Dust

I had to scour my old computer to find this poem. I KNEW I had saved it (about 20 years ago) but had misfiled it and the search drove me nuts! I finally found it. I have way too much old stuff that I have transferred, first from an Apple LCII to the Y2K model, and then to the very large screen 2009 tabletop iMac. The last transfer was to my laptop. This poem was really lost in all of those transfers that I did the "long way." No trickle uploader or any other file transfer was ever used. The main point here is that it wasn't on the laptop and I wanted it!  Silly me. My brain is slowly turning into dust!

"Why Dust?"

Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better

to paint a picture or write a letter,

bake a cake or plant a seed.

Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must, but there is not much time,

with rivers to swim and mountains to climb!

Music to hear, and books to read,

friends to cherish and a life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world’s out there

with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,

a flutter of snow, a shower of rain,

this day will not come ‘round again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,

old age will come and it’s not kind.

And when you go, and go you must,

You, yourself, will make more dust!

Dust if You Must was written by Mrs. Rose Milligan from Lancaster in Lancashire, England, and first published on September 15th, 1998 in the 21st edition of The Lady ("in continuous publication since 1885 and widely respected as England's longest running weekly magazine for women").

The "Foodie"

I have been called this. Well I admit to really enjoying some special (to me) foods but the real "foodie" in me is regularly watching a particular show on TV. About a year ago I discovered the show, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." This guy Guy Fieri travels across America in search of "greasy spoons" and shows the fun at these eateries with the cooks, chefs, customers, and he really causes me enjoy the shows. I like it that he has a kooky hairdo, and colorful tattoos, his wardrobe is just a shirt and slacks or shorts and is married with sons. He has nice cars —he's a fun television personality with lots of knowledge about foods.

I do not like any spicy hot foods but he seems to. I have noticed that he sometimes slurps very hot (not spicy) foods without being burned. Wish I knew how he did that! I have learned a lot about spices and herbs and ways of cooking. Sometimes a simple sandwich that is built on a show seems to be over the top and wouldn't interest me at all but still is fun to see. His spoken reviews during his tasting seem to be so honest and appreciative of the work that the kitchen puts out for customers.

I don't care much for his grocery game show or cookoffs. A show about comfort foods and how they're made and served is my cup of joe. Delivered by Guy makes it fun.

The 50's were my times for eating at these familiar places and diners, and they were especially an important part of my teen years. I have worked as a waitress at a high class restaurant and at dives. I'll take the dive any time as it didn't have a fussy owner or temperamental chef and the customers were plain good ole folks.

So...the TRIPLE D is FOR ME! I'm a fan. Take a leap and try it! It is a simple and brilliant show in my estimation. FOODIE I am!

My images may be viewed larger by clicking on one

Farm Market

Our favorite local farm market has started all kinds of seedlings and it really takes a LOT of work to have the finished products available to the public. It is amazing how this family works together for us all.  Their first planting of corn and onions is in the ground! I strongly suggest that you visit the website to scroll down, view the pictures and videos to get the idea of what it entails for having such wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits available. They also have beef cows and pigs to be slaughtered and packaged. There are fresh eggs out on the porch for us and there is an honor system for paying.

And...there will be a large assortment of flowers soon!

I found this on their page this morning and remember seeing it a few times before in my life. It is a nice verse.

Link to the Farm Market

Zucchini SUPREME!

A rainy morning activity and a good sense of accomplishment is today's tale. The Mister serviced his snow thrower and rearranged the interior of the shed to put it in the back area. I was slicing and dicing and preparing the pan of goodness. This recipe was given to me by a farming neighbor many many years ago and I now make it about twice a year. It never seemed to be as a labor intensive project but that is probably because I'm not as ginger as I once was.  You just cannot go wrong with this dish! 
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RECIPE - ZUCCHINI SUPREME

4 C Water

6 C Sliced zucchini —I used shredded & pre-frozen from daughter's garden

1 C Shredded carrot

1/4 C Chopped onion

1 tsp. Salt

1 can (103/4 oz.) Cream of mushroom soup—I used cream of chicken

1 C Sour cream

1/2 tsp. Garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Pepper

4 C Seasoned stuffing croutons

1/2 C Butter, melted

Bring water to boil. Add zucchini, carrots, onion and salt. Cook 5 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender - then drain.

Combine croutons and butter.

Place HALF of the crouton mixture in a 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, garlic powder

and pepper. * Fold into the vegetable mix.

Put this mixture in the baking dish.

Top it with the remaining crouton mixture.

Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer or until golden brown.

* Note - sautéed country sausage and/or sautéed mushrooms may be added to this. I added both this time and topped it with a small amount of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

I also lined my baking dish with Release Foil.
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please click on image to see the goodness

Bummer

Just as things were looking up, things are STILL not in tune with the date. I have half of a mind to cut some of my daffodils and bring them indoors. I KNOW they will bloom then! The seedum are all doing fine but just look at the sorry shape of the daffodils that are in front of the cabin. The ones up in the rock garden are looking worse! Today wasn't too bad, but more rain is expected for the next several days. 

Now I'm thinking about baking a large pan of Zucchini Supreme tomorrow; will post the recipe. It is very tasty and then maybe this idea will hurry the season along, ya think? When all else fails - - - BAKE! At least I can control whether to make Zucchini Cake, Zucchini Cheezy Casserole, Zucchini Pineapple Bread or Zucchini Supreme. These are all tried and true favorites and making room for an upcoming summer supply replacement may be a good idea.

I can't control the blooming of the daffodils.

Hump Day Report of Tuesday

Tuesday

Up to 60° today! Yay! The feeling that spring may have arrived is strong because we recently seem to be much more active.

A week ago I had a lady do some of the corner floor and detailed shower cleaning that I can no longer accomplish.Yesterday I started the annual interior cleaning in areas that I can reach and actually got one display shelf with all contents washed and dusted. Started up the cuckoo clock and oiled the weight chains. Grandson and girlfriend are coming this weekend to set up ladder and get all of the high things down and then put back after washing. The fan blades need a wipe down as well. The humidifier needs to be cleaned and retired for the summer and the dehumidifier soon put into action. Today I got my hair cut, (all of them) and toenails too. Returned library books and restocked spirits. We uncovered the golf car and I took a ride around the lake as the dirt road wasn’t muddy at all — yet. Had to avoid pot holes, some very nasty. Rain is supposed to arrive tonight for a couple of days. Tires were fine and batteries 3/4 charged. Cover is put away and porch grill has been opened and cleaned. The ignition switch won’t function but we have a propane striker to use. One winter jacket is put away and others are ready for laundromat before storing. The Mister’s boots need to be oiled and his heavy flannel shirts moved into the closet along with winter hats and gloves.  

The yard is being raked and cleaned up in preparation for mowing and weed whacking. Our hired fellow has started and will return again to finish this. Although the grass is starting to grow, my daffodils are really very late blooming! Not a one in sight yet. It is because we are on the shady side of the lake and the sun doesn’t shine on the flowerbeds after noon at this time of year. I spotted a tiny leaf at the bottom of the rose plant that stayed out all winter. There is hope that it has survived. 

And…ALL the blankets need to be washed and dried — a couple will be hung on the clothesline because they are pure wool and never go in the drier. Curtains are washed and rehung a couple of times a year so there is no rush on them. 

Then there are the gewgaws that hang on the front porch beam. I mean to move/change them around and get the hummingbird feeders out because I know they’ll return quite soon. The porch swing will soon be uncovered and the chairs all need a bath. 

4:00pm Tuesday. Guess what! The power just went out! Thank goodness for the standby generator as I have a roast in the electric oven. I’ll have to post this tomorrow.

7:00pm Tuesday. Power back on. We spend the three hours watching our cleanup crew hard at work. Great job!

10:00am Wednesday — HUMPDAY! Posting as it is down pouring and bleak again.

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Monday Morning Sighting

As I was dunking my almond toast while sipping my coffee at 7:30am I looked up and saw a fast moving glare far out on the lake's surface. With more concentration I watched this movement and finally determined that it was a very large beaver swimming smoothly along the rocks at the dam's water edge. It finally climbed up on the grassy bank and waddled over the dirt road and disappeared over the far side down into the wet meadow below. We are very aware that this trail is used many times by the resident beavers. About two early evenings ago we watched one cross the road and go down the bank into the lake in that same area.

About 15 minutes later as I was cutting my banana into sections, a second and smaller one swam along and then up and over the bank and road it went. In the past years the Mister had permission from the game warden to take care of the beaver problem here and he did - for many years. Personally, we now don't have trees on our property that are of interest to these critters, but others do. It can be a problem, but is out of our hands now. 

We wonder how many there really are that live nearby. In warm weather the far end of the lake contains water lilies, cattails and other aquatic plants that are the favorite foods of the beaver. Birch, alder, maple, willow and cherry trees all have tasty wood parts for meals as well. Beaver don't eat fish.

Monday morning lesson OVER!

Photo from internet

Fixin' For Spring

The Mister has called an outfit in Binghamton NY to come and pick up his Yamaha ATV because something in the shifting mechanism is malfunctioning. Hopefully, it won't cost an arm or a leg. The pickup and delivery fee was pricey but he definitely wanted a business that has been long established and reputable and that's where it went for a diagnosis and estimate. This cycle center has been in business since 1975 and we have had service by them before. A friendly and knowledgable staff and good business was what we remembered. Hopefully the problem will be corrected and the Mister can ride the trails soon. He bought this 1994 machine in 1996 USED and has had lots of rides on it since then. In 1999 he had to have a brake cable installed. It had a new battery put in year 2000 and another in 2014. Keeping fingers crossed that all will be fixed and we can handle the expense!

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Cleaning

I'm referring to interior house cleaning. Now the Mister does a really good job with the vacuuming but the "down on your knees" cleaning in here has been neglected for too long. Neither one of us is up to it now, due to aging and when we were able, something always happened that interfered. I shattered my shoulder six years ago. That was the start of letting things go. I've had to hire a lady to perform the job and she had her work cut out for her.

I provided several cleaners. I got out the ammonia, white vinegar, 409, Awesome, Clorox, Lysol, and Voom. There were gloves, bucket, rags, scrub brushes, and other utensils.  She got into the job in my bedroom first. Would you be surprised that she is accustomed to using a cleaner that I didn't have! She ran to town to get Mr. Clean. OK with me. After all, she is doing the work.

It's a jungle in that bedroom. So much has to be pulled away from the walls to get at the edge of the floor by the log walls. There is a molding there and dampness from summertime pipe-sweating through the years has always been a problem. The bed is on wheels and that is a really good thing for cleaning nooks and crannies.

She then did the bathroom floor edges next to the back log wall AND the shower stall interior! All of her work took a total of 2 1/2 hours. The story will continue, but maybe not here. There is a lot more detailed cleaning to be accomplished. Her rates were reasonable and she has agreed to come again one morning next month. How lucky can we be?

Let's Eat CAKE!

The cake I baked yesterday was sooooo light, sooooo fluffy, sooooo delicious that I KNOW I'll bake it again. We not only had one piece after dinner, we each had TWO!  Today our weekly trash pick up fellow got a large piece and we were so glad to share. I know already that his wife will want this simple recipe. I used the "Extra Creamy" Cool Whip and not the regular, sugar free or the light.

I am keeping the pan in the refrigerator even though it didn't say to because I want the topping to stay firm. 

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RECIPE - Pineapple Sunshine Cake

1 box yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 C oil

1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice

Topping:

1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray or line with "Release" foil. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil and one can of crushed pineapple with juice. Mix well. Pour into prepared baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. In a medium size bowl, fold together the whipped topping, box of vanilla pudding and one can crushed pineapple with juice. Spread over top of cooled cake.  Recipe complements of "Yummy Stuff."

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Out, In, Over

207 million eggs have been recalled in nine states including Pennsylvania over salmonella fears. I bought some at Walmart last Sunday, April 8, and these eggs are on the recall list. The UPC code matches, The Mister had one yesterday morning, the first out of the box. I have now thrown away the entire box with eleven others. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't throw food away - ever, but this is an exception for sure.

It is a good thing I have a backup of eggs that came from my brother's chickens. Today I baked a new cake recipe that calls for 4 eggs. I'll need another dozen very soon. The recipe will be displayed after we have a sample just in case it isn't up to par or what I expected. Sounds good on paper, but you never know. "Try before you buy." I get a kick seeing how many pictures of good looking foods are posted on friend's Facebook pages and I'll just bet they have never even made them.

Cake is called "Pineapple Sunshine"

The wind is beating the bushes and trees and the rain has started. I had to bring in my spider web creation because I was afraid it would catch into the pine cone mobil and be ripped apart. I then moved the pine cone mobil further down the beam as it was getting entangled in the wind chimes! I saw the power company truck pass by both ways and then the road department did the same. There must be a problem somewhere but not here...yet.

Our youngest granddaughter (14) is doing very well with her equestrian efforts. Nice horse, new saddle, new horse boots, Reserve Champion at recent show and moving on to the next level jumping timed courses of very high fences. At 14 I had a donated 26 year old retired hunter-jumper and rode through cut hayfields over sticks and stone hand-built jumps, no horse or any other boots, hand-me down saddle, never competing. WOW how times have changed. She may not have any idea of how lucky she is. Then again, she may. I hope so.

We know we can jump higher now

Next level?
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Remembering...

The death of very nice friend during this past week has impacted us strongly and brought forth so many memories of those who also have gone on before. At least thirty of those have been brought to mind and I think of many of these friends very often.

Our SC "beach" friends who are not now here on earth include Charlie H., Cliff W., Doug M., Howard S., Joe B., John B., Keith G., Max C., Morris M., Odeen F., Ray V.,  "Snooky," Ginny S., Joan M., and Mary D. All of these friends have died during only the past ten years.

Some of our PA friends and nearby neighbors who have died throughout the past ten years include Alvin S., Bernie Z., Bill M., Floyd W., Gordon S., Harold E., Jack W., Joe C., Larry C., Paul K., Rich C., Rolly L., Jan L., Jane C., Joan W., and Nancy B.

Dean B., Marion L., Doyle T., Thelma H., Beverly S., Marge, Bill and Dave R., Millie and John Y., Joe and Betty G., Elmer, Harriet H. and Lola W., "Papa," Bill and John D., died earlier. There are more. Their memories remain very strong in our hearts.

To most of you who will read this, they are just names. To some of you they are also in your own memories. This list doesn't include any relatives or family members. I'm not going there today.

Tranquil Transition

You can take all of your memories with you and you can leave memories for others. Memories don't die.

The Card Saver

Yes, I save greeting cards, and some invitations, thank you notes and letters from special friends.

Today I tore apart the box I keep these in and reorganized the collection. It took me ALL morning. I can't remember when I started saving these and it has not been very long, except for the thank you notes - I have always saved them.

I divided them into sections in a file box. Some categories are: "Friends," Thank You's," then one for each of my living offspring, "Close Relatives," "Wedding, shower, and birth notifications."

After I'm gone I hope someone will enjoy seeing these beautiful and very decorative and/or simple cards that friends and family have sent. There is something very special when the time is taken to buy or make a missal, sit down and sign it, sometimes with a nice note, and address the envelope and get it to the mailbox. If someone doesn't look at them in years later, well at least I had a wonderful time this morning reviewing and enjoying the thoughts of them all! PLUS, some are either too pretty or too funny or too inspirational to throw away. I couldn't do it.

by Tyler Spangler

Back When...April 13

It was 51 years ago that our third daughter was born. The Mister missed her actual birth as she arrived fast. In fact, he was parking the car after leaving me at the front door of the hospital where a wheelchair and nurses and my mother were waiting for me. I was wheeled into a labor room and was quickly transferred to the bed when... VA VOOM! A perfect baby girl was born. My mother was the first to see her and then the Mister arrived after running down the aisle and she told him he was a minute too late!

A week later we all went from home in North New Jersey to Cabin Tranquillity in Pennsylvania for a lovely April weekend. She already had two big sisters ages 11 and 7 and two big brothers ages 10 and 9. There would be a baby brother the following year. 

My dad, "Putter Pop" is in the background.

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Coming Back - YEA!!!!!

This is my recommendation for great foods!

 These photos are their photos.

We love this BBQ chicken which is cooked by a local mobil setup in a nearby empty business parking lot less than 4 miles from home. They will be opening again this coming Saturday after a well-deserved winter's rest. I was so happy to read this!  They are BBQ cooking both Saturdays and Sundays. The Mister says there is always quite a lineup for dinners and even pork BBQ but just two chicken halves are all we manage. We each pick through an entire half with enough left over for chicken salad sandwiches to have at a later time.

Can't you salivate by just looking? 

Click image for a closer view

Smelling the Flowers

This is my little great nephew who lives in Philadelphia. He starts pre-k-school this year. This shot was taken on the day that he was registered. Thank goodness his mom takes so many pictures of her four children. Living in Philadelphia has many cultural activities and the children have opportunities that others don't experience in their daily lives due to location.

I then proceeded to encircle this child with more tulips.

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Cookie Experimenting

Since I had under a cup of the Ghirardelli chocolate chips left over from the previous recipe I used, I decided to make a batch of the cookies that were shown in a recipe on the back of the bag.
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RECIPE
2 1/4 C unsifted flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 sticks butter (softened)
3/4 C sugar
3/4 C brown sugar (packed)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°.  Stir flour with baking soda and salt. Beat butter with sugar and brown sugar on medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated.

Gradually add dry mixture into creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if desired). Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.  Yield 4 dozen.
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Here is what I did differently:
Had no nuts
Used under one cup chips
Used parchment paper on cookie sheet
First batch and second batch used room temperature dough
Third batch used refrigerated dough
Fourth batch used room temperature dough with raw sugar sprinkled on tray and over tops of cookies

Results:
First batch and second batch cookies rather small and raised - tasty and chewy
Third batch spread flatter and larger - tasty and chewier!
Fourth batch medium size - very tasty and crunchy
They were so scrumptious that we never even missed the chips at all.
We each ate three so there are 42 more to enjoy, unless someone stops in and we'll share.
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Movie Star Memories

When I was around age ten I started collecting 8" x 10" movie star photographs. Of course it started out by learning how to write letters with words that were asking for something. They were called "request letters." I have no memory of how I secured the correct addresses to use, but I must have had help in that area.

We children went to the movies quite regularly in those days and the posters at the theaters usually had pictures of the movies that soon were to be shown. I was taken by the beautiful women and handsome men on those posters and remembered their names to write my letters. Of course the movies we saw were  Bambi, Dumbo, Snow White, Cinderella, Oz and others of that type plus Tom Sawyer and The Robinson Family. My mother would buy a string of tickets and it was a regular Saturday event. Usually she didn't go with us - I mean only my brother or my girlfriend and I attended together. That is how it started. As time went on a movie date was common and the drive-in movies were popular. I was still entranced by the actresses and actors.

I ended up with a very large photo album with a collection that grew from 1946 to 1955. When I left home after marriage, I left it there and I have never seen it since nor know where it ended. I never even asked. I had moved on.

What prompted me to write today was a movie I watched in its entirety the other night, "Easter Parade." Sometimes I go to the Turner Classic Movies cable channel and am brought back many years through these old classics. I haven't sat in a real theater to watch a movie in years. The 1968 Planet of the Apes was my last one! That's 50 years of abstinence!

I thoroughly enjoyed the 1948 movie (108 minutes) starring Judy Garland, Ann Miller, Fred Astaire and Peter Lawford! The dancing was spectacular. And....I had forgotten how well Judy and Ann danced! I had only remembered that Judy sang with a strong voice and that Fred used to dance with Ginger Rogers and Rita Hayworth.

I sure would like to have my photo album back! Some of the photos were signed, actually by the stars! I thought I was in love with Charlton Heston too...

Just watch Ann in this video and you will see a great dancer! About halfway through she really goes at it!!!!
 1948 Ann Miller
    Watch Judy's legs and feet!
    1948 Judy Garland

Spring Climbing

This year, we'll bring in the six foot stepladder from the shed for the dusting and washing of items high up at both ends of the cabin. We used to have one of us climb up, hand down an item - one at a time - to the person at the bottom. Then these would all be hand-washed and the beam and cupboard top completely dusted and made clean until next year. One by one they will be handed up and put back in their former position.  Each and every thing up there has a story! I took the photos to be able to really see where each has its place because now,  sometimes I forget and I like them set up exactly as they were before being cleaned. It has to be as it was or is upsetting. Yes, I'm weird, so? Think "Monk."

As neither one of us will be climbing that ladder any longer, we have had several offers from others to fill in. OK!       please click on image to view larger