Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday?

Well the biggest change is that I have a grandson now! Quinn Wallace was born in March, and he is a super amazing.

He is six month old, sitting up, crawling, and pulling himself up onto his feet! He is a man with a mission!

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what’s a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer?

Not a super classical music fan, but my favorite piece is The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, (Russian: Рапсодия на тему Паганини, Rapsodiya na temu Paganini) is a concertante work written by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It is written for solo piano and symphony orchestra, closely resembling a piano concerto.

3. Besides The Bible, what’s a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so?

The First Year Of Forever: Surviving The Death Of Our Son, by B. D Van Vechten. I was given this book shortly after losing my daughter back in 1985. I have read it and reread it. Why? The book made me realize that I was not alone. That my feelings were normal for what I was going through, and it helped me to stop being so hard on myself.

The journey of getting through the first year is really a marathon. Just when you think you are getting to a better place, it all comes rushing up and hits you in the face all over again.

It is now 31 years later, and most days I do okay, because I do not allow myself to go there. But some days, when I least expect it, I suddenly find myself sobbing.

Yes the first year was the worst, but the forever, is oh so hard too!

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter…play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try?

I play Words with Friends almost daily, and I enjoy that. I blog almost daily because I love to write, and share my thoughts and ideas. I also cook and make up new recipes. Last night was a new grilled chicken recipe that I made in my cast iron skillet. My cousin gave me that skillet and I use it all the time!

5. What sports traditions does your family have?

Hubby and I like to watch the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments. I used to watch them with my Uncle George when I was a kid, now I watch with my husband.

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.

I would never disrespect our country, our flag or our people by acting the way these spoiled multi-millionaire football players have. Don’t like this country? Then I suggest you get out and go to another one. America is not perfect, but we are so much better than so many others.

Since Colin Kaepernick is now demonstrating against our country (he has become a Muslim) I would suggest he moved to a Muslim country, where he might feel more at home. Oh wait! They would never pay his big millionaire salary, or put up with his bull.

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience?

I have loads of patience with the grands. Those two could be pushing all the buttons and it doesn’t phase me at all. Last time I baby sat Quinn, he was so tired and fussy and fighting sleep. So, I just lay down with him until he fell asleep. I watched him with half closed eyes, until he curled up and fell asleep. It took a while, but I could stare at that handsome face forever!

Savannah is really easy, she is four years old and can tell me what she feels and what she wants.

I have little patience with Lili. I know I should be better than I am, but that dog can get on my nerves so quickly.

She is hyper and can jump floor to ceiling in one motion. And then, she will come over and quietly sit down next to me and look at me with those big brown eyes and I melt. She loves me so much and I do love her, I just wish she would settle down a bit!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The summer is over and yesterday when I drove up town to get the mail and get a few groceries, I actually could get around, without traffic jams and tourists walking into traffic. I know we need the tourists to come and spend their money, but goodness, it drives me a little nuts when I am unable to get around my little town.

Our Fury Friends

Yesterday I called a friend. I hadn’t spoken to them in a long while, and they’d been on my mind. As soon as they answered the phone, I did my usual funny phone greeting, that usually makes people laugh, but yesterday, my dear friend broke down immediately. I asked quickly, what was wrong.

My friend had just had to put down their 12 year old dog. He was a jolly good dog, and my friend got him about the same time we got Greta.

Oh if I could have jumped through the phone to be there to comfort my friend, I would. Instead I listened, and spoke words of kindness and tenderness. Unfortunately, I know all too well, the heartbreak of losing my trusty fur friend.

After our chat, I felt the deep sadness of my friends loss. Sammy was such a clown, and often when he heard me on the phone he would fuss and whine letting me know he heard my voice. He always had come right over to me and just been the sweetest boy. I will miss him.

Then I thought of my Greta. She is 12 and a half now. All gray and looking old. But, since I switched her food, and have her on pain medication, she is chipper like a puppy again. Well, in spurts, and then she naps.

Oh goodness, I sure hope Greta will be with us for a long while. The day she says good-bye will be a very tough day, indeed.

“SULLY”

The best part of our weekend was going to see “SULLY” at the movies. Hubby and I almost never go to the movies, but I really wanted to see this one. I made him promise not to say anything during the movie, should there be aviation inaccuracies, during the film. I said we could do a complete debrief once we got home.

Tom Hanks was superb as the quiet, gentle, yet capable, miracle pilot. As many people have stated, if not for Captain Sully, all of those people would have died.

The casting for the movie was really good. And I will tell you that one of the ferry Captains is the actual real life Captain from that day.

The writing of the screen play was true to form for what happens in a cockpit, and I will tell you that Sully’s PTSD feelings and dreams, were presented in a very real and fair way.

Clint Eastwood did a fabulous job. He directed and produced this film. Hollywood hates him, because he speaks his mind, and goes his own way, but Eastwood is always true to his films.

Hubby was impressed with how well a cockpit experience was portrayed. He also liked the film. I do recommend this film for anyone interested in Sully, and the Miracle on The Hudson River!

Never Forget, 15 Years Ago

I think we all can tell you where we were, and what we were doing on that fateful day.

September 11, 2001

It was a beautiful day here in New Hampshire. Sunny, bright, clear with blue skies. I was taking a shower getting ready for a dental appointment, while Hubby was working on shingling the house. It was a day like any other here.
Hubby had the TV in our bedroom pointed out the window so he could listen to the morning news.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm and Hubby told me I had to get out of the shower now, something was happening. I was a little dazed and confused. I shut the water in the shower off and grabbed my towel.

Hubby and I sat in our family room watching Fox News, ABC, and CNN. A plane had hit one of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in downtown New York City.

While we watched, suddenly another plane came in and hit the other Tower!
We were both in shock. We listened to reports. No one was saying terrorism, not at first. But both Hubby and I knew.

I look at this picture, and I know that none of those innocent people got out alive. That thought brings me to tears each time.

We watched the Tower’s come down, one and then the other. We knew people had died. We just didn’t know how many.

At 12:30 I drove to my dental appointment. There was not another car on the road. Not one. I got to my dental appointment and found that I was the only patient that hadn’t cancelled that day.

When I got home we watched the TV all day. I called my family and my close friends. Just to hear their voices.

It doesn’t matter your political affiliations, or how you feel about the war. What matters is on September 11, 2001 innocent people died in New York City, In Washington, DC and in Shanksville, PA.

People like you and like me.
That was the day I learned that we are no longer safe here at home.

I also learned that when our country is attacked in such a manner, we pull together and unify.

God Bless all who lost their lives that day, to their families, who will never be the same, and all who serve this country each and every day to protect and defend us.

September 11, 2001: Basic Facts

Chronology
8:46 AM Plane crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 AM Plane crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
9:17 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York City area airports.
9:21 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halts all flights at U.S. airports. It is the first
time in history that air traffic has been halted nationwide.
9:38 AM Plane crashes into the Pentagon. Evacuation begins immediately.
9:45 AM The White House evacuates.
10:05 AM The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:10 AM A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 AM Plane crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
10:22 AM The State and Justice Departments, as well as the World Bank are evacuated.
10:28 AM The World Trade Center’s north tower collapses.
10:45 AM All federal office buildings in Washington, D.C. are evacuated.
1:44 PM Five warships and two aircraft carriers are ordered to leave the U.S. Naval Station
in Norfolk, Virginia to protect the East Coast.
4:10 PM Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapses.

The Flights
American Airlines Flight 11
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 92 people on board
Crashed into North Tower of World Trade Center at 8:46 AM

United Airlines Flight 175
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 65 people on board
Crashed into South Tower of World Trade Center at 9:03 AM

American Airlines Flight 77
From: Washington, D.C. (Dulles Airport)
To: Los Angeles, CA
Lives: 64 people on board
Crashed into the Pentagon at 9:38 AM

United Airlines Flight 93
From: Newark, New Jersey
To: San Francisco, California
Lives: 44 people on board
Crashed into rural Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh)

Victims
Victims came from more than 90 countries around the world.
The following are the number of people who died at each site:

World Trade Center 2,823 (includes airline passengers)
Pentagon 125 (not including plane victims)
Flight 11 – 92 people on board
Flight 175 – 64 people on board
Flight 77 – 64 people on board
Flight 93 – 44 people on board

The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m, the times the Towers were hit. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
August 15, 2002

Autumn Preserving

After a summer filled with sunshine and very little rain, the last two days have been gray, foggy and sort of yucky. It’s not exactly raining, but it’s not the sort of weather that makes you want to go out and play in the sun. Even the dogs would rather sleep in their little beds, rather than go outside.

Thursday, I saw a friend of mine. She has a cottage that she and her husband go to on a lake each summer. We try to grab lunch here or there, when she is home to do laundry, but it’s been a crazy summer, and we just haven’t synced our schedules, and it was so nice to see her.

Also on my agenda the next few days is one last batch of Moon Glow Pickles and be done with it! After all, quite soon, apples will need to be sauced and grapes pressed for jelly.

I picked up some food prep gloves when I was out yesterday, as the deep slice in my finger (let’s just say, I was thinking stitches on Wednesday, after my knife accident!) will preclude me from getting that finger in any sort of pickling juice, or jelly!

So, the weekend will be busy, and I will need to re-organize the freezer so I can store all the apple sauce! It’s never dull when you can and freeze the foods you grow.

The Friday Five

Another week has flown by. I think it is like that because of the long Holiday weekend, last week. But here we are entering the second week of September. Anyway, here are 5 things going on in my life.

I’m getting my hair cut and dipped in the fountain of youth! I always love this day because, for a couple of hours I get pampered!
I have a vegetable drawer full of cucumbers. After my appointment this morning, I plan to come home and make Moon Glow Pickles!
I have three episodes left of “Homeland” to watch and then we have to wait until December for new episodes! I may go back and re-watch the entire series again so I can focus more on the character development.
There has been no communication from the contractor since his disaster and the flooding of my master bathroom. I will give him a few more day before he gets another letter.
I’ve discovered a woman who is on Facebook, Youtube and has a blog. Her name is Meredith and she is absolutely hilarious. Here is a link to my favorite routine.

TBT: Before & After

Today I celebrate the fact that I beat facial cancer and my face has been put back together! I think the doctor did a great job, and I will forever be grateful!

Three years ago.

Now.

HOMELAND

I was thinking yesterday, that my daughter knows me better than I sometimes think she does! For example, a few years back she mentioned that I should be watching, “HOMELAND” on Showtime. I sort of pooh-poohed the idea, and forgot about it.

Then in June we received a letter from Amazon Prime, that our streaming would be affected on our 2011 Vizio TV starting September 1st and we would need a “Fire Stick” to continue watching programs.

Well, we hemmed and hawed, but got the stick, and after it arrived, when I was learning to to use it, I discovered that since we had the “Fire Stick”, we could pair it up with our “Showtime Account” and watch some of their programming when we want to.

The first thing Hubby and I did was start watching “HOMELAND”! I figured that if I liked it , great! If not, then I wasn’t committed.

I soon learned I was totally committed to the program!

Not only is the show written well, but the acting is unparalleled! Claire Danes, Damien Lewis, Rupert Friend and Mandy Patinkin, are all incredible actors giving us characters that we can relate to in a variety of ways.

Claire Danes, as Carrie, is perfect as the incredibly smart, intuitive, hard working CIA Agent. Ms. Danes’ acting is top notch and I understand she has won many awards, Including Emmy’s and Golden Globes.

So, since the end of June Hubby and I have been watching an episode a night. That was until the ends of Season 3 and into Season 4! Suddenly we were watching 2 or 3 episodes a night, as we simply couldn’t turn it off, the stories were becoming more compelling and moving so fast!

Last night we realized that in 9 more episodes, we will have caught up with the Series and will have to wait until January for more episodes. Ugh!

I guess my point here is that, my daughter knew all along I would love this show, and she was correct!

I would also recommend this show to anyone and everyone. (Unless you are under the age of 18, as there is graphic language, violence and sex). Let me know if you give “HOMELAND” a try and if you like it.

Oma’s Icebox Cake

I decided to make a favorite from my childhood to share at Mandy’s Labor Day Barbecue! It’s an Icebox Cake!

I love Ice Box Cakes. My Grandma Honey used to make them and they are so easy. Here are the directions:

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package (9 ounces) chocolate wafers
Chocolate curls, optional

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff. Spread heaping teaspoonfuls on the cookies. Make six stacks of cookies; turn stacks on edge and place on a serving platter, forming a 14-in.-long cake.
Frost top and sides with remaining whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate curls if desired. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours before serving. Yield: 10-12 servings.

This is such a cool and refreshing dessert on a hot day!.

Savannah loved it and actually ate two slices. That made me so happy because as a child I always loved this, and it always tasted like it was made with love.

Pizza Night

Last night I had an idea. You see, I’d been making garden fresh tomato sauce all day. You know a slow simmer. So I thought what the heck, why not make pizza for dinner! So I:

Made a nice big yeast risen pizza dough. And spead across the 20 inch pizza pan.
Spread it with my delicious garden tomato sauce.
Added some sauteed hamburger and sausage.
Added thinly sliced vidalia onion, and green and red pepper.
Carefully spread mozzarella cheese all around the pizza, until well covered.

Placed the pizza into a pre-heated 425 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes, until cheese was nicely melted and starting to brown a little. I pulled it out, let it set up for a few minutes, cut and ate!

All I can say is YUM!