Beach Treasures....

...from probably my last beach walk of 2008.

A (not so) Manic Monday

Starting off slowly and sluggishly this Monday morning, and am trying this Monday meme for the first time today. I found it here.

What is the biggest mistake you made in 2008 and will not make again in 2009?
Eating at any chain restaurant such as Chili's, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday's, T.G.I.F.'s . They are one and the same, really. Same interior, same menu(giant glossy photos, way too many pages), same sucky food.
I swear, the stuff all comes out of a box frozen and gets popped into a microwave back in the "kitchen". We ate at Chili's last night. Somehow, I knew I was going to have some kind of indigestion afterwards. J had a gift card from my parent's (a birthday gift) and we thought we would use it after the movies(we saw Doubt--go SEE it!) since we were up near there(the region of this small state where all the big box stores and chain restaurants are). I knew not to expect anything tremendous and knew to stay away from anything on the menu with the word "crisper" in it(which essentially means extra deep fried breaded chicken), so ordered a hamburger and fries--hadn't had one in a l-o-n-g time. It was good--tasted like a hamburger and fries should and I ate almost all of it. Then, of course, I woke up last night with an upset stomach and even now, I still don't feel quite right. I am sure the Margarita I drank didn't help. Live and learn. I will not set foot in one of those places this year, even if there is a gift card.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Why or why not?
Sometimes I do. Some years I didn't bother. Last year, I did say I was going to cut out sugar from my diet. Of course, by mid summer, I had forgotten about that, but I did become aware of how much sugar (and evil high fructose corn syrup) is in some foods and did naturally cut down and don't have as much of a craving for sweet foods anymore. I have not even thought of, yet, what my resolution for 2009 might be. Maybe I'll get back on the no/less sugar wagon again. I think, also, that I will stay away from beef(ground, in particular--should not have eaten that Chili's burger). I don't ever eat it at home, but I know now I will not order it in a restaurant, either.

Who do you nominate as “Man or Woman of the Year” for 2008?
Barack Obama, of course!

What was your greatest accomplishment in 2008?
Keeping my cool, always, at work, despite some antagonising and trying moments because of certain co-workers (and certain customers).

Three random thoughts

I was thinking this certain thought about a certain song that gets played during the holiday season all the past week. And then Eartha Kitt dies on Christmas Day (age 82 of colon cancer) and I was thinking--"nah..I can't write that now.."

But, here I go anyway~

I decided this year that I really hate that "Santa Baby" song. Same goes for "I saw Santa Kissing Santa Claus". It might have to do with a certain "ick factor" about Santa being a sugar daddy and possibly sexual being. Something like that. (Sorry, Eartha. I have to say you were one unique and talented lady and a wickedly awesome Cat Woman, though.)

Why do the Christmas and holiday songs suddenly vanish from the airwaves exactly at the stroke of midnight on December 26? Some places were playing Christmas songs the day after Halloween. I think they should wait later and play them a little while after Christmas. It is still Christmas to me, anyway. And if I see a thrown out Christmas tree this week, I'll scream. I don't understand that. My own husband was an "okay, Christmas is over, let's get the tree out of here" guy until I re-trained him. I try to make it until January 6. (have to say, though--the needles are already falling like crazy)

I have been watching the old Bob Newhart(the first one) and Mary Tyler Moore Show all week on TV with Mr. Friday.(some really great Christmas episodes) I never thought I would sound so "old geezer-ish" but, they really don't make them like they used to. Also, the 70's interiors(electric typewriters , ringing black dial phones with cords, macrame plant holders, wood panelled walls, fondue sets and lots of chrome furniture), fashion, hair and and even the sound of the the theme songs is entertaining.

Post Christmas Fill-In

I am still feeling a Christmas glow, a day later. And unlike previous years, I don't have the day after "Is that it?" feeling. I think it is because I have the day off and my house is neat as a pin, still, and it really looks beautiful in here with the decorations and the bright sun shining in. I just downloaded some Ian Dury songs, so have "Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 3)" playing and it puts me back in time, as if it were the day after Christmas 1981.

Also, aside from no new book (I never ever seem to get books as presents anymore), I got everything I could have hoped for this Christmas. Really.
So..since I have not done this in a few weeks, here's Janet's famous Friday Fill-in~~The Boxing Day Edition:

1. I must _____ get to Scotland before I die.

2. You can't stop _____ hope.

3. I wish I never had to buy _____ scissors again. They mysteriously disappear in this house. At one time, we had four pairs, and yet only the dullest one remains. How does this happen? We must have a scissor happy house elf.

4. Being diagnosed with A.D.D. in adulthood_____ has helped me change my life.

5. I know the ________"Oscar Meyer Bologna" song by heart. (also, I can sing the Armour Hot dogs commercial jingle all the the way through, too. What this says about me, I don't think I really want to know.)

6. If I weren't so afraid, I would _____ like to put on a one woman show of my art/illustrations in a gallery (maybe this should have been my answer for no.1?)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____ getting started on reading "The Rottweiler" by Ruth Rendell, tomorrow my plans include_____ working half a day and then going to see a movie(Doubt?) with the husband, and Sunday, I want to _____um, I really have no idea! I can't think that far ahead at this point, but it is great not having any plans for once.

The Story Of Holly And Ivy

This is a story about wishing.

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There are three favorite Christmas books I try to read every holiday season. They are Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" (have not read it this year, so far, and don't think it'll happen that I'll read it. If I am lucky, I'll catch one of the numerous movie versions of this tale on TV around Christmas), Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory", and Rumer Godden's "The Story Of Holly and Ivy".

First published in 1958 by Godden, The Story Of Holly And Ivy is a beautiful story about the things we all wish for at Christmas ~feeling loved and belonging, and...magic. Reading this book with Rachel has always made me actually feel a kind of Christmas magic, simply because the tale is so well told in Godden's words. And I always get a lump in my throat and my voice quivers (when I have read it aloud) towards the end. And it is a happy ending, let me tell you!

I insisted, after reading it to Rachel for the first time, about six years ago, that J had to read this story to his third grade class right before school gets out for the Christmas break. He has made it a tradition at his school, just like it has become a tradition here at home. His students love it and beg him not to stop reading. (he tries to space it out over two days)

In addition to the lyrical writing there are the simply perfect accompanying softly colored illustrations by Barbara Cooney (an author/illustrator I could write a whole blog about, too) in the 1985 edition which I own. It's hard to find. For some silly reason it has been out of print. There was a TV movie based on the book, The Wish That Changed Christmas, made in 1991, according to IMDb website and I wish I could view it just once. In it, Jonathan Winters is the voice of Abbracadabra, the evil toy shop owl, which I think is inspired casting.

I don't know why this story isn't more widely known. I only discovered it for the first time in my life when I saw a review of it in a children's book catalog six years ago. I now cannot imagine a Christmas without reading this book. (in fact, I will have to remind J to be sure to bring the book back home on his last day of school which is tomorrow.)

Tis True!

The oh-so-wise-and knowing Christmas Blogthings Oracle speaks again.

You Are Cider

Your holiday personality is cozy. The holidays are your favorite time to stay home, stay warm, and spend time with those you love. You don't need a lot to make you happy over the holidays. Seeing an old relative or favorite holiday film is enough to make your day.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Are they serving the cider in hollowed out apples...or mini pumpkins in that photo?

Week (mostly) in review

All's well that ends well.
I think.
Technically the week isn't over yet. I have the work day to get through, but after that a party to go to--that is a pretty good way to end the week. I have been looking back at the past week and thinking how everything is coming along nicely for Christmas.

The house was finally decorated outside with evergreen cuttings and red bows (and our Christmas tree flag--which always ends up getting twirled around the post from the wind, so we really shouldn't bother with it).

I made batches of cookie dough last night, so step one is done and we can get to the fun part on Sunday (rolling the dough out, cutting them out and baking them)

The daughter's boots ended up not being ruined after all. No, they are not real suede, even, but it would have made me mad if she wore them in the snow after I had explained when she got them that isn't what they were made for. The Mom at the friend's house made sure R wore an extra pair of snow boots.

The television is okay. Just the cable having some trouble during the storm.

We have our new dishwasher!!! We got it early and J was determined to install it himself, which he did yesterday.

Almost all gifts are wrapped (still need to pick up one more thing for my mother).

Driving around town has been enjoyably normal again (as compared to last week's Freaky Friday driving episodes--it must have been the full moon!). People seem to be in a great mood. Sometimes, walking in a store or along a sidewalk, I simply get smiled at.

I had a great time out on the "town" (there isn't much of it) shopping with friends and our daughters Thursday night. There was a trio of carolers who seemed to be following us because in nearly every shop we went into, we got to hear a different song when they showed up. I even found a perfect pair of earrings to go with the dress I am wearing to the party tonight. Gold feathers with dangly chains behind and even little tiny rhinestones. It might sound strange and yes, tacky(the rhinestones), but it's a Christmas party. Gotta glitz it up a little.

I am having second thoughts about wearing a dress and heels tonight. There is deep snow everywhere from yesterdays' storm and the house where the party is, is usually pretty drafty and cool. Still, I felt like being(and even looking like) a lady and a grown-up for once. I don't normally wear heeled shoes(if anything only boots with heels--I am more stable that way), but I found a pair of shoes I really liked (pictured above) The heel is the right height for me and they feel and look great. (I'll just pack a pair of boots in the car) Still, I always worry how I look walking in heels(it doesn't feel natural to me) and am a little afraid of my less than sure footing in them. Nothing could be worse than this (see below), though. ( I had to sneak in one more video in this week of You Tubes.. heh...heh..)

100th Post

Whoo Hoo!!
And all I have is yet another You Tube video to share. I wish I were more inspired , but I feel a little tired and brain dead today. I woke up at 4:00 in the morning for some reason and was thinking thinks and then couldn't ever really get back to sleep. Work was a mad rush in the morning because everyone was in town to get things done before the storm hit and even though I had a raging headache(something I rarely even get) and my mouth was dry (too much talking) and I was hungry and thirsty, I never stopped until 3:30. The snowy roads weren't bad. I drove home carefully and it really didn't take much longer to get home than usual. (yes, we finally have a real snowstorm with more snow on the way!)
Once my daughter gets home (she is over a friend's house and apparently left her snow boots here and wore the expensive suede ones for the snow. I am trying to calm down about that!), I think we'll take a walk through the neighborhood(with boots made for snow--NOT suede fashion boots!!) , looking at all the lights. I love it when it is all freshly blanketed in snow and the snow still falling, taking those night time walks.
Maybe after, we'll even pop the Creature Comforts "Merry Christmas" episode in the DVD player again. I love it so much--we watched it last night and it just made me so happy.
In somewhat of the same vein, here are some other speaking/singing creatures with a rather important message (sung to the tune of "Stop The Calvary"):


* Update: Scratch that night time walk in the neighborhood. It is rather blizzardy out there now. It'll have to wait. Also, scratch watching "Creature Comforts" or any TV. Something is wrong with the television or cable service. *sigh* I might have to break out a board game. (Cessie, are you reading this? ) Most likely, I'll just make cookie dough like I had planned to do tonight(but forgotten about in the excitement of the snowstorm).

You Better Watch Out....

...you better not cry! (that's me and my sister in the photo--she's the blond one--"meeting" Santa back when I was four years old. Santa Claus always visited us on Christmas Eve to distribute gifts. This happened while Daddy was out getting his pipe tobacco which he always *inconveniently* forgot on Christmas Eve and so always just missed Santa's arrival at our house. I remember being absolutely terrified of Santa--loved the toys, of course, but it was a huge relief once he had gone.)

This is turning out to be a week of You Tube videos, but I couldn't resist sharing this one.

If one were to look at this from a psychological point of view, you could sort people into two types--children who are eager and happily excited to meet Santa (or, ahem...Santa's Helper) and those that are horrified by the idea. Actually, there might be a third category which I would fall into. The type that wasn't too thrilled and more than a little afraid of Santa in person, but stoically endured(no tears or protest, but not a very happy look on my face, I am sure) the ordeal of having to sit on his lap and mumble a few words to him.

Release the Holiday Hounds

What common breed of dog are YOU? (pssst..I'm a Greyhound, of course!)

I have had greyhounds on the brain for last the day or so.

There is a lovely image on a painted floor of what appears to be a greyhound at Content In A Cottage very recently, too.

I don't know if we'll ever adopt another dog, but....every time we see (meaning my daughter and I--Mr. Friday keeps mum about the entire subject) a greyhound, we want one so badly. (I keep saying I want to adopt a greyhound for my 50th birthday...) Such grace and beauty and those eyes! Since our Jewel has Italian Greyhound(miniature version) in her, we often see that same look with the big soft eyes and that sweet shy glance. And to feel the sleek coat of a greyhound is like touching the softest, silkiest peach fuzz.

There are always plenty of retired greyhounds looking for a home ( there are still dog tracks in this state as well as neighboring states Massachusetts and Connecticut) and the rescue groups who help place these dogs in loving homes are to be commended. Before there were these groups, many greyhounds were simply destroyed (some in not such humane ways, either)

I am always told by the owners of these adopted dogs that they make perfect, well behaved loving "couch potato" companions(needing not as much exercise as you would think). Even if we never do bring one of these long and lean canines into our lives, I still love admiring them and even seeking out videos of them. Here's one from the last Christmas season, created by a gentleman in the UK. It's got Greyts, witty commentary, a soft Scots accent and good Christmas music. What's not to like?

Music for Monday

Even though it isn't really a "Christmas " movie, I like watching Love Actually before the holidays, since it is set during Christmastime. This scene near the end of the film, with the school kids performing for their families in a Christmas show, is a favorite. Where's Olivia Olson these days?

A Happy Ending

Even though I didn't like how they called Emer a "fugitive" (makes him sound like he robbed a bank or something), I was glad to read in this morning's paper that the emu on the loose ( last Sunday's story here) was safely caught and returned to his farm. In the middle of last week, when icy rain was falling and cold and miserable out, I was thinking of that bird and wondering how he would survive.

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Emer the fugitive emu is captured

in Burrillville horse barn after weeks on the run

Sunday, December 14, 2008
By Linda BorgJournal Staff Writer
BURRILLVILLE — Emer the gallivanting emu has been found.
After eluding capture for four weeks, the 130-pound bird was lured into a Harrisville horse barn and trapped. His happy owner, Pamela Hood of Foster, was on her way to pick him up late yesterday afternoon and had to let everyone know that he was safe.
“We are very, very excited,” she said. “We want to thank all the residents of Burrillville and everyone else who has helped.”
Emer, who stands 6 feet tall, took off after Hood’s pig staged a farmhouse coup, lifting the livestock gate off its hinges. All three emus lighted out for territory but the mother and baby returned home.
Not Emer, who went on to have quite an adventure, roaming miles of woods, even wandering into a Burrillville homeowner’s backyard. Not even three rounds of tranquilizer darts could bring him down.
The case of the missing emu made headlines, including a brief mention on NBC’s Today show. Hood, however, is relieved that the saga and the media attention are over.

Thank you, young lady in the Jetta!

You have restored my faith in humankind. Heh....heh....

If it hadn't been for that one polite and civilised blonde college age girl who let me into traffic yesterday afternoon, I think I was truly going to either explode or break down and cry right there in my own car.

I had about five or six trying encounters (although I don't know if I can really say "encounter" when it involves people behind steering wheels and encased in automotive steel) yesterday that are still bugging me today. I know I should be over it....but obviously it is still bothering me.

I absolutely HATE rudeness in daily life. I try to be polite. It's just me--can't help it. Maybe that is why I like "insult comics" like Don Rickles so much--maybe it is because I can never bring myself to be that impolite as much as deep down, I might like to.

Anyway, yesterday around 1:00, I decided to step out for a lunch break from work and treat myself to a tuna pocket from D'Angelo's--a sandwich place basically around the corner. Being that it was cold and windy out and I hadn't dressed right (weird temperature changes in the last two days--from 57*F to 32*F so I don't even know what kind of coat to wear in the morning), I got in my car to take what I thought would be a quick trip for my lunch and back again.

Even before I left the parking lot, I got a taste of vehicular rudeness. In this country, I "thought" everyone knows that we drive to the right side, and I was waiting to turn left onto the road at the RIGHT side of the parking lot when I notice this other car come up alongside the LEFT of me and starts inching out towards the road as well, so obviously now I cannot even see the oncoming traffic beyond this car looming out beside me. Why couldn't this car simply wait behind me, and THEN inch it's way forward? That's what I would have done. I just found it rude, but calmed down once I did eventually get out on the road (after this car, mind you!!).

So, I drove a few feet and there was a green light for me to pass through, when I had to slam on my brakes right at the light because a car coming from the other direction decided to attempt to turn into another entrance right in front of me!! The man in the car did slow down when he saw me, but it was pretty close and by this time I was a little rattled. What's going on?

I turn the next corner and then park in the lot of the sandwich place. I start to walk across the small lot to the building when I have to stop short because a car comes barreling into the lot , without even slowing down when the driver saw me. Maybe he DIDN'T see me? This driver was in a hurry, obviously, because he was parked and out of his car and directly behind me in the line inside and I HATED that!! Ha...ha....you should have seen the look I gave him but I really think he was oblivious to it anyway, so a lot of good that did. If I were brave enough, I should have brought up the fact that he should slow down and try not to run people over. But I didn't because I am a wuss.

I leave with the sandwich(and as I was approaching the exit, a car came in the "wrong" way and cut right in front of me in the lot to zoom into an empty space at the convenience store--almost forgot about that) and decide I need to calm down and get over how people were really making me nuts (there were a few incidents in the morning at the shop with certain strange customers, as well) --and decide to buy the day's paper from the drugstore so I could sit down and read it while I ate back at the store. I knew ahead of time that I might make myself more crazy because this drugstore is in a gigantic building with the world's tiniest lot where usually it is hard to maneuver around the giant SUV's and huge pick-up trucks on the best of days. But I thought I would risk it.

As I am stopped with my left-turn blinker on, and just about to turn when there is a break in the oncoming traffic, a giant car with an elderly man comes out of the nowhere it seems, and plants himself and this huge beast of a car in front of me and the rest of the road so all the cars have to stop while he slowly decides to inch forward. (and believe me, it did occur to me that this elderly man may have been having just as bad a time trying to make his way around town, dealing with the Friday afternoon traffic.)

Finally (and I am muttering obscene things now) I get in the tiny lot without a problem, go inside, and make my purchases. But when I come out with my newspaper and a pack of gum, I step off the sidewalk and have to once again (!) stop short because of a car with two women in it that comes roaring along and even though I am already partly out in the lot, the driver doesn't let me continue on, let alone slow down! By this time I think I am going crazy and was thinking maybe I am imagining that this is all happening to me? Maybe I have had days where I was in a fog and did these kinds of things to other people--drivers and pedestrians , so this day was payback time?

I got in the car and really felt personally offended by all the rudeness and I knew I was being silly but I felt like I was going to cry. I was all hyper sensitive about what had just happened and it isn't even PMS time. Why was I letting this all bother me so much? I decided to unwrap my sandwich and eat it in the car while I read the paper. I just wasn't ready to drive again and and was feeling a little shaky by this time and needed to eat. I was somewhat calmed down after I ate, but was still mulling over all the little incidents that had occurred in the last 20 minutes or so. I just wanted to get safely back to work (really!) and maybe blow off a little steam by telling the co-worker about it all.

Now, I was on guard and driving defensively, ready for anything--really expecting more rudeness on the mean streets of Wakefield. (how could I ever cope with a place like New York or LA? I know I couldn't ever drive in those places)

I leave the lot and am waiting a very short while to make a right turn back onto the street, when the young girl in the nice silver VW Jetta is--what?!-- actually slowing down and waving me in ?? I waved back to her once my car had turned and was in front of her's. She'll never know, of course, how much I needed a person like her to come along at that moment.

Later that night, I saw on the TV news that there was a full moon out. Maybe this is what influenced all the kooky driving? Or influenced my too touchy responses to the incidents? I ended up having a very good night after dropping R off at a friend's house for a slumber party because J and I went out to Red Stripe for the first time. We were very pleasantly surprised by the great food and prices--see menu above--and the atmosphere ( with jazzy Christmas songs playing in the background and cozy booths with a brasserie flair) in there and we are definitely going back. I had their Shepherd's Pie. There's nothing like some good old comfort food with your handsome best friend in the whole world, on a cold night and after a mean day behind the steering wheel.

I have to add I had one more incident, when I went to pick up some photo prints after leaving R at her friend's house at another drugstore near my house. Once again, I was waiting at the end of the exit lane with my left turn signal on and I was shocked when I noticed a car squeezing up alongside my car on the left, and trying to turn left onto the road (instead of waiting behind me), as well! There isn't a second lane, though! Or was there? Now I was beginning to doubt myself and was beginning to think it is me who is the horrible driver. I just don't get it! I am also beginning to think I must have missed the news that it is now okay to create one's own road rules. ( is it the German in me that gets indignant when people don't follow the rules? LOL!) This is Rhode Island after all...I think we have the worst drivers after New Jersey and New York, last I heard. Maybe we are Number One now.

Rain, Rickles and other Random Thoughts

A few thoughts~ three, actually~ before I get into bed (the rain is beating on the window and that always makes me want to cozy up under the covers with a book.)

One: I just love Don Rickles. He was interviewed on NPR last week (he has written a book fairly recently), and then today I saw him with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. Actually, I was in the kitchen, washing the dishes (by hand...oh the hardship of it all! Don't worry, though...the dishwasher is on order and due in a week and a half after Christmas) when I heard his unmistakable voice coming from the TV in the other room. So, I rushed in and plopped down on the couch to see him. I think it is because he was never, let's say...a good-looking guy even when he was very young-- that now that he is 80 years old (or 81? 82?) he actually looks really good for his age. He seems all there and vibrant and as funny as ever (completely cracking Jon Stewart up!). Absolutely and hilariously politically incorrect, sure, but he's a legend and basically he makes fun of everyone, himself included (and still writes all his own material, like he has always done--learned that from the NPR interview).
I remember him from all the times he was on TV when I was younger. It was a treat when he was on then, and still a treat now! I don't even think I got all the jokes and banter then, but he still had a way of making me laugh. Heck, I wish they would bring C.P.O. Sharkey back!! (I can still hear Rickles yelling "Pru-itt!") I also get this feeling that underneath, he is a very kind man. After all, he is still married to his first wife after 43 years, and he still talks lovingly about his supportive mother. I am going to look for his book in the library the next time I go. And, I need to find out if any of the old C.P.O. Sharkey episodes are available on DVD.


Two: I ate way too much left-over bean soup and rice tonight and feel very full. Since J was going out with his buddies I didn't want to bother with any cooking, so it was "eat-up-whatever-was-left- in-the-fridge" night. The bean soup had turned into more of a chili-like stew and I ate it over left-over rice and went back for seconds because no one else wanted it and I thought I might as well finish it up. I should have stopped at one bowlful. Owf!

Three: Christmas is 13 days away and we still haven't gotten our tree (all the presents that we have gotten so far and wrapped, are piling up on an extra chair where the tree will eventually go..whenever that is!) or even dressed up the window boxes. Of course, with this miserable cold rain (all snow washed away now and deadly brown out--not a Winter Wonderland by any means), we can't be out there doing up the boxes with greens, anyway. Our friend who always lets us have some holly from his bushes hasn't come by yet (hate to ask again...hope he remembers us, though), and if it rains again tomorrow it'll be another day that our house will look like the House Of No Christmas Cheer. I hope to change that by this Sunday, though.

Tis The Season...

...for the mail order catalog, even in these more thrifty , cost-cutting times.
About a month ago, the catalogs came rolling in. As a kid, I loved poring over the pages of the Sears Wish Book (pages and pages of toys and those disturbing matching couples outfits) and the Miles Kimball catalog (always wanted the personalised pencils and the bobbing drinking bird but never got one) And, I still love looking through the mail order catalogs, even though I rarely, rarely ever actually buy anything from them.
Just about every day (although it has turned into a trickle now, the closer Christmas approaches), the mailbox has about two or three catalogs--the old standbys like L.L. Bean and Gardener's Supply Company , the "wish-I-could-order-one-thing-from-every-page" clothing catalogs like Boden and Soft Surroundings, and the "fun-to-look-through-but never-order-anything-from" gift catalogs like Signals, Wine Enthusiast and Wireless.

The Signals and Wireless catalogs, especially, have all those T-shirts and sweatshirts with the clever phrases on them. I am not the type that wears any clothing with writing (or logos, for that matter) on them, so I would never wear any of the shirts, but enjoy chuckling at them anyway. They would make great bumper stickers!
Here are a few of the gems from within the catalog's pages:

I Used To be A Millionaire

Then Mom Threw Out My Baseball Card Collection

(which makes me think of my own mother throwing out my sister's and my own bubble gum card collection-baseball, hockey and football cards from the late 60's and early 70's--we still try to make my mother feel guilty about that )

To Err Is Human

To Arrrr Is Pirate

(with a skull and crossbones wearing an eye patch illustration)

I Will Conquer My Procrastination Problem.

Just You Wait!

Some of the gift items are hilarious, too, but really...after the novelty wears off, do the receivers actually use these things? Like the giant baseball bat pepper grinder ,

or
the little red "Going To Grandma's" cape(admittedly, very cute..)

The item that made me laugh the most however, was this:

Because nothing evokes the spirit of Christmas better than a Yoda Santa, right?

Emer the Emu on the run in backwoods of R.I.

Hanging out reading the paper while huge snowflakes fall outside my window--our first real snowfall and close to two inches now, with the snow still falling.
This story about an escaped emu (from an animal sanctuary in the northern part of this state) was a little different from the rest of the depressing news on the front page of the

Providence Journal's Sunday edition. The pig in the picture is who assisted with the escape by lifting the latch to the gate with her snout.

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FOSTER — The pig let the emu out of the pasture.
She’s a big pig. The emu, of course, is even bigger: 6 feet tall and 130 pounds. The pig used her snout to lift the livestock gate right off its hinges, and all three of Pamela Hood’s emus took off.
There was no catching them. The emu can sprint up to 30 mph. For reasons known only to emu experts, the mommy and baby emus returned home. But daddy is still on the run.
His name is Emer. His favorite food is grapes. And he’s got an emu egg back home that he should be sitting on. (Daddy emus incubate the eggs.)
“He has a wife and a kid,” Hood said by phone yesterday. “They’re missing him. I can tell they’re distressed. They’re not eating like they normally do. They’re pacing the fence line. They’re calling…”
By calling she means the deep, strumming noise that emus make.
It’s been nearly three weeks since the emu ran off. Since then, the daddy has roamed miles of woods, visiting the backyard of a Burrillville home along the way. He has eluded animal control officers and withstood three rounds of darted tranquilizers. An attempt to capture him with a stronger tranquilizer, Hood said, will be made today or tomorrow.

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You can read the rest here.

I hope all ends well for this bird on the loose and that he'll soon be safely reunited with his emu family at the farm.

Back Again....

After my self-involved kvetching about having to work today, I got out early and a few things happened there that really changed my mood and attitude towards life. Who would have thought? Might blog about it later (or tomorrow). I found two Christmas cards waiting for me when I got home, too--so far we have received three and I have sent two out. (one of the cards is from truthsearcher and it is pretty enough to hang on the tree as an ornament. Not that we have a tree yet.)
Right now I feel energized and am just about ready to head out the door to run some errands and do some food shopping.
But...before I leave, it's Saturday Blogthing Time:

You Are a Maine Coon Cat

You tend to be loving and playful around your family and friends. But when you're around strangers you tend to be a bit reserved. You are intuitive. You understand human emotions well. You do best when you are around people. You don't like being left alone.

What Breed of Cat Are You?

This sounds a good deal like me (except I really don't mind being left alone), and that cat in the picture looks exactly like the Maine Coon named Max that my parents had for years. One day he simply disappeared and we think he must have been attacked by a coyote or something.

This is almost a "oh-woe-is-me", cranky Sat. morning entry. I was asked to come in to work today and even though I of course was looking forward to not being at that place for two days (especially after a crazy and exhausting Friday on the job), I said "why, yes I would come in."

i need
more time..more time to get things done here at home and more time in general.

i want
a job where there isn't so much drama sometimes. Not having to deal with the general public might be nice for a time, too. (yeah, yeah...I know deep down that I am lucky to have a job in this economy...but....gotta complain anyway.)

i listen
to silence on a Satuday morning. No birds singing, everyone else asleep...only the hum of the monitor.

i feel

drained and lifeless today--not the best way to begin the day.

i watch
it becoming lighter outside-- the sky a gentle baby aspirin peachy pink behind the trees

i play
not so much lately--being on the internet for a half hour this morning is as close to playing as I might get today.

i read
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman--got through two chapters only so far and nearly dropped it in the tub last night.

i eat
some Trader Joe's boxed granola cereal and milk--not as good as I had hoped. Need (more time!) to make some granola from scratch...

*Update:

I am now at work and determined to be in a better mood. As I drove in, I listened to a radio account of living conditions in North Korea and the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. Makes my pitiful complaining seem pretty lame.

Fill-in for Friday

I missed doing this for the last few weeks.

1. Snow _____ is white.



2. I'm looking forward to _____snow!(haven't had any stick around here yet this season)



3. My hair stylist(s)_____ is (are) the best _____ hair cutters ever!



4. One of my favorite old TV shows is _____Cheers.



5. I'm done with _____ always being Mrs. Nice Gal (she says for the umpteenth time).



6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is _____the lights and decorations at night.



7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____relaxing with my family, tomorrow my plans include _____ giving my dog her injection and Sunday, I want to _____make merry! (a birthday brunch for J and then later in the day, R is singing Christmas carols with her school chorus at the tree lighting ceremony down by the Pier )

Jumpin' Jive

I was looking for a version of Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters singing Mele Kalikimaka on You Tube earlier this week (since it started as an earworm on Monday morning) but wasn't able to find it. Manders was able to and you can see the video on her blog. Yay!
However, as it tends to happen at You Tube, one click leads to another click and you discover videos you had no idea you even wanted to see. I found an amazing clip from 1943's "Stormy Weather". I can't decide which is the more amazing--Cab Calloway hep-hepping "Jumpin' Jive" performanace with the band, or The Nicholas Brother's tap dancing. As one of the commentors over on You Tube said--"Zounds!"
Be sure to watch until the very end--the stairs part with the "splits" that made me wince in awe is worth waiting for.
Oh, and, if anyone cares...I am still not liking my wine (so strange) and have been drinking Orangina and/or tea in the evenings.

Two Two Tuesday

Two mismatched gloves.......

Tis the season..... for left-behind gloves and mittens.
I saw these two on a fence post at the entrance to the Rome Point path earlier today when I took Jewel there for her Tuesday run through the woods. There was even a blog , One Cold Hand, dedicated to lost gloves and mittens. Does anyone ever come back for their lost mitten (or hat), I wonder?? I always see them left by the finder in a prominent spot on a fence or post.

Right after I posted that blog last night, my mood changed completely because..well, first of all--I had poured a glass of Merlot and went to drink it and it tasted awful! All metallic in my mouth. So, I thought it had gone off, so poured it out and opened a new bottle of Chilean wine. I let it breath a few moments. Then poured it into my glass (and one for J, too). It still tasted metallic and slightly vinegary in my mouth. J said it tasted fine to him. Have I lost my taste for red wine? I'll have to experiment again this evening to see if it was me and my taste buds last night or I can't drink red wine anymore?! Perish the thought!

Then, I went to back to the kitchen and was clearing off the counter where the wine bottle and opener had been and I noticed the floor underneath felt...funny. The wood had become all bumpy underneath. I hadn't even noticed this earlier in the day. J came over and we realised it was in the spot right by the dishwasher, which had just finished running. He pulled up some of the wood and sure enough, there was water underneath which had caused the floor to buckle. Now, this dishwasher has not been cleaning properly since the weekend....so we both came to the sad, sad conclusion that our dishwasher ...ist kaput!!
Crap! Right before Christmas, too.
I really don't want to spend the money, but just thinking of washing dishes by hand (always was one of my most hated chores) and the dishes piling up in the sink makes me ill. Maybe we can have it repaired....we shall see.....

Now that I am in a completely different frame of mind this morning, as compared to my mood yesterday , I had to laugh at the pitiful photo of the moon and barely detectable planets that I bothered to put up here. I'll leave it, though. R was really excited about locating Venus and Jupiter--just as her teacher had explained it.
One good thing--our first gingerbread house that we finished decorating last night turned out cute...cute!! (the plan is to make one more) I'll have to take a photo of it (before it goes off to Mr. Friday's classroom tomorrow). I was pleasantly surprised that the gingerbread parts (pre-made and wrapped in cellophane from a kit) were not as rock-hard and cardboard-like as I had thought they would be. It actually smelled like gingerbread, and if the kids eventually want to dismantle it and eat it, I won't be too worried. I saw on the box that the ingredients are from Canada, and it is more comforting to me that it was made in Canada rather than China.

**Well, here are some "two" questions for this the 2nd of December on a....Twoesday. ;-)

1. What two things do you “have” to wear when it is chilly/cold outside?

Well...duh...
Gloves or mittens
and a hat...
A scarf or muffler is optional but I almost always wear one (I have a good collection)

2. What are two good things about wintry weather?
1. being able to do things indoors without out that feeling like you NEED to be outside like I feel in the warmer months. I don't have that same pull, even though I get out everyday year-round because of the dog and her walks (as evidenced by the photos from today's walk, above)
2. feeding the birds and watching them come to the feeders (although the squirrels rile me up with their greedy,and I'll admit, clever, thievery).

3. What two things do you really dislike about wintry weather?
1. That you can't simply wander outside barefoot and in your pajamas to drink your morning coffee outside. (like I tend to do in summer)
2. icy road conditions for driving

4. On average, how cold does it get in your city/town and how long does the cold weather last?
1. We very rarely get near 0* F(-18*C) or even in the single digits during the daytime. Usually it is between 20*F and 36*F (-7*C and 2*C) during the day, I think. Being near the ocean keeps it warmer than further inland.
2. From here on in until even early April, it is basically winter (by mid March I am sick of it)

5. Would you rather be stuck at home because of a blizzard or flooding?
a blizzard… most definitely. I have been housebound during blizzards, some bigger than others, and have obviously survived to tell the tale. I was stuck for a week at home back in 1978 during the famous Blizzard Of '78--lots of shovelling out and endless games of Monopoly in front the the fireplace because there was no electricity or heat for a time there.
However, I have seen flooding on the news and hope that disaster never happens to me--yes, snow and ice and cold can kill and cause damage(collapsed roofs under the weight of snow, for instance), but flooding from water seems far worse.

First of December's random thoughts....

..on what started out as a dreary (meaning dark) slightly sluggish Monday morning.
Sleeping between flannel sheets makes waking up in the dark on a Monday extra hard. J had to tell me the alarm went off the second time, and it was a good thing he did because I was already drifting back into a cozy snooze, enveloped in that warm, fuzzy flannel cocoon.


By the time I got out the door with the dog, the sun was coming out and it turned out to be a colorful day. (kind of like stepping into the Land of Oz...)


Driving in to town for work, I saw a little fluffy white dog on a leash, wearing a red and green tartan coat--very festive!

Further down the road, I noticed a young lady running from her door to her car, and she was wearing a bright yellow down vest, pink sweatpants, and a red Santa hat -- another festive sight!

And then, at the second light before the frame shop, I was stopped behind an electric blue little Honda with hot pink hubcaps (don't know if that is the correct word--what is on the outside of the car's tires) and a back license plate that read "MELVIN".(the name of the driver? Or the car?) Very cool and strange in a dorky smile-inducing way. :-)

The customers at work weren't so colorful, but that is probably a good thing. I don't need "colorful" characters on a Monday. The morning was busy but without too many interruptions, so I got everything taken care of by the time I had to leave (especially important knowing I won't be there tomorrow).

Even though it isn't very colorful (and the photo is not good at all--it was the best we could do with our digital camera with no telephoto lens), the photo below shows what R and I saw from our backyard at about 5:00 this evening. It's the moon (a lovely crescent shape), and Venus (at the "elbow" of the angle ) and the tiniest light(to the right--may have to increase the size of the pic to see it) is Jupiter. How do I know this? Well, Rachel was told by her teacher to look for this "right angle" line-up of the moon and two planets tonight. It wasn't possible to get a shot without a bare tree branch in the picture.

One more thing--all day I had Mele Kalikimaka stuck in my head! R was playing the song last night(the Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters version, of course!), then was singing it at breakfast, so of course she passed it on to me.

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say

On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day

That's the island greeting that we send to you

From the land where palm trees sway .....

Post Thanksgiving....

I am just now trying to catch up with my usual routine after having had my brother and his family staying here for a few days (they left for home in Pennsylvania this morning). So, it might take me a few days to write a proper blog entry. I'm still picking up stray Lego blocks and getting used to a quiet home again.

Right now, I have to get away from the computer and get going with the gingerbread house I mentioned wanting to make to my daughter yesterday. (she obviously did not forget!). Don't worry--it is one of those hard-as-rock already baked ones from a kit. Just need to use the Spackle icing (cement) to put it together and then we can decorate it. Actually, the plan is to make two--one for the husband's classroom and one for here at home. Let the Christmas decorating begin! (already dragged out the Christmas CD's and cassettes, and books yesterday)

Thanksgiving Day

Off in a few hours to Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house.
I made the Greek-style green beans last night, and J bought the pies (one pumpkin, one Boston Creme) from the culinary arts department at the high school, so there is nothng to do until then but get dressed, walk the dog and read the newspaper. A little free time and peace and quiet--there's one thng to be thankful for.

This is is what was in a good size box on my door step today!!
A basket sent up from Pennsylvania, crammed with English muffins, crumpets, jams, tea, cinnamon rolls and cake! My brother and sister-in-law sent it. They'll be staying with us for the next few days (with my niece and nephew), and it looks like they are taking care of breakfast. How thoughtful of them...
I took everything out of the basket and put in the fridge to keep it all fresh.


Now I have another basket!! It seems I somehow always end up with more baskets than I can use. (although, this one is better than most, with sides made of wood and metal handles--a keeper.). They are good to have on hand for gifts, but somehow we always end up at square one, because whenever one is given away, we get one , too. It think this accumulation of baskets is common for everyone, since there are always plenty of them at yard sales.

On a completely unrelated tangent--I saw a very interesting sight today. I was coming back from my haircut and was stopped at a red light at a busy four-way intersection in town. Waiting to my right, was a mondo huge SUV with two people in the front seat, both speaking into their cell phones at the same time. Yes, sitting side by side, yet having separate conversations...
Another strange thing (to me, anyway) was that the driver looked to be about 12 years old and in the passenger seat was apparently the mother. I am sure the young-looking man must have been at least 16, but...he looked like a little boy.

A Nice (and easy) Indian Pudding Recipe

A Nice Indian Pudding

No. 1. 3 pints scalded mild, 7 spoons fine Indian meal, stir well together while hot, let stand till cooled; add 7 eggs, half pound raisins, 4 ounces butter, spice and sugar, and bake one and half hour.

No. 2. 3 pints scalded milk to one pint meal salted; cool, add 2 eggs, 4 ounces butter, sugar or molasses and spice q.s. it will require two and half hours baking.

No. 3. Salt a pint meal, wet with one quart milk, sweeten and put into a strong cloth, brass or bell metal vessel, stone or earthern pot secure from wet and boil 12 hours.
from Amelia Simmons, American Cookery (Hartford, 1796)

**************

***

I ended up making Indian Pudding for Saturday night's dinner and came home with an empty pudding bowl and have been thinking of making it again ever since. I was *almost* going to do it today since I had the day off, but got caught up with too many other things(guests staying here Thursday through Sunday, so have to get the house straightened first)

The following recipe is the one I eventually decided to use. It is an easy recipe adapted for the modern kitchen--no hours in the oven, no scalding of milk before adding the cornmeal...and it came out delectably delicious, so I don't think I would even ever try making it any other way. (there are other ways of making it with the longer cooking times, too, but I think they must come out about the same)

I got the following recipe out of Linda Beaulieu's The Providence And Rhode Island Cookbook. Don't be put off the by the odd combination of ingredients or the rather plain brownness of it--it is quite delicious (did I already write that?). I had not had Indian Pudding in some time, and now I can't get it off my mind. I think I am in love ! (might have to make it for my guests...my brother and his family who are all picky eaters, so I may end up having to eat most of it..heh..heh..)

Narragansett Indian Pudding

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal * I happened to have a bag of stone ground white cornmeal in the fridge--used for making R.I. jonnycakes (in R.I., there is never an "h" in Jonnycake!), and the taste is the same. White corn meal is made from a different strain of corn with light colored kernels instead of yellow.

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups of milk, divided (I used whole milk)

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

1/4 dark, unsulphered molasses (since I love the taste of molasses, I added a bit more..)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Whipped cream, Hard Sauce or Vanilla Ice Cream

****************************************************************************************

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Stir in 1 1/2 cups milk and the melted butter. Cook over medium-high heat until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the beaten egg, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk. Stir into the cornmeal mixture. Mix well. Pour into a 1 or 2 quart casserole.

Bake, uncovered, for about 1 hour ( I adjusted this because my oven gets too hot, so baked it at 275 for a little longer than an hour), or until a knife inserted into the pudding comes out clean. Serve warm with topping of choice.