Looking back, Part 2

LOOKING BACK, PART 2

26. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Nothing specific, but I always love the time at the beach and the travel.

27. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2016?

I haven't used alcohol since I started having an allergic reaction with a medication.  Never went back to it when I changed medications.

28. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2016?

Only legally prescribed ones.

29. Did you treat somebody badly in 2016?

I hope not.  Not deliberately anyway.

30. Did somebody treat you badly in 2016?

Nobody that I can think of.

32. What do you wish you'd done more of in 2016?

I probably should find more ways to be physically active. I'm such a slug. I would love to be able to read more.

33. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Sit less, be more active.

35. What was your favorite TV program(s)?

NCIS ( + LA & NO), Blue Bloods, Rachel Maddow, Longmire, BookTV, Madame Secretary, PBS News Hour, Washington Week.

36. What song will always remind you of 2016?

I can't think of one.

37. How many stage shows did you see in 2016?

None.

38. Did you have a favorite stage show in 2016?

See above.

39. What was your greatest musical discovery?

None.

40. What was the best book you read?

I do wish I could read more.  It's hard to get much read when it's only in fits and starts - mostly when waiting for something.

41. What was your favorite film of this year?

The only movie I saw in a theater was a special screening of The King and I. It's still great.

42. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 80 in March, but no special events (unless you count renewing my driver's license and my passport).

43. What did you want and get?

Another year.

44. What did you want and not get?

Nothing.

45. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If Donald Trump had not been around.

46. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

47. What kept you sane?

My family and friends - and probably knitting.

48. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

The Obamas.

49. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.

Never say "never" - it'll bite you in the butt every time.

50. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Most of the music I listen to doesn't have lyrics.

** HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY! **

Too funny not to share..

ANNUAL NEOLOGISM CONTEST

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words. The winners are: 

1. Coffee (N.), the person upon whom one coughs. 

2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. 

3. Abdicate (V.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. 

4. Esplanade (V.), to attempt an explanation while drunk. 

5. Willy-nilly (Adj.), impotent.

6. Negligent (Adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown. 

7. Lymph (V.), to walk with a lisp. 

8. Gargoyle (N.), olive-flavored mouthwash. 

9. Flatulence (N.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller. 

10. Balderdash (N.), a rapidly receding hairline. 

11. Testicle (N.), a humorous question on an exam. 

12. Rectitude (N.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists. 

13. Pokemon (N), a Rastafarian proctologist. 

14. Oyster (N.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with  Yiddishisms. 

15. Frisbeetarianism (N.), (back by popular demand): The belief that,  when you die, your Soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there. 

16. Circumvent (N.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men. 

 The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are this year's winners:

 1. Bozone (N.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future. 

2. Foreploy (V): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid. 

3. Cashtration (N.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period. 

4. Giraffiti (N): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high. 

5. Sarchasm (N): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it. 

6. Inoculatte (V): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late. 

7. Hipatitis (N): Terminal coolness. 

8. Osteopornosis (N): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.) 

9. Karmageddon (N): It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right?  And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer. 

10. Decafalon (N.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you. 

11. Glibido (V): All talk and no action. 

12. Dopeler effect (N): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. 

13. Arachnoleptic fit (N.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web. 

14. Beelzebug (N.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out. 

15. Caterpallor (N.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of the literature: 

16. Ignoranus (N): A person who's both stupid and an asshole

2016 Wrap-up

I stole this idea and questions from Bev in her blog,  Funny the World.  Thanks, Bev. 

1. Was 2016 a good year for you?  In general, not too bad. 

2. What was your favorite moment(s) of the year? Spending time with family and friends. 

3. What was your least favorite moment(s) of the year? The 2016 Election. 

4. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before? Vote for a woman for President. 

5. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I haven't made New Year's resolutions for ages. 

6. Where were you when 2016 began? Asleep in my bed. 

7. Who were you with? Alone. 

8. Where will you be when 2016 ends? Probably the same 

9. Who will you be with when 2016 ends? Also the same. 

10. Did anyone close to you give birth? Ryan Kaye (my first cousin twice removed) was born. 

11. Did you lose anybody close to you in 2016? Yes - Martha, Mama Jean 

12. Who did you miss? John, Bobby 

13. Who was the best new person you met in 2016? I can't think of anybody new that I met, but we gained Claire and Erica as family members. 

14. What was your favorite month of 2016? I guess June - the beach month. 

15. Did you travel outside of the US in 2016? Not this year. 

16. How many different states did you travel to in 2016? TN, AL, FL, GA, KY, WV, VA, MD, DE, NC, ME.  That about covers the SouthEast, plus Maine. 

17. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016? I can't think of anything offhand. 

18. What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 8 November - Election Day 

19. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Surviving another year, and getting a new knee. 

20. What was your biggest failure? Not recuperating as quickly as I thought I should. 

21. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just more of the same - plus a new knee. 

22. What was the best thing you bought? I guess that would be my new knee - although the trip to Maine and the beach were more fun. 

23. Whose behavior merited celebration? We celebrated at our grandsons' weddings. 

24. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? No question here - Donald Trump 

25. Where did most of your money go? Rent (including food, etc.), travel, and a new knee (although I haven't seen any bills yet).

Monday wrap-up

After a friend enlightened me (Thanks, Kay), and I checked google, I'm happy to report that there will be a Season 6 of Longmire, starting sometime next year.  Don't look it up, though, unless you want to read some spoilers.

I wound up staying home over Christmas.  Margaret called Saturday morning to say she had a raspy throat and was coming down with whatever Jesse was just getting over.  Kate said she was sick with something, too.  Jean declined to get involved - saying she had enough respiratory problems without exposing herself to more.  And they all wanted me to stay out of the contagion zone.  It was quiet here and I got a lot of knitting and TV watching done.  Margaret texted this morning and says she still feels awful and is treating herself with soup and TV football.  I suggested she add some hot toddies and just continue to stay home.  She's off work all week in any case.

TV reviews

I'm not a great fan of Christmas movies - particularly when they're on 24/7 - as they are at this time of year.  Plus all the network/cable programs I normally watch are doing reruns. So I decided to watch some Netflix today.  I've loved the Longmire series - the books by Craig Johnson and the TV series, both on A&E and on Netflix. Actually that's why I subscribed to Netflix in the first place.  I have heard that the season of Longmire that was released this spring was to be the last season.  Well, I finished the series this afternoon, and without giving a spoiler, I have to say it was a MOST unsatisfactory final program.  I only hope that there will be new programs coming. Having vented about that, I've started watching a new Netflix series - Medici.  It's a period show set in Renaissance Florence.  The costumes and views of the wonderful architecture are feasts for the eyes.  I've watched only one program, so the jury is still out on the quality of the program.  We shall see.

Holiday Season

Dear Friends:
I hope your Holiday Season is a happy one - no matter what holiday (if any) you choose to celebrate!

Duplicate bridge

We came in last.  I guess somebody has to.

Thursday haiku

Warm day - open door!

Morning PT, then nothing.

Bridge cancelled.  Phooey!

The week before

It's a very quiet week-before-Christmas - at least for me.  I went to PT and to Walmart (WOW!).

Our swim group holiday covered-dish brunch was this morning.  I didn't go to the pool, but wouldn't miss that party.  The food was amazing, of course, and it's so good to see these nice folks away from the pool.

Tomorrow will be PT and a few hands of after-supper-bridge.

Sorry for tantalizing you with all this excitement!

Bookends

Bookends for the day.

Morning PT. Nap middle.

Evening duplicate!

p.s. Tied for second.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Here-to-Serve 16 Questions 

1. Which is worse? Being gossiped about or being lied to? Being lied to.  I don't care about gossip.

2. What is your favorite "Starbucks" drink? Or if you have better taste, Dunkin’Donuts? I don't do either one.

3. Name an embarrassing moment (Make it good). I can't think of one right now, but I'm sure there have been many.

4. Is it hard for you to ask some to forgive you when you have wronged them? Definitely not.

4. Who do you wish you could meet? Michelle Obama

5. Best food comes from which country? I love food from any country.  When we traveled, I always wanted to have something local.

6. Do you like small talk, or deep conversations? Depends on the situation, but mostly deep conversations

7. Who do you most want to encourage this year? Right now I want to encourage myself to keep going with my physical therapy to keep improving my new knee.

8. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it? They'd probably advise me to keep active, and they'd be right. I probably wouldn't do it as much as I should.

9. How often do you get real sick? I rarely get more than an occasional cold.

10. Are you a person who has a whole lot of acquaintances, or just a few very close friends? Some of each, but I'm blessed with several very close friends.

11. If you could cure a disease, or heal a sickness, which one would you choose? Cancer or dementia. 

12. What was your favorite book of 2016? My reading capacity has been so bad for the last few years, I don't have a favorite book of the year.

13. What was one of your biggest accomplishments in 2016? Surviving, and getting a new knee.

14. If you could be guaranteed a spot on the reality show "Survivor", would you go? Absolutely not!

15. Which is worse? Shopping for Jeans or a bathing suit? I hate all shopping, but probably jeans.

16. How old was your oldest living relative (still living or in the past)? My dear Aunt Betsy was 92 when she died - she's the oldest I know of.

A rainy Saturday

It's warmed up some here - near 50 - but drizzly and misty/foggy all day. 

I went to the Christmas Party at the Bridge Center this afternoon - was asked to go by a gal I'd not played with before.  It was a good lunch, and lots of bridge (17 tables/ 26 hands).  My partner and I mostly communicated pretty well, but didn't finish very high.  This was all levels of players, so there were a number of life masters there - all nice folks, though. 

I just got home just before suppertime, so was pretty whipped for the day, looking forward to a light supper upstairs and soft clothes.

A Holiday Thursday

It's been in the 30s all day, but with a breeze, it felt colder.  At least the sun was shining.  Supposed to be more of the same tomorrow.

I went to the pool yesterday morning - just did most of the PT exercises in the warmer therapy pool.  I'll continue to do that on Wednesdays and Fridays until after the first of the year.  Then, when I'm through with PT, I'll try to get back into the regular classes.  PT is tough, but I am still making progress. 

The Terrace had a family get-together tonight for dinner - with a prime rib dinner.  It was a very good meal, but I didn't stay for the entertainment.  It was crowded with all the extra people, and I was happy to get back home into my soft clothes.  LOL  I'm going to a Christmas party (and duplicate games) at the Bridge Center Saturday and my swim-group Xmas party is next Wednesday.  That's enough celebrating for me - plus going to Margaret's sometime, too.  She'll come through here on Sunday evening for dinner after the Lady Vols game in Knoxville, and we'll make plans then.

One last thing?

Today was cold, rainy, and foggy - all day long.  I'll not even complain - the moisture is SO needed and so welcome.  And it's NOT frozen.  It's a shame, though, that we can't see the Gemenid meteor shower or the super moon tonight because of the heavy cloud cover.

There was another brutal PT session this morning.  The therapist thought up a new one for today - sitting on a wheeled stool and pulling myself around the room with my feet.  In the pool, we called this the "wheelchair shuffle", but I can tell you that this is definitely not easy on a textured floor and with a low stool.

But I think I've finished getting all the financial stuff under one umbrella.  The last papers (I hope) finally came in last week, and I got it to the financial manager this morning.  I hope this was finally the last thing.

Monday Five

1. PT was at 9.  Always a good way to start your day.  Not!
2. Went from there to the lawyer's office to sign my new will, power of attorney, and medical directives.  Glad that's done.
3. Went to the bank.
4. Knitted away the afternoon.
5. Played duplicate this evening.  My partner and I both had attacks of the "dumbs" - sometimes at the same time.  Not the best of evenings.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

What is some of your favorite music? Classical, chamber music, jazz, blues - usually only in the car

List your three favorite scents. Spring rain, bacon cooking, coffee brewing (hate artificial scents) 

How do you ground yourself or recharge?  Take a nap

Any ways you treat or spoil yourself? Get a mani/pedi, get a massage

Besides your blog, do you have a creative past-time? Knit. I was a painter, but haven't done that in a number of years.

Share something difficult you've been through. John's and Bobby's deaths

What helps you fall asleep? Getting comfortable.

What is one strength and one weakness of yours? A strength, I guess, would be calmness; a weakness would be lack of will power and general laziness.

Have you ever received a letter or written one to someone else? Not recently.  I used to be a great letter writer.  I do write a lot of e-mails.

What makes you feel powerful, what breathes life into you? I can't think of anything

What's your favorite thing to do at night? Wind down, knit, watch TV.

If you could go back to any era, what would they be? I'm happy with this one.

Your favorite things to wear at home? Soft clothes.

If you could be immortal or have an extremely long life span which would you pick and why? Long life, but only if I can do it in reasonably good health, with a clear mind.  The world is crowded enough and doesn't need immortals.

Tell us about something positive you have done for yourself or someone recently. Getting PT after my knee replacement.

One thing you like about your appearance? I'm generally pleased with my short hair.

Something that makes you feel better after a hard day? My recliner.

If you have one, name a favorite book & movie. No favorites come to mind.

I'm not old - am I?

I don't normally read or pass along joke e-mails, but I just had to share this one:

LOST WORDS OF OUR YOUTH

Heavens to Murgatroyd! Would you believe the email spell checker did not recognize the word murgatroyd?

Lost Words from our childhood: Words gone as fast as the buggy whip! Sad really!

The other day a not so elderly lady (70) said something to her son about driving a Jalopy and he looked at her quizzically and said "What the heck is a Jalopy? Oh, Oh a new phrase!  He never heard of the word Jalopy!!  She knew she was old but not that old.

Well, I hope you are Hunky Dory after you read this and chuckle.

About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of technology.  These phrases included "Don't touch that dial," "Carbon copy," "You sound like a broken record" and "Hung out to dry."

Back in the olden days we had a lot of moxie.  We'd put on our best bib and tucker to straighten up and fly right.

Heavens to Betsy!  Gee whillikers!  Jumping Jehoshaphat!  Holy moley!  We were in like Flynn and living the life of Riley, and even a regular guy couldn't accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill.  Not for all the tea in China!

Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, but when's the last time anything was swell?

Swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys and the D.A. and of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers.  Oh, my aching back. Kilroy was here, but he isn't anymore.

We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, and before we can say, well I'll be a monkey's uncle! or, this is a fine kettle of fish, we discover that the words we grew up with, the words that seemed omnipresent, as oxygen, have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our keyboards.

 

Poof, go the words of our youth, the words we've left behind We blink, and they're gone. Where have all those phrases gone?

Long gone: Pshaw, The milkman did it. Hey! It's your nickel.

Don't forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper.

Well, Fiddlesticks! Going like sixty. I'll see you in the funny papers. Don't take any wooden nickels.

It turns out there are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter has liver pills.  This can be disturbing stuff!

We of a certain age have been blessed to live in changeable times.  For a child each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age.  We at the other end of the chronological arc have the advantage of remembering there are words that once did not exist and there were words that once strutted their hour upon the earthly stage and now are heard no more, except in our collective memory.  It's one of the greatest advantages of aging.

See ya later, alligator!

Friday Miscellany

All I did yesterday was go to PT.  It was hard work, but I needed the rest afterward, too.  I'm about ready to give up the cane. It's beginning to be more trouble than it's worth.

Kate and Jean's box of Christmas cookies came Wednesday.  Major YUM!

A lovely, cold, crisp day here today.  And a busy one for me.  I got my mani/pedi this morning.  My gal loves to do fancy things, so I let her do some Xmas stuff for me today - a Santa Claus on my left thumbnail and a Xmas tree on the right one.  Just the usual sparkles on the other nails.

I played duplicate this afternoon.  My partner and I came in second in the "C group" (whatever that means), so I guess we did pretty good.  No really memorable hands, though.

I hope I sleep better tonight than I did last night.

First time at the Y

I did finally get to the Y this morning, same time, but not to my regular class.  I just did about 45 minutes in the therapy (warmer) pool, mostly walking and doing some of the same exercises that I do at PT (easier in the water, of course).  Showering and getting dressed was almost as much exercise as what I did in the pool, and I was pretty well shot by the time I got home after coffee.  The nap was nice.

Second session

PT this morning.

Not as bad as yesterday.

Still hurts. Rain all day.

What a day!

I haven't worked this much in a day in a long time. I'm not complaining - I need to be doing more and more. Things did kind of pile up today, though.

I had coffee with my swim buddies.  As things turned out, it was a very smart move for me to NOT go to swimming this morning.  Maybe Wednesday.  After coffee, I had an optometry appointment. And I got home just about in time for lunch. Shortly after lunch a friend called and asked if I'd be interested in playing duplicate with her this evening. I like playing with this gal, and though I knew it would make for a long day, I agreed.

In midafternoon, I went to my first outpatient physical therapy session.  I had taken some pain medicine before I went, and it didn't seem like I worked all that hard, but I was surely limping by the time I got home.  I didn't get much rest before suppertime and then off again.

It was great to get to play some bridge.  And my partner and I came in fourth out of 13 couples - not too bad, considering we'd not played together more than a couple of times.  So I'm up for playing again on Monday night.

I was really hurting by the time I got home , so the first thing I did was get some pain medicine. I'm up much later than my current usual.  So I'm off to bed - to rest up for another PT session at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Whew!

Rain, rain

It has rained here all day today - nothing heavy, but constant and cold.  It made for a quiet day.  Margaret and granddaughter-in-law Claire went to the Lady Vols/Baylor game in Knoxville (horrible!) and met here so they could go in only one car.  When they got back, they took me out to eat before heading home.  All in all, a quiet day.  Tomorrow, I have an optometrist appointment and then my first outpatient PT session.  It should make for a full day.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Boat Questions

1. YOU HAVE 10 BUCKS AND NEED TO BUY SNACKS AT A GAS STATION. WHAT DO YOU GET? Maybe coffee and a pastry

2. IF YOU WERE REINCARNATED AS SOME SORT OF SEA DWELLING CREATURE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A dolphin

3. WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE REDHEAD? Can't think of one

4. WHAT DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU'RE AT A DINER? Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, salad.

5. LAST BOOK YOU READ? The History of Bourbon

6. DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF UNDERWEAR? Underwear is underwear - no favorites here

7. DESCRIBE THE LAST TIME YOU WERE INJURED. Fell, with broken left humerus, 2012.

8. ROCK CONCERT OR SYMPHONY? LAST SEEN? Symphony, but don't remember the last date.  Last attended chamber music concert in fall 2015.

9. IF SOMEONE WERE TO BUY YOU A GIFT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE? Travel. 

10. WHAT TYPE OF SHIRT DO YOU BEST IN? I don't quite understand what's meant here, but I prefer long-sleeved loose knit shirt.

11. IF YOU COULD USE ONLY ONE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Chauffeur-driven automobile or first class air.

12. WHAT IS YOUR DEADLY SIN? Sloth

13. MOST RECENT MOVIE YOU'VE WATCHED IN A THEATER? RATE IT. Last movie I saw in a theater was a special presentation of The King and I - super!

14. IF YOU COULD INVENT ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Clean water for everyone.

15. NAME AN ACTOR/ACTRESS YOU'VE HAD THE HOTS FOR? None, really.

16. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITY? LAST TIME THERE? I really like my home town of Chattanooga.

17. WHAT'S THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW? computer

18. WHAT TYPE OF PET DO YOU HAVE? None

19. WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED THE LONGEST? Chattanooga

20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT SPENT $100 ON YOU? My daughters 

21. WHAT'S THE LAST PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU BOUGHT? Long-sleeved t-shirts

22. WHAT WAS/IS YOUR FAVORITE JOB?  I enjoyed doing medical transcription.

23. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?? Could be anybody.

24. WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING? Nothing right now.

Friday morning

Busy morning for me, but slug afternoon.  I went to coffee, then got a haircut.  It'd only been 2 1/2 weeks since the last one, but my hair had gone crazy (my friend says hair grows faster when it's cold).  Anyhow, it's much better now.  I picked up a prescription at the pharmacy, and then went to see about getting a handicapped plate for my car.  I've got the placard, but decided, with only one car, I'd get a handicapped plate, and keep the placard in my purse for when I might be in someone else's car.  Unfortunately, I went to the wrong place first, and had to go about another 10+ miles to the right office.  I had to wait about 15 minutes, but had a place to sit, and the wonderful clerk even changed the plates for me.  I had just renewed the old plate, so there was just a small fee for the change-over. That was certainly enough work for one day, so I came home, had lunch, and took a short nap. LOL

Lovely fall weather

It was a lovely cool day today.  Margaret came over and took me to Walmart - my first trip to WM post surgery.  I still rode in the cart, so that wasn't different, but it was nice to have her to bring the purchases in for me.

We also had a session with the financial consultant.  There are still a few loose ends to tie up - and hopefully that will done before the end of the year.  I love that Margaret is staying on top of all the financial stuff with and for me.  And she knows that Sue will take care of the medical stuff.

I have my first outpatient PT on Monday, and am set up for that three times a week for several weeks.  I know it will hurt, but be ever so helpful in the long run.

There are more lovely fall days in the forecast, and also some wonderful rain ahead.

Wednesday rain - plus a bonus

As awful as things have been around our area, it is now fairly quiet outside my door.  Since Monday, I've had over 6" of rain in my gauge - 5" last night - with lots of thunder and lightning.  There were tornadoes and fatalities just SW of us in NE Alabama; in Athens, TN, between here and Knoxville; and in Polk County, the second county east of ours on the NC/TN state line.  Plus the horrors of the awful fire in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN, Monday and Tuesday.  I hope all this rain has at least put out most of the fires.  Because of all the rain, we've had flash flood warnings, too. 

I drove myself to my doctor's appointment this morning.  I knew the swim class would be cancelled because of the lightning, so didn't see my buffird.  Nothing like driving for the first time in two months in a steady rain - but all was okay.

--------------------------------------------------------

I'm not a cook any more, but I know folks who would like this recipe from today's paper.

Salted Caramel Sauce

1 cup heavy cream, warmed

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

       In a large, heavy saucepan, combine sugar and water and turn heat to medium high. Stir just until sugar is dissolved and then stop stirring completely. Do not stir the mixture; even if it looks a little grainy, that's just the sugar doing its thing. Boil for 6-7 minutes until the mixture has turned golden brown and starts to smell like caramel; make sure it doesn't get too dark or start to burn.

     When the mixture is a deep golden brown, turn the heat down to medium and stir as you slowly add the warmed cream. The mixture will boil up  vigorously (this is why you use a large pot).  Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter until it is melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla and salt.

     Cool the mixture to room temperature, then use right away, or transfer to a glass jar or two with a tight seal. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

     Start to finish: 20 minutes. Makes about 1 1/2 cups, roughly 12 servings.

Tuesday things

We had almost 2" of rain here last night, which should have helped our local fires.  The devastation in the Great Smoky Mountain Nat'l Park and in Gatlinburg is terrible.  According to the news, at least some of the fires were started by the extremely high winds toppling trees onto power lines last night, and I've heard some might be arson. Terrible stuff, with at least three fatalities.  We're supposed to get more rain tonight and tomorrow. 

I saw the doctor this morning, and he has released me to drive and to return to the pool.  He's also authorized me for outpatient PT three times a week.  I'll drive myself to another doc's appointment tomorrow morning (after post/pool coffee with my friends), but I probably won't go back to the pool until next week.  Sweet Randy picked me up to go to the doc this morning - it was nice to have some one-on-one time with him.

Monday Miscellany

• Physical therapy came by this morning.  She said I was doing great using a cane and to use that instead of the walker.
• It has been cloudy and windy all day.
• The weather-guessers are saying we may get our first inch of rain (in one day) since March.
• I see the orthopedist tomorrow - hoping for release to driving and to return to the pool.

Sunday Stealing - Thanksgiving edition

How many Thanksgivings do you attend? One family and one in the dining room where I live.

Where do you attend Thanksgiving(s)? At Margaret's house

What is your favorite dish? Stuffing/dressing, cranberry relish

What is your least favorite dish at Thanksgiving? I like almost everything.

What, if any, are your Thanksgiving traditions? We're pretty flexible, but mostly the same menu, plus family and friends. And we have our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday.

Name your FAV thing about Thanksgiving. Family, friends, fellowship, and food.

Do you make anything for Thanksgiving? If yes, share what and why. Not much any more, but I still help make the stuffing/dressing.

Out of everything you eat at Thanksgiving, what can YOU cook the best? The dressing

What do you drink with your Thanksgiving feast? I drink water, but almost anything else is available.

Has there ever been a feud during your Thanksgiving? No

Do you have Appetizers before you Thanksgiving meal? Not formally, but there are raw veggies, pickles, olives, etc., available

How many people attend your Thanksgiving(s)? If yes, who? I think we had 16 - fewer than usual.

Have you ever missed a Thanksgiving? Not that I can remember

What kind of pie/cake/dessert do you eat for dessert? This year I had a home-made fried pie, but my usual favorite is mincemeat pie (none this year).

Do you ever play games at Thanksgiving? No

Name 3 things you are Thankful for: Family, friends, food.

Is there anyone who has normally attended Thanksgiving, that will not be there this year? Who? No, we usually have a varied crowd.

Name the funniest person at your Thanksgiving this year and tell us more. I don't remember anything specifically.

Which person eats the MOST? Nobody checks, but I'd guess Jesse or Don.

Which person eats the LEAST? I can't think of anybody who scrimps.

Do any animals attend Thanksgiving dinner? No

If so, do they get Thanksgiving scraps? No

Who carves the turkey? This year, it was Margaret

Have you ever had to make Thanksgiving all on YOUR OWN? Of course, for many years.

Do you get along with the people you have thanksgiving with? Definitely.

Is your Thanksgiving formal, or do you just do whatever? Absolutely "whatever"!

A Zelle Thanksgiving

I spent last night at Margaret's, getting to do my laundry as a bonus.  I helped her make the dressing for the turkey - and we did a pretty good job (if I do say so myself).  Everything was delicious today for our Thanksgiving dinner - turkey, dressing, gravy, country ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberries, macaroni & cheese, salad, potato casserole, and a host of desserts.  Plus our great family and friends - just to make it extra special.  Carol & Stephen brought me home this evening. A great Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

I hope we can all enjoy this uniquely American holiday with the spirits of family, food, and fellowship.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This and that

I love the blog called Margaret and Helen.  Helen writes a blog every year just before Thanksgiving, giving rules to her family.  Click here for all of this year's version.  But, I particularly wanted to post her last paragraph.  It's something we should all take to heart. 

I love each and every one of you and I am so glad to have yet another holiday together.  Come hungry and leave full.  Hug one another because you can.  Argue if you must, but then agree to disagree.  Try something new or let go of something old.  Give more.  Take less.   Oh hell.  Listen to me rattle on like I am some sort of philosopher.  Screw it.   Come for the food and stay for the company.  Everything else can be made better with gravy.  I mean it.  Really.

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I had a PT session here this morning.  She says I'm doing great and wants me to start walking with a cane in the apartment more and more - and even try in the hall for a little bit.  I asked her if she thought I'd be released to drive (when I see the surgeon next Tuesday).  She suggested I try going to sit in my car - to see if I was going to be able to get in, manipulate the mechanics, adjust the seat, etc.  I'll give that a try - maybe when Margaret comes to pick me up on Friday (so I can have someone with me). 

Our hearts weep...

There was a terrible accident in Chattanooga this afternoon - a school bus from an elementary school wrecked with the driver and 35 students on board.  There are known fatalities, and 23 students were taken to local hospitals, and a few students walked away from the site.

It was a one-vehicle accident - the bus hit a tree and overturned.  The driver was injured and, according to reports, "is cooperating with police" in finding out what happened.  We've heard, unofficially, that five were dead at the scene, and one has died at the hospital.  But nothing said anything about the severity of injuries of the others who were hospitalized. 

Our hearts go out to all the families, schoolmates, and to our entire community.