Stopping By

It's pretty safe to say with kids: You never know what they will be doing next. It's always been like that.

Son Right Back stopped by the house this afternoon. He was taking his Sunday afternoon and doing something he considers worth doing. At this moment in time, it is back to the bicycle. I have proof that this was a passion many years ago. He would take off and ride for miles and miles. I, as his concerned parent, was always concerned until he arrived safely back home.

I have to admit that I smiled when the front door rang and he showed up after a ride. I didn't even know he had a bike, much less that he had been out riding. I am pleased to say that he is responsible and takes safety gear seriously. I wish he'd thought of that when he jumped out of the perfectly good plane.

I told him that I must have a picture of him with his bicycle stuff. So... he finally humored me a little and put on his helmet. He looks so serious here. I guess he is.... well... not really.

I think he is training for one of those long long rides with others that will take him out of the state and back. I hope when he tells me that he will be right back, that he means it. Of course he does!!!

Trying Ree's Perfect Pot Roast

Life is good!

First, my dear sweet Hubby (Mr.) brought me a camera that he had lying about the ranch house. I at least have a camera while I search for the perfect new one. I've gotten bitten by the Wantitis Bug. You know... the one that makes one spend more than they really should for things. I'm still trying to decide on a camera, but at least I have this one to fill in while I research and steel my nerves to spend money.

This.... dear readers, is what I cooked in that wonderful new pot... My Le Creuset pot that was a gift not long ago from a friend. I just had to take a picture of this as it came out of the oven. I hurried before Mr. got into it. It smelled soooooooo good. Mr. came in the back door and did a double take with his nose. It tasted as good as it smelled.

This recipe is one that I tried out of Ree's famous Pioneer Woman Cookbook. I absolutely had to join the ranks and have one. I have to admit that I usually sit a few pews behind her at church and marvel at all that has happened to her in the past couple of years. It is amazing. I've also been blessed with enjoying some of that wonderful food that she cooks... cinnamon rolls prepared by her own hands... so yummy. At any rate.. this is one of the recipes out of her cookbook. It uses some herbs that I don't usually use in preparing my roasts, and I did like these. I know... you must have the recipe. Therefore I have included the link to her recipe on her website. Go... cook roast... and enjoy. Perfect Pot Roast I also realize that she was just on Good Morning America talking about and cooking this roast. It is really flavorful. Yum.

Wallpaper Scraps

When I-Needa was little, her bedroom had one wall with wild panda bear wallpaper. There were cute pink and white curtains in the window to match the bear's noses. Cute!

I have always had the habit of saving a bit of wallpaper I use. I usually try to get an extra roll just in case something happens and I need to repair or replace part of it.

This paper has long ago disappeared, but it was cute at the time. I think I-Needa loved it and considered these little creatures her personal friends.


At some point, I-Needa managed to save a piece of the paper from her long ago room. She sent me this picture recently to show me what she has done with it.

I think it is rather a neat thing to preserve a memory like this. Just look how cute it looks with this one bear framed and hanging in her hallway. At least it is meaningful.

A relative of mine was quite talented in making ceramic pieces. She made a set of several little ceramic panda bears for I-Needa to match her room decor. I-Needa has set one on top of a candle and put it with the hall grouping.

Seeing this has made me look around my own home a bit to discover little things I have sitting about that remind me of my childhood or have some special meaning for me. What do you have in your home as reminders and remembrances?

Birth Of A Fisherman

I've been looking through some pictures that are in my iPhoto and ran onto these very old photos that I scanned and used in a scrapbook about my children when they were little.

This is Right Back when he was quite young. The picture was taken at my parent's house. My dad enjoyed fishing enough to have a little boat to take to our local lake. He kept it in the back yard, hidden from the street by some hedges. It was a place that would be very enticing to a little boy just looking at the possibilities in the world.

Right Back loved to spend time sitting in the boat playing that he was out there fishing. He loved playing that he was 'Doc', my dad's nickname. Dad was a dentist and lots of people fondly called him 'Doc'.

AH.. trying to start the motor.. Personally, I have always considered anything you had to start with a cord as an impossibility. Still, you know that Right Back has been with his grandfather and knows what should be done to get that engine purring.

After all, you've got to take some action here if you want any results. That may be a good thing to find out while you're young.

Don't you love the hat? I do believe he found this among Doc's yard clothes in the basement.

Ah, the basement is another story... lots of tools and other things to play with.



After you get the motor going, it's time to get serious about fishing. Who knows what you will catch when you really put your mind to it. Getting your hat out of your eyes might help a little too.

So, Dear Reader, what fond memories do you have of play in your childhood? Isn't using one's imagination a wonderful thing? Where would we be without this mysterious sense of imagination?

I can't say that I ever did much playing at fishing. I did try it in the boat at the lake when I was a child and my dad took me out with him. I remember going out early one morning before the sun came up, and we sat on the lake and fished and watched the night turn to day.... a lovely memory. I believe I liked the sunrise, but can't say much for the fishing.

Right Back still enjoys fishing when he has the opportunity. I guess his early play lit the spark somewhere in his being. Imagination. Ah, wonderful!

Searching for a Camera

It looks like the hunt is on for a new camera. Mine died. I've been troubleshooting to see if there is a simple solution, but it looks like I'm just out of luck. I've checked lots of things, but so far do not find the problem.

So.... I've been on the Internet this morning looking for a new perfect camera. I've been using a Canon PowerShot A95 for several years. Of course, it is discontinued. I'm not sure I'm smart enough to get into the SLR cameras. I rather like the point and shoot approach, but want a really great picture. My current camera that is dead delivered pictures I really liked. I also loved the fact that it had a swivel LCD screen. Not many do. It protected the screen and also let me take pictures from very strange angles at times. I could hold it way above my head and tilt the screen down so I could still see what I was capturing. I really don't know why all cameras don't have this feature.

I beg you, my dear readers, if you have a camera you love... please let me know. I want to look around a bit before leaping into buying. I want to love my new camera... Just tell me under comments, and I'll be so grateful.

The Cat Report
I did manage to get antibiotics into Pumpkin's mouth this morning. I remembered to shake the medicine well... I put it back into the refrigerator. Actually getting the dropper full of medicine into the cat's mouth was a bit of a do. I looked deep into his eyes and begged cooperation. It didn't happen. I picked him up and snuggled him against me until I heard him purr. I figured he was less likely to do anything drastic to me if he was really happy. I'm such a wimp!!

I finally managed to get him by the scruff of the neck and tilt his head back far enough that he opened his mouth. I was ready... set... and got that medicine into his mouth in a flash. Oh... go me!!!

I just had to tack this little report onto my camera post as knew you were waiting anxiously to see how the cat thing went. Perhaps that is a stretch, but I hope you cared. I have to do this again tomorrow and the day after. I'm so looking forward to it.

Springing The Cat

I ran outside a bit ago to take a picture of Pumpkin. Alas and woe, my camera seems to have quit on me! What a fix! I've done some trouble shooting with it, but it still refuses to cooperate and do its job of taking pictures. I've had it for a long time, and it has served me well. I'm not giving up on it yet, but close. In the meantime, we will have another pictureless post.

Pumpkin Saga Part III

I called the vet this morning to see the status of Pumpkin. The good news is that Pumpkin was ready to go home and is going to be fine. I'll confess that I whine a lot to the vet as am not a cat person and don't like dealing with feisty felines. I'm sure it is the sharp claws and teeth thing.

The bad news: There is more of that then good. First, I'm to give three more days of antibiotics. At that news, I pale and we begin instructions:

Me: 'How do I do that?'

Vet: 'It's easy.'

Me: 'How easy? Hey... I don't like cats... really'

Vet: 'Well... just take hold of him by the scruff (demonstrating in the air), and tilt his head back. His mouth will come open and you can get the dropper in.'

Me: 'Oh.. well... I don't know... maybe.'

Vet: 'Be sure and refrigerate the antibiotic'

Me: 'I can do that!'

Vet: 'Be sure to shake it well before you give it.'

Me: 'I can do that!'

Vet: 'Don't forget: Shake and refrigerate!'

Me: 'I know, I know... I'll remember... really.'

Vet: 'Bring him back in six days to get the stitches removed.'

Me: 'I can do that!'

At this point I hauled out my checkbook. Yep, there was more bad news. It was BAD news.

Receptionist: 'That will be $177.00.'

Me: 'How much?'

Receptionist: '$177.00.'

Me: 'Oh... wow... I'm sure glad I have a stray cat.'

I'm home with Pumpkin now. He is outside lying in the grass. I'm inside licking my wounds. I've talked to him sternly about his little fight with the squirrel. I let him know that he is in my debt, and I'm feeling rather poorly. I have less to play with in the old checking account... and he had better appreciate me. Moral of the story: I haven't a clue, but there should be one in there somewhere.

Recent Things I've Learned

Here is a short list of recent things I've learned:

1. Call a man on his cell phone while he is counting cattle, he won't answer. He will return your call.

2. Leaving a little beer in the bottom of a bottle is a sin. Suggesting it will cause great laughter. If anyone else hears you say that, they will laugh too... assuming they are men.

3. Cattlemen seem impressed that my hubby gave me a fencing tool for Christmas . I guess Mr. showed a great deal of love and affection with that gift... or at least their reactions seem to imply that.

4. Men really do want to be in possession of the remote control.

5. Vinegar on food makes it taste better.... yuck.

I will leave you at the moment with this very short list. I'm sure I need to expand on some in the very near future. It is early morning and I need to get around to be at church on time. I lead the adult Sunday School class... have for years. I love my Sunday mornings of fellowship and worship. It is part of the grounding in my life.