tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60766734337929680992024-03-19T01:48:06.905-07:00Older but better...?This blog is meant to be a documentation of our journey into the world of retirement. I know the title should be "Older, but wiser". However, I really didn't know if that would be accurate. The "Older, but better...?" title could also be misleading. The 5 cats in the above pics are: Molly, Rose, Tux, Julie, and Ghost. (I have tried to make this collage smaller, but with no luck...)Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.comBlogger957125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-38459634656804706852024-03-18T08:11:00.000-07:002024-03-18T14:35:38.616-07:00celebrating a bloom...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry-aOekEmFSydeq2VUb5-sc4w_n3pqCrBSBj9DnFlJPZ98eUKB1gOyfGOKvOlPAR7xcdS6pqD0QNtDgLhLrrJT7SmxPNI6lm0CYm9NCSCZUWvFqJaBbFz_RHtZYsIsKuEnnWmsPKDwrcTEXdgScMwpaq3qUBF2uAO2W-wkHYGJJld5XVltK212ZCbdug/s600/Cactus%20bloom%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry-aOekEmFSydeq2VUb5-sc4w_n3pqCrBSBj9DnFlJPZ98eUKB1gOyfGOKvOlPAR7xcdS6pqD0QNtDgLhLrrJT7SmxPNI6lm0CYm9NCSCZUWvFqJaBbFz_RHtZYsIsKuEnnWmsPKDwrcTEXdgScMwpaq3qUBF2uAO2W-wkHYGJJld5XVltK212ZCbdug/w289-h400/Cactus%20bloom%202.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IitrYZJAoGsTz2pEkl09x9Aj4N0OQi91nMKrzi9IWQwmFrZXW-fG2XcCF0bctuHVtwHcW1mbG7XHAEMfmNKfS-0wgmK5YR-TiFbblLK_7NT2kNWhFmQrpNQD4O29-uBBJYv7qMJDddEg8j3Ucpo7pI6v9ZFIAScqCsmICsTQmUmCe5oh8biteyeBC18/s640/Cactus%20bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IitrYZJAoGsTz2pEkl09x9Aj4N0OQi91nMKrzi9IWQwmFrZXW-fG2XcCF0bctuHVtwHcW1mbG7XHAEMfmNKfS-0wgmK5YR-TiFbblLK_7NT2kNWhFmQrpNQD4O29-uBBJYv7qMJDddEg8j3Ucpo7pI6v9ZFIAScqCsmICsTQmUmCe5oh8biteyeBC18/w360-h400/Cactus%20bloom.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus bloom - from 2 angles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is the first 'home' bloom my Thanksgiving Cactus has given us. For the first few months after I bought her, I thought she hated me. She had many blooms on her when purchased, but once in my window lost all of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She was put in the same window as my Hatch Pepper and Maidenhair fern and they seem happy. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then I was told that this type of cactus doesn't <i>like</i> attention. Humph..ph! I talk to my plants, wiggle their leaves, etc. Now I was being told not to even have eye contact with her. Really??? OK, I tried this... <i>and nothing</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next I was told to put it in a dark place (<i>like a closet)</i> for several days. I did this, but felt very guilty. If this cactus didn't hate me before, surely she would hate me now. But I did it.... <i>nothing. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Also told that this cactus (<i>still un-named</i>) doesn't like much watering... and prefers to be watered from the bottom. Tried this... <i>nothing.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But - </b>just a few days ago I saw one tiny red spot on one of the leaves. This red spot started to get bigger. I took a chance and put her back in the closet for 2 days (<i>hate doing this, but if this is what she needs?</i>). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I took her out (<i>and profusely apologized</i>), put her back in the South window (<i>this time one apart from the other plants and doesn't get as much light), </i>her single bloom started to grow!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It has continued to develop until now I believe this is the <u>mature bloom</u>! I'm amazed, but don't know what to think. Is one single bloom telling me that she doesn't hate me (<i>completely)?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think? And BTW, I need a name for her. Any suggestions?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">*<i>And any advice concerning her care would be appreciated. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-72418997702639094792024-03-17T03:26:00.000-07:002024-03-17T03:26:24.194-07:00St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzSEC9r5jyr_oD7OMZIIbS79EJ7ttjxKoIaPy7-bJcs-ZGsAaPZ6ggw3zXbGrb1sWr0MbTBvvMQDvv8ShQ48W9qzEKcpOwEFD1gj2frBr3odHHUXVoRVAuXNI2ofHzvQvy2G2uO88SGkfSVbIOIrFpDakNhUAVL98EFB3WmvyQicOa2CdRXuu_U18AeM/s1050/Magic%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzSEC9r5jyr_oD7OMZIIbS79EJ7ttjxKoIaPy7-bJcs-ZGsAaPZ6ggw3zXbGrb1sWr0MbTBvvMQDvv8ShQ48W9qzEKcpOwEFD1gj2frBr3odHHUXVoRVAuXNI2ofHzvQvy2G2uO88SGkfSVbIOIrFpDakNhUAVL98EFB3WmvyQicOa2CdRXuu_U18AeM/w458-h640/Magic%20(2).jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy St. Patrick's Day!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rian</span></span></div><p></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-56375937358515574662024-03-14T13:59:00.000-07:002024-03-14T14:11:07.791-07:00our young 'miracle cat'.... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmHuqZRx_rEB46WiyGjH7byVXB0pMlWO-lcgymSuQFx3I5pfoSo2KLqQVlAHU3qbBkHwIohauq7d2TleW3C7ZHOZDU8nHz9CvJj1wIvJaeu25LSsz_zR02iksAYdNBUV7BOZ-hgjOAzvLLkBQ_N3vQaaTI8tDzYIGwDSZFScFXTIZgoVHBKUWG3uyWRU/s614/Miracle%20cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="614" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmHuqZRx_rEB46WiyGjH7byVXB0pMlWO-lcgymSuQFx3I5pfoSo2KLqQVlAHU3qbBkHwIohauq7d2TleW3C7ZHOZDU8nHz9CvJj1wIvJaeu25LSsz_zR02iksAYdNBUV7BOZ-hgjOAzvLLkBQ_N3vQaaTI8tDzYIGwDSZFScFXTIZgoVHBKUWG3uyWRU/s320/Miracle%20cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOFlihHJ6LGfmEITOMO_x16lS18wFPx5Owi8yAZo8Co6iTRp34p2Set-gKaF6pO4l3coABQM-yyPug4egG3X51HRfqwLXhOSjGk-xhQyDYcDRPwlEj7mv7AIbF6GBzLEUwuXBVCtItqyNMHrHj_c-Aec9kMd-7X3Xz6Zg2QTRla-8y3dulIOHLhKKoMc/s640/Miracle%20cat%20closeup.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOFlihHJ6LGfmEITOMO_x16lS18wFPx5Owi8yAZo8Co6iTRp34p2Set-gKaF6pO4l3coABQM-yyPug4egG3X51HRfqwLXhOSjGk-xhQyDYcDRPwlEj7mv7AIbF6GBzLEUwuXBVCtItqyNMHrHj_c-Aec9kMd-7X3Xz6Zg2QTRla-8y3dulIOHLhKKoMc/w225-h400/Miracle%20cat%20closeup.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is our miracle cat<br />looking in front window</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;">This is the young cat that we thought we would lose over the winter. It's amazing how she's rallied. We'll never know for sure what happened to her as for a while she was all skin and bone and slept the days away. But I guess good food and a warm place to sleep helped as she's looking good again. And the thing is... she seems to know that she's safe here as she sticks around pretty close.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There's another feral that came recently that looks a big ragged. He's older (<i>but not an old cat</i>) very thin, has wounds, and moves slowly. He comes to eat and hangs around the backyard a lot. The others don't seem to mind. I don't think they consider him a threat.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next is just a picture I came across and thought was adorable:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX3_q-sMI3X8LL0moMD34r7yAHuTJ4HaVTKwPnkbQ6WkMYxgAV17Org6uvB2hMgcVaUDoT-Plnq0AGlBK2G9AhJI5iFk_jRZvnkVenGYyNP_Vuphmn1Q5OYcP70oVFykDzeoQbrkE_xHZuns_st7Jqa8r4ftLWavLKCDfsGlo9kI7gJf2TazCl5z79-E/s768/Kid%20with%20kittens.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX3_q-sMI3X8LL0moMD34r7yAHuTJ4HaVTKwPnkbQ6WkMYxgAV17Org6uvB2hMgcVaUDoT-Plnq0AGlBK2G9AhJI5iFk_jRZvnkVenGYyNP_Vuphmn1Q5OYcP70oVFykDzeoQbrkE_xHZuns_st7Jqa8r4ftLWavLKCDfsGlo9kI7gJf2TazCl5z79-E/w391-h400/Kid%20with%20kittens.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">and a new picture for our bathroom:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpsWeNbNOvFQOehs2M4ifeWJ19iu3OifTaMorzWEVAQj65uS8sEVnfYNXpRboDhcBO-UziIDp_0t7lMjcPBGzT6harGW5c3Hhs7vNthD-7l3_5sLF-UBo_z7ZZ7w_nIjcXIoaAn1M4jBQVZEutIHh492anu9c6DpJj7wN-Fk6COK0mdHM6BZfQB-6wnM/s640/wash%20your%20paws%20sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpsWeNbNOvFQOehs2M4ifeWJ19iu3OifTaMorzWEVAQj65uS8sEVnfYNXpRboDhcBO-UziIDp_0t7lMjcPBGzT6harGW5c3Hhs7vNthD-7l3_5sLF-UBo_z7ZZ7w_nIjcXIoaAn1M4jBQVZEutIHh492anu9c6DpJj7wN-Fk6COK0mdHM6BZfQB-6wnM/w311-h400/wash%20your%20paws%20sign.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">... and I'll close today with the "No Soliciting" Sign we have by our front door. <a href="https://travelerswife.blogspot.com/">Kay from Musings</a> was talking about people ignoring No Soliciting signs - so I mentioned this one. It covers most of the bases and between it... <i>and</i> the Nest camera, we don't get a lot of people ringing our doorbell. So just thought I'd mention it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHxvwZKNH8CDzwo-zfBiVcWlS6w1wVkAhNXbjcFYJjVo84pQQnhppXIbBjSW1yUjk0CEbKgkYirjPS043GhK-VXiIUTugs7gNp_NocpTXaikv1EPjVB8XwowhHgqZ9rK27wj_Stzj0qQYPqwLw1MarEu2YMMETQXPBHfrV-Uzql4VkkhHhxTK1VIJV7Y/s640/No%20soliciting%20sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="605" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHxvwZKNH8CDzwo-zfBiVcWlS6w1wVkAhNXbjcFYJjVo84pQQnhppXIbBjSW1yUjk0CEbKgkYirjPS043GhK-VXiIUTugs7gNp_NocpTXaikv1EPjVB8XwowhHgqZ9rK27wj_Stzj0qQYPqwLw1MarEu2YMMETQXPBHfrV-Uzql4VkkhHhxTK1VIJV7Y/w379-h400/No%20soliciting%20sign.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The only thing I'm not too sure about on this sign is the "have a blessed day"... and the reason for that is that <i>in the South,</i> SOMETIMES words like "Bless your heart" don't really mean that.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But I do thank you for reading and really like sharing my <i>not exactly thrilling but what the heck</i> retirement life with you. ; )</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-46056218140036301692024-03-10T12:14:00.000-07:002024-03-10T12:14:17.196-07:00Need to talk to a real person...<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80cRAZXk2IV3X2Gb7u34ys1Uc_9-gpsWqfiwyWnFLE4sRXBSLk0CdVhpoZXBK1lxEaYA5xkpeE4QKANu2N6WhTX8lCnv3jGT1nXQN2K7NVNIF2K2bBTHvdw2Y8bSSfkibv2Sei3sDSnRMwfY8Z43x68sLTYbAZv0nzx-_rL89eNWKad6JWcBLwDCAweg/s673/DMV%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80cRAZXk2IV3X2Gb7u34ys1Uc_9-gpsWqfiwyWnFLE4sRXBSLk0CdVhpoZXBK1lxEaYA5xkpeE4QKANu2N6WhTX8lCnv3jGT1nXQN2K7NVNIF2K2bBTHvdw2Y8bSSfkibv2Sei3sDSnRMwfY8Z43x68sLTYbAZv0nzx-_rL89eNWKad6JWcBLwDCAweg/s320/DMV%201.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dreaded DMV</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Just a short rant:</u> There are times when automative responses just don't work! My TDL is due for renewal this summer. So I got a letter saying that since I will be 79 this summer, I <i>cannot</i> <i>renew online</i> anymore. You have to show up at the DMV with your old license and/or other forms of ID. This is no problem, but what I need to know is : Can I do this <i>now</i> or do I have to <i>wait until it's closer to the expiration date.</i> Every number you call is automated. Do they answer this question? No. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And since I no longer drive... and haven't driven in the last 3 years, does it matter if I get my TDL renewed or just get an ID? All I want to do is have someone answer this question before I make an appointment, wait at the DMV, and <i>then</i> be told I have to come back when the expiration date is closer.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe one of you know the answer?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Now...</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have nothing else to post except this <i>old pic</i> I came across recently that DH took <i>years ago</i> of me sleeping on the sofa with Gigi, one of our cats back then. She was a sweetheart. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECg4K0GpWWxbItTT117OoIS0SalSy3TQswVwq_XAsOfzt0wBCAazxp1B6lTsjS_IrI-OsvJP0bTMv6taommSk1OWPO_KF7HMu4jraGTfO1V-jc4mfkdTP1iS5CBndz4__0mNy-uU7y4NAIRIbjJxj3d2egKTF2MzIIJ84KKvAdWd_jB6STFp6sdHLRcA/s640/Me%20and%20Gigi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="433" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECg4K0GpWWxbItTT117OoIS0SalSy3TQswVwq_XAsOfzt0wBCAazxp1B6lTsjS_IrI-OsvJP0bTMv6taommSk1OWPO_KF7HMu4jraGTfO1V-jc4mfkdTP1iS5CBndz4__0mNy-uU7y4NAIRIbjJxj3d2egKTF2MzIIJ84KKvAdWd_jB6STFp6sdHLRcA/w271-h400/Me%20and%20Gigi.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you're having a good weekend! And if you know the answer to my TDL dilemma, please advise.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-20081691467183567442024-03-07T09:02:00.000-08:002024-03-07T09:02:51.008-08:00Retiring doctors... and more food/garden pics<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBZEhLgahcCPSeaicKjgV8rgZ7ZWORkqlgWA3hyMetOwE1XBvY1pZkxbzQxoCRLJUSZ5O5lkxYNn3kSClE2ZWTDIDwvOut7l7KcY0Uo3OrBwbQsx3DQTMHE6y1-GTk7xZtmgeZojmUsy8czF-2iLFmw5N4kzDONzAnR9DPBkiuvUjAwZM3B90oOEpat8/s767/Listening.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBZEhLgahcCPSeaicKjgV8rgZ7ZWORkqlgWA3hyMetOwE1XBvY1pZkxbzQxoCRLJUSZ5O5lkxYNn3kSClE2ZWTDIDwvOut7l7KcY0Uo3OrBwbQsx3DQTMHE6y1-GTk7xZtmgeZojmUsy8czF-2iLFmw5N4kzDONzAnR9DPBkiuvUjAwZM3B90oOEpat8/s320/Listening.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9N-mzPpd8KHwyzQUSGmgdPFjqguV1BAC_5H1vw6ibRJOAAA3uu_FB_mdvyVe4fDbNA0teEE8Jz9Z63cFDoJQJcrzDRA1uFohgriLvWnvVOzlVzUSHtC0BODb5trJpMDouAijsL295qC6gjYg_3vqsGMFc26GlPskEaEfH2GrsgkWORIgukkFK-iGkxg/s564/Listening%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9N-mzPpd8KHwyzQUSGmgdPFjqguV1BAC_5H1vw6ibRJOAAA3uu_FB_mdvyVe4fDbNA0teEE8Jz9Z63cFDoJQJcrzDRA1uFohgriLvWnvVOzlVzUSHtC0BODb5trJpMDouAijsL295qC6gjYg_3vqsGMFc26GlPskEaEfH2GrsgkWORIgukkFK-iGkxg/s320/Listening%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Those of us who have reached retirement age are aware that many of the doctors that we've had for the last 30 + years are also at retirement age. So far my Oncologist and my Breast Specialist from my BC days have both retired. Our PCP and my OB/GYN are certainly at retirement age... but will hopefully stay around for a <i>few</i> more years.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I know that new young doctors are well versed in the latest treatments, etc. but it's nice to have doctors that have known you for years. And although my PCP is a man (<i>as is my Cardiologist</i>), most of my doctors are women. And I won't make this a generality, but speaking from my own experience, women '<u>listen</u>'.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did/do have a man doctor (<i>Spinal Specialist</i>) that I've only been to see once several years ago that did 'listen well'. In fact he met me in the exam room and greeted me with words something like, "I want you to tell me in your own words what is going on and what you think the problem is..." And then he sat there and listened. I really liked him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Do you like your doctors? Is there one that you especially trust? Is there one that always calls you back or checks up on you? </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">***********************************************</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">DH made stuffed peppers yesterday. They were really good. He stuffs red and green bell peppers with ground meat, Italian sausage, rice, toasted pecans, and seasonings. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VOyadjqZI2JIzulN8Ur1eSetv_eVr29zZyf_RQr2mmR5xj3vxeYqitF8R84cHWLoGSUMM_JFsQbh-lxnVSOZYT53hVF7GUQL5nY1R07H1a3WV16dO3-8dp38xmeCz9ZtYCnl3i-DIozbPm1qoh_K6B4KLUHqnUbwWi4w6sMSnM1KEWjM2AXsArEEw4k/s640/garden%20Spring%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VOyadjqZI2JIzulN8Ur1eSetv_eVr29zZyf_RQr2mmR5xj3vxeYqitF8R84cHWLoGSUMM_JFsQbh-lxnVSOZYT53hVF7GUQL5nY1R07H1a3WV16dO3-8dp38xmeCz9ZtYCnl3i-DIozbPm1qoh_K6B4KLUHqnUbwWi4w6sMSnM1KEWjM2AXsArEEw4k/w300-h400/garden%20Spring%202024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">and I made wild blueberry mini-muffins:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nF2vChyphenhyphena9EI5LmXYNJ2I6-dU8YaMmvtg1DSUE4We-bPIR7KCw1etpTyz6PEezcFx8iw2a7MkmZBipHLkNK0Rz6hozPrT77J0hmQ4UBqgeCBpE2bLkK1ZQ-RsyyFJ3hC1q_D-IbimUkwFrEnnGbKpvXATHvqYwVMgtYYC5OOFJ2pk9oGvzh05CLCi5sE/s640/blueberry%20muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nF2vChyphenhyphena9EI5LmXYNJ2I6-dU8YaMmvtg1DSUE4We-bPIR7KCw1etpTyz6PEezcFx8iw2a7MkmZBipHLkNK0Rz6hozPrT77J0hmQ4UBqgeCBpE2bLkK1ZQ-RsyyFJ3hC1q_D-IbimUkwFrEnnGbKpvXATHvqYwVMgtYYC5OOFJ2pk9oGvzh05CLCi5sE/w300-h400/blueberry%20muffins.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And lastly, I planted my trug for the Spring. There's Kale, Romaine lettuce, and Collard Greens. Last year it got so hot so fast here in Texas that not very much grew. I did get a few tomatoes and green peppers, but very little. Hoping to do better this year.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE4CFQ_udwZC1rNhF3PAF6EWmJ57cBWnly-5dK_61mX7YJY1zvhNpbfa2VSnE4rWryvmNc2wPny88K6hG-rWpQSLh66yzG-54z430EqoOCx_0B-q84Qc7LT85klrMiykatYiY_KZmXc4YRKk5WtViY7azpJj8z6zmxH7OJgDyByiHI_wOjOuBGkfeus4/s640/garden%202%20Spring%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE4CFQ_udwZC1rNhF3PAF6EWmJ57cBWnly-5dK_61mX7YJY1zvhNpbfa2VSnE4rWryvmNc2wPny88K6hG-rWpQSLh66yzG-54z430EqoOCx_0B-q84Qc7LT85klrMiykatYiY_KZmXc4YRKk5WtViY7azpJj8z6zmxH7OJgDyByiHI_wOjOuBGkfeus4/w400-h300/garden%202%20Spring%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 2024 plantings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and my Hatch Pepper plant (<i>inside</i>) has 10 flowers on it. Hoping that will mean 10 little Hatch Peppers!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a good week. Spring does seem to be here. The Red Buds and Bradford Pears are in full bloom! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And for those who are interested, our young 'miracle' cat seems to have recovered well. She is no longer bone skinny and listless... but seems to have perked up considerably. We are so pleased.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rian<br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQd1izB3200M16GLDK6NN74R53m9sTTJRYuCBtCBYSxO1xx3qr8U5NmE-_j2wnqC3eqM2_OmuwM7EjvbfAfGhFXBlwsGFz97GziC6cGT4-LEyVnQGyt_cn44aEgKxFf0G_4OIBup8oN5gW8GbFhpmzpJwnqNXIaq_sWfjWu6VMRUIeQGE80IoihntiFs/s829/Snoopy%20on%20porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQd1izB3200M16GLDK6NN74R53m9sTTJRYuCBtCBYSxO1xx3qr8U5NmE-_j2wnqC3eqM2_OmuwM7EjvbfAfGhFXBlwsGFz97GziC6cGT4-LEyVnQGyt_cn44aEgKxFf0G_4OIBup8oN5gW8GbFhpmzpJwnqNXIaq_sWfjWu6VMRUIeQGE80IoihntiFs/s320/Snoopy%20on%20porch.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-5083206583867248402024-03-02T12:41:00.000-08:002024-03-02T12:41:00.379-08:00a new recipe... and a cat pic!<p><span style="font-size: large;">Actually I 'revamped' an old recipe, but it turned out to be a keeper. There 's a story here. I had recently seen a frozen chicken pie at Central Market. It looked good, but was a bit expensive for a home dinner ($15). Now I know this isn't bad at all if 3 of you are 'eating out' for dinner, but my daily home dinners for the 3 of us just don't cost that much (<i>unless it's a special occasion</i>). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I decided that I could make a <b>chicken pie </b>by simply using my sour cream chicken enchilada recipe (<i>which we all love)</i> and simply add some peas and corn... and put it in a pie shell instead of tortillas. And guess what? It worked well. Here's a pic:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGP7tETDOAtBU0HGzZ6oCJDlt2kCLaeTM34KITAiqTxUUlqsUj9Xgca6doJDaaanbdz2eQIpVRAZNkaglmz3U0dZrS-5jPeQ3gntsur9h8nB7PRQtPBr_Sgm6qNps_GT-wlhLog9x0RnVNXbbYyQZmR7fxOIlyMnVNifo6tNQQp3xnj1zwzfXku8leKSM/s640/chicken%20enchilada%20pie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGP7tETDOAtBU0HGzZ6oCJDlt2kCLaeTM34KITAiqTxUUlqsUj9Xgca6doJDaaanbdz2eQIpVRAZNkaglmz3U0dZrS-5jPeQ3gntsur9h8nB7PRQtPBr_Sgm6qNps_GT-wlhLog9x0RnVNXbbYyQZmR7fxOIlyMnVNifo6tNQQp3xnj1zwzfXku8leKSM/w300-h400/chicken%20enchilada%20pie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSkFJfCe1nEJ4pvoxb2EsrSJi5plCXzXtwDJbpv2aGAVMO3QR8jJrwSUco5YtRMBK6mJks-Mp5G135iDtnyqNZ4y1P_0XwNTmwN6Y_ZLCG-t6f8jBjhS7n9sIHiLyt0A_QHsIAyufkv-BWIgqh3OujZLQeMfpSkaDsagl-oamrO5f4dog-D4dDhjZQtE/s640/chicken%20enchilada%20pie%20slice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSkFJfCe1nEJ4pvoxb2EsrSJi5plCXzXtwDJbpv2aGAVMO3QR8jJrwSUco5YtRMBK6mJks-Mp5G135iDtnyqNZ4y1P_0XwNTmwN6Y_ZLCG-t6f8jBjhS7n9sIHiLyt0A_QHsIAyufkv-BWIgqh3OujZLQeMfpSkaDsagl-oamrO5f4dog-D4dDhjZQtE/w300-h400/chicken%20enchilada%20pie%20slice.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I won't say we liked it better than the enchiladas... but it was a good runner up, and I <i>will</i> use it again. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While I'm at it, I thought I'd also mention <b>breakfast</b> at our house (<i>I may have mentioned it before, and if so, sorry for the repeat</i>). But breakfast around here is almost always the same. Here's a pic:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbsFkS8tGoBW0w9j2hRE09WdYdaUHS6jg5LspkNYd_HoNvPU_Nr8hT1sVq7UmPoC5B5AopDa9sXGpZOQWY2uh3IYetdRyz2oZ9ABxDIXO6Ku4ETU2qiC69S1uqNsqC-ApSJaD_wKqJDENNzwlew8BHtGvdSY-msDEFLWryWkKBg-KFlgyV26c5LnNYTs/s640/my%20breakfast%20items.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbsFkS8tGoBW0w9j2hRE09WdYdaUHS6jg5LspkNYd_HoNvPU_Nr8hT1sVq7UmPoC5B5AopDa9sXGpZOQWY2uh3IYetdRyz2oZ9ABxDIXO6Ku4ETU2qiC69S1uqNsqC-ApSJaD_wKqJDENNzwlew8BHtGvdSY-msDEFLWryWkKBg-KFlgyV26c5LnNYTs/w300-h400/my%20breakfast%20items.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">granola, sourdough bread, and oatmeal</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I make a small bowl of oatmeal with milk and add a handful of granola to it. Then I toast a slice of sourdough bread and lather it with real butter. This is our breakfast <i>almost daily</i>... although <i>occasionally</i> I do the egg and soldiers thing <i>or</i> pecan pancakes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, the other day I found this item at the store and thought DH and grandson would like it, so brought it home to try (<i>not gluten-free so not for me). </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEXGlZfZXTcc9F30N5Iw7QV0rq5aVPmXp-hcgQs7tYo3g3wmfEI7VA3mVyLEa4yyxf8OqhIX1ncAAFzHtmMtYo_uzuHWZehIOK97mLHkxcY-hfTUew_jXHg1cY-Sx4PGoqD0X9M-uBQ7xAV9VVFFLcVWstHpoFQmXvN_VCGQsjaPidnbDs6vSTagKK6k/s595/mini%20sticks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEXGlZfZXTcc9F30N5Iw7QV0rq5aVPmXp-hcgQs7tYo3g3wmfEI7VA3mVyLEa4yyxf8OqhIX1ncAAFzHtmMtYo_uzuHWZehIOK97mLHkxcY-hfTUew_jXHg1cY-Sx4PGoqD0X9M-uBQ7xAV9VVFFLcVWstHpoFQmXvN_VCGQsjaPidnbDs6vSTagKK6k/w323-h400/mini%20sticks.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were a big hit with the guys...<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And have to close with a pic of one of the ferals in the backyard. This is the one we call <b>Shadow</b>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmiBDQPq7kPU_XpmtWhFH2529U2lj_Ohq8qYBRLaGx4w_AcfooJhD8V3JLHPyaFIltcgBKJBgLD6Udu-WsGz4cBDG1OzipW0WMbKMkMEIwmTVhSXQ5N6LkwIzgMK46bspPUXGa2XSiQOB3UiBSCpbyEjItbgpP1w6k6E9uAIGj21utPM5p6vGIBh3G3s/s437/Shadow%20in%20back.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmiBDQPq7kPU_XpmtWhFH2529U2lj_Ohq8qYBRLaGx4w_AcfooJhD8V3JLHPyaFIltcgBKJBgLD6Udu-WsGz4cBDG1OzipW0WMbKMkMEIwmTVhSXQ5N6LkwIzgMK46bspPUXGa2XSiQOB3UiBSCpbyEjItbgpP1w6k6E9uAIGj21utPM5p6vGIBh3G3s/w330-h400/Shadow%20in%20back.PNG" width="330" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">He is a handsome sweet boy - and although always close by, he won't let us get <i>too close</i>. But he's also shy with the other ferals. He will wait out back until the others have all eaten before coming up on the back porch to get his food. However, he isn't shy with the younger cats/kittens and will let them lie next to him in the yard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's my news for today. Nothing earth-shattering - just life as I know it. The weather went from 90 F one day to cold and windy the next, now it's 81 F and pretty outside. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-67788086730283510352024-03-01T06:33:00.000-08:002024-03-01T06:33:06.361-08:00March 1, 2024 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! (Leap Rabbit!) <p></p><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWhaIdowNBwGD45Fa3Qb2gpud_s16s4ObhRlNiQepnX_gsyBEv3J9rInVkPdu9kER06Wo-cQW0KBDvfxTNCIKxnwFc4lzlM4Q5t_U43_oFhndFv5wI9VMoIwrCjKaKfo_MWqryFsGvNRpMHLrpU6Ib2LPg0uW7iM-Ez45dibHS0mKm56y0f5FVHSm0no/s846/cute%20white%20rabbit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWhaIdowNBwGD45Fa3Qb2gpud_s16s4ObhRlNiQepnX_gsyBEv3J9rInVkPdu9kER06Wo-cQW0KBDvfxTNCIKxnwFc4lzlM4Q5t_U43_oFhndFv5wI9VMoIwrCjKaKfo_MWqryFsGvNRpMHLrpU6Ib2LPg0uW7iM-Ez45dibHS0mKm56y0f5FVHSm0no/w266-h400/cute%20white%20rabbit.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wishing everyone a wonderful March!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual), </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><p></p></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-18552455819021382372024-02-22T13:32:00.000-08:002024-02-22T13:32:17.055-08:00British Emporium visit... and other stuff<p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3wVYb8Yrng15tTOauiFPxIrd7jCjgZIZOaeXmXSGrV1TdiEBPoG6wMSG_TrH9CDcskt0tOcXqEgeK6OfwyxPmhmPbJaEBdzSPxsP3ND02E6MdSDqDHXeCKmjSg-IJPqU978kbpY3hsbJPUmUxDAWRmUcvF2s8GhS4Ege7RaSh9YGVqfZ3tF7QS1Ykhg/s640/British%20Emporium.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="640" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3wVYb8Yrng15tTOauiFPxIrd7jCjgZIZOaeXmXSGrV1TdiEBPoG6wMSG_TrH9CDcskt0tOcXqEgeK6OfwyxPmhmPbJaEBdzSPxsP3ND02E6MdSDqDHXeCKmjSg-IJPqU978kbpY3hsbJPUmUxDAWRmUcvF2s8GhS4Ege7RaSh9YGVqfZ3tF7QS1Ykhg/w400-h297/British%20Emporium.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British Emporium Purchases</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The</span> </b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>British Emporium</b> opened up a few months ago here by us. It's not a large store, but packed with British items that aren't in the normal grocery stores <i>(Yes, it's $$$</i>). But we love Walkers shortbread and to find it Gluten Free was a blessing (<i>and it tastes great!</i>). And their dark and milk chocolate with Irish Whiskey or Bailey's Irish Cream is pretty darn good too! As for the Shepherd's Pie Mix, I make this a lot, but usually just use brown gravy. Thought I'd try Colman's as my dad always loved Coleman's mustard. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Funny story</u>: I made blueberry muffins Monday... 24 mini-muffins with plans to freeze them and use them for breakfast or snacks at tea time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I had an appointment to go to the dentist that afternoon, so I left the muffins cooling on the counter. When we returned, it seems that my youngest son and granddaughter had dropped by for an impromptu visit (<i>President's day/no school</i>). They were no longer at the house... but my muffins were reduced to almost half... with a note left by granddaughter saying "<i>I was here!</i>". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Previously I was known as the grandma who makes the <u>best tea cakes</u>... and now she says I also make the <u>best blueberry muffins</u>! (<i>Guess I am pleased to have that honor)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And lastly, I'm going to show you some <span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>Easter cards</b></span> we found that I think are really cute: (<i>one silly/one sweet</i>)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0dkvoABJttWSEuRmKEmEVBtUf0wiLXhyHAit99sTRSEHohGrugOnkmITLEMZEJnaB4Z81PTLs_g-ZePad47oR4VugxEnaO7fENXFhUXdBmeRCGxxfR_0p1oz3z9qQKfCvy-LEthq_W6YspID4bKweXl-c-TVy6xBtwStD4D_PO6krZU88enQjtrNVKY/s640/Funny%20bunny%20Easter%20Card.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="640" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0dkvoABJttWSEuRmKEmEVBtUf0wiLXhyHAit99sTRSEHohGrugOnkmITLEMZEJnaB4Z81PTLs_g-ZePad47oR4VugxEnaO7fENXFhUXdBmeRCGxxfR_0p1oz3z9qQKfCvy-LEthq_W6YspID4bKweXl-c-TVy6xBtwStD4D_PO6krZU88enQjtrNVKY/w400-h293/Funny%20bunny%20Easter%20Card.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cover of card on left <br />and<br />inside words on right</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;">and</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dO_FmHCBZlgvppo6pERoQHCSna0IpQUjUBkYWe2ISV_m6jB3wr0FJn_Z5g7Xpzwc8f5ZSqHQLocSVsgxd1h4uFH1ukhsI5844hKxxmpfxTbQsxNmg7VyycUsKRDlRtKkZ1RoEnQRkOCpiKMO3NOs6NDOLCxfq5xx5vF9t7ck-7CAYjTmeXnV8NoAMVg/s640/Bunny%20easter%20card%20for%20A.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="417" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dO_FmHCBZlgvppo6pERoQHCSna0IpQUjUBkYWe2ISV_m6jB3wr0FJn_Z5g7Xpzwc8f5ZSqHQLocSVsgxd1h4uFH1ukhsI5844hKxxmpfxTbQsxNmg7VyycUsKRDlRtKkZ1RoEnQRkOCpiKMO3NOs6NDOLCxfq5xx5vF9t7ck-7CAYjTmeXnV8NoAMVg/w261-h400/Bunny%20easter%20card%20for%20A.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrgKtRBR3OWvYVXLaqzzBL6mN2pi0THOapliEnAEgADwU1AcK-18wIKh5Uo06X27kBBQY2-gcpeIBKuDtfCOruQOoaol81UMQHnfgFDcjviYzXC9ZaQ5cm0xGcGvA7obSu7CCdIvP6g_muq_OkwiEXVZQDRd4b9lGLp3FfkjnAGMo2VSOUrIZ6YnHeFM/s640/2nd%20half%20of%20bunny%20Easter%20card%20for%20A.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="444" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrgKtRBR3OWvYVXLaqzzBL6mN2pi0THOapliEnAEgADwU1AcK-18wIKh5Uo06X27kBBQY2-gcpeIBKuDtfCOruQOoaol81UMQHnfgFDcjviYzXC9ZaQ5cm0xGcGvA7obSu7CCdIvP6g_muq_OkwiEXVZQDRd4b9lGLp3FfkjnAGMo2VSOUrIZ6YnHeFM/w278-h400/2nd%20half%20of%20bunny%20Easter%20card%20for%20A.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside words</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I do really like <span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>Easter</b>!</span> It's my favorite holiday (<i>a true celebration of Spring</i>). Everything is turning green, plants and trees are starting to bloom, baby critters are being born, and live begins anew! I know it's a celebration of the resurrection and to me<i> (in my heart)</i> this is confirmation that life will always be renewed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Wishing you all a wonderful Spring!</span><span style="color: #38761d;">.</span>.. even those of you that still have snow on the ground. The Groundhog predicted "an early Spring" (<i>I want him to be right</i>).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtually),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ps:</b> <i>For those of you who may not be aware, we had a little feral female (black & white) that we were afraid wasn't going to make it. She's probably a little less than a year old...but had suddenly gotten very thin (hip bones sticking out) and shaky. She slept every night under the heat lamps and was obviously getting weak. We thought to try to catch her, but she's feral and she will only let us so close.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, the good news is that these last 2 days, she's looking much better. Eating well and moving like she's getting stronger. I've been praying for her, but afraid possibly she had something that was not going to heal itself. We've experienced what we call 'miracle cats' before that got well despite all odds. We hope she is going to be another one.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-5251714344922566642024-02-16T08:42:00.000-08:002024-02-16T12:21:35.577-08:00monkey mind working overtime...<p><span style="font-size: large;">There are so many things going through my head these days... serious thoughts like <i>how does one tell what one 'knows' for sure and what one 'chooses to believe'.</i> Why am I thinking about this? Something I read or heard must have brought it on. People say that you should 'know' that this (<i>whatever</i>) is truth. How do you <i>know</i> this? I may want to believe it, but do I 'know' it? NO.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So what do I know? <i>I know I love my family</i>. How do I know this? Well, I have 'experienced' this love. So, to know something do we have to have experienced it?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then what is Faith? The dictionary says faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>or</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is not to be an in depth discussion. It's just something that has been nagging at me. I 'choose to believe' some things that make my life easier, better, more fulfilling, less fearful, etc. I choose to 'trust these instincts'... but do I 'know' them to be truth? No. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I sometimes wonder if we as humans can actually know for sure what is truth. Some of us put our faith in religion, some in science, some in ourselves, and some in nothing. I tend to choose religion, science, and myself... because it is a choice that works for me. What works for you?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now... <i>that</i> subject concluded. Let's go on to lesser things.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Recently DH and I were reminiscing about silly pictures brought on by a Family Feud question that asked what you would do if your mother posted a naked pic of you on social media (<i>I'm presuming a baby pic? since it was your mother?</i>) Anyway, we laughed at the answers and then DH reminded me of a pic we got of his mother (<i>taken by a family member</i>) on a motorcycle with leather jacket, helmet, etc. when she was in her 90's. It was so 'not her' that we laugh about this pic even now. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyhow, it reminded me of the pic my son took of me on a moped when we were in Oahu. Not nearly as funny as his mom's pic on the motorcycle in her 90's. But still funny to me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDImueN2Ewsqij4jnoHtFiYpnXJsKHwOYphqJLm8kWOmw2r6XwzVV0p04TRpo7ajxwWu7r0qgrUl3C9Q4gQ50BS03m4TihX3S6JUBoLEidpvYbTDPc3NAlg8TaAnfjlXF1dK8OVjoq-X-kIATI7xyscAyzwBjAkFDZNW8tLiwy9-lFMZlNadVgjx-agM/s496/me%20on%20moped.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDImueN2Ewsqij4jnoHtFiYpnXJsKHwOYphqJLm8kWOmw2r6XwzVV0p04TRpo7ajxwWu7r0qgrUl3C9Q4gQ50BS03m4TihX3S6JUBoLEidpvYbTDPc3NAlg8TaAnfjlXF1dK8OVjoq-X-kIATI7xyscAyzwBjAkFDZNW8tLiwy9-lFMZlNadVgjx-agM/w290-h400/me%20on%20moped.PNG" width="290" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Possibly I like the idea of me being more the 'moped' type... living free on an island... sounds nice, doesn't it? (<i>in my dreams</i>)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, this is my mish mash of a post today.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And a funny cartoon that hit home with us... as I'm always cold in the house... even if the thermostat is set in the 70's.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu0JEnl5-h1szkt7KvEFuZ0ToUrddcv0TwuxyCPm6X_ZPcGnjD7Jyds8SLZJzKHHisGAdTM9D_hdYx_1UR1tm4-C2zU-yEPce6dXlsbfcuVmd9Okmcp7ZlNyHTbGzTDuRM26QE5DDsNS49gg2MMMhYQ_uePltsfbku6Y-L3qb5h32Y2b3aUZkEXKF4G0/s452/new%20cartoon.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu0JEnl5-h1szkt7KvEFuZ0ToUrddcv0TwuxyCPm6X_ZPcGnjD7Jyds8SLZJzKHHisGAdTM9D_hdYx_1UR1tm4-C2zU-yEPce6dXlsbfcuVmd9Okmcp7ZlNyHTbGzTDuRM26QE5DDsNS49gg2MMMhYQ_uePltsfbku6Y-L3qb5h32Y2b3aUZkEXKF4G0/w319-h400/new%20cartoon.PNG" width="319" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! And as always, thanks for reading my gibberish. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-42959898279284425712024-02-10T11:35:00.000-08:002024-02-10T11:35:03.122-08:00Saturday morning Brunch... <p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW37u_L5Oo_YSnPtUoRm6RYfTg5LK3dUpaGoT_-k_vNjJsflPLPeHrZHKs2FUlKv-p_WWmjcQ-PLdzYez7kTJSRfO-4fCF3HKDDGGxpK6S_bc9lfhGv05Rbn53cORVqg6GMx9gjHMH1XggKG7q5Kz3fglPc0kcUJ92gPJJhbOAZb-Cm3cHTiDVkRTW-SY/s640/the%20fifth%20restaurant%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="640" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW37u_L5Oo_YSnPtUoRm6RYfTg5LK3dUpaGoT_-k_vNjJsflPLPeHrZHKs2FUlKv-p_WWmjcQ-PLdzYez7kTJSRfO-4fCF3HKDDGGxpK6S_bc9lfhGv05Rbn53cORVqg6GMx9gjHMH1XggKG7q5Kz3fglPc0kcUJ92gPJJhbOAZb-Cm3cHTiDVkRTW-SY/w640-h622/the%20fifth%20restaurant%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside The Fifth</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVC7ttbCRU5-l9AahEFCV2jzCiP1zkCkqUVFnX5M0ScVyekO_yhzHL8C2H-Rz9CFIC6VpfdkAVIz6dtjIPCTZvzWxxGmbpE1Per0gnpm9VqAZh8Fhk7fwjFwiVN_EaPIsiOah34h1BqKdQ3VWBdfF-u4NLZ8tVNTRfY3lTqRZycq0tEUK6TEajYemdSk/s640/Inside%20the%20Fifth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="640" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVC7ttbCRU5-l9AahEFCV2jzCiP1zkCkqUVFnX5M0ScVyekO_yhzHL8C2H-Rz9CFIC6VpfdkAVIz6dtjIPCTZvzWxxGmbpE1Per0gnpm9VqAZh8Fhk7fwjFwiVN_EaPIsiOah34h1BqKdQ3VWBdfF-u4NLZ8tVNTRfY3lTqRZycq0tEUK6TEajYemdSk/w640-h456/Inside%20the%20Fifth.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside The Fifth</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">DH and I went out to Brunch this morning! This is something we don't do much as I'm not much good early in the morning. I don't think I come fully awake and functional until 9:30 or 10 am. Anyway, that said, we don't go out for breakfast much. I usually make tea/coffee and toasted sourdough bread with lots of real butter.... sometimes even an egg and soldiers, and maybe occasionally pecan pancakes... but not till around 9am.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, this restaurant, "The Fifth" is close to us and has Brunch every Saturday and Sunday. It's called Brunch and there's a specific Brunch Menu... but it's <i>served all day on the weekends.</i> We made reservations for 11 am.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Something else that's interesting about this restaurant is that although it's not that large, it has 3 sections: an outside patio (<i>that is enclosed when it's raining or cold</i>), a main floor area, and a raised area that is all large booths. If you look closely in the Inside the Fifth pic, you can almost see the raised area on the left. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">DH and I sat in the raised area and we ordered Poblano Cheddar Grits, the Brunch Burger, and coffee. The Poblano Cheddar grits were awesome... and the Brunch Burger was the best burger I've ever tasted. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcxGFP9V3ZnTuTAbVhpN2MioRMzdDFLtEGbROw8DXEPabjGywlHaZt-FeEOEjNWydSnCVa_QDiYusff30H9zN4dK0TStyHm5aQH1L2lvklk3YqkhsCadlqzSKK4z6TYPAk_O9p_a09m-bAYl1bqtft2RmaKqNbDML2wRMJ62nepj6PDX5ZlWUqYHFhqc/s640/Brunch%20Burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="640" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcxGFP9V3ZnTuTAbVhpN2MioRMzdDFLtEGbROw8DXEPabjGywlHaZt-FeEOEjNWydSnCVa_QDiYusff30H9zN4dK0TStyHm5aQH1L2lvklk3YqkhsCadlqzSKK4z6TYPAk_O9p_a09m-bAYl1bqtft2RmaKqNbDML2wRMJ62nepj6PDX5ZlWUqYHFhqc/w400-h349/Brunch%20Burger.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I forgot to take pics, so these are all <i>off the site</i>... and the Brunch Burger was served with herbed hash browns (<i>not the french fries shown in this pic</i>) and were delicious. Here I found another pic that may be more accurate for the Brunch Burger. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MIokRtzy_TD8eZOPFY-m9DWalCAAOG6es2vX5YeQ-dpINvzLj0YQUDxAHQDRumdIEJ0TeGuNr9IMREW9nEmj5ViVnPepl8usgNXzGMmmwHJOUwmzz0eF3CJD8_orgl5DDq3TdPGaa3SgVqlI7X60-YBMCAWCa_E8gRKaeXPXd8zPlY98ns6Hj_WZa9o/s640/Brunch%20Burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="613" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MIokRtzy_TD8eZOPFY-m9DWalCAAOG6es2vX5YeQ-dpINvzLj0YQUDxAHQDRumdIEJ0TeGuNr9IMREW9nEmj5ViVnPepl8usgNXzGMmmwHJOUwmzz0eF3CJD8_orgl5DDq3TdPGaa3SgVqlI7X60-YBMCAWCa_E8gRKaeXPXd8zPlY98ns6Hj_WZa9o/w384-h400/Brunch%20Burger.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What was special about this place (<i>besides everything being made from scratch - and all real sugar or real butter, etc.</i>) was the care they go to make everything just as you want it... asking questions and more than happy to make it your way. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, obviously, we were pleased with this place and will definitely return. I'm sure everyone has their own requirements as to what makes a good restaurant. I have 2 : good coffee and good grits! The Fifth has both... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And just a FYI, this place seems to accommodate an eclectic crowd. While we were there, several booths were taken up (<i>including ours</i>) with the gray haired set, several tables with families, and several with the young crowd. Interesting, yes?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, thanks for reading. Just wanted to share our new restaurant adventure. Enjoy your weekend! (<i>it's raining here)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-77018481523913446262024-02-04T15:48:00.000-08:002024-02-04T15:48:48.979-08:00 a lot about nothing...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa-3ipD1ka-DnDmRwMwDRDI0nG1fm-Evm7Sqhx3-97rtoJf7AfWGa7J5bG-CqUmim5LBPrfUovtRMYCqKUB8HVC_QlUP-ktk9lHCUBvs1sv09iGGwCwxyy5HsSvWuF5JGCFH4A27dEcA1u8L5xdWfHkMopsLWW1MH-Gs9YgqHjPcY1BkkN0DT6Ie8LH0/s400/Happy%20Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa-3ipD1ka-DnDmRwMwDRDI0nG1fm-Evm7Sqhx3-97rtoJf7AfWGa7J5bG-CqUmim5LBPrfUovtRMYCqKUB8HVC_QlUP-ktk9lHCUBvs1sv09iGGwCwxyy5HsSvWuF5JGCFH4A27dEcA1u8L5xdWfHkMopsLWW1MH-Gs9YgqHjPcY1BkkN0DT6Ie8LH0/s320/Happy%20Sunday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing much to write about today... cooking things left over in refrig or pantry before going shopping again this week. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, I took out one remaining russet potato, one remaining sweet potato, about 6 carrots, and a small bunch of broccoli. Will bake the potatoes, make a small carrot souffle with the carrots, steam the broccoli with a little brown butter and garlic herb powder, and cook some pork chops with butter, brown sugar, and garlic. That should do.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The only difficult part is cutting the recipe for carrot souffle into a little less than a third... since I only had 6 carrots and not the 2 lbs the recipe calls for. But it should be OK. We'll see.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyiJNuFLjmQY612xD3Vrj4KBvcpHNph4z575JneSNqb0zsKZ58Q9MJZf4K_fskajDgU3jg95VU1gLatoBKDdRd5TcPLIMUo7HBElfimqWT7dFxpooSDBZ4bW6cRcIaqbapdnOYE4Mhwm9aAuVvfY9wRPLv9xzauTq2838bVsaW3Hh1U76QIk6viq_t7o/s581/carrot%20souffle%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyiJNuFLjmQY612xD3Vrj4KBvcpHNph4z575JneSNqb0zsKZ58Q9MJZf4K_fskajDgU3jg95VU1gLatoBKDdRd5TcPLIMUo7HBElfimqWT7dFxpooSDBZ4bW6cRcIaqbapdnOYE4Mhwm9aAuVvfY9wRPLv9xzauTq2838bVsaW3Hh1U76QIk6viq_t7o/s320/carrot%20souffle%202.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small carrot souffle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I find cooking challenging these days as since my BC diagnosis years ago, I mainly cook 'fresh'... very little canned or frozen. But adding DH and Grandson into the picture, I have to consider what they like as well as my food sensitivities. Luckily none of us eat a lot of red meat. I occasionally cook a roast, but not often. Mostly we eat chicken, pork chops, lots of salads and veggies, and I love Salmon, but the guys won't eat it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They do like Stouffers Lasagna and Marie Calendars pot pies (<i>neither of which I can eat because of my being gluten free</i>). But that's OK as I have my own GF stock. And I can 'make' almost any home-made recipe GF by using GF four or pasta... and usually they don't notice a difference. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">*On a different note, I go for my next hearing aid testing this week. This time they test my hearing 'with the hearing aids in'... (<i>at least that's what I understood).</i> I've had them for almost 3 weeks. They seem to work fine. I'm still adjusting them on occasion... like when inside a restaurant, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Starting to notice that perhaps I need to set the left and right ones differently. Will have to talk to her about that. And have to remember to take them out before showering, brushing your hair, or using hair spray. Also have to be careful about pulling my glasses or mask off when outside - as the hearing aids can come off with them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, 'remembering' is the important thing... and this ol' gal isn't great at remembering these days. But hopefully I will do better as time goes on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That's it. Nothing much to share today... just a quiet Sunday and a creative left-over Sunday dinner.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">... and a few funnies:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq3N1AQyJW4tE9uUcwojUIy7esv4Hi571sWmgzC08GRQ-9C-EmTHvxGDQQn4w88Lr-RmZM89viEgZoTKUvKuT06o5TmAfJSEttAzy-qixH6U1iA21rRm9UGhzsEvV5PvOe-TCZ90JN1pGeP5I1TOkhN8hJzHBhjrepxiYYa7ArZl0CPNBymmtPbitw-Q/s674/lazy%20Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq3N1AQyJW4tE9uUcwojUIy7esv4Hi571sWmgzC08GRQ-9C-EmTHvxGDQQn4w88Lr-RmZM89viEgZoTKUvKuT06o5TmAfJSEttAzy-qixH6U1iA21rRm9UGhzsEvV5PvOe-TCZ90JN1pGeP5I1TOkhN8hJzHBhjrepxiYYa7ArZl0CPNBymmtPbitw-Q/w296-h400/lazy%20Sunday.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmFzDLIvdGeSNz_E-UyBJ0s_FEiJbZ2chOpGL9jvn9ulK0-0vl06pTXa1eLJN8w9WBzegTZrG0JLRAfYoDYmwDppy7jbnzMS-1ccwO0poyL8wXhAV0NR3sVo_XDF_t3FdrTWJeCQSCm8CTGniCbEDDScvJbF4ixAnwDmujcoS9BJBMryL5bo49EhOVHs/s300/We%20saw%20that.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="199" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmFzDLIvdGeSNz_E-UyBJ0s_FEiJbZ2chOpGL9jvn9ulK0-0vl06pTXa1eLJN8w9WBzegTZrG0JLRAfYoDYmwDppy7jbnzMS-1ccwO0poyL8wXhAV0NR3sVo_XDF_t3FdrTWJeCQSCm8CTGniCbEDDScvJbF4ixAnwDmujcoS9BJBMryL5bo49EhOVHs/w265-h400/We%20saw%20that.webp" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>this is what it's like with our outside ferals... <br />they don't miss much</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading... and wishing you a wonderful week to come!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-50437259675293114692024-02-01T07:04:00.000-08:002024-02-01T07:04:07.637-08:00February 1, 2024 - Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8DjZrn96HRJBE36ry0gmPwkhwFrj0glIAwUxTkTfHJv8EdSln_4k1qscZ8y_rRjdTB-0YHI2OrvhAJOgXBeEC63-Ye1pO-gIZsbgYphvLQeEx8SJrmo2OPxSvxeYoXxV6QZUAZka2YbS5XjARN8ueq2Zs0FGfvxVMbYJXLhQpzyOTCuh_ekJ475aItI/s1059/white%20rabbit%20in%20snow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="735" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8DjZrn96HRJBE36ry0gmPwkhwFrj0glIAwUxTkTfHJv8EdSln_4k1qscZ8y_rRjdTB-0YHI2OrvhAJOgXBeEC63-Ye1pO-gIZsbgYphvLQeEx8SJrmo2OPxSvxeYoXxV6QZUAZka2YbS5XjARN8ueq2Zs0FGfvxVMbYJXLhQpzyOTCuh_ekJ475aItI/w445-h640/white%20rabbit%20in%20snow.jpg" width="445" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Wishing everyone a Happy February!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #2b00fe; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-8246636839642854662024-01-27T08:05:00.000-08:002024-01-27T08:05:48.372-08:00delicious food... and a found curiosity<p><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday evening DH and I went out to eat for our Anniversary - (<i>which was actually last week, but the weather was awful last week so we waited</i>). Anyway, the last few years we always go out to eat at our same favorite Italian Restaurant... (<i>and almost always get the same thing)</i>. Here is a few pictures of our entrees and dessert. Sausage, cheese, and pasta for DH and Chicken Campanella for me... and a serving of bread pudding to share.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcZKFVLk7Wr_3vbShZhoisQ9BT8svOw1vZtD8bkCETkR9jPwV55KmVEEM4dhh1yE9ZjXw-5fmYVi2tjIOXgvAWTa-xGTEdTylMh8nAImXh4ooRR267CZmf7NqPBoiYciEODVYlHDaCgOdOgaLdI5EFMhx9IcC0joMRMa7zukXNOXPb0uOOYPor0ysr-Y/s640/Sausage,%20cheese,%20and%20pasta.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcZKFVLk7Wr_3vbShZhoisQ9BT8svOw1vZtD8bkCETkR9jPwV55KmVEEM4dhh1yE9ZjXw-5fmYVi2tjIOXgvAWTa-xGTEdTylMh8nAImXh4ooRR267CZmf7NqPBoiYciEODVYlHDaCgOdOgaLdI5EFMhx9IcC0joMRMa7zukXNOXPb0uOOYPor0ysr-Y/w300-h400/Sausage,%20cheese,%20and%20pasta.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfsK-8X8kM2HOSYybAO9-FIn1c4X718wD2QJ3RRC8PsHsYVMxQMQK4KNy_loPXlk0WkKWKNgP4vZ1HT36ZsSdDXzehIuRi6HZ2uiwToQrBMwVULxDwuIr4rE6n5g3BiugDL45-917VI_mTgwi-HU9MhjlTFl2ErIEgO470nosTsUMm_oQYl6g-EXZGE8/s640/Chicken%20campanella%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="604" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfsK-8X8kM2HOSYybAO9-FIn1c4X718wD2QJ3RRC8PsHsYVMxQMQK4KNy_loPXlk0WkKWKNgP4vZ1HT36ZsSdDXzehIuRi6HZ2uiwToQrBMwVULxDwuIr4rE6n5g3BiugDL45-917VI_mTgwi-HU9MhjlTFl2ErIEgO470nosTsUMm_oQYl6g-EXZGE8/w378-h400/Chicken%20campanella%202024.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLHfrLs55ykXH1DbFcEruKI1LWQ95mEQKn9rVPWvKIAC9m79UbwMZZkF-0og6tX2SFTM5UVVRxrcFtJqkO6t_d0ByZ9qydlTf0Ch1BIzc09gNaBWDCfr53gZbDaPNCTGkuWUa5b-aZa_EMicqlZ2qMcZ1u8kum7H-3EGj0VIxfhdjuyi_ypt9k1unN4k/s593/Bread%20pudding%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLHfrLs55ykXH1DbFcEruKI1LWQ95mEQKn9rVPWvKIAC9m79UbwMZZkF-0og6tX2SFTM5UVVRxrcFtJqkO6t_d0ByZ9qydlTf0Ch1BIzc09gNaBWDCfr53gZbDaPNCTGkuWUa5b-aZa_EMicqlZ2qMcZ1u8kum7H-3EGj0VIxfhdjuyi_ypt9k1unN4k/w324-h400/Bread%20pudding%202024.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">His meal was wonderful <i>(I took a tiny taste</i>) and so was mine. What you can't see on mine is every kind of veggie mixed in... artichoke hearts, spinach, red peppers, broccoli, zucchini, squash, black olives, etc. and it's served in a creamy wine sauce under all that chicken ( <i>I do get GF pasta and it's still delicous)</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We're both lovers of bread pudding (<i>although some places make it too sweet</i>). This restaurant does a really good job... and their service is great (<i>family owned).</i> My own bread pudding with whiskey sauce is pretty good too. Do you make bread pudding?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And of course they serve more than enough food to take home and have for a second night!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">😊<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 😊 </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 😊<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 😊</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlJCSWEuyBzVkDjULF8HTDq4rXVe9x7n-PFC8Wrz1ixQ_pkI-Ao5sSLYGEQWLQcex8mIIqBaRzNSlB-wY9fwB7jkMD6WC63EcmyJwKtIufWQoQZebme4S6TQipP5sN0Era8eTWsGBo5sYu4j9BtZgNlM_i9FHK_kNmLXhIQSApTUSyi2XSDOl0_2pb6I/s594/days%20of%20week%20calendar.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="292" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlJCSWEuyBzVkDjULF8HTDq4rXVe9x7n-PFC8Wrz1ixQ_pkI-Ao5sSLYGEQWLQcex8mIIqBaRzNSlB-wY9fwB7jkMD6WC63EcmyJwKtIufWQoQZebme4S6TQipP5sN0Era8eTWsGBo5sYu4j9BtZgNlM_i9FHK_kNmLXhIQSApTUSyi2XSDOl0_2pb6I/w314-h640/days%20of%20week%20calendar.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>OK... </span><i>on another thought</i><span>... I was cleaning out some drawers and boxes the other day and I found this 'card' from Lladro. It's one of those things that you can slide around in windows by finding the year you were born, following with the month on another slider, and then setting the alphabetical key on the back to the numerical date - and it tells you what </span><i>day of the week you were born on in that year.</i><span> </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWz12Jx_WmHAw0AtDkHx4LBMwsboTmqRTGvafTAtBaVVKNmnFfedzx5ZfyJ7PzhobE0uMucqYjijDx7KsYBTTGcSjg0hyphenhyphen9OgczkcL94ri8NCQkcmel4P5Urtuiq0cKI3pVR3O_XaewiW2i_nFP7aMQVVG-KEIwEengnHHR94fObjHkRy4GEpfMJc71hY/s621/days%20of%20week%20other%20side.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="318" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWz12Jx_WmHAw0AtDkHx4LBMwsboTmqRTGvafTAtBaVVKNmnFfedzx5ZfyJ7PzhobE0uMucqYjijDx7KsYBTTGcSjg0hyphenhyphen9OgczkcL94ri8NCQkcmel4P5Urtuiq0cKI3pVR3O_XaewiW2i_nFP7aMQVVG-KEIwEengnHHR94fObjHkRy4GEpfMJc71hY/w328-h640/days%20of%20week%20other%20side.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I always remember the words:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Monday's child is fair of face</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday's child is full of grace</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday's child is full of woe</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday's child has far to go</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friday's child is loving and giving</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday's child works hard for his living</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And the child that is born on the Sabbath day</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">is bonnie and blithe, and good and gay.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don't know where either this calendar or this poem comes from, but found it interesting... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>I would have changed Wednesday's child to 'full of show'... no one needs 'full of woe')</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, that's my post for today. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful weekend!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-52603312087165437342024-01-19T08:42:00.000-08:002024-01-19T08:42:50.992-08:00a forgot to mention, not a bucket list, ... and updates<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFfYz3LsetIK3kDXfDripptRRmf-XstR4CycC2TkL2lGTDXvUiBp6dxcTFDRINsy_lmZvuEKV-u5pAuEHqHEPPqdpeUU3fNaYB4zJTAAFqRqsl8HCv5CAe9Q0wx8WmAVNdPxqGUuLCFnKQ54tD8cCQ2CcafGpZBG5CrlF-C_eAC8Hx7A8MTb_4emHXWM/s822/pillows%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFfYz3LsetIK3kDXfDripptRRmf-XstR4CycC2TkL2lGTDXvUiBp6dxcTFDRINsy_lmZvuEKV-u5pAuEHqHEPPqdpeUU3fNaYB4zJTAAFqRqsl8HCv5CAe9Q0wx8WmAVNdPxqGUuLCFnKQ54tD8cCQ2CcafGpZBG5CrlF-C_eAC8Hx7A8MTb_4emHXWM/w275-h400/pillows%202.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our pillows don't say this... but it could be true</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Back in October DH and I went on a road trip to New Orleans with his brother and wife. I may have posted about this... but what I didn't mention (<i>or don't remember mentioning</i>) is that while staying at a new Hampton Inn Express in Baton Rouge, I found the <b>perfect pillow</b>!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, perfect <i>for me</i> that is. Everyone is different. But I've had difficulties with pillow for ages... all seem too firm or too soft... or just not comfortable. I even tried one of those contour pillows once (<i>ended up giving it away</i>).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But this pillow is perfect (<i>or as near to perfect as its going to get for me</i>). So I ended up googling Hampton Inn Express pillows and sure enough they had information on their pillows. It's through Hampton Inn Express Pillows.com. So I sent off for one and love it! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This pillow and the new split adjustable mattresses (<i>which we also just bought last year</i>) have made sleep much better for me. DH and I don't have much trouble sleeping in general. We go to bed around 9 or 10 pm and get up between 7 and 8 am. But I do have some back aches and pains due to spinal arthritis and have found that I sleep better with my head and legs raised a bit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I just thought I'd share this bit of info. Reading other people's experiences helps me sometimes to try something different. Doesn't always work, but there's always the chance it might. ; )</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzDbZEkrqDpPjSfWfrGYj-TSEUHdnv0jsNHhcQ0BDcY-9HtAcc9wipMc7hlPJVB3BuuKfL3EJTYfKeZsLXveWf6sAyj-0gAFFOLBoQulavZxSDchQ3CimhKx0QqpGlwDFuHLsA3RTcozTLoDu4rO_491m88cOAuZRIRSjUVRt9hWWHAPL58znnDgdWK8/s360/skydive.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="360" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzDbZEkrqDpPjSfWfrGYj-TSEUHdnv0jsNHhcQ0BDcY-9HtAcc9wipMc7hlPJVB3BuuKfL3EJTYfKeZsLXveWf6sAyj-0gAFFOLBoQulavZxSDchQ3CimhKx0QqpGlwDFuHLsA3RTcozTLoDu4rO_491m88cOAuZRIRSjUVRt9hWWHAPL58znnDgdWK8/s320/skydive.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tandem Skydiving pic</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Also someone else's blog mentioned 'bucket lists'. I <i>don't</i> have a bucket list, but there are some things that I've always thought I wanted to do... but still haven't gotten around to it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One was try <i>sky-diving</i> (<i>maybe on my 80th?</i>) and the other was <i>fly-fishing</i>. My daughter did a tandem skydive in 2015. I watched and wanted so much to go up then... but was told then with 'older folk' one needed a doctor's OK. And when I was growing up in New Orleans my dad and uncles had a fishing camp on Grand Isle and I <i>loved to fish</i>. It was relaxing and enjoyable and even though he took my brother more than me, I was the one that really liked it. DH isn't a fisherman and certainly doesn't want to sky-dive. But we'll see. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Update 1</u>: Guess I should mention that when I went for my hearing aid consultation and testing, she said that I had wax in my right ear, but none in my left. But when she checked my hearing, my hearing was better in the 'wax' ear (<i>right</i>) than the other (<i>left</i>). I thought that was strange, but she said 'not really'<i>. </i>However, she did want me to have that taken care of before the next appointment so there would be no wax when tested next time <i>with the hearing aids in - I think.</i></span></p><p><u style="font-size: x-large;">Update 2</u><span style="font-size: x-large;">: </span><span style="font-size: large;">On another note, DH and I went to our first Senior Center class yesterday. It was a 'weight room orientation'... where Troy showed a group of us what all the machines in the SC gym did and how to use them. We each took a turn on about 10 machines. I'm not sure how often I'll use more than the stationary bikes and the tread mill. To be honest, I prefer to <u>just walk</u> the walking area... takes 16 times around the building (<i>inside</i>) for one mile. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u>And just a FYI:</u> DH and I have our <b>56th</b> <b>Wedding Anniversary</b> coming up this Saturday! We don't have any special plans, but will probably go out to dinner one night this week. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Again... thanks for reading. I do appreciate you letting me share. I've always journaled, etc. and find it helps to get my thoughts out - however, mundane, crazy, or silly they might be. So thanks for accommodating me in this endeavor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-87960992202773941532024-01-17T06:06:00.000-08:002024-01-17T06:06:04.358-08:00my new 'ears'...<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw3inn9kbAvTFY21PRoFh82hBKOp95Pt6jHX__fCqqp4srLuaQa0iY-NK0b6l9PgNenaWGSCWxmpRVY5YHMNSlCYftzcc8iXKeIQ4bse9QQ_jUJtz7C39m9F2pVbiXgfmNVCW6T5WBQrjH6et4kAhlCOtMEgKtZn3IZj7kFkoi_9pkTag862DBAobFSo/s234/hearing%20aids.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="234" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw3inn9kbAvTFY21PRoFh82hBKOp95Pt6jHX__fCqqp4srLuaQa0iY-NK0b6l9PgNenaWGSCWxmpRVY5YHMNSlCYftzcc8iXKeIQ4bse9QQ_jUJtz7C39m9F2pVbiXgfmNVCW6T5WBQrjH6et4kAhlCOtMEgKtZn3IZj7kFkoi_9pkTag862DBAobFSo/w320-h193/hearing%20aids.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my hearing aids - look something like this </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just a short preliminary update on my new 'ears'. Went for my appointment to have my ears and hearing checked yesterday. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I had had my hearing checked at an ENT's office about 5 years ago. This was after a car accident that left me with ringing ears. I wasn't sure if this ringing was a result of the collision or the impact of the air bags or what. But I was told that my ears weren't damaged.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, it was noticed that I <i>did </i>have some hearing loss at the time. Since I didn't notice this myself, I decided to wait... hoping maybe Medicare would eventually pay for part (<i>it still doesn't)</i>. But having been told recently by family and friends that I needed to do something about my hearing... and having read that hearing loss could lead to dementia, I decided to act.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, after about 2 hours of testing, assessing, talking, and looking at results, I was given my <i>first ever hearing aids</i>. Then retested as they were synced with both me and my iPhone to make sure they were comfortable. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One of the questions before the testing was whether I noticed hearing loss in one ear over the other. I hadn't. But after testing, it was obvious to me that my left ear had more loss than my right. Also that part of my problem was not so much volume but clarity. All of this could be helped with the proper tuning/syncing of the hearing aids.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After inserting the aids, she worked on volume and clarity and then had DH stand outside the room (<i>and not facing me</i>) and ask questions. I heard him perfectly. The only thing was that my own voice sounded strange... like it was coming through a microphone... amplified. She worked on that too. Finally got it to a level where it still sounds a little strange, but acceptable... and I was told that if I wear them everyday, my body/brain will adjust and this will no longer be noticeable. We'll see. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I wore the hearing aids home and <i>first thing</i> I did notice was when I got out of the car and crossed the lawn full of leaves was that the crunching of the leaves was <i>so loud</i>. Who knew that leaves could be loud?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, this is just my first report. I will update as the days go by. Hope this isn't too boring or TMI. But I wanted to record this experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for letting me share this with you... and if you are interested, I will continue to do so, but if not, that's fine too. I understand. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><br /></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-74246503806110092912024-01-15T11:34:00.000-08:002024-01-15T11:34:36.513-08:00too cold for me...<p><span style="font-size: large;">It's <b>11 F</b> this morning and snowing. It's a light snow, so although it has stuck on the streets and lawns, I don't think it will continue. Inside we have heat and power, so no problem there. We don't have hot water due to having to let the faucets drip constantly to avoid frozen pipes. So I have to heat up water on the Aga to wash dishes (and ourselves).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I worried about the ferals last night as since this is the first time we've used both heat lamps <i>and </i>straw, I was concerned about fire, so turned the heat lamps <i>off </i>during the night when we couldn't keep an eye on them. But we turned them back on this morning and all seems well. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W86416XI04YY82CAXi993EKLKGMbqAs_8Sdq29zXCwsj6jKO-PVIvZsYjm0SxZ5h2lAH_YAdtLYT0-3jeN_ltgnf_VAkTGfqP4fAbzqowZkGaiyRV2tBM7uLFx8OWf7sQwO-KIy0exgY99Wva6SXNhl6djZmd0Jcm7RreoaJ_n7dXPgn32twB1dgktY/s640/straw%20and%20heatlamps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W86416XI04YY82CAXi993EKLKGMbqAs_8Sdq29zXCwsj6jKO-PVIvZsYjm0SxZ5h2lAH_YAdtLYT0-3jeN_ltgnf_VAkTGfqP4fAbzqowZkGaiyRV2tBM7uLFx8OWf7sQwO-KIy0exgY99Wva6SXNhl6djZmd0Jcm7RreoaJ_n7dXPgn32twB1dgktY/w480-h640/straw%20and%20heatlamps.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">straw put out for ferals </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lksnRgkrpesQs9kn-SwlkwwKEUi-0jM_KpvByj6AUI2q2mqp7e1X0iIztQOdLOcNBovw12OlA6tXhzXGYkn05G_EayXRzEjKDVbHc5X65TUwfnuub_KMYW4RhkvLGl4qC6VcvyGMo9E13_6kpPxyNIkiNjoKfUb6ghxBsAmZV4ndGAtxN7mJPfoDa90/s482/Ferals%20in%20hay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lksnRgkrpesQs9kn-SwlkwwKEUi-0jM_KpvByj6AUI2q2mqp7e1X0iIztQOdLOcNBovw12OlA6tXhzXGYkn05G_EayXRzEjKDVbHc5X65TUwfnuub_KMYW4RhkvLGl4qC6VcvyGMo9E13_6kpPxyNIkiNjoKfUb6ghxBsAmZV4ndGAtxN7mJPfoDa90/w478-h640/Ferals%20in%20hay.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 of several using straw</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaF4INGARy8FkAYPMX3Sx5waYoRRcdtOLI89IcSLtvs_Be7H11_ykIhXZJ8I0wVxxW0o6Oa9lQJQb3QyidYm4Kzn_2bys3S1U7GzK_Nfv00hhWzqVTqHvq9_Oy2yCgw3NoPy1cy31YUNspnQxCtX_B74pgZtzU8ihwLxYVLHsbuvxG9aoawOafhqfT9Q/s640/Cold%20feral.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaF4INGARy8FkAYPMX3Sx5waYoRRcdtOLI89IcSLtvs_Be7H11_ykIhXZJ8I0wVxxW0o6Oa9lQJQb3QyidYm4Kzn_2bys3S1U7GzK_Nfv00hhWzqVTqHvq9_Oy2yCgw3NoPy1cy31YUNspnQxCtX_B74pgZtzU8ihwLxYVLHsbuvxG9aoawOafhqfT9Q/w353-h400/Cold%20feral.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">feral waiting for breakfast </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG2q3Gu0EdBpwZjC8HFrEc_sVJbK2c93BB2o01rimEkJVnyruHYPtHIRPI6Q3te_3F5TdrW6nU5LQNkSo_gNGerQMF_KLn3i9c6WWc_I8cjS-4XD99auQR2W0Ft03LXMflKKlYvI_UWmvnDum25TrMJ9dhNqt7tk_PErjBQ9Oik1wJkaFznvCWc1j_h4/s640/ice%20from%20feral's%20water%20bowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG2q3Gu0EdBpwZjC8HFrEc_sVJbK2c93BB2o01rimEkJVnyruHYPtHIRPI6Q3te_3F5TdrW6nU5LQNkSo_gNGerQMF_KLn3i9c6WWc_I8cjS-4XD99auQR2W0Ft03LXMflKKlYvI_UWmvnDum25TrMJ9dhNqt7tk_PErjBQ9Oik1wJkaFznvCWc1j_h4/s320/ice%20from%20feral's%20water%20bowls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice from ferals' water bowls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">OK, since we've basically stayed home these last few days due to the weather and/or preparing for the weather, I've spent my time doing things that needed to be done eventually. One of these was cleaning out the pantry for 2024. Here are a few pics of my newly organized <i>(somewhat</i>) pantry. Mostly I wiped down the shelves and threw out old out-dated stuff.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgUpbO8AyS0lO295LnaCJwM_3nxbtVP75XdJ9nZNwQlZN1-ahebvdnht-cokt6p8Vi09myYSlYxnBsWlXKN0TALia_-ZRP09-OrN6OJkdxnsbsfcR2ZwK2VOEBDfHyQ1qKVNHUQjrTT8B-f6mR3MIzXP_0F0lAQe3cMemrgyA33b4xecLug6lBIzk_qw/s640/Pantry%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgUpbO8AyS0lO295LnaCJwM_3nxbtVP75XdJ9nZNwQlZN1-ahebvdnht-cokt6p8Vi09myYSlYxnBsWlXKN0TALia_-ZRP09-OrN6OJkdxnsbsfcR2ZwK2VOEBDfHyQ1qKVNHUQjrTT8B-f6mR3MIzXP_0F0lAQe3cMemrgyA33b4xecLug6lBIzk_qw/w480-h640/Pantry%201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVzDAEiW9B2H3ukYydjaEyxyrik8ddMwygsYLDdiyyBDqJbgJpPZkDll5hstWq1NaKDnzRXKCqEqVHwh2M9JGQjadOpMT504NrmRzTyI3ftrnZwXPhCZ7BWAoIQTN8727hqlT-ZHl-vc-cFkF6LBY3hUNs6pnCXtBKQWlD3TTIoWiKfbTlZerVd71kjs/s640/pantry%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVzDAEiW9B2H3ukYydjaEyxyrik8ddMwygsYLDdiyyBDqJbgJpPZkDll5hstWq1NaKDnzRXKCqEqVHwh2M9JGQjadOpMT504NrmRzTyI3ftrnZwXPhCZ7BWAoIQTN8727hqlT-ZHl-vc-cFkF6LBY3hUNs6pnCXtBKQWlD3TTIoWiKfbTlZerVd71kjs/w480-h640/pantry%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0EiP1hs3I_0F2GgFq0Yf0EUWP6BFs8dHzXNTNwYKBAkZDcZZ099M7c19TmjJJgKW4zeMDoQXwa4zFNmNSgvRid90oPAowHButCu0f_9y7Gk3vOYIl751kffbu27FDOVsROMGUDcu-9GQcNOZ7-PW8taIkMmoQ2fegxu44IpzlzZMYq5GIcl9xyAZv9A/s640/pantry%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0EiP1hs3I_0F2GgFq0Yf0EUWP6BFs8dHzXNTNwYKBAkZDcZZ099M7c19TmjJJgKW4zeMDoQXwa4zFNmNSgvRid90oPAowHButCu0f_9y7Gk3vOYIl751kffbu27FDOVsROMGUDcu-9GQcNOZ7-PW8taIkMmoQ2fegxu44IpzlzZMYq5GIcl9xyAZv9A/w480-h640/pantry%203.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We don't use a lot of canned food... some soups (<i>DH loves soups for lunch</i>) but those are in the back cabinet in the laundry room... with staples like sugar and flour. And I use my cup cabinet to store my gluten-free items. Those bags hanging on the right I made to hold potatoes. Inside the doors there's a calendar on the left and a grocery list on the right... which gets added to by anyone as needed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And this next pic is just me preparing to add veggies to a roast... but I wanted to show you the <i>green bell peppers and red hatch pepper </i>- as these were <i>home-raised</i>. We had to take the bell peppers in before the freeze even though they weren't very big yet. And the red hatch pepper came from our little hatch pepper bush which is still inside and doing well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4tLSDeQnOMcVBD6phlYujK0b-kNnOPEgGxyNjapq0DRaJY0kHn9sZI5j8DHDeHTpn8qHKBlVv3t26ner6dhjUO5NvDuTRm2I2FA3sS7QmfU_8DOpWI0rvOcgKx9cKcj75SymUtsyS8jOc6sfaKKhqqzPc9xEN4oMNe5JVxIlP967CxVC4bwkRpxTJcE/s640/veggies%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4tLSDeQnOMcVBD6phlYujK0b-kNnOPEgGxyNjapq0DRaJY0kHn9sZI5j8DHDeHTpn8qHKBlVv3t26ner6dhjUO5NvDuTRm2I2FA3sS7QmfU_8DOpWI0rvOcgKx9cKcj75SymUtsyS8jOc6sfaKKhqqzPc9xEN4oMNe5JVxIlP967CxVC4bwkRpxTJcE/s320/veggies%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">My other chores were dusting the front room (<i>there are lots of shelves and knick-knacks so <b>that</b> takes a while</i>) and cleaning out the shelf over the laundry room sink. I did get it all done and still had time to sit and read by the fire. So... all's well that ends well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17JgI-7IAPeuRjKf7eN6lo9i7mmfoambV4Z0SPGkiGqOKnIVtfabLH3tv94JrsqedtcrH3G7uwxhodxUgtmJMXLuzWL66Hh0e1gSHLxGiDiRNlsTAirg2UoTG3zseDF2MOyne5ll1oaDdFK3Wd1j6NA_HeAdRJWiob0AwYV9nnyjeC1z_Tkx_LmaYpu4/s640/my%20feet%20by%20fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17JgI-7IAPeuRjKf7eN6lo9i7mmfoambV4Z0SPGkiGqOKnIVtfabLH3tv94JrsqedtcrH3G7uwxhodxUgtmJMXLuzWL66Hh0e1gSHLxGiDiRNlsTAirg2UoTG3zseDF2MOyne5ll1oaDdFK3Wd1j6NA_HeAdRJWiob0AwYV9nnyjeC1z_Tkx_LmaYpu4/w480-h640/my%20feet%20by%20fireplace.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">warming my feet by fireplace<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading (<i>nothing too exciting just excerps from my life</i>). Hope you stay warm and safe!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rian<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-28884940265294748102024-01-12T07:36:00.000-08:002024-01-12T07:37:45.916-08:00just a share... and with the freezing weather forecast<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Read this recently and just wanted to share:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwX_HUnDskxfaEhjzNQI-KmNUdyQJiJjwLxwE2P7QQBtMaytptup_UIWwrAW9L1XekFOuoi-U3kbSrH5DMiMMY_9IxkrRNVF6f-efzgaabaUKC2C-kNiDFOpmbGmKB3DADGxRKQ68GKrH-ksaS8x8-zOdfxkV_YrZaAXhdVaiZZtMCcwXiuwSVnkcZUw/s496/feral%20cat%20letter.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwX_HUnDskxfaEhjzNQI-KmNUdyQJiJjwLxwE2P7QQBtMaytptup_UIWwrAW9L1XekFOuoi-U3kbSrH5DMiMMY_9IxkrRNVF6f-efzgaabaUKC2C-kNiDFOpmbGmKB3DADGxRKQ68GKrH-ksaS8x8-zOdfxkV_YrZaAXhdVaiZZtMCcwXiuwSVnkcZUw/w464-h640/feral%20cat%20letter.PNG" width="464" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and an old picture I've shown before:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh9nk181Lbc9xB4_F5P5QtiFZGFDD6wA-SuUUpkxGP8b9mxreOtgpdMhCvlsRTf-RBjCzIK7Xf_V2w96HP_uD9gtiR8g0LNyp_Nby3p39IS3RJyGmyTdLsnIZea3hc4u7udDBwRg6KesDe0vD29tMozssDG_19aV9QiY86Y0lQoYuCEuYwiS7GHBeF78/s749/Be%20Kind%20to%20Ferals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="749" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh9nk181Lbc9xB4_F5P5QtiFZGFDD6wA-SuUUpkxGP8b9mxreOtgpdMhCvlsRTf-RBjCzIK7Xf_V2w96HP_uD9gtiR8g0LNyp_Nby3p39IS3RJyGmyTdLsnIZea3hc4u7udDBwRg6KesDe0vD29tMozssDG_19aV9QiY86Y0lQoYuCEuYwiS7GHBeF78/w400-h388/Be%20Kind%20to%20Ferals.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The weather is supposed to be going down to the teens and single digits Sunday and Monday here. So we've been putting out boxes and blankets for the ferals... as well as extra food and water. We also have a heat lamp on the back patio for them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And definitely check your car motors before starting the car. Staying inside a warm car motor is dangerous, but the feral kittens do it quite a lot around here.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVvZXSuUIusrfBIrTbGCf1b_YW9vKrIjzO32dFn5Hr96Lwt4UKjvagrNEhjqgRDVd4TXz9q9RHhkXh5fDfL86AWqMjcS2fqpA4yLAAF6deeQznCLp-A21RNc7npaecL5AJ8wp3Gdjq6ioxj1nn4V0t0CkEj6f2tXAB2cnLN9Feunza1a6ijlDzllyGOY/s847/never%20trust%20poster%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="730" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVvZXSuUIusrfBIrTbGCf1b_YW9vKrIjzO32dFn5Hr96Lwt4UKjvagrNEhjqgRDVd4TXz9q9RHhkXh5fDfL86AWqMjcS2fqpA4yLAAF6deeQznCLp-A21RNc7npaecL5AJ8wp3Gdjq6ioxj1nn4V0t0CkEj6f2tXAB2cnLN9Feunza1a6ijlDzllyGOY/w345-h400/never%20trust%20poster%20(2).jpg" width="345" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3T8ZAgpwEuPFjEcNbh2UGdl5as6szCOO26yst9io-vlumuPsuaTdgxxLbmqRIzFI-4jQBRmf1ie2R4l9pleGYVxUNGia2SGaU8wJ2KBLtic8KfbSlwi60GWsgTqFfciSXpI3jBw3qECjE0xFSLZRLXf7dkI6nadXfXz_8llxQ1rAHuItjABYDhbMw44/s701/cat%20in%20pot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3T8ZAgpwEuPFjEcNbh2UGdl5as6szCOO26yst9io-vlumuPsuaTdgxxLbmqRIzFI-4jQBRmf1ie2R4l9pleGYVxUNGia2SGaU8wJ2KBLtic8KfbSlwi60GWsgTqFfciSXpI3jBw3qECjE0xFSLZRLXf7dkI6nadXfXz_8llxQ1rAHuItjABYDhbMw44/w300-h400/cat%20in%20pot.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and...</i></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj056eu7yODwICTpQghcPjBGw5094zr3416bnROdUKoAIJYlAClCgrnpjJnqYHxEOttznNV3cVvv1NkRJmcjqjA5QMb76iztmeQKwV-6DMpgR60xUzERFDH88z2S4vR3k3UYYQUKD_WQSf6YNWWP5tAWewNLet6xxHcs2K5YfshbfgVyPeoD4Cgh6znEmI/s374/Friday%20hugs%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="286" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj056eu7yODwICTpQghcPjBGw5094zr3416bnROdUKoAIJYlAClCgrnpjJnqYHxEOttznNV3cVvv1NkRJmcjqjA5QMb76iztmeQKwV-6DMpgR60xUzERFDH88z2S4vR3k3UYYQUKD_WQSf6YNWWP5tAWewNLet6xxHcs2K5YfshbfgVyPeoD4Cgh6znEmI/w306-h400/Friday%20hugs%20(2).jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I do...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rian<br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-21394775915548578332024-01-02T13:02:00.000-08:002024-01-02T13:02:16.082-08:00Starting 2024... with books and a Rx<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihqA_9X2xehyphenhyphen508QFKStWh28wZ9gY7y7M_t9ziFBySrtjlk26CkRBwH_7Rf3fOngupQO8PxrQRMtOvXc7CfJWJUoqdRNuxLIGjOAy27eoWLiHp-HscfI9ZNsQyGN46jf6IPhgIImZZTCWiDFEAFwSYrf6vDH1XRxJT_e41xJiwjYYQi5gWpMw-sTeog8/s899/cat%20tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihqA_9X2xehyphenhyphen508QFKStWh28wZ9gY7y7M_t9ziFBySrtjlk26CkRBwH_7Rf3fOngupQO8PxrQRMtOvXc7CfJWJUoqdRNuxLIGjOAy27eoWLiHp-HscfI9ZNsQyGN46jf6IPhgIImZZTCWiDFEAFwSYrf6vDH1XRxJT_e41xJiwjYYQi5gWpMw-sTeog8/s320/cat%20tree.jpg" width="201" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Well, 2024 is here! </b> And I have to say that I'm glad. Hope I continue to be glad as the year progresses. But... since 2020 through 2022 was a basic 'no go' and 2023 was a 'maybe it's really over', I have high hopes for 2024 (<i>remember that song,</i> "<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=high+hopes+by+Frank+Sinatra+you+tube&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS960US960&oq=high+hopes+by+Frank+Sinatra+you+tube&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTEyMTU1ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:5979aab9,vid:A_HvBDorpzE,st:0">High Hopes</a>"?) </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The end of 2023 (<i>the week after Christmas</i>) had me with severe stomach pains, a doctor's visit, and a CT scan. Turns out I had a flare-up of <b>Diverticulitis</b> (<i>not sure you call it a 'flare-up' when it was your first ever episode). </i>I'm on a Rx now and all seems to be under control. Have any of you had this diagnosis? My brother-in-law has had this condition for years and recently had surgery to correct this. However, I've been told that some cases (<i>hopefully mine)</i> never get that severe.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_tI49vMVEoDLNfYjXDXOQpGcWqwd-ygbZi2tXfWFzXsBYVDe7qUtDgGB7lGckGOyYoHKKnR4g1sz8OrfDD0HCBH4ykWgmIk_ASbcef2u4j8Bzg8wMroiArGbEph-nrsizJmYgcfPMRSvBykH8rsiiwY41bmw09x7agmOqLNabgLrhLQxWz7qQiIhHEM/s794/cats%20and%20books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="596" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_tI49vMVEoDLNfYjXDXOQpGcWqwd-ygbZi2tXfWFzXsBYVDe7qUtDgGB7lGckGOyYoHKKnR4g1sz8OrfDD0HCBH4ykWgmIk_ASbcef2u4j8Bzg8wMroiArGbEph-nrsizJmYgcfPMRSvBykH8rsiiwY41bmw09x7agmOqLNabgLrhLQxWz7qQiIhHEM/w300-h400/cats%20and%20books.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">OK, enough of that. The next picture is one of my <b>new books</b> (<i>given to me to read by a friend</i>) for this month. I'm happy to sit in the afternoon with my cup of tea and surrounded by these books as I chose which one will be next. However, I'm still in the middle of 2 - 'Rusted Wasteland Steele Protector' (AI), and 'A Dangerous Place' (the Maisie Dobbs series). Both good reads.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6PitqORNfLleWJjUPB2EpQKlA2n4672LvwfqWK0HkT94mOFL2zagLm6gHe4vU8On18I1JgRUX4w82ZPbhLcwmyfKqnCdpNn-uUfCmHFZRCHMmCwiHc8FR5KuXAc_dK6t_wRaxs_-yEw54NhTZziuUSO6tMVMeKkKWhToxh6x0OB2xqfA8MHDIkpdeuI/s640/books%20from%20Janet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6PitqORNfLleWJjUPB2EpQKlA2n4672LvwfqWK0HkT94mOFL2zagLm6gHe4vU8On18I1JgRUX4w82ZPbhLcwmyfKqnCdpNn-uUfCmHFZRCHMmCwiHc8FR5KuXAc_dK6t_wRaxs_-yEw54NhTZziuUSO6tMVMeKkKWhToxh6x0OB2xqfA8MHDIkpdeuI/w300-h400/books%20from%20Janet.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">books to read<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, how many of you actually stayed up to watch the New Year come in? DH and I stayed up and watched the Ball drop in New York... and I made my MIL's home-made eggnog spiked up with a little bourbon. So we toasted in the New Year earlier than midnight.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then on NY's Day I made our traditional pork roast, black-eyed peas, southern cabbage with bacon, and corn bread (<i>while DH watched football on TV - although happily he cleaned up after I quit cooking to take a nap</i>). And that to me signals the official end to the holidays (<i>except for maybe taking down the Christmas tree which we will have to do this week - sadly). </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I will say that as much as I do enjoy the magic of Christmas... and all that it entails, I am glad to see the end of it this year. Guess I'm showing my age, but all of it is <i>a lot of hard work</i>. Maybe it's time to slow it down and just make future holidays quieter. We'll see.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and you can see my 2 Nintendo Switches in the background with the books in the previous picture. I do still play Animal Crossing with my granddaughter, her mom, and a friend. We can each play from home and visit each other's islands. I'm not much for games in general, but have to admit that this game is well done and keeps my creative juices running.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also... I'm finally checking into getting a<b> hearing aid.</b> My consultation (<i>although we 've already consulted by phone</i>) and appointment is later this month. I'm actually getting excited about it. Really tired of not hearing or catching the words in a conversation, asking people to repeat themselves, or just not following what is being said. Time to do something. And I read recently and it was confirmed by the Audiologist I spoke to that if one doesn't correct their hearing problem, there's evidence that this could lead to early dementia. That isn't good... so I'm going with getting it correctly sooner rather than later.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, no NY's resolutions, but some plans for starting 2024 right... more books and a hearing aid! And if I can actually get myself going, more decluttering!! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a cartoon I thought was cute... and funny!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42c_NdxGnuWEPtBE__hyphenhyphen286SXZUuPSVkRh_OlPJGGeJ86LUk0kuAfQB93jLzdJqzYymcjsUgBPnLE5iv7AC-ZxUb1-LP1Wwf9oMpAIwgQDHSAXVkJm7XkVJpc4xqPiO4GVB2iPhA2tMund3k0WhVMGrFpQgp_m5R2dMlIMVxJmHjvaUYylePkrj9wBHI/s563/hearing%20and%20vacuuming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="563" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42c_NdxGnuWEPtBE__hyphenhyphen286SXZUuPSVkRh_OlPJGGeJ86LUk0kuAfQB93jLzdJqzYymcjsUgBPnLE5iv7AC-ZxUb1-LP1Wwf9oMpAIwgQDHSAXVkJm7XkVJpc4xqPiO4GVB2iPhA2tMund3k0WhVMGrFpQgp_m5R2dMlIMVxJmHjvaUYylePkrj9wBHI/w640-h224/hearing%20and%20vacuuming.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtually),</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-22892206580805307922024-01-01T06:03:00.000-08:002024-01-01T06:03:30.540-08:00January 1, 2024 Rabbit! Rabbit!<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfor2zixbRGy7JZJchOmqvltjkAKy3mn87bJuISgqBu9ZR82i9r8HyktLiH2MPW8M_pzDAths9HlLWLBo_fuTetFuAP6zvLxIpuR7cYt-Gp33HW7aWRzfMmz6JJ2260c_E0MIB2s5o22n94hyZhFI7Mgod0XAZOg0th01I58ScT0qinLzV8LloDy_mnTY/s492/white%20bunny%20(2).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="359" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfor2zixbRGy7JZJchOmqvltjkAKy3mn87bJuISgqBu9ZR82i9r8HyktLiH2MPW8M_pzDAths9HlLWLBo_fuTetFuAP6zvLxIpuR7cYt-Gp33HW7aWRzfMmz6JJ2260c_E0MIB2s5o22n94hyZhFI7Mgod0XAZOg0th01I58ScT0qinLzV8LloDy_mnTY/w291-h400/white%20bunny%20(2).PNG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">and...<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDQwrKBPndLe51vfrsGZPPt_4huYzCC6TYyL8aYE14-RdDO0qwT3pwa5Hav9E5PGREG58MJZ4sypaA_-O_AZM1KMJLhb4xi2gdyTWWPDE9Ay8qVrCW5TnxF11b3mUMLT73MMAdFUdUHJJHnO1W27ZPX74NIuS-PnJxzcTLIkjLmWmV1LCb5rLX58cWw8/s398/Happy%20New%20Year%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDQwrKBPndLe51vfrsGZPPt_4huYzCC6TYyL8aYE14-RdDO0qwT3pwa5Hav9E5PGREG58MJZ4sypaA_-O_AZM1KMJLhb4xi2gdyTWWPDE9Ay8qVrCW5TnxF11b3mUMLT73MMAdFUdUHJJHnO1W27ZPX74NIuS-PnJxzcTLIkjLmWmV1LCb5rLX58cWw8/w400-h400/Happy%20New%20Year%202023.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-81692874607441051142023-12-26T19:56:00.000-08:002023-12-26T19:56:55.653-08:00Watched "The Creator" on Christmas Eve...<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzObTv60WdEiiD44dwPPOkaekTfRk2j61xzWea3FCR4e4bK55z11CpNACoVkcku6SLzfXU92Eimvwt0Zcv_iZs5su0y-BGG-J0sCevjIxN_3Jc6pWEbqKzg_Jg6dtY49tfedRd3kt8oJqt5p3cKDaSSJ0G4wetWcxMVDI_XkyqegqOkzyufRrZBylHN0/s724/Christmas%20cat%20with%20lights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzObTv60WdEiiD44dwPPOkaekTfRk2j61xzWea3FCR4e4bK55z11CpNACoVkcku6SLzfXU92Eimvwt0Zcv_iZs5su0y-BGG-J0sCevjIxN_3Jc6pWEbqKzg_Jg6dtY49tfedRd3kt8oJqt5p3cKDaSSJ0G4wetWcxMVDI_XkyqegqOkzyufRrZBylHN0/s320/Christmas%20cat%20with%20lights.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, we watched "The Creator" on Christmas Eve... not exactly a happy Christmas story (<i>although the name would appear so</i>). It is basically about <b>AI</b> - which is also a series of books I'm reading on my kindle (<i>Steel Guardian by Cameron Coral</i>). It's not the same story, but similar. Basically it's about future development of AI who are both intelligent and sentient (<i>to a point</i>). Ends up with the more intelligent AI robotics fighting a war against the humans. There are 3 camps: the robots who hate humans, the humans who hate robots, and the robots and humans that live together harmoniously (<i>sound familiar?</i>). In both book and movie, a child is created (<i>not exactly sure how</i>) and this child is considered to be either the 'answer' or the 'weapon' - depending on which camp you are in.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyhow, I found it interesting. I think AI is here and we ought to learn as much about it as we can in order to know how to deal with it. That said, those of us who are 'older' will probably not have to deal with it <i>long</i>. But our kids and grandkids will... (<i>at least these are my thoughts).</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">OK, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will soon have a Happy New Year. <b>2024</b> is <i>almost </i>here! Hard to believe for one born in 1945. How did those years past so fast? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's the day <i>after</i> Christmas and when DH hugged me and whispered Merry Christmas yesterday evening, my words were "Yes, we made it through another Christmas, how about that?" Not to say I didn't enjoy it, I did... love all the family/friend get togethers as well as the atmosphere of love and kindness... but lets' face it, it's a lot of hard work. But I'll continue to do it as long as I can because of the wonder of it all... and for the memories we're creating. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What are your thoughts the day after Christmas? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To close here's a few pics of our oldest son's 2 dogs dressed up for Christmas:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj3kBlsKTMWN7zkceDpjC_0L8hPmpJyX8oV_LwOmn0T3RLt8kII3BV0KW1vNsb3kuPJStUQ3sDD_CxXdBiWhSwQHVk7rEBgMP1LfQfgoepMEMUQ1pGGPH2q764n1musBADFinOuZug4eWkIq56sxhbdzAqEJKP2zovzibRf4Xh6nc18dzE5Ijd3lgQeE/s947/Winston%20Christmas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="634" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj3kBlsKTMWN7zkceDpjC_0L8hPmpJyX8oV_LwOmn0T3RLt8kII3BV0KW1vNsb3kuPJStUQ3sDD_CxXdBiWhSwQHVk7rEBgMP1LfQfgoepMEMUQ1pGGPH2q764n1musBADFinOuZug4eWkIq56sxhbdzAqEJKP2zovzibRf4Xh6nc18dzE5Ijd3lgQeE/w268-h400/Winston%20Christmas.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winston</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPNyOlxBplpbeW4HuaZIqP-H_f_Ucsklng3dLmDUJ55nqYzGLOzjw2MihzlqgpAE115Znn-RzVD7dXbxUqMkuxQgACkmIN1y77qXnukJJMBhgtjiVDdjxNKVVgQaV0RlHq4ggYz1d-qk0dmVrrA0JVmucIzFjvj9I-wLEHUd919NpuOSOMb-4siG22qE/s705/Abbey%20Christmas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="673" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPNyOlxBplpbeW4HuaZIqP-H_f_Ucsklng3dLmDUJ55nqYzGLOzjw2MihzlqgpAE115Znn-RzVD7dXbxUqMkuxQgACkmIN1y77qXnukJJMBhgtjiVDdjxNKVVgQaV0RlHq4ggYz1d-qk0dmVrrA0JVmucIzFjvj9I-wLEHUd919NpuOSOMb-4siG22qE/w381-h400/Abbey%20Christmas.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, the outside ferals got their share of Christmas dinner and a few kitty toys!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtually),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-64855552721648163242023-12-17T09:51:00.000-08:002023-12-17T09:51:06.415-08:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...<p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... <i>around here</i>. There's baking taking over the kitchen, packages and wrapping paper taking over rooms, and goodies being received from family/friends on the bar!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QpKIutDqS3QpKkG0L6x3GZPtphgUyQPqTi6znAb6z9DUxllgzcJ2zbgOAGPg6C1yx4gUBJEGgbXEZ5kKjn2GogZTlLGKtrQw38X-4RW8Btdg2kxQJtgWIibuneRX70Wr0GX8JT7Iq8l3lNCuaaUTA0hVGESWrGpJz_HuLtfOC9DoXUPdL6a0j5AsbUI/s640/Chrismas%20teacakes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QpKIutDqS3QpKkG0L6x3GZPtphgUyQPqTi6znAb6z9DUxllgzcJ2zbgOAGPg6C1yx4gUBJEGgbXEZ5kKjn2GogZTlLGKtrQw38X-4RW8Btdg2kxQJtgWIibuneRX70Wr0GX8JT7Iq8l3lNCuaaUTA0hVGESWrGpJz_HuLtfOC9DoXUPdL6a0j5AsbUI/w300-h400/Chrismas%20teacakes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xmas tea cakes - as yet undecorated</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2W3UDI9RAoak0-Ndsm9P2NZEZkk2kuopBLr_-yOfKYJ0Jfu32AxclWs7AP8Sj38bF32_7e_7rWc9S4wlke-Go3LTWj4zvbahEphd79pUxZxN3UM_Ohx_ZsC4obHfkfmWSQzx30C0qwYvbg5pyAa4FJAkH20iOHBtwWzdi_Eb6oPN56i8wkut70lx6-U/s640/goodies%20on%20the%20bar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2W3UDI9RAoak0-Ndsm9P2NZEZkk2kuopBLr_-yOfKYJ0Jfu32AxclWs7AP8Sj38bF32_7e_7rWc9S4wlke-Go3LTWj4zvbahEphd79pUxZxN3UM_Ohx_ZsC4obHfkfmWSQzx30C0qwYvbg5pyAa4FJAkH20iOHBtwWzdi_Eb6oPN56i8wkut70lx6-U/w558-h640/goodies%20on%20the%20bar.jpg" width="558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xmas goodies on bar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lQvr1B75u-4tIj5ZchO_gFbOERs9a7jcOrngIeedeIrCw8wZsQmObZ1lEQC3AGPtarezyjaliGF-P6MxdTBmwuFkj9yuwqtX-Ljbe3PZh6yPol1fV1F9wtEZUa9duOD3WlMnyUD5wW4SSvBRHth6nh7goKIAAg8DZPBSP5MiWKGQgpKC0VN16De5Ufk/s640/xmas%20tree%20not%20lit%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lQvr1B75u-4tIj5ZchO_gFbOERs9a7jcOrngIeedeIrCw8wZsQmObZ1lEQC3AGPtarezyjaliGF-P6MxdTBmwuFkj9yuwqtX-Ljbe3PZh6yPol1fV1F9wtEZUa9duOD3WlMnyUD5wW4SSvBRHth6nh7goKIAAg8DZPBSP5MiWKGQgpKC0VN16De5Ufk/w390-h640/xmas%20tree%20not%20lit%20up.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xmas tree unlit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcoWmrc9-ekNCiPoF0wXhHaAGYZzo5_T5yt2UPqObikiLWOd0odoWtvd7UqoXvWlWgwTiWQ8JHv-bEP7DzIpetiqSdOLaFq3jcNZttnusbiwQGMTkNDVLJL1KeYrFXXNIClbMRuVrBYs55jwnaT0tmbVD-CofdnP5OelXEvC3Uzne_Jn0uUsjvQUNjGo/s640/tree%20close%20up%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="554" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcoWmrc9-ekNCiPoF0wXhHaAGYZzo5_T5yt2UPqObikiLWOd0odoWtvd7UqoXvWlWgwTiWQ8JHv-bEP7DzIpetiqSdOLaFq3jcNZttnusbiwQGMTkNDVLJL1KeYrFXXNIClbMRuVrBYs55jwnaT0tmbVD-CofdnP5OelXEvC3Uzne_Jn0uUsjvQUNjGo/w346-h400/tree%20close%20up%202.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of tree to see the Mardi Gras beads</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6MoRY3HcCy2KExZT33p__ZLtEVOB6nazueV8YW7_JzTECTBFqy1Nruknw456ehK4UTvrP3ynZWxTPCmSAAT6ypzAXQKVTBm80gI3xYq8FzC0ZFPjF95iCgE84YEyxzKf91mmWKZkU8knweULtRjjZnmqN1I5AvuC__5qmyhje4S-bNHlTYX71coUY8c/s640/kitty%20under%20the%20tree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="640" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6MoRY3HcCy2KExZT33p__ZLtEVOB6nazueV8YW7_JzTECTBFqy1Nruknw456ehK4UTvrP3ynZWxTPCmSAAT6ypzAXQKVTBm80gI3xYq8FzC0ZFPjF95iCgE84YEyxzKf91mmWKZkU8knweULtRjjZnmqN1I5AvuC__5qmyhje4S-bNHlTYX71coUY8c/w400-h359/kitty%20under%20the%20tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little kitty under the tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">Doorbell ringing with Amazon and UPS deliveries! Phone ringing with kids trying to coincide their times with ours, Family members from out of state checking in to say Merry Christmas, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The last week of frenzied activity... but all fun and only once a year (<i>thank goodness</i>)! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And before I forget I have to tell you 'a little story'. It's short and not that exciting, but it <b>made my day</b> last week. OK, I have a Amazfit watch. My son gave it to me a few years ago. It does a lot of the same things (<i>but not all</i>) that an Apple watch does (<i>but not as expensive</i>). However, I really like it and wear it every day... not to tell time, but I like the way it tracks my steps and my sleep (<i>time of deep and light sleep, heartrate, etc.</i>) and more than anything I like that it vibrates when I get a phone call (<i>most of the time I have no idea where my iPhone is so may not hear it</i>). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But about 2 weeks ago, the wristband broke. So, I was looking on Amazon to see about buying another Amazfit watch... and low and behold, there were available watchbands you could buy for the Amazfit 5 (<i>12 for 9.99!</i>). I couldn't believe it. I thought the watch and the band were all in one... but believe it or not, the watch fits inside the rubbery band and you just have to snap it off. I was amazed! (<i>Amazon is wonderful</i>) I now have 12 different color wristbands to match my outfits (<i>although I like the grey and probably won't change it unless it breaks). </i>Anyway, that's my story. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz6nR0yGjIf5XGQ5OOrZkk4Aww7R2Xty3iJGqvqbbeDUQ9HcJiTYZt6QO738BC_XR2oC69-6UfGgO11slAoA7_YPTwDU7MJWNEToHTRNMAk-b4bViKA_xQWADxRGWfKGlYOg0DTfzI4h-Xvu1_RNEcFZgWxgG-2JqI8YqSoeNI4SsXDyyr9jDMuJ7FX0/s640/broken%20wristband.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="640" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz6nR0yGjIf5XGQ5OOrZkk4Aww7R2Xty3iJGqvqbbeDUQ9HcJiTYZt6QO738BC_XR2oC69-6UfGgO11slAoA7_YPTwDU7MJWNEToHTRNMAk-b4bViKA_xQWADxRGWfKGlYOg0DTfzI4h-Xvu1_RNEcFZgWxgG-2JqI8YqSoeNI4SsXDyyr9jDMuJ7FX0/s320/broken%20wristband.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken wristband</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0c0IPZhUJiZq1UL4fFtliJ6ML09EfDeUMwZUgCg0UNmr-9ayV4BefOZsCSFDXjnQiQAdjwXa3AARyIGYExpI7hHIQU97byDFq9tKDd7L2uDNOJcoKLe1bP-42R1nP20jkJBdZUFfONRzzVnqVr3m79FomX235RhalOjEyyK8LwCGSZpX0ZC8hRAdfqAg/s640/Amazfit%20watch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0c0IPZhUJiZq1UL4fFtliJ6ML09EfDeUMwZUgCg0UNmr-9ayV4BefOZsCSFDXjnQiQAdjwXa3AARyIGYExpI7hHIQU97byDFq9tKDd7L2uDNOJcoKLe1bP-42R1nP20jkJBdZUFfONRzzVnqVr3m79FomX235RhalOjEyyK8LwCGSZpX0ZC8hRAdfqAg/w200-h400/Amazfit%20watch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new grey wristband</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfUC0q-AgRtAGovp1XqRgLcKNllTvKLCMiCErEeMAak1wvqqLFy4TS3yQ_dRYgk5rG190YV2O0J-fUb5wu2gHNoeZSoaKx6H1sxVwvii-yn4b1d-QFXkvE1LtF54ZtePsWTns92wdTaVUaMr_9z3pvdi2ZO4oasD9HUPyQI205zduYKzcdvemDGj4LoA/s640/Amazfit%20wristbands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="409" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfUC0q-AgRtAGovp1XqRgLcKNllTvKLCMiCErEeMAak1wvqqLFy4TS3yQ_dRYgk5rG190YV2O0J-fUb5wu2gHNoeZSoaKx6H1sxVwvii-yn4b1d-QFXkvE1LtF54ZtePsWTns92wdTaVUaMr_9z3pvdi2ZO4oasD9HUPyQI205zduYKzcdvemDGj4LoA/w256-h400/Amazfit%20wristbands.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">assortment of wristbands...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">How about that? Just a little thing, but it made me happy. How about you ? Any little things that brought you joy lately that you'd like to share?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And <i>finally</i> decorated my Christmas tea cakes :</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Rzmxxw81kYWWEOVbZRgHyDg48he6Ga5z9dFOTJqAy0BkwETKwoEAwSuXQ1LwrtUfQOdgOSmzB_HUkJm4DGQLIOoEjMv9rX84h8I-tsr2ML6y-2TaJoInAM12ZnNyRm-KmrFE1NCd6uPT_K0pjdAn92kf_eXLjBovI38R3U6fDERviNWGbYeyKN4sqok/s640/xmas%20tea%20cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Rzmxxw81kYWWEOVbZRgHyDg48he6Ga5z9dFOTJqAy0BkwETKwoEAwSuXQ1LwrtUfQOdgOSmzB_HUkJm4DGQLIOoEjMv9rX84h8I-tsr2ML6y-2TaJoInAM12ZnNyRm-KmrFE1NCd6uPT_K0pjdAn92kf_eXLjBovI38R3U6fDERviNWGbYeyKN4sqok/w480-h640/xmas%20tea%20cakes.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a very safe healthy Merry Christmas 2023!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>and grateful from the bottom of my heart for my blogger friends - for their kindness in sharing these little things with me)</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtually),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-89610642635864301942023-12-10T17:05:00.000-08:002023-12-10T17:05:28.712-08:00a poem remembered...<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcxWEmgEQDG0enkznqUNZFFBoD0vGnmZWFUnD2vF88_ta5e3BDvi9jk-8-isvOk5dTrIE0BsHFssXB3ubnbJA4CEilH1IU6w-gmhlwYDSc39af6vQwvAVxLdTYq4OTALdNGB1yeSY8cNp5nBlm39mO_4E3w1DOQp9LwnBJpI50O7OO95pUrIS_ssJqNQ/s500/We%20believe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="500" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcxWEmgEQDG0enkznqUNZFFBoD0vGnmZWFUnD2vF88_ta5e3BDvi9jk-8-isvOk5dTrIE0BsHFssXB3ubnbJA4CEilH1IU6w-gmhlwYDSc39af6vQwvAVxLdTYq4OTALdNGB1yeSY8cNp5nBlm39mO_4E3w1DOQp9LwnBJpI50O7OO95pUrIS_ssJqNQ/w400-h285/We%20believe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"So much to do... so little time. I could not let my body tire..." These words are from a poem called <b>"The Blue Bowl" </b>that I read years and years ago. For some reason these words have always stayed with me. It's a really nice poem. If you get a chance, check it out. It's by Blanche Bane Kuder. You can google it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps with Christmas and all that entails, it's fitting that I think of this poem. We try to make our homes a "pleasant place where weariness might take its rest". The world we live in is complicated. It's truly full of wonderful things... yet, it can be full of sorrow and sadness too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All we can do (<i>IMO</i>) is try to find a balance between the two. How? Each of us must find our own way. But in general I imagine it's just enjoying the beauty this world brings while helping in whatever way we can to alleviate the sorrow. Loving kindness to all is a start... and it fits into all phases of our lives... at home, at work, world-wide. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now I realize this may all sound naive. <i>It's complicated. Yes, it is...</i> but like Mother Teresa said, "Not all of us can do great things. but we can do little things with great love". Anyway, it's something I think about when it feels like the world has gone mad.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlgJRuad6ivOJ6KsXkXBYuvih3v7C_-iUXL0Nb04Xw2dhESR4w3tn_ZDppVHd7hPziIAXAt5L6vCNuNxKR0UZ2RGoXHQU2GYDbBBfbS8KBGoZ0lG6DWwva7h-XqWIIOg2BcZnKsjBBKNDcgJq-9x5cauytRjVCvjCSj3Wk5E_7pfW83KI7XxbLGaHZfU/s684/never%20too%20old.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlgJRuad6ivOJ6KsXkXBYuvih3v7C_-iUXL0Nb04Xw2dhESR4w3tn_ZDppVHd7hPziIAXAt5L6vCNuNxKR0UZ2RGoXHQU2GYDbBBfbS8KBGoZ0lG6DWwva7h-XqWIIOg2BcZnKsjBBKNDcgJq-9x5cauytRjVCvjCSj3Wk5E_7pfW83KI7XxbLGaHZfU/s320/never%20too%20old.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoULCDAmK0B-YlXQVYyCcMmNiSaAvtuYIrKbbV7-EtbjF3VNaAyyx7IeQHOut0F1rd2vO0zDTWCFkVoiFuAtG0VVm6OXXH0QAlotzKH30qlFzCCw66wECA_s9-GDang3jxxkiATFkp7YekV77WtcEPTUXprNCJbIl0ZduvttU3uR1Jg-MtB_iQ5l67HE/s563/sky%20on%20Christmas%20eve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="563" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoULCDAmK0B-YlXQVYyCcMmNiSaAvtuYIrKbbV7-EtbjF3VNaAyyx7IeQHOut0F1rd2vO0zDTWCFkVoiFuAtG0VVm6OXXH0QAlotzKH30qlFzCCw66wECA_s9-GDang3jxxkiATFkp7YekV77WtcEPTUXprNCJbIl0ZduvttU3uR1Jg-MtB_iQ5l67HE/s320/sky%20on%20Christmas%20eve.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's Christmas, a magical time! I <i>remember</i> how magical it felt as a child. And remembering, I know that I do believe in magic (<i>not the kind that in the old days people associated with evil, but the kind associated with miracles). </i>The magic of Christmas to me is similar to the words in the song "Amazing Grace'.... (<i>"how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed"). </i>We 'believed' as a child in Santa Claus and reindeers on the roof, etc. And that believing made it real. The story behind Saint Nicholas could be real, could be legend... but even if it was a just a story that brought happiness and joy to children - that is magic enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gO3HCYoY-ZU8BpogWbJw84N3HxLSy7UvukUcW969AvKA7Hm-R1u2gXKwpexX5EcYoYtB_i-lI1iG6xR1G1aVILBFpkBQkBA4prfRRmST26suGeQ-imkFGrhjyF8hchupOKmVsUP141Ue7Mk4Y1ZdxIV1ofByK3keca84XTsMMGJpCv9nNBgrdAdxeFg/s846/the%20tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gO3HCYoY-ZU8BpogWbJw84N3HxLSy7UvukUcW969AvKA7Hm-R1u2gXKwpexX5EcYoYtB_i-lI1iG6xR1G1aVILBFpkBQkBA4prfRRmST26suGeQ-imkFGrhjyF8hchupOKmVsUP141Ue7Mk4Y1ZdxIV1ofByK3keca84XTsMMGJpCv9nNBgrdAdxeFg/w266-h400/the%20tree.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierixjADpJgTxT82nBOK1w_e_GfUxdrRzS2fVgfZvCrioTr-e55bQOZdfeP4hKu-hTokbHZzkhyphenhyphenAtHCrNN7ZYJFMRyO9HkGSNzgXP0wcj4xm8mlzYzldUh8qvQEK3KGfQgY6PeX1Poam9GI5okOOITqYFuLi1iiI3blPiQ88KS3VC_ab9-qa8U1LBgs3I/s389/Christmas%20magic%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="235" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierixjADpJgTxT82nBOK1w_e_GfUxdrRzS2fVgfZvCrioTr-e55bQOZdfeP4hKu-hTokbHZzkhyphenhyphenAtHCrNN7ZYJFMRyO9HkGSNzgXP0wcj4xm8mlzYzldUh8qvQEK3KGfQgY6PeX1Poam9GI5okOOITqYFuLi1iiI3blPiQ88KS3VC_ab9-qa8U1LBgs3I/w241-h400/Christmas%20magic%201.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, enough of that - my monkey mind goes on and on. I do like this next picture though...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G26qTPWzH-T2qZaoMCkVfFnVjlHSVmwoY2LJNR8dH3ve_SDLPeTIxb73wkWxE_ATeIS9xQRg1zUYsigQTnfAbHJaCuCNA6IU5ivpnCM79LegtDXFSrV5zruvOHLpO-80BZNw0MJ15gV7C_CYN6wXpb_UYImk8FiuJzzFbbyvQKwsyrdIBKzx5p-bC8s/s736/old%20trees.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="492" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G26qTPWzH-T2qZaoMCkVfFnVjlHSVmwoY2LJNR8dH3ve_SDLPeTIxb73wkWxE_ATeIS9xQRg1zUYsigQTnfAbHJaCuCNA6IU5ivpnCM79LegtDXFSrV5zruvOHLpO-80BZNw0MJ15gV7C_CYN6wXpb_UYImk8FiuJzzFbbyvQKwsyrdIBKzx5p-bC8s/w428-h640/old%20trees.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is magic there too</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">And Look! My Hatch Pepper plant has <b>2</b> Hatch Peppers growing on this side... and 1 on the other! I had to transplant it into a bigger pot and now it doesn't fit on the windowsill with it's friend, Mary Maidenhair Fern. I'm hoping the separation won't be too damaging.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDAdmq80Snfo_nQUMnTk-i2RPBxPgIfWf1UsJY2_83PXe_5h_Mwwh5XjoQ63doS18V8CD0ezq1oRtVCD8mo4x2cruP6uZwUK44WesEymwpgJH97CM3Uviqi71AETiB_DEJC6Lk-uC2zk8fUGACsAMZm7xyZtY6WbvFvF5c2l8dkunYV2h0J3jnxpss1s/s640/hatch%20peppers%20growing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDAdmq80Snfo_nQUMnTk-i2RPBxPgIfWf1UsJY2_83PXe_5h_Mwwh5XjoQ63doS18V8CD0ezq1oRtVCD8mo4x2cruP6uZwUK44WesEymwpgJH97CM3Uviqi71AETiB_DEJC6Lk-uC2zk8fUGACsAMZm7xyZtY6WbvFvF5c2l8dkunYV2h0J3jnxpss1s/w300-h400/hatch%20peppers%20growing.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />OK, back to baking! So far I've made as of now - un</span><span style="font-size: large;">decorated Christmas tea cakes, Espresso chocolate delights, and Pecan chocolate graham cracker bark. Tomorrow it's Whiskey Balls, pralines, and little rum cakes!</span><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqYqnEbbvov8r7t8V0IHP_eqNYU74O9Sd6QZ89JvAYPS2EYQhkZ14F3GzhPRnY8zX1i37BT1xTtxIGa4wyhSJA4m54MrZ2sgUrfh_VTZ3TwDkoo4IzkZOADOMfTc1JudM6hnrHIR1GkQmC8aFDyCWL6kddxrDdRyNCLF-2O2fO4m1EIwiLQmi-6Zq1CM/s640/Christmas%20elf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqYqnEbbvov8r7t8V0IHP_eqNYU74O9Sd6QZ89JvAYPS2EYQhkZ14F3GzhPRnY8zX1i37BT1xTtxIGa4wyhSJA4m54MrZ2sgUrfh_VTZ3TwDkoo4IzkZOADOMfTc1JudM6hnrHIR1GkQmC8aFDyCWL6kddxrDdRyNCLF-2O2fO4m1EIwiLQmi-6Zq1CM/w300-h400/Christmas%20elf.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Elf </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So now my Elf and I bid you good day! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And also wish that you all have a </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Magical Christmas</b>!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rian</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-58937187882216825942023-12-07T14:32:00.000-08:002023-12-07T14:32:30.505-08:00last minute Christmas 'to do's'...<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKXv9jZA41gC88H7C3Blv_D-8Djg4SnAuA4Ri_y6JxISDVr_Qclx1EzK5ZZnUF0N1Ia-OMg23fAiue8GLzaCjYxrI4d0n6K6GlOYh0n2rjUuHDbWVaoTd7JgxlV0i1kEi1dY1FTRgR0vjlO05vL9-V6RUZz1SzxbPYGh8VfpY03ZPxcV2VU7FZYIhBeY/s508/cute%20cat%20ornament.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKXv9jZA41gC88H7C3Blv_D-8Djg4SnAuA4Ri_y6JxISDVr_Qclx1EzK5ZZnUF0N1Ia-OMg23fAiue8GLzaCjYxrI4d0n6K6GlOYh0n2rjUuHDbWVaoTd7JgxlV0i1kEi1dY1FTRgR0vjlO05vL9-V6RUZz1SzxbPYGh8VfpY03ZPxcV2VU7FZYIhBeY/w284-h400/cute%20cat%20ornament.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute cat ornament</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I don't have anything specific to blog about this morning. But like everyone else these days, there's <i>so much last minute stuff </i>that needs doing. With me it's mostly getting all the cards and goodies made, put together, and mailed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This morning on my 'to do' list was e-check in with my Cardiologist for appointment next week, call my Eye Doctor for annual appointment in January, work on knitted Afghan so it can be delivered next week, mail a few Christmas cards (<i>I do these a few at a time</i>), and make weekly supply of home-made catfood for the ferals. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Our grandson who lives with us isn't feeling well this morning. Hopefully he hasn't picked up Covid at his work, but it's entirely possible. He is wearing a mask and staying up in his room for the most part.) </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Christmas tree is almost finished. Ornaments are on, just have to add the Mardi Gras beads. I'll post a pic when it's done.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our 'animal tree' is done. It sits on the front room table with ornaments of our past kitties whose love we still hold in our hearts. All of our kitties had been with us for 15 years or more... so they are very much missed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYnO4m7ieCp0ZHdpew8tqqqbmcCBN_rMCGT7U5h2XTWABqFvaJDjO7BsjeNZ9_Ww7dx_bzv9tjE9ZWzRynCZHG0izvr_-Lq_km-0-nqi0Ec_Dbc6XtZbb3d8lQvaY1YRRdxNSGOzDASMTyCdUqw1z851DgWz8RIltiR7dJ5MO4P6bZJdEvIGJTrlU9Uk/s640/cat%20xmas%20tree%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="543" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYnO4m7ieCp0ZHdpew8tqqqbmcCBN_rMCGT7U5h2XTWABqFvaJDjO7BsjeNZ9_Ww7dx_bzv9tjE9ZWzRynCZHG0izvr_-Lq_km-0-nqi0Ec_Dbc6XtZbb3d8lQvaY1YRRdxNSGOzDASMTyCdUqw1z851DgWz8RIltiR7dJ5MO4P6bZJdEvIGJTrlU9Uk/w544-h640/cat%20xmas%20tree%201.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFacdgbH_FTB1ls5Fvd4B1SZAQo_pmjYh5ingwsqH355zZPYVeAE0OxEkFx7tI9zdPfLzwNef81h9VzJQJu7Pf-li7tpWezcqfxwczEDf1e4rtChQ1kFWNAmUEJGMDUBVOr6LGVO04DkQBJm9aRKgexHtIVKG94h5YaQb0f2k6vUJ2_MygzgGe7ZdiFE/s640/cat%20xmas%20tree%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFacdgbH_FTB1ls5Fvd4B1SZAQo_pmjYh5ingwsqH355zZPYVeAE0OxEkFx7tI9zdPfLzwNef81h9VzJQJu7Pf-li7tpWezcqfxwczEDf1e4rtChQ1kFWNAmUEJGMDUBVOr6LGVO04DkQBJm9aRKgexHtIVKG94h5YaQb0f2k6vUJ2_MygzgGe7ZdiFE/w480-h640/cat%20xmas%20tree%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0v2ppttzKaV0TxhnbmdFCNW72zwaMMeepuusz2WrXLTvDXtB5JV8HOq3AbpmKIr2gEvah9BolzUVhFct7F9XzKRL7uLC5zdVHeZ71LGR6EV47LIN-QS_FVJ0sdvbG3qyowbdhQy8OkrSqwnyb_vrQv2ZWEiKWJYdDFri6I1vjTCVW3NYZIfEIuvp5RA/s640/cat%20xmas%20tree%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0v2ppttzKaV0TxhnbmdFCNW72zwaMMeepuusz2WrXLTvDXtB5JV8HOq3AbpmKIr2gEvah9BolzUVhFct7F9XzKRL7uLC5zdVHeZ71LGR6EV47LIN-QS_FVJ0sdvbG3qyowbdhQy8OkrSqwnyb_vrQv2ZWEiKWJYdDFri6I1vjTCVW3NYZIfEIuvp5RA/w480-h640/cat%20xmas%20tree%203.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mI1hQy69pt6lD9oWjpwAHxMlY_n3TQRfSJhQZYvbJK4ImFedGCyzmmSCgz_63iwcw6fN4gDMXSaEH8h9j7WfSF6J9_zOqePDBb-s0Xdj2ZfzfMErXjmRayCyJtYCxRliHs2NrJ52dYzJKxATBkZCvzfatFy-_e230HM9b7xYuw6H5jBqDQujC_LBn9c/s640/cat%20xmas%20tree%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mI1hQy69pt6lD9oWjpwAHxMlY_n3TQRfSJhQZYvbJK4ImFedGCyzmmSCgz_63iwcw6fN4gDMXSaEH8h9j7WfSF6J9_zOqePDBb-s0Xdj2ZfzfMErXjmRayCyJtYCxRliHs2NrJ52dYzJKxATBkZCvzfatFy-_e230HM9b7xYuw6H5jBqDQujC_LBn9c/w480-h640/cat%20xmas%20tree%204.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;">and now The ferals get all our attention and care:</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXdORUR0SDNLWbBeFWbeknbLBZTHMdYAFDIKURRhqro6pcbOqOeKEZwbQtha2Vh8sGdfEW0N6wZz8Q6bG8tvidkinZ5emXZldLnDbG8oKP_ECQKIW_YgBj0WddTaidfW25ruWpDdAvI17uvSqaraEFg9KBxeKgsJGptQm-A8B9B9tMgZeMQl8WgliTLI/s640/cooking%20for%20ferals%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXdORUR0SDNLWbBeFWbeknbLBZTHMdYAFDIKURRhqro6pcbOqOeKEZwbQtha2Vh8sGdfEW0N6wZz8Q6bG8tvidkinZ5emXZldLnDbG8oKP_ECQKIW_YgBj0WddTaidfW25ruWpDdAvI17uvSqaraEFg9KBxeKgsJGptQm-A8B9B9tMgZeMQl8WgliTLI/w300-h400/cooking%20for%20ferals%202.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooking for ferals this morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">BTW, DH and I finally got into a few activities at our Senior Center. Every time we've tried to get into anything this past year, it's always been 'full'. I had to go online on Dec. 4th and <i>actually got in </i>3 of the 4 that we wanted. We're on a waiting list for the 4th one. 2 of them are talks (<i>one is about 'AI' and the other is about 'Advances in hearing technology'</i>), and 2 are fitness related.</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to plan activities that run from January through the summer. Things don't always go as planned, but all you can do is schedule the dates and... hope for the best.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This coming weekend is bake, bake, bake... and then mail, mail, mail! </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Actually we FedEx... don't mail (</span><i>finding mail not so trust-worthy anymore. Takes forever in some areas). </i><span>Then I have an appointment to have my heart monitor put on, then a Christmas lunch with friends, and hopefully by then, some of the Christmas orders will be here so I can wrap or bag (<i>Xmas bags are more expensive, but definitely easier).</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, I will post a pic of Santa in the Cheeky Chicken yard (<i>on my shelf) :</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwadCeZiyoHOJmc4HXG-q3xDBBu23otk2qdsYKI9QY6FPqZ7RsLf3rxZBsCUYldWYz7d_KiWiFMfpGSA3rsWHQuJeuKc3J2kgtA7QLfKIaRY1-VCzqYcMptTCGi7Cc91Xu8kS8xHPoURg4XEx-aJLb8AXK3fQh-CZK0FeHqfwa0sH7QDB9gOitw1xR98/s640/Santa%20in%20Cheeky%20Chicken%20yard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="530" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwadCeZiyoHOJmc4HXG-q3xDBBu23otk2qdsYKI9QY6FPqZ7RsLf3rxZBsCUYldWYz7d_KiWiFMfpGSA3rsWHQuJeuKc3J2kgtA7QLfKIaRY1-VCzqYcMptTCGi7Cc91Xu8kS8xHPoURg4XEx-aJLb8AXK3fQh-CZK0FeHqfwa0sH7QDB9gOitw1xR98/w331-h400/Santa%20in%20Cheeky%20Chicken%20yard.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">and a funny meme:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61FgwAtz7KZICjXVzIdBzL1ChOBKJpTX9jAdTx6p0JlT5Yo0YVF8KQX33X0G9ljm_AcBOztcBnuH5njT6X1mbjaOO3apT0qHANSxXSrNrVUheB6IAFHv3juDTIU9JpLsjSCfCTZlAkrfDvcMcwBq-qQppmji0bk9xVHQv4pSxdeAyJPrfCTxq7ASJOJw/s739/buried%20elf%20meme.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61FgwAtz7KZICjXVzIdBzL1ChOBKJpTX9jAdTx6p0JlT5Yo0YVF8KQX33X0G9ljm_AcBOztcBnuH5njT6X1mbjaOO3apT0qHANSxXSrNrVUheB6IAFHv3juDTIU9JpLsjSCfCTZlAkrfDvcMcwBq-qQppmji0bk9xVHQv4pSxdeAyJPrfCTxq7ASJOJw/w305-h400/buried%20elf%20meme.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thanks for reading...</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-54916185309090609802023-12-01T05:51:00.000-08:002023-12-01T05:51:47.940-08:00Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! Dec. 1, 2023<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wow! It's December already! </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oOzT4shpeuvq1pHa2JAGnm6wbuWkrfZuLvCjAbpqKFBZaL57fkyiMDGY1N1Cm_a-9AshHQoPhzRRJbOLX9-GEW5dWLl8L-Q7AWOtHqm4uXkHsUDbX1-wDRcqZc87NcutnYTnf6GsOMGuz5q2OX-G5rQkIVkiiGAW77jygbEMZYbjAY4nsChhgDnRTds/s492/white%20bunny%20(2).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="359" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oOzT4shpeuvq1pHa2JAGnm6wbuWkrfZuLvCjAbpqKFBZaL57fkyiMDGY1N1Cm_a-9AshHQoPhzRRJbOLX9-GEW5dWLl8L-Q7AWOtHqm4uXkHsUDbX1-wDRcqZc87NcutnYTnf6GsOMGuz5q2OX-G5rQkIVkiiGAW77jygbEMZYbjAY4nsChhgDnRTds/w291-h400/white%20bunny%20(2).PNG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>... almost missed this one. Can't believe it's December 1st already!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">hugs (virtual),</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></p>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076673433792968099.post-44611553128696406502023-11-26T07:13:00.000-08:002023-11-26T07:13:47.382-08:00a Thanksgiving 2023 update...<p><span style="font-size: large;">I <i>thought </i>about putting away the Easter tablecloth and the Halloween pumpkins and just doing the whole table and room Christmas for Thanksgiving... <i>but </i>only 'thought' of doing that. Decided it much easier each holiday to just <i>add</i> something new. So I added a Santa to the middle of the table and kept the bunny tablecloth and pumpkins... <i>not sure anyone noticed or cared.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuNYmKmcxEfOI593eRpg3HEhCr-lVtoA9kDAcAbN5bGHKW5cx50M2DqzqMIsv7Pt3uVa9xazP56BB7ZbmLrpz2zPECnVtd1H21d8I4ogqSlreJMrOPCGhOvaUXkS5XvKpDbLAC9WDlxbBhXUtiN3lvZoKgQ4Rznujm9xMu5cf9TNX4e7JepwR_cacX2k/s714/Easter%20table%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuNYmKmcxEfOI593eRpg3HEhCr-lVtoA9kDAcAbN5bGHKW5cx50M2DqzqMIsv7Pt3uVa9xazP56BB7ZbmLrpz2zPECnVtd1H21d8I4ogqSlreJMrOPCGhOvaUXkS5XvKpDbLAC9WDlxbBhXUtiN3lvZoKgQ4Rznujm9xMu5cf9TNX4e7JepwR_cacX2k/w608-h640/Easter%20table%202023.jpg" width="608" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Table 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I <i>do</i> have a Pumpkin tablecloth as well as a Christmas one, but I just love the 'bunny' one... so I tend to leave it on. Anyway the family and the food take precedence, right? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And I try to take photos at family gatherings so we can reminisce later - but get so busy either cooking or talking that I never take as many as I'd like. Luckily daughter was willing to take on this job and got some good videos as well as still shots. She took this video of all of us gathering in front of the fireplace (<i>actually this is the second attempt - everyone was acting silly in the first try so we had to go again.)</i> Then she made the best part into a still photo. Here it is:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAuOWqA5Z8y8YpzXgbubkc5ISTjHZayCFr1qapiIoFAwRWvYoRL1-8OOSDMPaMY5KSww_KYwWZFWyyzQvP7vAvrL_EcxrHOQB9sRViplsUZvzJcyKJid52bpJi4qr_oiy9tTFoUuiAUhDCuiyM3J9fSsSUUkuzGEqB4gjyI392CaCNSC2JoETQJ783SM/s1334/Thanksgiving%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAuOWqA5Z8y8YpzXgbubkc5ISTjHZayCFr1qapiIoFAwRWvYoRL1-8OOSDMPaMY5KSww_KYwWZFWyyzQvP7vAvrL_EcxrHOQB9sRViplsUZvzJcyKJid52bpJi4qr_oiy9tTFoUuiAUhDCuiyM3J9fSsSUUkuzGEqB4gjyI392CaCNSC2JoETQJ783SM/w640-h360/Thanksgiving%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We actually didn't think to take any photos of the food... but there was a lot of it... so some was sent home with the kids. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friday morning after Thanksgiving is our traditional day to get our tree... and we always go to the same place where they have the best freshest Frasier Firs (<i>they last forever and don't even drop their needles by the day after New Year - which is when we take the tree down). </i>Our SIL used his truck and we got the tree loaded and home pretty quickly. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Love the smell of a fresh tree in the house! DH and I tried to go artificial a few years ago, but just couldn't. We missed the tradition and smell of a real Christmas tree. It just wasn't the same. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh431DIfcKpJjjCkeHJfgSBonTeiT_ci_Z3VOVnK-LwGvhgjCQs90FrjCaZbNpkACmyalDiSdiT99I9ww3639iztNRbGjaMNbDlpuV16zEtch8pWJ32A_JlTSgDpx5gZ9WrJbReF6Glra-MWAzlQfMTUZNgiKfC-s4Aj4rz3cqbJC_x-1J53b5-KYo1z8o/s640/Tree%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh431DIfcKpJjjCkeHJfgSBonTeiT_ci_Z3VOVnK-LwGvhgjCQs90FrjCaZbNpkACmyalDiSdiT99I9ww3639iztNRbGjaMNbDlpuV16zEtch8pWJ32A_JlTSgDpx5gZ9WrJbReF6Glra-MWAzlQfMTUZNgiKfC-s4Aj4rz3cqbJC_x-1J53b5-KYo1z8o/w472-h640/Tree%202023.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked tree...</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">It will take a while to get it decorated. I'm very slow and only do a few ornaments at a time. But eventually I'll post the completed tree. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Also, while we were at the garden center where we bought the tree, we took pics there. They had some really cute places that were picture worthy. So we all took a few. Here's the one of DH and me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIn2ZtSmqGUJba1pOZ1_lC0816XGOANmV1pJ4i0ilV2vsDIZjR6P1jiCsLvsqn2QtA13l8GlWJHcP4eQVgj8wn4H3ubB40t89CVWAq3JpKyOnk6m1enZ8rAdGinosBbmC5yuhJ-vlvcMYvRe1fTbfyS_zjMTz1S-v3h_Ybv0lq0y-MaQ6V5Rxvr-NxVY/s640/Norman%20and%20Sharon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIn2ZtSmqGUJba1pOZ1_lC0816XGOANmV1pJ4i0ilV2vsDIZjR6P1jiCsLvsqn2QtA13l8GlWJHcP4eQVgj8wn4H3ubB40t89CVWAq3JpKyOnk6m1enZ8rAdGinosBbmC5yuhJ-vlvcMYvRe1fTbfyS_zjMTz1S-v3h_Ybv0lq0y-MaQ6V5Rxvr-NxVY/w480-h640/Norman%20and%20Sharon.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're not actually smiling, but it works...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And just for those who might be interested, the ferals did get their share of turkey too. So did Moose (<i>daughter's Great Dane</i>) who, by the way, was very well behaved. Here's a few pics of him:</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilShi8rJro0RHRN_-X4zmURvoNQgVhEbLr_7PlMZptQwpQYrdt5qLXZggeirzH0qupWZZ8YMQ94FANhPhfwykYINBA5QAm091wg9L3xCQx0SHrWdV1wpcrH_MUWVg8TmePwhxYreNMDlfTSEWJECbsdXOtwyl2D04krjvSwHqy29Ik5jIDxO2UmD7veTI/s803/Moose%20and%20B%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilShi8rJro0RHRN_-X4zmURvoNQgVhEbLr_7PlMZptQwpQYrdt5qLXZggeirzH0qupWZZ8YMQ94FANhPhfwykYINBA5QAm091wg9L3xCQx0SHrWdV1wpcrH_MUWVg8TmePwhxYreNMDlfTSEWJECbsdXOtwyl2D04krjvSwHqy29Ik5jIDxO2UmD7veTI/s320/Moose%20and%20B%202.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2MOaikMswx0QRLBLRe66UFOqyxc1so9SPYSry4Q836enemx9dd7Z7OlBRrCjE8ZzE1Q9mWx3lrAKbp8HStjIeEv_9u0sOgJ1-Ar0TWBXidxI9mJvKuRA6WnvyDe3-LIdYO9QqGR4sTNMGaaDiRJ3phQ03vhhLbVbTfFkPgLX3FHDSmvsM9nlVSnEhaA/s640/Moose%20and%20B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="640" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2MOaikMswx0QRLBLRe66UFOqyxc1so9SPYSry4Q836enemx9dd7Z7OlBRrCjE8ZzE1Q9mWx3lrAKbp8HStjIeEv_9u0sOgJ1-Ar0TWBXidxI9mJvKuRA6WnvyDe3-LIdYO9QqGR4sTNMGaaDiRJ3phQ03vhhLbVbTfFkPgLX3FHDSmvsM9nlVSnEhaA/s320/Moose%20and%20B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">OK, enough about Thanksgiving... it's over. Now on to Christmas! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hoping all of you had a nice Thanksgiving and are preparing for a wonderful Christmas. Lots to do. Thanks for reading and letting me share. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs (virtual),</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rian</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Also I want to say that it feels weird to post good things when around the world people are suffering... )</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div></div></div>Rianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472421271620543536noreply@blogger.com29