Friday Fotos

 

Would you look what greeted me the other day?

After a year's absence, these spider lilies appeared overnight.  Like the mythical city of Brigadoon!

According to Google, "the red spider lily is known as the 'flower of farewell' as it symbolizes death and the cycle of rebirth."
(I don't know if Janet and Andy will have this tree taken down, or simply let Mother Nature have her way.)

Well, it's finally happened.  I've become my grandmother -- the original Nervous Nellie.

In my own defense, driving in downtown Birmingham's like dogpaddling through the 5th Circle of Hell.

Everyone at UAB's so nice, it's impossible to stay cranky!

Next time, however, we're stopping for breakfast.  While in a waiting area I glanced out the window to see this --

(Click to enlarge)

I'll have one of each, please!

... and to my right

(Stock image)

Hey BeBe's food truck featuring Boululattas -- savory meats rolled and stuffed in fresh-baked Italian bread.

I may or may not have drooled on myself.

It was a long day, but I'm mighty thankful 'McDreamy' doesn't want to see Tom for another 6 months!

Latest screen saver

I've not done much decorating for Fall, but this scene pushes all my buttons.

Last, but certainly not least!

This used to be my playground

Like many of you, I watched in horror as Hurricane Ian moved across Florida.

Many childhood summers were spent in Sarasota, Punta Gorda. Back in '88 we moved to the Tampa/St. Pete metro to be near my mother in Port Charlotte. 

 Thankful to learn Terri and Pam escaped its wrath.  Super thankful to have finally heard from Sandra in Bradenton yesterday!  She wrote:  Cars are trapped in garage.  Door blew in, we had 70 sustained; 100 wind gusts.  No internet, no television.

Wow, the things I take for granted.

I could ask for your prayers, but I think Sean Dietrich says it best:

https://seandietrich.com/dear-god-4/

 

 

Tuesday 4 - at last, Autumn

 

It's time again for Tuesday 4, held in memory of Toni Taddeo, its founder and previous host.  Thank you so much for joining in and helping to keep this alive!  It is much appreciated!

Let's discuss ....

Do lower temperatures bother you or make you uncomfortable?  Or, are you more of a warm climate person?

Bring on the cold!

Okay.  I'll give you, no-one enjoys being chilled to the bone.  But unlike trying to cool off summer's icky sweat,  getting warm is so pleasurable!

I'm thinking of sipping a hot toddy before a roaring fireplace.  Sleeping under 2-3 weighty quilts.  Thick savory stews.
What else?

Do you like the colors associated with Autumn?  Clothing wise, do they look good on you?

You're talking my favorite colors!

I don't know if they look good on me but wearing them makes me feel happy.  Perhaps that translates?

Would you rather --

Get lost in a corn maze or go on a hayride?

Visit an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch?

Eat a caramel apple or a candy apple?

Cinnamon buns or pumpkin muffins?

I've always wanted to go on a hayride!

Pumpkin patch

How about, I eat the caramel off and give you the apple?

Cinnamon all the way!

There are 7,500 varieties of apple.  What is your favorite, and do you like apple pie?

I'm not fond of apples ...

but there's nothing like a good pie crust!

Thanks for visiting ...

Prayers for all in the path of Hurricane Ian!

Hugs, Myra

Friday Letters

 

    Why yes, I am a 'leftie.'

First, friends

Thank you for your positive response to my recent 'exercise' ... an evolved elevator speech, if you will.   I was a little concerned y'all would think it stupid, but I'm delighted to see one of you (so far) has taken up the game!

Dear WSFA meteorologists,

Despite the forecast, thank you for empathizing.

"Me, when Fake Fall fades and Second Summer sashays back into our lives"

Dear Dr. H (surgeon),

Thank you for disagreeing with the ophthalmologist, saying retinal surgery is "probably not necessary" for another year.   Instead, new glasses with prisms are being made; I'm praying this will correct Tom's double vision.

Dear Kismet,

Everyone knows I loathe being late.   At Wednesday's estate sale, however, this was a good thing.    

Due to a delay at the VA, I almost said, "Let's just forget about it."  But no, we weren't far from what my father used to call the 'silk stocking district.'   (And I do love seeing the insides of some of those homes.)  

With only a couple hours remaining, everything was 50% off.  I was checking the tag on a lovely woolen coat when one of the associates said, "Michael just said all the clothing is $1."  Woot!

Hurry Winter!

I want to pair these with my skinny jeans and boots

For a grand total of $8.25, we also came home with a Black/Decker food chopper, new (sealed) box of scented bath bombs and a set of Norman Rockwell drink coasters.

And finally ...

Dear Hollywood casting directors,

Most likely because my way-overdue dental appointment is approaching, I've become super focused on others' smiles.  Everything from contestants on Family Feud to old westerns on the Grit network Tom enjoys.

What's annoying, when I spot an 'injun warrior' astride his painted pony and he opens his mouth to reveal perfectly straight, sparkling white teeth.  Same for the druggie/vagrant on a recent network telecast.  

Jus' saying .... thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

Hugs,

Myra

❤️

  

Me, from A to Z

 

Hi there!

Latane at Accidentally Aging (isn't that a super blog name?!) recently shared a cute exercise and I knew right away, I wanted to play along.  I didn't over-think my answers but have to admit, this was harder than I thought.

Anyway, I hope one (or more) of you will want to do the same.  You might even ask your spouse or a friend what they'd say about you.  It's all in good fun!

Just keeping it real.  I am ...

A - Achy ... awkward

B - Blessed

C - Curious ... cautious ... clumsy

D - Dog mom ... daydream believer

E - Empathetic ... emotions-driven

F - Friendly ... fearful

G - Grateful

H - Homebody ... hungry

I - Insecure

J - Jobless

K - Kind

L - Listener ... lazy

M - Music lover ... MAGA

N - Nostalgic ... nervous

O - Optimistic ... OCD

P - Practical ... people watcher

Q - Quirky

R - Restless ... reflective

S - Sensitive ... spiritual ... selfish

T - Thoughtful

U - Unique

V - Vocally-challenged

W - Wrinkled

X - (e)Xploratory

Y - Young no more

Z - Zealous (ish)  'Depends on the day!

A Week in the Life

 

.... of a splendidly Imperfect blogger.   And come daybreak, we start all over again!

Backing up several days --

Have you ever done something so incredibly stupid you laugh through the pain?

The other evening 'dumpster diving' took on a whole new meaning.  Before wheeling it out to the curb, for some reason (?) I thought it necessary to retrieve something (?) from the bottom of the refuse bin.

The villain

Somehow, I lost my balance and came down hard on the lip.  There are no words to describe the pain; my life flashed before my eyes. "Is this the way it ends, then?"  How embarrassing.

Thankfully, no ribs were fractured but I've a new appreciation for human anatomy.  I'll never take the simple act of blowing my nose for granted again. (lol) 

A couple days later we were back on the road to Big City.  I'm not crazy for this new eye doc but Tom allowed, he's never before had such a complete exam.  She made no promises but has referred him to a retinal surgeon here in Montgomery.  

No question, since we were already in the vicinity, Tom took me for a bite to eat at my favorite restaurant.

Breaking tradition, I ordered cheeseburger spring rolls.  Delicious, ... but I've a question for the foodies out there:  How on earth are you supposed to eat wraps?

They were too large to be put in my mouth in one piece -- but when I tried cutting them, the fragile outside splintered like an egg shell.

Let's just say I'm glad we were seated in a corner booth!

Friday evening we and another couple from church were invited to Pastor Janet and Andy's beautiful new home for supper.   I was expecting burgers and brats on the grill, but no.  She'd put out a wonderful array of appetizers -- and who was I not to oblige some of each. (lol)  

Later came scalloped potatoes, fresh green beans and pork loin with two different dipping sauces ... followed by a dessert bar featuring ice-cream sundae makings and cheesecake.

Oh yes, I did.

And paid dearly for it all Saturday.  

But wait, there's more.

Waddle, waddle.

After services this morning the church hosted a chili cookoff in the fellowship hall.   Have you ever felt deep down, pretty darn sure yours was going to be a winner?

Not even close.  At least, my 'double meat, no beans' entry beat out the venison.  And Cindy's banana pudding made my insides smile. 

What can I say?

Heck, it's all good.

And so, my friends, are you!

Hugs, Myra

   

  

Hodgepodge, by golly!

 

Welcome back to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!

What's something you've learned from a younger person?

I'm always learning something new from my son and DIL! Everything from where to find (Eagles) 7 Bridges Road and other Alabama-specific factoids ... to little-known snippets of history that I'm pretty sure they never taught us in school.

Are you a perfectionist?  Elaborate.

When I was working, yes.  I always tried to hold myself to a higher standard than what was expected.

Lately, I've become more relaxed.
Unless you're talking about the contents of my drawers.  Not sure if that's perfectionism or OCD!

What makes you cringe?

I suspect this was taken by Chloe's sister.

Dead or not, there's no way I'd come that close to a snake.

September is National Honey month.  Do you have bees and make your own?  Know someone who has bees and they share?  Your favorite thing made with honey?

Noooo and no!

I can still see my dear mother at the stove, drizzling honey into a saucepan of warming milk.  It made having a cold almost pleasurable!

These days honey's not something to which I give much thought.  I'm interested in hearing what others have to share!

Where is your happy place?

Right there by the table lamp

Insert your own random thought here.

and ...

Hugs,

Myra

Currently I'm ....

 

Grateful that we got Tom's hearing aids back from the VA yesterday ... I no longer have to raise my voice in succeeding octaves.

Feeling let down.  Remember that book I was so excited about last week?   It started out like gang busters; I loved the characters; I could see their faces.  Then towards the end, I don't know.  The ending (to me, anyway) was predictable.   

I'm curious: When this sort of thing happens, do you give the author a second chance, or do you strike out in a new direction? 

Intrigued  
Thank you, Anne H. for your mention of oooflavors!  A direct supplier of FDA-approved flavorings, I feel like the proverbial kid in a candy store.   

To-date there's more than 400 flavors, but this one sent me scurrying down the rabbit hole!

0 Carbs? Yesssss!

I'm not crazy for potatoes -- but I'm sorely tempted.

Pondering what Keto-friendly food texture would most closely mimic the real thing?  Unflavored yogurt, perhaps?

Gingerbread, anyone?  Perhaps a sugar cookie?

Pretty sure these will make their way into a Christmas stocking!

Finally, I'm remembering something Jack posed a while back:  Referencing favorite quotes, he asked if his readers had any cemented in our memory banks. 

Yes, I love quotes ... poems, prayers.  I find that a phrase -- even a few words -- will resonate deeply.  When I least expect it, the words usher in a host of feelings.

For instance?

".... old floorboards that squeak with stories."

- Sheila Walsh

(Stock image I found on the internet)

Like Jack, I'm going to start including them at the conclusion of my post every now and then.   Does this sound like something you'd like to do, too?

Let's chat soon!

Hugs, Myra

Hodgepodgery

 

G'morning friends!

... and thanks to Joyce for another parlor-full of posers!  

Tell us a little bit about the best birthday you've ever had.

Hands down, March of 2018.   I remember telling Tom, "I graduated living on Alabama Street in 1968 -- and now I've graduated to Alabama on my 68th!"

Following a whirlwind cross-country move, we arrived at my son's home the night before.   The next morning (my birthday) we were given the keys to our new-to-us home!  Most of the day was spent getting the water turned on and unloading the little U-Haul carrying those treasures I didn't trust to the movers.  Exhausting, yet I was elated.

That evening we just hung out with Troy and Lois, consuming copious amounts of gas station chicken (my request) and cheesecake.       

 

In what way(s) have you changed in the last five years?

Near a 180!

I no longer spend big bucks for a monthly precision cut/color ... my feet are happier now that I stopped wearing high heels.

Most importantly, it feels so good to have jumped off the tilt-a-wheel!  Sure, we could have more discretionary dollars, but I'm less stressed, less snappish.

What's your favorite thing about the street on which you live?

Having lived so many years in the desert Southwest, I still wake up and grin at green everywhere!  Too, it's nice not having homes built practically one on top of another.

The Hodgepodge lands on National Beer Day.   Are you a beer drinker?  What's a recipe you make that lists beer as one of the ingredients?  If not beer, how about yeast?

I don't drink beer but have a favorite chili recipe that calls for a seasonal brew.

As I grow older, I would like to be a woman who _________________

I was going to write, "doesn't fret" ... but we all know that's never going to happen!  

This excerpt from my daily devotional is far better:  "Remember your good memories but live for today and keep the memories behind you." (Jodi K. Elliott)   

It's a tall order, but one I'd like to stive for.

Insert your own random thought here.

How about 2?  May I have 2?

Yesterday afternoon Tom's neurosurgeon confirmed what we prayed for -- there is no recurring infection or cause for concern.   We have a follow-up with the infectious disease specialist tomorrow, but don't expect any surprises.

... and!   

At a recent Bible study, I happened to say I'd never tasted pound cake.

Well one of the ladies decided, if I wanted to be a Southerner, that was unacceptable.  She and Billy showed up at our house yesterday with this:

This thing's not going to eat itself ...

Who'd like to join me with a cup of coffee?

Be good ... be safe.

Love y'all!

Hugs, Myra

   

Sunday state of mind

Yippee, it's September!

How I love the 'ber' months, y'all.  Some may call me crazy, but I love these shorter days.

Granted, the a/c's still running -- but there's definitely aura of ANTICIPATION going on.  Can you feel it? 

I'm thinking ...

how pleasantly surprised I was by this

Given its price point, there's little likelihood I'd have stuck it in my cart.  But Tom's daughter caught me in a weak moment.  Before you know it, I spent $45 on what was basically a mystery grab bag.

The giant hair clips ... the l# ankle weights sit unopened in purgatory (aka, hall closet).  The cute gym bag did make a nice gift for my friend.

This stuff, however, is truly amazing.  The wigs can wait a while longer ... woo-hoo! 

In the kitchen ...

I'm fixing to brew a batch of pork chops after church.

Okay. This may not be News to some -- but I was excited to discover an oven-to-crockpot conversion guide (click here).  Most of the yummy recipes I'm seeing call for oven baking.  

Nope.  Not happening.

Cautiously optimistic ...

This book's really captured my attention ... last night I read 'til my Kindle's battery shut itself off.

Accused of a brutal murder, Victoria Ford made a final chilling call from the North Tower on the morning of 9/11. Twenty years ago, no one listened. Today, you will.

A nugget to share ...

Do any of you 'do' Instagram?

I joined a few years ago, but don't actually participate.

No secret, I love Sean Dietrich.  What he shared on Instagram the other day makes me love him more.

Someone wrote me and asked why I post photos of my wife not wearing makeup.

The truth is, friend, I take pictures of my wife without makeup because she lets me. If pictures of people with perfectly sculpted faces and abdominals are what you’re after, there are other social-media accounts that will float your boat.

That’s not me. My wife, for example, doesn’t care about makeup. She wears it sometimes, sure. But my wife is a real person. She drinks cheap beer, knows the infield-fly rule, talks loud, wears her pajama for days on end, loves to arrange flowers, and is married to a man with many flaws.

But it’s okay, she says. Because flawless human beings aren’t beautiful.

(Copied and pasted)

Before I go ...

If you can stand a boatload of pictures, I wanted to share a few glimpses of our anniversary dinner last night.

"I AM smiling, darn it!"

"I forgot how salty these olives are!"

Yummmm!

One of the things I most appreciate about eating out is a great server -- and ours didn't disappoint.   Attentive and chatty, she didn't even mind when I called out her 'Roll Tide' jersey ('War Eagle'!)

 

We weren't expecting THIS, but ya. I did.

Just call me a nutritional over-achiever.  Ha!

* * *

Okay.  NOW I have to stop yakking and get ready for church.

I hope everyone has a blessed day.  Thank you for being a part of my tribe!

Hugs, Myra