Category Archives: updates

Road Trip: the long way to Disneyland, part 1

disneyland“I love road trips,” Jerry says. “Out on the open road, driving through the desert where everything is charmingly barren and the cactus stand erect and look happy.”

I agree with Jerry, the desert has a lonely charm of beauty with creosote bush, prickly pear, cholla and saguaros framed by slate-blue mountains~and not a human in sight.

The charming barren Sonoran desert

The charming barren Sonoran Desert with happy, erect cactus.

To pass the time we reminisce of past trips. “Remember the Bed and Breakfast that served us a muffin the size of a marshmallow?” Jerry asks.

Death, Eyeballs, and Other Things That Amuse Me

1. TV commercials that ask if you or a loved one suffered death after taking such-and-such medication.
“Hello? Law Offices? Yes, I took Invokana and died. I’d like to file a claim, but please don’t put me on hold. I need to get back to the Godiva chocolate and strawberry cheesecake buffet we have every Tuesday here in heaven.”

"Yes, that's right, I died. I saw your commercial and want to file a claim."

“Yes, that’s right, I died. I saw your commercial and want to file a claim.

2. The coffee cups Jerry and I got for Christmas, given to us by our wonderful sister-in-law who knows how to choose the perfect gift.

Jerry's cup.

Jerry’s cup.

My cup. You see why it makes me smile?

My cup.

What I Learned From the Not-So-Good Things in 2015

"In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love." ~Mother Teresa

“In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa

Flat Tire
Jerry and I didn’t have a care in the world as we rode down the street in our ancient, yet still running very nicely, Ford Explorer. Mainly, we didn’t have a care since the car’s AC kept us cool. The heat outside could sizzle eggs on the sidewalk, should anyone want to try it. Suddenly…Bam! Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump. “We have a flat,” Jerry announced and pulled the car over, got out and began to change the tire, kneeling on the soft, melting-to-a-boil asphalt. “Do you want help?” I asked while silently thinking, pleeeze-say-no. Jerry said, “No, I’ve got it.” Suddenly out of nowhere a man in a pickup truck pulled up behind us. “Need help?” he called out. Jerry thanked him and said he had it under control. “You sure?” the guy asked. Jerry assured him all was well. I realized then, no matter how much we hear on the news of terrorism, murders, and general hatred between various groups, kindness for humankind still exists. A stranger in a pickup offered to sweat in 100-plus degrees in order to help Jerry, and for no other motivation than kindness. After all, what else could it be? We didn’t post a sign on the road stating that anyone who helped us would get ten bucks. read more

The 7 joys of Christmas (you may not agree with number 5)

The eighth joy is sitting by a fire wearing colorful and festive socks.

The eighth joy is wearing colorful and festive socks.

 

1. You discover new things.

I recently read an article stating your favorite Christmas pie says something about you. Pecan pie means you radiate joy, apple pie means you're a patriot and pumpkin pie means you're incredibly good-looking (hey, I don't make these things up.)

I recently read an article stating your favorite Christmas pie says something about you. Pecan pie means you radiate joy, apple pie means you’re a patriot and pumpkin pie means you’re incredibly good-looking (hey, I don’t make these things up.)

You go to a Christmas party and discover your friend makes the most wonderful, delicious pumpkin pie. Why would she not tell you this talent she has? You have no idea. She uses real pumpkin, not canned, she says. She offers you a slice to take home to your husband, and of course, you say yes, thank you, he’ll love it. But then, at home, as you put it in the refrigerator—you remember that he really doesn’t like pumpkin pie as much as you do. He likes mincemeat pie. You tell him about the pie in the refrigerator and add, “Of course you prefer mincemeat, right?” He says, “Oh, you can have it. I know how much you like pumpkin pie.” You do just as he suggests. Later he says, “Bronwyn! Did you eat my pie?” You defend yourself. “Remember? You said I could have it.” And he says, “I didn’t think you’d really eat it.” Pumpkin pie made with real pumpkin, not canned, can taste delicious but it can cause problems. So a warning to any of you offered a slice to take home to your husband. read more

Flinging Pillows

Life is good.

Life is pleasant on Pleasant Street.

If you lived in 1906, Teddy Roosevelt would be your President. You may, or may not, have voted for him. But, you probably used his famous line, “Bully for you.” For all I know, you might even have used the popular slang of the day and spouted off, “23 skiddoo”, in addition to “bully for you.”
If you wanted to make a real impression you’d think beyond your command of popular slang. You’d show off your wealth by placing a 3-minute long distance phone call across the country. A call, such as this, cost eleven dollars. Not cheap when you consider the average wage earner made 22-cents an hour. Also, shampoo must have been a huge expense because most women in 1906 washed their hair only once a month with egg yolks or borax. Even though they knew they were “worth it,” they didn’t splurge on shampoo when eggs were the less expensive choice. Coffee costs 15 cents a pound and no one had heard of Starbucks or a four-dollar pumpkin spice latte. The speed limit stood at 10 mph in most cities. Can you imagine the horror of some speed demon blowing past you at 15 mph in a rickety Ford buggy car! But there weren’t as many people back then to fear for their lives from speeding buggy cars. A little drink-water town known as Las Vegas claimed a population of just 30 in 1906. It’s true. What happened in Vegas really did stay in Vegas. Unless one of the 30 residents had flappin’ loose lips and traveled out of town to tell the world what you did while in Vegas. Oh my! They did whaaaatt? In Vegas, you say?
All this to say, 1906 happened in a different world than we live in today. read more