Yesterday was a slow day at the mall Customer Service desk, so I was actually able to pay attention to the piped-in music. For the most part the mall plays a nice selection of rock and pop songs from the last few decades that everyone would know, with an occasional jazz track mixed in. Occasionally, though, the mix surprises me...as with this number that was tucked in between Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart tracks.
(After I heard it I had the song stuck in my head for the rest of the day.)
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
A Cat In The Sun
A cold front came through our area Sunday night shortly before bedtime. We've opened up the windows so we could enjoy temperatures that feel more like late September than late July.
The people who live in the house aren't the only one who like the beautiful weather. When I came upstairs to get dressed for work this morning, I found Jackson the cat taking his morning nap in a patch of sunlight in the bedroom.
Five years ago today: Tonality
The people who live in the house aren't the only one who like the beautiful weather. When I came upstairs to get dressed for work this morning, I found Jackson the cat taking his morning nap in a patch of sunlight in the bedroom.
Five years ago today: Tonality
Monday, July 28, 2014
For Christine
Yesterday I wrote about a simple neck and shoulder stretch my chiropractor showed me how to do. Christine asked for a visual. I tried taking a selfie of me doing the stretch, but I didn't have any luck.
Instead, you'll have to use your imagination. Imagine this stick figure is laying on its back. The red rectangle at the top of its neck is the top of the rolled-up towel. The white rectangle is the towel that continues down the figure's spine. (In this graphic it's a little off center.) Ideally the figure's legs would be closed, but it's feeling so good from the stretch it's doing a little floor dance wiggle.
Hope this helps.
Five years ago today: Hooray!
Instead, you'll have to use your imagination. Imagine this stick figure is laying on its back. The red rectangle at the top of its neck is the top of the rolled-up towel. The white rectangle is the towel that continues down the figure's spine. (In this graphic it's a little off center.) Ideally the figure's legs would be closed, but it's feeling so good from the stretch it's doing a little floor dance wiggle.
Hope this helps.
Five years ago today: Hooray!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Ten Minutes
Earlier this week I had a chiropractor appointment, and I told the doctor I was having some annoying neck pains. He said it was probably from sitting in front of a computer too long, and gave me a simple stretch for my neck and shoulders.
He showed me how to roll up a large bath towel until it was about the diameter of a pool noodle, then lay the towel on the floor (for demonstration purposes he substituted the examination table) and position myself on top of it face up. The towel was lengthwise along my spine starting from the base of my neck about where the collar of a shirt would be. My neck was slightly stretched back with my head resting on the table above the towel, and when I arranged my arms above my head in a "football goal" position my shoulders fell open.
Although I only did the stretch for a few seconds in the office it felt really good. I asked if I could have a prescription to lay on top of the towel in the family room floor all night; the chiropractor laughed and assured me that ten minutes would be sufficient to release the tension in my neck and shoulders and help reshape my spine back into its natural position.
Tonight after dinner I cut the grass and came inside hot and sweaty. I turned the ceiling fan in the family room as high as it would go, then laid down on the rolled up towel right underneath it. Coincidentally, ten minutes was enough to cool down and stretch out my back!
He showed me how to roll up a large bath towel until it was about the diameter of a pool noodle, then lay the towel on the floor (for demonstration purposes he substituted the examination table) and position myself on top of it face up. The towel was lengthwise along my spine starting from the base of my neck about where the collar of a shirt would be. My neck was slightly stretched back with my head resting on the table above the towel, and when I arranged my arms above my head in a "football goal" position my shoulders fell open.
Although I only did the stretch for a few seconds in the office it felt really good. I asked if I could have a prescription to lay on top of the towel in the family room floor all night; the chiropractor laughed and assured me that ten minutes would be sufficient to release the tension in my neck and shoulders and help reshape my spine back into its natural position.
Tonight after dinner I cut the grass and came inside hot and sweaty. I turned the ceiling fan in the family room as high as it would go, then laid down on the rolled up towel right underneath it. Coincidentally, ten minutes was enough to cool down and stretch out my back!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
A Wonderful Day For An Adventure
Today my standing Friday morning meeting was cancelled, so I had a rare day with nothing on the calendar. The forecast was for a high in the mid-80s (very nice for this time of year), so Hubby Tony scheduled a vacation day and we decided to go on an outside adventure. After breakfast he loaded the bikes in the car and we set off. Our destination was the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower, across the river in Illinois, about an hour's drive from the house.
The tall tower, which is close to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, was easy to see from a distance. As we pulled into the parking lot the most noticeable feature was the three observation landings. However,the tower would have to wait; it wasn't open yet, so we pulled out our bikes and got ready to ride. We found the MCT Confluence Trail just behind the tower and turned to the south. The trail wound around the perimeter of the tower grounds, then made a turn and ran next to the river levee. When we reached the Mississippi just south of the confluence the trail veered to the left and moved on top of the levee, providing an unobstructed view of the river.
We rode about seven miles south, then turned around. For the most part the sun stayed behind the clouds, which made for a cool and comfortable ride. About a half mile before we got back to the tower we went right and made a stop at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, which commemorates the Illinois starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The site had a very nice interpretative center, but we didn't spend much time there. We were getting hungry, and our food was all back in the car.
It was a quick ride back to the tower. While we ate we walked through the garden area and read the informational signs, then headed toward the visitor center to get our tickets. We only had to wait a few minutes for a tour guide, who led us up the elevator. There are landings at 50, 100, and 150 feet. At the highest point we could see downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch, which is 19 miles south. As we walked from one side of the landing to the other, Tony felt a drop of rain hit his arm. By time we got back to the car there was a steady drizzle coming down.
It was time to end our adventure and head home.
 |
| Confluence tower |
We rode about seven miles south, then turned around. For the most part the sun stayed behind the clouds, which made for a cool and comfortable ride. About a half mile before we got back to the tower we went right and made a stop at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, which commemorates the Illinois starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The site had a very nice interpretative center, but we didn't spend much time there. We were getting hungry, and our food was all back in the car.
It was a quick ride back to the tower. While we ate we walked through the garden area and read the informational signs, then headed toward the visitor center to get our tickets. We only had to wait a few minutes for a tour guide, who led us up the elevator. There are landings at 50, 100, and 150 feet. At the highest point we could see downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch, which is 19 miles south. As we walked from one side of the landing to the other, Tony felt a drop of rain hit his arm. By time we got back to the car there was a steady drizzle coming down.
It was time to end our adventure and head home.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Absentee
I realized the other day I'd be out of commission on August 5th, which is when the state's primary election will be held. At first I was upset that I'd miss it, but then I realized I could vote by absentee ballot
The last time I voted absentee I'd planned far enough in advance to have the ballot mailed to me. This time, since I was short on time, I'd have to cast a ballot in person at the Board of Election Commissioners. After work today instead of going straight home I drove the opposite direction to the Board's office, which is located in a large office park. Signs directed me to the correct building, and an even larger sign pointed the way towards the door.
I walked in and stood in a short line of people waiting to do the same thing. When I got up to the desk I had to show my driver's license and fill out a form with my contact information, the reason I couldn't get to the polls on Election Day, and my party preference. (In Missouri primary elections you have to state a party; the choices were Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution, or Non-Partisan.) The clerk pulled up my specific precinct information and wrote it on the form, then handed the form back to me and directed me through a gate where I waited for the next available voting machine.
The polling clerk entered my information into the machine so I could get the correct ballot, then left me to make my selections. After I voted I followed the Exit signs and found myself back outside. The whole process took about 15 minutes. I walked back to my car feeling good about doing my civic duty.
Five years ago today: Sound Off
The last time I voted absentee I'd planned far enough in advance to have the ballot mailed to me. This time, since I was short on time, I'd have to cast a ballot in person at the Board of Election Commissioners. After work today instead of going straight home I drove the opposite direction to the Board's office, which is located in a large office park. Signs directed me to the correct building, and an even larger sign pointed the way towards the door.
I walked in and stood in a short line of people waiting to do the same thing. When I got up to the desk I had to show my driver's license and fill out a form with my contact information, the reason I couldn't get to the polls on Election Day, and my party preference. (In Missouri primary elections you have to state a party; the choices were Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution, or Non-Partisan.) The clerk pulled up my specific precinct information and wrote it on the form, then handed the form back to me and directed me through a gate where I waited for the next available voting machine.
The polling clerk entered my information into the machine so I could get the correct ballot, then left me to make my selections. After I voted I followed the Exit signs and found myself back outside. The whole process took about 15 minutes. I walked back to my car feeling good about doing my civic duty.
Five years ago today: Sound Off
Monday, July 21, 2014
Never A Dull Day At The Mall
For the first three hours of my shift at the mall Customer Service desk today I could easily have been replaced by a large directory and automated directions to the nearest restroom. Just when I thought the day would be completely boring and mundane, the last part of my shift was filled with a series of unexpected events:
- First a woman came up to the desk with her school-age son to report the boy's shoe had gotten stuck in an escalator and one of his big toes was bleeding. I called Security, which came to clean and bandage the toe and take a report from the boy's mother.
- Not long after Security finished with the first issue, a man came and told me about another problem. He was with his family in a nearby seating area when a group of girls on the second level began throwing french fries through the railing at them. Two of the fries hit him on the shoulder. Once again I called Security, this time to send an officer to where the girls were misbehaving.
- Fifteen minutes later the management office called to tell me one of the store managers was in a tizzy over a maintenance issue. If she called or stopped by the desk I was to direct her to the office and let them handle it. (Thankfully, I she didn't.)
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Compost Critter Control
We have a recycled plastic compost bin next to the deck in the back yard. It's about three feet tall with a snug fitting, sturdy lid. The domed lid has a hinged door on both sides, but if you're not careful raising the door panel the plastic hinges come unseated. I think it's easier to lift the whole lid off when I'm adding scraps. A couple of times in the past few weeks when I've gone out after breakfast to throw coffee grounds in the bin I noticed the lid laying on the grass. The first time I attributed it to Son Donald forgetting to put the lid back on. The second time we'd had a strong storm the night before; I figured the lid had been crooked and the wind blew it off.
Yesterday Hubby Tony organized an event that provided catered bag lunches. He ordered a few extra in case people signed up at the last minute (no one did), so when it was over he brought home two bags that contained chicken salad sandwich meals. We decided to eat them for dinner, but hours later the buns were soggy and unappealing. We transferred the chicken salad to a bed of fresh spinach. After dinner I tossed the soggy buns into the compost bin.
This morning the bin lid was once again laying on the grass. When I looked inside the buns were gone. Something had visited our back yard and helped themselves to a snack! Whatever the critter was, it had to be big enough to reach up and knock the lid off, then strong enough to climb inside and get back out. I'm guessing it was a raccoon or an opossum.
I didn't put anything other than coffee grounds in the bin today, so I can't imagine a critter would find anything appealing. Just in case they were tempted to check it out again tonight, though, I added a large layer of shredded paper on top of everything else. Think they'll get the message they're not welcome?
Yesterday Hubby Tony organized an event that provided catered bag lunches. He ordered a few extra in case people signed up at the last minute (no one did), so when it was over he brought home two bags that contained chicken salad sandwich meals. We decided to eat them for dinner, but hours later the buns were soggy and unappealing. We transferred the chicken salad to a bed of fresh spinach. After dinner I tossed the soggy buns into the compost bin.
This morning the bin lid was once again laying on the grass. When I looked inside the buns were gone. Something had visited our back yard and helped themselves to a snack! Whatever the critter was, it had to be big enough to reach up and knock the lid off, then strong enough to climb inside and get back out. I'm guessing it was a raccoon or an opossum.
I didn't put anything other than coffee grounds in the bin today, so I can't imagine a critter would find anything appealing. Just in case they were tempted to check it out again tonight, though, I added a large layer of shredded paper on top of everything else. Think they'll get the message they're not welcome?
Saturday, July 19, 2014
A Tale Of Two Pairs Of Glasses
I've been nearsighted since I was in elementary school. I started out wearing glasses, switched over to contact lenses in my teens, and back to glasses about fifteen years ago. Several years ago when it started getting hard to read small print I got progressive lenses which took care of both my far vision and near vision issues.
Recently I've been noticing my vision wasn't as crisp as it used to be, so I made an appointment to visit the optometrist. I wasn't surprised when he told me both lens portions needed to be changed. I've had my glasses for a couple of years, so I decided to treat myself to new frames, too. On Tuesday they called to tell me the glasses were in. I stopped by the office Wednesday to pick them up.
I think the new frames look quite different. When I went to work on Thursday I thought someone would notice and comment. Much to my surprise no one did. Nor did anyone on Friday or today. What do you think?
The new pair:
The old pair:
Five years ago today: The Same But Different
Recently I've been noticing my vision wasn't as crisp as it used to be, so I made an appointment to visit the optometrist. I wasn't surprised when he told me both lens portions needed to be changed. I've had my glasses for a couple of years, so I decided to treat myself to new frames, too. On Tuesday they called to tell me the glasses were in. I stopped by the office Wednesday to pick them up.
I think the new frames look quite different. When I went to work on Thursday I thought someone would notice and comment. Much to my surprise no one did. Nor did anyone on Friday or today. What do you think?
The new pair:
The old pair:
Five years ago today: The Same But Different
Friday, July 18, 2014
Shhhh....
One night several weeks ago Hubby Tony and I were in the family room, where he was watching a Cardinals game on TV and I was giving the game half of my attention and surfing the Web. At one point I came across an article about secret shopping. I have no idea why (maybe because I like the challenge of trying new things?), but I followed the links in the article and eventually signed up to be a shopper.
I recently completed my first assignment, evaluating a store a couple of miles from my house. The secret shopping company gave me a scenario to follow. I had to go into a specific department of the store and ask an associate to recommend a product based on information I provided. Next I had to ask if the store carried a particular brand (which I knew in advance they didn't) and see what they said. Before I left, they asked me to make a purchase and evaluate the checkout procedure. When I was done I came home and filled out a report about my experience.
Somewhere down the line I'll get paid a small amount and be reimbursed for my purchase. I certainly wouldn't get rich doing secret shopping, but it was a lot of fun.
Five years ago today: In A Pickle
I recently completed my first assignment, evaluating a store a couple of miles from my house. The secret shopping company gave me a scenario to follow. I had to go into a specific department of the store and ask an associate to recommend a product based on information I provided. Next I had to ask if the store carried a particular brand (which I knew in advance they didn't) and see what they said. Before I left, they asked me to make a purchase and evaluate the checkout procedure. When I was done I came home and filled out a report about my experience.
Somewhere down the line I'll get paid a small amount and be reimbursed for my purchase. I certainly wouldn't get rich doing secret shopping, but it was a lot of fun.
Five years ago today: In A Pickle
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Blond MEN Jokes
From a friend:
A friend told the blond man: "Christmas is on a Friday this year."
The blond man then said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th."
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Two blond men find three grenades, and they decide to take them to a police station.
One asked: "What if one explodes before we get there?"
The other says: "We'll lie and say we only found two."
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A woman phoned her blonde neighbor man and said: "Close your curtains the next time you and your wife are having sex. The whole street was watching and laughing at you yesterday."
To which the blonde man replied: "Well the joke's on all of you because I wasn't even at home yesterday."
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A blonde man is in the bathroom and his wife shouts: "Did you find the shampoo?"
He answers, "Yes, but I'm not sure what to do... it's for dry hair, and I've just wet mine."
------------------------------
A blonde man goes to the vet with his goldfish.
"I think it's got epilepsy," he tells the vet.
The vet takes a look and says, "It seems calm enough to me."
The blonde man says, "Wait, I haven't taken it out of the bowl yet."
------------------------------------
A blond man spies a letter lying on his doormat.
It says on the envelope "DO NOT BEND ".
He spends the next 2 hours trying to figure out how to pick it up.
------------------------------------
A blond man shouts frantically into the phone
"My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?" asks the Doctor.
"No!" he shouts, "this is her husband!"
------------------------------------
A blonde man was driving home, drunk as a skunk. Suddenly he has to swerve to avoid a tree, then another, then another.
A cop car pulls him over, so he tells the cop about all the trees in the road.
The cop says, "That's your air freshener swinging about!"
------------------------------------
An Italian tourist asks a blonde man: "Why do Scuba divers always fall backwards off their boats?" To which the blonde man replies: "If they fell forward, they'd still be in the boat."
A friend told the blond man: "Christmas is on a Friday this year."
The blond man then said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th."
------------------------------------
Two blond men find three grenades, and they decide to take them to a police station.
One asked: "What if one explodes before we get there?"
The other says: "We'll lie and say we only found two."
------------------------------------
A woman phoned her blonde neighbor man and said: "Close your curtains the next time you and your wife are having sex. The whole street was watching and laughing at you yesterday."
To which the blonde man replied: "Well the joke's on all of you because I wasn't even at home yesterday."
------------------------------------
A blonde man is in the bathroom and his wife shouts: "Did you find the shampoo?"
He answers, "Yes, but I'm not sure what to do... it's for dry hair, and I've just wet mine."
------------------------------
A blonde man goes to the vet with his goldfish.
"I think it's got epilepsy," he tells the vet.
The vet takes a look and says, "It seems calm enough to me."
The blonde man says, "Wait, I haven't taken it out of the bowl yet."
------------------------------------
A blond man spies a letter lying on his doormat.
It says on the envelope "DO NOT BEND ".
He spends the next 2 hours trying to figure out how to pick it up.
------------------------------------
A blond man shouts frantically into the phone
"My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?" asks the Doctor.
"No!" he shouts, "this is her husband!"
------------------------------------
A blonde man was driving home, drunk as a skunk. Suddenly he has to swerve to avoid a tree, then another, then another.
A cop car pulls him over, so he tells the cop about all the trees in the road.
The cop says, "That's your air freshener swinging about!"
------------------------------------
An Italian tourist asks a blonde man: "Why do Scuba divers always fall backwards off their boats?" To which the blonde man replies: "If they fell forward, they'd still be in the boat."
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Missing Mall Walker
During the three years I've worked at the mall Customer Service desk I've become friendly with many of the regular mall walkers. The majority of them are older, retired folks that don't have job commitments, so they're able to come to the mall every day for their exercise. Most of them just smile, but a few say hello as they breeze by me at the desk. A couple even stop and talk on a regular basis.
For more than a year I conversed almost every day (and sometimes more than once) with a 70-something retired professional man. I learned quite a bit about his childhood, schooling, and work life, but what he really liked to talk about was current events. Some of his opinions were on the verge of being offensive, but I have thick skin and let them roll off my back. For the most part, he'd repeat the same ideas every day. However every once in a while I'd hear a fascinating story from years gone by that made up for the monotony. He only talked with me and the Boss; none of the other people who work at the desk were 'lucky' enough to command his attention.
Sometime in early February of this year the man disappeared, and after a while the Boss and I began to be concerned. However, one day last month he reappeared. I was happy to see him, and gave him a hearty hello. He looked at me like he'd never seen me before, then sat down in the chairs closest to the desk. It looked like he was thinking things over. Eventually he came over to me and asked me my name. We'd only chatted for a few minutes before he turned abruptly and left.
Since that day he doesn't speak with me. If I'm at the desk by myself, the man enquires when Boss will be here as he passes by. At first I was upset by the snub, but after a while I decided it wasn't such a bad thing. I don't have to have the same conversation day after day, and I don't have to bite my tongue when I hear an outlandish opinion.
Five years ago today: Pretty In Pink
For more than a year I conversed almost every day (and sometimes more than once) with a 70-something retired professional man. I learned quite a bit about his childhood, schooling, and work life, but what he really liked to talk about was current events. Some of his opinions were on the verge of being offensive, but I have thick skin and let them roll off my back. For the most part, he'd repeat the same ideas every day. However every once in a while I'd hear a fascinating story from years gone by that made up for the monotony. He only talked with me and the Boss; none of the other people who work at the desk were 'lucky' enough to command his attention.
Sometime in early February of this year the man disappeared, and after a while the Boss and I began to be concerned. However, one day last month he reappeared. I was happy to see him, and gave him a hearty hello. He looked at me like he'd never seen me before, then sat down in the chairs closest to the desk. It looked like he was thinking things over. Eventually he came over to me and asked me my name. We'd only chatted for a few minutes before he turned abruptly and left.
Since that day he doesn't speak with me. If I'm at the desk by myself, the man enquires when Boss will be here as he passes by. At first I was upset by the snub, but after a while I decided it wasn't such a bad thing. I don't have to have the same conversation day after day, and I don't have to bite my tongue when I hear an outlandish opinion.
Five years ago today: Pretty In Pink
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Working From (Someone Else's) Home
I got a text from Son Brian (who lives in Columbia Missouri) last Tuesday which said they'd had quite a wind storm overnight. There were fallen tree limbs all over the neighborhood, and a house down the street even had a tree fall on the roof. Both his electricity and the Internet were out, which was a problem because he works from home.
When I checked with him later in the week there was still no electricity or Internet, and he'd heard it could be several more days. In the meantime he and Wife Nicole were sleeping in the basement where it was cooler and he was using a combination of store and coffee shop hot spots, the library, and a friend's house to get his work done. Their power came back on Thursday afternoon, but there was still no Internet. Brian said that Nicole had a business trip, flying out of St. Louis Sunday and returning Tuesday. If he drove in with her could he stay at our house?
Of course the answer was YES! Sunday morning Brian showed up with their dog Yves, and her traveling things. She's been at our house enough that the cats coexist with her, but they still gave her a less than enthusiastic greeting before they went upstairs to nap. Brian also brought a ham for dinner-one of the few things they were able to salvage from their freezer.
It's been great having Brian around. Everyone's gotten to spend quality time with him. My time has been in the morning-yesterday before I went to work and today when I skipped my usual trip to the gym. The 'polar vortex' cold front came through yesterday and this morning it was cool and comfortable. Brian took a break from work so he and I could take a walk.
It's amazing how fast the time flew. When I left for work today I knew Brian would be gone when I got home. The cats will be happy to have the whole house to themselves again. The rest of us-not so happy.
Five years ago today: Use It Or Lose It...
When I checked with him later in the week there was still no electricity or Internet, and he'd heard it could be several more days. In the meantime he and Wife Nicole were sleeping in the basement where it was cooler and he was using a combination of store and coffee shop hot spots, the library, and a friend's house to get his work done. Their power came back on Thursday afternoon, but there was still no Internet. Brian said that Nicole had a business trip, flying out of St. Louis Sunday and returning Tuesday. If he drove in with her could he stay at our house?
Of course the answer was YES! Sunday morning Brian showed up with their dog Yves, and her traveling things. She's been at our house enough that the cats coexist with her, but they still gave her a less than enthusiastic greeting before they went upstairs to nap. Brian also brought a ham for dinner-one of the few things they were able to salvage from their freezer.
It's been great having Brian around. Everyone's gotten to spend quality time with him. My time has been in the morning-yesterday before I went to work and today when I skipped my usual trip to the gym. The 'polar vortex' cold front came through yesterday and this morning it was cool and comfortable. Brian took a break from work so he and I could take a walk.
It's amazing how fast the time flew. When I left for work today I knew Brian would be gone when I got home. The cats will be happy to have the whole house to themselves again. The rest of us-not so happy.
Five years ago today: Use It Or Lose It...
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Stop The Itching?
I gathered my equipment--a ceramic coffee cup and a metal spoon. I filled the cup with water and heated it in the microwave, then submerged the spoon in it for 30 seconds. Next I applied the spoon to the bite on my arm (and quickly discovered the spoon was HOT). After 20 seconds I removed the spoon. My arm no longer itched, but after the discomfort of the hot spoon wore off, the itching quickly returned.
I didn't try a second time. Instead, I covered the bite with calamine lotion. The itch went away.
Five years ago today: Facebook Friends
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Praying For Soccer?
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| Source |
Five years ago today: Baseball Is Everywhere
Friday, July 11, 2014
What's For Dinner
This afternoon Son Donald announced he was going to an ethnic grocery store and asked if I wanted anything. After a little thought I remembered I needed dried garbanzo beans, which are much cheaper there. Donald said he'd also replenish some of the things he'd used up from the pantry and refrigerator (like sesame oil) that I didn't even realize were gone.
As he was putting the finishing touches on his list I presented him with a challenge. I told him I'd like something easy-to-fix for tonight's dinner. His budget was five dollars. I didn't care what type of cuisine, and it could come from anywhere in the store.
This is what he brought me:
The beans were for later. I read the samosa instructions, which involved deep frying, and decided to save those for another day. That left the sausage, which I was unfamiliar with. I turned to
Wikipedia, which told me that...
The dinner ended up as more work than what I'd originally what I had in mind, but it was WAY better than what I had in mind. It was basically a stir-fry with onions, garlic, and cabbage and the sausage mixed with a light sauce of broth, cider vinegar, and soy sauce. I made a batch of rice to serve with it, and at the last minute added today's tomato harvest on the side.
Five years ago today: Kids Today
As he was putting the finishing touches on his list I presented him with a challenge. I told him I'd like something easy-to-fix for tonight's dinner. His budget was five dollars. I didn't care what type of cuisine, and it could come from anywhere in the store.
This is what he brought me:
 |
| Beans, sausage, and samosas |
Wikipedia, which told me that...
"Longaniza is a Spanish sausage similar to a chorizo and also closely associated with the Portuguese linguiça, which is popular in the cuisines of several regions of Spain, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and the Philippines."Now that I knew what I was working with it was time to figure out what to do. Donald suggested I incorporate the head of cabbage in the refrigerator, so I did a Google search and came up with a recipe called Filipino Sausage and Bok Choy which was close enough for me.
The dinner ended up as more work than what I'd originally what I had in mind, but it was WAY better than what I had in mind. It was basically a stir-fry with onions, garlic, and cabbage and the sausage mixed with a light sauce of broth, cider vinegar, and soy sauce. I made a batch of rice to serve with it, and at the last minute added today's tomato harvest on the side.
 |
| What's for dinner |
Five years ago today: Kids Today
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
A Plethora of Pockets Is A Problem
Last month when I was in a resale shop looking for warm-weather clothes I picked out a pair of khaki-colored shorts that I thought would be perfect for walking. I took them into the dressing room and tried them on. They fit well, so I decided to buy them. It wasn't until I was hanging them back on the hanger that I noticed the half zipper tucked under a flap on the hem and realized that the shorts had originally been a pair of travel pants with zip-off legs.
The lightweight nylon shorts have enough storage for an entire day's adventure. There are two deep front hand pockets, two front cargo pockets with flaps close to the hem (with a stash pocket behind each), two rear flap pockets, and a loop on the waistband to attach keys. Even though my outdoor adventures aren't long enough to need half that capacity, the material is perfect on hot, humid days.
This morning was a good example. I left the house after breakfast and walked a couple of miles through the neighborhood. All I had to carry was my cell phone, an MP3 player, and a lip balm. Three things for eight pockets. When I got home and took everything out I couldn't remember where I'd put the lip balm, and it was so small I had trouble finding it.
Five years ago today: Easy And Open Access To Information
The lightweight nylon shorts have enough storage for an entire day's adventure. There are two deep front hand pockets, two front cargo pockets with flaps close to the hem (with a stash pocket behind each), two rear flap pockets, and a loop on the waistband to attach keys. Even though my outdoor adventures aren't long enough to need half that capacity, the material is perfect on hot, humid days.
This morning was a good example. I left the house after breakfast and walked a couple of miles through the neighborhood. All I had to carry was my cell phone, an MP3 player, and a lip balm. Three things for eight pockets. When I got home and took everything out I couldn't remember where I'd put the lip balm, and it was so small I had trouble finding it.
Five years ago today: Easy And Open Access To Information
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Yellow Cuties
Last month I bought large tomato and pepper plants that had already set some fruit. Some of the plants didn't have identification tags, and the ones that did just said "tomato" or "pepper", with no indication of the type. That was alright with me-I've never met a tomato I didn't like, and I could tell from the tiny blocky peppers hanging from the stems they were a mild bell variety
I planted everything, then waited. As I expected, nothing happened above ground at first, because the plants were putting their energy into growing roots. However, about ten days later the plants started growing taller and the tiny tomatoes and peppers turned into larger ones. Last week I noticed the remains of a tomato that a critter had taken off the vine. It didn't look very red, but I guessed it had been ripe enough to appeal to a bird or squirrel.
Since the tomatoes were obviously ripe enough to be attractive to something I started checking the plants each day. I found a couple of red fruits buried under some leaves on a bush variety plant, but the easy-to-see ones weren't turning. Today I took a good look at the plant and realized the fruits weren't red--they were yellow!
The yellow tomatoes are about an inch and a half across, bigger than cherry tomatoes but smaller than full-sized fruit. They taste delicious.
Five years ago today: Thanks for asking!
I planted everything, then waited. As I expected, nothing happened above ground at first, because the plants were putting their energy into growing roots. However, about ten days later the plants started growing taller and the tiny tomatoes and peppers turned into larger ones. Last week I noticed the remains of a tomato that a critter had taken off the vine. It didn't look very red, but I guessed it had been ripe enough to appeal to a bird or squirrel.
Since the tomatoes were obviously ripe enough to be attractive to something I started checking the plants each day. I found a couple of red fruits buried under some leaves on a bush variety plant, but the easy-to-see ones weren't turning. Today I took a good look at the plant and realized the fruits weren't red--they were yellow!
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| Today's harvest |
Five years ago today: Thanks for asking!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Where's The........?
By far the most common question I get at the mall Customer Service desk is 'where is the bathroom'?
The request comes in many varieties, though. Sometimes the speaker uses that exact phrase, but sometimes they use an alternate word to designate the room they're looking for. Occasionally I have to really think about what the person is looking for (especially if they speak with a heavy accent or use an unfamiliar label for the room).
In my meanderings through the Internet the other day I came across a fun article called 101 Names for a Toilet. Scrolling through the list, I was amazed to find out I've been asked about twenty of them:
The request comes in many varieties, though. Sometimes the speaker uses that exact phrase, but sometimes they use an alternate word to designate the room they're looking for. Occasionally I have to really think about what the person is looking for (especially if they speak with a heavy accent or use an unfamiliar label for the room).
In my meanderings through the Internet the other day I came across a fun article called 101 Names for a Toilet. Scrolling through the list, I was amazed to find out I've been asked about twenty of them:
Can, Commode, Facilities, Head, John, Latrine, Lavatory, Little Boys Room, Little Girls Room, Loo, Potty, Powder Room, Restroom, Toilet, The Gents, The Ladies, Wash Room, Water ClosetFive years ago today: Talk Is Cheap
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
Yesterday Son Donald came home from his shift at a grocery and said the store was having a sale on fried chicken all weekend. I filed that information for future reference. Donald and Hubby Tony are in charge of Sunday dinner. Whoever comes up with the main dish idea plans the cooking strategy.
When I mentioned the sale to him, Tony decided it would be a great idea to take advantage of it, so last night he and I stopped by the store and picked up a bucket. After lunch today he and Donald figured out the side dishes, then they went to the store and bought the missing ingredients. Shortly before it was time for dinner they heated the chicken in the oven, then put it on the table along with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cole slaw. In the midst of all their preparations I learned from a friend's Facebook wall that July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day. Who knew?
We enjoyed our Fried Chicken Day meal, and we'll continue the celebration tomorrow night when we eat the leftovers.
When I mentioned the sale to him, Tony decided it would be a great idea to take advantage of it, so last night he and I stopped by the store and picked up a bucket. After lunch today he and Donald figured out the side dishes, then they went to the store and bought the missing ingredients. Shortly before it was time for dinner they heated the chicken in the oven, then put it on the table along with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cole slaw. In the midst of all their preparations I learned from a friend's Facebook wall that July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day. Who knew?
We enjoyed our Fried Chicken Day meal, and we'll continue the celebration tomorrow night when we eat the leftovers.
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| Source |
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Welcome To My Garden
When I pulled into the driveway today I noticed that the planting beds by the front door were really colorful. They inspired me to grab my camera to document all the flowering plants in the yard. Here are a few of the highlights:
Five years ago today: The Intersection of Art and Nature
I purchased a six-pack of alyssum plants from the garden center six or seven years ago. Since that time they've self-seeded and come back every year.
Balloon flower blooms only last for one day, but there are a lot of them and the display goes on for weeks.
This may be a plain orange "ditch lily", but when you look at the flowers up close there's nothing plain about them.
The phlox has just started to bloom...it's stunning this year!
Five years ago today: The Intersection of Art and Nature
Friday, July 4, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Do, Do, Dew
This morning I answered a question at the mall customer service desk from a woman who was holding a can of soda that had a label written in Chinese characters. Seeing her can took me on a trip down memory lane.
In 1995 Hubby Tony and I went to China on a group tour. We spent ten days seeing the sights starting in Beijing and ending in Shanghai with a couple other stops in between. As you might imagine, I bought lots of mementos for us and lots of souvenirs for other people. I didn't plan to get anything for the students of the tutoring center I was running at the time.
On our last day in Shanghai we had some unscheduled time before we had to get on the train to take us to the Beijing airport. Tony and I stopped at a grocery store to get some snacks. I was wandering up and down the aisles; when I got to the soda aisle I stopped in my tracks. In front of me were cans of Mountain Dew with the familiar logo on one side and Chinese characters on the other. My students' soda of choice was Mountain Dew! I could get them each a can, which I thought they'd find amusing, and not spend too much money.
I had seven students at the time, but I got a few extra cans so my boys could each have one, too. The cashier put the soda into several plastic bags, and we carried them back to the hotel and rearranged things in my largest suitcase so they'd fit. Of course, the soda made my suitcase heavier, but we were checking that bag. I got it to the airport, left it at the airline service counter for them to deal with, and didn't think any more about it.
Until halfway through the 12-hour flight, when I had a horrible thought. What if the lower pressure in the baggage section caused the soda to explode? It would make a huge mess and probably ruin the other things in the suitcase, as well as the suitcases next to it. I was on pins and needles until I was reunited with the bag in San Francisco, where I had to carry it through Customs.
I'd declared the soda on my Customs form, so the officer didn't question the strange purchase (although he did raise his eyebrows a bit). Before the next leg of the flight home I decided to transfer the cans to my carry-on suitcase. Of course, this was before 9-11 and there were no restrictions on liquids. The extra soda weight made my bag cumbersome and very heavy to lift into the plane carry-on bin, but I managed to successfully get it home.
My students were appreciative of their gift, although they said it didn't taste exactly like what they were used to. We decided it probably had a different sweetener.
In 1995 Hubby Tony and I went to China on a group tour. We spent ten days seeing the sights starting in Beijing and ending in Shanghai with a couple other stops in between. As you might imagine, I bought lots of mementos for us and lots of souvenirs for other people. I didn't plan to get anything for the students of the tutoring center I was running at the time.
On our last day in Shanghai we had some unscheduled time before we had to get on the train to take us to the Beijing airport. Tony and I stopped at a grocery store to get some snacks. I was wandering up and down the aisles; when I got to the soda aisle I stopped in my tracks. In front of me were cans of Mountain Dew with the familiar logo on one side and Chinese characters on the other. My students' soda of choice was Mountain Dew! I could get them each a can, which I thought they'd find amusing, and not spend too much money.
I had seven students at the time, but I got a few extra cans so my boys could each have one, too. The cashier put the soda into several plastic bags, and we carried them back to the hotel and rearranged things in my largest suitcase so they'd fit. Of course, the soda made my suitcase heavier, but we were checking that bag. I got it to the airport, left it at the airline service counter for them to deal with, and didn't think any more about it.
Until halfway through the 12-hour flight, when I had a horrible thought. What if the lower pressure in the baggage section caused the soda to explode? It would make a huge mess and probably ruin the other things in the suitcase, as well as the suitcases next to it. I was on pins and needles until I was reunited with the bag in San Francisco, where I had to carry it through Customs.
I'd declared the soda on my Customs form, so the officer didn't question the strange purchase (although he did raise his eyebrows a bit). Before the next leg of the flight home I decided to transfer the cans to my carry-on suitcase. Of course, this was before 9-11 and there were no restrictions on liquids. The extra soda weight made my bag cumbersome and very heavy to lift into the plane carry-on bin, but I managed to successfully get it home.
My students were appreciative of their gift, although they said it didn't taste exactly like what they were used to. We decided it probably had a different sweetener.
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| My can now, with a faded label |
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
July Second
July 2nd is the midpoint day of a common (non-leap) yea. As you might imagine, it has a full compliment of important happenings:
Births
Five years ago today: A Candy Bar Would Have Been Safer
Births
- 1877 – Hermann Hesse
- 1908 – Thurgood Marshall
- 1986 – Lindsay Lohan
- 1961 – Ernest Hemingway
- 1973 – Betty Grable
- 2007 – Beverly Sills
- 1776 - Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"
- 1901 - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid rob train of $40,000 at Wagner, Montana
- 1937 - Amelia Earhart disappears
Five years ago today: A Candy Bar Would Have Been Safer
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
What Does It Mean?
I'm a firm believer that there are no coincidences, and everything happens for a reason. Sometimes, though, the reason is easier to figure out than others.
For example, I've heard a song three times in two days...once on the oldies station, once on an independent radio station, and once on the piped-in music at the mall. Was it inspirational, thought-provoking, or significant? Nope. It was "Dancing Queen" by ABBA.
Five years ago today: The Setup