Here's my morning Haiku
The cuckoo sings out seven times
The cats paw, the dogs woo-woo
Each celebrates another new begining
- Or-
Breakfast duties fulfilled
Lunch packed, keys in hand I'm on my way
It's only 5:30am!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Rose Bush
Planting season for bare root roses is coming to an end, so I made a last minute run to the store to pick up a few. Having done some Internet research first, I was able to recognize the shade tolerant varieties that I needed for the front yard. I found just what I wanted and at $4 each, I chose two. I planted them that very afternoon, so they were all snug and cozy for their first night with their "toes" in real soil.
The next afternoon, I detoured en rout to my mail box, to pay a visit to my new baby bushes. Akkkk!!! The one in the middle was gone! There was only a hole where it used to be...I couldn't believe it! Who would sneak around at night to steal a $4 rose bush? It was gone, vanished, no where in sight....oops, there it was about six feet behind me, near the middle of the yard! The poor thing looked naked with its bare roots sticking straight up in the air (like a dead deer by the side of the road.) On closer inspection, it looked like scratching marks in the ground all around the hole, and "fluffy" dirt, like it was flung. Maybe it was an animal. Why??? What kind of animal goes around at night randomly attacking innocent rose bushes?
With no further clues as to the suspect, I turned my energies to re-planting the hopefully not-yet-dead bush and employing security measures. It was suggested that I should stake it to the ground and lock it down with a chain, but I really didn't think it had been trying to escape. In the end, I anchored it with two rocks, and put windmill sentries on duty. So far I've been successful, it survived last night unscathed. However, you can be sure I'll be checking in on my little buddy everyday until it grows some proper thorns.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
BREAKFAST, THE BEST MEAL OF THE DAY
They say there is no such thing as a free lunch, well that may be, but today there was a free breakfast...at Denny's!
I needed to retrieve my car, so today I drove down to SD to swap cars with B. I had heard about the "free Grand Slam" promotion a few days ago, and thought how much fun it would be to take her out for a free breakfast. We had heard there were long lines at all the Denny's, but we were undaunted. When we arrived, we also found there were long lines of cars in the parking lot! Luck was on our side. We found a parking spot almost immediately, and quickly threaded through the dozens of people outside to put our name on the list. The host predicted only about a 45 minute wait...less if we waited for the counter. On our journey into the restaurant from the parking lot, B spotted a news crew arriving. "Great, just what I need...all my friends to see me on the 6 o'clock news." I told her not to worry, we'd duck inside to wait...the story was probably with all the people waiting around the outside of the building. Oops, here comes the crew through the front door. I warn her, and we move around the corner near the bathrooms, and turn our backs so not to be seen. Then we hear, "Oh no, don't move, we want to talk to you two!" Here comes the TV camera right in our faces, and the microphone to our lips!!! Yep really. (So glad I put my eye make up on today!) That cameraman and reporter had made a bee line through the crowd, just to interview us! B's gonna kill me for sure?
I thought the whole experience was exhilarating and the coincidence of being at the one Denny's during the one hour that the TV crew came, and then picking us out of the crowd of people to interview...was hysterical!
It turned out that we were able to sit almost immediately at the counter, and our meal came before we finished reading the funnies! It was great, hot and yummy...and maybe we made the 6 o'clock news! I hope they do it next year!
I needed to retrieve my car, so today I drove down to SD to swap cars with B. I had heard about the "free Grand Slam" promotion a few days ago, and thought how much fun it would be to take her out for a free breakfast. We had heard there were long lines at all the Denny's, but we were undaunted. When we arrived, we also found there were long lines of cars in the parking lot! Luck was on our side. We found a parking spot almost immediately, and quickly threaded through the dozens of people outside to put our name on the list. The host predicted only about a 45 minute wait...less if we waited for the counter. On our journey into the restaurant from the parking lot, B spotted a news crew arriving. "Great, just what I need...all my friends to see me on the 6 o'clock news." I told her not to worry, we'd duck inside to wait...the story was probably with all the people waiting around the outside of the building. Oops, here comes the crew through the front door. I warn her, and we move around the corner near the bathrooms, and turn our backs so not to be seen. Then we hear, "Oh no, don't move, we want to talk to you two!" Here comes the TV camera right in our faces, and the microphone to our lips!!! Yep really. (So glad I put my eye make up on today!) That cameraman and reporter had made a bee line through the crowd, just to interview us! B's gonna kill me for sure?
I thought the whole experience was exhilarating and the coincidence of being at the one Denny's during the one hour that the TV crew came, and then picking us out of the crowd of people to interview...was hysterical!
It turned out that we were able to sit almost immediately at the counter, and our meal came before we finished reading the funnies! It was great, hot and yummy...and maybe we made the 6 o'clock news! I hope they do it next year!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A VISIT TO SANTA
For the first time in years, I got to take my little girls to get a picture with Santa, and aren’t they adorable? We started the evening with a trip to B’s employer for a yummy hot beverage. Next we drove over The Living Desert to explore it after dark and be amazed by their famous “wild lights.” They have amazing displays of Christmas lights, all arranged in a desert or wild animal design, and there are over 350, 000 lights! There was a nocturnal animal show, ice-less ice skating, camp fires to roast hot dogs and s’mores, and endless photo opportunities. Of course sitting on Santa’s knee was the highlight. Then we went home to decorate the tree and toast the coming of the holidays with champagne. What a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.
Epilogue: The next day B and K went to Idylwild to visit the snow and bring some back for me to enjoy. It so happened that when they returned, I was in the shower. They couldn't wait, and pummeled me with snowballs! After I stopped screaming, I could hear their victorious laughter.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
THE CAKE
Once upon a time, there was a mother whose children had all grown up. Each one had left home to seek their fortunes and make families of their own. While the mother missed them very much, she was overjoyed to see them happy in their pursuits.
One day, the mother was asked to join her daughter’s birthday celebration, and invited to bring the cake. This was a special honor and delight, to once again be baking the birthday cake for her little girl. Since so many guest were invited, the mother decided to make two beautiful cakes, to be sure there would be enough for all. One cake was iced with vanilla frosting (the girl’s favorite flavor) and the other was iced with chocolate. The mother had fun decorating both cakes with whimsical and colorful designs for the happy occasion.
The party was filled with playful activities, good food, laughter and loving friends. That evening, the girl discovered that her guests had eaten from only one of the cakes. When her mother left for home the next morning, her daughter insisted she take the second cake to share with the mother’s friends at home.
It so happened, that a member of the mother’s church, was an old widow woman who had been blind for some years. The kind parish priest had arranged for workers to help the widow woman with her house hold chores and doctor visits and companionship, and a volunteer to help direct her finances. The mother heard that the very day she returned home with the extra cake, was the widow woman’s birthday. She quickly asked the volunteer to take it to the old woman, that she too could celebrate her birthday. So another candle was blown out, and another song was sung.
As fate would have it, that was to be the old woman’s last birthday. Just four weeks later, the widow woman found herself in the hospital with her days coming to an end. When visitors came to see her ,the thing of joy that she would talk about was the beautiful cake baked just for her birthday. She said it had been so long since any one had baked a cake just for her. She felt a special joy, and her weak heart glowed with the warmth from that simple act of love.
Moral: “You never know when your seemingly insignificant deed or remark, may make a big impact on someone else’s life.”
One day, the mother was asked to join her daughter’s birthday celebration, and invited to bring the cake. This was a special honor and delight, to once again be baking the birthday cake for her little girl. Since so many guest were invited, the mother decided to make two beautiful cakes, to be sure there would be enough for all. One cake was iced with vanilla frosting (the girl’s favorite flavor) and the other was iced with chocolate. The mother had fun decorating both cakes with whimsical and colorful designs for the happy occasion.
The party was filled with playful activities, good food, laughter and loving friends. That evening, the girl discovered that her guests had eaten from only one of the cakes. When her mother left for home the next morning, her daughter insisted she take the second cake to share with the mother’s friends at home.
It so happened, that a member of the mother’s church, was an old widow woman who had been blind for some years. The kind parish priest had arranged for workers to help the widow woman with her house hold chores and doctor visits and companionship, and a volunteer to help direct her finances. The mother heard that the very day she returned home with the extra cake, was the widow woman’s birthday. She quickly asked the volunteer to take it to the old woman, that she too could celebrate her birthday. So another candle was blown out, and another song was sung.
As fate would have it, that was to be the old woman’s last birthday. Just four weeks later, the widow woman found herself in the hospital with her days coming to an end. When visitors came to see her ,the thing of joy that she would talk about was the beautiful cake baked just for her birthday. She said it had been so long since any one had baked a cake just for her. She felt a special joy, and her weak heart glowed with the warmth from that simple act of love.
Moral: “You never know when your seemingly insignificant deed or remark, may make a big impact on someone else’s life.”
Thursday, September 4, 2008
BEVISMS
Handburger:
Actually E’s contribution. She was in 8th grade when she got into a discussion with me over what that delightful round sandwich from McD’s was called. She sensibly pointed out that it was not made of ham…and that it did fit in her hand!
Fassle:
Mom: I’m thinking of a word that starts with ‘f.’
B: I’ve got one, “fassle.”
Mom: Ha ha, “fassle” is not a word!
B: Yes it is! You know, like “fassle up your seat belts.”
The Greeting Card Assignment:
The class was assigned to create a business that you don’t usually see. B’s idea was a greeting card company for unusual occasions. As we were driving to the store, she began proudly telling me about one of her favorites. The front read: “Sorry you got laid”
(I nearly got whip lash when a jerked my head around to give her an astonished look.) Realizing something was off, she began back peddling and stammered….you know…when you’re sorry somebody lost their job!
OFF! Laid OFF! was all I could say.
The Habitat for Humanity:
Just a couple of years ago I read in our community bulletin about the plans for the vacant corner lot at the end of our street. The article said the property was purchased by Habitat for Humanity. B perked up suddenly interested, “so we’re going to get a little zoo down there?!”
The Terminator:
Telling me about a new coworker, B mentioned that the girl’s husband was in the military, and that he had an interesting job…he was a terminator.
Akkk! I’m choking again! My eyes bulge as I look at her and repeat…a…TERMINATOR???
Stealthfully realizing that something was amiss, she begins to describe his job and that he kills the bugs, you know in houses and such.
“EX-terminator!!!” “Exterminator!!!” “Exterminator is what you mean,” I pant.
Actually E’s contribution. She was in 8th grade when she got into a discussion with me over what that delightful round sandwich from McD’s was called. She sensibly pointed out that it was not made of ham…and that it did fit in her hand!
Fassle:
Mom: I’m thinking of a word that starts with ‘f.’
B: I’ve got one, “fassle.”
Mom: Ha ha, “fassle” is not a word!
B: Yes it is! You know, like “fassle up your seat belts.”
The Greeting Card Assignment:
The class was assigned to create a business that you don’t usually see. B’s idea was a greeting card company for unusual occasions. As we were driving to the store, she began proudly telling me about one of her favorites. The front read: “Sorry you got laid”
(I nearly got whip lash when a jerked my head around to give her an astonished look.) Realizing something was off, she began back peddling and stammered….you know…when you’re sorry somebody lost their job!
OFF! Laid OFF! was all I could say.
The Habitat for Humanity:
Just a couple of years ago I read in our community bulletin about the plans for the vacant corner lot at the end of our street. The article said the property was purchased by Habitat for Humanity. B perked up suddenly interested, “so we’re going to get a little zoo down there?!”
The Terminator:
Telling me about a new coworker, B mentioned that the girl’s husband was in the military, and that he had an interesting job…he was a terminator.
Akkk! I’m choking again! My eyes bulge as I look at her and repeat…a…TERMINATOR???
Stealthfully realizing that something was amiss, she begins to describe his job and that he kills the bugs, you know in houses and such.
“EX-terminator!!!” “Exterminator!!!” “Exterminator is what you mean,” I pant.
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