Dackel Princess

TV

Do you watch much TV? I used to, but in my older years, I am getting very picky about what I am watching. In fact most nights there isn’t a regular TV show on that I watch. On those nights I sort of zone out and allow Jack to watch what he wants.

I do have a few that I really love. The show This Is Us. That show is probably the best written, directed and acted show on the TV right now. I go to a fan site on Facebook for that show and I am amazed at how many points of view there are for the story, the characters, or even how the writers have written a particular story. I love it all, even when I spend much of the episode crying. It means that it touched me in a very real sense.

I also love Homeland. Claire Danes, as Carrie Mathison is magnificent and she just carries that show. Although I loved Rupert Friend, as Peter Quinn, and I will miss him now that he is gone, I look forward to new actors that will be introduced. Anyway, great writing, directing and acting.

I do admit to watching and liking The Incredible Dr. Pol and The Pioneer Woman. I tend to watch them whenever they are on. I guess because I love animals and I love to cook.

Then there are the usual shows that I like, but I have found that they are no longer as fabulous as they were. The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Mom, and Blue Bloods. They’re okay, but if I miss them, I don’t really care. There is a cute new show called Young Sheldon, that is sweet and it does make me laugh, but that’s all it is, fluff. Cute fluff.

Aside from the above, I watch sports. Yup, sports. I love to watch tennis, especially the Grand Slams like The French Open, Wimbledon, The US Open and The Australian Open, although the time difference means I watch a lot after they have occurred.

I also like to watch Figure Skating, Skiing, and Gymnastics. But the other stuff on the TV just isn’t worth wasting my time with.

This has meant that I have gotten a lot done with Mandy’s afghan. I sit here in the evening, with the TV droning on, and I work on the blanket. It’s looking so lovely and beautiful and I sure hope it will be all that I want it to be when it is done.

Farewell Dear Nan

When I was eight, my sister met her future husband. They were 13. They courted through letters, and occasional phone calls and visits either to Arlington where Ron lived or he came to Falmouth.

Since propriety called for a chaperone for my sister, I was nominated for the post. Everyone knew I had a big mouth and that if Mel and Ron did anything they shouldn’t I would rat them out. After all, what else do 8 year olds do?.

Consequently I met Ron’s mother, Nancy, pretty early in my life. She was studying to be an elementary school teacher, and I was a great way for her to practice.

My Mom on the left and Nancy on the right. Two lovely ladies!

I remember her teaching me to read and to do simple math. She also read me stories, which I really loved.

When Melodie was invited to go to their cottage in Winchendon, Massachusetts, I was invited as well. Ron’s parents taught me to water ski, to shoot a BB gun, and what it was like to camp with no TV. At least I do not recall there being one there.

I remember Nan in her lovely bathing suit, being on the dock, in the boat and swimming, looking incredibly beautiful.

After Mel and Ron married, they lived with Ron’s folks while he went to school, and while Mel and Ron’s first child was born. I went up to stay with them and again, I spent time with Nan watching Boston Bruins Hockey. These were the years of Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Derrick Sanderson! Yes, a hockey team made in heaven!

Over the years, Nan’s life went in a different direction, but whenever we saw each other it was easy. After all, even though we weren’t technically related, she always treated me like one of her own.

Ron and his mother Nancy.

This lovely woman passed away yesterday from complications of age and Parkinson’s Disease. Her death means that the last of our parents is gone and now Mel, Ron, Ron’s brother and I are the older generation. It’s hard to believe.

Nancy loved all of her family very much. She was proud of each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I think at the end, she fretted some, at leaving them all, but her body just plain gave out.

So, as I bid a very fond farewell, to a terrific lady, who made such an impact on my life, I send out my deepest sympathy to all of Nancy’s family and her friends.

Rest in peace, Nancy.

-Things I’ve Done Or Not Done-

-Things I’ve Done Or Not Done-

Fired a gun – Yes and I wasn’t a bad shot.
Gone on a blind date – No. I haven’t had time to do that.I got married at 17 the first time and 29 the second time. I’ve pretty much been spoken for all my life!
Watched someone give birth – Yes. Me. Twice!
Watched someone die – Sadly, yes.
Visited Canada – Yes. Hubby’s family are mostly Canadian.
Visited Hawaii – No and I really want to go!
Visited Las Vegas – No and don’t really want to.
Visited Asia – Not yet, but really want to.
Visited Africa – Not yet.
Visited Florida – Not just visited, but lived there for 6 years.
Visited Mexico – Yes, but Mexico and I are enemies. All three times I got very ill.
Visited Australia – Not yet, but one day!
Seen the Grand Canyon in person – Yes! And it was amazing!
Flown in a helicopter – Yes. Not sure I liked it.
Flown an airplane – Never flown an airplane, but did have the chance to fly in the cockpit when Hubby was helping to ferry a plane to Germany. If I had known how fabulous it was to do, I would have paid more attention in my math and science classes!
Served on a jury – Well sort of. I was selected for two jury’s, but both cases were plea bargained before the jury heard the case.
Visited L.A – Yes, briefly.
Been to New York City – Yes, but not a big fan.
Cried yourself to sleep – Yes.
Recently colored with pencils- No, but I’ve been looking at the adults coloring books.
Sang karaoke – Not really.
Paid for a meal with coins only – When I was very little I went to see my Grandma Elsie. She always saved coins in a tea cup for us to have for spending money when we came up. I got my money (all coins) and we went to Woolworths to shop. Grandma decided to stop there and have lunch at the counter. When we finished she went to get her wallet and realized she had left it at home. She asked me to let her have the money, and she would pay me back when she got home. I did. As we walked back home she tried her best to make me promise not to tell Papa Sam. Being the rotten six year old I was, as soon as he walked in the door that night I told him all about the adventure and how I had save the day!
Made prank phone calls – No. Phones were a different thing back in the day. I think I had more respect for them
Laughed so much you cried – Yes.
Caught a snowflake on your tongue – I live in the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire. We can have literally several feet of snow in our winters. One of my favorite things to do is to go outside, listen to the quiet and catch snow flakes!
Had children – Yes, two beautiful daughters.
Had a pet – Oh yes. Let’s see: Smokey (cat) Baby, Lorelei, (dogs), Terry-Ho, Daisy, (cats), Rex, Max, Fritz, Lili, (white German shepherds), Shubi, Greta, Arnie, Anneliese, (dackels) .
Been skinny dipping – Yes. But who with and when, I am not telling!
Rapelled down a building / cliff – When I saw this question I laughed. Knowing me to be one disaster away from death, I do not think I will ever want to do this!
Been downhill skiing – Yes, Not very good at it though.
Been water skiing – Yes, years ago.
Been camping in a tent – No. I am not the roughing it type.
Driven a motorcycle – No. Let’s just say I have a healthy respect for them.
Jumped out of a plane – LOL…no.
Gone to a drive-in movie – Yes, and that was so much fun, back in the day!
Done something that could have killed you – Yes, but I survived and will never be that stupid again.
Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life – People who know me, know I regret only one day of my life. The day my daughter died. And that day I didn’t do anything, but was rather a victim.
Rode an elephant – Yes, and perhaps that is why I love elephants so much!
Rode a camel – Yes, I did that too.
Eaten just cookies or cake or ice cream for dinner – Sure. Long, long, ago, in a galaxy, far, far, away!
Been on TV – Not really.
Been in newspapers – Yes a number of times. Most notably, when I appeared as a child in the Sound of Music.
Stolen any traffic signs – Nope!
Been in a car accident – Yes. And it haunts me to this day.
Stayed in Hospital – Yes. Unfortunately, many times.
Donated blood – Yes.
Had to pay a fine in the past 12 months – No, I’ve lived a clean life.
Gotten a piercing – Just my ears.
Gotten a tattoo – Ah, no.
Driven a standard car – Oh yeah, piece of cake.
Ever owned your dream car – Yes. Still have it.
Been Married – Twice.
Been divorced – Yes, once.

Sunday

Our Sunday was fairly quiet. I hadn’t slept well on Saturday, and I felt like doing nothing more than curling up in a warm corner, and going to sleep. But it seemed the dogs were barking at the ice fishermen, or the TV was on keeping me awake, so I never got a nice nap.

I did watch a few episodes of Dr. Pol, Veterinarian, which proved handy, later in my day, when Anneliese got into it with Greta and punctured her leg. I got everything I needed, cleaned the wound up and then wrapped it in sterile gauze. I will clean it again in the morning so I can get a good look at it.

Meanwhile, Anneliese is in the dog house with me, and my darling Greta is acting like she was killed. I’m allowing her to do this because, heck, at her age getting your butt served to you on a platter, has to hurt ones pride.

I’m watching the Patriots and Eagles game, and at this point it is not clear who will win the Super Bowl. I’d like it to be the Patriots, but my exhaustion won’t allow me to stay awake.

I hope your weekends were good, and that the week ahead will be a happy one!

Update: The Patriots blew it and Philadelphia won! There was one Philly player who really wanted this win and he was on fire! Clearly he was a major factor in this win. I congratulate them. For us Pats fans remember, there is always next year!

My Loves

I went down to visit with my two grandchildren on Saturday! Those are always great days. Savannah comes running when she hears me open the door, and today, when Quinn saw me he smiled and said OMA!

You know, it just doesn’t get much better than seeing how happy the mere sight or your presence can make your grands. They sure make me smile, and fill my heart with love, warmth and happiness!

Now I had a few funny things happen with the kids. I wanted to play a song to Amanda that I’d sort of discovered. Now, it’s an old song, but I wanted to have her hear it. Well, Savi thought the music was really old fashioned, which made me laugh, because it was from my High School Years!

Then I played Savi and Mandy and Quinn a song. Mandy knew it, but it was new for Savi and Quinn. It was called “The Might Quinn”. Done years ago by Manfred Mann!

The kids really got a kick out of that, especially Savannah, who kept asking if they wrote this song about her baby brother, Quinn!

While Savi was in dance class, Mandy, Quinn and I did her grocery shopping. Quinn loves to be part of the experience. He started in the cart, then helped to push the cart, then was on Mandy’s shoulders, and then while we checked out, he and I played puppy-boy! He was so good, and so darn cute!

After lunchtime, I left to go home, while stopping along the way to grocery shop for me, and get gasoline for my car. All was going well until I got just north of Concord and the traffic came to a sudden halt. Where it stayed for about an hour. Later I learned that there had been a bad accident, which is why I was stuck.

I had my Ipod with me, and so I plugged it into my speakers in the car, and just went to town, singing, swaying to the music and just otherwise passing the time.

I shopped, and made it home shortly after 4:00 PM. Tired but very happy. My grands always make my days so much better!!!

A Beautiful Thing ~ Life!

I was thinking about how very blessed I am in this world. I have wonderful people that I love, and who love me in return. I walk outside and I see the beauty of nature, even in February, in the frozen North. It makes me glad when Spring arrives and brings with it the beauty of Summer. Look around. What makes you smile? What brings joy into your life? What makes you laugh with glee?

I think so often we get caught up with all the crap in life, and forget the beauty. Look around! See all that you have in your life that makes it worthwhile! It’s there. One has only to look.

If you are having trouble finding a happy place, watch this video and it will remind you of all there is to be happy about. All the wonder in life!

The Friday Five

I seem to be list oriented this week, as we start the month of February. The first Friday of February, can you believe it?

I returned to Weight Watchers on Wednesday and here are my thoughts on getting back to taking care of my eating and my health.

I returned to Class after nearly a year hiatus. Not because I wanted to be, but because 2017 was a tough health year for me I had lost quite a bit of weight, mostly because I could not eat.
It was more than wonderful to see my old friends in Class. I got so many hugs, and so much love. If that isn’t encouraging, I don’t know what is. My main goal now is to finish losing the extra weight and to learn to make healthier choices!
I stayed after class to learn about Weight Watchers new program. It sounds very good, but I have to tell you that my head is still swimming with all the information!
I started out on Thursday morning, trying to make sense of this program. After lunch I felt a bit overwhelmed and also hungry. Now here is the deal, I had eaten a wonderful breakfast, and I spent time making a good lunch. There was no reason I should have been hungry, except you say “diet” to me and suddenly my mind thinks I’m starving!
I’ve still got 19 points to use today, so I guess I will try to plan a normal dinner. I think chicken fajitas. I have steak fajitas for Jack. If I am lucky and this works well, by my birthday in November I will be at my goal weight.

Thursday Thirteen

The Me Edition!

1. I was Born on November 17th in Massachusetts.

2. I weighed 9 pounds and 1 ounce, and I was 23 inches long. My mother swears that this nearly killed her, as she was barely 5 feet tall!

3. I was my sisters first baby! She was five and a half years old, and she was so happy to have a little sister. Truth be told, I am lucky to have her!

Melodie and her baby, little sister, Maribeth.

4. My appendix ruptured just before my fourth birthday. I wasn’t scared at all. I did not like the Ether, but I did get twice the gifts for my birthday that year! One I remember quite well was “Digger The Dog”. This may explain my love for long dogs! In my life I have almost always had a dog. And at this point, I think I always will.

5. I was the youngest child to perform in our community theaters version of The King and I. What I remember the most is showering after the shows and watching the make-up and the spray in black hair color wash down the drain.

That’s me, the third from the left right out in front.

6. I remember JFK’s assassination because I was home from school with tonsillitis. I was lying on the sofa with my pillow and blanket and Mom was watching her soap operas, when the news came on. Mom was so upset and at 5 years old, I wasn’t really sure what was happening, but I knew it wasn’t good.

7. When I was 8, I won the much coveted role as Gretl in the community theaters version of “The Sound of Music”. I had memorized all the music from the record, and I loved singing it. I recall a large tryout, and then the announcement was made. I was Gretl in the first cast. In fact, after the play debuted, I was even mentioned in the review of the play. Not bad for a little kid.

8. I loved growing up near the beach and spent a lot of time down there. Actually my whole family loved being therre, with the exception of my father, who burned very quickly, so he almost never went with us.

9. My cousin, Janet and I rode our bikes all over Falmouth. When they came down to Falmouth from Billerica, Uncle George always brought their bikes and off we went. One day we rode all the way to the Bourne Bridge and then rode over. Oh my goodness! It was so windy, that I admit to walking the bike back over on the way back! But Janet and I sure had a great time riding everywhere on our bikes!

Me and my much loved cousin and best friend, Janet!

10. I was a pretty good student until I reached High School. I seemed to lose it then, and although I graduated just fine, I wish I could go back and really work hard to get the grades I know I could have gotten!

11. I sort of played the flute. Okay before you ask, how I sort of played the flute, I will tell you. I had a mild case of dyslexia, which made it impossible for me to learn to read music. But I loved music. What happened was, for me a sort of miracle! Once I heard the music once I could either play it on the flute (or sing it in the choir). But to this day, the ability to read music eludes me.

12. I love to cook. Okay, that is no surprise to most of you, but what you may not know, is that way back when I was married to my first husband, I was a terrible cook. I could barely boil water! I once actually made meatloaf and put chunks of hotdog in it! I shudder now, but well, I guess you have to start somewhere. By the time I married Jack, I had a better idea of what I was doing, and no one was forced to eat experimental cooking that involved ground beef and hotdogs!

13. I think being an Oma (grandmother) is the best thing in the entire world! When I learned that Mandy was expecting Savannah I cried with happiness, and each day since Savannah’s arrival has been filled with joy. And then we were so blessed with the arrival of Quinn, and I cannot remember what life was like before them! They bring smiles to me each day of my life. And I know that it just doesn’t get any better than this.

My daughter, Mandy, Matt and their beautiful children, Savannah and Quinn! My loves, my life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Speaking of endings….at your wit’s end, at loose ends, a dead end, burn the candle at both ends, all’s well that end’s well, or no end in sight…which ‘end’ phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain.

All’s well that ends well! After pretty much being sick for October and January with the flu (yes, twice, two different strains) I am happy to report a return to health! So, all’s well that ends well.

2. What was a must have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it.

For me the biggest “accessory” in my life was my bike. I pedaled all over Falmouth growing up, and my bike was my way to get around until I bought my first car. From a very young age (back in the day when you let your kids out after breakfast and they didn’t come home until dinner), my bike helped me to see the world! Or at least my part of Falmouth!

3. Something that made you smile yesterday?

My new slip cover arrived for my old sofa. We thought we might get a new sofa, but since this sofa is Lili’s bed, we thought maybe we would wait a while. Anyway, I ordered the slip cover and now it is on the sofa and it looks great! When I looked up the last time I ordered a cover for the sofa, it was 9 years ago. That cover didn’t owe us a thing!

4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We’re having chicken salad for lunch…would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort?

Oh I love croissants! I will have to run out and buy two and make lunch with them! I like sweet croissants best, but lets face it, any croissant is a good croissant!

5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less.

Bitterly cold, icy weather, turning to more moderate temperatures at the end.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The three amigo cousins are going off again! I just made reservations for Mel, Janet and I to go stay in Falmouth for a weekend in April. It’s a great time for us to go, reminisce, and spend some quality time together, just us three!!! I can hardly wait!!!

Janet, Melodie and Me!

And The Lyrics Are…

I was reading Facebook today, when I saw a poster that said, “Remember a time before you could look up lyrics on the Internet, and you went around singing the most horrendous versions of your favorite songs?”

Oh, I do, I do! I also remember recording a song off the radio on a reel to reel tape machine, and then play and stop and play and stop, in order to get the lyrics written down. And even then I know I bungled more than a few song lyrics!

I do like being able to find lyrics just by entering a few words in a search engine. It just makes it so easy, and I look like a real star when singing in the grocery store.

Recently, I heard a song that had been redone by another artist doing the vocals. Oh it was one of my favorite songs back in the day. It was called “The Final – Old & Wise” by The Alan Parsons Project back in 1982.

Old & Wise is a rather melancholy song about growing old and getting toward the end of your time on earth. I remember when it was popular back in 1982 we bought the Album it was on. After my daughter passed away, I listened to it often. I was in a bad place.

Now as I approach my 60th birthday, (later this year!), I think that this song is beautiful in a very different way. It’s the affirmation that you have loved and cared and been loved. It’s such a wonderful song.

The newer version was still done by The Alan Parsons Project, in Antwerp, Belgium in October 1990. But with David Paton singing the lead . Wow it was so good! Here it is, so listen and enjoy!

The Lyrics to Old & Wise

As far as my eyes can see
There are shadows approaching me
And to those I left behind
I wanted you to know
You’ve always shared my deepest thoughts
You follow where I go[CHORUS]
And oh when I’m old and wise
Bitter words mean little to me
Autumn winds will blow right through me
And someday in the mist of time
When they asked me if I knew you
I’d smile and say you were a friend of mine
And the sadness would be lifted from my eyes
Oh when I’m old and wiseAs far as my eyes can see
There are shadows surrounding me
And to those I leave behind
I want you all to know
You’ve always shared my darkest hours
I’ll miss you when I go

[CHORUS]
And oh, when I’m old and wise
Heavy words that tossed and blew me
Like autumn winds will blow right through me
And someday in the mist of time
When they ask you if you knew me
Remember that you were a friend of mine
As the final curtain falls before my eyes
Oh when I’m old and wise

As far as my eyes can see

Anyway, back in the day, I had done the lyric writing by listening and writing down what I heard. I thought I had it right back then, but fast forward to now and I looked up the lyrics and I messed up a few. Close though.

Anyway, today’s kids have no idea what it was like, back in the day, before computers, cell phones and search engines that instantly gave you the lyrics. We actually had to work for them!