Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I Had A Cow for Christmas!

Brother and wife donated in our name to Heifer International this year...a wonderful program that gives animals and poultry to families in Third World countries to help increase both their food intake, and their income.



This seems waayy better than the latest book or scarf.



You can too, by going to:



http://www.heifer.org/

Holiday Thoughts...

Waiting, while Dad is in for his weekly radiation 'drip'....thinking.

He sleeps most of the time now. Either the cancer is moving, affecting his hearing -- or he has an ear infection. (My mom's not sure.) Either way, he can barely hear what we say to him, even when he has his hearing aids in. So he sits in his chair, activity buzzing around him (or not), and reads. Or watches tv. Or mostly -- sleeps. (Plus a long afternoon nap in his bed, as well.)

Then he goes to bed around 7:30 or 8, and sleeps more.

It's good for my family to see him now. I'm glad they came. But I am also very, very glad I spent time with Dad back in the fall, when he was more aware of what was going on. Even now, it's ok just to sit quietly in the room -- maybe watch a little tv myself, maybe not -- and just be with him.

Can't do anything to please Mom right now. If I do it -- it's wrong and I'm a bad daughter. If it's the opposite, I'm still a bad daughter. Frustrating. At least she has someone she can blow off steam on. I know she is emotionally worn-out. I can't make her let me help her.

It will be ok in the long run. It will. But for now, this family get-together is anything but nicey.

Here's another person who found that the "It's A Wonderful Life" approach may differ in the long run --

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1223/p09s02-coop.html

A few things are standing out, though. My daughters' wonderful willingness to wash dishes, move things or just hang out while Grandpa is snoozing. My husband's amazing patience with the whole situation. He stays relatively serene through the loudest yelling. What a wonderful guy.

Hope your holiday season is much more restful than mine. But even now, I've had extra time to take some naps and do reading. (Though the reading has to be for the California Gold book!) This will end soon -- then back to 'normal,' which will be a rest in itself.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Hope your holiday was a restful one this year...

Ours was -- sort of. Singing in two Christmas Eve services and a 7-fish-dish dinner soon afterwards was fun, but not exactly calm. Husband and I gave up and went to bed soon after -- we didn't fill stockings and finish wrapping presents until mid-Christmas morning. Fortunately, the girlies, as well as Angel's boyfriend Keith, were ok with that. I'm not sure I could have stayed upright otherwise.

A couple of naps during the day helped, too.

I'll be a little quiet for the next week...but around now and then.

Did you hear about this Christmas miracle? A Canadian woman found ALIVE after four days lost in the snow? Just amazing...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7798337.stm

And take care of yourselves, friends. Give yourself some time to REST. It will come in handy later on.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Recipe Heaven - for Christmas Breakfast!

I have zippo time for fancy stuff this Christmas season. That's why this page caught my attention --

34 different breakfast casserole recipes! They look delicious...and more importantly, fast AND easily done with everyday ingredients.

http://www.recipe4living.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=65330

I think my family is going to enjoy one of the crockpot casseroles for Christmas morning, along with the Brick standard -- a nice juicy slab of pan-fried ham. Maybe a little red eye gravy for Husband, whose North Carolina blood still runs thick this time of year. (Stir a little coffee into the pan juices and thicken -- that's it!)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Finances, Shinances...

And on a better note...or at least something that doesn't leave a bad taste in my mouth --

A phone interview with Suze Orman and some of the Internet's top financial bloggers. Her answers to their questions are honest and realistic. Take a look:

http://genxfinance.com/2008/12/17/suze-orman-answers-some-financial-questions-from-various-bloggers/

It's still icy here...but the sun is shining, and any flakes we see are sparse. We watched the Arizona/New England football game this afternoon...it was snowing so heavily there you could hardly see the players. Every touchdown was greeted by a chorus of snowballs by the fans -- thrown straight up, celebration-style. (The East Coast equivalent of the West Coast shooting-guns-in-the-air-at New-Year's, I guess.) One player made a touchdown, landed in the snow...and promptly made a snow angel!

More 'Great' Financial News

From the "Nausea-Inducing" Department:

An Associated Press survey of 116 banks that have accepted financial bailouts so far (to the tune of $188 billion dollars) shows that their officers received nearly 1.6 BILLION DOLLARS in salary and other perks in 2007 -- the year that they were busy making 'brilliant' decisions to lead their companies to the current financial crisis. The survey used information provided to the SEC from the annual reports of the banks in question.

According to AP, executives received an average of $2.6 million in "salary, bonuses and benefits." Each.

The total amount of extras given to the nearly 600 executives would have been more than enough to bail out 53 of the 116 banks, without having to ask the government for help.

The article goes on to mention that some companies are freezing cash and stock bonuses for their chief executives. John Thain, the CEO of Merrill Lynch, for example, earned only a measley $57,000 and change in 2008. (Plus an insignificant $15 million signing bonus and $68 million in stock options.)

Goldman Sachs paid an average of $233,000 PER EXECUTIVE for leased cars and drivers. (Per year, remember.) The company 'reassured' its stockholders that was perfectly valid -- financial counsel and chauffers gave their executives "more time to focus on their jobs."

If you can keep your dinner from making a return visit, read the full article here:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/finance/20081221/Executive.Bailouts/

And I was just planning how we can cut expenses 20 hours worth of pay next month!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

The Sole Story on George Bush's "Shoe Assault"

Here's the news report (and video):


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7782422.stm

From "This Is True" December report:

EDITORIAL COMMENTS: On a secret pre-Christmas farewell trip, President George W. Bush went to Baghdad to meet officials -- and hold a press conference. During the president's comments, an Iraqi reporter interrupted, shouting in Arabic, "This is a farewell kiss, you dog!" and hurled his shoe at the president's head. Bush ducked, so the man threw his other shoe, which also missed. Other reporters wrestled the man to the ground before Secret Service guards could even react. The president was unfazed, joking "All I can report is that it's a size 10." (AP) ...The worst part: "Made in Iran" on the label.

I get a big kick out of this zany, often irreverent report. Sign up for your own (free) copy at:

http://www.thisistrue.com/

Photoing Around the World

A glorious sunlit (slightly chilly) day here -- I feel a little guilty enjoying the sunshine when so many are enduring blizzards. We normally get it, too -- but the really bad storms skipped our area right now. The folks called from Michigan -- they're snowed in and planning on staying put for a while.

Photos, especially of other places, not only are restful, but inspiring. Take a look at the best of 2008, according to Pixcetera:

http://www.pixcetera.com/pixcetera/2008-pictures-of-the-year-peoples-choice/43257

Friday, December 19, 2008

Weather or Not You Need It...

Husband came home last night, feeling discouraged -- his office was just told their hours were being cut to 35 a week. That means we will go without 20 hours of salary a month that he's getting now.

Not fun. But we've lived on less than that -- we can do it. At least he isn't being laid off. Douglas County's school district has already announced a bunch of people are losing their jobs, come the new year.

Husband said, "I think I need to look for a new job." Fine by me!

Have you ever wondered what it looks like where I live? This cam is only a mile or so from my house...
http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/croakhills/1/show.html

This one's just down the road. (We can see I-25 from our dining room window. Not right next door -- down the hill a good ways.) Notice Castle Rock in the distance?

http://www.anythingweather.com/current.aspx?id=540

And this one is more out on the plains. We live in a very strange area, geographically speaking. Hilly bluffs and mountains, as well as buttes, are everywhere -- but so are wide-open spaces that seem to stretch forever.

http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/CRWShawn/1/show.html

http://www.wunderground.com/ is a great place to find a local weather cam in your neck of the woods.

The sun is shining, a (cold) wind is roaring past the house...and we don't have a flake of snow coming down. Weird. But nice, I guess.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

In Praise of Tiny Kitchens

It's amazing how much you can do in a few square feet!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/weekinreview/14bittman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=so%20your%20kitchen%20is%20tiny&st=cse

Our first kitchen was a five-foot-long strip along one wall: small refrigerator, stove (with miniscule oven) and a few cupboards for dishes and pots & pans.

It didn't matter. I cooked everything from ramen noodles (which we ate - a lot) to multi-course Chinese meals there. And was very happy.

Less equals more, sometimes? You bet!

Now back to work...

Monday, December 15, 2008

Lands End $100 Gift Cards to Five Lucky Moms!

Go this site and fill out the survey...it took me about 3 minutes, tops.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=v1XWko6pU98QYbCX2rp9hw_3d_3d

Then you're automatically entered! Deadline is midnight, Friday, Dec. 19.

A Great E-Book on Saving Money - Free!

Live to Budget, bless his heart, got together with nine other bloggers to write Spend Less Than You Earn. It's a tidy compendium of ideas to save money and reduce your spending -- some of which might come in handy this holiday season.

And best of all, it's free! Just download the e-book from Live to Budget's blog:

http://www.livetobudget.com/misc/187-free-ebook-spend-less-than-you-earn.html

It is cold here. As in dive-back-under-the-blankets-invite-the-dog COLD. (Or, as Husband says, a stay in and hold your baby sort of day. Too bad we both had to work.)

We spent yesterday afternoon snoozing, watching the Broncos lose (again), fireplace and space heater going, the dogs snuggled down under our feet...and I still was a bit chilly. It's supposed to be this way all week.

Daughter #1 taught snowboarding in this iciness to a group of Detroit kids. She said it was all she could do not to say to them, "Ok, practice this -- I'll be watching you from inside." They complained a lot, too. Thankfully, no one wanted to stay out extra long.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A New Shipwreck Found in the Great Lakes

My Michigan-born blood still responds to the murmured sounds and memories of the Great Lakes. Summer days were sometimes spent building impossible sand castles on a Grand Haven beach, which Lake Michigan promptly demolished. (It didn't matter by then, as we'd moved on to pop and foot-long hot dogs.)

Even better, some of our vacations were spent on the shores of Lake Superior. The water was strangely cold, even on a sweltering July day, and we were warned to be careful -- the lake shelved off fast and "no one had ever found the bottom." Indian petroglyphs could be found on the rocks, and we picked up nicely polished agates and petoskey stones. If we were lucky, we'd even stop at Fort Mackinac (pronounced "Mackinaw" for you non-Michiganders) and grab some fudge and smoked fish for the ride home.

It's little surprise, then, that I learned to love stories of shipwrecks and hidden treasure of the Great Lakes. And the newest one: an early 1800s "dagger-board" schooner has been found upright in 500-plus feet of water, still cruising Lake Ontario:

http://news.aol.com/article/explorers-find-mystery-ship-in-lake/276566

Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville, who also found the HMS Ontario, a British warship lost in 1780 (and found in May 2008), discovered the mystery schooner while doing underwater surveys of Lake Ontario. Its name and date of sinking are unknown -- because anything of value seems to have been stripped from the ship, Kennard and Scoville are speculating that it was being converted for other use when it sank.

Dagger board ships have a long plank extending out past the keel. The ship was more seaworthy and could be maneuvered in shallow waters other boats would have difficulty with. However, the design was rare, and few of these vessels have been found.

Click on the video at the bottom of the post, and you'll see a stem-to-stern view of the mystery vessel. Cool...

Read a more detailed report here:

http://www.shipwreckworld.com/story/shipwreck-explorers-discover-dagger-board-schooner.aspx

* * * * * * * *

Big chinook winds today -- lots of blowing and fussing, but surprisingly warm. They're dying down now, and huge billowy storm clouds fill the horizon above the mountains. Some of the furthest mountains back already wear a curtain of snow. Not surprising, considering we had a spectacular red-and-yellow sunrise this morning, topped off by a huge white full moon. (The last time the moon was this close to the earth, it was 1993.)

Red sky in morning, sailors take warning...

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Food For A Buck A Day?

Terri Leonard and her boyfriend Christopher, both of them Social Justice teachers, began a long experiment to eat on $1 a day.

No matter what.

They did it -- and you can read their adventures here:

http://onedollardietproject.wordpress.com/

(Needless to say, this means no meat.)

They relied heavily on potato/rice/bean burritos, oatmeal, homemade bread with peanut butter, polenta and some strange 'meat' cutlets made out of wheat flour. Oh yes, Tang and peanut butter cookies, too. At least in their soup choices, they had more variety...but I honestly think they could have been quite a bit more creative in their food choices.

In University of Michigan college days, I went through several periods of living on a buck a day, give or take 25 cents. I made it because I had a good friend who ate meals at a commune nearby...and invited me to go, too. Otherwise, I ate a lot of saltine crackers and canned spaghetti. One memorable week, I pretty much lived on canned green beans.

Terri and Christopher are getting lots of press now about their experiment -- but the deeper meanings are what count here. After all, much of the world lives on less than a dollar a day for their food.

Remember the country-wide experiments to live on $3 a day -- or food stamp limits -- that happened last year? This couple did it for a week:

http://foodstampfollies.blogspot.com/

Needless to say, their menus sound more appetizing. The recipes here are good, too.

I only have one question. What the heck is a Social Justice Teacher?

Quilting Your DNA

I'm not making this up. Beverly St. Clair has come up with a pattern that can cleverly incorporate anyone's DNA sequence. Her "human red core pigment sequence" was featured on the cover of the Dec. 2008 issue of Nature Genetics. See it on Beverly's site at:

http://genomequilts.com/

Yes -- you can do it, too! Beverly's system is here:

http://genomequilts.com/genome.php

The finished piece looks a lot like a 'Birds in the Air' run amuck. The seemingly random mix of triangles almost form patterned blocks, then visually break and re-form other units. Stare at it long enough, and more patterns emerge.

Anyone with an engineering or scientific mind would kill to get a quilt like this.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Save Money on Eating Out with Your Kids

Want to know where to find kids eating specials in your area?

It's easy -- go to http://www.kidsmealdeals.com and put in your zip code.

Fast and efficient. And saves you money, to boot.

Too bad my little darlings are 20 and 22.

Christmas Greens

Finally, FINALLY the autumn-themed plaque went off the front door, and I started getting out Christmas boxes.

Fun!

A wreath's on the front door, with another on the front yard trellis. Holly is woven through the garden arch in the front yard. Now, to cut branches from the junipers bordering one edge of our yard, then fill the front planter. Add some balls, a ribbon or two, and the front yard's done.

Like Merchant Ships is a big fan of greens:

http://likemerchantships.blogspot.com/2008/12/hanging-of-greens.html

And so is Monica of The Homespun Heart:

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2008/12/guest-post-thrifty-evergreens.html

Take a look at Monica's blog, http://www.thehomespunheart.blogspot.com . It really is quite encouraging, and has some nice craft ideas.

On to the annual debate: What to do about the Christmas tree.

We've always had a fresh one, even if it meant cutting a Charlie Brown version in lean times. (Can you believe companies are actually selling a 'pathetic tree' like this? Sears' version is down to ten bucks, if you really want it... http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07196996000P?vName=For%20the%20Home&cName=ChristmasTrees&Decorations&sName=Indoor%20Decorations%20&%20Animated%20Figures&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a )

I don't know about you, but in our current neck of the woods, Christmas trees are EXPENSIVE. The very cheapest one I can find is $20 -- and that's for a two-foot baby that ranks way up on the pathetic list. We like a 6-7 footer, and the very cheapest are $50-65. Way too much, considering much of our extra income has been funding plane tickets to Michigan.

What with Dad's illness, the folks finally caved and got a prelighted artificial tree. I don't blame them one bit. The artificial trees around here are marked down to tempting prices. They don't shed. The lights are on already. They look terrific.

Frugal Dad went to artificial this year:

http://frugaldad.com/2008/12/09/artificial-christmas-trees-frugal-alternative/

So should we? Without exception, our friends all have artificial trees. I am such a sucker, though, for that crisp, fresh air smell that fills the upstairs. And if we wait another week, odds are good that Lowe's will mark their fresh trees down 50%. They did it last year.

I think we'll wait -- but this may be the last year. I'll be looking for bargains in January.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Stocking Stuffers

This subject has been dear to the hearts of bloggers lately, including one of my favorites, One Frugal Girl:

http://onefrugalgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/stocking-stuffers-for-my-husband.html

(She has a cool post on buying gifts for her little niece and nephew, too:)

http://onefrugalgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-years-approach-to-gift-giving-for.html

And take note of this blogger's opinion on the subject:

http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/12/cheap-stocking-stuffers-inexpensive-gift-ideas-to-fill-those-stockings.html

What's in the Brick family's stockings this year?

Well, I can't tell you everything -- at least Daughter #1 reads this blog now and then.
But in the past --

chocolate bars (only the best kinds, including Toblerone or Lindt)
tangerines and bananas (the traditional fruit)
that person's favorite foods, in jars/bottles/cans
a can of tuna (for Daughter #1, who dotes on it)
can of black olives (a requirement -- to be worn on all ten fingers, and munched gradually away while reading the Christmas book)
a bracelet or necklace or earrings (usually garage sale-picked)
Maglites (Husband's favorite, hands-down)
a paperback or magazine
cans of nuts
fancy pens and markers
refrigerator magnets (preferably something weird)
free samples of various goodies --
make a note to yourself. Next year, start requesting them -- you'll be amazed at how quickly they add up. This includes shampoos, perfumes, cookies, granola bars, specialty drinks...

And on top -- a chocolate foil-wrapped Santa.

The key is the person whose stocking you're filling. Pay attention to what they really like -- buy a little bit here and there -- and that stocking will be full in no time flat.

"Living Like It's 1929"

This fascinating post on throwing a party for "only" $30 a head!

It's got some great ideas...just disregard the occasionally patronizing attitude.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/fashion/30Monn.html?_r=3&ref=fashion

The Weekend

I've been spending some time cleaning up the last two piles of "roof-tus" (roof detritus). The dumpster was picked up weeks ago, so we fill garbage cans and stack them against the wall. Then we drag them out, a few at a time, every week for the garbage truck.

Our neighbors, no doubt, are blessing the slow transformation of our pigpen property.

Four cans got filled Saturday -- with, I'm guessing, 3 or 4 to go. The nicest part of all this: we've got at least a cord of burnable lumber. Our fireplace will benefit this winter from all the rotten spots we had to fix on the roofs!

* * * * * *
Dad Update: Not looking good. He is spending more and more time sleeping. This is partly due to his recent radiation...but I'm not naive. It's another sign that his body is slowly shutting down. In a way, the sleep is a blessing, though -- it keeps the pain at bay.

I'm hoping he can hang in there until we can get there.

* * * * * *

Like IMAX movies? Get a free popcorn:

http://img.ed4.net/aeagle/2008/081204_imax/IMAX-AMCfreepopcornv1_GenericEBlast.pdf

* * * * * * * * *

I've just started reading a great source for my new book on California Gold:

A Mine of Her Own: Women Prospectors in the American West by Sally Zanjani

More than a dozen-plus women are covered, from Marie Pantalon, who planted grapes to hide the gold on her claim, to Ellen Nay, a feisty little thing who found her own boulder chockfull of gold. (The corresponding claims were filed in hers, her brother's, sister's and father's names -- but not her husband!)

I've only heard of one or two of these ladies -- but I'm grateful to find out about them now.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Finding Bargains

I've been surprised.

If you're got the money to spend (make sure you do), Ebay's prices seem to be dropping some!

Pioneer and mining-themed photos are a must right now, for use in my upcoming books. (Old quilt photos come in handy anytime.) If they're old photo postcards, they have to be at least pre-1925, to handle the copyright issue. (Generally speaking, anything 75 years and older, illustration-wise, is generally usable...the main exception being Mickey Mouse right now. There are exceptions, and it's wise to check, but you are generally ok doing it. Don't just take my word here -- I'm no Great Expert, law-wise. But I have generally found it to be true. Home-taken photos, on the other hand, are usable. Period.)

I generally plan to spend at least $6-8 for each of these, with the really good ones going for as much as $20-25. The quilt photos will go as high as $250-288. (ouch)

So how much have I been paying for these in the past month? Four dollars. Six dollars. I just grabbed two Really Good ones for $3.99 total -- and a nice quilt photo for $5!

Is it that that collectors who normally pay Big Bucks are holding off? I'm guessing that's the case...

* * * * * * * * *
From the Christmas List department: Is your family scattered around the country? Need an easier way to let them know what you'd really like for Christmas? Here's what works for the Bricks: keep a wish list on your Amazon account. That way, Daughters, and especially Husband, know exactly what books, movies and other goodies I've been wishing for -- and I don't get weird stuff like chicken carvers and humidifiers. (Husband is a HUGE fan of gadgets and figures I should be, too.)

It works.
* * * * ** * * * * *
At least gas prices are going down -- around here in the Denver, CO area, I just saw a sign for $1.49 a gallon. Can you believe it!!! Our pockets will benefit greatly during the 18 hour-plus drive to Michigan in a few weeks.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Hesitating...

I was scrubbing the bathroom today, when the Little Farm Girl inside began poking around...

Hey.

Shut up -- I've still got the floor to mop.

Who cares...and why are you so messy, anyways? What about that blog entry yesterday -- who gave you permission to be Queen of the World?

Huh?

Dissing on your brother and folks like that. Shame...they love you, and you make them sound like hicks from Yahootie, for God's sake. They could have been ax murderers -- instead, they just fuss now and then about bearnaise sauce. Stuff like that.

Eerggh...

Not only that -- anyone from Michigan is going to think you've labeled them all insensitive, uneducated clods. (I start to protest) I know, I know -- you don't think that. You don't even think that about your own family. But they might think you do.

Sigh.

The LFG is right. I'm lucky to have siblings and parents that didn't try to hurt me, and were often encouraging. (Well, maybe not when Bro practiced his wrestling holds on me!) My folks paid for college -- I worked, too, but they paid, as well. They've been very supportive over the decades.

And here I am, griping because they didn't want to go to a lecture on Alaskan customs.

Ok. Take me -- and the previous post -- with a grain of salt.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It's snowing here -- cold cold cold. I've been collecting for the California Gold book, including research on women connected with gold, silver and copper mining. I still need a few 'characters' for the book -- any suggestions? I'd love to hear from you!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Feeling 'Different' -- But It's Okay

Simple Dollar, one of the best frugal blogs out there, has an interesting post, based on his recent Thanksgiving visit to family:

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/12/03/internal-and-external-signals/

Here's his reasoning --
He realized that his family's interests and hobbies could be quite different from those of his hometown family and friends. He also realized that he could be heavily influenced in his own purchases by the interests and hobbies of those he loved -- whether or not he personally found those purchases absorbing in the long run. (A brother's love of hunting is mentioned; SD enjoys listening to Brother's stories and looking at his trophies. But SD's own hunting experiences were less than stellar.)

Simple Dollar calls his own interests/hobbies "internal signals," and those of the people he cares about "external signals." He says,

"Once I realized the distinct difference between external signals and internal signals when it came to my spending dollar, it became much easier to make good choices with my money. Purchases that were heavily reliant on external signals included gadgets, automobiles, golf equipment (I like to golf, but I don’t need the latest driver), and most of my collections. Once I realized that I was mostly buying these because others liked them (and all I was really getting was a bit of camaraderie from the purchase), it became much easier to simply say no to such purchases.

This not only frees up money for saving and planning ahead, but it also leaves more money for the things that actually do fulfill me."

Wow! Simple, elemental. Profound.

Our family -- all four of us -- is headed to Michigan the day after Christmas, to spend the New Years week with Mom and Dad, as well as Little Brother, Sister and whatever cousins, uncles and aunts wander by.

I love these people dearly. I also have come to realize, over the years, that we don't always share the same interests. Take travel, for example. Dave and I enjoy trying out different countries' foods, languages, places. Bro and Sister like the visiting part, but wouldn't think of staying more than a week or so, and aren't that big on unusual foods or trying to speak in the native tongue. (We often mangle it, but we still try...)

Dave and I love to travel -- but as cheaply as possible. We drive the back roads, take the local transportation. We winkle out the cheapest plane ticket, take the train...wait until we stumble on the best bargain.

Bro and Sister, on the other hand, go in style. They travel when they feel like it, to where they feel like going. (The Hollander blood does kick at to some degree. They do get the best price they can for the date they want -- but they wouldn't think of holding off until the right bargain appears.) Bro and Sister's favorite way is cruising...including every day trip possible.

I have to vent here. Skip down to the next bold line, if you prefer.

While we've enjoyed the (2) cruises we've been on, it was clear we were only getting a brief, sanitized taste of each country -- or island -- or city. One day can't get you too far off the beaten path. The second cruise, we paid Bro and Sister's price -- at least 1/3 to 1/2 more than we normally would have spent.

We didn't have much of a choice. Mom's great desire was to have her kids and their families go to Alaska together. We did it, but it was anything but 'togetherness.' The grandchildren went in different directions. We stuck with Mom and Dad much of the time -- but they had trouble walking. Bro and Sister went off on a ton of day trips we couldn't afford, or had little to do with the real world we were visiting. (Helicopter tours to glaciers??) They thought going to talks about history or customs were silly. They went to bed early -- we went out and walked the 'circuit' in the cool night air, listened to concerts, or spent hours at the big windows, looking for breaching whales.

During the entire cruise, we got to listen to general flak about the food (too 'weird' -- it was gourmet), places (too 'buggy' or 'dirty' or 'strange'), stops (general assumptions about the area/city/state based on quickie one-day experiences) and Stuff in General. (I didn't even want to know).

Sadly, with every comment, I kept thinking, 'Is it that Dave and I have traveled more? (Both of us not only have traveled throughout the States, Mexico, Canada and South America, but lived and/or traveled in Europe, as well. We both speak some French, Spanish, German...and a few words of Portuguese!)

Have we experienced more? Eaten more? Spoken more, or been friends more with people who weren't from white-collar, white-people Michigan?' Is the difference part of our having lived in the West for more than two decades now? I don't think of us as the L-word...but our brand of conservative is WAY different than that of our Michigan relatives.

Back to the travel issue --

Dad thinks we're all nuts. Why go anywhere when you've got a snug chair in a living room, and three squares a day...all delivered in English? (This, from a guy whose grandparents on both sides only spoke a little English, if at all!)

There's a compromise possible here. Dad hates traveling out of the U.S. -- but he enjoys travelogues and programs about other countries. We take a different tack than Bro and Sister in our travel decision -- but we all enjoy talking about various countries, what to see, and ways to get there.

Sure, we'll have to listen to some Pronouncements...but we're big people. We can handle it.

If I can keep my big mouth shut, that is.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Beebe Moss: Remembering

I knew her better as 'Mom,' a name she didn't mind my using. She wasn't technically mine -- she was Ami's.

Ami Simms, someone I've been proud to call a friend, lost her mother, Beebe Moss, last Saturday, November 29. But it was actually the end to Beebe's 7-year struggle with Alzheimer's. Beebe remained herself to the end... but in most ways, she had already quietly shut the door on her world some time ago.

Beebe shared her life with many people. She was peppery, vibrant and full of comments on everything imaginable. I spent an afternoon or two painting with her, talking about animals and quilts and techniques. Her cards and paintings were folk art swirled in bright colors, full of African and other influences.

She didn't mind popping off with whatever was on her mind -- right now. The effect was astonishing at times -- refreshing at others. She generously shared herself with family and friends. Whatever else she was -- she was herself.

I will miss her.

Share your thoughts with Ami through her blog:

http://amisimms.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/her-name-was-beebe/

Beebe Moss of Flint, Michigan, age 85, died on Saturday, November 29, 2008, at Genesys Hospice Care Center after a 7-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. The family has requested memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (www.AlzQuilts.org) in lieu of flowers: 1200 Creekwood Trail / Burton, MI 48509.

Beebe was born May 18, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of William and Jennie (Medvedov) Gottesman. She and Dr. Leonard W. Moss (deceased) were married in 1945.

Beebe leaves daughter Ami and husband Steve Simms; granddaughter Jennie Simms; brother Bud and wife Elaine Gottesman; nieces Simm Gottesman-Tessler and husband Doug; Kim and husband Ted Noble; Niki Gottesman; Mindy Reed; cousins Blanche Borenstein, RubyJean and Richard Gould, Sandy and Rodney Landsman; and friends Eva Boros, Joyce Christensen, and Joanne Malcolm to cherish her memory.

Friends may share with the family online at www.amisimms.wordpress.com/

Movies, Movies, Movies

TCM (Turner Movie Classics) has been running some of the great classics these past few days, including a spate of Buster Keaton slapstick pieces. (Boy, can you tell where the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy got some of their inspiration...) Perfect for the overdue ironing I've been putting off. I saw Joan Crawford as a Depression-era clerk who stays virtuous while watching her girlfriends put their trust in slimy (rich) dudes in Our Blushing Brides. (Joan is incredible. And guess who wins in the end? Yup, it wasn't her friends...) Tonight was Citizen Kane. Intriguing -- but sad.

Now on to the last few flannel shirts -- and The Magnificent Ambersons.

At least the ironing's getting done. Take a look at TCM -- they seem to be digging out some great choices for December.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Food - ANYTHING but Turkey!

It's almost gone.

The 20 lb.-plus turkey I cooked Thursday morning is a memory...except for a handful of dark meat meant for Dave's lunchtime sandwich.

I thought, when Chicks #1 and #2 flipped the nest, that my food would stretch further. Ha. When the kiddos left for home Thanksgiving evening, they took substantial doggy bags with them. What was left made two meals of turkey & gravy for us, plus some goodies for the dogs.

I'm not griping. Really. Few things are more disgusting than a 5-day-old pile of turkey with an off-taste. It's just... just... where did it all go?!?

If you're shuffling through your refrigerator as well, and wondering what happened, take a minute to visit Clara, a 91-year-old grandma and fine cook. Her YouTube posts on Depression era cooking are gems. Try this one, the Poorman's meal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OPQqH3YlHA&feature=related

Watching Clara cook is like being with my grandma while she made Christmas sugar cookies (and fussed -- a prime Cumings trait). Grandma died when I was in high school; I miss her.

Off to watch Ratatouille...and dream of pork chops a la francais.

Picture This...

It's been a strange weekend.

We got some work done (I qualify that, because it wasn't nearly everything I'd hoped to do), but spent more time sleeping and Picking Up Stuff than anything else. (We also went to Java Guru, a local coffeehouse, and listened to a bud, Sal Mancini, play guitar onstage.) After that, Dave finished up music duties and I did some computer work. Worked on Christmas cards. Did some package wrapping. Wandered around, in general. Didn't get to bed until 3:30 a.m.

Got up a little after 7 a.m. for Worship Team practice, with the outside all white -- snowing like crazy. It snowed all through church, both services. It was still snowing when I collapsed into bed for a 3-hour nap...

Everything is icy, slippery and downright wintry outside.

Do you enjoy urban legends, or wonder if the latest e-mail about whatever the heck Obama or Bush said...or this or that virus is really prevalent...or whether (the newest thing) certain businesses are really closing. Here's the place to go:

http://www.snopes.com

If you need a visual pick-me-up, check out Snopes' "fauxtography" section on natural phenomena. Most are hokey -- though striking -- but some are quite real:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/photos.asp

This is the best one, an incredible shot of deer fleeing fire in the back country:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/deerfire.asp

Now I'm off to bed...talk to you tomorrow.

Monday Stuff On the way to Other Stuff: Meltdown

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