Author: Rene

Growing up we lived one block away from brother and sister, Sam and Patty. (Last name omitted to protect the innocent.) We didn’t play often with them because they lived so far from us. However, during Lent, we mercifully made fun of them.

My mother famously made salmon patties on some Fridays and I loved them. Thus, we were having “Sam and Patty” for dinner. Just thinking about those “delicacies” has me considering buying a can of salmon and replicating that meal, because obviously, canned salmon is what the recipe calls for.

Fun memory.

What do you think of this for the front door?

A little much, but I bet I have about half of those eggs! For the past five years? six? seven? – we have been hiding eggs at the neighbor’s house for the “kids” to find. Maybe it’s been longer because the kids are now graduating and in high school. I just couldn’t quite get the Easter Bunny out of my head when I didn’t have anyone to hide eggs for anymore, so, I engaged my adult children, as well as Parsha’s son, Patt, to help me sneak them next door under cover of darkness.

This year they are all being returned to me and this looks like a monumental creativity outlet. However, it would require me painting the door. Hmmm. I do have a few free hours this afternoon?

You know how you happen to speak a word or two and then receive oodles of suggestions for how to fix, purchase, or remedy your complaint?

My phone ended up needing a new charging cord…which in reality was the old one from my husband’s previous phone. There was excitement in the possible acquisition of a new piece of technology as I considered vibrant colors for my phone. (I clearly have standards for my devices.) It’s been over five years and the words “planned obsolescence” were thrown about. Even Pinterest was listening to my tales of lost battery power and provided my IPad with these gems.

These are two of my favorite memes consoling me as I continue to get the most out of my phone with the cracked screen corner, the short cord which now requires an extension cord to be used, and my weathered case designed to prevent cracked screens. Oh woe is me! I soldier on with my first world problems.

You know, when you don’t have phone use for a few days, you really are free.

It’s been years for me – five or six. My phone is slowly biting the dust. Being away from home and phone-less is interesting. I realize how much I rely on it, and yet, nobody really needs me for anything important. I have been living with a 2% charge, slowly creeping up to 30%. The only thing I need it for is my airline ticket, although we can dance around that, too.

My tiny satchel is a lot lighter without the technology. There is a freedom in traveling with only an ID and credit card. Oh – and sunglasses. I can’t live without them, but a phone is apparently not required!

Off to the beach.😎

One form of water for another! The snow for the ocean…a good swap.

Even though I eschew spring break travel, it was quite light at the airport and my plane wasn’t totally full. The storm and cancelations obviously impacted people’s plans. With the help of my spouse, who ably ran the plow five times during the storm to assist in our being able to flee the confines of the home, and who managed to not break the winch in the process, (which I did the last two times I had to plow) I made it just fine to my destination.

Now begins an early tribute to St. Patrick, who I am sure rolls his eyes every year at this fun and frivolity. With nary a hint of Irish in me, I do love the green and the wearin’ o it. We are decked out and ready to roll for the weekend’s festivities. Parade morning!

Today we shall more likely be singing the “Song of the Volga Boatmen” refrain than a quodlibet.

At least we have a word-of-the-day to cheer us on in this winter wonderland of manual labor. And the snow is not blowing and drifting! Thank you, Lord. And we did not get stuck on I-70 in the mountains! Thank you, Lord. And we have coffee. The blessings just keep piling up with the frozen moisture.

It’s “a lighthearted medley of well-known tunes.” Maybe I’ll compose a quodlibet in my free time today?

It’s our standard line with an imminent snow forecast, whether we’re in a drought situation or not. I’m personally hoping it does not accumulate, but melts with the fairly warm earth that has produced my budding trees and tulips six inches arisen.

For today, I have pretty toes manicured and ready for the beach. (If the flight isn’t canceled.) I have a bag packed. I shall sit and await the onslaught that is predicted for tomorrow as I reschedule my dental cleaning for yet the fourth time! (Per the dentist’s office request. I’d go in a foot of snow or less.)

Well, it had better snow. We need the moisture.

We have a gas stove which we are committed to keeping, even through we are on the endangered list of appliances. I figure we’ll be grandfathered in when we sell the home, just as we shall be with our wood-burning fireplace. Rebels, we are.

Last night’s dinner provided much “clicking” as the gas jets on the stove apparently had a little difficulty fully providing fuel to the burners. Thus, we had a fun activity for the evening – dismantling the stove top burners and cleaning them. It provided an opportunity for us to read the manual which I had just placed in the appropriate drawer that morning as I reassembled the kitchen cupboards.

Yes, my spouse and I know how to liven things up around here. Whatever shall we “fix” today? I’d steam clean the draperies I hand-washed in this cleaning binge, but my neighbor is out of town, thus saving me the task of borrowing her steamer and getting myself all hot and sweaty.

Guess I’ll head to the gym instead.

In replacing the stemware in my cupboards, I gave it the Marie Kondo once-over. “Does this bring me joy?” Fortunately, or unfortunately, the answer was most often, “yes.”

We don’t use most of it, but I actually love stemware, well, glass to be specific. I have purchased little unused brandy snifters because I liked their shape. I don’t “snift.” I have little green and gold cordials which are unutilized, but extremely beautiful. The defunct Pier 1 Imports had the most gorgeous set of martini glasses, and I made a detour on my drive through the Midwest to purchase them at a serious after-Christmas discount. We didn’t drink martinis at the time, but have since employed them. I have sentimental items, too, which make me smile when I see them as I open the door looking for a non-matching wine glass purchased from travel adventures.

When we married, we had a beautiful 12-piece set of glassware and place settings. We broke the wine glasses, water glasses, short cocktail glasses, and most place settings. All that remains are seven champagne glasses, indicating seriously underused opportunities.

Marie may not agree with my down-sizing mentality, but I can look through my transparent doors and still smile at the memories and beauty of glassware. It does bring me moments of joy.

Well, I didn’t expect to retire for the evening with glee, yet I did!

My clock has never changed, so I don’t have to set it ahead, and I went to bed laughing at the fact that I endured six months of the incorrect time, only to find I am “on time” at this point! Oh, the simple and silly joys of stupidity.

My new problem will be remembering not to subtract an hour when I seek the time. It’s good to have goals.