The dreaded photoshoot (preamble)

About every 5 years, my church produces a photo album of members.  Tonight is the night I have to have my picture taken.  Since my son and his family attend there and my daughter is attending there too, we decided to have a family portrait taken.  The girls have been bantering back and forth about what we should all wear so we coordinate.  My daughter-in-law is rearranging their eating schedule so the little ones will be more content, since our photo session is at dinner time. (Poor planning on my part since I set up the early time to get this over with.)  My older grandson is trying to get a few minutes off from work and will meet us there, slip into a "non employee" shirt, get snapped, then go back to work.  All in all, this is turning into a bigger deal than I planned, but knowing my family,all will go like clockwork.  A followup blog later in the week will let you all know if we were all able to "say cheese."

Peace,
JE

Some Sage Advice

A friend sent this to me today.  I thought it was worth passing on, so to all my blogger friends that are aging right along with me:

GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY.  GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what  we get. We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm  passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring  you through it.

'Good friends are like stars.....  ....You don't always see them, but you know they  are always  there.'

I Should Have Known Before...

It's getting colder here in the Midwest, and I get cold easier than I used to, (could it be an age thing??).  Someone mentioned that maybe I should get some Under Armor to wear this winter.  So I did part with the mega bucks and bought a shirt by this name.  Why didn't someone mention this to me before??  It's the best thing since sliced bread.  Today, it is colder and I have a fire in the gas grate, and I have on my new shirt under a long sleeved shirt.  I am warm.  I love it and would recommend it to everyone.
Thanks to my son, and Curley for telling me about this stuff.  I plan to get some "long johns" too.

Peace (and warmth),
JE

Another Month Gone!

Wow!  Another month gone by.  Where did it go?  I was looking at my calendar for September just a while ago and thought, wow, it's October starting tomorrow.  It seems like the older I get, the faster time goes.  I also notice that I had a lot of doctor appointments in September.  And more in October.  That must be a sure sign I'm getting older. 
New glasses, a tooth extraction which called for adding another tooth to my already semi-full partial, and the usual 6-7 month checkup for cholesterol and blood pressure, plus a trip to the ER for a near panic attack brought on by too much stress.  (Really it was strained chest wall muscles, which caused chest pain, which in turn caused the panicky feeling.)
So, I continue to take the meds, exercise, try to eat right, and keep on keeping on.  Fall is in the air so I will be raking leaves and getting the yard ready for winter.  I also keep busy with my hand work and card making.  I am thinking of taking a painting (acrylics) class that is going to be offered at our local Senior Center.  I keep going to my crochet club and singing in the choir.  I still read voraciously.  I enjoy all that I do and wonder sometimes how I managed to work for a living for over 50 years. 
So, as another month passes and another one comes along, I just will keep on keeping on. 

Peace,
JE

From Outside my Window

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in my living room near an open window.  I looked out when I heard talking.  Right outside my front door, not over 12 feet away stood 3 boys and two girls, all who  looked to be about sixth graders (give or take a few months,)  The stood talking, mostly the girls talked, the boys just stood there looking confused, and somewhat awkward (like most pubescent boys do) and the girls were "all up in their faces."  I couldn't hear what they were saying, but suddenly the boys did an about-face and took off walking west.  The girls just stood there, then one of them shouted, "Hey, look at this," as she flew "the bird" at the boys.  Then, both girls did the natural "girly" thing:  they both screamed, and took off running east!  I think the boys were clueless!!!
Ahh!  Youth!  Growing up is hard to do!

Quick Book Review

I don't think I have ever requested that our local library purchase a book.  In fact, I know I haven't because until just a few weeks ago, I didn't know they took patron requests.  Anyhow, I asked them to get "A Killing in the Hills" by Julia Keller.  I had read about it coming out on one of my literary websites and thought it would be something I would like.  It was a pretty good one.  It was the author's first novel.  I was slightly disappointed that it was so wordy.  I think Ms Keller could have told the story in a lot fewer pages. 
The author really hit the poverty in the Appalachian regions on the head.  I have relatives living in that area and have seen it first hand.  Her descriptions of the area were right on, too.  This novel was what I call a "smart book," where the author isn't afraid to use the ten dollar words.  I like books like that.  I just thought there was too much "personal crap" going on behind the scenes with the main character, which didn't really add to the story, and which she left the reader hanging out there wondering what happened with her daughter and her sister.  Makes me think that this will become another series.
All in all, I would give it 3 stars out of 5.

Read on,
JE

Politics! Bah Humbug!

With the elections heating up, I am  already tired of the smear campaigns.  I for the life of me, cannot see the true value of slamming the other candidates.  To me, it only lowers my opinion of the candidates!
This about sums up my feelings of politics:

Maybe when November comes well all get some much wanted peace (and maybe some change, too.)

Peace (maybe)
JE

The Baby Grands!

No, I'm not talking about duel piano concerts.  I am just giving you an update on my two wonderful small grandchildren.  They are so cute and full of vim and vigor.  I get tired just thinking about watching them!!  I love them dearly and I want to share pics of them.  Here they are!  aren't they  the happiest kids ya ever have seen?

They make my day!

Peace,
JE

Arachnid Followup

Okay, I was amused by the spider and centipede episode, but I checked in on them a day later and GROSS(!): half of the centipede was gone.  So now, the spider and the other half of its prey is gone.  I cleaned up the corners of the room where any other wildlife might be hanging out and scrubbed the floor.  You were right Beatrice P. Bear.  Those creatures need to be elsewhere but in my house.  However, it was a good lesson for "survival of the fittest."  And, obviously, I am the fittest!  Or at least the biggest!

Peace (reigns once again),
JE

"Come Into My Parlour, said the spider to the fly."

You've heard of the survival of the fittest?  Well, here in the corner of one of my rooms, (yes there's dust bunnies, I know) is this tiny spider who has caught a huge centipede (at least huge to the spider) in his or her web.  The more the centipede struggles to be free, the more web the spider casts.  How long until the spider moves in for the "kill?"  Or will it wait until the centipede wears itself out and finally gives up and dies?  It's interesting how nature works, isn't it.  More updates as they happen!

Silence is Golden

For about 15 months after my wife died, I was alone. Then because of factors beyond her control, my daughter Prof moved home from Montana and into my attic. That was almost 4 years ago. A year and a half after she moved in, her sperm donor, who had been housing my grandson, Kiddo, decided that he didn't want Kiddo anymore. So I took him in also. So I haven't been alone since I retired, or at least, I have had someone in residence all the time since then. Last week, Prof left on Wednesday for the state capital, where her guy lives. She is staying with him for the long holiday weekend. She told Kiddo that in light of his recent behavior, (which is blog fodder for another time,) he was to find another place to crash for the long weekend. He huffed and puffed and blustered about how unfair she and I were being, but he called his dad and asked if he could crash there just for a few days. Dad said yes, believe it or not. But, Dad wouldn't give him a key and expected him to live by the rules of their house. Again a lot of blustering and bitching, and finally he gave in. I haven't seen or heard from him since last Wednesday. He texted his mom and said that Dad was being an ass (as usual) and he was staying with his friend Nick. That's okay with me.
Meanwhile, back at Casa Mine, I have had the whole place to myself. I have played the stereo loudly, have danced in the living room, have sang in the shower at the top of my lungs, and have run around in my underwear. It's quiet, and staying really neat. Any mess made since last Wednesday can only be mine. I have dined sitting on the kitchen counters, and eaten peanut butter with a spoon straight from the jar. I have stayed up as late as I wanted without the lights bothering anybody and I have NOT had the TV on more that 2 hours all the time I have been alone.
If Prof and Kiddo do decide to move on, I will miss them. I will miss Prof's tales about her job, and life. I will miss her cooking and just having her here to rely on for certain household chores. I will miss Kiddo's ramblings and even his blustering. But will I miss the constant noise of just having others in the house? NO! For, you see, silence is golden.

Friendship

Friendship. What is it? It is something that is not easy for me to cultivate, but am so lucky to have. I have a network of friends. There is Steve, Alan, and Tim. They're my singing buddies, and they are the guys that I can turn to when the going gets rough.
There is Susan. She is my accompanist when I sing, and our choir director at church. She is also a friend who just seems to understand things that I share with her.
There is Tom. He's a guy who I met in college, roomed with for two years, and that was 45 years ago. We are still best friends. He and his wife have shared their lives with me and mine for all these years. It's a wonderful thing to have a lifetime friend.
Then there is Curley. You all have heard me talk about her since I began blogging. She is this gal I met at work. She's a wife and a mom. She's a daughter and a sister, too. But to me she's a confidant, a sharer, and most of all, my friend. We worked together for a long time, and this purely platonic friendship just went from there. She has taught me how to crochet, and tried to teach me to knit. She understands loss having lost her dad recently, so I can talk to her about loss. She has children of her own, and she has become sort of a second Mom to my kids. She is a person who my children even though they are adults, will call and talk to if they have a concern. Curley is happily married to Hunter/fisherman, but he hates to shop, and craft. These are the things we do together, and he doesn't care. In fact, I think he's relieved that Curley has someone to shop and craft with so he doesn't feel like he has to. LOL! We have a lot of laughs, and also some tears, but through it all, the friendship we have is special. Curley was a good friend to my late wife, Tilly, and I know that Tilly would like the fact that we still maintain that bond.
So, when I talk friendship, I stop and think, "My how lucky I am." Friends like mine, don't just happen. A Higher Power made these friendships and I am blessed to be the recipient.
How lucky can one guy get?

Peace,
JE

I Can't Make This Stuff Up!

This really happened!

Tonight, Grandson Kiddo called me. He was on his delivery route for Pizza Hut, and the house he was to deliver to was an abandoned one. (Cruel joke???) He wanted me to look up Pizza Hut's number so he could call them for further instructions.

Me "You work for Pizza Hut and you don't know their number?"
Kiddo: " I can't remember it." (He was frustrated...it's his first week of work.)

So I got the phone book and was looking it up when...

Kiddo: "Grandpa, I found the number on the ticket."
Me: "It's probably on the pizza box, too."
Kiddo: "Yes, and on the lighted sign on top of my car...duh". "Thanks, bye."

No crap, people, this was so funny I have been rolling on the floor laughing all evening!!

Peace,
JE

Could Fall be Coming Soon?

Yesterday was one of those beautiful Indiana days. Temps were in the low 70s and there was a breeze. I played the slug all day. I relaxed on the porch, and moved in the afternoon into the back yard swing. I was reading a "can't put it down" novel, so I had an excuse. As I sat there, I looked around at the trees and sky, breathed in the fresh air, and I swear I could feel Fall in the air. Surely not already! If Fall is coming early to Indiana, then we're in for a doozie of a winter! I am sure that soon the temps will rise, along with the humidity, and summer will once again descend upon us. But for yesterday, and hopefully, today, the cooler temps are sure a harbinger of Fall.

Peace,
JE

Did you ever wonder...

Why did the right road
Take that wrong turn?
Why did our heart break?
Why'd we get burned?

Just like the seasons
There are reasons
For the path we take
There are no mistakes
Just lessons to be learned.
(Words by B. Streisand)

Peace,

JE

All the "X's" Should Be In Texas

Or any place else but around here. Both of my kids were married before. Lil Bro even refers to his brief first marriage as his "unfortunate incarceration." Our family is still haunted by this woman, who has been married at least twice since.(Divorce final in 2000) Finance companies call us looking for her every now and then. It seems she used my address and phone number when she got a loan. (She never lived her, no did she ever even stay all night here. Ever!) The last one who called got an ear full. I told them that she was married briefly (5 months total) to our son, never lived here, and that she was married to at least 2 other suckers since. I told them that if they ever found her, to just shoot her and the world would be better off!! Maybe I should have just suggested that they ship her to Iraq!
Then, there's Prof''s X. He was seemingly a nice guy for a while. Especially during the 4 years they dated. But alas, he turned "bummish." He is not parent material, has always tried to ignore his responsibility to his son (my grandson, Kiddo) and has just recently shown his true colors which aren't even on the color spectrum they are so low.
So, why doesn't the country just designate an area in some land way far away for these miscreants so we don't have to deal with them. (Preferably not Texas; I have relatives and friends there). Bums, abusers, and gold diggers, along with other bothersome X's would be sent there for just existing in a world and taking up precious oxygen that the rest of us could be using!!!
This is a needless rant, I realize, but I needed to vent!

Peace,

JE

Will it ever quit hurting?

Missing Her

Today would have been our 43rd wedding anniversary. It's a bittersweet time, but the feeling of loss is better. I still miss her and wonder if the empty feeling will ever go away. This song really sums up my feelings today and sometime during most days.

(You can find this song on Carole King's "Livingroom Tour" CD. Ya gotta listen to it!) You can find it on YouTube.

Now and Forever
You were a part of me
And the memory cuts like a knife
Didn't we find the ecstasy
Didn't we share the daylight
When you walked into my life
Now and forever
I will remember
All the promises still unbroken
And think about all the words between us
That never needed to be spoken.

We had a moment
Just one moment
That will last beyong a dream, beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get to do
All we got to do
Now and forever
I will always think of you

Didn't we come together
Didn't we live together
Didn't we cry together
Didn't we play together
Didn't we love together
And together we lit up the world

I miss the tears
I miss the laughter
I miss the day we met and all that followed after
Sometimes I wish
I could always be with you
The way we used to do
Now and forever
I will always think of you
Now and forever
I will always be with you.
________________

Will this every get any easier?

Peace and Hope

JE

I sorta stole this from Mellodee over at "Mellodee's Musings". I guess she ganked it from "Sunday Stealing." But it was fun!

1. You have 10 dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station. What do you get? Either a “Chunky Original” or York Peppermint Patty for sweet, and kettle corn for the sweet/salty taste.

2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be? A dolphin; they are so smart!

3. Who’s your favorite redhead? Julia Roberts

4. What do you order when you’re at IHOP? Veggie omelet with egg beaters, dry toast and coffee. I am not an IHOP fan at all.

5. Last book you read? "Chasing Darkness" by Danielle Girard.

6. Describe your mood. Nervous and grumpy, but why?

7. Describe the last time you were injured. I fell off the last step getting off a Greyhound bus. The driver neglected to pull out the “courtesy step” and that last step was a big one. I scraped my left arm, leg and knee, jammed my shoulder and the top three ribs on the left side of my chest were shoved slightly over top of my sternum. I was pissed at the driver, who didn’t even have the courtesy to come over and see if I was okay. If I had known how injured I really was, I would have made sure Greyhound pay for the Dr. bills, most certainly. Of course, those injuries don’t appear for sometimes years. That was 5 years ago, and I am still having problems.

8. Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with? Stuck in a well??? If I had to be stuck with anyone in a well, it would be my friend Alan. He is the most ingenious guy I know and could get us out. He’s MacGyver II!

9. Rock concert or symphony? How about a blended concert of both?

10. What is the wallpaper of your cell phone? I don’t have wallpaper. Just white background.

11. Favorite soda? Coke (Caffeine free, diet of course)

12. What type of shirt are you wearing? A blue tee with the logo of our church on it. We sold them as a fund raiser several years ago. I still have this one. Bleach spots and all!

13. If you could only use one form of transportation? Local free transit (for those of us over 60) and for travel, Amtrak (but allow plenty of time...they are NEVER on schedule!)

14. Most recent movie you have watched in theater? “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”

15. Name an actor/actress/singer you have had the hots for. Ahhh! I hate being predictable, but I would give closet space in my room to Meg Ryan any time.

16. What’s your favorite kind of cake? Texas Chocolate Sheet cake.

17. What did you have for lunch yesterday? Meat Loaf with corn and apples at Cracker Barrel.

18. Look to your left, what do you see? Filing cabinet topped with my printer, a trash bin with the shredder on top and a register for the furnace/AC.

19. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? I usually do.

20. Favorite toy as a child? Brown Bear

21. Do you buy your own groceries? Usually, except when I know that Prof has to go, then I foist my list and my debit card on her. I dislike grocery shopping immensely, and it’s sort of like having a root canal, only worse. At least one is numb for a root canal.

22. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? I'm pretty sure some do!

23. When was the last time you had gummy worms? Years, and I wasn’t impressed. Now, gummy bears, yes. But I like the cinnamon flavored ones the best.

24. What’s your favorite fruit? Black grapes or raspberries.

25. Do you have a picture of yourself doing a cartwheel? Are you kidding?? Did they even make cameras back when I turned my last cartwheel?

Rain, finally!

We have been in a drought here in Indiana all summer. Finally it has begun to rain. Not a lot, but some. Last night I was awakened by thunder an lightening. So I got up and went out to my screened veranda and sat and watched it storm. When I thought it was over, I went back to bed. While I was asleep early this morning, we had a terrific storm. High winds, and lots of rain. Lots of lightening and thunder. There was quite extensive damage around town, and in the county. Trees down, roof damage, and a pole barn north of town now has the roof laying off to one side of the building itself. I was lucky to just have a few small limbs down and leaf debris. Some of my neighbors weren't so lucky. We were, however, without electricity for most of the day. With an electric home, we couldn't cook, wash clothes, dishes, or our bodies (unless we wanted a cold shower,) and with the dark clouds, the house was pretty dark most of the morning. I had the coal oil lamps going and Prof said it was reminiscent of "Little House on the Prairie." I didn't mind at all. I was just reminded of my childhood in the country where we lost power all seasons of the year. Especially in the winter when ice storms came and took down lines, and the power company didn't get there for several days, not hours like now. It was just a fact of life for us. We built fires in the fireplaces and kept them going, and burned coal oil lamps (the same ones I had going today) and made do. We melted ice and snow over the fire for water to wash up with and we ate what ever we could cook over the fire, too. I don't think I'm any the worse for wear because of those times. Although, it does make me appreciate all the conveniences that I am blessed to have now. That was a different and more gentle time.
Anyhow, I digress, it did rain .9" today, and added to what little we have gotten the last few days, things are beginning to green up some. I noticed that the shaded areas of my yard will need the help of my mower come Thursday or Friday. And of course, the weeds are leaping out of the ground. LOL!

Peace,
JE

Gramps again!

News Flash! I found out recently that I am going to be Gramps again early on in '13. My son and his wife are going to bless me with another "baby grand" bringing the "grand" total to 4. We are excited. Prof is excited to be becoming "Auntie Mags" for the third time. Now it's gonna be all about quilt making. (She still has to finish R J's, and he's over 2 years old now.)
The parents claim that they have all the "stuff " for either a boy or a girl, and so they don't want to know the sex this time. All Lil Bro wants to know is that there is only ONE heartbeat. With twins on both sides of the family, and in his generation, he is nervous. I say "bring them on" but of course I am only the spoiler in this whole picture.
Whether a girl or boy, the child will be welcome and loved deeply and completely. There could not be any better or more deserving parents!

Peace,
JE

Back On the Left!

When Prof moved home from Montana, she came with her Malibu full, plus a U-Haul trailer full. It was winter, slick and icy, and we had to empty the U-haul to get it to the local agency while still under her time limit. So, we unloaded her "stuff" into my garage, on the left side. Since my late wife's car was no longer there, there was plenty of room. In the spring, we also moved two flat bed trailers full, plus my car full and Curley's Suburban full (twice) of Prof's stuff that she had in storage in the City. Rental on her storage unit had doubled in the three years she was gone, so it seemed foolish to keep paying when I still had almost half of a garage with space. After all, the U-Haul load was not all that big. So, for over two years now, I have been able to get my car in the garage on the right side, but not much else.
Today, after coming home from church, Prof and I donned our ugliest and oldest work clothes and went to work in the garage. We had picked up plastic storage bins at Dollar General on the way home, so out we went. We shuffled, condensed, shifted, tossed, and restacked. I managed to move some of my multitude of Christmas decorations, condensed some, shifted some, and even tossed a few old wreaths and strings of unworkable lights. I rehung some stuff, and was able to clear some much needed shelf space for Prof's boxes. After 5 hours and 30 minutes, much sweating, and lots of pulling, tugging and lifting, Prof can now get her car in the garage and so can I. Back on the left side where I used to always park. We took time to sweep it out and even dust off some grunge. It looks so nice and clean. I found some stuff I forgot about, and tossed some that I knew was there but up to now didn't want to deal with. If it wasn't so hot out, I would take a lawn chair out there and just sit and admire our handiwork.
So now I am back to parking on the left side again. It's like old home week in the ol garage!!
My shiny red one on the left. Prof's "Blue Goose" (which pulled the U-Haul from Montana in December, through miles and miles and miles of snow and ice. She never got to drive the speed limit until she was 30 miles from home) in my nice, clean garage.


Peace, (but I am pooped)
JE

Show Biz Update!

Well, it's over, or a "wrap" as we show biz moguls say! LOL! I played to an audience of about 50 or so, mostly elderly ladies, but some men in the crowd, too. It was fun. The talking went okay, and even if I do say so myself, the music went great. My accompanist, who is also my vocal coach, said she heard some very nice sounds coming from me today. I got lots of applause after each number, and lots of smiles while I sang.
Most everyone came up to Susan and I afterwards and told us how much they enjoyed the music. It was fun, and now I know the nerves were normal, but certainly unnecessary.
No one filmed it so it won't show up on Youtube, and I think that is wise. I saw a lot moist eyes when we all joined in the singing of "God Bless America," at the end.
It was well worth the effort and hours of practicing. And, we got asked to do it again sometime.
Now, I need a nap! Show biz is hard work! Can I add extra calories to my count for the effort?

Peace,
JE

There's No Biz Like Show Biz

Today is my solo concert! I have practiced and practiced. I have committed great quantities of words and music to my feeble memory. I am ready. Then why am I so scared? I was restless all night, stayed up until midnight and then was up at 5:00 AM fretting about everything from forgetting the words, to forgetting to zip my fly!
I know part of the problem is that I will be expected to talk, too. You know, introduce songs, talk a little to the audience. I hate that part. I get all tongue-tied, and sometimes ramble. I wrote out a mini script, only to have my printer go down last night. I saved it on a "zip stick" so hopefully I can find someone who can print it out for me. I think I could sing in front of an audience at Carnegie Hall, but if I had to talk, I would be a basket case.
The program is only 25 minutes long, and I will have my good friend Susan accompanying me on the piano, and she can play anything and fake the rest! My terrific buddy Curley will be standing in the back cheering me on with her usual smile and enthusiasm. (She'd better be cause she is the one who talked me into doing this...she works there!)
So I say to myself, "Break a leg!" Which maybe if I did and had to go to the emergency room, I could just skip the whole thing! LOL! (Not serious here folks!)

Peace, (with or without the talking)
JE

Dieting Sucks!...But it works.

Five weeks ago, I decided to go on a diet. I had been eating too much. Period. And I had been eating wrong. Too much starch, sweets and not enough veggies and fruit. My darling daughter has been on a diet for some time now with great success, so I thought maybe I could try the same one. She fixed me up with her diet coach and introduced me to the "shake diet." It's a patented diet product, so I won't mention the name here, but the diet plan is very simple; two shakes a day at about 180 calories each, then using the rest of my daily allotted calories on a meal and maybe a snack or two. I started out at 1200 calories, but felt like I was not getting enough to keep my energy level up. So, I went up to 1350, which felt better, but the weight wasn't coming off. Now I am at 1150 calories and doing well. The shake mix is full of nutrients and it just took my body a while to adjust to the regimen. I feel better than I have for a long time, more energy, sleeping better, not longer, and generally feel in good health and am losing at a rate of about 2 pounds a week. I stepped on the scales yesterday morning and saw a number that I hadn't seen in years!! Go me!
Most of all, I am eating better. I am counting the calories, sure, but I am eating more veggies and fruit, less meat, (getting tired of chicken) and watching how my food is prepared. Yes, I have strayed a few times. Just the other day, I sprung for a dish of chocolate mint chip ice cream. Yes, I blew my calorie intake that day, but I climbed back on the wagon the next day, forgave myself and moved on. I refuse to beat myself up if I falter.
I write down every bite I ingest, and that makes me more aware of what I am eating. I keep healthy snacks, some of which are really bland, but some are really tasty. Did you know that Quaker Oat Co. makes a delicious line of rice cakes that only have about 45 calories each? Also, some of the "cookie" people are now making mini cookies and packing them in 100 calorie packs. It takes longer to grocery shop because I am becoming a label reader, but it's going to pay off in the end.
By the way, I still hate broccoli! It's a weed for crap sake! There is no amount of prepping that can disguise the taste and feel of that awful veggie. But asparagus...now there's a great veggie! And I am developing a taste for salmon and talapia, both brushed lightly with EVOO and sprinkled with lemon pepper and baked. Yummy! Talk about eating better! Wow!

Peace(ful) and thinning,
JE

Rejuvination Update!

I'm sore! My back hurts and so do my poor arthritic hands. Why do I always attack a project like I'm killing snakes? I think slow and steady will be "it" from now on. I will call it my "work in progress" and Prof and Kiddo will work around that, I know. I just have the habit or whatever to always hurry and get a project done. Not this time. It requires a lot of "arms over the head" work on the ceiling, so small doses of that might be better. We'll see!

Peace (and soreness),
JE

Time for a change.

Many years ago, my wife decided we needed to decorate one of our bathrooms in lighthouses, and anything nautical. I painted the walls off white, and she put up a border with lighthouses. She added some other nautical stuff,etc. Fifteen years (at least) later I decided to begin changing things in there. I began today.
Due to a leaky roof (now repaired and leak free) there was some water damage to the ceiling. I will have to tear off the loose plaster and re plaster after smoothing out the cracks. The door never ever closed properly since we moved here, but I didn't know exactly what to do about it. Today, I fixed it by simply cutting off about one eighth inch from the top where the frame had settled and now it closes without a problem. I tore down the border and took off some of the scaly paint from some corners and ceiling.
Since Prof is gone for a week to a professional development seminar, I think this will be a good time to work in there. It gets hot in there because there is no window in that room. This is the bathroom that she and my grandson Kiddo use all the time, so off and on he and I will be sharing the shower in my bathroom. I warned him not to count on being able to use his bath for a few days off and on. I don't particularly want him shaving in my sink, but I can save that area of his bathroom for last. Actually that area isn't too bad.
I am choosing the color scheme and theme for there. It is going to be bright since lack of window can make it appear dreary real quickly. It also needs more storage, so I am on the lookout for shelving and drawers to fill an empty space. I know I won't have it all done by Friday when Prof returns, but I hope to have enough done that she can begin to see a difference! Maybe having a door that closes all the way will be enough!

Peace,
JE

Visitors...no, Family!

If it's been a while since I posted, it's because my brother and sister-in-law have been visiting for the past week. They arrived last Sunday and left this morning. We had a whirlwind week. This was the good kind of visit. No funerals, no weddings. Just a visit. Well, I must tell you all that my brother's son is the proud father of a new son, so they also visited Milwaukee, WI to see their new grandson before coming here.
On Monday, we hung around the house for the day, then joined some "forever" friends in a nearby town for dinner and visiting. Applebees were very accommodating for us and gave us a large corner booth in the back of the place. It was a good thing, too, because we stayed 3 hours.
On Tuesday, we did some more hanging out at the house, then visited our parent's graves and went on out to dinner, then on to visit some cousins on the family farm. It was fun and nice to touch base with relatives we don't see too often.
On Wednesday, we made arrangements to meet some more cousins who live in southern IN, so we picked a place midway to meet. We met at one of our state's casinos and racetracks. We got there early enough to get a good table in the food court on the mezzanine above the racetrack. We gabbed, ate, gabbed and ate some more. Then at 5:00 PM, the trotter races began and we all learned how to read a racing form and place bets. I lost $2.00 on my horse, so I quit betting. Bro won $5.20 on a $2.00 bet, and our cousins won about the same amount. It was a super fun-filled day, even though it was too dry in IN for fireworks. We still celebrated just by having a great day.
Thursday, Bro and Sis went visiting to her hometown and met with some old school chums for lunch, and stopped to visit Sis's brother while in the area. That evening we met my son, daughter-in-law, the Divine Miss K and RJ for dinner at a local pizza palace. More fun!
Friday, Sis went to visit a long-time girlfriend, while Bro and I did laundry and hung out. We met she and one of Bro's school chums at a cafe for dinner and visiting.
Saturday, Sis went shopping and visiting, while Bro and I just hung out together and did the scratch, belch and all that. Then last night Sis and I prepared baked salmon, baked squash and asparagus in olive oil and sea salt. What a feast!
Too soon, today came and my family bid me adieu for a while. They had a 1000 miles to go and being gone almost three weeks, they were anxious to get going, yet hated to leave. It was a bittersweet few minutes, but as they pulled away, I was already thinking thoughts of either airways or Amtrak for later in the year.
It was a joyous and fun week. I am tired!

Peace,
JE

Being a Kid Again...for a few minutes!

Last evening we had a thunderstorm. It came with wind and horizontal rain. It was fierce for a few minutes. But those few minutes did a lot of damage. There are limbs down all over town, and out in the country it's worse. Of course, it's more open and the wind had a chance to really blow. After the worst part was over and it was just showering, I took off my glasses, and went out into the rain. I stood and just let it rain on me, then the kid in me took over and I kicked off my flip-flops and went stomping in the puddles in my driveway. I splashed, and laughed. My neighbors who were peeking out their windows, maybe at me, maybe at the rain, probably thought I had lost my mind, but just for a few minutes, I was transported back to my childhood when Mom used to walk my brother and I outside and watch a storm moving in, explaining that storms were nothing to be afraid of. Then, after the rain we would go out and run around in the wet grass and stomp and splash in every puddle we could find.
Just for a few minutes yesterday evening, I was a kid again. Maybe the next time my neighbors will join me in the fun!

Peace,
JE

Cooking, cleaning and singing!

Tomorrow is going to prove to be busy day. I have been cleaning the house in prep for a visit from my brother and sister-in-law from Texas. I have swept and dusted, scrubbed and polished. Curley, bless her heart, came to my house on Monday, on her only day off, and helped me clean. Thanks so much, my friend. (But back to tomorrow.)
I still have the kitchen to finish cleaning and my bathroom. Neither will take very long, but I also volunteered to do some cooking. A gal that Prof works with is being treated for breast cancer. She is taking chemo and radiation both right now. So, the people that work with her, along with her church are furnishing meals for she and her husband. Since Prof has to work, and I don't, she asked if she bought the chicken, potatoes and etc, if I would prepare the food and deliver it. Of course, I said yes. I am the official chicken fryer in the house, and she is prepping the rest of the stuff for the oven tonight, so all I have to do is bake those dishes. Not a problem.
Then, the lady that accompanies me when I sing called today to set up a time for me to practice. The only time she had available is tomorrow! Did I tell you all that I am doing a solo concert on July 12? I am the official entertainment at the monthly birthday party at our Senior Center for July. It's been a long time since I have done solo work, so I am a bit nervous about the whole thing. I sorta let Curley (who works there full time) talk me into it, along with the gal who plans these monthly parties. Practice I must! So, I will get up early once again, finish the cleaning I need to get done (especially since I don't know exactly when my company is coming), then I will cook and deliver the food, and head on out to Susan's to practice. Choosing music for something like this is difficult. I am used to singing Christian music, but audiences like these like the oldies, and some country. So, I am sorta out of my comfort zone, but Curley said,"Most are old and deaf, so sing whatever you want." LOL! I will blog about the concert after it happens. Who knows, I may end up on YouTube.
I'd better get rested up!

Peace,
JE

"Back in the day!"

Someone asked the other day, “What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?” “We didn't have fast food when I was growing up, I informed him.” All the food was slow.”
“C'mon, seriously. Where did you eat?” “It was a place called 'at home’,” I explained. “Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.” By this time, the kid was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table. But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I figured his system could have handled it :

Some parents NEVER owned their own house, never wore Levis, never set foot on a golf course, never traveled out of the country or had a credit card. In their later years they had something called a revolving charge card. The card was good only at Sears Roebuck. Or maybe it was Sears & Roebuck. Either way, there is no Roebuck anymore. Maybe he died.

My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was mostly because we never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow)

We didn't have a television in our house until I was 15.It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at midnight, after playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m. and there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people.

I was 14 before I tasted my first pizza; it was called 'pizza pie. When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin and burned that, too. It's still the best pizza I ever had.

I never had a telephone in my room. The only phone in the house was in the hall way and it was on a party line. Before you could use it, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn't know (or did know) weren't already using the line. (We listened in sometimes!) An operator came on and asked you what number you were calling! She also recognized your voice and asked about your family.

Pizzas were not delivered to our home, but milk was. So was bread.

Movie stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the movies. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or most anything offensive.

Growing up today is a lot different, isn’t it?

Up at the Butt-crack of Dawn? What's with that?

Is it a sign of older age that just maybe I don't need as much sleep as I used to? This morning I woke up wide awake at 3:59 AM. I tossed and turned, made a quick trip to the BR, and back to bed, then more tossing and turning, and finally at 5:05, I thought to heck with it. By 5:30 I had coffee made, and poured, and was sitting on my screened in veranda, wrapped in an afghan against the 52 F temperature, listening to the early birds chirping and eventually watching the sun come up over the cityscape. I cannot remember being up this early since retiring. Oh, wait, I did get up early on the morning I left on my last drive to Texas. But, since then...nope.
I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet time. Of course, being retired, I have a lot of quiet time, but having a daughter and 19 year old grandson living with me, there are times when I only dream of quiet.
Is this the way it's going to be from now on? Probably not. But if once in a while, I get the urge to arise earlier than usual, that's okay. I am sure when winter rolls around once more, staying snuggled down under the covers will seem more inviting.
Maybe it's just a matter of not wanting to waste a moment of my life as I grow older. As my dad always said, "Get up and get out there! You can sleep when you're dead."
Maybe he was right!

Peace,

JE

Beat the heat!

I decided to take advantage of the clothes line in my back yard. With 90 degree temps and 25 mph winds, its like having free dryer service. So, I get my whites hung up. By the time I get them all up and blowing freely, I look over into the west, and ALAS, storm clouds gather. Oh well, let it rain. The worst thing that could happen is that my tees and undies get an extra rinse!
Even as I type this, I hear the rain's "pitter-patter" on my window. It's pouring!

Peace,
JE

What not to read!

I just finished Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark. I had never read any of her novels, but I have always read her mom's books, so I thought "why not."
Boy, was it a disappointment! the characters were shallow, beyond unbelievable, the plot was, well, was there even a plot? I felt it insulted my intelligence. I know, I could have put it down, but I kept thinking it would get better. It didn't. The only redeeming thing about Mobbed was the setting on the Jersey Shore. (It sound like a wonderful place to vacation.)
I wouldn't even give this novel one half star. And, sorry Carol, but I was so disappointed that I will bypass your works on my library's shelves.

Peace,
JE

*I realize this is only my opinion, but as an avid reader, I felt I could share said opinion with you all. I'm sorry if I offed someone.

Missing it!

I never thought I would say it, but I miss working with the kids. Retired now for two complete school years, I think I miss the interaction with the teenagers. My special-ed students were a handful at times, yet they were a delight most of the time. Most were eager to learn, and were at least willing to try. Some really struggled, and when, all of a sudden, the "got" it, it was like seeing a beautiful sunrise.
I see kids walking by with their backpacks, and think that they must need extra help and are attending summer school to get it. It makes for a shorter vacation for them, but just might be the "shot in the arm" they need to stay at grade level.
I have decided that next year, I am going to either put my name on the substitute teacher's list for Middle School special ed, or volunteer my time a few hours a week and go into the school to help out with those students who need help with reading or grammar. Substituting is a paid position, but also takes a whole day. Maybe I don't want that much obligation , and besides, subbing is really just "babysitting" for teens, and sometimes can reek with discipline problems. Whereas, volunteering is not. There is also a place where students can go for free tutoring. That, too, might be a good place to volunteer.

I also might take a job a couple days a week at a new Hobby Lobby that is being built in the town just south of me. It would earn me a little extra cash, but more importantly, would earn me an employee discount supporting my crafting habit.

These are the things rumbling around up there as summer vacation starts. We'll see it goes as time marches on.

Peace,
JE

Another Crafting Accomplishment

I am not one giving to bragging, so let it be known that some of my readers asked me to put some photos on here of my handiwork. This is the front and back views of my latest, and I think, my most accomplished work. I made it for a dear friend with whom I used to teach. She is going to be celebrating a landmark birthday in August. When I showed it to Prof, she said that it was totally "Teacherfriend." Hopefully, since we are both retired, we will be able to do lunch or dinner some evening close to her birthday.
I hope you all don't mind my sharing my stuff on here. It's just another way to get to know who I am and what makes me...me.

Peace,
JE

BTW: The model shown is "Percina Maude", Prof's antique dress dummy!
" All Shawl" free pattern by Doris Chan on "Crochet Pattern Central

Another good read.

For those of you who like historical fiction, you must read, The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles. It is the story of Britt Johnson, a free black man, who takes his family and leaves Kentucky to settle in north Texas towards the end of the Civil War. It's all about the life they endured.
Upon reading the acknowledgements, I learned that there really was a Britt Johnson, but little was known about him.Author research came from journals, articles, and oral tales. Ms. Jiles did a remarkable job of telling the story of this strong-willed man who loved his family and was brave enough to forge a new life for them.

I give this novel a big 5 stars!

Peace,
JE