Granny Square #2

James Herriot, author of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” said, “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” Edith Wharton, who wrote “Age of Innocence” and “Ethan Frome,” called her own little dog “the heartbeat at my feet.” A pet is so much more than just an animal, especially when that pet is a dog. She can be a valued member of your family, your confidante, your soul mate, your best friend and your biggest fan. And even though she may be very small, when she’s gone she can leave a very big hole. There’s no happy ending to any pet story. Saying goodbye to someone who’s literally been your shadow for years is heartbreaking, but it’s part of the package deal. The best thing you can do is to remind yourself that you were both better off for having known each other.

Battle of Trafalgar

My garden is small, but I’m rather proud of it. At the moment I’m growing spearmint, beets, parsley, broccoli, dill, tomatoes, onions, garlic, rosemary, peppers, catnip, and thyme. I know it’s too early in the season to declare it a success. The birds and slugs and snails haven’t had time to know I’ve even planted a garden. We’ve only had a few warm sunny days so far, but before you know it the plants I’ve been nurturing will start to look as if someone has been playing with a magnifying glass. Still, right now everything in my garden seems to be thriving. Well, almost everything. On closer inspection I find that something has definitely been munching on the leaves in one section. I’m not reaching for a pesticide, though. I don't think I can blame bugs for my mangled catnip.

Granny Square #1

“Lift up your soul in prayer and explain to your Heavenly Father what you are feeling. Ask that your ears may be opened, that you may hear His voice. Ask that your eyes may be opened, that you may see His light. Your Heavenly Father knows that you will make mistakes. He knows that you will stumble—perhaps many times. This saddens Him, but He loves you. He does not wish to break your spirit. On the contrary, He desires that you rise up and become the person you were designed to be. To that end, He sent His Son to this earth to illuminate the way and show us how to safely cross the stumbling blocks placed in our path. He has given us the gospel, which teaches the way of the disciple. It teaches us the things we must know, do, and be to walk in His light, following in the footsteps of His Beloved Son, our Savior.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Wheel in a Frame

I’ve still got road trips on my mind. Here’s my tentative playlist:

Ticket to Ride – Beatles

America – Simon and Garfunkel

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

Ramblin’ Man – Allman Brothers Band

Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

Runnin’ on Empty – Jackson Browne

Graceland – Paul Simon

I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

Take It Easy – Eagles

Drive My Car – Beatles

California Dreamin’ – Mamas and the Papas

Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

The End of the World as We Know It – REM

Ventura Highway – America

Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts

Route 66 – Chuck Berry

Real Gone – Sheryl Crow

Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles

Lookin’ Out My Back Door – CCR

Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash

No Particular Place to Go – Chuck Berry

Hotel California – Eagles

Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf

Every Day is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow

Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Proud Mary – CCR

Yellow Submarine – Beatles

I Get Around – Beach Boys

Nine New French Chains

Mexican Corn and Bean Salad

2 14-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained

4 cups frozen corn

Red bell pepper (either 2 small ones or 1 large) seeded and coarsely chopped

1 large red onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon hot sauce (we like Cholula, but Tabasco is fine)

Juice from two small limes

2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let rest at least 15 minutes so the corn can defrost and flavors can combine.  Then toss and serve. You can double or even triple the cumin and hot sauce if you like more heat. This colorful dish is a big hit at pot luck dinners. It will serve 8 to 10 people as a side salad.

Hugs and Kisses Top

I’ve seen this attributed to Mother Teresa. I have no way to prove that it’s hers, but I’d like to share it regardless:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous; be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.