MONDAY MUSINGS: BYE , BYE, BYE

 Last Friday was a sad day as the corner landmark on Rodney Parham where I could tell folks where to turn to find my new home is gone...

No longer up in the air as part of the Shorty Small' sign  Bye, Bye, Bye...  

Its future is that its new owner will be getting the classic old red truck up and  running again. 

The building will now be razed. Piece by piece it is being dismantled.

So many memories from 30+ years ago  with family and friends after the restaurant known for its bar-b-que was opened originally. 

I kept procrastinating revisiting after I moved back to the area last summer.  I had heard it had gone downhill. Bummer...

Word is a new type of bar-b que place will be built in its stead with a drive-thru possibility. We shall see...  COVID certainly has not helped the survival of struggling restaurants. Those who were able to scale down their staff and offer pick up have eeked by...

BYE, BYE, BYE

FOTO FRIDAY:WINING & DINING

 

FOTO FRIDAY this past week found me in both Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Super happy with the European like scenery, cooler climate, good food and friends.

My hostess Jo Ann, a former Arkansan, hosted me and showed me around Park City as we enjoyed outside dining whenever possible. 

                          Cheers to a wonderful reunion!

Last week's FRIENDS FOREVER had some blasts from the past. I's never too late for you to add to this!

SPECIAL DATES: JUNE 21 st

 Today, June 21st will always hold a special place in my heart as it is the anniversary of my first date with Natureman, my soulmate. 

Since we never 'formally' tied the knot with a ceremony we chose this date, June 21st  as our anniversary date.  We wrote to each other daily after meeting on Jdate, an online Jewish dating site, for an entire month before ever meeting/speaking on the phone. No texting back in '02 either. 

We learned about each other through the 'ancient' art of online correspondence.' LOL. Imagine that! And when we met, we had an unusual bond of understanding a lot about each other already. The man did not know small talk.

That first date in Madison, a halfway point between our 2 homes lasted 9 hours, much longer than the prescribed 2-hour limit. Bike riding, bubbly, cooling off in the lake, ice cream at the union and a very late lunch/early dinner were memorable to say the least. 

A second date was in place before that first kiss goodbye.

And as they the rest is history, 20 years with my soulmate. Here's us on Times Square on a billboard with other Jdate success couples. I touted us as "The Senior Poster Children of Jdate." 

Today I will be toasting those full almost 20 years thanks to an online dating service bringing us together. I was lucky. I sure do miss my Natureman today and every day... He definitely was one of a kind.

MONDAY MUSINGS:TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

MONDAY MUSINGS this week is a result of yesterday's conversation with my almost 97-year-old Dad. He wanted to know what I felt were life lessons I had learned from him.  I replied they were manifold but I mentioned a couple which seemed to satisfy his request.

*Everyone is important and to treat everyone with respect. 

My father has never met a stranger. He knew everyone by name where he worked from his colleagues, secretaries, to the person who cleaned his lab. He knew about their lives and visa versa. We could not go anywhere where he wouldn't stop to talk to others whether it was in a park/a restaurant. In fact, he disappeared frequently and when we would find him he would be engaged meeting somebody new.

*The importance of travel for broadening our view of the world, culture- different languages, customs/ food and ourselves. 

Each sabbatical he took us to different continents. And we camped through Europe in '65 and visited the entire island of Taiwan in '73.

*Nothing replaces education.

He didn't care what we chose to study but to love learning and enjoy doing our chosen professions and that learning is neverending.  

* Spending time with our children.

He made private dates with each of us of what we wanted to go/do. He made sure to make time no matter how busy his schedule was... 

I wish I had taped the joy he had in listening to my comments and his responses...

I can only hope I have passed these and the many other lessons on to my children as well.

Leaving you with one of my favorites:

 TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

MONDAY MUSINGS: MUZAQ

 Have I bemoaned my aching for live music enough? Summer is here and I am thrilled!

My wish to have less home dance parties of one is being answered as there was great dancing starting with the Family wedding reception and then Hot Springs had a live concert to open Lavenderfest. 

They started over an late but we didn't care. I am glad they went to pick up their guitarist.  We departed the park grounds as they were playing Dancing in the Moonlight and I was... 

I had another dose of music at the Hot Springs Farmer's Market where Brian Ramsay, singer /songwriter was performing. We asked if he ever performs in Little Rock and he was actually going to be at the Oyster Bar in so of course, I was game and found a buddy to join me.  Brian does a variety of country, pop, R&B, originals and 40 top hits. I am a new groupie.

Well, bring on that summer music. 

I am ready!

SUNDAY SPECIAL: SIMPLY THE BEST, A TRUE BLESSING

 You all were very kind in overlooking the fact I was off a day earlier this week in my posting of TBT on Wednesday which meant the blog was short a posting this week. And since the goal is to return to posting 5x/week, doctors would be worried about my mental health re: not knowing the date so today's entry is a Sunday Special and special it is...

Saturday was a date marked on the calendar for a while as my neighbors told me to save the date for the neighborhood's annual Baggo tournament along with dinner and camaraderie. Little did I know I would not have a chance to really visit with anybody once the game started as it was constant competition. 

Missing a handful who skedaddled before the pic but a good time was had by all...

I actually have never played Baggo. It is very similar to Corn Hole except the board is not only smaller but also plastic and placed farther away with different rules too.  

A big learning curve as my tossed bean bags fell short, long to the left/ right, sliding off but rarely staying on the board for a point and very seldom landing in the hole for 3 points. It was a big deal when they did. I would have been out of the competition early had we not all been matched with someone with opposite Baggo experience. My partner Brian was a ringer. He made it look so easy. He said he hadn't played since last year's competition but used to play a lot. Despite and in spite of his novice partner, we did go home with a trophy. 

We will split mantel time with the trophy. 

My neighbors have been super kind since I moved into the neighborhood last August. Having good neighbors is a true blessing, they are simply the best...

My acceptance trophy speech now reads " I want to thank the Academy, judges, fans and fellow competitors and neighbors for their support and urge all to remember WE are all winners! "

FOTO FRIDAY: FRIENDs FOREVER

 

FOTO FRIDAY this week is celebrating those friends who whenever we see each other we pick up where we left off and know that in both good and bad times we have each others' back.

Your challenge should you decide to take me up on it is to find a photo of us, send it to me and include when / how we met?

Chris and I met in what was called junior high back then and we were in each other's weddings. She is one of the few Arkansan friends who actually was able to visit the End of the Rainbow Valley!

Yesterday we were finally able to spend an afternoon 'saling' (as in estate sales and antiquing) besides enjoying a wonderful salad at Newk's to celebrate Chris's very belated birthday, but more importantly retirement. 

Enjoy that newfound freedom Chris!

Prom  Night with an Eller

I think you or I were always taking the pictures as I only have them of our kids. We met in Iowa City through the Resident Wives Club.  Caryl   Such good friends both Moms & kids as our eldests went to prom together so they could also be at both prom and  Steven's bar mitzvah party. - Caryl

We met at CSOA the summer we both made our homes in the Driftless area. Then we discovered that we also had Iowa City in common. Jennifer 

We were colleagues who taught together in WFB and discovered our kids knew each other in Atlanta and were friends. Our friendship grew from their until today. Our grandchildren are even close in age. Pam

Jazzercise in La Crosse. Missing you, my friend! Cyndy

Jazzercise in La Crosse. Missing you, my friend! Cyn

Lunch at the Indian Restaurant, I think around 2013. Cheryl introduced us. You've influenced and inspire me. Sorry I've got a zillion photos to go through, but I'll always know where this one is.

We were introduced by Linda Freedman when you moved to Milwaukee, and we've enjoyed lots of good times and some tough times in both of our lives and over many years of friendship!! 

Maybe this Fall, in Little Rock? Aura

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was MISHPOCHA

TBT: PRE-SCHOOLERS & GIGGLING

 TBT: It doesn't take much for old friends to revert to their former  giggly 4 year old selves even with the next decade looming closer than the last... But the noise level increased as we made our presence known.

Birthdays certainly provide great opportunities for mini reunions and LOCA LUNA was the last place for our merriment. We split a yummy appetizer in comraderie, ordering special drinks along with different entrees. 

The waitstaff  had a 'tude and lack of patience to begin with but learned to love us by the end of the meal and took some great pics. 

Here are 3 of us helping Kaye celebrate her birthday one more time. I was told to wear a white blouse and black pants. Of course, not everyone got the memo. I know you are not used to me following dress codes especially without a lot of color but it was Kaye's birthday. 

                              HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYE

 from 3 of your Mouseketeers.. yours truly, Ashley and Courtenay

CHERRIES JUBILEE... NO, BUT A PLATINUM JUBILEE FOR THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY

 The tower bells rang out gloriously annnouncing the celebratory Anglican Episcopalian program to follow amidst the hallowed walls  of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

 Fans and programs were provided for the special concert presented by the choirs of Christ Church and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral this past Sunday. Some attendants donned their fascinators and glorious hats...

Music included works by Hubert H. Parry, William Harris, Herbert Howells, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Sir Edward Elgar and Gerard Finci.

 Solemnity reigned this auspicious celebration followed by a high tea of sweets and sandwiches and yummy punch and sparkly.

Although I missed the lemon curd sweets, it was a grand affair in honor of her majesty. 

                                        Long Live the Queen!

 

MONDAY MUSINGS: THE CARDINAL'S PRESENCE: RED BIRD

This would not be the first time I have spoken about a cardinal seeming to appear at times of uncertainty.

 "The most common interpretation of this is a message from a departed love one."

 Its presence always gives me goose bumps.

And so it happened twice this past weekend... 

Last Thursday was an overwhelming day for me with news of Balto, my 8 yr Husky Shepard Texan rescue dog having kidney cancer of all things, the very same disease Natureman had. The tears were uncontrollable as I know what that means. I was given 4 different scenarios of how to deal with it. 

When I went to do my daily shift at my Dad's house the following day, my Dad was sitting in his recliner next to the living room picture window and the curtain was drawn about 4 feet. Usually, it is closed due to the glare on the TV, but, Friday it was drawn and as I was relaying the different medical possibilities for Balto to my Dad, a cardinal flew up to the window and perched on a low branch as I spoke of palliative care and flew off when I finished. I knew right then and there the path I needed to take... 

Follow this up on Sunday in Trinity Episcopal Church for a concert in honor of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II where I sat down next to my elementary school buddy Kaye. My mind wanders during the magnificent organ solo as to my weekend decision making.

 Kaye nudges me and points to the needlepoint kneeler in front of me. This is what I see...

Kaye lost her husband 6 months before I lost mine. If this is not divine intervention, I do not know what is...

American Idol's HunterGirl's RED BIRD (click on link) The first time I heard HunterGirl sing this song I looked out my den window and there sitting on the railing was my very own Red Bird. He stayed until the song was over. Leaving me with leaky eyes...

FOTO FRIDAY: IN LAWs- MISHPOCHA

FOTO FRIDAY:  IN LAWs - MISHPOCHA

Last weekend we officially party welcomed a new member to the extended family at the belated wedding party at the Rock City Yacht Club. If you need to try to socially distance it was the perfect party place a top a floating covered marina platform.

Fresh air galore and they even provided a gorgeous sunset but these smiles even beat it.

I love this extended family... Thanks to my brother Marc for marrying into it!

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was THE HAPPY BOOKERS

DON'T LOOK THERE... SOMEONE ELSE'S PAST

 Usually I have pretty good luck in finding missing items but this little metal piece within the stove top knob eluded me... Maybe it had fallen under the stove. 

I took the lantern flash light and shone it under the stove. There was something under there, but what?

My hand could only reach so far so I grabbed the broom and look what I found from the previous owner. Whoa, what a haul!

No metal piece to hold my stove knob in place but some interesting finds from someone else's past...