When I was young I used to laugh when 'old people' used to talk about how fast
time flew. Now I'm one of them.
It seems like it was just All Saints Day on November 1st, and then I was going to the polls to vote. Veteran's Day came and went in a flash. We had two out of town family birthdays to send presents for, and then it was time to think about Thanksgiving. Now tomorrow the calendar is going to turn again.
I need for things to slow down!
Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.
The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.
Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration that has been hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The artist assures me it's a turkey.
We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I'm sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims and the turkey hotline. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.
As accompaniment to the children's recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don't own a recording of tribal drumming or that the tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.
We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We've also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door.
Now I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" meaning this: Do not, under any circumstances enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.
Oh before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie. Garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will have a choice. Take it or leave it.
Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. Come to think of it, she probably won't make it next year either. I am thankful!
~~Author Unknown
Five years ago: Promotional Pie Pickup
And then the weather stayed warm. Up until a week ago we were having lovely weather--brisk overnight but warm during the day. On Thursday I turned the furnace on for the first time since March, but the lows were still above the magic 32° mark. However, if the forecasters are correct tomorrow morning will be the first freeze of the year. It will also be the second latest first freeze in the city's history (the latest was on November 27, 2009)
Time to get out the heavy coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. I am not looking forward to it at all.
Of course I had to follow the directions. When I opened up the jar I saw dozens of tea bag tabs, each with an inspirational message on them. I reached in and randomly picked this one:
In this time of social dissension, the simple tag was a great reminder that a little love makes everything go more smoothly.
If you were in charge of inspirational messages, what would your thoughts be?
Pimento has to take antibiotics for 30 days, and he had emptied the first bottle. The
animal hospital that partners with the cat shelter is in South St. Louis, a thirty
minute drive from the condo. Hubby Tony had volunteered to handle the errand,
but when I saw it was going to be the last beautiful day of the
season I asked if I could tag along.
We've been to this vet a couple of times and don't even need Google to tell us how to get there any more. After picking up the medicine we got ready to walk.
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We were right in the middle of the Bevo neighborhood, which is known for a windmill-shaped restaurant and beer hall built by the Busch brewing family in the early 1900s as a rest stop between the brewery and their country estate. In the 1990s the neighborhood became a hub for Bosnians fleeing from war in their country. Many of the Bosnians have now moved out to the suburbs, but there are still a several commercial places that cater to the group.
Tony and I ended up strolling for about 45 minutes. The area was a mixture of commercial and residential, with pockets of industrial thrown in. Halfway through the walk the sun was warm enough that my long sleeved fleece shirt was too hot and I was glad that there was a bottle of water waiting for me in the car.
After we started heading towards home I realized that if we killed a little extra time Tony and I would be able to have lunch at the Balkan Treat Box, a restaurant that has been on our bucket list for quite a while. It is known for its authentic Balkan street food, and has won numerous national awards. Tony pulled into a parking spot in front of the restaurant a half hour before they opened. We walked around the area, and when we arrived back at the restaurant they had just opened.
I got the vegetarian pide (Turkish flat bread) of the day, a tasty combination
of roasted kabocha squash, kale, and caramelized onions topped with date
glaze, kajmak (clotted cream made from milk), and parsley. Tony ordered cevapi
(grilled beef sausages), which were nestled into Bosnian flatbread. Next to it
were spoonfuls of kajmak and chopped onion to add to the sandwich. Both dishes
came with a side of kupus (a pickled red cabbage salad) and a pepper that
tasted like a pepperoncini. When the food came we split the entrees in half
and shared.
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It would have been nice to continue the adventure after lunch but Tony
had a commitment so we headed home. When we came in the front door of the
condo Pimento was waiting for us-it was time for his lunch.
After a series of medical tests we found out Pimento had a bacterial parasite. He hasn't been outside in months, so I have no idea where he would have gotten it, but it was good to have an answer and solution to the problem.
He came home with a small bottle of steroid tablets and a liquid antibiotic. At my local pharmacy I purchased a bottle of Omeprazole (the same drug that treats acid reflux in humans, which I was surprised to learn can also used for cats). At the pet store I picked up a powdered probiotic.I have only given medications to cats a handful of times. Unlike dogs, who will eat just about anything if you wrap it in a piece of meat, cats are notoriously difficult to dose. After a little trial and error I remembered the system that works best for me.
The emergency vet wants Pimento to be on antibiotics and steroids for four weeks. Just think how proficient I'll be at administering medication by then.
Five years ago today: The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
The closest Walmart store is at the south end of a large big box shopping center that has two buildings separated by a road that leads to store loading docks. Sunday is a horrible day to hit this shopping center. Traffic is difficult to navigate, and there are a lot of shoppers crossing between the parking lot and the stores.
To avoid the mess I decided to park in the northernmost section of the lot and walk to my destination. That turned out not to be the greatest idea; I had to maneuver my way around cars pulling in and out of spaces and trot across parking lanes to avoid oncoming cars.
Once inside the store I found what I was looking for and got out quickly.
I wasn't looking forward to the return walk, but as I crossed between the two mall sections I noticed the wide road behind the northern building and realized I could use it to bypass the parking lot. There was a sign that indicated it was only for commercial traffic (i.e., trucks with merchandise for the stores), but I guessed that there would be no unloading happening on Sunday afternoon and it would be safe to walk back there.
My assumption turned out to be correct. However, the loading dock road eventually dumps out onto the main road and I observed that a fair number of vehicles were ignoring the commercial traffic notification. They were also ignoring several stop signs, but the rubber speed bumps just after each stop sign slowed them down.
When I got to the main road I walked on the sidewalk to the parking lot and
back to my car.
Just to the south of our condos a new subdivision is going up. Right now there's just a street and the beginnings of three houses at the top of a hill. I've been wanting to see the lot layout, and because it was Sunday there was no construction work going on. There weren't any No Trespassing signs, so off we went.
I found out that the subdivision is one winding street with a cul-de-sac at the top. It was interesting to observe the sizes of the new builds and see how they integrated with the neighborhoods on either side. After we saw everything Tony and I walked back down the street and over to our street.
Five weeks ago today: A Cat's Bedtime PrayerToday started out brisk, but by lunchtime I was able to ditch my coat. I knew I wanted to get outside for an adventure. Hubby Tony had a dentist appointment, so I was on my own to do whatever I wanted. I decided to go explore a shopping area that's located in a tony part of town. I drive through the area more than I stop there, but I knew it had a great independent toy store, and I've started the hunt for Christmas presents for the grands.
The toy store was at the eastern end of the shopping area so I started there.
The store wasn't busy and an associate was very helpful, giving me a lot of good
ideas I can run by Tony before we decide what we want to gift. I was on my way
out of the store when I saw copies of a book I had bought for myself last
year called Mary Engelbreit's Little Book of Thanks.
The slim book is filled with quotes about thankfulness as well as the
delightful drawings that Mary Engelbreit is known for. I decided to buy one
for each of my daughter-in-laws.
The books ended up being my only purchase. However, I had a great time walking up and down the street and browsing in gift shops, charity shops, home decor shops, and clothing boutiques (where I pretended that I could afford outfits that would set me back an entire year's clothing budget).
When Tony sent me a text that he was leaving the dentist's office I decided to head home too. However, instead of going the most direct way I took a scenic route that took me past large houses on rolling acreage, which extended the adventure.
Five years ago today: TOO Close!
Back in February I completed a survey from St. Louis County 2050, which is charged with developing a comprehensive plan for the county for the next 25 years. The survey asked me what I thought about the current state of the county and how it could be better.
After I submitted my results I promptly forgot about the whole thing. Last week I received an email inviting me to an open house to review the preliminary recommendations and give feedback. In addition to letting me playing a part in the future of the county, the email also promised a free dinner.
I've never done anything like this before, but it sounded interesting. I asked
Hubby Tony if he wanted to go. He did. We put the event that was closest to
our house on the calendar.
The open house was tonight, held in the recreation complex of a county park. After signing in at a table in the hall we both got a cup that held eight push pins and a promise that once inside the room someone would explain what those pins were for.
The 'room' was a large open area. There was a table by the door holding a projector playing a slide show of charts and maps that summarized the information from the survey. Easels holding large boards were arranged in a semicircle along the far side. We learned that each board had one category of preliminary recommendations. After reviewing all of them, we were to place a push pin on the eight recommendations that we thought were the most important.
Each board had one or two members of the planning team there to answer questions. They were very knowledgeable and easy to talk with. I walked back and forth between boards several times before deciding which items would get my pins.
Shortly after Tony and I finished they announced that pizza had arrived. We went through the line and also picked up ice cream from the cooler next to the table. After eating we decided we didn't have any other questions and decided it was time to leave.
The last County comprehensive plan was adopted 40 years ago. The new one is supposed to be unveiled later this year. It will be interesting to see if any of my top priorities made the final document.
Last night shortly before bedtime we heard from the shelter that the emergency clinic was still trying to figure out what was wrong with Pimento. The doctor didn't want to send him home prematurely, but as he was feeling better Hubby Tony and I could stop by the clinic for a visit today.
When we checked in at the clinic reception desk this morning for our visit the associate told us her system indicated Pimento had been discharged and was ready to leave! Twenty minutes later a technician came out from the back with Pimento, his medicine, and paperwork. There was no bill; the shelter paid for everything.As soon as we walked into the condo Tony opened the carrier. Pimento shot out like a cannon. He skulked around looking for somewhere to hide, and eventually decided the safest place was under the bed. I went out to run some errands. When I got back it was time to give the cat his first doses of medicine.
After prodding Pimento out from under the bed and chasing him around the room Tony managed to grab him. I was ready to shove the two tiny pills and a syringe of liquid antibiotic down Pimento's throat. The procedure didn't go particularly well, but I think Pimento ingested enough to get him through to the next dose.Tony left for a while, and while I was working on dinner Pimento skulked around again looking for a different safe place. Eventually he gave up, and when Tony returned the cat had settled into his favorite spot on the couch.
A couple of hours later I ran to the grocery store to get some things to accompany tonight's meal. When I returned Tony was sitting on the couch, and the cat was sitting on his lap. Both looked satisfied.
Five years ago today: The Installation Is FreePimento was fine on Friday morning. By 10 pm that night he wouldn't eat, had thrown up some mainly digested food from lunch, and had left nothing in his litter box. (I was out for the evening, and Hubby Tony figured out in retrospect Pimento was probably lethargic starting mid-afternoon).
I contacted the shelter first thing Saturday morning. They called around to their vet partners to see if any could see him. The only option was an emergency clinic, so we took him there. Several hours later we learned that they had 'admitted' him so they could do some more tests today.We're still waiting to hear what's going on.
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Infirm Pimento |
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I've never been a Catherine, and never will |
And if I was inclined to switch to a new company, based on their level of detail I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be this one.
Five years ago: Virtual Sand Art
However, about three weeks ago things got wonky, and the left column started to show up underneath the posts. The last time I had this issue I fixed it by changing some HTML code. I've made several updates. Sometimes it looks like things are back to normal, but some times they don't.
If you're so inclined, could you please let me know what you see?
There is also a two-week period of no excuse in-person absentee voting, but it is usually only at the Board of Election Commissioners office. This year it was expanded to 14 locations in the metropolitan area. This option was so popular some people I know waited at a polling place an hour or more for the privilege of casting their ballot early.
That seemed crazy to me, and I decided that my plan would be to wait until Voting Day when there would be substantially more polling places (and hopefully shorter lines). Because voters can choose any polling place in the county, this morning after a chiropractor appointment I pulled up a wait time tracking website and found that the five locations closest to his office had somewhere between zero and six people in line. I headed towards the most convenient one.
The polling place was in a high school gym. It was well organized, with a line up indicator that wound around two sides of the room. However, there was no one in line and I was able to move immediately to a station. The worker scanned my ID, which told him which ballot I needed. After I had my ballot another worker directed me to a seat.
I pulled out my pre-filled sample ballot and got down to the task. Filling out all the bubbles was the hardest part. In addition to the national and state races, there were a half dozen state amendments/propositions, three county propositions, and two local ones. Including votes for a couple dozen judges that were up for retention, that was a lot of marking!
After I submitted my ballot I chose a sticker from the selection at the machine. The poll worker thanked me for coming in.
Five years ago today: Adventures In Selling And Buying
Thanks to the end of Daylight Savings Time and the early sunset it felt very late, although it was only a little after 9:00. I had the television on for noise, but my attention was mainly on my laptop screen. All of a sudden I heard a strange announcement from the screen. It said that the upcoming commercial was a paid political advertisement that by federal law the network was required to carry, it contained disturbing scenes, and viewer discretion was advised.
Just a few seconds after the ad started I saw a graphic image of an aborted baby. I picked up my laptop and held it in front of my eyes so I couldn't see anything else. All of a sudden the house felt scary. When I went to bed I turned on the lights as I went down the hall.
This morning I did research into the topic. I won't refer to the fringe Presidential candidate ad purchaser by name and increase his web presence, I found out that the vile anti-abortion ad has been running in states that have abortion measures on the ballot. The Federal Communications Commission’s rules say that stations are prohibited from rejecting or censoring political ads paid for and sponsored by legally qualified candidates. All they can do is include the warning statement.
The first summer Hubby Tony and I lived in our condo I got some flowers in
baskets to hang on the deck, but it didn't take me long to realize the
orientation of the building wasn't conducive to growing annuals. The deck
didn't get enough sun for them to thrive, but got too much sun for shade
lovers. My solution was to get a supply of metal flowers, which I display in
two large ceramic pots filled with pea gravel.
When the weather turns cool, instead of pulling up spent plants all I have to do is carry my 'garden' inside. I check the flower stems for rust and bundle them together, then carry everything down to the storage area. Flowers go on the shelf. Pots go on the floor
