Gadhafi Gone -- Seize the Day

This morning's CNN headlines:  Moammar Gadhafi Killed in Hometown."  A cruel dictator, with a warped mind, eliminated from the Earth.  My heart goes out to the people of Libya.  In my night prayers you will be.

The sun is hidden behind clouds where I live.  The days of capris pants and short-sleeved shirts are now days of long pants and long sleeves.  Cuddly socks and fleecy blankets are coming out of summer storage.  After summer's stifling heat, this seasonal switchover is most welcome.  We follow the way of the bear.....we go in our den and cozy till spring.

The tomatoes are still producing, can you imagine that.  A whole bunch are on the kitchen island facing the south window.  None of us in the neighborhood wants to see them go to waste, so there's a tomato blitz going on among us.

One day this week we took a soup bone out of the freezer and added everything that resembled a vegetable.  Zucchini gives soup a wonderful sweet flavor.  We had some in the freezer from last year, so that freed some space for the tomatoes. The crock pot might just as well stay on the counter top until spring.

Oh, I see the sun decided to peek through the clouds.  Hmmmmm.  Ideas are starting to fly around in my brain like a room full of bats, scheming a day-cation.  These lingering autumn days may be few, so it makes good sense to embrace them best we can.  Oh, sure, there are kits and kaboodles of "should dos" around the house, garage, and attic, but I'd rather take a rain check on work than on fun.

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature

 is that all of us tend to put off living.

  We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden
 over the horizon...

instead of enjoying the roses

 that are blooming outside our windows today."

  ~Dale Carnegie  

Scarecrows

There's an art show going on right now, with some incredibly ingenious pumpkin and scarecrow displays on porches and in front yards. 

Those silly structures with broomstick backbones have been around for thousands of years.  The ancestor to our modern-day scarecrow was first found along the Nile River in Egypt.  The Egyptian farmers put wooden frames in their fields and covered them with nets.  The farmers hid in the fields and scared the quail into the nets, and then they took them home as part of their food source.

In Greece, the vineyard keepers carved wooden scarecrows resembling one of their gods.  They found that by putting them in their vineyards, the birds stayed away from the grapes. 

In Mexico and Guatemala, and Aztec and Mayan descendants placed crudely carved hawks with outspread wings and glassy eyes on top of posts to guard their fields of maize, beans, and squash.

Japanese farmers used kakashis, which means 'something that smells badly.'  They hung old rags, meat, or fish bones from bamboo poles in their fields.  Then they lit the sticks on fire, and the smell was so bad that birds and other animals stayed away from the rice.

Centuries ago European farmers used young boys, 9 years old and older, as bird scarers or bird shooers.  The boys patrolled wheat fields carrying bags of stones.  If crows or starlings landed in the field, they'd chase them off by waving their arms and throwing the stones.  After the Great Plague killed almost half of Europe's population in 1348, landowners couldn't find enough bird scarers to protect their crops, so they stuffed sacks with straw, carved faces in turnips or gourds, and made scarecrows.

The boys, and the girls, who survived the plague and still worked as bird scarers had to patrol 2 or 3 acres by themselves.  So, instead of stones, they carried clappers made of 2 or 3 pieces of wood joined at one end.  The noise made by these clappers scared off whole flocks of birds.  Bird scarers patrolled the fields until the early 1800s when factories and mines opened and offered children better paying jobs.

Native American men sat on raised platforms and shouted if crows or woodchucks came near their corn.  Some tribes moved into huts in their fields during growing season to protect their crops. 

So, there we have it.  A glimpse into the life of the little fellow who has become our symbol for the fall harvest season.  His usefulness is no more.  Farming technology has found new ways of protecting the crops.  Yet, we keep on bringing him to life and putting him on display.  Maybe it's his humble appearance, dressed in shabby clothes stuffed with straw, that makes him a friend to all.

Insurance, Insurance, and More Insurance

Life insurance, house/contents insurance, renter's insurance, auto insurance (car, pickup, RV, boat, motorcycle), dental insurance, flood insurance, pet insurance, identity theft insurance (who'd want to be me?), rest home insurance, disability insurance (movie stars insure body parts), cancer insurance, jewelry/art insurance and now......wedding insurance.

Weddings, these days, are spendy events, so it only stands to reason that insurance companies would want to get a piece of the pie. 

Possible scenarios where wedding insurance might be helpful....

Let's say that the weather (snow storm, high winds, heavy rains, or other natural disaster) makes it impossible for the bridal party and guests to attend.  The band, food, cake, flowers, and photographer have to be canceled.  This is where Event Cancellation Plus is worth having.

What if the bride or groom is suddenly diagnosed with a serious illness and forces the postponement of the wedding? 

What if construction of the reception hall isn't finished on time, and the wedding has to be rescheduled?

What if the photographer's camera bag is stolen during the reception?  Video coverage helps this situation.

What if a guest accidentally spills red wine on the bride's $10,000 dress?  Wedding attire coverage will take care of this. 

What if an airline lost the luggage containing wedding gifts and wedding attire?  or the wedding gifts are stolen from the trunk of a car? Wedding gifts coverage here.

What if the wedding guests get rowdy and damage the carpet at the reception?  or the wedding couple is held responsible for other damages?  Wedding liability not a bad idea. 

What if a wedding guest falls on a slippery floor and is injured? 

A person could conjure up every possible thing that could go wrong, so where will the need for insurance stop?  The only thing I can figure is to buy a bubble and live in it.

The next problem.....

Who sells bubbles? ..........and, are they insurable?

Apple Cake and Warm Sauce

I'm pretty sure there's a squirrel inside of me.....

Got a call Saturday from a friend asking if I'd like a box of homegrown apples.  YES!  I'll stash them away in the freezer.

We aren't prone to eating ooey-gooey desserts when it's just the two of us here, but once in awhile rules should be broken.   

Not only did I bake this moist apple cake (with caramel sauce), but I peeled, cut up, and froze 16 cups of sliced apples for winter, putting 4 cups in a zip-lock bag. 

The cake is so-o-o-o moist, and the caramel sauce kicks it over the top like a field goal.  It's the down-home kind of comfort dessert that, if I was here all by myself, I could stick my face right in the pan.  Skip the fork and skip the etiquette. 

Apple Cake With Sauce

4 c. peeled, chopped apples
2 c. sugar (I used 1-1/2)
2 c. flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
3/4 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In bowl, stir together apples and sugar.  Add dry ingredients and stir well.  In separate bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla.  Stir egg mixture into apple mixture until thoroughly mixed and moistened.  Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.  Bake 50 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed.  Serve and drizzle the warm caramel sauce over each piece.

Sauce

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
1/2 c. evaporated milk (I used skim milk)
1 tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients together in saucepan.  Stir.  Bring to boil over medium high heat and cook for 3 minutes.  Serve warm over apple cake.

Warning:  Serve large pieces to avoid Second-Piece Syndrome.

Haiku Poetry (5-7-5 Syllables)

One tiny flower

From one kind-hearted husband

Says it all to me.

~A haiku poem by Nature Weaver



The Quilt (author unknown)

As I faced my Maker at the last Judgment,

I knelt before the Lord along with the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives,

like the squares of a quilt, in many piles.

An angel sat before each of us setting quilt squares together

into tapestries that represented our lives.

But, as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile,

I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was.

They were filled with giant holes.  Each square was labeled

with a part of my life that had been

difficult, the challenges and temptations

I was faced with in everyday life.

I saw hardships that I had endured,

which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me.  No one else had such squares.

Other than a tiny hole here and there,

the other tapestries were filled with rich color

and bright hues of worldly fortune.

I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,

threadbare and empty.

Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed,

held up to the light.....the scrutiny of truth.

The others arose, each in turn,

holding up their tapestries.

So filled their lives had been.

My angel looked upon me,

and nodded for me to arise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.

I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.

I had had love in my life, and laughter.

I had to start over many times.

I often struggled with the temptation to quit,

only to somehow muster the strength

to pick up and begin again.

I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer,

asking for help and guidance in my life.

I had often been held up to ridicule,

which I endured painfully

each time offering it up to the Father

in hopes that I would not melt within my skin

beneath the critical gaze of those

who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth.

My life was what it was,

and I had to accept it

for what it had been.

I arose and slowly lifted the combined squares

of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air.

I gazed around at the others

who stared at me with eyes wide.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.

Light flooded the many holes,

creating an image.....

The Face of Christ.

Our Lord then stood before me,

with warmth and love in His eyes.

He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me,

it became My life,

My hardships,

and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside

and let Me shine through

until there was more of Me

than there was of you.

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn,

allowing Christ to shine through.



Do you Have These Personal Assets?

• A toothbrush and toothpaste?
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses if you need them?
• Washer and dryer to clean your clothes?  or access to a laundry facility?
• A flushable toilet in your home?
• Air-conditioning to keep you safe in the blistering hot days of summer?
• Heating to keep you safe in the bitterly cold days of winter?
• Pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin, etc.) for headaches and aches and pains?
• A cell phone that lets you communicate with others?
• A stove or microwave oven to prepare your food?
• Remote control for your t.v.?
• Access to affordable education?
• Shoes with good support for comfortable walking?
• Access to the Internet?
• Clothing to keep you warm and covered?
• Food in your refrigerator?
• Access to a doctor/hospital?
• A source of income?
• A comfy place to sleep?
• A safe living space?
• Electricity?
• Blankets and pillows?
• Pure water to drink?
• A vehicle or access to public transportation?
• Good physical and mental health, or under a doctor's care to keep you as well as you can be?
• At least one loyal friend?
• A shower stall or bathtub?
• Personal items, comb, soap, shampoo?
• A personal spiritual faith?
• Can you walk, talk, see, hear, feel, and taste?
• Can you read and write?
• Do you have money in your billfold or purse?
• Peace of mind?
• A hobby that allows you to create something?
• No addictions?
• Access to affordable food?
• A functioning mind so you can make your own choices and decisions?  
• Do you allow yourself to love, and to be loved?
• Friendly, caring neighbors?
• A plate, cup, spoon, fork, and knife?
• Do you own and allow a pet to love you unconditionally?
• Are you able to go out and look at the sky, the trees, grass, flowers, hills, valleys, streams, lakes, and all of the physical setting in which we are privileged to live our lives?
• A life partner to share the easy days, difficult days, and all those days in between?
• Are you able to get up early enough to see a sunrise? 
• Are you able to see a sunset?

Tally up the number of these personal assets you have.  The total number is the weight of your real wealth.  These are the biggies that we take for granted.  We look above and beyond them when we look at what others have and compare ourselves to them.  When others seemingly have more than we do, well, then we start doubting ourselves and wonder what we're doing wrong.

Well, the retailers want us to feel that what we already have is outdated and inadequate, and they work very hard at doing that.  They show us prettier homes and newer appliances.  We are constantly being encouraged to discard and buy new.  In this skittish time of inflated prices and stalled wages, we have got to take a step back and concentrate on what we do have, be grateful, and be satisfied.


 It sleeps so good
now that I'm out of debt!

There are millions of people just like you and me, starving, homeless, and suffering depths of despair, on other continents who consider us to be the swanky rich ones.  No matter where we are defined on the Distribution of Wealth Scale, there will be those with more and those with less.

Life has thoroughly convinced me that it can be, and is, less overwhelming when we weigh our own wealth, and not let others weigh it for us.  Being satisfied with what we have and not going in debt for more, is a simple formula for less stress.  We maybe won't 'look' rich, but we sure will 'feel' rich.  And, isn't that what it's all about?

"Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need."  ~Sarah Ban Breathnach  

Save, Save, Save!

Man alive, I can't believe how grocery prices are going up and up.  We use the flyer ads, especially for meat, and stock our freezer.  High-priced cuts and roasts come home with us only when they're at a good price.  Why pay more than is necessary?

A week ago, I watched an ordinary down-home guy (without a shopping cart), walk up and down the aisles, back and forth, and back again.  He had to be studying the prices.  He wasn't smiling.

Lucky for me that I attended a School of Finance with a financial analyst I affectionately called Mom.  Even when she was in her 80s, she could tell you within cents what her cart of groceries should cost.  She could add in her head like nobody else.  And, boy, if the checker would give her a way-higher price, the transaction came to a screeching halt and there was a price check.  Never was my analyst wrong. 

A metal coin bank, given to its bank customers, was my first banking institution.  Only the bank personnel could open it and transfer my pennies, nickels, and dimes into the savings account my parents had opened for me when I was born.  Save, save, save.  That was the mantra of my childhood.  My grampa was a regular patron of our town tavern, and he'd always offer to buy me a candy bar when I'd go to say hi to him. Candy?  Are you kidding?  I'd ask him for the money instead.  He'd shake his head wondering what was wrong with me, dig in his overall's pocket, and hand me a nickel.  When I got home, "kerplunk" the coin went in my bank.  I was 5 cents richer! 

Financial Analyst Mom knew what she was doing.  She could fix our family of four a meal using refrigerator left-overs that had us all smacking our lips.  Nothing went to waste.  Nothing.  She was Creative and Careful...the two Big C's to financial security.

As we get older, we turn into our parents.  Lord only knows how it happens, but it does.  I will always stop to pick up a penny, because in the back of my mind I can hear my analyst whispering, "Remember, honey, one penny is the first step to a hundred." 

The generation following mine didn't go to the School of Finance that I did.  They were fortunate to always have plenty, plus plenty more waiting in the background.  They had no reason to save or learn to do so.  The sky was blue, stayed blue, and only until now are the threatening dark clouds moving in.  Only the "lack" of something teaches us to be smart.

Baby Boomer Alphabet

A - is for arthritis and acid reflux

B - is for back aches and bunions

C - is for cataracts and colonoscopies

D - is for dental work and dementia

E - is for the economy that scares us half to death 

F - is for sore feet and fluid retention

G - is for gastrointestinal glitches we won't mention

H - is for high blood pressure and hip replacement

I - is for itchy skin and immunizations

J - is for painful joints and jigsaw puzzles

K - is for keister woes and knee replacement  

L - is for loss of hearing and loss of hair

M - is for memory and magnifying glasses 

N is for stiff neck and newspapers

O - is for over-the-counter pain relievers and obituaries

P - is for peeing properly and prescription drugs

Q - is for Medicare questions and quiet time

R - is for retirement and remembering 'back when'

S - is for sleep disturbances

T - is for tracking our numbers and taking our pills

U - is for using aids/devices and unwanted hair
V - is for vitamins and vodka  

W - is for weight and walking 

X - is for x-ray and x-lax

Y - is for staying young at heart
Z - is for zero zip

Ahhhhhhh, this is the best yet!



Bein' Silly

Today I'm being silly, thinking about stuff we all think and wonder about.  None of it makes any sense or difference, yet it's just fun to once in awhile sit down and wonder about things. 

• If we Americans feed our babies with tiny spoons and forks, do Chinese mothers feed their babies with toothpicks?
• Shouldn't we be concerned that the person who invests all of our money is called a 'broker?'
• Why don't they put parachutes under plane seats instead of flotation devices?
• Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
• Why do the words 'loosen' and 'unloosen' mean the same thing?
• If you have 50 odds and ends on a shelf, and you break 49 of them, are you left with an odd or an end?
• Why didn't Tarzan have a beard?
• Why are boxing rings square?
• Why do 'fat chance' and 'slim chance' mean the same thing?
• Why is it that when lights are out, they are invisible.  But, when the stars are out, they are visible?
• If 'poli' means 'many'.....and 'tics' are 'blood-sucking creatures,'.......then what does 'poli-tics' really mean?
• Why do we recite at a play, and play at a recital?
• Why, at sporting events, do we sit in stands?
• Why is it that, when two planes almost collide, we call it a near miss?  Shouldn't it be a near hit?
• If our country promises free speech, why do we have phone bills?
• If you mixed vodka, orange juice and milk of magnesia, would you end up with a Phillips Screwdriver?
• When it's dark out, why do we say it's 'after dark?'  Isn't it 'after light?'
• Doesn't 'expecting the unexpected' make the unexpected expected?
• Why is it good to be 'under par' in golf, but is bad to be 'under par' in anything else?
• If every thing's possible, then is it possible that nothing is possible?
• What's the opposite of "out of whack?"  In whack?  What is whack?
• Do Australians call the rest of the world "up over?"
• Why does Hawaiian pizza also contain Canadian Bacon?
• Why are there no grapes and no nuts in Grape Nuts?

And, just for the heck of it, next time you hear someone say, "Now I've seen everything!".......ask them if they've ever seen a UPS truck parked in a parking space.............

Ta-ta for today.