Category: Humor

Pour out

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Humor, Nature, Traveling

Explanation of Mistaken Post

Last Sunday we drove down to Bernheim Forest in Kentucky to see the sculptures of Giants. We also saw a lovely purple flower I did not recognize. I thought I was saving the flower information to write about on this blog. I inadvertently posted it and most of you were likely scratching your head, asking, “What??”

The website I noted (www.wildflowersoftexas.com/ruellia-nudiflora/) says,

Ruellia nudiflora, commonly known as Violet Ruellia, is a member of the Acanthaceae family and is native to several states in the United States, including Texas. This plant is also known as Common Wild Petunia, Violet Wild Petunia, or Wild Petunia. Violet Ruellia is a low-growing perennial that can reach heights of up to two feet tall.

It is known for its beautiful violet flowers that bloom in the summer and fall. Violet Ruellia can be found growing in a variety of habitats, including prairies, meadows, and open woods. It is also a popular plant for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.”

Violet Wild Petunia

What drew us to the Forest in the first place was these wooden sculptures of giants.

Entitled “The Boy”

as you can see he is a boy of great size!

Adults and children with “The Boy”

We had a nice turkey sandwich lunch with fruit at the Visitor Center and took off to fidn the Mother and Girl sculptures. We got lost in the maze of unmarked roads. Finally made it back to the visitor center area and asked a man if he was familiar with the park and could direct us to see the sculpture. He was quite helpful.

If you hike the main trail it is 2 miles and most of it through a meadow. Being a clear sunny day and considering our ages and my feet we opted to drive nearer to the other 2 sculptures. The woman was reclining under a tree and depicted as quite pregnant!

We heard many visitors comment on the giants toenails!

Being a hot and sunmy day I was glad she could rest in the shade!

We walked part of the way to the “girl.” Decided we were tired and as the trail went up and down hills we were finished for the day. If and when we visit again we will know just where to stop and likely begin with the girl next time. Overall, we were glad we made the trip and finally saw “The Giants.” There is supposed to be a similar exhibit in the Dayton, Ohio area. Hopefully we will venture there one day to compare the two parks.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Family, Humor

Dogs and Humor?

I was in hysterics watching this. Sent it to most of my friends. Hilarious!! Click on the link. You can ignore the sign in for Facebook and just watch the video. Don’t bother with the sound. The subtitles are so funny!

https://fb.watch/tvsW3nkHI8/

On the national news the same night was this clip. One of our Grandgirls is fluent in sign language, so, of course, I had to send it to her with the suggestion that she train her 2 Corgis this way! You do want the sound on for this one, unless of course, you know sign language!

Lizzie and Drew’s Corgis, like in the first video, live with several cats!

Noodle the older female and S’More the puppy male
S’More
Posted on in Aging, Collection of Quotes, Family, Humor, Memories

Sayings

Mom had bunches of sayings. Likely Your Mom did, too?

“You know it’s so!” does not even have an image for this day and age!

“Don’t chase the pain.” Take your post-op pain medications on a schedule. Do not wait until the pain overwhelms you.

“Let’s get this show on the road.” The Random House Dictionary of America’s Popular Proverbs and Sayings says this expression originated in the world of traveling theater productions and was in common use by the 1930s, having originated around 1910.

Remember when television shows would admonish you, “Don’t touch that dial!” Now we don’t even have dials any more with all the remote controls and now even voice controls!

“Nothing ever has to be true for people to believe it.” Sadly, America does not “run on Dunkin” as much as this saying.

“She always said you might as well hope for the best as go around fearing the worst.” Hillary Greene

Once I was riding a public bus and asked an older man how he was doing today. His response, “Okay. Can’t complain. Complain’ never did any good any way!”

Hope I made you think about sayings you know and perhaps smile once or twice?

Posted on in Aging, Humor

Humor, Brain Farts or Just OLD?

Recently I had an annual doctor appointment with the Ear Nose and Throat specialist. Her appointments are usually quick, but I have had so many appointments lately that take much longer than anticipated – well, you just never know when you go to a medical office how long it may take.I had made a lunch appointment with a childhood friend for after the appointment.

I went to what I thought was the medical office and realized in the lobby that the building I was in did not have enough floors and was actually where new dermatologist office appointment is for September. So I drove over to the other place and realized in the parking lot that the building I was at was not right either. Went to the high rise building across the driveway arriving just in time for my appointment. The appointment went very fast.

When I emerged I could not think of anything I needed to shop for, so I went home. bob and I ate lunch, As I chewed the last bite I got a phone call from my friend asking, “Am I in the right restaurant?” Once we planned to meet for dinner and she and her husband went to the wrong location. Oh crap! I totally forgot about our lunch and I had actually been looking forward to it!

Told her to go ahead and order I would be right there. She said she would wait so we could eat together. I told her I just ate, but I will meet and order iced tea.

I grabbed my keys and jumped in the car. There is a funeral home near our house. As i drew near to it I saw a funeral procession was turning into the road. This was the largest funeral procession I had seen in a long time! The Ohio law reads

Excepting public safety vehicles proceeding in accordance with section 4511.45 of the Revised Code or when directed otherwise by a police officer, pedestrians and the operators of all vehicles, street cars, and trackless trolleys shall yield the right of way to each vehicle that is a part of a funeral procession. Whenever the lead vehicle in a funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, the remainder of the vehicles in the procession may continue to follow the lead vehicle through the intersection notwithstanding any traffic control devices or right of way provisions of the Revised Code, provided that the operator of each vehicle exercises due care to avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian.

(C) No person shall operate any vehicle as a part of a funeral procession without having the headlights of the vehicle lighted and without displaying a purple and white or an orange and white pennant in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching from any direction.

So all of us waited. I remembered that they would block each intersection as they went down the highway so I decided to take the back road to mall. While in stopped funeral traffic here comes a fire truck. He went on other side of the road then turned down street I had chosen.

When traffic moved I saw he had pulled into a driveway so I went on ahead on my chosen road. Next thing I knew, 2 roaring ambulances from the other direction were screaming towards me. Yikes this was a busy hurried trip to the forgotten lunch date! I made up a little time when all lights were green.

As I got to mall and there were 3 sheriff cars. That is a lot of officials to be having lunch together!

Drove to the location I believed was right, restaurant was not there. Circled mall, saw nothing. Called my friend. She said at the end next to another restaurant. I went to end of mall and saw 4 sheriff cars. Then saw I saw them pinning a guy to the wall outside Macy’s. He must have been a shoplifter. Yikes. Found the place. As I looked for my friend, the waiter said, pointing, “Your friend.” Fell into booth with an unbelievable story for my day.

We laughed together as she ate and I sipped really strong iced tea. I ordered an unusual dessert, Kunefe, for us to share. My bill was as much as my entire meal from the night before! Nope, we both agreed, we will not be going back there anytime soon! We put another date for lunch on the calendar for August and decided to text and remind each other next time.

Oi! the foibles of “Miss Molly” as I am so often called.

Posted on in Aging, Beagle, Faith, Humor, Marriage and Memories, Praise, Thanks

BTW Bob is Fine

How do you feel about the texting shortcuts? Will my grandson even know how to spell?

So, BTW, “By The Way” Bob wanted you to know he is just fine now. I failed to say that in my blog about when he was hospitalized and I learned that if you are going to be crucified you must hold perfectly still. Actually this morning he is out in this awful heat and high humidity taking an 8 mile bike ride on a dedicated bike trail. Hopefully he will drink all of the water he carries with him.

Here is another example of Bob’s indefatigable humor. He cut this out of the New Yorker and could not wait to share it with me! Blower, chain saw, and of course his beloved bagpipes! Me in the window trying to write this blog, or poetry, etc.

The weather has been just awful here in the Ohio River Valley as well as most of the USA. I walked a little over a mile this morning and once inside realized I was totally drenched. Again. I pass my neighbor, another Bob, as he rides his bike in the neighborhood. We are both equally tired of this draining heat.

Meanwhile the silly beagle is basking in the front yard. With all that fur does she not have a thermostat? On that note, she now wants in. Maybe she is smarter than I realize?

Been meaning to ask you, how do you punctuate your day?

Mine is puncture in the evening and puncture in the morning (insulin injections). Lord, I am grateful to have the insulin and other medications that I need. I do get tired of the needles though. So however you punctuate your days and evenings I hope in the routine you can find a reason to give thanks!

Blessings on your day and lots of humor I hope!

Posted on in Art, Beagle, Faith, Humor, Nature, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

For Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV

In Hinds Feet on High Places Much-Afraid calls her Shepherd too preposterously absurd, adding “Whatever will you do next?” What has the Shepherd done in your life that is preposterously absurd? Can you look back and see the nail-scarred hand at work in your life adding amazing delight and surprise?

One dominant yoke of slavery right now across all areas of America seems to be anxiety and depression. Are you willing to try, as we celebrate this day of freedom, try to see the good situations or gifts this in life that are all around you and just waiting for your attention?

If you read my posts with any regularity you likely know that one of my favorite sources of joy is our dog, Lucky. When we first adopted her from the shelter someone told we a good way to indicate to her that it was bedtime was to give her a natural hollow bone with a small treat inside. I bought the smallest bones I could find. They usually are sold overstuffed with some inedible looking stuff. Since she had many teeth pulled before she came to us I would dig out the factory stuff and make a treat for her or stuff the bone with a small piece of hot dog (her favorite). This has become a bedtime ritual. I have her sit and wait patiently, (Ha!) She is told to keep the bone on her ‘blankey.’ I do not want treat or hot dog on the carpet every night. She eats her treat and goes to sleep.

When you were a child did you ever wait for the tooth fairy to put a coin under your pillow in exchange for a lost tooth? The other morning I saw the photo below.

I laughed out loud wondering if Lucky was waiting for the dog fairy to refill the bone for her! Obviously she did not keep it on the blankey the night before!

I also laughed when I saw this bachelor button in the garden. These are true blue flowers. Last winter was so mild here that the root survived the freezing season and brought us flowers almost immediately in the spring. The root on top of the ground is about the size of my thumb! The branch below is just a tiny sampling of the plant.

The buttons do not have pink centers, at least until they are very old and almost going to seed. This one was fairly fresh. That is a tiny pink moth or butterfly resting in the center!

In times of peace and in times of war children find ways to play. Poor or wealthy their imaginations are free. Seeing this recently at the art museum just reminded me that children are free in ways that adults forget to be. {After much research Bob was able to help me find the information on the photograph. I usually take a photo of that when we are in a museum. I did not that day. 😦 } In 1933, Seville, Spain Henri Cartier-Bresson took this photo. the website https://www.theartstory.org/artist/cartier-bresson-henri/ says

This photograph captures a group of children playing in the rubble in Seville, Spain. Framed by the empty, bombed-out section of a wall, the children interact joyfully and uninhibitedly among the ruins and desolation, in a space that is profoundly unchildlike. They are completely unaware that they are being observed. The ragged edges of the white, stuccoed wall could just as easily be the very surface of the photograph tearing open and inviting the viewer to look on undiscovered. The ambiguity of the picture space is a testament to Cartier-Bresson’s engagement with Surrealism, of which visual puzzles were a major feature.

There seems to be one adult there, the woman on the right with the basket. She looks like the only one who might not be free among the group.

“It is for freedom that Christ set us free.” Regardless of your politics God wants you free. Give the Holy Trinity your chains and afflictions. There is almighty power among them to set you free.

Posted on in Aging, Cooking, Humor, Writing Life

Oh My Goodness!

I am trying to eat more vegetables, like a good diabetic should. This morning I put on a saucepan of onions, pepper, chopped ham, a little soup base and 2 cans of green beans to simmer. I took my morning walk ( like a good diabetic should). There was still lots of fluid in the pan. I sat down at the computer.

I think my next writing feat will be to select from previous blogs the entries that seem to touch people the most. Then I will re-write and organize those, perhaps into a booklet? I really have no idea what is next with all of this.

The Lord has assured me that it will be work. I am not deterred by this sort of work. I began going through one notebook of blog entries that Bob so kindly marked for me with post-its. I am not actually re-writing at this stage as much as organizing.

I smelled the beans fragrance and kept working. When I finally decided I should check the beans I was too late! Almost all of the liquid had simmered away and there was black goo in the bottom of the saucepan. Yes, I have all of the ingredients to restart the process. but I hate to be wasteful.

I suppose the moral of the story is to not try to cook when I am working at the computer?!?!

Remember the song, “The cook she burned the bacon and there’s fire down below!”?

Lovely huh?
Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Humor, Illness and Health, medical treatment, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

My State of Aging 2024

Things that used to be a breeze are now  So  Very  Difficult Routines of self-care take longer and longer. Maybe complicated is a better descriptor?

Not enough to brush my teeth (what few teeth remain). And use the expensive toothpaste the hygienist insists upon. Now there must be floss, rubbery pick, fluoride toothpaste AND DON’T RINSE!

Take bedtime medications, but remember to do it before caring for the teeth because I AM NOT TO RINSE AFTERWARDS. Don’t forget the Tylenol and the other over the counter pill that aids with sleep. Inject the right units of insulin.

Use the fluoride rinse if you can fit it in. Perhaps do that after I eat breakfast? Use that rubbery pick thing after every meal. Last night after dinner I used it while watching TV. Then I noticed that some of the green bristles were missing. WAIT a minute!! Aren’t we supposed to be careful NOT to ingest plastic? Oi, the drama never ends!

Once a month inject that biologic that crushes the psoriasis. Thank goodness the pharmaceutical company provides it free of cost. Have to mark it on the calendar just like the dog’s tablet for anti-flea medication.

Now I am going to be wearing a continuous glucose monitor. Medicare covers the cost of that thing. The doctor’s office will teach us how to install it. Another insert-able thing, this one in the back of my arm. “Not always the same arm, not always the same place, not in a lump or scar.” Monitor should link to my iPhone to give readouts. If I link it to the reader they sent, I cannot use my iPhone to get the readings. Supposed to help teach me the impact of what I eat by showing me moment to moment what my blood glucose is. Check readout before each meal. If it goes too high I am to inject more insulin. They will have to teach me how much and when. This seems like a lot to manage. I will also need to change the device weekly.

Wait! I was taught to check my glucose 2 hours after eating. I smack my forehead and groan. I confuse easily!

Oh, I am a lot to manage!

Does continuous monitor mean I no longer have to begin the day with a finger stick? Well, at first I have to do both. Crap. I get so tired of needles.

Add to that the stretches as I continue to recover from shoulder surgery. If the plantar fasciitis flares up return to doing those stretches, too.

Oh by gosh, by golly! I feel as old as Santa and a lot less spry. Bob reminds me that I have “better living through modern chemistry.” So I fill the prescription boxes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime, 2 weeks worth. I always say a prayer of gratitude that I am able to afford the medications I need.

The iPhone says if I want to add the weather to my watch face that is called a “complication.” Same for the date and time. I suppose I am just a ‘complicated’ woman. Glad to be cared for, even if I complain. I tell God, “I’m trying.” God replies, “Yes, dear, very trying.”

Learning to turn all of this from overwhelming to let God have it. The Trinity is willing and able to direct my steps and help me walk through these things. I name them one by one and ask the Holy One to direct my steps. I relinquish these challenges to You and ask for comfort and wisdom in how to manage all of it.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17 NLT

Eventually, new things can become routine. Does anyone know how to make certain I take the lunch pills at lunch and don’t forget them?

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Humor, medical treatment, Nature

One Thing I Learned at Physical Therapy

When they give you ice therapy at the end this channel is on their television monitor. This channel is hilarious! Obviously you do not have ot watch the full hour, but it made me chuckle out loud and forget the pain of stretching!

If you are feeling poorly, this is bound to cheer you at least a bit!! Wish our cable company carried it! Maybe I can find it on YouTube app?

Posted on in Aging, Cooking, Family, Humor

My Humorous Interchange

At our senior citizen crochet and knit group we often get our terms mixed up and sometimes call a crochet pattern a recipe. We each chuckle and understand the faux pas.

Did I tell you about my humorous interchange with a ranger at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park visitors center? He had been speaking with Bob for while when I walked up. He asked where we were from and we told the Cincinnati area. He asked if we brought any chili with us. I said, no but you can get it in the freezer section now. He said he tried it canned and did not like it. I told him, “Well I have a recipe do you want me to send it to you?” He seemed eager. Then we spoke about other things regarding the Park. They now charge $5.50 per day for a parking permit. We thought that was more than reasonable since there is no park admission. We asked how many people are willing to pay the fee and how many skip it.

He said, “Funny thing about that! If you buy the permit all the proceeds go to the Park. If you wait and get cited, the rangers have to write the citation and all the proceeds go to the (I think he said) Department of the Interior and the park does not see a dime.” Now wait a minute! The rangers do the work and the park gets nothing?!?

As we ended our visit with him and he shared with me his email address he asked if I would send him the chili formula! I almost busted out laughing. I have done the pattern and recipe faux pas but have never heard a recipe called a formula!

So if you are interested in Cincinnati Style Chili, what follows is the FORMULA my mother used! She and my dad ran a chili parlor in Norwood for several years. A three way has chili, spaghetti and cheese. A four-way has beans, too. A five way has all of those plus raw onion.

Cincinnati Chili	                                                        *For vegetarian, use 
(2 lbs. ground beef or venison)                                 1-1/2 c TVP and more water
2 onions, chopped	                                    1/4 t ground cloves
4 c water	                                                    1/2 oz unsweet chocolate
2-8oz. cans tomato sauce	                   2 T vinegar	
(or 4-6 frozen, peeled tomatoes)  	   1 bay leaf
1/2 t allspice	                                            2 t worcestershire sauce
1/4 t garlic powder	                                    2 t cinnamon
2-4 T chili powder	                                    1-1/2 t salt
1 t cumin	                                                     1/2 t red pepper
Combine uncooked meat, onions & water: simmer 30 min.  
Add remaining ingredients.  Simmer uncovered 2-3 hrs until thick (stir frequently first hour). 
You may add a can of rinsed red or kidney beans. For best flavor, chill overnight.  
Serve with spaghetti & cheese, chopped raw onions if desired!

*(TVP: textured vegetable protein)