew to love over those three years.
My first job in Louisville was as a secretary in a data processing center for the Federal government. To say I stunk at that job would be a monumental understatement. My boss reminded me of Tim Conway, and fortunately, he had a Tim Conway sort of sense of humor, otherwise he would have fired me after about day 1/2. As a twenty-two year old, naïve newlywed, doofus of a secretary, the office saw me as a loveable, dopey, mascot and treated me with great patience and kindness. I was most grateful, and left there happily, but with a bit of sadness as well.
I left the Federal government job to substitute teach. I was hoping to work my way into a fulltime teaching job. I substituted in every high school in Jefferson County, KY as just that year Louisville City and Jefferson County schools had merged. Let me tell you, there are a lot of high schools in Jefferson County. I was smaller than most of my students, both male and female. I was only 4 years older than some of my students. I was a substitute...did I mention that....remember how you treated substitutes? It was a hard job, but I would rather have subbed in any high school than an elementary school. One day and one day only, I was sent to an elementary school. It was a school with an open concept. The school was built in a circle. The walls broke down between classrooms, and the cafeteria was in the middle. It was total chaos. When Mr. L picked me up that afternoon, we went straight to the store where I bought a bottle of Vodka and 8 Hershey bars. I went home and proceeded to drink 1/2 of the bottle and eat 6 of the Hershey bars. And, people, I do not drink! Needless to say, this prescription put me out of my misery for the rest of the day and a great deal of the next one.
About 1/4 of the way through the next school year, I worked into a fulltime job....teaching 7th and 8th grade math. I had Math 101 in college. That's it, Math 101. I do not have a math brain, which helped me become a pretty good math teacher, for I understood the struggles of my students. I team taught most of my classes that year with Ray Fore, Mrs. Vogt, and Ken Garvey. These people all had math degrees, so once again, I found myself the goofy mascot at my place of work. While I was not well educated in math nor did I possess any great aptitude for the subject, I worked hard and was a dependable and eager learner. I loved my co-workers and I loved my students. There was that one day where I was called a b%&*h three times by three different students. The third time, a large 8th grade boy shouted it at me in front of the whole class. I responded with, "you are the third person to call me that today. I am coming to suspect that you are right, however, it is not your place to say so!" He got the paddling of a lifetime from the assistant principal, who might also have agreed that day with the young man's assessment of my disposition, but was wise enough not to say it.
Our team of teachers had a secretary named Pat Wampler. She was the loveliest of women. She knew I was the poor newlywed of a law student, so she would go to the store and buy extra produce then bring it to school and say, "I don't know what I was thinking when I bought this many apples or this much squash or whatever. We could not possibly eat all this. Would you take some for me so it does not go to waste?" Talk about a wise woman who knew how to help someone without hurting their pride. I loved her.
Ken Garvey was not much older than I with a beautiful wife who had some similarities to Jayne Mansfield (Seinfeld reference). She was a very nice person. Ken was huge help to me in showing me how to conquer my fear of certain math procedures. He never once made me feel as though he wondered why the school board had sent such an inept math person. I was most grateful to him.
Mrs. Vogt was probably about my mother's age. Several years before I came to the school, Mrs. Vogt's son died. He played on the high school basketball team and wanted to quit. Mrs. Vogt was a no-nonsense person, and she told him that he did not have to play the next year, but he would go back and finish his commitment to the team for that year. Just a few days later, during practice, he choked on a wad of bubble gum and died on the court. She told me this story, painfully, but in acceptance that it was what it was, and while she felt some guilt over it, she would have sent him back to the team again. It is what she thought was the right thing. I admired her greatly while my heart hurt deeply for her. Her husband died a few weeks after her son.
Ray Fore was sort of the chairman of this little band of math teachers. The man was destined to be a math teacher. Below is how he signed his name:
Ray was a small man with a sloping nose that had a wart on the end. He could control a classroom like you cannot imagine. We had 2 classes each day that consisted of 250 students, 4 teachers, in a huge classroom that had multiple TVs. We were supposed to watch a math lesson on the TV, and then we live teachers would go over what the students did not understand. We rarely turned the TVs on because the TV teacher was not great. Ray never told the students what he wanted them to do, he told them what they would do, and they believed him. I admired him greatly. One of the most wonderful meals I have enjoyed in my life was the last time Ray, his wife, Mr. L and I ate together. It was a simple meal, served on their screened-in porch and I was in about day five of weeping over leaving Louisville.
We never knew as we approached that spring and Mr. L's graduation from law school that he would end his law career as a judge. We could not have really anticipated that 39 years later he would be inducted as a Fellow into the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers, which he will be in March of this year. He is freakishly modest, so you don't have to tell him that I told you, and frankly, I am not sure what it means except that it seems to be a really big deal and I have to wear an evening dress to the induction. Oh, and it's in New Orleans, a city I have never visited.
Who knew that a picture of a girl in a field of buttercups could evoke so many memories?
Day 10 ~ an old picture of me ~ check.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
What Do I Collect
Day 9-what do I collect. I Googled how many of something constitutes a collection. The most common answer was three. If that is true, I collect a lot of things, like dust bunnies, wads of dryer lint, mold specimens, candlesticks, votives, bird houses, Blue Mountain houses, cake stands, angels, shells and on and on.
I do have specific items the collection of which is quite intentional. I collect salt and pepper shakers. I chose salt and pepper shakers because they are generally quite inexpensive and often very charming. I have 93 sets of them. I have antique and vintage and new sets. I have sets that I bought just because. I have sets that were bought as souvenirs from some adventure. I have sets that were given to me as hostess gifts, as Christmas gifts, as birthday gifts, as just-because-I-saw-these-and-thought-you-would-like-them gifts. My niece, Maclellen has made it a tradition to give me sets for gift-giving occasions. I love that.
Several years ago, MP and I put up shelves in the kitchen to display my collection. As they began to overflow, I purchased a huge (apparently VERY heavy ~ just ask my son-in-law and nephew who moved it) display case from a local jewelry store that was being remodeled. It is just what I "needed" (who needs 93 sets of salt and pepper shakers and a place to display them?) for my salt and peppers. It fit perfectly on a wall in the kitchen where a Hoosier (not a real Hoosier) cabinet once stood. The display case is a better fit, as I do not ram my thigh into it 75% of the time coming from the den to the kitchen like I did on the Hoosier.
As I thought (very little) about this blog I began to peruse my collection. There are multiple snowmen and amphibious creatures. I guess turtles and frogs are popular collectables.
Truth be told, there really is not much of earth~shaking (pun intended) significance to a collection of salt and pepper shakers. So, I leave you to ruminate on more important matters.
Day 9 (?) I cannot count!! ~ what do I collect ~ check
A little extra:
 |
| I do not just bring shells home from Sanibel. Mr. L. and I are looking good back there, huh? |
I do have specific items the collection of which is quite intentional. I collect salt and pepper shakers. I chose salt and pepper shakers because they are generally quite inexpensive and often very charming. I have 93 sets of them. I have antique and vintage and new sets. I have sets that I bought just because. I have sets that were bought as souvenirs from some adventure. I have sets that were given to me as hostess gifts, as Christmas gifts, as birthday gifts, as just-because-I-saw-these-and-thought-you-would-like-them gifts. My niece, Maclellen has made it a tradition to give me sets for gift-giving occasions. I love that.
 |
| Simeon painted the ones on the left and Maclellan gave me the ones on the right. Both Christmas presents this year. MP dictated what colors Simmy could use, as brown is his favorite color and Mellie is not a fan. |
Several years ago, MP and I put up shelves in the kitchen to display my collection. As they began to overflow, I purchased a huge (apparently VERY heavy ~ just ask my son-in-law and nephew who moved it) display case from a local jewelry store that was being remodeled. It is just what I "needed" (who needs 93 sets of salt and pepper shakers and a place to display them?) for my salt and peppers. It fit perfectly on a wall in the kitchen where a Hoosier (not a real Hoosier) cabinet once stood. The display case is a better fit, as I do not ram my thigh into it 75% of the time coming from the den to the kitchen like I did on the Hoosier.
As I thought (very little) about this blog I began to peruse my collection. There are multiple snowmen and amphibious creatures. I guess turtles and frogs are popular collectables.
 |
| Frogs....I have lots of turtles too. |
 |
| I bought these because Jenny, one of my sweethearts in Minnesota, was obsessed with monkeys. |
 |
| These were a gift from my friend, Marilyn, a.k.a. TOM. They belonged to her husband's mother (?), grandmother (?). I love them because Marilyn and Mark gave them to me, and I think they are so cute. Perhaps, Mark's grandmother was a Republican. Wonder what she would think about the GOP of today. |
A little extra:
 |
| This is a particularly precious set to me. My mom's friend, Betty, gave it to her to give to me. They are very old (the salt and pepper shakers, not my mom and Betty.....well, some would say 91 is old, but they haven't met my mother). Somehow, the Mama Kangaroo with Joey in pouch got thrown in trash that was being burned. My sweet daddy rescued them, Mom cleaned them up, and they survived to shake another day. If one were really philosophical, there would be a deep lesson of survival, or being drawn from the fiery pit, or some such thing. If you read this blog, and I assume you are reading it at least right now, you know not a lot of deep stuff comes from here. |
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Piercings and Tattoos
Day 8 of the challenge - piercings and tattoos.
Well, I have both. Nothing terribly odd about that, really. As I have tried to convince Mr. L, tattoos are very mainstream, and most everyone I know has at least one thing pierced.
I had my ears pierced when I was in college. While others were having friends hold ice cubes on their ears to deaden the lobes, and then jabbing a not-so-sterilized darning needle through that tender flesh just hoping the holes were somewhat even, I had my ears pierced at a doctor's office. The deadening was much more effective, and they actually measured to be sure of symmetry. If I remember correctly (it's been a lot of years), I took excellent care of the piercings warding off the dreaded lobectomy caused by filthy, pus-oozing, un-cared for pierced ears of which my mother so vehemently warned.
I quit wearing earrings years ago when I just did not need one more thing to do before I left the house. I do not remember the last time I had earrings in my ears, but the holes are still there, so should I decide that I need those adornments again, the opportunity remains. Frankly, I do not see it happening.
Most people who know me well, know the story of my tattoo. It is a Celtic cross, designed specifically for me by my tattoo artist, a lovely young man from Indiana who was a visiting
tattooist (?) at the Christian Tattoo Parlor in Nashville. He was there because it was Fanfair week and business was brisk. My 80 year old friend, Bernie, and I did not realize that we (she) would be the center of attention in that particular tattoo parlor on that particular day. Not a lot of 50 and 80 year old Sunday school teacher types are getting tattoos, or so some people think.
My tattoo artist was a great (or not) advertisement for tattoos as he was pretty much covered. He had lots of piercings too. Just as Mr. L feared - multiple piercings and tattoos go hand in hand. When I see someone with multiple tattoos, I always think of the story about the Nazis flaying tattooed people and using the skin as lampshades. I was about 6 when I was told this story, and it has stuck with me better than other information that might be more accurate and that would certainly be more uplifting.
I decided to get my tattoo on the top of my foot. I chose this for two reasons. If I was going to have a tattoo, I was not going to hide it, and, I figured as time progressed the top of my foot might be the only place on my body that does not sag with age. Turns out I was right about that!
While I did not ask Mr. L's permission to get a tattoo, I did discuss it with him. He had a sort of hands off approach, but I knew he was thinking, "you can take the girl out of East Nashville, but you can not take East Nashville out of the girl." I suspect he thought a pack of cigarettes in my rolled up tee shirt sleeve would be next, but I have yet to adopt that fashion statement. He could not quite offer his approval, but he also figured it was my decision. He did not, however, approve of his paying for it. Tattoos are not cheap.
My son had never had a prouder moment as when I told him I was getting tattooed. My daughter was equally down with my decision as was my daughter-in-law, who actually came to cheer Mz. Bernie and me on. These three family members are no strangers to tattoos. Makes me think of the song lyric,
"I like my girls a little on the trashy side.
If you are considering a tattoo please understand that it hurts....like a #<*+.%. And, if you go to a Christian tattoo parlor, cursing is not allowed. That is unfortunate, but the motivation that half a Celtic cross would be hard for Sunday School teacher types to explain, Mz. Bernie and I called on the help of the Holy Spirit, and managed to get through it without embarrassing ourselves or being asked to leave.
I was very careful to care for my tattoo as instructed, as the last thing I needed was the Switzer Disgusted Look from Mr. L because of extensive medical care needed for an infected, pus-oozing foot. Pretty much, I would never have lived that down.
I am often asked about my tattoo -when I got it, why I got it, what it is (won't share that with my tattoo artist), and did it hurt. So, there you have it.
Day 8 - challenge - piercings and tattoos - check.
Well, I have both. Nothing terribly odd about that, really. As I have tried to convince Mr. L, tattoos are very mainstream, and most everyone I know has at least one thing pierced.
I had my ears pierced when I was in college. While others were having friends hold ice cubes on their ears to deaden the lobes, and then jabbing a not-so-sterilized darning needle through that tender flesh just hoping the holes were somewhat even, I had my ears pierced at a doctor's office. The deadening was much more effective, and they actually measured to be sure of symmetry. If I remember correctly (it's been a lot of years), I took excellent care of the piercings warding off the dreaded lobectomy caused by filthy, pus-oozing, un-cared for pierced ears of which my mother so vehemently warned.
I quit wearing earrings years ago when I just did not need one more thing to do before I left the house. I do not remember the last time I had earrings in my ears, but the holes are still there, so should I decide that I need those adornments again, the opportunity remains. Frankly, I do not see it happening.
Most people who know me well, know the story of my tattoo. It is a Celtic cross, designed specifically for me by my tattoo artist, a lovely young man from Indiana who was a visiting
tattooist (?) at the Christian Tattoo Parlor in Nashville. He was there because it was Fanfair week and business was brisk. My 80 year old friend, Bernie, and I did not realize that we (she) would be the center of attention in that particular tattoo parlor on that particular day. Not a lot of 50 and 80 year old Sunday school teacher types are getting tattoos, or so some people think.
My tattoo artist was a great (or not) advertisement for tattoos as he was pretty much covered. He had lots of piercings too. Just as Mr. L feared - multiple piercings and tattoos go hand in hand. When I see someone with multiple tattoos, I always think of the story about the Nazis flaying tattooed people and using the skin as lampshades. I was about 6 when I was told this story, and it has stuck with me better than other information that might be more accurate and that would certainly be more uplifting.
I decided to get my tattoo on the top of my foot. I chose this for two reasons. If I was going to have a tattoo, I was not going to hide it, and, I figured as time progressed the top of my foot might be the only place on my body that does not sag with age. Turns out I was right about that!
While I did not ask Mr. L's permission to get a tattoo, I did discuss it with him. He had a sort of hands off approach, but I knew he was thinking, "you can take the girl out of East Nashville, but you can not take East Nashville out of the girl." I suspect he thought a pack of cigarettes in my rolled up tee shirt sleeve would be next, but I have yet to adopt that fashion statement. He could not quite offer his approval, but he also figured it was my decision. He did not, however, approve of his paying for it. Tattoos are not cheap.
My son had never had a prouder moment as when I told him I was getting tattooed. My daughter was equally down with my decision as was my daughter-in-law, who actually came to cheer Mz. Bernie and me on. These three family members are no strangers to tattoos. Makes me think of the song lyric,
"I like my girls a little on the trashy side.
If you are considering a tattoo please understand that it hurts....like a #<*+.%. And, if you go to a Christian tattoo parlor, cursing is not allowed. That is unfortunate, but the motivation that half a Celtic cross would be hard for Sunday School teacher types to explain, Mz. Bernie and I called on the help of the Holy Spirit, and managed to get through it without embarrassing ourselves or being asked to leave.
I was very careful to care for my tattoo as instructed, as the last thing I needed was the Switzer Disgusted Look from Mr. L because of extensive medical care needed for an infected, pus-oozing foot. Pretty much, I would never have lived that down.
I am often asked about my tattoo -when I got it, why I got it, what it is (won't share that with my tattoo artist), and did it hurt. So, there you have it.
Day 8 - challenge - piercings and tattoos - check.
Friday, January 1, 2016
10 Favorite Foods
10 Favorite Foods
1. Fried chicken. My grandmother used to make the best followed closely by my mom's. I used to fry chicken myself after soaking it in buttermilk, but it is so much trouble. So now I just buy it at Publix or Chick-fil-a or Sonic. Monell's is really good too.
2. Caramel cake from Dessert Design. This cake costs about a zillion dollars, but it is worth it. I could eat an entire mixing bowl of the icing, and have, in fact (I am not proud of this) eaten the icing off other people's (family only) remains.
3. Strawberry shortcake with homegrown strawberries, real shortbread, and real whipped cream. Please, none of those stupid round sponge-cake things the store has of which Mr. L is so fond. Those things are about as much shortcake as a rock. They are ridiculous.
4. Steak. I like most any kind of red meat, although I do not eat it all that often. There is nothing quite like a good steak. If you want to drop a lot of dollars, get the Wagu (I think) steak at Kayne Prime in The Gulch.
5. Homemade applesauce. You really need those little tiny green June apples to make this properly. All you need is a little water and they cook down in a jiffy. Add a bit of sugar and cinnamon, get it really cold, and it is the nectar of the gods. Oh, you need some muscle and patience to run it through a sieve by hand, but it is totally worth the effort.
6. Barbecue Potato Chips. I mainly only eat these in Minnesota. I love the combination of sweet and spicy. If you serve me Kettle barbecue chips, you will have a friend for life.
7. Most anything almond. When Becker's Bakery was still around, I always had their almond
macaroons instead of birthday cake. Of course, this was before the caramel cake at Dessert Design. Those almond macaroons had the most marvelous moist, dense texture. I have not been able to replicate them, but I have come fairly close with a couple Pinterest recipes.
8. Mr. L's French toast. People think they know what French toast is, but Mr. L makes the best I have ever had. I don't know exactly what he does to it, but it is heaven for breakfast......or any other meal. I put powdered sugar on it, well, unless I open the cabinet door and cornstarch falls out, in which case I have been known to accidentally sprinkle that in top. I do not recommend this topping.
9. Deviled eggs. No pickles, please. Just a bit of mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, pickle juice and sugar. You cannot beat a good deviled (or dressed) egg.
10. Whitelaw/Buchi grilled ham. People, you have not lived a full life until you have had this ham which originated in the kitchen of Clay and Dawn Whitelaw, pilfered by Clark and Judy Buchi who
shared it with us. Ham steaks that have marinated for days (2) in black pepper and brown sugar, then
grilled (preferably over charcoal) is delicious. Serve with some cheese grits and anything green you might want to have to keep up the guise that you are trying to eat healthily, and you have a meal that rivals any fancy, expensive restaurant.
Day 7 - 10 favorite foods - check
1. Fried chicken. My grandmother used to make the best followed closely by my mom's. I used to fry chicken myself after soaking it in buttermilk, but it is so much trouble. So now I just buy it at Publix or Chick-fil-a or Sonic. Monell's is really good too.
2. Caramel cake from Dessert Design. This cake costs about a zillion dollars, but it is worth it. I could eat an entire mixing bowl of the icing, and have, in fact (I am not proud of this) eaten the icing off other people's (family only) remains.
3. Strawberry shortcake with homegrown strawberries, real shortbread, and real whipped cream. Please, none of those stupid round sponge-cake things the store has of which Mr. L is so fond. Those things are about as much shortcake as a rock. They are ridiculous.
4. Steak. I like most any kind of red meat, although I do not eat it all that often. There is nothing quite like a good steak. If you want to drop a lot of dollars, get the Wagu (I think) steak at Kayne Prime in The Gulch.
5. Homemade applesauce. You really need those little tiny green June apples to make this properly. All you need is a little water and they cook down in a jiffy. Add a bit of sugar and cinnamon, get it really cold, and it is the nectar of the gods. Oh, you need some muscle and patience to run it through a sieve by hand, but it is totally worth the effort.
6. Barbecue Potato Chips. I mainly only eat these in Minnesota. I love the combination of sweet and spicy. If you serve me Kettle barbecue chips, you will have a friend for life.
7. Most anything almond. When Becker's Bakery was still around, I always had their almond
macaroons instead of birthday cake. Of course, this was before the caramel cake at Dessert Design. Those almond macaroons had the most marvelous moist, dense texture. I have not been able to replicate them, but I have come fairly close with a couple Pinterest recipes.
8. Mr. L's French toast. People think they know what French toast is, but Mr. L makes the best I have ever had. I don't know exactly what he does to it, but it is heaven for breakfast......or any other meal. I put powdered sugar on it, well, unless I open the cabinet door and cornstarch falls out, in which case I have been known to accidentally sprinkle that in top. I do not recommend this topping.
9. Deviled eggs. No pickles, please. Just a bit of mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, pickle juice and sugar. You cannot beat a good deviled (or dressed) egg.
10. Whitelaw/Buchi grilled ham. People, you have not lived a full life until you have had this ham which originated in the kitchen of Clay and Dawn Whitelaw, pilfered by Clark and Judy Buchi who
shared it with us. Ham steaks that have marinated for days (2) in black pepper and brown sugar, then
grilled (preferably over charcoal) is delicious. Serve with some cheese grits and anything green you might want to have to keep up the guise that you are trying to eat healthily, and you have a meal that rivals any fancy, expensive restaurant.
Day 7 - 10 favorite foods - check
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