Blanche was right...again

It only takes a little prodding to remind me how important a simple act of kindness can be.  In this case, I was the recipient!  After presenting for the Miner County farm and home show, I was uncertain as to the impact my presentation may have made.  The circumstances precluded any real reading of the audience, and having been an approbation hound all my life, I like to hear feed back.  Especially positive feedback!  In the mail today was a note from one of those audience members, thanking me for the fudge...and the reminder of how we should live our lives.  She had enjoyed the presentation.  And OBVIOUSLY had been listening!  This delightful lady made my week!  Ah, how Blanche and I rely on the kindness of strangers.  And friends.  You are appreciated and loved!

As promised...

We are, indeed, enjoying the southern zephyrs in Huron!  Howard was a hoot.  Great people, and a speaker system that not only worked, but broadcast the presentation throughout the armory!  Truly a memorable event.  Then it was on to Huron for a night of rest and relaxation before tonight's speech.  Following a good steak and walleye supper, we retired to our room only to discover the bed from hell, with Beelzebub inspired pillows!   Firm is an understatement.  Well, except for the waterproof pad that lay on top of the mattress pad and bunched and wrinkled every time I moved.  The pillows were a solid block of some material that gave little and bent less.  I usually enjoy a short stay in a hotel.  Last night?  Not so much!  But whatever discomfort was incurred at the hands of the Quasimodo designed sleeping accommodations, it was overshadowed but the absolute warmth and surprise of seeing the presentation for tonight highlighted with banners and signs when we entered the registration area!  Of course, you know me to be sentimental, but the fact that they had gone to that much trouble brought tears to my eyes!  Talk about a welcome!  It gave proof to a belief I have harbored all my life.  It's not about the "stuff", it's about the people.  These are my peeps, and like you, they are loved!

all my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

Have you ever noticed that when an event lurks on the near horizon, you find yourself ready to go way before it's time?  We don't leave today until 3:00, but everything is in the car, I am clean (in mind and spirit as well as body!), and it's barely 1:00.  We also serve who sit and wait.  Of course, I think I would just as soon sit and wait in Howard rather than here, so I'm about to convince my chauffeur, roadie, groupie, and better half that we should hit the road, Jack!  Tomorrow's blog will come from the southern, sun drenched, California Dreamin' location of Huron, SD.  As Miss Loosewheel used to say...wait for it, it will be better.  Know you are loved!

Blow! Blow! Blow!

Just finished cleaning off the nuisance snow with the leaf blower.  Two things.  First, it's probably much easier to shovel, but hey, when you've got the tools....  Second, the leaf blower has a mind of its own.  It starts when it wants to.  It runs when it wants to.  It smokes when it wants to.  You would think I would revert back to thing one.  But no.  No one accuses me of an over abundance of common sense.  However, if I had not taken the time to blow, I would not have remembered one of my favorite stories from my chronological youth.  I was the drum major for the band.  That gave me a whistle.  I would take the whistle outside and practice blowing it.  Okay, I would take it outside to annoy the neighbors, and it worked.  Across the street was a gentleman who I think was not fond of children.  At least me.  One day whilst I was annoying, he came out of his house, walked to the street, and shouted to me to take that expletive deleted whistle and shove it...well, you get the idea!  To this day, every time I hear a whistle, I check to see from whence the sound emanates!  Amazing how one thing leads to another, isn't it?  May your memories bring you smiles and know you are loved!

Preparing the speech

3:00 am.  I awoke with the realization that the credit card bill that had come in the mail yesterday had not been processed.  I thoroughly believe that if something is keeping your mind occupied preventing sleep, you should do something about it...if you can.  I could!  Down to the basement to the computer and the bill paying program.  Of course, by the time I had done the thing, I was pretty much awake for the day, so I decided to do a little prep work for the two speeches on Thursday and Friday.  The first is to an unknown audience of indeterminate numbers and backgrounds.  I will be speaking the the attendees of the Miner County farm and home show.  I am somewhat trepidous to speak to an organization that has ready access to fruits and vegetables for throwing, but if they decide they don't like what I say, there's always salad to be made!  The second speech is to the joint assembly of the state math and science teachers.  Ah yes, my specialties!  I took 15 credits of German to avoid 4 credits of math in college, and while I do hold a Bachelor of Science degree and could ostensibly teach science, I still nurse the acid burns of my high school chemistry class.  Of course, the burns are healed, but the mortification lingers.  But a BS degree somehow seems appropriate.  Now, in the shank of the evening, I do my best to keep my eyes open, hoping to stay alert enough to transfer from the recliner to the bed at the appropriate time.  Ah, the struggles I have to endure!  I shall report back as to the speaking endeavors.  But rest assured, the scientific method, coupled with the mathematical theorems I remember prove that you are loved!

Quirky Question

Given the choice, which pie would you choose?

• Dairy State Apple with a Cheddar Cheese crust
• Raspberry Cream Cheese
• Blueberry Sour Cream Almond
• Pumpkin Pecan
• Lemon Meringue
• Coconut Cream
• Pumpkin
• Pecan
• Rhubarb
• Chocolate French Silk
• Chicken Pot

It's February and my mind wanders!  The only thing that I know is Pie are NOT squared!  And if this post isn't eclectic enough for you, keep reading.  I'm sure I'll do better in the future!  Know how much you are loved!

It's all about the bowl...and the hype

Yup.  It's super.  Bowl.  Sunday.  Or so I've been told.  Wait.  I have seen some of the pre-game festivities.  It's hard to miss them as I surf for a channel that has a movie I want to watch.  Or a cooking show that I want to watch.  Or anything but football that I want to watch.  I am NOT a snob.  I have been known to watch the last two minutes of a lot of games.  Okay.  A few.  Maybe one.  It just doesn't appeal to me.  But I do have to give the promoters credit.  I was tempted to watch them for the commercials...except I can see those on line tomorrow without watching the game.  The game is, indeed, an iconic part of the sports structure to which a lot of people subscribe.  And if they find it entertaining, or profitable, or exciting...then I say go for it.  But for me...maybe The Sound Of Music is on somewhere.  Do...a deer....  Watch what turns your crank, and know you are loved!