Missed & Matched

Today my husband treated me to lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant. After the delicious meal we received complimentary fortune cookies with our (very reasonable) bill.

His is the top slip and I couldn’t resist sharing because he is less athletic than I am; which is not saying much. Not that I believe in these little notes but it would fit if he betted on sporting events and won.

Mine, as you can guess, fits. Current events bring me down and nothing lifts my spirit more than art (and animals). On that note, my guy shared this story of a woman finding an opossum in her Christmas tree. The attached video is unrelated, by the way. Meanwhile, I found the following on Youtube.

What would you have done in her situation? Do you know the difference between possums and opossums?

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Beauty in Strange Days

Last week our convalescing friend Phoenix requested a ride to his prosthetic specialist. I’m sad to say that the 70-year-old buddy who’s been driving him around landed in hospital with decreasing heart function. I pray he recovers enough to return home. In this sad scenario I found gorgeous artwork adorning the office. Staffers told me this patient draws something new at every visit. What talent!

A stunning dragon rendition...

Do you agree that anyone this talented should be a paid art teacher? Should I ask if he would sell some of his incredible sketches?

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Trust

After a grocery shopping trip I came home to discover Terra posing like a speed bump. We have another route from the garage door to our kitchen and I took it the second time. She cracks us up.

Taking this blurry photo is better than none...

Can you tell at bottom right that my husband stood looking down? Is this not the definition of trust?

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Rice Pudding Revamped

I don’t even remember what recipe caused me to purchase instant rice. Its texture and taste make a terrible side dish compared to any other variety. We did choose a generic brand but I don’t think Minute Rice would be much better. At least the company’s website offered the simple pudding recipe my mother made on occasion.

This presentation is far prettier than mine...

As my title indicates, I changed things up. Instead of using processed sugar I doubled the raisins. And I replaced half the recommended amount of vanilla with orange blossom water. It’s excellent! In future I might not reduce the vanilla and maybe add an equal amount of the blossom water.

Is rice pudding something you’ve eaten and enjoy? Are you familiar with the fabulous Indian dessert kheer?

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Squirrel Highway – The View from My Desk

Did you spot the little creature? Can you believe our white squirrel population is growing?

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My “Peaceful” Walk in the Woods

This morning I decided to get some fresh air out in nature, and even found a new park to explore. Almost immediately I heard sirens wailing. This went on for over fifteen minutes.

I kept hoping they would stop. When rain began falling I headed back to my car. Normally I would have fetched my umbrella. Instead I left, half sick wondering what horrible thing was happening. Finally things quieted. And at this three way stop sign I had to wait as numerous emergency vehicles passed.

The trailer was covered in holiday lights. Now I understood the disturbingly loud Christmas music I’d heard blaring. ~sigh~ It must have been a nearby holiday parade.

What says Merry Christmas more than making it sound like an entire neighborhood’s burning down? At least I have lots more to explore, right?

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The Dumb, the Fun, and the Cute

Somehow I managed to post the title “Two Clarifications” after believing it deleted. Back-dated to November 1st it got buried in my timeline. ~sigh~ Twice addressing the same issue about my interaction with the lifeguard is embarrassing but I don’t really consider myself dumb, just technologically challenged. My subject tag stating the contrary is all in good fun.

In other news, my husband discovered wall plugs, a power strip, and even light bulbs that are controllable via smart phone. Now when I’ve been outside or away from home I can tell if his oxygen concentrator is on. If it’s on I know he’s napping and enter quiet as possible.

Electrical outlet controls are obviously limited to on/off but the bulbs are fun. They allow us to change intensity as well as color (!) which means we can set mood lighting for a creepy movie. Anyone who knows me in the slightest can probably guess that I sometimes enjoy messing with him from afar. Don’t judge; he does the same to me on occasion.

A Blurry Dandelion glows in the black light setting...

More cuteness comes in the form of Terra spending time near my desk on the newly purchased cat tree. She’s a bit tough to photograph being in near constant motion.

She is one of my best friends...

Precious Polly is more of a lounger. Seeing her toes dangle off a different piece of cat furniture inspired me to take photos.

She does not let me trim her claws but I do make sure her
ill-formed ‘Polly Wogs’ look healthy...

Isn’t it fortunate that Polly only uses her murder mittens for good? And had you seen a glow-in-the dark kitty before?

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Chilling at Home

I complained the other day about temperatures dropping from the fifties to mid thirty degrees Fahrenheit. As I type this on Tuesday the thermometer reads 26 at 12:55 and it’s expected to drop into the teens overnight.

Brrr…

Hence, my plan to go lift weights has been sidelined. I’m extremely fortunate that we don’t have to go anywhere right now.

I hope it will not need mowed again this year...

How long do you think it will take my lawn to realize it’s time to go dormant? Isn’t the vibrant green misleading?

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