We Are Going to Party Like Pop Dixon

It is almost here.............the New Year...............2014!.............and we are going to party like it's 2014!!!!

I know many folks our age just head on off to bed and let the old year slip away and the new year just slide on in, but we are still attempting to rock the New Year and NOT in a rocking chair, I might add.  We still are making the effort.  It would probably be easier on me if I headed to bed at my normal 11:00 bed time, but I keep trying to make special moments in the year and in my life just that...............special moments. 

So with that in mind, we have already had our first round of appetizers; pâté.  Not just one pâté, but three different kinds; a rustic country pâté, a goose liver pâté, and a salmon pâté.  Delicious!  (I can hear you gagging, you know.)  Who knows what round two will bring.  I have a refrigerator full of delicious appetizers and dips, OKAY only one, but that is just enough to keep me awake.  I say me because the hubby stays up till at least 12:30 every night just has he has for the last 42 years. 

Happy New Year everybody.  You kids remember Pop Dixon?  I think of him every little bit, but especially on New Years Eve.  I have told this story before, but old Pop Dixon came to my parent's New Years Eve party.  He was probably 85 years old.  That same year my parents allowed me to go out with my boyfriend instead of the party, but guess what.  I had to be home at 11:30.  Got home and old Pop Dixon was still at the party!!!!  I still think about the injustice of that.  I was a young whipper-snapper and there he was, probably too old to see the road home........... 

Here's to you Pop Dixon.  Thanks for being such a wonderful influence in my life.  We are going to party like Pop Dixon.

I love you.

Saturday Night and Just a Bit of Fluff

Saturday night and just a bit of fluff.  But every once in a while, I need just a bit of fluff, don't you? 

Well my Christmas decorations are put away for another year.  I can stop pinning Christmas ideas and move on to diet foods and Valentine's Day treats on Pinterest.  But before I completely close the book on 2013 Christmas, I want to tell you about a few products or some old standbys and a few tricks I love this season.  Some were Christmas presents and some were just items I bought for myself.  So in no particular order, here are a few of my favorite things for 2013...............(channeling Oprah).

1.  OPI nail color "My Favorite Ornament".  I found this just today at Ulta and it was on SALE!  It is glittering pale gold, but so beautiful.  I can wear this on New Year's Eve for our evening at home......what???????????........did you think we were going out?  and it will be pretty on Valentine's Day evening at home...........again.........what??????????............did you think we were going out?  Or I can wear it tonight for absolutely no reason at all.

2.  Leopard print Dearfoams Satin Ballerina Slippers.  A gift, a perfect gift.  I love them. 

 

3.  Body Benefits Extra Large Bath Cloth Extra large Bath Cloth.  This is a specialty textured nylon cloth that cleans and revives rough skin.  I used this the first time today and am blown away.  You use it as you would a washcloth, but it is three times the size.  It really does revive the skin as it is a bit rough.  A winner.....thanks Rhonda.

4.  Gap 1969 Jean Leggings.........who knew I could or would wear these?  I really like these jeans with a long tunic top, but they have a tendency to grow on me if you know what I mean.  Belt needed.  Thanks Shawna for insisting I buy a pair and telling me how cute the older ladies look in them at Gap.  Now if I loose 10 pounds they would look a lot better.

5.  Crabtree and Evelyn Hand Care Collection.  Love these six little metal tubes of hand creams.  Avocado, Wisteria, Iris, Himalaya, Pomegranate, and Lily...take your pick......all lovely fragrances. 

6.  M&M White Chocolate Peppermint.  These are pretty little red and white M&M morsels.  I bought a couple of these seasonal bags today to save for Valentine's.  Rhonda said they managed to find a way to ruin perfectly good M&Ms. 

7.  Mexican food - any restaurant.  We managed to eat Mexican food 4 times while my sister was here and I found out she ate it again on her trip home and again today.  That makes 6 times in 10 or 11 days.  We love us some Mexican food.

8.  The Art of Shaving manicure tools.  My son gave me a really nice pair of nail clippers...I really like them, but they are extremely hard to use with the left hand.  I will master them.

9.  The Pioneer Woman Cooks "A Year of Holidays".  I am going to make a couple of the recipes from this book for New Year's Day; Hoppin' John and Collard Greens.  I had better look for black-eyed peas tomorrow.......last year the stores were out on New Year's Eve.

10.  Smashbox Photo Finish.  I bought a sample kit of Smashbox and Photo Finish was included.  It is a primer to be used under makeup, velvet for the face.  I will buy this in larger tubes when mine is gone.  You must try this product.

11.  Lace Liner Socks.  These come in pack of two at JCP and I found them on sale today, and immediately put them on.  Yes, right there in the store.  They are so comfy with pads under the toe bed.  A new favorite and they look so cute; black lace peeking out of my black loafers!

12.  JCP - Have you noticed the new layout at the store?  Looks very high end, very much in the likeness of Dillard's.  I really like it, but I don't think the general population will like it.  Hope so.

13.  Hot tea - specifically Bigelow assorted teas; Plantation Mint, my favorite.  I am off coffee for the time being because it really made me jittery so hot tea is my new breakfast drink. 

14.  A new sweet salad made with apples, crushed pineapple, lite Cool Whip, and sugar free butterscotch pudding that my sister, Rhonda made.  Delicious and you don't feel like you are overindulging. 

15.  My caramel popcorn, a supreme overindulgence.  Now this is NOT a new recipe, but since I made it twice in 5 days I have to include it.  It might be Rhonda's favorite.  I can still hear those words "Would you bring me a bowl of that popcorn?"  or was it "Bring me a bowl of that popcorn"?  The word "please" might have been in there sometimes.

16.  EOS Lemon Drop Smooth Sphere Lip Balm SPF 15.  Smells so good.  It is on my night stand, a new nightly ritual.  Yeah, the sun in really bright in my bedroom.  It's a joke, Steve.  (That is a family inside joke that I will explain one of these days.)

17.  Bare Minerals Kit that I bought off QVC early in the season.  I love the colors to brighten the face and love, love, love the eye shadow collection.  This kit makes me really enjoy the me time I have playing with my makeup every morning.......yeah, I am one of those people who put full makeup on every day.

18.  Taylor perfume by................(don't hate me) Taylor Swift.  I know, I know!  It smells so good.  I am not one to buy a perfume using a celebrity's name, but I did this time.  Darn those catalog perfume inserts.  I know, I know!

19.  Sam's Club Smoked Brisket - always good and always a hit at holiday gatherings.  Throw that thing in a crockpot and you have a meal.  Throw in some rolls and breads and you have an instant party. 

20.  Baking Soda, water, and aluminum foil.......a simple recipe to remove tarnish from my silverware.  30 minutes later and you are "goods to go" as a certain daughter of mine would say.  Definitely not a product, but a favorite because it saved me labor!!!

Well, that's about it for 2013.  It's waning fast............about time for a new beginning, don't you think?

Saturday night and just a bit of fluff.

Thank you all for reading my blog.  I love you all.


   

 

   

Merry Christmas Everybody

It was just about time for bed, 1966?.........stockings were hung, and I see at least one red and one black stocking from Daddy's drawer (and by the way, where we hung our stockings was where Santa would put our presents.  It did not matter if we were two or 18 years old, the stocking were hung in anticipation and it did not matter that our stockings were picked from Daddy's sock drawer.  The tree was glowing and candles were lit.  I am sure we had just returned from looking at the Christmas lights in Shawnee...another Christmas tradition....and a way to entertain us when we were smaller until bedtime when Santa made his way to our house. 

But...........what really brings a lump to my throat in this picture is Mom reading the Bible Christmas story, Luke, Chapter 2.  This was the last thing we did before going to bed.  This is what puts that lump in my throat.  This was not a posed picture as you can see by our faces.  This was a very reverent time for our family which was rare for a family of seven..........but this Christmas story time was our way of giving glory to God for our Savior Jesus Christ.  Quiet, reverent, and mom's voice. 

Merry Christmas everybody.
I love you.

Christmas Cards

Good evening everybody.  Today we received our very first Christmas card of the season from my newly married niece and her husband.  It was so sweet.  I envied their "newness" if you know what I mean.  This is the first year for them to send out Christmas cards as a couple.  A beginning.  Every experience this year has been a new one.  First Thanksgiving as a married couple.  First Halloween as a married couple.  January 1 will be their first New Years as a married couple and the list goes on and on.  Each year will be stacked with experiences of the previous year until finally they are setting side by side celebrating their many years together.........and looking back at their beginning. 

Not as many people send Christmas cards anymore including me, and I am a traditionalist.  We are seem to be busier than ever.  Gosh, we have too many social media sources and Internet sites we must visit several times a day! 

Last night I was searching for something in the closet and I ran across this card.  It is from my first cousin, twice removed.......or..........my grandma's first cousin.  She was my dad's age and you know how confusing relatives can get when you mix in age differences.  And kids, this is my card not one of mom's that I confiscated.  Just in case you are wondering.

 

This sweet lady made her cards before making cards was cool.  She was a painter......oh I wish I had her talent or any talent for that matter.  I am still searching for my talent.  She would draw and water color a location that they had visited that year and have them printed as Christmas cards.  When I was a kid, we looked forward to her cards and daydreaming of our California cousins and all the exotic places that had visited that year.  Life was better in California, I was sure of that............I know better now, but back then it was other worldly, glamorous.............a long way from the farm and hoeing peanuts.  Later I began to send her Christmas cards myself and she, in kind, sent me one of her cherished cards.

 

 

Remember when you actually got a letter inside a card............

 



   

............and there was more on the back?

Times, they are a changing.

I need to write my cards........it's on my list.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

I love you.



A Little Grandma Memory

This snowy cold morning I decided biscuits, sausage, and gravy would be a great way to start the day and to warm up.  On these cold days I get in a cooking mood...........it is a good way to warm the house, and who doesn't need an extra layer of fat around their bodies so bring on the biscuits and gravy!  Baby, it's cold outside!!!  As I pulled out the Shawnee Mills biscuit mix package, I was reminded of Grandma Dawkins, her short fingers, stiffened with arthritis, mixing the biscuit dough right there in that large wooden bowl.  It was always filled with flour so she'd mix a little baking powder, salt, etc., right into the center of the flour, then she'd form a little well for the milk.  After the milk was mixed in, she'd knead the dough right in the center of the bowl, leaving the excess flour in the bowl for the next need for biscuits.  That took talent.  Just how did she know how much flour to use?  Not so much talent using biscuit mix. 

The last few days I have been cleaning, making lists, cleaning, and preparing to have my family, all 39 of us, at my house for a Christmas party.  I will not lie, I have been more than a little worried; worried about the size of my house versus the size of my family. 

As I was making the biscuits and thinking of Grandma, I remembered all those Christmases at her house...........a four room house.  You heard that right, four rooms, not four bedrooms.  We lived about a half mile from them and I was at her house a lot and I don't ever remember her ever saying a word about the size of her house.  She had that true Christmas spirit in her heart.  She was delighted to have us all there with her.  Not a person sat down at a table and you know what?  We had a wonderful time.  Memories.  

 

 

These are a couple of pictures I took of her and Grandpa on her last Christmas, 1971.  Grandpa with his pipe.  I remember it well.  In the first picture Grandma's eyes didn't have that normal twinkle.  She wasn't doing all that well by then.  She only lived another 2 1/2 months.  In fact, she died two days before my wedding.  That Christmas day, 1971, was spent at Aunt Norma's house, and I think most of us knew it wouldn't be long, but we celebrated Christmas.  We were together and that is all that mattered.  It didn't matter if we were at Aunt Norma's or if we were in that four room house.  We were together.  And look, Grandpa is setting right there next to her.  I don't remember that happening before.  Maybe, I just don't remember.  I find it very touching.

So with a joyful heart and glad tidings in my heart, we are going to celebrate Christmas at my house.  We will be together, all 39 of us............We will have food...........We may not set at the table...........We will be together...........We will celebrate Christmas.........For unto us a Savior is born. 

A little Grandma memory.  I love you.

P. S.  I didn't write this to make you sad, but happy that we had this wonderful woman in our lives.  I am sad to say that not everyone enjoys someone as special as my grandma in their lives.

That year Grandma gave each of us a two dollar bill in an envelope.  Two dollar bills were new back in 1971.  I still have mine.  I will never spend it, nor will I throw away the envelope addressed to me in her handwriting.  Rhonda has Grandpa's pipe in his ashtray displayed at her house and I have that cherished wooden bowl. 

PRECIOUS MEMORIES



Thank You Santa

Good evening all.  I had planned on blogging every day until Christmas, but life and circumstances and ice and snow have gotten in the way.  Maybe I'll be better next week, or maybe even tomorrow.

Today I caught up on all my wrapping or should I say, I wrapped what I have bought so far.  Many, many presents to go but I will get it done.  I started to make Aunt Bill's Candy tonight, but fatigue took over my youthful spirit and sent me straight to the couch.  I think it is time for a movie or two.  Maybe "Elf" tonight.

I have really missed that extra week of Christmas prepping this year.  Thanksgiving gave way to Christmas just a little TOO quickly.  Right now, my outdoor nativity set is in the back yard just waiting for us to set it up in a respectable spot in the front yard.  Oh time............where have you gone this year.  It is hard to believe we only have 18 days to go.

I think of mom and dad a lot, but this time of the year I especially think of mom.  How in the world did she do it?  I mean, really.........how did she do it?  Way back then, she made all four of us girls a special Christmas dress each year, taffetas, satins, velvets, lace...........on my, the work she put in.  It wasn't unheard of for her to also make my little brother a shirt or coat, and maybe she'd find an hour or two to make herself a dress.  Then the candy, Aunt Bill's, Peanut Brittle by the pans, fudge, divinity which had to be made only on certain non-humid days, the list goes on and on.  Then the wrapping!  After a few years, we kids were invited to wrap, or were we "told".  Good thing I watched Judy Harris' 4-H demonstration on wrapping presents.

Yes, I admire my special mother.  I have great respect for her juggling skills, but I have even more respect for her humility and her patience.  When I hear myself gripping about this or that........needing more time to shop, needing an extra pair of hands to make Aunt Bill's, needing extra money to get a special gift for someone, I will remember mom.  Back then Santa Claus didn't wrap our presents because he knew that all that Christmas morning wrapping paper trash would be just a little to much for mom to handle.  Thank you Santa.

I love you!!!!

Black Friday..........It's Almost Over

Only 3 1/2 hours until Black Friday is GONE!  I can't say I am sorry.  Get gone Black Friday!  Get going.  I am tired of all the hoopla.  This year it seems that we have been inundated with Black Friday ads.  The TV commercials started three weeks ago, the news started talking about it a week ago, and the Internet and blogs have been touting the bargains for two weeks, and for the last two weeks my email inbox ran about 20 a day.........bargains, bargains, bargains..............everywhere bargains.  And then there were the pre-black before Black Friday sales.....you know the ones.......the Friday before Black Friday sales, the Sunday before Black Friday sales, and the Wednesday before Black Friday sales, but the coup-de-gras sales of all sales was the Thanksgiving Day sales.   Today I even heard a newsman call yesterdays sales Black Thursday.  Sad I tell ya.  Thanksgiving gets no respect!

I guess I am old school, but I wish they would not open on Thanksgiving.  Goodness knows the clerks are going to be going full steam the day after Thanksgiving until January 1st so why not give these folks just one day off. 

Anyway...........now there are stockings to be hung and a tree to trim.  Enough of my griping. 

Try explaining Black Friday to a 6 year old.  One last note:  What would our economy do without Thanksgiving?  What day would be our "Black Friday"?  Black Friday........it's almost over.

Love you all.

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in case you didn't know.  It is a little late for you to be thawing that turkey, but hey, bet there are some thawed ones at the grocery store for all you procrastinators.  Head on down.  I'll stay right here and watch the WKRP Thanksgiving episode, "Turkeys Away".  The best!!!!!  Yep, I have my pumpkin pie baked and cooling, my dumpling mixture is waiting for the milk in the morning, and my 5-Cup Salad is finished.  Tomorrow all I have to do is cook the dumpling and candy the sweet potatoes.  Then it's over the river and through the woods, to Auntie's house we go.

That's about it here at the homestead.  Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

I do love you!

Go the Cellar and Get a Jar of Pickles

"Go to the cellar and get a jar of pickles."  Remember that kids? 

Tonight as I was getting the pickles out of the cold jar, I suddenly had "Go to the cellar and get a jar of pickles" pop into my head.  Saturday night in the 50s and 60s at our house ALWAYS meant hamburgers with our weekly bottle of pop.  What a treat!  It also meant somebody had to go to the cellar and get a jar of pickles.  Oh we loved those pickles, but going down in that dark, damp cellar was not so much fun.  Somebody would finally give in, flashlight in hand, and head to the cellar, or maybe mom would threaten one of us with our lives if we didn't go get them. 

I look back without fond memories of that old cellar, but with delight at mom's very salty, very tangy pickles.  None better.........  But I have to say that really, Brenda, yours are better. 

So............we had our hamburgers tonight with store-bought pickles.  They were good, but they were NOT Mom's pickles.

"Go to the cellar and get a jar of pickles."

I love you.

Just a Little Rant

The cold front has arrived.  Nearly 70 this morning and now it is 39 degrees at 4:15 p.m. 
Just a little rant.............

Tuesday I had the most delightful time with my daughter; always will be my little girl.  While we were out I overheard a mother call her little one a name.  I won't divulge that name, but it wasn't a good name.  No wonder our pre-k teachers are hearing these things from the preschoolers.  They get it from home.  Watch what you say, parents.

That same day there was a group of young having lunch outside.  It was windy, overcast, and about 55 degrees, too cold to dine outdoors, but, hey, they are young.  Then I saw it, the little baby, probably about 3 months old, without shoes or socks, short sleeve t-shirt and NO blanket at all.  Mom had on a jacket............UGH........  Then my daughter pointed out another baby, a new born, which I had not noticed.  Again, parents, PLEASE HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE.  If you need a jacket, then your baby needs to be covered, too.  Take care of your babies.

I am thankful that my grandchildren are well cared for. 

That's all I have for today.  Just a little rant.   

I love you.


 

Time for Noodles

Good morning everybody.....all three of you.  Well, it is coming and coming fast whether you like it or not and will come in this order they say.  WINTER, and THANKSGIVING.  Oh they tell us that it is going to be COLD day this coming Friday, day after tomorrow, even though it will be 65 today and 70 tomorrow.  So, I guess we ought to get prepared, but really??, what is there to do to prepare for a 34 degree day?  Not much so I will skip right on over to Thanksgiving.  Hmmm, maybe I should go grocery shopping on Friday.............maybe there won't be that many folks out.

I have no idea what to fix for Thanksgiving this year.  We will probably have our usual fare, turkey and dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes for Steven (none of those garlicky fancy ones either - plain ole potatoes with butter, a dash of milk, and salt - don't even bother with pepper), candied sweet potatoes (Mrs. Tucker's claim to fame with my kids), green beans (again plain is better for my family), and last but not least, my dumplings.  Now we can fill in the holes on the table with all the other kinds of vegetables and sides, some being new recipes, to be announced at a later date.  Doesn't everybody have 17 side dishes???????

I don't think I have ever gone through Thanksgiving week without thinking of Grandma Dawkins.  Can you tell how special this woman was/is to me?  A few days before Thanksgiving, you would find tea towels placed just so with rows of noodles drying on her bed or over the back of a dining chair. 

I have so many food memories centering around Grandma; everything from fried perch only 4 inches long (which were caught just a few minutes ago) to her cookies which were always in that apple cookie jar, Sunday night popcorn to sugared bread.  But maybe one of my favorites was her noodles.  They represented more than a food, they meant that there was a special day coming soon.  Soon her tiny house would be filled wall to wall with my aunts and uncles and cousins.  Memories.

So soon my house will be filled with aunts and uncles and cousins...........  Memories.  Let me be the first to wish you and your family, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, even aunts and uncles and cousins included, a Happy Thankgiving, with or without snow!

Time for noodles.

I love you.  A Thompson Thanksgiving coming soon. 

B's Soccer Goal

My oldest grandson just started playing soccer this year, Spring 2013.  He has developed a passion for the game far beyond his years.  He follows all the professional teams and players; Lionel Messi is his favorite.  If he isn't moving a ball with his feet, he is on the Internet watching soccer games and learning tricks.  Anything soccer; clothes, balls, shoes, socks, video games - oh Christmas is going to be easy this year.

He only made one soccer goal last Spring and that was at the ending play of the last game of the season.  His dream came true.  One goal.  Oh what a difference a few months has made.  Then came the Fall 1913 - He is now a star on his team and has made several goals each game except for one where he was goalie the entire time (by the way, no scores were made on him).  He has kicked a goal from mid-field, a goal using his left foot instead of his right, a goal where it was just him and the goalie (there is a name for that, but Nana doesn't remember), all the regular goals, and then the goal that is on the video taken Saturday.  This was taken by his dad at the last game of the season and the people talking on the video are none of his relatives.  We did our yelling after the kick. 

As soon as B's game was over, we headed over to L's; the 6 year old players.  Oh what fun it is to watch these little guys.  He is coming into his own, too, but doesn't have the same passion as his older brother at this time, but it is still early--give him 3 more years.  He seemed to be really upping his game in that last game.  He even made a goal  and when he did, his brother turned to us and said "What a way to end the season!"  He was so proud of his little brother as we all were.  A little celebration time there in Moore, Oklahoma, last Saturday.

I know this is a little bragging post, but hey, life is short and I want the world to know how proud of these little guys I am and not just because they are becoming good soccer players.  I have never met two young kids who are as caring and sweet as they are.....I truly do not.  OK, I might be laying it on a little thick, but hey, it's my blog.  Besides it is true.

Enjoy B's soccer goal.  Blaine has watched it over and over, at least 200 times he tells me.

I love you.
 

Hankies

Good morning everybody.  Just finished my last drop of coffee and my last tiny bite of toast so my day can now begin.  I have been a little under the weather for the last ten days, but seem to be on the mend.  Now I do not have an excuse for not getting up and getting busy.  No lazing around for this old gal today.  I have things to do; like cleaning out my purse.  My cross-body bag is now one big round tote.  Just when I thought I needed 43 Kleenexes in my purse, I do not know.  I just kept refreshing my supply with new ones without taking out the others.  As sick as I have been, I sure did not want to run out of Kleenexes.  Ladies, if you have ever needed a Kleenex and found yourself without one, then you know what I am talking about.

This brings up a question.  Remember when men used to always have a fresh clean handkerchief in their back pocket?  Do you see anybody under the age of 60 with a handkerchief in pockets these days?  Has that gone out of fashion?  Who is going to take care of the ladies in their life?  In all the old back and white movies, the gentleman always had a handkerchief for his love's teary eyes.  That is one good thing about my hubby, he always has one.  If I need a Kleenex and don't have one, he just reaches into his back pocket.  I try to give it back, but he declines and tells me to keep it.  Wonder why? 

I used to iron them for him, but not in a while.  Now days, the fabric they use for "hankies" (that's what we used to call them) don't have to be ironed.  Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I do anyway.  I used to iron t-shirts, too, but maybe that is another story.  Speaking of stories, tomorrow I am going to have a clip of my grandson's soccer goal........grandma's prerogative. 

In the meantime, I will be cleaning my purse and ironing, minus "hankies".  Looking out my front window with sun shining in, looks like I will be washing windows, too.  No excuses today!

My mom had a lot of ironing back in the day with four little girls and one little boy; lots of shirts and dresses that always needed starching and ironing.  One of my chores to help her out was ironing the flat pieces like "hankies".  That is what we called them back then.  White ones for men (sometimes with an initial) and flowery ones for the ladies.  I took great pride into ironing them flat, folding them in half, ironing that half, then folding them again and ironing again.  So things were PRESSED.  They were so beautiful all folded and creased and pressed.  I can remember getting great pleasure out of seeing my hankies all stacked and neat.  Oh...........buying daddy a box of three white ones with his initials on them was a Christmas tradition for me when I was a kid.  Oh the memories................

Just a little story about hankies.

I love you!  
 

Have You Tried 1970?

Well, I have successfully wiled away a perfectly good Friday morning once again.  Here it is 12:30 in the afternoon, and I have not yet accomplished a thing..........other than baby sat four kids at 8:00 this morning.

Yesterday, my daughter and I were on a quest to find drawer lining paper.  We went to at least 8 stores and all we got from the clerks was a shake to the head.  "No, we sure don't" they replied when questioned.  As I related my disappointment to the hubby this morning, he said "Have you tried 1970?"  We both giggled............maybe scented drawer liners are a thing of the past. 

Have you tried 1970?

I love you.

Do you think I can salvage this day?  I doubt it.  Once I get into the second half of the day, it is hard to justify mulching leaves.....especially with this sinus condition/head cold or whatever...........maybe I'll take a nap and dream of 1970 when things were simpler and I could actually buy drawer liner and the clerk didn't look at me like she didn't know what I was talking about. 

I Just Needed to Get Out of Dodge

One of my favorite things about being retired is that we can be very spontaneous and that is exactly what we did this last Wednesday.  After a fitful night (by that I mean tossing and turning and generally not feeling all that great), I woke Wednesday with a strong desire to get out of Dodge if you know what I mean.  Jumped in the shower, OKAY I will admit, for me it was the tub, and in a couple of hours we were off to Branson, MO.  You can do that when you retire. 

Here are a few random things about our trip which are nothing significant, but to me, they are memories made.

1.  Now there are a gazillion roads that lead to Branson and most of them are twisty-curvy and very scenic.  There is one that I encourage you to travel if you find yourselves on Highway 62 going East towards Eureka Springs.  Before you get to Eureka, turn north on Highway 187; keep your eyes open for the signs.  Last Wednesday the leaves were at their peak and the day was beautiful, even though it looked like rain drops would hit the windshield any minute.  The leaves on the highway swirled into magnificent colorful little tornadoes as we zoomed down the road at 30 miles per hour.  There is an old farm house on the left side of the road and their old barn across the highway.......still in use.  I can picture the farmer crossing the highway to do something in the barn, every once in a while having to wait for a car to pass.  Picturesque.  The site alone is so nostalgic for me.......memories again!  A little further down the highway the signs will tell you the speed limit is 10 mph and you need to heed them for just around the curve and down the hill is a beautiful little lake which actually is a fork of Beaver Lake.  If you don't slow down you will be in the lake and if you don't slow down you will miss one of the prettiest sites ever.  Beaver, AR  You will probably will want to stop and take pictures of the old abandoned two or three story general store or was it a hotel.............looks like someone would fix it up for a bread and breakfast.  Cha-ching $$$$$$ !!!!!!  Now to get back on the road to Branson...........but first you will have to cross a long one-lane bridge and then another shorter one.........I encourage you to take this road!!

2.  Even though you might be feeling your finest after a long day at Silver Dollar City, I encourage you NOT to try to run up the stairs of the hotel.  You might just get your foot caught under the open rung of the stairs and fall forward and hurt your shin............badly...........as in take your breath away..........as in bruise.  By the way, your shin will not pivot.  Nearly a week later and it is still black and blue.  Again, just because you feel like you can, don't run up the stairs if you are retirement age...not smart.

3.  Remember the Joni Mitchell song "Big Yellow Taxi"? 

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot

That is exactly what the hubby said as we started down the last mountain to the town of Branson below.  The town has exploded.  We go back every couple of years, and every year we say the same thing.  Shops, restaurants, and hotels packed in like sardines.  Roads and highways going off in every direction trying to ease Highway 76........you remember that one!?!  As crowded as it is, one just feels safe and at home in Branson.

4.  Did you know you can get an all you can eat seafood buffet for only $35 in Branson?  We pulled into a place for seafood.  I ran inside to check the place out and to inquire about the price.  I nearly dropped my teeth at $35.  Not that $35 is outrageous, but since neither one of us was all that hungry and I felt like I couldn't justify $35 on a meal, we went elsewhere. 

5.  Dick's Old Time 5 & 10 is a fun place to visit.  A throwback in time to the old 5 and 10 cent stores.  I must warn you that the aisles are narrow and that is because the place is packed with everything you would ever want.  I will also tell you that the place is packed with wall-to-wall people all with hand carried shopping baskets.  A fun place.  www.dicksoldtime5and10.com

6.  Breakfast at hotels are not special, but they do provide you with substance before heading out for the day.  Since our breakfast at home usually consists of coffee and oatmeal, hotel breakfasts are perfect for us, but nothing to write home about............looks like I just wrote home about it.

7.  The week was topped off with a lovely meal with my brother and his wife while the hubby was busy elsewhere.  What a treat to just set and visit.  I miss them and wish they lived closer.

8.  There is no place like home.  As much as I love to travel, when we top the hill of our street and can see the house, it is pure joy and relief.  Once again, we had traveling Graces and the house is still standing.

We had such a good time and I definitely needed a "clearing of the mind" as it were.  And I got that except I came back with a bad cold or sinus infection.  Still........it was worth it.  It was worth it to stay and see the light parade at Silver Dollar City........to make room beside me for a 10 year old little girl and to see her eyes light up especially when the princess approached her.  Don't you wish you could always see life as a 10 year old when everything in life is magical?

I just needed to get out of Dodge.

I love you.

Thanks Veterans

 

 Edgar Earl Dawkins, Jr.

 

 

I want to take the opportunity to thank our veterans for serving their country.

So many family members and friends have served our country--special thanks to you!!!

A few years back I posted the following about my dad and I thought today would be a

perfect time to repost.

 

Thanks Daddy.  I love you.

 

 

Posted originally May 30, 2011 

These are the same pictures I put on Facebook today, but I wanted to write a little about my dad tonight. He was one of the blessed ones to come back from World War II when so many of the young men of that time didn't. Daddy was a man of few words regarding that war. I am not sure he wanted to remember too much and he definitely did not want to get emotional, about anything, really. Memory: When I was about 10 years old, I found a bundle of letters he had written my grandmother. I guess she had saved them and gave them to him. I remember finding them in the wooden box which held all my parent's valuable papers. I was hidden in the closet reading these letters when Daddy found me crying my eyes out. Even though the letters were full of holes from censorship, there was enough information for me to know that war is awful. Daddy was in Siapan and later Okinawa. In these letters he was describing the horrors of what he was witnessing and he was writing my grandma that the letter he was writing might be his last, etc. When Daddy found me crying, he destroyed them; he burned them. I sure wish he hadn't done that.


Daddy died in 1999, but about 10 years prior to his death, one of the ladies in his church urged him to write about his experiences through his life and during WWII. I want to share a bit of his book with you. I am copying them as he wrote them, not necessarily grammatically correct. I have deliberately skipped some things as they are a little more graphic than I wanted to post.

As a kind of preface daddy wrote "I will hit my service time in a general way. Spent some good times and some bad. Will try not to bore you." If he only knew how little he bored me......


"We left out went to Siapan and went ashore. The island had been invaded by marines and army infantry 7 days earlier. We went in without opposition. set up our area - placing our guards around our sleeping areas. I was put out to guard with my buddy where we sat back to back. This night was the first time I was to see enemy fire. "

"This was also the night I first smelled dead being hauled by the truck load back from the front. Very unpleasant. We were moved further inland where we started doing various jobs - all connected to a B-29 runway being built. Out outfit set up a rock crusher. We went to work on a big hill-which when we got it cleaned off was corral rock. I had been trained to handle dynamite by old Penn. miner who was a little reluctant because he thought that after the war I might go back take his job away from him (NO WAY did I want that). I was a demolition specialist finally got in charge of one of the crews. We worked 24 hours a day."

"The runway was finished in due time. In fact it was a high priority job. We got to see the first B-29 come in and land escorted by navy fighters. It wagged its wings as it approached. It was a huge plane. The larges in the world for combat."

"One day we loaded on the flat bottomed L.S.T.s and headed for unknown places. After a few days we were told we were going to Okinawa. There was a large group of L.S.T.s in the convoy. On arriving at Okinawa we were treated to air raids. The Jap planes would fly over to drop depth charges, bombs, etc - then if they were hit they would pick a ship and dive for it - hoping to take someone along. Often were successful. Meantime our gunners would try to blow the planes up before they came down on someone. One plane dived for us but missed. Went between us and D company, made a big splash, sank out of sight."

"Our turn came to land and we rammed the L.S.T. up on the beach. Opened the bow doors started to unload. A navy plane came up the beach (I didn't know what kind of plane it was but right in front of our ship it turned up a wing. There was our U.S. star. Made me sick, but it went over behind a sand dune bounced a time or so, disappeared. We had our own job to do. (Heard later pilot got out ok.)"

"After a hectic day after "smoke on the water and the land" we were put ashore and went on in to establish our camp and as usual we put out guards and prepared for the duties the next day. We were assigned to keeping the roads open as it had begun to rain. We would work all night keeping water drained off roadway."

"Got to watched several dog fights of Jap planes - usually P38s which was a fast twin tail plane - P-47 a very fast plane. Also on the island was the famous "black widow" a night fighter was heavier and larger plane."

"Our first typhoon experience was one I will never forget. We had been hearing of one that was headed our way from the South Pacific, so we were kinda prepared. How those winds did howl. All native villages had high hedges around and inside the villages and could withstand the winds where even our Quonset huts which were made from steal were twisted up. The hospital huts were made especially strong. One night I spent in the hillside caves were the natives buried their dead but I went right on in. The bones were lying out on blankets or in urns as might be appropriate. But howling winds were outside.

"One night it was announced that war was over. The night sky lit up with tracer bullets (usually every third bullet was a tracer). Guns were going off in every direction. I went to my fox hole. It had a top on it - stayed until things calmed down."

"But after storms was trucked to my new outfit where I was to work and wait my ship to go home. I would look out over the bay and wonder why they couldn't find a small place for me. Well they finally found me a ship - while going up the hill to climb the rope ladder to board the ship I looked back on the cemetery where the thousands of white crosses were. A lot of dead boys were put to cross and a few women."

"I caught a taxi cab for my home out here on Moccasin Trail. Cost me 5 dollars. I was let out in our gate and my mother came running out to meet me. It was the first time I ever noticed how grey her hair was. But I was home (underlined - rt) - yes home (both words underlined - rt) where a new life was to begin for me - guess I will call it "after the war".

My note: I wish each of you could read this book because it contains so much more than I wrote. I didn't touch on all his accomplishments one being made expert with the Browning Automatic Rifle, his guard duty, and many of his other duties. I wish I had talked with him more about those years. His cousin, Carl, went in with him and didn't make it home.

Thank you Daddy.

November 11, 2013



Precious Pizza Memories

I am setting in my sunroom this morning watching and listening to the rain.  The pitter-patter of the raindrops is very soothing.  Sometimes we all need a little soothing.

Yesterday, a new pizza placed opened near us and they even deliver to our place!!  Been waiting on that for years and years.  So...........last evening I tried to call for DELIVERY.  Busy signal!!!!!!!!  Now what made me think that if we go there we can get a pizza faster, I will never know.  But off we went....coupon in hand.  Hmmm the parking lot looks crowded, but there are several parking places.  So........we park.......we head for the door.....along with 6 other people who had the same idea we did.  Opened the door and every booth and table were filled; several tables filled with folks obviously not together waiting on pizzas.  Back to the car.  We will do that another time.

Since our taste buds were already set for pizza, we decided to go to an old, old standby, P Inn.  We hadn't been there in years, but why not give it a try one more time.  How bad can it be, right?  Well, it was pretty bad.  The pizza wasn't the worse we have ever had, but not great...........not great at all.  It was dark and dingy and obviously needs several thousands of dollars in repairs besides the need for remodel.  It was sad............... 

We had enjoyed so many pleasant evenings at this place with our children.....so many memories.  The memory of a certain waitress that worked there for 20 or more years.  The memory (pre-children) of seeing a family with crying, disruptive children and us telling each other that our kids would never be that way.  We had so much to learn!  The memory of my 18 month old son saying "oink oink" when I returned to the table after a second helping of pizza.  The memory of game tables that required a quarter for about 20 seconds of play time. 

We tiptoed right through some of those memories last night and enjoyed each tale.  The food.....not so much.  Sadly, last night's visit will probably be our last.  The place is just not the same.  It is sad for us, but much sadder, perhaps, for the owner.......sad that his business seems to be failing fast.  So..........even though it was not the same, our evening was not a loss..... precious pizza memories!!!!!

I love you.

Happy November

Good morning everybody.  Well, we are definitely into November....here the 4th day.  The leaves are coming down like rain and soon Thanksgiving will be upon us.  Have you looked at Pinterest today?  I guess a lot of people are beginning to search for that all important, perfect recipe to take to Grandma's house.  You know the one..........the one where you hope to hear "Who brought this?"  "Gosh, I love this."  "Yummy."  "I want to have this recipe." Admit it, you like to take something that will be a hit. 

I can almost tell you without a doubt what my family will be bringing for certain things are "got to haves".  Brenda's Green Bean Bundles are always a hit and always on the table.  Kay's Sauerkraut and Weenies are expected.  Teresa's Cherry Cheesecake Bites will be tasty and well as lovely.  Rhonda is our appetizer girl so it is always a surprise to see what she will bring, but it will definitely be delicious and southern.  My most requested dish is my Dumplings.  I have more than one nephew-in-law that requests this.  So you can see that we have five dishes on the table.  Multiply that by five and you will get the picture....a picture of a Thanksgiving table laden with food.  Enough to make mom proud.

I don't know what my "I want to have this recipe" recipe will be this year, but I bet I can kill a few hours looking.

Happy November!

I love you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween.  We are preparing for the onslaught of hundreds of ghosts and goblins tonight..............NOT.  We haven't had any Trick or Treaters for years and years.  It seems all the little goblins around our neighborhood have grown up and moved away to have little goblins of their own. 

Just a few miles away my favorite little goblins are in school, but I bet they are watching the clock.  My six-year old is about as excited as he can be; can't wait to be a Ninja.  His older brother, however, is a little more laid back this year opting for a Lionel Mezzi costume.  Saturday morning the boys were here spending the night.  L. asked me how many days it was before Halloween.  "Five", I replied.  B says, "There are 365 days left before the next time it is five days before Halloween."  L hesitates and then asks, "Are you just guessing or do you really know that?"  I can see the younger one beginning to question his brother's wisdom.

I hope you get to see your grandkids today.  If so, listen to their conversations.  They're hilarious.  I wish I had paid more attention to my own children's years ago.  There is no telling what the day will bring for us, but more assuredly it will not be Trick or Treaters.  Enjoy your day, Trick or Treaters or not.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN - Think I'll have a Snicker's bar that we got for our pretend Trick or Treaters.

I LOVE YOU!

..............It's the Home Place

We went for a little walk this morning in the park............oh wait,............its the home place.  No, we do not have the beautiful colorful trees they have in the New England states, nor do we have the beautiful yellow Aspens found in Colorado or my favorite place, Red River.  What we do have are the trees and bushes in the pictures below, our trees...........on the home place.

Now I don't claim to be a photographer, but here are a few pictures I took this morning

............on the home place. 

I hope you enjoy them and have a sense of what I see this week, fall 2013

............on the home place. 

 

................It's the home place.

 

 

 

Yep..............that's the home place.

 

I love you.

Apple Cider Caramel Sauce

Good morning everybody.  How's life treating you?  Mine has been pretty good, but extremely hectic lately.  Tonight my boys are coming to spend the night so Nana will be preparing plenty of activities and crafts to keep them busy on this cold, almost wintry day.  Burr--as Mrs. Tucker would always say......the other Mrs. Tucker. 

Last week I made something out of this world delicious.  I just love caramel as you probably guessed by all the post about my caramel this or that coffee.  Clarification:  these coffees are just ground coffee with a flavoring of caramel..........no sugar..........no fat.  In fact, no coffee should ever have cream or sugar.........my opinion only!

Anyway, I digress........back to caramel.  There is a recipe in September 2013 Southern Living, page 98, which will rock your world, the Apple Cider Caramel Sauce recipe.  I didn't have any apple cider like the recipe uses, but I had apple juice.  I don't know how much more delicious this could have been using cider, but my version was delicious.

Here's my own Apple Caramel Sauce recipe.  Try it before Halloween and you will be making it again for Thanksgiving.

Reduce one cup of apple juice to just less than 1/4 cup by boiling, stirring occasionally.  Add 1 cup golden brown sugar, packed, and 1/2 cup butter.  Bring to a boil and boil constantly for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream.  Let cool and serve over just about anything your imagination can come up with.  Ended a sentence with a proposition...don't tell Mrs. Sutterfield.  I am going to try this as a change to my tried and true Caramel Popcorn recipe.  We shall see how it turns out.  I can also see this over any quick bread, muffins, or apple pies.  Delicious over ice cream as long as it is not overcooked to the point of setting up like glue......that might pull your teeth out.

Well that's about it this morning.  Boys will be here soon.  They get to choose the restaurant tonight so you may see us at Long John Silvers, Mazzio's, McDonald's, or even Sam's Club......fine dining at its finest.  Or maybe  they will want to have a weenie roast in the fireplace (fingers crossed).

I love you.
 

Do I See a Trip to New England in my Future

The leaves are beginning to turn in my yard, but nothing like the leaves in the yard of one of my favorite blogs.  If you get a chance, go to www.fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com and take a look at her photos.  This is the yard of my dreams.....the home of my dreams actually.  Take a look at the post dated October 22 and you will see what I mean.   

I can imagine the owners, morning coffee in hand, standing on one of their beautiful porches, taking in this beautiful scenery, asking themselves if life can get any better.  If I lived here I would have to pinch myself to make sure it is all real for the beauty is almost surreal.  Very humbling. 

I was in a 'Norman Rockwell state of mind' this morning imaging what living in New England must be like in the fall.  Beauty all around.  Hills and dales, rivers and streams, and let's not forget those beautiful white churches that seem to glow against the greens, oranges, rusts, and red colors of the maples.  Every turn of the road frames another sight more beautiful than the last. 

Here's wishing you a wonderful fall.  Do I see a trip to New England in my future????

I love you.    




   

Pizza on a Log

Sometimes all it takes is pizza on a log to make a boy's day special.  Aren't they adorable, my little grandsons????  And grandpa gave them a rose for their table, what could be nicer?

 

B - Age 9

 

L - Age 6

Pizza in their private park.

Back in September we cut down a couple of trees.  Later in the week, the boys came and unbeknownst to us, they had rearranged the pile of logs.  They begged us NOT to move those logs.  So we haven't.  They have more fun playing with those logs than most anything we have ever bought them.  So the logs shall stay, at least through the fall or until they get tired of them.  In fact, we have discussed having them help us move them to a more permanent location.....maybe to their hideout.  Oh we are so blessed to be able to share our little acreage with our grandchildren. 

 

  I hope you are having a great day.

 

Sometimes it is more fun to play with the box than the toy.

Pizza on a log.....what could be more fun?

 

I love you.

 

 

I am Still That Little Girl

When you reach a certain age, nobody questions when you start to tearing up - like when I look at Christmas cards.  Long time ago I used to tear up during "Father Knows Best", now it is more likely the Folgers, Kraft, and the Hallmark card commercials.  How can you not cry when you see a young soldier coming home for the holidays being greeted by his little sister?  Hubby just looks over and shakes his head a tiny bit; he's gotten used to it over the years.  I guess I have always had my emotions right up front where the water works could flow at a moments notice--crying for the silly things.

Now I see how quickly the years are flying and certain stages of my life are behind me which makes me want to search for those sweet memories more and more.  Looking back brings a certain amount of calmness to my often times chaotic world and it sends me back to a time when I wasn't the oldest female in the family.  You see, some time along the last um-teen years I became the go-to person in my family.  I could no longer rely on mom's wisdom.  I don't have any answers to any of the questions.  I am the mom, but in reality I am still that little girl who is crying over "Father Knows Best".

B, you come by it naturally.  You are very much like me and my Grandpa Thompson.

I love you.

All is Right With the World

Last evening long about 6:00, I went outside to let my family know that dinner was on.  The sun would be setting soon; long shadows, a cool breeze, such a pleasant evening and a perfect time of day.  I was headed back to the house when the smell of my dinner hit me.  Oh my, it smelled so good.  Isn't it amazing how odors/smells can be such a strong catalyst to our memories?

My mind was filled with a lot of memories last night in that little two minute walk to call dinner.  I remember taking a walk in Red River just before dusk and smelling someone's dinner cooking.  Nothing quite like a brisk walk in the cool (okay, it was cold) mountain air and smelling dinner cooking.  The air was crisp and clean with just a hint of charcoal and onions.  Perfect!

Way back in the day, we kids would be playing outside when the smell of supper cooking would come wafting out.  Soon time to eat supper.  Soon Daddy would be home. Soon mom would untie her apron. Soon we'd all be called in to wash our hands.  Soon we would gather around the table.  Soon all would be right with the world.

Just in case you wondered, I fixed salmon patties and potatoes with green peas and a simple white sauce.  And I lest I forget, sautéed onions. 

All is right with the world..............for at least 30 minutes.   

I love you.

Ater All, It's Only Money

There was a story on the news this morning about a woman in Woodward who makes art projects from old antlers.  They were quite intriguing and intricate; chandeliers, table legs, lamps, etc.  While we wouldn't want them in our own house, the hubby and I discussed how, in the right setting, they would look great.  In a log cabin in the mountains with lots of tall ceilings, cedar paneling, and large open-view windows, they would look stunning.

Then the hubby said, "When we win the lottery, we are going to buy a cabin in Red River 'just for you'.  We might have to get someone to helicopter us in so that we don't have to drive."  I told him I wouldn't mind driving that long 10 hour drive if I could stay there at least 6 months out of the year.  So, it is agreed that we are going to buy a cabin in Red River and stay 6 months there, 6 months in our new home in Oklahoma.  We will be celebrating Christmas in Oklahoma so head to Oklahoma at Christmas time and I will put you up in our new home/compound.  By the way, this is not the same compound that I wrote about in an earlier post.  We will most definitely, have two compounds. 

That little fantasy didn't last long, but long enough for us to have a laugh and agree that having money, while not the answer to all problems, sure makes life more fun.

That's it from the easy chair.  Since we will be in Red River for 6 months at a time, let's head on down to Santa Fe for lunch.  After all, it's only money.

I love you.

It's a Beautiful Day

Good Morning.  I am having my Caramel Apple coffee, eating my Sam's Club Godshall's turkey bacon, and trying to down my instant peach oatmeal.  Just can't get that last bite down and if you've ever had lukewarm oatmeal you know what I mean.

Yesterday, I got an interesting phone call from my uncle, my dad's brother.  He called to ask how to print off my blog post and to complement me on my writing.  I was completely surprised, even shocked, that he and my aunt 1) knew about my blog, 2) that they read it, 3) they enjoy it, and 4) would like to have a printed copy of some of the posts.  That really inspired me so when I got home from the mall (yes, Uncle, I was at the mall which is where I was the last time you called me) I tried to come up with something to write about.  I started writing, but after the long first paragraph, I deleted it.  There was just no inspiration for me so I put it away until this morning.  I don't know about you, but I am always in a better mood in the morning...I guess you might say I am a morning person...........after 8:00 a.m., that is.

So here I set in the comfy chairs near the front windows, a little gloomy, with nothing to write about.  Then it hits me.  It is a beautiful day.  Right now, it is very cloudy, even rainy looking, but the air is still, the tulip poplar leaves in my yard are beginning to turn yellow, the squirrels are chasing one another.........just a beautiful day in the neighborhood as Mister Rodgers would say.  Time for me to get up and turn this gloomy feeling around and make the day wonderful.  So I am going to jump up, turn the lamps on low, light a good smelling candle, and put a smile on my face...........make a memory for myself.  Maybe I will make an apple pie..........maybe I will even take it to someone to make their day a little brighter.  Goodness knows, we could use a little more brightness around here.

That's all I have for today, maybe tomorrow I will have a sweet memory or two to share, something that will make you smile.  Thanks Uncle for making my day yesterday.  Thanks for the sweet call.  Thanks for reminding me of daddy. 

It's a beautiful day. 

I love you.

I reread some of my old posts last night wondering which of these my aunt and uncle were reading and which of them they wanted to print.  What I noticed was how many errors I had made, both grammatically and spelling.  They are both former teachers so I am sure those mistakes were glaring to them as they were me.  Have you noticed how much more relaxed grammar has become in our society in general?  If people can't even dress up for a wedding or a funeral, then surely we can't expect them to use proper English and punctuate properly, she says as she blogs using dot, dot, dot........................  Keep smiling.  

 

Grandpa's College Days

Good morning all.  Now I have known my husband for over 42 years, but on our trip last week he told me some of his college days' stories that I either had never heard or had forgotten.  I might have forgotten.  My grandsons probably don't think of us as anything other than being grandparents, but one of these days they will probably see this blog so this is a little bit of fun for them to learn about their grandpa.........something beyond the fact that he is the smartest person in the world and knows everything (actually heard them say that a couple of weeks ago).  

Boys, I want to tell you a little about life at the University of Arkansas as your grandpa experienced it, but I need to start a little earlier at the age of 14 so you will understand a little more about why Grandpa is the way he is.  Grandpa's father died when he was 14 so life changed dramatically for him at an earlier age.  I wouldn't say he had to become the man of the house, but he certainly had to assume responsibilities early in life.  Even with or perhaps because of those responsibilities, he knew he would need college to take him to a place in life that would make his mother proud, but more importantly provide for the needs of a future family.

The first two years he stayed home right there in Conway to attend the then Arkansas Teachers College (now known as University of Central Arkansas).  During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he joined the reserves and his unit was called to active duty for a couple of years.  By the end of his active duty, you can see that he was getting older.....older than other first year students at the University of Arkansas.  That didn't deter him living in the dorm in Fayetteville to finish his college education to become a mechanical engineer. 

Grandpa worked every way he could to get through college, working as a mechanic (working on cars goes a way back, huh), working at the university, borrowing from the bank, etc.  By his senior year, the GI bill finally kicked in for him which helped, but certainly didn't give him a free ride.  Back then he drove an old '49 Chevrolet which was often on its last legs.  He tells the story of using a piece of foil to keep his car running (you'd have to ask him the particulars) so off he headed back to Conway with that piece of foil and 15 cents in his pocket (2 hour drive or more).  By the time he got to Russellville, he decided to could make it on in to Conway so he stopped for a coke and used that last the 15 cents.  (Boys, do NOT start anywhere with only 15 cents in your pocket.)  Three months before he graduated, he went to the bank to borrow $250 to fix the old car, but the bank said no.  He could; however, go to the car dealership and get financing for a year old '66 Chevelle SS 396 with no payment due until he was three months out of school.  That is what he did.....the best thing he could do since he had to have a car.  Sometimes things just don't make sense.........borrowing $250 or getting a newer car...........

Sweet story:  Grandpa told me that he would walk around the Fayetteville town square and walk by the men's store, looking in the window.............."one of these days I will be able to afford clothes from here".  Well, boys, I am here to tell you that he can now afford clothes from there. 

That's just a few of the stories grandpa has to tell about his college days.  Ask him, he'll tell you more.  By the way, Grandpa doesn't know I am writing this and if he reads it, I am sure he'd be telling me that isn't the way it was, but this is the way I interpret it. 

I love you.  

Cabinet Cleaning

Hello everybody.  Welcome to this rainy Monday morning.  I know most of my federal government employee friends are sleeping in this morning 'cause it is Columbus Day and cause it is raining.  Yea!!  By the way, does anybody really know when Columbus Day is anymore?  Does anybody know why we celebrate it?  Oh, gee, I sure hope so! 

It's my day..............the day I clean my kitchen cabinets..............one of my favorite cleaning projects especially if it is raining.  It is the time of the year I clean out my cabinets, sort through my spices, canned goods, etc., to see what is needed for the upcoming holidays.  I love that.  I like to see how I stand on pumpkin pie spice, cloves, cinnamon, chili powder, onion salt, cumin.............do I see chili in my future?

Last week we drove over to the Fayetteville/Eureka Springs area, stopping to have lunch at War Eagle Mill.  I couldn't resist plain ole brown beans..........the meal of my penniless days, my go to Thursday night before pay day meals.  You'd be surprised what meals you come up with when you have two kids to feed and you are waiting for that next check before heading to the grocery store.  Sausage gravy, anyone?????

The leaves haven't turned in Arkansas yet, but should be ready in early November when we plan to take another trip that way.  Still, the trip invigorated me.  Everybody knows this time of the year is my favorite time and now I am ready...........or getting ready...............just as soon as I get those cabinets cleaned.

Off to clean some cabinets.  Anybody want to come help?  I can provide you with potato soup for lunch and lots of old spices...............  I know you want to............  I'll even open up the sunroom doors so you can hear the pitter-pat of the gentle rain.  What can be more enticing?

I love you.

I'm so Hungry I Could Eat my Lipstick

I think I might be starving to death.  All I can think about is food...........good food.  I need me some

Spinach artichoke dip - just let me have a spoon and I will eat it straight from the bowl.
Toni's cucumber sandwiches - Toni, did I tell you how Steve and I pigged out on those sandwiches one day?  Gluttonous.
Caramel apples - add toffee and chocolate bits..........oh my!
Crab with melted butter - All I can eat!
Bologna sandwich with tomatoes and mayonnaise - summer time treat.
Lay's potato chips with creamy French onion dip - to go with the bologna sandwich.
Ranch salad dressing on Anything
Loaded baked potato
Fried chicken with my gravy
Theater popcorn with lots of butter 
Cheese enchiladas
Shrimp Limón pasta
French bread with butter that squishes out when you bite it
Guacamole
Cinnamon toast
French fries
CHEEZ-ITS

These are but a few of the things I am craving right this very minute--something cheesy, something buttery, something greasy.  Also, this is a list of things I normally deny myself.  I haven't made fried chicken in so long I doubt I would know how, but I remember how good my gravy was.  Steven and Johnny would pig out.  Nachos - we used to have nachos as a treat at least once a week in front of the TV......after the chicken.   

I am so tired of obsessing over food...either I am craving a food........or am worried about how what I eat affects my weight.  I guess that is what keeps me on track.  Right now I would love to have a buffet of all these foods and be able to allow myself to go for all of them without one thought of how much fat each has.  I would settle for a box of Cheez-its....my all time favorite snack.

I'm so hungry I could eat my lipstick.  Hand me my purse!     

I love you.

Happy Hour for Seniors

Life's made of up little moments of time, some tragic and sad, others funny and joyful, some memorable, some we try to sweep out of our minds because the pain is just too great.  Nonetheless, they are moments in our life's line.

A little moment in time.........

For dinner yesterday we decided to go to the only remaining cafeteria is Oklahoma City.  That in itself is sad news....a bygone era.  When you walk into this place, you are immediately transported back to 1970.  Not much has changed in the last 30 or 40 years.......not even the choices on the menu.  The food was okay, but not anything special............not going to write home about it.  The evening; however, is worth (to me) writing home about.

The Groupon I had for the cafeteria was set to expire on the 2nd of October so I went online to see what their menu looked like.  I am trying as always to watch what I eat so I wanted to make my decision before I hit that line.  You know very well how a 20 foot line of simmering entrees, steamy vegetables, buttery rolls, and glistening salads dripping in dressing can tempt you.  I noticed that on Thursday evening a pianist was entertaining from 5:30 till 7:30.  OKAY, why not use that expiring coupon on a night where we can be entertained as well as fed.   

When we got there and made our selections, we made a bee-line to the music and were able to get the table (booth) closest to the keyboard.  And then the magic began.  I am not going to pretend that the music selections are everybody's cup of tea, but to me............well, it represented a time gone by.............a time when one could dine without the next table being loud and drunk, had a crying baby, or had four cell phones on the table.  It was the murmur of soft voices, the tinkling of a glass of tea, a coffee cup being placed on the table, a knife being dropped........softly.........softly.

There was a table of 11 senior citizens nearby--by that I mean older than us....mostly in their late 80s or early 90s.  Some swing music and a wide spot in the floor was all it took to convince the seniors to dance and dance they did, even singing and clapping to the music.  These darling people just made me smile.  I just wanted to set down with them and interview each one to find out about their lives.  Were they in WWII or the Korean War?  Had they been professionals?  Were they once the "I'll meet you at the bar after work crowd."?  Were they going to the clubs having their martinis in the 60s?  Do they have children?  Is their spouse living?  I wanted to ask the tall, stately gentleman in the nice tan slacks with the matching Hawaiian shirt where he learned to dance like that.  I wanted to tell him I loved him singing to the music even if he was sometimes a little off-key. 

Most of them left a little after 7:00 p.m., but oh what a night (early evening) for them.  They laughed, sang, clapped, danced, and tried to remember the name of THAT song.  There wasn't a cell phone in sight.  They were in the moment.  There was no need to tell all their 783 Facebook friends where they were for they were with their friends, the important friends, the ones they hope to be with again next Thursday.

I want to be them!  I want to be able to hobble to the cafeteria to hear the music.  I want to sing along with the music.  I want to dance.  I didn't even see a plate of food on their table, don't have a clue why not...perhaps they ate before we arrived............these people had their coffee and iced tea...........no need for booze......they had each other............they had music............and they had a dance floor.  It really didn't matter if they were walking with a cane or if they had a walker, or even if they danced.........they made it.........they enjoyed their evening.  They could go back home with a smile on their face and remembrance of the evening for their night's slumber.  

Yeah, there were a lot of seniors there and while we don't feel like seniors ourselves, I am sure others would beg to differ.  When we walked out a short time later, the hubby said "This cafeteria is the 'Happy Hour' for Seniors."  True that!  Heavy on the HAPPY.

I love you.






 







  

It Feels so Good to Hold You When I Cry

My youngest grandson is a new first grader, and as with most first graders starting the year, there are lots of new tasks and adventures put before him.  He is faced with new challenges; new friends, new books, new studies, and a new teacher. 

My little grandson is doing well; however, he has those moments at school when his mother comes to mind and his little eyes fill with tears.  He tries so hard to not let anyone see his emotional side so I am sure he keeps his head down to have his quiet moment, but he misses mommy, he says.

My daughter told me that one night last week, he was crying in bed.  She went to check on him and he grabbed her, held on tight and just let the tears flow.  This went on for several minutes before he sobbed and told her through tears "It feels so good to hold you when I cry".  He couldn't find a way with words to tell her what was wrong.  He was just sad.  My daughter had no words of wisdom....no magical words, but what she had was love.  She had that magical mother's love.  Instantly she gave him what he needed, not words, just his mommy's arms.

Out of the mouths of babes, huh?  How often have I wished for mom to hold me while I cried.  No judgment, no embarrassment. 

I feels so good just to hold you when I cry.

I love you.

There's a Change in the Air

There's a change in the air.

Did you have an opportunity to go outside today?  If so, then you must have noticed a change.  The smell was different; a smell of summer coming to an end.  The air just felt different somehow.  The wind direction seemed neither from the East, West, North nor South, yet it was from every direction.  Even the heat felt different.  Oh it was hot, but it wasn't HOT.  It is that time of year when fall wants to give summer the boot, but summer holds fast.  Today my senses were being bombarded with the changes that are upon us.

There are no words that adequately describe what I want to say; how I want to describe this feeling; the change in the air.  When I stepped outside, wow.......memories nearly took my breath away.  Memories of dry grass crunching to dust; playing on a splintery teeter-totter.  The memory of the Prague High School band marching down the halls calling the students out of class to attend the pep rally on a hot Friday afternoon.  The memory of a school bus crowded with hot smelly kids heading home.  Memories of walking up the hill to wait on my children to walk home from school.  The memory of moving the pipes through the peanuts one last time.  The memory of eyeing the first red sumac leaves.  The memory of going to get the cows.  Memories of my children already discussing their Halloween costumes more than a month ago.   

Yes, a change is in the air and even though I had memories today, my life continues to go forward making room for new memories and lots of changes.

I love you.  

Email

I opened my email and have 17 emails and not one of them was from a friend.  Oh, I have those wanna be friends; i.e. Soft Surroundings, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Frontgate, Plow and Hearth, Gurney's, Jackson and Perkins, QVC, Weight Watchers, etc, but they only want my MONEY.

My point is we don't send emails anymore.  Texting only three or four words at a time seems to be the norm.  Times, they are a changing.  Time for an email--no way.  Letter........in the mail?...........are you kidding?

When did our lives become so busy that we fail to contact the very people we love?  When did we become so engrossed in our personal (me me me) lives that we don't even take the time to call?  When did we decide that texting was better than hearing our loved ones' voice?  When did we decide that emailing was better than taking the time to pen something in our own handwriting?  When did we convince ourselves that a one-line text was enough to assuage our conscience into believing that we are fulfilling our communication obligation to each other? 

When?  I miss those letters and emails, full of news about the family and full of past or upcoming adventures.  I miss those long handwritten letters even the x'ed out mistakes.  As soon as I opened the mailbox and saw your handwriting, I knew I had something exciting to read......sent just to me.   

I kept most of my family's handwritten letters, especially Grandma Tucker's.  My grandchildren will never know her, but they will have a sense of her by the things of which she wrote.  If you have ever sent me a letter, chances are I have it in "the" box.  Future generations will find those letters someday, but before then I think I will take a few out and reread them...just to remember.  They were special; sent at a special time; sent from special people.

I love you.

When I worked I received a lot of emails that needed to be answered.  They set my precedence for my day....lined up my work schedule.  These days my days are certainly not determined by the latest email, but I still have this habit of looking to see if I have received any emails.  As I loved those handwritten letters, I love a long email.