Thank God the Bread was Good!

My sister came up to Racine to visit last weekend for our Winterfest/Snow Sculpting Contest.  Her mission was to cram as much Holiday Cheer into me as she could in two days.

We ran off to see how far the snow sculptures had come along. It was bitterly cold out, but there was a good showing of artists and observers in Monument Square. We walked around "oohing and ahhing," our appreciation and wishing the teams good luck. It was thirsty work. So we headed to Shillings for a pint.

As we entered, a cheerful blonde woman sitting at the bar greeted us with a bright "Hello." We thought she was the official welcoming committee, she was so enthusiastic. Introductions were made all around, drinks purchased and we began getting to know each other. So, "Hello" to Jason, Drew, Tom, and the lovely Diane, and thanks for the drinks and best wishes for the New Year. What a great group of folks they were. We hated to quit their company, but our pot roast and home-made noodles needed warming up. Actually, the roast needed warming up and the noodles needed to be extruded, then boiled.

How is it that I can make scrumptious sauces, breads, cakes, cookies, rack of lamb, pies, curries, gravies and many other things, but the perfect pot roast eludes me? That Saturday night I decided the answer was, it just isn't my dish. You cannot do everything, for Pete's sake! Today, I proffer a different consideration. Perhaps I simply like to roast the old fashioned way -- to wit, in the oven. I believe that I am not the best of slowcooker cooks. Chili, soups, stews, yes, but obviously not pot roast. When I asked my sister how she liked her dry roast she replied,

"It's fine."

Fine? Fine? That is a word a good cook never wants to hear. Fine is like saying, it will "make do." The noodles, although not in the same league as my mom and grandmas, were a good linguine. The gravy was rich and spicy, but the pot roast itself was yuck! I am sticking to rack of lamb, pork chops Moroccan style, poached salmon, or any of my other wonderful recipes that elicit words like, delicious, fantastic, etc. Life is too short to make a mediocre dinner! So, I Thank God, the bread was good! (As did Joanie.) We ate quickly, well as quickly as we could chew the dry meat, and decided dessert would be beers at the pub.

Once at Coasters, on Main street, we began building onto our good cheer and frivolity. We shall not discuss Joanie's first brew. Trust me, it is a story better left untold. By our second round of beers we were off to a rip-roaring start on huge holiday cheer!  ;>)  Some of my friends had started staggering (ah, no pun intended) in and I introduced them to my sister with pride. The evening went by in a blur of fun, flirting, and song. The old jukebox was rocking that place! Of course, we closed the joint down and walked back to my house having enjoyed a great evening together.

On Sunday we barely got to the sculptures before sunset, and we missed the voting entirely. We were amazed at how much beauty had transpired since the evening before. The artists all did a great job, and we admired their labor hugely. Unfortunately, we have no idea who won first place. Ah well, that doesn't really matter, we enjoyed all the tableau and thought they should all win something! We did however, regret that neither one of us had been smart enough to bring our cameras. (Go ahead, roll your eyes, I am!)

As my sister dropped me off so she could head back to Illinois, we discussed the fun we had, happy and chuckling at our remembrances of the evening before. I apologized for the not good pot roast. She offered some ideas about future attempts, and thanked me for my sisterly hospitality, and said,

"But the bread was darn good!" Amen to that sister dear, amen to that. Thank God the bread was good!

Why can't we teach our dogs to....

My dog, Harper Lee, thinks she should be coddled, pampered, noticed and petted all the day long. Now, don't get me wrong, she does wake me up with kisses, never messes in the house, and barks when anyone approaches our door. I appreciate all she does for me.

Here is what I do for here. Buy her all raw meat food, which means a twenty-five minute drive out to Sturtevant. She actually eats better than me. Not to mention I pay the rent, gas, petrol and favorite biskies, she is v. particular. She gets long walks, drives in the car, runs on the beach, and much, much more.

All I wish she could do is wash the dishes occasionally, the laundry, dust (she could use her tail and go out side to shakey, shakey it off her), and give herself a bath every once in a while. Sounds reasonable to me. And, man if she could file papers that would be grand. Okay, I know what you would say, "She doesn't have thumbs or fingers." My reply, can't they evolve? How about genetic assistance in evolving. Come on, science has managed to clone all kinds of things. They also managed to take the glorious scent of roses out of many different varieties, in order to make them more tolerant to inclement conditions. Is it too much to ask them to get it together and enhance canine abilities?


Well, no matter I shall love Harper always. She is my best friend (on four legs that is), forever and ever and ever, to infinity and beyond!


"Just wishing and hoping..." to quote the beginning of a Dusty Springfield song. Am I old or what? :>)

What a beautiful day for a daydream...

A balmy 70 degrees is awaiting you at North Beach. Although this girl doesn't need any reasons to daydream, this is the perfect day to walk along the shore in bare feet and rolled up jeans.

It's been awhile since I jotted down any thoughts. Been fighting with a bad cold/asthma combo, sleeping a lot. My poor little dog is so confused. Tomorrow I shall try to get back to my normal schedule. Sleep is so necessary when you are ill, and if it overtakes me, I shall not fight it.

Yesterday I watched one of the most tender love stories ever. There was NO sex, but tons of sexual tension, sensuality, and tender love. The film is called, "Bright Star," and is the love story of John Keats and Fanny Brawne. So sad, but infinitely worth one's time on a rainy afternoon.

Have a grand day dreaming wherever you love to dream.

Greater than rubies...

As I reflect on my life, I have come through a lot. The good thing is that God miraculously puts a wonderful woman like Ruth (the Bible, Book of Ruth). Another reason I can rejoice in my trials is because, God has always got me to the other side. Please, don't get me wrong, there have been fantastic, brilliant wicked, cool men of God in my life too. But in this [ost we are just exploring the women.

Five times in my life I had events occur where I should have died. Yet, here I am, living proof as to just how faithful is our God. From here on out, I am going to follow in His, and Jesus Christ's footsteps as much as I am able. To have come through, alive and still be able to joy at even the smallest of things; oh yes I say, "rejoice and again I say rejoice!

If anyone ever needs any help, of any kind, just call, I'll be there.

Maps....What is it about maps?

The information contained in this story is true, non-poisonous, there is no violence, or sex. Well to bad about the last one there were some mighty fine men in Kentucky and Tennessee.  You may enter herein with no worry about bigotry, racism, gender-ism, religion, or any other "ism."

From Northern California to Hilton Head Florida, although not in one trip.  Oh yeah, let's not forget, Ireland, England, and Scotland! Some trips were long, just not that long. I am a topography fan, both in the maps and geo-biological sense. (Got an "A" in Geo-biological Science. Yahoo!)  Oops...this might be an "ism," for which I humbly beg your pardon.

Man, I can digress better than I can cook. Ha! Ha! Ha! Did I say humble? :>)

Back to the story, oh yeah, the story. What is it about maps that brings out the best in most people? In all my travels it is unbelievable, but true, that when I get my map out, it draws people to me like a magnet to nails.

In a small town in Arizona, I am talking about 35 people, okay maybe 50, I
was sitting in the local (only) coffee shop with several maps spread out before me. It could have been that my eyes started spinning like windmills from jumping from one map to another, or simply their better nature. Be the reasons what they may, over walked a man and a woman. We will call them Bill and Ada. My food order had not even been taken and they were drawn to me in the manner which I described earlier.

"Are ya lost (accent on the "t")?, asked Bill, looking gleeful.

"Awh," chirps up Ada, "Don't believe a word he says. He's "awhways" getting lost (accent on the t" -- it's a local thing). I remember one time, back "awhwhile" he ended up in Tempe instead of up here in Flagstaff. How someone couldn'ta noticed they were in the flatlands who "awhad" lived his whole (you can add the awh, I am tired of it) dang life in the mountains is beyond me."

"Ada, what are you talking about?" I was justa havin' me a little aventure (intentional misspelling). I had wanted ta go to Tempe. In fact I'ma thinking of moving down there to retire. It's a hell...excuse me miss, heck of a lot warmer than these mountains."

Ada laughed so hard at his reply she almost fell into the booth where I was sitting. She tried to stop laughing, but giggles and hiccups kept sneaking out every once and awhile. It made me laugh as well, which of course made it worse.

Watching these carrying ons with disgust written all over his face, Bill leaned in to move Ada out of the way.

"Well? he asked.

I did not know how to reply to this one word question. In this conversation I was truly lost, if not in my topographical location. So, I just stared up at him, tilted my head, and raised my right eyebrow.

"Are you lost or not?" asked Bill with an exaggerated pause between each word.

"Ah, well, no." I sputtered between giggles.

"You see, it's just that I am in love with maps."  Bill's eyes nearly disappeared from sight as they rolled upwards.

"Where you from." He asked.

I was afraid to tell him because at the time I was living in Southern California.
Of course I 'fessed up, albeit reluctantly. Bill shook his head and snort-groaned, honest that is what it sounded like. He had one word for me.

"Figures." Ada started giggling again and Bill took her arm and steered her away from me. I looked after them giggling myself. Ada turned her red face back to me, waved, and mouthed, "Bye now."

Do you have any travel stories you'd like to share? I would sure love to hear them.

Later, ya'awhall. (I couldn't resist.)

What a storm we had...

OMG! Last night a real nor'easter settle itself in our town for most of the night. I have never heard thunder that sounded like what I heard during this storm. It was so unbelievably loud and sounded as though Harper and I were in a tunnel with the crashes of the beast echoing off the walls. I am not doing the joke there! You couldn't have imagined any two days in a row being so different.

Friday, Harper and I went to the beach, she ran, I looked for rocks that wanted to come home with me. ;>) Joanie, my sis, is rolling her eyes if she ever reads this. My apartment is turning into a beach itself, with all the sand we bring home.

Okay, so no sleep, a little loopy in the head from it. You know the old saw some are thinking now.

Been invited to my friend Roberta's 50th birthday. No can do buckaroo, it is in New Mexico and the budget cannot stretch that far. But I will definitely be there in my heart. I can hear the Mariachi band already! Oh drat, I will miss Neva's pessole. No one make pessole like she does!!! I can almost taste it now. Well, gotta go now, must pick up some hominy, tomatoe sauce, and pork ribs. If I want to eat it today, and I do, it's got to get simmering soon.

Have a magnificent day!

It's a beautiful morning...from the beach

Everyday here in North Beach is something to glory about. Today the waves are not so lazy, it looks as though there might be a squall acomin'. Both the sky and the lake are in their gun metal grey stage, but still beautiful. When the wind is coming fro the NNE, anything could happen. Whatever goes on, "This is the day the Lord hath made and I will be glad and rejoice in it." (God, in the Bible)

Here's one of my fave quotes. "Believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader, and fuller life." (W.E.B. du Bois, 1967)

Long day yesterday, drove down to my surgeon in Barrington, IL. Lunch at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, yum for the chicken salad sandwhich with cranberries and walnuts. Had to have my third MRI on the knee, back to Illinois on Thursday morning for the results. Dear God, let it be a simple sprain/strain. Whatever is up with this blasted knee will not stop me from rejoicing in my tribulations, which works my patience and endurance. Plus I get a crown of life for staying the journey cheerfully. Doesn't mean I won't cry, wince, or take pain pills some times, but rejoicing is still how I am gonna take it.

Still working slowly but surely on emptying the boxes. Still trying to get rid of half the junk I don't use. I love Goodwill and they love me. Keeping America working in my own small way.

Here in North Beach, I am gathering inspiration from my lake that can translate into pages in my novel (Got Any Rivers...). It has been a long time coming this work of love and commiseration that will, hopefully someday, help at least one teenager, to let them know their suffering, fears, and confusion are understood and shared. It was reading books like Madeleine L Engles "A Wrinkle in Time, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, all the Judy Blume books, etc&. that helped me through a difficult early coming of age.

So, what's blessing you to day? Where have your dreams taken you? Hope things are at least good, if not wonderful in your slice of the world.

Welcome to the North Beach of Racine Wisconsin

This blog was designed to give us a place to dream. Here you may peacefully meander through your mind, and express your dreams. Dreams are important because they give us a goal to reach for, or bring us to places we have never been. So come one and all and dream, dream, dream.

We should keep it positive so that we may edify all that wander here.

Obviously the picture is not me, but I took the picture and it portrays one of my most favourite things on this planet.