I'd forgotten about Red Neckerson's radio spots from when I was a child until I read his obituary today. Clean enough for family (unless you're a real prude) but still funny. Wish we had more like him.
He wrote this in 1991. Imagine what he would say about cell phones now!
"From 1991Cell phone madness is in the air
by red neckerson
I recently read an article on a study that concluded cell phones cause no harm to users, and frankly I was disappointed. That leaves punishment to folks like me who are fed up with loud-mouthed lamebrains shrieking into those gizmos at ball games, movies, restaurants and stores, or while weaving all over the road at 90 miles an hour. The sickos who design cell phones make them the size of a chigger so they will be easier to lose, prompting sales for replacements. Since the tiny microphone is nowhere near the user's mouth, they have to scream to be heard by the victim of the call. This is irritating, disruptive and confusing to anyone else within 100 yards of them. Last night, I stopped by the grocery store to browse and complain about prices, when some woman yelled, "What are we having for supper?" Even thought I thought it was sort of a nosy question, I hollered back, "Baloney sandwiches, what else?" She gave me a dirty look and ordered me to "Mind my own business." Then I noticed she was talking into a cell phone. I thought she had been pulling on an ear lobe like Carol Burnett. Even more maddening is to be driving along, minding my own business and spotting a tailgater yakking on a cell phone. I always suspect that they are phoning the police to turn me in for some minor infraction. These fiendish devices don't make a normal beeping or ringing sound, oh no, that wouldn't be irritating enough. They blast out some nauseating version of "Dixie," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" or "Me So Horny." Being confined near someone carrying such a constantly erupting torture device could turn an anger management consultant into a homicidal maniac. Cell phones have been banned in our home. We shall continue to communicate as nature intended, by yelling at one another."
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Home school
Roo and her Mom are getting first grade home school off to a good start. (Just hope it stays that way!) I had to laugh though when she corrected Mom about the San Franscisco earthquake today. Mom was explaining it had been a really long time ago since that occurred, more than 100 years ago, in 1908. Roo very quickly, but not impolitely, said "I think it was 1906." Guess that home school teaching can cut both ways, lol.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Should be interesting...
Roo and her Mom had their first day of home school today. When she told Little Bit she would be staring pre-school at the end of the month, she said she wanted to go to home school. Should be interesting when she really does start.
Friday, August 13, 2010
In honor of Friday the 13th
I wrote this column a couple of years ago after a colossal but funny blunder I made on Friday 13th.
I’ve never considered myself to be a superstitious person and have always laughed at the idea of a particular number causing an ordinary Friday to be an “unlucky” day.
Maybe not anymore though. Yesterday may have gone a long way towards convincing me that maybe there just might really be something to all the fuss.
I actually managed to get a haircut without catastrophe but that was about the only thing that didn’t seem to go wrong all day.
Aside from the fact it was about as hot, sticky and miserable a day as we have had so far, the first clue came early when I was drying water off my car and discovered someone had run something up under the undercarriage and left a small scratch. A tiny one, but a scratch nevertheless. Needless to say it was not the best way to start the day.
Then I discovered a certain bank branch (not local) had mixed up my account with my daughter’s and changed the checking status. No biggie, just another straw like discovering later that the spell checker file seems to have disappeared from my computer.
Staying in the house didn’t help either. I was pretty sure it would be fairly safe to dip some cherries in melted chocolate. Wrong. I had about finished the task and was quite proud I had managed to get it done without getting any on me when the spoon I had been using to scrape the bowl flipped straight up and spilled the stuff on me, the counter, the floor and what seemed like the whole kitchen. (I never knew an iced teaspoon could hold that much!)
Somehow though, the mess skipped from my blouse to the floor and missed my white pants entirely. I was feeling pretty good about that but by the time I got it all cleaned up, I had gotten chocolate all over them.
About then, the dryer shut off and I went to get my coverlet out before it wrinkled. In a momentary lapse of sanity, I just gathered the clean linen up to my chocolate covered shirt and headed into the den. You can guess what that did to the “clean” part of clean linen. As if that was not enough, after I managed to get that fisasco straightened out, the darn thing had shrunken 3-4 inches and doesn’t fit the bed anymore. Go figure!
Things quietened down for a little while but I should have known it wasn’t over. My cell phone rang late in the afternoon and a sweet little thing named Heather said she was calling about a Father’s Day Contest I had entered my dad into. I swear I am not usually rude to telemarketers but with the day I had had so far, coupled with the fact Daddy has been dead since 1978, I was really annoyed with her. I thought, “How cheesy,” using a sentimental holiday to try to sell something!
I told her my father had been dead 40 years (yes, I know it’s 30 but that was no time for math) and asked how she got my cell phone number. But I snapped the phone shut before the poor thing had time to answer. I must say in my defense, Heather talked quite rapidly and I only understood about every other word.
Unfortunately, about the time I closed the telephone, I realized what she was calling about. I had entered my son-in-law Jamie in a Father’s Day contest on a nationally syndicated radio show. I had 30 seconds to tell them why I thought he deserved to win one of three really nice Craftsman tool sets (or one of several tool boxes) and apparently my entry was a winning one.
I called right back but she had gone on to the next person on the list and given Jamie’s prize to them. I don’t know if it was one of the biggies or not and I don’t think I want to know.
When I called my daughter and told her what had happened, into between entirely too much snickering and giggling, she said I didn’t even have to tell them about it. I said yes I did. When I do something that supid, I have to share it with someone. She asked if I wanted to tell Jamie but I let her handle that job. He called back in a few minutes and he was laughing even harder than Julie did. Unfortunately, that gift of uncontrollable mirth was all he “won.”
That was by no means the last aggravating thing that happened before I went to bed but was probably the most traumatic. It’s really bad when the highlight and lowlight of your day is losing a really nice gift for your son-in-law.
He was a good sport about it though. He says my thinking that much of him was gift enough. Knowing how much he loves Craftsman tools, I can only hope he still feels the same way when he finally stops laughing so hard.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia, Anyone?
I’ve never considered myself to be a superstitious person and have always laughed at the idea of a particular number causing an ordinary Friday to be an “unlucky” day.
Maybe not anymore though. Yesterday may have gone a long way towards convincing me that maybe there just might really be something to all the fuss.
I actually managed to get a haircut without catastrophe but that was about the only thing that didn’t seem to go wrong all day.
Aside from the fact it was about as hot, sticky and miserable a day as we have had so far, the first clue came early when I was drying water off my car and discovered someone had run something up under the undercarriage and left a small scratch. A tiny one, but a scratch nevertheless. Needless to say it was not the best way to start the day.
Then I discovered a certain bank branch (not local) had mixed up my account with my daughter’s and changed the checking status. No biggie, just another straw like discovering later that the spell checker file seems to have disappeared from my computer.
Staying in the house didn’t help either. I was pretty sure it would be fairly safe to dip some cherries in melted chocolate. Wrong. I had about finished the task and was quite proud I had managed to get it done without getting any on me when the spoon I had been using to scrape the bowl flipped straight up and spilled the stuff on me, the counter, the floor and what seemed like the whole kitchen. (I never knew an iced teaspoon could hold that much!)
Somehow though, the mess skipped from my blouse to the floor and missed my white pants entirely. I was feeling pretty good about that but by the time I got it all cleaned up, I had gotten chocolate all over them.
About then, the dryer shut off and I went to get my coverlet out before it wrinkled. In a momentary lapse of sanity, I just gathered the clean linen up to my chocolate covered shirt and headed into the den. You can guess what that did to the “clean” part of clean linen. As if that was not enough, after I managed to get that fisasco straightened out, the darn thing had shrunken 3-4 inches and doesn’t fit the bed anymore. Go figure!
Things quietened down for a little while but I should have known it wasn’t over. My cell phone rang late in the afternoon and a sweet little thing named Heather said she was calling about a Father’s Day Contest I had entered my dad into. I swear I am not usually rude to telemarketers but with the day I had had so far, coupled with the fact Daddy has been dead since 1978, I was really annoyed with her. I thought, “How cheesy,” using a sentimental holiday to try to sell something!
I told her my father had been dead 40 years (yes, I know it’s 30 but that was no time for math) and asked how she got my cell phone number. But I snapped the phone shut before the poor thing had time to answer. I must say in my defense, Heather talked quite rapidly and I only understood about every other word.
Unfortunately, about the time I closed the telephone, I realized what she was calling about. I had entered my son-in-law Jamie in a Father’s Day contest on a nationally syndicated radio show. I had 30 seconds to tell them why I thought he deserved to win one of three really nice Craftsman tool sets (or one of several tool boxes) and apparently my entry was a winning one.
I called right back but she had gone on to the next person on the list and given Jamie’s prize to them. I don’t know if it was one of the biggies or not and I don’t think I want to know.
When I called my daughter and told her what had happened, into between entirely too much snickering and giggling, she said I didn’t even have to tell them about it. I said yes I did. When I do something that supid, I have to share it with someone. She asked if I wanted to tell Jamie but I let her handle that job. He called back in a few minutes and he was laughing even harder than Julie did. Unfortunately, that gift of uncontrollable mirth was all he “won.”
That was by no means the last aggravating thing that happened before I went to bed but was probably the most traumatic. It’s really bad when the highlight and lowlight of your day is losing a really nice gift for your son-in-law.
He was a good sport about it though. He says my thinking that much of him was gift enough. Knowing how much he loves Craftsman tools, I can only hope he still feels the same way when he finally stops laughing so hard.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
At least it isn't that!
The girls were playing with Barbie dolls a few days ago when Little Bit (the three-year-old) told her sister that the doll she was playing with was sick. When Roo asked what was wrong, LB told her that the doll had H1N1 and it was worse than a tummy bug.
The past few weeks have been rough, especially the last two, but at least I don't have that. My allergies rank it pretty high on the list of feeling rough though, especially when they are relentless as these are. They seem to be partially under control for now and they've begun working on the mold problem in my apartment at last. Hopefully, I will soon be rid of the mold for good and perhaps to feeling like a human once more.
My good friend and neighbor procured wonderful seats at the Braves game/Sara Evans concert yesterday and we had a blast. Her generous cousin who works for the Braves, gave them to us free of charge, and even gave us a parking pass!. Good to know there are nice folks still around...
The past few weeks have been rough, especially the last two, but at least I don't have that. My allergies rank it pretty high on the list of feeling rough though, especially when they are relentless as these are. They seem to be partially under control for now and they've begun working on the mold problem in my apartment at last. Hopefully, I will soon be rid of the mold for good and perhaps to feeling like a human once more.
My good friend and neighbor procured wonderful seats at the Braves game/Sara Evans concert yesterday and we had a blast. Her generous cousin who works for the Braves, gave them to us free of charge, and even gave us a parking pass!. Good to know there are nice folks still around...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Getting lazy again
I fear I am getting lazy again but it's difficult to keep up a blog when your co-blogger goes silent. In my defense, it has been that kind of week. I've tried to keep check on my neighbor regularly even though I probably haven't been much help. She seems to be improving every day though. Having been down that path, I know how she feels!
Still fighting allergies. During all this, I somehow managed to injure my knee and finally wound up getting a shot in it after ultra sound etc. didn't help much. Also had a 4th allergy med added to my regimen in addition to the shorts. I gave the company that owns this apartment to either get rid of the mold here or I would be looking for a new place. I may have a new, inside advantage in this matter. I learned from a condo board member that in the future, when a tenant vacates a property, it will have to be sold. Outside owners will no longer be permitted to use it for rental property. It that holds, this means they need to keep me here in order to recoup some of what they paid for it.
To cap off the week so far, I got caught in a sudden downpour while waiting to cross Peachtree this afternoon. Not a shelter in sight and I looked like a drowned cat before I could get across and into CVS. Then I realized I had left the moon roof on my car tilted because it was hot and sunny when I left it about 20 minutes before! Water in the parking lot was so deep that I had to wade through it to get to my car to close the roof. The rain was blowing sideways so of course it was getting soaked. I started home and learned it had only rained right there in that little area. Workers six blocks away were raising dust on at their road project.
And it's only Wednesday!
Still fighting allergies. During all this, I somehow managed to injure my knee and finally wound up getting a shot in it after ultra sound etc. didn't help much. Also had a 4th allergy med added to my regimen in addition to the shorts. I gave the company that owns this apartment to either get rid of the mold here or I would be looking for a new place. I may have a new, inside advantage in this matter. I learned from a condo board member that in the future, when a tenant vacates a property, it will have to be sold. Outside owners will no longer be permitted to use it for rental property. It that holds, this means they need to keep me here in order to recoup some of what they paid for it.
To cap off the week so far, I got caught in a sudden downpour while waiting to cross Peachtree this afternoon. Not a shelter in sight and I looked like a drowned cat before I could get across and into CVS. Then I realized I had left the moon roof on my car tilted because it was hot and sunny when I left it about 20 minutes before! Water in the parking lot was so deep that I had to wade through it to get to my car to close the roof. The rain was blowing sideways so of course it was getting soaked. I started home and learned it had only rained right there in that little area. Workers six blocks away were raising dust on at their road project.
And it's only Wednesday!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Maybe customer service isn't quite dead yet
How is this for customer service? (I’ve frequently found it lacking so I want to share some good experiences for a change.)
An order for a specialty order from Papa John’s a few weeks ago took 45 minutes to get to me. (I posted earlier that they had cooked my order incorrectly and this gave me both pizzas.) Not long after that, I received a post card in the mail from them said my recent order did not meet their delivery standards and they wanted to give me a free pizza. That meant 3 large specialty pizzas for the $10 promotional price I paid for one. Outstanding!
The second instance was last Sunday when my son and I were in Target after having brunch at Radial’s. A huge thunderstorm started before we finished and the power went out. (Do you know it’s really, really pitch black in Target when you’re standing at the back of the store where there are no windows and the lights go off?) The backup power kicked in a few minutes later and when we got to the registers, there was a young woman standing there handing out coupons for $3 off everyone’s order for the “inconvenience” experienced. A very pleasant surprise since they had no control over the weather and it wasn’t like anyone was leaving with lightning crashing all around and buckets of rain falling! Good touch though and I commend them for it.
An order for a specialty order from Papa John’s a few weeks ago took 45 minutes to get to me. (I posted earlier that they had cooked my order incorrectly and this gave me both pizzas.) Not long after that, I received a post card in the mail from them said my recent order did not meet their delivery standards and they wanted to give me a free pizza. That meant 3 large specialty pizzas for the $10 promotional price I paid for one. Outstanding!
The second instance was last Sunday when my son and I were in Target after having brunch at Radial’s. A huge thunderstorm started before we finished and the power went out. (Do you know it’s really, really pitch black in Target when you’re standing at the back of the store where there are no windows and the lights go off?) The backup power kicked in a few minutes later and when we got to the registers, there was a young woman standing there handing out coupons for $3 off everyone’s order for the “inconvenience” experienced. A very pleasant surprise since they had no control over the weather and it wasn’t like anyone was leaving with lightning crashing all around and buckets of rain falling! Good touch though and I commend them for it.
More this & that
It's been a busy week. Might have been busier if it weren't so darned hot! Wonder why you can sit at home for days on end but when you really want to relax and chill out, the phone rings almost insessantly with someone wanted a piece of you. Go figure!
Exciting (?) news on the homefront but cannot share it publicly just yet. Soon though.
Enjoyed the girls visiting on Monday. Mom brought them over to swim and visit a while. Still funny to watch the little one push her sister's buttons. One of those "pushes" took place in the pool.
I had gotten those kid-sized boogie board type things for them to use in the pool. Little Bit's was green (her favorite color) with a cute alligator so she promptly named it Captain Alligator. Holding it tightly in her arms, she told her sister, "First one who gets Captain Alligator wins. I WIIIN"!" Naturally, this brought the expected, "Mama!" reaction from her sister. Wonder how many times a day that happens?
Of course, they were playing like nothing happened in the next minute. These two love each other as much as I've ever seen siblings do this. So nice to see that in action.
They "helped" Mom make Daddy an ice cream birthday cake this weekend. In retrospect, perhaps the blue and green Cool Whip was not the greatest idea ever but made a good photo op.
As for me, I have to recuperate from actually cooking two things today. My good deed for a neighbor who had surgery last Thursday. I'll be back to normal soon, whatever that is!
Exciting (?) news on the homefront but cannot share it publicly just yet. Soon though.
Enjoyed the girls visiting on Monday. Mom brought them over to swim and visit a while. Still funny to watch the little one push her sister's buttons. One of those "pushes" took place in the pool.
I had gotten those kid-sized boogie board type things for them to use in the pool. Little Bit's was green (her favorite color) with a cute alligator so she promptly named it Captain Alligator. Holding it tightly in her arms, she told her sister, "First one who gets Captain Alligator wins. I WIIIN"!" Naturally, this brought the expected, "Mama!" reaction from her sister. Wonder how many times a day that happens?
Of course, they were playing like nothing happened in the next minute. These two love each other as much as I've ever seen siblings do this. So nice to see that in action.
They "helped" Mom make Daddy an ice cream birthday cake this weekend. In retrospect, perhaps the blue and green Cool Whip was not the greatest idea ever but made a good photo op.
As for me, I have to recuperate from actually cooking two things today. My good deed for a neighbor who had surgery last Thursday. I'll be back to normal soon, whatever that is!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
So many words...
Election time in Georgia is upon us and with all the words that have been used, I'm still waiting to hear something meaningful to be said.
It takes forever (if then) for our legislature to pass reasonable laws like banning texting or, heaven forbid, regulations to protect the air we breathe, but ones allowing people to keep roadkill and legalize other inane, even irresponsible, activities breeze right through.
It seems to me time would be better spent passing legislation that is helpful, not a law that lets people take a possum frisbee home. Does anyone honestly think a person who would actually pick up road kill would care if they have permission to keep it or not? It makes me so proud…
It takes forever (if then) for our legislature to pass reasonable laws like banning texting or, heaven forbid, regulations to protect the air we breathe, but ones allowing people to keep roadkill and legalize other inane, even irresponsible, activities breeze right through.
It seems to me time would be better spent passing legislation that is helpful, not a law that lets people take a possum frisbee home. Does anyone honestly think a person who would actually pick up road kill would care if they have permission to keep it or not? It makes me so proud…
Friday, July 16, 2010
Life Snapshot
Observed at CVS yesterday afternoon (when I went back to pick up the botched prescription from Wednesday):
A slightly harried-looking young woman with three little doorsteps, one of whom she was holding in her arms while she was herding the other two around, trying to shop. The little one was being distracted by gnawing on a pack of condoms she apparently was planning to purchase. I was thinking, ‘If he bites a hole in that, there may be another rung in the family ladder.!’
A slightly harried-looking young woman with three little doorsteps, one of whom she was holding in her arms while she was herding the other two around, trying to shop. The little one was being distracted by gnawing on a pack of condoms she apparently was planning to purchase. I was thinking, ‘If he bites a hole in that, there may be another rung in the family ladder.!’
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A "why me?" kind of day
Considering that I slept less than an hour last night, I thought my day was getting off to a decent start, reading the paper and relaxing. Then the plumbers who were supposed to call when they were on their way over, knocked on my door with no warning before I even got dressed. (Okay, it was after 9a.m. but this crew didn’t show up at all yesterday as they were supposed to). They made a mess and the problem is still unresolved.
After they left, I finished dressing and went for an allergy shot and to pick up a prescription at CVS only to learn the doctor’s office had faxed it to the wrong store. Waited while they got it transferred, only to find out the nurse had given the wrong dosage! Told them I would come back after they contacted her and got it corrected. Then, I tried to pay for a couple of little trinkets marked 90% off, only to have them ring up at half price, yet another, albeit brief, wait for a manager to correct this.
It was beginning to feel as though I’d stumbled into some sort of slapstick movie and/or someone would jump out and say, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!” any minute. Didn’t happen so I headed back to my moldy apartment and I’m staying here the rest of the day! I have Diet Coke and peanut butter and I think I hear José Cuervo calling my name…
After they left, I finished dressing and went for an allergy shot and to pick up a prescription at CVS only to learn the doctor’s office had faxed it to the wrong store. Waited while they got it transferred, only to find out the nurse had given the wrong dosage! Told them I would come back after they contacted her and got it corrected. Then, I tried to pay for a couple of little trinkets marked 90% off, only to have them ring up at half price, yet another, albeit brief, wait for a manager to correct this.
It was beginning to feel as though I’d stumbled into some sort of slapstick movie and/or someone would jump out and say, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!” any minute. Didn’t happen so I headed back to my moldy apartment and I’m staying here the rest of the day! I have Diet Coke and peanut butter and I think I hear José Cuervo calling my name…
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
From (almost worst) to first
Our team trivia usually has from 5-8 players on average but only three of us showed up tonight. In 5th place all night until final question when we apparently were the only ones who knew the 20 pointer at the end. I'm still a little ashamed that I knew what G.L.O.W. stands for. And I'm happy to say I didn't know what being anthropophagic meant even though I figured out the answer. Best part: we only have to split $50 three ways next week. This way I can even afford a Margarita!
Monday, July 12, 2010
P.S. to Just missed it
These were Mom's words about the previously mentioned planned concert: "just caught K**** smuggling maracas and other assorted musical instruments into her room. Apparently, the girls were planning a musical celebration first thing in the morning to wish us a happy anniversary...darn, words cannot express how sorry I am I intercepted that one..."
Just missed it by that much!
The girls enjoyed their uncle playing with them in the pool last Saturday but I should have known better than to leave him alone with them more than five minutes. Seems he planted the seed of an idea in their heads for a special anniversary gift for their parents.
Mom caught the oldest one trying to slip maracas into her room when she was going to bed. After a bit of questioning, it turns out the girls had planned to come marching and singing into their room quite early Sunday morning, as their own unique gift.
Of course, Uncle D says he only suggested they sing for them and Roo is known to take a simple idea and spin it into a huge project; but knowing their uncle as well as I do, you have to wonder...
Mom caught the oldest one trying to slip maracas into her room when she was going to bed. After a bit of questioning, it turns out the girls had planned to come marching and singing into their room quite early Sunday morning, as their own unique gift.
Of course, Uncle D says he only suggested they sing for them and Roo is known to take a simple idea and spin it into a huge project; but knowing their uncle as well as I do, you have to wonder...
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Things you do for grandchildren
If you really enjoy self-inflicted pain (or just feel the urge to hurt yourself), spend a couple of hours at Dillards trying on bathing suits! No blood and guaranteed to induce extreme agony! Just the the trauma of seeing yourself half naked in a full length mirror is enough to make you want to run screaming out of the door. After putting your other clothes back on of course. I'm sure part of it was the lighting. Complete darkness would have been preferable.
That was yesterday. Today I've learned there's one thing even more embarassing: being seen in public in the one you finally settle on! The girls were here this afternoon to let Mom and Dad have some time to themselves to celebrate their 12th anniversary and of course, they wanted to go swimming. So, if you hear of an outbreak of snow blindness in northwest Atlanta, it was just me taking them to the pool! I don't even remember the last time I was in a swimming pool and my legs (and some other parts) are so white you need sunglasses to look at them!
That was yesterday. Today I've learned there's one thing even more embarassing: being seen in public in the one you finally settle on! The girls were here this afternoon to let Mom and Dad have some time to themselves to celebrate their 12th anniversary and of course, they wanted to go swimming. So, if you hear of an outbreak of snow blindness in northwest Atlanta, it was just me taking them to the pool! I don't even remember the last time I was in a swimming pool and my legs (and some other parts) are so white you need sunglasses to look at them!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
One of those double take moments
I was sitting behind a motocycle in traffic earlier today, vaguely thinking the head gear its rider was wearing was nice but wouldn't do much to protect his skin if he crashed while wearing those shorty shorts and t-shirt when I looked at the back of his head a little more closely. He was wearing his sunglass on the back of his neck, just beneath the back of his helmet and for the world, it look as though he had a face on both sides. So funny. I opened up my phone to take a photo but the light changed before I could. That's one shot I hated missing!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
I knew this would happen
Okay, I've been a day ahead since last Wednesday. After a Monday holiday, now I'm a day ahead. Should be an interesting week!
It was a great weekend though. Several friends gathered at my son's apartment in Midtown with lots of laughs and camaraderie, good food, only a tiny bit of drinking, then watching fireworks over Centennial Olympic Park from the roof. The weather was incredible, not at all like July 4 in Georgia. Comfortable temperature, practically no humidity, and a nice breeze blowing all evening. It seems a little strange that the northeast part of the country is suffering from a heat wave while the past few days here have been moderate. Nice while it lasts though.
The week ahead is busy, culminating with the girls coming over Saturday afternoon while Mom and Dad celebrate their 12th anniversary. Just hoping the weather is good so they can get in the pool for a while. (I'm working on getting their uncle to come over and help entertain them at least for a while.) If it isn't, I have a feeling this little apartment is going to get really small before the day is out!
It was a great weekend though. Several friends gathered at my son's apartment in Midtown with lots of laughs and camaraderie, good food, only a tiny bit of drinking, then watching fireworks over Centennial Olympic Park from the roof. The weather was incredible, not at all like July 4 in Georgia. Comfortable temperature, practically no humidity, and a nice breeze blowing all evening. It seems a little strange that the northeast part of the country is suffering from a heat wave while the past few days here have been moderate. Nice while it lasts though.
The week ahead is busy, culminating with the girls coming over Saturday afternoon while Mom and Dad celebrate their 12th anniversary. Just hoping the weather is good so they can get in the pool for a while. (I'm working on getting their uncle to come over and help entertain them at least for a while.) If it isn't, I have a feeling this little apartment is going to get really small before the day is out!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Don't you hate when this happens?
I thought Wednesday was Thursday, even to the point I called the doctor's office to apologize for missing an appointment scheduled for Thursday morning. Thursday felt like Friday, and yesterday was definitely Sunday-ish. I don't know what today feels like but I just know I'm going to hate tomorrow! In the meantime, I think I will head over to Midtown and watch the fireworks at Centennial Olympic Park.
Friday, July 2, 2010
What?
I've been flipping through one of those "modern" parent magazines. Albeit, there are some good ideas in it but I'm still shaking my head at some of the suggestions. One said to "encourage the effort instead of praising the deed." Sounds kind of okay until you read the example of praising a child for showing self control and not arguing with the parent.
Whatever happened to excercising the right to forbid your kid from talking back to you? You know ~ the old 'I'm your Mom/Dad and you do not sass/backtalk/ smart off at me.'
Another was to reward your child with a trip to the ice cream/shop when s/he is complimented on his/her behavior by someone else. Please! Why should you reward a kid for behaving in public? No wonder so many of them are confused!
Whatever happened to excercising the right to forbid your kid from talking back to you? You know ~ the old 'I'm your Mom/Dad and you do not sass/backtalk/ smart off at me.'
Another was to reward your child with a trip to the ice cream/shop when s/he is complimented on his/her behavior by someone else. Please! Why should you reward a kid for behaving in public? No wonder so many of them are confused!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
People (and dog) Watching
If you watch people when they walk their pets, you have to wonder if their attitude reflects their parenting or potential parenting skills.
Some walk at the animal's pace, letting it amble along sniffing, checking out everything while others drag their furbabies by the neck, impatient to get it over and done. Makes me curious if their children have the same attitude. The lucky ones have someone who knows they are confined most of the time and walking is as much about exploring and getting out as exercise while the others regard it as just another chore that takes time out of their busy lives. You have to wonder why they even bother having a pet.
Can't you just see laidback, happy kids while the others are Type A from hell!?!
Some walk at the animal's pace, letting it amble along sniffing, checking out everything while others drag their furbabies by the neck, impatient to get it over and done. Makes me curious if their children have the same attitude. The lucky ones have someone who knows they are confined most of the time and walking is as much about exploring and getting out as exercise while the others regard it as just another chore that takes time out of their busy lives. You have to wonder why they even bother having a pet.
Can't you just see laidback, happy kids while the others are Type A from hell!?!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
TS reported a conversation this morning between her girls: Roo: "(Little) Bit stop doing (fill in the blank with some mildly annoying behavior)." Little Bit: "Well, you know (Roo), you have to understand I'm only 3 years old...I don't know any better," followed by an extra-cheesy grin. Hmmm, wonder where she's heard that one, lol!
Sounds a lot like Mom to me!
Sounds a lot like Mom to me!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
At the top of impossible to do list
is to keep from completely cracking up when the person sitting across the lunch table from you answers his phone and has the volume turned up so high you can clearly hear a person identifying herself as from a doctor's office saying, “Mr. He-Who-Shall-Remain-Nameless, I talked to Dr. XXX and he has approved your prescription for Cialis.”
If you can sit through that without losing it, you're a very special person. For that matter, even looking them in the eye without laughing is second on that list. Perhaps I should have been embarrassed but at this stage of life, I found it hilarious. Wonder if he had plans he failed to share with me? Definitely put a damper on it if he did!
If you can sit through that without losing it, you're a very special person. For that matter, even looking them in the eye without laughing is second on that list. Perhaps I should have been embarrassed but at this stage of life, I found it hilarious. Wonder if he had plans he failed to share with me? Definitely put a damper on it if he did!
Friday, June 25, 2010
More This & That
It's been a busy week, almost too busy for the laid back style I prefer, but nice to have someone who wants to include you in their lives.
TS and the girls came over yesterday afternoon. (I have to say yesterday since it is after 4 a.m. on Friday!) They had a great time and just before leaving, Roo told me twice that she wantes to come live with me. I'd like to believe it's my personality, charisma, charm, and just being an overall fantastic grandmother but I'm pretty sure it's the swimming pools here at my complex that are the real appeal.
Wish TS had time to share some of their "adventures." After hearing Roo's discourse on a dead bee and dead squirrel, she thinks her daughter has found her calling as a professional eulogist as she can always find something good to say about anything. Perhaps she will be able to elaborate on it soon.
TS and the girls came over yesterday afternoon. (I have to say yesterday since it is after 4 a.m. on Friday!) They had a great time and just before leaving, Roo told me twice that she wantes to come live with me. I'd like to believe it's my personality, charisma, charm, and just being an overall fantastic grandmother but I'm pretty sure it's the swimming pools here at my complex that are the real appeal.
Wish TS had time to share some of their "adventures." After hearing Roo's discourse on a dead bee and dead squirrel, she thinks her daughter has found her calling as a professional eulogist as she can always find something good to say about anything. Perhaps she will be able to elaborate on it soon.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Not a good idea after all
Next time I feel domestic and decide I actually want to cook, I think I will lie down until the urge passes!
I had to force myself to go grocery shopping yesterday but while I was there, I did spot some really nice looking pork tenderloins at a decent price and they sort of beckoned to me. Since all you have to do is stick them in the oven for 25-30 minutes, it seemed like a good idea at the time to get one. Plus, I've temporarily grown a little tired of Lean Cuisine and protein bars.
It cooked beautifully and smelled so good that my neighbors were probably drooling. Just one problem though: I thought I was getting just a plain tenderloin but turns out it had been marinated in teriyaki stuff. One taste totally shocked my tastebuds and I wound up spitting it in the garbage. I like some teriyaki flavors but not this particular marinade. Besides, I prefer my tenderloin roasted with just coarse pepper sprinkled on it. I wrapped it in foil and stuck it in the freezer until I can see if TS and her family like it. If not, I'm sure their dogs will. If I ever get the nerve to do this again, I really need to read labels more carefully!
I had to force myself to go grocery shopping yesterday but while I was there, I did spot some really nice looking pork tenderloins at a decent price and they sort of beckoned to me. Since all you have to do is stick them in the oven for 25-30 minutes, it seemed like a good idea at the time to get one. Plus, I've temporarily grown a little tired of Lean Cuisine and protein bars.
It cooked beautifully and smelled so good that my neighbors were probably drooling. Just one problem though: I thought I was getting just a plain tenderloin but turns out it had been marinated in teriyaki stuff. One taste totally shocked my tastebuds and I wound up spitting it in the garbage. I like some teriyaki flavors but not this particular marinade. Besides, I prefer my tenderloin roasted with just coarse pepper sprinkled on it. I wrapped it in foil and stuck it in the freezer until I can see if TS and her family like it. If not, I'm sure their dogs will. If I ever get the nerve to do this again, I really need to read labels more carefully!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Was it my breath?
Son #1 and I decided to have Sunday brunch at Amuse! yesterday, a French restaurant in Midtown. It was okay but not nearly as good as it's touted to be. The experience wound up being pretty funny though when it turned into another of our slightly strange adventures. (He and I seem to attract weird people and/or find ourselves in odd situations way too often!)
Our reservations were at 11:30 a.m., their opening time, and apparently we were our server's first table. She was cute as could be, laughing and relaxed, and very pleasant overall. She took out drink orders, returned with them, took our food order, and stopped by again to see if everything was okay while we were waiting for the food. Different servers and management types drift by all the time to refill glasses, etc. so we didn't think much about it when someone else brought our food.
As the meal progressed, we were talking, catching up on things, and I didn't think too much about her lack of presence for a while. We had requested something to follow our meal when we placed the original order but when we were about finished, she still hadn't reappeared to see if we were ready for that dish. I looked around but didn't see her anywhere. I had a very clear view of the restaurant from my seat, including the service area; however, she remained invisible. She seemed to have simply vanished into thin air. We stopped another server to complete our order and I asked what happened to ours. I was told, "She quit." Just like that. No other explanation, just two words. The server we had been dumped onto was a little harried so we didn't pursue the inquiry. Things like this seem par for the course for him and/or me way too often. Keeps life interesting though, lol.
I still have no idea what happened. I know I brushed and flossed beforehand, even used deodorant, and I'm pretty sure he did also. When we ordered, I asked the difference betweem a Croque Madame and a Croque Monsieur. When she explained the only difference was that a Croque Madame had a cooked egg on top. Of course, my son had to explain that the egg on top, represented ovaries, thus the feminine title! Not sure if he was joking, reasoning it out, or actually knew this for a fact but she laughed and said it was a good tip to remember. I don't think that would have caused her to leave less than 15 minutes into her shift but who knows?
Our reservations were at 11:30 a.m., their opening time, and apparently we were our server's first table. She was cute as could be, laughing and relaxed, and very pleasant overall. She took out drink orders, returned with them, took our food order, and stopped by again to see if everything was okay while we were waiting for the food. Different servers and management types drift by all the time to refill glasses, etc. so we didn't think much about it when someone else brought our food.
As the meal progressed, we were talking, catching up on things, and I didn't think too much about her lack of presence for a while. We had requested something to follow our meal when we placed the original order but when we were about finished, she still hadn't reappeared to see if we were ready for that dish. I looked around but didn't see her anywhere. I had a very clear view of the restaurant from my seat, including the service area; however, she remained invisible. She seemed to have simply vanished into thin air. We stopped another server to complete our order and I asked what happened to ours. I was told, "She quit." Just like that. No other explanation, just two words. The server we had been dumped onto was a little harried so we didn't pursue the inquiry. Things like this seem par for the course for him and/or me way too often. Keeps life interesting though, lol.
I still have no idea what happened. I know I brushed and flossed beforehand, even used deodorant, and I'm pretty sure he did also. When we ordered, I asked the difference betweem a Croque Madame and a Croque Monsieur. When she explained the only difference was that a Croque Madame had a cooked egg on top. Of course, my son had to explain that the egg on top, represented ovaries, thus the feminine title! Not sure if he was joking, reasoning it out, or actually knew this for a fact but she laughed and said it was a good tip to remember. I don't think that would have caused her to leave less than 15 minutes into her shift but who knows?
Friday, June 18, 2010
I'm sorta glad
to see this week wind down. After three trips to the chiropractor, the old back is better but still a long way from being good. With these 90-100 degree temperatures, it definitely has not been a bad week to keep ice packs on it almost all the time. Doesn't it seem strange that you can stay home until you almost die of boredom but when you feel least like getting out, you get invitations every day? I did keep my date with friends to see the Braves on Wednesday and even though it was a great game, I questioned the wisdom of sitting in those hard seats for that long after it was over. Definitely headed back when Sara Evans give a free concert on August 7. Loved the Beach Boys and I'm sure she will do a fantastic job as well.
TS and family are at the beach a couple of days but better them than me. I love the view of the ocean and strolling along the edge of the water but prefer to sit on the dock afterwards and watch others. Had enough direct hot sun growing up in South Georgia and delivering the mail all those years. I also do not have enough nerve to be seen in public in a bathing suit either!
TS and family are at the beach a couple of days but better them than me. I love the view of the ocean and strolling along the edge of the water but prefer to sit on the dock afterwards and watch others. Had enough direct hot sun growing up in South Georgia and delivering the mail all those years. I also do not have enough nerve to be seen in public in a bathing suit either!
Monday, June 14, 2010
I'd forgotten
just how extremely painful back spasms can be! Of course I had to slide my new chair around, along with rearranging the rest of the furniture, and apparently pulled a muscle. It's one of those tying-your-back-in-knots-I'd-scream-if-it-would-help kind of things. Haven't had them in a really long time and hope I never do again. A little better tonight but still very much in evidence. God bless my chiropractor for coming in on his day off!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
My "secret" hotdog recipe
I may have posted this recipe at some point but it's worth sharing again. I've been preparing hotdogs this way since my children were small (a really, really long time ago) and it's still a favorite with them on the rare occasion I get around to doing it now. I promise you will not want them any other way once you've eaten them this way. It's absolutely addictive! And easy! Even better, everything can be prepared ahead of time and simmered when you are ready for them. NOTE: It is essential to toast the buns just before using. Not only does it improve the flavor immensely, it keeps the bread from becoming soggy before it is eaten.
Sauté onion in butter. Stir in catsup, relish, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Score hotdogs, add to sauce, and simmer 10 minutes. Serve on hot, toasted buns.
HOT DOGS DELICIOUS
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 T. butter
1-1/4 c. catsup [14-oz. bottle]
2 T. sweet pickle relish
1 T. vinegar
1 T. sugar
1/4 t. salt
Dash of black pepper
1 lb. hot dogs
Toasted Buns
Sauté onion in butter. Stir in catsup, relish, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Score hotdogs, add to sauce, and simmer 10 minutes. Serve on hot, toasted buns.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A good day
Before game time, I ordered my favorite pizza combo from the Papa John's just around the corner. Delivery took so long that I was about to call to see what happened when the guy drove up with my order. Turned out workers left the grilled chicken off the first one so had to cook another. To compensate, they sent both of them to me!
I like leftover pizza as much as the next person but two large ones would have had me on a strict pizza regime three times a day for the next week or longer! Fortunately, my neighbor below me lives alone (except for his canine buddy) and he seemed grateful when I offered to share. Probably not as relieved as I was when he accepted, lol. Turned out well and thanks to the Brits' goalie, the US managed to escape with a 1-1 tie after allowing them to score less than four minutes into the game. A good day indeed!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sharing a favorite
I've been going through some old document files, looking for something that should be there but darned if I know what I've done with it! However, I did run across something I had pasted into a word document long ago when I was doing research for an editorial. I do not recall the author, just that I liked it enough to save it. Here's to enjoying it all over again.
Yes - they do!
Why do I know that? ... let me give you some food for thought.
In the Bible it tells how God will come back on a white horse. If there are no animals in Heaven, where will he get the horse?
It also says the Lamb will lie down beside the Lion. No animals in Heaven?
Psalm 50:10: For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowl of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
When God had made the earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees.
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and the bees.
And when at last He'd finished,
Not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine,
And give each one a name."
And so he traveled far and wide
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed him
Until it's strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, "Dear Lord,
There's not one left for me."
Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
And called you dog, my friend."
There is an Indian legend which says when a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge.... and which are turned away.
"Heaven is the place of final and complete happiness God has prepared for us - and if animals are necessary to make us happy in heaven, then you can be sure God will have them there." --Rev. Billy Graham
Do Animals go to Heaven?
Yes - they do!
Why do I know that? ... let me give you some food for thought.
In the Bible it tells how God will come back on a white horse. If there are no animals in Heaven, where will he get the horse?
It also says the Lamb will lie down beside the Lion. No animals in Heaven?
Psalm 50:10: For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowl of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
When God had made the earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees.
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and the bees.
And when at last He'd finished,
Not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine,
And give each one a name."
And so he traveled far and wide
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed him
Until it's strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, "Dear Lord,
There's not one left for me."
Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
And called you dog, my friend."
There is an Indian legend which says when a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge.... and which are turned away.
"Heaven is the place of final and complete happiness God has prepared for us - and if animals are necessary to make us happy in heaven, then you can be sure God will have them there." --Rev. Billy Graham
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Ruining a good day
How to ruin a perfectly good day in one fell swoop: See the best chiropractor in Atlanta, be given some delicous local tomatoes, shop at Trader Joe's for little things only they seem to carry, have your favorite Starbucks Skinny Mocha for lunch, get home feeling fine, open the mail and find the homeowners tax exemption you were told you were eligible for has been eliminated! It was not a large amount but did save a little bit. I still stay in my house some when I am there, own no property outside Telfair County, get nothing out of it while continuing to pay upkeep and expenses.
To say I am totally p***ed, is a vast understatement! It seems because I changed my voter’s registration to Fulton County that I am no longer allowed to claim this. Just another way for Telfair County to screw those people who do pay their bills on time while they let others go for years never bothering to pay any property taxes! What a crock! And, not that I need one, but what better reason to never move back there?
Funny that I can buy my auto tag there but I'm not allowed to benefit from the only property owners' exemption still left. I feel sorrier for my friends who are there than for myself though. It has always been on the backs of those who pay their taxes while others in much better shape ignore their obligations and we who take ours seriously are hit up more and more every direction we turn. Promises, promises and still we get the short end of the stick. You know, the one with all the brown stuff on it!
To say I am totally p***ed, is a vast understatement! It seems because I changed my voter’s registration to Fulton County that I am no longer allowed to claim this. Just another way for Telfair County to screw those people who do pay their bills on time while they let others go for years never bothering to pay any property taxes! What a crock! And, not that I need one, but what better reason to never move back there?
Funny that I can buy my auto tag there but I'm not allowed to benefit from the only property owners' exemption still left. I feel sorrier for my friends who are there than for myself though. It has always been on the backs of those who pay their taxes while others in much better shape ignore their obligations and we who take ours seriously are hit up more and more every direction we turn. Promises, promises and still we get the short end of the stick. You know, the one with all the brown stuff on it!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Good friends, good company
So far, I've had a wonderful Memorial Day. Right now, I'm watch the National Memorial Day concert on public television. Earlier, I went to ball game with two friends, watched the Braves take over first place, saw wonderful tributes to those who have fallen in military service, A Beach Boys concert, and Fellini’s for pizza afterwards. What a great afternoon! And made even better because I was with friends. We definitely plan to do it again when Sara Evans is there in August.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Is klutzy inherited?
I am sharing what son #1 posted on Facebook. I'm delighted that he has a good enough sense of humor to share it. And yes, I'm still laughing.
"...discovered that a rented Home Depot truck for moving a bed + a parking garage with low clearance fire sprinkler pipes in one small part = one loud boom + one evacuated ATL mid-rise condo + firemen... + a monsoon....not exactly a balanced equation."
He just moved in here this month but I think they're going to let him stay. At least I haven't heard about a run on tar or feathers or pitchforks in local stores yet!
"...discovered that a rented Home Depot truck for moving a bed + a parking garage with low clearance fire sprinkler pipes in one small part = one loud boom + one evacuated ATL mid-rise condo + firemen... + a monsoon....not exactly a balanced equation."
He just moved in here this month but I think they're going to let him stay. At least I haven't heard about a run on tar or feathers or pitchforks in local stores yet!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sailor Kate
My friend Wendy Lee has established a ministry in memory of her little daughter, Sailor Kate, lost to her, husband Jonesy, and their families to a tragic accident when she was just 15 months ago. This ministry has reached out to families who have lost children in a similar accident and will be headed to Virginia next month with a special quilt for a family there. Their progress can be viewed at http://www.sailorkate.com/.
Monday, May 17, 2010
I've been exceeding lazy about keeping up this blog the past few weeks and for that I apologize. In my defense, I am still fighting pollen/allergies/whatever seems to come long. Finally conceded defeat and went to an allergist last Monday. Tested positive on my arm for one kind of mold, dust mites, and goldenrod. All 68 places on my back reacted almost immediately so she really could not tell what bothers me most in those tests. I was happy to learn that I'm not necessarily allergic to all 68 things but according to the doctor, have super-sensitive skin. That I could have told her without the tests!
Today will be my last day watching Little Bit for Mom to work. I haven't slept all night so maybe I will have enough strength to make it through the morning and make it back home before I collapse. It's been interesting to spend this much one-on-one time with her. Never a dull moment, though! It certainly has renewed my admiration for young mothers, especially working ones!
Today will be my last day watching Little Bit for Mom to work. I haven't slept all night so maybe I will have enough strength to make it through the morning and make it back home before I collapse. It's been interesting to spend this much one-on-one time with her. Never a dull moment, though! It certainly has renewed my admiration for young mothers, especially working ones!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Sharing
My friend Mark Ballard wrote a great column for The Macon Telegraph today. Any of those who truly love our animals will enjoy this immensely. http://www.macon.com/2010/05/13/1126114/georgie-wears-the-pants-in-this.html?storylink=addthis
Why children are not allowed to name themselves
Little Bit this morning while she was drawing:
"Mama, look at my spiders. They're mean spiders. Do you know what this one's name is? Earwax."
Me: "EARwax?"
LB: "Yes. And you know what it's middle name is? Bathing Suit."
Nope, never boring!
"Mama, look at my spiders. They're mean spiders. Do you know what this one's name is? Earwax."
Me: "EARwax?"
LB: "Yes. And you know what it's middle name is? Bathing Suit."
Nope, never boring!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Now I know why it's called that
One definition of bacchanalia is orgy. After going to Atlanta's Bacchanalia restaurant for my birthday tonight, I can say without any reservations that the name is apropos. Even without consuming wine or any other alcohol, it is still a two-hour orgy of eating! While they don't serve huge portions like those you see in steak houses, they keep plying you with small tastes and portions from the time you sit down. You don't feel as if you are eating too much until you stand up from the table. By then, it's much too late! It was a fabulous dinner though, probably a once in a lifetime experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Two more weeks until school is out and perhaps by then TS will be able to catch her breath and contribute more to this page. She has some interesting stories to tell if she just has time to tell them!
Two more weeks until school is out and perhaps by then TS will be able to catch her breath and contribute more to this page. She has some interesting stories to tell if she just has time to tell them!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Perspectives, etc.
My air went out over the weekend and of course I grumbled about the temperature in my place all weekend. After the four inches of rain fell today and flooded some people near me out for the second time in just a few months, I felt a little guilty about complaining. At least I stayed dry!
I did manage to get to Little Bit's to stay with her but it wasn't an easy drive early this morning. Standing water, several wrecks, and just plain hard pouring rain made it a bit dicier than usual.
It's always an experience to be with her. I never would have dreamed in a 100 years that I would utter these words: "Turn around. You're getting your (fairy) wings in your food." That was strange even for me but you had to be there to appreciate it.
With buckets of rain coming down, we had to stay inside and she wanted to play dress-up. Usually, that's one costume at the time but today it was a bit different. First she put on a pair of red tights that apparently belonged to her sister as they came all the way up her chest. To that, she added a light pink leotard, a shimmery dark sequined dress with fringe, a pair of light pink tights, a small white garment that I didn't recognize, a blue princess dress, a brimmed hat (forgot what color), white dress-up shoes, and green and pink fair wings.
If that sounds funny, you should have seen me trying to get all of it off so she could get to the potty without an accident!
I did manage to get to Little Bit's to stay with her but it wasn't an easy drive early this morning. Standing water, several wrecks, and just plain hard pouring rain made it a bit dicier than usual.
It's always an experience to be with her. I never would have dreamed in a 100 years that I would utter these words: "Turn around. You're getting your (fairy) wings in your food." That was strange even for me but you had to be there to appreciate it.
With buckets of rain coming down, we had to stay inside and she wanted to play dress-up. Usually, that's one costume at the time but today it was a bit different. First she put on a pair of red tights that apparently belonged to her sister as they came all the way up her chest. To that, she added a light pink leotard, a shimmery dark sequined dress with fringe, a pair of light pink tights, a small white garment that I didn't recognize, a blue princess dress, a brimmed hat (forgot what color), white dress-up shoes, and green and pink fair wings.
If that sounds funny, you should have seen me trying to get all of it off so she could get to the potty without an accident!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Chip of the old block?
Little Bit told her Mom last night that, "Daddies are bosses, but Mamas and God are the BIG bosses!"
I'm so proud. I taught her well!
I'm so proud. I taught her well!
Friday, April 30, 2010
End of another week
The end of the week and I’m so far behind I will probably meet myself coming and going! I’ve hardly seen the inside of my apartment this week but I’m sure the chores will be here waiting with outstretched nagging looks.
Staying with Little Bit pretty much takes up three of five week days and I have standing engagements on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that leaves little time for anything else.
I know it will be easier on the old bod when school is out but I confess I will miss seeing her as often as I do now. From asking if I know what the most dangerous dinosaur is to popping in with two stuffed frogs under her shirt and saying she has two baby frogs in her tummy and “they are about to hatch,” you never know what is coming next.
I wonder what the neighbors think about her “fetching” Milk Bones?
Staying with Little Bit pretty much takes up three of five week days and I have standing engagements on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that leaves little time for anything else.
I know it will be easier on the old bod when school is out but I confess I will miss seeing her as often as I do now. From asking if I know what the most dangerous dinosaur is to popping in with two stuffed frogs under her shirt and saying she has two baby frogs in her tummy and “they are about to hatch,” you never know what is coming next.
I wonder what the neighbors think about her “fetching” Milk Bones?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Odds and Ends
My cousin, who was adopted immediately after birth, has discovered who her birth mother was after nearly 53 years. She was naturally curious anyway but having been recently diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, and this seemed to lend more urgency to her quest. It's great that she has some answers at last. I know what it means to have questions about your lineage that are never answered.
On the lighter side, Little Bit has been at it as usual. I think this kid must be 3 going on 33 at times! She informed me she needed a "ginanormous" flashlight in order to tell me some stories she made up. After finding one that met her requirements, she proceeded to make up several tales with Tinker Bell as heroine/victim in each one. One sentence included her saying the villian "vowed to make something terrible happen."
All this story telling preceded three rounds of "ballet" that consisted of her running around a king-sized bed, dressed in assorted costumes, while singing an mélange of Christmas carols mixed with one Rubber Ducky tune. All this in just one afternoon!
I played bridge very badly on Thursday evening but managed to win first place. Go figure!
This is only a partial description of the past few days. I've been much too busy to keep notes but if anything interesting comes back, I will share it later.
On the lighter side, Little Bit has been at it as usual. I think this kid must be 3 going on 33 at times! She informed me she needed a "ginanormous" flashlight in order to tell me some stories she made up. After finding one that met her requirements, she proceeded to make up several tales with Tinker Bell as heroine/victim in each one. One sentence included her saying the villian "vowed to make something terrible happen."
All this story telling preceded three rounds of "ballet" that consisted of her running around a king-sized bed, dressed in assorted costumes, while singing an mélange of Christmas carols mixed with one Rubber Ducky tune. All this in just one afternoon!
I played bridge very badly on Thursday evening but managed to win first place. Go figure!
This is only a partial description of the past few days. I've been much too busy to keep notes but if anything interesting comes back, I will share it later.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Finally!
I got my car back from the body shop today after 25 days. Finally! Methinks some people were dragging their feet. The adjuster blames the appraiser but he forwarded one of her emails to me that shows she had not gotten the paperwork to him in a timely manner on at least one occasion. Since I know of her fibbing to me on at least one occasion (with more suspected), I am more inclined to side with the adjuster on this.
I am definitely getting too old for this much aggravation. Wonder if I could have a stress on-off switch installed? Couldn't cost more than the $700 + I had to fork over for car rental, plus the $250 deductible. Ouch!
I am definitely getting too old for this much aggravation. Wonder if I could have a stress on-off switch installed? Couldn't cost more than the $700 + I had to fork over for car rental, plus the $250 deductible. Ouch!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Still no car!
It's been three weeks since my wreck and my car is still not ready. Argh! The rental is okay but I prefer my own. I've had the repair check in hand for two weeks. At this rate, it may be obsolete by the time I give it to the body shop.
Recalling the accident made me remember a funny "reaction." It bordered on the absurd except to the person who did it.
The other party in the wreck was an attractive, trim late fortyish lady. And she was really a classy lady. You know, one of those people who comes from old money and has real class, not the affected kind that frequently comes with new money. She was very concerned about me, not about the cars at all.
The funny thing came when a guy, probably late 50s (or more) stopped and rushed over to her gushing and carrying on like a flustered schoolboy. (If he was trying to make Brownie points with her, it did not work!) After a few minutes, he turned to me and snapped abruptly, "You need to move your car!"
This old lady smiled sweetly and said, "I can't. I tried," with emphasis on the tried. I guess he thought about how it looked and asked if I would like him to move it. I just tossed him the keys and said, "If you like." He did get it moved but he really had to wrestle with that heavily damaged suspension. It was like the car weighed two tons and had no power steering. Of course, I did the southern thing and thanked him so sweetly butter wouldn't have melted in my mouth.
As for him, I wish he knew how ridiculous he looked. With that bad rug, all he had going for him was the cute little dog that kept trying to climb out of his open vehicle window while he was fawning over the lady!
Recalling the accident made me remember a funny "reaction." It bordered on the absurd except to the person who did it.
The other party in the wreck was an attractive, trim late fortyish lady. And she was really a classy lady. You know, one of those people who comes from old money and has real class, not the affected kind that frequently comes with new money. She was very concerned about me, not about the cars at all.
The funny thing came when a guy, probably late 50s (or more) stopped and rushed over to her gushing and carrying on like a flustered schoolboy. (If he was trying to make Brownie points with her, it did not work!) After a few minutes, he turned to me and snapped abruptly, "You need to move your car!"
This old lady smiled sweetly and said, "I can't. I tried," with emphasis on the tried. I guess he thought about how it looked and asked if I would like him to move it. I just tossed him the keys and said, "If you like." He did get it moved but he really had to wrestle with that heavily damaged suspension. It was like the car weighed two tons and had no power steering. Of course, I did the southern thing and thanked him so sweetly butter wouldn't have melted in my mouth.
As for him, I wish he knew how ridiculous he looked. With that bad rug, all he had going for him was the cute little dog that kept trying to climb out of his open vehicle window while he was fawning over the lady!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Our menu
I forgot to mention in the other food post that we did the Waffle House thing last night, a "sweet" experience I'm not anxious to repeat soon. I had no idea such a tiny little bit of syrup could go so far!
Papa John’s has come and gone today. Maybe I will get the pizza sauce and cheese out of Little Bit’s hair and the end of her nose, off her hands, face, and other body parts as well as the table and chair where she sat in time to have leftovers for dinner. Maybe I should just let Bear (their dog) lick her clean. He really wants to so very badly!
Papa John’s has come and gone today. Maybe I will get the pizza sauce and cheese out of Little Bit’s hair and the end of her nose, off her hands, face, and other body parts as well as the table and chair where she sat in time to have leftovers for dinner. Maybe I should just let Bear (their dog) lick her clean. He really wants to so very badly!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Should be interesting?
I'm in the country with two very energetic granddaughters while their Mom and Dad go to Louisiana for their great-grandfather's funeral. Mom will be back early tomorrow evening so I should be able to survive until then. Maybe.
My afternoon so far: Watching Curious George and Barbie Christmas DVDs. Roo stroking a dead caterpillar, talking to it sweetly and apologizing to it because she left it in a bag all alone. (It turned out not to be dead!) Little Bit, letting it crawl all over her arms, getting a little upset because I wouldn't (a) let her put it in my car or (b) let her bring it in the house. (Are these really MY granddaughters?)
Experienced a mini-battle with Little Bit because I wouldn't let her go outside with a pair of panties on her head!
Telling a chubby, really bossy child from the neighborhood she would have to go home if they made Little Bit cry again. I haven't done that in a while but appparently I have not lost the knack since there's been no trouble in paradise since then.
Wonder what the next 24 hours will bring?
My afternoon so far: Watching Curious George and Barbie Christmas DVDs. Roo stroking a dead caterpillar, talking to it sweetly and apologizing to it because she left it in a bag all alone. (It turned out not to be dead!) Little Bit, letting it crawl all over her arms, getting a little upset because I wouldn't (a) let her put it in my car or (b) let her bring it in the house. (Are these really MY granddaughters?)
Experienced a mini-battle with Little Bit because I wouldn't let her go outside with a pair of panties on her head!
Telling a chubby, really bossy child from the neighborhood she would have to go home if they made Little Bit cry again. I haven't done that in a while but appparently I have not lost the knack since there's been no trouble in paradise since then.
Wonder what the next 24 hours will bring?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Death or taxes?
A wise person once remarked that there is nothing certain but death and taxes. I think perhaps by the time many of us finish rounding up stuff we were absolutely sure we wouldn't need, all the other "stuff" required, and actually filing the darn forms, death may be preferable. And you only have to do it once!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Gotta laugh some days
Some days you laugh to keep from crying. I don't eat a lot of fast food but when I do, I try to avoid drive through windows like the plague.
But it was raining yesterday so I did the dreaded drive through thing and while I realize this could have happened inside just as easily, it seems to be worse when you're not looking at the person with whom you are dealing. Inside, you do have a shot at getting a cashier who looks as though s/he at least graduated eighth grade!
Me: I'd like a small double burger with just catsup and mustard.
Wendy's Guy: We don't have a small double burger.
Me: You don't have a junior double hamburger? That's what I usually get.
WG: No, we only have regular double burgers.
Me: Okay, give me a junior burger with catsup and mustard.
WG: Do you want cheese with that?
Me, more than a little exasperated: NO, just catsup and mustard, please!
WG: We have a double stack. That's two little burgers on a bun.
Me: That will be fine. Just give me that.
WG: What do you want on it?
I really wanted to say, "Guess!" but there's no way he would have caught the sarcasm and there's no telling what I would have wound up with in my food bag! All I can say is that it's a good thing the doctor told me to rest my voice as much as possible to keep from losing it all together!
But it was raining yesterday so I did the dreaded drive through thing and while I realize this could have happened inside just as easily, it seems to be worse when you're not looking at the person with whom you are dealing. Inside, you do have a shot at getting a cashier who looks as though s/he at least graduated eighth grade!
Me: I'd like a small double burger with just catsup and mustard.
Wendy's Guy: We don't have a small double burger.
Me: You don't have a junior double hamburger? That's what I usually get.
WG: No, we only have regular double burgers.
Me: Okay, give me a junior burger with catsup and mustard.
WG: Do you want cheese with that?
Me, more than a little exasperated: NO, just catsup and mustard, please!
WG: We have a double stack. That's two little burgers on a bun.
Me: That will be fine. Just give me that.
WG: What do you want on it?
I really wanted to say, "Guess!" but there's no way he would have caught the sarcasm and there's no telling what I would have wound up with in my food bag! All I can say is that it's a good thing the doctor told me to rest my voice as much as possible to keep from losing it all together!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Still here
I'm still among the living but don't feel much like it yet. My annual pollen-induced bronchitis jumped on me with both feet this year. With 120 being a high pollen count, it stands to reason that a 3,000+ like today would have a more adverse effect!
Maybe in a day or so I will be back to normal (whatever that is) and get creative enough to write something interesting again! TS is out for holidays this week and I'm pretty sure two little girls are keepi ng her very busy!
Maybe in a day or so I will be back to normal (whatever that is) and get creative enough to write something interesting again! TS is out for holidays this week and I'm pretty sure two little girls are keepi ng her very busy!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Everybody's a Tattletale!
Morning after Easter observation from Little Bit:
"We need to be really really good 'cause Jesus and God and Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are watching us....well, maybe not the Easter Bunny 'cause he's still really tired from yesterday, but the others will tell him what we've been doing when he wakes up."
"We need to be really really good 'cause Jesus and God and Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are watching us....well, maybe not the Easter Bunny 'cause he's still really tired from yesterday, but the others will tell him what we've been doing when he wakes up."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Easter
Easter Feasting
I think of the garden after the rain;
Ø Easter Bells are rung in France and Italy throughout the year but not rung on the Thursday before Good Friday. They are silent as a way to remember the death of Jesus and rung again on Easter Sunday as way of telling people Jesus is alive again.
Ø The Cross is the symbol for the Christian religion as Jesus was nailed to a cross when he was executed.
Ø The Easter Lily is a reminder to the Christians of how Jesus came back to life. It is supposed to be a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary and is used in many Easter services.
Ø Easter Flowers such as daffodil, narcissus and the tulip are also symbols as they bloom in the spring.
Ø Pussy Willows are especially picked at Easter in England and Russia. People would tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of it for good luck.
Ø Lambs: The lamb is a symbol of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who watches over his human flock as though they were lambs. Lambs are typically born in the spring, making them even more symbolic. Israelites also used lamb's blood to save their firstborns in ancient Egypt.
Ø Rabbits are reminders of spring and new life and it is said they were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre.
Ø The egg is a symbol of spring as well as Easter because they represent a sign of new life.
Ø Chicks are born from eggs and are also reminders of spring and Easter.
Ø Candles give light in darkness and Jesus is seen as "the eternal light" showing Christians the way from death to life.
Ø Palm Branches are used as a symbol of peace.
Ø Bread: Unleavened flat bread is eaten to remember Jesus' sacrifice and the freeing of Hebrews from Egyptian slavery.
Ø Wine red wine is drunk to remember Jesus shedding His blood for humans.
Ø Fireworks are believed to frighten away evil spirits. They also show that out of darkness comes light.
And hope to my heart comes singing,
"At morn the cherry-blooms will be white,
And the Easter bells be ringing!
~ Edna Dean Procter
Hard-boiled eggs may be the first food that comes to come to mind when thinking of Easter but many other foods factor into traditional Easter meals around the world.
Hot Cross Buns and Easter Cakes (cookies) are a particular English favorite. The Hot Cross Bun custom is supposedly derived from ancient Anglo-Saxons who baked small wheat cakes in honor of the springtime goddess, Eostre. After converting to Christianity, the church substituted with sweetbreads that had been blessed by the church for the more benign wheat cakes.
Countries around the world serve sweet cakes in the same vein, including Czech babobka and Polish baba. The Greeks and Portuguese enjoy round, flat loaves marked with a cross and decorated with Easter eggs while Syrian and Jordanian Christians serve honey pastries.
Roast lamb dinner has been a long-standing Easter tradition for many but it goes back earlier than Easter to the first Passover of the Jewish people. A sacrificial lamb was roasted and eaten along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs in hopes that the angel of God would pass over their homes and bring no harm and as Hebrews converted to Christianity, they brought their customs with them. Christians often refer to Jesus as The Lamb of God, thus merging the traditions.
Ham is a frequent choice in the United States. Before refrigeration, meat was slaughtered in the fall and the fresh pork that wasn't consumed during the winter months before Lent was cured for later use. The curing process was lengthy and because it was around the advent of Easter before they were ready to eat, making ham was a natural choice for the holiday menu.
On a side note, while they might not seem like Easter food, pretzels in fact are just that. They were first baked in a shape to indicate the torso of a person with arms folded and praying to mark this religious occasion. Whatever your preference, you might find trying seasonal favorites from other cultures interesting and worthwhile.
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Babka is slightly sweet yeast bread similar to Italian panettone that can be made with rum-soaked raisins, and iced or left plain. The name, which literally means "grandmother" in Polish, probably got the name because its shape is reminiscent of an old woman's wide, swirling skirts. Traditional babka is made with an enormous number of egg yolks but this recipe is lighter on cholesterol load, requires no kneading and only has to rise one time.
Easy Easter Babka
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water (no hotter than 110 degrees)
1 c. scalded milk
6 oz. unsalted butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
3 large beaten eggs
4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 T. lemon zest, opt.
1/2-1 cup raisins
Confectioners' sugar, opt.
Icing: (optional)
2/3 c. confectioners' sugar
2 T. lemon juice
1 T. boiling water
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Place butter, sugar and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer, and pour scaled milk over it. Using the paddle attachment, mix until butter has melted and milk has cooled to 110° degrees or below. Mix in the vanilla and eggs and add yeast and mix until well combined.
Add flour, lemon zest (if using) and raisins and combine thoroughly. Dough should be of a thick cake batter consistency.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 10-inch babka pan, kugelhopf pan, Turk's head pan (turban pan), bundt pan or plain tube pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into prepared pan and cover lightly with greased plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk or dough just reaches the top of the pan.
Bake 40-45 minutes until instant-read thermometer registers 190° or a toothpick inserted near the center tests clean.
Cool on a wire rack and dust with confectioners' sugar if desired before serving. You may also drizzle the cooled cake with a mixture of confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and boiling water.
British Easter Biscuits
90 (scant half cup) grams butter
1 egg separated
Pinch salt
20 grams (2-1/2 T.) mixed citrus peel
Extra castor sugar
90 grams (scant half cup) castor sugar
180 grams (1-1/2 + 2 t.) self-raising flour
40 (4-5 T.) grams currants
1-2 T. milk or brandy
Cream butter and sugar and beat in egg yolk. Sift flour and salt and fold into creamed mixture. Add fruit and mix well. Add enough milk or brandy to make a soft dough, knead lightly and roll out on a floured surface to 5 mm thickness.
Cut with a fluted cutter and make a small hole to one side of each biscuit.
Place on greased baking tray and bake on top shelf (rack) for 10 minutes in a moderate oven. Remove from oven, brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Pizza Con Prosciutto is a popular Easter dish in many parts of Italy
Pizza Con Prosciutto
Filling
225 grams (1 lb.) proscuitto ham about 6mm thick
1 link dried sweet sausage
225 grams (1 lb.) mozzarella diced
700 grams (5 c. + 1 T.) ricotta cheese
1 c. grated percorino cheese
Dough
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 eggs
3 T. milk
2 T. melted butter
Preheat oven to 190° C. (375 F). Dice ham and sausage, mix with all of the cheeses and set aside.
Sift flour into a bowl and make a well in it. Add eggs, milk and butter, mixing gradually. Knead well, roll mixture into a ball and cut it into two equal parts. Roll one half out on a floured board, lift it into a pie dish and spread filling mixture evenly over crust.
Roll out remaining pastry, place on top and seal by pressing edges together. Bake until brown, approximately one hour. Serve at room temperature.
This “nutty” take on roast lamb should make almond lovers happy.
Amaretto Almond Encrusted Lamb Roast
Rind from one whole orange
2 c. water
1/3 c. crushed almonds
2 T. DISARONNO® Originale Amaretto
1/3 c. breadcrumbs
1 small bunch of parsley
1/2 c. sugar
16-20-oz. rack of lamb (ask butcher to dress rack and trim all fat from ribs)
Butter, room temperature
Set oven at 400°F to preheat.
Boil orange rind in small saucepan with water and sugar. Cook for 15 minutes; drain well and set aside to cool. Chop parsley fine, making sure it is completely dry before using.
Combine parsley, crushed almonds, breadcrumbs and amaretto in a food processor and blend well. Set aside.
Place rack of lamb in a roasting pan and place pan on middle rack of oven. Roast 15 minutes for medium rare, 20 minutes for medium and 28 minutes to well done. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.
Separate lamb ribs and rub butter around the edges of each one. Roll edges in mixture of dry ingredients and amaretto mixture.
Arrange ribs on a platter and garnish with prepared orange rind.
Easter Symbols
Ø Easter Bells are rung in France and Italy throughout the year but not rung on the Thursday before Good Friday. They are silent as a way to remember the death of Jesus and rung again on Easter Sunday as way of telling people Jesus is alive again.
Ø The Cross is the symbol for the Christian religion as Jesus was nailed to a cross when he was executed.
Ø The Easter Lily is a reminder to the Christians of how Jesus came back to life. It is supposed to be a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary and is used in many Easter services.
Ø Easter Flowers such as daffodil, narcissus and the tulip are also symbols as they bloom in the spring.
Ø Pussy Willows are especially picked at Easter in England and Russia. People would tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of it for good luck.
Ø Lambs: The lamb is a symbol of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who watches over his human flock as though they were lambs. Lambs are typically born in the spring, making them even more symbolic. Israelites also used lamb's blood to save their firstborns in ancient Egypt.
Ø Rabbits are reminders of spring and new life and it is said they were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre.
Ø The egg is a symbol of spring as well as Easter because they represent a sign of new life.
Ø Chicks are born from eggs and are also reminders of spring and Easter.
Ø Candles give light in darkness and Jesus is seen as "the eternal light" showing Christians the way from death to life.
Ø Palm Branches are used as a symbol of peace.
Ø Bread: Unleavened flat bread is eaten to remember Jesus' sacrifice and the freeing of Hebrews from Egyptian slavery.
Ø Wine red wine is drunk to remember Jesus shedding His blood for humans.
Ø Fireworks are believed to frighten away evil spirits. They also show that out of darkness comes light.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Passover
Charoset: This apple dish is served as an ancillary function to Maror at the Seder table.
Passover Food Great for Everyone
"Passover and Easter are the only Jewish and Christian holidays that move in sync..."
Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-Chief, 'World Magazine'
March marks the advent of Spring and the Easter season. While Easter is one of the holiest days of Christianity, the accompanying Passover has special meaning in the Jewish faith as it marks the escape of the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. Passover begins on March 30 this year and continues through April 5. In the Jewish calendar however, a holiday begins at sunset of the previous day, therefore observing Jews will begin celebrating at Sunset on March 29.
Passover Seder is one of the most widely observed of all Jewish customs, and at the center of every observance lies the Passover Seder Plate (Hebrew: ke'ara), a special plate containing six symbolic foods. The plate is carefully prepared and placed before the head of the household (or the one conducting the Seder) who in turn dispenses the Seder foods to each participant.
Each item has special significance to the retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt, the focus of this ritual meal. The seventh symbolic item used during the meal — a stack of three matzos — is presented on its own individual plate next to or on the Seder plate.
The six traditional items are:
1) Matzah (a/k/a Matzoh or Matza) is crispy unleavened bread made of plain white flour, and water. At the Passover Seder, it is customary to eat matzah made of flour and water only. (Matzah containing eggs, wine or fruit juice in addition to water is not acceptable, as these items will cause it to become leaven. Matzah made with these items without the use of water is allowed during the remaining days of the holiday, but some strictly Orthodox Jews will not eat this kind of matzah at all.)
The dough is pricked in several places and not allowed to rise before or during baking, thereby producing a hard, cracker-like flat bread. Similar in preparation to the central Asian lavash and the Indian chapati, Matzah is a substitute for bread during Passover, when eating chametz (bread and leavened products) is forbidden.
Eating matzah on the night of the Seder is considered a positive mitzvah, i.e., a commandment. The historical explanation comes from the biblical narrative relating that the Israelites left Egypt in such haste, they could not wait for their bread dough to rise and the resulting product was matza. (Exodus 12:39).
The symbolic explanation is that not only does matza symbolize redemption and freedom, it is also "poor man's bread," thus serving as a reminder to be humble and not forget what life was like in servitude. Additionally, leaven symbolizes corruption and pride as leaven "puffs up". Therefore, eating the "bread of affliction" is both a lesson in humility and an act that enhances one's appreciation of freedom.
The Matzah stands for Priests, Levites and Israelites, the three castes of Jews and also commemorates the three measures of fine flour Abraham told Sarah to bake into matzah when they were visited by three angels (Genesis 18:6).
2) Maror and Chazeret: It is obligatory to eat Maror (bitter herbs) twice at each Seder. The bitter taste of Maror symbolizes the bitterness and harshness of the slavery which the Jews endured in Egypt. The bitter herbs may consist either of romaine lettuce, horseradish or endives but many people mix freshly grated horseradish with cooked beets and sugar to make a condiment called chrein for their Maror. Whole horseradish root can be eaten, but traditional Jews do not consider cooked or pickled horseradish a valid choice.
Chazeret is typically romaine lettuce, which has roots bitter tasting roots. Either horseradish or romaine lettuce may be eaten to fulfill the mitzvah of eating bitter herbs.
3) Charoset is a sweet, dark-colored, lumpy paste formed of a special mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon. Its color and texture makes it a symbol of mortar used by Jewish slaves to build the storehouses of Ancient Egypt. The word charoset comes from the Hebrew word cheres meaning "clay". While Maror is a special item on the Passover Seder Plate, charoset serves an ancillary function to it. Before eating the Maror diners dip it into the charoset. This combination represents how hard the Israelites worked in Egypt by combining a food that brings tears to the eyes with one that resembles the mortar used to build Egyptian cities and storehouses.
Despite its symbolism, charoset is a tasty concoction and is a favorite of children. During the Seder meal, it may be eaten liberally, often spread on matzah. In fact, some people believe it is the tastiest thing eaten during Passover. There are many other recipes associated with charoset. In addition to chopped nuts, cinnamon, and wine, Sephardi recipes also call for dates and honey. These ingredients reflect the various foods to which Israel is favorably compared in the “Solomon's Song of Songs.“
4) Karpas is a traditional Passover Seder ritual that refers to the vegetable, usually parsley, celery or boiled potato that is dipped in liquid (usually salted water or vinegar) and eaten during the occasion. The liquid makes food capable of becoming ritually impure. The vegetables symbolize the coming of the spring while the salt water symbolizes the pain felt by the Jews, who could only eat simple foods while they were enslaved in Egypt.
Some have explained the dipping of the Karpas to symbolize Joseph’s tunic being dipped into blood by his brothers. Karpas is hence, performed at the beginning of the Seder, just as Joseph's tunic being dipped into blood signaled the beginning of the Israelites’ descent to Egypt. Karpas means cloth in some languages means.
5) Zeroah (Hebrew for "bone) is a piece of roasted or boiled meat or poultry, preferably a shank bone. Zeroah represents the korban Pesach (the ancient Passover sacrifice), when the slaves sacrificed a lamb in the Temple in Jerusalem and roasted and ate it as part of the meal on the first Seder night, the eve of the Exodus. Since the destruction of the Temple, the zeroah serves as a visual reminder of the Pesach sacrifice but it is not eaten or handled during the Seder. The present day zeroah can come from whatever the family is eating, including the leg bone from a roast turkey. For vegetarians or anyone who prefers not to use a bone, some rabbis suggest using a roasted beet as a substitute.
6) Beitzah is a roasted egg, symbolic of korban chagigah (festival sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. It is roasted and eaten as part of the meal the first night of Seder, apart from the Paschal lamb. Although the Pesach sacrifice and the chagigah were both meat offerings, the Chagigah (festival offering) is commemorated by an egg, a symbol of mourning (as eggs are the first thing served to mourners after a funeral).
The Beitzah is also a symbol of spring, the season in which Passover is always celebrated. In many households, it is customary to use a brown egg on the Seder plate and the egg should be baked or roasted if possible.
Some Seder gatherings put additional items on the Seder plate as symbols. The special foods eaten on Passover are also food for thought. Every item abounds in meaning and allusion. For example, some Seders include an orange on the Seder Plate to honor feminism, gay and lesbian rights, rights for marginalized people and Jews, and/or activism.
The Passover season lasts a week during which time some great food is served but you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy a great Passover meal if you use some of their wonderful recipes in your own home.
Leg of Lamb is frequently the roast of choice for Passover and Easter gatherings but brisket is also a popular mainstay and can easily be made kosher. It’s great served with mashed potatoes or potato latkes or vegetables roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Grandma’s Best Beef Brisket
1 T. vegetable oil
1 4-lb. beef brisket
Ground black pepper to taste
2 onions, thickly sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Season the brisket generously with black pepper. Place in the pan and cook until the surface is a rich brown color, not burnt, but dark. Lift the roast and scatter the onions in the pan. Place the uncooked side of the roast down onto the onions. Repeat the browning process. Add the garlic to the pan, and fill with enough water to almost cover the roast. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cover with a lid or tight-fitting aluminum foil. Simmer for 4 hours, turning the roast over once halfway through. The roast should be fork tender.
Remove the brisket to a serving platter. Bring the broth in the pan to a simmer, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits. Cook until reduced to a thin gravy. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Sweet and Sour Brisket is a very traditional dish for Rosh Hashanah and Passover but it certainly is a winner any time of the year.
Sweet and Sour Brisket
4 lb. beef brisket
1 c. water
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. white vinegar
2 onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 T. salt
Heat brisket in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook until browned on all sides. Stir in water, ketchup, vinegar, onions, garlic, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue simmering until tender, turning brisket occasionally, 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes. Remove brisket and allow to cool before slicing the meat against the grain. Place brisket slices in a 9x13 inch baking pan or large platter and pour gravy on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove any excess fat and reheat before serving.
This southern sounding chicken dumpling soup is an excellent variation on traditional Matzo Ball Soup.
Passover Chicken Dumpling Soup
8 eggs
2/3 lb. ground chicken
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 c. matzo meal
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch ground cinnamon
10 c. chicken broth
1 c. uncooked rice
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Place 8 eggs in the boiling water; let the eggs boil for one minute, then remove the pan from the heat. Let the eggs sit for 15 minutes before removing them from the pot. Let them cool, remove the shells, the white portion of the eggs (save or discard the white), and chop the yolks. In a medium bowl, mix ground chicken, beaten egg, matzo meal, salt and pepper to taste and cinnamon. Form mixture into walnut-sized balls and refrigerate until ready to cook.
In a large saucepan over high heat, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add rice and chicken balls, cover and lower heat to medium low; simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice and chicken are cooked. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with hard-boiled egg; serve.
This easy to prepare apple dish serves as ancillary dish to Maror.
Charoset
3 medium Gala or Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
1-1/2 c. walnut halves, lightly toasted, cooled, and coarsely chopped
1/2 c. sweet red wine such as Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga
1-1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1 T. brown sugar
In large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve. Matzo Balls (Knaidlech)
3 eggs
3 T. chicken fat, room temperature
1/2 t. salt 3 T. hot water or chicken soup
3/4 c. matzo meal
2 qt. boiling salted water or hot soup
Pot of chicken soup
Separate the eggs and beat the yolks until light colored and thick. Add chicken fat, salt and water (or soup). Beat whites until stiff but not too dry and fold into yolk mixture. Fold in matzo meal and refrigerate for about an hour, or until batter is thick enough to form balls. Roll batter into balls and drop carefully into boiling salted water or hot soup, cover and let simmer for 25 minutes. Add Matzoh Balls to a pot of chicken soup and let cook for another 15 or 20 minutes. Serve hot.
If you think Passover cake can’t be very good without leavening, a big slice of great apple cake or delicious sponge cake may come as a very pleasant surprise.
Passover Apple Cake
2 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
1 c. white sugar
1-1/2 c. matzo meal
1/2 c. potato starch
2 t. ground cinnamon, divided
8 large apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish and set aside. . Combine eggs, oil and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer. Stir in matzo meal, potato starch and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. In a separate bowl, toss apples with brown sugar, remaining teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Layer half of the dough into the prepared 9x13 inch dish. Pour the apples into the dish then pat remaining dough over the apples. Sprinkle with some brown sugar if desired and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Passover Sponge Cake
8 egg yolks
1-1/2 c. white sugar, divided
1 T. orange zest
3/4 c. matzo cake meal
1/4 c. potato starch
8 egg whites
1-1/2 T. fresh orange juice
Preheat oven to 325° F. Cut parchment paper to line the bottom of a 10-inch tube pan but do not grease the pan. In a medium bowl, whip egg yolks until light. Gradually add 1 cup sugar and orange zest; continue whipping until thick and pale, about 7 minutes. Sift together the matzo cake meal and potato starch; set aside. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy.
Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup pf sugar, continuing to beat until whites form stiff peaks. Fold the dry ingredients into the yolk mixture alternately with the juice. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, and then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake springs back to the touch. Invert onto a wire rack to cool. Run a knife around the sides of the cake before removing from the pan.
Potato Kugel is often served as a side dish but Vegetable Kugel is an excellent way to add a slightly different touch to the festivities. This recipe includes directions for both sautéed and roasted versions.
Vegetable Kugel
3 stalks celery, sliced
4 carrots, sliced
3 medium potatoes, sliced
2 onions, sliced
2 red peppers, sliced in 1-inch pieces for sautéed version, left whole for roasted version
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
3 T. matzo meal
4 eggs
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
Spray a baking dish with vegetable spray and set aside. Prepare vegetables for whichever version you choose.Sautéed version:
Sauté onion in one T. of olive oil; add remaining vegetables and sauté them vegetables.
Roasted version:
Place vegetables on cookie sheet, spray with olive oil spray or non-stick spray.
Place oven rack to the highest level and turn heat to broil. Broil 7 minutes on each side (until brown and soft). Combine vegetables with eggs, matzo meal, salt and pepper and mix and pour into prepared dish. Bake in a preheated oven for one hour @ 350oF.
Matzo Balls can be purchased at the supermarket but that’s just extra expense for this super easy to make ingredient often added to chicken soup during Passover.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
My car lost
My little red car came out on the losing end with a Land Rover yesterday. Everyone was okay but I'm a little sore today. Amazing how much better Percocet and good chocolate will make you feel though. More later when my back and neck loosen up a bit. Just wish my car would be!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Bragging on my granddaughter
Please allow to me boast a little. TS just told me Roo has the highest sight-read score in her whole Kindergarten. 84! The closest anyone else came was 54 and teacher said this is the highest of any class she had ever taught. The teacher also said it was the best parent teacher conference she had all day because there were no oher problems. Way to go, Roo!
A three-year-old's logic
A recalcitrant Little Bit when I told her she had to leave a particular play area (at home) yesterday: “But I don’t want to!”
Me: “I don’t care. Let’s go. Now!” (Now! added when I saw she wasn't moving.)
LB (still not moving from her spot and crying loudly): “No, I not going!”
Me (seeing her feet dug in firmly): “Stop crying and come on. Don’t me have to pop your hiney.”
LB: “But if you spank me, it will make me cry more.”
Makes sense I guess but some days you just have to keep them from seeing you laugh.
Happy ending: She came with me, albeit reluctantly, when she saw I meant business. Dodged a bullet there, lol.
Me: “I don’t care. Let’s go. Now!” (Now! added when I saw she wasn't moving.)
LB (still not moving from her spot and crying loudly): “No, I not going!”
Me (seeing her feet dug in firmly): “Stop crying and come on. Don’t me have to pop your hiney.”
LB: “But if you spank me, it will make me cry more.”
Makes sense I guess but some days you just have to keep them from seeing you laugh.
Happy ending: She came with me, albeit reluctantly, when she saw I meant business. Dodged a bullet there, lol.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Spring has sprung (sort of)
Well, it's officially springtime in GA and you know what that means: beautiful blooms, longer days, and huge temperature swings in short periods of time. I mean, 70s for two days and snow flurries the following? Seriously!!
Roo is in soccer now and we missed her second practice due to the weather. I e-mailed the coach and said that even though it wasn't called off, I couldn't expose my three-year-old to 39 degree weather and drizzling rain for an hour. She was very nice and e-mailed me back, explaining that they had just essentially played around a half hour since only two others showed up. Glad to hear that I wasn't the only "slacker" parent!
On an entirely different subject, I am amazed at the amount of vitrol I have been witness to the past few days regarding the passage of the healthcare bill. Whether you agree or disagree with it, I mean is it truly necessary to resort to name-calling and incivility? When did we as a people get to the level where the person that shouts the loudest is considered the winner? For myself, I see the pros and cons of it...I am truly concerned about the amount of money involved and how it will impact future generations, but I also see some good points to the bill as well. Regardless, I am finding very few people with whom I can discuss this with reasonably and in an educated manner instead of them channeling the media with inaccurate and what they believe to be pithy quotes, so I am choosing to keep my opinions mostly to myself.
Roo is in soccer now and we missed her second practice due to the weather. I e-mailed the coach and said that even though it wasn't called off, I couldn't expose my three-year-old to 39 degree weather and drizzling rain for an hour. She was very nice and e-mailed me back, explaining that they had just essentially played around a half hour since only two others showed up. Glad to hear that I wasn't the only "slacker" parent!
On an entirely different subject, I am amazed at the amount of vitrol I have been witness to the past few days regarding the passage of the healthcare bill. Whether you agree or disagree with it, I mean is it truly necessary to resort to name-calling and incivility? When did we as a people get to the level where the person that shouts the loudest is considered the winner? For myself, I see the pros and cons of it...I am truly concerned about the amount of money involved and how it will impact future generations, but I also see some good points to the bill as well. Regardless, I am finding very few people with whom I can discuss this with reasonably and in an educated manner instead of them channeling the media with inaccurate and what they believe to be pithy quotes, so I am choosing to keep my opinions mostly to myself.
Friday, March 19, 2010
View from the inside
For the first time in my life, I’m living in a place where many church congregations exceed the population of the towns in which I spent most of my life. I've been in Atlanta for a year now and I still find the constant hum of a vibrant energy exciting.
Despite the differences, Atlanta is a big city made up of small communities and many things are similar, just on a different scale ~ most of the time anyway. After the first few months, reality set in and I've learned just how pronounced those differences can really be, especially traffic-wise. I have also discovered how to translate some of these communications as well as a few tips to help cope.
Even though I can no longer wait until five minutes before I have to be across town, learning your way around really isn’t as complicated as it seems. Especially if you invest in a handy dandy GPS and a good compass if your vehicle didn’t come equipped with these.
With the weather we’ve had this winter, you can’t depend on the sun to tell if you’re going north or south or east or west (this is much easier to confuse than you can ever imagine!), I especially recommend a compass.
A GPS will help you find where you’re going but the best thing about it is when you take the wrong turn or miss yours and wind up in an area that looks like a completely different country, you can pull over and set it to take you home. Double value: I programmed mine with a Hannibal Lector voice and it also entertains me while driving.
I love it when that Anthony Hopkins voice says something like, “Driver, ahead you have a left turn. It’s just as well. Your therapy’s going nowhere,” or “Driver. You’ve reached your destination. Don’t worry. I’ll inform Clarice myself” and numerous other gems like that. Bonus: No one here pays attention to you if you are laughing while driving alone. Either they assume you are on your cell phone or are thinking, ‘Oh, Lord, another nutcase! Don’t make eye contact! Don’t make eye contact!’
I used to wonder why people from the city always spoke of distance in time instead miles, i.e., it’s 30 minutes instead of 3 miles, etc. but now I know. Perhaps I exaggerate a bit. You can make it in 15 if the traffic isn’t as heavy as usual or you get all the lights or there’s no accident or roadwork on the way or donkeys fly.
Just because you checked traffic conditions on the Internet or other sources and found your route was clear just before you walked out the door, that doesn’t mean they will be the same when you get there five minutes later.
The statement, “Traffic is flowing smoothly on the downtown connector,” does not mean it is flowing rapidly or even at the speed limit for that matter. It might be “flowing smoothly” at 19 mph. Or less.
If a flashing sign over the interstate tells you there is a wreck 3.7 or whatever miles ahead, get off immediately even if you cannot see any jams or holdups. I promise there will be one of monumental proportions right around the next curve, about the time you find it’s too late to take another route.
You should also learn the proper answer to certain questions or at least what the asker wants to hear. For instance, when a DeKalb County police officer asks if you know why he pulled you over on I-20 when you were driving 62 mph in a 55 mph zone, “Umm, for slowing up traffic?” is probably not the best reply. For some reason, that seems to make them positively apoplectic.
Always keep a soothing music CD ready to pop into the player when you feel your blood pressure rising. I recommend a quiet Henry Mancini CD. (Enya grinds on me after a while.) And gum. Lots and lots and gum!
I’ve learned to relax and enjoy the changes, not just here but in myself. The times I’ve gotten off the beaten path, literally or mentally, whether I meant to or not (and most of the time I did not), I’ve seen or learned something new. Every day can be a day of new discovery if you let it.
Roll with the punches, go with the flow and all those old adages we’ve heard before and you will be pleasantly surprised. And commit this modern beatitude to memory: Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
Despite the differences, Atlanta is a big city made up of small communities and many things are similar, just on a different scale ~ most of the time anyway. After the first few months, reality set in and I've learned just how pronounced those differences can really be, especially traffic-wise. I have also discovered how to translate some of these communications as well as a few tips to help cope.
Even though I can no longer wait until five minutes before I have to be across town, learning your way around really isn’t as complicated as it seems. Especially if you invest in a handy dandy GPS and a good compass if your vehicle didn’t come equipped with these.
With the weather we’ve had this winter, you can’t depend on the sun to tell if you’re going north or south or east or west (this is much easier to confuse than you can ever imagine!), I especially recommend a compass.
A GPS will help you find where you’re going but the best thing about it is when you take the wrong turn or miss yours and wind up in an area that looks like a completely different country, you can pull over and set it to take you home. Double value: I programmed mine with a Hannibal Lector voice and it also entertains me while driving.
I love it when that Anthony Hopkins voice says something like, “Driver, ahead you have a left turn. It’s just as well. Your therapy’s going nowhere,” or “Driver. You’ve reached your destination. Don’t worry. I’ll inform Clarice myself” and numerous other gems like that. Bonus: No one here pays attention to you if you are laughing while driving alone. Either they assume you are on your cell phone or are thinking, ‘Oh, Lord, another nutcase! Don’t make eye contact! Don’t make eye contact!’
I used to wonder why people from the city always spoke of distance in time instead miles, i.e., it’s 30 minutes instead of 3 miles, etc. but now I know. Perhaps I exaggerate a bit. You can make it in 15 if the traffic isn’t as heavy as usual or you get all the lights or there’s no accident or roadwork on the way or donkeys fly.
Just because you checked traffic conditions on the Internet or other sources and found your route was clear just before you walked out the door, that doesn’t mean they will be the same when you get there five minutes later.
The statement, “Traffic is flowing smoothly on the downtown connector,” does not mean it is flowing rapidly or even at the speed limit for that matter. It might be “flowing smoothly” at 19 mph. Or less.
If a flashing sign over the interstate tells you there is a wreck 3.7 or whatever miles ahead, get off immediately even if you cannot see any jams or holdups. I promise there will be one of monumental proportions right around the next curve, about the time you find it’s too late to take another route.
You should also learn the proper answer to certain questions or at least what the asker wants to hear. For instance, when a DeKalb County police officer asks if you know why he pulled you over on I-20 when you were driving 62 mph in a 55 mph zone, “Umm, for slowing up traffic?” is probably not the best reply. For some reason, that seems to make them positively apoplectic.
Always keep a soothing music CD ready to pop into the player when you feel your blood pressure rising. I recommend a quiet Henry Mancini CD. (Enya grinds on me after a while.) And gum. Lots and lots and gum!
I’ve learned to relax and enjoy the changes, not just here but in myself. The times I’ve gotten off the beaten path, literally or mentally, whether I meant to or not (and most of the time I did not), I’ve seen or learned something new. Every day can be a day of new discovery if you let it.
Roll with the punches, go with the flow and all those old adages we’ve heard before and you will be pleasantly surprised. And commit this modern beatitude to memory: Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
Missed opportunity?
It was so beautiful out today. Hard to believe it's going to be cold again the first of the week. Yuk!
So many things are in bloom, so much color to enjoy. Cherry trees, Japanese Magnolias, hedges of yellow forsythia, and others I have no idea what they are but like to see them. A nice time ~ still cool enough for the pansies in the landscaping to show off but warm enough for other things to poke theirs heads up. The daffodils have been here a while but they've always thumbed their noses at the cold.
The only thing that spoiled my walk was seeing a mother walking her two children, ages somewhere between 6 and 8, from the bus stop, talking on her cell phone all the time. She ended one call and punched in another immediately. It was only a couple of blocks but apparently she couldn't unplug it from her ear for that short distance. The only time she spoke to them was to yell at the youngest one to hurry up. What a missed opportunity for a little quality time!
So many things are in bloom, so much color to enjoy. Cherry trees, Japanese Magnolias, hedges of yellow forsythia, and others I have no idea what they are but like to see them. A nice time ~ still cool enough for the pansies in the landscaping to show off but warm enough for other things to poke theirs heads up. The daffodils have been here a while but they've always thumbed their noses at the cold.
The only thing that spoiled my walk was seeing a mother walking her two children, ages somewhere between 6 and 8, from the bus stop, talking on her cell phone all the time. She ended one call and punched in another immediately. It was only a couple of blocks but apparently she couldn't unplug it from her ear for that short distance. The only time she spoke to them was to yell at the youngest one to hurry up. What a missed opportunity for a little quality time!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sam-I-Ain't!
If what I did Sunday does not give me 'Grandmother of the Year' title, perhaps it will negate some of my little-less-than-proper behavior at Verizon the day before.
I was "chosen" to attend an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra production of Green Eggs and Ham with my granddaughters and their Mom. Perhaps I was expecting too much after seeing the ASO and Atlanta Gay Men’s Choir production of Broadway music a few months ago but that didn’t happen! Whatever the case, there was no comparing the two!
The first show was a truly professional production and this one was amateurish in comparison. Not that the simplistic props were all that bad (for the kids anyway) but I have to wonder who thought the narration in an almost-operatic female voice was appropriate for children. Heck, I had trouble understanding her myself. (Wonder what that says about me?)
The children enjoyed it though but I was as happy as they were that it only lasted an hour!
I was "chosen" to attend an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra production of Green Eggs and Ham with my granddaughters and their Mom. Perhaps I was expecting too much after seeing the ASO and Atlanta Gay Men’s Choir production of Broadway music a few months ago but that didn’t happen! Whatever the case, there was no comparing the two!
The first show was a truly professional production and this one was amateurish in comparison. Not that the simplistic props were all that bad (for the kids anyway) but I have to wonder who thought the narration in an almost-operatic female voice was appropriate for children. Heck, I had trouble understanding her myself. (Wonder what that says about me?)
The children enjoyed it though but I was as happy as they were that it only lasted an hour!
Big city "sophistication"?
Seen on a t-shirt outside Kroger today: Mess with me and you mess with the whole trailer park. When I moved to Atlanta, I thought I left all that in South Georgia. LOL, apparently not!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
My Saturday
It has been a totally weird day. I didn’t start out that way but it turned strange pretty rapidly when I went to the local Verizon store to return a broken telephone holster.
First of all, they had no customers in the front of the store but plenty of help standing around. I was directed to customer service where there were several customers but only one person helping. Typical I suppose.
After standing there for what seemed forever, someone finally came back and started listing customers so we could be called in the order we had gotten in line. This was after one other person finally came back to help and called someone forward who had not been there as long as some others. To say that annoyed me (and the others) is a gross understatement.
To make matters even worse (if they could be) some old guy wearing Nikes, white socks, a velour top, and way-too-short baggy knit shorts with extremely wide legs was sitting on an office chair waiting his turn in line. He kept turning and every time he swiveled his chair, his shorts rode up even higher. Every time I averted my eyes, he seemed to move into my line of sight again. Boy, some things do not get better with age and what I saw today affirmed that in spades!
I finally went up front and asked why they couldn’t just change the broken holster out and let me go. It was after 2 p.m., I had not had breakfast or lunch, so was not only crabby, but hungry and crabby, a deadly combination! I was informed I had to go through customer service but I think the muttering I did moved me up a little.
The supervisor-type I was grumbling to called me forward in a few minutes. With Murphy’s Law in full force, I got the new person who had no clue how to do anything. Instead of asking for help, she stood there with the broken holster, looking around as though she had never been in the store before. Since she made no effort to, I had to aggravate the supervisor again to ask if they even had the item in stock. Of course they didn’t!
Okay, now a simple refund. Not! She gazed at the cash register as if it was a strange creature that was about to take her hand off at the wrist. By the time she figured out which buttons to push, the telephone rang. She couldn’t let someone else answer it. No, it had to be her and she promptly engaged in a conversation with an unseen customer. I tried politely to get her attention and she was so wrapped up in the conversation and staring at the register that she didn’t seem to hear me.
It was at that point I probably won “Bitchy Customer of the Month” title. I spoke loudly enough she could not ignore me and said, “Miss, put your call on hold and finish processing my transaction!” She mumbled something I could not hear but put the phone down and finished quickly.
Moral: Do not mess with old women. Especially, tired hungry old women who are already p***ed off. It won't be pretty!
First of all, they had no customers in the front of the store but plenty of help standing around. I was directed to customer service where there were several customers but only one person helping. Typical I suppose.
After standing there for what seemed forever, someone finally came back and started listing customers so we could be called in the order we had gotten in line. This was after one other person finally came back to help and called someone forward who had not been there as long as some others. To say that annoyed me (and the others) is a gross understatement.
To make matters even worse (if they could be) some old guy wearing Nikes, white socks, a velour top, and way-too-short baggy knit shorts with extremely wide legs was sitting on an office chair waiting his turn in line. He kept turning and every time he swiveled his chair, his shorts rode up even higher. Every time I averted my eyes, he seemed to move into my line of sight again. Boy, some things do not get better with age and what I saw today affirmed that in spades!
I finally went up front and asked why they couldn’t just change the broken holster out and let me go. It was after 2 p.m., I had not had breakfast or lunch, so was not only crabby, but hungry and crabby, a deadly combination! I was informed I had to go through customer service but I think the muttering I did moved me up a little.
The supervisor-type I was grumbling to called me forward in a few minutes. With Murphy’s Law in full force, I got the new person who had no clue how to do anything. Instead of asking for help, she stood there with the broken holster, looking around as though she had never been in the store before. Since she made no effort to, I had to aggravate the supervisor again to ask if they even had the item in stock. Of course they didn’t!
Okay, now a simple refund. Not! She gazed at the cash register as if it was a strange creature that was about to take her hand off at the wrist. By the time she figured out which buttons to push, the telephone rang. She couldn’t let someone else answer it. No, it had to be her and she promptly engaged in a conversation with an unseen customer. I tried politely to get her attention and she was so wrapped up in the conversation and staring at the register that she didn’t seem to hear me.
It was at that point I probably won “Bitchy Customer of the Month” title. I spoke loudly enough she could not ignore me and said, “Miss, put your call on hold and finish processing my transaction!” She mumbled something I could not hear but put the phone down and finished quickly.
Moral: Do not mess with old women. Especially, tired hungry old women who are already p***ed off. It won't be pretty!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Out of sync
A sinus infection has kept me out of sync for several days, actually for the past 3-4 weeks. After it moved into my ears, I decided to give in and go get some antibiotics this afternoon so here's hoping I will be my usually witty self soon. That may be a good change, lol.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
PKA Candidate
It’s official. My green thumb really is as brown as I thought. I swore off anything even remotely horticulture-related, especially inside plants, when I managed to kill some cacti many years ago; but the bamboo was so pretty and tempting that I couldn’t resist buying a few pieces to “green-up” my apartment. After all, it only required water and no direct sunlight ~ no potting, no fertilizing, nothing I could mess up on. Apparently I did.
The once beautiful dark green plant in my kitchen window (still in water) is now a sickly shade of yellow in its death throes. I surrender! Wonder if there’s a chapter of Plant Killers Anonymous near me? I'm desperately in need of a sponsor.
The once beautiful dark green plant in my kitchen window (still in water) is now a sickly shade of yellow in its death throes. I surrender! Wonder if there’s a chapter of Plant Killers Anonymous near me? I'm desperately in need of a sponsor.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wearing of the Green coming up soon
Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake drizzled with chocolate is a delicious way to top a St. Patrick’s Day meal.
If St. Patrick’s Day is here, can spring be far behind?
“When after the Winter alarmin',
The Spring steps in so charmin',
So fresh and arch
In the middle of March,
Wid her hand St. Patrick's arm on...”
~Alfred Percival Graves (Irish poet)
When Graves penned that verse, he may well have been experiencing a winter much like this one that has roamed ferociously over parts of the United States. In any event, he sounds as pleased about the arrival of spring as most of us probably feel about it now. As he so eloquently expressed it, St. Patrick’s Day heralds the arrival of Spring and after the unusual cold we’ve had here in the not-so-sunny South, I’m sure many of us are prayng his predictions hold true this year!
Along with Spring and St. Patrick’s Day comes parades, festivals, images of leprechauns, pots of gold, shamrocks and green. Lots and lots of green. Green beer, green food, green clothes. Chicagoans even dye their river bright green every year.
Green has been associated with St. Patrick's day and Ireland for many years, but the truth of the matter is that it was once considered the color most treasured by the faerie folk; and parents wouldn't dare dress their children in green on St. Patty's day, for fear of having them stolen by these supernatural creatures. Today, it is one of the three colors of the Irish flag, and is worn with great pride.
St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion in Ireland and Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17 until the 1970s. In 1995, the government there began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. The multi-day St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions and fireworks shows, attracted nearly 1,000,000 celebrants last year.
Irish food is not usually lauded as special but it has been an integral part of American cuisine for many years. In fact, Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration dinner menu included Corned Beef served with cabbage and parsley potatoes as the main entrée while the traditional Saint Patrick's Day meal is corned beef, boiled potatoes, and mashed cabbage served with Guiness of course. Lincoln’s dinner differed in that it opened with Mock Turtle Soup and ended with Blackberry Cobbler. No Guiness for this repast though. Just coffee.
Today, there are new additions to Irish menus as well as modern versions of most old recipes but many prefer the more traditional methods. A mixture of both is included here for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. NOTE: I’ve tried to leave Irish spellings and terminology intact as much as possible and inserted some clarifications and conversions for convenience sake.
*********
Irish Lamb Stew
2 lbs. cubed, boneless leg of lamb
2 medium onions, chopped
2 T. flour
1 t. salt
1/4 t. rosemary
1 lb. potatoes, cut into pieces
2 small rutabagas, cubed
1/4 c. frozen onions
3 T.oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 c. beef stock
Black pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
6 carrots sliced
1 lb. frozen peas
Cut lamb into cubes. Heat oil in a heavy saucepan, add lamb and cook until lightly browned, remove from pan. Add onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes. Add flour and stir, heat until mixture browns. Gradually add stock while stirring.
Return meat to saucepan. Add salt, pepper, rosemary and bay leaf. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until meat is almost tender. Add potatoes, carrots and turnips. Cook 30 minutes longer. Add peas and onions and continue cooking until peas are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Fadge
2 lb. unpeeled "old" potatoes (cured)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 stick (4 T.) butter
3 T. flour
1-1/2 T. chopped parsley
1-1/2 T. chopped chives
1-1/2 T. chopped lemon thyme (these three herbs mixed, opt)
Creamy milk
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
Seasoned flour
Bacon fat or butter for frying
Boil the potatoes in their jackets, pull off the skins and mash straight away. Add the egg, butter, flour and herbs (if using) and mix well. Season with plenty of salt and pepper, adding a few drops of creamy milk (whole milk) if the mixture is too stiff.
Shape into a 1" round and then cut into eight pieces. Dip in seasoned flour. Bake on a griddle over an open fire or fry in bacon fat or melted butter on a gentle heat. Cook the fadge until crusty and golden on one side, then flip over and cook on the other side (about 4-5 minutes on each side). Serve on its own on hot plates with a blob of butter melting on top
Colcannon
4 cups mashed potatoes (Real Irish spuds only please)
1-1/2 cups cabbage, cooked and chopped fine
1/2 cup butter (real butter is best)
1/2 c. evaporated milk or cream
3/4 cup leeks or onion, chopped very fine
Few strips bacon/or bacon grease
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
A thimble
A button
A ring
A coin
In large cooking pan, fry bacon; add onion and sauté. Discard bacon and grease. Add all of the above ingredients, except the cabbage and play pretties, and cook over low heat while blending together. Turn the heat to medium and add the chopped cabbage. The mixture will have a pale green cast. Stir occasionally until the mixture is warm enough to eat. Put in the pretties and eat very cautiously. Serves about 6 healthy eaters.
Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake
250g (8-3/4 oz.) choc-chip biscuits (cookies)
75g (2-2/3 oz.) butter, melted
3 t. (1 T.) gelatine (gelatin)
1/4 c. (60ml) water
2 x 250g (2 8-oz. pkg.) packets cream cheese
3/4 c. (165g) caster sugar
300ml (10-1/2 oz.) thickened cream
1/3 cup (80ml) Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
2 egg whites
Blend or process biscuits until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a large bowl; add butter, stir to combine. Press biscuit mixture evenly over the base of a 24cm springform tin (inside top measurement 23cm); refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
Sprinkle gelatine over the water in a small heatproof jug; stand the jug in small saucepan of simmering water. Stir until the gelatine dissolves; cool for 5 minutes.
Beat cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the cream; beat until thick. Stir in gelatine mixture and liqueur. Beat egg whites in a clean small bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form; fold into cheese mixture. Pour mixture over base in the prepared tin. Cover, refrigerate for about 4 hours or until set. Serve cheesecake with chocolate sauce.
Chocolate Sauce
200g (7 oz.) dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup (250ml) thickened cream
2 T. Irish Cream liqueur
Combine the chocolate and cream in a small heavy-based saucepan; stir over low heat until smooth. Stir in the liqueur.
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A little Irish trivia for your amusement:
Questions:
1. Where is it claimed that leprechauns bury their pots of gold?
2. Where did the faeries keep kidnapped brides and babies?
3. In St. Patrick’s time, who ranked as high as kings?
4. What was St. Patrick rumored to have removed from Ireland?
5. St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in what American city?
6. What two rivers are dyed green every year on St. Patrick’s Day in the United States?
7. A popular Irish dish of shredded cabbage, minced onions and melted butter is known as?
8. What is an Irish shillegah?
9. What was the birth name of St. Patrick?
10. How long did St. Patrick serve as a missionary?
11. Who began the custom of pinching those who don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
12. Is it true or false that all lent restrictions are dropped on St. Patrick’s Day?
13. How did St. Patrick drive all the snakes out of Ireland?
14. Was it really snakes that St. Patrick drove from Ireland?
15. Where was St. Patrick born?
16. Which city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade garners the largest viewing audience?
17. What did St. Patrick consider himself to be at the age of 16?
18. St. Patrick was canonized by which pope?
19. Which group established the St. Patrick’s Festival?
20. Which service for fairies are leprechauns said to perform?
21. What was St. Patrick’s Latin name?
22. What was St. Patrick’s father’s occupation?
23. Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on March 17th?
24. In what year did St. Patrick’s Day become a public holiday in Ireland?
25. What color, other than green, was once associated with St. Patrick’s Day?
26. The longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parade in Canada occurs in which city each year?
27. The largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the UK is held in which city?
28. In what year did New York City celebrate its first St. Patrick’s Day parade?
29. What symbol is most commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations?
30. The circle in the middle of a Celtic Cross represents what?
Answers:
1. At the end of the rainbow
2. In fairy mounds for up to 100 years. Some farmers still will not disturb small lumpy hills on their land because they believe spirits are in them.
3. Poets. St. Patrick was so taken with Irish poet Caoilte that he declared all Irish tales be told “where every third word have melody.”
4. Snakes
5. Boston in 1737
6. The Chicago River and the San Antonio River
7. Colcannon
8. A big walking stick.
9. Maewyn Succat
10. 30 years
11. Children
12. True
13. By pounding on drums
14. Snakes are not indigenous to Ireland and it is commonly believed that serpents were likely a metaphor for druidic religions which steadily disappeared from Ireland in the centuries after St. Patrick planted the seeds of Christianity on the island.
15. Wales
16. New York
17. A pagan
18. None. He was never formally canonized
19. The Irish Government
20. Making their shoes
21. Patricius
22. He was an alderman
23. It is the day St. Patrick was said to have died
24. 1903
25. Blue
26. Montreal
27. Birmingham, England
28. 1762. The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. In 1848, several Irish Aid societies united to form one gigantic NYC St. Paddy’s parade. With 150,000 participants, it holds the distinction of being the largest civilian parade in the USA. Nearly 3,000,000 watchers line a 1.5-mile route to watch the procession that takes more than five hours to pass by.
29. Shamrocks
30. The sun
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