Stick Horse Cowgirls

My now- grown son likes to remind me of a “scam” we used to run on him when he was young.  We put a special calendar up on the wall just to record his good behavior.  He would earn one of those gummed gold stars on the calendar for each of several specified good deeds. He now tells us that he paid great attention to the opportunity to fill those little calendar squares up with the shiny stars.  It caused him to eat way more green beans than he would otherwise have eaten (which would have been none).  It was responsible for many more beds made without asking.  It just, generally, served to achieve parental purposes at very little cost to Dad and me. Son now says (good naturedly), “ I can’t believe I fell for that!  All that effort for a stupid star!” And we both wonder why it worked like it did. I was reminded of this the other day as I played my latest time-waste game on my I-Pad – Bedazzled .  I become mesmerized by this game, trying to line u...

    I’m cooking today—all day!  I’ll be cooking tomorrow too for our family gathering.   C will be enjoying Thanksgiving dinner at her sister’s home with family.  She’s taking apple enchiladas!  Maybe she will share her recipe with us all! When it’s all over  I will be exhausted for sure, but we have so much to be thankful for— not that I always remember that……     We may use the real china like my grandmother always did and her silver which stays in the wooden chest in the buffet.  I’ll make homemade cranberry sauce with a little orange essence and there will be the canned jellied variety for hubby who is picky!  Visit www.susanbranch.com for her great recipe for cranberry sauce in the oven!  I’ll serve some spiced peaches in a crystal dish because my grandmother Elsie always had them on the Thanksgiving table—apple rings at Christmas.  Traditions live on in those that follow.  I usually feel a ...

Nothing like a sex scandal to bring me out of temporary blog retirement. But, really, this isn’t a “sex scandal” per se , rather something much more. I smiled to myself that the very last post I wrote on this blog was about Benghazi, which is so intertwined with this subject matter which is: Generals Petraeus and Allen; Paula Broadwell and Jill Kelley. For your reference as we go through this scenario, here is a little diagram: Deep breath…here I go. When I hear diametrically-opposed opinions from someone I respect, I sit up and take note. In this instance, it is my blog friend, Karen, from This Old House, Too. Karen’s posted a couple days ago on this subject, lamenting that we have to hear about this scandal ad nauseum and that it is nobody’s business but that of the players. I don’t get this and replied (lengthily, as none of you will be surprised), that it is, indeed, my business when the head of MY CIA engages in risky behaviors. This is Karen’s reply (in color) to my co...

  Inside Cats are such connoisseurs of comfort!  These sweet boys were rescued from a plastic bag in a trash dumpster!  They had five littermates who thankfully have all found homes!  Someone’s “trash” is another’s treasure.  My grandkids are really enjoying the new kitties!   Such a little imp!     Always into something!   Outside The big rescue dog, Cowboy, always watchful and protective.   Barn kitty, Pumpkin,  is checking out the coop!     Free Range Chickens lay tasty eggs!  Perhaps they think the gazing ball is a huge egg!     Cowgirl in training!     Have a great week! V