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

What's In A Name, anyway???

Blog handles are a lot like CB Radio handles. They really have nothing to do with the name of the real person. My in-laws had a CB radio for years, and when Prof was a little girl, she was "Little Princess" and liked to talk to people like "Hammer Handle" and "Mr. Lucky."
Prof blogged for years under the name, "Prof." That came from being a college professor. She picked my blog name. Jimmie Earl was what she picked. It came from a monologue she used to do about fictious Ma Peasley, who had a whole bunch of kids and took them on a train ride. Ma's oldest son was Jimmieearl. Prof used to entertain us for hours while riding in the car. She would make up different episodes of the same family. Tilly and I would be in stitches just listening to her.
Anyway, Jimmieearl stuck, so here I am.
Funny thing though, my real name is James. I have been Jimmy, Jimbo, Jim, Jamie, and last, but certainly not least, Jimmy Dick (middle name being Richard in real life) I have also been known in life as "Alferd" and I know not where that came from. Just a good friend of my mom's began calling me Alferd when I was a little kid and continued doing so until she died.

I know Mellodee, with whom I correspond with really isn't a Mellodee, but I love her blog and it's musical theme, which makes Mellodee so very appropriate as a "handle."
It would be interesting to know why Anvilcloud is Anvilcloud. To know why Maggie O is Maggie O, and why Beatrice Bear is Beatrice Bear. (And so on and so forth.)

So, you readers, I challenge you to comment here and let me know why you chose the blog name you use, if you care too. I think it would be fun!

Peace,
JE

It just keeps getting easier and "better."

As you all know, my friend Curley has taught me to crochet. It all began last March, (the one in 2011), and has continued. I started out doing very simple patterns, simple stitches, and still, it took me a while to learn those basics.
Curley has been encouraging me to try some things that are "just a little" more challenging. Today, I finished my most challenging piece to date. It's a shawl created as a gift for a friend of Prof's. It took longer than any other piece I have done. And, I must admit, by the time I got it done I was tired of the color "Honeydew."
But, here it is. Let me know what you all think! (And, no, I don't want to make that pattern again anytime soon.!)

Peace,
JE

Not Sure What to Title This Post???

I have to share this with you all. Non-believers beware, this is all about God and His infinite power.

For the last six weeks, or so, I have had a lesion on my nose. It started out small, and seem to grow and erode the skin. It bled, and and scabbed over, bled and scabbed over. I kept thinking that it would clear up, but it didn't. So last Monday I went to Doc Mc for my hurt shoulder. While there I had him look at the place on my nose. He said it was a type of skin cancer, not a serious kind, but needed to be biopsied.
I need to interject here that my son went with me to the doctor. So,when I came out of the office, I told him about the spot. (He had been "at me" to go have it checked.) He was concerned enough about me to call Pastor K from our church and asked him to put me on the church's prayer chain. This was Monday evening. I had calls from concerned friends on Tuesday. I found out the entire choir, plus several others were praying for me. I was moved, touched and thankful. I was also a little embarrassed. I am a pretty private person about things concerning myself. But, thanks to my son, my immediate situation was public knowledge.
I noticed by Wednesday, the lesion on my nose was looking better. This morning I went to the doctor for the biopsy. I told the nurse that the lesion was now gone. I also told her about the prayer chain. Before Doc Mc came in the treatment room she told him. He came in, took a look at my nose and said, "I am shaking and it's not my Parkinson's." I told him that I have always been a believer, but this really convinced me of the power of prayer. He deferred the biopsy telling me that there was nothing there to test, and the eroded place was starting to fill in.
I also have to share that this doctor is the same one I went to see just to get his opinion about ending the life-support on my wife almost 5 years ago. He gave me sage advice, but also, he got down on his knees in the treatment room with me and prayed for my wife, and for me to help me make the right decisions when the time came.
All of this has made me stop and take another look at my life. I am so thankful!!

Peace,
JE

It took a good friend to point out to me that the reason for my children's concern was that: "#1, they love me, and #2, I am the only parent they both have left. Why would I be embarrassed?" I'm not any longer.