The Go To Person

Years and years she spent being the go-to person for organizing activities.  Or maybe she just thought she was the one to take care of things for the family.  But not really.  When the sister-in-law passed away she was asked by the family to get the 'stuff' organized.  That meant knowing how to handle the rituals of folks bringing food, thank you notes, food for the groups of relatives from out of state, etc.  

Thanksgiving was usually at her home for the extended family.  Aunts, uncles, and other extended family members that visited the area looked to her to organize a gathering.  Housing for visitors who wanted to stay in a home with air conditioning fell to her and her husband.   It was a job that she enjoyed doing for many years.  Even church events certain events would at times fall to her for organizing or coordinating.  It became her identity.

Then came the Fiftieth wedding anniversary party being given by the son.  Stepping up to work on the party herself, she selected the cake and paid for it.  Within a few days son called and asked her to dinner.  After dinner, they set visiting.  It became apparent there was more of an agenda than just having dinner together.  Son guided the conversation to the planning for the upcoming party.  He noted that they didn't mind my input on themes and things.  

Finally, the DIL turned and said, "Do you not trust me to plan a party for you?"

She sat in a sort of stunned silence.  Of course, she trusted Son and DIL to put the party together.  She told them she trusted them.  The purchase of the cake had been her way of helping with the planning.  She was in the area where the party would be held so she just thought it would be okay to pick out and order the cake.  That seemed to satisfy Son and DIL.   It did not satisfy her.  

Over the next few days, she looked into herself.  Had she not trusted them?  Did she have the need to be in charge, to be the go-to person?  After much thought, a realization came to her.  She did not have that need.  Being the one depended on by so many folks to plan and organize events for decades had made her just automatically assume she should be doing preparations.  That was no longer the case.  She just needed to pass the torch to the next generation.

That was five years ago.  It took a few more parties for her to let go of the leadership mentality.  To do the assigned jobs and clear any ideas with the person now in charge was now her role.  It took an open discussion and more openness in the following years.  During this time, she is pleased to sit in the back and let others use the reins.  She can find it challenging at times to get things together when it falls on her to get them organized.  Maybe she just needs to ask for help from the new go-to-person.

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Take care,

Janice

The Other Shoe

Do you ever see a single shoe beside the road?  Sometimes there is a single shoe hanging from an overhead wire.  I always wonder what happened to the other shoe.  The question becomes how did the person lose one shoe and not notice?  Is this something that only happens in the US?  Do other countries experience single shoe losses?  Of course, there is, also, the case of the one missing sock.

My dad was an appliance repairman.  At times repairs required that he pull out the inner tub of a washing machine when repairing it.  Oh, the things he would find!  That 'other sock' was often in there.  Bras and other small objects would be found.  It was not unusual for him to find coins and even bills in that area.  On one such occasion, he found almost $30 in the outer tub.  While some would have pocketed the find, Daddy handed the money and the repair bill to the owner.  The person was shocked by Daddy's honesty.

Today happens to be Daddy's day of birth 108 years ago.  It is, also, one year sober for #3 grandson.  Another bit of interest that links Daddy and #3 is this.  On the way back home from Daddy's funeral was the first time Ex-DIL felt #3 kick.

There is a saying here in the US we use when anticipating a happening.  The saying is 'waiting for the other shoe to drop".  You can read about the possible origin of this phrase here.  As some of my readers may remember just about a year ago a shoe dropped pretty hard on my family.  Sister #1 was told unless she began chemo immediately, she would not see summer arrive.  The last year has been filled with good and not-so-good days for her.  Generally, the chemo treatments have kept the cancerous tumors confined.   This week changed all that.  A recent scan shows the tumor has spread into the bladder.  Chemo has ceased and hospice begins next week.  We had already set us a sister time at #4's little lake house.  That is still on because each day grows even more precious now.  Surely dread the sound of that second shoe.

Take care,

Janice

 

Not In Kansas

If you are familiar with the movie The Wizard of Oz you will be familiar with the phrase, "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore".  On the evening of Monday, March 21, our area experienced an outbreak of tornadoes.  I was home concerned about Hubby who was driving home from an appointment in a torrential downpour.  Knowing that our patio door will leak in heavy rains, I went into the linen storage closet to grab some towels.  Almost immediately, our lights began to flicker on and off.  Then they went completely off and stayed that way.

Placing the towels near the area where the leaks usually happen, I went to my comfy recliner.  With the power off I could not raise the footrest but that was fine.  My cell notified me of a text.  It was from our son asking if we were safe.  I replied yes and that his dad had just come home.  Hubby was recounting that as he was driving up to the apartment complex he saw a funnel cloud in the parking lot across the street.  The funnel was lifting up when he saw it.  There was lots of debris being thrown about so he hurried to get into the parking garage.  Hubby recounted once he was in the parking garage the air became more violent.

This video was being taken on the other side of the major intersection of I35 and 45.  Here is a reference photo to give a better understanding of the tornado near us.  The red circle is our apartment.  The pink area shows the approximate path of the tornado as shown in the video.  

We had no damage.  Many others were not so fortunate.  Here are a few photos we took on Tuesday morning as we drove by a few places on the way to pick up our grocery order.  Hubby had a friend in the area of the pictures below.  He wanted to check on him.  Areas with the most damage were blocked by police.  Hubby had to settle on a phone call to check on his buddy.  Buddy was fine but two houses away from his homes were damaged.  Tornadoes are freaky like that.  

A metal wall panel about 1 meter by 3 meters is driven into the ground.  

Along a main street that was partially open.

Top blown off a portion of this house.

This and the following photos are in the shopping area under 

Look to the left and that was the drive-thru bank area.

A sample of tree damage that workers are having to clear out for the next few days/weeks.

Chilis restaurant with parts of room blown away and almost all windows blown out, too.

Bank with part of the wall missing.  Windows were blown out and the drive-thru was severely damaged.

Yes, there were injuries and one death reported in Texas and Oklahoma.  Please, note, to date the National Weather Service has identified 5 separate tornadoes in a 50-mile radius of our home.  There were more tornadoes throughout Texas and Oklahoma.  The following graphic shows probable locations of the additional tornadoes.  

Y'all stay safe out there.  We will do the same.

Janice

Boards

Strange how the mind works.  The nose catches a smell.  The mind will bring a vision of a flower or a portion of certain food.  Touch a piece of fabric and possibly a favorite blanket or dress will be recalled.  Today the eye saw the set of an old western.  The boards used for creating storefronts and sidewalks brought a vision from years ago.  Trab Burton's country store.  (As I typed the name Trab I had to wonder where on earth that name came from or if a nickname.  I'll never know as all have passed that would know.)

I do not have a picture of Trab's store except in my mind.  There were always a few of the elderly farmers sitting or standing around.  Verter Reeves was one of the most frequent visitors.  Probably because he lived directly across the road from the store.  There was not a huge selection but enough to keep from having to drive the long (10 miles) into the nearest big town.  Or drive to one of the stores in Weston, 5 miles away.  Three-fourths a mile to Trab's was just a bike ride away for me.  It was on the way to Reba Janes.  It was located on the corner next to the country school.

The photo to the left is similar to Trab's minus the big sign.  The porch was made of wooden boards as was the entire building.  The boards were worn smooth from years of use.  I think there was a tin roof instead of a shingle roof.  A small lean-to room was at the back.  That is where Mrs. Emma, Trab's wife, would spend her time if not needed upfront.  A glass-enclosed candy rack was next to the register.  Perfect for tempting me and kids like me.

There was a gas pump in front of the store.  A real gas pump with a handle that required the user to pump the underground gas into the overhead tank.  When you entered the store a freezer sat full of wonderful ice cream treats.  A large industrial refrigerator sat at the back of the main room.  The fridge was filled with silly stuff like milk.   But more important were the chilled Coke, Dr. Pepper, RC Cola (best with peanuts dropped inside), chocolate soda, Grapette, and other varieties I do not recall.  Five empty soda pop bottles would buy one of the delicious, ice-cold drinks.  My family called the carbonated beverages Cold Drinks.  "Wanna a coke?" was a generic term that was followed by a second question.  "What kind?"

Trab's was never quite as fancy as the photo to the right.  There was a round ice chest at the back of the store.  It could be rotated in place.  Different sections had different items.  Cheese, lunch meats, blocks of ice, and other things I never saw or cared about.  Trab or Mrs. Emma would slice off the requested items, weigh, and wrap the requested items.  Bologna was a favorite for my family.  Sometimes Mom would shop the shelves along the right wall for canned goods, sugar, or flour.  Maybe we just needed a box of crackers of a loaf of Mrs. Baird's or Finney's bread.  

A tin of potted meat could be used by my smart Mom to make lunch for my sisters and me.  Vienna sausages and canned oysters might be purchased for a special treat.  Life was simple in my childhood.  We were poor but did not realize it.  Our home was frequently filled with friends, family, and laughter.  What wonderful memories.  That's what I got for just watching Gunsmoke and seeing those boardwalks.

Take care,

Janice

Chocolate Eclairs

Growing up on a cotton farm in Collin County did not expose one to an extensive variety of foods.  Red beans and cornbread with sides of fried potatoes and greens were common foods on our table.   Chicken fried chicken, chicken fried steak, green beans cooked to almost a mush, and mashed potatoes were our Sunday meals.  Saturday nights were usually homemade hamburgers.  Desserts were varied between bread pudding, banana pudding, rice pudding, pecan pie, buttermilk pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, angel food cake, and the occasional chocolate or coconut pie.  When all was right with the world, Mom would make banana ice cream.  Yummers, every crumb and drop of all of the afore mentioned foods.

Variety would be added if Mom or Granny Chandler saw a new recipe on the early morning cooking show on a local TV station.  She might read about something new in the Courier-Gazette and give it a try.  In a farming community, women would freely exchange recipes when a new one was found to be shareworthy.  With Jello becoming popular congealed concoctions from salads to desserts began finding our table.  One especially delightful one was Lemon Chiffon Pie.  Mom's always delicate pie crust would contain a gelatin-based whipped filling.  The filling was light as a feather.

One time Mom had made the pie.  We took the pie to Sis #1's home in nearby McKinney.  Nephew #1 was maybe 18 months old.  He put a piece of the pie in his mouth.  He began looking around for the dropped pie.  It was so light he did not realize it was in his mouth.  I have looked online for that recipe and never found it.  

Just as well as my pie crust is more like a piece of cardboard.  But my mom's was the very best.  And if it did not feel right to her touch she would toss it and start over.  Once she threw it into the backyard while plumbers were working in the yard.  My mom had a way about her that gave me a smile as I typed this.  I just did another search for a no-bake lemon chiffon pie and now I have some options!  This may need to be made for Easter.

Me, Connie, Lyn, Sis #4, Beverly Circa, 1958

What does all this rambling have to do with chocolate eclairs?  Background information on the limits of my food education.  I was in 4-H club learning homemaking skills.   I do not remember making any desserts.  I did make a carrot/English pea baked ring something or other.  I entered it in a district 4-H competition.  I did not win a prize.  I still have the dish Mom bought for me to display the ring for the competition.

Still, no eclair explanation. Not even in 4-H was I ever introduced to any sort of puff pastry.  Crust was either flour, Crisco, salt, and water or the once in a while graham cracker crust.  Granny's hot rolls.  But never a puff pastry.  Until I was about 18 years of age and working for Texas Instruments. 

A shopping center was located near the apartments where I lived for about a year.  That apartment was near TI.  In the shopping center was a bakery. Fellow TIers would ofter order cakes for birthday and other celebrations from the bakery.  On one such occasion, I was asked to pick up the cake as I lived so near the bakery.  On that fateful day, I was introduced to the most delightful delicacy my senses came to enjoy.  A lighter-than-air pastry shell filled with a creamy custard and covered with a chocolate glaze.  Yes, in 1965 I ate my first chocolate eclair.  

The shopping center is still there.  None of the stores are the same which is pretty natural.  It appears the little German bakery is now named Cake Carousel.  I doubt Cake Carousel has a clue how to make those wonderful eclairs.    The lady who was always so busy with just a bead or two of perspiration on her forehead has long passed from this earth.  I have never found another eclair as good as the ones from that little German bakery in Richardson, Texas, but I keep trying.

Take care,

Janice

Their Eyes

His eyes are that light color of blue with a few gold flecks.  Her eyes are a color that can memic blue at times but are usually a light green  The other one has light blue eyes like mine.  The youngest has a slightly darker blue with a dark blue outline of the lens.  One granddaughter has brown eyes that are near black while the grandsons have varying shades of blue.  The youngest's blue eyes are the color of sapphires. 

The purple of lilacs is as wonderful as their smell  The spectrum of yellows from the daffodils, forsythia, saffron, even the lowly dandelion at times mimic the yellow sun.   Pink is probably my favorite color.  The dusty mauve of that color is perfect for my complections.  The red roses, white gardenia, the russet of chrysanthemums in fall are all such beauty and joy for me.

Will I forget these colors?  Will I forget the beauty of looking into the sapphire eyes or those pastel blue eyes of my husband?  Will the smell of the flowers bring back the memory of their colors?  How, oh how will I live without my sight?  Why did I awaken this morning to check the clock to see only blackness?  Where did my world go?  I do not think I can survive without the colors of life.

Even the inky blackness studded with the stars and moon.  The greenest of pastures dotted with the cattle in shades of tan, brown, black, and white.  I will still hear birds but will not see the beauty of my beloved northern cardinal.  How, oh, Dear Lord, will I manage?

- - - - - - - - - - -

A work of fiction based on my Mom losing sight of the right eye just months after her 96th birthday.  The condition, giant cell arteritis, was a threat to the vision in her left eye.  She never adjusted to the loss of her sight in that one eye before she passed just two months later.

Go in peace,

Janice

Items Used to Carry Tender and Other Stuff

In my mind's eye a wallet

 As I was sharing with a friend that Hubby lost his billfold, she looked confused.  She was unfamiliar with the term billfold.  I said it was that in which one carries their money.  "Oh, a wallet", she responded.  Then I was somewhat confused.  A wallet was bigger than a billfold.  A wallet usually had a coin purse included in some fashion.  Hubby's billfold did not fold so it was not really a billfold either.  Fudge.  Time for some googling and research for what is what.

IMO, a billfold

Here is a history according to a place selling wallets.  Seems all this started with folks needing a way to carry their food, coins, stones, whatever they used for trading.  Those folks used leather pouches.  Now we use pouches, backpacks, purses, pockets, wallets, billfolds, coin purses, satchels, and all manner of carriers.  

IMO, a coin purse

If one looks into a purse often one will find a wallet along with lots of other stuff.  Stuff may include but not be limited to:  lipstick/lipgloss, bandaids, hairpins, powder, cell phone, inhalers, snacks, hand cleaner, nail clippers or file, chewing gum, hygiene products, water bottle, a sucker or two, sunglasses, reading glasses, hand cream, mascara, Cheerios, diapers, ad infinitum.  Of course, it depends on the size of the purse, the age of any children that may be around if it is carried by a male, female, teen, or child.  Just stuff one might need at any time.  Even with all that it seems there is always one other thing that is needed.  Ha!

Whatever you call the thing you use to carry items, it seems we humans just need to have our stuff near at hand.  Here is Hubby's replacement that is titled Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Slim Wallet RFID Blocking Medium Size.   We almost decided on red in an attempt to make it more noticeable.  Decided it might be too noticeable for pickpockets.  Settled on the blue color.  At least he can see it on the table next to him.

As for the other items that were in the lost item to carry stuff here is the update.  Credit cards replaced.  Numbers updated for businesses and organizations as required.  Insurance cards were replaced by printing at home.  Waiting on the Medicare replacement.  One last biggie is Hubby's driver's license.  The license replacement requires an appointment.  Hubby has been otherwise occupied and no appointment has been made to date.

As  I was writing this bit of nothing something else came to me.  What do we call money?  Is it tender?  If one lives in a barter system what is that called?  Looks like it is time to go down the Google rabbit hole for more information.  Could that be a subject for a later post?  Possibly.

Take care out there,

Janice

It Is a Stretchy Kind of Day

Tuesday is for stretching.  C is the person that does the stretching.  She said E did fine yesterday as she was by herself for several hours.  An insurance company has denied coverage for E.  C cannot seem to get a break with all the paperwork.  How could a health care company deny a person of coverage?  I suppose it is a matter of the bottom line.

The last several days have found me watching TV too much.  Mostly old TV westerns from the 1950s.  Talk about misogynistic!  Even Perry Mason has a good share of that attitude.  It is no wonder folks my age have the attitude so engrained in them.  Basically, the shows were reflecting the attitude at the time.  The women use feminine 'wiles' on the men to get what they cannot get otherwise.  Women have to depend on a man to save them from all sorts of bad situations.

Miss Kitty has to be saved by Matt Dillon.  Amanda Blake said she quit the series as she was tired of the kidnappings and beatings.  Little Joe sees each young woman as someone to romance.  Yet Little Joe marries only to see the wife die soon after.  I will say that Miss Kitty was a successful businesswoman.  Marshall Dillon would arrest wife beaters.  

Spelling is not one of my strong points.  I had to look up the spelling for the word misogynist.  On the page was a question about the difference between misogynists and chauvinists.  As defined by Webster: misogynist is feeling, showing, or characterized by a hatred of or prejudice against women; chauvinism is an attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sex.  The second and third definitions for chauvinism surprised me, undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged; excessive or blind patriotism.  There is a difference between the two words.  

The above cartoon was Steve Kelly's response to being told his cartoons were misogynistic.

Guess other folks, probably the media, have realized the difference between the two words.  That knowledge may be why there is a change in the usage of the words misogynist and chauvinist.  Here is an interactive graph on chauvinist usage.  Here is the graph for the word misogynist.  The late 1970s and early 1980s are when the graphs begin swapping positions on the graph.  Please, note that women can be chauvinistic as the word is not gender-specific.   

Robbie cleaned the floors.  I failed to get a screenshot of Robbie's movements before I rebooted my phone.  Yesterday he/they failed to run due to an error in charging.  Dirt on either set of contacts will cause that.  

The lost credit card repacements arrived today.  Spent time activating them.  Now to get the 20 to 25 auto draws filled in with the new numbers.   ugh.  Oh, I need to get the new wallet/billfold ordered.  There are two words to look into tomorrow.  I told C Hubby lost his billfold.  She had no idea what a billfold was.  I described it and she said, "a wallet".  Wonder what year the usage line crossed on those two words?

Stay safe,

Janice

Neutral

The adjective, neutral, has a few different meanings.  Not taking sides in a conflict.  A neutral color is somewhat colorless maybe?  Another definition is to be disengaged as in the gears of a vehicle.  That is what I was today, disengaged.  I mostly sat quietly in my comfortable chair.  Read a little.  Watched a few favorite TV shows and put together online puzzles.  I did not take Erica to her sister's home as the particulars were not worked out for this week.  There was no doggy to walk.  Even when I checked on Robbie he was not charged and ready to go.  

Hubby did go to have coffee with Son.  After coffee, they prowled around in Lowe's.  Hubby had mentioned his desire for a small blower to keep the patio free of leaves.  Son picked up a small model and gave it to his dad just because.  Hubby set about cleaning the patio and the fountain of leaves and other debris.  Hubby was not in neutral.

As the battery is still to be replaced in Icie, we did some research as to the cost of the repair.  It will cost roughly about the same as the new tooth cap I need.   Surely is nice to be able to search for information online.  Hubby prefers to call and talk to a person for information.  Pretty much for any situation, Hubby prefers to always speak to a person.   He is that kind of extrovert.  Always preferring to call and visit.

Yesterday I finished another book, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar: My Father and the Team That Changed the Game by Maya Washington.  The book covers the life Of Gene Washington.  Gene is a former football player in the NFL.  He was one of the first Black players in the Big Ten conference.  Gene grew up in segregated Texas in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.   His college years were at Minnesota State University.  There Gene was on the football team as well as the track team.

The author is Mr. Washington's youngest daughter.  In the book, Ms. Washington covers the significance of her father and the other southern black football players that played for MSU.   One example of culture shock was how the men had never been allowed to enter restaurants using the front door.  Another of the vast differences was they could use any restroom or water fountain.  

Personally, I remember standing before the water fountains at Woolworths marked 'white' and 'colored'.  Those same types of signs were on public restrooms at the county courthouse.  Blacks could not set on the first floor of the local theaters.  And certainly, No Coloreds were allowed in the same schools or restaurants.  I do not even remember seeing blacks at the local drive-in burger joints.  

I am choosing to remain in neutral and not make a statement about the current racial issues.  There are many that still create tensions. 

Take care, friends.

Janice

The Plans We Make

Saturday was the day our friends returned from their trip.  We were to pick them up at the airport at around 6 PM.  Their plane was delayed in takeoff for two hours.  That sent the pickup time to after 8, therefore it would be dark.  As I am seventy-five years old with grey hair, Hubby did not want me out in the dark alone.  That was fine with me.  

When the time came for us to leave, about 7 PM, we took Jacob and his gear back to Cierra's apartment.  We thought about taking Jacob on with us to the airport but decided that space was limited.  Jacob was left in his kennel to avoid damage at Cierra's.  Seems Jacob gets himself in trouble if left alone and not in his kennel. The back cover in our Cmax cargo area was removed so there would be room for all the luggage.  We left the cover in Cierra's garage.  It was off to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

As with many airports, Austin Bergstrom airport has a cell parking lot.  The lot is near the pickup area so all one has to do is text your location in the long pickup line.  As you can see in the photo to the right, pillars have letters for location references.

Cierra's plane was late arriving, then even later disembarking.  I received a message at 8:53 PM that Cierra and her mom were at pillar L.  (Makes me think of the special love with a capital L.)  Hubby starts the CMax by placing his foot on the brake and pressing the start button.  Nothing.  Additional attempts with the same result.  He gets out and beats on stuff under the hood. 

During Hubby's attempts, I text Cierra about the car.  What to do?  The price of a Lyft is $75.  Ugh.  She calls her sister, no answer.  I call our son with the same result.  UGH.  Did I mention the time of night now?  Did I mention it is about 45℉?  Too chilly for Cierra and Erica to be standing outside.  Cierra texts that her BIL answered her call.  He is on his way but he will be 45 minutes.  C and E go back into the terminal to stay warmer.

While I was texting about ways to get C and E home, Hubby has contacted AAA road service.  AAA digitally said it would be over an hour before the technician arrived.  Since our Cmax is a hybrid, special jumpers are required for the battery.  To be clear, there are two batteries for our type of hybrid.  The lithium battery recharges while driving and braking.  That battery is what drives the electric motor.  The second battery is for starting the car.  It is the second battery that failed last night.  

As luck would have it, the AAA person called to say he was 12 minutes away, not nearly the hour + wait time.  He was there in what seemed like no time and Icie, our hybrid was up and going.  I called C.  She called her BIL to send him back home.  I texted Son to let him know we had a running car.  Hubby said the AAA tech instructed him to not turn off the car.  It seems the eight-year-old battery had served us well.  Now Icie would need a new battery asap.  

C and E were retrieved from the cold 'L' location.  On the trip back to Round Rock C showed photos and videos from their tropical vacation.  She and I discussed the book about dementia caregiving she had read while on vacation.  She realized so much she would need to do to continue caring for her mom.  She felt the book had given her good direction and help for the days, weeks, and months forward.

We had C and E home by around 10:45, about 4 hours later than the original plan.  The next plan made on the fly was to return to the apartment.  Hubby would change to his Jeep while I stayed with Icie to have her running.  We would then take Icie to the dealership's lot to be serviced the next day.  If we turned the car off we would not be able to restart without a 'jump'.   So off we went with the new plan.  We arrived at the dealership only to find gates closed and locked.  Ugh.  U-turns in the driveway, a back street took us to the freeway, and finally at home.  It is almost midnight and I turn off the motor.

Icie the day we brought her home, 4-25-2014

Today we are kicked back in our recliners.  We'll have to contact AAA again to get the car going.  Tomorrow morning is a take E to her sister's morning.  Guess that will need to be done in the Jeep until we get our Icie back on the road.  And AAA is worth every penny we pay for the yearly membership.

The one plan that worked out last night was not taking Jacob to the airport.

All you folks stay sare out there.  

Janice

Weather

Some days it seems the weather dominates all discussion.  Yesterday was a sunny, pleasant day.  Even watching the lacrosse game was no challenge.  Then this morning arrived.  Near freezing temperatures around the area.  As my mom would say, "It was blowing a gale!"  With gusts up to 38 MPH the 36 degrees F were uncomfortable.  Of course, today was the day I had scheduled pickups at Kohl's, Sam's Club, and Bath and Body Works.  I only had to get out of the car at the last store on the list.  I purposely park further away to get more exercise.  So I cannot complain about the cold while walking back and forth to pick up my order and free gift.  Especially a free gift of travel size shower gel.

A couple of years ago Son gave Hubby a weather station for his birthday or father's day or some occasion.  It is nice to be able to see at a glance the conditions outside our door.  Surely helps to know the attire needed for the day.  The desktop information includes forecast information.  A map shows reports from other private weather stations near us.   Hubby always reminds me that because his station is close to a building the information might not be perfect.  Close is good enough for me.  

As for Robbie, he has been doing more work and drawings.  Here are the last two days.

Rebel pilot from Star Wars

Our son was nuts for Star Wars.  He may still be just a bit that way.  That series had an impact on children growing up in the 1970s and 1980s.  The Star Wars franchise appears to be still be doing it. 

Drawing of Aztec dancers

All you folks keep safe, whatever the weather may be.

Janice

Dreams

Tonight was a Round Rock Dragons lacrosse game.  Grandson #3 is back on that team.  He is not attending that high school but his school does not offer lacrosse.  The coaches and district allowed him to join the team for the spring season.  I noticed this evening there were other young men on the team from other Round Rock high schools on the same team.  With all the issues caused by the covid shutdown of schools in 2020 and 2021 schools have eliminated some sports.

Grandson #1 had a dream of going to college and playing lacrosse.  He was being recruited by some smaller schools prior to the shutdowns.  His chance of a scholarship and a regular college experience evaporated.  With his dyslexia, online college did not work out for him.  As readers know he spent last summer being a guide on river rapid trips.  The winter season took him to Breckenridge, CO, and work in a ski shop.  His maternal grandparents have a condo in Breckenridge.  That is where he lives.  At the ski shop, the employees have a 3-hour break for skiing.  After all, the employees need to know the conditions for the best recommendations to customers.  It may not have been #1's dream but he seems to be enjoying all the benefits.

Grandson #3 wanted to go to the Naval Academy as his maternal grandfather had done.  An impulsive child from the time he was born, #3 made a life-altering choice one day.  He looked into a laser pointer and lost the vision in one eye.  No Naval Academy for him.  From that bad decision, he spiraled into alcohol and drug use.  Almost one year ago he was placed in a rehab center for three months.  He will be sober for one year on the 26th of March.  Staying sober has become his hope for the future.  He has one more year in high school.  I have not heard him say recently what he plans to seek in college.

Grandson #2 is in his last few weeks of high school.  He and our DIL made two trips looking at potential colleges and universities.  It appears he will be attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT.  MSU has an engineering school.  It is, also, known for the high level of research that is done there.  I am not sure if #2 likes the school or the fact he can go skiing frequently.  A big plus that was mentioned was how there were rooms in the dorms for ski and snowboard waxing!  Guess I'll have two grandsons on ski slopes each winter.

We all have our dreams and hopes for the future.  When I started this post that was not the type of dream I had in mind.  More in the line of dreams during sleep.  My dreams are about finishing the basement of the house in Aurora.  We moved from that house in February 1993.  Another recurring dream is about the Farnsworth place that my family lived in from 1952 or so till October 1960.  In my deep dreams, I continue to remodel or try to save the house from destruction.   The Farnsworth House was actually moved to a small nearby village.  But in my dreams, it is still on Thompson lane.

Tonight as I rode to the lacrosse game with Son and #4 Grandson I mentioned the dreams.  I noted how I never have dreams about my son or his family.  "Maybe it's that you only dream in the past, Mom.  You get to see the family all the time".  Now, I am left wondering about my dreams.  Will I continue dreaming of only unfinished projects at my homes?  Will I again try to rebuild the circuit board company where I worked for 20 + years?  Only time and sleep will tell.

Wishing you all pleasant dreams.

Janice

No Stretching for Me

With Cierra out of town with Erica, I did not get a stretch session today.  I have walked Jacob once today.  More today I am certain of that!  Mr. Jacob slept against my leg all night long.  If I moved, he snuggled back against me.  The close proximity has not changed one bit.  Now he is against my leg snuggled in his blanket.  Back asleep.  He did wake up enough to beg for a bite of the biscuit and gravy Hubby made.

As for Robbie, he did his job both yesterday and today.  I did not do my job of posting his drawings.  So here is all his work for Monday and Tuesday.

Chinese Dragon

Ghostbuster prepared to fight

See that arrow?  Notice how the area is drawn over repeatedly?  Robbie closed himself in our 6' x 10' walk-in closet.  Hubby rescued him.  I think Robbie could not concentrate on his drawing after the trauma of being caught in the closet.  Yesterday I accidentally shut Jacob in the closet.  Hubby heard a faint barking and discovered Jacob.  Hubby rescued Jacob, likewise.  Hubby is a hero.

This drawing was Robbie finding the charger.
Makes me think of a seahorse.

With the monthly book club meeting tomorrow, guess I'd best stop writing on my blog.  I will say the weather is still cloudy, windy, and cool.  The kind of day for sitting and reading a good book.  The Book of Lost Names is another story set in France during WWII.  With only 14% read I must get to it now.  Wishing you each and everyone a day that gives you joy.

Peace,

Janice

Walking the Dog

Europe, March 2016

A few years back at the request of my DIL I participated in a lifestyle management program, Naturally Slim.  Hubby was, also, asked to participate in a different lifestyle management program.  Following the online program, I managed to lose between 30 and 40 pounds.  That was over 3 years ago.  After the hiatal hernia surgery in 2020 about another 10 pounds were permanently lost.  The pounds have not found me again and hopefully never will.  

What does walking the dog have to do with losing weight?  Activity, movement, getting off one's duff.  The Naturally Slim program included an exercise specialist.  The recommendation was a minimum of 30 minutes of activity every day.  The specialist suggested walking the dog for 10 minutes three times a day.  Yes, walk that dog even if you didn't have a dog.  

Fred the neighbor, May2021

At the time I began the program I was working to get 10,000 steps a day.  That many steps took me way more than 30 minutes.  More like an hour and a half.  No weight was lost.  So obviously, the guidance in food intake management made the difference.  In addition, the number of steps was reduced by my orthopedic surgeon to no more than 2 miles every other day.  That is around 5000 steps.  "After all, those knee replacements can wear out, too", was his statement.  Currently most days I aim for over 3000 steps.  In fact, the doctor recommended using a stationary bike, yoga, stretching, or lifting weights to alternate with the steps every other day.  

With Jacob visiting this week, walking the dog is a complete necessity.  Jacob lets us know when he needs the walking.  Yesterday walking the dog had an additional benefit.   As I was crossing the paved entrance to the parking garage I noticed a dollar bill just laying there.  I picked it up and looked to see if there was someone around that could have lost it.  Then I spied a second dollar bill.  Still, there was no one to claim ownership.  Both bills felt as if they may have been exposed to water.  The second bill was against the curb partially covered by leaves.  It actually paid to walk the dog. 

Enjoy your walk, stretch or whatever with a dog, real or pretend.

Janice

We Are Going To The Dogs?

The title of this post came about because of DJ and Jacob.  On Friday Snorlax made its way to Son's house via my Icie, my hybrid auto.  Anytime we show up at Son's, DJ the granddog is certain we have arrived for no other reason than her.  About 50% of the time she is correct.  Our presence can mean a car ride searching for squirrels.  Friday was no exception to this tradition.  Except for one little difference.  Lyla.

Unlike our cats from decades ago who would scream like a banshee, Lyla just took in the sights.  She calmly walked around the inside taking advantage of all the views.  When a squirrel came into view, DJ did her usual whines increasing to loud, really loud barks.  Lyla was terribly unimpressed.  

As the ride came to an end, an attempt was made to get a group photo.   Hubby is not trying to choke Lyla, just simply attempting to get her to face the camera.  You can tell by the next photo what Lyla thought of that idea.  Yes, that is the south end of a northbound Lyla.  Naturally bobbed tail and all.  We settled for a profile of Lyla, a drooling DJ cleaning her face, the inside of my nose, and one of Hubby's eyes.  

Oh, well, the ride was pretty perfect.  DJ, who is a bulldog mix, by barking loudly treed two squirrels.  Lyla, an American bobtail, remained calm throughout the ride.  We only had to calm down the fur sisters one time when DJ decided Lyla was in her space. Is that not just typical kids and siblings?

For the next week we are having Jacob the dachshund as our fur guest.  

Before I close this bit of nothing today let me share a bit about the phrase, going to the dogs.   Most of us are familiar with this phrase meaning a decline a business, organization, neighborhood, country, or possibly a person.  Just no to the standard previously held.  The source is possibly traced to the walled cities of ancient China.  No dogs were permitted within the walls.  The dogs lived outside the city walls and lived on the garbage.  There are diverse explanations here or here yet another here.  

So ends my tale of going to the dogs.  Well, and one bobtail cat.

Take care and Peace for Ukraine.

Janice

The tail end of Hubby, Lyla, and my finger