I have a very strong feeling that 2012 will be a year of endings and new beginnings. I haven't had any sense of what was heading my way in coming years for a long long time, so why this one I wonder? We shall see. It is in no way a harsh feeling or a negative one just a sense of things coming full circle if that makes sense.
This is what is known as a ramble. I often think things but hesitate to put them down as they are so rambly.There I will put an end to it and spare you any more of my ruminations.
Happy New Year!!
God Bless!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Pat Says...
"Star of wonder, star of light.
Fill yer pants with dynamite.
Light the fuse and off you go,
Around the world to Mexico."
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Fill yer pants with dynamite.
Light the fuse and off you go,
Around the world to Mexico."
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Fire in the Hold
On a trip back home from Aurora we got talking about the past and I have completely forgotten the connection that led to this topic but there it was :the day I nearly set the house on fire.
We were in Newmarket at the time and a lot of my shopping was done in Bradford as the produce was better and I was bored. A trip to Bradford filled in the day. I set off this wintery day with two little ones in tow and just plain forgot that I had left a pot roast bubbling away on the stove.I was trundling down a shopping aisle in the I.G.A. when I was struck by a thought. Had I left the stove on?It nagged at me so I found a pay phone and called my Dad to see if he would come across the road,peek in the widow and see if anything was amiss. I would call back in twenty minutes. It seemed he would.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story it takes place in the eighties. There were no cell phones.There was no Internet.Imagine that!
Right. I call back and the firetrucks were on their way.Hot damn! I had left the pot on the stove.
I shot back to Newmarket and rushed to open the door as the firetrucks arrived. I started to go in through the clouds of black smoke but my Dad had hold of my coat and wouldn't let go.Nigel -the cat - blasted between my legs and hightailed it up the road.I told the firemen Sally was in there and off they went to the rescue.Sally was a bird.She came out in her cage with a cover on it and we thought she was a goner, but no. I took off the cover and there she was cheeping her little heart out.By now all our neighbours were watching and kids were coming home from school. It was sooo exciting.I was mortified.
A huge fan was put in front of the open door to suck out the smoke before we were allowed back in the house. The walls were black with soot and there in my best once blue pot sitting on the back deck was a tiny charred bit of beef. The source of all our woes.It sat there for a few days while I scrubbed out the house. I finally threw it out but not before our neighbour was found crouched over it with her little boy's head stuffed well in. The child was blind and deaf and she wanted him to experience something new.He did. He coughed all the way home.
We were in Newmarket at the time and a lot of my shopping was done in Bradford as the produce was better and I was bored. A trip to Bradford filled in the day. I set off this wintery day with two little ones in tow and just plain forgot that I had left a pot roast bubbling away on the stove.I was trundling down a shopping aisle in the I.G.A. when I was struck by a thought. Had I left the stove on?It nagged at me so I found a pay phone and called my Dad to see if he would come across the road,peek in the widow and see if anything was amiss. I would call back in twenty minutes. It seemed he would.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story it takes place in the eighties. There were no cell phones.There was no Internet.Imagine that!
Right. I call back and the firetrucks were on their way.Hot damn! I had left the pot on the stove.
I shot back to Newmarket and rushed to open the door as the firetrucks arrived. I started to go in through the clouds of black smoke but my Dad had hold of my coat and wouldn't let go.Nigel -the cat - blasted between my legs and hightailed it up the road.I told the firemen Sally was in there and off they went to the rescue.Sally was a bird.She came out in her cage with a cover on it and we thought she was a goner, but no. I took off the cover and there she was cheeping her little heart out.By now all our neighbours were watching and kids were coming home from school. It was sooo exciting.I was mortified.
A huge fan was put in front of the open door to suck out the smoke before we were allowed back in the house. The walls were black with soot and there in my best once blue pot sitting on the back deck was a tiny charred bit of beef. The source of all our woes.It sat there for a few days while I scrubbed out the house. I finally threw it out but not before our neighbour was found crouched over it with her little boy's head stuffed well in. The child was blind and deaf and she wanted him to experience something new.He did. He coughed all the way home.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Pan Am Brings Back the Girdle
I watched a new show last night that takes place in 1963.I thought I could handle it as the fifties were fast disappearing and we all know how I felt about them! Well this show is incredibly dopey though the planes are cute.I will never watch it again. However it gave me food for thought as one scene had the Frau in charge of the stews slapping their bottoms to see if they were wearing their girdles. Not a one complained, though said Frau looked like Mrs. Twit with a persona to match and as we now know she had no business with her hands on anyone's bum but her own.
That the way it was then.
The minute a curve appeared on our very young bods it was slung into a girdle. Then one had suspenders on said girdle from which one hoisted and fastened stockings.It felt like being encased in cement and you could only walk in a sort of weird, knock- kneed, tittupy trot. It was to make you feminine. Being female was not enough it seemed. You had to be uncomfortable too. If one had to make a pit stop one had to bear in mind that it was no small deal wiggling out of a girdle.No wonder all of us older trouts are at the mercy of our bladders. It started with those damn girdles!
Here's the daffiest thing you'll ever hear re the wretched garment. When the fashion came, in 1961, for Bermuda shorts I got me a pair. They were turquoise.I loved them.There appeared one day on the end of my bed a thing that looked like a pair of Bermudas but was not. Yup that's right. It was a girdle to be worn under shorts just in case.In case of what? I was fourteen. What was being kept under wraps here for Heaven's sake?
Then there was the long line girdle. That bugger shoved the girls up right under your nose, wrapped around your midriff and almost stopped you breathing. Shallow breaths only ladies. So now we are encased top and bottom!
The end of it all came 7 years later when I was pregnant. I was wrapped from chest to thighs in a maternity corset which had a little pouch for the baby to grow into. It was supposed to support my 21 year old muscles which ungirdled might collapse on the floor.I wore it till the weather got hot then wrenched the sodding thing off and waited for my child to fall out. She stayed where she was until she was ready and so much for my flabby muscles.
If Pan Am takes off ( pun intended ) watch that blasted girdle reappear. Spanx is a walk in the park!
That the way it was then.
The minute a curve appeared on our very young bods it was slung into a girdle. Then one had suspenders on said girdle from which one hoisted and fastened stockings.It felt like being encased in cement and you could only walk in a sort of weird, knock- kneed, tittupy trot. It was to make you feminine. Being female was not enough it seemed. You had to be uncomfortable too. If one had to make a pit stop one had to bear in mind that it was no small deal wiggling out of a girdle.No wonder all of us older trouts are at the mercy of our bladders. It started with those damn girdles!
Here's the daffiest thing you'll ever hear re the wretched garment. When the fashion came, in 1961, for Bermuda shorts I got me a pair. They were turquoise.I loved them.There appeared one day on the end of my bed a thing that looked like a pair of Bermudas but was not. Yup that's right. It was a girdle to be worn under shorts just in case.In case of what? I was fourteen. What was being kept under wraps here for Heaven's sake?
Then there was the long line girdle. That bugger shoved the girls up right under your nose, wrapped around your midriff and almost stopped you breathing. Shallow breaths only ladies. So now we are encased top and bottom!
The end of it all came 7 years later when I was pregnant. I was wrapped from chest to thighs in a maternity corset which had a little pouch for the baby to grow into. It was supposed to support my 21 year old muscles which ungirdled might collapse on the floor.I wore it till the weather got hot then wrenched the sodding thing off and waited for my child to fall out. She stayed where she was until she was ready and so much for my flabby muscles.
If Pan Am takes off ( pun intended ) watch that blasted girdle reappear. Spanx is a walk in the park!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Goodbye Sunshine
First day of Fall peeps! It's dark and gloomy and going to rain. Of course! In anticipation of what is to come( more darkness and dampness) I am planting delphiniums today if I can. I am buying tulip bulbs, crocus, daffs and perhaps a few snowdrops for a sheltered spot. Thinking about them will shorten the winter months though I do like the weather until Christmas. January and February are for people who can still hurtle down a toboggan run and walk afterwards.
We all stay in and this includes the cat. If it weren't for the swimming three times a week we probably wouldn't go out at all. The cat has no worries about being in. She doesn't swim and exercise is not a thing she understands.
There is something about sunshine that draws you out of your home. The beach has been a big lure this summer. It's so close and so pretty and this time of year very quiet. We tell ourselves that we will walk there as often as the weather allows but we know we won't. The gray skies just aren't enticing.Walking on a beach with wind blowing your eyelashes inside out just seems wrong though plenty folk do it.
I feel gray skies are more condusive to staying in and baking cookies. Had we the wood stove I would be firing that up too and sitting beside it with a good book and Mozart doing his cheery bit on the radio. I know how to handle winter!But I am sad to see the sunshine go.
We all stay in and this includes the cat. If it weren't for the swimming three times a week we probably wouldn't go out at all. The cat has no worries about being in. She doesn't swim and exercise is not a thing she understands.
There is something about sunshine that draws you out of your home. The beach has been a big lure this summer. It's so close and so pretty and this time of year very quiet. We tell ourselves that we will walk there as often as the weather allows but we know we won't. The gray skies just aren't enticing.Walking on a beach with wind blowing your eyelashes inside out just seems wrong though plenty folk do it.
I feel gray skies are more condusive to staying in and baking cookies. Had we the wood stove I would be firing that up too and sitting beside it with a good book and Mozart doing his cheery bit on the radio. I know how to handle winter!But I am sad to see the sunshine go.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hit The Panic Button!
I was woken this morning to the car alarm belonging to the Bondo Bucket that lives next door. The decrepit van is the Bondo Bucket, not the owner for you young'ns who have not heard the term. Bondo was what you used to keep your car together back in the day.
This alarm whoops and whistles and wails and parp parps enough to wake the dead! And me! I think my neighbour who is not the sharpest knife in the drawer gives it to his sister who is also not playing with a full deck, to amuse herself with. I know when the van arrived one Saturday we were treated to the panic button non stop. People were coming out of their houses and looking up and down the road.It was relentless. I guess something was said as we have only the odd interruption in our deadly quiet suburban lives but always early in the morning. Maximum effect one assumes.
I lay in bed thinking of the first time I used a panic button. It was by accident as I was opening the Rav's door. The hullabaloo was shattering.It startled me so much I jumped and dropped the keys. All the birds flew out of the trees!Now that was an alarm!
I used the button on the Smartie this spring as I had misplaced her in a parking garage. I got out of the elevator on what I hoped was the right floor. Pressed the button and far away was a plaintive peep peep peeeep. I cupped my ear and trailed along and there she was, the wee thing giving it her all, little lights flashing merrily. I was proud of her . She did the job and birdies stayed on their branches and no one jumped out of their shoes. This is how it should be done, people!
This alarm whoops and whistles and wails and parp parps enough to wake the dead! And me! I think my neighbour who is not the sharpest knife in the drawer gives it to his sister who is also not playing with a full deck, to amuse herself with. I know when the van arrived one Saturday we were treated to the panic button non stop. People were coming out of their houses and looking up and down the road.It was relentless. I guess something was said as we have only the odd interruption in our deadly quiet suburban lives but always early in the morning. Maximum effect one assumes.
I lay in bed thinking of the first time I used a panic button. It was by accident as I was opening the Rav's door. The hullabaloo was shattering.It startled me so much I jumped and dropped the keys. All the birds flew out of the trees!Now that was an alarm!
I used the button on the Smartie this spring as I had misplaced her in a parking garage. I got out of the elevator on what I hoped was the right floor. Pressed the button and far away was a plaintive peep peep peeeep. I cupped my ear and trailed along and there she was, the wee thing giving it her all, little lights flashing merrily. I was proud of her . She did the job and birdies stayed on their branches and no one jumped out of their shoes. This is how it should be done, people!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Stonewall Jackson Lives Again
We have acquired a smoker through the hard work and planning of Adam. Today the beast was set in action and Old Stonewall had his way with a chicken. I think it may have been the most delicious piece of poultry ever. I don't care for chicken.I can always taste barnyard when I eat it but not this stuff. Heinrich ate his share and some of mine. He'd have eaten the bones if he could have.
The GeordieFest is coming up in 10 days so Stonewall Jackson and his master will do their stuff again, this time with pigs and chickens.Fingers crossed the weather stays dry as I want a lot of happy relatives and friends which they will be once they meet up with Stonewall the Holy Smoker. Yikes!! How twee was that?
The GeordieFest is coming up in 10 days so Stonewall Jackson and his master will do their stuff again, this time with pigs and chickens.Fingers crossed the weather stays dry as I want a lot of happy relatives and friends which they will be once they meet up with Stonewall the Holy Smoker. Yikes!! How twee was that?
Monday, August 22, 2011
Shrammed Oi be, Roight Shrammed
Goiles here.
Oi as good news and Oi has bad news.Oi will sally forth with the bad news first as it's always best to get im out the way loik and make way for the good. Roight. Down to it.
Oi as no eart for retoirin!There Oi as said it. Oi as troied to make a go of he.We as gone to Paris on that EuroStar for starters; eaten god knows what; traipsed all over this green an pleasant land but Oi as ad the biscuit and Oi as set moi and to the plough( a roight winnin expression!) an Oi ain't turnin back neither.
Now for the good news.
Oi has bought a farm!!! Not our old one mind ee, Oi can't afford un but this is a bit of a tiddler with just the roight space for us and Towser and yes moi liddle maids. Buttercup an Fruitcake no longer be with us but there are a few maids still that need moi care and the soight of they in the medder would gladden a heart turned to stone.
Now Mother took to the travellin lark loik a duck to water an Oi says to er she can wander as she pleases but Oi am fair shrammed with all that traipsin about and as to sleep in moi own bed of a noight with Towser on the mat or Oi ain't roight.Mother understood and said she ad more fun with the girls than she ad with me anyway. The girls....more a gaggle of old ens the way they shriek an cackle! Foine says Oi then we will both be appy an ave a ome for the maids an work for me that lifts moi eart. Now Oi be a bit long in the tooth moiself so Oi as Martin down the lane to give us an and when the bones get achy loik.Oi met Martin over a point at the Eel an Lobster an we sealed the deal so to say. Oi ain't never been so chuffed in ages.Oi'm letting ee know now an as soon as moi maids arrives Oi will send out another billet doo.
All moi love
Goiles
Oi as good news and Oi has bad news.Oi will sally forth with the bad news first as it's always best to get im out the way loik and make way for the good. Roight. Down to it.
Oi as no eart for retoirin!There Oi as said it. Oi as troied to make a go of he.We as gone to Paris on that EuroStar for starters; eaten god knows what; traipsed all over this green an pleasant land but Oi as ad the biscuit and Oi as set moi and to the plough( a roight winnin expression!) an Oi ain't turnin back neither.
Now for the good news.
Oi has bought a farm!!! Not our old one mind ee, Oi can't afford un but this is a bit of a tiddler with just the roight space for us and Towser and yes moi liddle maids. Buttercup an Fruitcake no longer be with us but there are a few maids still that need moi care and the soight of they in the medder would gladden a heart turned to stone.
Now Mother took to the travellin lark loik a duck to water an Oi says to er she can wander as she pleases but Oi am fair shrammed with all that traipsin about and as to sleep in moi own bed of a noight with Towser on the mat or Oi ain't roight.Mother understood and said she ad more fun with the girls than she ad with me anyway. The girls....more a gaggle of old ens the way they shriek an cackle! Foine says Oi then we will both be appy an ave a ome for the maids an work for me that lifts moi eart. Now Oi be a bit long in the tooth moiself so Oi as Martin down the lane to give us an and when the bones get achy loik.Oi met Martin over a point at the Eel an Lobster an we sealed the deal so to say. Oi ain't never been so chuffed in ages.Oi'm letting ee know now an as soon as moi maids arrives Oi will send out another billet doo.
All moi love
Goiles
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Katzenjammer Kits
Ja, we have the kitties for a week while their family flies off to a vacation.Tee and Pee we call them. Pascal Pixie Dust and Terrance Ratzinger. I made up the Ratzinger as I can't remember his middle name. I ask you!
They are thrilled to be with us. Eating like horses and very playful and affectionate especially in the wee small hours. Very loving with Karolina who has left home in a huff. She is camping out for the week. Showing up for her three squares then off to the weedy wonderland next door.
They are always afraid you may be lonely and in need of one of them or better still two on your lap. If you are sitting you need a cat seems to be the way they think. Quite a change from what we live with.
I got a lot of reading done early this morning while petting Pee who was feeling lonely.He's trying hard to help me with this blog though I have told him I can manage, thank you.
They are both champion purrers and show it off at every opportunity.Oh and handsome too but not vain with it. Lovely chaps.
I wish Karolina could write the next blog for me. We could then see them through her eyes. Poor kitties.
They are thrilled to be with us. Eating like horses and very playful and affectionate especially in the wee small hours. Very loving with Karolina who has left home in a huff. She is camping out for the week. Showing up for her three squares then off to the weedy wonderland next door.
They are always afraid you may be lonely and in need of one of them or better still two on your lap. If you are sitting you need a cat seems to be the way they think. Quite a change from what we live with.
I got a lot of reading done early this morning while petting Pee who was feeling lonely.He's trying hard to help me with this blog though I have told him I can manage, thank you.
They are both champion purrers and show it off at every opportunity.Oh and handsome too but not vain with it. Lovely chaps.
I wish Karolina could write the next blog for me. We could then see them through her eyes. Poor kitties.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
An Update
I know, I know, it's been ages but in all fairness I 've been really busy. The house has turned into a major project and we are not even half way through it.
The month of August has turned into a month off.The deck seemed to take forever and as it grew larger the weather turned hotter and hotter which slowed us down. No-one wants to expire of heat over a deck!
Or the garden, that never ending energy sucker!I am happy to work in a garden anywhere any time but when it's 40 Celsius and the sweat is so bad I can't see then it's another thing altogether.
We miscalculated on the garden both on the amount of work needed and the curse of the thistle people who will survive at any cost. I know they have a job to do but I ask you...
However there is now more veg than weed so things are a little less grim. The Scarborough clay is still horrible but a few seasons of mulching should help there.Lake Ontario is at our door so watering is not a problem either seeing as we are in a drought.
We still have bathrooms to renovate, hall floors to replace and wood floors to refinish. Then attention turns to the basement which will become a finished apt.All the money we made on selling 63 Victoria has turned into our kitchen and deck and garden as well as painting the house from top to bottom,replacing a truly weird back door, and buying new appliances.
Oh, I nearly forgot the gas furnace we had installed and the tankless hot water heater.The cost of oil over the winter was astounding so that had to be done as well.
Blimey when I look at what we have done over the last seven months with a lot of help both paid and unpaid I'm a bit amazed. Well we couldn't have done it alone.
However we are in retreat mode as we have to replenish the coffers and that will take some time. Nothing more gets started until we have more money and the weather has cooled down.
We buckled and bought two window rattlers as there were a few nights that were hot and humid beyond belief.Working in the heat is not a pleasant thing nor is trying to sleep in it either.
No humour in this post. Sorry just too hot and bothered to be funny. Will have a go later when and if it cools down.Right now the deck, a beautiful thing is calling. Along with the cicadas.
The month of August has turned into a month off.The deck seemed to take forever and as it grew larger the weather turned hotter and hotter which slowed us down. No-one wants to expire of heat over a deck!
Or the garden, that never ending energy sucker!I am happy to work in a garden anywhere any time but when it's 40 Celsius and the sweat is so bad I can't see then it's another thing altogether.
We miscalculated on the garden both on the amount of work needed and the curse of the thistle people who will survive at any cost. I know they have a job to do but I ask you...
However there is now more veg than weed so things are a little less grim. The Scarborough clay is still horrible but a few seasons of mulching should help there.Lake Ontario is at our door so watering is not a problem either seeing as we are in a drought.
We still have bathrooms to renovate, hall floors to replace and wood floors to refinish. Then attention turns to the basement which will become a finished apt.All the money we made on selling 63 Victoria has turned into our kitchen and deck and garden as well as painting the house from top to bottom,replacing a truly weird back door, and buying new appliances.
Oh, I nearly forgot the gas furnace we had installed and the tankless hot water heater.The cost of oil over the winter was astounding so that had to be done as well.
Blimey when I look at what we have done over the last seven months with a lot of help both paid and unpaid I'm a bit amazed. Well we couldn't have done it alone.
However we are in retreat mode as we have to replenish the coffers and that will take some time. Nothing more gets started until we have more money and the weather has cooled down.
We buckled and bought two window rattlers as there were a few nights that were hot and humid beyond belief.Working in the heat is not a pleasant thing nor is trying to sleep in it either.
No humour in this post. Sorry just too hot and bothered to be funny. Will have a go later when and if it cools down.Right now the deck, a beautiful thing is calling. Along with the cicadas.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Sodding Garden
I know it's been a while but the garden seems to have taken over our life. The Young Urban Farmers I had such hopes of turned out to be M.B.A.'s from Queens and this is a business venture. Sure is, as they have taken a rather large amount of dosh off Hannah and a larger amount off me but failed to deliver the goods. There was no soil prep of any kind and seeds sown at random so weeding was an exercise in frustration. After a few curt e-mails the Head Farmer graced us with an hour of his time to see what he could do to make things better. Not much apparently. He did bring a bail of straw though. To sit on and weep?
We are back at it early Canada Day morning to try and work some peat moss and feeder in to the clay. If we had opened a brick yard our fortunes would have been made. I will be lucky to get a dozen beetroot out of this lark. Same for the carrots. In all fairness the beans and tomatoes are coming along so it all works out to about five bucks a veg. Bit steep I think.
The YUFS will get no referral from me I'll tell you and a flea in their collective ear for free!
Happy Canada Day I don't think.
We are back at it early Canada Day morning to try and work some peat moss and feeder in to the clay. If we had opened a brick yard our fortunes would have been made. I will be lucky to get a dozen beetroot out of this lark. Same for the carrots. In all fairness the beans and tomatoes are coming along so it all works out to about five bucks a veg. Bit steep I think.
The YUFS will get no referral from me I'll tell you and a flea in their collective ear for free!
Happy Canada Day I don't think.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Summat for Eating
Oi told Goiles it were moi turn at this here computer. Now oi'm ere oi'm not quite sure what to tell 'ee. Goiles rattles on about them liddle maids of his, what used to be and he was bletherskiting all about our trip abroad so oi as to write summat of moi own see!
Roight, oi will tell ee ow to make an apple and blackberry pie. Oi was plannin on steak and kidney one of Gioles's favorites but oi got thinkin about you lot what eats vegetables and thought ee moight be put off loik, so ere goes!
Pick some brambles from the edgerows enough to fill a pail.Eat as many as you loike oi always does! Whoile picking of course, not out your pail, that would be daft!
Peel a poile of bramley apples to match your brambles. Mix em together with a fair bit of sugar. Put em in a basin an top it with a good bit of rough puff pastry and bang her in an ot oven.After a bit turn the eat down so's the pastry don't burn and the fruits get to know each other. When it smells sentimental loik aul er out and eat while warm with a good dollop of clotted cream.
Oi opes you loikes it. Let me know. Oi has all sorts of things to write about but oi isn't wasting moi time with ee if you can't be bothered to read it.
Mother
Roight, oi will tell ee ow to make an apple and blackberry pie. Oi was plannin on steak and kidney one of Gioles's favorites but oi got thinkin about you lot what eats vegetables and thought ee moight be put off loik, so ere goes!
Pick some brambles from the edgerows enough to fill a pail.Eat as many as you loike oi always does! Whoile picking of course, not out your pail, that would be daft!
Peel a poile of bramley apples to match your brambles. Mix em together with a fair bit of sugar. Put em in a basin an top it with a good bit of rough puff pastry and bang her in an ot oven.After a bit turn the eat down so's the pastry don't burn and the fruits get to know each other. When it smells sentimental loik aul er out and eat while warm with a good dollop of clotted cream.
Oi opes you loikes it. Let me know. Oi has all sorts of things to write about but oi isn't wasting moi time with ee if you can't be bothered to read it.
Mother
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Poor Pippa
Poor Pippa
Pippity pip
Fell down the stairs
Trippity trip
Ripped her nickers
Rippity rip
Started to cry
Drippity drip
Poor Pippa
Pippity pip.
I was thinking of Kate Middleton's sister and I remembered this.
Pippity pip
Fell down the stairs
Trippity trip
Ripped her nickers
Rippity rip
Started to cry
Drippity drip
Poor Pippa
Pippity pip.
I was thinking of Kate Middleton's sister and I remembered this.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Rumi Says...
This human being is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of it's furniture,
still treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of it's furniture,
still treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Ugthorpe Lodge
We were having a midnight adventure one late October evening on the Yorkshire moors enroute to Whitby when it all went horribly wrong.We had planned a weekend getaway to pretty little Whitby a scenic two hour's drive from Sunderland. Anne and I had been all packed and ready to roll for hours. My Dad had been delayed at work so we were setting off at sunset rather than late afternoon.
Never mind we were off!This is England mind and a beautiful day can change it's mind quick as a wink. Which it did. We had just got up to the Dales and were heading south to Yorkshire when the rain started.It was relentless. My Dad was peering through the windshield at what I don't know as there was nothing there. Maybe he was worried about sheep but any sheep with half a brain(which is what sheep have) would have legged it for the croft.
We were battling our way through the storm when the car conked out. English cars don't like rain. Makes you wonder doesn't it?There we were high on the moors, dark as the inside of your hat, in a conked car.
However there was a light in the distance so someone probably Dad( I don't remember) went out in the deluge to look for help. Help came back with a Land Rover and in we squashed and there we were at Ugthorpe Lodge. I'm not making this up! Emily Bronte had been for a visit a while back and had sat down and dashed off Wuthering Heights aka Ugthorpe.
It was dark , stony and perishing cold. We were poked in a sitting room whose only light came from a tree trunk smouldering away in a fireplace that could have roasted an ox.We ate ham sandwiches and played twenty questions that poor Anne kept losing.When we were finally tired enough to give up trying to get warm we were led up to bed with candles!!! They said the power was out. Hmmm....The bedrooms were as cold as you can imagine but we were young so after a lot of shivering we went to sleep.
Next morning after a breakfast of everything you could wish for fried,( they will fry pizza for you in Yorkshire. True!) we went outside to see our car that had been towed and was being examined by someone whose English was a bit tough to understand. A Yorkshireman.
It was a beautiful calm, cool, morning with little puffy clouds that looked like the little puffy sheep that were milling about.We stood there for ages.We were scared to go back in to see where we had been in daylight. It looked bad enough from the outside.
The little green Anglia was given the kiss of life and coughed a couple of times and in we piled.I don't think my Dad took his foot off the gas the whole way into Whitby which we reached in record time.
I have a drawing I made of us standing around the car that morning but even if I knew where that old sketch book is I don't know how to put it in the blog. Sorry you will just have to see it all with words.
Never mind we were off!This is England mind and a beautiful day can change it's mind quick as a wink. Which it did. We had just got up to the Dales and were heading south to Yorkshire when the rain started.It was relentless. My Dad was peering through the windshield at what I don't know as there was nothing there. Maybe he was worried about sheep but any sheep with half a brain(which is what sheep have) would have legged it for the croft.
We were battling our way through the storm when the car conked out. English cars don't like rain. Makes you wonder doesn't it?There we were high on the moors, dark as the inside of your hat, in a conked car.
However there was a light in the distance so someone probably Dad( I don't remember) went out in the deluge to look for help. Help came back with a Land Rover and in we squashed and there we were at Ugthorpe Lodge. I'm not making this up! Emily Bronte had been for a visit a while back and had sat down and dashed off Wuthering Heights aka Ugthorpe.
It was dark , stony and perishing cold. We were poked in a sitting room whose only light came from a tree trunk smouldering away in a fireplace that could have roasted an ox.We ate ham sandwiches and played twenty questions that poor Anne kept losing.When we were finally tired enough to give up trying to get warm we were led up to bed with candles!!! They said the power was out. Hmmm....The bedrooms were as cold as you can imagine but we were young so after a lot of shivering we went to sleep.
Next morning after a breakfast of everything you could wish for fried,( they will fry pizza for you in Yorkshire. True!) we went outside to see our car that had been towed and was being examined by someone whose English was a bit tough to understand. A Yorkshireman.
It was a beautiful calm, cool, morning with little puffy clouds that looked like the little puffy sheep that were milling about.We stood there for ages.We were scared to go back in to see where we had been in daylight. It looked bad enough from the outside.
The little green Anglia was given the kiss of life and coughed a couple of times and in we piled.I don't think my Dad took his foot off the gas the whole way into Whitby which we reached in record time.
I have a drawing I made of us standing around the car that morning but even if I knew where that old sketch book is I don't know how to put it in the blog. Sorry you will just have to see it all with words.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Foreign Parts
Yers, Oi'm back from moi travels abroad and right glad to be so may oi say. It were roight exhausting whot with all them buildings we 'ad to look in and that there food and all them foreigners.They were orl right for the most part, the foreigners oi mean but it were roight tiring 'avin to eat goodness knows what, day in day out.
We were on a tour loik, an we ad a tour guide whose name oi reckon was Along, oi believe, oi couldn't quite get the ang of it see.Well this ere Along took us everywhere in Paris. Mother was chuffed to bits.We 'et in roight posh restaurants an oi et summat called Soul Bong Fam which were roight tasty. It were a fish.
Along et with us to make sure we got summit we could eat.Oi have heard stories about what these chaps will put on their plates but most of it were roight good though oi could have murdered a decent cuppa tea.Coffee, coffee, coffee, day an noight. Oi'm all a jangle still.
We went up that there tower they are so proud of in Paris. Oi had to look at moi feet it were that hoigh. Moi head were swimming loik. Mother were hanging on to the edge for dear loife and oohin and aahin. Oi don't know where she gets the pluck.Oi had to have a loi down after to get moi wind back.We went to the Loover and looked at the pictures. Along talked a blue streak about it all but oi couldn't get the ang of most of it. A lot of they poor stone lasses 'ad lost their arms and other bits. It were a shame.Oi expect the Loover couldn't afford lasses with all their bits. Too dear.
We went to where the King lived in the summertime, the one that lost is 'ead in a manner of speaking. Hee Hee.It were roight posh. They 'ad cows there 'an all as the Queen, poor dear, loiked er cream fresh. Now there was a woman after me own 'eart. She went for the chop 'an all. These Frenchies are a dramatic lot!Imagine the old Queen Mum 'avin her 'ead chopped off. See what oi mean?Don't bear thinkin of.We love our Queen even if she do eat cake.
Well, we came back same way we left under the Channel in the train.They call it the Chunnel.The train is called the Eurostar. Oi had to take a pill oi am ashamed to say. The thought of all that water above moi head quite took the pluck roight out of me. Mother was chattering nineteen to the dozen with 'er new mates.She wasn't a bit put off boi any of it. She says she 'as Sang Frower. She speaks French now. Me oi am afraid am back 'ome and very 'appy to be so. Sang Frower be damned.
We were on a tour loik, an we ad a tour guide whose name oi reckon was Along, oi believe, oi couldn't quite get the ang of it see.Well this ere Along took us everywhere in Paris. Mother was chuffed to bits.We 'et in roight posh restaurants an oi et summat called Soul Bong Fam which were roight tasty. It were a fish.
Along et with us to make sure we got summit we could eat.Oi have heard stories about what these chaps will put on their plates but most of it were roight good though oi could have murdered a decent cuppa tea.Coffee, coffee, coffee, day an noight. Oi'm all a jangle still.
We went up that there tower they are so proud of in Paris. Oi had to look at moi feet it were that hoigh. Moi head were swimming loik. Mother were hanging on to the edge for dear loife and oohin and aahin. Oi don't know where she gets the pluck.Oi had to have a loi down after to get moi wind back.We went to the Loover and looked at the pictures. Along talked a blue streak about it all but oi couldn't get the ang of most of it. A lot of they poor stone lasses 'ad lost their arms and other bits. It were a shame.Oi expect the Loover couldn't afford lasses with all their bits. Too dear.
We went to where the King lived in the summertime, the one that lost is 'ead in a manner of speaking. Hee Hee.It were roight posh. They 'ad cows there 'an all as the Queen, poor dear, loiked er cream fresh. Now there was a woman after me own 'eart. She went for the chop 'an all. These Frenchies are a dramatic lot!Imagine the old Queen Mum 'avin her 'ead chopped off. See what oi mean?Don't bear thinkin of.We love our Queen even if she do eat cake.
Well, we came back same way we left under the Channel in the train.They call it the Chunnel.The train is called the Eurostar. Oi had to take a pill oi am ashamed to say. The thought of all that water above moi head quite took the pluck roight out of me. Mother was chattering nineteen to the dozen with 'er new mates.She wasn't a bit put off boi any of it. She says she 'as Sang Frower. She speaks French now. Me oi am afraid am back 'ome and very 'appy to be so. Sang Frower be damned.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Friends
I dropped in on a former friend of mine last week. We used to live on the same street in Scarborough and I haven't seen her house in thirty years and her only twice since then. We drifted apart, like you do.
I pulled into her driveway and there she was raking her lawn looking just the same but with gray hair. It was as though I had been away for a day or two!She knew me right away and we got down to brass tacks and brought each other up to speed on just about everything. She standing there with her rake in her hand and me in the car.
We are doing lunch( she has always been a lady who lunches) tomorrow and will get down to even finer brass tacks. We were going into the City but she also has a meeting with her travelling companion as they are off to Australia in June. They have been around the world twice in the last few years. I feel a bit dull. Never mind she is a fine person and I am really happy to be able to talk to her again.More on this later, after the lunch.
I pulled into her driveway and there she was raking her lawn looking just the same but with gray hair. It was as though I had been away for a day or two!She knew me right away and we got down to brass tacks and brought each other up to speed on just about everything. She standing there with her rake in her hand and me in the car.
We are doing lunch( she has always been a lady who lunches) tomorrow and will get down to even finer brass tacks. We were going into the City but she also has a meeting with her travelling companion as they are off to Australia in June. They have been around the world twice in the last few years. I feel a bit dull. Never mind she is a fine person and I am really happy to be able to talk to her again.More on this later, after the lunch.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
All About Welfare Bums
We were very nearly such. We had come back from a failed attempt to settle ourselves in the Old World in 1986 with 5 children in tow,having acquired an extra one in transit.We all except for the nursing toddler and 5 year old had part time jobs.Heinrich was on days, working here there and everywhere; the older kids worked after school and weekends and I worked evenings and mornings where I could take the littlest one with me.
Between the 5 of us working at minimum wage we could just make the rent and buy food.Then one winter month we ran short so I had the honour of calling the Welfare people.They came to the house and asked a million and one questions then informed me that we had made over 1000 dollars the preceding month so had too much money coming in.Our rent on the little house in the Holland Marsh was 750, and 7 of us were eating, three of them teenagers with hollow legs.We had between the seven of us 1200 a month.I told the welfare man that I could pay the rent or buy food but not both. He said he was sorry but all he could do was give me a piece of paper that would get me in to the food bank in Richmond Hill.The ancient car we had bought for 400 dollars was on its last wheels and would never make it that far. We had no money to get it repaired.
To my everlasting shame I started to cry. The poor man was so embarrassed. I hopped up and opened the front door. I couldn't bear looking at him.He took the hint and left, wishing me luck.
That is my sorry little tale about welfare bums. I'm sure there are a few who make a career of cheating the taxpayers but I will bet there are a lot more who have had my experience. Walk a mile in the other persons' shoes they say, before you pass judgement. They may have holes in them!
Between the 5 of us working at minimum wage we could just make the rent and buy food.Then one winter month we ran short so I had the honour of calling the Welfare people.They came to the house and asked a million and one questions then informed me that we had made over 1000 dollars the preceding month so had too much money coming in.Our rent on the little house in the Holland Marsh was 750, and 7 of us were eating, three of them teenagers with hollow legs.We had between the seven of us 1200 a month.I told the welfare man that I could pay the rent or buy food but not both. He said he was sorry but all he could do was give me a piece of paper that would get me in to the food bank in Richmond Hill.The ancient car we had bought for 400 dollars was on its last wheels and would never make it that far. We had no money to get it repaired.
To my everlasting shame I started to cry. The poor man was so embarrassed. I hopped up and opened the front door. I couldn't bear looking at him.He took the hint and left, wishing me luck.
That is my sorry little tale about welfare bums. I'm sure there are a few who make a career of cheating the taxpayers but I will bet there are a lot more who have had my experience. Walk a mile in the other persons' shoes they say, before you pass judgement. They may have holes in them!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Hon
I can't remember if I mentioned this before and if I have well too bad read it anyway all three of you!I don't know if I can call what I am writing about ageism or sexism or a nasty combo platter-"sageism"-I wish!
People have taken to calling me dear. Which sounds inoffensive enough.In England everyone is called pet or love or darling no matter how old or which gender you are though men are more likely to be called "Gov." Kiddiewinks often have a sweetie handed over with the endearment. That's how you know you are big. Little old ladies still call you pet but don't part with their toffees. One is big enough to get ones own.
Here in the New World, only old trouts like me are called "dear." It makes me bristle as I cannot imagine my husband being called "dear" and he is older than I am. Hence the sexism.
I took action last week. I was in the bank renegotiating investments such as they are. I thought I heard the word dear float across the desk from the lips of the young man with whom I was dealing. It happened again and I told him not to call me that. He had the grace to look chastised and I was Mrs. Davison for the rest of the session. I hope he remembers this for other older women.Life is difficult enough without having to be patronised by young men.Unless one has a whiskey voice and calls us "hon."People with whiskey voices tend to call everyone "hon" and it's just like being back in England where we are all: old, young, male , female the botched and the bungled, "pet."
People have taken to calling me dear. Which sounds inoffensive enough.In England everyone is called pet or love or darling no matter how old or which gender you are though men are more likely to be called "Gov." Kiddiewinks often have a sweetie handed over with the endearment. That's how you know you are big. Little old ladies still call you pet but don't part with their toffees. One is big enough to get ones own.
Here in the New World, only old trouts like me are called "dear." It makes me bristle as I cannot imagine my husband being called "dear" and he is older than I am. Hence the sexism.
I took action last week. I was in the bank renegotiating investments such as they are. I thought I heard the word dear float across the desk from the lips of the young man with whom I was dealing. It happened again and I told him not to call me that. He had the grace to look chastised and I was Mrs. Davison for the rest of the session. I hope he remembers this for other older women.Life is difficult enough without having to be patronised by young men.Unless one has a whiskey voice and calls us "hon."People with whiskey voices tend to call everyone "hon" and it's just like being back in England where we are all: old, young, male , female the botched and the bungled, "pet."
Monday, February 28, 2011
Burli! Lass Die Fusse 'Runter !
We were sitting on a streetcar in Vienna in 1975, me Martina and Jamey. Jamey had a window seat to himself and was curled up watching the world go by.I was next to him with Martina on my lap. We had been somewhere with my Mother-in -law, I can't remember where and we were all sleepy and daydreamy.
Into this reverie squawked an ugly shrill voice from the seat ahead of me. It came from a scrawny little woman with thin grey hair pulled up in a tiny tight bun and a wee shrewish face.She was looking at Jamey and shrilling at him"Burli,lass die fusse 'runter (little boy put your feet down.)
It took all of us a minute to first, figure out what she was saying and then, to whom. Jamey just looked confused then resumed his stare out the window.Martina started to suck her thumb.I looked for help from my Mother -in- law but when I saw her turn her head away and fixate on something outside the window I knew it was up to me.
Now to give those of you non Austrians a heads up you have to understand that in Austria if you see a child that needs attention good or bad you give it. Whether said child is alone or with parents doesn't matter. It takes a village to raise a child is in the heart of everyone there, especially little angry women. I've been got at too when my shoelace was undone and I was no child!
Back to the Strassenbahn.When I saw Oma stick her head up her ass I mustered all the German I had for my reply and realized it was sorely lacking. So I did the next best thing and tried to ignore the repeated complaints. Little Shrew Woman was getting shriller and redder by the minute and poor Jamey was now aware that he was in trouble, but how?
Finally I leaned forward and let her have both barrels in English! Quietly. The little shrew deflated like a pricked balloon.
Something else you have to understand about Austrians.They are very ingratiating with foreigners no matter how much they despise them in their hearts.To be shown up in public by going after a tourist was more than she had bargained for. She was so badly mortified I felt sorry for her. A bit.
By the way his little feet were clean.
Into this reverie squawked an ugly shrill voice from the seat ahead of me. It came from a scrawny little woman with thin grey hair pulled up in a tiny tight bun and a wee shrewish face.She was looking at Jamey and shrilling at him"Burli,lass die fusse 'runter (little boy put your feet down.)
It took all of us a minute to first, figure out what she was saying and then, to whom. Jamey just looked confused then resumed his stare out the window.Martina started to suck her thumb.I looked for help from my Mother -in- law but when I saw her turn her head away and fixate on something outside the window I knew it was up to me.
Now to give those of you non Austrians a heads up you have to understand that in Austria if you see a child that needs attention good or bad you give it. Whether said child is alone or with parents doesn't matter. It takes a village to raise a child is in the heart of everyone there, especially little angry women. I've been got at too when my shoelace was undone and I was no child!
Back to the Strassenbahn.When I saw Oma stick her head up her ass I mustered all the German I had for my reply and realized it was sorely lacking. So I did the next best thing and tried to ignore the repeated complaints. Little Shrew Woman was getting shriller and redder by the minute and poor Jamey was now aware that he was in trouble, but how?
Finally I leaned forward and let her have both barrels in English! Quietly. The little shrew deflated like a pricked balloon.
Something else you have to understand about Austrians.They are very ingratiating with foreigners no matter how much they despise them in their hearts.To be shown up in public by going after a tourist was more than she had bargained for. She was so badly mortified I felt sorry for her. A bit.
By the way his little feet were clean.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bewildered in the Bluffs
It's been a while since I wrote anything and I was beginning to feel a bit frantic as I have too much choice as subject matter and also not as much time as I used to have to mull things over. It's resulted in a flurry of activity at home and abroad and not much thinking.
In Aurora I had far too much time on my hands and plenty of time to rummage around in what passes for a brain. Now it seems my feet just touch the floor in the morning and we're off!
There has been a fair amount of confusion in the house as it undergoes its transformation.I was prepping meals and doing the washing up in the downstairs loo for what seemed like forever. I am back in the kitchen now but we are still not firing on all cylinders. Hope is high that the dishwasher will be operational today or tomorrow and that the heat will be on ditto.
I also can trot off to Chinatown and buy cheap bananas and pills at a moments notice. I can and have, strolled through Little India on a mild winter's day looking for incense.De Serres is just over on the Danforth and I could spend weeks there quite happily. Of course the AGO is thirty minutes away and I have a pass!!! There is family to visit, two of whom provide food and drink on a professional basis.
I am telling you I can't remember having so much to do and almost all of it fun.Even the walk around the track at Variety Village though it was mind numbingly boring made Lola feel like a new woman.We are used to water exercise Lola and I so the track is something new for us.
Right now I am looking for an holistic dentist and there are choices for goodness sake!
I feel sorry for everyone back in dull little Aurora and I expect they are feeling sorry for me trying to cope with life in the Smoke.The other sorry I feel is that this move should have happened years ago but never mind, we are here now!
In Aurora I had far too much time on my hands and plenty of time to rummage around in what passes for a brain. Now it seems my feet just touch the floor in the morning and we're off!
There has been a fair amount of confusion in the house as it undergoes its transformation.I was prepping meals and doing the washing up in the downstairs loo for what seemed like forever. I am back in the kitchen now but we are still not firing on all cylinders. Hope is high that the dishwasher will be operational today or tomorrow and that the heat will be on ditto.
I also can trot off to Chinatown and buy cheap bananas and pills at a moments notice. I can and have, strolled through Little India on a mild winter's day looking for incense.De Serres is just over on the Danforth and I could spend weeks there quite happily. Of course the AGO is thirty minutes away and I have a pass!!! There is family to visit, two of whom provide food and drink on a professional basis.
I am telling you I can't remember having so much to do and almost all of it fun.Even the walk around the track at Variety Village though it was mind numbingly boring made Lola feel like a new woman.We are used to water exercise Lola and I so the track is something new for us.
Right now I am looking for an holistic dentist and there are choices for goodness sake!
I feel sorry for everyone back in dull little Aurora and I expect they are feeling sorry for me trying to cope with life in the Smoke.The other sorry I feel is that this move should have happened years ago but never mind, we are here now!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Regret
So here's the story:
After a lifetime of hand copying ancient texts, an elderly monk became abbot of his monastery.Realizing that for centuries his order had been making copies of copies, he decided to examine some of the monastery's original documents. Days later, the other monks found him in the cellar,weeping over a crumbling manuscript and moaning,"It says 'celebrate', not 'celibate'!"
After a lifetime of hand copying ancient texts, an elderly monk became abbot of his monastery.Realizing that for centuries his order had been making copies of copies, he decided to examine some of the monastery's original documents. Days later, the other monks found him in the cellar,weeping over a crumbling manuscript and moaning,"It says 'celebrate', not 'celibate'!"
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Channelling
I hope I spelled that right.However you spell it the night we had the channeler here was a night to remember. The place was stuffed. There were 23 people packed into our little living room.We sat in a circle with a lot of folk seated on the floor. One was parked on Dave(the giant teddy bear) as we had run out of cushions.
The woman whom we had gathered to hear was Judith Onley a native of Sault St. Marie who now travels all over North America doing her channelling work.
While we sat with closed eyes she spoke. I heard her voice as she went around the room talking and snapping her fingers and clapping her hands. She was giving us information on the coming year and also increasing our personal vibrations at the same time.
However...she wasn't walking around the room at all. Even though I heard her voice coming from various parts of the room she had been standing in one corner the whole time. There didn't seem much personal about it until the next morning.
I woke up after a very sound sleep to find I hadn't a thought in my head. Not a one. When thoughts did start percolating a little later they were all positive ones.Now this is most unusual. I am normally a positive wellspring of negative mindchatter.I should have, could have, must have etc...
All gone.
This is day two and the negative stuff is still all gone.The monkey mind rattles on but I am getting all sorts of ideas rather than a host of regrets. I woke this morning at four, was up baking at six and started on the computer at seven.It's dark and cold out there so it can't be the birdies that woke me.It's all the ideas percolating in my head and they are all to do with making my little world a better place for me and everyone I know in it.
That was Judith's message.Get up and get it on the road.Reading and thinking and talking is not enough any more.Time to put my money where my mouth is.
Cripes, I hope I can keep it up. It tires me out thinking about it all but so far it doesn't tire me at all to do it. Now that's a first!
The woman whom we had gathered to hear was Judith Onley a native of Sault St. Marie who now travels all over North America doing her channelling work.
While we sat with closed eyes she spoke. I heard her voice as she went around the room talking and snapping her fingers and clapping her hands. She was giving us information on the coming year and also increasing our personal vibrations at the same time.
However...she wasn't walking around the room at all. Even though I heard her voice coming from various parts of the room she had been standing in one corner the whole time. There didn't seem much personal about it until the next morning.
I woke up after a very sound sleep to find I hadn't a thought in my head. Not a one. When thoughts did start percolating a little later they were all positive ones.Now this is most unusual. I am normally a positive wellspring of negative mindchatter.I should have, could have, must have etc...
All gone.
This is day two and the negative stuff is still all gone.The monkey mind rattles on but I am getting all sorts of ideas rather than a host of regrets. I woke this morning at four, was up baking at six and started on the computer at seven.It's dark and cold out there so it can't be the birdies that woke me.It's all the ideas percolating in my head and they are all to do with making my little world a better place for me and everyone I know in it.
That was Judith's message.Get up and get it on the road.Reading and thinking and talking is not enough any more.Time to put my money where my mouth is.
Cripes, I hope I can keep it up. It tires me out thinking about it all but so far it doesn't tire me at all to do it. Now that's a first!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Hot Sauce
I woke up this morning thinking of hot sauce. I don't know why but it got me thinking.
I was having my hair cut last week and hot sauce was the topic of discussion. The hairdresser said he was too white to eat hot stuff. I thought I had heard wrong but no. It's P.C. to say you are too white for something. So I say it here. I am too white for hot sauce. It's not for want of trying either. I have offspring who have tongues of teflon and can put and do put any hot sauce known to man down their gullets. They could take up a second career as fireaters at Cirque de Soleil.
The Austrians who are known for their sweets are mad things for hot sauce. They sell it in tubes to spread on their brot in case there is nothing else. They put it on spicy salami sandwiches. They dip their eggs in it. I once took what I thought was a cherry out of a jar of dill pickles, watched intently by the Austrian family I had married into. As soon as it touched my lips I knew I was in trouble.
"I thought it was a cherry "I mumbled through the rising blisters.The Austrians looked at each other.So the English put cherries in their pickles was the thought bubble over their heads. Uhnnn....
Now the really odd thing about all this is that I can eat Keene's mustard which the English use to adorn roast beef and thick ham sarnies.The Austrian amongst us hates this stuff.He says it is too hot and has no taste.What taste?The chili peppers he has been eating for years have sheered off his tastebuds.
Now we have a card carrying Korean in the family and are learning the true dimensions of hot. Well the fire eaters are. I know my limits and they are baby's kim chi and I am more than happy to keep the babies company while we eat it.
I was having my hair cut last week and hot sauce was the topic of discussion. The hairdresser said he was too white to eat hot stuff. I thought I had heard wrong but no. It's P.C. to say you are too white for something. So I say it here. I am too white for hot sauce. It's not for want of trying either. I have offspring who have tongues of teflon and can put and do put any hot sauce known to man down their gullets. They could take up a second career as fireaters at Cirque de Soleil.
The Austrians who are known for their sweets are mad things for hot sauce. They sell it in tubes to spread on their brot in case there is nothing else. They put it on spicy salami sandwiches. They dip their eggs in it. I once took what I thought was a cherry out of a jar of dill pickles, watched intently by the Austrian family I had married into. As soon as it touched my lips I knew I was in trouble.
"I thought it was a cherry "I mumbled through the rising blisters.The Austrians looked at each other.So the English put cherries in their pickles was the thought bubble over their heads. Uhnnn....
Now the really odd thing about all this is that I can eat Keene's mustard which the English use to adorn roast beef and thick ham sarnies.The Austrian amongst us hates this stuff.He says it is too hot and has no taste.What taste?The chili peppers he has been eating for years have sheered off his tastebuds.
Now we have a card carrying Korean in the family and are learning the true dimensions of hot. Well the fire eaters are. I know my limits and they are baby's kim chi and I am more than happy to keep the babies company while we eat it.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Technology is a Bitch
I saw that in a book I was reading and thought "Yes" that is exactly what it is. I am no longer a card carrying Luddite. Far from it. After all I am writing this aren't I. And using all my fingers though the broken one trails a bit. I can use a cell phone as well as a computer. I know how to cut the grass with a power mower;I have known that for decades. I had a friend from Scotland whose big comment when she found out I was living on my own was "My God,you'll have to cut the grass!"
I have driven gear shift since forever as well, which some men find amazing.Though not men I would want to have much to do with. It's because of a car that I am writing this.
When I knew that a move to the city was in the works I sold my trusty Rav and bought a Smart Car. I must say for city driving in fine weather that little car is a gem. However it is not fine weather and the little car is a bit of a pill at the moment.It's a buggar in the snow,well what did I expect, it has pram wheels for goodness sake!
When the two of us are both in it, in our winter gear we have to synchronize our breathing or else it gets very crowded, very quickly. Yes the bloom is off the rose and the Smartie will be replaced before next winter.
What I did want to share with you at the start of this was a story about technology.I get sidetracked easily as you may have noticed. Thank you for your patience.
I was out in the snowy streets yesterday to get the groceries and struggling to keep the Smartie on her side of the unploughed road.The dash was telling me that it was snowing!!! and that the traction overdrive was engaged at least that's what I found out that the trembling exclamation point was for. What wasn't showing up was that I had no windshield washer fluid. Of course not. The wretched car was made in France( what were the Germans thinking?) and Frenchmen need to know what the weather is like outside their little car so they'll know what to do when they exit the car. Will the hair get wet or not? They can't be trusted to look out the window. No, they need to check the dash. Which will tell them whether it is raining or not never mind the windshield gumming up from backdraft and road spray so that you can't see !!! Of course that is why, as I see now. The weather report is for when you can't see because you have no windshield washer fluid indicator.I should have been more specific. French technology is a bitch.
I have driven gear shift since forever as well, which some men find amazing.Though not men I would want to have much to do with. It's because of a car that I am writing this.
When I knew that a move to the city was in the works I sold my trusty Rav and bought a Smart Car. I must say for city driving in fine weather that little car is a gem. However it is not fine weather and the little car is a bit of a pill at the moment.It's a buggar in the snow,well what did I expect, it has pram wheels for goodness sake!
When the two of us are both in it, in our winter gear we have to synchronize our breathing or else it gets very crowded, very quickly. Yes the bloom is off the rose and the Smartie will be replaced before next winter.
What I did want to share with you at the start of this was a story about technology.I get sidetracked easily as you may have noticed. Thank you for your patience.
I was out in the snowy streets yesterday to get the groceries and struggling to keep the Smartie on her side of the unploughed road.The dash was telling me that it was snowing!!! and that the traction overdrive was engaged at least that's what I found out that the trembling exclamation point was for. What wasn't showing up was that I had no windshield washer fluid. Of course not. The wretched car was made in France( what were the Germans thinking?) and Frenchmen need to know what the weather is like outside their little car so they'll know what to do when they exit the car. Will the hair get wet or not? They can't be trusted to look out the window. No, they need to check the dash. Which will tell them whether it is raining or not never mind the windshield gumming up from backdraft and road spray so that you can't see !!! Of course that is why, as I see now. The weather report is for when you can't see because you have no windshield washer fluid indicator.I should have been more specific. French technology is a bitch.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year
Getting from 2010 to 2011 was a little unsettling in the truest sense of the word.The move itself considering it was in a Mercury retrograde was calm but for one very bad miscalculation and a strange looking front lawn. Tire tracks enhance nothing.
We are all in our own beds, the cat has calmed right down; she was out all last night, and if only the fridge would stop freezing the eggs we would be good to go. I found out that the settings were wrong. It needed more air, poor baby. Sal was very helpful.
Rob is here today to put on the new back door, the contractor for the kitchen is calling this week,and Adam is coming to start the painting on Friday. By the time February gets here it should be a very different house. On the inside at any rate.
I am itching to get at the garden. I have all my books out and anyone who needs a plot to grow a few veg or cut flowers speak now. There is lots of room for everyone. Of course we have to wait to see what pops up in the spring. There is a tag at the front garden for aconites which I have only seen in Europe.Too exciting!
There is a private swim and exercise club down the road for which I have a free pass. They are geared for all ages and very reasonable to join. Sadly no salt water pool, just the ghastly chlorine.
The local library is great.I start the book club this month and a course in writing memoirs as well.
I have saved the best for last. The kiddiewinks old and new are a mere stones throw away!
We are all in our own beds, the cat has calmed right down; she was out all last night, and if only the fridge would stop freezing the eggs we would be good to go. I found out that the settings were wrong. It needed more air, poor baby. Sal was very helpful.
Rob is here today to put on the new back door, the contractor for the kitchen is calling this week,and Adam is coming to start the painting on Friday. By the time February gets here it should be a very different house. On the inside at any rate.
I am itching to get at the garden. I have all my books out and anyone who needs a plot to grow a few veg or cut flowers speak now. There is lots of room for everyone. Of course we have to wait to see what pops up in the spring. There is a tag at the front garden for aconites which I have only seen in Europe.Too exciting!
There is a private swim and exercise club down the road for which I have a free pass. They are geared for all ages and very reasonable to join. Sadly no salt water pool, just the ghastly chlorine.
The local library is great.I start the book club this month and a course in writing memoirs as well.
I have saved the best for last. The kiddiewinks old and new are a mere stones throw away!
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