Thursday, October 26, 2017
Song of the day - Unlikely Lovers
This is a beautiful quartet from the revival recording of Falsettos. The first time I heard the song was when I was a sophomore in college. UNCG's Show Choir did several benefit performances for THP and this was one of the songs they did. I had several friends in this show. 3 of my friends made up part of this quartet. Needless to say, this song and the whole show had a profound impact on me. But, that's a story for another time. Anyway, Live from Lincoln Center will be airing the revival of Falsettos this Friday at 8 p.m. It's a beautiful show if you've never seen it. I know I'll be watching.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Monday, October 23, 2017
Thought for the day
Here we are, a rainy chilly fall night. And tonight, I am sitting here thinking about playing cards. Strange, I know, but that's what's on my mind. I use to love playing cards. It was such a part of my growing up. These days, I hardly ever play, even though I have close to 50 decks of cards.
Growing up, there were many wonderful memories for me surrounding a game of cards. My parents belonged to several bridge clubs when I was young. I have been told that during one of those games, I must have been 2 or 3, that I wanted to say goodnight to everyone. Mom would try to take me back to my room and I would stop and yell goodnight to someone...until everyone was covered. Of course, i'm sure that Mom was feeding me the names, but it's still a fun story.
There were also numerous games of bridge with the Goodsons...our neighbors across the street. One or two times a month, they would come over on a Saturday night and play bridge with Mom and Dad. Early on, my job was to empty the ashtrays on the table. Only Mom and Mr. Goodson smoked, but for me it was an important responsibility.
And Gin. Not the alcohol but the game. Many, many a night I spent playing Gin with Grandmother in her living room. I would set up the card table and we would spend hours playing cards. Keeping score in one of those wire ringed notebooks. We played the version that involved having 10 cards per player. I have since learned that there are many versions of Gin and Gin Rummy. Still, those are precious memories.
And today, my decks of cards sit in my buffet, unused. And they're vintage, too. I need to find some people to have over and set up the card table to play some cards. I am adaptable to learning new games and reliving old ones. We played Spades, Hearts, Spite & Malice, Go Fish. I'm open. I just remember how wonderful it was to sit around the table and play cards. People often told the best stories around that table. Ah, well.
Until I can find someone to play cards with, I will have to settle for playing Solitaire. If you're interested to playing a few hands, just let me know. Until then, it'll just be me and the 52.
Cheers.
Growing up, there were many wonderful memories for me surrounding a game of cards. My parents belonged to several bridge clubs when I was young. I have been told that during one of those games, I must have been 2 or 3, that I wanted to say goodnight to everyone. Mom would try to take me back to my room and I would stop and yell goodnight to someone...until everyone was covered. Of course, i'm sure that Mom was feeding me the names, but it's still a fun story.
There were also numerous games of bridge with the Goodsons...our neighbors across the street. One or two times a month, they would come over on a Saturday night and play bridge with Mom and Dad. Early on, my job was to empty the ashtrays on the table. Only Mom and Mr. Goodson smoked, but for me it was an important responsibility.
And Gin. Not the alcohol but the game. Many, many a night I spent playing Gin with Grandmother in her living room. I would set up the card table and we would spend hours playing cards. Keeping score in one of those wire ringed notebooks. We played the version that involved having 10 cards per player. I have since learned that there are many versions of Gin and Gin Rummy. Still, those are precious memories.
And today, my decks of cards sit in my buffet, unused. And they're vintage, too. I need to find some people to have over and set up the card table to play some cards. I am adaptable to learning new games and reliving old ones. We played Spades, Hearts, Spite & Malice, Go Fish. I'm open. I just remember how wonderful it was to sit around the table and play cards. People often told the best stories around that table. Ah, well.
Until I can find someone to play cards with, I will have to settle for playing Solitaire. If you're interested to playing a few hands, just let me know. Until then, it'll just be me and the 52.
Cheers.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Recipe of the day - easy baked apples
We had ham steaks for dinner the other evening and I wanted to make some baked apples to go along with them. I had never made them before, but remember them fondly from growing up. So, I searched for an easy recipe online and found this one. It really is so easy and turned out really nicely. I will definitely be making this again!
5 Gala apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Peel and chop apples. Melt the butter and mix with the cinnamon. Place apples in a baking dish. Cover with the cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until the apples are soft, stirring once during baking to make sure the apples are coated.
Enjoy!
5 Gala apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Peel and chop apples. Melt the butter and mix with the cinnamon. Place apples in a baking dish. Cover with the cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until the apples are soft, stirring once during baking to make sure the apples are coated.
Enjoy!
Thought for the day
This morning, I got to sleep in. I have not had a day off since October 8th, so this was a real treat for me. Granted, I woke up at 7 a.m., but still, I slept in. Normally I get up around 5 a.m. There's just something refreshing about waking up when my body is ready to wake up as opposed to waking up to an alarm. That's why I don't really mind getting up relatively early on the days that I am sleeping in.
After I woke up, I made my coffee, which is usually the first thing that I do in the morning. I took a cup out onto the porch to enjoy the beautiful fall morning. In the neighborhood where we live, early morning is one of the few quiet times, so I really enjoy it. And it made me realize that I enjoy my weekends. Like I said, I don't get them very often, but I do enjoy them. I hope that one day having weekends off will be a regular occurrence and not something that's very rare as it is today.
Of course, we have plans for the day off. We are heading to the wedding celebration of some friends of ours. So, we have to pack bags and get Squirt ready for the day trip. Even though I would personally love to just stay at home and act the sloth, I am looking forward to seeing people. And one of the nicest parts of it is that I will get to sleep in again tomorrow. Two days in a row. Hooray for me!!
I imagine that most of you are asleep as I right this. And by most of you, I mean the few people who read the blog haha. I hope you all enjoy your Saturday and that you, too, got to sleep in. As for me, it's time to refill my coffee cup and head back to the porch for awhile.
Cheers
After I woke up, I made my coffee, which is usually the first thing that I do in the morning. I took a cup out onto the porch to enjoy the beautiful fall morning. In the neighborhood where we live, early morning is one of the few quiet times, so I really enjoy it. And it made me realize that I enjoy my weekends. Like I said, I don't get them very often, but I do enjoy them. I hope that one day having weekends off will be a regular occurrence and not something that's very rare as it is today.
Of course, we have plans for the day off. We are heading to the wedding celebration of some friends of ours. So, we have to pack bags and get Squirt ready for the day trip. Even though I would personally love to just stay at home and act the sloth, I am looking forward to seeing people. And one of the nicest parts of it is that I will get to sleep in again tomorrow. Two days in a row. Hooray for me!!
I imagine that most of you are asleep as I right this. And by most of you, I mean the few people who read the blog haha. I hope you all enjoy your Saturday and that you, too, got to sleep in. As for me, it's time to refill my coffee cup and head back to the porch for awhile.
Cheers
Friday, October 20, 2017
Quote of the day
If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that.
Unknown
Unknown
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Thought for the day - breast cancer awareness month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. October, for me, is so full of emotion already that adding this on top of all of that in some ways is overwhelming but in the long run, it is a blessing. We already have fall weather...finally, Halloween, homecoming, Coming Out Day...etc. So there is a lot going on this month, needless to say.
I really started thinking about BCA month last night. I was watching the DVD of Season 1 of Designing Women. Can't help it...one of my favorites. Anyway, there is an episode in Season 1 where Charlene finds a lump in her breast. Her doctor tells her not to worry about it yet she seeks a 2nd opinion anyhow. The lump turns out to be benign, thank goodness.
Well, I distinctly remember watching this episode when it premiered. I was in the 6th grade. Designing Women was one of our Monday nigh staples. We all loved it. Mom got very emotional watching this episode. I can understand that. She had just had a mastectomy the previous year so, to me, this was a natural reaction. Btw, it's a very good episode if you've never seen it.
It was not until years later, after Mom passed away, that Dad told me about something that truly connected Mom to this episode. When she found the lump in her breast, her OB-GYN told her not to worry about it. It was probably nothing and to come back in 6 months. Obviously, it definitely was something. Something that eventually took her life. But, she listened to her doctor and did not seek a 2nd opinion. The rest, shall we say, is history.
When Dad first told me this, I was very angry. Why would a doctor tell a patient not to worry about a potentially fatal disease? I did eventually cool off and could sit back and reflect in a more open manner. I realized that in the mid 80's, there was still a lot to be learned about cancer and many doctors gave this kind of response. And, Mom's OB-GYN was a family friend. Our families went to church together and had known each other for years. There was no reason for her not to trust him and there was no reason for him not to give the best possible advice her could at the time. Once I realized all of this, the malice was gone from my heart over the issue.
Needless to say, after 6 months, Mom was diagnosed with cancer and it eventually killed her. She fought an extremely long, tough and heroic battle. She is one of my heroes. And, at least to me, she never spoke negatively about how she got into this situation. She confided in me a lot, so if she had bad feelings, she never let on. And that just shows her endurance...to me, anyway.
Bottom line, my friends, male or female...if you find a lump, get it biopsied. And do not be afraid to go for that 2nd opinion. Any doctor who has any compassion will not argue against your seeking that out. Life is to short to do otherwise.
That is all.
I really started thinking about BCA month last night. I was watching the DVD of Season 1 of Designing Women. Can't help it...one of my favorites. Anyway, there is an episode in Season 1 where Charlene finds a lump in her breast. Her doctor tells her not to worry about it yet she seeks a 2nd opinion anyhow. The lump turns out to be benign, thank goodness.
Well, I distinctly remember watching this episode when it premiered. I was in the 6th grade. Designing Women was one of our Monday nigh staples. We all loved it. Mom got very emotional watching this episode. I can understand that. She had just had a mastectomy the previous year so, to me, this was a natural reaction. Btw, it's a very good episode if you've never seen it.
It was not until years later, after Mom passed away, that Dad told me about something that truly connected Mom to this episode. When she found the lump in her breast, her OB-GYN told her not to worry about it. It was probably nothing and to come back in 6 months. Obviously, it definitely was something. Something that eventually took her life. But, she listened to her doctor and did not seek a 2nd opinion. The rest, shall we say, is history.
When Dad first told me this, I was very angry. Why would a doctor tell a patient not to worry about a potentially fatal disease? I did eventually cool off and could sit back and reflect in a more open manner. I realized that in the mid 80's, there was still a lot to be learned about cancer and many doctors gave this kind of response. And, Mom's OB-GYN was a family friend. Our families went to church together and had known each other for years. There was no reason for her not to trust him and there was no reason for him not to give the best possible advice her could at the time. Once I realized all of this, the malice was gone from my heart over the issue.
Needless to say, after 6 months, Mom was diagnosed with cancer and it eventually killed her. She fought an extremely long, tough and heroic battle. She is one of my heroes. And, at least to me, she never spoke negatively about how she got into this situation. She confided in me a lot, so if she had bad feelings, she never let on. And that just shows her endurance...to me, anyway.
Bottom line, my friends, male or female...if you find a lump, get it biopsied. And do not be afraid to go for that 2nd opinion. Any doctor who has any compassion will not argue against your seeking that out. Life is to short to do otherwise.
That is all.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Thought for the day
I need to cut back on social media. I am not going to give it up completely, because, after all, it is a good way to keep up with people and chat with people that share similar interests. I just use it too much...like most people, I believe. While that may work for some people, I have an addictive personality and need to get it under control. I spend way too much time on it and I waste hours, days, on it. I want to get back into the reality of life and not let is pass me by. If I am hunched over my computer for hours on end, I don't get the things done that I want to.
I keep a daily list of things that I need to get done every day. I think I am going to try using social media as a reward for getting things checked off my list. That may work, that may not, but I won't know until I try. So far, today, I have gotten a good number of things done this morning without staring at Facebook and other places all morning long.
Bottom line, I don't want the internet to control my daily life, which is a very real possibility if I let that occur. It's time to start getting back into life.
That is all.
I keep a daily list of things that I need to get done every day. I think I am going to try using social media as a reward for getting things checked off my list. That may work, that may not, but I won't know until I try. So far, today, I have gotten a good number of things done this morning without staring at Facebook and other places all morning long.
Bottom line, I don't want the internet to control my daily life, which is a very real possibility if I let that occur. It's time to start getting back into life.
That is all.
10 Favorite 80's sitcom theme songs
Ah, the 80's. Like today, a lot of television was crap, but we didn't know it back then haha. Still there were some great theme songs along the way. The only criteria I set for these is that the sitcom had to premiere some time in the 80's and the theme song had to remain the same throughout the entire run of the show. If I get one wrong, just let me know!
1. Gimme a Break
2. Who's the Boss?
3. The Golden Girls
4. Night Court
5. Growing Pains
6. Family Ties
7. Mama's Family
8. Silver Spoons
9. Greatest American Hero
10. Cheers
1. Gimme a Break
2. Who's the Boss?
3. The Golden Girls
4. Night Court
5. Growing Pains
6. Family Ties
7. Mama's Family
8. Silver Spoons
9. Greatest American Hero
10. Cheers
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Song of the day - Jupiter
I listened to Holst's "The Planets" yesterday after I got home from work. It's one of my favorite classical pieces. Jupiter, in particular, is one of my favorites. I thank Daniel Sturdivant for introducing it to me in high school band. We played a version of this at one of our concerts. It's a fun piece and I always enjoy listening to it!
Thought of the day
Here it is Tuesday morning. Sometimes it's hard to believe that another week has gone by and I'm already starting a new one. This morning, I woke up with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I have no idea why, but I feel nervous and anxious today. I do hope that is will not be a trend for the rest of my day and these feelings will subside. We shall see.
It is finally starting to feel like autumn here. I think that's part of the reason for my feelings this morning. I normally love fall. Well, I think I love what it once meant to me growing up. Fall was the beginning of the holiday season with Halloween and Thanksgiving. Fall was Friday night football games in high school. Fall was dreading Dad asking me to help rake leaves. Fall was being able to wear sweaters. It use to be one of my favorite times of year.
Now it is, as each season seems to be becoming, simply a reminder of what I haven't done. I had so many plans for the summer months which never happened. I wanted to clean out the garage. I wanted to exercise more. I wanted to conquer some personal demons. I wanted to be more of a social person in real time. Yes, I know that all of these things can still occur, but the ending of one season and the beginning of another is just a reminder that I didn't do it yet. I begin to feel defeated and depressed. I will get over it because I always do, I just hate going through it each time. And, in some ways, with the state of the world being what it is, I wonder if improvements are even worth attempting.
I begin to question myself on things like have I been a good enough son? Have I been a good enough husband? Have I been a good enough friend. Of course, the answer is always "no" but that's human nature and something we all feel whether or not we admit it openly. I'm just admitting it this morning. I just simply cannot allow the feelings to over power me or else I will be of no use to anyone, including myself.
Well, autumn is truly under way and I must deal with how I feel. I will keep trying to do the things I need and want to do and see how that goes. After all, all I can do is try. Right?
Time to refresh my coffee.
Cheers
It is finally starting to feel like autumn here. I think that's part of the reason for my feelings this morning. I normally love fall. Well, I think I love what it once meant to me growing up. Fall was the beginning of the holiday season with Halloween and Thanksgiving. Fall was Friday night football games in high school. Fall was dreading Dad asking me to help rake leaves. Fall was being able to wear sweaters. It use to be one of my favorite times of year.
Now it is, as each season seems to be becoming, simply a reminder of what I haven't done. I had so many plans for the summer months which never happened. I wanted to clean out the garage. I wanted to exercise more. I wanted to conquer some personal demons. I wanted to be more of a social person in real time. Yes, I know that all of these things can still occur, but the ending of one season and the beginning of another is just a reminder that I didn't do it yet. I begin to feel defeated and depressed. I will get over it because I always do, I just hate going through it each time. And, in some ways, with the state of the world being what it is, I wonder if improvements are even worth attempting.
I begin to question myself on things like have I been a good enough son? Have I been a good enough husband? Have I been a good enough friend. Of course, the answer is always "no" but that's human nature and something we all feel whether or not we admit it openly. I'm just admitting it this morning. I just simply cannot allow the feelings to over power me or else I will be of no use to anyone, including myself.
Well, autumn is truly under way and I must deal with how I feel. I will keep trying to do the things I need and want to do and see how that goes. After all, all I can do is try. Right?
Time to refresh my coffee.
Cheers
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Thought for the day
Well, here it is Wednesday already and time seems to be flying by! I'm ready for another day off, which will be sometime next week...grrrrrrrrrr. Ah, well, that's life at the moment. Anyway, I met with a coworker at HG yesterday to discuss this new position. I'm 95% sure that I will accept it, for several reasons.
This position is Housekeeping Supervisor. They have never had one at HG before. So, when the big boss decided that this would be a good idea to have this position, for some reason I was the one he thought of. That really is flattering considering the short amount of time I have been there. And my coworker did say yesterday something to the effect of they want to keep me at HG, which may have something to do with it. Anyway, even though I love my job in dining services, I have to look at the big picture and this position would teach me many things I do not know yet. One of my goals is to obtain my long term care administrator's license and the more I know about how these facilities operate, the better off I will be.
And, to be honest, the money and schedule will be better. More money is always a good thing and it'd be nice not to have to work 2 jobs. And having most weekends off would allow me to do some of the things that I want to do. That'd also be true during the week, as I would be done around 4 each day. So, there it is...again. I will probably go talk to the big boss before all of this happens because I want to be 100% sure that he's for this. I mean, this was all his idea in the first place, but I need to make it understood that I am coming from a hospitality/dining service background and not housekeeping. I can clean my own house....when the mood strikes me....but still have a lot to learn. And I also don't want to create any drama/bad blood among any of the ladies in housekeeping that have been there for awhile. We shall see.
That is all.
This position is Housekeeping Supervisor. They have never had one at HG before. So, when the big boss decided that this would be a good idea to have this position, for some reason I was the one he thought of. That really is flattering considering the short amount of time I have been there. And my coworker did say yesterday something to the effect of they want to keep me at HG, which may have something to do with it. Anyway, even though I love my job in dining services, I have to look at the big picture and this position would teach me many things I do not know yet. One of my goals is to obtain my long term care administrator's license and the more I know about how these facilities operate, the better off I will be.
And, to be honest, the money and schedule will be better. More money is always a good thing and it'd be nice not to have to work 2 jobs. And having most weekends off would allow me to do some of the things that I want to do. That'd also be true during the week, as I would be done around 4 each day. So, there it is...again. I will probably go talk to the big boss before all of this happens because I want to be 100% sure that he's for this. I mean, this was all his idea in the first place, but I need to make it understood that I am coming from a hospitality/dining service background and not housekeeping. I can clean my own house....when the mood strikes me....but still have a lot to learn. And I also don't want to create any drama/bad blood among any of the ladies in housekeeping that have been there for awhile. We shall see.
That is all.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Quote of the day
Life only comes around once, so do whatever makes you happy and be with whoever makes you smile.
Unknown
Unknown
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Thought for the day
Some days, it is just hard to know what to think about things anymore. I hate the fact that I am becoming numb and desensitized to tragedy. Yes, what happened yesterday in Las Vegas was beyond horrible. I pray, for my own benefit, to make sense of it all and send as much good energy to those people as possible because it is all I know to do right at this moment. These kinds of occurrences have become commonplace in our country. While not on the scale as this past shooting, but still commonplace. And I am not reacting as I would have 5, 10, or 20 years ago. I would have been a lot more emotionally devastated at this tragedy.
Many of us have those defining moments of national tragedy. We know where we were, what we were doing, etc. And those tragedies were not all acts of terrorism, domestic or foreign. The Challenger blowing up after take off was my first one. The Columbine shootings, September 11th...they all have definite places in my history. But know, it is almost like I get up in the morning and turn on media and see someone's been shot, something horrible has happened in our country, and sadly, it's just another day. Lawmakers are no help because they are in it for themselves and profit. If the killing of 20 children two weeks before Christmas at Sandy Hook could not motivate compassion and common sense in our country, then we are a lost cause.
I don't want to live my life afraid of going places out of fear of tragedy. That is no way to live. I do not want to be a prisoner to myself, my society or my country. I just don't know how to fix it. Or even if I should try to fix it. Some days, I feel like getting out of bed is not even worth it. But, alas, life, as we know it now, goes on. Only time will tell.
Many of us have those defining moments of national tragedy. We know where we were, what we were doing, etc. And those tragedies were not all acts of terrorism, domestic or foreign. The Challenger blowing up after take off was my first one. The Columbine shootings, September 11th...they all have definite places in my history. But know, it is almost like I get up in the morning and turn on media and see someone's been shot, something horrible has happened in our country, and sadly, it's just another day. Lawmakers are no help because they are in it for themselves and profit. If the killing of 20 children two weeks before Christmas at Sandy Hook could not motivate compassion and common sense in our country, then we are a lost cause.
I don't want to live my life afraid of going places out of fear of tragedy. That is no way to live. I do not want to be a prisoner to myself, my society or my country. I just don't know how to fix it. Or even if I should try to fix it. Some days, I feel like getting out of bed is not even worth it. But, alas, life, as we know it now, goes on. Only time will tell.
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