It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

I'm on the blog because I can't bear to watch the Tigers continue to make errors all throughout Game 4 of the World Series. I can see the game if I turn, and I can hear it, but watching is causing me more stress. Gah. I'm turning into my mother. When Michigan State games get close, she goes to the next room to do some sewing, with one ear always keeping up with the action.

On that note, the State football team now holds the record for most points scored in a comeback win. Yippee. That we were down 35 points to Northwestern was pathetic enough. Heck, I knew MSU could come back and score a bajillion points with little time left – other teams do that to us all the time.

On the other note, I'm noticing Mom Ticks more and more as I get older. They are kind of like facial ticks, but more insidious. Just kidding, my mom is great. She's also noticing she's doing the same thing as her mother and says, "It's a good thing I like my mom."

I think come from a great line of women, if I do say so myself. Here's a shout out to my Grams, who just celebrated her 92nd birthday. I guarantee she's cheering on the Tigers right now. She has more fortitude than I and is sure to be watching every minute, staying up past midnight if she has to. I can only hope at 92 I'm as healthy, sharp and clever. But I probably got more of my dad's genetic tendencies and will top out much earlier than that. Ha!

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Yay, LT! The story is indeed Harrison Bergeron.

Thanks to everyone for playing. That's you, Arbed. 🙂

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This morning I was all riled up over Frank Deford's commentary on banning playing 'tag' in school. To think kids aren't allowed to be kids and run around like the crazed animals they are was disheartening.

I brought this fear of arrested development in the next generation to my workplace, where we collectively bemoaned the growing idea that competition is bad; pampering, raising a generation with a sense of entitlement and putting our kids in a bubble is good.

This reminded me of a short story from high school, where no one was supposed to be better at anything than anyone else. I think it was written in the 30s or 40s, but I could be wrong (considering I don't remember who wrote it or what it was called). What sticks in my head is a scene where our protagonist is watching ballet on TV (so I guess maybe it was in the 50s?) and some of the dancers were weighted down so they didn't jump as high as the others. The really pretty ones had to wear masks or otherwise disfigure themselves to not be more attractive than the homliest dancer.

Does anyone else remember this story? I'd love to find it again. I think I have a copy of it in my parents' basement with the rest of my crap that didn't make it out to Arizona. But that doesn't help me much right this minute. We read it at the same time as the "The Lottery" and "Brave New World". I'm pretty sure it's not BNW, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

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Yesterday in the women's locker at the Y, a little girl of maybe five or six was talking with her mom. Mom had just taken a shower and was putting on deodorant.

"Why do you use that?"

"So I don't smell. Some day you'll have to use it, too."

"But I'm not smelly."
"When you get older, you'll have to."

Mom went on explaining that as people get older, your body changes and you'll have to make your own adjustments, etc.

With a feeling not unlike relief, I thought to myself, "THERE'S a conversation I'll never have to have with my cat."

Now, I'm not anti-children, I'm just pretty darn happy and at peace with my life as it is today. Plus, I have nieces to dote on and discipline so I can at least feel like I'm playing along.

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Yesterday was a busy sports day for Michigan transplants living in Arizona. I joined the Michigan State alumni group at our bar, the Upper Deck in Scottsdale. Just because nothing ever really seems to go the Spartan way, the University of Michigan alumni group has decided they would make our bar THEIR bar as well. Aargh!

Upper Deck

As you can see, three flags were flying yesterday. The Green & White, the Detroit Tigers and the block M. You can't se the Michigan flag because I waited until a nice breeze came by to help obscure it behind the Tigers flag. I couldn't bear having it in my photo. Petty? Works for me.

Luckily, there are two levels and we tend to keep to ourselves quite a bit, mostly because it's a fairly civil rivalry. With all the cross-breeding and family ties in both institutions, we tend to tolerate each other on game days. That doesn't mean I have to like it. 

I've tried to like them, even going so far as to marry a Wolverine and after that didn't work out, date three more. I'm either a slow learner or I try to give people the benefit of the doubt more than I should. Hmmm… I suppose I'm just a slow learner.

It was great to see all the green and white folks and the blue and yellow fans wearing the classic Detroit "D" hats. I even had a fun moment standing in line with a Michigan gal when we noticed we both had the same pink "D" hat. Then we quickly parted ways.

There were cheers (them) and groans (us) for the football game and collective deafening roars for the home runs of our beloved Tigers. My friend said she was shocked so many UofM fans were Tiger fans – Wolverines usually only cheer for winning teams like themselves and the Yankees. I pointed out that Michigan is the ultimate bandwagon team so it makes sense for them to jump on board now.

We had a good laugh, but I have to believe people from Michigan will always root for the Tigers and Lions (and the Wings and Pistons), so often hoping against reason they'll finally do well. My 92 year-old grandmother is very excited today about the Tigers, and wishes her brother were still alive to see this. Then we talked about the Lions, whom she was watching at the moment. "I don't remember them ever being good you, do you?" Well, Grams – you've been following them a lot longer than I have, so no, I don't think they've ever been good.

But we still cheer. And we still hope. Perhaps one day the Spartans will follow the lead of the Tigers, rising up against perennial powerhouses, silencing the critics and providing long-suffering faithful fans the joy and exhilaration of cheering for the champions we believe they are.

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CuteOverload's very own MamaDawn has shared her famous, super yummy Bread Pudding with the world. Enjoy in good health! BONUS PUDDING – her Rich Rice Pudding is included as well!

Do you have a favorite pudding recipe to share? I don't. That's why I'm posting MamaDawn's. 🙂

MamaDawn’s Bread Pudding

6 eggs                                                  6 dinner rolls torn in small pieces

1-1/2 cups sugar                                   ¼ tsp. Salt

1-1/2 pints heavy cream                        ¼ cup milk

1 tbs vanilla                                          ¼ cup brandy or your choice liquor (optional)

¼ cup Bailey’s Irish Crème

Beat eggs until lemony yellow, add in everything else except rolls and blend together well.  Fold in bread and let soak for at least 30 minutes.  Pour into ungreased 9×13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  Serve warm with your choice of sauces.  If there are any leftovers, be sure and refrigerate them.

Brandy Sauce

1 box powdered sugar                          ½ cup butter (melted)

Brandy or bourbon or Bailey’s

Combine powdered sugar and butter and mix as well as you can.   Add brandy or other flavorings until sauce is thick but pourable.   

This will keep for weeks in the refrigerator.

Rich Rice Pudding

4 cups milk                                           2 tsp vanilla or brandy

6 eggs                                                  3 cups cooked rice

1 cup sugar                                           nutmeg

Combine all ingredients except nutmeg and pour in a large (9 X 13) pan.  Bake for 45 minutes or until custard is set and a knife comes out clean when inserted.

Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve.

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To start, let me catch up on the question: Do you play a musical instrument?

I play the alto sax in a concert band. It's a great release during the work week and the level of musicianship is fantastic. I think they 'grandfathered' me in as I was part of another band years back and my current band formed from our branch of the 'band schism' we experienced. It's amazing how cranky a volunteer group could get. Sheesh. Anyway, I've also taught myself to play the piano. Well, four songs. But it's still great to have a piano. I expanded my surface area for picture frames tremendously.

I have a small collection of photos of silly signs I've seen. This first one is from the farm. I told my dad he had better be careful – this wagon could take off on its own at any time! Watch out!

Gravity Wagon

This next picture was taken on the Navajo reservation on our way to Telluride, Colorado for the Blues & Brews Festival.

Code Talker Museum

As skeptical as we were, the display was very interesting and respectful. If I recall correctly, the owner of this restaurant is the son or grandson of one of the celebrated Code Talkers. The display is the personal collection of his father/grandfather, including photos, letters and military memorabilia.

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