Books

How many times will you try to read the same book?

Now that I can see I have tried to read a book 3 times.

It is a book that was written by a blogger I used to read. She's an author now and doesn't blog. But I went to amazon and bought the book. I've started it 3 times over the course of a couple of years and I get bored and then I put it down. I am still on the first chapter after 3 tries.

Back to the bookshelf, it goes. I think that 3 times is my limit. I tried.

Instead, I read a quick read that I haven't read in many years. I saw it on the new bookshelves in the living room one day as I was dusting there. 

I remember a lot of it and I forgot a lot of it. I believe I got it in 1995. Thankfully I am at the age where I don't remember everything like I used to so I enjoyed that book again.

I always like what the author said about his surprising success of his book, "If I had known so many would have read it I'd have done a better job"  

That always made me chuckle. It was a NY Times Best Seller for 2 years straight.

In my office, you know, that bedroom I made an office, I have 2 bookcases of books. (yes and lots of them in the living room I know, I have a problem) 

I have a lot of autobiographies on my office bookshelves. 

As I type this I see 4 that I still think about how they made me think.

One of them was GUTS by Kristin Johnson. The tall pretty blonde that was on 3rd Rock from the Sun. Then she was on Mom (after getting clean) and several other shows. But boy she had drug issues, which in turn made medical issues that made her almost die. This was the first book I ever read where I really understood drug addiction. It stuck with me for weeks after I read it. It was honest, witty, heartfelt, and scary as hell.

She is so lucky to be alive and thankfully she knows that too.

After I read this book as I said, it stuck with me. I was asked to give a review on Amazon where I purchased the book. I did it. I have never left a review on amazon before or since. And Kristen herself responded to my review. That was wild.

The 2nd one that surprised me was Sally Field. It made me angry that she allowed everyone and every man especially to push her around. 

Then she'd get angry but never tell them and treat others poorly. 

After reading this I didn't feel sorry for her but angry at her. What a wasted life in so many ways. I wanted to scream things like you're 45 now stop this cycle. This beautiful, talented woman just allowed everyone to hurt her mentally, emotionally, professionally, and physically. Talk about low self-esteem!  For weeks I wondered why it angered me instead of making me feel sorry for her. I see her so differently now. Immensely talented though and I can't wait to see her with Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Tom Brady (yes the Tom Brady) 

The 3rd was Sammy Hagar. That floored me. It was a gift, not a book I would have normally purchased. Sure I loved him in Montrose and in Van Halen but did I really want to read his autobiography? So I took it to the lake house one weekend and read it on the boat, read it on the dock, and read it while on a flotation device. I couldn't put it down. His business sense and his entrepreneurial spirit surprised me. I was happy to know he wasn't just a dumb rock star. Oh no. Besides his billions from selling his tequila company, Cabo, all the other businesses blew my mind. Smart man. 

One that I will share was how at the height of his career he did a lot of traveling. They would rent a private plane and have to get travel agents to book their hotels etc. So he decided it would be cheaper to buy a plane instead of renting one all the time but then renting it out to other rock stars when he wasn't using it so it would pay for itself. And it did! That made a bundle of money let me tell you. Then he started his own travel agency that did nothing but work for rock stars or musicians. That agency made a shit ton of money needless to say. The musicians loved having 1 contact who knew what they wanted, needed, and what they had to have. So now that little business is making millions for him while he is singing around the world making millions.  Not a dumb ass. I can't remember how long it took for the plane to pay for itself but when I read it I remember being floored. There were other businesses too. He surprised me. 

The 4th was Jane Fonda. What I thought I knew was nothing compared to what I didn't know. Wow. She impresses me in so many ways. The book surprised the hell out of me. Did you know she has a black daughter that she adopted years and years ago? This book changed the way I thought of her. It softened her for me. I get now why she has to appear tough and strong. I have lived some of that life. I now get her and admire her.

I have a ton of David Baldacci books given to us by him. 

He was our neighbor at the lake and he was always giving us books. 

It's not like you can turn away a nice gesture like that.

I never had the heart to tell him I don't enjoy his genre. 

I did get a kick out of him writing about a character that was at a lake and the descriptions of where he was or what he saw out the window. I knew those places and it was kind of cool to read. But overall I don't enjoy his books. Rick doesn't love to read unless it's business books or books about his woodworking or that type. But he has read a few of D. Baldacci's since he gave them to us. I used to tell Rick there wasn't going to be a quiz, he won't ask if you read it. No book report is due you know. But for some reason, he felt he had to read them. It was never discussed when we saw him so I don't know why Rick felt that way but I thought it was cute.

I don't get a lot of time to read these days. There is always something being done around here but I think I need a new book. But it's time for something new. Suggestions welcome.

Had to share...

Did not plan to be here today but I just had to tell someone because this old man makes me laugh.

A man who does the engraving for Rick shares a warehouse with people who work with wood. They had a lot of extra wood and called him to see if he wanted it - first choice. He ran out of here like his pants were on fire. I yelled out the backdoor - your shoes. He was in such a hurry he ran out in his socks with no shoes. He is funny.

But this guy has given him some good free wood so Rick in exchange made him a bowl. So now Rick gets the first crack at the free wood before anyone else. 

Here is one of his latest. You can't see it here but it glistens. I like the metallic look of the epoxy.

Brussel Sprouts

Over the holiday I learned that Butterball is headquartered here in Garner NC on 1 Butterball Lane.

That was interesting to learn. I wondered if when I was 20-something and called the number for help with a turkey if I was calling here. For some reason this made us chuckle.

Rick and I cleaned out his closet. This is the fattest I have ever seen my husband and I made him go through his closet of clothes. We purged a lot and held on to some. We packed up his things that don't fit and thought about donating them. Some shirts were cleaned and starched at the dry cleaners and have not been worn and are in great shape but don't fit over a belly now.

We found a man's shelter that is begging for clothes. They posted on the local FB page. We checked 'em out first and really like what we read and heard. We thought this would be good for these men starting over. 

Rick has sweaters, shirts, pants, hoodies, jeans, sport coats, etc. 

We called them and asked if they would be open Friday or Saturday for a clothes donation. They said they would be open on Friday, during normal hours. So Friday we headed out - they were closed. We saw the time on the door and we were there after their opening time so we waited a bit thinking maybe running late for the holidays. Then we called and it said they were closed. So that was that. A nice drive opposite the traffic so that was something I guess. We will try again this week.

Then we attempted to go to the Garden Bar. Big mistake. Couldn't find parking, and when we did it was so expensive Rick about blew a fuse. 

$20 for the 1st 30 minutes to park so we could go inside this plant store/bar. Knowing full well we will be there for more than 30 minutes Rick did his calculations and said No way that is ridiculous. I suggested we go do something else and come back after the holiday. Crowds, traffic, and expensive parking everywhere we went does not make for fun exploring when your hubby is complaining about all the parking fees. The 3 places we wanted to go would have cost us $50 to park collectively. I'm sorry that is ridiculous. Besides, when I found the Garden Bar originally on TV it said free parking. When I went by it when I got a hair cut there was no fee to park. I think they were just raping people because of the holiday crowds. 

I will go back and I will see. It is a plant store, wholesale. You can buy flowers by the stem ($3) and you can make your own arrangement. you can buy a pot and then a plant and plant it there with help and you've got yourself a new plant to take home. There is a bar there so you can belly up to the bar maybe while you're waiting or after you're done, who knows. But it was busy from what I could see from the street. I can't wait to go back.

Sometimes I feel like this little town/city wants to be grown up so bad that they do these things. These are NY parking prices, DC prices, not a city that is barely a city with only 400K+ people. I did find these parking fees very high.

Over the last week, we also saw Marlo Thomas on television being interviewed for St Jude's hospital. I know she is 85. Her first facelift was fabulous. But she has recently had another it appears. She now has a Michael Jackson nose that is all pinched up and odd looking with big lips and her eyes are different. I realize she won't look like Ann Marie from That Girl anymore being 85, but my goodness she looks awful. I wish she would have felt comfortable enough at this age to let it go. Only pic I could find of her newest face but you can see her nose here. But if you make it bigger you'll see what I mean. I'm so sad she felt she needed to do this in her 80s. 

Rick and I were discussing brussel sprouts. Highly titillating conversation right?

I said to Rick that I saw brussel sprouts being made like new potatoes.

If not familiar, the tiny new potatoes are parboiled, then put on a baking sheet and smashed with the bottom of a glass then seasoned with olive oil and herbs and baked. Delicious and crispy. He loves new potatoes and he loves brussel sprouts.

Well, apparently you can do the same thing with brussel sprouts.

We usually fry 'em up with bacon pieces so always looking for another way to enjoy them I begin to share all of this with Rick.

 

I tell Rick step by step about the brussel sprouts and he says - 

"What about the bakin'?"

I gave him a look like you idiot, I just told you how to bake them on a cookie sheet, the same as the potatoes.  I was staring at him to see if he was pulling my leg or really didn't understand me.

Then I tell him this all again and he says - 

I heard you but "what about the bakin'?

Now I am laughing and thinking this poor man is brain-dead. I just told him 3 times how to bake them. He too is laughing that I am so stupid and dense and can't grasp what he is saying.

 

Then he pointed to my shirt which reads, "Bacon, the gateway meat"

I laughed and said oh you are asking "what about the BACON?!"

Oh my God, Rick, I thought you were dropping the "G" sound on baking!

Oh, that made us have a hearty laugh at my expense again.

Honestly.

Thanksgiving

I'm off the rest of this week. We are doing some exploring that didn't get done while I was in a chemo fog. 

We plan to have a nice quiet joyful Thanksgiving.  

No Friendsgiving this year.😥

We're bummed but I'll be with my favorite person so there is that.

We will watch our favorite Thanksgiving movie and laugh as always.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving doing whatever it is you wish to do with family, friends, or alone. 

Here is a trailer from my favorite old movie that has become our tradition.

How can it be bad with Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Holly Hunter, Robt Downey Jr, and directed by Jodie Foster?

It's cold here so I recommend hot cocoa with a splash of peppermint schnapps. It is like a melted peppermint patty and it's a surprisingly wonderful soothing mug after a busy cold day. 

Mini marshmallows don't hurt either. 

You're welcome.

Happy Thanksgiving to you All.

It's Pink!

If you read my last post this will make sense to you..

Look what I found.
(https://www.ebay.com/itm/295142648143)

It showed me the front page and I thought that was it by the picture but I needed to see the music to know for certain. Sure enough, it's the one I referred to in the last post. Now if only I had a piano. 

I wanted to share with you a funny story that happened here locally.

Now BBQ is a big damn deal here. We are learning our way around North Carolina Barbeque. It's a tough job but someone must do it, right?

A woman went into a well-known Raleigh BBQ establishment and left the funniest damn review. Oh, she wasn't laughing. She was livid.so livid she called 911. 

Now Carolina BBQ is smoked. Smoked pork is pink as we all know.

So this woman gets her BBQ and tells her server that she can't eat this it's pink. It's not cooked. The server tells her that all BBQ pork is pink. 

The woman who we shall call Karen is livid about this so asks to speak to the manager.

A manager comes out and Karen explains that they can't possibly expect her to eat this when it is barely cooked. The manager explains NC BBQ is smoked pork, it become pink when it's smoke and cooked. Karen is having none of this. The manager says he will bring her a chicken meal if she'd prefer. She refuses but they bring it anyway and she eats it all. 

The table got their bill and Karen went nuts again because she was charged for her BBQ. (others ate some of it at her table) She wanted her money back. They said no. She called the police. That alone makes me chuckle. I have never had service so bad to think I had to call the police.

The police arrive and she shows them her pink pork. The police officer chuckles and says, "Ma'am it is smoked pork, it will be pink"

Oh, that made her even angrier.apparently everyone is Raleigh is against her she whines.

She left and put a poor review online. That review got everyone going around here.

The restaurant has gone berserk since this story went viral. They are busier than ever. Everyone was asking for their 'pink meat'. So they started a complete line of merchandise to go with it, hats, hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc. They have already had over 4,200 orders and it's only been a week. 

This dumb woman who didn't know BBQ pork was pink left a bad review thinking this would hurt them but made a fool out of herself instead and helped their business.

She is now saying they didn't offer her food when the original server said she refused the chicken but they left it and she ate it. Now in the interview, by Karen, she said she only got one piece of chicken in a paper bag. I don't know that sounds off to me, but she could be correct. She has changed her story as often as a republican.

She's not even embarrassed. I think if I were her I'd just lay low and shut up. The fact that she didn't even know that pork was pink is funny to the rest of us because she made a scene. I'm guessing she has never had BBQ before.

The owner said she had no hard feelings and said, "She should come back and I'll educate her about NC, southeastern-style Barbeque." 

I wonder if Karen is from around here. 

I'm not and I know smoked pork turns pink. Honestly Karen!!

Rick and I plan to go there now. I mean, c'mon we have to.

But this is to me, one of the best results from a crazy customer leaving a bad review

(which she took off google I understand) 

She was threatening a civil lawsuit but I don't see what her grounds would be? Karen, is stupid a defense? 

Piano Lessons.

We have been seeing a lot of Bruce Springsteen on TV. We listened to a 3 hrs interview with him on Sirius. I happen to love Springsteen, my husband not so much until...

In the 80s I was playing some tunes in my apartment when Rick stopped by. 

He said, "ooh you like Springsteen huh?"  

"Yes, don't you?"  

"No. He and Bob Dylan to me went to the same mumbling singing academy.

They need to stick to writing and not singing."

I laughed and even understood the comment so I proceeded to remove the CD from my player.

He has heard about my fun concerts to see Bruce.  

When on a road trip and it's my turn to control the radio/Sirius/CDsa etc he has to listen to a song or two from The Boss.

He tolerates it. I tolerate Nickelback (yes he is one of those) 

Recently Bruce was on a late-night talk show. 

I said to Rick, "sorry, but I'd like to hear him play a song from his new album."

Rick said okay and didn't move. So I cranked it up and listened. 

After it was done I asked Rick what made him stay in the room, normally you'll leave and think it's a good time for a bathroom break.

He said, "Either he has gotten a lot better or you've worn me down."

Now if that isn't an endorsement I don't know what is. HA HA 

I am certain that is how all musicians want to be thought of, I wore 'em down, don't think you're good but now I can at least be in a room with your music is playing and my ears don't bleed.

I did that to him with a lot of music. Every time he came to my apartment in either city I had music blaring. 

One day out of nowhere he says, "what is with all you girls loving Bonnie Riatt?"  

"I didn't know it was a girl thing Rick."

"Every girl I have ever been friends with or dated loves Bonnie Riatt."

I asked him if liked her?

"She has grown on me."

So there is a pattern there with him.

He knew I liked Burton Cummings, lead singer of The Guess Who. 

Since he heard a lot more of him than normal from me, Burton grew on Rick too. Oh, it's not music he'd choose but he doesn't leave the room when I pull out a Guess Who Song or a Burton (solo artist) song.

I used to like this old song for the piano music. 

The song is "My Own Way to Rock" 

I bought the piano music so I could play this song. 

Every time I went to my parents I'd play this song for no one but myself. 

My father hated when I played 'modern music'.  

Yeah, this song was from 1977.  

Back in the 70s, I used to have to practice my horrible piano lessons and I'd sneak in this type of music.  My mom would yell into the living room - "That's not your lesson Peggy!"  

I knew that and that is why I liked it. I recall a song called Cotton Pickin' Boogie that I just loved to play on the piano during the time I took lessons.  

Sure my teacher loved me to play Greensleeves and all the classics and any of the damn music in those red Thompson books. But I liked the boogie-woogie-type piano pieces even if my parents didn't appreciate them. 

Once when at my piano lesson my father told my teacher about me playing this "other" music. She asked me to play something. I did. She said I played it well but no more of that until I graduate to level whatever. I wasn't ready. 

I wanted to scream, you're full of shit but at 14 I just kept my mouth shut. Ready for what I wanted to know. I was playing it and I knew I was playing it well.

I disliked my piano teacher. Even as a 7-year old I thought she was an old foggy. She wasn't old, I just thought so. When I got older I realized she was only 20 when she was teaching me. So when I graduated high school she was only 31 years old. She dressed like Tweety Birds' owner. Her hair is in a bun to boot. 

Always a cardigan even in summer. 

It was 1974 and a 31 yr old dressed like a grandmother was noticeable when everyone else wore bellbottoms and fringe. She was an old old soul. 

She seldom smiled. I have often wondered if she ever married, or what happened to her to make her so sullen all the time. She was not a warm person. I always assumed she had some cats, a cardigan, and kleenex up her sleeve and lived alone.  I hope not. She was nice overall but I found her stifling my creativity. 🤣🤣

She probably thought I'd end up doing all kinds of things to get my teenage butt in jail because I was her most difficult student. 

Which she told me time and time again.

Not because I was a poor piano player. No siree, I just had a mind of my own. 

I also couldn't sit still. I could play the stuff she wanted but it bored me. 

I didn't "feel" it. I found a Beethoven piece on my own and had memorized it I played it so often. I "felt" this piece of music. It was slow, dark and moody and I don't know why but I loved it so. Because of this, I was excited to show Miss Lerner. 

It wasn't uptempo modern music so I felt sure she'd be thrilled that I loved this song and the fact that it was by Beethoven I thought she'd be fine.  

I was excited to tell her about this song and then I played it for her. 

She had me stop mid-way and say, "did I tell you you could go to the back of the book?"

"no, but as I read the music I thought that I could play this & so I tried it. I really like to play this."

"Until we get there just play what your lesson is and learn it well," she said this as she took away the music and replaced it with my lesson book in front of me. I felt the wind from my sails leave me.

She said this so sternly and with such disapproval, I didn't say more and just went back to my boring lessons.

But even today I feel like she could have allowed me to play this. 

I continued to play my lessons and did what was asked of me but in my spare time, I learned this too. Couldn't she be happy that I did more than what was asked? Nope. Only do my lessons. From then on when I bought music with my allowance I bought stuff for myself. I made a deal with my parents that I could play after I practiced my lesson. So an hour of practice and then I could play whatever I wanted.

We did not mention this to cranky piano teacher. I just swore to my parents I would practice and only play this after practice. 

Yeah, Peggy didn't like her teaching ways. She didn't like me because I was difficult as she told my mom. Difficult? Because I wanted to play all kinds of music? Why didn't she try to appease me so I could learn to enjoy her music too?  Instead, I just wanted to quit piano. 

Sometimes I think as a 12 - 17 yr old I just defied her because she made me mad. Not a good thing to do, but I was a kid and I did it. 

Today I still believe that learning to play all types of music and making a student learn to love all types might be a way to teach. Or at the very least dangle a carrot of sorts for me to keep me interested. I was bored and I begged to quit and thankfully I got to quit. but in all honesty, I wish I hadn't. 

I just needed a different teacher. I wish I could play like that today. But she ruined it for me or I ruined it for myself. Either way, I don't have a piano and really can't play anymore anyway.

This is the song below that I learned that made her angry as all get out.

Harmless really. And boy does it sound like 1977 and dated.

But then again, I am too!

Listen for yourself to the piano in the song below, I used to think sliding my hand down the keys was so damn cool. I make myself laugh. I was no Little Richard but boy I liked this piano piece.  Now go ahead and listen to this and try not to laugh.  

What I've Been Up To

I read a request on our community page on Facebook asking for someone to watch their dog for 4 days. Willing to pay. Golden Retriever was all that was mentioned. All the comments were from Rover the dog watcher site and a few others that do this for a living. But I decided to try. I saw the going rate and I would ask the same and see what happens.  

I reached out to the man and we text back and forth. 

We made arrangements to meet last Sunday.

I was told the dog may growl, don't put your hands on him right away. 

Okay, now I am worried. But the point of doing this meeting is to see if we really wish to do this as well as see if Mikey and his owners were comfortable with us and vice versa.

As soon as we arrived we were met by Mikey, the golden retriever. Growl? No, but licked us to death. He was all over us both. 

We laughed and said, you said stand-offish, is this the right dog?  

Everyone laughed. 

We 4 went into the great room and talked. The dog went between me and Rick. We were sitting across the room from one another. It was funny. Mikey would sit with me and get lovin' and then look at me as if to say, "sorry it's his turn now" and would go to Rick and get belly rubs. It was funny and the owners were shocked.  

We didn't know any different so it was all great for us. 

We all agreed that we loved Mikey and Mikey was okay with us. 

We just aren't comfortable staying at their house. We asked if we could bring the dog to our house would he handle that? They thought so but they suggested giving us the key just in case he doesn't handle it well. 

They also informed us that he sleeps in their bed so will probably do that to us. A reason they thought we might wish to stay at their house. We were okay with that, we have a king bed and Izzy loved our bed when she was young enough to get up on it. We just weren't comfortable staying in their home. Besides I had planned to launder the duvet cover so now I won't and let the dog on it and then wash it when he goes home.

So there ya go. I have decided that this is how grandparents must feel.  

We have an empty nest now and we miss dog energy around here. 

But we don't wish to get another dog. So this will be our dog 'fix' and then we will return him to his owners. 

I have a feeling this will be more than one time.

They are taking this mini vacation of 4 days because the couple is having a baby who is due at the end of December and they thought this was their last chance to go away together - alone. I get that, so we all win. 

We do this in very early December.

This is Mikey posing.  He is older, a bit lazy and lays around a lot. Sounds like Rick to me. :-) Seriously this is perfect we know we aren't up for puppy energy right now.

What is really funny is they wrote us after and said they really liked us and maybe we could get together sometime. I showed the text to Rick and he laughed as well as me. We are 1/2 their age and we thought the same thing. 

_____________

I was watching a Leave It To Beaver the other morning at 3am and the episode would so not fly in today's world. Ward actually told June that he understands why Beaver would hide the fact that he was wheeling home a doll buggy so he could use those wheels for his go-cart. His friends saw him and he didn't want to be harassed for pushing a buggy so he threw it in a ditch. Then when June heard he was going to be beaten up for being a sissy, she asked Ward if he ever did anything like this. He said he too would have beat the boys to a pulp if they were sissies. OMG!  The more it went on the worse it got. They kept repeating the word, sissy. 
It upset me so I changed the channel. Who would think Leave it To Beaver would infuriate you? Well, it did me. I couldn't watch even knowing it was 1960.

______________

We saw a woman on the Today show that got a makeover. She had on a pair of pointy heels. The very point is mirror-like. They discuss her dress then down to her shoes and immediately my sick husband says, "oh when I was a kid I would have thought you could see up her dress with the toes mirror thingy" 

Rick, did you even notice the color of her dress or shoes? 

Well, the toes were mirror-like. C'mon, I was immediately taken back in time and I was 8 years old.

 

What color were the shoes?

Hell if I know but her underwear is pink.

Of course, I laughed. The damn fool. 

Men/Boys minds go there first and it never ceases to make me chuckle. Once he saw those he reverted back to grade school where he thought you could erase the bras off of the women in the Sears Catalog or put a mirror on the ground to see a girl's underwear. 

They are funny creatures, aren't they?

Age is more than a Number

People say age is just a number.
I find that utter bullshit. It is more than that.

Sure I get why people say that because 60 for my grandmother was far older mentally and physically than us today at 60.

But you're still 60. As my ortho surgeon said to me, there is a warranty on your parts. So telling me age is just a number, tell my joints, and please leave your delusional thoughts for yourself. I don't wish to have them. 

When your 16-year-old kid says, but mom/dad age is just a number, you know how mature I am, I can handle going to the party and having just 2 drinks if I don't drive. Do you still feel the same about age being just a number?

Saw a lot of celebrities behaving like age didn't matter either. I am not sure it's working. At least for one of them.

Cher is 76 years old.

Cher's boyfriend is 36 years old.

What the hell do they have in common?

He is younger than her children.

Sex is the only thing I can think of but at 76 this poor kid! LOL

Wait, I have to get the lube, oh no, I can't be on my artificial knees, crack, crunch, ouch my hip!  It just makes me giggle.

I guess I should just say, Good for Cher. 

It's just not for me. I need to date in my generation. 

I can not relate to a 36-year-old as far as dating, conversation, and shared experiences but, sex, sure, but I just couldn't date someone that young normally. (Cher's kids are 53 and 46)

Now having said that I have a friend who is 22 yrs younger than her husband. Her husband is not the mature one of the relationship so I think it helps and why it worked for so long. But now that he is older she complains a lot about being 22 yrs younger than him. She's finding it difficult now. I want to say, "didn't you think about that when you began dating him?" 

Of course I did not say that. But she did later in the conversation say that the thought crossed her mind but she was 22 and he was so vital and young to her that it quickly left her mind. Hm...

I saw this with my Dad and stepmom. I have never seen it work but I am sure it does for some, I just have not seen it. At some point the younger one resents it a bit to be a caregiver when they are so young and they feel like they are missing out on their life. 

Look at all those rich older fat white guys with blonde twinkies on their arms....that's working, right? Yep, until his money runs out. 

And then there is the narcissistic Madonna that I saw more of this week. Never have been a fan of hers. 

Apparently, she is dating someone younger than one of her own children. 

I don't think she can/could ever sing in my opinion. 

Don't send me your hate letters, I know she is a gay icon, but she is not ever going to get an award for her voice! 

To me, she is a narcissistic exhibitionist who dances around on stage like an aerobics class instuctor wearing very little clothing and lip-synchs to songs she recorded with the help of autotune. I don't find that all that talented.

Now she has proclaimed she is gay. Attention seeking perhaps?

Why do we care and why must you have a press conference to tell us. Please.

She put braces on her teeth because that is what all the cool kids do - get grills. She has changed her face into this lioness woman I used to see in Manhattan years ago. She looks horrible. She dresses like she's 20, not 64. Look I do not think she should be wearing grandma clothes, moo moos or big ole baggy elastic waist pants with orthopedic shoes, but seriously a thong and a ripped top showing your boobs aren't exactly classy Grandma. 

Then again she has never been classy. 

Don't you wonder if her kids are cringing? 

I get the feeling she is trying desperately to be relevant because she no longer is. Like a Virgin was 40 years ago. Her time has come and slowed down or gone now. Every artist has their time. She needs to be graceful about the new up-and-comers having their time and doing her thing in a mature way. 

But that will never happen. Mature behavior is not her MO.

But what is happening is a pity - to me. 

I saw where 50 Cent was making fun of her face and her rapping on tik tok. Others were doing the same and making fun of her. 'Look at grandma rap.' 

I don't think that was what she was going for. I find it sad that she feels the need to do this. She seems so desperate and it makes me what to wash that shit off her face and hug her. Tell her she is enough just as she is. 

But her look on tik tok of no eyebrows and dressed like a slutty rapper is not a good look for 64-year-old Madonna. Enjoy this time with your 112 kids, and maybe even do more philanthropic things with your spare time and your boatload of money. Stop spending it on your plastic surgeries. 

And speaking of celebrities and their behavior - 

I was up again at 2am and I was going through the tv and saw a documentary about Selena Gomez. I know she is a singer. I know she can really sing because I saw her sing acapella on a show. The woman's got pipes! But aside from her role in Murders in the Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short, I don't know anything about this talented young woman. 

It's 2 am and there is nothing I want to watch and I don't want deep topics. So I hit her doc. I see it's not long so what the hell. BOY was this different than I thought it'd be. This is one brave young talented woman. She is so kind and nice and it threw me for a loop I'm sorry to say.

She is also very sick. She has lupus and a type of arthritis that you get with lupus, she's had a kidney transplant, and she deals with mental issues. 

She lays it all out here. I found her kind, aware of herself, and more poised than most adult women I know. This young woman's parents did a great job as you can see from her politeness to others, her concern for others, and her kindness to all. If you have the time this is a doc that was interesting to me. Kids should watch this not Madonna.

Madonna should be so lucky to be like this woman.

She is hoping to help others who are suffering in silence from bipolar, lupus, or any disease. She said she wants to be the help she didn't have or was afraid to ask for. She met with the President and Mrs. Biden. She was asking for a bill for counseling in schools to be made a class or an option for children. It was an interesting concept. I won't bore you with the details.

And on a very sexist note - 

I saw Jason Mamoa on Kimmel on Wednesday night last week. 

I mean I saw Jason Mamoa on Kimmel.

Now this man could be my son. Hummina Hummina.

You just don't see manly men often anymore. 

You can start around 4:28 to see the spot I am referring to.

You'll see what we all saw who watched it. 

Mmmm, he has a nice body. Not a 12-pack. Just manly!!

(I prefer more dad bod than 6 packs) 

But where's the hairy chest. 

Only thing missing for me, but I'll live.🤣🤣

Justifiable Homicide

My husband put the colander in the pantry, remaining bulb of garlic in the fridge(never!) and he left the milk on the counter.  He used these items to make his whatever he made, he found none of them where he put them.

I believe this is what you call justifiable homicide.

Yep, justifiable.

Trial and Bowls.

We were at the grocery store checkout when I saw a People magazine cover of the Sexiest Man Alive. 

Me: "hmmm, Chris Evans I see, not my choice" 

Rick: "Yep, I came in 2nd again."
I chuckled but the lady behind him heard our exchange apparently and began to laugh loudly.  Rick turned around and said, "I see you too think I should have come in 1st place."  She said, "well" and laughed.
Ah, my husband. He talks to everyone - you've been warned.

Speaking of the Big Guy, he was approached to be in an RSV vaccine trial.  I believe it is with Pfizer and another company that I think is in Israel. 

It seems all good medical comes from Israel.  

Anyway, Rick thought he'd do it. He filled out all the paperwork, met the doctor, examination, did blood work, went over his meds, etc. Then he was told after a couple of hours he was good to go and he is accepted into the trial.

He was given his first injection and told to wait 10 minutes. 

Now he tells me the woman who did all the questions, the bloodwork, and the information about the payments he will receive. 

He shared that she was a stunning tall young African American woman. 

"gorgeous Margaret, just gorgeous" Gee I heard ya Rick.😉

He was sharing the conversations and I said, "oh my God you just have to flirt with every single woman you meet don't you?"  

He does not answer but he laughs. I shake my head. 

This does not bother me one bit. It's who he is and he's harmless. He will flirt with you from 18 to 80s. He just is a big ole flirt. Besides some gorgeous 30-year-old doesn't want my pot-bellied stallion unless she has a grandpa complex. He's not rich. 😀

He was teasing her about things and before the doctor came back in she told him she had to meet another person but you've made my day sir!  

She shook his hand and said I will see you in 6 months. 

Well, she knew how to make the old man happy.

Then the gorgeous doctor comes in and she discusses the protocol, what he can expect etc. She leaves and says she'll be back to check on him. They make them wait 10 minutes after injections so they don't have a reaction. He sits and waits. She comes back in and he was about to flop around like a trout but decided that wouldn't be a nice trick to play on them. Thank God. He would do that to our doctor he knows but decided against it here. He told me he heard my voice in his head, 'know your audience so I decided this was not the time or place. Gee, ya think?  Margaret was very thankful he behaved.

The doctor came in to check on him and made sure he was fine. 

He told her what he was going to do.

She laughed and said oh my God I would have flipped out. She hit his arm and said that would have been awful Richard. 

He told her that is why he decided against it, I'll save that for my wife he tells her. (yes I am shaking my head as I type this)

He has to keep a diary of sorts. He takes his temp daily and records it. They even provided the thermometer. 

He has to log any symptoms he may get.

Now he could have a placebo or he could have the real vaccine for RSV.

He won't know until the trial is over.

He goes back in 6 months for an evaluation again. The program could go for 2 years so we aren't clear on if he'll be doing this for 2 yrs. I was not there. When I ask Rick he says "I dunno"  (men!)

In the meantime, he gets paid $80 a month to do this. It's not much but it will buy him some art supplies he needs. They gave him a visa card and they fill it up monthly. Yesterday he only got $61 dollars which was an odd amount, but just for showing up not bad. Even if he had been rejected to be in the trial he would have gotten something for coming in for his time. 

Here is something else he's been up to. This is a small cedar bowl Rick made. He delivered it to the man who gave him the free cedar. 

He wasn't home when Rick got there so he gave it to his wife.

The man called Rick last night and he was so excited he couldn't believe that Rick was giving him this. Rick said I wanted you to see what I do with the wood you so kindly give me. Not all bowls but you get the idea.

The Woodman shared that he was thinking about taking down this big Maple on his property along with another cedar. Interested? Rick said you can just always assume I'm interested. So Rick was on a high last night that he is getting wood for free.  

This is the little bowl he made for the woodman.

The black mark in the middle is where a branch was I've been told.

I made a video of Rick making this bowl. But it's boring as all get out.

He has put all the cedar shavings in a big bucket and I will put some in sachet bags and see how that works. If it does I'll let ya know. 

It's funny how the wood from the bourbon barrels made the shop smell like booze and this makes it smell like an old cedar chest. I prefer the smell of cedar. Whatever it is, it sticks to Rick even after a shower. He worked on the bourbon bowl for 2 weeks. When I hugged him, he smelled like bourbon. 

He hates whiskey/bourbon so I knew he wasn't drinking it. 😋

PTSD

I don't know what I was watching, to be honest with you. 

It was about a little girl all of 11 years old, that laid over her best friend who she knew was dead during the Uvalde school shooting and she played dead to stay alive. 

The shooter then left them and went to an adjoining room and began shooting. 

She grabbed her teacher's cell phone after she was shot and killed and called 911 and told them they were in trouble there. Oh my goodness. 
Then she saw all the blood everywhere and she smeared some on her and lay next to her best friend and played dead in case he came back. 

Smart 11 yr old right? She heard footsteps and just laid as still as she could.

It was gut-wrenching and while her parents and the journalists all made a fuss about her being a hero I wondered if they were getting this young girl any counseling. Yes, at the moment she was a true hero. She was quick to see what she had to do to survive and get help. At 11 years old. Some adults wouldn't be able to handle it as well.

This young girl said she was a loner and this young friend who died was her only friend. She cried saying how wonderful her friend was. She said she knew she was dead but couldn't leave her alone and she had to hug her and then she just laid over her or by her when the person with the gun came back and she played dead. 

She is behaving like it's all fine now in front of the cameras. 

I sincerely doubt it. I'm sure she is fine at times and at times she has some difficulties. That would be normal.
I do hope to God her parents are smart enough to know she has to work through this. She has to learn how to cope when this triggers something and she doesn't know where this is coming from. This little girl needs counseling and I hope she gets it. Talk about PTSD.

I know as a child I had to suppress everything when my mom was sick or dying. Everything. No mourning over my mom, so filled with anxiety and fear. I pushed it down and pushed it down. If I didn't my father would have done it for me. Counseling was not something he would have even thought of let alone agree to. Possibly if someone he respected suggested he get his girls some grief counseling, like a priest. But no one did. And heaven knows the one time I told Dad some feelings I was told to toughen up. I was all of 12. I had been taking care of my mom and sister while she was sick. He didn't. 
It was my responsibility. By the time my mom died a few months later at age 13 I knew not to say or do anything but smile, take care of everyone, and do what was expected. That is when my "peggy face" developed. Everyone thinks I am always happy because I am smiling and appear to be jovial and happy. (I wear a Peggy face a great deal.)

I could have used the counseling because at 60 years old it all began to come up, bubbling up. I often wondered if I had had counseling to deal with it maybe it wouldn't have come up at age 60. Perhaps I would have had the tools to deal with it as well. I would love to write more about it because it helps me but as I said my husband gave my blog site out to someone so now I just can't...well, until they die. HA HA

As I watched this little girl I saw her smile when appropriate and shake her head when they tell her she was so brave. When she spoke about her best friend was when you could see the cracks. I wanted to hug this little girl and have her talk it out. Scream it out. No little girl or boy should have had to deal with that let alone be brave about it. It was war and she had no defense. She shouldn't have to smile through this. That is so something my father would demand of me in grief...Smile, be polite, and don't act depressed, you will make others feel bad. Always about others what about my sister and me? 

I hope this young girl can get past this horrific incident and be able to handle all that comes flashing back to her over the years. 
No 11-year-old should have to deal with these issues. 

Actually, no one should have to deal with these issues.

Stamps and Voting

Well, we voted on Tuesday morning after our coffee.

Shouldn't voting across America be done the exact same way?

When I lived in PA, VA, WA and OH it was done the same way. 

Each state had little variances but was generally the same. 

Then I moved here.

Boy, the stereotypes are real.

In the past, I would walk in with my state ID (license) and my voter's registration card. Someone looks at these at the first table and asks for my info and verifies it's correct in the computer and then hands me something to go to the next person. There they look me up via my ID in these large books that I never really knew what they were. But once I was found in the book I was given a paper to fill out my ballot or in PA I was led to the voting booth. PA was the only state that had a booth, the curtain closed when you pulled the lever, and then you did your thing by pushing a lever or something I can't remember. No pen and ink like the other states is what I remember most of all. Those machines scared me at 18 when I could finally vote. I was so worried I'd push/pull the wrong thing. Funny now but it was such a big deal back in 1974. 

Now here in this state they don't ask for no stinkin' ID. I had to tell her my name and address and I could vote. No license. No voter registration card. Nothing. For all she knows the name I gave wasn't mine.

Anyone could do or say that. So I could go back later in the day when the 2nd shift comes in and do it again by saying my neighbor's name and address and boom, vote again? I'm not even sure anything was ticked off showing I voted so maybe I could vote again. Nah, they aren't that stupid are they?

What the hell is wrong with these folks? I know, I know, Rhetorical.

Talk about how it should be vs how it is! 

Every election the volunteers are old folks. I imagine it's due to being during a work day and who the hell else is not working? I used to love the men and women at my old polling place. They handed out cookies and donuts, coffee, water, pop, and the like. None of which I could eat but it's a pleasant mingling of red and blue and it's nice. Here everyone was cranky as hell but I wasn't surprised because that is all we see since moving here. All except the beautiful man at the end who gave me my sticker. He was so jovial. I talked to him a bit and he thanked me and I told him he made my day and to have a nice one. He was just so damn cute. Reminded me of my dad, just a different color. LOL. He had a big ole belly laugh that really went through the gymnasium.  That was the good part of the voting. That and my exit poll. 

I've never had to fill out an exit poll. I found it interesting and I couldn't wait to be able to write more than a choice. It was cool to me. 

In other news. I saw something come across Facebook that got Rick and me talking. It was a set of these old glasses my mom had when I was a kid. It was a set of 6 and it came with a "carrying case" for lack of a better word. It was in gold and the glasses were frosted and gold. Oh, how I loved those "pretty" glasses.  They were for company she would say. We used them for Sunday dinners and holidays too but never every day. 

I found this online on etsy and they looked like this - These are not what I would call nice-looking glasses but when I was a kid I thought they were so pretty.

While this "carrier" wasn't exactly like ours it was exactly like Rick's.

I showed the glasses to Rick and he said, "Oh my God my mom had them too I think they were from either Green Stamps or Plaid Stamps."  

And that started it all.

We each had stories of the "dream books". (catalogs)

His mom primarily collected Plaid Stamps and my mom primarily collected Green Stamps. But each mom had both. 

The dream book was something we'd look at and see how many books of stamps we would need to get this toaster or glassware etc. 

Most of the time after collecting these stamps grocery shopping, my mom would put away the groceries and then add these stamps to the books. Other times she collected several weeks of stamps then she'd ask me if I wanted to help her fill the books. I was thrilled to do so. Now as an adult I realize she didn't want to do this because it was tedious and she had a dumb kid who thought it was fun so let her do it for you. 😀

She would moisten a sponge and when I got sick of licking them I'd use the sponge. When I was done I would also count to see how many more it was going to take to finish this book so I could look through the catalog and see what we could get. It was a fun game for me. I think there were other places you got them I just don't recall. Gas stations maybe?  

There were times mom would tell me what she was saving for and I'd look it up in the book and then I'd get so excited because I knew what we were going to get when we handed in our stamps at the Green Stamps Store. Yes, I was a weirdo kid. 

How the hell do I remember this so vividly yet I walk around my house with my glasses on top of my head for hours because I can't remember where I put them. 

Anyhoo, Rick shared that he was the same way as me and he too put them in the books for his mom. What two little dufuses we were that we were played and didn't even know it.  Neither mom wanted to do it and they had kids dumb enough to want to do it. 

Not having kids I assume that is everyone's story for many a chore.

Rick had his eye on this wagon in the catalog and each time he too would count to see how much closer he had to be to get his new wagon. 

But when the time came he shouted to his Mom that the books are done and we have enough! we have enough!  She asked him what the hell he was talking about, have enough for what Rick?  Rick showed her the wagon. Then just like that she let the wind out of his sails and tells him no, that they were saving for a toaster since their old one broke. The next time Rick was asked if he wanted to help with the stamps he said no, thank you. 

He felt he was punishing his mom. Today it makes him laugh and as we both said, "I'm sure she knew you were doing that too and was laughing on the inside."

Did your parents or grandparent collect Green Stamps or Plaid Stamps?

Monday

Here is a throwback from 2011. 

Once again our sick humor gets us in trouble.

I've been married twice. 

Both named Rick. Both funny as hell.

I got in trouble laughing with both of them. I was and am their audience.

The first Rick was dry humor. He would say the damn funniest things, but he never smiled while saying this. I'd watch people laugh sometimes nervously or look at one another to see if they should laugh. Think of Steven Wright the comedian, he was that kind of funny. Of course, I knew him so I would burst out laughing and be the only one at first and he'd wink at me while the others were trying to see if it was appropriate to laugh. He was quiet and when he did speak it was always hilarious.

The new and improved Rick is anything but quiet but just damn funny and always with a quick quip.

No one has to wonder if he is joking.

So here are a couple of times we got ourselves in trouble for laughing

See you back here on Wednesday. At least I'm gonna try.

Winding Down

I'm winding down here at the ole blog. No matter how I say this it sounds pitiful and pathetic. 

No one comes around these parts. I know my life surely has not been as funny this past year. But I think it's getting to be that time. I get the same 5 people and I love those 5 people but I think that is my sign, don't you? I'll still read posts and come around to your blogs that is for sure. Not quitting 100%, just slowly going.

There is so much I'd love to write but my damn husband told a family member my blog site so I can't. That is so frustrating. I could have killed him. 

I am going to post some old ones because I have a lot of things going on right now.

But I THINK blogging will become part-time for a bit - maybe 2-3 days a week and then I will vanish. Which I have sort of been doing anyway.

So I'm still here if anyone is out there. And I will be blogging just a few days a week. 

Here are some memes I enjoyed and some old posts off facebook that came up in my feed this week that I found funny and forgot about. That's the good thing about becoming more forgetful - this shit is all new again!

I think you have to be a certain age for this first one -

And Fetterman's is only temporary.

These next two ditties are from my fb page and they still make me laugh. Sadly I forgot about them until I saw them in my memories. 

This one is from 2016