Rambling Wednesday

 I don't go into all that celebrity worship like a lot of folks do, but I could not help but be sad about Dolly Parton's husband passing. I appreciate his role in her life. She needed the spotlight, he needed his solitude and they made it happen. That's what love is all about.... letting your 'other' be themselves without giving up who you are. My husband was always supportive of what I did. And, I supported him. Geez, I miss that man! 

A quick note and I'll shut up about my teeth. Man, have they dominated my life for months now but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just want to thank all of you who have posted such comforting messages. You girls are the best! 

I don't know when I have been more positive about life (what little there is left of it) and I am so thankful for that. I'm gonna make each day count big time and enjoy it all. 

I am heavy into reading self-help books and yes I have gone the therapy route in short spurts during my lifetime (it always seems I need that after me losing a loved one). It's not a bad thing to been as diligent about your mental health as it is your physical health.

Speaking of physical health. My son and I talk over the cell phone often about changing our eating habits. He's all for it and I am to a certain extend. I figure at this age I don't need to give up all my guilty pleasures! 

Oh, while I am on the subject of eating. What is your favorite SOFT food to eat after dental work? I am finding that it is tough to vary your diet much if you want soft stuff. Maybe you can help me out. 

Here's a blast from my past.....

(guess you can tell I don't have any BIG thing to share today so I am rambling haha)

me riding my daughter's horse, Charlie

back in the 1970s

The Tooth Wizard

Well, I am off to see the wizard!

The dentist, that is. Again and again and again.

So want this all over with. A tooth pulling today. 

I don't have anything of importance to share with you. But, I did want to check in with y'all. 

Once I get to feeling myself again I will try to be more uplifting, interesting and whatever!! 

It Feels Like Spring!

 It's gorgeous weather! Oh my, how I wish it would last but unfortunately some cold fronts are moving in and we will lose this beautiful, warm sunshine! I am so ready for Spring. Years ago I wrote a poem about The wind and spring and such.... 

I sat out on my balcony... no sweater... and it's February, folks. I saw something I don't believe I had ever seen before... and y'all, these are so out of focus but the branches got in the way... but it was two hawks sitting on a limb together. I am used to just seeing one at a time. And, I am quite the hawk finder. I am first to spot them in trees, on electric lines or whatever when we are traveling. 

Shirley came to get me this morning. It's Thursday so, do you know what is served at Cracker Barrel on Thursdays?  Yep, turkey and dressing. I just need a shot of that ever so often to soothe my southern soul! As good as that dressing is, it still does not measure up to my Mama's. Now, my Mama could make some wonderful cornbread dressing! I never developed the knack, sorry to say. 

Hope you all are having a bit of this 'spring like' weather. If not, I hope it comes to you soon. Hugs to each of you! 

Bits and Pieces

 I've been piddling with writing since I was in high school. I knew it was there, deep inside me, and I think it is still there but sometimes it forgets it way. The reason I think that... 

I started writing a book about a girl named Ruthie who lives in a mining camp. I have several chapters written, nearly 200 pages but then there was a brick wall between me and that book. I am not sure why. Do any of you  write? Do you ever have 'writer's block?' If so, how the heck did you get out of it. Maybe I need to check with ChatGPT to see what they suggest! I know how the book goes, just can't make my fingers hit the keyboard!!

The snow is gone! Mostly.... There is one strip of pine trees between the pond and the main road and that strip is still covered in snow. 

I got out Sunday. Knew that car needed cranking up so I drove it up the highway a ways, turned around and came back. Of course, on the way there happened to be a Bojangles and it just happened to be lunch  time!! haha. 

I noticed a bruise on my arm the other day. No recollection of how it got there. My skin is getting/has gotten so thin that any little bump can leave a mark. So, I am checking my arms for other bruises. There's a bunch of brown spots but those are old age spots. 

That was the only bruise I had. 

I just finished reading 'The Year of Magical Thinking'.

Written about Didion's attempt to sort out the meaning of her daughter's illness which was following by her husband's sudden death. I could relate to so much of that book, having lost my husband and also living through the death of a baby son and years later, an accident my daugher had that changed our lives. I recommend it if you have lost someone you love or if you haven't. It's about life as we live it. 

I'm always reading books that explain life, the complexities of living, how we all fit into that scheme of things and how I can learn and become a better person for having read those. 

Right how I am meeting with a life coach once a month. (I don't aim to go out of this life with regrets of not living it to the fullest). My 'homework' is to write a list of all my accomplishments and also write a list of gratitudes?

Do any of you keep a gratitude journal? I think it's a good thing. 

Well, I've rambled on and on... today the temps are going up into the 60s so I need to get out and enjoy. I hope you enjoy your day, as well. 

It Snowed!

 Wow!

And, the white stuff came down! Boy, did it! 

Not sure about the inches of snow we got but it was enough and so pretty. 

Here's what I am enjoying this morning:

Did you get any snow? I think it covered most of the Eastern part of the U. S. 

A Mystery On My Hands

 Of all the things to happen! 

I have a mystery on my hands and I know I will never have the answers but it has kept me and others trying to fit the pieces of this puzzle together.

Daughter Susan texted me that I had a box at my front door. She'd gotten the notification that it had been delivered. Oh goody... my Valentine's gift one day late but that was Fed Ex's fault. 

screenshot of the notification Susan got. 

I walk to the door, open it, there is no box there. The picture Susan recieved definately showed that box sitting at my door. Not 10 minutes has passed so where did that box go? 

Susan started making calls, I walk down past other apartments knowing full well that it was NOT put at someone else's door.

Did someone walk by in those 10 minutes and grab themselves a valentine gift? Did the deliverer take the picture to prove he'd delivered it but then left with it? Maybe he had a sweetheart that he'd forgotten to buy a gift for. No one knew. 

I live in the last apartment on the 3rd floor. Not much foot traffic goes by my place. It just didn't make sense. 

Fast forward to Sunday morning. I get up late. it's windy so I open my front door to check to see if the wind has blown my door wreath off and so help me hannah... there is my box of Sheri's Berries propped up against the wall. 

I pick it up. It's not been opened but the entire box feels damp. It was raining outside but my door is several feet from the rain. Where has this box been? Why is it damp? Did someone's conscience get the better of them and they returned it? I'll never know! Dang, I wish I had a ring doorbell camera!! 

The berries inside the box had evidently been shaken around a bit... but man, are they good!! 

But, it will always haunt me... this mystery of mine!