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 My blog was filled up. I'm too lazy to clean it out. So I started a new one. |
| I went to an estate sale near my home. The old couple were collectors with many varied interests. It was wonderful to look at them all, many which were antiques. The items were not priced to move quickly. Once again, I was reminded how material things have such temporary value to us. It seems like most of us are collectors of something, sports memorabilia or whatever. Unless we have heirs interested in the same things, they will be sold off or donated upon our demise. The polite comments will be something like, "He certainly had a variety of tastes." The less kind will sound something like what I've heard, "What on earth was he thinking of? Spending all that money, going to all that trouble, and not enough space to display it (or store it)." But we just can't help ourselves. We see it, we want it, we get it the best way we can. I once collected coffee mugs from all the places I traveled. It looked like a tourist shop. But I moved too many times, and most of them have disappeared. I have a curio so full of bells that no one notices them. My brother died leaving me over 5000 comic books, most unwrapped, most mass produced, which means they have no value. First edition books need special storage. Antique lace and great grandma's hand-tatted tablecloth aren't items you can easily display or use without risk. I once babysat for a doctor who collected antique surgical tools. Those are of no value to anyone but another doctor, maybe, or a museum. Antique farm equipment is interesting, and expensive, but is only good to set around as an ornament that needs upkeep. A lady in my former town of residence collected anything with Campbell Soup kids on it. That's one of the more unusual ones I've heard of. She had a whole room devoted to them. Who knew so many objects had been made with that logo? Maybe it's our sense of ownership, or wealth, that collections feed. For some people, it may have been from being poor at some point, of not having enough, so now there is a lot, collected a little at a time. Maybe we're like squirrels, packing away nuts for a hard winter, but each with different ideas about the nuts. Or is it some misguided concept about the finer things in life? I had a friend who saved Southern Living magazine for years. They have beautiful pictures, great recipes, and travel ideas. They were downsizing, so she had to get rid of them. No one wanted her large collection. They went to the trash after all those years of storage and dusting and display. For some foolish reason, I once saved programs and ticket stubs from special events. I stopped that, and have thrown a few old ones away, if the programs didn't have a family member listed somewhere. I once saved greeting cards, but I got over that. My dad still has his and gets them out from time to time. He'll display one from Mom or some other family member. They obviously have sentimental value for him and keeping them makes him happy. Collections are a part of our lives. We cherish our own and don't understand someone else's. Painted plates, teaspoons with flowers, thimbles, pocket knives, duck calls, Thomas Kincaid anything, wooden toys, whatever you name, we collect them. And they might still be around after we aren't. |
| Bacon has fallen in and out of favor over the years. It was high in saturated fat and sodium, so dieters abandoned it. A nation suddenly obsessed with heart health spurned bacon Then the nitrates made it fall out of favor. But some how it stuck around and has surged upward again. You now buy nitrate free bacon. And it comes in thinner slices for those counting calories, but not wanting to abandon it all together. You find bacon in salads, side dishes, and even deserts. I remember way back when you'd find chicken livers wrapped in bacon at nice wedding receptions, but that fad is gone, mostly because of the livers. When I myself was spurning bacon for health reasons, I discovered there was almost nothing at a church potluck in which I could indulge besides bread. I wondered why bacon had to go in everything, and that was before it went into cupcakes and cookies. Recently, on Wheel of Fortune one contestant described himself in his one moment in the spotlight as a lover of bacon all the time. Wow! One of the most important things about you is that you love bacon any time of day! I also saw a recipe in a popular magazine for candied bacon. I suppose this love affair with bacon began with farmers and cowboys because it kept so well, even under adverse circumstances. You cut the mold off the ham or the side of bacon and use it. Plus the bacon leaves a nice grease for frying other foods or making gravies. When people worked harder and walked more, the extra calories and fat in their vegetables or breads didn't hurt so much. I admit that frying some bacon over a camp stove or fire will stir up a whole camp ground, and get people talking to you. The outdoor air, the smell of smoke, coffee, and bacon does wake you up and comfort you. I once saw a TV documentary on food fads. It went through over a century, decade by decade. TV dinners in the aluminum trays were included, and then microwave foods. Freezers, blenders, food processors, and toasters all played a part in food history and fads. It would interesting to see that again in an updated version. It would include more international influences, organic, gluten-free, computer shopping, and Applewood bacon. |
| Despite my motto that only dull women have immaculate homes, I, too, will succumb to spring cleaning. There's the usual sweeping, mopping, and dusting. But there's the closets and drawers that don't get used much; they need attention, too. I do ceiling fans from time to time, but never all at once. Time to do that. I'm not going to open all the windows and air out the house which was popular in the past. Pollen is already out, and I don't need to breathe it 24 hours a day. I recently emptied all my kitchen cabinets and refilled them with the help of a cousin. So I'll skip those. But it's time to let go of knickknacks and mementos of things gone past. My generation's memories mean nothing to the younger ones, except maybe family keepsakes. Old table cloths and bed linens that haven't been used need to go. When going through my own clothes, shoes, and jewelry, I'm going to ask, "Do I love it?" If not, that means I'm not going to use it, so get rid of it. If shoes are worn down, except for my lawn and garden shoes, they need to be cast in the trash. Sentimental value for clothes has no place. I have to streamline. Some toys and miscellaneous things are going to disappear. Louvered closet doors have to be washed. They look nice, but I'd never choose them again because of the cleaning difficulties. The storm windows need cleaning. Upholstery has to be steamed. Decks and patios need cleaning when it's not so chilly. This whole spring ritual is about getting rid of the dust and the staleness, and refreshing our environment. It helps us to get on with our lives, evaluating our priorities and outlook, and getting a fresh start. It might be more important than New Year's Day and resolutions. For instance, I have decided I have too many interests. I like to read, I like to write. I have rooms full of books which I can't give up. I have notebooks, and boxes or notes, and computer files of writing. But I also like to crochet, embroider, sew, and do other crafts. I have a lot of those supplies, too, mine and my mother's which I have not had time while working to use. When doing my spring cleaning, I have to decide whether to keep holding these supplies and unfinished projects or get rid of them. I'm slower than what I used to be. I don't have as much energy. I can't do all the things I want to do. How do I decide what to get rid of? I have to 'spring clean' my life, my goals, my ambitions before I can finish cleaning the house and garage. I think it may be why I've had such a prolonged trial sorting and organizing my home. I didn't know what was important to me. I moved into this house, already full with my father's things, and some of what was left of my mother's. All of my brothers and my nieces had left things here. I couldn't get rid of someone else's things, but there really wasn't room for me and my belongings and household goods. Over time, I released some of my things. Then a brother died, and Dad suddenly inherited all of his things. We washed all of his clothes and donated them. He was a collector, so the things he cherished had nostalgic value as well as potential market value. Unfortunately, Dad has ruined a lot of the art work and broken up the unopened toys. It's time to let go of those, even if we lose money. I've even wondered if I need to abandon writing. I'm not great at it. It would give me more time to take care of daily living tasks. I'm not happy with that thought. It doesn't last long, but it is a possibility. So I may be writing less while I work on those closets and try to evaluate my direction. It's my head, maybe, that needs the spring cleaning. |
| Today I am wishing for everyone at WDC to have a wonderful day. Regardless of religious beliefs or spiritual leanings, I hope this is a day of peace and contentment and joy. For me, it is a day of worship and fellowship with friends. On the home front, we have a big meal, an Easter egg hunt, and some child spoiling to do. My nephew has already asked if I got his Easter present yet. "Is this another Christmas or birthday?" I asked. He informed me with a lovable smile that children get things on Easter. "But why from me?" It turns out his other aunt and uncle who live in another state mailed him a card with money in it. So I guess something is expected from me, too. Fortunately, I do have six candy-free baskets ready. They're getting flower seeds, magnifying glasses, snack size raisins, and small dollar store items. The girls are getting 3d butterfly stickers and the boys are getting Matchbox cars. And we will say grace at dinnertime. Judging from the crowds at the grocery store this afternoon, Easter is a big day for eating with a lot of people. I doubt many churches will see an increased attendance, but Easter still holds the call for family to gather. The weather promises to be good, despite the snow a week ago, and the cold breezes earlier this week. So whether you're having lamb, ham, or turkey, or a Big Mac, enjoy. Be grateful for choices. If you have to hide or seek eggs, have a positive attitude. It's only once a year. The bulbs have come up, the trees are budding, the car is covered lightly with a coat of pollen. It's time for renewal, in the earth, in our selves, in our family and other relationships. |
| A remark by another writer about George Washington Carver brought some things to mind. The set up didn't allow me to respond directly to her. It would be lost with about 30 comments or more in between and would seem disjointed. I didn't want it to appear like some disagreement. There is a national park in Diamond, MO, which I have not seen, named for Carver. He is a native of that state. (I haven't seen a lot of national parks, but I would like to visit.) I remember studying about him in grade school. It was a white school, since desegregation hadn't occurred yet. We learned that he was a scientist who had invented over 300 uses for the peanuts besides snacking on them as grown. He was presented to us as one of the great scientists of that century, since he not only gave us peanut butter and peanut oil, but revolutionized farming by reducing soil erosion. He had taught Southerners to rotate crops. He also was a well-known educator. He was not presented to us as a black scientist, since "black" wouldn't become a popular term for a few more years. He was just a scientist and professor. We also studied Booker T. Washington as a great reformer and educator who helped rebuild the South after the Civil War. I remember reading his book Up From Slavery, as I did a reading list to prepare for college. I found it thrilling. It seemed like a basic self-help book and good advice for every person, regardless of skin color or background. It was just so full of common sense and self-dignity. I know it wasn't intended to be an advice book, but was the story of his life. But his life was about lifting up other people, helping them to see things clearly and prioritize. He was such a spiritual person, intent on helping others find their dignity and pride, that you can't help but feel some of that reading his story. And the speeches that he quoted were more exciting. It's like he was more animated when he knew he'd be addressing a live audience than when a person would be quietly reading. I'm sure it must have been exciting to hear him speak. I don't know where there are any statues or parks in his honor. There should be. His legacy is taught, at lest in text books. If students are doing their homework, they will know about both men. Maybe too much time has passed since I was a kid, and schools don't get around to it any more. I'm in the South. We also learned about Maggie Walker, a woman overlooked outside our state. She was well-known and had a rival high school named after her before my time. (We played football against them.) She was one of the first female bankers in America. A good one. A successful one. And she was black. Women, even black women, who wanted to excel did so. Of course, you need the right education and supporters (parents, teachers). All of these, men and women, serve as an inspiration to all of us, regardless of race, finances, or gender, If we set out to do what is right and help others along the way, we can be achievers. |
| I don't do a lot of personal shopping. I bought some boots during Christmas, the first ones I've even owned in over 10 years. I bought some shoes last fall. You have to have covering for your feet. Shoes wear out, you don't have arch support, the soles go bad, and so forth. But other clothes are recyclable, fads come and go. You can change them up for different outfits when you realize nobody you currently see has seen those things on you. After all, I am not chic and don't run in trendy crowds. My acquaintances, like me, don't mind holding a classic sweater for twenty years; you don't wear it every day. But I've gotten rid of a lot of things lately, either trash or donations. I plan to give away more, colors that just never looked good on me I went through a baggy phase; I couldn't wear anything unless it was flowy or excessive or a size too big. I'm too old for that now; they look sloppy. So I feel justified in buying a few new things. And my income and expenses are more stable than in ages. So today I went shopping and actually bought some things. I didn't just look around and say ugh. It was fun. Trying to make things go together, or picturing them with things I already have was exciting. I talked to myself in the dressing room, and realized why so many people take somebody shopping with them. They don't want the other person's opinion; they just want a sounding board. As I was looking at blouses in one particular department store, I realized the last time I bought clothes was last Easter. It's been a year! No wonder it was such a thrill. Like a kid in a candy store, I reveled in all the pretty things. The bonus was getting everything on sale, and I stayed within budget. I don't have to hem anything. It felt so nice to buy things for myself. Am I selfish, or what! I highly recommend this activity. |
| Well, the Easter Bunny has already made deliveries to my house. Six kids will be getting candy-free baskets on Sunday. I'm sure they'll get lots of candy elsewhere. I'm making cupcakes with a Peep on top for desert, so they'll get some sugar after running around the yard. One of my great nieces has two younger brothers. On one hand, I sympathize with her. I had two younger brothers who ganged up against me when they were a little older than hers are now. But then I was a quiet child with a nurturing nature even in preschool. I watched her sitting on her two year old brother who was face down in the grass, while she tried to tie a scarf around his neck. My brother (Pop Pop) got the scarf away. I went back inside while she was still holding him down. I told my niece I just had a glimpse of baby Jack's future. That child is in for it, because I'm sure his brother will be a lot like the sister. So I can't empathize with the bully in her. We had toys that survived our childhood and the next generation, who destroyed a lot of Barbie dolls in their own home. But this newer generation is very destructive, not just with their own toys, but with other people's things. I have to be on constant vigilance with the computer, the closets, glass items, my mother's collectibles. They can't understand not everything is a toy. There's one more niece with her brood, and my other brother with his young son (he started later). All of the children are very bright, but they don't have the emotional maturity to advance in school yet. They're well-behaved at school, but definitely not with each other. When they're all my house, they're hard to control. When they come one family at a time, I can give them jobs to do or crafts or get them to help me cook something. They like that. They've all learned to be affectionate and polite when they want something. I obviously want them to visit or I wouldn't plan activities or have little surprises for them. I'm always glad to see them come, but I always feel relieved when they go home. |
| The chives are full grown and amazingly green above a layer of snow. I harvested some last night and served them with dinner. I bought lime today for my plans to eliminate the moss that grows in the pots on the back porch. I'm waiting for one more snow storm to pass before planning other things. I did buy two blackberry bushes. Dad doesn't plan to do a garden at all this year, so I will taking over his garden plot. I want to build a simple trellis at one end for the blackberries. It's down to a third of the size it used to be. I have to decide if I will do any vegetables or just flowers. I don't want to spend a lot of time with the mosquitoes. Time seems to be the biggest problem. Not that I don't have any to spare. It's just how do I want to spend my time? I love crafting and sewing, but haven't done any in a while. My dad wants to get rid of everything my mom left in that area. He doesn't sew or craft, and can't understand why any of it should remain. I can't make him understand without hurting his feelings that this is my connection to my mother. Her incomplete projects are her legacy to me. It's something we shared. She stopped when her eyesight started to fail. I was living in another town, doing my own things. My dad never made room for me to move in with my life time collection of things, or what I had left after an unfriendly divorce. I squeezed in, and have sort of spread out over time. I don't have space for sewing. But we have tools in every room of the house except my bedroom. I am spending time going through things. I am getting rid of clothes that are out of style or haven't been worn in years, even if they fit. I'm parting with shoes and purses and knickknacks. I've discarded some odds and ends when Dad isn't looking--you know the things you save just in case. I'm coming to terms with rearranging things in the house without offending the house owner (He doesn't want me to leave; he needs me, but like most men of his generation, it's his house.). Time is the key. I want some time for gardening without it consuming me. I want to cook healthier, new dishes, but don't want all my time in the kitchen. I want to write, which is time-consuming. I want to watch movies and old TV shows because they've become a hobby; I take notes and make my own observations, like I'm a film critic or student. I want to vacation a little after decades of hardly taking even a weekend. I am just getting into exercise; I've never liked sweating. But I'm finding I really like re-building my lost muscle and improving my stamina. I like reading for hours at a time. I'm spending a little time with some older friends doing brunches, or lectures at the library, or short trips. But housekeeping is time-consuming and has to be done. And my dad is aging and becoming needier. It takes more time taking care of him. I can't let him hear me complain because he's keeping a pretty nice roof over my head. I guess my rent is the time I spend tending to him and the house which is considerable. I think I take pretty good care of him, so so for the house. There's always something unforeseen hitting the finances, the time issue, and throwing plans askew. Taking care of him is my first priority. So prioritizing what's left of my time is my dilemma. I have to take care of me, too, so that I'll be around to tend to him. In many ways, he's stronger than I am. I worry that I might go first, and no one else will look out for him like I do. But it is the first day of spring today. The year is still young. New life is budding. Whether I figure it out or no, life goes on. So I'll be hopeful. |
| I've always wanted to travel, but couldn't afford it. When I was married, I didn't want to travel with my husband, but that's another story. Now I have a little saved up, and I'm not looking at living for many more decades (I'm being a positive thinker to think THAT big). But I still can't travel because I'm taking care of my dad who can't travel. Maybe that's why I want to go so badly. Like a teenager, you want to do what you can't. And these days I'm a little more afraid of international traveling, although I still want to go to Ireland. And Spain. And all around the Mediterranean. Yes, I saw The Bucket List. It did make me think of my own list, but skydiving and mountain climbing weren't on it. Recently, I saw a Tyler Perry movie in which Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodward take off in a convertible and just follow the road, like an older version of Thelma and Louise, but not running from the law. Oh, did that drive the wanderlust home. I started thinking of all the places I'd like to go, just driving across America. Bates and Woodward joked about hitting every Cracker Barrel in the country. I have discovered on a few travels that local establishments can be better than the big chains, or not. How cool would that be, to just ride west or north, or south, or in between, and stop at any place or festival that took my eye, no plan from day to day. I like visiting historical homes, art museums, caves, and factories. The Bush Beans factory was fascinating in Tennessee. I learned a lot, found it entertaining, and enjoyed myself. And it was in the middle of no where. I thought I was lost before I found this tourist spot in the middle of a big farming and production complex. The Grand Old Opry was fun. I'd like to stay in their fancy (not cheap) hotel and ride on their riverboat. I have never been west of Kansas City, so I am willing to keep on driving. Maybe Branson would be nice. I get e-mails from South Dakota tourism groups, so they've fed my curiosity. You could spend a month exploring Texas. They have beaches, mountains, deserts, big cities, The Alamo, and so much history. Louisiana has old homes, artwork, Creole food and accents, elegant gardens, swamps and music. I wouldn't want to spend my time in rock concerts, or heme parks. They're artificial, and I'm not into thrill rides. But I would go to plays and outdoor concerts, and local productions. I'm willing to go alone. I've traveled across several states alone before. If only the logistics could work out. I'd like to travel before I have something go wrong and can't. It's a beautiful country, and it's waiting for me! |
| Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all! Whether you celebrate in a somber, holy way in Ireland or a much more irreverent way elsewhere, have a happy one. To those not of Irish descent or enlightenment, here are a few helpful tidbits. Leprechauns only wear green in America. In Ireland, they wear red in most places, and their hats vary, from a derby to a pointy tall hat, as well as the pilgrim shaped hat we see in the States. Leprechauns are accused of many things, including spilling the milk, knocking over things, and sending sparks from the fireplace onto the rug. Some people try to appease the leprechauns by leaving out a wee snack, like cookies for Santa. A few have tried leaving some scraps, but that infuriates them, feeling like the family is treating them like the pet dog! And they don't like school teachers, because teachers tell the children, it's all just superstition. That's why it's harder than ever to find leprechauns. They have moved into the mountains to get away from schools. Wild banshees are female spirits that attach themselves to a family or clan and warn of an impending death. A bad banshee is happy about it and sounds like a scary laugh. Good banshees sound more mournful and sad. To hear one, it helps to be under the influence of liquid spirits. Ireland is an island, so there are lots of fishermen providing fish and large prawn (shrimp) and other seafood. They are known for their lamb and corned beef. We buy Irish wool and fisherman sweaters, all expensive. Dairies are a big industry now, and here in America, we can buy premium Irish cheese, butter, and other dairy products. Cabbage is big in America for St. Patrick's Day and sales go sky high for corned beef, cabbage and potatoes this weekend. Ireland is not known for desserts, but the finer homes and hotels offer some good things. Many Irish people came in the 1600's and 1700's, those early waves settling in the Appalachians (after Cromwell). In the 19th century, Ireland experienced a potato famine. People left Ireland by the thousands rather than lose their savings or starve their families. They were coming to America in the early 1800's, remembering their traditions. They settled in New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston in large communities. The first St. Patrick's Day parade was in 1762 in New York. Many turned out wearing green hats or arm bands, and the non-Irish began to associate green with the Irish and St. Patrick's Day in particular. A poem by William Brennan referred to Ireland as the "emerald isle" which reinforced the color association. Now growing up, I was always told to wear green today or the leprechauns would pinch you. I thought is was just an excuse for the kids to pinch the ones who forgot to wear something green. (I never believed the ones who said they wore green underwear.) Recently, I heard that if you wear green the leprechauns can't see you. That's new to me, and I have read a lot about Ireland and Irish folk lore. I'd have to see some background on the vision block before accepting it. I never thought much about the Irish diaspora before. The word had been associated with the Jews in my limited education. The Jews had spread all over the world, but still felt rooted to the homeland. Believing themselves to be God's chosen people, they still felt the unity no matter where they lived in the world. The attempt at extermination by the Nazi's helped reinforce this feeling of unity, of being a dispersed nation. Somehow Ireland has had a similar experience as seen in the international celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Millions of Irish left Ireland over a 50 year period, going to the U.S., but also Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They carried with them their music and traditions. Staying together in communities allowed them to maintain thir identity and celebrations. St. Patrick's Day became less religious and more celebratory as they invited their non-Irish friends and co-workers to participate. In these other locations, the church was not as instrumental in their daily lives. So the wearing of the green or Irish symbols became more popular, especially in the U.S. where consumerism affected all groups. Merchants probably had more influence than the Irish themselves in building St. Patrick's into such a big holiday. Ireland is known for drinking and brags a little about it in their poetry, their stories, and jokes. But it was America's influence that pushed the drinking. Green beer is an American invention. Only in the last decade plus have you been able to find it in Ireland. The green river in Chicago has been around since the 1960's. Guinness will make a big surge in sales this weekend. Most people celebrating today don't know much about St. Patrick or Ireland. But for this one day of the year, everyone is Irish! Erin Go Braugh. (Gaelic for Ireland forever) |
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