Being a lone voice in a cacophony of dissent takes courage. To stay put, to continue to honor, to show respect is to be a warrior.
One who observes and thinks about what has been seen, what has passed by my way, what greater meaning lies behind and beneath life's small events.
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Lone One in the Middle
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Past Present Now After
Barely the day started and... it's already six in the evening.
Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday.
... and the month is already over.
... and the year is almost over.
... and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.
... and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.
and we realize it's too late to go back...
So... Let's try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time...
Let's keep looking for activities that we like...
Let's put some color in our grey...
Let's smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.
And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let's try to eliminate the afters...
I'm doing it after...
I'll say after...
I'll think about it after...
We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.
Because what we don't understand is that:
Afterwards, the coffee gets cold...
afterwards, priorities change...
Afterwards, the charm is broken...
Afterwards
afterwards, health passes...
Afterwards, the kids grow up...
Afterwards parents get old...
Afterwards, promises are forgotten...
afterwards, the day becomes the night...
afterwards life ends...
And then it's often too late....
So... Let's leave nothing for later...
Because still waiting see you later, we can lose the best moments,
the best experiences,
best friends,
the best family...
The day is today... The moment is now...
We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.
So let's see if you have time to read this message and then share it.
Or maybe you'll leave it for... ′′ later "...And you'll never share it...
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Yipstick
My gr-daughters have taken me to Ulta, a store that is a cornucopia for all sorts of make-up with all its enticement. They had a list and some $$ from Dad. I followed along, mentally tallying how much they needed when Dad's $$ ran out. Not much $$ at all, but it thrilled me.
Lipstick is marked as being an instigator of make-up history. Fruit dyes (no cost) for lips then. Now lipsticks are chemical magic, expensive magic at that.
Who likes lipstick? Besides teen age girls at ULTA, little girls who have found Mommy's lipstick in her purse really love lipstick.
If I have discovered this major cuteness by myself, think how many videos there might be of lipstick fans?
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Potato vs. Potatoes
I confess that I put these out there because these are so creative. My husband lived with a German family when he was attending a German language school in the late 1960s. Here it is nearly 50 years later, and he still remembers a lot.
Our oldest grandson (8 yrs) in Switzerland has announced that he speaks four languages: British English, American English, German, and Swiss German. Dang, he does!
In 30+ years ago, when we lived in Ireland, our children learned English and Irish Gaelic. Our oldest was 10 yrs. old, and wasn't required to learn the Irish. Our son was in 2nd grade and daughter was in Jr. Infants (young Kgt) He became quite fluent, so much so that his teacher wanted him to skip a year.Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Kindness for a Dying Child in Ohio
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Saturday, October 17, 2020
To Binge or Not to Binge. That is the question.
As television becomes our outreach to shows we have never seen before, we rejoice in finding quality entertainment. Some of the ones we like are British Mysteries. Pretty much we have discovered new ones to join our list of favorites and watch one daily. We set up the show, lean back with some snacks, and prepare for excellence.
The British film is recorded in a unique style. No car crashes or big shoot outs, but they delve into the team work between law enforcement, the people, excellent writing and film work. Incorporating the amazing scenery of the English countryside, it is a great watching.
In our Binge Watching, we watch Midsomer Murders, Endeavor, New Tricks and others with great anticipation.
America is guilty of fast food frenzy during this time. The drive in line to Chick-Fillet winds around, out of the parking lot, out to the adjoining street, turning out onto the main street. Dairy Queen is way busy, too.
But, the best show ever is the Great British Baking show.
If you are unfamiliar with this brilliance, watch one episode, just watch it. You will look at baked goods unlike ones you may have seen somewhere. The master bakers are Paul Hollywood (yes, that is his name), Mary Berry (yes, that is her name). Mary stepped down and was replaced by Prue Leith. All the judges are legendary for their baking, which they showcase on their Masterclass episodes.
This video is about 8 minutes long and well worth the watch. What the 12 amateur bakers can put together in time constraints is utterly awe inspiring.
Binge watching this British program meant inspired me to bake something unfamiliar, with unknown recipes. By golly, it was fun. I did not eat these creations; our gr-daughters made quick work of whatever I gave them.
Summer fruit baked Alaska...there is no way I would attempt this.
My beloved and I did not make quick work of it all. He grumbled. Oh well.
My offspring gave me this at Christmas
I cannot say that I have tackled some of these recipes. I can say that I tried to do a few simple ones. Oh, well.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Hallelujah
Songs from my age are precious to me and others. They spoke to our lives and experiences. Not that they were tender love songs, but the songs were meaningful.
Leonard Cohen composed and sang "Hallelujah" all around the world. Other artists arranged and re-arranged the lyrics by bits, keeping the general flow and sincerity of the song. I wonder if he could have known the impact this song has had?
Pentatonix, a music acapella group, performed the song with their unique vocal combinations. Here, an 11 yr. old girl, Kaylee, performed with them on stage. Kaylee has ADHD and Autism, a girl with tremendous talent.
History shows the artists through time who have struggled with difficulties which were kept hidden or undefined them. But when we hear how they fought "the devils" to write or paint their treasures we can appreciate how they wrestle with much.
Musicians And The Stigma Of ‘Mental Illnesses’ Association Of Mental Illness And Stigmatization
1.Suicide Of Kurt Cobain And Bipolar DisorderMonday, October 12, 2020
Chris-the-Sheep from Australia
And, then there is this:
Shaun the Sheep is part of the brilliance of Sir Nick Park of Aardman Animation in England. See Aardman Animation. They are famous for Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, The Curse of the Were Rabbit.
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Turkish Delight and C.S. Lewis
INGREDIENTS
▢2 cups sugar
▢3/4 cup water
▢1/8 tsp. citric acid or lemon juice or cream of tartar
▢1/2 cup water
▢5/8 cup cornstarch
▢Rose flavor to taste- rose water, syrup, or oil
▢Red coloring (optional)
▢extra cornstarch for dusting
The directions are insane. Follow the step-by-step from the video above.
CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, Turkish Delight, White Witch, Aslan the Lion, Four Children of Eve, Good vs. Evil: all great elements. Good luck on this venture of making this treat, but most all is to read this series, made known by The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
Friday, October 9, 2020
Tips on caring for your spouse
The irony of article below is that such devotion to home and hubby was part of the TV programming. Donna Reed? Leave it to Beaver? Dr. Welby? Father Knows Best? Those ladies were primary role models who showed the wives how to a home for their Veteran husbands.
Could this happen in your home?
Speaking from decades of marriage, I can tell you straight out, #10 (first list) will happen, but the rest should be read at a party, where wine is flowing.
Maybe one of the husbands can print the articles out and read them aloud for friends down at the feed store, Lowe's, on Zoom...Your friends will find them amusing.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Facing down the Work Day
Working at home has forced all to juggle their schedules and try to fit the puzzle of life together. Sometimes it is great and sometimes it is not.
This is for those who have watched "The Kingsmen". This always happened after the potluck dinners. Pretty mean. Gets mighty messy.

My daughters have/had Roombas. One daughter has two dogs. Their hair floats in the air and Roomba simply can't handle all that. Other daughter may have had a Roomba, but the dogs probably killed it.
Monday, October 5, 2020
Oh, Great Mysteries of Life
Unbelievably, this created quite an uproar, was controversial until the 1950s. But, even so, Wegener had cast his scientific reputation to test the waters in early 20th century years. I'd say he took quite a chance on this, but then...
This shift had all sorts of ramifications, too numerous here. Feel free to check it out. BUT it is patently clear that there will be no effort for earth to reconnect any time soon.
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The first time I read Animal Farm in high school I was astounded. The courage of the animals fighting against the humans, with the hogs as the forceful nature negotiating. (as a farmer's daughter, let me tell you that hogs cannot be trusted. Nasty natures.) The true heroes are the animals who are selfless in this struggle.
Then after some years, an animated version of the story appeared on TV. Pretty much the same as the book, this time I was furious at the hogs, as their true cruelty and deviousness comes to light. It is such a surprising book, especially given the time period, WW2 and pre-Cold War.
The narration is everything such a story would require. Allegorical, metaphorical, satirical, it is a veiled comparison to USSR. When the book is freely published, it was not well received in Socialist countries of the world, still isn't. The following paragraph is from Wikipedia, partial synopsis.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
When the Mouth Opens and Words Come Out
Presidential debates are entertaining, one way or another. Not a happy entertainment for the most part, but they are always entertaining.
Heated exchanges 201
A series of 3 presidential debate is in the works. The first came out to mixed reviews. Who know what happens next?
Voters absolutely have to be informed, to understand the needs of the country, and decide what to do next. Citizens have a duty to vote, a right to vote.
"Of the remaining Constitutional amendments, only a few have had a significant impact on American life. Most are related to voting procedures, elections, and other matters of government administration. However, a few - most notably the Thirteenth Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Nineteenth Amendment - are civil rights milestones. This page will give you an overview of each amendment and a few resources for further research.
Every amendment is linked to its page at the National Constitution Center, a great site for further research. If you want to know more about any of these amendments, just click on its link. The pages include detailed analysis, historical context, and important documents related to each amendment."
To jolt our memories, Constitution amendments regarding voting rights are below. Most voters have never read these.Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
[Sections 2 through 5 omitted for brevity]
Adopted in 1868, this is the second of the "Reconstruction amendments" and one of the most far-reaching of the non-Bill of Rights amendments. This is mainly due to Section 1, which contains four major clauses: the Citizenship Clause, the Privileges & Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause. The remaining sections deal with post-Civil War governmental administration.
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment #15 - Rights Not to Be Denied on Account of Race (1870)
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.