Id Rather Be Blogging

Four Years

2024-02-29T21:06:00.000-06:00

Four years.

Seems like forever, actually.

In 2020 during the pandemic, I really thought I would resume my blog. I was newly retired, hubby was home for months during lockdown and I was reminiscing about my long-igorned page.

Then I ignored it again.

It's Leap Day 2024 now and so much has changed. Especially the last two years.

Two years.

Seems like forever, actually.

Because my dear hubby passed away from pancreatic cancer in July of 2022. Since then, I've been trying to keep my mind busy. Drawing, painting, sculpting, knitting, reading... I even got back into cross stitch. I've done some home repairs that I could handle; hired help to take care of necessary work I couldn't do myself.

Anything to keep my mind from re-living those horrible three weeks between his diagnosis and his final day. But those respites only last a short time. I struggle every day to be positive.

Maybe writing will help.

Because those short three weeks seem like forever ago and yesterday all at once.

2018

It's Official ... We Are Now My Parents

2020-05-04T21:40:00.000-05:00

I had a sneaking suspicion it would happen sooner or later, but today I realised it without a doubt it's true.

Hubby and I have become my parents.

I retired last summer so being home most of the time isn't much of a change during these strange times. What HAS changed is the fact that hubby, like many others, has been off work for weeks.

Oh sure, we have had a few days where we've finally accomplished tasks that have been waiting way too long but to be honest, most days consist of waking up, eating meals and watching TV / YouTube.

But today I baked cookies

(recipe here)

(recipe on YouTube here)

while hubby worked on a jigsaw puzzle.

It should be noted that my parents are 93 and 92. They've been married for over 71 years and reside at a lovely senior home, spending a lot of their time doing jigsaw puzzles.

It's a bit of a shock to realise you've turned into your parents.

But damn, these cookies ARE delicious.

Thinking

2020-05-02T20:01:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking.

A lot.

I've been thinking a lot about this very old blog.

When I came across it recently, I realised it's been so neglected since I last posted in 2013. The whole thing was a mess; most of the images were missing as they were hosted on a server that no longer exists. I tried my best to find what I could on old external drives I dug out and dusted off... but sadly some files are gone forever though when my old HP laptop died.

But in trying to fix this up to be at least somewhat presentable, reading the old posts brought back some wonderful memories. Many links to old blogging friends no longer work - but I was pleased to see some still have continued to write and I can't wait to get in touch with them again!

Since 2013 quite a bit has changed in my life; my daughter married a few years ago, we bid farewell to our dear cat Sheba and sweet dog Casey. I retired last year and have been enjoying building my small business making polymer clay charms.

But some things stayed the same: I continue to draw, paint and sculpt. Hubby and I still live in the same home and I love spending most of my time here.

So should I return to blogging?

I think.

Yes.

I think I shall.

Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas

2013-12-11T19:00:00.000-06:00

Twas the day of vacation, for me but not hubby

I wasn’t stirring, he awoke a bit grumpy

He showered and shaved, his routine am chore

As the covers I pulled up around me some more

I turned off the radio, nestled deeply in bed

While he left for work, a Monday to dread

For it was cold, a terrible freeze which can kill

Minus 41 with that dreaded wind chill

When out on the driveway there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Hubby was back, in fact never had left

There he was standing looking very bereft

His truck would not start, and not only that

He was dismayed to realize, a tire was flat

I got on the phone to CAA did I call

The wait was six hours – gee is that all?

We waited, but only three – hooray what luck!

Out on our driveway our rescue; the CAA truck

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

A white bearded man – but no tiny reindeer.

Santa had come! Two weeks early oh sure

But more than welcome with a promise to cure

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Filled the flat tire, started the truck with a jerk.

Still in my PJs, I ran for my camera

Threw on my coat for a photo op with Santa

I asked for his picture, a wonderful post this would make

He posed with a smile and other photos I did take

He returned to his truck, packed up and prepared

For the next customer in need, not a moment to be spared

I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove down the driveway

“Merry Christmas to you, and to you a good day!”

A Sign Of The Newer Times

2013-11-14T09:27:00.000-06:00

Back on November 16, 2007, I wrote THIS:

Okay, it was a short post, so if you don't want to click, here it is again in it's entirety:

A Sign Of The Times

One paper delivery.

29 flyers.

No newspaper.

Yup. Christmas is coming, alright.

Now, six years later (holy crap, I just realized it's nearly to the DAY - that's scary), I still get way too many flyers and no newspaper, but to make matters worse, I am getting inundated with an avalanche of EMAIL adverts too....

The Hottest Gifts For You!

Check Out Our Christmas Specials!

Save On The Holidays Now!!!

13 new emails this morning. Only one of which was NOT advertising. I have been hitting the Unsubscribe button on a daily basis. You know, that teenie tiny link sneakily hidden somewhere in a light colour at about point 2 font size like this: unsubscribe

And not only do you have to hit the link, there is always that inevitable questionnaire on how sorry they are to see you go (sob!), and why oh why on earth would you leave us! (simply check off a reason from our handy-dandy list of 30 choices), oh and by the way, it will take at least 10 business days to process your request (insert evil laugh here).

Both my blue bin in the garage and my trash bin on the laptop are filling up fast.

Yup. Christmas is coming, alright.

Oooh. Déjà vu.

I Obviously Need Supervision

2013-11-07T20:37:00.002-06:00

While in Florida a few weeks back, I decided that even though I was alone, I had to visit both Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Since motion-sickness prevents me from trying most of the rides, I still was planning on walking about, picking up a few souvenirs and relaxing on the more docile attractions.

At Disney World, after enjoying a smooth sail on Pirates of the Caribbean, I wandered about Adventureland. I could hear a train whistle in the distance and thought a nice steam locomotive ride would be nice. When I saw there was a line up though, I decided to Fast Pass it and come back later instead of waiting around.

Little did I realize (until it was far too late, stuck sardine-like inside as the crowd inched forward, natch) that "Big Thunder Mountain" is NOT the steam locomotive ride... it was a kerazy roller coaster!

Oh crappity crap crap!

I texted daughter back home panicked that I was about to die. Or be horribly sick. SHE thought it was hilarious.

I however, did not. But I did survive. Barely. And I kept brekkie down. I was, however, nauseous for about two hours.

So you'd think I wouldn't make that mistake again.

Well, you'd be wrong. Very wrong.

For as I was enjoying my visit to Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter a few days later, (you can read all about that HERE) I made a stupid decision yet again.

As I was walking up to Hogwart's, I assumed I was heading for the castle tour. When entering the dark interior, the first thing they tell you is that you have to leave all your belongings (including my large camera) in a free locker. Surprised, I did as I was told but was disheartened to learn that I wouldn't be able to take photos of the tour. Oh well, it looked to be awesome anyway.

Because I was alone, they unclipped a barrier and directed me up a corridor away from the 45 minute wait line.

Brilliant! I could hardly believe it!

But before I knew it, I was herded into a seat, locked down with three other people and quickly whisked away sideways.

Holy crap! I was on the RIDE! I knew instantly what a mistake this was; Hermoine waved her wand and we soon were flying up above the castle, led by Harry on a broomstick. Up and down, around and around we went... now I knew why this seat was molded to hold you in tight. I watched for a bit, felt quite green and squeezed my eyes shut as I endured a seemingly endless jostling (it was only about 5 minutes in reality).

I bravely opened my eyes a few times to witness dragons, Aragog (a huge spider), Dementors, the Death Mark over the Quidditch patch and was relieved to finally see the whole gang greeting us on our return to the castle. I did it! I staggered off the ride and welcomed the fresh air outside once more.

At least I can watch what I missed, safely seated in my stationary chair at home:

Hopefully I have now learned my lesson. I just can't be allowed to go to a theme park alone anymore - I need someone to tell me "No Maureen - this isn't for you."

Because I obviously can't seem to handle that responsibility myself.

More Travels With Sam

2013-10-29T09:14:00.002-05:00

Since work sent Maureen to Orlando for a medical conference last week, I got to join her on another trip to America!

We weren't going all that way just for business though - we got in two days of good old Florida tourism; joining the crowds at Disney World and Universal Studios.

And boy, were there crowds!

We thought going early on a Monday would be quieter at Disney - um no! But Chip and Dale welcomed me with open arms... I think they liked my USA flag T-shirt.

We said hi to Walt but he was much too tall for me to shake hands.

Mickey was quite dapper in his Halloween outfit.

There were pumpkins and Fall decor everywhere.

Captain Sparrow was a gracious host, entertaining us with a few lines of "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me".

It was a very hot and humid day for late October...but we rode a Big Thunder Mountain, went Under The Sea with The Little Mermaid,

stepped aboard the Pirates of the Caribbean ride,

rode a steam locomotive, had lunch with Gaston,

enjoyed the People Mover through Tomorrowland, sat in the revolving theater for Walt's classic "Carousel of Progress",

visited Cinderella's Castle,

laughed at Melvin, Buff and Max at the Country Bears Jamboree

and rode the Monorail! A lot of fun despite the crowds and crazy heat.

But the bestest thing of all?

I even got a pair of ears just my size!

It's A Zoo Out There

2013-08-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

Although our drive down to Minnesota was mainly a Mother-Daughter shopping trip, we made sure to set aside enough time to visit our friends at the Minneapolis Zoo. We loved seeing old friends and meeting new acquaintances.

Tiny ones

Big ones

Single ones

Paired ones

Tall ones

Small ones

Wet ones

Dry ones

Cute ones

Fierce ones

Real ones

Extinct ones

But my favorite ones

Were the really beautiful feline ones

I Love A Good Thunderstorm

2013-06-10T17:21:00.000-05:00

The dramatic clouds swirling overhead...

Ominous thunder rumbling louder and louder ...

The sweet smell of the rain...

The hail however,

I can do without.

Yikes.

Nearly-Wordless Wednesday

2013-05-22T06:54:00.000-05:00

Something's amiss... I hope.

Wordless Wednesday

2013-05-01T07:41:00.000-05:00

Fun Facts About Winnipeg

2013-04-12T10:24:00.002-05:00

Last night as the Winnipeg Jets were crushing the Florida Panthers, the Fox TV feed of the Panther's play-by-play near the end of the game was hilarious.... instead of describing the defeat, the two announcers from Florida went into a conversation on the "Fun Facts About Winnipeg". I mean, it had to be more interesting than what their team was doing, no?

Oh yes it was:

And here are even more fun facts about my fine city they didn't mention:

Bob Hope played his first game of golf here.

It's the city Pi's family was headed for in The Life of Pi.

The Harlequin Romance publishing empire began in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg celebrities include Monty Hall, David Steinberg, Terry Fox, Neil Young, The Guess Who, Randy Bachman (BTO) and Oscar Winner Anna Paquin.

The Second World War’s most famous spymaster Sir William Stephenson, the man called Intrepid, was the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s 007. He was born and raised in Winnipeg.

The first movie ever filmed in Canada was in Winnipeg. It was propaganda for the CP railway, singing the praises of Manitoba to entice European farmers and their families to resettle here.

The Pan American Games, which are second in scale only to the summer Olympics, have been held twice in Canada—both times (1967 and 1999) in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg holds the 2008 Guinness World Record for the longest naturally frozen skating trail.

Tommy Douglas— raised in Winnipeg—is recognized as the “Father of Medicare” in this country.

Winnipegger Charles Thorson worked as part of the design team that created Snow White—who incidentally bore a striking resemblance to his Winnipeg girlfriend—during his time at Walt Disney Studio in the 1930s. While at the Warner Brothers Animation “factory,” he created the name and prototype of the infamous cartoon character, Bugs Bunny.

At the time of construction in 1968, the Winnipeg Floodway was the second-largest earth-moving project in the world after the Panama Canal. It has saved the city from flooding many times since it was constructed

In the early 1900s, Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attended a séance at a Winnipeg physician's home and later declared, “Winnipeg stands very high among the places we have visited for its psychic possibilities.”

Winnipeg National Microbiology Laboratory houses Canada’s only Biological Safety Level 4 containment laboratory, used to test the most deadly human and animal diseases. In 2012, local scientists discovered antibodies to cure Ebola.

Oh, and it's nearly mid-April and it's still snowing.

Yep. I love it here :)

Missing Out

2013-03-26T17:38:00.001-05:00

Many years ago someone told me that she never wanted pets because, and I quote her verbatim: "They just die on you."

I thought how sad that statement was.

Sure, not everyone wants the responsibility of a pet; but they are a huge part of my life and to say that to someone who has had dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, fish and more... well, was not the most tactful statement.

Yesterday her words rang in my ears as I said a tearful final goodbye to our Casey. Yet after 16 years, I am so grateful she had come into my life.

If she hadn't, I would have Missed Out on her love.

Missed Out on her antics that brought a smile to my face.

Missed Out on the warmth of her sleeping on my lap.

Missed Out having her always just a few steps behind me wherever I trod.

Missed Out on her company, laying as close as she could to my chair while I crafted or watched TV.

Of course it's heartbreaking to lose her.

But I wouldn't have Missed Out on it all for anything in the world.

Making Lemonade

2013-03-12T16:35:00.000-05:00

From Lemons.

Last week the City's Water Department came by to investigate the growing chunk of ice on the street in front of our property. When I saw the flashing red and blue lights of the truck at the end of our driveway, I went out to ask what was going on... "a water leak" I was told. There were two possible causes: a break in the line either on the City side - in which case they would arrange and pay for all repairs, or a break on OUR side of the property line - in which case WE would have to arrange and pay for all repairs.

Within 10 calendar days.

Guess which side it was on? Yup. Lucky us.

Not.

The safe zone is marked off

So if we failed to repair it within 10 calendar days, our water would be turned off... the estimate? Around $ 5,000.

Ouch.

The underground power and utility lines were marked off and work began two days later. Of course I had to take a vacation day to be home. And of course they had to turn off the water to work. So the night before, washing and drinking water was stored. Laundry and dishes were done and we filled up the tub to scoop water for the toilet.

(Holy crap... you never realize how much water you use until you don't have it...)

Early Friday morning the digging in the front yard began in an attempt to locate the leak's location.

Oh this is going to look so great come Spring...

A cage is lifted off a flatbed and pushed down the street by the loader.

I have to say the guy operating that huge machine maneuvered it with expert precision.

Lowering the cage.

Then a vacuum truck was called to drain the water filling up the hole. When a neighbor called to ask "what are you building?" I was sorely tempting to reply "An in-ground pool...."

After hours and hours of searching... no leak was found.

Crap!

That meant it was somewhere under the house.

It also meant more permits.

And more money.

Oh joy.

At least they could turn the water back on over the weekend while I moved everything from the side of the basement they would need to work in. Good thing I had a few days... the storage room was packed. Packed full. I always meant to clean out that room...

Then while emptying it, I noticed a wet spot on the carpet in the room I have my Star Wars collection in.

The collection I have been meaning to cull for a long time.

The collection on the walls, on tables and hanging from the ceiling... Gah!

So I boxed up my collectibles, moved out the tables and shelves, ripped out the carpet, the underlay, washed up the floor and took down the posters and displays from the walls.

Monday morning the tub was refilled, water set aside and the Zoo sequestered into the bedroom and studio. With the crew in and out of the house and the sound of jack hammers breaking concrete, I had to ensure the dog and three cats would be safe and sound.

After turning off the water supply again, a hole was drilled near the foundation and surprise, surprise.

No leak was found.

But a LOT of water was...

After pumping it dry again, a valve was placed on the line and they pinned down the location of the leak somewhere between the front of the house and our meter about twenty feet away in the middle of the basement. So, instead of digging out the entire room's floor, a copper bypass line was recommended.

Tuesday the bypass was done, a new meter installed and some fresh concrete patched. Our water was turned on once more. Hooray!

Yes. That's right.

I drew in the wet concrete...

I was happy it was finally all over...

The only good thing about the whole ordeal?

It finally MADE me clean out two rooms I had been avoiding for years.

Yup. That's some expensive lemonade to be sure...

Wordless Wednesday

2013-03-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

Meeka

2013-02-18T19:50:00.000-06:00

In December 2011, daughter and I embarked on our usual adventure Boxing Day to ~~fight the crowds~~ shop at the mall. While there, we discovered that the pet store was closing. Squeezing through the throng of customers snatching up discounted inventory, we came across a large cage with a tiny, solitary baby Love Bird rocking away on a wheel. Her two siblings had been adopted earlier that week, so the poor thing was left all alone.

Of course our hearts just melted when she hopped up to us, chirping away. Daughter already had a budgie, so we decided to bring her home and the two birds could keep each other company (in separate cages, of course but in the same room).

Meeka the Lovebird has grown a lot in the last year, and since daughter's landlord doesn't allow pets, when she moved out, Meeka and Zazu the Budgie remained here in my studio. They are both so much fun and are used to the curious stares from the cats - who are locked out of the studio when I'm not home, just to be on the safe side.

A few days ago, Meeka had quite the surprise for me...

Well, holy crap! An egg!

(Good thing she is alone; I knew for sure it wasn't fertilized...)

Of course the first thing I did was to Google "My Lovebird laid an egg" and found this is quite normal; she may lay a few. It was recommended to remove the egg, but I waited a day until she had pushed it away from her "nest" herself.

Since I was able to blow it and wash it out, it's going to be

The. Smallest. Decorated. Easter. Egg. Ever.

I've just got to find the teeniest, tiniest brush in my toolkit, is all.

A Penny Saved

2013-02-06T23:02:00.000-06:00

erm... is a penny SAVED, I guess.

Well, it has begun. On Monday, retailers in Canada started the "rounding up / rounding down" to the nearest nickel; no more pennies will be used for cash transactions. Signs have been posted near registers: "Goodbye Penny". (Which, sadly, must be giving an awful inferiority complex to anyone NAMED Penny.)

Of course this historical event means that Canadians across the country, including yours truly, have begun the hoarding of the copper discs. (Actually I started to purposely set aside a few older ones last year when it was announced that no more pennies were going to be made - I don't leave my hoarding to the last minute, you know.)

Some are making jewelry.

Some are making art.

I am making... um... so far? A mess.

The smaller jar below contains around a hundred of my collection of older coins, going back to the 1940s. The larger jar has about 400 pennies: recent change from daughter, hubby and myself... and under couch cushions, on top of the fridge, in drawers and anywhere a feline shot them whilst playing a cat version of floor hockey.

Another 150 are in rolls - unused 2012's still in their plastic wrappers. I bought them last June from the Royal Canadian Mint since they were only struck for 4 months last year; I wanted some pristine examples of our final copper coin.

I'll figure out what I'm going to actually DO with them later.

For now, I'll just enjoy the memories of all the things I could buy many years ago with just a few pennies in my pocket.

Talking To Yourself

2013-01-30T08:25:00.000-06:00

Source

Today as I was heading back to my office after grabbing a coffee at the hospital cafeteria, a young woman was walking closely behind me. I noticed her because she was talking.

Talking loudly.

I assumed she was speaking to someone walking with her. I took a quick glance.

Nope. She was alone.

Then I thought she must be on her cellphone as she was carrying on quite the conversation. As I turned a corner, I noticed she didn't have a cellphone in her hand either.

She broadcasted her opinions about the cold weather and coats... at full volume, I might add.

At the next corner, I made sure to confirm my suspicions. Nope. No Bluetooth. No cell.

Her conversation was with herself.

When I got to Emergency and passed the Security guard stationed there, it was no surprise to me that she did a 360 and headed quickly back down the hall.

Methinks the Psych ward has a missing patient.

Although with the advent of Bluetooth and phone gloves (above), it's getting harder and harder to tell the crazy people from the... erm... "other crazy people".

Naughty Bits

2013-01-25T09:55:00.001-06:00

Or should I say "Naughty BITES"?

I discovered these in our hospital cafeteria, so out came the iPhone camera...

Note that the"Simply Naked" ones are on top...

Yep, I am BAD today.

The White Wizard

2013-01-12T18:27:00.000-06:00

That's "GandAlf" if you don't mind...

Okay, maybe they spelled it wrong (erm, methinks they HAD to to avoid a lawsuit), but still "Gandolf" descended upon us last night, bringing a blizzard of white in his wake.

With winds over 70 Km/hour and a good dumping of snow, it was a wild night.

I made sure we had everything we needed in case the power went out (prepare for the worst, hope for the best they say), battened down the hatches, set up some candles, cozied up on my favorite chair with a blanket and a warm fuzzy cat on my lap and watched "The Thing"*.

It didn't end up being as bad as they had predicted thank goodness, but it was enough to create a few good deep drifts.

Up to 4 foot drifts in places

Tawnee and a frosty window

Part of the Christmas swag still hanging at the front door

All I know is, since hubby's had a nasty cough since Christmas and now this storm, we've really had to put a hold on our plans...

for we STILL haven't ventured out to see The Hobbit on the big screen.

Click to biggify - you'll be glad you did

* If you're not a Sci-Fi fan or even a Big Bang Theory fan, you might not get that reference. It takes place in the South Pole and was the film Sheldon et al watched when they were at the North Pole... so yeah....it's the perfect winter-storm movie.

A Blast From The Past

2012-12-22T21:33:00.000-06:00

Seven years?

Already?

Was it all the way back in 2005 when I first saw this incredible light show?

Wow.

Every time I listen to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I can't help but think of this video.

I just can't get enough of this impressive feat of synchronicity.

But then again, I'm not their neighbor....

Happy Christmas
and
Merry New Year
One And All!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, etc...

2012-12-15T23:23:00.000-06:00

Good thing I live in "The Christmas Capital Of Canada". Winnipeg has earned that title since it is guaranteed to have snow for the holidays.

I LOVE the snow.

I LOVE the white blanket covering everything with in a clean sparkly layer.

I LOVE how our Christmas lights glow through the crystals of ice.

I LOVE the hoar-frosted trees heavy with snowy branches.

Although I could be biased.

After all, it's not MY job to shovel it.

* CLICK ON ALL THE IMAGES TO VIEW BIGGEST SIZES OF THESE PHOTOS I TOOK TONIGHT OF OUR MUGO PINES IN THE FRONT YARD. I MADE SOME LARGE ENOUGH FOR WALLPAPERS IF YOU WANT A SNOWY BACKDROP FOR YOUR MONITOR

A Smart Shopper, I Am Not

2012-12-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

It's the same damn thing every year.

November rolls around, the Christmas ads start to appear everywhere and I feel a trickle of anxiety over everything that will need to be done by the end of December.

Then December smacks me in the face and I haven't completed anything save a few thoughts of

"I really should make a list."

"I really should do some baking."

"I really should do some shopping."

"I really should do some decorating."

"I really should make my cards."

Now that it's a mere two weeks before the big day, full-blown panic has set in. This weekend I finally found time to bake. The tree is up and the house is decorated. My cards are sitting on my desk half-finished.

But I still hadn't ventured into a store... until yesterday.

After full day of work, I decided I should get to The Bay to check out some Christmas crackers daughter mentioned... it isn't Christmas dinner without a Snap! a goofy paper hat, a joke and a trinket. So I parked outside The Bay on the west side of the local mall as a snowstorm was beginning in earnest. I headed inside, thankful to be out of the -30C and bitter wind.

Sadly, even though what was left was 50% off, there were none in silver - only gold. Everything on my table will be silver... so I walked through the mall to Chapters; last year I found some great crackers there.

Surprisingly the mall was nearly empty (well, all the SMART shoppers were done I guess), and as I passed store after store, I found myself stopping in to finally start my Christmas shopping. I found some great things EXCEPT the elusive crackers, so I ended up on the other side of the mall at Walmart.

With a sigh of relief, I dumped all my bags into a cart. Since I was already there and it was quiet still, I decided to also stock up on pet food, baking supplies two large jugs of cranberry juice and cans of ginger ale for the punch I was bringing to the office holiday party.

And it was only AFTER I had paid for all my haul did I realize my incredibly stoopid mistake.

I had a full cart.

Of heavy and some breakable items.

A Walmart cart.

That the cashier tells me locks about 10 feet past the Walmart mall doors.

Oh and also locks at the corner of the store outside.

Nooooooooo!!!!!

So being the good citizen I am, I rolled my purchases up to the official warning sign that no carts were allowed beyond that point.

A point inside the east end of the mall that was the furthest point possible away from my car.

Bravo Maureen. Well done.

Since my hands wouldn't be free later, I zipped up my down coat, tied my scarves around my neck, put on my gloves and proceeded to load up about a dozen plastic bags onto my right arm. Then I was able to snake my left into the remaining bags in the cart and heaved them out.

Waddling through the mall at such a slow pace I must have been quite the sight -- I dared not look up to see the stares at the idiot slugging her way past; quickly overheating in my winter garb, praying that I didn't pass out before I reached my car.

I began to shake and sweat profusely, so I left through an outside door to get some refreshing cold air. It was dark already, but the snow falling on my face felt wonderful. I shuffled through the drifts and ice to my car and thanked the gods that I had made it without dropping or breaking anything.

And then I saw them.

Not one, but two

Walmart carts being pushed by SMART shoppers.

Dammit.

Quite A Haul

2012-11-29T15:19:00.001-06:00

I was on the hunt for pine cones to decorate for the holidays.

No need for store-bought scented ones for me; oh no.

I knew that because our backyard has over 20 fir trees, there would be an abundance of them just laying on the ground, ready to be brought inside, painted and glued into crafty creations.

Obviously I was a tad late in my quest... for my treasures were now covered in a thick blanket of snow.

Doh!

But then I spotted a few cones simply laying on the tree boughs... Hooray! I was saved, for I was able to collect at least enough for a few Christmas projects I had in mind.

As I trudged from tree to tree, I smiled at all the bunny, squirrel and bird tracks in the new fallen snow. Back and forth across the yard they went, from tree to tree and up to our deck where the opening to the bunny den below was clearly visible now.

When I reached out to grab what I thought was an extremely large pine cone, my hand stopped and I laughed at this sight, about four feet off the ground:

A corn cob.

The very same corn cob I had thrown into the yard months ago as the end had rotted. But since the rest seemed okay, I thought perhaps the bunnies would like it.

I guess the squirrel got it first.

And had dragged it to safety, out of the reach of the rabbits, high in the boughs of a pine tree.

I only wish I could have been there to witness that squirrel drag something twice it's size up there.

That's quite a haul alright!

Falling In Love

2012-11-17T12:35:00.000-06:00

Sorry hon.

After over 32 years of marriage, I have to be honest and break this to you gently.

I've fallen for another.

It was love at first sight.

He's sweet, cute, playful and smart.

He makes me laugh, he makes me cry, he gives me huge smiles.

He tugs at my heartstrings and I ache to hold him, hug him, kiss him.

His name is Oskar:

And I LOVE him.

http://www.blindoskar.com/

http://www.facebook.com/BlindOskar