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Now that my Li'l Bro has made the internet announcement, I can share the news. My nephew was born yesterday evening. Li'l Bro has sent pictures, and Baby is a cutie! We'll get to see him at Thanksgiving.
And in an instance in surreal synchronicity, the minister who was my minister growing up passed away at approximately the same time. He was 100. I picture them doing some sort of heavenly hand-off or relay or tag team.
And in an instance in surreal synchronicity, the minister who was my minister growing up passed away at approximately the same time. He was 100. I picture them doing some sort of heavenly hand-off or relay or tag team.
Happy Halloween
Oct. 31st, 2012 02:40 pmHappy All Hallows' Eve to all my quaint and curious companions.
It's been an odder year than usual, Halloween-wise. I haven't posted any verses from Sweeney Todd or any of my usual Halloween poems or anything.
I haven't done my Halloween baking (I'd fully intended to bake a black velvet cake).
No pumpkin carving (yesterday would have been the perfect day for it).
It's just been . . . Odd.
We do have a fodder shock this year. Yay!
Somehow, I think Geo and I had sort of anticipated celebrating this year with a wee one. Alas, that did not happen.
Although . . . This past Sunday was "Superhero Sunday" at church. All the kids were encouraged to come as their favorite superhero. One of our 4-year-old boys came as Clark Kent changing into Superman. With the hat and the glasses and the Superman shirt under his white shirt and tie. It was adorable.
( Baby stories behind the cut )
George and I both participated in a little activity for the grade school kids, too. The children's minister had a group of us dress up as Bible heroes (and heroines). I chose Rahab, because ever since I discovered that she is part of the lineage of Jesus, I've found her story quite fascinating. (It also told me that God can use anybody to get things done.)
And in an unrelated costuming event, George and I did dress for a costume party.
So, you know, an odd year.
Tonight we go to some friends' house to help with trick-or-treat, then new epi of Show!
And on a final note, we were very blessed to be missed by the worst of Sandy. One power blink. That was it. No downed trees, no flooding. Hallelujah!
It's been an odder year than usual, Halloween-wise. I haven't posted any verses from Sweeney Todd or any of my usual Halloween poems or anything.
I haven't done my Halloween baking (I'd fully intended to bake a black velvet cake).
No pumpkin carving (yesterday would have been the perfect day for it).
It's just been . . . Odd.
We do have a fodder shock this year. Yay!
Somehow, I think Geo and I had sort of anticipated celebrating this year with a wee one. Alas, that did not happen.
Although . . . This past Sunday was "Superhero Sunday" at church. All the kids were encouraged to come as their favorite superhero. One of our 4-year-old boys came as Clark Kent changing into Superman. With the hat and the glasses and the Superman shirt under his white shirt and tie. It was adorable.
( Baby stories behind the cut )
George and I both participated in a little activity for the grade school kids, too. The children's minister had a group of us dress up as Bible heroes (and heroines). I chose Rahab, because ever since I discovered that she is part of the lineage of Jesus, I've found her story quite fascinating. (It also told me that God can use anybody to get things done.)
And in an unrelated costuming event, George and I did dress for a costume party.
So, you know, an odd year.
Tonight we go to some friends' house to help with trick-or-treat, then new epi of Show!
And on a final note, we were very blessed to be missed by the worst of Sandy. One power blink. That was it. No downed trees, no flooding. Hallelujah!
Ghost Tour
Oct. 20th, 2012 11:06 pmI can't believe this is the first Halloween post I've made this year, and it's October 20 already! Yeesh!
Tonight Geo and I went on a ghost tour of historic Warrenton. It started out at the old jail, which had some very interesting stories with it. We then walked around portion so the historic district, where our guide (dressed as a Confederate officer, of course), told us various stories of odd happenings associated with the buildings. Many were written up in somewhat vague terms, but others had very recent--like second hand--references.
But the most interesting story, I thought, was one that was not on the tour. In the kitchen of the old jail, the woman who was fixing the refreshments told us about a lady who came to tour the jail. The patron had a dog with her, and the jail worker (the lady fixing the refreshments tonight) said the patron could bring the dog in. The dog, very friendly and excited, showed great interest in the kitchen fireplace, then in the stairs leading up to what used to be living quarters for the jailer, then stopped again in front of the fireplace and looked up expectantly at his mistress. The patron told the jail worker that the dog was a young cadaver dog in training. She took that dog out and brought in an older, seasoned, no-nonsense cadaver dog, who did the same thing: showed extreme interest in the fireplace, scratched at the door leading to the living quarters, then stretched out in front of the fireplace.
As it turns out, the wife of one of the jailers burned to death in the kitchen when her dress caught fire from the fireplace as she was cooking for the prisoners--some 130-odd years ago.
All in all, a very entertaining evening.
Tonight Geo and I went on a ghost tour of historic Warrenton. It started out at the old jail, which had some very interesting stories with it. We then walked around portion so the historic district, where our guide (dressed as a Confederate officer, of course), told us various stories of odd happenings associated with the buildings. Many were written up in somewhat vague terms, but others had very recent--like second hand--references.
But the most interesting story, I thought, was one that was not on the tour. In the kitchen of the old jail, the woman who was fixing the refreshments told us about a lady who came to tour the jail. The patron had a dog with her, and the jail worker (the lady fixing the refreshments tonight) said the patron could bring the dog in. The dog, very friendly and excited, showed great interest in the kitchen fireplace, then in the stairs leading up to what used to be living quarters for the jailer, then stopped again in front of the fireplace and looked up expectantly at his mistress. The patron told the jail worker that the dog was a young cadaver dog in training. She took that dog out and brought in an older, seasoned, no-nonsense cadaver dog, who did the same thing: showed extreme interest in the fireplace, scratched at the door leading to the living quarters, then stretched out in front of the fireplace.
As it turns out, the wife of one of the jailers burned to death in the kitchen when her dress caught fire from the fireplace as she was cooking for the prisoners--some 130-odd years ago.
All in all, a very entertaining evening.
They just make me smile
Sep. 24th, 2012 11:31 amSo. There was an SPN convention in Dallas this past weekend. Vids are becoming available. I'm at work right now, with people in the office, so I can't go looking for clips that amuse me to share, but if I get the chance, I will. (Jensen played lacrosse in high school. He wasn't very good, but he liked running into people.)
I've had it pointed out to me that SPN's new season starts in 9 days. NINE DAYS! Which is both woo-hoo, and yikes I better get moving on reviewing my new DVDs. (BTW, Jensen on blu ray on an HD TV screen . . . it almost makes my eyes water, such a gorgeous sight.)
It's been a weird, weird past couple of months. Daddy's passing (I miss, you, Daddy). Twenty-five year high school reunion. George turning 50. Good friends who build patios. New adoption case worker, and the fear that Geo and I are too old to ever be selected. New nephew on the way.
I'm so ready for this beautiful autumn weather. And I'm so ready for seeing Jensen on my TV screen again.
And per the con vids, Jensen is as charming, funny, intelligent, and gorgeous as ever. I've missed you, guy.
Also, yesterday while Geo was being an author escort at the National Book Festival, I took my Supernatural tunes outside and washed my car. I think Dean would approve.
I've had it pointed out to me that SPN's new season starts in 9 days. NINE DAYS! Which is both woo-hoo, and yikes I better get moving on reviewing my new DVDs. (BTW, Jensen on blu ray on an HD TV screen . . . it almost makes my eyes water, such a gorgeous sight.)
It's been a weird, weird past couple of months. Daddy's passing (I miss, you, Daddy). Twenty-five year high school reunion. George turning 50. Good friends who build patios. New adoption case worker, and the fear that Geo and I are too old to ever be selected. New nephew on the way.
I'm so ready for this beautiful autumn weather. And I'm so ready for seeing Jensen on my TV screen again.
And per the con vids, Jensen is as charming, funny, intelligent, and gorgeous as ever. I've missed you, guy.
Also, yesterday while Geo was being an author escort at the National Book Festival, I took my Supernatural tunes outside and washed my car. I think Dean would approve.
Houseplants galore
Sep. 21st, 2012 06:14 pmIn condolence for my father's passing, work sent me a really big basket filled with various houseplants. Today I've been looking into the care of each of them, and looking up the ones I don't know what they are. We have gone from having nothing but a Christmas cactus and a jade plant (given to us a few years back) to having those, plus one each of the following:
Aloe vera
Peace lily
African violet (my Grandma K used to keep these. She belonged to an African violet club, even)
English ivy
Prayer plant
Arrowhead vine
Kalanchoe
A palm of some sort. The closest I could find on-line was maybe a parlor palm. It's very cute.
Plus the mixed planter that has all the plants in the same pot. I haven't started looking those up yet.
It's been very interesting reading about some of these plants. The peace lily is very cool in that it's recognized by NASA as one of the top ten air cleaning plants. And it is resilient. I thought I killed it the other day, but it turns out it just needed watering. The prayer plant is called such because at night it curls together as if it's praying. (I need to check that out tonight.) I'm wondering if the English ivy can be put outside to grow around our newly repaired Narnia lamp (on which Geo is going to put a commemorative plate to Daddy). I think I want honeysuckle on that again, though. (Need to look up when is good to buy and plant honeysuckle.)
I'm hoping the African violet blooms well. The leaves seem to be doing well; I'm wondering when I can expect more blossoms.
I also wish I could show all of these to Daddy.
I'm also trying to get back to my exercise schedule, now that we have a blu ray player in the basement, and my S7 DVDs came. While I liked S7 okay, it's not something that needs my absolute and undivided attention, and it seems I have a real problem motivating myself to walk on the treadmill unless I'm watching something with Jensen in it. *shrug* I guess I'm a creature of habit.
Aloe vera
Peace lily
African violet (my Grandma K used to keep these. She belonged to an African violet club, even)
English ivy
Prayer plant
Arrowhead vine
Kalanchoe
A palm of some sort. The closest I could find on-line was maybe a parlor palm. It's very cute.
Plus the mixed planter that has all the plants in the same pot. I haven't started looking those up yet.
It's been very interesting reading about some of these plants. The peace lily is very cool in that it's recognized by NASA as one of the top ten air cleaning plants. And it is resilient. I thought I killed it the other day, but it turns out it just needed watering. The prayer plant is called such because at night it curls together as if it's praying. (I need to check that out tonight.) I'm wondering if the English ivy can be put outside to grow around our newly repaired Narnia lamp (on which Geo is going to put a commemorative plate to Daddy). I think I want honeysuckle on that again, though. (Need to look up when is good to buy and plant honeysuckle.)
I'm hoping the African violet blooms well. The leaves seem to be doing well; I'm wondering when I can expect more blossoms.
I also wish I could show all of these to Daddy.
I'm also trying to get back to my exercise schedule, now that we have a blu ray player in the basement, and my S7 DVDs came. While I liked S7 okay, it's not something that needs my absolute and undivided attention, and it seems I have a real problem motivating myself to walk on the treadmill unless I'm watching something with Jensen in it. *shrug* I guess I'm a creature of habit.
Young, S1 Dean.
Sep. 17th, 2012 03:52 pmBear with me just a moment.
Sometimes, I think God talks to me via my car radio. No, not voices, just . . . encouragement. Particularly when I'm stressed or down, and I hear just the right SPN song on the rock station. Or, like today, I'm feeling a bit out of sorts and upset with myself, and I heard three SPN related songs ("Renegade," "Burning For You," and "Bad Company"), plus a new Lynard Skynard song that could have been written about young Dean. Just substitute Impala for bike, and I think it's pretty well covered. Keeping in mind that I often change stations because I get tired of the DJ's prattle, this seemed significant today.
( Last of a Dying Breed )
Sometimes, I think God talks to me via my car radio. No, not voices, just . . . encouragement. Particularly when I'm stressed or down, and I hear just the right SPN song on the rock station. Or, like today, I'm feeling a bit out of sorts and upset with myself, and I heard three SPN related songs ("Renegade," "Burning For You," and "Bad Company"), plus a new Lynard Skynard song that could have been written about young Dean. Just substitute Impala for bike, and I think it's pretty well covered. Keeping in mind that I often change stations because I get tired of the DJ's prattle, this seemed significant today.
( Last of a Dying Breed )
Awesome friends are awesome!
Sep. 10th, 2012 05:33 pmLast year, George started digging out a space for a patio. Motivation was hard, though, and we've had a hole in the yard for almost a year.
Then this past week, friends from our Life Group joined forces and helped him build the patio. It was almost done when he met me in WV to bring me home from a week in Ohio.
When we got home, he took me out back to show me the progress, and . . .
It was finished. Done. With a pot of mums and a b-day card for George.
We are going to christen the patio with George's 50th b-day this weekend. Woohoo!
(Now it just needs tiki lights and a fire pit. *nods*)
Me spinning with delight on the the new patio:
Now I can have pots of herbs on the patio, and a patio peach tree. Whee!
Then this past week, friends from our Life Group joined forces and helped him build the patio. It was almost done when he met me in WV to bring me home from a week in Ohio.
When we got home, he took me out back to show me the progress, and . . .
It was finished. Done. With a pot of mums and a b-day card for George.
We are going to christen the patio with George's 50th b-day this weekend. Woohoo!
(Now it just needs tiki lights and a fire pit. *nods*)
Me spinning with delight on the the new patio:
Now I can have pots of herbs on the patio, and a patio peach tree. Whee!
Thank you, f-listies
Aug. 14th, 2012 08:57 amThank you for the thoughts, prayers, and condolences. I want to reply to each one individually and personally, but I'm so very tired right now, and my heart hurts. Please know that each post means something to me, and I appreciate it very much.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I miss him.
Aug. 10th, 2012 05:08 pmMy dad's memorial service was today. It was a beautiful service with, I think, more laughter than tears. But I miss him.
The minister shared this poem and gave a very hopeful, uplifting message, which soothed my heart quite a lot.
Still, I miss Daddy.
( Go Down, Death )
The minister shared this poem and gave a very hopeful, uplifting message, which soothed my heart quite a lot.
Still, I miss Daddy.
( Go Down, Death )
Broiled Chicken Breast with Lime
Jul. 10th, 2012 06:36 pmI made this recipe for dinner tonight, with, as suggested, the tequila rather than rum. It was mighty tasty, if I do say so myself.
Oddly enough, the first taste sensation I got was "Saturday morning cartoons." Weird, huh. It was the combination of sweet (honey) plus lime. It brought to mind Fruit Loops, which by my earliest recollection is the first cereal I can remember, and my first favorite. Anyway . . .
I had to tweak the cooking time (I'm always paranoid that I will accidentally undercook chicken, which is why I rarely use anything other than my crock pot to cook), but now that I know, I'll be prepared the next time.
The hardest part was grating the lime zest, because I was afraid I wouldn't have enough. We've got some wonderful apiaries, so fresh, local honey is not a problem (I particularly love the honeys that have a bit of a unique flavor).
Served with steamed zucchini and a nice Australian Chardonnay. Two thumbs up from George, and a paws up from Bunqui. Must investigate other broiler recipes in our quest for lighter eating.
Not too sure that the wine was a good idea, though. I'm not really mellow, and will most likely fall asleep during the movie tonight. George is introducing his favorite movie, Sunset, which is a silent film. Not that I don't like silent films, but when you get into a dark theater, and have the nice music going, (and after a nice dinner with a nice glass of wine) . . . I can't really see staying awake, you know?
Oddly enough, the first taste sensation I got was "Saturday morning cartoons." Weird, huh. It was the combination of sweet (honey) plus lime. It brought to mind Fruit Loops, which by my earliest recollection is the first cereal I can remember, and my first favorite. Anyway . . .
I had to tweak the cooking time (I'm always paranoid that I will accidentally undercook chicken, which is why I rarely use anything other than my crock pot to cook), but now that I know, I'll be prepared the next time.
The hardest part was grating the lime zest, because I was afraid I wouldn't have enough. We've got some wonderful apiaries, so fresh, local honey is not a problem (I particularly love the honeys that have a bit of a unique flavor).
Served with steamed zucchini and a nice Australian Chardonnay. Two thumbs up from George, and a paws up from Bunqui. Must investigate other broiler recipes in our quest for lighter eating.
Not too sure that the wine was a good idea, though. I'm not really mellow, and will most likely fall asleep during the movie tonight. George is introducing his favorite movie, Sunset, which is a silent film. Not that I don't like silent films, but when you get into a dark theater, and have the nice music going, (and after a nice dinner with a nice glass of wine) . . . I can't really see staying awake, you know?
Ohio Pottery
Jul. 7th, 2012 08:09 amWell, it looks like I'm going to have to stop in at Starbucks soon.
Ohio used to have a booming pottery business, the most widely known stamp probably being Fiesta (as in the multicolored Fiestaware). Hull pottery was also very popular, as was the similar-looking McCoy pottery. And of course Roseville pottery. All from Ohio.
Next time you go pottery shopping check the stamp on the bottom.
Ohio used to have a booming pottery business, the most widely known stamp probably being Fiesta (as in the multicolored Fiestaware). Hull pottery was also very popular, as was the similar-looking McCoy pottery. And of course Roseville pottery. All from Ohio.
Next time you go pottery shopping check the stamp on the bottom.
Care to take a tour of Jensen's home that's been placed on the market? Follow me.
( I want his swimming pool. )
( I want his swimming pool. )
Memorial Day 2012
May. 28th, 2012 06:49 pmHad what sort of felt like it was approaching a proper Memorial Day, the first since the move to Virginia. We went to the commemorative ceremony at the national cemetery in town, and although there was no parade and no reading of "In Flanders Field" or the Gettysburg Address (which is on a plaque on one of the buildings at the cemetery), but the keynote speaker was very interesting, and one of the high school bands played. We walked around downtown before doing a wee bit of shopping and coming home.
We ate both breakfast (waffles) and dinner (steak on the grill) on our screen-in porch. The weather is lovely, and it was just a nice, relaxed day.
We ate both breakfast (waffles) and dinner (steak on the grill) on our screen-in porch. The weather is lovely, and it was just a nice, relaxed day.
A good day
May. 12th, 2012 11:24 pmGorgeous weather today. Went to the farmer's market, ate lunch at Bella Mia's, then went to Bonnie Reb Boot Shop to look at boots. I've been thinking about treating myself, and I wanted to see what they had. (No trying them on today, as I was wearing flip-flops, so no socks to try on with.) Ended up getting George a new belt and a new pair of boots for him. (He hasn't had a pair of cowboy boots since he was four years old.) He was quite pleased with the purchase. I got a necklace.
Almost like being back home!
Apr. 27th, 2012 12:40 pmGeorge & I are home today, and watching the noon news. I hear a voice from my childhood, and look up, and hey! Didn't that guy used to be on Channel 7 in Dayton? So I ask George, and I look it up on the channel's website.
And lo, it is indeed Ken Jefferson ("Ken Jefferson, News Center 7.")
What a very cool coincidence.
And lo, it is indeed Ken Jefferson ("Ken Jefferson, News Center 7.")
What a very cool coincidence.
