tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322977972024-03-23T06:15:13.710-04:00The Quiet LifeDuring these End of DaysElizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.comBlogger1983125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-41602457461951432152020-07-30T12:31:00.001-04:002020-07-30T12:31:29.155-04:00Pointing you to my Wordpress blog at elizabethprata.wordpress.com<br />
By Elizabeth Prata<br />
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See you at elizabethprata.wordpress.com<br />
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I've had this blog for 14 years. I've written on on and off all that time.<br />
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When Wordpress came along I added a blog there too, in case this one was suspended by Blogger. I don't own the content on blogger, Blogger owns it. They can shut down the blog without notice for any reason. In these perilous thought-times, this is happening more and more. So I thought it'd be a good idea to have a mirror blog at Wordpress.<br />
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That means I've been posting here AND there. When I write on The Quiet Life blog, I post here AND there. It's getting burdensome to post and re-post. WP doesn't handle things the same way as Blogger so essentially it means I am writing it twice, every day.<br />
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Blogger is introducing a new interface this month. I don't like it. So...I think the time has come to move exclusively to Wordpress. I will continue to write every day, but only over there. The address is<br />
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elizabethprata.wordpress.com<br />
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Still written by me, still the same name of the blog. Just go to<br />
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elizabethprata.wordpress.com<br />
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See you there!!<br />
Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-8162497345000352662020-07-04T11:21:00.002-04:002020-07-04T11:21:32.382-04:00Baltimore's Francis Scott Key BuoyBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Did you know that the spot where Francis Scott Key penned the verses to what became the National Anthem of the Star Spangled Banner is in the Patapsco River, and marked by a red-while-blue buoy? It's maintained by the Coast Guard, explained here (excerpt):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJmsKoiC_KwadbUsOQ8ycQVm0AwzCcee_hfFFSpY0du-dniduyUHValRp8ReYmc5U_pUpgmdiojRln76sWRq-kguBYW0oDOAejeeGnWMguFYdD-VUDUiQNOhWuWa-wRRSKLrdng/s1600/1380862-1024x627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1024" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJmsKoiC_KwadbUsOQ8ycQVm0AwzCcee_hfFFSpY0du-dniduyUHValRp8ReYmc5U_pUpgmdiojRln76sWRq-kguBYW0oDOAejeeGnWMguFYdD-VUDUiQNOhWuWa-wRRSKLrdng/s400/1380862-1024x627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The US Coast Guard tending the buoy. It's not for navigational purposes,<br />rather, it's a monument to our history. Photo <b><a href="https://midatlantic.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/06/the-star-spangled-buoy/" target="_blank">source</a></b></td></tr>
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On Sept. 14, 1814, Key was a prominent Georgetown attorney, and he was aboard a flag-of-truce vessel, trying to secure the release of William Beanes, a Maryland doctor imprisoned by the British for arresting English soldiers near his home. It was then that 25 British ships began their bombardment of the port of Baltimore and Fort McHenry. Through the night, Key witnessed cannon and gunfire pummeling the fort, and, when he saw the flag still flying at dawn in an unbeaten defiance, he immortalized the scene in a four-verse poem. <b><a href="https://midatlantic.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/06/the-star-spangled-buoy/" target="_blank">More at link</a></b></blockquote>
Here's what Baltimore Harbor looked like in the early 1990s when we sailed past that buoy and anchored in the harbor.<br />
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It felt good to look at the buoy as we passed it, and to refresh our memory. That is exactly one reason why we traveled, to learn more about our country and to see where important events in our nation's history occurred. It's sad that we have a current climate of ravening, ignorant crowds pulling down monuments willy nilly. Monuments are important. At least this buoy is in a spot where they can't get to it.<br />
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I enjoyed sailing past the buoy and learning more about that spot and the history behind our national anthem. If you pass a statue or plaque or marked spot somewhere on your daily routines or travels, please take a minute to learn why it's there and the history behind it. Someone thought enough to put it there for a reason.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-86006216189130916362020-07-02T12:03:00.000-04:002020-07-02T12:03:00.960-04:00The Perfect VignetteBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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I like design shows and tips for upcycling and home decorating. I like to make my place look nice, be functional, and have pleasant surprises for the eye. I'ts hard to do on a budget and within 410 square feet, but I manage. I like the challenge, too!<br />
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There are free short videos to watch on the new Design Network. (<a href="https://www.tdn.tv/">https://www.tdn.tv/</a>) This is an online channel started by Jason Harris, CEO of Furnitureland South, which is "located in High Point, NC, Furnitureland South is the world’s largest furniture store, with 1.3 million square feet for home furnishings showrooms. Recognized in 2018 as America’s Best Large Independent Furniture Retailer, Furnitureland South represents over 1,000 of the finest brands and offers nationwide white glove delivery," according to the company's blurb.<br />
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TDN features lots and lots of channels of short videos offering tips on most any style of design you enjoy. By short, I mean about 7-20 minutes. Some of the titles of TDN's videos I've enjoyed include<br />
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<li>Commissioned, Follow talented artists as they tackle a commissioned artwork piece with design in mind.</li>
<li>Design(ish) with Genevieve Gorder, who is always a delight to watch</li>
<li>Dressing Rooms with Carson Kressley and Gina Alem, who take a client's outfit and bring elements of their outfit into the room. It's interesting.</li>
<li>Design Smackdown with Thom Felicia</li>
<li>MidMod Then & Now, I really enjoyed. Two designers go through a Palm Beach luxury home and demonstrate how the actual mid-century modern has been updated and referenced in today's designs Fascinating.</li>
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There are tons of other videos, too.<br />
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I also watch AMB Design Inc. which is Utah designer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcOOPVYdrxBmaVWjZnsD4Cw/featured" target="_blank"><b>Ann-Marie Barton on youtube</b>.</a> Her channel has a lot of different videos but I like the channel Gracious Living. She has a quiet and relaxing way about her, and she explains why this element or that element works in the room she is designing for her client. She speaks well and not a word is wasted in her short videos.<br />
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Finally I also enjoy CoralTV, again, <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1oMom9DVdfeNZqvqHO-LOg" target="_blank">on Youtube</a></b>. They will produce short videos on 'How to Style Your Bed' or '1 Couch Two Ways'.<br />
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These are free and since they are pretty and short, sometimes enjoy watching one before bed. The tv-host professionalism varies from designer to designer, and some have a voice for the shower only and not TV, lo, but all in all these ate cute videos and helpful too. If you enjoy home design.<br />
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There are spots on my apartment I enjoy, that are just perfect for me. The designers are always talking about 'this moment in the room' meaning this little vignette or spot where something surprising or cute is happening. I like how my teacups are arranged on my kitchen counter. I like the art hanging over my desk in the bedroom. And I like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_eLNjVH26Y1uZqoyKmuuBGXaiF97VAtbkPBAYljdTCBTMPC2D0kZBrfbhC7stTtG2s4JtkzMl2w9HFt5XmST-h7YoE136bMwmElu6n0cBQ2_Bv7gD8tsfZ0d0bDvrf9RH1zUjQ/s1600/vignette+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_eLNjVH26Y1uZqoyKmuuBGXaiF97VAtbkPBAYljdTCBTMPC2D0kZBrfbhC7stTtG2s4JtkzMl2w9HFt5XmST-h7YoE136bMwmElu6n0cBQ2_Bv7gD8tsfZ0d0bDvrf9RH1zUjQ/s640/vignette+5.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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I had found that little stand at a resale store. It's not meant to be a bookcase per se, but I needed something small to go in a narrow spot, so I turned it into one. I like that there is space underneath to put my slippers. My bookcases, all 7 of them, are arranged thematically. This one holds my Puritan library. I am proud of my library. It's taken a long time to accumulate exactly the books I want. I'm happy that I have them and that I've made a way to store them conveniently and in a pretty way despite having so little room.<br />
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On top I especially love this vignette:<br />
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These three items are some I enjoy. I bought the painting a few years ago at the High School art show. It's done by a student. The style reminded me of Maine artist <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Hartley" target="_blank">Marsden Hartley</a></b>. His work hangs in the Smithsonian and Museum of Modern art, among other museums. Here's Marsden-<br />
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I like being able to support a budding artist. I also enjoy the scene itself. The turtle in the bowl was a gift from a friend who'd visited the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and brought that back for me. Finally the bowl is mid-century modern and I think it's cool. I like to look at it.<br />
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Anyway, today was change the sheets day. Not that I have a particular day, it's just when I feel like it. My bed doesn't move so in order to get the fitted sheet on that back corner I have to fling myself toward the spot and wrestle it under the mattress <i>while</i> I am laying on it. Quite a feat. What is it about making up a bed with fresh sheets that makes you want to lay on them right away? At least this time Murray was snoozing in his little bed in the kitchen and didn't try to scoot under the sheets AS I was putting them on the bed!<br />
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He figured out where I was soon enough and came to check it out. His favorite spot. He enjoys watching the many birds in the yard from the window there. And this morning somehow a moth had gotten in and he woke me up by chasing it all over the bed. Murray is a good watch-cat. He saved me from the moth. All is well now.<br />
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When I make the bed up for the first time with fresh sheets, I like to make everything symmetrical. The medallion on the bed centered, and the fringe hanging just to the bottom of the bed rail and as straight as I can make it. I know, it might be obsessive, but when I walk into the room, MY vignette, MY 'moment', is seeing everything in order, straight and neat. Who doesn't like that? Here it is-<br />
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My plans for the rest of the day is to feed the cat, who is bugging me even as I write this. He has dry food. But he knows the wet, delicious, terrific food is coming. So pretty much after noon time he is relentless. he stares at me from 4 inches away. He puts a paw on my arm. He winds around my feet. Sigh, cats, you know?<br />
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Then I'll probably head to the library to pick up a book on hold. It's about the Titanic. Maybe head to The Special Store after that to see anything new that has come in. I binged on a bunch of TDN/Gracious Living/Coral design videos and now I'm fired up. Of course, on the videos, they are busy gutting the 50 foot kitchen in their vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, while for me fired up is buying a saucer. Different strokes! I hope you have a great day and a nice holiday weekend!<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-28166248672817508512020-06-30T12:53:00.002-04:002020-06-30T12:53:41.172-04:00My morning of errandsBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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The southern heat gets me. The dew point gets me. The humidity gets me. So I just stay inside with air conditioning most of the summer. No sense complaining. It's Georgia, it's summer, it's hot. Not much is going to change that. The only time I have to go out is church and when I have to do errands. Not a fan of errands.<br />
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But they need to be done and I am doing this adulting thing pretty well if I say so myself, so I go.<br />
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I decided to head out early before the worst of the heat sets in, like be at the grocery store at its opening at 7 am. I didn't do too bad, I got there at 7:06.<br />
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My grocery store of choice is Kroger. The prices are good, they send me coupons, and the variety is excellent for my dietary needs. I've recently even discovered a lactose free yogurt that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.<br />
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Since it was early I got the first spot, next to the bushes. Crossing hot asphalt in the Georgia summer isn't my favorite thing. The first spot! I felt special, like I won something.<br />
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These faux terra cotta pots looked cool all stacked up outside the store. I liked the graphic design.<br />
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The Sahara dust storm has reached Georgia now. The haze the other day was quite visible. It was like the floor of the desert had levitated to just above the tree line and hung there, yellowish orangey brown brooding, just hovering. The dust had laid on a thick coat all over the car. I thought it best to get it washed off before the paint got pitted or scratched.<br />
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I've always been scared inside of automatic car washes but I just breathed steady and called on the name of the Lord and I was OK.<br />
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On my way back out of the Kroger parking lot I saw some mockingbirds flitting where the planters were. I like dhow the gray chairs and the gray table matched the little bird. They know just where to land, don't they?<br />
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It's important to maintain the car but I am hesitant to do some of the things by myself, and that includes tires. When I was 16 I accidentally blew up my 10-speed bike tire and I never got over the loudness of the explosion and the suddenness of the bang. Tires Plus guys are kind to do that task for you. They'll check the air and add it if the tires need. I bought 2 new tires from them and they patched another, but I think they will do it even if you are not one of their customers. Since I was in the neighborhood during the day, which is unusual since I normally go to Kroger after church on Sunday evenings, I thought it prudent to do the adulting thing again and have them check. Sure enough, the two front tires were low.<br />
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I stopped at the Dollar General store to buy a few hard goods. I didn't need much, just sandwich sized storage bags, toothpaste, and an empty spray bottle. I've ordered some frosted film to put on my kitchen window, and it adheres by spraying water, placing the panel of frosted film on the glass, then squeegeeing the water out. No adhesive, which is good for a rental unit. The review said it was easy to apply, so after I ordered some at Amazon I trotted to the Dollar store to get me an inexpensive spray bottle to do the deed.<br />
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I did't find any. It was just after their opening at 8:00 and the store was empty except for me. The three employees were busy cleaning and wiping the front door. I asked one of them where the empty spray bottles were. With barely turning around one of the employees brusquely said in a nanosecond, "We're out." I said, "You're out of all your spray bottles of any kind?" "Yep."<br />
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The Dollar store is noted for their low prices, not for sparkling customer service, so I chalked it up and figured I'd check another store later in the week when the frosted film arrived from Amazon. At least I got toothpaste.<br />
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Last stop, the bank. The sign is ridiculously large. It's about the same size as the front of the bank. But the ladies inside are very gracious and helpful so I forgive the bank its massive and ugly sign, lol.<br />
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The little neighborhood I pass through on the way home has several homes that take care of their front porches and rotate their decorations on them. They are cute to look at. With the 4th of July holiday coming up, this home had decorated with the red, white, and blue semi-circular banners. They looked nice hanging over the large porch and contrasted against the white.<br />
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I took pride in winning the grocery game of "bring it all inside in one trip". I can't do it anymore since I started buying a case of seltzer water. But I'm serious about the one-trip thing when I can do it. Apparently so are others! Take a look-</div>
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Home at last, I made it back by 9 am. I got my things put away and re-heated the coffee and finished my second cup. Ahhh, the pleasure of having done my jobs!<br />
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As I was putting away the groceries, the delivery man knocked and handed me my bonito flakes. At Kroger I'd bought seaweed. Alton Brown has a video on making dashi, which is a Japanese broth composed of soaking the previous two items and then straining. Bonito flakes are made from the bonito, a fish they dry, and make into flakes. Apparently bonito flakes are FULL of protein. I'll do another essay about them when I make my broth. I hope you have a great day and week ahead, everyone.<br />
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It's always nice to come home to your cat. What is it with cat in a box?<br />
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Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-85846909985985634122020-06-21T08:09:00.001-04:002020-06-21T08:09:35.107-04:00Saturday errandsBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Yesterday was one of those days where you had to go out and around doing errands. Errands aren't my favorite thing, but they're part of life. So I try to be observational and consciously look for cute or interesting things to remember. It keeps my observation skills sharp (which I had to develop as a roving news reporter back in the day), and it keeps my mind focused on something positive. Else, I'd grumble the whole time about errands.<br />
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That day I needed to go to the Dollar General store to get shades. I was finally going to solve two problems. Someone has kindly bought me a three-step ladder. I need to change out the curtains sometimes, or get them down for a wash, or change the shower curtain, and I have to stand on precarious things to do it. Not good when you live alone and aren't nimble. I'd been waiting to see of The Special Store had one, (a second hand, vintage store) but the lady says whenever they come in, they go out fast. Finally I bit the bullet and searched for a new one but they are expensive. I wished for one and a very generous someone blessed me.<br />
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The second thing that gets solved with this ladder is the curtain situation. I've never been happy with the curtains over the kitchen sink. Its a very dark area of the apartment, but it's where I spend most of my time. The neighbors on the other side of the house have their kitchen window looking directly into mine For privacy's sake I put up a couple of sheers, that way the light still comes in but blurs the view. It never looked good though, just makeshift and temporary. I found these lightweight blinds at Dollar General, they don't have a cord (saves the cat) and they don't require hardware to put up. Best of all, they are only $5 so if I make a mistake putting them up, no big loss.<br />
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So one of the errands is heading to the store to get the shades. If they work, I'll get some more and put them on the bathroom window and the front door window. I need the light and want the privacy and these are supposed to do both.<br />
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Also- I headed to the library to return books, and Kroger to buy a few necessities. I didn't need much. Fruit was on sale. Blueberries for $2.50, pineapples were $2, and grapes 88-cents a pound. Too good to pass up. It also gets me out of the house. The Library book drop was closed, only accepting books M-F, so I'll have to go back during the week. Grrr, another errand.<br />
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I snapped some photos along the way, like this one at the BBQ place. It wasn't open yet. When it is, it's crowded. And for you northerners like me, barbecue to Yankees is an activity you do pushing around meat over an outside grill. But to Southerners it's a meat item that is slow cooked with drippy sauce. Totally different things.<br />
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I thought the seats at the BBQ place looked like Mexican sombreros<br />
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It was a nice day. The Car Wash place was buzzing with activity. The automatic car wash is expensive but the vacuuming is free. Tons of people cleaning out their cars.<br />
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A lot of cars on the road hauling little campers or bass boats. I know where people are headed this nice Saturday!<br />
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You know you've been bingeing on too much of the survivalist reality program <i>Alone</i> when you see an A-frame doghouse and think, 'Awesome shelter, man!' lol.<br />
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I saw a woman wearing a mask. While driving. Alone in her car. Hm.<br />
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I've noticed this year the birds in my yard seem very active and very plentiful. Maybe that's just because I've been home since early spring and not at work like normal, so I can observe them more, but even now during summer when I'd normally be watching and listening, they seem to have peppered the yard with calls, low flights, and lots of insect-catching. Right on, keep doing that, birds!<br />
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I hope you all have a nice weekend.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-21983353187413562542020-06-19T11:54:00.000-04:002020-06-19T11:54:11.259-04:00 A beautiful dayBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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It's a beautiful day here in north Georgia. We have been enjoying cooler days with even cooler mornings. That trend is on the upswing now, but today at least, it's nice out. Nice in June means no air conditioning.<br />
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I enjoy a little something special in my coffee one a week. I had an unfortunate reaction to whipped cream, so I abandoned that. Cool Whip grosses me out. So I've been taking my morning coffee with cream and nothing on top for a while. Sadly. Then I read about Affogato. Affogato is an Italian word that means drowned. To make this Italian dessert, you put a scoop of ice cream into a glass, preferably a short glass. You can add chocolate shavings or caramel. I added caramel. Then pour hot espresso over the top, 'drowning' the coffee.<br />
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Now, my changes to this easy recipe were: less ice cream than the recipes call for. It's actually a dessert, and I didn't want to have that much ice cream in the morning, so I only added a tablespoon of my vanilla lactose-free. The recipes call for espresso, and I had just coffee, and I don't make it that strong. And I had only a taller glass. But it's still delightful! In the actual recipe, the ice cream as it melts makes a nice foam and drips creamily down as it does. I'll only do this once in a while because of the calories. It's meant to be a treat, not a daily consumption. Here's mine-<br />
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Here's the recipe and how it's actually supposed to look-<br />
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In taking a little stroll around the yard this morning, I caught these scenes. I live in a nice area. Nice means clean, no litter blowing around the sides of the road. Rural. That means green rolling pastures filled with animals. Bucolic. That means lots of varieties of birds soaring through the air and nesting in the many trees. Little traffic. Perfect silence at night. I wake up at 2 am and I hear nothing except breeze. Sometimes, adding to the atmosphere, there might be a little dog barking far into the distance, or a cow lowing. Occasional bird calling to itself. Maybe he is announcing "It's 2am and all's well, birdie friends!" In June there's fireflies and stars and a clear moon, hanging low over the pastures. My description sounds like a scene-setting in a movie script. But it's really like this here.<br />
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Enjoy the photos from my stroll this morning-<br />
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Today's cloud<br />
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Five o'clock flower bush. The blooms unfurl in the late afternoon.<br />
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I love that there is a pasture next door, separating me and the next closest neighbor behind me. I love that there are a couple of hay bales nestled against the tree line. I love that there are various colors of green and gold to look at. The pasture is dynamic. Not as dynamic as if there was a lake or the ocean to look at, but the sun changes the aspect of the pasture hour by hour. In the morning it's best, when it's golden.<br />
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Lights strung over the lawn, the pergola is growing its annual leafy coverage. At night the lights make a nice glow.<br />
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Mockingbird across the street with puffed out chest. Grooming himself, or just proud? lol<br />
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All in all, things are good where I am.Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-23902862547587991592020-06-17T06:01:00.001-04:002020-06-17T06:01:51.038-04:00Frugal cooking this weekBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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I have never seen the Milky Way.<br />
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I am watching the History channel/Hulu show "Alone". It's involves 10 contestants who join the challenge to remain alone and surviving in the wilderness for up to 100 days. The production is extremely well done, from choosing the contestants, to the locations (Vancouver WA seasons 1-2 and Patagonia season 3). I'm unfamiliar with the show locations from season 4 to 6. I had heard that season 3 was outstanding so I started with that. I am completely absorbed in this quiet, interesting, educational, beautiful-on-the eyes show.<br />
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They show these beautifully photographed shots of the surroundings, from the jagged mountains, to snow dusted lowlands, to foggy lakes, to the many stars in the night sky, along with the Milky Way. I'd like to see that someday.<br />
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Speaking of the starry skies, something I set the alarm for and plan to try and see tomorrow morning at 5:05am is the Starlink satellites streaking across the sky. Starlink is a satellite constellation constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite Internet access. SpaceX is Elon Musk's company. The constellation will consist of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). As of 13 June 2020, SpaceX has launched 540 Starlink satellites, according to Wikipedia. Apparently the march of satellites across the sky is quite beautiful, say the people who have already seen it. I am hoping for a cloudless morning tomorrow so I can see it too.<br />
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I am taking advantage of the cool day. If it is cool out, I bake. In the oven right now is a bunch of mini-quinoa bites and some roasting broccoli. I also need to do something with the eggplant rolling around in the back of the fridge, and the marked-down picked chicken. I will look up recipes for "eggplant and chicken." Why not?<br />
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Found one! Is it bad that I gravitate to recipes that have the word "Easy" in the title? Easy One-Pan Eggplant Chicken Dinner. I have all these ingredients. Should be good! I also have some frozen shrimp defrosting for quick meals. Dinners for the next few days will be shrimp and broccoli and a boiled potato and also the eggplant dish. Lunches, I have deli meat and gluten free sandwich bread, the quinoa bites and also salad makings. A pot of vegetable soup is in the fridge, for either lunches or dinners, depending on how hungry I am.<br />
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It's hard to eat all of a pineapple before it goes bad. I found a solution. Freeze some of it. When I want some, I take it out of the freezer, chip some off, and blend in the blender with either banana or strawberry for a smoothie. Add a bit of coconut milk if you like, or just the fruit itself if you like it really thick. Sometimes I eat it thick and add crushed almonds on top, and eat with a spoon.<br />
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I'm all set with my frugal meals for the week!<br />
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I have church tonight, we are going through Hebrews. I am in the middle of several really good books with some more on deck. (Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, and Phyllis Schlafly: Sweetheart of the Silent Majority by Carol Felsenthal). With my church event tonight, my books, and the the Alone TV show, I am all set for some good times today. I hope you have a good day also!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cheesy Quinoa Bites cooling. Soon it will be your turn, eggplant, soon.</td></tr>
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PS, yes those are Smarties in the mason jar. I bought two bags on severe markdown after Easter. When I want something sweet but not too calorific, I mix a tube of Smarties with some peanuts for a light snack.Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-51762127186821793382020-06-13T11:12:00.003-04:002020-06-13T11:12:37.141-04:00Nuts and Murray's spotBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Murray sure loves that spot! Even though it's not big enough for him, really. He sits there and watches out the front door. There are a lot of birds that hang our there on the dogwood tree in front or (unwisely) on the ground like the Brown Thrasher the other night hopping all around and cheeping his presence. Then he curls up to nap. I guess it's like when you see little kids twisted into all sorts of shapes and sleeping in spaces not made for sleeping!<br />
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Brown Thrasher in the front yard<br />
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I love nuts. I always have. At Christmas and Thanksgiving my mother used to put out baskets of a variety of nuts with nutcrackers. The visiting extended family would crack nuts and tell stories and laugh. I like to eat them for fiber and for the crunch. There are some nuts I can't have any more and others I need to limit intake quantities. But I still love them. Edamame nuts are high in protein and low in carbs and have a good about of fiber. Almonds too, in reasonable quantities. And I buy these boxes of 1-oz peanut packs and bring them to school for snacks. I buy the flavored almonds because sometimes Amazon has them for a really low price, so even if they're flavored I don't care, I'm all-in getting some almonds for not a billion dollars.<br />
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I'm almost out of soup so I'm going to make some more. Of what kind, I'm not sure yet. Then I'll read my Phyllis Schlafly biography, watch some more birds, and enjoy the day. I hope you do too!Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-31794161916067292702020-06-11T15:12:00.001-04:002020-06-11T15:12:41.718-04:00Daily Murray: Who can resist those eyes?!By Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Summertime. Windows up. At night, drifting off to sleep, all is quiet in this rural county. No trucks, cars, sirens, trains, ambulances...just a distant dog bark and an occasional moo.<br />
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Awakened at 3:30 am by a vigorous mighty mockingbird. he was full of the joy! He sang for two hours straight. I listened as the cool humid breeze wafted over me. I enjoy the nature sounds and I know I'm blessed in living in a place where there are lots.<br />
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I enjoy the city and have traveled to many of the world's great cities. I especially like New York City with its soaring granite skyscrapers, lofty bridges, and museums of history and art. but I could never live there. The cacophony of noises would over-sensitize me in minutes flat! No, laying comfy in bed in the wee hours listening to the variety of mockingbird sounds is more my speed.<br />
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Mockingbirds mock, and can and do imitate a variety of other birds, and even gods an frogs! They can vocalize up to 63 different sounds although other sites say up to 200. Do they sing their own sings? Some say yes, others no. What everyone does agree on is that mockingbirds like to sing, and they sing a lot!<br />
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I was serenaded last night by a particularly vigorous one and I'm happy about that.<br />
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I got up late, very late for me, but I went to bed at midnight so that is to be expected. Though, I don't like it. I enjoy sleeping 9-4 or 10-5. I don't like midnight to 8. But it seems that as the summer progresses and I'm home from work, the bedtime slips later and later. I want to tighten that up starting tonight. If I can do it I'll skip the nap and go to bed early in hopes of retraining my body on the schedule I prefer. I wake up sharper and happier when it's early.<br />
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And look who likes to join me as I drink my coffee in the morning!<br />
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I ordered a tea sampler. I'd heard on the tv show Elementary of a Japanese tea made from twigs and leaves. LOL, I'm weird. It sounded good to me.<br />
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Kukicha is a Japanese tea made from the twigs and stems of the same plant that black tea and green tea come from. It is also known as twig tea or 3 year tea, and it's aged after harvest and roasted. Kukicha tea has a unique flavor- sweet, creamy and slightly nutty. I didn't find it bitter. Since the base of it is green tea I can drink it as a Low FODMAP item. The Hojicha was a bonus surprise included in the packet. Apparently it is also made from roasted twigs and leaves from the green tea bush, but is reddish in color. From Wikipedia<br />
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It is distinctive from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal, whereas most Japanese teas are steamed. The tea is fired at a high temperature, altering the leaf color tints from green to reddish brown.<br />
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I dunno. I just know that due to my FODMAP issues I can no longer drink most of the teas I used to drink (including chamomile, wah!) so I search for other kinds I can drink. The sample size is convenient because I can do just that, sample without investing a lot into the tea before I know if I'm going to like it.<br />
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I also have honeybush tea on my list, which is a close cousin of roobois except sweeter, hence the honey in the name. They are both South African teas, and are good for FODMAP diets.<br />
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Here are a couple of shots of the mockingbirds that live in the yard.<br />
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Have a wonderful day!<br />
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The tea samples: I got them thru Amazon<br />
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Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-42039821582113268412020-06-10T11:47:00.000-04:002020-06-10T11:47:51.233-04:00Daily Murray: We had a little spatBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Me and Murray had a little spat. He likes to be near me. Since I spend a lot of time at the table writing on the laptop, he jumps on the table and lays down next to me. I bought a little covered bed for him because he was uncomfortable laying on the hard Formica table and wriggled around a lot. He likes to tuck his head under things. It’s so cute. He tucks his head under the rim of the bed.<br />
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Lately he’s decided he’d rather not curl up in the bed as often, but spread out on the table and tuck his head under my elbow. This makes it hard to write. I like the contact and it’s really cute, but after a few minutes, I need to move my arm. I’ve been lifting him and putting him in his little bed. Since it’s not his idea at that moment to get in his little bed, he resists being put into the bed, and he jumps off the table.<br />
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This went on successively, me lifting him and putting him in the bed (or trying), him jumping down. Repeat. Yesterday he was sitting upright on the table and I moved my hand to pet his head and he got scared and jumped down. Oh no. I do not want him to see my hand coming and be scared of me. I want him to know that every time I touch him it’s for love.<br />
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So I quit stuffing him in the little bed and let him decide when to get in it. When he splays out all over the table, to give myself room, I move the laptop over. This is proof that cats rule the house.<br />
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Here he is in his little bed, snuffing and snoring contentedly. The little crossed paws are so endearing!<br />
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I gotten some books lately. I’m excited at the Nathaniel Philbrick one. After Bill Bryson, I think he is the best non-fiction narrative writer. He makes his stories come alive. I bought this one is called Mayflower and it recounts the Pilgrims’ journey and first few decades of colonizing America. I also received as a gift the Paul Washer book on Fasting. I fast and I want to know more about the discipline and Paul Washer is just the man to teach me!<br />
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The <i>Write Better</i> book was recommended by Reagan Rose and Tim Challies. I have accumulated several books on Christian Art. I am interested to know, as a Christian, when I make art or write an essay, how to do it better as a Christian. There are a lot of books giving advice on how to write better or do art better but not from a Christian perspective, giving glory to God.<br />
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I’ve accumulated have several books on art in a little section of my book library, but none specifically on Christian writing. Since the Write Better book was recommended by two guys I trust when recommending things, I looked up the book and after skimming it online at Amazon, I got it. I am hoping it fills the bill. The Art books I have are Philip Ryken’s "Art for God’s Sake" and Francis Schaeffer’s "Art and the Bible."<br />
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Two requests for inter-library loan books have come in. So now I’m enjoying an embarrassment of riches. I’d requested a library loan for Eric Ripert’s biography (a chef) and the bio of Phyllis Schlafly. Apparently Schlafly’s biographer was a feminist mainly against Schlafly but after spending time with Phyllis and her family, the biographer wrote a gentle and warm bio. I am interested in Phyllis after having watched the Hulu show “Mrs. America”. The 9-episode TV series focused on Schlafly’s influence in stalling and eventually defeating the feminist Equal Rights Amendment. I’m old enough to remember the battle the first time around, and the TV show revived my interest in this woman and deepened it. She is fascinating.<br />
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I had decided that since I wrote three essays yesterday on The End Time blog that today I’d re-post an older essay and spend the day reading and crafting. In a providential turn of events, not only is it raining today (reading on a rainy day is so cozy!) but the internet is out this morning. I have spent some time in my Bible, I started Daniel as the next book in the Reading Plan. I read today’s devotional from "Piercing Heaven", prayers of Puritans (different from the Valley of Vision by Bennett). I’ll head to the Library at 10:00 to do the curbside pickup time for the books I’d ordered, and come home and read. I’ll also make a collage, and probably do some word searches, word puzzles, and coloring/painting.<br />
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I hope your day goes well. I hope my internet does come back eventually!<br />
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(and it did)Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-42181522073100040992020-06-08T18:19:00.004-04:002020-06-08T18:19:37.783-04:00Spaghetti Squash soupBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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I like spaghetti squash. I need to eat gluten free, lactose free, low FODMAP, and watch the carbs. It is quite limiting. But spaghetti squash is one of those veggies that ticks all the boxes, AND I can eat a lot of it. Win!<br />
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There's only one problem, even a small spaghetti squash yields a ton of squash. I usually search for the smallest one in the grocery bin, but even that smallest one gives me a lot of squash to handle. I often have to eat it aggressively to ensure I consume it all before it goes bad.<br />
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I poke some holes in the rind and pop it into the crock pot as is, adding a bit of water. Setting the temperature on high, it cooks in just an hour or two. I take it out when the rind is good and soft when I insert a knife, and I cut it in half (using a towel to protect my hands from the hot squash). This lets it cool faster with the two sides open.<br />
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The recipe called for putting the pulled strands from the squash rind into the blender. I did that, but I put only half into the blender and simply chopped up the rest. I believe this was a mistake. It made for a funny texture and also the dripping spaghetti squash strands make a mess while I eat it.<br />
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I also used coconut milk in addition to the chicken broth. I omitted the onions from the recipe since I can't eat them. I added carrots and celery and half a green pepper. It came out good and with next time I'll just blend all of the squash instead of blending half and putting the other half into the soup.<br />
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There's something comforting about cooking a pot of soup. It's satisfying to know that I have a container of soup in the fridge. And I can eat a lot of it. It is a low calorie, low carb soup. Only 9 carbs in a 1-cup serving. That means I can have a cup of soup <em>and</em> a sandwich for a meal instead of having to choose one or the other. Soup's on, enjoy!<br />
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<strong><a href="https://www.kudoskitchenbyrenee.com/fall-festival-spaghetti-squash-soup/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Spaghetti Squash soup </a></strong>9 carbs per cupElizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-72934940510125585442020-06-03T09:33:00.000-04:002020-06-03T09:33:02.065-04:00I like to be awake when I fall asleepBy Elizabeth Prata<div><br /></div><div>The last two days of school were unique. Since the kids were gone and we were not allowed into the building for many weeks, the whole place was a sad testament to a hurried goodbye. But we did have some important things that had to be done, virus or no virus. At the very end of the year we were allowed back in to pack up the classrooms, and in so doing make bags for the kids and parents to pick up. In the bags were the remnants from inside the kids desks such as pencil boxes, any coats or sweatshirts left behind, and paperwork such as report cards, awards, and certificates. We brought the bags and lined them up in the gym alphabetically and by classroom teacher.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of the last day on car rider duty with the kids sitting cross legged in rows, there was only the bags. It was like Ghost of Kids at Car Riders.</div><div><br /></div><div>The paraprofessionals were told to come in on Thursday and Friday and be on hand for the hand-out. Parents were to drive up as if it was car riders, and we paras in the gym would hand the bags to some paras outside who would hand it to Principals who gave it the drivers. This method minimized contact with the public, allowed some closure, and gave us a chance to wave goodbye from a distance.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a long 8 hours though! What to do for 8 hours while waiting for people to drive up and collect their bags? We were all women, so we talked. It was nice, especially not having had a chance to speak to anyone in the shelter-in-place time and not having seen our friends and colleagues for many weeks. We gabbed, we chatted, we laughed, we talked.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not a great social talker. I don't know how to do small talk and don't like it. Plus, usually I say one or more things that strike people funny. When I was growing up that happened a lot, I'd say something and all the adults would laugh. I got so tired of that I just quit talking. </div><div><br /></div><div>What I was saying and thinking made perfect sense to me, but no to anyone else. I learned through taking some professional development classes that this is called "private logic".</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway we were discussing what we enjoy about the summertime away from school. One person said naps. I like naps too, and chimed in. I said,</div><div><br /></div><div>"I like to be awake when I fall asleep."</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone burst out laughing. It made perfect sense to me. Thankfully we had boatloads of time (and a captive audience! My favorite!) and I could explain. My private logic is often a shortcut to longer explanations of things I don't have time to make in normal conversation. Conversations go so fast! The streams of talk are like hordes of squirrels running across the lawn, doubling back, running up a tree, or just disappearing. That is what social conversation looks like to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Falling asleep is an enjoyable physical experience. The laying down of a tired body The release of stress as the body flattens and relaxes, giving up its daytime burdens. The drawing up of covers to warm and snuggle into comfort and safety. The quiet.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, at night, the qualities of falling asleep differ from the qualities of falling asleep in a daytime nap. After the few moments of the above, nighttime falling asleep is like lying next to a cliff, and rolling off. I plunge directly into the abyss and awaken 7 hours later exactly the same way but in reverse, suddenly and totally.</div><div><br /></div><div>In summer when I take a daytime nap, the windows are open and I hear the birds. I enjoy the birds. I feel the breeze waft across the bed. I like the breeze. The cat snuggles next tome, purring. I like the cat. I fall asleep slowly, gently. It's like a leaf gently dropping from a height to float softly to the earth. My consciousness slowly draws down until I think and feel no more. But I'd had opportunity to enjoy the pleasurable sensations before blinking out.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's what I mean when I say "I like to be awake when I fall asleep."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-TveJ6GHAzkt97l3ALNM2bQWFU2eXvscRI7gsi31VYs6UboMD6gwmNNCfsFmquT6RvJAilfdDCowjSDzbmkRKo4naE6yAdP2HuzvLXzok3drmAXfz5nq43H_8KkOg8kuB-BEQg/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-TveJ6GHAzkt97l3ALNM2bQWFU2eXvscRI7gsi31VYs6UboMD6gwmNNCfsFmquT6RvJAilfdDCowjSDzbmkRKo4naE6yAdP2HuzvLXzok3drmAXfz5nq43H_8KkOg8kuB-BEQg/w400-h300/cat+on+bed+in+sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-24427555452354458092020-06-01T18:05:00.001-04:002020-06-01T18:05:09.514-04:00A leisurely jaunt OUTBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Guess what? Today was the first time since March 13 that I went somewhere without a purpose (church, grocery shopping, bank..) I wasn't a SWAT Team member, "Get in! Get Out! Go! Go! Go!" I went about leisurely...and I loved it. Here's the scene-<br />
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First I went to the UPS store at this morning to return an Amazon item, and was greeted by a long line of people from inside the store to outside, most wearing masks, waiting for social distancing requirements to allow them in. I was initially surprised, having not seen this before, but then I realized I haven't gone anywhere before. I was about to murmur complainingly to myself, but I changed that to reciting a mental gratitude list; it wasn't hot out, I had a nice ride into the city, the line was moving fast, etc.<br />
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Once that was done I decided to break in my State Park Pass I'd bought in Feb. Finally I get to use it! Not even last week - the 1st week of summer break - it rained every day! So I turned south at the intersection and headed for the Park. It's a pretty place. There's a waterfall, refreshingly casting off cool air and a nice sound. The Park is very shady, there are a variety of trails, lots of picnic tables, and you can splash in the river. A mom was splashing with her toddler as I sat under the shelter. Other families were setting up at various picnic tables. A guy with a fly fishing gear was making lures as his wife put on a backpack and hiking boots. All very nice. Here's my shots from my short visit. It was more recon than a lengthy visit. I needed to see what I'll need to bring the next time. It's only 5 miles from my house so it's not a huge deal to go there at any time.<br />
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Good Shoes<br />
Hiking stick<br />
Book<br />
Camera<br />
Water<br />
Wear shorts or light clothing<br />
Go to the bathroom before arriving!<br />
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I arrived home to find my Amazon purchase in the mailbox. A new tea ball! I am gravitating more toward not only teabags, but loose tea. I have some Moroccan Mint that I enjoy, but no teaball to enjoy it. I pour into my cup with a strainer over the cup, which works when I remember. The other day I poured and forgot to strain it, so I was swishing Moroccan Mint leaves from my teeth for the next hour, lol. This one was highly recommended, almost uniformly the highest stars. That's rare. I'm hoping it works as well as the reviewers say.<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead. It's going to start being hot here now, I think this was the last pleasantly cool day. Enjoy, wherever you are.Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-42246724673944380622020-05-31T13:02:00.005-04:002020-05-31T13:02:50.009-04:00FruitBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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You know I like food prep. I like snack prep too. I just took a half hour and peeled 5 kiwis, 1lb of strawberries, 4 mandarins, and grapes and popped them in the fridge.<br />
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Having fruit washed, peeled, and prepped for eating makes it more likely when I open the fridge that I'll select it. If you're on the go, adding already cut fruit to your desserts or cereal just adds vitamins and nutrition.<br />
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Here is the fruit of my labor. See what I did there<br />
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We have church today for the first time in 2 1/2 months. I'm looking forward to that! With the exception of a few days at school since the lockdown began on March 13, I haven't been in a group or really spoken to anybody. We are advised to remain socially distant in the church, and to disperse quickly afterward, but still, when we gather and sing and listen to the word preached live, it will be glorious.<br />
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Tomorrow I need to bring an item to UPS to return it to Amazon, and since I'll only be 3 miles from the UGA Botanical Gardens, I'll swing by and relax among the flowers and butterflies. If it goes as planned (and it might not, there are rallies and protests scheduled for my city later today) then I'll take lots of photos. I have the summer to make new scripture photos with them, or just to post as is. So many sisters have said they enjoy the peaceful photos. I'll be sure to post many more. Thank you for your encouragement!<br />
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Here is one I took last night when the power went out at dusk and I went outside to enjoy the sunset. I liked the symmetry and wondered about the distance between each stem being so regular. God made all the trees in one day. he is an amazing creator!<br />
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Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-5929069385492096552020-05-29T11:04:00.000-04:002020-05-29T11:04:00.119-04:00Travel Vignette: VirginiaBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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In the 1990s I traveled a lot. On one trip, in 1994, my husband and I took a cross-country trip in our 1982 VW Westphalia pop-up camper van. I kept a travel journal along the way, observing quirky things, majestic sights, the food we ate, and soon. The usual travel journal stuff. Occasionally I extract a snippet from one of my travels and post it. This one is from the aforementioned cross-country trip.<br />
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Seen on Route 13 south of Exmore VA, 'Ophelia's Hats & Wigs.' We had a great meal at the Trawler Restaurant, crabcake sandwich, sweet potato biscuit, hush puppies, and a pickle. Yum!<br />
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The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was spectacular. Many small craft were out trying their luck. Imagine being on an open boat out on Chesapeake Bay in the middle of December! We stopped at the scenic lookout/rest area and walked to the edge of the pier. NOAA has a couple of tide gauges to monitor water flow here at the southern end of the bay. The water was completely still, and the wind was calm. Looking north we could see Thimble Shoal Light, and east we could see the light at Cape Henry, with an anchored tanker just offshore. The bridge itself curved gracefully away from our eyes, toward an indistinct lazy shore.<br />
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Seen:<br />
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--Tarheel BBQ, with shot out holes in the sign,<br />
--Cotton fields,<br />
--A truck transporting two large sows,<br />
--Gates Shopping Center, a dilapidated brick building in a sandlot with a sign that said "Yes, we're open" in the middle of nowhere.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-58401479036236712822020-05-27T09:50:00.001-04:002020-05-27T09:50:22.816-04:00BirdhousesBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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I think birdhouses are neat.<br />
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There are/were a lot of them in my yard.<br />
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Most were here 14 years ago when I arrived as a renter. Some have gone by the wayside since then.<br />
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Below is my favorite view in the yard. The yard has various parts. There's the side where the fig trees are and the mockingbirds play. There's the other side yard with the azaleas and rhododendron and lilies. There's the near back yard with <b><a href="https://youtu.be/CA8xTGP_M8g" target="_blank">two sheds</a></b>. There's the far back yard with this view of the pasture, hay, and birdhouse. It's a large birdhouse so it's always filled each spring with some sort of bird or other.<br />
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Below, if you look open in new tab larger you can see the baby inside with open mouth<br />
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I loved this birdhouse too but it is gone now.<br />
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This old birdhouse seems like a companion now. It is broken down but still hanging in there. When I look out over the lawn, its blue paint gives nice contrast to the green around.<br />
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The one with the chain still hangs from the magnolia tree. The other one is gone now. A bunch of wasps started making a huge nest in it, and I had to get rid of it.<br />
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These next ones are decorative bird houses, some are mine, some are neighbors that have come and gone, come and gone.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed this tour of my birdhouses. I enjoy my home inside, and out.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-37851473872158214042020-05-26T11:09:00.001-04:002020-05-26T11:09:03.581-04:00Readying the patio for summerBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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My goal for the spring was to obtain some new succulents. I like how they look, and I like how it takes a lot to kill them. I need both in my life, hardy, and pretty, lol.<br />
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Kroger had a $1 sale on small succulents so I bought ten. My goal for the Memorial Day Holiday was to re-pot them. I also wanted to refresh my little patio area, clean it, and ready it for summer outdoors enjoyment.<br />
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So I did!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1FT6GcKBH3REYIJxiStJ3_qayq8i8O2u4VveQ-tpU2gnl0tNdAZV3QcKlCyWX-_-_hzzlgOgbQC1du4Er9tlG7V2xYhcaZLYB1Z9xoJ9_VfjD2p9-NYwKdiFzmr-m3wdgcNKTA/s1600/plants+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1FT6GcKBH3REYIJxiStJ3_qayq8i8O2u4VveQ-tpU2gnl0tNdAZV3QcKlCyWX-_-_hzzlgOgbQC1du4Er9tlG7V2xYhcaZLYB1Z9xoJ9_VfjD2p9-NYwKdiFzmr-m3wdgcNKTA/s400/plants+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the small rosettes atop leggy hens & chicks I snipped off to dry.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLkQsV1-T8578M-coM0qUF6yXTUYcqIjWo1juEjMSAe1K2YVfHtRnOO_3fCzgT-G7wRsFEjgdLU6hlfQusdXtsnffmfuzmN6bCMqbzeAZMHSubrae33K9yo7CziDiAAISOjmtCA/s1600/plants+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLkQsV1-T8578M-coM0qUF6yXTUYcqIjWo1juEjMSAe1K2YVfHtRnOO_3fCzgT-G7wRsFEjgdLU6hlfQusdXtsnffmfuzmN6bCMqbzeAZMHSubrae33K9yo7CziDiAAISOjmtCA/s400/plants+6.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
Yesterday a hawk (maybe an eagle, probably a hawk) was circling above the yard and pasture, likely looking for mice. He was hard to catch with the camera but this one snap came out OK<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjQBdrjWCz6mYYXi0SQpbgOcokUrRlgpEAWA39HGdGUG75HSlxwfUBVBtNFfkgcXE3nvmocYU3w4PyEZnN4kqooSsCkDw6Pry5FHTAqMPvYYHD1lBySGajYCmnJ4h6MkkdWZkuQ/s1600/hawk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjQBdrjWCz6mYYXi0SQpbgOcokUrRlgpEAWA39HGdGUG75HSlxwfUBVBtNFfkgcXE3nvmocYU3w4PyEZnN4kqooSsCkDw6Pry5FHTAqMPvYYHD1lBySGajYCmnJ4h6MkkdWZkuQ/s400/hawk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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There's a blooming magnolia flower atop the tippy top of the tree. Yup, it's there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmSodCqG6NNq09T32-e2ymQ1qp43io9kNYGtN1gylhXnqEazeNFstf-q4Y5WOMBwWt8UbOHPFhL52ouxZeUkECBw23opIiDz8qwX-dWAO_yuZYr7Lg_I9fYDrt_woeUP5At83ig/s1600/magnolia+far+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmSodCqG6NNq09T32-e2ymQ1qp43io9kNYGtN1gylhXnqEazeNFstf-q4Y5WOMBwWt8UbOHPFhL52ouxZeUkECBw23opIiDz8qwX-dWAO_yuZYr7Lg_I9fYDrt_woeUP5At83ig/s400/magnolia+far+away.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Let me use the Nikon zoom. <i>There</i> it is! Pretty good zoom for a point N shoot camera.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzrnwhoNseESGC0RueaZv-yAEnOv7OfNe_TDXfr6Vn0da4u_Q4bzJSl7mg-VE7LjN8e1zNxfeBVUD8pPHcNDU1V_sPBUReK58Tvppxyb7EG52VWRKvoPncmpPqJWySuTBw5I2rg/s1600/magnolia+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzrnwhoNseESGC0RueaZv-yAEnOv7OfNe_TDXfr6Vn0da4u_Q4bzJSl7mg-VE7LjN8e1zNxfeBVUD8pPHcNDU1V_sPBUReK58Tvppxyb7EG52VWRKvoPncmpPqJWySuTBw5I2rg/s400/magnolia+close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here's the Hosta 'eye' springing up. I had wanted to split the hosta but I learned that it's better to do it in the early spring, or at least before the eye springs up.<br />
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The Nikon zoom tends to get grainy but the camera does a good job on macro.<br />
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Today is a cool day but in Georgia after about mid-May cool means cloudy and <i>max</i> humidity. You just feel drenched all the time. My air conditioner has a setting called "Dry." I'd read in the reviews before I'd bought it that owners really loved the dry setting. I turned it on today and set to dry and you know what, it IS great. I'm not drenched I'm dry. It's the simple things.<br />
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Enjoy your summer, whether oven dry, or humid dry or rainy or wet or cool or hot! It's all good, really. This season is for taking it slower, enjoying outdoors with family, reading, grilling (not barbecuing, I learned the difference when I moved to the South), pools, lakes, seashore, and just plain enjoying life.Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-72941051911003355552020-05-25T14:26:00.002-04:002020-05-25T14:26:37.468-04:00The Dramatic Publishing CompanyBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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It's a slow start to the holiday and I'm just fine with that. Breakfast was a veggie hash, code for 'I gotta use up some stuff', and after the coffee was finished, ginger tea.<br />
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I went up to The Special Store Friday when they re-opened and bought a few things with my gift certificate.<br />
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I got a rattan planter stand and a wide serving bowl for a bird bath. A teapot, and some ephemera, a saucer, a booklet, and a notepad. Here's the details:<br />
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The rattan plant stand was intended to be part of a pedestal for a bird bath. The bowl I bought fit on it but it looked pitiful, crooked, and not high enough once I set it up. So I moved the plant stand to the area where the plants are and put a plant on it. I kept the bowl outside. I'll probably use it in some way for the bird bath. The bowl by the way is a Brock of California. The company produced kitschy looking items from the 1947-1980s. Mine is the Farmhouse Yellow Pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RiZ0RoOQ_tUleSCcNU0psTCfpekoozPyx7mWnzRR_G6q_efNPMC9iGZhauU-zYHT1jEkP8k_a44iOKNn8em1c7pYuyOqc6i4T6ADMOFye1GvX24nxsSfqp4m-habGM3fD7fEwQ/s1600/bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RiZ0RoOQ_tUleSCcNU0psTCfpekoozPyx7mWnzRR_G6q_efNPMC9iGZhauU-zYHT1jEkP8k_a44iOKNn8em1c7pYuyOqc6i4T6ADMOFye1GvX24nxsSfqp4m-habGM3fD7fEwQ/s320/bowl.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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The saucer was a replacement for a same saucer pattern I'd broken. It goes with a teacup from Royal Doulton translucent china in the Pillar Rose pattern, produced between 1961 - 1978. Translucent china is like bone china, minus the bone. It was more affordable for the average housewife back then. I like it because it's creamy and smooth, with depth, though lacking the precise delicacy of the bone china cup. Sometimes it's nice to hold a different kind of cup in my hand.<br />
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In looking at my teacup and teapot inventory it seems that I do enjoy floral patterns! Only one of my teapots doesn't have flowers on it, the Hall's from 1930. Its pattern prefigures the geometric patterns prevalent in the Art Deco era. Anyway, I was glad to get the saucer situation fixed. When I broke the saucer I'd glued it together but I was never sure it'd hold.<br />
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A teapot in Pillar Rose appeared in the store since last time I was there, and though it was being sold as part of a set, I asked if I could buy just the teapot, and they said yes (a bit reluctantly). Here is the Royal Doulton Pillar Rose teapot. I love the shape.<br />
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The handle is also sturdy, strong enough to lift the pot. It's a big pot, 5-cup. My only other large teapot is the Homer Laughlin Eggshell Cavalier in Dianne pattern (1957). The eggshell comes from a line of products HL introduced to combat the type-casting of their Fiesta ware items being heavy and clunky, as trends and fads shifted away from the once popular Depression ceramics. The pottery in the Eggshell line as you might guess is lighter. The pot is big, but the handle isn't strong enough once it's filled. I failed to examine the pot closely enough and didn't see the hairline crack. I still use the pot but when I do I have to remember to hold it from underneath. The Royal Doulton pot's handle is sturdy.<br />
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I'm a sucker for notepads. Especially when they're a quarter. Especially when they are pretty. Especially when they have a scripture verse or scripturally inspired caption on it! Here it is-<br />
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I'm always on the lookout for ephemera I can tear apart and use in crafting. Collages and the like. I've bought some books in other languages and have torn pages out and used them in crafting. This was a thin little booklet, a play titled, "Borderland: A Play in Three Acts". It was first published in 1889!<br />
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I looked up the history of the publishing company and <i>it's still in business</i>! Founded in 1885, It is a fifth generation business still focused on publishing plays! From their About page:<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/about-dpc" target="_blank">About Dramatic Publishing-</a></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In 1885, Charles Sergel, a journalist and a young man with a lifelong interest in theatre, founded The Dramatic Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois. For five generations, the company has been committed to developing and serving the authors, artists and educators who comprise the world of theatre.</blockquote>
As a matter of fact, here is a bit of literary history<br />
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Fifty years ago, my grandfather, Christopher Sergel, agreed to a deal with Harper Lee and her Agent whereby he would dramatize (and Dramatic Publishing would publish and license his adaptation of) To Kill a Mockingbird. ... My grandfather's adaptation was read and approved by Ms. Lee...<br />
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The company has also adapted literary works from Louisa May Alcott, Horatio Alger, Ernest Hemingway, S.E. Hinton, Edgar Allen Poe and many, many others. Gee, I sort of don't want to tear apart the booklet now! History, history, readers, is found in the neatest of places.<br />
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My next task today will be to watch a few re-potting succulents videos and then go outside to re-pot the 10 small ones I'd bought at Kroger on Friday for $1 each. I also have two 'leggy' hens and chicks that need trimming.<br />
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Have a wonderful holiday and week ahead!<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-90311731837366257652020-05-20T15:50:00.000-04:002020-05-20T15:50:29.990-04:00Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye)By Elizabeth Prata<br />
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The school year is ended. Yesterday we would have sung goodbye to the children when they boarded the buses to roll out for the last time. We would have cried, hugged, and promised to see them in the fall. Our shoulders would have sagged with relief. We'd taught, loved, chided, taught some more, relentlessly. We would have known we'd have wrung the last drop of energy from our sweat and had poured love and learning into those kids with all we had, until we release them, like doves from a box, to fly, soar, and disappear over the summer horizon.<br />
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But no.<br />
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We said 'hey, see ya later' on Thursday March 12, expecting to see them pile back into school on Monday after the Teacher Workday and the weekend was over.<br />
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It never happened.<br />
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The President called a National Emergency for the coronavirus, school closed temporarily, and a few weeks later our school was closed for the year.<br />
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And the school has been empty ever since. The tape used to hang kid art, science projects, essays, dry up and they hang askew or have fallen to the floor. Classrooms have been packed. Unfinished math problems written on the white board have half-erased. The lost and found is still piled with winter coats.<br />
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This is all that's left of the children; their pencil boxes, end of school year rewards, report cards, unfinished workbooks, left behind toys. Their school life in a bag.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6A426hdGd-SXQ11vKjbrJLOPds8wvKfJqNE6mKct9xoWtAN7IlwcaJA2xIyuufnUaLlIaRfRTOpNoqy5Pp0e1ZAwLOzzZXK9F1uD7e4DVQGwSmALxWdGTrJ2_R4gzLk9PGzxDA/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6A426hdGd-SXQ11vKjbrJLOPds8wvKfJqNE6mKct9xoWtAN7IlwcaJA2xIyuufnUaLlIaRfRTOpNoqy5Pp0e1ZAwLOzzZXK9F1uD7e4DVQGwSmALxWdGTrJ2_R4gzLk9PGzxDA/s400/kids.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye, wonderful children! We love you!!</td></tr>
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We returned to school a few days ago in staggered socially distant shifts to finalize the school year in organized fashion, pack rooms, and finish report cards of learning we oversaw, but didn't deliver. Are they growing? Healthy? Safe? Happy? We won't know until the fall. IF school reopens normally.<br />
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Tomorrow, us support staff will pile into the gym and await the procession of cars to drive by. The principal and assistant principal will look at the dashboard for the name of the child, call it to us in the gym, and we'll go get the bag and hand it to the Principals to give the family member driving up. That's it. All a child's hopes, fears, entire year, is piled into a bag and it gets handed to them as they drive up and away. We won't be able to see the kids or speak to them because of social distancing. Hugs are banned.<br />
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It's what we're required to do and that's fine, I trust our leaders to know what's best for the school district. It's an organized and efficient way to return the items to the families and to get end of year report cards and other paperwork to them too.<br />
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As I envision the cars lining up tomorrow with a hand out to receive their child's bag, it reminds me of this Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman song. I have always liked the gentle marching aspect to it. It's processional. And sad. Right now, it marks my mood.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g3ENX3aHlqU?start=30" width="560"></iframe></div>Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-69929165974409569792020-05-16T09:29:00.001-04:002020-05-16T09:29:06.848-04:00Sunshine, Daily Murray, Mail, and other thoughtsBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Good morning! It's late May and we are coming into the home stretch of school. The Governor suspended at-school learning in Mid-March due to Coronavirus but that doesn't mean we haven't been working. In fact, a few days ago we staff were told to return from working at home to the actual school building for 4 hours a day in staggered shifts (social distancing). We will do the same next week.<br />
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This Tuesday at noon would have been the last day with kids, and it is sad we won't be able to hug them goodbye. Then we staff finish out the week in what would have been post-planning, and I guess it still will be. It's hard to now how to plan, since things are very much up in the air regarding next year, but we can still finish report cards, clean, sort kids into grade levels for next year, and do other paperwork.<br />
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Meanwhile, it is a gorgeous Saturday morning. I've been out already, wandering the yard as the sun rose above the tips of the tall trees in the yard. The birds were absolutely bonkers with cacophonous clamor in birdsong, and it cracked me up. Walking into the driveway, the cardinal was especially offended at the sudden human presence and flew from one tree to another. But he exposed himself when he did that. I caught his glorious red against the sun-splashed leafy backdrop before he flew off.<br />
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The magnolias are blooming! Such large flowers!<br />
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Since this lockdown, social distancing, shelter in place, coronavirus time has emerged, we have learned to adapt and show our love in different ways. I have been the happy recipient of some postal outpourings outpourings. The US Postal Service is still clicking along since it was established in 1775 by Benjamin Franklin. It seemed that it was becoming redundant when the internet and electronic mail came to the fore, but no. I've received some precious cards in the mail. They bring delight and surprise and happiness when I open the mailbox and see a handwritten addressed card sized envelope in there. Here are some I've received, others I've already put away. Thank you one and all, you make my day! Especially the one given by a student, and the one signed by an actual toddler, lol! I miss seeing children so much!<br />
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Also since COVID-19, there have been some TERRIFIC book sales! Always looking to expand my library, I take advantage when they are 50% off. Also, some kind friends found my Amazon wish list and sent me surprise books! I like the series the McGraw book is in. It is a small and short book, they all are, addressing one pointed question. It's the Cultivating Biblical Godliness series from Reformation Heritage Books. Paperbacks are usually around $3. When there's a sale, well, of course I grab them. They are handy to have to give away when a fellow church member asks a question. Here is the link <b><a href="https://www.heritagebooks.org/categories/rhb-publications/cultivating-biblical-godliness-series.html" target="_blank">to the series</a></b>.<br />
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The grocery store where I shop puts ready or ripe produce aside in a red net bag and marks it 99 cents. No matter what is in the bag it's 99 cents. It is always a good deal. Yesterday there were three pomegranates and 4 pepino melons. Seven pieces of fruit for 99 cents meant that each piece would cost .14 cents! Pomegranates are usually $2 or $3 per each. I was unfamiliar with pepino melons but at 14 cents apiece I would take a chance. And I love learning about a new fruit!<br />
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Apparently when ripe they are supposed to have those purplish stripes. I am hoping they won't react with my FODMAP issues, so I'll try one pepino and wait a while. They are apparently like a cross between a cuke and a tomato and less like a melon. I can eat cukes and tomatoes. They are supposed to have a gentle flavor. And I love pomegranates, but haven't had one in a while, not only due to expense but I'm unsure if I can eat them due to IBS/FODMAP etc. But even if I can't have any of the produce I've only lost 99 cents. Anything more than that is gravy. Winning!<br />
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I like Seltzer. I buy a case at a time. When I finished one the other day I tossed the box to the floor before I was ready to take it out to the trash can. Murray, being a cat, and cats love boxes, immediately became interested. He sniffed it at first-<br />
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Then he tried for the longest time to get in it. It was so funny!<br />
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Of course it didn't work out and he heard me laughing. I swear he knows I was laughing at him. He retired to the bureau and tried to look dignified-<br />
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But sneaked a longing look every now and then, deliberating if he should try again...<br />
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It's a gorgeous day, predicted to get even nicer. I hope where you are you can enjoy some family time, outside time, private time, or whatever time you need to restore your equilibrium and peace. Have a nice day!<br />
<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-76964284255977901822020-05-12T10:02:00.002-04:002020-05-12T10:02:58.602-04:00Love in the Time of CoronavirusBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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The title of this essay is a take-off of the title of Nobel winning novelist's book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "Love in the Time of Cholera."<br />
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Since we have been mandated to shelter in place, socially distance ourselves, or otherwise stay away from people due to the global pandemic of the coronavirus, people have been forced to express their love in different ways. We can't gather, we can't hug, we can't be in groups larger than 10, of those groups we must stay 6 feel apart, all this makes it hard to express love the way we are used to. Though, I'm not sad to lose the hugs. People in the south sure are 'huggy.'<br />
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Instead, families gather under balcony or outside nursing home windows to sing happy birthday or wave to their loved ones inside they cannot visit. Others leave treats and gifts outside a front door, to let the person know they are thinking of them. Others find an Amazon gift sent through the mail with a note a loving way to send support to someone they care about. We send encouraging notes and postcards through the US mail.<br />
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A global pandemic spurred panic buying. Some items at the grocery store or Big Box store have been hard to find. Shelves of these items have been continually empty or the limited supply meant that they run out fast. Inexplicably, toilet paper was the first items that stores ran out of and it has remained that way since. This item is hard to find. This item is totally necessary. Potatoes, carrots, and wipes have also been hard to find but one can substitute for those. There really is no substitute for TP. By the way, paper towels and Kleenexes have also been hard to find. Again, no TP? No substitute!<br />
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I had a knock on the door yesterday and I opened it to see a dear friend standing there. My friend works at a Big Box store. With arms full, I was presented with the following:<br />
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Now, in calmer times, if someone showed up at the door with a gift of toilet paper, I'd likely be thinking that the gift was a backhanded compliment? Or a symbol of our relationship? Or a prank gift? But love in the time of coronavirus means sharing a scarce commodity given generously to a friend.<br />
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Thank you!<br />
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Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-83350860968029848082020-05-08T18:02:00.001-04:002020-05-08T18:02:14.340-04:00Haircut...FINALLYBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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I finally got my hair cut! My last appointment was the day before the national emergency was declared. It had been 7 weeks since I'd gotten my hair cut and it was looking mighty ragged. But then I canceled it so as to comply with social distancing. And then the salons closed anyway. It has been an additional 7 weeks, and if I thought my hair was ragged after a mere 7 weeks, I didn't know ragged. It looks great now! It is such a relief to get it cut and looking good. Our hair goes a long way to making us feel either put together and clean, or raggy and unkempt.<br />
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The after shot:<br />
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I wasn't driving, I promise. I had stopped at the library on the off chance they were working and clearing out the return bins. I had a book to return. It wasn't open and the bin was shut up. Fines won't accrue, the note said. Okey dokey then.<br />
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I had only been "out" for half an hour. It felt too soon to go back home. But it was a work day and there were a few things I needed to do. I decided to take a little drive, 7 more miles up the road to the next town, before turning around to head home.<br />
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Here are some shots. It is a gray, drizzly, cool day. Cool today means about 55 degrees. With a rainy dampness, it feels colder. A nice day to do some things at home and then curl up when the work is done. With soup. Last night I'd made a soup of chicken, celery, corn, shrimp, Old Bay seasoning, broth, and some coconut milk. Yum.<br />
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But first, some pics:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrC8kGjEx5ExQ_64f6WDO2agup1vXZ_7kgLCOYWd8ldFu3t2Ya4J3qPUxCraXPgOJTvZXsquU9ONyI0MSt4UDasVjOnfwrRfv4n4QSxsa70-ERBZonk3i-U0c6z6eFVW2rXUjCw/s1600/bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrC8kGjEx5ExQ_64f6WDO2agup1vXZ_7kgLCOYWd8ldFu3t2Ya4J3qPUxCraXPgOJTvZXsquU9ONyI0MSt4UDasVjOnfwrRfv4n4QSxsa70-ERBZonk3i-U0c6z6eFVW2rXUjCw/s400/bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Carolina chickadee I think</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local nursing home</td></tr>
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Have a nice weekend everyone!Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-81431699868628615702020-05-06T15:51:00.000-04:002020-05-06T15:51:03.238-04:00Trip Report: KrogerBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Today is just about a perfect day. Dawning clear and cool, fresh with no humidity. And the birds! Are there more of them this year chirping happily away at sunrise, or is it because I'm home there seem like more? In any case, it's a joy to awaken to gently blowing curtains, fresh air, and birdsong.<br />
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My goal today was to go out. <i>Out</i>. O.U.T. Off the property. This time of social distancing is hanging in there, as we go into week 7. I've been home almost as long as a school summer break, and I surmise that is the reason I'm starting to get antsy.<br />
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My outing today was to Kroger for groceries. I've been trying to shop for food only every 2 weeks, so as to minimize my time in public and to comply with government's orders to make only essential trips. As Georgia is now slowly releasing us back into the wild, various stores have opened up. My hairstylist messaged, so I have a hair appointment on Friday. Thank goodness! Talk about essential! I also hope the Library reopens as I need to return a book, and my favorite vintage store I hope reopens tomorrow, to which I have a gift certificate.<br />
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But meanwhile, I left at 6:30 am to make the senior shopping hour at 7:00, and entered with about half a dozen other people, all still wearing masks. I noticed more 'holes' in the shelves than two weeks ago, where product should be, but wasn't. The seafood stall is still completely closed, there were more than a few vegetables missing, including spaghetti squash, which I eat a lot of. (Low cal, low carb, low cost, and a lot comes in 1 squash). Mushrooms were nearly out, as well as non-perishables. Like canned beans, still low or completely out. Several other spots within the store had empty shelves too. I had a hard time thinking up new recipes on the fly when I met up with missing critical items. I lost my mojo and actually spent a couple minutes backtracking, a personal failure for me.<br />
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It's disconcerting to shop among people wearing masks and to see so many places in the store devoid of product. It seems surreal. It's also disconcerting when this happens:<br />
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The store was fairly empty. The most people I passed in the store were Click List workers gathering orders for pickup, rolling their huge carts down the aisle and trying to find suitable substitutes for the many items that weren't available on the home shopper's list. The few people I did pass were pleasant, but the shoppers' eyes were guarded and practically no one said 'hello'. (The clerks were pleasant and helpful). Kroger is a relaxed place to shop, usually. Not today, and not since the pandemic started. People just seem tense.<br />
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I needed only 1 item in this particular aisle so I pushed my cart around a corner and there was a lady standing with her cart right at the end of the aisle, examining the pickles. She was the only one in the aisle. I hadn't seen her before I swung around but my momentum forced me to continue turning the corner, she was <i>right there</i>. I passed her quickly. She had on a hoodie pulled all the way down to her eyebrows, a mask pulled up to her eyes, and surgical gloves as well as her hoodie being long sleeved. I went past her at a good clip in a few seconds. I slowed halfway down to look for Jiffy corn muffin mix, and she turned back and yelled at me. "SIX FEET! SIX FEET! WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT THAT! <i>DUMBASS!"</i><br />
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Social distancing doesn't mean you won't ever come near anyone less than six feet when you're in a store, it's impossible. It also doesn't mean you must have the whole aisle to yourself.<br />
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By the way she was dressed I guessed that she was a fearful person. I didn't know what to say, so I just kept looking for Jiffy mix. Later, we checked out at the same time. I noticed she didn't yell at the clerk standing next to her at the self-checkout nor the man 3 feet away on her other side waiting for his wife to do the coupons.<br />
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But it's disconcerting to be in a public place where people are dressed like you see in apocalyptic movies, and to be yelled at suddenly, and with profanity too. It wasn't a relaxing experience as it usually is. I don't think people will ever look at our neighbors and fellow citizens the same way again.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-79468053004321883552020-05-02T13:50:00.000-04:002020-05-02T13:51:47.036-04:00Happy weekend!By Elizabeth Prata<br />
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I tossed Murray's bed from the table to the floor so I could wash the table. It landed right side up in front of the bookcase. Murray got all excited...'something new! A new spot! I can get into a new bed!' It looked like he thought Christmas had come. Eventually his excitement died down and he curled up in it right there!<br />
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The ivy is doing well, thankfully.<br />
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The hosta is doing well, too. I'm going to have to split it soon.<br />
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Seeing clearly now. LOL. Glasses on. Glasses off. Glasses on. As I age, reading gets harder as I try to find the sweet spot in my bifocals.<br />
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Dollar store bargain, $1. I wanted something bright to go on the farmer's table where some other decorative items were.<br />
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I mistakenly had coffee with a dairy whipped cream recently, and paid for it due to my lactose intolerance. I wasn't thinking, because I usually get a non-dairy whipped cream for my coffee, but I wasn't at Kroger, I was at the Dollar Store and I just thought "whipped cream" and grabbed it. Oops.<br />
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I'm trying Cool Whip in my coffee now, just to be safe, since there isn't an iota of lactose anywhere near it.<br />
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The people next door are mowing their lawn. I've always enjoyed the sound of a lawnmower. I don't know why. But I like it.<br />
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What sounds please you?<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32297797.post-63453665314002947972020-04-30T12:47:00.000-04:002020-04-30T12:47:59.787-04:00Photos from morning walkBy Elizabeth Prata<br />
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Photos from my morning walk. I saw the bright red cardinal several times, but he hid well when I approached. I never could get a clear shot of him.<br />
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I get a kick out of the lush and huge clover thriving in my concrete patio. Now the clover's flowers are blooming.<br />
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The old-growth greenery and verdant spring colors are beautiful<br />
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The leaves grow so big! The soil must be rich.<br />
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Fig leaves are huge. It's no wonder Adam and Eve reached for them to sew together.<br />
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Elizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.com0