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

Seems like every small town in America had at least one. It used to be a meeting place, a social center, a place where each day the problems of the town, the state, the country, and the world are solved—the local diner. In some towns, it’s a silver-sided, classic metal vintage building of the now long gone era of long rows of multi colored vinyl covered stools lined up at the Formica countertop, or maybe a few booths, all with matching vinyl upholstery, across the room. At ea

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." -Alice Morse Earle. Dead Batteries, Road Gremlins, Wind, Cold Temperatures, Rain/Water, Lightning, Storms, Floods & Mud have threw their spells this year but I'm still rollin. Good News is that I still had a wonderful time in Florida. I inched my way back to home a few weeks ago... All Is Good! Nana

I've learned from my graduate's psychology classes that when we aren't feeling motivated, we often aren't accomplishing our goals. Motivation is crucial to getting things done. When we complete individual tasks, our brains release dopamine which causes positive feelings such as happiness, pleasure, and motivation . When we are positively motivated to do something, we not only take pleasure in completing the task at hand, we also attribute positive feelings towards repeating t

We have all heard the old saying about feeling the weather in one's bones, but is it true? You bet it is true and I am living proof. The medical professionals agree that changes in barometric pressure and temperature can dramatically affect our bodies, especially if we have arthritis. This week's weather was especially predictable. Rain & cold for several days... The knee says "Sun 🌄 should be on the way soon!" You're Welcome!😀 Nana

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time, a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. I am hoping to Celebrate my Irish Heritage if I actually have any... If not I will pretend... It's ok I pretend I'm good on Christmas! Anyway, it is Doctor's orders for me. He insisted this year I have something more substantially closer to a vegetable than green beer. So I will start with a cold one, green or otherwise, then some corn beef & cabbage, and maybe even littl

Everything You Do is Right Day is March 16th.   From what I understand it is an unofficial holiday that encourages people to believe that no matter what happened before today, everything they do on this day will turn out great. Well heck, that is what I try to do everyday! This How to Celebrate The Day... Remember, everything you do today is the right thing to do. The bottom line is, do whatever you feel that makes you happy. My advice would be start the day off with a health

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of my brother. My heart be with his widow today because I know all too well the emotions on these days. We never get over our losses but rather learn to endure. Most days are bearable but then other times out of the blue a memory will sting like a shot in the heart. I will try go about this day doing my normal routine... Trying to mask my broken heart of losses. I'll try to remember the great gifts in my life and trudge onward b