We got up at a reasonable hour this morning...or what we consider to be reasonable, at 7:30 a.m. I hopped on the treadmill after breakfast and did a 40-minute workout, plus ten minutes with weights and cool-down.
It was sunny this morning, so once we were ready for the day, we decided to take our chances with photographing the Master Gardener's posters, as well as the MG herself. We arrived at her house around 10:30 a.m., and spent about an hour at the task. I was able to do the shots in the shade of a pear tree, which is currently loaded with fruit. The MG said she needs to either make pear preserves, or gather the fruit to share with other MGs. If we had a choice, we'd naturally opt for the second plan, since Hubbie, as an MG, would be gifted with some of them.
Last night, Hubbie saw an ad in our local paper for veggies being sold from the garden of a local resident, so after leaving the MG's house, we stopped by to pick up tomatoes, cucumbers and okra. By the time we got home, it was already 11:30 a.m., so Hubbie and I cut up veggies and fruits for a chef's salad lunch.
After lunch, I uploaded the MG photos to one-hour service. I'll take these snapshots to her so she can decide if they will serve her purposes or not. If they aren't right, I'll do them again. I think they look fine, but I never know how a customer will react.
Since nothing else important was on our calendar for this afternoon, Hubbie went out to mow the yard, while Mother and I watched another of the three musical DVDs I bought from a popular online store. This one is "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," starring Donny Osmond. We really enjoyed it...especially the "Elvis" Pharaoh. Our community theater performed this musical a few years ago, and the audience roared with laughter when the owner of one of our local automobile dealerships appeared as the pharaoh character, decked out in Elvis finery, with a sky-high pompadour hairdo and extreme sideburns.
By the time the movie was over, it was time to start supper. Tonight's fare was steak strips sauteed in onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, along with baked potatoes, black eyed peas, slaw left from last night, and sliced tomatoes.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Cool Weather, Rain, and a Prize
It has been cool and rainy all day...very un-August like. We slept late, rising around 8:30 a.m. I did a session on the treadmill, and was in the middle of cool-down exercises when I was called to the phone. A member of our scrapbook club was returning my call to find out if she wants to go with a group of us to another town next week to shop at crafts stores and have lunch at a favorite restaurant.
She said her son's father-in-law has suffered a heart attack, and she might be needed at home next week. If that's the case, we'll postpone the trip until September. We postponed it last month because another member's brother was having a procedure related to his heart. My own son has undergone tests to check out his heart after having chest pains, and we won't know the results of those tests until late Monday afternoon. So my being able to make the trip will depend on what is scheduled for my son. And since I'm the designated driver for the trip, no one will go until I'm able to, I guess.
Following that phone call, I called a member of the Master Gardeners, who asked yesterday if I could go to her house and photograph her and several posters that she wants to use in both a presentation at the capital city, and in a book she is writing. We settled on 4 p.m. today, when I felt the outdoor light would be right. I want to do the shoot outdoors because I don't have appropriate studio lighting.
At 11 a.m., we decided to go to an open house at a new veterinary clinic, where they were serving hamburgers and hot dogs, bags of potato chips, cookies, soft drinks, and bottled water, as well as giving away door prizes.
We toured the very nice facility that included a glassed-in area with cages for recuperating cats. Hummingbird feeders hang outside the windows, which our tour guide said the cats love watching. In the evenings, neighborhood cats gather to visit and peer in at the caged cats. Today, the cages held several beautiful cats, including a long-haired Persian, and a calico.
Dogs of several breeds were caged in another room. Along one corridor are two boarding rooms with dog beds. Each room is theme-decorated. One, called the boat room, has a seascape painted on the walls, and the bed is shaped like a boat. The other features a bed shaped like a car, with automobile designs on the walls.
Outside, the local Humane Society was promoting several puppies and dogs for adoption. And a local radio station was in charge of issuing door prizes. But by the time we arrived at their table, we were told the prizes were already gone. Looking into the prize box, though, the DJ discovered there was still one slip of paper left. He gave this to Hubbie, who went inside the clinic to redeem it. Lo and behold, the prize that was left was the most expensive one...a collapsible dog carrier, listed at $60. It's large enough to accommodate at least a medium-sized dog. We think it might come in handy for Shih Tzu to get away from little kids when we visit family in their homes.
Just as we were getting our lunch sacks, it started raining. So we rushed to the van and came home. After lunch, Hubbie groomed and bathed Shih Tzu, while Mother and I watched a new DVD I received in the mail this week from a popular online music/video store. I bought three movies, all musicals, which were on sale at 40% off. Today, inspired by our visit to the veterinary clinic, we watched "Cats," and loved every minute of it.
The show ended at 3:30 p.m., and since the rain seemed to have stopped and the sky was lighter, I gathered my photography equipment, and Hubbie and I headed out to the Master Gardener's house. Halfway there, it began raining again, so I called the MG, who said it had been raining on and off all day at her house. Agreeing that we need to wait for the photo shoot until tomorrow, or when the weather is better, we turned around and came back home.
Supper tonight was chicken pot pie left over from last night. This version of pot pie has mashed potatoes as a topping rather than pie crust. The chicken and veggie filling features lots of herbs, but no salt, and it is thickened with cornstarch rather than flour. We served cole slaw as an extra vegetable to the meal.
She said her son's father-in-law has suffered a heart attack, and she might be needed at home next week. If that's the case, we'll postpone the trip until September. We postponed it last month because another member's brother was having a procedure related to his heart. My own son has undergone tests to check out his heart after having chest pains, and we won't know the results of those tests until late Monday afternoon. So my being able to make the trip will depend on what is scheduled for my son. And since I'm the designated driver for the trip, no one will go until I'm able to, I guess.
Following that phone call, I called a member of the Master Gardeners, who asked yesterday if I could go to her house and photograph her and several posters that she wants to use in both a presentation at the capital city, and in a book she is writing. We settled on 4 p.m. today, when I felt the outdoor light would be right. I want to do the shoot outdoors because I don't have appropriate studio lighting.
At 11 a.m., we decided to go to an open house at a new veterinary clinic, where they were serving hamburgers and hot dogs, bags of potato chips, cookies, soft drinks, and bottled water, as well as giving away door prizes.
We toured the very nice facility that included a glassed-in area with cages for recuperating cats. Hummingbird feeders hang outside the windows, which our tour guide said the cats love watching. In the evenings, neighborhood cats gather to visit and peer in at the caged cats. Today, the cages held several beautiful cats, including a long-haired Persian, and a calico.
Dogs of several breeds were caged in another room. Along one corridor are two boarding rooms with dog beds. Each room is theme-decorated. One, called the boat room, has a seascape painted on the walls, and the bed is shaped like a boat. The other features a bed shaped like a car, with automobile designs on the walls.
Outside, the local Humane Society was promoting several puppies and dogs for adoption. And a local radio station was in charge of issuing door prizes. But by the time we arrived at their table, we were told the prizes were already gone. Looking into the prize box, though, the DJ discovered there was still one slip of paper left. He gave this to Hubbie, who went inside the clinic to redeem it. Lo and behold, the prize that was left was the most expensive one...a collapsible dog carrier, listed at $60. It's large enough to accommodate at least a medium-sized dog. We think it might come in handy for Shih Tzu to get away from little kids when we visit family in their homes.
Just as we were getting our lunch sacks, it started raining. So we rushed to the van and came home. After lunch, Hubbie groomed and bathed Shih Tzu, while Mother and I watched a new DVD I received in the mail this week from a popular online music/video store. I bought three movies, all musicals, which were on sale at 40% off. Today, inspired by our visit to the veterinary clinic, we watched "Cats," and loved every minute of it.
The show ended at 3:30 p.m., and since the rain seemed to have stopped and the sky was lighter, I gathered my photography equipment, and Hubbie and I headed out to the Master Gardener's house. Halfway there, it began raining again, so I called the MG, who said it had been raining on and off all day at her house. Agreeing that we need to wait for the photo shoot until tomorrow, or when the weather is better, we turned around and came back home.
Supper tonight was chicken pot pie left over from last night. This version of pot pie has mashed potatoes as a topping rather than pie crust. The chicken and veggie filling features lots of herbs, but no salt, and it is thickened with cornstarch rather than flour. We served cole slaw as an extra vegetable to the meal.
Out of the Mouth of Great-Granddaughter
Many times, there is humor in even the most anxious moments of our lives.
When Great-Granddaughter learned she would need to go to the children's hospital for tests, she asked, worriedly, "Are they going to take me apart?" Her mother assured her that she would not be taken apart.
When she couldn't have breakfast or anything to drink yesterday morning, she was angry...and grew angrier as the day wore on and she got hungrier. Finally, she announced to her mother, "I don't like you anymore. I'm going to live with Me-Me-O (her name for her grandmother). You can keep Baby Brother."
When Great-Granddaughter learned she would need to go to the children's hospital for tests, she asked, worriedly, "Are they going to take me apart?" Her mother assured her that she would not be taken apart.
When she couldn't have breakfast or anything to drink yesterday morning, she was angry...and grew angrier as the day wore on and she got hungrier. Finally, she announced to her mother, "I don't like you anymore. I'm going to live with Me-Me-O (her name for her grandmother). You can keep Baby Brother."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Routine and Not So Routine
Started the day with a good workout at Cardiac Rehab, as usual. Hubbie was gone to a Master Gardener meeting when I got home. He came back in time for a chef's salad and fruit lunch, after which we ran our daily errands...to the bank, to a grocery store to pick up the house brand of low-fat cottage cheese (my favorite), and then to the worldwide discount chain store for a few more grocery items and to pick up photos. Unfortunately, the one-hour service was down, though, so I couldn't pick up the snapshots I wanted to send to my high school friend (the one who, after not having seen her for 40 years, visited me in July while we were camped in our capital city).
Back home, I returned a phone call to Daughter, who said Granddaughter was on her way to our state's children's hospital, where Great-Granddaughter was to have an MRI and other tests to find out what's wrong with her leg. Poor baby couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight last night, and she was very hungry and cranky. Her appointment was scheduled for this morning, but it was after 6 p.m. this evening before all the tests were run, and she was released...by this time, starving.
The pediatrician at the hospital found fluid on Great-Granddaughter's knee, which indicates infection, so she has prescribed medications for it. If Great-Granddaughter does not improve, she will have to go back to the hospital, where she will undergo a bone scan to discover if she might have juvenile arthritis.
I feel it is more likely that Great-Granddaughter has an infection in that knee, which seems to fit with the fact that she injured her leg when she got it caught in a recliner chair a couple of weeks ago.
Anyway, we can relax for now, after spending an anxious day waiting to hear about her.
Back home, I returned a phone call to Daughter, who said Granddaughter was on her way to our state's children's hospital, where Great-Granddaughter was to have an MRI and other tests to find out what's wrong with her leg. Poor baby couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight last night, and she was very hungry and cranky. Her appointment was scheduled for this morning, but it was after 6 p.m. this evening before all the tests were run, and she was released...by this time, starving.
The pediatrician at the hospital found fluid on Great-Granddaughter's knee, which indicates infection, so she has prescribed medications for it. If Great-Granddaughter does not improve, she will have to go back to the hospital, where she will undergo a bone scan to discover if she might have juvenile arthritis.
I feel it is more likely that Great-Granddaughter has an infection in that knee, which seems to fit with the fact that she injured her leg when she got it caught in a recliner chair a couple of weeks ago.
Anyway, we can relax for now, after spending an anxious day waiting to hear about her.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Arts Workshop
We spent the major part of the day conducting a sunprint workshop at the art gallery. Hubbie and Mother assisted at the four sessions...two in the morning, and two in the afternoon. The first two sessions took place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the second two sessions from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The main artist for the program was an African-American drummer, who is working with the kids in storytelling and in playing African drums. During the first part of the program, when all the kids were gathered to rehearse their story, I was called upon to fill in for a child who was not in attendance today. The story was about three antelope who beg their mother to let them play in the woods. Against her better judgment, she finally gives in and lets them go. But, of course, they run into trouble with a lion. The role I was given was of one of the antelopes. All ends well, naturally, and the children learn the usual lesson that they should listen to their parent's admonitions about straying too far from home, and talking to strangers.
After that, the kids were divided into two groups...one group working with the drummer and one group working with me, and then an hour later, switching places. My groups did sunprints, using what is called nature paper, which is actually blueprint paper. This type of paper uses water instead of chemicals, so it is suited to younger kids, like the ones this morning, who were first to third grade age.
The paper needs sun to activate, but this morning, the side of the street that the art gallery is on was shady, so we had to troop up to the corner, a half a block away, to find sun. Also, it was windy, so the kids had trouble keeping elements like leaves and flowers on the paper, if they combined them with heavy items like wooden hearts. These younger kids tended to tilt the cardboard that the designs were on, too, causing the elements to shift. Nevertheless, they seemed pleased with the results they got.
Breaking for lunch at 11:30, we came home to eat, and feed and walk Shih Tzu. We returned to the gallery at 1 p.m. and repeated the program with older children, who were about middle-school age. These kids were far more adept at doing the sunprints, and they got some nice results.
At the end of each group session, the kids chose their favorite design, and we mounted the 5"x 7" works on 8"x 10" white poster boards. The deep blue paper with white designs are very attractive against white poster board.
A gourd artist worked with the kids on Monday and Tuesday, and tomorrow, an artist who works with clay will do sessions with the kids. On Friday, the program wraps up, and the kids will perform drumming and storytelling for their parents.
It's fun to work with kids, but it is also tiring, so we're all ready to veg for the evening.
The main artist for the program was an African-American drummer, who is working with the kids in storytelling and in playing African drums. During the first part of the program, when all the kids were gathered to rehearse their story, I was called upon to fill in for a child who was not in attendance today. The story was about three antelope who beg their mother to let them play in the woods. Against her better judgment, she finally gives in and lets them go. But, of course, they run into trouble with a lion. The role I was given was of one of the antelopes. All ends well, naturally, and the children learn the usual lesson that they should listen to their parent's admonitions about straying too far from home, and talking to strangers.
After that, the kids were divided into two groups...one group working with the drummer and one group working with me, and then an hour later, switching places. My groups did sunprints, using what is called nature paper, which is actually blueprint paper. This type of paper uses water instead of chemicals, so it is suited to younger kids, like the ones this morning, who were first to third grade age.
The paper needs sun to activate, but this morning, the side of the street that the art gallery is on was shady, so we had to troop up to the corner, a half a block away, to find sun. Also, it was windy, so the kids had trouble keeping elements like leaves and flowers on the paper, if they combined them with heavy items like wooden hearts. These younger kids tended to tilt the cardboard that the designs were on, too, causing the elements to shift. Nevertheless, they seemed pleased with the results they got.
Breaking for lunch at 11:30, we came home to eat, and feed and walk Shih Tzu. We returned to the gallery at 1 p.m. and repeated the program with older children, who were about middle-school age. These kids were far more adept at doing the sunprints, and they got some nice results.
At the end of each group session, the kids chose their favorite design, and we mounted the 5"x 7" works on 8"x 10" white poster boards. The deep blue paper with white designs are very attractive against white poster board.
A gourd artist worked with the kids on Monday and Tuesday, and tomorrow, an artist who works with clay will do sessions with the kids. On Friday, the program wraps up, and the kids will perform drumming and storytelling for their parents.
It's fun to work with kids, but it is also tiring, so we're all ready to veg for the evening.
Rehab, Toddler Injury, and Meetings
Three new folks have joined the 9 a.m. group at Cardiac Rehab. Two of these are women...an older one, and one who appears to be in her early fifties. Both women seem to be pretty strong, indicating that they were, like me, participating in an exercise routine before their cardiac episodes.
Having so many in attendance,though, means I can't be as choosy about which exercise machines I use. I have favorites, especially the narrower treadmill, but yesterday I was forced to use the very wide one.
Nothing much happened for the rest of the morning following the Rehab session. After lunch, Hubbie and I went a couple of places, including to the cleaners, and to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend. I wanted to apply a $10 coupon I'd gotten in the mail to the store's annual buy two, get one free intimate apparel sale.
When we got home, I found an e-mail from a granddaughter telling us that Great-Granddaughter has an injury that required a doctor's attention. It seems that a couple of weeks ago, one of her legs got caught in a recliner, but she didn't complain of pain until this past Saturday. Now we are awaiting the results of x-rays and blood tests. The doctor took blood tests to rule out infection, though he doesn't think there is one, since Great-Granddaughter isn't running a fever. He thinks she may have what is called a toddler fracture. We'll be on pins and needles until we hear more news about this.
At 5 p.m., I attended an arts council monthly meeting, and at 7:30, I went to a community theater board meeting. Hubbie went with me to that one, since the group planned to have a social hour following the meeting. Several of us brought goodies for it. The baked apple chips that we contributed were a big hit. Another member provided a slow cooker full of meatballs in some sort of white sauce (none for me, please), and others brought grapes, cheese tidbits, chocolate sandwich cookies, and mixed nuts. I opted for the fruits, nuts, and cheese tidbits.
Since it was nearly 10 p.m. by the time we got home, we were ready to watch the news and head to bed.
Having so many in attendance,though, means I can't be as choosy about which exercise machines I use. I have favorites, especially the narrower treadmill, but yesterday I was forced to use the very wide one.
Nothing much happened for the rest of the morning following the Rehab session. After lunch, Hubbie and I went a couple of places, including to the cleaners, and to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend. I wanted to apply a $10 coupon I'd gotten in the mail to the store's annual buy two, get one free intimate apparel sale.
When we got home, I found an e-mail from a granddaughter telling us that Great-Granddaughter has an injury that required a doctor's attention. It seems that a couple of weeks ago, one of her legs got caught in a recliner, but she didn't complain of pain until this past Saturday. Now we are awaiting the results of x-rays and blood tests. The doctor took blood tests to rule out infection, though he doesn't think there is one, since Great-Granddaughter isn't running a fever. He thinks she may have what is called a toddler fracture. We'll be on pins and needles until we hear more news about this.
At 5 p.m., I attended an arts council monthly meeting, and at 7:30, I went to a community theater board meeting. Hubbie went with me to that one, since the group planned to have a social hour following the meeting. Several of us brought goodies for it. The baked apple chips that we contributed were a big hit. Another member provided a slow cooker full of meatballs in some sort of white sauce (none for me, please), and others brought grapes, cheese tidbits, chocolate sandwich cookies, and mixed nuts. I opted for the fruits, nuts, and cheese tidbits.
Since it was nearly 10 p.m. by the time we got home, we were ready to watch the news and head to bed.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Apples, Potatoes, and Squash
We got up at a reasonable hour this morning, and I hit the treadmill right after breakfast. I always feel energized following a good workout.
A project today was to make apple chips (core the apples, slice thinly, place on parchment paper on a baking sheet, and bake at 250 degrees for 40 minutes on one side, then turn and bake for another 35 minutes. Bake a little longer, if needed, until apples are golden colored. The chips will be slightly soft, rather than crisp). The apple chips will be my contribution to the goodie table after tomorrow night's community theater board meeting, when we'll welcome new members.
We also gathered supplies and materials needed to do a sunprint session at the art gallery Wednesday. Mother will assist me at this workshop. She enjoys helping kids with this kind of project.
Of course, no day is complete without running errands. Today, we picked up another prescription at the pharmacy, stopped by the bank, went to the local farm supply store for dog food and bird seed, and picked up a couple of items at the worldwide discount chain store.
We were appalled at the increasing price of both dog food and bird seed. We are considering cutting way back of feeding the birds, even though they are a great source of entertainment. One reason the bird seed is vanishing so quickly is that the squirrels are feasting on it. So far, we haven't been able to keep the wily rascals out of the feeders. Then too, the bumblebees who manage not to drown in the nectar are rapidly consuming the hummingbird food. Hubbie has trouble keeping those feeders filled, as well.
We are very disappointed that the veggie garden didn't yield better this year, but we are getting a few tomatoes...enough that we decided to have turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, and Vidalia onion sandwiches for supper, along with baked potato wedges seasoned with olive oil spray and herbs.
We have noticed that a butternut squash vine is growing in the compost heap, and small squashes are beginning to appear. It'll be interesting if a few of them mature enough for the dinner table some time in the fall.
A project today was to make apple chips (core the apples, slice thinly, place on parchment paper on a baking sheet, and bake at 250 degrees for 40 minutes on one side, then turn and bake for another 35 minutes. Bake a little longer, if needed, until apples are golden colored. The chips will be slightly soft, rather than crisp). The apple chips will be my contribution to the goodie table after tomorrow night's community theater board meeting, when we'll welcome new members.
We also gathered supplies and materials needed to do a sunprint session at the art gallery Wednesday. Mother will assist me at this workshop. She enjoys helping kids with this kind of project.
Of course, no day is complete without running errands. Today, we picked up another prescription at the pharmacy, stopped by the bank, went to the local farm supply store for dog food and bird seed, and picked up a couple of items at the worldwide discount chain store.
We were appalled at the increasing price of both dog food and bird seed. We are considering cutting way back of feeding the birds, even though they are a great source of entertainment. One reason the bird seed is vanishing so quickly is that the squirrels are feasting on it. So far, we haven't been able to keep the wily rascals out of the feeders. Then too, the bumblebees who manage not to drown in the nectar are rapidly consuming the hummingbird food. Hubbie has trouble keeping those feeders filled, as well.
We are very disappointed that the veggie garden didn't yield better this year, but we are getting a few tomatoes...enough that we decided to have turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, and Vidalia onion sandwiches for supper, along with baked potato wedges seasoned with olive oil spray and herbs.
We have noticed that a butternut squash vine is growing in the compost heap, and small squashes are beginning to appear. It'll be interesting if a few of them mature enough for the dinner table some time in the fall.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
At Last...Rain!
The parched lawn and gardens are finally getting a drink of water. We awoke to rain this morning, after a long, dry, and oppressively hot spell. The temperature has moderated, too, which is a welcome relief.
We were late rising again this morning, and I skipped exercising. After breakfast, Hubbie retrieved the Sunday newspaper from the driveway. In reading it, he discovered that a few of the photos I'd submitted from the county fair are featured.
Mother came over and we relaxed with the newspaper, and listened to music CDs for the rest of the morning and until after lunch. Today, I chose three CDs...Sting's "Songs From the Labyrinth," which is music from the Elizabethan era, Kenny G's "Breathless," and Yanni's "Snowfall."
Later, Hubbie and I went to the worldwide discount chain store to shop for groceries for this week's menus. We wouldn't have bothered going today, except, as they say here in the south, we didn't have a stick of bread in the house, and Hubbie eats bread with nearly every meal. I would have thought Sunday would be a slow day at that store, but folks were out in force.
Back home, we did nothing for the rest of day besides napping and vegging in front of the TV.
We were late rising again this morning, and I skipped exercising. After breakfast, Hubbie retrieved the Sunday newspaper from the driveway. In reading it, he discovered that a few of the photos I'd submitted from the county fair are featured.
Mother came over and we relaxed with the newspaper, and listened to music CDs for the rest of the morning and until after lunch. Today, I chose three CDs...Sting's "Songs From the Labyrinth," which is music from the Elizabethan era, Kenny G's "Breathless," and Yanni's "Snowfall."
Later, Hubbie and I went to the worldwide discount chain store to shop for groceries for this week's menus. We wouldn't have bothered going today, except, as they say here in the south, we didn't have a stick of bread in the house, and Hubbie eats bread with nearly every meal. I would have thought Sunday would be a slow day at that store, but folks were out in force.
Back home, we did nothing for the rest of day besides napping and vegging in front of the TV.
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