Mystery Man

I found him in the Ladies Room last night.  What do you think his story is?

Hey Lady!
Can you see me?

 Where am I?

How did I get here?

Mother's Day Special

Me, Mommy, and Grammy

Today is Mother's Day, a day set aside to honor our mothers, grandmothers, mother-in-laws, and/or any other special women in our lives.  

Mothers are more than just the givers of life, they are teachers and playmates.  They are entertainers and magicians.  They are chauffeurs and coaches.  They are adversaries during our trying teen years, and ultimately, our friends for life. They are the nurturers of our mind, body and soul.

They bandage our cuts and scrapes, and tend to our broken hearts.  They listen as we share our disappointments and joyously applaud our successes.  They surprise us with treats just to see us smile, and replace balloons that go pop when they hit the ground.  

And even when we are grown and on our own, they still bring us soup when we're sick, and hold our hands when life isn't fair and tell us it will be all right.

This is what mothers do.  Not because they have to...there are no rule books and no penalties.  They do this because they love us.  A mother's love is a powerful potion.

Let us honor our Mothers, not just on Mother's Day, but everyday.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I miss you!

Truth or Fiction? Take It With a Grain of Salt

Do you wonder where some of the expressions we use everyday come from?  I do.  So when I used the expression "take it with a grain of salt" in a post, I knew I had to explore it further.  In my ongoing quest to find the answers to life's everyday questions, I turned to Google.  Doesn't everyone?  As with most expressions, there are variations on the origin.

First we find that having "salt in your pumpkin" is a good thing.  Now when I think of pumpkins, I naturally think of pie, don't you.  Anyway, in Italy pumpkin is another way of saying head, and "a grain of salt" often refers to intelligence.  All of which is a roundabout way of saying that if you have salt in your pumpkin you are someone with intelligence and good reasoning skills.

Wieliczka Salt Mine by Anna Strummillo

In it's Latin form, "cum grano salis" is often used when the situation at hand requires care and good personal judgment.

The Modern English version of "take it with a grain of salt", is really saying "don't take this seriously".  In other words, don't believe everything you hear.  When I was a kid, Mom would sometimes say that when I would tell her something I'd heard from some of the neighbors who were apt to embellish a bit on the facts.

Going all the way back to 77 A.D. it was written that a grain of salt was an ingredient in an antidote for poisoning, indicating that the effects of the poison may be moderated by taking a grain of salt.  Along these same lines, salt was once believed to have healing properties, and thus eating or drinking anything with a grain of salt was a form of preventative medicine.  Now we are told to limit our salt intake for health reasons, but it is also said that history repeats itself. 

What are some of your favorite expressions?

My Buddy

I have boxes full of pictures taken before we had a digital camera, so why not take advantage of the wealth.  Looking back to early 2001, we see Dood in an over-sized kennel.

I'm here for you!

When Dood (short for Doodle) was just a baby, he lost his mama and was adopted by Red, an old Tom.  Dood, like most kittens, loved to explore and apparently found his way under the hood of a car.  Regrettably his tail was injured when the car was started.  

He was friendly, but skittish about being picked up, so we worked with him to gain his trust. The smaller carrier on the left is how we rounded him up for a trip to the vet.  I left it open and he wandered in and I closed the door behind him.  Uh, what now?  Take him to vet, of course.  What?  Here was this never before contained kitten, that I had to single-handedly take to the vet.  This isn't what we'd planned...it just happened.  So, looking somewhat like a wild thing myself, I grabbed my keys and away we went.  

I was trying to keep him and me calm - singing, praying, and all the while figuring he would never trust me again.  I had called hubby and he called the vet to tell them we were coming, and that I'd probably need a sedative (no, unfortunately they can't give people sedatives).   

Sadly, he had to have part of his tail amputated, and while he was there we had him neutered, too.  We borrowed the large dog kennel from the Humane Society, and turned it into a mini suite, complete with a loft perch for him to enjoy while he convalesced.  His 10-day confinement allowed us to give his medication on schedule.  Like any good friend, Red was never far away, so we provided him a comfortable place to visit.  

Here they are several years later in their "summer house".  They were the best of friends for years. 

Me and my buddy

Traveling Cat?

Ahhh...zzzzzz

No, Sophie doesn't travel.  What she does do is eagerly await her Daddy's return no matter whether he's been away for a week, at work for the day or out for an hour.

This was the scene one day as I was unpacking his overnight bag.  There are two favorites in her life.  One is her Daddy, and the other is finding great snuggly places.

This is the best of both worlds - she can nestle in with stuff that smells like her favorite human.  It just doesn't get any better!

What Would Daddy Say?

Daddy was an old-fashioned, old school, all American guy...and I don't mean he was an athlete.  He didn't even watch sports.  However, he was an all American when it came to his cars.  Basically, they all came out of Detroit (or wherever GM was putting cars together).

2006 Toyota Highlander

Until this year, all my cars were GM as well.  Like father, like daughter.

It all started when I was 16.  Every kid wants a car, and I was no exception.  So Daddy bought me my first car.  It was a 16 year old's dream - a (used) 1970 Firebird.  I would be driving to school in style.

Next came a (new) Buick Skyhawk.  After about 10 years, and some problems caused by it being sideswiped in its infancy, I gave it up for a (used) Cutlass Ciera GT.  It was love at first sight... literally on the dealer's lot.  "That's my car!"

Now I was hooked on all things Oldsmobile, and when I needed a new car, I headed straight to the nearest Olds dealer.  The year was 1997 and enter a (new) Cutlass Supreme SL.  See a pattern here?  I remember calling Daddy to ask if he would like to be here when they delivered my new car.  Surprise!

1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Then a mere 12 years later, due to some inferior maintenance, it died. [sniff]

It take a while for me to choose cars, so in the meantime, hubby let me drive his.

**Now here is the real point of the story**  

All of our family's cars during my lifetime (except for a DeSoto and some other car from the 50s) had been GM.  Now I've gone and gotten a Toyota, and hubby is driving a Honda.

So, what would Daddy say?  

The answer would most likely be - "Whatever suits you."

Care to talk about your first car, or your favorite?

Happy Easter

However you celebrate Easter, with family and friends or Spring break, Church or Easter baskets, or just enjoying life and the renewal brought by the changing seasons, I wish you peace and happiness.  

Happy Easter to all!

Spring Fever

With Spring comes warm temperatures, sunny days, fierce weather, and lots of yard work.  All this means that I have come down with a bad case of Spring Fever.  Therefore, I will be taking a much-needed Spring Break.

Roses to Rainbows will return sometime next week; same time, same place.  

See you then!

Good Morning To All!

There is nothing extraordinary about this sunrise...unless you consider that I snooze right through most of them.

 

Between the time change making sunrise later, and my inability to sleep any longer this morning, I saw the sun rise.  Lest you think I'm a total slug, I do get the occasional glimpse of dawn breaking when I make my way to the kitchen to feed our...

Awesome Cat

Rosie's internal clock tells him (and me) when it's time for breakfast!  After which I pad back to bed.

He has been dubbed an "awesome cat" in part because of all his health issues, and how he takes it all in stride and remains a happy, loving kitty.

It Finally Happened!

You may remember several years ago I had a Day of Mourning after my car died.  That led to two years of searching (some might say I'm too picky) for another car.  As you know, we keep our cars for a long time, so I searched high and low for a car that would meet my wants and needs.  You can read about some of my adventures in My Quest for Wheels and More Car Stuff.  

Fast forward to the present.  The search is finally over, and I am the proud owner of a 2006 Toyota Highlander.  

Happy Birthday to me!

It has the power seats I need, and it even has a sunroof!  Now we have two reliable vehicles and hubby can actually drive his "new" car...after nearly two years.

My Favorite Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to us!

We're not like everyone else!

But it works for us!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday!

Groundhog Day 2012

Image Source:  Aaron E. Silvers

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, the day a groundhog predicts just how much more winter weather we will have.  But, it is not just some random groundhog wandering out of his hole in some farmer's field.  No, this is an EVENT!

It all takes place at 7:20 tomorrow morning at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  Phil, the celebrity groundhog, will make his appearance and give his prediction.  According to the legend, if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather.  If not, then we get an early Spring.

Phil has been doing this for about 125 years, so he must be getting good at it by now.  You can read more about Phil, and the history of Groundhog Day here.

I am eagerly awaiting Phil's prediction because as you can see, it has been a mild winter so far here in the sunny South.  For us to really have winter now, Phil would need a sunny day indeed.  

I spied this daffodil yesterday while taking advantage of the warm weather to work in the yard.  It is not unheard of to see them in January, but are usually a bit later.

These snowdrops are normally the first flowers of the season, and they are right on schedule.  

So whether we pull out our straw hats or toboggans, hats off to Phil for 125 years on the job.  If you'd like to watch the ceremony, it will be webcast here.

The Sillies

This is the kind of silliness that happens when you have a new phone, a stuffed animal and a glass of wine all in your possession at the same time.

Uh oh, Tiger down!

  

What do you think the tiger would say if he could talk?

No tigers or plushies were harmed in the creation of this post.

Chickadee at Lunch

Like many of you, I love all the little critters of the world, and there is a special place in my heart for the Chickadee.  I spied this little guy having lunch at a very interesting feeder.  It is a piece of real wood with suet inserted into it.

My Mom used to feed the Chickadees, and they got so used to it they would gather in the tree and call for their lunch.

The Nature Channel

Dood relaxing in front of Nature TV.

We "turn on" Nature TV on for him every morning.  However there isn't much on his favorite channel today.  It is a rainy, dreary day, and Dood is nowhere to be found.  I suspect he is curled up in his box in the basement. 

Yep, I know my cats!  

Where do your cats (or dogs) like to sleep the rainy days away?

A Taste of Florida

Madeira Beach

I always get a peaceful feeling watching the sun set over the water.  

Citra, Florida

There is such beauty in Nature, and a few oddities such as this very tall palm near The Orange Shop in Citra, FL.

Hubbard's Marina - John's Pass

What great advertising!

Breakfast at Nina's Cafe

It's important to start your day out right.

Fried clams and french fries at the Sea Hag

So you can eat like this later.

Feeding the Pelicans

These birds have a good thing going here.  They know when the fishing boat comes in and flock in to await lunch.

Thanks for joining me as I look back on some of the "kodak moments" of our vacation.

In Honor of a Principled Man

Today's post honors another of the great men in my life, my father-in-law.  It was with much sadness that we said goodbye to him just before Christmas. 

My father-in-law, like many men of his generation, was a true gentleman.  He drew people to him with his kindness.  He respected everyone, in all walks of life, with "yes sir", or "no ma'am".  He led by example, and inspired those around him to become better people.  His sons will tell you that there was no finer role model than their father.

He had a remarkable memory, which was most evident when he met someone new.  He would ask their name, where they were from, etc.  When he next saw them, he would call them by name and ask how so-and-so was back home.  That made everyone feel special.

He was an avid golfer and had been since his college days.  It was often (and incorrectly) assumed he was on the golf team, but he would correct that misconception, stating that he played WITH the golf team.  This demonstrates the honesty and integrity with which he lived his life. 

There was a message left on my answering machine from a college friend of his with whom he had played golf.  He told of them playing 9 holes of golf in 45 minutes (they wanted to get a round in between classes).  He also said "he was a principled man and all around good guy". 

Even though he wasn't part of his college golf team, he was an excellent golfer and won numerous trophies, held a lifetime membership at his golf club, and won the club championship several times.

He served his country in the US Navy during World War II, and later worked as a traveling auditor for the railroad - golf clubs in tow, of course.

He lived a very full 85 years, and bore the discomforts of surgeries and illness with the same great humor that made his eyes twinkle when he told stories of his grandchildren.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend to many.  While he enjoyed pastimes such as Scrabble and the NY Times crosswords, two of the greatest pleasures in his life were his family and golf. 

Indeed, he enriched everyone's lives, and will be greatly missed.

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas
from our house to yours!

"Deck the Halls"  Christmas music in Johnson City, TX.

I'll be taking a short break for Christmas.  Enjoy the video, and I'll see you in about a week or so!

On the Edge

Sophie on the edge

Position precarious

Prepare for landing

Back in Time

While we were in St. Pete last month, we happened across an old Volkswagen show at Ft. DeSoto.  Here are some of the more interesting ones.

Does this take you back?

  

Who doesn't love Krispy Kreme doughnuts?  Yum!

It's 2 p.m.  Do you know where your children are?

Move over Smart Cars - Volkswagen is here.

It's Party Time!

These and many more were on display in the parking lot of one of the Ft. DeSoto picnic areas.  People were selling/swapping parts, cooking and eating.  This puts a whole new spin on tailgating.