"Through the study of books one seeks God, by meditation one finds him" -- Padre Pio

I realize this isn't two sentences but I felt it was enough. This is from "The Rosary -- A Path into Prayer", page 79

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window I see the heat rising and the flowers wilting and it is only 8:50 a.m.

I am thinking about my day and all I need to get accomplished.

From the learning rooms I am learning about the rosary.

I am thankful for today, my family, my faith.

From the kitchen I am just sayin' that the Williams Sonoma Food Made Fast cookbooks are pretty awesome.

I am wearing capris, a shirt, my DOK cross and again -- no shoes!

I am reading -- still -- "The Shroud of the Thwacker". I am afraid Animal Crossing has really bitten into my reading time -- not good.

I am hoping that today goes my quickly and that I get everything accomplished.

I am creating absolutely nothing right now -- the quilting is halted, the Christmas crafts have been gathering dust -- Animal Crossing time again. I think it is time for an intervention! Or a timer!

I am praying for Allen's safe return tomorrow.

Around the house it is clean up day!

One of my favorite things is trying a new dish and having it come out like the picture!

A few plans for the rest of the week include babysitting Nathan and Kathryn (yay!), a dental appointment and a date with the hubby for our anniversary.

A picture thought I am sharing with you

Unconscious Mutterings #335


guest -- room, unwelcome
impact -- crash
unplanned -- houseguest
tactic -- plan
delayed -- airport
bombastic -- Robin Williams
comfort -- food, chicken and dumplings
trumpet -- big bands
Joe -- E Brown, Lewis, GI
Budget -- what's that, I don't understand

Friday fill-ins #130



1. She had a great handbag!

2. Rollie is my by my side always! And sometimes under my feet!

3. I know this: If it gets any hotter Texas is going to turn into one great big tortilla chip!

4. Be still, Rollie. It isn't dinner time yet!

5. These words apply to me: Uh, I don't have a clue!

6. Outside the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to a few more episodes of "Sex and the City", tomorrow I might attend the great big fabric/notion sale at Berry Patch Fabrics, and Sunday I want to go to church and either read or quilt or cross stitch -- so many choices!

June 26, 1965

Today is the anniversary of my first date with hubby! The 44th anniversary to be exact! I remember it well -- he asked me out -- well, actually his assistant manager asked for him -- I said I needed to check with the parents -- I did, they said yes, then he told me he was on restriction so he had to see if he could get out of parental jail. He did and we went to see "Dr. No" and "From Russia With Love" at the Olmos Theater, which can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/25161634
801.

We double dated with a buddy of his named Ronnie Holland and a girlfriend of mine named Penny Kuykendall. Penny and Ronnie were dating -- I heard LOTS of gossip -- but I had no idea that my new date knew him. It didn't matter -- they didn't stay long anyway.

I remember when I got home my mother asked if I had fun. I answered in the affirmative. Then she asked if I would go out with him again and I looked at her and said "Mom, I am probably going to marry him". Well, seven years later I did -- 37 years ago next week. Pretty profound for a 15 year old!

And, we have always had a special place in our hearts for James Bond movies and have a sizeable collection, thanks to our son and daughter in law, and can revisit June 26th anytime we want!

Hot! Books that are "summery".




Well, for me this is a no brainer. I would have to say that the book that I have read that reminds me most of summer is "Gidget ". I read it during the summer -- I remember laying on my bed with the blue floral bedspread, with the windows wide open in the sweltering Texas heat because we had no a/c reading "Gidget". Of course, the subject matter was "summery" because they were on the beach in California!

I have to say that while I did read during the summer, I did the majority of my reading during the school year and even now identify reading with curling up on a cold day and getting lost in whatever I am reading.

Shopping Day!

It has been a while since I shopped for anything other than books and magazines. So, today, in a weak moment, I decided to indulge myself.

In a quest to try to provide treats for my diabetic husband, I am always looking for something that will not do him too much harm. I always try to buy "sugar free" which usually falls flat -- his take on it is "buy regular and I will just eat less" which usually falls flat as well. So, after tasting some really pretty wretched all natural, hand-made, hand-packed pricy ice cream and finding it to be entirely too sweet for his eating plan I decided to make my own. So, this morning I headed to my local Williams Sonoma and bought this --



I haven't gotten it out of the box yet -- I hope there are some recipes in it -- and I have to find room in the freezer to freeze the thing but I feel like I will have much more control over the amount of whatever I decide to put in it.

Then, I just couldn't stop there -- I had to have this from Target --I had been looking for a chicken fryer for sometime and, even though there is a brand new Ace Mart right down the road from me, I decided on this on. I don't fry food very often but when I do I am always saying I need a deeper pan because I really don't like getting popped with grease. Plus, it is big and I can cook all the shrimp for my hubby and me and one time instead of smaller batches. And----it has a lid -- I always need lids. So, now I have to find a place for it as well. Sounds like a reorganization of the kitchen is in my future.

Anyway, that was my morning. All that and groceries bought before 11:30! What can I say -- I don't shop unless I know what I am going for, go straight there and get it -- no messing around. Well, except for the books but that is a whole different blog!

Wordless Wednesday

"A rooster was chasing the mayor in front of Town Hall, a hog rodeo was in progress on the town green and, above everything, a small man in a model dirigible floated over the square, dropping firecrackers."

"The Shroud of the Thwacker" -- page 139

Week #334


1. divorce: bad, sad, John minus Kate
2. napkin: cloth
3. camera: never leave home without it
4. leather: jacket, Fonzie
5. fractures: fairy tales, Laugh In (for some reason)
6. flip out: Rollie
7. coroner: I don't know what to say, I don't think about the coroner
8. atomic: clock, bomb
9. Liz: Claiborne, Houston, Taylor
10. Leave: go, vamoose, vacate, get along lil doggie

Simple Woman's Day Book -- June 22, 2009


Outside my window I am watching my husband head off to work. Now it is all quiet out there.

I am thinking about what my day holds -- mostly ironing.

I am thankful for today, my family, Swedish Bitters Capsaisin ointment and Tylenol Arthritis

From the kitchen I am thinking about making soup for dinner.

I am wearing shorts and a tshirt, DOK cross and again, no shoes (hey, I am a southern girl -- it is hot here!)

I am reading "The Shroud of the Thwacker" still --- haven't had much time for reading this last week but hopefully I intend to catch up in the next few days.

I am hoping that my knee continues to improve -- at least I can bend it some now.

I am creating a clean counter in the laundry room -- time to relocate all that quilting stuff.

I am praying for the ACNA Assembly being held today through Wednesday.

Around the house I am thinking about a major decluttering project.

One of my favorite things and most unfavorite things at the same time is Monday! I really hate for the weekend to end and yet it is nice to get back on my regular routine even if that does involve copious amounts of ironing.

A few plans for the rest of the week include crafts and reading -- I absolutely have to use up some of this quilt stash I have -- see, I need to shop and I can't because of THE STASH so I have to do something about THE STASH.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you

#129

I have to say that this weeks fill-ins are a lot more in thought provoking -- I will see what I come up with --

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting THE PHONE CALL -- this could mean many, many things.

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a personal in denial (I didn't really want to say liar).

3. Finding something that fits at the first store is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy being wives and mothers.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine getting lost and asking for directions.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant without my husband or potatoes in it. Hahahah! My husband and potatoes -- my two favorite things!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to watching "W" and icing my knee, tomorrow my plans include icing my knee and Sunday I want to be able to walk unaided.

Science Fiction or Fantasy?

I have never been a reader of science fiction. It just never caught my attention even though my father was a comic book artist that drew LOTS of science fiction. I don't know why I never tried it, I just didn't.

As far as fantasy goes, I would have to say the closest I ever came was "The Wizard of Oz", "Alice In Wonderland" and "Stargirl". Do those even count? I did love those books but that is about the extent of my fantasy reading.However, I do believe that "The Shroud of the Thwacker" would fall into this catagory.

I guess I am just more of a dramatic or historical fiction reader. Even as a child I would seek out things like the "Little House" books and the Kate Seredy books. Now, I still read those sorts of books -- I have never read a chicklit book.

I am wondering if I should expand my horizons?

Another Evening at Barnes and Noble

It seems my husband and I are magnetically attracted to book stores. Last night we planned our whole evening around going to B&N -- when we were going, which restaurant was closest, what we were looking for -- well, what he was looking for. I went with an open mind and I came home with quite a variety of goodies.

I had received a gift card from my son and daughter in law for Mother's Day that I still had a balance on so I felt like I could splurge a little bit. The first thing I looked at was the section with Monica Ferris books. I have never read Monica Ferris but keep picking up her titles and giving them a look. I went looking for her first title in the Needlecraft Mysteries -- "Crewel World". I don't like reading things out of sequence so I figured that would be a good place to start. Naturally, they didn't have it. Nor did they have the second, "Framed in Lace". They did have a compilation of the first three titles in the series -- the two previously mentioned plus "A Stitch in Time". Even though it was twice the price of the two individual copies it was a third less expensive than buying them separately -- buy one get one free so to speak. Snatched it up immediately -- they only had one copy and I was sure everyone in the store wanted it!

A couple of other titles caught my eye and I walked into the store and I decided to grab those, too. The first is "The Madonnas of Leningrad" by Debra Dean. It is the story of an aging woman who struggles to remember current details but can vividly recount her time in World War II Leningrad. It is the first novel for author Debra Dean and it boasts rave reviews from the like of Isabel Allende, NPR, USA Today, New York Times and the Seattle Post.

The third book I picked up is "Ghosts Among Us" by James Van Praagh. I don't know why I gravitate to books of this nature but I do. I sat down and read a few pages before I added it to my stack and it caught my interest so I am going to give it a go. It is a short book and will be an easy read.

So, a few more to add to my ever growing stack of TBR's -- my husband didn't find what he was looking for -- something about automobile suspensions but I can't worry about that -- I have a lot of reading to do.

#333

nudity: rather not
domestic: goddess, diva
burp: baby, cloth
baby: burp
dateline: tv show, news
retract: remove
suppose: guess
surreal: dreamy
infidelity: bad, cheat
token: affection, bus

"The grim place was filed with every conceivable variety of brainstick unfortunate. Some wantered about giggling to themselves, some were embroiled in debates with invisible partners, some were confined to small cages on the floor, and still others were bound in the latest archaic fetters from the 'Inquisition's Surplus Torture Paraphenialia and Swimwear catalogue.'"


"The Shroud of the Thwacker", page 185

THE PLAN -- Day 1

Today is the first day of MY cleaning plan -- an altered form of a popular tutorial on cleaning. I am taking one area each day and cleaning -- each room should be completed once a week and, in my book, that is clean enough. Today I started with my bedroom and bathroom. It has taken me about four hours but that four hours included, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, gathering laundry, changing sheets, cleaning out from under my vanity and part of the closet. It also included cleaning the tub which is jetted and requires running for 15 minutes with a mixture of bleach/dishwasher detergent and hot water. It is then rinsed with plain water by filling the tub again and running for another 15 minutes. So.. I don't know if four hours is good but it is what it is. I took several breaks -- just can't focus on drudgery very well -- but, now I am done and I can reward myself with some fun time -- I think it will be reading time while I have some lunch.

So, tomorrow -- the living area and kitchen/dining. That is the largest area in the house so it might take a while but, maybe not considering it doesn't involve laundry and such. Hmm..I feel accomplished -- sort of.

What Dreams May Come -- Again

A previously posted, I had requested the movie "What Dreams May Come" from Netflix and when it arrived it was defective and I couldn't watch it. I returned it for a replacement which came last week. The movie was recommended to me by my son and I usually trust his judgment. I had heard conflicting reports about it being depressing and "ughy" and all sorts of things which didn't deter me but rather made me want to watch it more. So, I did. Here is my take on it.

The cinematography and special effects were outstanding. They even managed to make Robin Williams looks convincingly younger - I need to find their make up person. I have to say that Williams must have been taking his ritalin because he was CALM. I really like Robin Williams but find that his hyperactivity is sometimes a big overwhelming. That wasn't the case in this movie.

I didn't find this movie to be sad. Or depressing. I found it to be hopeful and uplifting. From the love story perspective it was a soulmate sort of thing. From the parent/child perspective it was representative of things we all have done as parents -- and children -- that we have regretted and learned from, questions about how different the outcomes would be if we had made different choices -- all that real life stuff. From a spiritual perspective I found it to be very hopeful. It was boldly religious yet I was surprised about references to non-Christian beliefs until I realized that this wasn't necessarily a movie just for Christian beliefs.

There were parts of it that I found boring. A small teaser here -- there was just too much time spent sliding around in paint! I won't say anymore, don't want to spoil it for those who may not have seen it.

I would recommend it to anybody who isn't offended by religion or anybody who isn't offended by a couple of non-Christian references.

Outside my window I see blue sky, not rain clouds -- yet, it is still early.

I am thinking about my new "life" plan -- eating and housecleaning -- boring I know but both need to be done! I just need to do them better!

From the learning rooms -- I am learning a lot about self-discipline.

I am thankful for today, my family, my church, my health -- you know, all those things that are gifts to us.

From the kitchen I am thinking about making some zucchini bread

I am wearing shorts and a striped shirt. My DOK cross and NO SHOES!

I am reading "The Shroud of the Thwacher", "The Rosary, A Path Into Prayer" and "Eat and Stay Thin".

I am hoping to stay on my new schedule today -- so far so good.

I am creating two quilts although I am going very slowly.

I am praying for our clergy at the ACNA Conference coming up in a few days.

Around the house -- well, what can I say -- new plan! When my children were small I cleaned my house with a garbage bag and a vacuum cleaner -- I find that is still the best way, one room at a time.

One of my favorite things is my ridiculous video game that I am playing -- Animal Crossing! Too much of a time killer but so much fun!

A few plans for the rest of the week include "The Plan", doing some reading, cooking and quilting!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you -- first ever ice cream cone -- 1977!

Friday Fill-in's #128

1. I grew up thinking I was fat.
2. Facebook was the site I was at before coming here.
3. Why don't you just snap out of it?
4. Playing Animal Crossing helps me relax! So pathetic!
5. Thanks for the memories!
6. Badly measured quilt squares are very off putting!
7. As for the weekend, since I am late, Friday we watched a movie, Saturday we went to a hot rod shop (we apparently don't realize our age), and Sunday we visited with DD's inlaws.

Rain Rain Go Away --

PLEASE! Husband can't get home from Montreal -- stuck in Kansas City. Hanging baskets looks like they have been to war -- the grass really needed to be cut but now it is REALLY wet and can't be cut -- daughter's in laws are here from the UK looking for a fun in the sun -- uh, yeah, guess not. I really hope the rest of June isn't like LAST June -- rained the whole month. This is just not what summer is supposed to be like. Whine, whine, whine.

What Niche Books Do YOU Read?


I have always been a prolific reader -- in the past more so than now -- it was easier when my mother was doing the cleaning and cooking -- I had LOTS of time then. However, now my reading goes in spurts but I still manage to get some in every day. When I say "reading" I mean anything -- magazines, books, how - to books.

I guess the largest group of "niche" books I read would have to be needlework books -- either cross stitch or quilting. That comes in all forms, magazine, online magazines, books -- I have a good sized collection of quilt books as well as a number of cross stitch pattern books and more magazines than I can find a place to store. One of my favorite magazines is "Piecework" because of their articles on needlework history. In this group I would have to include blogs. I read a number of needlework blogs -- two daily -- http://mymarkdesigns.wordpress.com and http://marykathryn.wordpress.com. These are two very talented ladies in the field of needlework. Their blogs are never disappointing.

The second largest group of "niche" books would have to be cookbooks. I have no clue why because I don't really like cooking but I like cookbooks. Maybe somewhere deep down I WANT to like cooking. Nah.

Following the cookbooks closely would be self-help books revolving mostly around diet. Note to all -- the diet books don't work. Just quit eating. Really. If you must follow a book I would have to say Bettheny Frankels book "Naturally Thin" would be a winner. In a nutshell it tells you -- just quit eating. Some of the self help books I read involve "going green" -- many in magazine form. I believe in going green. It is better, cleaner for everybody, cheaper in the long run and maybe the ol' planet will keep turning for a while longer if we all did our part. Jumping off my soapbox now.

The last but definitely not least "niche" books I read are religious books. I read a lot of "Christian" fiction but I read a lot of non-fiction religiously based things as well. Right now I am reading a Bible that I found that is broken up, like a diary, into passages for each day of the year. It isn't in chronological form but rather each day has a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. The goal is obviously to read the entire Bible in a year. Now, granted, reading it chronologically would make more sense but this way a person at least can read the entire thing and then go back later and re-read. It is written in modern language which I don't think is so great but, again, it makes it more readable and there are lots of footnotes and notations showing where the "translations" were coming from. I am also reading a book on the rosary -- the history, the meaning, the process. It is very interesting and for us non-Catholics it clears up a lot of the misinformation that we were given in our non-Catholic churches regarding the Marian devotion.

I love getting lost in a novel, being able to be someplace else, somebody else, living life vicariously through a book but it seems, as I am getting older, that I am reading more for knowledge -- how to do something, how to make things better, how to be a better person -- things like that.

Earthquakes? In Texas?

Ok, people, this is Texas -- not California. Why in the world have there been four earthquakes -- very small ones -- in the Johnson County area in a week. Three of those were one a day for the last three days. The one yesterday was strong enough to cause an aftershock. Some people believe it is because of the gas drilling in the area. It seems there is a huge number of wells being drilled right now. The county government has hired a geologist to try to get to the root of the problem but it seems they are getting more frequent and a bit stronger each time. I don't know about you, but this doesn't sound good to me. Texas -- tornadoes, hurricanes, floods -- yes, but earthquakes? Let's hope this is just a fluke and not working into an ongoing problem. I like my feet flat on a stable ground, thank you very much.

"And then it seemed to her that she really might be a ghost, that she might be becoming part of the faded fabric of the house, dissolving into the gloom that gathered, like dust, in its crazy angles."

I've only just started "The Night Watch" by Sarah Waters so this is a bit from quite early in the book. Kay is being introspective as she views the activity on the street from her window -- she feels as if she must appear like a ghost to a little boy below and perhaps frightens him. So far, this book seems "quiet" -- my way of describing a story that is more psychological than active. But, as I said, I have just begun so I will reserve the final judgment until later.

What Dreams May Come

Ok, I tried to bite the bullet and watch the depressing movie. I really wanted to and I still think it looks good but.......the DVD kept glitching and I couldn't get it past the glitch -- it stopped every time. So, I gave up. But, I will report it to Netflix and maybe they will send me another because now I am intrigued by it. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

Simple Woman Daybook

Outside my window I am seeing my plants surviving -- sort of.

I am thinking it felt really good to sleep until almost 8 a.m.

From the learning rooms I am learning that I need more self-discipline.

I am thankful for my family, today, safe travel, the sunshine.

From the kitchen absolutely nothing -- I am on hiatus for a few days.

I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt

I am reading "The Shroud of the Thwacher " very slowly.

I am hoping to get at least a FEW things accomplished today.

I am creating two quilts -- need to work on them today too.

For the rest of the week I intend to continue to clean out a few things and get a bit more organized.

Here is a picture thought for you:

Last Chance Harvey

I have a Netflix movie to watch -- "What Dreams May Come" but I have been forewarned that it could be a bit depressing. So, in an effort to entertain myself, I went browsing through my video on demand selections. It is disturbing how many titles on VOD contain some form of the word "dead" -- but I digress.

I almost settled for "He's Just Not that Into You" but somehow I just felt the need to keep looking -- romance could be a great option over depressing but I wasn't convinced. Then, I ran across "Last Chance Harvey". While it is on my Netflix queue, I decided to "buy" it instead and I am very glad I did -- it was completely delightful!

A romance, yes, but one that I am more able to identify with which means the characters were persons of "a certain age". Emma Thompson was phenomenal. I used to not like her much but as I am seeing her in more and more things I am beginning to admire her very much -- I would define her as the British version of Meryl Streep -- or close. Dustin Hoffman played the American gentleman facing more than one crossroad in his life -- transition as he calls it -- and he was fantastic. Of course, I have been a fan of Hoffman since his "The Graduate" days and he never fails to disappoint.

I would recommend this movie without reserve. Of course, people my children's age wouldn't enjoy it, probably, but I did and would -- and probably will -- watch it again.

Unconscious Mutterings #332

hockey: puck
twirling: baton, Nancy, band
Montreal: AGAIN
better: good
new: better
rally: cars
Stanley: tools
USB: port
scouted: actors, college sports
cough: uh oh

Family Fiesta Day at Franklin Park

Two years ago my mother in law moved to DFW from San Antonio, from a house she had lived in for over fifty years. She chose to take up residence in an almost brand new retirement community for active seniors. Every year they have a summer family get-together with a theme. This year the theme was "Fiesta" which is something we are all familiar with being from San Antonio. My husband and I went and had lunch outside and watched all the festivities -- there were children, teenagers, and even an almost brand new baby. There was an adorable long-haired daschund and a very lovely bischon friese. There were pinatas! They were most unusual -- bags with a fragile bottom in them. They were filled from the top and the children would pull streamers at the bottom to release the goodies. They had a wonderful time and it was much better than bludgeoning some poor "animal" or cartoon character into giving over the goods.

It was a beautiful day -- a little too warm and the serving line wasn't set up as well as it could be but we found a shady spot, enjoyed our fiesta food and declared it a good day. I think the only real problem was that the Margarita machine wasn't freezing the fiesta concoction fast enough!

#127

1. Lucy, I'm home!.

2My favorite thing for dinner lately has been something somebody else cooked -- especially if that somebody else cooked salmon.

3. When Toto saw the flying monkeys, he went bark, bark, bark!

4. A nice long walk would be a really nice thing.

5. Tell me some good news.

6. When all is said and done, who said it, who did it, define all.

7. And as for the weekend tonight I am looking forward to a Netflix movie and watching AW make kolaches, tomorrow my plans include Family Fiesta at my MIL retirement community and Sunday I want to just hibernate and wake up on Thursday -- I said hibernation, not coma.

June 4, 1947

Today is AW's birthday! I don't know why I am excited about it -- perhaps because it isn't MY birthday? I even bought him a gift -- something we haven't done for each other for years -- and a card -- a mushy card! Even though I had a funny one picked out -- something about REAL MEN and maps -- you can see where that is going -- but I opted to be nice. So, nice dinner and a gift -- he will be happy! Celebration with children to follow later -- tonight it is just us. So, Happy Birthday, AW!

Booking Through Thursday

Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you -- in 15 minutes.

1. The Bible

2. The Bobbsey Twins at London Tower

3. A Woman of Substance

4. To Kill a Mockingbird

5. The Good Master

6. Bunnicula

7. We Have Always Lived in the Castle

8. The Diary of Anne Frank

9. Flowers in the Attic

10. Blue Willow

11. The Little House books

12. Fingersmith

13. Star Girl

14. The Wizard of Oz

15. The Bumper Book

Hmm...lots of children's books on this list -- what can I say -- I liked to read when I was a child and I read to my children -- it is a good thing!

"Taken"

I have had "Taken" with Liam Neeson on my Netflix list since it was released with a "long wait" notation. Well, I discovered that it is now available on VOD with our cable company so I ordered it tonight. We started it early so we wouldn't be falling asleep which was a wise idea but probably unnecessary because I don't think I would have fallen asleep -- it was action packed but not draggy. It seems some action/adventure movies have more action than necessary to drag things out -- this one didn't.

It was a great movie! Of course, everybody on the planet knows that I am partial to Liam Neeson and that had a lot to do with my opinion but it was good and I would recommend. However, it deals with a particularly nasty subject -- abduction on foreign soil. In this movie, Neeson's daughter, 17, begs to go to Paris with her friend. Dad had doubts about the whole thing but allows her to go even after he found out she had been lying about the nature of the trip -- museum hopping -- NOT -- more like being a band groupie. In any event, she wasn't even in Paris for twenty four hours until she and her friend found themselves in a very uncomfortable situation. Well, retired government agent dad came to the rescue and all was well but there was a lot of drama getting there.

I would recommend this movie -- it was well done, went fast, was not over bought on action, not hugely gory and, of course, it had Liam Neeson in it. What more could there be?

Unconscious mutterings 331

1. nursery --- rhyme, baby, plant

2. medicine -- ugh

3. heart to heart -- talk

4. try -- try, try again if you at first you don't succeed

5. hog-- wild, motorcycle, Dennis Hopper

6. symptom -- see #2

7. collide -- planets, cars (this is DFW!)

8.. fury -- of a woman scorned -- nothing like it!

9. incorporated -- blended

10. summer -- hot town, summer in the city!

This is my first post on this meme. Been reading them over at JLSHall and think it looks like fun.

The book I am taking an excerpt from is "The Shroud of the Thwacker" by Chris Elliott

Here goes:

"I pray, good sir, repeat yourself, for the tempest rages too clangorously to allow me to hearken to your needs satisfactorily," replied the hot dog vendor in pretty much the way any hot dog vendor in New York City would reply today. So that told me nothing."

I am only a third of the way through this book but it is hysterical -- not a serious read by any stretch of the imagination!

It is Tuesday

I have never seen such a nondescript day in all my life. It isn't good, it isn't bad, it just seems to be Tuesday. The day started out with well intentioned plans -- a trip to the car place to get my inspection sticker, a trip to the store to pick up a couple of things, and then a day of ironing. As I got ready for the jaunt to the car place I heard the rumblings of the storms in the West -- I thought that was supposed to happen tonight -- did I really sleep through the weather last night. Hmm. So, off I went and arrived at the car place just as the bottom dropped out of the sky. It is a nice car place and they provide you with various hot drinks, cookies and a quiet reading room to wait out your stay -- I was there at 7:45. I got my hot cocoa -- not bad considering it comes out of a machine -- no cookies -- and settled in with my book to while away a couple of hours. The storm hit --- I settled deeper in the chair -- but it was all over in a second -- my wait not the rain. Apparently nobody else was there and I was the first in line and they got done with the car in record time! Yippee! So, I drive my newly washed ride out into the pouring rain through muddy puddles of standing curb water. Ugh. As I head for my house I realize I am looking head on at somebody coming toward me -- in my lane -- trying to pass someone who was going too slow. Uh, hello, it is flooding out here -- slow down. She missed me by inches and looked a little flustered to see somebody coming toward her but, hey, I was where I was supposed to be! After that I was even more anxious to get home. Had to stop at the store for a couple of things and finally got into my garage, looked out the door at the sunshine and blue sky! Couldn't they have washed my car a little slower? Darn.

Evening

Last night I finally watched our latest Neflix offering. It was entitled "Evening" and had a big name cast -- Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Glen Close, Meryl Streep and Claire Danes. With a cast like that you would expect it to be good and it did not disappoint.

I can't really tell you much for fear of spoiling the plot but suffice it to say it involved a terminally ill mother (Redgrave) and her daughters (Richardson and I don't know the other one's name). The movie is a series of flashbacks with Danes playing the young "Ann". It was very well done but you had to watch it closely because you didn't want to miss any of the references to the past that impacted the present.

The movie didn't strike me as being sad although it should have -- a terminally ill mother could bring back personal memories but it was so well done that you didn't really think about that part of it so much. The thing that was completely bittersweet was the aged, ill mother leaving her daughter (Richardson) when, just a couple of short months ago just the opposite happened in reality.

It was a very good movie, I would recommend it and I would watch it again. I might would even purchase it for my personal collection.

Outside my window I see a peaceful, quiet street.

I am thinking about the errands I need to run today.

From the learning rooms I am learning that maybe I am NOT cut out to be a handquilter.

I am thankful for my family.

From the kitchen I tried Christeans's pineapple pie on my family and they loved it!! Thanks, Christean! Also, I have learned that privately raised cattle makes really good meat -- thanks Burgundy Beef of Grandview!!

I am wearing -- pj's from last night -- it is a slow morning.

I am reading three books at once! Not easy for me. They would be "The Shroud of the Thwacker" -- very funny; "The Night Watch" -- so far pretty good; "Revolutionary Road" -- just started so I am not sure.

I am hoping that next week goes by quickly.

I am creating a couple of easy peasy quilts.

I am praying for safe travel, new jobs, preemies, comfort and freedom from illness.

Around the house I am looking at a pile of magazines that need to be passed on to others!

A few plans for the rest of the week include ironing, party planning (happy birthday, AW), quilting and reading.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you: