Chocolate Ice Cream

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

I smiled. He asked if he amused me.

I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.

I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.

There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.."

With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!

Peace

A Pledge for All...

I thought this was just so cool! (Thanks Twinhead :-)

Hello.

Have you ever wondered why people blog? Neither have I. But.....I was just thinking why I started...and how it evolved and really, how it died. I started this blog in 2005. I was going through a little rough period in life and figured this was a good way to vent. But I wound up liking this world and liking the people who lived here and wrote here. I even became good friends with a few of you and met some of you too. I just wrote stream of consciousness type "stuff"....mostly silly things. Now, I do not consider myself a creative writer or a comedian or even a little talented in anything to do with writing....but I wrote and carried on and got silly and looked forward to seeing everyone and reading what you wrote every day. I blogged daily for a good long time.
Now, tho, so many things have happened. I retired, hub went to heaven. I got lost for period of time. Then I came back from that edge of darkness, different. It's like I look back on this blog and see someone else must of written it. Weird. But anyhoo, the life I lead today is a good one. I wouldn't change anything (cept maybe having hub back)....I'm happy, content and look forward to every day I wake up to and am grateful for every day that I get. It's really indescribable. But it lives here, in my heart. And for some reason, I just don't feel the need to blog every single day, so I stop in every once in a while...look around...drop some words to say hello....it's enough for me

Peace

Joke Day

The 4th Wedding

A woman was being interviewed by the local newspaper on the eve of her
fourth wedding ---- at age 84!!!

The reporter asked what her new husband-to-be did for a living and she
replied that he was a funeral director.

That made the reporter curious to know what her three previous husbands'
occupations had been.

She had to think for a bit, but then she remembered that she had married a
banker in her twenties, a circus ringmaster in her forties, and a preacher
in her sixties.

The reporter asked why in the world she had married four men with such
wildly diverse interests in life.

"Oh, that's easy," she replied.

"I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and
four to go."

Peace

Joke Day

A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and noticed he had his collar on backwards.

The little boy asked why he wore his collar backwards.

The man, who was a priest, said, 'I am a Father.'

The little boy replied, 'My Daddy doesn't wear his collar like that.'
The priest looked up from his book and answered, ''I am the Father of many.'
The boy said, ''My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he doesn't wear his collar that way!'

The priest, getting impatient, said. 'I am the Father of hundreds', and went back to reading his book.

The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and said, "Maybe you should wear a condom, and put your pants on backwards instead of your collar."

Peace

Where I'm From

I am from trees growing out of concrete, from bottled milk deliveries, black and white TV and Irish stew. I am from the rail road room,three story house, noisy, neighborly, with summer breezes blowing through the screens tossing the curtains over my face, cooling the house.

I am from the tomato plants, rose bushes and swing sets in the back yard, the small patch of grass, cool under my feet.

I am from large Sunday dinners, pranksters and beer drinkers, from the Irish with their brogues and the Germans with their beer.

I am from those who don't know how to stop talking, laughing, crying and praying.

From the fear of the bogey man in the closet and Daddy's bedtime stories and brothers who made me eat worms.

I am from a variety of religions, yet, calling none of them my own. My spirit is one with nature.

I'm from the northeast, corned beef, sauerbraten and lasagna.

From the the mailman and the waitress who fell in love quickly and loved to dance and laugh, the grandmother who bought me nice clothes, the father with curly hair, the other grandmother who disliked Mom because she was Republican!

I am from the black and white wedding picture that now hangs on the wall of my mom's nursing home room, the urn of ashes on the fire place, the songs that still ring loud in my heart. The memories are what I have, some bad, but mostly good as I see their smiling faces in my mind and still feel their love in my heart. That's what keeps them alive, the memories.

Where are you from?

Peace

Spud

Spud and Tank got new bones....and since Tank, my Yorkie, is such a brat he tries really hard to steal anything that Spud has. Here's Spud (affectionately known as the Snot Dog) trying to hide his new bone.

Peace

I've Met My Fifth Blog Buddy!

I have met my blogging buddy, Rick Rockhill of the Palm Springs Savant blog!

Rick was in NYC for the National Dog Show and we met up for lunch. I've been reading Rick for a few years now and his blog is just so informative and upbeat and he has two of the most adorable dogs and one of the most unique cats you ever saw....check his blog out!!
Rick also blazed the trail for me when I went to Greece...I went thru my google reader the week before I left and noticed he was posting from a cruise thru the Greek Isles!!! So I asked him to call me when he got back to tell me about the hot spots to visit. He did and I went and it was one of the most beautiful trips I've been on.

Rick is just as I pictured him to be...he's sweet, friendly, and has a great sense of humor. Thanks for lunch Rick!!

Snow is beautiful, I've had enough now....

My sad lil snowman....
Built just for you....
My mind left me today.

A Lil Sumpin....

Peace

Never....

Things I said I'd never do and did:

Buy an Ipod.
Go on Facebook.
Get an SUV.

All these things require learning new skills...I thought I was done with that when I retired. Lol.
But I'm having fun with them. So now when I hear myself saying "I'll never do that...." I should watch out.

Peace

Gen Y

What is Generation Y?

- The Silent generation are the people born before 1946.

- The Baby Boomers are people born between 1946 and 1959.

- Generation X, are people born between 1960 and 1979.

- Generation Y, are people born between 1980 and 2000

Why do we call the last group Generation Y? (I never did know).

Recently a cartoonist explained it very eloquently below....
And I learned something new today!

Peace

Waiting for Santa......

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS...

T'was the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '?*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Target's were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,

NOT Happy Holiday!*

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet during the

holidays A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Jesus is The Reason for the Christmas Season!

pEACE

Flash Fiction

This is an oldie but a goodie...from my days of writing Flash Fiction (telling a story in 55 words).

"WHO'S OUT THERE?"

I was asleep when it happened.....
I awoke suddenly...sitting straight up in my bed!

The noise came from the living room.

My heart pounding,
grabbed the baseball bat kept by the bed.
Looked down the hall.
The noise getting louder!
Lifting the bat, getting ready........
Slowly peaking around the doorway..

Santa was eating cookies!!!!

Peace

Vestal virgins :-)

Santorini from the cable car

The isle of Eugenia, home of pistachio trees.

A woman making rugs in Turkey..

What I loved about being in Greece and on the sea was the peacefulness and beauty of it all. Seeing the whitewashed houses tucked in on the hills of the isles we visited just invited one to romanticize about living there, eating cheese and olives and taking a swim in the Mediteranean Sea every morning. Ok, I just woke up from that dream. Oh well.

Seeing the ancient ruins like the Parthenon, built in 432 BC! Just touching the marbled stones gave me a chill to think I was standing where ancient Greeks orated and fought and honored their gods and goddesses.

One of my favorite places was Santorini, a small island in the Aegean Sea which was formed by a volcano. Its village sits on top of the small mountain. As we pulled into port and debarked, we learned that the only way to the village was by cable car of donkey! I chose the cable car because I felt bad for the lil donkeys...but that's their job and I suppose they do it well.

All in all, it's a beautiful country....the food is good...the people are nice....what more could one ask for?

Peace

Have a great Turkey Day!!! Gobble, gobble!

In spite of what life has handed me these past months, I have plenty to be thankful for and for that I am grateful, and especially to all my blog buddies!
Thank you.

PEACE

The Flu.....Be Careful!!!!

2007 - Chinese year of the Chicken- Bird Flu Pandemic devastates parts of Asia !

2008 - Chinese year of the Horse- Equine Influenza decimates Australian racing !

2009 - Chinese year of the Pig- Swine Flu Pandemic kills hundreds of pigs/humans around the globe.!

Next year......

2010 - Chinese year of the Cock - what can possibly go wrong?

Peace

I'm Backkkkkkkkkkkk.....

Santorini, where you had to take a cable car or a donkey ride up into the city on the hill.

Santorini .

The Aquamarine.

Greece was absolutely beautiful. We arrived in Greece, via London, on November 7th and after a few minor set backs (one of my bags stayed in London, but caught up with me on the next flight), we boarded the Aquamarine for 5 days of sunny sailing to Mykonos, Santorini, Turkey.
We stayed four extra days in Athens and did day trips on the one day little ships to every other island...Poros, Hydra, and Eugina.....and of course we walked the entire city of Athens and did a little (ok a lot) of shopping.

The weather was nice (in the 70's and 60's). What I loved the most was the food! The Greek salads are to die for as well as their Mousakka. Everything is soooo fresh!

(See ya in a few days.....)

Peace

I will post some more pics later and tell you more detail when I catch up with some sleep and get adjusted to the time change.

Vacation Land.............................

Off to Greece....see ya!!!

Peace