tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56647466273529820822024-02-21T11:07:05.898-06:00Coast of IllinoisThe Life, Times and Middle Age of a Landlocked Beach Bum.LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-11297400305193627712024-01-14T11:15:00.005-06:002024-01-14T11:15:45.654-06:00Tuppence a Bag<p> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am not sure when I became a crazy bird lady. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-47d4ee72-7fff-631f-0339-59133c4c5776"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yes, we inherited a well weathered wooden feeder when we bought the house 37 years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sure, when the kids were little we made special bird cakes and popcorn and cranberry strands to hang in the ‘bird tree’ at Christmas.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Okay, I have requested bird feeding paraphernalia for several gift giving holidays in the past. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And…I have not one but two bird identifier aps on my phone….</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="713" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/fkDg12SJ-R7jZ5z2f19dApGpoJIekRaVdHuTfwYFUWWVITsi4tytManhIhhiLKEXV-LN7QbwJ9qq2vIkh-d6mUrxqwMTADQf_rahRLeYd8gtwk3o3yyh3whAGhWkm0IAdDItENPJAULdrcUaWZyijUQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robins playing a drinking game<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The prevailing thought seems to be that a bird feeder, binoculars, notebook and brown paper bag of breadcrumbs arrives concurrent with your AARP card. (With the first time you complain about the weather as related to joint pain they add in an Audubon beginners bird book.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Admittedly the median age of any five people in my bird seed store (yes, I have a preferred bird seed store - <a href="https://swansea.wbu.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=localmaps&utm_content=111">Wild Birds Unlimited</a>) is 64.25 years of age, this is no reason to automatically assign senior discount status to my credentials. I do think that while our ‘lost year’ (the pandemic) helped make birding more acceptable to multiple generations, there is still a sensible shoes and bulky cardigan sweaters vibe attached. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(This does not include Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are enjoying a globally popular resurgence in feeding and tracking. And while they are thrilling, I have yet to see such meanly aggressive behavior in any of my other yard birds. I had to set up a decoy feeder just so Alpha Hummingbird could guard ‘HIS’ feeder.) </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="832" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/hf4MMi7pmGcgpJLG15mjJ10KlQlqQWrJlUByKVKfuNwKi_Tlx8tgThyrqx1ZyN1x-TFs1WCz-W0vkuFpO-mbYILnZ40qTEoX1knSwq0l-dVcKV1xbh9oLU0kyEWAT6rv_JVmR2tkvMIPDI2t39rIIw8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slightly grainy photo of Alpha Hummingbird<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I eased into bird watching slowly with the aforementioned inherited feeder. Fueled by observing the delight my Dad took in spotting a tufted titmouse or a rare blue bunting. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In fact, Dad was the first person I alerted when I spotted not one but two vibrantly blue bunting at my feeders one summer. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is nothing quite like the thrill of catching the first migratory dark eyed junco cruising in for a tasty suet snack. Or catching a bluejay as he grabs an entire peanut in the shell. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And don’t get me started on spotting TWO actual blue birds at the birdbath over Christmas this year! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 440px; overflow: hidden; width: 330px;"><img height="440" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/wi8UFYaLfX2bNPhMW-9SDjw1FCdGSikvs7cC8hi65bDkYKvBldNrEF3jCMOXYKdUz5iRkEKsyhR9bVgJPm65rw_NVPszN-NhawYuMKz_CXJC2-ZO00QtPr8KRN8zRkCWRXruN54ht01v-uvU5fptrwk" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="330" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Of course, bird watching is also an opportunity to teach your young children about the circle of life as Red-Tailed hawk swoops in, clearing the busy feeder and catching a turtle dove nearly twice his side. The catch being so big that he had to hop-drag it to the top of the yard where an even larger hawk relieved him of his meal. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was an equally amazing and horrifying lesson. But one that made a lasting impression on the importance of living in the moment…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I added the Merlin bird ID ap during one of the many Bird Count Weekends. An at home event The next Great Backyard Bird Count is Feb 16-19. Check it out here - </span><a href="https://www.birdcount.org/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.birdcount.org/</span></a></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What better excuse than to hang around by your favorite window or on your deck with a cup of coffee!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One of the most peaceful activities in my mind is just quietly watching the traffic at my newly filled feeder. There are identifiable traffic patterns and seatings. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Early morning gets the smaller birds, cardinals, blue jays and squirrels. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mid-day brings starlings, doves, robins and squirrels. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Evening can be a mix, especially if The Great Seed Lady opts to refill. Then it’s a little bit of everyone. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And squirrels.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="832" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/WIi7M_qkHA75ZNrFaoLmoxtAX1Hdup6Njf3Mu2wAxa9Onl4v_TOnLSry7MLp14Obd5OzeOgZnEDPdgY95PCiiwjZ7esMbwjt9OAA2LmZHGbp1a02RNm7DfA0ry65GylxOJ6rP48pQx-z93zuPTiJOKQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, technically not a squirrel, but just so amazing. And part of the feeding pattern</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="461" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/J6w1_FwNfPJ0s6eItSo8ayGBDBYVPsswp3FB7kFBaoB2Rq5p5PZ-_Ua0TwYBExuKtZtlRyYrGs_pWgXNApURHZQEtvrih8qz5MdCbXs-TIc38mt5AvNKqeCHp62X3ctAlc780cxE7RgytAihoGWWro4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not a single bird or squirrel has EVER brought their babies up to visit.</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Unlike a lot of birders, I don’t mind the ancillary eaters - including but not limited to squirrels, deer, raccoons, possums, fox, coyote and once an actual HORSE!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They provide a bit of comic relief as they try to hang upside down to empty the $35 a bag thistle seed all over the ground, or attempt to grab a quick drink of water while not disturbing the human sitting in the deck chair less than a foot away from the bird bath. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And how much fun is it to watch that scoop of seed shoot out of the feeder and onto your feet because Squirrel has chewed a larger opening in the side of the feeder to make it easier to throw seed everywhere. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The trick is to keep the everyone well fed to the point of hiding whole peanuts in the deck plants thus providing a fun experiment in Just What is That Sprouting in February in my banana tree pot and NOT eating my tomatoes. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yet, with all the extra cost of seed, suet, feeders, heated bird bath… The many mornings racing to the fill the feeders before work, in rain and sleet and below zero temps…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Seeing Half-Tail Squirrel peeking in the kitchen window when the seeds are late or hearing Carolina Wren chirping and leaving tiny feet prints by the backdoor in a dusting of snow makes it all worthwhile. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 624px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="624" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/t9g8jgfCWUHWpaKW4dAwdnTsS34eqWIOoYLaVwcXnqaJU0qG8TvQ6gMEwuVoWacRqMm3qdQSpLKE8sbcaSTd8L03yOiTQB4wGOdR4MB6elvVSB-dPqn4Q6UBH8WeftC1vY9QGY7Yqhs6YJnSpn-X3So" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And when they leave their suet in the shape of a heart?! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Go ahead and ship me my brightly colored housedress, and field vest. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">My name is Laura and I am a Bird Watcher. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(I would also like to give a Shout-out to longtime Coast of Illinoiser - BO, for her quick thinking and bravery in snapping a picture of the rare, inside, cold-weather Hairnet. While unsure of the exact species, it has been determined that this particular variety is harmless, most likely lethargic from an ambient heat source and too much chatter about football and Taylor Swift.) </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="832" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/txitAr_LMiZJo6Pd49rRSUWHtC1J5A8C_-73F7PHGYc9WAkTRUbM4efSrRS5Q5FvHTcYUYE9e83zAAyJjS4NhA281qd96Hhmutbec2vf3POeDnbD7t_zy224WyRYpHpjeElmPV4XfArkn5Z3pZBNNbA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coast of Illinois is not liable for any injury, or mockery sustained while photographing nets in the wild.<br /><br /><br />Happy Depths of Winter, Everyone! <br />Stay warm, make hot chocolate and study those seed catalogs for Spring!</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 832px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 832px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><br /></span></span></div></span>LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-20800303574127519632024-01-01T08:26:00.005-06:002024-01-01T08:26:48.587-06:00Magic<p><br /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a6a3280d-7fff-25ce-940d-e4351016942d"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Welcome to 2024. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I don’t know about you, but I find New Year’s Day to feel crisp and fresh, no matter the weather. (It doesn’t hurt that here, on the Coast of Illinois, it leans towards the below freezing mark.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The entire new year stretches out on that pristine new calendar of island photos and my new day planner is loaded with goals, just waiting to be checked off in the appropriate coordinating colored pen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Never mind that the new day planner has pages for only 160 days… I guess at the end of the book I should be so well organized that I no longer need a planner…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(perhaps one of my goals should be to read the product descriptions more carefully before I obsessively order something I just can’t do without)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But where is the fun of that? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You lose all magic in the world if you analyze every little detail. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Which is why the word MAGIC is my word for 2024. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have long since given up on resolutions. By day six I have missed a deadline or surpassed a calorie count or skipped a workout and then the entire year is clearly shot. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Around the time of the pandemic, I read about choosing a word to guide and define your year. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This, I can do. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I found my word this year on a post by one of my favorite Peloton instructors - Sam Yo @yoiamsamyo. Sam posted a word grid with instructions to look closely for what word you find first, and this will help define your year. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MAGIC immediately popped out. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In fact, I have been back to look at the grid several times and truth here - I have a hard time finding any other words. Yes, I know that now that my mind has found MAGIC it will always go there first, but moving on from that initial word yields irritation and the tiny yet insistent voice in my head tells me to STOP LOOKING!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And I am good with that. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Magic in this world is one of my favorite things to believe in and experience. It’s what fueled my original idea here of Seeing Hairnets. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Such a random event, walking in to work, only to spot not one discarded hairnet but SEVEN?! This is the World’s Magic in overdrive. (sure, it might be that I work with a bunch of non-caring slobs.) But I prefer to believe that the World wants us to have a laugh. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let me give you a visual example of some recent Magic.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is a secluded, employee walkway from the fancy garage into my hospital. It’s a long, boring hall painted institutional green with glaring overhead lights that flash on as you pass. There is a chronic patch of institutional grey carpet that is wet with an industrial fan blowing the potential musty smell away. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some how, the paint of one section tore the way weird things happen to secluded walls. Some wonderful person noticed the rip and assigned a shape to it. Which suddenly gained google eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 345px; overflow: hidden; width: 518px;"><img height="345" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/tir8teypxAAHFb7EM692mo-sTDWsagvf2mxwXCosERA_lfM9pAqhVhja7wFRI8DokvPSTRlOowSgK_KjagbolMUkJZsAwnJ-lZgt9pXSFMmq0OdR56RSp5hU1_d2UG4cfm8M2qIeBim2hC5O2BI0TRU" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="518" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This random cat shape caught the attention of a few other amazing people and this happened:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 319px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="319" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/QRD4e_O_pKW_5RmE1TZfx2Cx0T698uRLeBD6c4GeClR205b9u1dWAXaoMop93CYrx7BiGXppKVrTPKgq1EGZuk_wajWL7AKUAXAR5qR0le_mkcWKr22bS1W45c3ivZylHH7ZKM-HEH8yNrH4x7aHfm4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bartholomew suddenly became the underground talk of the entire hospital staff. Look closely, he has a Leg Lamp, a window with CURTAINS and various celebrities peaking in, snowflakes, a Charlie Brown tree and personal Christmas cards!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Everyday we waited for a Bartholomew update, while silently praying that the Powers that Be hadn’t gotten wind and deemed it a fire hazard thus taking it down overnight. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But this did not happen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bartholomew has lived in that hallway for close to the entire month of December and he has upgraded his home!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 411px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="411" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/2EFqTPjfIQBjvXJm3aQ2--NRUUJo0TRdY9ok26kl1i8eUocIj8vmQoPyAz54rUfSWLdT7cLZqtpwQD3I7L7YPXxkmELSSK_PKI7f68jkzPqAubdaGm4DG-M6HDMz-NTBmEB_YUKf61CYO7eE-v0A1jE" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fireplace, Christmas lights, even GIFTS! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have heard so many people talking about how happy this display makes them as they walk in to work. The surprise of how silly and over the top it has become! The fact that management has not removed it!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We all know that some day Bartholomew will leave us. And like so many lives that suddenly leave, we will mourn him. But the Magic of this moment will always bring us together and make us smile.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is the sort of crazy fun we need more of.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That one wonderful person who noticed a Cat in torn paint! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The person who felt he needed curtains on a window!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The complete and utter silliness and joy that brought us all together in a place that is more times than not sad and difficult to be. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Magic. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am wishing each of you a year filled with this sort of Magic. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">May you discover it on your own. May it wash over you. And when it does, share it with Everyone. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Happy New Year from the Coast of Illinois. </span></p><br /></span>LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-45622955745024946262023-05-01T08:01:00.001-05:002023-05-01T08:01:51.823-05:00You Never Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-370ee3aa-7fff-d064-919e-21ea850d24b9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, hello!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Been awhile…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About seven years ago, while walking the three blocks to my car I noticed no less than six hairnets, drifting along the gutter and cowering next to buildings. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After mentioning this on facebook and to friends at work, people started telling me about their own hairnet sightings which quickly devolved into text message photos at all hours of the day.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a result, this blog was born in an attempt to help more people recognize the absurdities all around us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The stories revolved around hairnets and random thoughts with occasional travel logs and adventures in sailing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, the world itself became so absurd that my random observations on ill fitting undergarments and rogue squirrels felt irrelevant. I attempted updates here and there but my heart just wasn’t in it. I settled into a routine of working in protective gear and reading on the deck. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PS- the middle of a pandemic is NOT the time to finally read The Stand by Stephen King…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven’t really noticed many hairnets hanging around lately, but, on my way along the three block, now covered, indoor walkway I saw someone’s abandoned Invisiline mouth appliance lying on the carpet. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just the appliance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No protective denture case.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not even a zip lock baggie. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was as if the wearer just couldn’t take it any longer and gave it a mighty patooie.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I mean, how else could it end up unprotected, lying on a well traveled walkway? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was the bag so tightly packed that upon reaching in and retrieving some important piece of purse stuff the appliance, which should have been in the mouth, went zinging unnoticed?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was the cell phone conversation so intense that it literally caused the owner to ‘lose it’? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was it so invisible that its owner didn’t see it?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll never know. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In fact, I was so invested in trying to think up possible scenarios in which something in my mouth could exit without notice that it didn’t even occur to me to take a photo. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(I suppose I should say, ‘You’re Welcome’ here. Because personally, the last thing I want to see is ANYTHING which should be in someone’s mouth. This includes and is not limited to braces, rubber bands, invisiline appliances and teeth - real, baby, false or precious metal.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This episode took place a couple months ago. I still couldn’t quite get my thoughts on paper. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until two weeks ago when my husband and I went to dinner and got trapped in the middle of a tornado warning just after our entrees were delivered. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was clear that the weather was too dangerous to leave and let’s face it, our meals were too delicious to abandon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved away from the plate glass windows, assured ourselves that the interior bathroom was large enough to hold the dozen other diners comfortably, ordered another glass of wine and settled in for what turned out to be a very entertaining evening of weather watching. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFAEHejA3g-5BF3PxNYw2emAN2U7VoxjC_dYoSeUqeG5rjR7QU2KXDCQa49Pf8Y6ojCfXsZHNDzbPNBxNmRLKmHqzaYj8jo5JZDktCyOcGQoauPxGQbz7OjVeAVB6cs5yYhyL07pKbb8Zq7DMa7pESmRjIvFqS4LjXXc1Pkh5v--0g19ZzMqKXhBY/s4032/IMG_4496.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="I love a good wine glass picture" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFAEHejA3g-5BF3PxNYw2emAN2U7VoxjC_dYoSeUqeG5rjR7QU2KXDCQa49Pf8Y6ojCfXsZHNDzbPNBxNmRLKmHqzaYj8jo5JZDktCyOcGQoauPxGQbz7OjVeAVB6cs5yYhyL07pKbb8Zq7DMa7pESmRjIvFqS4LjXXc1Pkh5v--0g19ZzMqKXhBY/w240-h320/IMG_4496.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a good wine glass picture</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let it be noted that I am not trying to downplay the impact of severe weather. I completely understand how bad these spring storms have been. Several tornadoes touched down only miles from our home, with one being sighted about a quarter mile from our daughter’s home. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OyUwbIxujJU0u9RUDkDn1iqnQvmlIdybVDT2HZJWQXxo1YFF0PyB0KrETS-Ws9Svw2-TywiQak7CioNc1YAVhEHYEmpG5EjVb0WqQ4Guf-5lqczKXUlfwiFRioeF69o4Us_FmzJT1SR9ZtYg65So7pD2RTpP7KywmDD5DOoWg0w70Sc00oq0A-Lm/s4032/IMG_8608.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OyUwbIxujJU0u9RUDkDn1iqnQvmlIdybVDT2HZJWQXxo1YFF0PyB0KrETS-Ws9Svw2-TywiQak7CioNc1YAVhEHYEmpG5EjVb0WqQ4Guf-5lqczKXUlfwiFRioeF69o4Us_FmzJT1SR9ZtYg65So7pD2RTpP7KywmDD5DOoWg0w70Sc00oq0A-Lm/s320/IMG_8608.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the view from my sister's house, about three miles from me. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">But let’s face it. If you are in a relatively safe space and it would be more dangerous to drive with or into the storm, you might as well make the best of it. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the storm passed, we made a dash to the car and as we made our way down the street I saw a sign. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Literally. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This sign. </span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnKv5zkbuZ1HSlTs2_dC_FDZxudrMitUEgZ16Tb2NS_k1S2Eu4EcDGyoYyhAMNCLW41GHyE3z4OkX0jm8wQaklh6C2KOqaZoCXjThw0cR6f5TSWHQc6UmQkY59fqP0J1icz6K3iWmfMF6RZj1nV3xSRL26omhu8bIDlUa9fzpAbQ0aKsQm8wC4A_o/s2170/IMG_4499.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="1628" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnKv5zkbuZ1HSlTs2_dC_FDZxudrMitUEgZ16Tb2NS_k1S2Eu4EcDGyoYyhAMNCLW41GHyE3z4OkX0jm8wQaklh6C2KOqaZoCXjThw0cR6f5TSWHQc6UmQkY59fqP0J1icz6K3iWmfMF6RZj1nV3xSRL26omhu8bIDlUa9fzpAbQ0aKsQm8wC4A_o/s320/IMG_4499.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, in sign form.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">A poor guy, riding along, working on cardio, saving the planet on his bike when BAM! He hits a surprise storm drain and goes flying. </span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This sign totally gets my philosophy on so many levels. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Always be aware of the things around you. You never know when you might see that storm drain waiting to break your leg or Spiderman trying to get a drink…</span></p><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOMaCPdQa2zBqt0u55Yd_tm5PvWckzkaSv6yaCtrWtejhBQz0lZNbIhyp7yktdGIBLHm77IpmP6XAAa9BNzdKc6ZFgng2EZfvcP6X58k3qOb6ZUOyUMHAKv0HJz_NfCB9FOAEacYvZeLK9RRYKlqDGn9hUtHeU9aIOs35GHn_zGaINJr3jwXvzTLr/s403/378370_4172680166837_1401079828_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOMaCPdQa2zBqt0u55Yd_tm5PvWckzkaSv6yaCtrWtejhBQz0lZNbIhyp7yktdGIBLHm77IpmP6XAAa9BNzdKc6ZFgng2EZfvcP6X58k3qOb6ZUOyUMHAKv0HJz_NfCB9FOAEacYvZeLK9RRYKlqDGn9hUtHeU9aIOs35GHn_zGaINJr3jwXvzTLr/s320/378370_4172680166837_1401079828_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiderman, keeping his attitude at the door at the Broadway Oyster Bar</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Until next time....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A little promo here - I am giving Write 30 days in May to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. If you would like to donate you can find my fundraising page here: <div>https://www.facebook.com/donate/733301138537868/ <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-79340650933982733402022-06-01T10:38:00.007-05:002022-06-01T10:42:52.398-05:00The Five Stages of Sailmaking<p> (My apologies to Elizabeth Kubler Ross, whose five stages of grief are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. It was noted in her study that people, when faced with any traumatic life event will pass through these stages, in a certain order, although the person may jump ahead and then repeat these stages. Sailmaking is no exception.)</p><p><br /></p><p>DENIAL</p><p>Even after many discussions and cost comparisons of making vs buying a ready made sail, when it was determined that making a sail would save us nearly $1000, I pretty much blocked the decision from my mind.</p><p>The kit came in this unassuming box, was placed in the basement and promptly ignored. </p><p>For at least a month.</p><p>Maybe longer...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWvX2RL8c0odHyscCFSSz8Kzy6suuS2AANDLr8QXEa3Vl8aRooDmicxQ_fsVP1g5Pylcb4mLlkJGyVUI150qeZJ7kB8cVMADw5iddlEgTfGApeUnGK3mbFG2wapQ0lBcaFWDkVqblWgP9JLoG9objP3ipWDesUd0PuQIpjEb0jwqPbuDIKwp-GMQn/s4032/IMG_2739.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWvX2RL8c0odHyscCFSSz8Kzy6suuS2AANDLr8QXEa3Vl8aRooDmicxQ_fsVP1g5Pylcb4mLlkJGyVUI150qeZJ7kB8cVMADw5iddlEgTfGApeUnGK3mbFG2wapQ0lBcaFWDkVqblWgP9JLoG9objP3ipWDesUd0PuQIpjEb0jwqPbuDIKwp-GMQn/s320/IMG_2739.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this box sat unopened for about a month</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>ACCEPTANCE</div><div><br /></div><div>When at last it was noted that sailing season was less than a month away, we opened the box, sorted out the supplies, and set up the workspace.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjarW9Tap0bYxdV3FN6goCN2vOZIvtGKWVPikzSJhSbDHpe49R4Rrtj69AHQptz9uwBUh7q7KZiB2JA_kJf-J14IFj6iVdglTtnkJR79b36JuEGsBfXk5KHePuyhYmfjZWBmNFVCEH2pmFa-4Hi9RPNXL9kHUnu37-Q8cdGq4u5ymSmvxIa2AmjKn/s1600/IMG_1714.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjarW9Tap0bYxdV3FN6goCN2vOZIvtGKWVPikzSJhSbDHpe49R4Rrtj69AHQptz9uwBUh7q7KZiB2JA_kJf-J14IFj6iVdglTtnkJR79b36JuEGsBfXk5KHePuyhYmfjZWBmNFVCEH2pmFa-4Hi9RPNXL9kHUnu37-Q8cdGq4u5ymSmvxIa2AmjKn/s320/IMG_1714.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the smile. This is what psychotic looks like.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjyRjhu__mLyNogAxWZ60fM9OyhU3uYjX0agBUvwInFo7H5W5lGxEGUIhKA0S0HH-1jENXWG-HEU0ifgoBxO9en4lgCs8Rw27QgY8B0GJdTgnM3qZPhI5Yd9a2jL9s8nIESlnnQBXCjj-HiW6PSbWlMtOM8S93diplw5hVOOVdmktTIK9WlLs0KBq/s4032/IMG_2746.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjyRjhu__mLyNogAxWZ60fM9OyhU3uYjX0agBUvwInFo7H5W5lGxEGUIhKA0S0HH-1jENXWG-HEU0ifgoBxO9en4lgCs8Rw27QgY8B0GJdTgnM3qZPhI5Yd9a2jL9s8nIESlnnQBXCjj-HiW6PSbWlMtOM8S93diplw5hVOOVdmktTIK9WlLs0KBq/s320/IMG_2746.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the enormous spool of thread. It had to be threaded around the leg of the table as the actual machine spindle is entirely too small. <br />This should be a warning. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5iOLI7_iMAHXxlwmAFMpueyxKf721XaHFnk4KRcMcXYwiiTHYfejQZwnR4ggv1J8PBlQNLOnCZvph5Zzm7Y07Dlbn43FuIBqjHbm8VsG5SpoMHurW_2q0OV24CdugfDPs0rqSLQahLGsD0EoXcYji-TGb68SsTa9KA1uielquRrhjwIfkNlnh3UZ/s4032/IMG_2748.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5iOLI7_iMAHXxlwmAFMpueyxKf721XaHFnk4KRcMcXYwiiTHYfejQZwnR4ggv1J8PBlQNLOnCZvph5Zzm7Y07Dlbn43FuIBqjHbm8VsG5SpoMHurW_2q0OV24CdugfDPs0rqSLQahLGsD0EoXcYji-TGb68SsTa9KA1uielquRrhjwIfkNlnh3UZ/s320/IMG_2748.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the two shades of fabric. This is an example of the layering technique used to make the sail.<br />The sections are numbered 1-8. This is section 8 attached to section 7. Moving from smallest to largest. Except that there is a need to skip sections and attaching 'relatively smaller to relatively larger' until all you have left is two ridiculously large sections that in NO WAY are easy to manage. The sections are sewn one on top of the other rather than along a layered seam line. It would be impossible to open and crease a traditional seam. These seams are sewn with two lines of zig-zag stitches. This not only locks the fabric twice, sort of hems the dacron and most importantly looks Super Cool </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPT6yQbGPJNjQGY-dXU6IRudY7rCfaYytPb1lBRrGWWrDXHncpTM29mkK0nxKBtZi8sWJsCertxYjh1n6AomlzWuxljIQYEOfSWcUyVCuTG-ZHzFYyd6XOGJsP-N1AdVH1a3ZnXUofqS4TYW5oKVzvmfAKxk48bjkVZO6gqDHmvdRZSaa6vECYKNg/s4032/IMG_2749.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPT6yQbGPJNjQGY-dXU6IRudY7rCfaYytPb1lBRrGWWrDXHncpTM29mkK0nxKBtZi8sWJsCertxYjh1n6AomlzWuxljIQYEOfSWcUyVCuTG-ZHzFYyd6XOGJsP-N1AdVH1a3ZnXUofqS4TYW5oKVzvmfAKxk48bjkVZO6gqDHmvdRZSaa6vECYKNg/s320/IMG_2749.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the sections get too large to handle flat - which would be about one double section - the excess fabric is rolled and secured in any manner you can think of, including but not limited to double sided seam tape, masking tape, rubber bands, chip clips, paperclips and heavy duty clamps. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf0pgzFck23rEehIKKZj8QZImyZmQHWsnsXbk444EoedaQm265igoOeVYrW1gSJGYeMZ4dI3v8f5-S-fIQGYXWCVI-Svq4RQnieb1Gj64ttE6K8A5la7dhdW2WUnPHMpVq-XXVFEmRVWHn6WcDgBKJNTD3EMxS5oVuIefwCxuAUYkImucx47oGg8N/s4032/IMG_2757.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf0pgzFck23rEehIKKZj8QZImyZmQHWsnsXbk444EoedaQm265igoOeVYrW1gSJGYeMZ4dI3v8f5-S-fIQGYXWCVI-Svq4RQnieb1Gj64ttE6K8A5la7dhdW2WUnPHMpVq-XXVFEmRVWHn6WcDgBKJNTD3EMxS5oVuIefwCxuAUYkImucx47oGg8N/s320/IMG_2757.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z1Yx08AIlGRmQqlqYcE7YUtN_ZvThimq_0D9rl3ZoXUz6wsildrr3X-CCWoQU_xKn50CmwDkvlFkkzbl_VLqvEJjnCasgT6Lt_sRskPNM4m0EoiX8PNzcfW_UfCEzld8soQXlZ38gl4VwC37iNepadskptwZ2lD5rsiy3xx-7xImd7JIly83QY2U/s4032/IMG_2788.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z1Yx08AIlGRmQqlqYcE7YUtN_ZvThimq_0D9rl3ZoXUz6wsildrr3X-CCWoQU_xKn50CmwDkvlFkkzbl_VLqvEJjnCasgT6Lt_sRskPNM4m0EoiX8PNzcfW_UfCEzld8soQXlZ38gl4VwC37iNepadskptwZ2lD5rsiy3xx-7xImd7JIly83QY2U/s320/IMG_2788.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be warned - none of these methods will stay secure and will release at the most crucial moment of sewing thus causing the excess weight of the fabric to unfurl and pull from under the machine needle leading to missed stitches, broken needles and Stage Three<br /><br />ANGER<br /><div style="text-align: left;">At this stage you must resign yourself to the fact that two people are not going to manage this task and if you want to save the marriage you will call someone unrelated to act as mediator and fabric wrangler. In this case it was our friend The Fireman. (Our son had assisted on some of the smaller portions but for some reason became 'unavailable' by phone, text. email and search warrant.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBROp4rNIHIoe-xwg5r11KOyAS33n8x2FyWd7jUZ9Jl75wDbTdXyNPnQGZFncd1cdJqiBntko17lGOqPpGzo5J1-hnick9NtHvD778tVNL1trVa5SkFJohSIXtF3rEFz8uwpqfXYeSBWnNXeJjEBIj2tJczEFYO069EjomgGXnCwYmB7zeKOZG1HE8/s4032/IMG_2876.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBROp4rNIHIoe-xwg5r11KOyAS33n8x2FyWd7jUZ9Jl75wDbTdXyNPnQGZFncd1cdJqiBntko17lGOqPpGzo5J1-hnick9NtHvD778tVNL1trVa5SkFJohSIXtF3rEFz8uwpqfXYeSBWnNXeJjEBIj2tJczEFYO069EjomgGXnCwYmB7zeKOZG1HE8/s320/IMG_2876.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> The Fireman has entered into the ACCEPTANCE phase. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Where as I am hovering between the stages of Divorce and Justifiable Homicide. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, the fewer giant pieces of dacron left lying on the furniture and floor of the basement gradually placed me into </div><div style="text-align: center;">BARGAINING</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have ceased any inner dialogue. I am openly praying to any and every deity available to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't break another needle and make me resew the last three feet again....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzYybwTFlfsPzAw0bkXETekl73UVv4v595DyL_oqMVBlA5nbhzjg_08Ue_7ZrPLzpQ2F5Erw6pd_xw6jJlVG2RZpKWOcbOTrAe5dG1xH4dtCIHQm7YYAfWSDDxouT7Qv3oeJu39obbnD28fb0uw8rxekeyjSVRh7cyWZFs-wxBJWHrG6nVOnXLHze/s1600/IMG_1794.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzYybwTFlfsPzAw0bkXETekl73UVv4v595DyL_oqMVBlA5nbhzjg_08Ue_7ZrPLzpQ2F5Erw6pd_xw6jJlVG2RZpKWOcbOTrAe5dG1xH4dtCIHQm7YYAfWSDDxouT7Qv3oeJu39obbnD28fb0uw8rxekeyjSVRh7cyWZFs-wxBJWHrG6nVOnXLHze/s320/IMG_1794.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently my prayers were answered as when what I thought was my last needle snapped into fourteen tiny shrapnels, I found an entire new pack of heavy duty needles in my supply dish. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the sail is completely pieced together the sides must be finished which involves encasing the raw edge in double fold fabric. This went much easier that any of us expected. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The final sewing machine task is making the channel for the bolt rope. The bolt rope stiffens the leading edge of the sail and allows a more firm edge to the hanks which will attach to the forestay. </div><div style="text-align: left;">(In layman's terms - this hooks the front sail to that front line as noted in every cartoon drawing of a sailboat.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMhQCsXXoQIlmmo4J03FGvn7p1xsTFnwGQKzrdjA8JuilEs5HI5QMcmBIRBuSCzB1n3DAMnjtaRVbuP-oNZpojdvRupbsdqEUjdTfaMZ9St0r0quzqv6-z_f4RLv3jzDBZiKdeV4Sa_ZNmm2od3kUlZoHNrWL7mNicxgfh19kTxaL1LT8It2md-SV/s4032/IMG_2890.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMhQCsXXoQIlmmo4J03FGvn7p1xsTFnwGQKzrdjA8JuilEs5HI5QMcmBIRBuSCzB1n3DAMnjtaRVbuP-oNZpojdvRupbsdqEUjdTfaMZ9St0r0quzqv6-z_f4RLv3jzDBZiKdeV4Sa_ZNmm2od3kUlZoHNrWL7mNicxgfh19kTxaL1LT8It2md-SV/s320/IMG_2890.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now we enter into possibly the saddest moment of this sailmaking process. Or the most optimistic depending on your mindset. Note that tiny string extending from the bottom of the sail? This is the waxed cord that is enclosed in the rope channel. Ideally it does not get sewn down or stuck to the seam tape because it is going to be attached to the bolt rope itself and then very carefully pulled through the channel by the guy in the garage as The Fireman and I quietly pray and take bets on just when and where the cord is going to either get stuck or break. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFdxAocNDKOCyyDysGEjaaMVGIFuSspLzvCgavu2q6z4qRpV6dl6PPlCYlcukZiA6wYeTwfq9KK0_ola38e87jx3yd1_YNjpMj-R_pcPu_7OkMTLtAjUX61KEMnSdlrmByzPwYu9zEBZW4M0hhnO_eKdZ-H3nvxcHPcoMY-F4mgOJwId8ETWvS4w5/s4032/IMG_2889.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFdxAocNDKOCyyDysGEjaaMVGIFuSspLzvCgavu2q6z4qRpV6dl6PPlCYlcukZiA6wYeTwfq9KK0_ola38e87jx3yd1_YNjpMj-R_pcPu_7OkMTLtAjUX61KEMnSdlrmByzPwYu9zEBZW4M0hhnO_eKdZ-H3nvxcHPcoMY-F4mgOJwId8ETWvS4w5/s320/IMG_2889.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">a close up of the cord and the attached rope</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Which now leads us to the final official stage of Kubler-Ross's stages</div><div style="text-align: center;">DEPRESSION</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because, if you hadn't figured it out yet, the cord broke exactly ONE FOOT from the opposite end. There may have been some light cursing and an exchange of money. </div></td></tr></tbody></table>We had a cheese and cracker break and after a group vote it was decided to make a small incision into the channel itself, reattach the cord and work that %$#$%$ rope through to the end. <div><br /></div><div>Thus ending the Five Stages.</div><div>I would like to amend these stages with one final stage</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">DEVIOUS JOY!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have now come to the realization that I NO LONGER have to sew anything on the machine! </div><div style="text-align: center;">HA! </div><div style="text-align: center;">There are just bags of hardware left on the supply table and this is NOT my job.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Except that I have just been informed that the metal rings have been attached to the top and bottom of the bolt rope and now I have to HAND SEW them securely. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Commencing re-entry into </div><div style="text-align: center;">ANGER</div><div style="text-align: center;">DENIAL</div><div style="text-align: center;">BARGAINING</div><div style="text-align: center;">DEPRESSION</div><div style="text-align: center;">ACCEPTANC</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN29GJ_tHfryUKApvh328ZqsvvZVBrnpEkAmSV5M5zFHl2B-X3rZtWMnbBNMNZWKuK4chTbRa1geDtd1b6oaSbga9rDlBfTMflRUI-QRiBF45KtqbFL2s1d3DPdoByYI5X90E8LKeL0-1SCU8P6s6LeWr7sWLd7pyULs-9Gi_NiRV7bStQogMM94g6/s4032/IMG_2196.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN29GJ_tHfryUKApvh328ZqsvvZVBrnpEkAmSV5M5zFHl2B-X3rZtWMnbBNMNZWKuK4chTbRa1geDtd1b6oaSbga9rDlBfTMflRUI-QRiBF45KtqbFL2s1d3DPdoByYI5X90E8LKeL0-1SCU8P6s6LeWr7sWLd7pyULs-9Gi_NiRV7bStQogMM94g6/s320/IMG_2196.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This will make it all worthwhile, once that sail is complete....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At this writing I have successfully ignored my hand sewing duties for a week. The picture above is of St. Frank with the too small jib sail from our much smaller wooden boat. Thankfully, although sadly, the month of May has not cooperated weather-wise or life schedule-wise to allow us to get to the boat. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I have managed to get the cushion covers washed up, purchased some surprisingly cheap non-breakable dishware, and planned the cabin curtains. Although the fabric for same is still lying downstairs waiting to be cut. Oh, and the bimini still needs to be measured for fabric purchase and creation. </div><div style="text-align: left;">But that will be another, less hateful post.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-80255373421723781652022-04-06T09:37:00.000-05:002022-04-06T09:37:15.031-05:00Welcome to the Coast<p><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMW-ap6wmVDSDBbA7XJQw0cacKGzo_Y_ciqxI_5oZHXyaAa6krr_1HI4UbzFA5GvrEWWWYheuRnoFfMJqOjlQ19_IXV1SVzEASenczHfLGv4LrlW_7ekiHbi5uy7ZudmEJXXN_o-XXBRX0xh9ZoXcZiGT6nZvl-hs97tAFHKi_N5a7yyr4uCkVDBv/s4032/IMG_2196.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMW-ap6wmVDSDBbA7XJQw0cacKGzo_Y_ciqxI_5oZHXyaAa6krr_1HI4UbzFA5GvrEWWWYheuRnoFfMJqOjlQ19_IXV1SVzEASenczHfLGv4LrlW_7ekiHbi5uy7ZudmEJXXN_o-XXBRX0xh9ZoXcZiGT6nZvl-hs97tAFHKi_N5a7yyr4uCkVDBv/s320/IMG_2196.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Hello!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">It’s been a while, hasn’t it…something like two years and a
month….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Things have changed, haven’t they? We have all been through
some stuff…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">I have tried, on more than one occasion to get a post up,
but they all just seemed so…depressing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">But, time passes and hopefully we have learned a few things
to better prepare us... </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Prepare us for things like, oh, I don’t know…making a new
sail…??? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">2019 saw our old sailboat die a sudden death by broken mast,
aided by 40 years of poor upkeep compounded by rotting would and some really
good wind. We were rail in the water when we heard the CRACK. Initially
assuming it was all our stuff flying to the leeward side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, that horrible sound turned out to be
one of the mast stays, which had pulled free of the interior anchor thus
leaving the mast partially unsupported. I dropped the mainsail as Rob started
the engine and we cautiously motored back to dock at 5mph. All the time
discussing how we were going to fix the problem. Once docked, it become clear
that the best way to fix the problem, short of sinking the boat in a hidden cove,
was to somehow donate the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC3S9eA4uIh_a2NxIIm9_cLoAgY3KJpYZ854LjJOVzey5ORzFE3NLpEBokayE2V4-AbFssARVq3840KrcnCUUI7_pqn6eZzbeY-ek6SqUtEoKPd1aUvNRemVxnS2v0xGM3huTY66PVZGznAOFB-oeFWGXtKF-DvMPnmTT1QXQ_y2ghZYI38GSHsg5/s4032/IMG_2656.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC3S9eA4uIh_a2NxIIm9_cLoAgY3KJpYZ854LjJOVzey5ORzFE3NLpEBokayE2V4-AbFssARVq3840KrcnCUUI7_pqn6eZzbeY-ek6SqUtEoKPd1aUvNRemVxnS2v0xGM3huTY66PVZGznAOFB-oeFWGXtKF-DvMPnmTT1QXQ_y2ghZYI38GSHsg5/s320/IMG_2656.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is not a good thing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As luck would have
it, the marina Cool Change lived at was run by a sailboat lover and they worked
out a deal to just take the boat, and it’s brand new outboard, off our hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">We decided then that our little 15ft wooden boat would do
from here on out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">We decided that we would not buy another boat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">So, two years later, we bought a BIGGER boat….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Meet St. Frank, a 27ft, 35ish year old Catalina tall-rig.
(this last descriptor becomes way more important than I thought it would…)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMrZxdI9oIn6Hsm3HLuYPLf9kcMPvhDGm63cA1DWbC6vR6X7-pw5agW5PNo-mpS7QOmdS0DCYUBG_LJjNMW_GpCPVjwNs06_xXYGHT5wdWb3ot0ANuoFmN38GHpKwaZ_cukFveaNbMM8TkMiwyMQCA6VvPTVRKEADahzwgGTDImmRwBRxP3hSzxx8/s4032/IMG_2103.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMrZxdI9oIn6Hsm3HLuYPLf9kcMPvhDGm63cA1DWbC6vR6X7-pw5agW5PNo-mpS7QOmdS0DCYUBG_LJjNMW_GpCPVjwNs06_xXYGHT5wdWb3ot0ANuoFmN38GHpKwaZ_cukFveaNbMM8TkMiwyMQCA6VvPTVRKEADahzwgGTDImmRwBRxP3hSzxx8/s320/IMG_2103.HEIC" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">St Frank – formerly/currently/actually – named St Frances by
her previous owner, will be eventually undergoing a name change. (Can a boat be
gender fluid?) Not that we have anything against St. Frances – I have known two
very lovely women named Fran. But St Frances is just not a name that fits us.
Once we land on a name fitting to all three of us – Rob, me and the boat –
there will be a renaming ceremony. I can’t risk angering Neptune any more than
I already have. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">St Frank has it all, her previous owner outfitting the cozy sloop
with a microwave, a portable electric refrigerator, a sound system and an AIR
CONDITIONER!! We have seat cushions, kitchenware, movable cupholders and no
jib. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";">(The jib is the smaller, front sail on a sloop. It helps balance the larger main sail and just makes the whole boat so pretty.)</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXxLL5xyojL6RGCyCwp4_WO59yEju_DZEZol9KsJgebEwUUiKUm7GO35-AnBjJm-elKAClb7PN0WXVk_p6cJmudJ3dKxtzYDfp80pg8s4jQY0ultNk7VkEesvwCNj6QCN2Ac11KRQjJbFPonCW6WiO_1X_qr5IQUcmSWpHnLTJk2cf2Q4TQljSI8N/s4032/IMG_1941.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXxLL5xyojL6RGCyCwp4_WO59yEju_DZEZol9KsJgebEwUUiKUm7GO35-AnBjJm-elKAClb7PN0WXVk_p6cJmudJ3dKxtzYDfp80pg8s4jQY0ultNk7VkEesvwCNj6QCN2Ac11KRQjJbFPonCW6WiO_1X_qr5IQUcmSWpHnLTJk2cf2Q4TQljSI8N/s320/IMG_1941.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an actual galley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z3TyFlRxLtfbuXR0LJW30ukbbBZixnVmTo8Ky8e4Nz1AxwvMgES4fN0741DD4_mlwgoleOx1uTqWWxmkkMmIK8UmC-rx4XtSHaoMvulK9GDQjY9VkvKCvj-al7yzWJi0_43LwNBCkB8EJOVCjZd4L10j9ILYcPNwV0C0yrcUrqVX0CwLwWewdLhb/s4032/IMG_1945.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z3TyFlRxLtfbuXR0LJW30ukbbBZixnVmTo8Ky8e4Nz1AxwvMgES4fN0741DD4_mlwgoleOx1uTqWWxmkkMmIK8UmC-rx4XtSHaoMvulK9GDQjY9VkvKCvj-al7yzWJi0_43LwNBCkB8EJOVCjZd4L10j9ILYcPNwV0C0yrcUrqVX0CwLwWewdLhb/s320/IMG_1945.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND no more leaking port-a-potty!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";">What the boat does have is a storm sail, which is a much smaller
front sail for inclement weather and a Genoa.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejLCPDTqv-I1KlsjlPfBa4kpHZBBYBfajwSC_aZr6StfoU-jzIQiIKMaXu_MqGD6hp60PIMb8D1TDIplzQgPt_TyrXSw6yWBPzk0IFLERaJ0t7fNMvsQJQUdFjKiOrD98m0o5-rs1fHo9ZYx9tEsZ4C3FkmKEEaXQm1D15azBSFgintOa5gUn5dPO/s4032/IMG_2088.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejLCPDTqv-I1KlsjlPfBa4kpHZBBYBfajwSC_aZr6StfoU-jzIQiIKMaXu_MqGD6hp60PIMb8D1TDIplzQgPt_TyrXSw6yWBPzk0IFLERaJ0t7fNMvsQJQUdFjKiOrD98m0o5-rs1fHo9ZYx9tEsZ4C3FkmKEEaXQm1D15azBSFgintOa5gUn5dPO/s320/IMG_2088.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the large sail at the bow is the Genoa, note how much small the actual main sail is</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";"> A Genoa is an ENOURMOUS front
sail which grabs every ounce of wind there is allowing for some fast racing, if
you are so inclined, and a lot of heeling. (Where the side of the boat leans
into the water, which is fun, but the exact opposite of relaxing which is
always my goal when on a boat.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Which brings me to the theme of the next few posts (yes,
there will be more!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Because sails are expensive and we have already spent our
Not Buying Another Boat budget on the above said boat, AND because I have made
two other sails, it was decided that we would order one more sail kit from
Sailrite. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">The two previous sails were also Sailrite kits – precut sail
pieces, hardware and some really helpful directions and diagrams. These sails were
for our wooden boat. Because if Rob could make the entire boat of wood, just
think how cool it would be if I made the sails…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Anyway, it was definitely a learning curve. But it has been
15 years since I made those sails and apparently 15 years is exactly how long
it takes for me to forget what a semi-complicated and awkward process sail
making is on a portable home<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sewing machine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Sails these days are made of dacron – what can only be
described as plastic paper fabric. It is stiff when new but over time softens
to an almost leather feel. And it makes a cool popping sound as the needle pierces
it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">The mast for this new/old boat is 30ish feet tall, which
calls for a rather big sail. However, all I heard when discussing this project
was ‘jib’ and ‘it’s a smaller sail than the main’. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">I have no concept of size, or distance. All I knew was the
last jib I made was not enormous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">I am pretty sure my judgement was impaired by a tasty rum
drink.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Turns out the small sail for a 27ft boat is quite a bit
larger than the big sail for a 15ft boat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Huh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">The sail comes precut in sections. The process involves
sewing sections together and then sewing these sections to the other sections
until you have an entire sail. The idea is to keep the sections a manageable size.
Which in theory makes sense, if you have a football field size work room with a
table of the same dimensions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2UnsV5YJmqjl-9fNON0lGDZqp3vcNYnUreoBbJHBFZm6RYJKgou_gIhn9d2v8BSzrUJ2JJBkYr8HhFLxdVycgxUEjo0uHyx8LJHoT6hsRQQreRPrj2vOjPULdJo_63vZfhaEnKrL1CkGDS68euK-Iv8EhTh9u0hkmn-6_Gp0NY0sl5bweppSJ3ag/s4032/IMG_2737.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2UnsV5YJmqjl-9fNON0lGDZqp3vcNYnUreoBbJHBFZm6RYJKgou_gIhn9d2v8BSzrUJ2JJBkYr8HhFLxdVycgxUEjo0uHyx8LJHoT6hsRQQreRPrj2vOjPULdJo_63vZfhaEnKrL1CkGDS68euK-Iv8EhTh9u0hkmn-6_Gp0NY0sl5bweppSJ3ag/s320/IMG_2737.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hardware with candles...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu0E2pTVtiqiwJ0IzVzPfiHemD43i-ZkcTJm3pmVSmjAOkU_um1yHfhW_WRJB-LflHZDgWMjrcl5CNxulFewTCPXxfpLiBuxmF8hggD0Rk-cK35Lwk4XcUAM20fchctva2AUhDsQWXaVOSaJLWDegwyo_GeJKBI_lO3h0dZwyeIYTJI9vLC9Az6AI/s4032/IMG_2741.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu0E2pTVtiqiwJ0IzVzPfiHemD43i-ZkcTJm3pmVSmjAOkU_um1yHfhW_WRJB-LflHZDgWMjrcl5CNxulFewTCPXxfpLiBuxmF8hggD0Rk-cK35Lwk4XcUAM20fchctva2AUhDsQWXaVOSaJLWDegwyo_GeJKBI_lO3h0dZwyeIYTJI9vLC9Az6AI/s320/IMG_2741.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why a pic of an enormous bottle of wine?<br /> because this is what I will be drinking once this project is finished</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">I have two folding banquet tables, in a fully furnished
basement family room that also currently houses a banana tree waiting for above
40 degree weather outside. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">This is what that set-up looks like:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHab0akM574WzqnhUfEqhka4HRs9nK9QnuneLOy8FAqaEFAwjQ4ONMvShHR7wm9jwExfJ4iOf_JypFk1jfT9oR5oL-QtDV1YeJF2ZY0fj0BDfZfPTjnT1G-BBN0XCqxOIEiL0vmzpLVK2Z-r9h5lQhXVGEpJnwQViKFKnnds6oTEBwsAsW9mPTzpWo/s4032/IMG_2745.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHab0akM574WzqnhUfEqhka4HRs9nK9QnuneLOy8FAqaEFAwjQ4ONMvShHR7wm9jwExfJ4iOf_JypFk1jfT9oR5oL-QtDV1YeJF2ZY0fj0BDfZfPTjnT1G-BBN0XCqxOIEiL0vmzpLVK2Z-r9h5lQhXVGEpJnwQViKFKnnds6oTEBwsAsW9mPTzpWo/s320/IMG_2745.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see all that white stuff on the floor? those are the PIECES of the sail</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Neue";">At this posting, the sail is about a third of the way
finished.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Upcoming posts will discuss the finer points of securing,
rolling and wrangling dacron, repetitive bobbin winding and needle threading
and dealing with the panic of thinking you have sewn everything backwards……</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Comic Neue;">Until next time...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP40Q8vOHjxCOG1dKsinZQWQRToKnX3aK4OWjUN6l7PQ4iCLefbVFnMnk7WqE6zMyDJTZTxcEjvuS7k9qyl_R94TRCSPvl-2LDofzA_IuKPJpLrRO0naI0oWQtvOeIFz9w_gZJSPaFjxo0MmxkVOZlwS2JxPPZD7rZ5_X4TVnGaKh8SiqeJoR80FU/s4032/IMG_1957.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP40Q8vOHjxCOG1dKsinZQWQRToKnX3aK4OWjUN6l7PQ4iCLefbVFnMnk7WqE6zMyDJTZTxcEjvuS7k9qyl_R94TRCSPvl-2LDofzA_IuKPJpLrRO0naI0oWQtvOeIFz9w_gZJSPaFjxo0MmxkVOZlwS2JxPPZD7rZ5_X4TVnGaKh8SiqeJoR80FU/s320/IMG_1957.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this. <br />this is what makes all the broken needles worthwhile</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></p>LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-37246840473674214982020-07-27T16:48:00.001-05:002020-07-27T16:48:50.848-05:00Mask Making With CrapMonkey<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">Knowing how to
sew is both a blessing and a curse. <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">For a time, I
enjoyed making dolls and doll clothes, occasionally a dress for myself,
curtains for the house, a formal for our daughter’s 8<sup>th</sup> grade dance…<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">But then word
gets out and people start asking if you wouldn’t mind fixing this ripped
pocket, or taking in this dress which is six sizes too big, or hemming these
jeans or making the sails for your 15 foot sailboat….<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">And then the
world decides to catch the MOTHER OF ALL VIRUSES and suddenly your 12-year-old,
4-H self feels obligated to make masks to protect family and friends. <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">Only the minute
you sit down at the 35 year old Kenmore machine, you notice that every little
thing begins to annoy you, from the color of the pin heads to the fact that
EVERY TIME you try to take a stitch the needle un-threads itself and you can’t
see that stupid needle hole because, seriously, you could NEVER see that stupid
needle hole even when you were 12 years old and in 4-H making a circle skirt. <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">So, you throw
all the mask making supplies in a heap, slam the bedroom door and vow to never
go back in until overseas visitors arrive and need a place to sleep. <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">There may have
been some cursing, also. <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">But then your
friend Mel comes up to you at work, all excited because she has ordered 100
pounds of fabric, 2500 miles of elastic and seam binding and a spool of metal
wire large enough to secure millions of things that need to be secured with
wire, all so she can make masks. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyLhWtdOW5IFDgPVTHJQ72KkBkh_ERy4u3q5xzSSdUTvun-m5j4rN5JFDF1Vuq16rD77N_oHvjb7xoojMme6fIqYtWTKBXY7aPLkPO9cQWsnO49AlDdt9gK7ZA7YIz0AD8sSuEWwDYAA/s640/IMG_0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyLhWtdOW5IFDgPVTHJQ72KkBkh_ERy4u3q5xzSSdUTvun-m5j4rN5JFDF1Vuq16rD77N_oHvjb7xoojMme6fIqYtWTKBXY7aPLkPO9cQWsnO49AlDdt9gK7ZA7YIz0AD8sSuEWwDYAA/s320/IMG_0396.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a sampling of supplies...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">And as you
stand there waiting, the words come out of her mouth….<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">“You know how
to sew, right?” <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">And she has
such a hopeful, excited look that you don’t have the heart to say that even the
thought of talking about making masks makes you want to scream horror movie
style and run to the nearest closet, curl up in a ball and slam the door. <o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">Let alone
trying to teach someone how to sew in the process…<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">(It should be
noted that the last time I attempted to teach people to sew we were planning a
fun trip to Jamaica and everyone needed super cute girl pirate shirts. NO where
in that process was the concern that those shirts might save a life or at least
prevent the spread of anything but laughter.)<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial">But then, in a
nearly out of body experience, you see your mouth open and the words hang in
the air like a Sunday morning comic strip:<b> <font color="#800180">“</font><i><span style="color: #d60093; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">SURE, Let’s make a day of it! We can do
dinner!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">And that is how, a couple weeks ago, Rob and I
hosted Mel and her partner for mask making and BBQ. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2EzXNo2WKqpdidNBP6zrJhngTmMhftfI61WltdlH20k59dGGiJR1VQNcJNXYVzXBywOzupmpxTelmnBQi1KF29BJxNUSNi4zyPjMJBXznwA6r69-6M1KHkUX0oDK26j-bPMjdhsFJI0/s640/IMG_0392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2EzXNo2WKqpdidNBP6zrJhngTmMhftfI61WltdlH20k59dGGiJR1VQNcJNXYVzXBywOzupmpxTelmnBQi1KF29BJxNUSNi4zyPjMJBXznwA6r69-6M1KHkUX0oDK26j-bPMjdhsFJI0/s320/IMG_0392.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one of the most important sewing supplies, these days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one that my 4-H leaders never mentioned, btw. </div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Before this goes further, there are a couple things
you need to know about my friend Mel. She is ALWAYS prepared and has researched
everything exhaustively at which point she has taken all the information she
has gleaned and used it to invent an even better way to do something. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">She is generous to a fault.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">And, due to an unfortunate intestinal issue on
a trip to Cabo several years ago, has earned the nickname CrapMonkey. </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><b><i><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">(check out the original CrapMonkey post: </font></span><a href="https://www.coastofillinois.com/2013/02/travels-with-crapmonkey.html">https://www.coastofillinois.com/2013/02/travels-with-crapmonkey.html</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> )</span></i></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">So, it was no surprise when she and Joy arrived
with the above listed mask making supplies, Mel’s new Brother sewing machine, a
bag full of beer and wine, and some very delicious looking steaks. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXXUh5sP9L9iPwu5dPtONVrNKFMNsRwmMAt8C5F7oWn4h9sWZ99fxOijmnIe1Sl6TojShHVAJ_WLEVIieTPbYlCHV9mg_80e-3YN0MVVyy4_1gi3_G-vP6dKXpAWe2e8f65x09HO9png/s640/IMG_0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXXUh5sP9L9iPwu5dPtONVrNKFMNsRwmMAt8C5F7oWn4h9sWZ99fxOijmnIe1Sl6TojShHVAJ_WLEVIieTPbYlCHV9mg_80e-3YN0MVVyy4_1gi3_G-vP6dKXpAWe2e8f65x09HO9png/s320/IMG_0393.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">because craft sewing also requires craft beers</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">We set up the basement with a big table, our
sewing machines facing one another like partners in a crafting law office. </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe2TZ1IeDuyh5jtzk0neA96IFh47ANdq2LqbRGLTwEUHwLsGDAXdL6EXjN-aVwnxvbj2TX5iy3zkIO8Vs2_8U3E5CIKEEyZT1YIZGtfUVMGgNW5pZJ-667GPETIjnZCQVM5Ot_H-CClc/s640/IMG_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe2TZ1IeDuyh5jtzk0neA96IFh47ANdq2LqbRGLTwEUHwLsGDAXdL6EXjN-aVwnxvbj2TX5iy3zkIO8Vs2_8U3E5CIKEEyZT1YIZGtfUVMGgNW5pZJ-667GPETIjnZCQVM5Ot_H-CClc/s320/IMG_0400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this little trouper has been through a lot.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Fabrics
were discussed, chosen to meet personality needs of family and friends and soon
an assembly line began with Mel cutting, me pinning and Joy ironing.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM1wT4UViZJJLGP1ACh8ImNavVGX9iSJ0VUYR7T-18NPHUG3spe9_zJYcbTDJ-UYoim1pe0BLnfS3kaOSONibC4WsuYJ_LRWyZ-iAx4gNr3pUnFyF7hffp4IbvqFQt4kA1FsYDfNYSBY/s640/IMG_0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM1wT4UViZJJLGP1ACh8ImNavVGX9iSJ0VUYR7T-18NPHUG3spe9_zJYcbTDJ-UYoim1pe0BLnfS3kaOSONibC4WsuYJ_LRWyZ-iAx4gNr3pUnFyF7hffp4IbvqFQt4kA1FsYDfNYSBY/s320/IMG_0394.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sewing, or at least trying to...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxXgVbdf0sSFSyeNifyDj1CTppHqJnyIoxqCYop70F-qOBDDhdj6SUwuwoo7W2ql-bQgRPDv-T2OR4x5Z3NVuQrpO2M1jnyBgWXrn-dDYP8AbsKo0UZ6FZDv6nhsGs9hp5VRsHBoeJRQ/s640/IMG_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxXgVbdf0sSFSyeNifyDj1CTppHqJnyIoxqCYop70F-qOBDDhdj6SUwuwoo7W2ql-bQgRPDv-T2OR4x5Z3NVuQrpO2M1jnyBgWXrn-dDYP8AbsKo0UZ6FZDv6nhsGs9hp5VRsHBoeJRQ/s320/IMG_0399.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ironing, which is very important</td></tr></tbody></table><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">The lesson was going along pretty well, until
the new sewing machine refused to sew a straight line, tracking to the right,
and wadding the fabric up into an annoyingly tight ball. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Given the fact that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my machine is a good 35 years old, pretty
much only goes forward and backwards and is not a Brother brand, I gave it my
best shot and spun all the dials and changed all the settings I could and then
still managed to act surprised when it continued to refuse to sew a straight
line. All the while, Mel is frantically looking online at an owner’s manual the
size of her phone screen. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Because she was looking at it on her phone
screen…<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Thankfully, we were saved by Rob announcing
that dinner was ready. We had some much needed nourishment and even more needed
wine before returning to one last attempt. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">As Joy continued with her pressing of seams, I
assembled and sewed, and Mel continued to fight with Brother. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWzH6muKevKcU9Y8h7t5LlyHTCA5UZHtDC5cCZ2hc-jun6ZtKGS28nQcyBtplXoPvPSxvcLxdhhsifsJsDqD77PE4HRl0dulrVdZoCEy0h5jAz6Vjkku4hZJIT6-PUIvunY5knfMmMX8/s640/IMG_0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWzH6muKevKcU9Y8h7t5LlyHTCA5UZHtDC5cCZ2hc-jun6ZtKGS28nQcyBtplXoPvPSxvcLxdhhsifsJsDqD77PE4HRl0dulrVdZoCEy0h5jAz6Vjkku4hZJIT6-PUIvunY5knfMmMX8/s320/IMG_0395.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pleat placement demo</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Suddenly there was a shriek of only CrapMonkey magnitude.
<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">“I found it! I searched ‘BUNCHING’ and here is
the problem…” <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">After searching ‘poor tracking’ ‘fabric
wadding’ ‘tension issues’ ‘how do you make this expletive piece of expletive
work’, the google search for bunching fabric yielded an embarrassingly easy
solution. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">The machine was threaded incorrectly. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">That was it. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Re-threading the machine produced a fine
straight line. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">And it was time for Crapmonkey to GO TURBO!!<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">In the next half an hour we power sewed about a
dozen masks. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwdWT72oaqxc_JeDK-kXzBLWMPUS1zYG6NcjmLijxRQA3ccW5aRLvfuPaSRts-wyXltNBwsfASnz-fWPOH_7bIpEcjadpt61t5BeYamDRG42yCDeeg74kTAMjl8GPqajogGRHeQ0ji9o/s640/IMG_0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwdWT72oaqxc_JeDK-kXzBLWMPUS1zYG6NcjmLijxRQA3ccW5aRLvfuPaSRts-wyXltNBwsfASnz-fWPOH_7bIpEcjadpt61t5BeYamDRG42yCDeeg74kTAMjl8GPqajogGRHeQ0ji9o/s320/IMG_0401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a few of our custom designs</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">By now, it was getting late and everyone had
work the next day. We barely made a dent in the warehouse of fabric and
notions, but the foundation was laid, and mask production was ready to proceed
at our respective homes. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">For two weeks now I have walked past the abandoned
sweatshop, throwing disdainful glances at the nearly finished masks spread out
on the table just waiting for elastic earpieces and metal nose bridges. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">I managed to make a few requested masks in
support of our local baseball team for a sister-in-law. And some adorable
littles and their stuffed animals will be sporting the latest in virus
protection out West. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KOveCwhE93crQQvbgeno9lldd1ivqgcWmAeCmdaawX_QBjpoFPYqxBMd7Bn5WF-q3pWRRAOgM_CS5q6S8OA5BeJgfNbF6AE8tBwFU6k_Yif9y3jlmFCy0T7x1n67HeQzCJE1J0Nts8w/s640/IMG_0460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KOveCwhE93crQQvbgeno9lldd1ivqgcWmAeCmdaawX_QBjpoFPYqxBMd7Bn5WF-q3pWRRAOgM_CS5q6S8OA5BeJgfNbF6AE8tBwFU6k_Yif9y3jlmFCy0T7x1n67HeQzCJE1J0Nts8w/s320/IMG_0460.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teddy and Pooh modelling the latest in children's<br />and matching stuffies masks. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">But the fun of Crapmonkey Mask day is long gone
and the thought of making masks for tiny kiddoes is nearly too much to bear. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">I guess that’s what living in a Pandemic is. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Trying to find a way to make the weird and unsettling
feel normal. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">You don’t have to like it. You just have to find
a way to get through it. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Maybe I need to turn to google for a better
answer. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">It worked for CrapMonkey. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><font face="arial"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">Hoping everyone is staying safe out there, an
appropriate 6 feet apart, and wearing your MASKS – over both your mouth and
nose! <o:p></o:p></font></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">As a person of science, I am here to tell you
that while they are irritating, uncomfortable and irritating, they are actually
very important in the fight against the spread of disease. <o:p></o:p></font></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black;"><font face="arial">The Healthcare System and Coast of Illinois
thanks you. <o:p></o:p></font></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><font face="arial"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><font face="arial"> </font></o:p></span></p><br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-51988426465245475282020-03-27T12:13:00.000-05:002020-03-27T12:13:13.491-05:00Hope<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgEegbQ69FOSS3IVZD1EIjuViAnWpvuPMhzO2eExWHJj3R2MvJwE0DLanbOaEkp0MwmybaT2ZoOEPzuOvbBstEBLInlobocM7PoAiVcm60cGZPvRrmjNV0sfCHZqkhxco5_SuS1Nh2HE/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgEegbQ69FOSS3IVZD1EIjuViAnWpvuPMhzO2eExWHJj3R2MvJwE0DLanbOaEkp0MwmybaT2ZoOEPzuOvbBstEBLInlobocM7PoAiVcm60cGZPvRrmjNV0sfCHZqkhxco5_SuS1Nh2HE/s320/IMG_0145.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That one brave bud, waiting to open...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March took an ugly turn, didn’t it…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little disclaimer – I generally try to keep this blog on
the light side. I don’t like to talk about the fact that I am a registered
nurse. My nurse life is very separate from my home life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the World of Covid-19. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Don’t give up. This is not a depressing post. Remember the
title – HOPE!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For most of us, this is the first, and hopefully only Worldwide
Pandemic we will ever see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have
been other World Health Risks – AIDS, SARS, Ebola, N1H1. But none of these have
reached this level. Nothing since the Spanish Flu of 1918. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been thinking about what to post for several weeks now.
My first love has always been journalism, although I am a terrible ‘journal-er’.
But, after seeing a post on Facebook regarding the importance of keeping a
personal journal through the coming days from the perspective of a historian, I
have returned to the dreaded Journal. (Mr. Pillman, my junior high English/comp
teacher would be so proud.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here it is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are on Day 7 of a Shelter At Home order by the State of
Illinois. Prior to that everyone had been asked to Social Distance due to the
high probability of spread of the Coronovirus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this started long before March 20, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following is a personal timeline – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>December 2019 – we begin hearing of a virus coming from
WuHan China.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life through January is the usual
on the Coast of Illinois. Work, appointments, birthdays. Planning for Mardi
Gras. There is talk at work of this epidemic possibility. But mostly I am obsessed
with the arrival and subsequent torture that is the new exercise bike. (see the
previous post…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>January 31, 2020 – President Trump bans foreign nationals
from entering the US if they were in China during the prior two weeks.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
celebrate our 35<sup>th</sup> anniversary at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis.
As always, it is lovely, dinner is delicious. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHlr1eVDAR4MfM_HR_eNv084SWaGTMz9b9nqxyc4Ca28i2SJUsS_x3VgCCePVbiY8yKaqkLurFtSiq4M2mCDtshiKf00Fsj0lxvWM-_ItVzjaSHjw8Z9kRC25d33wX3xd-gdWsP6HKvM/s1600/IMG_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHlr1eVDAR4MfM_HR_eNv084SWaGTMz9b9nqxyc4Ca28i2SJUsS_x3VgCCePVbiY8yKaqkLurFtSiq4M2mCDtshiKf00Fsj0lxvWM-_ItVzjaSHjw8Z9kRC25d33wX3xd-gdWsP6HKvM/s320/IMG_0036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Cinder House, Four Seasons St Louis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 7, 2020 – Dr. Li Wenlaing dies of Coronovirus. (He
was one of the first to warn the Chinese government of this dangerous virus.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am
driving home from work and hear the report on NPR. We continue to live our
lives. We have family dinner on Sunday night. I take a trauma re-certification
class the following week. We have our bi-annual Mardi Gras party on February
15. Serious talk of the epidemic is more common. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>February 29, 2020 – A nursing home in Seattle is announced
to have numerous patients and staff infected and the United States reports its
first COVID-19 death.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
husband and I spend the afternoon at the St. Louis Art Museum. We see the
special exhibit – Millet and Modern Art. I spend most of my time studying
Starry Night by Van Gogh. Seeing such a piece of art in person literally takes
my breath away.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FEEaEn4U3RSjUzyCidAc_qu2VQ_U7zMkbLxHj6lu76eHFvEU8vGLhoLk_5RMrAC5_oLV9DF-npUPWsJm3V-E3k2j9S1DeU7BCxPxVFtBXzWUHKaM0-FJ133nHvIh4w4ZtCUznhY49ME/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FEEaEn4U3RSjUzyCidAc_qu2VQ_U7zMkbLxHj6lu76eHFvEU8vGLhoLk_5RMrAC5_oLV9DF-npUPWsJm3V-E3k2j9S1DeU7BCxPxVFtBXzWUHKaM0-FJ133nHvIh4w4ZtCUznhY49ME/s320/IMG_0107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't do justice to the art. The lights seemed to radiate outward from the painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wander the Grand Basin and take note of people ‘social
distancing’. There are conversations overheard regarding the ridiculousness of
how much hype the virus is getting. That evening we have an impromptu dinner at
Mineo’s – one of our favorite restaurants – and listen to Brian Clarke perform –
one of our favorites. We hear the news of the Seattle nursing home and I know,
deep down, that life will change. Suddenly this day, this evening is just that
much more meaningful. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYcfiyWDlWj9MUUDpp3_Vaf2__iIxTbQxX24NDZW6YF5z46nFfnZWGncdSzEqmc7CuKHYrDipXgvjx4q-yNcYdzLGZakG4D3SDdF0m7-adSFI7AfiFVIbBQwY85DSEECeq1zRaS_v3oE/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYcfiyWDlWj9MUUDpp3_Vaf2__iIxTbQxX24NDZW6YF5z46nFfnZWGncdSzEqmc7CuKHYrDipXgvjx4q-yNcYdzLGZakG4D3SDdF0m7-adSFI7AfiFVIbBQwY85DSEECeq1zRaS_v3oE/s320/IMG_0112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian, the performer and Bridget, the owner of Mineo's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March comes in with its usual schizophrenic weather. Work is
ridiculously busy, and everyone is a little edgy whenever a respiratory
isolation patient makes it into our unit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>March 6, 2020 </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband
and two friends pick me up after work. We attend the Dean Christopher show at
the Blue Strawberry. Dean is a fantastic Dean Martin impersonator and the Blue
Strawberry is a unique, intimate supper club style venue in St. Louis. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gU-fxnfwc8xt_S-c4bRfSv3tXyCDPaLigDChuRK_OmugSBpOwDRmIDN1VInhuqmw5wvOnnSvI8MXd7wMa4IVRwm5wyIcH9kCj100uzkwOVgOfwhb-xQO6ZIa8f8S6s_9VfxAh7A-Wwc/s1600/IMG_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gU-fxnfwc8xt_S-c4bRfSv3tXyCDPaLigDChuRK_OmugSBpOwDRmIDN1VInhuqmw5wvOnnSvI8MXd7wMa4IVRwm5wyIcH9kCj100uzkwOVgOfwhb-xQO6ZIa8f8S6s_9VfxAh7A-Wwc/s320/IMG_0124.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We laugh
about this being the last time we all get together for a very long time.And after my tirade about how stupid work was our friend shuts me down with - And how was the rest of the play, Mrs. Lincoln....best comeback ever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>March 8, 2020 – Italy locks down. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Somewhere
in here people in the United States begin hoarding toilet paper. Toilet paper doesn't come from Italy. Why aren't we hoarding spaghetti sauce and Chianti?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The comedic
possibilities are endless…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rob and
I take a trip to Grafton Winery, along the Great River Road. Another of our
favorite places. Another ‘last’ for a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 13, 2020 – all Illinois schools close and parents everywhere regret that decision. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> I get a haircut, after checking to be sure my stylist is still working.
After that I do a grocery shopping. I am amazed that the shelves are stocked
full of toilet paper, although things like lunch meat and frozen pizzas and
fresh meat are gone. There are plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. I thank
heaven that we tend to ‘eat the perimeter’ of the store. I will eventually
regret my decision NOT to buy a 6 pack of Charmin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>March 16, 2020 – Illinois Governor Pritzker closes ALL bars
and restaurants except for carry-out or delivery. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rob
attempts to pick up Chinese carry-out but our little restaurant is not open,
even though the sign in the window is on. This leads to much yelling in the back,
and no black pepper chicken. Which turns out to be okay as we had hoped to make
this a dinner and a movie night and watch the old move China Town while eating
our delicious food. No one told me there was very little actual CHINA TOWN in
the move CHINA TOWN.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He picks up Lilly’s gyros instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If nothing else, we are supportive
of our local establishments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Our work schedule is beginning to dwindle. I work at a 1000+bed hospital in St. Louis. We see an average of 60-80 surgeries a day. There is talk of stopping all elective procedures and in preparation we begin to see the decline. Our numbers decrease slowly to 40, then 30. I am on-call as back up one day and don’t get called in – a rare event.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>March 20, 2020 - Illinois Governor Pritzker declares a
Shelter in Place order for the state of Illinois. Beginning at 5pm on Saturday,
March 21. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am at
work. I ask if this means I am exempt from returning. This is met with a
resounding Facial Expression that answers any other questions. We have a family
lunch on Saturday, which allows our kids to come over and then go home before
the lockdown starts. I have not been in contact with any obvious COVID patients
at this point, but I know that this will be changing. I don’t want to admit
that this will be our last family dinner for a while. Once I am in the general
population of patient care – removed from surgical recovery – I am at a much
higher risk of bringing the virus home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was not a good weekend. My emotions ran the gamut. I power
cleaned the house. I set up a ‘quarantine’ area downstairs in case I need to keep
myself away from my husband. I pack a bag to take to work with a few essentials
should I be required to ‘quarantine’ there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize I am way to good at spelling ‘quarantine’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here we are. Day 7 of Shelter in Place. Our toilet paper
supply is dwindling. Rob took advantage of the 60 and older shopping hours
earlier this week but to no avail. The bathroom tissue aisle is still a wasteland. Even the Great and Powerful Amazon can not guarantee delivery next day...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our work schedule has diminished to an average of 20
patients. This means a lot of displaced staff. I spent a day screening people
as they entered the hospital. We are no longer allowing visitors in. Try
telling the family of a brain surgery patient they can’t wait nearby…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent several hours cleaning one of the shut down areas of
our recovery unit. We are all studying up on inpatient charting as our computer
charting is much different in the peri-op area. People are shadowing in the ED
and ICUs as preparation for the patient surge that is likely. We are all
shell-shocked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was lucky enough to get an extra day off yesterday. It’s a
good thing. I spent the day before fighting back what promised to be a World
Class Nervous Breakdown. The sun peeked out a bit. JoeyKatt and I sat on the
couch yesterday morning and watched a robin begin to build a nest right outside
our living room window. and I spent the afternoon cleaning up some flower beds.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plants are beginning to peak out of the ground, leaves are
beginning to green up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spring is slowly arriving and with it the HOPE of a new
start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is different now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all are experiencing this in our own ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we may not have toilet paper, we can always have Hope.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look for it in little things – a flower trying to open, a
beautiful sunset, a simple text from a friend, that last bag of Cheetos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a Pandemic. It is also an opportunity for
our scientists to develop even better ways to fight disease. It is an opportunity
for the healthcare industry to truly take note of what is lacking, and develop ways
to improve our practice in much more essential ways. It is a chance for all of
human kind to hit the reset button and prioritize what makes life livable on a
global scope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cliché quote by Emily Dickinson <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i>Hope is that thing with feathers that perches
in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words-and never stops at all</i> – may
bring you comfort.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, I must go with Woody Allen’s version – <i>Hope is not
that thing with feathers. That thing with feathers has turned out to be my
nephew. I must take him to a specialist in Zurich…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live is weird right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Embrace it. Write it down. Share your fears and your laughs.
And yes, it is okay to laugh and joke. No one really wants to end up wearing feathers in a Zurich clinic....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, this is serious. No one ever said life wasn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep sight of what is special to you, while also doing what
is best for the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look for the things that give you Hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the process, maybe we will come out of this on the
other side with a better understanding of life on this big wonderful planet. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O7JGzINWhwdUW6yaC17gZKph-C_nosEe7SI5n6tpAJVaqtkeQQuvD8T2xnQUGpxkpQEg6_nbPlswTTCk-iU9mF9pzOk9hwcoPGb2fPGRrHupS84tNgp_ODfb9IIMqXtwy_28lPgOyyA/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="640" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O7JGzINWhwdUW6yaC17gZKph-C_nosEe7SI5n6tpAJVaqtkeQQuvD8T2xnQUGpxkpQEg6_nbPlswTTCk-iU9mF9pzOk9hwcoPGb2fPGRrHupS84tNgp_ODfb9IIMqXtwy_28lPgOyyA/s320/IMG_0155.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That brave little bud. I brought him in to shelter him from the storms promised today.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you, as always, for stopping by. I hope to update Coast Of Illinois soon. The tale of the 40 Year Old Sailboat has a final chapter to tell...<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-85773246045787732692020-02-13T17:31:00.000-06:002020-02-13T17:31:05.254-06:00Snowballs!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are well into the resolution keeping period of the year,
and while I don’t make ‘resolutions’ per se, I try to set goals. One of those
being to exercise more frequently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To that end, we have had an ongoing debate over joining our
local RecPlex which opened about 8 months ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The RecPlex holds a lot of perks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s only a couple
miles away, within bike range in warmer months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s brand new, with a pool, a work out room full of fancy
equipment, and minimal gym sock smell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two of our friends are frequent users.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there are also downfalls:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a couple miles away, which means I have to get up,
dress, get there, work out, get home, clean up – making my thirty-minute
workout a day into more of an hour. An hour of which only thirty minutes counts
for anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the fancy pools and equipment in the world won’t
necessarily motivate me, without a class instructor to encourage me. And sadly,
my work schedule makes in nearly impossible to consistently hit a class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our good friends are there. We would like them to remain
good friends, and as I feel that all relationships are based on a certain
amount of mystery, seeing me in spandex might just be the tipping point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spandex does not allow for much mystery. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With all this debate, and a cost/usage analysis done, it was
decided that purchasing a Well-Advertised Fancy Exercise Bike would be the
better way to go. (From here on out noted as WAFEB)</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that is where the</span> <i><span style="font-family: "algerian";">Snowballs </span></i>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">begin. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First it was where to put the WAFEB. If the television is to
be believed, most WAFEB owners have thirty story penthouses with views erected
just for their bikes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lacking a thirty-story penthouse with a simultaneous view of
mountains and ocean, we went with the spot in our downstairs formally known as
the Toy Room. (Our kids are 29 and 31. The name is truly a formality at this
point.) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Algerian;">Snowball…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we couldn’t possibly go with the room as is, except for
the fresh coat of paint applied a year ago after the enormous flood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, what started out as a ‘let’s clean out the toy room' became: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are we going to do with these tubs of books, blankets,
electronics, office supplies…? Where did all these staplers come from? Is that
a hole punch? And OMG, is that REALLY the floor under there??? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That discussion concluded with me needing to mop and then
steam clean what’s left of the ugly tile in prep for putting down the beautiful,
new, really-too-pretty for a workout room, rug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, and a trip to Goodwill. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "algerian";">Snowball…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet all I really want to do is upload pics to a printing
site and have wall art made to decorate….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And maybe make a vision board….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, and there might be an aromatherapy diffuser to add a zen
quality as I curse at the chirpy instructors and help cover up the cat box
scent…(did I mention the new Workout Room is also the Cat's bathroom?)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "algerian";">Snowball… </span></i><span style="font-family: "algerian";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "algerian";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the arguments for getting the WAFEB was me actually
using the WAFEB. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I work four, 10-hour days a week. This gives me three days
off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that’s three days of workouts. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I am also a 58-year-old woman who clearly needs more
than three days a week to make a dent in my current state of physical decline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have plans to dedicate three of those four workdays
to work outs. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have also recruited a friend to text me in the morning and remind (harrass) me to get up and work out. She is relentless. And not easily offended by my replies...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This means getting up at 5am to give me enough time to
brush teeth, wash my face and peel my eyeballs open, change into work out clothes, feed the cat and crawl downstairs to
get 30 solid minutes of exercise in before starting my actual workday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But that is just the beginning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Algerian;">Snowball…</span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In order to get up at 5 am, I now must:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Go to bed by 9:30 at the latest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cut out the occasional glass of wine in the evening to
facilitate going to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turn off BRAVO, Home design and that evil entity known as
Facebook.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "algerian";">Snowball…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "algerian";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started this plan a little early by easing in to
working out again with some yoga classes provided, conveniently by the WAFEB
company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the purchase of WAFEB we got a subscription to their
Fancy Work Outs. Which are subversively encouraging, given titles such as
2-week Yoga class for Beginners and 10 day Get in Shape or We Will Track You
Down and Take Photos of You in Spandex intermediate strength training. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it turns out, the WAFEB company is pretty darn prompt
with their delivery so at this writing I have just completed week four of the
six-week Beginner Learn to Cycle, because Clearly You Have Never Ridden A Bike Before,
workout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has taken me this long to figure out how to UNCLIP my
feet from the pedals at the end of each session. And it's still hit or miss if I
remove the shoe or the foot first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I haven’t fallen off or over the bike yet, so that’s a
win!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Algerian;">Snowball…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And there are so many rides to choose from, Pop Music Rides, Rock Music Rides, Love Advice Rides, Lady Gaga Rides.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(I am dying to try that last one, not sure if it's just Lady Gaga's music or if she actually leads the class...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Algerian;">Snowball…</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And with all this working out, it seems a shame to eat anything
less than healthy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So…. meal plans…meal prepping….new lunch containers…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "algerian"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Snowballs!!!</span></i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpG-TBhXXQ5adjI7iAhO-3ifELnDZdenvCX5uj-qDOfxDrjX89Srge5MKTiHQoojDnyKbK1IUv-27FpjDO3SWt_hENinP4IyoRtwvhbIXcfZoDM0D_ogqkOHSjTYDNh1p5eg-wxRq5cE/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpG-TBhXXQ5adjI7iAhO-3ifELnDZdenvCX5uj-qDOfxDrjX89Srge5MKTiHQoojDnyKbK1IUv-27FpjDO3SWt_hENinP4IyoRtwvhbIXcfZoDM0D_ogqkOHSjTYDNh1p5eg-wxRq5cE/s320/IMG_0070.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The WorkOut Room. Deluxe folding chair for putting on clip-on shoes of death. The table, sporting weights and painting is for the ipad should I manage to advance to Core work...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CqgDiYpb3NnBWIYnxL5st-IYqsy-DmylMa42M8DvJtxcLHF7wRsSqLtHVCvHpqIV0gQ0iJkI30Z5aYKhTN-KOqWXtNXOJuyZJITmXUfRepXTejiJ4IrER_jpXopeQiP80A7_e4Iijyc/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CqgDiYpb3NnBWIYnxL5st-IYqsy-DmylMa42M8DvJtxcLHF7wRsSqLtHVCvHpqIV0gQ0iJkI30Z5aYKhTN-KOqWXtNXOJuyZJITmXUfRepXTejiJ4IrER_jpXopeQiP80A7_e4Iijyc/s320/IMG_0071.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While JoeKatt is not thrilled with sharing his spa, he does appreciate the scenic photos and M&M clock. The jenky seat cover is purely a personal choice...<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRGkX22nnUjYlSK5DqVwniz4KH4skXGJbcLNVftgkYe9Gpf_7U45m_KK_bG0e5R2bEDnzsalgbcKDmaAS384JQGKZEs-jFXjBlkGqhPVVSmXtmi_XA2-46yhwPZsM5gShB-2Z0LrQYLA/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRGkX22nnUjYlSK5DqVwniz4KH4skXGJbcLNVftgkYe9Gpf_7U45m_KK_bG0e5R2bEDnzsalgbcKDmaAS384JQGKZEs-jFXjBlkGqhPVVSmXtmi_XA2-46yhwPZsM5gShB-2Z0LrQYLA/s320/IMG_0072.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, should you like to do a late night 'mood' ride...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-12385175705907715052020-01-13T12:04:00.000-06:002020-01-13T12:04:20.907-06:00Vamos Corillo! (or Let's go, friends!)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travel is so much more than leaving your home for a different,
temporary location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travel allows you to experience new locations, foods,
weather, lifestyles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travel opens your mind, and your heart to the things that make
us different yet bring us all together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrWZ7b0RzNaWXZFocZF5VHfujkaRqhg0559PxcNi2jhwhNLZSWwvW7gj8ybQBoBrI6rpPItQJ84pHst-zKyKlMURY_Il_PLrwI_aHZkcVPbb1PM-rIGdhuFCMBARTN7LnF4v9mQZxTpA/s1600/60183972_10217039477130647_6840898762311729152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrWZ7b0RzNaWXZFocZF5VHfujkaRqhg0559PxcNi2jhwhNLZSWwvW7gj8ybQBoBrI6rpPItQJ84pHst-zKyKlMURY_Il_PLrwI_aHZkcVPbb1PM-rIGdhuFCMBARTN7LnF4v9mQZxTpA/s320/60183972_10217039477130647_6840898762311729152_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the beach near Old San Juan</td></tr>
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</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Spring, we were lucky enough to take a return trip to
the Caribbean and the British Virgin Islands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Rob set up the majority of
the trip, I was in charge of setting up the flights. There is no easy way to
get to the BVI from the Coast of Illinois. Travel day can either be a 16-hour odyssey
or a nice leisurely day with an overnight stop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, I chose the leisurely day with an overnight stop.
(On the way down only. The return was regrettably Odyssey worthy.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We flew Southwest on this trip, which flies into San Juan, Puerto
Rico. The following day we would be taking a much smaller plane to Tortola. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must admit, initially, I was a little nervous about the stop.
Puerto Rico, as well as the whole Caribbean, was still recovering from
Hurricanes Irma and Maria. I am always a little tentative when it comes to
trying a new location, especially when traveling with friends. The desire to
show everyone a good time is strong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I have a reputation of booking awesome hotels sight
unseen to maintain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With all that pressure, I typed in ‘hotels in San Juan’ and
going by photos alone settled on <a href="https://villaherencia.com/" target="_blank">Villa Herencia</a> in Old San Juan. The photos
showed an old-world Latin-style hotel with stucco, brick work, courtyards,
mosquito netting and bathtubs on the roof. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously. How can you pass up bathtubs on the roof?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1ETHf9Ziz0CgezMwRwf5x3sfA1Vh2B7Wp_5yySXMRpv8h3NfnYloxhU2MSc3AZNLJrDBOk2U5Xz53Iifq2q7kSwtJwHTyZ1CQvlpx7kWxS0AkJJKj47zq0F2DXU9BnbPBNG-fCe-Gpo/s1600/61167966_10217128078745632_3740793176240160768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1ETHf9Ziz0CgezMwRwf5x3sfA1Vh2B7Wp_5yySXMRpv8h3NfnYloxhU2MSc3AZNLJrDBOk2U5Xz53Iifq2q7kSwtJwHTyZ1CQvlpx7kWxS0AkJJKj47zq0F2DXU9BnbPBNG-fCe-Gpo/s320/61167966_10217128078745632_3740793176240160768_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sun bathing, taken literally</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were all a little nervous when our airport taxi driver
had to ask directions to the hotel….twice. There was much laughter as a couple
of people in the taxi mapped the drive on phones, which gave conflicting routes.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY1-m20DCO7JiQCuW83Fc0cAA-NlSHvSHLTyOBtykTKC54b-BZ1lbQh-CY1jiaHIk-y7MSnCzBkdCnXS77RgUwXCfthiqDY-towPvYqnGzJkMT298Zu7KVpRFerHzXIrz7EXGMyhBRz8/s1600/61229694_10217128098946137_4194407955388432384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY1-m20DCO7JiQCuW83Fc0cAA-NlSHvSHLTyOBtykTKC54b-BZ1lbQh-CY1jiaHIk-y7MSnCzBkdCnXS77RgUwXCfthiqDY-towPvYqnGzJkMT298Zu7KVpRFerHzXIrz7EXGMyhBRz8/s320/61229694_10217128098946137_4194407955388432384_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bishop's. We drove past them so many times, we felt they were blessing us personally. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The driver persevered and committed to driving us up and
down streets so narrow we were pretty sure they were sidewalks, past breathtaking
views of the old fort installation and finally dropping us off in front of a
locked door on a blue stone road in the middle of Old San Juan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eduardo met us at the door, welcoming us with a booming
voice and endearing smile. He gave us a breakfast menu to fill out for the next
day then took us to our rooms and left us to explore the premises. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVDx5E7Wddeyyc8YFLI-Fh7hxzFLikPu2JCh28uZFb3aK0NqZiN0eMs1BwRzJZj9jw1sTs3HBbH0NttxNbUe39x4C-3eGFlxuyFVYjbVtZorleLUhNPg_FP_CXCwokkziHfsjAXoO0Vs/s1600/61371479_10217128077065590_7224225628566847488_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVDx5E7Wddeyyc8YFLI-Fh7hxzFLikPu2JCh28uZFb3aK0NqZiN0eMs1BwRzJZj9jw1sTs3HBbH0NttxNbUe39x4C-3eGFlxuyFVYjbVtZorleLUhNPg_FP_CXCwokkziHfsjAXoO0Vs/s320/61371479_10217128077065590_7224225628566847488_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">through this hallway...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ocyuc6rxUl3-PQmuskQfKxM6Kh-d6pLd49bOJ4Z4ZWNS9lct2njvps8xe3VWyvDVt7oLNyNCs-WUwtVGa3n8TC2Un93aRV3XA6kZKjwZUSWRt9xzWhALnEf5NwAAPaXWDgD2xJoDMJo/s1600/61041377_10217128077665605_6321078183282081792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ocyuc6rxUl3-PQmuskQfKxM6Kh-d6pLd49bOJ4Z4ZWNS9lct2njvps8xe3VWyvDVt7oLNyNCs-WUwtVGa3n8TC2Un93aRV3XA6kZKjwZUSWRt9xzWhALnEf5NwAAPaXWDgD2xJoDMJo/s320/61041377_10217128077665605_6321078183282081792_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the courtyard outside our room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the moment of truth, when traveling with friends who
are relying on your hotel pick to set the tone for the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High ceilings, heavy wood furniture and mosquito netted beds,
modern fixtures surrounded by antique mirrors in the bathroom…although the
rooms were small, they were absolutely beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8l3Ch7LpMrxq2jUkG5Os57R57JlAxokpfZzLZVZmtMXtldBx-21quoA0CY0PB0Mf5v_m9504gxNA4t6bYyqKkONdUT2izHUk9Eoq6fM7KFhD5kzUzlpKymOhhNm21qJwHAbtTC5VtH0/s1600/61032974_10217128076825584_8177600650499063808_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8l3Ch7LpMrxq2jUkG5Os57R57JlAxokpfZzLZVZmtMXtldBx-21quoA0CY0PB0Mf5v_m9504gxNA4t6bYyqKkONdUT2izHUk9Eoq6fM7KFhD5kzUzlpKymOhhNm21qJwHAbtTC5VtH0/s320/61032974_10217128076825584_8177600650499063808_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mosquito netting for ambiance only</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimleSDchRkhJv21Df1ZaKAp_-Wr7M5D3bLN3j9Ou8GTFbCtPBKbdcj2omokMSB_MWmkg2cpQE5WQjhp2thDSK23fDrsoMuiL5YPWIpMj7K_OHzVufOWqXOhElMWvggYQPxli_F0-ElAiU/s1600/61088795_10217128098426124_549869080765530112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimleSDchRkhJv21Df1ZaKAp_-Wr7M5D3bLN3j9Ou8GTFbCtPBKbdcj2omokMSB_MWmkg2cpQE5WQjhp2thDSK23fDrsoMuiL5YPWIpMj7K_OHzVufOWqXOhElMWvggYQPxli_F0-ElAiU/s320/61088795_10217128098426124_549869080765530112_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modern meets antique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8hhYQzh80U1sD1FxKR_K12ozcJuA-dqNNRnA5DElzH0HIpmZk2SAz_zZZ3JytW6TZoiyz6xfctX2UOowaJ4zPR5LUvGs1O5DHWx8aW1UfPSlufIsks1TR-SnkG6EqTiLV9tLWmZ_leM/s1600/61333242_10217128077345597_4133986480022355968_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8hhYQzh80U1sD1FxKR_K12ozcJuA-dqNNRnA5DElzH0HIpmZk2SAz_zZZ3JytW6TZoiyz6xfctX2UOowaJ4zPR5LUvGs1O5DHWx8aW1UfPSlufIsks1TR-SnkG6EqTiLV9tLWmZ_leM/s320/61333242_10217128077345597_4133986480022355968_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a secret behind every door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I retained my Great Booking Mystique. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given the fact that we had less than twelve hours in Old San
Juan, we hit Eduardo up for some suggestions before heading out into the city.
He gave us numerous suggestions for dinner, depending on our preference of ‘touristy’
‘authentic’ ‘quick’ ‘young-vibe’ ‘where he would meet friends’. We settled on a
tiny tapas style place<a href="https://rosadetriana.business.site/" target="_blank"> Rosa de Triana,</a> complete with stone arches, dark hallways
and candles. Mojitos and tostones consumed, we wandered the streets of Old San
Juan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wrapped up our evening on the patio at <a href="http://www.barrachina.com/" target="_blank">Barrachina</a>,
sampling flan and dodging unidentified that felt it important to try to bean us
in the heads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll let pictures give you the rest of our tour, but first I
have to mention our Villa Herencia breakfast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On check in we were given a menu to choose from – eggs,
fruit, yogurt, toast. Not a huge selection, especially for people who LOVE
breakfast. But we figured it would be a good start and we could grab something
at the airport. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We woke early, packed our bags and met in the dining room –
another high-ceilinged room filled with heavy wood table, and coffee and juice laden
buffet. The ladies preparing our food apologized for the delay, only to arrive
minutes later with silver trays for each of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmpi1qPQIkqf2Yid-imrAbdyGrbmMlLHulTCZrlWy8a9rBywMljOwRhtmJ29CNWM4B7pC5deA7cQRRp9LOItl9NMLwYzTK2AwOmvAssB9-WfgS5ZkJSwMc-f8NOfssuzQa4JVixIs-v8/s1600/60340127_10217042506206372_3923680296817393664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmpi1qPQIkqf2Yid-imrAbdyGrbmMlLHulTCZrlWy8a9rBywMljOwRhtmJ29CNWM4B7pC5deA7cQRRp9LOItl9NMLwYzTK2AwOmvAssB9-WfgS5ZkJSwMc-f8NOfssuzQa4JVixIs-v8/s320/60340127_10217042506206372_3923680296817393664_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is now known as breakfast eduardo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never had breakfast served to me on an individual
silver tray. I could seriously get use to this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkfaNSkFAI07w0aQhIqfJvLaUSh-Hs40JnE8QI7cjLUsasm46PtVAtfpoURQNXvxvnPwOZFzcAIdjuIBPZt4-SAHPLiwoEvaFXZ5GSXp6XSd2ABHiwVh-YVDT4Nb17fZLRKdMPRH3PGY/s1600/IMG_0408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkfaNSkFAI07w0aQhIqfJvLaUSh-Hs40JnE8QI7cjLUsasm46PtVAtfpoURQNXvxvnPwOZFzcAIdjuIBPZt4-SAHPLiwoEvaFXZ5GSXp6XSd2ABHiwVh-YVDT4Nb17fZLRKdMPRH3PGY/s320/IMG_0408.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Morro, a portion of the old fort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8vw-hH-oHwyi_tLtncYh8APnPaIvqgNGMOAWZBNpfKneaHKFHlWYKEKcxL4irL68jaS5RNtPojlY5tmD2XgiL2nFLQJ3XB09OZv4X6tStH_Hq5tZEAdILHAi4lYMuytySsdFIbBedxI/s1600/61030381_10217128100666180_5460545193054830592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8vw-hH-oHwyi_tLtncYh8APnPaIvqgNGMOAWZBNpfKneaHKFHlWYKEKcxL4irL68jaS5RNtPojlY5tmD2XgiL2nFLQJ3XB09OZv4X6tStH_Hq5tZEAdILHAi4lYMuytySsdFIbBedxI/s320/61030381_10217128100666180_5460545193054830592_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKJtnka6vLfq4IE7u8Un4YUp35NH449mBQuCYQ2yvJWAKeO2HzswDjZJ_5UTWEYgyaxjoIbp9yR1M_-3hoQS0yAs2pN4SU5mx8r2NGMeRd-HD4IxCoeaGPsmvcjR8sW3w9h19rKJYjQU/s1600/61080448_10217128099226144_3375758210626486272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKJtnka6vLfq4IE7u8Un4YUp35NH449mBQuCYQ2yvJWAKeO2HzswDjZJ_5UTWEYgyaxjoIbp9yR1M_-3hoQS0yAs2pN4SU5mx8r2NGMeRd-HD4IxCoeaGPsmvcjR8sW3w9h19rKJYjQU/s320/61080448_10217128099226144_3375758210626486272_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NhY8-jwijZEI4lmLZxpb9jPz4YI_5APTxkLEwmP0zL6FrIDr_YuLtesvbCaD_Xg0zQClgYyRUxBTxKXNZC1Kt_KWEUj4MoPHl_IULjxmULfR61An62LVAD3Gw80As3jMcV8_2e8fntE/s1600/61389372_10217128100226169_1703369211956428800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NhY8-jwijZEI4lmLZxpb9jPz4YI_5APTxkLEwmP0zL6FrIDr_YuLtesvbCaD_Xg0zQClgYyRUxBTxKXNZC1Kt_KWEUj4MoPHl_IULjxmULfR61An62LVAD3Gw80As3jMcV8_2e8fntE/s320/61389372_10217128100226169_1703369211956428800_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the city gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCgZDJlahevvyuVU7oZ-Wjb2hMF1cid5dxteCsY0O-WU6njntgTxSu7HiBwrWAO9Xegvty4Fl1IumwrotUyjVHU6r4aQr_TQORDnDQYNG3k3g16K6-ijohLMTiL94XnQzBUi5wc2Ui1s/s1600/61188268_10217128101626204_1721497439984156672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCgZDJlahevvyuVU7oZ-Wjb2hMF1cid5dxteCsY0O-WU6njntgTxSu7HiBwrWAO9Xegvty4Fl1IumwrotUyjVHU6r4aQr_TQORDnDQYNG3k3g16K6-ijohLMTiL94XnQzBUi5wc2Ui1s/s320/61188268_10217128101626204_1721497439984156672_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1RifyS68bjNj1-nCGaovlF4UeiNR_nZWsMIDO9aASoZiVZeBtNoCq0Z4YfdMGhztWPTTCZ2t6-8rBaf1pzcrYgVaPRO9xJBEdYgMboAODWIgivSRNoU7ENWQc0aIu8YLeDSC5BaZN5c/s1600/60358999_10217039477210649_5379738235238875136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1RifyS68bjNj1-nCGaovlF4UeiNR_nZWsMIDO9aASoZiVZeBtNoCq0Z4YfdMGhztWPTTCZ2t6-8rBaf1pzcrYgVaPRO9xJBEdYgMboAODWIgivSRNoU7ENWQc0aIu8YLeDSC5BaZN5c/s320/60358999_10217039477210649_5379738235238875136_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Juan Cathedral, Ponce de Leon was being renovated</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJPUd8-58UJ5xQlFM5dqXJRFCGjn-ruoTk5uof3yw1ocy_YEyXvi8pILXN7j-NYv-jtwNTX15q-pqTY3-D41eqA6UieGZFiMJ1a7HPeGIDDBqi2oGLk9OBK4E0N-KftWZTPrUBH5L1O0/s1600/60343720_10217039477650660_1554173820598747136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJPUd8-58UJ5xQlFM5dqXJRFCGjn-ruoTk5uof3yw1ocy_YEyXvi8pILXN7j-NYv-jtwNTX15q-pqTY3-D41eqA6UieGZFiMJ1a7HPeGIDDBqi2oGLk9OBK4E0N-KftWZTPrUBH5L1O0/s320/60343720_10217039477650660_1554173820598747136_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forteleza Street </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always found old world Latin style beautiful and
romantic. I did not expect to leave San Juan with such a strong desire to return.
It has become yet another place that I will always hold near and dear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to that end, Puerto Rico is once again in need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Puerto Rico is a United States territory. They do not have
the luxury of benefits afforded to the rest of our states. Yes, there is a
history behind this. I am not going to enter that discussion. This is not that
sort of page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rather, I am going to appeal to our humanity. This island
country has been hit with multiple earthquakes over the past few weeks. They
were still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Maria two years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is a list of sites which are aiding Puerto Rico. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can, give them a hand now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the future, give Puerto Rico a visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
<a href="https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2020/puerto-rico-red-cross-responds-as-quakes-take-out-power.html" target="_blank">American Red Cross</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://hispanicfederation.org/a_powerful_earthquake_hits_puerto_rico/" target="_blank">Hispanic Federation</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.directrelief.org/2020/01/earthquake-strikes-puerto-rico-direct-relief-mobilizing-response/" target="_blank">Direct Relief</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://wck.org/news/puertorico-earthquake" target="_blank">ChefsForPuertoRico</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/programs/puerto-rico-hurricane-relief/" target="_blank">All Hearts and Hands</a>LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-21517858125310131092020-01-05T09:05:00.000-06:002020-01-05T13:58:37.478-06:00Aaaaayyyyyyy It's a New Year!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We survived another holiday season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fancy foods have been consumed and
subsequently purged from the fridge while the purgee made heart felt promises of NEVER
eating half a ham ever again</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gifts have been wrapped, opened, admired and put away
while pondering the thought process that brought the giver to think the box of
plastic hockey guys would truly be loved by the 61 year old recipient.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk-FdW89z4nE02rAIOqtRW5x5Bfu1bwjd50a1M1LY-y1kgMf6-ion0eDPJzcwcXoJj5aefyseHyBzXrIjt0C960kGwVi7MT76yjDqekJZoMsuDwiJMGLHD7n_HdfLYlBohYjzw6Y9J9w/s1600/IMG_5461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk-FdW89z4nE02rAIOqtRW5x5Bfu1bwjd50a1M1LY-y1kgMf6-ion0eDPJzcwcXoJj5aefyseHyBzXrIjt0C960kGwVi7MT76yjDqekJZoMsuDwiJMGLHD7n_HdfLYlBohYjzw6Y9J9w/s320/IMG_5461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the face off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_oMlMGlf5asALs9x_qizrtUgrt7C7sAa8f91ms9v9DbO0clAZ6oyeGWBuwTd8M4FmHL-dEPfk8rPETrumso0SFs_PgvOj6AOKDZO8KLJJwbEtmFd5gHaeSLBACS-7C1mWmCjTN5uH7U/s1600/IMG_5464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_oMlMGlf5asALs9x_qizrtUgrt7C7sAa8f91ms9v9DbO0clAZ6oyeGWBuwTd8M4FmHL-dEPfk8rPETrumso0SFs_PgvOj6AOKDZO8KLJJwbEtmFd5gHaeSLBACS-7C1mWmCjTN5uH7U/s320/IMG_5464.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a skirmish resulting in the Yellow Guys goal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r-C5t4tdwqz5aH7l464AQbBUVQMKU9ukuHLkzniTloSe8fXzONqQNTfAJuozGMxpyY0Z73BfPfnGuOZa8LlAptFW5RjW0boqovbJgJKxmH-9lDfth5UexSHw2OC-YkoukgofFujYRuI/s1600/IMG_5460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r-C5t4tdwqz5aH7l464AQbBUVQMKU9ukuHLkzniTloSe8fXzONqQNTfAJuozGMxpyY0Z73BfPfnGuOZa8LlAptFW5RjW0boqovbJgJKxmH-9lDfth5UexSHw2OC-YkoukgofFujYRuI/s320/IMG_5460.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the inevitable fight which broke out after that controversial goal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_2101490864"></span><span id="goog_2101490865"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loved ones near and far have been hugged and made to promise
to visit more often, all the while hoping that the ukulele concerto will truly
become a real thing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resolutions have been made. Goals have been set, which is
really just a kinder, gentler way to say resolutions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now it’s January 5<sup>th</sup>. And if I don’t get this
post up by Tuesday, I will have blown my goals for 2020, one of which is to post
here once a week. And being as Jan 7 – which technically is a week from Jan 1 –
is Tuesday, I figure I am still good….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven’t figured it out yet, I am not great with goal
setting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like putting them out
into the world as I seem to take that as a challenge to see just how quickly I
can screw it up. But, as the holiday season one horse open sleighed right over
me, I decided it was time to change it up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Truthfully, I prefer the option of picking a word to
represent your plan for the new year. I toyed around with ‘reset’ and ‘reconnect’
but finally – <i>This Morning</i> – settled on <b>Time Out</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not the sit in the corner and think about what you did Time Out,
but more of a last 20 seconds of a football game, there’s no way they can win
but maybe if they run the clock out there could be a miracle Time Out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can’t quite figure out why I don’t seem to have any free
time these days. Time where I don’t HAVE to do anything. Or, more honestly,
have time to do the things I really enjoy doing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I blame my upbringing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I grew up in a house where you did your chores before doing
fun activities. Those activities became the prize for dusting that stupid
dining room table with the giant carved legs and cross pieces requiring me to
crawl under it and then crack my head as I crawled back out – all the time
hoping I hadn’t passed out and missed Johnny Quest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This philosophy was reinforced by my 5<sup>th</sup> grade
teacher, who noted on my report card that ‘Laura does not use her time wisely’.
Apparently, completing my homework and then quietly reading a much more
enjoyable book at my desk was not satisfactory. It only reinforced my believe
that I needed to always be productive, although at this writing I suddenly
realized that perhaps it was more of an insult to her worksheet producing abilities.
And now I am picturing her tiny, support hose wearing body hunched over a desk,
late into the night, trying to create the ultimate mimeograph sheet of
questions set to finally, at last, stump that little Schloz girl…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It isn’t easy to break those habits reinforced nearly daily.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Don’t get me wrong, my childhood was not a coal mine of
constant household chores. I had plenty of time for Barbies and imaginary
adventures and getting trapped in trees. And 5<sup>th</sup> grade was, in
reality, pretty fun, except for this teacher’s penchant for spraying the room
down with Lysol daily and discussing her varicose veins.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that philosophy has served me well throughout my adult
life. I have run a tight ship around the house, and I hope, impressed my
managers with my great work ethic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I have a terrible time doing fun things when I know
there is another load of laundry crawling up the wall, or a fine layer of
protective dust on the furniture. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, to that end, I have made my Word of 2020 – <b>Time Out</b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Fine, it’s two words. Just me, overachieving again.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And to manage making this a year of <b>Time Out</b>, I
needed to set some goals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Goals such as ‘reading for enjoyment every day’ and the afore
mentioned blogging goal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the biggest is to just allow myself some TIME. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it hasn’t been easy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Into the new year by 5 days, I have managed to read a little
each day, however, it took every fiber of my being to stop taking down the
Christmas decorations to take a ride up the river for some music and a glass of
wine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DSNMiKCMHFi66eo2gFRv5aB1pFYfP5vN99RzNnK90KV8DE2zNrz_dExF46n-V_shkVkgTK2xDg0jwecRvEPOzmGyTMRDdyvq956OxtCvM1Q2YtjsV7Dy9yelXvSy21IA0NGucFp6alc/s1600/IMG_3158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DSNMiKCMHFi66eo2gFRv5aB1pFYfP5vN99RzNnK90KV8DE2zNrz_dExF46n-V_shkVkgTK2xDg0jwecRvEPOzmGyTMRDdyvq956OxtCvM1Q2YtjsV7Dy9yelXvSy21IA0NGucFp6alc/s320/IMG_3158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cold day on the Mississippi. the barge is parked. taking a Time Out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Foz4_nRNMCbpadG3gdV8wEZ0S8WptGMmFX6C4hP4FqstBtJFjZz5CX9jTOg8HP8ZuorT7VWsS0qrWPx0NJKN-KiaiMTpk_j0LgoGoR8QFyV0LysXtpkvVxVQxfqesVGzmcELXrQMgMs/s1600/IMG_3161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Foz4_nRNMCbpadG3gdV8wEZ0S8WptGMmFX6C4hP4FqstBtJFjZz5CX9jTOg8HP8ZuorT7VWsS0qrWPx0NJKN-KiaiMTpk_j0LgoGoR8QFyV0LysXtpkvVxVQxfqesVGzmcELXrQMgMs/s320/IMG_3161.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluffs along the river road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvz-LHDZzRrhFagh5xGsfcMemnmnL4hmexL9h2ml4Sp4SgB9fnXYLeymyRuiHHiBNCX1ROO7YFc4GKBPHrEx1-JVduEQRhocCbNKeA3ou3T6A_AlGfzk9PAOLeF6EkCakS5pZo9ympoE/s1600/IMG_3174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvz-LHDZzRrhFagh5xGsfcMemnmnL4hmexL9h2ml4Sp4SgB9fnXYLeymyRuiHHiBNCX1ROO7YFc4GKBPHrEx1-JVduEQRhocCbNKeA3ou3T6A_AlGfzk9PAOLeF6EkCakS5pZo9ympoE/s320/IMG_3174.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Illinois</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And at the end of the day, as I was making pancakes from
scratch with the odds and ends of dairy and non-dairy products I had in the
fridge as I have yet to grocery shop this weekend, I had to agree, those hours
were truly Time well spent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I will again wish you a Happy New Year from the Coast of
Illinois. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May your New Year be as productive as you need and as fun
and exciting as you want!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jhga4p52uNWxT31fpeLSRagPI8fhpQ_23qFb0ZDIeMeuUn79MbV8xlUzwl0fDPnM-D18ZDm9TWlmiWkzlmqS0M9JEURLhQqLkKrKvN2Khze0iJ9Bdzztc0Uq4EAGftSLtkg03xbrz-w/s1600/IMG_3080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="505" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jhga4p52uNWxT31fpeLSRagPI8fhpQ_23qFb0ZDIeMeuUn79MbV8xlUzwl0fDPnM-D18ZDm9TWlmiWkzlmqS0M9JEURLhQqLkKrKvN2Khze0iJ9Bdzztc0Uq4EAGftSLtkg03xbrz-w/s320/IMG_3080.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and the Bronze Fonze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>(while the above pic was from a quick before Christmas wedding trip in Milwaukee, I had to include it because....Aaaaaayyyyyy,,,, it's the Fonze!)</i></span></div>
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</div>
<br />
<i>See you next week!!</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-12440443044416115292019-12-15T10:44:00.001-06:002019-12-15T10:44:40.262-06:00I'm Dreaming of a Ice Glazed, Snowy, Wintery Mixed Christmas...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is early Sunday morning, a week before Christmas, and I
am sitting in the kitchen anxiously awaiting the ‘wintery mix’ I have been
promised by our Doppler Radar Weather People. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZWeZlCWKLyST5skfBLHQBHhSjpsDrh0qpfrh2_gafq9O1IISeVy9GRcCexxJz4iOnvx52mgZl_Y7oA5eBfTYw4TnTz7donxnoSkK5pv0BGIwVa5OqfLjieeknHKP6JOlw3u4qr0mMGo/s1600/IMG_3052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZWeZlCWKLyST5skfBLHQBHhSjpsDrh0qpfrh2_gafq9O1IISeVy9GRcCexxJz4iOnvx52mgZl_Y7oA5eBfTYw4TnTz7donxnoSkK5pv0BGIwVa5OqfLjieeknHKP6JOlw3u4qr0mMGo/s320/IMG_3052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was taken at the beginning of writing this post</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you unfamiliar with weather patterns here on
the Coast of Illinois – ‘wintery mix’ is not a delicious chocolate blend but
more of a disastrous coating of freezing rain, covered by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about 4 hours of beautiful snow which is then
topped with a final coating of sleet. This can occur in no particular order but
is ALWAYS topped with that freezing icing of…ice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a Parfait of Precipitation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which nearly always occurs on Sunday afternoon leading into
Sunday night and concluding on Monday morning about 7 minutes before rush hour.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The threat of this sends ordinarily sane humans into
frenzied French toast chefs, leaving grocery stores ransacked of all bread,
eggs and milk. Which seems like a ridiculous supply list. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I opt for popcorn, soda, a nice bottle of
cabernet and bologna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact that this particular storm threatens to hit on the
next to last weekend before Christmas is just a cruel reminder by Mother Nature
that the most important part of the holidays is not the perfect gift but being trapped
in the house by six feet of ice…with loved ones ….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, around here, the most important part of the holiday
this year is the addition of Chrome Boy – better known around the Christmas
Tree lot as That Tacky Silver Tinsel Tree with Color Wheel which graced many
homes back in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every year Rob tells me about their tinsel tree with color
wheel. And every year I cringe and give him my best Charlie Brown ‘Good Grief!’.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But thanks to the artificial intelligence of on-line
shopping and the miracle of instant delivery, I managed to find both a small
tinsel tree and color wheel for less than the typical ‘retro-vintage’ price. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was delivered secretly to my parents’ home where I picked
it up after work late one night, then hastily put it together before going back
to work in order to surprise Rob. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was
appropriately surprised and excited and now ‘Chrome Boy’ lives in the Tiki
basement, decorated with random left over ‘vintage’ style ornaments and topped
with Santa Pirate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which, in a nutshell, is our decorating style. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37KcUsO6_Gp3ieJEfp8tT7wH5TJEyWk21XJ8MvB-Zzd6_ypHGS_LxHNj74c9ZHraG5ghhaD-XJ-TbPdsdAe4H_IfMnHpHolyiXbk7oRZ74UkxT9eNp4q60MEFKOmtxmMm_luTy13r2hY/s320/IMG_3028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ho Ho Ho!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GNHGN-zyuk0QfR25Eh5Msap9AZjEmgK4uqNi6kYXRz-fIfk_RHRacxX7yNsUU2YxxspVouiDy3h67ABg1KHjHxfDjeEiG0IsvYIMb_oqlNxsQ1RMJ2zHFFPd48ytQLF_JuuD3cuOUlM/s1600/IMG_3029+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GNHGN-zyuk0QfR25Eh5Msap9AZjEmgK4uqNi6kYXRz-fIfk_RHRacxX7yNsUU2YxxspVouiDy3h67ABg1KHjHxfDjeEiG0IsvYIMb_oqlNxsQ1RMJ2zHFFPd48ytQLF_JuuD3cuOUlM/s320/IMG_3029+%25281%2529.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nd why I love seeing other people’s holiday pictures. In
our little circle we have the traditional decorators, the elegant decorators
and then there’s us, the eclectics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3UAsWt2gs2RDPoUDh64fCM3OCE57Mbjvu7bzF6QQBAMmZ_ey7Ev-bYz6SBK5Ozy4YeYREQUL971ZyrT3FJFOeEhHBlbO0HZ_dnDSBtw0JLS5nz70opaGpb2V3lkovHXieXXSUPlTLQ0/s1600/IMG_3040+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3UAsWt2gs2RDPoUDh64fCM3OCE57Mbjvu7bzF6QQBAMmZ_ey7Ev-bYz6SBK5Ozy4YeYREQUL971ZyrT3FJFOeEhHBlbO0HZ_dnDSBtw0JLS5nz70opaGpb2V3lkovHXieXXSUPlTLQ0/s320/IMG_3040+%25281%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our more traditional tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each is beautiful in its own way and works
so well for each individual. There is no way to compare.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet, with all the hype of the holiday season, the Hallmark
vignettes, the Pinterest suggestions, the emotional blackmail, it’s easy to
fall into a psyched out, frenzy of overblown perfection driven crazy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every year I visit the land of Holiday Hysteria at some
point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year it was the day the nose piece broke off my glasses
forcing me to work two shifts with crooked bifocals, giving myself a migraine
with accompanying nausea and culminating in a day spent walking around the
house in my Jackie O prescription sunglasses while waiting for the repair place
to call with my newly reattached nose piece. Thanks to the vision disorientation
and dizziness I couldn’t do anything but sit on the couch and enjoy the
ornaments sitting at the perfect diopter distance away from my stigmatic
eyeballs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This just happened to be the goofy shepherd ornament we made
with the kids for Sunday School. I can’t even remember how I managed to sew up
24 of those little bodies to be stuffed and dressed by 24 tiny pairs of hands.
They are silly and sweet, and both of our kids love them. And although they
weren’t able to help decorate the tree this year, I made sure their favorites still
made the cut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Especially these little shepherds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne06Xh7KPoj7-f3YWsCWpJYSlux1im1LSPjezJd4panvxW1OCGAuzODr120n7fLwQX-UXcsfBVa1jpfhk__qq2s2gWkojGTEYr5jq-_xAbnhkF2iKiNHapbmgW3GsQ53-i4lN37WwQyk/s1600/IMG_3051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne06Xh7KPoj7-f3YWsCWpJYSlux1im1LSPjezJd4panvxW1OCGAuzODr120n7fLwQX-UXcsfBVa1jpfhk__qq2s2gWkojGTEYr5jq-_xAbnhkF2iKiNHapbmgW3GsQ53-i4lN37WwQyk/s320/IMG_3051.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty sure all shepherds smile like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as I sat, trying to focus on just one thing, I remembered
the delight in our daughter’s voice when she found the shepherds this year. And
the laughter as the kids talked about holidays past.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And those immortal words
of Dr. Seuss came to me, as they do every year:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It came without
ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store…Maybe
Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more…!” </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>How the Grinch Stole Christmas<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether your holiday is shiny and bright, or quiet and
still, may you be surrounded by the people who make your heart swell!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 305.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Happy Holidays from the
Coast of Illinois</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 305.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And ps – We have FLAKES!! The first layer of Wintery Mix is
beginning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdJ-V-BAgTTIlxhAr-J_VXvRZJC1CBnv3qaiPpPHhMZk-YJpRCQTvgzAFJuWIx8Kv3JqFxo7YMeuyjCa0UpulUfvO-nfXbJ0EMFzclgqvCGovI-q_CybOKBg4wBvkSgpJRwOSIVjT7ig/s1600/IMG_3055+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdJ-V-BAgTTIlxhAr-J_VXvRZJC1CBnv3qaiPpPHhMZk-YJpRCQTvgzAFJuWIx8Kv3JqFxo7YMeuyjCa0UpulUfvO-nfXbJ0EMFzclgqvCGovI-q_CybOKBg4wBvkSgpJRwOSIVjT7ig/s320/IMG_3055+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the lovely, sparkly ice crystals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-13072734158034424722019-10-09T09:15:00.001-05:002019-10-09T09:15:16.797-05:00Do You Know What it Means...
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdZdun0wmYFf9IvCGgMb0ZvhBrl_5SmefGHcIQV-NwLcYsXKOa2dK7YgukuWO7i1GEhhF6qOu9AKh8RxaKW29YgYTX8hC_5RXj3R0lyAiKhznWM_WOHtzOQqxxnl65CI4vG1zrKejQJI/s1600/1913925_1190670258453_2810465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdZdun0wmYFf9IvCGgMb0ZvhBrl_5SmefGHcIQV-NwLcYsXKOa2dK7YgukuWO7i1GEhhF6qOu9AKh8RxaKW29YgYTX8hC_5RXj3R0lyAiKhznWM_WOHtzOQqxxnl65CI4vG1zrKejQJI/s320/1913925_1190670258453_2810465_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in my head, it is always a little foggy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">It was ten years
ago this week that I set out on what, in my head, was the most daring adventure
I had thus far embarked upon…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">You see, it was
ten years ago that, despite all the red flags of meeting strangers over the
internet (social media was still in its MySpace phase and wasn’t even dubbed
social media at this point in time), I was offered the chance to go to New
Orleans and meet up with a handful of total strangers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Well, physically
total strangers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Yet I knew these
people intimately. Well, as intimately as fake names allowed. Most members used
nom de pleums. Mine being CyanSKye, my take on Blue Sky. The name came complete
with a pin-up girl on a swing and a theme song. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Blue Skies, of
course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This was the first
time my on-line writing group was to meet. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">In person. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">About a year prior
to this event I wrote on a website known as Writer’s Café. It was fun and
exciting and most importantly, it provided feedback to thousands of would be
writers. I sort of weaseled my way into one of the groups there – the Vicious
Circle. Where, based on the romanticized life of Dorothy Parker and her
contemporaries, the organizer of the group hoped to encourage each member to
support one another through honest but non-threatening critique. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Within the year
our group had grown and split from Writer’s Café to form its own website
changing the name to Vicious Writers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I would come home
from late night shifts at work and anxiously log on to to see what had been
said about my latest posting. And through those comments, friendships were
formed, encouraged by forum topics ranging from grammar tips (run by Smoking
Quills) to a story prompt round robin dubbed Sparks Diner (hostessed by MelStevens
and MissVish…)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I was a little
skeptical but truly wanted to meet these interesting, diverse people. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My husband was a
whole lot skeptical and a very good sport, as this meeting was to take place on
his FIFTIETH birthday…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">But he is ever the
indulgent thrill-seeker and with a little discussion over just how crazy these
people were liable to be, he decided to come with my sister and me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">He questioned this
choice almost immediately when, while still on the tarmac, my sister and I
raised suspicion with our nearly continuous laughter. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My sister and I
reassured the flight attendant that we weren’t really mentally unstable. I am
pretty sure he slipped the attendant a couple bucks and the plane took off
without further issue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">There is something
about New Orleans.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The heat,
humidity. The history. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The proximity to
the Mississippi. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Our organizer set
our ‘conference’ at the Dauphine New Orleans, in the heart of the French
Quarter. (Conference is such a strong word…while we did have a businessy meeting
of sorts, it was nearly immediately disrupted by Zombie finger puppets and exotic
gifts of Timmy Ho’s coffee direct from Canada.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">We had our rooms
there as well. Within a few minutes of check-in, we had exuberantly bumped into
three other members, also staying there. There was no awkwardness. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">There may have
been a little awkwardness. But those Zombie finger puppets are great
ice-breakers.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWwZD8-0FJvAyiszu88ga5tlFG5W_9YD4W-Af1c2V1qxIMGGlAeRKgr2zK43FFdGn8ksDxfqgIPWPKBsxOg2iUsoggeAYvB3NdmTyhftMLJHX9CT-Gze29TpUrJiYpR8G2DaM1LcZg1A/s1600/1913925_1190670698464_7850841_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="399" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWwZD8-0FJvAyiszu88ga5tlFG5W_9YD4W-Af1c2V1qxIMGGlAeRKgr2zK43FFdGn8ksDxfqgIPWPKBsxOg2iUsoggeAYvB3NdmTyhftMLJHX9CT-Gze29TpUrJiYpR8G2DaM1LcZg1A/s320/1913925_1190670698464_7850841_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">writers, on a balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">And we quickly
learned that our on-line personas were more extensions of our writing styles,
enough of our true selves had fueled those posts that it was easy to know the
person behind those words. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quillz was a
loving as her critiques, JJ as adorable as his hilarious, well thought out
jokes. MissVish had an edge, albeit soft, James was as scholarly as he was
mischievous. Nazarea was exotic and sweet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">And Damian, our
leader, well, he felt like a brother. Generous, irritating and always hogging
the bathroom. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(just a quess…)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Post ‘meeting’ we
walked through the Quarter to Café Amelie for dinner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">What do you get
when you take eight writers and their guests to dinner in a historic restaurant
in a romantic city?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">You get hours of
laughs, threats of NO pictures of people EATING , and a lengthy discussion over
why petit fours are called petit fours. (My favorite being that there are four,
so it’s easier to share…)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1WDylgkYCsuhhviihqFAliOLVhyphenhyphen2Ysr-LsuQ_gL9ZpRn_wIJZ7sAsU86Lux9KNydJ6G8bTgLhcvQUsAyVkm3e6kHWfycHkR4XFtfL9Kdm2M64xj08ff7JB1dYctWU-2Ye7Alt7ghPU4/s1600/1913925_1190669778441_178707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="399" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1WDylgkYCsuhhviihqFAliOLVhyphenhyphen2Ysr-LsuQ_gL9ZpRn_wIJZ7sAsU86Lux9KNydJ6G8bTgLhcvQUsAyVkm3e6kHWfycHkR4XFtfL9Kdm2M64xj08ff7JB1dYctWU-2Ye7Alt7ghPU4/s320/1913925_1190669778441_178707_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">discussing the finer points of semi vs full on colons...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">After dinner we
walked through the French Quarter and ended at Café DuMonde for coffee and
readings and hat exchange. In one of those Who’s on First routines, we managed
to blow through an entire order pad, trying to relay our café au lait and beignet
orders to the waiter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I feel he was
probably drunk. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Or at least
wishing he was…</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW9eK0RxtBMjx0iWj3CsXwQFzUPNkVHhkZR7U0TA88T_OFJK3opgG-lcJM4PLBjhBAAKc0G2gdWOyS4zoJUVcARDWwMz4HWlX3mLWbIFpbmxZ0R0osgbSjy0okSrQznc5KPKi5dORjAw/s1600/1913925_1190670058448_459652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW9eK0RxtBMjx0iWj3CsXwQFzUPNkVHhkZR7U0TA88T_OFJK3opgG-lcJM4PLBjhBAAKc0G2gdWOyS4zoJUVcARDWwMz4HWlX3mLWbIFpbmxZ0R0osgbSjy0okSrQznc5KPKi5dORjAw/s320/1913925_1190670058448_459652_n.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this poor guy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Coffees served the
table settled down and each member took a turn reading a portion of their own
writing. Not at all awkward…for the other diners…or my husband….</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">There was a
smattering of applause here and there. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr3kl0HFRrcjbP-u8R8sJLrHLZM5nEEcA4S4Ki-P7oISHHVdB-4nsQidwJBQiyFeGBRZTSQI6vXRYssAyi6LKngZTpJI5y2NLCQyOMT7iGd4LJvcufyQ83gG91X3XqPf0zUt8yeZI2Eg/s1600/1913925_1190671138475_7881904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr3kl0HFRrcjbP-u8R8sJLrHLZM5nEEcA4S4Ki-P7oISHHVdB-4nsQidwJBQiyFeGBRZTSQI6vXRYssAyi6LKngZTpJI5y2NLCQyOMT7iGd4LJvcufyQ83gG91X3XqPf0zUt8yeZI2Eg/s320/1913925_1190671138475_7881904_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starting with basics, this is a book...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">And some rather
loud ducks, if I recall….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The weekend moved
forward with multiple excursions, alone, or in various groups. We ended our
weekend together in the beautiful bar at the Dauphine for a group picture,
minus a couple of folks with other obligations. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTvLRSWOvPav_e04nfeJRjrrizXhSBXL8T3lOuCPIif-VQAfDiJjOccLbd1ASTel_Jx2fE2PDBih7UM9MNWn10m38aFQz76KzYdSWlT1ss5zC9ULUTBHEkF_z8mxIXnfUWnZN8Mj6kCs/s1600/1913925_1190670738465_4646282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTvLRSWOvPav_e04nfeJRjrrizXhSBXL8T3lOuCPIif-VQAfDiJjOccLbd1ASTel_Jx2fE2PDBih7UM9MNWn10m38aFQz76KzYdSWlT1ss5zC9ULUTBHEkF_z8mxIXnfUWnZN8Mj6kCs/s320/1913925_1190670738465_4646282_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a few, the rest are there in spirit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">We had been to New
Orleans once before, as newlyweds. At that time in my life, everything was
exciting and momentous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This trip, several
years post children, job changes, and Katrina, we found a slightly different New
Orleans. It felt a little more difficult to find blues and jazz playing in the
Quarter, replaced by karaoke and techno dance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">We never found our
first gumbo shack, but we did find Deanie’s, and the most adorable breakfast
spot – Annette’s , run by a sweet lady from Morocco who told us her story of escape
at the end of WW2. She claimed to be Alex Baldwin’s favorite restaurant,
complete with a photo of the two. But she really won my heart by leaving the
entire coffee carafe at our table. The restaurant sized carafe…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">And through a
twist of fate we were on the shore of the Mississippi as the battleship USS New
York made her way from the shipyard to NYC to be commissioned. She was built
from steel, salvaged from the Trade Towers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Yet, while the
city felt a little different, deep down, New Orleans was the same. The city
will always hold a little mystery, a little magic…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">That little
breakfast spot is no longer open.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Vicious Writers is
no longer a group.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Creative
differences, relationship changes…all the things that can befall a diverse
group of creative styles. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">No matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I will always feel
connected to this group of talented people. They live all over the world, have
drifted into and out of my life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">They encouraged me
and gave me the confidence to call myself a Writer. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Happy Anniversary
to Each and Every Vicious Writer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Keep writing, my
friends. </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh5wXRGqaZ1NyCHSYidMhyphenhyphen17PJV1VQUdD1ZhsgwkKwGsygnXkytT1kkKxOTeth1Pvlc7CvyIa8z5EiMYDyqdWZJxzszEh8QJeNucNRZfVDRLc9ThePk-EC7yySh8PRCVeCIyQ3kkggxs/s1600/swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh5wXRGqaZ1NyCHSYidMhyphenhyphen17PJV1VQUdD1ZhsgwkKwGsygnXkytT1kkKxOTeth1Pvlc7CvyIa8z5EiMYDyqdWZJxzszEh8QJeNucNRZfVDRLc9ThePk-EC7yySh8PRCVeCIyQ3kkggxs/s320/swing.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Skies. Nothing but...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(I'm back! New Laptop! New ideas! See you again soon!)</i></div>
LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-34560419225228234852019-04-21T09:15:00.000-05:002019-04-21T09:15:18.689-05:00Read 'em and Weep<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am writing this on a beautiful Easter
Sunday.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I am trying to keep my compassion
to the forefront.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been awhile since I have written
about nursing.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it's my chosen career, I have
always hesitated to flaunt the fact. I was not 'called' to this job,
but I have found that, over the years, my love of my fellow nurses
has become quite fierce.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And once again, our people need
defending.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's get the facts first:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington State has a bill in their
senate which would mandate uninterrupted meal and rest periods for
nurses.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Senator Maureen Walsh, Republican, gave
an argument against this bill stating that in smaller hospitals, the
nurses probably play cards for a significant part of their day.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a way, she wasn't wrong.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the first day of clinicals, I
'played cards' – those would be the 4x5 file cards on which Care
Plans are written. For nursing students, these were a way to learn
about each diagnosis, its treatment and then a devised plan of care
for each individual patient. We were required to do three of these
plans per patient for each clinical day. At first it was only one
patient and plan but as our learning advanced it was multiple
patients and multiple plans. All needing to be done in the evening
before the early morning clinicals, after a day of lectures and
study.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also played 'cards' with those
wonderful MedCards. These were smaller 3x5 cards on which were
written EVERY medication the above patient was on, the drug's
classification, action, side effects and doses.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, those plans and medcards are
digital.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But so are poker cards so guess I can
see how someone might be confused.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Senator Walsh's comment has generated a
flurry of memes on social media, all in regards to the Cards nurses
play.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We play with CARDizem, NiCARDipine –
just two of the CARDiac drugs used to save lives.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My current fav is the black and white
of Florence Nightingale dealing black jack circa 1800's...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are pretty hilarious.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And naturally, someone began
complaining asking why, if we were offended, are memes the best way
to show it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's one of those 'If I don't laugh,
I'll cry' situations.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier this week I read a story about
a nurse in Louisiana who was attacked by a patient during her job and
a week later died, most likely of injuries incurred in that attack.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does this sound like a person who wants
to be known as working in a profession that 'plays cards' for most of
the day?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, the legal system has
determined this a homicide.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say 'thankfully' as for most of my
career we were to look the other way when a patient became physical.
The reasoning being, these people are not themselves. And, we are
there to help.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, our world has gotten less
reasonable.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And nursing has gotten more and more
difficult.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have gone from 8 hour shifts,
covering a 'team' of 8-10 patients with the help of one or two aides,
to 10 or 12 hour shifts in a 'primary care' environment of 4 to 6 to
8 patients with only one or two aides on the entire unit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These patients are sicker, the
medications and instrumentation more complicated and the environment
more volatile.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the nursing population is getting
older.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need more people to enter this
career.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And how is this going to happen when
people like Senator Walsh seems to believe all nurses do is sit
around a play cards?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, now that I think about it, maybe
we should adopt her philosophy....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come one and all, join the ranks of
NURSES!
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn how to start IV's and give
medications safely!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn how to identify critical cardiac
rhythms and treat them before your patient dies!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn how to simultaneously care for
the guy who just killed a family of four in a drunken car accident,
comfort a young woman who has terminal cancer, recover a fresh
kidney transplant patient! All while basking in the luxurious
spa-like atmosphere of the clean utility room where you quickly grab
a granola bar half-way through your 12 hour shift because eating and
drinking in patient care areas is not allowed and 'resources' are
stretched so that lunch break may not happen.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find the strength inside yourself to
repeat these things daily and still see hope in this world! Because
that is the only way its possible to return day after day to a
profession that has lost the respect it so well deserves.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now deal my hand.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm ready to place a bet...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrt8aVJCspeXuMSA4P6twGQ4EBOPX-QaE2IhGJxz5JfBE5E43BBU9tBQYg0UFbA8WtQz4FHCIo09U8huoaRQLO3KOapwKW41cUf2GxnT72p-GO-0w_fztBZqML0OwW5BuGd7YX1QH2sY/s1600/IMG_1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrt8aVJCspeXuMSA4P6twGQ4EBOPX-QaE2IhGJxz5JfBE5E43BBU9tBQYg0UFbA8WtQz4FHCIo09U8huoaRQLO3KOapwKW41cUf2GxnT72p-GO-0w_fztBZqML0OwW5BuGd7YX1QH2sY/s320/IMG_1911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cap. Note the bobby pin rust stain in the center...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(For more of my nursing posts, check out the tab 'It's a Living' at the top of the page.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-64908453393150999852019-03-11T11:57:00.000-05:002019-03-11T11:57:02.685-05:00Empty Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, hello again!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a while, I admit.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only two months worth of Facebook
reminders that 'your friends haven't heard from The Coast of
Illinois'...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I had such big plans for writing
this year...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, I didn't.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, I have ideas, but the motivation
for putting them out into the universe has been lacking. Blame it on
too many grey winter days, that pesky thing called 'work' or just
plain apathy.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't really say.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is such a strange feeling to stare
at an empty page and have so many things swimming around in my head
but no real way to get those ideas to travel the distance from grey
matter along the great nerve highway to finally land via ink pen or
computer at their destination, on the right....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What finally got me here?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This beautiful book.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH6qHsl_CoDnzgLjKgS5No2BYr7jyEo6zsrAUGf3qaWWkqMs6qu2bRSiJvNgq5pKyWi6Ro5_V895A5ObYbh_AxhNuVb0Howf9r90FkvnqbYcQVgMeiIzbDsN_Ug39e8XMsCXJDNr8DbU/s1600/IMG_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH6qHsl_CoDnzgLjKgS5No2BYr7jyEo6zsrAUGf3qaWWkqMs6qu2bRSiJvNgq5pKyWi6Ro5_V895A5ObYbh_AxhNuVb0Howf9r90FkvnqbYcQVgMeiIzbDsN_Ug39e8XMsCXJDNr8DbU/s320/IMG_1792.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a exquisite example of Yunjin
brocade. This type of brocade is over 700 years old and serves as a
royal tribute and is of great historical and cultural importance in
China. This type of weaving is still done by hand, not with automated
machinery. The information card included with the book says it best:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Yunjin
Brocade is woven with unique ring jacquard card which adopts the silk
thread and the cotton thread to record all the information of the
pattern designs in the method of keeping records by tying knots in
primitive times, and all these informations is passed to the hands of
the thread puller on the wooden loom....it is passed down merely by
the handicraftsman orally and by the heart memory..."</span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a
wonderful description – passing down information, through fabric
and words and memories.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDttiDsidzK-7zloKZeiEA475ACzKV6K4eNn13_9smMOVEIJKrBkDETIKYjZTPLE8D20W7kesHvPJsaOnxbuzYJy4JZqwmQakaSA7IvoMiINWHrREEjM3tRbpt-DF1AXSeglkfD5FUSxE/s1600/IMG_1794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="640" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDttiDsidzK-7zloKZeiEA475ACzKV6K4eNn13_9smMOVEIJKrBkDETIKYjZTPLE8D20W7kesHvPJsaOnxbuzYJy4JZqwmQakaSA7IvoMiINWHrREEjM3tRbpt-DF1AXSeglkfD5FUSxE/s320/IMG_1794.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the inside cover. little pockets! a bookmark! a dragon! the yellow information booklet is at the top of the photo. it is written in Chinese characters with just a few paragraphs in English on the back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was given this journal as a thank you from two Chinese nurses who
came to visit our medical facility. One of our anesthesiologist
dropped the two in my hands one day, asking that I show them around
so they could see how our recovery room worked. I love teaching and
showing people our facility and these ladies were eager to see how
our Western medicine compared to their Eastern version. Except that
they spoke little English and I speak NO version of any of the
multiple Chinese languages.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
We did a lot of broken sentences and hand gestures. There was a lot
of 'watch this', followed by discussion between the two and then the
woman who spoke most English would ask for clarification.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I handed them off to one of my co-workers, who is from China, hoping
at least one of the three would have a dialect in common. She faired
slightly better than I did. But in the end, we managed to show them
our routine, got them a tour of the ICU when we transferred a patient
there, and while they learned about our work, I learned a little
about theirs.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
The next day they moved on to another area of the hospital but at the
end of the week the ladies stopped by to thank us and gave us each
one of these beautiul books.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
They had no idea what the gift of a journal means to a writer.
Especially such a lovely journal.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
As something of a 'paper' addict, I was dying to use the journal, but
didn't want to just put anything into it. I have multiple notebooks
lying around the house, in purses and suitcases with random notes and
ideas in each and every one.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I didn't want this particular book to become another purgatory of
ideas.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
So, it lay taunting me on my desk for nearly a year.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
As the New Year and a random, luxurious weekend trip loomed closer,
it occurred to me that this would be the perfect time to use this
special book.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
The bravery of these women, coming to a country so different from
their own, to learn from total strangers who they could barely talk
to, was not lost on me. Nor was the story of the beautiful brocade on
the journal.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
It seemed that this book needed to be honored in a tradition of
bravery and adventure.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
After all, travel is the best way to learn that we are each, hardly
different from one another in ways that matter most.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
2019 is rather notable for my husband and I. We are planning a return
to the British Virgin Islands in May. This trip has been in the works
since we left the BVI five years ago after taking sailing lessons
there. Lord knows, there will be many stories.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
And God willing, there will be many more stories of travels long
planned and surprise trips met with a 'why not' attitude.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
The first story in this Journal is our visit to The Moorings, a
luxurious property in Islamorada, Florida.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
It is a nice mix of planning as well as 'why not'.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I'll be sharing it with you in the coming month.
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl5K4xTVaGRBT-4m45ok20ofLmcBoqhyphenhyphens86llZ1gptu6m8kOsfy_QRsy5DRIMriWp7ZNAidV5nyQ3MxrXX9bSzwwkt_MQnLt3cQW7x20ABASshWiBaz1CRwkUkRs11yunZ_kTUHzkSWg/s1600/IMG_1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl5K4xTVaGRBT-4m45ok20ofLmcBoqhyphenhyphens86llZ1gptu6m8kOsfy_QRsy5DRIMriWp7ZNAidV5nyQ3MxrXX9bSzwwkt_MQnLt3cQW7x20ABASshWiBaz1CRwkUkRs11yunZ_kTUHzkSWg/s320/IMG_1795.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Promise.</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-58507693769064583562018-12-31T10:28:00.000-06:002018-12-31T10:28:32.470-06:00New Year, Not a Challenge, Universe...<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Year's Eve.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a year it has been.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a look back at last year's New
Year's post...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seemed that I had 'No Plan' but then
decided that the word for 2018 would be 'Impromptu'...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Universe saw this post and
replied...'Challenge accepted....'</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2018 went from No Plan to...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf7XqT65LdVNjN-nPy2bg42ftFeptBKXe7eKpJfdTIyVDqXM5-__gFqwvBK8Avxsw8GNQHGezsRTpprtuJJfuhWKnKn3d-K6Mz4CWWTT4RnLElw0U0V7ZjHGYfdAoCyT_9gVh8_fmZBI/s1600/IMG_0056.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf7XqT65LdVNjN-nPy2bg42ftFeptBKXe7eKpJfdTIyVDqXM5-__gFqwvBK8Avxsw8GNQHGezsRTpprtuJJfuhWKnKn3d-K6Mz4CWWTT4RnLElw0U0V7ZjHGYfdAoCyT_9gVh8_fmZBI/s320/IMG_0056.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue has always been my color.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A paint job for the Fixer-Upper boat
bottom, and indirect blue highlights...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjMGHXtn6IBSfKKkalRZmhpm3Pi3ibEXm4RJjjYHqWE1Rd9cRSHc6m6U3V7CkDWER28Fh-ujMshX5tWt-57ugk0zs24IisebNf8pn_oUvnH16TUhS9IHIKmmTBbYtliibLymCw-RVNVI/s1600/IMG_0120.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjMGHXtn6IBSfKKkalRZmhpm3Pi3ibEXm4RJjjYHqWE1Rd9cRSHc6m6U3V7CkDWER28Fh-ujMshX5tWt-57ugk0zs24IisebNf8pn_oUvnH16TUhS9IHIKmmTBbYtliibLymCw-RVNVI/s320/IMG_0120.JPEG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bringing the Coast of Illinois to the Gold Coast...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A semi-impromptu trip to Chicago with
our travel buddies where we went to Wrigley Field for the first time
and hijacked a taxi...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflugP3sfYTOMR_zCbAfp2wqYzvMBigtuW9UoYv2IxAiovWIXyDt5PTLELzuz7qRiWTXNsvifcMAjp5Aor7gU-JV318vbOmF8202TfxR1EH8I0FQ5u3lDMiU9N-0axNWsMbjGqtXOWuSI/s1600/IMG_1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflugP3sfYTOMR_zCbAfp2wqYzvMBigtuW9UoYv2IxAiovWIXyDt5PTLELzuz7qRiWTXNsvifcMAjp5Aor7gU-JV318vbOmF8202TfxR1EH8I0FQ5u3lDMiU9N-0axNWsMbjGqtXOWuSI/s320/IMG_1531.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our son, doing his best Gorton's Fisherman impression.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A fantastic, albeit freezing, sailing
weekend for Rob's birthday...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeN5BXe7Sm-t3FGZLzOsNe1vtLcLUKsg0VRjXTm46WguQSK6jj7XIXtTfhR8vDQ82ZVPIrwvrrE2I1ZD1p6Bg4zFXSHT-SE9yk55-oujs_fsy2MXDLzwnAZVDw24wZdDtHrKJII6fcoM/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeN5BXe7Sm-t3FGZLzOsNe1vtLcLUKsg0VRjXTm46WguQSK6jj7XIXtTfhR8vDQ82ZVPIrwvrrE2I1ZD1p6Bg4zFXSHT-SE9yk55-oujs_fsy2MXDLzwnAZVDw24wZdDtHrKJII6fcoM/s320/IMG_0821.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It rained. A lot. oh, and the storm drain failed....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFmY14JMxwl-pV0HEc2-kF3F1XxSwWMle-7Ev2RkHEnpo9Aw3Jlql4upiF7zZ6BqyMMeWfmsxinEQ9AxmAnkttZUwGWrpdahTCQ3-m_Z6WVeRH_6viAFyEPgOerWILXNbEC58xQQqf5I/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFmY14JMxwl-pV0HEc2-kF3F1XxSwWMle-7Ev2RkHEnpo9Aw3Jlql4upiF7zZ6BqyMMeWfmsxinEQ9AxmAnkttZUwGWrpdahTCQ3-m_Z6WVeRH_6viAFyEPgOerWILXNbEC58xQQqf5I/s320/IMG_0831.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, mud. 16 inches of flood water, about 37 inches of mud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB-GaDHLB16V9UzIgZ5yEQ-HO5WORyn87TS-8C29D-Aos68NbJjoHWbQTG62Q_PyCHxlpwM6LzvPyF4p0B7qKW03XgJhlSzZpG-gCeul12R7P651776MtuVc1PfCCX2ItK2hDdV4CeYE/s1600/IMG_0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB-GaDHLB16V9UzIgZ5yEQ-HO5WORyn87TS-8C29D-Aos68NbJjoHWbQTG62Q_PyCHxlpwM6LzvPyF4p0B7qKW03XgJhlSzZpG-gCeul12R7P651776MtuVc1PfCCX2ItK2hDdV4CeYE/s320/IMG_0834.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ugh. this took two full weekends to clean up.<br />And we don't live in a flood plain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A massive flood in our basement where
we learned that our friends are indeed great mud shovel-ers. And
truly good friends...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And possibly the best...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xK496Zexw0lfAx1misDccCgHH53RIOJW9WtdmIdJW4CzmE6h6cLUM7Q24bkG9so7DsHdWPlydwlhQWr840QoVXtfsbNsLSIFdUhlC_x7yhISxk_WmUDcT4pUCwMzKL4xECU-78ahHgI/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="862" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xK496Zexw0lfAx1misDccCgHH53RIOJW9WtdmIdJW4CzmE6h6cLUM7Q24bkG9so7DsHdWPlydwlhQWr840QoVXtfsbNsLSIFdUhlC_x7yhISxk_WmUDcT4pUCwMzKL4xECU-78ahHgI/s320/IMG_1272.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may be partial, but could they be any cuter?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An engagement and wedding in eight
months. (according to our daughter, why would I want to plan this
over a year or more, that is just more time to freak out...)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu0yiH-qOpmf-pjQn4Cj4AfNSS0HgKzHY0KyQGbhl4YCBGtNPzRZ1FIJntC4TvGDP9ZAAHqF7WlXpQsb6AEJEB-aaqkK0ieZmnRFPCLiTDZlbJ6k2SbeHEGOmDMLKQ9YAfTWQ4GqCjg0/s1600/IMG_1194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu0yiH-qOpmf-pjQn4Cj4AfNSS0HgKzHY0KyQGbhl4YCBGtNPzRZ1FIJntC4TvGDP9ZAAHqF7WlXpQsb6AEJEB-aaqkK0ieZmnRFPCLiTDZlbJ6k2SbeHEGOmDMLKQ9YAfTWQ4GqCjg0/s320/IMG_1194.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a sample of the centerpieces we put together </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It should be noted that the only
'freaking out' was by me, over a late flower delivery and in the end
the kids had a beautiful wedding and I now have approximately 7000
yards of ivory tulle, in case anyone is interested.....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even managed to meet my goal of
'more hiking', by taking a hike the day after Christmas.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One hike.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is one more than 2017.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(There will be more on that soon....)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But 2018 is nearly over and 2019 looms
large...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are trips being planned, home
upgrades in the works, books to be read and posts to be written.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have spent a fair amount of time
contemplating my plan for 2019 and it looks as though the word of the
year will be
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adventure!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(spoken in an Errol Flynn
sort of voice)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the theme will be
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roasted Chicken!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(because healthy
eating....)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take that Universe.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please don't bombard me with wild
chickens...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>From the Coast of Illinois to everyone</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Have a safe and happy and wonderful New Year!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-78274906369910799382018-12-08T09:55:00.000-06:002018-12-08T09:55:32.527-06:00Baby, it's Something All Up in Here....<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have debated all morning, in my head,
about writing this.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will offend some people.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, if we can't speak freely we have
lost one of the most important rights on that badly bashed document
in Washington DC.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am here to defend the song Baby It's
Cold Outside.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said it.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it is a song about a guy trying to
convince a gal to stay at his place.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean, who's to say that the woman
isn't there voluntarily?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(for the sake of clarity, the woman's
part is in pink and the man's in blue... and just leave that alone,
it's too easy.)
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">I
really can't stay</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">(Baby it's cold outside)</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">I
gotta go away</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">(Baby it's cold outside)</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">This
evening has been</span><span style="color: #76a5af;"> (Been hoping that you'd dropped in)</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
very nice </span></span></span>
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No mention of being kidnapped and
locked in a trunk and driven to an undisclosed location...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has people who know where she is,
and to whom she must answer to....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If she stays her reputation will be
ruined....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
mother will start to worry </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
father will be pacing the floor </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
really I'd better scurry </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and
later:
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
sister will be suspicious </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
brother will be there at the door </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
maiden aunt's mind is vicious </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Well
maybe just a cigarette more </span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, Mom is worried. But Dad is
pacing, a sure sign of aggression and her brother is waiting
for....her....? Why?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And don't get me started on auntie...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is she is being controlled, not
only by the guy she is seeing but by her entire famly...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And NOW she smokes!!!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, maybe they just want her to be
safe...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then he starts up with the booze...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Well
maybe just a half a drink more </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">(I'll put some records on while I
pour)</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #76a5af;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now wait a minute, 'he' doesn't
actually offer her a drink in the song. She's the one who brought up
a drink....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let's face it, most of us wouldn't
be where we are today without alcohol.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heck, my husband and I would never have
met if it weren't for cheap beer...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, it does take a 'dark' turn here:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Say
what's in this drink? </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, he's putting on records...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember records?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who has time to slip in a drug while
setting up a turntable?</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">I
wish I knew how</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">(Your eyes are like starlight now)</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">To
break this spell </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #e06666;">(Why
thank you)</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
ought to say no, no, no sir </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At
least I'm gonna say that I tried </span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'At
least I'm gonna say that I tried'???
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying
to justify her actions...she clearly knows what she's doing here. And
she hair done before coming over...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
think about the general setting of the song. The poor guy is telling
her its COLD outside. He mentions the weather EIGHT times:</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(Baby
it's cold outside)</span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(Look
out the window at that storm)(Never such a blizzard before) </span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(It's
up to your knees out there!)</span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
he's worried about her safety...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(No
cabs to be had out there)</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he
can't send this drunk chick out to drive her drunken self home in a
snow storm....</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(If
you caught pneumonia and died!)</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and
he doesn't want her to get sick...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come
on! What sort of girl goes over to a guys house in the middle of a
raging snow storm without the hope of staying over....</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
poor guy has a gal, of questionable sobriety, stuck in his house in
the middle of a blizzard!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And maybe the guy really loves her...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And perhaps, she is just playing with
him, is enjoying the attention, and from the very start had planned
on staying.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe they are...FLIRTING.... </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember flirting?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, before I get accused of defending
predators, ignoring injustices and putting women's rights behind by a
century, I will admit, I edited the lyrics to support my
interpretation of this scenario.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's the key.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is MY interpretation.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every one is allowed to their opinion.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter, at the age of 13 or 14
commented on this very scenario when I played the James Taylor
version in the car one year.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried to argue my point with her, but
how can a mom tell her teenage daughter that this flirty exchange, to
have a guy sweet talk her into staying when clearly people would
talk, was her mother's secret dream date...?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't do it.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She grew up in a different era. And I
am so very pleased that she was such a self-aware woman even at that
young age.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want her to live in a world where
people treat each other with respect and don't force their beliefs on
one another, but instead, have intelligent, thoughful discussions.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I also want her to grow up in a
world without censure.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to ban a song written SEVENTY FOUR
years ago because it doesn't fit into some people's idea of
'appropriate'?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought we had already fought that
battle with Huck Finn and Catcher in the Rye.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Must we now fight it with a fluffy song
written for a movie called Neptune's Daughter starring Esther
Williams, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Xavier Cugat!!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A movie with swimming as a main plot
point!
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you actually watch the movie you
will see the song sung by Esther and Ricardo in the girl/guy context
but later, you will see it in a whole different light when Red sings
the female portion and Betty Garrett sings the male.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could it be, that the song is just
poking fun and male female relationships?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So please, enjoy the song if you want.
If you don't like it, turn it off or change the station.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But don't be so hateful with your
opinion that you forget the fundamentals of free speech.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because while it might be cold outside,
we should never be so cold to one another.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5XMfLFv6TiU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5XMfLFv6TiU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please enjoy the trailer to Neptune's Daughter.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And come back again when I tackle the scene in the movie where the swimmers are tapping their feet on cross-dressing Red Skelton's junk....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-85782029547839384252018-09-21T08:04:00.000-05:002018-09-21T08:05:24.045-05:00Pardon moi!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salut!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Je suis Laura.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Je suis 57 et j'apprende le francais.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I admit it. I cheated on the last half
of that sentence and had to check everything with Google translate.
But the feelings are solid.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am 57 and I am learning French.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first question I tend to get, when
I admit this out loud is:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most sensible answer is that my
husband and I plan to do some pretty extensive travel in the upcoming
years. We have traveled a small amount and when we have been in
countries where English is not the first language we tried our best
to learn at least some polite phrases: Hello, Good-by, Thank-you,
Those aren't my children...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We didn't want to be those 'ugly
Americans' who give the rest of us a bad name.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A more personal reason is the fact
that, while I am a good one half German descent, I am a solid –
one quarter, last name Jolie, drinks coffee from the saucer and loves
bread, straight from Paris to the coal mines of the Midwest, French.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to my husband, my mocking
dismay of things with the typical French movie concierge 'pftttttttt'
is genetically rooted.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second question is sort of a
quizzical, humoring, aren't you a little old for this, HOW?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My answer to this is a little more
convoluted.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The easy answer is: Duolingo. Which I
will get to in a bit.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The how of how I reached that easy
answer is the one which will take a moment.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I always wanted to learn another
language. I am a voracious reader and even as a youngster, found it
very annoying to be reading a wonderful book only to have the fantasy
broken by the main character speaking a phrase, or worse, a sentence
in a foreign language – usually French, as the language seems to
lend itself to quoting.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>N'es pas? </i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone I knew who had been to high
school learned either German or French. And while German should have
been my biggest interest, growing up with all those Germanic
genetics, my exposure to the language was limited to the names of
Grandpa's sisters and the Lord's Prayer at the family reunion.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My grandparents rarely spoke the
language unless it was related to food – schnitzbrod, springerele
-and did not teach it to their children. I am sure this was a result
of the desire to acclimate to a new way of life and distance those
children from what had been less than desirable politics in the
homeland.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then there is the fact that French
is just so romantic.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is pretty to listen to.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">German is not so melodic on the ear. It
is more of the Heavy Metal Band of languages.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Especially compared to the beautiful
lilting, quality of French.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(This is most likely due to the fact
that the French never seem to pronounce the hard consonant sound
which might end a word, favoring the flowing vowel sound running into
the next word. Complementing the musical quality and adding an extra
layer of frustration to 57 year old ears trying to discern 'fille'
from 'filles'.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was extremely disappointed to get to
high school and find that the only language our school offered was
Spanish.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, it was Spanish taught by a tiny
little old lady who went by Senorita Skelly and was so old that we
were all quite certain that the fiancé she lost had most certainly
been a Spaniard and 'the war' in which he had died had been the
Spanish revolution. Possibly the Spanish Inquisition...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't dismiss this education however.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seniorita taught me enough in two years
to give me the confidence to surprise an unsuspecting shopkeeper in
Cabo and get me into trouble with a Spanish speaking patient.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have taken to tempering my
'professional' Spanish with the opening phrase 'Yo hablo espanol un
pequeño. Muy pequeño!'`</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(It should be noted that at this point
in proofing this post, my husband asked if I really meant to use
incorrect Spanish in the above paragraph. To which I
responded....pfffffffttttt.....)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Midwestern hospital based nursing
school required no foreign language so the years between high school
and today lacked the obvious answer to language education.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As our children grew up, my husband
suggested I take a class at the junior college but I ineveitably
would make the decision mid-cycle and always miss French 101.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I gave an attempt at free on-line
classes through Open Culture, a great service offering an extensive
variety of independent learning options. I enjoyed the classes until
we hit the alphabet lesson. <i>A</i> was <i>E</i>. <i>I </i>was<i>
E</i>. In fact, nearly everything sounded like a variation of <i>E</i>
to me.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't help that I only practiced
about once a week.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, this was before I had a smart
phone and learned about Duolingo.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IgYDWYOvF_3ZVTuuJ3hz0KIG6a3hngf83TfX0Vn_ojmXCGUA4Jhfwr_BavnIyNzIQAuNnp2aP6Sa3KkzAH_pMdNH9uhylmG-U9aME3CD99HBJaxFLzTtvCIWkV2lFtaXMgIOS_nfGys/s1600/IMG_0949.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IgYDWYOvF_3ZVTuuJ3hz0KIG6a3hngf83TfX0Vn_ojmXCGUA4Jhfwr_BavnIyNzIQAuNnp2aP6Sa3KkzAH_pMdNH9uhylmG-U9aME3CD99HBJaxFLzTtvCIWkV2lFtaXMgIOS_nfGys/s320/IMG_0949.PNG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the varying times on each pic - you can practice anytime!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(It should be noted here that I have NO affiliation</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> nor am I getting paid by Duolingo. I am just a huge fan.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Duolingo is an on-line language service
offering 81 language courses in 37 languages including Klingon!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It offers a free or a paid version.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naturally, the free version requires a
small amount of advertising. But the interruption of ads is minimal,
save for a brief readable ad between lessons and less than 30 second
video ads to earn 'gems' when you choose.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I opted to try the free version,
hesitant to actually spend any money on what promised to be another
failed attempt to broaden my horizen. Five months in, I am still
using the free version.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My first lesson – Basics 1 – taught
the very simple 'I am a woman/ Je suis une femme. You are a man/Tu es
un homme.' About five phrases in, the Duolingo Owl – a darling,
ever supportive green cartoon popped in to say "great job!"
The positive reinforcement worked and I managed to get through that
first lesson losing only three of my 'health' points but winning 59
gems!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1GovF9OJsm2IgIhW-4s8U2XtTH1dc6bLsSUmJEIbtnn6hjk44M7VXxVxEnn7dOjXAbMf2T0NMo5fUZiUsjCBK18YpUb-a86rKRAhCtBLyWSCX7VSsiDEgfIwzFHVo4p7feBTYT_HIlc/s1600/IMG_0950.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1GovF9OJsm2IgIhW-4s8U2XtTH1dc6bLsSUmJEIbtnn6hjk44M7VXxVxEnn7dOjXAbMf2T0NMo5fUZiUsjCBK18YpUb-a86rKRAhCtBLyWSCX7VSsiDEgfIwzFHVo4p7feBTYT_HIlc/s320/IMG_0950.PNG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is my current lesson selection. and my awesome gem count!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did I mention these lessons are set up
on the game format?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have six health points in which to
learn your day's lesson with the option of earning health with
practice or buying health with 'gems'.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each point earned with practice is
rewarded by a 'great job!' by the Owl and a trumpet fanfare.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those 'gems' you earn can also be used
to place a bet with yourself that you will complete 7 days' lessons
is a row – thus earning more gems which can in turn be used to bet
again. They can also be used to purchase bonus lessons in flirting
and idioms.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Let me warn you now. Don't buy that
flirting lesson on your second day, even if you have enough gems.
While the phrases are classic – 'do you want to have a drink?' 'do
you come here often?' - they are extremely complicated for day two
and it will drop your gem accumulation to a dangerous level when
comparing with your gem hoarding husband.)
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lessons take about 10 minutes and are a
combination of translating from written French to English/English to
French, spoken French to English/English to French, word matching and
repeating phrases aloud. Initially the lessons were so repetitive
that I began to think the app was broken. But as the phrases began to
stick in my head I understood that they were actually teaching me the
language as a small child would learn. Hearing and repeating very
simple things first before branching out to full sentences and using
inference to figure out words not yet learned.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The app makes it possible to practice
anywhere. Which I have done – in the car, on the train, on the deck
and one weekend, on our boat! If you don't want everyone on the
morning commute to critique your pronunciation you can mute the speak
back option for an hour at a time. Or if you forget your headphones
you can make the entire lunch room <i>Répète après moi s'il te
plaít. </i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doulingo does not
teach the typical phrases first – my name is; where is the bathroom; what
time is it...</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I pointed out
before, they teach as a child would learn. I learned some basics
first, then some greeting phrases, followed by plurals of those
basics before ever learning colors, foods, or types of clothing. I
have yet to learn the actual alphabet or where the bathroom is. I can, however order vin. And fromage avec du pain. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't count to ten. But when there is vin, who really wants to count?</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDatJg-3lij4-2enMpnekCdVKlMqWXxYkdtucBxqaEjbqKDitnmo-paTy0DBBLxQhdLcUfQJNkdRDhyRpAQ35_sk96ZHS8ExqItd95Fs-JAczyx8gOX86r_DUJWbh1-JSKdZsdmonadC4/s1600/IMG_0816.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDatJg-3lij4-2enMpnekCdVKlMqWXxYkdtucBxqaEjbqKDitnmo-paTy0DBBLxQhdLcUfQJNkdRDhyRpAQ35_sk96ZHS8ExqItd95Fs-JAczyx8gOX86r_DUJWbh1-JSKdZsdmonadC4/s320/IMG_0816.PNG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thank you little green owl, or should I say, Merci petite chouette verte.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have found that I will randomly translate a thought from English to French in
my head. Which completely cracks me up and causes me to confuse
everyone on Facebook with my cryptic French posts about the weather
and petits chiens et chats.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is not to say
that there aren't some problems. The biggest for me is a lack of
understanding of the grammatical rules. Duolingo offers no
explanation of why chiens and chiennes is different. (the answer is
male vs female – for us slow learners)</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And as best as I
can figure it, if there are multiple things then you slap an 's' on
the end of EVERY SINGLE WORD in the sentence – He has red shirts
becomes Il a des chemises rouges. Where not only is shirt -chemise-
plural -chemises- but so is the act of being red – rouge/rouges.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Its no wonder
babies cry for absolutely no reason when they have yet to master
speech.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is only through
repetition and some truly painful brain usage that these patterns
begin to sink in.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My other big
problem is more of a personal one.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They say it is so
much easier for young children to learn a language. I believe this is
because youngsters have much better hearing. There are days when the
subtlety is completely lost in my half century old ear canals and
goes back to the one lesson I learned from Open Culture.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most French is
pronounced with an ending of the final vowel sound sliding into the
next word rather than differentiating with an ending consonant sound.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thus explaining why
a single woman eating a pizza - La femme mange une pizza.- Sounds
exactly like, although clearly spelled differently from, many women
eating a pizza – Les femmes mangent une pizza.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best I can
tell, you take a lot of information from context and just how many
chairs are filled at the table.
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk672DfVGloO4_7wb2y2eZuAL03mSz0XdDs4yRVChsQ3uThnyoGPL4aJzf38wtOh60_ybqt4ENfu1LRYnDauii2QHYJ5kwhFB9ngxcXGEWWGUmzn0VVggq815pVTN_0s3x077yOOKnhM/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk672DfVGloO4_7wb2y2eZuAL03mSz0XdDs4yRVChsQ3uThnyoGPL4aJzf38wtOh60_ybqt4ENfu1LRYnDauii2QHYJ5kwhFB9ngxcXGEWWGUmzn0VVggq815pVTN_0s3x077yOOKnhM/s320/IMG_0947.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le journal et le vin. Also, post-it tabs. Tres jolie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It helps
tremendously to get a notebook and keep lesson notes.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It also helps that
I have an addiction to notebooks, finding a brand new one just for my
French lessons, complete with multicolored sticky tabs and a new ink
pen.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have not missed a
day since I started lessons, although the app feels that I blew my
streak the day I did a lesson before we went to the lake. Being
afraid the internet would be less than helpful I practiced early.
However, the app didn't count the lesson, I think now its possible I
didn't actually pass it, but anyway... I blew my streak. Which the
app keeps handy count of, giving you an encouraging, daily total.
Then when you blow your streak, that green owl offers you a handy
way to 'buy it back' for REAL dollars.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sorry Owl. I may
spend my fake gems to bet on myself or learn pick up lines for when I
find myself single in a Parisian bar but I will not give you real
dollars to keep tabs on how consistently I do lessons.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet it is a little
painful to have my husband point out that HE has not only more gems
than me (he is a tightwad when it comes to fake gems) but also a
longer streak. Never mind that he started two months after me or that
he is learning Spanish, a language which he has taken actual college
classes as well as a brief Spanish for Law enforcement course.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I retained enough
from Senorita Skelly to know when he is faking it.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then I just
look over my champagne flute, eat my baguette, roll my eyes and
reply 'pffffttttttt!'</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-41708441704123755212018-07-23T10:02:00.001-05:002018-07-23T10:02:49.980-05:00Can't even Pull off Angsty...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, as seems to be my M.O. - I had
high hopes of sticking to a writing schedule with the Sunday Picture
Challenge being a fiction installment and a post later in the week on
something more 'coast-y'.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One post in and I lost all ideas.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And interest.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I could pinpoint a cause.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is good around here.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe that's the problem.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no angsty, dysfunctional
complaints.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean, take a look – even the first
10 random songs on my ipod are happy...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>American Kids</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenny Chesney</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off, let it be known
that I have exactly ONE Kenny Chesney song on my ipod. I hate to
admit that there are a handful more of his that I like, as long as
they are the more Trop-Rock and less of the whiney country ones.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second, note that this song
is about people who have everything and are enjoying it.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hello, I Love You</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Doors</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A love song in its most bare
element...and Jim Morrison...come on, long haired hippy with a smokey
voice....</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hot Fun in the Summer-Time</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sly and the Family Stone</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its right there in the
title. Hot fun. In the Summer....</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Whenever I Call You Friend</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenny Loggins</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of note, this was the FIRST Kenny on my
playlist. He will always evoke good 'feels' for those early adult
days when nothing was complicated.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, its a song about friends no matter
what...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Way</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fastball</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, this one I had to look
up.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was ready to blame this
one on the kids and their one time joint use of our i-tunes account
until I listened to it.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the surface it is a song
about two people chucking everything and taking off together. Living
the dream. Oh sure, it is probably, in that 90's manner, a superbly
depressing take on excess but on the surface...well...its right there
in the refrain:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"anyone can see
the road that they walk on is paved in gold</span></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it's always summer,
they'll never grow old"</span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the most accurate
description of my current situation there ever was.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Chasing Hemingway's Ghost</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scott Kirby</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story of an artist
following his dream.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, how I like to see
myself...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hungry Heart</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bruce Springstein</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This may actually be the
saddest song on the list. Guy deserts wife, meets some tramp in
Kingston, leaves her too...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Bruce is notoriously
hard to understand and there is just something exciting and
energizing about the music...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Tiki Bar is Open</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jimmy Buffett</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(written by John Hyatt)</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alcoholic on the wagon falls
off because the Tiki Bar is open...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, maybe if you scratch
the surface not the most inspirational.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, its summer.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a bouncy, happy
song.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we just got back from an
awesome Tiki Bar in Chicago...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOMEBNxVJVjopiHcBYm6WlWQfjV-ZO2kPghOHr1NOO8KyfFaJR06QFcoWFrhQ5UTp_3IMD7j_9_1amFd2oLbP5ZcwfQ6EMQgi41ShESbFwfQ8mz1eGFsbmwztVL8qbESw56-axxn6CRw/s1600/IMG_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOMEBNxVJVjopiHcBYm6WlWQfjV-ZO2kPghOHr1NOO8KyfFaJR06QFcoWFrhQ5UTp_3IMD7j_9_1amFd2oLbP5ZcwfQ6EMQgi41ShESbFwfQ8mz1eGFsbmwztVL8qbESw56-axxn6CRw/s320/IMG_0645.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Dots and a Dash - the wall of skulls as you wander down the stairs from the alley...<br />Three Dots and a Dash is morse code for V as in Victory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7diJsa5aBt1n7JKCH_zAP6xiyBIhyphenhyphenZ7VKvmpZqMDbnVAYpRzBjJ8fjvVdPwlQYOiXC-YE6U0yEhq6b38AnvviBnk4Z6rBNav3CJLa5fwonNXqNWQmFIaAIbR563JiuZLhp8jTPBoT3C0/s1600/IMG_0647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7diJsa5aBt1n7JKCH_zAP6xiyBIhyphenhyphenZ7VKvmpZqMDbnVAYpRzBjJ8fjvVdPwlQYOiXC-YE6U0yEhq6b38AnvviBnk4Z6rBNav3CJLa5fwonNXqNWQmFIaAIbR563JiuZLhp8jTPBoT3C0/s320/IMG_0647.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the 3 dotes, and 1 dash garnish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkazW7BxuvoZez-DEBrHbvlN-x3GtxZMCa9xVdjBXZAssJyJpRygzBnBySJxJ9EoDNceWohTT0Q2uG7dHMzpTWB-cKjozta53CB2vniz39TFEKMHQSrJ09xAglxi7HmzjbF8MRgYJZ6GI/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkazW7BxuvoZez-DEBrHbvlN-x3GtxZMCa9xVdjBXZAssJyJpRygzBnBySJxJ9EoDNceWohTT0Q2uG7dHMzpTWB-cKjozta53CB2vniz39TFEKMHQSrJ09xAglxi7HmzjbF8MRgYJZ6GI/s320/IMG_0649.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the signature drink and glass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lucky</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason Mraz</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The song's title is LUCKY.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come on people.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Brown Eyed Girl</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Van Morrison</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This actually had me
laughing out loud.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For starters, who doesn't
love a good Van Morrison tune. And this one is such an iconic song.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend of ours, who played
drums in a weekend band, once lamented the fact that all they every
do is play Brown Eyed Girl, left our table when the break was over to
return to the first request of the second set from the table full of
bridesmaids – you guessed it – Brown Eyed Girl.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, I am a Brown Eyed
Girl.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, if you haven't noticed,
every RomCom this side of 2005 is required by law to have at least
three Van Morrison songs in it.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was a little sad to see my
new favorite song – <i>Havana</i> by Camila Cabello – didn't make the
random cut. But hey, its my blog and I can add her in just like
this...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BQ0mxQXmLsk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BQ0mxQXmLsk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's wishing each of you a
non-angsty, happy-go-lucky playlist and summer.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be back, eventually.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you will be too!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jPKUvF8eaxyESQDtvMitgoaLIigGqx67rsj6JzUbRVdn3_ZNZUkj6hrwtE0PVBakEmnSyBtRxbxfe-bA51nSTMXUh79ZxFk_TnIXtoA26kU2txpzet1uTF0AWqJeK_0ovT8QMzN8bzw/s1600/IMG_0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jPKUvF8eaxyESQDtvMitgoaLIigGqx67rsj6JzUbRVdn3_ZNZUkj6hrwtE0PVBakEmnSyBtRxbxfe-bA51nSTMXUh79ZxFk_TnIXtoA26kU2txpzet1uTF0AWqJeK_0ovT8QMzN8bzw/s320/IMG_0654.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the result of Three Dots and a Dash...<br />exotic flower and skull pics sold separately </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-23417356741497040412018-06-25T10:03:00.000-05:002018-06-25T10:10:42.963-05:00Cuba part one<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome to Summer here on the Coast of Illinois. This season I am trying something new. Mondays will be a fiction post, inspired by the Sunday Photo Fiction bloghop, a group dedicated to 200 word fiction inspired by a photo. I may be pushing the 'boundaries' slightly. I am hoping to make each post story-like, but Big Picture, I am shooting for a serialized story based on characters from an old fiction piece that I have yet to finish but hope to one day. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A little background on this - Egypt- was a story I started years ago through an on-line writing group. It is a romance/mystery/adventure sent in Cairo in the 1930's during the beginning of what would become WWII. Initially I had hoped for this to be a stand alone story but as I worked on it more and more I found it lent itself nicely to a series of stories founded on the main characters love of playing 'hide and seek'. But as adults, seeking a greater good. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sounds heavy but I assure you, it is not. It is the sort of story I want to read in the summer, heavy on romance but exciting and adventurous. Not in that bodice ripping harlequin manner but more of a Casablanca, The Mummy (Brendan Frasier version)way. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To help maintain the 200 word limit, and avoid too much more explanation let me introduce the main characters.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Celia - the female lead, a photographer.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grayson - her brother, the instigator of the game.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Miller - a special forces sort of agent, Celia's love interest.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Al'Rhoubi - Grayson's right hand man.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy the series. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if fiction isn't your thing, check back towards the weekend when more of a 'sailing' theme will prevail.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now, without further adieu...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQbh133YCRFNtviIrsZdpvXL1IJQGTzPmoVmP0BZdjC33_wcValEFcE4a_eZ8lkG5G4a0NixnA8Kal6aapT-KE_2gtkBrjtnkYGpGnFxps4ZhZdEGlVFDY_usIRK9MVccw_KsoMx-bAc/s1600/bar-in-mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="730" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQbh133YCRFNtviIrsZdpvXL1IJQGTzPmoVmP0BZdjC33_wcValEFcE4a_eZ8lkG5G4a0NixnA8Kal6aapT-KE_2gtkBrjtnkYGpGnFxps4ZhZdEGlVFDY_usIRK9MVccw_KsoMx-bAc/s320/bar-in-mexico.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding, from Sunday Photo Fiction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cuba</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">part one</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Every town has one, she thought as she
stepped through the door into the cool pale darkness. Questionable
cleanliness, so much graffiti carved into the beams it was a nod to
the a higher power that they still held. She took a deep breath, but
rather than clearing her head, the dense smells of stale beer and old
seafood sent memory spinning.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">From a shadowy table in the corner,
Miller waved her over, bottle in hand. "Just as hot as Cairo,
but much better beer." He slid an opened bottle across the
scarred surface towards her. "Any word?"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">She took a drink.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"None yet." She turned her
chair, angled between the table and door. "We wait. Like
always." The waiting was the worse, both tedious and exciting.
Drug-like.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Wouldn't it be easier to just
tell us what crusade we're on?" he knew the answer before the
question left his lips.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"No. It's not how Grayson works.
Never has been. Never will be." She stretched, remembering. "You
think those kids will be okay?" The faces of the brother and
sister waving from the train as it sped on to Lisbon haunted her.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"as sure as..." Miller's
reply trailed off as the light from the open door was eclipsed by
broad shoulders of a broad man.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the stranger's hand was a white
envelope. Even from their place in the corner, the writing on its
face familiar.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Well, here we go." Celia
stood. "Senor?"</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
Who is the mysterious stranger? What does the letter say? </div>
<div>
Come back next Monday for more.....Cuba....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>For more posts in the SPF click here: <a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=786648" target="_blank">http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=786648</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>(Sunday Photo Fiction or SPF links can be found here: <a href="https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/</a> )</i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-21620256667391216102018-06-13T08:26:00.000-05:002018-06-13T08:26:18.389-05:00Mmmmmoist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is 6am here on the Coast of Illinois
and the temperature is already near 80, humidity in the triple
digits. (Yes, triple digits. That's when it is so humid you can
actually watch the moisture squeeze onto plants...)</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEsae1fSloI_tzE1Gl5OBqDcLkUmE0KAts-joOEql6Yree1ojJvTBrF_wmRNZmo0j6kULd9CmzpI3cGtxzVKFhOZQRGPD4Dn8bW0LTJFKZIIBDQOJFdBdkIcjrGrqUUM9h_6hM7Zpa30/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEsae1fSloI_tzE1Gl5OBqDcLkUmE0KAts-joOEql6Yree1ojJvTBrF_wmRNZmo0j6kULd9CmzpI3cGtxzVKFhOZQRGPD4Dn8bW0LTJFKZIIBDQOJFdBdkIcjrGrqUUM9h_6hM7Zpa30/s320/IMG_0465.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look closely. you can actually see the droplets forming. even in a still picture...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just two months ago we were complaining
about the cold and lamenting the fact that summer would never arrive.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were fools in that earlier time.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8Avft6XDmJCCHUh4NKg7R2YpYX3Hfmp3xR6qSxsS_T0bXDLlAYWk9uIKH2TXzmU6eqzlew6vBMOIajiTVQfbRuNWcl-Ihb8YbYukep2mtVupvXxEGPyW7OHS-06SkKMdH2DSy3x2S7Q/s1600/IMG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8Avft6XDmJCCHUh4NKg7R2YpYX3Hfmp3xR6qSxsS_T0bXDLlAYWk9uIKH2TXzmU6eqzlew6vBMOIajiTVQfbRuNWcl-Ihb8YbYukep2mtVupvXxEGPyW7OHS-06SkKMdH2DSy3x2S7Q/s320/IMG_0467.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">never thought we would see these again...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, older and sweatier, we understand.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer is here. If not calenderly, then
at least in a temperate manner.
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fbcWey0YTekTw4dnzS7f5ij-iACMu0ea0c1ElKZKXhwOMOI2W5_AeJTH5BMCYsdjt4piyIX0T45sBn3zypcJwwkx35hmK54MxBD9r6eePPXiBuV8jJUGvhaS6hden12AT7DYVbBnfX8/s1600/IMG_0469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fbcWey0YTekTw4dnzS7f5ij-iACMu0ea0c1ElKZKXhwOMOI2W5_AeJTH5BMCYsdjt4piyIX0T45sBn3zypcJwwkx35hmK54MxBD9r6eePPXiBuV8jJUGvhaS6hden12AT7DYVbBnfX8/s320/IMG_0469.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can't you hear them singing...Hot Hot Hot.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I, for one, am thrilled.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing better than sitting on
the deck in those early morning moments, eating breakfast, sipping
coffee – which still manages to get cold despite the thermonuclear
power of the rising sun – watching the cat melt into the deck as
the squirrels desicrate the bird feeder.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I long to absorb every once of
humidity, every bit, until my hair is so frizzy I can barely fit
through the door. I delight in the dampness on my skin from the sheer
effort of turning the page of the book I am reading. I consider it a
free cleaning when my glasses fog to opacity when I exit the
air-conditioned space of home to get to the car and then, in reverse
from car to house.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because in just a few short months it
will be winter again and that person who lamented the slowness of
summer only to immediately bitch about the heat and humidity, will
return to their giant puffy coat and whine about heating bills.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the moment!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMnc4knO_yS55YGRZAB_bCrYRARyCDW4wApHfdJfo9TjV-UgcIkcvJFI6gsSCehKHPOT8TiZB5EQUeBfWdGbYiOqZ0Em5VfsOwRQvN-UsPCaOf2H3vuhrnRfYglWApuiX3kwbnBoWIJU/s1600/IMG_0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMnc4knO_yS55YGRZAB_bCrYRARyCDW4wApHfdJfo9TjV-UgcIkcvJFI6gsSCehKHPOT8TiZB5EQUeBfWdGbYiOqZ0Em5VfsOwRQvN-UsPCaOf2H3vuhrnRfYglWApuiX3kwbnBoWIJU/s320/IMG_0466.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to me, nothing simultaneously says cool shade and pourable humidity like these leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(this brief, slightly griping post brought to you by a little too much sun exposure while reading in the sun...)</i></span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-90266020330022606022018-06-09T10:57:00.001-05:002018-06-09T10:57:31.693-05:00Almonds for Breakfast<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sitting here, late on Saturday morning,
regretting the peanut butter graham crackers I ate at 2am when I
couldn't sleep but really needing a little something to accompany the
acidic, delicious coffee I am drinking.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a funk inducing week.
Family stuff – everyone okay, but still worrisome. Work stuff –
superbly annoying to the point of resume searching.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, the weekend is beginning and I
will not let the week win.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3oo6U0eiylXTCwjfHokPmgYbLb_G-znCt_z61lY3HWVMsz9GyW82a99PYlYqkqrQx6IlnPdEMzXHhISnija5GOd9YRwo_CNdCMH9ULUaqP4uMSGNxd2WT65i98ip3aaPtHHbg6OBQsg/s1600/IMG_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3oo6U0eiylXTCwjfHokPmgYbLb_G-znCt_z61lY3HWVMsz9GyW82a99PYlYqkqrQx6IlnPdEMzXHhISnija5GOd9YRwo_CNdCMH9ULUaqP4uMSGNxd2WT65i98ip3aaPtHHbg6OBQsg/s320/IMG_0456.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nectarine, Parmesan, Marcona Almonds. Would never have eaten this for breakfast 40 years ago.<br />But reading Provence 1970, and remembering our trip to Switzerland...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My go to weapon against this funk...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now settle down. I know 'eating your
emotions' is not healthy.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, eating good food is a totally
different treatment.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And good food doesn't mean fancy. Or
expensive.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Good food' triggers a sense of well
being – safety and love from tomato soup and grilled cheese as a
kid watching Saturday morning cartoons; excitement and laughter
shared over a ridiculously large bag of whip cream served with key
lime pie, closeness only good friends have shared over a glass of
wine....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second question to the family,
after 'are you feeling okay' has been, what can I bring for lunch,
dinner, snacks....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The powers that be at Work have fed us
daily with lunches, snacks, even candy in areas where we aren't
suppose to have candy...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing I love more than to
cook a wonderful dinner for family and friends. Yes, it's a lot of
work. But it's also therapy, creativity and ultimately an opportunity to create a shared experience.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it's those memories of shared
experience, triggered years later by that spicy salsa or that gooey
breakfast biscuit which remind us of good times and provide hope for
the future.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food can't solve everything. But,
sharing food, even the most modest meal, can sometimes be the most
powerful medicine.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Context and memory
play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life.~</span></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anthony Bourdain</span></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1956-2018</span></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I don't
like 'jumping on a bandwagon' but I also feel an obligation to use
this medium for good. Suicide is a devastating act. It's effects reach
much farther than just the victim. If you feel alone and need help,
don't be ashamed. If you have a friend or family member you are
worried about, don't hesitate. Call the National Suicide Prevention
Hotline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255). We all need a little help every
once in a while.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-173998491114199212018-05-26T16:38:00.000-05:002018-05-26T16:38:47.897-05:00What's Your Number...<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got your attention, didn't I.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I am not talking about 'that' number. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am talking about your Great American Read number.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Please Note! </i>
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The following opinions
are MINE and MINE alone. </i>
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I don't mean to insult
anyone. </i>
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But if I do, you'll get
over it...</span></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQvlpTtzZfNV8FOdREzMa0l5lmWBibyXMM4POigzM3KlQPci5eE8wyD1XeDVcpWQ3kpRy33Uy0PfV5k4VXKw7OzROTyBK3k1X7sHRPjfw-1uAhfVb3MkFoNJreeSOo0GMrf5RwNxPECM/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQvlpTtzZfNV8FOdREzMa0l5lmWBibyXMM4POigzM3KlQPci5eE8wyD1XeDVcpWQ3kpRy33Uy0PfV5k4VXKw7OzROTyBK3k1X7sHRPjfw-1uAhfVb3MkFoNJreeSOo0GMrf5RwNxPECM/s320/IMG_0432.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my stack on the deck under a palm tree. one of my favorite places to read. <br />note, there is also mint which is pretty tasty in many summer beverages to be had while reading...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, this is the start of my
Official Summer Reading List.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In grade school my list consisted of
Scholastic Summer Weekly Reader and whatever books I could find at
the library. I read alot but the only book titles I can remember are
The Boxcar Children and The Bread and Butter Indian.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We tried reading The Boxcar Children to
our kids. Turns out there were a whole lot of beatings I didn't
remember when I read that book....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In middle and high school, the library
still figured prominently but my reading was influenced more and more
by popular movies, school assignments and friends.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until I discovered Hemingway and Nancy
Mitford.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that I exclusively read The Sun
Also Rises and Love in a Cold Climate/In Pursuit of Love every summer
until John Irving entered the picture.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those weren't the only books but they
were always in my stack of to be read at some point.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, Rob is also an avid reader
and it wasn't difficult to keep that spirit alive in our children. We
spent many a Wednesday and Saturday morning at Mrs. Clark's story
hour at the public library, followed by an hour of checkout at the
desk for the twenty five pounds of books they managed to pick.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now PBS is getting in on the fun.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through a national survey, the fine
people at Public Broadcasting have compiled a list of 100 favorite
books. The list can be found at <a href="http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home" target="_blank">The Great American Read</a>.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a companion program on PBS
which speaks to each book on the list, why individuals – in their
own words – chose the books they did. There are author interviews
and interesting facts surrounding different books.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, you can vote for your favorite
with the winning book to be announced later this summer.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not being one to miss a chance to feel
dumb, I read through the book list only to find that I have only read
25. Thankfully The Sun Also Rises is on the list.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did not count it 17 times. Even
though I have read it at least that many.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did start an additional 8 on the
list, only to never finish them as they were either too dumb or too
smart for my taste. (I am a middle of the road reader. I don't want
to be preached at – 100 Years of Solitude guy, but I also don't
want to spend my precious reading time wishing I could hunt down the
author and asking them how they got such ridiculous work published –
Left Behind, series dudes...)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breaking down the list even more, I
have seen 15 movie adaptations of the 25 books which I have read –
I only counted The Great Gatsby once even though I have read it
nearly as many times as Hemingway's work and seen the Robert
Redford/Mia Farrow version of the movie about as many times as I have
read the book. There are an additional 5 movies for books which I
have not read, and never will – Hunger Games chick.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wanted to count Hatchet on my
read list as the kids both read it for school and then had Rob read
it to them repeatedly which forced me to hear about the poor kid
who's plane crashes in Canada and ends up eating nearly as much trout
as Hemingway's characters catch in every book he has ever written.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also wanted to count The Book Thief,
which was our daughter's first favorite book of her young adult life;
a book which took her to the Jewish Book Festival where she met the
author and had her copy signed. But, I have yet to actually read it.
Sounds way to sad. Too sad is also a reason I won't read a book.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two of our son's favs made the list –
The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy – which is on my Not Read but
Saw the Movie list, and Game of Thrones series – which is on my
Have Not Read, and Won't Watch the Series list. (Sorry George RR
Martin, I tried but there was way too much gore and not enough
dragons for my taste.)
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were discussing the list at
breakfast and Rob also suggested counting out the Books I Read as
Graphic Novels (or comic books as they were known when we were
younger) but not as Actual Books but that just seemed silly.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My summer reading list does not reflect
the Nation.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently I am reading The Little Paris
Bookshop by Nina George. It is a sweet book about love and loss but
not in that 'ooooo, I am suh intellectual' and more in the 'now where
did I leave my glass of wine and my baguette' way.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is perfect for summer reading.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer books should never require too
much thinking. Rather, they should transport you to a place or time
far removed from anything you have every experienced. Winter books
can be a little heavier in subject. Turns out I have a lot of rules
for what I will and won't read. Starting with IT MUST BE AN ACTUAL
BOOK and not that e-reader nonsense. If I am going to read a book on
a computer then I am going to play Home Design instead.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other books on my list include:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Little French Bistro,
also by Nina George</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(although I don't like
reading books by the same author, one after the other)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provence, 1970 by Luke
Barr</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(because a teacher Rob
worked with loaned it to him after hearing about my love of cooking)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basket Case by Carl
Hiaasen</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(because he is the best
for summer reading and one of the few who I WILL read one after the
other)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Henry and June by Anais
Nin</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(because I have never read
any of her work, but I did see the movie...))</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Fermata by Nicholson
Baker
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(because I mentioned I
wanted to read a 'sexy' story but not in that gross 50 shades way)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and of course,
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sun Also Rises by
Ernest Hemingway</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Why would I want to
re-read a book I have read so many times? Because there is something
in the story which really speaks to me. Plus, after reading A
Dangerous Summer which is the actual account of what is fictionalized
in The Sun Also Rises, it seems the thing to do.)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you made a summer
reading list?
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you check out the 100?</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's your number?
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, as an aftermath of the
April A to Z blogging challenge, I am now part of the Road Trip, in
which participants are asked to visit as many other blogs as you can.
I hope to hit at least a couple a week.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a couple of blogs
for you to check out:</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://buttontapper.com/">http://buttontapper.com</a>
– for some interesting and funny on-line dating stories</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/">https://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com</a>
– and find a darling new children's book</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And of course, don't forget
to check out the folks on the No, You've Really Got to Read this...
sidebar!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I have also been notified that the EU has a new policy regarding 'cookies' and privacy. Blogger, my hosting site has added a comment about cookies for those of you who are reading outside the US. If you see it, please let me know. </i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I am unable to see the comment here. However, I will continue to maintain my stand on cookies as stated below and will maintain everyone's privacy to the best of my ability. </i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thanks for stopping by!</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-37006291144713595112018-05-13T12:58:00.000-05:002018-05-13T12:58:26.045-05:00Bottom Job!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are several questions to ask
yourself before buying a forty year old sailboat.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is the Keel intact?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is the hull structurally sound?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you prepared to spend one beautiful
spring day sanding until you turn blue?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you lost your mind?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For good or bad, our answers to the
above questions were all 'yes'.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except for the sanding part.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That information was withheld.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hull, or the underwater portion, of
our fixerupper is fiberglass – layers and layers of it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Keel, the big fin underneath, is
lead.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both are covered with marine grade
paint to protect them.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or in our case, were covered.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over time and exposure, that paint
peels and no longer protects sufficiently.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just like a house.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except you can't put aluminum siding on
a boat.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least I don't think you can...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway,
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The normal person would pay to have the
boatyard powerwash and repaint. Or, as the Ozark Yacht Club calls it,
a Bottom Job.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, from those original questions, we
have established that we are, in fact, not normal.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, we spent the 2018 boat budget on
a new propane outboard and a port-a-potty.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is why I found myself, on a
lovely April afternoon, sanding the bottom of the boat, which is up
on jack-stands on a parking lot right off the Bagnell Dam Strip.
There is no electricity. There is no running water.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a whole lot of gravel and sun.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfHnwTFizK0mmvGV2azqQ3sJuj0OaJFt43_Rkv1gGQxwu0nmtX46lEvdgiSc1Bk6l0Ltz2StImat03Q-cviT8CuPdXEqbjHKjakK7lzGw8GnIUJ19Y4NngUP343Junn5xaQ4zE33kIZM/s1600/IMG_0060.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfHnwTFizK0mmvGV2azqQ3sJuj0OaJFt43_Rkv1gGQxwu0nmtX46lEvdgiSc1Bk6l0Ltz2StImat03Q-cviT8CuPdXEqbjHKjakK7lzGw8GnIUJ19Y4NngUP343Junn5xaQ4zE33kIZM/s320/IMG_0060.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sure, I am in the shade...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4-xwpuPYylRBeo6vQRfg1A2xB_D5dkIWsTGwpoz-p-rVkCxPCC0TBJoKwPIkqId4iK8DiAvDRGylmg6j2g78dbQpc64DuKSWmQR0KejlaHTZDgwcpFM9MpCT8ZJf2bNukFg04OYpVww/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="640" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4-xwpuPYylRBeo6vQRfg1A2xB_D5dkIWsTGwpoz-p-rVkCxPCC0TBJoKwPIkqId4iK8DiAvDRGylmg6j2g78dbQpc64DuKSWmQR0KejlaHTZDgwcpFM9MpCT8ZJf2bNukFg04OYpVww/s320/IMG_0056.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is after 10 minutes. Ten. Minutes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truthfully, the sanding wasn't
terrible. It took a couple hours but we got the worse of the peeling
paint off. Sure we inhaled a moderate amount of fiberglass and lead
dust. But you know, live and learn.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sanding was followed by a vigorous
brushing with a stiff, long handled broom and then an alcohol wipe
down.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rob chose the alcohol wipe as
</span></div>
<ol>
<ol>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there was no water to rinse the
excess dust off
</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alcohol dries very rapidly.
</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 3. inhaling all those alcohol
fumes just added to the amazing quality of the day....</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once we regained consciousness, the
boat was taped off and Rob rolled while I edged and painted the
smaller areas around the jack-stands where the roller wouldn't reach.
(Sorry about the paint on those straps, guys.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B2FniL94SUI-6kgDzKllWt5EsXl0emwrF1qNp3ZX8ZzaNdKODafUFGPMGVBSqK8yeuR-kSTiJ4B8oyjqrz26bywBIz4IVrlc8XKyZmnlI0ZaW3NalINFv2nXDfND99Yp6RFe_GrJ6Jg/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B2FniL94SUI-6kgDzKllWt5EsXl0emwrF1qNp3ZX8ZzaNdKODafUFGPMGVBSqK8yeuR-kSTiJ4B8oyjqrz26bywBIz4IVrlc8XKyZmnlI0ZaW3NalINFv2nXDfND99Yp6RFe_GrJ6Jg/s320/IMG_0297.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue tape. Blue Boat. Blue paint...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEZ72Bq-td7563-7U1qPJM8m6-TMS5uJdfG6K_nkSKzZ7E7ig6_yootJYMVtlLlKC64xafNTboZ4MpABR8XWSZrSqgPPeJLNPGgR8l8FZV4CLLEEzf0FWu741op_iMMSnhW30g_4frTo/s1600/IMG_0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEZ72Bq-td7563-7U1qPJM8m6-TMS5uJdfG6K_nkSKzZ7E7ig6_yootJYMVtlLlKC64xafNTboZ4MpABR8XWSZrSqgPPeJLNPGgR8l8FZV4CLLEEzf0FWu741op_iMMSnhW30g_4frTo/s320/IMG_0298.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Hull Paint. Only used about half the can!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dAA5rtHvhs08eTkZ87dd2mRhsEHG8j5YuAl-U8rOWCmY5Bz_JEmD49MpT0a4NcHQsTcZBbD3BqMDSEtK8akJGsNQYeEmRdZjefbCNvd_z6hZPrdf2lENjC-7fW0Rj6JHVB3V9O9iHE8/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dAA5rtHvhs08eTkZ87dd2mRhsEHG8j5YuAl-U8rOWCmY5Bz_JEmD49MpT0a4NcHQsTcZBbD3BqMDSEtK8akJGsNQYeEmRdZjefbCNvd_z6hZPrdf2lENjC-7fW0Rj6JHVB3V9O9iHE8/s320/IMG_0303.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goes on smooth...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clean up was a little dicey.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a toss up between being 'green'
and trying to wash all the rollers and paint containers in the
bathroom at the yacht club or remaining members of the yacht club.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the day, everything went
in the trash.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HoMKVoI_zvAacTKqSeaLG2OUdxQmFNXgNT7AzwJEqIPk-BVdU9GzeRqaGiEzVXGqH-A_GPSeNxG1wX9k5BlocCfrgPGyornB4OoFVxhO4OwXUVss1vkwRja_Le0vD6sDSgVnFaBadio/s1600/IMG_0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HoMKVoI_zvAacTKqSeaLG2OUdxQmFNXgNT7AzwJEqIPk-BVdU9GzeRqaGiEzVXGqH-A_GPSeNxG1wX9k5BlocCfrgPGyornB4OoFVxhO4OwXUVss1vkwRja_Le0vD6sDSgVnFaBadio/s320/IMG_0306.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks brand new! And to think, this will be underwater the next time we see her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We brushed off as much blue dust and
paint as we could before heading down the hill to clean up a little.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the lake three hours from home,
and our 'lake house' on jack-stands, we opted to stay the night at
the Quality Inn.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It says a lot about the desk clerk that
she never mentioned my interesting blue tan or the homeless quality
of my clothes.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday was spent taking Blue Skies, our
wooden sloop, out on the big lake. She was neglected all last year in
favor of the fixer-upper.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We set her up in the parking lot, with
one good reef in the main as it was fairly windy, even in our cove.
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVoU9XgKjICg1RVoZeoeE71nAIlWzR3Q-jAohE5k4XNaGSVFvUBxL0TBd0ymzDb19vX1jNKaWyBKPUFb285FHuV2SbK3DP5y1wbZS82A7pcGB6H8vFOAhUX2mtWJcVJmtwmKem_vH7FQ/s1600/IMG_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVoU9XgKjICg1RVoZeoeE71nAIlWzR3Q-jAohE5k4XNaGSVFvUBxL0TBd0ymzDb19vX1jNKaWyBKPUFb285FHuV2SbK3DP5y1wbZS82A7pcGB6H8vFOAhUX2mtWJcVJmtwmKem_vH7FQ/s320/IMG_0327.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the land of power boats and fiberglass, this is a sight for sore eyes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if anyone doubts that a boat has a
soul, they should have been holding the bowline as she hit the water.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The minute Rob pulled the trailer away,
she strained at those lines, just begging to sail.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an amazing feeling, holding her
back, sails still down and no tide or current.
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh6l5IA0UDQ7dSc3hR-34FF6Y0O949B6nhl-Am1xlobtMHI42Bo1jqZpe85PRZCiUneOUcoQjQX3uY4rybwEddl1OqbRF7DBhohKVQ31YLUpwUzeUWnDi4v7qHy6xl15TTUlCp248MGA/s1600/IMG_0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh6l5IA0UDQ7dSc3hR-34FF6Y0O949B6nhl-Am1xlobtMHI42Bo1jqZpe85PRZCiUneOUcoQjQX3uY4rybwEddl1OqbRF7DBhohKVQ31YLUpwUzeUWnDi4v7qHy6xl15TTUlCp248MGA/s320/IMG_0329.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You get a much neater reef when it's done on the parking lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a fantastic afternoon, even with
one reef. We did put the jib up after a bit and even ventured out
into the main arm near the dam, where the wind really picked up and
Blue Skies soared!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubos5QuDKhK5IH4zlw_mWaesE8hCC4RgjuMfkvrqf41nDX2XJmy7bgNqA-ZYkfsH_76v7pYkqr4qKl7qaQQwJU0NO5a1nTEBOQtouq7GONvKDF0NCxwCyWH3mFcZZyv7OaolzOCFGg6Y/s1600/IMG_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubos5QuDKhK5IH4zlw_mWaesE8hCC4RgjuMfkvrqf41nDX2XJmy7bgNqA-ZYkfsH_76v7pYkqr4qKl7qaQQwJU0NO5a1nTEBOQtouq7GONvKDF0NCxwCyWH3mFcZZyv7OaolzOCFGg6Y/s320/IMG_0350.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wing on Wing. Don't get to do this very often.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weekend wrapped up with that three
hour drive home.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were slightly sunburned, pretty
stiff and sore and not a little exhausted.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it was so worth it.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cool Change was ready for an exciting
new year of sailing.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blue Skies had her water fix for a bit.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we learned a little more about
sailboat ownership:</span></div>
<ol>
<ol>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look good with blue highlights
in my hair.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alcohol plus paint dust =
permenant blue paint on your hands.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eagles get a kick out of
watching people attempting to get their photograph and instead
coming about in a complete circle. Twice.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp3s6MXN-CYgeMQxUTz4pDaDGLdRlaRswTxMlkgyx6BjuoOWNAda4_NSWD-1eh6DSNSjhuMJhsMB2AZPHtz-42a-pb31SoymhOJ1Iknb3nsWk21z6Fk5C1Mc-8EMf05XHwP8egys2Fzc/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="960" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp3s6MXN-CYgeMQxUTz4pDaDGLdRlaRswTxMlkgyx6BjuoOWNAda4_NSWD-1eh6DSNSjhuMJhsMB2AZPHtz-42a-pb31SoymhOJ1Iknb3nsWk21z6Fk5C1Mc-8EMf05XHwP8egys2Fzc/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest and Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6WBk2skIcSoiCMEtFABpcjxOaNhrYQx6JF-nZU4Mllybt6Apul3dXRwHYHHvEeuXErnJB0SWl9c1ZOtE8uEzZyxklUHaQYsYmALU6Wj5cA9k0dAF3r5RoGKYdB6V6dlKjrTJ8JTG47g/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="631" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6WBk2skIcSoiCMEtFABpcjxOaNhrYQx6JF-nZU4Mllybt6Apul3dXRwHYHHvEeuXErnJB0SWl9c1ZOtE8uEzZyxklUHaQYsYmALU6Wj5cA9k0dAF3r5RoGKYdB6V6dlKjrTJ8JTG47g/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy as it's from my phone. We have seen this guy out and about early in the morning.<br />Can't believe he lives so nearby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time the boat hull needs painting
we will opt for the professional Bottom Job.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But only after they buy us dinner
first.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*As it so happens, this is a possibility. I just got an email from the Ozark Yacht Club offering
Dine and Detail – you order up your boat work and your dinner from
the Lakeside Cafe. You have a lovely waterfront meal and the boatyard
does the work!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://ozarkyachtclub.com/lakeside-cafe" target="_blank">https://ozarkyachtclub.com/lakeside-cafe</a><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You had me at Torpedo Tacos...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-27487718920664971752018-05-07T04:00:00.000-05:002018-05-07T04:00:08.141-05:00Reflecting,,,A to Z<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today is Reflection Day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQXvPk7uxTE2CrjxKx9PrxEYM8B4HhFchHuC-ouiawlnrnB3Er9HXj3CJx2aYVak0mbCdjB6AtI2BSPKFpD3Hjp9jcKgv7vqxjawdMEcB05ipe4ILo-N7JSORRBmT497TXU7OefAWy34/s1600/A-to-Z+Reflection+%255B2018%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQXvPk7uxTE2CrjxKx9PrxEYM8B4HhFchHuC-ouiawlnrnB3Er9HXj3CJx2aYVak0mbCdjB6AtI2BSPKFpD3Hjp9jcKgv7vqxjawdMEcB05ipe4ILo-N7JSORRBmT497TXU7OefAWy34/s1600/A-to-Z+Reflection+%255B2018%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As part of the A to Z challenge, we are
to post reflections of our experience.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Writing is a bizarre process.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some things just demand to be written.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Others refuse to let loose of the space
they are hiding in and must be pried loose like a dried out wine cork.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I first learned of the A to Z challenge
two years ago after reading another writer's post. The idea sounded
fun so I followed along unofficially. Last year I started the
challenge but didn't make it to the end.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Too many of those metaphorically stuck wine corks.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In March, it occurred to me that the
challenge would be starting soon and perhaps joining in would be just
the thing to get me back in the habit of writing consistently.
Writing had dwindled for me over the previous year to the point where
I wondered if I really wanted to continue.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, the thought of giving up Coast of
Illinois made me unreasonably sad.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, since April is such a transitional
month – one day winter, the next, summer, then back to a drizzly
autumnal feel, joining the A to Z Challenge seemed the thing to do. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I chose to use sailing as my topic. It was a little bit of a challenge, finding posts for some of those 'unusual' letters but ultimately having that topic really helped me to organize my thoughts and on days when I didn't feel like writing I had a kick start place from which to begin. As usual, I didn't prep ahead. Well, that's not true. I had three whole posts written and ready before April 1. Once April 3 rolled around I was pretty much barely keeping up. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rob really helped keep me focused and me, being me, was motivated to not disappoint that mystery reader who is hanging on my every word. </span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As best I can tell, the folks who run
this show do it out of the kindness of their hearts. There is no fee
to join. There are no monetary rewards for finishing. There is an
awesome T-shirt for sale, which I will model once mine arrives. All
that is asked is that if you post then in return you should read some
of your fellow participants works.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This brings me to one of my favorite
aspects of the writing community.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is just that.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A community.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The A to Z folks posted an encouraging
blog daily through the month. Fellow writers stopped by and left
encouraging comments. The closer the end was, the more enthusiastic
the 'you've got this' chant became.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And in the end, I did finish the
challenge and came away with a feeling of accomplishment that I
haven't felt in a very long time.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So to that end, I would like to send
out a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all the folks over at the Blogging
A to Z Challenge! You brought me back to feeling a part of a
wonderful community of writers. Dorothy Parker had her round table. Hemingway had his ex-pats. We have this wide world of internets. I have been a part of other on-line writing groups and while they have dissolved over time, I have been left with some wonderful writing friends. I hope to maintain some of these relationships kindled here. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which brings me to my next appreciation speech.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't start that orchestra music just yet...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would also like to say
Congratulations, Great Job and THANK YOU to the following writers.
They consistently visited Coast of Illinois and left wonderful
comments and I, in turn, tried to always make a stop at their sites.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">D.B. McNichol</span></i></b> - DB approached the challenge with a word-picture association which produced a series of wonderful flash fiction stories. She also maintains a blog about her Doods-two rather large poodley looking dogs...<a href="https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">I</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">ain Kelly </span></i></b>- Iain wrote an alphabetically fueled fictional series inspired by England's decision to leave the EU. They were insightful, informative and entertaining. I look forward to seeing where Iain's writing takes us next. <a href="https://iainkellywriting.com/" target="_blank">https://iainkellywriting.com/</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Leanne</span></i></b> - I have followed Leanne's work for a while now through Women of Midlife, where I found her Cresting the Hill blog. She filled the challenge with an A to Zen of life coaching questions that were sometimes fun, sometimes difficult but always informative. <a href="https://www.crestingthehill.com.au/2018/05/the-to-zen-of-life-free-e-book.html" target="_blank">https://www.crestingthehill.com.au</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Alana </span></i></b>- Another of my Midlife writers, she did a fun, informative series on Florida outside the theme parks. Her quirky, rambling blog is such fun and it is well reflected in her A to Z challenges. <a href="http://ramblinwitham.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ramblinwitham.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please, take a moment to stop by these
folks pages.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each one has a different approach and
goal to their writing which reveals a wonderful talent. There were many others who either stopped by here or I visited, but these four made a strong impression on my. As have the other writers listed on the sidebar. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And while I am thanking folks...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THANK YOU to all who have been reading
Coast of Illinois, whether you were here at the beginning of Start
Seeing Hairnets or just happened over for the sailing posts, your
stops and clicks and comments mean the world to me.
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKglzFGBpGTDeI8mSzfaf3WVXO6fC-cgZpY07pDDU_kidgp1u4K2-UAvlnwhO13emYb_AGG2JEdquoDdpPfjYBjgEm8o2GWSgISffrlb3hIHDP0Pkqp9qgq9rzRlhQQIAytdEL62lue2I/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKglzFGBpGTDeI8mSzfaf3WVXO6fC-cgZpY07pDDU_kidgp1u4K2-UAvlnwhO13emYb_AGG2JEdquoDdpPfjYBjgEm8o2GWSgISffrlb3hIHDP0Pkqp9qgq9rzRlhQQIAytdEL62lue2I/s320/IMG_0360.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me. Reflecting...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Come on back later this week for
'Bottom Job' - it's not just a stripper move...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if you are a nurse, know someone
who is, please take the time to check out my <a href="https://www.coastofillinois.com/p/its-living.html" target="_blank">It's a Living </a>tab. This
is National Nurse's Week and I have several posts there which reflect
my 34 year experience on the business end of a bedpan. </span></div>
<br />LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664746627352982082.post-49957207160108898282018-05-03T04:00:00.000-05:002018-05-03T04:00:11.383-05:00time outWell.<div>
I am still a whole lot surprised that I managed to finish the A to Z Challenge. But, more on that on Monday May 7 when the team holds its Reflection Day. </div>
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Suffice it to say, I was sooooo ready for the weekend, even if it meant still having the Z post to write on Monday morning. </div>
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Monday was a day off so writing that post would be no problem. </div>
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</div>
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Which left the weekend to celebrate.</div>
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And celebrate we did. </div>
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The weekend was probably the first actual spring weekend around these parts - no temps below 45, no precip, wind at less than gale force and most importantly SUN!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTrUkrK8vy5h3QGcjNnNE07CHN0sbPpAY2nQImYaWx7OTpnDHmtG__g897coGuoDbOZQXmb3imazjoNB1OuYEaxzE3L1KuzijecCOa9UIOrBoRC979RWEAK-57s0iB1LyYvkvgVChKok/s1600/IMG_0324+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="640" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTrUkrK8vy5h3QGcjNnNE07CHN0sbPpAY2nQImYaWx7OTpnDHmtG__g897coGuoDbOZQXmb3imazjoNB1OuYEaxzE3L1KuzijecCOa9UIOrBoRC979RWEAK-57s0iB1LyYvkvgVChKok/s320/IMG_0324+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a tiny redbud overlooking the lake.</td></tr>
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We hopped in the car with Blue Skies, our wooden sloop in tow, and headed down to Lake of the Ozarks where the fixer upper lives.</div>
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The plan being to paint the hull of Cool Change then take Blue Skies out for a spin on 'the big lake'. </div>
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More on this next week. </div>
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We also planned to have dinner at one of our favorite lake spots - Shawnee Bluffs Winery. </div>
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The winery is a small spot on Bagnell Dam Boulevard, less than 5 minutes from the dam. The winery consists of four stone buildings with 8 rooms to rent - each one overlooking the lake, the tasting room and the restaurant. There is also an outdoor pool and moderately sized deck area for outside dining, all with that lovely view of the lake. They have a small menu of appetizers, sandwiches and entrees and desserts.The wine selection features the house label as well as some national wines.</div>
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I don't believe we have ever had a bad meal here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MaV5x4FHgEGNDAxnfTVgIAdRaLL1xG8JoJNdRPbvyV4YAv-BJNiXXTSeTC-lO4lzaC7co6GuTTWi7zlR8bPfTHCws8tjy4wjPP2Mdq5CeM6smDgJRj2iidIVQyVc4OY0wvmrHuy9Hmo/s1600/IMG_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MaV5x4FHgEGNDAxnfTVgIAdRaLL1xG8JoJNdRPbvyV4YAv-BJNiXXTSeTC-lO4lzaC7co6GuTTWi7zlR8bPfTHCws8tjy4wjPP2Mdq5CeM6smDgJRj2iidIVQyVc4OY0wvmrHuy9Hmo/s320/IMG_0313.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stuffed peppers are just a-mah-zing! tiny peppers with just a little kick, stuffed with goat cheese, roasted in the wood fire oven then drizzled with balsamic. served with fresh salted bread.<br />Rob had the Flappers and Philosophers chardonnay from Shawnee Bluff. Crisp, a hint of tartness. This wine easily matches national brands.<br /> I gave the tempranillo rosé a try. Sadly, I did not get the brand but it was wonderful. Not sweet like most rosé, it had a slight spice and a little more body than you would expect. </td></tr>
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Most weekends there is live music and when the weather is as nice as it was this past weekend, the music is outside. </div>
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Patrick Mureithi, a musician with roots in Kenya, performed. His mellow, peaceful original music interspersed with stories and an occasional popular tune was just the perfect tone for the evening. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB1qTPQtMc4676xeGVA6IfwhqEzPWAjqbus2TdQN9iOvKxGoZKHnZP7w1M3QkGOz0jC84gSyV3tWsvnWPAEN9yFYUA8VXgsurKqNlKmd6WN4kJA6bc7bxHygrb_s9DfBMee6Pmg_n8Ow/s1600/IMG_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB1qTPQtMc4676xeGVA6IfwhqEzPWAjqbus2TdQN9iOvKxGoZKHnZP7w1M3QkGOz0jC84gSyV3tWsvnWPAEN9yFYUA8VXgsurKqNlKmd6WN4kJA6bc7bxHygrb_s9DfBMee6Pmg_n8Ow/s320/IMG_0315.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best picture but I love how the pink tent the pink redbud glows!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Besides the food and music, there is one other reason to make this wonderful place a destination:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrsjR9ARQCA_YafsdmNx5X6knaB8Q17kH49uCjg8ZwowoV06Y49CMUAtctga2U5iwd5-HFARwPY47utmKgM6ArThh_z6cKwaK49TwI1s_G2-sg2pKznGTKVNsuWU6V14azx6shZx5GsY/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrsjR9ARQCA_YafsdmNx5X6knaB8Q17kH49uCjg8ZwowoV06Y49CMUAtctga2U5iwd5-HFARwPY47utmKgM6ArThh_z6cKwaK49TwI1s_G2-sg2pKznGTKVNsuWU6V14azx6shZx5GsY/s320/IMG_0316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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They have one of the best views of the sunset anywhere on the lake.</div>
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When I returned to work on Tuesday I felt as though I had been on a tiny vacation. </div>
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And wondering why I am not on vacation all the time....</div>
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LauraEhlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174524869895005180noreply@blogger.com12