Month: February 2017

Guest Contributor: SisterDear3

Hello and thanks for the invite! I am still waiting for my marvelous number one child to bless me with her presence. I really get so perturbed when people are late! I just got a call from Kevin’s school nurse. He showed up in her office and told her he was wheezing. Imagine that, he decided he was not going to stay in school today! He actually will panic if there is anything wrong with him. She checked him out and decided he was only panicking and sent him merrily, merrily, merrily, gently back to class. We are also supposed to visit Nancy after the hair appointment so she can see her before going back to school. It’s not looking good time-wise! I have to be back for Kevins’ bus at 2. Nancy by the way has rebounded well. Jim says her middle name should be Phoenix! Well now, If daughterdear would only get here, we could be merrily on our way! #3

I apologise for the fuzziness of this “flashback” photo. It was taken in May 2004 with a particularly nasty camera which thankfully, I no longer have.

This photo shows my cat Gandalf (back row) and his 2 litter mates, Boo Boo (left) and Sarah (right). They loved this one shelf of that condo! They were only about 3-4 weeks old in this photo. It was not long after this that the three of them no longer all fit on one shelf.

The kittens did three things exceptionally well; they ate like piranhas, played hard and power napped!

They were a breath of sunshine. At the time I had had my Pekes for 14-15 years. I had just lost my baby boy Ching (right) and was about to lose my little girl Sha Na (left).

I thought I was rescuing them, but Gandalf and Grayson came into my life to help me say goodbye to Sha Na & Ching. As it turned out, it was the cats that rescued me!

The kittens have grown up. The cats don’t eat as ravenously and they aren’t playful as kittens, but they still power nap!

We could all take a lesson from the wise cats.

Some days, you’re flying high!

And some days, you’re the Statue.

“Far Out”, just one of the incredible Sculptures by Artist J. Seward Johnson

Tags: Thought for the Day

I have been inspired once more by Sydney. And so I begin My Bucket List. These are no particular order, simply as they spring to mind. I will keep this list in my anchored pages so that I can update it. I haven’t seen this movie yet, and am very much looking forward to it

Before I “Kick The Bucket” I want to:

1. Marry the love of my life and live happily ever after. I imagine feeling completely content and utterly safe with him, listening to music, sampling wines, reading, watching sappy old movies all while snuggling up in front of a cozy fire.
2. Dance to All I Ask of You at my wedding.
3. Spend a month in Tuscany in a lovely Villa with a fireplace and a pool. I want it to be overlooking a vineyard on one side, and Cypress trees, Poppy fields and Olive trees on the other. I want to spend my days exploring ancient Rome and local marketplaces while sipping wine and sampling all the fabulous food only the local Italians can offer.
4. Pay off my mortgage and finally and forever be completely debt-free. While I have never imagined myself being wealthy, and have no non-secured debt, this is my idea of true wealth.
5. Learn to relax, as thoroughly and luxuriously as my cats do every day of their nine lives.
6. Learn to play the piano.
7. Own a second home in New England so as often as I wished I could spend as much time with my sisters as I would like.
8. See the Pyramids.
9. See the triumphant return of Jesus. I can’t explain it, but since I was a little girl, I have always felt that I would be alive when that happens. I felt this way long before I knew what being saved was. I am an avid reader of biblical prophesy. Unfortunately, my brain is too small to hold the enormity of it and my memory is such that I retain very little of it. Of course, I know I am in good company! I read the Left Behind series in great anticipation of reading another person’s concept of what that magnificent event will be like.
10. Know that everybody I love is saved and will spend all eternity free of pain and tears.
11. Spend a Christmas at a ski lodge in Vermont, not unlike the firepit scene with Bob Wallace & Betty Haynes from White Christmas. I am originally from New England and have never been to Vermont! I have always imagined it to be at it’s most splendid during Christmas.
12. Attend a Placido Domingo concert while he is still in glorious voice.
13. Attend a Andrea Bocelli concert, in Italy.
14. Reach my ideal body weight and be in excellent health.
15. Watch the sunset on an uncrowded beach in St. Maarten with my only love.
16. See The Phantom of the Opera in London, enjoy a pint at the pub, visit Stonehenge and walk across the crosswalk on Abbey Road.
17. Spend at least a week in Greece.
18. Encourage my parents to check off as many items from their Bucket List while they both enjoy strong body, mind and spirit.

Tags: Bucket List

Sometimes, revelations come to me when I am trying to help someone else understand something. I’ve discovered that mostly, I ask questions and let people discover the answers for themselves, rather than give answers they wouldn’t accept anyway. I have observed that the words taste sweeter when they’ve come from their own mouths.

Jen is the daughter I never had. I have been in her life from the day she was born. I treasure every second I get to spend with her. My life is richer because of what I have hoped for her. I have always tried to teach her good life lessons, through word and deed. I encourage her to think things through so that she can make wise choices. Ask her how many times she’s heard me say Well, he/she didn’t choose wisely, did he/she? and she will laugh and roll her eyes.

When Jen was about 11 years old, she came to me very upset about something that happened to her brother. She told me that he had been unfairly kicked off his baseball team just before they went to the state finals. The officials had discovered he had used an address other than his own to be placed on a team he preferred rather than the team in his district. She was going on and on about how unfair the officials were being to her brother and the team, that the team needed their star catcher and that she would never, ever go to another game. So I asked her some simple questions. Did her father and brother understand the rules? Yes. And understanding those rules, did they choose to disregard them and purposefully enter a false address on the application so that Dan could play on the team he wanted to play on? Yes. So, who is responsible for the consequence of sending his team to the finals without their star catcher and letting down the entire team? Well, I guess Dan and Dad.

I have a 20 year old niece who is extremely intelligent and active in sports. She is also Bipolar.

About 2 weeks into her first semester at U-Mass, she called me to tell me that she was dropping out. She was in a hypomanic state. Generally, whenever she calls me in this state, I just listen. Considering that she is speed-talking, this course of action is also the easiest! When she took a breath and asked if I was still there I answered, Yes, I am playing the part of the listener to your speaker, the part of the conversation equation that you are all too unfamiliar with. She laughs, and asks me what I think. I asked her Have you thought through this decision to it’s logical conclusion? What consequences will come as a result of this choice? Would this choice help you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself? Can you be at peace with those consequences? She asserts that this is her life and therefore her choice. I replied Absolutely. But do you understand that when you are the one making the choice, you also own the consequence? That’s the double-edged sword of being an adult and making grown up choices. It’s like The Oklahoma Warranty – If it breaks into 2 parts, you own them both. She told me that she thought that I made some good points, but there are always extenuating circumstances. I know her well enough to know that in her mind she has already begun concocting a plan to lay the blame elsewhere: her parents, other students, the instructors, the courses, the text books… She has never been one to accept blame for anything – it is always Someone Else’s fault. I headed her off at the pass. I told her If you choose to quit college, I respect your choice. She thanked me for my support. She thanked me for respecting her. Then I told her I also expect that you will accept full responsibility if it turns out that you’ll be flipping burgers at Wendy’s rather than writing the next great novel or screenplay. She starts her next semester at the end of the month. However, I fully expect to repeat this conversation next semester. She’s stubborn, this one.

Because sometimes I really need one of these. I hope his head doesn’t explode.

Guest Contributor: SisterDear3

Hello and thanks for the invite! I am still waiting for my marvelous number one child to bless me with her presence. I really get so perturbed when people are late! I just got a call from Kevin’s school nurse. He showed up in her office and told her he was wheezing. Imagine that, he decided he was not going to stay in school today! He actually will panic if there is anything wrong with him. She checked him out and decided he was only panicking and sent him merrily, merrily, merrily, gently back to class. We are also supposed to visit Nancy after the hair appointment so she can see her before going back to school. It’s not looking good time-wise! I have to be back for Kevins’ bus at 2. Nancy by the way has rebounded well. Jim says her middle name should be Phoenix! Well now, If daughterdear would only get here, we could be merrily on our way! #3

I apologise for the fuzziness of this “flashback” photo. It was taken in May 2004 with a particularly nasty camera which thankfully, I no longer have.

This photo shows my cat Gandalf (back row) and his 2 litter mates, Boo Boo (left) and Sarah (right). They loved this one shelf of that condo! They were only about 3-4 weeks old in this photo. It was not long after this that the three of them no longer all fit on one shelf.

The kittens did three things exceptionally well; they ate like piranhas, played hard and power napped!

They were a breath of sunshine. At the time I had had my Pekes for 14-15 years. I had just lost my baby boy Ching (right) and was about to lose my little girl Sha Na (left).

I thought I was rescuing them, but Gandalf and Grayson came into my life to help me say goodbye to Sha Na & Ching. As it turned out, it was the cats that rescued me!

The kittens have grown up. The cats don’t eat as ravenously and they aren’t playful as kittens, but they still power nap!

We could all take a lesson from the wise cats.

Some days, you’re flying high!

And some days, you’re the Statue.

“Far Out”, just one of the incredible Sculptures by Artist J. Seward Johnson

Tags: Thought for the Day

I have been inspired once more by Sydney. And so I begin My Bucket List. These are no particular order, simply as they spring to mind. I will keep this list in my anchored pages so that I can update it. I haven’t seen this movie yet, and am very much looking forward to it

Before I “Kick The Bucket” I want to:

1. Marry the love of my life and live happily ever after. I imagine feeling completely content and utterly safe with him, listening to music, sampling wines, reading, watching sappy old movies all while snuggling up in front of a cozy fire.
2. Dance to All I Ask of You at my wedding.
3. Spend a month in Tuscany in a lovely Villa with a fireplace and a pool. I want it to be overlooking a vineyard on one side, and Cypress trees, Poppy fields and Olive trees on the other. I want to spend my days exploring ancient Rome and local marketplaces while sipping wine and sampling all the fabulous food only the local Italians can offer.
4. Pay off my mortgage and finally and forever be completely debt-free. While I have never imagined myself being wealthy, and have no non-secured debt, this is my idea of true wealth.
5. Learn to relax, as thoroughly and luxuriously as my cats do every day of their nine lives.
6. Learn to play the piano.
7. Own a second home in New England so as often as I wished I could spend as much time with my sisters as I would like.
8. See the Pyramids.
9. See the triumphant return of Jesus. I can’t explain it, but since I was a little girl, I have always felt that I would be alive when that happens. I felt this way long before I knew what being saved was. I am an avid reader of biblical prophesy. Unfortunately, my brain is too small to hold the enormity of it and my memory is such that I retain very little of it. Of course, I know I am in good company! I read the Left Behind series in great anticipation of reading another person’s concept of what that magnificent event will be like.
10. Know that everybody I love is saved and will spend all eternity free of pain and tears.
11. Spend a Christmas at a ski lodge in Vermont, not unlike the firepit scene with Bob Wallace & Betty Haynes from White Christmas. I am originally from New England and have never been to Vermont! I have always imagined it to be at it’s most splendid during Christmas.
12. Attend a Placido Domingo concert while he is still in glorious voice.
13. Attend a Andrea Bocelli concert, in Italy.
14. Reach my ideal body weight and be in excellent health.
15. Watch the sunset on an uncrowded beach in St. Maarten with my only love.
16. See The Phantom of the Opera in London, enjoy a pint at the pub, visit Stonehenge and walk across the crosswalk on Abbey Road.
17. Spend at least a week in Greece.
18. Encourage my parents to check off as many items from their Bucket List while they both enjoy strong body, mind and spirit.

Tags: Bucket List

Sometimes, revelations come to me when I am trying to help someone else understand something. I’ve discovered that mostly, I ask questions and let people discover the answers for themselves, rather than give answers they wouldn’t accept anyway. I have observed that the words taste sweeter when they’ve come from their own mouths.

Jen is the daughter I never had. I have been in her life from the day she was born. I treasure every second I get to spend with her. My life is richer because of what I have hoped for her. I have always tried to teach her good life lessons, through word and deed. I encourage her to think things through so that she can make wise choices. Ask her how many times she’s heard me say Well, he/she didn’t choose wisely, did he/she? and she will laugh and roll her eyes.

When Jen was about 11 years old, she came to me very upset about something that happened to her brother. She told me that he had been unfairly kicked off his baseball team just before they went to the state finals. The officials had discovered he had used an address other than his own to be placed on a team he preferred rather than the team in his district. She was going on and on about how unfair the officials were being to her brother and the team, that the team needed their star catcher and that she would never, ever go to another game. So I asked her some simple questions. Did her father and brother understand the rules? Yes. And understanding those rules, did they choose to disregard them and purposefully enter a false address on the application so that Dan could play on the team he wanted to play on? Yes. So, who is responsible for the consequence of sending his team to the finals without their star catcher and letting down the entire team? Well, I guess Dan and Dad.

I have a 20 year old niece who is extremely intelligent and active in sports. She is also Bipolar.

About 2 weeks into her first semester at U-Mass, she called me to tell me that she was dropping out. She was in a hypomanic state. Generally, whenever she calls me in this state, I just listen. Considering that she is speed-talking, this course of action is also the easiest! When she took a breath and asked if I was still there I answered, Yes, I am playing the part of the listener to your speaker, the part of the conversation equation that you are all too unfamiliar with. She laughs, and asks me what I think. I asked her Have you thought through this decision to it’s logical conclusion? What consequences will come as a result of this choice? Would this choice help you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself? Can you be at peace with those consequences? She asserts that this is her life and therefore her choice. I replied Absolutely. But do you understand that when you are the one making the choice, you also own the consequence? That’s the double-edged sword of being an adult and making grown up choices. It’s like The Oklahoma Warranty – If it breaks into 2 parts, you own them both. She told me that she thought that I made some good points, but there are always extenuating circumstances. I know her well enough to know that in her mind she has already begun concocting a plan to lay the blame elsewhere: her parents, other students, the instructors, the courses, the text books… She has never been one to accept blame for anything – it is always Someone Else’s fault. I headed her off at the pass. I told her If you choose to quit college, I respect your choice. She thanked me for my support. She thanked me for respecting her. Then I told her I also expect that you will accept full responsibility if it turns out that you’ll be flipping burgers at Wendy’s rather than writing the next great novel or screenplay. She starts her next semester at the end of the month. However, I fully expect to repeat this conversation next semester. She’s stubborn, this one.

Because sometimes I really need one of these. I hope his head doesn’t explode.

I finally did it. I moved my blog to it’s own domain!

I’ve authored my own commercial website for about 10 years now, so I wasn’t expecting as many stumbling blocks as I encountered. It took quite some time to find a Theme I was happy with (hopefully, I won’t hate this in a day or two). I also struggled with blogging software, installation issues and finding what I hope is the right Host.

The two things that have amazed me the most though is the difference between WordPress.com blogs and WordPress.org blogging, and how much my brain freezes when I switch back and forth between the Blogger blogs and the WordPress blogs.

Thank Goodness my cats are here with me, helping to keep me straight!

So. Welcome to WillThink4Wine.com!

Sit. Stay. Good Blogger. 

Cheers.

Tags: WillThink4Wine, Wine

My bucket floweth over. So you have inspired me!

1. Clean out this house so there is room to live!
2. Go back to work. Twenty years is a long time!
3. Write “The Mother Book”, that everyone’s mother on the planet has always said they could write
4. Remember to use the enter button!
5. Stop each day to enjoy my children
6. Lose the extra twenty-five pounds I’ve gained
7. Try and stop being so over-protective with my kids
8. Visit my favorite childhood spot
9. Go on a romantic vacation with Jim
10. Become more avid at using the computer
11. Become more confrontational (In a good way)!
12. Read more books, than newspapers
13. Take the twins to Disney
14. Take up sewing again
15. Save money
16. Cook healthier meals
17. Find the time to cook healthier meals
18. Find a little “me time” each day
19. Conquer my fear of flying
20. Take a cruise with my husband and sisters!
21. Visit a tropical resort with white sand and a cabana on the beach and have a hunk bring my drinks
22. Own a “Brand New” car (something sporty but functional). Tan!
23. Find a crystal ball so I can see Thomas’ future
24. See my daughter graduate from college and be happy with her life
25. Dance with my son Jack to Chuck Mangione’s “Bellavia” on his wedding day. It was playing on the night he was born.

Tags: Bucket List, Sisters

I used to live in beautiful Lakeland, FL.

Lakeland is a wonderful city. It’s just about right… not so small that you don’t have all the amenities of a big city, but not so big that you have all the horrors of a really big city (crime, traffic, etc.). Although, when I left nearly 2 years ago, it had crossed the imaginary line in my head for “too big for me”. When I first moved to Lakeland it had under 50,000 residents. It is now over 90,000. I actually had to put on my turn signal to turn into my own driveway or risk being rear-ended.

Lakeland is located nearly in the center of the state and midway between Tampa & Orlando. It is the lightning capital of the US. As its’ name implies, it has many beautiful lakes. Two of my favorites, where I spent many evenings under the stars, are Lake Mirror and Lake Morton. Lakeland has also lots to offer in the way of Arts & Entertainment, including a marvelous Symphony Orchestra, Museums and great dining.

During my 15 years living in Lakeland, the city hired professionals to totally revitalize the downtown area. It is a marvelous place to eat, shop, enjoy the parks or just stroll the sidewalks and many outdoor Bistros.

But what I really miss about Lakeland is George. George was my “go-to guy” for wine.

There is a tiny wine store tucked away in an old plaza on the southside. It is there that you will find Vintage Wine Cellars, and it is there that you will find George.

I am a member of the Wine Taster’s Guild, or I was. Since moving to Georgia I have not found a wine store who offers Wine Pairings or even Wine Tastings, never mind Taster’s Guild membership. To my utter amazement, when I received my first membership card in the mail I discovered that Bronson Mela, the then esteemed owner of Vintage Wine Cellars, had the dubious distinction of being Chapter #001 of the Taster’s Guild. (Don’t I have fancy pants now, eh?) And as brilliant as Bronson was when it came to really knowing wine, George knew my preferences. Bronson mentored George well over the years; George is no wine slouch, either.

The most wonderful thing I love about George? All I had to do was call George and ask him to mix me a case. Presto! An hour later I’m watching George load the wine into my car – Thoughtfully hand picked just for me, packed in a case and my credit card billed; all by George. Seriously, how cool is that? Never once was I disappointed in George’s choices for me. He really understood the types of wines I especially enjoy.

I may have to take a drive to Lakeland again soon. I feel the need to reconnect with some dear friends. But, George, I miss you most of all! And George, my Spiegelau Vino Grande no longer runneth over. It is empty. Salute.

Tags: Wine

Thirteen Things about WillThink4Wine     1st Edition Grow my new business to the point where I can once again have disposable income. Oooh. That would be lovely Discover a better wine store Get a puppy (I probably won’t, so don’t tell anyone, especially my mother or my cats) Change the lock on my front door, because MotherDear has trouble with it Start eating healthier again Paint my Yellow house a color that is not Yellow Fly up to see Mike & Danielle’s 1st home and attend the 1st Official Mike & Danielle 4th of July BBQ Paint my kitchen Attend a Symphony Remember to have my septic tank pumped Figure out how to stop my Investment Portfolio from hemorrhaging cash Spend a Sister Weekend with my 3 sisters Gather my entire family together for new Family Portraits

Tags: Thursday Thirteen

Guest Contributor: SisterDear3

On another note, Fisherman Thomas, yes, that is the career of the week, decided that he wanted to put his goldfish ”Dorothy”, in her very own bowl. He also decided that all of Kevin’s fish should live together as a “Family”.

So, somewhere around 3 am, he found another bowl, reached in and fished out poor Dorothy, who safely made it into her very own home. He then took the other two fish from his bowl and attempted to create a fish family for Kevin. I woke up at this point and put him back to bed.

In the morning, Kevin’s large white goldfish “Fred”, was not in the bowl. I asked Thomas where he was, he said, “Is he in the toilet?”

Poor Fred.

Later that day, while I was lying on the couch, Keven bent over and said, “What’s this?” Yes, it was indeed poor Fred. We then gave him a proper goldfish sendoff to fish heaven.

Oh well, I wonder what next weeks career will be?

moar funny pictures

Tags: Autism Blogs

I have convinced my lovely SisterDear3 to be a Guest Contributor to the WillThink4Wine blog.

Just let me tell you just a little bit about her. Basically, she is every psychiatrist’s dream! Her immediate family (1 hubby, 1 mother-in-law and 4 children) collectively have practically every mental health diagnosis on the planet, and few that perhaps don’t yet have a label. It is never dull at her house.

She sails through each day, replete with turbulent mood swings and various psychoses, with more love, patience, faith and grace than any one person should be blessed with. Mostly, I believe it’s her sense of humor that usually carries her through.

I hope you will enjoy her occasional posts. She cracks me up. Pardon the pun.

She also likes wine and is much too busy to be bothered with hitting the Enter key.

Do any of you have Sisters? If you do, do you have a very close relationship?

I can’t imagine my life without my 3 SisterDears. They know all the worst things about me and they love me anyway! I live about 1500 miles away from them, but through the miracle of technology, we remain very close! Cell phones, email and blogs, gotta love it! Truth be told, with life happening everyday, school, sports, work…. something always happens so they can’t get together all that often. That is until I make my ‘annual trek’ up for our Sister Weekend! We all truly treasure our Sister Weekends.

I’ve been trying to decide when to go up this year. I usually go in July, but every 3-5 years I go up for Christmas. I wouldn’t want to completely forget how much I dislike snow and the bitter cold now would I? I finally decided! I have decided that this year I will go up for the Fall Foliage!! The last time I saw New England Fall Foliage was October 1993, and it was past its peak. So, I have decided to go up at the end of September this year. Plans are being made. Excited? Who me? Only completely!

We’re going to “do” Boston this year! Plans, we must make plans!! Faneuil Hall, The Paul Revere House, The Freedon Trail and Boston Common, the Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument, the Museums… a Red Sox game!!! We’ll also do some sitting around the fire in our Norman hats sipping wine, listening to the piano and singing along in our relaxing clothes. Bliss!

Stock up the wine! Which restaurants shall we eat at? Decisions, decisions!

Oh, what fun we shall have!

Today is a very special day!

It is SisterDear4’s Birthday and her daughter/my niece’s Leann’s Birthday!

Happy Birthday, SD4! ~ Happy Birthday, Leann!

It’s also my beautiful gray boys’ Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Gandalf & Grayson!

Gandalf is 4 and Grayson is 5! Stop by and wish them a Happy Birthday!

Tags: Family, Simple Pleasures, Sisters

Our illustrious Manic Monday host Mo has served up Rip as this week’s prompt. I can’t wait to see what the other Manic Minions have done with it!

So many possibilities came to mind, but in the end I decided to go with the first Rip I thought of, which was Ripple Wine. I know, I know, you’re all surprised, right?

It was 1972 when I was first able to legally purchase and consume alcohol. In the aftermath of a night at the Drive-in drinking Seven & Sevens, I quickly discovered that I did not care for hard liquor – at all. It certainly was not my finest hour, but the lesson was very well learned. And that’s all I’m going to say about that!

Some of the drinks I tried and dismissed were Sloe Gin Fiz (doesn’t that just sound cute!) and Harvey Wallbangers (too sweet & too much acid). Someone eventually introduced me to Boones Farm and Ripple. They were both too sweet for me but I did like them enough to realize that red wine would be my drink of choice.

I will always remember my very first glass of a magnificent wine! Mmmmmm. A Wine lover was born! Château Lafite Rothschild – I just wish I could afford to drink it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you enjoy Haiku or other forms of poetry?

One Single Impression is a community of poets writing and sharing haiku and other poetic forms. Each week a new prompt is offered up to inspire your writing. Participants are invited to share ideas for prompts, too. Join us!

one single impression

Tags: Haiku, One Single Impression, OSI, Poetry

Coffee all ready to go, with a Welcome Back sign from Mike

Tags: Acts of Kindness, PhotoHunt, PTSD, TBI

I am the “go-to gal”. I always have been, since childhood. For those of you new to my world, I am the oldest of eight, count ‘em, eight children. I am the consummate organizer. I bring order to chaos. I can and I do.

I am sure many of you have been in situations where a family member, friend or co-worker has come to you for advice. Then almost immediately upon receiving these pearls of wisdom from you they leave, thanking you countless times for your insight and compassion.

Moments later, days later or weeks later, they have totally ignored every single word you have said, especially any words of caution you imparted specifically regarding what they should avoid at all costs.

Here it comes. The phone call. The crying call. The “what do I do now” call. The “please don’t say I told you so” call.

:sigh:

Do you honestly think I went to all that trouble just so I could say “I told you so”? Do you sincerely believe in your heart of hearts that I really wanted you to do the opposite of what I suggested you do? Do you actually buy in to the idea that I get satisfaction from watching you suffer continuously and needlessly as you repeat the same mistake over & over again?

Sometimes, just sometimes, people make me wish I were wrong.

Truly, there are times when there is no consolation in being right, especially when someone you love gets hurt. Again.

Tags: Rantings

Better yet, plant two!Celebrate Arbor Day on April 25, 2008!

Tags: April 2008, Dogwood, Georgians, Wordless Wednesday

This week when Mo gave us Quake for Manic Monday I’ll admit it…. I was stumped.

I went to Savannah, GA for a short get away weekend with some friends. This city is steeped in History and southern ambiance. Its’ first recorded history was in 1733, the year General James Oglethorpe and the 120 passengers of the good ship “Anne” landed on a bluff high along the Savannah River.

Johnny Mercer wrote the Lyrics to Moon River, having been inspired by the Savannah River and his Huckleberry childhood in Savannah.

Savannah is dripping in Southern Charm & Hospitality!

Savannah is breathtaking in it’s beauty!

Savannah also has some of the most majestic Live Oak Trees.

Live Oaks make my heart quake!

Thank goodness for my digital camera and ginormous memory cards! In one day I took more than 500 photos of beautiful Savannah, GA. I know I’ll be back to visit Savannah again one day soon. There’s so much to see & do, and I never even explored the nightlife and dining.

Want to play Manic Monday? That’s easy, just stop by Mo’s for more info.

Thanks for stopping by today. I Linky Love You everyday, so if you’re leaving a comment, grab some Linky Love, too!

Tags: GA, Georgians, Live Oak, Manic Monday, Savannah

The Weather ‘experts’ were forecasting some particulary nasty weather for us Sunday. We were fortunate; they were wrong. This photograph was taken beofre the wind kicked up and the nasty clouds rolled in, but we never did get any rain.

Visit other Weekenders here, or just follow the Technorati link!
weekend snapshot

Tags: Georgians, The Swamp, Weekend Snapshot

This week’s theme from tnchick is ANY photo. I took this at an air show at Moody AFB on October 21, 2007. It was a glorious day to be a spectator, but the winds were really kicked up. They nearly had to call off the air show.

We ended up in the VIP section. You know, the section that’s all roped off? The one that’s smack dab in the middle right on the air strip. The one with all the free food and drinks? We just walked in with some other folks. I was trailing behind my friend, taking photos. When I walked up to join him the guards stopped me and told me I wasn’t allowed in. They had really big guns. I wasn’t going to argue. I called in to my friend, who was already seated in the bleachers, to come back out. One of the guards said “Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am, we didn’t realize you were with him”. Then he at-eased and let me in. I dunno.

We didn’t realize our dumb luck until I went up to get a bottle of water and got out my money and they said “Oh, no, no, no. It’s complimentary for the VIP’s”. Cool. We had the best seats on base, other than perhaps the cockpit. Did I mention the Free Food?

Would you like to know the name of this particular maneuver? So would I, so if you happen to know it please let me know because I forgot, probably right after they announced it. It was way cool, though!

Tags: Moody AFB, Photo Hunt, PhotoHunt, VIP

I’ve had a very long week at the office. My brain is fried!! I’m incredibly grateful for the new business! I’m also so very thankful that the weekend is finally here. And so I bring you a joke I heard this week, boiled instead of fried… It’s healthier!

She was standing in the kitchen preparing to boil eggs for breakfast, wearing only the ‘T’ shirt that she normally slept in.

As he walked in almost awake, she turned and said softly, ‘You’ve got to make love to me this very moment.’

A little puzzled, he asked, ‘What was that all about?’

She explained,

I’m also doing Sky Watch Friday

Tags: Finally Friday

Brief Video – Downtown Valdosta, GA

Downtown Valdosta has become a vibrant and lively spot every day of the month but, on the first Friday evening of each month, downtown comes alive with music, food, shopping, art and more. Since the First Friday event in Jun 2005, First Fridays have grown to attract an average of more than 1,250 people. Many activities start about 6 p.m., with most of the music starting about 7 p.m. First Fridays reflect the diversity of Downtown Valdosta as well as the diversity of the entire city.

Tags: wordless wednesdays

Tags: Kevin, SisterDear3

Our Manic Monday host Mo has given us the word Fresh this week.

I give you Fresh from my garden Sunday morning – some Honeysuckle Vines!

Honeysuckle is mentioned in many songs and books, but my favorite Honeysuckle lyric is Jimmy Buffet’s “Tin Cup Chalice”.

Live first verse & chorus version on YouTube:

I’ve moved back to blogger! Please update your bookmarks and come visit me.

This site will soon be taken down.

I’ve moved back to blogger! Please update your bookmarks and come visit me.

This site will soon be taken down.

Look what my Dad grew for me this year!
See that nasty looking bug?

This is the first bloom! Isn’t she a beauty?

Sunflowers Rock!! 

Tags: Dad, Sunflowers, The Garden, The Orchard

one single impression

Tags: Haiku, One Single Impression, OSI, Poetry

Then SisterDear4 stepped in to play the upper part….

What’s this? SisterDear 2 picks up the harmonica!
BIL joined in (perhaps better known to you as Enrico Suave, Cabana Boy).

Bonus!! Enrico Suave can actually play the piano! Think ‘Billy Joel’. Think ‘Piano Man’. Think ‘Bottle of Red, Bottle of White’.

Tags: Sister Weekend, SisterDear3, Sisters

I flew up to Massachusetts for a Sister Weekend with my 3 SisterDears! To say that we had a blast would be a monumental understatement! Here we are the first night, in our “Relaxing Clothes”!

My visit was a Big Secret, or so SisterDear2 and I had hoped! SisterDears 3 & 4 were just sure I was the BIG surprise when SisterDear2 asked them to reserve the weekend and plan to sleep over her house Friday & Saturday nights.

My very dear Brother-in-law was our Cabana Boy for the weekend! His self-chosen name for the entire weekend was Enrico Suave!! He was more than a good sport! He made home-made ravioli for me! He also cooked for us all weekend and fetched us wine whenever our glass was empty!

Actually, the BIG Surprise was that SisterDear2 had told her hubby that for her Mother’s Day gift she wanted tickets for all four of us for Menopause the Musical which was playing at the Stuart Street Playhouse in Boston. If it’s in your area, I wholeheartedly recommend seeing it!

We started the day with an early lunch at Rock Bottom Brewery, located in the heart of Boston’s Historic District and just down the street from the Theatre District. We ordered Improper Hopper Pale Ale, which we all agreed was quite yummy. Two of us ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Onion Rings and two of us ordered Steak Tips: the chicken was delicious and received 2 thumbs up, the steak tips were not enjoyed by either sister and unfortunately received 2 thumbs down. The Clam Chowder appetizers and Onion Rings were both absolutely marvelous!

Then we walked around Boston and I took tons of photographs!
I had forgotten how much I love Boston! We’re going back to “do” Boston in the fall!
My travelling day yesterday was simply exhausting. I actually missed my second flight because of air traffic in Boston, but all three of my flights were late. In trying to rush to my Gate to make my second flight, I arrived only to see my plane pulling away. Talk about adding insult to injury, I have a huge blister on the ball of my right foot to further add to my aggravation and frustration! The flights themselves were all quite enjoyable. I took many photos which I will share on some upcoming Sky Watch Fridays!

A now, in the spirit of Menopause, I leave you with a joke. I can relate only too well!

After starting a new diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery.

I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning, and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed … ‘Lord, it’s up to you. If you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery.’ And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block, there it was!!!

God is so Good!

Tags: Faith, Family, Just for laughs, Sister Weekend

Tags: Faith, Simple Truths, The Swamp

This week’s Manic Monday prompt is Doodle. Thanks, Mo!

It is my pleasure to give you my SnickerDoodle recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook! A little Doodle of Cinnamon-Sugary goodness!

Prep Time:40 min
Start to Finish:50 min
Makes:4 dozen cookies

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Heat oven to 400ºF.
2. Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
3. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

I know… it’s not cake, but it’ll Doodle! It makes 4 dozen, that’s almost enough to share! Purhaps you should double the recipe, like I do!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My friend Mo is having a very special Manic Monday today! Mo says: On May 12th: Doodle Week Fun Fund Raiser – for every blog that posts a doodle with a cat in it and leaves their link at It’s A Blog Eat Blog World, we will donate 50¢ to Cat Friends Helping Friends!All you have to do is Doodle & Link!

It doesn’t even have to be a good Doodle!

manic monday

Tags: Doodle, Manic Monday

The Weather ‘experts’ were forecasting some particulary nasty weather for us Sunday. We were fortunate; they were wrong. This photograph was taken beofre the wind kicked up and the nasty clouds rolled in, but we never did get any rain.

Visit other Weekenders here, or just follow the Technorati link!
weekend snapshot

Tags: Georgians, The Swamp, Weekend Snapshot

This week’s theme from tnchick is ANY photo. I took this at an air show at Moody AFB on October 21, 2007. It was a glorious day to be a spectator, but the winds were really kicked up. They nearly had to call off the air show.

We ended up in the VIP section. You know, the section that’s all roped off? The one that’s smack dab in the middle right on the air strip. The one with all the free food and drinks? We just walked in with some other folks. I was trailing behind my friend, taking photos. When I walked up to join him the guards stopped me and told me I wasn’t allowed in. They had really big guns. I wasn’t going to argue. I called in to my friend, who was already seated in the bleachers, to come back out. One of the guards said “Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am, we didn’t realize you were with him”. Then he at-eased and let me in. I dunno.

We didn’t realize our dumb luck until I went up to get a bottle of water and got out my money and they said “Oh, no, no, no. It’s complimentary for the VIP’s”. Cool. We had the best seats on base, other than perhaps the cockpit. Did I mention the Free Food?

Would you like to know the name of this particular maneuver? So would I, so if you happen to know it please let me know because I forgot, probably right after they announced it. It was way cool, though!

Tags: Moody AFB, Photo Hunt, PhotoHunt, VIP

I’ve had a very long week at the office. My brain is fried!! I’m incredibly grateful for the new business! I’m also so very thankful that the weekend is finally here. And so I bring you a joke I heard this week, boiled instead of fried… It’s healthier!

She was standing in the kitchen preparing to boil eggs for breakfast, wearing only the ‘T’ shirt that she normally slept in.

As he walked in almost awake, she turned and said softly, ‘You’ve got to make love to me this very moment.’

A little puzzled, he asked, ‘What was that all about?’

She explained,

I’m also doing Sky Watch Friday

Tags: Finally Friday

Brief Video – Downtown Valdosta, GA

Downtown Valdosta has become a vibrant and lively spot every day of the month but, on the first Friday evening of each month, downtown comes alive with music, food, shopping, art and more. Since the First Friday event in Jun 2005, First Fridays have grown to attract an average of more than 1,250 people. Many activities start about 6 p.m., with most of the music starting about 7 p.m. First Fridays reflect the diversity of Downtown Valdosta as well as the diversity of the entire city.

Tags: wordless wednesdays

I phoned one of my SisterDears Sunday afternoon. Kevin, one of her twin 8 year old sons, answered the phone. The conversation went exactly like this:

Me: Hi, Kevin, how are you?

Kevin: Who’s this?

Me: It’s Auntie Barb.

Kevin: Oh! Hi, Auntie Barbara! How are you doing?

Me: I’m doing very well, Kevin. Thanks so much for asking!

Kevin: :giggles: Oh, you’re welcome, Auntie.

Me: Kevin, is your Mom home?

Kevin: Well, yes she is, but you know what? She’s taking a nap right now and I hate to disturb her.

Alrighty then.

Tags: Kevin, SisterDear3

Our Manic Monday host Mo has given us the word Fresh this week.

I give you Fresh from my garden Sunday morning – some Honeysuckle Vines!

Honeysuckle is mentioned in many songs and books, but my favorite Honeysuckle lyric is Jimmy Buffet’s “Tin Cup Chalice”.

Live first verse & chorus version on YouTube:

Listen to Jimmy singing the complete studio version on Jango

A Fresh song from an always Fresh singer-songwriter about a fragrant & Fresh Honeysuckle Vine Fresh from the garden!

I’m betting that this was a Fresh take on this week’s theme. I’ll bet nobody else even thought of Honeysuckle Vines!

Tags: Manic Monday

wind-tossed sandy dunes
nocturnal fauna burrow
foraging at dusk

Photo credit
one single impression

Tags: Haiku, One Single Impression

Do any of you have Sisters? If you do, do you have a very close relationship?

I can’t imagine my life without my 3 SisterDears. They know all the worst things about me and they love me anyway! I live about 1500 miles away from them, but through the miracle of technology, we remain very close! Cell phones, email and blogs, gotta love it! Truth be told, with life happening everyday, school, sports, work…. something always happens so they can’t get together all that often. That is until I make my ‘annual trek’ up for our Sister Weekend! We all truly treasure our Sister Weekends.

I’ve been trying to decide when to go up this year. I usually go in July, but every 3-5 years I go up for Christmas. I wouldn’t want to completely forget how much I dislike snow and the bitter cold now would I? I finally decided! I have decided that this year I will go up for the Fall Foliage!! The last time I saw New England Fall Foliage was October 1993, and it was past its peak. So, I have decided to go up at the end of September this year. Plans are being made. Excited? Who me? Only completely!

We’re going to “do” Boston this year! Plans, we must make plans!! Faneuil Hall, The Paul Revere House, The Freedon Trail and Boston Common, the Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument, the Museums… a Red Sox game!!! We’ll also do some sitting around the fire in our Norman hats sipping wine, listening to the piano and singing along in our relaxing clothes. Bliss!

Stock up the wine! Which restaurants shall we eat at? Decisions, decisions!

Oh, what fun we shall have!

Today is a very special day!

It is SisterDear4’s Birthday and her daughter/my niece’s Leann’s Birthday!

Happy Birthday, SD4! ~ Happy Birthday, Leann!

It’s also my beautiful gray boys’ Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Gandalf & Grayson!

Gandalf is 4 and Grayson is 5! Stop by and wish them a Happy Birthday!

Tags: Family, Simple Pleasures, Sisters