Another Golden Oldie Repost

I wrote about my mom's sister here. In the body of that post is another one, leading to her artwork. Enjoy!

The cold I've had for a week is still with me, but I'm better, thanks in part to my wonderful and thoughtful house guest, who brought me a box of tea called "Throat Comfort" and some excellent chicken soup and good bread for lunch today. I recommend the tea; it would be good anytime.

Another Link

A few days ago, I mentioned some blogs I am not able to comment on lately - for some unknown reason. I gave you the link to this one, but I didn't tell you anything about her. I think you should read this. 

The woman who writes this blog was shot in Tucson at the political rally for Gabby Gifford. Here, she writes a poignant post about telling her mother about what happened to her.

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I hate to sound like a broken record, but this cold shows few signs of relinquishing its hold on me. I'm better, but.....

The Weather, a Party and a Rant

Check out this site and you'll always know your weather!!

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When you enter your draft file and see nothing ready to flesh out and post, do you panic a little? I do - and just did. Since yesterday's post was #1200, I guess I can find something to tell you; having been so prolific over the last three years. I think it is referred to as 'verbal diarrhea!'

At the Flower Shuttle last Tuesday, an acquaintance offered to pick me up for a party for our local florist wholesale's fifth anniversary. There was good food, live music, beautiful flowers (of course) and discounts!! I love discounts. I didn't need to buy much - but I got to choose a small envelope from a container of many to see what my discount was. Only 5%, but that's better than nothing, right? I said that "most likely, all of the envelopes said 5%", and while the clerk laughed, I don't think he appreciated the joke.

Some of the food was compliments of the Angus Barn, a restaurant I've told you about before. They have a signature cheese served in a crock that is so good you'll find yourself eating nothing else. There was a tray of crudite, one of fruit, chicken tenders, shrimp and good sauces for all. The dessert table included pecan pie - my very favorite! It's too bad I forgot my camera - yet again.

When Teri pulled up in front of the party place, I laid my sunglasses on the dashboard of her car, because they were too large to fit into my small purse. You know the rest, don't you? When we left the party, it was dark and I didn't remember my sunglasses. Remarkably, they stayed in one place on the dashboard, so neither of us thought about them. Teri let me off at home and about ten minutes later, I happened to see a car stopped at our mailbox. I didn't think too much about it, since some small business owners will put advertising on the mailbox post at night. About thirty minutes later, Teri called and said it was she who was at the mailbox - depositing my forgotten sunglasses. I felt badly that I had forced her to backtrack; especially in an area with which she is not so familiar. The next time, I will be careful to place my sunglasses in such a way that they can't be missed. It isn't like me to forget things like that and I hate to be inconsiderate. Are you forgetful?

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Some of you may have noticed fewer comments from me. There are two reasons for that. My computer is slowing, and sometimes the comment boxes don't open (or open too slowly) and I get impatient waiting for them. The other thing is that after I write my comment, I have to click on "post" as many as five times before it "takes" and posts the comment. I suppose I need to clear the cache again, and run ad-ware and spy-ware programs. That's getting to be an every week thing around here. Bah.

Odds and Ends

Tell me why: If I flush one of our toilets it sticks and runs all night, but if I take the lid off the tank and watch it fill, it stops as it should?

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Tell me why: they can't make a computer keyboard where the letters/numbers don't get worn off in a short period of time?

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Note to the spammers in my email: I do not need fuel for my rocket (since I don't have a rocket) and I don't want to meet Maximum Mark!! Neither do I want to buy medications at a discount (don't call me - I'll call you!)

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The movie "It's Complicated, which is playing in theaters now, is so good I went to see it again with four friends. It was more fun the second time around because I noticed things I hadn't before - since I was laughing like a crazy woman the first time. It was also fun to see how my friends reacted to the comedy lines; one of them fairly shrieked with laughter - and it was good to see/hear that since she was widowed last spring and hasn't felt much like having fun.

After the movie we went to a nearby restaurant and had a drink and a light meal. My mango margarita was pretty good, but next time I'll spring for the regular one. The mango flavoring made it too sweet for me. The pizza was good; tomatoes and basil and good cheese with a light, crisp crust - yummy. Of course the camera stayed in my purse, as usual. I can't ever think to get it out when I'm having fun (that doesn't make sense, does it? If I'm having fun, you'd think I'd remember to record it!!)

Notable Quotes +

And if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence.

Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate (1872-1970)

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"The longer I live, the more convinced I become that other planets are using Earth as an insane asylum."

George Bernard Shaw

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The real index of civilization is when people are kinder than they need to be.

Louis de Berniere, novelist (b. 1954)

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Here's a very interesting menu I saw on Ephemeral New York.
You'll like it! The prices can't be beat!


And another link, about palindromes: January 2 is one!

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Do you get tired (as I do) of repeating yourself? I have told mr. kenju many,many times what to do for his headaches, congestion and other nasal symptoms, until I am blue in the face. Does he listen??

Today at the doctor's office, he broached the subject with the doc. Guess what the directive was? The same thing I've been telling him for at least 2 years: use saline nasal spray four times per day, two sprays per nostril. (Picture me hitting my head against a brick wall? I might as well have.)

Odds and Ends

My soup at lunch on Saturday at Kanki Japanese Restaurant. I didn't remember to photograph it until I was half-finished. I love this stuff; I could have a gallon of it!

My first sushi! This was my grandson's plate. He ate the red thing (I have not a clue what it was) and the rice, but on trying the ginger (peachy colored) and the wasabi (green) , he immediately reached for water! I happen to love hot stuff, so I ate some of the ginger and wasabi, and pronounced it the new preferred way to open up my sinuses - all of them! My entree consisted of steak and shrimp, which is served with fried rice, mushrooms, squash and onions, and two types of dipping sauce. It was excellent. Since I was the birthday girl*, I got a complimentary serving of sherbet, with a candle.
*I use that term very loosely.

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Go here to read about some new medications that you may need!

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Do you know about It Made My Day? Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

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What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner.
Colette
(Like Colette, we should all be more mindful, and do it sooner!)

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Go see what a sculptor can do with marble - you won't believe it!

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Albino Caterpillars, Fat Cats, A Cartoon and a Quote

I guess he's not really an albino, since he has a black face....I saw him crawling on our driveway when I returned from delivering the wedding flowers last weekend. I have never seen a big white one like this; he was hell-bent for something and really booking across the wide expanse of concrete. Maybe he wanted to get back into the soft, new, green grass that's coming up! Click all photos to enlarge.

Storm is back on my shoes again. I said to mr. kenju this morning that if she gets any wider, she's gonna' burst!!

I know how those dinosaurs feel. Were you ever left behind because you forgot something? I almost was.

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Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.

Martin Luther King Jr., civil-rights leader (1929-1968)

You Must See These!!!

Dark Roasted Blend has the FUNNIEST signs!!

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Shannon, of Everyday Stranger weighs in on the goings on in America. She seems to have a really good handle on us.

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So, tell me..... Have you ever used a Neti Pot? Do you know what it is? Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you about mine.

Am I a Gardener?

Not so much. Ivy and moss seem to be the only things I can grow around here, other than weeds. The ivy is prolific and in this photo, you see it blooming again. This stand of ivy is more than two decades old, and it didn't bloom until about 4 years ago. The first time I saw it, I was flabbergasted; never knowing that it ever bloomed like this. I thought it had something wrong with it.....LOL

The impatiens in this photo are volunteers. About 12 years ago, I had an impatiens plant that got leggy and died (or so I thought). I tossed it over the deck fence into the small patch of ground between the steps and the house. They have bloomed every year since, but they don't usually bloom until August and they never get very tall before the first frost kills them back. You can see that the moss is alive and well, and some small ferns are peeking out from under the steps. That's about the extent of my gardening nowadays, with the exception of five potted plants and some irises in the front yard.

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We shouldn't take the anything for granted. Read this to see why.

~ Leftovers and a Quote ~

"Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"

Martin Luther King, Jr , civil-rights leader (1929-1968)

Unfortunately, my answer at present would have to be....not much. I hope to remedy that in the near future.

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Handy Hint: Just in time for summer comes this hint!

FREE FIRE STARTERS. I make homemade fire starters from empty toilet paper rolls, used dryer sheets and lint from the dryer's lint trap. First, I tape shut one end of the empty toilet paper roll. Wide packing tape works best. I keep the roll with the laundry supplies and stuff the lint from the filter into the roll along with the dryer sheet. I add to the roll until it is tightly filled. Then, I cover the end with another piece of tape. I make these all winter so I have enough to start lots of campfires all summer. These starters work better than newspaper or kindling! Karen T., Massachusetts

I stole this from a newsletter, which I get daily. It's called "Everyday Cheapskate" and you might like it. They don't have something great everyday, but enough so that I keep getting it. I can't seem to find a link, but if you g*ogle it, you'll find it.

The only thing I might be concerned about with those fire starters is the use of tape. I know that some things put off toxic fumes when they are burned and I don't know if some types of tape are in that category or not. The dryer sheets could easily be toxic when burning. I might be inclined to staple the ends of the toilet paper rolls shut, instead of using tape.

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Our foxes have moved on to greater pastures, it seems. Last Friday night we saw a herd of deer going through the property behind our deck. They came closer to the deck than I have ever seen them; right up to the area where the foxes used to play. I don't know if the foxes left because of the deer, or if the deer came close because the foxes were gone, or if either one had anything to do with it. But I sort of feel like a mother whose kids move away and then never call home.

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The newscasters are talking about the lottery tonight and the huge jackpot awaiting a winner...I think it was 222 million. It makes me wish I had bought a lottery ticket at the grocery today. But then I think: I've never won anything of substance and why would I think that the winning ticket would be found at a Food lion in Raleigh? Good luck to everyone who bought a ticket...I hope you win!

The Lemon Festival

A friend sent me these photos in email. They are from the famous Menton Lemon Festival. Enjoy!

As you can see from the people in the photo, these buildings made of citrus fruits are not exactly minature copies. I marvel at the skills it takes to construct these!

A lemon girl with an orange cape.

A sweet-smelling cottage.

A tribute to India.

An orange Taj Mahal?

Caption This!!

Give it your best shot in the comments, please! This might be one of the weirdest things I've ever seen, and I can't wait to see what you'll come up with!


and then go here to see a great old photo!

Geography + A Link

Don't you wish you had been there? I do. This pic was taken by someone in my family on 1-20-09. DO click to enlarge!

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You owe it to yourself to go and read this wonderful memoir of the time a son spent with his aged father. It is beautifully written, poignant, and timely.

Edit: this site takes a while to load because the photos are so large, but it is worth the wait.

And now:

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN

Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa: half-discovered, half-wild, fertile, and a natural beauty!

Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe: bold, in her prime, and open to trade.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain: sizzling, seductive, and sure of her own beauty.

Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece: older, but still an enchanting, desirable place to visit.

Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain: a glorious, all-conquering sovereignty.

Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel: been through wars, takes care of business, and does not make the same mistakes twice.

Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada: self-reliant, but still open to embracing new and different people.

After 70, she is like Tibet: alluring, fascinating, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages...only those with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge visit there.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN

Between 1 and 70, a man is like Iran: ruled by nuts.

"Another Day Older and......*

Considering all that I need to do around here, including taking down all the Christmas decor, I am remarkably calm about not doing anything. This was another day of relative laziness, except for going to get my tail light replaced, getting some photos printed and buying groceries, which is rapidly becoming my most annoying thing to do, seeing as how the prices go up every week. The potato chips that mr. kenju likes went up over 50 cents per bag in one fell swoop. How can that be? He shouldn't be eating them anyway - so that problem's solved.

At the gas station where I get small things done to my car, it wasn't great news. The right tail light assembly was full of water, indicating that the seal is broken on the unit. That's what made the bulb short out and will continue to do so until I replace it. The other tail light is broken (someone backed into my car in a parking lot) and I am told that it will not pass inspection in March unless I replace the cover. It's always something, right? I also need tire rotation, balancing and alignment. You think maybe during my lifetime they'll invent a car that needs no maintenance whatsoever? I'm sure there'll be a waiting list....sign me up quick!

Today was soup day. You know, the kind of day where nothing else will do but something hot and hearty to warm your insides. I call it "clean out the refrigerator" soup. I used the carcasses of two Cornish hens to make the stock and added onions, celery, leftover rice, corn, carrots, tomatoes, black-eyed peas, green peas and Mrs. D*sh. Yum. Soup's on. Don't you want some?

We've had 2 days straight of steady rains alternating with mist and drizzle and temperatures in the 40's. More tomorrow, if we can believe the weather guys, although it is supposed to go back up into the high sixties. I thought I'd never get tired of rain after the horrendous drought we had over the past 2 years - but I'm beginning to carp about it. Slap me upside the head, okay? I should try to be reasonably happy with whatever Mother Nature decides to give us, as long as it's not extreme. But Lord, I'd really like some of those pretty clouds in a deep blue sky like the photo above. And soon, please, if it's not too much trouble.


*deeper in debt" (from "Sixteen Tons")

Quotes +

Grover, Raggedy Anne, Oscar, Froggie and Kenju say: we hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!

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To be nobody but myself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.

e.e. cummings, poet (1894-1962)

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Neither genius, fame, nor love show the greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that.

Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, preacher, journalist and activist (1802-1861)

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Do you like modern art? Go here to see some of the most amazing digital microscopic photos. Many of them are every bit as beautiful and interesting as fine art that has achieved the highest acclaim!

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Here at Casa Kenju, we had our annual family gathering on Christmas Eve. The tenderloin was tender, the potatoes (a new recipe) wonderful, the green beans as good as usual, the deviled eggs sought after, the macaroni fit for a king, the rolls hot and the ambiance festive - and so - a good time was had by all. Dessert helped too: my favorite pineapple up-side down cake, apple and pecan pies.

Presents were exchanged and approved, and children scattered to try out their gifts. The boys got miniature helicopters (battery-operated) which provided several hours of fun for kids and grown-ups alike. The girls enjoyed their make-up kits and went off to the bathroom mirrors to apply eyeshadow, blush and lipstick and then model for us. It was so warm that they went outside to practice cheers and dances, and I suspect that my neighbors enjoyed watching them perform as much as we did. We are really blessed in our family with beautiful granddaughters and handsome grandsons. It is too bad that their parents don't want their photos used here, otherwise I 'd share!

Today was (luckily) quiet. I spent much of it lying in my recliner, watching "The Other Boleyn Girl", which I recommend you rent pronto. What a good movie!!

Some sad news came via email yesterday morning. One of our neighbors passed away on Christmas Eve around 11pm. The email was titled "Christmas in Heaven" and while it may sound like a wonderful thing (spending Christmas in Heaven), it made me very sad. Losing this man probably means that his wife will eventually move away, and I will be sad to lose her, as she is one of my favorite people. I had prayed that he would survive the holiday, but it was not to be. Now he is out of pain and she can have a measure of peace. I just wish it had happened after the holidays.

Links, Odds and Ends, Photos

I titled this one "Waiting for Lunch". The gulls at Myrtle Beach are gutsy. They fly right up to anyone who is eating and wait for a handout. If you are stupid enough to feed the first few (and I was), soon you have 30-40 of them, standing none too patiently and getting into noisy squabbles over the best place to wait for the next morsel. We decided it was best to ignore them all and hope they'd go away.

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I suppose if you're a cycle enthusiast, making models of them out of old watch parts makes perfect sense. They are rather clever, aren't they? An old school friend of mine sent these to me, but he didn't send any info about the maker.

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Go here to read the oddest book titles.........and then add some of your own in my comments.

More T-Shirts.....and an Important Request

You know this person, don't you?

No comment......




(teehee)




Mr. kenju will LOVE this one.

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Please go here and read this letter from playwright Eve Ensler, about Sarah Palin. If you agree (and how can you not), please forward it or link to it on your blogs. All people need to read this.

Which T-Shirt Do You Want?

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LINKS YOU SHOULD SEE!

You just have to go here and look at every single one!! Very creative and a wit I enjoy! I found the link to this on this site, which is also worthy of a look see, every time she posts.

Let me know what you think, okay?

Odds and Ends

I got these two awards recently. I have the most annoying habit; I save the award, but sometimes I forget to note who gave it to me!! Kay gave me the top one.......THANKS, Kay!!

But I have no idea who gave me this one and I'm saying how sorry I am to that person. Obviously, I am not sharing much love now. :-/

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You MUST go here and see this most amazing place on Earth!!

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When you are typing the word verification on some blogs, does it bother you to see a Q without a U following? I can hardly stand it!!

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Are you as sick of politics as I am? I can't wait to get to November and the vote and have it all over and done!! I just hope we don't have hanging chads or malfunctioning voting machines or mass hysteria again.

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I'll be back tomorrow with some more photos from the tabletop competition.

Project Green (Take One) ~ and a Lament!

New growth; the promise of spring. Go to Anna's to see others in the project.

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Of all the stupid times not to have my camera with me!! Tonight we were in a restaurant downtown, with 3 friends. I was facing the windows and suddenly I looked up and there was the most exquisite rainbow I have ever seen. It was very wide and very bright and we could see the full bow. As I realized my camera was at home, I wanted to slap myself across the face. I did take a photo of it with my phone, but I don't have the thingy that lets you upload from the phone to the computer.

Since Mark and Anna are doing the "Looking Through Project", I was devastated to realize that I had missed a perfect opportunity. Lesson learned: I will carry my camera at all times!