THANKSGIVING PUNCH FOR A CROWD SERVINGS: 32 CALORIES: This is easy and the perfect fall beverage as a delicious option for this Thanksgiving while entertaining your family and friends!  It's an amazing Thanksgiving punch!  INGREDIENTS (TO FIT A 2-GALLON DRINK DISPENSER) 2 gallons apple cider (not spiced) 12.2 ounces caramel syrup (1 bottle) 1-3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice OPTIONAL: CINNAMON STICKS & SLICED APPLES INSTRUCTIONS: Pour apple cider into a drink dispenser (all bu

November 19, 1863 was the date of the immortalized speech given by our US President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. The main address at the dedication ceremony was a two-hour speech delivered by Edward Everett, the best-known orator of the time. Steeped in the tradition of ancient Greek oratory, Everett’s speech was some 13,000 words long, but he delivered it without notes. In the wake of such a performance, Lincoln’s brief speech (just 272 words long) would hardly seem to hav

The road sometimes over the years had led my family & I to Phoenix and surrounding area. We even lived in Scottsdale, AZ for eight months in 1998. The desert holds a special place for my husband and I. It was our get away dream to live in Phoenix or surrounding area. However, until we actually lived through the summer months there did we realize how hot it can be. We found out 116° days and even 105° at 1:00am was not our cup of tea. We would have to leave our home at 6am for

Have you stopped at Cadillac Ranch? I finally stopped back in 2014 after passing by there numerous times over the years. "The Cadillac Ranch is just west of Amarillo & is a famous Route 66 landmark. Built in 1974 by said to be eccentric but brilliant millionaire Stanley Marsh 3 and The Ant Farm, this line of old Cadillacs are buried nose first into the ground. The angle of the cars are also reputed to be the same as the ancient pyramids at Cheops. The Cadillacs were moved fur

An unexpected surprise entered the day. As I was perusing the Harley Davidsons Dealership in Scottsdale, AZ. a salesman walked up to greet me. We conversed for almost a half hour before I turned to leave and he handed me his card. As I read his business card l noticed his name. Of course I asked the question that begged to be asked. His response was, Yes indeed, he was related to Wyatt Earp! Wyatt was his great-great uncle. Wyatt Earp was a legendary American gambler, Pima C

I always feel most present when I write. Writing takes me to a place of flow, where time stands still and there are no minutes just thoughts to that separate the spaces of time. I've said it before, but I do this for my own history. A narrative to look back on and be so happy I've documented bits of my life journey. I'm finding more and more that when I shut off from all else while enjoying the time, solo mornings I do my best thinking and blogging. I love days on my favorite

Fall is arguably the best time of year for motorcycle riding. The air is crisp and cool. The light is stunning. The scenery is gorgeous because of the colourful foliage. While your hands and toes might get a tad cold and you can pull out the vests and warmer gear, autumn is undoubtedly still awesome for riding. However, a side effect of the cooling temperature is that dressing right is a little harder. Gone are the days of just slipping quickly into summer outfit. In autumn y

Last week the Doctor prescribed me a different medication for pain. I was horrified by some of the stories online about taking Gabapentin & Tramadol together... but so far... so good! I wake now with a hope that I finally can get some relief from this Sciatic Nerve pain. More good news is: Sunday Morning in Springfield will start with Braum's Breakfast Burrito and Coffee. Then the day can be a mad dash to church and I will waddle until I drop kind of day. However, Calgon Ta

Last year when I got the MRI done, the attendant was surprised when I said I didn't need music. I kinda have a thing about music in that it makes me irritated if I happen to not care about the tune of the song. My kids used to get aggravated with me because I didn't like the radio on if I didn't care for the song while driving. Funny thing the clunk & bang of the MRI with just straight headphones & no music reminded me of my factory days while in college. I would actually get

On this date a few years I had a problem... The scenario unfolded like this: I'm driving along and my tire pressure sensor light came on. I had not checked the pressure for awhile. In fact to think about it, the last time I had the oil changed and tires rotated at 3k miles mark is when the tires were checked & aired. Of course my first thought was to pull into Casey's to get their free air. The problem began as I realized I could not remove the valve stem caps. Well, that w

I went to the Bank of Goodwill this week and made several deposits - I thanked a friend for being there for me I wished my kids a great day I recognized a human for his great performance I held the door open for a stranger I made someone smile I went to the Bank of Goodwill today and made a withdrawal - I almost forgot about my Doctor's appointment blood draw I cursed because I was running late and in pain with my sciatica. I looked the other way when a homeless person stood

Update: Thursday I went to my annual Dr appointment. I asked for something for my pain in my back.... 4 Ibuprofens three times a day was not really working. I am apprehensive to start the traMADol that was prescribed. The warning are a little scary and it won't be the way I wanted to spend my earmarked resort money if something goes wrong. Plus a hospital won't have the room service I was thinking about this year either. I found the last time I was in the hospital was not ve

Takin time to do things I've needed to do before winter. Stay tuned but gotta go for now!

Over the years I have become a connoisseur of interesting & unusual things. I will detour on any excursion to spot something I have read about. One year in my "Last Hurray Of Summer, Oklahoma was full of things to see... Winganon space capsule? Around 1959, a cement mixer wrecked on its way to build the bridge over Oologah Lake. The truck was hauled off, but the mixer was left because it was too heavy to move and is now known as the Winganon Space Capsule. Over the years peop

In less than 20 days... well to be exact on November 25th I'll be 68! Yikes!  Isn’t that when you’re REALLY OLD AND IT'S GETTING WORSE? I looked in the mirror and I didn’t see an old lady, so maybe it’s a myth.   I definitely didn’t see a young person though either. Recently I had lunch with an acquaintance and he asked me if I will feel 68. I said, “yes and no”.  The “yes’ part is that life experience teaches us quite a lot. I’m very happy about that. I have more confidence

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” – Henry van Dyke Hope you have a wonderful day! Nana

This week is going to have some rainy days. I stared out into the day from my window. Soft music was playing and the fireplace imitation flames were flicking as I watched the rain fall into other drops, forming another drop and then slide down my window. I was sitting on my soft recliner couch that is made for relaxing days. With a blanket covering my legs... I was so relaxed after a morning of running into big city of Springfield for blood work in prep for my Doctor's appoin

I read that a riding motorcycle is as close as you can get to the feeling a dog has riding in his owner’s car with his head out the window. When I am on the open road, I have no cares or worries. My cellphone is on map and I do not care how many texts or messages I get. I could care less about anyone’s instagram or facebook post. It is my time to get lost in my thoughts and to enjoy the beautiful USA. When you travel in a car (which I do love as well), you are experiencing t

Today reminds me: Mark 11:23 is a powerful verse about faith and confession that believers claim and use around the world. But the principle in this verse works in both a positive and negative sense — or to put it another way, this principle works both in the realm of God and in the realm of the devil. The word “doubt” is from the Greek word diakrinomai,  which means to hesitate, to waver, to doubt,  or to differ . In context, Jesus said that when a person’s heart doesn’t dif

Thinking of my granddaughter era now... Evidently the latest thing is the common phrase that is used by guys is “Saturdays are for the boys.” That is perfectly fine I guess, sure guys want to have their friends' over and hanging out. With that being said, I think girls can play that game too. If Saturdays are for the boys, it is about time girls start having Saturday shenanigans with each other too. I would like to imagine a world where girls were not always focused on trying