My Truck and Today....

Someone recently commented on this post that was written in October of 2013.

I pulled it up and the image reminds me that soon my surroundings will look
something similar.

I am taking
hopefully what will be a short break.
Seems some health issues
are not continuing to improve.

Just wanted to check in and say thank you
for emails received
wondering - where am "I".







Early morning service for old truck
which is now 15 years old and hey that is not old old.
I love this truck and it was purchased after I sold old farm house,
moved into a condo for a few months and then decided to build again on my property.
So excited as I planned and sketched this home.

Remembering all that happened concerning this truck.
I could not make a trip to the big city and look at truck but knew
exactly what I wanted.  Also had a  discount because of family
member working at Ford.   Made a call and talked to a salesman, told
him exactly what I wanted, I could not drive to Nashville and did he have any suggestions.
A taupe colored medium Ford Ranger, roll up windows, air conditioning and nothing extra
but a radio.  He told me they had something available at a special price and he
would bring it to me with the papers if I decided to purchase.  Was hard to believe
what I was hearing.

So excited as they pulled into the condo drive as it was just what I wanted.
He also brought someone with him in another car to witness sale and drive
him back to Nashville.    In a matter of minutes this truck was purchased.

After I moved from this country home into the big city - my son suggested I did
not need a truck along with my car and he purchased to use in his business.
Business was closed down 5 years ago and I bought my special truck back from him
as I prepared to return to the country.

Serviced this morning and brakes will have to be replaced and that is fine.  It would not
have the many miles on it that it possesses if it had not been used as a company vehicle.
and since returning to the country
just wish I had a shelter for this vehicle and thoughts of a carport but as life is
at the moment do not need more additions here and the cost.   All of my scattered
neighbors keep their vehicles outside even though they have garages.   Always wonder
about this :)   they must be filled with stuff....

I have thoughts as Fall continues and Winter sets in if I will regain the energy that
I possessed a year ago .   The last 10 days doing well, good appetite, sleeping like I am exhausted 
(and that is different and guess body is still healing)  except for balance problem and I love this cane. Hopefully my energy  will return by Spring but will except wherever I am 
weary of talking about it, family tired of hearing it and always say "you look good",  do not agree with
their statement, and tired of being angry with energy level.

My optimism and will is strong and may it remain like this.

Another issue is my new television, which I did not want but son thought I would enjoy
with Winter around the corner ( will have to say that yesterday enjoyed PBS and for the
first time in many years I watched 60 Minutes).

Problem
seems no one can properly connect DVD player.   Hopefully soon....
or may have to wait until Thanksgiving
when special son-in law comes for dinner....

Busy Day, Police and Special Suit

A busy day today and horrible
storms during the night
and do not think I ever remember such a display of lightning - felt like hiding :(

Much past my bedtime I called my Beth on cell phone to tell her land line phone
was not working.
Aware of this I was told and she had been checking with someone and learned phones
and some electricity out in my area.
I only use my cell phone when in car and it was not on for her to get in touch with me.
Phone will be repaired next week :(

Early morning viewing and thankful of no damage
just water and mud everywhere
and a lot of limbs from the old trees are everywhere.

Not much sleep and left home at 7:30 for dental appointment.  All went well and since already
half way to big city, continued onward.   Looked out rear view mirror and police car is following me.
Upset and wondered what had I done.
I asked this and he replyed "you do not have your seat belt on."
I now wear a cross body purse and when in car it makes me think I have the seat belt on.
Guess I did not have it on.   He was so kind when I explained this, looked at my licence
and a compliment was given.   Now in the past this would have made me smile but not now.
So I was not given a ticket, just a warning, told not to be so upset, he did not mean to spoil my day and to continue on safely to Nashville.
I have such much to be thankful for
but
do not like the cane for balance issue that seems to come and go (especially if get upset)
along with energy level that
not like it was 5 years ago and I keep thinking it should be...
I am well aware that this one is not aging gracefully, not realistic,  refuses to slow down
and goes until she has to stop because she cannot take another step.

So onward on my journey to return something in the big city and this is one more reason I buy most online.
So convenient and easy to return items by just putting in the mail.  I have been looking for something special for the upcoming wedding just in case I can go to New York.

A trunk load of items left at my Jamie's home and want her to look through them before
leaving off at Goodwill.  Muddy car was washed at the best place in Nashville and then onward towards the country with quick stop for a hamburger as I had to have something in
my stomach.   Earlier had finished my energy drink and coconut almond bar.
No upscale or healthy eating on this day....

So good to pull down my long gravel drive.   A lot of  limbs need to be picked up from the storm
but will take my time.

Whenever I make a long, tiring trip like this
it is so good to be home
and I have thoughts of never ever leaving the woods again.

An image sent to me
that makes me smile and brings tears to my eyes.
A memory keeper

My handsome soninlaw being fitted for a suit for
his only daughter's and
my granddaughter's soon to be wedding.

  
Enough shared
and now time for this one to feed Callie,
 scramble an egg, cook a slice of bacon, brew some tea and have a slice of toast
before I end the day :)  and might add that while watching the news will have a
big bowl of ice cream....

Looking

Blustery winds before the storm predicted for tonight.
Ground is so wet and seems like I am walking on a sponge.
Several days of warmer weather
and this one is outside looking for signs of Spring.
Just anything "green."

Robins and Blue Birds continually viewed.

Lilac bush and cannot tell if these are new or old buds :)

Look what I found in the garage and now sitting in my kitchen.

In between my restlessness and craving Spring, this book continues to be enjoyable

"about scientific, financial, and psychological intricacies of climate change - with
breathtakingly beautiful butterflies at the center of all of this" words in part from
the Washington Post...

February 18th From The Front Porch

Too
beautiful
not to share.....

Thoughts In The Night

This small bookcase came to mind during the night.
An elderly man made this for me about 40 years ago
as I wanted a small one for my bedroom at the farm house.

It was in the cottage garage with tools on the shelves.
So one morning it was cleaned and brought upstairs
with the help of someone
helping me that day.
Does not appear too heavy - but I struggled helping
to putting it in the loft bedroom area and it is in place.

So many books that belong to my son
and are stored in the storage area.  Many were
placed on the shelves.
My son on his soon trip to the woods
can arrange to his liking.

On his last trip home
he arranged this bookcase.

Avid readers and seems my children
collect books
 and now grandchildren
are beginning this trait.

Also a trunk that I bought for my son probably 50 years
ago was on the loft
and it was brought downstairs and I am using it for a
coffee table in my reading space
A place for more books :)

So organizing continues
and I thought I was all finished..

On a snowy and cold day
this one
watched this being prepared.
A meatloaf that is a little different from my old recipe.

---------     1/2 ground turkey and 1/2 ground beef
shredded carrots and instead of cracker crumbs
or bread - oats.
So this along with her onions and regular seasoning
was good.
Enough left for 2 more meals and I only made 1/2 the recipe.
Along with mashed potatoes and spinach was healthy.

Chicken Paprikash and Never Say Never

Simmering on the stove in an old cast iron pot
on Sunday afternoon
is Chicken Paprikash and will serve over egg noodles.

The aroma is wonderful.

This one has commented many times over the years
"I do not like television and seldom watch."
It seems I have become addicted to cooking shows
over a winter that seems longer and colder  then I remember them in the past.

A chef shared that when he was growing up
his neighbor from another country had cooked this for years
and shared the recipe with him.

So easy and as usual only making half.
I used chicken breasts and 2 thighs instead of whole chicken.

A wonderful day
sun shining
and almost 50 and continues.
So muddy
and I must sow some grass seed in a few days...

Spring must be on the way....

From Birth To Almost 12 Years

Grandma looked at her new
granddaughter
a few hours old

and now almost
12 years later
she is
getting ready to go to a
Valentines dance
with her dad.

Time you are
racing by...