Category Archives: Random Thoughts

>Since school started…

Posted on by
Reply

>Since school started, I haven’t —

  • gone thrift store shopping
  • prepared a donation box for Goodwill
  • gotten out my winter Packers gear
  • brought in firewood
  • redecorated the fireplace mantel
Why does any of that matter? Well…
I create holiday gifts from thrift store finds, and that takes time. If I start now, I might find some decent baskets for my homemade goodies.
I have a pile of potential donations sitting in the corner of my bedroom. These pieces were taking up space in my dresser; now they’re taking up space on my floor.
Packer gear? Good heavens, need you ask? My pink Packers polo won’t last into December – maybe not even November.
As for the fireplace, it’s fireplace weather. Damp, cool, not enough to turn the heat on, just enough that a fire in the fireplace will take the edge off the dampness.
The current display of Amigo’s awards is a special collection. Since the Brewers are in the MLB playoffs and the Super Bowl Champion Packers started out 3-0, I think it’s time for a sports themed mantel again.
There you have it; my October goals. Can I do it? Maybe. In between cataract surgeries and schools testing trips and who knows what else….

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

It might be September if…

Posted on by
Reply

It’s September at the Okaybyme Household! How can you tell? Here are the signs.

10. School has started – for Daisy and for Amigo.
9. Trees are falling. I mean leaves are falling – a few, anyway.
8. The crock pot has a semi-permanent home in the kitchen again.
7. The lunch boxes are getting regular use.
6. There’s fresh zucchini bread (chocolate this time!) in the kitchen.
5. We’re eating the opponent again! Check the GB Packers schedule, find a food from the opposing team’s locale, and make it on Friday or Saturday night.
4. I wear a jacket to walk to school in the morning and carry it home.
3. It’s hard to decide between hot coffee and a blended latte over ice.
2. The green and gold spirit clothes are at the front of the closet.
1. People are locking their car doors at church so they don’t find the backseats full of zucchini when they come out!!
Credit to Garrison Keillor for suggesting #1. He’s such a funny storyteller because his anecdotes have a strong basis in read life!

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>After the Storm

Posted on by
Reply

>We’re here! We have power! I did take a few pictures, and I’ll post them later. For now, I’m just happy that our neighborhood did not take the brunt of the storm, even though we were near the worst of it.

We even made it to the Farmers’ Market this morning.
Life is good.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Beer Bottle, er, Barrel Polka?

Posted on by
Reply

>

We were leaving a beer sampling event at the Railroad Museum – Rails and Ales Brewfest. I’d had a few samples and a bit to eat; Chuck had tasted a bit more. We were relaxed, not buzzed, and felt safe getting into the Subaru to go home.
Then we saw this in the distance.


Chuck burst out laughing. I reached for my camera. He said, “Do you see that, too? Maybe I had more than I thought! Beer bottles are appearing everywhere!”
I reassured him that I did, indeed, see the large bottle emerging from the trees. As passed the county fairgrounds, we realized it was a hot air balloon.


Whew. That was a relief. Life is good, but I really don’t want to wear my beer goggles while we’re on the road.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

The Big Orange Barricades

Posted on by
1
Wisconsinites like to say that there are two seasons: winter and road construction. We’re currently in the latter season. The evidence is everywhere. In fact, road construction barricades have their own names in this part of the country.
See these? We call them Schneider Eggs.
Without Schneider eggs, where would the big orange trucks come from?

Last week I heard a bus driver refer to the orange markers as “Wisconsin’s State Flower.” Ooh, ooh, here’s a bouquet growing in — gravel?
I see these flowers spread out when they’re allowed to grow in grass.
If the big orange cones are Wisconsin’s State Flower, what are these?
Seeds?

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

Notes to self

Posted on by
1

Note to Self;
Never leave gardening gloves on top of the rain barrel. You’re just asking for them to get soaked. Then again, maybe it’s like a rain dance; put the gloves on the rain barrel, and the rain will come. Try it during the next dry spell.

Note to Self;
Don’t get too excited about the fact that Amigo likes asparagus. Remember when Chuck complained we had it too often? Amigo responded, “I like asparagus; it makes my pee smell funny.” Gah.
Note to Self;
The weekly visit to the Farmers’ Market is uplifting. Make the effort to go no matter what the weather or mood.
Note to Self;
One discouraging experience does not have to make a serious setback. One meltdown is okay; then move on. Remember, depression recovery is more like the tortoise than the hare.
Note to Self;
Now that La Petite is moving out, start planning the conversion of her bedroom to office & guest room. Yes, Amigo’s bean bag chairs may live there for now.
Note to Self;
Now that Chuck has a new car, find a reusable shopping bag and “hide” it in his glove box. Then train him to use it. Snicker. Tee-hee.
Note to Self;
With three word games on the Kindle, hide Kindle from Chuck if you ever want to read on it again!

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Signs of a True Gardener

Posted on by
Reply

>You may be a gardener at heart if:

  • There’s dirt under your nails.
Dirt? Is that all? I either have dirt under my nails or fingers stained with cherries, strawberries, or thumbs that are green from shelling peas or – you get the picture.
  • You think of soil as a foundation, the stable ingredient in creating a garden space.
After ten years of composting – okay, twelve – the soil in my first garden bed is rich and dark and drains well. The new garden needs a little more compost. It’s still heavy with clay, but improving a little every year.
  • You have a specific pair of shoes for the garden.
I have a pair of crocs. I can get them wet or muddy and I don’t care.
  • Watering is relaxing, not stressful.
Filling a watering can from a rain barrel or setting up a soaker hose takes time. It’s a good use of time. My mind wanders, my shoulders relax, and any stress headache goes away.
  • You welcome rain or sunshine.
Rain provides a good soaking to the plants and fills the rain barrels for later. Sunshine invites stems and branches to reach for the sky and grow to their full potential.
  • You talk to the plants.
“Geez, beans, I gave you a nice set of climbing equipment. Why do you insist on attaching to the fencing? It’ll just put you within range of the bunnies and other furry critters who might nibble, and then… here. I’ll show you.” Meanwhile, I’m wrapping the bean vines around the supports I just put in and hoping they get the idea. And maybe hoping the neighbors didn’t hear me.
  • You talk to critters who might turn up near your precious plants.
Hey, rabbit, how did you get in there? What do you think you’re doing, relaxing in my lettuce?

I only came up with seven. Can you make this a top ten list, readers? Add your signs of a true gardener by commenting.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Finally – or at least a probable maybe

Posted on by
Reply

>La Petite and roommate have found an apartment in their new home city. It will be finalized by the weekend, I believe. I hope. She is hopeful, and it sounds like a good choice for them. After much searching and visiting and calling and emailing, this appears to be their destination. Finally.

Amigo has asked to be more involved with the household cooking. Today he helped prepare the sauce for the pork in the crock pot. The house smells delicious, and he assisted. Later we hope to make ice cream. Vanilla this time: I’m planning on topping it with fresh berries from the farmers’ market. Whipped cream, probably, too. Maybe nuts on top. Why am I writing in fragments? No clue.
The ice cream is very rich and high fat because it’s made with whole milk and heavy cream. This might not be good for Chuck’s cholesterol. Don’t tell his doctor, please.
Speaking of doctors, I am finally off the waiting list for a psychiatrist. I’ve been in limbo since April, wondering if my depression is improving slightly or if I’m just getting used to it. Starting Monday, I’ll be working with an expert. Finally. There’s a shortage of mental health professionals in our fair city, so months-long waits are typical. Thank goodness my illness wasn’t life threatening!
A close friend and coworker found out the source of her own health problems. Her condition can be life threatening, but the medical professionals found it in time to keep her alive. She is finally working with a doctor who understands her rare condition and knows how to treat it. She’s a determined woman, and will do what she needs to do to fight this disease and stay as healthy as she can.
I remain active in Organizing for America (OFA) and the recall efforts in our State Senate. I’ll be happy when the recall elections are over – at least I hope I’ll be happy with the results. Maybe, just maybe, a change in the balance of power will encourage our state legislators to cooperate instead of fighting. Finally.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>From the Market

Posted on by
Reply

>

If you tried to follow me at the Farmers’ Market, my dear readers, you’d quickly figure out my routine. When Chuck is with me we might stop at a few different booths, but in general, here’s the plan.
1. Park the car. Or minivan, as the case may be. Yesterday I parked my minivan in a row with six other minivans and a motorcycle. It felt right. So right, in fact, that I almost forgot to fill the meter. Parking is cheap in my small city; two quarters and a dime will reserve an hour.
2. Gather the bags (including the one with wheels) and head into the Marketplace, otherwise known as the Main Drag of my fair city. The Saturday Market takes over five blocks in the center of town.
3. Walk quickly to the opposite end of the Market to begin. I do this with my bags empty; they’ll be full when I reach the area closest to parking again.
4. Buy bunny food. I mean, of course, buy lettuce. There’s a particular booth that has good lettuce mixes and good peas & beans, too. I start there. I have 3 quart bags of their peas in my freezer already. Mmmm.
5. Buy corn (the only non-local produce I’ll buy today), green pepper, and asparagus. The family is getting tired of asparagus, so this batch will get blanched and frozen.
6. Find a good deal on berries. Today, it’s blueberries and a quart of bing cherries. Oh, my, those cherries are good! I didn’t see raspberries at my favorite booths; maybe (sniff, sob) that season’s over. Already?
7. Bread! The Amish baker makes such good bread. I normally buy two loaves; this week I only needed one. But it’s been too hot to bake cookies, so I bought some of her oatmeal raisin. Yum. Great with coffee.
At this booth, a young couple tapped me on the shoulder and asked where I’d gotten my bag on wheels. It’s a Transit Company approved contraption (meaning I could take it on the city buses), and all three Goodwill Stores in town stock them. Inexpensive, too; I think I paid $12 or $15 dollars for it three summers ago. It’s strong and holding up well.
8. Coffee!! There’s a great deli- small grocer inside the big office building at the center of the city. I pass through this former mall on my way to the car. This time, since Chuck wasn’t busy looking over the barbecue sauces and salads, I picked up two pounds of coffee beans. The deli owner told me they’re both local brands (I recognized this), and I know they’re delicious. Win-win, folks.
9. Back to van, pack the foodstuffs inside, and open the windows. It’s hot! I’m sweaty! But it was worth the trip.
5. Home to unpack! No, dear readers, I didn’t take a picture of the counter full of produce this time. I only photographed one item – the one with meaning. In the hopes that the NFL lock-out will end sooner rather than later, I bought – you guessed it, Packer beans. Sing it – Green and yellow, green and yellow, green and yellow…

Share and Enjoy !

Shares