Twice blessed

I feel that I have been twice blessed this week with experiences provided by others who have traveled my “bucket list”. Saturday, I was able to have a wonderful Greek dinner with friends. Lemon grass soup, salad, homemade yogurt, feta cheese and bread – all started with a traditional Greek welcome , music and a little vino! Next, came the main course and three delicious samples. Lasagna, (Greek style of course) spinach pie and lamb. Some had reservations about the lamb due to past experiences but tried a little and liked it. My mother would talk about raising sheep and pigs but these two dishes were never on their family table. Therefore, even though I had tried pork, I don’t think I ever had had lamb.
Very good experience!
Desert was cream of wheat with phyllo dough on top with honey.
Our surprise fortune teller was uncannily accurate. Hmmmmm?
Today, my second ethnic blessing came in the form of a grandmother of one of my students. She had returned from a trip to Irael and spent 9 days there. Unfortunately, her grandson, who had set up the visit was sick and could not come. But not only were we all blesses with the story and pictures she showed us, she presented myself and the teacher aide with prayer shawls. The kids each received a kaliedascope. (Sorry, neither spelling is working). She also told us that she took almost 3 hundred names (ours included) to the Wailing Wall and now we are being prayed over as the rabbis collect these every night. She was able to visit Golgotha and other holy places.
She had saved for ten years for this trip and encouraged the students to reach for their dreams also.
She talked about setting off a security alarm with the eyelets in her shoes and being yelled at by the guards for looking them in the eye. I guess in Israel, this is not allowed. Fortunately, a kind person assisted her before she was detained. Sad to think of the instability of the holy land….
My prayer shawl will be a treasured piece(my favorite color) but I appreciated the time it took (one hour and a half ) to drive to talk to us.
The journey was part of the gift!
Carpe diem…….

Spring???

It must be spring because I am digging out information on St. Patrick’s Day and my beat up posters.
I just finished a major report for Columbus for school and that has occupied most of my mental capacity for the last few months. I pulled a couple of all nighters the last two months which I can still do, but I can not recover as quickly as I used to!!(Sigh)
Just returned from our first orchestra practice of the season and we have a great group. Of course, I was the oldest one there and I did terrible but being the only cellist there was not as scary as I was afraid it would be.
The first song I was completely lost- it was one by Brahms(you know, the one who wrote the lullaby) But we switched to a Blue Grass and it was wonderful. We didn’t get to the Star Wars but we will start it first thing next week.
Our concert is in June and I am hoping we can play in town here around then.
So many talented young people. I met a young man who traveled from 45 miles away to be with us. We will also be working on our third piece written by a young person in our group.
I am not a true talent so I feel sometimes like an invader but I love playing , even badly, and I think this the true music therapy.
That and I am enjoying the play “Working” we are doing. If I only could have my memory back I used to have. I love my part and I want to do her justice.
Well, I worked late to clean up all the paper work I had neglected the last two months. I now have filled a box with papers to return, two boxes of recycling and I can actually SEE the top of my desk. Life is good!
Well, tonight I am off to a Greek dinner with friends and have my fortune told!
Tomorrow will be an Oscar party with friends between dinner and practice and back to vote. I will be looking for someone I used to babysit . I think his film is in one of those categories that they don’t show on national tv because of time but I understand he plays the bad guy!
Till then Carpe Diem – and forgive all the typos. I spend all day looking for them and I get a little lax on my days off!!!!!!!
Today, I had my turkey carnberry (no soup) and a Pot of Gold Latte. Irish don’t you know! Creme de menthe and caramel -Yum, yum!

Down South

I am here in southern Indiana where it seems balmy with warmer weather.
We ran into traffic problems due to construction but otherwise a good trip.
I am not sure where we will be going but I am up for any adventure as I am waiting for my brother and his girlfriend to pick me.
I found a very humorous publication about this town at the hotel (by the way- we were upgraded to a beautiful king room. We think this is because there are many wrestlers here for a big tournament. Many young people were downstairs this morning eating breakfast. Hopefully, this helped fuel them up for their competition.
We watched the Olympics – so tragic about the young luge player that we lost.
Hot tea this morning, but yesterday we stopped at a Starbucks and each had a bagel . I had a carmal mac steamer. So I still had a yummy treat – just 24 hours earlier than usual.
Hope to update later today on the adventures. Great things to see here.
I read a interesting article on Brain sandwiches which are very big here (no pun intended) I think I will pass on that. Maybe that is something to try during summer and fall.
Our garden class was all (and I mean ALL) about insect pests. My uncle was an entolmologist at U.of I. so it made me appreciate his work. Bad thing after listening to info on different insects for three hours, we all felt very “itchy”. We redeem ourselves since we three did the refreshments with Mexican pinwheels (homemade salsa from Peg’s garden), homemade cookies and chipped beef dip. We discovered a new steamer flavor: Ginger spice. I was a little reluctant since no chocolate was involved. But yum! If you like gingerbread and/or gingersnaps- it is a nice change. However, I would need cookies to dunk in it next time!
From the “south”. Carpe diem!!!

Life is Good

Well, once again, I am racing to finish before the lights go out, but it is a good incentive for me to make it short and sweet!
I show a great show last night by our local people and best of all was invited to the cast party afterward.
Considering the weather, it was a slow crawl home – but, all worth it.
My brother came through with paperwork that we have been waiting almost 5 years for- the secretary in charge called , asked me if I was sitting down and told me it was in. She said she had been whooping it up in the office! I love life in a small town!
We are not done yet, but the light is brighter at the end of the tunnel and we can make some real plans for spring. Unfortunately, we have had p’t problems with vandals and looters so we will need to deal with that also. But life is too short and material things don’t matter. People do. It has taken too long for me to learn that, but I know it now.
I just finished my homework for my class. But- I am not sure about my diagrams for the root system and the parts of a flower. I am NOT good with diagrams(maps, charts,etc.) Otherwise, the class has been fun. We are already labeled the “problem children” and we have already picked out the “over-achiever”. All in fun of course! We were each given a bulb to force so we will see who can successfully do that.
Well, daughter’s take out is ready. Guess what drink she wanted? A dirty snowman!! I had the house coffee(Chocolate raspberry) Yum! I am hoping she will not want all her turkey cranberry. Last week, this place was closed and my whole routine gone! Tragic!
Have a good week! I will be singing with a group about the 4 Chaplains. If you have never heard the story – look it up- Great story!
Carpe diem!

Ups and downs

Well, a different coffee shop, but a good place to blog nevertheless.
The beverage today is Carmel Mac in a steamer. One of us tried it Thursday at the sister coffee place and pronounced it -”desert” so I had to try it. Very good!
Our local theatre is doing a Blizzard Auction to raise money . I stopped in and though it is calm now, I guess earlier it was very busy.
My shift will be coming soon, so I am relaxing after errands (most which included paying something)
I stopped at our fairly new yarn shop where I bought some supplies to introduce cross-stitching to hopefully help with cabin fever.
I agree with a fellow blogger – children have been a little “ancy” this week.
This week has been sad because two great ladies have left us that were a part of the theatre.
Gerry and I were in a play years ago about sisters in the 30’s and 40’s.
We had to age ten years during intermission! The play was based around bridge playing and she was the only one from Catholic school(as in the play) and bridge player. We marked and stacked our decks of cards so that we could follow script.
She also played the lead in our Golden Pond the first time we did it.
Just two of many parts she did.

Our second loss was Barb who many may not realize the impact she and her family had on the theatre. She was a kind and loving person who helped with props, costumes, and fund raising. She was also a great friend to me personally by providing me shelter in her home when I most needed that along with her friendship.
Bless you both ,ladies :I am a better person for having known both of you.
Have a great week everyone and cherish those you love while they are with us.
Stay warm.

Not too much..

I don’t have too much but wanted to touch base.
Three of us started a class on Master Gardening which will last until April.
Two of us have a green thumb and one of us is a black one. Guess which one I am? You have to be fingerprinted and sign many papers. I did not mind that, but trying to write down my “philosophy of gardening”. I don’t think they will be too impressed with my “keeping the plants from wilting” answer.
Anyway, it will be fun and we will try to behave so they do have to separate us.
Yesterday, we spent three hours on soils and it was really interesting. I am going to go work on my take home quiz.
We will see.
Have a great week everyone!

Feast or famine

I get paid every other week. So I have what I call feast and famine.
When I come to blog, if it is famine, I get a house coffee for $1.53 with a refill.
What a deal! Great atmosphere and a feeling of accomplishment.
When it is feast (like today) I get a half turkey cranberry which I have mentioned before- which is (I know is a cliche) just to die for. Today, I also threw in a hot drink called a “Dirty Snowman” Perfectly respectfully in spite of the dubious name. Chocolate mocha with coconut. Yum!
I overindulged since last week was a tough week at work and outside. I think kids can be barometers and with the up and down of our weather, they react.
We used to have a field of Clydesdale
horse I used to drive by. I learned that the way they were acting in the morning was a good indication of how the kids would be. They are long gone, so I don’t always have that warning.
I narrowly missed two different groups of deer that bolted across the road – maybe I should have taken the hint?
But winter will soon be done and we know have this well known thaw for a little while.
I have been talking about Dr. King and his accomplishments. What a long way we have come.
Have a great weekend and hopefully the weather will work with you.

Frustration

Ok fine. I know I am not the sharpest tack in the box but why can’t this program from work pull up?
I am two/thirds through my work due tomorrow and it won’t work.
I have tried two different laptops and two different locations !!!
Arghhhhhhh! As they would say on Peanuts.
Darn – the only thing I could get to work is our blog.
Soooooooo…. I had to force myself to use this time to blog on.
There will big problems if I don’t get done – but we’ll do the best we can.
Well, gee since this is the only thing I can get to work tonight – -maybe it’s a sign???
And since, it is the only thing working , I just HAVE to check in on everyone, right??? I mean it would be rude otherwise, right?????
(Sigh) Well, we’ll give her another effort so I can say I tried.
Oy Vay!(Spelling – not sure, need to brush up on my Yiddish)
Carpe Diem…….

Quickly !

Well, as always, I misjudged my time and I am hurrying before the coffee shop closes.
I am getting to be such a baby with this cold weather. I want to just hibernate. I would give summer vacation just to be able to stay inside when the weather is icy. Is this an age thing?
I used to love to cross country but I like it when it is warm and snowy!!
Well, I have half my paper work done for work and now have grades to do.
Hopefully, I can find another place to “roost”.
Stay warm everyone – I have had a second cup of coconut coffee and I am ready to face the outside elements(for a few minutes anyway.)
Cccccarpe DDDDDiem!

The year in review….

From four years of Latin, I know that January (or Janu-weary)is named after the two faced god.One face looks back and one looks ahead.
I much prefer that over the baby and the old man.
It seems hard to believe that my baby brother will be 50 in March.
I am anxious to see the special about Captain Scully- that seems hard to believe it was a year ago.
I have been very happy with my new assignment this year . I have been to school twice this break for reports and to clean up the Christmas debris.
I miss my class and I hope they are all having a great vacation.
I will be wrapping up my dad’s estate I hope. I am feeling very blessed because I was able to pay off a large bill (finally) and maybe things will easing up.
New Year’s Eve was always special in our family. My mother was born in the wee hours of 1932 in the old farm house attended by a doctor who had been -shall we say— partying a little.
She was the youngest of six and the only girl. The family knew it was the new year because of the radio in the background.
When we were little, we always gave her her gifts at midnight. Every year, my dad would hustle and convince someone to open up his shop to buy something.
When we were older, we always called them from whatever gathering or babysitting job we were at. Even when she passed away, we always called dad since they were a set.
Now that both are gone, I have good friends to celebrate the evening with and good memories.
Happy New Year to all —may you enjoy your old and new traditions!!!
Carpe Diem!