Suffice it to say, I'm not thrilled with certain types of creatures. Yeah, yeah....I know...."All creatures, great and small....the Lord God made them ALL. " All that is GOOD, but I don't know if He had it in mind for us to like everything He made. I do appreciate His creativity and diversity of His wonderful handiwork, however....I'm not a fan of some of His art. I liken it to my non-understanding of abstract art or rap 'music'. I just don't care for it, mostly.
In this case, I don't understand the need for flies. They are pesky little creatures who land without a thought on things like piles of dung, and directly go from there to a plate of food, with no consideration whatsoever for the one who was about to devour that food. I also don't see why God chose to make mosquitos. Now, what earthly good can there be in an insect that buzzes in your ear and gnaws on your skin, causing it to erupt in an itchy, red bump.....or worse yet, that may cause you a deathly illness?! Then there are fire ants. They are not your common picnic invader, they are tiny red versions with huge, invisible teeth that clench the nearest skin clad human body part with a vengence, leaving a burning, incredibly itchy area that lives on for days. What's the point, I wonder?
I'm also not thrilled with spiders of any sort. I attempt to avoid those at all costs. There are certain ones of those who seem to be prone to penetrating the epidermis as well. Best to leave all of them to themselves. There are other insects that jump, fly or land, sting, bite or annoy. Thankfully, a fly swatter is a good weapon for most, but it does little about gnats or no-see-ums that seem to like to swim in whatever beverage I've just poured for myself.
Ok...you have a point if you've said that most of the above have been created as a food source for some other of God's creation. I get that, but why must this food source be so annoying to humans?
Insects was not even a thought when I began to write this peice. I had something else in mind.... reptiles. I'm not going to even enter the word for long, squiggly, cold-blooded things. Those, and even the thought of them, make my skin crawl. But, here in the southeast, we have some other critters of reptilian descent....lizards. They don't usually bother me, except to scare me out of my flip flops when one streams silently past on the front porch. Right now, though, I'm extremely bothered by the fact that a 6-7" blue one has made it's way into my sunroom, and I can't find it. I saw it....well, it's tail....as I entered the room yesterday afternoon. He's lucky he made it past me before my foot landed on him. I'm lucky too, because I think I'd have passed out.
So, until my Hero can catch this danged thing, I must share my favorite room with him. I'm not happy about it at all, but if there's any good that can come of it, maybe he will catch the gnats or other little insects that fly in whenever someone opens the door to the outside. Or....maybe he's lying in wait somewhere so that when my husband exits to enjoy his coffee on the back steps, old Blue will dart for the open door! I'll bet he's no happier inside than I am to have him.
Siiiiiigh...CRITTERS!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Where There's Smoke....
Apparently somebody thought my life wasn't exciting enough. To remedy that, a certain occurrence took place as I cooked my dinner last evening. The frying pan caught fire, shooting flames nearly as high as the bottom of the microwave which is located above the stove top. For that reason, it was impossible for me to smother the flames with the lid of the pan without getting burned.
Not wanting to end up in the Atlanta Burn Center, I grabbed the phone and dialed my Mom's house, where Mike had just gone to deliver some peaches and let him know that there was a pan on fire. He raced across the street to our house with the speed of a champion sprinter. He quickly extinguished the fire by placing the lid over the now-shorter dancing flames, as the smoke alarms were screaming all over the house, and the smoke was filling every room.
We opened all the windows and turned on the ceiling fans and exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen. Before long, the smoke was out and by bedtime we were able to close the windows again.
However, this morning, when I got up, there was the distinct smell of an over-done steak and burned fried onions.
Maybe Fabreze will use my story for their next advertisement. The whole incident should be turned to something worthwhile.
In the meantime, while I wait for the royalties to roll in, let me encourage every young woman to marry a fireman. Let me remind every cook that surprises can happen, and that even though 'a watched pot never boils', a watched frying pan can catch fire. Let me tell you that smoke alarms are very annoying when they randomly go off without cause (or when batteries need replacement) but they are extremely important to have in working order. Do not slack off on this list bit of advice.
And remember....where there's smoke, there is almost always a fire. Be careful.
Not wanting to end up in the Atlanta Burn Center, I grabbed the phone and dialed my Mom's house, where Mike had just gone to deliver some peaches and let him know that there was a pan on fire. He raced across the street to our house with the speed of a champion sprinter. He quickly extinguished the fire by placing the lid over the now-shorter dancing flames, as the smoke alarms were screaming all over the house, and the smoke was filling every room.
We opened all the windows and turned on the ceiling fans and exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen. Before long, the smoke was out and by bedtime we were able to close the windows again.
However, this morning, when I got up, there was the distinct smell of an over-done steak and burned fried onions.
Maybe Fabreze will use my story for their next advertisement. The whole incident should be turned to something worthwhile.
In the meantime, while I wait for the royalties to roll in, let me encourage every young woman to marry a fireman. Let me remind every cook that surprises can happen, and that even though 'a watched pot never boils', a watched frying pan can catch fire. Let me tell you that smoke alarms are very annoying when they randomly go off without cause (or when batteries need replacement) but they are extremely important to have in working order. Do not slack off on this list bit of advice.
And remember....where there's smoke, there is almost always a fire. Be careful.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
What I WON'T Be....
Do you remember the days of your youth when people would ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up? I do....and I remember what I said, too. I met those goals, and left some of them behind. I've often thought of what my answer to the question would be if posed to me now...now that I've seen and become aware of so many more options. I haven't settled on that answer yet.
I do know, however, what I won't be. I won't be several things. I will never be a college student working toward a specific degree, because I've never liked school. Please don't misunderstand. I do enjoy learning, but at my own pace, and in ways other than sitting in class rooms or lectures with boring instructors. I'm not an avid reader, unlike so many of my friends are. I enjoy reading, but only things that interest me, not long books. I will never be a mathmatician, bookkeeper, tax preparer, accountant, or anyone else who works with numbers. We have never been compatible... numbers and I, I mean.
I will never be a race car driver. I abhor speed demon driving, or riding, for that matter. I'm not a terrific passenger, because I'm always jamming my foot on the imaginary brake, or grabbing the bar above the passenger door when driver is flying down the curvy back roads or on the horrendous interstate highways. But, unless I want to stay at home, doing nothing....which I do not, I must endure those harrowing experiences of speed unleashed.
I will never be a window washer or leap from tall buildings with a single bound. I will never climb mountains on foot paths, or rock walls inside buildings or outside of them either. I don't like heights at all. I get dizzy. I won't be a miner or one who explores the beautiful under world of stalactites and stalagmites. I'm a bit claustrophobic. I'll never be a world traveler, though I would consider that should by bank account allow it. I'll never be a clown or a comedienne, although I think it would be fun to be one, I'm not that funny. Besides, clowns often scare people, especially little kids, and that would not be fun.
No, I'll never be any of the above....or a myriad of other things. But, do you know what? I'm not the least bit upset over what I'll never be. I know who and what I am....a very happy wife, a loved daughter, an available mother and a loving Grandmother. I'm completely content being ME...whoever that is at the moment, and I wouldn't change a thing!
I do know, however, what I won't be. I won't be several things. I will never be a college student working toward a specific degree, because I've never liked school. Please don't misunderstand. I do enjoy learning, but at my own pace, and in ways other than sitting in class rooms or lectures with boring instructors. I'm not an avid reader, unlike so many of my friends are. I enjoy reading, but only things that interest me, not long books. I will never be a mathmatician, bookkeeper, tax preparer, accountant, or anyone else who works with numbers. We have never been compatible... numbers and I, I mean.
I will never be a race car driver. I abhor speed demon driving, or riding, for that matter. I'm not a terrific passenger, because I'm always jamming my foot on the imaginary brake, or grabbing the bar above the passenger door when driver is flying down the curvy back roads or on the horrendous interstate highways. But, unless I want to stay at home, doing nothing....which I do not, I must endure those harrowing experiences of speed unleashed.
I will never be a window washer or leap from tall buildings with a single bound. I will never climb mountains on foot paths, or rock walls inside buildings or outside of them either. I don't like heights at all. I get dizzy. I won't be a miner or one who explores the beautiful under world of stalactites and stalagmites. I'm a bit claustrophobic. I'll never be a world traveler, though I would consider that should by bank account allow it. I'll never be a clown or a comedienne, although I think it would be fun to be one, I'm not that funny. Besides, clowns often scare people, especially little kids, and that would not be fun.
No, I'll never be any of the above....or a myriad of other things. But, do you know what? I'm not the least bit upset over what I'll never be. I know who and what I am....a very happy wife, a loved daughter, an available mother and a loving Grandmother. I'm completely content being ME...whoever that is at the moment, and I wouldn't change a thing!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
My grandfather had a close relationship with my grandmother's family, and even though she'd been gone for years, he'd often go across the bay on the ferry to visit them on Shelter Island. Sometimes he'd take me too. That day my friend, Sandy, came along with us. Grampa surprised us by bringing a picnic along for us...he made the BEST tuna salad sandwiches, and he brought a whole loaf of them. Sandy ate as many as she could pack into her tummy that day! We had our day-long visit with my great Aunts and Uncles, and some cousins and their kids. We played on the tire swing that hung from a huge old tree in the front yard, near the stand where Uncle Bill sold bouquets of bright gladiolas that he grew in the field behind the barn. We explored the large yard, and we danced around in the kitchen with old Uncle Charl swinging us around and around 'til he lost his balance and bumped into a big kettle on the stove, dumping all of Aunt Ardis' canned pickles to the floor. She chastised him with a stern, 'Now Charl! look what you've done!" And she shooed us out with him behind us. We decided to find something less rambunctious to do, and we went into the right hand barn building to make music on the old player piano. It was dreadfully out of tune, but it didn't matter to us.
After a big supper at the big dining room table, with all the family gathered together, the old folks went to the front room and visited some more. Before long, it was time for Grampa to load us up and head for home. Sandy and I piled into the front seat, with me in the middle. We crossed the water on the small car ferry, arriving on the North Haven side in 10 minutes. We started up the hill toward Sag Harbor and that's when we ran into the fog. Grandpa wasn't a speedy driver, by any means, but he slowed down even further to meander through the veil of damp air as the sun began to set. We made our way along Rt 114, through Sag Harbor, and pointed toward East
Hampton. It was 'scary' foggy....at least to me. Grampa pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal, and then let it up. In a few minutes, Sandy and I were giggling at the forward and backward 'see saw' our bodies did with every push and let up of that gas pedal. I'll bet Sandy remembers that day, that tuna, and that foggy ride home, even now, some 55 years later!
After a big supper at the big dining room table, with all the family gathered together, the old folks went to the front room and visited some more. Before long, it was time for Grampa to load us up and head for home. Sandy and I piled into the front seat, with me in the middle. We crossed the water on the small car ferry, arriving on the North Haven side in 10 minutes. We started up the hill toward Sag Harbor and that's when we ran into the fog. Grandpa wasn't a speedy driver, by any means, but he slowed down even further to meander through the veil of damp air as the sun began to set. We made our way along Rt 114, through Sag Harbor, and pointed toward East
Hampton. It was 'scary' foggy....at least to me. Grampa pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal, and then let it up. In a few minutes, Sandy and I were giggling at the forward and backward 'see saw' our bodies did with every push and let up of that gas pedal. I'll bet Sandy remembers that day, that tuna, and that foggy ride home, even now, some 55 years later!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Getting to Know....
There are times when you think you know a person really well, and suddenly they present you with something new....something you had no idea about. SURPRISE!!! You didn't know so much as you thought you did.
All this can mean is that you can learn something new every day, if you pay attention. That's not a bad thing, is it? Lessons follow lessons, and hopefully they make some impact on you that you can add to your file called 'wisdom'. These lessons are given to us that we might learn from them, and I enjoy learning them, though they aren't always the most pleasant events that bring those lessons about.
Hearing the new things from an old friend gives pause. It brings curiosity too...'what else do I not know'? Now that sort of thing doesn't make a lot sense to me, because I have long ago accepted this person as they were, so what else I don't know will only be a learning experience in the future, should I continue to accept this person as he/she is. That's pretty much my nature, so I'm quite certain that we'll remain buddies in the years to come, unless I'm presented with something dangerous or criminal.
These thoughts just flow right now....they don't need to be pondered. I'm one who likes surprises...and lessons too, so I'll be accepting of them. I think the only thing I can say to sum all this up is this: You just never know EVERYTHING, nor do you need to. Keep what is needful, shun the rest of it.
All this can mean is that you can learn something new every day, if you pay attention. That's not a bad thing, is it? Lessons follow lessons, and hopefully they make some impact on you that you can add to your file called 'wisdom'. These lessons are given to us that we might learn from them, and I enjoy learning them, though they aren't always the most pleasant events that bring those lessons about.
Hearing the new things from an old friend gives pause. It brings curiosity too...'what else do I not know'? Now that sort of thing doesn't make a lot sense to me, because I have long ago accepted this person as they were, so what else I don't know will only be a learning experience in the future, should I continue to accept this person as he/she is. That's pretty much my nature, so I'm quite certain that we'll remain buddies in the years to come, unless I'm presented with something dangerous or criminal.
These thoughts just flow right now....they don't need to be pondered. I'm one who likes surprises...and lessons too, so I'll be accepting of them. I think the only thing I can say to sum all this up is this: You just never know EVERYTHING, nor do you need to. Keep what is needful, shun the rest of it.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Ups and Downs
Life, for all of us, seems to bring its ups and downs. The 'ups' don't come to us in the same ways, nor do the 'downs'... and most of us will respond to them in the same ways.The pleasant occurances bring feelings of happiness and sometimes pride. The less than joyous days bring us emotions of sadness or heavy hearts. We've all been there, so you know what I mean.
Recently one of my daughters had a major surgery. I was 'itching' to go back to Long Island to nurse her back to health. Because our kids either share homes with someone, or the one that they live in is already too small for its residents comfort, there is always the issue of where to stay when we go back home. Knowing that fact, and that she had a good support group of friends and family members there to care for her, my daughter insisted that we stay here, and come later in the Fall when she'd feel better. It was one of those events that caused me to feel that heaviness that comes from wanting to make sure your child is safely cared for while recuperating, and knowing you can't 'fix' it.
What do you do in such a case? You deal with it the best way you can. I've always been one to 'look it in the eye' and deal with it, not try to run from it, or wallow in it either. You can suffer through, or you can do what I did, and just say, 'I can't be there. It IS what it IS", and I just went about my day right here....900 miles from my daughter. That is NOT to say that the wanting to be there stopped! Oh no! It kept cropping up....it nagged me. It woke me up at night, at which times I spent praying for my daughter and her care givers.
The 'uppers' are easy to deal with. You just share the joy with others, or you just 'float around' in you own little bubble of happiness. I always savor those happy times and am grateful for them.
Emotions are such delicate things, and they are sometimes difficult to manage. They are fickle, coming and going as they choose. I guess the solution is to just take hold of them and wrangle with the things until you can manage them, rather than letting them rule you. It's all about a balance, I think.
Sometimes I think I really AM a control freak.....but in this case, that's not such a bad thing, is it?
Recently one of my daughters had a major surgery. I was 'itching' to go back to Long Island to nurse her back to health. Because our kids either share homes with someone, or the one that they live in is already too small for its residents comfort, there is always the issue of where to stay when we go back home. Knowing that fact, and that she had a good support group of friends and family members there to care for her, my daughter insisted that we stay here, and come later in the Fall when she'd feel better. It was one of those events that caused me to feel that heaviness that comes from wanting to make sure your child is safely cared for while recuperating, and knowing you can't 'fix' it.
What do you do in such a case? You deal with it the best way you can. I've always been one to 'look it in the eye' and deal with it, not try to run from it, or wallow in it either. You can suffer through, or you can do what I did, and just say, 'I can't be there. It IS what it IS", and I just went about my day right here....900 miles from my daughter. That is NOT to say that the wanting to be there stopped! Oh no! It kept cropping up....it nagged me. It woke me up at night, at which times I spent praying for my daughter and her care givers.
The 'uppers' are easy to deal with. You just share the joy with others, or you just 'float around' in you own little bubble of happiness. I always savor those happy times and am grateful for them.
Emotions are such delicate things, and they are sometimes difficult to manage. They are fickle, coming and going as they choose. I guess the solution is to just take hold of them and wrangle with the things until you can manage them, rather than letting them rule you. It's all about a balance, I think.
Sometimes I think I really AM a control freak.....but in this case, that's not such a bad thing, is it?
Sunday, July 7, 2013
RELAXING....
It's been a busy time. We've gotten Mom through a winter of ups and downs and a gazillion doctors. We've gotten Mike through the flu (or so we thought) followed by a Feb. return of the flu (or so we thought) and then a late March gall bladder surgery. That was followed by a carpal tunnel surgery on the left hand, and a skin cancer surgery (they got it all...no expected return!!) on his right ear. Next will be a surgery on his right hand to release a 'trigger finger'.
Between meeting nearly every doctor in the county, and some very unusual onslaughts of too much rain, we managed to get a small vegetable garden planted. So far, it's been quite a disappointment this year. I think the excess water has done its damage on our cucumbers and tomatoes, though the latter are producing. The corn isn't quite ripe for picking yet...but will be soon. I hope the water has done that a favor!!
We had guests from NY in March. That's always fun and we totally enjoyed their visit. This past week, our former next door neighbors and our best friends, returned to SC for a visit with us for a few days, and the rest of the time with their daughter's family. We stayed up way too late, ate way too much, talked soooo much and enjoyed their being here to the hilt! I felt a let down as I watched them drive away. It'll be another year before we see them again, when they return for their grandson's graduation from high school. I already can't wait!
I spent a good amount of time and a little money shopping for some nautical themed things to put into the house. It's been so long since I've been to the beach...and I miss our hometown beaches like fury....so I decided that it was time to move the beach into our house. I put a light colored room sized rug on the floor in the living room, shed the dark couch cover to expose the chambray blue denim upholstery, hung semi-sheer sand colored curtains with 3 glass ball net buoys hung in the center of them. I began adding those reclaimed wood signs I painted with the names of back-home beaches. I dragged out the apothacary jar of beach glass I'd collected throughout my lifetime, framed some photos of the beaches and harbor-full of boats, placed grandkids photos at the beach, in an old window frame. I placed a huge glass net buoy on the table with a small, old wood box full of sea shells & beach glass, a couple of star fish and a few small bits of driftwood. Some colored glass bottles were placed on the mantle of the fireplace , a large wood fish shaped serving board was painted and hung over the mantle. A fish net was hung by small anchors over the guest room mirror, and a small row boat shelf was added. A carved sandpiper stands on one side of the pedestal sink, and a blue dish of soaps shaped like a flip flow and shells sits on the other side of the faucets.
Whew! I'm exhausted just writing all of that! Now I'm enjoying the peace and the sun shining into the sun room, with a cd of ocean waves crashing through the air. The ceiling fans offer my version of sea breeze...without the salt. I am relaxing..... and thinking of our vacation which is coming up, not soon enough. I think of the poem...." I must go down to the sea again...."
Yes, I MUST!!!
Between meeting nearly every doctor in the county, and some very unusual onslaughts of too much rain, we managed to get a small vegetable garden planted. So far, it's been quite a disappointment this year. I think the excess water has done its damage on our cucumbers and tomatoes, though the latter are producing. The corn isn't quite ripe for picking yet...but will be soon. I hope the water has done that a favor!!
We had guests from NY in March. That's always fun and we totally enjoyed their visit. This past week, our former next door neighbors and our best friends, returned to SC for a visit with us for a few days, and the rest of the time with their daughter's family. We stayed up way too late, ate way too much, talked soooo much and enjoyed their being here to the hilt! I felt a let down as I watched them drive away. It'll be another year before we see them again, when they return for their grandson's graduation from high school. I already can't wait!
I spent a good amount of time and a little money shopping for some nautical themed things to put into the house. It's been so long since I've been to the beach...and I miss our hometown beaches like fury....so I decided that it was time to move the beach into our house. I put a light colored room sized rug on the floor in the living room, shed the dark couch cover to expose the chambray blue denim upholstery, hung semi-sheer sand colored curtains with 3 glass ball net buoys hung in the center of them. I began adding those reclaimed wood signs I painted with the names of back-home beaches. I dragged out the apothacary jar of beach glass I'd collected throughout my lifetime, framed some photos of the beaches and harbor-full of boats, placed grandkids photos at the beach, in an old window frame. I placed a huge glass net buoy on the table with a small, old wood box full of sea shells & beach glass, a couple of star fish and a few small bits of driftwood. Some colored glass bottles were placed on the mantle of the fireplace , a large wood fish shaped serving board was painted and hung over the mantle. A fish net was hung by small anchors over the guest room mirror, and a small row boat shelf was added. A carved sandpiper stands on one side of the pedestal sink, and a blue dish of soaps shaped like a flip flow and shells sits on the other side of the faucets.
Whew! I'm exhausted just writing all of that! Now I'm enjoying the peace and the sun shining into the sun room, with a cd of ocean waves crashing through the air. The ceiling fans offer my version of sea breeze...without the salt. I am relaxing..... and thinking of our vacation which is coming up, not soon enough. I think of the poem...." I must go down to the sea again...."
Yes, I MUST!!!
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