Grandmas Goulash

You have to leave your home and everything in it. There will be basic furnishings, linens and food at your new place. Your family and pets can come too. After six months, you can purchase other items. But you can never go back and retrieve the things left at your home. What could you live without for six months? How about forever? Here's what I'm taking. Medications. Wouldn't last 6 months without them. Clothes. I'm not sure what the weather's like at the new location, but I don't want to freeze. Even if it's warm, Grandma's not into scaring people. Cosmetic Case. No need for lipstick and mascara, but I'd prefer not to spend 6 months without soap, toothpaste and deodorant. Bet my family would prefer it too. Computers. Even without an internet connection, although that seems like a basic from my perspective. I'm not sharing with Calico and Miss Muffin either, so their's are coming as well. No that doesn't count as multiple items....

On Easter morning, we awoke to overflowing baskets. The Bunny knows us well, so our loot included plenty of jelly beans. Not ordinary jelly beans, but Jelly Belly beans. The Jelly Belly history dates back to 1869 when the Goelitz brothers came to the US and started a candy factory. But it was almost one hundred years before they began to produce jelly beans. Ronald Reagan became a fan while he was Governor of California and they traveled with him to the White House. The blueberry Jelly Belly was created so that Reagan could serve red, white and blue jelly beans at his inaugural parties. Jelly Belly also holds the honor of being the first jelly bean in outer space. These quality jelly beans come in a wide variety of flavors. One category, the Harry Potter inspired BeanBoozled, includes Toothpaste, Dog Food, Rotten Egg and Skunk Spray flavored beans. I'm not that adventurous, but there are plenty of other flavors to choose from. If you haven't guessed by now, Grandma...

This started as a list of things that could be improved. Coffee made the top of the list. No need to go further. For those who love coffee. For those who don't, because they've never had a really good cup. Here are 13 ways to make better coffee. Equipment Skip glass carafes that sit on hot plates. They make coffee bitter very quickly. Hamilton Beach makes a coffee brew station that is my favorite. Push button dispensing and no bitter taste, even hours after it's made. Keep it clean Remnants of yesterday's coffee will not improve today's. Wash removable parts daily. A monthly vinegar rinse will prevent buildup that slows brewing time and keeps coffee tasting great. Grinding Buy the beans whole and grind them right before you make your coffee. Coffee grinders are inexpensive and grinding takes seconds. The aroma alone is justification for this one. The Right Bean Truly a matter of personal taste, so try different beans to see which you like best. There a...

Yesterday I wrote about my obsession with virtual pets. It's not my first obsession, of course. Here's 13 more. Reading. "Put down that book and go outside to play." was my mother's mantra from the time I was 7 years old. I learned how to sneak a book out of the house and read it while sitting on a swing or perched on a tree branch. Baking. Probably fueled by my love of sweets. In fourth grade, I won my first blue ribbon at the local fair. Cryptograms. As a kid, I loved secret codes and was always devising a new one. When our newspaper started presenting a daily cryptogram, I was hooked. Now I have cryptogram software on my computer. Algebra. Yes, you heard correctly. I was addicted from the first day of class. "If a train leaves Station A traveling at 60mph..." Each solution was a logical triumph, rivaling any runner crossing the finish line. I still use algebra to solve everyday problems. Needlework. I enjoyed sewing, knitting, cr...

On St. Patrick's Eve, my granddaughter made a leprechaun trap. This is the fourth year she's tried and once again the little guy has escaped, leaving a trail of gold glitter and green candy. Undaunted, she has already begun planning a new and improved trap for next year. Her adventures have provided the inspiration for today's list. Things that can be lost or hard to catch: time, breath, temper, friends, thoughts, money, interest, health, perspective, respect, a break, keys and as my granddaughter would tell you, a leprechaun. Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Longing for spring? You're not alone. It's easy to be lured by green grass and budding flowers. But spring has it's flaws. Thirteen of them by my count. Spring lifts your spirits with blue skies and warm weather. Right before it buries you beneath a late snow storm or encases you in freezing rain. Stop looking at those little green shoots for a minute and you'll see rotting leaves, broken twigs, and garbage from wind-capsized trash cans. Spring brings rain and it's dear friend, mud. It won't take long before pets and children share this outside delight with your home's interior. Spring is synonymous with spring cleaning. Grandma's not pretending that she participates in this ritual, but she certainly feels the guilty weight of avoiding it. Grass begins a new growth spurt, weeds compete to dominate the yard, bushes need trimming and the garden must be prepared for planting. If it were winter, you could be reading a good book by a ...

Ever worked especially hard on a post and been rewarded with no comments? I've had more than one of those days and they sure can be discouraging. So imagine my surprise and pleasure when I received three blog awards in the space of two days. I'd like to acknowledge the bloggers who sent these awards and pass them on to ten new recipients. 'Cause three plus ten is ? I'm not much into rules, regulations and fine print. But if you're interested, just click the award image to get more details. Queen Bug has been a faithful supporter of my blog and in particular of my budding novel, Convictions . She has her own lovely blog, The Dysfunction of Motherhood . Her tales of everyday life with her two young daughters are very real and very captivating. Thanks for the One Lovely Blog Award, Queen Bug. I'll try to write the novel a little faster. One Lovely Blog Recipients: Dallas Miao'd Like an old recipe, it has a pinch of this and a ta...

Dear Grandma, You are one of the most outstanding people I have ever known. Still, I wondered if you've ever looked back on your life and had any regrets. I hope to learn from your wisdom and experience. Respectfully, Young and Foolish Dear Y and F, You may be less foolish than you think.  Your  letter certainly shows a great deal of insight. Congratulations on being so perceptive. I've given this question all the thought it deserves and you'll find a complete list below: I regret I didn't start this advice column earlier in life. This is so easy. And think of all the folks I could have inspired. That about sums it up.  But if anything else comes to me, I'll be sure to  hide it  let you know. Your humble role model, Grandma is delighted to be a participant in the Thursday Thirteen meme. You should check it out. Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a ...

You've won a multi-million dollar lottery. But there is a catch. You have to spend it on yourself. You can't donate to charitable causes, establish scholarship foundations, give gifts to family and friends, place it in trusts or fund research to cure cancer. You get the idea. The money must be spent on yourself. If you live with other people, you can purchase things that they would enjoy, but it must be something that you would also like. Using that premise, I challenged myself to come up with 13 things I'd buy for myself. Good Health I know that money can't guarantee good health, but I'd be willing to spend money on the best specialists and treatments that money can buy. I'd like to know what could be done outside the limitations of health insurance and meager finances. A Motorized Scooter If money can't buy perfect health, I'd enjoy some things that make living easier. I'd love the mobility that those scooters provide. A New House Custom...

'Tis the season for romance. February 14th approaches and in it's honor I've stretched the list to 14 and added lots of love. chance encounter people saying, "Don't I know you?" minutes of remembering where hours of reminiscing in a coffee shop days of waiting for him to call days before the first date hours of flirtation weeks of putting their best foot forward months of getting to know and love the real person roses and a diamond ring months of planning hours of celebrating with family and friends days of honeymooning months pass and there's a new little person to love Grandma is delighted to be a participant in the Thursday Thirteen meme. You should check it out. Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, a...

The best language courses go beyond textbook English and teach idioms as well. Even so, I've found that some of the most important ones are missing. Here is a list of common sayings and their translations: I don't mean to be rude, but . . .. Prepare to have your feelings hurt Thank you for being a valued customer. Prepare for a sales pitch. With a 90% chance of precipitation. It's going to rain With a 90 % chance of blue skies and sunshine It's going to rain Number 3 and 4 are particularly tricky.  In areas of extreme drought, they mean unremitting sunshine. I'm sure you'll have better luck next time. Come on. Spend your hard earned money on more lottery tickets. Left lane closed in 500 ft. The right lane will now be filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic that would rather wreck their car than let you merge. Time limited offer You will be listening to this ad for months Critic acclaimed movie Most of us will neither understand ...

Last week I listed things that I'd love to do more than once. Today, things I don't like get equal air time. One of the things I don't want to do is eat cottage cheese. Baked beans make two. I really hate funerals, they don't comfort me. That's why on this list, they're number three. What's earned a place as number four? Cleaning clothes, house or dishes - there's always more. Laying in hospital barely alive, is truly not fun. But it is number five. I'm not successful and don't get my kicks raising money for charity. That's number six. I like making bread, using yeast as a leaven. But when it won't rise, that's number seven. Paying the bills is number eight. And on creditors' lists when I am late. Am I included with people who whine? I'm hoping not, 'cause that's number nine. Put foot in mouth. Yes, that's number ten. Someday I'll keep quiet, I'm just not sure when. ...

Some things are so pleasurable that they deserve to be repeated. Here are 13 things that I've done more than once or would like to do again. Watch the sunset at Lake Ontario. The sky becomes saturated with a million shades of pink as the fiery sun glides into the water. A walk along the water's edge would be a fine companion to this visual pleasure. Hear my father's laugh again. He was known for a delightful sense of humor and his laughter was strong and melodic. Some days I yearn to hear it just one more time. Sip a good cup of coffee while I sit at my computer. This morning ritual never grows old. Enjoy my daughter's childhood. It was such a joy to watch her grow. And yes, trite as it sounds, it happened all too fast. Catch a Frisbee. I was never the athletic type, but one day I was with some friends who were throwing a Frisbee in the park. It sailed towards me, too far above my head to catch. Without thinking, I flew into the air, extended my fingers and th...

Sorry. I won't be able to do a Thursday Thirteen this week. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't come up with a topic. But I tried. Really I did. I can prove it. Check out all the topics that I considered and discarded: The Weather It's been miserably cold and damp. Why would anyone want to read about that? Water Feature #1 I heard an interior designer say that water features add serenity to a room. This has not been my experience. So you will not be reading about the joys of having your house flood a week after you move into it. The Mess Who wants to hear about clutter in the office,  dying plants in the kitchen and pet fur that rivals the fruit fly's  reproductive capabilities? I've been avoiding this mess for days , weeks , months. Why focus on it now? American Idol If you love it, you already know  it's back.  You also know that there are far more than 13 reasons to watch it. If you don't love it, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Virtual Pets ...

There are those who raise their eyebrows when I insist that each of my cats had a distinctive personality. But it's true. Their stories are varied too. Check them out. Fuddy I was only 5 and loved him dearly. My parents weren't nearly as fond, due to some undesirable potty habits. He disappeared the day after he left a deposit in the middle of my parents' bed. I was an adult before it dawned on me that this wasn't a coincidence. Muffy This darling white long-hair had one blue eye and one green one. He was fearless around water and let me push him around our farm pond on a small wooden raft. Victoria My first cat as an adult. Her previous family evicted her because they feared that a cat would lay on their new baby and smother it. She had a queenly bearing and a mellow personality. Victoria contentedly shared her water and litter box with my daughter's rabbit. Uncle Fluff A feral cat about 8 months old. Really too old to tame, he put some se...

A few days ago, I explained why I no longer make New Year's resolutions . One reason involved the demotivating effect of contemplating all my imperfections. Today I decided to make a list of things that I don't need to improve on. I feared that I might not reach thirteen. But they came pretty quickly: 1. My sense of humor I got it from my father and it's sustained me through hard times. It also makes my daily life a lot lighter. 2. My coding skills After 40 years of computer programming, they are almost second nature. And I still enjoy it. 3. My loyalty My definition of friend is a lot more conservative than MySpace's. But I'm there for those I love. 4. My playfulness According to my granddaughter. She didn't use the word "playfulness", but she did mention a large number of informal games that we play: snatching jelly beans from her belly button, claiming her security blanket (tiki) is mine, singing silly songs ... the list i...