Awaiting the Return of Chatty Cathy

Posted on by

I’m writing this on Friday at 6:15 p.m. and I’ll have you know it’s pretty much the first time I’ve sat up all day. Yes, friends, I’m sick. A sicko. Under the weather. A bit peaked. In other words, I don’t feel well. I’ll pause here to give you time to feel sorry for me before I continue. Done feeling sorry? Then let’s continue.

sorry-youre-sick

The reason this is a big deal is because I hardly ever get sick. Seriously. Mind over matter. I get injured frequently, but not sick. When I feel I’m not up to par in the energy department, I tell myself: I feel good, I feel great. I down a packet of Emergen-C, get to bed before midnight, and the next morning, bingo-bango. I’m me again.

emergen-c

The last time I was this sick was on a trip to Spain in 2013. Just like now, I lost my voice, acquired bronchitis, and was knocked hard on my butt. I don’t mind the coughing all night, having to sleep upright, nor the disgusting stuff one coughs up with bronchitis. But losing my voice? That’s torture for me. I can’t speak for my friends (or to them!) but my guess is they’re enjoying the silence. Sadly for them, I’ve become quicker at texting.

no-voice

Remember Chatty Cathy dolls? No? Then you’re too young. Anyway, you pull the cord and she talks. I guess you could say I’m a larger version of her. But now my cord is jammed. Curse you bronchitis! So today I stayed prone just about all day. I know I’m sick when I’m not hungry, but I forced myself to eat a pear this afternoon at 2:30, then I napped.

chatty-cathy

Continue reading →

I’ll Take a Little Southern Hospitality, Please

Posted on by
Southern hospitality

 When I was in Texas, everyone was so darn friendly I couldn’t believe it. Was this real? Where I visited, in The Woodlands, people still have block parties and new neighbors are welcomed with hot casseroles and freshly baked cookies. Southern hospitality, I’m told.

While jogging in Savannah, Georgia, I noticed just about every person coming my way said hello or waved. It happened so often I started to feel guilty if I ran past someone without acknowledging them in some way — eye contact or perhaps a nod.

joggers
Continue reading →

My Sandal Saga

Posted on by

This blog was originally posted in 2021

I bought a pair of sandals nearly a million years ago, but should have bought 2 pairs. Because as often happens with things I like, Teva discontinued these casual cuties even though they’re the more feminine of the Teva selections and everyone I know who wears them loves them. Comfortable and cute yet functional. C’est la vie!

Anyway, now that you know this, I recently wore them to Sonoma where Sharon, Pam and Sue joined me at a gorgeous 20-acre vineyard in the hills above the town square. I’d relocated four feral cats there and now it was time to remove their cages.

The cats’ view. Not too shabby

First we decided to have lunch in town on this scorching but beautiful day. We quickly learned we should have made reservations as apparently it was still tourist season. Live and learn. So we began to walk the square looking for a restaurant without a wait.

Continue reading →

Stupid, Naive, Right-Brained Me

Posted on by

I posted this 11 years ago, but it’s still apropos today. And sadly, I continue to take ownership of the above title.

Guess what I did last weekend? I’ll give you a hint, although it was not in the least bit fun. In fact, it was torture but it had to be done. Just an inevitability one simply can’t ignore. And believe me, I tried to for four months.

I’m sure right about now you’re asking yourself what the heck I’m talking about. So here goes: I just completed my tax return for 2014. Go ahead, judge me. I don’t blame you. In all the years I’ve been paying taxes (over 40) I’ve never needed an extension until this year. (Insert shameful head bow here.)

tax extension

Now don’t get me wrong; I’m generally responsible. I always pay my bills on time, see the dentist twice a year, regularly change the oil in my car, and never drive without wearing a seat belt. So how did I, completely out of character, end up doing taxes on September 29th?

Safety first
Safety first
Continue reading →

A Flippin’ Nightmare

Posted on by

Last week, to thank Lauren for her kindness and compassion while euthanizing my dog Skip, I made one of her favorite desserts, tiramisu.

How tiramisu should look

Now don’t get me wrong; I’ve made tiramisu before but Lauren is vegan and the last vegan tiramisu I made was MANY moons ago. Sadly, I couldn’t recall the recipe but apparently it was a big hit. My guess is I combined a couple of recipes. But which ones? Therein lies my first problem.

Let me just say, as you are my witnesses, I will NEVER AGAIN make vegan tiramisu. You can take that to the bank. Do they still say that? Well anyway, in five words: IT WAS A FLIPPIN’ NIGHTMARE.

Continue reading →