The best laid plans....

Schedule for Monday:

1. Feed and walk the dogs.

2. Clean out the refrigerator.

3. Visit Mom

4. Buy milk and dry skin lotion.

5. Clean up after the dogs in the yard.

6. Drive to the Emergency Room.

7. Have dinner with the family.

Wait, what was number 6?  I don't remember writing that on the list!  Yes, as they say, even the best laid plans can often go awry and one finds oneself sitting in the waiting room marked "minor wound care"in the Emergency Room of the hospital.

The day was going along so nicely.  Sun shinning, tasks 1 - 5 crossed off the list.  I was just informing the four basset hounds that I only needed to put out the trash and it would be time for a nice cup of tea.  I was on the other side of our fence, bending down to gather up the last of the bags.  And as I stood up to finish, I had a slight, let us say "run-in" with the latch on our garden gate.  As soon as I connected with it, I said out loud, "Oh this isn't good.  This is gonna be a problem."  That was confirmed when after touching the now pulsating spot on my head, I looked down to see blood on my hands.

I immediately sprang into "Teacher Action" - where I act very efficient and on a sort of automatic pilot for emergencies.  Brought the now startled and quiet dogs back into the house and called daughter #2 to say there might be a slight delay in my arrival for dinner at five. I then laid out the four dog bowls with food and placed them in the pantry, a note in each bowl as to where said dog should be placed to eat so as to avoid any more bloodshed. I then made sure I had my medical info and a book to read, turned on some lights in the house, brushed my teeth so as not to offend anyone, and headed out the door.  It was about 3:20.

The experience in the ER wasn't a total disaster.  The long wait did get frustrating, especially since I couldn't get service on my cell phone and I was worried the family was trying to hold dinner (and might be a wee bit worried about crazy Mom).  I finally told a staff member I needed to call and let them know how I was.  I was allowed to use the phone in the room, then having done that I surrendered to my circumstances.  I made a few "friends" as one does in these situations, comparing wounds and family medical stories.  Five stitches later and I was out the door.  Wow, and it's now only 6pm!

I finally arrived at my daughter's house and had a wonderful, albeit brief, visit with the family.  The Englishman, who is currently traveling, chose that moment to "video chat" with me on my phone.  I quickly asked my daughter to grab me a hat, to try and hide my Bride of Frankenstein look, but she declined and I told him what had happened.  He felt so bad for me, but I felt equally bad for him.  Don't things always seem so much worse when you are far away from the situation?  Daughter #1, who is traveling with him, also called to check on me.  

In the scheme of things, it really wasn't a big deal.  I always try to put life events in proportion and this really could have been a lot worse.  Several people at the hospital asked if I was concerned they might have to cut away some of my hair.  At my age?  Not a problem, I said.  Besides, it would only be for a cut.  I am not battling cancer.  Now that, would be a problem.

Memorable way to spend my birthday, huh?

How sweet.....

This weekend finds me deep inside the caverns of my kitchen pantry and cabinets.  I am in the process of weeding out, keeping only that which is useful and a pleasure to look at.  Reaching far back into the glass cabinet I came out with this:

Long ago, when we were first married, the Englishman would find himself having meetings after a very busy day of work, which meant he wouldn't arrive home until long after I had gone to bed.  He felt particularly bad about not being home during weeknights, especially after our first daughter was born.  So one night he decided to bring me home a little gift.

While out to dinner in the city, the Englishman ordered my favorite dessert - chocolate mousse.  They brought it out to him in the above glass.  He wasn't quite sure if he could manage to get it home to me without spilling it, but discovered that if he balanced it just so on the center console of his little MG.......

When he crept in that night, he woke with me with the proud announcement that he had indeed managed to bring me dessert, unscathed.  It was such a sweet gesture, and such a sweet treat!  You know, I suspect that may have confirmed even more firmly that he was indeed "a keeper"!

Thursday's thought for the day....

"Who's lookin at ya?"
                       ~ Ann R.

 My mother would frequently say this to me this when I was growing up.  If she asked me to run to the store or go out somewhere with her,  I generally had one of two replies.  Either I couldn't go because I didn't look right, or please wait while I change my outfit, put on makeup, and do my hair. 

Then came the question:  "Who's lookin at ya?"

I hate to admit this.  But she was right.  The whole world was not actually taking the time to notice me and how I looked.

 My mother probably heard that phrase from her Aunt Lizzie.  She was from Ireland and they were all about the humility in those days. The older I get the more I think they were on to something. Having some humility is a real asset. 

It's been a very long time since I've worried what "they" will think when I head out the door.  It's very freeing and certainly simplifies things when I'm getting dressed in the morning.


And yes, if I remember correctly, I did repeat the question to my girls as they were growing up.  Of course I always prefaced it with, "As your grandmother would say....."

When art becomes real life....

Norman Rockwell's paintings are among my very favorites, the one pictured above in particular.  I purchased this copy at the Harvard Coop when I was a student at a women's college in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  (I have a lifetime membership card from the Coop. (What's that old saying - That, and four dollars, will get you a great cup of coffee in Harvard Square.)

When I went back to teaching, this picture was one of the first things I hung up in my classroom.  It was for my own pleasure, as well as the hope of exposing the Third Graders in my care to a wonderful American artist.  Well, you know how kids are and I was a little disappointed to think they really weren't paying much attention to it.  But I had underestimated some of them.

I'm not sure how they found out, but several of the students discovered when my birthday was that first year. On the actual day they managed to get help from a couple of their mothers in keeping me out of the classroom after lunch so they could set up a surprise. When I walked back in, there was complete silence, which was a little unusual for this group.  As I gazed around it finally dawned on me - the kids had re-created as best they could the scene depicted in the painting!

One of the girls, Christin, had orchestrated the whole thing.  She had several students write messages on the chalkboard wishing me a "Happy Birthday", similar to the writings in the painting.  One boy proudly told me how he too was balancing a chalk eraser on his head, just like the boy wearing the red shirt. They tried to copy as many details as possible, right down to the two apples on my desk.

As I looked at each of their faces they were beaming with pride, not only for what they had done but that they had managed to surprise me.  Their efforts touched me very deeply and it is a memory I treasure and recall every time I gaze at this print.

That was both the first and last time I celebrated my birthday with my students.  I knew from my own experience that Class Mothers have more than enough to do without having to celebrate the teacher's birthday too!

Tip for a Tuesday....

Slipcovers

If I were given the chance to start from scratch with decorating my house I would most definitely do a few things differently.  Pretty is NOT practical, I've learned, especially when there are two and four legged friends scurrying around the house.

Unlike upholstered pieces, the slipcovers on couches and chairs can be removed and washed!

I have always loved the style and appearance of this sofa, or "settee" as the Englishman calls it, in our living room.  We purchased it many years ago for a room which was off limits to the children.  Life has changed since then, with a couple of moves and the addition of dogs and grandchildren.  Unfortunately, one of the basset hounds has decided this couch is just the right size for him.  I hate to admit it, but I've relented and he's been on it a few times.  But I am not giving in on the two remaining chairs in the room.  They're mine and I am not sharing.

The sofa below, located at our "retirement house", was purchased after experience taught me to be more practical.  The entire sofa is covered in heavy canvas material which can be removed and washed. I've tried it and it works!

As you can see, the boys are allowed on this one with no fear of me chasing them off.  Don't they look content there?



The Englishman is right when he says we are just a couple of old softies and despite all the dog hair, I'm awfully glad we are.

Spotted what?

"You can't make this stuff up," as they say.  Last night when I inquired what the Englishman would like for dessert while watching Episode One, Season Two of the new Upstairs, Downstairs, he thought for a moment and then remembered he had purchased the ingredients of a traditional English treat.

No, your eyes do not deceive you, there is an actual dessert called "Spotted Dick".  It is a steamed sponge  pudding, (cake) which is studded with currants and raisins (which look like spots). It is usually served with warm custard.  This is how it looks out of the tin.

This is the custard that the Englishman warmed and poured over the Spotted Dick:

And this was the result:

The Englishman tells me this was a real treat once a week when he was a boy at school.  Given the sometimes wet, raw weather one experiences in England I can see how children would look forward to a warm, heavy dessert to sit in their tummies.

For me, it took a little getting used to this dessert.  I could faintly taste some ginger in there and commented that gingerbread with custard would be nice to try.  To be honest, the canned custard wasn't as nice as the Bird's custard the Englishman makes up for his trifle at Christmas.  But I was glad I tried Spotted Dick.  He's right, it is rather nice and a comforting type of dessert.

Still discovering new things with the Englishman after all these years.  That's nice and comforting too!

If you love Downton Abbey....

The Englishman tells me that the Downton Abbey Christmas Special will be broadcast tonight.  For those of you who have been following the series faithfully, I'm sure you will enjoy it as thoroughly as I did.  It's been difficult keeping quiet about it, having seen it on Christmas Day, so I'm glad I won't have to be on guard much longer so as not to divulge any details.

It seems as though it will be such a long time before the series returns. While we wait, I have two recommendations of similar programs for you to seek out and enjoy.  Both series are based on novels and were brought to the US via PBS, first airing in 2008.  As an added bonus while you view them, a few familiar faces may appear, causing you to say, "wait, isn't that......."

Cranford is adapted from three novellas written by Elizabeth Gaskell, published between 1849 -1858.  The series was transmitted in five parts by the BBC.  The story is set in an 1840's fictional village of Cranford in North West England.  It focuses on the single and widowed middle-class female inhabitants.  These ladies are most comfortable with their way of life and place great importance on propriety and gentility.  Jim Carter, who plays Carson in Downton Abbey, is one of the actors.  Joining him is Judi Dench and Aileen Atkins, two outstanding English actresses.  One of my favorite lines from the series is delivered by Miss Matty, played by Eileen Atkins.  "No woman is the equal of a man.  She is his superior in every single case."

The other series is Lark Rise to Candleford.  It was adapted from the writings of Flora Thompson which are semi-autobiographical novels about the English countryside, published between 1939 and 1943. The story takes place in the hamlets of Lark Rise and the wealthier market town of Candleford at the end of the 19th century.  You may find you recognize Mr. Bates, played by Brendan Coyle, as Robert Timmins.  His character wisely advises us all, "You want the world to slow down?  Then just live for today."

These are but two of the many wonderful British series available.  I have found it an absolute pleasure to get lost in their stories and highly recommend you do the same.