This will be a short post, just to say goodbye to 2009, and the first decade of the century and the millennium. I'm not going to dwell on much, but I want to say goodbye to a few things, release them and move on.
This has not been a bad time, but it is marked with significant losses for me. I loss both parents in 2000. Next was the loss of my husband of 31 years, in 2005. My three Shih Tzus, my faithful companions for over 15 years, left, one in 2006 and the other two in 2008. And in the last month, I've been hit with health concerns that have rocked my world, and not in the good way.
Conversely, during this period I've gained new family members through birth and marriage, and it has lifted my heart seeing how these family additions have added to the joy in my life and those with whom they directly belong. I've returned to my native New Mexico, found a home that I love, and gained new friends who fill my heart. I've watched grandchildren grow into wonderful young people. I've learned a great deal about myself, possibly the best being that I know I'm a lot stronger than I would have imagined a few years ago.
This last year has brought me peace of mind in simply knowing I am capable of several things that I doubted before. As those things became known to me, some of them also evaporated before my eyes, but that's OK! I'm happy that I had the experiences, and my life is fuller because of them. I'm not liking the way my health has been challenged, but I'm not despairing, and hopefully 2010 will be a portal to a better plane.
Happy New Year to everyone! May peace and love fill your lives and happiness overflow in your presence.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Icicles
I have icicles.
Look at this one.
That one is just under four feet long! Do I have icicles or what??????
Look at this one.
That one is just under four feet long! Do I have icicles or what??????
Post holiday rest
Spending the holidays with me will wear you out! Really, I'm rough to keep up with. Point in case ....
"Mo-o-o-o-o-o-om!!! Enough already!"
Or is that ".... g.o ....... a.w.a.y ...."?
Jazi
Joey
Lazy Lolita!
Joey
Lazy Lolita!
Max
Sammy
Sammy
"Mo-o-o-o-o-o-om!!! Enough already!"
Or is that ".... g.o ....... a.w.a.y ...."?
Really, they can't keep up with this ol' lady! hee hee hee!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Odd and humorous
How funny!!
I was just watching an old rerun of "According to Jim," with Julie Newmar as a guest star, in which she is his neighbor and they have an ongoing feud lasting several years. I began wondering about how old she is. I googled her and found this at Wikipedia:
"A legal battle with her neighbor, Jim Belushi, ended amicably with an invitation to co-star on his sitcom According to Jim in an episode ("The Grumpy Guy") that poked fun at the feud. ]"
Seriously, how strange is that???
I was just watching an old rerun of "According to Jim," with Julie Newmar as a guest star, in which she is his neighbor and they have an ongoing feud lasting several years. I began wondering about how old she is. I googled her and found this at Wikipedia:
"A legal battle with her neighbor, Jim Belushi, ended amicably with an invitation to co-star on his sitcom According to Jim in an episode ("The Grumpy Guy") that poked fun at the feud. ]"
Seriously, how strange is that???
Sunday, December 27, 2009
I can read! Again!
I have discovered something very interesting in the last few days. You recall that I was gifted with a Kindle a few days ago, thanks to my darling daughter and her equally darling husband. After it was charged, I played with it to learn the basics of operation, then downloaded the books that TL had already downloaded to her own. I began reading, and now, five days later, I'm about half-way through my second book. This probably doesn't sound unusual to you, and for someone who was once an avid reader as I was my whole life, it wouldn't be. I read voraciously from the minute I learned to read until I was in my late 30's. Then I began to struggle with reading.
Now I need to digress for a bit of history ....
When I was in grad school I was 43 years old. I did my degree in one year, all 44 hours of it. It was taxing, but I was eager to get finished so I could move on to the next stage of my life. You see, I still had one child at home, a husband, and a job, so having school behind me meant I could have a more normal life. I had been in school (undergrad) for 6 years, and during that time there had been my two kids at home, then one leaving to go off to college, a step-daughter coming home for a few months with a husband and the first grandchild born during that time, plus all the normal goings-on of life.
It was an often chaotic home, and I learned to study with earphones and classical music to block out the commotion to be able to study. I had learned to be very focused and concise by eliminating reading anything that was superfluous. By the time I was in grad school, I was well-trained in this. It's a good thing, as I don't know I could have done the accelerated program otherwise. Read only what was essential, read it well, then read other things only when I had time, which was rare.
During this time, I did not read for pleasure. "Pleasure" was gone out of reading. Don't misunderstand, I still hungered and wanted to read. But I limited my reading to Reader's Digest, read cover to cover in one evening, usually. I found my studies to be fascinating and wished I could read more. I had taken a speed reading class in undergrad, and it helped a lot, but I still didn't read for pleasure. My pleasure at that period was was time spent with the family. Example: My daughter was a cheerleader in high school, and I went to games, studying during athletic play, stopping to watch my darling girl perform, then back to studying. I love sports, but I had to make a choice.
Out of grad school and employed in my field, I thought I'd get back to reading, but I found that I could no longer keep my focus attuned to reading a whole book. I could not read a whole chapter in a sitting! Sometimes, getting an entire page read was a task. I've been this way since. I've tried and tried to read, but the printed word was almost beyond me, as I would begin reading and then find my mind wandering off to laundry or vacuuming or gardening or....
In the last four years, I've been enjoying audio books, again with thanks to my sweet TL. She gave me a gift certificate at Cracker Barrel so while I was traveling I could rent audio books. I was afraid my attention would wander, but NO! I found myself slurping up audio books as fast as I could rent them! Since getting settled here, I've rented audio books at the pace of one or two a week.
In the ensuring time, I've talked with several others who have experienced similar paths, particularly during and following pursuit of upper levels of study. They have all said the same thing .... the pressure of copious amounts of reading alongside research, writing, etc., forced each of them to curtail pleasure reading. Several of them, like myself, have resorted to audio books. Don't misunderstand, audio books rock! I love that I can put a book in the CD player and clean house while I listen. Multitasking is great! But I've missed reading, putting my own inflections and being able to pause to ponder a point.
Are you getting the connection here?
Yes, I'm reading at a quick pace again, printed word, albeit, electronically printed! I'm reading WHOLE BOOKS with my own eyes again! I'm loving my Kindle! I honestly wasn't sure I would, mostly because of the problem of reading print, but I find I have to pretty much force myself to put it down every once in a while to do a task (or write a post on the blog!! LOL). I also find the "page" on the Kindle to be so crisp and clear that it is easier on the eyes than is the paper-printed page.
I'm once again reading avidly! It took almost 30 years to return to the written version, but here I am, and I'm crazy about it!
Now I need to digress for a bit of history ....
When I was in grad school I was 43 years old. I did my degree in one year, all 44 hours of it. It was taxing, but I was eager to get finished so I could move on to the next stage of my life. You see, I still had one child at home, a husband, and a job, so having school behind me meant I could have a more normal life. I had been in school (undergrad) for 6 years, and during that time there had been my two kids at home, then one leaving to go off to college, a step-daughter coming home for a few months with a husband and the first grandchild born during that time, plus all the normal goings-on of life.
It was an often chaotic home, and I learned to study with earphones and classical music to block out the commotion to be able to study. I had learned to be very focused and concise by eliminating reading anything that was superfluous. By the time I was in grad school, I was well-trained in this. It's a good thing, as I don't know I could have done the accelerated program otherwise. Read only what was essential, read it well, then read other things only when I had time, which was rare.
During this time, I did not read for pleasure. "Pleasure" was gone out of reading. Don't misunderstand, I still hungered and wanted to read. But I limited my reading to Reader's Digest, read cover to cover in one evening, usually. I found my studies to be fascinating and wished I could read more. I had taken a speed reading class in undergrad, and it helped a lot, but I still didn't read for pleasure. My pleasure at that period was was time spent with the family. Example: My daughter was a cheerleader in high school, and I went to games, studying during athletic play, stopping to watch my darling girl perform, then back to studying. I love sports, but I had to make a choice.
Out of grad school and employed in my field, I thought I'd get back to reading, but I found that I could no longer keep my focus attuned to reading a whole book. I could not read a whole chapter in a sitting! Sometimes, getting an entire page read was a task. I've been this way since. I've tried and tried to read, but the printed word was almost beyond me, as I would begin reading and then find my mind wandering off to laundry or vacuuming or gardening or....
In the last four years, I've been enjoying audio books, again with thanks to my sweet TL. She gave me a gift certificate at Cracker Barrel so while I was traveling I could rent audio books. I was afraid my attention would wander, but NO! I found myself slurping up audio books as fast as I could rent them! Since getting settled here, I've rented audio books at the pace of one or two a week.
In the ensuring time, I've talked with several others who have experienced similar paths, particularly during and following pursuit of upper levels of study. They have all said the same thing .... the pressure of copious amounts of reading alongside research, writing, etc., forced each of them to curtail pleasure reading. Several of them, like myself, have resorted to audio books. Don't misunderstand, audio books rock! I love that I can put a book in the CD player and clean house while I listen. Multitasking is great! But I've missed reading, putting my own inflections and being able to pause to ponder a point.
Are you getting the connection here?
Yes, I'm reading at a quick pace again, printed word, albeit, electronically printed! I'm reading WHOLE BOOKS with my own eyes again! I'm loving my Kindle! I honestly wasn't sure I would, mostly because of the problem of reading print, but I find I have to pretty much force myself to put it down every once in a while to do a task (or write a post on the blog!! LOL). I also find the "page" on the Kindle to be so crisp and clear that it is easier on the eyes than is the paper-printed page.I'm once again reading avidly! It took almost 30 years to return to the written version, but here I am, and I'm crazy about it!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A bit of an update. I've made another trip to Albuquerque for medical tests, on Christmas Eve, of all times. Because this is of a personal nature, I'm choosing to remain a little abstract about it. However, I got good news on Thursday. That news is that I am cancer-free, something that was concerning everyone involved. I'm enormously glad about that, of course, but I'm not home free yet. I'm referred to yet another level of medical inquisition about which I will be making more calls and appointments on Monday. I expect to be having surgery sometime in January, but the exact procedure is still not determined, and I'm becoming perplexed about the whole process. I guess I'm falling into one of those areas more or less in between specialities, so who's doing what isn't clear, at least to me.
It isn't a terribly serious thing, yet any surgery is not to be sneezed at. I'm not looking forward to the next few weeks, not at all. I'm distracted, my head is all over the place, and I have trouble concentrating, so writing my usual blog material is next to impossible. It comes to me in bursts occasionally, so I'll write when I feel inspired. I can't promise more than that right now.
Bear with me, please, and I will try to get back to being gabby soon, OK? Thanks!
It isn't a terribly serious thing, yet any surgery is not to be sneezed at. I'm not looking forward to the next few weeks, not at all. I'm distracted, my head is all over the place, and I have trouble concentrating, so writing my usual blog material is next to impossible. It comes to me in bursts occasionally, so I'll write when I feel inspired. I can't promise more than that right now.
Bear with me, please, and I will try to get back to being gabby soon, OK? Thanks!
Friday, December 25, 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!
I'm sitting on the couch , cuddling with the dogs, listening to Christmas music and watching the snow blowing around outside. I tried to capture it (see the picture), but was unsuccessful. When the wind gusts blow some of the snow from the roof, it swirls in the air with the sunshine behind it, and it sparkles like so many diamonds floating in the sky. It is absolutely gorgeous.
I hope everyone has a beautiful day. And I hope the day finds you with peace in your hearts, enough to last for the whole year ahead. I'll be off to dinner with friends this afternoon, then home to snuggle with the dogs again by evening.
If you don't check out the other blogs often, I posted a Christmas card on The Way I See It ...., so you might click over there.
May joy fill your hearts, now and for all future.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thankful birdies
Here are some of the little birds that were lined up on my deck railing this morning, waiting for the cafeteria to open. I wasn't expecting this much snow, so I didn't fill the feeders last night. What was wrong with me??
I distinctly heard one of them say "Thanks" a minute ago. No, really, I did!!
I distinctly heard one of them say "Thanks" a minute ago. No, really, I did!!
Optimism is my middle name
After I took those two shots of the snow last night, I didn't look out again. I knew there would be an inch or so of snow, and another 2 or so through today.
As I was getting up I went about my usual routine. Bathroom, brush teeth, brush hair, grab a robe, get coffee. While I was doing this, Sam went around the corner toward the doggy door. He came back quickly and just stared at me. Then a few seconds later, he repeated that. And again a third time. Then he just sat and stared at me. When I finished my routine in the bedroom, I headed for the kitchen for coffee. Next to the living room to raise the blinds.
When I raised the blinds .......
..... I realized that I already have the snow accumulation for the remainder of the season! HA!!! The weather forecast now says we are under a winter weather advisory with 1-4 inches below 7500 feet and 4-8 over 7500 between now and tomorrow night. Uh-huh, that's what it says. I'm at 7000 or 7200. Think it'll snow?
Then I discovered why Sam was doing his silly routine. The dog door was snowed shut. I measured over eight inches on the level and over a foot against the dog door! I went out to clear the dog door, and Jaz followed me on the steps, but the snow covered the two bottom steps, and she just plunged into the snow, and she went tumbling into snow over her head! She jumped up and charged immediately back in! Later, when they got their bearings, and with the steps cleared, Jaz and Sam, my two snow babies, were out romping in the snow and having a ball!
Good grief, Charlie Brown!!
Well! I'm having a white Christmas! I coulda done without it this year with a trip to Albuquerque on Christmas Eve, and a dinner at a restaurant in the mountains with friends on Christmas Day. But it is very unlikely to change any plans. The roads will be cleared by then. I have nothing is not a spirit of optimism!!
As I was getting up I went about my usual routine. Bathroom, brush teeth, brush hair, grab a robe, get coffee. While I was doing this, Sam went around the corner toward the doggy door. He came back quickly and just stared at me. Then a few seconds later, he repeated that. And again a third time. Then he just sat and stared at me. When I finished my routine in the bedroom, I headed for the kitchen for coffee. Next to the living room to raise the blinds.
When I raised the blinds .......
..... I realized that I already have the snow accumulation for the remainder of the season! HA!!! The weather forecast now says we are under a winter weather advisory with 1-4 inches below 7500 feet and 4-8 over 7500 between now and tomorrow night. Uh-huh, that's what it says. I'm at 7000 or 7200. Think it'll snow?
Then I discovered why Sam was doing his silly routine. The dog door was snowed shut. I measured over eight inches on the level and over a foot against the dog door! I went out to clear the dog door, and Jaz followed me on the steps, but the snow covered the two bottom steps, and she just plunged into the snow, and she went tumbling into snow over her head! She jumped up and charged immediately back in! Later, when they got their bearings, and with the steps cleared, Jaz and Sam, my two snow babies, were out romping in the snow and having a ball!
Good grief, Charlie Brown!!
Well! I'm having a white Christmas! I coulda done without it this year with a trip to Albuquerque on Christmas Eve, and a dinner at a restaurant in the mountains with friends on Christmas Day. But it is very unlikely to change any plans. The roads will be cleared by then. I have nothing is not a spirit of optimism!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Look ....
Guess what's happening at my house?
You can see down the hill from the truck, remnants of the snow from 2-3 weeks ago. That's unusual. It is usually long gone before this. We might be in for an interesting winter!
Yep. And in 36 hours I'm driving to Albuquerque. It is supposed to snow off and on till Thursday evening, but the accumulation is slated to be just 1-3 inches. I really hope that is all we really get!
But for now, it is certainly pretty watching it come down. I'll live with that.
You can see down the hill from the truck, remnants of the snow from 2-3 weeks ago. That's unusual. It is usually long gone before this. We might be in for an interesting winter!
Yep. And in 36 hours I'm driving to Albuquerque. It is supposed to snow off and on till Thursday evening, but the accumulation is slated to be just 1-3 inches. I really hope that is all we really get!
But for now, it is certainly pretty watching it come down. I'll live with that.
Sweet little Sam
Sam knows how/where to have a safe nap. He crawled under the rocking chair and used the rocker as a chin rest, to boot!
Funny little man!
Funny little man!
Monday, December 21, 2009
WOO HOO!!!
OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
My darling daughter and her hub bought me a KINDLE!!!! It just arrived!
I was saying that I was thinking of getting one to carry with me during my upcoming medical trek, as it would be lighter and easier for me to carry than books. It, my iPod, and a book of puzzles will weight barely over a pound, an important factor in the next few weeks. I was waiting to see how long my course of treatment would be before ordering it, and they leaped ahead of me!! Oh, WOW!!! It is charging, and I can hardly wait to begin playing!! Also, they put it on their account so we can share books. That way, when either of us buys a book, everyone on the account can read it! Cool, huh?
OMG, do I have an awesome kid, or .... never mind, she IS awesome!!!
(Don't miss the post below.)
My darling daughter and her hub bought me a KINDLE!!!! It just arrived!
I was saying that I was thinking of getting one to carry with me during my upcoming medical trek, as it would be lighter and easier for me to carry than books. It, my iPod, and a book of puzzles will weight barely over a pound, an important factor in the next few weeks. I was waiting to see how long my course of treatment would be before ordering it, and they leaped ahead of me!! Oh, WOW!!! It is charging, and I can hardly wait to begin playing!! Also, they put it on their account so we can share books. That way, when either of us buys a book, everyone on the account can read it! Cool, huh?
OMG, do I have an awesome kid, or .... never mind, she IS awesome!!!
(Don't miss the post below.)
Christmas is almost here!!
.
Shhh. Don't give me away. Maybe if I just stay hidden, I won't have to go pull that damned sleigh this year.
.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
I can turn any day into an event!
When I went to Albuquerque a couple days ago, it was for medical appointments. My friend Linda went along, bless her heart. Not to be dulled by the serious nature of the medical stuff, we found pleasure (are you really surprised???) by making stops at .... say it with me, you all know the routine .... Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and we tossed in Borders for this trip. We also had a fabulous lunch at Pei Wei (say "pay way," not the pronunciation that makes you giggle like a 12 year old!), an Asian food restaurant. OMG, was that good! I had Lemon Pepper Chicken with brown rice, and Linda had a spicy sumptin with shrimp. We shared, of course. SO much better than our local Chinese restaurant. I loved that they have dishes from all over Asia, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc. As I said, it was good; it was yummo!!!
If, like me, you don't live really near a TJ's or WF, I'll tease you with this list of goodies I brought home. This isn't everything, but all I can think of at the moment. Be prepared to be hungry when you finish. Oh, and those of you who have those stores less than two hours away, just be quiet! You won't get how important this is!
6-8 cheeses
a special brie to make a baked brie
a jar of raspberry jam for the baked brie
phyllo dough for the baked brie
bowls of garlic/rice noodle soup
frozen étouffee dinner
wonderful tortilla chips (Whole Foods, have you tried them? YUM!)
6 kinds of olives
almond-chocolate biscotti
blueberry cream scones ( wanted cherry-almond, but they were out)
garlic-cheeses bread sticks
a mini loaf of kalamata olive bread
some baklava
several sauces and marinades
several snack kind of things
fresh guacamole
fresh salsa
several tubs of hummus
several tubs of dip/spreads
a couple big bags of piñons (pine nuts, to you gringos!)
2 pots of herbs, oregano, thyme, rosemary and sage.
a jar of almond butter
We were there later than we usually are on our fun excursions, leaving after dark and beginning to be hungry. At Whole Foods, our last stop, we got some food to eat on the way home:
slice of pizza (drop dead good!)
cannoli (without a doubt, the best cannoli I have had in a long, long time or maybe EVER!)
At Border's, earlier in the day, I looked for a book I wanted for Jim. They didn't have it in stock, unfortunately. But they had some things I wanted (go figure). I managed to leave without spending a fortune. I got:
Norah Jones' new album, "The Fall" (YAY!!)
Mitch Albom's newest book, Have A Little Faith
Listen, if nothing else in the world, Linda and I know how to make the best of ANY excursion!
Point of interest - the spell checker here doesn't recognize these words: phyllo, étouffee, biscotti, kalamata, or cannoli. Obviously no culinary freaks, dining divas or gourmet goons were present when that was set up!
If, like me, you don't live really near a TJ's or WF, I'll tease you with this list of goodies I brought home. This isn't everything, but all I can think of at the moment. Be prepared to be hungry when you finish. Oh, and those of you who have those stores less than two hours away, just be quiet! You won't get how important this is!
6-8 cheeses
a special brie to make a baked brie
a jar of raspberry jam for the baked brie
phyllo dough for the baked brie
bowls of garlic/rice noodle soup
frozen étouffee dinner
wonderful tortilla chips (Whole Foods, have you tried them? YUM!)
6 kinds of olives
almond-chocolate biscotti
blueberry cream scones ( wanted cherry-almond, but they were out)
garlic-cheeses bread sticks
a mini loaf of kalamata olive bread
some baklava
several sauces and marinades
several snack kind of things
fresh guacamole
fresh salsa
several tubs of hummus
several tubs of dip/spreads
a couple big bags of piñons (pine nuts, to you gringos!)
2 pots of herbs, oregano, thyme, rosemary and sage.
a jar of almond butter
We were there later than we usually are on our fun excursions, leaving after dark and beginning to be hungry. At Whole Foods, our last stop, we got some food to eat on the way home:
slice of pizza (drop dead good!)
cannoli (without a doubt, the best cannoli I have had in a long, long time or maybe EVER!)
At Border's, earlier in the day, I looked for a book I wanted for Jim. They didn't have it in stock, unfortunately. But they had some things I wanted (go figure). I managed to leave without spending a fortune. I got:
Norah Jones' new album, "The Fall" (YAY!!)
Mitch Albom's newest book, Have A Little Faith
Listen, if nothing else in the world, Linda and I know how to make the best of ANY excursion!
Point of interest - the spell checker here doesn't recognize these words: phyllo, étouffee, biscotti, kalamata, or cannoli. Obviously no culinary freaks, dining divas or gourmet goons were present when that was set up!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Stuff going on
Folks, I'm dealing with some medical issues. No, not the cold. That has subsided. Some more significant stuff, entailing trips to Albuquerque to see specialists. I am choosing to not share it until I know for certain what I'm dealing with, but I hope you will keep me in your thoughts and prayers until such time as I can share something concrete.
I am pretty distracted recently, and when I try to post, not much comes forth. Bear with me, alright? I'll be back when I can, to the degree I can, and I promise to fill the gaps at a later date.
Thanks for understanding.
I am pretty distracted recently, and when I try to post, not much comes forth. Bear with me, alright? I'll be back when I can, to the degree I can, and I promise to fill the gaps at a later date.
Thanks for understanding.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Chapters
"There are chapters in every life which are seldom read and certainly not aloud."
Carol Shields (1935-2003),
American-born Canadian author
best known for her 1993 novel The Stone Diaries
Carol Shields (1935-2003),
American-born Canadian author
best known for her 1993 novel The Stone Diaries
~~~~
When was your silent chapter? How old were you when you lived through your chapter?
I was 26 through 28. It was not a time I'm proud of, but I've atoned.
Tuesday Trivia
As Christmas approaches, all things magical and fantastical come to mind, so I though a collection of fun characters that we've all grown up (and old) with would be in order. Enjoy!!!
SESAME STREET
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
WINNIE THE POOH
SNOW WHITE & THE 7 DWARFS
PEANUTS GANG
THE GRINCH
WIZARD OF OZ
A bonus quote:
SESAME STREET
The first episode aired November 10, 1969 and was sponsored by the letters W, S, and E and the numbers 2 and 3.
Between 1971 and 1985, Snuffleupagus was Big Bird's imaginary friend. He didn't appear on the show until 1985. Elmo was a background Muppet from the early 1970s on but didn't become a character until 1984.
The original name of Sesame Street was 123 Avenue B, but that was considered too "New Yorky." Sesame Street airs in over 120 countries. Some simply dub episodes while 25 others have their own version that represent the country culturally through the characters and segments.
Bert and Ernie were named after Bert the Cop and Ernie the Taxi Driver in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life.
Sesame Street was aimed at low-income families to help children learn and prepare for school. To help facilitate the feeling of an inner city neighborhood, the set featured peeling paint, alleys, stoops, and metal trash cans on the sidewalk.
First Lady Michelle Obama will appear on the 40th season premiere of Sesame Street on November 10. She will teach the residents of Sesame Street the benefits of growing a vegetable garden and eating healthy.
(examiner.com)
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written in 1865 by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.
Most of the book's adventures were based on and influenced by people, situations and buildings in Oxford and at Christ Church, e.g., the "Rabbit Hole" which symbolized the actual stairs in the back of the main hall in Christ Church.
Dodgson wrote the classic story for Alice Liddell, the daughter of the Dean of Oxford. He met the girl and her sisters while on a boat ride and passed the time by telling the girls a story of a girl named Alice who goes looking for an adventure.
Dodgson never publicly acknowledged that he was Lewis Carroll and he rarely signed books or gave away his portrait. Dodgson did acknowledge his pen name among his friends, but publicly denied any connection with the Alice books.
The story was originally called Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, but Carroll feared that it might appear to be a book containing ‘instruction about mines.’
In 1951, the classic story was adapted into an animated movie by Disney. Elements were merged from both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and some of the original characters were omitted.
WINNIE THE POOH
Winnie-the-Pooh's official debut was in 1926 in "Winnie-the-Pooh," by A.A. Milne.
The characters in A.A. Milne's stories are based on toys once owned by his son, Christopher Robin. The original toys are now on display in the New York Public Library.
Of the original Pooh characters, only Owl and Rabbit came solely from Milne's imagination.
Winnie-the-Pooh's original name was Edward but was changed after Christopher Robin met a real bear named Winnie at the London Zoo.
Christopher Robin's stuffed Eeyore lost the stiffening in his neck over time, which gave him the morose appearance that served as inspiration for Milne's character.
Tigger was not introduced until 1928 in "The House at Pooh Corner."
SNOW WHITE & THE 7 DWARFS
Individually, each dwarf represents a type of human personality generally found in most offices, schools or neighborhoods.
Other names considered for the dwarfs early on included: Wheezy, Puffy, Stuffy, Biggo-Ego, Jumpy, Baldy, Nifty, Gabby, Stubby and Burby.
Six of the dwarfs have eyebrows fashioned after Walt Disney's own expressive eyebrows as they fascinated everyone who ever sat in story meetings with him. Early on, the artists agreed on this resemblance however, Happy is the only one who is different as his eyebrows are white and bushy.
It was determined early on that the Dwarfs would carry picks rather than shovels or sacks as they make their way to and from the Diamond mine. Dopey was initially designated to carry a lamp swinging from his pick, but in the end, it is Doc leading the way with his lantern.
Artists were offered $5.00 - a hefty sum by late 1930's standards -- for every gag featuring the Dwarfs that made it into the final film.
The Seven Dwarfs appeared together in several commercial shorts after the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, including: The Standard Parade - 1939, The Seven Wise Dwarfs - 1941, All Together - 1942 and, The Winged Scourge - 1943.
(www.magicalmountain.net)
PEANUTS GANG
Charles Schulz called his first comic strip Li'l Folks. It appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press from 1947 to 1950. Two of the Li'l Folks characters were Charlie Brown and a dog that resembled Snoopy.
When United Feature Syndicate picked up Li'l Folks, the strip's name was changed to Peanuts - much to Schulz's dismay. It made its debut appearance on October 2, 1950, published in seven newspapers.
There were only three characters in Charles M. Schulz's first Peanuts comic strip- Charlie Brown, Shermy and Patty (not Peppermint Patty, she'd be "born" much later.) Charlie Brown's dog Snoopy was also part of the original gang, but wasn't included in the first comic strip.
As the years passed, Schulz added more colorful characters to his Peanuts family: Schroeder- the toy piano virtuoso and Beethoven fan was born in 1951; Lucy- Linus' crabby sister who runs a Psychiatrist booth appeared in 1952; Linus- the thumbsucking, blanket toter appeared the same year; Pigpen- the boy with the constant swirl of dirt around him was born in 1954.
The next addition to the Peanuts comic strip wasn't until 1959 when Sally- Charlie Brown's sister came to be. She was followed by Peppermint Patty- the addle-brained tomboy in 1966; Woodstock- the silent yellow bird who Snoopy befriended, in 1967; Marcie- Peppermint Pattie's best friend in 1968, and Franklin- the first African-American character Schulz put in Peanuts, in the same year.
Schulz wouldn't allow anyone else to draw his strip. He died just hours before his last original Peanuts comic strip was published. He had drawn nearly 18,000 of the strips during his career.
(www.associatedcontent.com)
THE GRINCH
The original Grinch was not green—like everything else in the book, he was black and white with some red and pink splotches.
It has been said that the conflict between the Whos and the Grinch was inspired by how German immigrants in Dr. Seuss's native Springfield, Massachusetts, were mistreated by the owners of the factories where they worked.
For many years the line "You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch" was censored because it was considered too vulgar for television.
The live-action movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas features more than 52,000 Christmas lights, about 8,200 Christmas ornaments, and nearly 2,000 candy canes.
Thurl Ravenscroft, who sang such numbers as "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," was also the voice of Tony the Tiger.
The story was first published, in slightly different form, in the Ottawa Chronicle.
WIZARD OF OZ
Buddy Ebson, the original actor hired to play the Tin Man, became very ill from the metallic makeup and was not able to appear in the movie, but his voice can still be heard singing "We're off to see the wizard," when Dorothy and her friends are dancing down the yellow brick road after the forest scene.
In the original book by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy's slippers were not ruby but silver. The color was changed in the movie for Technicolor purposes.
The horses in Emerald City palace were colored with Jell-O crystals. The relevant scenes had to be shot quickly, before the horses started to lick it off.
"Over the Rainbow" was nearly cut from the film; MGM felt that it made the Kansas sequence too long, as well as being too far over the heads of the children for whom it was intended. The studio also thought that it was degrading for Judy Garland to sing in a barnyard. In 2004, the song was ranked #1 by the American Film Institute on the 100 Greatest Songs in American Films list.
Meinhardt Raabe, who played the Coroner of Munchkinland, was, at one time, the shortest licensed pilot in the U.S. During WWII, he volunteered for military service and was turned down. He was accepted as a volunteer instructor in the Civil Air Patrol.
The name for Oz was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence "Oz."
~~~~
A bonus quote:
"Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says
I'll try again tomorrow."
~~Mary Anne Radmacher (1957-), writer and artist,
author of Lean Forward
into Your Life and Live Boldly.
Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says
I'll try again tomorrow."
~~Mary Anne Radmacher (1957-), writer and artist,
author of Lean Forward
into Your Life and Live Boldly.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sammy, Sammy, Sammy ......
Oh, my Sammy.
Sometimes I think he might actually chew in his sleep. He certainly chews without thinking! another strap chewed through on a camisole. What am I going to do with him?
And I always can tell! He slinks away from the area or room of his discretion, looking as if he has already been beaten!
As I've said before .... it's a damn good thing for this boy that I love him so much.
And, yes, I accept my part in this. I folded clothes, left the stacks on the bed to put everything away at once. I'm the human, I'm in charge. I think.
Sometimes I think he might actually chew in his sleep. He certainly chews without thinking! another strap chewed through on a camisole. What am I going to do with him?
And I always can tell! He slinks away from the area or room of his discretion, looking as if he has already been beaten!
As I've said before .... it's a damn good thing for this boy that I love him so much.
And, yes, I accept my part in this. I folded clothes, left the stacks on the bed to put everything away at once. I'm the human, I'm in charge. I think.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
"Yes" and "No"
The entire life of a human being depends upon ”yes” and “no” uttered two or three time between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five. ~Anonymous
What do you think? Care to share a time when you said "yes" or "no," and it influenced the rest of your life?
~~~~
Mine would be when I said "no" to going to college directly after high school. I didn't know what I wanted to study, and thought I'd go in a year or two. It was almost 20 years later [2 children, 5 miscarriages, a divorce and remarriage, gaining 3 stepchildren and a move across the country in the interim] before I turned that around, but I knew what I wanted to do at that time. It was a good decision for me.
Sunday Funnies
Today: Stuff About Holidays and Winter
My head is foggy, so you have to imagine my witty repartee included here. Or write your own. I'm easy!
My head is foggy, so you have to imagine my witty repartee included here. Or write your own. I'm easy!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Cough, cough.
Cough. Cough-cough. Hack. Cough. Hack. Cough, cough.
Yep, that would be me.
I had a really bad bout of bronchitis many years ago, and when I get a cold, it tends to settle in the lungs, irritating those old scars. And I cough. And cough. That's where I am now. I'm not really feeling bad today. I have a little bit of a runny nose, but nothing to be concerned about. I'm just coughing. If I say more than a few words, I start coughing worse. Sooooo. I'm not talking much.
I've had a lazy day so far. I've just watched TV, read and listened to music most of the day. I'm using the cold and cough as an excuse to not do much work, too. If I do anything that brings exertion, I cough, so HEY! I can't work, right?
The dogs have been alerting me to the deer on the property all day long. I don't know what it is, but there have been several singles and groups wandering around, probably totaling around 20 through the day. I haven't taken pictures, because they've been away from the house. I'm wondering why they are so active. Is it hunting season? I suspect it is. Perhaps they are here to hide away and be safe. Suits me. I'm not really opposed to hunting if people actually use it for food, but I also don't like to think about my beautiful neighbors being someone's dinner. And I especially don't like hunting as a sport.
OK, that's all I got. Isn't that pathetic? Me, the marathon blogger! Yeah, you're right. I'm not well, not at all.
Cough cough, hack.
Yep, that would be me.
I had a really bad bout of bronchitis many years ago, and when I get a cold, it tends to settle in the lungs, irritating those old scars. And I cough. And cough. That's where I am now. I'm not really feeling bad today. I have a little bit of a runny nose, but nothing to be concerned about. I'm just coughing. If I say more than a few words, I start coughing worse. Sooooo. I'm not talking much.
I've had a lazy day so far. I've just watched TV, read and listened to music most of the day. I'm using the cold and cough as an excuse to not do much work, too. If I do anything that brings exertion, I cough, so HEY! I can't work, right?
The dogs have been alerting me to the deer on the property all day long. I don't know what it is, but there have been several singles and groups wandering around, probably totaling around 20 through the day. I haven't taken pictures, because they've been away from the house. I'm wondering why they are so active. Is it hunting season? I suspect it is. Perhaps they are here to hide away and be safe. Suits me. I'm not really opposed to hunting if people actually use it for food, but I also don't like to think about my beautiful neighbors being someone's dinner. And I especially don't like hunting as a sport.
OK, that's all I got. Isn't that pathetic? Me, the marathon blogger! Yeah, you're right. I'm not well, not at all.
Cough cough, hack.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Couch potato today
Well, the cold I've been trying to keep at arm's length finally got the best of me. I've been taking meds to try to keep it from finding soil to take root, but this morning, I'm extremely congested, draining, icky feeling. I'm retreating to the couch with pillows and blanket for the day, in hopes that it won't be much worse than it is now, since I already filled my body with chemicals.
gah.
I'll be back when I reach the other side of this mess.
gah.
I'll be back when I reach the other side of this mess.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Look who dropped by to visit!
The dogs announced him, as they do everyone who comes to visit, on foot or on wheels.
I think it is one of "the boys" that has grown up here. I haven't seen them for several months, and they were still hanging out together then. However, that was before mating season. I'm guessing they are mature enough to go alone now. Sad to think of that.
Isn't he gorgeous??
After a few minutes of watching The Human and The Noisy Furries, he turned to go.
My, it was nice to see him! I miss him and his twin brother. Just like kids, they grow up way too fast and go away.
I was dusting today, and I picked up this little vase to dust it. I love this little vase. Nothing special, but it is just appealing to me.
Anyway, I was dusting it, and I heard something rattle inside. I wondered what I had put in it, so I tipped it over and dumped the contents into my hand.
Next time I'll dump onto a paper towel or something.
Lawdy, I'm glad it was dead!
I think it is one of "the boys" that has grown up here. I haven't seen them for several months, and they were still hanging out together then. However, that was before mating season. I'm guessing they are mature enough to go alone now. Sad to think of that.
Isn't he gorgeous??
After a few minutes of watching The Human and The Noisy Furries, he turned to go.
My, it was nice to see him! I miss him and his twin brother. Just like kids, they grow up way too fast and go away.
I was dusting today, and I picked up this little vase to dust it. I love this little vase. Nothing special, but it is just appealing to me.
Anyway, I was dusting it, and I heard something rattle inside. I wondered what I had put in it, so I tipped it over and dumped the contents into my hand.
Next time I'll dump onto a paper towel or something.
Lawdy, I'm glad it was dead!
Better, much better
Today is a far better day than yesterday!! Sheesh, what a day yesterday was.
I was so tired from not sleeping well the previous few nights that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I had decided I was taking something in order to sleep last night. I hadn't decided what, but figured that a muscle relaxer and a Tylenol PM would probably do the trick. Of course, I would have been "druggy" until noon, but I really didn't care!
Then I talked to Jim in the evening, and he mentioned that Nyquil knocks him out, and .... SNAP! .... of course! It would take care of the "gettin' a cold" symptoms as well as the sleeping problem. So last night, I went to bed earlier than usual, took a dose of Nyquil, and slept deep and long.
When I woke this morning, I felt great! I was really refreshed, wasn't stuffed up, and was ready to whup the world once again! I think I'm back to normal again, at least for a few days.
I got a new, sassy haircut this morning. On the way in to town, I picked up my neighbor who couldn't get out of her driveway yet, as she needed a cut, also. After that we did a couple errands in Capitan. Then we stopped at the leather works place and picked up my moccasins which were being resoled. My friend had not been there before, and was totally fascinated with all the things there, and I had a good visit with Jake, the owner, while Joyce browsed. We went next door to the art gallery, just to say hello, and again it was a new place for my neighbor, so she enjoyed looking around while I visited with Annmarie. Next we stopped at the studio to see Linda, and ended up going to lunch. I had a fabulous brisket sandwich with green chili, cheese, and avocado mayo. I also had a cup of red chili & pork soup which was fantastic! It was a very good trip with lots of good friend-visiting all around.
All that to say I'm feeling better. Can you believe it? Yup, that's me! Yak, yak, yak.
I was so tired from not sleeping well the previous few nights that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I had decided I was taking something in order to sleep last night. I hadn't decided what, but figured that a muscle relaxer and a Tylenol PM would probably do the trick. Of course, I would have been "druggy" until noon, but I really didn't care!
Then I talked to Jim in the evening, and he mentioned that Nyquil knocks him out, and .... SNAP! .... of course! It would take care of the "gettin' a cold" symptoms as well as the sleeping problem. So last night, I went to bed earlier than usual, took a dose of Nyquil, and slept deep and long.
When I woke this morning, I felt great! I was really refreshed, wasn't stuffed up, and was ready to whup the world once again! I think I'm back to normal again, at least for a few days.
I got a new, sassy haircut this morning. On the way in to town, I picked up my neighbor who couldn't get out of her driveway yet, as she needed a cut, also. After that we did a couple errands in Capitan. Then we stopped at the leather works place and picked up my moccasins which were being resoled. My friend had not been there before, and was totally fascinated with all the things there, and I had a good visit with Jake, the owner, while Joyce browsed. We went next door to the art gallery, just to say hello, and again it was a new place for my neighbor, so she enjoyed looking around while I visited with Annmarie. Next we stopped at the studio to see Linda, and ended up going to lunch. I had a fabulous brisket sandwich with green chili, cheese, and avocado mayo. I also had a cup of red chili & pork soup which was fantastic! It was a very good trip with lots of good friend-visiting all around.
All that to say I'm feeling better. Can you believe it? Yup, that's me! Yak, yak, yak.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
No blog material and a dead head
I've been trying to figure out something to blog all day and most of yesterday, too. I'm just a big blank. I'm exhausted, and I think my mind is just not working well at all. I'm not sleeping well, so I am tired every day. My emotions are shot. I'm physically not up to par with symptoms that seems like I'm close to having a head cold and some general discomfort elsewhere. Whine, whine, whine. I know.
Anyway, I don't feel like blogging, so I won't! I'll get some help with sleep tonight and perhaps things will begin to look up.
Till next time.
Anyway, I don't feel like blogging, so I won't! I'll get some help with sleep tonight and perhaps things will begin to look up.
Till next time.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Tuesday Trivia
My friend Ruth in Canada sent this, and I thought I'd use it for today's trivia. Fun trivia about her Canada, but I have to take historical exception to one point. You'll see it below.
CANADIAN.... Eh !
So, What Do We Canadians Have To Be Proud Of ?
1. Smarties
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp
3. The size of our footballs fields, one less down, and bigger balls.
4. Baseball is Canadian - First game June 4, 1838 - Ingersoll , ON
5. Lacrosse is Canadian
6. Hockey is Canadian
7. Basketball is Canadian
And here's the rub: It was invented by a Canadian, to be sure, but it was in Massachusettes.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-you-Know-the-Origin-of-Basketball?&id=2019
Doesn't that make it American? I think so!! Possession is 9/10 of the law!!! :D
8. Apple pie is Canadian
9. Mr. Dress-up beats Mr. Rogers
10. Tim Hortons beats Dunkin' Donuts
11. In the war of 1812, started by America , Canadians pushed the Americans back past their White House. Then we burned it, and most of Washington .. We got bored because they ran away. Then, we came home and partied........ Go figure.
12. Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to Germany .
13. We have the largest English population that never ever surrendered or withdrew during any war to anyone, anywhere. EVER. (We got clobbered in the odd battle but. prevailed in ALL the wars)
14. Our civil war was fought in a bar and lasted a little over an hour.
15. The only person who was arrested in our civil war was an American mercenary, he slept in and missed the whole thing. He showed up just in time to get caught.
16. A Canadian invented Standard Time.
17. The Hudsons Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth's surface and is still around as the world's oldest company.
18. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes. (That's more information than I need!)
19. We know what to do with the parts of a buffalo.
20. We don't marry our kin-folk.
21.. We invented ski-doos, jet-skis, Velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin, zambonis and the telephone. Also short wave radios that save countless lives each year.
22. We ALL have frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about it.
23. A Canadian invented Superman.
24. We have coloured money.
25. Our beer advertisements kick ass {Incidently...so does our beer}
BUT MOST IMPORTANT !
The handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands with mitts on. (And this one is important enough to convince me of Canadian superior intelligence!!)
OOOoohhhhh.... Canada !!
Thanks, Ruth!!!
Monday, December 07, 2009
Are ya tired of snow pictures?
This is from the second snowfall. The first one had all melted off the trees by the time this one fell.
Look at that icicle on the end of the handrail! It's almost three feet long!
And I laughed when I saw my pot full of hen and chicks. Quite a head on that!
The railing up the ramp had eight to ten inches on it.
And finally, the girl is still around! She hasn't been sleeping in the usual spot out the back door, and I'm thinking she has a more protected place somewhere during this heavy snow. But she's still here, that's what matters.
It's all good.
Look at that icicle on the end of the handrail! It's almost three feet long!
And I laughed when I saw my pot full of hen and chicks. Quite a head on that!
The railing up the ramp had eight to ten inches on it.
And finally, the girl is still around! She hasn't been sleeping in the usual spot out the back door, and I'm thinking she has a more protected place somewhere during this heavy snow. But she's still here, that's what matters.
It's all good.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
I've been all over the US today
I have had a fun day. Not exciting news or stories of adventures out of the house, but a fun day, nevertheless.
First I talked to Caroline in Kansas this morning, just for the heck of it. My morning had begun rather grimly with waking up just purely mad at the world for how my current health issues is me
ssing with my life, especially just as I've found someone to share a significant part of my life with. So I stomped around for a while, grousing and grumbling, then got it out of my system and called Caroline. We had a good chat.
I got off the phone and went through my email and checked out the blogs and Facebook. I had a long letter to answer from an old high school friend. We've been corresponding for a few weeks, having long philosophical and informational letters by way of catching up. I have enjoyed our letters very much. We were in a few classes together (being as we were both brainiacs of sorts! LOL!), and in band and orchestra, yet we hardly knew each other. In his words, he was in his own ner
dy little world, and perhaps so. He was one of those people I always admired because he was just a nice, quiet introvert. He has lived several place in the US, is now in Salt Lake City with the university there and considering whether to continue working or retire. Our contrasting backgrounds, his Jewish, mine Christian, give us some interesting fodder for looking at how we both have come to our current belief systems. I spent about 45 minutes responding to his last letter, being very thoughtful and deep. Boy, it is fun to find someone new/old who asks questions and bring up things that people you've known more recently overlook.
Then I watched a couple movies, had some lunch and began another movie and my phone rang. It was another of my old high school friends. This one emerged on Classmates not long ago, and we exchanged a couple emails. Then he said he would like to call me as he "talks better then he types." No problem. Although I didn't know him really well, he was a decent guy, and since he lives in Hawaii, I didn't figure he would be much of a serial killer threat! We talked for about 2.5 hours! Gosh, we covered about e
very topic imaginable, and we still have a lot to talk about. It is funny how I could encounter someone such as this, someone I barely knew 50 years ago, but we find many common thoughts and ideas that link us intellectually at this juncture of our lives. I was just fun to find yet one more person who is so enjoyable and easy to talk with. I got him onto Facebook so he can connect with other old friends if he wishes, and I look forward to future chats with him.
While we were talking, another call beeped in. I checked it and saw the number was from Texas. I wasn't sure who it was, and decided to call the person back when I got off the phone. a little later, the same number beeped in again, and I told him I should probably get off soon and check it, but then I asked him another
question. He was answering it when something cut us off. My phone was still charged, so I assumed his had died.
As I began dialing the number, it began to register who I thought it was, and checked the number quickly in my address book. I was right, it was my friend, DJ, one of the contributors to the
Cookin' Corner, and a friend from waaaaay back in Kansas City when she went to school with one of my kids. So I finished dialing her number, and when she answered, we ended up talking for about an hour and a half! We haven't talked in a while, and it was good to get caught up. Again, a delightful conversation!
And now .... my ear hurts! Honestly!! What an excellent day of catching up with friends from all over the place! Don't you love that kind of day? I surely do!
First I talked to Caroline in Kansas this morning, just for the heck of it. My morning had begun rather grimly with waking up just purely mad at the world for how my current health issues is me
ssing with my life, especially just as I've found someone to share a significant part of my life with. So I stomped around for a while, grousing and grumbling, then got it out of my system and called Caroline. We had a good chat.I got off the phone and went through my email and checked out the blogs and Facebook. I had a long letter to answer from an old high school friend. We've been corresponding for a few weeks, having long philosophical and informational letters by way of catching up. I have enjoyed our letters very much. We were in a few classes together (being as we were both brainiacs of sorts! LOL!), and in band and orchestra, yet we hardly knew each other. In his words, he was in his own ner
dy little world, and perhaps so. He was one of those people I always admired because he was just a nice, quiet introvert. He has lived several place in the US, is now in Salt Lake City with the university there and considering whether to continue working or retire. Our contrasting backgrounds, his Jewish, mine Christian, give us some interesting fodder for looking at how we both have come to our current belief systems. I spent about 45 minutes responding to his last letter, being very thoughtful and deep. Boy, it is fun to find someone new/old who asks questions and bring up things that people you've known more recently overlook.Then I watched a couple movies, had some lunch and began another movie and my phone rang. It was another of my old high school friends. This one emerged on Classmates not long ago, and we exchanged a couple emails. Then he said he would like to call me as he "talks better then he types." No problem. Although I didn't know him really well, he was a decent guy, and since he lives in Hawaii, I didn't figure he would be much of a serial killer threat! We talked for about 2.5 hours! Gosh, we covered about e
very topic imaginable, and we still have a lot to talk about. It is funny how I could encounter someone such as this, someone I barely knew 50 years ago, but we find many common thoughts and ideas that link us intellectually at this juncture of our lives. I was just fun to find yet one more person who is so enjoyable and easy to talk with. I got him onto Facebook so he can connect with other old friends if he wishes, and I look forward to future chats with him.While we were talking, another call beeped in. I checked it and saw the number was from Texas. I wasn't sure who it was, and decided to call the person back when I got off the phone. a little later, the same number beeped in again, and I told him I should probably get off soon and check it, but then I asked him another
question. He was answering it when something cut us off. My phone was still charged, so I assumed his had died.As I began dialing the number, it began to register who I thought it was, and checked the number quickly in my address book. I was right, it was my friend, DJ, one of the contributors to the
Cookin' Corner, and a friend from waaaaay back in Kansas City when she went to school with one of my kids. So I finished dialing her number, and when she answered, we ended up talking for about an hour and a half! We haven't talked in a while, and it was good to get caught up. Again, a delightful conversation!And now .... my ear hurts! Honestly!! What an excellent day of catching up with friends from all over the place! Don't you love that kind of day? I surely do!
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Just going through a rough patch
OK, a couple people have noticed and asked, so I'll just make a small note of it. Seems that some of you have noticed I'm not quite my usual self. No, I'm not. I'm dealing with some "stuff." I'm not ready to put it all out there just yet, but I'll try to ease the concerns.
I'm facing a physical challenge and will have surgery in the next couple months. Not anything really serious, but surgery is never something to pooh-pooh. I don't know everything I need to know as yet, to make decisions and put things in order in my head so I can manage it all. I have several medical appointments in the next month, and then I will hopefully know more about what to expect. Till then, I'm just having anticipatory anxiety, and there is no way around that.
And that .... the anxiety .... is what is ruling me right now. I don't, never have, dealt well with the unknown. Most people don't. Gimme sumptin' real, and I'll manage. I think as soon as I have a better handle on what, where, when, how, I can probably resume being myself. I'm actually working on hanging onto every bit of happiness and positive attitude I can, and I will get through this. I've survived much worse! Outside this matter, my life is really very good. I'm happy, just nervous.
Oh, yeah, and it sucks being alone at this particular time. That, also, just is what it is. I've been through other big things alone, and this, too, shall pass! Send me kind thoughts and prayers, if you can spare them.
Thanks for noticing. Thanks for caring.
I'm facing a physical challenge and will have surgery in the next couple months. Not anything really serious, but surgery is never something to pooh-pooh. I don't know everything I need to know as yet, to make decisions and put things in order in my head so I can manage it all. I have several medical appointments in the next month, and then I will hopefully know more about what to expect. Till then, I'm just having anticipatory anxiety, and there is no way around that.
And that .... the anxiety .... is what is ruling me right now. I don't, never have, dealt well with the unknown. Most people don't. Gimme sumptin' real, and I'll manage. I think as soon as I have a better handle on what, where, when, how, I can probably resume being myself. I'm actually working on hanging onto every bit of happiness and positive attitude I can, and I will get through this. I've survived much worse! Outside this matter, my life is really very good. I'm happy, just nervous.
Oh, yeah, and it sucks being alone at this particular time. That, also, just is what it is. I've been through other big things alone, and this, too, shall pass! Send me kind thoughts and prayers, if you can spare them.
Thanks for noticing. Thanks for caring.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Someone's in big trouble!!
The dog ate (the picture of) my buddy!!!
Seriously, just a few minutes ago, I heard some crunching on the floor by my feet, and this is what I found in Lola's mouth!!!!
There are several other small pieces that didn't show up in the scan.
She should be very happy she is still alive.
I was getting ready to have a glass of wine, because this has been a stressful day, and now I'm thinking I'll have at least two!
Seriously, just a few minutes ago, I heard some crunching on the floor by my feet, and this is what I found in Lola's mouth!!!!
There are several other small pieces that didn't show up in the scan.
She should be very happy she is still alive.
She had better remember how lucky she is today.
And I'm surely glad I already scanned this photo!
I was getting ready to have a glass of wine, because this has been a stressful day, and now I'm thinking I'll have at least two!
Oh, how cool!!
I've noticed in the last few days another mile marker with the comfort level and adaptation of The Kids. They no longer follow me e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. Yes, they still follow me quite a lot, but I can often (get that? OFTEN!) walk out of the room without all of them, any of them, following me. Don't get me wrong. They still follow me a lot, but I can at least walk to the kitchen or laundry room or bedroom without a parade behind me, in front of me, or under my feet! I can actually go to the bathroom without a parade in tow! What progress!
I think this might be because I've taken a few trips away from them, and I've returned from each one, giving them the message that I can go away for a few days, and that I will return! They are achieving object permanence!! YAY!!! Major development here at Chéz Lynilu!!
This means they are becoming comfortable enough, have enough trust in me, that they can see me go and understand that I will be back. It may be a few minutes, several hours or even many days, but The Mama always comes back.
.... and we're not talking about the weather which is COLD. We're talking about ....
I can't tell you how good it feels that we have reached this milestone. Sammy is the most dramatic example, of course, beginning with the little dog that was so afraid of all humans that he literally pooped on the floor when one looked at him; becoming the little dog who wouldn't leave my side, but still didn't trust that he was safe, as he flinched if I moved too suddenly; and now, to the little guy who sits on the couch, watching me as I move around the house, often out of his sight, and just waits until I return. Sometimes he even goes back to his nap before I come back to the living room!
Lola is a bit behind the others. She's still very much a baby and hasn't been here as long as the others. She can watch me leave without a lot of difficulty, but she still needs to be next to me at rest. It took her a while to want to be there beside me, and I'm glad she finally did. I won't rush her away from wanting to be so close to me; it's part of the bonding and growth process. She will get there eventually. They have their individual quirks, but overall, all five are adjusting. Jazi is pretty independent, but when we go to bed, she needs to spend a few minutes on my lap before we sleep. Joey always wants to be on my right side on the couch; if someone beats him there, he sometimes adjusts, but that's his place. And on and on. But that's "normal," just as with us, quirks that make us who we are.
I love these guys. I'm glad they have reached the level of understanding that we will be together forever. They know ....
I think this might be because I've taken a few trips away from them, and I've returned from each one, giving them the message that I can go away for a few days, and that I will return! They are achieving object permanence!! YAY!!! Major development here at Chéz Lynilu!!
This means they are becoming comfortable enough, have enough trust in me, that they can see me go and understand that I will be back. It may be a few minutes, several hours or even many days, but The Mama always comes back.
.... and we're not talking about the weather which is COLD. We're talking about ....
I can't tell you how good it feels that we have reached this milestone. Sammy is the most dramatic example, of course, beginning with the little dog that was so afraid of all humans that he literally pooped on the floor when one looked at him; becoming the little dog who wouldn't leave my side, but still didn't trust that he was safe, as he flinched if I moved too suddenly; and now, to the little guy who sits on the couch, watching me as I move around the house, often out of his sight, and just waits until I return. Sometimes he even goes back to his nap before I come back to the living room!
Lola is a bit behind the others. She's still very much a baby and hasn't been here as long as the others. She can watch me leave without a lot of difficulty, but she still needs to be next to me at rest. It took her a while to want to be there beside me, and I'm glad she finally did. I won't rush her away from wanting to be so close to me; it's part of the bonding and growth process. She will get there eventually. They have their individual quirks, but overall, all five are adjusting. Jazi is pretty independent, but when we go to bed, she needs to spend a few minutes on my lap before we sleep. Joey always wants to be on my right side on the couch; if someone beats him there, he sometimes adjusts, but that's his place. And on and on. But that's "normal," just as with us, quirks that make us who we are.
I love these guys. I'm glad they have reached the level of understanding that we will be together forever. They know ....
.... Life is Beautiful!!!
C-c-c-cold-d-d.
It is c.o.l.d. This is one of those times that I keep saying doesn't happen here often. But it does. It has. It is. On of my outside thermometers says 17°. The other, on the opposite side of the house, says 19°. Whichever is more accurate doesn't really matter when it is this cold. If you recall, I like cold weather more than hot. But this is more than necessary.
It snowed overnight, not a lot, definitely a little more on top of our tracks in the older snow. I'm supposed to get another 2-4 inches of snow today and tonight, with possible another inch tomorrow. It is foggy, too. I can't see as far as the road. Brrrrrrrr!
I went out to fill the bird feeders and this is what one looked like. I had to bring it in and let it warm a little before I could fill it, because the button on the top that releases the lid was frozen solid! The feeders are full again, and the birds are all saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"
One of the hanging baskets that I didn't take down looks interesting. I didn't think the moss that lines it was hanging out that far. I was right! When I touched one it fell into my hand and immediately melted. Those long tendrils are purely ice and snow! Icy stalactites!
I guess I won't be going out today. I see not sensible reason for venturing out. I have just enough butter for my toast this morning, so I have to plan around that in cooking today, but otherwise, I don't really have to get out. Seems to me like an excellent day to stay parked, what do you think?
I'm still not feeling great, anyway. I'm better than yesterday, but my body is still not where it should be. I'll be glad when I am back to myself again. (You notice, I didn't say "normal"!!) OK, off to make that toast.
It snowed overnight, not a lot, definitely a little more on top of our tracks in the older snow. I'm supposed to get another 2-4 inches of snow today and tonight, with possible another inch tomorrow. It is foggy, too. I can't see as far as the road. Brrrrrrrr!
I went out to fill the bird feeders and this is what one looked like. I had to bring it in and let it warm a little before I could fill it, because the button on the top that releases the lid was frozen solid! The feeders are full again, and the birds are all saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"
One of the hanging baskets that I didn't take down looks interesting. I didn't think the moss that lines it was hanging out that far. I was right! When I touched one it fell into my hand and immediately melted. Those long tendrils are purely ice and snow! Icy stalactites!
I guess I won't be going out today. I see not sensible reason for venturing out. I have just enough butter for my toast this morning, so I have to plan around that in cooking today, but otherwise, I don't really have to get out. Seems to me like an excellent day to stay parked, what do you think?
I'm still not feeling great, anyway. I'm better than yesterday, but my body is still not where it should be. I'll be glad when I am back to myself again. (You notice, I didn't say "normal"!!) OK, off to make that toast.
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