Just a quick observation:
The Dems are beginning their convention tonight in Denver. No great shakes. (I can't understand why either party still has a convention in this day and age, but that's another whole blog by itself.) Anyway, you would think that they would want to open their convention on a positive, upbeat, note, wouldn't you? Well, they are paying tribute to Teddy and word has it that he is there already (with or without a mask I'm not sure). Ok - I can see that.
BUT ~ the opening keynote speech tonight is by Michele Obama! Wouldn't you think they'd have someone who was proud to be an American? ...or is that the way of the Democratic party these days? The less proud and the less American the better? I certainly hope it's not the way of the country. That would be very sad ~ and catastrophic.
Just a thought.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Memories
This has been sorta a fun week with memories. I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't think of Daddy or Mommy. Something will happen, somebody will say something, or I'll see something that will stir a memory. Or, I'll just remember them.
This week was a little different. Last Saturday I got my nails done and while I was waiting for them to dry, the next client came in who was getting a pedicure. She was a women a little older than me and as usual we all got chatting. Jane, the manicurist, asked this women what was going on and she announced that she was retiring at the end of the week. Besides being so jealous of her I could have screamed, I was also happy for her. I asked her where she was leaving. She was retiring as the head occupational health nurse at one of our local companies which is the headquarters for a very large international corporation. Immediately I thought of Mom. I told this woman all about Mom and we chatted about the trends of OH nursing then and now. You almost don't hear about OH nursing any more - they've almost gone the way of white shoes and stockings and caps with stripes!
Then, yesterday, they began working on painting the outside of the entry way to my office. 98% of it is metal and is in a constant state of rust. Others have come by with a can of Rust-o-leum and spritzed it - hoping it would solve the problem. This time, however, they sent over this cute little Italian fellow - or as Daddy would say, a Pisan! Now, this is not an ethnic slur. In the city where we grew up, 50% of the population was Italian and MANY of them came to this country with a trade. Many were stone masons, some were pipe-fitters, you name it, they worked and they worked hard. They were laborers and took pride in their work. If you gave them a job to do, it was done right and it was done well. A lot of them worked at the same company as Daddy in many of the different departments. He got to know them over the 42 years he worked there. They often referred to themselves and their compatriots as Pisans (since many came from that area of Italy). So, it was a very natural thing for Daddy to do the same.
Well, this fellow is just the cutest little Pisan. He speaks English but with a very heavy accent. He reminds me of all the Pisans that Daddy worked with. (Actually, I just found out that this guy is Portuguese and not Italian, but he's still cute!) He is scraping, sanding, priming, scraping, caulking and doing it RIGHT! What a novel concept for a state worker! It is going to look great when he gets done and it will probably last more than one rain storm.
And, lastly, I've been really missing Mommy. This Christmas project that I'm working on is akin to Joseph's coat of many colors. Ergo, I am changing colors more often that I care to think about ~ BECAUSE, every time I change color that mean 2 loose ends that need to be dealt with. I HATE dealing with loose ends in knitting. They're almost as bad as sewing things together. So, I used to be able to finish these types of projects and take them to Mom and say, "Here, PLEASE!", give her a kiss, and when I'd come back it would be all done and perfect. Boy, do I miss you now, Mom. Here's hoping I can do as nice a job.
This week was a little different. Last Saturday I got my nails done and while I was waiting for them to dry, the next client came in who was getting a pedicure. She was a women a little older than me and as usual we all got chatting. Jane, the manicurist, asked this women what was going on and she announced that she was retiring at the end of the week. Besides being so jealous of her I could have screamed, I was also happy for her. I asked her where she was leaving. She was retiring as the head occupational health nurse at one of our local companies which is the headquarters for a very large international corporation. Immediately I thought of Mom. I told this woman all about Mom and we chatted about the trends of OH nursing then and now. You almost don't hear about OH nursing any more - they've almost gone the way of white shoes and stockings and caps with stripes!
Then, yesterday, they began working on painting the outside of the entry way to my office. 98% of it is metal and is in a constant state of rust. Others have come by with a can of Rust-o-leum and spritzed it - hoping it would solve the problem. This time, however, they sent over this cute little Italian fellow - or as Daddy would say, a Pisan! Now, this is not an ethnic slur. In the city where we grew up, 50% of the population was Italian and MANY of them came to this country with a trade. Many were stone masons, some were pipe-fitters, you name it, they worked and they worked hard. They were laborers and took pride in their work. If you gave them a job to do, it was done right and it was done well. A lot of them worked at the same company as Daddy in many of the different departments. He got to know them over the 42 years he worked there. They often referred to themselves and their compatriots as Pisans (since many came from that area of Italy). So, it was a very natural thing for Daddy to do the same.
Well, this fellow is just the cutest little Pisan. He speaks English but with a very heavy accent. He reminds me of all the Pisans that Daddy worked with. (Actually, I just found out that this guy is Portuguese and not Italian, but he's still cute!) He is scraping, sanding, priming, scraping, caulking and doing it RIGHT! What a novel concept for a state worker! It is going to look great when he gets done and it will probably last more than one rain storm.
And, lastly, I've been really missing Mommy. This Christmas project that I'm working on is akin to Joseph's coat of many colors. Ergo, I am changing colors more often that I care to think about ~ BECAUSE, every time I change color that mean 2 loose ends that need to be dealt with. I HATE dealing with loose ends in knitting. They're almost as bad as sewing things together. So, I used to be able to finish these types of projects and take them to Mom and say, "Here, PLEASE!", give her a kiss, and when I'd come back it would be all done and perfect. Boy, do I miss you now, Mom. Here's hoping I can do as nice a job.
Sher
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Why New England Is So Beautiful
Here are some pictures of why I love New England. These are all taken by Newport Harbor.
Look at the reflection! Those are crushed sea shells in the foreground. I LOVE IT!
It had been raining an 90 minutes before. How could you not want to live here? Wait until the fall when I post THOSE pictures!
Look at the reflection! Those are crushed sea shells in the foreground. I LOVE IT!It had been raining an 90 minutes before. How could you not want to live here? Wait until the fall when I post THOSE pictures!
Shennie
Knitted Projects, Part I
I want to post a couple pictures of things I have recently finished ~ or not-so-recently finished. Anyway, a sampling of my knitting creations.
My niece is a self-proclaimed Space Junky and is 6 months pregnant. This is one of the baby blankets I made for her.
I made this poncho a couple years ago for my youngest niece and her older sister wanted one as well so that's what she got last Christmas.
Both of these patterns were ones I found in the internet ~ what a terrific resource!
I've got a couple more pix but they're on my other system or my camera. Next time I'll post them. I can't wait to finish my current project - that picture will have to be "continued on the next page"!
My niece is a self-proclaimed Space Junky and is 6 months pregnant. This is one of the baby blankets I made for her.
I made this poncho a couple years ago for my youngest niece and her older sister wanted one as well so that's what she got last Christmas.
Both of these patterns were ones I found in the internet ~ what a terrific resource!
I've got a couple more pix but they're on my other system or my camera. Next time I'll post them. I can't wait to finish my current project - that picture will have to be "continued on the next page"!
Shennie
Monday, August 11, 2008
No Value Added
Have you ever worked with someone who really shouldn't be working? They are there for no other reason than they have nothing better to do until their next vacation. They somehow managed to get the appropriate credentials for the job and then just show up. They go to meetings and mmm-mmm at all the correct places but offer no valid information. They take twice as long to do something as even the slowest person would - so you'll think they're sophisticated and unflustered. They think they're the cat's meow and won't let you forget it. They have children that are no better than normal but you'd think they were Einstein's offspring by listening to this person. It's easier for them to make their travel arrangements from their work desk than from their kitchen table. They come in earlier than anyone else - for no good or pressing reason - but make sure that you know they're in before 7:30. The perfume they wear ~ which I'm sure is probably very expensive ~ STINKS and reminds me of the cheap dime-store crap that Junior bought as an afterthought the day before Mother's Day a couple years ago. It can make you physically ill, gag a maggot, and linger beyond the life expectancy of plutonium. Their table manners are questionable and they insist on whispering to everyone they talk to ~ so that you think they're saying something important - it must be - why else would they be whispering. They'll pawn off as much of their work as possible on anyone who's sucker enough to do it and still make you think they're overloaded and uber busy.
Have you ever worked with someone like this? I thought so - I can't possibly be the only person who shares a workplace with this species.
Have you ever worked with someone like this? I thought so - I can't possibly be the only person who shares a workplace with this species.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Catching Up
Where do I start? Hmmmmm ~ how 'bout the beginning?
Friday I had a wedding to go to. The bride is from Clinton, Ct; the groom is from Westport, Ma; they met at school in New Hampshire; the wedding was in Fall River, Ma; and the reception was in Newport, RI. a truly New England wedding. For those of you non-NewEnglanders, which 2 states are missing from the above conjugation of states?
I was supposed to stay at Bab's house Friday night - arranged it months ago. She lives just outside of Newport. It'd save me a long drive home that night. Well, I sent email to confirm everything Wednesday night and get this frantic call ~ the wedding's on Friday? Yes, Babs. She thought that since it was a wedding ~ even though it was on 8-8-08 ~ along with 3 million other couples around the globe ~ that it was on a Saturday. She and hubs were going to be in Maine Friday night - coming home Saturday morning. Oh well. The drive'll do me good, I'll be home on Saturday morning, and I won't be able to drink that much. Not a problem.
It was lovely. The ceremony was simple and elegant. Jessie - the bride - was stunning. Tall and slender in her beautiful gown. Her mom ~ a long-, long-time friend from SLCC ~ looked elegant in her jade/teal dress.
That's Carol (Sunshine) being escorted in by her brother.
Friday I had a wedding to go to. The bride is from Clinton, Ct; the groom is from Westport, Ma; they met at school in New Hampshire; the wedding was in Fall River, Ma; and the reception was in Newport, RI. a truly New England wedding. For those of you non-NewEnglanders, which 2 states are missing from the above conjugation of states?
I was supposed to stay at Bab's house Friday night - arranged it months ago. She lives just outside of Newport. It'd save me a long drive home that night. Well, I sent email to confirm everything Wednesday night and get this frantic call ~ the wedding's on Friday? Yes, Babs. She thought that since it was a wedding ~ even though it was on 8-8-08 ~ along with 3 million other couples around the globe ~ that it was on a Saturday. She and hubs were going to be in Maine Friday night - coming home Saturday morning. Oh well. The drive'll do me good, I'll be home on Saturday morning, and I won't be able to drink that much. Not a problem.
It was lovely. The ceremony was simple and elegant. Jessie - the bride - was stunning. Tall and slender in her beautiful gown. Her mom ~ a long-, long-time friend from SLCC ~ looked elegant in her jade/teal dress.
That's Carol (Sunshine) being escorted in by her brother.The reception facility was beautiful; it looked out over Newport harbor and the Newport bridge.
I was exhausted on Saturday ~ even though I got in late and went to bed late, I didn't sleep very well. Seems to be the thing lately.
Anyway, decided to go to a great farm stand yesterday afternoon. I called 2 friends and we toodled north to Idylwilde Farms. Now, this is not a place you want to go every week nor do you want to do your regular shopping there; however, for a one/quarter trip for VERY good produce, it's great. They squeeze their own OJ, they prepare meals and sandwiches, they have a cheese island the size of Chester and everything is being restocked constantly. Considering all that I bought ~ and I walked out with 3 plastic bags, I only spent $27. I got veggies, fruits, cheese, OJ, and broccaslaw. My colon won't know what hit it.
We stopped at another farm stand (Mike, think Macs) on our way home. It's prime season is the fall so it was pretty scarce there. We decided to have dessert there ~ and ice cream sundae ~ so that ended up being dinner as well for me.
Today I feel like I spent the day prepping. I cut up the fruit and made salad; I made potato salad, I did 2 sinkful of dishes AND I discovered the best BBQ sauce!
A couple weeks ago I watched an episode of America's Test Kitchen on PBS (one of my favorite shows). They had prepared a skillet BBQ pork chop recipe that sounded good. I downloaded it. You brine the chops, slap on a rub, sear them in a skillet, prepare this bbq sauce and slather that on just before they're done. That sauce is amazing! It would taste good on a car bumper. I'm going to make a big jar of it and keep it for other recipes.
It just dawned on me that with all I did today, I forgot to do laundry so I'm on my way downstairs. I need a maid! And, the pork chops are brined, so time to put this whole recipe together.
I was exhausted on Saturday ~ even though I got in late and went to bed late, I didn't sleep very well. Seems to be the thing lately.
Anyway, decided to go to a great farm stand yesterday afternoon. I called 2 friends and we toodled north to Idylwilde Farms. Now, this is not a place you want to go every week nor do you want to do your regular shopping there; however, for a one/quarter trip for VERY good produce, it's great. They squeeze their own OJ, they prepare meals and sandwiches, they have a cheese island the size of Chester and everything is being restocked constantly. Considering all that I bought ~ and I walked out with 3 plastic bags, I only spent $27. I got veggies, fruits, cheese, OJ, and broccaslaw. My colon won't know what hit it.
We stopped at another farm stand (Mike, think Macs) on our way home. It's prime season is the fall so it was pretty scarce there. We decided to have dessert there ~ and ice cream sundae ~ so that ended up being dinner as well for me.
Today I feel like I spent the day prepping. I cut up the fruit and made salad; I made potato salad, I did 2 sinkful of dishes AND I discovered the best BBQ sauce!
A couple weeks ago I watched an episode of America's Test Kitchen on PBS (one of my favorite shows). They had prepared a skillet BBQ pork chop recipe that sounded good. I downloaded it. You brine the chops, slap on a rub, sear them in a skillet, prepare this bbq sauce and slather that on just before they're done. That sauce is amazing! It would taste good on a car bumper. I'm going to make a big jar of it and keep it for other recipes.
It just dawned on me that with all I did today, I forgot to do laundry so I'm on my way downstairs. I need a maid! And, the pork chops are brined, so time to put this whole recipe together.
Shennie
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tretorn
Yeah! I finally have a new pair of Tretorn sneakers.
I discovered these shoes when I lived in Virginia and they are so comfortable. They're a terrific, comfortable pair of sneakers that are not "athletic" shoes. They're not bulky, they're not ugly, they're not frumpy. They're sneakers for the not-so-athletic folks. Mine even came with pink trim. They're not built for long-distance runners; they're not made for someone who is going to jog around the block; they're not for a jock that was born with hormones; they're for a girl/woman who wants a pair of nice looking canvas, tie, shoes! ...and they're comfortable! They arrived on my door step - free postage. From Kentucky! I made sure they had laces and the appropriate number of eyelets! (Sorry, Craig!) I can't wait to wear them tomorrow.
I discovered these shoes when I lived in Virginia and they are so comfortable. They're a terrific, comfortable pair of sneakers that are not "athletic" shoes. They're not bulky, they're not ugly, they're not frumpy. They're sneakers for the not-so-athletic folks. Mine even came with pink trim. They're not built for long-distance runners; they're not made for someone who is going to jog around the block; they're not for a jock that was born with hormones; they're for a girl/woman who wants a pair of nice looking canvas, tie, shoes! ...and they're comfortable! They arrived on my door step - free postage. From Kentucky! I made sure they had laces and the appropriate number of eyelets! (Sorry, Craig!) I can't wait to wear them tomorrow.
Shennie
Monday, August 4, 2008
Dress
Yes, I did finally get a dress for Friday's wedding. I had bought one at SteinMart's on Saturday but wasn't thrilled with it. I got one yesterday at the Natick Dress Barn (right nest door to the Christmas Tree Shop). It'll be good for an evening wedding, but wearable at other times.
Not sure what I'll do about shoes. I saw some fur-covered flip flops the other day ~ may go back for them!
Not sure what I'll do about shoes. I saw some fur-covered flip flops the other day ~ may go back for them!
Shennie
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Stir Crazy
I can't give away too much because I'm not quite sure who from my family will be reading this, but just in case I seem to be battier than usual, I began a knitting project yesterday that is 1044 rows of straight knit! How do you spell boring? It's only salvation is that it is made up of 7 different colors and they change randomly.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Shennie
Teeny-Bopper vs Frump
Ok, I'm still on my tirade from yesterday. I decided this morning to go online and see if I could find a dress I like online but at a site that has a local bricks & mortar store.
I looked at Chicos - nothing quite right. Talbots was too casual. Macy*s ~ I thought I'd find something and unless you're 19 and a size 2 or 65 and wear nun's shoes, there's nothing. I've never seen so many Teddy tops that they're calling dresses. Granted, that was the style when I met and became very good friends with the bride's mother; but I don't think the wedding is the time to revisit the summer of '69!
Geometric designs, empires waists, flared skirts, shirred tops! Goldie Hawn would have a field day. I'd look like I was going to a try-out for "Godspell".
I'll let you know if I find anything.
I looked at Chicos - nothing quite right. Talbots was too casual. Macy*s ~ I thought I'd find something and unless you're 19 and a size 2 or 65 and wear nun's shoes, there's nothing. I've never seen so many Teddy tops that they're calling dresses. Granted, that was the style when I met and became very good friends with the bride's mother; but I don't think the wedding is the time to revisit the summer of '69!
Geometric designs, empires waists, flared skirts, shirred tops! Goldie Hawn would have a field day. I'd look like I was going to a try-out for "Godspell".
I'll let you know if I find anything.
Shennie
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Hullabaloo A-Go-Go
When did I time warp back into the 1960s?
I went shopping today - granted it's last minute - I've got a wedding to go to on Friday and nothing to wear (that fits!). So, I headed to the Dress Barn, Marshall's, and SteinMarts. Note that I did not go to your local Lerners or Banana Republic. I was looking for a simple, classic dress for a 4:00 wedding. Not too much to ask, don't you think?
Wherever I went, I felt like I was in the dressing room for Hullabaloo A-Go-Go or Rowan and Martin's Laugh In. I kept waiting for Goldie Hawn, Judy Carne, or Jo Ann Worley to jump out from between the clothes racks. I should've kept my dresses from 40 years ago! Shifts, minis, peasant tops, tie-dyed ~ it was all there. On one or two racks, I found the Jackie Kennedy look. That was almost acceptable, but not in kelly green! I knew I had gone back to the future when I walked into SteinMart's and they had a table set up with the "Peck & Peck" collection. I still have a Peck & Peck coat upstairs that my mom bought for me my sophomore year at SMS! It even came with a matching pillbox hat (which has since disappeared ~ I think Nick might have swiped it ~ he hates my hats!) As a matter of fact, my black evening handbag that I still use and is in mint condition is Peck & Peck. They used to have a store in West Hartford - right next to Coward Shoes - think brown oxfords. Now don't get me wrong, P&P is timeless, but it was just so fitting to see that at that time. It actually made me expect a little more than mini shifts.
I finally settled on a LBD that's ok. If I have time this week I'll go to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's or L&T. Maybe they'll have something acceptable. I wonder if I can find white go-go boots?
I went shopping today - granted it's last minute - I've got a wedding to go to on Friday and nothing to wear (that fits!). So, I headed to the Dress Barn, Marshall's, and SteinMarts. Note that I did not go to your local Lerners or Banana Republic. I was looking for a simple, classic dress for a 4:00 wedding. Not too much to ask, don't you think?
Wherever I went, I felt like I was in the dressing room for Hullabaloo A-Go-Go or Rowan and Martin's Laugh In. I kept waiting for Goldie Hawn, Judy Carne, or Jo Ann Worley to jump out from between the clothes racks. I should've kept my dresses from 40 years ago! Shifts, minis, peasant tops, tie-dyed ~ it was all there. On one or two racks, I found the Jackie Kennedy look. That was almost acceptable, but not in kelly green! I knew I had gone back to the future when I walked into SteinMart's and they had a table set up with the "Peck & Peck" collection. I still have a Peck & Peck coat upstairs that my mom bought for me my sophomore year at SMS! It even came with a matching pillbox hat (which has since disappeared ~ I think Nick might have swiped it ~ he hates my hats!) As a matter of fact, my black evening handbag that I still use and is in mint condition is Peck & Peck. They used to have a store in West Hartford - right next to Coward Shoes - think brown oxfords. Now don't get me wrong, P&P is timeless, but it was just so fitting to see that at that time. It actually made me expect a little more than mini shifts.
I finally settled on a LBD that's ok. If I have time this week I'll go to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's or L&T. Maybe they'll have something acceptable. I wonder if I can find white go-go boots?
Shennie
Poppo, I Remember...
...convertible rides in December with the top down
...Father's Days at SMS ~ "My Heart Belongs To Daddy"
...laughing so hard at the supper table that butterscotch pudding came out of my nose
...reassuring hugs when I was scared
...heated discussions at the supper table during the Vietnam war
...Manhattans, liver and bacon, finnen haddie, steak pie, mince, shrimp cocktail
...a garage so neat and organized it rivaled Martha Stewart
...Saturday afternoon golf dates with "the hackers"
...your one trip ~ flying by yourself to meet Mommy ~ when you called me 4 times, Susie 3 times and Ray 3 times while you were packing! How did you ever get everything done?
...your patriotism and pride in being a veteran and a Mason
...the creamsicle jacket at Donna's wedding
...shoes polished brighter than the sun
...your love for JJ, Donut, DA & K-K-K-Katie; oh, yeah, and Mommy, Susie and me
...driving (aka screaming) lessons
...the billy goat
I remember all these and so much more. My only consolation is that you are back with Mommy ~ the only place where you're the happiest. I smile through my tears picturing you two back together, enjoying your attitude adjustment hour, planning your next golf trip.
I can't believe it's been a year since I held your hand and kissed you good-bye. I think of you every day. Tonight I'll have a shrimp cocktail and toast you with a glass (or two) of wine ~ which I occasionally do on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Sometimes I even pull out the Saltines.
I love you and miss you, Poppo!
...Father's Days at SMS ~ "My Heart Belongs To Daddy"
...laughing so hard at the supper table that butterscotch pudding came out of my nose
...reassuring hugs when I was scared
...heated discussions at the supper table during the Vietnam war
...Manhattans, liver and bacon, finnen haddie, steak pie, mince, shrimp cocktail
...a garage so neat and organized it rivaled Martha Stewart
...Saturday afternoon golf dates with "the hackers"
...your one trip ~ flying by yourself to meet Mommy ~ when you called me 4 times, Susie 3 times and Ray 3 times while you were packing! How did you ever get everything done?
...your patriotism and pride in being a veteran and a Mason
...the creamsicle jacket at Donna's wedding
...shoes polished brighter than the sun
...your love for JJ, Donut, DA & K-K-K-Katie; oh, yeah, and Mommy, Susie and me
...driving (aka screaming) lessons
...the billy goat
I remember all these and so much more. My only consolation is that you are back with Mommy ~ the only place where you're the happiest. I smile through my tears picturing you two back together, enjoying your attitude adjustment hour, planning your next golf trip.
I can't believe it's been a year since I held your hand and kissed you good-bye. I think of you every day. Tonight I'll have a shrimp cocktail and toast you with a glass (or two) of wine ~ which I occasionally do on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Sometimes I even pull out the Saltines.
I love you and miss you, Poppo!
Sher
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