I was a tomboy!

Parents and grandparents may remember this one from childhood. To play the 7-Up game, all you need is a smooth, flat surface (a wall or a floor) and a bouncy ball, such as a tennis ball. If you have a safe, open indoor space (without breakables), you can even play 7-Up inside. Best of all, kids can play the 7-Up game alone—no need to recruit an opponent or teammate.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 20-30 minutes.  I spent so many hours playing this ball game and I was very fortunate, we lived next door to a Ukranian church that had a very high wall.    Many years of my life I enjoyed this ballgame.   Maybe your kids would be interested it in too.  No high tech stuff here...just toss the ball...and no one is judging you.   Do it...so much fun.

Here's How:

1. Find a safe space to play. Outside, you need a flat area where you can safely bounce a small ball, such as a tennis ball or a rubber ball. The 7-Up game is traditionally played against a smooth wall or even a garage door. Brick or concrete works better than aluminum siding, and a broad space without windows works best. But you can also the play 7-Up game against the ground if you don't have a good wall to use.
2. The object of the game is to bounce the ball against the wall a set number of times while performing a skill in between bounces. The skills are as follows (but your memory may vary!):
3. Sevensies: Bounce the ball against the wall seven times. Catch it on the seventh time. 
   No-wall version: Bounce the ball against the ground seven times.
4. Sixies: Bounce the ball against the wall and then allow it to bounce once on the ground before you catch it and throw it again. Repeat six times. 
   No-wall version: Throw the ball up in the air 6 times (no bounces).
5. Fivesies: Bounce the ball on the ground five times. 
   No-wall version: Bounce the ball on the ground 5 times, but throw it hard enough so it bounces up over your head. Catch on the way down.
6. Foursies: Bounce the ball from the ground to the wall and then back to you (this is the opposite of what you do for Sixies). Repeat four times. 
   No-wall version: Throw the ball up, let bounce, then catch. Repeat 4 times.
7. Threesies: Bounce the ball on the ground first, then use your palm to bat the ball against the wall, then catch it before it bounces on the floor again. Repeat three times. 
   No-wall version: Bounce the ball, then hit it down again before catching. Repeat 3 times.
8. Twosies: Toss the ball under your leg and bounce off the wall, then catch. Repeat. 
   No-wall version: Bounce the ball under your leg, twice.
9. Onesies: Throw the ball against the wall, spin around completely (360 degrees), then catch the ball before it bounces. 
   No-wall version: Throw the ball up in the air, do your spin while it falls and bounces, then catch.
10. Want to keep playing? Repeat the whole process, but add in a clap of the hands between each throw/bounce. Then add two claps, and so on.

What You Need

• Bouncy ball, such as a tennis ball or soft, small rubber ball and a little patience.   I would love to think a child would want to play this because it lent so much enjoyment to my childhood.   These were my only balls that didn't go down the sewer.

• O

Our Canine Friends

My heart melts when I look into a doggy's eyes.   They're animals I know but they have such a trusting look.

When a person becomes an owner of a pet...that's taking on about 17 years of caring for it....actually almost as much as if you had a child and then the child went off to college so that's about the same span of time.

When I was a child, anyone who owned a dog had a 'mutt' and we got it from someone whose dog had puppies.   We never bought one, nor did we ever take it to a vet.    Actually our accumulation of dogs through the years knew when they were sick,  and they'd know instinctively to  eat a special kind of sour grass outside...kind of like a 'tum' today....it would make them throw up and then feel better.

And when I was a child, if our dog puddled on the floor, we'd rub his nose in it and then he would get the idea.   Our dogs were always trained to go outside.

We didn't have any doggy doors for them either...if they wanted to come in or out, they just barked and we answered.

Actually we never bought dog food either.  They ate the same foods we did and loved every morsel.  And on Friday nights they always ate chicken.

As for buying special toys for our dogs, if we played with a ball...they did too.   Or we'd throw a newspaper and they'd retrieve it.

We never put a sweater on a dog in winter!   If  he shivered, we put him under our heavy winter coats.

Today I see very spoiled dogs...getting all groomed at the doggy salon...and special doggy vitamins...but most of all, the wardrobe for the dogs.

Are people trying to make their little dogs into 'people'.  I see them in strollers wearing sunglasses and a visor.

There's an old adage about it being a  'dog eat dog' world.   If there happens to be another life for us, frankly, I wouldn't mind coming back like a pet dog.

Good life and lots of hugs!

the miracle of Skyping

The time is 11 o'clock at night and my phone rings.   I'm not at all upset because this is when Eric and Becky usually phone me.   They live in Kansas City, Mo. and it's a little earlier there.

Also this isn't about my time...this is the time Baby Shane is up and wide awake.   He's just had his bottle, been changed, and he's happy.

His parents talk to him constantly and I think he enjoys just having been born...his smile tells it all.

His little arms and legs have filled out and he tried walking up Eric's chest, even though he has no knee caps yet

His eyes are really bright and his head is upright.   He was enjoying himself....and I was too....also his mom and pop.

I think it's so wonderful that they bring me into his life....it's almost the same as being there.  

Becky same a song with a lot of verses and he loved it. I'm not bragging about it...just explaining the facts.   His motor skills are very advanced.

There is nothing in this world like a baby...especially if he's yours.

Our minor twirler!

A few weeks ago in our pool area a very minor cyclone passed through a small area.    I was sitting poolside drying off after having a wonderful splish spash in the pool.

There were about 4 people in the pool and Jane Horowitz standing by a table with an umbrella.  The umbrella just snapped as the wind spun.

The wind was not blowing  anywhere else..   Actually it was very balmy and pleasant...and then, all of a sudden, I heard a whirling sound and I saw the table roll over, the umbrella and a chair  landed in the pool, and Jane was being pushed backwards by this force and staggering to get her balance..

No, it wasn't Star Wars...but it was something that I had never witnessed in my life.

So in a  very minor way, I relate to what happened in Oklahoma  a few days ago.

We were lucky here but when I watch on TV all  the chilling devastation and loss of lives I can understand the whirling, spinning movement of this gigantic tornado.   I don't know how the people start to rebuild.....things can be replaced....loved ones can't.

I wonder if this has anything to do with 'global warning' !   It's just a terrible tragedy.

This and That

To live vicariously through someone else's heartbreak, means that I must be a very boring or lonely person.    I watched the Jodie Arias case...not for the content but to see how our legal system runs.    I'm not thrilled with it

 Little by little my friends are disappearing...most of them are going into retirement homes or assisted living, which is very depressing.  

But not for my friends because they need care and lots of help.

As I grow older each day and year, I realize my kids are now middle aged and that bothers me too.

I'm considered an elderly woman now.   The people who live here at Highpoint can be my children.   I'm asked out a little..but not a whole lot because I'm a generation older.   And when I was their age, I didn't want an old lady tagging along either.

Although I have to say I manage to make interesting conversation.   Some say that I interview people...but I do know for a fact that a person likes to talk about himself.

And I am very interested.   Not in a curious way...but I'm interested in what they have to say.

Conversation mainly consists of what restaurants have the best lobster cheap.....or their left leg hurts and they're getting therapy.   Another great subject is their children.   To be honest, I've never met anyone's grown-up children that I haven't liked...so they must have done something right.

I'm really not complaining...just stating my thoughts.   I'm very fortunate and for that I'm extremely grateful.

I always wanted to do something great or spectacular...but I guess it's not going to happen....and the reason for that is...I didn't make it happen.   I know now that a person must be highly motivated.

I'm lucky I have a very loving family...not huge...but we're close.  I still remember everyone's birthday and put a little something in the envelope to have dinner on me.

So...whomever is reading this....thanks for letting me air my thoughts.

I do appreciate.  

=  =  =  =  = = = = = =

I just received this lovely email from my friend Joe.   Hope he doesn't mind that I'm publishing it.

Vocalocity - #1 Business Phone System - Small Business VoIP. Affordable, Reliable & Scalable with your business + Business Boosting Features

17408

Re: mercytips2@aol.com May 22 (9 days ago) to me DEAR HILDA, I JUST RETURNED FROM N.Y. ANOTHER LONG TIREING ,I KNOW THAT TIRING IS MISSPELLED BUT AFTER THAT DRIVE YOU GET THE IDEA.   I READ YOUR BLOG. SO YOU WANTED TO DO SOME THING SPECTACULAR DURING YOUR LIFE. WELL YOU GOT MARRIED. I ASSUME THAT YOUR HUSBAND WAS A NICE GENTLEMAN. PROBABLY DUE TO YOU. YOU HAD A SON. HE'S A NICE GUY. AGAIN PROBABLY DUE TO YOU.  YOU HAD A TOY STORE. DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE KIDS YOU MADE HAPPY. HOW MANY PARENTS YOU PUT A SMILE ON THEIR FACES BECAUSE YOU HAD A TOY OR THE TOY THEY WERE LOOKING FOR. YOU HAVE MADE MANY FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS. YOU STILL GO TO SEE AND CHEER UP FRIENDS IN NURSING HOMES. THAT IS A TREMENDOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT. I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS CRITICIZED ONCE BY SOME ONE WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS FOR VISITING A COUPLE IN A HOME. SHE SAID I WAS CRAZY FOR DOING THAT.  I DIDN'T BECOME A FIGHTER PILOT. OR A RACING DRIVER. I DIDN'T WIN THE INDY 500 OR A GRAND PRIX. BUT I MARRIED A GREAT GIRL,HAD A COUPLE OF WONDERFUL DAUGHTERS AND WAS SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL AS A DIAMOND SETTER. THE PRESIDENT OF ROLEX ONCE GAVE ME A GREAT COMPLIMENT WHEN TELLING ME THAT MY WORK WAS AMAZING.AND I HAD A GOOD REPUTATION IN THE DIAMOND DISTRICT  AS AN HONEST ,HARD WORKING PROFICIENT GUY WITH A GOOD PAIR OF HANDS. I'M STILL CONSIDERED A MANIAC BY SOME PEOPLE FROM MY PAST FOR SOME OF THE ANTICS WE PULLED OFF IN MY YOUNGER DAYS. AND I WAS THE MOST LEVEL HEADED OF THE GROUP!! I THINK THAT IS SPECTACULAR. YOU SAY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS LEFT. WELL YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE ME AND ANNA MARIE. EVEN THOUGH WE SEEM TO BE GOING A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE US A CALL IF YOU WANT TO JUST HANG OUT AND WATCH TV,GO TO THE MOVIES OR JUST FOR A BITE. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AN OCCASION.  HOPE TO SEE YOU S

	Inbox		x

mercytips2@aol.com	10:52 PM (2 minutes ago)
to me

Here's something I want to incorporate from my friend Pat.

 

pats4953@comcast.net	8:33 PM (1 hour ago)
to me

I. Cant comment on your blog but I will here. YOU are one of the most interesting people I have met here. Don't ever feel that you are not "wanted" to share a dinner or a movie with. You are always welcome and I'm just across the street remenber that. You have two wonderful sons and their sons and now a new little baby. You are blessed.

The Arts

Two wonderful enjoyments that never go out of style...music and books.  I read a book in 1933 by Pearl Buck, titled 'The Good Earth'. 

Even though Pearl Buck is no longer alive, her Chinese books live on and her readers are as inspired by her writings now as they were many years ago.

Fact is...I want to read it again.  I don't recall much about it, except that I enjoyed it very much.  Probably my friends and I discussed it but I really don't remember...can't dredge it up in my mind.

'All Quiet on the Western Front' was also a classic which I will read again.

I mentioned music..the Masterworks are just as melodic today as the moment the composers wrote them.    Actually, in some modern music, I can hear strains from the masters.    I don't know if they're aware that they're stealing...or it could be that it's just so ingrained in their minds or souls.

I'm kinda ashamed to admit it but I still enjoy watching The Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday nights....music that doesn't grow old.

I can't say that I like today's vocalists...they all seem to holler and scream...but perhaps it's my age.

In fact...I'll say it is.

Poking into other people's lives

I think sometimes I'm making myself crazy.   I try to crawl out of my little space here at High Point and enter other people's lives.

I picture them on airplanes going all over the world...whether for business or for sheer pleasure on seeing our world.   That's what most people I think would do if they had a lot of money, along with good health, and a partner to go with.   We are not meant to be solitary beings.

I didn't imagine  that my husband would not be alive at 69...I thought we had years to explore our country...but fate had other plans.

I imagine my kids at work...each one pulling their weight and contributing to what they're being reimbursed for.

I picture Jeff taking the  2 dogs out twice a day for their walk...and Donna preparing dinner.  

I particularly think of my little Shane whom I absolutely adore...I see him about once a week on Skype...and he really is very entertaining.   He just learned to crawl and he's into everything.    I saw him show love...he was hugging his daddy and giving him cheek kisses.    This is worth the whole world to me.   

Everybody is sooo busy and that's good too.   Everyday I turn on the news and there's always an alert of some sort that we have to be mindful of.

When I'm in our pool...I forget everything...and just splish and slash....and that's what retirement is all about.

Nobody ever thinks about this I bet!

Slang words that bother me.   For instance, we hear a lot about psychologists....but they're called shrinks.

Police officers are referred to as cops and that upsets me too. 

Are we becoming too  blasé about important occupations.   When I hear our president referred to as just Obama...it irritates me.   He deserves more.

Now let's take a lowly job...a janitor is referred to as a building supervisor.

A garbage man is called a sanitation worker.  I'm glad that teachers are still teachers in education.

The word 'nerd' also bothers me.   Sounds like a despicable person...but it's really someone who is very up on technology.

A stripper in a bar gets the title...exotic dancer.

A lot of the media today I have to refer to as 'sleeze' because they go on and on about someone's misfortunes.    They'll interview someone in the family who has just lost a loved one...and ask what they're feeling.    These people are still in shock and disbelief and don't need the media breathing on them.

Anyway, we had a toy store...so we were still a merchant.   Glad that the dollar stores didn't exist then.

Looking Back

Friday, July 15, 2011

Eric and Ryan (both married men)-- Love Makes the World Go Round!

I watched them grow from a distance.   Geography always alluded my direct presence in their lives, but vicariously I watched both boys grow up.   We had a toy store and I do believe they had one of everything that we stocked!

In the last two months, I have attended two sensational, spectacular weddings...one in Chicago and the other in Long Island.   Everyone so dressed up...and yes, a place to go....weddings!  Some people cry at weddings...not me..I was thrilled and I smiled during the entire ceremony!

At Eric's wedding, I walked down the aisle on Ryan's arm....and at Ryan's ...I walked down the aisle with  Eric....I was so honored and thrilled...that I could participate in this most important event in both their lives. 

They both fell in love with lovely brides, thanks to J Date.   My heart is so full of love and caring and

wanting them to have enriched lives with their brides.

My only regret was that my sister and brother-in-law weren't here to see these joyous events...how proud and happy this would have made them.

Eric and Becky...Ryan and Daniela...two very newly-married couples setting out in this very complicated world of shoes off at airports, terrorists, and recession economy.   My generation has a lot of explaining to do to pass this bad stuff on to you.   

Becky is a doctor and Daniela is a doctor-to-be....so I know both boys will be in good hands....and so will their patients.  When I met both girls, I was so impressed with how smart and beautiful they both are.

I so enjoyed your weddings and watching you exchange rings and vows.

My family has now expanded....I have great nieces...and what a great feeling that is.

I had the Most Fun Tonight!

It was just going to be another boring rainy night.  I had just finished my book and was watching 'Dancing with the Stars' on Tv and practically falling asleep...when I heard my computer summoning me.

Yep, it was a Skypes call.  I rushed across my bedroom, about 7 steps, put on my headphones, anxious to know who wanted to talk and see me.

Well...pleasure of pleasure, it was my darling 6 week old Shane...bright eyed and all dressed up in his jammies.

What a sweet face...and he was making sounds and he actually smiled at me.

I wouldn't take a million in exchange for this loving event.   Thank you so much, Becky and Eric dears for letting me share little Shane with you.

When you stood under the chupa 2 years ago, I envisioned a carbon copy of the sweet soul I saw tonight.

I'm so  proud of you ... and baby makes 3.

And what do you want to be when you grow up...a terrorist? Please God..NO

While many people were exercising  their bodies and their minds to participate in the Boston Marathon....there was another person with an evil heart  preparing to explode and end the lives of  the athletes at the finish line, with a bomb...sole reason  to kill.

While the athletes were 'making ready' to increase their strength to run this 26  mile marathon....another person was 'getting ready' to construct his bomb....for one purpose only...to kill!

The runners were praying their legs wouldn't cramp...or they wouldn't get dizzy.or get too dehydrated.....they just wanted to be able to put  one foot in front of another in a running position to be able to achieve their goal.  And we were very proud of everyone who participated.

I just can't imagine anyone running this distance...yet people came from all over the world to participate in this event.

The opposite spectrum, I wonder if the evil terrorist was salivating as he built his bomb.   His parents gave birth to a monster....and I wonder if they're aware of his evil act.

I heard today of a father who  turned his son in when he discovered what was  going on in his own home.  He called the authorities...and this wasn't an easy task.

The world isn't a safe place because we have no idea what's coming next...but we know this was not a God-driven crime.  

I truly pray that the authorities find this culprit and he gets the punishment he deserves.   If not...God will judge him.

Just a very evil deed!

The Written Word!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

The Written Word!

We are so fortunate. When I go to the library, it's like a magnificent buffet...so many books just to entertain me and also to make me a little smarter.

I just got to thinking about books because when I was very young, my first enrollment was in our free public library. Also my son's first connection with the outer world was his library card.

When I pick up a book, I hold it reverenly in my hands. I look to see how heavy it is...how many pages...and then I wonder about the author. Did the author think long and hard about the storyline...or just sit down and begin writing. Did he spend much time searching for the perfect verb or adjective to give the sentence the punch desired. Was it put there for shock value.

So much to wonder about and what a thrill it is to open the flap and read a little bit about the story. If it's a thriller, I immediately return it to its shelf.

After I've finished reading and digesting a good book, I love to discuss it with someone...I like to lie in bed or in the bathtub and think about it some more...such enjoyment.


The earliest dated printed book known is the "Diamond Sutra", printed in China in 868 CE. However, it is suspected that book printing may have occurred long before this date.
In 1041, movable clay type was first invented in China. Johannes Gutenberg, a goldsmith and businessman from the mining town of Mainz in southern Germany, borrowed money to invent a technology that changed the world of printing. Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with replaceable/moveable wooden or metal letters in 1436 (completed by 1440). This method of printing can be credited not only for a revolution in the production of books, but also for fostering rapid development in the sciences, arts and religion through the transmission of texts.


So..thank God for the printing press. The Egyptians used hierglyphics which is still preserved in the pyramids today.

I believe this is the greatest time in history for upcoming authors.

First of all...they can do all their research on the internet which really lightens their load. Now, all they have to do is weave a delightful storyline around it...and there you have a novel.

I make is sound so simplistic. Who am I kidding!! And I'm also grateful for paperbacks...so much easier to hold.

The chicken or the egg...or the lyricist or composer !!!!!

Friday, December 3, 2010

The chicken or the egg...or the lyricist or composer !!!!!

It's always bothered me about music.   I love to hear songs sung...with poetic lyrics.  Now country music tells a complete story in so much detail that I don't enjoy listening.

But...let's take "Over the Rainbow"...the lyrics we all know were written by Yip Harburg.   His name will not go down in musical history...but the melody and words certainly will.....and the music of course was composed by Harold Arlen, a familiar name for many compositions.

When Jeff was in third grade, he was in a piano musical recital...and that was his song.   Of course, his father and I thought he was sensational.

It all started a year before.   We had placed an ad in our local Valley Daily News in the classifieds...wanted cheap piano for beginner.

Somebody 3 streets away read our need because she phoned within an hour after the paper was delivered.

She had in her basement an old upright player piano with bench..asking price $10.00.  How fantastic for  us.   We hired a mover and he had a problem getting this through our front door.

The guy said to us...how about us sliding it into your garage,  then into your basement.  

No way was our son going to practice in a cold damp cellar.      So  our front doorway was   goughed getting it in.

Allen painted it the same color as  our living room...and padded the bench with foam rubber so that little Jeff's tush would be comfortable.

Then we hired a blind piano tuner and he removed the player guts which were all rotted...another $25.00.

The piano teacher came to the house weekly to give Jeff ,  Schaum  lessons....simplified but to  this mother's ears sounded like Carnegie Music Hall.    I even took the phone off the hook so that he wouldn't be interrupted.

But back to lyricists Tim Rile wrote the words for Evita.     We all know  about Andrew Lloyd Webber....but not a thing about Tim.

Charles Hart wrote the lyrics  for Phantom of the Opera.....another unknown .

So....I'm trying to figure out if  the lyrics are as important as the music.!!!!!!!!!  I kinda believe that the words are more important.

But anyway...Jeff's recital was a complete success...his family made up the audience!

My old telephone directory!

   

Thursday, July 17, 2008

My old telephone directory!

One of the last things I packed when we moved to Florida was the telephone book. I might need it!

Well, it's been 20 years now and my life has changed a lot and so has the info in the phone book. Two decades of decayed and yellowed pages of the people I once had daily interchange with.

Now it's a phone call and Christmas cards...and as the years melt into one another...it seems like light years away.

I believe I have grown in ways since we left. In other ways we were important people in our town especially to little boys and girls who wanted toys.

I don't need this book any longer. I can get all this information on my computer in a second.........anybody's number and address.

Progress has intervened and I just love it.

Why am I having qualms about ditching it. It's one of the last things I have left from New Kensington, Pa. other than my memories.

After my father moved to Florida, he would go over all the businesses in the downtown area...and he recalled them all. I didn't realize it then, but it was a memory test of his.

Now I find myself doing exactly the same thing....just thinking and remembering. It wasn't all that beautiful or great...but it was where I grew up...my childhood....my young married life.

Now I'm donating it to solid waste management...maybe it can be recyled into more paper...maybe it can enter this century.

A Pause In The Day!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I wonder if anyone else remembers..or am I too old?

Thoughts drift in and out of my mind at no particular time of the day. These musings just appear.

Like for instance...the little slot that used to be on bathroom medicine cabinets for men to drop their razor blades in. Wonder what happened when it all filled up.

Did anybody's Mother make 'orange candy' out of the peelings ...but I loved it.

We used to take a clove of garlic and rub it on a piece of toasted rye bread...and so delicious.

We used to take our tablets or notebooks and drop ink on it and create Roarch Tests and see if we could identify what it appeared to be.

We didn't use a kazoo to make music...took a comb with a piece of tissue paper or toilet paper...and if it didn't tickle your lips to much...compose our own beautiful music.

I wonder if anyone had to wear 'snuggies' on cold days...tops and bottoms...embarrassing but oh so warm and cozy.

Just thoughts and more thoughts. My Sister Elayne and I changed our dresses when we came home from school and put on playclothes.
I wore her hand-me-downs since she was 3 years older.

We used to lie on our stomachs with the radio on to do our homework. It was such a natural position for us.

I can still smell the musty smell on trains from the upholstered seats.

Comfortable...but smelly! I can still see the conductor with his gold buttons on his vest and jacket.

Wonder why they always made men's suits with vests. Most men never wore them.

What makes these thoughts clutter my brain at this time in my life...I haven't the faintest....

Licking the batter!!!!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Licking the batter!!!!

As long as there have been mixers, and even before, with hand beaters, children took great pleasure in licking the beater.

I also enjoyed it when Jeff licked the beaters because I knew it was good. He would stand waiting for it to be done...so he could lick.

Now..today...do children still do this. We're told uncooked eggs can cause salmonella poisoning. 

Did the scientists that watch over us take that away from our children today...the delight of licking the beaters.

I did it when I was a child...and I can just see the pleasure on my Mother's face. She gave one beater to me and one to my sister.

No one ever got sick from this tongue exercise!

What a pleasurable memory!

The tree in my backyard!

 

Musings on a dreary day in hurricane season! She sits just like a guest in her own home! 


Should be cleaning or straightening up drawers or doing paperwork,

Doing busy stuff.

She can't make up her own mind whether she's just disorganized or plain old-fashioned lazy!

In a portion of her huge bedroom, that also serves as her den, a recliner awaits her elderly body, like an eager loving mother, with both arms extended, inviting her to recline, rock or sit.

She has choices! Once this decision is made.., read a book, turn on tv or fool around with her computer... .another option is open to her... just looking out the window and viewing what the wind gusts are doing to her world. She is drawn to the latter..

Her windows, three glass panes that could bear a washing , reveal a very large tree, probably in the neighborhood Joyce Kilmer had in mind, when he wrote his famous poem, turned song. 

Although she lives in High Point, Florida now the day seems 'northerly'... bearing no usual sunshine The branches lush with leaves, but ready to let go, shed green and brown flakes snowlike, reminding her of another time and another place, blowing without direction around her sky.

The wind has taken on a life of its own now shaking all this majesty to the waiting green sandy earth below. blanketing a patch for the crawling red ants to settle, tiny salamanders bearing resemblence to huge dinosaurs of a zillion years ago when the world was young, and all the other critters that travel about. Each busy with whatever naure intended.

The only thing standing staunch and straight is the tree trunk itself, letting the branches know that it's in total control. The weatherbeaten bark showing the wear and tear of its enviroment `is displaying imperfections of algae and age In its imperfections-- there is beauty.

For the 19 years of watching this window scene, never once has she stepped foot to venture out in her backyard. And even though her spiritual philosopy is to "live and let live", she is deadly afraid of ants, snakes and wasps.

During all this activity, the birds sense change and they also flutter here and there, sometimes landing on the window sill where they peck at their own reflection. Her specially- treated windows only reveal what is happening outside.

Inside not a critter can spy on her.

As she still watches all this drama
unfold, she glimses a furry squirrel scurrying up and down the tree, defying all the laws of gravity.

A wristwatch glance makes her aware that she has spent three quarters of an hour, just "looking". And while all this entertainment has been taken place she realizes that she has been "thinking".

The thoughts have run so randomly that it's hard confirming what she was even day dreaming about. Was it the past! Was it the future...or just being, in the here and now.

It doesn't matter al all . Fact is she's found contentment within herself.

She thanks G-d for her Abundance and knows that she has been blessed in life.

At this particular moment...all is well! 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This was written a few years ago. Today, however, Cornelius and Joseph came with their cart and a big long tree trimmer and cut off the branch facing my bedroom window...so if we should get a hurricane...it won't come crashing against my window.

The board acted very promptly when I made known about the branch..that was almost like an offspring of the tree.
-----------------------------------

The old carpet beater!

Thoughts from Hilda

These are my thoughts, during average days of my life. They're probably not of any interest to anyone other than my dear friends, my children, my nephews, grandnephews, and other people who have passed through my life.

Monday, September 24, 2007

The old carpet beater!

It was a family affair! A carpet was put over the clothes line and all the members of the family, little ones too, took turns beating the rug.

This was when I was a young child. I wonder how many people remember this. Then wall to wall carpeting came into style and rugbeating was an art of the past.

Also just plain hardwood floors were fashionable. Tiling hadn't been a thing of beauty then. It was reserved only for kitchens and bathrooms..and it was called linoleum.

What a long way we've come. When I was first married a guy came to the door selling Electrolux sweepers. I said I had only bare hardwood floors. He came in and ran his wand up and down my drapes...and into the speaker of my stereo system...and the junk that came out made me buy it. When my husband Allen came home, he thought I was crazy for buying a carpet sweeper without any carpets.

Maybe that's when I got the nickname 'dingbat'...long before Archie Bunker used it.

Anyway...housekeeping is a breeze today...especially in Florida!

taxes

Something that's been bothering me for a long time...and I don't know the answer.

Every year when I renew my property tax insurance, I have to make out the check to Anne Gannon.   Now it seems to me I should just write the insurance to tax collector...but not to someone's name.

I've lived here for 22 years and in all that time this has troubled me.   And so now...I'm finally addressing this issue.

Wonder how I can figure out this answer??????

When I pay my IRS check, I don't mail it to President Obama...or any one person in the treasury department.

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Ruth Fagan	Apr 2 (2 days ago)
to me

 

Yes, I read your blog on taxes.  I never thought about it before.  Does she have to endorse her name on each check?  Too much to think about. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -

The Menu

How I detest a menu!  Definitely not the kind you are handed in a restaurant....but the menu on a telephone.

Press 1 if you wish to speak English.
Press 2 for Spanish
Press 3 if you ... whatever
Press 4 if you're not getting anywhere...and then an operator will come on and make you feel like you aren't able to handle the former steps.

Please, my readers, if you feel this way...let me know and I won't feel so....so like I don't get it.

I like a good old fashioned voice, speaking in a kindly voice, letting me tell my story to ... so that she's able to assist.

Maybe I was just born in the wrong century.   I was discussing this with my cousin Davi...and she agreed completely.    And maybe ...this would employ another person on a payroll, rather than a computer.

Everytime I mess up!

 Hi my sweet readers.  This is Virginia, my friend, neighbor, and fixer of all my problems.

I explain to V just how I messed up...she studies the  situation ... and makes some phone calls...studies the problem in her mind again....and she achieves peace of mind for me.

Thanks, my dear dear friend!  No I'm not going to divulge how I mishandled something.   I'm just going to add that Virginia gave me strict orders...not to let any salesperson in my front door that wasn't invited by me.

This episode makes me appear to be an idiot...but I'm really not...just very naïve...that's why Virginia was sent to live next door to me.

Hello YOU!

Why my evening was sensational yesterday....I was 'Skyped'...and it was the 4 day old Shane, my great grand nephew.  He was sleeping of course...BUT I SAW HIM! 

What a miracle thing this Skype is...I not only saw my precious newborn...but I visited with his mom and dad...and Paul and Barbara, his grandparents.

My Father's name was Sam...and Shane is named for him.

The Walter middle name is Barbara's father...and the beat goes on.

As the song goes...I took one look at him...that's all I had to do....and then my heart stood still.  I fell in love with this new little infant in this gigantic universe.   He's ours!   He has our DNA....he's our new little baby.

Thank you, God!