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. 

Testing My Patience!

 This week has been anything but fun. I know y'all are tired of me griping about my dental woes but believe me, you are not nearly as tired of hearing about them as I am having them!

I had another root canal due on Monday. They are easy so I wasn't worried about it. Took the print out sheet from my dentist showing a diagram of my teeth and it marked which one it was she was to do. Guess what... after it's all over she tells Shirley (who always sits in on the explaining part) that she has done the wrong tooth! 

I guess she forgot the print out I had handed her and when she put the exray up on the screen it somehow flipped itself (or somebody flipped it) and she did the one next to it. Dear God in Heaven.... But, that tooth was already working it's way to a root canal in about 8 months so that's done already. And, I go back on July 11th to get the REAL tooth done. And, bless her heart, she said she'd not charge me for this one. Well, I hope not. I mean, I have spent a fortune on my mouth and she's gotten a good chunk of that money. 

Oh.... wait.... that's not all.

During the procedure I felt a rush of fluid in my throat. She had that rubbery thing in my mouth to hold back that sort of thing but this escaped and I started gagging and coughing. Seems that somehow the diluted bleach that is used in the proceedure escaped that rubbery thing and I now have a irritated throat. It took forever to get that cleared up so she could continue. That should have been a warning sign that things were not going to go well.

After I got in the car Shirley took one look at me and gasped. I had a large blister in one corner of my mouth. So, back to the dentist we go.... The dr. said I'd bitten myself but have you ever heard of a blister being caused by a bite? 

That's all over... til the next time.

                   Now on to something great.

I made me a Nacho Breakfast this morning. I promised you some new recipes. This one is super. 

You could do all sorts of things with it like adding salsa, chopped onion, top with more cheese etc. I am so stuffed right now. And, look how healthy it is. 

" In the past I let others walk all over me. I had no idea what boundaries were or why they were important and necessary. I was too eager to please, to be liked, to be appreciated. Once I began to set boundaries, my life became more peaceful because I then had the power over my own life."

                                                                                                        Willie Latane Barton 

Joke's On Me!

 Okay... this is funny. 

Remember I was telling you in the last post about my elliptical leg exerciser coming with no instructions, no cord, no remote etc. 

I was aggreviated that now it was up to me to do what the manufactor should have done. I got online and sent out a complaint by chat. It wasn't being too helpful so I just walked away from the problem. 

Then, I thought about that huge box that exerciser came in. Inside that box the machine was placed snugly in a molded styrofoam container. I'd lifted the top part of the container off to get the machine out but I had left the bottom container in the box. I mean, it was snug.... took some tugging....

But, there underneath that thing was a small package with all my equipment in it. boy, did I feel dumb! And, a wee bit embarrassed that I hadn't looked there in the first place. 

Oh well.... 

Hot tamale!

It is so hot here! It may be where you are, too. If not, count yourself lucky. Heat index 110 today and lord bless those street pavers who have been working in our parking lot all day long in this heat. The air conditioner is having a heck of a time keeping up so I have all the ceiling fans going and a floor fan. The air conditioner is over 20 years old. It had better hang on 'til this heat wave is over. 

I had not cranked my car in about a month so I decided to get an early start this morning. Headed to Wendy's for a sausage biscuit .... at 8 a.m. and the air was so hot already and so heavy I could not breathe. Wendy's was only a block away so I made a quick trip of it and was soon back in my apartment. 

Once a long time ago (back in 2003 and 2004) I had my knees replaced. After all this time the muscles surrounding the titanium knee joints have stretched and so I am not as steady as I once was. At least that is what I am blaming it on. So, my son suggested that I order one of those leg exercisers and it arrived a couple days ago, 

That thing weighed a ton! But, I've been using it. It didn't come with an instruction book although you can set it all sorts of ways... and the company's name is nowhere to be found (on the exerciser, on the wrapping paper, on the box). Guess I will have to go on Amazon and look up what I ordered!! Then, maybe I can figure how to use it!

If you are in this heat... try to stay cool and hydrated. 

I have a book of quotes that I have collected or wrote myself over the years. I think I will end each post with one of those. Hope you enjoy them. If not just ignore. You won't hurt my feelings! 

"God intends for us to have a life of joy. But, we get in our own way or we let others get in our way. My advice is to keep your eyes on God, live peacefully and pray." 

Willie Latane Barton 

I'm Back in the Saddle Again

 Okay...

I am ready to roll... but I don't know which direction to go in. It's been so long since I've posted anything of substance.. maybe my brain is still on pause. Who knows. Let's see where this is going!! 

First of all, I wanted to spend time with my kiddos far away but I really didn't mean to do the trips back to back. Lordy, that was a journey. But, I did fine. Proved to myself, that at 91, I don't have to sit at home, I can get out and go... nearly everywhere I want. 

I usually spend time away from home, reassessing my 'status', making new plans, getting rejuvinated. This time was no different. 

I decided that I wanted to try making one new recipe a week and sharing it with my friends. I don't cook much anymore so it won't be fancy stuff, just stuff that I thought might be good. So... here's my first weeks endeavour: 

Frozen Yogurt-Honey Blueberries 

This picture came from the internet

Ingredients:

1 pint blueberries, washed and drained

1/2-3/4 cup Greek Yogurt ( I use Chobain sugar free)

2-3 tsp honey

Mix honey and yogurt. Pour over blueberries, stir to coat. Lift individual berries out with a fork and place them on a parchment lined pan that will fit in your freezer. Keeping them separate makes it easy to lift out a couple, three for a snack anytime you want them.

Freeze then place individual berries in a ziplock bag and put back in the freezer. Yum

I also decided to rearrange the closet in my office but haven't felt up to that yet. Will keep you posted when I get the urge to tackle that chore.

I didn't feel like my balcony was very inviting so I gave that some thought and soon as I got home, I started redecorating it... Well, actually I can't say re-decorating it 'cause it wasn't decorated in the first place. 

Here's what the space looked like. Don't you agree it's not some place just calling you to come sit awhile? 

So far I have gotten this look going. Still working on it. Any suggestions out there? 

I also started reading a book 'The Good Life' 

I have been on a soul-searching path to find myself, improve myself for sometime now but more about that later. 

Have a wonderful Sunday! I've missed you all and hope to get back on a better posting schedule soon. 

Welcome Home!

I'm Home!

Got home late afternoon on Tuesday.... however just before we arrived back within shouting distance of my home, I had an attack of what I think is diverticitus. Had it before but this one was very painful and remained so for over 24 hours. and in the meantime, I began having brief periods of vertigo! Then the following day my hitial heria started acting up. Talk about a welcome home!! 

So, soon as I begin feeling up to it I will be back on here in full force! 
 

Just sailing along

 Sunday was a perfect day. I mean, how could it not be! The sun was bright, the sky was blue and my son Michael and I sailed along on the blue waters of Wheeler Lake (north Alabama). 

I took the wheel at one point, sort of a bucket list thing for me.

 And there were a zillion pictures made. Daughter Shirley, back in Virginia, was constantly texting her brother... You gotta get a shot of this..or that..or something else. But, sadly, we never got one of me and Michael together.

I am not a sun lover and can't remember when if ever I got a sunburn. But, now I have both arms a nice shade of red!

Sunday certainly will go down as one of my most memorable times. So glad I got to spend it with Michael. He's a superb sailor and son.

A Pleasant Surprise

 When friends, the Browns, invited Michael and me out for lunch and said they were taking us to the Black Bear Brewery, well, I did start wondering what we had gotten in to. None of us had ever been! Lunchtime in a tavern....hmm.

It turned out to be a really delightful time. The restaurant part was huge. 

this is only a portion of the place. Photo from their Facebook page.

We got a nice table with a view. One of my huge pet peeves is the loud music being played in every place you go to eat now. You can't even have a conversation with the people at your table, for gosh sakes. But, it was very conversation friendly!

I like to try new foods so I chose a Fried green tomato BLT on marbled rye bread...with fries.

 It did not disappoint! And I believe the fries were the best I had ever had. My plate was so loaded with food that I had 3 meals out of that food. It just kept on giving.

You just never know how trying a new restaurant will turn out but this one we rated a 10.

A Fascinating Place

 As I was saying, Mooresville, Alabama was very tiny but totally fascinating to me.

We ran across the Old Brick Church. Greek Revival style constructed in 1839 of handmade brick. I would have loved to have gone inside but there was no one around. We saw one person doing her daily walk...no cars, no stores, no traffic light. Who do you ask permission from? So we snapped some pictures and drove on.

The post office was nearby, another place I would have loved to explore...

Alas...it is only open from 8 til 10 each morning. It is the oldest operating p.o. in Alabama. The call boxes inside date before the Civil War and some have been used by the same family since that time. Can you imagine that?

Other things fascinating me about Mooresville:

Our 17th president, Andrew Johnson, lived in Mooresville as a young man while he an apprentice to a tailor.

During the Civil War Union General James Garfield delivered a sermon at one of the churches here. His troops were camped nearby. He became our 20th president.

In 1995 the movie, "Tom and Hank," was filmed largely in Mooresville.

So, yes, this place has it's history! Just wish they made it easier for the public to enjoy.

Finding the Elusive 1818 Farm

 Last week Michael and drove to Mooresville, an enchanting very small historic village not far from where he lives. We thoroughly enjoyed it and want to go back.      

  

I had seen the 1818 Farm on facebook, so that was what drew me to the place. But it doesn't open to the public except for special events and I was so disappointed.

These are Babydoll Southdown sheep which was the driving force to open up the farm to begin with. They have a wide range of skin care products which they have become quite famous for.. Guess they've outgrown catering to a couple wandering souls just wanting to check them out.

1818 Farms has won some awards for their products, won Amazon's best small business award. And had a 5 page spread in Southern Living magazine. Yes, I wanted to see it but looks like that isn't going to happen. Oh well, you roll with the punches! Right!

We did find some other treasures in that tiny town but more on that later. Just want to keep you intrigued so you'll have to come back and check things out.

A trip to Isom Farm Market.

   Whenever I am visiting Michael in Athens, Alabama we make a trip to Isom's!  

 They have the most gorgeous purple onions!

Look at this head of cabbage!

Green plums, anyone? What do people do with green plums, anyway? Anyone know

We bought peaches, too but they weren't ripe so guess we will wait a few days on those.

We got some summer squash and zucchini which we roasted for dinner last night. 

Love being here with my son and love enjoying fresh veggies.

I said I'd post about my trip after I got home. I do so hate using my cellphone for anything!

However, the smart button finally clicked in my brain. I did this on my Kindle. Duh....

Hope you all are fine and dandy!

Love you

Michael certainly was dubivous!

 

More Travel - More Flowers

 I'm off again....

Tomorrow I will head to Michael's in Alabama for a couple week/longer visit. He has been here in Virginia for a week just waiting for Memorial day traffic to thin out and we will take off south. It should be warmer down there. I think it will fit me better since we are having some cooler temps these last few days. The older I get, the colder my body temp is. I look forward to temps that are above 60s.  

Then, I am going to come home and keep myself put for awhile. Don't you think that is a good idea? I do!

I hope all of you had a good Memorial Day weekend.  I don't have anyone in my close family that we lost in war but I do know so many families that have. 

I will leave you with some random photos of flowers. 

I have always loved this plant. It's a watermelon Pepperonia. I had one many years ago, just don't see them for purchase much any more. 

Sweet Shrub is another plant that you don't see much anymore. I remember the sweet aroma of the blossoms. The ones I have seen more recently just didn't have that smell. Too sad. 

A Cat's Ear dandelion. Just growing along the side of the road. 

There's not a lot of Grancy Greybeard Trees around either. I love how feathery they look. 

This one is a Mexican Bush Sage. One the residents here at the Commons has this one. It is so pretty when it blooms every year. 

This is a Moon Vine that I had before I moved here. 

Guess I have bored you enough. Take care. I'll be back on blogger when I return.