883.

Hello, hello, hello folks!

I know, I know!

I'm late. Please forgive me. Life has been busy as all get out. Seriously.

Before I divulge the details of what I've been doing these past two months, let me first offer prayers for comfort and healing for everyone in the Bahamas (and other locales) who have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

My prayers as well for those who are in Dorian's path. Ideally he will head back to sea and die there.

The destructive power of these weather events seems to be increasing with each episode. God only knows what's coming next. 😩

🌸 🌸 🌸

So what have you been up to?

I have been quite the socialite lately. 💄💅👠💃

In the past week, I've been to three birthday celebrations. 🎂 🎈🎁🍹

One was a dinner party for a neighbor's daughter. The other was a girls' night out/birthday celebration for the founder of a group I'm a member of. The third celebration was for my birthday.

🍴The dinner party was at a nearby restaurant. We were a boisterous group of (maybe) 10. Most folks ordered lobster. (Which I wanted also but decided not to order.) I choose three delicious sides for my meal: a baked sweet potato, mac and cheese, and steamed asparagus.

The birthday girl got a free sundae from the restaurant and her mom had a beautiful cake for her. The cake was good but not as good as it looked like it would be. (They said it was "homemade" but you couldn't tell by looking at it. It was as professionally ornate as any cake I've seen in a bakery showcase. And it was tasty. Just not as spectacular-tasting as I expected based on a similarly gorgeous cake I ate in a previous life. So I take nothing from the baker. It was just me reminiscing.)

👯 Our girls' night out birthday party was at the home of a group member. She was a fantastic hostess and the evening was so much fun that we were there for six hours eating, drinking, laughing, dancing, talking...

We're supposed to make it a regular thing for monthly birthdays, much like the other group I belonged to when I was friends with Miz A.

🍔 My birthday celebration was a belated one. My friend L told me a while ago that she wanted to treat me to a meal for my birthday. I'd forgotten but she remembered. 😊 We met for a long lunch last Friday. I love hanging out with her and we just don't do it often enough. We met through our children (my daughter and her granddaughter have been friends since grade school) and L and her family have become family over time.💗

🌸 🌸 🌸

Today a neighbor invited me to lunch. He's a nice gentleman. Older. Like, my dad's age. We have interesting visits when we run into each other in the neighborhood.

We usually sit out in the community rocking chairs and chat. Sometimes it's just us. Sometimes there are other neighbors too.

His lunch invite was impromptu but I suspect he's been holding it for a while. We ate at a restaurant in the area, one I'd been wanting to try after hearing so many good reviews. The food was so-so. Not what I expected based on the reviews. *shrug*

Perhaps a different menu item will be better on my next visit. Or a different chef or a different time of day. I'm willing to give it another shot. 😋

My neighbor mentioned several times how glad he was to be out and about today because home was boring. He once lived in one of the Biggest Big Cities on the east coast and he misses it. I think it got too expensive up there. He has family in this area and he was born and raised in a city about two hours away.

I felt a little sad when he began telling me how his family comes to visit sparingly, to take him to appointments and run errands, dropping him off and leaving right after. I really want his family to pay more attention because I noticed that he's showing signs of cognitive decline and his vision is off as well.

He asked me the same questions several times, he asked me to read the menu to him, and he had a time managing his food and drink. 😩

These kinds of situations give me anxiety. I don't know his family and I'm not sure how they might react to this kind of information coming from a stranger. 😕 My prayer is that my neighbor's situation is resolved with the best outcome for all involved. Amen.

🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news, Baby Bliss has enrolled in college. Physics. I'm awed. She is exceptionally bright, that one. Apparently to a degree I didn't understand.

Before she started class (and a new job), she took a cross-country trip 🚘 to the Rocky Mountains 🌄⛰with some friends. They had an amazing time, so said Baby Bliss. She kept in touch the whole way, texting photos and tidbits about everything fantastic on their journey.

Can I tell y'all how thankful I am for the wondrous technology that allows us to keep in (almost) constant contact with our babies even when they're on the other side of the country? 💕

🌸 🌸 🌸

Several weeks ago, the aunties and I converged upon grandma's house, to see to some electrical work that needed doing. We didn't do it, just watched and waited. The electrician was a family friend, and yes, a real electrician. He and his wife came to do the job. She was cool.

After the work was done, grandma and the aunties got into my car and I drove around the corner to Baby Auntie's community pool for the annual community yard sale/shindig. We grabbed vittles from a couple of food trucks and noshed at a picnic table under a shade tree.

🌸 🌸 🌸

On August 7, like folks nationwide, I attended National Night Out. Ours was at the park up the street. Seemed like the whole town turned out to meet and greet with our law enforcement and other first responders.

There was all kinds of food, drinks, treats, raffle prizes, and more. Many of my neighbors were there. We had a rip-roaring time of it. I even won a prize. 🎉🎉🎉

🌸 🌸 🌸

The first Saturday in August found a neighbor and I at a huge rummage sale at a church several exits north of us. We literally shopped until we dropped. And I only dropped because some of my things were heavy. (Books.)

I found some incredible deals, the most notable being a large soft-sided piece of luggage for $1. My favorite purchase was a laptop bag for $1. It's light blue and black, with short handles and a long strap, padded, and it has an outside pocket. It also looks brand new and is much nicer than a similar bag I bought at a store for $10 in June. 😭

Some things I bought were for grandma: a scarf that reminded me of a blouse she used to have; a white sleeveless cotton button-front blouse that reminded me of blouses she wore when I was young; a lace-covered ivory camisole in a nicely-weighted fabric that feels like butter.

I also bought a few purses ($1 each) and more (exquisite!) scarves for 50 cents each. There was a lovely set of burgundy pillowcases as well. (Along with a set of sheets, the pillowcases went to a neighbor who was settling into a new space with no time to do laundry.)

Thank God for the giant blue IKEA bag stashed in my trunk. It came in handy for dragging my haul inside.

🌸 🌸 🌸

Looks like this post has gotten long enough, yes? Well then, July shall have its own dispatch.

Please follow me... 🦶🏽

863.

Hello and Happy Happy Sunday y'all!

Daddy and I have had an eventful weekend.

Friday night, we stayed up late to watch "Deja Vu". I had seen the movie several times but daddy saw it for the first time. It's one of my favorite thrillers and daddy liked it too.

I remember my first time seeing it. Not the date i saw it but my reaction to it. I'd been seeing previews and hearing about the movie but I resisted seeing it because I assumed I knew what it was about and I thought it would be boring. The same way I'd done with LOTR.

Silly me. 🤪

I thought it was just some kinda regular ole Denzel romantic thriller. To my surprise and delight, it was much more complex than that.

Just another lesson in not rushing to judgment. Which is totally different from following one's intuition. 😌

🌸 🌸 🌸

Although we were up late Friday night, when we got up Saturday morning, daddy and I decided to head to the mountains. Previously we'd said we would go this coming Friday but Saturday morning just felt like a day to head for the hills. ⛰

Daddy said he wanted to go but he was moving very slowly, lollygagging on his bed instead of getting it in gear. 😆 I had to remind him that the ride was two hours and we needed to hustle a bit so we could get to our destination before noon.

We actually made it to the car a half hour earlier than expected but I had to come back for a few things I'd forgotten. 🙃 (I really must create more lists and alarms. It's become the only way I can be sure I'll remember everything. Almost everything...)

The weather was beautiful. Cold but sunny. We were bundled up just enough but the wind was nippier than expected. I could have used a pair of gloves earlier in the day.

We didn't have a set schedule but I knew where I wanted us to go. We hit every spot and in just the right order too.

First I took daddy to see a beautiful college campus I visit when ever I'm up that way. It has a nice lake area and daddy loves water. Everyone was nice and helpful, telling us the best place to park and offering to help daddy up the short set of (steep-ish) stairs.

Next was lunch at my favorite BBQ joint. Wouldn't you know it, daddy had fish.  🐟🐠🐟 At the BBQ joint. I didn't even know they sold fish. 👀

We then went to one of my favorite thrift stores. Even though I don't always find things to buy there (I did in June) it's always an interesting place to browse. I thought it would be crowded because it was the weekend. Surprisingly, it wasn't.

Daddy liked the shop too. He found lots of interesting things to look at and he seemed very comfortable there.

The store only takes cash, which I had forgotten. I also forgot to get cash but thankfully I had about $40 in my wallet. We left with a pair of pants and a couple of shirts for daddy, a re-usable shopping bag for Baby Bliss, and a cone of some cool-looking yarn for me. (Which is now double-bagged in my freezer, in case there are any critters lurking in its darkest recesses.)

We headed for the next thrift store (Goodwill) but made a pit stop first at my favorite independent grocery store. They always have deep discounts on healthy (and sometimes international) goodies that are sky high everywhere else. Sometimes it's because the expiration dates have come and gone so one must pay close attention.

Daddy wandered around the store which was cool because I like him to feel that he doesn't have to be within my grasp at all times.

What I didn't know until later was that he was in search of junk food. He brought an iced pastry to me and asked if he could have it. I told him no but I would find him a healthy snack. He said a curt "okay" then tossed the pastry on the nearest shelf. 😯

Well okay Mr. Shade Thrower. 😑

I spent quite a bit of moola in that store, as I always do when I shop there. Some things were for Baby Bliss and her significant other, as we were stopping at their estate on the way home. (It's on the route.)

Goodwill was our last stop.

The store is new and it's big. Initially daddy seemed reluctant to venture off on his own. Possibly because the store was bustling with other shoppers and he was maneuvering with his walker. He tagged along behind me briefly then I lost sight of him.

Eventually we both ended up in the men's section.

We left with a whole lotta stuff. For me: two summer dresses, a bunch of books, a beautiful drinking glass that matches one I already have (and possibly got at that store), two small framed summery art pieces for my office. For Baby Bliss: a black purse, a set of cut crystal wine glasses, a beautiful book about cats, a set of mirrored Asian art pieces for her s.o.  For daddy: a pair of pants, a sweater, a couple of shirts, a piece of art for his bedroom wall.

An hour later we were crossing the moat at Baby Bliss's home.

(Seriously, there's a moat.)

As we drove up the hill to their driveway, I could hear the dogs barking. They were so excited to have company that we had to wait for their parents to reign them in so I could park safely.

As soon as I opened my door, their newest baby (a boy named Blue) put his head in my lap and looked up at me with puppy dog eyes. Such a sweetheart. You would never believe what I've heard about how he's torn up the house every day since he's been there. 😂😇😈

I got out and Blue jumped in to greet daddy.

A dog with his butt in my seat. 😩🙈

Our visit was short but pleasant. The house is huge. And cold. They have that youthful blood so I guess heat isn't a priority.

(Side note: As a mommy, I am a bit worried that they're not prepared for winter. It was already cold and that area gets real snow. I've been texting them daily, asking if they have shovels, salt, a generator, and other winter necessities. Better to get those things early and not get caught in a mad rush at the last minute.)

The kids are friendly with the long-term neighbors and on close terms with one of them so that's good. I need to tell Baby Bliss to give that neighbor my number and give her's to me.

We saw the neighbor's horses while we were there. 🐎

Gorgeous creatures. Social, intelligent, graceful.

One came over to the fence to seemingly converse with the dogs. I don't know what was conveyed but it must have been good.

The dogs began to run the length of the fence in the direction the horse came from. I was amazed to see the horse take off right behind them, on his/her side of the fence. The dogs came running back and about a minute later, three more horses 🐎🐎🐎 came to the same spot at the fence to talk about... us?

Maybe. 😉

The first horse hung back a ways, seeming to let the newly-arrived have their time with the dogs. A few minutes later, the three galloped over to the first horse and they all ran off to the part of the pasture that runs behind the house where we could no longer see them.

Fascinating and very moving. I'd only seen such on telly or in movies prior to last night.

It was close to dinner time when we were about 30 minutes from home. When we got closer to home, we stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Both daddy and I had a taste for fried chicken, which I've had at Cracker Barrel before and it was quite tasty. 🍗

Must have been a good cook that day.

When our chicken arrived, there was so much breading on it, I was reminded of armor. 😰 It made the chicken appear almost twice its normal size. Whyyyyyyy? Just a waste of good chicken.

It's bad enough that Cracker Barrel has only been selling the fried chicken for a short time. Now I will never feel comfortable ordering it again. 😭

And the dinner is four pieces of chicken which is half a chicken, right? No way to order just two pieces. 😒 I guess we could have ordered one dinner and one of us ordered extra sides. But who would have gotten which pieces? 😩

Maybe God was telling me/us that if we want fried chicken, I need to learn to cook it at home. If I do, it will be the oven-fried chicken that Baby Bliss used to make. It was delicious and it was easier and safer to cook it in the oven.

I do not like grease popping in my kitchen. Doesn't matter who's cooking.

🌸 🌸 🌸

In the last bit of news for this entry, I talked to my friend Saturday morning.

We talked for 30 minutes, while I did my morning chores and waited for daddy to get up.

The first few words of our conversation were surprising in a pleasant way. Then it became pleasantly funny.

We rang off with each of us reminding the other to be safe in our travels.

A great start to a fantastic day. 😊

And now my good people, I bid y'all good night. Time for 🛌. I'm beat.

Sweet dreams folks. 😴

825.

How-do folks?

It's early Thursday morning in my spot on the globe. Lately I've been up until the WEE wee hours, nodding off around 4 a.m. and sometimes 5 a.m. (Is that news to anyone? Probably not.)

I'm usually up by 10 or 10:30 a.m., which gives me five to six hours of sleep per 24-hour cycle. I find myself getting sleepy around 5 or 6 p.m. but I fight it because taking naps is a habit I try to avoid. Occasionally -- rarely -- I give in.

Later today might be one of those days but I can't say for sure as I'm currently tired but not truly sleepy.

Wednesday was a busy day spent with one of my neighbors.

We started with me taking her to a doctor's appointment. (Lucky me, I scored a free blood glucose meter in the pharmacy. 👍 I've been wanting one for a while, so I can test periodically. Go here 548. for why.)

Our next stop was Target, to return an item I bought earlier this week and do a bit of shopping.

My neighbor and I got separated in the store and after I walked the aisles for maybe a half hour searching for her, I purchased my sweet potatoes then went over to sit in the cafe to wait for her.

After I'd sat there longer than I was comfortable with, I went to customer service to have her paged. Another five minutes and I see her making her way to the closest self-checkout.

(Where I was happily chatting with M, a fella who works one of the registers in customer service and who I see occasionally at the store. It's hard to say how old he is -- my guess is late 50s to mid 60s. M  has the manners of a courtly gentleman. He's always polite and gives me nice compliments but never crosses the line into "flirty". He is the only person I consistently recognize at the store and I'm there several times a month. No wondering why, right?)

By the time we left Target it was after three and I was getting hangry. 😠🍐🍗🍚🍤🍹 My neighbor said she'd treat me to lunch (for taking her to her appointment) and I needed that food.

Originally we were gonna have lunch at a new place we found the last time we hung out. But it was rush hour and I didn't want to fight the horrible traffic that would be waiting when we finished eating.

Finally we decided on a restaurant halfway between where we'd left and where we were headed.

Lunch was relaxed, leisurely. We shared good conversation and laughter. It's so nice to be able to take one's time when eating a meal with friends, family.

With lunch under our belts, we made a bee line for the nearest dollar store where I grossly overspent. I literally went in for two or three items and came out with several bags. 👀

News flash:

I'm going to a party Saturday! Guests were asked to bring food, drinks, or give a small donation upon arrival. I bought fixings for tuna salad then realized shortly after I got home that tuna is probably not a good snack for a party.

Certainly I don't want anyone breathing fish breath in my face, a thought that eluded me while I was filling my shopping cart (known in these parts as a "buggy").

My neighbor will need to make a drugstore run later today to get her prescription and though there is rain in the forecast (I don't like driving in the rain), I told her I'd give her a ride. It won't do to have her walking in the rain even if it's only a drizzle.

I'll make a grocery store run while I'm out with her because I've decided to make a simple pasta salad for the party. I need a few ingredients absent from my cupboards: black olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

My preferred pasta salad has no tomatoes which and does taste better if there is tuna in the mix but (for reasons mentioned above) there will be no tuna in this salad. The tomatoes go in to benefit the others which is okay with me. I'll be sure not to put any on my plate. Hopefully the black olives will be a good substitute for the missing tuna.

It's likely I'll buy juice too because I don't drink alcohol and although there might be lots of non-alcoholic beverages on hand, it's not nice to count on others to have my favorite drink(s) lolling about.

Small price to pay for the hosts agreeing to host. All the preparation that goes into making one's home hospitable then in addition to the fun guests you get uninvited guests, messy guests, guests who don't know when to leave, guests who get pissy drunk... 👿

We hosted many events at our home up north. Baby Bliss's birthday parties, a birthday party for my grandma, folks over for dinner or just to hang out... Some events were family, some were friends,  some were both.

No matter how much fun was had, the best thing for my nerves was having the party elsewhere.  😌

Seems like it's been ages since I've been to a house party and I'm looking forward to this one. It's possible I'll spend the night because the shindig is an hour from me. An hour's drive isn't awful but by the time the event ends, I might be exhausted. 😩

As I am now.

Time for snoring.

Je m'en vais y'all! 💋

781.

Happy, happy Wednesday y'all!

I hope everyone is healthy and safe today.

My day began early. Very early.

My eyes opened around 6:30 a.m. 👀 I tried to return to sleep but it didn't happen.

Ahhh well... There were some urgent items on my to-do list so I began my day around 8.

By 9:30 I was ready to run errands. The weather was lovely (sunny, slightly breezy, barely warm) so I decided to walk.

When I arrived at the post office, the weather had begun to heat up and it was very warm inside the post office. Not stifling but I knew it would be if they didn't get the air cranked up soon.

Next I stopped at the local market for plantain chips. I left with the chips, kale, mac and cheese (already cooked), a sweet potato, Meyer lemons, 💕 sweet almond oil, arnica, and my favorite body oil (Vanilla Musk by Kuumba Made).

Definitely more than I intended to buy but I need to eat and drink today and tomorrow, my arnica stash needed replenishing, and the previous vial I'd bought of Vanilla Musk has gone missing.

The sweet almond oil was more of an impulse buy but it won't go to waste.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Mr. Skittish has called me twice today, the first time to check on me (he knows I broke up with the ex-paramour) and the second time to issue a directive about my upcoming visit with the Hunk.

He also told me I need to come visit him this summer so we can hang out and do fun things together. We haven't had a visit since our little New Year's party so probably.

Although he and I met on a dating site, he's become a loyal friend and more like a brother. He and I have discussed the fact that he's not really ready to date although he does want a companion. I guess I'm his stand-in when he gets to feeling too lonely.

I think most of us desire a romantic partner of some sort and I believe Mr. Skittish will be a devoted significant other to someone when he's ready, whenever that may be.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news, the Hunk and I texted and talked this morning as I ran my errands and returned home.

Nothing earth-shattering. Just every day stuff and more about planned activities for my visit.

Which reminds me that I need to create my packing list so I can begin gathering my clothes and other accoutrement.

But right now I feel a long nod coming around the bend.

Nap time.

Gotta turn off the pot on the stove first.

More later folks.

760.

Baby Bliss and I had a pleasant excursion to the Big City. We hit the mall, not to browse or shop extensively, only to go to Dillard's so that I might try the two makeup brands I was interested in.

Well wouldn't ya know it, I purchased neither brand. The lady working the counter(s) turned me on to a totally different line of cosmetics. It's a brand that's been around for decades but I'd never tried it.

She was able to match a foundation to my skin almost perfectly. After my mini makeover, I was sold on the shade.

The lipstick, I had to say no to. Although the saleslady liked it, it was an orange-ish shade of red that does not agree with my undertones. Thankfully I already own a tube of lipstick that's the perfect shade of red for me. It's inexpensive too. (Just saying. For when I run out.)

After my transformation, Baby Bliss and I ate lunch in the food court then returned to the other side of the mall in search of my car.

(Having had a lot of trouble in the past with makeup looking good in the store and horrible elsewhere, I was happy when I hit the sunshine and my face looked as good as it had inside the building.)

Automobile located, our next stop was Target for a few makeup staples that were expensive in Dillards and reasonable in Target. They work just as well at Target's price point as they do at Dillard's markups so I'll keep my extra cash, thanks.

Finally we headed home, making a pit stop at the post office and Dollar Tree along the way.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Okay folks, I'm sure some of y'all think I'm exaggerating about this Mercury retrograde and the ex-men, but I swear it's all true.

If you didn't read the previous post (759), please do so now.

I'm kidding. You don't really have to read it but if you do you'll see that including the call I'm about to detail, I received six (6!) calls from exes on Monday.

My phone rang as soon as Baby Bliss and I pulled into a parking space at the mall. The caller id said "NoName" but the call rang through any way.

What?  😮

Why?!  😧

Anyone with that moniker should have been on the "reject call" list.

I asked Baby Bliss to take the call in Swedish. She obliged. Who ever he was, here's to hoping he doesn't call again. If he does, he's going straight to voicemail because he is now a member of the "reject call" collective.

Speaking of rejected calls, I've been ignoring the Sandman's persistent ring for long enough.

Good night folks.

759.

Mercury, Mercury, Mercury...  😁😂😶

This is the post-shadow phase of the retrograde. (See here for explanation: 2017 Mercury Retrograde Calendar.)

Maybe it's because this retrograde is in Taurus but it seems like the most stubborn retrograde I can recall.

This morning, when I checked my call log, there were four (4!) calls from the most persistent ex I've ever dated. I say "persistent" because he's the one who I haven't (voluntarily) talked to in the longest amount of time and he's the one who continues to call despite that fact.

I've mentioned this ex more than any other ex so my frequent readers probably know who I'm referring to. But I'm not linking to any more posts about him. I feel like I'm drawing him to me.

Only he and God know why he never leaves a voicemail. It's obvious he wants to talk to me because he's literally been calling me for years and other than a few accidental incidents of me answering, his call go straight to my voicemail.

Leos! 😫

A few minutes ago I also saw a call from a number I don't remember, but the number is on the reject call list as indicated by an "A" in a red circle with a red diagonal line. And as we know, about 99% of the numbers on the list are those of exes.

Ahhhh well... It's time to get the daughter for our afternoon shopping spree. 👗 👡 💄 🍧

Toodles y'all! 

758.

There was no trip to the Big City yesterday. I decided to wait until Monday so that Baby Bliss, makeup artist extraordinaire, might accompany me.

I want to try new foundation for the party. Estée Lauder is what the daughter recommends and I've read great reviews about Fashion Fair. Dillard's has both so that's where we will go.

We'll probably have lunch while we're out.

And I might make a side trip to the mega beauty supply store, to buy more hair accessories.

I'm really excited about going home for the party. It's been a while since I've been to a party at my sister B's and she gives really good parties.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news of the day, Mr. Paramour and I had a date earlier.  😍

A lot of discussion about something we didn't quite agree on and other topics. 

What we did agree on, tentatively: the wedding will be in Vegas. 😉

Stay tuned folks.

743.

How-do y'all?

I hope everyone does just fine.

Once again, I'm tired. Not as much as last night but I'm getting there.

Earlier this evening, I had another date with my paramour. 😁

It was short: dinner at one of the nicer chain restaurants down in the Big City.

Actually he had dinner and I nibbled from his plate because Baby Bliss and I had a late lunch today.

Still, it was nice to spend some time with him. We're supposed to meet again later this week.

On my way home I stopped at Walmart for windshield wiper fluid. About an hour later (because I was talking with one of my sisters as I walked the store), I got in line with: the wiper fluid, a lacy black bra, a black shirt, my coveted Kevita Mojita Lime Mint, my 200th pair of black flip flops, and a car deodorizer.

The guy two people ahead of me in line seemed to be having a bit of trouble with his transaction, thus holding up the line.

Ah well...

It gave me time to decide I didn't want the black shirt. If I had known how chemically stinky-smelling the car deodorizer was, I would have left that too. It shall be returned when I make my supermarket run.

Yesterday I did laundry and wouldn't you know, I'm doing laundry again. How two additional loads of dirty laundry amassed when my back was turned is beyond me. I swear there are dirty-laundry sprites about. Either they have a hidden residence here or they visit from some place unknown.

Either way, they make extra work for me.  😒 Shame on them!

Okay folks, I'm off to finish the laundry before I go to sleep.

Sweet dreams y'all. 💤💤💤

725.

Good evening folks. I hope everyone is doing well.

I am and I'm thankful.

Yesterday's (Thursday's) date was pleasant.

We had lunch at a popular venue in the Big City. After lunch, we walked the mall and window shopped. Next he took me to run a few errands. I was able to get the eggs I forgot the other day as well as some needed storage items. There was also a visit to the hardware store for a filter for my shower head.

All in all, a good day. 😁

Amen.

724.

Oh my goodness y'all!

I just saw Detective Ed Green take one to the chest on Law & Order's Tombstone episode.

It was so shocking (but not totally unexpected) that I let out an expletive and screamed. I literally had to put my hand over my mouth because my windows are open.

Yes, it was a repeat but an episode I'd never seen before.

I was so freaked that I had to do some research because I thought he was gonna die and my heart couldn't take it.

Thankfully (even though the series ended years ago), I learned that the actor (Jesse L. Martin) just needed some time off to do something else.

Why did they scare me like that?  😩

It's bad enough Lenny Briscoe retired recently. Now this. 😞

Oh well... It's the next episode and Fontana already has a new partner.

So on to real life events.  😁

I had a really good day today and I'm thankful. 🎉🎉🎉

The one smelly was not being able to remember my dreams when I woke up but que sera, sera y'all.

After I awoke and collected myself sufficiently enough, I hit the streets.

My first stop was TJMaxx, to return one of the items I bought last week. Next was Dollar Tree, to find seatbelt covers (none) and metal file holders (because there was a video on Facebook... but none were found).

WalMart was third on my list. I wanted Meyer lemons, which were there but they were all covered in a weird white residue and every bag had at least one lemon that was too soft.  😞

No worries. I bought two regular lemons, a pair of black Capri pants, kale, four bottles of my favorite Kevita flavor, two eight-quart bags of potting mix, one window planter, oranges, bananas, one sweet potato.

Grrr! I forgot eggs.  😭  No deviled eggs until I buy a dozen.

Big Lots was also on my list for returns.

My final stop was Aldi.

Yes, I was there last week. Today I bought stuff I didn't get last week: salsa, blue corn chips, tuna (pole-fished skipjack), and probably something else I don't recall at the moment.

Everything fit in one bag today.

I hightailed it home on the rush hour-packed highway (just a few exits) so Baby Bliss could help me unload the car before she headed back to work for her second shift.

And now, there's Dating News.

As in, I have a date Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. It's the same guy from Sunday. We've talked and texted many times since then and today (Wednesday, so actually it was yesterday in this time zone) he invited me to lunch.

Cool.

So I'm off to bed because I don't want to be late and I'm sleepy.

Sweet dreams everyone.  💋

722.

Good afternoon and Happy Saturday y'all.

Power to the people! ✊🏽✊🏿✊🏻✊

I'm thankful to be in a jolly mood today. No tears yet.

Today is a busy day for me: re-packaging the meats for the freezer, laundry, filing, a bit of cleaning, taking out the trash, tightening my locs...

Yesterday was busy too. I did about a month's worth of shopping in a few days: my local healthy goods store, Aldi, TJMaxx, Ross, Dollar Tree, lunch at Chipotle.

I spent a couple of hundred bucks, excluding lunch. Most of it was spent on groceries; some was spent on one small gift for each of my grand dogs.

The babies: one girl (top) and one boy (bottom).

I no longer like pets in my living space because fur, parasites, fleas, vet visits, cleaning up the poop of another living being... No thank you.

Growing up and into my early 20s, I had cats. I adored them; they loved me too, in their own way. (You cat people out there know what I mean.)

But once Baby Bliss was born, I lost the desire to have breathing balls of fluff laying about the house.

Call me a bad parent if you must but the only pet Baby Bliss ever had was a tetra named Sylvia. Sylvia lasted a few weeks with us. She died because Mr. Bliss kept turning the heat down despite it being a cold winter and me telling him the living room was too cold at night for Sylvia

Ah well...

However I did allow Baby Bliss to pet sit one weekend, to earn a Girl Scout badge. She was also allowed to pet sit for family friends at their homes, under my supervision. We also have family members with pets and she's spent lots of time with those critters as well.

So yes, a well-rounded childhood.

Any who, the real reason for this post has yet to be divulged.

Let me get to it.

This morning's last dream featured the author John Grisham. (Click the hyperlink if you aren't familiar with his work.)

He had come to visit at my friend's house. I don't know why.

(The friend in the dream is a former friend in waking life. She and I were friends from ninth grade until we parted company around age 33. The details of said parting are not to be divulged at the present moment.

In addition, why was it John Grisham and not Stephen King? I've read a Grisham or two in my life. I was even an extra in one of the movies made from one of his books. But King is one of my favorite writers. If we look at it in terms of how much of his writing I've read, King is my favorite author.

Grisham, who I've never met in person, didn't look like his photos at all. I guess he was the dream Grisham so what he looked like probably doesn't matter. And maybe he was just there as a representative of writing itself.

Okay so I'll take it that Grisham was the latter. Maybe Stephen King would have been too much for me, even in a dream. Yeah...)

So Mr. Grisham was at her house as was I. The exact wording of our conversation escapes me but I recall him offering to read some of my work and encouraging me to write more.

When I awoke, I had a renewed sense of purpose and I'm thankful.

I was starting to feel ambivalent about my writing. Not the aspect of it that I do for clients. Rather the writing that I'm supposed to be getting (back) to, with the goal of getting it out to the world via one or two online portals that will allow me to do so.

Other than this one of course.

Not that I don't appreciate the audience I have here. I do, I do!

I appreciate how each and every one of you takes time from your schedule to drop in here and have a read. Even if you don't comment, keep coming back. Hopefully there's something here that you find useful or entertaining.

What ever the reason, don't stop.

And when I get settled at one or two of those other places, I hope you will all join me.

Stay tuned for the invite.

Well folks, I hate to leave y'all but I'm hungry.

Gotta eat!

Toodles.

p.s. 

708.2

Hello everyone.

My Monday turned out to be busier than I expected and happily so.

After taking Baby Bliss to work, I drove to our local healthy foods store to find it had been remodeled since my last visit. I was floored. The appeal to the staff was understandable but my sense of aesthetics was offended.

In addition to my general feeling of disconnect, I couldn't easily locate the organic apples I wanted to buy. Later I realized it wasn't a super urgent purchase because I don't have any yogurt or almond butter to eat with my apples.

Probably won't have either until Thursday earliest which means I should wait until next week to buy the apples. I already have a fridge half full of leftovers and I'm expecting a friend in town this weekend so it's not likely I'll be eating at home much from Friday until Sunday.

So yeah, I'm being allowed time to adjust.

Yeah...

When I returned home, I stopped in the parking lot to talk to a neighbor's mom and ended up spending a few hours with the woman. She is such a cool person to hang with. We talked and laughed, she shared crafting and DIY tips with me, and she really helped me by taking a huge load of yarn and fabric off my hands.

Our fun time ended because I thought I needed to get the daughter from work. Turned out to be a false alarm so I ran off to do a little personal shopping.

Yep, it was a good day and I'm thankful.

Amen!

On other fronts, I think it's time to do away with the suspense regarding the outcome of my most recent date.

Right?

Right!

So, back in his hotel room we ate and talked and laughed until I figured it was late enough for him to be ready to get ready for bed.

He walked me to my car, we hugged good night, and he kissed me on the forehead. (Awwww...) Then a little smooch on the lips. (*chuckle*)

I called him 10 minutes later to tell him I'd arrived home safely. We briefly discussed how much we'd enjoyed the day together and the possibility of breakfast together the next morning. He left it up in the air, saying he might be leaving early so I told him to call me to say goodbye before he left and I planned to sleep in on Sunday.

Around nine Sunday morning I got a call from Mr. Skittish, inviting me to breakfast. Although I was awake, I wasn't quite up and about, having planned the night before to sleep in.

I let him know I'd love to have breakfast with him but it would be almost an hour before I would be properly primped.

He agreed to wait.  (Of course he did.)

I met him at the hotel and he followed me to a local spot. There was more of a crowd than I expected but we were seated immediately.

Breakfast went well. Good food, good company, good conversation.

We held hands as we walked back to the parking lot. At my car, we hugged and kissed goodbye, he opened my door (every gentleman does), and we went our separate ways.

He called me after he'd been on the road for 30 minutes or so. We rehashed the weekend, laughed...

A few days later he asked when he would see me again. I told him I didn't know but we could try to work it into his schedule since he is a lot busier than I am.

Long story short, we couldn't make it happen.

Folks, this was not a match made in heaven or on earth.

Our schedules don't mesh and we live too far apart for it to not matter. Also, while he's a genuinely nice man who says he wants to be in a romantic relationship, he is definitely skittish about making a commitment. There are other detractions as well but those two are most important.

No worries people.

Y'all know how I roll.

Mr. Skittish and I are still friendly. We talk and text every day, some days more often than others. I understand that he's not what I want or need in the romance department but he's become a good friend and I wish him all the best as he moves forward.

As for me, I'm still single and I have a date tomorrow.

I have to run so more on that later... 

706.

How-do y'all.

Well, I'm happy to say it was a fun and funny day.

My date and I had a good ole time.

We attended a rollicking festival at a vineyard about 40 minutes from my home. It wasn't my first time so I knew it would be a blast, based on previous attendance.

The fete began at noon; we arrived at 20 after and found that available parking was already threatening to have us walking to the pavilion from the boondocks.

Judging from the number of vehicles, I expected us to have a hard time finding an open table. Oddly, there were several tables that appeared entirely empty. We chose two seats at one, dropped the cooler, the extra bag, and my jacket (to hold our seats) then galavanted off to greet other attendees and check out the vendors and food trucks.

We met one couple who I think we both enjoyed meeting more than anyone else we met.

They were Cynthia and Tom Wilson, vendors at the festival. Not only are they really cool people but  they have the awesome job of raising the much-loved alpacas that are part of their extended family.

Two of the alpacas, mommy Mocha and her baby Luna, were on-site. The others stayed home to keep the other farm family members minding their p's and q's.

Neither my date nor I had previously seen alpacas live and in person before today. We both fell in love with them. They are beautiful creatures, mostly gentle-natured but also high-spirited on occasion.

We asked a ton of questions and the Wilsons were kind enough to share the fascinating story of their alpacas with us.

If anyone is curious about the alpaca, Open Herd is Cynthia and Tom's website.

There were lots more vendors but only one other caught my eye long enough for me to stop.

A woman named Kristina Tomkie, who runs "my little design company", designs and creates greeting cards by hand.

Lovely little things they are.

As a creative spirit, I have an appreciation for the time and effort others put into their works of art. Not all of it is enticing enough to get me to open my wallet but greeting cards just happen to be my thing because I actually like sending actual cards via snail mail.

There's something delectable about receiving a card in the mail. Even if there's nothing handwritten in it other than a signature, I feel like someone was thinking about me for the amount of time it took him/her/them to buy and sign the card, address and stamp the envelope, mail the card, wait for me to acknowledge receipt.

Over time, I have amassed a collection of hundreds of greeting cards. Partly because I have a tendency to buy a card for a special occasion, bring it home, lose it, then return to the store to purchase another.

Sometime after mailing the subsequently purchased card, I find the first one et voila, an extra card for my collection.

Any who, while I can (and do) get greeting cards for cheap I don't mind paying a little extra from time to time for something original.

It satisfies my impulse to encourage other creative folk and I hope the recipient can see that I thought enough of him/her/them to send something different.

Without going further afield (because I'm nodding), if anyone wants to check out Kristina's cards they're here: My Little Design Company.

Okay y'all, I'm outta here.

Good night everyone.

Sweet dreams...

701.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

May all you love and cherish bring you joy and happiness for the duration!

In mundane news on my end:

That pesky sewing kit made its way into my awareness again.

Every other week or so I check Aldi's website, to see if any of my favorites (almond butter, organic fruit) are on sale.

Aldi also sells household items, a few toiletries, etc.

When I checked yesterday evening, there was a sewing kit in the specialty items being sold in that week's stash. (Their household merchandise rotates every week, beginning on Wednesday.)

Third time's the charm, right?

On a similar topic, last night's dream featured butter. I was helping a friend clean out her freezer so we could have room for more food (I was visiting for a few days). She didn't realize there was stuff hidden in the back of the freezer, under the freezer tray.

There were several small tubs of butter in the freezer. Some had to be tossed out because the tubs were open. At least one of the tubs had a few bugs crawling in it. (Yuck!)

Of course I checked my dream book soon after I awoke.

Butter:  A fortunate dream no matter what form it took. Even rancid butter signifies a secure future.

Bugs:  There is a warning in this dream against unfortunate influences around you, unless you succeeded in driving the bugs off or getting rid of them in some way, in which case it is a dream of contrary and signifies imminent money luck. See also Insects.

Well... The "secure future" remains to be seen, yes?

As for "imminent money luck", I'll keep y'all posted.

* * *

Today I ran a few errands after I dropped Baby Bliss at work.

At my favorite local thrift store, I found two sets of lovely pillow cases and a high thread count sheet for my bed. 

I also bought three books I hope to read in this lifetime: Jesus' Jewishness, The Universe in Miniature in Miniature, and The Way of the Pipe.

I really really really need to get back to reading from my own library so I can donate the books I don't want to keep. My bookcases are gasping for air.

With all my texting and reading online, I usually read printed books when I'm on the toilet or at the park. There was a time I carried paperbacks in my purse to pull out when caught in a long line at the store. These days I'm pulling out my phone to play my favorite game or check text messages.

This here technology sure does change a girl.

Any way, it's well past lunch time and I haven't had breakfast.

Time for some vittles!

Ciao folks!

689.

Hey folks.

Happy Friday!

This one will be short because I'm closing in on the tail of a project I need to get back to a client by 6 p.m., latest.

I love checking out the GroupOn website a few times a month. Lots of interesting stuff to look at and think about buying.

Occasionally I do buy stuff.

Usually discounts for food or events like the Steely Dan/Steve Winwood concert that Baby Bliss and I attended last month.

Several weeks ago I purchased discounts for our favorite local fro yo place as well as a set of six essential oils.

My family tends toward holistic/alternative healing modalities such as acupuncture, Reiki, homeopathy, essential oils (EOs), etc.

We don't partake instead of Western medicine, rather as an adjunct to, especially in cases of non-life threatening maladies.

For at least the past two decades, I've always kept a supply of essential oils in my home.

I've usually purchased them from "health food" stores or similar. My brands of choice were Aura Cacia and NOW.

GroupOn had a good deal on EOs by a brand I've never tried (or heard of) but I was willing, pending the outcome of satisfactory (and extensive) research.

The six EOs: eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, tea tree, orange, and peppermint. They are my staple oils, with the exception of orange and lemon.

And while I've bought lemon EO in the past 20 years, I've only bought it once. I've never bought the orange EO and have never used it.

The other four oils will be used for a variety of medicinal purposes. The citrus oils will mostly be used for cleaning purposes.

Here they are:

Alright folks, it's back to work for me.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.

664.

My date for last Sunday flaked out on me.

But it's cool. Although I was freshly showered before noon, I didn't get dressed because he'd said he would call by noon and didn't.

Que sera, sera darlings.

There's always another somewhere in the wind...

In fact, I've been invited to a late breakfast (11 a.m.).

This one is close to home but I need to start getting ready right now.

Which means I will get dressed for this one. Nothing fancy so if I go and he doesn't show, it won't matter. I'll eat at the place any way because it's a place I like.

After breakfast I'll drop in at a few of my favorite thrift stores because I need a few items for my next vacation. (Which I'll detail more at a later date.)

Time for that shower!

Y'all be good and as usual, stay tuned for more.

654.

Another weekend is imminent and not a word from me about last weekend.

Where are my manners?

Probably in whatever crevice my sleep has disappeared into.

They say there's no rest for the weary and I'm inclined to agree.

As most know, last weekend was Mother's Day weekend. It was also my daughter's birthday weekend.

Needless to say it was a busy one.

Silly ole me can't recall every detail now as too much else has taken place since then.

What I recall:

- Friday morning while I languished in bed during a phone call with my suitor, I was startled by a knock at my front door. I opened the door to see a man bearing a beautiful bouquet of red roses and other lovely blooms.

Happy Mother's Day from my paramour.

- Sadly, on Saturday, I had to attend the funeral of a "little sister". She was a young lady who I became good friends with while dating her cousin over 25 years ago. It was a six-hour drive, to her service and back home.

Another Baptist church...

Her parents and I are fairly close. Her mom was devastated. Her dad was... seemingly unperturbed. I know it's because it hadn't sunk in yet.

- My sweetie and I met up for dinner and a movie soon after my return home, which just so happened to coincide with his return home. Sweet.

- After a morning and early afternoon of making and receiving Mother's Day and birthday calls and texts, Baby Bliss and I got all tarted up to attend Mother's Day dinner with my family. Somehow there was a snafu and we missed dinner.

(Mercury, I'm blaming this on you and your ill-timed late spring retrograde.)

The daughter and I decided to drive down to the Big City to have our own celebratory dinner. After dinner, we visited relatives who lived near the restaurant while we waited for my grandma to return home from dinner.

Baby Bliss and I finally had a few hours with grandma then saddled up for home.

We made a detour at our local fro yo shop for dessert. The price was right but the toppings I chose this time were off. Never again will I add cheese cake bites (or any other cake) to fro yo. The mouth feel is just awful.  😵

- Tuesday morning (yes, I know it's not technically a weekend day), Miz A called to invite Baby Bliss and I to her side of town for a birthday lunch at O'Charley's.

We arrived only to be summoned to the mall across the street, where Baby Bliss was told to pick anything she wanted for a birthday gift.

Baby Bliss said she would accept lunch as her gift, as already agreed upon. Miz A laughed, gave BB a monetary gift, then said to meet her across the street at the restaurant.

Those two get along like peas and carrots. It was a lively, leisurely lunch.

We all went to Miz A's after, to watch telly and veg out on the sofa for a few hours.

On our way home, BB and I detoured to a favorite thrift store. BB found a few skirts and I found a nice dress that I'm sure will get a lot of wear this summer.

- Finally, we get to last night.

(What? You say Thursday is not technically a weekend night? Well I say it depends on who you ask. And it's what's next so let's get to it, shall we?)

My sugar dumpling was home for a layover of several hours and he spent it with me.

He wanted Chinese for dinner but he had a late arrival time and most places in my village would be closed when he got here. Also, I knew he would be tired. I suggested I get takeout so he could relax when he arrived.

Baby Bliss and I made a mad dash to our local Chinese restaurant. Not that we really needed to rush. It was 30 minutes until closing and we live mere blocks away.

K, the lady who works the counter and waits tables, is a sweetheart. BB and I eat there a few times a month and she always remembers us.

The suitor said to order what we wanted and he'd reimburse me. I requested my usual shrimp egg fu yung; Teriyaki chicken for the daughter; shrimp lo mein and BBQ ribs for the gentleman.

When the gentleman arrived chez Bliss, BB retreated to her bedroom with her food, leaving my suitor and I to dinner and a (half of) a movie in the living room.

After dinner he showered and took a nap so he could rest a bit before getting back on the road. It was a short and sweet visit.

I'll see him again this afternoon when he returns home from today's excursion.

* * *

And now that I've shared the most pertinent details of my life for the past several days, it's time for me to get some shut eye y'all.

I hope I sleep until noon. Not likely but a girl can dream...

Here's to a cuddle with the Sandman.

636.

The Mojita is gone. Imbibed. Did it's job.

I'll have another one day.

Funny that we saw it on the shelf in Target last night.

Funnier that it cost a whole dollar more at Target. I think Target price-matches but the store near me is closer.

***

It's almost time for a beach run for we two Bliss.

Sadly, Baby Bliss and I didn't have a vacation together last year. I went home twice -- once for a class reunion and once to visit a friend. Baby Bliss barely left the county.

True, she's an adult now and can run off with her friends at any given moment. Often she does. But she's a teenager, as are her friends. In the interest of caution, Baby Bliss isn't interested in taking extended trips without real adults.

I believe she gets that cautious streak from me and I'm glad she has it. Hopefully it will help keep her out of trouble as she journeys through life.

Soon she and I will be strolling the shores of our beach of choice. If we like the accommodations and the atmosphere, we'll go again after the summer crowds thin out.

In between, I'm scheduled to take a trip with two sista-friends. Both of them are long-time friends, one a true friend; the other is friend-like.

It's awkward when you're good friends with someone who has another good friend that you just don't mesh well with and your good friend likes to include their other good friend in on some things that require you to be in close proximity with the other friend for too long.

We've had that experience. Sometimes the other friend is really cool and fun; sometimes she's not. Those are the times I wish she had a mute button.

She likes to make snide personal comments and ask questions about things that just aren't her business (because she's not my good friend).

What the hell am I thinking? I'm not going on a vacation with that woman and my good friend. Three is an awkward number any way. Definitely for a vacation. I like even numbers. Two. Four. Six.

Gotta call my good friend and let her know I won't be there.

Vacation is for relaxation.

Amen.

635.

In today's news, I'm trying Something New.

Baby Bliss is totally besotted with drinking kombucha as often as possible.

One word: yuck.

Two words: It stinks.

The bouquet is my biggest issue.

In cat-like fashion, if something smells off, I won't eat or drink it. Surely there are millions of people in the world who share this inclination as well.

Yesterday when we made our water-refill/what's-for-dinner/and-some-of-that-too run at our local healthy foods market, Baby Bliss spotted her favorite brand of kombucha.

Of course she did. We have to pass it on the way to the refill machine.

She immediately informed me that she needed a bottle. Because it settles her stomach, which always needs settling. (So says she...)

As I had already spent $4.00 of my hard-earned money on something I'd bought her earlier, I wasn't inclined to add another $4.00 to the tally.

After she wore me down with her five-minute filibuster (yes, I know I'm using the word out of context), we reached an agreement: she would hush and I would buy the stinky drink.

Then I spotted something called a "sparkling probiotic drink". The name of the flavor is what caught my eye: Mojita Lime Mint Coconut.

Sounded like something magical...

Let me tell y'all a story:

Many dog years ago, when I was a drinker, a cousin introduced me to that tantalizing concoction known as the mojito. I immediately decided it was the most delicious alcoholic beverage I'd ever tasted.

I only had one in my whole drinking life and thank goodness I wasn't much of a drinker. That thing was so good that today I might be a raving alcoholic, chasing the sublime deliciousness of my first mojito, if not for my temperate nature concerning all things boozy.

Back in the produce aisle, after a brief discussion with Baby Bliss the Kombucha Queen, I decided to take a chance on this new-found temptation.

My darling daughter must have chug-a-lugged hers soon after we arrived home. I didn't see her do it but the empty bottle was on her nightstand when I went to her bedroom to talk with her a few hours later.

Several times over the course of the evening, she asked me if I was ready to drink mine. (No, I was not.)

It took me a while to get around to it. By then Baby Bliss had taken it from the fridge and said she would try it first, even though she hates anything to do with coconut.

She didn't like the taste but thought I would.

I did.

Eventually.

The first sip, while not horrible, was surprising and not in a good way. I found myself thinking, "At least it doesn't stink" because I wasn't sure that it wouldn't.

It took a few sips before I could say it was almost good. As long as it wasn't nasty, I was getting my $2.35 worth.

By the time I got half to three-fourths of it in my belly, it was bed time.

The remainder now rests in the darkness of the fridge, waiting for me to finish it off soon.

Soon...

***

Here's a tidbit for the next post: I had a breakfast date yesterday.

Stay tuned for more.

530.

Yesterday, Baby Bliss and I went out for a day of shopping, lunch, errands.

Nothing major. Just EarthFare, Target, Forever21, Chipotle, Aldi...

All after my morning walk.

Couldn't get my evening walk in yesterday. By the time we got home from our busy day, storm clouds were rolling in right behind us.

Bummer.

But thank you God for today!

As soon as I drink my morning smoothie, I'm out the door.

And I'm excited about today's plans!

My "new friend" has transitioned into "new beau". We're meeting for a day of shared leisure, starting with buying yummies for a picnic lunch we'll enjoy in a beautiful park nearby.

There's rain in today's forecast but no matter. He said as long as we're together he'll be happy, wet or dry.

Isn't he a sweetie?

I know it will be a long day. It always is with us.

Which brings me to this past weekend.

We had a date that spanned three days and it didn't involve anything I couldn't repent for in confession without blushing. (Yes, I was raised in the Catholic church.)

Time to get to the blender folks!

And remember:

So get out there and create your stories.

Then start a blog or write a book and share them with the world.

We want to know!

Amen.