My sister and I joined a friend for dinner in a swank casual dining restaurant. The only seating was in the bar area. We ordered water to drink. And then we prayed over our food. Does anybody else see the humor in this?
Cheers and glasses of [root]beer!
T.W.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Farewell, Blue Castle
Your foundation heaved, your wood buckled and bowed,
The property listed, we waited for lookers
But winter turned to spring without any tookers. (sorry, really sorry)
I'm going to stop right now. It's just better that way. I'm glad you agree.
Long poem short, we sold our mountain property! Actually, I'm not sure about that exclamation mark, even though it is a blessing, I have mixed emotions about it, but I am very grateful that God brough along a buyer. New beginnings my friends, new beginnings.
I don't know if I've mentioned that we had already bought another place in town that we are completely remodeling. I use "we" loosely. I'm afraid I've been pretty much gone since we bought it.
I'm back in my home state, but I'm house sitting so I'm still not home. Which is okay since they don't have plumbing or running water. Does anyone see a pattern here?
The Blue Castle had so many hopes and dreams, so much potential, and it was a good chapter in our lives - despite the harshness of the living conditions we faced within her four walls. I never expected to again, so many years later, become a "city girl". Would I have chosen to do so? Very unlikely, for I did so love being in the country.
There are many emotions surrounding the Blue Castle, and I have asked, "was it a mistake?" But I don't think so, I think it was part of a process. I should like to write more about this someday, but no promises.
For now, goodbye country living. Goodbye little Blue Castle, goodbye forever.
Am I making anybody cry? Just curious.
Do I need more sleep? I think it very likely.
T.W.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
It's the Words You Use
My grandmother and I were watching one of the those mystery shows when a commercial started. My grandmother gets very annoyed with those things and used this descriptive phrase to order me to hit mute: “kill them!” (Just as there were two guys on the screen too, poor fellows.)
I pressed mute and then turned and looked at her, saying cooly “Are you ordering a hit?”
See, I know the lingo.
Ha, ha, she thought it was funny. But what put her into near hysterics is when I declared that I wanted some caramel at ten something at night. I’m glad it tickled her funny bone, but I have no idea why it was so hilarious. I really wasn’t suggesting that we get in the car and go get some. Shakes head.
My sweet tooth is not a laughing matter.
I pressed mute and then turned and looked at her, saying cooly “Are you ordering a hit?”
See, I know the lingo.
Ha, ha, she thought it was funny. But what put her into near hysterics is when I declared that I wanted some caramel at ten something at night. I’m glad it tickled her funny bone, but I have no idea why it was so hilarious. I really wasn’t suggesting that we get in the car and go get some. Shakes head.
My sweet tooth is not a laughing matter.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Halloooooo
Hello my dear friends, this is your long lost author checking in from far, far away. Far, far away is relatively speaking. Speaking of relatives, sometimes they are far, far away, and we’re not talking land miles...
Changing subjects…
I hit a case of writers block while editing so I went to a nearby library and checked out some investigation books to give me some food for thought. One of them was No Stone Unturned by Steve Jackson. I found it a most fascinating read and I’d love to find a couple copies; one for my personal library, and a copy to give to one of my brothers. Writers block solved!
To catch you up on my sudden and long silence, I’ve been essentially gone from home since the middle of March. I returned to my home area for three very busy weeks, and then flew back out to stay with my grandmother again. I returned a week earlier than expected because she fell and broke her arm. I tell you, I just can’t leave that girl alone. ;) It certainly changed the dynamic of my stay here, for better or worse, I’m not sure.
My family bought a house in town right after I left the first time, and they have been gutting it and fixing it up. I saw it before the deal closed, and it was horrible. Really horrible. They are having to take out floors, replace parts of walls, put in new windows, and even add more structural support underneath. If you’ve ever seen the T.V. show “Horders”, this house was in that category. It simply boggles my mind how anyone could live in such filth. The good news is that when the major job is done, I think it is going to be a perfect doll house. As crazy as it seems, I saw the potential even before the work started. Not that I didn’t have doubts – this was a major undertaking!
Interestingly enough, the new place is going to be a lot smaller than the house on the mountain was supposed to be, and yet still sufficient to our needs. I’m actually thinking the smaller size is better. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress when I return home in a couple weeks. Well, I should say to the home area, because again, I don’t think I’m actually going home, but house sitting for a friend.
You know, I suddenly thought about this, and I’m a little disturbed. You know the saying, “home is where the heart is? Well, with the way I’ve been living, it’s hard to classify that I have a home, and what does that say about my heart?
Well, seriously, my heart is where my family is, whether or not we have a home. Which we do, actually, it’s just everything is in such a kerfuffle lately and everyone is going different directions that things are so hard to put in boxes.
It’s a nice evening and my grandmother has requested a walk to the corner, and then I think I should finish weed eating. I even put long pants on in anticipation of this chore since that thing can be quite unkind to your legs.
Tootle Pip,
T.W.
Changing subjects…
I hit a case of writers block while editing so I went to a nearby library and checked out some investigation books to give me some food for thought. One of them was No Stone Unturned by Steve Jackson. I found it a most fascinating read and I’d love to find a couple copies; one for my personal library, and a copy to give to one of my brothers. Writers block solved!
To catch you up on my sudden and long silence, I’ve been essentially gone from home since the middle of March. I returned to my home area for three very busy weeks, and then flew back out to stay with my grandmother again. I returned a week earlier than expected because she fell and broke her arm. I tell you, I just can’t leave that girl alone. ;) It certainly changed the dynamic of my stay here, for better or worse, I’m not sure.
My family bought a house in town right after I left the first time, and they have been gutting it and fixing it up. I saw it before the deal closed, and it was horrible. Really horrible. They are having to take out floors, replace parts of walls, put in new windows, and even add more structural support underneath. If you’ve ever seen the T.V. show “Horders”, this house was in that category. It simply boggles my mind how anyone could live in such filth. The good news is that when the major job is done, I think it is going to be a perfect doll house. As crazy as it seems, I saw the potential even before the work started. Not that I didn’t have doubts – this was a major undertaking!
Interestingly enough, the new place is going to be a lot smaller than the house on the mountain was supposed to be, and yet still sufficient to our needs. I’m actually thinking the smaller size is better. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress when I return home in a couple weeks. Well, I should say to the home area, because again, I don’t think I’m actually going home, but house sitting for a friend.
You know, I suddenly thought about this, and I’m a little disturbed. You know the saying, “home is where the heart is? Well, with the way I’ve been living, it’s hard to classify that I have a home, and what does that say about my heart?
Well, seriously, my heart is where my family is, whether or not we have a home. Which we do, actually, it’s just everything is in such a kerfuffle lately and everyone is going different directions that things are so hard to put in boxes.
It’s a nice evening and my grandmother has requested a walk to the corner, and then I think I should finish weed eating. I even put long pants on in anticipation of this chore since that thing can be quite unkind to your legs.
Tootle Pip,
T.W.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
You Think He Should Do What?
My grandmother likes to watch Who Wants to be a Millionaire and sometimes I end up watching it with her. A couple days ago, the question of the day was something along the lines of “what word for extra-large has been added to the dictionary after it was made famous by a circus elephant?” A. Enormous B. Mammoth C. Gigantic D. Jumbo (By the way, I just really butchered that, but you get the idea).
Of course, the answer was Jumbo. I knew that.
After they gave the answer my grandmother turned to me and said, “That’s something I’ve always thought your father should do.”
I tilted my head to the side and looked at her in astonishment, asking the first question my mind associated with the subject, ‘ride an elephant?’
No. Apparently she thinks he should be on the T.V. program Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
What a relief. Riding an elephant would have been coming from way out in left field. The whole T.V. thing I can wrap my mind around. I'm still really not sure why my mind jumped to the my first question. I'm still puzzling over it.
Riding an elephant does sound interesting. Maybe I should try it sometime. It's a thought.
T.W.
Of course, the answer was Jumbo. I knew that.
After they gave the answer my grandmother turned to me and said, “That’s something I’ve always thought your father should do.”
I tilted my head to the side and looked at her in astonishment, asking the first question my mind associated with the subject, ‘ride an elephant?’
No. Apparently she thinks he should be on the T.V. program Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
What a relief. Riding an elephant would have been coming from way out in left field. The whole T.V. thing I can wrap my mind around. I'm still really not sure why my mind jumped to the my first question. I'm still puzzling over it.
Riding an elephant does sound interesting. Maybe I should try it sometime. It's a thought.
T.W.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
My Thursday
Today:
Tried on the bridesmaid’s dress for a friend’s wedding this summer. I didn’t fit into the smaller of the two sizes offered me, which has nothing to do with the fact that this morning when I took a bite of the English muffin my grandmother had prepared, melted butter squirted out and ran down my chin. But if I don’t watch it, the ease in the size I ordered is going to be eaten up. Literally.
We ate a sandwich in the car, then we went across the street for a powder room stop at Burger King. I ordered a water and two ice cream cones. Well, seeing as I only have two hands, I put the water in my purse and carried the cones in my hand. Genius? No. Bad, bad, bad idea. I’ve done it before with success, but not this time. By the time I was about to get into the car, most of the water was floating around in the bottom of my purse and soaking everything. A bit of a mess that.
Did I mention that only about two hours later my grandmother decided she wanted ice cream again? I hold the warm weather responsible. If she gains twenty pounds, my aunt is going to hold me responsible. And where is the justice in that? Am I the one that buttered the warm English muffin, or chose the second ice cream cone?
You are my witnesses. I mean, whose fault is it going to be if I gain twenty pounds?
Perspective my friends, perspective.
Ciao
T.W.
P.S. I came home and exercised. It seemed like a good idea. They were small ice cream cones, it is just the principle of the thing.
Tried on the bridesmaid’s dress for a friend’s wedding this summer. I didn’t fit into the smaller of the two sizes offered me, which has nothing to do with the fact that this morning when I took a bite of the English muffin my grandmother had prepared, melted butter squirted out and ran down my chin. But if I don’t watch it, the ease in the size I ordered is going to be eaten up. Literally.
We ate a sandwich in the car, then we went across the street for a powder room stop at Burger King. I ordered a water and two ice cream cones. Well, seeing as I only have two hands, I put the water in my purse and carried the cones in my hand. Genius? No. Bad, bad, bad idea. I’ve done it before with success, but not this time. By the time I was about to get into the car, most of the water was floating around in the bottom of my purse and soaking everything. A bit of a mess that.
Did I mention that only about two hours later my grandmother decided she wanted ice cream again? I hold the warm weather responsible. If she gains twenty pounds, my aunt is going to hold me responsible. And where is the justice in that? Am I the one that buttered the warm English muffin, or chose the second ice cream cone?
You are my witnesses. I mean, whose fault is it going to be if I gain twenty pounds?
Perspective my friends, perspective.
Ciao
T.W.
P.S. I came home and exercised. It seemed like a good idea. They were small ice cream cones, it is just the principle of the thing.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Red Riding Hood Reporting
This is Red Riding Hood reporting in and so far no signs of Big Bad Wolf. Perhaps because I didn’t go through the woods? I got to my grandmother’s house on Friday, being welcomed by sunny warm weather.(and relatives)
On the first leg of my flight, I had a lovely empty seat next to me and it was as good as first class. I popped the tray down in front of the empty seat next to me and put my glass of icy orange juice down as I relaxed in comfort, flipping through a magazine. I want the alarm clock that wakes you up with a butlers voice.
Well, after being so spoiled, I was really hoping for another empty seat.
It didn’t happen.
I sat next to a young man on his way to a wrestling match.
I was fairly sure I wasn’t to get my empty seat wish when it seemed every other seat was filled behind me and making their way down the aisle were two men, one older, one younger.
As they paused a few aisle in front of me, the father said to his teenage son, “you want to sit here, or next to the girl?”
Ya, snicker, snicker.
Poor young man, I’m sure if he’d known I’d overheard he would have been mortified.
Guess what Papa, I think you’re son is nine or ten younger than me. At least.
Now who’s snickering? Me. Inside, as I keep a placid face and process what happens around me.
I didn’t sit next to everyone on the plane so I couldn’t say for sure, but it turns out, if I could have chosen who sat next to me, that young man might just have been the one. He was just a nice, normal, all American boy. Traveling to a wrestling match, he was excited, but nervous. We chatted about his world travels (his mom is a travel agent), his great-aunt, my grandmother, and that we both loved Delta’s crisp spice cookies. Yep.
And he may just have realized I wasn’t exactly a teenager.
On the shuttle from the airport, I chatted with the only other passenger, a young college girl. It was a very interesting conversation. Mostly men, marriage, and dating. I can only imagine what the driver thought. Anyway, something tells me it must have been on her mind for a reason.
To wrap things up, on St. Paddy’s day my grandmother took my aunt and me out for not corn beef and cabbage, but another good Irish meal, fish and chips. Remember this is on St. Patrick’s day. A young man came to our table and asked what we would like to drink. Being as this was one of those restaurants with a pub, the humor of my impending request tickled me, I looked up at him over my shoulder with a small smile, eyes twinkling, I said drily, “water.”
(Can you say “water” drily?)
“Boring,” he said.
“Yes,” I agreed cheerfully.
My grandmother ordered a Guinness - and didn’t she have the nightmares.
Top of the morning to you,
T.W.
On the first leg of my flight, I had a lovely empty seat next to me and it was as good as first class. I popped the tray down in front of the empty seat next to me and put my glass of icy orange juice down as I relaxed in comfort, flipping through a magazine. I want the alarm clock that wakes you up with a butlers voice.
Well, after being so spoiled, I was really hoping for another empty seat.
It didn’t happen.
I sat next to a young man on his way to a wrestling match.
I was fairly sure I wasn’t to get my empty seat wish when it seemed every other seat was filled behind me and making their way down the aisle were two men, one older, one younger.
As they paused a few aisle in front of me, the father said to his teenage son, “you want to sit here, or next to the girl?”
Ya, snicker, snicker.
Poor young man, I’m sure if he’d known I’d overheard he would have been mortified.
Guess what Papa, I think you’re son is nine or ten younger than me. At least.
Now who’s snickering? Me. Inside, as I keep a placid face and process what happens around me.
I didn’t sit next to everyone on the plane so I couldn’t say for sure, but it turns out, if I could have chosen who sat next to me, that young man might just have been the one. He was just a nice, normal, all American boy. Traveling to a wrestling match, he was excited, but nervous. We chatted about his world travels (his mom is a travel agent), his great-aunt, my grandmother, and that we both loved Delta’s crisp spice cookies. Yep.
And he may just have realized I wasn’t exactly a teenager.
On the shuttle from the airport, I chatted with the only other passenger, a young college girl. It was a very interesting conversation. Mostly men, marriage, and dating. I can only imagine what the driver thought. Anyway, something tells me it must have been on her mind for a reason.
To wrap things up, on St. Paddy’s day my grandmother took my aunt and me out for not corn beef and cabbage, but another good Irish meal, fish and chips. Remember this is on St. Patrick’s day. A young man came to our table and asked what we would like to drink. Being as this was one of those restaurants with a pub, the humor of my impending request tickled me, I looked up at him over my shoulder with a small smile, eyes twinkling, I said drily, “water.”
(Can you say “water” drily?)
“Boring,” he said.
“Yes,” I agreed cheerfully.
My grandmother ordered a Guinness - and didn’t she have the nightmares.
Top of the morning to you,
T.W.
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