Author: Rene

“Everybody Loves Raymond.” I never watched the show when it first aired, but in reruns – it’s a hoot!

It’s taken me many, many episodes, but I finally noticed an item of decor in the wacky styling of the Barrone home. Right there in the wallpapered kitchen with a 1950’s aluminum dining table and chairs, Marie and Frank have a three-foot wood spoon and fork set. I happen to have those same oversized utensils.

If you watch “Little Miss Sunshine,” the dishes used by the wacky family in that film are the same as a set I have. I’m not sure what to think about this reflection of my personal taste.

Apparently I have a sitcom-esque style? Surprise!

Laundry is certainly easier than it used to be! I remember my grandmother putting the washed items through the wringer before we’d haul the basket out and hang them on the line. And then we could run through the sheets as they dried! Good times.

Of course, the kicker was ironing whatever dried – like sheets. Yuck. I never could understand why that was important. Yes, they felt good, but they just got wrinkled after you slept in them?

This only comes to mind as I’m ironing a linen tablecloth, also a pain. I only finished half of it yesterday, saving the rest of the joy for today. At least there are birds chirping and flying around the window in front of my board. I can taste a bit of spring and smell that sun-drenched laundry on the line.

Oh, never mind. I’ll finish ironing tomorrow.

The silver is polished and put away,
China restored to its place.
Glassware is gleaming once again,
Back in its cupboard space.

Tablecloths ironed, napkins stored,
Recipes back where they’re kept.
The oven is clean, stove pristine,
The floors are cleanly swept.

All is in order after a beautiful day,
With friends and family,
Though it feels kind of nice, I have to admit,
It’s much too quiet for me!

Bring back the laughter, the jokes and the fun,
Bring back a child’s delight.
Let the joy of Easter continue
Ever within my sight. 

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

e. e. cummings

Nothing is going to scream, “Resurrection” like the temperature swing from 15 this morning to 70 degrees this weekend. I love how Mother Nature reflects the beauty of God and mirrors His majesty.

My tulips, which were about five inches above ground, will be rejoicing this weekend. Perhaps my cherry trees will begin to bud as they are later than normal this year. The little hyacinth might show her colors with the warmth to come. And if we’re fortunate, the fox and her kits could make a visit to our neighborhood again, strolling around their former stomping grounds.

Preparing heart, mind and soul for the Holy Days to come and rejoicing in the warmth that shall cloak us. Enjoy your holi-days.

Yesterday I played a game which I’ve played before. It’s called, “Leave the grocery list on the counter.”

For once I actually had a decent list going, semi-organized and worth the effort. Arriving in the parking lot I fished around for it to no avail. Taking a cart I proceeded to visit every aisle, hoping to jog my memory. When I returned home and checked I found that I had I only forgotten two things. However, I had some fun conversations with people which made the extra miles of aisles worth the ambling.

Now I get to play a new game, “Hide and Seek,” as I’ve lost the list and can’t remember what the two missing items were. We’re keeping the entertainment alive!

That’s what it feels like driving on the road to and from my abode. We are constantly dodging potholes, even the ones which have recently been “repaired.” That was a futile use of taxpayer funding.

I still advocate for cake decorators to take over this job. They could at least smooth the asphalt so as not to create a new divot in the road or obstacle to overcome. Perhaps this summer will bring us some repaving, a more long-term solution.

Just throwing in my two cents on a Monday.

This day was never my favorite because many “practical” jokes could be considered cruel or unusual punishment for the unwary person. Me.

However, this day – probably centered around a change in the calendar or the fickleness of Mother Nature – is really meant for Dads. We always concocted something silly for our father when he returned from work. The best one was devised by my mother.

We had a yippy Chihuahua mix who broke her leg once. Thus, we rewrapped her leg with a splint and tape and pronounced her leg broken yet again. The poor canine bore the burden of the unprofessional job we did, but my dad was truly convinced and ready to take her to a vet.

It was tough to pull one over on Dad as he was the king of amusement and fun. I learned to truly appreciate a good ruse from him and my mother. In their honor, I will honorably fall victim to a good joke and continue to perpetuate humor throughout life.

Amen. And yes – in response to the appliances doing work for us, I may try to see if the iron takes out my wrinkles. April Fools!

If you’re having a bad day, find a Keurig and make yourself a cup of coffee. The little message you’ll receive on the display says “Your brew is finished. Enjoy.” Just a gentle reminder?

Perhaps the washing machine could say, “Make a clean start.” The oven, “You’re looking hot, Baby.” The dishwasher, “Let me get in the hot water.” The bread machine, “I knead you.” You get the drift. Encouraging words from the rest of the appliances could be reminders for us to do the same.

Hm. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10). After listening to the news it appears our appliances could be doing a better job of this than we are!

Let’s try to take the Keurig’s message out to the world today and help others enjoy. (A Thursday thought coming from a writer in need of a second cup of Joe.)

Dinner chatter revolved around games we played as children, sans the toys available today. Cardboard boxes – a treasure trove! Scraps of fabric – endless wardrobes for dolls.

Around the age of ten my sister and I concocted a little fun called, “The Ring Game.” We had one plastic ring from the dentist’s trinket box, and of course, it was magical. We hid it in the garage of our rental house which also was home to a wasp’s nest. There was the danger! And in true Disney fashion we were all orphans. Oh, yes. We had the entire neighborhood in on this one.

This game went on for hours, only to be resumed the next day or another day. We had seriously over-active imaginations keeping us outside until the call for dinner. I don’t recall the goal of the game? I don’t recall if anyone ever “won” anything? We just played it over and over.

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Einstein

Let’s go imagine more!