Fave Foto Friday and All That Jazz

Here's the latest member of the family. This little fellow is 6 months old. He came to us from a family member who couldn't take care of him. He puts the Energizer Bunny to shame when it comes to his activity level. He gets along really well with our Daisy. He needs a new name, since the old one doesn't really work for us. Right now he goes by Muttley, which will probably stick forever as his nickname.

Just Right Night

I took the dog out a little while ago. It's just right out there: cold but not bitter (36.6 degrees, according to my remote thermometer). There's no wind, and it's clear and beautiful. It's not damp out there at all tonight, so the cold isn't bone-chilling. The stars are out, and Orion is hanging low over my back yard. I wore my dog-walking coat - a big old faux fur. It's the coziest thing I own.

I hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick's Day. I came home from work tonight and started cooking: beef stew with Guinness, colcannon and store-bought Irish soda bread. I must admit that this is the first time I've ever had to cook leeks in milk for a recipe! They're in the colcannon, along with cabbage, mashed potatoes and spices. The soda bread was good with butter on it, but it was not nearly as good as the homemade soda bread I had at work today. It was made by a co-worker. What a treat!

We finally sat down to eat at about 8:30, and I finished cleaning up at 9:30. That's OK. I haven't been sleeping well lately, but I have the feeling I'll sleep like a baby tonight!

Family Quest

I think I noted in a prior post that I had done a free trial at Ancestry.com. It was so cool to find handwritten census records for my ancestors over the last century and a half. I felt an instant connection to the names displayed on my monitor. That was my family listed there. For the moment, they seemed alive and very real to me. Fascinating details emerged, like occupations (very working class), countries of origin and the names of second spouses (oh, the mortality rate of those days).

A couple of weeks ago I went to dinner with my sister and her sons. My nephews both had birthdays in February. We had surprise additions to the family group in the form of a couple of long lost cousins. We sat there together, all flawed people with histories that were at once remarkably different and remarkably similar. Family stories were told as they had been passed on to each of us. Clearly the same stories, but passed on with a different slant by different parents (my mom and my aunt). Our flaws and our differences can separate us sometimes, but at the price of the things we share.

Through marriage and moving and divorce I've managed to lose touch with most of the folks from my younger days. I haven't kept old friends, and I am such a very different person now that I don't have a desire to look them up. Still, it's good to have some grounding in the past. The connections with family members are based on shared family history, not political, religious or world views. Cousins and siblings will be cousins and siblings forever. That's a bond that you can always revisit, even after long fallow periods. It helps you to remember who you are and how you got to be that way. It's a good thing.

What I've Been Up To

The mind boggles. I've been incredibly industrious lately in a totally non-productive way. I know, I know - that's not quite logical. Welcome to my world!

I've been playing around with Facebook. What a very different experience it is from Blogger! Since it doesn't seem to work too well with Internet Explorer, I downloaded Firefox. My goodness! All of these new formats to learn!

As if that wasn't enough, I signed up for a trial subscription for ancestry.com. I soon discovered it doesn't work too well with Firefox. What a complicated world we inhabit! The effort was worthwhile, though, since I have found several census entries for my family going back several generations on the maternal side. It gave me chills each time I found a record for a household that I knew to belong to my ancestors.

Over the long weekend, I read People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It was a good read, and gave me food for thought. One of my favorite books, Year of Wonders, is by the same author. I read her Pulitzer Prize winning tome called March some time ago. It was not an easy read. I had ordered March from Amazon, and they sent me a copy signed by the author, which is kind of neat.

I've seen 2 movies over the last several days: Doubt and He's Just Not That Into You. Also managed a ridiculously overpriced dinner out at a fondue restaurant. Incredible what they charged us to cook our own supper! That was a ONE TIME ONLY experience. No need to repeat it.

So there you have it, industrious in a non-productive way. Guess that's my way of saying that the housekeeping has suffered in the pursuit of my hobbies.

Gotta Love It

This is what some folks in Austin, Texas saw on their drive to work yesterday morning. I know this is criminal, but...

Overused

My friend Pax deplores the current tendency to overuse the word awesome. I have a word to add to the overused list: extreme. I'm tired of hearing it used in advertising for new products, and I'm REALLY tired of hearing it used to justify dangerous new (and usually absurd) twists on sports. Just my unsolicited 2 cents on the topic.

Update 1/27: Oops. My friend Pax especially dislikes the overuse of the word amazing.

Happy 2009

Happy New Year to all! Midnight has passed, I have drunk some champagne, and I am going to bed. Sweet dreams, and may 2009 bring you health, wealth and wisdom.

A Sober New Year

I had some sad news today - a dear friend's husband passed away on Monday, and services are tomorrow (Wednesday). I am so sad for the family - they are very close-knit and loving. I know they will find comfort in their faith, in each other and in the love of friends.

I visited Mom very briefly on Saturday, but a virus is going around the assisted living facility, and she was not up to a visit. I have been fighting a scratchy throat for about a week, and it has finally decided to turn into a full-blown sore throat. I was sick for New Year's Eve last year, but this cold (so far) is not nearly as bad. I've had lots of colds over the last 2 years. Guess my childhood immunities don't recognize the new batch of viruses, and my immune system is gearing up for the next several decades. I'm glad I got a flu shot this year.

So this is a sober New Year (truly, no pun intended) for me. I suppose it's appropriate, given the condition of my little world and the condition of the larger world. I'll have a small celebration at home, and I'll be asleep shortly after midnight. Time to gear up for the hard (but worthwhile) work ahead in 2009.

More Good Things

Virginia Gal asked for a Christmas photo of Daisy, so here it is. Sorry, VG, I didn't have any holiday togs for her, so the setting will have to do. This pic was taken on Christmas Eve, with Miss Daisy by the Christmas tree. Some of the gifts in the picture were destined for friends and family - the entire pile was not just for us!

I made out like a bandit this year. I got a new watch (much needed), an office chair (I assembled it tonight and I'm sitting in it right now), an oak file cabinet (yet to be assembled), a Little Green Clean Machine, a jar of my favorite face cream and a new travel mug (ka-ching! I'll save money by not stopping to buy coffee at Wawa). You can see that my list leaned toward the practical this year. I got a couple of items in the pure indulgence category, as well, so I feel perfectly spoiled!

Christmas Day didn't turn out quite as planned, so we just had a peaceful day at home. Acme (a local supermarket chain) was open until 1:00 pm, so I ran out and picked up a small ham and threw together an easy holiday meal. It was unbelievably quiet around here, which was nice. I think this was the first Christmas in my entire life that I did not spend with my family. Oh well. Change is the only constant, isn't it?

We had some errands to run today, so we stopped for lunch at a local diner. It was so nice to eat plain, simple food after all of the holiday delicacies we've consumed lately. I had eggs over easy with Canadian bacon, home fries, toast and coffee. Those eggs sure were good!

Hope everyone's having an enjoyable season. Hope the customers are kinder now that the rush is over, Virginia Gal. And I hope everyone has a peaceful and beautiful New Year.

Coming soon to A Room Somewhere: A Fish Story.

Good Things

Miss Daisy made her annual visit to the veterinarian today. I adopted her on 12/10/07. I can't believe she's been with me for a year already! She was an absolute drama queen at the vet's office - whining and moaning throughout the whole exam. She has to go back one day next week for a nail trim, but I have to give her a sedative first. They couldn't get her to cooperate today. Hope the sedative works!

Daisy has turned out to be a wonderful pet. She is sweet, and she likes people and dogs. She was crate-trained and house-trained when she came to us. I didn't know all of those things when I adopted her from the shelter, so I truly have been blessed!

I am, of course, behind in my holiday shopping and preparation. This weekend will be my catch-up time. I managed to get a few things done online last night and I'm going shopping today. If I'm motivated enough, I'll bake cookies tomorrow. I don't feel overwhelmed by the holidays this year. I'm actually enjoying the process because I'm committed to keeping things as simple as possible.

The new wood stove is working out pretty well! It makes the downstairs nice and toasty, and the upstairs stays just warm enough to keep the heater from going on. I'm looking forward to saving on my propane bill this year. I'll still use some propane, because I don't run the wood stove when I'm not home.

It was a comfort to know I had the wood stove for back-up yesterday. The power was out when I woke up - we had quite a storm here Thursday night into Friday morning. The heater won't work when there is no electricity, but the wood stove will!

Guess I've rambled enough for awhile. Hope everyone is finding some joy in their holiday preparations, for those who celebrate at this time of year. For those who do not, then I hope you get a good laugh at the rest of us with all of the craziness we put ourselves through!

Loss

A lot has happened in my life over the last week or so, but I can't seem to bring myself to record much more than the events of today.

I stopped at the grocery store this morning. After I checked out, the cashier handed me my change: a $10 bill and some coins. I stuffed the bill into my coat pocket along with the receipt and the register coupons. When I got home, the $10 was gone.

I can't seem to find one of my rings. It's not my engagement ring, but it's not costume jewelry. I still hope to find it in some unexpected place, but I'm sad that it seems to be gone.

Tonight little Rudy made his last trip to the veterinarian. He had continued to live with my ex. I visited Rudy last night, and snuggled with him for awhile. Sleep in peace, little Ruru.

Book Meme

I was tagged awhile ago by Mommanator to do this meme. Here it is! I won't tag anyone else. I think everyone's already done this one.

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

Mom often took me to the library when I was very young; we could walk there from our home. When I went to check out, the librarian used to talk to me about the books I'd chosen, and she'd read excerpts with me. She convinced me that she was a witch - it had something to do with a children's book about witches I had chosen, I don't remember the details. Anyway, she kept me coming back!

What are some books you read as a child?
Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys, Eight Cousins, Rose In Bloom, An Old Fashioned Girl - all of the Alcott books; The Mummy Market by Nancy Brelis; The Nancy Drew mysteries; The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg; A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett; The Secret of Madame Doll by Francis Cavanah; The Hornet's Nest by Sally Watson; many, many more.

What is your favorite genre?

Fiction.

Do you have a favorite novel?

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen.

Where do you usually read?

In Bed.

When do you usually read?

Before I go to sleep, most of the time. Whenever I get the chance.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Sometimes, though one usually wins out, and I finish it first.

Do you read nonfiction in a different place than you read fiction?
Yes. Most of my nonfiction is read at work (work related literature or news read at lunchtime).

Do you buy most books you read, or borrow them or check them out of the library?
I buy most of them, and borrow some.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
I keep far too many of them :-). Any I don't keep, I give away or donate.

If you have children, what are some favorite books you have shared with them?
No kids.

Were they some same ones you read as a child?
No kids.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner and Crown of Aloes by Norah Lofts.

Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Not a formal one, though I often have a book or so ahead.

What’s next?
Not quite sure. I'm open to suggestions. I'm going to look up a few favorite authors to see if anything new has become available. A coworker loaned me her copy of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. It looks good, but I can be a little bit over-sensitive when it comes to horse and dog stories, so we'll see...

What books would you like to reread?
All of Jane Austen's works, maybe the Potter series, perhaps some Mary Stewart books, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Evening Class by Maeve Binchy, Firefly Summer, by Maeve Binchy (I've recently reread Echoes and The Glass Lake, both by Maeve Binchy, and Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner), The Virgin Blue and Girl With a Pearl Earring, both by Tracy Chevalier, Katherine by Anya Seton, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve, The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin, Year of Wonders by Geraldine March, A Painted House by John Grisham, Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts; anything by Daphne du Maurier; some of M.M. Kaye's works; There are many more I'd like to reread!

Who are your favorite authors?
Jane Austen, Diana Gabaldon, Jennifer Weiner, Tracy Chevalier, Anya Seton, J.K. Rowling, Christopher Moore, Maeve Binchy, Steve Martin, T.H. White, Madeleine L'Engle, Daphne du Maurier. I'm sure there are others whose names don't come to mind at the moment!

Light a Candle for Peace

I've been watching today's coverage of the political campaign and the abominable racism that is breaking out all over the US right now. For a few minutes today, it would be nice to be just an American - not a Democrat or Republican, not a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim or an atheist. For a minute today, light a candle for peace in your home. Pass it on.

Where I've Been

Made a pilgrimage to the heartland this week. A LONG pilgrimage: it's a 19 hour, 1214 mile drive. We broke the trip up this year and stayed in the Toledo area (the half-way point) overnight. Thank goodness for clean, pet-friendly motels!

This is a beautiful tree by the driveway to the farm.

More of the driveway.

Corn crib at sunrise.

Fields leading to the slew.

Random Iowa scenery.

The farmhouse from across the neighbor's fields.

Daisy loved being a farm dog!

The north fields.

Where pasta really comes from.

At least somebody slept on the ride home!

Back home, and longing for the freedom to roam the fields.

New Toy

Finally got one. Lovin' it. Bye. Gotta load some more tunes.

Uncharitable Thoughts

I'm frightened by the things I see in the US economy. As a Democrat and political moderate, I generally have a charitable view of the opinions of the opposition. Not today. I'm tired of being afraid for our country and afraid for my own future. The present political and financial status of the US and of US Americans is the worst since the time of the Great Depression. I don't want to take the not-so-gentle ribbing of the Religious Right/Republican Party anymore. I don't want email in my inbox that is pro-right. I don't want to hear people praise the fools who have ruined our once (no longer) great nation. And I am tired of having right wing extremist philosophies equated with Christianity.

And please, no more stupid commercials about lipstick on pigs or anything else ridiculous. Tell me how you plan to fix the mess you've made. That's all I want to hear.

Maybe this will pass. Doubt it will happen much before Election Day.

The Future Under McCain/Palin:

100 years in Iraq; Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran...

And the inevitable result:

This is just one of the many reasons to VOTE in November.

PHEW!

August has turned out to be a big month for me. Medical appointments, family gatherings, household maintenance. Oi! And to top it all off, it turns out that my B-12 is low. That explains the crappy, crappy way I've been feeling lately. That, and the need to return to the endocrinologist. It helps a lot to know what's going on, and that it can be fixed.

Amidst all of the craziness, I find myself thankful for my blessings. I have vacation, sick and personal time that I can use when I feel lousy and need a break from work. I have good health insurance that allows me to make a trip to the doctor just because I've been fatigued and feeling low. I am able to find and treat simple problems before they become serious. There are far too many people in the world who can't say the same.

The need for universal health care is not just a financial proposition; it is a real necessity for desperate human beings. How does someone who feels worn out and unmotivated go out to find a job, or take care of a family?

I have been able to push myself to get up and get out to work, though I've had to force myself to focus while there. I pretty much crash into nothingness after supper each night, with no energy left for household chores. I've had my first monthly B-12 shot, and I'm taking OTC supplements. I feel some improvement already, though my energy level still bottoms out at times. With my endocrine system a bit out of whack, along with the low B-12, I feel like a human biology experiment.

Anyway, this can and will be fixed. I'm one of the lucky ones.

As The Worm Turns

As I walked up the path to my front door late this afternoon, I found myself wondering why a large, red worm was curled up in the middle of the sidewalk. It hasn't rained for a few weeks here, so there's no reason to expect to see a worm on the sidewalk. Then I realized that the worm was an unusually bright shade of red. I looked closer, and it became apparent that the big worm was actually a tiny snake.

It appeared to be in the process of shedding its skin. I'm not absolutely positive that it was still alive (I'll check on it later). I think it's either a northern red-bellied snake or an eastern worm snake. It's really quite tiny for a snake, no bigger than a good-sized earthworm.

This little fella (or gal) was just a few feet from my house. Unless he was dropped there by a predator, the most likely place for his residence is under my front steps. Wonder how many siblings he has???

A Note on the Fly

Just posting a quick note on the fly. Mom is in the hospital, and will probably move from there to a nursing facility on a permanent basis. It's for the best, but it's sad that she won't go home again. We'll do our best to help her to be happy wherever she is!