Ponderism

Part 1


1. I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

2. There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.

3. Life is sexually transmitted.

4. Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

5. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

6. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

7. Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

8. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

9. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

10. In the ‘60s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

Try to have yourselves a "normal" ginger peachy Friday.

Life is good, y'all!

Hello, sun!

We are happy to see you this cold morning! Those dark spots on the L bank of the cove are 6 mallards that are regular visitors to our cove.


Of course when I went out onto the deck, my two assistants had to go out as well. At 25 outside, I expect their adventuring will be short.

So Haley wants to know what I made with my waiting chicken. I had to hold the process after realizing last night was MM's bi-weekly BNO (boys night out). Translation: no cooking for me!

Chicken is now in the crockpot, but not even for tonight. I decided to make Brunswick Stew, so I am cooking the main stuff today so I can cool and debone the chicken before continuing with the veggies...tomorrow...or Saturday. Whatevah. I regroup quite easily for whatever comes along. That's just the way we both roll.

I downloaded from Amazon BSP sista Sally Berneathy's book 3 in her chocolate series,The Great Chocolate Scam, and started reading it last night. She is such a snarky writer that, of course, I didn't want to put it down and actually go to sleep...but I did. I will get some stuff done, and reward myself with reading more. Discipline...I has it. Sometimes.

Life is good, y'all! What would you RATHER be doing?

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Mayberry Wednesday

KC thinks he can play dominoes.



Bless his heart, he wants to be in the middle of everything...and usually manages to be there.

I have to get motivated to get my desk seriously cleaned off so I can then work on Christmas cards, gifts and check my list. Twice. We have another overcast day, so I might as well stay inside and git-er-done. KC sure can't help with any of those projects, but he'll sure try.

But first...I need inspiration before breakfast on what to do with chicken in the crockpot.

It's just another day in Mayberry. And it is good, y'all! Hope yours is, too.

Is your Christmas shopping finished?




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Gingerbread house and other stuff

Brasstown Valley Resort has a beautiful display of gingerbread houses each Christmas season.  Here is the official blue ribbon winner.  Pretty and amazing!

Sorry the light wasn’t great for this photo of the train display.  It was also filled with more gingerbread houses:

Today is overcast after the early rain shower.  At least it was rain, and not that white stuff.  I am definitely not ready for that, even with November rapidly marching on to December.  Where has the year gone???  Sheesh.

This is a perfect day to do those jobs that I have been putting off, mainly cleaning off my desk and taking care of business, then filing all that stuff.  Blech.  There is no such thing as going totally paperless.

At least supper is ready to be heated, so I don’t have to play Betty Chopper today.  I made a big pot of ham and potato soup while preparing last night’s dinner, so if anyone wants to join us, come on!  There is also some mac ‘n cheese…that needs more cheese added.  The recipe I used needs tweaking some more; it was good, but not great, although the wee boys ate three helpings!  They’re easy.

Life is short...forgive quickly, love truly,
laugh uncontrollably...
and never regret anything that made you smile.

Hoping that if you don’t have sunshine today, you at least have smiles…and a ginger peachy Tuesday!

Monday in Mayberry

This boy was begging to get out of the 28 degrees this morning, not that he doesn't have his own warm house to sleep in. I didn't fall for the promise of wiping his paws!



Pitiful pup. The boys aren't here anyway; they are at school.

It's the usual blah blah stuff of laundry and marketing and school pick up. Yep, Grammie Camp another day while the big kids are getting stuff done.

Maybe Mac and cheese for dinner? My big boy would like that a whole lot.

It's just a normal day in paradise. I hope yours is, too. No Black Monday shopping, other than at the food store, but maybe I did a little bit online yesterday. Maybe.

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Freezing in Mayberry

Srsly. It is 21 outside...brrr. I will take fall back, thankyouverymuch. This is still November, ppl, and we can't head south yet!

But two wee boys are under my snowman snuggle playing mostly quietly on two iPads. The deal is that if they wake up early, they have to play in their room till the sun comes up. They managed pretty well keeping quiet, bless their hearts, so now they are fed and happy.

Teeth brushing and church clothes are next, reminding me of long ago days of getting THREE in their Sunday duds. They did a fine job of making up the bed. Missy is picking out shoes.

Life is never dull with kids and kitties, but who wants dull? Not me!

Have a ginger peachy Sunday. We will! It's time to wake up Grumps, boys!

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Crafts galore!

Joan, Jen and I are enjoying the annual craft show at Brasstown Valley Resort. It is worth the trip to see all the Christmas decorations. My house won't look like this any year:



The tall and very beautiful Christmas tree didn't show up well, so just use your imagination.

Having fun. WYWH!

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Blue sky Friday

High clouds are moving in, but they should be no problem for our flight home.

We have had a great time with family and friends...and an abundance of good food, but home we must go. Thanks, Kim and Bob for being great hosts. Mayberry next year!

And no, there will be NO Black Friday shopping for us, thankyouverymuch.

Raise your hand if you are having a turkey sammie today!

Life is good, y'all! The sun is cranking up nicely.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

...from Blacksburg, Virginia, with a houseful of family, extended family, friends, and neighbors...and fabulous cool and sunny weather!

What are YOU thankful for today...besides family and friends?

Two things pop in my mind: good health and freedom.

God bless our troops and all of you! Remember how blessed you are. We sure are counting our blessings!

May you have enough of everything you need, and then share with others.

Life is grand, y'all! Make some smiles!!!



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Thanksgiving Day Eve in Mayberry

And the sun is shining, mist is rising from the lake. It's a beautiful day for a flight.



It is less than two hours to Virginia and my niece's house, which sure beats the six-hour car ride that some folks will be doing.

Food, clothes, wine, flight briefcase, plane keys...check!

So what food am I taking, you ask? Marinated Roma Tomatoes (well, they need to be quartered and then add the liquids and spices that I have ready to dump in), Holiday Cranberry Salad, Glazed Carrots and Parsnips (only need to do the glazing tomorrow), and the makings for a sweet potato casserole.

Almost ready to roll out the door, but first...I need to get all the above out of the refrigerator and into a cooler.

Photos will follow of the bounty of food. Heck, I am already looking forward to turkey and cranberry sandwiches! Yumm...

And now back to checking off my list!

Life is good, y'all! Smooth flight ahead of miles and smiles.

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Mis-adventure

Missing truck key…you are not here, where we had lunch a couple of times, because MM was wearing shorts here.

Perhaps you are under the bed?  Or in the couch cushion?  Will you be found?  Not that it will do us any good, being so far separated now.

Yep, about an hour into our flight home, MM patted his jeans pocket and realized the truck key was NOT in there.  Nor was it in his backpack.  We entertained folks emptying his suitcase (after we got past customs, of course) and shaking all the items.  Still no key.  Rut roh. 

We rented a car and drove home.  Who knew that we should have called a mobile key service right then and there?  MM assumed that a car dealership was the only place that could make a replacement programmable key.  They can, but they have to have the vehicle physically THERE to make a key.  And if you are having two keys made, they BOTH have to be made at the same time (because of that programming part).  Who knew???

And we had only the ONE key for that truck (it was bought very used).  Don’t ever do that, ppl!  Always have a spare key.  And I never once reminded MM that I had told him to get an extra key.  Yep, he’s got himself a good woman. 

We have two new ignition keys…and a new door key…and life goes on……….with the wallet considerably lighter.

Please note:  consider this a valuable (cheap) public service announcement.  You can thank me later.

So today I am playing Betty “Chopper” in the kitchen, getting stuff ready to take with us tomorrow.

Hopefully this was our only mis-adventure this year!  Life is good and never dull, y’all!

Monday in Mayberry

It is 30 outside, so the boy leaves a warm inside to go hunker down on the deck outside. And after coming in at 5:30 this morning to wake me up with his personal grooming, it made for a short night for me. It's a good thing I love this boy!



So we both have a busy day today. MM has gone to Atlanta. More on that later. I am taking Maryan to the doctor and after doing that, to market I go.

What are your thanksgiving plans?

We are going to my niece's house, so no holiday spread here this year. Kim is having everyone being their favorite dishes, so it will be an awesome meal.

Details later. Photos will follow, of course!

I have thought of a few more items to add to my grocery list.

And so the day goes...with list in hand.

Check.

Make this a ginger peachy, smiley day, y'all!



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From the beach to the mountains!

Home, sweet home, where old man winter is marking his turf. We woke up to 29 degrees this morning. We will have some serious adjusting to do!



It is so good to be back, despite the laundryfest that needs to begin. Two kitties were happy to see us. Missy settled in between us and claimed her real estate all night long. They will be back to ignoring us real soon so that they don't shame their breed. Bless their hearts.

Have a super Tide-y Sunday. Y'all know what my day is going to be like, so jump right in if ya wanna help!


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Final Saturday in St. Maarten

Here is our studio condo that we moved to yesterday. I am standing next to a couch...which is next to the balcony...and a round glass table is next to that chair on the L. Lounging/eating next to the sliding glass doors and the view makes sense...sleeping in the kitchen felt a little strange, but we didn't mind at all. It is actually a very compact design and made the best use of the space.



MM had to go fill up the rental with gas, so he brought back breakfast. What a guy! I'll keep him. I ate in bed, which felt very decadent. Very "won't be happening again any time soon," bless his heart...I enjoyed every moment and morsel.

So we will get finished packing up, turn in the rental car, and get a taxi over to the airport at noon or so. Oh, we are an hour later here than at home, so that is to our advantage going back. It will still be a late night getting back. Our babies won't mind a bit...and neither will we.

We have had a great time, but home is calling.

Life is good, mon! Have yourselves a ginger peachy day. Miles and smiles ahead!


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Friday fun

Well today we take Jim and Janet to the airport after lunch. But first...MM and I have to move across the bay to a spot we've been looking at all week...and where we had the crab and avocado salad lunch the other day. What a hardship!



Every view is a beautiful one down here, and the sun has been just perfect. And the company. J and J are our kind of easy folks.

Tomorrow is our day to depart. We hear the kitties have been behaving. Hopefully they won't have any critters for us to "admire." Or find in strange places. Bless their hearts.

Life is good, mon! Enjoy your Friday. We sure will.

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Thursday in St. Maarten

After enjoying crab and avocado salad for lunch, we decided to eat local French here on the Dutch side, just down the road:



LeMoulin Fou...crazy windmill...had excellent French onion soup, escargots and bread. We were stuffed...a bit on the garlic side, but we all ate the same so we smelled the same and everybody was happy.

This place was only OK for lunch the other day, but the photo shows off local color and location here on Welfare Road:



Sunny and beautiful. J&J are already at the beach, MM decided to sit on the patio, which is where I am heading.

Life is laid back, mon. WYWH!

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Wednesday showers

The Internet has just come back after being out all morning. I am back to the condo, between light rain showers. The other 3 remained in the beach under the somewhat cover of the chickee.

This photo shows Janet and MM checking out the sailboat waiting for the bridge to open:



Janet found a couple of cute necklace sets at the local market up in Marigot. MM got off lucky with me not buying anything.

J and J wanted us to try out an Italian restaurant they enjoyed last week...Spiga. Food was good, but it took us an hour to get there, due to traffic. Bugger. We have too many choices nearby to do that routine again. Are we getting old? Yep...but wiser.

We will head out sightseeing in awhile. No schedule here, mon. We are on island time, having a ginger peachy time. Come on, sun!

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Hello, sunshine!

Welcome back to the island, Mr. Sun. We missed you yesterday.





Your absence made shopping a bit cooler, and the fact that there were NO cruise ships in port was good...it wasn't crowded, but also that meant lots of shops weren't open there in Philipsburg. No big deal. Janet had her eye on some bling she found earlier that got a round of approval. We both had bracelets needing some work done on them, so we will go back Thursday to pick up our stuff. Tough job, but somebody has to do it. The guys think sitting on the beach with a bottle of Carib is a tad more interesting. That makes it easy to find them when Janet and I are done.

I had some excellent conch chowder for lunch yesterday. As we pulled out of the condo we spied ribs being smoked across the street. Yep, that was dinner. Good, but good.

We will visit a different part of the island today, Marigot...part of the French side. We will also be eating on the French side tonight. Choices...we have lots!

Happy birthday today to BFF Joan! Love ya lots, gf. We can celebrate again when we get back home.

Have yourselves a ginger peachy day. We sure will. Life is good in St. Maarten, mon!

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Rain in paradise

Yuck...see, it does rain in paradise...but it won't last very long. This view is through our patio door...still not shabby, right?




We tried to go to Sunset Beach Bar and watch the planes come in over the fence. We got stopped in traffic at the hot spot, and I got a video of a plane coming in right over that I will post another day. The bar was totally full, so we went elsewhere and had an early dinner. That worked!

Some French toast is up next on the agenda.

It's just another day in paradise...on island time, mon! The rain is slowing down. Is that the sun? Yeah, baby!

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Happy Veteran's Day!

My special veteran is sitting beside me on a lounge chair under the chickee hut, reading a book. And enjoying this view.




No complaints, mon. Our next major decision is: where do we eat tonight?

Life is sa-weet in St. Maarten, y'all. WYWH!

Thank you, all veterans! And God bless our troops everywhere!

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Departure day

Good morning from ATL International concourse where we are waiting for our departure to sunny St. Maarten!



Friends Jim and Janet will be picking us up to begin our week of fun and relaxation. We are ready! Umm, I think MM has already begun that relaxing part.

Come along with us. Cheers!

Life is good, y'all, and about to get better!

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Friday fun and other stuff

Our girls had fun playing in the creek while we were camping next to it in NC last month, cold though it was.  It is 28 here this morning in Mayberry.  Brrr.  

Ansley was the apple bobbing champion.  Crazy gals.

KC enjoyed the action from his inside perch…and when the girls came inside to play with him.

What a life…for all of them!  And us.  The suitcases are out.  MM and I are heading to someplace warm.  Tomorrow.  Oh boy!!!  Another adventure.

But first…marbles (for sure) tonight.  Judy asked about that, so you long-time readers can skip this part.  It is a (wooden) board game that is two-sided;  four players on one side, six players use the other, using colored marbles, and two decks of cards.  I think it is officially called Aggravation, because it can be that, but we always simply call it marbles!  It is fun, easy to play, and doesn’t require a lot of long-range strategy because it can all change pretty rapidly.  This board was made by a guy in N Florida.  He (Glen) ships the board and everything with it, including instructions (863-255-2911).  The goal is to get all 4 of your marbles around the board into your home plate. It gets even more interesting after that, because the game isn’t over until ALL team members get “home.”  Three against three (or two against two when playing 4—but you knew that).

Enjoy your Friday fun.  We sure will.  Now it’s time to print the packing check list.  This game won’t go with us…this time.

Life is chilly but good in Mayberry, y’all! 

Confession time

I must confess to some “white lies” boldly made yesterday in the blog.  There was NO marbles game or challenge last night.  It was a challenge not to “spill the beans” and let Joan know that a birthday party was gonna happen!  She turns an important milestone next week, so what better excuse for a party, right?  That’s what I thought.  Twenty-eight folks were here!

The driveway filled with cars was a dead giveaway upon arrival that something was majorly UP.  Gotcha!  Dan and I managed to keep it quiet.

Everyone brought a munchie; I made Taco Soup (guess what’s for dinner Friday night?), and Tortellini Soup (not a morsel was left in that pot!)…mmm good:

Birthday gal Joan…with my cohort in crime Dan:

Jason and Mike in the kitchen…with two cakes (only a sliver of the Easy Lemon Cake was left.  Haley made Triple Chocolate Cake)…mmm good…and ice cream:

Hi…Bill, Bill and Haley:

And our silly son with a glass of wine, AND a “Butt Lite” spare (Ivana, we have a beer in this country called Bud Lite, so this beer in his back pocket got a new name).  Not a great photo from my iPhone, but I had to seize the moment!

Family, friends, food, beer, wine—that’s always a winning recipe for a wonderful occasion.  We had that last night.  We know how to party in Mayberry.

Am I forgiven for not telling the truth?

Laugh when you can,
apologize when you should,
and let go of what you can't change.
Life's too short to be anything...but happy.

Wednesday stuff

I brought home the balloons from the CELEBRATION party last night, and it is a good thing…no photos!  I was too busy playing hostess.  The Center looked beautiful (thanks to all the helpers!), the food served was good, and the friends showing up in support was awesome!!!

The good news is that our local guy won his position for a third term.  The bad news is that we were not so lucky in some other positions.  It is what it is.

And that’s all I will say on politics.  I am trying to smile.  And think positive.

So tonight I am thinking friends, marbles, soup, French bread, and wine.  That’s a good Rx for smiles. 

Check.  Dick, Dan and Mike—the challenge is on.

Happy Wednesday.  Life is still good in Mayberry, y’all!

Election day!

 

Vote, or you have NO right to complain!  We did (early).

Tonight MM and I are hosting a “vote watch” party for our local candidate, pretty confident that it will actually be a celebration party.  We want this person in office for 4 more years.  We love this county…and this country…and so does our candidate of choice.

Stay tuned.  It might be a stormy ride, at least nationally, but not here.

Life is chilly but good in Mayberry, y’all!

Sorority fun!

We had 25 or 26 gals at the party on Saturday from the two chapters.

The tables were beautifully decorated, with lots of good food to share.

We had several items for the silent auction.  I wanted that small stool, but got outbid on it.  Bugger.  I seriously wanted it!!!

My present to bring home?  A “Redneck Wine Glass/Candy Dish.” 

And it was filled with something special to our kids:  Grandpa’s “smoke candy.”  Grandpa Les was a smoker before he came into our family, but he used peppermint candy to help him break his bad habit…and shared them with all the grandchildren.  He was actually MM’s late-in-life stepfather, but he was the only grandfather our kids ever had, and we all loved this sweet man.

I love it when something can bring up a sweet memory, especially when it had been tucked away for a very long time.

How was your weekend?

It’s the beginning of a brand new week.  Make it a great one!  I sure will.

Sunday deLIGHT!

First thing, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Empress Bee! She is the Queen of Cake without frosting, so I declare this cake to be frosting free.

 

Most everyone has some of those outside solar lights.  You do, don’t you?  Think: free light!

So many folks up north are still without electricity, and will be for long time.  We all need to think about emergency preparedness:  food, water, batteries, matches, candles.

Oops, candles…light, sure, but--fire, danger.  I don’t want to leave any burning overnight, especially with two critters living here (or small children around).

The solar light pipes fit into plastic drink bottle containers (weight them down with pretty, flat glass marbles used in vases—or use a glass vase or water glass!).  They made the nicest, brightest, safest, lighting you could ever imagine.  No worries about kitties or kids knocking them over either.

The lights will burn all night long, and then they can be put back outside for recharging, and will be ready for use if needed again.  Or back to their original use of lighting up your pathways.

Be prepared!  A generator thrown in would be an awesome addition, too.  Check.

Have yourselves a ginger peachy Sunday.  Life is good in Mayberry, y’all!

Fall back and smile!

 

Tonight’s the night…Don’t forget to change your clocks BACK an hour or you’ll be the first to arrive wherever you are going in the morning!

I am heading to Joy’s jewelry party shortly, then a sorority Yankee Trader party following that.  It will be a fun, ‘girlie’ day.

You don’t know what a Yankee Trader party is?  Well, everyone is given a number, #1 gets to open a gift, but then the NEXT person gets to take #1’s gift, or can go pick out an unopened one…and so it goes.  You know there will be lots of laughs…but absolutely NO cat fights!  The other local BSP chapter is joining us.

Make some smiles today, wherever you are.

Life is chilly but good, y’all!

Draft dodger

This is not a fancy door, but let me tell you, it is much appreciated…keeping our bathroom warm.  This was not even thought about when we built the house.  Sure, this is our master bath and no one can see into it, so why do we need a door?  The only thing visible from the bedroom is part of the vanity, so why bother with a door that is gonna be in the way? (duh…wish we had thought about a pocket door…simple during construction and would have been the perfect solution!).

We learned during the first winter that a door would keep the heat INSIDE and keep down a pesky wind draft.  Or we could go to Florida during the winter!

Well, winter came a bit early this year, so MM was motivated to make a change.  We found a $2 bi-fold door at a local thrift shop; MM installed it to try it out, and decided it would work!  He did go to the “box store” and purchase a new door and got it installed, easy peasy.

If we don’t like it, MM will replace it with a “real” door.  He is a great handyman!

So now it is Friday and I am wide awake and up far too early, but I can get a few things done before I drive friend Maryan to the city for some tests.  Tonight is the last home football game, so we shall be in the stands during halftime watching Ansley in the band.  Macey (middle school band) will be assisting with a flag unfurling during the show.  We are so blessed to have all our grandchildren nearby.

We have food, a roof over our heads, and heat in our bathroom…but we have sorrow in our hearts for those affected by Bad Sandy.

Life is good in Mayberry, y’all!   Count your blessings!!!  And make a donation to help storm victims, if you can.

Eek, eek!

Fortunately MM got up first...you know, kitties have to be fed first thing, so first one up has that duty.

Well, Missy didn't want to go to the food bowl, instead being interested in the door to the pantry. A wee, battered mouse was hiding in the back corner.

Finders keepers...and it wasn't Me!

And WHO brought this critter into the house???



Not me!




Not me! I've been sleeping (hiding?) in this box.

All three kids have moved out, but Not Me still lives with us.

May your day be a little less frightening...or adventuresome.

MM is my hero. That's life in chilly Mayberry, y'all!

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