KMusings

Blackout

2012-01-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Cleaning for a Reason

2011-02-10T15:12:00.001-07:00

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.

Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

You may not know someone going through chemo, but someone on your email list might. Please pass this information on to your family & friends.

1 January 2011

2011-01-01T16:07:00.002-07:00

Spectacular day. Crisply cold with brilliant sunshine. Excellent meal of homemade cornbread, ham steak and Waldorf salad. Discovery: Christmas gifts.

I had packed my received books in a cloth bag within my suitcase. However, I took the bag out and put it in my closet when I emptied the suitcase. Today I remembered them. Seemed like Christmas all over again. From my children and grandchildren:
1) beautiful frame with pictures of Atticus and Esme (both smiling and Esme in a dress!)
2) subscription to tricycle and sandstone Buddha with display tray
3) two best-seller novels
4) Hangar One vodka and a universal tool to put on my key chain
5) turquoise dangle/dangle/dangle earrings and chic bracelet
6) electric chopper for veggies & other foodstuffs
7) perfume
8) flavored coffees

and from my friend Allyson a beautiful gray blue & rose pashmina

So great to "re-open" these.

Difference between Knowledge and Wisdom

2010-12-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

From my brother but sounds like something my husband would have done :)

THE FINAL EXAM...........

At Penn State University were four sophomores taking chemistry and all of
them had an 'A' so far. These four friends were so confident that, the
weekend before finals, they decided to visit some friends and have a big
party. They had a great time but, after all the hearty partying, they slept
all day Sunday and didn't make it back to Penn State until early Monday
morning.

Rather than taking the final then, they decided that after the final they
would explain to their professor why they missed it. They said that they
visited friends but on the way back they had a flat tire. As a result, they
missed the final.

The professor agreed they could make up the final the next day. The guys
were excited and relieved. They studied that night for the exam. The next
day the Professor placed them in separate rooms and gave them a test
booklet. They quickly answered the first problem worth 5 points. Cool, they
thought! Each one in separate rooms, thinking this was going to be easy....
then they turned the page.

On the second page was written...

For 95 points: Which tire?

Memory

2010-10-17T12:36:00.002-07:00

Some chat today reminded me of a wondrous time in my married life. Frank and I had moved back to the University of Wisconsin in Madison so he could do a postdoc. We moved into University housing which was a complex for postdocs and new faculty with families. As part of this community we were entitled to a plot of land to create a garden. Frank and my father tackled that plot as if they were seeking gold. Not one weed, root or rock was left after they prepared the soil for planting. Over time as seeds and plants turned into delicious vegetables, either my father or Frank would weed and water each day. At one point, two young professors of Japanese descent, hovered over them as they worked the soil. They asked if they could take a picture of our garden since they had never seen such beautiful work as had been done on our little plot of land. That was my husband.

Oh, yes........... so true

2010-08-26T19:06:00.002-07:00

It has been a long time since I posted here since I am hooked on FB, but thought these were too wonderful to leave in my email inbox.

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

From My Brother.... Raise Your Glass

2009-12-31T12:11:00.005-07:00

To paraphrase W.C. Fields, "I don't drink water, because fish pee in it."

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine... and those who don't..

As Ben Franklin said: In wine there is wisdom,
in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop..

However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember:
Water = Poop,
Wine = Health

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of crap.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service!

Cold or H1N1?

2009-12-31T03:08:00.002-07:00

Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1or HAWG Flu Symptoms

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu(sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days..
The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

Dancing

2009-11-17T21:10:00.002-07:00

Anyone who knows me understands that I love to dance. As a teenager I won a dance contest with Bernie Caruso. With the right partner I am unbeatable.....even won a tango contest at one time as an adult.

Friends have been addicted to "Dancing with the Stars" but I am not much of a tv viewer so I have only caught glimpses of it over the years. This year I watched the first show of the season and became addicted. I will not repeat that addiction for the next season. The "voting" public committed a travesty which culminated in the elimination of the only possible contender for the top spot. Ridiculous!

Crank Mail

2009-10-14T12:42:00.002-07:00

After three letters came from a bank in Delaware saying I had an inactive account, I called their 800 number. Turns out that a "zillion" years ago Frank and I opened a secured credit card account. The woman who answered the 800 number asked if I wanted to deactivate the account and receive a check for the balance in it. I asked her what the balance was. Shockingly it was NOT chump change so I said sure, send it to me. Received yesterday a check for $XXXX.xx! Paying off my only current credit card with this unforeseen windfall!

Summer away from Arizona

2009-08-04T21:06:00.003-07:00

I started my summer away from Arizona with 2 1/2 weeks in Michigan. It was sublime: first, time with my friend Bonnie at her son's home (he is in Iraq) on a beautiful lake. Her company and time on the lake were very relaxing. I then drove to visit cousins in the Detroit area: Mary in Saginaw where I met many of her wonderful friends, Grosse Pointe and a small reunion with cousins and time with my lovely cousin Anne and her husband Ed, finally a couple of days with Julie and her husband Mark.......all in all delightful!

July found me in Boston with my dear friend Allyson. Three weeks there where I met many of her friends in the North End, as well as a couple of days in Maine where she met my friend Holly. Great weather for the most part but as Boston became muggy and hot (it was July after all!), I headed to California.

This is my third August in California. My rental in Marina del Rey in 2007 had a great location but the unit had no cross ventilation which was annoying at best. Last year the location was good except the beach was not so close. However I did discover the wonders of Abbott Kinney with my now favorite restaurant Primitivo. The unit offered not only cross ventilation but a nice deck for morning coffee. This year I have not been so lucky. The unit I rented is very very small. It's location is good, closish to the beach and restaurants, but parking is on the street which means moving each Monday and Tuesday which is annoying and the laundry facilities are within the complex but I have to pay extra.

I am already scoping out locations for next year. The price must be right but it must include parking and laundry so I will take my time.

I know you are wondering why I am complaining since I do not have to be in blazing Arizona and I have the luxury of being retired so I can travel, but I am still searching for the perfect location to rent next summer in California.

Celebrate the 4th of July!

2009-07-03T22:36:00.004-07:00

I am in Southern California visiting my son Adam and his family. Tomorrow I will pick up my son Jonathan who will fly down from San Francisco. We will have the traditional barbecue with hot dogs for the kids, brats for the "grown ups," potato salad, corn on the cob and watermelon. To celebrate two birthdays there will be a cake. To top it off we will troop to the beach where Esme will experience her first fireworks. All in all a celebration of our nation's independence in a very traditional way.

Couldn't happen to a nicer couple

2009-06-29T12:32:00.001-07:00

The Madoffs

From a Friend

2009-06-29T11:26:00.003-07:00

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"

"Eight," the boy replied.

The man continued, "Do you know what these are used for?"

The boy replied, "Not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either."

Eye Exam

2009-06-08T11:09:00.002-07:00

It has been six months since my laser surgery for a cataract on my left eye. Before the surgery my vision in that eye was 20/80; post surgery it was 20/20. Today I had my 6-month "check up" and vision in that eye stabilized at 20/20. Not only that but the pressure in both eyes is 14 which means no glaucoma. Dr. Eytan also said the retinae are in excellent shape. Recommendation: Come back in one year!

Wishing My Life Away

2009-06-03T11:44:00.011-07:00

Am wishing I were starting my summer sojourn away from Arizona.

Lazily laying back in the boat on Lake Williams.

Talking and laughing and remembering with my cousins in Detroit.

Hugging my grandchildren for the first of many times this summer and celebrating my granddaughter's 4th birthday (albeit a few days prior to that actual day).

Reconnecting with one of my best friends in Boston, perhaps taking a tour of the tall ships. Driving through New England to spend some time with another friend in Maine.

Flying back to California for the month of August in a beach house in Venice.

My bags are not packed, but

1) the posse has been notified of my absence from my home;
2) my hair appointment for summer "do" is tomorrow;
3) prep for leaving my house during the hot hot months is underway;
4) refrigerator is nearly emptied except for what I will need the next week;
5) clothes are ironed and sorted according to temperature wherever I will be.

Perhaps "Calgon" can take me away for a few hours at least.

Will it never end?

2009-05-31T12:29:00.001-07:00

Dr. George Miller

His Final Performance

2009-05-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

Julian Smith

2009-05-31T08:57:00.001-07:00

View the link for his Britain's Got Talent semifinal performance: Julian Smith

This is so wonderful

2009-05-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

Click on the link to hear this Mayo Clinic Couple

You want the good news first?

2009-05-26T11:49:00.002-07:00

Obama's nominee for Supreme Court Sotomayor

and the bad news:

California Supreme Court ruling

Memorial Day

2009-05-24T14:28:00.003-07:00

I know that this day commemorates those who have died in battle. As I grew up, it was always celebrated May 30, but over the years national holidays have reverted to the Monday closest to the actual date with the exceptions of New Year's, Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November every year) and religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur. I assume this happened to accommodate workers who relished a 3-day weekend. Anyway, since tomorrow marks Memorial Day this year I decided to read some history on it -- not volumes but the marked link here. Memorial Day History

Jim David on Adam Lambert

2009-05-21T09:25:00.002-07:00

I am not a regular watcher of shows like American Idol. But a friend pointed me toward a You Tube video of Adam Lambert singing. Subsequently I watched every one of Lambert's Idol videos and tuned in to last week's show. Last night I autotuned to the channel for the start of the American Idol finale. Unlike some people who felt the show was over-the-top for glitz, I was enthralled with all of it. Production numbers were spectacular although Rod Stewart singing Maggie seemed incredibly inappropriate given his age (of course) and his failing pipes.

Although I like to think better of the American public, I have to agree with most of what Jim David writes in this Huffington Post article: Adam Lambert Loses.

Lambert's mantra now should be: "Don't cry for me, Americanpublic!" I predict superstardom for him!

Brilliant

2009-05-19T23:04:00.001-07:00

Mad World -- who else?

And another.........

2009-05-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Adam Lambert--Black or White

America Has Talent Too!

2009-05-19T22:47:00.001-07:00

Adam Lambert

Brian!

2009-05-19T12:27:00.003-07:00

Congratulations, Brian, on your NY Drama Desk award for best actor in a musical! Can the Tony be far behind?

New York City

2009-05-12T12:00:00.005-07:00

Suffice it to say the weekend in New York was sublime. Friday night we headed to Broadway for dinner before the theatre. A charming Italian restaurant beckoned us where we ate sumptuously. We headed to the Broadhurst Theater to see "Mary Stuart" with Tony nominees Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter. Our tickets were in row 2 of the orchestra. Usually I prefer the mezzanine but for this play up close and personal turned out to be phenomenal.They were superb but I thought Harriet Walter triumphed in the role of Mary Queen of Scots. If you have the chance to see this play before it closes in June, do! Schiller wrote it in the 1800s and the eeriness of it's message remains true to this day.

We slept in a bit on Saturday before walking to our massages and facials. Since we had about an hour between appointments, we ambled a bit to find some lunch. On the edge of Chinatown we found delicious dim sum. Just the ticket! Back to the spa for facials then back to the hotel for a quick nap before heading to the Broadway Theatre to watch my cousin Brian star in Shrek, The Musical. The contrast to the prior evening is obvious however our enjoyment was as rich. Brian's personality and voice shown through the 3 1/2 hours of makeup he was wearing. A delightful, fun, funny experience! We topped off the evening with a visit to the View at the Marriott Marquis where we hit the dessert bar and toasted our friendship with drinks.

Sunday we trooped over to Seaport to enjoy the sunshine and a scrumptious brunch outdoors.

All in all a delightful couple of days for friends in New York City.

Shrek

2009-05-06T19:09:00.004-07:00

My cousin Brian d'Arcy James

stars in "Shrek, The Musical" on Broadway. He just received a Tony nomination for his performance.

Apparently makeup takes several hours before the performance and several after to transform Brian to Shrek then back to Brian again. Lucky me! I will see his performance Saturday night.

Now Why Didn't I Think of This Before?

2009-05-06T09:41:00.001-07:00

NYC this weekend

2009-05-04T20:16:00.002-07:00

To add to the delights of visiting Manhattan we are booked into Great Jones Spa for facials and massages. Forecast for Saturday: Rain. It won't bother us a bit!

The Soloist

2009-04-30T14:06:00.002-07:00

Pat and I have chosen well 2/3 times we have made our weekly jaunt to the Surprise Ultra Star cinemas. This week we saw Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. in the Soloist. Foxx is brilliant and Downey ain't half bad! But the most wondrous part was the music.........lots of it! Thank you to the film creators for not undermining the beauty of the story with too little music.

Specter? A Democrat?

2009-04-28T13:00:00.001-07:00

Yikes

Weekend in NYC or Not?

2009-04-28T12:57:00.003-07:00

45 confirmed cases of swine flu in NYC. Am set to spend Mother's Day weekend there with my friend Allyson. Hotel in the financial district. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. What about this worries me?

Birthday Greetings

2009-04-26T19:17:00.001-07:00

Two very important men in my life blew me off yesterday, neither intentionally.

One is calendar-challenged; the other has a full plate but texted abject apologies. I doubt whether either will "blow me off" next year. Am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, anyway.

Men Most Women Meet

2009-04-25T11:46:00.001-07:00

ANZAC Day

2009-04-24T09:04:00.003-07:00

Today in Australia and New Zealand ANZAC Day is celebrated because downunder it is April 25. I was curious about this annual celebration so I researched it a bit and learned the following:

On April 25 Australians and New Zealanders commemorate the landing of the ANZACs, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915. This day marks the first major military campaign of both countries supporting the Allied Powers in capturing what was then known as Constantinople, thereby securing the major trading gateways of the Bosphorus and Black Seas. The eight-month campaign was unsuccessful and resulted in both countries losing over 10,000 men with another 18,000 injured. The landing at Gallipoli is a story of bravery, endurance and, ultimately, tragedy.

Do they commemorate this because they worked together? Because it was their first entry into World War I? Obviously the numbers who died and were injured are significant but I find it confusing yet touching that this campaign was chosen to be commemorated annually. I welcome "native" insights into this commemoration.

What is it about "Britain's Got Talent"

2009-04-23T20:55:00.004-07:00

that makes it so much more satisfying than "American Idol," which I have only watched briefly? This link can no longer be embedded but I commend you to watch and listen to Julian Smith, especially my son Adam.

Ethnic Food Restaurants

2009-04-23T14:51:00.004-07:00

One of the things I miss most about no longer living in Washington, DC, involves food. I am a pretty good cook but sometimes I like to eat at a restaurant. Where I live I can find Italian, good Mexican, seafood (if you can call "Red Lobster" seafood), excellent Mexican, standard American fare, bad Mexican and the assortment of fast food burger, chicken and fish restaurants found everywhere. But Indian (east, that is), Thai, Japanese, Mongolian, even good Chinese remain non-existent or elusive at best. Today I ventured into a local Chinese restaurant I happened to drive by with the hope that it was at least tasty. Imagine my surprise when I checked the menu and there were 14 different lunches available: everything from Szechwan chicken to sweet and sour pork. No duck, no lettuce leaves, but for $3.65 I got: egg drop soup with wanton chips, a vegetarian egg roll, orange chicken with slices of onion and green pepper, a fried wanton with beef in it, fried rice and hot tea! It was all delicious, hot and fresh, albeit nothing very exotic. This meal satisfied my craving for Chinese food until I get to NYC in early May, Boston in July, and the LA area for the month of August. Not the best Chinese food I have ever had but the price, the freshness and the illusion of something more exotic than burgers or enchiladas temporarily satisfied my craving.

State of Play

2009-04-23T13:52:00.003-07:00

Unlike "Duplicity," a chaotic film Pat and I saw last week, "State of Play" relies on logical sequences as Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe), reporter for a Washington DC newspaper, doggedly searches for THE story. The ending may surprise you. Pat and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A weekend in New York City

2009-04-23T09:36:00.007-07:00

Several years ago when I was still living in DC, my friend Allyson (from Boston) and I met in New York City for the Easter weekend. We had a fabulous time and vowed to do it again soon.
Last night we were chatting and she mentioned that she will be in Manhattan from May 6-10 for business meetings and that she would see a new play on Broadway. As we spoke I thought what fun it would be to join her in NYC for the weekend. Her business ends Friday afternoon. My flight arrives at JFK late Friday afternoon!

Friday night we will see

I suggested that I try to get tickets for Saturday night to see my cousin Brian d'Arcy James' play on Saturday. Can you believe that this gorgeous man transforms into this?

We will celebrate my birthday and her half-birthday with a toast at the top of the Marriott!

Am so glad she called!

Go Green

2009-04-22T03:17:00.002-07:00

Not just today but every day!

My Library

2009-04-21T20:46:00.006-07:00

My friend Allyson recommended a book that she was re-reading:
Since my library has online capabilities I reserved the book. When I went to the library today it was not yet available but I discovered a "little" book that I picked up and checked out. When I got the book home I saw the following quote on the front cover: "Julia Leigh is a sorceress. Her deft prose casts a spell of serene control while the earth quakes underfoot." Toni Morrison

What better recommendation could one have to delve into this writer?

It's the week of my

2009-04-21T15:10:00.004-07:00

so perhaps I am lucky this week. Last night an online bridge tournament director announced she would honor me Friday night dedicating her tournament to me. (That is NOT my birthday but apparently she will not direct the actual anniversary day.) Today I got an e-card from a friend--quite lovely. Snail mail brought me a card from my brother and UPS an Amazon package ostensibly from my younger son and his family, but I am superstitious so will not open either until the actual day.

This all reminds me of a story about my older son. Forgive me if I have written this before. He told me years ago after having ignored my birthday as well as Mother's Day that he thought my birthday was in May. My technologically advanced son did not have the sechel to put my birthday in his IPod or whatever electronic calendar was at his disposal. He had told me many years before that he believed "Mother's Day" was a Hallmark event and he would not "buy" into it. Okay on Mother's Day but MY birthday? It has been in April since I was born! So.....imagine my surprise when I sat waiting for movers to bring furniture to a home we had just bought on Capitol Hill: A woman rang the doorbell and presented me with a bouquet of flowers. What was the day? Mother's Day. Who were they from? Jonathan! Message said: "Congratulations on your new home."

Summer Heat

2009-04-18T12:21:00.011-07:00

I know you are all relishing the spring but given the temperatures where I live during the summer months, I always need to plan ahead. Plans cemented are:

Month of June: Fly to Detroit airport, rent a car, drive to my friend Bonnie's house on Lake Williams. Spend a week contemplating nature with a good friend. Drive to Saginaw to hook up with my cousin Mary and subsequently enjoy the company of my Michigan cousins who live in Ann Arbor and in and around Detroit. Fly home for a couple of days to do laundry and pack for the rest of the summer.

Month of July: Drive to California to spend my granddaughter's birthday and the 4th of July with my kids and grandkids. Leave my car with them. Fly from LAX on July 7 to spend a week with my friend Allyson in Boston. We will rent a car to leisurely drive to my friend Holly who moved back to Maine after many years in Cambridge, then DC. She has graciously invited us to spend time with her in Old Orchard Beach. Perhaps we will take the CAT ferry to Novia Scotia for a couple of days. Then it is back to Boston for a couple of days before I return to California.

Month of August: I have rented an awesome beach cottage near Venice Beach. I will spend time with my friend Katie and perhaps take a drive up to Hearst Castle. I look forward to playing some bridge with old colleagues at RAND. But most of all I will enjoy my son and his family while celebrating his birthday at the end of August.

All in all, a well-planned summer I think. As I planned these months I thought back to last year at this time when I was anticipating my first trip downunder to Australia and New Zealand. As exotic as that was, this summer will re-unite me with loved family and good friends and afford me the opportunity to visit somewhere I have never been: Nova Scotia.

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

2009-04-16T15:02:00.002-07:00

Nicholas Drayson wrote this beautiful book with illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. My daughter-in-law gave it to me for Christmas. My great good fortune was to discover the book in a pile of books to-be-read by my bedside. I just finished reading it and I commend it you. Unique in its style the story unfolds of a quiet man of great depths. I will not spoil it for anyone who wishes to read it. I do not use the word "unique" lightly.

Property Taxes

2009-04-16T13:03:00.005-07:00

I received a letter yesterday from my mortgage company stating that they had attempted to pay the second half of my property taxes from my escrow account. What they discovered was that the taxes were paid in full. Question was: Had I paid the taxes myself? I searched my bank accounts on line to determine whether I had paid anything to Maricopa County October to date. Nothing! A call to the mortgage company indicated they had paid the first half in October, the second half being due in March. A call to Maricopa County Treasurer determined that I had paid by e-check the full amount due in late September 2008.

I am so anal that when a bill comes in I pay it! In September 2008 I was not thinking escrow account, I was thinking about my recent adventure in New Zealand.

The good news:

My mortgage company will refund me the amount I paid in September--just in time for my many travels this summer!

Britain's Got Talent

2009-04-15T11:20:00.001-07:00

Boy do they! Take a listen to this link, since You Tube has discontinued the ability to embed this. Susan Boyle

Bridge Mix

2009-04-14T14:45:00.004-07:00

Sound of Music--Antwerp Railway Station

2009-04-14T09:51:00.003-07:00

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T08:41:00.003-07:00

Hope the Easter Bunny brought you at least one cream-filled chocolate egg!

Dom DeLuise egging it

2009-04-09T08:39:00.003-07:00

I could not embed it, so click on link.

Milk and Cookies

A Blessed Pesach

2009-04-08T19:53:00.002-07:00

to my family and dear friends.

Cleaning crew

2009-04-08T09:54:00.003-07:00

I live alone. I entertain occasionally. Each evening before I go to bed I pick up any "mess" I may have made during the day, empty the waste baskets and place any glassware or snack bowls into the dishwasher. If the dishwasher is full I run it. So why, you may ask, do I have these every two weeks?

I have some "disposable income." Not much, but ever since I started full-time work after getting my degree (1984), I have had someone clean my house. At first there were two teenage boys in in a large house, my husband and I were both working, and I did not want to spend my weekends cleaning. Now I am spoiled and wondering why I still feel a bit guilty every two weeks!

"Get over it, Kate!"

When did you last do this?

2009-04-08T08:57:00.002-07:00

Kings Firecrackers

2009-04-07T11:58:00.001-07:00

Watch this! These children are a "jump" in the right direction for physical fitness!
US Naval Academy Kings Firecrackers Perform

Happy Birthday, Pat

2009-04-05T08:12:00.002-07:00

Huge Setback in Afghanistan

2009-04-03T12:56:00.002-07:00

Setback for Human Rights

"Shoe" Today April 3, 2009

2009-04-03T08:17:00.003-07:00

April Food Day

2009-04-01T12:20:00.003-07:00

From a blogger I read, Washington Cube.

Instead of an April Fool's joke, give an April Food bag to your local food bank. Try to give the freshest food you can find. As she reported: No beans (canned or in soup) because there seems to be an overload of these items. Try to include in your bag something sweet: packaged cookies, tins of fruit, puddings or jellos that need no refrigeration. Interesting sauces that just need to be heated, packaged noodle dishes that one adds water to, oriental dishes like chop suey....... Be creative!

My Best April Fool Joke

2009-04-01T05:50:00.003-07:00

One April first I sent the following letter to the directors of the program in which I was associate director:

April 1, 1990

Albert P. Williams, Ph.D.
Sheldon Greenfield, M.D.
address

Dear Al and Shelly:

It is with deep regret that I tender my resignation as associate director of the Pew program. I have given this long and hard consideration and believe that I must move on to something more suitable for me.

Thanking you in advance for your support as I make this change.

Sincerely,

signature

I shared a suite with Al, so I went to work early and left the letter which I had typed on the seat of his chair, then went into my office and closed the door. When Al came in, I heard him go into his office then come out and apparently show the letter to his secretary saying, "Did you know about this?" She denied knowing anything (I had not told her what I was doing). Then he said: "As soon as Shelly arrives tell him to come in to see me." About 15 minutes later I heard Shelly arrive. Ten minutes after that Al's secretary knocked on my door to say that Shelly and Al wanted to see me in Al's office. I put on my best poker face and went to meet with them. They were all serious and had worried looks on their faces. "Kate, we are both very upset by your letter. Is there anything we can do to persuade you to stay?" Me: "I don't think so, gentlemen. I have made up my mind." Shelly: "Did you get another job offer?" Me: "Not really." Al: "Then why would you leave the program? You are really needed here." Me: quiet for a bit.......then "Did you guys look at the date on the letter?" Silence......Al kept looking at it as Shelly went to glance at it again. Finally Shelly started laughing and said: "Al. The date is April 1." "This is a joke?" asked Al. "Gotcha!" said I.

Leaving on a jet plane

2009-03-26T07:51:00.003-07:00

This is the San Antonio River Walk. A group of us will stay a few blocks from this lovely site to enjoy four days and five nights of bridge, great food, a barge trip and new friendships.

Happy Birthday, Brother Steve and Friends Orla and A

2009-03-25T07:47:00.002-07:00

For Adam and Allison

2009-03-23T08:13:00.004-07:00

Reminder via my son Jonathan on FaceBook

2009-03-20T14:27:00.002-07:00

Spring has sprung.
The grass has riz.
I wonder where the birdie is.
Aha! The bird is on the wing.
Absoid! The wing is on the boid.

Vernal Equinox

2009-03-20T12:40:00.006-07:00

I thought these images interesting of the start to spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy

2009-03-17T06:48:00.001-07:00

Louis CK on Letterman

(You Tube would not let me embed it, so click on link.)

Happy St. Patty's Day

2009-03-16T22:49:00.001-07:00

Castle...The TV Show

2009-03-16T22:02:00.003-07:00

Rarely do I watch tv other than movies or series on HBO, but I am captivated by this well-written, well-acted series that started last week. I think I may be hooked.

Movies

2009-03-11T06:03:00.003-07:00

I may be the "last on my block" to see this film. Be that as it may, I would not have missed it for anything. Brilliant writing, directing and amazing performances by Kate Winslet and David Kross, the inimitable Ralph Fiennes-- all bring this book to life for me. In my estimation Winslet manages (as does the unique Meryl Streep) to immerse me in the character immediately as she becomes Hannah every minute throughout the film.

So many beautiful moments: their lovemaking, her seeming rejection of the young Michael after he rides the trolley in the 2nd class section, his realization that she cannot read at the restaurant on their bicycle trip, every moment of the trial as she reveals the truth about her "job" yet is "ashamed" to reveal she is illiterate, when she circles "the" over and over in the book to teach herself to read, the despair on Hannah's face as Michael tells her he has rented her an apartment, the meeting between the Holocaust survivor and the adult Michael at the end of the film.

This film could never be taken lightly and, like the book, it will remain vividly etched in my mind for a very long time.

In Honor of Women in Art

2009-03-08T15:32:00.003-07:00

Eggman913 2007

(Click on it :)

Celebrate Women All Over The World

2009-03-07T10:20:00.001-07:00

Why Am I So Tired?

2009-03-06T14:18:00.003-07:00

My sleep pattern has no pattern. It is erratic and annoying. I can stay up late...midnight and after and wake at 5:30 or 6 am. Not bad, you say? Well my body seems to need 7-8 hours uninterrupted sleep. If I go to bed early, say 10 or 10:30, I waken at 2 or 2:30 a.m. refreshed and raring to go. Sometimes I go to my writing on the computer, but if uninspired after about 20 minutes I will click to online bridge. Turns out I can be social but my bridge skills hide under the cloak of fatigue.

I have tried different sleep aids beginning with warm milk, reading until my eyes are burning, and finally a sleep aid: Tylenol pm or some other "sleep eze" recommended by friends. I hate the sleep aids because although they do give me about 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep I waken groggy and sometimes with a headache.

I have no great worries, other than the fact that my retirement $ is bleeding away in this economy. Since I have hopes that will turn around, hopefully before it has all dissipated, am unsure why this is happening. It actually started before the economy turned really bad, about two years ago.

I am at a loss as to what to do about the situation. If any readers have a suggestion I have not tried, please let me know it. At this juncture I am ready to try almost anything.

(And yes, I get lots of exercise......3-4 hours a day usually.)

Thanks for any help with this.

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb?

2009-03-02T07:55:00.003-07:00

I thought maybe Turner's Snow Storm was fitting for those of you on the East Coast who are experiencing the lion of March.

Happiest of Birthdays, Jack!

2009-02-20T23:18:00.001-07:00

Celebrating the Presidents Day

2009-02-16T14:03:00.004-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T14:24:00.008-07:00

I googled to find some of the gawdiest Valentines and decided that Victorian valentines were my best bet. Hope you enjoy them.

An Ahhhhhhhhhh Animal Link

2009-02-10T12:17:00.002-07:00

Satchmo in the Forest (especially for Indri)

Gran Torino

2009-02-06T14:44:00.004-07:00

I finally saw this film today. Brilliant story and execution. The Clint Eastwood of today's films bears little resemblance to Rowdy in Rawhide and hints of "make my day" with sensitivity.

George Carlin

2009-02-05T08:31:00.002-07:00

Last night I caught the Kennedy Center's tribute to George Carlin who posthumously received the Mark Twain Prize. This routineModern Man from 2006 was played during the program. It was typically brilliant Carlin and I loved it.

Poetry Day

2009-02-02T10:42:00.001-07:00

Maya Angelou

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

For Golfers and the Meek

2009-02-01T08:26:00.001-07:00

"Shoe" today.

I commend this to you

2009-01-27T21:06:00.001-07:00

The Frat Boy Ships Out

Tanks in My Memory

2009-01-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes

2009-01-16T08:13:00.007-07:00

This advice comes from several friends in Washington, DC. The temperature range in Arizona for next week is 45-73 F, whereas DC anticipates a range of 25-42 F.

I leave early Sunday to spend 6 nights and five days in my old haunts staying with friends on Capitol Hill. I will fly through O'Hare to National airport then Metro to Eastern Market. Hundreds of thousands may have already arrived by the time I get there but I will be patient and pretend it is rush hour the entire time I am there.

I have no tickets for any events but it matters not since I could hardly miss this historic event. I did sign up for the service day on Monday, January 19. Luckily one group has planned a clean up of the Eastern Market metro stop park. The event coordinator instructions include I think it's too cold to do any major work...so just bring warm gloves, some extra trash bags, and, if you're willing, some warm cider or such to share...or maybe we can all just go to Tunicliff's afterwards (I think we can get a lot done in an hour!) and warm up!

I have plans for lunch with my former colleagues at NCB in Crystal City and with my friends Barbara and her husband David in Dupont Circle. There will be lots of catching up on one another's lives.

I am excited to be returning to a place I called home for many years to a city I loved living in, but most of all to be witnessing such an historic event. On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States!

P.S. I Love You

2009-01-06T16:19:00.005-07:00

I truly love Hilary Swank as an actress. I happened on this film today on HBO and watched it through to the end. If you have not seen this film, rent it. I thought it charming and I want to visit Ireland soon.

Happy Birthday, 2009

2009-01-01T17:35:00.002-07:00

The past eight years are nearly behind us and the changes we hope for are in the days of your year and those to come. Thank you for arriving safely into the world.

For Frank

2009-01-01T09:54:00.003-07:00

I was fighting an intestinal bug this week so did not post this on 30 December which was the appropriate day. I am reminded of you daily, Frank, as I put on the ring I had made from our two wedding rings, but this candle will stay lit for 24 hours to remind others.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2008-12-31T23:13:00.002-07:00

A friend just sent me this........I thought it was interesting:

"From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas, Everyone"

From my son Jonathan

2008-12-28T19:06:00.002-07:00

I just spent a lovely time with my children and grandchildren over Christmas. Chat included reminiscing about The Muppets among other things. My favorite was always Rolff. This tidbit confirms what I always thought.

For all 14-year olds

2008-12-23T10:18:00.002-07:00

who will vote in 2012 and 10-year olds who will vote in 2016.

ROCNROL

2008-12-16T12:40:00.004-07:00

With reluctance and sadness I removed the blog of my friend Bob who died recently. The link was a sore reminder of the loss of this dear friend each time I viewed my blog. I am sure he is engaged in wild bridge games with friends that went before him.

What to buy, what to buy?

2008-12-15T09:26:00.003-07:00

Shoe in today's comic section.

More Garrison Keillor

2008-12-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Regardless of your politics, or whom you voted for, the following comments by Garrison Keilor are right on the mark:

Be happy, dear hearts, and allow yourselves a few more weeks of quiet exultation. It isn't gloating, it's satisfaction at a job well done. He was a superb candidate, serious, professorial but with a flashing grin and a buoyancy that comes from working out in the gym every morning. He spoke in a genuine voice, not senatorial at all. He relished campaigning. He accepted adulation gracefully. He brandished his sword against his opponents without mocking or belittling them. He was elegant, unaffected, utterly American, and now (Wow) suddenly America is cool. Chicago is cool. Chicago !!!

We threw the dice and we won the jackpot and elected a black guy with a Harvard degree, the middle name Hussein and a sense of humor; he said, "I've got relatives who look like Bernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look like Margaret Thatcher." The French junior minister for human rights said, "On this morning, we all want to be American so we can take a bite of this dream unfolding before our eyes." When was the last time you heard someone from France say they wanted to be American and take a bite of something of ours? Ponder that for a moment.

The world expects us to elect pompous yahoos, and instead we have us a 47-year-old prince from the prairie who cheerfully ran the race, and when his opponents threw sand at him, he just smiled back. He'll be the first president in history to look really good making a jump shot. He loves his classy wife and his sweet little daughters. At the same time, he knows pop music, American lit and constitutional law. I just can't imagine anybody cooler.

It feels good to be cool, and all of us can share in that, even sour old right-wingers and embittered blottoheads. Next time you fly to Heathrow and hand your passport to the man with the badge, he's going to see " United States of America " and look up and grin. Even if you worship in the church of Fox , everyone you meet overseas is going to ask you about Obama, and you may as well say you voted for him because, my friends, he is your line of credit over there. No need anymore to try to look Canadian.

My dear friend Bob Tuller

2008-12-05T10:33:00.003-07:00

lost his battle with sarcoma yesterday. I will miss his charm, his humor and his friendship.

An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

National Security

2008-12-01T17:11:00.002-07:00

I am delighted with President-elect Obama's selections for his national security staff. I watched CNN this morning to see him present them to us in front of a group of reporters. As promising and formidable as his choices are, his handling of questions from the press showed signs of his dexterity with words as well as his humor. I grow more proud to be his supporter each day.

When a reporter asked Obama when he had decided on Clinton, what were the negotiations involved in asking her and how was he resolving their rancor during the pre-election battles Obama smiled broadly and said: "Clinton and the other members of the national security team would not have agreed to join my administration -- and I would not have asked them to be part of this administration -- unless we shared a core vision of what's needed to keep the American people safe and to assure prosperity here at home and peace abroad."

Obama said there was not a 'light bulb moment' when he decided to ask Clinton to be his secretary of state but would not reveal details on the talks that led up to him asking his former rival to join his team.

"I have always admired Sen. Clinton. We have worked together extensively in the Senate," Obama said.

"After the election was over and I began to think about my team, it occurred to me that she could potentially be an outstanding secretary of state," he said. "I extended her the offer, and she accepted. I know that's not as juicy a story as you were hoping for, but that's all you are going to get."

Post Holidays

2008-12-01T13:56:00.003-07:00

My children and grandchildren arrived safely on Wednesday. I had prepared a lasagne to pop in the oven, so while it heated the young family got settled and my older son tossed a salad. We all sat down to a delicious family meal then promptly crashed after dinner. Travel wearies one and although I did not drive for 6 /12 hours like my grandchildren, nor endure the airport waits on line as my older son did, prep for Thanksgiving Day itself evolved into a marathon of table renting, pie baking, silver polishing and decorating. So after a very satisfying supper we crashed fairly early to face Thursday morning and its own "heavy lifting."

Thanksgiving day after a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, juices and hot coffee I set everyone to tasks: moving furniture in the living room to allow for the extra table I had rented, setting the tables, peeling potatoes and the piece de resistance: prepping the turkey and putting it the oven. My son Adam was delegated turkey duty and the end result was a perfectly browned, moist, delicious bird enjoyed by all.

In addition to our immediate family of 6, my friends Pat and Jack with their daughter and grandson from Chicago as well as four of my daughter-in-law's cousins joined us for dinner. The feast included: turkey, stuffing, Colcannon potatoes, sweet potatoes in maple syrup, brussels sprouts, fresh green beans with and without mushroom soup/fried onion rings, two kinds of cranberry sauce, olives and carrot sticks permitted the table to groan appropriately. We had 4 different pies (pumpkin, Pennsylvania Dutch apple, pecan, chocolate cream) and a decadent devil's food cake. Champagne, white and red wines, and sparkling cider for the kids complemented the meal.

I had a wonderful time and every aching aging muscle that resulted from this effort was worth it!

On Friday the "boys": my two sons and my grandson.........went to the 3-D version of the movie Bolt. The "girls": my daughter-in-law, granddaughter and I went shopping. Not the black Friday-type of shopping but my grandson's birthday is 2 December so we bought him birthday gifts to celebrate early. That night we had leftovers and an ice cream cake with candles.

On Saturday I drove my older son to the airport to fly home to San Francisco. My younger son and his family drove to Goodyear to spend the day and early evening with their cousins. About 2:30 pm Saturday I thought: something is wrong..........then realized it was quiet for I was once again alone in my home.

My grandkids left about 8:30 Sunday morning for their 6 1/2 hour drive home and I played bridge on the internet nearly all day.

I could not have planned such a wonderful visit....it was grand having them all here to see me in my new home and enjoying the family time together.

The Bakery

2008-11-25T09:36:00.008-07:00

Today my house becomes a bakery.

My cousin Ellen's recipe for pumpkin pie made with bourbon.

Pennsylvania Dutch apple pie, a recipe brown with age since I can't remember how long I have had it in my recipe box.

Pecan pie because I recently learned I can eat nuts again and have missed the taste so much.

The pumpkin and apple pies will be in gluten-free crusts so my daughter-in-law can taste them; the pecan pie will not since she does not tolerate nuts well.

In addition, my friend Pat is bringing a chocolate cream pie also in gluten-free crust.

The house smells wonderful this morning.

Poker--Out of the Mouths of "Babes"

2008-11-24T09:51:00.003-07:00

My son was coaching his eight-year old on which games to play in Vegas if he ever wanted to be a professional gambler. He recommended blackjack and craps for the odds, but said, “Be sure to stay away from roulette!”

My grandson responded, “Why, who’s she?”

Thanksgiving

2008-11-23T13:00:00.004-07:00

Several years ago I "gave" the holidays to my daughter-in-law, Allison: Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was much easier for us to travel to California where the kids were than for them to schlepp across country. I sent them all my Christmas decorations and 10 foot tree. This past August Allison suggested they come to me for Thanksgiving since she has cousins in Goodyear whom she has not seen in a while and my kids have not seen my house since I moved to Arizona. This sounded good to me and my older son agreed to come as well.

Today marks the beginning of Thanksgiving preparation week. Fourteen people will be present to help us celebrate this holiday and I am excited, albeit nervous, about getting everything done the way I like it. My dining room table holds 8 comfortably and 10 squeezed, so I rented a 60" round table so that people will not be elbow to elbow while they partake of the feast. Originally I thought to put the 5 children at the round table but Esme is 3 1/2 and may need some attention, while Jonathan is 15 and may feel being relegated to the "kids" table beneath him. I configured the seating so that there is a good mix of men, women and children at each table. Place cards will cement that arrangement I hope, although there may be some shuffling as people are seated. (BTW: We will have 2 Jonathans: 15 and 38; 2 Jacks: 10 and 70ish; 2 Allisons: approximately the same age but names spelled differently: Allison and Alison. So conversation throughout the room may be confusing.

I have made lists galore, as is my wont, and highlighted some recipes I will use with paper clips in my cookbook. Gluten-sensitivity found me at Whole Foods yesterday for gluten-free bread cubes and pie crusts and the turkey has been ordered from Sprouts to be picked up Tuesday where I bought gluten-free flour for gravy making. Today I will shop for all the other items necessary for baking three pies: pumpkin, Pennsylvania Dutch apple, and pecan. Additionally I will purchase all non-perishable items leaving fresh vegetables until a Tuesday spree.

I spend a lot of time preparing for Thanksgiving because I find it one of the most special holidays we celebrate. And this year with family and friends it will be very, very special.

Hope your holiday is as enjoyable as I am certain mine will be.