Ruminations

Cooking Disasters

2012-02-16T06:13:00.000-08:00

This has not been my week for cooking. It all started when DH bought a big bag of cheap rice and not my usual Uncle Ben's Rice. Monday I made one of my standard casseroles--Chicken and Rice. I have made it hundreds of times over the 43 years we have been married and it is really fool proof and always turns out scrumptious. Not this time. The rice did not soften as the casserole cooked. It was awful with crunchy rice and runny sauce. I threw the whole mess out for the raccoons to eat. Ack!! The second disaster was yesterday when I made Red Beans and Rice. Only I decided to make it a bit more flavorful by adding some browned sausage. Bad idea. The sausage made it greasy. Yuck! More food for the raccoons. I hate wasting the time, energy, and money spent. I've had my share of cooking disasters over the years but I can't think of when I had two in one week. Maybe we better have Subways tonight.

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie

2012-02-12T16:05:00.001-08:00

I would never have thought that a 575 page biography could possibly hold my attention all the way through. But Catherine the Great by Robert Massie did just that. Catherine comes across as a real flesh and blood person. From her birth and early years as the daughter of a minor noble in Germany to her disastrous marriage to young Peter through her long reign as empress of all the Russias, this book make her come alive. She lived an loved on an immense scale. I won't even try to enumerate her interests and accomplishments; I will leave that story to Robert Massie and encourage you to meet Catherine through his book.

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

2012-02-08T13:15:00.001-08:00

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. In 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt named a new ambassador To Germany, William E. Dodd who was a professor of history at the University of Chicago. This book covers his 4 years as ambassador during the rise to power of Adolf Hitler. Ambassador Dodd brought his family with him—his wife and grown son and daughter. The first year was a study in willful blindness to the growing evil of Nazism. It is understandable only by remembering how strong the isolationist sentiment was at that time and how prevalent anti-Semitism was in the United States. After the first year though the Dodd family’s eyes were open to the horrors. Much of the time Dodd was at odds with the State Department which seemed more intent on recovering bonds from the German government than in facing Hitler. The strain of living in Germany during those years caused a decline in Dodd’s health and he retired at the end of 1937. After that, he spent much of his time and energy to alerting the citizens of the U.S. to the mounting danger from Germany. The book included (maybe a bit too much) the various love affairs of his daughter Martha. All in all, it presented a realistic picture of a family from Chicago suddenly plopped into the middle of the rising Third Reich where they had great cognitive dissonance between their expectations of a civilized society and their observation of a descent into barbarism.

The rosy lies we are being told about Afghanistan.

2012-02-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

This article in the Armed Forces Journal is written by a Lt. Colonel who has done 2 tours in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan. The man is not just another talking head. He knows what he is talking about. Read the whole thing and weep for the lives and limbs and minds lost.

http://armedforcesjournal.com/2012/02/8904030

U.S. Planning to Slash Iraq Embassy Staff by Half

2012-02-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a start.

From today's NY Times:

“We always knew that what they were planning to do didn’t make sense,” said Kenneth M. Pollack, of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. “It’s increasingly becoming clear that they are horribly overstaffed given what they are able to accomplish.”

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

2012-02-07T06:34:00.001-08:00

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James. If Jane Austen herself did not actually write at least the first chapter of this book, surely P.D. James was channeling her when she wrote it. Did you ever wonder what happened after Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy married? P.D. James enlightens us in this delightful sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. There is a murder at Pemberley and the morally challenged brother-in-law and husband of Lydia, Wickham, is the obvious suspect. The murder sets the stage for the delicate interactions among the characters from Pride and Prejudice. A delightful, pleasant read.

At age 92, P.D. James is still dazzling us with her amazing talent.

Winter???

2012-02-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

We seem to have missed winter altogether this year. We have gone from autumn to late autumn to early spring. We had one killing frost which laid the garden low but that's it. We have had several good soaking rains for which we are very thankful. However, around here rain without cold weather means only one thing--mosquitoes! The weeds in the yard and garden are greening up and growing taller than the brown grass--looks most untidy. OTOH, the new roses have buds on every single one of them. One thing about the garden, there's always something new and always something to do.

Accept No Mediocre Life by David Foster

2012-01-31T17:24:00.000-08:00

This motivational book is written from a Christian perspective. It has the usual chapters on commitments to being you own unique best self, seizing opportunities, excelling with what you have, and doing it now. The book is obviously written for people several decades younger than I am. However, I did find it worthwhile by applying the principles to aging and retirement. For example, the chapters on conquering fears and living courageously can certainly be applied to living the final chapters of life. The chapters on asking for help and developing a sustainable pace are helpful too. Treating time is life is good advice for everyone. The most applicable chapter at my stage of life was the one on finishing well.

The End of an Era

2012-01-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today I received my W-2 from my previous employer. In fact, it is my last W-2 period. I love being retired but somehow knowing that this is the last one ever, I feel rather bereft. Odd. I don't want to go back to work but this seems so final. Maybe I just need some hot tea and a good book and I'll think about it tomorrow...maybe.

Saturday Doings

2012-01-30T08:34:00.001-08:00

Our new roses were delivered today. JMM has prepared the new rose bed with all the finest ingredients--- he removed the clay soil and worked in compost, cow patties, mulch, and special rose soil. It should grow some magnificent roses. We went kind of overboard and ordered 18 new roses. But there is plenty of room for them. He also ordered a nice climbing rose for the east side of the house. He was out pruning the Daybreaker roses when the FedEx guy came with the new ones. (I cannot prune roses because you must be ruthless and cut them too much for me. I am too tender hearted and want all the branches to have a chance... ).

JMM took Daisy in the truck to get a Diet Coke. He was almost back to the house when he called me and told me to drop everything and be ready with both pairs of binoculars to hop in the van and be ready to go as soon as he got home. I did and off we went, first to the front lake where here were 3 pelicans! I cannot imagine why they are this far inland! We have never seen pelicans on the lakes! Then we drove on Hwy 762 towards the school and in the fields to the left, there were 2 flocks of Sandhills Cranes; each flock had about 50 of those magnificent birds. So today turned into a really good birding day without even trying!

After I made our usual Saturday baked potato for lunch, I made a pan of brownies. And for dinner, I made us bacon sandwiches and oven fries. Since Daisy is going home tomorrow, I cooked her 2 pieces of bacon too.

We are reading about Brunelleschi in February for our Art History project. I am reading Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King. JMM ordered a large picture book of his work. We saw his magnificent dome at Santa Maria del Fiore when we were in Florence in 2001.

What an idiot!

2012-01-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

Over the past 3 months I have had increasing pain in my right shoulder. At first I thought it was arthritis. But it didn't seem to be confined to the joint. As time went on the pain seemed to spread from my shoulder to the muscle in my right upper arm and to my neck. I was taking aspirin or ibuprofen 1 or2 tablets twice a day. Yesterday I decided that it was time to make an appointment with the doctor because I really hate to take medicine regularly and because I wanted to find out what was causing it. So I made the appointment for next Monday. This morning I decided to google "right shoulder pain" and there it was--the cause of all the pain is my computer mouse! I don't have a computer desk so my arm is at an ergonomically incorrect angle and with all the time I spend at the computer I am injuring my shoulder. I feel like such an idiot for not thinking of this months ago. Needless to say, I am making arrangements to get the keyboard and mouse on a lower level and in the meantime using only the iPad.

Anahuac NWR Birding Trip

2012-01-23T12:25:00.000-08:00

Saturday we took a one day trip to Anahuac NWR. It was a beautiful day--not too hot, not too cold, a bit cloudy but no rain. We stopped at the lovely Visitor Center and took a walk on the boardward out into the salt marsh. I could have stayed there all day! A flock of beautiful cedar waxwings and rufous crowned sparrows kept us mesmerized. But I'm glad we went on into the refuge. There was a lot of road construction going on, probably still repairing from Hurricane Ike 3 years ago. Anyway, we saw flocks of white ibis, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, and many other beautiful birds. The star attraction of the trip was near the tiny town of Anahuac where JMM spotted a pair of Eastern Bluebirds. How can anything be that beautiful!! It was good to go and good to come home as always.

Giotto by Norbert Wolf

2012-01-17T04:20:00.001-08:00

My career was in the medical field and I have little knowledge of art or art history. Now that I have retired, I want to explore this area. So my husband and I are reading about an artist and his work each month. We began this month with the 14th century painter Giotto. Norbert Wolf's 90 page book on Giotto was a good choice for a beginner. The variety of his work is impressive --not variety of subject because the vast majority was religious. We took a trip to Italy in 2001. We went to Rome and Florence but if we were to go again, we would make sure to see the Arena Chapel in Padua. The pictures in this small book show a wide variety of his work. The text describes the time, place, and technique of the paintings in a manner understandable to a beginner like me. Next month we stay in Italy but move forward in time to Brunelleschi and his magnificent dome.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

2012-01-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Letter_Birmingham_Jail.pdf

It's good to read this every once in a while just to remember where we have come from.

The public schools I attended were completely segregated. I remember the separate water fountains. The only blacks I knew were the maids. I never ate at a restaurant where blacks were served. And most interesting, JMM has the deed to the house that his parents bought just after WW II; the deed specifies that the property could not be sold to Negroes. This is not ancient history, it is within my lifetime. And we wonder at lingering resentment.

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

2012-01-15T05:38:00.001-08:00

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

This is a beautifully written account of a young woman's journey to Christian faith. Caro arrives as a scholarship student from Canada in Oxford to study the literature of the Romantic poets. The beautiful descriptions of student life in Oxford are certainly enough to keep one reading but the spiritual questions that she asks are so universal that it was hard to put down. As she questions and searches for answers, her honesty, humor, and humility keep the book from being pompous or condescending. The many references to literature have me wanting to pull out my old volumes of English literature and drink in the beauty of the masters. In addition to the story of God's love, a tender human love story unfolds.
Not everyone will find the answers that Caro finds, but just about everyone asks the same questions

Soup of the Month--December

2012-01-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, I'm two weeks late on this but better late than never. The soup for December was Split Pea and Ham soup. I've never made this before so I got the recipe from the Whole Foods website:

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

1 (16 oz, package dried green split peas, rinsed
1 meaty ham bone, 2 ham hocks, or 2 cups diced ham (I had frozen leftover ham from Christmas so I used that.)
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup chopped onions
2 ribs celery plus leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup fresh parsley (I used 1 Tablespoon dried parsley>)
Salt and pepper to taste
6 cups chicken broth or stock

Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given, adding broth last. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on high 4- 5 hours or on low 8--10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off the bone.

I served this with hot buttered cornbread and it was scrumptious.

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie (1)

2012-01-12T06:17:00.000-08:00

Since this book is 575 pages long, it will be a while before I actually finish it but I plan to give updates on the book as I read it. I am now on page 80 and have decided that it is much nicer to live now as an ordinary person than it was 250 years ago as an empress. For one thing, people got sick and died early and often. Another is that as an heir to the throne, you'd better watch your back--literally. Marriages among nobility were arranged for political advantage and to heck with love and affection.
As of page 80, Catherine (born Sophia) has been called to Russia by the Empress Elizabeth to marry Elizabeth's nephew Peter. That Peter had some physical and emotional issues is at best an understatement (but given his early childhood, quite understandable). The wedding has taken place amid spectacular finery but the marriage is an unconsummated dud. That's where I left off and we will pick it up again in another 100 or so pages.

Retirement Social Life

2012-01-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

One of the aspects of retirement that I am enjoying very much is the opportunity to have more of a social life. I've never been one that needs a crowd all the time but while I was working, I withdrew from most activities that required time and energy. It seemed like all I could to to keep house and work. Then when I retired, it took me about 6 months to just rest, unwind, and get enough energy and enthusiasm to decide what to do. It was (and still is) a joy to wake up and not have to jump in the shower, grab something to eat, and be out the door and off to work. In the past, the holiday season was very stressful with the hospital usually full, staff short from illness or PTO, and all the holiday stuff to get done on top. But not this year. We have socialized more this holiday season than in many, many years and it was just plain fun. We had a party for my birthday, a lovely family Christmas dinner, the neighborhood New Year's Eve Potluck at our house, and this weekend a fun birthday party for JMM. Another way that we are socializing more is that we can be more active in our church. We have a great Adult Bible Fellowship group of people our age, all boomers. What makes it so nice is that we are all old enough to have had life's happenings knock the sharp edges off and we can just love and support each other. And finally, I have joined a book club at the library and found a congenial group of biblioholics.
Can you tell that I'm taking to retirement like duck to water??

Fourth Quarter Financials

2012-01-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

This was a really good quarter for us. We increased our Emergency Fund by $3500 and our total retirement funds went up by $44,500. We continue to have no debt.

We are thankful that we are in good health and that JMM is fully employed.

BHAG for 2012

2012-01-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

We have decided to double our giving this year from what we gave last year. Since I retired last year, our income was cut almost in half. It will be a stretch but looking at the numbers, it looks doable. Living debt free makes it possible. We have already doubled our January giving so only 11 more months to go.

(BTW, a BHAG is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. )

2011 Reading List

2011-12-29T17:04:00.000-08:00

AFruitful Vine by Carrie Bender

A Winding Path by Carrie Bender

One with Christ by Hudson Taylor.

In Siberia by Colin Thubron

The Greater Journey by David McCullough

A Joyous Heart by Carrie Bender

The Dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz

Lucy by Ellen Feldman.
All through the Night by Grace Livingston Hill
Next to Love by Ellen Feldman
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
The Greater Journey by David McCullough.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Audio CD. Didn’t finish.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Allan Bradley.

Haiti after the Earthquake by Paul Farmer.

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchey. Audio CD.

Lost in Shangri-La. by Mitchell Zuckoff

Beechwood Acres by Carrie Bender

One Amazing Thing

That Used to Be Us by Thomas Friedman.

One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downs.

The Gift of Good Land by Wendell Berry.
Henrietta's War by Joyce DennysHenrietta Sees It Through by Joyce Dennys.
A Test of Wills by Charles Todd.
Good Evening, Mrs. Craven by Mollie Panter-Downes.
Second Nature by Michael Pollan.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.
The End of Normal by Stephanie Madoff Mack. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsen. Boomerang by Michael Lewis.

Second Nature by Michael Pollan

2011-12-29T16:48:00.001-08:00

Scattered through the verbage, the wordy points much belabored, the repetition, there are parts of this book that are humorous, thoughtful, and worth reading. What should have been a 150 page book with clarity was actually a 320 page exercise in seeing how many times he can make the same point.

Waste of paper and ink.

Goals for 2012

2011-12-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

The week between Christmas and New Years Day is a good time to set goals for the new year. I've found that I accomplish more if I plan specific, reasonable goals for the year and hold myself to them.

Goals for 2012:

I. Physical

A. Maintain weight

a. Healthy eating

b. Gentle exercise

B. Physical Exam

C. Mammogram ; Gyn exam

D. Dental Exams

II. Spiritual

A. Church and ABF

B. Bible chapter each day

C. Spiritual book each month

III. Professional

A. Renew License—done

B. Continuing Education hours

IV. Financial

A. Continue funding JMM 403b

B. Savings

1. Complete saving for Yard Scooter (Golf Cart)--done already thanks to a totally unexpected windfall.

2. Begin saving for Sprinkler system

D. Maintain debt free living

E. Increase charitable giving--We have decided to double our giving this year even though my retirement last year cut our income almost in half.

V. Personal

A. Monthly haircut

B. Spring and fall clothes

C. Read good books

D. Go birding in Brownsville

E. Quilting

F. Expand Rose Garden

G. Travel—NYC and/or Washington, D.C.

Winter Solstice

2011-12-22T16:17:00.000-08:00

Long nights, quilts, hot tea and banana nut bread, soup, flannel pajamas and fuzzy house shoes, murder mysteries, remembering that I should have potted some paper whites or a bright red amaryllis weeks ago.

Now as the old adage goes, When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen.

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!

Boomerang by Michael Lewis

2011-12-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Boomerang by Michael Lewis. There are many varieties of travelogues—some focus on the architecture of an area, others on the local cuisine, still others the flora or fauna of a natural area. Michael Lewis in this book takes a tour of some of the countries where there has been a recent financial implosion—Iceland, Greece, Ireland, Germany, and yes, California. It isn’t an in depth examination of the economies of these places; it’s more a look at the culture of the people and the circumstances of a freewheeling banking system that couldn’t bring itself to say “No” to even the most hair-brained financial scheme. A good, light read on a really complicated subject.

Payroll Tax Holiday...or not

2011-12-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

I do not particularly like paying taxes any more than anyone else but I have come to the conclusion that I hope Congress doesn’t get its act together enough to extend the current Payroll Tax holiday. Why?? Because that is the money that funds Social Security. Everyone runs around crying that the sky is falling because “Social Security won’t be there for me when I reach the age to need it.” Well, duh, if you stop funding it, yes, when you need it, it probably won’t be there. This is so typical of the American penchant for wanting the goodies without paying for them. I happen to think that Social Security is a good thing as part of a retirement program and I want it to be there for me and for my descendants. Therefore, it needs to be funded. What a novel concept: If you want something, like say you want to start two wars on the other side of the world, you need to take out your wallet and pay for it. Same goes for Social Security.

It's over.

2011-12-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

American troops are leaving Iraq. What a terrible waste of lives and limbs and money. I wonder what the Ministry of Perpetual War has in store for us next. And unfortunately we will probably go marching patriotically right into it...again.

The End of Normal by Stephanie Madoff Mack

2011-12-10T11:14:00.001-08:00

I've had a fascination with the Madoff saga from the first news reports. The people fascinated me. So wealthy by all appearances and leading charmed lives until one day it is all gone. And worse than that, you find that your loved family member is a cold-blooded criminal, a real sociopath. How on earth do you carry on with daily life? Stephanie Madoff Mack answers that sometimes you can't. She chronicles her life from the time she met and fell in love with Mark Madoff, eldest son of Bernie and Ruth Madoff, through their courtship, marriage, and birth of their daughter and son. She describes the stunned response as Bernie confesses to his two sons, Mark and Andy, that he has stolen the life savings of thousands of people, many of them relatives and close friends. For two years, Mark and Stephanie tried to pick up the pieces and build a new life and each time they thought that hey were going to get past the shame and rebuild they lives, something would happen to throw them back into the pit of shame and depression. In the end, Mark couldn't bear the pain and committed suicide. One question that was finally answered in my own mind was that Bernie's wife, sons, brother, and family really had no idea that he was anything but the loving husband, father, and grandfather and gifted businessman that they thought he was. It really was an epic tragedy.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsen

2011-12-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsen. It is likely that I would not have read this book if it had not been a selection for my book club. I won’t write much of a review because I seem to be the last person on earth to have read it. The book has two themes—a business/finance machinations story and a murder mystery story. The murder mystery part was really good but IMHO the business/finance story dragged on. The strong points of the book to me were the well-drawn characters, each unique and clearly portrayed. I give it about 3.5 stars. I'm not planning to read the sequels.

64

2011-12-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday and I am 64 years old. I'm not young and it doesn't bother me at all. One of the wonderful things about getting old is that you can relax and just be. I love the poem below and it sums up my aging philosophy.

WARNING!

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph

BTW, I am spending my pension not on brandy and summer gloves but on roses and birding and quilting and books. And I wore purple last Friday.

A First

2011-11-29T04:41:00.000-08:00

This is the first year in 25 years that I have been off for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. And New Years. I was pretty much the proverbial Grinch at holiday time. The hospital was usually jammed, the surgery schedule packed, and we were typically short-staffed with employees out sick or on PTO. I was usually not very merry. Not this year!! I get all the fun and none of the headaches!! And people ask me if I miss working!! HA!!

I've missed the sound and smell of rain.

2011-11-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

It is raining, pouring buckets, not just a shower but a steady soaking rain. It's been a long time since I've heard that sound and smelled the scent of wet earth and plants. I've often thought that the smell was the prayer of thanks that the plants were sending heavenward. (Rationalists tell me it's ozone but I don't have to believe them.) The sound of this kind of rain is so calming, soothing. We had a house once with cala lillies near the windows and the sound of rain on those broad leaves put me to sleep every time. I know that the east and northeast has had more than enough rain this year but here on the Texas Gulf Coast, it has been a long dry year. Showers of blessings indeed!

Post Thanksgiving Clean Up

2011-11-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

This morning I cleaned out the refrigerator. I made up dinners from the leftover turkey, dressing, and corn and labeled them and put them in the freezer. I still had dressing left over so I froze a good sized container of that. With the very last of the turkey and gravy, I mixed up one last dinner for Daisy. (Doggies have to have Thanksgiving leftovers too.)

Now it is time to get out the Christmas stuff.

I AM NOT A CONSUMER!!

2011-11-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

I was listening to the Diane Rehm Show this morning on NPR and got so aggravated that I just shut it off. Most days I really enjoy her program but today’s show just rubbed me the wrong way. The entire hour was on the importance of Black Friday , Independent Saturday, Green Monday shopping. The constant reference to “the consumer” was like pouring alcohol on a skinned knee. I shouted at the radio “I AM NOT A CONSUMER!!” I am a human, a woman, a citizen but NOT A CONSUMER!! I am not some kind of advertising activated consumption machine!! I like items that last and I like to mend and repair things that just need a patch and then are good to go. In my opinion, one of the big drivers getting us in the current financial fiasco is people buying too much stuff, too much house, too many toys. A lot of people wouldn’t be in such bad shape if they’d ignored all the advertising hype, stayed out of debt, and saved their money. All the crap trashes the environment in its production, transportation, and finally in the landfill. Frankly, it is disgusting and I am embarrassed by the feeding frenzy. And finally, I AM NOT A CONSUMER!!

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

2011-11-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Biographies are usually more interesting to me about the person’s early life and my interest tends to wane as they pass into adulthood. However, this book was so well written and so interesting all the way through that I couldn’t put it down. I am so conflicted about Steve Jobs—I want to say what an egomaniac he was and how mean he was and that just because you are a genius, you really aren’t the center of the universe. But I have a hard time saying those critical things because…I am writing this on my i-pad. Would anyone else have revolutionized communication the way he did? I doubt it. Could he have been other than what and how he was. No way. He really was special.

The Washington Budget Fiasco

2011-11-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

I suggest that we put Congress on a contract basis. We hire them as independent contractors (no benefits) to make a budget and they get paid only when the budget is completed, passed, and signed. If they aren't able to perform, they don't get paid and we outsource it to India. OK, we just fire them and try again in 2012.

My Vacation Manifesto

2011-11-18T04:52:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have been married for 43 years and I love him dearly. But (you knew there was a "but" coming) we have vastly different ideas on what a vacation is. His idea of a vacation is to head off in a vague direction of what to see and what to do, a hotel is a place to spend minimum time--shower, sleep, dump stuff off--no need for reservations, any place will do. He likes to walk and see where it leads him--sidewalks, swamps, seashores--you never know what you'll find. Grab a sausage biscuit at McD's, fine for breakfast, Diet Cokes and peanuts for snacks, no problem. (And he wonders why he comes home from trips bloated, constipated, and grouchy...)

This is a fine idea for some people but it is not my idea of a vacation. For many years I tried to be a good sport and go along & get along. It was possible when we were young and mobile but I am now 64 and can't walk. So in preparation for our next vacation, I have issued My Vacation Manifesto. So here it is:

My Vacation Manifesto

1.   I have a destination with a hotel reservation at the end.
2.   I don’t stay in crappy motels. I stay at Marriott, Hyatt, or similar quality. The hotel room must be equipped with handicapped accessible toilet and shower with bath seat.
3.   I get 2 hours alone time daily.
4.   I eat breakfast at the hotel each morning and evening meal at a nice restaurant.

Winter Clothes Part 2

2011-11-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

I ordered everything on the shopping list except the shoes from LLBean and here are the results:

2 pair slacks--The brown ones came but the olive are on backorder until Jan 4; fit is good.
2 pullover sweaters--Love the cranberry mock turtleneck but the gold/brown is too big--will exchange for smaller size
1 pair pjs--These are the softest things I've ever had one; so comfortable I may just live in them!!

Still need to order shoes. I want brown lace up shoes. Have to keep looking--online.

Good Evening, Mrs. Craven

2011-11-15T08:01:00.000-08:00

Good Evening, Mrs. Craven by Mollie Panter-Downes. This book is a collection of short stories written by MPD in England during WWII and published in the New Yorker magazine from 1939 to 1945. While the setting for the stories is quite dated, the characters are not. In fact, you probably knows some of them (or their counterparts) today. There’s Mrs. Ramsay who meets an old beau for lunch and determines that she made the better choice with Mr. Ramsay. But then there is Mrs. Craven who wonders how she will know if her lover is killed or wounded in battle since notifications are sent to wives and families...and she is neither. There’s Frances who shares her home with Margaret and is envious of Margaret’s baby, George. Opposite her is Mrs. Craig who is almost unable to contain her joy when her guests leave. The characters are so clearly drawn that you are bound to recognize several. The stories are such delights that I found myself saving one each day until after dinner to read for dessert.

Indulging our affections

2011-11-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

Mary Muncil in her wonderful blog http://whitefeatherfarm.wordpress.com/ used the phrase "indulging our affections" and it struck a chord with me. Sometimes I feel guilty when spending time just playing with the cats or when I just can't stop my quilting. Well, no more--I am indulging my affections. DH is helping me indulge my rose affection/addiction; he is making a new rose bed for me. We have the new Edmunds Rose catalog http://www.edmundsroses.com/ and how easy it is to indulge my affections there!! Another affection to indulge is bird watching; Thanksgiving week we are going birding down the Texas Gulf Coast to Corpus Christi and on down to Brownsville. What a wonderful indulgence. I think that is what I am enjoying so much about retirement--I have time to indulge my affections.

Weather like this

2011-11-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

is what we here on the Texas Gulf Coast wait for all through July, August, and September. As we sweat and swat mosquitoes, we remind ourselves that eventually it will be October and November. We know that we will be able to open the doors and windows, go outside without sun block or insect repellant. Beautiful days and nights cool enough for a quilt. Gives me energy to clean out the garage...or at least think about cleaning out the garage. DH and I are planning another birding trip Thanksgiving week--going down the coast toward Corpus Christi and on to Brownsville.

November Soup--Potato Leek Soup

2011-11-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

First soup report!! It was so easy and so good!!

Potato-Leek Soup

(Crock Pot)

4 cups diced potatoes

3 cups thinly sliced leeks

2 cans chicken broth

8-10 slices bacon cut in ½ inch pieces, cooked and drained

1 cup evaporated milk

salt & pepper to taste

shredded cheese (Optional)

Combine first 4 ingredients in Crock Pot and cook on low for 8- 10 hours. Add evaporated milk and adjust seasonings during last 30 minutes cooking. Puree about 2/3 and add back into the remaining soup stir. Top with cheese if desired.

This one is a definite keeper.

Winter Clothes

2011-11-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

To put it mildly, I hate clothes shopping. The only thing I hate worse than clothes shopping is shoe shopping. OK, that's not true. I hate the entire Republican presidential field even more but that's another post. So it is time to patch up the wardrobe with some needed winter clothes. What do I need?

2 pair slacks
2 pullover sweaters
1 pair shoes
1 pair of pjs
I don't need a coat because our winters last approximately 30 minutes and my REI coat will probably never wear out.

I really like LLBean because the stuff is classic, fits well, they pay shipping, if I need to return anything there is zero hassle, and I can order it online and I don't have to set foot in a mall. Malls just set my teeth on edge and the minute I set foot in one, I just want to escape. I did go to the mall a couple of weeks ago to find DD's Christmas present and I have to admit that I did find a good parking place, and after I found the store, the staff was very helpful and had just what I was looking for. But still, I just wanted to escape.

We'll see how this shopping trip goes.

Some Recent Reads

2011-11-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Gift of Good Land by Wendell Berry. While I can’t argue with anything that Berry says about the importance of husbanding good land, I think he forgets that not all of us are either capable of or inclined toward being farmers. I loved the essays about the individual farmers and how they cared for the land and animals in their care.

Henrietta Sees It Through by Joyce Dennys. Henrietta Brown is the doctor’s wife in a small English village during WW II. She and her family and friends carry on with their lives and duties during that difficult time. Dennys is a wonderful portrayer of human nature. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the delightful line drawing illustrations that are scattered throughout the book bringing the characters even more to life. Along with her previous book Henrietta’s War, be prepared not to be able to put these wonderful books down.

One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downs. I should have loved this book but I found it tedious and boring. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a book written in such a hushed tone. I think I will try it again sometime because I really should have liked it...

Who is Kim K. ?

2011-11-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Everytime I open Yahoo there is some new drama about Kim K. I haven't a clue as to who she is and why I should be so fully informed about her life. Ack!

Soup of the Month

2011-11-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

I want to learn to make some different soups so I have designated 2012 as the Year of Soup. Each month I will make a different soup. I’m sure we’ll like some better than others but we shall try them all:

January Chickpea Soup a la Provencal

February Bouillabaise

March St. Patrick's Irish Cheddar

April Italian White Bean & Spinach

May Chicken Soup with Rice

June Pasta e Fagioli

July Shrimp & Con Chowder

August Gazpacho

September Swiss Chard & Lentil Soup

October Veggie Soup

November Potato Leek Soup

December Yellow Pea Soup

The Waste of It All

2011-10-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

Rod Dreher has a good post up about the end of the Iraq War.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/2011/10/28/iraq-the-waste-of-it-all/

"The waste of it all." sums it up for the Iraq war.
"The waste of it all." will sum it up when we end the war in Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Uganda, and the others that we don't even know about yet.

Birding Galveston Island

2011-10-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect day for birding!! Cool temperatures, clear skies, and two wonderful companions—JMM and Daisy!! We left at dawn and drove to Galveston. As usual great birding along the frontage road leading to the causeway and along East Galveston Beach. Here’s the list for the day:

Kildeer

Mourning dove

Mockingbird

Crow

Red-Tailed Hawk

Pigeons

Sparrows

Turkey Vultures

Brown Pelicans (lots)

Belted Kingfisher

Great Egret

White Ibis

Cormorants

Tricolored Heron

Willets (always)

Great Blue Heron

Little Egret

Grackle

Starling

Reddish Egrets

Laughing Gulls (many)

Royal Terns

Ring-billed Gulls

Snowy Plover

Forster’s Tern

Herring Gull

Lesser/Greater Yellowlegs

Black-necked Stilt

Kestrel

Rusty Blackbird

White-tailed Kite

Pretty good for a morning's birding!!

Mosquitoes!!

2011-10-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

All through this summer's horrid drought, we consoled each other by remembering two things. The roses were outstanding this year because it was too dry for them to be blighted by the usual fungus infestations. And secondly, this year we could rejoice being outside in the evenings because there were no mosquitoes to drive us mad.

Well, we had some rain last weekend and by Friday, we were unable to step outside without being covered with the little beasties!! It seems that we are getting a whole year's worth of mosquitoes all in one week. You can watch people as they are driving smashing their hands against the car window trying to rid themselves of the maddening creatures that they are confined with. Last night I found myself with a blanket over my head while watching a Netflix DVD because there was this kamikaze mosquito determined to suck blood from my inner ear.

Mosquito by Deborah Frontiera

Familiar whine in my ear
You settle on my forearm
Prepare to pierce my skin with your proboscis
I raise my had to strike
Wait!
What if I let you complete the cycle?
You might feed the songbird
Who cheers my day.
You larvae might feed the minnow
Who feeds the fingerling
Who feeds the pike
Who feeds me.
You might be a meal
For the brown bat
Whose guano fertilizes
Tomatoes for my salad.
SMACK!
But not today.

One War Down, At Least One to Go

2011-10-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

President Obama has declared victory in Iraq and the troops not attached to the U.S. Embassy will be leaving Iraq by the end of the year. (My immediate thought was "End of which year??" but it appears that it is by the end of this year.) Thank goodness, it's finally coming to an end. I am still suspicious that they will be moved from Iraq to Somalia, Yemen, Uganda, etc. but then I am a suspicious person.

My suggestion is that he declare victory in Afghanistan and save us all a lot of trouble (and lives and limbs). Whether we declare victory today, next year, or five years from now, the future of Afghanistan is up to the Afghans.

I will continue my weekly letter writing campaign to the President about this matter. (Hey, it can't hurt...)

SSDI or not??

2011-10-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

I am disabled from a progressive neuromuscular disease; I worked until I could not work any longer. I have not applied for SSDI and don’t intend to. Why not? I suppose that I could spend the money but in all honesty, I don’t really need it. I know people whose disability has caused them real hardship and they flat need the money but I don’t. I do plan to draw my Social Security when I turn 66 because by then DH will be retired (maybe) and we will be drawing down our retirement savings. My sister-in-law thinks I’m dumb not to take the SSDI and maybe I am…but then maybe I’m happy with enough.

The Sleep(less) Study

2011-10-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

I had a sleep study done last night and what an ordeal that was!! I checked in at 7:30 and the technician started getting me ready. It took about 30 minutes to get all the monitoring electrodes in place: on my scalp, on my face, on my neck, chest, back, and two on each lower leg; a belt loosely around my chest and one around my waist; and last but not least, a face mask over my nose and mouth with a tube attached to a CPAP machine. Good night, sleep well…How on earth can anybody sleep with all that??—and don’t forget the camera staring down at you. I turned the lights off at 10pm and lay there sleepless until about 1 am, dozed/slept until 5am. I can’t imagine how that is reflective of a normal night but I suppose it is the best that can be done to get the information. I should get the results in about a week. The cost to me so far has been $45 co-pay to the sleep doc, $42 for the mask and tubing, and $289 for the sleep study itself (insurance paid 80% and I paid 20%).

The New Quilt

2011-10-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

I finished this quilt last week. I am calling it Jewels. Reason number 97 that I am so glad that I retired--I can finish my quilts in less than a year!! LOL!! I have the next quilt cut out--it is a Hearts applique made from leftover fabric from this quilt and another. I'll post a picture when I have the top together. And I also have fabric for a baby quilt--but I have until April to get that one done.

We've gone mad.

2011-10-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

That's it, the USA has gone stark raving bonkers. What other explanation could there be for:

1. We are sending troops into Uganda to end the Lord's Liberation Army. I suppose our stellar experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan have emboldened us to take on another area of the world. (Can the Nobel Peace Prize be rescinded?)

2, The state of Texas is considering adding a confederate flag to the available vanity license plates. There is certainly nothing else our legislature should be dealing with.

3. Oh wait, we do have one other issue here in Texas that is of some urgency--immigration. We don't want to be outshone by Alabama now do we. ( I wonder which group of immigrants should be deported--the Mexicans, or the Texans.)

I'm taking a News Fast for a week. I just can't stand it.

That Used to Be Us by Thomas Friedman

2011-10-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

Thomas Friedman hits all the right points in listing our national problems—Energy, Education, Debt, Jobs. He accurately describes the problem, gives a history of the problems, gives concrete examples of the problem, tells why it is a problem. And then he discusses solutions for the problem—which is the problem with the book. You see, Tom, if human nature were as good as it would take us to be to implement these solutions, we wouldn’t be in the frigging mess we’re in in the first place. If you are an optimist, Wow, you’re going to be bowled over by the terrific solutions to all these national problems. If you are a crabby pessimist like me, well, it just isn’t going to happen....which is a real shame.

Retirement 5 months in

2011-10-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

One of my more annoying habits is to make a decision and then beat myself up because I didn't decide the other way. It wouldn't matter when side I chose, I would look at all the benefits of the other side and berate myself for not chosing the other side. Anyway, I can honestly say that I have not once, not for one minute, wished that I was still working. That amazes me because I was very proud of my profession, I worked at a prestigious institution, and if I say so myself, was darn good at it. I had often thought that I would be bored or lonely without my work. Ha! I love being busy at my quilting, reading another chapter, cooking something new, watching the birds at the feeder. I am busy without being pressured and I love it! I'm not lonely because I've never been one that has to have others around all the time. I see my family about as much as we all want to see each other, I'm in a really good book club, there's a quilt group that I can drop in on if I want, and I see my church friends almost every week.

One thing that I am wondering about is DH. He is still working and I am wondering how we will rub each other once he retires?? I love him dearly but too much togetherness may grate. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

3rd Quarter Financials

2011-10-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

I finished the Quarterly Financial Statement this morning and while the market is down, we still have $815,000 in our retirement accounts. Since we aren't planning to take any withdrawals until we have to at age 70 1/2, I try to focus on how we are buying while the market is down and hoping that the market will have recovered in 5 1/2 years. Total Net Worth is down correspondingly to $1,352,678.

We need to set up a new Excel Spreadsheet and graph. I have been tracking on the current StarOffice spreadsheet since 1996 and so much of our investments, properties, and savings has changed. It is fun to look back and see how the graph has risen but I think it would be cleaner and easier to do on a nice fresh Excel Spreadsheet.

Junk food isn't cheap.

2011-09-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

There was an excellent article in Sunday's NYT showing how fast/junk food isn't cheaper than nutritious food. I've long suspected as much. I know that I can make a huge pot of vegetable soup that is tasty, nutritious, and really inexpensive. Tonight I am making roasted chicken and vegetables which is absolutely divine and will make about 6 servings for a total cost of about $10. Then I will use the bones to make chicken stock for chicken noodle soup. That one chicken will make a total of about 12 delicious servings.

Then there is the non-monetary costs of junk/fast food. Obesity and its attending health problems, high blood pressure and diabetes. The trashing of the environment with all the bags and plastic. The trashing of the art of family meals--the set table, the aromas from the kitchen, the anticipation, and finally congenial companionship while eating. One last personal peeve: how will the children ever learn table manners when everyone is noshing their faces in a paper bag in front of the television??

To Renew or Not to Renew, that is the question.

2011-09-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

I am a registered pharmacist and in Texas, RPh licenses are renewed every other year for $325. In addition to license renewal, there is a Continuing Education requirement of 30 hours CE. I retired May 1 of this year and considering my neuromuscular condition, it is exceedingly unlikely that I will ever work again. I can't walk and I cannot manipulate syringes. I could do order entry verification and I could check technicians work. My previous employer has asked if I would be interested in doing PRN work but I have put them off. I don't particularly want to work again even part time; I don't financially need to work. But once your license lapses, that's it buddy. To be reinstated I would have to take the national boards again and frankly my dear, my brain isn't what it used to be. I think to be on the safe side, I'll renew because you just never know what's coming. What do you think??

Applesauce Raisin Spice Cake

2011-09-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am making this cake this morning and I wish I could post the way the kitchen smells so that you could enjoy it too! Here's the recipe in case I haven't posted it before:

Applesauce Raisin Spice Cake

1 ½ cup flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 ¾ cups sugar

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon cloves

½ teaspoon allspice

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ cup oil

1 ¾ cups applesauce

3 eggs

1 cup raisins

1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9X13 inch pan with non-stick spray.

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and spices into a large bowl.

Add applesauce, oil, and eggs beating at medium speed for 2 minutes.

Stir in raisins and nuts.

Turn into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Cool before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

½ cup butter

1 8 oz. cream cheese

1 lb box powdered sugar

½ tsp vanilla

A Trip to the ER

2011-09-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

For 43 years DH's response to "Don't you think you should go to the doctor??" has always been an irritable, "No, I don't need to go to the doctor!" So when he was in bed groaning that he had hurt his back, hip, and leg while using the shovel to dig a hole to plant a tree, I was surprised that he answered in the affirmative that he indeed did need to see the doctor. At 9am I made the appointment with the doctor for 3pm--6 hours to wait. But at 11am he was in such pain that I suggested I take him in to the ER and he agreed. He has never been in an ER in his 64 years. I had to dress him and get his shoes on as he couldn't bend to put them on himself. He was able to slowly hobble out to the van and off we went. They took him right in to an exam room and the ER doctor examined and questioned him carefully. He determined that it was a nerve injury at the ileo-sacral joint. 60mg injection of Toradol, 5mg oral Valium and waited 30 minutes--some relief. 4mg injection of morphine--much relief. I dropped the prescriptions off at the pharmacy on the way home, got him settled in the recliner, and went back for the prescription Naproxen, Valium, and Tylenol #3 and a new ice bag for his back. By the time I got back, he was feeling much better and was very mellow from the Valium. I made scrambled eggs and toast for dinner, got him in bed, cleaned up the mess in the kitchen, and collapsed into bed myself. Today he has some numbness and tenderness in his right leg, but he is able to move slowly without pain.

We are both aware that the situation would have been much different if we were one of the 1 in 4 Texans without health insurance. At least the president and the Democrats are trying to get health care for everyone. Thanks a lot Republicans, I'll remember you at the polls.

Internet dependency

2011-09-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

Our internet access was down for 2 days and frankly, I went into withdrawal. How could I connect with my internet blogging friends? What was going on in their lives? Was Crystal at MoneySavingMom.com able to get her freezer cooking in an hour done? What was new in politics with CabDrollery, Hattie’s Web, and Darlene’s Hodgepodge? Has Morrison’s husband at AllDoorsConsidered had his hernia surgery? I missed the animals at BedlamFarm and the beauty at PleasantviewSchoolhouse. My daughter’s dog had diarrhea and I couldn’t google to find out how to treat it and how to clean dog poo and deodorize dear daughter’s house. As if that wasn't bad enough, I was without Panadora--no music!! I’d like to say that I used all the extra time to clean cabinets, bake and freeze meals, exercise, and all other noble activities. But I didn’t—I played solitaire and watched the cooking channel. Access came back up yesterday afternoon and I felt reborn. I had so much to catch up on. Nice to be back.

The Greater Journey by David McCullough

2011-09-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

This book is about the American men and women who went to Paris in the years 1830-1900 in order to further their education in the arts and in medicine. It also gives a eyewitness account of the turmoil and tragedy from revolutions to epidemics in Paris during those years. Some of the people in the book I was familiar with but for many, I was not. The major thing that I came away from this book is the knowledge that I knew so little about that most important and interesting time and place. That is the gift of a talented historian such as David McCullough—you learn just how much you didn’t know.

Wow!! Two books in two days, that's a first.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

2011-09-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

I really, really wanted to love this book as I loved her earlier book, Bel Canto. But I couldn’t. It has the same feeling of the suspension of time in a confined place and it explores the characters and their reaction to the restrictions and a plasticity of time as in Bel Canto. But I couldn’t get past the implausibility of the story. It just wouldn’t have happened, at least not that way. The writing is vividly descriptive—you are in the dense green jungle, the anaconda leaves you breathless, the martins and rapps and martinets are exquisite. Most of characters are complex and evolve as the story unfolds; others remain excruciatingly one dimensional. I just don’t believe research pharmacologists working for a large pharmaceutical company set off so completely unprepared into the Amazon and the repetition of first one, followed by another, and another, is just so implausible as to spoil what would otherwise have been a really good book.

Rod's Back!!

2011-09-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have loved Rod Dreher and his family ever since I read his book, Crunchy Cons. (If you haven't read it, you are missing a delightful, thoughtful book.) Rod had a blog crunchycons.com for a good while, then blogged at belief.net for a bit, and finally blogged briefly at Big Questions Online which abruptly and inexplicably ended about a year ago. It was like Rod fell off the face of the earth. How could I find out about Julie's garden and chickens? the children's schooling vs. homeschooling? and most of all how was his beloved sister who was stricken with cancer doing? I was actually hurt that he just dumped the blog so abruptly; all I could think was that his employer must have given him the choice of his blog or his job. Every couple of months I would google Rod Dreher but nothing new ever came up...until today!! He is now blogging at The American Conservative. Now the fact that he is at TAC should tell you that we don't always see eye to eye on things political but that's OK because I don't always agree with me either. So the good news is that Rod is back. But the sad news is that his sister died yesterday and he is with his family planning her funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Do It Anyway

2011-09-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Morrison

2011-09-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking quite a bit about Morrison who blogs at All

Doors Considered. She is 60 and her husband is 55. They are the poster people for what is happening in this The Long Recession. They are probably better off than most their age because they have savings, no debt, a paid for house, and most of all they are better off than most because Morrison is paying attention. But because she is paying attention, she is worried, very concerned. Employment is the key and the fact is there just isn’t enough. Add in age discrimination and she has good reason to be worried. Currently her husband has a job but he was injured on the job and who knows how long the job will last. Morrison is smart, she has found health insurance for them at the lowest cost but with a high deductible and she has found prescription drugs at rock bottom prices. But then again, one bad accident, one serious illness, what happens then??

There are days when Morrison is down, she’s worried with good reason. The rules of the game have been changed. In fact, she thought she was playing one game and all of a sudden, she finds it’s not just new rules—it’s a whole different game. Then there are days when she is happy to be alive and well, happy to cook good inexpensive food, enjoying the beauty of upstate New York. Morrison is a fighter though. She may be down but you can bet those mental wheels are cranking out ways to cope, ways to get a handle on the situation, ways to get and give joy in life. Here’s to Morrison and all the other Morrisons who are struggling and living through The Long Recession.

9/11 Overdose

2011-09-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

It was a terrible thing. It is over. I have had enough of the 24/7 9/11.

Ready to evacuate

2011-09-08T08:38:00.001-07:00

OK, the active fires are one county away so I have the house and car titles, the insurance papers, checkbooks, and credit cards packed in the van. The cats are inside and the carriers are ready; cat food and litter in the van. All our pictures are on a portable hard drive in the safety deposit box at the bank. Suitcases with clothes and shoes, quilts and pillows are ready to move. Portable radio and batteries, camera. DH medicine.
I am on a first name basis with Wendy at the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. She says that the smoke which came rolling in about 90 minutes ago is from the fires in Montgomery county and that there are no fires currently in our area.

What am I forgetting to get ready if we do have to evacuate?

A Cool Day

2011-09-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

This morning the temperature was in the low 60's!! This is the first time that has happened since May. And today's high temperature is only 90!! The humidity is very low (well, low for the Texas Gulf Coast). So pleasant when I was out trimming the roses this morning. Even the cats were frisking about.

Another Cool thing about today is the whiz of hummingbirds at the feeders. I could see 4 at one feeder and 5 at the other. There were more but they just move too fast to count. They love our feeders, butterfly weed, and purple salvia. They are gathering along the coast before their migration to Central America.

The last Cool thing is my lemon cake which is out of the oven, cooling on the counter, waiting for the lemon glaze.

Thought for the Day:

I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. Martha Washington

Home Economics

2011-09-06T04:36:00.000-07:00

There's a wonderful article in today's NYT about reviving Home Economics.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/opinion/revive-home-economics-classes-to-fight-obesity.html?_r=1

It is aimed at the cooking aspect of home economics which I admit is very important. So many people simply don't know how to cook anything much less nutrition, meal planning or shopping from a list and budget.

But in addition to cooking, how about sewing? Not everyone will be a skilled seamstress but simple repairs such as replacing a button or repairing a hem. Actually, it would be wonderful if everyone could learn to use a pattern to make simple garments. Maybe then we wouldn't see so many people bursting out of their tank tops or with their jeans around their knees. Ack!!

Then their is budgeting and time management. Home maintenance. Lots of useful information in Home Ec. And while we're at it, how about bringing back shop and auto mechanics??

Postcard to the President

2011-09-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

My latest missive to the President was brief and to the point and fit nicely on a post card. Somehow, President Obama has missed the fact that he is the President of the United States. I wanted to clarify his position to him.

Dear President Obama,
You won the election. You are the President. Stop being Mr. Nice. You have Power. Please start using it.
Respectfully,

Sleep

2011-09-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

Is it just part of growing older to have trouble sleeping? Right now the only way I can sleep is propped up on 3 pillows or sitting semi-upright in the recliner. I fall asleep easy enough but wake about 90 minutes later. Some time between midnight and 4 am I will sleep 3 uninterupted hours. I have some arthritic pain in my shoulder that makes it difficult to get comfortable but I hate to take aspirin or ibuprofen every night, (Tylenol does nothing for it.) I can take a nap during the day and that helps but oh how I long for the nights of blissful uninterupted sleep!!

Makin' my list, checking it twice

2011-08-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not getting a head start on Christmas. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow for my annual physical and I want to be sure that I remember what needs to be discussed. Fortunately it is a short list because other than my CMT, I'm in good health.

I can't mention health care without thinking of the one in four Texans who have no health insurance. I have insurance and can go in to see a doc to make sure I stay healthy. But there are so many in this country who are sick and can't afford to see a doctor. I had such hopes that we could have universal health care...Evidently we can't afford universal health care but we can afford perpetual warfare. Got to keep our priorities straight...

A new iron

2011-08-27T10:22:00.001-07:00

I had to buy a new iron. This new iron is only the 3^rd iron I’ve had in 43 years of marriage. The last iron lasted 25 years and would still be working if I could replace the cord but things today are not made to be repaired, they are made to be replaced. I suppose replacing every 25 years is not too bad on the landfills. But still, I’d rather have been able to repair it. ( One reason it lasted so long may be that I don’t iron much—only with my quilting and sewing.) There have been improvements in irons in the last 25 year: It turns itself off if left in the down position after 30 seconds and after 15 minutes in the upright position. There’s a dot on the side that tells you when it is hot and when it is cool enough to put away. I seem to have done OK without these improvements but they do seem to make it a bit safer.

One of the best things about retirement

2011-08-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

is that when you need to go to Home Depot, you don't have to go on the weekend!! Actually, it could be Target or anywhere you need to shop--you can go Monday through Friday during the day and essentially have the store to yourself!! I had to go to Home Depot to arrange for someone to come out and install a new faucet for my kitchen sink. It would have been a major ordeal on the weekend of waiting for someone who actually knew how to schedule an installation and then standing in a long line waiting to pay for the installation. But on a Tuesday at 10 AM, it's a piece of cake!! Well, not actually a piece of cake because the person who was supposed to help me, hadn't been in serviced on the new computer software and we had to find someone who knew how to do it. But all I could think of was how much worse it would have been on the weekend.

A Letter to the President

2011-08-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

Dear President Obama,

I am writing to you today to urge you to end the decade long war in Afghanistan and to remove U.S. troops from Iraq. As we move closer to their removal, there will be immense pressure on you to leave some troops longer. I urge you to resist these pressures and to move steadily and consistently to a complete end to these military involvements.

Respectfully,

I am so distressed over so many things in government today that I feel completely overwhelmed. Social Security and Medicare being dismantled, health care overhaul being shredded, lack of civility, compassion, and compromise in budgeting. What can I do? Where does one start? Well, for me right now the thing that tears at me most is the terrible toll these wars are taking on everyone. So I am committing myself to writing one letter each Sunday to President Obama and one to my Congressional Representative letting them know that I vehemently object to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I wish there were an organization of Old Ladies Against the Wars but I've Googled it and nothing comes up. I'd even fly me and my electric scooter to Washington if there were any anti-war marches planned but there doesn't seem to be anything there either.

So you do what you can.

Lucy by Ellen Feldman

2011-08-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

Historical fiction at its best transports one to a different time and place. There you see the sights, hear the sounds, and feel the emotions of that time and place. That is what happens when you turn the first page of Lucy by Ellen Feldman. You listen in as Lucy Mercer tells you how she came to 1733 N Street to be the social secretary to the wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. You understand how she and Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to love each other and just how deep and enduring that love was. In telling their story, you are transported to Washington, D.C. when Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany, you are with the women in the canteen as the troop trains arrive and depart, you are at home in Aiken, S.C. when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and at Warm Springs, Georgia when Franklin dies. As much as we are who we are, Lucy, Franklin, and Eleanor are just who they are, each person treated with respect and compassion.

I can't wait to read more of Feldman's books.

The Heat

2011-08-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

It is always hot on the Texas Gulf Coast in August and I am always tired of it by August. But Lordy, there are summers and then there are summers!! There has been no rain and relief from the 100+ degree heat means a day of 97 degree heat. Ack!! Which brings me to air conditioning. I think of myself as an environmentalist--I reduce, re-use, and recycle; I drive a fuel efficient car and bundle all my trips to be as efficient as possible. But at approximately 90 degrees, I stop worrying about my carbon footprint and crank up the a/c. How did our pioneer fore bearers stand it?? Many didn't--they died or settled up North. The drought is wearing on me too. I worry about the little creatures and how they are getting enough water to stay alive. I see big old trees dying for lack of water. And it has been so long since I have heard that soothing sound of a nice steady rainfall and smelled the cool, clean air that it brings.
I am ready for autumn.

Accommodation

2011-08-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

There is a time to plow ahead and overcome the circumstances. There is also a time to reassess the situation and make adjustments for reality. For example, I had planned to continue to work until age 66 because I was good at my job, my employer appreciated me, and the pay was great. However, my neuromuscular condition reached a point that the struggle was simply overwhelming. I tried to soldier on but made myself sick. So, I retired. And you know what, the world didn't end. Our paid for house and debt free living habit of many years made it financially quite doable.

Today I made another accommodation to life. My life long hobby has been quilting--hand piecing the blocks and then hand quilting the quilt. Today, I realized that I can still quilt by piecing on the sewing machine and quilting only in straight lines. And you know what, that is fine with me. I can still get the pleasure of putting colors together in a pleasing pattern and still enjoy hand quilting and that is what I enjoy anyway.

The Trouble with Painting

2011-08-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

The trouble with painting is that if you just paint that little wall by the computer which really needs painting, then the freshly painted wall makes the wall next to it look grungy and you end up painting it, which of course makes it necessary to paint the next wall. I've been able to postpone it for a while by taking my glasses off but now even with glasses off, the little wall by the computer needs to be painted. Out will come the floor cloth, wet rags, paint, stirrer, brush, and paint for the little wall. Later will come the pan, the roller, and the extension for the next wall, and the next...

Dream to Goal

2011-08-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

There is a saying that the difference between a dream and a goal is a plan. While we were paying off the house, I kept a list of things that I wanted to do or buy When The House Is Paid Off. This WTHIPO list was to remind me that the austerity was just temporary and would not last forever. I put the list in priority order and what a joy it was to draw a line through that first item! (It was a replacement for a cracked window.) Over the past couple of months JMM and I have been discussing various things that would be nice to do but with no real commitment or priority to any of it. Ever the planner, I made a list of all that we had idly discussed and e-mailed the list to JMM with a request that he put them in order of his priorities. As it happens, the top 3 items on his priority list corresponded with mine.

They are:

1. Yard scooter

2. Sprinkler system

3. Travel

So we have decided to concentrate on getting a Precedent Golf cart so that I can move around our 4 acres and not be limited to the brick path where my electric scooter can go.

Next step is to move from dream to goal and make a plan. I spent some time going over the budget and arranged things so that we can save $200 per paycheck minimum. We should be able to accomplish this in less than a year.

Summer Fruit

2011-08-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

We will digress from the usual abysmal political / economic news and wallow in the juicy, drippy deliciousness of summer fruit. Oh my, the aroma of the peaches at the market just about sends me directly to heaven. Juicy, drippy, sweet peaches. We brought home peaches, grapes, and cantaloupe. The peaches didn't last until we got home. I cut up the cantaloupe and put it in a bowl in the refrigerator. I found JMM had stuck a note to the bowl, "No good. Leave this to me to take care of." Which of course meant that it was so good, he wanted all of it. And grapes, I've just left them on the counter so we can snack on them as we walk by. Watermelons, I love the smaller, seedless varieties. JMM loves plums of all kinds. Yum, have to go wash the juice off my chin. What's your favorite summer fruit?

I'd rather have to find a new husband

2011-08-05T07:20:00.000-07:00

I think I would rather have to find a new husband than a new hairdresser. It’s like going on a blind date in which if things go badly, you can’t just walk away—the bad date lingers on for months. Which is why even though we moved almost 8 years ago, I have been driving 60 miles round trip each month to the old salon. It was fairly reasonably when I was still working because I could stop by on my way in to work but now that I have retired, I really need to find a new hair cutter. I can’t put it off any longer so next week I take the plunge. Ack!!

CBS Evening News 8/3/11

2011-08-04T06:56:00.000-07:00

Several Items on the news yesterday really grated on me.

First, President Obama is going on a "listening tour" about jobs. He doesn't need to go on a listening tour about jobs. Can there be anyone, anywhere that doesn't already know that unemployment is a huge problem?? What is needed is some LEADERSHIP: fire and brimstone, raise the roof, energetic LEADERSHIP. Throw out ideas, plans, programs. Use the vast 2008 database to bury, drown, and trample the opposition.

Next was the segment on spending billions on inventing an Afghan police force. Is there anyone, anywhere who thinks that any police force in place when we leave will be there 15 minutes after the last troop transport leaves???

Finally, the segment on the dismantling of our educational system. This segment focused on California's universities but it could have been any state's elementary, secondary, or university system. We have to cut teachers, cut research, cut federal tuition aid while we pour money, lives, and limbs into Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia.

Why are we not marching on the capitol and burying our legislators with e-mail, phone calls, and letters??

Ben Bernanke tells it like it is...via The Onion

2011-08-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Onion nails it again:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/drunken-ben-bernanke-tells-everyone-at-neighborhoo,21059/

The Budget

2011-07-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

I like to be in control of my finances and the only way that I have found to have that control is to have a plan...better known as a budget. People say that they try to budget but something always comes up. It is understandable that it takes some time and practice to get the hang of making a written budget but it is also important to have an emergency fund so that when a true emergency happens, there is money to take care of it. It is also important that if you are married that your budgeting includes your spouse so that neither feels their priorities are not being taken into account.

The basic idea is to take the money that comes in (take home pay) and spend it all on paper--just write down all your expenses for the coming month. It surprises many people that they will have money left over after writing down expenses. Use that money to build the emergency fund or save for something special; I have a category for "mad money" for each of us to have some pocket money.

Being in control of our finances has allowed us to live debt free, in a paid for home, driving paid for vehicles, and have a good emergency fund. I know that at the end of the year when property taxes, home owner's insurance, and Property Owner's Association fees come due, the money will be there to pay them because I've been saving $500 per paycheck all year long.

There's less stress with no money fights because all is agreed on in advance. There's less stress because expenses are planned and saved for in advance.

Wouldn't it be nice if Congress would sit down with a pad of paper and pencil, list what expected income is, budget anticipated necessary expenses, and put the remainder in a rainy day fund. Then we wouldn't be having this national nervous breakdown over raising the debt ceiling and paying down the debt.

Fruited Chicken Salad

2011-07-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

Perfect for summer lunch or dinner.

Fruited Chicken Salad

4 cups diced cooked chicken breasts ( about 6 breasts)

1 15 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 11 oz can mandarin orange section, drained
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
½ cup sliced, pitted ripe olives
½ cup chopped bell pepper (green)
2 Tablespoons sliced green onions

1 cup mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon prepared mustard

1 5 oz. Can chow mein noodles

In a large bowl combine first 8 ingredients. Blend Mayo and mustard. Toss gently with chicken mixture. Cover and chill several hours. Just before serving, mix in chow mein noodles. Serve on lettuce leaves on chilled salad plate.

Letter to my Congressional Representative

2011-07-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Representative Olson,
The purpose of this letter is to encourage you to support a compromise of spending cuts and revenue increases in the legislation to increase the National Debt Limit. We think that this compromise will serve our nation better in the short term by raising the Debt Limit to avoid defaulting on our debts and in the long term by lowering our national debt. We sincerely appreciate your best efforts in this matter.

I sent the above letter to my congressional representative this morning. Last night President Obama asked everyone to contact their representative to let them know what we want them to do. So I did.

I am also praying for wisdom and peace for our members of Congress and our President.

3 Books at a Time

2011-07-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

I seldom read just one book. I usually have 3-4 going at the same time. 3 seems about right--5 is too many and 2 is just not enough. I take a book with me almost all the time--the optometrist kept me waiting 30 minutes which could have been aggravating if I hadn't been deep In Siberia by Colin Thubron. (In the heat these days here on the Texas Gulf Coast, Siberia doesn't seem quite so bad...)
The 3 I have going right now are:
In Siberia by Colin Thubron
A Fruitful Vine by Carrie Bender
Amish Peace by Suzanne Fisher

I also have 3 books on machine applique because I want my next quilt to be appliqued cat faces but that's another post.

On the stack to be read:
The Greater Journey by David McCullouch
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (Her book Bel Canto is one of my all time favorites.)
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier (I've seen the movie several times but never read the book.)

I wonder if I should get a Kindle, Nook, or tablet. I just don't know.

Drones versus Shuttles

2011-07-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

I suppose it is just as well that the shuttle program is ending because we have no money for space exploration. Of course, we have money for wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and who knows where else. Better drones anyone?? I think I'll go bang my head against a wall for a while.

The Happiest People

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

do not have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything.

from Crystal Payne's blog Money Saving Mom.

A Short History of Women by Kate Walberg

2011-07-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

	I really wish that on the Goodreads ranking system, there was one less than 1 star--say a black hole rating. This book deserves it. It is a navel-gazing introspection of 4 generations of self-centered whiners. Even the sentence structure is gratuitously obtuse; it is as if the writer tried to arrange the words in each sentence to accomodate the most commas possible. Finally, I kept waiting for some character redemption but none was forthcoming. I finished the book as an act of self-disciple. I wonder if it will count as time spent in purgatory.

I really wish that on the Goodreads ranking system, there was one less than 1 star--say a black hole rating. This book deserves it. It is a navel-gazing introspection of 4 generations of self-centered whiners. Even the sentence structure is gratuitously obtuse; it is as if the writer tried to arrange the words in each sentence to accomodate the most commas possible. Finally, I kept waiting for some character redemption but none was forthcoming. I finished the book as an act of self-disciple. I wonder if it will count as time spent in purgatory.

Planning a trip

2011-07-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Planning is almost as good as the event. I love to plan things--next season's garden, the budget, the week's menu, and a good trip--to name a few. Do things always go as I plan?? Ha!! The wonderful thing about planning next autumn's garden is the lack of bugs and blight and deer. The wonderful thing about planning a trip is that there is no TSA, the flight leaves on time, and luggage is never lost. Now back to reality.

We are planning a trip to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion and O. JMM and I have seen O but DD has not. I think I could watch O a hundred times and still be in awe. We are planning around JMM's birthday in January.

None of us gamble but the shows and food are wonderful.

Things to be done:
1. Airline tickets
2. Reservations for Celine
3. Reservations for O
4. Hotel reservations

Muffins

2011-07-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

When I get upset over the state of the economy/world/government, I bake muffins. (Here lately, we've been eating a lot of muffins...)

One of my favorites is this one:

Bran Muffins with Raisins

2 cups buttermilk

1 egg

2 tablespoons oil

½ cup honey

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 ½ cups wheat bran (Not Bran Flakes; you can get plain wheat bran at Whole Foods or other natural foods store.)

1 cup raisins

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine buttermilk, egg, oil, and honey. Stir together flour, bran, raisins, baking powder, and baking soda. Add to liquid ingredients. Pour into oiled muffin tins and bake 15-17 minutes.

Variation: Instead of raisins, use 1 cup nuts, 1 mashed ripe banana, ½ cup chopped dates, or ½ cup peanut butter.

National Debt Ceiling

2011-07-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

Time to pay the piper. Funny how the people who got us into 2 wars with no thought how to pay for them other than by giving upper income folks lower taxes (hmmm), these folks are now willing to throw the country into default to get us out of debt. No, it's not funny; it is abominable. I keep thinking how much good we could have done with the money wasted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and Somalia. How much medical care given, how many schools built, how much land restored, how many people alive and whole. What a waste. And now it is time to pay the piper. It won't be pleasant.

Quarterly Financial Update

2011-07-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

I did the financials for the second quarter. Retirement savings are $898K, Emergency Fund, $60K, and Net Worth $1.45M. I am retired but JMM continues with his job for income and health insurance. No one who knows us would have any idea that we have this much money. Our house is paid for, our cars each have over 135,000 miles, we dress casually and inexpensively, church and home are our activity centers.

We realize that we are among the more fortunate in this country and certainly among the most fortunate on earth. It is a responsibility to use the resources that we have been given in a wise and compassionate manner.

President Obama's speech on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

2011-06-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

This evening President Obama will give a speech outlining his plan for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. I am worried. In all probability, he will plan to remove 10,000 by the end of this year. That still leaves about 123,000 troops still there and another 100,000 contractors (according to those who should know). 10,000 is not nearly enough. We should have 30,000 (the surge) out by the end of the year, another 50,000 out by the end of 2012, and the remaining 50,000 by the end of 2013. Cut the $$$ off to the contractors over the same period. End the nation building in Afghanistan and start the nation building at home. If anyone wants to support charity to Afghanistan, I'm sure they can find organizations doing charitable work there to donate to.

I get extremely annoyed when I hear that we have to stay in Afghanistan because Pakistan has nuclear weapons. So, are we going to stay until they don't have nuclear weapons??

I will be watching the speech tonight. I am prepared to be very disappointed. I wish I knew of an organization like Old Ladies Against the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia.....I guess the acronym would be too long...

Paris after Midnight

2011-06-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

We went to see it Saturday evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story delves into the way that people look back onto another era as a golden age. Some see the 1950's as a better time and others look at the Victorian age as a golden time. I know people who think this way but I certainly don't. I can't see why any woman would want to live in a time where there was no birth control or no antibiotics, where women could not pursue advanced education or a profession, where she had to have her husband's permission for financial matters. No thanks.

If you want to see a good movie--beautiful Paris and an interesting story--Paris after Midnight is a nice evening's entertainment.

Painting Dilemma

2011-06-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

We have been in this house almost 8 years and some of the walls really need painting. The problem with painting is that you can never paint just one wall because that one freshly painted wall makes the one next to it look grungy. It will look grungy and need painting even if it looked perfectly acceptable just before you painted the first wall. So you paint the second wall which makes the next one look forlorn and in need of paint and before you know it you have been sucked into a major painting project. I've considered just learning to live with it but I know me--I'll decide that it won't be too bad to paint just that one little wall...I'll buy just enough paint for that one little wall...How much time and mess can painting one little wall create...Here we go again...