Autumn Decor

 

I had a spurt of energy over the weekend. 

Worked more than I should have  but I got a lot done.

I hung my autumn wreath on my front door. 

I wanted the entry corner to look fallish and welcoming. 

And, I removed my dining table centerpiece and did an autumn table setting for display. It makes me feel like company is coming!! 

Guess I am finished with this. 

But, come Dec. 1st, it will all be packed away and the Christmas stuff will come out of hiding. 

Have a great week, y'all. 

A Chance Encounter

 

It's Christmas Eve 1947 and the folks are doing some last minute shopping. I am trying to keep myself out of the way so I don't see what gifts they are buying. I am thumbing through the dress rack, wishing I had this one, or that one.

A soft voice asked if they could help me. I turn around and lose myself in a pair of dark brown eyes. The young man is tall, good looking. I say no I'm just looking but he doesn't wander off, he stays for a couple minutes to chat.

I can't get that young man out of my mind. So, on days I had music lessons and a few minutes to spare between making my piano teacher cringe with missed notes and the last class of high school I wander into that store. Just looking, mind you.

And, there he is.

For the next 3 weeks we meet by the dress rack and chat. Then on that 4th week he tells me that he is going to San Diego. He's joined the Navy. 

Well, my heart sank. 

But, then he asks me to write him. We exchange addresses. 

Fast forward to fall and school starts again. In the seat behind me is a mousy girl, quiet, so I strike up a conversation with her. Ask her what she did for the summer.

"Oh, I am writing a sailor. He's stationed in San Diego."

"Me, too," I exclaim. "What's his name?"

Elbert B....., she says. 

What!!

So, the next week a young naval recruit far from home got two letters from two very upset young ladies. 

The end to the story?

Elbert and I were married for 60 happy years. 

Autumn is Here! Hurrah!

 

Autumn rolled in yesterday and I wasn't even aware. But, I really enjoyed the cooler weather.

There was a nice breeze blowing so I got my stuff and headed to the balcony.

Isn't it funny that we can't function without stuff. 

I had my journal to write in, a crossword book to do, some sweet tea and my phone of course!! 

My kids think they have to know that I am alright and if they call and I don't answer you'd think that I'd been kidnapped! 

So, I settled down in my chair, my tea at my elbow and started writing in my journal. 

Drop, drip, drop, drip.

Dang, if it isn't raining.

Well, so much for my fun in the sun. So, I picked my stuff back up and went back inside but I really did enjoy those few minutes in that cool breeze, 

a hint of autumn in the air. 

I Love Cats - Part of the Time!

 

I was just thinking about cats this morning. I've always loved cats but I chose not to have one in this apartment. Sort of miss the purr as they cuddle next to your chest, the rubbing against your leg, the meow when they get hungry. But, I do not miss the early morning alarm clock that they think they are.... at 4 in the morning!!

I had a cat that I dearly loved when I was small. I named her Noddy because, as a kitten, her little head kept bobbing up and down. I had that cat for years ... and then we moved to town. I took my cat with me. 

And, she hated town living! So, she took off one day to head back 'home' and I never saw her again. 

We had several cats when we lived on the farm after Elbert retired. All outdoor ones. They kept the mice at bay!

 Then we moved to town.  

I had 4 different cats while we lived there. I loved two of them. 

The other two came from hell!!

One was a scratcher! If she did not have my full attention, she'd claw my arms to shreds. It got so bad I gave her to a farmer so she could claw the cows! 

The other one was a peer. She knew what she was doing, too. She had a box to go in but she'd instead jump up in the middle of my bed, or on the couch. Turn to look at me and squat and pee. Like she's saying, 'Take that you b.....' 

So she soon found another home.

Oh, where was I? Oh yes, I started out to tell you about a friends big old tom cat. 

I forget it's name. Gee, that was over 60 years ago. 

Anyway, Dick had brought that big old tom cat from his home on the east coast, all the way to San Diego, California. That cat went where Dick went.

Dick and his wife were poor as church mice. All young sailors were so that meant that me and my husband were in the same category. Elbert and I were thrilled when Dick invited us to ride up to Los Angeles with he and wifey. And, the tom cat. 

That thing must have weighed fifty pounds. Elbert and I are sitting in the back seat trying to enjoy the scenery and here's this tom cat jumping from front seat to back seat, over and over... the whole trip. I was covered in cat hair and can you imagine having your legs pounded by that heavy cat every time he landed in your lap. That was a trip  we should have skipped. But, we were young and having fun and that cat was just old and getting feebleminded. You had to cut him some slack there! 

Excellent Food Can Not Be Beat!

 Daughter Shirley and I love to eat out. Before Covid she had a blog that featured our 'eating out'. 

                                                               But....

We all know what Covid did to us. Kept us inside. Shirley and I are venturing out more now so let me tell you what we did Monday.

We decided we needed lunch at Amici's in downtown Suffolk. But, just before we hit downtown we have a railroad crossing to go over.

And, wouldn't you know it!!! A freight train was stopped blocking our only entry into the area we needed to go. 

                                         We sat there almost 40 minutes! 

                               When we did get to Amici's it was CLOSED!! 

                                                 Well, durn. Now what????

I knew that in the next block there were some eateries. I live here. Shirley's not as familiar with what's where, as I am. So, I suggested we go check out one of those.

Oh, my word. I'd been to The General Public once before. Grandson Chris took me and I said I would go back often and just didn't. Do you hate to eat alone? I don't mind once I get seated but it's the getting there that holds me back. Just something about walking into a restaurant alone feels weird to me. 

So, we girls sat and chatted while we waited on our order to arrive. She got a Cobb Salad and I swear, it was HUGE! It must have been fabulous 'cause she ate almost all of it.  

I ordered a Chicken Cali Sandwich

I took the lid off to make a picture to just show you what was inside! 

A slab of chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, bacon.

With sea salt waffle fries on the side! 

Now, don't get too excited. I did not eat it all.

I cut the sandwich in half and set it aside to bring home. That was my lunch the following day.

The waitress was so cute, friendly... when she saw I was working on what looked like the last part of my sandwich she had to say she didn't think I would have eaten all of that. It was a huge plate of food!

Shirley pointed to the half set aside to take home. and we all had a good laugh. 

We both rolled out of that place, stuffed to the gills as they say. 

I needed a nap!!

Supersizing is Bad for Your Health

 I was prowling around in my book case yesterday and found a book that I had bought ages ago. It had gotten lost in the shuffle, back behind a bunch of stuff!! 

It's "Secrets of Longevity" by Dr. Mao Shing Ni and it's chockful of simple and easy to follow suggestions on how to live much longer. The subtitle is "Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100". My grandmother lived to be 100. My sister is following along in her footsteps at 96. So, yes, if I am healthy, I wouldn't mind living to celebrate my 100th birthday.                                                    

In America we seem to think that bigger is better. Bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger wardrobes, more money and meals that are super-sized!! The picture shows what I was served for lunch today. But, I did not eat it all. I always bring home a doggy bag.

According to Dr. Mao Shing Ni in his book, he says that if we eat less we will live longer.

Hey, I am good with that! Who needs all that 'full feeling', bloat and extra weight?

You probably will see me reference his wisdom in posts from time to time. It's good advice. I hope you will find it helpful.

A Little Library Encourages Reading

                                                  I have always loved to read! 

               Since I am alone,  I find myself reading much more voraciously. 

So naturally, I was excited to find out that our apartment complex had been gifted a 'little library'. It was painted by one of our residents and placed in our courtyard for easy access. 

We have a small library room but it is on the 3rd floor, you need a code to open the door and it just isn't very inviting.. But, this is such fun and in the flow of traffic.                                                                           

                                                                  Just look!

Sorry for the reflection in the glass door! But, people are using it, taking a book, replacing it with another one, so you always find something new to read. 

This is the back of it. The scene is of the pond and fountain that I see everyday from my balcony. 

This side has a scene of  the courtyard. People are sitting in the chairs there and represent actual residents. It's fun to point out who is who. FYI.... I didn't make the cut. Hehe 

The first book I borrowed was Scottoline's "Eternal" which was very good. 

When I finished it, I took the book "Coal River" and it was a good one, too. 

As I was taking pictures today of the Little Library, I saw some new books on the shelves there. I am going to have to check those out

BUT

Not before I read "The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dove. 

I got it in the mail today. It's on Reese Witherspoon's Book Club list and was a gift from my daughter! 

Can't wait to read it. 

A Blessed Moment With Nature.

 It was cloudy this morning when I got up. I pulled some clothes on and went out on my balcony to enjoy a bit of fresh (cooler) air. Man, it's been hot here.

I saw a bird swimming on the pond. Then I saw another. A pair of Double-crested Cormorants and one of them had a fish in it's beak. I don't know how long I watched that bird swim around with that fish dangling. Does anyone know why a bird wouldn't just gobble down their breakfast? It just seemed strange to me. 

And, then the sun came out. In swooped the heron! 

On my end of the pond putting him much closer for some good shots. 

I just feel really blessed to have spent a few minutes with nature this morning.

Now I am ready to start my day!