My wandering mind... and an atypical day

Today has been a bit 'atypical'... in that I seem to have accomplished a few things that I've been putting off. It is only 1:30 in the afternoon and already I've cleaned out the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom, organized my writings into completed stories, not completed stories, short stories, essays, poems, thoughts, etc., showered, dressed, and am ready to get on with the next de-cluttering. 

It may not seem like a lot, but believe me... it isn't easy at 80 for me to get a lot done... and it's frustrating. I want to do so much (and so much needs doing) but I tire easily or get distracted. Yes, one can say, there's always tomorrow (but at 80, you can't be sure...).

Anyhow, I'm in the process of putting together all my old writings. I've decided to put them all into a book... not for publishing (well, it will be self-published) but only for me. I've decided to call it either "In Loving Memory (of me)" or  "In Remembrance of a Life" (Title  could/may change later).

And with this agenda, I've been able to get a little further into my decluttering mode. I even took a large Tupperware container of costume jewelry that had belonged to my mother to the Salvation Army recently. It's been sitting in my room for almost 20 years. I'm not much of a jewelry person, but my mother loved jewelry... and I simply could not throw it away (couldn't sell it either). At least this way, possibly someone could enjoy it.

DH and I have been in Texas for 55 years as of this past Sunday (March 15). We moved here from Florida on the Ides of March 1971 during a sandstorm with a 2 yr old son and a 10 month old daughter... and we were both 25 at the time (#3 surprised us in 1973).  

We rented for a few years, then bought a house, then built this house in 1985... a little over 40 years ago. (Kids were 17, 15, and 12 when we built it. Now they are all in their 50's, and married)  So yes, there's a lot of closets, drawers, and cabinets (not to mention attic and garage) that need cleaning out. 

I'm not a hoarder... but I do have trouble throwing out stuff that is either sentimental or still useful. I know the rule: divide it all into "Keep", "Donate", or "Throw out". But what about "May be needed later?" Yes, I know, if you haven't needed it in the last few years, you probably won't... right? 

I have to add this here as I just read it in an article entitled "30 Days to a Decluttered Home" in the AARP Bulletin. These were the first 2 Mistakes they mentioned:

1. Holding on to things because you feel guilty, thinking that a dead person would be mad if you got rid of them. (how true... and probably why I kept my mom's costume jewelry for 20 years)

2. Saving "stuff for someone else" who may never want it - your kids. (True also... to some extent)

Ok, this is getting boring even for me.  Going to say "Happy St. Patrick's Day!" (late, I know) and close. 

I know this isn't really a St. Pat's Day pic... but it's so darn cute!

One more thing before I close this, I made those British Flapjacks again. These came out great! This recipe is definitely a keeper. I won't post it as Lyle's Golden Syrup (a key ingredient) is probably hard to fine unless you have a British Emporium close by. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

 

 

Flap Jacks! and no, not the kind you think...

These are just my latest purchase from the British Emporium near us. DH and I watch The British Baking Show on Netflix almost daily. Love it! I have tried several of their bakes (both savory and sweet) and it's an educational (and fun) show to watch (if you like baking). I find Paul and Prue (the host and hostess) a perfect blend of judges. 

Anyway, they recently made something called British Flapjacks  (nothing like what we Americans call Flapjacks). These are similar to granola bars made with oats, butter, brown sugar, and syrup.  Since I eat oatmeal almost every day, I thought I'd try to make these with my gluten free oatmeal. And I did. 

But I first googled if it was OK to use regular pancake syrup or maple syrup to do this... and I was told that I could (could even use honey), but they wouldn't taste the same. Using Lyle's Golden Syrup or Royal Syrup would be best since it has a caramel flavor.  

So DH and I went off to the British Emporium (luckily there is one close by) and bought those items I pictured above.  This is really a cute store and I should have taken pictures there to post... but didn't think of it. 

There are so many other items there I would have loved to get, but it's not cheap and I will curtail my wants till another visit later in the year (there was an adorable Douglas stuffed rat - I know, I know, who wants a rat... but it was so-oo cute). And of course, besides the normal British baking food items, there is also stuff relating to Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry cook books, etc. 

OK, well I made the British Flapjacks and although they taste very good, they came out way too chewy. So I googled if there was any way to fix this. Told to wrap them (as needed) in a wet paper towel and microwave for a few seconds. We did... and it works! Still chewy, but softer and not likely to take out your fillings. They also recommended not cooking as long next time and possibly adding a little flour to the recipe. We'll see.

If you noticed, besides Lyle's Golden Syrup, I also bought some caster sugar (hard to find) and PG tea bags. Caster sugar is just super-fine and best to use in some baking recipes. Also we drank a lot of PG tea when in England years ago... so I just thought I'd revive the memory.

That's it. Hope I didn't bore you too much. If you're not into British stuff or baking, I'm sure this wasn't of much interest. But since I can't do much sketching, painting, or things that take good vision, I have taken to doing more cooking, baking, etc. - experimenting and trying some new things.

My eye is coming along... just not there yet. Think the Eye Specialist said it could take months. 

A few funnies:

Now... know that I also love coffee!  Very much! But to me tea is for comfort and relaxation (it also warms me, I tend to be cold a lot). Coffee is a pick-me-up. So I have coffee usually in the morning... and tea to relax in the afternoon. 

(I find that when I sit still a lot - reading, working on my laptop, etc.  I get cold... icy cold and need a cup of tea or a warm shower to get my body temp back up. Perhaps this is a symptom of Hashimoto -which I do have. Anyone else find this happens to them?)

Well, as usual, thanks for reading. Enjoy your Sunday!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian 

March 1, 2026 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 

Can you believe that March is here already? I went with this white rabbit as he/she seems to be a lucky rabbit... and with St. Patrick's day coming up soon in March, it seemed appropriate. 

I've nothing special to blog about. My eye is still tearing and sore on occasion, still hard to read, but it's only been a week since the doctor took out the stent, so  I'm giving it time... 

When DH and I went to our friend's 80th birthday luncheon about a week ago, she and I were talking about our childhood (born in 1945) and what we remembered about the neighborhood and schools, etc. 

We both lived off Canal Street before the age of 8, but she and I met when my family moved from off Canal Street in New Orleans to Lakeview (an area out by the lakefront... not on it, but only a few blocks away). We were 8 years old... became best friends that lasted through grammar school, high school, and college. Stood in each other's weddings (2 weeks apart), etc., and are still bff's (best friend's forever) at 80. 

Elaine (left) and myself (right) at her wedding

Anyway, I digress.  But what I wanted to post here was a picture of something we both remembered that always brought us joy as children when it came down our street - the Roman Taffy wagon! 

It sold taffy... in long strips (like a candle) wrapped in wax paper, pink, white, and chocolate (I always got chocolate).   

I found this picture in an old book about Louisiana history and cooking. You can see the Street car in the background which we rode to go to downtown Canal Street back in those days. And back then, everyone dressed up to go to Canal Street. Nowadays the streetcars are still working, but no one dresses up... and downtown has gotten a bit shabby... 

Anyway, just wanted to share this tidbit of memory from my childhood. I'm sorry to say that we haven't been back to New Orleans since before the pandemic. Family (mostly cousins now) is still there. I'd hope to go back this summer, but this eye issue stopped that... (maybe in the spring?)

Anyway, wishing everyone a wonderful happy healthy March! And as always, thanks for reading. 

Hugs (virtually),

Rian