Buddy Under The Tree 2009

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND
TO ALL A GOODNIGHT"

PS click on photo for larger version

Brrrrr

I know to some of you in the frozen North of the USA and far western climates the 13 degrees we are expecting tonight is just a balmy evening but to us in mid South it is colder than a well diggers *&^%%.

I got my full length fur coat out of storage and I may in fact break down and wear it if only to the grocery store. It is so heavy I dislike carrying around the weight but I suppose I will.

Some years back when we were living in Washington DC for 4 years ( my husband's job) I wore the coat everywhere. I would bundle up in it, put on my jogging shoes and go on long walks. One of my favorite destinations was the Kennedy Center where I would walk round and round outside the building which overlooked the sometimes frozen Potomac River.

We lived in the Watergate Apartments which was right next door to the Kennedy Center. That was a fun time in our lives. Interesting city and interesting events to attend. Looking back now it seems Washington was a kinder, gentler place than it is today.

I attended many exhibits at the National Gallery of Art, sometimes twice. The Matisse exhibit was one of my favorites.Colors so vivid and such childlike abandon in his painting style.

Washington was a fine walking town. Mostly level with wide boulevards. Many days I would walk all the way down to the Washington Monument, past the Lincoln memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. The Vietnam was to me the most hallowed ground.

Usually there were visitors placing flowers and notes and photos around the marble underneath a loved one's name etched in the black marble. Almost fifty five thousand names.

What a waste. And we are still at in in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When will we ever learn?

It will be cold here in Atlanta tonight. But not nearly as cold as it will be in Washington DC when a loved one gently touches a name on the cold, black marble.

I am thankful for

THANKSGIVING

We had such a good time today. Good food. Family. And Five dogs.

Yep that was not a typo .(and we live in a townhouse:) )

Buddy had lots of company for Thanksgiving.

First came daughter, son in law and 2 grandchildren and their three doggies.

Bella is a 6 year old Havanese. Ginger is Buddy's littler mate and a Cavalier Spaniel. Lucy is a rescue dog. Black and white and cute as a button. Combination Jack Russell and part Chihuahua. Then our son went back home and got his black lab. His two children were also here. His wife could not come as she had a bad stomach virus that is going through the elementary school where she teaches.

Our son made the delicious turkey at his house. He brined it and cooked it in the Big Green Egg. Absolutely wonderful. And it looked like one of those turkeys on a TV commercial. All brown and beautiful and shiny.

All in all it was a perfect day. Unusually warm for Thanksgiving. So balmy we sat outside on the porch after dinner. Talking. Laughing. Savoring the moment.

I AM THANKFUL FOR THANKSGIVING.

Missing Person

Oh God
The Library says I have not returned the book
But I know I did
I remember taking it back,
I only kept it for 3 days
It was a lousy book.
Why did I check out
Something
Called
"Mrs Stevens Hears The Mermaid Singing"
Even the title is dumb

I am obsessive about library books
I can't stand to be overdue
Even by a day.
It is not the dime a day
That bothers me.
But the shame of it.

And now this.
I know I returned "Mrs Stevens"
But even so
I searched high and low
For her.

The librarian said
"You continue looking
And we will look"
She even turned over
The book return
Just in case Mrs Stevens
Was stuck underneath.

I finally
Convinced her
Since I am a Regular
Patron
Of 7 years duration

To take Mrs Stevens
Off my record

And just
List her as

MISSING

Done

Here I am almost 81 years old and I have a new computer system, a MAC, and I am slowly getting used to it.

From everything I have read it seems that learning something new helps to keep our minds active as we age.

Well, since last Thursday when Mac arrived in our home my mind has been extremely active learning the different system. I had been using IE for the last 13 years, as long as I have been fooling around with a computer. But I am doing OK with Mac.

It will just take some getting acquainted and patience on both our parts.

Buddy seems to like Mac ok. He especially enjoyed all the attention we got with son, son in law, daughter, 14 year old grandson and 12 year old grandson all arriving to help me.

In my computer/guest room it felt like a "family reunion" during the set up and learning process.:)

Buddy and I enjoyed the attention.

Thanks for all your advice and input. I am just glad to have the decision behind me as I tend to over think choices.

Cheers

NEED ADVICE

:(

Rats. not again !!!!

I have to get a new computer...Darn it...

It just up and died on me...Not my fault. I took good care of it. Watered it regularly. Dusted it and talked sweet to it.

But regardless of my caring it just conked out.

Now what shall I do?

My daughter and son in law say "GET AN APPLE...A MAC"

My son who is my IT go to guy says "Pros and cons for PC or MAC"

"Can you justify the added cost of the MAC ??"

"THE MAC is supposed to be virus free and therefore last longer trouble free."

(this is my 2ND or 3rd PC in 7 years)

WHAT DO YOU THINK
?

PS: I am using hubby's computer for now.Short term

VOTE

REMEMBER TO VOTE TODAY

AND THIS QUOTE I SAW ON RONNI BENNETT'S BLOG "TIME GOES BY"

"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.”

- William E. Simon

TRICK OR TREAT

HERE
HAVE A TREAT

Western Union

I had a humorous experience with Western Union back in the '60's
A friend of mine entered the Pilsbury Bake Off Contest. Her recipe was for "Batter-Up Beef Pie" made with canned Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Pilsbury flour and so on.

She had my husband and I over to taste test it and it was not bad but we did not think she had a chance of winning.

Lo and behold Caroline did win the regional bake off and won a trip to Los angeles for the nation wide "Bake-Off. We were frankly surprised. One reason being Caroline looked like Eva Gabor and was very glamorous. Not your typical picture of a bake off winner.

The day of the Bake Off, we sent Caroline a dozen roses and a telegram saying:"Everything's coming up roses. Good luck.

"The next day, after losing the Bake Off, Caroline called Western Union to reply and said:"Roses dead. So is Stew"

The shocked Western Union Operator interrupted and said:"Oh I am so sorry. How did they die?"

(Easier to communicate in writing than over the telephone :))

Caroline did win a new stove and the trip to LA.....


Addendum:

Cassie B asked about the recipe. It was called "Batterup Beef Pie". I searched and this must be it or similar.


BATTERUP BEEF PIE

1/4 c. butter
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. grated cheese
1 tbsp. instant onion
1 tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 lb. can beef stew (Dinty Moore)

Melt butter in 8 inch square baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients except stew in mixing bowl. Stir until blended. Pour over melted butter. Pour stew over batter. Do not stir. Bake for 60-65 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes a serving for 6.

Autumn

My favorite season of the year.
Cool. Crisp. Delightful.
Leaves turning brilliant colors.
Little ones thinking of Halloween.
Trick or treat.
Pumpkins.
Football for the guys to watch.
Back to school for the kiddies.

Happy Halloween to all.

Food for thought ?

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes producing an anticlimax


Ø I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.


Ø Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.


Ø I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.


Ø Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.


Ø The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.


Ø Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.


Ø If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.


Ø We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.


Ø War does not determine who is right - only who is left.


Ø Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.


Ø The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.


Ø Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.


Ø To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.



A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.


Ø How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?


Ø Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.


Ø Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.


Ø I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks.


Ø A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.


Ø Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says"If an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR".


Ø I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.


Ø I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess"on it...so I said "Implants?"


Ø Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?


Ø Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.


Ø Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?


Ø Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.


Ø A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.


Ø You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.



Ø The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

Ø Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.


Ø A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.


Ø Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.


Ø Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.


Ø I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.


Ø Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.


Ø There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.


Ø I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.


Ø I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.


Ø When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.


Ø You're never too old to learn something stupid.


Ø To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.


Ø Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.


Ø Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.


Ø A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.


Ø Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

=

Insomnia ?

Last night I had a sleeping problem. I read for about an hour. Turned out the light at 11:30 PM was still awake at 12:30. I said "to heck with it" I will just read until I drop off to sleep. I did and my book fell out of my hands about 2PM. Had restless, unpleasant dreams until about 7AM.

I know, I know. The book I was reading, a Swedish murder mystery. "Sidetracked" by Henning Mankell is too stimulating. One of the best mysteries I have ever read.

"Mankell's third Detective Kurt Wallander mystery revolves around the veteran Swedish inspector's search for a savage serial killer who scalps his victims after delivering a fatal hatchet blow"

" Winner of Sweden's 1997 Best Crime Novel of the Year, this is another terrific offering from the talented Mankell"

This book is not nearly as gruesome as it sounds. Much of it is told from the police point of view as they race to stop the killer.

OK I know. Not exactly bedtime, relaxing reading but I am hooked and can't wait to finish this book and get the next Kurt Wallander mystery.


Oh well. I am still functioning today.

Please forgive me Buddy

The first photo of Buddy, the one with the yellow ribbon in his hair, Okay I know in that picture he looks like "Buddy Lou" :) My 9 year old granddaughter is responsible for the ribbon. She did it. We laughed and said he looked like a "Buddy Lou" and not our Buddy

The majestic pose in the beige doggie bed is too cute. Right? We were at Cosco one day and lo and behold there were the big dog beds for only $20.00. What a bargain!

Mr C said " Buddy will chew that bed up when we get it in the door. We bought it anyway. I worked with Buddy and so far he has only reclined in the bed and no chewing. (fingers still crossed as he is a chewer)

Enjoy the photos. :)

Here's Buddy

Hi All

I need to post a new photo of Buddy. I will soon.

He is 13 months old now and a grown boy. He is such a comfort and a sweet companion for us. Especially for me.

He knows many words and follows me around the house. When I say "Upstairs" he bounds up the stairs and helps me load the washer and dryer.

He and I like watching "The Dog Whisperer" in the afternoons. His second favorite TV show is "Curious George" George is a brown and white monkey but Buddy thinks he is a dog.:)

He is of course fully potty trained and he loves to play ball. He doesn't quite get the concept of "fetch" He wants me to throw and fetch. :)He runs to get the ball but then wants to keep it.

The almost year long training process,sometimes hectic, has been worth it.

He is a treasure.

Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day.

The old Bible

(I was browsing at our branch library's monthly book sale and an old Bible caught my eye. As I thumbed through it I came across photographs inside and wondered what stories this old book held.)





"The old Holy Bible lay in the bin marked religious at the library book sale. Abandoned. Black, soft sided, worn, well used and soiled. Inside was a small faded photograph. A snapshot, of an elderly white haired couple, evidently man and wife standing behind a table that was covered with a white lace tablecloth. She was holding a silver cake knife above a large white frosted cake. His hand was on hers lightly posed as if gently guiding the process. Her light pink polyester dress was graced with a white carnation corsage, Glasses on them both.Her head was covered with "just out of the beauty parlor grey ringlet curls. His light beige suit was topped off with a white shirt and blue patterned tie.

Smile, the person behind the camera had told them. Pretend it is 50 years ago when you two were youngsters and getting married. Smiling wanly the old couple realized how tired they were of all the folderol Opening the presents. etc . Her feet hurt. his eyes were stinging from the glare in the church hall windows.Who were all these people her daughters had invited in to celebrate the occasion. Distant cousins from Smyrna,Tennessee. Old relatives from South Georgia. Who are all these old people? If we know any of them I don't remember. My how they all have aged.

She grabed hold of Hiram's hand and whispered in his ear. "I love you sweetheart but it's time to go"

----------------- .

Oh my heavens. She spilled coffee on her Bible making an awful mess. Her hands are unsteady. She grabbed a box of Kleenex and started wiping up the wetness but the brown stain had seeped into the opening pages and along the sides. What kind of bad luck is that. Staining a Holy Book, even if by accident.

Suddenly she remembered the photographs and quickly flipped the pages to 1st Samuel. No, the coffee had not made it that far. No damage to their 50th anniversary picture either. Or the small 6th grade photo of grandson Jesse. That's a blessing in itself. She used the photos as bookmarks in her bible. A comfort to keep her loved ones close by.

These days the smallest blessings mean a lot. Living alone and isolated on the old farm seems to get harder and harder to take the older she gets. Her only companions are Junior the old yellow lab mix and Kitty the tabby cat . Animals are a comfort when the nights are cold and the wind whistles down the chimney causing the flames to flicker in the fireplace.

Staring into the yellow and blue flames she can almost see him looking back at her. Telling her not to worry. Everything will be all right. Hiram never meant to go first and leave her all alone but his heart just gave out that hot day in the fields when he overdid it. She had told him to watch out for heat exhaustion. He felt he was strong as an ox, even at 70 years old. But the blazing sun and his weak heart took him from her that long ago July day.

Now she feels like a half a pair of sissors. The rest of her went missing with him. They were so close. A team. After so many years of togetherness the void is unbearable.

But she remembers what the minister said at the funeral service. " Part of being a "good wife" is being a "good widow" If fate calls upon you to bear this sorrow then honor his name by remembering the good times and carrying on with grace and dignity the best you know how."

Sighing she arises slowly from the creaking old rocking chair. She says aloud.

"Time for bed now.
Goodnight dearest.
Goodnight Hiram."

(By Chancy)

What I Am Reading.

What I am reading now.

I just started the novel "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton who also wrote "The House At Riverton," her first novel.

I picked up this book at our library's "bag of books" sale. For $6.00 I can buy all the books I can stuff into a plastic grocery bag. By doing this I get some winners and some losers.

"The Forgotten Garden" is definitely a WINNER.

FROM AMAZON;

"A four-year-old girl waits alone on a dock in Australia for parents who never come. Her only possession? A tiny white suitcase containing no information about who she is or how she came to be abandoned.

Nell is a foundling, and what a rare foundling she is. A stow-away on an ocean liner, she refuses to tell even so much as her name. Until in her 60s, over-protected by a loving foster father, she has no clue how she came to be alone on that dock. Hers is the mystery that unfolds in this long novel spanning more than a century, five generations, and two distant continents"

I started reading this book and got a good head start during my prep for the colonoscopy that I had yesterday. I won't go into details about the prep but I will just say I spent 4 hours on the john and tried to read most of the time. The procedure went fine and nothing new to report. If you have ever had this colonoscopy you know the prep is worse than the procedure.

OK. Back to the "The Forgotten Garden" it IS long. about 500 pages. but interesting. One of the clues to young Nell's real heritage is a book of illustrated fairy tales that is in the little white suitcase;the only belonging 4 year old Nell has with her when she is found abandoned on a wharf in Australia after a long ocean voyage.

After Nell dies as an old lady, Nell's granddaughter Cassandra, whom Nell had raised, attempts to discover Nell's secret which leads Cassandra from Australia to Cornwall in England. And a forgotten garden.

A slow, gentle book that skips around from person to person and decade to decade. If you want a leisurely summer read, try this,

OUCH !!!

6-Foot-Tall Giraffe Born At Zoo Atlanta


Zoo Atlanta
ATLANTA -- Zoo Atlanta is celebrating the birth of a 6-foot-tall newborn giraffe.

The giraffe was born Tuesday and weighed between 100 and 150 pounds.

“We are extremely excited about the birth of the calf,” said Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond King. “Giraffes have long been a very popular and charismatic part of the collection,” King said in a statement.

This marks the first time that Glenda, the giraffe’s 3-year-old mother, has given birth. Glenda was born in October 2006 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Glenda and her half-sister, Mona, 4, arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 2007. They share their habitat with the calf’s father, 4-year-old Abu.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/24249277/detail.html

A Tale of Two Doggies

Buddy has a house guest this week and next. His cousin, a 5 year old Havanese, is visiting while our daughter and her family are away on vacation. Her name is Bella and she is a sweetheart. Quiet and well mannered. It is good for Buddy to have canine companionship because he has begun to think he is a "PERSON"

Buddy has previously gotten picky about eating his kibble. He thinks if he waits long enough he just may get some "people food" He spends most of his day in our kitchen den combined and smells everything we cook and eat. Some days he has gone all day without touching his food. We have been pretty good about not giving him bites of our food.

Bella arrived. She is fed once a day in the morning in her crate. If she does not eat it all in 30 minutes we must take it up until the following day. Therefore she is very hungry and gobbles up HER food. The first day we fed Bella we let Buddy watch her eat. Good example. We fed Buddy and he ate all his kibble in a hurry! What an incentive seeing another animal eat up the food!!

I wonder what else Bella will teach Buddy while she is visiting.

"The Imperfectionists"

What I'm reading:

"The Imperfectionists." By Tom Rachman

I read the review in the Sunday New York Times book review section and thought this book sounded interesting. I immediately requested it at my branch library and got it in just about a week. I have learned to jump when I read a review of a book I think I might like. To beat the rush at the library.

The Imperfectionists is a small book. Easy to read. It is about the characters who make up a small English language newspaper in Rome, Italy.
Chapters read like short stories. About the intertwined lives of the men and women who produce the newspaper.

Tom Rachman on "The Imperfectionists" (from Amazon.com)

"To my amazement, a book emerged. I remain nearly incredulous that my plan, hatched over a decade ago, came together. At times, I walk to the bookshelf at my home in Italy, take down a copy of The Imperfectionists, double-check the name on the spine: Tom Rachman. Yes, I think that's me.

In the end, my travels included neither bullfights nor duels. And the book doesn't, either. Instead, it contains views over Paris, cocktails in Rome, street markets in Cairo; the ruckus of an old-style newsroom and the shuddering rise of technology; a foreign correspondent faking a news story, a media executive falling for the man she just fired. And did I mention a rather adorable if slobbery dog?"

Read this book You may like it.

Ah youth!

Do you remember your first pair of blue jeans?

I do.

I was 16 years old and a senior in high school. Of course back then girls were not allowed to wear pants of any kind to school. In fact women and girls simply did NOT wear pants. Shorts perhaps in the summertime but never to school work or down town. Dresses or skirts were the correct apparel.

Levi Strauss had begun making "ladies jeans" in 1934 for western wear but they had not yet arrived in the sleepy college town of Athens, Georgia.

When the jeans fad hit, my two girlfriends and I went downtown to a department store ( this was before the advent of malls) and bought boys jeans and rolled up the legs to the desired length. We thought we were hot stuff and a bit racy.

These jeans lasted forever, thru many,many washings.

Now I live in pants. Dress and casual. However jeans are not in my wardrobe anymore. As a woman of a certain age and SIZE, sad to say, I have "outgrown" jeans.

Ah youth!

I bet if I still had those jeans they would be worth a small fortune as antique denim has become a collectors item.

Suck It Up

SUCK IT UP:

Ronni Bennett of the blog "Time Goes By" is finishing the difficult job of packing up her apartment. She is moving to Portland Oregon next week. As in all things "Ronni" she is extremely organized and up to the task.

One possible hitch she has anticipated is the reaction of her Savannah Cat "Ollie" to the disruption of moving once again after just 4 years in Portland, Maine.

Ronni and Ollie will fly out to Oregon and Ronni has expressed reservations about how Ollie will cope with the flight and general interruption of his life.

Ronni said after thinking over what Ollie's reaction might be:

"Ollie will just have to SUCK IT UP"


Isn't that funny. And you can't herd a cat. :)

One reader suggested that Ronnie might want to "butter Ollie's paws" before the flight. Isn't that cute. And think about the phrase "Butter him up" I guess it means literally to "smear butter on a person" but no one does that actually. We just "sweet talk" someone to bring him around to our view.

Butter on Ollie's paws might just work after all. He can spend the entire flight licking it off

Hold the presses.

In the Sunday Book Review of the New York Times, Bill Keller, the executive editor of the New York Times, reviewed the biography, "Publisher." The life and times of Henry Luce who founded Time magazine. Look, and Life magazines during the 1940's and 50's.

Keller writes:

"Whatever else you think of Luce, he never dived down-market. Whenever his publications flagged, Luce insisted that the way to invigorate them was to make them better, not dumber, more populist, more sensational or more cynical."

It seems to me that much of today's media, magazines, newspapers and cable TV stations subscribe to the dumber and more sensational point of view. The public thereby is less informed and looses out on enlightened discussion.

One paragraph in particular struck a chord with me in Keller's review,

"But it is probably fair to say that the cacophony of today’s media — in which rumor and invective often outpace truth-testing, in which shouting heads drown out sober reflection, in which it is possible for people to feel fully informed without ever encountering an opinion that contradicts their prejudices — plays some role in the polarizing of our politics, the dysfunction of our political system and the increased cynicism of the American electorate."

There IS a God

Hooray.. In fact Hip Hip Hooray.

Tiger did not win the Masters

Phil Mickelson Won !

Hooray for Phil.

Phil M has been off the tour. Not because of a bimbo erruption. HIs wife and mother have just completed treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Both for breast cancer. His wife was recuperating in Augusta, Ga. In bed until the last day when she felt well enough to watch her husband come onto number 18 and win the Masters.

Congratulations Phil and family.

The Masters

Masters Week


Some years back before my hubby retired we were privileged to attend the Masters each year. This was because the business he was affiliated with did work for Augusta National and the club provided him with clubhouse passes with access to all the tournament events

What a grand time this was. We drove into Augusta National up the driveway known as "Magnolia Lane". A sense of history enveloped us on those beautiful April mornings.

We were invited into the antebellum house that served as the clubhouse and onto the patio and lawn outside which overlooked the magnificent green course. Some mornings we had a full southern breakfast in the dining room at the clubhouse. And several times we had dinner there too. We enjoyed drinks while relaxing at tables underneath magnificant old oak trees.

We walked the course with the crowds of avid golf fans. The stillness and quiet while one of the players was teeing off and especially as they putted was silent as a pin dropping.

It is said that nowhere on earth do golf fans behave in such a genteel manner as at the Masters. Tickets are ao hard to come by no one wants to take a chance of losing their tickets permanently by misbehaving. Tickets are in such demand that the waiting list has been closed for decades.


"'The main driveway leading from Washington Road to the course's clubhouse. The lane is flanked on either side by 61 magnolia trees, each grown from seeds planted by the Berckmans family in the 1850s. Magnolia Lane is 330 yards (300 m) long and was paved in 1947."

The Big Oak Tree"
"The big oak tree" is on the golf course side of the clubhouse and is approximately 150-160 years old. The tree was planted in the 1850s

"Augusta National is regarded as one of the most revered golf courses on the PGA Tour. Since the Masters is held at the same venue every year, patrons have the unique opportunity to become familiar with the course, something the other three rotating majors do not afford. The club itself invites a select few members to join each year, but it is not possible to request a membership directly.

The course is well known for its botanic beauty, being lined with stunning azaleas and hundred year old trees. As the Masters is held on the first weekend following the first full week in April, the trees and shrubs bordering the course are always in full bloom during the tournament. Each hole on the course is named after the tree or shrub with which it has become associated:

Hole # Name Par Yards Meters
1 Tea Olive 4 455 416
2 Pink Dogwood 5 575 526
3 Flowering Peach 4 350 320
4 Flowering Crab Apple 3 240 219
5 Magnolia 4 455 416
6 Juniper 3 180 165
7 Pampas 4 450 411
8 Yellow Jasmine 5 570 521
9 Carolina Cherry "

Oh No

Did you see the movie "The Blind Side"

Sandra Bullock won the best actress award for her role as the young southern mother in this film.I loved her in this movie.

"The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family."

Now just a few weeks after winning the Oscar, Sandra's world is falling apart and she has moved out of the home she shared with her husband, Jesse James. One of his former mistresses, the one with the head to toe tattoos and the blimp sized implants is claiming Jesse is carrying on with her. Sandra is mad as a wet hen. She even canceled her scheduled appearance at the London premier of "The Blind Side"

What a jerk Jesse James is.
Why did Sandra Bullock ever marry him?

House guest dog and cat.

Ronni Bennett of Time Goes By blog is moving to Portland, Oregon as soon as she sells her home in Maine. She has a cat with a mind of his own,as most cats do, and she writes about some of "Oliver's attempts to sabotage the move. Here is a comment by a reader of her blog

"Poor Ollie; he knows something is up. You are not obeying him and he is going to show you who is boss, by trying to sabotage the move."

This reminded me of my week. We are keeping our daughter's cute little five year old Havanese doggie and also the cat while she and her family are on spring break from school.

Buddy, our 8 month old cavalier puppy seems to get along fine with Bella, the guest dog, but he is definetly not enchanted with having his spot as "only dog" usurped this week.

This is what Buddy, who is normally well behaved, has done in the last few days:

Peed on MY BED. right on trhe side where I sleep. Had to wash the blanket sheets and bed pad.

Pooped twice in the dining room
Pooped in living room

Dragged nice pillows off living room sofa and started chewing on them (I caught him just in time so no damage.)

Started to chew up door mat at front door.

There were other instances but I have a mental block and that is all I could remember.

Wish us luck as we count the days until Sunday.

(Buddy says Amen to that.)

This and that

We just got back from the nearby Whole Foods. Bought my grown daughter a lovely purple orchid, The kind that has the long curving stem and lots of smallish blooms. Tomorrow is her birthday so we will take it over to her then and wish her a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

While at Whole Foods we got a quiche for supper. Turkey and cheese. Their quich are good and enough for two meals. That with a mixed salad we created while there sehould make a yummy meal.

Oh Yes. The apple/walnut crumble pie (very small slice of course) will complete the meal with iced tea.

I don't do Whole Foods often but it is a nice treat. Not cooking is always good.

Buddy and I are relaxing on the computer. Buddy sleeping on the twin bed nearby. Mr C is out golfing with son in law and 13 year old grandson. Grandson just got a new set of big guy clubs and he is hitting the ball like a pro. Right down the middle and 200 yards.

BTW grandson had to buy a new golf hat. He is so disgusted with Tiger Woods that he has tossed his TW golf cap way up in the attic.

Have a good weekend.

Relax to this

You tube music video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVTi7g5MQyI


Click on post title to link to music video.

Party Time

Buddy went to his "first" birthday party today at the dog park in our townhouse community. Mr C took him as I am still recovering from my minor surgery. One of the gals here has a Cavalier spaniel who just turned 4. She has no children, and is about 38 years old and unmarried so this was a fun time for her.

They had doggie birthday cake and treats and about 6 dogs attended with their owners. A tiny terrier tried to beat up on Buddy. Buddy is a lover not a fighter so he hid under Mr C's bench.

A 5 year old little boy got bitten slightlyon the face by another small dog.

Buddy came home after about an hour dragging and whipped.

He had fun but he has decided this is his last birthday party. Too many rowdy dogs.

Buddy is definitely NOT a PARTY ANIMAL...:)

Recovery

My minor surgery went well and I am healing nicely. I get the stitches out on Wednesday. My dermatologist is a wonder. She is Asian, small, gentle, accomplished "seamstress" so I will look none the worse for wear with the 15 stitches I had in my nose and cheek.

I wanted a "new nose" but just got a revised one.

Cheers :)

Today

Here I sit in my guest room which is also my computer room. Buddy has joined me and he is sleeping soundly on one of the twin beds. Dreaming sweet dreams I am sure. He likes to follow me around the house. I enjoy his company too. He is now 7 months old and fast becoming sweeter and well behaved. He almost has the potty training down pat and this is a blessing. My husband and I often wonder that we did with out time and what we talked about before Buddy joined our lives.

Today, here in Atlanta is beautiful and sunny after a cold early morning. We got up very early since I had to visit the dermatoligist for minor surgery on my nose. Basel cell carcinoma in two places. The Mohs surgery took 4 hours as the doctor takes off some and then biopsies it(about 45 minutes) to make sure she got it all. Then she sews and bandages it

I have never had any basel cell before. I am very careful with sunscreen especially on my face and neck. As a teen ager I had x ray for acne so that and sun could have caused this.

Anyway it is fine now except for the healing process.

Moral of this post

Always wear sunscreen and get any weird looking bumps checked out.

Buddy, our Cavalier Spaniel, is a great comfort in times of distress. That is what these dogs were bred for.

I am fine and dandy now and will be better tomorrow when the bandage comes off.

Moral of this story:

Always wear sunscreen and get any strange looking bumps checked out.

FRIENDS

FRIENDS' ANNIVERSARY DINNERS

A group of 40 years old buddies discussed where they should meet for dinner.

Finally it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View
restaurant because the waitress's there had low cut blouses and were
very young.

10 years later at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed
where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they
should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was
very good and the wine selection was good also.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed
where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they
should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there
in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the
ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed
where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they
should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was
wheel chair accessible and they even had an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed
where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they
should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been
there before.

Spam

I hate to do this because it means inconvenience for trusted users but this blog is being inundated with so much spam recently that I must enable the anti-spam thingy.

Cheers from me and Buddy.

PS: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day Tuesday, which means six more weeks of winter.

Look What Santa Left Under The Tree

Forever Young

In light of my recent "big event" the sentiment expressed in these lyrics rings even truer. The secret to eternal youth is not in creams and potions but in attitude. :)





"FOREVER YOUNG

BOB DYLAN

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young."

Report

Hi All
It's me reporting in from the other side...the other side of 80 that is.

December 17 came and went and all is well. My family took me out for a lovely birthday dinner at the downtown Capital City Club which was festive with Christmas decorations,huge tree and all. Complimentary eggnog in the "parlor" with finger sandwiches and pastries. We had a small private dining room for our group which numbered 10 including 4 grandchildren. I had black grouper, Belgium endive salad and ...hold on to your hats...gingerbread cheese cake. It was all delicious especially the cheese cake. A few sips of champagne for the happy birthday toasts and a wee bit of wine.

So another year has passed and I am now working toward 81. Somehow or other it feels liberating to have reached this grand old age. If I need to take my hand carved wooden cane with me when I go out walking or shopping I feel I am entitled. When I told the young man who did not stop his car in the crosswalk at the shopping center, " You are supposed to stop at the marked cross walk, he just smiled and said he was sorry and then he wished me a 'Merry Christmas". I bought this special cane on sale over 25 years ago at Neiman Marcus. Back then I did not need a cane but could not resist it's beauty.

Since November 22, our 58th wedding anniversary, then my birthday on December 17, on to Christmas Day, most of my special days come in a little more than one month, so I am celebrated out.

I am more than ready for some black eyed peas, turnip greens, cornbread, rice, (hopping John). Good old plain Southern food.

We always drop a dime(the same one, a 1935 Lady Liberty dime) in the blackeyed peas for good luck in the New Year. The dime cooks in the peas and the challenge is finding the dime before someone chomps down on it.

The turnip greens are supposed to bring prosperity. the green leafy texture I suppose.

Oh, and Buddy is growing like a weed and getting smarter every day. I don't know what we did with ourselves before we got him. I am convinced he will keep us young at heart.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

Thanks for reading my blog
and

A great big THANKS for commenting.

Update

Buddy made it through his surgery (nip and tuck) just fine. We checked him out of the vet's office yesterday morning and he has been his old self ever since arriving back home.. You could tell he was overjoyed to be back with his own bed, toys, treats.

He has no restrictions on diet or exercize so he is raring to go for some good long walks. He also wants to play catch up with his game of chasing tennis balls down the hall here at home.

He had gained a whole pound since the last vet visit. 11 pounds and 11 ounces. I don't want him to grow too big so am considering putting a book on his head.
I want to order Buddy this cute, and useful yellow slicker raincoat with a hood attached. (He HATES GOING OUT IN THE RAIN) to take care of business. Mr C. thinks putting the raincoat on Buddy might take too long and the deed would already be done.

I think I will order it anyway.
What do you think?

Buddy progress report

Buddy is growing like a weed. Last routine trip to the vet, he weighed 10 lbs 14 ounces. Long legs and strong body. He is almost getting the hang of potty training..."almost" but at least it is better now that when we first brought him home. His worst bad habit is picking up sticks and tree bark outside and chewing on it. Bad for digestion I think. I sprayed bitter apple on sticks today and he spit stick out so maybe that will work.

Buddy is in here with me at the computer. He is carrying around an old pair of my white socks and exploring under the bed. His favorite TV program is "Football. Any team with red on their uniforms. I think he is watching football on TV to prove he is macho like Mr C. If Buddy breaks out a beer and starts scratching himself I will restrict his TV.

I am typing this real "QUIETLY" so Buddy won't be alarmed. Next Monday, December 7, "Pearl Harbor Day" Buddy is scheduled for a "SNIP" He will stay overnight at the vet and return home early the next day.


EXCERPTS FROM A DOG' S DAILY DIARY
8:00 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9:30 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite
9:40 am - Oh Boy! A walk! My favorite!
10:30 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!
11:30 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
12:00 noon - Oh Boy! Kids! My favorite!
1:00 pm - Oh Boy! The garden! My favorite!
4:00 pm - Oh Boy! Kids! My favorite!
5:00 pm - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
5:30 pm - Oh Boy! Mom! My favorite!
6:00 pm - Oh Boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
6:30 pm - Oh Boy! Sleeping in moms bed! My favorite

My Buddy

Western Union

I had a humorous experience with Western Union back in the '60's
A friend of mine entered the Pilsbury Bake Off Contest. Her recipe was for "Batter-Up Beef Pie" made with canned Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Pilsbury flour and so on.

She had my husband and I over to taste test it and it was not bad but we did not think she had a chance of winning.

Lo and behold Caroline did win the regional bake off and won a trip to Los angeles for the nation wide "Bake-Off. We were frankly surprised. One reason being Caroline looked like Eva Gabor and was very glamorous. Not your typical picture of a bake off winner.

The day of the Bake Off, we sent Caroline a dozen roses and a telegram saying:"Everything's coming up roses. Good luck.

"The next day, after losing the Bake Off, Caroline called Western Union to reply and said:"Roses dead. So is Stew"

The shocked Western Union Operator interrupted and said:"Oh I am so sorry. How did they die?"

(Easier to communicate in writing than over the telephone :))

Caroline did win a new stove and the trip to LA.....

My Buddy

I will be eighty years old on December 17 this year. WOW !!

I never dreamed of still being around this long. As a teen ager I used to count up and marvel at the year 2000 when I would be seventy-one. but EIGHTY ...That seemed hard to imagine.

But here I am and God willing and "the creek don't rise" I will make it as an octogenarian in December.

So what is an appropriate present for one who has achieved this milestone?

A diamond ring? No. Already have one. A new car. No, my ten year old Mercedes is still ticking along just fine. Fur coat? No. Too warm in Atlanta for the fur I already have.

Humm
What would be a swell present ?

Well,.... I don't have a puppy.

And "happiness is a warm puppy"

So enter "Buddy" my new friend.

He is an almost 4 month old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. Light brown (red) and white. Blenheim. And just precious.

We got him two weeks ago and my life has been a whirlwind of housebreaking and learning the habits of a puppy after 18 years of life without a pet.

At times during the last two weeks I have thought of having my head examined for wanting a pet to raise at my age. But the pleasure of his company has more than balanced out the bother and messes that come with puppydom.

And Buddy makes me feel young at heart again .:)

Mr. Chancy and I are more than content with this new member of our family.

Buddy likes us just fine too.

Read about the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel breed here

http://www.terrificpets.com/dog_breeds/cavalier_king_charles_spaniel.asp

Octogenarian

I just checked on Mort R's blog "Octogenarian" and learned of his terrible recent automobile accident. His wife Sybil posted this:

"To the loyal readers of Octogenarian
This is being written by Mort's wife...About 10 days ago Mort was severely injured while driving his car out of his garage.He's had two back surgeries and has not regained mobility in one of his legs.It will take months of rehab before he's back writing on his beloved blog.I wanted to thank everyone for all of their wonderful comments over the years.They have meant the world to him and you have brought much joy to his later years.My family and I look forward to the day when he can return to working on his blog again. Sybil

If you are one of Mort's readers please go to his blog and wish him well"

http://octogenarian.blogspot.com/

click on title of this post for link

WW2

Living in a small college town in Georgia we were in no real danger during WW2 and never felt afraid. You have to know that back then we were not as mobile a society as we are now. If we traveled it was usually either in the car or on a bus. Airplane travel was not an ordinary occurrence as it is now.

People on both the west and east coast of the US were more aware of the threats from the enemy. In small inland towns we felt safe.I was 12 years old when the war started and 16 when it finally ended.

My three brothers were drafted. One saw overseas duty in Northern Africa with Signal Corps and one served in England, the Netherlands and later Germany. The third had "tough" duty in the Navy in Hollywood, Florida and then he was sent to Seattle, Washington in preparation to being shipped overseas when the war ended. They all three came home safely.

On the home front we went about our lives in a normal fashion but always concerned about those close to us who were away in the service.


A brief rundown of war time memories:

Ration Books, air raid wardens, saving foil from gum, High School volunteers picking cotton, V.E. mail, gas rationing,and rationing of sugar, coffee, News reels of the war at the picture shows, one pair of shoes, no silk stockings, painted stockings with seam drawn on back of legs. VE day, VJ day .Polio, March of Dimes, fear of polio infection from swimming pool and water fountains. .

We had blackout curtains, air raid sirens,neighborhood air raid warden, war bonds. . My brother mailed me a silk parachute from Germany,brightly painted wooden souvenir shoes from the Netherlands, English Lavender soap from London.

FDR fireside chats, Churchill, December 7 1941. VE day FDR death, VJ day, DDay I wore bobby socks and saddle oxfords, the songs "Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover", "Nightingale Sang In Barclay Square."

What are your wartime memories if any?

Down Memory Lane

Recently I have been reminiscing about my childhood. I think this was spurred by an old movie video I bought at our library branch's book sale. "Bright Eyes " with Shirley Temple, filmed in 1934.

I bought it so the grandchildren could watch it when they come over. The littlest one ,M, who is 9, reminds me of Shirley Temple. Same blonde curls and dimpled smile. I love and adore M,but when I was little I detested Shirley Temple. My hair was brown, stick straight, and cut in a Buster Brown hair style with bangs. I always wanted Shirley's curls. I wished and wished for blonde curls.

Once when I was about 6 the merchants in Athens had a "Shirley Temple look alike contest on the stage of the Palace Theater. My mother "curled" my hair with a curling iron and topped my "curls" off with a bow ribbon.I competed and lost. A tiny 3 year old girl with "stick straight brown hair" won the prize which was a new outfit.

Not long after that, my mother let her beauty parlor talk her into bringing me in for a "Permanent Wave." Now don't think of rollers, end papers and a solution. That is a "cold wave" and had not been invented yet. Think of a machine with wires and clamps,resembling an electric chair or some invader from outer space with tentacles. The wires and clamps were attached to my head-hair and the juice was turned on. I remember the smell of sizzling hair.

Boy, was I scared. Finally the ordeal was over. When I looked in the mirror I started crying. My hair had turned into a frizzy, scary steel wool mess.

I managed to "live" until I had had enough haircuts to get rid of the mess.

I never had another perm until the "Toni Home Perms" (cold wave)
came out and my girlfriends and I curled each other's hair.

Now, after all these years, my hair has decided to curl on its own. I suppose it is the texture of the grey hair that lives underneath all the sandy blond "Miss Clairol" I get now at the beauty salon.

Wait long enough and wishes can come true......:)


PS: This Thursday I have an appointment for a "body wave" which is what they call perms now. It is not that I am still desperate for curls at my "advanced age." My hair,especially on top has thinned and will do nothing but lay flat.

Wish me luck.:)

Atlanta Flood

Our son and his neighbor took this video from a canoe not far from their homes. It is of a neighborhood club with the playground and pool completely submerged. Their homes are on higher ground and are OK.

This is near the Chattahoochee River in the close in suburb of Vinings, Ga. The rains were unreal and came down in torrents. The river and the local streams all overflowed their banks.

Our townhouse is fine. No water. The sun was shining today. It rained for days and days. The Atlanta metro area got 19 inches of rain in 24 hours. A record.

Incredible.

I feel sorry for the people whose homes were flooded. And 8 people lost their lives.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHDWhwXtDew

There's Always Something

Yes there is:



But this is one I never expected.



I have a tendency to high blood pressure, hereditary I think, and I have been on two HBP drugs for some time now. The last time I saw my doctor, my BP was still too high so he put me on an additional drug, an ACE Inhibitor, Lisinopril.



I got it filled at Kroger for just $4.00 as it is on their list of less expensive drugs. The helpful pharmacist asked me if I wanted to know the possible side effects and I said yes. She told me that a common side effect of this drug, Lisinopril , is a dry cough.



I had been taking this medicine for about 3 weeks now and at night I did have a slight dry cough but I decided I would not concern myself with that and just popped in a Hall's Honey Menthol cough drop and went to sleep.



Then night before last I got up for a routine pit stop and decided my bottom lip felt strange. I turned on the bathroom light and sure enough my lip was slightly swollen on one side. Hmm, I thought could it be the cough drop or what?



The next morning when I woke up I could tell before I looked in the mirror that the lip swelling was worse.



I looked in the mirror and I was HORRIFIED



My cheek was swollen. My lips were swollen at least 6 times normal size.



I showed hubby and he said ice it and call the doctor.

I waited a couple of hours until the lip swelling had reached GIGANTIC proportion and then called and went right in.



I took the Hall's cough drops, a box of probiotics I had just started taking and the Ace Inhibitor pills because by then I felt it must be an allergic reaction to a medication. The meals I had eaten the day before was just normal standard food.



Dr G. took one look at me and the bottle of medicine, Ace Inhibitor, I had brought in with me and he said this is the culprit.



He said this only happens rarely maybe one in a thousand cases. But it was good I came right in because otherwise my entire face might have doubled in size. He said he rarely sees this sort of reaction, maybe once a year if at all. It is possible, also, to have airway swelling and constriction and breathing difficulity which I did not have.



He immediately gave me a cortisone shot and an anti allergy shot of some type and of course said to discontinue the Ace Inhibitor med. He prescribed oral cortisone for 4 days.



Today the lip swelling is somewhat better but not gone. I have a lingering hoarseness and feel a bit under the weather.



From what my doctor said this reaction can happen right away with Ace Inhibitors or years later while on the medication.



Just thought I would bring this to your attention if you are ever prescribed this medication. I would say,



"Just say no"



PS: I just read an article by a reasearch MD at Vanderbilt who said drug companies do not do enough follow up on side effects of drugs after they are given the initial FDA approval and released to the public.

And from
From WebMd.com:
"An allergy to ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers can cause dangerous swelling of the face and of the throat that blocks airways, referred to as angioedema. "It's a generalized, sudden swelling, usually beginning around the lips and face, sometimes with shortness of breath and wheezing," says Jones. "It's life threatening. The patient needs to get to the emergency room."

Ancestors

Johann Adam and his wife Catherine traveled up the Rhine river to Rotterdam and there boarded the Griffin, a ship bound for the New World.



Their two small children skipped and shouted as they walked up the gangplank.



“Shush”, said Mama, you be quiet or they will throw you in the water.”


After 4 long weeks at sea they arrived in South Carolina to start a new life in the New World.


And almost 270 years later, here I am.

Little Red Wagon

Little Red Wagon

Bright red
Strong and sturdy
Childhood companion

Pull me
Please

Let ME pull it
Now

Look
I can walk
And pull

He toddled on
Short chubby legs

Up the
Steep,steep
Driveway.

I can do it
He said.

Up he went.
Slowly
Slowly

Pulling
Pulling

Uh Oh
Uh Oh

Little red wagon
Got away.

Look at it go......
Wheeeee.......
Look at it go......

Over the hill

Over the wall

On to the sidewalk

Below.

Is it broken Papa?

Run and see

Why no.
Landed on its wheels

Good as new.

Little red wagon
Strong and sturdy.

Little boy
Strong and sturdy
Too

chancy(janet)

"Fibrillations"

In the current New Yorker magazine there is this witty piece of satire about "health insurance"



That is ; I guess it's satire...could be true to life.



Excerpt below:






"Fibrillations
by Bruce McCall September 7, 2009

"Health Insurance;


"Welcome to the monthly newsletter about your health-insurance problems, not ours.


Note: Charges for the enclosed Supplementary Health Insurance Reminder will appear in your next billing cycle, for which payment is now past due.


Something to Think About: Contracting a serious illness can mean days off work just lying in bed, new adventures of the mind and body through medication, overdue personal attention from loved ones, and new friends in the hospital ward and the clinic waiting room.



And you may be the one who catches a disease that’s making world headlines and brings television crews to your bedside.





Sentences set in small type make a handy eye test.
If you can read this without difficulty, your eyes may be too strong and you will need the prescription drug Corneac R (dollarmycin-B) to return your vision to normal. Consult your pastor about the choice between sightlessness and personal bankruptcy.


Policy Updates
—All of you “Far Horizons” Fifteenth Tier Plan subscribers may now choose any doctor you like, who will then refer you to the list of approved cheap doctors, ex-doctors, doctors-in-training, and veterinarians.


—“Near Horizons” Sharing & Caring Plan members: Some misunderstandings about this plan have arisen lately. Sharing your hospital bed does not reduce the per-day costs of your hospital stay, and you will be legally liable if your bedmate contracts a communicable disease.




—Be sure to ask about the new “Invisible Horizons” Plan, providing discounts and a free ballpoint pen on hospital bills of more than a million dollars per week for any fifty-two-week period when you cannot get out of bed.
.
Explanation of Benefits
Skip this section. No benefits are included."

to read more go here:

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2009/09/07/090907sh_shouts_mccall

Rest Well Teddy

Well, they laid Senator Ted Kennedy to rest.

The rainy day scene outside the old Mission Church in Boston as the mourners arrived, dressed in black and sheltered with almost identical large black umbrellas reminded me of one of my favorite French paintings of a rain scene, circa 1877 in Paris.

Painted by Gustave Caillebotte the people in this painting are walking down a cobblestone street in a fashionable section of Paris. Many are dressed all in black and they all carry large black umbrellas to protect them from the rain. The cobblestones glisten with light as the rain seems to be stopping.

http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/20684

I wondered as I watched the crowds arriving at the Kennedy funeral "how did the hundreds of mourners, mostly dressed in black, know to carry almost identical large black umbrellas.
"Who got the memo out) ;)"

The events of the day went almost perfectly until the end when darkness descended over Arlington National Cemetery as the final minutes of the graveside service were plunged into almost total darkness.

The day's services and the transport from Boston to Washington D.C.had run long past schedule as night fell on the longest day. And yet, it was hauntingly lovely and powerful when the lone trumpeter outlined darkly against the sky played taps; the lighted Robert E Lee Mansion in the background.

The poignant voices of four of Ted's young grandchildren saying good bye to "Grampa" at the grave site was touching.

Now I have watched all 3 Kennedy brothers funerals. Remember Jack's sad cortege with the riderless white horse down Pennsylvania Ave. John John and Caroline.Bobby,Ted and Jackie.

But despite times of self destructive behavior in the ensuing years, Ted endured. He was a father figure for the 10 young Kennedy children who were lest fatherless after the murders of his two remaining brothers.


Teddy survived his brain tumor for almost fifteen months and he was mercifully given time to prepare for a "good ending."

Every detail of this day and last night's wake was planned by Teddy Kennedy himself and carried out with grace and dignity by his widow Victoria Reggie Kennedy.

SMOOTH SAILING TEDDY
AND
REST WELL.

Old Time Radio and TV

Suzzwords
Laughter is one of the best parts of life.It's what makes the hard parts easier to endure.
Friday, August 14, 2009

Suzz at Suzzwords struck a cord of memory with her post about an old time local radio show "Daddy Rabbit" I did not remember that show but I did remember this one:


MY MEMORY

I don't remember Daddy Rabbitt. But DO I remember Miss Debbie. She was a TV local children's show hostess in the Atlanta market. My four old daughter watched Miss Debbie everyday and was especially thrilled when Miss D looked in her magic mirror and, looking straight at the camera said....I see little Mary and Sammy and Joyce and Betty.

Oh how Jan ,my little girl, yearned for Miss D to speak directly to her thru the "magic mirror.

Well what do you know. Hubby and I went to a New Year's Eve party at a business associate's house. Lo and behold who should be there but Miss Debbie in PERSON. Nice attractive gal.

Early in the evening I spoke with Debbie and asked her to look for Jan in the "magic mirror "on tomorrow's show. she graciously said yes she would.

A good time was had by all.

Around eleven pm we missed Miss Debbie and we heard crying and moaning in the kitchen.There sat MISS DEBBIE DRUNK AS A SKUNK and slobbering all over her date.

I told hubby on the way home Miss Debbie won't even make it to her show tomorrow she will be so hung over.

The next morning we. (Jan, hubby and I) turned on the TV to Miss Debbie. There she was chipper, and perky and looking great as she held up her Magic Mirror and said

"I see JAN."


I guess"The show must go on"

Dog and Cat

WHERE DOG AND CAT CAME FROM

A newly discovered fragment from Genesis 3:25:

Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now, I do not see you anymore. I am lonely here, and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me."

And God said, "No problem! I will create an animal who will reside with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how often you are tempted to forget me, or be selfish, or how unloveable you behave, this companion will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam, and it wagged its tail.

And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in thr kingdom, and I cannot think of a name for this new animal." And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, its name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call it DOG."

Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him and obeyed him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged its tail.

After awhile, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock, and he believes that he is worthy of adoration. Dog has, indeed, taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well."

And God said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. This companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration." And so God created CAT to be a companion to Adam.

And Cat would NOT obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he is not the supreme being. And Adam learned humility.

And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved. And Dog was happy, and wagged its tail.

And the Cat didn't give a shit one way or the other.

Bummer

Are you ready for a vent.

If not then read no further!!!

In addition to my two bum knees I have been having a problem with balance and pain and stiffness upon arising after sitting for any length of time. My internist, the best doctor God ever put on this earth,recommended I see an arthritis specialist. I went today.

This arthritis doctor was a real dud. His Physicians Assistant took all the info. Then Doctor came in with this greeting:

"Hello young lady and young man" ( I hate that condescending tone)

Within 3 minutes he determined that I did NOT have arthritis. He basically said that I was "OLD and OUT OF SHAPE" Duh !!!!!

He wrote script for physical therapy. He must have mentioned old or aged or in your 70's and 80's a dozen times.I was hopping mad before I got out of there.(I will be 80 in December)

DOPE!!!!

Will not go back to him..At least I don't have arthritis. How he could make a diagnosis in 3 or 4 minutes I don't know.

Holier than thou and abrasive.
Couldn't wait to get out of there.

I have an appointment to see another knee doc in September and between now and then I will work on loosing weight, walking and try to"heal myself"




PS:
I am going to drink the gin and throw away the gin and raisins.

Cheers

Reading jag

I have been on a marathon reading jag recently. I don't know why but at times reading seems to go smoothly and I just sail through books of all kinds.

I recently picked up several paperback books at our neighborhood library's $6 bag o'books sale. All the books you can stuff into a plastic grocery bag for just $6. What a bargain, eh?

In my bag I included an old classic that I had never read. "The Grapes Of Wrath". What the heck, I thought, even if I don't read it I had room in my bag.

The next book was "Revenge of a Middle Aged Woman" by Elizabeth Buchan.

Then there was "A Man In Full" by Tom Wolfe" which I had read a few years back but had forgotten most of the story.

The next book was also a paperback, "Durable Goods" by Elizabeth Berg. Another book, a hardback, was "The Commoner" a fictional inside look at lives of the last two Japanese women, both commoners themselves, who married successive crown princes of Japan and the hardships they both faced in adjusting to the cloistered life.

I included a few clunkers which I could soon see I would not enjoy. But later I will regift them to our library and they can be resold.

I was blown away by John Steinbeck's "Grapes Of Wrath" The story of the Joad family who were displaced from their sharecropper farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl of the 1930's. As they made their way by truck with all their worldly possessions they encountered misfortunes. one after the other. But the hope of work and a better life on some golden farm in California kept them going.

From Amazon

"What can I say about the Joads that has not already been said in the past sixty-odd years? How could I have missed knowing them earlier? I read this story, with its "country speech" and "country ways" and wanted to take them all in. I wanted to comfort them all"

and "Revenge of A Middle Aged Woman"

"Living wisely is the best revenge for a London book review editor who loses both husband and job to her conniving assistant in this sophisticated and satisfying novel. Rose Lloyd is in her late 40s and has been happily married for 25 years when Minty, her "glossy free-ranging" young assistant, brusquely shoulders her aside. Husband Nathan, who is a deputy editor at the same newspaper, is decent and remorseful, but determined to start a new life, and Rose must pick up the pieces-which she does with commendable energy and resolve"

"Durable Goods"

"Durable Good's" is Elizabeth Bergs first book(she has since written many more) which is amazing when you read the stellar quality of this effort. Katie, a tender, blossoming 12 year old, steals your heart at first page and never let's go. Berg writes effectively in choppy paragraphs the feelings, the observations, the problems, the joys, the experiences of our Katie"

A Man In Full"

"The "man in full" of the title (the phrase comes from an old song) is Charlie Croker, a good-ole-boy real-estate developer in Atlanta whose sprawling South Georgia plantation, massive mansion in the best part of town, half-empty skyscraper tower named after himself, horde of servants, fleet of jets and free-spending trophy second wife have left him terribly vulnerable to bankers deciding the party's over."

What are you reading?

Slugs

Continuing with the theme of unusual uses for alcohol:

We had slugs that ate our hostas a few years back. At that time I was frequenting a current events chat on Yahoo. I commented about the slugs and an avid gardener from the UK gave me a plan to rid the hosta bed of slugs.

Cut a Coke can in half. Fill the half with beer. Prop the can up in a small hole in the hosta bed. The slugs crawl up to drink the beer and they get drunk and cannot crawl out. ;)

Cheers

(use cheap beer)

I wonder what other off beat uses of alcohol there are?

Addendum

I will NOT need fireworks tomorrow on the fourth of July. All I need do is open the fridge and take out the gin and raisins concoction, take a hearty tablespoon full and stand back as the fireworks go off in my mouth. "Stars and Stripes Forever" resonates behind my eyeballs.

Potent is hardly the word for it. the longer the mixture sits, the heartier it gets.

OLE!!!!!

And Happy July 4 to y'all.

Gin and Raisins

A while back Millie Garfield had a video on her blog "My Mom's Blog" which showed her preparing a "sure fire arthritis remedy". Gin Soaked Raisins. Since I have been having a problem, after I sit for any length of time, with walking and really bad stiffness and some pain , I decided to give Millie's remedy a try, thinking my problem might be arthritis.

I bought some golden raisins and a pint of Gordon's Gin. I put the raisins in a glass jar, just enough to cover the bottom of the jar. I poured in the gin. Just enough to cover the raisins and have about 2 inches of the gin over top of raisins. I shook the mixture and placed it in the refrigerator where it stayed for about a week until the raisins had plumped up and absorbed the gin.

In the meanwhile having the gin in the pantry and deciding that it smelled good and reading that gin is made from juniper berries, I thought, what the heck, I will take a tablespoon of the gin while I wait on the raisins to plump up. Hum, Not bad. Tastes like cough syrup. The next night I got out a small Waterford cordial glass, filled it with crushed ice and put in 2 tablespoons of the gin and sipped it. Not bad. And also the next night too, but added a lemon twist.

Meanwhile I researched the gin and raisins remedy on the internet and I came up with this information:



"Juniper Berries
Aunt Sophie came by a while ago with her secret remedy to vanquish arthritis. Aunt Sophie is, how can I best put it, of a certain age. This is a certain age that often has much in common with walkers, canes and wheel chairs; but Aunt Sophie is in great shape and is full of, as the expression goes, piss and vinegar, or, as I found, in her case, raisins and gin.“Have a few of these, every day,” was her command as she handed me a hand-packed container of her favourite concoction—raisins plumped to almost the size of grapes, redolent and swollen with Beefeater’s best. “Another bubbe-mayse,” I thought, as I munched some—a tale from the old country. But after a little research I decided this one might not be so far-fetched.The flavour of gin comes from juniper berries. These come from conifer plants, evergreens common in Europe and North America. New berries appear in the fall and can take two or three years to ripen. They are rich in vitamin C and terpenes, the essential oil which, in large quantities is manufactured into turpentine. During the Middle Ages the berries were kept in nosegays to help block the scent of the plague. For centuries, medicinal usage favoured using them in anti-inflammatory prescriptions. Hence, perhaps, Aunt Sophie’s arthritis remedy."

So here I am about 10 days later,(crossing my fingers for luck) feeling much better and able to sit awhile and then get up and walk without pain and stiffness.

Is it the gin and raisins.The gin. Or a combination including the 3 Advil a day I also started taking? Or is it just dumb luck?

All I know is, I hope it lasts.

Cheers, Millie

UH OH---

(this from our local paper. At least no one was living in it. But still.....what if you had gone shopping and came back to this.......

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, June 11, 2009


"Al Byrd of Sandy Springs got a phone call Monday telling him that his family home in Carroll County had been torn down. The steps remain.The three bedroom house was on a little road bearing Al Byrd’s family’s name.

It’s where all 10 Byrd children grew up, where they gathered to pray, where they lined up youngest to oldest for Christmas gifts, where they recall dad dispensing life lessons from the front porch. It’s where neighbors would walk over to eat watermelons, peanuts and sweet potatoes, and rehearse for the choir.

Now, all that’s left of the house are those memories — and a pile of questions — after the Carroll County home was mistakenly reduced to rubble Monday afternoon.

“It’s incredulous,” said a still-shocked Byrd, a retired Xerox executive who lives in Atlanta. “It’s not about money. This is about family.”

The man who did the yard work at the home, which no one was living in, called Byrd late Monday with the news. Byrd immediately hopped on I-20 and called the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department. He turned onto Byrd Trail — named for his family — in disbelief. Even the mailbox was no longer standing..

“Why did you knock this house down?” Byrd said he asked members of a Marietta demolition company Tuesday morning.

Byrd said a representative of North Georgia Container told him the company was hired by another company, Southern Environmental Services, to raze the home. And that company was hired by Fore Star Property, according to the sheriff’s department report.
None of the three companies responded to messages left Thursday afternoon.

Byrd was told paperwork and GPS coordinates led the demolition crew to 11 Byrd Trail. He said no company ever contacted him before leveling the house.

“If we were going to get rid of it, we would have done it after my father died in 1998,” Byrd said.

He suspects a house on the opposite side of railroad tracks was the intended target of demolition. It’s a wooden home with a green roof — substantially different than his three-bedroom family home.

Vernice Parham, who has lived on the street with two of her six sisters for more than 40 years, was home when the demolition began. “It hurt my heart,” she said. “I wasn’t raised up in it , but I was raised up near it,” Parham said. “I know we got a heavenly home. But we’ve got a Earthly home there.”

Byrd has hired a lawyer, but he isn’t sure what his next step will be yet. His only daughter is getting married on Saturday, and he doesn’t want to be distracted for the big event.

“I’m trying to compartmentalize this,” Byrd said Thursday afternoon. “I don’t want to put a pall on the wedding.”

Possessions

Today as I was reading the New York Times I ran across an interesting question:If you had to leave your home in a big hurry what one item would you choose to save. Or stated another way, what one possession do you love most of all ?

As I thought about all the "stuff" we have accumulated in almost 58 years of marriage in over six different houses, I wondered what one thing is most precious to me.

Not any of the books or knickknacks. Paintings collected over the years. Jewelry. Computers. Furniture. Silverware. Etc etc. It is all just stuff.

The one thing I would grab on my way out in a hurry would be:

The small, black and white photograph of my mother that sits in a silver frame on a bookshelf in my living room. It is a formal studio portrait type popular back then. She sits in a decorative wooden chair. There is a painted landscape background. She is pictured in a white dress, white stockings, her dark hair pulled back in a bun. Her own mother, a farmer's wife but an accomplished seamstress, made this dress with fine tucks adorning the bodice.

The date of the photograph would be about 1915 or so. At this time my mother would have been about 22 years old and teaching school in a one room schoolhouse in rural Georgia near Madison, Georgia. She was single, having not yet met her future husband, my father.

Many times since she died at age 91, I touched this photograph and blew her a kiss saying "Goodnight Mother"

I wish I had just an hour or two to sit down with her again and tell her I understand so much of what she went through as she aged. Now that I am approaching age 80, I better understand the aches and pains; the joys and trails of enduring to old age she talked about back then.

What would you choose to save. What one material possession do you love most?

My Cup Runneth Over

Remember the drought?



The one that enveloped the entire southeastern part of the US. The one that started the water wars between Georgia, Alabama and Florida? The water cops were out in full force. Neighbors were ratting on neighbors for watering lawns, gardens, flower beds.



Articles were written about conservation. Some even went so far as to collect the water in their showers in buckets and reuse it for outdoor watering. And many had expensive wells dug in their yards to bypass the official water sources and watering restrictions. Lush, green lawns were suspect. Signs went up "This lawn is watered using "WELL WATER"



Plans were made to plant cactus gardens.



Lakes Lanier and Allatoona were 12 to 15 feet below average levels. Florida said they needed MORE water released from Lake Lanier so the snail darters could survive. (We human Georgians wanted to survive also). Polititians fumed and fought.



Lake front lots were dry docks. It was HOT and DRY. PARCHED. It went on and on. Year after year. Almost to "dust bowl" proportions. the "Okies" among us were considering loading up the pickups and heading for California.



Then March, April and May 2009 came:



"Unusually active weather pattern brings frequent torrential rains to the Southeast. The last week of March and first week of April brought a shift in the large-scale weather patterns across the Southeast U.S., characterized by an active pattern with frequent low pressure systems moving across the northern Gulf Coast. Several of these systems were slow-moving, allowing soaking rains and thunderstorms to dump heavy accumulations of rain over the two-week period across most of Georgia, Alabama, and North Florida.. The widespread nature of the heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding of low-lying or poorly-drained areas and record or near-record floods on some Georgia and North Florida Rivers."



And according to WSB-TV Channel 2 meteorologist David Chandley



"Finally, the drought is OVER!.
As I track showers and t-storms across the southeast, I found this little nugget on the computer. For the first time in more than 2 years, the state of Georgia is drought free!! "







Oh. And by the way. about a month ago we had a soaker system installed for our tiny front yard and new shrubs.

Probably that did it and the heavens opened up and blessed us all with



Rain.

Beautiful Rain.

Wet wonderful water.

Rain.



cloudburst, deluge, drencher,flood, liquid sunshine, monsoon, pouring, raindrops, rainstorm, sheets, showers, sun shower, torrent, wet stuff.



Whoopee!!!

Twitter?

I don't have a clue. I do not know what Twitter is or what Twitter does or what I could do with Twitter. Why would I want to Twitter? Would Twitter show up on my cell phone? If it did who would Twitter me?
What would they say. What would I say?

Might I Twitter this:

Watched "The Office" and "30 Rock" tonight.
Watched new detective show "Southland"
Good show..hard to follow
Relatives coming for holiday.
Dick Cheney is making an a** of himself.
Again.
Your time is up Dick.
Went to library.
Checked out"Me Talk Pretty One Day"
Sprinkled rain today
Windy yesterday
Blew fern off deck.
Shocked that Adam lost American Idol
Chris cute but no star power
Kara almost did striptease on Idol
I hate tattoos.
Played bridge on net tonite.
Getting sleepy
Going to bed and read.
Nite.






.

US Senate.

Ok.
I know I have been pushing myself too hard for the last few weeks.

Maybe it is the spring time "nesting instinct" or perhaps I am a bit manic also.

Whatever is the cause, recently I have been on a house cleaning, fixing up, having repainting done, new landscaping in our tiny front yard. Activities which have me near exaustion


But today as I was reading the Yahoo News I realized I absolutely had passed the point of no return when I read this headline:

"CHRIST RUNNING FOR THE US SENATE"

what???

of course it read

"Crist running for US Senate" Crist being the present GOP Governor of
Florida.

But then I thought about the field day the press would have with rumors, scandals, inuendos, and so forth if CHRIST" were running for the US Senate. What a time for "swift boating" that would be.

In today's atmosphere even the most holy are not immune from slander.

Spring is for the Birds

Recently I have noticed numerous blog posts about birds building nests near the house. On porches, decks, garages, lampposts and so on.

For instance :
Golden Days Ginnie had this to say about her most recent bird nest find on her front porch:

"a bunch of leaves seemed to have blown together on top of a 3-tier wrought iron piece where I usually put fresh flowers in season.Imagine my surprise when I tried to move it and a startled little Carolina Wren flew out. She had been protecting her eggs and I quickly realized it was her nest."


This made me recall one of the most unusual spots birds have chosen near my home for their nest.

Once some years back my husband had left one of his golf caps on a baker's rack in the open garage. A bird built a nest in it and that tickled us. And hubby lost his golf hat for the duration.

Then another time prior to that I had gotten one of those KiaPet things as a joke gift for hubby. It was of a bald head with seed on top. I watered the KiaPet and the {hair) seed came in green and plentiful.We left it outside on the same rack. After the grass dried out another enterprising bird kept picking the dry grass from the Kia head to use for a nest.

And believe it or not we kept seeing a little bird flying in and out of a small hole in our gas grill on the patio. Yes. It was building a nest in the grill. And of course we couldn't grill until the wee ones hatched. Then we cleaned out the nest and covered the hole. We did not want grilled bird eggs for dinner.:(

Do you remember any unusual or fun places birds have nested near your home?

moirologist

This week's theme for the email "Word A Day" is, "There's a word for it".

I never thought about "hired mourners" but yes,
they do exist, and there is a word for it:





"A.Word.A.Day
moirologist
PRONUNCIATION:(moy-ROL-uh-jist)
MEANING:noun: A hired mourner.

NOTES:There are some things in life money can't buy, for everything else, there's Mastercard. With the right credit card you could even hire mourners for your funeral or find the right sentiment. While researching this word, I came across websites that offer "eulogy packs". One such site lists a "Mother's Eulogy pack" that includes "9 speeches, 3 poems, 3 free bonus". Only $25.95 -- have your credit card ready. Fathers go cheaper: $19.97.

. Professional mourners are not a new thing either -- there's a long tradition going back to ancient Greece and beyond. As late as 1908 a New York Times article reported on a professional mourners' strike in Paris."
------

What do you think? Sounds like an easy job and there would NOT be age discrimination so even I might qualify at age 79. And then I could attend the reception afterwards and enjoy the company and the food?

Or perhaps "wedding crasher" might be a more upbeat hobby? Just drop by the country club or hotel and find a wedding reception in progress and blend in for the food, wine, dancing and mingle either as "distant relative of bride or groom"

Life is dull around here ;)

FAST FORWARD

FAST FORWARD

I am all the ages I have ever been:


The little girl
with the buster brown haircut
who
adored her big brother.
He came
in the house
whistling and calling her
pet nicknames.


I am the teacher's pet
in grammar school
who loved poems
and
stories
and daydreamed
about movie stars
whose films
she saw
at the Palace Theater.
in Athens,Georgia
.
I am the
sister who
waited
for three brothers
to come home
from the war.


I am the distraught
young girl
whose pet dog
was run over
and killed
when he followed her
to town on
an ordinary Saturday.


I am the young woman who
went to work
at age
seventeen
at Southern Bell.
in Atlanta,
starting as an
operator
and progressing
to service representative
in four years.


I am the 21 year old
who met
the love of her life
on September 13
and married
him
on November 22,1951


I am the young mother
of a daughter born
in 1956
another daughter
in 1964
and
a son
in 1965.


I am the mom who
drove carpools
baked cookies
attended school plays
helped with
homework


I am the wife
who traveled
with her
successful businessman
husband
all over
the world

I am the daughter
who cared
for her own
mother
as she aged
and died
at ninety one

.
I am the grandmother
of six
who are
the light of her life


I am the 79 year old
woman
who loves
her husband
of fifty seven years
and wonders
how
in the
heck
did
she
get
so

OLD

and how
did
the
time
go.
whizzing by
So

DARN FAST

I am all the ages I have ever been.

The Free Spirit

Brownies for breakfast,
Her mom told her to eat brownies
for breakfast.

WOW

What a neat
mom.
Most practical moms would say:

"Of course not!!!


You certainly may NOT
eat
Brownies
for
BREAKFAST.
eggs,
cereal,
toast,
oatmeal,
orange juice,
but NOT
BROWNIES!"

But her mom said
eat brownies
for breakfast
cause you may be
too full
later in
the day
for dessert

(chancy)