Driver's License

A foggy day seemed like a good day to get my driver's license renewed. It was almost as easy as the first time in 1945.  Two questions:  "Are you color blind." No.
"Do you have seizures?" No.   "That will be fifty cents, please."

Today I had to present a utility bill, my old license and read an eye chart. Then they take a picture and "That will be $20, please."

Four more years.

Oops

Isn't this a lovely throw rug in front of the fireplace?

I don't feel that I was really bragging about the pups being housebroken - I was just so happy that they both used the doggie door and went outside when they had to.

 And I told everybody.

Yesterday Lee was in his stocking feet and discovered a wet spot on  the rug. We usually never walk on it so that was unusual. I went for the spray bottle of Woolite Pet Oxygen. And then we folded the corner back.
Perhaps when it is cold, this was their choice.    

We need a surveillance camera in there.

Former Pegues and Wright store

The store was later called simply Pegues. This was "the" store for shopping in our town for many years. Fashions, jewelry, cosmetics, fine china and all things feminine.
Now closed a long time, the store is losing the modern panels installed to modernize it. They are falling off. It seems each one weighs about eighty pounds so there has been some concern about possible injuries.
I don't remember the facade before but it was reported that it was quite remarkable. If you look closely, you can see the sculpted wheat stalks which did add a nice Kansas touch.
Now it seems as if the building wants to shed these modern, flat, metal tiles and let the old front show once again. I'm afraid the old front was destroyed when the alteration was made. My hope is that someone will repair or replace what is there and find a use for the place.
Today's fog adds to the melancholy look.

Later: I found a photo on the internet of the original storefront.

Happy Valentine's Day

This is what I found in the computer room this morning.

How nice! This is our 59th Valentine's Day.....

Thank you, LN.

Then There Was Light

L. called me in to see "something" in the fireplace.
We haven't seen any critters this winter - like mice or worse, rats!
It has been so warm they have stayed outside. But this morning it was ten degrees and probably an ideal temperature for a small animal to decide to come in where it's warmer.

But this is what I saw. Light. From above. Coming down the chimney.

I had no idea that the sun could be that high overhead on a winter day to shine directly down a chimney. Now L. is wondering if a cap blew off - or something.....

Kindness

A long time ago a friend, Ruthann, told me that she would never say or do anything to intentionally hurt someone else. It made me think - neither would I. At least as an adult I would not.
In childhood it must have been a different story. I do remember standing outside the second grade classroom behind the door as punishment. The reason for this was not in my memory bank until our 45th high school reunion when Karen H. asked me if I remembered stepping on her caterpiller that she brought to school for show and tell.

I absolutely do not remember this execution/murder taking place. My mind must have buried that horrible occasion but saved the "stand behind the door" part.

I wonder if there have been other times that I have said or done things that hurt friends or family. I certainly didn't mean to because I was too sensitive to things said to me. My mom used to say I wore my feelings on my sleeve. Have you heard that expression lately? Instead of being brave and ignoring hurtful things, I would end up in tears...very embarrassing in public places.

There is a lot teasing in our family but nothing really mean or hurtful.  On the second or third date my husband-to-be looked at me and said the following: "Your eyes. They are like two hen turds in a bowl of clabber."   I laughed and could see right then that this was going to be a funny and different relationship. It was a line he had heard from another sailor and just outright stole it!

If I have ever said anything that was mean or that offended any of my friends or family, I apologize. What we need is more kindness  in this world.

And as the Beatles said, "All we need is love,"

Food Fetish

I do not remember but have been told that when I was very small, I wanted only one food on my plate at a time. After all, I was the only child in the house and obviously a spoiled brat.
The main object however, was to get me to eat so my mother did this in order to get some nourishment down my gullet.
Later, many things could be on my plate but they must not touch. Luckily I grew out of this childish stuff.

This is leading up to explain my aversion to a television ad for a local "restaurant." They offer a breakfast with scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes and sausage all served up in a styrofoam cup. As if that weren't revolting enough, they pour some type of gravy over all.

Just give me a cup of coffee, please.