First Flag

I know these are irises but a long time ago we called them flags. L. came in and told me had a photo for
today's blog. (Really not trying to copy Margie!)
It is very chilly and windy with a big drop in the temperature from yesterday. No complaints here - feeling so much sorrow for those in the south affected by the storms.

An Important Date

You may think I'm mentioning this date because of the royal wedding. No.
I decided I was not going to watch any of the coverage leading up to the event - can you say over-saturated television?

And I sure wasn't going to wake up at four in the morning to see it live! Well, about  4:45 I woke up. Someone had left the television on and behold! There was Kate getting into the car to take her to the church on time. So since I was awake anyway, I watched. Beautiful dress and long ceremony. I hadn't planned to see it (there are always reruns) but it was spectacular.

However, the importance of this date is that fifty-nine years ago I had my first and last blind date. Three and a half months later, we had our own unspectacular wedding at the minister's home.

And they said it wouldn't last.

New Harness

This is a step in harness. Very convenient. The sides are even marked for right leg and left leg. No chance for error. Snaps up over the back.

Some of us older folks might smile at the term "step-ins" but this actually reminds me more of a bra.

Second pair - same outcome

Our lovable little great granddog loves to chew things - as do all puppies. One must train oneself to maintain a site that is free of chewable objects.

The bedside table is not one of those areas. The first time we had a spare pair and just used the tiny screw driver to attach the extra ear pieces. This time it took a trip to the big W eye shop. They replaced the plastic end pieces. They look like new and no charge. We found this amazing.

From now on a drawer will be where the glasses are placed at bedtime.

Monday

Another quiet day. Turkey breast, creamed peas and baked potatoes were some items on the main course for dinner. We don't usually eat that high on the hog on a week day but L. was afraid the frozen turkey item was spending too much time in the freezer. The label actually said it was good  until May of 2012. It was very tasty and will make some good sandwiches later in the week.

Before I was married I used to wonder how "housewives" decided what to have for meals day after day. I am still wondering. I think smart people have a plan and a menu for a week or more ahead. I think it's more exciting just to find what is on the shelf and in the fridge and make it up each day.

I'm not sure L. is pleased with this method.

Boring Weather Report

You know it's a quiet week-end when the only thing to mention is the weather.

Promises for three days of "showers". Sun, sun and  more sun.  We need rain here.
This is not a recent picture but it's one of the last times we saw any clouds.

Mork "downtown"

Our town has an event they call Third Thursday. Crowds gather around musicians, stores stay open, artwork is on display, new restaurants open. . .
We decided it would be a good time to socialize our visiting great granddog. We're not too sure how he reacts around strangers.
We arrived early. Too early it appears. There were no people, one musician testing sound equipment and a cold south wind. We took a one block walk north and returned the one block south to the car and came home. For goodness sakes, this IS April!

Tree Trimming - again

This time our branches were too close to the power lines so the local company hires a tree trimming service to remove them. No charge to us. They told us Tuesday they would be here that afternoon or Wednesday.
This morning (Thursday) the doorbell rang before we were fully awake - we needed to be forewarned so the gate could be unlocked and the puppy corraled. (one L or two?)

Two hours later they are all finished with everything cleaned up except for three logs that might have been too big for the chipping machine. We didn't lose any limbs during the high winds and I hope this will prevent future loss. Nice to have stuff done for free!

Friends

On a recent warm afternoon, we saw these three guys at Dillon Nature Center.

I wonder if they are a family, related or just friends? They circled together in peace.

small plate

I have heard that when you want to convince yourself you are eating the normal amount of food that you should use a smaller plate. This is a salad plate with my small (?) breakfast yesterday.

A Follow-Up

Since I mentioned the incident of the stove and older son yesterday, I think I should explain. At age two or three, all kids have to be watched. Our older one was fascinated by the stove (after all, those delicious meals came from the top of that appliance!)  M. would reach up and try to feel the top. I would keep all the pot handles turned toward the back and tell him, "That is HOT."

It went on for quite sometime. I finally decided to turn on the electric coil burner just so it was barely warm. Then I placed my hand and his hand on the edge and immediately withdrew them.  I explained that was what HOT meant. He had no burn or blister (neither did I) but I know he remembers it because he has taunted me with it many times.

About this time I had a new sewing machine with zig-zag capabilites so I made hot pads and put the boys' handprints and names on them. As you can see by the photo, there was a flame of some sort applied to this hot pad.   M. thinks it's so interesting that it was on the one with his name on it and not on his brother's. I think there may have been a little intentional burning on that fabric. And not by me.

Tangy Glazed Carrots

This picture was taken after half the carrots had disappeared. They may not look appetizing but they really are good. A recipe from 1982. Our sons were at college. The younger one fixed us dinner (I call it supper since I'm from a family where dinner was at twelve o'clock noon.)
I confess I do not remember what else we had. It was a nice meal and I was so glad I had let the kids help me cook when they were growing up.  (Do not ask the older one about the hand on the hot burner.)
After we had finished the meal and I asked PN for the recipe, he explained that he was  having guests over the next night and he wanted to try it out on us first. :)

Here is the way to make Tangy Glazed Carrots:

6 carrots
1/3 c. orange juice
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 jar (5 oz.) pineapple cheese spread  -  do they even sell those anymore in the cute little juice glasses?

1. Peel carrtos. Slice into 1/4" rings. Place in microwave safe bowl with 2 Tbsp. water.
Cook covered for 7 - 8 minutes, stirring once. Drain. (I had nothing to drain. The water cooked away.)

2. Combine juice, sugar, cloves, salt and cheese spread. Blend thoroughly. Pour mixture over hot cooked carrots.

3. Cook, uncovered, for 1 1/2 minutes till cheese melts and mixture is piping hot.

Later:
I forgot! I didn't have any pineapple cream cheese sold in a juice glass so I used some light Philadelphia cream cheese. Worked just fine. If I had had some crushed pineapple, I would have added some to make it more authentic.

The Littlest Rebel

Shirley Temple was eight years old when she made the movie, The Littlest Rebel. I watched it on TMC a few days ago.
 I remember a book my parents bought me that was published after the movie because there were scenes from the movie included in it. (I wish I had that book today.) I was just learning to read and they must have taught the "sound it out" method. When I came to words "damn Yankees" I pronounced it "dam-en Yankees."
I remember wondering why my folks exchanged looks and smiled a lot. They did not correct my pronounciation.
In watching the movie, I did not hear that term used. I believe the first time on the screen was in 1939 when Clark Gable told Scarlett that he didn't give a dam-en.

We have come a long way.

More good old days

This photo of old computers reminds me of our younger son's days when he was using the computers at the local junior college.  As I recall, the one he set up at home was a keyboard and a television monitor.


These early days experiences carried over to their present day occupations. This second son has taught me all I know about computers and helps me almost daily!
 Too bad I have retained such a small amount of that knowledge.

The Good Old Days

Yes, there was a time when we had an airline service in Hutchinson, KS.

I took our 18 month old son on his first flight in 1960 to Wichita. His dad drove to the airport to pick us up.

Come to think of it, that son has been flying a long time.

Lilacs

Our lilac bush started blooming yesterday. . . one of my favorites.

Book Excerpt

I found this excerpt in the AARP Bulletin that we receive. It's from a book, "Never Say Die" by Susan Jacoby. See what you think and I'll tell you my opinion after you read it.

"Here's what one cannot do and be considered a person who is aging successfully; complain about health problems to anyone younger; weep openly for a friend or lover who has been dead more than a month or two; admit to depression or loneliness; express nostalgia for the past; or voice any fear of future dependency - whether because of poor physical health, poor finances, or the worst scourge of advanced old age, Alzheimer's disease. American society also looks with suspicion on old people who demand to be let alone to deal with aging in their own way: One must look neither too needy for companionship nor too content with solitude to be considered a role model for healthy aging rather than a discontented geezer or crone. It's great to be old - as long as one doe not manifest too many of the typical problems of advanced age."

Well, IMHO, it sounds like she wants old people  to just sit down, shut up,  go away and stay with their own kind.  I don't know if these opinions in the book are Ms. Jacoby's  or if she did research. It would be refreshing if "American society" felt about our elders as they seem to do in Oriental countries and honored them - for their longevity if nothing else.

Zing Zang

What a catchy name! Our friends in Olathe have been enjoying this drink mix (without the vodka) with an olive and a rib of celery for a while. We searched and found it at Wal-Mart. Three oz. is the recommended dose - er - serving: see the three shot glasses above.  It is spicy and tomato-y and very good. If I had some vodka handy, I would try it as suggested, but since that is not available, we'll enjoy it sans alcohol.

Almost Finished Outside

This is the former Grace Hospital, Hutchinson Hospital South and then vacant building for several years. It will now be known as Hutchinson Lofts. Three trees have been planted and I expect some grass will be "installed" shortly.  What a great restoration of an old building.
There are some income restrictions on tenants. Studio apartments and one and two bedroom units will be available. They contain a stove, refrigerator and microwave. Each floor has a laundry room. I plan to go to the open house to visit the place where I was born and in later years where I worked!

Mork

This is our temporary chewing machine. In this shot he appears to be wearing his new "unstuffed" toy around his neck in the style of the 1920's fox  furs which graced m'lady's neck. Those things always looked creepy to me but this one just looks cute.

Nightly Ritual

Before Mork goes to bed, he feels it necessary to remove the two cushions from the couch and place them on the floor somewhere. The night before he placed them in front of the doggy door, one on top of each other. They were too big to go through the opening. He doesn't sleep on them, just rearranges them.

Ten P.M.

The latest news is no government shut-down.  I wish those folks we've voted for would get to work, work five days like the rest of us do (or did) and quit the hateful sparring on both sides.

Accurate?

Can this be right? We noticed this on our way home from the walk at Dillon Nature Center.  It's seven days after April Fool's Day.....maybe just an early morning mistake.

Back in 1974

This photo is from a slide taken while the Hutchinson Hospital was being built.
Several folks like to complain about local things and seek to go  elsewhere for their health care. That is their right, but we should be thankful for the excellent facility here and the physicians who take care of us.

I have no complaints.

what we used to call "Doctor Day"

When I worked in Dodge City at a Montgomery Ward store, there was one employee who had to take off once a month to take her mother to the doctor.  We called it "Doctor Day."

Now that I have reached a certan age, I understand this term.

Let's see:  45 minutes at the lab, EKG and X-ray area. I thought that was really efficient!  Next, a one hour wait and 15 minutes with the physician. Home for lunch and 45 minutes later back to the other medical facility for three hours 45 minutes for an IVIG. 

These visits involved two receptionists, one phlebotomist, four nurses and one physician.  Every one of these people was pleasant, cheerful and doing his/her job with what appeared to be joy,  I think this is remarkable.

So, not a day to look forward to with anticipation; but not a day to dread. 

And, I even had time between the lab, x-ray and EKG  to go to coffee with friends for an hour!

Blossoms and Blue Sky

This tree is in our backyard and really bloomed about April 1st.  There are trees like this all over town. Someone or some nursery must have had a large supply and really pushed the sales.  I have heard they are flowering pear but bear no fruit.  Can this be right?  Ours has no fruit for which we are thankful but we really enjoy the flowers - the second ones after the daffodils appear.

Lichen

We saw this on a tree during our walk yesterday. After googling lichen, I found there are many different forms of this parasite. Approximately twenty-five pictures are available online with amazing variations. These looked as soft as moth wings but were hard as metal to the touch.

Cartoon mode

This picture shows the one thing I miss about my old camera. I thought the cartoon mode was a neat feature.  Interesting effects.....