Well, I gave Pomegranate Soup another chance....the first effort, as I've written before, just didn't take.
But I had only a few days until it was due back at library, so jumped in and am glad I did. This little book is both entertaining and very informative. And there are some wonderful sounding recipies!
During a period when we have become super sensitive to those of other cultures, it could not be a better time to read and learn about some of them - putting a face to them, tasting just a little of their life and ways.
So, once again, I've given a book a second chance, and it has given me a really good experience.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Weekend Trip - and the Timing Thereof
We had a blur of a weekend! We were both lucky enough to be able to leave work a little early on Friday to beat some of the traffic (big strong accent on "some" !) and set out for a half-way point on the way to see son Michael, Tina and Jessica our beautiful 13 year old granddaughter.
The first stop is always a Dunkin' D in DE. It has changed hands a couple of times in the many years we've stopped there...but always for the better. And the coffee is super.
I drove from there to our next routine stop - a Ledo Pizza, I'm not sure where (!). Ledo is another place we are always satisfied with the best garlic bread and whatever else we are in the mood for. And then, on the road again.
Waldorf MD is such a nice place to stay, and believe me, when you've just worked all day, driven about 5 hours, a clean king sized bed is more than welcoming.
Next day we were able to get to Mike's by noonish which is nice - gives us more time to visit. As Lar pulled into the drive he pulled way down almost up to Mike's truck. It actually caused me to think it odd, and I almost said something about boxing the truck in.
We visited a while and then decided to go out for lunch at a new deli Tina had heard about. Jessica, of course, was going to ride with us. Mike and Tina would take their car. Got in, and Lar said, "I can't turn the key!" I took it for granted he simply needed to wiggle the wheel a bit, sometimes that happens.
Uh - no.........the battery was completely dead! I mean it was dry as a bone...and there wasn't even the ability to put it into neurtral so Mike and I could push it back a bit for the truck!
We had just driven all those miles....with plenty of opportunities for the car to die anywhere in between. It chose to do so in Mike's drive! I couldn't believe the timing.
Mike was able to get the truck just barely backed around the car so he could attempt to jump the battery....no dice. When I say "dead" I mean long gone. No retrieval!
So we went to lunch, and then Mike and Tina went to buy us a battery, which Mike so kindly put in while we took our darling girl shopping for a coat and the traditional ice cream. We have such fun with her and it breaks our hearts we cannot be with her more.
We are more than proud of these kids....Mike has done so much really good work around the house, despite his disability (don't think he knows the word!) and Tina has earned her Master's while working full time and being an active mom and wife. She will graduate in December. Then they will be able to realize the benefits of all her hard work, and all her time occupied getting there.
We are home again, and looking forward to the family possibly being together (all together, hopefully) at Thanksgiving.
So much to be grateful for - including the timing of the dying battery!
The first stop is always a Dunkin' D in DE. It has changed hands a couple of times in the many years we've stopped there...but always for the better. And the coffee is super.
I drove from there to our next routine stop - a Ledo Pizza, I'm not sure where (!). Ledo is another place we are always satisfied with the best garlic bread and whatever else we are in the mood for. And then, on the road again.
Waldorf MD is such a nice place to stay, and believe me, when you've just worked all day, driven about 5 hours, a clean king sized bed is more than welcoming.
Next day we were able to get to Mike's by noonish which is nice - gives us more time to visit. As Lar pulled into the drive he pulled way down almost up to Mike's truck. It actually caused me to think it odd, and I almost said something about boxing the truck in.
We visited a while and then decided to go out for lunch at a new deli Tina had heard about. Jessica, of course, was going to ride with us. Mike and Tina would take their car. Got in, and Lar said, "I can't turn the key!" I took it for granted he simply needed to wiggle the wheel a bit, sometimes that happens.
Uh - no.........the battery was completely dead! I mean it was dry as a bone...and there wasn't even the ability to put it into neurtral so Mike and I could push it back a bit for the truck!
We had just driven all those miles....with plenty of opportunities for the car to die anywhere in between. It chose to do so in Mike's drive! I couldn't believe the timing.
Mike was able to get the truck just barely backed around the car so he could attempt to jump the battery....no dice. When I say "dead" I mean long gone. No retrieval!
So we went to lunch, and then Mike and Tina went to buy us a battery, which Mike so kindly put in while we took our darling girl shopping for a coat and the traditional ice cream. We have such fun with her and it breaks our hearts we cannot be with her more.
We are more than proud of these kids....Mike has done so much really good work around the house, despite his disability (don't think he knows the word!) and Tina has earned her Master's while working full time and being an active mom and wife. She will graduate in December. Then they will be able to realize the benefits of all her hard work, and all her time occupied getting there.
We are home again, and looking forward to the family possibly being together (all together, hopefully) at Thanksgiving.
So much to be grateful for - including the timing of the dying battery!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Books and People
Yesterday I'd promised to pick up a book for Larry at the public library. During my lunch hour I drove the FIVE minutes to our state-of-the-art white elephant of a library (read many tax dollars flushing noisily down the drain!) and was able to get one of his choices. Meantime, discovered another of my "hold" books was in...meaning I still have some heavy reading to do....and then met with a lady at the circulation desk to order from another library the book Larry really wanted.
We had a fairly lengthy discussion on books, during which I told her I had a tough time with the first couple of pages of Pomegranate Soup.
"I just don't bother anymore" she said. "If they don't grab me right away, I let them go. Too many books to read."
I used to do that. I used to do that with people, too. Either they were open and receptive immediately, or I'd back off. Didn't have the confidence to find out what the walls were about, what the cool reception was projecting.
And there certainly are lots of people out there.
But some people I've stuck with, kept at it, chipped away, have become some very dear people to me.
And some books that I've tried even 3 or 4 times, have turned out to be very worthwhile having read.
Who knows, maybe I'll get more possessive of my time and effort again in my older age, but right now, hey I'm not going anywhere....so I'll put some effort in....
I'll meet new people - despite themselves.....
and I might get Pomegranate Soup and other books read.
I think it might be worth it!
oh, and the point of being where it is convenient.....
I bought a lovely sandwich, bottle of water and bag of chips for $4.99 at the library cafe, ate it in the car with all the windows open....(will be in front of the library fireplace in the winter)...talked to Larry on the cell.
Swept up my crumbs.
Drove to the new Race Track shopping center to Barnes and Noble....picked up my new sheet music book, drove back to work....and got to my desk in 55 minutes of my lunch hour!
Sweet!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
This n That
1. Met with concrete guy tonight after work to get our first estimate. Really liked the guy, really liked his attitude, his take on things, his listening ability (that is just too hard to find in people!), I'm hoping his price is best because I feel I will be very comfortable working with him. We may have to break up the job into two parts for financial reasons...but I'll be so glad to get the driveway and front steps done! I can wait for the rest.
2. The bedroom may never be done. We have moved back in there among the mess simply because we couldn't sleep in the guest room any more!
We bought the blinds and were told how to hang them - completely wrong! So Lar had to go buy wood which I painted last night and which I hope we can put up tomorrow night so we can hang the blinds. I hate crawling on the floor! Well, I don't really crawl on the floor, but anyone who knows me knows I don't do well with no window coverings - especially at night!
We bought the drapes and poles and rings but the lady who assured me we had everything neglected to tell me I needed hooks so that required another shopping trip. But really can't hang them until we hang the blinds.
We need to something about the floor, but so far no one has called us back.
And the mattress still has not arrived!
Otherwise....looking good. (insert smiling winking face here.)
3. Over night my blog counter went from about 900 to 11, 900 that's eleven thousand people reading my blog overnight! I am thrilled. Or aggravated with the counter. Nah, I'll just be thrilled. That's a better feeling.
4. Had the library put me on the list for a couple of books, had one book ordered through library sharing system....now have 3 books all due in about 2 weeks....so I might need some of those 11,000 people who are reading my blog come help me read my books.
And the books are a surprising off shoot from another book. The other book mentioned, pretty much in passing, Oscar Wilde. I got curious. One book I have is a biography. Another is an autobiography by his son. But can I get them read in two weeks.....not if I don't close this.......................
2. The bedroom may never be done. We have moved back in there among the mess simply because we couldn't sleep in the guest room any more!
We bought the blinds and were told how to hang them - completely wrong! So Lar had to go buy wood which I painted last night and which I hope we can put up tomorrow night so we can hang the blinds. I hate crawling on the floor! Well, I don't really crawl on the floor, but anyone who knows me knows I don't do well with no window coverings - especially at night!
We bought the drapes and poles and rings but the lady who assured me we had everything neglected to tell me I needed hooks so that required another shopping trip. But really can't hang them until we hang the blinds.
We need to something about the floor, but so far no one has called us back.
And the mattress still has not arrived!
Otherwise....looking good. (insert smiling winking face here.)
3. Over night my blog counter went from about 900 to 11, 900 that's eleven thousand people reading my blog overnight! I am thrilled. Or aggravated with the counter. Nah, I'll just be thrilled. That's a better feeling.
4. Had the library put me on the list for a couple of books, had one book ordered through library sharing system....now have 3 books all due in about 2 weeks....so I might need some of those 11,000 people who are reading my blog come help me read my books.
And the books are a surprising off shoot from another book. The other book mentioned, pretty much in passing, Oscar Wilde. I got curious. One book I have is a biography. Another is an autobiography by his son. But can I get them read in two weeks.....not if I don't close this.......................
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Miracles
We participated - or should I say - "profited" from someone else's miracle yesterday.
I think it was so obvious it was hard not to recognize that it was directed. And the way the day went from there, even realist husband had to admit we were blessed throughout the day by very special people popping up here and there.
It began at J. C. Penneys. Maybe the initials had something to do with it. I just don't know.
We went there for window treatments. Although I found the draperies immediately, we spent quite a bit of time speaking with a really helpful salesperson. Timing is everything.
We checked out lamps and then, of course, Larry had to check out shirts. Larry is an official member of the "shirt club" - I think he is the President! He had a gift card that is several years old from Teresa and Brad and he just knew there was at least one shirt there with his name on it.
After looking for quite some time, he hadn't found anything in his size he liked...but I was hearing a young man barely containing his excitement at finding a sale display.
Long and short of it....the young man (whose name turned out to be Larry too) had prayed that he would be able to afford a new shirt or two for the new job he is starting next week. Not only did he find several for himself, which should have been over $35 each, but he extended himself to find some in Lar's size as well! All for $6.96 each! We could feel the young man's spiritual nature, he was thrilled to have something to testify at church on Sunday - God's love even extending to providing new shirts to make a good impression on a new job. We were so taken by him....kind of person you want to wrap up and take home!
And Lar did indeed wrap up and take home 4 shirts. We'll think of the younger Larry when Lar wears them. And of Brad and Teresa for their generous birthday gift! It took a while, but it made our day to spend it!
Just let God love you....and keep your eyes open to the people who help Him/Her do it! It is a joy.
Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew
6:25-32) 5
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