We went to Door County today and toured four lighthouses. It is fascinating. I can see how people get hung up on the history and the collecting of memorabilia of them. We have seen six in the last month now. Split Rock in Canada, the one at the Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point MI. and these four on the Door Penninsula. These four are still working lighthouses, though they are automated and use battery or solar power. With the new innovations in radar and sonar and the GSL systems available, the need for lighthouses is really past. A wonderful romantic part of our history - it is wonderful to see them preserved and treasured.
Have a great Wednesday. Remember to have faith and trust that prayers ARE answered.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
Monday, Monday. We were busy today. Bible Study at 9:30AM. Bart and Barb are back on the prayer chain. Please, keep them in your prayers too. Sunday's reading were very encouraging to me. They spoke of persistant prayer. They were Luke 11: 1-13 where he says that if you persist in asking for help even if you are at first turned down, sometimes people will help just to get rid of you. In Genesis 18:20-32 Abraham wears God down in agreeing to save Sodam and Gomorrah even if there were ONLY 10 just people in the cities. Anyway, I am going to persist and I ask that you do too.
Tomorrow we are going up to Door County on a lighthouse tour. This will be a nice cap to our Canada trip where we saw toured two lighthouses. I will have more pictures. I am working on Jim to fix my ability to import pictures to this site.
I shot tonight and I was terrible. I am going to have to go on Sundays too to see if more practice will help and if perhaps I shoot the previous day, I will do better on league nights.
Hope your week is wonderful.
Love
Mary
Tomorrow we are going up to Door County on a lighthouse tour. This will be a nice cap to our Canada trip where we saw toured two lighthouses. I will have more pictures. I am working on Jim to fix my ability to import pictures to this site.
I shot tonight and I was terrible. I am going to have to go on Sundays too to see if more practice will help and if perhaps I shoot the previous day, I will do better on league nights.
Hope your week is wonderful.
Love
Mary
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Do you remember summers before the polio vaccine? When I was young, the hot muggy days of summer could be very frightening because of the danger.
Nora babysat for a neighbor one evening. She came home from the job really disgusted, as young people are wont to be after cleaning up vomit and changing sheets on a bed. The daughter of the people had gotten sick. The next morning word came that the girl had been taken to the hospital as symptems persisted. Later word came that she had polio and had been transported to Milwaukee to the only hospital in the area with an iron lung and the means to treat this disease.
Well, Mother about paniced. Here it was, the middle of summer and she had eight children (I don't believe that Randy was born yet.) under the age of 13. The doctor said that she really should not have to worry about anybody but Nora. (Yea right, tell ANY mother.) Nora, however, had to get the only known possible deterant, a shot of Gamma Globulin, that was given by weight. That upset her too. She hated shots. Big surprise.
The little girl died. It was a sober summer that year with the heat and the humidity and whatever else contributing to the fear but there were no more cases in town and we all remained well.
Aunt Helen always said that she was sure that Dad had polio before they called it that. He got very sick one summer and the following year, Uncle Jack took him to school in a wagon for a while. His legs, in my memory, were alway small and skinny. However, he did everything he wanted too.
Mary
Nora babysat for a neighbor one evening. She came home from the job really disgusted, as young people are wont to be after cleaning up vomit and changing sheets on a bed. The daughter of the people had gotten sick. The next morning word came that the girl had been taken to the hospital as symptems persisted. Later word came that she had polio and had been transported to Milwaukee to the only hospital in the area with an iron lung and the means to treat this disease.
Well, Mother about paniced. Here it was, the middle of summer and she had eight children (I don't believe that Randy was born yet.) under the age of 13. The doctor said that she really should not have to worry about anybody but Nora. (Yea right, tell ANY mother.) Nora, however, had to get the only known possible deterant, a shot of Gamma Globulin, that was given by weight. That upset her too. She hated shots. Big surprise.
The little girl died. It was a sober summer that year with the heat and the humidity and whatever else contributing to the fear but there were no more cases in town and we all remained well.
Aunt Helen always said that she was sure that Dad had polio before they called it that. He got very sick one summer and the following year, Uncle Jack took him to school in a wagon for a while. His legs, in my memory, were alway small and skinny. However, he did everything he wanted too.
Mary
Saturday, July 24, 2004
You all missed a great turkey dinner. You can't say you weren't invited. The blueberry cake was good too.
Here is the recipe for the cake, a definite keeper.
Easy Fresh Blueberry Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
2/3 cup water
1 egg
1/4 cup butter (NO SUBSTITUTE), melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Measure 2 cups cake mix into a bowl.
Prepare remaining mix according to package directions, using 2/3 cup water and 1 egg. Measure 1 cup batter; set aside. Pour remaining batter into prepared pan.
Add butter, cinnamon and nutmeg to reserved cake mix. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle half of the crumb mixture evenly over the batter in pan. Arrange blueberries evenly over crumb mixture. Spoon reserved batter evenly over top of blueberries. Sprinkle with remaining half of crumb mixture.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until done. Serve warm.
I got it off the internet at www.recipegoldmine.com. I always like the sound of "easy". Usually those recipes taste the best too because there is less to mess them up.
Fresh blueberries are really reasonable this year so I have been getting them and even freezing them. They are about the easiest things in the world to freeze. You don't even wash them. Just throw in containers and into the freezer. You wash and check them over when you thaw them and use them just like fresh.
Kitties like turkey too but we found out that they do not care much for white meat.
Love
Mary
Here is the recipe for the cake, a definite keeper.
Easy Fresh Blueberry Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
2/3 cup water
1 egg
1/4 cup butter (NO SUBSTITUTE), melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Measure 2 cups cake mix into a bowl.
Prepare remaining mix according to package directions, using 2/3 cup water and 1 egg. Measure 1 cup batter; set aside. Pour remaining batter into prepared pan.
Add butter, cinnamon and nutmeg to reserved cake mix. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle half of the crumb mixture evenly over the batter in pan. Arrange blueberries evenly over crumb mixture. Spoon reserved batter evenly over top of blueberries. Sprinkle with remaining half of crumb mixture.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until done. Serve warm.
I got it off the internet at www.recipegoldmine.com. I always like the sound of "easy". Usually those recipes taste the best too because there is less to mess them up.
Fresh blueberries are really reasonable this year so I have been getting them and even freezing them. They are about the easiest things in the world to freeze. You don't even wash them. Just throw in containers and into the freezer. You wash and check them over when you thaw them and use them just like fresh.
Kitties like turkey too but we found out that they do not care much for white meat.
Love
Mary
Friday, July 23, 2004
What a rotten day in the market. Pretty discouraging.
The weather on the other hand was way too wonderful. It is pretty hard to be discouraged for long when nature provides such a bonus day. Dick and I sat out on the deck for a while this evening and last because it is finally nice enough to do so. I discovered that there are a couple of tomatoes on the tomato plants. Wow.
Today, when I was in Plymouth for lunch, I stopped at the Farmer's Market there and got some sweet corn. The owner said he got it from Spring Green which is west and south of us so they are ahead of us. The Sheboygan County crops are way behind or non existant so I will get it where and when I can. It sure tasted good.
The perfect gift is from the heart
The perfect love is not the start
The perfect life is after death
The perfect word is quietly said.
Have a Great Weekend
Mary
The weather on the other hand was way too wonderful. It is pretty hard to be discouraged for long when nature provides such a bonus day. Dick and I sat out on the deck for a while this evening and last because it is finally nice enough to do so. I discovered that there are a couple of tomatoes on the tomato plants. Wow.
Today, when I was in Plymouth for lunch, I stopped at the Farmer's Market there and got some sweet corn. The owner said he got it from Spring Green which is west and south of us so they are ahead of us. The Sheboygan County crops are way behind or non existant so I will get it where and when I can. It sure tasted good.
The perfect gift is from the heart
The perfect love is not the start
The perfect life is after death
The perfect word is quietly said.
Have a Great Weekend
Mary
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Next week the Democrats are having their convention. Big Woo! Conventions used to be exciting. You never knew, until the end, who the candidates were going to be. There was lots of hype and lots of excitement and lots of speeches and platforms were discussed. Now - it is a done deal but we have to put up with speeches that just will rubber stamp the already decided issues. I guess the major networks won't be showing it all day and evening like they used to. They would lose too much of their audience to cable.
I am disgusted with the whole thing. Then we will have three months until the election.
Oliver Goldsmith had the following verse in his poem - Three Jolly Pigeons
Politicians they tell us each day,
Of their good sense and propiety.
But puff as these blowhards they may
They cannot disguise their venality,
Swaggards and braggards they all,
Sing songs of their courage and vision,
Crow loudly as ever they will,
They're not heard at the Three Jolly Pigeons.
To right to roddle to rol.
I lifted a pint or two of cider at the bar in County Athlone Ireland called the Three Jolly Pigeons that Goldsmith refers to in his poem. The barkeep Seamus recited the poem for us. I think his portrait of the "politician" is accurate.
I had gotten a card for a free turkey last winter. The card expires in September, so I decided to get it now. We are going to have turkey dinner on Saturday. Aren't you jealous? If you want to, you can all come over for dinner. I am also going to fix a fresh blueberry cake.
Enjoy
Mary
I am disgusted with the whole thing. Then we will have three months until the election.
Oliver Goldsmith had the following verse in his poem - Three Jolly Pigeons
Politicians they tell us each day,
Of their good sense and propiety.
But puff as these blowhards they may
They cannot disguise their venality,
Swaggards and braggards they all,
Sing songs of their courage and vision,
Crow loudly as ever they will,
They're not heard at the Three Jolly Pigeons.
To right to roddle to rol.
I lifted a pint or two of cider at the bar in County Athlone Ireland called the Three Jolly Pigeons that Goldsmith refers to in his poem. The barkeep Seamus recited the poem for us. I think his portrait of the "politician" is accurate.
I had gotten a card for a free turkey last winter. The card expires in September, so I decided to get it now. We are going to have turkey dinner on Saturday. Aren't you jealous? If you want to, you can all come over for dinner. I am also going to fix a fresh blueberry cake.
Enjoy
Mary
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
We have three animals. I believe that I have conveyed that information, even to those who do not know me very well. All our critters came from the Humane Society.
We have had Chelsea, the dog, for almost 7 years now. Prior to her, I had a little terrior mix named Zero. He was my love. When Bart and I moved from California to Minnesota and then from Minnesota to Wisconsin, he was there with us and he trusted and comforted me through all the bad times.
When he died, we kind of decided not to get another dog because they are a lot of work and we like to travel and all. And after all we did have cats. I lasted for two years. then one day, I told Dick that I simply HAD to have a doggy.
So we started going to the Humane Society to find a proper dog for us. Most of the dogs that are turned in to the Humane Society are big gangly eager doggies and much more than I could handle since they are also not usually well trained. So we went back for at least four weeks. The forth week, Dick said that we had better find a small one soon or he was going to take one of these because they were starting to recognize him and he was feeling bad leaving them there.
Then low and behold, here was this little white fluff of a thing and she was available, so we took her. I remember bringing her home and telling Dick that Jim was going to say that she was a little rat. He did too. She is actually a medium sized dog in the 17 to 18 pound range. We do just fine and are all so glad to have her. Now I have someone to "walk me" every day.
Have a nice Thursday.
Mary
We have had Chelsea, the dog, for almost 7 years now. Prior to her, I had a little terrior mix named Zero. He was my love. When Bart and I moved from California to Minnesota and then from Minnesota to Wisconsin, he was there with us and he trusted and comforted me through all the bad times.
When he died, we kind of decided not to get another dog because they are a lot of work and we like to travel and all. And after all we did have cats. I lasted for two years. then one day, I told Dick that I simply HAD to have a doggy.
So we started going to the Humane Society to find a proper dog for us. Most of the dogs that are turned in to the Humane Society are big gangly eager doggies and much more than I could handle since they are also not usually well trained. So we went back for at least four weeks. The forth week, Dick said that we had better find a small one soon or he was going to take one of these because they were starting to recognize him and he was feeling bad leaving them there.
Then low and behold, here was this little white fluff of a thing and she was available, so we took her. I remember bringing her home and telling Dick that Jim was going to say that she was a little rat. He did too. She is actually a medium sized dog in the 17 to 18 pound range. We do just fine and are all so glad to have her. Now I have someone to "walk me" every day.
Have a nice Thursday.
Mary
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Tuesday already. It was a quiet day here on Hunters Glen Drive. We didn't have to go ANYWHERE. What a thrill. Tomorrow, I will lunch with Betsy, my brother George's wife, and Betsy's mother, Dorothy. Betsy will be going back home to Texas next Monday. It will be pleasant to spend some time with her.
Betsy and George graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School 35 years ago. George and Betsy started dating in high school and married a couple of years later while George was in the service. I remember trying to call home during that time and knowing that if the phone was busy for a long time, Betsy and George were talking. They went to school all day, then George worked. Then they would get on the phone until bed time.
A friend sent me the following, I thought I would share with all of you because it is SO FUNNY!
Enjoy.
Diet/Exercise Questions answered by a noted Dietician:
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this
true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it. Don't
waste
them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your
heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend
the
life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a
nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay
and
corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than
an
efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need
grain?
Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass, a green leafy
vegetable. And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily
allowance of vegetable slop.
Q: Is beer or wine bad for me?
A: Look, it goes to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As
we
all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three
categories:
animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not
animal or mineral, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice:
Have a
burger and a beer and enjoy your vegetables.
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one
to
one. If you have the weight of two bodies, your ratio is two to one,
etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular
exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No
Pain...Good.
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.
How
could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the
middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You
should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO .. Cocoa beans ... another vegetable!!! It's
the best feel-good food around!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had
about food, exercise, and diets. So, have a cookie.
One more thing... "When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and
salt."
Betsy and George graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School 35 years ago. George and Betsy started dating in high school and married a couple of years later while George was in the service. I remember trying to call home during that time and knowing that if the phone was busy for a long time, Betsy and George were talking. They went to school all day, then George worked. Then they would get on the phone until bed time.
A friend sent me the following, I thought I would share with all of you because it is SO FUNNY!
Enjoy.
Diet/Exercise Questions answered by a noted Dietician:
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this
true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it. Don't
waste
them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your
heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend
the
life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a
nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay
and
corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than
an
efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need
grain?
Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass, a green leafy
vegetable. And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily
allowance of vegetable slop.
Q: Is beer or wine bad for me?
A: Look, it goes to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As
we
all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three
categories:
animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not
animal or mineral, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice:
Have a
burger and a beer and enjoy your vegetables.
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one
to
one. If you have the weight of two bodies, your ratio is two to one,
etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular
exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No
Pain...Good.
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.
How
could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the
middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You
should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO .. Cocoa beans ... another vegetable!!! It's
the best feel-good food around!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had
about food, exercise, and diets. So, have a cookie.
One more thing... "When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and
salt."
Monday, July 19, 2004
Congratulate me!!! I shot league at the Sheboygan Falls Conservation Club with Rosalie tonight. I had not shot for two weeks, of course, since we were on vacation last Monday. Rosalie and I shot twice because we needed to catch up. My first round was not good. I shot a 10 and was a bit discouraged.
BUT we shot the catch up round. I started in figuring that I couldn't do any worse and by gumbo - I got an 18. This is my all time high. I got ONE other 18 last summer out at the club across from my brother Jeff's house. (I was really glad of that, as I was so afraid that I was really going to look dumb in front of my brothers.) Anyway, I am all excited now.
Bible study resumed today. There were six of us there so most people are back after our two week hiatus. We really got into a discussion of the child abuse by the clergy. It was fresh on our mind because last week the Milwaukee Archdiocese published a list of all the priests, past and present, that had been accused and were proved to have abused children. We were doubly upset because it seems that St. Mary (now Blessed Trinity) has had its share serving us. Three on the list were assigned here over the years. We feel that the parishioners have to be willing to face the fact. There seems to be a lot of denial going around. We need to be alert and not be blind to the fact that priests are people too. When they do wrong, they need to face the consequences, legal and otherwise. And being a priest should not arouse any more or any less suspicion than any other person. I liked Psalm 37, verses 7 through 9.
7. Leave it to the Lord,
and wait for him;
Be not vexed at the successful path of the man who does malicious deeds.
8. Give up your anger, and forsake wrath;
be not vexed, it will only harm you.
9. For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall possess the land.
I am starting to get tired now. It has been a busy day. We had temperatures of 84 or more today but the rain they threatened us with did not come. I am just as happy that we are not getting 90s and 100s like Bret, Bart and Leslie. I noticed a few blossoms on my tomato plants on the deck. Yippee. Of course every year, I get a couple but my crops are usually pretty pitiful. Maybe, this is my year.
Tomorrow
Mary
BUT we shot the catch up round. I started in figuring that I couldn't do any worse and by gumbo - I got an 18. This is my all time high. I got ONE other 18 last summer out at the club across from my brother Jeff's house. (I was really glad of that, as I was so afraid that I was really going to look dumb in front of my brothers.) Anyway, I am all excited now.
Bible study resumed today. There were six of us there so most people are back after our two week hiatus. We really got into a discussion of the child abuse by the clergy. It was fresh on our mind because last week the Milwaukee Archdiocese published a list of all the priests, past and present, that had been accused and were proved to have abused children. We were doubly upset because it seems that St. Mary (now Blessed Trinity) has had its share serving us. Three on the list were assigned here over the years. We feel that the parishioners have to be willing to face the fact. There seems to be a lot of denial going around. We need to be alert and not be blind to the fact that priests are people too. When they do wrong, they need to face the consequences, legal and otherwise. And being a priest should not arouse any more or any less suspicion than any other person. I liked Psalm 37, verses 7 through 9.
7. Leave it to the Lord,
and wait for him;
Be not vexed at the successful path of the man who does malicious deeds.
8. Give up your anger, and forsake wrath;
be not vexed, it will only harm you.
9. For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall possess the land.
I am starting to get tired now. It has been a busy day. We had temperatures of 84 or more today but the rain they threatened us with did not come. I am just as happy that we are not getting 90s and 100s like Bret, Bart and Leslie. I noticed a few blossoms on my tomato plants on the deck. Yippee. Of course every year, I get a couple but my crops are usually pretty pitiful. Maybe, this is my year.
Tomorrow
Mary
Sunday, July 18, 2004
I hope somebody missed me this week.
It was a wonderful week for Dick and me. We drove over the top of Lake Superior. Each day we stopped at a different place of interest. We saw a freshwater aquarium, two lighthouses, an old fort, and took a tour of the locks at Sault Ste Marie. Wow. What a lot of territory to cover.
It is good to be home though, and to be welcomed so eagerly by a white dog and not so eagerly by two silly cats.
Dick and I decided that we do like Canada. The country, at least above Lake Superior is really beautiful and we only saw a bit of it. The people are really friendly too. We found the food and accomodations to be very similar to the US. Not unexpected. We realized that the Canadians do not have a "food". Not like Italian, or Mexican or German. Even American. We have our hot dogs and apple pie. But the Canadians do not have a kind of food. But they have good food. At least we found a lot of good food.
Anyway, here we are, home again and glad to be here. What is it about traveling. A person wants to get away, so badly and then are so very happy to be home again.
This week, I will try to get a picture or two on the site for you to see some of the beautiful sites that we saw.
Have a good Monday.
Love
Mary
The currency exchange was a bit confusing as their coins AND bills are somewhat similar but an American Dollar is worth about $1.30 Canadian dollars. It is startling to fill up your tank and put in(as an example) 58 L at .895 totalling $52.
It was a wonderful week for Dick and me. We drove over the top of Lake Superior. Each day we stopped at a different place of interest. We saw a freshwater aquarium, two lighthouses, an old fort, and took a tour of the locks at Sault Ste Marie. Wow. What a lot of territory to cover.
It is good to be home though, and to be welcomed so eagerly by a white dog and not so eagerly by two silly cats.
Dick and I decided that we do like Canada. The country, at least above Lake Superior is really beautiful and we only saw a bit of it. The people are really friendly too. We found the food and accomodations to be very similar to the US. Not unexpected. We realized that the Canadians do not have a "food". Not like Italian, or Mexican or German. Even American. We have our hot dogs and apple pie. But the Canadians do not have a kind of food. But they have good food. At least we found a lot of good food.
Anyway, here we are, home again and glad to be here. What is it about traveling. A person wants to get away, so badly and then are so very happy to be home again.
This week, I will try to get a picture or two on the site for you to see some of the beautiful sites that we saw.
Have a good Monday.
Love
Mary
The currency exchange was a bit confusing as their coins AND bills are somewhat similar but an American Dollar is worth about $1.30 Canadian dollars. It is startling to fill up your tank and put in(as an example) 58 L at .895 totalling $52.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
This will be my last post UNTIL 7/18/04. We are leaving tomorrow for CANADA. I have only been there twice before. Once JUST over the border and once on our trip to the New England States where we spent some time at Niagra Falls. I have some beautiful pictures of the Falls. That is not hard to do. They are truly spectacular.
Anyway, this trip will take us in to Ontario. I understand that it is a pretty rustic countryside so it should be colorful and I will take lots of picture. I really should clear the current card.
Anyway, I will report in 7 days. Have a good week and (From Cadfael.) "Sleep easy, for God is awake."
Mary
Anyway, this trip will take us in to Ontario. I understand that it is a pretty rustic countryside so it should be colorful and I will take lots of picture. I really should clear the current card.
Anyway, I will report in 7 days. Have a good week and (From Cadfael.) "Sleep easy, for God is awake."
Mary
Friday, July 09, 2004
Busy day. We took the car in for maintenance this morning, I had my hair cut. I went to lunch in Plymouth with the Wells Fargo people.
This evening I joined Patti Cedzo, a friend, for a fish boil at the Sheboygan County Historical Museum. Dick and Jim do not like fish so it was a real pleasure for me to be able to go to one of these. We went through the museum grounds and part of the museum proper after we ate. I was delighted to see in the pictoral history of Sheboygan under the Mead Library section a nice picture of Dick. Most of you know, but some might not that Dick was the director of Mead Public Library for over 25 years and was responsible for it being listed as one of the top libraries in the country under his direction. He can be very proud. I know that we are.
I fixed Schlitzhagen this week. I was just hungry for it. Mom used to make it when I was a kid so it is a "comfort food." Dad would occasionally bring home a bucket of chicken broth and this was one way Mom would use it for really good meals. (The meatball part is basically my meatloaf recipe.)
SCHLITZHAGEN
3 lb. ground beef
1 large onion
1 egg
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (I like to butter and and sprinkle garlic on white
bread, dry it in the oven then grind into crumbs.)
Salt and Pepper
Chicken Broth about a quart.
Start warming the chicken broth in a Dutch oven.
Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl. Form into meatballs and roll in flour. Brown the meatballs in a frying pan and drop into the hot chicken broth. Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes until the meatballs are done. Serve over mashed potatoes or cooked noodles.
Enjoy
Love
Mary
This evening I joined Patti Cedzo, a friend, for a fish boil at the Sheboygan County Historical Museum. Dick and Jim do not like fish so it was a real pleasure for me to be able to go to one of these. We went through the museum grounds and part of the museum proper after we ate. I was delighted to see in the pictoral history of Sheboygan under the Mead Library section a nice picture of Dick. Most of you know, but some might not that Dick was the director of Mead Public Library for over 25 years and was responsible for it being listed as one of the top libraries in the country under his direction. He can be very proud. I know that we are.
I fixed Schlitzhagen this week. I was just hungry for it. Mom used to make it when I was a kid so it is a "comfort food." Dad would occasionally bring home a bucket of chicken broth and this was one way Mom would use it for really good meals. (The meatball part is basically my meatloaf recipe.)
SCHLITZHAGEN
3 lb. ground beef
1 large onion
1 egg
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (I like to butter and and sprinkle garlic on white
bread, dry it in the oven then grind into crumbs.)
Salt and Pepper
Chicken Broth about a quart.
Start warming the chicken broth in a Dutch oven.
Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl. Form into meatballs and roll in flour. Brown the meatballs in a frying pan and drop into the hot chicken broth. Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes until the meatballs are done. Serve over mashed potatoes or cooked noodles.
Enjoy
Love
Mary
Thursday, July 08, 2004
In two more days we will leave on our trip to Canada. I am really looking forward to it. Donna wondered how Dick and I were going to stand each other for 8 days alone together in a car. But we always enjoy these trips and it has been a while since we took such a long one.
These last two days have been very pleasant with the trip to Green Bay yesterday and then today a nice lunch and visit with my brother George and his wife Betsy. Feel good days help through the not so nice ones. Mother and Betsy's Mother Dorothy were here too. It was fun.
Love
Mary
These last two days have been very pleasant with the trip to Green Bay yesterday and then today a nice lunch and visit with my brother George and his wife Betsy. Feel good days help through the not so nice ones. Mother and Betsy's Mother Dorothy were here too. It was fun.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
We went up to Green Bay to tour Lambeau Field today. We had gone on a similar tour several years ago before the big removation and expansion. We were impressed. It is HUGE. We got to sit in a sky box AND down in the bleachers. An interesting fact is that Lambeau is probably the only field in the leagues with no backor arm rests on the bleacher seats. During the renovations it was discussed BUT they would have LOST 11000 seats. Since there is long long waiting list for season tickets,only a few season tickets become available every year and they ALWAYS have the stadium packed, they quickly decided against the back and arm rests.
We had a great lunch too. One of the best carrot cakes I have ever tasted.
I got home in time to fix the pie crust for the blueberry pie, the sauce for my lunch and a couple small loaves of lavendar bread. My brother George is coming for lunch tomorrow with Betsy and her Mom and my Mom. George and I were discussing uses for herbs and I had mentioned my lavendar bread. I will serve it with thyme jelly. Cute! Huh?
Have a nice evening.
Mary
We had a great lunch too. One of the best carrot cakes I have ever tasted.
I got home in time to fix the pie crust for the blueberry pie, the sauce for my lunch and a couple small loaves of lavendar bread. My brother George is coming for lunch tomorrow with Betsy and her Mom and my Mom. George and I were discussing uses for herbs and I had mentioned my lavendar bread. I will serve it with thyme jelly. Cute! Huh?
Have a nice evening.
Mary
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
I come from a family of poets. I was thinking of this today. My friend Janet had mentioned Mattie Stepanek, a 13 year old poet, who died of muscular dystophy in June. She also mentioned that she still has a copy of the book, Castle Mount, that was published of my brother Matt's poems after his death at age 17.
However, my Dad was also a poet. I know I have put at least one of his in here and also my brother Jeff does at least one a year while out deer hunting.
The most prolific is George though. He put together a book for the family that he called Old Red House in which he gathered poems and witty quotations and poems of his own for each of us and his wife Betsy, his children and himself. I will add the poem he wrote about me for you to enjoy. We seldom know what influence or impressions we make on little people. George was probably six or seven when I went FAR away to California.
FEELING BIG
by George Deeley (My Brother)
A modern Marco Polo
Off to far away
Missing me the most of all
She told me so on leaving
West Coast adventures outlined
In a score of timely letters
Written just for me, of course
I saw my name within 'em
Gifts and food of foreign lands
High on the reunion
Speechless through the whole affair
Absorbing the attention
Even there to tuck me in
This person of the world
To spend the time on meager me
I must be so important!
Love
Mary
However, my Dad was also a poet. I know I have put at least one of his in here and also my brother Jeff does at least one a year while out deer hunting.
The most prolific is George though. He put together a book for the family that he called Old Red House in which he gathered poems and witty quotations and poems of his own for each of us and his wife Betsy, his children and himself. I will add the poem he wrote about me for you to enjoy. We seldom know what influence or impressions we make on little people. George was probably six or seven when I went FAR away to California.
FEELING BIG
by George Deeley (My Brother)
A modern Marco Polo
Off to far away
Missing me the most of all
She told me so on leaving
West Coast adventures outlined
In a score of timely letters
Written just for me, of course
I saw my name within 'em
Gifts and food of foreign lands
High on the reunion
Speechless through the whole affair
Absorbing the attention
Even there to tuck me in
This person of the world
To spend the time on meager me
I must be so important!
Love
Mary
When we are growing up we never know til much later or not at all, the impressions and the influence we have on the young people we come in contact with.
I was reminded of that today. A friend mentioned Mattie Stepanak, a young poet, who died at the age of 13 of muscular dystrophy. Janet, my friend, told me that she still has the book Castle Mount, a collection of my brother Matt Deeley's poems. He died at the age of 17 some 33 years ago.
On a brighter note, I decided to share the fact that poetry seems to run in the family. I do write it but my brother Jeff is starting to dabble a bit and my brother George also is quite a poet. He put together a little book for the family called Old Red House, in which he assembled and wrote poetry and bits of wisdom about each member of our family.
It is great and this is how I found out how I must have looked to him, a little boy, when I flew off to California and would come home for visits. The following is his poem about me.
FEELING BIG by George Deeley
A modern Marco Polo
Off to far away
Missing me the most of all
She told me so on leaving
West Coast adventures outlined
In a score of timely letters
Written just for me, of course
I saw my name within 'em
Gifts and food of foreign lands
High on the reunion
Speechless through the whole affair
Absorbing the attention
Even there to tuck me in
This person of the world
To spend the time on meager me
I must be so important!
Wow, I am so glad that I could make a little guy feel special.
Mary
I was reminded of that today. A friend mentioned Mattie Stepanak, a young poet, who died at the age of 13 of muscular dystrophy. Janet, my friend, told me that she still has the book Castle Mount, a collection of my brother Matt Deeley's poems. He died at the age of 17 some 33 years ago.
On a brighter note, I decided to share the fact that poetry seems to run in the family. I do write it but my brother Jeff is starting to dabble a bit and my brother George also is quite a poet. He put together a little book for the family called Old Red House, in which he assembled and wrote poetry and bits of wisdom about each member of our family.
It is great and this is how I found out how I must have looked to him, a little boy, when I flew off to California and would come home for visits. The following is his poem about me.
FEELING BIG by George Deeley
A modern Marco Polo
Off to far away
Missing me the most of all
She told me so on leaving
West Coast adventures outlined
In a score of timely letters
Written just for me, of course
I saw my name within 'em
Gifts and food of foreign lands
High on the reunion
Speechless through the whole affair
Absorbing the attention
Even there to tuck me in
This person of the world
To spend the time on meager me
I must be so important!
Wow, I am so glad that I could make a little guy feel special.
Mary
When we are growing up we never know til much later or not at all, the impressions and the influence we have on the young people we come in contact with.
I was reminded of that today. A friend mentioned Mattie Stepanak, a young poet, who died at the age of 13 of muscular dystrophy. Janet, my friend, told me that she still has the book Castle Mount, a collection of my brother Matt Deeley's poems. He died at the age of 17 some 33 years ago.
On a brighter note, I decided to share the fact that poetry seems to run in the family. I do write it but my brother Jeff is starting to dabble a bit and my brother George also is quite a poet. He put together a little book for the family called Old Red House, in which he assembled and wrote poetry and bits of wisdom about each member of our family.
It is great and this is how I found out how I must have looked to him, a little boy, when I flew off to California and would come home for visits. The following is his poem about me.
FEELING BIG by George Deeley
A modern Marco Polo
Off to far away
Missing me the most of all
She told me so on leaving
West Coast adventures outlined
In a score of timely letters
Written just for me, of course
I saw my name within 'em
Gifts and food of foreign lands
High on the reunion
Speechless through the whole affair
Absorbing the attention
Even there to tuck me in
This person of the world
To spend the time on meager me
I must be so important!
Wow, I am so glad that I could make a little guy feel special.
Mary
I was reminded of that today. A friend mentioned Mattie Stepanak, a young poet, who died at the age of 13 of muscular dystrophy. Janet, my friend, told me that she still has the book Castle Mount, a collection of my brother Matt Deeley's poems. He died at the age of 17 some 33 years ago.
On a brighter note, I decided to share the fact that poetry seems to run in the family. I do write it but my brother Jeff is starting to dabble a bit and my brother George also is quite a poet. He put together a little book for the family called Old Red House, in which he assembled and wrote poetry and bits of wisdom about each member of our family.
It is great and this is how I found out how I must have looked to him, a little boy, when I flew off to California and would come home for visits. The following is his poem about me.
FEELING BIG by George Deeley
A modern Marco Polo
Off to far away
Missing me the most of all
She told me so on leaving
West Coast adventures outlined
In a score of timely letters
Written just for me, of course
I saw my name within 'em
Gifts and food of foreign lands
High on the reunion
Speechless through the whole affair
Absorbing the attention
Even there to tuck me in
This person of the world
To spend the time on meager me
I must be so important!
Wow, I am so glad that I could make a little guy feel special.
Mary
Monday, July 05, 2004
Whew. What a full day.
Yesterday, Bobbie gave me enough of her rhubarb for two gallons of wine. When I was looking for the recipe, I found a recipe that I apparently had printed a couple years ago for Lemon Balm Wine. Lemon Balm was in my brain because my brother George is going to work in Mother's herb garden and one of his major tasks will be to dig out most of the lemon balm. (For those of you not familiar with lemon balm it is a herb that smells wonderful much as mint does. However, it will take over a whole garden if left to its own devices much as mint will and has been known to pop up far away from the original planting. I have been trying to keep mine in a pot on the deck but it keeps appearing in odd places in the gardens.) Before he dug it up, it I decided to harvest enough for a gallon of wine. If it tastes good, I will make more next year. I will let you know.
I also washed and chopped the rhubarb and put it in the freezer. Now when we get back from Sault Ste Marie, I can start that batch. The recipes say that it is best to freeze rhubarb before making wine from it. I would imagine it breaks down the fibers a bit.
Then tonight, I went trap shooting with Rosalie. I met her two daughters, Laura and Lana. they are both lovely and one of them looks just like her. Rosalie shot two 21s. Pretty good. I shot a 14 and followed it up with a 10. My improving is slow but I guess I am getting there. After vacation, I think I'll go to Rhine on Sundays and see if I can practice if Bill is there. He is a guy who teaches high school trap shooters and is very helpful to me.
No word from Oklahoma. I am really afraid to call. Please pray that the house was approved and that they are moving in.
Love
Mary
Yesterday, Bobbie gave me enough of her rhubarb for two gallons of wine. When I was looking for the recipe, I found a recipe that I apparently had printed a couple years ago for Lemon Balm Wine. Lemon Balm was in my brain because my brother George is going to work in Mother's herb garden and one of his major tasks will be to dig out most of the lemon balm. (For those of you not familiar with lemon balm it is a herb that smells wonderful much as mint does. However, it will take over a whole garden if left to its own devices much as mint will and has been known to pop up far away from the original planting. I have been trying to keep mine in a pot on the deck but it keeps appearing in odd places in the gardens.) Before he dug it up, it I decided to harvest enough for a gallon of wine. If it tastes good, I will make more next year. I will let you know.
I also washed and chopped the rhubarb and put it in the freezer. Now when we get back from Sault Ste Marie, I can start that batch. The recipes say that it is best to freeze rhubarb before making wine from it. I would imagine it breaks down the fibers a bit.
Then tonight, I went trap shooting with Rosalie. I met her two daughters, Laura and Lana. they are both lovely and one of them looks just like her. Rosalie shot two 21s. Pretty good. I shot a 14 and followed it up with a 10. My improving is slow but I guess I am getting there. After vacation, I think I'll go to Rhine on Sundays and see if I can practice if Bill is there. He is a guy who teaches high school trap shooters and is very helpful to me.
No word from Oklahoma. I am really afraid to call. Please pray that the house was approved and that they are moving in.
Love
Mary
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Such a nice July 4th. It was quiet all day, and then we went over to Bobbie and Bill's house for dinner. We had scalloped potatoes and ham and a DELICIOUS peach pie. Chelsea was so delighted to go. She loves riding and visiting Bobbie.
She was so funny. Bobbie and Bill bought her a rawhide bone a couple of year ago. She always finds it the minute she gets there and chews it for a while. Bobbie had moved it when she painted the living room (which looks just great) and we searched for about 15 minutes for that bone. Chelsea was running all over and looking in all corners and under everything. Just to show you where animals are on the Kunert priority chain. We were offered our drinks AFTER we found Chelsea's bone.
I am going to have Guests for lunch on Thursday. Actually it is family, George and Betsy, Dorothy Holden ( Betsy's mother) and my Mom. I am really trying to figure out what to fix but know for sure that I will make blueberry pie. I have the very best blueberry pie recipe.
THE BEST BLUEBERRY PIE IN THE WORLD
1 baked 9 inch pie shell
4 cups blueberries
Glaze: 2/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 heaping tablespoons corn starch
1 cup blueberries
Place 4 cups blueberries in pie shell and set aside. In a saucepan, combine the glaze ingredient. Cook until thick and clear, stirring frequently, about 10 to 12 minutes. Pour over the berries in the pie crust, cool and refrigerate. Serve with whipped cream.
YUM YUM YUM
Love
Mary
She was so funny. Bobbie and Bill bought her a rawhide bone a couple of year ago. She always finds it the minute she gets there and chews it for a while. Bobbie had moved it when she painted the living room (which looks just great) and we searched for about 15 minutes for that bone. Chelsea was running all over and looking in all corners and under everything. Just to show you where animals are on the Kunert priority chain. We were offered our drinks AFTER we found Chelsea's bone.
I am going to have Guests for lunch on Thursday. Actually it is family, George and Betsy, Dorothy Holden ( Betsy's mother) and my Mom. I am really trying to figure out what to fix but know for sure that I will make blueberry pie. I have the very best blueberry pie recipe.
THE BEST BLUEBERRY PIE IN THE WORLD
1 baked 9 inch pie shell
4 cups blueberries
Glaze: 2/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 heaping tablespoons corn starch
1 cup blueberries
Place 4 cups blueberries in pie shell and set aside. In a saucepan, combine the glaze ingredient. Cook until thick and clear, stirring frequently, about 10 to 12 minutes. Pour over the berries in the pie crust, cool and refrigerate. Serve with whipped cream.
YUM YUM YUM
Love
Mary
Saturday, July 03, 2004
Aunt Kathleen's 80th birthday party was just wonderful. There were SO many people there. And we are all related. I saw cousins that I had not seen since they were just little and cousin's children that I had just heard about.
I saw my godson, Jim Ayers, who lives in Texas, and his wife and three children. I told him a story. Daddy and I were his baptism sponsers. After the ceremony, Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Leo had a party to celebrate the event at their home. This was quite a party. The Ayers had 6 children, including Jimmy. There were nine of us.
Randy, my youngest brother, was about three years old and a spoiled little person was he. He is 16 years younger than I am. Of course, everybody was raving over this beautiful baby Jimmy, the star of the party. Apparantly, Randy finally had enough of that. He was used to being the center of attention. He walked over to the bassinet, looked Jim over carefully and stalked off with the following statement. "He doesn't have any teeth."
Hope your day was as good as mine.
Love
Mary
I saw my godson, Jim Ayers, who lives in Texas, and his wife and three children. I told him a story. Daddy and I were his baptism sponsers. After the ceremony, Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Leo had a party to celebrate the event at their home. This was quite a party. The Ayers had 6 children, including Jimmy. There were nine of us.
Randy, my youngest brother, was about three years old and a spoiled little person was he. He is 16 years younger than I am. Of course, everybody was raving over this beautiful baby Jimmy, the star of the party. Apparantly, Randy finally had enough of that. He was used to being the center of attention. He walked over to the bassinet, looked Jim over carefully and stalked off with the following statement. "He doesn't have any teeth."
Hope your day was as good as mine.
Love
Mary
Friday, July 02, 2004
Marlon Brando died this morning. Such a talent. Dick put it in perspective. I was commenting on the fact that he had let himself go in the past 10 to 20 years and Dick pointed out that the man was 80 years old. At 80, any person has had a long life. He "did it his way." He also left something of himself behind on film and with his children, all and all not a bad legacy.
Tomorrow, poor Chelsea will get a bath. She is quite dingy and has a spot of something or other on her ear. I must do it tomorrow because we have been invited over to Bobbie and Bill's for the Fourth of July and we could not possibly take a dirty puppy to visit "the Goddess". We refer to Bobbie as the Goddess because Chelsea adores her.
I will end with a quote from Cadfael. I do find the daily readings form the Book of Days to be always interesting and often pertinant. This was from June 18.
"If there must be fighting, if there must be deaths, let it happen as God wills, not as ambitious and evil men contrive. Those lives we cannot save, at least let us not help to destroy."
With all the talk of war, death penalty and abortion it seems very timely.
Love
Mary
Tomorrow, poor Chelsea will get a bath. She is quite dingy and has a spot of something or other on her ear. I must do it tomorrow because we have been invited over to Bobbie and Bill's for the Fourth of July and we could not possibly take a dirty puppy to visit "the Goddess". We refer to Bobbie as the Goddess because Chelsea adores her.
I will end with a quote from Cadfael. I do find the daily readings form the Book of Days to be always interesting and often pertinant. This was from June 18.
"If there must be fighting, if there must be deaths, let it happen as God wills, not as ambitious and evil men contrive. Those lives we cannot save, at least let us not help to destroy."
With all the talk of war, death penalty and abortion it seems very timely.
Love
Mary
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Mother and I went to pick up her new eyeglasses today. Boy do they look nice. She has them JUST in time for Saturday, which is the day we will be celebrating my Aunt Kathleen's 80th birthday. I hope everybody notices the change. They are pretty obvious with no frames around the glass and just a touch of color on the side provided by very delicate bows.
Aunt Kathleen was actually 80 in January but she and Uncle Bob were "south" for the winter so her children are having this surprise party on Saturday. Uncle Pat and Aunt Joan will pick Mother up for the dinner. Aunt Kathleen has seven children with spouses and grandchildren. Later there is a reception to which EVERYBODY is invited. It will be good to see all the cousins again. We do get along. They are part of what I consider Comfort People. We may not see each other often but we are part of each other's roots and core and history and time does not separate but just waits for us to be together again.
Mom and I picked up a few plants at a nursery on the way. She is so disappointed in her garden. It does look rather pitiful. We purchased more petunia, marigolds, salvias and some herbs to fill in her herb garden. Hopefully the weather will continue warm and things will begin to grow and produce.
I stopped at church after I dropped her off and lit another two candles at the St. Joseph Statue. I want him to keep interceding for a quick sale of Bart and Barb's house in De Pere. They are close to closing on one in Oklahoma. They were going to rent but are finding that it is JUST as cheap to buy. Prayers for a quick resolution of that too. Please.
Well, I believe I will go down to the den and continue quilting my Flying Geese quilt. I have a goal. I want all the geese quilted before we go to Canada.
Have a nice evening.
Mary
Aunt Kathleen was actually 80 in January but she and Uncle Bob were "south" for the winter so her children are having this surprise party on Saturday. Uncle Pat and Aunt Joan will pick Mother up for the dinner. Aunt Kathleen has seven children with spouses and grandchildren. Later there is a reception to which EVERYBODY is invited. It will be good to see all the cousins again. We do get along. They are part of what I consider Comfort People. We may not see each other often but we are part of each other's roots and core and history and time does not separate but just waits for us to be together again.
Mom and I picked up a few plants at a nursery on the way. She is so disappointed in her garden. It does look rather pitiful. We purchased more petunia, marigolds, salvias and some herbs to fill in her herb garden. Hopefully the weather will continue warm and things will begin to grow and produce.
I stopped at church after I dropped her off and lit another two candles at the St. Joseph Statue. I want him to keep interceding for a quick sale of Bart and Barb's house in De Pere. They are close to closing on one in Oklahoma. They were going to rent but are finding that it is JUST as cheap to buy. Prayers for a quick resolution of that too. Please.
Well, I believe I will go down to the den and continue quilting my Flying Geese quilt. I have a goal. I want all the geese quilted before we go to Canada.
Have a nice evening.
Mary
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
I thought I would talk about bunnies today. There is a reason.
Years ago, Aunt Nonnie trained a little bunnie to actually come and eat out of her fingers. It was quite cute. Aunt Nonnie was a strange little person but she did love babies and animals.
The nest story I have to tell is a sad one.
I was walking with Chelsea this morning and ran into a gentleman in front of his house. He told me that he had let his son's dog out the back door that morning and immediately saw a mother bunny running away trying to distract the dog. Then he saw several babies running the opposite direction just as the dog saw them. A couple of the babies were killed by the dog and he felt so bad. It is hard to be angry with a dog who is just acting according to his nature. And we certainly are not going to miss a bunny or two in this neighborhood. But one does feel so bad that a poor little creature dies so violently.
Zero, my previous dog, did that once. He got a baby bunny coming out of its hole and he was terribly proud. He carried it all the way home and immediately forgot about it.
One day, shortley after we moved to this address, Chelsea and I took a walk around the house and as rounded the corner, I saw a baby bunny huddled up next to the house. Chelsea is NO hunter and is not too observant either. Thank Heavens. I was so startled and when it didn't move, I reached down and stroked its little back. It was trembling and absolutely paralized with fear. All I could see was a grey little body and big black eyes. Then I suddenly realized that if Chelsea DID see it she would hurt it just by exuberance so we continued on our way.
So two stories of life and two of death. All part of the scheme of things I guess.
Mother's neighbor found a rabbit's nest in her garden last year. She decided that she was going to just dispose of those babies before they could grow to become destroyers of her plants. She lifted them out of the nest and set them aside. Then she looked at them and they were so cute that she put them back. I like that. Three stories of life are better than two.
D. H. Lawrence said that "I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself."
Mary
Years ago, Aunt Nonnie trained a little bunnie to actually come and eat out of her fingers. It was quite cute. Aunt Nonnie was a strange little person but she did love babies and animals.
The nest story I have to tell is a sad one.
I was walking with Chelsea this morning and ran into a gentleman in front of his house. He told me that he had let his son's dog out the back door that morning and immediately saw a mother bunny running away trying to distract the dog. Then he saw several babies running the opposite direction just as the dog saw them. A couple of the babies were killed by the dog and he felt so bad. It is hard to be angry with a dog who is just acting according to his nature. And we certainly are not going to miss a bunny or two in this neighborhood. But one does feel so bad that a poor little creature dies so violently.
Zero, my previous dog, did that once. He got a baby bunny coming out of its hole and he was terribly proud. He carried it all the way home and immediately forgot about it.
One day, shortley after we moved to this address, Chelsea and I took a walk around the house and as rounded the corner, I saw a baby bunny huddled up next to the house. Chelsea is NO hunter and is not too observant either. Thank Heavens. I was so startled and when it didn't move, I reached down and stroked its little back. It was trembling and absolutely paralized with fear. All I could see was a grey little body and big black eyes. Then I suddenly realized that if Chelsea DID see it she would hurt it just by exuberance so we continued on our way.
So two stories of life and two of death. All part of the scheme of things I guess.
Mother's neighbor found a rabbit's nest in her garden last year. She decided that she was going to just dispose of those babies before they could grow to become destroyers of her plants. She lifted them out of the nest and set them aside. Then she looked at them and they were so cute that she put them back. I like that. Three stories of life are better than two.
D. H. Lawrence said that "I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself."
Mary
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Another sunny beautiful day. It WAS supposed to rain. Perverse as weather is, it did not. We delayed sealing the deck because of the projection. I am just as glad to have had a day off. Wielding a paintbrush is not my idea of a great time. We will hit it again tomorrow and with any luck at all will get it finished.
I remember an incident that happened years ago when Bret was trying out for Little League. They used to get the coaches together and all the kids would show their skills at hitting, fielding, throwing etc and the coaches would try to build a core team.
At one point a swarm of boys, including Bret, were gathered in the left field area just kind of milling around while another group of boys were being pitched to in order to show their batting ability. One of the batters really caught one and it flew up and into the swarm of boys - who scattered. Except for Bret. He stood firm and caught the ball. That is Bret. He sees a need and fills it.
The Huntington Beach Little League had a food trailer in one corner of the field. All parents were required to work it at some point of the season. We all ate there too. With two boys, we ate there as much as three meals a week. The menu was simple but inventive. We would heat chili in a crock pot. We heated hot dogs in a microwave. You could jazz up your hot dog with shredded cheese or the chili or both. We had tortilla chips. You could have them plain. Or you could jazz up them with a scoop of chili and/or with melted shredded cheese. Aren't you impressed? We also had candy bars and popcorn.
"See! How I have loved you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand." One of my favorite passages from the Old Testiment.
Hope your tomorrow is great. Enjoy and remember to treat yourself like the special person that you are.
Mary
I remember an incident that happened years ago when Bret was trying out for Little League. They used to get the coaches together and all the kids would show their skills at hitting, fielding, throwing etc and the coaches would try to build a core team.
At one point a swarm of boys, including Bret, were gathered in the left field area just kind of milling around while another group of boys were being pitched to in order to show their batting ability. One of the batters really caught one and it flew up and into the swarm of boys - who scattered. Except for Bret. He stood firm and caught the ball. That is Bret. He sees a need and fills it.
The Huntington Beach Little League had a food trailer in one corner of the field. All parents were required to work it at some point of the season. We all ate there too. With two boys, we ate there as much as three meals a week. The menu was simple but inventive. We would heat chili in a crock pot. We heated hot dogs in a microwave. You could jazz up your hot dog with shredded cheese or the chili or both. We had tortilla chips. You could have them plain. Or you could jazz up them with a scoop of chili and/or with melted shredded cheese. Aren't you impressed? We also had candy bars and popcorn.
"See! How I have loved you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand." One of my favorite passages from the Old Testiment.
Hope your tomorrow is great. Enjoy and remember to treat yourself like the special person that you are.
Mary
Monday, June 28, 2004
I talked today to another reader of my "Blog". It makes me want it to be more interesting. I do try.
Pretty exciting news today. The govenment in Iraq has been turned over to the Interim Iraqui rulers. Early. Probably a very wise move as a public ceremony well publicized, would have been an invitation to the terrorists. The terrorists have no compassion and seem to see no further than their own self centered agendas. I cannot conceive of a society that will decapitate innocent bystanders in their country who seem to be a part of the peacekeepers and a part of the rebuilders of the country.
The Psalms we are studying in the Monday morning bible study speak of persecution and evil and fear. It is quite interesting to read these words from so many many centuries ago and find that they are still pertinent today. Sometimes they make me feel sad and afraid. But they speak of God's love and his protection too. Psalm 35 verse 6 says " Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them."
I shared a cartoon from Newsweek with the group. It was from the Dayton Daily News by a Peters.
The cartoon shows a church, empty except for one woman. In the pulpit is s a Bishop with a priest standing beside him. The Priest says to the Bishop. "Well, First you banned pro-choice politicians, then pro-choice voters, then stem cell advoctes, then gays, then gay marriage judges, then..." This is excactly how I feel about the bishops demanding that the eucharist be denyed to certain people, such as gay advocates or politicians that have voted for certain bills. The bishops are then telling us that we should not vote or run for office and that we, not God are to be the judges.
Tomorrow, I will tell a story or give you a recipe.
Love
Mary
P. S. I need to find out where the sites are that I need to put pictures on my site. With my new computer. I have lost them. I do have my puppy back.
Pretty exciting news today. The govenment in Iraq has been turned over to the Interim Iraqui rulers. Early. Probably a very wise move as a public ceremony well publicized, would have been an invitation to the terrorists. The terrorists have no compassion and seem to see no further than their own self centered agendas. I cannot conceive of a society that will decapitate innocent bystanders in their country who seem to be a part of the peacekeepers and a part of the rebuilders of the country.
The Psalms we are studying in the Monday morning bible study speak of persecution and evil and fear. It is quite interesting to read these words from so many many centuries ago and find that they are still pertinent today. Sometimes they make me feel sad and afraid. But they speak of God's love and his protection too. Psalm 35 verse 6 says " Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them."
I shared a cartoon from Newsweek with the group. It was from the Dayton Daily News by a Peters.
The cartoon shows a church, empty except for one woman. In the pulpit is s a Bishop with a priest standing beside him. The Priest says to the Bishop. "Well, First you banned pro-choice politicians, then pro-choice voters, then stem cell advoctes, then gays, then gay marriage judges, then..." This is excactly how I feel about the bishops demanding that the eucharist be denyed to certain people, such as gay advocates or politicians that have voted for certain bills. The bishops are then telling us that we should not vote or run for office and that we, not God are to be the judges.
Tomorrow, I will tell a story or give you a recipe.
Love
Mary
P. S. I need to find out where the sites are that I need to put pictures on my site. With my new computer. I have lost them. I do have my puppy back.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
In three weeks we will leave for our vacation to the northern shores of Lake Superior. We will be spending most of the time in Canada, of course. It will be fun to take advantage of having our passports again. I have only used mine for Ireland and Canada. Dick only for Canada. It does make one feel rather cosmopolitan to have one and to actually USE it. We are going to be staying in such places as Thunder Bay and WaWA and Sault Ste. Marie. How fun.
We are about 1/3 done sealing the deck. We couldn't do anything today because there was rain predicted. We are happy to report that is is indeed raining tonight. Otherwise, we sould have wasted a whole day. I just want to get it done with. I only have two more bushes to trim, however, and the yard is looking pretty good. With all the rain, things are growing like crazy.
My brother George and his wife Betsy will be visiting from Houston. We think they will arrive on Friday as there is an event on Saturday that I will tell you about at a later date. George and Betsy were childhood sweethearts in the same grade in school. They dated through most of their high school years and married when they were just a couple of years out of school I know that when they were dating, I used to have an awful time getting through on the phone because they would talk for hours on end and there was no Call Waiting then. "George and Betsy sitting in a tree. K - I - S - S- I - N- G." One true love story. It is always good to see them. I am grateful for easier transportation and ability to travel as our children are now all on their own and we have more free time. This will also be a high school anniversary year for them. So they will be busy while they are here.
Have a nice Monday.
Love
Mary
We are about 1/3 done sealing the deck. We couldn't do anything today because there was rain predicted. We are happy to report that is is indeed raining tonight. Otherwise, we sould have wasted a whole day. I just want to get it done with. I only have two more bushes to trim, however, and the yard is looking pretty good. With all the rain, things are growing like crazy.
My brother George and his wife Betsy will be visiting from Houston. We think they will arrive on Friday as there is an event on Saturday that I will tell you about at a later date. George and Betsy were childhood sweethearts in the same grade in school. They dated through most of their high school years and married when they were just a couple of years out of school I know that when they were dating, I used to have an awful time getting through on the phone because they would talk for hours on end and there was no Call Waiting then. "George and Betsy sitting in a tree. K - I - S - S- I - N- G." One true love story. It is always good to see them. I am grateful for easier transportation and ability to travel as our children are now all on their own and we have more free time. This will also be a high school anniversary year for them. So they will be busy while they are here.
Have a nice Monday.
Love
Mary
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Today was beautiful. The sun shone and the temperatures were just right. In the 70s and it was dry. We went to see Annie at the Fireside. It was a wonderful performance and as usual the lunch was spectacular. We had Caeser Salad, Beef, potatoes and cheese, spaghetti squash, asparagus and pineapple upside down cake.
Pineapple upside down cake is really good. They had a bit of rum in the topping of this one which did seem to add something.
When the boys were young, they played in Little League. Bret was much more dedicated than Bart but they both played. I have pictures and pins that I treasure of both of them at ages from about 6 until they hit 12 or so. One picture of Bret is really unique. The photographer must have had the camera at an odd angle and all of the boys on his team looked like they were about 8 feet tall. During the season, we spent 2 to 4 afternoons and most of Saturday on the ball field. They each practiced at least once and had at least one game each every week. We had fun though doing this together. I was very conflicted when it ended - both sad it was over and glad that it was time to move on to another passage of our lives. They sure were good boys.
Have a good Sunday.
Mary
Pineapple upside down cake is really good. They had a bit of rum in the topping of this one which did seem to add something.
When the boys were young, they played in Little League. Bret was much more dedicated than Bart but they both played. I have pictures and pins that I treasure of both of them at ages from about 6 until they hit 12 or so. One picture of Bret is really unique. The photographer must have had the camera at an odd angle and all of the boys on his team looked like they were about 8 feet tall. During the season, we spent 2 to 4 afternoons and most of Saturday on the ball field. They each practiced at least once and had at least one game each every week. We had fun though doing this together. I was very conflicted when it ended - both sad it was over and glad that it was time to move on to another passage of our lives. They sure were good boys.
Have a good Sunday.
Mary
Friday, June 25, 2004
What a day. Dick and I are sealing the wood on the deck. Icky job but someone has to do it and the wood REALLY needs it. I also ironed and cleanced the kitchen floor. So when I went to Plymouth for lunch with the Wells Fargo people, I was so glad to get away and rest a bit. Tomorrow we are going to the Fireside in Fort Atchinson to see Annie.
We got word today that a tour we were going to take to Louisville KY in August was cancelled because there was not enough interest. We are getting very disappointed because this is the second trip this year that met the same fate. We have decided to go on the first one - Up through Duluth MN into Canada - East to Sault Ste Marie and back south through Marquette MI - then home. Since the tour company planned the route, we are going on our own. I sent for information from Canada so we can make reservations for motels and all.
Maybe I can talk Dick into going on a tour to Washington DC instead. Have never been there you know.
"May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love nesr you,
and all your heart might desire."
An old Irish Prayer for you
Mary
We got word today that a tour we were going to take to Louisville KY in August was cancelled because there was not enough interest. We are getting very disappointed because this is the second trip this year that met the same fate. We have decided to go on the first one - Up through Duluth MN into Canada - East to Sault Ste Marie and back south through Marquette MI - then home. Since the tour company planned the route, we are going on our own. I sent for information from Canada so we can make reservations for motels and all.
Maybe I can talk Dick into going on a tour to Washington DC instead. Have never been there you know.
"May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love nesr you,
and all your heart might desire."
An old Irish Prayer for you
Mary
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital returns to TV tonight. Jim and I are really excited, we can't figure out why they put it off for a whole month to begin with. Dick doesn't watch them so I will go downstairs and watch it on the BIG TV.
I called Barbara today. They are staying with a friend, Bret, who owns a home with all kinds of acreage and animals. While she was talking to me, she saw a huge yellow butterfly. She said that there is a falcon that nests on the property and comes down to visit every day. Sounds like a really wonderful place to be in the mornings. They are looking at a house in a town called Geronimo, about 8 miles from Lawton. Pray that the house in De Pere sells and that they get the one there. It is just too difficult to be staying in someone elses house even if he is not concerned about it.
I remember being very young and going to chuch most weekday mornings. After Mass, I would go over to Grandma and Grandpa Deeley's house and have breakfast with Grandma. She went to Mass Every morning. She introduced me to all kinds of cheeses. Between her and my Mother I really grew to like most cheeses. Aunt Helen wouldn't let her give me limburger. I remember that my ex husband's Aunts Ruth and Lib said that actually if you could get the first bite down, it tasted really good.
Have a nice evening
Mary
I called Barbara today. They are staying with a friend, Bret, who owns a home with all kinds of acreage and animals. While she was talking to me, she saw a huge yellow butterfly. She said that there is a falcon that nests on the property and comes down to visit every day. Sounds like a really wonderful place to be in the mornings. They are looking at a house in a town called Geronimo, about 8 miles from Lawton. Pray that the house in De Pere sells and that they get the one there. It is just too difficult to be staying in someone elses house even if he is not concerned about it.
I remember being very young and going to chuch most weekday mornings. After Mass, I would go over to Grandma and Grandpa Deeley's house and have breakfast with Grandma. She went to Mass Every morning. She introduced me to all kinds of cheeses. Between her and my Mother I really grew to like most cheeses. Aunt Helen wouldn't let her give me limburger. I remember that my ex husband's Aunts Ruth and Lib said that actually if you could get the first bite down, it tasted really good.
Have a nice evening
Mary
We had a tornado warning last night. I got back from a very useful class on machine quilting at about 9:00 and soon after the sirens went off. Dick and I picked up the cats and went down into the basement den until the warning expired at 10:00PM. Sheboygan County did not get any damage that we know of. However, there was a death in Markazan. There was damage in Madison and enough damge in Waupun that people are being asked to stay away until they have their relief efforts in order. Wow. We are supposed to be rainy off and on and cooler today.
Guess What. Jim reinstalled my computer Puppy when we got the new Dells recently. I believe I told you that we think that the computer cat, Felix, either killed or ran off the Puppy that I had on the old one because he disappeared. Well - - - this Puppy is gone too. Pretty weird. I will keep you informed.
Mary
I decided to post this morning and THEN this evening again because the tornado threw me off last night.
Guess What. Jim reinstalled my computer Puppy when we got the new Dells recently. I believe I told you that we think that the computer cat, Felix, either killed or ran off the Puppy that I had on the old one because he disappeared. Well - - - this Puppy is gone too. Pretty weird. I will keep you informed.
Mary
I decided to post this morning and THEN this evening again because the tornado threw me off last night.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Today was the first day of summer. The longest day of the year. This morning, Chelsea and I left for our morning walk at about 6:15AM. It was BEAUTIFUL. I swear that a different species of bird was perched on every housetop. They were singing their hearts out and flying all over the place. I saw yellow finches, red winged blackbirds, robins, crows, mourning doves, blackbirds, sparrows. It was a magnificent choir that I will treasure for a long time to come.
It rained a bit today but more of a mist off and on. I shot trap at Falls Conservation Club. I did better than last week but still not very good. I will get better.
Enjoy your week.
Mary
It rained a bit today but more of a mist off and on. I shot trap at Falls Conservation Club. I did better than last week but still not very good. I will get better.
Enjoy your week.
Mary
Sunday, June 20, 2004
I realize that blogs can become meeting places and somewhat chat areas but mine is not such a place. It is just a place for me to put down whatever is on my mind and hopefully keep my imagination and my writing skills honed. The spell checker seems to be malfunctioning. I noticed that the other day and even DELIBERATLY misspelled a word for it to check. It didn't catch it so if you find errors, please be kind but I would like to know.
Mother and I were talking and remembering, as we are wont to do, this morning when I stopped to visit after Mass. Somehow, we got on to the naming of Randy. I said that I really remembered that. It came up because we were talking about the Shea's. Bridget Shea, our cousin, daughter of Johnny Bill and Eileen O'Connor Shea, was due about the same time as Randy. Mother and Dad had also chosen Bridget as a name if he had been a girl.
Perhaps it was a family decision, as Randy's name was supposed to be. I remember all of us sitting in the living room, going through baby name books and finally deciding that we liked Randy, though the majority really felt that it should be more formal, like Randall, because we thought that Ran Dee Dee Lee would be a little much. So much for a democracy. Dad said that we were naming him Randy and Randy it would be. He won.
A similar discussion had been held when Matthew was born a couple of years earlier. We all agreed on Matthew. We wanted him middle initial to be J because Dad's father, Grandpa Deeley, was known as MJ by lots of people. Dad went through the name book that gave names and their definition or source. He found Jed which means hand as in farm hand and he decided on that because Dad liked to garden. We couldn't talk him out of that one either and Matthew Jed he became.
Grandma Deeley did not like the name Matthew. She knew someone that she just detested with that name and we found it very amusing because she would always say, " now what is his name again. Mark or Mike. He is such a sweet boy."
Enjoy your evening.
Mary
Mother and I were talking and remembering, as we are wont to do, this morning when I stopped to visit after Mass. Somehow, we got on to the naming of Randy. I said that I really remembered that. It came up because we were talking about the Shea's. Bridget Shea, our cousin, daughter of Johnny Bill and Eileen O'Connor Shea, was due about the same time as Randy. Mother and Dad had also chosen Bridget as a name if he had been a girl.
Perhaps it was a family decision, as Randy's name was supposed to be. I remember all of us sitting in the living room, going through baby name books and finally deciding that we liked Randy, though the majority really felt that it should be more formal, like Randall, because we thought that Ran Dee Dee Lee would be a little much. So much for a democracy. Dad said that we were naming him Randy and Randy it would be. He won.
A similar discussion had been held when Matthew was born a couple of years earlier. We all agreed on Matthew. We wanted him middle initial to be J because Dad's father, Grandpa Deeley, was known as MJ by lots of people. Dad went through the name book that gave names and their definition or source. He found Jed which means hand as in farm hand and he decided on that because Dad liked to garden. We couldn't talk him out of that one either and Matthew Jed he became.
Grandma Deeley did not like the name Matthew. She knew someone that she just detested with that name and we found it very amusing because she would always say, " now what is his name again. Mark or Mike. He is such a sweet boy."
Enjoy your evening.
Mary
Saturday, June 19, 2004
My baby brother, Randy's daughter, Erin graduated from high school this year. She is also my goddaughter and asked me to be her confirmation sponsor too. So she is special to me. She will be going to UW Green Bay next year and got three scholorships. They are rightly very proud of her.
Found out that she is quite an artist. They had several of her paintings displayed around the garage. A self portrait, a three set (Hard to discribe) and a very thought provoking picture of a crouching blindfolded man with his shadow being a standing man. It also involved a comment on mankind in general.
I signed on the the prayer chain at church. It seems that I am always calling with a request and decided that I started to return the prayers. Sickness and
Death seem to be all around us these days. Age does that I expect. I am
less worried about it the older I get. I think that the experience of
being physically with Tim when he died erased a lot of my fear. I
feel that death is but a pause and that eventually we all end up,
Hopefully, in the same place. A place where we can catch up and enjoy
each other under God's smile. FINALLY LIVING in peace with no more
cruelty or fear. I also see my Mother living so beautifully. A
couple of weeks ago, she said to us that one of these days, Dad was
going to come and say that it is enough - and take her hand and lead
her to heaven. I know she misses him but she is enjoying her life to the
fullest as it comes to her. What an example she is.
Love
Mary
Found out that she is quite an artist. They had several of her paintings displayed around the garage. A self portrait, a three set (Hard to discribe) and a very thought provoking picture of a crouching blindfolded man with his shadow being a standing man. It also involved a comment on mankind in general.
I signed on the the prayer chain at church. It seems that I am always calling with a request and decided that I started to return the prayers. Sickness and
Death seem to be all around us these days. Age does that I expect. I am
less worried about it the older I get. I think that the experience of
being physically with Tim when he died erased a lot of my fear. I
feel that death is but a pause and that eventually we all end up,
Hopefully, in the same place. A place where we can catch up and enjoy
each other under God's smile. FINALLY LIVING in peace with no more
cruelty or fear. I also see my Mother living so beautifully. A
couple of weeks ago, she said to us that one of these days, Dad was
going to come and say that it is enough - and take her hand and lead
her to heaven. I know she misses him but she is enjoying her life to the
fullest as it comes to her. What an example she is.
Love
Mary
Friday, June 18, 2004
Been thinking of the reunion a lot today. We are an unusual group. There are some classes that seeme to just be good together and we were one of them. Both as eighth grade graduates from St. Mary's and then as part of the larger group that incorporated both St. Mary and the public school kids in to a solid unit. Some groups of people just belong together. We even send invitations to students that moved out of our group at some time during those six years. Even some that didn't graduate. And they come and we hug and catch up and enjoy each other.
I have a friend who is not part of this unit that finds that an amazing thing. It is actually. I know of one other group that is that cohesive. My Dad's graduating class met for over 70 years and just stopped a couple of years ago. Of course these people are now over 90 and most of them are gone. My Dad and his friend Frank Holden, (who is also my brother, George's wife Betsy's Father) ( Does that make any sense. Read it again.) planned the last ten years or so. They would meet every year then. Frank would send the invitations and Dad would write a poem.
Mother says that in the beginning they met every 10 years and stayed out til dawn. In later years they met on a Sunday at about noon so everybody could get home before dark.
Life is nothing but change. It is sure good to find that old friends - real friends- don't.
Love
Mary
I have a friend who is not part of this unit that finds that an amazing thing. It is actually. I know of one other group that is that cohesive. My Dad's graduating class met for over 70 years and just stopped a couple of years ago. Of course these people are now over 90 and most of them are gone. My Dad and his friend Frank Holden, (who is also my brother, George's wife Betsy's Father) ( Does that make any sense. Read it again.) planned the last ten years or so. They would meet every year then. Frank would send the invitations and Dad would write a poem.
Mother says that in the beginning they met every 10 years and stayed out til dawn. In later years they met on a Sunday at about noon so everybody could get home before dark.
Life is nothing but change. It is sure good to find that old friends - real friends- don't.
Love
Mary
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Yesterday, I was not home from my eighth grade reunion until too late to do a blog. So here I am a day late.
50 years ago, I was a member of the very first class that graduated from St. Mary's Grade School in Sheboygan Falls. We started there in 6th grade. At that time there was no middle school. So the school has been in existance for 53 years. I remember the building of it and how proud St. Mary Parish was and still is proud of the school and its mission. It is the only alternative to public education in Sheboygan Falls, which makes it an even more important mission. I hope we will be able to keep it open. The enrollment needs to be increased to do that. We have a principal who seems to be really working on that. When I went, all of the teachers were nuns. Now, not one works at the school. The decline in the number of nuns is as dramatic as the reduction in the number of priests.
Anyway, there were about 8 of us there plus several of the class behind us. At that time we had combined classes. Can you imagine. There were about 50 of us in the class with ONE teacher. And we learned.
We met about 1:00PM and people wandered in for the next couple of hours. We ate at about 5:30 or 6:00. Visited and then sat around a campfire until the mosquitoes got too bad. Ken came up with a campfire game. We had to think of one truth and two lies about our lives and then everyone guessed the truth. Do you have any idea HOW hard it is to think of a lie about yourself. I fooled everybody. I told these lies. 1. I had a poem published in a national anthology. 2. I shoot trap and am pretty good. My hightest score was 24. My truth was that I sideswiped a car when I was taking my drivers test.
That really is the truth. I took the test three times. The third time the two examiners were both trying to get out of testing me. I had taken a class or two by then. I just went and paid for two classes. I did a parallel park that was textbook. AND I never did one again.
The Kids, Bart and Barb, are safe in Lawton.
Yea
Mary
50 years ago, I was a member of the very first class that graduated from St. Mary's Grade School in Sheboygan Falls. We started there in 6th grade. At that time there was no middle school. So the school has been in existance for 53 years. I remember the building of it and how proud St. Mary Parish was and still is proud of the school and its mission. It is the only alternative to public education in Sheboygan Falls, which makes it an even more important mission. I hope we will be able to keep it open. The enrollment needs to be increased to do that. We have a principal who seems to be really working on that. When I went, all of the teachers were nuns. Now, not one works at the school. The decline in the number of nuns is as dramatic as the reduction in the number of priests.
Anyway, there were about 8 of us there plus several of the class behind us. At that time we had combined classes. Can you imagine. There were about 50 of us in the class with ONE teacher. And we learned.
We met about 1:00PM and people wandered in for the next couple of hours. We ate at about 5:30 or 6:00. Visited and then sat around a campfire until the mosquitoes got too bad. Ken came up with a campfire game. We had to think of one truth and two lies about our lives and then everyone guessed the truth. Do you have any idea HOW hard it is to think of a lie about yourself. I fooled everybody. I told these lies. 1. I had a poem published in a national anthology. 2. I shoot trap and am pretty good. My hightest score was 24. My truth was that I sideswiped a car when I was taking my drivers test.
That really is the truth. I took the test three times. The third time the two examiners were both trying to get out of testing me. I had taken a class or two by then. I just went and paid for two classes. I did a parallel park that was textbook. AND I never did one again.
The Kids, Bart and Barb, are safe in Lawton.
Yea
Mary
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
When Dick and I went to Cashton earlier in the year, I went out shopping at some of the Amish Farms that are in the area. At one of them they were selling large gourds in very interesting shapes. The ladies had let them dry, hollowed them out and painted the white. Then they put a wire for hanging. I sprayed it with sealant to keep the paint from running and hung it in the big tree in back of the house. We will be able to see it easily when we sit out there this summer. I believe that it has been "occupied" by a lovely bird family. It will be fun to see it as the summer goes on.
I HOPE we will be able to sit out this year. With all the rain we are likely to have a bumper crop of mosquitos.
I spent the day watering my indoor plants,grocery shopping and reading. Tonight I will do some sewing on a quilt. Dick and I are planning a trip to the Sault Ste Marie in July and are kind of planning that. We intend to visit his niece Theresa in Medford on the way. We haven't seen her for a couple of years and do look forward to the visit. She is a darling girl and her family is so nice.
Tomorrow
Mary
I HOPE we will be able to sit out this year. With all the rain we are likely to have a bumper crop of mosquitos.
I spent the day watering my indoor plants,grocery shopping and reading. Tonight I will do some sewing on a quilt. Dick and I are planning a trip to the Sault Ste Marie in July and are kind of planning that. We intend to visit his niece Theresa in Medford on the way. We haven't seen her for a couple of years and do look forward to the visit. She is a darling girl and her family is so nice.
Tomorrow
Mary
Monday, June 14, 2004
Bart and Barb postponed their leaving until tomorrow because of the awful weather through the midlands from here almost all the way to Lawton. So. We need to worry and pray tomorrow instead of today.
Today was very busy anyway. The Bible Study Group met. We were short three of our regulars but gained a new one. Bev Stangel told her friend Josie about us and she came for the first time today. We had a lively discussion about lack of vocations and whether it would be proper to go to another denominations service if you couldn't get to a Catholic Service. HMM!!! Such a dillemna.
Then this afternoon was the monthly Writer's Club Meeting. We didn't have too many readers, so Jane introduced a little game. We all wrote three words on a little piece of paper. Then the papers were placed in a plastic bag and each person picked one, not their own, and wrote either a poem or short paragraph using the three words.
I got HOOKER _ MAJOR _ WORLD and came up with;
The world is bright
In the city at night.
The hooker is right
Neon light
Enhances sight.
After we were done Sylvia Green, who gave me the words, laughed and said that she actually meant hooker in the rug hooker sense of the word. This makes sense when one knows that Irene Luedtke, one of our fellow writers, is completing her second book. The book is about rug hooking, one of her obsessions.
Have a great Tuesday.
Mary
Today was very busy anyway. The Bible Study Group met. We were short three of our regulars but gained a new one. Bev Stangel told her friend Josie about us and she came for the first time today. We had a lively discussion about lack of vocations and whether it would be proper to go to another denominations service if you couldn't get to a Catholic Service. HMM!!! Such a dillemna.
Then this afternoon was the monthly Writer's Club Meeting. We didn't have too many readers, so Jane introduced a little game. We all wrote three words on a little piece of paper. Then the papers were placed in a plastic bag and each person picked one, not their own, and wrote either a poem or short paragraph using the three words.
I got HOOKER _ MAJOR _ WORLD and came up with;
The world is bright
In the city at night.
The hooker is right
Neon light
Enhances sight.
After we were done Sylvia Green, who gave me the words, laughed and said that she actually meant hooker in the rug hooker sense of the word. This makes sense when one knows that Irene Luedtke, one of our fellow writers, is completing her second book. The book is about rug hooking, one of her obsessions.
Have a great Tuesday.
Mary
Sunday, June 13, 2004
The scattered thunderstorms and patches of rain predicted for today turned into heavy fog this morning and one shower. It is rather hot and muggy out there. I have been following weather REALLY close the past couple of days because Bart and Barbara are leaving for their drive to Lawton Oklahoma today. I know I mentioned that earlier but some people may not have logged in. Besides I am really rather worried. That is a long drive and they are my kids and I do worry about everything. Dick says I am very good at that.
Well, we should be done with Reagan's funeral rights. It was a long week, a nice tribute to a man of history but a little too much at one time. Saturation makes a person become numb. There was one interview I found quite amusing and I think a nice picture of the man's humor.
Tim Mc Carthy was a secret service man assigned to President Reagan when Hinkley shot him. Tim Mc Carthy was also shot, in the chest and spent some time in the same hospital as Mr. Reagan. When he was checking out, he, his wife and their two children were invited up to Reagan's room to say goodbye and receive his thanks. When the visit was over, Reagan called Tim over to his bedside and said something like. "Tim, This guy shot a Mc Carthy, a Brady, a Delahanty and a Reagan. Do you think he has something against the Irish?"
I will finish with my daily reading from Cadfael's Book of Days. A kind of comforting thought for the start of a week.
"Leave agonizing too much over your sins, black as they are, there isn't a confessor in the land who hasn't heard worse and never turned a hair. It's a kind of arrogance to be so certain you're past redemption."
Mary
Well, we should be done with Reagan's funeral rights. It was a long week, a nice tribute to a man of history but a little too much at one time. Saturation makes a person become numb. There was one interview I found quite amusing and I think a nice picture of the man's humor.
Tim Mc Carthy was a secret service man assigned to President Reagan when Hinkley shot him. Tim Mc Carthy was also shot, in the chest and spent some time in the same hospital as Mr. Reagan. When he was checking out, he, his wife and their two children were invited up to Reagan's room to say goodbye and receive his thanks. When the visit was over, Reagan called Tim over to his bedside and said something like. "Tim, This guy shot a Mc Carthy, a Brady, a Delahanty and a Reagan. Do you think he has something against the Irish?"
I will finish with my daily reading from Cadfael's Book of Days. A kind of comforting thought for the start of a week.
"Leave agonizing too much over your sins, black as they are, there isn't a confessor in the land who hasn't heard worse and never turned a hair. It's a kind of arrogance to be so certain you're past redemption."
Mary
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Didn't get around to signing on yesterday. It was quite a day.
Dick and I went up to De peer to say goodbye to Bart and Barb and started off with quite an adventure.
It was raining at 10:00AM when we left. I was driving. A couple of miles north of Sheboygan, I decided to pass a truck. As I moved into the left hand lane, I cranked the windshield wipers up to high. I was about half way around when the wiper on the passenger side must have gotten off sync and jammed into the end of the wiper on the driver's side. As you can imagine, they both then stopped except for vibrating right in front of me.
I managed to back off and move over to the side of the road without incident. Then poor Dick got out and was standing on the driver's side trying to separate them. He finally did but they were then bent and off sync and eventually did not move at all. We called Hyundai's emergency service and believe it or not it worked perfectly. They had a tow truck there in less than 15 minutes and we were towed to Van Horn where we had purchased the vehicle and they had us back on the road by 11:30.
We were pretty shook, at least I was. So Dick drove up to De Pere after we left.
Bart and Barb are loading their rented truck today and leaving tomorrow afternoon. They hope to be in Lawton on Tuesday evening. I hope if they get too tired, they take an extra day and rest more. I helped a little. Not too much I could do. They gave us the remaining food from the freezer as they cannot transport that. Please pray for a safe journey. Three days, don't forget.
Last night a good thing happened. A couple of years ago, I started putting loose recipes into Master Cook, a recipe program that Jim found for me. Somehow or other, it crashed and I lost several recipes. I still had the copies of most of the important ones, EXCEPT, for Grandma Pekarski's Crumb cake that I had gotten from Aunt Helen's home after she died. I couldn't find the card anywhere. That was at least three years ago. Last night I opened the Master Cook Manuel and it fell out. So I was a happy camper. That along with Aunty Brandl's Wonder Salve have a little history behind them. I must remember which of the genealogists that are doing history of Ziegler or Deeley who might like a copy.
What? Having a bad day??
> Iraqi terrorist, Khay Rahnajet, didn't pay enough
> postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to
> sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb he
> opened it and was blown to bits.
> There, now are you feeling better?
(Got this in an e-mail from a friend.)
Have a great day.
Mary
Dick and I went up to De peer to say goodbye to Bart and Barb and started off with quite an adventure.
It was raining at 10:00AM when we left. I was driving. A couple of miles north of Sheboygan, I decided to pass a truck. As I moved into the left hand lane, I cranked the windshield wipers up to high. I was about half way around when the wiper on the passenger side must have gotten off sync and jammed into the end of the wiper on the driver's side. As you can imagine, they both then stopped except for vibrating right in front of me.
I managed to back off and move over to the side of the road without incident. Then poor Dick got out and was standing on the driver's side trying to separate them. He finally did but they were then bent and off sync and eventually did not move at all. We called Hyundai's emergency service and believe it or not it worked perfectly. They had a tow truck there in less than 15 minutes and we were towed to Van Horn where we had purchased the vehicle and they had us back on the road by 11:30.
We were pretty shook, at least I was. So Dick drove up to De Pere after we left.
Bart and Barb are loading their rented truck today and leaving tomorrow afternoon. They hope to be in Lawton on Tuesday evening. I hope if they get too tired, they take an extra day and rest more. I helped a little. Not too much I could do. They gave us the remaining food from the freezer as they cannot transport that. Please pray for a safe journey. Three days, don't forget.
Last night a good thing happened. A couple of years ago, I started putting loose recipes into Master Cook, a recipe program that Jim found for me. Somehow or other, it crashed and I lost several recipes. I still had the copies of most of the important ones, EXCEPT, for Grandma Pekarski's Crumb cake that I had gotten from Aunt Helen's home after she died. I couldn't find the card anywhere. That was at least three years ago. Last night I opened the Master Cook Manuel and it fell out. So I was a happy camper. That along with Aunty Brandl's Wonder Salve have a little history behind them. I must remember which of the genealogists that are doing history of Ziegler or Deeley who might like a copy.
What? Having a bad day??
> Iraqi terrorist, Khay Rahnajet, didn't pay enough
> postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to
> sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb he
> opened it and was blown to bits.
> There, now are you feeling better?
(Got this in an e-mail from a friend.)
Have a great day.
Mary
Didn't get around to signing on yesterday. It was quite a day.
Dick and I went up to De Pere to say goodbye to Bart and Barb and started off with quite an adventure.
It was raining at 10:00AM when we left. I was driving. A couple of miles north of Sheboygan, I decided to pass a truck. As I moved into the left hand lane, I cranked the windshield wipers up to high. I was about half way around when the wiper on the passenger side must have gotten off sync and jammed into the end of the wiper on the driver's side. As you can imagine, they both then stopped except for vibrating right in front of me.
I managed to back off and move over to the side of the road without incident. Then poor Dick got out and was standing on the driver's side trying to separate them. He finally did but they were then bent and off sync and eventually did not move at all. We called Hyundai's emergency service and believe it or not it worked perfectly. They had a tow truck there in less than 15 minutes and we were towed to Van Horn where we had purchased the vehicle and they had us back on the road by 11:30.
We were pretty shook, at least I was. So Dick drove up to De Pere after we left.
Bart and Barb are loading their rented truck today and leaving tomorrow afternoon. They hope to be in Lawton on Tuesday evening. I hope if they get too tired, they take an extra day and rest more. I helped a little. Not too much I could do. They gave us the remaining food from the freezer as they cannot transport that. Please pray for a safe journey. Three days, don't forget.
Last night a good thing happened. A couple of years ago, I started putting loose recipes into Master Cook, a recipe program that Jim found for me. Somehow or other, it crashed and I lost several recipes. I still had the copies of most of the important ones, EXCEPT, for Grandma Pekarski's Crumb cake that I had gotten from Aunt Helen's home after she died. I couldn't find the card anywhere. That was at least three years ago. Last night I opened the Master Cook Manuel and it fell out. So I was a happy camper. That along with Aunty Brandl's Wonder Salve have a little history behind them. I must remember which of the genealogists that are doing history of Ziegler or Deeley who might like a copy.
What? Having a bad day??
> Iraqi terrorist, Khay Rahnajet, didn't pay enough
> postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to
> sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb he
> opened it and was blown to bits.
> There, now are you feeling better?
(Got this in an e-mail from a friend.)
Have a great day.
Mary
Dick and I went up to De Pere to say goodbye to Bart and Barb and started off with quite an adventure.
It was raining at 10:00AM when we left. I was driving. A couple of miles north of Sheboygan, I decided to pass a truck. As I moved into the left hand lane, I cranked the windshield wipers up to high. I was about half way around when the wiper on the passenger side must have gotten off sync and jammed into the end of the wiper on the driver's side. As you can imagine, they both then stopped except for vibrating right in front of me.
I managed to back off and move over to the side of the road without incident. Then poor Dick got out and was standing on the driver's side trying to separate them. He finally did but they were then bent and off sync and eventually did not move at all. We called Hyundai's emergency service and believe it or not it worked perfectly. They had a tow truck there in less than 15 minutes and we were towed to Van Horn where we had purchased the vehicle and they had us back on the road by 11:30.
We were pretty shook, at least I was. So Dick drove up to De Pere after we left.
Bart and Barb are loading their rented truck today and leaving tomorrow afternoon. They hope to be in Lawton on Tuesday evening. I hope if they get too tired, they take an extra day and rest more. I helped a little. Not too much I could do. They gave us the remaining food from the freezer as they cannot transport that. Please pray for a safe journey. Three days, don't forget.
Last night a good thing happened. A couple of years ago, I started putting loose recipes into Master Cook, a recipe program that Jim found for me. Somehow or other, it crashed and I lost several recipes. I still had the copies of most of the important ones, EXCEPT, for Grandma Pekarski's Crumb cake that I had gotten from Aunt Helen's home after she died. I couldn't find the card anywhere. That was at least three years ago. Last night I opened the Master Cook Manuel and it fell out. So I was a happy camper. That along with Aunty Brandl's Wonder Salve have a little history behind them. I must remember which of the genealogists that are doing history of Ziegler or Deeley who might like a copy.
What? Having a bad day??
> Iraqi terrorist, Khay Rahnajet, didn't pay enough
> postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to
> sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb he
> opened it and was blown to bits.
> There, now are you feeling better?
(Got this in an e-mail from a friend.)
Have a great day.
Mary
Thursday, June 10, 2004
I HOPE someone missed me yesterday. I was just so busy. Barbara, my daugher in law, and I went to a quilt class all day. We learned and put together squares for a pattern called Spinning Water Wheel.
We brought a background fabric and five different colors of batik with us. Then all the attendees did a fabric exchange and we ended up having 20 DIFFERENT fabrics for our wheels. Wow.
I got eight completed and Barbara got nine completed. We have the "makings" of 20 and the quilt our teacher Claudine showed uses 18 so we can have two to play with if we aren't happy with the colors. Actually they all LOOK just beautiful but may not all blend together. I had found a really nice black background fabric at Evans in Sheboygan Falls (They do have really nice quality fabrics.) It has tiny dots of all different colors all over it and almost any batik has a dot color in the background. I felt really good because SEVERAL people asked where I got it so they liked it.
Benjamin Franklin said "There was never a good war or a bad peace."
Sounds good to me.
Mary
Want to buy some raffle tickets. I have two sets. One for Quilt Guild for some lovely quilts and other things made out of blocks and another for the raffle for Blessed Trinity's Celtic Faire. Lots of great prizes.
Mary
We brought a background fabric and five different colors of batik with us. Then all the attendees did a fabric exchange and we ended up having 20 DIFFERENT fabrics for our wheels. Wow.
I got eight completed and Barbara got nine completed. We have the "makings" of 20 and the quilt our teacher Claudine showed uses 18 so we can have two to play with if we aren't happy with the colors. Actually they all LOOK just beautiful but may not all blend together. I had found a really nice black background fabric at Evans in Sheboygan Falls (They do have really nice quality fabrics.) It has tiny dots of all different colors all over it and almost any batik has a dot color in the background. I felt really good because SEVERAL people asked where I got it so they liked it.
Benjamin Franklin said "There was never a good war or a bad peace."
Sounds good to me.
Mary
Want to buy some raffle tickets. I have two sets. One for Quilt Guild for some lovely quilts and other things made out of blocks and another for the raffle for Blessed Trinity's Celtic Faire. Lots of great prizes.
Mary
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
It was hot and muggy today. We had a smattering of rain. When it came, I was sitting out on the deck. I was able to sit out in the rain, actually dry, under the overhang until Dick came to find out what the heck I was doing. It was really time for dinner anyway.
I found a poem in a notebook of an inscription that is on one of the Bowser (My Mother's family) that reads as follows:
Their toil is past
their work is done
And they are fully blest
They fought the fight
The victory won
And enter into rest.
I remember really having trouble reading it because it is so faded as is the tombstone that was erected for three of my great great grandfather's children who died within six months of each other. Those were hard days. I lost one child and cannot envision losing three in a year.
St. Michael's Church out near Parnell is an interesting place to visit anyway. The church is just lovely.
Take Care
Mary
I found a poem in a notebook of an inscription that is on one of the Bowser (My Mother's family) that reads as follows:
Their toil is past
their work is done
And they are fully blest
They fought the fight
The victory won
And enter into rest.
I remember really having trouble reading it because it is so faded as is the tombstone that was erected for three of my great great grandfather's children who died within six months of each other. Those were hard days. I lost one child and cannot envision losing three in a year.
St. Michael's Church out near Parnell is an interesting place to visit anyway. The church is just lovely.
Take Care
Mary
Monday, June 07, 2004
Life is good. I shot a 15 at trap league tonight. That is the best I have done with my new gun and I am slowly improving.
The recipe for Beer Cake turned out well enough that I will share it with you. It is another way to use the 1/2 can of beer that I have left after making Chicken on a Throne, also known as Beer Can Chicken. The suggestion is to drink it but I haven't been a beer drinker since I got pregnant with Bart and it started making my stomach all goofy. Now not only does my stomach get goofy, but I don't like it. However, it makes good bread and (I now know) cake.
Beer Cake
4 Oz. cream cheese
2 Oz. sour cream
4 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup beer
2 cups fours
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
Put the cream cheese and half the chocolate chips into a blow. Heat in microwave until soft (they really don't melt but become blendable after they are warm.) Stir in the sour cream.
Add the sugar, and mix well. Add the beer,, the flour (it is smoother if you sift) and the rest of the chocolate chips. Continue to mix.
Add the baking soda and mix quickly. The beer starts to work the soda right away.
Pour the batter into a pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until it is done. (A knife or toothpick comes out clean.) Tastes OK as is but is a little nicer frosted or with ice cream or whipped cream.
enjoy.
Mary
The recipe for Beer Cake turned out well enough that I will share it with you. It is another way to use the 1/2 can of beer that I have left after making Chicken on a Throne, also known as Beer Can Chicken. The suggestion is to drink it but I haven't been a beer drinker since I got pregnant with Bart and it started making my stomach all goofy. Now not only does my stomach get goofy, but I don't like it. However, it makes good bread and (I now know) cake.
Beer Cake
4 Oz. cream cheese
2 Oz. sour cream
4 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup beer
2 cups fours
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
Put the cream cheese and half the chocolate chips into a blow. Heat in microwave until soft (they really don't melt but become blendable after they are warm.) Stir in the sour cream.
Add the sugar, and mix well. Add the beer,, the flour (it is smoother if you sift) and the rest of the chocolate chips. Continue to mix.
Add the baking soda and mix quickly. The beer starts to work the soda right away.
Pour the batter into a pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until it is done. (A knife or toothpick comes out clean.) Tastes OK as is but is a little nicer frosted or with ice cream or whipped cream.
enjoy.
Mary
Sunday, June 06, 2004
The thunderstorms we were expecting did NOT appear. Thank Heaven! Chelsea and I walked this morning in a little mist but I did not even come home soaked, just a bit moist. Actually, I was a bit irritated with my Chelsea. She started pestering me at about 5:15AM and I ended up getting up at 5:30AM which is too early on a Sunday. Dick says he thinks she is still on standard time. Maybe she is smarter than the rest of us by not accepting change.
We drove south to Sussex WI to visit Dick's sister Hazel and his niece, Suzi. Hazel moved back to Wisconsin within the past several months and is finally settled in a mobile home in Sussex. She is 87 years old. Such a joy to see her healthy and fully "with it" when we know many of the problems that come with old age. We are planning on having them come up here in August for a get together with all of Dick's children.
We went to the Outback for dinner. It was the first time we had been there and it was great. I had a steak and garlic potatoes.
I was going to add something whimsical but can't find it right now, so I will add something SILLY instead. I don't know WHO wrote this but got it from a friend many years ago.
The Loser
Mama said I'd lose my head
If it wasn't fastened on.
Today I guess it wasn't
'Cause while playing with my cousin
It fell off and rolled away
And now it's gone.
And I can't look for it
'Cause my eyes are in it.
And I can't call to it
'Cause my mouth is on it.
(Couldn't hear me anyway
'Cause my ears are on it).
Can't even think about it
'Cause my brain is in it.
So I guess I'll sit down
On this rock
And rest for just a minute.
(Think about it!)
Love
Mary
We drove south to Sussex WI to visit Dick's sister Hazel and his niece, Suzi. Hazel moved back to Wisconsin within the past several months and is finally settled in a mobile home in Sussex. She is 87 years old. Such a joy to see her healthy and fully "with it" when we know many of the problems that come with old age. We are planning on having them come up here in August for a get together with all of Dick's children.
We went to the Outback for dinner. It was the first time we had been there and it was great. I had a steak and garlic potatoes.
I was going to add something whimsical but can't find it right now, so I will add something SILLY instead. I don't know WHO wrote this but got it from a friend many years ago.
The Loser
Mama said I'd lose my head
If it wasn't fastened on.
Today I guess it wasn't
'Cause while playing with my cousin
It fell off and rolled away
And now it's gone.
And I can't look for it
'Cause my eyes are in it.
And I can't call to it
'Cause my mouth is on it.
(Couldn't hear me anyway
'Cause my ears are on it).
Can't even think about it
'Cause my brain is in it.
So I guess I'll sit down
On this rock
And rest for just a minute.
(Think about it!)
Love
Mary
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Ronald Reagan is dead. I can't say that I feel sadness. The past 10 years have been so hard for his family and we have not seen him. We may not have been so brave as his family. Alzheimer's disease is a terrible thief. It takes the personality and leaves the body to taunt those who take care of it. He was 93. What a ripe old age and what a legacy.
I found another use for the leftover 1/2 can of beer that I use when I make Chicken on a Throne. I found a chocolate cake recipe. Not bad.
We will be going to see Dick's sister Hazel and his niece Suzi tomorrow.
Hope you have a great Sunday.
Mary
I found another use for the leftover 1/2 can of beer that I use when I make Chicken on a Throne. I found a chocolate cake recipe. Not bad.
We will be going to see Dick's sister Hazel and his niece Suzi tomorrow.
Hope you have a great Sunday.
Mary
Friday, June 04, 2004
I was remembering Grandpa Bowser, my Mother's dad today. Uncle Noel, told a story about his relationship with his sons that I just loved. In nice weather, Grandpa always sat on the front porch and read the paper on Sunday mornings. He always wore his hat and his vest as he sat out there.
Uncle Noel, a typical teen, was talking to Grandpa one Sunday and said "I think I can take you Dad." Grandpa said they should see. He got up, put his hat on the table next to his chair and walked down into the yard next to the porch.
I will set the scene a bit. Grandma and Grandpa's house was up on a slight hill and "fenced" by a nice row of hedges on the edge of the hill which sloped down to the sidewalk.
Grandpa and Uncle Noel squared off. Then Noel said Grandpa picked him up and pitched him over the fence and walked back up on to the porch to finish his paper.
Noel never challenged Grandpa again. Even when he KNEW that he could take him.
Have a nice Saturday.
Mary
Uncle Noel, a typical teen, was talking to Grandpa one Sunday and said "I think I can take you Dad." Grandpa said they should see. He got up, put his hat on the table next to his chair and walked down into the yard next to the porch.
I will set the scene a bit. Grandma and Grandpa's house was up on a slight hill and "fenced" by a nice row of hedges on the edge of the hill which sloped down to the sidewalk.
Grandpa and Uncle Noel squared off. Then Noel said Grandpa picked him up and pitched him over the fence and walked back up on to the porch to finish his paper.
Noel never challenged Grandpa again. Even when he KNEW that he could take him.
Have a nice Saturday.
Mary
Thursday, June 03, 2004
The quote in Cadfael's Book of Days was short and to the point today.
"Draw off, and try something else, but never give up."
Great plug for perserverance. People talk about giving up but life keeps going on with or without them anyway. I read a book by Nancy Snyderman, a doctor who used to do medical specials reports on Good Morning America. The book is Necessary Journeys. In it she recounts a time in her life when she was informed that she might have a fatal illness. Her memory of leaving the consultation was quite descriptive. She noticed that all the people she encountered were just going on with their business, the sun rose and set. People kept shopping and raising their children and just went on as if NOTHING was wrong. And she felt a little confused and angry that this was so. Didn't they realize what was happening to her? Some journeys just have to be taken alone and then the quote is a good thing to hang on to.
I also liked this one. "Don't tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God is."
Love
Mary
"Draw off, and try something else, but never give up."
Great plug for perserverance. People talk about giving up but life keeps going on with or without them anyway. I read a book by Nancy Snyderman, a doctor who used to do medical specials reports on Good Morning America. The book is Necessary Journeys. In it she recounts a time in her life when she was informed that she might have a fatal illness. Her memory of leaving the consultation was quite descriptive. She noticed that all the people she encountered were just going on with their business, the sun rose and set. People kept shopping and raising their children and just went on as if NOTHING was wrong. And she felt a little confused and angry that this was so. Didn't they realize what was happening to her? Some journeys just have to be taken alone and then the quote is a good thing to hang on to.
I also liked this one. "Don't tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God is."
Love
Mary
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Sewing Machines can drive a person to drink. I am trying to do some machine applique on a wall hanging and the thread keeps breaking. The black thread I am using is bunching and fuzzing, I believe because of the dye and because it is going through so many layers. I think tomorrow I will try the walking foot and see if that helps at all. At least I won't be trying to guide the several layers of fabric.
I am sure you are not at all interested in my sewing problems but I do usually put whatever is on my mind into this blog.
My brother Jeff sent the following to me a couple of years ago. It is worth repeating.
NATIONALITIES OF GOD
>
>
> There were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was BLACK:
> 1. He called everyone "brother"
> 2. He liked Gospel
> 3. He couldn't get a fair trial.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was JEWISH:
> 1. He went into his father's business.
> 2. He lived at home until he was 33.
> 3. He was sure his mother was a virgin and his mother was sure he
> was a
> god.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was ITALIAN:
> 1. He talked with his hands.
> 2. He had wine with every meal.
> 3. He used olive oil.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a
> CALIFORNIAN:
> 1. He never cut his hair.
> 2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
> 3. He started a new religion.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was IRISH:
> 1. He never got married.
> 2. He was always telling stories.
> 3. He loved green pastures.
>
> But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a
> WOMAN:
> 1. He had to feed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was no
> food.
> 2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just
> didn't get it.
> 3. Even when he was dead, He had to get up because there was more
> work
> for
> him to do.
> ***********
Have a nice evening.
Mary
I am sure you are not at all interested in my sewing problems but I do usually put whatever is on my mind into this blog.
My brother Jeff sent the following to me a couple of years ago. It is worth repeating.
NATIONALITIES OF GOD
>
>
> There were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was BLACK:
> 1. He called everyone "brother"
> 2. He liked Gospel
> 3. He couldn't get a fair trial.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was JEWISH:
> 1. He went into his father's business.
> 2. He lived at home until he was 33.
> 3. He was sure his mother was a virgin and his mother was sure he
> was a
> god.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was ITALIAN:
> 1. He talked with his hands.
> 2. He had wine with every meal.
> 3. He used olive oil.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a
> CALIFORNIAN:
> 1. He never cut his hair.
> 2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
> 3. He started a new religion.
>
> But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was IRISH:
> 1. He never got married.
> 2. He was always telling stories.
> 3. He loved green pastures.
>
> But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a
> WOMAN:
> 1. He had to feed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was no
> food.
> 2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just
> didn't get it.
> 3. Even when he was dead, He had to get up because there was more
> work
> for
> him to do.
> ***********
Have a nice evening.
Mary
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
"It is said that if a person takes a small statue of St. Joseph and buries it upside-down, facing the street and near the for-sale sign, that a much faster sales transaction will occur. Who says this? Well, thousands of homeowners and real estate agents have utilized these statues as a marketing aid. The phenomena has been written up in The Washington Post (11/15/90), The New York Times (5/19/96), the Salt Lake Tribune (10/11/97), the Lincoln NE Journal-Star (1/5/92), Chicago Sun-Times (10/3/97), the Cleveland OH Plain Dealer (11/28/02), Athens GA Banner-Herald (10/5/01), the Daytona Beach FL News-Journal (11/21/02) and the Quincy MA Patriot Ledger (6/1/96), to name just a few publications!
Many folks are of the opinion that St. Joseph, who is the Catholic Church's patron saint of carpenters and other manual workers, can help facilitate real estate sales transactions. They claim that burying a St. Joseph statue has helped them sell a house."
I printed the information and sent it with a small statue of St. Joseph to Bart and Barb. I hope they take it as a prayer for a quick sale as it is intended. Anyway, I mailed it today.
Tomorrow, Dick and I take Mother out for dinner and follow it with the Sheboygan Theatre Company's production of South Pacific. Dick feels that they sometimes do the old musicals too often, but I haven't seen this in a LONG time and the music and message are so beautiful. Next year they are starting off with Jesus Christ Superstar and ending with Sondheim's Into the Woods. Something a bit different.
Til tomorrow.
Mary
Many folks are of the opinion that St. Joseph, who is the Catholic Church's patron saint of carpenters and other manual workers, can help facilitate real estate sales transactions. They claim that burying a St. Joseph statue has helped them sell a house."
I printed the information and sent it with a small statue of St. Joseph to Bart and Barb. I hope they take it as a prayer for a quick sale as it is intended. Anyway, I mailed it today.
Tomorrow, Dick and I take Mother out for dinner and follow it with the Sheboygan Theatre Company's production of South Pacific. Dick feels that they sometimes do the old musicals too often, but I haven't seen this in a LONG time and the music and message are so beautiful. Next year they are starting off with Jesus Christ Superstar and ending with Sondheim's Into the Woods. Something a bit different.
Til tomorrow.
Mary
Monday, May 31, 2004
Rain again today. I decided to show you a rainbow. This is a picture I took last year. The rainbow is over our house and shows one of our pretty trees. This tree had a nest in its branches for several years. This winter, the nest was blown out or the tree. I think the bird might have rebuilt but I will not really know til winter again when all the leaves fall off the branches.
Enjoy the rainbow. It is the sign of God's Promise you know.
Enjoy the rainbow. It is the sign of God's Promise you know.
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. We don't have to go ANYWHERE. Isn't it nice to have a day where one can JUST STAY HOME and love it?
Next Sunday, we are going to Sussex not too far from Milwaukee to see Dick's sister Hazel. I only met her once several years ago. She moved back to Wisconsin from California only recently when her companion of many years, Ralph, died. She is living with her daughter Suzi. Hazel was a twin. Her twin sister, Helen, died before I met Dick. Actually he and Hazel are the only remaining siblings.
It rained most of the day, but I did get the rest of my plants in the pots on the deck. Now if we get some sun so they can thrive.
Love
Mary
Next Sunday, we are going to Sussex not too far from Milwaukee to see Dick's sister Hazel. I only met her once several years ago. She moved back to Wisconsin from California only recently when her companion of many years, Ralph, died. She is living with her daughter Suzi. Hazel was a twin. Her twin sister, Helen, died before I met Dick. Actually he and Hazel are the only remaining siblings.
It rained most of the day, but I did get the rest of my plants in the pots on the deck. Now if we get some sun so they can thrive.
Love
Mary
Saturday, May 29, 2004
When I first started this web site, it was shortly after the Iraq invasion and I became very concerned about the animals in the zoos in Baghdad, who were starving and being killed and killing and living under terrible conditions. I am attaching an article that I searched out because I had not heard anything for quite a while. It is information from March, but does indicate that things are much better and are improving. From the earlier articles, I really gathered that the Iraquies were and probably are very proud of their zoos.
Here is the most recent information that I could find. It is from the North Carolina Zoo.
Update on Assistance to Baghdad and Kabul Zoos-
The Last Few Months
Baghdad
The situation appears to be stable with most animals now housed satisfactorily, if not optimally. Issues still remain around the need to sterilize (prevent breeding) amongst the larger carnivores, the rehousing of nine lions at Uday Hussein’s old palace and one or two clinical cases, notably an aged blind brown bear. The great advantage that Baghdad has over Kabul is competent leadership with keen and fairly knowledgeable Iraqis heading the operation ably assisted by Brendan Jones from South Africa and with considerable logistic help continuing from the coalition forces. We recently facilitated the visit of the three most senior Iraqi staff including the Director and Deputy Director with Brendan Jones to the UK to look at designs for large cat and bear enclosures, constructed at relatively low cost and to give them an extended network of people to whom they can turn to for advice, particularly on this type of construction. The trip also enabled them to talk to a wide variety of animal staff at Whipsnade, Woburn, Marwell and London Zoos. This trip already appears to be having a beneficial effect on the discussions relating to the rebuilding of exhibits in the Baghdad Zoo. The remaining AZA-linked funds being held by the N.C. Zoo Society will be used largely for the purchase of construction materials and items for enclosure rebuilding that have not been provided through the coalition. Captain William Sumner, who has been in charge of the Zoo site, along with other antiquity sites in Baghdad, will be leaving Iraq shortly. He has played a major role in assisting with the Zoo, particularly in its difficult times during the first few months after U.S. troops took over. We are looking for opportunities for the Iraqi Zoo staff to network more effectively with the better Zoos in the Arabian Gulf region and Middle East generally. There is a rather loosely organized Middle Eastern Zoos Association, but attempts are being made to strengthen that at the moment and the Baghdad staff should try to play a role in that. Like all the Zoos in the region, these sites are very popular with the public and the big challenge for Baghdad Zoo in the coming years, as outside help withdraws, is to see whether they are able to attract enough resources to continue the rebuilding program with a keen eye on evolving Zoo standards around the world. With the caliber of senior staff that they have, Baghdad, together with one or two other zoos in the Middle East and several in India and possibly one in Pakistan, could become models for what the region might achieve in terms of improved Zoo standards. A critical issue is a cultural one where Islamic society generally, despite the pro-animal welfare teachings of the Koran, are not generally disposed to proactively promoting high standards of animal welfare. However, there are a few notable exceptions driven by some key individuals and Baghdad’s Deputy Director, Dr. Farrah Murrani is probably one of those.
Kabul
With significantly more of our specially donated funds applied to Kabul than Baghdad one would think that the long-term future there would be better. The difficulty however is that Kabul Zoo has no other resources than ours and no well-trained animal staff. With the exception of the new Education Officer, the general levels of knowledge there are poor. Considerable emphasis is being put into looking for ways that we can provide them with training and also to see whether there is any possibility of the Municipality appointing one or two better qualified people to help run the site.
Approximately half of the resources available for Kabul from the AZA/NC Zoo Society funds have been used to supplement day to day running costs, notably salary supplements and the purchase of animal foods and essential supplies. Currently we are reducing those supplements gradually and it is planned to end them in May. We have asked the Municipality for a plan as to how they intend to fund the site in the coming years. This has not yet been forthcoming. In the meantime, the other half of the available funds are being used for reconstruction purposes. A significant amount has been spent on the improvement of infrastructure, particularly water supply and electric power to all the major buildings. Approximately half the exhibits have either been rebuilt or are in the process of being rebuilt and this program has focused on facilities for the larger carnivores, primates and large birds. The latest photos show very clearly the considerable improvement that has taken place over the last year. Nevertheless, there are a lot of out of date and ramshackle structures, which will either be definitively earmarked for future conversion or demolished and the rubble removed. The Afghans are very reluctant to pull down old buildings in the expectation that they will be rebuilt and one of the challenges here is to convince them that many of these structures would be better removed at this stage and completely replaced if and when resources become available.
Nick Lindsay, senior Curator from the London Zoo and now head of their overseas operations, together with John Lewis, an independent Veterinarian with considerable Zoo animal experience, will be making another week-long visit to Kabul in the latter half of March with a long list of “to dos”. Amongst them will be sterilization of most of the male animals to prevent further reproduction and a clinical assessment of the Asiatic Black Bear, “Donatella”, which has been one of the chronic issues since she was discovered during the early days of our involvement with severe Leishmaniasis and physical damage to her nose. The issue here is the lack of day to day veterinary attention and facilities required to give such an animal the intensive care she needs. This assessment will be followed by a decision on what the long-term prognosis would be for her and where, if treatment is possible, she should be placed (almost certainly out of the country). This team will also be discussing some further capital work with the Municipality, again concentrating on the larger mammals, to include probably a second bear enclosure.
The International Crane Foundation have now come alongside us with a wish to construct a wetlands exhibit for those species of cranes that used to or still use Afghanistan as a migration corridor. The main discussions this time are likely to be around the long-term future of the Zoo and ways in which it can be financially stabilized. Our expectation is to withdraw from further funding by the end of this calendar year, although some reserve funds will be held back against emergency situations. So often in these situations there is a chronic problem of aid reliance- a feeling that those helping now in a country like Afghanistan will continue to assist regardless of what they do for themselves. It is very important that the responsibility be handed back firmly to them well before the funds dry up in order that that hand-over process can be given assistance. What we are trying also is to interest other agencies such as the diplomatic missions (we have already had considerable help from the British Embassy) and United Nations agencies and other aid operations. The long-term hope is that the Kabul Zoo can act as a focus for interest, education and public awareness of the natural environment of this ravaged country. We hope for example that the addition of the International Crane Foundation to the Kabul Zoo team will be the start of a wider coalition where that site can develop its true environmental education potential. At the same time, it is also probably the most popular place in Kabul for families to go on a Friday (their “weekend”). As with Baghdad and other zoological parks across the region, such places are very popular and there is a huge challenge in trying to get the authorities to take them more seriously and begin to use them in ways that parallel the current thinking about the role of Zoos and similar biological institutions elsewhere in the world.
DMJ/jnh
03-03-04
I was pleased to get a personal response from the zoo in North Carolina.
Have a nice Sunday.
Mary
Here is the most recent information that I could find. It is from the North Carolina Zoo.
Update on Assistance to Baghdad and Kabul Zoos-
The Last Few Months
Baghdad
The situation appears to be stable with most animals now housed satisfactorily, if not optimally. Issues still remain around the need to sterilize (prevent breeding) amongst the larger carnivores, the rehousing of nine lions at Uday Hussein’s old palace and one or two clinical cases, notably an aged blind brown bear. The great advantage that Baghdad has over Kabul is competent leadership with keen and fairly knowledgeable Iraqis heading the operation ably assisted by Brendan Jones from South Africa and with considerable logistic help continuing from the coalition forces. We recently facilitated the visit of the three most senior Iraqi staff including the Director and Deputy Director with Brendan Jones to the UK to look at designs for large cat and bear enclosures, constructed at relatively low cost and to give them an extended network of people to whom they can turn to for advice, particularly on this type of construction. The trip also enabled them to talk to a wide variety of animal staff at Whipsnade, Woburn, Marwell and London Zoos. This trip already appears to be having a beneficial effect on the discussions relating to the rebuilding of exhibits in the Baghdad Zoo. The remaining AZA-linked funds being held by the N.C. Zoo Society will be used largely for the purchase of construction materials and items for enclosure rebuilding that have not been provided through the coalition. Captain William Sumner, who has been in charge of the Zoo site, along with other antiquity sites in Baghdad, will be leaving Iraq shortly. He has played a major role in assisting with the Zoo, particularly in its difficult times during the first few months after U.S. troops took over. We are looking for opportunities for the Iraqi Zoo staff to network more effectively with the better Zoos in the Arabian Gulf region and Middle East generally. There is a rather loosely organized Middle Eastern Zoos Association, but attempts are being made to strengthen that at the moment and the Baghdad staff should try to play a role in that. Like all the Zoos in the region, these sites are very popular with the public and the big challenge for Baghdad Zoo in the coming years, as outside help withdraws, is to see whether they are able to attract enough resources to continue the rebuilding program with a keen eye on evolving Zoo standards around the world. With the caliber of senior staff that they have, Baghdad, together with one or two other zoos in the Middle East and several in India and possibly one in Pakistan, could become models for what the region might achieve in terms of improved Zoo standards. A critical issue is a cultural one where Islamic society generally, despite the pro-animal welfare teachings of the Koran, are not generally disposed to proactively promoting high standards of animal welfare. However, there are a few notable exceptions driven by some key individuals and Baghdad’s Deputy Director, Dr. Farrah Murrani is probably one of those.
Kabul
With significantly more of our specially donated funds applied to Kabul than Baghdad one would think that the long-term future there would be better. The difficulty however is that Kabul Zoo has no other resources than ours and no well-trained animal staff. With the exception of the new Education Officer, the general levels of knowledge there are poor. Considerable emphasis is being put into looking for ways that we can provide them with training and also to see whether there is any possibility of the Municipality appointing one or two better qualified people to help run the site.
Approximately half of the resources available for Kabul from the AZA/NC Zoo Society funds have been used to supplement day to day running costs, notably salary supplements and the purchase of animal foods and essential supplies. Currently we are reducing those supplements gradually and it is planned to end them in May. We have asked the Municipality for a plan as to how they intend to fund the site in the coming years. This has not yet been forthcoming. In the meantime, the other half of the available funds are being used for reconstruction purposes. A significant amount has been spent on the improvement of infrastructure, particularly water supply and electric power to all the major buildings. Approximately half the exhibits have either been rebuilt or are in the process of being rebuilt and this program has focused on facilities for the larger carnivores, primates and large birds. The latest photos show very clearly the considerable improvement that has taken place over the last year. Nevertheless, there are a lot of out of date and ramshackle structures, which will either be definitively earmarked for future conversion or demolished and the rubble removed. The Afghans are very reluctant to pull down old buildings in the expectation that they will be rebuilt and one of the challenges here is to convince them that many of these structures would be better removed at this stage and completely replaced if and when resources become available.
Nick Lindsay, senior Curator from the London Zoo and now head of their overseas operations, together with John Lewis, an independent Veterinarian with considerable Zoo animal experience, will be making another week-long visit to Kabul in the latter half of March with a long list of “to dos”. Amongst them will be sterilization of most of the male animals to prevent further reproduction and a clinical assessment of the Asiatic Black Bear, “Donatella”, which has been one of the chronic issues since she was discovered during the early days of our involvement with severe Leishmaniasis and physical damage to her nose. The issue here is the lack of day to day veterinary attention and facilities required to give such an animal the intensive care she needs. This assessment will be followed by a decision on what the long-term prognosis would be for her and where, if treatment is possible, she should be placed (almost certainly out of the country). This team will also be discussing some further capital work with the Municipality, again concentrating on the larger mammals, to include probably a second bear enclosure.
The International Crane Foundation have now come alongside us with a wish to construct a wetlands exhibit for those species of cranes that used to or still use Afghanistan as a migration corridor. The main discussions this time are likely to be around the long-term future of the Zoo and ways in which it can be financially stabilized. Our expectation is to withdraw from further funding by the end of this calendar year, although some reserve funds will be held back against emergency situations. So often in these situations there is a chronic problem of aid reliance- a feeling that those helping now in a country like Afghanistan will continue to assist regardless of what they do for themselves. It is very important that the responsibility be handed back firmly to them well before the funds dry up in order that that hand-over process can be given assistance. What we are trying also is to interest other agencies such as the diplomatic missions (we have already had considerable help from the British Embassy) and United Nations agencies and other aid operations. The long-term hope is that the Kabul Zoo can act as a focus for interest, education and public awareness of the natural environment of this ravaged country. We hope for example that the addition of the International Crane Foundation to the Kabul Zoo team will be the start of a wider coalition where that site can develop its true environmental education potential. At the same time, it is also probably the most popular place in Kabul for families to go on a Friday (their “weekend”). As with Baghdad and other zoological parks across the region, such places are very popular and there is a huge challenge in trying to get the authorities to take them more seriously and begin to use them in ways that parallel the current thinking about the role of Zoos and similar biological institutions elsewhere in the world.
DMJ/jnh
03-03-04
I was pleased to get a personal response from the zoo in North Carolina.
Have a nice Sunday.
Mary
Friday, May 28, 2004
Can doggies get epilepsy? Chelsea has had three little seizures in the past three days. This morning was really rather scary. She collapsed and we had a bit of trouble getting her out of it. Once she recovers she seems just fine - running around and acting perfectly normal. We took her to see Dr. Zechlinski and he couldn't find anything wrong but is doing blood tests to see if anything shows up.
I planted today. The pots under the deck are now full and in place. Tomorrow I will finish. Good thing because the bushes are ready for trimming already, even with the lack of sun. I guess all the rain is good for what I have.
The reading from Cadfael is nice today.
" 'Well, well!' said Cadfael silently to himself, and left the unsoluble to the solver of all problems."
Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
Mary
I planted today. The pots under the deck are now full and in place. Tomorrow I will finish. Good thing because the bushes are ready for trimming already, even with the lack of sun. I guess all the rain is good for what I have.
The reading from Cadfael is nice today.
" 'Well, well!' said Cadfael silently to himself, and left the unsoluble to the solver of all problems."
Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
Mary
Thursday, May 27, 2004
It has been a VERY long day. The most fun was the hour I spent at Rocky Knoll playing Bingo with the residents there. I promised a lady named Jules that I would bring her a honeysuckle or a marigold the next time I come. I put it on the calendar, so I should remember.
Sunday, Mother, Bart and Barb will be here for dinner. I am making the Famous Kunert Spinach, Egg and Cheese Casserole. I will give you the recipe. Perhaps I have done so already but it would have been quite a while ago and I know there are some recent readers.
FAMOUS KUNERT SPINACH EGG AND NOODLE CASSEROLE
4 Cups Cooked Noodles
1 Can Spinach (Drained)
Velveeta Cheese
8 hard boiled eggs
Margarine
Layer in the order listed. Noodles, tablespoons of spinach, sliced Velveeta, sliced hard eggs. About three layers and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour until hot and the cheese is all melted through.
This is so good that even people who don't like spinach like it. Jim would not eat it from childhood because he said he didn't like spinach. Then, I prepared it one evening planning on another meal for Dick, Bart and me. When I went to get it, there was none left. He had come home, snug around lots and lots of beer, and ate it all - cold no less. He looked rather sheepish but has eaten it ever since and quite enthusiastically if I do say so myself. He used the excuse that it tasted ok cold.
Try it, you'll like it.
Love
Mary
Sunday, Mother, Bart and Barb will be here for dinner. I am making the Famous Kunert Spinach, Egg and Cheese Casserole. I will give you the recipe. Perhaps I have done so already but it would have been quite a while ago and I know there are some recent readers.
FAMOUS KUNERT SPINACH EGG AND NOODLE CASSEROLE
4 Cups Cooked Noodles
1 Can Spinach (Drained)
Velveeta Cheese
8 hard boiled eggs
Margarine
Layer in the order listed. Noodles, tablespoons of spinach, sliced Velveeta, sliced hard eggs. About three layers and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour until hot and the cheese is all melted through.
This is so good that even people who don't like spinach like it. Jim would not eat it from childhood because he said he didn't like spinach. Then, I prepared it one evening planning on another meal for Dick, Bart and me. When I went to get it, there was none left. He had come home, snug around lots and lots of beer, and ate it all - cold no less. He looked rather sheepish but has eaten it ever since and quite enthusiastically if I do say so myself. He used the excuse that it tasted ok cold.
Try it, you'll like it.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
When I was growing up, there used to be a pond over across the street in back of Richardson's Lumber. I don't know if the pond is there any more, but we used to go down there to catch frogs and some of the boys had built a couple of rafts to float around on. One day, I climbed on one of the rafts, one that was pretty well falling apart and started drifting out into the pond. I got out too far to go back and whomever I was with ran up the hill and home to tell Mother. She came with Mrs. Painter (A neighbor) and her boots but Mrs. Painter wisely knew that there was no way to wade out to get me because the pond was really swampy.
She got her son Kenny to come down. Kenny got on the other raft and poled out to get me and he saved me.
Isn't that a nice story. When Kenny started kindergarten, a few years before he saved me, he took me with him one day for something like show and tell.
The Painters are lovely people and I have fond memories of them.
Her is a little poem by R. S. Thomas
I think that maybe
I will be a little surer
Of being a little nearer.
That's all. Eternity
Is in the understanding
That that little is more than enough.
Sunny today so we bought plants and I even planted a few.
Love
Mary
She got her son Kenny to come down. Kenny got on the other raft and poled out to get me and he saved me.
Isn't that a nice story. When Kenny started kindergarten, a few years before he saved me, he took me with him one day for something like show and tell.
The Painters are lovely people and I have fond memories of them.
Her is a little poem by R. S. Thomas
I think that maybe
I will be a little surer
Of being a little nearer.
That's all. Eternity
Is in the understanding
That that little is more than enough.
Sunny today so we bought plants and I even planted a few.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
I checked the planters this morning and my marigold seeds are sprouting. At least it has been warm enough for that. Dick did point out that there have been a couple of really hot days before this last siege of rain and chill. The marigolds are very important. I make wine out of the petals in the Fall of the year. It is a very interesting sherry tasting wine. I also harvest the seeds for next years crop. Aren't I the thrifty one?
Yesterday at Bible Study, I shared the following. I received this probably 25 years ago from Cal, a fellow real estate agent at the Real Estaters in Huntington Beach:
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
I'd like to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You, see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've have my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact,I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
Written by: Nadine Stair, 85 years old of Louisville Kentucky.
I am sharing this also because a member of the Sheboygan County Writer's Club, Betty Marketos passed away this week. She was a charming lady who shared her life in the stories she wrote. She wrote of her youth and her travels in such a beautiful way that we felt we were seeing and experiencing the places and the time. She will be greatly missed. She certainly lived her life to its fullest.
Til tomorrow
Mary
Yesterday at Bible Study, I shared the following. I received this probably 25 years ago from Cal, a fellow real estate agent at the Real Estaters in Huntington Beach:
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
I'd like to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You, see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've have my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact,I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
Written by: Nadine Stair, 85 years old of Louisville Kentucky.
I am sharing this also because a member of the Sheboygan County Writer's Club, Betty Marketos passed away this week. She was a charming lady who shared her life in the stories she wrote. She wrote of her youth and her travels in such a beautiful way that we felt we were seeing and experiencing the places and the time. She will be greatly missed. She certainly lived her life to its fullest.
Til tomorrow
Mary
Monday, May 24, 2004
Monday, Monday. The sunshine promised this afternoon did not appear.
I shot my first league set at Falls Conservation and did terribly. It was chilly and I was wearing my jean jacket and could not get the gun to shoulder properly. No excuse, I guess, but I will never wear a loose jacket again. I will practice Sunday and shoot league again on June 7th. Maybe I can be sure it WAS just the jacket by the practicing.
"If you live to be a hundred,
I want to live to be
a hundred minus one day,
so I never have to live
without you. "
-- Winnie the Pooh
Til tomorrow
Mary
I shot my first league set at Falls Conservation and did terribly. It was chilly and I was wearing my jean jacket and could not get the gun to shoulder properly. No excuse, I guess, but I will never wear a loose jacket again. I will practice Sunday and shoot league again on June 7th. Maybe I can be sure it WAS just the jacket by the practicing.
"If you live to be a hundred,
I want to live to be
a hundred minus one day,
so I never have to live
without you. "
-- Winnie the Pooh
Til tomorrow
Mary
Sunday, May 23, 2004
I read a summary of an important part of the Koran years ago that really impressed me. It stated that - Every child has a right to believe that the world was created Just for him (or her.) I really liked that. Children are so eager and open and so trusting. They have this inate feeling of self that if not destroyed can be refreshing and beautiful. I wish all the children in the world could be cushioned and treated this way.
I always remember one year, while feeding my Bret as a baby of about 9 to 10 months, watching a documentary or new show or something on a famine area in Africa. I can still see this baby, his eyes as big as his face, so trusting and so sad in a thin pitiful little body. I wished that half of what my baby didn't even finish could have gone to Africa. It would have brought that child a healthy body and a chance to grow strong and healthy.
FIRST BABY
FIRST LOOK
by Hutz Deeley (My Dad as he described his first look at me, his first child.)
When I first saw you this is what I said.
That can't be ours, bring out another one instead.
But your Mother pleaded. "Let's wait and see."
And reluctantly I did agree.
In a couple of days your face did clear
The scars were gone and with them my fear.
After a time some good looks did gather
Tho sorry to say you resembled your father.
When more years did pass, another, another.
Praise to the Lord, you looked more like your mother.
You grew quite fast and into your teens
And took your right place in the rank of the queens.
Time quickly passed, you went out on your own.
A mother yourself and a good one it's known.
Altho you've grown older as all people do.
No one could tell it by looking at you.
You really are pretty, may it never fade
So now I'll take back the first statement I made.
And now I'll conclude with this old Irish Song,
Be a long time in Heaven
Before the devil knows you're gone.
There was a second ending for the 1st BABY poem:
You really are pretty that surely is true
And have changed all my thoughts of my first look at you
This story must prove and please take my advice
Never judge a picture til you've looked at it twice.
I am glad it is evening and I can rest now.
Have a nice evening.
Mary
I always remember one year, while feeding my Bret as a baby of about 9 to 10 months, watching a documentary or new show or something on a famine area in Africa. I can still see this baby, his eyes as big as his face, so trusting and so sad in a thin pitiful little body. I wished that half of what my baby didn't even finish could have gone to Africa. It would have brought that child a healthy body and a chance to grow strong and healthy.
FIRST BABY
FIRST LOOK
by Hutz Deeley (My Dad as he described his first look at me, his first child.)
When I first saw you this is what I said.
That can't be ours, bring out another one instead.
But your Mother pleaded. "Let's wait and see."
And reluctantly I did agree.
In a couple of days your face did clear
The scars were gone and with them my fear.
After a time some good looks did gather
Tho sorry to say you resembled your father.
When more years did pass, another, another.
Praise to the Lord, you looked more like your mother.
You grew quite fast and into your teens
And took your right place in the rank of the queens.
Time quickly passed, you went out on your own.
A mother yourself and a good one it's known.
Altho you've grown older as all people do.
No one could tell it by looking at you.
You really are pretty, may it never fade
So now I'll take back the first statement I made.
And now I'll conclude with this old Irish Song,
Be a long time in Heaven
Before the devil knows you're gone.
There was a second ending for the 1st BABY poem:
You really are pretty that surely is true
And have changed all my thoughts of my first look at you
This story must prove and please take my advice
Never judge a picture til you've looked at it twice.
I am glad it is evening and I can rest now.
Have a nice evening.
Mary
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Today was a quiet day. No pressing appointments - no emergencies - no important tasks to be performed. So. We went out for breakfast. Did I tell you that our very favorite breakfast place, Highway Bakery, now known as Shuff's Resort, is no longer going to serve breakfast. Today was the last day of breakfasts so we went.
This was a week of restaurant disappointments. Monday, Dick took me out for breakfast because I had had such a busy day. We went to Garden View, a recent favorite. They have changed to buffet only for lunches and dinners. Not only are we not too fond of buffets, but ----- the plates were all hot. This sounds OK until you realize that this was the SALAD plates too. The food tasted alright but Dick quickly discovered that they had tips but no noodles which is a real Kunert mistake. Tips have to have noodles.
Anyway, we need to find a new breakfast and dinner place to eat. What a bummer.
I make teriaki steak, fried rice and stir fry for supper. It was really great.
I am dehydrating the extra round steak.
Have a great Sunday.
Mary
This was a week of restaurant disappointments. Monday, Dick took me out for breakfast because I had had such a busy day. We went to Garden View, a recent favorite. They have changed to buffet only for lunches and dinners. Not only are we not too fond of buffets, but ----- the plates were all hot. This sounds OK until you realize that this was the SALAD plates too. The food tasted alright but Dick quickly discovered that they had tips but no noodles which is a real Kunert mistake. Tips have to have noodles.
Anyway, we need to find a new breakfast and dinner place to eat. What a bummer.
I make teriaki steak, fried rice and stir fry for supper. It was really great.
I am dehydrating the extra round steak.
Have a great Sunday.
Mary
Friday, May 21, 2004
Am I ever glad that this week is over. Each day seemed busier than the last.
I spent last night in DePere with Bart and Barb. Barb is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and the Women's group put on a marvelous production of Women at the Well. Barbara was one of the narrators and was (of course) the best. Their faith community has some wonderful voices and the music and script were very uplifting and really showed the role of the women of Christ's time and related it to the rose of Women today.
I helped Bart and Barb set up for their garage sale too. This first day was really a did because it has been rainy with thunder and lightening all day.
I drove down Geele Avenue in Sheboygan today and it is breathtaking. All the flowering trees are in bloom. At this time of the year they are beautiful and when the petals start to fall it is like a warm snowfall.
Have a nice Saturday. I got a trophy for my pistol shooting at the Bust Up Party tonight.
Love
Mary
I spent last night in DePere with Bart and Barb. Barb is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and the Women's group put on a marvelous production of Women at the Well. Barbara was one of the narrators and was (of course) the best. Their faith community has some wonderful voices and the music and script were very uplifting and really showed the role of the women of Christ's time and related it to the rose of Women today.
I helped Bart and Barb set up for their garage sale too. This first day was really a did because it has been rainy with thunder and lightening all day.
I drove down Geele Avenue in Sheboygan today and it is breathtaking. All the flowering trees are in bloom. At this time of the year they are beautiful and when the petals start to fall it is like a warm snowfall.
Have a nice Saturday. I got a trophy for my pistol shooting at the Bust Up Party tonight.
Love
Mary
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