I saw this over at Bona Vita Rusticanda and it looked like fun.
The task plays out like this:
1. Grab the book closest to you
2. Open it to page 161
3. Find the fifth full sentence
4. Post the text of the sentence to your blog
5. Don't search around for the coolest book you have, use the one that is really next to you.
The book on the computer desk is The Poems of Tennyson.
Page 161 just happens to have a book mark in it. The sentence reads,
"What hope is there for modern rhyme..."
Okay. Well. There it is ...
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Okay. I don't know....
I read this, below, this morning about insects. I mean, I had just recently told someone that even though hurricanes are bad - we can't hate them exactly because they belong to the earth and it's way of doing things, and we just happen to live on the earth and so we are in the way of the earth cleansing itself. (well, it made sense to me at the time),
anyway,
so this morning in my mailbox, I received this about insects:
Insects "bug" us for shelter, water, or food, but they can also come into our lives to bring us a message. Though many cultures have decided what insects represent to them, you may be able to decipher their message just by thinking about their attributes.
For example, bees may be telling you to communicate psychically with your family or to spread your talents like pollen. Their buzzing could be warning you about someone who could sting you or reminding you to stop and smell the flowers. Once you get their message, they may leave on their own. But if they don't, you may want to spend a few days patiently inviting them to leave. In meditation or aloud, explain that this is your home and that the insect world is outdoors.
While you understand their hunger and thirst, you will provide them with a designated place outside. Be sure to offer them appropriate food and make a commitment to replenish the supply regularly. You can even make a ceremony of it: Choose a time such as suns! et every Sunday, or every full moon, then create a line of demarcation around your home with sage or by sprinkling some herbs before giving your offering. This serves the dual purpose of keeping your bargain with your insect neighbors and keeping you in sync with nature's cycles.
I mean ...well, yes, they do live on the earth. And I do believe that all things are connected - but when I thought all things, I wasn't thinking I could tell the ants to leave and I would feed them on the border of my property ...
I did have an intervention with a spider once. He was huge! He was in my tub and I didn't want to kill him; I wanted to put him in a glass jar and take him outside and let him go. It was a chasing game. Then I said - to the spider - "Look. I just want to take you outside. If you get in this jar, I'll take you outside and let you go."
Now, I'm not kidding on this part -- the spider got in the jar. Just walked right in. I took him outside and let him go.
I might try talking to the ants.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
That Smile of Yours goes deep
Today I had a procedure done that I didn't think one had unless one has sorely neglected their teeth. Which I had not.
I visited a dentist here, because we have moved here, and he informed me I needed a deep cleaning done on my bottom row of teeth. Call me an idiot, but I really thought the guy was just trying to make money!
I had, after all, been having my teeth cleaned twice a year for 30 years, okay, missed one last year because of the move, but still! I brush regularly, floss many times, use mouthwash now and then and am very concerned about not having bad breath! And now I find out that I need a deeper cleaning than the normal cleaning?
And, or course, the deeper cleaning is more expensive than the normal cleaning.
so, I asked a few questions and he told me an earful that all sounded like they answered themselves with 'you better do this' ....it's the whole prevention philosophy. And I am down with that. I don't want to deal with my teeth falling out and smelling badly.
So - the cost to me was $150.00 with my insurance. And should you need some antibiotic placed in any of the pockets that's a smooth $60.00 each pocket. I passed on the antibiotics but I'll be having a crown put in soon, so if I need it, they will catch it then.
The crown with my insurance will be $600 and something. I think $40.00, but can't remember right off. All paid up front.
They have a new medical credit card that they offer you now -- 11% interest. But when you think about it, it might be better to pay on time than to set yourself up for future health problems with your teeth if you don't have the bucks of dollars up front.
By 4:30 , I had it done. I had to have one more shot than the normal 2 on each side that they give you because, they said, apparently, the nerve on my left side is off somewhere it shouldn't be. But whether that statement makes sense to anyone, it does make sense to me.
So 5 shots - and a lot of sound being made - rinsing and you are done. You can't spit for 24 hours (so how do I brush my teeth? I don't know?)
Hopefully, I am on my way to better health. Because the gig is that if your body has to constantly deal with all that bacteria under your gums, I guess your lymph system could get taxed and tired and not fight other illness as well?
Funny thing is, a lot of people I have spoken to have not heard of this cleaning unless it's done to someone who has peridontal disease. That's why I think this is a preventive step and I like that.
I visited a dentist here, because we have moved here, and he informed me I needed a deep cleaning done on my bottom row of teeth. Call me an idiot, but I really thought the guy was just trying to make money!
I had, after all, been having my teeth cleaned twice a year for 30 years, okay, missed one last year because of the move, but still! I brush regularly, floss many times, use mouthwash now and then and am very concerned about not having bad breath! And now I find out that I need a deeper cleaning than the normal cleaning?
And, or course, the deeper cleaning is more expensive than the normal cleaning.
so, I asked a few questions and he told me an earful that all sounded like they answered themselves with 'you better do this' ....it's the whole prevention philosophy. And I am down with that. I don't want to deal with my teeth falling out and smelling badly.
So - the cost to me was $150.00 with my insurance. And should you need some antibiotic placed in any of the pockets that's a smooth $60.00 each pocket. I passed on the antibiotics but I'll be having a crown put in soon, so if I need it, they will catch it then.
The crown with my insurance will be $600 and something. I think $40.00, but can't remember right off. All paid up front.
They have a new medical credit card that they offer you now -- 11% interest. But when you think about it, it might be better to pay on time than to set yourself up for future health problems with your teeth if you don't have the bucks of dollars up front.
By 4:30 , I had it done. I had to have one more shot than the normal 2 on each side that they give you because, they said, apparently, the nerve on my left side is off somewhere it shouldn't be. But whether that statement makes sense to anyone, it does make sense to me.
So 5 shots - and a lot of sound being made - rinsing and you are done. You can't spit for 24 hours (so how do I brush my teeth? I don't know?)
Hopefully, I am on my way to better health. Because the gig is that if your body has to constantly deal with all that bacteria under your gums, I guess your lymph system could get taxed and tired and not fight other illness as well?
Funny thing is, a lot of people I have spoken to have not heard of this cleaning unless it's done to someone who has peridontal disease. That's why I think this is a preventive step and I like that.
Friday, May 11, 2007
The Artic Seal comes to Florida
An Artic Seal got off the beaten path and was finally captured in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was first discovered just a mile from my house. This link shows him in the person's yard. He didn't survive his capture. He died May 9th after being taken to SeaWorld. They did everything they could.
It was reported that he appeared sickly when he was first spotted. One paper reported that after an autopsy is done, they may find some clues about how he got here, but most papers are reporting that's is doubtful anyone will know for sure.
He probably got lost or disoriented or ate some bad food, didn't feel good and just got lost. Bless his little heart. He was a long, long way from home.
It was reported that he appeared sickly when he was first spotted. One paper reported that after an autopsy is done, they may find some clues about how he got here, but most papers are reporting that's is doubtful anyone will know for sure.
He probably got lost or disoriented or ate some bad food, didn't feel good and just got lost. Bless his little heart. He was a long, long way from home.
“This is the first time we have had a bearded seal show up in Florida,” said Kim Amendola, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokeswoman. She said their typical habitat is north of Newfoundland." ....
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Trotting fast
Ben Franklin said something about a person not getting up early causes them to trot fast - I guess I'm trotting fast. At least when I'm not tripping over myself.
What's new?
1. We have a water shortage in our area of South Florida. There are fires in the area. Our skies are filled with smoke today. We all have watering schedules .
"Even if Florida receives average rainfall this summer, that won’t be enough to break the drought if the wet months are followed by unseasonably dry weather. In the last 18 months, South Florida has received just 49.31 inches of rain, almost 17 inches less than the 30-year average of expected rainfall."
We need rain. Hopefully, we won't get it in the form of a hurricane. But, this is South Florida, so you never know.
My brother in law works for the company that acquired the contract to fix Lake Okeechobee, the "liquid heart" of South Florida.
All I know is, the weather seems to be crazy everywhere.
2. Jacob ( three year old nephew) is officially PT. (Potty Trained.) He was 3 last October. And for three straight weeks, he's shown us he has it under control.
It took a unified effort on all fronts. A command decision came from the top that there were no more Pull-Ups. He was told this - and oh my, it seemed to be the thing that worked. He is the one who delivered this information to me, regarding the pull ups being 'no more', and his face was just very concerned about the situation.
In the meantime, I had been not making a big deal out of anything. Kind of a don't ask, don't tell, kind of a situation. I'd put him in a pull up at the beginning of the day, and then just turn him back in, at the end of day -- with the same pull up. Sometimes it was wet, but a lot of the times it was dry. And he was with me for 5 hours.
But here's the thing that gave him away. Gave him away that he was, indeed very much in control all on his own. Last March 30th I went to a concert with my brother and sister in law. As we were sharing a bite to eat before the concert, I told them a story of what their son had done earlier that day.
I'll make it short here, but he had been scolded by me for his actions regarding wasting some food in a careless way. I told him I was not happy with what he had done. He immediately said, "I have to go pee pee." H ran to the potty, sat and pee-peed, (I was right behind him by now), threw out his arms opened wide and declared with a very big smile -- "Are you happy now???"
His mother and I were convinced at that point that, yes, this child had it very much under (his own) control.
And it looks like at this point he has made the decision. It's all old hat to him now. Like he discovered the concept, like it was his own idea. Quite funny, the human being.
3. More later. I'm late, as always. Oh - I am going to try something as an effort to get things done and work on the positive side of being positive. I'm making a list of thirty things I want to do - and doing one each day. (It'll probably take me 30 days to make the list). The challenge of this list is - that if you put something on the list like - oh say, 'don't lie' - that you will find yourself faced with many opportunities to lie. And if you say, 'don't yell', or anything like that - there will come before you, these situations to challenge your conquest!
Kind of like my theory about buying a Honda. Once you buy a Honda, you notice all the Hondas on the road.
So then peace to you all today ---if you wish to experience peace, you must extend peace to others. Make your surroundings peaceful.
A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience.
~ William Shakespeare
What's new?
1. We have a water shortage in our area of South Florida. There are fires in the area. Our skies are filled with smoke today. We all have watering schedules .
"Even if Florida receives average rainfall this summer, that won’t be enough to break the drought if the wet months are followed by unseasonably dry weather. In the last 18 months, South Florida has received just 49.31 inches of rain, almost 17 inches less than the 30-year average of expected rainfall."
We need rain. Hopefully, we won't get it in the form of a hurricane. But, this is South Florida, so you never know.
My brother in law works for the company that acquired the contract to fix Lake Okeechobee, the "liquid heart" of South Florida.
All I know is, the weather seems to be crazy everywhere.
2. Jacob ( three year old nephew) is officially PT. (Potty Trained.) He was 3 last October. And for three straight weeks, he's shown us he has it under control.
It took a unified effort on all fronts. A command decision came from the top that there were no more Pull-Ups. He was told this - and oh my, it seemed to be the thing that worked. He is the one who delivered this information to me, regarding the pull ups being 'no more', and his face was just very concerned about the situation.
In the meantime, I had been not making a big deal out of anything. Kind of a don't ask, don't tell, kind of a situation. I'd put him in a pull up at the beginning of the day, and then just turn him back in, at the end of day -- with the same pull up. Sometimes it was wet, but a lot of the times it was dry. And he was with me for 5 hours.
But here's the thing that gave him away. Gave him away that he was, indeed very much in control all on his own. Last March 30th I went to a concert with my brother and sister in law. As we were sharing a bite to eat before the concert, I told them a story of what their son had done earlier that day.
I'll make it short here, but he had been scolded by me for his actions regarding wasting some food in a careless way. I told him I was not happy with what he had done. He immediately said, "I have to go pee pee." H ran to the potty, sat and pee-peed, (I was right behind him by now), threw out his arms opened wide and declared with a very big smile -- "Are you happy now???"
His mother and I were convinced at that point that, yes, this child had it very much under (his own) control.
And it looks like at this point he has made the decision. It's all old hat to him now. Like he discovered the concept, like it was his own idea. Quite funny, the human being.
3. More later. I'm late, as always. Oh - I am going to try something as an effort to get things done and work on the positive side of being positive. I'm making a list of thirty things I want to do - and doing one each day. (It'll probably take me 30 days to make the list). The challenge of this list is - that if you put something on the list like - oh say, 'don't lie' - that you will find yourself faced with many opportunities to lie. And if you say, 'don't yell', or anything like that - there will come before you, these situations to challenge your conquest!
Kind of like my theory about buying a Honda. Once you buy a Honda, you notice all the Hondas on the road.
So then peace to you all today ---if you wish to experience peace, you must extend peace to others. Make your surroundings peaceful.
A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience.
~ William Shakespeare
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Wisdom of the Elders
Some parts of my family are in a real turmoil right now. I can't do anything about it except listen. It's not a problem that money could solve.
Today my mom, who is 78 told me she has learned that even the very worst things work themselves out. Someone was upset with her because she wasn't acting more upset about the situation. They were getting weary of her saying, "Things will work out. It all will be fine." But she says she has learned that it will.
She has spent many years upsetting herself over the problems of others. And she just doesn't do that anymore. To some, it appears that she doesn't care. I have felt that way myself. But what she is doing is not getting herself 'all worked up' like she used to.
She says she has looked back and seen many, many times that she has had to increase her blood pressure medication, or not slept, or lost weight, or some other dreadful thing over things going on around her, and then they have worked themselves out. Maybe not like she wanted them to, but they worked out.
So, 'no more' she says. No more getting all worked up over things. She just encourages people to look on the bright side, be thankful for what you have, and stop complaining.
She has made much progress.
Today my mom, who is 78 told me she has learned that even the very worst things work themselves out. Someone was upset with her because she wasn't acting more upset about the situation. They were getting weary of her saying, "Things will work out. It all will be fine." But she says she has learned that it will.
She has spent many years upsetting herself over the problems of others. And she just doesn't do that anymore. To some, it appears that she doesn't care. I have felt that way myself. But what she is doing is not getting herself 'all worked up' like she used to.
She says she has looked back and seen many, many times that she has had to increase her blood pressure medication, or not slept, or lost weight, or some other dreadful thing over things going on around her, and then they have worked themselves out. Maybe not like she wanted them to, but they worked out.
So, 'no more' she says. No more getting all worked up over things. She just encourages people to look on the bright side, be thankful for what you have, and stop complaining.
She has made much progress.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Dinner Bell did not ring
Well, 6 PM came and went and no dinner! Yikes. I have been working all day. It's been very interesting, I still have much to do, but I got a lot done. The house smells clean!
I told my darling husband, "nope - just can't think tonight. It's tuna fish sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly" -- and he doesn't want that. (I don't think I have enough bread, anyway.)
So I told him, well, pretend you're on a date - what would you do? So, he's taking a shower and thinking about it. I think he's deciding to pick up Chinese, but he's already asked 'his date' to order it!
I love my husband. He is so funny! (And I love when he thinks about picking up Chinese!)
I told my darling husband, "nope - just can't think tonight. It's tuna fish sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly" -- and he doesn't want that. (I don't think I have enough bread, anyway.)
So I told him, well, pretend you're on a date - what would you do? So, he's taking a shower and thinking about it. I think he's deciding to pick up Chinese, but he's already asked 'his date' to order it!
I love my husband. He is so funny! (And I love when he thinks about picking up Chinese!)
One of those Days
I'm in the middle of one of those days that I kinda like -- I'm doing several things at once. I don't know why that pleases me so ...
I have the laundry going,
I'm cleaning my bedroom,
Cleaning my bathroom,
Reading the email, posting on my blog,
Dancing to old music,
Folding and putting away clothes (oh, you thought that was under 'laundry going' -- haha...no.)
Straightening closets as I look for hangers to keep the laundry going neatly ....
Not cooking - making salad for lunch - the lettuce is drying.
Madam Blueberry has company and is doing a list of small tasks in between visiting...
so far, it's all working out well.
What happens on these days is that when it gets to be about 6 o'clock, I regret not having made any dinner plans!
I have the laundry going,
I'm cleaning my bedroom,
Cleaning my bathroom,
Reading the email, posting on my blog,
Dancing to old music,
Folding and putting away clothes (oh, you thought that was under 'laundry going' -- haha...no.)
Straightening closets as I look for hangers to keep the laundry going neatly ....
Not cooking - making salad for lunch - the lettuce is drying.
Madam Blueberry has company and is doing a list of small tasks in between visiting...
so far, it's all working out well.
What happens on these days is that when it gets to be about 6 o'clock, I regret not having made any dinner plans!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Look Ahead
Look Ahead
Do not look back with shame, nor look up with arrogance, nor look around for blame. Just look ahead with dignity.
It's great outside -- Go see!
I'm up early today.
My house is a mess.
I had company last week, and you would think it was a whole army instead of three people. I cleaned my house and secured it to an orderly fashion for their visit and ~whoosh~it's gone! But I think that's what happens in a tiny house. And my house is very tiny.
I finally found a primary care doctor that I think I might like. A woman named Dr. Leslie. (haha, that's my best friend in Tennessee's name). She asked me what I wanted this Mother's Day and I said, "plants. I love plants. I just want to garden now. If I was rich I would buy more plants." She laughed and said, "me, too!" She's just discovered the outdoors as well! Must be a midlife thing!
Since I don't have money to buy plants, I am into cuttings. So, we will see what happens with my yard. What can happen with cuttings, I will find out.
Taking my nephew out everyday to the park has become a most welcomed time for me. It's great outside everyday. It's always breezy here. Sometimes I wear a hat, sometimes I don't. I am deciding to wear sunscreen everyday now, I wasn't before. And there are other people at the park everyday since we have been going there.
Apparently, this story started circulating about this little boy and his Aunt who are at the park everyday, and that meant that when you went there, you would have a little company. And soon, other people began to come. And then the story circulated that there were lots of people at this park everyday and that made it a fun and a safe place to go, and then more people began to come. It's great.
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver
God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~Martin Luther
I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau
My house is a mess.
I had company last week, and you would think it was a whole army instead of three people. I cleaned my house and secured it to an orderly fashion for their visit and ~whoosh~it's gone! But I think that's what happens in a tiny house. And my house is very tiny.
I finally found a primary care doctor that I think I might like. A woman named Dr. Leslie. (haha, that's my best friend in Tennessee's name). She asked me what I wanted this Mother's Day and I said, "plants. I love plants. I just want to garden now. If I was rich I would buy more plants." She laughed and said, "me, too!" She's just discovered the outdoors as well! Must be a midlife thing!
Since I don't have money to buy plants, I am into cuttings. So, we will see what happens with my yard. What can happen with cuttings, I will find out.
Taking my nephew out everyday to the park has become a most welcomed time for me. It's great outside everyday. It's always breezy here. Sometimes I wear a hat, sometimes I don't. I am deciding to wear sunscreen everyday now, I wasn't before. And there are other people at the park everyday since we have been going there.
Apparently, this story started circulating about this little boy and his Aunt who are at the park everyday, and that meant that when you went there, you would have a little company. And soon, other people began to come. And then the story circulated that there were lots of people at this park everyday and that made it a fun and a safe place to go, and then more people began to come. It's great.
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver
God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~Martin Luther
I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Two days off
I really enjoyed my two days off. I can't tell you how good it felt to spend the whole two days with my daughter. Gosh, I just love my family.
Sean is heading up to Tallahassee this week to visit old friends up there. He lived there all his life - wow, see I've never had that experience - as in 'born somewhere and then lived there until I went away to college.'
I'm an 'army brat' with the Air Force thrown in, too. My dad served in both branches. And we moved from the time I was in first grade, every other year until I was 17. I changed schools 13 times. Talking about always being the new kid on the block! It was a way of life for me. Sometimes I wonder why I always feel like an outsider, why I never want to bother to reveal all the things about myself to anyone, and that is probably at the root of it. Because I feel like I will be leaving and never see my newly made friends again.
Some people do make an effort to keep in touch. But on a whole, it's rare when it does work. Even good friends have a difficult time keeping in touch.
I miss my friends. I love my friends. I find myself thinking about them more than I actually try to contact them. Once you love someone, they really are a part of your life. They are tangled in your heart like vines. The root goes deeply and disappears into a place that no MRI could pick up because it becomes a part of you. Love is like that. Grasping, keeping, growing ...if you never see your old friends again, that love, I believe does indeed grow and your next friendship is better because you have experienced the first one.
Life is just an amazing thing when you think about it. And Love, who can explain love? Just live it ~ make your life about living love.
To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.
~~Emily Dickinson
Sean is heading up to Tallahassee this week to visit old friends up there. He lived there all his life - wow, see I've never had that experience - as in 'born somewhere and then lived there until I went away to college.'
I'm an 'army brat' with the Air Force thrown in, too. My dad served in both branches. And we moved from the time I was in first grade, every other year until I was 17. I changed schools 13 times. Talking about always being the new kid on the block! It was a way of life for me. Sometimes I wonder why I always feel like an outsider, why I never want to bother to reveal all the things about myself to anyone, and that is probably at the root of it. Because I feel like I will be leaving and never see my newly made friends again.
Some people do make an effort to keep in touch. But on a whole, it's rare when it does work. Even good friends have a difficult time keeping in touch.
I miss my friends. I love my friends. I find myself thinking about them more than I actually try to contact them. Once you love someone, they really are a part of your life. They are tangled in your heart like vines. The root goes deeply and disappears into a place that no MRI could pick up because it becomes a part of you. Love is like that. Grasping, keeping, growing ...if you never see your old friends again, that love, I believe does indeed grow and your next friendship is better because you have experienced the first one.
Life is just an amazing thing when you think about it. And Love, who can explain love? Just live it ~ make your life about living love.
To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.
~~Emily Dickinson
Come out of the circle of time
And into the circle of love.
~~Rumi
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.~~Corinthians 13, V 7,8,
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Don't keep this secret
Don’t keep this secret
~~Miss Roxie
Walk undaunted
Walk through with no distraction
Of those things that
Would rob you of your joy
Keep focused
On love
On kindness
On your children
Your family
Your friends
Keep focused
On the simple things
The simple gestures
The smiles
The hugs
The pats on the back
People cry out for human touch
without speaking
Hear yourself say
“I love you”
Give away your happiness
If you have too much it might choke you
And you will die a lonely death
Give it away
And it roots strongly
And then returns
A never-ending vine
That produces the fruit of survival
Monday, April 23, 2007
Easy Peasy Mac and Cheesy
My daughter loves Mac and Cheese. It's so easy, I thought I would share ~
Easy Peasy Mac and Cheese
1 Cup of Pasta
1 Cup of Broth
1 Cup of Cheese
1 TBS of Butter
1 TBS of Flour
In the time it takes to boil your pasta -- melt one TBS of butter in a pan with the 1 TBS of flour till you have a paste.
Add the Broth (I use Vegetable Broth, you can use Chicken Broth, and if you want milk, you can use milk)
Bring to a low boil
Take it off the burner
and add the cheese
Stir until it's blended really, really nicely.
While it sits there, drain the pasta (make sure it's really, really drained) and add the pasta and stir.
You can cook your pasta in advance. Just know that you will have to make sure you heat it through once you add it to the cheese.
This serves 2, but this is an easy recipe to double. A side of green beans, some crusty homemade bread, and you have a lovely Vegetarian Meal.
Some people like to bake macaroni and cheese. I've baked this one before. Just put some cheese on the top and bake for about 35-45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. This makes it less cheesy in my opinion, but I have two nieces who love it baked.
The pasta - I like the diatali pasta, but elbow is fine, of course.
”A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” Bernard Meltzer
“A true friend never gets in your way unless you are going down.” Arnold H. Glasgow
Easy Peasy Mac and Cheese
1 Cup of Pasta
1 Cup of Broth
1 Cup of Cheese
1 TBS of Butter
1 TBS of Flour
In the time it takes to boil your pasta -- melt one TBS of butter in a pan with the 1 TBS of flour till you have a paste.
Add the Broth (I use Vegetable Broth, you can use Chicken Broth, and if you want milk, you can use milk)
Bring to a low boil
Take it off the burner
and add the cheese
Stir until it's blended really, really nicely.
While it sits there, drain the pasta (make sure it's really, really drained) and add the pasta and stir.
You can cook your pasta in advance. Just know that you will have to make sure you heat it through once you add it to the cheese.
This serves 2, but this is an easy recipe to double. A side of green beans, some crusty homemade bread, and you have a lovely Vegetarian Meal.
Some people like to bake macaroni and cheese. I've baked this one before. Just put some cheese on the top and bake for about 35-45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. This makes it less cheesy in my opinion, but I have two nieces who love it baked.
The pasta - I like the diatali pasta, but elbow is fine, of course.
Monday, April 16, 2007
When things go wrong
....I guess we should be happy they at least went somewhere.
1. In my committment to exercise, I put the DVD in the player and began to click. Could get only nothing. I asked my daughter for help. She's braver than I and will press more buttons without a thought of exploding Kansas.
So got that music at the beginning of the DVD - the song that plays over and over again like you could go crazy until you press play? -- and gray screen. Not much good so, I called my husband at work, no answer. I called again at lunch time. No answer. And usually he calls me back. Take it as a sign, you were not met to exercise today. ~~Drats!
2. Had a dentist appointment today. Thought, okay, I'll give my husband one more try on the DVD connection thing as I got in the car. I heard his phone ringing. It was under the driver's seat.
3. My dentist appointment today was disatrous!! Shocking! I have been taking good care of my teeth for at least the last 30 years anyway. Cleanings and check ups every 6 months.
The past year because of the moving, I didn't get to the dentist - and wow - I have to have a special cleaning involving putting my gums to sleep because the hygenist could not clean below the gums on my bottom row of teeth! Wow ~ all that from a year of neglect!! I wonder. I don't know. (I can add that to list of mysterious things I do not know.)
4. I have a great recipe for Pasta Fagioli to share. I'll try to do that this week.
5. I don't have a will. I should write one. I guess my kids could just fight over everything?
6. I have discovered a cleaning product I love. It's called Bartenders Friend. But you shouldn't use it on granite, I don't think. I used it on a tile floor that had a lot of the grout left on it and it worked great! On my stove - which is one of those flat stoves - works great! No real scrubbing just apply and rub. I like it.
7. I have the hiccups for no reason. I guess that's it for me.
8. By the way, don't ever forgot to recharge and reconnect with your spiritual self. You can do it any time. Just stand still. Right where you are and think your Creator. Speak of the things that very minute. You'll connect. You will.
Be thankful, right where you are.
Praise God right were you are.
You'll connect.
Psalm 100:4 ~~
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
1. In my committment to exercise, I put the DVD in the player and began to click. Could get only nothing. I asked my daughter for help. She's braver than I and will press more buttons without a thought of exploding Kansas.
So got that music at the beginning of the DVD - the song that plays over and over again like you could go crazy until you press play? -- and gray screen. Not much good so, I called my husband at work, no answer. I called again at lunch time. No answer. And usually he calls me back. Take it as a sign, you were not met to exercise today. ~~Drats!
2. Had a dentist appointment today. Thought, okay, I'll give my husband one more try on the DVD connection thing as I got in the car. I heard his phone ringing. It was under the driver's seat.
3. My dentist appointment today was disatrous!! Shocking! I have been taking good care of my teeth for at least the last 30 years anyway. Cleanings and check ups every 6 months.
The past year because of the moving, I didn't get to the dentist - and wow - I have to have a special cleaning involving putting my gums to sleep because the hygenist could not clean below the gums on my bottom row of teeth! Wow ~ all that from a year of neglect!! I wonder. I don't know. (I can add that to list of mysterious things I do not know.)
4. I have a great recipe for Pasta Fagioli to share. I'll try to do that this week.
5. I don't have a will. I should write one. I guess my kids could just fight over everything?
6. I have discovered a cleaning product I love. It's called Bartenders Friend. But you shouldn't use it on granite, I don't think. I used it on a tile floor that had a lot of the grout left on it and it worked great! On my stove - which is one of those flat stoves - works great! No real scrubbing just apply and rub. I like it.
7. I have the hiccups for no reason. I guess that's it for me.
8. By the way, don't ever forgot to recharge and reconnect with your spiritual self. You can do it any time. Just stand still. Right where you are and think your Creator. Speak of the things that very minute. You'll connect. You will.
Be thankful, right where you are.
Praise God right were you are.
You'll connect.
Psalm 100:4 ~~
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Okay ...so what now?
1. I have the day off tomorrow. Hahahaha. What mom has a day off? I do have a dentist appointment.
2. I need to make a list of things I have to do for the next 100 years.
3. My father/in/law is 90. That is a tough job. He just went through 2 1/2 weeks of chaos in his life. Three times to the emergency, twice in the hospital, two emergency doctor appointments, two regular doctor appointments, one trip to a place that is in between the hospital and going home -- oh and people I need to give you details on this place, it is like a holding area and if you don't have your family, you are in big trouble, there are no showers in this place! - then a procedure for the prostrate (men: take your saw palmetto), and home with a nurse to visit every day, and ton of drugs in his system. Drugs, drugs, drugs. It's hard out there for a 90 year old. I mean, people, you gotta prepare ...
4. I have got to start a serious excercise plan. My leg is still numb, but I don't think it's going to go away.
5. The beach. Go to the beach. I love the beach. Very healing. Day, night, afternoon - anytime. It's a great place to calm your mind and get refreshed. I love to go there and just be there.
6. Do you think you can learn something from every situation? I do. Everything that happens in your life, happens as an opportunity for your spiritual growth. You can believe that or not believe that. But lessons about ourselves and life to come are there for us everyday in what we see around us.
7. How are your surroundings? Calm? Chaotic? Spring cleaning going on? I am such a supporter of Spring Cleaning ~ it's taken me a long time to realize the truth of less is more -- but, really, the purging is good. I always feel better when I can give something to someone instead of just throw it in the garbage. And what happens, as our society is so fickle, is that things go out of style, out of fashion -- and if we are regular in our cleaning and purging of items, they are put to better use than just going to the garbage.
8. Of course, better than purging your house, is not buying more stuff than you need in the first place!!
9. You will get old. Will you be happy with what you have accomplished?
10. Make a list of what you want to accomplish before you are old.
2. I need to make a list of things I have to do for the next 100 years.
3. My father/in/law is 90. That is a tough job. He just went through 2 1/2 weeks of chaos in his life. Three times to the emergency, twice in the hospital, two emergency doctor appointments, two regular doctor appointments, one trip to a place that is in between the hospital and going home -- oh and people I need to give you details on this place, it is like a holding area and if you don't have your family, you are in big trouble, there are no showers in this place! - then a procedure for the prostrate (men: take your saw palmetto), and home with a nurse to visit every day, and ton of drugs in his system. Drugs, drugs, drugs. It's hard out there for a 90 year old. I mean, people, you gotta prepare ...
4. I have got to start a serious excercise plan. My leg is still numb, but I don't think it's going to go away.
5. The beach. Go to the beach. I love the beach. Very healing. Day, night, afternoon - anytime. It's a great place to calm your mind and get refreshed. I love to go there and just be there.
6. Do you think you can learn something from every situation? I do. Everything that happens in your life, happens as an opportunity for your spiritual growth. You can believe that or not believe that. But lessons about ourselves and life to come are there for us everyday in what we see around us.
7. How are your surroundings? Calm? Chaotic? Spring cleaning going on? I am such a supporter of Spring Cleaning ~ it's taken me a long time to realize the truth of less is more -- but, really, the purging is good. I always feel better when I can give something to someone instead of just throw it in the garbage. And what happens, as our society is so fickle, is that things go out of style, out of fashion -- and if we are regular in our cleaning and purging of items, they are put to better use than just going to the garbage.
8. Of course, better than purging your house, is not buying more stuff than you need in the first place!!
9. You will get old. Will you be happy with what you have accomplished?
10. Make a list of what you want to accomplish before you are old.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Around the house remedies
I read this column in the newspaper now and then, Dr. Gott is his name and in his column, over and over, comes up the dicussion of Vicks Vapor Rub for dried cracked heels. Well. I'm here to testify, it works!
I even bought the store brand - called Medicated Chest Rub - and it worked fine. It's been two days, and my heels are remarkably better!!
Just want to point out, be sure that you don't need to take your contact lenses out after you have applied the Rub.
Another good product from around the house is Olive Oil - it's a great makeup remover, a hair conditioner, or can be used for frizz control, any dry skin can benefit from Olive Oil.
Then there's Witch Hazel. Makes a good and inexpensive toner. Toner is very important in skin care, and witch hazel has never let me down.
I even bought the store brand - called Medicated Chest Rub - and it worked fine. It's been two days, and my heels are remarkably better!!
Just want to point out, be sure that you don't need to take your contact lenses out after you have applied the Rub.
Another good product from around the house is Olive Oil - it's a great makeup remover, a hair conditioner, or can be used for frizz control, any dry skin can benefit from Olive Oil.
Then there's Witch Hazel. Makes a good and inexpensive toner. Toner is very important in skin care, and witch hazel has never let me down.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The Electric Bill Challenge
I challenged my family to bring down the electric bill. We brought it down $2.00. Somehow. I'm not sure what that means. We did try the usual stuff, turning off lights in rooms, and this month we turned the computers off when we weren't using them (2 computers).
We did turn more things off when not in use, yes, and now this month, I am going to uplug the lamps and even the coffee machine...... I am seriously thinking of unplugging my dryer and washer when not in use but I can't get anyone to support me on this.
Actually, I would like to close all the circuit breakers in the house, with the exception of maybe the refrigerator, when we are out or not using an item, but I can't get anyone to agree with me on this issue.
The general consensus is that the people I know think that just because something is plugged in and not in use, that it is not causing the meter to turn. I strongly disagree.
I remember when Sean was about 11 we were doing some science involving electricity, and he would check the meter as I closed off different circuit breakers. Any 220V breaker that was closed off, slowed the meter down.
But since no one believes me, I'll have to check again. If indeed, it works, I may just try to see if doing that will lower my bill.
I realize that this will be an inconvenience, but if the price turns out to be right, I might be able to put up with it.
I realize to make a difference in the world, a bit of inconvenience, and maybe a lot, might be involved. I am ready to make that choice.
We did turn more things off when not in use, yes, and now this month, I am going to uplug the lamps and even the coffee machine...... I am seriously thinking of unplugging my dryer and washer when not in use but I can't get anyone to support me on this.
Actually, I would like to close all the circuit breakers in the house, with the exception of maybe the refrigerator, when we are out or not using an item, but I can't get anyone to agree with me on this issue.
The general consensus is that the people I know think that just because something is plugged in and not in use, that it is not causing the meter to turn. I strongly disagree.
I remember when Sean was about 11 we were doing some science involving electricity, and he would check the meter as I closed off different circuit breakers. Any 220V breaker that was closed off, slowed the meter down.
But since no one believes me, I'll have to check again. If indeed, it works, I may just try to see if doing that will lower my bill.
I realize that this will be an inconvenience, but if the price turns out to be right, I might be able to put up with it.
I realize to make a difference in the world, a bit of inconvenience, and maybe a lot, might be involved. I am ready to make that choice.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Save as draft 2
Common Errors of English.
(from above)
ATM” means “Automated Teller Machine,” so if you say “ATM machine” you are really saying, “Automated Teller Machine machine.”
~~~~~~~~~
I ran across that site while I was looking up the correct spelling of a word that I can't remember right now. I thought it was funny and quite useful. Not the word, the site.
My mind is like a carbonated drink right now. It's fizzing. But nothing else is happening. I have reached an over load section and must pause to try to think my way past the situation I am in. I've never been here before. I don't recognize this junction.
I have 7 "Save As Draft" entries. I can't seem to close a thought. You might say, my life is being interupted by life. It's one of those days when I can't remember how to spell.
So I'm just going to go to bed. I'll begin again in the morning.
(from above)
ATM” means “Automated Teller Machine,” so if you say “ATM machine” you are really saying, “Automated Teller Machine machine.”
~~~~~~~~~
I ran across that site while I was looking up the correct spelling of a word that I can't remember right now. I thought it was funny and quite useful. Not the word, the site.
My mind is like a carbonated drink right now. It's fizzing. But nothing else is happening. I have reached an over load section and must pause to try to think my way past the situation I am in. I've never been here before. I don't recognize this junction.
I have 7 "Save As Draft" entries. I can't seem to close a thought. You might say, my life is being interupted by life. It's one of those days when I can't remember how to spell.
So I'm just going to go to bed. I'll begin again in the morning.
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