Finally, the sun is about to appear, about four miles down the road.
Visit #SkywatchFriday for more pictures of the sky, the sun, and more.
Day 20 #blogboost of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Skywatch Friday - Gathering Clouds
Friday, January 13, 2017 in upstate New York.
We are close to sunrise, but the clouds look pretty grim.
It starts to brighten.
Finally, the sun is about to appear, about four miles down the road.
Visit #SkywatchFriday for more pictures of the sky, the sun, and more.
Day 20 #blogboost of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Finally, the sun is about to appear, about four miles down the road.
Visit #SkywatchFriday for more pictures of the sky, the sun, and more.
Day 20 #blogboost of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
The Collective Holding of Breath
"It’s the time to buckle down and work positively as much as you can,”
she says. “Just think, ‘All right, there’s nothing I can do about that
right now. But I can do my best in my little circle. So if I do that,
maybe you’ll do your best and we’ll get through this." Actress Betty White, in an interview with Katy Couric, talking about division in the United States and staying positive.
There has been so much hate flying around on Facebook this last year or so. I came so close to blocking people (I did block someone whose posts were non stop hate. I don't block people just because they don't support my candidate) I knew for years. I knew most of the people venting (on both sides) were decent, hardworking people. I also knew that many of them were scared. But it just got to be too much for me to read.
A reader of my blog recommended that I just "scroll on by", and that has kept my sanity.
Now, on the eve of the inauguration of the new President, many are pausing to consider what the future may be holding, for better or for worse. What kind of world?
I don't mean the Trump-Inauguration-As-Twilight Zone-Episode article appearing in a Scottish newspaper.
Or the internet meme started over a comment by Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos in a discussion about if firearms had any place in schools.
(For the benefit of my readers outside the United States, yes, there are places where students must be protected against wildlife. Grizzlies are no joke.)
No, this world: A world, for example, where Jewish community centers all over the country are being targeted by bomb scares.
Or a man accused of harassing a black family is said to have quite an arsenal in his house (and, by the way, his elderly parents were living in that same house.)
Hate crimes in general are on the increase.
But others are happy that their voices are being heard - voices they feel have been ignored by people on both coasts of our country.
Division, with no unity in sight.
Recently, I have pondered my future actions, and what I will do on January 20, and thereafter. I fear, based on how history has gone before, that the divisions in our country are only going to get worse. Love will not trump hate.
Will I be able to work in my own little circle? Will I choose right? And will it make a difference?
Day 19 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
There has been so much hate flying around on Facebook this last year or so. I came so close to blocking people (I did block someone whose posts were non stop hate. I don't block people just because they don't support my candidate) I knew for years. I knew most of the people venting (on both sides) were decent, hardworking people. I also knew that many of them were scared. But it just got to be too much for me to read.
A reader of my blog recommended that I just "scroll on by", and that has kept my sanity.
Now, on the eve of the inauguration of the new President, many are pausing to consider what the future may be holding, for better or for worse. What kind of world?
I don't mean the Trump-Inauguration-As-Twilight Zone-Episode article appearing in a Scottish newspaper.
Or the internet meme started over a comment by Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos in a discussion about if firearms had any place in schools.
(For the benefit of my readers outside the United States, yes, there are places where students must be protected against wildlife. Grizzlies are no joke.)
No, this world: A world, for example, where Jewish community centers all over the country are being targeted by bomb scares.
Or a man accused of harassing a black family is said to have quite an arsenal in his house (and, by the way, his elderly parents were living in that same house.)
Hate crimes in general are on the increase.
But others are happy that their voices are being heard - voices they feel have been ignored by people on both coasts of our country.
Division, with no unity in sight.
Recently, I have pondered my future actions, and what I will do on January 20, and thereafter. I fear, based on how history has gone before, that the divisions in our country are only going to get worse. Love will not trump hate.
Will I be able to work in my own little circle? Will I choose right? And will it make a difference?
Day 19 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Winter Wonders - She's Golden
Yesterday, actress Betty White celebrated her 95th birthday - by working.
Yes, she is still actively working on television. She's been working for over 75 years.
Perhaps age is more than a number, but what a number Betty White has.
Three years ago, she did a spoof of a famous music video.
But I remember her from the early 1960's, when she would star on a game show called Password. She married the host, Allen Ludden, who died in 1981 from cancer. He was the love of her life (she was married twice before). Betty White never remarried.
Betty White was on TV long before that - here is a clip from 1953. She acted in this show but she was also a producer - a producer, in the 1950's, when that was almost unheard of for a woman.
And then there was the 1970's, when Betty White played a recurring character on The Mary Tyler Moore show. Sue Ann Nivens had men very much on her mind and it was so funny. Be forewarned, a lot of White's humor is not on the clean side.
Then, in the 1980's (1985 to 1992 to be exact) there was the Golden Girls (shown, here, with the late Bea Arthur). For a 95th birthday present, Betty White was interviewed, and asked for a reboot of this series.
Nowadays, Betty White appeared on a series called Hot in Cleveland,which left the air in 2015. This clip is from 2014. Betty White played a 90 year old woman who had quite the life - an escape from the Nazis in World War II, and, yes, she still went after men.
Perhaps that is the secret of youth - never lose your zest for life. Stay golden, and be outrageous.
We hope you have many happy (and healthy) birthdays ahead of you, Betty White!
Day 18 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Yes, she is still actively working on television. She's been working for over 75 years.
Perhaps age is more than a number, but what a number Betty White has.
Three years ago, she did a spoof of a famous music video.
But I remember her from the early 1960's, when she would star on a game show called Password. She married the host, Allen Ludden, who died in 1981 from cancer. He was the love of her life (she was married twice before). Betty White never remarried.
Betty White was on TV long before that - here is a clip from 1953. She acted in this show but she was also a producer - a producer, in the 1950's, when that was almost unheard of for a woman.
And then there was the 1970's, when Betty White played a recurring character on The Mary Tyler Moore show. Sue Ann Nivens had men very much on her mind and it was so funny. Be forewarned, a lot of White's humor is not on the clean side.
Then, in the 1980's (1985 to 1992 to be exact) there was the Golden Girls (shown, here, with the late Bea Arthur). For a 95th birthday present, Betty White was interviewed, and asked for a reboot of this series.
Nowadays, Betty White appeared on a series called Hot in Cleveland,which left the air in 2015. This clip is from 2014. Betty White played a 90 year old woman who had quite the life - an escape from the Nazis in World War II, and, yes, she still went after men.
Perhaps that is the secret of youth - never lose your zest for life. Stay golden, and be outrageous.
We hope you have many happy (and healthy) birthdays ahead of you, Betty White!
Day 18 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
A Living Mobius Strip
Travel, as they say, is a broadening experience. And, sometimes, a frustrating one.
In 2010, we found a living Mobius strip.
It is called Asheville, North Carolina.
Asheville is famous for a lot of things, including its"New Age" population. Some of these people believe that Asheville has special energy fields. Upon feeling these fields, people have been known to move to Asheville immediately, and never leave.
The really strange thing about visiting Asheville, for my spouse, was that normally he can find his way around nearly anywhere. He can drive somewhere once and (even years later) can find his way around thereafter.
Not in Asheville. He was so scrambled up (and of course wouldn't ask for directions) that he kept getting lost. And even I felt somewhat disoriented, and I have no sense of direction at all.
Spouse kept saying his ability to tell direction was totally not working, and, for him, it was so frustrating.
At one point, trying to navigate I-40, I-240 and I-26 in a vain attempt to find a Wal-Mart we never did find (confession: yes, we sometimes shop at Wal-Mart), spouse remarked that Asheville was one huge Mobius strip.
If you don't remember Mobius strips from science class, check them out on the Internet.
We still don't know why that is, but we have never experienced that before. And maybe never will again.
When we visited Asheville again, in September of 2012, I owned a smartphone. This time, thanks to Google Maps, we did not get lost, but my spouse continuously argued with the app - although it was right every time.
We kept meeting people from New York State (our native state) in Asheville. Maybe they were lost, too. Maybe Asheville is full of lost souls who gave up trying to find their way, and decided to retire there.
So, what is so great about Asheville? Many things. Great shops, great food, the greatest Farmers Markets..excuse me, Tailgate Markets ever.
That's what makes a city great.
To me, the coolest thing I saw in downtown Asheville were the Woolworths and the Kress's. But wait. Didn't these go out of business years ago? Well maybe they did worldwide, but not in Asheville. There is that "other dimension" again for you.
Take a look. There's a simple reason why downtown Asheville has so many of its historic buildings. It was simple - in the 1970's, when urban renewal ended up claiming so many historic buildings throughout the United States, Asheville didn't tear theirs down.
They couldn't.
They were bankrupt. By the time they had dug themselves out, what was old was now desirable.
It still is.
Woolworths and Kress's are fixtures of my childhood, living forever in my memory on Fordham Road in the Bronx. And now, in Asheville, North Carolina, the buildings remain - although these have been converted to indoor shopping malls.
But it was nice thinking we had gone back in time, if even for a few minutes.
Day 17 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
It is called Asheville, North Carolina.
Asheville is famous for a lot of things, including its"New Age" population. Some of these people believe that Asheville has special energy fields. Upon feeling these fields, people have been known to move to Asheville immediately, and never leave.
The really strange thing about visiting Asheville, for my spouse, was that normally he can find his way around nearly anywhere. He can drive somewhere once and (even years later) can find his way around thereafter.
Not in Asheville. He was so scrambled up (and of course wouldn't ask for directions) that he kept getting lost. And even I felt somewhat disoriented, and I have no sense of direction at all.
Spouse kept saying his ability to tell direction was totally not working, and, for him, it was so frustrating.
At one point, trying to navigate I-40, I-240 and I-26 in a vain attempt to find a Wal-Mart we never did find (confession: yes, we sometimes shop at Wal-Mart), spouse remarked that Asheville was one huge Mobius strip.
If you don't remember Mobius strips from science class, check them out on the Internet.
We still don't know why that is, but we have never experienced that before. And maybe never will again.
When we visited Asheville again, in September of 2012, I owned a smartphone. This time, thanks to Google Maps, we did not get lost, but my spouse continuously argued with the app - although it was right every time.
We kept meeting people from New York State (our native state) in Asheville. Maybe they were lost, too. Maybe Asheville is full of lost souls who gave up trying to find their way, and decided to retire there.
So, what is so great about Asheville? Many things. Great shops, great food, the greatest Farmers Markets..excuse me, Tailgate Markets ever.
That's what makes a city great.
To me, the coolest thing I saw in downtown Asheville were the Woolworths and the Kress's. But wait. Didn't these go out of business years ago? Well maybe they did worldwide, but not in Asheville. There is that "other dimension" again for you.
Take a look. There's a simple reason why downtown Asheville has so many of its historic buildings. It was simple - in the 1970's, when urban renewal ended up claiming so many historic buildings throughout the United States, Asheville didn't tear theirs down.
They couldn't.
They were bankrupt. By the time they had dug themselves out, what was old was now desirable.
It still is.
Woolworths and Kress's are fixtures of my childhood, living forever in my memory on Fordham Road in the Bronx. And now, in Asheville, North Carolina, the buildings remain - although these have been converted to indoor shopping malls.
But it was nice thinking we had gone back in time, if even for a few minutes.
Day 17 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
Last But Not Least
"Don't count yourself out - you never know what fate has in store." - Eugene Cernan, in 2016.
Eugene Cernan died yesterday, surrounded by his family. He was 82.
Didn't we just do this in December?
Sometimes, it is important to be last.
Eugene Cernan was the last man to walk on the moon.
What kind of man was he?
Eugene Cernan left his daughter's initial in the moon's dust before he climbed on board his ship for the return to Earth.
We study the first words spoken on the moon, by astronaut Neil Armstrong. But how many of us remember the last words? Quoting:
"...America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow," Cernan said. "And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus- Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
Except that we never did return. And, of the twelve men who walked on the moon, only six are left now.
Except that both peace and hope seem to be in short supply nowadays.
Except that few of us could dream of what happened to the space program. Americans can't even get into space on their own anymore. We have to pay the Russians.
It wasn't supposed to end like this.
The last of the original seven astronauts gone. Now, the last man to walk on the moon.
RIP.
Day 17 of #blogboost the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Eugene Cernan died yesterday, surrounded by his family. He was 82.
Didn't we just do this in December?
Sometimes, it is important to be last.
Eugene Cernan was the last man to walk on the moon.
What kind of man was he?
Eugene Cernan left his daughter's initial in the moon's dust before he climbed on board his ship for the return to Earth.
We study the first words spoken on the moon, by astronaut Neil Armstrong. But how many of us remember the last words? Quoting:
"...America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow," Cernan said. "And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus- Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
Except that we never did return. And, of the twelve men who walked on the moon, only six are left now.
Except that both peace and hope seem to be in short supply nowadays.
Except that few of us could dream of what happened to the space program. Americans can't even get into space on their own anymore. We have to pay the Russians.
It wasn't supposed to end like this.
The last of the original seven astronauts gone. Now, the last man to walk on the moon.
RIP.
Day 17 of #blogboost the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Music Monday - A Long Time Comin'
Friday, a new President takes office in the United States. This man, who is replacing the first President of color in our nation's history, will take our country in an entirely different direction. (Note, this is a non-political blog so opinions about that will not follow.)
Today is a federal holiday honoring Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What interesting timing, as the President-Elect is embroiled in a war of words with another Civil Rights icon, John Lewis, who marched with Dr. King. If Dr. King was alive today, he would be 88 years old.
What would Dr. King be doing and thinking right now as we prepare for this peaceful transition of power?
In 2015 I blogged a story about the young Dr. King.
Many things have changed since that snowy day, but there is still work ahead.
Today, some music related to the Civil Rights movement and race relations in general, in memory of Dr. King. Some of these videos contain clips of historical events and conditions that existed "back then".
A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Abraham, Martin and John. This song, performed in 1968 and sung by Dion (Dion Francis DiMucci of the Bronx, in New York City), is a favorite of mine as I grew up in this time.
We Shall Overcome, as sung by Pete Seeger.
Eyes on the Prize - Mavis Staples
To end this post, I would like to point to a blog I enjoy. Recently, this blogger published a poem written in 1937 by American poet and activist Langston Hughes. It is well worth reading.
#blogboost Day 16 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Today is a federal holiday honoring Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What interesting timing, as the President-Elect is embroiled in a war of words with another Civil Rights icon, John Lewis, who marched with Dr. King. If Dr. King was alive today, he would be 88 years old.
What would Dr. King be doing and thinking right now as we prepare for this peaceful transition of power?
In 2015 I blogged a story about the young Dr. King.
Many things have changed since that snowy day, but there is still work ahead.
Today, some music related to the Civil Rights movement and race relations in general, in memory of Dr. King. Some of these videos contain clips of historical events and conditions that existed "back then".
A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Abraham, Martin and John. This song, performed in 1968 and sung by Dion (Dion Francis DiMucci of the Bronx, in New York City), is a favorite of mine as I grew up in this time.
We Shall Overcome, as sung by Pete Seeger.
Eyes on the Prize - Mavis Staples
To end this post, I would like to point to a blog I enjoy. Recently, this blogger published a poem written in 1937 by American poet and activist Langston Hughes. It is well worth reading.
#blogboost Day 16 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - January 2017
It's been another strange winter.
As an example, we woke up Wednesday to ice. Then the next day it rained, with a high of 52 (11C). Parts of the country are having a serious ice storm right now, including the Wichita, Kansas area (where I lived for a time). We are supposed to have icy conditions on Tuesday.
But meanwhile, in my zone 5b garden in upstate New York, I actually have flower buds to show you, now that snow and ice has melted. Helleborus niger. This plant started to bloom last year, then the temperatures plunged, and that was the end of it for 2016. Now, it's trying again.
There isn't that much in my house, either. I bought this primrose in lie of a bouquet on my table.
Yesterday, I also bought a forcing hyacinth in a vase. I didn't need the vase, but that is how they were being sold. When this blooms, the bloom will be pink.
The last of my Christmas (actually, Thanksgiving) cactus flowers faded in the last day or so. This is what it looked like earlier this week. when the sun was shining.
One African violet flower remains. This is what it looked like on that same sunny day.
Finally, I have an indoor flower treat for you. I have a dracaena (corn plant) that is over 20 years old (I've had it for 20 years and got it from an office that no longer wanted it). On March 7, I noticed (it was behind a window shade) that the plant had bloomed almost eight feet up. The blooms are mostly dead now, but I wanted you to see this.
Come on over to May Dreams Gardens, which hosts this monthly 15th of the month meme, and see what is blooming all over the world. Carol, an Indiana blogger, finishes up her 10th year of hosting this meme with this month's post, and asks us to reveal how long we have been participating. So, here's my first GBBD post ever - May of 2011. And I've posted every 15th of the month since.
It's a sneaky way to create a monthly garden journal. Thanks, Carol!
Will you join us?
#blogboost Day 15 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
As an example, we woke up Wednesday to ice. Then the next day it rained, with a high of 52 (11C). Parts of the country are having a serious ice storm right now, including the Wichita, Kansas area (where I lived for a time). We are supposed to have icy conditions on Tuesday.
But meanwhile, in my zone 5b garden in upstate New York, I actually have flower buds to show you, now that snow and ice has melted. Helleborus niger. This plant started to bloom last year, then the temperatures plunged, and that was the end of it for 2016. Now, it's trying again.
There isn't that much in my house, either. I bought this primrose in lie of a bouquet on my table.
Yesterday, I also bought a forcing hyacinth in a vase. I didn't need the vase, but that is how they were being sold. When this blooms, the bloom will be pink.
The last of my Christmas (actually, Thanksgiving) cactus flowers faded in the last day or so. This is what it looked like earlier this week. when the sun was shining.
One African violet flower remains. This is what it looked like on that same sunny day.
Finally, I have an indoor flower treat for you. I have a dracaena (corn plant) that is over 20 years old (I've had it for 20 years and got it from an office that no longer wanted it). On March 7, I noticed (it was behind a window shade) that the plant had bloomed almost eight feet up. The blooms are mostly dead now, but I wanted you to see this.
Come on over to May Dreams Gardens, which hosts this monthly 15th of the month meme, and see what is blooming all over the world. Carol, an Indiana blogger, finishes up her 10th year of hosting this meme with this month's post, and asks us to reveal how long we have been participating. So, here's my first GBBD post ever - May of 2011. And I've posted every 15th of the month since.
It's a sneaky way to create a monthly garden journal. Thanks, Carol!
Will you join us?
#blogboost Day 15 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Sustainable Saturday- The Bear News
I'm a bit "under the weather", so I am repeating a post.
In September 2014, I had an interesting experience on a "rail to trail" walking trail a handful of miles from where I live in upstate New York.
In September 2014, I had an interesting experience on a "rail to trail" walking trail a handful of miles from where I live in upstate New York.
While researching another post, I came across this post from September 9, 2014. I've had a couple of "close encounters" on the trail - including sighting a bobcat (possibly) three years ago. But the following sighting may have been a little too close for comfort.
Enjoy this throwback post for day fourteen of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
We were walking three or so Sundays ago on the Vestal Rail Trail, a walking trail we try to frequent at least once a week where we live in upstate New York.
We approached a bridge carrying elevated traffic that crosses over the trail. My spouse suddenly stopped, and seemed reluctant to continue. He was acting so strangely, in fact, that I wondered if he was in some medical distress. It scared me for a minute.
"I'm not sure if I want to keep walking", he said. "I heard a strange sound - maybe it was a motorcycle, I don't know". I hadn't heard the sound but my hearing isn't the best - so I told him "if you have an instinct not to go any further, let's not."
We turned around.
This was so different from how my spouse normally behaves, and I wondered what he had heard or seen as we walked back to our car, cutting our walk short by about a mile.
When we got to our car he said "I thought I heard a bear."
Where we live, in the "Triple Cities"of upstate New York, this is not a joke. Vestal has been seeing a lot of black bear sightings, and one of the recent sightings (May, I think), in fact, was on the Vestal Rail Trail near to where my spouse was spooked by something.
And then, last weekend, we found this on the sidewalk of the trail near to where spouse heard the noise. Let's just call it what animals leave behind after the digestive process is complete.
I hope it was a deer. Anyone know for sure?
It's small consolation to know that bears may be more afraid of us than we of them.
Someone at work set up an automatic camera in her yard, and showed us some amazing footage of bears in her back yard. And, my guest photographer (who lives out in the country) takes in her bird feeders at night. One night she was a few minutes late and had her own close encounter with a bear. The bear ran off.
But they don't always run. Sometimes they attack. A high school friend who lives in Florida had her neighborhood make the national news for bear attacks.
It isn't only bears. A fox that may have been rabid attacked three members of an Endicott family earlier this summer (2014). And, last year, we had our own close (or not so close) encounter, again on the Vestal Rail trail. We were alone, right after a rain, and are fairly certain a bobcat ran out and crossed the trail right in front of us.
You never heard about this kind of thing when we first moved to upstate New York in the 1980's. But it is definitely becoming more and more common. Increasingly, we know we are sharing our lives with wildlife.
It isn't just squirrels and sparrows (and the occasional skunk or raccoon anymore.
Do you have any wildlife sighting stories of your own to share for Day 14 of #blogboost the Ultimate Blog Challenge?
Tomorrow, I participate in a monthly meme - Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - and you are welcome to return for pictures of what is blooming in my house.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Skywatch Friday - The Office
Sunrise, upstate New York, Monday, January 8.
Traveling to work, I knew it was going to be an amazing sunrise. When I got to my office about 7:15 am, this is what greeted me. It took my breath away.
But there were blinds, and reflections. I tried to get closer. I knew I faced a race against time. That beautiful pink sunrise wouldn't wait for me. I ran over to my cubicle, and raised the blinds.
And this was the result. Nice color (none of these pictures had color adjusted, by the way) but too much reflection. But, nothing unlucky for this Friday the 13th post.
I still have a lot to learn about iPhone photography and fixing circumstances like these. A research project awaits.
Visit Skywatch Friday for other sky pictures from around the world.
Day 13 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.
Traveling to work, I knew it was going to be an amazing sunrise. When I got to my office about 7:15 am, this is what greeted me. It took my breath away.
But there were blinds, and reflections. I tried to get closer. I knew I faced a race against time. That beautiful pink sunrise wouldn't wait for me. I ran over to my cubicle, and raised the blinds.
And this was the result. Nice color (none of these pictures had color adjusted, by the way) but too much reflection. But, nothing unlucky for this Friday the 13th post.
I still have a lot to learn about iPhone photography and fixing circumstances like these. A research project awaits.
Visit Skywatch Friday for other sky pictures from around the world.
Day 13 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Coincidence?
For your entertainment, let me present two stories. Just coincidence?
This first story was circulating around the Internet yesterday. I have not personally verified this information, but an urban-myth debunking website called Snopes (some don't trust it but I do, and have trusted it for many years) has confirmed it.
In a 1958 Western TV show called Trackdown, a con man by the name of Walter Trump tells townspeople that only he can save them from meteors that will destroy the world at midnight - by building a wall around their homes.
At one point in the clip above, Trump threatens to sue someone opposing him.
At the end of the episode, Trump is arrested for grand theft by a heroic Texas Ranger. Note, at the end, the show says it was based on an actual case in the Texas Rangers files.
Trump and a wall? Coincidence? (as this is not a political blog, I will leave the rest to your imagination. I'm not trying to make a political point - only time will tell...)
2. A book called Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan, was published in 1898. The novella told the story of the fictional unsinkable ocean liner Titan, which, on an April night, struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic on its starboard side and sank. There weren't enough lifeboats. And, oh yes, in case this sounds vaguely familiar, the real-life sinking of the "unsinkable" Titanic in April, in the North Atlantic, after striking an iceberg on the starboard side, happened. In 1912. 14 years later.
(Incidentally, the book is available for free online - it is no longer in copyright.)
Coincidence?
I think both are just coincidence. With everything that is written, some scripts or books are going to "predict" history. But, sometimes, truth and fiction can be equally strange.
What do you think?
Day 12 #blogboost of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
This first story was circulating around the Internet yesterday. I have not personally verified this information, but an urban-myth debunking website called Snopes (some don't trust it but I do, and have trusted it for many years) has confirmed it.
In a 1958 Western TV show called Trackdown, a con man by the name of Walter Trump tells townspeople that only he can save them from meteors that will destroy the world at midnight - by building a wall around their homes.
At one point in the clip above, Trump threatens to sue someone opposing him.
At the end of the episode, Trump is arrested for grand theft by a heroic Texas Ranger. Note, at the end, the show says it was based on an actual case in the Texas Rangers files.
Trump and a wall? Coincidence? (as this is not a political blog, I will leave the rest to your imagination. I'm not trying to make a political point - only time will tell...)
2. A book called Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan, was published in 1898. The novella told the story of the fictional unsinkable ocean liner Titan, which, on an April night, struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic on its starboard side and sank. There weren't enough lifeboats. And, oh yes, in case this sounds vaguely familiar, the real-life sinking of the "unsinkable" Titanic in April, in the North Atlantic, after striking an iceberg on the starboard side, happened. In 1912. 14 years later.
(Incidentally, the book is available for free online - it is no longer in copyright.)
Coincidence?
I think both are just coincidence. With everything that is written, some scripts or books are going to "predict" history. But, sometimes, truth and fiction can be equally strange.
What do you think?
Day 12 #blogboost of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Winter Wonders - Soup Is Good Food
Every Wednesday, I post a "Winter Wonder"
Yesterday, I was wondering when winter would end.
The sidewalks were full of sleet and it was starting to ice over. This morning it is still hazardous. But tomorrow, it will be near 50F (10 C).
What a wonderful day for soup. I was reminded of a post from January 25, 2014 when someone asked if I had any posts with winter recipes. Indeed, I do.
I am happy to say that my mother in law (the person my spouse made the soup for) did recover from the condition that necessitated her surgery.
Here's my post, for day 11 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
My mother in law, recovering last week from surgery, wanted comfort food
- a couple of her favorite soups. She is of Italian heritage, and so
my spouse decided to make a soup that was fed to him when he was young.
Many Americans know a version of this soup as "Italian Wedding Soup". (The "wedding", incidentally, refers to the marriage of the ingredients, not marriages of people.) However, in my spouse's childhood, they knew this soup as Escarole Soup.
This is how my spouse and I made Escarole/Italian Wedding soup last week.
First, earlier in the day, spouse had roasted a turkey breast. Now, he took the carcass, and made bone broth. But, because we didn't have loads of time, he "cheated". We added some commercial chicken broth to the bone broth. (Whose broth? My mother in law's local store had Rachel Ray's broth in retorts but spouse has started to use organic free range broth in retorts sold at our local Aldi.)
Spouse strained out the bones and fat. He set aside the remaining turkey meat set aside for the other soup we were making.
Next, it was time for the meatballs. First, spouse prepared a ground meat mixture.
Spouse made these from part organic ground turkey and part ground beef. As my mother in law had some Italian seasoned bread crumbs, we added that, too. The meatballs will cook right in the soup.
Next came kale, one of the most nutritious greens there is.
Next, escarole.
Finally, sliced organic baby carrots (non-organic are just fine) went
into the soup. My mother in law had some spinach that was a tiny bit
out of date but still good for cooking, and that went in, too.
Finally, pearl couscous. You can cook these right in the soup, too.
If you wanted, you could add some orzo (risoni)instead.
Time to marry the flavors!
We cooked it until the greens were wilted and allowed some extra time for the flavors to blend. Then, it was eating time, with some Italian bread.
So easy, so nutritious. And, it tasted so good. My mother in law is a good cook and she gave the soup a thumbs-up.
I hope it sped my mother in law's recovery. Soup is the most sustaining food you can serve on a snowy winter day.
What is your "go to" food when someone is not feeling well?
The sidewalks were full of sleet and it was starting to ice over. This morning it is still hazardous. But tomorrow, it will be near 50F (10 C).
What a wonderful day for soup. I was reminded of a post from January 25, 2014 when someone asked if I had any posts with winter recipes. Indeed, I do.
I am happy to say that my mother in law (the person my spouse made the soup for) did recover from the condition that necessitated her surgery.
Here's my post, for day 11 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Sustainable Saturday- Marrying Soup
Many Americans know a version of this soup as "Italian Wedding Soup". (The "wedding", incidentally, refers to the marriage of the ingredients, not marriages of people.) However, in my spouse's childhood, they knew this soup as Escarole Soup.
This is how my spouse and I made Escarole/Italian Wedding soup last week.
First, earlier in the day, spouse had roasted a turkey breast. Now, he took the carcass, and made bone broth. But, because we didn't have loads of time, he "cheated". We added some commercial chicken broth to the bone broth. (Whose broth? My mother in law's local store had Rachel Ray's broth in retorts but spouse has started to use organic free range broth in retorts sold at our local Aldi.)
Spouse strained out the bones and fat. He set aside the remaining turkey meat set aside for the other soup we were making.
Spouse made these from part organic ground turkey and part ground beef. As my mother in law had some Italian seasoned bread crumbs, we added that, too. The meatballs will cook right in the soup.
Next, escarole.
Finally, pearl couscous. You can cook these right in the soup, too.
If you wanted, you could add some orzo (risoni)instead.
Time to marry the flavors!
We cooked it until the greens were wilted and allowed some extra time for the flavors to blend. Then, it was eating time, with some Italian bread.
So easy, so nutritious. And, it tasted so good. My mother in law is a good cook and she gave the soup a thumbs-up.
I hope it sped my mother in law's recovery. Soup is the most sustaining food you can serve on a snowy winter day.
 |
| A snowy tree in my mother in law's yard |
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Mondegreens
I have some problems with mishearing song lyrics.
I think it's just the nature of the rock n' roll music that I like. Mumbled lyrics that don't make any sense don't stop a lover of this music - just create something that does make sense in your mind, and move on.
I think it's just the nature of the rock n' roll music that I like. Mumbled lyrics that don't make any sense don't stop a lover of this music - just create something that does make sense in your mind, and move on.
I am far from the only one who mishears lyrics. In fact, I read a most entertaining post on the topic yesterday. There is a technical term for mishearing lyrics,
one of the surprising things you will learn in this post. If you don't
get anything else from what follows, you would have increased your
vocabulary by one word.
Mondegreens.
I am, therefore, going to repeat a post from several years ago.
Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza
I have. I bet you have, too. A number of websites exist for the purpose of discussing song lyrics and allowing people to discuss lyrics that other people have misheard, sometimes with quite comic results.
There is even a name for this - mondegreens.
I've spent countless hours, since the early 1970's, listening to these Elton John songs. (I will also admit I am not partial to his later work.) I clearly hear "Hold me closer, tiny dancer". But somehow, I never realized that young Tony Danza had crept into the lyric when I wasn't looking.
"Tiny Dancer" came out in 1971. Tony Danza was born in 1951. The show "Who's The Boss" started in 1984. So, Tony Danza must have been pretty young - about 20, to be exact - when he appeared in the lyric, only 13 years after the song came out.
For the record, I never have watched the TV show Friends (the show that immortalized the "Young Tony Danza" lyric), so no wonder I was the last to know.
Until yesterday, that is. A tweet led me to the website Mental Floss (a wonderful magazine, by the way) which rated the "Ten Most Often Butchered Song Lyrics".
And "Tiny Dancer" was #1 on the list of most misheard lyrics!
Now, my personal most misheard lyric is the Bruce Springsteen/Manford Mann's Earth Band classic "Blinded By The Light.". Someone even devoted a web page to the various misheard lyrics reported to him from that song.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Atlantic, the BBC has had its own fun with mondegreens.
I must admit, in more than one instance, that the wrong lyric makes more sense than the right lyric. Like poor Lady Mondegreen, who never appeared in a 17th century ballad, but should have.
Do you have a favorite misheard lyric? Or have you been singing the wrong lyric of a particular song for years?
Day 10 of #blogboost the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Music Monday - Suspicious Minds
Yesterday would have been the 82nd birthday of Elvis Presley.
In some ways, Elvis is timeless. Although he died in 1977, he is still beloved. I remember that my former next door neighbor's son, who is in his mid 20's now grew up as a big Elvis fan.
A music group I belong to on Facebook posted Elvis videos all day yesterday, so I decided to take a little informal poll of my readers.
Are you an Elvis fan?
If you are, what was your favorite Elvis song?
Here's mine. "Suspicious Minds" was Elvis' last number one hit in the States, released in 1969. It's interesting to note this wasn't even his original song - it had previously been recorded by its writer, Mark James, who also wrote "Hooked on a Feeling", a hit by B. J. Thomas, among other songs.
So, I decided to look up Mark James' version of the song - and, here it is.
It's a good song, but Elvis nailed it. The song is a universal song - about a dysfunctional relationship. It begins "We're caught in a trap/I can't walk out..." and, indeed, Elvis knew what the song was talking about.
But time goes on. Elvis would have been 82 yesterday, and his ex wife, Priscilla, who is still alive, is 71.
Day nine of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
In some ways, Elvis is timeless. Although he died in 1977, he is still beloved. I remember that my former next door neighbor's son, who is in his mid 20's now grew up as a big Elvis fan.
A music group I belong to on Facebook posted Elvis videos all day yesterday, so I decided to take a little informal poll of my readers.
Are you an Elvis fan?
If you are, what was your favorite Elvis song?
Here's mine. "Suspicious Minds" was Elvis' last number one hit in the States, released in 1969. It's interesting to note this wasn't even his original song - it had previously been recorded by its writer, Mark James, who also wrote "Hooked on a Feeling", a hit by B. J. Thomas, among other songs.
So, I decided to look up Mark James' version of the song - and, here it is.
It's a good song, but Elvis nailed it. The song is a universal song - about a dysfunctional relationship. It begins "We're caught in a trap/I can't walk out..." and, indeed, Elvis knew what the song was talking about.
But time goes on. Elvis would have been 82 yesterday, and his ex wife, Priscilla, who is still alive, is 71.
Day nine of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Potato Parsnip Pancakes
It's January. Holiday excess is over, at least for now. But you still want to eat something substantial and tasty. In fact, as I write this blog, we are having a snow squall. Why not enjoy being indoors and try some potato/parsnip pancakes?
In my tradition, potato pancakes are called "latkes". And latkes don't have to be made from just potatoes. If you look online, you will find variations made with sweet potatoes, with carrots, and even with zucchini.
I'm not sure when my spouse first started adding parsnips to latkes (although he doesn't do that on a regular basis), but you can find recipes online with that combination, too.
Some even add Indian spices to latkes (although we don't). I think it is a natural. Maybe one day.
Yesterday, while shopping at our local farmers market, we saw some nice looking parsnips, and pat of dinner was born. This is what my spouse did. Noting that we follow the old "Points Plus" tradition of Weight Watchers, I am not putting point counts here. You are welcome to do whatever you wish to this. This is not a food blog, and I will not call the food police on you if you don't call them on me.
Calorie Reduced Potato-Parsnip Pancakes - serves 2
Assemble:
3 potatoes (9 oz), peeled.
1/2 parsnip
2 egg whites
1 heaping tbsp whole wheat matzoh
handful of parsley
salt and pepper to taste
green onions to taste
Method
1. Grate potatoes and parsnip. Squeeze water out - my husband puts into a colander, and presses down. Others use cheesecloth. Do what works for you, but you should squeeze the water out. And, you don't have to use blue potatoes, either, but spouse uses them because they cook nice and crisp. If you want to use a russet potato, the latkes will be a little lighter.
2. Chop onions and parsley and add. Add eggwhites, matzoh meal, and mix all together. Form into patties.
3. Normally, these would be fried. But, what spouse did was take a saute pan and spray it with non stick cooking spray.
4. Flip and saute the other side.
5. Here, the golden brown latkes are ready to serve. Many serve with sour cream, but I prefer homemade unsweetened applesauce.
What kind of food does cold weather inspire you to make?
Day eight of The Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
In my tradition, potato pancakes are called "latkes". And latkes don't have to be made from just potatoes. If you look online, you will find variations made with sweet potatoes, with carrots, and even with zucchini.
I'm not sure when my spouse first started adding parsnips to latkes (although he doesn't do that on a regular basis), but you can find recipes online with that combination, too.
Some even add Indian spices to latkes (although we don't). I think it is a natural. Maybe one day.
Yesterday, while shopping at our local farmers market, we saw some nice looking parsnips, and pat of dinner was born. This is what my spouse did. Noting that we follow the old "Points Plus" tradition of Weight Watchers, I am not putting point counts here. You are welcome to do whatever you wish to this. This is not a food blog, and I will not call the food police on you if you don't call them on me.
Calorie Reduced Potato-Parsnip Pancakes - serves 2
Assemble:
1/2 parsnip
2 egg whites
1 heaping tbsp whole wheat matzoh
handful of parsley
salt and pepper to taste
green onions to taste
Method
1. Grate potatoes and parsnip. Squeeze water out - my husband puts into a colander, and presses down. Others use cheesecloth. Do what works for you, but you should squeeze the water out. And, you don't have to use blue potatoes, either, but spouse uses them because they cook nice and crisp. If you want to use a russet potato, the latkes will be a little lighter.
2. Chop onions and parsley and add. Add eggwhites, matzoh meal, and mix all together. Form into patties.
3. Normally, these would be fried. But, what spouse did was take a saute pan and spray it with non stick cooking spray.
4. Flip and saute the other side.
5. Here, the golden brown latkes are ready to serve. Many serve with sour cream, but I prefer homemade unsweetened applesauce.
What kind of food does cold weather inspire you to make?
Day eight of The Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Sustainable Saturday - Tasting New York
The weather outside was frightful (no, not really - it was 10 degrees F but no snow falling and little wind) but indoors, it was so delightful.
In the Binghamton, New York area, for the first time, we have a weekly winter farmer's market in a permanent indoor market.
What can you sell in an indoor winter market, besides the usual honey, meat, eggs, baked goods and crafts (not that there is anything wrong with that!)? How about (not pictured) tomato/basil saison (a type of ale, and it was good.) How about local Portobello mushrooms?
Farmed trout from Bainbridge, New York?
The last of the late fall veggies are still available - here, golden beets and carrots.
Garlic, onions and potatoes.
Parsnips, daikon radishes, and turnips.
Taste New York was out there, too, featuring various New York commercial products. (I want my spelt chips - just sayin'....)
An overview of the market.
So, what does New York taste like? Well, spouse bought some yellow potatoes and a parsnip for some delicious potato latkes. Yes, Hanukkah is over but this market put me in the mood. There were apples for sale, too, but we have homemade applesauce in the freezer. If you want the recipe for potato/parsnip latkes, I'll post it.
Day seven of the #UltimateBlogChallenge #blogboost.
In the Binghamton, New York area, for the first time, we have a weekly winter farmer's market in a permanent indoor market.
Farmed trout from Bainbridge, New York?
An overview of the market.
So, what does New York taste like? Well, spouse bought some yellow potatoes and a parsnip for some delicious potato latkes. Yes, Hanukkah is over but this market put me in the mood. There were apples for sale, too, but we have homemade applesauce in the freezer. If you want the recipe for potato/parsnip latkes, I'll post it.
Day seven of the #UltimateBlogChallenge #blogboost.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Skywatch Friday - The New Year
This is the season of clouds, unrelenting clouds, and time for another Skywatch Friday. (Come visit the site, and visit other bloggers posting their Skywatch pictures).
This was taken about two and a half hours before sundown on New Years Eve. The line of light touching the hills is a boundary between lake effect clouds and sunny skies further away, I suspect.
Fast forward to January 4, when the sun actually made an appearance in advance of a cold wave, and these sundown photos.
Sky of yellow
And sky of red.
Visit #SkywatchFriday, and admire the sky from all over our world.
Day six of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.
This was taken about two and a half hours before sundown on New Years Eve. The line of light touching the hills is a boundary between lake effect clouds and sunny skies further away, I suspect.
Fast forward to January 4, when the sun actually made an appearance in advance of a cold wave, and these sundown photos.
Sky of yellow
Visit #SkywatchFriday, and admire the sky from all over our world.
Day six of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
International Blog Delurking Week
We are all guilty of it.
There's a blog out there, somewhere. You like that blog, and you may even read it regularly, but you never leave a comment.
Maybe you are shy. I get that. I'm shy, too.
Maybe you want to admire the blog post from afar. You feel you have nothing to add.
Maybe you've taken a vow of Internet silence.
But, once a year, the blogging community asks you to break your silence. This is the week. It's International Blog Delurking Week, and it lasts another few days.
Thank you, Stirrup Queens, for continuing this meme in 2017. And thank you, Laurel at Alphabet Salad, for reminding me.
The badge? Go to Stirrup Queens and grab it. It's OK. It's free to all. Melissa Ford, the owner of the Stirrup Queens blog, is generous.
You can just comment below, where it says "Post a Comment", and say "I'm here!"
Or tell me your favorite food. That's good, too. Or, just tell me where you live.
I love my readers, and I would love to know that you are one of them. Thank you, if you have commented before. And thank you for commenting today, if this post moves you. It's easy, assuming Blogger is cooperating.
I look forward to hearing from you today.
Day five of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
There's a blog out there, somewhere. You like that blog, and you may even read it regularly, but you never leave a comment.
Maybe you are shy. I get that. I'm shy, too.
Maybe you want to admire the blog post from afar. You feel you have nothing to add.
Maybe you've taken a vow of Internet silence.
But, once a year, the blogging community asks you to break your silence. This is the week. It's International Blog Delurking Week, and it lasts another few days.
Thank you, Stirrup Queens, for continuing this meme in 2017. And thank you, Laurel at Alphabet Salad, for reminding me.
The badge? Go to Stirrup Queens and grab it. It's OK. It's free to all. Melissa Ford, the owner of the Stirrup Queens blog, is generous.
You can just comment below, where it says "Post a Comment", and say "I'm here!"
Or tell me your favorite food. That's good, too. Or, just tell me where you live.
I love my readers, and I would love to know that you are one of them. Thank you, if you have commented before. And thank you for commenting today, if this post moves you. It's easy, assuming Blogger is cooperating.
I look forward to hearing from you today.
Day five of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Winter Wonders - Walking on New Years Day
An amazing New Years Day in the Binghamton, New York area of upstate New York.
Blue skies. Sunshine.
What a day to take a walk in the park. Or, if not in a park, on a walking trail.
My spouse and I occasionally exercise walk on the Vestal Rail Trail in nearby, Vestal, New York.
From time to time I've enjoyed taking pictures of wildflowers on the trail, and have even taken pictures of a creature or two.
But normally, I don't walk on the trail that much in the winter.
Wednesdays on my blog are a day of seasonal meanderings. Winter is a time of snow where I live. I have several readers who live in areas that don't get snow,and want to see snow.
This New Year's Day, though, not only was the trail itself free of snow but, in some of the small natural areas, water was running and snow was melting.
Then, yesterday, it rained for most of the day. And today, I am waking up to relatively warm temperatures ahead of a cold spell.
What a way to start the New Year.
Day four of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Blue skies. Sunshine.
What a day to take a walk in the park. Or, if not in a park, on a walking trail.
My spouse and I occasionally exercise walk on the Vestal Rail Trail in nearby, Vestal, New York.
From time to time I've enjoyed taking pictures of wildflowers on the trail, and have even taken pictures of a creature or two.
But normally, I don't walk on the trail that much in the winter.
Wednesdays on my blog are a day of seasonal meanderings. Winter is a time of snow where I live. I have several readers who live in areas that don't get snow,and want to see snow.
Then, yesterday, it rained for most of the day. And today, I am waking up to relatively warm temperatures ahead of a cold spell.
What a way to start the New Year.
Day four of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Dogs, Doves and Determination
The Rose Parade has taken place for 127 years now in Pasadena, California, usually on the first day of January. (It is not held on Sundays, so on days where January 1 falls on a Sunday, like this year, the parade is held on January 2.)
I watched it, thousands of miles away, at my home in upstate New York
Creating a float takes hundreds of hours and lots of determination. The rules seem simple - floats in the parade must be covered in natural materials. So, every visible surface on every float you see is decorated in flowers, bark, seeds, walnut husks, or other natural materials. Flowers, seeds and more must be glued on individually. Some materials are so fine that volunteers use tweezers. Since most of the materials are perishable, they must be installed on the floats hours or days before the parade, by hundreds of volunteers.
The best floats receive awards.
The work is tedious - but, look at what this determination produces.
This float was called Doing Good in the World.
In this closeup, you can see some of the natural materials.
There are two other floats I would like you to see. One float featured surfing dogs. Yes, several dogs surfed, on real water, carefully monitored by handlers.
The float with the dogs was the largest and heaviest float ever in the Rose Parade. It is successfully rounding a corner which lessor floats have become hung up on.
The other float paid tribute to victims of a tragic shooting last year at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Several survivors of the shooting rode on the float. Doves were released to honor the 49 dead. A large flowered dove hovered over the float.
It was a beautiful tribute, but sad, knowing that so much violence still remains in the world.
Again, determination - determination to continue forward after experiencing something like that, was on display.
A lesson in determination for day 3 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
I watched it, thousands of miles away, at my home in upstate New York
Creating a float takes hundreds of hours and lots of determination. The rules seem simple - floats in the parade must be covered in natural materials. So, every visible surface on every float you see is decorated in flowers, bark, seeds, walnut husks, or other natural materials. Flowers, seeds and more must be glued on individually. Some materials are so fine that volunteers use tweezers. Since most of the materials are perishable, they must be installed on the floats hours or days before the parade, by hundreds of volunteers.
The best floats receive awards.
The work is tedious - but, look at what this determination produces.
There are two other floats I would like you to see. One float featured surfing dogs. Yes, several dogs surfed, on real water, carefully monitored by handlers.
The float with the dogs was the largest and heaviest float ever in the Rose Parade. It is successfully rounding a corner which lessor floats have become hung up on.
Again, determination - determination to continue forward after experiencing something like that, was on display.
A lesson in determination for day 3 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Music Monday - A New Beginning
Today, January 2, is my first Music Monday of the year.
2016 was not a good year for the world of music. It is time for a new beginning, as I feature some songs about beginnings.
Beginnings - Chicago
From the Beginning - Emerson, Lake and Palmer (a group who lost two members in 2016 - Greg Lake and Keith Emerson.)
(Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
Finally, from one of my favorite singers, the late Karen Carpenter - We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters.
Why don't we all sing these songs today, so 2017 will be inspired to be a better year for the world in general?
When I listen to these songs, I realize how many great musicians die relatively young. Even when I was considering these particular songs, I remembered tha Karen Carpenter was only 32 when she died from complications of anorexia. John Lennon was only 40 when he was killed. Greg Lake was only five years older than I am.
Our time here is limited. I am determined, this year, to make some kind of difference.
Day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
2016 was not a good year for the world of music. It is time for a new beginning, as I feature some songs about beginnings.
Beginnings - Chicago
From the Beginning - Emerson, Lake and Palmer (a group who lost two members in 2016 - Greg Lake and Keith Emerson.)
(Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
Finally, from one of my favorite singers, the late Karen Carpenter - We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters.
Why don't we all sing these songs today, so 2017 will be inspired to be a better year for the world in general?
When I listen to these songs, I realize how many great musicians die relatively young. Even when I was considering these particular songs, I remembered tha Karen Carpenter was only 32 when she died from complications of anorexia. John Lennon was only 40 when he was killed. Greg Lake was only five years older than I am.
Our time here is limited. I am determined, this year, to make some kind of difference.
Day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Whispering Determination
Welcome to 2017, and a new Ultimate Blog Challenge.
The Challenge requires 31 posts in 31 days. It's a discipline all bloggers need at least one time in their blogging lives.
For 2017, I chose a word - determination - as the word that will guide me this year. This coming year will demand a lot from us. Today, as the beginning of my year of determination, I remember someone from years ago who showed me determination from a deep place inside her.
On my Christmas tree each year is a simple ornament. But the story behind it is less simple.
Many years ago, the company I was working for was bought by a new owner, along with a couple of other local businesses. Two offices were combined into the office where I worked, and Pat came into my life.
Pat was many things - an experienced worker, a loving mother and grandmother, and a woman who love crafts - needlepoint, tole, and more.
Her and her husband, a building contractor, restored a house in Maine, New York, and had a loving marriage.
Every year, at work, we would have a small gift exchange at Christmastime. Pat's contribution was always a Christmas ornament - usually made by her, or one made by another craftsperson.
One December day, Pat called her co workers together.
A couple of months ago, she said, she had found a lump on her neck. She went to the doctor, who immediately ran tests. It was cancer. Not only that, they found cancer all through her body. Doctors ran more tests, trying to find where the cancer had originated. It turned out to be lung cancer. She had perhaps 18 months to live.
Pat was only able to work a couple of more months. We all kept in touch after she went out on permanent disability. It was a small office, and we were close to each other. We knew each other, our spouses, our children. Pat had to prepare her children and grandchildren.
Pat always conducted herself with dignity and determination, and the months after the diagnosis were no exception. By her example, she showed us how to face death with dignity.
Our office, in the next months, fell apart due to poor management. One by one, we left. By the next Christmas, several of us were unemployed. As each co workers quit the job, they started to spend time with Pat every Tuesday when she felt up to it. When I left, I joined them in the Tuesday outings.
The Tuesday before Christmas in 1997, Pat gave us our final gift - the gift of her presence. We took her out to a local restaurant, and she gave us a tour of her house - something that took great effort.
By January of 1998, we suspected the end was near. She could not walk more than a few steps without losing her breath.
Pat died on February 13, 1998, a day short of Valentine's Day, a week after suffering a stroke and lapsing into a coma. In my last visit to her, five days before her death, she lay on a bed, under home hospice care. Her favorite country music playing. I held her hand and whispered in her ear. I don't know if it was my imagination, but I am positive she gently squeezed my hand.
In September of 2011, my neighborhood was flooded and we had several feet of water in our basement. We were so fortunate, compared to many of our neighbors. The next months were hard for us and many other in our community.
When we cleaned out our basement, I found that several of the homemade ornaments Pat had given me were ruined. There was no way to salvage them. But the ornament you see above, a needlework Pat made, had survived in a box above the water level. Yes, Pat was watching over me.
Every year the ornament goes on our tree, a sign of survival, caring and love.
Time marches on, and things change for us all. But Pat lives on in my heart, even after all these years. Every year, I gaze upon the ornament she gave me, the ornament she stitched with her own hands. It whispers determination.
One day, my time will come, and I hope I can face it with the same dignity that Pat did. For now, I will be content to face 2017 with courage, dignity, and determination, through all 2017 will demand of us.
I am Determined to complete the challenges of 2017 and the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Are you?
The Challenge requires 31 posts in 31 days. It's a discipline all bloggers need at least one time in their blogging lives.
For 2017, I chose a word - determination - as the word that will guide me this year. This coming year will demand a lot from us. Today, as the beginning of my year of determination, I remember someone from years ago who showed me determination from a deep place inside her.
On my Christmas tree each year is a simple ornament. But the story behind it is less simple.
Pat was many things - an experienced worker, a loving mother and grandmother, and a woman who love crafts - needlepoint, tole, and more.
Her and her husband, a building contractor, restored a house in Maine, New York, and had a loving marriage.
Every year, at work, we would have a small gift exchange at Christmastime. Pat's contribution was always a Christmas ornament - usually made by her, or one made by another craftsperson.
One December day, Pat called her co workers together.
A couple of months ago, she said, she had found a lump on her neck. She went to the doctor, who immediately ran tests. It was cancer. Not only that, they found cancer all through her body. Doctors ran more tests, trying to find where the cancer had originated. It turned out to be lung cancer. She had perhaps 18 months to live.
Pat was only able to work a couple of more months. We all kept in touch after she went out on permanent disability. It was a small office, and we were close to each other. We knew each other, our spouses, our children. Pat had to prepare her children and grandchildren.
Pat always conducted herself with dignity and determination, and the months after the diagnosis were no exception. By her example, she showed us how to face death with dignity.
Our office, in the next months, fell apart due to poor management. One by one, we left. By the next Christmas, several of us were unemployed. As each co workers quit the job, they started to spend time with Pat every Tuesday when she felt up to it. When I left, I joined them in the Tuesday outings.
The Tuesday before Christmas in 1997, Pat gave us our final gift - the gift of her presence. We took her out to a local restaurant, and she gave us a tour of her house - something that took great effort.
By January of 1998, we suspected the end was near. She could not walk more than a few steps without losing her breath.
Pat died on February 13, 1998, a day short of Valentine's Day, a week after suffering a stroke and lapsing into a coma. In my last visit to her, five days before her death, she lay on a bed, under home hospice care. Her favorite country music playing. I held her hand and whispered in her ear. I don't know if it was my imagination, but I am positive she gently squeezed my hand.
In September of 2011, my neighborhood was flooded and we had several feet of water in our basement. We were so fortunate, compared to many of our neighbors. The next months were hard for us and many other in our community.
When we cleaned out our basement, I found that several of the homemade ornaments Pat had given me were ruined. There was no way to salvage them. But the ornament you see above, a needlework Pat made, had survived in a box above the water level. Yes, Pat was watching over me.
Every year the ornament goes on our tree, a sign of survival, caring and love.
Time marches on, and things change for us all. But Pat lives on in my heart, even after all these years. Every year, I gaze upon the ornament she gave me, the ornament she stitched with her own hands. It whispers determination.
One day, my time will come, and I hope I can face it with the same dignity that Pat did. For now, I will be content to face 2017 with courage, dignity, and determination, through all 2017 will demand of us.
I am Determined to complete the challenges of 2017 and the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Are you?
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