Happy Halloween

Hard to believe this picture was taken ten years ago tonight.  

TWIT and I wish everyone a very happy and safe Halloween.   

Monday, Monday

 Yesterday morning was the first morning since Thursday that the Old Man wasn't almost in tears as he was getting dressed.  He said he felt "a little" better. And yesterday he was able to get to the bathroom without using his walker.  So as of this morning, I think he has turned the corner. Thursday, Friday and Saturday he didn't to much except nap in his recliner; yesterday he was back to his "normal" self - talking, cutting up and reading.  This morning, my friend is bringing Waffles the therapy dog to visit him - he said he is looking forward to their visit. 

Stay tuned.

Grocery Store Observance

 As I was waiting for the rain to ease up before going into Kroger this morning, I saw three men come out of the store in the pouring rain, each carrying flowers wrapped in 2 or 3 grocery bags to keep them from getting soaked.   

This led me to think of two obvious things: either it was their anniversary and they procrastinated buying flowers, or else they screwed up and needed to give their wife or significant other some flowers to get out of the dog house.  

Flashback Friday

 

A couple of weeks ago, the Old Man asked me to look for a Clark candy bar for him.  He said they were one of his favorites, but that Butterfinger would do in a pinch.  But I digress.  I did some research and found that they don't make the Clark candy bar, but the company makes a version of Clark cups -- similar to a Reese Cup.  

I checked in every drug store, grocery store and convenience store in the area and couldn't find any.  So I did what anyone else would do - got some from Amazon.  They should be delivered tomorrow.  

I hope the Old Man will enjoy them as much as he enjoyed their predecessor the Clark Bar.

Stay tuned.  

Thursday, Thursday

 It's not been a very good day here at The Compound.  The Old Man's right hip has been killing him since he got up this morning.  When we got up, I saw him making his way slowly to his recliner using his walker, and it hurt me to see he was almost in tears because it hurt so bad.  Thanks to prayers, extra strength Tylenol and a lidacane patch this afternoon, he is resting comfortably in his recliner.  He was able to make it from his chair to the kitchen table and back to the chair after having a snack earlier this afternoon - for which we are very thankful. 

We have hair cut appointments tomorrow, and I had told him I would take him out to breakfast afterward if he was feeling OK.  I pray he will be able to make it.  If not, then we always have other days for haircuts and breakfasts out.  

Wishful Wednesday

 A friend and her husband went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lasts week, and she brought me back a very cool gift - a shot glass to add to my big collection of shot glasses.  This one has pictures of different electric guitars on the glass, and says "Never too old to rock and roll."  That is my wish today.  Even though it's been years since I picked up a guitar, I do hope I am never too old to rock and roll.

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 A friend of ours that lives in Alberta, Canada emailed today - saying they had over a foot of snow last night.  I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was supposed to be upper 70's here for the next week.  

Stay tuned.  

Monday, Monday

 It was a very peaceful and drama-free Monday -- something that I am always thankful for.  I ran a couple of errands, and the Old Man and I spent time in our recliners reading this afternoon.  It's days like this that really make me enjoy my retirement.  

Thank You, Pizza Hut

 I went to the grocery this morning and when I got home, I was not in the mood to cook anything, nor to go out and get anything.  I did the next best thing - I got on my phone and ordered a thin crust Super Supreme pizza from Pizza Hut.  It was delivered to us in less than a half an hour.  The Old Man and I grubbed out and really enjoyed the hot, perfect pizza for an early supper.  We also ordered a chocolate chip cookie for later tonight.  

I know I am odd - I think Pizza Hut's thin crust is better than any other pizzas we have ordered.  I am glad they are consistent.  And will definitely order them again. 

Time to get back in my recliner and be a full, happy slug until later when we have our cookie.  

I love retired life.  

Flashback Friday

 Last weekend, the Old Man mentioned one of his favorite foods when he was a kid - salt rising bread.  I remember him talking about it, and also remember Gram fixing some when I was a kid.  I made a quick call and found out that a local bakery (that was actually the original first stop in my Wednesday Triple Crown run) had it.  So I was only happy to stop there Wednesday morning and get him a loaf.  He had a slice with supper Wednesday and he said it was as good as he remembered it.  

I did a bit of research and found out salt-rising bread as we know it today was developed by colonists in North America — pioneer women who were isolated in the Appalachian Mountains with wheat but no access to yeast, and who needed to make bread for their families. They found that a mix of flour and milk left in a warm place would bubble up overnight, and the foamy mixture would help the bread rise.Though no yeast was used, some early recipes called for saleratus, a precursor to baking soda that was manufactured in the late 1700s and often used in biscuit and cake recipes. The oldest recipe for the bread Brown has found dates back to West Virginia in 1778.

Even at the height of its popularity, the method wasn't completely reliable.  A rise without yeast is so finicky that it has been surrounded with its own superstition and mythology.  Some bakers were told to never slam a door if a salt-rising starter was going on in the house, to not let children run around, or to not get in a fight with their husbands.  If I had a dime for every time Gram told me not to run through the house when she had a cake in the oven, I'd be driving a 2023 Corvette.  But I digress. Some were told it would work only if the milk used was still warm from the cow.  

All I know is that it sure made the Old Man happy.  That's all that matters.

Welcome Back, Sunshine

 After the thick fog burned off this morning, we finally got to see the sun.  It had been almost a week since we'd seen sunshine here at The Compound.  It sure was a welcome sight.  The morning started off pretty cool, but the sun made everything better.

Let's hope for a repeat tomorrow. 

And The Skies Are Cloudy All Day

 I can't tell you when we've seen the sunshine here in the Ville the past few days.  At least it's not raining or drizzly, but it sure is cloudy, gloomy, and cool.  I am hoping to see some sunshine this week, but not counting on it.  Until then, we will keep on keeping on here at The Compound.   

Happy National Pasta Day

 TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very happy National Pasta Day.  We are doing our part here at The Compound to celebrate - I have a pot of spaghetti sauce on simmering and later tonight we will have spaghetti and some good Texas toast, along with a glass of our favorite Banty Hill red wine to wash it down.

It's not too late - even if you are working and won't be in the kitchen until later tonight, you will still have time to open up a jar of Prego sauce and get some spaghetti boiling in the pot.  

So Much For That

Yesterday, there was a partial eclipse and for those lucky enough to have clear skies, it looked like a third of the sun had been cut out.  Unfortunately for us in the 'Ville, it was cloudy and drizzly all day.  Supposedly in April, there will be a total eclipse, and the weatherazzi said we should (key word) have a perfect view of it here in the 'Ville. 

Stay tuned. 

Flashback Friday

 Last night, the Old Man and I were talking about Gram's awesome banana pudding.  I told him that I would be willing to try (key word) to make some if (another key word) he would make the meringue. I went to the old recipe box and found Gram's little black notebook full of handwritten recipes.  He and I guessed that the little black book was at least 70 years old.  

Each recipe was handwritten in Gram's perfect writing.  She had the prettiest handwriting of just about anyone I know.  If someone had given her the recipe, at the top of the page or at the bottom she had written that person's name.  It was a cool time of reminiscing as I thought about some of the women that had shared some of the recipes.  

And I only had to look through a few pages before I found her banana pudding recipe.  Now it's up to me to make it.

Stay tuned.

The Cool Spell Continues

 I was up earlier than normal today to get ready to go to my BSF group.  When I went out to get the newspaper at 7:30 it was 43 degrees on the back porch here at The Compound.  Needless to say I had on a denim jacket and it felt pretty good walking too and from the newspaper box.  

They are calling for low 80's tomorrow and Friday.  Then another cool down.  

As they say, in the Ohio Valley, if you don't like the weather, just wait a day and it will change.  

That Is A Stretch

 It's no secret that I love shoes.  My friends call me the modern day Imelda Marcos.  (You younger faithful readers might need to Google her).  Recently, I have become addicted to Skechers Bobs shoes. All of the ones I have bought have been half off, so that's a good deal for me.  

I bought two pairs of them a month ago, and when I put them on, they were tight.  So I did what anyone else would do - got on Amazon and bought some shoe stretchers.  I put them in the shoes and kept them in for 48 hours for each pair.  I put on one of the pair of Bobs today and they fit like I was wearing a worn in house shoe.  I will sure use the shoe stretchers in the future if necessary.  

A Great Find

 We decided to have one of our favorite supper dishes tonight - burrito casserole.  In thinking of that, I wanted some good guacamole.  I went up the road to the local Mexican grocery store and got a big carton.  it was 16 ounces - and it cost half of what a half-size portion at our favorite Mexican restaurant would cost.  They made it fresh while I waited.  And had me taste a spoon full before they finished it.  It was the best guacamole I have ever tasted.  I will be back there again.  And again.  

Yep, Summer Is Over

 I got up at about 3:00 this morning to go to the bathroom, and while I was up, I checked the thermostat. It was a bit too cool in the house - especially for the Old Man's comfort.  So I flipped the switch.  It made the house so comfortable, that I slept soundly until 8:30.  

I've seen a lot of memes and posts on Facebook today - about how people say they will get another blanket and put on a sweatshirt before they turn on their furnace in October.  It reminded me of something my Sweet Mother used to say.  She said "I'm going to be comfortable in my house regardless of what the calendar says."  

Nuff said.  

I Think Summer Is Over

 When I woke up this morning, it was 43 degrees here at The Compound.  That's a bit chilly, even for me - someone who likes the cold.  I put on a pair of jeans this morning instead of shorts.  This is the first time I've worn jeans since April.  But it is what it is.

Flashback Friday

 At times, it's still hard to believe that Grandma died 24 years ago this week.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her, and at times, I still feel like I should not be back here in what used to be "her room" for fear I'll leave a mess.  She died during her favorite time of the year -- major league baseball playoffs and the World Series.  

Grandma was a huge baseball fan, and she loved Reggie Jackson.  So she would root for whichever team Reggie was playing with at the time.  During the playoffs, she would even miss her favorite soap operas to watch the afternoon games. For the evening games, she'd get her bath early in order to be in her chair before the first pitch. 

Her son/the Old Man is a lot like her.   He has missed his beloved cowboy shows this week when the playoff games were on.   And in the evenings, he's in his recliner and raring to go while the pregame show is on.  And I've been watching the games right along with him in my recliner.  I think Grandma would be proud. 

We're Not Billionaires

 I am sorry to report that we are not billionaires today after last night's Powerball drawing.  Nobody won the big jackpot, so we will try again for Saturday's drawing. 

On an unrelated note, we are happy here in the Ville to get some rain this afternoon.  It's been a long drought here.  It hasn't been a monsoon - but a good small steady rain for a few hours.  

Powerball Wednesday

 Well, faithful readers, here we are again - just hours away from yet another Powerball drawing for a prize over one billion dollars.  The Old Man and I have our tickets.  And we feel lucky.

Stay tuned. 

Powerball Monday

 We only had one number out of 10 games for Saturday night's Powerball drawing.  But we are trying it again with the same set of numbers for tonight's drawing.  

Stay tuned.