Rock Garden

 

In 1807, Napoleon signed the Treaties of Tilsit, ending the war between France and Russia. To celebrate, Napoleon organized a rabbit hunt at the estate of his chief of staff, Alexandre Berthier. Berthier arranged for hundreds, perhaps thousands of rabbits (some accounts say up to 3,000) to be released on the grounds, expecting them to scatter and be hunted as part of the festivities. But these weren’t wild-caught rabbits. They were purchased from local farmers. Instead of fleeing from humans, they ran straight at them, expecting to be fed. The hungry bunnies swarmed Napoleon and his men, causing them to make a hasty retreat. This story reminds me of an incident in April, 1979, when President Jimmy Carter was fishing. A rabbit swam towards his boat, "hissing menacingly, its teeth flashing and nostrils flared." The President panicked and splashed at the scary beast with his paddle. There were no reported casualties.

Split Four-Patch

 

If you ever find yourself supremely bored with an Internet connection, Google the infamous Roman Emperor Caligula. If only a small fraction of the things that have been written about him are true, he’d still be one of the weirdest humans who ever walked the earth. He only ruled four years – from 37 to 41 A.D. – but his short reign was marked by extravagance and cruelty. His real name was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Caligula (which means “Little Boot”) was a childhood nickname given him by his father’s soldiers. According to one story, Caligula was on his way to invade Britain when he came to the northern coast. He called off the invasion and decided to make war on the sea. He ordered his soldiers to repeatedly stab the waves so the god Neptune would be offended. Then, he had them fill their helmets with seashells as spoils of war.

Ten Kitty Cats

 

“I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.” – Rodney Dangerfield

“My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.” – Woody Allen

“A cannibal is a person who walks into a restaurant and orders a waiter.” – Morey Amsterdam

“New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.” – David Letterman

“I was such an ugly kid, when I played in the sandbox, the cat kept covering me up.” – Rodney Dangerfield

“Big families are like waterbed stores. They used to be everywhere, and now they’re just weird.” – Jim Gaffigan

“I stayed up one night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died.” – Steven Wright

“Congress is the finest group . . . money can buy.” – Morey Amsterdam

"I haven’t spoken to my wife in years. I didn’t want to interrupt her.” – Rodney Dangerfield

Kaleidoscope Star

 

“Ministering by the Spirit invites the Savior’s healing into our lives and the lives of those we minister to. I often find peace, clarity, healing, and purpose when I minister. I find the Savior when I minister. This is by divine design. Ministering is truly loving and caring for others as the Savior would. It is a way of being; it is the way of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is not a program or a checklist; ministering is the essence of who God is and who we can become as we follow Him. We are not called to or released from ministering. It is part of fulfilling the covenants we made at baptism and in the temple. We covenanted to take upon us the Savior’s name—becoming as He is as we sacrifice and consecrate our lives to Him. When we minister as He would, we begin to think, feel, and love as He would.” – Kristin M. Yee

Father's Choice

 

"My father always provided me a safe place to land and a hard place from which to launch." – Chelsea Clinton

"Most parents hope their children are happy, funny, well-adjusted and have a passion for something in their lives." – Tom Hanks

"No man I ever met was my father's equal, and I never loved any other man as much." – Hedy Lamarr

"I've said it before, but it's absolutely true: My mother gave me my drive, but my father gave me my dreams. Thanks to him, I could see a future." – Liza Minnelli

"I am my father's daughter and not afraid of anything." – Queen Elizabeth II

"A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad." – Steven Spielberg

"Any fool can have a child. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father." – Barack Obama

Four Strawberries

 

In 1969, Carroll Spinney performed at a Puppeteers of America festival in Salt Lake City. He’d put together an ambitious show, combining live actors, puppets and animated backgrounds. The show was ruined by an errant spotlight that washed out the backgrounds. It was a miserable failure and the show just fell apart. Afterwards, Jim Henson came up to Carroll and said, “I liked what you were trying to do.” Jim wanted Carroll to come to New York with him, to play a large yellow bird that was part puppet, part costume. Carroll played both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch in Sesame Street for over 50 years: 4,400 episodes. Carroll Spinney always said it was his own good fortune to play the two very best Muppets. And he got the chance because somehow, Jim Henson saw something he liked in a show that failed miserably. 

Spooky Moon

 

I learned a new word last week: paronychia. It’s an inflammation of the skin surrounding a fingernail or toenail due to a bacterial or fungal infection. It can occur after excessive or aggressive manicuring. (Not me. My last real manicure was nearly 12 years ago.) It’s often caused by thumb-sucking, nail-biting, or pulling hangnails. (Also, not me.) It can also be caused by trauma, like when you sew through your own finger. (Okay, that might be me.) My finger started hurting about two weeks ago, but I ignored it. I assumed it was because I’d been practicing the piano more than I usually do. But then the fingertip began to swell. My finger started running its own personal fever. A thin, red line appeared near my wrist, indicating the infection was traveling. I visited the doctor, who drained the site and prescribed antibiotics. And just like that, I felt so much better. What did people do before antibiotics?

Sixteen Hit or Miss Blocks

 

In a New Orleans classroom in 1945, sixteen-year-old Gwendolyn was taught Black people were inferior. She knew it was a lie, and spent her whole life dismantling it. At seventeen, Gwendolyn joined the New Orleans Youth Council. She marched, organized, and was arrested. She kept going. In the 1980s, Hall was conducting research when she opened a ledger from the 18^th century. Inside, she found names of hundreds of enslaved Africans, along with important details: origins, skills, and family relationships. Gwendolyn spent years between archives in Louisiana, France, and Spain, pulling fragments together. She built the Louisiana Slave Database: a searchable record of over 107,000 enslaved individuals, documented by name, ethnicity, occupation, family connection, and place of origin. Gwendolyn Midlo Hall died in 2022 at age 93. She began by refusing to accept a lie told in a classroom. She ended having returned names, histories, and dignity to over a hundred thousand people.

Nine Kitty Cats

 

In 2009, Warren and Maureen Nyerges bought a home in Naples, Florida, using cash. The home was a foreclosure that sold for $165,000. But in 2010, the Bank of America tried to foreclose on the couple. They’d confused Warren and Maureen with the previous owner who’d defaulted on a loan. For months, the Nyerges’ begged the bank to fix their mistake. No one replied to their calls or letters. They were forced to hire a lawyer to get the foreclosure dismissed. The judge ordered the bank to repay over $2,500 in legal fees for the wrongful foreclosure. The bank simply ignored the court order for five more months. That’s when Warren and Maureen showed up at a Bank of America branch with a moving van, two sheriff’s deputies and a writ of execution allowing them to seize the bank’s assets: computers, printers, cash drawers, etc. Within an hour, the bank manager cut them a check for $5772.

Center of Attention

 

“The scriptural phrase ‘come unto me’ is the Savior’s introductory invitation to learn and act in His doctrine and begin a process of spiritual rebirth. The scriptural phrase ‘endure to the end’ is a repeated reminder of the mighty spiritual change in our hearts that should be ongoing throughout our lives; it also is His promise of what we may become if we truly are possessed of the pure love of Christ. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, ‘All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ I joyfully witness that each of us, with the Lord’s grace and mercy, can believe all things, hope all things, and endure valiantly all things.” – Elder David A. Bednar

Crazy House

 

A ticket for a single day at Disneyland – without park hopper tickets or Disney Genie Plus – is $184. On opening day in 1955, you could get into Disneyland for just a dollar; 50 cents if you were a child. Of course, tickets for the rides were extra then. But you could pretty much ride everything for under $10 seventy years ago. If a dollar in 1955 would be worth $12.14 today, I guess you could say the price of a Disney trip has more than kept pace with inflation. A day ticket to the Magic Kingdom in Florida is even more: $194. I guess that makes sense. Disneyland covers 85 acres, while the Magic Kingdom is 107. A day at Disneyland Paris is $133 in US dollars. Hong Kong Disneyland is $91, Shanghai Disneyland is $74, and Tokyo Disneyland is only $59. Suddenly it occurs to me – I’ve already visited the three most expensive Disney parks.

Three Strawberries

 

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but I do know that someone does. If it’s you, I hope you’ll read these words and come to believe them. If it isn’t, I hope you’ll share them with someone who does. “Your impact on other people is much bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said once. Someone still smiles when they think of that lovely compliment you gave them that one time. Someone silently admires you. The gentle advice you give has made a difference for people. The support and love you’ve offered has made someone’s day. Your input and your opinions have made someone think twice. You are not insignificant or forgotten. Your existence makes a positive difference, whether you see it or not.” – Author Unknown

Crystal Star

 

When I was in fifth grade, our school librarian read Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to us. We sat on the Persian rug in front of her as she filled our heads with Oompa Loompas, Gobstoppers and Fizzy Lifting Drinks. She told us about the movie that was soon to be released, and we were beyond excited. When the movie finally hit theaters, it was – of course – a disappointment. No movie can hold a candle to the one that runs inside your head while you’re reading the book. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was released fifty-five years ago this month, which is probably why Murray Arts Council chose to stage the musical now. Tomorrow is opening night, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to perform with an audience. I wholeheartedly recommend seeing this show, or better yet, reading the book. Because as magical as this play is, the one in your head will still be better.

Nine Hit or Miss Blocks

 

Never Have I Ever, Quilter’s Version:

1.      Cut myself with a rotary cutter.

2.      Sewn a block together incorrectly.

3.      Broken a needle.

4.      Made a quilt entirely by hand.

5.      Yelled at someone for using fabric scissors.

6.      Bought too little fabric.

7.      Driven past a quilt shop without stopping.

8.      Worked on a project in a waiting room.

9.      Found a mistake in a finished quilt.

10.  Sewn through a pin.

11.  Quilted at 3:00 a.m.

12.  Stepped on a pin or needle.

13.  Measured something WRONG.

14.  Bought more fabric than I needed.

15.  Attended a guild meeting.

16.  Used a seam ripper.

17.  Left a needle or pin in a finished quilt.

18.  Given away a quilt.

19.  Entered a quilt in a show.

Eight Kitty Cats

 

Somehow, I never saw Amy Smart’s Notting Hill fabric in the quilt shop. If I had, I’d have snapped it up right away. When I found it online, it was out of print and discounted. I bought a fat quarter bundle and a banner kit in time to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth. Some of the prints have sketches of London landmarks, like Tower Bridge and Big Ben. Others are plaids, checks, polka-dots, roses and union flags, large and small. I quickly used up the larger prints and the ones with higher values. I had no plan for the rest, but couldn’t toss them. Then I found this Kitty Cat quilt pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew. I’ve used their patterns before and been really happy with them. They’re well-written: easy to read and to follow. They’re a bit on the modern side, but a fun way to use up scraps of any sort. 

Majestic View

 

“You might serve in a very visible role for a time, only later to be called to quiet, unseen service—or to support those with less experience. When callings change in ways that deeply impact you or your family, it can require great faith and trust in the Lord while you adjust. Our service is a choice, an offering to God, and a blessing. We know prayer, study of scripture, and worship at church and in the temple are critical to the development of our faith. Have we also come to see our callings as having a foundational role in the expansion of our faith? Callings from the Lord are tailor-made for our growth, as we humble ourselves, look outward, and learn that, indeed, when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are in fact in the service of our God. It really isn’t where we serve but how that matters to the Lord.” – Elder Patrick Kearon

Checkerboard

International Tabletop Day is celebrated the first Saturday in June. It was founded in 2013 by the creators of Geek and Sundry, a commercial YouTube channel and multimedia production company. You could join the celebration at organized events sponsored by libraries or local game shops, or you can host a game night in your own home. Break out the chess board or a deck of cards. Dust off your old Parcheesi or Scrabble or Monopoly board. Invite a few friends over for Catan, Ticket to Ride, or Dungeons and Dragons. Show the kids how to play some of your old favorites, like Chutes and Ladders, Uno, Mouse Trap or Candy Land. Don’t forget to provide snacks, but steer clear of really messy foods. It won’t do to spill smoothies on your Trivial Pursuit board, or to get sticky barbecue sauce on your Rook cards. Get out there and roll the dice, shuffle the cards and have fun!

 

Two Strawberries

 

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
and before the street begins,
and there the grass grows soft and white,
and there the sun burns crimson bright,
and there the moon-bird rests from his flight
to cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
and the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow
and watch where the chalk-white arrows go
to the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
for the children, they mark, and the children, they know,
the place where the sidewalk ends. - Shel Silverstein

Economy Block

 

History repeats itself, whether you’re paying attention or not. Two years ago, I wrote in this space about John F. Kennedy’s first political campaign. It was a congressional race in 1946, and Kennedy was the new kid on the block, running against eight competitors. One of them was Joe Russo, a well-known candidate and one of the first Italian immigrants to hold office in Boston. J.F.K.’s campaign manager found another Joe Russo – a janitor – and convinced him to join the race to confuse voters. Kennedy did win. Eight decades later, the same story’s playing out in Alaska. The incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan is running against former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who hopes to help her party regain a senate majority this year. Enter Dan Sullivan #2, a school teacher who’s thrown his hat in the ring. Will two Dan Sullivans on the ballot give Mary an edge? No idea. Can’t wait to find out. 

Four Hit or Miss Blocks

 

More fun, weird facts:

In the 1960’s, the CIA tried using cats as spies by fitting them with tiny microphones and sending them where they might record sensitive conversations. They gave up when they realized cats don’t care what you want.

Germany has almost twice as many castles as the US has McDonalds.

The mantis shrimp can throw punches up to 50 mph; enough to break a glass enclosure. There’s a mantis shrimp at our local aquarium. I try not to annoy him.

Twice monthly, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport brings in miniature ponies to calm nervous fliers. I should find out when to book a layover there.

There are more fake flamingoes in the world than real ones.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. I remember this every time I get my teeth cleaned.

From 1912 to 1948, competitive arts were part of the Olympic games. Artists could earn medals for painting, architecture, sculpting, and music.

Seven Kitty Cats

 

In May 2016, 33 passengers from the Disney Magic were stranded in Dublin. They were on a Disney-sponsored excursion that failed to return to the dock in time because of heavy traffic. For decades, DCL has urged guests not to book with third-party vendors, as there’s no guarantee the ship will wait for you if you’re late. Disney Magic would have waited for the 33 guests, except Dublin is a tidal port. Its operation is determined by the rise and fall of tides in Dublin Bay. The ship had to leave to avoid being stranded – high and dry – for at least 16 hours. When the 33 guests finally arrived at the pier, the ship was gone, but a cast member waited for them. They were treated to a pub dinner, then ferried overnight to Liverpool, which was the Disney Magic’s next port. Disney cruises may be pricey, but they will take good care of you.

Another Pinwheel Pop

 

“Early on that Sunday morning Mary and a small group of friends who, despite grief, fear, and unanswered questions, encountered the empty tomb and learned for themselves the glorious truth of His Resurrection. It began that Easter morning when these women became the world’s first witnesses of the greatest event in the history of this world. We must all do the same. We must encounter the empty tomb, experience the reality of what it means, and, share that witness with others. Though centuries separate us from that holy day, we are among those who Jesus referred to when He said, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ The Savior has entrusted each of us personally with sacred spiritual experiences and knowledge. Because of those experiences, we can see for ourselves the meaning of the empty tomb: that Jesus Christ lives and is actively blessing all who seek Him.” – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Cupcake

 

Tomorrow is my birthday. It isn’t a scary one with a zero at the end, but still. I’d be upset if anyone referred to me as “elderly,” but I can no longer legitimately call myself “middle-aged.” If anyone asks my age, I plan to say I’m “well-seasoned.”

"At age 20, we worry what others think of us. At age 40, we don't care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all." – Ann Landers

"Nice to be here? At my age it's nice to be anywhere." – George Burns

"Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!" – Source Unknown

"Life would be infinitely happier if we could be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen." – Mark Twain

“Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!” – Ingrid Bergman

Striped Strawberry

 

The vending machine was invented in Ancient Egypt, by a Greek mathematician/engineer. It was designed to dispense holy water inside Egyptian temples. In the 1600’s, small machines in English pubs exchanged tobacco for coins. The country best known for its love of vending machines is Japan, which boasts a machine for every 23 people. Japanese buy hot and cold beverages from vending machines; sometimes both are available from the same unit. They can purchase hot foods like burgers, soba noodles, and curry; refrigerated items like sweet potatoes, sushi and bananas; or frozen treats like mochi, ice cream or popsicles. Their use isn’t limited to food and beverages. In airports, train stations and hotels, vending machines sell face masks, hand sanitizer, and toothbrush/toothpaste kits. And in business districts, there are machines offering socks, neckties, dress shirts and deodorant. There are even solar-powered or hand-crank vending machines for use when the power goes out.

Duck and Ducklings

 

I found this recipe while searching for a side dish to go with our Sunday dinner of chicken kebabs. But the rule of thumb for Sundays here is, “Keep it simple, stupid.” And two dishes – the kebabs and a layered salad – were already on the labor-intensive side. So, I opted for a Caesar salad and veggies with ranch dressing instead. I'll save this for a weeknight instead.

 

Garlic Butter Rice Pilaf

 

1 cup jasmine rice

2 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

 

Rinse rice in a mesh sieve until the water runs clear; drain. Place rice, broth, butter, oil, garlic and thyme in rice cooker. Close and set to “white rice.” When cooker has finished, transfer to serving bowl and garnish with fresh parsley. Serves four.

Hit or Miss

 

Here are a few weird but fun facts to ponder:

The Eiffel Tower can be up to six inches taller in summer, as heat makes the iron expand.

The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands, not counting sandbars that emerge during low tide.

Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she’s from Willows, Wisconsin.

When lightning strikes sand, the heat can create glass structures called fulgurite.

Your circulatory system – veins, arteries and capillaries – is more than 60,000 miles long.

71% of Earth is covered with water, but only 2.5% of that is fresh water. And only 1% of that is accessible, with the rest bound in glaciers and polar ice caps.

Beavers have transparent third eyelids that let them see underwater while protecting their eyes.

There are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt, with roughly 250 compared to about 100.

Dead skin cells are a major ingredient in household dust. We shed around 200 million per hour.

Orange House

 

I was ten or eleven when I read Hey, What's Wrong with This One? by Maia Wojciechowska. A lot of years have gone by and I’ve read hundreds of books since then, but this one has stuck with me. It’s about three brothers – Harley, Davidson and Mott – trying to cope with their mother’s absence. One thing they learn is casseroles are good things: easy on the cook and on the dishwasher. Some, like this one, can be comfort food, too.

 

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

 

4 cups cooked shredded chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar

3 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup bacon crumbles

1 teaspoon Cholula

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

1/2 cup butter, melted

 

Preheat oven to 375F. Coat 9x13” pan with cooking spray. Add first 7 ingredients to pan; stir. In a small bowl, mix together crackers and butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake 35 minutes.

Flower Show

 

“Do you remember learning about Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people? Jesus had been teaching people all day, and they were hungry. Somewhere in this large group there was a young boy who had five loaves of bread and two small fishes. He knew that this food could not feed very many people, but he decided to give Jesus what he had. Jesus took the food and thanked Heavenly Father for it. That food fed thousands of people! Just as the young boy did not have to figure out how a small amount of bread and fish could feed so many people, you do not need to worry about fixing all the problems around you. Heavenly Father can provide miracles when you simply offer what you have. When you say, ‘Here am I, send me,’ Heavenly Father can take something small and simple and make it great!” – President Susan H. Porter

Forty-Eight Louisiana Blocks

 

I did an inventory in my sewing room this week, and discovered I have seventeen different sets of quilt blocks that are ready for sashing and/or borders. Seventeen. That doesn’t count the tops that are ready to be quilted or the quilts that are waiting to be bound. It’s just blocks. Some are in plastic bins and some are in cardboard boxes. Some are in zipper bags and some in paper grocery sacks. Seventeen is just too many, so I set to work on clearing the backlog. I made the first of these red, cream and blue blocks in November 2022. I didn’t follow a pattern. I was just using up leftover scraps from other projects. If I stitch these blocks together without sashing, add a 2” blue stop border and a 4” red outer border, it would make an excellent donation to Quilts of Valor. One down, sixteen to go.

Midnight Blue Pinwheel

 

We went to a potluck picnic last night, and had a marvelous time. I brought my spicy English layer salad. If you’re interested, the recipe is here: https://mombowe.blogspot.com/2016/06/four-teacups.html

It’s one of my favorite dishes, but it can be a bit of work. I really should have made grape jelly meatballs. There are only three ingredients; no slicing, grating, chopping, or julienning. (I looked it up. That really is a word.) In a slow cooker, dump ten ounces of grape jelly. (Smuckers is okay, Bonne Maman is amazing, but usually I just use my own.) Add 12 ounces of Heinz chili sauce and stir. (There are other brands, but they might change the taste.) Add 32 ounces of fully cooked, frozen meatballs. (You could make your own, but that’s extra work.) Cover and cook 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. If you take this to a potluck, be sure to bring toothpicks for serving.

Brimming Basket

 

I learned a new term (well, new to me) this month: Maycember. If it isn’t obvious, Maycember is a combination of May and December. It refers to the absolute mayhem that happens at the end of every school year. This time of year, calendars are just as jam-packed as they are during the holiday season, without the benefit of gift-giving, festive decorations, or the cultural permission to slow down. So far, we’ve had two school band concerts, a choir concert, a piano recital, a dance recital, an amusement park field trip, two fund-raising carnivals, and several end-of-year farewell parties. As if that wasn’t bad enough, some of these events occur at the same time on the same day, so there’s literally no way to attend them all. The good news is summer break starts a week from tomorrow. Then there’s a whole week of relative peace and quiet before the summer musical starts.

Pink Tulip

 

For years I was a substitute teacher. It was a great way to supplement our family’s income and still be at home when my kids were. I only subbed in elementary schools, as older kids can be brutal.  When I found this story, I could definitely relate: “A former Marine Corps sergeant took a job as high school teacher. Before the school year started, he injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast under his shirt. The students didn’t know. The first day, he walked into the rowdiest class in the school—the kind that eats new teachers alive. The kids, knowing he was a former Marine, were eager to test him. The sergeant opened a window and sat at his desk. When a breeze blew his tie around, he casually picked up a stapler and stapled the tie to his chest. The room went silent. The rest of the year, discipline was not an issue.”

Half a Dozen Kitty Cats

 

The other day, a friend-of-a-friend on Facebook posed a question: If given the opportunity to forever be an age you choose (not a time, but a physical age), what age would you choose, and why? There were thousands of answers. Apparently, this is a subject we all have opinions about. A lot of men thought seventeen was the perfect age, because that’s when they’d earned their driver’s licenses. Several women chose 21, because they’d felt the most attractive at that age. Older people were more likely to select forties or fifties, when their health was better than today. Not me. If given the choice, I’d be ten forever. When I was ten, I could ride a bike, run like the wind, do cartwheels, and pull myself into a handstand. I ate whatever I liked without consequences. I didn’t pay taxes, didn’t have a mortgage, and no one could make me do anything I didn’t want to do: the perfect age.

Center of Attention

 

“As prophets have taught many times in the past, you may not feel like praying or you may not know what to say, but God hears the secret prayers of your heart. The feelings of your heart and the love for our Heavenly Father and for His Beloved Son can be so constant that your prayers will ascend always. As we pray continually, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord will offer us His peace and abiding support. I am reminded of the example of the sons of Mosiah, who had success in preaching the gospel and were made spiritually strong because they prayed constantly. We read in the book of Alma, ‘They had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation.’ It is significant that their spiritual strength came from continued prayer rather than waiting to pray until a moment of crisis when they desperately needed divine help.” – President Henry B. Eyring

Four Inch House

 

How to tell you’re OLD:

When they light all the candles on your birthday cake, the smoke alarm goes off.

You started out with nothing in life, and you realize you have most of it left.

When you take a bite of steak, your teeth might stay there.

Your back goes out more often than you do.

If a storm’s coming, you know before the weatherman does.

There’s Metamucil and Preparation H in your medicine cabinet, but not Bengay.

When invited to two events the same night, you pick the one that gets you home earlier.

Your idea of “happy hour” is a good nap.

It takes you twice as long to look half as good.

You can remember your kindergarten teacher’s name, but not why you walked into the kitchen.

The policeman who just pulled you over looks like a teenager.

You hear “snap, crackle and pop” at the breakfast table, but you’re not eating cereal.

Tiny Monkey Wrench

 

Today is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day. Homemade buttermilk biscuits are great with sausage and gravy, butter and jam, with meat and cheese, with strawberries and whipped cream, or all by themselves.

 

Buttermilk Biscuits

 

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into thin slices

3/4 cup cold buttermilk

 

Preheat oven to 425F and line baking sheet with parchment or silicone. In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Cut in butter until it’s crumbly. Make a well in the center; pour in buttermilk and stir until combined. Turn dough onto floured surface. Pat into a rectangle, then fold into thirds. Repeat twice. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thick; cut with a biscuit cutter. Place on baking sheet with sides ALMOST touching. Bake 15 minutes. Serve warm with your favorite sweet or savory accompaniment.

Rolling Stone

 

I voted for Mitt Romney in 2012. I saw what a marvelous job he did with the 2002 Winter Olympics, and thought his skills would make him an excellent president. I was thrilled to vote for someone with beliefs similar to my own. Romney didn’t win, but I was proud of the man who did, and of the country that elected him. In 2016, I voted for a former first lady. I felt she was the driving force behind her husband’s presidency, and I looked forward to seeing a woman holding the highest office in the land. She didn’t win, either. In 2020 the man I voted for won, but he didn’t accomplish much. Maybe we should stop electing presidents who are well past retirement age. In 2024, I voted for a woman who wasn’t a convicted felon, who wouldn’t have paved over the rose garden or destroyed the east wing, insulted our allies, painted the reflecting pool, started a stupid war or put her name and face on EVERYTHING.

Little Girl

Humans are amazing.

Usain Bolt is considered the fastest person after running 100 meters in 9.58 seconds.

Sultan Kösen is the tallest living man in the world, standing at 8’ 3”.

The world’s shortest adult is Jyoti Amge, who is 2’ 1” tall.

Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman, is believed to be the world’s oldest human. If she’s still here next February, she’ll be 123.

British savant Daniel Tammet can recite pi to over 22,000 digits, and can learn new languages in a week.

Ben Underwood lost his sight as a toddler. He developed his own form of echolocation and could play basketball with remarkable accuracy.

James Harrison’s blood had unusually strong antibodies against the D Rh antigen. His blood and plasma donations saved more than 2,000 babies.

Sheetal Devi was born in India in 2007, without arms. She shoots a bow and arrow with her feet and has won multiple international medals for archery.

Plus One More

 

“I recall one home evening when my mother bore powerful testimony of the law of tithing. My parents immigrated to the United States through a job offer that allowed us to receive legal residency. However, we experienced financial setbacks, as many immigrants do as they become acclimated to a new country and economy. With a gaze of her certain witness, she said, ‘All we need to see is the very hand of Jehovah Himself to have any greater assurance He is blessing us by our payment of tithing.’ I am certain the payment of tithes and offerings will enhance our spiritual capacity as we put God first and offer our firstlings of the flock. I witness a spiritual power and direction, heretofore unknown, will come into our lives as we keep the law of obedience and sacrifice.” – Elder Jorge T. Becerra

Old Windmill

 

“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” — Milton Berle

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” — Abraham Lincoln

“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” — Honoré de Balzac

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” — Rudyard Kipling

“Everybody wants to save the earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.” — P.J. O’Rourke

“A mother’s arms are made of tenderness, and children sleep soundly in them.” — Victor Hugo

“Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing.” — Ricki Lake

“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” — Robert Browning

“Some are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together.” — Pearl S. Buck

“My mother had a large heart — so large everybody’s joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation.” — Mark Twain

Patchwork Star

 

According to legend, Pete MacIntyre was called Whiskey Pete because he used bootlegging to supplement income from his gas station on the Nevada/California border. Pete died in 1933 and was buried in an unmarked grave. He was accidentally disinterred decades later, during construction on a bridge between his hotel/casino on the west side of I-15 and Buffalo Bill’s on the east. We frequently stopped in Primm for gas while driving to Disneyland and back. We only stayed there once. Knowing how exhausted we are when returning from the happiest place, we booked a room in Primm. An accident turned the freeway into a parking lot. We arrived hours late and they’d sold our room. We stayed in room that was still under construction, which was a unique experience. Whiskey Pete’s was closed in 2024, and Buffalo Bill’s will be gone by Independence Day, along with the restaurants and gas stations. Before you know it, Primm will be a ghost town.

Tiny Teal Flower

 

Slow Cooker Greek Pork

 

2 pork tenderloins (about 2 pounds)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

2-4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 large lemon, zested and juiced

 

Coat slow cooker pot with cooking spray. Rub pork with salt and place in pot. Combine remaining ingredients in bowl. Spoon 1/2 of the yogurt mixture over pork. Cover and refrigerate remaining yogurt mixture. Cover and cook pork on high 4 to 5 hours, or on low 6 to 7. (We did low for 6 hours, but it could have cooked a bit longer.) Remove pork and shred with 2 forks, then return to pot. Stir in reserved yogurt mixture; cover and rewarm at least ten minutes. Great with rice or warm pitas. We had ours with lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, kalamata olives, tzatziki sauce, and feta. This recipe feeds six, so of course we cut it in half.

Five Kitty Cats

 

I’ve done it without giving it a second thought. You probably have, too. I’ve eaten an apple while in a moving car. When I was done, I’ve opened the window and tossed the core out. But disposing of an apple core along a roadside isn’t as harmless as it seems. To decompose, such things need moisture and the right microorganisms, which can be in short supply along highways. Instead of becoming compost, the core will likely dehydrate. It could end up being there a long time. Meanwhile, it could entice wildlife like deer or raccoons to venture out of their comfort zone, where they may become roadkill. It could pick up roadside toxins before being snagged by a squirrel. Even without added pollutants, an apple core may not be part of a healthy diet for whatever finds it. You’re far better off keeping a trash receptacle in your car and never toss ANYTHING out the window.

Now You're Cooking

 

Next week I’ll make some loaves of banana bread for a church bake sale. I was thinking about what I need to have on hand (fresh buttermilk, whole nutmeg, and plenty of very ripe bananas) and it occurred to me this trick I’ve used for years might be useful for someone else. If I’m following a recipe I don’t have in my head – something I don’t make very often, or one I’ve never tried before – I suspend it from my cupboard door with a skirt hanger. I use a hanger with clips, not the kind that clamps the skirt between wooden slats. It puts the recipe at eye level, or at least closer to eye level than the counter. The recipe (in this case, the cookbook) is less likely to be splashed by energetic stirring or soiled by a messy countertop. Best of all, it takes up zero valuable counter space.

Striped Heart

 

This recipe serves six. Since there are only three of us, I cut it in half to make it last week. Although the original recipe called for serving this on top of cooked spaghetti, we had ours over baked potatoes. It was a big hit.

 

Slow Cooker Bacon Ranch Chicken

 

1 pound chicken breasts

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 package ranch dressing mix

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup water

 

Coat the inside of a 4-quart slow cooker (Ours holds 2 1/2 quarts) with cooking spray. Place chicken in bottom, then dump remaining ingredients on top. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Remove and shred meat; return to cooker about half an hour before serving.

Yellow Flower

 

Over the years, I’ve abandoned a lot of my “bucket list” items. Case in point: “Climb Mount Everest” sounded like a laudable goal when I was in my teens, but now it seems ridiculous.  I’ve wanted to travel Route 66 for as long as I can remember. I’d like to see Meramec Caverns, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the meteor crater where they filmed the end of Starman, and all the quirky roadside diners and vintage service stations in between. On Veteran’s Day this year, “The Mother Road” will celebrate her 100th Anniversary. Events, festivals, parades, car rallies and preservation projects will happen across all of the eight states through which Route 66 traveled: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. My state isn’t included in that list. But, maybe if we scheduled our next Disneyland trip for November, we could squeeze in a visit to Barstow and Santa Monica Pier.

Four Kitty Cats

 

May 10, 1999, 35-year-old David Phillips was saw a Healthy Choice promotion offering 500 frequent flyer miles for every 10 mailed-in product barcodes. Double miles if the barcodes were mailed by May 31. David did the math. Pudding cups were the cheapest qualifying product. $2.50 of pudding was worth 1,000 miles – a value of $20. David drove all over Sacramento, clearing stores of their pudding cups. If cashier got suspicious, he told them he was preparing for Y2K. He stacked 12,150 cups all over his house. Then he realized there was no way to peel all the barcodes alone before the deadline. David called the Salvation Army and made a deal. He donated all the pudding. The Salvation Army peeled the barcodes, and David mailed them in time. Two months later, a package arrived; certificates for 1,253,000 frequent flyer miles worth $150,000. Over the next five years, David flew his entire family to 43 countries.

Seven Song Birds

 

In our old neighborhood, there was a retired couple we admired. Half the year, they lived in Utah. They spent time gardening and playing with grandkids. When winter arrived, they packed their car, loaded their dog and cat, and moved to Arizona away from ice and snow. In summer, they’d come back and sit on their porch with mint juleps, greeting passersby. Our current home has a porch, and as of this week, it has two rockers. All we need are the mint juleps.

 

Mint Juleps – Disneyland Style

 

2/3 cup water

2/3 cup sugar

1 cup mint leaves

4 cups crushed ice

3 cups lemonade

3 cups sparkling water or lemon-lime soda

Mint leaves for garnish

 

In a saucepan, combine sugar and water; stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn off heat and add mint, crushing gently. Steep 30 minutes, then strain. Add to remaining ingredients for a pitcher of minty goodness to share.