Tag: blogging

Just Say Ok

Just Say Ok!

While Studly Doright and I were relaxing on Amelia Island this past weekend I had the following text conversation with our daughter:

“Ok.” and “Yep.” were my contributions, and my reward was seeing my daughter’s reaction. So now I’m planning a quick trip to Chicago on the 27th of October.

I’m beyond excited about seeing Les Misérables at the Cadillac Theater, but that’s just icing on the cake. The real treat will be getting to see Les Mis with my daughter on her birthday and our middle grandchild. I’m so glad I typed “Ok.”

Peace, people!

Around Amelia Island

Amelia Island is a beautiful place to run away to and a difficult place to leave. Studly Doright and I kayaked,

Explored the community of Fernandina Beach on the island,

Took in some of the Jazz Festival

Walked on the beach

And had a good time.

It’ll be tough getting back to the real world.

Peace, people!

Kayaking

Studly Doright and I took a quick trip to Amelia Island for the weekend. I didn’t have much time to write a regular post, but here we are at the midway point of a kayaking trip on the island.

We had a great time exploring Egan’s Estuary with our guide, Amber, from Amelia Island Kayak Excursions. If you ever find yourself in the area, we highly recommend this kayaking tour company. I’d give it two thumbs up, but I’m having difficulty raising my thumbs right now.

Peace, people!

Meetup

Since moving to the Tallahassee area over four years ago, I haven’t connected to many other women. Most days I’m fine enjoying my own company, but sometimes I get lonely.

My blogging friend, The Happy Quitter at https://nonsmokingladybug.wordpress.com/ inspired me to connect with others as she had through the Meetup app, so on Thursday evening I did just that and met members of the Tallahassee Women’s Social Meetup at the Wine Loft.

I’m not going to lie, I was a nervous ninny before connecting with these women I’d never met before, but Studly Doright sent me off with a kiss and an admonition against talking too loudly–something I do when I’m nervous. I’m not sure I was successful in keeping my decibels down, but I don’t recall anyone recoiling in disgust, or covering both ears, so maybe I was within reasonable levels.

The group of women was friendly and diverse. I enjoyed sipping wine and visiting for a couple of hours, and I’m looking forward to the next time I’m able to join them. Maybe my nerves will have calmed and I can listen more than I talk.

I’ll write more later, but for now I must prepare for an adventure. Sorry to be so cryptic, but I’m not even sure what it entails.

Peace, people!

Breaking Hearts

Every day hearts break

Shattering like fine crystal

Starting with a crack

You’re ugly, stupid,

Fat and flat unloveable

A great waste of space

Those cracks never heal

Ask anyone who has heard

The shattering glass

Wait for It…

I’ve done a great deal of waiting the past few weeks. I’ve waited for hurricanes to choose a path, for a generator to arrive, for someone to come measure one of our spare bedrooms for carpet after our water heater went kaput and leaked water all over said bedroom.

I’ve waited for a new hot water heater to be installed, and for the trash collection crew to come pick up the soggy carpeting and old water heater and the box the new one came in. I’m still waiting on the trash guys–they’d promised that all of the unsightly detritus would be picked up no later than last Saturday. We’re now officially closer to next Saturday than to last Saturday.

Yesterday I waited in vain for the guy we hired to paint the spare bedroom before the new carpet arrives. He was supposed to come first thing this morning, but he still hadn’t arrived by 4:30 pm, so I’m still waiting.

I can check some of the things off my list, though:

  • Generator arrived today 10/9/17. It was supposed to have been here no later than 9/24/17.
  • The carpet measurer came on time and gave me an estimate that Studly can live with.
  • The new water heater is installed and working like a charm, thanks to Studly Doright.

That just leaves the painter and the trash pick up and then maybe we’ll be back to normal. Oh, wait, then I’ll be at the mercy of the carpet layers.

This post might sound like one long complaint. Honestly, it’s just a recitation. I don’t mind waiting too much, and when I think of all those folks in coastal Texas, Puerto Rico, south Florida, and now California, having to wait on vital survival type services I know just how fortunate I am. I have electricity and hot water, plenty of food, and a place to rest my head. No waiting necessary.

What are you waiting on?

Peace, people!

What I’m Reading

I went in search of something to refresh my memory of, and to increase my understanding of, documents of importance to our country. It seems more important now than ever for citizens to be informed; otherwise, how can we hold our elected officials accountable?

I found this slim volume at Barnes and Nobel:

I like the way the book has side by side explanations of the documents. For example, pictured below is the first page of the Bill of Rights:

On the left are the unedited amendments, and on the right are simplified explanations. I think our current president might benefit from reading this book. Maybe I’ll buy him a copy. He might have to give up one round of golf to read it, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Peace, people.

Butterfly Collecting

I collect butterflies,

But mine are never displayed

Pinned under clear glass

Loosely assembled,

Mine aren’t arrayed in cases

Alphabetically

No, mine flit about

Pausing to sip at petals

Eliciting smiles

The Perfect Burger

Our current political scene is so depressing that all I want to do is eat. If I’m not careful I’ll regain the 20 or so pounds I’ve lost in these last ten months. Studly Doright suggested that I write instead of eating. If I can’t enjoy a burger, I’ll contemplate the perfect one.

Studly grills a good burger on occasion. When he buys good ground sirloin and doesn’t cook it until it resembles dried shoe leather his burgers are among the best. He melts cheese on top, then we add lettuce, fresh tomato, a sweet Vidalia onion, mustard or mayonnaise, and our choice of pickle on top of a grilled buttered bun. I add a splash of ketchup to mine and it’s oh so good.

When we eat hamburgers at a restaurant we’re fairly adventurous. I’ll often order one with guacamole and jalapeños. Of course I suffer mightily for that indulgence, but oh my goodness it’s so good.

Studly’s favorite is a burger dubbed “The Lip Smacker” at our local Well’s Brothers eatery. The Lip Smacker features half a pound of meat grilled to perfection and topped with cheese, bacon, peanut butter, and strawberry jam.

Would you eat The Lip Smacker? I won’t, but then Studly won’t even contemplate my guacamole and jalapeño burger. What’s your favorite burger? Are you a plain Jane kind of burger lover, or do you go for the exotic?

Battle of the Sexes

Every now and then it’s good to remember that even though women are still fighting battles to control our own bodies we have come a very long way on the road to equality. The film Battle of the Sexes starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell as tennis stars, Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, provides viewers with some pointed reminders of just how far we’ve progressed, and who we should thank for that progress.

I remember watching the hype leading up to the big match between King and Riggs, as well as sitting glued to the tv to view their epic match from start to finish. I was 16 when Riggs and King faced off on the court. My family made a big deal of the match and my dad said from the beginning he thought Billie Jean would beat Bobby Riggs. Is it any wonder why Daddy was my hero?

The movie recreates the vibe of the 70’s perfectly: The hair, the clothing, the music, the misogyny. Carell and Stone are wonderful in their roles. I give this film 10 thumbs up. Yes. Ten. I’m not much of a movie reviewer, but I know what I like.

Peace, people!