PARENTING...DOES IT EVER END???

Just passing this along !

WORRY

Is there a magic cutoff period when
Offspring become accountable for their own
Actions? Is there a wonderful moment when
Parents can become detached spectators in
The lives of their children and shrug, 'It's
Their life,' and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties , I stood in a hospital
Corridor waiting for doctors to put a few
Stitches in my daughter's head. I asked, 'When do
You stop worrying?' The nurse said,
'When they get out of the accident stage.' My
Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little
Chair in a classroom and heard how one of my
Children talked incessantly, disrupted the class,
And was headed for a career making
License plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher
Said, 'Don't worry, they all go through
This stage and then you can sit back, relax and
Enjoy them.' My dad just smiled
Faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime
Waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come
Home, the front door to open. A friend said,
'They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry,
In a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be
Adults.' My dad just smiled faintly
And said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being
Vulnerable. I was still worrying over my
Children, but there was a new wrinkle. There
Was nothing I could do about it. My
Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing. I
Continued to anguish over their failures, be
Tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in
Their disappointments.

My friends said that when my kids got married I
Could stop worrying and lead my own
Life. I wanted to believe that, but I was
Haunted by my dad's warm smile and his
Occasional, 'You look pale. Are you all right?
Call me the minute you get home. Are
You depressed about something?'

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a
Lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another
Handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of
Human frailties and the fears of the
Unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue
That elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable
Recently, saying to me, 'Where were you? I've been
Calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried.'

I smiled a warm smile.
The torch has been passed.


PASS IT ON TO OTHER WONDERFUL PARENTS
(And also to your children. That's the fun part)

I remember asking my parents this a few years ago when I thought they were supposed to home from a trip...they were not happy ( but maybe secretly they were) and the reply was "We are grownups and if we want to take a few extra days we will". Maybe the torch has been passed back and it is time to worry about them. Guess that's why we are called the "Sandwich Generation"

Later,
Janet

LOOKIN' FOR MY BUDS

Can Calvin, Cooper and Chloe come out to play? I don't know who this handsome Tom kitty belongs to, but he keeps showing up and looking in my back door for the kitties. Unfortunately he treed Chloe the last time they all "played" together, so they can't go out for a play date today. They will just have to watch him from the other side of the glass.

Sophie is coming around and actually jumps up on our bed , follows me around and has finally decided it is OK to go into the living room. She is still very skittish if she is surprised, but is making excellent progress with her social skills. We still try to figure out what her story is and why she is so skittish. Guess we will never know :>)

Later,
Janet

PS. Sorry about last night's post. It wasn't really obscene or risque, but I can only assume that Blogger took it down. I am betting there are far racier things on blogs than cartoon women with compressed boobs. Lesson learned!

BOOBY LAUGHS

Some of you may have seen some of these before, but as a "training exercise" they are worth a second look. Enjoy and then call and schedule one :)

Please Scroll Down ... How to train for a mammogram...

I had my physical today and... JUST HATE GETTING OLDER!

Ok,now you've had your laugh,
so GO GET YOUR MAMMIES GRAMMIED!

Nobody needs to know. It will be your secret!

Don't forget, be pro-active. Edited 2/27 Don't know what happened, the cartoons were there last night. Would blogger remove cartoons of mammograms?? Just curious!! Will I be ostracized by the Blogger Police??

Later,
Janet

DINNER TONIGHT

photo by Bob

Simple and oh so healthy Fish Stew made in 30 minutes or less. This is my cheap and easy take on a classic Bouillebasse. Add whatever fish or other ingredients you want or have on hand. You can't really mess this up and it is yummy and you feel so virtuous after dinner you can even have another glass of wine;)

2 14 oz cans chicken broth
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 medium bulb fennel (anise), chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 carrot, julienned
1/8 t. red pepper flakes or to taste
black pepper
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup minced flat leaf parsley
zest from one orange
1 lb. mild white fish (I used Pollock, it's cheap)
Garlic toasts

In a large pot ( dutch oven) combine broth, tomatoes, fennel, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Add carrot, simmer for another5 minutes. Add orange zest. Cut fish in large chunks. Place on top of "stew". Cover and simmer about 10 minutes. Sprinkle parsley on top. Place garlic toasts in soup bowls, ladle stew on top, garnish with fennel fronds. Serve with a nice green salad and some more garlic toast and of course some wine ( I prefer a nice red to hold its own with the garlic and fennel) ;)

Later,
Janet

AESOP REVISITED

A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in Africa , taking her faithful aged poodle named Cuddles, along for the company.


One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that he's lost... Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep shit now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away in to the trees. "Whew!" says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard.

< /SPAN> The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!

Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says.

"Where's that damn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!

Moral of this story....


Don't mess with old farts...age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill! Bullshit and brilliance only come with age and experience.

I am in no way insinuating that any of you are old, some are just more youthfully challenged.

HUG YOUR KIDS

Today I went to a funeral for a co-worker's 27 year old son. I am not sure of the particulars except that he was struggling with some form of mental illness and apparently mixed some meds. So very sad, so please hug your kids or if they are not living at home call them and tell them that you love them. You just never know!

Later,
Janet

TOMBSTONE

WARNING: I have decided to let my true sarcastic, house snob personality shine through here, so if you live in Tombstone or in a home like one of these you may want to stop reading now because this is not going to be pretty!!

Tombstone Arizona whose motto is "Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die" should change its motto to Tombstone: The Town Too Tacky to Die. It is truly a historic town; the site of the Shootout at the OK Corral, Boothill Cemetery and many other places of interest to those who study the history of the West or those who watched Westerns back in the 50s and 60s. The whole town is a National Historic Park and many of the original buildings remain but you have to pay to enter most everything except the gift shops. There are "gunfights" at least once an hour and guys dressed up like Marshals that feel the need to talk to you and try to sell you admission to something. We took a trolley tour and saw the sights of many shootings and shootouts and the buildings where more shootings took place and then we went to the cemetery to see where the "victims" of said shootouts ended up. While Bob paid to go into the courthouse I decided to check out some of the residences. These are houses with actual people living in them, some are historical landmarks and some are not, but I have never seen such a lack of pride ...ever. These pictures do not do them justice...or would that be injustice??
This was probably the cutest house in town and the best maintained.

This house does not look nearly this good. Look closely at the left corner of the porch and see that tattered blind hanging. There were faded plastic ivy garlands hanging around the door and a gaudy plastic wreath. Can't afford a tasteful wreath, leave the door bare!
This house is for sale. The asking price is $205,000; I looked on Realtor.com but there are no additional pictures for your viewing pleasure. Very small lot with very unattractive , rundown homes on either side.
This lovely abode is across the street. I am not sure what that appendage is on the right, but it is partially separated from the "Main house".

A closer view of the "landscaping". Who knew Elvis was from Tombstone?? He may still be alive and trying to find his way out of that yard. I just now realized that there is a toilet in the yard (click to enlarge). Could this be part of the "Elvis Theme"?

Each of these houses is within sight of the beautifully maintained Courthouse. What do ya think??

On a cheerier note ...when I went outside to get the mail there were about 40 robins in my yard. First ones I have seen this year and I am hoping they are a good omen!!

Later,
Janet

PS. The cheeseburger and onion rings at Six Gun City were really delicious.

I'M BACK

To say that the weather was not cooperative is an understatement. We got out of Providence OK, were delayed an hour or so in Phillie an finally arrived in Phoenix around four o'clock. The sun was shining and we headed out for Tucson with a search for some food on the way. The sun had set before we arrived at the Hacienda in the Desert and it was the last sun that we saw for two days.

Thursday was incredibly windy and totally overcast; dirt blowing everywhere so we decided to go to Old Tucson Studios. Of course this is a stage set where they filmed many famous westerns, movies and TV shows on a dirt lot. Gritty just begins to describe the set and the taste in my mouth. I know, I know, keep it shut and it won't collect grit!!



Friday it just rained all day where we were, but it snowed in some parts of Tucson, so we went to some bookstores and just kind of hung out and mumbled about the weather. We did go for a ride near my brother's neighborhood and saw some of the worst looking homes that side of Appalachia. I don't care how poor you are there is no excuse for the way some of these places looked; trash everywhere, dead furniture on the lawns, junk cars and a few snarling curs to complete the picture. I would have taken pictures, but quite honestly I was afraid. Later we drove around some very classy new neighborhoods, but no pictures.

Saturday we went to Tombstone ( remember I am traveling with hubbie and son) and I will post those pictures tomorrow. Let's just say it brings housepeeping to a whole new level!!

Later,
Janet

RIDING ...ER..FLYING OFF INTO THE SUNSET

Tomorrow morning, weather providing, Bob, my oldest son and I will be going to Tucson to visit my brother aka The Curmudgeon at his hacienda in the desert. It literally is in the desert on a street of nondescript homes so don't expect any house tours, OK? I'll be back blogging on Monday.

Later,
Janet

PS. It is supposed to be cloudy and windy in Tucson...what is *that* all about?

THE GENERATION GAP CIRCA 1960

DATING IN 1960
> >>>
> >>> It's the summer of 1960 and Harold goes to pick up
> >>>
> >>> his date, Peggy Sue.
> >>>
> >>> Harold's a pretty hip guy with his own car and a duck
> >>>
> >>> tail hairdo.
> >>>
> >>> When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's mother
> >>>
> >>> answers and invites him in. "Peggy Sue's not ready
> >>>
> >>> yet, so why don't you have a seat?" she says.
> >>>
> >>> That's cool. Peggy Sue's mother asks Harold what
> >>>
> >>> they're planning to do.
> >>>
> >>> Harold replies politely that they will probably just
> >>>
> >>> go to the malt shop or to a drive in movie.
> >>>
> >>> Peggy Sue's mother responds, "Why don't you kids go
> >>>
> >>> out and screw? I hear all the kids are doing it."
> >>>
> >>> Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Harold and
> >>>
> >>> he says "Wha...aaat?"
> >>>
> >>> "Yeah," says Peggy Sue's mother, "We know Peggy Sue
> >>>
> >>> really likes to screw; why, she'd screw all night if
> >>>
> >>> we let her!"
> >>>
> >>> Harold's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear.
> >>>
> >>> Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening.
> >>>
> >>> A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her
> >>>
> >>> little poodle skirt with Her saddle shoes, and
> >>>
> >>> announces that she's ready to go.
> >>>
> >>> Almost breathless with anticipation, Harold escorts
> >>>
> >>> his date out the front door while Mom is saying, "Have
> >>>
> >>> a good Evening kids," with a small wink for Harold.
> >>>
> >>> About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly disheveled Peggy
> >>>
> >>> Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind
> >>>
> >>> her and screams at her mother:
> >>>
> >>> "Dammit, Mom! The Twist! The Twist! It's called The
> >>>
> >>> Twist!"

Later,
Janet

OATMEAL MUFFINS

These oatmeal muffins don't look like much and they are heavy, not light and fluffy like muffins usually are, but they are so good and filling with just a hint of sweetness. Try them and I think you will like them.

Oatmeal Muffins

1 cup scalded milk
1 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cups flour
1T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3 T. sugar
2 T. melted butter
1 egg, beaten

Pour scalded milk over oats, let sit 5 minutes. Add other ingredients, mix thoroughly. Fill muffin cups 2/3 and sprinkle tops with a little sugar to promote browning. Bake at 400 15-20 minutes. Serve warm with butter or jam...yummy! They are also good the next day cold. I think I will make some for breakfast tomorrow.

Later,
Janet

BOOKENDS

Don't you just love bookends, they have so much character. I have had these precious boy and girl musicians ( she has a lute of some sort which you can't see) since I was a child. They have had some repairs over the years...one was unfortunately decapitated and the other had some orthopedic issues, but they seem happy to be aging as well as they are. That's all any of us can ask for right?


I got these acorn bookends for Christmas feeding my desire for all things acorn related, except raking of course.



The wise owls hold up some of my cookbooks. I bought these when I was in college and was going through an "Owl Phase".

My Aunt Dorothy made these in a ceramics class at least 30 years ago.

I have one set that looks like old books, but unfortunately they need some touch up, so I will save them for another time.


Later,
Janet

SELF INDULGENCE

Yesterday was a good day. The first speaker at the class was the Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors. In one of my past lives I must have been an economist because I am fascinated by this subject matter. He was excellent. Then we had a panel of mortgage bankers and an attorney. They were good, but not outstanding. Then the last hour was an agent who speaks on financing at various conventions etc. He was slightly amusing, but the info was something that we all learned many years ago when we started real estate and possibly we needed a reminder on how to make sure your clients are adequately pre-approved for a mortgage. We didn't need to hear about it for an hour.

I quickly got myself to Cal. Pizza Kitchen where I was too hungry to adequately peruse the menu. Ordered the Thai Chicken Pizza and then remembered how much I love the California Club. Something about a pizza with bacon, tomato, lettuce tossed with mayonnaise and then chicken and avocado that is really tasty!! Anyway, I had my Thai pizza, very spicy, but good and made my way to Homegoods. It is a huge store, especially compared to "our" Homegoods here in town which is very small and leaves you craving a bigger store. I looked at everything and bought nothing. My friends will tell you that I love to shop, but I usually don't buy anything. Not only am I frugal, not in a position to spend on unnecessary items at this time, but I also am trying not to accumulate more "stuff". Trader Joe's was another story. I bought my favorite BayBlend coffee, 4 bunches of daffodils and 10 bottles of wine. We have strange liquor licensing in Massachusetts and you can't buy wine in grocery stores in most instances. I love the wine pricing at Joe's so I buy a couple of bottles of several different varieties or vineyards. I always intend to keep track of any really nice wines I find, but never remember to. That's what happens when you drink them, right?

Today was Primary Day here, so I went and voted in the pouring rain. I am becoming more of a political animal as I age, which isn't saying too much. I was never very interested in the mechanics, but find it more interesting now, especially since this is the first time that the candidates are "different" from what has become the "norm". Bob and I are polar opposites so there is never a political discussion here. We agree to disagree and rarely even mention the topic. I will probably watch a lot of the news on the returns tonight and he will watch the Military Channel.

Later,
Janet

I AM A RABBIT, WHAT ARE YOU?

It is almost Chinese New Year. I was born in 1951 ( say it can't possibly be, please) and that makes me a Wabbit.

Personality Traits of the Rabbit:

Rabbits are selfless, neat and tidy, and get along well with their brothers and sisters. Rabbits lead the good life and are the most fortunate of all animals. Rabbits live by the Golden Rule and wouldn't think of breaking it. You are well suited as a banker, lawyer, interior designer, or video-game player.

Famous People born in the Year of the Rabbit:

Albert Einstein, Orson Welles, Steven Segal, Lily Tomlin, John Dillinger, Brad Pitt, Jane Seymour, Cicely Tyson, Michael Keaton, Nicholas Cage, Michael Jordan, Fidel Castro, Vanessa Williams, Sting I love that it says I play by the Golden Rule because that is so true. I am a firm believer that the world would be a much, much better place if we all just adhered to this one, most basic rule. I am in pretty good company for the most part, but I am not sure that anyone would say that John Dillinger or Fidel live (ed) by the Golden Rule. Also, my lack of hand eye coordination rules out a career as a video game champion, but I have been a banker! If you want to find out what animal you are, please go visit Susie Q at RabbitRunCottage and follow the link. Stop and say "hi" to Sue while you are there, if you have a minute. She's a love! Later, Janet

CALLING ALL THRIFTERS

I am looking for blue and white souvenir plates of Vermont or Burlington Vermont. I check ebay once in a while, but I don't find blue ones. The lightbulb went off ( shouldn't the expression be the lightbulb went on?) in my head and I thought maybe some of you thrifters in all parts of the country might come across one sometime. I might also like brown or red.

Wow, it is thundering and lightning, so I gotta run.

Later,
Janet