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
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, September 11, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
see food
I spent a few days in Snead's Ferry with friends. They put me to work as soon as I got there. It seems as if the tide was falling and it was just right to go shrimping. Shrimping had opened on the inter-coastal waterway or at least a certain part of it was open and you had to be careful to stay in the guidelines or you would get a ticket! The first pull was disappointing. We got 9 shrimp. Not 9 pounds, just 9 shrimp!! The next pull was much better and we headed back home with a good haul. Of course J had a meeting so M and I had to head and bag the shrimp. When J got home he and I went out in the boat to fish the crab pots. After culling the small and female we had enough for supper. What a feast and out on the porch with the breeze it was great. We followed this with cutthroat?? bridge. It is almost too easy.
The next day was filled with great stuff. Eating at the tea house on the water side in Wilmington, shopping, eating at my nephew's place, Havana's, in Carolina Beach and finally meeting with M's daughter and her family at the ice cream place for dessert. What a day.
We watched "Duplicity" that night and what a strangely made movie. The changes in times kept you so confused you could not follow the plot.
Back home today and I fixed shrimp scampi. Yum. Tired and lots to do tomorrow.
Sally
The next day was filled with great stuff. Eating at the tea house on the water side in Wilmington, shopping, eating at my nephew's place, Havana's, in Carolina Beach and finally meeting with M's daughter and her family at the ice cream place for dessert. What a day.
We watched "Duplicity" that night and what a strangely made movie. The changes in times kept you so confused you could not follow the plot.
Back home today and I fixed shrimp scampi. Yum. Tired and lots to do tomorrow.
Sally
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