1. Mama is on vacation....in Australia!
2. There is a difference between loving someone and being in love with someone.
3. Property taxes.....no comment.
4. Grandmom let us drink our coke floats out of the good crystal.
5. Rumor has it that the bridge project should be completed in two months.
6. Carnival people scare me more than the rickety rides do.
7. Fairy tales made sense when I was six years old; then I realized they are warped stories from the minds of opium addicts.
8. I am currently reading "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks.
9. NO MORE REALITY SHOWS!
10. I do not recommend tequila as the solution to any problem.
11. Old people with grocery carts should have their own aisles.
12. Attending an AC/DC concert is not for the weak hearted.
13. Remember when school assemblies cost a quarter?
14. Marshall and I cracked open a Magic 8 Ball to see what the magic was. Disappointed...
15. Homemade hot fudge pudding with cream....OMG!
16. One must first play the lottery to have a chance of winning the lottery.
17. Alice in Wonderland....see #7.
18. My daily commute consists of 7 miles of caliche road and 5 miles of paved road.
19. Never could make the connection between the Easter Bunny and eggs.
20. Do kids still fly kites?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Gypsy Lady
Costumes, candy, jack o'lanterns, and Aunt Ginny's popcorn balls. Growing up in Little Town meant not having to worry about razor blades in apples or rat poison in the candy. If the porch light was on, we were knocking on the door with "TRICK OR TREAT!" Rarely did we get tricked but it was always more fun when the adult opening the door was dressed in costume.
We used to have carnivals to celebrate the arrival of the fall season and Halloween. A street was blocked off by the courthouse. Local clubs and organizations would set up booths that included the cake walk, a haunted house and even a gypsy reading futures of fortune of fame. There was a costume parade in which prizes were given for various types of costumes. My mother made me a bat costume one year and that was as close as I got to being a vampire.
One year I was extremely intrigued by the gypsy lady who was set up in a very colorful tent. She had the most beautiful black hair pulled in a bun and natural olive skin. She wore a long red dress with long sleeves. On her fingers were rings of many sizes -- some with stones that glistened when she moved her hands over her crystal ball. She wore big gold hoop earrings and dark makeup on her eyes. The red lipstick she wore could only look so pretty on a real gypsy.
I stood in line for quite a while waiting my turn to hear what the gypsy could tell me about my future. As I stepped into the tent, I was enchanted by the smell of sandlewood incense. The gypsy smiled as she took my hands. She "read" my palms and talked about my life line. She knew my name. She knew how many siblings I had. She knew my birthday. She knew how I got the scar on my arm. Her voice was mesmermizing as she told me that I would destined for great things in life. She encouraged me to study hard and be a good person at all times. It was important for me to heed her advice because it was the key to my good fortune which was on the horizon.
As Mama was driving my siblings and me home, we all discussed our favorite part of the carnival. Marshall liked the ring toss and Holli liked the cake walk (she won a chocolate cake). I was bubbling with excitement about the gypsy. I kept asking Mama, "You believe she was real, don't you?" Mama knowingly smiled and said, "Yes, Robin. She is very real."
After the sugar rush subsided from all the candy we had eaten and good-nights were being said, Mama whispered to me, "Don't forget to be a good person at all times." It dawned on me then that my mother was the beautiful gypsy lady. We still have a good laugh about that carnival and how she pulled the best "trick" of all on me.
We used to have carnivals to celebrate the arrival of the fall season and Halloween. A street was blocked off by the courthouse. Local clubs and organizations would set up booths that included the cake walk, a haunted house and even a gypsy reading futures of fortune of fame. There was a costume parade in which prizes were given for various types of costumes. My mother made me a bat costume one year and that was as close as I got to being a vampire.
One year I was extremely intrigued by the gypsy lady who was set up in a very colorful tent. She had the most beautiful black hair pulled in a bun and natural olive skin. She wore a long red dress with long sleeves. On her fingers were rings of many sizes -- some with stones that glistened when she moved her hands over her crystal ball. She wore big gold hoop earrings and dark makeup on her eyes. The red lipstick she wore could only look so pretty on a real gypsy.
I stood in line for quite a while waiting my turn to hear what the gypsy could tell me about my future. As I stepped into the tent, I was enchanted by the smell of sandlewood incense. The gypsy smiled as she took my hands. She "read" my palms and talked about my life line. She knew my name. She knew how many siblings I had. She knew my birthday. She knew how I got the scar on my arm. Her voice was mesmermizing as she told me that I would destined for great things in life. She encouraged me to study hard and be a good person at all times. It was important for me to heed her advice because it was the key to my good fortune which was on the horizon.
As Mama was driving my siblings and me home, we all discussed our favorite part of the carnival. Marshall liked the ring toss and Holli liked the cake walk (she won a chocolate cake). I was bubbling with excitement about the gypsy. I kept asking Mama, "You believe she was real, don't you?" Mama knowingly smiled and said, "Yes, Robin. She is very real."
After the sugar rush subsided from all the candy we had eaten and good-nights were being said, Mama whispered to me, "Don't forget to be a good person at all times." It dawned on me then that my mother was the beautiful gypsy lady. We still have a good laugh about that carnival and how she pulled the best "trick" of all on me.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Good China and the Silver Bell
It has been over 30 years since I saw someone served any kind of meal on a tray. (TV dinners on a TV tray do not count.) Papa insisted on sitting at the table with the rest of the family for all meals. But as he got older, it became easier for Grandmom to serve his meals to him while he sat in his easy chair. Granted, Grandmom didn't serve the cream of mushroom soup with a rose in a vase but she did use the best silver in the house. She served his sweet tea in the best crystal glass as well. The bowl containing the soup was fine china with gold inlay on the outer edge of the bowl.
My first meal on a tray was when I was four years old and suffering a bout of strep throat. Grandmom made sure I was comfortable on the couch with a blanket and my favorite stuffed animals. She hand-picked a couple of books from her personal library and left me with a glass of apple juice. Just as I was drifting into a nap I glanced over at the round table by the couch. And there sat the most beautiful silver bell. It was the "sick bell". If I needed Grandmom, all I had to do was ring the bell. A four year old can think of all kinds of reasons to ring a silver bell. And a grandmother needs only one reason to take the bell away.
Grandmom served me lunch on a tray and although I do not remember what the meal consisted of, I do remember the linen napkin, the silver spoon and milk in a crystal glass. I felt like a princess even though I was battling being sick. Years later, I would ask Grandmom if I could have my lunch on a tray like Papa. As we ate our sandwiches and soup, we would pretend that we were guests of some royal family and take turns telling stories about our gallant adventures around the kingdom.
As Papa got older, Grandmom always made sure the silver bell was on his nightstand as she tucked him for the night. The last time he rang the silver bell was the last night he spent in his home. I remember jumping out of bed when I heard the tinkling of the bell. Grandmom ushered me back to bed and told me to go back to sleep. After Papa left, I thought that if I rang the silver bell that he would come back home.
So put to use the fine china and crystal and silver because it isn't doing any good collecting dust in the china cabinet. What is the point of having it anyway? Make every day a good china day! And ring that silver bell if only to hear the beautiful noise it can make.
My first meal on a tray was when I was four years old and suffering a bout of strep throat. Grandmom made sure I was comfortable on the couch with a blanket and my favorite stuffed animals. She hand-picked a couple of books from her personal library and left me with a glass of apple juice. Just as I was drifting into a nap I glanced over at the round table by the couch. And there sat the most beautiful silver bell. It was the "sick bell". If I needed Grandmom, all I had to do was ring the bell. A four year old can think of all kinds of reasons to ring a silver bell. And a grandmother needs only one reason to take the bell away.
Grandmom served me lunch on a tray and although I do not remember what the meal consisted of, I do remember the linen napkin, the silver spoon and milk in a crystal glass. I felt like a princess even though I was battling being sick. Years later, I would ask Grandmom if I could have my lunch on a tray like Papa. As we ate our sandwiches and soup, we would pretend that we were guests of some royal family and take turns telling stories about our gallant adventures around the kingdom.
As Papa got older, Grandmom always made sure the silver bell was on his nightstand as she tucked him for the night. The last time he rang the silver bell was the last night he spent in his home. I remember jumping out of bed when I heard the tinkling of the bell. Grandmom ushered me back to bed and told me to go back to sleep. After Papa left, I thought that if I rang the silver bell that he would come back home.
So put to use the fine china and crystal and silver because it isn't doing any good collecting dust in the china cabinet. What is the point of having it anyway? Make every day a good china day! And ring that silver bell if only to hear the beautiful noise it can make.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Rare Find
Last weekend, Sam suggested that I go through the "recipe drawer" in the kitchen. There were cookbooks belonging to the ex-wife (that I graciously gave to Shannon to give to her mother) as well as recipes and cookbooks belonging to Sam's grandmother. I stumbled upon recipes written on the back of shower invitations, invoice envelopes, scraps of paper and even on the back of a blank check from JNB.
The find of the day was the "The Parent-Teacher Association" Cook Book dated December 1927. The book's cover is made of some kind of soft and supple fabric that is frayed on all edges. The paper on which the recipes are printed are dog-eared and stained with any number of ingredients.
What really caught my eye are the following advertisements:
"Wahl Bros. & Schraub, Phone 94, Across from the Fritz Hotel" (what we know as the Las Lomas Hotel)
"Kindrick's Grocery, Keeps on hand at all times the CHOICEST GROCERIES to fill all the recipes in this book."
"GANN GROCERY COMPANY, Groceries, Feed and Lumber"
"SAVAGE & SONS, Proprietors, All kinds of fresh meats and packing house products. Eggs, butter and cheese."
"Have you tried === Junction Grocery Co.? They probably have it! Phone 10"
"HAZELWOOD LAUNDRY, Hazelwood & Sons, Proprietors, For quick and dependable service. Prices reasonable. Phone 96"
"LOEFFLER MOTOR CO. Garage, Phone 33, Ford Sales and Service"
"N.H. Skaggs, SAENAN MILK GOATS, Young Registered Does"
"Stevenson, Baker & Knetsch, Lawyers"
"Riley, Holekamp & Denman, Insurance - Farm Loans - Radiolas"
"Mrs. Pierce Hoggett, Seasonable Cut Flowers, Pot Plants, Funeral Work, Will wire flowers anywhere, Phone 73"
"For Real Service and up to date work come to BUSTER'S BARBER SHOP. Electric Hair Dryer and Baths."
"Building Material. For that new home you contemplate; or for repairs on the old house or barn. Everything for Building. Junction Wool & Mohair Company, Menard"
"Standifer Hosptial -- Dr. Lilburn E. Standifer, Physician in Charge *** This is now the building where Laurrie and her family conduct their feed and grain business.***"
"Mrs. Irene Chase Brown, Teacher of Piano, Public School Bldg."
"THE CITY CAFE, (Formerly the Williams Cafe), Short Orders at all hours. Fish and oysters in season. SPECIAL PLATE LUNCH, 50 cents. The two best places in the world to eat are home and the City Cafe."
"Be Fashion Wise and shop at -- THE VOGUE SHOPPE. The most exclusive gowns and millinery. A complete Dressmaking room."
"Mrs. Guy E. Wynne, Teacher of Piano and Voice at Schreiner High School. Representing the New England Conservatory Method. Courses include theory, harmony and history of music. Of special interet in choral clubs now being organized."
And there is a picture of the "NEW FRITZ HOTEL" on the last page of the cookbook.
Thank you for allowing me to share this rare find with each one of you. The P.T.A. cook book speaks of so much more than just recipes.
The find of the day was the "The Parent-Teacher Association" Cook Book dated December 1927. The book's cover is made of some kind of soft and supple fabric that is frayed on all edges. The paper on which the recipes are printed are dog-eared and stained with any number of ingredients.
What really caught my eye are the following advertisements:
"Wahl Bros. & Schraub, Phone 94, Across from the Fritz Hotel" (what we know as the Las Lomas Hotel)
"Kindrick's Grocery, Keeps on hand at all times the CHOICEST GROCERIES to fill all the recipes in this book."
"GANN GROCERY COMPANY, Groceries, Feed and Lumber"
"SAVAGE & SONS, Proprietors, All kinds of fresh meats and packing house products. Eggs, butter and cheese."
"Have you tried === Junction Grocery Co.? They probably have it! Phone 10"
"HAZELWOOD LAUNDRY, Hazelwood & Sons, Proprietors, For quick and dependable service. Prices reasonable. Phone 96"
"LOEFFLER MOTOR CO. Garage, Phone 33, Ford Sales and Service"
"N.H. Skaggs, SAENAN MILK GOATS, Young Registered Does"
"Stevenson, Baker & Knetsch, Lawyers"
"Riley, Holekamp & Denman, Insurance - Farm Loans - Radiolas"
"Mrs. Pierce Hoggett, Seasonable Cut Flowers, Pot Plants, Funeral Work, Will wire flowers anywhere, Phone 73"
"For Real Service and up to date work come to BUSTER'S BARBER SHOP. Electric Hair Dryer and Baths."
"Building Material. For that new home you contemplate; or for repairs on the old house or barn. Everything for Building. Junction Wool & Mohair Company, Menard"
"Standifer Hosptial -- Dr. Lilburn E. Standifer, Physician in Charge *** This is now the building where Laurrie and her family conduct their feed and grain business.***"
"Mrs. Irene Chase Brown, Teacher of Piano, Public School Bldg."
"THE CITY CAFE, (Formerly the Williams Cafe), Short Orders at all hours. Fish and oysters in season. SPECIAL PLATE LUNCH, 50 cents. The two best places in the world to eat are home and the City Cafe."
"Be Fashion Wise and shop at -- THE VOGUE SHOPPE. The most exclusive gowns and millinery. A complete Dressmaking room."
"Mrs. Guy E. Wynne, Teacher of Piano and Voice at Schreiner High School. Representing the New England Conservatory Method. Courses include theory, harmony and history of music. Of special interet in choral clubs now being organized."
And there is a picture of the "NEW FRITZ HOTEL" on the last page of the cookbook.
Thank you for allowing me to share this rare find with each one of you. The P.T.A. cook book speaks of so much more than just recipes.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Moving of the Plants
Saturday found me at Mama's house with a strong back and a weak mind. Saturday marked the semi-annual "Moving of the Plants". The move indoors takes place in October. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy spending time with Mama and this is a small favor which she calls upon me to help with. But let's just say her back porch looks like a jungle during the warm months of the year.
Mama has green hands --- which is much stronger than a green thumb. There is nothing that the woman cannot and will not try to grow. Some of the plants are dog-ass ugly but she still believes all plants deserve a chance to shine. And so it is not unusual to find two or three different kinds of plants occupying the same clay pot. She just sticks one of the these in with one of those and BAM! it grows. At one time we counted over 100 potted plants including trees to be moved to various indoor and then outdoor locations in and around Mama's house.
Mama has downsized to about 75 plants. Armed with little red wagons we hauled plants to their winter locations. I asked her, "Mama, do you really need all these plants?" Her reply was, "No. Not really. But I can't find it in my heart to just let them die." She has one plant that her aunt gave to her which I named "Nell" in honor of her aunt. I have no idea what kind of funky plant it is but Mama insists on keeping it alive for sentimental reasons. And then there is another plant that she had when she was married to my dad. So that plant has to be at least 25 years old. It derserves a place of honor year round. And thank goodness she no longer has the thorny tall plants that required wearing oven mitts when we moved them.
And so we have survived "The Moving of the Plants" one more time with a minimum of scratches and bruises. It will be my luck to inherit "Nell" one day and I will think to myself, "I can't find it in my heart to just it die."
Mama has green hands --- which is much stronger than a green thumb. There is nothing that the woman cannot and will not try to grow. Some of the plants are dog-ass ugly but she still believes all plants deserve a chance to shine. And so it is not unusual to find two or three different kinds of plants occupying the same clay pot. She just sticks one of the these in with one of those and BAM! it grows. At one time we counted over 100 potted plants including trees to be moved to various indoor and then outdoor locations in and around Mama's house.
Mama has downsized to about 75 plants. Armed with little red wagons we hauled plants to their winter locations. I asked her, "Mama, do you really need all these plants?" Her reply was, "No. Not really. But I can't find it in my heart to just let them die." She has one plant that her aunt gave to her which I named "Nell" in honor of her aunt. I have no idea what kind of funky plant it is but Mama insists on keeping it alive for sentimental reasons. And then there is another plant that she had when she was married to my dad. So that plant has to be at least 25 years old. It derserves a place of honor year round. And thank goodness she no longer has the thorny tall plants that required wearing oven mitts when we moved them.
And so we have survived "The Moving of the Plants" one more time with a minimum of scratches and bruises. It will be my luck to inherit "Nell" one day and I will think to myself, "I can't find it in my heart to just it die."
Compensation
The title company I work for has been in business for several years. The branch located in Little Town was established about 5-1/2 years ago. And for the first time in this company's history, we were told to close our office on Colombus Day.
We were notified earlier in the year that our employer was no longer going to be footing the full amount of our health insurance premium. We would be expected to pay half and the company would pay half. That came to about $200 more coming out of my paycheck each month. (Can't bitch too much since I at least have health insurance.) My immediate supervisor and I were not surprised at this announcement especially in light of today's economy and the fact that we did not receive any kind of Christmas bonus in 2008.
But a company has to give its employees some kind of incentive from time to time. Giving an occasional paid holiday to us seems to be the way we are to be compensated for cut backs in other areas. We are only a two person office in Little Town but seem to generate more income for the company than any other branch of our title company. (There are six branches not including the home office.)
Post offices, banks and even the local school district are closed today. Do I feel guilty about doing not much of anything today? Oh, hell no! It is a rare treat to have a 3-day weekend and I intend on taking full advantage of being absolutely worthless today.
We were notified earlier in the year that our employer was no longer going to be footing the full amount of our health insurance premium. We would be expected to pay half and the company would pay half. That came to about $200 more coming out of my paycheck each month. (Can't bitch too much since I at least have health insurance.) My immediate supervisor and I were not surprised at this announcement especially in light of today's economy and the fact that we did not receive any kind of Christmas bonus in 2008.
But a company has to give its employees some kind of incentive from time to time. Giving an occasional paid holiday to us seems to be the way we are to be compensated for cut backs in other areas. We are only a two person office in Little Town but seem to generate more income for the company than any other branch of our title company. (There are six branches not including the home office.)
Post offices, banks and even the local school district are closed today. Do I feel guilty about doing not much of anything today? Oh, hell no! It is a rare treat to have a 3-day weekend and I intend on taking full advantage of being absolutely worthless today.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Fair Weather Sports Fan
I ventured to Waco last weekend anticipating attending the Baylor vs Kent State football game. I promised my daughter that I would attend a football game with her this year.
Kris and I made our HEB trip on Friday so that we would have that chore out of the way. Saturday morning found us "wogging" the Bear Trail which is 2-1/2 miles. We ventured around campus for another hour which brought our total mileage to over 4 miles. We felt we had earned a trip to IHOP for brunch. After that, we motored to a strip mall with the idea of looking at rugs at Ashley's. Have you been to an Ashley's store lately? OMG --- do people really pay $500-$800 for a 10' x 12' rug?
With only time to kill, we ended up cruising through Pier One (where I bought a bag that was originally priced for $15 and marked down to $4 -- it's a deal!). On to Bed, Bath and Beyond and then to Marshall's. And then the rain hit. Kickoff inched closer and the rain kept falling. About 45 minutes before the game started I told Kris that I was obviously not a true blue Baylor Bear fan because I was not going to stand in rain and watch a college football game. We agreed that ordering a pizza for supper was the best way to sooth our disappointment for not going to the game. We located the game on the tv and probably had the best seats in the house.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am a fair weather sports fan. And so I am planning another trip to Waco in the near future to watch a football game. Love the rain but hope the skies are clear on my next trip to Waco.
Kris and I made our HEB trip on Friday so that we would have that chore out of the way. Saturday morning found us "wogging" the Bear Trail which is 2-1/2 miles. We ventured around campus for another hour which brought our total mileage to over 4 miles. We felt we had earned a trip to IHOP for brunch. After that, we motored to a strip mall with the idea of looking at rugs at Ashley's. Have you been to an Ashley's store lately? OMG --- do people really pay $500-$800 for a 10' x 12' rug?
With only time to kill, we ended up cruising through Pier One (where I bought a bag that was originally priced for $15 and marked down to $4 -- it's a deal!). On to Bed, Bath and Beyond and then to Marshall's. And then the rain hit. Kickoff inched closer and the rain kept falling. About 45 minutes before the game started I told Kris that I was obviously not a true blue Baylor Bear fan because I was not going to stand in rain and watch a college football game. We agreed that ordering a pizza for supper was the best way to sooth our disappointment for not going to the game. We located the game on the tv and probably had the best seats in the house.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am a fair weather sports fan. And so I am planning another trip to Waco in the near future to watch a football game. Love the rain but hope the skies are clear on my next trip to Waco.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Meshing Memories
Last Monday evening we were blessed with more rain. HOWEVER, receiving 2-1/2 inches of rain in 45 minutes was something we could've done without. Sam and I both took off Tuesday from our paying jobs in order to tend to repairing water gaps. Armed with wire, wire stretcher and wire cutters, we headed out for the daunting task of clearing debris and getting fences back where they belong. Several hours and several gaps later, I was ready to get out of my wet shoes and call it a day. Not to mention I had already exhausted my vast vocabulary of cuss words. The blessing was that only the gaps in the front part of the ranch had to be repaired. It would've taken us until dark if we would have had to work on every gap on the ranch.
And as if that wasn't enough manual labor for the day, Sam asked me to help him with a water trough project that he had been working on for over a week. Hell, why not. I was already dirty and what else was I going to do? Eat bon-bons and watch Oprah? So, without further ado, we ventured to his trough project and got it to a point that he could finish it up at a later date. (Had to let the mortar set up.)
At the end of the day, I allowed myself the luxury of visiting old memories. Several popped into my mind which involved working with my dad when he needed an extra pair of hands. He would take me with him even though I was only old enough to hand him tools and "step and fetch". While working, my dad would sometimes mumble a cuss word or two or three and I would tuck those words into my "cuss word box" in the back corner of my memory bank. Little did I know I was being groomed for future application of said cuss words (see above reference).
Ah, the joys of living on a ranch and having new memories mesh with old memories. We've only just begun....
And as if that wasn't enough manual labor for the day, Sam asked me to help him with a water trough project that he had been working on for over a week. Hell, why not. I was already dirty and what else was I going to do? Eat bon-bons and watch Oprah? So, without further ado, we ventured to his trough project and got it to a point that he could finish it up at a later date. (Had to let the mortar set up.)
At the end of the day, I allowed myself the luxury of visiting old memories. Several popped into my mind which involved working with my dad when he needed an extra pair of hands. He would take me with him even though I was only old enough to hand him tools and "step and fetch". While working, my dad would sometimes mumble a cuss word or two or three and I would tuck those words into my "cuss word box" in the back corner of my memory bank. Little did I know I was being groomed for future application of said cuss words (see above reference).
Ah, the joys of living on a ranch and having new memories mesh with old memories. We've only just begun....
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