Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Brooke and Little Bear


This is a photographic journey into the world of Brooke and Little Bear.
Brooke and Little Bear
(Our first portrait story
with Grandma)



Little Bear
"I'm cold, Mother Bear."




"Oh Little Bear,
 what can you possibly want
NOW?"














"Oh no!"


"Here's your fur coat,
now you will not be cold anymore."


 



























Sunday, January 27, 2013

Jon Katz

I want to bring your attention to Jon Katz, those of you who may not be following him yet.  The profound words written in his blog today impacted me so very very much.  You can find him on Facebook, or by going to www.bedlamfarmjournal.com
Enjoy the day.

Friday, January 25, 2013

I Wanna Soak Up the Sun


Words from Sheryl Crowe's song stirred in my mind this morning, while I wait for my coffee to pour (the downside of pour over is that I have to pour and wait, pour and wait...), wait for my painkillers to do their thing.


"I wanna soak up the sun, tell everyone to lighten up..."

But mostly, I want to soak up the sun, sitting beneath a thatched roof, sunglasses, stirring the waves a little bit, and having a rum punch served by a magical waiter who runs up the beach, drink on a tray.  So maybe I should sing the Beach Boys' instead:

"Aruba, Jamaica, ooo, I wanna take ya,
Bermuda, Bahama..."


Life can be fun, it can be warm, in the echoes of my mind. 


(Disney, did someone say Disney?)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?

I saved my favorite toy for my wee children, just for my grandchildren.  Mysteriously, Big Bird and Cookie Monster disappeared over a year ago, it was finally 3 months later that I had to ask my Pennsylvania children if they had hopped into the car to escape me.  While we waited and watched for them to appear, Grandma kept looking under things and in cushions (Cookie Monster did this in the past, when Caleb was 2, we thought for sure we'd lost him, he appeared in the moving van, wedged in our stuffed chair, after we moved the chair into the new house).

Giving in to the realization that they were lost forever, I stumbled across one on eBay and bought it.  The thought crossed my mind that, now that I ordered another one, probably they'd show up....

I went to Bethlehem to visit my children for Joey's birthday last weekend.  One of the first things they did for me was to say, "Mom, we have a klepto....look what we found in Milo's coat pocket...."  Sure enough, those two had gone for a ride and had hidden themselves deep inside his pocket!!!

So, they are together again, and there is a box in my car trunk with another set (haven't opened it yet).  Anyway, we are at Sesame Street...

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Button Up Your Overcoat!

Frigid temperatures plague the nation almost everywhere (California here I come)!  The storm windows are iced over, you can't see through them.  Making the most of my auto start on my car!   Even short trips, after I lock it, I am auto starting for the 5 minutes or so that I run in and out of the post office and bank (yes, folks, she's locked).

The heavy (ugly) wool sweater has been exhumed from my grandfather's trunk, ready for it's debut in Spanish class today.

Warnings on the news say to even bring the outdoor animals inside.  My cat, Tess, is grateful for that.  She opted out of going out on her morning spree, preferring the warmth of the bed.

Oatmeal, minus my lump of brown sugar, was the order for breakfast.  Today my Weight Watchers starts.

Photo for those who like the cold....

Friday, January 18, 2013

Feeding America

I was heartsick.  Someone bought a school lunch and left it completely untouched.  I took it to a woman in charge and they, by law, cannot take it back.  I understand the hot meal, but the unopened banana and milk too?  Yes, who knows what the person may or may not have done to contaminate it.  Really?  I've been reading a novel about war-torn Russia during the reign of Stalin and how there was no money for food, and barely any food.  I think of people who have nothing today.  And then I see the school trash can, filled with untouched food. 
We have no idea, do we?

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Just a Reminder...


...thought this was pretty inspirational this morning....


  • Wash your hands
  • Don't cough into the air
  • Don't think it's ok to be with people at work or in a social setting just because it's "just as easy to sit home and be miserable."  It's not okay.  You'll infect me.
  • Get rest and plenty of fluids.
  • Don't be a martyr.  Call your doctor.
Newspapers...I enjoy the newspaper.  Especially my local edition, here noted.  It's got it all, plus a little bit more.  It's not overwhelming and unfamiliar like those I have tried to get used to in other areas--no worry about wondering "where is that?" it's all in places I know.  I like the larger size, when other newspapers are shrinking and difficult to read, here is my local newspaper, delivered right to my door.  And my carrier always has a treats for the cats when she pulls into my driveway and they are out.

Newspapers...a handy, easy moisture collector, when the door mats are busy...they're good at absorbing odor too.  If your shoes are smelly from a long day, crunch a newspaper up and put it in your shoe overnight.

Monday, January 14, 2013

De-Sensitizing America

There is a lot of discussion in all arenas regarding our current gun laws and the need for reform.  I think we need to take a strong look at lifestyle in and of itself.

Violence via games.  When was the last time you played a violent game?  How did you feel about the shoot 'em up?  I remember, quite a number of years ago now, being introduced to a computer game called "Road Rash."  I loved this game!  You raced motorcycles throughout scenery and if you won, you got money and could go on to the next level.  During races, you raced against several other motorcyclists (run by computer) and both of you would attempt to run the other off the road with kicking, chains, etc.  It was aggravating to get pushed over, it was victorious to watch them fly off their cycle.  I realized suddenly that I couldn't pick up my kids from school after playing that game, so had to limit my time to those days when they came home via school bus.  The behavior from the game influenced my ability to drive level headed.

Violence via television.  Criminal Minds.  This is one of my "absolute favorite" shows.  I don't want to miss an episode.  Macabre.  The good guys win (most of the time, but not before at least 1 or more die at the hands of someone insane, or mishandled in an earlier part of their life).  I am a middle aged woman.  Hopefully unlikely to act out.  I have middle school students that love to watch Criminal Minds.  How do you feel about that?

Violence via guns/weapons.  I support the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms.  But I do not support the right for people to use those arms for violent purposes like those in Sandy Hook Elementary and movie theatres and other places where innocent lives are the target of a person who has disconnected with the world.  We can watch bullying in schools, but that doesn't wipe away the problem.  We can have trained parents, psychologists, and medication for individuals that need it, but it is a concern of mine that these individuals have a bigger problem, bigger than what their parents (who love them dearly) can handle.

Food for thought, folks.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Fun with Photography

The roving photographers covered some territory yesterday morning.  Wells Horton had a map and I navigated (thank goodness he is familiar with all these back roads) to a few barns here in upstate NY.  Sidetracked by running water, but we did get a few in.  I had fun with one of his filters, and learned more about RAW vs. jpg (I know I know, I should know this anyway, but sometimes its easier to understand, the more explanation you get).  I have yet to edit the barns, but here's a waterfall!



Thursday, January 3, 2013

Cookie Dough Diary

Reflection.  It's been a few years since I've done "Christmas cookies."  My definition of Christmas cookies happens to be "cookies only made around the holiday."  Rules are that they must only be eaten as of Christmas morning and thereafter (crazy, isn't it? Frenzied baking, but wait, they're for Christmas!)

Recipe.  I have left the baking to my son's fiance, cookie cutters and all.  But I decided that I'd make the date filled cookies.  The recipe I call Gram's, but its really in the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook (red and white plaid, unfortunately their new cookbook does not have the recipe).  A basic roll out sugar cookie (but equal parts of brown sugar/white sugar) used.  The filling is chopped dates with water and lemon juice and sugar, boiled.  Roll out and cut cookies, place date filling on a cookie, place another cutout on top, press sides together.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Run run as fast as you can...you can't catch me....Cookie Dough Diary:  we waited for our creator to roll us out.  Alas! She has given away all her cookie cutters to Angela.  So, she decided to take us to Pennsylvania and roll us out there, in her mom and dads' kitchen.  They decided that the rosettes were more important, but that's okay, I'm a patient cookie.  I traveled back home for baking.  Oh dear, still the dilemma of no cookie cutter (rats).  So off to Caleb's house we go, with full intention of being rolled, cut and baked after the gifts have been plundered.

Revealed.  Never got around to it, so Angela rolled, cut and baked later Christmas Day.  And they are delicious!  There are way too many here for one person, she was way too generous in bringing over "just a few," so the rest go in the freezer.  But here's a plateful: a plain cookie, but with that luscious treat inside that keeps us coming back for more.