And, They Lived Happily Ever After

Several friends of mine are habitual binge-ers. They binge watch popular TV Series, sometimes 3 episodes, in one evening. Apparently, it's their favorite form of entertainment. Now, this may be something that many people or couples do. Frankly, it's not for me. However, I have been known to hone in on one particular actor, and attempt to watch every movie he or she has ever made. Or filmmaker, every movie they have ever made, or author, every book they have ever written.

So, this week, I have been watching as many Jane Austen based movies or adaptation of her novels that are currently available on television. By far, the most frequently read and watched  Jane Austen novel, is Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813. I would be hard pressed to choose between the 1996 version (Colin Firth as Darcy in "the wet shirt") or the 2005 version with Keira Knightly, as the lovely Elizabeth Bennett, as my favorite. I have not seen the movie "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", but I just finished watching a Bollywood adaptation "Bride and Prejudice". Lots of jazzy Indian music with wild and festive dancing. Another take on the Austen story were the "Bridget Jones' Diary" movies. Oh, and there is yet another version of P and P  being filmed, this year. What can I tell you? The story is timeless!

Jane wrote just 6 novels. She was only 41, when she died. But, she remains a popular writer and her books translate well into films. "Clueless" is a California Valley Girl version of the Austen novel,  Emma. Like, it's cute, totally.

My personal favorite is her novel, Persuasion, and the movie adaptation from 1995. (I've always been a sucker for men in uniforms.) Unfortunately, there are some duds, on the list. Hallmark Movies has done several Austen rip-offs, for their Christmas Movies series. A waste of time...... unfortunately I have watched many of them, several times.

So, my week has been filled with mini-escapes to Regency England. Everyone needs a little bit of fantasy and a guaranteed happy ending.

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 Dear Lord, just a little bit of living teaches us that life is not a "rose garden". We all have failures and successes. Good days and horrific days. Wins and losses. But, we have one constant, You. You are always with us. "We need Thee, every hour." 

 

 

"Life is a Highway"

 Two adults living in a house. Both of them are planning motor trips....separately.  These are their plans.

Tripper uno:  

• Take car to the repair shop, for a check-up.
• Pack 1 bag, a tote, and a good book.
• Pack a bag of snacks and a small cooler, with drinks and water.
• Get in car and leave. 

 Tripper dos:

• Make sure truck is fueled up and the lights are in working order. Personally repair whatever it needs.

• Pack two-level tent, shower tent (with solar bags for hot water), and shade structure. Poles, stakes and tools for construction.
• Load up the electric tricycle (camp transportation) and solar panels, to generate the electricity for the trike's motor and the electric refrigerator.
• Pack the camp stove and extra fuel to keep it running.
• Pots and pans, including coffee pot and coffee. 
• Plates, silverware and cups. Dish pan and dish soap. Trash bags.
• Food and drink  Lots of energy bars and no-need-to-cook, or easy-to-cook food. 
• Sleeping bag, pillow.
• Clothes for extreme heat (days) and extreme cold (nights). Includes sun hat, gloves and semi-heavy jacket. Underwear and extra shoes. 
• Gifts for new friends.
• Something called a jackery, for powering stuff, which converts the solar power.
• Lawn Chairs. 
• Flashlight and caver headlamp. Sunscreen and Band-aids. 
• Attach trailer to truck with trailer hitch.
• Pack toilet paper, paper towels, kleenex, bath towels, bath soap, wash cloths. 
• Sunscreen and Band-aids. 
• Leave.   

Different strokes..............Both travelers will have a wonderful time.

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Dear Lord, bless all of us travelers, on this path of life. Make our adventures, memorable. Help us to remember that you are always with us...where ever we go.  May we all have safe travels.

Yes, We Have No Tomatoes

My days as a deck gardener are just about to expire. This year, in early May, at the beginning of our Midwest growing season, I planted, in my sweet little deck-garden, seven tomato plants. I was ambitious and thought I would try some cherry/pear shaped minis and a couple of yielders of standard sized tomatoes. 

I was so excited when the plants started to take off and grow. In a few weeks, we installed some lofty cages to keep the towering plants from falling over.  Then, one morning, to my dismay, all of the leaves disappeared from the beautiful green tomato vines. I discovered big, fat, gross tomato worms chomping away on my gorgeous plants! This is a three story high, deck-garden, folks. Where did they come from? Luckily, the plants recovered a bit and by mid July, we were seeing teeny weeny cherry/pear tomatoes, quickly growing into healthy, but small fruit. 

Unfortunately, the regular sized tomato plants haven't yielded anything. We've had plenty of rain and lots of sunshine. I've fertilized and weeded. It's now August, and no fruit, yet. My thumbs are not green.

Then, along with the tomatoes, I planted 2 zucchini plants. I know what you are thinking, already. But, what did I know? They were just cute tiny little plants. WELL, they have remained bug free, of course. They are now huge, trailing out of the garden box and onto the deck. We have a plethora of zucchini. (Have you heard the joke...Don't leave your cars unlocked in Kansas, in August, 'cause your neighbors will gift you with a car full of their extra zucs."????) Two zucchini plants are two, too many!

 Those zucchini have been air-fried, breaded and deep fried, cut up in a salad and dipped raw into queso......etc. They don't taste like much of anything. Frankly, I'm not a fan. It could be worse. At least it isn't okra!!!!! Seriously, if you have a good recipe, send it my way. I'm willing to try to cook a few more.

We all have our own Gifts and Graces, and apparently vegetable gardening is just not one of mine.  Next year, I will only be planting flowers and we'll be buying our vegetables at Costco!

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 Gracious and Bountiful Lord. We thank you for our many blessings. We enjoy your world.

 

 

There You Go

 Most of the time, I think I have a handle on the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit. But, truthfully my struggle  with Patience, is legendary. When those patience genes were being passed out, it's just possible that I may have gotten impatient, left early and didn't get my share.

Oh, I know, "Good things come to those who wait." But, it's so hard. Actually, I do have some degree of patience, when I deal with folks. After all, I am a mother, grandmother and former teacher. I just don't have any patience with myself. If I can't understand or complete a task, then almost instantly, I just give up. I'm done. No patience!!!

This issue of mine is definitely a problem. I don't have any patience, when it comes to my phone. I've tried and tried, but I can't seem to figure out how to use it effectively. Most of the time, I can manage to answer the blessed thing, but not always. Then, there are my hearing aids, that generally (but not always) link to my phone. Really, two impossibly complicated things for me to manage, are supposed to get together and make my life twice as easy. I don't think so. I am apt to get frustrated and walk away, without solving the issues with either one!

I've done it all my life. Math problems. Logic problems...I never understood how the childhood game "Clue" was played. No patience. I would just guess early, so I wouldn't have to wait for someone, other than me, to figure out who, how and where. Computer issues. It's impossible for me to figure out spread sheets or where and how to "save" stuff......to this computer, to the cloud, or to the desk top? Then, when I can't find where they went, after I "save" them, I just quit!

At my age, this affliction of mine is not likely to change. I will continue to attempt to figure things out, but more likely than not, asking for help is the most efficient answer. People are often kind and obliging to little old ladies. People are patient with me.

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Dear Lord. Asking for patience doesn't seem to be working. Guidance and discernment, may be what I need. I am thankful for my many blessings. You are my strength. 

 

 

 

 

"I yam what I yam......"

 As proof that you are never too old to learn something new, I feel compelled to put a bit of newly discovered knowledge to print. It's a new word for me, or rather an abbreviated version of the old word, "merchandise".

MERCH has apparently found it's way into our vernacular. The "influencers" are all wearing MERCH, this season. The same folks that wear outrageous fashion, to the yearly Met Gala, proudly sport MERCH. MERCH is IN. I'll bet you've got some MERCH, hanging in your closet. I own some MERCH, in the form of a couple of newish WWI Museum and Memorial tee shirts and an ratty old KU sweatshirt. Logos and brands, folks. Logos and brands.

Let me explain the word, MERCH. You go to a concert. You pay for the ticket, parking, whatever, and then you buy a tee shirt. The shirt is MERCH. When you wear the shirt, you advertise the artist. He or she gets free advertising, every time you proudly don that shirt. MERCH is the cheapest form of advertisement, but at around 50 dollars per shirt (not counting the concert tickets, etc.) it's not much of a bargain for you.

Remember those pricey IZOD (alligator logo) shirts everyone had to have? That's ancient MERCH. Every shirt purchased, with the words NIKE, ADDIDAS, or PINK, emblazoned on the front, means money that the brand does not have to spend in advertising. That NFL Jersey....money to the manufacturer, money to the league, money to the team..ya,da,ya,da. You buy the cheaply made shirt and everybody gets paid....but you.

Just a bit of information to file away. No judgement here, but you'll probably not find me buying or wearing any new MERCH.  

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 Gracious and all giving God. We should be caring more about who we are, that what we wear. Do we belong to a sports team or are we truly Children of God? Who is our strength and our salvation? We have so many questions. You are the answer to all of them. 

 

Q

 I've checked through all of my (825) blog posts and I have never, as yet, expounded on Barbecue, aka Bar-B-Q, or a couple of other spellings. Kansas City is, according to a whole lot of folks.....the Barbecue Capitol of the World. Kansas City (aka Cowtown) has always been known for it's great beef. And, we cook it barbecue style. Why, oh why haven't I written about it? 

At my volunteer job, dozens of visitors to Kansas City have asked me..."Where can I get good KC "que"?" I'm tempted to say, " On about any corner, and sometimes the middle of the block!" Downtown KC, has three of the best BBQ joints in town.  Arthur Bryant's (original home of the famous KC Burnt Ends) is slightly East of the downtown area. Just a block North, of Union Station, is Jack Stack, (the sides there, are outstanding) and about 3 blocks South, of the Station, on Main Street is Gates (their sliced meat sandwiches are really good). 

Jack Stack has locations all over the Metropolitan Area. All are good, but a bit pricey. Gates, too, has several locations, and their traditional loud, somewhat forceful greeting of "Hi, May I help you?", can be a bit off-putting, but the Q is great and they serve a "nooner sandwich plate", with fries, for around 10 bucks. You can't beat that, for a bargain.

Out in the burgs, there are some trendy BBQ spots, that get lots of press. Kansas City Joe's, original location, is in a former Gas Station. They serve a Z Man Sandwich that includes a topping of Onion Rings. It's Travis Kelse's favorite sandwich, huge and really tasty. Smokestack has the best BBQ beans (lots of burnt end pieces, in the sauce)  You'll find both of these places, have several locations.

For you, Jason Sudeikis Fans, I have now reviewed the ones printed on his famous Ted Lasso Tee Shirt (Joe Arthur Gates Stack). In fact, Sudeikis was spotted eating at a Gates location this week.

Need to read about more? There's Q-39, Rosedale, Slaps and Sneeds You'd enjoy them all. We just know how to cook meat, in this town. Oh, and the guy who cooks, on our deck, does a excellent job with burgers,brats, ribs and chicken (cooked, smoked and sauced). Y'all come on by.

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 Thank You for the world so sweet. Thank You for the food we eat. 

Thank You for the birds that sing. Thank You, God, for everything.

 

 

"Life's a Ball"

Okay, so I would like to think I am, at this rather late point in my life, living slightly on the edge. I'm trying new things, going new places and basically attempting to follow a philosophy which hinges on the fact that I am not getting any younger and I do not want to regret missing experiences, that I failed to attempt.

 Last year, I went to Burning Man. I recently took two, off the beaten path, Day Trips. Trying new recipes, is something I like to do, at least once a week. I enjoy looking for new routes, while driving through the city. I speak to strangers. My future plans include a couple of solo road trips. I've even rode the backyard Zip Line, for a short distance. To my reckoning, those things are a "Big Whoop", in edgy living.

However, in spite of all this "daring do", the truth remains, that Fancy Nancy is basically a "Rule Follower".  Like clockwork, the laundry gets done around here once a week, whether or not we are out of underwear. My morning pills are ingested early, every day. The bed gets made every morning, before anything else! If the speed limit says 45 mph, I never go over 50 mph. My insurance and tax bills are paid promptly. Library books are returned in a timely manner and I send "Thank You" notes.

So, what or who am I? I guess I am a middle of the road, risk taking, rule follower. Voila! I intend to leave to leave this world having done many of things that I wanted to do. I still have a whole "lot of livin' to do".

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Dear Lord, we thank You, for providing us with many blessings. And, a life well lived is a blessing. Grant us wisdom and courage to live life to our fullest potential.