Enjoy Life's Little Surprises!

In the Blink of an Eye

I am always amazed how in the blink of an eye, a life, or many lives, can be turned around in a completely different direction, years and miles from where things once were. Good or bad, A windfall lottery ticket or inheritance – A heart attack, auto accident, or loss of a loved one.  At that very moment our heart, mind, and soul seem to have 2 choices. We can cope or not cope. I am equally amazed that more often than not, we cope.

We may struggle in the beginning, but soon we are looking for answers and mapping a new course.  Sometimes we get lost, or want to be on the previous path that we knew from years of planning. Whether we curse or cry – ask for directions or try to figure it out, Eventually we find our way. And the beauty of it all, we survive and continue our journey.

The Three Amigas



..."Like a true nature child we were born, born to be wild.
    We can climb so high, I never wanna die.
    Born to be wild, born to be wild..."  Steppenwolf

Cool Thoughts

With my central air conditioner down for the count, I am sipping an ice cold drink in the coolest room of the house. As in my childhood summers, the windows are open and a fan is humming and turning to and fro. I am looking at pictures of snowy, winter scenes from a few years back, and though the temperature is 85 degrees, I am really quite comfy.

Meemaw Candy!

Meemaw 101

Be acquainted with the current, age appropriate apparel when shopping for your grand-kidlets.

Introducing Dentonius
         (click above)

Meet some of his friends, Wooley Bear, Slate, Patches, and Ebony.

Two pictures = 2000 words                                                                      

Nuf said

My formula for Dinner in a Bowl

Step 1.  Place a layer of your favorite hot pasta, rice, grain, or even potatoes in the bottom of a bowl and top with herb of choice.  In a hurry? Nuke left over rice, etc.  Feeling fancy? Steam a nice basmati rice in jasmine tea instead of water. Really, The sky is the limit, and the point is to make it your way!  When you choose the herb, make sure it works with your choice in step 2.
I used steamed brown rice and cilantro.


Step 2.  A. Meat eaters - Add a layer of cooked, hot, meat of choice in strips,shreds,chunks or morsels.  Be creative - try pancetta, pulled pork, or make it easy and use leftovers.
            B. Vegetarians - Add a layer of flaked fish, shellfish,etc. Flaked Smoked Salmon would be special. Use last night's shrimp scampi or broiled fish in a hurry.
            C. Vegans - Skip A & B, or add tofu, tempeh,etc. Some tofurky or sauteed portabella slices would work.
 A,B, and C, add a layer of your favorite hot vegetable mix. It is magical when the herb used in step one is just right with this layer.  I went meatless and sauteed onion, garlic, corn, beans and grape tomatoes. 

Step 3.  Meat lovers and vegetarians, top with your choice of cheese. Vegans skip the cheese and try some sunflower seeds, dries wasabi peas, or soy nuts.  Garnish if you are feeling "Cheffy", and DIG IN! Easy as 1, 2, 3!
                                                                                                                                                                           

Caramelized onions priceless! Burnt onions...Not so much. Damned Facebook!

While snuggled together viewing a "Layla's Choice" video, my six year old granddaughter looked into my eyes and said "I love your skin, Meemaw. It's so beautiful and smooth"! Of course she had been tickling my "turkey chin" prior to her endearment. From that moment on, when I see my "gobbler" in the mirror or photos, I no longer cringe. I got it from an authority. It is a thing of beauty!

June 5, 2012

It's been a cool June Tuesday. I spent the day at home, pouring over ephotos and organizing them. Reliving fun times with my family and friends is nourishment for my spirits.

My BFF's hubby was under the knife yesterday afternoon and evening. It was thought to be a stroke but turned out to be AVM. (A nasty defect with the veins and arteries in his brain) He is in intensive care and my pal is home resting up for the long haul ahead of them. Go Team Nick!

The cool weather is great since my AC is down and I am waiting for a proposal to replace the coil.

I was hoping for more a more inspirational beginning...but, then it's all about timing...sigh...

First Post, June, 4, 2012

This morning I was awakened by a phone call from my bestfriend.  Her hubby had a stroke and was in an ambulance and on his way to the hospital. It has been six months since I turned sixty, and this, by far, is the worse part.  Now we must all rally and share our strengths to guide this strong, compassionate and fun loving man forward.  Rest now, my dear friend. We have a lot to do.  Wifey and I are here for you.