The pit...

Old house.  Traditional basement.  Holes in the ceiling for wiring.  Painted cement floor covered with old carpets no longer used...at least in part.  In others, vinyl that is cracked, broken, and just plain worth what we paid for it.  And in some cases, displaying one of the three shades of paint (or all three) that have been used.  In short, a utile space but not open for inspection!  Readers of this blog and/or my Facebook page will recognize that quite frequently, I am forced to pick things up that have accumulated so I can access the things that I need.  I am convinced that as long as there is nothing that is placed in "storage" somewhere on the basement floor, there is no problem.  However, once one item isn't put in its appropriate place, like Gremlins, a plethora of items appears.  I truly believe that a-sexual reproduction occurs on the floor.  You begin to visualize!
Well!  Let me share with you the most exciting news.  I have redecorated part of the basement.  It is bright.  It is cheery.  It is I!  And it obviously was time.  I can't believe what a difference it makes.  The pendulum has shifted in my pit.  What was drab and depressing is now exciting!  Who would have thought it possible.  And yet, there it is.  May you find joy in the small things, and know that you are loved!

Showers of color!

 

Stuffed brownies

It's bridge day for the Mrs. Zubke.  She is entertaining (as she always is) three of her PEO sisters for a marathon bridge game.  That is probably more information than you thought you would ever need to know.  Well, here's why it is important.  As hostess, she must serve a "goodie" at the end of the game.  Today, it is stuffed brownies.  This particular batch is stuffed with dark chocolate, and divided into half peppermint pieces, half cream cheese.  The amazing thing about stuffed brownies is, one can be creative.  They don't have to be done the same way every time.  In fact, they rarely are.  And it seems to me that it makes them a little more adventurous.  I'm sure sometime I will discover a blend that just doesn't work.  But at least I will have tried.  Ah, there it is, the life lesson.  If you do the same thing in the same way, you may be successful, but you will never grow.  Experiment.  Switch it up a little.  Should you fail, it's an event, not a label!  And is often the case with brownies, if you start with a good product, you can't go far wrong.  Enjoy the sweet things in life and know you are loved!

Back to school!

I know I've told you about getting to play with college teacher wanna-be's and how much I enjoy it!  As I was preparing to do that again tomorrow, I found myself at a loss for a tactile representation for one of the points.  Let me set the stage for you.  Topic...making school work--by the numbers.  Rip off of David Letterman's top ten.  Number three is "teach them the RMB's."  Respect Must Be...Lost.  Responsibility Must Be...Accepted.  Reputation Must Be...Earned.
What could they touch to emphasize these three concepts?  It hit me!  A bulletin board!  So today, I designed a "bulletin board in a folder".  It has foam cutouts.  It has matching colored posters.  It even has a diagram as to how I would put it together!  Pretty spiffy, huh?  And I learned as I worked.
-->Sharp scissors should be a supply item for all teachers!  I'm sure they won't run with them.
-->You can't get exact duplicates by cutting three of the same letter at the same time.  They shift!
-->I am soooooo glad I don't have to do bulletin boards any more.
Hopefully, they will not see me as a dinosaur who should have died years ago!  What I want them to learn is this: no matter how common the core, an uncommon teacher can make it more interesting!  I will report back!  Know that you are loved!

Today it was my privilege

It surprises the bejeebers out of me.  How can it possibly work?  Letting every person have a say in how our country is run.  It's insanity!  And yet, it has worked (more or less) for over 225 years!  Today, we exercised our right to select the people who will represent us.  Orderly.  With pencils instead of weapons.  In a safe and hopefully inviting environment.  And as I wait to see how my choices faired, I understand that even if I'm 100% wrong (according to the vote of those around me), I have done what millions of people do not have the ability to do.  I have made a difference!  Oh, not because of the results.  But because of my action.  I have demonstrated the acceptance of my responsibility as a citizen.  I have made my choices.  I have had my say.  Now, we'll wait and see.  With anticipation.  With hope.  And with no small amount of pride.  Not for me, but for a country who once again proves a representative democracy still works! And if you happen to hear Kate Smith singing in the background, good for you!  God Bless America!  And god bless you!  You are loved!

transitions

Different people mark transitions differently.  When I turned 21, I transited to legal.  Exciting, but no big deal.  When I turned 23, I transited to married.  A very big deal!  When I turned 40, I transited to middle age, at least chronologically.  No big deal.  When I turned 55, I transited to retired.  A big deal.  When I turned 62, I transited to government assisted.  No big deal.  Next year, I will transit to Medicare.  A big deal.  Each of these transitions was/will probably marked by a milestone event, as well it should be.  Now, however, we need to get real!  The most important transition that faces me now is...shorts or sweats?!  Then, the question: good shorts/sweats, or grubs?  The first choice is made simple by the calendar and the thermometer.  If the day falls between March and November and the temperature is 40 or above:  Shorts.  If not, sweats.  From November through February, the question becomes; what color?  You have to understand, in either case, I have saved/worn either piece of mentioned wearing apparel since I transited to middle age.  Do the math!  Comfort or class;  that's the question.  Tonight we celebrate Aunt Edith's 95 birthday.  We're taking her out for supper.  I am wearing my GOOD gray sweats with a black turtleneck and a gray sweater.  I look mahvelous!  Hopefully, I will transit from hungry to full.  And look good doing it!  Be comfortable in all your transitions, and know you are loved!

they're lit!

I have adhered to the rule!  The sixteen trees in the back yard are officially wired and lighted!  Understand, they will not be lit until Thanksgiving, but the aforementioned rule says this process must be done in shorts!  Being somewhat reticent to dressing in this apparel choice when the weather is inclement, today seemed like a good idea.  Of course, the previous statement is a bold faced lie!  I have been known to shovel snow in my shorts.  But this was a bit more comfortable!  Now, for the front porch.  I love the holidays...and you!

appearances can be deceiving

At first glance, this may seem to be a poorly spaced, simple welcome, complete with rolling pin and measuring spoon.  In fact, this artistic endeavor was the result of a tandem effort taking close to 1/2 hour.  You may notice that it appears on a pastry cloth.  And, you may also be able to discern that the letters are formed using flour.  It was, after all, a course in making pie.  A little less judgmental?  Now understand what you see is actually a reflection in an overhead mirror used to demonstrate techniques from behind the stove to the students sitting in front of the counter.  That means the welcome had to be created in reverse so as to show correctly.  After experimentation, consternation, and an occasional epithetical retort, success was reached, and each student was greeted with the appropriate message.  Of course, not one of them noticed it pre-mention.  Hence, being unable to garner the expected awe and admiration of the class, I decided to post it here, hoping that at least non-verbally, I would elicit a few smiles, some affirmation, and a heart felt "atta-boy!"  
I have always maintained that cooking and philosophy are inextricably joined.  Actually, I've never thought that but I need a segue into my deep thought process.  Sometimes, when we don't know how they got to where they are, we judge people on initial appearance.  They don't look like they were spaced with any planning.  They don't look symmetrical.  They don't seem to be complicated at all.  When truthfully, they are amazing individuals with stories to tell and lessons to teach.  Instead of sloughing them off as no big deal, we probably should look a little deeper and find what they have to teach.  And perhaps, it is we who should look in the mirror!  Know you are loved!