Booze Meme

It's Friday night and all thoughts turn to partying. But, I will probably "party" at home. I stole this fun meme from another blogger and cannot take credit for any of the questions, just the answers!

1. Beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks – rank them

Beer > Wine > mixed drinks > liquor

2. How often do you drink?

Not often enough.

3. Favorite scotch?

A ship called Cutty Sark

4. Favorite whiskey?

Jack Daniels is the man of the hour

5. Favorite tequila?

Jose

6. Gin?

Rummy?

7. Vodka?

Gray Goose

8. Rum?

Never touch the stuff

9. Red or white?

Red, sweet, and the more the better

10. Best wine ever?

Oliver Red

11. Favorite type of wine?

Red, screw-off cap or cork, cold and sweet!

12. Favorite every day red?

Oliver, again

13. Favorite every day white?

Angioletta Muscato

14. Best value white?

Gallo – really!!

15. Do drink boxed wine?

Some are not bad at all!

16. Fastest to getting drunk?

32 Oz. Margarita on empty stomach

17.Are you quiet, silly, or what when you are tipsy?

My mouth runs “like a duck’s ass”. (Direct quote from my late wife.)

18. Every do anything your regretted while drunk?

OMG! Please don’t go there!

19. Favorite beer?

Killian’s Red or Coors Light

20. Favorite food while drinking?

Chocolate (milk only) with beer and cheese with wine

21. Favorite cordial?

Crème de menthe

22. Favorite ‘desert drink’?

I am a beer man with anything!

23. Favorite morning libation?

I need coffee rather than more “hair of the dog.”

24. Favorite bar?

Main View

25. How old when you had your first booze?

We always had it available at home, so I probably at least tasted something when I was young. Officially, 18, 3.2 beer in Ohio on Friday nights.

26. “Not for me”

Any cocktail with coconut – blech!

27.Do you own a cocktail shaker?

Yes, pink plastic, but have one of those nifty “bullet” mixers. Fantastic gift!

28. Martinis – gin or vodka?

Vodka, with whiff of vermouth and a proper olive and onion – no rubbish

29. Ever been in a bar fight?

Nope! Usually try to keep it down to a dull roar to avoid that kind of thing

and

30. An amusing vignette involving booze:

Many memorable moments but I will mention the one with six of us out driving around quiet country roads, drinking beer, stopped in a dark, out-of-the-way cemetery to take a much needed leak, all of us out of the car, watering the grass, and the sheriff’s deputy pulls in with flood light shining and reds flashing. Quite embarrassing for a bunch of half tight, teenage boys! Just a stern lecture, escort home to the driver’s house. No ticket or further repercussions.

Thought -Filled Thursday

Many websites, blogs, and home pages have a "thought for the day" so I have come up with Thought-Filled Thursday. Each Thursday, I plan on posting a thought of some nature. It might be mine originally, or a quote by someone else, famous or not.

Today's thought:

"You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." (M. Oliver)

If more of us believed this, how happy we would be.

Thoughts of Peace,
JE

Grammatically Incorrect

It bugs the heck out of me to be caught either speaking or writing grammatically incorrectly. I must use the right tense of verb, and I must never end a sentence with a preposition. I have to spell correctly and use correct punctuation. I am obsessive about this.
When I write an e mail to someone, even my friends, I spend a lot of time using the "backspace" key to either correct my spelling, or typographical errors. I correct even the tiniest mistakes. Why do you suppose I do this?
Could it be from teaching proper grammar and correct usage of the English language for so many years? Could it be that my mom was a teacher and insisted that my brother and I write and speak correctly, or is it just being OCD?
It also irritates (read bugs the heck) me to read a novel, that I paid good money for, that contains misspelled words or grammar errors. Where are the editors that novelists pay megabucks?
I also get a little peeved at receiving e mails that have typos and grammar errors in them. I think it shows that people who know better are just in too big of a hurry these days. They really do care, they just don't take or have the time to correct.
Okay, now there you have it. One of my LITTLE idiosyncrasies. But don't stop writing to me just because of my little hangup. I'll get over it!

Peace,
JE

Elasticism

What is with elastic these days. Almost daily for the last week, every pair of boxers that I put on after my shower has lost the elasticity in the waist band. What is happening? Of course! It's because I started using a laundry booster, or changed fabric softeners. Or maybe it's just because most of said undies probably are older than some of you readers out there. Any way, it's annoying , not to mention that it's going to be expensive to replace those favorite boxers that have bit the dust.
Does this sound like a personal problem? Well, I suppose it does. They sure don't make underwear like they used to. (Now maybe it's even better.) Guess I'll be finding out soon.
Peace,
JE

Time Out!!!

I am taking a time out from reading. Why? I have so many crafty projects going at the same time that I want to finish. I cannot craft and read at the same time. Darn!! So, for a while, I will only be reading after I go to bed in the evening. (Now if I could just figure out how to get really comfy in my bed to read. There's always something that is "not quite right" about it.)
Secondly, I have been to the library often as of late, but I just cannot find that much good stuff to read. The last trip I brought home 5 books, and couldn't make it past the first chapter in 2, read 2 and didn't get to the other one before it would be overdue. The very last one on my blog was recommended by my friendly librarian, who knows me well enough to automatically put my name on some novels that she thinks I would like, but are on the "waiting" list.
Prof assures me that authors usually come out with new stuff in the fall and early winter, so maybe I will find something better to read then. I put my name on "Heaven is For Real," the other day, and there are 11 people ahead of me, and our small library only bought 1 copy, so it will be a while.
So, crafting I will go. I have a baby blanket in he works, and the baby is due in 4 weeks or less, so it would be nice to get it done. I have 2 prayer shawls that I am working on, plus two "bag books" to finish. I always make my own Christmas cards, and so far I only have 1 done. So, as you can see, I have lots to do besides read.

Peace,
JE

"Pot" Luck

Tonight Prof had to work and Kiddo was home with me. I decided I needed more than a sandwich for supper, so I cooked boneless pork chops, potato quarters and green beans in the same skillet. When Prof and Little Bro were young and at home, this was their favorite meal.
Well, Kiddo came to the kitchen and filled his plate. He ate a generous portion of all, which is what I wanted to see. I don't think the kid had eaten all day. After he was done, while taking his plate and utensils to the sink, he thanked me for the meal. Then he said that he usually didn't care much for pork chops, but mine were really good cooked that way. He said that his step mom used to fix them and she never seasoned anything, so they were bland. If he dared to salt or pepper anything, he got yelled at for insulting her cooking. What!!!! Who does that???
He also added that her roasts were "crap" but that his mom made a fantastic roast. He said that she added stuff like bay leaves, salt, wine and other goodies to make her roasts good.
So I guess you could say that Prof's pot roast, and my "all-in-one-pot" pork chops brought us luck!
I think I'm going to miss these "Kiddo Moments" when he goes to college.

Peace,
JE

What I Read #55

One Summer by David Baldacci: Beautifully written, Baldacci tells the story of Jack Armstrong and his family. Jack is struck down in the prime of his life with a strange disease, of which there is no cure. He is only hoping to hang on until after Christmas. The tragedy of the utmost strikes. Jack's wife is killed in an automobile accident on Christmas Eve.
One Summer is the story of Jack, his children and a miracle witnessed by all. Along with them, is Jack's best friend and mentor, Sammy Duvall. Going back to Jack's late wife's home in South Carolina is a journey into dealing with grief and healing for everyone.
This story, which is a real change from the type of novels David Baldacci usually writes, touched my heart. I could feel Jack's pain as he had to deal with his grief. I too have had to deal with the same type of grief. I could also relate to Jack being blamed for his wife's death by her mother. I too had to deal with a bitter, spiteful mother-in-law after my wife's death.
Healing is hard. Jack handled it like another human. Some days better than others.
This is a wonderful story. Maybe not for everyone, but it certainly touched me.

Happy Reading,
JE

What I Read #54

Nickel-Plated Soul by Ronald Tierney: Deets Shanahan is a 70 yr. old Private Eye living and working in Indianapolis. Hugh Dart, his client just got out of prison where he spent 30 years for murdering his wife. Hugh doesn't think she's dead, 'cause he didn't kill her. He wants Deets to find her.
This was a fun read for me. Obviously one reason is because Deets is close to my age, and I can sympathize with his aches and pains, especially in the morning. Secondly, Deets lives and works in Indianapolis, and since I am in Indiana, I know where things are that are mentioned in he book.
Author Tierney is originally from Indiana so he knows the area and what he describes is "real."
A fast paced novel, Nickel-Plated Soul will have you smiling, and frowning, as you enjoy every page.

Happy Reading,
JE

What I Read #53

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs: This book was recommended to me by my daughter. What a delightful change from the murder and mayhem that I usually read. I thought "chick lit" when I heard the title, but this was "way" beyond that.
Georgia Walker is a single mom, who owns her own business, a yarn shop called "Walker and Daughter." Her customers are a quirky lot, who love to knit and even some who don't like to knit, but like to hang out in Georgia's shop.
This is a story of those people, the friendships that evolve, and grow. It is about life, about a group of women who get together on Friday evenings to nosh, and knit. It is a beautiful story of love and kindness.
Though this was straying from my usual genre, I am glad I took the time to read it. Thanks, Prof, for your recommendation.

Happy Reading,
JE

What I Read #52

Live Wire by Harlan Coben: This book was a disappointment. Myron Bolitar never has been one of my favorite characters, but since Coben has been one of my favorite authors, I read this series. At least up until now.
This was a "cookie cutter" story. I felt like I had read it before. Same characters, different time and situation. The "rubber stamp" dialogue was familiar and I could guess what was going to happen next.
Coben's "stand alone" novels are great, but from now on, if the book cover mentions that this is another in the "Myron Bolitar" series, I'm afraid it will stay on the library shelf.
I notice that Coben is coming out with a new book for young adult readers called, "Shelter." I am anxious to read this. Even though I am retired from teaching young adults, I still like to know what they are reading. It will be interesting to see how this author tells a story to young people.

Happy Reading,
JE

Restless

Today is one of those days when I feel restless. No where to go, no money to do anything fun, and can't sit still. I've been reading in the recliner, changed to the screened in porch, then to the back yard. Not comfortable anywhere I light.
The house is a mess. Stuff all over the place, and I wonder sometimes how Prof and Kiddo get up and down the stairs with all of their junk piled on the steps. My piano area is piled full of Prof's books, shoes, and a variety of other trappings of her life.
The kitchen table is covered with scrapbooking stuff (not mine) and there is no place to set down a plate without moving a bunch of stuff.
Besides that, I am tired of dieting and have a really bad case of the munchies. And to top off this feeling of restlessness, Kiddo's games and music are driving me nuts. The longer he plays them, the louder they get. I know I am sharing my home willingly, so I can't complain about everything, even though to him it probably seem like it right now.
It's too hot (about 90+) out side and I don't feel like walking or biking in that. Gas is too expensive to waste it just wandering around. Maybe, I just need to go to my room, close the door, and sleep this one off. Maybe when I get up, I will feel human, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Peace,
JE

I Just Hate It When...

the person in line ahead of me at Walmart has to have a price check

I have an itch and can't reach it

that little “gas light” in my car comes on and I'm miles from a station

the phone rings and I'm on the other side of the room in my recliner

people look at me like, “are you nuts?”

my kids ask for advice, then ignore what I said

cars are outnumbered on the Interstate by semis

my 18 yr. old grandson slam dunks his mom

I get continuous muzak on someone's cell phone

I have to wait at the Dr.'s office..(they charge me if I cancel on short notice)

people send me e mails that say if I don't send it on, something bad will happen

I have to put off getting something until I get my retirement and social security checks

This list could go on forever; these are just some of the things that are really bugging me right now! I guess I am just grouchy this morning. Thanks for letting me rant!

They Do Grow Up

Fellow blogger Tom McMillen-Oakley had this ( or this part) of a quote on his blog today:"God made kids cute so we don’t leave them on the curb when they are bad."

This is so true! He has two little ones and they just got back from a week's vacation.

Ah! I remember those days. Thank goodness we had "Mom's Bomb" (9 passenger Pontiac Safari Station Wagon.) Prof rode in middle facing front. Lil Bro rode in rear facing back (usually with the dog). Otherwise they would have been left curbside at least once!

"Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end." But they did!

Peace (at last)
JE

Weight Loss Tracker

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't changed my WLT lately. Why? BECAUSE I CAN'T SEEM TO LOSE ANY MORE WEIGHT! I have really worked at this, exercised, wrote down every morsel I put into my mouth, not gone over my point count. What the heck am I doing wrong? I will keep on keeping on, but this is frustrating.

Stuck at -8 lbs,
Jimmieearl aka JE

These "Possums" aren't playing "Possum."

The other day I went out to tend my compost maker. I have a 55 gallon plastic drum that I pile composting material in, add some water when I think about it, stir it once or twice a week (if I remember) and voila! Compost which is rich and grows stuff well. But I digress!
When I started to stir said compost, there laid an opossum on top of it. It was still alive!!! It didn't move much, but sorta hissed and bared its teeth at me. I thought about beating it to death since it was almost dead anyway, but that goes against my nature. So, I tipped the barrel over on its side and it came tumbling out and staggered away and thru my chain link fence to parts unknown. End of "possum sighting #1.
Day before yesterday, I was getting in my car, in the garage, and I smelled something dead. I went on my way, but when I got home, and pulled into the garage, the smell hit me again. So, I began to investigate. I found a dead possum in a trash can. Not the same possum either. This one was bigger. I dumped the trash can into another plastic bag, and disposed of the critter in the dumpster. BUT, the big question is, how did this varmint get into my steel walled garage, and then how did it get into a 40 gallon trash can? All I can think of is that it ran in there when the door was open for access while mowing the lawn. To get into the trash can, the rodent had to climb upon a bunch of precariously stacked boxes of Prof's stuff, then "dumpster dive" into the garbage can. Boy, I bet it was disappointed when it got in there and couldn't get out. This is a trash can I only use for "car trash" and contained only two cups from Starbucks, and an empty McDonald's bag. Not worth dying for, certainly.
But die it did. Stink it did. Where are these vermin coming from and how do I get rid of them? They have to be one of God's ugliest creatures. And I really don't want them around!!

Peace,
JE

Facebook: Friend or Foe

I can't decide if I like "Facebooking" or not. It starts out fun, then you get someone on there that thinks their opinion is the only right one, and they start pissing people off.
Such was this morning. I reposted (at the request of another) the Pledge of Allegiance. Then asked for people to repost in support of not taking the word "God" out of the pledge, and not removing the Pledge from schools. Well, I heard from several people who "liked" my post, and even from a veteran who said he "fought for the right to say 'one nation, under God.'" I didn't do this to piss people off. Then, a former friend (can a friend be former and still be a friend) whom I haven't seen for over 20 years, but who sent me a friend request, got all crappy about which "god" was I referring to, and we need a republican "god" and so on. Now I am steamed! Can I unfriend this guy? He has always been a "die-hard" liberal, but this was going too far in my opinion. And it is MY Facebook page. And Facebook is supposed to be for fun. This ceased to be fun when a war of words broke out. Now I am faced with either letting it go on and on, or "unfriending" this liberal jackass. What I have done was enter a comment for said jackass to "give it up. This is one argument you won't win on Facebook." Knowing him, this won't be enough. I am wishing now that I had never said anything about the Pledge in the first place. I also understand Jackass's right to say what he feels, and my right to say what I feel. This is not fun anymore.

Peace (on Facebook soon)
JE

The "Rut" Most Taken

I am finding, with retirement, that I seem to be falling into a rut. It's not a long fall, either. I think it sometimes can be a pleasant rut, too. I get up, eat the same thing for breakfast that I ate yesterday, go for my walk (added recently) then come home, jump into the shower, dress, pour my coffee, and head for the computer. I scan my e mails received over night, answer any that need to be responded to, relegate most to my spam file, and delete the rest. Then I check my blog roll to see if any of my "blog buddies" have posted. If so, I read them, and comment accordingly. Moving onto the "favorites" icon, I scan the local funeral home's web site to make sure I haven't missed the passing of someone I know. (Morbid? A little. Necessary? Yes.)
Now, it is time to refill my coffee cup, grab either my latest "in progress" novel, or handwork and head to my recliner. Sometimes, I listen to music, or I listen to whatever "music" my 18 year old grandson has blaring from the "attic."
On specified days (not necessarily the same ones each week) I do laundry, and clean. And cut the grass and weed the flower beds (if it's not to hot.) With Prof and Kiddo living with me, I don't have to empty the dishwasher (Kiddo's job) or load it (Prof's job) or take out the trash(again Kiddo's job) or cook much (alternate with Prof), so this makes my rut really comfortable.
Most days this rut is okay with me. Others, not so okay. I have been asked by other retirees if I want to volunteer at different places. So far, I just smile and say, "no thanks." I worked for 50+ years, and I just want to take it easy, go for my walk in my comfortable rut, and enjoy life without being caught up in the hustle-bustle of a world that is moving much too rapidly for me to keep up with.
Am I getting older? You bet, but as I age, I want to take time to STOP and smell the roses, (that just happen to be growing beside my "rut.")

Peace,
JE

God's Gifts

I was reading a devotional earlier this morning. It was about our gifts from God. It got me to thinking about my gifts He has given me.
Singing has always been my thing. I have sung in groups, and solo for as long as I can remember. My first solo was at a Christmas Eve service when I was 6. I sang, of all things, "Bring a Torch, Janette Isabella" in front of the entire congregation. I still remember the tune, just not all the words. That was 60 years ago, and I am still singing. What a glorious gift God has given me.

But, and there always seems to be a "but," my hearing is beginning to fail, so thus, I am singing less. It gets harder and harder to hear the accompaniment, and the voices around me in choir, and when I solo, I feel like I need to be standing on top of the piano.

In light of this happening, my artistic juices seem to be getting a boost. I find myself learning a new craft, or returning to an old one with more vigor. It seems like I have a better eye for color, and a talent for handwork that I never had before. Is God working another of His mysterious ways with me? I think so.

I am enjoying gardening more. I still don't like to mow and weed, but I do enjoy working out in the flowers, and tending my water feature. I am enjoying just being out in God's world more than I have in the past.

I have often heard that "when life closes a door, God opens a window." These changes in my life have made me believe it even more. I still want to sing, but now it is not so important. I know that God is watching out for me and giving me other things to do and think about.

Peace,
JE

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Just that...Happy 4th of July. Celebrate how every you wish. Just remember that without the forethought of our founding fathers, we wouldn't have the freedoms we have now. No where else in the world, do people have the freedoms we possess.
Right now I am concerned that we are slowly, but surely, losing those freedoms. What can we do about it, you may ask. We can stand up and let our voices be heard. We can vote! If there is a representative, senator, or even a local politico that you don't approve of, vote against him/her in the next election. Even at the presidential level, we have the power to vote that person holding the office out in the next election.
So, America, take charge, rally peacefully when needed, but do rally, and get out there and take charge of our country. It is our country, you know. Don't let a few dictate to the many! It's our time. We need to take advantage of it!

Peace,
JE

A Bumper Sticker

I saw this bumper sticker the other day on the back of a semi:

ABORTION?
What part of "Thou Shalt Not Kill" don't
you understand?

I'm just sayin"...

JE

What I Read #51

The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer: This fast paced novel by bestselling author Meltzer really rocks. Someone is embezzling large amounts of funds from a private bank. Oliver and his brother Charlie, both employees of the bank, are caught up in the corruption. When the Secret Service gets involved, things really start happening. Just who is guilty and who isn't.
This is 481 pages of fast action taking the reader from NYC to Orlando; right into the underground heart of Disney World.
If you haven't read this Meltzer work, you will not want to miss it. You also won't want to put it down until the last sentence.

Happy Reading,
JE

THIS IS ME...RIGHT THIS MINUTE..... NO DOUBT TOMORROW I'LL BE SOMEBODY ELSE!

Note: I stole this from my blog friend Mellodee, over at "Mellodee's Musings." She is a person with whom I have a lot in common and would like to meet for coffee (or tea) some time and just chat away the hours:

I AM... Sleepy! Or maybe Grumpy, possibly even Bashful, but I'm definitely NOT DOPEY!

I WANT... a good med/well steak, I’ve had a craving lately.

I HAVE... always had a hard time making friends. It's one of my biggest regrets.

I WISH I COULD... spend some time in Nova Scotia by the ocean. I have never been, but want to go.

I HATE... Hypocrites and liars!!

I DON’T REMEMBER...many good things about my High School years.

I LOVE... my family and friends.

I DANCE... by myself in my living room when no one is there.

I SING... all the time! Like no one can hear me.

I NEVER...have been farther than Mexico (Tijuana) and Canada (Niagara Falls).

I RARELY... dislike solitude, but I hate being lonely.

I CRY WHEN I WATCH...movies with bittersweet endings

I AM NOT ALWAYS... the person I wish I was!

I HATE THAT … My mate passed years before her time.

I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … all things technical!

I NEED … to get involved in some activity that would get me out of the house more.

I SHOULD … get back in the habit of attending church regularly. I have shied away since the loss of our pastor.

I DON'T ... believe how fast the days and weeks and years go by!