EX Marks the Spot . . .Musings from a Has-Been

Not Thankful!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:58:00 +0000

Here's the link to read about it:

https://open.substack.com/pub/smartschink/p/not-thankful?r=w4hhk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Jeffrey Epstein and The Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:35:00 +0000

https://open.substack.com/pub/smartschink/p/jeffrey-epstein-and-the-bible?r=w4hhk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

A Thanksgiving List of Sorts

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 21:58:00 +0000

A Thanksgiving List of Sorts

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:36:08 +0000

https://open.substack.com/pub/smartschink/p/young-intelligent-amazing?r=w4hhk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:55:00 +0000

https://open.substack.com/pub/smartschink/p/weary-writing?r=w4hhk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 02:37:00 +0000

https://open.substack.com/pub/smartschink/p/murdaugh...

Shirley Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:42:00 +0000

I met Shirley Temple quite a few years back. Actually, we were in the same fashion show, modeling historical fashions, specifically gowns and clothing worn by former First Ladies. By then, she was Shirley Temple Black and no longer involved in entertainment. She even asked me to zip up her dress. I just casually mentioned that to Mom months later. Mom was flabbergasted that I hadn't told her that immediately. I think she considered the zipping of Shirley Temple's dress to be the top accomplishment of my life! What an entertainer she was and what a gracious lady she became! #fashionshow #shirleytemple #Mom #mothers

She's Back!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 01:37:00 +0000

She's back. Actually, not she, it's me. I'm back. After an absence of a decade or so, I'm resurrecting this blog. The truth is that I've missed writing it, and I've missed the interactions with so many fellow bloggers and other people.

On Fridays, we'll have Funny Fridays, featuring funny signs and funny headlines.

Currently, I'm working on four mysteries and one nonfiction. If someone ever said writing a book is easy, that someone was wrong, wrong, wrong. It's a whole lot of work! So, occasionally on here, I'll update my progress.

Another goal is to share information about other authors and would-be authors, along with descriptions of books I'm reading and enjoying.

Oh, there'll be other stuff, too. Maybe recipes. Maybe stories about my grandsons. Maybe current events without being partisan.

I'd love to have you follow and share your comments!

Portable, Go-Anywhere High Chair

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 23:19:00 +0000

So happy to be carrying these fabulous high chairs. Lightweight, no assembly required, sturdy. Each comes with its own matching carrying bag.

Kudzu Keepsakes has these in stock in our two physical locations. We also take orders on line for the solid colors, camo, and collegiate styles.

Ideal for grandparents, traveling families, active families, or at home.

Find us on Facebook: PortableHighChairCarolina.

Again and Again

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 02:59:00 +0000

It’s happened again.

And again and again.

I think it’s called confusion. Or not paying attention. Or perhaps just plain old getting older.

Once again, I confused the tube of toothpaste and the tube of Preparation H. No, I won’t admit which way this happened.

The frequency of such situations is increasing. I walk around the house looking for my keys, only to realize after a frantic search that they are in my hand.

This happens with my glasses as well. I move papers, books, pots, pans, towels sheets and more, then find the glasses on top of my head or in a pocket.

And the cell phone? Oh, my goodness. I believe it has feet and just walks away to trick me. We have a home phone, i.e. land line, primarily for use as a fax, but I believe it has been used more often as a locator when I have to call my cell phone just to find it.

Oh, and then it gets worse. Later, I look at the cell phone and see that I have a missed call. I check for a missed call, just to find it was my own call from the home phone!

And, by the way, I can tell you this: toothpaste seems to have certain healing properties!

Lucrative Laundry Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 02:52:00 +0000

I hit the jackpot! It was a lucrative laundry day.

Have you ever had one of those?

Let me back up a moment. The Duppster doesn’t believe in wearing anything twice between washings. Not jeans, not khakis, nothing. That adds up to a whole lot of laundry. And since Dupp is a rather large man – size 3X shirts – it doesn’t take many items of clothing to fill up the washing machine.

Anyway, the good side of this situation is that Dupp frequently forgets to take loose change (and other things) out of his pockets before tossing clothing into the hamper. Maybe I should check pockets before putting a load of clothes in the washer but I don’t.

So, I figured whatever money comes out in the laundry goes into my wallet. Now, mind you, I don’t stick my hands into the pockets to pull out money but just keep whatever comes out naturally. “Naturally” means it falls out in the washer or dryer or after I shake the pants vigorously nine or ten times.

Sometimes, Dupp actually leaves bills, i.e. paper money, in his pockets.

No, I won’t get rich this way, but there’s usually enough to enjoy my chocolate candy. Last week, I could have gotten a whole box of chocolates.

What a lucrative laundry day!

Cookies, Chickens, Frogs & More

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:09:00 +0000

Sometimes I get a kick out of unusual observances and holidays.

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day, of course, and International Nurses Day, but also Limerick Day, National Nutty Fudge Day, National Doodle Day, Hug Your Cat Day and Odometer Day.

Monday was Frog-Jumping Day; Tuesday was National Chicken Dance Day. You DID dance in celebration, didn’t you?

Among the observances on Wednesday were Straw Hat Day, Turn Beauty Inside Out Day, Nylon Stockings Day and one of my favorites, National Chocolate Chip Day. It’s too hot to commemorate Nylon Stockings Day (for those of you who still wear such things) but it’s never too hot for chocolate chips.

And then there’s this: The Headless Chicken Day is always the third weekend in May. (Yep, it’s called “day” even though it’s two days.)

According to the sponsoring organization’s web site, the event is based on a true story about a Wyandotte rooster named Mike. On September 10, 1945, Leon Olsen, a Fruita, Colorado, farmer, used an axe to make Mike headless so that the rooster would be his family’s dinner, but rooster Mike “continued trying to peck for food.”

The festival celebrates Mike’s example, noting that “you can continue to lead a normal life, even after you have lost your mind.”

If those folks in Fruita ever make the festival a week-long affair, they can celebrate The Headless Chicken Day along with National Chicken Dance Day. Quite an observance, wouldn’t you say?

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"Special" Election Doesn't Quite Describe It!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Photo from The State newspaper

This is gonna upset some of my Republican friends, but that’s certainly not the intent.

It’s like this: for several years, I’ve been saying I’m tired of so much partisan politics and so much partisan bickering. And I really, really am.

That’s the same thing I’ve heard loads of other folks fussing about also. They’re tired of everything in Washington having to do with party lines. They’re tired of partisanship in our state legislature. They want what’s good for the people to be put before what’s good for one party or the other.

But, have we looked at our own back doors or front doors or wherever we generally look? Don’t we put party before consideration of individual candidates when we vote straight party tickets?

And, now, here we are faced with a special election (May 7th) in our own first congressional district – a race pitting former Governor Mark Sanford (he of Appalachian Trail fame) against Elizabeth Colbert Busch, businesswoman and sister of comedian Stephen Colbert.

Guess what we’re hearing and reading now from people who are sick and tired of partisan politics? Here are a few of the comments:

“No, I don’t like Sanford, but he’s the Republican, so that’s how I’ll vote.”

“Forget a third-party candidate or a write-in, because that would just hand the election to the woman instead of a Republican.”

“I didn’t want Sanford to be the Republican nominee; he’s a scoundrel but I just can’t vote for a Democrat.”

“Yeah, Sanford was wrong to leave the state, to lie about his whereabouts, to not leave anyone in charge. Yes, he was wrong to violate a court order. But he’s the Republican.”

Those are just samplings. In the last two weeks, people who used to talk about character, honesty, integrity and such, are listing reasons they don’t like Sanford. They are not questioning Colbert Busch’s character and integrity --- yet, they’ll likely vote against honesty, character and integrity because of party loyalty.

What’s right for the country, what’s right for the citizens – these take precedence over what’s right for a particular political party.

Just callin’ it like I see it, folks.

Yawn, Yawn, Yawn

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:08:00 +0000

Yawn.

This is somewhat like a test: see if you can read these few paragraphs without yawning, okay?

Just the other night, Mom, the Duppster and I were in the car, heading home from an event. All three of us were yawning.

So, we started talking about why people yawn and why it seems that yawns are contagious.

According to Andrew C. Gallup, PhD, "Brains are like computers... They operate most efficiently when cool, and physical adaptations have evolved to allow maximum cooling of the brain."

Gallup reports that the brain warms up as people get tired and sleepy, but it’s not really boredom or sleepiness that causes yawning; it’s the need to cool the brain.

We inhale air when we yawn; our eardrums stretch; cooler air gets to our sinuses, ears, brains and more. Our lungs are stretched.

All of this, of course, is just Gallup’s theory, but his theory is based on scientific research.

Haven’t we all heard that yawning is contagious? Is it?

Yes, it is. According to various studies by several scientists, yawning, which is involuntary, is a part of centuries or eons of socialization. It’s a way of relating to other people and has come down through the generations.

So, next time someone yawns, don’t think the person is bored. He’s just socializing with you!

Now, there are two questions: 1) Did you read this without yawning? and 2) Can you keep your eyes open – totally open – when you yawn?

It's Been 12 Years . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:26:00 +0000

Today marks 12 years since Dad died.

Just the other night, several of us were sharing some funny stories about Dad, and we laughed ‘til we had tears running down our faces.

We talked about the old green Studebaker Dad used to drive. Well, actually, it wasn’t just green. Dad had used a spray gun not far from the car to paint something white. While he worked on whatever that creation was, white paint splattered onto the Studebaker, changing it from solid green to green with white dots all over. He left it that way.

And the outside of the Studebaker was the better part of the car.

Once the door to the car opened, one could see an emptiness – of sorts. Dad had removed the back seat from the car. What this meant was that we children had to either stand in the back or sit on the floor when we rode in that car. Yes, this was before seatbelts and other modern conveniences.

We also had an old Pontiac convertible. Or perhaps it was an Oldsmobile. I just remember it was from the late 50s or very early 60s; it was tan; and it was l-0-n-g, like most cars of that era. There was an expanse of tan between the back seat and the trunk.

And it was in the trunk that Dad had placed the old back seat that came out of the green-and-white Studebaker. Dad had removed the cover or top of the trunk from the long convertible and put the Studebaker’s old bench seat in that empty cavity. When we rode in that green seat way back in the trunk area, it was like traveling in a separate vehicle; we were that far away from the driver!

Yep, as Mom said the other night, Dad is still keeping us laughing 12 years after his death.

It Takes Two!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:31:00 +0000

Last week, I had almost-five-year-old Harrison and just-turned-two-year-old Fisher in the back seat of the car, heading to our house after getting them from their other grandmother’s house.

I told the boys I had a little surprise for them at home. Harrison quickly asked, “Is it one thing or two?”

When I answered that there were two – one for him and one for Fisher - Harrison said that was good, because when there’s only one thing, they fight.

So, I thought, this might be a great one of those “teachable moments.” I explained how important it is to share, that sharing with others is good and that taking turns is what people need to learn to do.

That’s when Harrison spoke up again: “The thing about sharing is when me and Fisher share, Fisher doesn’t.”

Yep, that could certainly be a problem – when two people share except that one of ‘em doesn’t.

We all know what that’s like, don’t we?

Do Your Ears Hang Low????

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:31:00 +0000

I remember it like it was yesterday.

And why shouldn’t I? After all, Mom looked at me – and then just laughed. And laughed and laughed.

Finally, she looked at me, pointing near my face, and said, “One of your ears is lower than the other one.” And then she started laughing again.

Through her chuckles, Mom told me to look in the mirror to see for myself. So I did.

Sure enough, once I looked, I could see that one ear was lower than the other. The only way for them not to be uneven was to tilt my head, but I quickly decided I couldn’t go around the rest of my life with my head tilted.

And then Mom asked, “When did that happen?”

Well, gee, Mom; I just don’t know when that happened. I mean I didn’t go to a doctor and ask to have one ear lowered or anything like that. I guess I was just born this way.

For decades, I didn’t know my ears weren’t even.

Now, as one might imagine, I can’t look in the mirror without noticing that one ear is lower than the other. I’ve even changed the kind of earrings I wear so that the “ear difference” won’t be as noticeable.

At least that’s better than keeping my head tilted.

And I’ve quit singing that childhood song that starts “Do your ears hang low?”

"Foreigners" Eat Funny

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:43:00 +0000

Eatin’ habits seem to vary based on what area of the country a person lives in, or at least grows up in.

I think I’m somewhat of an expert on this subject since I’m married to a Yankee. Oh, excuse me, a Yankee-transplanted-in-the-South-fellow, which is still pretty much a Yankee, if you ask me. The Duppster hasn’t been in South Carolina quite long enough to learn how to eat southern.

He finally tried that southern delicacy we call boiled peanuts. Much to his credit, Dupp even had a second one. It’s pretty safe to say, though, that he thinks he can live without ‘em.

Now, I’ve never professed to be the best cook in the world, but, if I were, Dupp wouldn’t know it. That’s because he adds ketchup/catsup to just about everything – without even tasting it first.

If I fix scrambled eggs and cheese, he adds ketchup. If it’s scrambled eggs and salmon, he adds ketchup.

This past weekend I fixed a big ol’ pot of chicken bog. First of all, chicken bog is rather peculiar to South Carolina; it’s not even a common meal anywhere else in the southeast, so it’s easy to figure that chicken bog is totally foreign to folks from above the Mason-Dixon line.

When this fine concoction of chicken, hot sausage, lots of onion, peppers, a bit of garlic, salt, bacon bits and a few other special additions was ready, what did Dupp do? He pulled out something with a ketchup base and poured it all over the bog.

Even as a ketchup-holic, there’s one thing he absolutely won’t put ketchup on, though: hot dogs.

Go figure!

Marshmallow Massacre?

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:12:00 +0000

Back before Christmas, I had planned to give each of the young nieces and nephews and other similarly-aged children marshmallow shooters as gifts.

Actually I’m not certain about the exact name of these plastic toys that propel marshmallows across rooms and open fields. Whatever the name, though, the toys promote active play as well as safe play, and the ones I found weren’t expensive, making this a pretty easy decision.

And then came the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut.

With that horrendous tragedy, I simply couldn’t bring myself to purchase and then give to little children anything weapon-like. So much for those marshmallow blasters.

Did I think those marshmallows would hurt anyone? No. Did I think there would be a marshmallow massacre? No. There was just something symbolic about giving a Christmas gift that had anything to do with shooting, even if only marshmallows, so close in time to the Sandy Hook killings.

Am I moving more toward gun control? No, unless it’s for parents having more control over the guns in their own homes (and control over the use of video games, television, etc.) And, no, I’m not trying to outlaw marshmallow blasters either.

What we need is to have our elected officials place mental health issues on the front burner. Period.

Spitting Images

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:36:00 +0000

In the last post, I showed photos of some of our antiques and uniques at Kudzu Keepsakes.

The other part of our little venture is Spitting Images Gallery, featuring photos The Duppster and I have taken. Most are on canvas, but there are some 5 x 7s in the gallery as well as a few photos on foam board. Canvas and foam board works can be placed on walls with or without frames.

Here are a few that are in the gallery now. Oops! For some strange reason, I wasn't able to upload the photos here today. Go figure. I hope you'll take a minute to click on the link below.

A few of the photos are found on the right side of this post. Others are here: Spitting Images Gallery works.

We're Back - With Bells On!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:21:00 +0000

The self-imposed approximately two-month sabbatical is almost over. Yippee! Ring those bells! I've missed blogging - the writing and the reading.

We've spent the last two months concentrating on other ventures: building inventory in our two new businesses, Kudzu Keepsakes (www.facebook.com/kudzukeepsakes) and Spitting Images Gallery (www.facebook.com/spittingimagesgallery.) Loads of fun!

At Kudzu Keepsakes, we specialize in antiques, uniques and vintage items of all sorts. Roseville Pottery to Spode's Billingsley Rose china, buck saws to wagon wheels, vintage clothing to license plates/tags, Quimper pottery to cut-to-clear cased crystal.

Waffle Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Want a good laugh? I don't usually post links but this one should make you laugh out loud. Be sure you have sound turned on. It's called "My Wafflely Wedded Wife." http://www.flixxy.com/wedding-ceremony..htm. Funny, Funny Wedding Vows - here
Click either link above. It's not a virus; it's just a short, funny video.

Very Random Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Random means having no pattern or no aim or something along those lines.

Well, today, I have a few random thoughts to share. There’s no pattern to them; all they have in common is that they’ve been on my mind (in my mind?) lately.

1. This one is a recurring thought; I have it every two years: Isn’t it ironic that Halloween and Election Day are so close together? “Trick or treat” seems to fit both days, don’t you think?

2. Just the other day, daughter Mandy sent a message asking if I wanted “face time” with her two sons. I thought maybe it was a request for babysitting (which I love.) No, it was something like a video phone call on Facebook with a cell phone. We haven’t done this yet ‘cause she’s still “‘splaining” it to me. Next thing you know, we really will be able to just reach out and touch someone!

3. Mandy’s younger son, Fisher, is looking just like my son, Tree. He’s just about the spitting image, in fact. (Tree's picture at a young age is the middle one, dressed in yellow.)

Recently Mandy sent a text message to Tree that said, “My son is beginning to look just like you.”

Tree responded, “You just don’t know how many times I’ve gotten that same message from others.”

Uh-oh!

4. Just over a week ago I turned 63. I don’t mind sharing my age; I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow older. On each birthday, I am painfully aware that brother Rod didn’t have that opportunity. He died in 2010 at the age of 56.

I miss him.

Antiques, Uniques, Oddities, Commodities!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:15:00 +0000

We've got such fun stuff - and oddities - at the antique gallery. Just look!

Going, Going, Gone!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherry Shealy Martschink) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:26:00 +0000

The Duppster and I enjoy going to auctions.

Sometimes he bids on and buys items. Sometimes, he bids but doesn’t go high enough to buy. And, sometimes, we watch and don’t bid at all. Either the way, the auctions are our weekend entertainment.

Besides being fun, they are great learning experiences. For example, I’ve learned not to wave to anyone or fan myself or swat at flies or make any other motion with my arms – not even to scratch something – when there’s bidding going on. Otherwise, we might end up buying something we don’t need or want.

And then there are times when we end up with stuff that Dupp wanted, but, for the life of me, I sure don’t know why.

Right now, we’re practically tripping over bottles and jars – all empty, of course. I’ll admit that Dupp has found some very interesting bottles with delightful histories. For example, we have a bottle for Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound (for “female complaints”) from the 1870s. Another from the 1800s is a bottle for Pond’s Extract, the first product of the company that eventually developed Pond’s Vanishing Cream and Pond’s Cold Cream, followed by other cosmetic items.

From auctions and garage sales, though, we’ve occasionally ended up with something that we just have to label “unknown thing.” In fact, I think we are now official collectors of unknown things.

Sure, they’re interesting to display. Also, since we have a little booth in an antique gallery, we typically put our finds in the booth. But, the thing is, that to sell an object, it helps to know what it is or at least a little something about it.

Who wants to buy something with a tag that says “unknown thing”?