An interesting tidbit for today... Records show that in 1626 Thomas Johnson established an apothecary business in central London and it was here, on April 10, 1633, that he put on sale a strange, new exotic fruit that came to be known as a banana. To scientists, Thomas Johnson is known as “the father of British field botany”. Johnson could not have imagined it, but to the delight of millions of children & adults the day would eventually come when this fruit would be cut lengt

The weather cooled down so I wish I could enjoyed just sitting by the fireplace but going upstairs had gotten more difficult. I am determined to do a DIY stair climbing chair. I am missing my recliner couch and big TV, better kitchen & bath. Just watching the flames flicker can be so relaxing: I guess staring at flickering light awakens the inner caveman/woman - and it has been said that it causes a person's blood pressure to drop. In fact research from anthropologist from t

Stuck in rush-hour traffic, I couldn’t help but stare when a biker wearing sun glasses pulled up next to me on a shocking pink Harley Davidson. My first thoughts were, “Is that really a pink Harley? I wonder if he’s…” Just then the traffic cleared and he pulled in front of me. On the back of his helmet were stenciled the words “Yes it is. No I’m not.” 😅 Which windshield wiper blade always quits first? That’s right—the driver’s side. This once happened to me one day while dri

After time on the road, I finally made it back home in March from my Snowbird Winter Vacation . I have not gotten to see my daughter, SIL and grandson on the way through Springfield, Missouri. I must have heard the expression “There is no place like home” a thousand times and to be honest there is a lot of truth behind this sentence. When I travel I want to travel forever. But every adventure ends at some point. And therefore I often look forward to coming home again. Over

I rode into town a few years ago to eat breakfast. As I got off my motorcycle a woman walk out of the restaurant and started asking questions about the motorcycle. She like many felt confused as to why anyone chose a motorcycle instead of the comforts of a automobile. What she did not know or understand is that motorcycle riding is beneficial for physical as well as mental and emotional health. Riding is a great way to enjoy physical exercise like lifting your leg just to get

This week I read where six people within a six week period "took their own life." I understand some may have been fighting depression for years. I can say there were times in my life I had felt helpless to problems that was happening to me. I finally decided that I would not let those problems or anyone control my life. I was in the driver's seat of my own happiness. I succeeded and found these little inspirations for discovering all the magnificently beautiful little things.

This last few months we've lost several members of our family. The weather is getting nicer and we will be out in larger numbers. Those that do not ride... Know this! I ride a MOTORCYCLE, please be considerate!! The 3 car lengths I leave between the car in front of me isn't for you to cut me off! Contrary to popular belief, I can't stop my bike on a dime! If you see me coming down the road while you're waiting to pull out from your driveway or an intersecting road, I'm going

The weather cooled down so I enjoyed just sitting by the fire this last week. Residing in the South for the last several months had rewarded me with a bit warmer temperatures here. Just watching the flames flicker has been so relaxing: I guess staring at flickering light awakens the inner caveman/woman - and it has been said that it causes a person's blood pressure to drop. In fact research from anthropologist from the University of Alabama believes that modern day humans’ r

April 1 is named April Fools' Day after Adam April. He was born on the 1st of April back in 1579. He ran many businesses and was actually quite prosperous in his ventures, but late in his life, he lost all of his father's assets. After this, everyone started calling him the father of fools. At one point, he even married a woman who divorced Adam because he was so foolish. He used to read and believe all kinds of fake stories, just like you are now... Today Is April Fool's Day

As I think about my sweet baby girl, grandson and son in-law at a hard time in their life with the illness of my Son in-law's father & death this quote ran through my mind like a mack truck. “Life is but a brief moment. The years go by quickly and old age arrives suddenly before we have an inkling. People desire so many things and waste their days in vain. Some yearn for gold, others for power, yet others for glory and a higher station. But when death’s moment nears and they

As I think about my sweet baby girl, grandson and son in-law at a hard time in their life with illness of my Son in-law's father & death this quote ran through my mind like a mack truck. “Life is but a brief moment. The years go by quickly and old age arrives suddenly before we have an inkling. People desire so many things and waste their days in vain. Some yearn for gold, others for power, yet others for glory and a higher station. But when death’s moment nears and they look

Cabin fever had taken hold. I had spend most days locked inside the house and I confess that I have cooked more meals lately than in the last 12 months. My overall food bill actually should go down with all the home vittles. I certainly don't hear anyone complaining about meals. I have eaten very well indeed. I found myself anxious to feel the sun on my face, child-like I bounded out of the house. I drove around Pomme De Terre Lake enjoying the Beautiful day a few days ago wi

I guess they call them colloquialisms. I don’t, because that word just doesn’t roll off the tongue. I call them sayings because that’s a lot easier to say. Anyway, they are phrases used by the local folk of a particular region to express a thought or opinion. There are some sayings and words that, I’m told by folks who have moved to Missouri from away, are unique to this area. For instance, I guess other parts of the country have no zink (the kitchen sink which at one time wa

I grew up at a time when every campground—and these were camps, not cottages—had an outhouse. My friend's grandparents built a camp on a small pond up north in the 1940s. The outhouse was named Myra. As far as I knew while I was growing up, the moniker had no significance, but I’ve since learned that my friend's grandmother had an unpopular neighbor by the same name. These days most “camps” have running water and indoor plumbing, but at festivals, outdoor weddings, and constr

My confessions... "He might as well been a movie star!" Twice I have met men that clicked at first sight. First was a small town guy whom I met many moons ago. I can’t say the name of the the person, but I will tell you that he was as cute to me as a Hollywood heartthrob. It all started in the summer/fall of 1974 If I were not such a caring person I would have left my best friend's house on time. She asked me to stay longer because she had a date and wanted my input as to wh

Believe it or not, when I was a kid I’d sometimes tell stories that didn’t represent the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As a result, when my mother found out that I’d had not brushed my teeth she would threaten to wash my mouth with soap. Now to tell the truth my mother never washed my mouth out with soap but I thought she did several times with my younger brother. He claimed if I had gotten my mouth washed out with soap that Ivory tastes better than Lifeb

I love books and even newspapers, or a good magazine. It’s not just the reading I enjoy. I love the sound & smell that a book has as you hold it. Some may have a musty essence but I am ok with that. It makes me wonder where it has been, all those years. What hands have held it, and who has flipped its pages over the years. I imagine an old book’s previous readers, as maybe an ancient scholar or something. I never really imagine a coughing, sneezing, phlegm producing old

Just surfing the web and I found a Biker's Corner in St. Louis, MO. Food, Cocktails, beer, and bar bites are served at this laid-back haunt featuring live music since 1999. Might have to check out there bike line up sometime when I'm in their neighborhood. I have a Biker's Corner in my house. I can also serve up family and friends anything we want to put on the menu 🌭🥪🥩🍗🍔 & drinks of your choice. 🍹 Biker Friendly! 😎 Nana

If you get the opportunity I would encourage you to take the time to read one of my favorite authors, John Steinbeck... Especially his last book, "Travels with Charley: In Search of America" He authored other great novels like Grapes Of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, The Pearl, The Red Pony, Cannery Row and 25 other books over his life time plus numerous short stories and screenplays. In September of 1960 John Steinbeck, an already a successful author, set out to rediscover an Ameri

The sun is rising, peeking above the landscape. The day is dawning as I sit here on the patio. Morning's breaking; I hear the feather friends calling. Nature’s glory is too beautiful to ignore. A cool breeze is coming over the hill. I love the feeling of the sun on my skin. It’s so great to be back at Paradise Cove. Finally home, Maybe I shall never roam again. The soil, the sweat, the plan make up just who I am. Finally home, I’ve been gone too long it seems. Chairs, desk