FLATTERING

A gentleman stopped by my office yesterday. He had a few questions, and one did lead to another. He told me about his travels and his adventures. And before long he was telling me about the “Fryeburg Fair in Maine”. 

It sounded like great fun. He was very nice. 

But, travel is my business, everyone talks to me about their travel. 

Today, the same man stopped into my office. His pretense for stopping was pretty flimsy, but he pulled up a seat and started to chat. After a few minutes he asked me if I was seeing anyone one. I told him I was. He was deflated. He let me know what a great time we could have adventuring together. 

I thanked him. I told him I was flattered. Then I showed him to the door. 

Sweet man. But he is older than my mother! I wouldn’t want that kind of responsibility!!!

CHINESE NEW YEAR 🧧

What animal are you?

NO FEAR

“Don’t be afraid 

to take time to learn.”

​

                                      – VERA WANG

MY FIRST GRANDFURBABY

HARLY was my first Grandfurbaby. She was always a bundle of energy and she loved everybody. We were blessed to get to keep her at our house this weekend. I think it was good for the grandparents to get one last weekend loving and caring for her. But today sweet Harley got to go to the Rainbow Bridge.

And although our hearts are broken, we know she is in a better place, no longer suffering. And able to be the puppy she always knew she was. 

🐾♥️

TURNING 45 IN 2025

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Queen

CALL ME: Blondy

9 to 5: Dolly Parton

HIT ME EITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Pat Benatar

KEEP ON LIVING YOU: REO Speedwagon

KISS ON MY LIST: Hall & Oates

FUNKYTOWN: Lipps Inc

IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME: Billy Joel

CELEBRATION: Kool &The Gang

DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME: The Police

*All these songs were during my formative years. I can sing every word. I lived through the very best music eras! 45 year ago I was almost 14.

OLD AGE OR WHAT?

I started a load of laundry this morning. Just a blanket really. But it’s a start to my Sunday list of things to do. I’m still in my flannel nightgown with slippers and a big cozy sweater. As I walk through the kitchen I pick up my mug of hot tea and head to the living room. But I realize that even though my slippers are on, my feet are ice cold. So I go into my room to grab a pair of fuzzy at home socks. But think to myself, I should just hop into the showers. So I go to pick an outfit for the day. But the leggings I want to wear are in the dirty laundry. So I choose something else and remember the fuzzy socks. I get into the bathroom only to remember that I just started the washing machine. I can’t shower while the demon water handler is running. So I leave my outfit in the bathroom, take my cup to the living room. And remember that my feet are cold. 

So I wrapped up in my Irish wool blanket and I think I may need a nap. 

BE HER EVERY DAY

MISSING THE HOME TURF

Every now and then I miss it. Only for a few minutes. 

I took this photo out of the car window last July in Phoenix on the highway. 

FLY DARLING

What if I fall?

Oh but my darling

What if you

fly?

TONIGHTS SKY

Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat as six planets — Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — will all be visible in the night sky. 

While Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, spotting Neptune and Uranus requires a telescope. The best time to start watching this astronomical event is shortly after sunset, to ensure that you catch all the planets.

They say this event lasts through the end of January.

FRIENDSHIP

“Our friends advertise the kaleidoscope of ways we can live. They expose us to new ways of being in the world, showing us another life is possible.”

​

– MARISA G. FRANCO

MAGICAL

I took this photo of mermaid scales when I was in Cozumel. I think traveling, no matter near or far, gives us a great opportunity to search for the magic hidden in plain sight. The day before, we saw flamingos in the wild, in Mexico. How cool is that! 

I think if we take the time to look at our surroundings and marvel at the splendor and amazement we will always find the magic, no matter where we are!

WEAKNESS

“Failure is not a sign of 

weakness. 

It is a sign that you are 

alive and  growing.”

Buzz Aldrin

Weakness is often a sign of powerlessness. Because you don’t have power over all things.

What you cannot change (you are powerless too or weak at, only because you do not have the right to make all the changes) you must adapt to. 

STUPID COLD

The temperature has been dropping all day long. It’s currently 14 degrees but with the wind chill it feels like negative 2. 

By tomorrow morning at 7am it will be 3 degrees. 

That is just STUPID COLD!!!

SUNDAY WITH MAYBERRY

APPLE PIE

I made an apple pie yesterday. It was my first one completely from scratch. I have always shied away from making pie crust. But after watching one of my favorite influencers make his recipe and having an old friends recipe as well, I thought for sure I could do this thing. Truly making an apple pie is an act of love, because it took a lot of time. 

I wish I had a photo to show just how lovely it turned out. But I got a migraine as it was cooling and it was cut and sampled by all those who were visiting before I was up to getting back into the kitchen. 

Everyone loved it!

Apple pie is not my favorite pie, but let me just say, this was the very best Apple Pie I have ever tasted! 


By Chef Billy Parisi 


APPLE PIE FILLING

David Beards recipe that I altered.

5 Sliced Granny Smith Apples

2 Sliced Golden Apples

1/2 Granulated Sugar

1/4 Brown Sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp Apple Pie Spice

2 Tbsp Flour

2 Tblsp Cornstarch 

1/2 Salt

3Tbsp Melted Butter

I brushed the top crust with an egg wash and sparkled sugar before adding the air vents. I baked at 375 for about 45 minutes. 

Cool completely so the apples will hold firm. 

WICKED

We went to see WICKED at the movie theater last night. I’ll be honest, I read the books it was taken from and I did not enjoy them. But this was a musical and I was intrigued. So when John planned date night including this, I was excited. Did I love it? As a musical… yes! The story still is very sour for me. The artists were fabulous! I loved Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo… she was wonderful. The costumes and music were delightful. 

John was a real trooper to sit through it all. I know he contemplated napping or sneaking into another theater about 20 minutes into the movie. 

FRIENDSHIP

“Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold, but its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold.”

M.A.

True story!

SNOW ELEMENTS

The girl from The Valley of The Sun may never tire of the Awesomeness of the Midwest snow!

It’s so magical!!!

LETS GO HELP EVERYONE

“The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.”

Adam Grant

LAST NIGHTS FULL MOON

SALAD

A delightfully perfect salad! It was yummy!

Yes, I always believe in adding fruit to my salad!

ART

“Painting is poetry which is 

seen and not heard, 

and poetry is painting which is heard but not seen.”

Leonardo Da Vinci

A VISIT WITH LAURA

I stopped in on my dear friend Laura today. I have know her for several years, and absolutely adore her. 

When I first met her I think I first fell in love with her red glasses, spikey cropped hair, concert T-shirt and colorful converse. 

She is the same age as my mother, but this lady is truly a delightful free spirit. 

Everyone that knows Laura, loves her, I think that says a lot about who she is. 

I hope when I’m 77 I’m as active as she is and I’m still having as much fun in everything I do. 

I’m grateful for her friendship and her example of living life to its fullest. 

VISITORS AT THE RED BRICK HOUSE

SELF LOVE

SELF LOVE

WON’T GIVE YOU

BUTTERFLIES

BUT IT WILL

GIVE YOU WINGS

IN THE KITCHEN

My first attempt at Cruffins. They are tasty. 

I’ll do things a bit differently next time. 

Also have beef stew in the crock pot and a seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer. Good food prep morning here at the red brick house.

HOW’S THAT WORKING

I know I’m new to the Midwest, I still love snow days and all the winter stuff and things. But… 

I’m not sure this is how road clearing is supposed to work!

HIS ONE THING

He has his one thing… I want to find my one thing!

https://youtu.be/LVI8veUnSLQ?si=LC5GkL1Tc4Ki-wx8

JIMMY CARTER

“I have learned that our greatest blessings come when we are able to improve the lives of others.”

Jimmy Carter 

THE COMPANY

“Which is more important”

Asked the panda,

“the journey or the destination?”

“The company.”

Replied the dragon.

BY SEASON

Makes me want to garden!

https://www.thehealthy.com/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-in-season-every-month-of-year/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

SPOT ON

Totally spot on! I laughed so hard!!!!

SHARE A LITTLE

“No expression of love is wasted, and even the smallest gestures tend to go much further than we think they will.”

​

– BRAD ARONSON

CALM

Train your mind to be calm in every situation.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Today I wish Happy Birthday to three Grandchildren!

Kailey who is 18 today

Brighton who is 14 

and Ace who is 11!

In two days my wishes will go out to Xavier on his 16th birthday!

I love you all! ♥️ Eek

SNOW TRANQUIL

I love winter from my cozy little home.

SCRATCH

Cat head biscuits… they turned out perfectly! 

SNOW

It’s 6am on the first Sunday of the year. I’m in my flannel nighty and two pairs of socks, cozied up on the sofa, under my Irish wool blanket, with a cup of cocoa, watching winter turn my neighborhood into a frosted gingerbread picture postcard. 

The snowflakes are fat and starting to pile up. Sadly, they are sticking to the road as well, but at this moment, I have no where better to be.

WINTER STORM

We are supposed to be getting a winter storm tonight. Snow and Ice! This girl from the Valley of The Sun still thinks that sounds so exciting!!!

So I did the things I thought were important… I cleaned my house, I made a couple meals to have in the fridge too. 

And yes I will be heading to the grocery store shortly. But not to get milk and eggs and bread like every one else, I just need some carrots to make beef stew. I have two pair of socks on and a real cozy scarf, so bring on this January 2025 storm!

I’m ready!!!

RED SHIRT

I have a red t-shirt that has been my night shirt for about 30 years. Saying that makes me cringe more than a bit. It’s just an oversized long tee. It’s soft and comfy. 

I haven’t really worn it much in the last six years or so. But every once in a while a pull it out of the drawer and think ‘oh yes, my cozy friend’. I assume everyone has a shirt like that. Mine just happens to be a shirt I sleep in. Last night was cold, so I took it out of my drawer. But as I put it on, I realized just how truly loved it had become. 

The edges are all raw, there are more holes than I can count. Yes, it still feels great, but if I was ever actually seen in this poor shirt I would definitely be embarrassed. 

So today, I am being the grown up I profess to being, and I’m throwing it out. 

I have lots of night wear; silky nighties to flannel gowns. 

But for some reason, my heart hurts more than a little over that ratty red t-shirt. 

… the deed is done, it’s in the trash bin. 

Sigh … red shirt.

HE AGED WELL

FIRST RIDE OF THE YEAR

Two pair of socks

One pair of knee socks (above the knee really)

One pair of leg warmers (to cover my knees)

One pair of thermal pants

One pair of leggings

One pair of jeans

Two tank tops

A polyester long-sleeved top

An arm and shoulder scarf

An infinity neck scarf 

Fingerless mittens 

A wool beeny

Leather ankle boots

Full length puffer jacket

Leather gloves

Full face helmet 

And yes I was totally Toasty!!!!!

WELCOME

In 2025 I will be 

taking short trips, 

long trips, day trips, 

food trips, anything that consists of traveling and new experiences.

This is what I will be doing!

JANUARY ONE

https://actionforhappiness.org/calendar-monthly/2025-01