2021 Project 365 – Week Forty

This was a quiet week of crocheting (mostly not pictured) and Dr. M chasing down the ancestors.
Sunday, September 26^th   
Singing on my way to church.
 

Meanwhile, Dr. M tracked down the grave of a man who was actually not a relative. He was the husband of Dr. M’s second great grandmother, Nancy Jane McClure. Philip Stroup died during the Civil War, in Richmond (on Dr. M's birthday in 1862). Thereafter, Nancy married Dr. M’s second great grandfather, a Huggins.
 

Monday, September 27^th     
Mango in the night…. (Fun fact, Dr. M said that Tango in the Night was a Fleetwood Mac song, and I said that I thought it was a lot older than that & started humming. Turns out I was humming Strangers in the Night, a completely different song. I laughed and laughed because that’s how I be sometimes.)
 

Tuesday, September 28^th    
Dr. M says: Spent some quality time with my 5th great grands today, John and Margaret Costner Hoyle. The marker reads: LIEUTENANT JOHN HOYLE; JUNE 1, 1740 - SEPT. 1, 1822; JUROR, SOLDIER, AND PATRIOT IN THE CAUSE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, SERVED UNDER COLONEL FREDERICK HAMBRIGHT IN THE HISTORY MAKING BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN ON OCT. 7, 1780
 

The Roy!
 

Wednesday, September 29^th    
Sky Wednesday, courtesy of Dr. M. He was trying to capture the soybean fields for me because they’re my fall favorite.
 

Thursday, September 30^th     
I had my doubts, I really did, but Dr. M kept the faith and here we are – the Atlanta Braves won their 4^th straight National League East Division title. Whew!
 

Friday, October 1^st    
I was so surprised that it’s already October that I didn’t take a picture.
  
Saturday, October 2^nd   
Through September – three months to go! (Note - our grass looks a lot more dead than it actually is.)
 

Back in the day I hated fall (this is well documented). I really hate the shorter days. I am low energy at all times, but when it’s dark at 5:00 I am really low energy. Ugh. But at least in NC it might be dark, but there probably won’t be snow on the ground (sorry Nance). What I’m saying is, even though it’s not quite as wintry here down south, stay tuned for whinging. Are you a pumpkin spice lover or are you already dreaming of spring like I am?
 

2018 Project 365 – Week Thirty-eight

This was such a busy week that we barely remembered to take any pictures at all! As I look through the ones we do have, I note a rather pink theme. Ha!

Sunday, September 16^th                          

Sunday afternoon chores – okra & green beans fresh from my dad’s garden!

Monday, September 17^th                                    

Although it was still pretty soggy from the remnants of Hurricane Florence. Dr. M took a few pictures around the yard.

Tuesday, September 18^th                                                      

Same as it ever was…

Our Encore Azaleas have been lovely!

Wednesday, September 19^th        

We didn’t take any pictures today, so I decided to just plug in the weekly furniture pictures here. The pink chair was a special request from a little girl.

Thursday, September 20^th             

Dr. M took his dad to the eye doctor. Someone mentioned on Facebook that Pop looks a little skeptical. He’s probably thinking, “what are you doing with that newfangled gadget you whippersnapper!”

Friday, September 21^st                                   

Work was CRAZY today & I never got to eat my afternoon snack so I was starving when I texted Dr. M that I was on my way home. He said, “Little Caeser’s?” And I said “on it!” And yes, I did eat a slice of pizza on my way home. Ha!

Saturday, September 22^nd                                         

My caption for this was “Nervously turning circles into squares while I wait to see if the #atlantabraves clinch their division. #crochet #baseball #stressful” My worry must have worked because they did it!

Work has been extra busy lately & I’ve started alarming my coworkers with Frantic Mode Bug. How do you handle stress?

Day Two of Operation Lent, and Other Random Randomness

I promise I’m not going to give a daily accounting of how I’m doing on my Lenten observance – because that just smacks of doing good works for glory & such (although I’m not sure my works will be all that good, come to think of it). But it amuses me to write about my progress so far.

·         Yeah, so I haven’t been successful at getting up at 6:00 the last two mornings. I set my alarm & then I just hit snooze. Same as it ever was. However I am getting to bed by 10:00 which is the most important part of the equation.

·         So far so good on the no sweets. I got my sack ‘o Girl Scout Cookies & didn’t even open it (I know even I’m shocked by that). And I added sliced almonds to my dish of chopped apple & banana & my goodness I thought I was already breaking the rules – so yummy!

·         By far the easiest of the three practices is the rosary – both because I was already doing it about 50% of the time, and because it’s a nice peaceful way to end the day. No issues there.

·         I’m singing one solo verse (a cappella for heaven’s sake!) on Sunday morning & I’m a wee bit freaked about it. Especially because it’s the opening music – the choir is going to process down the aisle to my hopefully not flat dulcet tones. Gah!

·         I last washed my hair on Tuesday. Today I pulled it back with a barrette to minimize disgust. And I’m wondering if I can go another day. This is one thing that doesn’t suck about getting older – I’ll bet another few years & I’ll be down to washing my hair once a week.

·         Knowing that the Braves’ pitchers & catchers reported on Monday is like back when we lived in Fairfield & we were driving back from NC & saw the “Cincinnati 75 miles” sign on the interstate. Home is so close we can taste it but there’s still another 2 hours to go. Sigh. [Note: I’m still singing, “…and the home of the Braves!”every morning. I wonder if that makes me unpatriotic?]

OK, that’s enough of that. Carry on!

Flailing at the Fog...

Oh man I am just so uninspired! I started trying to work on this project, but after my eyes crossed for the 7th time I decided to put it on hold for a bit. But because my last post was three days ago and I don't want to keep looking at my sad thoughts about my mother, I give you this (the first three "fun facts" from the aforementioned project):

1. I’ve been singing The Star Spangled Banner in the car in the mornings in my ongoing effort to sing more often. Don’t worry about me hitting the high note – I’m singing it down in the Phyllis Diller range so there is no high note. 
2. I always sing the last line: “…and the home of the Bravesss!”
3. Pitchers & catchers report February 20th!

Monday Miscellany

I posted my memorial for the day yesterday. Just a note: Although I’m not sure I understand the purpose of war, I very much appreciate and am in awe of the sacrifice of our armed forces, whether they’re in combat or here at home.

So here’s some of my usual Monday drivel:

·         Dr. M rousted me out of the house at the crazy hour of 10:00 (yes, I know that’s not really early. Yes, I know an hour earlier would have been cooler. Your point?) to go to the Siebenthaler Fen for our May visit. Since it’s the last week of May. It was pretty warm, but there was a nice breeze and I enjoyed our ramble very much. I plan on making Dr. M do a whole post on our visit with all the pictures, so I’ll just share a couple few okay several here by way of teaser. I’ll post the link to his blog once his post is complete.

·         In a related note I wore shorts in public for the first time this season & was afraid that I’d frighten small children, but in fact the one small child we saw on our journey just said, “hey,” & didn’t seem afraid at all. So that’s good.

·         My tomato seedlings don’t look all that strong so we bought some plants at the Kroger yesterday. We’ll try to work with the seedlings too, but we wanted some healthier looking ones just in case.

·         I keep falling asleep on the futon in the evenings. That’s usually Dr. M’s job. I reckon I’m still fighting off this cough. The good news is that Mucinex totally takes away my appetite. In fact, unless someone points out an obvious flaw in the plan, I might just keep taking it until I get to my goal weight. Heh.

·         I struggled mightily this past weekend since the Braves were playing the Reds. Dr. M has no divided loyalties, so he was happy that the Braves took 2 out of 3. But Bronson’s so cute! Don’t worry if you don’t understand any of this – I know I’m strange.

OK, that’s enough of that. Hope you’re enjoying the holiday (if it is one for you). 

Oh Sweet October Madness

I’m sure by now you might know that I am a baseball fan. Not a fanatic (I actually can’t name all the players in the infield – or the outfield – of the teams I follow). But not a casual fan either – if our teams are playing & if Fox Sports doesn’t screw us (strong, but accurate, language), we’re watching the games.

When Dr. M & I were first married we lived in a house owned by an orthdontia practice. We lived in two rooms on the top floor of the house & were responsible for mowing & cleaning. It was a sweet deal, although now I can’t really believe that we lived for a while basically in our bedroom (the other room we used for storage). We did have the use of the kitchen.

Anyway, the spring after we were married we watched a LOT of baseball in our one habitable room (that was the time when I completed that insanely large stained glass window jigsaw puzzle N gave us – I hold him personally responsible for any current twitchiness). Coindentally, that year (1991) our Atlanta Braves went from the worst team in baseball to the first team. I thought that was an auspicious beginning to our marriage. That was the beginning of a pretty successful run for the Braves. Fourteen consecutive division titles (we shall not mention the strike year). Going to the World Series five times and winning once. Those were halcyon days. 

However, for a number of years now we’ve watched our Braves not quite (or even not even close) get ‘er done. Year after year Dr. M & I have spend the post season just basically pulling for whoever could maybe beat the Yankees* or Boston. And our adopted team, the Cincinnati Reds? Not a pretty picture in oh so many years.

But this year we have an embarassment of riches. The Braves and the Reds are in the post season, which starts tomorrow. Fortunately they don’t play each other right away so we can pull for both for a little while longer. What I’m hoping for is a Braves/Rays World Series. It could happen! If the Braves get their act together. Really!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew



http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/phillies-braves-100310/

 

*Uncle David, I would apologize for the slight to the Yankees, but they are an evil big business machine & I’m not sure how a Democrat could pull for them. Of course, that’s assuming you’re a Democrat. Do I even know you?



Under Pressure

• The last two books I finished left the heroines waiting to be arrested for murder (one murdered her mother and the other one was accessory to the murder of a raping scumbag). I’ve gotten off track somehow – I like books with an ending. Closure. Now with these two women I’m left wondering – are they really arrested? Do they go to jail? What happens? Gah!

• I’m not sure I’m cut out for this gardening thing. By gardening, I mean watching Dr. M do all the work while I wring my hands and dither. I don’t mind if the plants don’t bear actual vegetables – I just like seeing them all healthy & beautiful. But what happens if they don’t make it? Gah!

• My dad is playing Dastardly Dan in a local community theater production. It’s a melodrama & I imagine he’ll have the time of his life hamming it up. I can’t decide whether or not I’m glad I can’t be there to watch the show*. Gah!

• The neighbor’s puppy comes to the edge of our yard and just stares at me with unwagging tail. I’m nervous around dogs & should try to make friends with this one before he turns into a brute of some kind. But I can’t quite bring myself to go over & offer my hand. Gah!

• Last night I dreamed that Blogger Dad was providing daycare services for the nephew of one of my Facebook friends. I think that my internet worlds are coming close to colliding. Gah!

• The two baseball teams I follow (Braves & Reds) are doing entirely too well. I don’t think I can take the pressure of them being in first place- I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Gah!

• I am even now imagining my Aunt Brenda shaking her fist at me for saying, “Gah!” She always said that such expressions were too close to taking the Lord’s name in vain. And she reads this blog. Gah! Er, darn!


*You know I wish I could be there Daddy – at the ripe old age of 46 I don’t get embarrassed quite so easily.

This is just an excuse to show my high school graduation picture

I was answering the random dozen questions. I talked about what I wore to my high school graduation (white dress with turquoise polka-dots – I thought I was the stuff). I referenced my terribly cute penguin umbrella. I talked about how I tried to help Dr. M with the mowing, but after pulling the cord 10 times I gave up. But then I ran out of steam & bored myself. So I decided to spare you guys. You're welcome.

Dr. M is teaching a class at a satellite campus this summer. One night a week – five hours. I'm pretty sure that he'll be tired of hearing himself talk after five hours. Pretty sure. He had his first class tonight. Two people were registered & one person showed up. Now that's some intense one-on-one teaching there.

I actually did some exercise last night. I listened to my book on tape & used my Gazelle. And then my hip hurt extra so I was tossing & turning in bed. My arm has been hurting more lately too (opposite side from my hip). And if I'm on my back one of my knees starts hurting. So I'm thinking, you know that sling that they use for horses who've broken their leg & they're trying to save? I figure if we rig it just right I could have a comfortable night's sleep. But I will not let hip pain keep me from exercising – I think the key to easing that pain & the one in my knee is to get some weight off. My arm will just have to fend for itself.

The Braves are last in their division. The Reds are second (behind those annoying Cardinals). So I feel like singing the song that legend says the British band played when they surrendered at Yorktown – The World Turned Upside Down.

Dr. M & I are planning a trip south at the end of the month. It'll be nice to see the fam again. Hopefully our pictures from the journey won't have snow or flooding in them.

Well, I'm sleepy & need to wrap this up. It's the 7^th inning & the Braves are winning for a change. Woot!

Sadness and Relief

It’s looking like my Braves won’t make it to the playoffs again this year. It could still happen, but it’s looking less & less likely. And my adopted team, the Reds, won’t be there either. That’s not all that unexpected – although they’re playing pretty good baseball right now.

As usual, at this time of year, when none of “my” teams is in the playoffs I’m filled with sadness & relief. Bittersweet I guess. I’m sad because we won’t get to watch these teams play ever again. Sure Chipper will probably still be with the Braves next year & Bronson will most likely still pitch for the Reds, but these particular teams won’t play again. There’ll be trades, and players designated for assignment, and whippersnappers up from the minor leagues. And for heaven’s sake hopefully some good pitching will be acquired! It’ll be fun & exciting, and at first every team will be headed to the playoffs.

But I’m relieved to have the “will they win or won’t they” tension gone from my shoulders. I’ll get to pull for teams indiscriminately – probably based on who the current underdog is (this is also my strategy in the NCAA basketball tournament). I will boo the Yankees and Cardinals, but pull for almost anyone else. And it’s exciting because who knows what will happen? Probably the Yankees or Cardinals will win the World Series – but you never know! And it’s a bit liberating to not have to watch “my” team play, breath bated, all that awful agony.

I know, I’m weird. And Dr. M is going to have some choice words to say about all this once I hit Post. He never thinks it’s a good thing when our team doesn’t make it to the playoffs. And don’t we all know that part of my relief is watching his disappointment now & not his sadness later (which may or may not be accompanied by choice words and flinging of inanimate objects – a Wake Forest basketball game years ago resulted in a duct taped TV remote).

It’s hard to watch the ones we love suffer & not be able to fix it. Yeah, not really talking about baseball now – love you sweetie.