Saturday, August 30, 2008
Flat out like a Lizard Leapin'
Imagine our shock to discover this old tree had pulverized one corner of the building. We decided to go to a different one, just in case the building wasn't finished with its fall! Taco Bell never disappoints if a person wants to dedicate the 800, yeah 800~ calories to a Taco Salad. We sacrificed. We splurged. We laughed, and we both fought a few little sad thoughts as little Sasha's arthritis keeps her from charging about the place as she used to. What a little jewel that doggie is to my friend. Sasha is a special little dog, as all little pets who become people seem to be. The wonderful owner of the grocery in town saves little pieces of deli meat and gives them to my friend wrapped in brown paper and snipped just right for an old dog's delicate palate. He remarked to me one day when I said that Sasha wanted to come down to my house and bring my friend for supper; "I hope that dog lives forever." Don't we all.
Friday was one of those TGIF days at school. The rise of concern over Internet use has our school installing new checks,filters, and what not to keep kids off websites they don't need. This filter blocks a few sites that aren't on that list, including anything that even mentions the name YOUtube... haha.. So yeah, Oatmeal and Whimsy is banned. A huge, kind of ominous sign appeared when I decided to check it yesterday. "CENSORED. BANNED website. CONTAINS 'objectionable phrases.'" It kind of took me by shock. I must say I didn't feel very American, very ah... simpatico with the new filter. So it went most of the day with sites dedicated to the Jewish nation during the holocaust (banned for content showing corpses in pits of black and white)--- for classes reading NIGHT by Wiesel, my favorite Grammar interactive practice site (foolishly dubbed Grammar Gaming Online).... and thus, I heeded the after-school need for trees, birds, lakeside lapping noises, and a little chat with my dear friend.... I'm not saying the rules are wrong... just sad... I hate the need for control over the human spirit. Words, synonyms, even our past histories of atrocities.. they are a part of our collective soul. As much as we'd like to shelter ourselves from the evils available on the Internet and in the world, we cannot do that any more... Because they have permeated the culture, we have to gently allow them into our spirits and into the spirits of youth --- and oh, so much.... we have to instill alongside that, a spirit that acknowledged the ugly but believes in the good... a soul that joins Anne Frank in saying, "In spite of everything people are really good at heart." That's not to say I don't believe in filters on school Internets. I do understand. I just felt kinda like a Bolshevik revolutionist to see my simple-like Oatmeal and Whimsy banned.... due to a Youtube of the Cactus Cuties singing the Star Spangled Banner.... and a white cockatoo dancing to the Backstreet Boys...
I will let you guys go.. I used to do YouTube Saturdays... I think I just did -----one without all that technology, moving picture baggage! haha..
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sassy Spray. . .
I began to think about all the uses for such a product in my own life. While I haven't been accused lately of being sassy, I have been called a lot of other things. I'm looking into the possiblity of a "Grumpy Goo" or even a Whiney Wipe..??? Pouty Paste sounds like a winner, and also a much needed Lazy Lotion... The only trouble is, I'd have to do my own dosage, and that might get a bit off center.
I recall my mother's version of Sassy Spray. It was called FLY-SWATTER. No cute names. No spritzy little whiff in the kisser... just the sting of net around metal (I'm old.. She didn't use a plastic one!) on my bare legs.. I could run faster then, but then so could she. I recall using such motivators as stickers, destruction of toys, and time outs. But my son was never sassy, was he? Funny how that great memory fades a bit in time. We used the bar of soap rubbed on the clenched teeth a time or two... I am sure I didn't deserve it since I don't remember what I did!
My only remembrance of this time includes the idea that Gramma was "sanctuary." All I had to do was make it to her, to the phone, or remember enough detail, and my SWAT protector hit the tarmack and brought out the defense I required. My son used my mom AND my dad in a similar fashion.
I realize, ALAS! There is no version of this spray available for the classroom student. But maybe one will materialize in the near future.
Have a great Labor Day weekend. Hope you are your loved ones are safe from the storms.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A clever little award from Becky
This 'n That....
Here's a couple of shots of my mom's kitchen valance and cappuccino tiers I bought her as a surprise. She had the same lacy tiers for many moons, so I thought it would be fun to put these up while she was asleep. I loved them immediately because they were dark and primitive and yet flouncy.
And, ta-da! My version of the black bean salsa recipe I got from my dear friend this weekend at her scrap booking party.
You need a dishpan size bowl.... HUGE... You'll see why!
Salsa Recipe
Drain and rinse:
2 cans black beans
1 can black eyed peas
Drain:
1 can yellow corn
1 can white shoe peg corn
1 can sliced black olives
1 can green chilies
Chop as finely as you wish:
1 red onion
1 green pepper
2 ribs celery
1 bunch scallions
3-5 firm red tomatoes. I used 5 Romas
1 tbsp. minced garlic
2 seedless jalapeno peppers . I left these out
1/2 to 1 bottle Italian salad dressing. I used light with no sugar added.
Mix all and chill. Gets better and better. I had some plain, some standing in open refrigerator, and some with cottage cheese... Uh.... just as with the awards, I cannot choose a winner! haha... It's delish, and I believe really healthy.?????
Sunday, August 24, 2008
I couldn't wait... I've jumped the gun...
scrapbooking party at a dear friend's house, and she.. uh.. she hadn't waited. Her wreaths were autumnal; her statues in the hall were rather pilgrimmy, her floral decor had shifted to the beautiful tones of my favorite time of the year... She said her husband told her she was a bit premature, but I decided... hey, I'll join her and we won't be too early, we'll be progressive. After all, if it's in the stores, it's fair game??? The painting above this vignette is a Will Moses print I bought for my mother, and the doll is going to get a mask if I can find one that size.... at least a treat bucket! The lamp is one my parents bought at an auction together, and by day it's a deep cranberry red At night with the lights off and incandescent bulbs inside, it glows a cheerful burnt orange... De---lightful. Stay tuned. More to come.... I tell you this. Autumn is my fav-o-rite season of them all...... Hugs for a good week.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
They came to me!
Banner Giveaway at Isabella's Closet
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Dialogue
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Dive in.... The Water's Fine!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Reality vs Fiction
While driving along, I spotted an interesting bridge, and although I knew I couldn't drive across, I thought I could get closer and see the other side. Reality: It was a convoluted hunk of metal lying on a pile of debris... No bridge to anywhere.... but I did manage to snap a shot of Queen Anne's lace. This lovely "flower" is actually a weed,they say, but I have picked many huge bouquets of it in my day. I love the look... It's better left on the stem outdoors because it lasts such a short time in a vase of water...
My mind is kind of on stun lately... maybe for the past couple of years, gradually getting worse. I told Lisa in an email that I'm functioning with most of my circuits turned off... I choose to live with my brain in the sleep mode but my daily round on screen saver.... So what you see isn't what you get... I can't remember squat. I have technology issues with my new hardware at school. The kids come Monday. I still don't love living here. My Mom isn't feeling very healthy. My son isn't all that thrilled with his situation. My cat lives elsewhere, and I never see her. . Some of my friends and relatives are stressed to their breaking points... I just feel that I've fizzled out at living and am doing a pretty rotten job of seizing the day, moment... you know.. So, what I'm asking is for you to leave your best self help routine in a comment.. What do you do when you get these feelings? If you don't get them, tell me that, too. I need to know if I'm the Lone Ranger on this one or if it's fairly common... I don't wanna wallow in self pity, but I need to get a grip... Taking time for me... doesn't work. I have no clue what to do with me when I get me.. ha ha... Hugs!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Anniversary. . .
I am convinced there is a vat in Heaven somewhere marked "tears" since the Bible does say the LORD saves all our tears in a bottle... Yeah, what a nice fat bottle he has for me... and I hope it is blue, fancy glass with a huge stopper... and I hope my sweet daddy, who collected bottles and glass and baubles, is taking care of it, too...
I have posted before that my dad loved to work, and I love to work, as well. However, our choice of things to work on is very different. Daddy could do everything from electricity to woodworking to very heavy labor. He could see what something needs in order to be fixed... and then fix it. So when the heavy rains pour in around our windows now, my mother cries. When a tree limb echoes to the ground, she cries... When the world crashes around about, she cries again... because her man could have, would have, and did fix it. I am not my daddy, of course, and I cannot fix anything really.... But I often try. To my pride and joy, I have replaced a fuse in a very confusing box of screw-in fuses..... and I have nailed a few things, swept clean a bit of rubble to create a clearing, and .... I have moved in with Mom. As you know, I gave up my beloved home (which was kind of the breath and soul of my daily round) and am here all the time. Whenever I'm tempted to wish I could do more like Daddy did, I think.. wait .... I am doing what I can.I could go on and on... There is no end to the respect, love, and devotion I have for Daddy. He was 84. He had a bad heart. He'd had a good summer. This is not Heaven, and we lose our family one by one. ... or we go on ourselves. While that concept probably isn't uplifting, it is peaceful and solid and true. But I recently found his favorite telephone jacket in a stack of clean clothes, so I nabbed it for me. It's in a basket almost underneath the far side of my bed. I don't plan to wear it, but I do love to pat it and smile when I'm hanging head-first off the bed, looking for my glasses or my cell phone or my Vicks jar... It's kind of a nice little surprise every time, and I think, "Yeah, keep on doing the little things and there won't be so many big ones." One of his sayings... and another one was this, "It's better than good." Yeah, Daddy, it is. I love you.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Last Daze of Summer. . .
The restaurant features a gospel night every so often with a packed house. Local nursing homes bring their residents. Tonight was that night, and they were frying seventeen chickens... SEVENTEEN... wow...
This mansion is on the outskirts of Clarence, and I think it is owned by a pharmacist. Looks exciting, but this is actually a zoom picture, so it's closer than I've ever been. I would love to look out the top story... that little turret part.... but oh, it would be hard to clean, huh? I guess if a person has enough money to build a home like that, they have enough to hire a housekeeper.... I would need two! haha...