I received a text yesterday that I am sure was a mass text to all the doulas in our group. It said that one of our clients had lost her 3 week old baby to SIDS. There was a question as to what exactly we should do to help and what to offer this poor new mama in the way of comfort.
In the seven years that I have been a doula this is the first time this issue has come up so I didn't have any ready suggestions.
After my concern over the family, my next thoughts were to the sister doula who had attended this birth and worked with the new parents through childbirth education classes and was now doing postpartum work with them. How was she handling this loss? What could we further do to help her through this?
Then I received a call today that rocked me to my core.
This was not a case of SIDS. The 22 year old new dad had beaten this almost 3 week old baby to death. He admitted that he had been hitting the baby since it was born.
I am so distraught. My insides are all twisted up and I have been crying and thinking I am going to throw up off and on all day. There are so many questions. How could this happen? What was missed?
My heart just breaks thinking about this poor little defenseless child. I don't think I can comprehend how a situation can go so horribly wrong. This is the kind of thing that makes me want to quit my doula work and do something like woodworking. Something not with people.
It is just unimaginable. Please lift this tiny little innocent babe up in your prayers.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Weekly Obit Reading going on now
You know how every Sunday I read the obituaries and like to notice things about the person, or the family names and how generationally they change or the latest euphemism for "Dead"?
Well, yesterday I did all that PLUS!
Plus, I also noticed there were a ton more "in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to xyz charity" than usual. Sometimes that is the only clue as to cause of death. If they are asking for donations to leukemia, cancer or heart association then that is a safe guess as to what they have been dealing with.
Here's a sampling of what people thought would be better ways to spend your money than on flowers:
Increase International (religious charity started by the deceased)
Shriner Hospital fund
St. Vincent de Paul
Deceased person's church
Hungry Kids International
The hospice program the family used
American Heart Association
family requested potted plants only
local children's hospital or family church
private church school, museum and hospice
Southwest College of Naturpathic Medicine
donations to family church or plant a nice tree in her name
National WWII Museum in New Orleans
Local humane society
another one for the Shriner Children hospital
Polish Heritage Society in Nebraska
Juvenile Diabetes Research
Meals on Wheels
Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
and this one was my favorite:
"at Tom's request, in lieu of flowers, just thank a veteran for his service"
Here's what I think about all of this; even in people's greatest time of sadness and grief they are still kind enough to consider how their loss can make a positive impact on someone in the future. Doesn't that speak volumes about the heart of man?
This is my challenge to you, faithful readers. Think about what your "in lieu of flowers" might be. You might be all "hey, what about the poor florists!" or "I do love some flowers at a funeral". And I do agree that a funeral with absolutely no flowers would be sad, indeed. But think about this. What would you want part of your legacy to be?
Well, yesterday I did all that PLUS!
Plus, I also noticed there were a ton more "in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to xyz charity" than usual. Sometimes that is the only clue as to cause of death. If they are asking for donations to leukemia, cancer or heart association then that is a safe guess as to what they have been dealing with.
Here's a sampling of what people thought would be better ways to spend your money than on flowers:
Increase International (religious charity started by the deceased)
Shriner Hospital fund
St. Vincent de Paul
Deceased person's church
Hungry Kids International
The hospice program the family used
American Heart Association
family requested potted plants only
local children's hospital or family church
private church school, museum and hospice
Southwest College of Naturpathic Medicine
donations to family church or plant a nice tree in her name
National WWII Museum in New Orleans
Local humane society
another one for the Shriner Children hospital
Polish Heritage Society in Nebraska
Juvenile Diabetes Research
Meals on Wheels
Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
and this one was my favorite:
"at Tom's request, in lieu of flowers, just thank a veteran for his service"
Here's what I think about all of this; even in people's greatest time of sadness and grief they are still kind enough to consider how their loss can make a positive impact on someone in the future. Doesn't that speak volumes about the heart of man?
This is my challenge to you, faithful readers. Think about what your "in lieu of flowers" might be. You might be all "hey, what about the poor florists!" or "I do love some flowers at a funeral". And I do agree that a funeral with absolutely no flowers would be sad, indeed. But think about this. What would you want part of your legacy to be?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
If I only had $1.25 mill, here's what I would buy
Please go here and see all these gorgeous pictures.
Maybe I could go buy a lottery ticket? Not sure how else to go about getting the asking price, but I am open to ideas!
Maybe I could go buy a lottery ticket? Not sure how else to go about getting the asking price, but I am open to ideas!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Ice Cold Paletas! Get 'em here!
If you live in south Texas or in Mexico you know about the Paleta Man. If not, picture this; small-framed older man with a cowboy hat on either pushing a cart or he has the kind that is half bicycle with cart in the front. He will have caramel-colored wrinkled weathered skin and kind eyes. Paleta men are not usually skeevy or gross.
When he opens the lid to the brightly painted and decorated box on the cart he reaches in and brings out fabulous home-made frozen treats.
Paletas.
That's popsicles to you people who don't know about paletas. Paletas come in 2 varieties. Water-based and cream or yogurt based. This time of year most people prefer the water-based flavors, but the creamy ones are great for dessert or when it isn't so miserably hot out.
Now, if you don't live near a paleta stand or where a paleta man comes to you, you will have to make your own.
In the old days before Tupperware everyone used regular ice trays to make teensy paleta cubes with a toothpick frozen in the middle to serve as a stick/handle. You can make them out of leftover juice, koolaid or whatever you like. Pickle juice is a favorite among the 8 - 13 crowd and all boys regardless of age.
But after Tupperware came up with their version of popsicle molds, it was waaaaay more fun to make things. Here is what Tupperware has come up with over the ages, starting with the 1970s.
Tupperware still makes these things. I think the latest reincarnation is the Mickey ones and they go for about $20.00. Unless you can't live without Mickey Mouse popsicles, hit a neighborhood garage sale. You can find all sorts of old Tupperware for dirt cheap.
After you have either your Tupperware popsicle molds or ice cube trays or even teensy paper cups you will want to have some fabulous recipes to put inside them.
Here ya go!!
In Mexico there is a drink served everywhere called Jamaica (pronounced Ha-MY-kuh) that is essentially a tea made from dried hibiscus blossoms. It is lovely and full of vitamin C and acts like a diuretic much like cranberry juice. This recipe calls for making the Agua de Jamaica first and then adding raspberries. Note: the Agua de Jamaica recipe here is a bit more concentrated than what you would make to drink. So if you have any left you can add a bit of water till it tastes right and drink it.
Hibiscus-Raspberry Ice Pops
2 cups chilled Agua de Jamaica
2/3 cup sugar
4 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen
For the Agua de Jamaica
1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1/3 cup sugar (or more to taste)
Rinse the flowers in cold water and drain thoroughly. Put them in a saucepan, cover with 4 cups water and let steep for at least 4 hours or overnight. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the sugar and continue to cook, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing the solids with the back of a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Add water to bring the volume up to 4 cups. If the flavor is too intense, add more water as needed. You can also add a little more sugar if you like.
After preparing the Agua de Jamaica, combine 2 cups with 1/3 cup sugar and warm over the stove till sugar is dissolved. Mix the raspberries with the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and let sit until they release some of their juice. Then add the raspberries and their juice to each of the popsicle molds evenly. then pour in the Agua de Jamaica mixture dividing it evenly among the molds.
Here is another very traditional Mexican version of a Paleta. But this one is a cream based.
Paletas de Yogurt con Moras
1 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups plain unsweetened Greek style yogurt
2 Tbsp. honey
2 cups fresh blackberries
Rinse the lemon, then peel it. Combine 1/2 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved. Add the lemon peel, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, then refrigerate until chilled.
Add the yogurt and honey to the chilled syrup and stir until thoroughly combined. Put a bit of the yogurt mixture into each of the molds, to a height of about 3/4-inch. Freeze unti lthe mixture begins to set, about 40 minutes. If the blackberries are big, cut them in half. Divide the blackberries among the molds, then pour in the remaining yogurt mixture, dividing it evenly amonthe molds and freeze solid.
Now we come to some that are a bit interesting and not-so-very traditional!
Balsamic Strawberry Pops
2 cups sliced, hulled strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons good quality balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Place the strawberries and sugar in a food processor and pulse just until the mixture is finely chopped and juicy but still chunky; you don't want a smooth puree. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the balsamic vinegar and a few grinds of pepper.
Spoon the mixture into the ice pop molds and insert sticks. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
Prosecco-Rose Petal Pops
1 cup white grape juice
1 cup cold, flat Proseco
1/3 cup rose water
1 1/2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
30 (approximately) red rosebud petals, rinsed
In a large bowl, stir together the grape juice, Prosecco, rose water and lemon juice. Fill ice pop molds about 1/3 full. Drop 2 or 3 rose petals into each mold and freeze until set, about 30 minutes. Fill the molds another third of the way and drop 2 or 3 more rose petals in each mold. Insert sticks freeze until set about 30 minutes. Then fill all the way with the remaining mixture and drop 2 or 3 more petals into each mold. Freeze until set, at least 8 hours.
Honeydew- Lime Pops
4 cups 1-inch cubes peeled honeydew melon
1/3 cups fresh lime juice
1/2 cup mild honey
1/4 cup sugar
Puree melon, lime juice, honey and sugar in a food processor; add 1/4 cup water and puree until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium pitcher; strain, pressing on solids to extract puree. Divide among molds. Cover and freeze until firm.
Campari-Orange Pops
1/3 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups fresh orange juice
1/3 cup Campari
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Transfer syrup to a medium pitcher; chill until cold, about 1 hour. Stir orange juice, Campari and lemon juice into syrup. Divide among molds. Cover and freeze until firm.
As you can see by these recipes, you only need a small amount of any one ingredient and what a wonderful way to make use of that last bit of yogurt, or small amount of fruit or that last cup of champagne that sat overnight in the bottle. You are only limited by your imagination to come up with heavenly combinations for your own version of paletas!
When he opens the lid to the brightly painted and decorated box on the cart he reaches in and brings out fabulous home-made frozen treats.
Paletas.
That's popsicles to you people who don't know about paletas. Paletas come in 2 varieties. Water-based and cream or yogurt based. This time of year most people prefer the water-based flavors, but the creamy ones are great for dessert or when it isn't so miserably hot out.
Now, if you don't live near a paleta stand or where a paleta man comes to you, you will have to make your own.
In the old days before Tupperware everyone used regular ice trays to make teensy paleta cubes with a toothpick frozen in the middle to serve as a stick/handle. You can make them out of leftover juice, koolaid or whatever you like. Pickle juice is a favorite among the 8 - 13 crowd and all boys regardless of age.
But after Tupperware came up with their version of popsicle molds, it was waaaaay more fun to make things. Here is what Tupperware has come up with over the ages, starting with the 1970s.
Tupperware still makes these things. I think the latest reincarnation is the Mickey ones and they go for about $20.00. Unless you can't live without Mickey Mouse popsicles, hit a neighborhood garage sale. You can find all sorts of old Tupperware for dirt cheap.
After you have either your Tupperware popsicle molds or ice cube trays or even teensy paper cups you will want to have some fabulous recipes to put inside them.
Here ya go!!
In Mexico there is a drink served everywhere called Jamaica (pronounced Ha-MY-kuh) that is essentially a tea made from dried hibiscus blossoms. It is lovely and full of vitamin C and acts like a diuretic much like cranberry juice. This recipe calls for making the Agua de Jamaica first and then adding raspberries. Note: the Agua de Jamaica recipe here is a bit more concentrated than what you would make to drink. So if you have any left you can add a bit of water till it tastes right and drink it.
Hibiscus-Raspberry Ice Pops
2 cups chilled Agua de Jamaica
2/3 cup sugar
4 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen
For the Agua de Jamaica
1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1/3 cup sugar (or more to taste)
Rinse the flowers in cold water and drain thoroughly. Put them in a saucepan, cover with 4 cups water and let steep for at least 4 hours or overnight. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the sugar and continue to cook, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing the solids with the back of a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Add water to bring the volume up to 4 cups. If the flavor is too intense, add more water as needed. You can also add a little more sugar if you like.
After preparing the Agua de Jamaica, combine 2 cups with 1/3 cup sugar and warm over the stove till sugar is dissolved. Mix the raspberries with the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and let sit until they release some of their juice. Then add the raspberries and their juice to each of the popsicle molds evenly. then pour in the Agua de Jamaica mixture dividing it evenly among the molds.
Here is another very traditional Mexican version of a Paleta. But this one is a cream based.
Paletas de Yogurt con Moras
1 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups plain unsweetened Greek style yogurt
2 Tbsp. honey
2 cups fresh blackberries
Rinse the lemon, then peel it. Combine 1/2 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved. Add the lemon peel, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, then refrigerate until chilled.
Add the yogurt and honey to the chilled syrup and stir until thoroughly combined. Put a bit of the yogurt mixture into each of the molds, to a height of about 3/4-inch. Freeze unti lthe mixture begins to set, about 40 minutes. If the blackberries are big, cut them in half. Divide the blackberries among the molds, then pour in the remaining yogurt mixture, dividing it evenly amonthe molds and freeze solid.
Now we come to some that are a bit interesting and not-so-very traditional!
Balsamic Strawberry Pops
2 cups sliced, hulled strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons good quality balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Place the strawberries and sugar in a food processor and pulse just until the mixture is finely chopped and juicy but still chunky; you don't want a smooth puree. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the balsamic vinegar and a few grinds of pepper.
Spoon the mixture into the ice pop molds and insert sticks. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
Prosecco-Rose Petal Pops
1 cup white grape juice
1 cup cold, flat Proseco
1/3 cup rose water
1 1/2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
30 (approximately) red rosebud petals, rinsed
In a large bowl, stir together the grape juice, Prosecco, rose water and lemon juice. Fill ice pop molds about 1/3 full. Drop 2 or 3 rose petals into each mold and freeze until set, about 30 minutes. Fill the molds another third of the way and drop 2 or 3 more rose petals in each mold. Insert sticks freeze until set about 30 minutes. Then fill all the way with the remaining mixture and drop 2 or 3 more petals into each mold. Freeze until set, at least 8 hours.
Honeydew- Lime Pops
4 cups 1-inch cubes peeled honeydew melon
1/3 cups fresh lime juice
1/2 cup mild honey
1/4 cup sugar
Puree melon, lime juice, honey and sugar in a food processor; add 1/4 cup water and puree until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium pitcher; strain, pressing on solids to extract puree. Divide among molds. Cover and freeze until firm.
Campari-Orange Pops
1/3 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups fresh orange juice
1/3 cup Campari
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Transfer syrup to a medium pitcher; chill until cold, about 1 hour. Stir orange juice, Campari and lemon juice into syrup. Divide among molds. Cover and freeze until firm.
As you can see by these recipes, you only need a small amount of any one ingredient and what a wonderful way to make use of that last bit of yogurt, or small amount of fruit or that last cup of champagne that sat overnight in the bottle. You are only limited by your imagination to come up with heavenly combinations for your own version of paletas!
Monday, July 18, 2011
At long last, more obituary postings!!!
It has been a while, hasn't it? I have been gone a few of the Sundays and there were a few lately that were just not funny, interesting or they were just so sad that I couldn't even nitpick the grammar on them.
But yesterday?
Well folks, we are back in the saddle!
Right off the bat we have a lovely woman whose picture appeared to be from the '50s. Great hair that I would love to have. And you know how I am a sucker for a great euphemism for "dead"? Get a load of this: "On July 14, God took the hand of Doris Marie and led her into the heavenly home He has prepared for her, there to await the family, relatives and friends who grieve at her passing but rejoice at her reward."
Whew! That was a mouthful. Try saying that out loud without taking an extra breath in there.
Next we have a very nice looking gentleman of 91 years at his passing. And I am sorry to say this but the family names this bunch is sporting? Hilarious. Especially if you try to say them aloud. The dearly departed had a given name of Harvey Carl. Family name of Boehme. In his family tree there are Clara Haegelin Boehme, there are Bipperts who married into the Boehmes and became Bippert Boehme. There are Earl, Armin, Claude and Lorine. There were oodles of Bippert Boehmes and you have to love that!
Albert was a very interesting man who was a veteran of four different branches of the military. His poor mama died before he was 2 and he was taken and adopted by an aunt and uncle. When he was 15 he enlisted in the Marines. After boot camp they figured out that he had lied about his age and released him. When he was 16 he signed up in the Navy. Later on he joined the Army Air Corps which then became the U.S. Air Force. He will of course be buried at the military cemetery with full honors.
Now this next one either has some really interesting back stories or there are some screw ups in the names. Seems Virginia Lucille was born with the last name of Archibald back in 1925. She married Leonard Bossom, he preceded her in death. She married Elmer Bossom and he also preceded her in death.
**Hold the phone! She married 2 men named Bossom? Or was the first one really Archibald and they didn't list her maiden name? Her sons have the last name of Archibald. It was too confusing for me.
This one confused me as well. You know how they always have interesting ways of saying "dead"? Well, this one didn't. But it did say this about his birth: "Lt. Col. Norman, USAF, Retired was born August 19, at Shady Ranger Station, near Mena, Arkansas - third son of a Forest Ranger."
Also in the category of interesting names but to be included in the few that list cause of death is this one. And oh, I wish you could see her picture! She was a beauty. With big, beautiful blonde hair all done up. "Wilma Miriam Hrabanek Dolezal died of natural causes." They go on to say this "Wilma was a woman who led a very rich and fulfilled life." and "Wilma's passions in life were education, flying and aerospace. In 1968, Wilma was the first woman to receive a PhD in Aerospace Education and was honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for this achievement."
This is the very first one I have seen that has to get filed under the wtf category. It is also very sad because this young lady is the same age as my Sparky (25). But at the very end of the obit there is a quote that I am assuming is attributed to the deceased? I am not sure. Here it is: "I'm so Happy cause Today, I found my friends, there in my head."
I have no words for that.
I loved this one and all the names in her family as well.
"Maxine Jones, age 88 was born a twin on March 26. She passed away peacefully on Sunday. This beautiful Christian girl was named Maxine LeWallen by her mother Bertha Hood LeWallen and Father, Elihu LeWallen. Family consisted of her twin sister Maureen, other sister, Mavionee (Sissy), Brothers, Hugh, Walter and Kent (Bo).Life was growing up in a very small town on the creek. When ready she loaded up her belongings and headed to the big city of San Antonio, TX."
The oldest person listed was a Caroline T. Owen who was 104. She is survived by kids, grandkids, 19 great grandkids and 10 great great grands.
And last but not least we have this gem.
"Elizabeth (Betty) Quinn Riley was born in Rochester, NY. At age one, her family moved to St. Louis, MO where she grew up. A resident of San Antonio since 1948, she died peacefully and naturally on July 14 while drinking her morning coffee and planning the menu for her next bridge party. The rock of her family and a beacon of love, she was an inspiration to all who basked in the shining light of her enduring presence."
**I am not sure how peaceful and natural it is to drop dead while drinking coffee and planning a menu, but let's hope she wasn't scalded in the process.
It is interesting that for a while all we saw as cause of death was cancer. Different types of cancer, but it was all cancer. Then it gradually became Alzheimer's. And today we have two that said natural causes plus the 104 year old lady most likely died of being 104 since they didn't list anything else. I sincerely hope that most of us can go peacefully and naturally like Miss Betty and Wilma.
But yesterday?
Well folks, we are back in the saddle!
Right off the bat we have a lovely woman whose picture appeared to be from the '50s. Great hair that I would love to have. And you know how I am a sucker for a great euphemism for "dead"? Get a load of this: "On July 14, God took the hand of Doris Marie and led her into the heavenly home He has prepared for her, there to await the family, relatives and friends who grieve at her passing but rejoice at her reward."
Whew! That was a mouthful. Try saying that out loud without taking an extra breath in there.
Next we have a very nice looking gentleman of 91 years at his passing. And I am sorry to say this but the family names this bunch is sporting? Hilarious. Especially if you try to say them aloud. The dearly departed had a given name of Harvey Carl. Family name of Boehme. In his family tree there are Clara Haegelin Boehme, there are Bipperts who married into the Boehmes and became Bippert Boehme. There are Earl, Armin, Claude and Lorine. There were oodles of Bippert Boehmes and you have to love that!
Albert was a very interesting man who was a veteran of four different branches of the military. His poor mama died before he was 2 and he was taken and adopted by an aunt and uncle. When he was 15 he enlisted in the Marines. After boot camp they figured out that he had lied about his age and released him. When he was 16 he signed up in the Navy. Later on he joined the Army Air Corps which then became the U.S. Air Force. He will of course be buried at the military cemetery with full honors.
Now this next one either has some really interesting back stories or there are some screw ups in the names. Seems Virginia Lucille was born with the last name of Archibald back in 1925. She married Leonard Bossom, he preceded her in death. She married Elmer Bossom and he also preceded her in death.
**Hold the phone! She married 2 men named Bossom? Or was the first one really Archibald and they didn't list her maiden name? Her sons have the last name of Archibald. It was too confusing for me.
This one confused me as well. You know how they always have interesting ways of saying "dead"? Well, this one didn't. But it did say this about his birth: "Lt. Col. Norman, USAF, Retired was born August 19, at Shady Ranger Station, near Mena, Arkansas - third son of a Forest Ranger."
Also in the category of interesting names but to be included in the few that list cause of death is this one. And oh, I wish you could see her picture! She was a beauty. With big, beautiful blonde hair all done up. "Wilma Miriam Hrabanek Dolezal died of natural causes." They go on to say this "Wilma was a woman who led a very rich and fulfilled life." and "Wilma's passions in life were education, flying and aerospace. In 1968, Wilma was the first woman to receive a PhD in Aerospace Education and was honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for this achievement."
This is the very first one I have seen that has to get filed under the wtf category. It is also very sad because this young lady is the same age as my Sparky (25). But at the very end of the obit there is a quote that I am assuming is attributed to the deceased? I am not sure. Here it is: "I'm so Happy cause Today, I found my friends, there in my head."
I have no words for that.
I loved this one and all the names in her family as well.
"Maxine Jones, age 88 was born a twin on March 26. She passed away peacefully on Sunday. This beautiful Christian girl was named Maxine LeWallen by her mother Bertha Hood LeWallen and Father, Elihu LeWallen. Family consisted of her twin sister Maureen, other sister, Mavionee (Sissy), Brothers, Hugh, Walter and Kent (Bo).Life was growing up in a very small town on the creek. When ready she loaded up her belongings and headed to the big city of San Antonio, TX."
The oldest person listed was a Caroline T. Owen who was 104. She is survived by kids, grandkids, 19 great grandkids and 10 great great grands.
And last but not least we have this gem.
"Elizabeth (Betty) Quinn Riley was born in Rochester, NY. At age one, her family moved to St. Louis, MO where she grew up. A resident of San Antonio since 1948, she died peacefully and naturally on July 14 while drinking her morning coffee and planning the menu for her next bridge party. The rock of her family and a beacon of love, she was an inspiration to all who basked in the shining light of her enduring presence."
**I am not sure how peaceful and natural it is to drop dead while drinking coffee and planning a menu, but let's hope she wasn't scalded in the process.
It is interesting that for a while all we saw as cause of death was cancer. Different types of cancer, but it was all cancer. Then it gradually became Alzheimer's. And today we have two that said natural causes plus the 104 year old lady most likely died of being 104 since they didn't list anything else. I sincerely hope that most of us can go peacefully and naturally like Miss Betty and Wilma.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Evil Husbands and sundry things to discuss
1. I have been gone (not just from the blog world) but gone from my home and out of town. I am not at liberty to discuss the particulars of this impromptu trip. Suffice it to say, it was necessary and not a pleasure cruise.
2. Evil husbands. Mr. Big Ed is going to find a big boot in his ass if he doesn't keep his grubby hands off my gorgeous computer. I realize he gave it to me as a gift for my birthday. But that does not give him any more license to fuck with it than it would for him to go wear the jewelry he has given me. Right?
He did something and I don't really know what it was, but something that has caused my computer and iPhoto in particular to not recognize my camera and I can't get pictures from my camera onto the computer and here. So now you can't see the photos of the little tiny rescue mama kitty and the two precious little babie kittens.
And it is all Mr. Big Ed's fault. He was supposed to use the time that I was gone to try and rectify that situation but that didn't happen. No baby kitten pics for you. Courtesy of Mr. Big Ed.
Hmmmpphh.
3. BIG BROTHER!! First off, Evel Dick is back!
And then he is gone.
WTF???
He has posted a long-winded video on his website about how he loves BB, and CBS and even Danielle and how all the rumors are wrong.
So Evel Dick is out. Who do we like out of this cast? Certainly not that loud obnoxious Rachel or her idiot boyfriend. I do like Jeff and Jordan, but good Lord, if those two had a brain they would take it out and play with it. Probably lose it after that.
But the new herd? I can't tell if I like any of them or not. Do you have any favorites?
4. Celebrity Rehab - Oh my.
What is up with Amy Fisher? There is more than one screw loose with that girl.
5. I haven't read the obits to share with you in several weeks now. I promise to do that after this Sunday's edition of the paper.
6. Remember that I was doing some new diet plan with my friend Judy? Well, I did the Phase 1 for 5 or 6 days, and then moved on to Phase 2, and Phase 3. Then I found a different diet that is a 3 day plan and did that for a while. I just did the 3 days and repeated. Like lather, rinse, repeat, you know.
Then when I was gone on my little trip it was impossible to keep up with it so I just went with the rest of the group and didn't make a fuss. I got right back on the diet today so I am hoping some of these healthier choices I have been making will become second nature and can quit worrying, planning and working so hard at this.
I had lost 10 lbs when I last checked. The weight loss is important but I am not going to obsess over the scale and the numbers. I am trying to reduce my craving for sugar and carbs and get healthy, increase my metabolism and these things are all just as important as the weight loss.
7. My s-i-l was recently on a fabulous European vacation and I got a gift from her trip!! Yay!! What do you think she brought me?
Did you guess tea?
Did you guess tea that comes in fabulously colored tins?
How about FIVE OF THEM?? Woot!!
They are all exquisite, each one more intriguing-sounding than the last.
Such a pity that Mr. Big Ed has made it impossible for me to show you the lovely teas. Dastardly dog.
8. We still have the rescue mama kitty and the two babies. They are 10 days old today. The babies have already got homes promised to them when they are six weeks old or so. But the poor little mama kitty doesn't have a home to go after that. If any of you want her and can provide her a loving warm home, please let me know. She has a very calm and loving nature and deserves to have a home of her own.
9. I made a new recipe of Baked Tofu Bites tonight and tossed some of them on a bed of spinach and poured a bit of the marinade on it as a dressing. They were really good. I am one of the few people I know who really like tofu.
10. Breaking Bad starts back on Sunday. Don't miss it! I can't wait to see what Walter and Jesse get up to this season. I wonder if the brother-in-law DEA guy will make it through this season?
Wish me luck in figuring out what to do about my camera/computer relationship and getting it fixed.
2. Evil husbands. Mr. Big Ed is going to find a big boot in his ass if he doesn't keep his grubby hands off my gorgeous computer. I realize he gave it to me as a gift for my birthday. But that does not give him any more license to fuck with it than it would for him to go wear the jewelry he has given me. Right?
He did something and I don't really know what it was, but something that has caused my computer and iPhoto in particular to not recognize my camera and I can't get pictures from my camera onto the computer and here. So now you can't see the photos of the little tiny rescue mama kitty and the two precious little babie kittens.
And it is all Mr. Big Ed's fault. He was supposed to use the time that I was gone to try and rectify that situation but that didn't happen. No baby kitten pics for you. Courtesy of Mr. Big Ed.
Hmmmpphh.
3. BIG BROTHER!! First off, Evel Dick is back!
And then he is gone.
WTF???
He has posted a long-winded video on his website about how he loves BB, and CBS and even Danielle and how all the rumors are wrong.
So Evel Dick is out. Who do we like out of this cast? Certainly not that loud obnoxious Rachel or her idiot boyfriend. I do like Jeff and Jordan, but good Lord, if those two had a brain they would take it out and play with it. Probably lose it after that.
But the new herd? I can't tell if I like any of them or not. Do you have any favorites?
4. Celebrity Rehab - Oh my.
What is up with Amy Fisher? There is more than one screw loose with that girl.
5. I haven't read the obits to share with you in several weeks now. I promise to do that after this Sunday's edition of the paper.
6. Remember that I was doing some new diet plan with my friend Judy? Well, I did the Phase 1 for 5 or 6 days, and then moved on to Phase 2, and Phase 3. Then I found a different diet that is a 3 day plan and did that for a while. I just did the 3 days and repeated. Like lather, rinse, repeat, you know.
Then when I was gone on my little trip it was impossible to keep up with it so I just went with the rest of the group and didn't make a fuss. I got right back on the diet today so I am hoping some of these healthier choices I have been making will become second nature and can quit worrying, planning and working so hard at this.
I had lost 10 lbs when I last checked. The weight loss is important but I am not going to obsess over the scale and the numbers. I am trying to reduce my craving for sugar and carbs and get healthy, increase my metabolism and these things are all just as important as the weight loss.
7. My s-i-l was recently on a fabulous European vacation and I got a gift from her trip!! Yay!! What do you think she brought me?
Did you guess tea?
Did you guess tea that comes in fabulously colored tins?
How about FIVE OF THEM?? Woot!!
They are all exquisite, each one more intriguing-sounding than the last.
Such a pity that Mr. Big Ed has made it impossible for me to show you the lovely teas. Dastardly dog.
8. We still have the rescue mama kitty and the two babies. They are 10 days old today. The babies have already got homes promised to them when they are six weeks old or so. But the poor little mama kitty doesn't have a home to go after that. If any of you want her and can provide her a loving warm home, please let me know. She has a very calm and loving nature and deserves to have a home of her own.
9. I made a new recipe of Baked Tofu Bites tonight and tossed some of them on a bed of spinach and poured a bit of the marinade on it as a dressing. They were really good. I am one of the few people I know who really like tofu.
10. Breaking Bad starts back on Sunday. Don't miss it! I can't wait to see what Walter and Jesse get up to this season. I wonder if the brother-in-law DEA guy will make it through this season?
Wish me luck in figuring out what to do about my camera/computer relationship and getting it fixed.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Cussing and Discussing Grandmas
June over at ByeByePie was memorializing her Gramma and mentioned that Gramma's go-to swear word was Horseshit sailor son of a bitch. So of course, we all had to comment on our own Grandmas and their unique cussing.
I, myself, had 3 grandmas because my paternal grandparents had a d. i. v. o. r. c. e. as Tammy Wynette would say. And then my Grandpa remarried. So there were 3 grandmas. It was a good thing, it was. What could be better than a grandma's love?
THREE GRANDMAS' LOVE, that's what!!
All of my grandmothers were special to me in different ways and at different times in my life.
My mom's mother, my Nana, was our childhood grandma. She spent more time with us than the other grandmas during that period. Probably because my mama was her baby and she wanted to be with her. As we grew a bit we got to spend 2 weeks each summer at Nana's house, just us and some of our cousins. No parents around. We had the best times! We browsed through Nana's attic. We tried on her clothes, her jewelry, her makeup. She would make us the Chef Boy-ar-dee boxed spaghetti that we thought was sooooo much cooler and better than that crappy homemade stuff!
One of our favorite things to do at Nana's house was to pull down all the blinds and make the living room as dark as could be and then watch Dark Shadows.
Oh, I loved that show!!!
O. m. g.! Was it ever a fabulous daytime soap opera! And did you know they are making a new Dark Shadows movie? And they are going to screw it up by casting Johnny Depp as Barnabus Collins.
Normally, I think casting Johnny Depp in anything is a good call. But as Barnabus? No way. Barnabus is the paterfamilias, the old dude, the head vampire of the dark Collins family. Johnny Depp would be much better as the hot, sexy, younger Quentin Collins that was played by David Selby back in the day.
See what I mean? Does Johnny Depp look old enough or scary enough to play Barnabus Collins?
Now look at David Selby as Quentin Collins:
Wasn't he hot? What is Tim Burton thinking? Is he thinking ol' Mr. Depp is OLD Mr. Depp?
Anyhoo, back to the Grandmas and their cussing. So Nana had a few favorite go-to cuss words that I remember. She didn't actually swear very much, but she was quite creative with the one she did use.
1. Son of a bitch bastard Pete
2. Helldamnshit (all one word. Her two daughters, my mom and aunt both use this one)
3. If any one around her swore she would say "Stop that cussing, it sounds like hell"
That was pretty much it for her. She didn't smoke or drink either.
My other grandmas never cussed. Actually, my Grandma Violet that died last November used to call people "that ol' rip" instead of bitch or whatever other word she might have been thinking. But other than that I never remember hearing either of them cuss.
Did any of your own grandmas cuss?
I, myself, had 3 grandmas because my paternal grandparents had a d. i. v. o. r. c. e. as Tammy Wynette would say. And then my Grandpa remarried. So there were 3 grandmas. It was a good thing, it was. What could be better than a grandma's love?
THREE GRANDMAS' LOVE, that's what!!
All of my grandmothers were special to me in different ways and at different times in my life.
My mom's mother, my Nana, was our childhood grandma. She spent more time with us than the other grandmas during that period. Probably because my mama was her baby and she wanted to be with her. As we grew a bit we got to spend 2 weeks each summer at Nana's house, just us and some of our cousins. No parents around. We had the best times! We browsed through Nana's attic. We tried on her clothes, her jewelry, her makeup. She would make us the Chef Boy-ar-dee boxed spaghetti that we thought was sooooo much cooler and better than that crappy homemade stuff!
One of our favorite things to do at Nana's house was to pull down all the blinds and make the living room as dark as could be and then watch Dark Shadows.
Oh, I loved that show!!!
O. m. g.! Was it ever a fabulous daytime soap opera! And did you know they are making a new Dark Shadows movie? And they are going to screw it up by casting Johnny Depp as Barnabus Collins.
Normally, I think casting Johnny Depp in anything is a good call. But as Barnabus? No way. Barnabus is the paterfamilias, the old dude, the head vampire of the dark Collins family. Johnny Depp would be much better as the hot, sexy, younger Quentin Collins that was played by David Selby back in the day.
See what I mean? Does Johnny Depp look old enough or scary enough to play Barnabus Collins?
Now look at David Selby as Quentin Collins:
Wasn't he hot? What is Tim Burton thinking? Is he thinking ol' Mr. Depp is OLD Mr. Depp?
Anyhoo, back to the Grandmas and their cussing. So Nana had a few favorite go-to cuss words that I remember. She didn't actually swear very much, but she was quite creative with the one she did use.
1. Son of a bitch bastard Pete
2. Helldamnshit (all one word. Her two daughters, my mom and aunt both use this one)
3. If any one around her swore she would say "Stop that cussing, it sounds like hell"
That was pretty much it for her. She didn't smoke or drink either.
My other grandmas never cussed. Actually, my Grandma Violet that died last November used to call people "that ol' rip" instead of bitch or whatever other word she might have been thinking. But other than that I never remember hearing either of them cuss.
Did any of your own grandmas cuss?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Lots to tell!
It has been a really long week, which is why I haven't posted anything. But here goes! And please forgive the random way these thoughts may jump around, but that is the way my brain works. If you and I have ever had a conversation you already know this about me and probably expect it.
First and foremost, I want to say this and get it over with. The Casey Anthony trial just finished. I obsessed over this damn case since it first happened. Then there was nothing in the news. Nothing. I would search online for what was going on. Who could believe it was going to take 3 whole years to get to trial? So when I found that they were going to televise the proceedings I was all over that. I felt like I had watched this unfold from the beginning and wanted to see it through.
How on earth the state of Florida allowed the only 12 people in this country who didn't think Casey was guilty to be on that jury is a puzzler, for sure. Were they not seeing the same witnesses I was? Did they not hear the same testimony? They found her guilty of 4 counts of providing false information to law enforcement. Why would she do that? Was she hiding something? Like maybe? Oh I don't know . . .
How about the TRUTH?
The truth of what really happened to Caylee. Who knows the truth? Only Caylee, the murderer and God. Unless the murderer is more than one person. But by Casey hiding the fact that Caylee was dead for 31 days (which by the way it is ONLY 31 days because Cindy called the cops, NOT because Casey decided to ask for help finding her "missing" child. It could have been 131 days if not for Cindy.) and then lying to the police and FBI that were now on the case looking for this missing child and leading them on a wild goose chase in all sorts of wrong directions, she sent a clear message that she didn't want them to find the truth.
Why would you do that? What motivation was there for misleading the very people who were trying to bring your child home?
And this jury saw fit to say Casey was not guilty of 1st degree murder. She was not guilty of aggravated child abuse. She was not guilty of manslaughter.
She is only guilty of 4 counts of lying. It's the motivation behind the lying that they seem to have missed.
My heart just sank when they started reading the verdicts of these charges and I realized that justice would not be served in this case. That poor tiny child died a needless, senseless death and no one will pay for it. I was stunned, I was sickened, and this horrible uncomfortable feeling came over me that it is too easy to get away with murder in this country. I don't want that to be true.
So I am done, D U N, talking, obsessing, thinking about this trial. I hope Casey never has a day's peace. And I am done.
In other news, I was at a birth this week. Mom and Dad labored beautifully and were so in tune with each other. I was so impressed to see him rise to this occasion. I am never sure about how dads are going to be in birth. Some tell me ahead of time how they see their role and we get a plan of how to best engage dad and keep him where he is comfortable and still best able to support the mom. But this guy? He so totally exceeded my expectations. It was fabulous to watch. Which brings me to this, why did I have expectations? I should have an open mind and not set these expectations or limitations for that matter of what I think will happen and how people will behave in labor. I never want to bring any judgement to a labor. And I hope I didn't.
We had a very low-key weekend celebrating Mr. Big Ed's belated birthday and also 4th of July. Lots of grilling of food and just hanging out. No fireworks around here. Remember the drought we are having? It's still the worst on record since they started keeping such records. It is bad. I could care less about the stupid grass, but I do want there to be enough water to keep our trees sustained and if possible to keep the garden going.
Oh! remember the silk solar lanterns that I got Mr. Big Ed for fathers day last year?
Here's a look at them from last year:
Well, I got him SIX MORE!!!
We have them hanging in the trees under which we have the new table and chairs. It was magical sitting out there last night under the silk lanterns. They have the softest light and they just float in the breeze. Lovely.
In other, other news! You all know that Sparky and his girlfriend live here, right? Well, she is a barista at a world-famous coffee shop that shall not be named. And on Sunday, she found this little stray kitty had wandered up to the front of this coffee shop and was very obviously pregnant and in distress. So she found a box to put her in and the next thing you know, she is acting as this cat's doula. 2 little babies were born in that box while she continued to talk reassuringly and stroke the new mama kitty. Awww, it warms my heart to think about it.
She called the humane society who told her they would send someone to get them and foster them. And you know what?
THEY NEVER SHOWED!!!
What dickheads. And a co-worker said she would take them to her house but backed out at the last minute. Yet another dickhead.
We could not in good conscience leave her and those babies helpless in a cardboard box on a busy street, so we are fostering all 3 of them. We are also looking for a good cat shelter to take them. If any of you have good advice about this, I would appreciate it. There is no way I am keeping 3 more cats. No. fucking. way. I already have 2 10-year old cats who piss and shed on everything. I have 2 5-year old cats who kill birds, squirrels, and various wildlife. I have 2 geriatric 14-year old dogs that are not doing well. And to top it off I have 4 year old Ernest T. Bass who wants to kill the cats and keeps trying to climb the Alpha pet ladder. He is on the bottom rung of that ladder and is staying there, so he just needs to get over it. So no way we are keeping these 3 precious gray stripey kitties.
But they could be yours! I will post some pictures right away so you can see how absolutely precious they are. That mama cat is so sweet and loving and just a joy. And the 2 teensy little 2-day old babies? O.M.G.!!! Are they ever adorable.
Be on the lookout for the most awww-inspiring pictures coming soon!!
p.s. Big Brother starts in 2 days.
First and foremost, I want to say this and get it over with. The Casey Anthony trial just finished. I obsessed over this damn case since it first happened. Then there was nothing in the news. Nothing. I would search online for what was going on. Who could believe it was going to take 3 whole years to get to trial? So when I found that they were going to televise the proceedings I was all over that. I felt like I had watched this unfold from the beginning and wanted to see it through.
How on earth the state of Florida allowed the only 12 people in this country who didn't think Casey was guilty to be on that jury is a puzzler, for sure. Were they not seeing the same witnesses I was? Did they not hear the same testimony? They found her guilty of 4 counts of providing false information to law enforcement. Why would she do that? Was she hiding something? Like maybe? Oh I don't know . . .
How about the TRUTH?
The truth of what really happened to Caylee. Who knows the truth? Only Caylee, the murderer and God. Unless the murderer is more than one person. But by Casey hiding the fact that Caylee was dead for 31 days (which by the way it is ONLY 31 days because Cindy called the cops, NOT because Casey decided to ask for help finding her "missing" child. It could have been 131 days if not for Cindy.) and then lying to the police and FBI that were now on the case looking for this missing child and leading them on a wild goose chase in all sorts of wrong directions, she sent a clear message that she didn't want them to find the truth.
Why would you do that? What motivation was there for misleading the very people who were trying to bring your child home?
And this jury saw fit to say Casey was not guilty of 1st degree murder. She was not guilty of aggravated child abuse. She was not guilty of manslaughter.
She is only guilty of 4 counts of lying. It's the motivation behind the lying that they seem to have missed.
My heart just sank when they started reading the verdicts of these charges and I realized that justice would not be served in this case. That poor tiny child died a needless, senseless death and no one will pay for it. I was stunned, I was sickened, and this horrible uncomfortable feeling came over me that it is too easy to get away with murder in this country. I don't want that to be true.
So I am done, D U N, talking, obsessing, thinking about this trial. I hope Casey never has a day's peace. And I am done.
In other news, I was at a birth this week. Mom and Dad labored beautifully and were so in tune with each other. I was so impressed to see him rise to this occasion. I am never sure about how dads are going to be in birth. Some tell me ahead of time how they see their role and we get a plan of how to best engage dad and keep him where he is comfortable and still best able to support the mom. But this guy? He so totally exceeded my expectations. It was fabulous to watch. Which brings me to this, why did I have expectations? I should have an open mind and not set these expectations or limitations for that matter of what I think will happen and how people will behave in labor. I never want to bring any judgement to a labor. And I hope I didn't.
We had a very low-key weekend celebrating Mr. Big Ed's belated birthday and also 4th of July. Lots of grilling of food and just hanging out. No fireworks around here. Remember the drought we are having? It's still the worst on record since they started keeping such records. It is bad. I could care less about the stupid grass, but I do want there to be enough water to keep our trees sustained and if possible to keep the garden going.
Oh! remember the silk solar lanterns that I got Mr. Big Ed for fathers day last year?
Here's a look at them from last year:
Well, I got him SIX MORE!!!
We have them hanging in the trees under which we have the new table and chairs. It was magical sitting out there last night under the silk lanterns. They have the softest light and they just float in the breeze. Lovely.
In other, other news! You all know that Sparky and his girlfriend live here, right? Well, she is a barista at a world-famous coffee shop that shall not be named. And on Sunday, she found this little stray kitty had wandered up to the front of this coffee shop and was very obviously pregnant and in distress. So she found a box to put her in and the next thing you know, she is acting as this cat's doula. 2 little babies were born in that box while she continued to talk reassuringly and stroke the new mama kitty. Awww, it warms my heart to think about it.
She called the humane society who told her they would send someone to get them and foster them. And you know what?
THEY NEVER SHOWED!!!
What dickheads. And a co-worker said she would take them to her house but backed out at the last minute. Yet another dickhead.
We could not in good conscience leave her and those babies helpless in a cardboard box on a busy street, so we are fostering all 3 of them. We are also looking for a good cat shelter to take them. If any of you have good advice about this, I would appreciate it. There is no way I am keeping 3 more cats. No. fucking. way. I already have 2 10-year old cats who piss and shed on everything. I have 2 5-year old cats who kill birds, squirrels, and various wildlife. I have 2 geriatric 14-year old dogs that are not doing well. And to top it off I have 4 year old Ernest T. Bass who wants to kill the cats and keeps trying to climb the Alpha pet ladder. He is on the bottom rung of that ladder and is staying there, so he just needs to get over it. So no way we are keeping these 3 precious gray stripey kitties.
But they could be yours! I will post some pictures right away so you can see how absolutely precious they are. That mama cat is so sweet and loving and just a joy. And the 2 teensy little 2-day old babies? O.M.G.!!! Are they ever adorable.
Be on the lookout for the most awww-inspiring pictures coming soon!!
p.s. Big Brother starts in 2 days.
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