Monday, March 31, 2014

A Monday Memory....

The Englishman and I were driving home on the parkway this afternoon when we came upon small truck in the right hand lane.  As we passed, I noticed the lettering on the side - Bosco.

Wow, I realized, I haven't thought about that chocolaty syrup for ages!  A friend of mine, when we were in high school, absolutely loved that stuff - he would reach into the fridge, grab the bottle and just drink it down.  And heaven help anyone who tried to take it away from him!
Not me - I was a "COCOA MARSH" devotee, starting way back in the early 1960's.  
The jar used to come with a "secret prize" in the cap - 
like plastic charms or tiddly winks.









There was a pump top we used to place inside which made it so much easier to put into a cold glass of milk or layer atop several scoops of vanilla ice cream. 
(and yes, I confess, sometimes it went straight into my mouth.)

It's good to recall some of the simple pleasures from a lifetime ago. I find it a comfort to know that some of them still exist.  

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"I'm tired of so many 'lion days' 
and want more 'lamb days.'"
Miss M
Granddaughter #1

(photo and quote courtesy of daughter #2)
I couldn't agree more, Miss M!
Here's hoping Spring truly does arrive soon!!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Wednesday's wisdom....

What's in a word?
SPIRITUAL
Dozens of tiny papers, kept stuffed between the pages of my calendar book,  frequently drop out when I commence my daily "Gratitude List."  Last night I noted one slip of paper on which was written "the word ritual is within the word spiritual."  I believe it was from some notes I took while attending a woman's retreat day several years ago.  

The teacher in me turned to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online this morning and found this:

"2 ritual noun
: a formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way

: an act or series of acts done in a particular situation and in the same way each time"

When I think about the numerous small "rituals" I perform, often on a daily basis, it makes perfect sense to me that those acts can be "spiritual" in a sense.  For me, there is a feeling of security and calm in repeating tasks which feed my "spirit" as defined, again, by Merriam-Webster:

1spir·it noun \ˈspir-ət\
: the force within a person that is believed to give the body life, energy, and power

: the inner quality or nature of a person

These rituals can be simple, such as the routine I have after dinner.  After washing up in the kitchen, I head upstairs, pull down all the window shades and draw the curtains. Sort of like tucking the house in for the night.  Then slipping into pj's, washing my face and writing in my calendar book five things I'm grateful for that have happened during the day.

Growing up, my parents established many rituals for us - from watching the Jackie Gleason Show on Saturday nights while eating burgers and fries, to the daily routine of a summer's morning - cleaning up the house before packing up a picnic and heading out to the swim club.

I established little routines for my girls as they were growing up, as well as for my students when I was teaching Third Grade.  Doing small things in the same way, day after day, gave them something they could count on. Those rituals fed my spirit as well as my children's and students. 

My morning cup of coffee, writing this blog, lighting the candles at night....
All are rituals which are spiritual.  
And feed my inner calm.






Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tip for a Tuesday....

Bake Your Own Dog Biscuits
Are you concerned about your dog's health and what they might be ingesting
 every time you give them a treat?

I am - so I've started baking dog biscuits for our Basset Boys.
Family members who also have four legged loved ones under their roof have been discussing this for some time.  When I investigated what exactly was involved, I was surprised at how simple the process actually is.

At their suggestion, I checked out Cesar Milan's website and found a section which listed several recipes and suggestions for homemade dog treats:
http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/Recipe-Ideas-for-Quick-and-Healthy-Homemade-Dog-Treats
I've been using the "Basic Dog Biscuit" recipe and adding shredded cheddar cheese.

Not only are they "easy peasy" to make, the boys absolutely LOVE them!!!


**After a making a few batches, I have found that using the dough hook on our Kitchen Aid mixer makes the process much easier than mixing and kneading by hand. 


Monday, March 24, 2014

A Monday Memory....

"Let's go fly a kite...."

The Englishman and I sat down to watch Saving Mr. Banks on Saturday afternoon.  We weren't very far into the story when we realized it wasn't quite what we were expecting.  Generally, we read up about a film before watching, but because I am a huge fan of both Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, I just assumed I would enjoy it.  That's not exactly how it turned out.

The few clips I had seen over the past couple of months led me to believe this would be a somewhat light hearted film.  It did have its moments, but overall, it was not a pleasant viewing experience for me. While the acting was wonderful on the part of everyone in the cast, the storyline itself was, well, somewhat depressing.  At least that's how it felt to me.

It did, however, bring forth a forgotten memory, which instantly brought tears to my eyes.

After my college graduation, my parents took my sister and I on a three week driving vacation.  We left New Jersey, traveled across the Midwest, and stopped for a few days in Iowa to see my brother, his wife and young son.  We then set off for Colorado, drove north to Wyoming, through South Dakota and eventually found our way home.  I could write a book about that trip, but I mention it merely to explain the memory the above film brought to mind.

Now, this trip was back in "the old days," long before there were iPods or iPhones and the like to listen to in order to pass the time while cruising through endless corn fields or climbing mountain tops in my Dad's Cadillac.  This was still the age of the tape deck - specifically cassette tapes.  And since my Dad had only brought along about five cassettes, including Dion Warwick and the soundtrack from Mary Poppins, there wasn't exactly much to choose from.  I'm sure it would come as no surprise then that by the end of the three weeks, my parents, sister and I knew every single word to every single song that was on those tapes.

And so, when the song writing characters in the film started to play for "Mrs. Travers" a new tune they had written, I found myself immediately back in that old car, watching my Dad moving his left hand in time to the song as he drove, singing along with the rest of us - 

"Lets go fly a kite, up to the highest heights, let's go fly a kite and send it soaring...."

It was an unexpected gift that for just a moment, I was transported back in time and could so clearly see, in my mind's eye, the scene as it was then.  While I didn't enjoy the overall film on Saturday, the precious memory it evoked more than made up for the disappointment in the story.



Friday, March 21, 2014

Friday Fotos.....


("Queen Elizabeth" courtesy of daughter #1)
Wishing one and all a splendidly royal weekend!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap,
but by the seeds that you plant."
~ Robert Louis Stevenson


I've found that while I am responsible for the effort, the results are out of my hands.
So in many areas of my life, making sure I give my best effort is what is important to look at and judge, not the results.


Monday, March 17, 2014

A Monday Memory....

For as long as I can remember, St. Patrick's Day would officially begin for me when my mother would say, 

                      "Top o' the morning to ya .....  
                                                  and I would reply, as she taught me, 
                                                                                       "and the rest of the day to yourself."

Today is the first of many St. Patrick's Days without her and I am missing her terribly.  When the Englishman suggested I bake an apple pie for tonight's dessert I thought it was very appropriate, since I associate apple pie with my mother.  


And because I could use a smile, I'm reposting a couple of pictures from last year's St. Patrick's Day,
with C - my youngest wee Irish darling.



To all who celebrate St. Patrick's and to all those who don't....






Friday, March 14, 2014

Friday Fotos....

A trip to the Children's Museum several weeks ago with Daughter #2 and the wee ones was as much fun for me as it was for them.




M looked quite at home astride this horse.


  C was fascinated by many of the areas, including a future in Space!



This lovely basket of lavender and hydrangea plants, courtesy of the Englishman, has brought an early Spring to our kitchen.  
Gives me hope that sunny days in the garden are not far away.

Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"Do you remember the things you were worrying about a year ago?  How did they work out?
Didn't you waste a lot of fruitless energy on account of most of them?  Didn't most of them turn out all right after all?"   ~ Dale Carnegie   
                         When I was a young woman and struggling with a problem, my Dad would sit me down to talk it through.  He would question what it was exactly that I was worried about.  He would  ask me to recall any similar situations I had been through previously.  And then he would ask, "And what was the end of that story?"  Usually, to my surprise, I would be reminded and admit that it all turned out just fine or far better than I had imagined.  At which point, my Dad would give me one of his famous grins.

Most of what I worry about never happens.  And even if it does, I've gotten through it.  
Something to keep in mind....

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tip for a Tuesday....

Take a deep breath....watch the video......


Now slowly exhale ........
Feel better?

Friday, March 7, 2014

Friday Fotos....

Another day, another decade....


Last week I celebrated a birthday.  One of those "milestone" kind of birthdays.  
To be completely honest, I was not happy about it.

Having the Englishman and all my girls come together to be with me 
made it all worthwhile, however.

Daughter #3 took on the task of "cake maker" and produced the incredibly wonderful scene above.
I can't begin to tell you how precious this was to me.

At first I smiled at the adorable presentation.  Then I quickly burst into tears as my eyes were drawn first to the photo of my Dad and I, then my Mother and I and on and on.
(At that point, the girls all cheered.  If they make me cry happy tears, they consider it a success!)

It was a bit like "This is Your Life" right before my eyes.
And again, if I'm honest,  it's been a truly blessed life, as shown in these photographs.

So I'm not going to count the years any more but rather the happy moments 
and the number of people I love and who so generously love me back.

So by that calculation, I am hundreds of years old - and that's just fine by me.


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"We need all the nurturing, loving kindness that life can offer as we face the inevitable difficulties and struggles.  I've learned to treat myself gently because, with a few exceptions, I'm doing my best.

We have no right to judge others.  Our job is to look at ourselves. Never feel guilty when you are caring for yourself.  Who else can take care of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs better? Who else really knows what's appropriate? Today, let go of guilt when you do things for yourself.  This is your job.  Consider it maintenance!  Our well-being depends on this simple truth."
                                                ~  Alexandra Stoddard
                                                                         Grace Notes - A Book of Daily Meditations

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Wednesday's wisdom....

Some random thoughts....

With Nat King Cole serenading me in the background from my record player, I've spent the morning reading various sources on the computer and a few things come to mind.

1. New beginnings can start in the middle of a week and at any time of the day - we don't have to wait for "Monday morning" to make changes.

2. If you observe the season of Lent, Fr. Jonathan Morris suggests we make changes which incorporate our minds, body and soul.  And if we "give up" something during these forty days of preparation,  we should add something positive in its place. His practical suggestions are actually helpful if you simply want to improve yourself.
If you are interested, here is the link:
(http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christophers/2014/03/video-father-jonathan-morris-issues-a-lenten-challenge/)  

3. You can never laugh too much!  I stopped by Susan Branch's blog earlier and immediately started to laugh. It felt so good!  The link is on the right hand side of this page under "My Blog List" - Susan Branch Blog.

4. There are so many truly wonderful people in the world, whose stories are shared by friends through Facebook posts, blog posts and email "Forwards".  In fact, the vast number of good stories can fill enough of my time that I have no need to read the bad ones.  Life is short - I can choose what I spend my time on and it should always be on the positive.

5.  Some things do hold up with time - songs like "Our Love Is Here To Stay,  Sentimental Reasons, and Unforgettable" as only Nat can sing them.  It's been lovely to go back and remember.

While walking one of the Basset Boys after lunch, we came upon several robins sitting on the branches of smaller trees and bushes.  Gives me hope that Spring may be on it's way soon!!



Monday, March 3, 2014

A Monday memory....


While recently tidying up the bedroom we've dedicated for the grandchildren, I came across several of my class photos from grammar school.  Hard to believe, but my oldest granddaughter attended pre-school last year in the same exact classroom in which the bottom left photo was taken, when I graduated from Kindergarten.

I don't know how those Sisters and Teachers coped with such large classes.  Sizes ranged from forty two to over fifty students sometimes.  Yet we managed to learn and often thrive under their care.  Different times, I suppose.

This morning's heavy snowfall brought back memories of school snow days and boots. 
Yes, boots.
Back in the "old days" the boots I wore on snow days were white plastic (similar to the ones in the picture) and were pulled on over my shoes.  They fit nicely, but with one crucial drawback.  They were open at the top, which often allowed for a significant amount of snow to enter whenever I had navigate deep snow piles.  
Result?  Wet socks and shoes, and a miserable me.  

My Dad soon came up with a concrete fix.  
Electrical tape.
He would wind thick, black electrical tape round and round the top section of my boots, thus securely them tightly and preventing any snow or water from entering.

Workable? Yes.  Practical? No.

Obviously, my Dad accompany me to school in order to wrap and unwrap my boots.
Fortunately, there soon followed a new boot design for girls and women.  A lined pull on boot, which came up to my knees and did not require shoes.  Perfect.

Now - to tie this tale back to my school days....
What to do with all those wet boots trudging into the classroom each day? 
We were required to take them off when we got to the classroom and change into a pair of shoes, which hopefully, were in our bookbags. (aka backpacks)
We were then to add our boots to the line forming in the hallway outside our classroom, firmly pressing the heels against the walls.  There was even a "boot monitor" who was tasked with making sure all the boots were lined up correctly, thus ensuring safe travels up and down the halls.

The system worked quite well.
The only problem came on those days on which I forgot my shoes and would have to wear my boots all   day   long.
Still, hot sweaty feet beat cold wet feet any day.