07/31/2021

"The woman I was yesterday,

introduced me to the woman 

I am today, which makes me 

very excited about meeting the 

woman I will become tomorrow."

OFFHANDGEAR

Sooooo thought today would never 

get here. 'Tis o' dark thirty and me

thinks it has finally arrived! The gods

be praised!

The yesterdays of the glorious month

of July have been delightful. I truly

believe that when you are submerged

in the planning and preparation for

those special events of your summer,

there is nothing quite like them.

Not for a moment does this mean I

won't enjoy today! I wish to be utterly

cognizant for every passing minute

of today's events. Enjoying today,

the glorious women with whom I'll 

be sharing it and whatever wondrous 

words are spoken, will be cherished.

And tomorrow, not to be outdone, will

be the sweet rememberings of all that

transpired. I'll find myself saying . . .

"Oh wasn't it special that she was able 

to come?" And, "The words spoken by

our elder have so influenced the way

I view things." As well as, "Did you

witness the miracle of friendship over

and over again?"

loving me the three

yesters todays and morrows 

all beyond priceless

07/30/2021

Sooooo loving this Summer weather! 

We get out as early as possible, sit 

by the pond, eat breakfast . . . all

the while fantasizing that Winter will 

never arrive! Don't  think for a moment 

I've forgotten two thirds of Spring was

stolen from us this year by Lord Winter .

Been running around 85 degrees here,

very comfy! I so feel for those in 110

degree weather as well as those

suffering from flood and famine! I do

understand that we've brought this on

ourselves.

Sometimes I find myself wondering if

we'll ever wake up and smell the coffee. 

There's so much we could do with less

consumption, recycling, bee protection,

protecting our water. 

As an elder, I'll probably ride this out,

but I fear for our offspring. It will be

up to them to sort out the issues, find

solutions and survive no matter what.

Pray the gift of wisdom will be granted. 

Still, that doesn't mean we can rest on 

our laurels; we need to help as long as 

we're alive!

need to learn the ropes

longing to help mother earth

care for our planet

07/29/2021

Once in a while, there is a most

magickal night! I actually use 

the 'k' on purpose!

We came home from picking up

my friend from a far away land.

I put in the new lights down the

walk way and . . . viola! Pure

magick!

The night's temp was perfect. 

The pond's running water sang

her wondrous song, and the

conversation was sweet!

I just couldn't help myself . . .

I kept looking about at this

glorious night Mother Earth

had gifted us. I kept waiting

for the angels to burst into

song!

I pray we are all ever gifted

these perfect summer nights!

let mother earth sing 

loving me some summer nights

a gift of the gods

07/28/2021

Today is my guy's actual birthday.

We celebrated on Saturday, because

that's a day when most of the family

can get together. Still, I'm going to

take him out for dinner at his fave

restaurant; I just have to.

I find celebrating such an interesting

thing, especially birthdays! I have

always liked celebrating the entire

month. I like to do something special

each day. I love special and don't

particularly care for the grandiose; 

I like small!

I still celebrate my dad and brother

on their birthdays. I like to raise a

toast to far away friends on their

special days. There are heroes of

antiquity I also like to celebrate.

Can't help but wonder if I don't

simply enjoy celebrating?! And

yes, I do indeed.

Each month I list those special 

b-days and send either an e-card

or a snail mail. So, what does all

of this mean? Me thinks it has

something to do with my own 

aging process.

As we grow older, we hold life

more dear. Special times matter.

Birthdays are important.  Let's

celebrate! 

how i love birthdays

to live yet another year

let's celebrate life!

07/27/2021

"I wonder how many people I've 

looked at all my life and never seen."

~John Steinbeck

What an amazing, thought provoking

statement . . . it brings me to tears;

breaks my heart!

I truly believe it's people we should 

be seeing, seeking, rather than goodies

life has to offer. Per se, we seek comfort

for our families, hearth and home. 

There is naught wrong with this; it is as 

it should be. Still, the pursuit of bigger

houses, more cars, millions instead of

thousands . . . all replacing time that

could be well spent with family and

friends.

Perhaps a serious look at our priorities

is in order. Obviously, they will differ

from person to person. For me it's . . .

    love before like

    people before things

    homes before houses

    comfort before pleasure

    belief before doubt

Whether or not we elucidate our own

priorities, beliefs . . . we have them. 

For me, it's important to honor them.

I find it helps me stay the distance.

07/26/2021

Monday Morning Coming Down . . .

Alas, me thinks Kris Kristofferson was

wrong when he said Sunday instead 

of Monday! Still, I beg his indulgence. 

It's Monday all the way for me.

It's funny when you're retired. You 

think all days will be the weekend, 

but that's not so. You may even forget 

which day of the week it is, but you 

never forget the weekend and the gifts 

it brings.

After seeing so many of our family 

on Saturday, yesterday we were treated 

to a visit from a couple of old friends. 

I just love reconnecting, catching up, 

hearing how everyone is doing . . . 

Alas, time is a real thing and there 

never appears to be enough of it. I'm

trying, I'm trying! In my latter years

I simply long to see all those I love

as much as possible.

Sooooo get ready, you're about to be

invited. Well actually, you don't even

need to be invited! Tooooo bad, you 

have the do the driving as the docs 

don't allow me to. Come on over and 

have a brewski by the pond! I might

even find the energy to cook a bit!

in my elder years

loving family and friends

enjoy the sharings

07/25/2021

'Tis the morning of the day after . . .

Such fun, such memories, such a mess!

I just love seeing the remnants of a good

do! Everywhere you look, there is literal

evidence of a good time well had!

I do have to laugh at how it takes about

three weeks to get ready for a family

reunion . . . but only a couple of hours

to erase the evidence!

So, we are sitting here by the pond, as

well as the fire and having a good look

see at the wondrous memories of a

delightful birthday. 

Today, I shall bask in the memories of

yesterday . . . rather makes me want to

have a birthday . . . go figure!

just counting the days

oh how i love these shindigs

lets party hearty

07/24/2021 - Gypsies in July

Seems I wait all year for today 

to arrive. At this wondrous family 

reunion, with all our kin from both

sides, we celebrate b-days ahoy!

My dad of course, as well as my

brother, but today is all about my

guy! And, he is much loved by his

dearests and bestests! I might add,

well-deserved!

The fam come in gypsy costumes

to honor the absolutely fab vardo

he built me. I would have to say,

the whole look of this amazing

fam reunion in this 1870's cabin 

and rustic area, in gypsy garb no

less, is rather beyond words! 

The men grill the burgers; there's 

even fake hotdogs for we weirdo 

vegetarians! The women bring  

dishes to share and we all hoist a

brewski celebrating this amazing

man, this incredible day!

And the most fun of all, we have

music! An amazing local musician

blesses us with this stunning guitar

playing and singing. I just can't 

get enough!

Alas, the only blight on the day is

that our Western Slope family can't

be here due to highway floodings

and slides. They will be sorely

missed!

Happy birthday, dear heart! May

you be much blest in your next

year!

07/23/2021 - Sammy

I remember Sammy. I have a sweet

small altar for him in my dining room. 

Every day, I glance up at it and wish

him well, no matter where he is.

Sammy was and is my brother. We

are 17 months apart. I was the only

one who could understand him until

around 11. It fell to me to translate

for him to my parents, his teachers,

our friends.

I cared for him after school until my

parents got home from work. I read

to him for a couple of hours, good

for both of us, I imagine.

Then he started getting recorded

books in the mail. 78 records, I 

believe. They were so wonderful

the entire family would sit together

and listen of an evening. My fave

was Lost in the Barrens by Farley

Mowat.

I loved Sammy's guide dogs. I

believe he had three different 

Golden Retrievers in his lifetime,

maybe even four. What a difference

they made to his life!

Today is his birthday; I remember

Sammy . . .

07/22/2021

 Got mail?

There was a package in my mailbox this

evening. I was ever so excited to open it.

Didn't matter that it was from Amazon

and that I had ordered it!

I do my own communicating via e-mail,

not being much of a phoner. Having said

that, so love getting cards or letters in the

mail. I check the mailbox every single

day, always hoping there will be one or

the other.

I'm not as faithful as I like in the sending

department. I do purchase cards, write 

the odd note and send them out now and

again. Wish I did more of that. Times

were when I was a proper letter writer.

Alas, days gone by . . .

Me thinks I'll celebrate New Year's day

on September first and make a resolution

to get back into the mail game. Just let

me know if you're in the mood to receive

a note!

running to the mail 

did anybody write me

a surprise awaits

07/21/2021 - Daddy

Today is daddy's birthday . . .

Of course, I can't get through this day

without remembering, thinking of him.

He ever will be the greatest love of my

life!

I've shared before that my parents did

a divide and conquer once my special

brother was born. We were a unit of

four, make no mistake. But, daddy 

took over rearing me as mom dealt

mainly with my brother. 

I remember toddling around behind 

him, always with dozens of questions.

I look back and recall the patience

with which he treated me! He would

answer those never ending questions

and then . . . at some point he'd say,

"Time to take a quiet break. Let's 

see, it's about 3:00. We won't talk

again until 3:30." It was hard, talker

that I am, but he never made it longer

than 30 minutes.

He is the man who gifted me my 

love of Mother Earth. He is the one, 

upon turning 13, who told me he 

believed me to be a Pantheist and 

himself a Panentheist. Having said 

that, he remained a staunch Christian 

his entire life! He was the real McCoy!

Oh how I love and revere this man.

I still talk to him everyday . . . and

today, I will be wishing him a happy

birthday, wherever he may be!

07/20/2021

Cute sign . . .

"Warning Hippies!

Hippies have been spotted in this area.

Peace, love and understanding could

break out at any moment."

I was about ten when the so called hippie

movement came about. I was fascinated,

make no mistake. I loved it all . . . the

excitement, the outrage, the different and

strange, life from a different perspective.

Strangely enough, the twenty years I was

in Mexico, I was often referred to as a

hippie. And in all fairness, I suppose I

embodied a great many of their ideals

and similarities.

So, what is the allure?  Coloring outside

the lines in all arenas is quite appealing!

The love of Mother Nature, dressing as

you wish, utterly thinking for yourself,

seeking life over existence, making do

rather than getting ahead, peace over war.

Obviously, this isn't all, nor even close

to all. And, each of these things belong

in other categories of thinking. Perhaps,

as we're now firmly in the 2020s, we

could each strive to write and live our

own philosophies. 

thinking for myself

lets talk love and energies

still so much to learn

07/19/2021

I awaken to Monday, a day full of lists;

mandates, errands . . . and like it or not,

fear!

I would have to confess, I've always had

issues with Mondays. 'Tis the day that

automatically follows weekend fun. It's

a day full of expectations and demands.

It's a day not to be messed with!

I pray I have the strength to get on with

these Monday demands. The answer may

be in little by little. Make the list in order

and simply do each errand as it comes up

on the list!

Me thinks Johnny cash got it wrong when

he sang, Sunday morning coming down!

He really meant Monday, not Sunday!

gotta bite bullets

gonna make my list check twice

courage for a price

07/18/2021

I so love countdown days . . .

Only six more days and as always

much to do.

I find I quite enjoy the prep work

involved each year prior to my guy's

b-day. He too, is involved in the

readying . . . although I do hear the

odd expletive from time to time.

Me thinks I'm fairly clever in that

I only use dif size brooms, a scraper,

a dust pan, trash bags. Whereas, my

man uses proper tools that break and

or break down. So, I actually get the 

odd curse or two.

Once we finished our tasks for the day,

we thought about sitting outside for                           

a while. Alas, I was too exhausted. I 

feared I'd probably fall asleep in the 

shower.

I may be sneaking off to bed at 6:30 

rather than the usual 8:30. God, this

aging thing has a great deal to answer

for!!!

Hope I have some energy left to party!

all work and no play

finally time to party

might be too tired

07/17/2021

I assigned myself today's task . . .

I'm supposed to clean the patio; me

thinks I'll just go back to bed now!

Just kidding; I'll rise to the occasion

one way or another. Still, lazing about

is part of what retirement's all about.

I enjoy spending my days reading, 

watching my fave murder mysteries,

sitting out by the pond, making some

margs, eating fun snacks, taking a 

short walk (emphasis on short!).

Love it when a friend drops by or

when we get it in our heads to hit

a local cafe. It matters to me that 

we make an effort to live rather

than simply exist.

Summer days, here we come . . .

going to enjoy the hell out of every

single one. So need to store up a

lot of summer in order to cope with

winter.

lets outside awhile 

so loving me some summer

what lifes all about

07/16/2021

I've heard tell that as we get older,

we tend to repeat things; I'll repeat! 

So fun to get away, yet surprisingly

good to return home! Judy Garland

said it all . . . "There's no place like

home!"

We had such a great rest and relax

that we're looking forward to going

back. Only this time, we're taking

in the town! Alas, I find that I'm

in love with small town antique

stores, large town 2nd hand stores

and any size town pubs. Note pubs,

not bars.

The ambiance you find in these odd

places is priceless. As far as I'm

concerned, I just need an every month

or two fix! One of the things about

Colorado's small towns is you can

still find a bit of the old gold rush

spirit. And of course, there's a price

to pay . . . but worth every cent!

(Note, I said 'cent' not dollar!!!)

Alas, the return home clean up awaits.

Until the next time!

not been there before

needs me a small town pub fix

can we go again

07/15/2021

Me thinks we haven't caught up with

Mama Nature's weather caprices just

yet. I really have no issue; she's got 

a lot to be angry about and if a three

rain abates her rage a tad, so be it.

Rain or no rain, there really is no

beauty that compares to that of the

Rocky Mountains. Long drive, but

my soul feels sated in wonder.

We're thinking to get set up, have a

brewski or two with the neighbors

and head into town for a look-see.

That is . . . if the rain storm abates.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's

both beautiful and peaceful here,

I'm happy as a clam just as is . . .

(Hey, how you enjoying all those

truisms here?!)

God, this is the least anxiety ridden

I've felt in months! May I abide a

while?

love me my travels

things happen for a reason

cant pry me away

07/14/2021

I find myself flirting with the word

anticipation! Just think about it! 

Prior to any plan, any endeavor, any 

scheme, comes this enticing word.

I like the entire concept . . . An 

idea comes to mind, a plan starts

to formulate. The brain begins to

work on turning the idea into a

reality, and anticipation is born!

I love the physical feel of it! You

make those lists, both mentally 

and in reality. You begin setting 

aside things needed for whatever 

plan you're hatching. And as your 

small pile comes to fruition, your

anticipation dances gleefully all

over kingdom come . . .

Anticipation is a gift! Looking

forward to each day to see what

will occur, making things happen,

truly knowing how fabulous it is

to be alive, anticipation is birthed.

Today, I am just giddy with 

anticipation. I know it will bring 

new experiences; sites, scenes, 

smells, sounds . . . all new!

anticipation

must i wait a bit longer

lifes gifts to reveal

07/13/2021

Sooooo love being an olde dame, now

retired.  Of course, there are things that

are now more difficult, but others better.

I enjoy waking up in the early hours and

thinking about my upcoming day. What

can I get myself up to? Is there a bit of

fun to go along with the naughty? Alas,

I have to convince my guy as he drives 

and I don't. Still . . .

As soon as it's light of day, I check on 

the prior evening's mail, pay the odd bill, 

wash yesterday's dishes and then hit my

guy up with whatever ideas I can come 

up with for the day's excitement.

Sometimes, I get a bit of weeding in. 

Other's, it's just sit outside by my tiny, 

tiny pond with a cuppa or glass of some-

thing fun. My fave is when we have to

get a few groceries, so we treat ourselves

to a meal out. We only do so about three

times a month, but it's fun nonetheless.

One thing I've learned is that fun needs

be neither expensive, nor elaborate. I

find I'm quite tickled with the simple.

Now as I glance down, figure I could 

do with a tad less wrinkled skin!

sophisticated 

fun by any other name

simple might be best

07/12/2021

"Here's to the wild, the weird and the 

wonderful.

To the tribe of troublemakers that think 

so far outside the box, they dream on the 

edges of the infinite.

Here's to the brightly colored, divine 

visionaries that won't stand down, play 

small or sit out. Here's to the awakened

ones whose purpose is to feed their

soul and not starve it.

Here's to the wild ones. Here's to you."

~Ara

Speaking of which . . . I've been ever so 

fortunate to have friends that dance the

weird! They make life interesting and

worth living.

One of mine bikes and hikes every week

end and free day available. I have one 

who teaches skiing all season. There's 

a pal of mine who puts together x-mas

booklets and readies them for the season.

A childhood friend crochets Christmas

ornaments. Wow!

I'm so fortunate to know women who

enjoy getting together to talk, share their

wisdom, ask for guidance and give sound

advice! I just love knowing people who 

color outside the lines. They are the best,

the absolute best!

heres to fab women

coloring outside the lines

think outside the box

If you're being called weird, strange, crazy

or witchy...take it as the best compliment

ever. It means you are brave enough to step

up and show the world who you really are.

~Jasmine L, CrystalLoversTribe

07/11/2021

Love that I've lived long enough to

become comfortable with my own

weird!

I do know when you're that odd kid

in grade school and everyone knows

you're weird before you do, can be

rather startling. That would have 

been moi!

Funny, if not downright amazing, 

how you grow into your own weird

and acceptance thereof. I always

supposed mine came from having

a special brother that I translated

for 11 years and counting. But, I

get it now. I was born that way!

As an adult, I find that I gravitate

towards people; strange, unusual, 

different, odd, challenging, bright

and self thinkers. Don't do so well

with the cookie cutter types.

I've come to realize that the older

we get, we become more so of 

our very selves. Grew up all the

above definitions, but have evolved

into an eccentricity that startles

even me from time to time.

I love it . . . rather wish I had ever

and always been comfortable with

it. Hope I'm gifted a few more years

to bask in the odd!!!

eccentricity

gods greatest gift to mankind

bring it on rejoice

07/10/2021

Me thinks I'm a lifeaholoic. Anything

good or great is better in the more

category. 

You do know that if the homemade

ice cream is delectable, you need at 

least three servings to make certain

of the veracity of this statement.

Sooooo love me some pizza, just

once in a while. If it's perfect, just

the way I like it, with three measures

of sauce . . . I eat the whole thing!

'Twould be a good idea to never let

me into an antique store. Talk about

an alluring temptation! It's all so odd,

interesting, different, strange, unusual.

Thank God, I can only afford a couple

of pieces.

And, let's not even get started on 

enchiladas!

my mind shouts stop it

not enough of a good thing

my mouth says yummy

So, this is me . . . fat, broke and still

enjoying the hell out of everything!

     Old is GOOD!

     Antique is BETTER!!

     Archaic is BEST!!!

Now, if that's me, what about food?!

Might be an idea to . . . 

NOT EVEN GO THERE!

07/09/2021

July is birthday special for me. My

dad, my brother and my guy all born

this month.

I remember daddy, love of my life,

throwing a birthday bash for family

and friends when he turned 70. He

did a fab wine tasting, phenomenal 

vintner that he was. He raised five

five kinds of grapes and made wines

from each. His wine was valued at

$30.00 a bottle here in Denver.

Then two years later, he was gone.

I remember the party . . . my dad,

his family, his tribe . . . and it never

occurred to me that he would be

absent in a mere two years. As I'm

71, I'm frightened to to turn 72 in

a couple of months.

My only brother Sammy, blind and 

special, lived to be 24. I have an

altar in his honor and try to spend 

a few moments there each day. He

was amazing and I'm grateful he's

at peace.

My guy, still strong of body, tall

and straight at 6' 2", long of stride,

still cutting a dashing picture in

my mind. He likes to celebrate his

b-day with our families, live music,

a bar-b-q and homemade ice cream.

The man does know how to party.

So, here's July with it's joys and

sorrows and me making an effort

to recall the good rather than the

sad. 

     Let's July! 

     Let's happy!! 

     Let's party!!!

07/08/2021

What is it about treasures?! Those

things so precious to our very souls

that we simply can not let go.

I found my own achilles heel, several

times over, when moving from my

residence to this tiny, tiny 130 year

old cabin.

Realizing that I would need to reduce

my many years of treasure collecting,

I set about sharing them as I would

have done upon my death. I would add

that sharing in life rather than sharing

in death, is much more satisfying.

Every now and again, I run into one 

of my treasures at a friend's home. I

recognize that I miss said pieces, but

I also find joy that they are with those

I love.

I find it interesting that the treasures

I chose to keep are not necessarily my

faves. I chose family heirlooms, things

that would look appropriate in the cabin.

Funnily enough, I find I value my

remaining treasures even more. Must

be that pesky law of diminishing

returns.

keep my treasures safe

love me my bits and pieces

taking them with me

07/07/2021

Been thinking about a 'round the world

cruise. Bet it would be fun! Or perhaps

a fly in to Peru and surroundings . . .

Never been to Alaska either. A girlfriend

of mine who lived there 30 years, makes

it sound so enticing. Too bad about the

money, or should I say, the lack thereof!

I think it's important, with or without

shekels, that we suss out those special

little things that enhance our lives. For

me, it's always been picnics; such fun!

Not to forget, a bit of a drive in the

mountains. Shame about the current

cost of gas, but there's that picnic idea 

again!

At the end of the month, when we can't 

afford a full meal out, we like to go into 

the restaurant and share one dessert 'twixt

the two of us. Luckily, the owner gets a

kick out of our weird and doesn't even

question it.

Make a short visit to a friend with a jug

of lemonade in hand. Maybe they'll have

cookies to go with. Bottom line, fun that

a visit to Italy would be, let's not forget

that little things in life have their place.

needs me mini vays 

lemons or lemonade which

lets picnic instead

07/06/2021

I find I'm rather excited this morning!

We're taking a picnic to an old friend;

I can hardly wait!

For starters, there's nothing like a picnic

to begin with! There's a romance in the 

basket simply waiting to be tapped! I

love carrying in the basket, my guy

handling the wine . . . it's all waiting 

happen. There's a kind of magic in that.

We'll find a place to set up. I think this

particular one will be indoors; not sure.

Then comes the unveiling. What do we

have here?! Some of these little boxes

must contain salads of a different note.

Munchies, of course. Dips? And I'm 

thinking, there must be different kinds 

of desserts.  It's all waiting to happen. 

Me thinks life is a tad like a picnic. 

There's the prep work, the experiencing,

the joy in unexpected finds and ever 

and always, the sharing. Bears some

thinking about if I'm not mistaken.

Do think on it. Have a picnic today.

Life with a picnic basket on its arm

is all the better for it.

tote in the basket

all kinds of lovely await

lets have a look see

07/05/2021

I will ever and always get a kick out of the

lure of the open road and that demanding

lust to return home.

So love our getaways, particularly when

it pertains to seeing our children. Still . . .

there comes a time to go and catch up with

all that has happened there and a time to

return for the same reason.

Having arrived a couple of days prior to

the 4th, I enjoyed the anticipation, the

build up . . . friends arriving, food to be

prepared and shared, water balloon fights,

spiked lemonade and finally, the arrival of

night so we could enjoy those fireworks.

The city was doing their display to one

side of us and the neighbors on the other.

I won't confess here, but let me say good

things were happening somewhere 'twixt

and 'tween! I loved hearing children's 

squeals, the adults' anticipation . . . and

then there's moi, having to run and hide

when the noise got too loud. 

I want to remember, remember that far

distant past when those who thought they

were in the right, fought for this land. I

want to remember the growing up years

and the 4ths spent with family now long

gone. I want to remember the joy in our

children, those of then and these of now,

as they much thrill in both the day and

its anticipation.

We must never, ever forget the price

paid by one and all for this that we call

home . . .

oh give me a home

where oh where and at what price

sorrow loss and gain

07/04/2021 - Grandma Elsie

What is it about the 4th of July weekend that

brings my paternal gran to mind? Must have 

something to do with the fact that she used

to host.

I remember the excitement knowing we were

going to her place to make homemade ice

cream. In those days, it was crank by hand. 

So as kids, we were first in line for our little

cranks as we simply didn't have the strength 

needed for the latter part.

Once the cranking became impossible, it

would be left to set up in it's cavern of ice!

God, I don't think waiting for anything else

in my life has been so hard. I can remember 

my brother and me prancing around with 

anticipation and joy.

Once gran pulled out the blade and put it on

a plate, we were allowed to spoon off the

excess ice cream whilst the grownups served 

up the bowls. Know this! As a child I knew 

the meaning of ambrosia long before  I ever 

started using the term. There is naught in this 

world like her homemade ice cream!

Having her own cows and using a separator,

she could literally cut the cream with a spatula.

Take that and just think what kind of ice cream

it would make!

Today as we plug in the crank, I will silently

raise toast and a memory . . . God, I miss her!

Ice cream in hand . . . or not!!!

today is the day

the fourth and homemade ice cream

making memories

07/03/2021 - Grandma Mary

What can one say about a highly intelligent

woman, a professional, one who might even

have acquired a bit of wisdom over the years

in her life . . . and she likes to read f---ing

murder mysteries?! ~!@#$%^&*()_+

I'm reminded of my gran; she liked to read

Harlequin romances. She'd buy one at a time,

read until sleepy, hide the book . . . and upon

finishing it, burn it in the wood stove.

One time, I found a box of them at a garage

sale. Tickled me! I wouldn't have been caught

dead reading one, but my gran loved them.

So, I take them to her and she's overwhelmed.

She sits there, quiet and pondering, and I'm

thinking, "What the hell?!"

Finally, she says she has a plan. Says she'll

hide them under her bed, read them one at a

time and burn them per usual. Then she tells

me she wants me to make a solemn promise.

Upon her death, I am to surreptitiously get

the box out from under her bed and get rid

of it without the family ever seeing it . . .

to say nothing of her church ladies.

I'm on the verge of cracking up, going into

hysterics, rolling on the floor, when I see

she's dead serious. Bless her heart! I swear,

I could have wept.

So love the old gal; she will ever and always

be in my heart. And, when I get caught up

in one of my murder mysteries, I lay it out

in plain sight in hopes my gran will get a

chuckle out of it! No need to burn them 

when I die . . . just pass them onto my girl.

Surely, if I've been a good mom, she'll read

them and think of me!

wheres my mysteries

needs me good reads now and then

no burning required

Learn to pronounc

07/02/2021

Me thinks my ole gran is having a chuckle

as she watches me trying her old aluminum

percolator on for size.  I mean really?! When 

one is camping, it just doesn't seem right to 

be drinking coffee out of little designer jars!

So, which coffee to use? How long should

it perk? How do you keep the coffee from

being riddled with grounds? Or . . . do 

you just grin and bear it?!  

I have this obscure memory . . . Finished

perking, gran would let the pot sit for a 

a few seconds, and then lift out the pot's

innards. Her cup at the ready, she'd add

one piece of ice to the boiling coffee and

all the grounds would sink to the bottom. 

Now, there's a phenomenon that not even 

God can explain!

Gran lived a sweet, simple life . . . not

much money involved. So, she drank

plain old Folgers. Nothing wrong with

that! It's just that in this day and age, we

all seem to be addicted to our designer

coffees. Having said that, I have never

ever tasted better coffee than hers!

Was it the coffee? The old percolator? 

Gran's tiny, rustic kitchen? Or, was it

Gran herself?! Bottom line, coffee of

its equal is nowhere to be found. God,

I miss her . . .

. . . and her coffee notwithstanding!

having me a brew

come on in for a cuppa

makes the day go right