I think the song is from the stage play Oklahoma, where the guy sings "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh, what a beautiful day, I've got a beautiful feeling, everything's going my way."
Boy, is it ever a beautiful day. The sky is so crystal clear, clean and blue I think if I threw a rock at it, it would shatter exactly like an expensive piece of crystal. Thank goodness I can't do that, what a waste that would be. There is also a bit of an east wind blowing, and I'm betting it is warmer outside than it is here in my office. I'm going to open the windows in every room as soon as I get done working.
I know I should work all morning, but spring and summer rush by in such a hurry I don't want to miss it by sitting at my keyboard. Plus, some years the 'good days' are not as plentiful as others and I don't want to waste one single second of time I could be spending outside. So, today's blog is going to be short, very, very short.
I don't care who you are, where you are and what you are doing. Go outside, for your coffee break, your lunch, your kids, your monotony, your work, whatever...even if it's really not a nice weather day where you are. Pretend you are with me, go...hang out in a doorway, a breezeway, an overhang, anywhere, simply go outside and breathe, and breathe, and breathe. It'll be good for your body and good for your soul.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
This, that and the other thing
THIS
Well, talk about a surprise. Last night I was watching The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and he began the show by telling us he is going to leave the show in December. What???? The most quirky, non-follow the script, you never know what is going to come out of his mouth Craig Ferguson is leaving The Late, Late Show. I was shocked.
I was devastated.
I was sad.
He says he is leaving by his own choice, has not been fired, and after ten years he simply feels he need to do something else...even though he does not know exactly what that will be. And, he asked we not send nasty letters to the network, and not to believe what we hear and see and read in the tabloids and the various medias.
I will be sad to see him and his cohorts go. If you've never seen the show he has and almost imaginary friend (a skeleton named Geoff) with whom he banters, and a horse named Secretariat, with whom he plays soccer. There is an imaginary band who is so shy they refuse to come out from behind the red curtain, although occasionally a plastic hand will appear and wave at the audience. It's a silly, silly show, which makes it so endearing to me. I love silly.
His guests never know what will be talked about, because as soon as he and the guest sit down, Craig immediately tears up the cheat, crib cards, and they wing it from there. Oh, it's always been such fun. I miss him already even though he promises 'quality, first class shows till Christmas' until he leaves. Yeah, right.
THAT
You all know I ordered groceries last week, when I did I ordered a couple of cans of evaporated milk. Normally this is an item I seldom even think about, much less have on hand. (Usually this kind of milk is called for in recipes, but since I don't cook, I don't need it.) Anyway, quite a while back I decided I was hungry for ice cream, and I made some by throwing together reconstituted powdered milk, some fruit, some chopped up cookies, and some fruit flavored pancake syrup. Believe it or not, it was not bad. It was kind of icy, rather than creamy, but very tasty, kind of like a sorbet.
Time went by, and I once more got a 'hankering' for ice cream and that's why I ordered the evaporated milk. Having learned the reconstituted powdered milk was so watery, I knew there had to be a better liquid, real, honest to goodness milk.
As a result, last evening, I began collecting the items necessary for ice cream. For the first, I used lemon flavored, cream-filled cookies, a can of peaches (with syrup) a handful of shredded coconut and a can of milk. I crumbled and soaked the cookies in the syrup, sliced the peaches into tiny pieces, and mashed them with my potato masher, and then mixed the cookies and peaches together, added the coconut and milk, stirred and put the whole shebang in the freezer. My second concoction contained chocolate flavored, cream filled cookies, that I mixed with the evaporated milk, and two bananas that I mashed (again with my potato masher). I threw the bananas in with the milk soaked cookies and continued mashing until the whole think looked like chocolate mashed potatoes. That concoction went into the freezer, too.
I occasionally checked on my ice cream and gave both containers a good stirring, and by the time I went to bed they had both begun to firm up. These batches are not nearly as 'icy' as my first attempt at making homemade ice cream. This morning I stirred the containers again. This ice cream is looking pretty darn good, AND TASTES DARN GOOD, TOO. Way to go Sandra. I think I've got two winners.
THE OTHER THING
Now, I hate to end on a disturbing note, but while watching the news last night I got some bad news. I was told msn.com has a terrible, awful, really yucky bug and should not be used for searching the internet until Microsoft can figure out how to get rid of it. Shoot, I've been using msn for years after Google Chrome apparently had a bug and my computer hick-upped for quite a while. Eventually I gave up on Google and went back to the more primitive (in my opinion only) Microsoft. We had a pretty good relationship after I eventually learned the idiosyncrasies and quirky ways of maneuvering through their system.
After learning about the newest, and most horrible bug that would wipe out my computer, and spread my personal, most private information around the globe I knew it was time to dump msn.com. So, last night I went back to Google Chrome. This meant I had to build a whole new favorites list, fish around Google itself, re-establish passwords for every damn site and generally re-learn a whole new look of some sites. I almost missed Craig Ferguson.
Don't get me wrong. I would be lost with out the internet. It is my connection with the world, and I love having the world just a keystroke away. It's such a marvel. I've no intention of abandoning this marvelous technology. I'd have no store, I'd have no blog, I'd have no friends on facebook, I'd never 'get mail'. It's okay internet, I'll carry on.
And, there you have it, this, that and the other thing. Life's like a box of chocolates, you just never know what you're "gonna' git".
Well, talk about a surprise. Last night I was watching The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and he began the show by telling us he is going to leave the show in December. What???? The most quirky, non-follow the script, you never know what is going to come out of his mouth Craig Ferguson is leaving The Late, Late Show. I was shocked.
I was devastated.
I was sad.
He says he is leaving by his own choice, has not been fired, and after ten years he simply feels he need to do something else...even though he does not know exactly what that will be. And, he asked we not send nasty letters to the network, and not to believe what we hear and see and read in the tabloids and the various medias.
I will be sad to see him and his cohorts go. If you've never seen the show he has and almost imaginary friend (a skeleton named Geoff) with whom he banters, and a horse named Secretariat, with whom he plays soccer. There is an imaginary band who is so shy they refuse to come out from behind the red curtain, although occasionally a plastic hand will appear and wave at the audience. It's a silly, silly show, which makes it so endearing to me. I love silly.
His guests never know what will be talked about, because as soon as he and the guest sit down, Craig immediately tears up the cheat, crib cards, and they wing it from there. Oh, it's always been such fun. I miss him already even though he promises 'quality, first class shows till Christmas' until he leaves. Yeah, right.
THAT
You all know I ordered groceries last week, when I did I ordered a couple of cans of evaporated milk. Normally this is an item I seldom even think about, much less have on hand. (Usually this kind of milk is called for in recipes, but since I don't cook, I don't need it.) Anyway, quite a while back I decided I was hungry for ice cream, and I made some by throwing together reconstituted powdered milk, some fruit, some chopped up cookies, and some fruit flavored pancake syrup. Believe it or not, it was not bad. It was kind of icy, rather than creamy, but very tasty, kind of like a sorbet.
Time went by, and I once more got a 'hankering' for ice cream and that's why I ordered the evaporated milk. Having learned the reconstituted powdered milk was so watery, I knew there had to be a better liquid, real, honest to goodness milk.
As a result, last evening, I began collecting the items necessary for ice cream. For the first, I used lemon flavored, cream-filled cookies, a can of peaches (with syrup) a handful of shredded coconut and a can of milk. I crumbled and soaked the cookies in the syrup, sliced the peaches into tiny pieces, and mashed them with my potato masher, and then mixed the cookies and peaches together, added the coconut and milk, stirred and put the whole shebang in the freezer. My second concoction contained chocolate flavored, cream filled cookies, that I mixed with the evaporated milk, and two bananas that I mashed (again with my potato masher). I threw the bananas in with the milk soaked cookies and continued mashing until the whole think looked like chocolate mashed potatoes. That concoction went into the freezer, too.
I occasionally checked on my ice cream and gave both containers a good stirring, and by the time I went to bed they had both begun to firm up. These batches are not nearly as 'icy' as my first attempt at making homemade ice cream. This morning I stirred the containers again. This ice cream is looking pretty darn good, AND TASTES DARN GOOD, TOO. Way to go Sandra. I think I've got two winners.
THE OTHER THING
Now, I hate to end on a disturbing note, but while watching the news last night I got some bad news. I was told msn.com has a terrible, awful, really yucky bug and should not be used for searching the internet until Microsoft can figure out how to get rid of it. Shoot, I've been using msn for years after Google Chrome apparently had a bug and my computer hick-upped for quite a while. Eventually I gave up on Google and went back to the more primitive (in my opinion only) Microsoft. We had a pretty good relationship after I eventually learned the idiosyncrasies and quirky ways of maneuvering through their system.
After learning about the newest, and most horrible bug that would wipe out my computer, and spread my personal, most private information around the globe I knew it was time to dump msn.com. So, last night I went back to Google Chrome. This meant I had to build a whole new favorites list, fish around Google itself, re-establish passwords for every damn site and generally re-learn a whole new look of some sites. I almost missed Craig Ferguson.
Don't get me wrong. I would be lost with out the internet. It is my connection with the world, and I love having the world just a keystroke away. It's such a marvel. I've no intention of abandoning this marvelous technology. I'd have no store, I'd have no blog, I'd have no friends on facebook, I'd never 'get mail'. It's okay internet, I'll carry on.
And, there you have it, this, that and the other thing. Life's like a box of chocolates, you just never know what you're "gonna' git".
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Uh Oh
I was just checking my news page on the 'net' and see the mid-section of the country is supposed to be having severe storms today, with possible tornadoes. Now, I'm trying not to write as much about my darling, adorable eaglets this year, and I've been doing pretty good at that. However, today as I looked at the weather map I have to confess I got a lump in my throat, and a rather sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Seems Decorah, Iowa is sitting smack dab in the part of the country that could get some pretty bad storms today. I confess, I fear there could be a violent thunder storm and/or tornado that could wipe out the strand of cottonwood trees where the Decorah nest sits.
Not long ago they had a night time thunderstorm that was very, v-e-r-y impressive, the lightening strikes made it look like daylight, and the thunder was awful, it rumbled after each strike for a very long, loud time. Mama did her best to keep the babies dry, but they are getting so large it is hard for her to cover them 100%. I was wishing dad would show up to help.
It is very grey and windy in Iowa today, the nest tree sways pretty darn good every once in a while. The snow has not been gone all that long, and the trees have only started to bud, so there is not much natural protection for the nest yet. Since I feel as though I'm part of this magnificent family, I've dressed myself for worry. Yes, tornado season time, I worry, Mama and dad are great parents, but there's no way they will be able to save the babies if the tree goes over. I can only hope the folks who operate the Raptor Resource Project (since they are very close by) get there lickity brindle, and can transport the babies to a safe, secure, warm place.
I know mama and dad will survive, and will build a new nest, or perhaps return to their original one, and next year start a new family. In the meantime, from afar, I will continue to watch, hover and worry, worry, worry.
Not long ago they had a night time thunderstorm that was very, v-e-r-y impressive, the lightening strikes made it look like daylight, and the thunder was awful, it rumbled after each strike for a very long, loud time. Mama did her best to keep the babies dry, but they are getting so large it is hard for her to cover them 100%. I was wishing dad would show up to help.
It is very grey and windy in Iowa today, the nest tree sways pretty darn good every once in a while. The snow has not been gone all that long, and the trees have only started to bud, so there is not much natural protection for the nest yet. Since I feel as though I'm part of this magnificent family, I've dressed myself for worry. Yes, tornado season time, I worry, Mama and dad are great parents, but there's no way they will be able to save the babies if the tree goes over. I can only hope the folks who operate the Raptor Resource Project (since they are very close by) get there lickity brindle, and can transport the babies to a safe, secure, warm place.
I know mama and dad will survive, and will build a new nest, or perhaps return to their original one, and next year start a new family. In the meantime, from afar, I will continue to watch, hover and worry, worry, worry.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Add this to the list.
Frankie: "Whaz the madda wiz chew."
Me: "Stop that!" She knows I hate when she talks like that.
Frankie is well within my personal space and has grasped my chin in her right hand, thumb on one side, fingers on the other; like a mommy does when her kid has leftover lunch on either side of their mouth.
Her head is bobbing and weaving, in and out, in and out as though she's trying to bring something into focus. All the while she's turning mine back and forth, back and forth.
I try to escape, but her grasp becomes stronger. She removes my glasses.
"Hmmmm???" Her voice is quizzical.
Me: (Still wiggling.) "Hmmm? Hmmm, what?" I inquire. By now her grasp is so tight my lips are pursed like a goldfish.
Frankie: "You have a droopy eye." With her free hand she takes her forefinger and begins poking and prodding my right eyelid. She pushes it upward, but as soon as she lets go, my eyelid slides right back into place.
I sigh. I had been living with the assumption I was the only one who knew or saw my droopy eyelid. I was shocked it was so noticeable. DANG IT! Now I'm depressed.
And, here we go again. How come nobody ever tells you, when you get old, your eye- lids begin to droop? I still don't have a lot in the way of 'crows feet' at the corner of my eyes, but my eyelids have fallen...dang near over my eye lashes...which by the way, I don't have many left. Anyway, my eyelids have not only fallen, they have 'folds', so that by the end of some days (depending on how tired I am) my right eyelid, puffy and saggy, has partially closed the eye.
I know this is true, because as I brush my teeth at night, I wink that eye in an attempt to make the sag go away, thinking exercising it will help. Blinking does not work either. Apparently this is an old person malady. What's shocking is I really, r-e-a-l-l-y believed this was a secret I could keep to myself. I was utterly shocked to find that Frankie discovered it.
She eventually let go of my chin, I retrieved my glasses and put them back into place. I'm angry at her and I suspect she's going to tease me about this all day. Instead, she has sympathy. Kind of.
Frankie: "Well," she says, "There's one good thing about this."
Me: "Yes, and just what might that be?"
Frankie: "You'll soon be able to save money by not having to buy mascara, eye-liner, and shadow anymore, nobody will be able to see that junk what with all the droop and folds, and stuff."
I've got a gigantic urge to poke her in the eye...maybe both.
Me: "Thanks, Frankie. That helps a lot."
Frankie: "Hey, we could buy some cucumbers, you could cover your eyes with some nice cool slices every day. That might help, too."
Me: (Insert grunting.)
Frankie: "How about School Glue, remember how you told me you used to cover your hand with it, let it dry and make a hand print. Maybe if you put it on your eyelids, and held them up till the glue dried, they would stay in place all day."
Me: "Yeah, right."
"Hmmmm?" (Imagine me thinking.)
?
?
?
?
Me: "Frankie, where the heck did you put the School Glue?"
So, remember folks, add this to your list of 'things they never tell you'. You will develop eyelid droop. It's not pretty, but it is inevitable. Go look for your School Glue. Hey, it might work, it just might work.
Me: "Stop that!" She knows I hate when she talks like that.
Frankie is well within my personal space and has grasped my chin in her right hand, thumb on one side, fingers on the other; like a mommy does when her kid has leftover lunch on either side of their mouth.
Her head is bobbing and weaving, in and out, in and out as though she's trying to bring something into focus. All the while she's turning mine back and forth, back and forth.
I try to escape, but her grasp becomes stronger. She removes my glasses.
"Hmmmm???" Her voice is quizzical.
Me: (Still wiggling.) "Hmmm? Hmmm, what?" I inquire. By now her grasp is so tight my lips are pursed like a goldfish.
Frankie: "You have a droopy eye." With her free hand she takes her forefinger and begins poking and prodding my right eyelid. She pushes it upward, but as soon as she lets go, my eyelid slides right back into place.
I sigh. I had been living with the assumption I was the only one who knew or saw my droopy eyelid. I was shocked it was so noticeable. DANG IT! Now I'm depressed.
And, here we go again. How come nobody ever tells you, when you get old, your eye- lids begin to droop? I still don't have a lot in the way of 'crows feet' at the corner of my eyes, but my eyelids have fallen...dang near over my eye lashes...which by the way, I don't have many left. Anyway, my eyelids have not only fallen, they have 'folds', so that by the end of some days (depending on how tired I am) my right eyelid, puffy and saggy, has partially closed the eye.
I know this is true, because as I brush my teeth at night, I wink that eye in an attempt to make the sag go away, thinking exercising it will help. Blinking does not work either. Apparently this is an old person malady. What's shocking is I really, r-e-a-l-l-y believed this was a secret I could keep to myself. I was utterly shocked to find that Frankie discovered it.
She eventually let go of my chin, I retrieved my glasses and put them back into place. I'm angry at her and I suspect she's going to tease me about this all day. Instead, she has sympathy. Kind of.
Frankie: "Well," she says, "There's one good thing about this."
Me: "Yes, and just what might that be?"
Frankie: "You'll soon be able to save money by not having to buy mascara, eye-liner, and shadow anymore, nobody will be able to see that junk what with all the droop and folds, and stuff."
I've got a gigantic urge to poke her in the eye...maybe both.
Me: "Thanks, Frankie. That helps a lot."
Frankie: "Hey, we could buy some cucumbers, you could cover your eyes with some nice cool slices every day. That might help, too."
Me: (Insert grunting.)
Frankie: "How about School Glue, remember how you told me you used to cover your hand with it, let it dry and make a hand print. Maybe if you put it on your eyelids, and held them up till the glue dried, they would stay in place all day."
Me: "Yeah, right."
"Hmmmm?" (Imagine me thinking.)
?
?
?
?
Me: "Frankie, where the heck did you put the School Glue?"
So, remember folks, add this to your list of 'things they never tell you'. You will develop eyelid droop. It's not pretty, but it is inevitable. Go look for your School Glue. Hey, it might work, it just might work.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Edjukated Metrolgists
So, them edjukated metrolgists are at it again. Boy oh boy, I'm so excited I could jump up, down and all around. They told me this morning Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week are going to be "like summer". Yep, she said Tuesday could possibly hit 80 degrees. She was not confident enough to actually put 80 on her graph, but she was bold enough to put a 79 there. And, as for clouds those three days there was...not...a...single...one. Seriously? Seriously!
Would I joke about a thing like that?
It looks as though I might be able to throw open every single window in my house next week and get rid of the stale winter air I've been breathing for months. I'm so excited. It's going to be great. I might not even work those three days, but hang out (outside) reading and drinking iced coffee. We might even get to do our Bible study sitting on the park benches...how lovely that would be. Oh, the joy of it all.
And, that swampy area in my back yard. It might have the chance to dry up. No more muddy foot marks when I get back into the house. I've been keeping up with the weeding between showers, but I suspect the warm temperatures will bring up a whole new batch of them, and I'll be able to stock up on some good natural vitamin D while I set about yanking them out.
Gosh, I can't believe how excited the prospect of being outside is making me. Come on down sunshine...do your thing. Oh, maybe I can even have breakfast alfresco on my patio, I have groceries coming tomorrow, and I'll have a supply of sweet treats, or maybe I'll splurge and have bacon and eggs. Whoooeeeee.
Now I suppose you think I'm being silly about a little sunshine, and warm temperatures, but when you consider I've not had warm toes since last mid-October, you can perhaps understand how important next week is going to be.
Of course, I do have to deal with those dang edjukated metrolgists and you all know how I feel about them. The scale of balance is not in their favor when it comes to being right. If they let me down I might have to spit tacks, scream bloody murder and pull my hair out...(what's left of it).
You hear me edjukated metrolgists...you let me down and I'm going to be hurting myself...plus, I made a doll that looks like you, and (trust me) I'm going to put a hex on you if you let me down.
Would I joke about a thing like that?
It looks as though I might be able to throw open every single window in my house next week and get rid of the stale winter air I've been breathing for months. I'm so excited. It's going to be great. I might not even work those three days, but hang out (outside) reading and drinking iced coffee. We might even get to do our Bible study sitting on the park benches...how lovely that would be. Oh, the joy of it all.
And, that swampy area in my back yard. It might have the chance to dry up. No more muddy foot marks when I get back into the house. I've been keeping up with the weeding between showers, but I suspect the warm temperatures will bring up a whole new batch of them, and I'll be able to stock up on some good natural vitamin D while I set about yanking them out.
Gosh, I can't believe how excited the prospect of being outside is making me. Come on down sunshine...do your thing. Oh, maybe I can even have breakfast alfresco on my patio, I have groceries coming tomorrow, and I'll have a supply of sweet treats, or maybe I'll splurge and have bacon and eggs. Whoooeeeee.
Now I suppose you think I'm being silly about a little sunshine, and warm temperatures, but when you consider I've not had warm toes since last mid-October, you can perhaps understand how important next week is going to be.
Of course, I do have to deal with those dang edjukated metrolgists and you all know how I feel about them. The scale of balance is not in their favor when it comes to being right. If they let me down I might have to spit tacks, scream bloody murder and pull my hair out...(what's left of it).
You hear me edjukated metrolgists...you let me down and I'm going to be hurting myself...plus, I made a doll that looks like you, and (trust me) I'm going to put a hex on you if you let me down.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tramp, tramp, tramp...
I guess I didn't have time to post yesterday. I don't know where the day went. I can't even, with any accuracy, tell you how I spent the 24 hours.
Oh wait, I remember...I cleaned my house because I had Bible study yesterday afternoon. Yesterday was the first day I used my electric vacuum on my new living room carpet. I've got to tell you I was apprehensive about that. I was hoping I had it securely anchored to the floor with duct tape, so the vacuum would not suck up the edges and ruin it before one of my creatures had the time to throw up on it.
I'm pleased to say the carpet held, the vacuum did no damage whatsoever, and I was pretty proud of it and myself.
There has always been that conflict of whether, when cleaning, you dust first and then vacuum, or visa-versa. I've learned with my 'famous name' vacuum, it doesn't matter, I HAVE to vacuum first, because, my vacuum has such a stream of exhaust air it has been known to blow magnet held papers off the side of my refrigerator, and towels right off the kitchen and bathroom racks. I'm not kidding.
My dog, Zorro, hates the vacuum, he gets himself into such a state. He dashes around the house, breathing hard, not knowing where to go to get away from the monster he perceives the vacuum to be. I'm not sure why he behaves the way he does. I've never, ever....not once...chased him with it, yet the minute I open the closet door to extract it his reaction is swift, and consistent. "Le' me outta' here!"
I try to get the job done as quickly as I can.
Then, I've had an ant problem of late...again...this time it was pretty bad, because I had cooked myself some rhubarb sauce the other day, and forgot to turn the burner down on 'simmer'. And, since I got (I always do) distracted and came back to the kitchen later, the broth from the sauce had boiled over the edge of the pot, down into the drip pan, over the edge of that, and down onto the floor. Bummer...and what a mess. I cleaned up the best I could and even pulled out the drawer beneath the oven to make sure I had wiped up all the spill-over. It looked good.
Next morning, I came out to feed the dog and there are ants on the counter, the stove top, and especially where the puddle of rhubarb broth had been on the floor. I was appalled, I cleaned up again. Next morning, more ants, although not as many. Then, night before last, I went out to get myself an evening snack and there...marching across my dining area floor is an army of tiny black creatures, tramp, tramp, tramping over to the baseboard of my stove island and disappearing under the baseboard. DAMN IT.
Grrrrrrrr. I would have grabbed my ant spray to kill them, except for the fact I had already closed up the house, and I didn't want to breath toxic air all night. So I grabbed my household cleaner, a combination of water and ammonia, and squirted it at the trail of ants. To my delight, it did kill them...I scrubbed the floor....again.
As I toddled off to bed, I thought perhaps I would have to cancel Bible study if I discovered in the morning ants had once more overtaken my kitchen, and I had to fumigate the place with deadly ant spray.
Fortunately, yesterday morning there were just few straggler ants lingering about. They seem befuddled, not knowing where to go. I was delighted, they were easy to squash beneath my forefinger. I'm thinking they must have been hiding out of harms way when I went through my cleaning rampage, and when they emerged, there was no trace of their compradas, the scent of them obliterated. Suckers!!!!!!!
So, it's no wonder why I couldn't remember what I did yesterday, it was all so...so...foreign. I'd not cleaned house like that for months, and I was left a little befuddled myself.
This morning, I'm delighted to report, there was not one single ant to be seen, anywhere. Oh, I'm sure they are re-gathering in some dark, secluded place, and will be back. But, next time I'll be ready, cause, I'll be clean.
Oh wait, I remember...I cleaned my house because I had Bible study yesterday afternoon. Yesterday was the first day I used my electric vacuum on my new living room carpet. I've got to tell you I was apprehensive about that. I was hoping I had it securely anchored to the floor with duct tape, so the vacuum would not suck up the edges and ruin it before one of my creatures had the time to throw up on it.
I'm pleased to say the carpet held, the vacuum did no damage whatsoever, and I was pretty proud of it and myself.
There has always been that conflict of whether, when cleaning, you dust first and then vacuum, or visa-versa. I've learned with my 'famous name' vacuum, it doesn't matter, I HAVE to vacuum first, because, my vacuum has such a stream of exhaust air it has been known to blow magnet held papers off the side of my refrigerator, and towels right off the kitchen and bathroom racks. I'm not kidding.
My dog, Zorro, hates the vacuum, he gets himself into such a state. He dashes around the house, breathing hard, not knowing where to go to get away from the monster he perceives the vacuum to be. I'm not sure why he behaves the way he does. I've never, ever....not once...chased him with it, yet the minute I open the closet door to extract it his reaction is swift, and consistent. "Le' me outta' here!"
I try to get the job done as quickly as I can.
Then, I've had an ant problem of late...again...this time it was pretty bad, because I had cooked myself some rhubarb sauce the other day, and forgot to turn the burner down on 'simmer'. And, since I got (I always do) distracted and came back to the kitchen later, the broth from the sauce had boiled over the edge of the pot, down into the drip pan, over the edge of that, and down onto the floor. Bummer...and what a mess. I cleaned up the best I could and even pulled out the drawer beneath the oven to make sure I had wiped up all the spill-over. It looked good.
Next morning, I came out to feed the dog and there are ants on the counter, the stove top, and especially where the puddle of rhubarb broth had been on the floor. I was appalled, I cleaned up again. Next morning, more ants, although not as many. Then, night before last, I went out to get myself an evening snack and there...marching across my dining area floor is an army of tiny black creatures, tramp, tramp, tramping over to the baseboard of my stove island and disappearing under the baseboard. DAMN IT.
Grrrrrrrr. I would have grabbed my ant spray to kill them, except for the fact I had already closed up the house, and I didn't want to breath toxic air all night. So I grabbed my household cleaner, a combination of water and ammonia, and squirted it at the trail of ants. To my delight, it did kill them...I scrubbed the floor....again.
As I toddled off to bed, I thought perhaps I would have to cancel Bible study if I discovered in the morning ants had once more overtaken my kitchen, and I had to fumigate the place with deadly ant spray.
Fortunately, yesterday morning there were just few straggler ants lingering about. They seem befuddled, not knowing where to go. I was delighted, they were easy to squash beneath my forefinger. I'm thinking they must have been hiding out of harms way when I went through my cleaning rampage, and when they emerged, there was no trace of their compradas, the scent of them obliterated. Suckers!!!!!!!
So, it's no wonder why I couldn't remember what I did yesterday, it was all so...so...foreign. I'd not cleaned house like that for months, and I was left a little befuddled myself.
This morning, I'm delighted to report, there was not one single ant to be seen, anywhere. Oh, I'm sure they are re-gathering in some dark, secluded place, and will be back. But, next time I'll be ready, cause, I'll be clean.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Letting go, making peace and moving on.
There are times we have had to deal with great disappointments in our lives. Trust me, some can be difficult to deal with, and holding on to a grudge can be satisfying...up to a point. Then, time comes, it's just a heavy weight around your neck, I guess like an albatross. It no longer has a purpose, but you don't want to be the one to 'cave' so to speak.
For a long time I held a grudge. It was against Birdlady. Man, the animosity I had for this woman went on for a couple of years. I don't like using the word hate, so I won't but my dislike for this person was my albatross. Every time I saw her while I was outside I would make a bee-line to my front door. Not even wanting to look at a person is pretty bad don't you think?
Plus, since she is the neighborhood Queen, I was never quite sure if (in her mind) she thought I was doing something unlawful to harm, or disturb neighborhood, and turn me in to the authorities (again). As a result, I steered as clear of her as I could. But, as I say an albatross around the neck gets pretty heavy, so last year, one morning, I simply said 'hello' to her while she and her husband were out for their morning constitutional. Suddenly, my albatross was gone. Whew, it felt super good to have that weight gone.
As a result, the 'hello' grew into short sentences, "How are you?" "Nice day isn't it?" And so on. Then this morning I was out with Zorro at the same time Birdlady and husband were walking home from their daily ritual.
To my surprise, she said, "Say, I have a question for you."
Really? (Should I be afraid? What had I done now?)
I was flabbergasted. Actually, she had a question about an unpaved street that abuts their property and wanted to know if I knew any history about the street and whether it had ever been vacated. I didn't. She said the city wants to pave it, with the homes lining the unpaved section sharing the expense of the paving. She was appalled, and said their share alone would be in the two hundred thousand dollar range. I was not surprised. When our section of street was paved, we too had to bear some of the expense, which we did over the years on our taxes.
Obviously, things have not changed, but the expense of paving has. Now, she indicated to me that "...those of 'us' on the street 'we' (meaning 'me' and my neighbors) would also have to share the expense". Hmmm, well, that's a new wrinkle. But, since she is the neighborhood Queen, I'm gonna' let her do her thing. This could take years to work out...I could be dead and gone before it's resolved. She's not about to give up her albatrosses, I think she enjoys carrying them and this street paving thing is just another necklace.
Anyway, during the years she was my albatross, I refused to share my rhubarb with her, and this morning, I asked her is she would like some, and she said yes. I gave her several stocks, she said she's going to make jelly. I hope it turns out to be yummy.
In the meantime, I'm sure glad I've let go, made peace and moved on. My heart is light.
For a long time I held a grudge. It was against Birdlady. Man, the animosity I had for this woman went on for a couple of years. I don't like using the word hate, so I won't but my dislike for this person was my albatross. Every time I saw her while I was outside I would make a bee-line to my front door. Not even wanting to look at a person is pretty bad don't you think?
Plus, since she is the neighborhood Queen, I was never quite sure if (in her mind) she thought I was doing something unlawful to harm, or disturb neighborhood, and turn me in to the authorities (again). As a result, I steered as clear of her as I could. But, as I say an albatross around the neck gets pretty heavy, so last year, one morning, I simply said 'hello' to her while she and her husband were out for their morning constitutional. Suddenly, my albatross was gone. Whew, it felt super good to have that weight gone.
As a result, the 'hello' grew into short sentences, "How are you?" "Nice day isn't it?" And so on. Then this morning I was out with Zorro at the same time Birdlady and husband were walking home from their daily ritual.
To my surprise, she said, "Say, I have a question for you."
Really? (Should I be afraid? What had I done now?)
I was flabbergasted. Actually, she had a question about an unpaved street that abuts their property and wanted to know if I knew any history about the street and whether it had ever been vacated. I didn't. She said the city wants to pave it, with the homes lining the unpaved section sharing the expense of the paving. She was appalled, and said their share alone would be in the two hundred thousand dollar range. I was not surprised. When our section of street was paved, we too had to bear some of the expense, which we did over the years on our taxes.
Obviously, things have not changed, but the expense of paving has. Now, she indicated to me that "...those of 'us' on the street 'we' (meaning 'me' and my neighbors) would also have to share the expense". Hmmm, well, that's a new wrinkle. But, since she is the neighborhood Queen, I'm gonna' let her do her thing. This could take years to work out...I could be dead and gone before it's resolved. She's not about to give up her albatrosses, I think she enjoys carrying them and this street paving thing is just another necklace.
Anyway, during the years she was my albatross, I refused to share my rhubarb with her, and this morning, I asked her is she would like some, and she said yes. I gave her several stocks, she said she's going to make jelly. I hope it turns out to be yummy.
In the meantime, I'm sure glad I've let go, made peace and moved on. My heart is light.
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