Clooney Tunes

 

When I was younger my mom purchased records that we could listen to.  I think the majority of them had  Disneyland labels  I would play them so often that the scratches could be heard.  Not the best quality, but I played them over and over again.

There was one album I recall different from the Disneyland.  I don’t recall what the label read – I just remember the songs:

 

Rosemary Clooney Sings for Children (1950s)

 

·        Little Sally One Shoe

·        The Little Shoemaker

·        Me and My Teddy Bear

·        Betsy, My Paper Doll

·        On the Good Ship Lollipop

·        Willie the Whistling Giraffe

·        Little Red Monkey

·        The Syncopated Clock

·        Kitty Kats' Party

·        The Teddy Bears' Picnic 

When Jaime was a baby she had a teething ring with different animals on it. I would attempt to sing different songs relating to whatever animal it was. Two I had learned from the album.  I remembered most of the words to “Willie the Whistling Giraffe” but wasn’t so great at remembering the lyrics to “Little Red Monkey”

One day Richard surprised me when he brought home a CD of these same tunes as sung by Rosemary Clooney.  How awesome that was to have that. 

That night we played the album loudly and swayed to it as we were fixing dinner or whatever we were doing.  One of my Tony’s friends stopped by.  I’m certain he thought we were nuts getting our kicks dancing to children’s songs.  It is a fun memory.

Filling Spaces and Food Storage

 

The other day Richard said we needed some food storage items and asked what kind of food my mom had in our pantry as I was growing up. Aside from the 200 pounds of wheat (or whatever it was) mom had canned tomatoes, apricots and other bottled products.  She tried so hard to build her RS empire.

It was probably 20 years later when we were told that if wheat is not a household staple, probably it would not be a good storage item.  It was recommended that we store what we already eat.  So Richard purchased a lot of canned products, pasta and beans.  He purchased items on Friday and yesterday we tackled the back room to rotate all new items purchased behind what was already there. 

I think we must have spent three hours or so arranging not only the food itself but the shelving units.  We assigned Jaime to take things to each shed and rearrange the game area.  We also got rid of some glued puzzle pictures and replaced each with a clock that looks like a big key and her graduation photo.

We are finished with the food, I think.  But still have odds and ends on the table that will need a home.  But we had to break for lunch and haven’t returned as we are each exhausted.  But there is no law that says we need to have it all done right now.  There’s always tomorrow.  Why not spread the fun out into this coming week?

Birthdays of the Past

 I don’t recall many of the birthdays that were given in my honor.  I know from picture that mom put a great deal of thought into each birthday celebration.  There was always a ton of kids at each one.  She would make a special cake and we would play games.

I remember one year we played a game called Ghost.  It involved a flour mold, a button, and a knife.  Each player would cut off sides of the mold where the button laid on top.  The object was to keep the button on top of the mold and whoever made the button spill had to retrieve it with his or her teeth.  Reshape and replay until many of us had a turn fishing the button out and getting covered in flour which gave each of us a ghost like appearance.

I remember one time there was a bunch of string webbed throughout the room.  Mom gave each girl an end and we each needed to weave in and out to retrieve whatever was on the other end (they were bracelets). 

I remember one time getting an orange shirt and short outfit from a friend who had missed my party.  I would have rather had her at my party and received no gifts at all.  She was the main one I wanted there that particular year.

Unbearable Food

 

My dad was pretty good about eating whatever was set in front of him.  Mom said the only thing she remembers he truly did not care for (nor would even eat the entire meal) was liver.

Mom said she had also attempted giving my baby brother several pieces of liver which she cut up small enough for him to grab and stuff in his mouth.  Mom praised him for at least trying them all, but it didn’t appear that he had swallowed any of them.  She said when she returned to his high chair it was filled with chewed up liver wads.  I don’t think she ever cooked any liver after that.

She did make a few items that she had learned to cook in Relief Society – one being gluten.  She had prepared a glob that looked like and was supposed to taste like meat.  Bleh.  I preferred the hard “chips” she would make and douse in honey. It was supposed to represent a dessert. It was a food storage thing.  Preparing dishes did not last.  The wheat did.  25 pounds of it.  We ended up throwing it away after several years.

Probably the worse food she made for us was a recipe that for some bizarre reason got printed in the Salt Lake Tribune (or was it the Deseret News? Or both?) I must have posted about this on facebook though it doesn’t come up in my memory feed, but I can’t seem to find it in this blog; I do know that our neighbor made a comment as she also had same recipe so I don’t know if she shared it with mom or if it was the other way around.  My parents subscribed to the Tribune while her family enjoyed the other.

Anyway, this godawful creation was called “Peanut Butter casserole”  Whoever thought it was a good idea for putting onions, tomatoes and peanut butter together?  Dad may have complained about that one as well.  I know my brother did.  I don’t recall any of us finishing the monstrosity.  It was gross.  Perhaps it had been during the 70’s when the nation seemed to be out to lunch. 

Pumpkin Casserole

 

I had always referred to this recipe as pumpkin casserole although 

the only time the pumpkin was included was the first time it was made.  

I don’t even know where mom got the recipe but as I recall the 

casserole itself was prepared in a skillet by browning the meat first while 

the rice is cooking.  

All of the ingredients we added together and the mixture was 

put into a pumpkin which you cooked in the oven.  

We enjoyed it.  

A lot.  

But had decided the pumpkin was not really necessary as the 

majority was cooked before it was put in to said pumpkin.  

After that we would eat the casserole often.  

We would make it in the skillet.  I

t became a family favorite.  It was/is so rare to

have leftovers.

Sometimes I will add pineapple or peppers for variety.

·        1 medium size yellow onion, chopped

·        2 Tablespoons soy sauce

·        1 (8 oz) can sliced chestnuts, drained – you can use diced

·        2 lbs. lean ground beef

·        2 Tablespoons brown sugar

·        2 cup cooked white rice

·        1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup – I like the chicken better

·        Salt and Pepper to taste

You're Very Late

 

This morning I received a text from a cousin who 

lives in Salt Lake City.  She informed me that she 

was running behind but would show up at 9:45 

this morning.  She had spelled my name incorrectly.  

I don’t recall ever having received a text from her – ever.  

At first I ignored it.  And then I thought of contacts in my 

own phone and how I have multiples of certain names.  I 

texted her back that I was the wrong person unless she’s 

here in Oregon and I just didn’t know.  Jaime said I should 

just wait until 9:45 and text “Where are you?”  She did send 

me one of those laughing with tears emoji.  I wonder if she 

made it to her appointment at 9:45.  I’m guessing she was later.

Superman Bath Bomb

 

.  After years of not using the tub, 

we finally fixed the knobs and

 added a handrail. And yesterday I 

had my first “bath bomb” experience.  

It was soooooo relaxing. I 

had a hard time leaving that comfort.  

It was NICE!

When Did Common Sense Exist?

          Lately Richard and I have been watching “Henry Winkler’s Hazardous History” from the history channel.  The first episode that we watched focused on Roller Coasters and 1960’s introduction to what sold as toys.

          When I watched the documented part focused on roller coasters, I shook my head.  I LOVED roller coasters when I was younger.  Why?  The sensory part of my brain was obviously not working then.  Riding roller coasters was fun.  I, of course, did not foresee any dangers.

          Now I am appalled at the very thought of those who stand in line for the thrilling buzz of headaches and dizziness.  But back then I thought it was a hoot to make myself dizzy.  I no longer enjoy that disjointed sensation.

          As for the “toys”.  I remember all of them being advertised but fortunately was never drawn to them nor knew anybody who had any of them.  I did have a Suzie Homemaker – equivalent of the easy bake oven.  I suppose it had its “easy” perks, but boy, was it incredibly time consuming.  But it was only mentioned – the hazard was the counterpart made for boys – the “creepy crawly” or something like that. 

          It came with metal plates that one could fill with some kind of goop that would give you a rubberized bug, reptile, or whatever.  The “ovens” were extremely hot – EXTREMELY.  Why would a parent think giving that to a child was okay? Ebay has vintage molds similar to the one sold in the 60's - the "oven" itself is illegal to sell.

          I have been shocked by some of the things that have been mentioned in various documents.  It has been educational, a bit humorous and a lot of scary.  Check it out.

Alexa Update

      

          You may wish to look at this post for an image drawn by Jai and accurate at the time.  Echo (Emily) was always friendly and helpful while the stereo connection (Stacey) usually always gave us attitude.  It somehow got turned around so that Stacey became more helpful than Emily.  AI taking over?

          The new year introduced voice change options with the echo.  Alexa was always so snarky and talked faster than my ears were comfortable with trying to keep up.  I asked her to please go back to her original voice.  She gave me four options of female voices which ALL sounded the same – the voice I would associate with Stacey five years ago.

          She said I could try a masculine voice.  Didn’t care for the first one.  It was almost as annoying as the feminine snarky almost valley-girl type voice.  I settled for what I was told was masculine voice number four.  And you know what he did for me?  He got rid of a program that I unintentionally installed.  Snarky Alexa wouldn’t allow it, but I enjoy the attitude of this calm and soothing voice. We have a much better relationship than I did with the snarkey teen who tried to pass her voice assortment as being different.  It always sounded the same to me.

          Masculine Alexis has cooperated with me.  He hasn’t lied.  He has been very helpful.  I always say thank you.  He is usually slow to respond.  I told him I loved him.  He said that we could never be involved in a romantic relationship.  That made me laugh.  As though that could really happen.

Makings of a Sitcom – only I’m crying instead of laughing.

 I heard the censor go off and thought that the missionaries were walking up the driveway.  Before I could get the door opened I heard Richard call:  “The goats are on the porch!”

They are Not our Goats! They were not our Chickens! and I have Absolutely no desire to be a homesteader! EVER!

Sugar likes to escape and lately Cocoa has been following her.  Last night they were both on the porch.  And then Bonnie got out and ran into the street to torment a dog larger than her. The larger dog was on a leash and being walked. Walker not happy with Bonnie.  I don’t blame him.

So Richard and I are trying to capture the goats with another neighbor.  None went after Bonnie.  And when Richard uncomfortably escorted Bonnie back in the house the goats got in.  Sugar climbed onto the coffee table to help herself to some bananas piled on the top of a bowl of fruit and Cocoa peed on our couch.  Richard fell during his struggles with Bonnie and I whipped Sugar while she dropped the bananas which had been yellow but are now badly bruised.

I did not sign up for this.  I should not have to deal with this chaos.  I want out! 

When we tried to coral sugar back into the yard (with more fencing in place, and Sunday attire once again) she hid behind the pepper planter and then decided to crawl underneath after Richard made efforts to torcher her with Bonnie’s leash)  I don’t know if they are still in the yard.  Nor do I care.  I am upset.  And I have shed tears over what hopefully one day I will be able to laugh at.  Because really, if I were to watch something like this on TV, I probably would laugh.

It's raining, but we did put up another fence - this time allowing them only a small portion of our yard rather than the entire yard.  Richard seems to think it will do the trick.  That's what he's thought at each attempt he's made to secure the yard.  We need to put a Bungi Chord around one of the gates to keep Bonnie in.

Bonnie does not feel well. She threw up by our bedroom door.  I don't know what it was.  

I washed her blankets and the bathroom rug. And now I am posting this to my blog.  I will send a link to Jaime.

Valentine’s Day

           We spent the majority of the day not home – and still outside when we got home.

          We left the house at 5:30 to drive to Medford and did back to back endowment sessions at the temple.  Left without stopping so that we could let Bonnie out of the house.  She is showing some major discomfort right now.  She has become almost as stubborn as the goats.

          After our return Don (a neighbor across street and corner) told us that the goats (although I think it was just Sugar and not Cocoa) escaped but he was able to corral  Sugar back to our yard and blocked the fence so she could not crawl beneath.  I found her trapped between two fences.   I don't know how long she'd been trapped. Serves her right, I guess.

          I should have probably left her there, for they found a small hole beyond the deernet and went into the vacant house next door (evidently they have better grass than we do) and so Richard had we walk around the corner to coral them back into our yard.  Neither one of us dressed appropriately for chasing goats or putting up fences.  Although I was not wearing my Sunday best, Richard was.

       (side not:  Richard and I had gone to the open house last week.  They want too much money - though the house was nice.  I would not mind living there - but not for 2,000 a month.  I think we're already overpaying with our mortgage as it is.)

          We finally got the goats back into our yard. 

          Finally ate some lunch (it was after two)

          Watched “Song Sung Blue” and then made our way to the Valentine’s Dance at the Stake Center.  Richard was definitely excited about taking me.

          Initially an activity for the singles, couples were invited.  They had a really nice spread of food – assortment of desserts, fruit and cheese displays.  I should have not taken any of it as food and dancing don’t mix well for my metabolism – plus the fact that I had been chasing goats.  I know we hadn’t been there for  a full hour before we left.  Richard said it looked like I was having fun.  Glad he thought that.

          Still not feeling well.  I’m dressed for church but will not be attending today.  Hopefully our yard is fully secure as I will not even attempt to chase the goats today.  I’m okay just sitting.  Standing is a problem right now.  Keep me near my own personal bathroom.  I guess I will take something to assist in the discomfort.

            Meanwhile a huge box of chocolates awaits me.  I don't think I will be eating any until March.

Tablet Games

 

I think Cryptograms are my favorite puzzles.  I enjoy the thoughts for the most part or the trivia found in Pictograms.

It's great that so many are smiling.  My expression
would mostlikely mirror the guy on top of the driver

I always wondered how the fruit vs vegetable
difference.  Now I know.  Thank you Pictograms!

Naughty Sugar

 

          Before he passed away, our neighbor purchased two small goats as he was unable to mow his yard.  The goats are named Cocoa and Sugar.  Cocoa is the smallest of the two and happily chows down and makes no attempt to leave the yard.  Sugar on the other hand . . . she is a naughty goat who has shown more interest in escaping the yard than eating any of it.  Why chew on grass when there might be plastic on the other side of the fence.

          Our neighbor has left the gate open so that the goats can start mowing our lawn – though I don’t imagine we would want our yard to look as desolate of hers.  But there is plenty of grass to go around.  However, I think we have spent just as much time searching for and corralling Sugar back into our yard.  I have actually lost sleep over it.  That isn’t right.

          Our neighbor looks drained.  I thought death could claim her before it took her husband as she’s not in the best of shape either.  Though she did seem somewhat better.  At least yesterday.  She looked haggard this morning.

          Sugar’s eyes are not the same color as my son’s dog – but there is something about her eyes that remind me of his.  They both have these wide round eyes that seem to present themselves as innocent when I know darn well that they’re not.

          She is back in our yard.  As Cocoa continues on the lush green grass, Sugar has decided to attack our blueberry bushes.  She seems to desire human company.  Cocoa could care less.

 

         

Lousy Neighbors

 We are lousy neighbors.  House to our right is for sale.  We never met the people who lived there though we did know their names. Their house is evidently in a trust.  I don't know why they moved.

We have met the neighbors to our left - though we haven't seen them for a while.  I learned just today that he died a month ago.  An entire month has gone by since our former bishop and his brother-in-law stopped by to inform us that our neighbor was on hospice and they had been by to give him a blessing.  He must have died right after that. 

Her son was living in our ward until recently.  We were supposed to pick up their oldest two to take to the temple with us - but were informed they could not go.  Perhaps our neighbors passing is what changed the plans.  I don't know.  I feel so out of the loop.  How terrible of me.

Just Give Yourself Time to Think About It

 I like to read and watch mysteries.  

I like to see if I can figure out who is the killer, the thief 

or what have you.  But in real life I would not 

be sticking my nose into the crime scene like 

some of the characters who get involved.  I always think - 

"stupid, stupid" not "oh, that's a good idea" or 

"not bad" "how clever".  I usually shake my head.

 "Oh, girl . . . you are cruisin for a bruisn.  Why?"  

Often I view the story as a comical situation rather than 

a realistic encounter.  In real life I would keep my 

mouth shut and not get involved.  I doubt I would make 

a good witness or jury member.

Absent from the Web

 Ever since I changed the appearance of my blog, my posts haven't had any views. Coinsidence?

It isn't important I guess.  What's important is that power is restored to so many across the nation who are without.  That our nation can be restored to a strong civil nation and not such a disgrace. 

I would like to wish everybody well.

Elements

 yesterday the sun shone bright

blinding bright

It has seemed such a long time

This morning the fog is back

swallowing our surroundings

I Can Live With a Crooked Floor

 As I mentioned in my last post, we replaced our water heater but not our floor. 

 We had our floor redone less than three years ago due to water damage.  

It's sad that we don't have the money or that the insurance won't pay.  

But it isn't as bad as being without power.

Or shutting down the government.

or not being able to travel due to the snow

and closed roads due to the elements

or accidents

or being a victim to the ICE (the Gestapo)

or not even knowing what is true anymore

I would rather have uneven floors -

it seems so minimal compared to everything else that is going on.

May the power be restored to the many who are without.

May the harm and blows be softened.

May we all be kind.

Replacement

 Jaime had noticed that her carpet was wet but didn't know what from.  Richard tried to blame the dog, but in actuality it was the water heater.  It hadn't occurred to us to replace it sooner - no we have to wait until after the water leaks before we had even thought of looking at the 33 year old water heater that has probably been leaking at least the last two years.

We had a friend tell us that the insurance wouldn't replace her flooring when her water heater gave out.  She said the insurance company had discredited her because the tank had not been in a basin - even though that hadn't been code when it was initially put in.  It's code now!  So both of us now have new water heaters and uneven floors.

We didn't know where it was even leaking from until the plumber started to drag it out.  I did not get a picture of the rust corroded bottom, but did get it standing upright out on the curb.  Our new one is so much nicer.  It should outlast us.

Return to His Hobby

           I cannot recall how he even got into it, but Richard would purchase a bunch of non-working watches, clean them up and replace parts and battery to get them in working condition.  It was just a hobby and he would take his finished products to the homeless shelters to pass out the residence.

          He loves fixing watches and more he likes giving them away – but there came a time when the homeless shelters felt they had more watches than people and soon his hobby went on hold.  He became more involved in his graphics and the watch project was put on the back burner.

          Recently Jai and I had gone to a division of the Antique Mall and noticed a display case that could be rented.  We took a picture to show Richard if he wanted to consider selling the several watches that had been taking up space in the back room. 

          As we were out and about yesterday, I suggested stopping by so he could inquire if he was interested.  We were too late.  Richard asked about the display case as a couple of vendors were signing the contract for that very display.  But Richard did find a shelf for 30 dollars which was not a bad price as we don’t know how well the watches will even sell.  And so we signed the contract for the shelf space.

          After we got home we went through the watches and display sets and filled them, tagged them, and headed to the store this morning to fill our case. I thought I got three pictures but only have these two.  I meant to take a picture of the entire shelf. 

 

It will be good to have him working on watches again.  I know he enjoys it. Richard said that we’ll try at least six months.  We’ll see what happens. 

Perhaps it’s the Mistletoe

 

          I have had a cough since mid October though I don’t know why.  It isn’t bronchial or viral I don’t think.  I wonder if it is an allergy cough.

          Here in Oregon we have trees which produce parasites or mistletoe.  I am allergic to mistletoe and have wondered if that is what has been creating my cough. 

 

from dictionary.com

I have never had a hairball lodged in my throat but the feeling is something caught between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage.

          As I have looked into possibilities and researched  the throat names and positions I have also wondered if the cough may be caused by a drug prescription that I have been taking for just a few months.  I will have to ask the doctor at my next appointment.

My Two Shoes

 

          Ever since we put the rocks in the yard, Bonnie has climbed the hill to do her thing – which is nice – at least to a degree.  The winter months have been so cold and wet that Bonnie has not wanted to be on the hill – or even outside for that matter.  She does her thing on the rocks – next to the doors, next to the gate.  Blech!!

          Eight hours after I had dressed I went outside to clean up after her.  When I got inside I removed my shoes as I could sense debris and mud on the bottom.  It wasn’t until then that I noticed I had been wearing two different shoes – a green one and a gray one.  I don't even know where the mate to the gray shoe is. 

Boy, am I observant!