it's almost 2020

Here it comes, ready or not, 2020 is almost here.  Do you remember when 1984 was science fiction and seemed so far away?  Do you remember when we ushered in the year 2000?  People (a cousing of mine in particular) were pretty sure the second coming was about to happen.  This particular cousin and her hsuband left a party early just in case.  I guess she felt that she would be safer at home.  So now it's (almost) 2020.  I like the sound of 2020.  2019 was a good year but just an ok sounding number.  Perhaps I like the sound of 2020 because I associate it with good vision, a very positive thought.  I did see an interesting suggestion an Facebook today.  It suggested that, when writing the new date, 2020 should be written out completely.  1-2-2020 instead of 1-2-20 for example.  The article suggested that if you just write 20 someone could change the date by adding two more digits.  20 becomes 2019 for example.  I haven't figured out yet when thos would be a problem, maybe if someone tried to change the date on a will to make it appear that it was written earlier.  I shall probably write 2020 on my checks, etc. just because I like it and I'll be watching for examples of when changing the date would be a problem.  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, Happy New Year!!!  Bring on 2020.

Do you remember....

Cabbage Patch Dolls?  This evening on the news they showed a short, sweet clip about little children going to court to "adopt" their new Christmas dolls and action figures in a small town in northern Indiana.  The reporter mentioned that this tradition started in the 1980s during the time of the Cabbage Patch Dolls craze.  I remember that time.  Every girl wanted one and every parent went to great lengths to buy one.  I had a friend who was working as the manager of the toy department at our local JC Penney's during that year.  He later quit and went into real estate - much easier.  Some of his descriptions of shopper frenzy were pretty funny (after the fact).  Thanks to a dear friend I was able to get a Cabbage Patch doll for my darling daughter without so much fuss.  Her brother was teaching in Germany at that time and shipped home several German Cabbage Patch dolls one of which I was able to buy.  I don't remember the dolly's name but my daughter was thrilled and thought it was really interesting that her baby's adoption certificate (every CPD came with one) was in German.  By the way, they were strange squishy faced little dolls, not really pretty in the traditional sense of the word, but oh so huggable.   

a new experience

This evening a friend and I attended the "Boars Head & Yule Log Festival" pur on by Plymouth Church.  This was the 45th year that they have put on this production and it was amazing.  I don't know why I have never seen it before but I'm so glad I have now. The pagentry, the costuming, the dancing, the choirs, the orchestra - everything was wonderful.  A note in the program said there are over 300 costumes.  Many of them were quite elaborate.  The "Beefeater" outfits looked as good as those I saw at the Tower of London.  All in all a visual and musical treat.  Better yet it's free.  You do have to pick up tickets though.  They put on four performances each year.  A great experience which I highly recommend.

blueberry blues

Well, I baked the blueberry cake today.  (See my post from two days ago.)  I need it for a carry in at church tomorrow.  I followed the directions carefully and it smells wonderful but it looks, well, flat.  I wondered when there was no baking soda or baking powder in the recipe, but it's a recipe in our last church cookbook, submitted by a friend who said it was her sister's famous blueberry cake recipe.  I mean, that sounds credible doesn't it?  Never the less, it is a pretty flat cake.  You might even say dense.  I suspect that my little old hand mixer (approximately 50 years old) just didn't have the power to whip enough air into the mixture even though I mixed the soft butter and sugar until it was fluffy and added the eggs and flour as directed.  My plan is to call it coffee cake and, if people don't like it, I will bring home anything left over.  Really that won't be too much of a hardship.  

trying a new way

I spent part of today sending out my annual Christmas poem, which has now obviously become a New Year greeting.  It's not unusual for me to be mailing out my season's greetings after Christmas.  So much other stuff seems to get in the way, all the usual business of the holiday season.  After addressing several envelopes, a process which was slowed down by the need to confirm new addresses. I have discovered that, when entering new addresses in my phone contact list all I need to do is enter the first part of an address and the phone will automatically pop in the rest of the info including zip codes.  Very convenient, but I decided, after several envelopes were ready to go, that there had to be an easier way, and there is. Please understand that this is all possible because I bougth a new phone this year.  It has a lot more fun features than my old semi-smart phone.  I took a nice clear picture of my poem with that same wonderful phone, then sent it as a text attachment to a niece whose address I don't have (she lives in a RV and moves around a lot because of her job).  Then I decided to take the easy way once more and posted my poem on Facebook.  So easy and I've had several nice responses.  And now I can relax for a year.

bake on

I just finished watching the holiday version of "The Great American Baking Show" and I am inspired to bake.  I will not, however, be baking a lavish meringue or elaborate macarons.  I will be baking a fairly simple blueberry cake.  Truth be told, I would not be thinking about baking anything this soon after Christmas but we are having a carry-in at church on Sunday.  I decided on the blueberry cake because I happen to have all the necessary ingredients on hand and it should go well with coffee.  I know it's a good recipe because the first ingredient is 2 1/2 sticks of butter.  That's my kind of cake. 

What's wrong with this picture?

I hope you all had as much fun as I did this Christmas day.  It was a good day.  Lots of food, lots of goodies and one question.  As gifts I received two jigsaw puzzles, a page a day Sudoku calendar, a book of crossword puzzles, a pair of fuzzy slippers, candy, a beautiful painting of a red winged blackbird, a calendar full of family pictures, a book and a toaster.  Every one of these gifts encourages me to enjoy a relaxing, one might even say sedentary, and calorie filled life style this winter.  It doesn't take a lot of effort to work on a puzzle or read a book.  But wait, there was one more gift.  I recieved a new, fancier Fitbit.  My old one was falling apart so I am really glad to have it, but I have a feeling that all the relaxing pastimes outlined above are going to be laced with a heavy dose of guilt as my Fitbit reminds me that I haven't taken enough steps or climbed enough stairs.  Ah well, I will struggle through (the guilt, not the recommended workouts). Merry Christmas everyone.

glorious music

Just came from a marvelous Christmas Eve service at First Pres.  The music was excellent.  Earlier this evening I attended a service at St. John's Lutheran and heard a friend sing a beautiful solo.  Between this and Heartland and the Philharmonic Pops this has been a wonderful holiday season for music.  Tomorrow of course will be all about eating and opening presents and that's ok too.  Merry Christmas everyone.

Are you ready?

People keep asking me if I'm ready for Christmas. Most of them know me too well to expect a yes answer. Not quite ready but I'm getting closer. Today I braved the mall (not too bad on a Monday morning) to buy a few last minute gifts, then shopped for all the groceries I need for Christmas morning brunch.  Then I spent a little time at church practicing for Christmas Eve service.  And finally, this evening, I finished wrapping all the gifts I will be giving.  I will have time tomorrow to do all possible food prep work. So, you know, I'm feeling nearly ready, until, that is, I look at the list of people I still want to mail my Christmas "poem" to.  I guess this year they will be Happy New Year greetings, or I could just post it on Facebook.  Hmmmm.... 

new movie, new restaurant,

This evening, as a somewhat delayed birthday treat, and at my request, my son took me to see the new Star Wars movie.  This is the third movie in the third set of three and, supposedly, the end of the saga.  I am happy to report that it is (in my opinion) an excellent movie with a lot of the feel of the very first one.  A number of the original props too, but that jsut made it more fun.  If, like me, you have been a Star Wars fan since 1977, you will enjoy this movie.  If your're not a fan, well then you just don't know what you're missing.
After the movie we picked up my granddaughter from a friend's house and the three of us went to supper at a Mexican restaurant I had never even heard of.  It's called Guacamole's and they serve, among other things, excellent guacamole.  It's not a fancy place but the food was really good.  
So good reviews all around.  I recommend the movie and the food.

It does make a difference

A friend and I went to the Heartland Sings performance at the courrhouse this afternoon.  It was beautiful as it is every year but we got in late enough that we had to sit in a back row, at some distance from the singers.  This actually makes no diference as far as the music is concerned but the speakers are another matter.  I think the acoustics that make the music reverberate so beautifully around the space under the dome makes someone speaking into a microphone sound like he has a mouth full of mush.  When I commented after the program that I had had a hard time understanding the speakers, he was much relieved.  He said he though he was going deaf.  We then got into a discussion of favorite Christmas movies.  The ofiginal "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Elf" were mentioned amongseveral others.  He was surprised when I added the first "Die Hard" to my list.  It does take place at Christmas so I think it should count.  

Arena scores again

I saw Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" at Arena Dinner Theater this evening. The food was good, the paintings on the walls were done by a friend of mine, very nice, and the play was very funny.  Actually the first act was amusing, the second act was hilarious.  The two handsome Spanish brothers Manolo and Jesus just come from Barcelona certainly spiced up the second act.  All in all a delightful play and one I would recommend. 

a strangely unsettling feeling

I was addressing my Christmas mailing tonight, finally getting some sent out.  I know, I know, very late but this will not surprise anyone who has known me for any length of time.  What gsve me a jolt this evening was addressing one envelope to my grandson.  He graduated from high school last June, and as a first fling at independence has moved into an apaftment with two friends.  So far so good as far as I know but I felt a little tug of sadness at the thought that one of my grands has left the nest.  This phenomenon will no doubt repeat itself three times in the next three years as the remaining grands head off to college or whatever.  I know it's inevitable and I really wouldn't want it any other way.  Still, the first is, well, the first.  Good luck little bird.

mistakes and misteaks and misstakes

Some mistakes can lead to good results, some not so much.  Case in point, I was finally getting around to mailing out my annual Christmas poem this evening.  I had seven notes written (I can't just send out a naked poem) envelopes addressed, poem stuffed inside, but thankfully no stamps on yet, when I realized I had a typo in the third line.  It's Arctic not Artic.  So I reprinted the poems and will work on mailing them out tomorrow.  Happily I hadn't used up all my fancy paper.  
The second mistake had a much happier outcome.  While entering a friends address in my contact list (not everything had transferred over to my new phone) I accidentally dialed her number. It was ringing before I realized what was going on so I decided to wait and see if she would answer. The is a friend who I don't see much because she lives in Texas.  She answered the phone, did have time to talk, and 45 minutes later we had pretty much caught up on each others lives.  A very satisfying accidental phone call.  

Shakespeare spurned

I was in a meetng earlier this evening where the discussion turned to theater offerings.  I was a little surprised and zomewhat saddened when several people agreed that we shouldn't be putting on Shakespeare's plays in our theater. "They're too boring." was the general opinion.  How sad and yet I do understand.  I don't think many people these days have the patience to sit through one of the bard's convoluted stories,  And I know his prose isn't always easy to understand. After all Shakespeare never used one word when twenty-five would do.  And goodness knows there are usually enough characters in one of his plays to populate a small village. However, I want people to love Shakespeare, especially since I'm going to be in "A Winter's Tale" in April. Don't worry about writing down the date I will be sure to keep remnding you as the time gets nearer.  Forsooth!

ordering on line

I'm always impressed with people who tell me they order everything on line.  Especially at this time of year.  And I admit I've tried it.  This eveing for instance, I ordered two things on line.  My son and daughter-in-law had each sent a suggested gift list with links to order on line.  I started with a gift for my daughter-in-law.  I clicked on the pictures, followed the prompts, and, within three minutes, had successfully placed my order. Hooray!  Then I tried to order an item for my son, clicked on the picture, got linked to a bazillion things I didn't want.  Started again.  And again, and again.  Finally, half an hour and three new passwords later I had placed my order.  I think I will wait a while to order on line again.  Probably sometime next December.  

Best Birthday Card

I celebrated my 75th (gasp) birthday this weekend and had a grat time.  The Pops on Friday night, the Carroll HS Holiday Celebration (wonderful orchestra and vocal music) on Saturday night.  Plus lots of time to visit with friends.  All in all a very nice birthday weekend.  Top it off I got this sweetly sentimental? card from my daughter.  Picture this: front of card - angels flying around the edges, all pale pink and gold with a gold-lettered message that reads 
"On the day you were born the angels got together,"  

How sweet I thought as I read it, how sentimental.  Then I read the continued message on the inside 
"They do that every day, just touch base, see who's got vacation coming up, stuff like that." 

Best Pops Ever

I attended the Philharmonic Holiday Pops Concert with some friends this evening.  We all agreed it was one of the best ever.  The tenor soloist, Doug LaBrecque, whose credits are quite impressive, really carried the show in my opinion. There was the usual appearance by Santa and his tap-dancing wife.  The Children's choir sounded great and, of course, the Philharmonic did a great job but the tenor solos were truly excellent.  Great job sll around.  It's on again tomorrow and next week Saturday and I do recommend it.

checking things off my list

I am a list maker.  I have a friend who says she never makes a list when she goes to the grocery store.  She just remembers everything she needs.  I admire that, I really do.  However, that's nit my way.  I can memorize things you understand.  I enjoy memorizing lines in a play, but, honestly, memorizing a grocery lsit holds no appeal for me.  It's just so much easier to make a list.  Also I find a real satisfaction in crossing things off a list, either a to-do list or a shopping list.  I feel like I've accomplished something.  Today I wrapped, boxed and mailed gifts for my relatives on both edges of the country.  I also finished writing my Christmas poem. Not printed out or mailed, you understand, but written. So there are some things off my pre-Christmas list.  If lists are good enough for Santa, they're good enough for me.

party time

Each year our apartment complex hosts a Christmas party for all the residents.  I always find someone intersting to talk with and many goodies to eat.  There's also a drawing for prizes but I've never won anything.  This evening's conversations ranged from real estate woes to travel plans to where a college professor got his doctorate.  All very nice, but I must admit I was more atracted to the food.  They had my favorite wine, Moscato, and usual goodies like mini hot dogs, meatballs, shrimp and skewers of chicken (all with the appropriate sauces of course).  The best item I tried, which was new to me, was a jalapino pepper stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon.  It was a little hot but yummy.  Of course it's hard to go wrong if you wrap something in bacon.
I am definitely in a Chirstmas food mood.  I don't traditionally bake cookies but a friend recently gave me a recipe for sweet rolls that sounds easy and really yummy.  I will be trying them for my Christmas day brunch.  I told my family that we are doing brunch this year instead of the usual evening dinner.  Everyone seems to think that's a fine idea, especially since I offered to host it.  

waiting for my muse

Every year I write a Christmas poem instead of a newsletter.  I started this for a couple of reasons. First, when I was yeunger and busy with Christmas for our children and work and everything else, I found that I usually didn't have time to read other people's newsletters until way after the holidays.  I reasoned that if I was too busy to read a lengthy letter so might other people be. Secondly, I decided that if I just hit the ihe high points I would at least let people know my family and I were still alive.  People who were curious enough to want more details could call me.  These days they text.  Third, I must admit, while I thought my husband and children (and eventually grandchildren) were wonderful - they were mine after all - they never seemed to be able to compete with the amazing sounding accomplishments of my friends' kids. Now I shall continue with my "poetry" writing, just because I enjoy it.  So far this year I have written the title "Hip, Hip, Hooray!"  A reflection of how times and focuses have changed.  Stay tuned. 

a new decorating touch

I'm almost at the end of my Christmas decorating for this year.  The tree looks good, there are other Christmasy bits of decor around my apartment, there are even seasonal guests towels in the bathrooms.  However, I'm not too sure about the lights I strung along my balcony railing this year.  For the last three years I had long "ropes" of multi-color outdoor lights wrapped arount the top railing and it looked pretty good.  However, probably because of too much wrapping, those lights died on me by the end of the season last year.  So this year I decided to try something different.  I bought two long strings of blue icicle lighta and strung them straight along the railing fastening tthem at about four-foot intervals, Now I'm wondering if I made a big mistake. Instead of hanging in a beautiful, natural looking (blue should have been my first clue) row, the wires are a little twisted and saggy, and while some of the icicles are hanging down as they should, others are pointing sideways and a couple are pointing up.  This is NOT a "natural look" for icicles.  I shall continue to tweak them and maybe try for a different look next year.  At least it's a pretty color of blue.  

Tried and true

This evening it was my turn to host a monthly meeting of a group I belong to.  We take turns fixing a dinner. The host provides a main dish and drinks and others bring in the side dishes and dessert.  I decided to serve a mushroom, cheese, spaghetti casserole that has been a long time favorite in my family.  A favorite, but one I hadn't prepared for a few years.  In fact I really had to dig to find the handwritten recipe tucked into one of my old cookbooks.  I am happy to report that it tasted just as good as I remembered and my guests seemed to think so too,  They all had seconds.  Always a good sign.  I also enjoy it when everyone around the table gets very quiet because they're too busy eating to talk.  Good to know I can still create a silence.  

Christmas songs and stories

I saw the First Presbyterian Theater production of Christmas Songs and Stories this evening. As the name implies it is a variety show of sings and readings including "T'was the Night Before Christmas."  When the show started I wasn't too impressed but after the first two songs I was hooked.  The first half of the show was secular , the secon half scriptural.  And it was all beautifully done.  I recommend this show.  

Charity

I had two interesting opportunities to give to charity today.  First, I stopped at Walmart to do some shopping, and, as I got out of my car, heard the red kettle bells ringing.  I try to drop something in when I have some cash with me so I was ready and popped something into the kettle when I reached the door.  Then I heard a voice saying "Well, hi Luci."  It was a friend of mine helping with the bell ringing.  We had a nice little chat, and I was really glad I had put something in the pot.  Later today I got a request in the mail for a donation, by a nationally known charity.  I was tempted so send them something because their mailing included some Christmas theme return address stickers.  I had just been wishing for some of those.   Then I looked more closely at the name and address on the stickers.  The address was correct but the stickers had my husband's name on them along with mine.  My husband has never lived at this address; in fact he's been dead for 13 years, so I decided he probably didn't want to make a donation.  

It's a mystery

I was sorting through my coat closet recently and I discovered a jacket that doesn't belong ro me.  It's a nice red light-weight casual jacket, trimmed with black accents, and I hadn't noticed it before because I do have a similar light-weight red jacket.  I think, when I saw the sleeve of this mystery jacket I just assumed it was mine until I noticed my red jacket tucket away at the back of the closet.  I don't know where this 'new' red jacket came from.  I have asked several friends and no one claims it.  Now I'm pretty sure jackets don't just grow in closets.  If they do, why doesn't money grow on trees?  Someone who was visiting me must have put it there.  I think I will post a picture on facebook.  If no one ID's it from that maybe I will take it to church and hang it on the coat rack there.  If it hangs there too long I'll donate it to Good Will or something. But really, wouldn't you think somebody might notice that they've lost a red jacket?

Real mail

I love this time of year, and not just for the obvious reasons.  I know it's hopelessly old fashioned but I really like to get real mail.  I don't mean the usual assortment of stuff that shows up in my mail box.  On any typical day I'm likely to get at least one notice that I've been approved for life insurance, two suggestions that I might want to borrow money for the holidays, three requests to send money to various charities.  four advertising pieces and five golden rings.  Oh, wait, that last bit doesn't sound quite righr.  However, during this wonderful time of year I can expect to get at least one real piece of mail from a real person.  Today was a bonanza day.  I received two Christmas cards and a birthday card, each signed by real people.  I particularly liked the birthday card which wished me a "year of great adventures."   I like adventures, and since I'm about to turn 75 (three quarters of a century, gasp!) I'd better get them while I can.

new and improved

A public service announcement:  
The Allen County Public Library (one of my favorite places to visit) has installed a new improved computer system.  It's been operational for a couple of weeks now.  The first day it shut down after so many people tried to access it that the system thought it was being hacked.  After that happened I decided to wait a while to go on their new system.  Yesterday I got a notice that two books I have checked out needed to be renewed.  Since I have been renewing on line for several years now, I decided the time had come to try the new system again.  No luck.  I followed their directions but couldn't get it to accept a new password. So I quit and went to bed, deciding I would renew in the oldfashioned way, by phone, in the morning.  But before I could do that I had a scheduled class with a young lady I tutor.  When I told her my tale of woe, she informed me that in order to get access I needed to either go to the library or phone in and get a new password from them.  So we went to the library.  A nice librarian helped me renew my books and also took me through the whole process of getting set up with their new system.  Time will tell if I actually find myself using this wonderful new system any more than I did the old one but it is good to be connected.  By the way, your old library card still works. 

almost but not quite

I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to establish an on line connection to the library's new system.  So far, no luck.  However, when I thought I was getting somewhere a little bit ago, I suddenly found myself being asked for credit card information.  Now I may be slow but I do know that the Allen County Public Library doesn't charge my check-outs on a credit card, so I quickly backed out of that site.  Tomorrow I will renew my books the old fashioned way, on the phone.  

post Thanksgiving status

I had a really fun Thanksgiving this year.  My brother and I drove to Virginia to spend the holiday with his grandson and wife.  My brother's daughter and her "husband" and my brother's ex-wife were also there.  It was a very congenial group.  We ate a lot, laughed a lot and played games.  Just what a famly Thanksgiving should be.  Sadly, when I got home I discovered that I couldn't connect to my blog site until this morning.  I am typing this while I am briefly connected and will try to resolve the problem.  More later, I hope.  

Like an old friend

Well, my tree is up.  Not decorated, mind you, but it's up, standing patiently waiting for the decorations that will adorn it after I get back from my Thanksgiving trip.  I decided that I would put it up now so I can hang the ornaments as soon as I get back since I will be doing some holiday entertaining starting on the 8th.  I've been trying to remember how old this (obviously artificial) tree is.  It's an antique as far as artificial trees are concerned.  I have to assemble it branch by branch and it doesn't have built in lights. Those have to be strung.  Amazingly it still looks a lot like a Christmas tree, especially after it's covered with ornaments, and I still love seeing it. There are a lot of happy memories wrapped up in this old tree.  Over the years one or more of my kides and grandchildren have helped me decorate it which is always fun.  But, back to the question of age. My husband and I bougth this tree when we moved back from Ohio to Tonkel Road because we needed a larger (7 foot) tree.  We paid a reasonable price for it, a little more that we expeceted to, but it looked good and fit the space well.  After 37 years, I think I've gotten my money's worth.  One of these years I will probably decide that I am too old or too tired to put it up but not yet, not just yet.  

a busy, fun weekend

I spent Friday night at my daughter's house so I could attend a fashion show.  Carroll High School not only has a great band but also pretty impressive clothing design classes and culinary classes.  Friday evening these classes presented yummy food and beautiful clothes at their end of semester show.  I watched with pride as my granddaughter walked the runway, not as a model but as the designer and creator of the outfit her model was wearing.  The theme was Fort Wayne places and beautiful outfits symbolized the three rivers, the courthouse (lady liberty) the Baker Street station and many more.  My granddaughter's theme was the roller derby girls and she created a cute outfit with a fitted top and swirly bright red skirt.  Stripy socks and hightops completed the outfit.  I guess they wouldn't let her model roller skate across the stage.  Probably a wise decision.  After the fashion show, the artists and their creations stood around the room by the culinary tables answering questions and receiving compliments on their outfits.  We, the audience, roamed from station to station, commenting on the clothing and enjoying the goodies.  The food ranged from lamb kabobs and beef stew to ice cream and other yummy desserts.  All in all a fun evening.  
The next day I brought my granddaughter home with me, picked up her brother from his new apartment (which I am pleased to say is really quite decent) and cooked an old favorite supper for them - salmon patties and mac 'n' cheese.  Then we went to the Philharmonic's Violins of Hope program (really excellent).  My grandson had particularly wanted to see this and his sister was happy to come along. They stayed over last night and this morning I fixed them scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and tea.  Then off to church and, after the service, the annual Korean Thanksgiving dinner put on by our Korean language congregation in honor of US Korean War Veterans.  Everyone in the church plus veterans from our area are invited and the food is amazing.  All the traditional Thanksgiving fare - turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, etc. and several excellent Korean dishes like pulgogi, kimchi, pot stcickers, rice, noodles and much more.  Then of course there were the desserts, carried in by the non-Korean members of the church.  Needless to say my grandchildren were quite pleased with this feast.  If it sounds like all I did was eat all weekend, you would be right.  I consider it training for the big holidays coming up.  It's always good to be in shape.

Family Stories Months

Well, I was fresh out of ideas again so I went looking for special days on Google.  It's amaing how many there are.  Every month has at least one for every day it seems.  But today I discovered one that really makes sense.  And it's not even a day, it's a whole special month.  November is "Family Stories Month."  Now isn't that perfect?  What better time is there for reminiscing than Thanksgiving?  Families sitting around the overloaded table remembering relatives not here any more and silly events from our childhood.  If you don't remember things you can make them up. Your kids won't know the difference.  I'm always amazed at how differently my brothers and I remember things that supposedly happened to us at the same time.  I'm thinking that if I can keep my family focused on the 'good old days' as we sit around the Thanksgiving table next week we can avoid politics and religion.  A result devoutly to be hoped for.  

According to one list tomorrow is World Hello Day, World Television Day. and World Philosophy Day.  But it's also, and this is my challenge, Use Less Stuff Day.  Who knew that you could squeeze so many special 'days' into one date?  So, looking ahead to tomorrow, I will say hello to everyone I meet (I always do), I will watch some television (again, I always do) (especially on Thursdays when "Young Sheldon" is on) and I will try to ponder something philosophical (I very seldom do this).  Then I will try to figure a way to use less stuff.  I'm not quite sure how that's going to work out.  I guess I could skip my shower thus using less soap.  I could eat my lunch with my hands over the kitchen sink, thus using fewer dishes,  I could skip brushing my teeth (Yuck!) I could eat less food?  No, that's not going to happen.  I could turn off this laptop and go to bed, thus using less electricity - but no, I will plug my computer in to charge the battery before I go to bed so there goes any power savings.  Ah well.....

getting my mind around it

I have very mixed feelings about traffic circles.  I know they've been around for years, especially in Europe.  But it almost seems like a fad here in the mid-west US these days.  Especially here in Fort Wayne.  There seems to be a new one every time you turn around, or should I say drive around? I've been told that they are faster, safer, more efficient than traditional intersections.  There's probably a learning curve (pun intended) but I have seen someone going the wrong way around a traffic circle and, when they first installed a series of four of them on Tonkel Road, it seemed like there was a minor accident about once a week.  What got me thinking about this again today was a report on this evening's news that Ohio is replacing one of the deadliest intersections in their state with a traffic circle.  Evidently now it is a four way stop.  They say it will be safer and more efficient, not to mention less expensive, than installing a traffic light.  If nothing else it might slow people down as they pause to figure it out.  And don't even get me started on 'diverging diamonds' although the one on Dupont Road is kind of fun to drive.

beware scammers

I saw an interesting interview on a TV talk show this morning bwtween a sympathetic host and a woman who had been scammed.  In this case she had "fallen in love" with a scammer through the internet, and before she discovered the scam, had given him over one million dollars.  Wouldn't you get a little suspicious after the first few thousand?  I'm pretty sure I will never be caught in this kind of scam for one very good reason.  I don't have a million dollars and don't know anyone I could borrow it from.  Turns out this victim had borrowed several hundred thousand from her parents.  I would think someone in this group of people might have become suspicious.  
But then, this afternoon I found myself engaged in a series of emails with a man I have never met and I got just a hint of how someone might get sucked in.  In my case it wasn't a scam but the result of an accidental email.  I was sending some information to my son and typed in his email address incorrectly.  Turns out it was the correct email address for someone with the same name as my son.  He sent me an email to let me know I had sent my message to the wrong person.  This led to an exchange of ten emails about where each of our families was from and might we be related. It was all quite innocent and ended with my promise to let him know if I ever do some genealogical research and find a connection between our families.  As I said, it was all quite innocent but fun and I can see how someone could get sucked into a scam.  
PS I'll let you know if he writes back asking for money.  

putting a good spin on it

I attended a women's retreat this weekend and during our late evening snack and talk time one friend shared an interesting theory.  She had had breakfast Friday morning with a lady who claimed to have read that the earth is wobbling and tilting a little more on its axis.  Evidently, according to this lady, the tilt and wobble is being caused by the the concrete that the Chinese are pouring in their cities, adding weight to the earth.  One of the group googled this "fact" and discovered that, while the earth is wobbling and tilting, it's a natural phenomenon which happens from time to time.  One of the older ladies in our group said that was very good news.  From now on, whenever she trips or walks a little unevenly she can blame it on the earth wobble instead of old age.  Sounds good to me.

I alomost panicked

I went to a women's retreat this weekend; very nice. lots of fun actually, but when I got home this afternoon and checked my mail I thought I had slipped through a time warp.  There were two envelopes in my mail that looked suspiciously like Christmas cards. Noooo!!! I haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet.  Which reminds me I saw a cute cartoon redently.  A very serious looking turkey is speaking to the Grinch. He says "We want you to steal Thanksgiving."  But I digress.  When I opened the suspect envelopes, with trembling fingers, I discovered that envelope number one held a Thanksgiving letter with a friend's new address and envelope number two was a note and magazine article from a friend who lives in Florida.  The article was about a group of ladies wo live in The Villages (where my friend lives) and paint small rocks with cheery little sayings or religious symbols, then leave them in semi-hidden places for people to find.  She suggested that I share the article with some friends and maybe start a rock painting group of my own.  She was much too busy to do this but thought I might enjoy it.  I'm in a group now that crochets, knits or, in my case weaves, scarves and hats for homeless people.  We're up to 67 sets now, plan to hand them out in January.  I'm just guessing here but I think they might be just a little more pratical than painted rocks, at least during a Fort Wayne winter.  But I will send a nice thank you email to my Florida friend and say maybe someday I'll ger around to it.  I used to have a round tuit but that's another story..  

Smile

I had my teeth cleaned today; not my favorite activity but it was OK.  After the nice lady who has cleaned my teeth for years (she has a nice, gentle touch) finished her work the dentist came in to have a look.  He said that everything looked good and I was  obviously "practicing good dental hygiene."  I told them that I will be 75 next month and want to hang on to these teeth as long as possible.  Both of them exclaimed "You certainly don't look 75."  That's one of those statements that I choose to take as a compliment but I'm never quite sure.  Do they mean I look younger or older?  It can be taken either way.  I suspect the nine-year-old who told me I looked "about a hundred" about a year ago was being more honest.  On his way out of the exam room the dentist said "You have the teeth of a 30 year old."  To which I replied "Well, I hope he doesn't want them back."    

a tech success

After a week of looking at a lengthy message on my TV screen when I tried to access Netflix, I finally became so desperate to find something fun to watch that I took the time to try to follow the directions.  After I read them carefully I realized that they were basically "pull out your Roku stick, turn off your TV, unplug everything, then plug the Roku stick back in 'firmly', plug everything back in, turn the TV on."  I followed all of these steps and, lo and behold, the cover screen for Netflix access showed up on my TV.  I was so excited.  I grabbed the appropriate remote (I have several), pushed the usual buttons, and nothing.  No shift to Netflix, no seeing the long list of shows to watch, just a pretty picture with no action.  If I wanted that I could just hang a picture on the wall.  After some careful considertion, and a search through a couple of drawers I found what I needed.  I figured it couldn't hurt to try so I replaced the batteries in the remote.  Joy of joys it worked.  It's rediculous how successful I feel when I amnage to accomplish something even a little bit techie.  Hooray!!!

a more interesting study

So it turns out there may be a legitimate reason why some children, and adults, don't like vegetables like brussel sprouts, broccoli and cabbage.  Scientists have determined that some people are born with a gene (it's always good to be able to blame things on genetics) that makes them 'super tasters' who react more to bitter tastes.  Who knew?  I bet there are thousands of kids out there who would like to tell their parent "Sorry, I'm a super taster and __fill in your least favorite vegetable ____ just doesn't taste good to me."
On the other end of the spectrum, I had a friend in college (yes, I can remember back that far) who could not smell or taste anything, and yet she had very definite likes and dislikes in food.  I asked her once how she knew what she liked if she couldn't taste it.  Her answer "Texture."  

I agree

I am not going to talk about snow this evening.  It's too early for snow and I was not entranced with today's weather. 
So, on another subject.  It was announced on my favorite morning news show that a study has shown that people who nag less have happier relationships.  Just as I was thinking it, one of the announcers said "They needed a study for this?"  It's good when someone agrees with me.  I'm actually not opposed to all these strange studies.  They must be employing researchers.  Employment is good, it keeps people off the streets.  The only question I have is who is paying for all these studies?  My two best guesses are (1) the government aka taxpayers (who knows why) or (2) pharmaceutical companies so they can invent a cure and give it a name with an X in it. 

more great music

This afternoon I had the pleasure of seeing the St. Francis University production of "The Sound of Music."  This is the second USF production I've seen and they really do a very good job.  I like the fact that they use actors from the community as well as the school so you don't have college students with powdered hair playing old people or 'children' who look about 20. I was impressed by the quality of the singing and the acting.  The seven children (the youngest looked about 4) did a great job with their musical numbers.  I had seen the theater version before so I wasn't surprised at how it differed from the movie, same basic story line but not as lavish. Most of the same music (they did have a live orchestra in the pit) as the movie but the play actually had two musical numbers that weren't in the movie.  I must also give credit to their art department for the excellent sets and smooth scene changes. 
This evening (while in a theatrical mood) I auditioned for a part in the Shakespeare play "A Winters Tale" which will be produced at First Presbyterian Theater in April.  I don't know if I'll get a role or not (there aren't that many old lady parts) but it was fun to try.

Doggy Day Care

Today I was called into service to puppy sit for my three granddogs, Stella, Wallace and Perry.  As it happens, my granddaughter's marching band (well the band she's in) made it to state and they are marching in competition tonight.  Leaving the dogs from 2pm on seemed like a long stretch, since the band doesn't march until 9:30, judging begins at 10:30 and they don't expect to get back from Indy til about 3am.  So I spent the afternoon with the dogs to keep them company, fed them their suppers, let them outside for the necessary and tucked them into bed in their kennels.  All of this and I managed to get home before dark.  I don't drive after dark for the good of all drivers and pedestrians.  I'm feeling very virtuous for helping out with the dogs but, truth be told, it's the easiest job ever.  They pretty much crawled up on their preferred spots on the couches and snoozed all afternoon.  I spent the afternoon reading Shakespeare to them practicing for an audition tomorrow evening).  Just as with some people I know, Shakespeare seemed to put them right to sleep.

He's no Yule Brenner but

pretty good, all the same. I'm watching "The King and I," the stage production on PBS, and it's really very good.  I had forgotten about the sad parts.  It has been many years since I saw the movie after all, but the music is just as beautiful as I remembered, and they are doing a marvelous job with the dance numbers.  Also the "Uncle Tom's Cabin" sequence was beautifully done.  I will probably be 'whistling a happy tune' in my sleep tonight.

Antique envy

I really shouldn't watch Antiques Roadshow.  It's not that I think I've ever owned some fabulous antique and let it get away from me without realizing its value.  Even with my massive downsizing four years ago I didn't sell (or give away) anything even closely resembling a fabulous antique.  This evening's show was particularly depressing because is was a recap of their most fabulous finds.  I particularly liked the pretty little table that a woman bought in an antique shop for $25 that later sold at acution for over $500,000.  There was also a beautiful woven Indiaa (Native American if you prefer) blanket that sold for several thousand dollars.  Somehow, I don't think that the acrylic yarn scarves that I've been weaving  lately would ever sell for much more that $5. Although maybe I'll be discovered and become the Grandma Moses of weaving.  This definitely falls into the "don't hold your breath" catagry.  

Great Day in the Morning

Today is a very special day.  It's my third grandchild's 17th birthday.  Happy, happy birthday darling!! But just in case you don't know my granddaughter and want to celebrate something else, today is also "Marooned Without a Compass Day," "National Nacho Day" and "Saxophone Day."  Not sure what I can do with that knowledge but perhaps I can design a really great island birthday party for next year.  I'd better start practicing my saxophone.  If you would like to plan ahead for tomorrow it will be "Men make Dinner Day," always one of my favorites.  

It's all OK for now

Well, I'm very pleased with the outcome of today's election.  Everyone I voted for won.  That's pretty rare.  Of course I could only vote for six people but still I liked the outcome.  I'm hoping against hope that I'll be just as happy a year from now.  In the meantime I am going to enjoy not hearing political ads (for at least a few weeks).  Watch out!  Only two months 'til 2020.  I think my new year's resolution may be to hibernate or at least to turn off the TV and read lots of escape novels.  

hope springs eternal

I went down to the laundry room this morning (my usual Monday morning activity) and, after waiting a looooong time for the elevator, was excited to see a bright yellow barricade with OTIS printed on it blocking off one of the elevators down on the lower level.  We received a notice from management two months ago that our elevators, which are quite elderly, will be replaced.  So, when I saw the barricade this morning I got excited.  I understand that they will replace one elevator at a time so I was excited to think that they are finally getting started.  Well, not quite.  According to a chatty lady in an Otis uniform this is just the preliminary step.  They have to check out all the elevators to make sure they meet with state requirements. Then they can start replacing them.  Ok, this left me shaking my head a little, but at least we are beginning to get a glimmer of action.  When my church recently replaced an elevator with a greatly updated model we not only gained efficiency but also a lovely lady's voice (do you remember department store elevator voices?) which announces which floor we are on.  It might be fun to have a voice on the apartment elevators.  "Tenth floor - apartments 1000 - 1005 to the left, 1006 - 1010 to the rigth.  Watch your step."  Maybe??

Hooray!!

Technology strikes again. Fot the last two days I have been unable to access Google on my laptop.  Which also means I have been unable to write this blog or access my bank account. I'm not sure why it's working now but I did turn off and on everything I could think of. Maybe that helped or maybe it was magic.  Who knows? So, here's what I've been up to.  I went to the Philharmonic last night.  Beethoven's 5th was amazing and so was an original work by a Fort Wayne musicial named Patrick O'Malley.  He's no Beethoven but he's a young man who shows great promise.  The third piece included a viola solo that was fantastic.  All in all a great show.  
Another musical note: Carroll High School band did very well at the semi-state competition (6th in the state I think) and they are going on to the state competition  next Saturday. The Charger Pride has come a long, long way since my husband and I were pit parents 30 years ago.  That's all the news for now. Hopefully I'll be able to blog again tomorrow.

Memory Work

I heard about a study yesterday that I found very reassuring.  It seems that 60 years ago some scientists tested the memory strength of a group of eight year olds.  Now, 60 years later they (probably not the same scientists??) are comparing the memory ability back then to memory strength in the same people at age 68.  I don't know what final conclusions they will draw but it looks like good memory strength at 8 does seem to be reflected in good memory strength 60 years later.  I find this interesting because back when I was 8 years old, and for all my elementary school days I had memory work every day.  It was something they did in the Lutheran schools.  Every day of the school year we had an assignment to memorize, either a Bible passage or the words of a hymn.  By eighth grade, in preperation for Confirmation we had memorized all of Luther's Small Catecism and so much more.  My 7th and 8th grade teacher (it was a small school, one teacher to two grades) used to tell us that we should memorize each assignment so thoroughly that if we fell out of bed in the middle of the night we could recite it backwards.  I do believe that all the practice memorization really helped me do well in high school and college and I know it has helped me learn my lines in plays I've been in.  Now it seems hopeful that all that brain exercise might help me get through a few more years with a decent memory.  I'm grateful to all of the hard working and oh so patient teachers in my life and it seems appropriate to remember them on All Saints Day. 

Happy Halloween

I'm not surprised that the city decided to postpone trick or treating until Saturday.  It actually has been a fairly yucky day.  They are right now showing a sprinkling of snow (gasp) on the news.  Wind chills in the morning are supposed to be down in the teens.  I really shouldn't be surprised.  When I went shopping for Halloween decorations two weeks ago all I could find were Christmas things.  I guess Mother Nature is just following the stores' schedules.  On the cozy side, I recently purchased a recliner and it was delivered this afternoon.  It's actually a two-seater, love seat style recliner - very cute. I am happy to report that it has passed all my tests.  It fits in the space I had planned for it. it's very comfortable and, when I recline the back, I can fall asleep in front of the news in under 30 seconds.  Friends have mentioned falling asleep in their recliners.  Now I understand.  I can see how that could happen.  Good night everyone.  

trunk or treat

Last night I couldn't blog because, for some mysterious reason,  my computer wasn't working but tonight it is.  At least for now.  Since yesterday evening's activity was more fun than this evening's, I've decided to write about yesterday's activity.  At 5:30 yesterday, with 14 car trunks or the SUV equivalents decorated and waiting, we opened up the church parking lot to as many Day School and neighborhood children as wanted to come.  Many came. Our cars were decorated and filled with candy.  Princesses, pirates, turtles and one cow paraded past our cars shouting "Trick or treat" and collecting copious amounts of candy.  We even saw one dog dressed like a dinosaur.  To be honest, he looked like he would rather be at home in bed. Actually the cow was one of the adults.  I was surprised at how many turtles there were.  I didn't realize that Mutant Ninja Turtles were still so popular.  I really overbought candy.  I think I was just trying to make up for all the years when I lived on Tonkel Road.  It was a very busy street, and we didn't have any trick or treaters.  Now I live in an apartment and again I never  get trick or treaters.  So last night was fun.  My decorations were pretty simple.  I lined the back of my car with an orange plastic table cloth which also covered a large rectangular bin that I filled with candy.  Then I looped lots of autumn color sparkles around.  As I said very simple.  But then a friend (the cow) said that it looked like an open casket.  So for the rest of the evening I presented my display as a candy coffin.  Everybody loved it but not enough for me to win first prize.  Ironically, first prize went to a van decorated like the Candy Land game.  I never won that game when I played it with my grandchildren and I guess I still haven't.

A day we all can love

Today is National Plush Animal Lovers Day.  Now who couldn't love a day like that?  In my own life I have some fond memories of  favorite plush animals (those that belonged to me and others).  Early in my life I had a stuffed lamb named Lambkins.  Sadly I lost Lambkins when I accidentally dropped her in the toilet.  That was in an era when not all toys were washable and my mother was a bit of a germaphobe.  I also remember my brother's stuffed teddy bear.  It was a good looking bear except for its bald head.  That was due to my brother's habit of plucking out little bits of fuzz to rub under his nose while he sucked his thumb.   My son had a stuffed teddy bear that he treasured for a long time.  In fact, on the day he ran away from home (he only went a block, then came back) the only thing he packed in his little suitcase was his teddy bear.  Of course the ultimate stuffed animals are the ones you can create at Build a Bear with little imbedded hearts and designer clothing.  Those were my granddaughters' favorite plush toys.  Recently I've seen ads for plush cats that look very real and actually purr when you pat them.  I'm sorry but that just seems a little creepy to me but to each his own.  Take a minute to cuddle your own plush animal tonight.

Dog love

I understand that people love their dogs.  Over my lifetime I have lived with and loved many dogs including my first dog, Mabel, when I was one year old.  My father was in charge of naming pets when I was a child.  We also had a cat named Heathcliff and another named Hercules.  What got me thinking about dogs today was a picture in this morning's news paper of a man being licked on the lips by his huge dog (a Dogue de Bordeaux in case you're interested).  I will readily admit to letting dogs sleep in my bed, taking them on camping trips and slipping them bites of people food but I never, never let them "kiss" me on the lips.  I find the whole idea disgusting.  My son, however, didn't mind at all when he was a baby.  When He was about a year old I had put him in hs mesh sided playpen while I was fixing supper.  Things got very quiet so I glanced over the kitchen island to see what was going on.  My son had his face pushed up against the mesh while our little dachshund was licking his face all over, industriously cleaning up the child's teething drool. I instantly grabbed my child and pulled him back to the other side of the playpen. As soon as I let go, of course, he crawled right back to where the dog was waiting so they could resume their game.  Both dog and child survived this close encounter so I guess it's not poisonous but I still don't want any dog licking me on the lips.  Luckily my three granddogs don't live with me so it's really not much of a problem these days.

carpet cleaning, continued

Who knew having your carpets cleaned was such a big project?  But I'm happy to report that things are pretty much back in order.  I vacuumed all the carpets, as instructed, but they still look pretty much the same - beige.  I didn't really expect any big changes.  There weren't any stains or anything like that but it feels good to know it's all clean.  There's one exception though to everything being back in order. The guest bedroom is still fairly chaotic.  I have a nice big walk-in closet in that bedroom and I use it to store special stuff like all of my Christmas decorations, not to mention Easter and Halloween and boxes of stuff that I haven't opened since I moved in here four years ago.  I really wanted that closet carpet cleaned so I dragged everything out and stacked it on the beds.  Now I have to put it all back and I know I can't just shove everything back in there.  I need to sort through some stuff.  I have a sinking feeling that things are going to go back in the closet much mroe slowly than  they came out.   On the other hand, maybe I'll discover some long forgotten treasure that I can take to Antiques Roadshow.  Hope springs eternal. 

blogging in the morning

I usually write this blog in the evenings.  Often it's the last thing I do before I go to bed.  But here I am blogging at 9:00am in keeping with my sometimes title of "the great procrastinator."  My excuse?  I had my carpets cleaned yesterday.  By the way, it takes some special equipment to clean a 10th floor apartment.  They can't just run some hoses in from a truck parked in the driveway.  Happily, I was able to hire the same person who cleans the hallway carpets here and he did a great job.  To make it efficient and thorough, I moved small pieces out of the way - dining chairs in the kitchen, livingroom lamps in my bathroom, smaller pieces of furniture on the balcony and so forth.  After the cleaning was done, I was told to let the floors dry overnight, then vacuum everywhere, and then I can put everything back in place.  (Guess what I'm putting off doing today?)  Anyway, while sitting in the semidark, because I couldn't put the lamps back yet, watching NexFlix which is only available on my living room TV yesterday evening, I realized that I didn't have enough light to see my laptop keyboard.  I know, I know, I could have moved to the dining room where there is an overhead light but instead I opted to go to bed.  And that's enough explaining and procrastinating.  I'd better start vacuuming.  

Feeding the hungry

On the 4th Thursday of each month a few of us at my church gather together to prepare and serve a noon meal to anyone in our downtown neighborhood who wants to come in and eat.  We also distribute some clothes and play BINGO. I am a pretty good BINGO caller if I do say so myself,  On an average 4th Thursday we will serve 60 to 80 people.  But one month out of the year, instead of serving a nutritious casserole, salad and cookies, we serve Kentucky Fried Chicken with all the fixin's.  Today was KFC day and we had over 100 people there.  We ordered 400 pieces of chicken plus mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, cole slaw and green beans.  People are always welcome to have seconds and take some carry-out.  By the time everyone was served and served and served all that was left for the volunteers for lunch was mashed potatoes, gravy and biscuits. I really can't blame anyone else for this since I was the one serving the chicken.  Perhaps I shouldn't have been quite so generous??? Ah well, it's only once a year.

Not a snake, thank goodness

My mother used to say, when she helped me find something I was searching for, "If it was a snake, it would have bitten you."  I'm ususally pretty good at finding things but I had a "snale bite" moment this morning.  To start at the beginning, two weeks ago I bought a recliner, actually a love-seat size double recliner.  It was ordered and I was told it would be delivered withing two to four weeks.  I was also told to keep my paperwork so I could track delivery time.  Two days ago I had a call from the furniture store.  The chair will be delivered on Halloween.  I was told to check my paperwork, call after 5pm the day before and use my order number to verify delivery time.  Then I started hunting for the paperwork.  I distinctly remembered puting it in a good, safe plaee. For two days, in all my spare minutes I searched for that paperwork.  I went through every stack of papers on my desk and even looked in some files to see if I had accidentally put it in the wrong place.  I even searched through my basket of paperwork to be shredded.  No luck, so I finally decided I would just have to call the furniture store and ask them for the onformation I needed.  And then it happened.  I was sitting at my desk this morning working on my computer, and happened to glance up.  There, on the top shelf above my desk, right out in the open, sat my paperwork.  The not so lost has been found. If it had been a snake it would have bitten me.   

making lemonade

Well, not really lemonade, but I was remembering the old adage "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."  In my case, I realized this morning that life had handed me half of a large bowl of left over fruit salad.  On Sunday I made a large bowl of fruit salad to take to a supper.  I didn't mean to make such a large amount of salad but by the time I threw in all the different fruits I wanted to include it filled a large bowl.  My friends all ate generous portions but I still brought a lot home with me.  This morning I eyed the fruit salad and decided that I really couldn't eat it all before it would go bad soooo I made a pitcherful of fruit smoothy.  This actually ended up tasting good.  I blended the fruit salad with unsweetend tea and it made a lovely, thick creamy mixture.  I  made two interesting discoveries along the way to creating this yummy drink.  First, my good old blender (nothing as modern as a food processor), avacado green, circa 1968, still blends beautifully.  Second, if you don't have the lid on just right and hold it on, you get a very interesting splatter pattern on the wall.  

Flu shots anyone?

I got my flu shot last week so I'm really not too worried.  Bit I do find it interesting that there is now a flu cure on the market named Xofluza.  Have you ever noticed how many new medication have names that begin with X.  I guess it's good to see X coming into its own.  It was a very neglected letter for a long time.  But I digress.  I find the commercials for this medicine to be quite interesting. First, in order to be effective, you must contact your doctor for a prescription within 48 hours of your first symptoms.  This makes sense to me since, in my experience, the flu often only lasts a day ro two.  The other thing I find interesting about this flu cure is the list of possible side effects.  They include fever, nausea, bronchitis and diarrhea.  Doesn't this sound a little like the flu?  

Sweet Charity

I was accosted on my way into the grocery store yesterday by a very polite Boy Scout selling popcorn.  He showed me a price list and I kindly explained to him that, while I would love to help. I didn't have enough cash with me.  He immediately assured me that they take credit cards.  Of course they do.  Boy Scouts are very enterprising.  Since the scout group was from the elementary school that two of my grandchildren attended, I decided to make a purchase.  The fact that I have a great fondness for flavored popcorn had nothing to do with it.  In case you're interested in buying siome rediculously expensive popcorn to help the Boy Scouts I recommend the salty caramel flavor.  Sadly I'm finding that Boy Scout popcorn disappears almost as quickly as Girl Scout cookies but at only five times the price. 

Unexpected changes

This evening I worked front of house for the current First Presbyteian Theater production "Art." It was a good play with lots of funny moments but the highlight of the evening for me was getting to have a conversation with the author of a play I was in last summer.  It was a weird, funny play called "My Dead Clown."  I knew tnat, since we did the play (the first ever production of it) David, the author, has been working on a film version.  He's actually won several awards at film festivals.  He was telling me how the film version has evolved.  It seems to have taken a dark turn with a couple of zombie like characters being introduced. My character, the church lady who mistakenly gets dragged off to hell, is still in it.  He said that, if/when the film is shown in a theater, we who were in the original cast would get 'red carpet' invitations.  I'm not holding my breath, but wouldn't that be fun?

It's good to laugh

This evening a friend and I went to the Arena Dinner Theater. The evening started well when we were seated with a retired Lutheran (ELCA) minister and his wife.  They were a fun couple and we had a good time conversing over dinner, even though I, as a mere Presbyterian, was outnumbered three to one.  Then on to the play, "Spider's Web" by Agatha Christie. I knew it would be a good mystery, I mean it was by Agatha Christie after all,  but I didn't expect all the laughs.  The actors did an excellent job and the lines were excellent.  All in all, a good fun evening.

I'm really not ready!

A few disturbing facts have come to my attention recently.  First, according to a chipper TV newsperson, there are only 10 more Fridays before Christmas.  Second, they are setting up the large Christmas tree at Jefferson Point.  But don't worry, they won't turn on the lights until sometime in November.  Third, I discovered, while shopping for some Halloween decorations today, that, at two weeks before Halloween, all remaining black and orange, autumn leafed, pumpkin faced decorations have been relegated to a tine little space way off to the side of the store.  At least I got my exercise trecking all over the store and I got to see lots of interesting Christmas decorations.  Ho ho ho!

Comfort Food

I have great memories of comfort food from my childhood.  At home my all time favorite comfort food was my mom's spaghetti.  So good!  But at my Aunt Dora's house my all time favorite comfort food was beef and noodles and mashed potatoes.  They say you can't go home again and I know that's true but this evening I experienced the next best thing.  We have an excellent cook at our church.  She cooks for the Day School and also for evening dinners before meetings and other programs.  She's not a gourmet chef but she is an amazing 'down home' cook.  Tonight (oh joy) before our Session meeting, we had beef and noodles and mashed potatoes.  Also corn, a roll and strawberry pound cake but let's stay focused on the important things.  I was first in line for the buffet.  Just a coincidence but I was eager.  The serving pans were lined up beef and noodles first, then the mashed potatoes (they were real by the way, not boxed). I reached for the potatoes first, then topped them with the beef and noodles and heard one of the servers saying to the cook "I told you put the potatoes first." So they switched them and everyone I saw put their beef and noodles on their potatoes.  It was sooo good.  I admit I had seconds.  And yes, I managed to polish off my cake also.  It was an amazing carb fest.  I managed to stay awake for my meeting but I did notice a lot of very relaxed people around the table.  

renaming a day

Today is Columbus Day, although I understand that there is a move to re-name it Native American Day.  And, I think, that in some states this has already happened.  I do understand that Christopher Columbus may not have been the paragon of virtue we were led to believe in elementary school, and I also understand that he never actually set foot on the territory that is now the United States.  Still, it saddens me to see Christopher's contribution to opening up the western hemisphere to Europeans ignored so I have a suggestion.  Instead of Columbus Day or Native American Day let's call it Great Explorers Day or Bold Explorers Day.  That would include the earliest explorers who crossed the Bering Strait or travelled north from what is now Mexico.  The Vikings, the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Pilgrims and anyone else you can think of could be honored.  We might even throw in the astronauts.  How about it folks?  Let's hear it for Explorers Day. 

ISSMA and icicles

Yesterday I had the real pleasure of seeing two of my granddaughters perform with their marching bands during the Scholastic Class Prelims (to be followed next week by the Open Class Regional), all of which will eventually, if all goes well, lead to the bands performing at state.  One granddaughter is in the flag squad for Bishop Dwenger's band and the other plays bass clarinet in the Carroll High School band.  Both bands put on beautiful shows.  Dwenger OB class) received Silver and Carroll (OA class) received Gold with distinction in all catagories.  It was a clear afternoon and evening, not like the gushing downpour that caught us last year.  The only problen was that it was COLD and windy.  I know it's October but I'm not ready for really cold weather yet.  I was smart enough to wear warm layers and take a blanket to sit on.  I remember once, years ago, when my husband and I were at a band competition because our kids were in the band (in the early days of Carroll's competition career) and we weren't yet smart enough to take something to sit on.  Aluminum bleachers are beastly cold to sit on when the weather drops below 40.  At that memorable event, we "borrowed" several styrofoam plates from the food concession to sit on and they really were better than nothing.  But back to yesterday.  It seemed so cold that I was mentally comparing it to my ride in a reindeer pulled sled in Lapland last March.  That is for sure the coldest I have ever been, but last night seemed like a close second.  It's a good thing I love my grandchildren.

it's a mystery

Have you ever noticed how, when you're specifically shopping for a few things in the grocery store, other things (usually tasty little things) will jump into your cart and follow you home?  Well, the same thing happened to me earlier today on a slightly smaller scale.  I walked across the parking lot this afternoon to go to the little grocery/convenience store in the other building because I needed cash and the store has an ATM machine.  Well, I got my cash and was walking out past the frozen food display case when (I swear this is true) the door flew open and a small box of Dove ice cream bars leaped into my hand.  Well, there the box was, in my hand, so I felt compelled to pay for it, and sure enough it ended up in my freezer.  I am happy to report that I am exercising some self control.  There is still one bar left in the freezer.  Two out of three have, however, mysteriously disappeared.  

a quick fix

Today was a day at home for me so I decided to do lots of little things that I've been putting off.  One 'job' was to call the apartment office with a short list of little repairs that needed to be made.  One closet door had jumped its track, the sink faucet in the guest bath was leaking around the edges, and the drain in my bathroom sink was draining very slowly.  I stressed that none of these was an emergency but shortly after 1:00pm a maintenance man showed up with a big tool box on wheels and another large bucket of materials.  Perhaps this was a bit much but he did look ready for anything.  I do understand because my husband used to say that you could always depend on a plumbing repair to become a much larger and more convoluted problem than first anticipated.  He always assumed that the job would require at least four times as much time as first anticipated and at least one trip to the hardware store.  
Happy ending: three hours later (and only one trip down to their supply room) I had a free flowing drain, a closet door that's back on track and a brand new faucet in the guest bath.  It turned out that the old one was so old that they didn't have replacement parts for it.  Even though I didn't lift a finger on these projects I have a nice feeling of accomplishment. 

Food bagging

This evening our church held its annual food bagging event.  100 plus volunteers organize themselves into teams of 11 or 12 and assemble sealed bags of a dried food mixture.  The ingredients that go into each bag are rice, soy protein, dried vegetables and a vitamin pack.  The assembly line process is very well thought out. Four people at the beginning of each line dump the ingredients into bags which are opened and held under a funnel by two people. Then two people weigh the bags adding or removing a little rice to get the weight right.  Next, two more people seal the bags and finally (and this was my job tonight) the last person pats the bags flat and packs them in cardboard boxes, 36 bags (180 meals) per box.  In years past my grandchildren and children have been on a team with me and they were fast.  We were either first or seconed team finished four years in a row.  Sadly, this year they were all involved in marching band and other stuff so I had to be on a team with lots of people my age (aka old).  So slow!  When the winning team finished their 16 boxes we had just finished our seventh.  Happily, I guess, we were saved further shame because the group who supplied all the ingredients and materials had miscalculated and we ran out of plastic bags.  Our goal was 25,000 meals.  Not sure how many we actually accomplished.  They gave us each an ice cream sandwich and sent us home.  Ah well, there's always next year. 

more great studies

It turns out, according to a recent study, that over-exercising can cause slugglish mental responses, poor decision making and brain burn out.  Well, if ever I heard a great excuse for being a couch potato, this is it.  Oh wait, they just finished the report by saying that this finding only applies to extreme athletes.  Regular people should keep exercising...but maybe I won't take any chances. 
The other study says that dog owners live longer (probably because they get exercise walking their dogs). It also says that patting a dog can be good for you.  I do not intend to become a dog owner - been there, done that - but I shall continue to pat friendly dogs that I encounter on my elevator rides.  Every little bit helps, right?

They're never too old.

I had a phone call from my 48 year old son this evening that started "Everything is ok, but...."  Now I don't know about your, but when a child of mine (no matter how old) starts a conversation like that my first impulse is to panic.  Turns out he was calling for some advice about insurance matters because he was in a traffic accident on his way home from work today.  He was crossing Hwy 27, with the green light, when a driver whom he described as a monk (long yellow and red robe) ran the red light and basically ripped the front off my son's Prius.  It's totaled of course, but as my son hastened to point out, it could have been so much worse.  A second later and he would have hit the driver's door.  Needless to say I have been offering up a lot of "Thank you, God" prayers.  

Day dreams

I'm watching the season opener of "Madam Secretary." This has been one of my favorite TV series for several years.  I know it's a fantasy, but I enjoy shows about smart, ethical politicians who actually accomplish good stuff.  This season Elizabeth McCord has become President of the United States.  Such a lovely idea.  I shall not give up my dreams.  

Bring on the band...

...or orchestra.  When it comes to music I am a great listener.  I don't play any misical instruments and I can't carry a tune but I can sit and appreciate the music created by others.  Tonight was a great chance to do just that.  It was the opening performance of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and it was wonderful.  Billed as "Tchaikovsky Spectacular" that's just what it was.  The opening piece was Tchaikovsky's Coronation March and the Philharmonic was joined for this piece by the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony.  Together they had a great sound.  In introducing the youth group the director announced that they (the youth symphony) will be performing at Carnegie Hall in April.  Great job kids!
But, to me,the second piece, the Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 was the hit of the evening.  I really enjoyed the interplay between (almost battle between) the piano and orchestra.  The guest pianist, Nikolai Demidenko, a Russian who, according to his bio, has performed all over the world, gave a really amazing performance.  Evidently I wasn't the only one who thought so because he got a long, long standing ovation.  Kind of unusual at intermission but very well deserved.
This performance will be broadcast on WBNI-94.1 on Thursday, October 17 at 7:00pm.  I recommend it. 

a sea of white

I had my hair cut this morning.  I went to the same hair stylest that I have gone to for the last 20 years.  She has moved salons a few times but still I've kept going to her.  The problem this morning wasn't with the haircut, which is always fine, but with the other patrons.  I know we are an aging society.  At 74 I no longer pretend to be middle aged but still, even with gray hair, I have a hard time thinking of myself as old.  However, as I sat in the waiting room, I suddenly noticed that every other woman (and a couple of men) sitting there with me had white hair and eight out of ten had canes.  One woman stood up when her stylest came to get her and the stylest told us all that the client will be 100 years old tomorrow.  I was happy for her but a little envious when I saw that she stood up almost as easily as I do.  After that I started noticing how people stood up (my gal was running a little late so I had time).  Every one had to grab something to help them stand up, a table or the back of a chair or their cane or something.  That remnded me of something I read in an AARP magazine recently.  Some doctor said that a heart-healthy senior (70+) should be able to stand up from the floor without using his or her hands.  Ha, ha, ha, ha! I'm sure someone my age might be able to do that but I haven't seen it yet.  I'll be sure to let you know when I do.

Alas, no diamonds

I do enjoy watching "Antiques Road Show" and, like many other people, I dream of discovering that I own something of amazing wealth.  You know, a rare 15th century painting or a fabulous piece of jewelry.  This evening as I half watched the show while doing other stuff, my attention was caught by the phrase 'Art Deco' jewelry.  I happen to own a ring that I was told is Art Deco so of course I was interested.  As it turned out the three piece set - necklace, bracelet and ring, was valued at $48,000 to $60,000.  While the artistic details of the jewelry were quite lovely, a great deal of the value was due to the fact that the three pieces containd between them about eight carats of diamonds.  Alas, my nifty silver ring has no diamonds and is probably worth the $50 I paid for it.  Of course I will keep watching the show, just in case.  I wonder how much an antique, avacado green blender is worth?

one more study

This one won't help you loose weight or adjust your eating habits but I do like the results.  It turns out, based on a study of bunches of parents and toddlers, that reading to your children at bedtime (a time-honored tradition) is better for them if you read from a paper book instead of a tablet or other electronic devise.  It turns out that children lsiten more carefully and stay focused much better if they are being read to from a book.  They also fall asleep faster.  That seems contradictory but it is a good thing.  I really like the results of this study.  It pleases me to know that I did things right with my children.  I know, I know, I really didn't have any other option.  No, I'm not old enough to have been reading to them from stone tablets!
Although I do remember my son, at the age of four, asking me quite seriously if there were dinosaurs around when I was a little girl

studies and more studies

Here are two recent studies I find interesting.  First a new study has just come out saying that it's ok to eat red meat and processed meat.  I don't eat a lot of red meat, except for an occasional steak when I'm eating at a restaurant.  I do however have a bit of a processed meat habit.  I really like summer sausage and have it for lunch several times a week.  I was a little sceptical about this study and became more so as I've heard various TV doctors slam the indipendent study.  I also began to question motives when, within five minutes of the frist airing of this report, there was a commercial for a steak house.  Probably just a coincidence.  Right?
The second study got me more excited.  It said that snacking on nuts helps you control weight gain.  This sounded really good to me because I do snack on nuts quite often.  I became a little less excited, though, when I heard the final part of the report.  It seems that people who snack on nuts gain, on average, one half pound a year while people who snack on other snacks gain one pound a year.  Forgive me if I'm under-whelmed.

making apple butter...

Part 2  Last night, before I went to bed, I dumped the apples and cider in my good old crock pot and left them to cook on low all night long.  By this morning the magic had happened.  The apples were soft and mushy, ready to be processed and they smelled wonderful.  One of the nice things about this recipe is that you don't need to peel the apples.  When they are thoroughly cooked, the recipe says run them through a food processor.  I don't own a food processor but I do have an ancient blender (best guess - 50 years old, avacado green) which works very well.  I blended the apple butter in small batches so as not to overwhelm the blender and everything went very well except for once when I didn't get the lid on tight enough.  Don't worry.  The splatter wiped off the wall and floor pretty easily.  After all of the apple butter was blended, I put it back in the crock pot, added the sugar, cinnamon and cloves and let it cook for another hour.  Then it was done so I poured  it in little containers and popped them in the freezer.  I don't do canning.  Then, and this is the best part, I used bread to mop up the residue in the crock pot. Yumm!!

making apple butter

Part 1:  When I still lived in my house I had an apple tree that produced enough apples each year for at least one batch of apple butter.  I have what I am pretty sure is the world's easiest recipe for making apple butter, using my crockpot.  Apple trees are not as convenient when you live on the tenth floor so I haven't made apple butter for some years.  I really do like it though, so when a friend at church said she had lots of apples to give away, I took her up on the offer and she gave me two grocery bags of apples.  So yesterday,, between hospital runs to help a friend. I chopped the apples, using the good parts and supplimenting with a few Granny Smiths, mixed in the cider and tucked them in the refrigerator.  Tonight before I go to bed I will put them in my crock pot and let them cook all night (12 hours to be exact).  
Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow.

my llittle blue car

Today I used my little blue Fiat 500 for an errand of mercy, sort of.  A friend's mother came for a visit, for her birthday, no less, had some heart problems and ended up at Parkview Hospital for treatment and obsservation for a couple of days.  Today she was discharged and, since there really wasn't anyone else, I offered to drive the two or them home to my friend's appartment. I had made the offer to bring them home without really thinking about the size of my car.  But we did it.  We packed three large people, a suitcase, a walker, two oxygen tanks, and several other odds and ends into my little blue car.  It seemed to gasp a little under the load (perhaps that was my imagination). As we pulled away from the hospital I felt a moment of panic as my friend's mom complained that she couldn't breath.  She was hooked up to one of the oxygen tanks so I was pretty sure she was ok.  Still, it was a real relief when I off loaded both of them and all their equipment.  I think it's unlikely that I will go into any medical related profession, including ambulance driver.  Unless maybe I could have a siren and flashing lights.  That might be fun.

Third tims the charm?

I give up.  I have tried to write this blog three times this eening and it keeps erasing.  I'm going to try again tomorrrow.  Good night. 

great day in the morning

Tomorrow is, according to one of the lists I like to check, World Tourism Day.  I gather that the reason for the day is to celebrate the importance of tourism in the economies of many countries.  I know this is true.  I have personally contirbuted to the economy of several countries.  Knowing that it's important to their economies makes me feel much more virtuous about the many baskets, pieces of pottery, necklaces, earrings and so much more that have "followed me home" in my luggage.  It's all for a good cause.  I think I'll spend World Tourism Day planning a trip.

Love and politics

I watched a movie on Netflix this evening that was set in New Zealand.  It was a nice love story type of movie and I do like New Zealand very much so it was a pleasure to watch.  Of course, thinking about New Zealand reminded me about my visit there last year and that reminded me of their very capable female Prime Minister.  I think she's great and that's not just because her first name is Jacinda which rhymes with my first name Lucinda.  And all of those musings remind me of the fact that I am so ready for a female President right here in the US.  Just saying.  

new tricks

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  Not true.  I don't actually consider myself an old dog, but I am closing in on old.  This blog will probably end up sounding like a hint from Heloise but bear with me.  For years I was taught (probably since their invention) that the 'right' way to put a countour sheet on a bed is to start with diagonal corners.  So that's how I've been doing it for years and years.  Then, shortly after my hip surgery in June, when I was still in that don't lift and don't stretch stage, my daughter came over to help me put clean sheet on my bed.  Now she's been a grown woman, takeing care of her own home, for a good number of years so I didn't feel like I needed to give her any instructions.  I watched as she proceeded to do it 'wrong.'  No diagonals for her.  She popped the top two corners of the countour bottom sheet onto my queen size mattress, then pulled the sheet smooth and fitted it over the bottom two corners.  Huh?  I knew it was not 'the right way' but she sure made it look easy.  Sooo I've been making my bed her way ever since, and, guess what, it really is easier.  Who knows what other new tricks may be in my future?  Anyone want to try a scooter?  Just kidding.  

this made me laugh

I don't know why this struck me funny but it did.  I heard an ad on TV yesterday for dentures.  Now that, in itself, isn't funny but they were advertising "buy one, get one half off."  Does this mean if a person gets an upper plate, they only pay half as much for the lower?  Or amybe, if you want a spare pair that would be half price?  Do people usually get a spare pair? Or maybe you and your spouse could take advantage of the offer, sort of a buddy system?  All this pondering about dentures reminds me of an incident that happened to a friend of mine.  She and other family members were in the habit of asking her grandfather, who was in assisted living, if he had his dentures.  I guess he had a habit of misplacing them.  Evidently, he got tired of being bugged about his dentures because when the family gathered for one visit with him, and someone asked the inevitable question, he answered "Yes, I've got my d.... dentures." and pulled out a pillowcase full of dentures that he had pilfered from rooms up and down the hall.  Returning them to the proper owners was not an easy matter.  

"I'm just a girl....

who can't .say no."  Don't panic. I'm not in the same "terrible fix" as the young lady in "Oklahoma" which, by the way, is another great musical with singable songs.  My problem is saying no to food, especially food I don't have to cook for myself.  It started yesterday when a friend came to visit and we went to the Johnny Appleseed Festival with another friend. Everyone knows that the best part of this festival is the food.  And it was about lunchtime so we indulged.  For me it was ham and beans with lots of onions and cornbread crumbs on top.  Topped off with a cookie of course.  Then we went to a movie (I liked the new Downton Abbey movie) and ended up at Red.Robin for supper.  Today for lunch my friends and I went to Biaggi's, for pasta of course.  Now, by this point, I was merely eating to be sociable.  After all, I couldn't let my weekend guest eat alone.  By midafternoon my friend had left to drive back to Ohio and I was promising my very full self that I wouldn't eat anything else all day.  Then I checked my text messages (which I hadn't had time to check all day) and found a text from other friends inviting me to join them for supper at Hall's Gas House.  I could have said no, I probably should have said no, but did I say no? No.  I said 'Yes, I'll see you there."  Now I can rationalize that these are really good friends, they are, and I hadn't seen them for a while. I hadn't.  But that doesn't explain why I ate another full meal with wine instead of maybe just a cup of soup.  I could have visited over soup.  It also doesn't explain why I really needed the cookie I just ate for my bedtime snack.  Ah well, I'll practice saying no tomorrow.  

seeing Sweeney Todd

Just saw the Sondheim musical "Sweeney Todd" for the first time this evening.  I am a fan of musicals.  I love musicals like "The Sound of Music" and "My Fair Lady" with memorable, singable songs.  "Fiddler on the Roof" is more serious but still full of great songs.  "Sweeney Todd" is a whole different kind of musical, really more of a dark opera.  A really good Halloween opera at that.  The production at Civic Theater was excellent, great voices and equally good acting. The full title gave me a clue that this wouldn't be a lighthearted comedy.  "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,"  It did have a good story line with lots of surprising plot twists, and I was right there for the standing ovation when it was over, but I didn't walk out humming a memorable melody.  I'm glad I saw it but it's not one I would watch over and over again.

Good advice I guess

On TV this evening a lovely young thing explained and warned against five habits (actually I only heard four) that make you look older than you really are.  At least that's what they said in the intro.  Instead she gave advice on good habits to make you look younger than you really are. It's always interesting to get anti-aging advice from someone who looks about 22.  Of course maybe she was really 65 and just followed her own advice.  I fail on all counts.

1. Always sleep on your back.  Evidently sleeping on your side with your face against the pillow mushes wrinkles into your face.  Sadly I can only fall asleep on my side.

2. Smooth really good cream under your eyes before you go to sleep.  I hope Olay counts as really good cream.  I'll give it a try.

3. Get a good night's sleep.  I try, I really try, but things like morning keep waking me up.

4. Never take hot showers.  Only shower with cool to luke-warm water.  Ha ha ha ha ha.  I like luke warm showers on very hot muggy days, but most of the time I really love nice warm, almost hot, showers.   

So, I shall pretty much ignore this advice and hope to hear some other advice.  Maybe something like eat cookies and ice cream, read a mystery novel, take an afternoon nap, and stop looking in mirrors.  Works for me.  

It's about time.

From time to time I hear medical reports saying that coffee is good for you, and sometimes reports saying the opposite.  But you don't hear much about tea.  Now I am a tea drinker.  When I'm out at a restaurant I may have a cup of coffee but at home it's all tea all the time. One of the many reasons I love England and Scotland is that they serve good brewed tea with hotel breakfasts and it's always available with other meals or between meals.  A friend and I were checking into Duke's Hotel in London some years ago and our room wasn't quite ready so they took us to the parlor and served us tea and biscuits while we waited to check in.  Very nice.  So I was pleased to hear a report earlier this week saying that tea is really good for you.  There are all kinds of health benefits and it doesn't seem to matter if it's black, green or Orange Pekoe.  What I found most interesting is that drinking tea is really supposed to help with organizational skills.  Really?!?  Goodness knows how disorganized I would be if I didn't drink tea.  I'll just go have another cup of tea and try not to think about it.