Sunday, April 30, 2006
Dolly Parton and the P.M.S. Blues
I just got this in an email; Dolly sings the lyrics too. I don't know how to put audio in the blog - so just enjoy reading it.
Eve you wicked woman, you done put your curse on me
Why didn't you just leave that apple hangin' in the tree?
You make us hate our husbands, our lovers and our boss
Why I can't even count the good friends I've already lost
Cause of... PMS blues, PMS blues!!
I don't even like myself, but it's something I can't help
I got those God almighty, slap somebody PMS blues
Most times I'm easy going, some say I'm good as gold
But when I'm PMS I tell ya, I turn mean and cold
Those not afflicted with it are affected just the same
Poor old men didn't have to grin and say "I feel your pain"
PMS blues... PMS blues...
You know you must forgive us for we care not what we do
I got those can't stop crying, dishes flying PMS blues
But you know we can't help it We don't even know the cause
But as soon as this part's over, then comes the menopause
Oh, Lord... Oh, Lord...
We're going to always be a heap of fun
Like the devil Taking over my body, suffering, suffering, suffering
Everybody's suffering, huh?
But a woman had to write this song, a man would be scared to
Lest he be called a chauvinist or just fall victim to Those.... PMS blues!!!
You know we'd kill for less than that PMS blues!!!!
You don't want to cross my path Cause a pitbull Ain't no match
For these teeth a clenchin', Fluid Retention, Head a swellin',
can't stop yellin' Got noPatience, I'm so hateful PMS blues,
premenstrual syndrome Got those moods a swingin', tears a slingin'
Nothin' fits me when it hits me Rantin', ravin', misbehavin' PMS blues!!!!
It's the only time in my life I ever think about wishing I'd been a man
But you know that only means one thing If I'd have been a man,
I'd be somewhere right this very minute With some old cranky, naggin', raggin' hateful woman With those old... PMS blues... PMS blues
I don't want to talk about it, we both could do without it
Got those treat your kids bad, don't you talk back, Gone ballistic, unrealistic
Awful lowdown, bitch to be around... PMS blues!!!
Eve you wicked woman, you done put your curse on me
Why didn't you just leave that apple hangin' in the tree?
You make us hate our husbands, our lovers and our boss
Why I can't even count the good friends I've already lost
Cause of... PMS blues, PMS blues!!
I don't even like myself, but it's something I can't help
I got those God almighty, slap somebody PMS blues
Most times I'm easy going, some say I'm good as gold
But when I'm PMS I tell ya, I turn mean and cold
Those not afflicted with it are affected just the same
Poor old men didn't have to grin and say "I feel your pain"
PMS blues... PMS blues...
You know you must forgive us for we care not what we do
I got those can't stop crying, dishes flying PMS blues
But you know we can't help it We don't even know the cause
But as soon as this part's over, then comes the menopause
Oh, Lord... Oh, Lord...
We're going to always be a heap of fun
Like the devil Taking over my body, suffering, suffering, suffering
Everybody's suffering, huh?
But a woman had to write this song, a man would be scared to
Lest he be called a chauvinist or just fall victim to Those.... PMS blues!!!
You know we'd kill for less than that PMS blues!!!!
You don't want to cross my path Cause a pitbull Ain't no match
For these teeth a clenchin', Fluid Retention, Head a swellin',
can't stop yellin' Got noPatience, I'm so hateful PMS blues,
premenstrual syndrome Got those moods a swingin', tears a slingin'
Nothin' fits me when it hits me Rantin', ravin', misbehavin' PMS blues!!!!
It's the only time in my life I ever think about wishing I'd been a man
But you know that only means one thing If I'd have been a man,
I'd be somewhere right this very minute With some old cranky, naggin', raggin' hateful woman With those old... PMS blues... PMS blues
I don't want to talk about it, we both could do without it
Got those treat your kids bad, don't you talk back, Gone ballistic, unrealistic
Awful lowdown, bitch to be around... PMS blues!!!
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Caution ~ Very Scary Pictures!
Friday, April 28, 2006
The Last of the Disney Photos
This photo was taken at a show called "Phantasmic" or maybe it is "Fantasmic"; anyway, it takes place at MGM and is a really entertaining show with something for every age. There is a mountainous area with a stage in front, and they have a running theme with Pocahontas and John Smith, Mickey Mouse and a lot of the other characters all mixed in together, plus a dragon.
At the end, there are fireworks and a water show like the one at Bellagio in Vegas, although not as large.
During the last day we were there, we rented a motorized cart so I wouldn't have to walk as much as I did on the first day (9am to 6pm). Any person in a wheel chair or motorized cart gets seated first at most shows, and all the people in your party are seated with you as well. There are definite perks to that! At this show, we were seated at the top rear of the amphitheatre. Right next to me there was a boy of around 12 in a wheel chair, accompanied by his parents. The boy obviously had cerebral palsy, or something similar. He could barely do more than smile and drool, and I watched his father wipe his chin so sweetly and smile back. He would prompt the boy to look at something on the stage, all with the most obvious love and devotion. Most people would say that the boy was very unlucky to have that affliction, but I saw something different. I saw the level of love that the father had for the boy, and how much he wanted the boy to see and enjoy the show. I thought to myself how very lucky the boy was to have his dad and how lucky they were to have each other. I believe that when a child is born handicapped (or I think it is now called "differently-abled") that there are karmic lessons to be learned by the family and that this child and his presence within the family affords them the opportunities to learn the lessons they need. It appeared to me that they have all done well. I learned a lesson too, that day.
Rockin' Roller Coaster
This photo is from the front of the plaza where you enter this roller coaster; pronounced by my family as GREAT! My duty was to sit with the 2 younger girls while the boys and their mom and aunt went on the ride. It was a balmy night (after a thunderous rainstorm earlier) and we enjoyed people-watching for a while.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Your Mother's Kitchen?
At the MGM Theme Park in Orlando, there is a restaurant called "Prime Time, which is decorated to look like a mother's kitchen in the 1950's.There are old TV sets in every corner, playing sit-coms and bits from the old Michey Mouse Club, and on every wall the shelf, there are pieces of nostalgia such as old appliances, knick-knacks and photos from back in the day. They are a lot of fun for older people who remember them, and entertaining for the children. The tables are all Formica and the chairs are chrome tubing, with plastic upholstery and nail heads.
The waitresses wear old-fashioned uniforms, and they talk to you as if they were your mom, saying such things as..."Get those elbows off the table", "If you don't clean your plate, you can't have dessert" and if they overhear a child telling something on a sibling, they will holler..."Tattletale!!", and enlist the help of nearby diners to join them in shouting and pointing. Most of their statements are delivered in a voice guaranteed to carry-over to the next room, if not the next building!
They serve a menu of old-fashioned, home-style foods, such as meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, or macaroni and cheese, or pot roast (which is said to be delicious). One grandson had fried chicken and pronounced it wonderful, the other ate all the shrimp out of a platter of shrimp pasta (and drew the attention of the waitress, who told him he couldn't have dessert). For dessert, the rest of us ordered "S'mores", which taste like the ones you used to make over a campfire.
I only took one photo, but most of the rooms looked similar to ours. If you are in that area, I heartily recommend this place!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Overindulgence
In the last post, about shopping and indulging children, Millie left a comment that set me to thinking:
" What I wonder about is when the kids get a little older, what is going to make them happy. They have already had all the things it took a lifetime for us elders to earn by a lot of hard work."
That is the same thing I said many years ago when I saw a young woman who was my age at the time. Mr. Kenju and I were attending a wedding in Greenwich, Connecticut, of one of his college classmates. As we were standing in the reception line, several young women entered the country club in fur coats, each one more exquisite than the last. I no longer subscribe to the theory that it is okay to wear furs - but I was not against it then. One of the women had on a full-length chinchilla coat that was so gorgeous I couldn't take my eyes off it. Another classmate told me that she had worn a full-length sable coat the night before to the rehearsal dinner. I could only think, "What on earth does she have to look forward to if she has all this at the age of 23??!!" I realized that the coats could well have belonged to her mother, but even so, she had access to them and not many of us can say that. My mom had a mink stole (like nearly every woman in the 40's) but I would not have been caught dead in it.
What are we teaching children when we indulge them so deeply at a tender age? They are learning that if they want something badly enough, mommy or daddy will wave a credit card and get it for them. That breeds a generation or more of people who believe in the buy now - pay later theory, which leads to the shows I have seen on Oprah recently called "The Debt Diet", and the things that Suze Orman preaches on her show. We all need to learn fiscal responsibility and how to curb tendencies toward overindulging. How do you accomplish this?
Changing Priorities.....
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
There's a Word for It ?
"Oniomania is another word for the urge to shop till you drop, habit of the debit, thrill of the bill. According to a pearl of ancient wisdom, we don't acquire things, things acquire us. In the case of oniomaniacs, it is perhaps the fun of acquiring things that acquires them."
This definition came to me from Wordsmith, an online "word-of-the-day" subscription service.
I didn't know there was a "formal" word for non-stop shopping until I read this. I have had a few friends who were guilty of it - and I have been known to burn up a credit card or two - but not for many years. Shopping is fun as long as you have the money to pay for your purchases, but sooner or later you realize that buying things does not automatically purchase happiness. Take children for example; I watched two of my granddaughters flit from shelf to shelf in a store at Downtown Disney. They wanted everything, and could not make a decision until they were forced to by lack of time. I am fairly certain that the items they purchased will bore them almost immediately.
Speaking of the ridiculous: there is an area in the Disney Store called the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I would have shown the brochure if my scanner hadn't died. Here is the copy on it:
"The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is dedicated to every True Princess who ever dreamed her sneakers were glass slippers and to girls who believe it's better to twirl than walk, sing than talk and that everything goes better with sparkles. For now, she wants her own Fairy Godmother, a little sprinkling of fairy dust, and the glamourous attention every Real Disney Princess deserves. You supply the dream and we'll suply the style and magic to help you make your fairy-tale dreams come true.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Menu of Services~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coach Makeover......$35.00 Choice of one hair style and makeup.
Crown Makeover......$45.00 Choice of one hair style, makeup, and nails.
Castle Makeover......Starting at $175.00......Crown makeover, plus your choice of child's Princess costume with accessories and a Princess Photo Shoot including an imaging package. Guests must be at least 3 years of age. All prices are before tax and subject to change.........."
Am I wrong? Or am I just a tightwad? I cannot imagine spending that much money on a child of 3-4-5, or even 10, for something that may last 3 hours. You wouldn't believe how many children we saw come out of that salon with full costume, hair, make-up and nails; even some as young as three. There was even one family with two little girls who had the full treatment. That's $350 minimum, people, without tax! It boggles my mind, especially since the parents didn't look as though they came by the money easily. I know it is wrong to judge them (and they could be independently wealthy) but at that indulgence rate - they won't have much left for college, will they?
Monday, April 24, 2006
Disney Flora and Fauna
Most of my photos didn't turn out as well as I had hoped; but here are a few to start. The top one is a "quilt" of flowers near the entrance to Epcot, which was the first park we saw. I had been there before (about 6-7 years ago) but the place has had some things added since then, making it more interesting than before. We were standing on a bridge over the water, and the "islands" of flowers dot the whole lake. It is a feast for the eyes, as is everything at Disney World.In the second photo, I was trying to show a clump of deep purple water lilies, which are next to the large clump of spiky foliage toward the right. Too bad it doesn't show up well. They were exquisite! The floral dragon was great also (on the left). Foliages grew out of his mouth, and out of the top of his head and formed his body. The creativity and maintenance is mind-boggling.
The third photo shows part of a miniature village, which I think was near the German section of Epcot. It was charming, and the children enjoyed it as much as the adults.
The fourth pic shows Minnie and Mickey Mouse in topiary form. There are topiaries all over the parks, and most of them are amazing. Like all the other flora at the parks, they are kept perfectly manicured.
In the past, I have heard some adults say that they would never go to Disney World because childish things don't interest them. Let me assure you that there is something for every age person to see and appreciate.
Animal Kingdom
In this photo, I was trying to show the lions on the rocks. I hope when you click on them, you can see better. In the Animal Kingdom, you ride large vehicles that look like safari jeeps, and you drive through the "African Savannah" to spot many animals, such as Thompson's gazelles, cattle, rhinos, hippos, tigers, elephants, etc. I was trying to shoot pics in a moving vehicle, one that was pitching and weaving all the time.I was unhappy when I saw the outcome of the second pic, as it was a precious scene of two baby elephants about to take a bath (or so the guide said). Here, it looks like there was only one, but there was a smaller one in front of the slightly older one.
The tiger was viewed from behind a window of very thick glass (for which I was thankful) thus the reflections, which were unavoidable. This was the first time I had seen a live tiger so closely, and it was a humbling experience. He was magnificent even while reclining, and his fur was so beautiful. His feet were massive, and his tail was so big it looked as though it could be used for a whip. I was sorry not to see his face, but he never looked in our direction.
The last photo is of some type of cattle, lying under a tree in the grass. He is just to the right of the large tree in the middle of the pic.As you can see, Animal Kingdom is laid out as closely to the natural habitat of all the animals as possible. While we were there, the temperatures hovered around 90* each day, so I am sure the animals felt right at home.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
There's No Place Like Home!
DisneyWorld is fabulous, but there is truly no place like home. I am tired from the trip and I will need time to collect my thoughts and download some photos before I tell you about it. I had an excellent time and enjoyed myself very much. But a 12 1/2 hour car trip with four children who are tired and over-stimulated is no picnic.
We arrived at my daughter's home last night and fell into bed as soon as possible. This morning, I expected my daughter to drive me and her sister back home, but I got a fabulous surprise: the keys to a newish van! Can you tell champagne is my new favorite color? I was flabbergasted, blown away, moved to great sobbing tears and generally surprised all to heck! Never have I been more grateful for a gift, nor more surprised by one. Thanks, Baby, from the bottom of my heart.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Mom, Are We There Yet?
Want to take bets on how many times I heard that since we left home? I am at my daughter's house now, and I will be home tomorrow; exhausted and determined NEVER to repeat the experiences of the past few days. More to come.......
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Blog Break!
As some of you know, I will be gone from today through next weekend, so there will be no posts for a while. Have a great week and when I return, I may have some good pics to show you. Or I might need to have a padded room for a spell. One week in the company of four kids under the age of 12 may just do me in for good. I shall miss you!
And now I leave you with some food for thought:
". . don't get mad and don't cuss a body out mentally or in voice. This brings more poisons than may be created by even taking foods that aren't good. "
(From the Edgar Cayce Readings)
Guess What I Got to See?
Tonight on PBS, the program "Nature" had a show about giraffes. Lynn Sherr was the host of it; apparently she is enamoured of them and has been going to Africa to see them for many years. My knowledge of giraffes is limited to a few documentaries and National Geographic shows about all African veldt and savanna animals. I never knew they could be SO interesting!
They showed a baby giraffe being born in a zoo setting. The momma giraffe was in active labor for 3 1/2 hours and then she dropped the baby out from a standing position. The zookeepers put a lot of sand on the floor of the birthing area which is supposed to cushion the fall of the newborn, but this momma happened to be standing at the edge of the sand, so the baby took quite a hard fall onto concrete. She rallied, though, and within a short time she was standing up and walking around, though still endearingly wobbly. If this program is shown again, do yourself a great favor and watch!
Mr. Kenju Regrets...........
In the last post, I mentioned Mr. Kenju's Pipe and Cigar Expo. He said I got a few things wrong; such as, it has been going on for 9 years, not 5 or 6. He also wanted me to tell you that the smoke doesn't hang in the air because the building they use now has huge exhaust fans that carry the smoke outside.
Mr. Kenju is slightly touchy about the Pipe and Cigar Expo; it is his "baby". I should have known better......LOL!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Sunday Seven
Well, why not? If you can do Thursday Thirteen, I can start Sunday Seven, can't I? LOL
1. I just watched a movie titled "The Upside of Anger", with Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Alicia Witt, Kerrie somebody and Evan Rachel Wood (who is from my city). It has a fairly interesting ending and for me, it was worth all the angst and anger in the movie. If you have HBO, and a few hours to spare, check it out.
2. Thanks to everyone who comments here, and especially for your caring and thoughtful messages to my post about the quandary. My friend said almost exactly what you guys advised; she will need me far more in a month than she will for the funeral. We have made plans to be together ASAP, and I feel good about the decision to go on spring break.
3. We are having a heat wave again. It was 88* today by the thermometer at my kitchen window. I would lots rather be hot than cold, but it is too early in the spring for all that heat, especially since we are in a drought as well. Let's all ask Mother Nature to back off for a while, okay? I know that you guys in TN and IN (and wherever else the tornadoes struck) would agree with that!
4. Mr. kenju's pipe club is having their annual pipe and cigar expo at the fairgrounds next weekend. They started the expo 5-6 years ago at a hotel, but they were sort of asked not to come back due to the complaints they got from guests about all the smoke. They went through 3-4 different hotels and finally ended up at the state fairgrounds. You can imagine how bad the smoke is if upwards of 200 men are smoking almost constantly, at any given time. I went to the first expo and had to leave after 30 minutes because the smoke was hanging in the air like a blue haze. The smog in LA is not that bad! The next morning, I could have drawn the outline of my lungs on my body with a magic marker; that's how badly they hurt. How much damage is that doing to all the people who go to the expo and stay there for hours? I don't even want to think about it.
5. My good friend here in Raleigh has been so busy for the last 2-3 months that we have hardly been able to get together. We swap books, go out to lunch, see movies our husbands would never attend and that has all been in short supply lately. I miss her, and now she is planning a trip to Italy for later in the spring. I am ecstatic for her - but sad that I will have so little time with her until the summer.
1. I just watched a movie titled "The Upside of Anger", with Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Alicia Witt, Kerrie somebody and Evan Rachel Wood (who is from my city). It has a fairly interesting ending and for me, it was worth all the angst and anger in the movie. If you have HBO, and a few hours to spare, check it out.
2. Thanks to everyone who comments here, and especially for your caring and thoughtful messages to my post about the quandary. My friend said almost exactly what you guys advised; she will need me far more in a month than she will for the funeral. We have made plans to be together ASAP, and I feel good about the decision to go on spring break.
3. We are having a heat wave again. It was 88* today by the thermometer at my kitchen window. I would lots rather be hot than cold, but it is too early in the spring for all that heat, especially since we are in a drought as well. Let's all ask Mother Nature to back off for a while, okay? I know that you guys in TN and IN (and wherever else the tornadoes struck) would agree with that!
4. Mr. kenju's pipe club is having their annual pipe and cigar expo at the fairgrounds next weekend. They started the expo 5-6 years ago at a hotel, but they were sort of asked not to come back due to the complaints they got from guests about all the smoke. They went through 3-4 different hotels and finally ended up at the state fairgrounds. You can imagine how bad the smoke is if upwards of 200 men are smoking almost constantly, at any given time. I went to the first expo and had to leave after 30 minutes because the smoke was hanging in the air like a blue haze. The smog in LA is not that bad! The next morning, I could have drawn the outline of my lungs on my body with a magic marker; that's how badly they hurt. How much damage is that doing to all the people who go to the expo and stay there for hours? I don't even want to think about it.
5. My good friend here in Raleigh has been so busy for the last 2-3 months that we have hardly been able to get together. We swap books, go out to lunch, see movies our husbands would never attend and that has all been in short supply lately. I miss her, and now she is planning a trip to Italy for later in the spring. I am ecstatic for her - but sad that I will have so little time with her until the summer.
6. Do you play the lottery? NC just got the lotto at the end of March, and already I can see how people can get addicted to it. I have only bought one ticket so far, and I have set a limit of no more than 1 per week (or less). But oh, Lord, how I would have liked to be one of the 3 or 4 people who bought a $5 card, scratched it off, and discovered they had won $100K!
They were able to take home about $68K, after taxes. I could surely put that to good use.
7. Lastly, I sincerely hope that all of you have a good Easter weekend, whether you are Christian, Pagan, Muslim or Jewish (Do you say have a good Passover?), and that you get to spend it with people you care about. Take care and be good to yourselves.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Happy Easter, Everyone!
Everything I Need To Know I Learned From The Easter Bunny
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There's no such thing as too much candy.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans.
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare.
To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey!
~Author Unknown~
I Am in a Quandary!
Edit below!I have had a wonderful friend since I was fourteen, when we moved next door to her family. There is a post about them somewhere, but I can't find it. I just got word that her husband died yesterday.
Ever since I started my wedding flower business I have played in my mind how I would handle it if I ever had a family or good friend's funeral (out of town) when I also had a wedding to do. Luckily, when my parents died, it was not an issue, but I have had to miss other family funerals due to work - and people usually understand. This time is a little different; I am due to leave here Monday with my daughter and her four children for their spring-break vacation. She needs help with the kids, of course. Taking four kids under the age of 12 away for a week is hard for two people, let alone one.
Deep sadness pervades me.....what to do?...what to do? They have not made all the arrangements for the service yet, but it will probably be held on Tuesday. The location is 330 miles in the opposite direction to our trip, so I can't just stop off on the way or make a small detour. Time, distance and money are in short supply. I know that when I am able to speak to her about it, she will tell me to go on the trip and not worry about it. She has a large extended family who will all be in attendence, so it isn't as though she needs me. Yet, I feel so down and out. Any advice?
Thanks to all of you who have given excellent and caring advice. I just spoke with my friend, and she agrees with most of you that I will be far more valuable to her in 4-5-6 weeks than I would be now. Her exact words were, "Don't give it another thought. I would prefer to see you when we have more quality time together than now, when I will be so busy with family and local friends." I feel better about my decision now, and I do thank you for your help and comments.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Me!
Here are photos of the tulips my neighbor gave me. The blue vase is about 8" tall and the green one is 6" tall. That will help to give you some idea of how big the tulip heads are.The green vase is sitting on my kitchen table, and you get to see our horribly out-of-date wallpaper and old-fashioned wainscoting. The whole kitchen needs an extreme makeover, but the only way that is going to get done is if ABC decides to reward me for being such an inveterate viewer! Oh, maybe one of you will nominate my kitchen for Oprah's "worst kitchen in America" contest. Then I'd get one of those hunky carpenters to change it all for free!!See the round bowl hanging on the wall? That is my first baby bowl; it has the alphabet painted around the inside rim. (and of course you realize it is nearly an antique!)
The other photo is in my living room; a quarter turn to the right from the table in front of the windows, which you saw in a previous photo. The color is off a bit, since the walls are buttercream yellow in real life, and here they look like they have a greenish tint. If I tweak the colors to look more realistic, it changes the color of the tulips too much.
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
but I did say I'd show you the rest of the irises when they bloomed.
The blooms are heavy, so at least 5-6 stems of them have fallen over and are laying on the azaleas behind them.
Yesterday, my neighbor called and asked me to come over and see her yard. It is a showplace, and should be in a magazine. I would estimate at least 500 tulips in full bloom over there, and such blooms we have seldom seen outside of Holland! They are huge blossoms (about 3 1/2-4") and they stand about 2 feet tall. She gave me an armload of them, and now their orange and yellow blooms grace my living room and kitchen. It is too bad I didn't get to take a photo of them for you. I'll have to do that next year. Tomorrow, their tulips (which are only beginning to show signs of aging) will be ripped out of the soil and replaced with something just entering its prime (usually begonias). It is nice to live near such beautiful displays, but it puts a lot of pressure on a non-gardener, like I am!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
That Maxine........
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
I'm Out.....
out of ideas for blogging, so I'll show you a photo of a table in my living room, and how I was able to use 2 antique pieces of fabric to good advantage.I didn't have a tablecloth long enough to cover this table to the floor, which it needed in this location. I remembered I had the crocheted piece which my aunt had given me, which is really a cover for a four-poster bed. I can't remember the name of that right now. The lace piece is really too large, but I was able to puddle it up on the back side and it doesn't show.
It needed an overlay, and I didn't have that either - or so I thought - until I remembered the old green, embroidered portiere that had belonged to my mom. It has wonderful tassels on the bottom, and a pretty embroidered floral garland and scroll. Even though it is asymetrical, I think it looks pretty good. BTW: a portiere is a curtain which hangs across a doorway.
The raspberry pink glass you see is actually a lampshade for an antique lamp (also mom's), but the lamp is hidden behind the pedestal on which the ivy plant sits. The green glass piece to the left is an old tobacco humidor and the tray on top is painted Toleware, made by my aunt in the 60's. My aunt became a regular Grandma Moses when it came to painting Toleware. Someday I'll show you my collection of her stuff.
The glassware in the window sills is part of my mom's collection of Blenko and Fostoria from WV. As a teenager, my Saturday duty was to dust the main areas of our house. I used to complain terribly about having to dust all the knick knacks, especially the glassware. But you see where it ended up, don't you? I have some in nearly every window of my home. It just goes to show you, we all turn into our mothers whether we want to or not.
Monday, April 10, 2006
What a Bargain Grandchildren Are!
I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure.
My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too.
An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly.
Welsh Proverb: Perfect love sometimes does not come until the firstgrandchild
Gore Vidal: Never have children, only grandchildren.
Ogden Nash: When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window.
Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.~Lois Wyse
If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first.~Henry Youngman
My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't need glasses . Drinks right out of the bottle.~Mary H. Waldrip
Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.~Proverb
You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to yourgrandmother.~Dave Barry
The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to themf or long periods,which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.~Alex Haley
Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.~Joy Hargrove
One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather.~G. Norman Collie
Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's theknowledge that he's married to a grandmother.~Authors Unknown
Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love. Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren.
Grandmothers are just antique little girls. It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one.
A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside. Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Pink Dogwood and Birthdays Galore!
We went to my daughter's home today, to celebrate four of our grandchildren's birthdays; the oldest turned 12 at the end of March, the twins are 10 today and another granddaughter turns 8 next Sunday.The pink dogwood, which is really more red than pink, was growing in her yard, along with 4-5 gorgeous white ones.
It seems odd to have so many family birthdays clumped together like that, but it is really nice. We can all get together to celebrate and, as the saying goes, kill 4 birds with one stone. All the children seemed pleased with their presents; one of them said this was his "best birthday ever", since he got all the presents he asked for - and then some. One of the girls got a gift of sea monkeys, which she wanted to set-up immediately, and when that was discouraged in favor of waiting until after lunch, she was more than a little ticked off. Someone always is, it seems. She was mollified by her ice cream cake, though!
All in all, it was a nice day, spent in the company of all three of my children and two spouses, and all six bio grandchildren; with excellent food and great iced tea. Considering the sobering news of last week, it was a special time, and helped me to focus on something other than myself - which is always desirable. I hope you had a special weekend too!
Friday, April 07, 2006
You Need to Stop!
You really need to stop right now. I started smoking when I was 15 years old. I wrote about it before; it is in the archives somewhere. I also wrote about quitting smoking, and how it was the best thing I have ever done for myself (and my family). I wrote about how hard it was to quit; how I would prefer to have a baby or a root canal without anesthesia than to have to go through that again.
I am really proud of myself for quitting. I have proven over the years to be a fairly addictive person, and quitting smoking is harder than most anything. Since I quit 27 years ago, I believed what the info always tells you: that after five years, your lungs are back to the condition they were in before you started smoking. Some of the info even says that your lungs are stronger after you quit than they were before you started. I believed it, I wanted to believe it, it made me even more proud of quitting. Finally, I was going to be healthy!
I learned today that I didn't quit soon enough. I have "a touch" of emphysema. That is the way the doctor described it. I have much to learn about the disease, the symptoms and what to expect. Googling it helps the educative process, but it doesn't answer all the questions. It is part of what doctors call COPD - or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is what my adoptive dad died from (he was a smoker). My birth father died from lung cancer (he was a smoker). For the last 20+ years, I have not lived in a home with a smoker, nor have I been subjected to smoke at work. Mr. Kenju smokes a pipe, but rarely, and he does not do it in the house.
If you are a smoker, young, old or in-between, won't you please stop smoking NOW? Do it before you develop COPD or chronic bronchitis or emphysema. The power is in your hands. Do yourself and your family - especially your children - a BIG favor. Quit while you are ahead, and pray that you have done it soon enough. Please.
They are Going to Thailand......
I just saw a woman with whom I worked at the flower shop downtown on Valentine's Day. She was very nice and a super salesman; so bright and perky with the customers that she put them all in a good mood. I know that she must have singlehandedly increased the revenue at the shop during the course of the week.
When I saw her in the grocery today, I didn't recognize her; with hair pulled back and no makeup at all. She approached me with "Don't we know each other?" and I said "You do look familiar to me, but I can't remember where. Did I do your wedding flowers?" She said "No, we worked together at the shop downtown".
We chatted for a while and she mentioned that she and her husband were leaving for Thailand in a short while. I told her to have fun on her trip, and she said they were going for two years. Assuming they were going on business, I said what a wonderful opportunity this was. She said they had been living in India for 5 years and before that, they were in Australia for one year. She then said that they were missionaries and would be going there to witness to Muslims and other religious sects.
I am really in awe of anyone who attempts to convert Muslims to Christianity. It seems to me that pulling teeth from a live alligator without anesthesia or tools would be easier to accomplish! We have some friends here in our area whose daughter and son-in-law have recently gone to England for two years, for the same reason. I suppose that some people like the great challenge this presents, but I for one, want to do something that has slightly more possibility of success.
Plus, I have always been of the opinion that a person's religious beliefs deserve respect, and attempting to get them to change to another religion belies that, at least for me it does. It may be different if the person you are trying to convert is not wholeheartedly into his or her religion, and has questions about yours. But to preach one religion to a person who is strong in her/her beliefs strikes me as being self-righteous and presumptous.
Plus, I have always been of the opinion that a person's religious beliefs deserve respect, and attempting to get them to change to another religion belies that, at least for me it does. It may be different if the person you are trying to convert is not wholeheartedly into his or her religion, and has questions about yours. But to preach one religion to a person who is strong in her/her beliefs strikes me as being self-righteous and presumptous.
Witnessing, or sharing how a particular religion or it's representative (Allah, Jesus, Buddha, etc.) has helped you in your life is different, however, as long as you don't preach that this is the only way.
How do you feel about this?
Sorry, but
I'm working today, kiddies, so no update until tonight. Have a great day!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Levaquin - Boon or Bane?
While I was sick with the flu and a sinus infection, my doc prescribed Levaquin. I was not familiar with this antibiotic, but I read the patient info sheet that came with the prescription and thought I had all needed info about it. I did note that joint pain was one of the possible side effects, but it was far down on the list.
After 5 days worth (1 pill per day), I began to experience joint pain, in my shoulders, wrists, hands, back and hips. It got worse as the days wore on. After the 10 day run of the prescription, I expected the joint pain to subside. I have not had any of that medication since March 19th, but the pain lingers.
I just Googled that medication, only to find hundreds of complaints about it, chief among which is the severe joint pain. What have I learned about this episode? The next time a doc prescribes medication for me, I will Google it before I purchase the prescription!
Addendum: I should say that I was able to tolerate this Rx better than any other I have had in the past 6-8 years; there was no abdominal upset (caused by the Rx) as there usually is for me.
The iris are blooming!
This is the first bloom; there are actually about 5-6 of them open now, but I couldn't get tham all in the photo without losing detail. An old neighbor gave me these irises about 25 years ago and I planted them at our old house. When we moved 2 years later, I brought some of them with me. At first, they were blues and purples and so large as to look like cattleya orchids. As the years went on, they got lighter and lighter in color and the heads became smaller and smaller. I have divided them 3-4 times in the last 23 years (I know it should be done more often). Every now and then, one of them reverts back to normal color; I never know when I am going to have a pretty lavender-blue or purple iris popping out instead of the white. I like that!
The flowers to the left are the blooms of money plant. It will form it's "money" in the fall, and I will show you how that looks when the time comes.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
A Bloomin' Paradise - Redux
Last April 13th, I posted this, but without photos, since I was not equipped to put them on the blog back then. I promised some of you to post photos of wisteria - and here they are - along with the re-post from 4-13-05. It is really too bad that I cannot infuse this photo with the aroma of wisteria. It is intoxicating!These vines grow on trees behind a local gas station/convenience store, which I pass often in my daily travels. Believe me when I say that the only time of the year when this place is beautiful is now, when the wisteria is blooming!
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Spring in our area is as near to paradise as I can imagine. First the Bradford pear trees bloom and then drop their petals like snow flurries in the wind, while forsythia spreads yellow cheer as bright as sunshine. Then redbuds, dogwoods and azaleas all bloom at about the same time, and just as the daffodils are fading, the tulips open in a blaze of glory.
For the last 10 days or so, the wisteria vines have been coming on strong. Wisteria does not grow where I grew up, so the first time I saw the real thing was after moving to NC. I have been captivated by it, however, since I was in college and bought an art print of a wisteria branch by a Japanese artist. The art print surely pales in comparison to the real vine, which is God's gift to human eyes. The lavender/purple blossoms dangle lazily and sensually from arching and twisted vines, swaying in the wind, almost capable of hypnotizing the viewer. The ironic thing about wisteria is that it will overtake and kill anything which it finds to support its weight, sort of like kudzu vines. I can forgive wisteria anything, since it is so beautiful, but kudzu be damned for its saphrophytic nature!
SO....
here I sit, all ready to scan a few more pieces of sheet music into the computer for you - and my computer says I have NO scanner. Unbelieveable! I have tried 3 times to re-install the software and it always fails, for some odd reason. I suppose it could be related to the fact that due to some electrical problems and also lightning storms, the computer has been turned off twice, rather abruptly, in the last 2 days.
I followed the directions to the letter; unplugged the scanner first and inserted the installation CD. But it doesn't want to work for me, because parts of the installation fail every time. The troubleshooting page isn't much help either. Maybe it will self-heal in the next few days. That sometimes happens. We can hope, can't we?
You have experienced droughts, haven't you? I am not referring to a water drought (although we have that too), I mean the one where you cannot think of a single thing to write about? That has been me for the last 3 weeks; hence the photos of spring and the never-ending sheet music. Maybe my muse will come back to me soon. We can hope, can't we?
Monday, April 03, 2006
More Signs of Spring - 2
The one dogwood tree we have left on our property. When we moved here, we had 5-6 dogwoods, all of them tall and lush. There has been a dogwood blight in the past 10 years or so, and now we are down to one, which is small and puny. The drought we are having does not help. We are 5-6" below normal here. The last of my three forsythias to bloom. Each year they bloom about 2 weeks apart, which is nice because I can have cut forsythia at home for much longer than usual. In a few days, this one will drop it's yellow blooms and start to grow leaves. 
The iris buds are forming and will soon be in full bloom. They are interspersed with money plant, which blooms a purpley-magenta. When the irises come out, it is a sight to behold!I'll take another pic when the irises are out.
I have azaleas in this bed too, but they are confused, and they bloom in August, not April, when they are supposed to. What's up with that??
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Signs of Spring
I am so sorry little bird, I really didn't mean to uncover your nest and take away it's moorings. A lamp post off our back deck has become totally overrun by old ivy in the last 2-3 years, and this was the week I decided to remove it all. Little did I know that this nest was resident among the topmost parts, and I had nearly destroyed it before I realized it was there. Too late, I saw a third egg fall from the nest into the masses of ivy below.
We have to admire her sense of style, don't we? Who among us would think of using silver tinsel from old Christmas trees to decorate our nests?
(There are two more photos below this one.)
Let me out, Mom!
It's way too pretty outside to be cooped up in here!
More Signs of Spring....
Violets follow the daffodils and tulips in this small rock flower bed. It also had grape hyacinths, but the local deer must regard them as a delicacy, since they ate every one!
First the tide rushes in....
Copyrighted in 1953, Ebb Tide was an extremely popular song for decades. Written by Frank Chacksfield, an English band leader. There is an interesting article about him at:
http://www.battle-abbey.co.uk/frank.htm
Hot toddy sure makes a body feel mighty nice......
Ralph Flanagan was born on April 7, 1919, in Loraine, Ohio. Read his biography at
http://www.bigbandlibrary.com/ralphflanagan.html
Saturday, April 01, 2006
....sand dunes amd salty air.....
This one was very popular in 1956, when it was copyrighted by Pincus and Sons Music Corp. Patti Page was a guest on all the variety TV shows of the day and she recorded a few of the best known songs of the late 50's.
Wasn't she pretty? Known in the 50's as Miss Patti Page, the Singing Rage; see how she looks today at:
http://www.misspattipage.com
She is still a pretty woman. Some of her big hits were "The Tennessee Waltz", "Cross Over the Bridge" and "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?"
Mama's Little Baby Loves.........
Copyrighted in 1928 and again in 1934, this song has been sung by thousands of mamas to their babies. "Mama's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin', mama's little baby loves short'nin' bread!"
This sheet music has value as a black collectible as well as historic value from the late 20's on.
You can read the lyrics and hear the tune here:
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/shortninbread.htm
NOTE: Can anyone tell me why links are no longer active when I put them into the blog? Or why you can't change the color of the print or justify anymore?
