I'm so confused.

What the heck day is this?

For some reason this Thanksgiving long weekend has me topsy-turvy.  I guess because I've not been keeping my normal....(I can get through my routine blindfolded)...schedule.  For instance, while dragging out all my Christmas decorations I discovered my garage floor was littered with fallen leaves, decaying hops, cat litter and cat fur.  I hate to say it, but it was disgusting, yuck.  I was disgusted with myself I had allowed my garage to come to such a state.  Of course, I dragged out my carpet sweeper and gave the whole thing a 'what for'. This was a time consuming job, and didn't help when it came to my aching muscles.  However, in the end, I was glad the job was done.

Yesterday I decided to set up my little fiber optic Christmas tree in my bay window.  Since it is so small, a few years back I decided to string and tie together its tiny decorations onto one long strand. So far that has worked great...until last evening.  When not in use, I wind the strand around a piece of cardboard and I noticed some of the ornaments had become intertwined, oh, I sensed this was going to be bad.  I gingerly tried to untangle them, but lost patience and gave the cardboard a good shake and the strand of ornaments fell off.  Uh-oh! Sigh!  Not only was it a horrible jumble, the loose end I had started with had disappeared.

Okay, I tell myself, I can fix this.  No big deal.  I was so dispirited with myself I slunk to the sofa, with the realization this was going to take some time, that could be best used elsewhere. Undaunted, I began to undo the mess.  It was awful, since each ornament has intricate angles, as soon as I freed one, I was faced with another twist of the string holding them together.  I worked for an hour, and had accomplished absolutely nothing.  The more I worked, the more frustrated I became, I actually lost patience, and became quite angry with myself and this stupid, stupid strand of ornaments.   No, I was just angry with me.  Then, I did something most peculiar.  I heaved myself off the sofa, and had a conversation with myself that went something like this.

"I am sooo done, why am I wasting my time on this.  This is a hopeless cause, I'm never going to untangle this, should never have strung these things together in the first place, and am not going to waste one more minute trying to salvage this.  A couple of years ago, I'd have had the patience to fix this...but...not this year...not this year."

By now I had reached the kitchen trash bin, I flung open the door, threw the jumble of ornaments into the bin, turned, and walked away.  It was strange walking away...just walking away...I didn't even feel guilt, I did however, feel relief.  I think I disliked that strand of ornaments from the very beginning, and realized the tree would survive quite nicely without it.

And it is.  I finished adorning the tree with garlands, placed a silvery angel on the top, flipped the switch and my lovely little optic tree sprang to life.

Anyway, I think these kinds of incidents helped to cause my confusion as to what day it is.  It will be lovely to get back to normal this afternoon when my tree is up and trimmed.

Well...maybe not...after all, tomorrow is Cyber Monday, and I do have shopping to do.

This is Sunday, right?

Ooooooooooh

What can I say.

Boy I over did it yesterday.  When the heck did I get so dang old?

First, I set about taking down all my autumn/Thanksgiving decorations.  That took longer than I expected, and I probably should have simply vacuumed and dusted when I got done, and called it good for the day.

Did I?  Of course not!

Eager to light up the house with red and green 'sparklies', I began the process of decorating for Christmas.

Last year when it put the Christmas stuff away, I decided it was probably not wise to continue storing it overhead in the garage...ladder climbing was beginning to worry me...so, I juggled things around on shelves to accommodate the decorations that the most I would have to do in the future was stand on my step stool.  Seemed like a good idea.

So, yesterday I dragged my stool to the garage and began to pull down boxes and bags.  I was shocked to find myself being ultra careful watching where I had planted my feet on the stool,
and making sure there was something close by that I could grab if my vertigo just happened to 'kick in'.  Thankfully, it did not.  However, as my decorating frenzy continued, I discovered I was very uncomfortable trying to attach those meant to hang from the ceiling, such as swags, wreaths, etc.

What the heck?????????

I found myself thinking that I just might need one of those bracelets or necklaces you wear that bring aid when you need it.  Surely, I'm not THAT old.  But, maybe I am, because by the time I finally decided I was done for the day, every muscle in my body hurt.  I could tell my mind was willing, but my body was not.  Oh, I quit alright, until about seven o'clock.

I sat, on the sofa, gazing around the room, there was so much more to do.  I couldn't stand it. I dragged my step stool to the closet and pulled more boxes off the shelves and decorating continued.  I don't know what time it was when I quit, but I was finally satisfied I had accomplished all I could for the day.  Man, I was pooped.

Eventually I titter-tottered off to bed.  As I sunk beneath the blankets I realized just how tired and in pain my poor body was, I rolled over on my side and swallowed two good old fashioned pain killing aspirin.  Then, drifted off to sleep.

This morning I'm up, chipper and ready to complete my holiday decorating.  Now, I'd like to tell all of you this is the last year I'm going to do the climbing, dragging, stretching, pulling, pushing, boxing and un-boxing...but I know it's not.  Oh, yes, I'll do it again, and again.  I'm just thankful I got through this year without mishap...I hope.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday, being Thanksgiving, I started my personal pre-holiday traditions.  They started with a call from my brother who always begins the conversation with his traditional gobbbllle, gobbbbllllleee, gobbbbble.  That introduction this year was very unusual, as the gobble was not the one I expected and I confess I was taken just a bit aback.  I was in stitches.  We had a lovely talk.

Then, I went about doing my exercises, followed by a saunter to my movie collection to hunt out my holiday favorites.  I grabbed six, just to get me started, I've several more to watch as December moves along.  Yesterday I watched "We're no Angles", an oldie but goody, (if you you can get your hands on a copy I highly recommend it) that stars Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov.  It takes place on Devils Island in the 1890's (or there about's) they are escaped convicts intent on mayhem and murder, and well....I don't want to spoil the plot...you have to watch it for yourselves.

Then I watched About A Boy, a quirk-y British Flick starring Hugh Grant.  He plays a bachelor (of course) who invents an imaginary child in order to join a singles group to meet single women with children.  This should be a smooth sailing adventure, which (of course) it is not because, a 12 year old boy named Marcus enters his life and turns it topsy-turvy.  This is a holiday movie, although the holiday takes place more in the background, it is the cast of characters that make this film so endearing.  I hope you will give it a go some holiday season.

I fixed myself a holiday feast, that I enjoyed later in the afternoon, I had chicken, potatoes, gravy, sweet squash, warm three bean salad, cranberry sauce, pickled beets and eggs, olives...and a beer. Good stuff, good stuff.  For once, I did not overeat...oh...so that's what it feels like...I didn't need a nap.  What a surprise.

Today I will be taking down my Autumn/Thanksgiving decorations in preparation for those of Christmas, and will be watching some more of my holiday 'flicks'.  I think I'll start with Elf, and then maybe another oldie, White Christmas, with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Now there's a feel good song and dance, romance and do a good turn for somebody, sure to warm your toes and cockles of your heart movie.

Man, I love this time of year.

Well, I guess I had better get busy, I hope you all had a fantastic day, yesterday and that if Black Friday shopping is your gig for today, stay safe, take care...I'll be here, thinking about you, but glad to be home getting ready for Christmas. Ho, ho, ho.

How odd!

It is amazing what the slightest change in temperature can do.  After having some peculiarly cold weather this autumn, to awaken this morning and have the temperature read in the fifties, it was....well...odd.

The house was so warm, I didn't even turn my heat on this morning, and when I opened the door to let Zorro out for his first run around his kingdom, I pulled the sliding door full open, pulled the screen across the opening and welcomed the morning air into the house.  How odd. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and some years it has been so cold we've actually had snow flurries on the holiday.  How odd, indeed, today is mysteriously so spring like.

Not long ago I ventured out to retrieve the mail, which I tucked under my right arm and instead of heading for the front door, I stopped, bent over and pulled out some very dead, previously frozen, summer annuals. Okay, one handful of dead matter is no big deal.  I will drop it into the recycle bin and that will be that.  How odd.  Not only did I pull one handful of summer flowers, I pulled several. Not only was that invigorating, it was down right enjoyable.  By the time I was done the bin was almost half full, the sidewalks had been cleared of leaning over, wilted, blackened plant matter and I was tempted to get out some lawn tools to start hacking and whacking.  How odd.

About this time I decided enough was enough, after all, some of this foliage should be allowed to decompose and become soil enhancement for next springs plantings.  Besides...it is after all November, the last thing on my mind should be yard work.  As a result, I took a quick turn around the back yard, and delighted in seeing the promise of spring, slowly nudging up through the good, brown earth.  I so enjoy natures delicate, intricate surprises...and delight that they are not odd at all.

Time to refresh, replenish, reflect, renew

First of all, I took a few days off from work, daily activities, the Internet, facebook, e-mail and just about everything else. Except of course eating and the essentials of life.  I think I wanted to prove to myself I was not addicted to all the things that occupied my days. Especially the Internet, involving facebook, e-mail, my store, research, and everything else that pleases me when it comes to electronic interaction with my world.

So, for two days I restricted my computer activities for a half an hour, right before I went to bed to check my e-mail and facebook postings.  I've discovered I'm actually capable of surviving without both.  Since my subscription to Lumosity has expired and I cannot afford to renew it for another year, that will be cutting back on computer time as well. Although I've taken up playing the card game Hearts and the rules are slowly coming back.  I'm certainly not good at it at the moment, I think if I had the memory to 'count' the cards I would be much better at the game.

I also (once in a while) visit my farm on the computer game Farmtown, and confess I'm getting kind of  rich playing that, and wish it were real cash in my possession.  However, it is coming to the point I mostly spend my computer time actually 'working'.  Although...I've not a clue why, maybe it's time to move on from that, too.

I think maybe next year might be one of great change.  I feel a strange wind a-blowin'.  I think it's time for moving on.  I confess I get kind of homesick for my hometown, but know I would never be able to stand their winters, although I could get myself quite a home since the housing market is quite different there.  I sometimes think about California, too, but here again, things are not going well there either, what with their water problems, and economic down turn...people, jobs leaving instead of moving there.  And, truth be told I do like the Pacific Northwest, it's been good to me and my family.  Still, I've got this nudging, a pushing if you will, that there is something new out there I've not tried.  I'm eager, excited, scared...I sense a fork in the road...Should I take the one paved, well traveled and safe, or perhaps Robert Frost's 'one less traveled'.  With all the courage I can muster, I want to take the one less traveled...do I possess it?

Over the weekend I watched a BBC series, Lark Rise to Candleford, a period piece about change and challenge, and how it takes courage to accept change and move on with challenge, but that it also takes courage to stand still in the present.  Having the courage to stand still is definitely harder, but it is in the standing still that family history is perpetuated, traditions are formed, relationships are established.  The series has stirred longings in me, possibilities, wondering's and wanderings. What will my future hold.  Only time will tell. Perhaps 2015 will be my year for new adventures, and my last hurrahs.

I feel a strange wind a-blowin'.

I have a personal trainer

His name is Zorro.  Some days, he is very persistent in helping, while some mornings he is content so sit on the couch and watch.

Today was not a 'sitting' morning, so training went something like this.  I'm down of the floor stretched as far out as my flabby body will go, hands way over my head, legs straight, tight, toes extended as far as they would go.  Zorro approaches and sniffs my ear...it tickles...I desperately try not to lose my concentration and count.

Soon I've turned over onto my back, again stretched out, arms and hands way above my head,  Legs straight, muscles tight, toes pointed downward as far as they will go.  Zorro comes up and smells my nose. I give him a couple of quick breathes, which startle him and he dashed out to the morning room.

Next I do my arm extensions, palms up, I stretch one arm over my body and touch it to the inner elbow of the other arm.  Zorro stands over one hand, wanting me to scratch his tummy. I gently push him out of the way.  He moves to the other arm and paws my hand.  I stay firm in my conviction I am not...I AM NOT going to scratch his tummy.

It's time for leg raises, sigh, oh yes, now he is intrigued with my butt area.  Seriously, dog, do you not know that's disgusting.  I immediately move on to a new exercise.  Eventually it is time for my Vertigo exercises designed to alleviate dizziness. I turn my head, up and down, left and right, back and forth I have to say I have to do these with my eyes closed otherwise they make me dizzy; for some reason Zorro does not interfere while I do this.  Maybe because I have my eyes closed. Anyway, It's finally time for cool down and deep, deep breaths. Zorro is behind me, and has a paw on each of my shoulders back to sniffing my ears. I make weird grunting sounds and he's off like a shot back to the morning room.

As I watched him go, I had to giggle, dang he has a cute little butt.  No wonder Sadie has the hots for him. Getting to my feet, it's that moment I realize how much I love that little guy, even though he's a pest and not exactly the best exercise trainer in the world.

Gettin' the spirit

Okay, I'm a sentimental slob all year round.  I snivel at puppies playing, homecomings at airports, chick-flick movies, departures, romantic book endings and...I'm sure you get the picture.

This time of year I normally spend December ankle deep in tears.  Yep, Frankie and I can't control ourselves.  And Christmas music, oh brother, we openly weep.  I  get so choked up I can't even sing along anymore.  When I hear my favorite, I heard the bells on Christmas Day, tears frequently run down my cheeks.

The city has a tradition here, it's called the Singing Christmas Tree.  It is breathtaking to attend this magnificent program.  When the curtain opens and you see that tree for the first time you will be amazed.  It encompasses most of the stage; is eleven rows high, and although I don't know how many singers make up the tree (well over a hundred) they are all bedecked in white robes with red collars. Most of the singers are not professional, but trust me, they all could be, the singing is phenomenal .

Every year the program differs, although each year the first half of the program constitutes the fable of Christmas, with Santa, and sleigh bells, and good will to men. While the second half of the program tells the story of the birth of baby Jesus, and starts with pomp and circumstance as the Three Wise Men, enter and slowly walk down the aisle of the theater and up onto the stage.  (Shoot, I'm getting choked up just writing this.)  Eventually, an angel swings into view and hovers over the scene.  I tell you, it takes one's breath away.

Some years, things go awry.  The first time I went to the Singing Christmas Tree, while it was in the process of turning...it got stuck.  The audience in unison audibly gasped.  There was no panic, but you could tell the stage crew momentarily had no clue what to do.  They closed the curtains, and somebody came on stage and said if anyone wanted to leave they would happily reschedule them for another performance, or if we wanted to stay, asked for our patience while they resolved the problem.  This was obviously not an 'everyday' occurrence.  By the way...I didn't see anybody leave.

Anyway, this particular year a young, local, professional quartet was part of the program, and they came out onto the stage and held an impromptu audience 'Christmas Carol sing along' I was amazed at how many I knew word for word and was actually able to sing along. Eventually the tree hydraulics were fixed and the show progressed.  However,  I have to say...the stuck tree and caroling made the show as far as I was concerned.

I have seen the show several times since (without mishap).  It is an amazing event. None, of course, can compare to the one where something went wrong.  I would encourage anyone living locally, to take a year and attend the Singing Christmas Tree, especially if you have children. You should see their faces, not only do they light up at the sight of Santa, but when that angel swings into view their faces are filled with awe, wonder and delight.

Oooh, I'm getting that squishy, ooey, gooey, mushy feeling...it must be time to get out all my Christmas music, it's time Frankie and I start to make teary puddles around the house.

Scary

Earlier this year I had a bad dream, it woke me up, breathing hard.  I remember in the morning I tried to recall the dream but could not.  I only know it scared me, and I thought to myself, if this dream ever comes to an end, am I going to die?  Yes, I actually did think that, and I think that about the dream I have where I'm desperately trying to get home, too.  I can get close to home, but something always interferes and I wake up. I know...that's nuts. I wonder if other old people ever think the same thing about their bad dreams?

Anyway, last night I had a repeat of the bad dream I had earlier this year.  As it progressed, in my dream, I realized this dream was not going to end well, and my subconscious told me (in the dream), 'remember this dream, remember this dream'.

The dream moved on, to the exact spot as the first, and I woke up, breathing hard.  I was remembering the dream, I was pretty sure I didn't want to, I didn't like it.  Eventually I became dozy and sleep returned.

This morning, my first conscious thought was the dream, and I tried...oh, I tried hard to remember it. It's gone, I can't remember a single second of the dream, only that I had wanted to remember it and that it was bad, scary, and I'm left with the horror that if the dream even ends...I'm gonna' die.

Boy, I bet Freud would have a field day with this.

Sigh.

Figgy Pudding

A week or so ago, my next door neighbor brought me some 'sort of' ripe figs.  I like fresh figs.  They are very tasty and extremely good for you.  They've tons of seeds about the size of grit you find on some sand papers, and I even like the feel of them as I munch.  Problem is, most years the growing season is not long enough for my neighbors figs to ripen.  The rains come, and the shorter days prevent them from maturing the way they do in warmer climes.

Anyway, she gave me quite a few, and I know I should have had patience and hoped they would ripen, when a familiar Christmas Tune went through my head.

"Now bring us some figgy pudding,
And bring some out here."

Hmmm?  So I says to myself, "I wonder if there is a recipe for Figgy Pudding?

Several years back I sent for a newly published reproduction of "The Original FANNIE 
FARMER 1896 Cook Book (The Boston Cooking School) and I figured if any cook book would have a recipe for Figgy Pudding, it would be the Fanny  Farmer book.  Flipping to page 338, there it was.  Of course it called for things not in my modern day pantry (like 1/3 cup beef suet, and a cup of stale bread) but I refused to be deterred.  As a result I substituted a stick of margarine for the suet, and instant oatmeal for the stale bread.

I chopped up the figs, and followed the rest of the instructions to the letter.  I watched the whole thing slowly boil up, soon the ingredients blended together, and took on the look of pudding.  Oh, I'm sure the stale bread would have given it a smoother looking finish, but it was a pudding none the less. And, it was good, still warm from the pot, sprinkled with sugar, and just a tad of milk.

I filled two single serving containers with the leftovers and put them in the freezer for a treat some future winter evening.  And, I sure am glad I have learned I don't have to wait for figs to ripen in order to enjoy them.

I think figs are a misunderstood fruit, I don't personally know anybody, (besides myself and my neighbor) who eat them raw, nor do I know anybody who actually eats Fig Newtons, they (in my opinion) are too dry, and difficult to swallow without a tall glass of milk.  Anyway, I don't suppose my Figgy Pudding is ever going to catch on as a holiday treat, though I'm thoroughly enjoying mine.  So instead I will bring...

...good tidings to you and your kin,
good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Normal

According to my copy of Roget's SUPER Thesaurus NORMAL is:

standard, usual, typical, conventional, universal, traditional, regular, customary, accepted, average.

Funny how we take normal for granted. I've been bippity, boppity-ing through the year picking my nose and scratching my butt smiling like delightful Dopey from the story Snow White.  Not a care in the world, waking up, doing my job, humming a song and enjoying life.

Then, the world got a gigantic 'hick-up' and spit out a cold spell.  Well, damn!!!!!!!

All of a sudden I was hustling my scratched butt all around the place draining hoses, covering park benches, bringing in patio furniture, insulating outdoor faucets and bringing in my precious salmon colored geraniums.  What I expected was a couple of nights the temperature would get down to the freezing mark and we would have a killing frost.  That, dear friends is normal!

Is that what I got?  Nooooooo!

Now I know this is going to sound like a lot of complaining.           Okay, it is.

I did not expect an Arctic Blast, and that it would last for a week.  My poor little house was not built Arctic Blasts...it's barely built for killing frost!  So, when the cold came and kept coming, the beams and boards began to creak and moan.  My natural gas free standing stoves sputter, cough and wheeze trying to blanket the rooms in warmth, the baseboard heaters try to keep up.  In the meantime, I'm bundled up in thermals, T-shirts, sweats, fall colored crocheted vest, and two pairs of socks, shuffling through the house like an overstuffed turkey.  I'm sleeping with a dog, four rice filled socks heated in my microwave, and cuddle with a stuffed bear in my arms.

Are you getting the picture?  I hope so, because it's funny, shoot....I can't stop laughing. I'm going to write some songs and a script, I think I've got the makings of a Broadway Play.  It will be about an old woman who hates the cold, moves to Florida for a good warm 'rest' of her life, but, gets swept out to sea on a hurricane never to be seen again.  It ends as her loved ones stand on the beach throwing flowers into the water while loudly singing..."She did it her way", in Frank Sinatra style.  Good bye old woman.

But, maybe I can put that on hold for a while, 'cause my edjkated metrolgist tells me this morning the weather is changing, temperatures are going to rise, and rain is going to start falling tomorrow.

Come on, normal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pickled Brussels Sprouts

As you all know, I mistakenly do stuff.  Sometimes it turns out awful, sometimes it turns out better that expected.  Sometimes I do things by accident, sometimes I actually think things through.

So, a couple of months ago when I ordered wwwwwaaaaayyyy to many Brussels Sprouts (normally I hand pick eight or so) I accidentally ordered some from Safeway, and when the order arrived I received a little over a pound of the litter buggers.  Oh, I cooked up a few of them for dinner, but what in the world was I going to do with the rest of the pound.

I didn't want to waste them, but once I've had my craving satisfied I knew I would never be cooking up and eating the rest any time soon.  What to do, what to do? Hmmm, I thought, you can pickle cabbage,I wonder...can I pickle Brussels Sprouts? I go to the Internet, type in Pickled Brussels Sprouts and lo...there were at least a dozen recipes.  I chose one that didn't seem to difficult, mixed up the vinegar pickling recipe, washed the sprouts, cut them in half, and plopped them into the pickling solution.

The recipe said they should 'pickle for awhile', and I figured a few days would do the trick...it didn't, when I tried them they simply tasted like Brussels Sprouts.  I kept the concoction steeping in the refrigerator. Over time other food products began to push the Sprouts container to the back of the shelf.  Truth be told I forgot about the Sprouts altogether until a couple of weeks ago.  As the shelf the container was on emptied, I saw the winter green Sprouts swimming around in the pickling solution.

Hmmmm???????

Hmmmm!!!!!!!!!

Dare I try one?

Curiosity got the better of me, and I gingerly removed the plastic lid.  Not knowing what to expect I confess I held my breath...this...could be gross.  It kind of smelled like homemade Bread and Butter Pickles, with just a hint of Brussels Sprouts.  What the heck, it didn't smell like it would make me ill, or kill me.  So I popped one in my mouth.

>

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Well, wha' do ya know!  It was good.  Nicely pickled, refrigerator cool and crispy, crunchy.  Needless to say, I devoured several.  I've been having them as a side ever since.  This morning, I had to down size the container they were in, and I realized the delightful treat was coming to an end.  I will be unhappy when I serve up the remainder later this week.

Will I do this again?  Probably, but it will surely be by accident, when I absentmindedly order another pound of them.

In the meantime, I hope I remember to tell you some day about Figgy Pudding.

Well, son of a gun

Yesterday's blog was about the cold, wind, sleet, snow and freezing rain.  And, how I was fascinated that the snow and freezing rain was still hanging around in the areas the sun had not reached.

I was hoping I might find the same phenomenon this morning...and I did.  I was a very happy camper. I went around the house standing at every window inspecting for ice.  I've discovered the shrubs and trees have very little ice remaining, not so much from the temperature because even this morning with wind chill, it is in the low 20's; but because of evaporation.  There is very little humidity, so the moisture is quickly drying up the ice and snow.  I suspect, with a warmer temperature (which is supposed to come) my 'bit of magic' will be gone tomorrow.

So, I want to report another bit of cold weather related trivia.  We humans as sooo,
unpredictable.  The first day the TV reporters were outdoors reporting on the bad weather...I think Wednesday, we were told the schools would remain open, and that some would be operating two hours late.  Some parents were up in arms, inquiring if the weather was going to be that bad...shouldn't the schools be closed for the children's safety?  Maybe so.

Then, the next day, most schools were closed...guess what?  Some parents were again up in arms, this time because the schools had been closed.  Were we not aware the weather was 'not that bad' and shouldn't the schools be more accommodating, surely the students would be safe.

What???????????

It wasn't like overnight the icy roads and snowy side streets had magically become free of said ice and snow.  How was it possible the ice and snow was so harmful one day, and not the next.  Sigh.

Poor school districts.

Also, I'm curious about the drivers who are out there on those dangerous roads, slipping and sliding into ditches and other vehicles.  The same TV reporters who report school closures and late openings, also tell drivers "stay home" yet drivers do not listen.  As a result we see them on the news, talking with reports with grins on their faces, apparently proud they've wrecked their car and some other's as well.   Really, 'splain' that to me.

Anyway, it appears we are going to get back to normal soon, the temperatures are slowly rising, and by Wednesday we will be back to 'good ole' rain.  I for one can hardly wait.

It's a most unusual week.

I so enjoy the unusual.  For instance, it has been more cold here this week than a normal November. We've had chilly, blustery winds coming down the gorge, sleet, freezing rain, and some areas had inches and inches of snow.

Oh, and power outages...but that's negative...so we won't go there.

Mostly, I've been watching the freezing rain, that covered my neighborhood. Yesterday was particularly entertaining.  It was gloriously sunny, and all the trees and shrubs sparkled like diamonds as the breeze gently blew them about.  When the sun rose above my visual tree line, the shrubs and trees began to warm up and tiny icicles began to form.  I was drawn to every window, and I watched the ice begin to disappear.  The street dried, but the ice remained on my mailbox a shimmering ice rink.  Then as the afternoon progressed every tree and shrub the sun reached, it melted their frozen branches.

I was intrigued, as the sun progressed across the sky and shade took over the sunny spots.  The melting stopped, and the trees and shrubs took on a look I'd never seen before.  Parts of them had melted, the branches standing straight and tall again, while lower, hidden branches remained bent over and frozen.

The air temperature hovered around freezing all day, and as darkness approached, my neighbors roofs looked like patchwork quilts, partly ice/frost covered, partly bare and dry.  I wondered what the morning would hold.

To my delight, this morning when I pulled open the drapes, it was as though time had stood still. Roofs were still a patchwork, lawns were partly ice covered, and some branches still struggle to rid themselves of their icy blankets.  It's been amazing!

The temperature today is going to reach a high of....maybe 40 or 41 degrees, so it will be interesting to see if all the ice and frost disappear today.  I'm hoping it does not, I would so enjoy pulling the drapes tomorrow morning and seeing patchwork quilt rooftops.

Ain't that a fine how-do-you-do.

Well so much for sunshine and periwinkle blue sky.  Wow...what a difference a day makes. Yesterday was a transition day, the power went out a couple of times, and I made the decision I was not going to reset my clocks until the weather decided exactly what it was going to do.  Frankie was not pleased with my decision and I told her if she wanted to spend her day running all around the house fixing the clocks that was fine with me.

She went off and pouted...she still is.  Tough noogies, toots.  I've got three battery operated clocks, and the time is on my cell phone (I recharged it yesterday) and as far as I'm concerned they are good enough.  Yes, when the power goes out I might have to use a flashlight to see the clock face, but the time is there and that's all that matters.  Sometimes, old-fashioned time telling is the best.

My neighbor called me this morning to see how I was doing, and she is the one who told me that my lawn was not just wet, it also had a thin layer of ice.  Well, damn, that's going to make it hard to go out to get the mail...but then again...maybe I won't even be getting mail today.  The Post Office no longer follows their long standing creed that the mail will be delivered no matter how inclement the weather is.

And, as for Zorro...he is hating today, he steps outside, and makes an immediate U turn and races back indoors. Silly dog, eventually he is going to have to go out to do his 'duty'.  Hopefully it will be before his bladder explodes.  Hmmm, maybe if I go out with him and add some encouragement he'll do his deed.

Life is such a hoot.  A truck has been changing (upgrading I guess) all the streetlights in the neighborhood...I've been watching, nosy old person that I am.  I think that's sooo funny, considering how the power has been going on and off, on  and off.  What good is the new fixture going to be if there is no power to illuminate it.  Baaaaaa, haaaaaa, haaaaaa, haaaaaa.  I've heard about these new fixtures, they are supposed to be more environmental friendly, directing the light where it is most needed, and allowing us to see the night sky much better.  I've also heard there are even newer fixtures coming that will only come on when a car's headlights activate them.

This reminded me of my daughter's (long ago)car that had a lop-sided headlight that actually turn 'off' the streetlights as her car went down or up a street.  Now...that's funny.

Anyway, my fingers are super cold, and I'm going to go fix myself something hot to drink.  Then, I'm going to wrap up in a blanket and wait for the power to go out. Baaaaaaaa, haaaaaaa, haaaaaaa.

The leaves of brown are tumbling down.

An old song comes to mind this morning.  I believe it is from the Broadway Play, Oklahoma.  It starts out, "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day.....I've got a beautiful feeling, everything's going my way."

You should see my morning!!!!!!!  You should see my day!!!!!!!!  You should feel my feeling!!!!!!!

Everything might not be going my way, but three our of four is not bad...not bad at all.

I mean, I've no words to aptly describe how magnificent it is here today.  The sky is periwinkle blue and there is not even a wisp of a cloud floating by.  Well, it definitely would not be 'floating' by, it would be 'whizzing' by because we've got an East Wind a'blowin' like you would not believe.

While sitting here in my office occasionally a leaf will twirl and swirl to the ground, gracefully and graciously giving in to the inevitable.  Then...suddenly, a gust of wind causes the trees in my neighborhood to bend and sway, and a wave of brown and yellow leaves come into view from the roof and gutter of my house.  They gleefully, excitedly race each other to the ground.

I have to say, I'm having a dang good time.  I'm not getting a lot of work done, but it is such a gorgeous day, I don't really care.

I've heard it's going to be cold this week, too.  Those edjakated metrolgists are excitedly reporting there are going to be strong winds, and thanks to the Arctic Blast, the temperature are going to range from the high 30's with wind chills making the temperatures feel more like the 20's.  Obviously my beautiful mornings and days are going to be deceiving.  Brrrrrr.

Happily, I can report I got all my outside chores done.  I drained the last of the hoses and covered the outside faucets yesterday, and brought in my geraniums on Sunday...sore wrist and all.  Oh, truth be told there is still some pruning to do, but I think I'm going to wait a couple of weeks, with the hope my gardener just might do that.  If not, by then all the leaves will be gone, and it will be easy to lop off the bare branches.

Meantime, I'm going to enjoy this magnificent weather, bundle up when I trek to the mailbox, and drink spicy tea, and strong black coffee as Zorro, CC and I snuggle under a homemade afghan.

Life is good people, life is sooo good.

This one is for my grand, great-grand children

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO BE IS ALREADY INSIDE YOU.

It is YOU who will hold yourself back from becoming what you want to be.

Whether you achieve greatness in the field of your choice, YOU are responsible for reaching that goal.

Not going to college does not mean you cannot reach your goal, as the old adage states, "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" do what you have to do to get the job done. There is no shame in OTJ training.

Do you have to get your hands dirty?  I don't care, many great men and women have done exactly that.

Do you have to work, two or three jobs for some period of time?  So be it.  Just ask any doctor and/or his/her partner in life, that is not an easy road.

Do you have to spend years paying off student loans?  Well, joint the club, you are not alone and you are in darn good company.

Do you want to be famous?  Ask any entertainer how many years they had to sip ketchup soup and munch ketchup sandwiches, there are often years of disappointment before 'discovery' and fame.

There will always be setbacks, apprehensions and misgivings about your choices. Just remember the 'stock' from which you came; it is strong and sturdy, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.  It all depends on how hard YOU want to work for it.

Now, please understand, I don't expect Nobel Prize winners...although that is well within YOUR grasp. I simply want you to achieve whatever goal it is YOU have in mind for yourselves.  Doctor, Lawyer, Housewife, Mother, Father, Teacher, Judge, Manager, Truck Driver, Construction Worker. The label does not matter.  What does, is what you do 'with' the label...the best you can.

A doctor can open a small town practice, a mother can raise up a child of honor, a construction worker can start his own company, a manager can open her own boutique, everything is within your reach.

Just remember, I will be always be proud of each of your achievements, and that...

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO BE IS ALREADY INSIDE YOU.

Start where you are

With what you have,

Make something of it.

Never be satisfied.

I got to thinking...

yesterday about Jesus living here on earth as a man.

I know he was a carpenter by trade.  I wondered, being who he was, did he already know all the skills it took to be a carpenter?  Or, was his mind a clean slate when he was born a mortal, did he have to learn from scratch, just like we have to learn new things?

How old was he when he first held a tool?  Did the touch of metal in his hand feel cool?  When Joseph explained what it was, and how to use it, as a child was he curious turning it upside down, over and around, fingering its points and angles? What kind of questions did he ask?

When he smoothed a piece of wood, and the tiny bits of dust fell away from it, did he blow the dust away?  Did he take his hand and rub the wood exploring the intricate pattern of the grain?

Was his first attempt at making a stool or bench perfect, or did it wobble just a bit?

Did he ever get a splinter?  And, did he ever hit his thumb with a hammer?

We know he did become a skilled tradesman helping to support his family, the Bible tells us that. What exactly did he build?  Did his father have a shop?  Did he make furniture, or help to build homes and business establishments?   Did Jesus help to teach his brothers to become carpenters, too?

I know this is all rhetorical, at the moment...but oh the questions I want to ask when I have that golden opportunity.

I want to talk to Jonah, Noah, Esther, Ruth and all the other folks I've been learning about this year. There is so much I want to know.

Oh, and God...what about that Duckbill Platypus, and Giraffe, did you have leftover parts, or are they truly part of your grand design?  

I hope this blog has not offended anyone, that was not my intention, after all it is only and after all, The Ramblings of an Old Woman.

Whew, we made it.

Yes, today is election day and we will finally be done with all those boring election commercials.

I'm tire of the 'mud slinging'.

I'm tired of the 'measures'.

I'm tired of the phone calls.

I'm tired of the brochures in my mail box.

We have got to come up with a less expensive, much, much, much shorter way to run elections.  For the last month I have been 'muting' said commercials, or purposely choosing to watch cable channels that do not have said commercials.

I heard a little girl on television being interviewed about what she had learned in school about the elections and the candidates.  She said (at least 3 times) she learned 'they lie'.  I thought it was pretty irresponsible that a teacher would teach that to his/her students.  Frankly, I don't want to believe any teacher would use those words to describe candidates.  I switched channels without watching the rest of that interview.

Here's what I think.  First, I believe any candidate starting out running for office has the very best intentions, and that they believe they can truly change a system that has become jaded over the last two hundred years.  I admire their ambition, wanting to do the right thing by their constituents.  They make promises they can't possibly keep simply because of the way the system works.  They are not 'lying', they truly believe they can single handed do what they promised.  Solution, don't make promises!  Simply say you will do the best you can, that your door will always be open, your phone line available, and you will listen, listen, listen to what your constituents want, and to listen their ideas on how their problems might be solved.

We will not be able to undo two hundred years of  corruption in a short period of time, it will probably take two hundred years to do that.  However, it takes only one candidate to start that process.  Do your best, and listen, listen, listen.

Here's what I think.  If you are planning to run for office.  Clean out your closet.  Tell all those dark, dusty secrets.  Did you have an abortion?  Have you cheated on your wife?  Are you gay?  Have you filed misleading income tax reports?  Have you been in jail?  Are you a bigot?  Are you an abuser? Do/did you have a problem with drugs or alcohol?  No matter how ugly...lay it out there.  If you ask for forgiveness, a lot of people will forgive you...you might not get elected, but trust me, you will sleep better at night and become a better person for your confession.

If your 'secret' does not disqualify you from doing the job for which you are running and you simply say you will do the best you can to full fill the duties of your office, that your door will always be open, your phone line available, and you will listen, listen, listen to what your constituents want, and to their ideas on how their problems might be solved.  Chances are you will get elected, possibly for more than one term of office.

In the end, all we want is a hard worker in office, somebody who feels our pain, and understands we are simply trying to survive.  Somebody who does not forget  who got them their new job.

It's funny, (peculiar)...

Yes, try as I might, I still can't type.  As you all know typing has never been my strong suit, and having an injured wrist is not helping.  Oh, don't get me wrong the Ace Bandage is helping a great deal in the healing process as is the pain cream and hot compresses, still typing takes tremendous effort.  I have been trying to use the hunt and peck system, and I have to say I don't know how people do it, that system takes me forever.  I have to look at the keyboard, look up at the monitor, up and down, up and down.  Geeze.

So, this morning I'm using both hands and looking only at the monitor.  I'm not sure how long my wrist will last.  As a result, this will probably be a short blog.  Yes, I know, I probably should have had my wrist checked by a professional, and maybe even had an x-ray done.  I probably would have been told to purchase a wrist brace and wear it for the duration.  Maybe I'd have been given as prescription for a pain killer of some sort.  Still, I have to ask myself, would my wrist be healing any quicker. Probably not.

I've often reported here Things They Never Tell You, about getting old and here is one more.  It takes a long time to recover from an accident...no matter how small. Truth is, we move slower, can concentrate on one thing at a time only, and must at all time be watchful about what we are doing, where we are going, and how we are going to get the job done.  Otherwise, some dumb stunt is going to get us into trouble.

I've learned to look down while walking, even though the medical community tells me I should continue to look up and out.  Really?  Listen you young whipper snapper...nothing will make a twig, curb, edge of step jump up and grab your ankle than looking up and out.  They loooooovvvveeeee to make an old folk stumble and fall.  

I've learned to turn on lights...before I get out of bed, enter a room, attempt to walk out of doors at night.

I've learned how easily an accident can happen...You know how the commercials say one in three old person will fall every year.  When mine happens I go "Whew, that takes care of me for this year...thank goodness I didn't break anything.".

I've learned to be cautious taking flights of steps, both up and down...to avoid escalators, and take elevators when steps seem to dangerous to attempt.

I've learned it's time to start collecting brochures for Senior Citizen complexes.  I'm hopeful, I might find one I can afford.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not in panic mode, nor do I feel I'm losing it.  But, I do think it would be nice for somebody to fix my meals, have transportation at the ready for doctor visits and social outings.  I want a staff to look after me, and a nurse on duty, I want an exercise room and daily activities.  If  I choose the right one I can start out in independent living and it will take me all the way to my final days.  Not a bad deal, when I think about it.  It takes the pressure of me and my family as well.

 

I've also learned no matter how rich or poor we all feel pain, cry salty tears, and muddle through life's muddy puddles.

I've learned, life is not a bowl of cherries, ants can't move a rubber tree plant, and there are not always silver linings, or a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  But I've also learned life is good, where there is a will, there is a way, and to always take the road less traveled because you never know what's just around the bend.