Let's see, hmmmm, new year's resolutions.....the double edged sword of resolving to stay home so I won't spend money results in eating more which foils the second resolution of losing weight.
I thought I would outsmart this by visiting the grocery store and getting ahead on having some salad and fruit in the house. Also in view of the snow blizzard (is that redundant) (is there any other kind???) that was forecasted for today, I stocked up on ...you guessed it...bread and milk.
I have accomplished a lot today. While Tammy cleaned I put away all the Christmas things except the mantle wreath. I will wait for the 55 degree weather to put it in plastic in the garage.

I met Connie and Donna on Sunday to see "It's Complicated" and to evaluate it is complicated indeed. Meryl Streep is a wonder and was wonderful. I can only say the movie was "so California" I must be out of touch. Anyway Connie is possessed by the Twilight series and convinced me to read the books. I have read Twilight and New Moon. They are both very compelling stories from the viewpoint of a 17 year old girl who is mature beyond her age. I am glad I have read them as at least I know what everyone is talking about and can relate to the subject. Unlike most of today's technology even though I have ordered a "Nook" from Barnes and Noble. It is an "e-reader" and I am excited to get it. They won't ship until the first of February.

I received to books for Christmas which relate to trips I have planned for 2010. The first is a beautiful and informative book on Egypt. I will have to read it again closer to the end of March as I do have trouble remembering yesterday. The other is 15 walks with Beatrix Potter in the Lake District of England where I will be in September with a watercolor painting group from Joe Miller of Cheap Joe's in Boone. Now you see why I have to save money and diet. I am more concerned about the plane rides back to USA than being in either of those locations.

LaVonne, my sister-in-law and friend shared her recipe for an egg casserole with cottage cheese, Monterrey cheese and chopped green chilies. It was delicious. She and my brother also shared time with Margy and me at their cottage in Hatteras. It was absolutely glorious to walk on the beach all wrapped up in 35 degree weather with the sun shining so brightly. We walked 2 miles the first day and 3miles the second. Margy and I could have walked further if we had not been looking for shells.

Win and I fished Tuesday afternoon and I caught a throw back flounder while Win caught two keepers. What a fine meal they made.

The house is clean, it is getting chilly and I think I will have some for lunch.
10-4

information highways, seasonal foods, and high tech

Well it has been so long I forgot how to post a new edition to this epistle. Speaking of the Bible, our study group, EFM, is in the second year and on the New Testament. I loved the language, the religious and historical significance of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible but the New Testament is so relevant. Discussing the commandments the Essenes are said to have thought that swearing is worse than perjury because " one who is without an appeal to God stands condemned already." Now it could not be any clearer than that.
I have never claimed to understand computers, I just can turn on the TV, but I always thought I could follow directions. Having bought a router so I could work on my laptop in my dining room or wherever I was travelling at the time, I hooked it up two years ago to my desktop. Since then the only thing I have gotten from it is the nice blue night light. I thought it was my ancient laptop and I purchased a new one last week, guaranteed to work with my network. I probably failed to properly load and run a wizard on my desktop two years ago...and you guessed it. I got the same message when I tried to access the internet on my new laptop. No connection to internet recognized. I have called everyone I know, Staples, NetGear, Timewarner, and my brother but to no avail. Finally last night after about 6 hours, I must have frustrated the tech angels so they popped up on the screen a NetGear Wizard. Then after digging out an old portable floppy disc drive to carry directions from one computer to another, clicking on a lot of boxes....cutting the power to the router and modem ( by the way you don't want to watch that show...all the connections are down behind my desk...hands, knees you can't pull out a plug with one hand...the other is bracing my body from falling over onto the stuff stored under the desk...)
anyway I revived the internet on my desktop which had gone out and I can now access internet on the new laptop after clicking on several windows. No don't tell me how to fix it... It works!!!
Thank goodness for Williams and Sonoma's peppermint/chocolate snaps for seeing me through it.
They are like the Christmas Blend at Starbucks, only showing up at this time of year. My ongoing battle with Starbucks to get my drink right continued today. Imploring them not to put too much milk into my triple grande decafe cappacino with one splenda must have made an impression because for a change they got that right but forgot to add the splenda. I was told that it is hard not to pour too much milk into the drink because of the way they have to steam the milk for a cappacino????? I asked them if they could just stop pouring?????? oh well.
I am starting to collect things I hear on tv or radio which we do not need to hear. For instance, I heard two things today on NPR. The first was in a report on the "alleged" shooter at Ft. Hood, the reported was interviewing the defense attorney for the "alleged" shooter and either the attorney or the reporter stated " the man knew he was a suspect." Well if he did not he has more problems than I thought. I mean he was shot multiple times while he was inflicting pain and suffering on 13 people and in custody, how can he help knowing he was a suspect?
The second enlightenment came in coverage of the services for the fallen at Ft. Hood. The commentator was describing the event and discussed the 13 boxes with boots, rifle, helmet and dog tags. He then said, "a final roll call of those who died will be announced, of course they will not answer." I don't think that needs any further comment.
Well enough of this. I will have to save something for the next time.
Congrats to Davis Whitfield for being chosen over many other highly qualified candidates for the position recently vacated by retiring Charlie Adams-Executive Director of North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
Later
Sally

fall, food, clouds and taxes

Time flies and days are shorter. It must be fall. This is a time when churches get back into the swing after the summer rest. Meetings, practices, and bible study groups. Then our paint groups meet again on Monday and Tuesday mornings. It is nice to be busy. I was unexpectedly free on Thursday and decided to get the oil changed in my car, a Honda, and therefore a trip to Wilson was needed. How nice to find the Honda dealer is near Marshalls, Belks, Starbucks, and Harris Teeter. How great was that? I was so impressed with HT that I would probably go over just to get nice veggies and meats. We won't get one b/c of the three W--M---s in a 10 mile radius. That goes for a Lowes foods also. I did get some lovely Angus chuck roast to put in my Beef Bourgingnon and they had the nicest white pearl onions... All the way over and back my driving probably looked like I was fighting bees because I was trying to take pictures of the fantastic cloud formations and wherever I look is where my car goes. I did pull over once or twice.
Cecil has had an infection on his throat, between the skin and his windpipe. In four days it went from a grape size to a large golf ball size. The vet did a biopsy and gave his some antibiotics. The culture came back as two infections and by today it is nearly gone. I am so glad it was nothing worse. He is very dear to me.
I must have missed the county commissioners meeting where they tripled the car tax for this year. Boy was that a shock to get that bill. I am sure it will be like the gov's sales tax. By the time my car is old enough for the tax on it to go down, inflation will make it higher.
This time of year is so great with the cooler air. I can hardly wait for next week with temps in the 50's overnight. Time to open the windows. Hopefully no one is burning garbage or chicken feathers.
I was listening to NPR's radio program by National Geographic and will try to watch on Wednesday night channel 70 cable for a program about a man who spent several months surviving in Yukon with minimal supplies. He evidentally had interesting encounters with animals.
Many prayers for cousin Nancy in Pennsylvania who has suffered surgeries with her cancer and hopefully will be moved to a hospital nearer her home soon.
Sally

new songs, things discontinued and O'Keefe

I am not sure exactly why the "good old hymns" are periodically put to new melodies but it makes it tough. Probably comes under the heading of "old dogs" and "new tricks." Enough said.
Clever call to sing the new version of "O Master Let Me Walk With Thee" as an anthem and sing the old tune as a congregational hymn. Avoids a lot of conversation.
I wrote previously that I had become fond of red bush tea, especially the Republic of Tea flavor called "Safari Sunset" and wouldn't you know when I went on line to order some more, they had decided to stop carrying that kind. I was told the "cinnamon orange" was the same. Well of course it is not!! In comparing the ingredients the new flavor does not include cloves and something else I can't identify. I guess after reading this one could conclude that I don't do change very easily. I just don't do change when I do not understand the reason for it. Red bush tea is made from the rooibos tree and is really better for you than green tea. It is naturally decaffeinated. What more could you ask for?
Last night, LifeTime TV showed a movie about Georgia O'Keeffe. I have been a huge fan of this great American artist since the early 80's when I saw a picture of her red poppy on the cover of the Reader's Digest. Now that was a perfect magazine. I have read many things about her life, been to the Washington Museum to see her show just after her death, had many posters of her beautiful paintings hanging in my computer room, been to her first southwestern home in Abiquiu, New Mexico and have even been to Ghost Ranch and seen her mountain. I am sure it is partially from her story and paintings that I developed a love for the southwest landscape. As for the movie, while Jeremy Irons was everything that I had thought Stieglitz would be. I was disappointed in how Georgia was portrayed. It was the script and not the acting by Joan Allen.
I thought the movie portrayed O'Keeffe strong character overshadowed by her weakness for Stieglitz. I also thought that the make up for Allen as O'Keeffe in the late years could have been better. The clothes she wore were perfect. All in all I would give it a 7 out of 10 mostly for doing the movie in the first place.
I will be glad when PBS finishes the latest reprise of all the specials they had for the spring fund raisers. I hope sincerely they raise enough money. I depend on their shows especially Saturday and Sunday nights for quality entertainment amidst the garbage of reality offerings.
Sally

Tigers, birthdays, designer dogs

Just to make amends for not mentioning hummus in the last post, I must say there is one brand of hummus I really like. I can't remember the name but it begins with an "S" which brings up a grammatical problem. I wondered whether to use "a" or "an" with "S" but be cause the way it is pronounced sounds like a short "e" I chose "an" and I am sure that was interesting. Anyway the hummus is the garlic flavored and it is really smooth. I just can't do the little bits of garbanzo beans in my mouth. The subject came to mind last time because I had found little containers of the hummus with a container on top (single serving) of flat pretzel pieces. What a treat to carry for lunch, that is if I had to go to work.
Today would have been my mother's 100th birthday. She passed away in April of 2002. I remember her 90th birthday very well as it was the day of Floyd. The hurricane that one congresswoman from her area said was not just the worst hurricane of the last 500 years, it was the hurricane of the century!!! on TV!!! Anyway, my sister was visiting at the time and she and my mother stayed with us because the power was out in Greenville and nothing was open. We celebrated the birthday here anyway.
I was sent a picture of Tiger and his family. Let me clear that up. It was sent in email. Not by Tiger!!! The picture was of Tiger, his wife, his two sons, and two dogs. Both dogs are large and one is licking Tiger. The other looks like a labradoodle. It is a picture that will warm your heart and just about make you forget how the golf announcers make you feel about Tiger. My friend has a labradoodle named Ellie and she is beautiful. I have another friend who has one with puppies for sale.
Some think the Obamas have one but theirs is another breed. If the dogs have the best qualities of Labs and Poodles they will be unbeatable as a pet and friend.
I am going to meet friends at the Royal Tea Room for lunch today. I do love that place. The chicken salad sandwich with a garden salad and the shepherd's pie with salad are my favorites.
Enough for now.

traditionally built women, contacts and hometowns

I am afraid if you have not read Alexander McCall Smith's " No.1 Ladies Detective Agency" then the next subject will be boring. This is a series of books about a woman, Precious Ramatsowe, in Botswana who takes her inheritance and buys a detective agency. I have read each new installment in the 10 book series with joy. After the second, I pursued on the internet information about red bush tea and still periodically replenish my supply from Republic of Tea. It was with great happiness I learned about the TV series made from the books but with great sadness realized it was on HBO. Finally, just released is the DVD of the first year. Sometimes we are affected so strongly by things, words, sounds, and pictures and we do not understand why. Maybe I lived in Africa in a former life. For whatever reason when the DVD started with African chanting and pictures from a plane flying over plains filled with elephants, giraffes, and other animals, I could not stop the emotions from overwhelming me. It only got better with the introduction of the characters whom I had come to know well. Jill Scott as Precious, is a beautiful woman inside and out even if she is "traditionally built." When Grace Matsuki was introduced I knew without a doubt. She was perfect. I have only watched the first disc, with two shows, as I am trying to spread out my joy. There are two more and I am sure I will be sad when I have seen them all. The series is exquisitely done and is truly a beautiful poem to Botswana.
In my ongoing struggle with contact lens, I am exhausting all avenues to be able to see as well as I can with glasses. Back to the eye office today I went only to be told by the contact lens person that I will not be able to see as well with contacts as with glasses and that it is not me but the nature of contacts!!! After testing my sight with lens in, she told me my vision was really pretty good. My complaint is when driving, I am not able to read street signs to find where I am supposed to go. Her suggestion was to use my glasses. She said other companies are claiming to improve the lenses but so far have not been successful. Oh well.
There is something to be said for living in one place for over 30 years and that is running into people you know. I was in a "box" store which will remain nameless, and was looking for the friend who came in with me. I never found her, she had gone home, but I met two people whom I had not seen in a while and was able to catch up on their news. Another advantage to having lived here for so long is knowing when to get out into traffic and where it will be the worst. It did not take a long time however to know not to drive Memorial Boulevard in the morning or at lunch time. Speaking of lunch, I think Dr. Mac eats at Scholtzkys as much as I do.
The pest control person came yesterday and I was really impressed because he sprayed inside, out, brushed out cobwebs and sprayed for ants on the driveway. I even called his boss and told them what a great job he had done.

DVDs, being green, and Rick Steves

Somehow I need to find a way to get my VHS tapes to DVDs. Then I could get rid of this tv which has built in DVD and VHS players. It is the only way I have of seeing Caedfel series and the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I guess I could just come up with the money and buy them in DVD but....
I saw a piece of news, not the whole thing, but the part that said a law was proposed? to make it illegal to throw away plastic bottles. I am guessing that excludes recycling them. What will all the places do which do not recycle?? I know some places which throw away more cans and plastic bottles in a week than I go through in a year. If everyone recycles will the people who use this material be inundated with plastic??? I am reducing the number of plastic bottles I buy by cutting out sodas. I still have to buy water because I refuse to drink my home water. Sometimes when it comes out the first thing in the morning, it smells as if it came straight from the swamp. Other times it tastes as if it has baking soda in it. Anyway I recycle so just fuss at me for paying for water.
I do love Saturdays on public tv. First the Antiques Roadshow lets us see people emote over the old vase they had in the basement which is really worth thousands of dollars, then my personal favorite, Rick Steves, shows us the non-tourist places to go somewhere in Europe. His show was in Poland on Saturday last. I was amazed at how charming and modern Warsaw and Krakow were. Don't you just want to jump on a plane and visit those places??
If you get up at 6:15 on Sunday morning to go to early church, you have time after dressing, eating, and walking the dog to watch NC Spin on WRAL at 6:30am. Great show and they discuss topics relevant to us here in North Carolina. One topic this am was the use of roundabouts to reduce traffic accidents. Interestingly enough, I had heard on some other news program just yesterday, that some cities in the Netherlands had done away with traffic signs and signals altogether. Most people approved saying it makes everyone more aware and accountable. The video showed drivers watching out for those on bicycles and cyclists watching out for pedestrians and walkers watching out for everyone. Hmmmmmm!
Having made Julia's Boeuf Bourgingnon a second time, I think I have the recipe down. Yummmm. You just want to take a thick piece of bread and dip it into the gravy.
It is time to put on another layer of a painting demo for our watercolor group on Tues at the church.
Happy Labor Day
Sally