Friday found me attending a meet-n-greet for Texas Governor, Rick Perry’s wife. Mrs. Perry is a really nice person, who spoke well, and really charmed everyone in attendance. Heck, too bad she is not running for office, I would definitely vote for her!

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From left to right is yours truly, Mrs Perry and our State Senator and my friend,  Jeanie Forrester.

I’ve never been one to publicly endorse or proclaim who I am voting for. In fact, I am still unsure at this point who I will vote for in our Primary, but I do enjoy meeting new people.

I saw many old friends, made a few new ones and met many young kids who are working on the campaign. We also had two handsome Secret Service Agents protecting Mrs Perry. I was glad they were there, but isn’t it a shame we need that sort of protection? I mean, it’s sad that people can’t behave in a civil manner, when they disagree.

I’ll let you know if I attend any other events! Have a good weekend!

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill Ins

And…here we go!

1. In November, I most look forward to My birthday and Thanksgiving, which are separated by a week.

2. The novocain wore off and the pain wasn’t too bad…phew!

3. It’s right there, in the madness and mayhem that I call home.

4. My faith in God gives me peace of mind.

5. Water great to swim in, bathe in, wash in and cook with, but please don’t ask me to drink it.

6. “There is no problem that a good cup of tea can’t solve” is what my grandmother used to say!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing a little after a busy week, tomorrow my plans include the usual, laundry and Sunday, I want to take Greta and go for a walk!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Who taught you how to cook?

That’s an interesting question. My grandmother, my first mother in-law and then myself. So I guess it was a group effort.

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

Never have I been told I think too much. Probably the opposite. I don’t think enough. I am not a perfectionist. I wish I were, then the house hold crap would be done sooner and better! I am too sensitive. I get upset easily and I cry easily, and despite people thinking that it’s all a result of menopause, I was like this all my life.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

Barbie. Loved them dearly.

4. What ‘institution’ do you have the most faith in?

The love of my God!

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage…your favorite in an autumn garden?

Burning Bush. I have one in front of my bedroom window.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

Our neighborhood has advanced to teenagers, and so we don’t have any little kids. A few years back, they just seemed to revel in making the best out of the rain, or snow!

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

I was born and raised on Cape Cod. It’s really sort of the home of cranberries. Anyway, I LOVE cranberries! Sauce, juice or bread.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have been thinking the last few days how lucky I am in this world. I have love, and caring people around me, a roof over my head and food to eat. Yes, life is good. I actually feel bad for Ms. Kardashian (see yesterday’s post), as she will never know real happiness or love. Those things cannot be bought, or rented. They are real.

What I Did This Past Weekend

Miss Marple 2

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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While others in New England were buried with the first of the season snowfall, Hubby and I woke on Sunday to discover that we only had gotten 5 inches of the heavy wet stuff. The wind was fierce, so it had blown the snow from the trees, and the leaves as well. It is quite off to go from autumn to winter in one day!

Upon calling my family in various parts of the northeast I discovered that my daughter had no power, and she had about 20 inches of snow. My sister had no power and she had more than 5 inches of snow and trees were down everywhere.

My cousin, also had no power, and I actually didn’t find out how much snow she had, as all of my contacts were done via texting.

Hubby got the driveway cleared, and I have been providing hot, nourishing meals, to keep him going. Fritz helped him. Isn’t he a faithful dog?

Not too much else, really. Just the usual, laundry, bad TV and a little too much time playing solitaire. Tell me…do you play solitaire on your computer?

Have a great week everyone!

Oh yes, Happy Halloween!!!

Outrunning Winter

This morning we heard that on Saturday and Sunday, we are going to be getting some snow…maybe! What this means for those of us in the northeast, is that all those little jobs that we’ve been putting off, had to be done before it was buried until 4-6 inches of snow.

I tried to convince myself that making the bed and cleaning my closet was more important. I even got out my winter sweaters, and got those organized.

We took the air conditioners out and stored them for the winter. This was a big job as each of them weighs a ton, and after the windows needed to be cleaned.

But after lunch and a hot cup of tea, I had to face the last job of season, the one I had been dreading! Stripping the garden, and rolling up my garden fencing.

Hubby was busy getting all the hoses put away and closing all the cell calks from inside. No more water outside until next spring.

When I was done I came in and sat down and tried to convince myself NOT to cook dinner, but somehow I got my legs under me and cooked a pretty decent meatloaf, with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Now I am snuggling with Arnie as I watch the incredibly bad reruns they show on Friday nights. Perhaps I’ll just watch reruns of NCIS on the satellite. Those are always good no matter how many times I’ve seen them!

Friday Fill-Ins

FFI

This picture was drawn by Dave, my cousin Janet’s boyfriend , and then she photographed it, and then did the photo-editing to put in the text! When I saw it, I just knew it was perfect for this weeks Friday Fill-In! Dave, this really is fabulous, and Janet, you took a super picture!

And…here we go!

1. Beware of Little dogs covered in snowballs!.

2. Oh, how I love the first snow.

3. And since we can only go with the flow, I think I will have a fire in the hearth and accept lower temperatures gracefully.

4. Mystical or fine spirits?

5. Where the heart is.

6. Pot Roast is one of my favorite meals when it’s cold out.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to making Maribeth’s Meatloaf, tomorrow my plans include the usual laundry and Sunday, I want to make a real Sunday Dinner. Perhaps a roasted chicken, with all the fixings!!

In My Little Town

I listened to the distant lull of heavy equipment machines working all day long. I wasn’t sure where they were coming from, but it made me more aware of the dackels, and I actually walked with them each time they went out.  Later on, Hubby went to our Post Office, and discovered that our neighbors, through the woods, were having their new driveway laid today. Ah yes. Exciting times, when someone up here gets a tarred driveway, that is cause for celebration. Most everyone up here has a dirt driveway. A tarred drive is luxury!!

Many people don’t understand what it means to live in the country. We’re about 20 miles each way to the cheapest best grocery store. Mostly, you cannot see your neighbors house from yours during the summer, and in the winter can’t get there, due to the the snow drifts.

The Post Office is the happening place. In the winter when our population shrinks to nearly nothing, it is likely you will meet your neighbor at the Post Office, even if you’ve had to snow shoe there!

Our winter Ice Fishing Derby is one of those great events. Our big lake freezes over and we all try to go on that Saturday and walk around. You can see the various Bob Houses, see the fish that have been caught and even chow down on sausage and onions on a roll, or plain hot-dogs, and hot chocolate.

Of course I have to mention another really positive thing about living in the country in a small town. We had a woman recently who became very ill. She very nearly died. The village people took food to her family, provided gas money for her family and now she is back home they are helping with driving her to doctors appointments. People care.

The other day I got a phone call. Were all my dogs home? Why yes, yes they were, why? Well someone had located a dachshund in town, and they wondered if one of mine had escaped. Eventually we found the owner, but it got me thinking, how lucky we are to have a community like this. For as inconvenient as it is to live in the country, so far from everyone and every thing, the people make it especially nice.

I really love our little town!!!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Miss Marple 2

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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You know me…I spend my weekends catching up on laundry and housework and almost always I am successful. I even did a major shelf cleaning and that was long overdue and much needed.

I even tried a new recipe for butternut squash, and although it was a good recipe, it still needs tweaking to make it just right.

I took Arnie out one day for a ride in the car and Anneliese the next. They love to go for rides, although Anneliese still has that barking issue going on.

I watched movies. Movies that I have seen before, but want to become more familiar with. Hubby thinks this is insane, but when a movie speaks to me, I want to look at it again and sometimes again, until I can see all that the writer and directer want me to see.

I also got out my MP3 player and listened to music while Hubby watched football. I enjoy watching our home team, but I am not a big fan of the sport in general, and our team plays later this week.

I’m still struggling with reading my book, but I have not given up. I may eventually give up, but for now, I am using a magnifying ruler and taking it line by line.

Have a great week everyone!

Friday Fill-Ins

FFI

This picture was drawn by Dave, my cousin Janet’s boyfriend , and then she photographed it, and then did the photo-editing to put in the text! When I saw it, I just knew it was perfect for this weeks Friday Fill-In! Dave, this really is fabulous, and Janet, you took a super picture!

And…here we go!

1. Old me would eat to alleviate the pain; new me would find some way to get through the emotional pain. Cup of tea anyone?.

2. It is not easy, but it is so important to step up and take responsibility.

3. So…in a way even though I sometimes think that I’ve really messed up, as long as I learn something along the way, then it it not a wasted experience.

4. Are you all right?

5. The big difference now is that I do not have the vision acute enough to read normal books. I sure wish that more publishers would print books on Kindle, then I could actually justify buying one!

6. Rest and relaxation makes me happy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching the entire George Harrison Documentary, tomorrow my plans include I’m not sure, perhaps working out in the garden getting it ready for the winter and Sunday, I want to make butternut squash soup!

Thursday Thirteen

Scav Sat

This weeks Thursday Thirteen finds me selecting some of my favorite things about the Autumn. There is so much and so here we go!

  1. Leaves. My favorite color is the bright coral that we get after a good freeze. Sadly we have not had a freeze yet!
  2. The skies tend to have cloudy and a stormy look to them and somehow, I like this!
  3. When I step outside in the morning or evening, I smell the sweet scent of a wood burning stove. Love it!
  4. When we do get out first frost, which should happen any day now, I love stepping on the grass in the morning and having it crunch beneath my feet!
  5. I also love putting away our air conditioners. All of them, except my bedroom air conditioner. Oh I just love the noise, the fan and the way it ends an errant hot flash! lol!
  6. I love Thanksgiving!
  7. I love turkey with chestnut stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
  8. Butternut Squash, mashed potatoes and peas.
  9. Most of all, I love pumpkin pie!
  10. But usually Hubby wants an apple, so we have that.
  11. I love doing all the cooking too.
  12. Some of my recipes are in the cooking section if you are interested.
  13. Today is my 2710th post! I thought that was at least memorable!

Have a great Thursday everyone!