Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Slip sliding away

Not spending the day with Dex.  It's in the high 20s here with only freezing rain.  No snow.  Sad.  I'd rather have some snow than all the ice.  Grateful I'm here inside--warm--Duke Boy just brought me real stove top hot cocoa! Yum--with whipped cream.  Easing my pain of no snow.

The bridge over the Hooch has a couple of closed lanes.  Reportedly.  Haven't seen it myself.  I trust my source.  Be careful .
Don't go slip sliding away--sometimes--the nearer your destination--the more you're slip sliding away...Maybe I'll put some music to that....

Queen Elizabeth is probably dreaming of the beach today. Know I am.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Vote for me, Erma fans

Done. I'm officially entered in the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Contest.  Who knew it would be so hard to limit it to 450 words.  I remember when I first sent an article to our local paper and the editor said. " I need 500 words."  No...that's a lot! Now I don't seem to be able to put the lid back on the box. My entry # was 1500+.  I would like you all to enter your prayer closets because this is surely more important than world peace. 

If I win then I could go to the Erma Bombeck Worshop in Dayton, Ohio in April.  I could also win $500 --to cover the cost of a one way ticket, maybe?  Maybe someone will loan me snow boots.

Thanks to Ron King, my PI boss, who encouraged me to write about 12 years ago.  It has truly expanded my horizons.  I am a celebrity at the Wal-Mart in the Valley.  "Aren't you the lady who writes for the paper?  You are so funny!"  Hope the EB people in Dayton think so. 

I'm having a Zippidy Do Da kind of day.  Hope you are too.

Snow this week---really?  This is January...time to get out the shorts.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Smoldering here

Woke up smoldering.  Thought the field mice had started a fire under the house to keep warm.  Confession had bug man put out bait box--BW safe--because a mouse ran through the kitchen.  Too cold to be outside and the cat spa makes outside even more risky.  Worse thing than freezing to death--being a cat toy for the day. 

Cold, cold, and more cold expected.  I'm gonna have to shut my eyes when the power bill comes. 

Great visits with my Columbus PI friends yesterday.  Good report on Precious Turner .  So glad she is improving. Love is the answer, Mr. Bill.

Bluffton Antiques will have some new wares in booth 19 soon.  Maybe this weekend.  Too cold to open my garage doors and shop.  Must bundle up and get it done. 

Gonna try sleeping again.  Perhaps my pillow will have a cold side now.



Sunday, January 19, 2014

Dex and Downton

Dex is so deceiving.  He looks so inviting but he is so cold.  and breezy.  Even sitting in the sunshine doesn't make me warm to him.  Sitting on the sofa to blog.  Not as fun...but warmer.  Still get a snapshot of the beautiful view and my fingers are still nimble enough to type.  Not chilled.

Sofa still warm from the Hedgies catching up on their Downton fix. I was catching up on my napping from my night of insomnia.

I am longing for spring. 

Peaceful afternoon to all from the Hooch.

Cat spas and personal shoppers. Let's go to Paris.

Cat spa open tonight and Double N is using the tanning bed.  He had a fit to get in on the porch on Friday until I opened the spa again.  Some folks just have to get ready for summer. His fur does look pretty under the light.  He checked in last night for his treatment while Duke Boy was beating me at Canasta.

Insomnia relieve right now.  Eyes just popped open.  Must be eventful in Paris ?

Trying to do a little winter whittling of things not wood. Be sure to go by Bluffton or the Goodwill to see what left my home.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner....Fluffed my booth a little and put everything red or heart-y on display together.  I know some of us  have to see someone else's idea in order for it to hit us right between the eyes.

 Back in the day a girl could go to Casual Corner and get the sales lady to help dress you--as in bring you an outfit that went together.  Where are those folks?  I need a free personal shopper at an AFFORDABLE business. Remember when you went in a dressing room and the sales lady took your clothes to the room, Knew your name, and then asked you what else she could get for you??? I know Coldwater Creek still does that but too $$$ for me.  Ok, enough of retail rant. 

Good news..ranting has proven to be relaxing--headed for bed again. Au revior.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Be a Visionary

"Sometimes the more you look at something the less you can see of it."
                                                                 Karen Erwin-Brown

The above is taken out of context.  Sounded better when I was sharing.  Profound enough to share again.

Helen Keller had a good one about looking...this one comes from a woman without sight...

"When one door of happiness closes another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

This one hangs on my dining room wall above the Helen Keller letter that she wrote to my Dad after visiting him in the hospital at Northington in Tuscaloosa in June of 1945.

Yesterday was the anniversary of my Dad's death--12 years.  Miss you, Dad.

Keep those eyes open today for the love out there...sometimes the more you look at something the less you can see of it or him or her.

Peace from the Hooch today.



Thursday, January 16, 2014

January smiles

This will also appear in the West Point/Valley Times News  this week.

January, mid-month, 40 degrees is the high today.  Did you see that moon last night?  Cruising the front garden ---brown, brown, brown, Green shoots, brown, and brown, browner. Hunting for life and something to smile about.  No yard work, unless you are Martha Stewart or her staff, no bugs.  January has allowed me to reorganize the house, and de-Santa-tize it.  Santa and Baby Jesus back in the tubs till next Advent.  Back to the treadmill, trying to smile, new book that I only let myself read while I’m on the treadmill.  It has not proven to be a page turner.  Porch still drying out after Saturday’s monsoon.  Too cold to be writing from there.

Smiling about wonderful lunch at Korean Bar-b-que House in West Point with Ms. Marilyn, who is an excellent chooser of a wonderful Korean lunch.  The staff is friendly and provides forks to those of us not skilled like Ms. M. in the use of chopsticks. Smiling about a morning spent as volunteer, they could use some more as well as food donations, at the Interfaith Food Closet.  Smiling about the sales in my booth at Bluffton Antiques—go in to get warm and ask for booth #19—mention this article for a 20% discount in addition to the great discount that I’m already offering.  Smiling about sorting out my taxes, and having Carolyn Lott as my CPA.  Smiling about worship at Shawmut UMC where Duke Boy makes me think about the Gospel and how to live it in this Valley.  Smiling about Ms. Ann treating me to inspiring piano music in that same service. Smiling about the work of the Pastoral Institute in this community and how I am able to be a part of it.

 Smiling about participating in the baptism of my great nephew—precious red-headed little fellow, at West Point 1st UMC.  The event brought tears, as baptisms always do, while he was walked around the congregation as they sang a special lullaby with his name in it.  What a lovely tradition.  The family gets a framed copy of the song after the baptism.  Even the Baptist grands know this song because their Becca sings it to them too when they spend the night with her.

Smiling for the sunshine reflecting off the screen as I type this article.  Smiling because little BW quickly (chilly) visited the yard while I stood on the porch watching the eagle circle in the distance.  Forgot to mention the smile for the gorgeous blue sky framing the eagle. Smiling for the warmth of the heat while I write. Little BW is trying to climb into the vent after her outside adventure.

Smiling for the friendship of Double N, our community cat.  He/she said “hello” to me all the way across the yard yesterday while he came for his daily petting.  During all the extreme cold I made a Double N friendly warming light with a box and quilt.  He ignored my attempts to get him to snuggle there but later I observed him curled up asleep enjoying the spa treatment. Smiling.

Where are you finding smiles during this chilly winter?  Lots of opportunities… worship, volunteering, shopping, nature, and friends.  Take the time to notice.  Things aren’t as brown as they look.  After all the “Brown” as added a lot to my life and name.  Smile.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the therapist for the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage and family counseling by appointment only. Call 334-768-2341 to make an appointment or for more information.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques where you can find treasures that brought past smiles. 

January, mid-month, 40 degrees is the high today.  Did you see that moon last night?  Cruising the front garden ---brown, brown, brown, Green shoots, brown, and brown, browner. Hunting for life and something to smile about.  No yard work, unless you are Martha Stewart or her staff, no bugs.  January has allowed me to reorganize the house, and de-Santa-tize it.  Santa and Baby Jesus back in the tubs till next Advent.  Back to the treadmill, trying to smile, new book that I only let myself read while I’m on the treadmill.  It has not proven to be a page turner.  Porch still drying out after Saturday’s monsoon.  Too cold to be writing from there.

Smiling about wonderful lunch at Korean Bar-b-que House in West Point with Ms. Marilyn, who is an excellent chooser of a wonderful Korean lunch.  The staff is friendly and provides forks to those of us not skilled like Ms. M. in the use of chopsticks. Smiling about a morning spent as volunteer, they could use some more as well as food donations, at the Interfaith Food closet.  Smiling about the sales in my booth at Bluffton Antiques—go in to get warm and ask for booth #19—mention this article for a 20% discount in addition to the great discount that I’m already offering.  Smiling about sorting out my taxes, and having Carolyn Lott as my CPA.  Smiling about worship at Shawmut UMC where Duke Boy makes me think about the Gospel and how to live it in this Valley.  Smiling about Ms. Ann treating me to inspiring piano music in that same service. Smiling about the work of the Pastoral Institute in this community and how I am able to be a part of it.

 Smiling about participating in the baptism of my great nephew—precious red-headed little fellow, at West Point 1st UMC.  The event brought tears, as baptisms always do, while he was walked around the congregation as they sang a special lullaby with his name in it.  What a lovely tradition.  The family gets a framed copy of the song after the baptism.  Even the Baptist grands know this song because their Becca sings it to them too when they spend the night with her.

Smiling for the sunshine reflecting off the screen as I type this article.  Smiling because little BW quickly (chilly) visited the yard while I stood on the porch watching the eagle circle in the distance.  Forgot to mention the smile for the gorgeous blue sky framing the eagle. Smiling for the warmth of the heat while I write. Little BW is trying to climb into the vent after her outside adventure.

Smiling for the friendship of Double N, our community cat.  He/she said “hello” to me all the way across the yard yesterday while he came for his daily petting.  During all the extreme cold I made a Double N friendly warming light with a box and quilt.  He ignored my attempts to get him to snuggle there but later I observed him curled up asleep enjoying the spa treatment. Smiling.

Where are you finding smiles during this chilly winter?  Lots of opportunities… worship, volunteering, shopping, nature, and friends.  Take the time to notice.  Things aren’t as brown as they look.  After all the “Brown” as added a lot to my life and name.  Smile.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the therapist for the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage and family counseling by appointment only. Call 334-768-2341 to make an appointment or for more information.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques where you can find treasures that brought past smiles. 

This little fellow is the happy face that was baptized on Sunday.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Cat ways

So grateful for a warm house. Made Double N a warm spot last night with a lamp, his quilt and a box.  Now there's a warm quilt possibly harboring a once cold possum.  Double N returned to his spot in the plastic storage area with the plants.  It's pretty protected so I'm hoping he's ok.  I got  the "crazy chick" look while I was preparing the Hilton on the Hooch.  Gotta remember as sweet as he is that he's a cat with a mind of a cat and they have cat ways of doing things that I'm not privy to.  He probably snuggled into his own spot with the same crazy chick with torturous light in his dreams...

10 degrees here on the Hooch.  Peace and warmth to you.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Feeling like that kid watching the TV to see if I'd have to go to school the next day.  TV isn't even on but I'm awake.  Can't sleep. Ticked because Downton Abbey didn't tape--rats.  Ok...so I'm hooked.  If you've ever watched it then know you are too so don't judge.

 Back to the weather...glad I live in the South.
 Have you seen some of those temps in the North and Mid-west.  Bless 'em.
 Well, the three ups for tonight are:
1) Bundle up

2) Snuggle up   

3) Turn the heat up.

 Dripping faucets are a good thing tonight.

Had a great New Year's Eve with the Hedgies in Birmingham at Little Savannah.  Good food and good service.  and a good thing it's in Birmingham. 


New Year's Resolutions...I'm gonna get right on those.  Today is the 5th?  Hmmm

The number one answer??? You know it...

1) LOSE WEIGHT. Duke Boy says he's losing 20 #s. And he will.  I love and hate him for his resolve in that area.  He didn't cook any dessert for Sunday lunch. The rest of the meal was AMAZING.  Faquitas--steak, chicken, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green peppers.  Homemade guacamole by Hedgie girl. 

2) Which is actually #1.  Get us a baby.  Complete an adoption.  They are approved.  Their book for the birth parents to look over is sooo sweet.  They are a creative pair.  Will be fabulous parents.

3) Figure out what I'm going to do with the part of the time that I'm not working.  Just went to part-time.  Very scary... but I can stay up and blog because I'm not working tomorrow.  Maybe I'll blog more.  I could exercise more so I could accomplish # 1.  If #2 happens fast then #3 will be taken care of.

All this resolve is making me sleepy.  Blogging is good.

  Peace and warm, snuggly thoughts from the Hooch.