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  My blog was filled up. I'm too lazy to clean it out. So I started a new one. |
| My nephew is four. He's into Lego, so I am into it now as well. We only get him kits that say 4 or 5 and up, none that start at 8. I see a lot of kids, girls included, buying Lego. S pend a lot of time perusing that section, so I see a lot of kids with their parents. Sometimes I talk to them. I'm curious to know whether most kids build the sets and leave them as constructed. You'd need a room or at least a serious cabinet for the collector. One father told me his son deconstructs them after finishing the kits, and the pieces go into a general collection from which he builds freestyle. That seems like such a waste, since they have a whole series of each theme, like Batman the movie, or Batman the comic book hero, or "Friends", etc. They don't sell much of general pieces except in the preschool big pieces. Right now we're collecting a series of figures that you construct. The package doesn't tell you what you're getting, kind of like baseball cards. There are only 20 in the series, but I can picture getting 50 and most of them being the same figure. My nephew wants to do it himself, but doesn't mind letting you look over his shoulder or make suggestions or give a little extra muscle to the difficult pieces. My brother joked with me that I'm getting Lego for my birthday. |
| Things just seem topsy, turvy, even scary some days. The trick is to keep our heads, no matter what. We cannot rage or worry or live in fear. In our personal lives, on the job, in our families, our neighborhoods, and so forth, we need to be at peace within ourselves. We need to listen to the news, but we cannot let it control us. We need to care about the world and our own localities without falling apart or into despair. We have to believe and hope in something better. The darkness is only for a moment. The turmoil will not prevail forever; it only seems that way. We must believe that "tomorrow" things will be better. |
| I have a friend who is getting married-first time for him, second for her. She wants a formal wedding, despite having two teen sons and modest means. Her hubby is quite handy with IT stuff, sound systems, photography, and so forth, and apparently he sews as well. They need to borrow a portable machine so that he can make alterations on her wedding dress. I haven't been using mine, since I have access to my mom's machine in its own cabinet. So mine has been packed in a box for years. After looking everywhere for it, I finally found it. I thought I would be a nice person and lend it to her. I've had it since my college days. Unfortunately, the bobbin case is missing. I raced on line to find the spare part. I can get one for $55 plus shipping. That's more than I paid for the machine, which was second hand. I found the whole machine in good shape for $200. I found one that's been serviced for $50, and one that's not working for $25. The latter could be used for parts. But there's the matter of shipping, and I really don't need the machine any more. I like it, because I used it for almost 40 years and did a lot with it. I'm comfortable with it. But it's no good without the case. And I'm not paying $55 to do someone else a favor. But I can keep using the floor model. What I will do is keep mine, but start shopping in second hand stores and antique junk shops to see if I can find a cheap one for parts. If I had more room, I would collect old machines. I have an old treadle machine that I use as a night stand; the machine is missing. it's obvious that if I buy replacement parts, the machine would cost more than a brand new modern model. |
| Okay, I read a 500+ page trashy novel. Very trashy. Palm Beach, copyright 1985, is a graphic book, that dishes up the dirt of its time, while dropping names (like the Kennedy's and Princess Margaret)and raising issues. On the one hand it's an intriguing story that I had trouble putting down. On the other hand, I had trouble with some parts of it. For one thing, all the women's breasts were described as either droopy, shapeless, or perfect and exquisite. Nothing in between. (Why it was necessary to see all women by that body part is a mystery.) The best breasts, at any age, were firm, full cones! Conical was a frequently used word. Women have enough problems already being told how they're supposed to be shaped by advertisers and foundation manufacturers. They don't need to be told constantly, there is only one desirable shape. And why were these women always thinking about how their breasts felt, particularly when thinking about a man. Really? Every sensation is keenly made known? All the desirable people, men and women had thin waists and "upturned" bottoms. What do upturned buttocks look like? Obviously, before the days of J-Lo and Nicky Minaj. Again, there was an obsession with the physical aspect of all the characters, not just the ones in the gym. It was supposed to be a story about revenge. But the leading lady never got hers. It was disappointing in that sense. And she didn't get revenge by overcoming the wrongs done to her. Instead, she was unhappy, driven, and estranged from her own child and best friend. The antagonist died a horrible death, but she never had a comeuppance that she would recognize. Her death was quick. No suffering was endured. Her whole life had been miserable, yes. That's what had made her the antagonist. Then there was the infidelity, incest (unknowing), and bisexuality and the fetishes. No one ever paid for their sins, except the innocent and good daughter of the antagonist. At the end of the book, you don't know if everything turned out okay, or if the revenge is going into the third generation. So I was not happy with the sudden ending. The issues worthy of note include money doesn't buy social position in some places, social position doesn't guarantee happiness, old money versus new money, sacrificing things like love for ambition, The story is ripe with haves and have-nots and have even more. The old issues of who has the power, how do you get it, and how do you keep it are all there. In our classless society, there are multiple classes; and they change by locale. Despite being unhappy with parts of it, the story itself kept me reading into the wee hours. Ultimately, I was disappointed with the ending, but I felt like it was a good reading experience. I didn't know much about Palm Beach or its surroundings, and I don't know clothing designers or labels. But you learn as you read along. I would have been happier seeing justice done, having the ones dishing out all the heartlessness do some anguishing of their own when they realized their wrong-doing. |
| I just leafed through magazine from Costco. The older market is certainly targeted for sales. Yes, I know TV and many magazines target children, babies and expectant parents, but this one really zoomed in on the older market. I really didn't notice any diaper ads or toys or teen things. Life insurance was featured. Many brands of vitamins for over 50, or heart health, or arthritis were featured. It gave me an idea for a business venture. "Seniors R Us" would be a retail operation like no other. One section would feature vitamin gummies and other vitamins for the over 50 crowd, including ones that specialize in vision and hearing. Then there's the nutritional supplements for the ones who can't eat and are losing weight.Digestive health would take up a section.A discreet section for male enhancement over the counter drugs, bladder control products, adult diapers, and things to address menopause. Then there's the beauty section: wrinkle creams, moisturizers, neck creams, under eye shadow creams, crepe paper skin fixers, special hand creams, sensitive skin and dry skin products. Make-up would be limited to that suited for older women, not so much eye shadow, not so many wild colors, but definitely lipsticks, lip balms, eyeliner, mascara, blusher, bronzers, and "youthful" foundations, not to mention masks and cleansers. All the tools, too, brushes, magnifying mirrors, lash curlers, manicure tools, foot soaks. In a safety section, you'd display shower chairs, handicap bars to install in the shower, toilet lifts, Sitz baths, rails for the sides of the bed. Night lights that don't feature Disney or cartoon characters. Non-slip rugs, bath mats, door mats. Walkers, seat cushions for cars, canes. Reading glasses, a large variety of magnifying glasses, both lighted and unlighted would be needed. Several kinds of natural light lamps and aids for crafts and hobbies to keep the elderly working in their hobbies would be needed. We'd need a rack of large print books and dictionaries, and sell Jitterbug phones. I almost left out foot products. Support socks and hosiery are getting harder to find. Dr. Scholl's products and competitors would be featured. Foot tubs and massagers would be needed. In fact hand held massagers and heating pads are needed by the elderly. I know a lot of these products are used by under 50 people, but the senior crowd use more of them. Having them all in one place would be a convenience. The store would have to have wide aisles to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. The shelves couldn't be too tall, since we tend to shrink in height as we get older. The store would need to have its own wheelchairs with baskets. The staff would have to be patient and knowledgeable. If advertised the right way, it could be cool to shop there, instead of an embarrassment. It could meet a need in the community and the shoppers would all have something of a common interest. |
| I'm not totally against all swear words. There is a time and a place for everything. Not every person is suited to use them. But I believe they should be reserved for those times when no other words will do. I am really tired of people who sprinkle their conversations with repetitive curse words. After a while, I begin to think they have a limited vocabulary, so they throw in the same word or two over and over again to cover their lack of word knowledge. They can use the same word as an adverb, adjective, noun or verb.I guess it's supposed to prove they're cool. Instead, they come off as shallow and crude, as lower class. The other side of that is that if curse words are used frequently and in all situations, they cease to have power. How can they convey anger or disappointment? They just sound routine. Is a "bad" word really so bad, if men and women use them ever day in every walk of life? We'll have to invent new bad words in order to have shock value. |
| HP has added another game to the basic package. I've only tried the free version, of course. But I have wasted numerous hours this week playing Boggle Solitaire. My shoulder and arm actually hurt from playing this too long on my lap top. Once I get started, I can't stop! So now, I'm going cold turkey. No more Boggle. In fact, I'm cutting back on computer exposure until I get past this. I'm going to read some trashy books to keep busy. By the way, I tried brioche for the first time. How have I missed this all my life. I ate the whole thing in one day! Three meals of nothing but brioche! I've tried filling up on iced tea and water, so that I can't hold any more. I can't ever buy another. Good thing I don't smoke. I will have an occasional drink, but that's never presented a problem. I have gotten into Lego Batman figures with my nephew. I think I get more of a rush from opening them and building them than he does. Okay, maybe I have a few obsessions. |
| Finally, I got together with my 8 year old great niece who loves crafts. I presented her with the promised birthday present of crochet things with her first lesson. I included a colorful canvas bag, some practice yarn, a new "comfort" crochet needle, and some Vanna White yarn. The skein of practice yarn is more practically priced and will suffice for learning to make even stitches of various kinds. The better yarn will be for her scarf, her first project. She was excited. We sat together and I had to help her hold it, so that she could get the loop through the chains. After half an hour, she was able to do it on her own. Every time she remembered how to turn to start a new row I praised her. When she started getting the yarn through more quickly and without splitting the yarn, I praised her. She got lots of positive reinforcement and learned very well. The hardest part is the hand and eye coordination for an eight year old. I reassured her that practice was the only way to get it even and smooth, and that it would get easier. After she gets comfortable with the chain and single crochet, I'll teach her the double, triple and half double, etc. We'll hold popcorn stitches and things that are more like patterns for later on. It was time well spent. Maybe some day, when I'm gone, she'll crochet and tell her own children, "You know my great aunt taught me how to do this." Her grandfather has already said he wants her to make him a sweater. She's going to practice and is looking forward to getting so good at it, that she can watch TV while she does it. (I do.) This kid plays golf and soccer and loves art work. Encouraging her to develop another skill is helping round out her abilities. When the younger children said they wanted to learn or take a turn, I told them that she was doing it because she was eight. When they get older, they can learn more things, too. That made her feel special, and the younger ones accepted it. |
| I don't see recipes in blogs much or at all, but I'd like to run this one out of sentimental value. My mother used to make these. I found this in her handwriting on a yellowed piece of paper recently. Ingredients: 2 eggs 1/2 c butter 1 c sugar 1 1/2 c flour 2 scant tsp baking powder 1/2 c milk 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla Cream butter & sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add milk alternately with the dry goods mixed. Add vanilla. Bake at 425 degrees until surface springs back at touch. Makes two dozen small cakes. (I use a mini cupcake pan. I coat with PAM.) Have syrup ready before cakes are done. One cup of sugar, mixed with the juice and grated rind of one lemon and one orange. Dip the warm cupcakes into the juice quickly. Do not soak. These keep well for several days. Because of the sugar content, serve with simple drinks. You might want to substitute Truvia or other sweetener for sugar in juices. The cake texture might be affected by some substitutes in the batter itself. Experiment to see. These are very sticky, but are good for receptions or tea parties, which no one has any more. |
| I finally got around to watching the movie Chicago with Richard Gere. Loved it. My favorite song was Mr. Cellophane. I loved the guy who played Amos Hart; he was so pathetic and sympathetic. I was also fascinated by the puppet scene with Billy Flynn (Gere) as master puppeteer. So, I got excited when I realized a local theater group was staging it this month. This theater is in a small building north of town in Nowheresville. They call it Four County Players, and it's the oldest community theater in the center part of the state. I don't know if there's one older up north or to the east, but I doubt there's one south or west of here. It's been running 44 years with people from four counties. They don't even have a backstage for changing. I didn't like that there was no handicap entrance, and I took someone who walks with a cane. There were about 16 steps to get in and out. However, the price is right, and the show was great. One of the leading ladies has a masters in opera, but she failed to deliver more than the others. The dancing was not spectacular, but well-coordinated and entertaining. The men's voices were great in the chorus, but individually, they lacked that star quality. The puppet scene, which involved no puppets on stage, was superb. The movements were well-rehearsed. While Amos Hart wasn't as convincing as the movie version, that song still makes me sad to hear it. It was great fun. Lots of jokes and gestures that aren't in the movie could be done on stage. There's no editing, no re-shoots, etc., on stage either. Some differences are written into the script, of course, but the director has the freedom to tweak it. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and may become a sponsor of this theater. |
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. Isn't it funny how we take things like electricity and plumbing for granted... until we don't have them. Happy for you!
