What's Up?

Somethings change. I still garden but have gotten old. It comes so fast. I still have things I said I'd get to do one day. Then you realize the time has come and gone. 

My husband has been ill this past year. He spent more than seven months in the hospital. I've had him home for a couple of months. He's on prophylactic antibiotics to try and keep him out of the hospital. I am his caregiver. It is daunting. Healthcare in America is lacking. I won't send him to a nursing home if at all possible. 

It is nice to see all of my regular friends still posting. It's comforting to know you are well and carrying on. I guess we keep going down the same roads we've always traveled. My best to all of you.

 

And So It Doesn't Go

I just had to come back to tell all how happy it made me to hear from each of you. I feel like I've known you for so long. I am not able to reply to your comments no matter what I try and I can't comment on your posts. I appreciate each of you for different reasons and will try to stay in touch. I am still lacking skills on the technological front and daily have some sort of trouble on my phone and/or Mac. Just know I think of you fondly and wish only the best. It is heartening to know that you are still out there carrying on in the midst of this crazy time. Love you!

What a difference time makes. I am caring for my husband. After 6 months in the hospital, he came home again yesterday. The trick is keeping him home and out of the hospital. He has recurring pneumonias from old cancer treatments in 2001. It's very sad a he has contracted pseudomonas bacterial  pneumonia which is rampant in hospital situations and it is becoming resistant to antibiotics. This is such a terrible time so I have to take it a day at a time. This isn't going to end well. How does one say goodbye? 

Rustic Rhubarb and Raspberry Tart

I have only done a couple of posts on the new format, so here goes nothin'...

Rhubarb is more of a mid-western dish than southern, so I decided to try

it. I know they usually use strawberries, but I had fresh raspberries and

decided I'd try that. This turned out very good. I had two slices and quickly delivered to middle 

daughter's family. Everyone is dieting in my family, it seems. Life isn't fair for those of us that 

gain weight by sniffing food. Anyway, I am now a fan of rhubarb and will one day make it into a

muffin or cake. Hey friends, still read you all of the time though I don't post much. Sometimes,

Rachel and Doc, they say they can't be delivered.  Love to all!

 

"If You Fall" Sergei Polunin & Natalia Osipova

I could watch Sergei dance all day long.

How Does It Work?

Thought I would try to post. My first little, Bella, is thirteen now - a surly teenager, but I do love her. She is taller than me. Along with Oliver, Thora, Penny and Carson I am blessed with grandchildren. 

I keep up with all of you and happy to hear how you are and sad when life happens to all of us.

Does anyone know if we still have access to Picasa? Well, here goes... 

And So It Goes

I am -- pickling, writing, watering my flowers, planting, and harvesting, binge-watching Netflix, taking hubby to doctor, and generally waiting out the virus, which is getting worse in my state. 

I finished my third novel and now the re-writes ad nauseam, queries, synopses, and everything that goes with it. My sister asked why I do this to myself and I have no answer. 

 I do think of each and every one of you and binge read your posts. I don't think I understand how the new blogger will work and I am prevented commenting on your posts. I don't think it will even let me answer your comments. I hope I can find all my blog posts and pictures after the changes go into effect.  Love to all out there. Donna

A New Year

Hello friends. It has been so long, I am having to re-learn how to do this. 

The days are flying by. How does this happen? 

I don't like to look back. Try to live in the present. Last year, I wrote another novel. Spent nearly the whole year writing, editing, re-writing and on and on. Trying to find an agent with all that it entails. It is more than this aging brain can do and it's a whole new day in publishing.  I can't even do all that is required on computers to submit. It is boring so I won't go on. I am beginning to start a sequel or another one I want to write. I just need to get started. I really need an assistant to help with all the queries, etc., but don't want to pay for it.

Hope the new year is a good one. My little weenie girls are still with me. My sister is still with me.  I lost my brother in July. He was homeless and alone. My heart was broken for Todd. He was only 52.

My grandbabies are growing and changing so fast. Carson just turned two, Thora three, Penny will be five next month. Bella is 12 and taller than me. They are so much more grown-up at twelve now. And, Oliver is 10. All so sweet and innocent.

I do check in from time to time on your posts and think fondly of you. Here's to 2020.

PS ~ what's the new blogger?

CBD Oil

After our state voted for medical marijuana, we are now able to buy CBD oil minus the THC which is the part of cannabis that makes you high.  Why try it?  Well let me tell you what my experience has been.

First, the oil tasted awful and I finally found CBD oil in capsule form.  It has 25 mg of extract in each one.  It took about three weeks to feel its effects - and what were those you ask?

Hard to say, but there definitely were some.  New synapses were forming/connecting in the old noggin.  I felt less foggy or clearer and was able to find words easier; decision making was easier too. That was the kicker for me.  I also felt better both physically and mentally.  That one is harder to pin down, but I noticed it.  It helped with my anxiety and I was happier.  My sister was the first to comment on that. 

I also wanted to start taking it for its anti-inflammatory benefits.  I definitely don't know about that aspect, but am hopeful according to the many reports.  My weenie girls are now on CBD for pets.  I am hopeful that it will help.  Fingers crossed. 

As American...

The boy requested an apple pie.  He has never requested one preferring cherry pie.  

Of course I had to comply.

I always use Granny Smith apples for their texture and tartness.

Well, guess what.  For the first time in years, I didn't put a pan under the pie and you know what happened.  

The pie bubbled and oozed over into the bottom of my oven. Made quite a mess.

I don't know what I was thinking.

It will never happen again.

Out With The Old

Just thinking.  Out with the old - in with the new.

I usually make new years' resolutions.  I am about 50% with keeping them, so I figure I should go ahead and give it a try. 

This year my resolution is Get Her Done.

As I get older, I am feeling the lack of time left to get things done.  It is rather distressing, but also a challenge.  Oh, and I usually get a head start before the beginning of the new year.  Maybe superstition, perhaps just nothing more than an early start.

Had a few talks with a family member.  Put off for far too long.  In my later years, I try not to give advice or maybe it is just to mind my own business; avoid conflict at all costs.  That is how I roll. When it affects family, it is especially hard, but I finally did it.  It did not go as I had hoped.  Does it ever?  I may have given up on wishes and dreams coming true, but not hope. Can't change the past, but the future, yes.  That is what I ended the discussion with.  My life's work has been my family. My kids don't know what not having a family is like. They also think they know it all - that parents lived in another time.  Experience mentioned is taken as an insult.  Well, how do you know how it feels to be old when you've never been old?  How does it feel to be a parent when you've never been one?  I can only hope I planted a seed.

On another front, there is a passage in the Christian bible, in the book of Matthew I believe, "all is vanity and that is like chasing the wind".  I was brought up in the church, but am no longer religious, at the least don't believe in a mono-theist religion.  I do remember some of the readings though.  

I haven't been very vain in later years.  Hate wearing makeup and jewelry; just not a very girly girl.  Why should we have to wear make-up when men don't?  Mostly.  I can't stand to put on all the products either.  Scrubbing, toning, on an on.  

Well, guess what?  I've suddenly begun to see things heading south and wrinkles.  I just turned another year older and it struck me like a thunderbolt.  So, I am researching all the new procedures, short of surgery.  I cannot believe all the things they are doing now. BTW, I do draw the line at vaginal rejuvenation and hand fillers. 

Just thinking... 

Glad Tidings And Good Cheer

So much for being ready for Christmas and yet, it will all get done.  I have started the fruit platter which will have strawberries, pineapple and cream cheese dip in the middle.  

Merry Christmas to all my friends out there!  I'll be thinking of you.

Knock Knock

Someone is there.  She is shameless.  A beggar.  I like to leave the doors propped open on nice days and guess who wants in?  Last week I was sitting in my chair when something jumped up on my foot resting on the footstool.  I was shocked and jumped.  She hurried back out the door.

I feed the squirrels nuts and this one has learned a few tricks.  She can climb up the screen door and rock in and out and cause quite a racket when she wants some nuts.  From the time I raise the blinds in the morning, they watch from the trees and come running.  Mother Nature has to comply.  I do enjoy the animals.

More Old Southern Recipes

Time for some more recipes.  More in keeping with the weather.  In weather reports, it sounds like the midwest and northeast need these.  It's been pretty mild here so far and I am glad!

Teeny Thanksgiving Apples

I saw the cutest things ever at the store.  Teeny organic Crimson Gold apples.  Grown in a micro-climate in the Cuyama Valley near Santa Barbara, CA, they are the perfect size for tiny caramel apples for Thanksgiving.  The grandkids will love them.  

This is the first year of not cooking Thanksgiving and I am thrilled.  Middle daughter is doing it at her house.  All I have to bring is homemade cranberry sauce and baked macaroni and cheese.  And, these little jewels.  Being that the plate is a butter pat, the largest apple in the bunch is the size of a small hen's eggs and the smallest maybe a nickel. 

Love to all my friends out there and have a happy Thanksgiving!

It's Only Money

STILL HAVING COMMENT PROBLEMS!  Read more bloggers having trouble too.  It is frustrating because we can't interact with our friends.  

Now, I sold these on eBay after one day.  A famous natural history museum bought them.  I didn't charge enough.

These are Osage feather wedding plumes from the turn of the 20th century.  They were worn by  women in 3's or 6's in a black top hat.  They also wore a long black woolen coat with tails.  Sorry, but  I wouldn't like the look for my wedding day.  I've just shipped them off and am a little sorry I didn't have them appraised first.  It's only money, huh?

Snowy Morn

We only had a freeze a couple of nights ago.  Leaves and flowers are still on the trees and plants.  The early snow is unusual though not unheard of.  A little creature has been out ahead of me.  It climbed up (or down) the roof.  I need to go get feed for the water fowl, but at least all the bird feeders are full.  I have lots of nuts ready for the squirrels.  So, I guess I am ready for the snow.  The ground is still warm enough to melt it on the roadways, thank goodness.  In this part of the country, we can't drive on the snow as evidenced by all the wrecks.

Comments, Vote and Casserole Recipes

Let us clobber the backward leaning folk today. I have personally been told that I don't love America and therefore should leave it - move away.  Well, I've got a message for you.  Move to Syria or Afghanistan; we don't want you here either.  How'd you like that? Doesn't sit well, does it?

I still, after months, cannot comment on mine, or any others' blogs except for those whom accept anonymous comments.  One would think Google would have fixed this by now.  And something else, I have three people from my own state of Oklahoma, that have made fortunes by blogging.  The Pioneer Woman, The Antiques Diva and Orangette.  We all know others who have also grown successful businesses.  I hope blogging doesn't go the way of the cassette player.  I would so miss it.  Come on Google. Fix the bugs.

Well, skipped a few of the salads and went to casseroles.  I finally had to break down and turn the heat on.  Hard freeze coming.  The leaves are still glorious though.  I stick them in every book I have.  Each one is prettier than the last.  To those of you that haven't heard from me, I am still reading and enjoying your posts.

Well, kind of casseroles.  I might have to skip some of the vegetables too.

Into The Mystic

We were born before the wind......

I have been on a journey this past year and a half, or so.  It began with the line, As Above, So Below - from Hermes Trismegistus' Emerald Tablet.  That lead to crystals and a whole world of mystical things - the Tree of Life, Hoodoo, Voodoo, Wicca, The Kabbalah, Tea Leaf reading, Feng Shui, the I Ching, palmistry, numerology, astrology, Tarot, fortune telling...

All of these blend into each other which is the most surprising discovery I have made.  Even into different religions.  They go back thousands of years.  A few months ago, I would have said, I don't believe in Hoodoo or Voodoo.  Even two months ago I would have said I don't believe in witchcraft.  Did you know that crossing your fingers behind your back is an old witchcraft spell?

I'm just at the beginning of tarot and fortune-telling cards.  The man with the crutches on the upper left is from the 1700's and is from a minchiate deck from Italy.   Some of the upper cards are between 1700's-1800's.  The deck on the bottom is a handmade fortune-telling deck from Warsaw from the 1940's.  I have had to go buy books to research and as for the fortune-telling deck, I've yet to figure out what the symbols mean.

It has been very interesting, I only wish I'd have started in my 30s and 40s when I still had more than a reptilian brain (the memory is going, going,)

Who knew?

It is raining and I do hope the little trick or treaters are able to go out.  I don't want any candy left after tonight.

More More More

Love Lula Belle's slaw.

Whew!  I think the end is in sight for salads.  Maybe one more post of them.

More Recipes

Good Lord, I never saw so many salad recipes.  More to come.

Salt Fat Acid Heat

A new show just started on Netflix and I am hooked.  Samin Nosrat is wonderful - a breath of fresh air.  Her enthusiasm and joie d'vivre is contagious.  I had never heard of her, but am now a fan.  I can't wait to watch all the shows.  Sumptuous locales, the people, the cultures and Samin make this show a must. 

I was a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain; no one like him.  I think the same about Samin (Sameen).  So far I've watched her in Italy and Japan.  There is a shopping site on the show website and I am wondering if the Japanese artisanal soy sauce, aged for four years in 150 year old cedar vats is worth the cost.  It shouldn't be used in cooking, but for tasting on rice, sushi etc.  What the heck.  You only live once and I need to taste it.  Supposedly unlike regular soy sauce which is aged for three months and mass produced.  

I think you can watch the episodes on youtube if you don't get Netflix.  So worth your time.

I Can't Comment Or See

Well hell.  I've needed to go see the optometrist as it has been a couple of years and I am supposed to go yearly to have my eyes dilated and checked.  It is just last on my list for this year and I still haven't done it.  I took my glasses off for a moment and laid them on my lap.  When I realized they weren't on my face, I started to get up and crack - I stepped on them.

In the US, Medicare doesn't cover eye exams or glasses.  You have to go to the eye doctor, have the tests done, then pick out frames and have the lenses made with add-ons of course.  This pair cost about $800.00 (the frames were about $125-150).  Guess I have to go quickly as my old glasses aren't strong enough.  

Still having comment problems. Google has a large lawsuit over Google+ and has deleted it.  Chrome is also being sued over something or other.  I'm just waiting for Google to fix it.

It has gone from fall to winter in a week.  I actually had to put on a tee shirt and socks last night to sleep in. I also had to put up all my citrus plants yesterday because freezing temps were in the forecast.  Got stabbed in my scalp and hands and arm for my efforts by inch long thorns. Yes, I am kvetching.

Landslide

My precious weenie child, Emmy, wants her breakfast this morning (Sister is sleeping). She is the sparkle in my eyes, my joy. Looking at her in the morning light made me think of this song, Landslide.  I and Emmy and Sister are getting older too. 

By the way, Blogger is acting up.  I can't comment or reply to comments, though I've experimented and sometimes can comment as anonymous.  I'm still reading your blogs friends, but I am worried about that even.  I was told to delete cookies.  Done.  Still having problems.  Get Chrome.  Uh, no! I have a MacBook Air and an iPhone that use Safari as my browser. Then told to delete all followers, save then set it all up again...  WTF?  I don't even know how to do that.  In reading in the help forum, it seems that a few months ago, Blogger changed some things.  I think it is related to the Gmail comments we are getting on our posts.  They want us to use Gmail now.  Try reading the Help Forum.  Not what I want to have to do. Jeez.  Anyway, If you don't hear from me and/or I drop out of the ether, I'll find my way back. Somehow.  Maybe. Guess it depends on Blogger as I can't figure it out by myself.

More Old Recipes

Here are some more of Jeanetta's old recipes.  The thumbnails were so tiny I couldn't tell what order they were in, but here they are. I cannot comment on this post or anyone else's and I hate that because I love talking with all of you.  Hope blogger gets it fixed soon.  Also been trying new headers and can't figure out how to use my google photographs and can't find older ones.  I don't do tech very well.

I didn't forget.  I'll try and get them all posted before the holidays in case you might use one.