Believe it or not - it's time for another

trip. BF and I leave tomorrow for Paris, France, from there we will take a train to Vesoul, France and then to meet the Barge. We will cruise for 7 days and leave the barge in Dole, France. Back on the train to Paris where we will come home. It's very exciting and I will have my netbook, so there will be pics and blogging from wherever.

Check out this link for info about the barge:

http://www.bargenilaya.com/

BF's always wanted to do this, and because it falls during his birthday, Happy B'day to BF.

Needless to say, there probably will not be any words of wisdom, thoughts for the day or Gray Matters until I return, but I'm sure I will have plenty of my own thoughts to add.

Having observed Yom Kippur yesterday and the eve before, I did so via the Internet. While in Columbus, OH. last week, I found a web site that streams the holy days. It was not only a very good service, but very convenient for many of us who for one reason for another could not attend services at a Temple or Synagogue. To those who follow my blog, my wishes to you for a good year, good health and happiness.

Later 'gator from Paris....:-)

Today is Sunday, September 27 and it's

GRAY MATTERS. I think this is number 7. This article appeared in the WSJ in January 1981. For this message, United Technologies received 28,107 letters and mailed 104,394 reprints. This was also printed in the Los Angeles Times, The Houston Post (how old is this), The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Dallas Morning News. I hope you enjoy it, realizing of course that some things mentioned have definitely changed in 2009.

Autumn has

arrived in April Sound, decorative flags up and down the boulevard. Pumpkins and scarecrows are beginning to come out of the closets and garages. I'll put my decorations out after we return from our trip. Getting organized today, mainly because I've stayed home most of the day and catching up. Two days in a row out shopping can take some zip our of the ole' gal.

Fall Football is always a fav of mine. Today watching my schools, U of Alabama, a/k/a "the Crimson Tide".....against Arkansas, as of now, 35 - 7 at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Rice plays Vanderbilt tonight in the home opening game and the U of Houston faces Texas Tech. I can run from room to room watching the games. Go teams, go!

Today's thought from Alan Kay "The best way to predict the future is to invent it"

Back in the swing of things.....

Well, you can see, I'm home again from Columbus, OH. and just in time to make the Decorating Divas shopping day. Nice thing about joining the Divas, I've learned all the neat shopping spots. Yesterday we traveled to the Woodlands. Several miles down the highway - found just exactly what I was looking for and so did my friends. We had a fun lunch at Tommy Bahama's Restaurant and for a split second I thought I was on another trip - this time island style. Even tho the group disbanded, the ladies I rode with wanted to continue to shop. So, who was I to say no...:-)

Today's thought from Flannery O'Connor "The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it".

page 2 -pics of Buckeye land

It is Sunday, September 20 and it's

live from Columbus, OH-IO. Home of the Buckeyes and Colmbus loves loves loves their Buckerye. Especially when they shut-out Toledo, 38-0. Columbus is easily becoming a favorite city of mine. Lovely hostess and good friend Dianre is always fun to be with and we have a great time. From arrival to departure, we are busy (either out and about or talking) and always having fun.

The pics speak for themselves - so here we go.

'Twas the day before

my departure for Columbus, OH. Once again, off to visit my friend Diane and this time we are going to the Ohio State Fair, being put on in part by one of my favorite magazines. O.k. I know, you are probably surprised that I am a fan of Country Living, and it has nothing to do with my move to Montgomery. I've been receiving and reading this magazine for years. It has a lot of grand ideas and matches well with my Town and Country which is totally not country at all. The weather in Columbus is cooler than Texas, so I've had to go to the reserve closet for "fall" type clothing. However, the first day of fall is just around the corner, regardless of where you live, so at least I'll be prepared for when I return home and it is a glorious 70'ish type fall weather...yea, right.

Not to worry fans, I'll have my new netbook with me so I'll be able to blog and keep in touch. And BF got me an insert for netbook so I can post pics...Fun!

Today's thought from Nicholas Chamfort "In great affairs men show themselves as they wish to be seen, in small things, they show themselves as they are".

Patrick Swayze

Sad news today from Hollywood - Patrick Swayze passed away today. He grew up in Houston and his Aunt Jaynie was a neighbor of mine back in the late 60's. His cousin, Ray, was a little visitor to Jaynie's home and he and my oldest son used to play together when he and his Mom would come to visit.

Talented, good looking and charismatic - what a shame.

RIP Patrick, we lost a very talented person.

It's Sunday, September 13, 2009 and it's

GRAY MATTERS No. 6 - This message received 4,552 letters and United mailed 28,019 reprints. When the series began, we thought our receptionist could handle the mail flow. We quickly added a secretary to help out. Within weeks, the volume threatened to overwhelm both. Now we have a separate staff to handle requests for reprints and respond to letters. This message appeared in November 1979.

Enjoy. and Happy Sunday!

If you play number stuff.....

the odds for September are not good. 9/11 - Least we forget, and for those of us living in the Gulf Coast, 9/12 - IKE. Thinking of it now, I can listen carefully and still hear the howl of the wind, the trees groaning and the suddenness of no light, no air-conditioning noises, no movement. That dreadful feeling when you know there is no electricity. It was interesting to me, I honestly remember thinking, "oh, the electricity will come back on soon". I was at BF's house to wait out the storm, and for us, it was 5+ days of cold showers, forging for food from whatever local restaurants were able to stay open, seeing neighbors out sharing stories, cleaning up tree limbs, trees, shingles from roof tops, all the crazy stuff that happens when a hurricane hits your area. Suddenly you are really aware of how much one takes for granted, all the creature comforts...and necessities. Amazing!

Hurricane season isn't over yet, not till November. Fingers crossed we won't see another one for a very long time, if ever.

Today's thought from Horace regarding Adversity - "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant". I believe that is a true assessment of the effect of IKE.

Today is September 11, 2009

LEAST WE FORGET -

Garden Gals re-unite

Garden Gals were down for the summer months (heat related) so today was the beginning of our new season. John Ferguson of Nature's Way Resources was our guest speaker and he is a very knowledgeable and interesting speaker. Luncheon was served and as usual, Chef Paul outdid himself. The large plant was the door prize and it was won by ME! I am becoming the door prize queen. I've won more than not for all the activities that I participate in. Way cool. It now resides on my patio but is so large one of my friends had to drive it home for me. Not to mention carry it in the house. That's what friends are for.

Today's thought from Carl Jung "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves"...

It's hot out and sunny - does not look like rain today even tho there is a 70% chance. Enjoy the day.

obviously my blogspot is on a different time then

I am. My computer clock and house clocks said 9:00 a.m. CST. Humpppp.

Today is the

Today is the 9th day of the 9th month and I'm working to get this blog ready to publish at 9:00 a.m. CST. It is also the date when the Continental Congress voted to change the United Colonies to the United States.

My new favorite kalanchoe is from South Africa and called a "Flapjack". At the 1st Saturday last weekend I found another one that was for sale. The new one was from the head Botanist at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Supposedly as they mature they will flower and also the leaves will become more vibrant with red colour.

The candle is new - finally, I found a lady in a little Montgomery store who went out of her way to find and order it for me. The fragrance is Santa Fe and I have had about 5 or 6 E Candles of this same scent. Years ago at the law firm, one of my friends use to order E Candles and this became my favorite. Kinda rainy looking out today so a candle is in order. We are in the week of remembering IKE - 1 year ago this Sunday. The newspaper has lots of pics and stories and each night on local news, the weather gurus show different pics and talk about it. Still so much unresolved.

Today's thought from Familiar Quotations - "Consider well what your strength is equal to and what exceeds your ability". Horace...

published at 9:00 a.m. CST 9/9/2009

Friends visit and we go out for lunch

My friends from H'town visited today and BF and I went out for lunch with them. John and Marlene drove out our way and stopped first at my house. Marlene had been here when I was moved in and she enjoyed seeing the changes that have been made. John is a really nice guy and he and BF get along well.

Had lunch at Vernon's Catfish Kitchen and since we arrived a little later than the lunch crowd, we had plenty of time and service to enjoy ourselves. Unfortunately we were having so much fun I forgot to take pictures. Next time for sure. It's always nice to have friends stop by and I look forward to our next visit.

I believe these words sum up my feelings. By Bertrand Russell "The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I do not mean that if you are good you will be happy - I mean that if you are happy you will be good".

Gray Matter # 5

It is Sunday, September 6, 2009 and this is Gray Matter #5. For this message, United Technologies received 17,663 letters and mailed 81,990 reprints. This particular message is really important to me because it verifies my belief that "age is a state of mind" and that one can always accomplish whatever is believed, regardless. btw, the quote is once again the thought for the day and I take credit for it. Enjoy and be safe.

September 5, 1911

Today would have been my Dad's 98th birthday. Daddy was a man of faith, a man of strong work ethics, a man of morals and values who loved his wife and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to tell stories about funny situations related to work, he loved to read the newspaper from back page to front page, he loved fried chicken and peanut butter and dill pickles on a saltine cracker. He always was the first to ask during a crisis what did you need, what could he do to help, he was always there and ready. He was a man among men who always stood up for what he believed in and who he was and today I miss him alot. Party on Daddy, I love you...

re: Cookie recipe

I forgot to mention, my daughter adds the small chocolate chips to her cookie batch. She recently made them for a little "girl-friend" get together and out of 24 cookies, she had 3 left. soooo, that is one approval rating....:-)

Once again.....

Once again I've been asked for my infamous peanut butter cookies - so I thought surely my fellow bloggers would like the recipe....these are flourless and I use a sugar substitute for them. Here goes -

The World's Easiest and Most Delicious Peanut Butter Cookies

1 Cup Peanut Butter (chunky is my preference but you can use smooth)
1 Cup Sugar or 3/4 cup Sugar Substitute
1 Egg
1 tsp soda

Combine peanut butter and sugar/sub until well mixed (it gets very goopy). Then add the soda.
Add egg and continue to mix until all is blended.
Drop by the teaspoon onto a greased (I use Pam) cookie sheet. Use a fork to lightly press down to flatten them a little.

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes (depends on your oven) until lightly browned. Cool about 5-10 minutes on cookie sheet, then remove to a rack. These can be frozen, makes about 12-15 cookies (depends on how big U make them). They are super delish, easy and makes a nice desert crumbled over fresh or canned fruit, with cool whip on top and a cherry for that added treat.

Today's thought from me "Don't eat toooo many cookies at one time, they are super delish - save some for later in the evening."

Before and After yet to come

My darling daughter has had this dresser since she was a little girl, I still have it and use it for storage and to keep my den t.v. and TiVo on it. Hated to give it up but it's old and needed some help. Found a furniture refinisher and today he and his brother picked it up. Going to have it match the desk that sits next to my new recliner. Never fails, you do or buy something and then the next item needs doing. Watch for the "after" pics. Should be in about 3-4 weeks.....

Today's thought from Henry Adams "There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence."

harken - thunder and lighting, possible rain? wonderful.....

Pretty Blue Chair and Desk Table

Although the light isn't very good and the colour didn't show thru as well as I wanted, here is my new wing-back recliner (and it's really a dark, beautiful blue) and my side desk. I needed a side-table high enough for my lamp for reading purposes. Makes the room look so nice. My old recliner is hopefully residing in a "rest home" for folks that are in need. The new recliner has already provided a great 2 hour nap the other day. Wonderful!

I think I finally discovered where my love of quotes and thoughts come from, in cleaning (once again) my den closet and bookcases, I found a small book that was my Dad's. Entitled Familiar Quotations I have already found several quotes I like. Today's thought from La Rochefoucauld on Ability "Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck that of the people." btw - the book has the price of .90 written in it and was published in 1955.