Hanging On For Dear Life.

 No picture, sorry. I was too busy driving to be distracted with a camera. 

But, I was distracted by something that kept me entertained for 3 or so miles as I journeyed down the road. You see, a spider was in the process of spinning a thin line of webbing from the corner of my car door to the edge of my side mirror. He was sitting there right in the middle of this tiny strand of silk.

And, I crank up the engine and take  off. Poor thing... He must have thought the biggest tornado in the world had hit him. I snuck a peek and he had his legs wrapped around that tiny thread for dear life. Once I stopped for a red light, he set out again, spinning away. Light changed and we took off again. He still clung on.

Finally he made it all the way over to the side mirror and quickly disappeared between the mirror and it's frame. Safe at last!! 

You know, I am glad he made it to safety so that I would not be held accountable for the murder of a spider!! 

The Sound of Music

 Talk about boring! There is just nothing going on right now so I guess it's time for another blast from the past. 

My husband got stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland and our family moved into housing situated just outside the base's back gate. On top of the hill behind us sat a Baptist Church and I started attending services there.

There's always a big turnover anytime there's military involved so one day the pastor told me that the organist had moved away with her Navy husband. He knew I had played the piano some years before so he asked me if I would take up her position.

I'd never plalyed an organ before. never had lessons (and yes, it is different than a piano). Scared the bee-gee-bees outta me but I said I'd give it a try. I'd go in off-times and practice and got to where I could do a fair job with all the keys and the foot pedals and stuff. 

I was soon playing for the Sunday morning service.

Well.... I got to church one Sunday morning. We had guests attending service that day.... the BIG BOSS.... the base commander and his wife. That made me a little nervous. 

People were already filling in the pews when I went up and sat down at the organ. I opened the hymnal to the opening music, positioned my hands over the keys and hit the first chord. It was like a bomb had gone off ... the volume was so loud. My face turned bright red, I glanced at the Commander and gave a weak little grin. 

Seems that when the caretaker was doing his weekly cleaning he'd pushed the volume pedal to full volume. I prayed that the floor would just open up and let me drop through but I fixed the problem and we started our first hymn. 

Hey, I lived through it and now it's a funny memory to pass on to others. But, I tell you.... it was not funny when it happened!!

When my husband retired from the Navy and we moved to Alabama to live, I got me an organ and played it all I wanted to.... and I never forgot the volume pedal either!!

QUOTE

"I would rather have the bravery to try something and then fail than never to have tried at all."

                                                    Robin Sharma 

A Great 'Sunday Morning'

 As usual, on a Sunday Morning, I tuned into CBS's 'Sunday Morning'.

In the world of television with all it's various opinions, reality shows which are NOTreality at all and the stupid sit-coms, 'Sunday Morning' is a breath of fresh air. 

I really miss Charles Karault but Jane Pauley is 'growing on me'. 

I learn so many interesting things by watching that show. it's just good, basic facts which is rare to find these days.

Take that Silicon Valley exec who had a stroke. It left him mute and paralysized from neck down. Most people would just give up. But, this guy is playing cards, writing song lyrics and connecting with his grandchildren all through robotics. Amazing!

And, the strange little buildings in southern Italy with roofs made of layered stone (nothing holding the stones in place). Well, I wouldn't want to go inside (it might cave in) but what a unique idea. I wonder why they started building them like that... 

We lived in Hawaii for a short period of time. And, I left there with a plumeria lei around my neck. I found out on ;Sunday Morning' that due to farm land in Hawaii being gobbled up with urban sprawl and the environment changes, Hawaii has a shortage of blossoms to produce those beautiful leis. As things do, that craft is evolving into using more stable items such as shells, bark etc. instead of the flowers. A way of life is disappearing there as everywhere else. 

I wonder if you are still curious about the world, if you still love to learn things and too, if you are concerned about the amount of false information we are being exposed to? 

I don't think we should ever stop being like a child, with open eyes, open heart and open mind. 

a Trip To The ER

                        

              What's with getting to see a doctor these days? 

I mean, I have a GP I love but if I have something come up that I need attention to, I get sent to the Emergency Room! Seems the only time I see my GP (general practicener)n anymore is on scheduled wellness visits. 

I've been having some issues (we don't have to discuss which ones (grin). It started with the gall bladder attack and progressed further down, if you know what I mean. I called for an appt. to my gastroentologist and it's mid October before I can see her. So, that's when I called the GP.... 

Now, I am not a big fan of Emergency Rooms. So, I was resisting going big time... 

Enter my daughter, Shirley... Came down for lunch and as soon as she heard me whining about the doctor situation, she said 'Get your things. We are going to the ER.' and so we did.

After numerous tests it turns out that I am very healthy (as they say, 'for my age') Don't you just hate that!! 

But, the point I want to make is this. I am very independent. May be why I am so healthy, who knows, right? But, I have taken care of people my whole life. I've gone through raising teen age sisters-in-law (twins), raising my own 4 kids, ten years of caring for my aging mother and then another ten years caring for my husband who had Alzheimers. 

And, I have been a stinker about that independent thing up until recently. As much as I try to remain independent, deep down inside me is the cry for someone to please just take care of me!

                   for listening to me whine! 

May He Rest In Peace

 It's Sunday!

A day of worship although we should be worshiping God in every way, every day.

I thought I'd post a picture of a historic church near where I live. It's St. Luke's in Smithfield, Virginia.

I have been there several times. When I first discovered that church, I felt a connection. Little did I know, at that time, that my 9th great-grandfather was buried in the chancel of that church, in front of the pulpit. 

St. Luke's was built in 1623, making it the oldest church in the state of Virginia and the oldest Gothic church in the United States. My ancestor, Joseph Bridger, was given much acknowledgement for the important contribution he made in completing the Church.

Oh, the story does not end there...

In 2007 descendents of Joseph Bridger gave the Smithsonian permission to unearth some of Bridger's bones in order to study why he may have died.

He was supposedly one of the richest men in Colonial Virginia. So, Joseph (well, at least part of him) traveled to Washington D. C. and he underwent extensive testing. Seems he died of lead poisoning, his body containing 7 times the amount of lead that would have been found in a corpse this day and time. He was rich, he ate off of pewter plates, drank out of pewter mugs and the lead from those articles leaked into his system and killed him.

Joseph bones were brought back to St. Luke's and he was laid to rest where he had always been. 

That's pretty cool, isn't it? Leastwise, I thought so! I'm so proud that so many of my ancestors were involved in the making of this country. 

This week's ups and downs

 This week has been interesting. Day before yesterday I got this pain in my side just under my ribs. Before long it had included my stomach and back. Man, it hurt! Then I was bloated, gassy, nauseauous. 

I've known for some time I've had gallstones and those suckers finally dealt me fits! I never want that to happen again. So, I'm making some changes to my diet and incorporating some new techniques to help keep my gall badder healthy. Who knew that small little thing sitting beneath your liver was so important! 

Anyway, I'm feeling much better this morning. Hope all of you are doing super. 

I am counting down to college football time. College football has changed a lot and I am not as big of a fan as i once was but I am so sick of watching the same ole tv that having football back for awhile would be a welcome treat!      ROLL TIDE!

I've noticed just lately that I am slowing down a good bit. Guess it's time. So, I am getting pickier about what I put my energy to. 

Well, I guess I'll get off here and go do nothing! 

An 'Arresting' Time

 So, I've not been on here for a few days. Been tied up. Or handcuffed up!! A good looking policeman 'arrested' me for starting a riot....

There's more to the story!!

It was National Night Out last Tuesday. Our apartment complex always participates and a good time was had by all.

National Night Out, in case you don't know, is held once a year where the First Responders meet with various groups in communities throughtout the U. S. in a effort to promote better connection and understanding between law enforcement and the public. 

We had a cookout with all the yummy food associated with a grill! There were over 75 in attendance. The Firemen arrived first,came roaring up our drive in a huge ladder truck. They are here on a regular basis... false alarms, people falling, disputes (although that's seldom) and to check our fire safety procedures. They are a great bunch of guys. 

A part of the crowd trappsied out to get their picture taken in front of the firetruck.

Then the police arrived, one office driving the forces brand-new mustang patrol car!

Isn't that thing a dandy!! 

I  wouldn't mind getting arrested if I could take a ride in that beauty. Of course, if those handsome officers were my arresting officers, that would be a big plus! 

We had such a great time. There was a DJ playing '80s music, great food, a lot of yakking going on and the 'eye candy' wasn't bad either! 

Coconut Oil and Monkeys

 I keep learning something new every day!! I hope you do, too. 

You see, I bought this jar of coconut oil from the grocery store. I had a recipe that called for it but then I never made the recipe so there that jar sat. I had no idea what to do with it.

Chatgpt to the rescue!! 

Did you know that you can use coconut oil the same as butter or olive oil to fry eggs, saute veggies or even grease a pan?

If you have dry feet or elbows... rub a bit of coconut oil on them! or dab a bit on your lips if they are dry.

You can use it as a cuticle softener! Who knew, right?

If you have wood furniture... just mix the oil with a bit of lemon juice. You'll have a beautiful shine on that wood. 

And, it even helps to unstick zippers. 

So, I got my jar out of the pantry and put it to work!! Don't intend to waste my money on something I am not using!! After all, I am a depression baby... gotta save every way you can! 

And, I'm throwing in this for a chuckle. 

I Was Just Wondering

 I do what I call 'scrapbook journaling'. My made up name for just piddling around with thoughts put with creative designs. 

There's a lot of things I wonder about... too many to put in a book or on a blog post. However, I did like this grouping of wondering from Ralph Fletcher (whomever that might be) that I found and added it to my book.

The first two really caught my eye.. Yes, why did God make some birds fly while other's never get off the ground? And, aren't you supposed to cry when you are sad, not happy? Of course, I do both as do most people but it's just curious, that's all. 

I have wondered how do they put concrete down in deep wateer and anchor it to build a tunnel for millions of cars to pass through? How do the workers not drown? And, who in the world ever thought of doing that in the first place. 

What do you wonder about? 

And, I love the one about fashion and who makes decisions about whether certain things are fashionable or not. Reminds me of something I read.... which brings me to my

                           QUOTE

"The head monkey at Paris puts on a travelers cap and all the monkeys in America do the same"

                                                                                             Henry David Thoreau

Good Food, Good Reads

 Every day this week I'd say to myself, 'gotta make a new blog post' and nightime would come and I'd say 

'tomorrow, I'll do it tomorrow'. It took a week but here I am!

I had a great day yesterday, best I've have in a very long time. I was steady, strong, felt fantastic, had energy and I was happy. I just could not have asked for a better day. 

But, the nighttime wasn't so much fun! What the dickens! I just couldn't sleep. Nap coming up this afternoon. I can just feel it coming on.

I've had a problem that I finally found a solution to. I'd order things from the grocery store and then the cans or boxes would sit on the shelf for ages and I wouldn't figure out how to make a meal out of them. So.... drum roll, please.

I made a list of all my canned goods and posted it on the pantry door. Same with my box stuff. I can see at a glance what I have. I sat down with my recipe box and chose recipes to make this next week using up things I already had on the shelf. As I use each item, I mark it off the list. Sort of like taking inventory. When each item is all marked off I know it's time to order more. 

I found a can of tomatoes I had had for awhile. I like tomato pudding but I don't want to eat it very often. And, it had been awhile since I'd had any so I made some. 

Yeah, I know... if you aren't southern you are asking what in the heck is tomato pudding. It sounds gross! 

Back in the early 19th century when women had an abundance of tomatoes they devised a way to put them to use. All it takes is tomatoes (canned ones are used mostly), a little sugar, a tad of butter and you put that over broken pieces of bread and bake. It's sweet, tangy, a little tart and perfect with blackeyed peas, which I also made yesterday. I baked me a russet potato and I had lunch! 

I just finished reading 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Van Pelt. Oh my gosh, I loved it! A completely different story line. It was Van Pelt's first novel and I just don't know how in the world she'll ever top that! I thought immediately that it ought to be a movie so I googled it.... there's one already made for Netflix but it hasn't been released yet. I can't wait. Sally Field plays Tova, the lead character. If you get a chance give it a try. I know not everyone has the same reading taste but that's ok. 

I hope you all have a good week. We haven't had a maintence super for a little while and today we have a 'meet and greet' for a new one. His name is Alfonso. They even supplied snacks for the meet and greet. Can't pass that up. 

This is a prayer that I wrote during my cancer treatment back in 2002. 

                    Now I lay me down to sleep                                                                        I pray, dear Lord, My hand to take                                                        And guide me to the break of day                                                           So I can love and live and pray.                                                             And when the sun shall set once more,                                                 the darkness over comes the light,                                                         I pray, dear Lord, you'll take my hand                                                    And guide me with your wonderous  might.

                                        Willie Latane Barton 

A New Yummy Veggie to Eat

 As I mentioned in my last post that a friend gave me some eggplant and that I wasn't sure how to cook it. You girls came to the rescue. Now I remember that the friend who grew the eggplant said she'd sliced it and fried it. But, Marcia, one of my blog buddies, said she peels them, slices them rather thin, slathers them with mayo and places them on a baking sheet. Then she tops the slices with Parmesan cheese and bakes them for 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven, flipping them over at the 10 minute mark.

Let me tell you... those things were yummy. I was sad when I popped the last slice in my mouth. 

Did you know that the English call eggplant aubergine? It's a french word but we call it eggplant here in the U. S. 

Do you know why it got it's name?

Centuries ago, this vegetable was smaller and very pale in color. Looked like an egg!  DUH! Now they are such a beautiful deep purple. I've never seen a purple egg. Have you? 

Thanks again for all the help. Love you girls. You always come through for me. Others had different ways of cooking eggplant so I will have to try those out, too. But, just wanted to share my new-found veggie to eat. I love learning new things, eating new cruisine, going new places. This old world is filled with adventures of every kind. 

                            

                        Quote for the Day

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down."          (Mary Pickford, actress)

My Cupboard Runneth Over

 This week has been a doozy. Hot, humid and just 'stay in the apartment' kind of weather. I hate summer! 

But, then, again, I hate winter. Just give me spring and fall and I'll be happy. I guess I just don't like extremes. 

My son-in-law sent me some tomatoes and peppers from his garden the other day. How sweet was that!

Then, a few days later my housekeeper brought me eggplant, tomatoes, cukes and peppers. My cupboard runneth over! 

I've never cooked eggplant before. Not even sure I like it. So, any suggestions out there?

Spilt Smoothie Makes for Fun

 Remember me telling you in my last post how I'd been down in the dumps but that I was feeling better?

Let me tell you what happened!!

I was on speaker phone with dau Susan and her son's fiance, Kelsey. That Kelsey is just a gift from God. She's so much fun, so bright, so smart, so kind. Anyway, put those two together and you can't stay in a dark hole for long!!

They were trying to help me so suggested that maybe I could try out a new recipe and asked what was in my refrigerator. Bad idea!! I say, 'yellow squash, yogurt, 1/2 slice of ham, eggs, milk ... and oh, a jar of pickles'. They about croaked! 

So, Kelsey started figuring out how I can make an omelet. Then she said, no how about a smoothie?

Somehow, we just moved on to other things and then said goodbye but I was feeling much better. Then Susan texted me, 'You have a delivery from Instacart in a few minutes'. Oh Goody. What?

It is a huge salad (mixed greens, blue cheese, strawberries, nuts and balsamic vinegarette). There are also a tub of chicken salad and one of potato salald and this HUGEMOUNGOUS bag of frozen mixed fruit. Oh... a smoothie out of the fruit. I get it now. 

But, I'd told them I don't make smoothies because I have a large blender and it's heavy, hard to clean etc, etc, excuse after excuse. The next morning I get up to find a box at my front door. It's a Magic Bullet. 

They call... want me to make a video of me making my smoothie. So, I get my yogurt out of the fridge, the frozen fruit and some water and I turn it on. Hey, it's working!! 

I took the container off the machine and set it on the counter. (I'd already taken the lid off it) and as I reached for the Yogurt to put it back in the fridge, I knocked over that smoothie and most of it went all over my countertop. And, it was on video. I'm not accident-proof and I have proof I am not. 

But, engaging in such a fun adventure with those girls just lifted me right out of my funk.

 I wonder if there is someone out there that each of us needs to lift up right now. Think about! 

                                                                    

                      QUOTE FOR THE DAY

"When one door of happiness closes another opens; but often we look so longat the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."         Helen Keller

A True Story

 Well, I just let myself get down in the dumps and wasn't sure how I was going to get out! Ever had that feeling?

Life just gets overwhelming sometimes. But, I am feeling alright now. Whew, glad that's over.

There's not one thing going on around here... so what's this post going to be about?

I guess I'll just tell you a story, a true one at that: I hope it's not a bedtime story and puts you to sleep!

Back in the mid '60s my husband was Communications Officer at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

That duty was really different for us....so much more social, important events to attend, etc, etc.  At the end of the first year we were involved in the reviewing of the troops, 

 the graduation 

and of course, the traditional 'climbing of Herndon Monument'.  

I had a vantage point to observe as the midshipmen ran out to the monument, which had been slathered with grease, to begin the ascent. They were shirtless, barefoot, ready for the challenge. 

Can you imagine trying to climb a straight up and down a concrete (I guess it's concrete) structure!!! 

They slipped and slid, they'd try again. And, finally one would reach the top to place a hat on top. Mission accomplished! 

The midshipmen are truly dedicated to their studies so for 4 years that is their focus. But, honey, let me tell you! When they graduate there's a line of couples outside the Academy Chapel waiting to tie the knot. They are so many of them that each couple is shuffled in, then shuffled out just as soon as the vows are spoken. There's a schedule to keep, folks. 

I sat on a bench outside the chapel one afternoon and watched a ton of brides and their grooms march inside to become man and wife. Why do they say man and wife? Shouldn't it be husband and wife? Anyway. I hope they all lived happily ever after. 

Making the Most of Life

 How are you today? I hope everyone is fine and staying out of the heat (if you have heat where you are) and that you are well and happy,

There's nothing more wonderful than being healthy! The older you get, the more your body starts to fall apart. I wish I'd known more about how to take care of mine in years past but the info just wasn't out there. Or maybe I didn't listen. When we are young we think we will live forever!! From this side of the fence, let me tell you... we won't. We are like cars, the older we get the more our parts wear out. And... there's no replacements for most of them. 

Oh, geez, where was I going with all that, anyway? I am so blessed to be as healthy as I am and have the good mind that I do at my age. Every day I thank God above for being able to enjoy life. One of my joys is the friendship I have with my blogger buddies. You guys are just the greatest ever!

I've been trying to get back into the rhythm of writing every day... Working on my second novel and I am so slack about it all. Yet, I can't wait to get it finished. I can't have it both ways. I need to discipline myself... 

The story is about a little girl who lives in a coal mining camp, has little worldly goods but has to go to a town school where the rich kids go. (boy, can I relate to that). I didn't live in a camp but the rest is correct. She gets bullied because she is poor. Then she and her best buddy come upon a hobo who is camping beside a creek. They befriend him and then he ends up murdered. 

I have a friend/therapist/assistance who asked me the other day if I had ever taken classes in writing. and if I followed the writing rules, like plotting out the book before starting etc. I just laughed and said 'NO'. I often write a chapter in my head while I lie awake at night. There's no planned out plot. There's not a ton of notes on how it will turn out. It just happens. I guess that makes me an unconventional author! haha. 

So, maybe I need to put this post to rest and open up my book file and write some in it. Do my daily writing task. 

Will they find out who killed the hobo? Will Ruthie be a hero or be ridiculed more? Who knows? Maybe tonight when I can't sleep I'll find the answer to one or more of those questions. 

                        QUOTE FOR THE DAY

'Writers don't wait for their ship to come in; they write their way out to it'.         Sam Horn 

Celebrating Independence

 Independence Day...

That's tomorrow, the 4th, but we here at the Commons celebrated today. Had us a nice, cool salad lunch on tables all decorated in red, white and blue. No fireworks, though. They don't allow us to have fire around here!! Besides, fireworks are for nightime and this was LUNCH.... 

I made a new recipe. Grape Salad. I'd had my first in Alabama when I was visiting my son recently. I just loved the cool, crispy crunch of the grapes slathered in this yummy sauce. I made a big bowl of it today and now I have at least half of it in my refrigerator. But, I've discovered something. The reason I love that stuff so much is not the grapes, it's that yummy sauce. Who can turn down cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla all whipped up into a froth. When I made it for my salad today, I actually scaped the bowl with my spoon (well, actually it was my finger) and left that bowl clean as a pin. Better than cake dough any day. 

What are all you doing for the 4th? I guess I shouldn't ask that of my friends outside the U. S. but heck, you are gonna be doing something tomorrow, even if it's just going to work. I guess I will watch what I can see of the fireworks display from downtown. The trees have grown up so tall between me and the event so I only see the tallest ones, (the fireworks, not the trees). 

I certainly hope that everyone enjoys their day whatever it may bring. Stay cool, stay healthy and just keep on keeping on. 

Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness Or So I've Been Told

 I've spent the last three days doing a project well overdue to be done. My office was a mess. I'm not completely finished but I am nearly there. It makes me feel good, so proud that I got off my lazy behind and did it. Life should be so much more simple and fun. 

this was the closet before I dragged everything out....

and how it looks now. 

There's even room for my walker which I seldom use. It still looks sort of messy but I know where EVERYTHING is and can pull it out on a moment's notice. 

I didn't take a picture of my bookcase but here it is after I organized it and got rid of some books and other things. 

Ready for my next quote?

It's by Marcus Aurelious

"No one has the right to tell you that you need to do something you don't want to do."

No one told me I  had to clean that closet and when I decided to do it 'cause I wanted to.... it felt good.