Regina’s Mexican Flavor Salad

 

I have really been craving salads lately; particularly chopped salad.

Last week I made this one with ingredients I had on hand.

It was so good, that I made it again later in the week…well sort of….

 

Regina’s Mexican Flavor Salad

 

Chopped Iceberg Lettuce

Avocado, chopped

Tomatoes, chopped

Corn on the Cob, grilled and cooled

Black Beans, rinsed and drained

Green Onions, chopped

Cilantro, chopped, and this ingredient is essential for the flavor

 

Since this salad is made to taste, you can add as much of the ingredients as you want.

I chopped about 1/3 head of a large head of lettuce for one serving – ME!

Grill the corn so that you have some blackened bits on the corn and cool.  Slice the corn off the cob and add to the salad.

Mix in the rest of the ingredients, leaving the avocado till last so that you don’t mush so much.

 

Dressing

 

1/2 cup Ranch Dressing (I made my own from a Hidden Valley Ranch packet)

Jalapeno Pepper (seeded, membrane removed, and diced finely)

Ground Red Pepper

 

Add the jalapeno to the Ranch Dressing and a little ground red pepper or any other seasoning you might have on hand.

I used some red pepper spice mix I had on hand.  By the way, with seeds and membrane removed, the jalapeno is not hot.

 

Pour dressing over salad to your taste.  Toss, toss, toss.  You won’t need as much as you might think because the

avocado will act as a dressing, too.

 

I had a lot of dressing left over so I made another salad later in the week.

I didn’t have avocado and I used garbanzo beans instead of black beans.

I used white peg corn straight out of the can instead of corn on the cob.

I used diced yellow onion instead of green onions.

So you could basically say I had a whole new recipe.

Nonetheless, it was delicious, too.

 

Experimental Recipe – a Winner.

 

I love you.

 

 

Blaine’s Interview–10 Years Old

Good afternoon everybody.  I hope you enjoyed the beautiful morning here in Oklahoma.  Cloudy and almost felt like there was a slight mist in the air.  A perfectly delightful morning.


As you know if you have ever read this blog, I could be writing about anything that hits my fancy.  This last weekend, Blaine and I were having a nice conversation so I decided I would ask him a few questions and post his answers here. 


Saturday, 21 June 2014 (I still can't get away from writing my dates like that--27 years working for the government does that to you.)


Blaine, meet your 9 year old self, 10 days shy of being 10 years.  This is what you answered to my questions the summer between 4th and 5th grade.


1.  What are you looking forward to doing next year in the 5th grade?  Being able to learn more about math.
2.  What would you like to do when you are a grown up?  Be a soccer player.
3.  Have you kissed a girl?  No!
4.  What is your favorite food?  Salmon patties.
5.  Candy or potato chips?  Candy
6.  Favorite subject?  Social studies and Greek Mythology
7.  What worries you the most?  When people say "y'all", knats, and when Mommy gets on to me.
8.  Favorite restaurant?  Sonic
9.  What would you like to for a first job?  Movie theater
10.  Favorite color?  Blue
11.  What is a good age for a first date?  22
12.  Who's smarter, boys or girls?  Boys because most of the boys in my class are smarter.  Girls have better handwriting.
13.  Who's your favorite person in the world other than relatives?  Lionel Messi
14.  Would you rather get up early or sleep late?  Get up early.
15.  What is the best bedtime?  9:00
16.  If you needed glasses would you rather have glasses or contacts?  Contacts
17.  Donut or candy bar?  Candy bar
18.  Have you mowed the lawn yet?  Yeah
19.  What do you think of our president?  I don't much like him because his wife banned cinnamon rolls.  I'd just rather have another president.
20.  What do you want to study in college?  Greek Mythology
21.  Do you have any hopes and dreams?  To be in the Olympics
22.  How many kids do you want?  3
23.  How old should you be before you marry?  25
24.  What will your wife look like?  Blond, blue eyes, and sporty.
25.  Chocolate milk or regular?  Regular
26.  Favorite breakfast food?  Pancakes
27.  Where would you like to travel?  Argentina, Spain, Italy and France
28.  What would you like Logan to be when he grows up?  Work in a fancy store or restaurant.
29.  What would you like Audrey to be when she grows up?  Doctor or nurse
30.  What will you be doing in 5 years?  Playing soccer
31.  Will you be a kind man?  Of course!
32.  Who's your favorite teacher?  Miss Embrey
33.  Who's you best friend?  Oscar Sanchez   Why is he your best friend?  He is nice.  He likes sports and we have a lot in common.
34.  What do people like about you?  I am really passionate about things and I am sporty.
35.  Will you own a dog when you get older?  Yes, a big one like Chloe or bigger.
36.  Do you like sunny days or cloudy days?  Sunny days
37.  What's your favorite zoo animal?  Tiger
38.  When do you want a room of your own?  Maybe 13




I love you!!!!!

It's Nice That She Still Gets Out

I am continuing the swimsuit theme today so if you males out there want to look away, that'd be just great.  In fact at this point you might notice that X in the upper right hand corner of your electronic gadget and click on it. 


Fair warning - Well........there's nothing in here that is going to cause you any disturbance........I don't think.  Umm, maybe a few nightmares.


Looking through those suits yesterday made me wonder just who designs them.  They are perfect for those younger than 30, those with C cups or less, and those gals weighing less than 120 pound.  I'd flip through them accessing the cup sizes as I went.  Did you know that some of them could actually be used as vessels for poached eggs?.......yep, just about fit a sunny side up egg.  Where's the cups the size of large coffee filters?  But I digress.  Nope, nope, nope, ooh maybe that will fit.  Shoot......that is a size 22.  NOPE - not that size yet. 
 
After I finally found the right size top, (truth be known - settled on a few that MIGHT fit) it was time to look for a bottom.  Bikini bottom, full panty bottom, boy leg bottom, bottom with a flouncy little skirt, bottom with a straight skirt.......so many choices.........all in black I might add.  I finally found my size and off to the dressing I went.  One thing I want to point out right here, just in case you are going to look for a swimsuit in the near future.  DO NOT look at the hangar for sizes.  They are ALL on the wrong hangars.  If you grab a size 10 hangar, you are liable to get a size 22 or a size 2.  I guess so many women were so frustrated that they just grabbed any old hangar and ran right out the door.  Just get out of here.


I don't know how I was able to find a couple of swimsuits yesterday, but I did.  Perhaps I am now at the age my body was 30 years ago.  I have been in an old, wrinkly body a long, long, long time; built just like my mother.  I just didn't feel as intimidated as the last time I shopped for one---probably 10 years ago.  I guess I am finally at the age where I know there isn't a person out there who cares what I look like.  If anybody thinks anything, it will be "Oh, look at that cute little old woman in her cute little swimsuit.  Isn't she sweet.  I think it is nice that she still gets out."


That all today, folks.  Enough about swimsuits, huh?  I'm just going to think "It's nice that she still gets out."


I love you.

Two New Swimsuits. So happy!

I have no plans for a vacation, nor do I have plans to go swimming; nonetheless, I have a longing for a new swim suit.  Nothing do but devote two days of my quiet little life looking for a swim suit that was age appropriate, but sexy; sexy, but demure.  A challenge ensued.  I must find something. I cannot walk away defeated by the fact that I am just a little bit.............uh.........fluffy...........and in my sixth decade (when I am old I shall wear purple or in this case, shall wear a swimsuit).


Shopping for a swimsuit is NOT for the faint of heart.  Did you know there is serious risk to suffocation when trying on those two piece swimsuits (not bikinis)?  You get that 6 inch width spandex at the wrong spot and you will be gasping for air, and you'll be pulling, and tugging, and throwing up your hands in defeat, only to remember you HAVE to get the thing either down or back over your head.  Yes, that was my experience.  I was on high center, wouldn't go up, wouldn't go down.  I could not leave the dressing room until I got the thing OFF.  I had to do something.   So I gasped, pulled, and tugged again until that thing shot over my head like a huge rubber band and landed in a heap on the floor.  Do they seriously expect us girls to wear this?  I finally figured out what I was doing wrong.  I was pulling them down over my head rather than stepping into the suit.  Whew..........life just got a little easier. 


I finally came out a winner with two swimsuits that fit the 'age appropriate, but sexy, sexy, but demure' category.  It wasn't easy.  If you are shopping for a new swimsuit, let me tell you what is out there...................a huge selection of suits that are for anyone who fits in a size 4 or below and who is flat chested.  What's not out there............................a huge selection of suits for a woman of 6 decades.  There isn't a lot out there to fit (am I am not bragging) an endowed woman.  Where in the world am I going to put the girls?????? 


Nope, buying a swimsuit is not for the faint of heart, but I walked out with a smile on my face.  Two new swimsuits.  So happy!


I love you.


A certain sweet woman I know reported that she recently got the first two swimsuits she tried on.  Seriously, who does that?  If the hubby and I were at the beach, she'd be the person I would point out to the hubby, whining how I wanted to look as good as her in my swimsuit.  In his honesty, he'd say, "You do realize that she is several years younger than you, weighs less, and has great legs."  Ooh, he has made me mad now.


As my sister said recently, "I look good in a swimsuit.  It's all that stuff hanging out of the swimsuit that doesn't look good."  "So happy.", I text her today.  She replied, "Now those are two words I have never used together when buying a swimsuit."   


   






   

If I had a Home Away from Home

It has almost all I want out of life.........that being Red River, NM, my favorite spot on this earth.  My home away from home.  If we were there this morning, right now at this exact time--7:00 a.m. MT, we'd just be beginning to wake up.  I'd turn over and notice a slight glow coming through the bedroom window and the old white cotton curtains stirring just a little bit from the crisp, cool, mountain air.  It'd be just cool enough to want to snuggle under the covers for a few more minutes. 


There are things to do this morning so rouse myself and brace for the chilly bumps as I put my feet on the floor.  I notice the front room is glowing from the sunshine (with the help of the old gold drapes that have been there forever) and the shiny pine paneling.  Time to get this day started.  Out to the balcony I'd stumble to observe sunrise coming over the mountain.  The town is still in the shadow of the mountain, but the brightness of the sun illuminating the top of the ski slopes is almost blinding. 


Another day has begun in Red River.  The sleepy little town is coming alive.  In fact, I can see several cars at Shotgun Willy's.  Yes, breakfast AND COFFEE are being served as I type.  The Der Markt (yes, that is the correct spelling) is open for all the essentials you'd need if you were not going out for breakfast. Looking down the street, cars are parked at a few places indicating which businesses are open for breakfast.  Yes, the town is coming alive.


Just what will we do today?  Rent an off road vehicle and go up the mountain?  Walk around town and peek in the shops?  Drive over to Taos and have a nice lunch outside in the plaza watching the people go by, or maybe shop just a little in the old town?  Go see the Vietnam Memorial?  Go see the gorge?  Float down the river?  Oh so many things from which to choose.


It really doesn't matter what we do for it is all good.  You can have your sandy beaches, but for me I will take my mountain home away from home.......IF I HAD A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.


I love you.


Clear, with a high near 75, and a chance of afternoon showers.  What's not to love when it is 105 in Oklahoma today.  No, that is not today's forecast, but we have been there when it was. 

Here's to the Longest Day of the Year

Today is the first day of summer.  The longest day of the year..........and it feels like it.  I had the grandchildren this afternoon and they were perfect, but I do notice tiredness a lot more than I did when the first grandchild was born 10 years ago.


It is time for a few summer things I love.  I'd better get started on my list for soon it will be the last day of summer. 


Here's to summer loves and not necessarily in order.


Novels..........long epic novels.  I just started reading "Gone With the Wind" again.  Who can't remember reading a good book while basking in the sun, burning to a crisp.  Still, it brings back good memories.


Naps in the hammock.


Snow cones  (The ones in Meadville, MS, are the greatest on earth.  If you ask for cream, and who in Mississippi doesn't, you will actually get sweetened condensed milk.  While you are at the window, just say I want extra, extra cream.  This little concoction will cost you in every way possible, but well worth it in ALL of those ways.)


Water, whether that be pool water, ocean water, or lake water........even bottles of ice cold water.  Even WATERmelon!  Maybe the best "water" experience is floating in Rhonda's pool indulging in a wedding cake snow cone with extra, extra cream.


Fish tacos


Crepe Myrtles


FOURTH OF JULY  Everything about the 4th of July excites me.  Even if there is nobody here to share the day with us, I still absolutely love the 4th.  My flag will be flying, the grill will be lit, and you might even see me with a sparkler.  I can smell the grill right now!


Tomatoes - This right here would probably be the number one thing I love about summer if I were to categorize the list.  I would venture to guess that it would also be all of my sisters' favorites, too.


Shorts (notice I didn't say swim wear) - Now this sure wouldn't be at the top of my list and probably not my sisters' lists either.  Yep, we got our genes from our mother.


Bright nail polish and painted toe nails


Al fresco dining


VACATION


Convertible rides


Mowing the lawn.  Serious Clark.  Doesn't everybody.


Walks


Grilled vegetables


Corn on the cob


United States flag waving proudly


Short haircuts


Flip Flops (Called thongs in my day.  Don't call them that these days or you will get giggles.)


McDonald's frappe.  (My newest and latest indulgence.)


RED RIVER I guess that might be put under the vacation category, but Red River, to me, is my home away from home, IF I had a home away from home.  My happy place.  I would truly love to live there for at least three months, maybe four at least once in my life.  I'd go up in June and come home in mid-October.  Yep.....that's about right.


Okra, cucumbers, and squash


Porch swings.  Naps in the porch swing--the best!


Summer showers.  They don't often come, but when they do it is heavenly. 


Salt tablets - I haven't had a salt tablet since I was 16 years old.  They were passed out to church campers, and I am not exactly sure I know why.  It didn't really matter, I just loved them.  I'd like to have one now.


Floating in the pool (Did I mention this already?  Snow cones with extra, extra cream?)


Fruit drinks, especially the slushy kind.


Homemade ice cream


Soda over clear crushed ice


White jeans


Air conditioning


Beach bags - cute beach bags - and large floppy hats


Schools out - Okay school has been out for me for 48 years and it STILL is a pleasant feeling for school to be out for the summer.  I might have had issues.


Sun tans - Again, tanning has been out for me, too, for at least 10 years or so, but if it weren't for the skin care issues, I would be tanning this very day.


I could go on and on.....like watching my grandsons shiver in the sprinkles; that ice cold well water.


Here's to the longest day of the year!


I love you!!

Give Me My Monkey Plate

Good morning everybody.  I am writing from a coffee induced spurt of energy.  We had breakfast out this morning and what a waste of time.  First of all, breakfast is not my favorite meal.  Second, I always feel lethargic after this meal, and third, the food wasn't all that great.  This morning I had my eggs with bacon and the bacon was so greasy that I didn't even eat it.  Where's my Monkey Plate?


That's about all I have this morning before heading to the hospital to be with my sister while her hubby undergoes major surgery.  We are praying for a miraculous outcome, but with three months recovery time, it will take us all to keep our dear brother-in-law down. 


Breakfast behind us.............on to the hospital...............


Give me my Monkey Plate any day!!!!!!!!!!!!


I love you.


This morning we went to a restaurant that had moved off one of the main streets of Midwest City to an assistance living place.  Who does that?  Well, we gave it a try and while the meal was extremely cheap, the food wasn't all that good.  My hubby said his was ok.  I do, however, have a great deal of respect for the owner of the restaurant for providing a place for the residents.  How nice it was to see residents gathering together for their morning meal.  It was almost their own "Cheers" place.  I hope the restaurant succeeds.  Much success, Michael.

Whatever I Want

Good morning everybody.  I am having my Monkey Plate as my hubby calls it.  He says if we saw that at the zoo we would be thinking there was a special birthday for a monkey.  Oh you should see it.  A lovely plate of sliced bananas, fresh blueberries, strawberries, and delicious fresh pineapple with a side of turkey bacon.  It completes me.......that is all I need for a delicious breakfast (who needs steak and eggs?)...........oh, that, and a cup of tea.  This morning's tea -- Earl Grey. 


The last two hotels where we have stayed had large urns of water with sliced oranges.  It made the most refreshing water and since I don't like plain old water, it helps me drink the stuff.  Now I keep a pitcher of orange water in the refrigerator filled with ice.  Such a delicious summer treat instead of grabbing a diet drink.  Trying to wean myself, girls, and that isn't easy.  So, along with my tea, I am having water to go along with the other 16 ounces of water that I drank an hour ago with my Boniva.  So...........guess what is in store for me this morning.  Lots of time to see all the things I need to clean in a certain room.


I am in a wonderful mood this morning despite a few things which have popped up.  It all has to do with my new bedroom paint color..........very, very, very pale blue..........so pale that it looks white at certain times of the day.  You see, just a couple weeks ago my room was a dull cocoa color with dark, dark brown drapes.  I don't have new drapes yet so even though my bedroom is on the west, the light wakes me up very early............and always puts me in a good mood.  You know the reason why?  It reminds me of my bedroom when I was a teenager.  A whole day of not knowing what to expect.  A day in which I was free to do whatever I want until Mom called to tell me to help pick beans. 


As a retired person I realize that I can do whatever I want with my day and how I choose to fill it is up to me with certain parameters.  As we all know, our days are always subject to uncertainties, but this moment, this minute, this is mine.  My moments, my minutes are wasting so I am off to the races or should I say closets............they need cleaning.  Not going to pick any beans today although I would love a mess of fresh green beans with some new potatoes.  Whatever I want..........


I love you.


Ok, I admit it, I would dearly love to have a steak and eggs breakfast at Cattlemen's.  Invite me.  I will go with you.

What a Fun Day

What a fun day.  This morning I went with my daughter, her two sons, ages 10 and 7, and her 3 month old daughter to the outlet mall.  We had a marvelous drive to the mall partly due to the fact that the boys were eating their breakfast sandwiches.  Audrey's favorite soothing CD is one of hymns sung by little children was playing and the quiet sacred music just got to me.  Several songs took me right back to 1965 or thereabouts because they were favorites of my family, especially mom's.  Well, I got choked up and a little teary-eyed.  They boys were a little confused as to why their Nana was tearing up so I explained to them that those songs were sung by my mom a lot.  So the trip to the mall was mixed with nostalgia, happy boys, and a little caffeine from the frappe I was enjoying which may have contributed to my emotional state. 


After we landed at the mall, we had such a wonderful time.  They boys were perfect and Audrey was asleep in her baby carriage.  All was right with the world as it often is when you promise gifts from Nana.  Nothing pleases Logan more than a pair of gloves and today's gloves happen to be adult size black fingerless style.  That's all it took to make him happy.........wore them the rest of the day.......not to mention the two new tee shirts that he wore during our outing.  Oh yes, he put the sleeveless one right over the shirt he had on, only to be changed later for the other new one..............and..................and that is ok.  It gives me much pleasure to buy things that the kids love and have picked out.  Don't worry, Blaine also got his fair share, but unlike Blaine, he was not about to put on different tee shirts right there on the mall bench.


Then it was time to leave.............And the chaos began...............Audrey could not have been unhappier....................she cried. or should I say screamed, all the way home getting louder every mile.  The boys were happy, playing loudly in the back seat, and I suspect they were trying to be louder than their sister.  My daughter and I were in the front trying to carry on some type of conversation, oblivious to all the chaos in the back...............or at least trying to ignore it.  Then I laughed and told her I loved this.........all this chaos.  The same CD was playing as when we left home that morning only this time, it was much louder hoping to somehow soothe poor Audrey in the back (which didn't work), the boys are laughing and playing, and little Audrey was crying almost choking herself and that little quivering cry that only a mother knows is heart breaking.  Yes, I loved all the chaos because it represented the living and having fun even though my daughter might beg to differ on the having fun part.  So.............once we turned on our street, we all started embracing the moment.  My daughter and I just started yelling to the top of our lungs, laughing, and kind of went bonkers.  We just let loose and joined the chaos.


What a fun day!  Some days you just have to embrace the moment.  If you feel like you just can't stand the chaos another moment, just embrace it.  Your kids might look at you like you've lost your marbles.


I love you. 


The boys got a toy from The Disney Store, of course!!!  Blaine picked Buzz Lightyear and Logan picked Woody.  This just thrilled me..........my 10 and 7 year old grandsons wanting the little stuffed characters.  What really melted my heart was my 10 year old.  Whenever we were alone, he would grab Buzz and play with him.  But my little guy didn't want to embarrass himself so he asked his mom to let him know if there were people around that he would get embarrassed if he knew they were watching him.  How sweet is that?


Then a little funny about Logan......I took him to the restroom.  I could see him getting a paper towel down and he kept pulling until he has about 2 feet of towel.  The cute thing was he told the dispenser thank you after he tore it off.  Now isn't that cute. 


My two boys are such sweet young men.  I sure hope they continue that for the rest of their lives. 

A Nod to Old Time Sake

Remember the days when every evening meal consisted of a big bowl of radishes?  And did you have a big bowl of cucumbers, too?  You could bet that our menu always had those two things every evening until they no longer were producing in the garden. 


Lots and lots of fresh cucumbers on the table, always peeled and sliced, but not always in vinegar.  Most of the time they were just plain old slices of cucumbers because there was always somebody that didn't like vinegar.  And by the way......... if Mom ever used vinegar, it was vinegar and water.............not the sugary concoction used by so many today. 


Radishes galore and I remember them being oh so HOT!  There were several different varieties, red globes to white icicles which always looked dirty no matter how much you scrubbed them.


So tonight I had a bowl of radishes just for old time sake - even if they did come from the grocery store.  All mine because the hubby wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole. 


To continue this nod to "old time sake" I had a Grandma Dawkins meal; radishes, kraut, black-eyed peas with ham, and beef kielbasa...........last, but not least, cornbread.  To finish a great meal, how about a little bit of watermelon?  A wonderful old-time meal.  Just a nod to "old time sake".


I love you. 


Earlier today, I talked with a friend who had the same memories as I did regarding the radishes and cucumbers.  Tomatoes, onions, corn, and okra...........now we are talking!

Why Can’t We Get a Trader Joes?

 

 

 

Hello all.  There are certain people who wanted me to post my latest finds at Trader Joes.  So here we go.  Look at the shelf stable whipping cream.  I have never seen that before so I had to buy a few of these.  I have used them and it tastes just like cream and can be used in any application where cream is needed.  The directions tell you to refrigerate it if you want to whip it.  I haven’t used it that way so we will see how this works out since I bought six cartons.  Maybe homemade ice cream is on the menu sometime this summer. 

 

Look at all the cheese.  The hubby was with me and threw a lot of the cheeses in the cart.  The white stilton with apricots is really good.  The bacon cheddar is only so-so.  I don’t know what I was thinking when I bought the mozzarella.  I thought it was fresh and used it for Caprese.  It was not good in that recipe.  I wouldn’t buy it or the bacon cheddar again.  The double crème brie was delicious, but I can find some locally that are just as good.

 

Ghee – Now that is probably something you have never used.  It is clarified butter and is also shelf stable.  It really has a intense buttery taste so it goes a long ways.  I loved this stuff!!   Will I buy again?  Maybe, however, I have found several recipes online so I can make my own from now on.

 

Candy – I bought a bunch of candy and all were over the top!  The chocolate covered marshmallows were great, but those sea salt chocolate covered caramels were out of this world…….so good, that this last weekend, I bought another bag. 

 

California Estate Olive Oil has gotten great reviews in the Wall Street Journal and I must say, it is delicious for about $5.99 a bottle. 

 

I buy the Salsa Verde every time I am in a Trader Joes.  I use it to make chicken enchilada.  The clerk wanted to know how I used this Verde so I explained as best I could under the circumstances.  I never seem to fix them the same way twice, but they always taste delicious. 

 

 

I wouldn’t buy the hummus again.  Just not very good and I can make my own which are much tastier.  Organic Apple Sauce was my hubby’s idea.  He said they were just ok, too.  Not going to carry them back to Oklahoma again. 

 

I loved the Sea Salt Scrub, but my daughter didn’t.  She didn’t like how it formed a scum on the tub.  The Green Tea Soap smells very good, but not as good as the lavender soap. 

 

The Greek Wild Rice had a wonderful flavor and I probably would buy again.  The Lemon Pepper Pasta was very good and I bought another bag this weekend. 

 

I loved both teas.  I wish they had more varieties.  I will buy again, especially the breakfast English teas. 

 

 

There are lots of things I haven’t covered.  I just haven’t tried everything, yet.  One thing that is not in the picture is the eight jars of Cookie Butter.  Yes, eight as in 8!  They are at my daughter’s house………she and her hubby requested 8 jars.  I must admit it is delicious so much so that I won’t buy for myself.  I am weak!!!!

 

As I said at the beginning, this is a blog post for my daughter who loves to see all the things I bring back from Trader Joes.

 

If you haven’t been to a Trader Joes, stop and check them out.  It is a fun place and they have their own cult following.  Lots of blogs about this store.  Why can’t we get a Trader Joes?

 

I love you.

I Don't Mind

I found a couple of ice cream sticks on the outside window ledge.
....and a Lincoln Log under the sofa.
....and there's a stick under the table in the sunroom; a foot long stick.
....and a baby headband is on the desk.
....and the blinds have been pulled up half way.
....and an empty soda can is on the air conditioner.
....and the pool toys have been left outside.
....and green tooth paste is in the sink.
....and my towels are covered in dirt. 
....and there is a candy wrapper on the counter.
.....and there is a half chewed candy bar in the trash.
.....and there is one lone black sock behind the chair.




....and there is laughter still lingering in the atmosphere.........they have gone home............those boys of mine.............and I already miss them............


I don't mind the ice cream sticks, the Lincoln Logs, the stick, nor do I mind a left behind headband, the blinds askew, the soda can, the pool toys, nor the green toothpaste.  I don't mind washing the towels, nor do I mind putting the wrapper in the trash.  I don't mind that somebody didn't like the candy I gave them and I sure don't mind holding on the sock until their next visit.


If they didn't come, I would mind!  I love it that they love to come here.............those grandchildren of mine.  If they make small messes what is that in the big scheme of things. 


I love you.