Granny Sue's News and Reviews

Poverty, and Richness

2026-09-29T20:31:17.895-04:00

51°f/10.5°C, cloudy most of the day but nice and cool, with a high of about 73.

A little fall color is beginning to show at last.

A report on NPR yesterday caught my attention: the number of senior citizens living in poverty is rising. And many struggle to buy enough food for a month.

According to Investopedia, 15.4% of US seniors have incomes below the poverty level, and seniors comprise the largest age group living in poverty. And if that's not shocking enough, the NPR report included comments from an AARP spokesperson who said that 40% of people between 50 and 64 said that they ran out of money for food before the end of the month.

I was thinking about all this as I was shopping today. We are fortunate, I know; food is not a worry for us. Even so I shop carefully, trying to save as much as I can while still being able to eat well. Today I bought a 10 pound bag of chicken leg quarters for $7.99, and 2 packs of chicken beasts marked half price to $3.75 each because the expire date is tomorrow--- but there was a "buy one get one free" sale on that brand, so I got both packs for $3.75. I repackaged the 10 pounds into 6 separate bags, and put all the chicken into the freezer.

I also picked up 2 packages of mushrooms also marked 50% off. These I sautéed in butter and popped into the freezer too, except for the ones I was using for the soup I was making Other savings included a half price loaf of organic bread, a few bottles of wine on clearance for 30% off, and grapes on sale for $1.99 a pound.

I am lucky though. I have a freezer, I know how to put up food and have the space to do so, and I know how to cook from scratch and improvise as needed. And maybe just as important, I am healthy enough to do these things. I cannot imagine living in an inner city rental, having to pay for water, natural gas, rent, and groceries on our income. We'd be struggling, that's for sure.

It makes me angry, though, that in this "rich" first-world country our seniors are not better cared for

and so many are still working just to make the ends meet. The lady cashier at the store today was 76, and can't afford to retire. Another said she has 2 jobs, and she's 70. Sadly, I don't see any change in the foreseeable future. We seem to be the disposable generation.

Well, enough of that rant! Larry and I were busy all day Saturday, just cleaning up, and getting the rest of the Fall and Halloween decorations out. I made a big pot of chili, cornbread and peanut cookies.

Granddaughter Haley and her wife came over for firepit time that evening, bringing some friends along. It was such a nice visit; Haley is in the National Guard full-time so doesn't get down this way too often. Sunday Larry and i went out to breakfast, then came home to cut some pork loins into chops for the freezer, clean out the fridge, and

do a few other jobs, then we lit the firepit again because it was such a lovely evening.

Monday we were outside, mowing, weedeating, and stringtrimming. Then I canned the leftover chili (i made a lot!), as well as 10 quarts of pinto beans, 4 quarts of diced tomatoes and 8 pints of fruit cocktail---a friend gad gicmven us gallon cans of the beans, tomatoes, and fruit so I needed to divide these large amounts into usable portions.

Today we took it easy-- went into town to pick up our milk, bought the groceries, then I dealt with the chicken and stuff and Larry went to pick up some firewood given to us by a neighbor.

I also made Italian wedding soup, or at least my variation of it. (Click here for the recipe ) I used turkey sausage for the meatballs, barley instead of orzo, and added mushrooms. Absolutely delicious.

Chasing the Moon

2026-09-26T12:17:15.038-04:00

47°f/8.3°C, clear and breezy. Humidity is gone, such a reluef.

It has not rained in 2 days, and we are having such beautiful weather! No rain in the forecast until Fridsy, so things can finally dry out. Yay!

Today is cleanup and catch-up day. We had considered going to the Molasses Festival in Calhoun county, or to Harvest in the Wood Festival in Ravenswood, or a myriad of other events this weekend, but some family are coming over tonight for firepit time, so I am making a big pot of chili and looking forward to a real Fall evening. And if they don't make it over? Chili will go in the freezer for another time. It's always nice to have a quick meal oCounty,

Last night's sunset was very colorful,

and then the moon came up. I took these through the windshield as we were driving home, so not the best photos.

Tonight is the actual full Harvest moon, so having a fire is a perfect way to enjoy it!

Friday Fun

2026-09-25T23:43:11.501-04:00

Nice and cool this morning! 44°f/6.7°C, clear and low humidity. Feels like Fall!

Today was booth day, mainly to change out the display window from Fall to Halloween. As usual, though, getting a good photo of thd window was near impossible, but I took a few photos of the booths anyway.

New to the booths: this very large spoon and fork. Not old or vintage, but just so cool.

This round two-tier tanle was in the window. I didn't have time to stage it properly but will do better next time we go in.

Hammers, hammers, hammers of all kinds!

A change of decor for this table. We finally brought in the white chairs to go with the table.

We brought in this Depression era chest of drawers last week. This style is called "waterfall" because of the rolled top.

A better look at the table and chairs.

It took 3 full hours to do qhat was needed, then we went to Shari's for late lunch. The place was hopping! We visited with some friends while there, then it was off to the farmer's market for eggs from Annette (I miss my hens!), and then to Kroger to pick up what I will need to make some sweet treats for the next open mic which will be our Halloween party. Here's what I have decided on:

Witches' brooms, made with pretzel sticks and Mini-Reese's Cups,

ghostly haystacks made with chow mein noodles and white chocolate,

and witches' fingers, made with sugar cookie dough, sliced almonds, raspberry jam and some green food color.

After Kroger we stopped by the Yacht Club to see our son Derek and his daughters Haley and Hannah and their spouses. It was a fun visit, and i held baby Sutton while his momma ate her dinner. We weren't eating, since we had just had a late lunch!

Finally, home to our sweet dogs. It was really a lovely day, and I know we are fortunate to still be able to do all the things we do.