What Childhood Memories Do You Miss?

When I was going up, I use to spend the summers at my grandparents house in Alabama.  By the end of summer their garden was overflowing with ripe vegetables and my grandparents and I would start canning.  I never questioned why we did it.  I only knew that it was my job to snap off the ends from the green beans and put the endless beans in a bowl.  We also prepared the fresh vegetables for freezing.


Later in life, after I was married, my husband and I brought a house that had many fruit trees.  When my grandmother came to visit us one fall the fruit trees and grape vines were all ripe.  My grandmother must have thought I was crazy because I had not started picking the fruit and making ready to start canning the fruit.  She hastily started the process.  We ended up with applesauce, apple butter, preserved apples, peaches, grapes and plums.  I think my husband and I had jars of fruit for two years.  I must say that it was wonderful smelling the fresh aromas of the fruit and later tasting the rewards of our efforts. 


I have not canned any fruit or vegetables for quite some time.  After I got out  of the Navy I went to work in food processing.  Of course I enjoy the electrical and mechanical aspect of food processing.  I also love automation and much to others dismay, I am always looking for new ways to make tasks easier, safer and faster with out losing quality. 


This past weekend I was looking for recipes to make for our anniversary dinner.  I ran across one of the recipes that my grandmother had hand written for me for canning the apples.  A flood of memories overwhelmed me and the simplicity and joys of the days I used to spend with my grandparents canning and freezing our summer’s bounty. 


It made me wonder how much quality time is lost with family with all the conveniences of today.  It is cheaper to go a pick up a can of green beans or a jar of preserves than it is to make it yourself.  The days we spent preparing the food to freeze and can were some of my best memories.  Laughing and joking as we prepared the food. 


What traditions or time that you spent with family has changed since you were going up due to modern conveniences?

The Hoover Hog and Other Wild Animals

 

After reading about the lady who was beaten by a frozen armadillo, I began wondering about the armadillo.  I have seen some scurrying across our yard at night, but mostly I see them on the road.

 

Never had I imagined that the armadillo was an animal to be eaten until I read that article. The article of course got the better of me and I had to check it out.

During the 1930’s President Hoover promised the American people a “chicken in every pot”.  As the depression worsened and people began to scavenge for food.  Their dislike of President Hoover’s politics soon gave the armadillo the name Hoover’s Hog.

I have never tasted armadillo nor do I plan on doing so anytime soon.  I have heard it tastes like chicken.

Many of my neighbors hunt and bring home wild hogs or feral hogs and deer.  I am not fond of wild animal meat.   When people bring it to work and want to share their family recipes, I try to politely turn them down.  Although several times I have unknowingly eaten it.   The taste is different with a tangy taste.  I have eaten fried rabbits several times, while in the Navy. 

Do you eat wild game?  If so, what animals do you eat or have you eaten?

Casey Anthony Mask on EBay sells for $999,900.00

Casey Anthony Mask

Halloween is full of witches, goblins, zombies, and devils.  This Halloween mask is the scariest I have seen yet this year. 

• Who would want to be Casey Anthony
• Who in their right mind would pay $999,000 for the mask

What do you think about this mask?  Is is too much?  Would you but it?

Barbie Now and Then

Tokidoki Barbie Features Tattoos, Pink Hair

I remember playing with my Malibu Barbie doll when I was young.

Wow times have changed, check out the new Barbie doll for this year.

I never thought I would see a Barbie in leopard tights.  Alright I can get over the hot pink mini skirt and the tights. 

The pink color hair, the half sleeve tattoo, and neck tattoo is bit much though.  The doll went on sale 10/13/11 and has already sold out. 

Maybe this is the fashion, but I could never see giving this doll for gift to a young impressionable girl.  I used to think that Barbie’s sent the wrong message before, but this has gone way overboard in my opinion.

What do you think? 

What is your opinion of the Barbie Doll?

Do You Leave a Tip at Restaurants?

While I was going to school I worked as a waitress.  First in a restaurant, then later as I got older, in a bar.  In college I worked as both a waitress and a bartender.  All three jobs depended on tips as part of my salary.  There was not a gratuity added to the check or an automatic 15% added to the check if you had a party of six or more.  I always seemed to do fairly well for myself depending on the day or the week and shift. 

My three kids while they were in high school also worked at jobs that relied on tips.  They also seemed to do well.  

I was reading this weekend, and a article caught my eye, San Francisco Restaurant Workers Want To Make 25% Standard Tip Rate « CBS San Francisco.  I have always looked at tips as a reward for good service.  Sometimes I received more than 15%, sometimes less, but for the most part it around 15%.  

I do think that a set tip should be set.  If the service is good, then you should leave a tip.  I always leave a standard 15% however if the service is outstanding I leave a larger tip.

What are your thoughts?

Do you leave a tip at bars and restaurants?

Do you tip you hairdresser?

If you tip, what percent do you usually leave?

Senior Health Care According to Maxine

Love Hurts

 

Everyone says love hurts, but that is not true.

Loneliness hurts.

Rejection hurts.

Envy hurts.

Everyone gets these things confused with love.

In reality love is the only thing in this world

that covers up all pain and makes

Someone feel wonderful again.

Why Men Shouldn’t Write Advise Columns

Pillsbury Doughboy Dead at 71

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and 

complications from

repeated pokes in the belly.  He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly-greased coffin.  Dozens of celebrities 

turned out

to pay their respects, including Mrs.  Butterworth, HungryJack,

 the California Raisins,

Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and
Cap'n Crunch.  The grave site was piled high with flours as long- time
friend, Aunt Jemima, delivered the eulogy, describing Doughboy as a man
who never knew how much he was kneaded.  Doughboy rose quickly in

 show
business, but his later life was filled with turnovers.  He was not
considered a very "smart" cookie, wasting much of his dough on
half-baked schemes.  Despite being a little flaky at times, he -- even
still, as a crusty old man -- was considered a roll model for millions. 
Toward the end, it was thought he would rise again, but alas, he was no
tart.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough; two children, John Dough
and Jane Dough; plus they had one in the oven.  He is also survived by
his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about twenty minutes

I received this in an email and had to share!

School Has Started

I wonder what they served in the cafeteria today!  It must have been something spicy.  The kids will be home early today.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

One of my childhood games that assisted in many decisions between friends and myself. Alright, most were probably bad decisions or choices that I normally would not have made but seemed right at the time.

Such as lets go water skiing in February, look no one is on the lake and the water looks like glass. Lets do the rock, paper scissors to see who drives the boat and who gets to ski. I remember that day well. I won to ski first, or least I thought I had won.

I started out great, take off from the dock. No problem, no splinters in the butt, did not get that wet getting into the water. The lake was great, no one was on it, had it all to ourselves carving back and worth on glass. Who could ask for anything more, right?

One problem, how to get off the water without getting wet. No problem cut toward the dock and let go when you get close enough to coast on in, then get out. A perfect plan except timing is everything and I came in to fast and let go to late and coasted into the dock. But no broken bones, only hurt pride and I survived.

Needless to say that was just one of many decisions made with the game Rock, Paper, Scissors. I thought the game was random and pure luck. I did not know that there were strategies to winning. If I knew now what I did not know then, I think of all the ridiculous things I may not have done and then again I may have done them anyway.

The Man Van Renovation

After returning from our last trip to Arkansas I decided two things.  One camping is cheaper and two, you miss so much when you are staying in a hotel versus camping. 

I have always loved being outdoors and enjoying nature, but lately we haven’t done as much camping as we used to do.  The main reason, it takes me two hours to get the knots and work the creaks out of my body after sleeping on the ground.  Even with an air  mattresses it is not comfortable.  So we have not done as much camping as we would like to do or used to do.

My husband has a 2001 Chevy Express Cargo Van that he was using for his business but has not used for awhile.  The Man Van as my girls used to call it as they cringed whenever he picked them up from school.  The Man Van is not a bad vehicle it just doesn’t have any of the frills or thrills of our car or suv. The windows have black limo coverings so that you can not see inside and it only has windows on the back doors.  It does have a radio, heat and air conditioning, but that is about it.  Anyway with a little persuasion the Man Van is now mine and the renovation into our new camping van is now underway.

Years ago we used to have a VW camper van.  It was a great little vehicle and we am modeling a lot of the Man Van after it. 

First  gutted the Man Van of its work shelves in the back.  Tune up on the engine, a new power steering pump and he is as good as new, almost.  Most of our vehicles I have given female names but there in no way the Man Van resembles a female name.  Possibly when the conversion is complete, he will look more feminine but for now it is still the Man Van.  The air conditioner needs work and only cools the cab, but not a problem I am going to change out the compressor, accumulator and expansion orifice an several small items and she should be cooling like a champ.

The gutting of the Man Van is completed, and walls ceiling have all been washed down with bleach.  Nothing smells clean like the smell of bleach.  We drew about ten schematics for electrical, redrew, and finally settled on a design we can live with.  We decided on 120 volt AC for the major appliances, air conditioner (separate from the cab), coffee pot (must have without a doubt), laptop, television and a small microwave oven.  I had thought about buying a roof top air conditioner.  Coleman makes some great air conditioners but we did not want to cut a hole in the roof.  Most of the air conditioners also start at 10000 btu which is a lot of btu’s for a van.  We are looking to cool at the most 70 square feet, so I was looking for about 5-6000 btu and that is being generous. 

With the Man Van gutted, the electric has all gone in and the walls and ceilings insulated. We chose foam board for the insulation. Not an easy chore since nothing is flat and the walls are rounded.  But it is completed and the paneling and ceiling are going up.  We chose birch cabinet paneling for the walls and ceiling but haven’t decided on what color to stain it yet.

It is almost time to start choosing the appliances.  The air conditioner is already here and the bed arrived.  So I am heading out to work on the beast that is consuming all my time.

For the Love of Colanders

Atheist Niko Alm of Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster wins right to wear pasta colander on head for driving licence | thetelegraph.com.au

This morning while reading the news I read the article about Niko Alm who won the right to wear a pasta colander on his head for his driving license. I had to laugh but not for the reasons you may think. The pictures brought back on kinds of memories of my child hood. I grew up a military brat and we moved quite frequently. A lot of times we did not live near the base. My mother did not drive until I was older and so I spent a great deal of time by myself and entertaining myself.

I had a great imagination and used to spend a great deal of time reading. I would recreate the scenes from the book I had read. I could make a castle with two chairs and a blanket on a cold and wet afternoon. A spaghetti colander hat, the tube from a row of paper and my fort was now a viking ship and I was out exploring the seven seas. In my colander I could explore all parts of history and new places in the world. Later when we returned from living overseas, my colander was then turned into spaceship headgear.

Looking back I think it my imagination and entertaining myself that has helped me in my career. I have always had a love for building and creating things. All my life I have had a knack for being able to fix things. Actually it is being able to see how things work or operate and once I know how it operates I can fix it. Many a day and night I have spent repairing appliances and other items for people either in person or walking them through how to repair it on the phone.  Mostly because I can not stand to see people being taken advantage of, and I have seen that from repairman quite a few times.  Not that they are dishonest but bad troubleshooters, and someone ends up paying for the parts.  I have always been able to look at objects and see what it can be or the potential it may have if reconstructed differently.  Many times I have seen something in the junk pile only to check it out and find the repair is minor.  I got a moped that way, that someone had thrown out as unrepairable.  $20.00 later and the cost to transfer the title I had a fully operational moped.  I have also gotten computers and vehicles that way.  To think it all started with a stainless steel colander.

Coffee's Perks: Studies Find 5 Health Benefits

Normally if there is some food or drink that I enjoy, I see all kinds of reasons why the product should not be consumed.  I do enjoy my coffee though and was elated to see that there are reasons and health benefits to consuming coffee.

1. Protects against breast cancer

Women who drink five or more cups of coffee a day are 57 percent less likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer than women who drink less than a cup a day, according to a study published this month in the journal Breast Cancer Research.

In this study of 2,818 women with breast cancer and 3,111 women without, researchers found that coffee seemed to protect against only this particular kind of breast cancer, and not estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer or triple negative breast cancer.

2. Wards off stroke

Drinking at least one cup of coffee a day could ward off stroke, according to a study published in March in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Swedish researchers analyzed the coffee-drinking habits and health histories of 34,670 women for 10 years, and found that women who drank one or more cups of coffee a day were 25 percent less likely to have a stroke than the women who drank less than a cup of coffee a day.

Even though the finding was in women, researchers said coffee would likely have the same effect for men, too.

3. Reduces risk of diabetes

Having four cups of coffee a day can slash a woman's risk of Type 2 diabetes by 56 percent, according to a study published in January in the journal Diabetes.

In the study of 359 women with diabetes and 359 healthy women, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the more coffee the women drank, the less likely they were to have diabetes.

The effect likely has to do with coffee's ability to raise levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood. High blood levels of SHBG are associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to the study.

4. Improves brain function

Coffee can also improve brain function in mice, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

In that study, researchers gave caffeinated coffee to mice that were engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease. The mice that were given coffee either had the disease progression slow, or the disease never developed at all.

The finding suggests coffee could be a treatment for people with Alzheimer's disease, those researchers said.

5. Reduces prostate cancer risk

Regular coffee intake (either caffeinated or decaffeinated) is associated with a decreased risk of deadly prostate cancer, according to a study published today (May 17) in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In the study of 47,911 men, 5,035 of whom had prostate cancer and 642 of whom had fatal or advanced cases, researchers found that men who drank the most coffee a day (six or more cups) had a nearly 20 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who drank the least coffee a day.

That association is even higher for lethal prostate cancer — the men who drank the most coffee a day had a 60 percent decreased risk of developing the disease, according to the study. And even drinking one to three cups of coffee a day was associated with a 30 percent lower risk of lethal prostate cancer, the study said.

Pass it on: Coffee has many health benefits, including reducing risk of certain cancers and warding off diabetes and stroke.

Have You Purchased Your Weiner Doll Yet?

Weiner doll crashes website - latimes.com

The new Weiner doll that is anatomically correct. Barbies all over must be sitting and waiting for this one, while the Ken dolls are sitting worried that they are manly enough for Barbie anymore.

I think it is absolutely hilarious but I am not certain why anyone would want to buy this doll. Apparently enough people went to the site that it crashed or caused it to overload.

Well on the positive side at least Anthony Weiner is creating jobs, since the doll states it is made in the USA.

I’m Melting

The second week of June and we are already having scorching weather.  My St. Augustine in already starting to be crunchy.  Some rain would be nice, just to green things up around here.

Usually it is not this hot until the end of July, but it has been bad this year.  First the freezes that froze most of our tropical plants and palms even though they were covered.  It was so bad they closed the bay for fishing.  I guess it gives the fishermen an edge. 

Then it went straight from the freezer into the frying pan with no rain in between.  It feels like a huge sauna with a huge blow dryer blowing on you all day long on high.  This is the third worst drought Texas has had since 1895, and it is just starting. 

In our area we are in an extreme drought.  We have been in a burn ban since before December.  If we don’t get some tropical moisture soon this is going to be a long hot summer. 

Have You Ever Noticed....

Men’s Behavior

I received this the other day and thought I would share.  I am uncertain who wrote it but thought it was pretty funny.  I hope you also enjoy it.

You are in the middle of some kind of project around the house...

...Mowing the lawn, putting in a new fence, painting the living room or whatever. You are hot and sweaty, covered in dust, lawn clippings, dirt or paint. You have your old work clothes on. You know the outfit -- shorts with the hole in the crotch, old T-shirt with a stain from who-knows-what and an old pair of tennis shoes. Right in the middle of this great home improvement project you realize you need to run to Home Depot to get something to help complete the job. Depending on your age you might do the following:

In your 20's: Stop what you are doing. Shave, take a shower, blow dry your hair, brush your teeth, floss and put on clean clothes. Check yourself in the mirror and flex. Add a dab of your favorite cologne because you never know, you just might meet some hot chick while standing in the checkout lane. And you went to school with the pretty girl running the register.

In your 30's: Stop what you are doing, put on clean shorts and shirt. Change shoes. You married the hot chick so no need for much else. Wash your hands and comb your hair. Check yourself in the mirror. Still got it. Add a shot of your favorite cologne to cover the smell. The cute girl running the register is the kid sister to someone you went to school with.

In your 40's: Stop what you are doing. Put on a sweatshirt that is long enough to cover the hole in the crotch of your shorts. Put on different shoes and a hat. Wash your hands. Your bottle of Brute Cologne is almost empty so you don't want to waste any of it on a trip to Home Depot. Check yourself in the mirror and do more sucking in than flexing. The hot young thing running the register is your daughter's age and you feel weird thinking she is spicy.

In your 50's: Stop what you are doing. Put a hat on, wipe the dirt off your hands onto your shirt. Change shoes because you don't want to get dog doo-doo in your new sports car. Check yourself in the mirror and you swear not to wear that shirt anymore because it makes you look fat. The Cutie running the register smiles when she sees you coming and you think you still have it. Then you remember the hat you have on is from Bubba's Bait & Beer Bar and it says, 'I Got Worms .'

In your 60's: Stop what you are doing. No need for a hat anymore.. Hose the dog doo-doo off your shoes. The mirror was shattered when you were in your 50's. You hope you have underwear on so nothing hangs out the hole in your pants. The girl running the register may be cute, but you don't have your glasses on so you are not sure.

In your 70's: Stop what you are doing. Wait to go to Home Depot until the drug store has your prescriptions ready, too. Don't even notice the dog doo-doo on your shoes. The young thing at the register smiles at you because you remind her of her grandfather.

In your 80's: Stop what you are doing. Start again. Then stop again. Now you remember you need to go to Home Depot. Go to Wal-Mart instead and wander around trying to think what it is you are looking for. Fart out loud and you think someone called out your name. You went to school with the old lady who greeted you at the front door.

In your 90's & beyond: What's a home deep hoe? Something for my garden? Where am I? Who am I? Why am I reading this? Did I send it? Did you? Who farted?

WTH Were They Thinking

WTH were they thinking is about the random things I have found during the week.  This week is about tattoos.   I don’t object to tattoos, they show individual creativity and personality.  I have a tattoo myself.  It is small and discreet.  I put a lot of thought into it before I got it about thirty years ago.  

Some of the tattoos I have seen lately though are unreal.   Even in a drunken stupor, I can not imagine getting a tattoo like some of these.  Alright, I am not as young as I once was, but still. 

 

If I woke up and saw that, I would think I was I having a nightmare!

 

Alright I might have a vivid imagination, but when I saw this one I was picturing someone in a bathing suit and hummingbirds and bees heading for the flower.

I just couldn’t stop laughing at this one!  Definitely a different way to express your Buddhism belief.

I don’t even have words to describe this one.  Again I couldn’t stop laughing but I can’t see anyone showing this in public.

Why I shop at Walmart.com

I have started shopping more on walmart.com than at walmart lately. 

• I can shop in my pajamas, which really doesn’t matter because every time I do go into Walmart I see people in their pajamas and slippers.
• I don’t have to listen to some woman shouting at the top of her lungs at crying kids to stay in the cart or to stop crying before she gives them something to cry about.
• I don’t have to stand in long lines at check out.  This has never made sense to me, why they have 30 check out lines but they only man 5 lines during rush hour.
• I have a selection and read the reviews, instead of asking some sales associate who only looks at me with the deer in the headlights look.
• I don’t have to see people dressed in the best Halloween costumes I have ever seen, no matter what time of year it is.
• I never have to look at the carts and wonder what virus I might be catching from the handle.
• I never have to watch behind me to make sure that some child is going to run their cart in to the back of my legs.
• I don’t have to worry that even though I park my vehicle in the north forty at least 10 spaces away from the last car, that someone won’t ghost ride a cart into the side of my vehicle.
• I don’t have to get into the shortest line possible only to find that the person in front of me has picked up every single item without a bar code and we have to wait to call a manager, who calls the department, who calls the price for each item.
• I don’t have to wait in line while the person in front of me has the cashier ring up the items and take items back out of the bags, removing items until they either have enough to pay for the items or tries to pay with 5 different sources of money.

I wish this town would get a new store other than walmart.

Strange Commercials

http://youtu.be/t9kndMkXC5Q
The product may work, I don’t know I haven’t tried it.  The commercial sure didn’t want to make me go out and buy it though.  In fact in had me laughing so hard my side ached.

A Day for Mayzie

 

For those of you who don’t know, Mayzie is our two and a half year old German short hair pointer.   A more loving and loyal dog you will not find.  The first one to greet you and always happy to see you.  She loves going to the beach and swimming. 

Today the wind finally stopped blowing, so we took her down to the bay.   The minute she hears the word beach she starts to get excited, so we do not use that word lightly around our household.  Running to the car, then back to me, then to my husband, then back to the car.  This continues while we pack the ice chest, load the chairs, get her leash and load the car.  The true excitement comes when her donut comes off the shelf.  Although we play ball or Frisbee with her for a minimum of one hour a day, the excitement level increases tenfold when the donut is taken off the shelf.

The donut is a yellow floating device, with a slinger used for throwing the donut.  It is by far her favorite game.

 

We all get in the car, it is a five minute drive to the county park. The park is seldom used and we are usually the only ones there.   The bay is sheltered there and allows her to swim without huge waves.  Sometimes I think she thinks it is own private beach.     Mayzie knows the drive well and the closer we get the anticipation goes as little whimpers start coming from the backseat.   The road to the park winds through farm fields and she has every turn memorized.  The closer we get the louder the whimpers get.  Finally we arrive at the park.  We open the back door and she runs straight into the water.  There she will swim out and tread water or stand on her back legs in the water until we unload the car and get out her donut. 

                                         

Throw the donut in the water, she swims to it and retrieves it.  This continues until my arm hurts or it gets dark.

                         

Our Arkansas Adventure

Washington  Historic State Park

Drove up to meet the kids at their house, about a 5 hour drive.  Piled in my sons truck and set out to Arkansas.  First stop was at Washington Historic State Park.  This park is a step back in time, established in 1821 the town has been keep up to it’s original style.  The architecture and craftsmanship of the buildings were amazing.  The courthouse served as the visitor center.  The blacksmith was where the first bowie knife was made, later made famous by Col. James Bowie.  

		Washington Historic State Park VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Crater of Diamonds State Park

After visiting Washington Historic State Park we headed to Crater of Diamonds State Park.  This is the only diamond producing mine that is open to the public in North America.  A massive volcano brought diamonds to the surface of the earth.  While we were there that afternoon, the park posted that 5 diamonds had been found that day.  It is basically a large plowed field, and people were sifting through the dirt looking for the diamonds.  There are also amethyst, quartz, agate, and other semi-precious gems to be found.  I didn’t find anything nor did anyone in my family.

 Hot Springs National Park

Hot springs in a very beautiful park with something for everyone.  It had trails to hike of varying lengths and skills.  The bath row was amazing.  The Fordyce on bath row  displayed the historic bath houses.  Again the craftsmanship and architecture that went into these buildings put most modern buildings to shame.  We went into one of the older hotels that is still in use.  I marveled at the dining room and the ballroom.  I walked the corridor of one of the floors going to the guest rooms.  The carpet and elevator were of the same time period.  I half expect a small girl to jump out at the end of the hall a start saying red drum, red drum.  Alright, enough of my imagination.  My batteries ran out while we were on bath house row and the promenade, so pictures of that area will come later.  The spring water actually is 143 degrees.  I had to stick my hand in it to check.  A lot of people were filling their water jugs, milk containers and other containers, I asked them why and they said that the water had a healing quality and swore by it.  In the brochure I read, that was what made the area famous.  People came for miles around for the healing qualities of the water.

Here are some pictures of the hiking trail and views from the tower at the top of mountain.

		Hot Springs National Park VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Petit Jean State Park

Arkansas’ first state park and of the parks we visited was by far my favorite.  The views from the truck getting to the park and the park itself were beautiful.  The cedar falls waterfall was breath taking.  The natural bluffs forms over the years are awesome.  This park is a must see if you are in Arkansas.  

The park is named after the legend Petit Jean, a French girl, who disguised herself as a boy, to accompany her sweetheart, an explorer to the new world. 

		Petit Jean State Park VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL