Male Sensitivity

Touching male sensitivity The room was full of pregnant women with their husbands. The instructor said: "Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier. Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path." "Gentlemen, remember -- you're in this together, it wouldn't hurt you to go walking with her. In fact, that shared experience will be good for you both." The room became very quiet as the men absorbed this information. After a few moments a man, name unknown, at the back of the room, slowly raised his hand........”Yes?" said the instructor. "I was just wondering if it would be all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?" Brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it? This kind of sensitivity just can't be taught.

BAD WEEK AT BLACK ROCK Last week my husband came down with a bad case of bronchitis. He finally let me take him to the doctor this past Tuesday. He got an antibiotic and pill for the cough. I sat in with him as he saw the doctor. I was fine then, maybe just a tingle in my nose. THEN Tuesday night I woke up with a full fledge case of what he has plus an awful case of acute cystitis. I had never had this before. Real bad pain. Went back to doctor and got two antibiotics for myself plus cough pills. They did a urine culture and I did have bacterial infection. YIKES !!!!! BETTER NOW I am happy to say :) What did we ever do without antibiotics? Been in all week Even Buddy is getting cabin fever.

My dog Buddy is doing just fine. He will be three years old on July 9th. He is a sweetie pie,at least most of the time. I guess when he gets out on our deck and barks at the passing parade of other dogs walking by our townhouse he is exercising his God given right to vocalize. He thinks he is protecting us. And besides: "Fish Gotta Swim, Birds gotta fly" And dogs gotta bark :)

I am going to physical therapy every Wednesday for my balance problem and tendency to fall. I think I am making good progress. The most difficult exercise for me is the one where I have to step over small cones that are lined up. I must step over these cones sideways. Not easy. I would never pass a field DUI test. :)

LADY'S YEARLY EXAM I went to the doctor for my yearly physical. The nurse started with certain basics. "How much do you weigh?" she asked. "135," I said. The nurse put me on the scale. It turns out my weight is 180. The nurse asked, "Your height?" "5 foot 4," I said. The nurse checked and saw that I only measure 5' 2" She then took my blood pressure and told me that it is very high. "Of course it's high!" I screamed, 'When I came in here I was tall and slender! Now I'm short and fat!" She put me on Prozac. What a bitch

I have been gone too long and now that I am back I am confused about this new Google interface and how to get to it. Do I have a bad case of stupid-itis or did any of you have trouble with this new layout also? This is what I get for being AWOL for so long I suppose. I would appreciate any suggestions and help. Janet (AkA Chancy)

I did it !

I think I told you some time ago about buying the book "Getting Organized" and losing the book? :)

Well the other day I ran across the book Sat down to read and to see what tips I might incorporate that might get me started somehow in straightening out and throwing away stuff in our house.

Ever since my knee replacement surgery last April,even though I am fully recovered, I have not been motivated to do much in the "getting organized" vein.

I had mostly "wanted to organize and straighten up" the unfinished , storage part of our basement. I would sneak a peek when I got cleaning supplies from a shelf down there or a soft drink from the small second fridge or a doggie potty pad for Buddy.

One day I looked around and said " I just can't face this mess. And don't know where to start making order out of chaos in here. Too big a job to tackle.

That night I sat down with the "Getting Organized" book and read a suggestion about getting started on a daunting task. To paraphrase, it suggested parring down the task into bite size pieces. One shelf at a time. One box at a time. One corner of the room at a time, and by all means STOP BEFORE YOU GET TOO TIRED.

I Started this past Saturday. Continued on Sunday. Tackled another corner on Monday.

Finished up today..
I stood and admired my accomplishment.
Called hubby to COME LOOK
He was impressed.

He said "Wow. Now I can enjoy riding the treadmill in here :)

Hip Hip Hooray for me !!
I feel GOOD -- I DID IT.!!

STRIKE UP THE BAND!!

Where have I been ?

I must apologize for being AWOL for so long recently. No excuse except a bad case of the blahs, and the IPHONE takes too much of my time. The Iphone is a fun toy. I don't use it much for the telephone function. I send and receive more text messages with my grandchildren and adult children than phone calls. I also have become addicted to "Words With Friends" the game. Remember that is the game that Alec Baldwin refused to turn off on the airplane. He got kicked off the plane for being such a jerk. :)

This week I have been very busy keeping our daughter's 3 dogs while daughter,SIL and the 2 grands go on spring break to Florida. Sweet dogs but with extra plus Buddy that makes 4 and a handful.

Plus this: Saturday hubby and I were getting ready to go out to dinner with friends. I was dressed already so I came downstairs to put the leash on Bella, one of the little doggies. As I bent over' Bella, a small Havanese, gave a hard jerk and I toppled over onto the floor, As I went down I fell into a small rigid plastic trash can which broke leaving a jagged edge and several pieces, My earlobe was cut and also several small cuts , one on my face and several on my neck. Sam, my hubby rushed down from upstairs when he heard the ruckus and me yelling for help.

I was bleeding but not real badly. The worst part was I couldn't get up. For a while it has been difficult for me to get up from a prone position flat on the floor. It took about 30 minutes, trying various lifting positions for me to get up. The fall and the stress of trying to get up knocked the wind out of my sails. I am fortunate I was not hurt worse.

I have discussed my tendency to fall with my doctor. He just says it is part of the"aging process" and to try exercise to build up strength in my hips and legs.

Getting old is "for the birds" is WHAT I SAY.... <(:O--< Yikes!! --- %&&%%**

Anyway.....

Here's wishing you an early "Happy St Patrick's Day.

And may the Luck of the Irish be with you ...and with me :)

Instructions

I found this in one of my older blog posts. It speaks to me of January, and paring down. I seem to be stuck and unable to start.





"Instructions" by Sheri Hostetler

"Give up the world; give up self;.
Find god in rhododendrons and rocks,
passers-by, your cat.
Pare your beliefs, your absolutes.
Make it simple; make it clean.
No carry-on luggage allowed.
Examine all you have
with a loving and critical eye, then
throw away some more.
Repeat. Repeat.
Keep this and only this:
what your heart beats loudly for
what feels heavy and full in your gut.
There will only be one or two
things you will keep,
and they will fit lightly
in your pocket.

"Instructions" by Sheri Hostetler

For Friko

Friko : Here's a recipe for dried blackeyed peas


"DRIED BLACKEYE PEAS
1 lg. pkg. dried blackeye peas
Salt to taste
Ham hocks, hog howl or ham cubes
Soak peas overnight (1 part peas and 2 parts water). Drain, Cook following day, adding more water when needed. Add salt and meat. Bring to a boil; cover and cook over low to medium heat until soft, usually around 2 hours or longer. Great served over rice with your favorite cornbread."

I also add bay leaf or two and chopped onion. Also some garlic. and a teaspoon of sugar. Also good if you substitute chicken broth (canned or box) for some of the water. And I cook the meat some before adding to peas.

Go to Cooks.com for more recipes

enjoy :)

New Years

Bought my dried blackeyed peas, turnip greens, hog jowl today. Getting ready for New Years Day dinner. Old southern tradition to cook all this for good luck and prosperity n the coming new year.

I have mentioned this before but our family tradition is to drop an old, circa 1936, silver dime into the blackeyed peas pot. Best luck to one who finds the dime. (Even better luck if dime is not swallowed ;) )

I already have plenty of white rice for the Hoppin John. You simply mix the peas and rice in a bowl or on your plate to make the HJ.


From Yahoo:
"To Eat or Not to Eat Black-Eyed Peas

"Whether you choose to follow the Southern New Year's tradition or not, black-eyed peas are a good source of nutrition. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, black-eyed peas are low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are low in sodium. They are high in potassium, iron, and fiber and a one-half cup serving of cooked black-eyed peas counts as one ounce of lean meat from the Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs and Nuts Group of the Food Guide Pyramid. Black-Eyed Peas Nutritional Information from About.com's Guide to Nutrition.

More About Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are actually not peas at all, but rather a variety of bean related to the cowpea and categorized as legumes, having both edible seeds and pods. According to the Library of Congress, they have been cultivated in China and India since pre-historic times and were eaten by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Early records from 1674 indicate that black-eyed peas were transported from West Africa to the West Indies by slaves. Subsequently, they reached the Lowcountry coastal regions of the Carolinas and Georgia, also via the slave trade, more than 300 years ago."


Yummy. I can't wait until New Years Day dinner.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Janet

MERRY MERRY

CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

WITH LOVE FROM

JANET (aka Chancy)

Weather and reading and aging

Today is so warm you would think it is spring time.
No way.

It is mid Decembber and almost too warm. Shirt sleeve weather. Temps hold at almost 70.

When this unseasonal warmth happens usually what follows in about a week is bitter cold shivering days.

Also:

I am reading "A Troubled Man" by Henning Mankell.

This mystery takes place in Sweden where Mankell himself lives.

The story revolves around detective, Kurt Wallander,who works in the police station in the small Swedish town of Ystad.

Wallander is just past his 60th birthday and he keeps brooding about his own aging and forgetfulness. Wallander is investigaing the disappearance of his daughters prospective father and mother in law . The daughter has recently given birth to a baby girl, Klara, who is Wallander's first grandchild.
.

From Amazon:

"I've enjoyed the Kurt Wallander series of books for many years, and have read as Kurt went from a young patrolman to, now, a 60 year old man with various illnesses. Being older than that myself, I can sympathize with him over his debilitations, and his fear of looming death. These things are all part of this excellent book.***

The plot concerns the future in-laws of his daughter Linda, who both disappear, apparently without any particular reason. Even though the disappearances are not within his police jurisdiction, because of the family ties Kurt gets involved in trying to find them, and what happened and why."


***(I will be celebration my 82nd birthday this Saturday, December 17th, so I too can understand Kurt Wallander's thoughts on aging.) ;)

Tis the season again

The leaves are all gone
Now I can see the sky
In all its' robins' egg blue glory

Night sneaks in silently
As darkness comes early
With a breath of cool quietness

We draw our sweaters close
And doze by the fire
Making restful peace

Once again
With winter time.



(by Janet (aka chancy)

Good times

What a delightful weekend.

First, on Friday we went to our 11 year old granddaughter's elementary school for a Veteran's Day program.The entire fifth grade put on the program with music and reading honoring present and past veterans.

We were surprised when M had a solo called Freedom. She belted it
out perfectly on key and with verve and vigor. :) :proud Grandma here:

Friday night we went to the high school where our 15 year old grandson had a lead in the one act play. Very talented young man.

And our grown grandson visited from Alabama with his new girlfriend. A
lovely, pretty young lady. Definitely a "keeper'


On Sunday we took them to the country club for a delicious buffet to finish up a fun time together.

Life is good

Fall is Here

Sorry I haven't posted in a month. Just so busy doing nothing I haven't had a chance.

Been watching the leaves turn all sort of brilliant colors here in Atlanta. Just outside my townhouse windows the trees have been putting on a gaudy show of bright yellows, crimson and an occasional hot pink. The squirrels are dashing in and out of the hole in the big oak tree in the back yard. I suppose by now they have enough nuts laid by in their larder to last them until springtime.

Buddy is fast growing back his winter coat after the disastrous haircut grooming fiasco of 2 months ago when he came home looking like a shorn lamb. What's that old proverb," God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb"? I felt sorry for the little guy without his lovely, longish coat.

I made a big pot of aromatic vegetable soup last week. 11 year old granddaughter dropped by and said, "Yum. What's that you're cooking?'
There was enough to give her some to take home for her family's supper.

I have been watching the Republican debates and wondering how much more tangled up in their underwear they can get. Where is straight talking Harry Truman when we so desperately need him.

And Thanksgiving is just around the corner so I need to go catch a turkey and trap some mince for the mince meat pies. ;)

I have been trying to come up with something different for Thanksgiving. Instead of plain ole boring roast Turkey.

I have a "White House Cookbook"** from about the turn of the last century (1900) and it has recipes for dishes like smothered squirrel and possum. I will skip those dishes this year.:) and stick with turkey




** Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) by F. L. Gillette and Hugo Ziemann You can go to www.projectgutenberg.org for interesting reading and some weird recipes like "Boiled Calf Head" :(

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Bumper Crop

Of Acorns

We went over to daughter and SIL's house today to celebrate grandsons' 15th birthday. Where did the time go ?

Just yesterday he was the darling little boy riding in the little red wagon that got away from him on the steep driveway and he clapped and shrieked with pleasure as the wagon rolled down and flipped onto the sidewalk, landing "feet first" on all four wheels.

Now he is a high school freshman with his first girlfriend. :)

Anyway at their house there is a huge old oak tree in the front yard. I never saw such a bumper crop of acorns all over the sidewalk and driveway. Slick as marbles. Son in law graciously gave me his arm when we left so I would not slip on the nuts. I told him that a super bumper crop of acorns means a cold cold winter.

Is that true or just an "old wives tale." I should look it up.

I did look it up. See below:


20 Signs of A Hard Winter.



Thicker than normal corn husks
Woodpeckers sharing a tree
Early arrival of the Snowy owl
Early departure of geese and ducks
Early migration of the Monarch butterfly
Thick hair on the nape (back) of the cow’s neck
Heavy and numerous fogs during August
Raccoons with thick tails and bright bands
Mice eating ravenously into the home
Early arrival of crickets on the hearth
Spiders spinning larger than usual webs and entering the house in great numbers

Pigs gathering sticks
Insects marching a bee line rather than meandering
Early seclusion of bees within the hive
Unusual abundance of acorns
Muskrats burrowing holes high on the river hank
“See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest”
Narrow orange band in the middle of the Woollybear caterpillar warns of heavy snow; fat

and fuzzy caterpillars presage bitter cold
The squirrel gathers nuts early to fortify against a hard winter
Frequent halos or rings around sun or moon forecast numerous snow falls.'

from "The Farmers' Almanac"

Thinking of you

...thinking of you...






To save the economy, on September 28, 2011, Obama will announce
That he is ordering the immigration department to start deporting
Old people (instead of illegal's) in order to lower Social Security
And Medicare costs.

Old people are easier to catch, and will not remember how to get
back home!

I started crying when I thought of you.

:)

You ain't nothin but a hound dog.

Did I tell you that Buddy, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel , has a barking problem? He is a real sweetie and normally a pussy cat but this is an annoying flaw.

We live in a town house and Buddy thinks ANYONE or any dog walking by is trespassing on HIS territory. He runs to a chair at the window and jumps up like a tiger and barks and barks.

I have tried everything. Coke can filled with coins, mist spray bottle with water, command of quiet, a bark collar, I even downloaded an Iphone APP for a silent or vocal loud whistle meant to deter dogs.

Everything seems to work for a little while,

Then it is back to the annoying barking.

The other day I read somewhere that animals seem to be calmed with background music. We have the music channel on our cable TV. So I decided to try the classic country channel and see if that worked with Buddy, a " Fancy pants dog"
Eddie Arnold, Tom T Hall, Randy Travis, all the old time favorites came on and Mr Buddy settled down for a good time of listening (and no barkin)

I have decided that even if Buddy is a "Fancy pants doggie" at heart he "ain't nothin but a HOUND DOG" if he loves Eddie and Tom and Randy and Reba.



It's been three days now of country music and Buddy is still quieter.I am crossing my fingers that it lasts.

Can't you just picture Buddy in a pair of denim overalls. Sitting on the back porch with a six pack of Bud getting ready to drive off in his red Chevy pickup truck, red bandana tied around his neck with classic country blaring from the radio?

Oh Well

In my last post I related what I found in cleaning out high up kitchen cabinets

"I found things I didn't know I missed.

A Toastmaster Snackster :) ? Had we ever used it? I don't think so. But it looks like it might make a fun sandwich. I knew I had long since lost the instruction booklet so I searched on the Internet and found lots of info and recipes. The Cinnamon French toast sounds good. "

Well.... the Snackster could have stayed missing in action. What a piece of
S%%T. No wonder we had misplaced it for about 8 years.

Nothing would do me but I try the contraption. I found the directions on the internet and proceeded to make grilled cheese snacks. I say snacks because the indentations inside don't even hold a small size piece of bread. I spent time cutting off the crusts then cutting the bread down more to size. Melted butter and brushed the bread, put cheese inside, plugged in the thing and waited until the light came on.

It was brown on only one side. NOT tasty at all. A grilled cheese in the frying pan would be easier and better .:(

Next time we donate stuff to Goodwill this Snackster is out the door.

However, the meatloaf turned out yummy. The Bill Blass recipe I made after finding my metal loaf pans during the clean out expedition.
Next time I make it I will use less ground pork and more spices. but it was still very good. And the left overs are fine.

Chef Buddy gave the meatloaf 5 stars. :)




RECIPE
Bill Blass's Meatloaf
ADAPTED FROM ''NEW YORK COOKBOOK''

INGREDIENTS

1 cup chopped celery
1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 pounds ground beef sirloin
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups Heinz chili sauce
3 slices bacon
PREPARATION

1.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan. In a heavy skillet over medium heat, saute the celery and onion in the butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Scrape into a large mixing bowl and cool.
2.
When the onions are cool enough to handle, add the meats, parsley, sour cream, bread crumbs, thyme, marjoram and salt and pepper to the skillet. Whisk the egg with the Worcestershire sauce and add to the mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, combine the mixture and mold into the shape of a loaf.
3.
Place the meatloaf in the prepared pan. Top with the chili sauce and bacon slices. Bake until firm and nicely browned, about 1 hour.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

*( more than 6 to 8 servings. Freezes well.)


( This makes enough for TWO loaf pans. I did not have the ground veal so I used ground pork with the ground beef. I used too much pork Use only one half pound pork with the 2 pounds of ground beef and only two slices of bacon for each loaf pan.)