Kicking up the spirit

Just a quick little snapshot ~ and there it is. I hope your Christmas Season kicks up as much joy in your life as my Granddaughter does in mine.

Just a Simple Well Wishing to Those Non Thinking Souls

To all those people, who during the year, have hit our cars and then decided not to own up to your responsibility by driving away... May you experience the true joy of commitment. May what you have given us, come back to you, two fold and twenty. You know who you are, my chicken hearted little darlings.

May you come upon that experience that teaches you redemption, may you always wonder when it will happen to you, but here's hoping it's right after you make the first payment on that brand new ride you saved up for with the dollars you used to cheat others by not paying for the damage you have done.

To all those who are driving while talking on their cell phones, oh, you are the special and dear ones.

The universe has not given you enough time to declare just how important you are above others, and it can't be your fault that you find yourself in the position to risk the life of mankind, as you mindlessly chatter on a piece of compressed plastic, while motoring a 2000 pound machine forward or backward or into a small parking space, and heaven forbid, making a left turn on a yellow light.

This universe is not good enough for you. May the aliens find you and lift you off to the regions of space where you can roam free and in harm's way of no man.

If the aliens should not find you, may your connections be lost, your cell phone bill ever rise, and you see the lights of your local police in your rear view mirror, always.

To those of you on the top of the corporate ladders in all companies, like not excluding Wall Street and At The Down and Dirty Mortgage Loan Companies or Insurance Companies or Pill Coporations,

who don't look down and see how they got there, who don't take the time to give back to the little guy who bought your countless amounts of stuff and stock and not so great loans, may the explanation of your rise come to you clearly, and may you reap what you have sown.

May your children learn the song Cat's in the Cradle as their anthem, may each of your friends treat you with the feelings you have for those less fortunate than you, and as you enjoy your massage and spa treatment at the expense of people loosing their homes, may the the massage therapist be one of them.

To those of you who care nothing of sneezing and coughing into the universe, with your grossness of wild abandon all the while, sharing your cold and flu season germs, and to those of you who allow your children to do the same, May you be rained upon with knowing the profits you have coughed and sneezed up for the cold and flu medicine industry, the ER rooms you have helped fill, the doctors time you have helped waste, and the countless number of people who had to take time off work because you couldn't take the time to either stay home or at least sneeze into your sleeve, and May you be blessed in heaps with that which you so freely share with the rest of the world. For you, there is not enough tea in China.

In the end, we all get back what we put in, as many of the wise sages before us have tried to tell us. It all comes back on you, People. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of us, as we are the sum of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

So make it a good one for yourself and others.

On figuring it out

1. Every dollar you spend is spent on your education. You either learn something or you don't.

2. Silence is not awkward.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU

I tried to post it properly, but it's just not working for me. But it's called Silent Monks sing Hallelujah ~~ But sometimes it's spelled Halleluia on the link.

4. More stuff later.

Spinach Balls with Stuffing

Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups finely crushed herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs, beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl combine spinach, stuffing mix, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, melted butter and eggs. Shape into walnut-sized balls and place on a baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through and browned

~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have these premade and will be cooking them tomorrow for a family party. I did use a Seasoned Pepper - which means I kicked it up a knotch.

I'll make a note to let myself know what I think of these.

A List of Noticing Things

A List of Noticing Things:

1. Lots of people think they see things as they are. When they don't really. They see things as they are.

It would take much stillness for all people to see the same thing. And, stillness of soul and spirit and body? ~ very, very hard to do, grasshoppers. It is hard to cross those streams.

2. Sockdolager is a strange and crazy word you don't hear everyday. Or any day, that I can recall. I don't even recall reading it in a book! I found a definition here, but they seem to be of very different meanings.

3. Watching others living life and not taking your good advice is tough. Try to remember whether or not you took everyones good advice. It's a giant paradox we are in.

(My advice is: give the good advice anyway, just make sure you give it with kindness and caring and no swear words.)

4. It's hard to accept that all is as it should be when we don't feel comfortable with what we are seeing. (Part of the paradox, you know.)

5. Many people speak on about how at Christmas time we remember the poor, but at other times of the year, we don't. But, try to remember that the poor are looking forward to Christmas just as much as anyone else, so reach down in those pockets and give a little more to the poor. (And then make sure you remember them the rest of the year, as well.)

6. There is no excuse for driving badly. None. (Nope, not one. Sorry.)

7. Don't ever let something get you down. Maybe let it stand you still for a second, maybe leave you speechless, or even breathless ~ but don't ever let something get you down. And if it does manage to get you down ~ don't stay there.

Food.Inc ~ The Movie

Food.Inc.

Wow. This film made an impression on me. I've eaten only refried beans and vegetables since. It's not a new film, 2008, but I just got around to watching it. I would recommend this as a must see for everyone. Actually, I would challenge everyone to watch it.

I had heard a few people say that once you watch this film it will be hard to eat for a week. And, depending on what you eat, it just may very well be so (and perhaps longer than a week)!

Does it matter to you that your food is being genetically altered? If that fact is, indeed, true, don't think it won't affect you because it will. Everything in this universe is connected. The evil and the good all cycle around, well, maybe it's like a spiral, but it is all connected. And when you eat food that been fooled around with, your system is about to be fooled around with, too. You can believe me, or you can just take your chances. Either way, it is what it is.

I don't want to eat meat from animals that have not been able to breathe the fresh air and been treated kindly or forced to eat stuff they don't naturally eat. My gosh, salmon are even being force feed food they don't normally eat!

You may not think that has anything to do with you, and maybe it won't. Maybe you are older, like me, but it sure will have something to do with your children, (or grandchildren, as they are still developing.) I say To You People, give this film a viewing and at least give the kids a chance. Educate yourself. If the people who made this film are all crazy, then walk away mumbling how those of us who are still shaking our heads at what is happening with our food are all crazy, too. I would seriously recommend you take that chance.

My head is spinning here after just viewing this...but maybe you should view it, just to be sure this blogger is not stark raving mad...

Think:

1. If you begin to eat genetically altered food, what do you think your body is going to do with that foreign stuff entering your body? It has to deal with it. And your body will become genetically altered, or mutated, as it were, or something other than the normal we know. It may even evolve into another species. Maybe you think that means nothing to you, as I am not a scientist, so how could I possibly know what I'm taking about.

Then, I ask you, does the word natural mean anything to you? If it does not, then fire up the grill and cook up some burgers and steaks and go to sleep tonight without thinking that the meat you are eating, unless you know specifically where it has come from, has, most likely, not lived a lovely life, and is quiet possibly shot up with some kind of something-weird that doesn't belong in your system, and, also it has been washed in ammonia to kill some bacteria that will kill you, and who knows what else.

If it does mean something to you, then you need to get on the train that will try to stop this madness. It may not be too late.

2. Does anyone out there have a concern about the government having to much control? What would you think, if you knew that maybe three or four Corporations had control over what you eat and what you eat is fed, and doesn't want anyone to know about it? And They and the Government are best friends?


3. Do you know what Veggie Libel means?

"The realistic objective of the frivolous 'veggie-libel' statutes and lawsuits is not money," says consumer advocate Ralph Nader. "It is to send a chilling message to millions of people that they better keep their opinions to themselves."

Not a fan of Ralph Nader? Is he to liberal for you? Better Goggle the topic for your own research and information.

There is no side to be picked here, except for the side of health. But the corporations are not picking that side. They are picking the side of ....well, watch the movie and draw your own conclusion.

I am Spatially Impaired ~ Respect That

If I kept this blog the way I would like to, it would take a lot more work. I think I am lazy. I get so messed up on the simple things ~ like Archiving and Labels. I forget all about labels. I'm not sure anyone cares enough that I should even bother with it.

Truth be told, I have enough trouble just locating my shoes on a daily basis (okay, well, hourly, or any time I need them. And I live in a small house, so - I have no excuse).

All the above was injected and has nothing to do with what I was actually thinking about.

Directions is what I was thinking about.

I am Spatially impaired so, i.e.

Map reading, transformation of visual arrays, navigation around an unfamiliar space are just some of the many tasks which are beyond the spatially impaired brain. Suffers display the phenomena of neglecting the left half of their surrounding space and the inability to recognise even familiar objects viewed from unusual perspectives.

I was thinking about directions today. I was thinking about people who give me directions. I try not to find these people irritating, you know just to be fair, because what I am realizing is, everyone is in their own little world, with their own little view finder, and have their own little way of seeing things.

And, if someone tells you, "it's on the west side" -- they really have no idea that you have to stop and figure out where the ocean is, so that you can find WEST. And, while you are trying to remember where the ocean is, your brain has no input to any of the words they may be saying. But, as long as we on on the topic of directions, let's discuss some general rules that really should work for anyone. Even those of us with special needs.

Here is a beginning list:

1. Never tell anyone, or even use the phrase "It's just a little ways down the road."
There is no such thing as "a little ways" in driving. Unless, for some stupid reason, I have to make a complete perpendicular turn that keeps me from going into a ditch, do not say 'it's just a little ways' because you know that it is not. It never is that. That's a myth.

"A Little Ways Down the Road" might be the name of a band, or a song, or a movie, but it is definitely not a driving direction.

(I have a friend, a darlin' from the South, and once, she told me to drive a little ways down the road -- how about 15 miles?)

You could say, "a short distance" or "a car's length" or "make the turn as soon as you can or you are going into the ditch". Those things would work.

2. Never tell anyone, "You'll go through a couple of lights" if those lights are miles apart. Firstly, a couple of lights is only TWO lights. And when you say, 'you'll go through a couple of lights', I will tell you honestly -- People think those lights are together.

And, if they go through the first one, and the next one is not for 4 miles, they will forget about the first one they went through when they go through the second one. So. Write that down.

3. Never say, "You will see a long line" ~~ What? What does that mean anyway!? A long white line painted on the road? A line painted on the side of a building? A line of people waiting to get in a building? A line of cars? I could be sitting in a line of parked cars for hours! (which I did do, so seriously, it could happen). But, just never say that.

4. Never give to many details. Especially all at once.

Never say things like, "You'll go through the round-about near the hospital that isn't really a hospital it's an old folks home well not really it's a rehabilitation center and my friend's father's uncle was there a couple of years ago maybe three and he and his family used to go through that round about and forget to turn in it was the funniest thing going over there with them and they would just go round and round...but you'll see a tree and a rock and a shell and there's a flag pole with a pair of shoes on it if there are still there and..."

(I am scrunching my eyes shut real hard right now in the conversation, and my jaw is held firm in an effort to not let my mind just totally drift away to the planet Narcan where directions are no longer feared... and this is what I hear you saying "wot wah, wot wah, wot wah, and blah blah blah blah blah blah blahhhhh.")

Stay on task, say, "Go to the round about, and keep to that first right which will bring you right into the road you need to be on". That's all you say. Learn when to shut up. It's a polite thing to do.

I'll continue this list later. This is all I can handle for now.

Lists again. Spelling Optional.

1. I was listening to Christmas songs on the radio today. The station played all different ones from all kinds of standards to rock groups who had made a contribution for a Christmas song. Some people get really annoyed by Christmas songs.

I mostly just get annoyed with people getting annoyed with things. So here is a message for you all:

~~You know. People are going to do stuff you don't really like. So what? You're most likely not going to die from most of the things that annoy you. So time to just Get over it.~~

2. Last week at school, police officers blocked the pick up car line while they approached one of the parents, had her get out of her car, then handcuffed her - all this in front of her wide eyed little girl -- then after what seemed like forever, they uncuffed her, and told her they had the wrong person. And they left.

No apology. No Have a Nice Day.

3. Tiger Woods. Whatever reputation you had before -- ummm, I'm not sure it will be all about your ability to handle a 2 iron that will be remembered most in the days to come.

4. Christmas Day is tomorrow! Not really, but it might as well be. Time will be flying fast now, you watch. Get your stuff done!

5. Pray for your children. They need it. You need it. It will be the tie that binds.

Does your 'fridge tell a story?

A lot of families I know, put things on their refrigerator for lots of reasons --

1. Special photos
2. Reminders
3. Inspirational Stuff
4. Magnets from stores and doctors they frequent
5. Calendars
6. Etc, you get what I mean ....

Which made me think of something, which is that some people's refrigerators are so full of stuff, you don't see any story; you see nothing but a cluttered mess,

So, this gave me the idea, to have your refrigerator tell the story of a year! Then, if you wish, you can take all that stuff down, and scapebook it, or put it in a zip lock bag and mark it that year, or frame it up ...any way you want to remember that year ~~

And then, January One of every year, you can start again~!! That's my idea. And that's what I'm going to do.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

I am not sure what to write today. I need to update my granddaughter's blog, truly I do. She is 11 months old now and doing amazing things! Such a bright little star in every ones' life. She does her job ~ she makes people happy when they come into a room! A true gift from God.

Last night the Gators lost the SEC Championship. My kids were really disappointed. They had planned a trip together to California to go see the Gators play in whatever That Bowl would be. I was thinking it was very cool that they were going to California together. But, oh well ...another day for another reason.

It's finally been raining here. The lawn looks great, rich and green. The plants on my porch looked green and so happy. I've been into potting plants now since I am unable to unearth any soil in the yard and buy any new bushes or shrubs. By potting, I can take cuttings and I only have to buy the dirt. I have several more pots around. And it's fun to arrange them on the porch, too. And, also, I like the fact that my granddaughter is growing up with plants in her vision. Looking at flowers makes people happy.

I'll write more later. My granddaughter is coming over for her morning visit. She spreads the love. I wanna get my dose.

More things for no reason

1. I do not support President Obama sending more troops into Afghanistan.

2. Leave Tiger Woods alone. He crashed his car. Maybe had a fight with his wife. It's not our business.

3. Holiday stress is real.

4. I don't have anything for number 4.

5. If you are a person who holds on to stuff - think long and hard about that. It's a habit. I am such a one, and right now, I wish I was not.

6. The public option looks about shot out of orbit. Meaning, we won't get one most likely, and this country goes back to being controlled by the big cooporations.

7. God is good. People are a whole 'nother ball of wax.

These Days

"Well, I've been out walking, don't do that much talking, these days..."
Lines from a Jackson Browne song. And that's kind of like me lately.
I feel like I am running out of things to say. I'm not sure why. Sometimes, I think it's because I'm really realizing how little people listen to what you say, or hear what you say, or maybe think they hear what you say but don't know what you mean, or don't hear what you mean while they are not listening to what you say. (what??) or they really don't care what you say ... or I need to expand on the information I currently have - update as it were, reboot ...get a new battery as it were or is.


It's not words these days that I need to come through. It's some other form of art. Something that involves silence.

And I really need to get to it before I turn into a pillar of salt.

At random, I have decided to just list some things for no reason:

1. I ate a piece of apple pie. I thought I wanted it. I thought I wanted something sweet. I put Cool Whip on top. I hate Cool Whip. IMO, it is nothing but a plastic bowl of chemicals. I hate plastic. I distain chemicals. But, there you go, I did something I didn't want to do, and now I am not happy about it. And my stomach is not happy either. Conclusion: I didn't really want the pie. I wanted chocolate. And - the worst part is, I did something I didn't want to do in the first place.

2. I already forgot the second thing.

3. It dawned on me last night, that now is the time to encourage my granddaughter to express herself with words , even though at 11 months she has some, but not many words, and many that she has may not express how she is feeling at the time she loudly broadcasting, but since she is beginning to use -very loud sounds - to express herself, I should participate in helping her communicate instead of picking her up while she is in the middle of the loud self expression. (Oh, Grandma...)

4. I like to color and don't do it often enough. Some crayons that you buy now are too waxy or something, not nice and soft like crayons of olden year before the invention of Made in China.

5. I want to paint.


A Poem by Me ~~Miss Roxie

Nonsense and ramblings

the trash is piled high

of crumpled ideas, stories and lies,
tales and truths,
and of thought on others,

Obama included
if only Afghanistan, he could have eluded

of choices of colors
and marks on a page
of random notes that me, myself, made
of things needed to be remembered

like a list of groceries
that probably did not include
all that I needed
nor all I could use

I have writer's block

boulders, rocks, flowers and trees,
my passage is on pause

my journeys been slowed

by things in my head

that don't need to be there
but that's totally not true
because we all know,
it's all suppose to be there ...

It's time to grow ....

Writer's Block

...Yep.

Surely you know days like this

Daddy Fell into the Pond.
~~Alfred Noyes

Everyone grumbled.
The sky was grey.
We had nothing to do and nothing to say.
We were nearing the end of a dismal day,
And there seemed to be nothing beyond,
THEN Daddy fell into the pond!

And everyone's face grew merry and bright,
And Timothy danced for sheer delight.
"Give me the camera, quick, oh quick! He's crawling out of the duckweed."
Click!

Then the gardener suddenly slapped his knee,
And doubled up, shaking silently,
And the ducks all quacked as if they were daft
And is sounded as if the old drake laughed.

O, there wasn't a thing that didn't respond

WHEN Daddy fell into the pond!

What comes next?

A 4 month old chubby baby boy named Alex Lange has been denied health care because he has been declared "too fat". The child was born at 8 1/4 pounds and is on a diet of only breast milk, according to the article.

They are calling it a pre-existing condition --

"Alex's pre-existing condition — "obesity" — makes him a financial risk. Health insurance reform measures are trying to do away with such denials that come from a process called "underwriting."

I am baffled. He's a baby. It's not like he needs to stop going to McDonald's or something.
I never thought I would live to see the day that Baby Fat was actually a preexisting condition.

Never get to full of yourself

I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top.
~English Professor (Name Unknown), Ohio University

Be obscure clearly. ~E.B. White

A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one. ~Baltasar Gracián

When you are describing,
A shape, or sound, or tint;
Don't state the matter plainly,
But put it in a hint;
And learn to look at all things,
With a sort of mental squint.
~Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll)

Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.
~Goethe

On this day...What are you saying?

This is a sign posted in a store in Key West. I have no idea how old it is or what it really means other than if you are not Spanish, English or Bahamian, you can talk while reading is in progress.

People talk a lot. People say things when they don't even realize that others may be influenced by what they say. Words are reactionary, arbitrary, but never stationary. They are twisted and folded and hung out to dry, used wrongly, sometimes to sparingly in truth and taken out of context just so a person can admire the way they strung them together.

They are written on subway walls, tenement halls - oh wait that's Simon and Garfunkel - but it's true. Words are written in a lot of places you wouldn't think they would be found.

Some people use words of encouragement as often as they can, looking for ways to uplift someone's spirits. Others might lean toward a black hole of cynicism, for reasons none other than that they can. Some try to express love in words that people just won't take from them, and there are those who spew hateful words into the universe because someone hurt them as a child.

The world is filled up with words in songs of all sorts, books of all kinds, notes on refrigerators and in lunch boxes, blogs, letters, and threats in a past due notice. legal papers, and precious misspelled words from a child to a parent on a crumpled, stained piece of paper that is worth it's weight in gold,

and the world will still hold a trillion zillion more words in places unknown and unnamed before we have exhausted our stay here, and what am I going on about?

I just want to ask:

What are you saying? What are you saying to people when you speak, when you write, when you sing? If anyone listens to you or reads your words, you are taking up space in their brain. That is a responsibility of a sort.

Be smart. Be kind. Don't scare people. Don't be mean to people. Be prayful. Be encouraging. Be good. Be diligent to make this world a better place. And, why not? After all, it's the only place we have for this moment in time. There may be no words in the next world. But what if there are only your words in the next world? Will you enjoy hearing them?


Other than that, it's a Friday on the planet and today

Jackson Browne, classic rock's eternally young poet of choosing badly in relationships and then going forward in your life, is 61.

President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize.

And, good grief, we bombed the moon. Google it.

Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

At the altar of cats

These are two of my daughter's cats. Jasper and Shadus. They think they are her real parents. Each morning - and oh this is so gross -- but each morning, there is a dead little creature on our front porch.



We really think it's Jasper who is doing this.

He is sneakier than the others. Doesn't show the same open affection as the others, and stalks my daughter more than the others.

Perhaps he is rebelling because she once tried to keep him on a leash.

But we really don't know. We just know, that every morning, there is one or more small dead creature on our porch. (May they rest in peace)

There are several schools of thought about this.

1. Your cat loves you dearly, worships you so much that he is bringing you an offering.

2. Your cat thinks you are a total inept human bean who can't take care of themselves.

3. Your cat is reminding you to feed him.

4. Your cat takes great pleasure in dining at home.

The weird thing about this is, it just started a few weeks ago. So what I am thinking is, they think (one of them or all, as you never know with cats, as they could have formed an alliance to get their message across), they think someone should be there with their food very first thing in the AM. Which we are not. (Cats were gods in Egypt, you know, and they have never forgotten that)

And, we have found out that if you leave their food there for them the night before, they don't like *that* food in the morning. Their food must be poured fresh out of that bag, and they are much happier about the whole thing, if they hear the sound of it coming out of the bag, and they can bump your arm, so that it spills everywhere. Oh joy, they do a happy dance for that one act of rebellion. I did read a head butt from a cat is suppose to represent love, but you know, I'm not sure I buy that.

These cats are not mine. They belong to my daughter, or she belongs to them, not sure which. Her dad and I were never animal people. We love animals, of course, who doesn't love animals? -- we just love them in their natural habitat. We love other peoples' animals. We have, many times, taken care of other people's animals and done a very good job.

But, our daughter is crazy smiten for animals. She is a vegetarian (and would own every little kitty within her reach if she could). When she and I go for walks, we see more cats than I ever, ever see when I walk with someone else. It is to the point of weird. Cat radar or something ....

How do people get like that?

I suppose it's one of those things I will never know the answer, too.

"I got shot off my horse,

So what, I'm up again"* ...

Everything is supposed to happen in threes, say the old legends and tales, and stories from the twilight zone, and old ladies in airports.

The end of last week, I fell over my dishwasher. Well, actually, I flew over my dishwasher, as the door was down and I was walking while reading, which I thought was not as bad as running with scissors, but as truths are told in fables, alas, it is probably the same thing, as some part of my body hit something foreign and large, and then the standard line beginning 'next thing I knew' enters my story...

I was on the floor, somewhere in the kitchen, while various parts of my body began wondering what had happened, as my brain began to register the feel of the signals of pain and send messages under lined with the subtext of 'you idiot'.

Yet, I have to say, 'my egregious error', as it had been I who left the dishwasher door open, prone to the multitasking gene that would probably function better with medication that I have always refused to take, thinking myself better than most at multi-tasking, but certainly proving by my life that is not even so in the slightest regard. Perhaps I should, again, weigh the good and bad of that decision.

Blathering on, I was to discover, that was one of two because yesterday, I was stabbed by the silverware in my dishwasher. It was a direct hit with a very sharp knife, most likely the only one I own, and the penetration of said weapon entered in the finger, again most likely, the only place where blood would profusely flow at a great speed making one unable to find the wound directly upon observation, and so causing a peril of panic in the mind. I mean ~*blood* ~ so, surely, we are perhaps maybe could be dying.

While addressing that wound, that's when it hit me ~ I am on the count down of doom list, as everyone knows --Things happen in threes.


Threes. One, two ....


Oh dread, now I must wait for the one more thing that might kill me. Perhaps, I should go to bed and stay there.

As it happens, according to all who gather statistics and put them in places where you can find them easily with a quick Goggle search just in case you should wish to scare yourself with something that day, and, myself already knowing the grand total of most accidents happen in the home, and, I am standing there, in the place where I had, on many occasions, considered myself safe, but was now on my way to bearing out two of the most dreaded statements we all live with:

1. Things (always) happen in threes.

2. Most (the majority of) accidents happen in the home.

And with the most serious accidents being credited to the kitchen (look it up)! My thinking was, after being flailed across the kitchen and stabbed by my dishwasher, I should go work outside today.

Hah! It didn't take long for the strings in the universe to connect the dots belonging to human behavior and zero in on keeping with those strange truths that we pass on for generation to generation.... And, bingo!

My hand clippers chopped off a piece of my thumb.

But, tedious as it may have been, it's over now, and I am out of the legend of curses loop and ready to live another day.

Have a safe and happy day,


Miss Roxie

*Mark Knopfler ~ Everybody pays to play

Put out there what you want...

Giving is supposed to be the way to get what you need. Empty a place and a place will be filled with the *things* you need.

So, today, I will put it out there. I will give gifts of *something* and see what comes back to me.

Top 10 Reasons for choosing a wine

10. Someone brought the bottle to your house. To be polite you try it even though you are sure you saw this exact bottle in the markdown bin at the Dollar General. (Even though you think it unusual to find wine on your front porch. Already opened...)

9. You thought you were going to be invited to a party, so you bought some wine you thought would be appropriate i.e. cheap and on sale cheaper, and had a nice label, and you didn't go to the party because, actually, well, you weren't invited, so might as well drink the wine.

8. It was cheap. And right in the end cap so you didn't have far to walk. Made it easy to grab a bag of chips on the way out. Maybe some M & M's.

7. It was a small store and your choices were limited., and you only had that $10.00 you stole.

6. You read the back of the bottle and the story seemed interesting enough to be enticing. (Do you read those stories? They are like little novellas! I mean, that's why I bought Goats Do Roam.)

5. It came with a coupon for $1.00 off chicken or fish or a $10.00 rebate (that you thought was for one bottle, but really was for purchasing 10 bottles. You are wondering does your boss care you haven't been to work all week.)

4. You thought someone might have told you about this wine. If it was a good friend, you are thinking this might be a good wine. Usually, it is.

3. The get-a-way car was running and the line on the gas gauge says E in red.

2. Someone left it in a grocery cart.

1. The name of the wine is Xplorador and since Dora the Explorer is the only show your granddaughter is allowed to watch, you think "hey, you know it's got to be good!" (This is actually a true story. It was a Chilean wine ~ merlot, from French grapes vines the Spaniards brought to Chili -- I read the story on the back . And, I added the *a* at the end. Clever...)

"Speak in terms of belief and belonging"

One of our Senators, Mel Martinez, has stepped down. He is quoted as saying, "There's no impending reason, it's just my desire to move on," ...and I have no reason to dispute that except that the party he respresents is not the Republican party of Barry Goldwater.

If I was going to take a guess at another reason, I would guess that the Republican Party is becoming a sad state of affairs in what they are beginning to represent regarding the ideologies of the far right.

I am leaning toward agreeing with Frank Schaeffer about things.

But, I could be totally wrong, and Martinez's reason for leaving early, as he had already said he wasn't seeking reelection, could be absolutely spot on. This is all conjecture on my part.

I would also say, if someone should be stepping down, it should be Glenn Beck. That is not conjecture.

"Speak in terms of belief and belonging" ~ Jackson Browne

Who is right and who is wrong?

I don't know. Those are probably words to a song. I just know there are so many different thoughts and ideas out in the world about how to live. The whys of why that is could be a list a zillion things long.

But, what I can't understand is things like:

1. Why everyone thinks they are right.

Monday, Monday

The days don't have a particular meaning any more, but I still love Fridays and cherish Sundays. Taking care of my nephew(s) calls for such a crazy schedule now. When the school year starts, then all will be different again.

I will make myself available to help out with my grand daughter, if I am needed. Unfortunately, I need some kind of employee, but I will eat toast and water rather than let her go into a daycare, as I know both her parents will need to work, also. And, the New Mama will be doing her internship starting in September anyway. Together, we will all work something out. Right now, the ideal is that my granddaughter is next store , and that is just the most delightful life!

It's hot and humid. The plants are thirsty all the time, but one good rain pops them up again. Oh, I am waiting for that one good rain.

Car needs work. Probably take care of that next week. It'll have to be a professional this time. Mr. B can handle most things, but the old bus is getting on in years and sometimes need a doctor with a license to help her along.

I am headed to the Keys next week. Little family vacation and I am looking forward to it.

The Sonic Boom

Last Friday the Space Shuttle Endeavor reentered the earth's atmosphere and broke the sound barrier. There was a loud boom heard around here. We knew something major had happened when we heard it, but after looking around outside and seeing nothing and hearing no sirens, we went on with our day figuring we'd hear about something on the news later.

We did notice two odd things. My son's gutter looked like it had been ripped off the house. And two shrubs at my Mother In Laws were burnt to a crisp. Weird, we thought.

I learned about what the boom was from the newspaper on Saturday. Interesting.

Spinach Quiche with Cream Cheese

1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1 cup pet evaporated milk
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 pkg (10 oz.) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
1/2 cup diced ham and/or chopped onion1 prepared deep-dish pie crust, frozen

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, evaporated milk and red pepper.

Squeeze spinach between paper towels until almost dry. Stir spinach and ham or onion into egg mixture.

Pour into frozen pie crust. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven on a preheated baking sheet for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Makes 6 servings.

Kashi stands by their product

I like to have something on hand for the vegetarian in our family and just recently picked up two Kashi Pizzas. They sounded great, made by hand, and looks great, so I bought a Roasted Vegetable and a Mushroom Trio & Spinach.

Both pizzas were tasty, but did not match the photo on the product box. We were very disappointed, as there were so few toppings, so,

I called Kashi. They were very nice, assured us that they take this stuff very seriously, and they are sending me coupons for two free pizzas.

Thumbs up on Kashi products! I am certainly not afraid to try them knowing for sure there is a money back guarantee.

Although, I'm sure that my store would have refunded me my money, but thought it best to call Kashi direct.

On other companies that have stood by their products:

Betty Crocker sent me a free coupon for a pound cake mix that didn't seem to follow the direction time, and Tide sent me a free coupon for a Tide laundry product and a $5.00 coupon for laundry soap when I called and told them I couldn't read the cap lines very well. So, good on them as well!

From Word of the Day

The Word of the Day for July 19 is:

bardolater \bar-DAH-luh-ter\ noun : a person who idolizes Shakespeare

Example sentence: "[Abraham] Lincoln was a lifelong Bardolater and serial Shakespeare-quoter, as Mr. [Barack] Obama noted in remarks at the recent reopening of Ford's Theater." (Barry Edelstein, The New York Times, April 26, 2009)

Did you know? George Bernard Shaw once described a Shakespeare play as "stagy trash." Another time, Shaw said he'd like to dig Shakespeare from the grave and throw stones at him. Shaw could be equally scathing toward Shakespeare's adoring fans. He called them "foolish Bardolaters," wrote of "Bardolatrous" ignoramuses, and called blind Shakespeare worship "Bardolatry." Oddly enough, Shaw didn't despise Shakespeare or his work (on the contrary, he was, by his own admission, an admirer), but he disdained those who placed the man beyond reproach. The word "bardolater," which Shaw coined by blending Shakespeare's epithet -- "the Bard" -- with an affix that calls to mind "idolater," has stuck with us to this day, though it has lost some of its original critical sting.

The above is cut and pasted from the Word for the Day. I had no idea this word existed until today.

I don't know if one can call me a bardolator, but I greatly admire the works of William Shakespeare, and have no idea, at all, why someone would feel the need to dig up Shakespeare and throw stones at him. But, I could see where I might feel that Shakespeare was beyond reproach. Given all things of the times, he did amazingly well in the entertainment field and literary field. The amount of words and phrases he coined is still being discussed and researched.

My personal opinion is that William Shakespeare is my favorite playwright, and I can't remember when I didn't love him. So, maybe I am a bardolater? but I really think that's okay!

In Doing Nothing...

My favorite place to do nothing, so to speak as in the sense of things that are, we are always doing something, but that set aside, outside is the ideal place to be the most relaxed.

Here are somethings to try:

1. Take a turn about your house. Look at the boarders of your home. Admire flowers and shrubs. Take a clipper with you and cut some flowers to bring inside. Look for caterpillars. Don't clip them. Only clip things for your bouquet. Or, save a flower to give to someone. It will make them smile.

2. Look up at the clouds. If you are comfortable, sit on the grass, or get a blanket or a chair. Bring a beverage of your choice with you, and just gaze at the clouds looking for shapes. If you have a burning need to make this educational, go ahead and identify the shapes with their scientific names, but feel free to call them a bunny or a puppy, or dragons and unicorns.

3. Sweep your porch. Slowly. Watch the broom move the debris to it's proper place. Listen to the sound of one broom sweeping.

4. Explore your sense of sound. Stand outside and close your eyes. What do you hear? If it's only the noise in your head, turn it down and listen to the nature around you. If you can't hear any, go somewhere that you can.

5. Study the colors of a flower.

There are some things to begin your thought process towards the upside of doing nothing.

And, if you are trying to make sense of the photos I use relating to the text of my post,
stop.

I love and admire Winnie the Pooh

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.
~~Winnie the Pooh

Some people just don't understand this as a necessary concept. They can't think of anything that could fall comfortably under the guise of doing nothing, not bothering, that would be valuable.

I'll help them tomorrow.

Good Night for now.

Little known facts, what else and who cares

1. My husband says if I had an Indian name it would be Walks in Many Shoes. Because I always lose my shoes, and I will put anyone else's shoes on to walk around outside. (I hate looking for things. One must allow oneself some unforgivable sin...)

2. I spend a couple of hours in the library reading up and writing down nutritional recipes and ideas, and then come home and eat hummus, chips and red wine for dinner. (I guess I'm gearing up...one must cultivate taste...)

3. I know kids always want their way. I deal with them from there. Things mostly work out. (I overhead my 5 year old nephew in the back seat singing, "I love my mommy, she is the best....I love my Aunt Sasha (me), she is the best"...and that is good enough for me, as he was in the third seat back and didn't know I was listening)

4. I just found out that DIY means Do It Yourself. (I didn't read it, I just *finally* figured it out on my own. That sign Slow Children was in my neighborhood...)

5. I am constantly amazed at the amount of people who cannot figure out what to eat and how much to eat, so they won't gain weight...so now, companies that package food are doing the thinking for them! They go ahead and package up the (junk) food in little packets marked *100 calories* ~ "oh, happy day," the buyers say, "we don't have to count or think!" Oh darlins, why? So, sad ...

6. I've learned that one half of the world always laughs at or dislikes the other. I wish it wasn't so, but it always seems to be like that. Just be happy with what you've got, and be nice. Don't give someone a reason to dislike you, as they will probably find one for themselves soon enough.

7. If things are over, go ahead and make nice. What reason could there possibly be to leave things on a sour note? These frequent trips around the sun I have made, have shown me none.

8. There are no new things, except for the morning. Just begin again, and try to be a saint.

A butterfly day....

I wasn't intending to do any gardening this morning, as there was much to be done around the inside of the home, but alas, a few visits outside, and I (let's face it) really did not want to come in!

And, it was hot. And, it was humid. What was that word I made up ~ hottimud? Yeah, that.

But anyway, I got a bottle of water, and tried to rest when I felt like I was going to pass out, and I got some things done out there! I got some morning glories around this saw palmetto! That's going to be great.

One of the reasons I love gardening is that you are making a picture that is yet to be seen. It keeps changing in a beautiful way, as long as you are attending it...and if you attend it with love, it shows itself differently than if you attend it with just necessity.

I found two caterpillars on the ground, no place in particular, just in the dirt, and they were just going around in circles, so I wasn't sure what to do, so I put them on a big leaf and took them over to one of the plants they were most likely from, but just in case not, as these butterflies do that mimicry thing to escape getting eaten.... I put the two of them on the plant that seemed like they would choose (a parsley plant) but also put the other plant (a milkweed) right next to it.

I went out later to check them, as they were so still when I moved them I thought they might be dead, but they weren't and were eating away at the milkweed.

more later

Daily Decisions

Daily Decisions:

What I am experiencing at this moment is the result of choices and decisions made in the past; what I will experience in the future depends on choices and decisions I make now. Happiness is a daily decision.

So there I am with my granddaughter, and my daughter wants to take a picture of us. The picture is small, but if you look closely you can see that Shaylin is ready, got her little hand behind her in a little pose, but grandma is still talking!! ~~ I'm asking questions instead of making a decision!

But, it all turned out well. Actually, anytime my granddaughter smiles, it's all good with me.

Happy Birthday, Gene

It's Friday and today is Gene's birthday. Gene and I are older than Jackson Browne. In my world, that's not really that old.

How does Thursday happen...

...without notifying Tuesday and Wednesday that it's here? I do not know what happened to my minutes...

I do know that the days have been filled with people and activity. My granddaughter has been here during her fussy time (actually, I heard this psychologist on the TV today, and he was saying that this fussy time is really a time of a need for stimuli, so she is getting that~) so lots of singing and dancing by assorted family members, and it seems I've had a full house for the last few days...
so, while her brain was just loving all the stimuli ~ mine was like -- doing a mini freeeeeking out, just kidding, sorta kinda. I really can only stand some much noise and things like that, but whatever, I survive!

I did get some walking , as in exercise, ...and man, it is humid out there. Actually, it's worse than humid, it's like hottimud, or something.

My plants were wilting in this weather, but then yesterday it rained and thundered and lightening so quickly that my son's gazebo tent flew off. He called the company and they are giving him a full refund.

My marigolds are beat down from the way the water pours off the roof. See, there is the thing about money lacking ... if I had the funds, I would be able to duct that water to some where I could use it. We are looking into some kind of rain barrel type item that I have seen on some gardening blogs for using that wonderful rain water for later. But, you know, you deal with what you can deal with...

more later...

Straight until Morning and it's now Monday?

Oh my gosh how the time flies....so you might as well have fun.

I did have fun this weekend with family and friends and fireworks. It was totally relaxing and just a pleasure. The fireworks and fellowship were great, but the grilled vegetables that my sis-in-law made ....oh to die for! So simple and yet so wonderful. I filled up on them and my digestive track spoke to me about it all the next day.

My granddaughter doesn't mind fireworks. She loves people and watching and interacting with them, so watching people light things in the street that exploded into bright colors was just about as favorable a reaction as one could get! If she had been able, I'm sure she would have said, 'more, please!'

I'm, depending on how one looks at things, behind on things, but I want to make sure my behind doesn't get ahead of me (ha,ha, just reread this, too funny the double meaning)...

so I started walking again and it. is. sooooo. humid! Not to mention hot, so I am opting for mornings. And! the mosquitoes are parlaying options for taking over the world and focusing themselves in my area! Crikey ...and ouch while slapping body.

It's been raining like wildly, madly, deeply for the past, seems like 10 years, but maybe 10 days, maybe 2 weeks? I don't know. I just know you are sitting here and then your feeling like someone outside has weapons and just exploded them right on your house!! It's that sudden and that hard.

But, it's all good. Good visits from good friends, good food, good family
~ just need more money ~ hahaha, but who doesn't these days!

Family is just accident.... They don't mean to get on your nerves. They don't even mean to be your family, they just are. ~Marsha Norman

The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family. ~Lee Iacocca

Returning to Flylady for help with Messiness

I'm getting behind again on my house work ...and I'm not comfortable with that. Actually, it's not just the house, it's the other things I have to to, long list of miscellaneous.

I ventured a life with Flylady.net at one time, and responded remarkably well...and then I got full of myself, with 'hey, I got this...' type of an attitude and fell off my high horse. Luckily for moi, I have a great husband who will bail me out.

Yes, when things get to overwhelming for me, he will set in. He usually goes beyond where I need him, and that's trumps the special gift of helping even more.

So, he got things in order Thursday, because #2 son's girlfriend was coming to visit, and now I have to pick up the gauntlet and keep going! Hopefully, I can say, "I got this...'

But as I type, I can hear the outside calling me....I can hear my yard saying, "Come...look for butterflies and trim out leaves; admire our new growth and take some of our beauty inside." Oh, I love working with my plants and flowers!!"

But, I'm going to study my weak areas of keeping an orderly house and fix some things this week! That's my goal. I'll post my progress so I can keep myself - in my face!!-

Had a great fourth by the way!!

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence should be read by everyone who decides to make the United States of America their home. It is a source rich in information of what was intended for us as a nation.

Most people are familiar with the second paragraph:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."

then further down ...

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

...and then beyond that it begins the list of the infractions of King George.

they state some definite and strong truths for how they tried all reasoning and it didn't work...

...and the last line ...

— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

The signatures follow.

I heard this read aloud the other day on NPR, I think it was. No loss on anyone's part to gain some insight from our country's beginnings.

From Thought for Today

Cleanliness~~~

The most important places to keep clean and tidy are my mind and heart. If I allow thoughts to flourish that I wouldn't want to see the light of day, I can never have any real self-respect. By starting each day in quiet reflection and pouring positive, loving thoughts into my mind, I gradually clean out cynicism and unkindness~
....from Thought for Today.

I know I like spending some quiet time alone in the mornings. I really do. It helps me stay calm throughout the day. I think about all those I love, and how fortunate I am to have all these people in my life.

And I have been making a genuine effort to avoid, totally and truly, avoid negative thinking and negative thoughts. They do you no good. None, Zip, Zero ~ Nada. Pass on them.

When I first wake up in the morning, I thank God. I lay in my bed and quietly smiling, I thank God for everything in my life. Maybe specific things each day, maybe not ~ I just thank God.

I like to have a good strong cup of coffee, look at the outside and what the sky has to offer....If it's early, I catch that brilliance that only the sun can do while it's rising. Oh my gosh, that is so cleansing. If I can get myself to the beach, I would probably walk on air all day. But, if I get to the beach, it's usually in the evenings ....but back to mornings ...

While the coffee is perking, I feed the cats, otherwise, they will yap and yell and make all kinds of sounds that are either telling you off or saying good morning feed us now, but so loudly it will wake everyone, so I just feed them.

This morning I took their food outside, first thing, because when they come in, they are all yapping so loudly and running all over each other, they would wake the household, and I got up so early, that just didn't seem fair to everyone else.

I check my plants on my porch. I am working on bringing the jungle onto my porch. One is never done with this project. But, I love it. I will die doing this. I love looking at plants and smelling flowers and herbs. I do believe that looking at flowers and the colors of the earth are a natural way to cleanse ones soul and spirit. ~

I have a theory about aging. One must, MUST, have things in their life that they love to do. And there are so many things to choose from that are healthy and rewarding in some way or another! One should always have a project going. It's a fulfiling thing in your life. If one is not sure what to do, do something for someone else, that's a great way to start.

Oh, here's my latest project ... I am going to make a 'movie' for my granddaughter and feature family members reading books to her. I have chosen the first two books. I will read one of them with my nephew Jacob, he's five, as there are words in the book (colors and numbers) that he can read, so he will read those words, and I'll read the rest. The book is One by Kathryn Otoshi.

I love my days. I love my peoples! I am happy.

Happy Birthday Sean!

Happy Birthday to the child that always made me laugh when I tried to discipline him. Can anyone figure out who that might be in the above photo?

It's been a great 23 years. I am so proud of you. I am proud to be your mother, and I thank God for blessing me with you in my life. I will love you forever.

Best wishes and many happy returns. You rock, Sean!!

That is Sean in the White Jacket.

Michael Jackson ~ only 50

I know and, I guess, rightly so, that many are tired with all the Michael Jackson coverage. I am also aware that peoples emotions and thoughts about him and his character are mixed.

But the man was pretty much a household name, a recognized icon, a mixed bag of talent and weirdness that no one could really put their thumb on to explain.

My personal favorite Michael Jackson song is the Free Willy song --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x3PQ5QhMJs&feature=related

I think his song made the movie.

When I first heard the song, I didn't even realize that it was Michael who did it; I just thought, oh my that is such a beautiful song. My oldest son was 17 at the time told me it was Michael, and he had been the one to introduce us to MJ. #1 son was nine and wanted this red jacket that was the style that Michael wore in the Beat It video.

I had to tell him I couldn't buy it for him because it was $30.00, and that was not in the clothes budget, but I did tell him if he wanted to save up for it, he could buy it himself.

And THAT was the beginning for him for saving and getting what you want. He put that jacket on lay-away and worked for the $30.00. I have photos of him moon-walking in his red jacket with all the zippers and these black and white checked shoes...it's priceless.

Apparently, not that I realized at the time, that was Michael Jackson's great big year. Thriller was beyond me. I watched it because my son wanted to see it (one of my nieces was 14 so she kept us clued, she also introduced me to Bruce Springsteen) ...

I thought it was really different, the Thriller video, and didn't quite know what to make of it. But, I knew my son loved to dance.

Then we watched Michael at some Music Awards show, that was really the first time it hit me, good grief this kid is so talented ... I mean, I had watched Andy Williams, I knew who Michael Jackson was, but once I had my son, I was all into surviving in my life (it was crazy back then) and being a good mother...

So, long story short, we knew Michael back when ... and we were always sorry for all the bad press and hoped that the juries were right, etc, etc ...

But the Free Willy song ... Will You Be There. I had always thought that was Michael in that song talking to someone, hoping that someone would be there for him. When I listen to the words now, I hear a trapped and troubled young man; I still think of MJ as a boy, a child...it's crazy, I know ... but I wish someone had freed Michael.

but,
he's gone,
it's sad ...

Bless his heart for his troubles.

May he rest in peace.

Tonsils no more

Both these photos were taken in May at my mom's 80th birthday celebration. Sean is just the greatest person. He really has a very kind and loving heart. He's a great brother, a terrific son, a trustworthy boyfriend, and he is being and does enjoy being an Uncle!

#2 son had his tonsillectomy today, and the doctor went ahead and removed his adenoids as later it would not be covered by insurance ~ because of the pre-existing condition clause I did not know was in there....

The surgery went well enough except that we found out Sean is a 'bleeder' ... This is something I was unaware of. The doctor didn't say, 'he hit a bleeder' and 'made a bleeder' or 'had a bleeder' ... he said, 'we didn't know he was a bleeder...' ...

So, there I am stunned, and now I have to find out more about that and what that means.

Because of that situation and how they had to treat the wound, he feels worse than was expected, even though, pretty badly was expected ...

We have all we need, and I am thankful to his sweet girlfriend who sent a huge package today with all these things he could eat, and that helped me not having to go to the store, and I was happy about that, because we arrived home just as a thunderstorm was hitting.

The lightening and black clouds were in front of us, and the sky was about to break, but didn't pour open until we were safely in the door. I'll take that as a sign from God that all will go well for Sean and his healing. He is now walking around, so I feel better about that.

When I first saw him in the post-op, the tears started to form and fall. He was the little guy to me who had had surgery when he was 14 months old and again at 16 months old. My heart, my heart just goes right back to that place that is 'mommy always'; I feel like I could cry right now.

When he had those surgeries, he rode home from the hospital both times on my lap, and he didn't leave my lap for close to 24 hours. He was facing me hugging me and he was staying that way.

My legs were begging me to stretch them. I remember being able to hand him over to his dad only when he was deeply asleep, but we had to make sure he didn't lose body contact in the exchange. Those were both long days, but I would do it again in a heart beat, should it be required of me.

The love I feel for my children is just the most moving flow of feeling ~ I don't have words to express it at this time, but it is something that doesn't stay still at one place inside you. It can swell up and spill over the top of you.

I enjoy that feeling way, way, way too much to ever want to let that go; I feel blessed that I got my chance to have children so that I could experience that love like no other; that love in which your heart lives outside of your body...

Health Care ~ Yes, we can see a problem

Health care can be a subject that makes many people cringe. People who have health care coverage cringe. Take me for example ~

I have coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield for over 20 years, maybe 25 or 30 years? Honestly, I have been writing checks to them for so long, it seems like I'm married to them or supporting them through college ....

I'm thinking, when we first started out, it was for a family of 5 about $250 per month? So, about $3,000 a year? Then up to $4,000 a year, then we had to drop one child as he was too old for me to cover and still the cost was about $4,000 a year, and jumping to current, only three of us are covered and it's about $6,000 a year? So, thinking 25 years .... I know for a fact, they have made a little money on us. I know it.

And tomorrow, my middle son is having his tonsils out. And, my son was notified by the surgeon's office (I think he had to sign a paper), that after he has his tonsils out, NOTHING that happens to his health REMOTELY regarding his tonsils or sinus area (and I'm not sure what other part of his body), or THIS surgery will be covered.

Now, why is that? I've have dutifully paid my bill every single month. I have not missed a payment. I also have an excellent credit report for paying my bills. My child is in, otherwise,
very good health....he has not abused his tonsils.

I think this is radical and unfair and should be against the law.

Not to mention, the surgery is tomorrow and ~TODAY~ I am told by the medical center, that I MUST pay $727.00 before they will operate on my son. TODAY, they call and tell me this.

I told the lady on the phone that this has never happened before when we have used any medical facility for anything. With BCBS, the claim is filed, and then I am billed for the rest.

But, after a long conversation, and actually she did try to get someone to okay it for me to make payments, she called me back three times, because she said ~ get this ~ I was 'nice' (as she told me it was unusual in her job to speak with someone who doesn't yell at her, and okay, yeah, I can understand that ...)

But, wait now, here's the rest ~~~ the reason I must pay this up front, she said, is because 'people do not pay their bills' ....

Excuse me? What people? Who are you looking at? Is someone standing behind me? You mean 'This' people? No, I am not those or them people. I am me, and I have kept my reputation solid in paying my bills ...like a rock. My reputation is like a Bob Seegar song, I kid you not!

But guess what?

Means nothing now.

I have to stop now. I can't think about this clearly right now, but I see the larger dimension of the picture as to WHY we need some kind of public health care ~ that's right, I said it, PUBLIC HEALTH care.

I have to find a way to come up with $727.00 by tomorrow morning. There are lots of songs written about these kinds of situations. Some of them involve convenience stores and banks, and a get away car....

On Father's Day

I salute my husband for being such a good dad. He tries, everyday, to improve upon his skills in fathering. He knows that he has not learned all there is to know about being a parent. He listens to me when I counsel (be nosey) and give him advice (tell him what to do).

We love him very, very much.

Here is a poem I found in the newspaper today. It is in Dear Abby's column. It made me think of him.


I Had a Father Who Talked With Me
~~Hilda Bigelow

I had a father who talked with me.

Allowed me the right to disagree, To question - and always answered me, As well as he could - and truthfully.

He talked of adventures; horrors of war;

Of life, its meaning; what love was for;

How each would always need to strive

To improve the world to keep it alive.

Stressed the duty we owe one another

To be aware each man is a brother.

Words for laughter he also spoke, A silly song or happy joke.

Time runs along, some say I'm wise, That I look at life with seeing eyes.

My heart is happy, my mind is free, I had a father who talked with me.

Reading aloud to your children

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
~ Joseph Addison ~

I am not sure why some parents, grandparents, or assorted relatives do not read to the young people in their family.

Here's my message in brief~

1. READ TO KIDS. ALL KIDS. ALL RELATIONS.

Read them books and stories, read them magazine articles, read them newspapers, the funnies, comic books; read to them what you like, what they like, get picture books that have some words; read with voices as they love that ...

Just Read to Them.

I have observed that many parents in the public school system do not think that reading aloud to their children is a requirement any more. Some of these parents think just handing their child a book and saying, 'read this', it is enough.

IMO, and my credentials as a wife, mom, aunt, sister, grandmother, friend, homeschool parent/teacher, school volunteer, daughter, hairdresser, neighbor, etc ... is that ~

It is never enough.

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.(1994)
~ Emilie Buchwald ~

2. Not only ~Read~ to your kids, go volunteer to read to children at a local library or school (if you have kids, and have the time, take them with you). When my working hours cut down this school year, that is what I am going to do,

and I read to my granddaughter who is 6 months old. She loves books. Already she knows that the pages turn (knew that last month actually).

Never underestimate a child. I would encourage you to seek out good literature along with reading a book called Icky Bugs ~~


The failure to read good books both enfeebles the vision
and strengthens our most fatal tendency--
the belief that the here and now is all there is.
~ Allan Bloom ~

More later on this topic

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.
~ Mortimer J. Adler ~

Mutli Dog Tasking - Not for the Week

Mr. B and I are taking care of two dogs. From two different families. So, they live in two different houses, and now they are visiting here.

It is no secret in the free world that I am not a dog person, should one feel the need to identify the fact that one has never owned a dog, and the only time one had a dog left to them, that one did try to care for, one ended up taking the dog to a pet psychiatrist, admitting one's feelings and having the pet shrink decide one should give the dog to one's parents. She did ~ dog lived long and happy life ...

So, I don't dislike dogs. I would wish that all dogs be cared for and loved properly by their owners. I just don't know what to do about dogs. I can't take care of dogs. I would have to own a dog that would take care of me.

Mr. B is doing most of the caring, but I can go with him on walks, especially on the beach.

Right now, the two dogs, one Boarder Collie and one Yorkie Pooh are laying quietly on the floor of my living room. In the room, which I am not happy about dog smell, but I'll survive. It's been 3 days with one dog (feels like 30), and 2 days with the other dog (feels like 20)...

More later,
I'm going out to water my plants.

Posting about finding vomit at 4 AM and poop at 8 AM just isn't what I want to do right now.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Right now, I need parsley, and I can't find it at my grocery store or the nearest plant nursery. I can't find it in the plant nursery because the caterpillars of the Swallowtail have eaten it all!!

And, they are eating my only parsley plant~ and since I have about 10 on there, pigging out, I need some fast!! I hope they don't disappear by tomorrow! Where will they go with no more parsely or dill or fennel!?

I am a poor hostess and feeling guilty about it.

From my inbox

From Thought for Today

Dear roxie

Whilst Being Ordinary



To be simple means to be completely pure: to have royalty and greatness whilst being ordinary.

What a scorching week

I am now a firm believer that the weather can effect The Human Bean and his emotions. It has been scorching hot this week, and the amount of emotional turmoil going on here is and has been reaching it's boiling point. Amazing. Crazy and amazing, but storms here have been brewing, and then blown painfully through the realms of ones' senses.

I think I have weathered my storm because I choose to. (I have no idea right now if that is the right "to" at the end of that sentence, but 'oh well'...)

When one is confronted with the dissatisfaction of others in things, regardless of the fact that it might be you with which they are dissatisfied , the collective you, or other things around them, you can choose to not take that ship into their harbour. If you should decide to set your feet firmly on that ship, you may find yourself shipwrecked on an island on which you don't belong, and in a world that doesn't belong to you; one that you don't recognize.

Stand as far back as you can from the storm, take the torrents of the blows, answer as best and as honestly as you can, and then, let the storm pass. And, it will pass. All things will pass. As George Harrison wrote, "all things must pass away..."

This choice can be very hard to make, especially if the dissatisfaction the person/s are stating is with you ~ the you they know or think you to be, because if they knew you, the you whom you are really ~ it is doubtful they would be upset because they would be looking past the surface that passes as you and see that you really mean no harm.

All animals react when they feel smothered, pinned down or caged. It's just nature.

Take on this day, as a word of advice for yourself, to make sure you have some treasures in your heart. You will need them when you are hurt and feel sad. I love the treasures in my heart ~

so much love for my family and friends and for the God I know and love, so many good memories that out weigh any bad memories. I am happy. Truly, madly, deeply to the depths of my soul, I am happy.

My hope would be that everyone else is, also. (I avoided using a "too" ~ how clever of me. haha)

Little Shania melts my heart

Today my five year old nephew and I went over to one of the Head Start schools in our area. As I was coming up the walk way, I saw the most adorable child, about 18 months old, in the most beautiful little dress! She was just precious!

I couldn't help but stop to talk to her and her mother. I told the little girl just how beautiful she looked today, that she must have just come from a party ~ which her mother confirmed with smiles ~ she knew her baby looked beautiful!

Then, I realized the mom was carrying some things and her little daughter was hugging her legs, and was not getting in her little stroller, so I asked the mom would she like me to help her. She said, "oh yes, my car is just over this way," and headed out ahead of me. I picked up the gorgeous child in her beautiful dress and followed her.

As we walked across the parking lot, I began to talk to the little girl about what was going on, and how we were following her mom to the car, and when we got to the car, Shania's grandfather (who didn't speak English) was there holding the special treats they had all been given at the party.

The mom got their things situated in the car. I held her daughter while still explaining to her, all the while, what was happening because I didn't want this adorable little child to be afraid of this stranger who was holding her.

So, mom was ready and then held out her arms to Shania and Shania would not go! We all began to smile. Then, the mom made a little joke ~ "Shania, you don't want to leave the lady? What is going on?" but with her Jamaican accent it was even cuter ~ but Shania would still not go to her mom, and as a matter of fact, she threw her arms around me in a hug!

I told her mom that Shania had just melted my heart, and I was surely more flattered than I have ever been in my life. We all laughed. The Mom, The Grandfather and Me. But Shania held her hug. Her mother was sweet to her and coxed her gently back where she belonged, but I'll tell you true, things like that, just melt my heart, just like the softest kiss on the check.

So gentle and sweet and innocent are young children. I am glad to know all the ones I have ever met.

As we were walking back to the school, my nephew said, "Aunt Sasha, there's another baby that loves you." And I was happy.

One thing on growing up...

Growing up means, stop pointing to the 'other guy' and saying, "I'm better than he is..."

Nope. Forget about the other guy making our rules, and just be better.

White Chili with Green Salsa

Just wanted to warn you guys, as some find recipes boring and not worth the click. I, like I said in another entry, LOVE green salsa and anything I can find that I can make with it -- is like --
WOO HOOO!!

I found this in a magazine, and even though I messed it up by not reading small print, we loved it!! 5 people give it a 5 star, or 20, or maybe it's just because it's free food to them - I don't know, but it was good!


WHITE CHILI with GREEN SALSA
(Chicken Chili Verde)

1 pound of chicken
1 cup chopped onion
2 tsp minced garlic (I used 2 TBS as I read it wrong, but turned out great!)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1 cup bottled green salsa (Yeah, baby!!)
2 cans Great Northern Beans rinsed (Forgot to rinse them, turned out great!)
1 can (14.5) Chicken Broth (I never use chicken broth, only vegetable, and I used
16 ounces and it turned out great!)

Saute your onion and garlic in the oil. Add chicken to cook (I used part left over chicken), but heat 5 mins while breaking up your chicken.

Add all the other seasonings and stuff EXCEPT the beans, bring to a simmer. Cover, cook 5 minutes until you feel things are tender enough for you ...

Stir in the beans (Like I said, I put in the whole can by mistake, as another recipe I have calls for the whole can.)

Heat through and Voile~! Excellent food choice!!

Serve with garlic bread, maybe, and for Mr. B, I made some rice pilaf, because he is afraid of White Beans. (I don't know, read to much Alice and Wonderland? He has a fear of any foods that are White that is not a meat).

But, seriously, this is good!

Isn't Green Salsa a staple?

We. Love. Green Salsa. Salsa Verde! I put it in nearly every recipe I make. Today, I made a white chili with chicken and green salsa. Oh man, it is so good.
When I went to the grocery store this morning, there was no green salsa on the shelves! I called the manager over.

"Look, you are out of green salsa! Don't you know that's the hottest thing going right now? You have got to find a way to keep that in the store!"

He said I was right, that he had noticed it was selling well. He said more would come in tomorrow. I told him he had better double order next time. I also showed him another brand that has a green salsa in it's line, which he was not aware of, and told him to give the order clerk a head's up on that!

If you haven't discovered green salsa, you have something, now, to look for to!

My daughter is sometimes silly

I asked her didn't she think she needed to raise the camera up a little bit? Apparently ~ not.

The Zen Garden Wall

This is my lovely Zen Wall that got created by allowing nature to take it's course while wanting a privacy wall. This is the view from outside the porch.




This is the view from inside the porch. I haven't really put any effort into the outside view. I might start working on that.