Blog Tag--I'm 'IT', for now, heh, heh, heh

Mary, the owner of of one of my favorite blog sites, Momathon, tagged me. What is Blog Tag? It's the latest fad. As the tagged person I have to list 6 inconsequential things about myself and then list 6 more random blog sites. I've posted the rules below for those people that have been tagged.

The Rules:
Link to the person that tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6 quirky things about me did take some thought. Let's see what the peanut gallery, a.k.a. the family, thinks. What a bummer, none of them wanted to go down in herstory as an important contributor to this segment of the blog. Non-important, is the key word, and that is the difficult part.

1. Rocks!
I'll bet you're all sitting there scratching your head and going, 'Huh?' Everyone has their likes and dislikes, and we can be pretty vocal about it. Well one thing that lots of people don't know or don't take seriously, is my love of rocks.

Now, I'm not talking about the polished rocks that you see in many stores, although those are nice too. I'm talking about unusual shaped (sometimes even ordinary, but a nice color certainly helps) rocks that you can find in most senic, country areas or sometimes the local rock quarry &/or garden center. Right now, on my front porch, I have a small jagged piece of Red, South Dakota Granite that was left over from a landscaping construction that occurred at a local business. It was left in the dirt at the construction site for months. It looked as if it had fallen off the truck as it was driving from the site storage area to the construction zone. I kept driving past it as I went to and from work and one day I stopped and picked it up. After all it was a piece of liter.

There have been a few people that I've spoken to concerning my desire for rocks but they must not understand or believe me. I've told them, "When you are traveling from Denver (or wherever) to home, would you stop and pick up a rock for me? It doesn't have to be anything special. Just a rock from the area." So far, to date, no one has brought me a rock from anywhere. What do you have to do to get people to understand? Beat them with a rock? ha... ha...

I was talking with a friend the other day. Looking around her house you can see rocks on ledges all over the place. She totally understood exactly what I was talking about and she has her friends trained to bring her a piece of earth from the very different places that they visit, hint, hint. So, if anyone comes to visit me, please feel free to bring a rock (it doesn't have to be huge) as a momento of your visit. Just don't throw it through the window.

2. Onions and Garlic
I love onions and garlic. When cooking there is nothing better than using these fragrant bulbs. What I like best about them is the way my hands smell after I've cut them up. I'll go around the house for the next several hours smelling my hands. Sometimes, it'll last for a day, especially if it was a large cooking project. Now, if that isn't quircky, I don't know what else would fall into that category. So, if you see me smelling my hands, you'll know that I must have just finished cooking something tasty for my family.

3. Dirty Dishes
I hate dirty dishes and if they've been sitting on the counter for several days, clean dishes. I don't mind washing them, that's not the problem. I don't like seeing them sitting around on the counters. Although, I would like some help getting them washed and put away, since everyone contributes to the mess, it would be appreciated if some people would help take care of the debris. My husband has helped and hurt the situation. He has trained all of us to rinse our dishes before we put them in the sink, this is a good thing. That helps by keeping any nasty odors down but this means the dishes pile up to a large degree before anyone washes them. That's a pain in the butt.

4. Garbage
It burns my britches that although we have been living in the same place for 9 years, everyone "forgets" to take out the garbage. The garbage gets picked up every Tuesday morning. This means that the garbage and recycles need to go out to the curb every Monday evening. Does anyone ever remember? Rarely!

5. I laugh like a "Hollywood" witch
My mother and I used to practice laughing like the 'evil' witch. We were making a Halloween tape in order to scare the trick or treaters. Off and on again for a number of years we would get a giggle by practicing Macbeth's witches' soliloquy. To this day, every once in a while, this mischievous, evil laugh will sneak out. Macbeth was always good for a giggle between the two of us.

6. Snow
There are few things that I enjoy more than a good snowfall. I love going outside in the middle of the night while the snow is falling. The ambient light causes the whole world to glow. The sound of the snow falling and hitting the ground creates a gentle hissing sound that sounds like singing. The cloud cover creates an impression that it is warmer than it really is. The snow will hit your eye lashes and coat them with a thin layer of moisture that can turn into ice or melt, depending on the cold. It's a great feeling.

When I've told people that I love to go for walks in the middle of a snow fall in the middle of the night, I always get these looks. What are you, nuts?

Now for the links to those people I've tagged

I'm including why I've tagged each site.

1. Sweetannee has some marvelous pictures of nature and birds, she should be included in this list of sites.

2. Martinha has a wonderful collection of postcards from around the world. You should check them out.

3. This is the last lunar eclipse until 2010, at least in my area of the world. Silk Creek Portal site has some great progression photographs plus a lot of other 'stuff', enjoy.

4. Jeff-In The Berkshires is a very pleasant place to visit. Observations about life, pictures, etc. are right up my alley.

5. Duffyville shows the joys of life and family.

6. Kelly Time has some great pictures and comments.

Finally, Mary, I want you to know that I took this game of tag seriously. I just couldn't post any little quirck. And, lets face it, there are probably a ton more (wish the family had contributed, I'm sure they would have come up with some good dirt). But, I don't think I want to go through this again, at least not for a while. I probably sound like a lunatic. Nope, sorry, that was last night, the complete lunar eclipse was 2/20/08, in Nebraska, USA. It was a sight to see?

Rush - Subdivisions/Take Off, Eh! 9-22-2007

My husband and I were talking about music this evening. We both came to the conclusion that the cleaned up version of "Live" music still does not compare to actually experiencing a concert. Although the music is a little bit distorted the effect is as if we were "really" there. Enjoy the Rush!

Peanut Butter, gotta love it?

Peanut Butter the staple of many a child's afternoon lunch. Creamy and Crunchy they taste great. I have made so many peanut butter cookies that I couldn't guess how many I've baked in my life-time. I used to make double batches of peanut butter cookies as snacks while I was going to college. I'd go home for the weekend and bake dozens of cookies and then take them back to college in order to treat my friends.

Now I smell peanut butter and I cringe. My favorite afternoon snack of peanut butter dipped carrots are on the list of NO-NO's. There is a little known fact that when you have children your metabolism changes. At least it wasn't known to me. With my first child I developed a sensitivity to peanut butter. With my second child I developed a full blown allergic reaction. Thank goodness, at this point it is not life threatening, which it can be for many people that are allergic to peanuts. It just feels like I'm having a heart attack.

Thank goodness that my daughter is not allergic to peanut butter or her life style as a vegetarian would be much more difficult. Although, I will confess, I'm jealous. I'd love to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, peanut butter cookies, or a Butterfinger candy bar. I guess there are some pleasures that we have to give up for our children but who knew it would be such a basic one. As I write this I am smelling the intoxicating scent of peanut butter cookies. Who knew that it would be my daughter's favorite cookie, kind of ironic.

I have to include the family favorite cookie recipe for those people who would like to make a batch.

Peanut Butter Cookies From The Michael Family Kitchen:
This is the peanut butter cookie recipe we used as kids in my Mom's kitchen. We still use it because it is so good.

Ingredients:
1 Cup shortening
1 Cup granulated sugar
1 Cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Cup peanut butter
3 Cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:
Thoroughly cream shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla.
Stir in peanut butter.
Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl; stir flour mixture into creamed mixture.
Drop by rounded teaspoons onto un-greased cookie sheet.
Press with back of fork to make a crisscross (coat fork with granulated sugar to prevent
sticking).
Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) about 10 minutes.
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Notes:
For richer cookies, use 2 cups flour.

It sooo, is not a silly movie

I noticed the other day that the movie, "The Sound of Music", was going to be showing on TV. I told my daughter about it and her response was, "It's a silly movie!" I immediately took umbrage because it is one of my favorite musicals.

I can picture your response as you read this blog, most of it is pretty negative if not down right abusive. It's not just the music that makes this a movie that I believe all people should watch at least once, it is also the political comment that this movie talks about.

Yes, it is a romanticized version of life in Austria during the beginning of World War II but it does demonstrate the split that families, friends and next door neighbors experienced. There are many stories out there that show oppression from a government body or person in power and yet it happens again, again and again. When will we, as intelligent beings, realize that we are hurting each other.

I watched the last 1/2 hour of the movie and even though I've seen the movie many times let alone heard the music many more, I still teared up when the camera panned across the mountains that they had to cross in order to leave Austria. And, just in case someone doesn't know, the movie is based on a true story. I know that liberties were made but the basic story is true.

The Wrinkly Revolution

I had a lovely talk with my mother the other day. She lives a couple thousand miles away from me so when we talk, we end up talking for a LONG time. It was wonderful.

One of our topics of conversations was my Aunt Edith. I haven't met her since I was a young girl but through telephone calls and my mother's conversations I feel that she is part of my family.

Aunt Edith is 75+ years of age and grew up during a time when being aware of your body was a dirty thing. A woman was supposed to be there for her husband and if she enjoyed the physical intimacy that is a result of marriage, it was considered o.k. (hushed voice) but don't talk about it.

Aunt Edith lost her her husband about 5 years. They had a lovely marriage with children, grand children, society functions, etc. and Aunt Edith took it pretty hard when Uncle Robert passed away. Since that time she has traveled a bit, become closer with my mother, sold her house and moved into a retirement home for older people. These were all big steps for someone that lived for her husband and children.

It has taken some time but she is beginning to enjoy her freedom from past expectations. It's been five years and she is in a place where there are social nights and other activities to while away the time. What do you think happened? Why of course, she met someone. After almost 50 years, my Aunt has begun dating and let's face it after that many years it was a little difficult to get into it. She is worried that no one will approve. We feel that it is absolutely great that a woman that is 75+ years of age has a chance to explore what it is like to FEEL the pleasure of a man's friendship in that very special way for the first time in her life.

As I was telling my husband about this he commented, "Let's hear it for the 'Wrinkly Revolution'."

So with that comment ringing in my ears, "The Wrinkly Revolution has Begun!"

Computer Hiatus

I've been on Computer Hiatus for the last three weeks. We lost our Uncle Denys. I've found out that when something like that happens, I become very insular and I tend to block the whole world out. Probably not very healthy but I'm such a HUGE cry baby that I can't think about it without getting a tear in my eye, let alone talk about it. This makes talking to the relatives very difficult because I just choke up on the phone and have to hand it off to someone that can talk intelligently. This makes me unbearably embarrassed. I can't keep my feelings to myself and that everyone has to put up with my heart on my sleeve.

Now, Uncle Denys' death was a good thing and it was well planned. He had been suffering from cancer for quite some time and he had been released from the hospital to spend his last days at home with his friends and family. So, he had a chance to tie up loose ends, say good bye and generally enjoy (as much as possible) his ending days. He was a very religious man so I know that he is enjoying his new home. So, for all these reasons and many more, I can say confidently, that his death WAS a good thing. However, I still miss his humor, faith and friendship. Oops... I've got to wipe my eyes, silly me.

O.K., now I've got that out of my system, let's move on. Autumn is almost over in the Nebraska area. Most of the leaves have fallen so now it's time to rake them up and clean the gutters before the snow and ice arrive. Shawna and I raked the front yard yesterday.

It is so much fun to jump into a pile of leaves. I didn't tell her that I did that before she joined me out there. Yes, I started without her and boy am I sore because of it. Terribly, out of shape, am I. Unfortunately, I am too sore to do the back yard today. I might just have to mow them into the grass. I have so much more to type but I have to get the muffins started before things get busy. I'll try to hop back on later this evening.

Chili?

The Autumn weather brings to mind winter and lots of good ole' home cooking. This is the time of year to bring out the soup and bean pots. Why not combine the two and make a lovely batch of home-made chili?

Many people don't know that 'chile' refers to the actual pod of the pepper plant while the word 'chili' to the concoction of meat, tomatoes and chile powder. Chili is actually, for those in the know, meat (not ground beef) cooked with a varieties of tomatoes & tomato sauce and chili powder. The ingredients of chile powder are basic but vary widely between the chili aficionados. Often the winners of the International Chili Cook Off keep their ingredients secret.

Many people think of chili with beans and I will admit, I'm a lover of this, but if you have ever attended a chili cook off you will know that official chili does not include beans. This is pure speculation on my part, but I would like to suggest that the addition of beans to a pot of chili was an attempt to 'stretch' the available meat. Personally, I like it best this way because of the different textures that beans provide in a pot of chili.

Now, besides the change in seasons, I'll bet that you are wondering why I bring all of this information to the blogger page. Well, as chance will have it, Omaha, Nebraska was the site for the International Chili Cook Off on October 5-7th and it was fantastic. Seeing and watching all these lovers of a pretty basic dish that has been 'stretched' to include many facts and myths was an absolute joy.

While checking out the International Chili Cook Off web site I visited their myth & fact section. Did you know that Jesse James loved chili in fact after visiting Fort Worth the James brothers had this to say "anyplace that has a chili joint like this just oughta' be treated better." This is after they declined to rob the local bank. O.K. I don't know if that is really true but it sure would be fun to believe it.

If you have the time, I would like to recommend that you visit the web-site International Chili Cook Off and take the time to read up on the facts about chili. If you are looking for a good recipe, there are several that look interesting. Have fun!

Cats

The neighbor has quite a menagerie. There are 3 dogs, running in size from a chiwauwa to a mixed pit breed which includes all the different personalities from yappy to aggressive. They have a large white cockateil that screeches and talks at all times of the day. Finally, they have 3 cats that wander around the area.

We have become good friends with the cats. Cats are peculiar animals. One minute they are fawning all over you and the next they are off doing their own thing. I think that's what I like about them. Their independence and yet they show this soft side that craves attention.

Yesterday, I watched the black one hanging around our front porch. She approached and did the head butt movement. Where she rubs her head against my hands and legs showing that she wants a good scratching. She then walked next door and preened herself on the neighbor's steps. I watched as she caught the movement of a moth flying around her head. She started to eye it and followed it. She jumped at it. When she didn't catch it she pretended that she wasn't interested in it to begin with and then jumped off pouncing through the yard in leaps and bounds.

Life can be painful

I've noticed that recently there has been a turn to the dark side in my post content. It's not meant to be, as Winnie the Pooh stated when rabbit called down his door. If you don't know what I'm talking about then it's time for you to watch "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" all over again. The tune to Pooh's exercise song is running through my head as I write this.

There have been some things in our lives, recently, that have been difficult but I feel that it will all turn out for the better. As corny as it sounds, when a door closes, somewhere a window opens. It takes faith, love and open eyes to find that window.

One of my husband's uncles (and he has quite a few), has been undergoing medical procedures to conquer cancer. It is not working and he has returned home with Hospice help.

During this difficult time there is one thing that has been helping our family and that is a website called Care Pages. It is designed to help loved ones with difficult family illnesses.

I was reading some of their tips and they struck a cord of truth. When someone is going through a difficult time it does not matter how you feel. What is important is to remember that the words you send, whether it is a simple "I love you," an "I remember when," or an "I don't know what to say" comment lets these people know that you care. And, when you come right down to it that is what is most important, letting people (loved ones) know what and how you are feeling. I know it can be hard, especially for some people, but going out on a limb can be very rewarding. Chance is part of life and if you don't take it by letting people know how you feel you may as well crawl into a hole and throw the dirt over your head.

You're not a hermit crab so go out there and LIVE!

The Poor Deer

As I was coming home from work the other day I saw something that was pretty gruesome. As I was driving around the curve near the pool I saw a SUV hit a deer. It was one of two that were trying to cross the road. They were bucks and had a nice 5 point rack.

I've seen deer hit before and either they get up right away or they don't. What happened this evening caused my heart to hurt. As it was hit, it's hind quarters fell into one of those big storm drains at the side of a street. I watched as it struggled to pull itself out of this hole. It almost got out and then slipped back in.

As soon as I got home I called the police. I couldn't ignore it. I didn't call 911, I actually looked up the police dispatch number. Once I got to the dispatch I found out that the police were on the scene.

As much as I feel for the animal, I'm glad to find that there were other people that were concerned and I wasn't the first person to call. I'm glad to find that there are other people concerned about a situation like this.

I'm fairly sure that they had to put the animal down, which is sad, but it is better than the pain that the poor deer would have suffered. So, everyone as you are driving through wooded areas during dusk, please watch out for crossing traffic.