HALLOWEEN PIZZA

What a beautiful morning!  Mabel and Zebrina are soaking up the sunshine, as are the jeweled suncatchers hanging on the patio door.  Rainbows and polka dots situate themselves on the walls and furniture.  

Yesterday was one of my domestic days.  Part of the G-clan came over for pizza before a local college scrimmage, so I put together a Halloween veggie pizza.  The boyfriend snapped a couple photos of me designing the spiders out of large black olives......

Today will be a kick back day, with sports on the telly for the boyfriend, and me with my usual.  Leftover pizza will our menu, so neither of us will spend time in the kitchen.  

We're inches away from November.  Seems when November arrives, the holiday season officially kicks into gear.  Family gatherings are planned.  Society's pace dictates for advance planning.....tis not easy to corral an entire family under one roof anymore.  Makes it difficult to know which invitation to honor.  Holidays leave a lot of sadness and hurt in their tracks.  

Sometimes I watch the airport scene during the holidays, people traveling from state to state, state to country, and I sigh a relief that our only obligation will be to stay at home.  Missed flights and canceled flights would drive me nuts.  Only once did I personally experience a missed flight and the process of rescheduling with layover.  The upside to waiting in an airport is people-watching.  Can remember one couple from the Mideast sitting near us.  The dynamics between the female and male helped me understand their cultural background.  The world is a school for sure.

BOYFRIEND NEEDS A HAIRCUT

Up earlier than necessary, according to the world of lazy people.  Migod, how good it feels to turn over, snuggle the face in the pillow and fall back asleep.  Had my phone alarm set for 7 and forced myself to get up and forget about the snooze portion of the wake-up call.  My phone alarm sounds like a harp.  Despite the fact that I love the harp as an instrument, somehow the sound bugs me.  Have tried to change sound in Settings, but can't get it to work.  That's a job for that day when there's absolutely nothing else on earth to do.

Yup, we're being treated to lunch.  The sun is rising, so the day will be ideal for a trolley and a treat.  The boyfriend asked me to play barber and cut his hair before we go, so after my first cuppa, we'll do that.  Told him he'd best wait until the coffee wakes me up, or he may lose an ear.

I used to cut my mother's hair and enjoyed it.  For quite a few years I actually cut my own hair, the front, the sides and the back.  Don't think that would be possible today.  Why would I, when the salon is only a few doors down from us.  

Have been watching billiard videos, getting myself back into the game.  Can't wait for my pool case to arrive.  Am glad I ordered that, simply to protect the cue.  Chose the cue by myself, and the boyfriend is quite impressed with my choice.  That makes me happy.  

Found another word game that's just like Wordle, only called Hurdle.  Here's the website if you're interested: 

 games.usatoday.com/games/todays-hurdle 

Every day my brain is tested by word games.  Being I love words, why not play games that are most fun.  Never do I pay to play online games, but rather choose the ones that can be played for free.  Imagine that.

Best toddle off, get my clippers out, and see if I can lower the boyfriend's ears.  Maybe I should have a Bloody Mary first and see how things go.  Just kidding.

BLUEBERRIES AND POOL CUE

Opened a new container of blueberries.  Noticed they're "The Berries that Care."  Googled 'em and found they come from Peru.  The blueberries this fall have been the best.  My salads taste better with a handful of 'em sprinkled on top.  They're sweet, colorful and nutritious.  

Am eating mostly with chopsticks, having taught myself how to work them.  After a while, a person simply catches on.  Sometimes the boyfriend smarts off and asks if I'm going to use my sticks to eat soup! 

To be perfectly honest, I really do like Chinese cuisine.  But, am not into sushi.  We both enjoy foods prepared at a Mongolian Grill.  Vegetables and fruits have always been favorites.  Think that's because my daddy was a gardener, and his favorite everyday dessert was a sauce dish of preserved fruit.  Don't know of anyone who ate healthier and lived a more earthly life than he did.....yet, he passed away at 71 from cancer.  Guess genes are what ultimately determine our destiny.  Hard to imagine I've lived five years longer than he did.  

Well, am now the happy owner of my very own 2-piece 52" Champion pool cue.  The case has not yet arrived.  OMG, talk about a sweet cue.  The boyfriend's phone rang a few minutes ago and one of his Venny buddies called asking him to join him in a game of pool.  He asked if he could use my new cue, and I told him 'absolutely not.'  He burst out laughing, knowing full well that would get my attention, and that would be my answer.  He's a constant tease.

When I play pool, it's only for fun, not competition.  Think it's neat that we got a brand new table.   

It's cloudy again today.  Got a text a few minutes ago from Cuddy's mom.  They're picking us up tomorrow at 11 and taking us for a drive and for lunch.  Will be so fun to visit and spend time with them and hear more about their travels.  

Until the morrow.......

TINY TIDY TASK

Up early, made coffee, turned on lights and snuggled with my book in the recliner.  No rainbows dancing on our walls today, tis cloudy with light rain.  

Boyfriend has a council meeting at 1 this afternoon.  He missed the last one, cuz we thought it was to start at 10, but started at 9.  I'm the one who keeps the online calendar, so I'd say we can chalk up another one on my naughty list.  Was funny how one of the other council members emailed him this morning with a reminder that today's meeting is at 1.  

Got quite windy last evening, so brought in our ceramic pumpkin and the gnomes.  Didn't want 'em blowing over and breaking.  

A new prime minister has been elected in the UK.  Is this the first time a man with Indian roots has been elected as prime minister of the UK?  Interesting, indeed.

My intense interest in philosophy is being fed by Sophie's World.  I was never able to keep the three classical philosophers straight.  Who came first?  Well, now through word association I have a way to remember.  SPA.  First came Socrates, then Plato, and then Aristotle.  

Each day I try to do one tiny task to tidy, and today is to wash all of my crocheted potholders that live in the kitchen drawer next to the stove.  We use them also as trivets.  They're practically indestructible.  Maybe I should get back to crocheting and make a few sets to give away.  Plus, it'll give me a chance to use up some of my scant yarn supply.  There was a time when I could've filled a semi with my yarn and yarn remnants, but no more.  The thrift store became my beneficiary when we moved.  When Covid hit, that put a halt to my making comfort crosses for the rest home.  Life is like a flowing river, constantly changing.  It's such a blessing to finally reach the point where a person can just kick back and go with the flow.  

The lights went out for a bit last night during the storm.  Our cable network went down, as well.  Without Wi-Fi, we're lost.  The boyfriend worked sudoku puzzles, and I read my book.  The lights simply went out for a few seconds and then came back on.  To think, there was a time in history when homes had only candles to light the darkness.  Are we blessed, or what?

HALF THE FUN

Cuddy's daddy arrived at 5 yesterday afternoon, and I had gazillions of questions about their two recent adventures to D.C. and NYC.  I love listening to others tell about their experiences out in the world.  The difficult part was lifting Cuddy off the floor and giving him my bye-bye hug and smooch.  Nice part is they have two more trips planned before Christmas, one to Texas and another to Florida.  Then spending January, February and March in Florida.  Yup, the fuzzy one will be returning for our part of the parental custody.  Last night, after he left, our home felt his absence.  Both of us kept looking over to where he usually cuddled in for the evening, and he wasn't there.  Ouch!

Slept later, cuz Cuddy didn't have to go outside.  Looked at the microwave clock, and guess what time it was.  Yup, 11:11.  The eerie numbers continue every day, it's the craziest thing.  Now am sipping the first cuppa, looking out on a sunny Sunday.  Looks like a big storm is coming in from Canada, currently in Montana and Wyoming.  Inside my head, personal wishes are swimming like dolphins, hoping for a massive snowstorm that would paint our world white again.  

Hope no one is throwing darts at me for saying that, but I am making the absolute most out of this stage of life.  Now that we don't have to deal with snow removal, commuting to a job, or any of the other stuff, there's nothing we like better than looking out the window and watching the snow falling from the sky.

There's a bit of psychology involved here.  Those of us who are older MUST make the most of our personal preferences.  We can find the things that make us happy, and, despite what others think, feast on them.  That's how we can make the aging process bearable.  Have no idea if this makes any sense, but so long as I have one more breath left, I'm gonna squeeze the last drop of juice from the Big Orange.  If I like snow, then I'm gonna wish for snow.  Just because I wish for something doesn't mean it's gonna happen.  Half the fun is in the wishing for something to happen.

A lady bug must've come in with me from the deck yesterday.  We were visiting when I noticed her crawling up my white sweatshirt.  Carefully had her crawl onto my finger and put her back outside.  Don't know a lady bug from an Asian beetle anymore, so will simply pretend it was a lady bug.  Even bugs confuse me these days.

Ordered Plato's Dialogues on eBay, $3.48, free shipping.  As I'm reading Sophie's World, I'm introduced to books that pique my interest.  Don't know what I'd do without eBay.  It's my favorite mall in the whole wide world.  There are bargains out there, but you gotta hunt for them.  For me, searching for stuff is half the fun.  

The boyfriend gave me a new spoon ring.  He found the most gorgeous pattern.  Knowing I liked it, he went to the shop and made it for me.  This one I just may wear all the time, along with the 1946 silver half dollar ring he made, that replaced my wedding ring.  He made a 1945 silver half dollar ring for himself, so now we have matching rings.  Only when I have surgery does that ring come off.  

Think I'm gonna need another cuppa here.  Ta-ta for today.    

OPPOSITES

A couple minutes ago a text came in that Cuddy's owner will pick him up at 5 o'clock this afternoon.  I've been suffering from extremely dry eyes, but right now that's not a problem.

There seems to always be a balance in life.  One sad thing happens, and then a happy thing happens.  Yup, Mabel, the ancestral Christmas Cactus, is going to blossom.  Just like that, tiny pink buds are gracing the tips.  

There's nothing on today's agenda.  Will most likely sink my brain into the reading of Sophie's World.  Cannot believe how an author could come up with a novel design like this one.  The book is a novel that beautifully explains the history of philosophy.  Starting way back with the natural philosophers, those before Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the classical philosophers.  

Can remember my Mom sort of scolding me as a kid for always asking so many questions.  She was of the old school where students were coerced to believe what they were taught, and never to question.  Guess somewhere in my genes lived one inquisitive gene, and that one gene made me a free thinker from little on.  Nothing ever made sense to me.  That's why every day of my life I'm searching for more and more knowledge to better help me get a grip on this inexplicable universe we live in.  Like they say, we don't "learn" philosophy, but we learn to think philosophically.

My mom didn't even care to talk about death and dying.  If I'd ask a question, or make a statement about it, she'd say, "why do you think about stuff like that?"  My little mind wondered, "how can you not think about that?"  My studying has given me insight into the human mind and the realization that every one of us has a different set of thinking instruments tucked inside our brains.  The way I think does not mean that the next person will think that way.  We wonder why people do this or why people do that, but it's not for us to judge.  They're doing what their brains are telling them to do.  Wish they would have taught us children this in grade school, rather than pump our brains with big words like 'salvation.'  

Our world is filled with opposites, and that goes for personalities.  Do you know someone who, no matter how hard you try, you do not get along with?  Did you know the minute you met the person that there would be a personality clash?  I, personally, know this feeling.  It's not easy for either one to struggle through any kind of interaction.  The worst is when we have to work with oppositional personalities.  Egad, that's a penance in itself.

Don't know how I got onto this, but we all know that we aren't all kissing friends.  Nope, there has to be chaos in order to know contentment.  Without those oppositional forces, we'd never know goodness and kindness.  That's why we should try to cherish those who see the world as we do.  It's not our job to police others, but rather to focus on our path and how we choose to live our days.  That's what I do when it comes to those who have betrayed my friendship or familial ties.  I've made gigantic efforts to learn how to disconnect and tend to my own business.  Oh, there are those who are still capable of stirring my emotions in a negative way, but I wouldn't give them that much power over me.  Never, ever.  A person has to develop a heroic stance in life, hold our ground, and keep the ball in our court.  

Guess that's enough spouting for one day.  

CARAMEL APPLES

Lotsa bees buzzing around the deck today.  

Venny's new pool table was installed, and I'm proud to say that my boyfriend won the first game on this new table.  Yesterday I ordered a 52" cue for myself, and today ordered a case for it.  Don't ever expect to win a game, but will have lots of fun trying.  Brings back many childhood memories.

Weather is gorgeous, perfect fall day out there.  Haven't heard from Cuddy's parents, so don't anticipate he'll be taken out of our custody today.  

Chicken is thawing for supper.  Last night we had rice and stir fry.  Healthy and delicious.  Was hungry about 10 o'clock, so sated the appetite with a banana and bit of peanut butter.  Also healthy and delicious.  In our house, we each like a different kind of peanut butter.  I prefer the chunky, and boyfriend prefers creamy.  If I order groceries, we get chunky.  If he buys groceries, we get creamy.  

One of today's holidays is Caramel Apple Day.  Oh, how I used to love eating caramel apples covered with nuts.  That would be a dangerous endeavor now, because most likely some of my teeth would snap off or stay stuck in the apple.  What I do now is cut up an apple and dip it in peanut butter, which is healthier than caramel.  

We try to keep the sugar intake at a minimum.  Our grocery lists don't include sweets, other than fruit, unless we're entertaining guests.  Then I go overboard with desserts.  Don't know why we crave that which isn't good for us.  Some evenings we're sitting here, and both of us are thinking about chocolate chip cookies or a bowl of ice cream.  If it's in the freezer, we'll be eating it. 

Once again, it's Friday.  The weeks go by faster and faster all the time.  Would imagine the snowbirds will start flying south soon.  

Wish I had something exciting to write about.  One thing I never run out of is quotations, so will close with this one..........

There is a sweetness to the month of October and the season fall in general that brings our attention homeward and inward.  Could it be the trees going to sleep, cool dry temperatures that delight our morning or daylight house slipping way causing our focus to converge on how short and fragile life really is.  All these things conspire to usher in a season of reflection on relationships and the things that give our lives meaning.  What a great loss to our human experience should we ignore or squander this the autumn of our lives.  Embrace it, feel it, study it, it is indeed one of God's great gifts to us.   Michael Marcel, Sr.  

Last night's yellow squash casserole will be one of the recipes that'll be saved in my new notebook.  The Wheat Thins that were substituted for Ritz crackers actually gave the dish a grain flavor.  Goes to show one can be creative in the kitchen, as well as a craft room. 

Too early to know what I shall do today.  A new pool table is being installed here at Venny today.  That's gonna be a nice addition, cuz there are some guys and gals who enjoy the game.  When I was a little girl, after my parents built a new ranch style home on the farm in 1956, we had a regulation size pool table in the basement.  My bro and I played for hours and hours, and I got actually quite good.  But, then years passed and the skill dissipated to where now I'd be embarrassed to try.  But, I will.  Maybe I should put my head up and pretend I'm a pro.....NOT.

That reminds me of something so funny.  Back when, the boyfriend and I went to a neighboring town to play a round of golf.  This chick despised the game, but I had to partake to stay part of the 'in crowd.'  We were gonna start at the first tee-off, and there was a guy ahead of us.  He was dressed like a pro, took his club and made a few practice swings.  Then he ripped a few blades of grass out of the ground, tossed 'em up in the air, supposedly to determine the direction of wind.  He made a few more practice swings, and I thought he'd blow the ball outta sight.  Then came the big moment....the big swing......and the ball rolled off the tee about five feet in front of him.  This was one of those times when I was laughing before I realized I was laughing.  For god's sake, I don't laugh at others.  Never.  But, when it comes to show-offs, well, what can I say.  Why not just be ordinary, not put on such a show.  Never could understand the need for pretense.  

Just tracked the book Sophie's World that I ordered on eBay, and see that it's out for delivery.  Yippee, that means it'll soon be outside our door. 

Boyfriend will be heading to the grocery store to take advantage of some sale items.  HiVee has 3 lb hamburger for $1.66 a lb.  Smart shoppers will point their carts in that direction.  

Ta-ta for today.

YELLOW SQUASH CASSEROLE

Two yellow squash from our garden were taking up space in our veggie bowl, so decided to find a recipe to make for supper.  Just put it in the oven and set the timer for one hour.  The recipe calls for a 400 degree oven for half an hour, but I'd rather bake slower and lower.  Don't ask me why.

YELLOW SQUASH CASSEROLE

4 c. yellow squash diced (about 2 squash)

1 T olive oil

1 yellow onion diced

2 cloves garlic chopped

1/4 c. water

1 sleeve Ritz Crackers

1 c. cheddar cheese heaping cup

2 eggs beaten

3/4 c. milk

1/4 c. butter melted

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 T. butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (I baked at 350)

Heat olive oil over med heat in a large skillet.  Saute onions and garlic for 2-3 min.  Add the diced squash on top and then add the water to the pan.  Cover and allow to steam for about 5 min., until squash is tender.  In a medium bowl, crush crackers with your hands.  Add in cheese and toss.  Set half of the cracker/cheese mixture aside.  Stir in the milk, beaten eggs and melted butter.  Add to the squash mixture and season with salt and pepper.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Top with remaining cracker mixture and dab with 2 T. butter.  Bake for 25 min. at 400 degree, longer for 350 degrees, until browned.  Serve warm.

Who'd have guessed our pantry didn't have any Ritz crackers, all that was there was a box of Wheat Thins.  Yikes, didn't know if they'd work, but we do with what we have.  Something tells me that the texture of Wheat Thins is so different from Ritz, but we shall see.  At 350, the casserole will likely stay in the oven for an hour.  Have the timer set.  Will report results on the morrow.

This is the first year we grew yellow squash, usually acorn or butternut squash.  Tis fun to try new foods and recipes.  Don't know about anyone else, but since Pinterest came on the scene, rarely do I go to a recipe book.  Only for the really old tried and true recipes like my famous ham balls.  Wouldn't dream of even trying another recipe, cuz we love the way ours are made.  Lord knows how many family meals we served ham balls or meatballs and gravy with my also famous party potatoes.  Those are company meals.

I am going to start a favorite Pinterest recipe notebook.  That's gonna be a winter project.  

AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, NYC

The beaded bedroom curtains have rainbows dancing on the walls this morning.  Brilliant sunshine makes for a wonderful start to the day.   Boyfriend took Cuddy out for his morning hike, and he sez it's cold out there.  Checked the weather app, and it's currently 24 degrees.

This afternoon at 1 o'clock a local business is coming to clean our bedroom carpets, only the areas that are walked on.  We're not having them move the furniture.  Did this last year, and it doesn't take long.  The off-white carpet was in the unit when we bought it six years ago.  I remember when we were young, we'd rent a clumsy Rug Doctor machine, haul it home in the back of the pickup, and the boyfriend did the cleaning, then it needed to be re-loaded in the pickup and returned to the store.  

Received more photos from NYC.  The latest ones were from the Museum of Natural History.  OMG.  Think I'd come apart in the place.  One photo is of a huge lavender geode.  Love geodes.....all rocks, stones, and pebbles, actually.  To me, there's nothing more pure.  Only the Earth, through the Hands of a Greater Force, can create such amazingly unbelievable beauty.  I'd post the photo of the lavender geode, but they're standing in front of it, and I wouldn't dream of violating their privacy.  I could crop the photo, but then it wouldn't show the size of the rock.  I will share, tho, these three.........

 

The boyfriend brought us a plate of fresh apples from the "Help Yourself Table" on the first floor, along with two small acorn squash.  Also brought a 2023 Nature Calendar someone left for the taking.  We at Venny are sharers and carers.  Kind of our own little corner of the world.

The optometrist instructed me to use Systane eye drops twice a day at a minimum, plus use Systane eye ointment on my eyes before bed.  Am hoping that my dry eye problem will abate.  She's trying to figure out a formula of applications for me to take care of the problem.  There are prescribable eye drops, but very pricey.  I told her I'd be a good girl and do what she says until my next appointment in six weeks.  This aging business is a bandaid business.  One ailment gets fixed, and another one pops up.  Guess we'd best be grateful for every new day and not focus so much on the small stuff.  No matter what, there's some other dear soul out there who has it a million times worse.  

Coffee sure tastes good.  Gonna fix myself a salad for lunch, with cut-up chicken tenders from Kwik Star.  Their chicken is really good. 

Try to stay between the lines.  Ta-ta for today!

Zebrina
(lower right)

On Saturday, our household grew in size when we were gifted with the 'Wandering Jew' plant shown in this photo.  As suspected, today's society finds the plant's common name to be controversial.  Its scientific name is Tradescantia Zebrina, so it stands to reason her name will be Zebrina.  She joins Mabel, the ancestral Christmas Cactus.

Another overcast day, cold wind, current temperature 32 degrees.  It's nice and snuggly being inside.  The boyfriend has an appointment at 11 o'clock, and he's going solo.  I'll stay home with Cuddy, my fuzzy buddy.

Yesterday was a nice quiet Sunday.  My brain got embroiled in YT videos about International Airports catching dope smugglers.  If corrupt people would channel their intelligence for the good of mankind, things might be a whole lot different.  

Don't feel like doing anything today.  The Cuddl Duds ordered on eBay arrived, and they're gonna be perfect for winter lounging.  They were offered as New Without Tags, and my bid of $2.50 won with $10 postage.  Can't help but remember the days when I'd have to drive about sixty miles to a shopping mall, spend the day, spend $$ for gas and lunch, just to buy something like Cuddl Duds.  Now all that's necessary is bidding online, paying online, and waiting for it to be outside my door.  Personally, I do not enjoy shopping anywhere anymore.  Going out to eat isn't fun like it used to be. 

One of these days we'll get a call that Cuddy will have to go back home.  After a month and a half here, it's like pulling my heart out of my chest.  We've nicknamed him Bebby Bubba, cuz it suits him to a T.  We're a family of nicknames, always coming up with new ones for each other.  

Last night's roast beef will today become a kettle of beef stew.  About suppertime, a bowl of hot stew will not only taste good, but feel good in the tummy.  

Stay warm and safe. 

DISRESPECT

Blogging topics sometimes become challenges in themselves.  What to write about?  Yesterday's brief solo outing presented me with a topic relating to the human persona.

Took along two big boxes of stuff to be donated to a local thrift store.  Boyfriend had loaded them in the car, and I knew unloading them would be beyond my ability.  So, I parked out back the thrift store, walked inside, and politely asked a young man if he could please unload the boxes for me.  His verbal response was barely an audible "Yah."  There are times facial expressions speak louder than words.  This was one of those times.  I opened the door for the young man, he carried the boxes in the store, and I politely said, "Thank you," for which I received another barely audible "Yah."  

Then I went on to buy Cuddy a bag of Science Diet dog food.  Not knowing which aisle to go to, a nice young guy pointed out the aisle and told me he'd have someone there to help me.  Sure enough, I turned to the aisle and there stood a young guy, he said nothing but stared at me.  I asked if he was the young man who could help me with a large bag of dog food, for which I received another barely audible, "Yah."  I found the food that Cuddy eats, pointing it out to him.  Then he asked me, "Do you want help with it?"  He carried it to the front, stood by me as I paid with a credit card, then carried it to the car which was parked directly in front of the door.  I thanked him politely, and received another barely audible "Yah" with matching facial expression to the other young man's who helped at the thrift store.

My last stop was to pick up our online Fareway order.  An older lady, maybe in her 60s or early 70s, brought the groceries, unloaded them from cart to back end of the Subaru, I thanked her politely.  She smiled, said, "You are welcome.  Have a nice rest of the day."  I wished her the same.

What the hell has happened to our society?  Why do some of the younger people act like they're doing us a favor by doing their jobs?  Perhaps I'm reaping the grand harvest that comes with a head of gray hair.  Is it that, or has common courtesy been flushed?  

As I parked the Subaru in Venny's underground garage, I thought to myself.......this is why it's no fun being out and about anymore.  No matter where we go, we're greeted with disrespect.  Some people are greeted with assault rifles in their local stores.  

It's important that I underscore the fact that not all young individuals are like this.  To prove that as fact, the young gal who tested my eyes at the optometrist's office, was as polite and kind as she could be.  It's a blessing that she reassured me that not all youth are choosing to be victims because they have to work.  

Maybe it's part of the Divine Plan that we seniors reap disrespect, cuz that lessens the pain of leaving this world.  It becomes an unwelcome place, our piece of the puzzle no longer fits.  

And, that's the topic of the day, written with sadness, bewilderment, and disbelief. 

This morning I'm going solo to my optometrist appointment.  Most of the time, or rather all of the time, the two of us go everywhere together.  When we were younger, it was a different story.  It's that business of how life changes us, what we do, how we do it, and why we do it.  I love to drive the car, always have.  But, society has changed drastically since our heyday.  With alcohol, drugs and road rage mixed into the pudding, I'm more on the alert for the other person's behavior.  Plus, high speeds do not make for a welcome arena.  

Placed a grocery order at our local Fareway Store and will stop for them on my way back home.  The boyfriend prefers in-store shopping, and I prefer online shopping.  It's that business of two personalities preferring opposite approaches to a routine task.  The boyfriend enjoys chatting with others, while I enjoy getting in the store, getting what I need, and getting out.  It's just the way we are.  Today I chose online, cuz I'm picking up the groceries.

For me, online shopping offers me a larger selection on screen to choose from.  Standing in an aisle, with shopping carts bumping into me, makes it literally impossible to compare prices and see what is available of each item.  When I have it in front of me on screen, I can cursor through everything and make better choices.  The big factor is having someone else choose one's food.  I understand that.  But, our local store has been absolutely on target with its choices.  Not once have we gotten fresh produce that hasn't been the freshest.  There's a place on the Fareway app to write the unknown shopper a note about personal preference.  Like in today's order, I added a note for them to double wrap an ice cream container.

During the nighttime my knee hurt so bad it woke me.  Am fearing that a cortisone shot may be necessary if it keeps up.  Drat.  Double drat.  Thought I could hold out and it would heal by itself.  Will give it a couple more days and decide by the first of next week.  

My brain is still twisted about yesterday's jury verdict.  The more I think about it, the more twisted my brain feels.  In an effort to keep my crazy thoughts to myself, I shall end the subject.  So many times in life, silence trumps speaking.  Actually, silence can be quite a powerful weapon of protection.  One can't get blamed for something he/she has not said.  I'm trying hard to live the remainder of my life by ancient advice:  if something doesn't concern me, then I must not concern myself with it.  It's that simple, and one's life is surely simplified by those words.

Best get in gear so I'm ready to leave home at 10:15.  The boyfriend is staying home with Cuddy.  The two buddies can have the place to themselves.  Kind of a guy time.  Will await the verdict on my dry eye problem.  I need new lenses, but we're waiting to find the magic formula to take care of their dryness.  

Ta-ta till the morrow.

VERDICT'S IN

Cuddy's parents are at the Today Show this morning and shared a fist bump with Al Roker.  Those two sure do know how to make the most of their travel ventures.  They don't just go places to say they've been there, they saturate every bit of the places that have been carefully researched beforehand.  For them, traveling is a learning experience, and we are beneficiaries of what they see.  It's called armchair travel.

Just had a series of sneezes.  Probably it's harvest particles in the air this time of year.  

Tomorrow morning is a follow-up appointment with my optometrist.  I've been lax in putting in eye drops, so will probably be reprimanded.  Would imagine it's difficult for a young professional to deal with an older person who doesn't do what they're told.  But, that's their problem, part of the growing up process we've all been through.  Tolerating others is one of life's biggest challenges, especially those individuals with abrasive personalities.  We're all different, so it only makes sense that we clash head-on with certain ones.  

Overcast again, the sun is playing hide and seek.  Light rain is forecast, starting in about a half hour.  Chilly 38 degrees.  The boyfriend fixed what my family called hash.  You take leftovers from the fridge and scramble eggs with it.  A little bit of ketchup to top it off.  

Breaking News:  The verdict has just been read in the Florida school shooting.  Defendant will get life in prison without parole.  November 1st the families of the 14 children and 3 adults, who were mercilessly slaughtered, will have the right to express their opinion of the verdict.  The final sentencing will follow.  

My opinion?  Well, I followed this for 32 days, and now my hope is that life will torment the shooter every single moment he is alive.  That, hopefully, will be a more cruel sentence than death. 

Just heard that the jury's vote was 11 to 1.    

LOVE OF THE COURTROOM

My personal barometer is working like a charm.  Got out of bed and my back greeted me with a groan, and then the left knee followed suit.  Yup, it's raining.

Changed the photo on my blog.  The boyfriend took this photo Monday when we were on a trolley with Cuddy.  Yesterday I received text photos from his parents sent from Central Park in NYC.  Not only do I have the honor of caring for their pet, but can see today's world through their eyes.  Our one and only visit to The Big Apple was back in the 1970s.     

Sure is an overcast day, the kind a person feels like snuggling up with a good book.  In six hours I'll know if my 99-cent bid on an eBay book will win.  So far my bid is the only one, and the title is Sophie's World.  It's the story of a Norwegian teenage girl who is introduced to the history of philosophy when she's asked "Who are you?" in a letter from an unknown philosopher.  Sounds interesting to me, as does anything related to philosophy.  The book was written in 1991, by Jostein Gaarder in Norway and has been translated into 59 languages with over 40 million copies.  It's also been made into a film and a PC game, neither of which I know anything about.

Spent the great share of yesterday watching the closing arguments in the Parkland, Florida, school shooter's sentencing trial.  My personal interest is watching the actions of the trial lawyers, presiding judge, and the gallery of suffering parents who lost their babies in the school massacre.  The prosecuting attorney did a fine job of tying together the litany of facts.  Throughout, none of the defendant's attorneys impressed me, but my personal opinion matters only to me.  The next person may see them through different eyes and come to totally opposite conclusions.  

She did make one powerful statement, and that was that the death penalty is not necessary.  The life-in-prison-without-parole sentence satisfies the law.  The jury will receive its instructions this morning and will then begin deliberations.  

I get mentally tangled in these televised trials, get so engrossed, that all else fades into the distance.  My power of procrastination is overtaking me.  This is so unlike the person I used to be that it's not even funny.  But, in lotsa ways it's liberating to be free from the shackles of "should be doing."  Seems we humans are always being told the right way to live by the wrong people.  

Best get back to the courtroom.  I have to giggle when I think of my teenage self being held captive by Perry Mason and his devoted secretary, Della Street.  That's enough proof for me to think we each are destined to be who we are, but that's just my opinion. 

Our precious house guest went to the Puppy Spa yesterday for a spiff-up and bath.  We're having special guests over this coming Saturday, and he's gonna be ready to party!

Cuddy is very afraid of riding in a car.  Yesterday I rolled my passenger window down and let his little nose feel the air as we drove.  That completely took his mind off of his being in a car, and his shaking and panting stopped.  I didn't allow his head outside the window, but he rested his nose on the base of the window.  We're going to take him for another spin this afternoon, cuz he had so much fun.  Stopped to buy him some Milk Bone doggie treats, cuz his stash is about depleted.  We've had the little guy now for over a month, and he's a good eater and makes sure we know when he deserves a treat!

Am gonna have myself brunch today.  By combining breakfast with lunch, it cuts out calories in the daily total.  Every effort is a small step.  Will put together my go-to salad of iceberg lettuce, fresh mushrooms, green onions, cheddar cheese, blueberries, Kraft raspberry dressing topped with crispy french fried onions.  The boyfriend and I are on our own until tonight's supper.  He has taken two Iowa chops out of the freezer to thaw. 

Isn't the price of eggs atrocious?  In some stores they are $4 a dozen.  Man alive.  To us baby boomers, that's just plain awful.  I remember when I was a little girl standing by the kitchen sink with a pailful of freshly-picked eggs, washing them with a rag and Ajax.  Mom took the eggs to the Produce.  Wonder what she got for them, probably pennies a dozen.  Making out a grocery list these days is a mathematical challenge.  Not only that, but containers have gotten smaller so we get less for higher prices.  Lots of merchandising gimmicks.  Oh, that reminds me that there's a new word out.......it's MERCH, short for merchandise.  We're in such a hurry, now we have to abbreviate our words.  (Time to pray.)    

What a glorious day.  Last night the harvest moon was again a spiritual sign in the sky.  It's amazing to think that all of us earthlings see the same moon, the same sun and the same stars.  If only we could all get along with one another, it truly would be a global paradise.  But, life wasn't designed to be that simple.  After all, any good sailor will say he's a good sailor only because of the storms he's had to endure.

Best scoot here.  Squeeze every drop of nectar from the day.  Ta-ta till the morrow.

SPA TIME

We've been telling Cuddy that he's a dear soul and deserves a treat at the Spa.  Called his groomer last evening, and wouldn't ya know it.....she had a cancellation for this morning at 10.  How perfect!  As I've said times before, he does not like riding in a car and starts shaking on his walk to the car.  There's gotta be something bad happen to him when he was little, before his owners got him.  Makes me sad to see that.  I try everything to calm him, nothing works.  That's why we don't take him for drives.  At his age, the last thing we want is for him to suffer a heart attack.  That's also why the boyfriend isn't giving him a scrub.  He's used to his groomer, so we say, "You're going to the spa!"  His parents are travelers, and when he's with us, we treat him like he's ours.  

All my sun-catchers are brilliant in the early morning sun.  Today the sprinklers are being checked.  Boyfriend counted 6 in our 2-bedroom unit.  

Goodness, it's the start of a new week.  No explicit plans, although each day unfolds with something new.  Kinda like walking a trail in the woods, one doesn't know what's gonna jump out from the trees.  

A couple of our friends stopped over late yesterday.  Other than that, our weekend was quite uneventful.  Last evening I got my brain tangled up in a 3-hour video taken from a law enforcer's on-body camera.  These are so fun to watch.  Another one was about a lady who damaged personal property by spray painting the cars parked in the driveway, the garage door and windows.  One of the cars was a BMW.  The suspect was totally smashed.  She was what is known as a "funny drunk."  All she kept saying to the cops, even when in jail, was how much fun she was having, how this was the best thing that ever happened to her.  I sat here in my recliner, laughing till the boyfriend looked at me like maybe it's time for me to think about assisted living arrangements.  Just couldn't help it, I couldn't have paid big bucks at a Vegas casino for better comedy.  

Did anyone look up at the stunning moon last night?  I swear, it looked like one big eye in the sky.  Over time, a full moon is a reminder of a Force greater than all else.  Only Nature offers me believable spiritual assurances.  Everything else is simply too man-made.

Sounds like there's gonna be a change in the weather.  36 degrees now, with 70 degrees by afternoon.  Think it's gonna cool down some later in the week.  

Coffee tastes yummy.  After Cuddy's spa appointment, maybe we'll stop for a drive-thru sandwich.  A McDonald's super crispy chicken sounds like it may win my prize.  Will see.

Till the morrow......ta-ta.

 What a gorgeous October day!  

The boyfriend is out and about, tending to a couple of calls for assistance down in the workshop.  That gave me quiet time to write my article for the October Venny Newsletter.  Couldn't think of a topic, until I re-read my journal entries of the 2008 Northern Minnesota 3-week camping trip.  I decided to write about two interesting gentlemen that I had visited with.

A batch of homemade vegetable soup awaits for supper.  We shared with two of our Venny friends, one with the recent heart surgery.  There's not really a lot one can do for someone, but hopefully vitamin-rich veggie soup will hit the spot for them.  Was going to bake rolls today out of frozen bread dough, but didn't get around to it.  

These cool October days are ideal for staying inside with the patio screen door open.  We're going to stay home beside the hearth and enjoy the calm and quiet.  After all the years, sometimes I'm dazzled by the thought of us not being required to do anything other than what we feel like doing.  It's that business of living at the moment, cuz none of us knows how many moments are left to tick on our time clock. 

Enjoy the day! 

NEW WORD...NEW SEASON...NEW CLOTHES

Learned a new word today.  SHACKET......a cross between a shirt and a jacket.  Who knew!

New words are popping up all over the place.  Shacket reminds me of the skort, which was a cross between a skirt and shorts.  Another likeness is the shouse, the cross between a shed and a house.

Cuddy got me up earlier than usual, cuz he was thirsty.  I convinced him to come back to bed so Dale could get another hour's sleep.  The little soul complied.  

Have been watching romance-comedy movies on YT.  Also following the sentencing trial for the school shooter in Florida.  One of the expert witness doctors testified that he has spent over 400 hours on this case.  When the prosecution asked what he charges per hour, he said $400.  Yuppers, one expert among many has accrued lots of hours and $160,000 on this person who has confessed to happily murdering 17 innocents.  The sentencing hearing has been going on for over 30 days, and next week the jury will be sequestered until it decides on life in prison without parole or death.  For those of us who are plagued with the legal syndrome, the opportunity to watch this circus live is quite the entertainment.  

How would I vote if I were on this jury?  Man alive, what a burden imposed on a jury to decide if someone lives or dies.  I can understand making the decision, but what about the conscience that may possibly be a lifelong torture for the juror?  My decision right now is this:  my heart tells me one thing, my brain tells me another...quite the brain battle.  Will wait to see how this plays out.  

One thing for sure, the shooter-killer-murderer is getting far more attention than he deserves.  After spending over 40 years working in the justice system, gotta say a criminal has the best seat in the house and nobody dares do him any injustice. 

Yesterday two combines crawled across the cornfield by Venny, taking with them this year's corn crop.  Today all that remains is a golden carpet of cut-off stalks.  Another season silently stands on the sideline ready to take the torch into the next.  A silent life lecture.

Eight weeks from now we'll be wrapped up in Christmas.  The holiday has changed for us over the years.  No more gift exchanges, and it's almost impossible for several families to agree on a date to gather around our tree.  Plus, they have their own families to be with, and we must adapt ourselves to these late-life transitions.  

Yesterday the boyfriend and his Venny buddy went for a 5-hour trolley around the picturesque countryside, stopped at an old-fashioned tavern for what is reported as yummy fish sandwiches, and enjoyed guy time.  Cuddy and I cuddled.  I think Cuddy considers our home to be his resort of choice.  He's as cozy here as an insect inside a rolled-up carpet!

Tis an absolutely beautiful day, with the autumnal chill.  Think it might be time to place an order for new Cuddl Duds, my favorite attire in the winter months.  They come in the neatest colors, usually the leggings are patterned with color coordinated tops.  Cuddle weather calls for cuddly clothes, preferably Cuddl Duds, and a cuddly canine called Cuddy!  

WHAT A GUY

Awwwww........

My precious God Son picked us up and treated us to breakfast on Saturday.  After the eatery's renowned Bloody Marys and full breakfast menu, we were treated to a tour of his family's new home.  It is mighty refreshing to see a younger couple who are successful, caring and thoughtful.  During Covid's global shutdown, he was the only one who called to see if we needed anything and offered to bring it to us.  The word 'precious' is an all-inclusive description of this dear one.  

Our anniversary party was a fun one.  Lotsa laughs, silliness, food, sips, and late-life sharing and caring.  

Cuddy's daddy called yesterday, and the fuzzy one will be staying with us for another two weeks.  The sweet little man is napping in his bed, with his head on his daddy's t-shirt.  It's so easy to love him and keep him safe.  

It's cloudy today.  Our neighbor brought us a box of Celebrity tomatoes, so Dale made a batch of chili for supper.  For our anniversary, I ordered a 9.5-quart Dutch Oven, and last night's chili was its first stove-top voyage.  We absolutely love it and will be ideal for serving soups to ourselves and guests this winter.  I enjoy going on Pinterest and finding new recipes.  The Dutch oven cost $46, ordered online free postage from WM, about the cost of eating out in a restaurant one time.  It has an old-fashioned look, kinda like our mother's speckled porcelain roasters.....the ones they roasted turkeys in for Thanksgiving.

Gonna have a quiet day.  Mabel, the Christmas Cactus, is thirsty.  There's some onion skin tea ready to serve her.  

Must start thinking of a topic to write for the October Venny Newsletter.  That's about the only thing that's on my plate right now.  Seems I live in a world of words, playing word games, writing and reading.  In fact, am getting kinda fidgety to get into a mystery.  Might have to trek down the hall to the library.  Ta-ta.