#96-A SHORT(S) STORY

This IS me after I fixed
my shorts.  REALLY!
(Eat your heart out!)

Sometimes I feel like a real idiot!  Like one morning this last fall it took me longer than usual to get dressd.  Why, you ask? (And even if you don't ask I'm going to tell you anyway!)


I had lots of things to do outside and I was in a hurry to get them done before the day got too hot.  I bounded out of bed, stubbed my toe on the bed leg, mumbled a curse of some sort, threw on my undies, shirt and shorts (Ahhhh, sorry, this is how my mind works...need to take a slight detour).


Why would they be called shorts?  I mean I am only putting on one pair not two therefore it should be short not shorts!  Explain this to me.


Back to my story.  So I yanked my shorts short on (over my throbbing toe) grumbled a little (actually a lot) and then tried to zip them up.  No, I am not going to say they were too small (shame on you for thinking that).  The problem was I couldn't find the little tab "thingy" to pull the zipper up.  I fussed and fumed; poked and prodded to no avail.  


Stimied, and thinking it must have broken off, I slowly strolled (with unzipped shorts clinging to my ample bottom) into the kitchen pondering the problem.  That is when I passed the wall mirror and noticed that I had something sticking out from my shorts short.  Yep, you got it.  It was a pocket! I had the darned thing on wrong side out!  When I realized what I had done I really felt like a dunce!  


Now, if this had been the first time I've done something like this I wouldn't worry about myself.  But I have been known to wear shirts and/or slacks, shirts and/or blouces wrong side out, to work,  But, to be honest about it I have often had to get dressed in the dark (since I usually had to leave for work very early).  This also facilitated the wearing of hidious color combinations, different colored sox and in one case different colored (but similar style) shoes.


My coworkers took it all in stride because it gave them someone to make fun of for a day.  I didn't mind because I do this kind of stuff even when I don't get dressed when it's dark (like my shorts short, for example.  


Ok, Ok, short doesn't work but I am not going to the trouble of changing them all back!  Get over it!

kt 1/11/2011

#95-THE DAY AFTER "FLU?"

I was reading one of my favorite blogs (grinandbaerit.blogspot.com) and an event in my life just popped into my head.   I quickly switched over to a draft page on my blog and got the basics written down.  It took me weeks to get the feet to go with this piece.  Thanks for the memory, Nicki.

As I was crawling down what seemed to me was a very long hall I had doubt that I would be able to make it.  The room appeared to be spinning.  Then two little feet come into view.


Although it caused me great pain, I gradually raised my chin and followed the legs up to the body and head that were attached to those small feet.  They belonged to my young son, Gene.  His six-year-old face looked concerned, his brow was wrinkled.  

He got down on all fours, too, and said, "Mommy, are your sick?"

I moaned, "Mommy, has the flu" (which of course was a lie).

Slowly, I crawled into the bathroom and promptly released the gallon or so of Margaritas churning in my stomach.  My wonderful son held my long hair back and uttered the words of reassurance that I used with my children under similar circumstances.

I felt SOOOOOO very guilty and VOWED that day never to drink Margaritas again.  My son is 47 now and I doubt he remembers his mother's flu.  Although, I am sure he has had experience with that particular flu.

Bowling night was never the same after that.   I did modify my vow to never drink more than two Margaritas.   I am sure the manager of the bowling alley was appreciative.  When having only two Margaritas I thew less air balls than usual. 

kt2011

#94-SUNDAY'S SONG (There Will be a Day - Jeremy Camp)

I REALLY LIKE THIS GUY!  kt 2011

#93-SLOVENIA

OK, SLOVENIA!  WHAT'S THE DEAL?  I NOTICE YOU VIEW FREQUENTLY BUT, HOW COME YOU DON'T COMMENT ON MY POSTS?  I AM DEFINITELY INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU.  


IF THE REST OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT ABOUT SLOVENIA READ ON... ... ...

As of a few months ago I had never heard of Slovenia.  I just read that are celebrating their 20^th year of independence, this year.  So for those of you who have NO IDEA where or what Slovenia is I have gleaned a little information from the internet (http://www.slovenia.info/):

"Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. This small green country measures 20,273 km2 in area, and is home to sincere, hospitable people of great diligence. It has an exceptional number of top athletes, and a wealth of cultural creativity. In Slovenia it is not difficult to compare the value of goods and services, as they are priced in one of the world’s major currencies, the euro.

Slovenia has a population of two million, of whom the vast majority are ethnic Slovenes. People hailing from the other former Yugoslav republics make up a significant minority, albeit less than 10% of the total population. The Italian and Hungarian ethnic communities have protected minority status, despite their small size.

The majority of people live in towns and cities, but a significant number live in the countryside. Agriculture accounts for only a small proportion of the workforce, while the majority work in services and manufacturing. 

 

Slovenes are renowned as a diligent, hard-working nation, part of the reason that Slovenia is the wealthiest of the new EU members. They constantly aim to prove themselves and to progress. Their toil and persistence has allowed many Slovenes to achieve at the global level. A very good example is the country’s athletes, particularly those involved in extreme sports, from mountaineering and extreme skiing to ultramarathon biking and swimming exploits.

Slovenes are also very thorough in learning foreign languages to make themselves understood. Even primary school students can speak foreign languages. The majority of people can speak good English, while most have a good grasp of German. A large share of the population can communicate in the languages of the old Yugoslavia, while there are many fluent Italian speakers in the areas bordering Italy."

There are 15 natural spas (thermal springs), more churches per capita than any other European city and 80 ski areas.  It is the 3rd most forested country in Europe, 1% is covered in vineyards, 100 castles still stand, and it is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of water.  There are 10,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails, 9,000 karst caves and the oldest grapevine in the world.  Also, my beloved, Lipizzaner horses have been bread there for 430 years.  There are over 3,000 churches and numerous chapels dedicated to saints.  They even have a 900 year old monastery.
And, I just recently learned they have their own BIG BROTHER show on television.
WOW WHAT A COUNTRY!
kt2011

#91-THURSDAY'S PICK (Patty) to #19 (Finaly Had a Comeback)

I love reading your comments.  Therefore I have decided to pick a comment once a week and post it.  Of course this will fall FLAT if you guys aren't making comments!

Here is today's pick:  To  #19 Patty (my daughter) said..."Love it. I've done something like this before when I lived in Dallas. Here we go...

Well, I was running late and needed to pick up something at the grocery store. Of course, it was packed, hot as hell out side and I couldn't find a parking spot. So, being a 20-something year old  I saw the handicapped spots. I was nervous to do this, but I was late! So as I got out of my car and rounded the back of it, some lady starts yelling at me that I don't have a handicap sticker and that I don't look handicapped.

So, when my mouth opened I started talking like a deaf person and said, in a very muffled voice, "I'm sorry, I'm deaf and couldn't read your lips. Can you please stand in front of me and repeat what you said?"

Needless to say she was speechless and just walked off.  So, I ran quickly into the store, got what I needed and got the heck out of there.

Lesson learned...don't park in the handicapped section unless you're really quick with comebacks."

THAT'S MY GIRL!  AS HER HUSBAND WOULD SAY, "APPLE-TREE!"  (as in the apple doesn't fall far from the tree).
kt2011

#90-FROM THE FRING PAN INTO THE FIRE

From the Frying Pan Into the Fire….

NO, MY FRYING PAN WAS THE FIRE!

         

         In in blog #29 I told you about my ADHD and the roll it plays in my goofy life.  So, my children were (and still are) used to my “weirdness” and mostly took (and still take) it in stride.  At one time in my life I used to burn up at least one frying pan a month.  


One day, while I was cooking dinner the phone rang. 

         
          My young daughter (about 5^th grade) answered it and, matter of fact type voice said, “Mother can’t come to the phone right now.  She's busy burning dinner.”

          She listened for a minute and then said, “Hey, Mom, come talk to Carol.  I’ll burn dinner for you.”

          When I put the receiver to my ear all I could hear was hysterical laughter coming from my best friend, Carol.


(FYI: another fire related blog is #32 and several future blogs.   :) 

 kt 2011

#89-HEY OUT THERE....WRITE ME!

I NOTICED THAT I HAVE READERS IN PLACES OTHER THAN THE USA

(Argentina, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia,  South Korea (this is probably my granddaughter Kallie who is in the Air Force), and the U. K.)

I sure would like to know how you found me and what you think about my BLOG.  What would you like me to write about?  Are you from the USA? Are you reading in English or translating the blog?  

Please leave me a comment.  I TRULY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!


I live in the state of Missouri.  I know it is a little blury but this is the best I could find.

.

Now if you would look at the lower left hand corner, count up three counties.  I am in the yellow one right on the border.  My house is only a millimeter to the right of the border line.  My house is yellow too (squint and you should be able to see me sitting at my computer).
kt2011

#88-HEY ELMER, WHO'S THE NUT WITH THE LIGHT?

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU GUYS FOR MAKING 2010 A GREAT YEAR.  I HAVE DELIGHTED IN WRITING THIS BLOG.  IT IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN A WHILE.  THIS GETS ME UP IN THE MORNING AND FILLS IN THE BORING DAYS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST (taking care of my 99 year old father 24/7).  AND, WHEN TV IS LOUSY (way too many times lately) I CAN TURN TO WRITING.  THANKS FOR THE MANY WONDERFUL COMMENTS AND FOR BEING SO GOOD TO ME.
Karen


I love fire flies (or lightening bugs).  In fact, when my parents moved me from Missouri to California in 1952 they were one of the things I missed the most.

One evening, this summer (2010) I sat on my small front porch listening to the frogs and enjoying the relative silence of the night. 

Hi!  You talkin to me?

Across the street a naturally landscaped vacant lot  with a drainage ditch, lush fescue and a variety of trees, was growing very dark.  The darkness was closing in and at that moment I was glad that there wasn’t a street light close to my home.  You see, since it was so dark I could clearly see the bright fire flies raise from the grass and drop from the trees.

It was like they were an earth bound Milky Way only I could see their movements.

Suddenly, I had a scathingly (I love this word) brilliant idea, rushed into the house, and retrieved a pen-light.  Plopping myself back in my chair I proceeded to blink the light; trying to pattern it to their rhythm.

The activity across the road started to change.  I would blink at them and some of them would blink back.  I would blink at them again and some would move closer.  This went on for about 10 minutes.

Drats! U aint what I got all lit up fer!

Much to my delight my whole front yard was filled with lightening bugs.  I sat there enjoying the light show and wondering how confused they must be when the bright light that summoned them did not court them as they had expected.  

kt2011

#87-FIRST HUG OF THE NEW YEAR

WE ALL NEAD TOHUG LONG, HARD, AND OFTEN!



HERE COMES YOUR VITUAL HUG!    kt2011

#86-Happy New Year 2011 Video Poem ecard

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!



SHARE YOUR #1 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION
WITH ME AND I'LL SHARE MINE.......

kt2011

#85-HAPPY NEW YEAR

I HAVE ONLY CELEBRATED ON NEW YEAR EVE  ONE TIME.

WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL MY PARENTS TOOK ME TO HOLLYWOOD AND VINE.  BY MIDNIGHT I WAS TOTALLY BORED BUT DID GET A KICK OUT OF THE COUNT DOWN.  "SO, THIS IS IT?" I SAID TO MY PARENTS.  THEY NODDED.  "BIG DEAL!" I UTTERED AND HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED TO THIS DAY.   kt 2010

#84-THURSDAY'S PICK (George)

I love reading people's comments.  Therefore, I have decided to pick a comment each Thrusday to post.   Of course this will fall FLAT if you guys aren't making comments!

TODAY'S PICK:  To #62 George said...

All Right! That does it. You have a spy cam in my house, don't you? You must because you've described exactly how my computer area and calendar look. Lists all over the place. I even have them in my truck..and on my refrigerator...and in my wallet...and in my desk. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and start scribbling things I want to remember. Clever people like us are like that, you know? Now stop spying on me!!

Meet Regnald Rooster, a renowned  and resourceful  rapscallion.

(And you thought he was sitting on your fence to wake you in the morning.)

AND HE IS STILL ON THE JOB!

kt2010

#83-OH CHRISTMAS TREE; OH, Noooooo, THE CHRISTMAS TREE!

When I was in high school (late 50s) my mother (ignoring Dad's vociferous protests) bought us a REAL tree.  Up to then we had had a series of really BAD silver tin-foil trees with an annual changing of the color of the ornaments to be used.  One year they were a horrible magenta!

I was delighted that we were going to have a REAL tree.  Mom even had it flocked with fake snow.  It was a magnificent tree!

However, (yep, you knew the however, was coming) what she failed to consider was the budgie cage filled with 6 young parakeets.  Our loving couple had blessed us with 8 eggs that fall, 6 of which hatched into adorable little trouble-makers.  We thought it would be cool to watch the process but, hadn't a clue as to the problems we were inviting into our lives.

The first thing that happened is that the male (Sam) dropped dead a few weeks after we purchased him a beautiful yellow mate (Samantha).  Apparently, we had waited too long to get him a mate.  He couldn't handle the stress.  I guess he knew what was coming as the brood that hatched was a real rowdy bunch.

One day, one of them figured out how to open the cage door (my mother swore that I left it ajar after feeding them) and the whole lot escaped (except for Samantha, who was glad they were gone).  I heard my mother yell, "Noooooooo! Nooooooo! The Christmas Tree!"

I rushed into the front room to find her shooing the flock from her precious tree. They were busily plucking off the flocking and pine needles.  The front room was more flocked than the tree.  Thank God my mother didn't have a gun because she probably would have shot the birds, me, and then herself!

By the time we caught all 6 (took about an hour during which time my mother was uttering all kinds of obscenities) the poor tree looked a little sad.  There was white flocking and pine needles in every part of the house.  My mother was livid.

The next day the parakeets were gone (all of them) cage and all.  I never had the courage to ask her what she did with them.  I had visions of her taking them to the Chinese restaurant at the shopping center  down the street (Sorry, was that not politically correct to say?).

We went back to fake trees the next year.  A green one this time!

kt2010

#82-WOOPS!

FOUND THIS WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR NEW YEARS VIDEO'S

I THOUGHT IT WAS HYSTERICAL!    

kt 2010

#81-A Social Network Christmas

THIS IS VERY CREATIVE.  AN UNUSUAL APPROACH TO THE CHRISTMAST STORY.
I LIKED IT.  MAYBE YOU WILL TOO!
kt2010

#80-JESUS AND SANTA

VERY INTERESTING APPROACH.  ALTHOUGH I REALLY DO NOT HAVE AN OPINION I DO KNOW A LOT OF CHRISTIANS WHO WILL NOT INTRODUCE SANTA INTO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.  THOSE CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT IT MAY CAUSE CHILDREN TO THINK THAT JESUS IS A FAIRY TALE TOO......DIDN'T HURT MY FAITH, BUT, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
kt2010

#79-CHRISTMAS SONG (Jeremy Camp - Christ Is Come)

JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, EMANUEL, GOD AMONG US, WAS ON THIS EARTH FOR ONLY 33 YEARS, YET HE CHANGED THE WORLD AND IS WITH US FOR ALL ETERNITY!




Jeremy Camp recorded the song "Open Up Your Eyes" for the soundtrack of the hit film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which earned him a Dove Award (he has several).  Some of my favorite songs by this artist are: There Will Be a Day, This Man, I Still Believe, and Beautiful One.

#78-WE ARE HERE

THIS IS A RELAXING CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.  VERY WELL DONE.
ENJOY!

#77-CHRISTMAS SONG (Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant)

THIS SONG IS KNOWN AS "MARY'S SONG."  AMY GRANT DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB MAKING US FEEL THE WORDS.  kt2010

#76-THE PARADOX OF CHRISTMAS

GREAT CHRISTMAS VIDEO - IT KIND OF SAYS IT ALL!
"THIS SEASON IS TRULY ABOUT THE GIFT THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN."
kt2010

#75-CHRISTMAS SONG (Joseph's Lullaby - MercyMe)

LET US NOT FORGET THAT CHRISTMAS IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST;  THE PROOF OF GODS LOVE FOR US.

I HAD NOT HEARD THIS SONG BEFORE.  IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND MAKES ME WONDER ABOUT WHAT JOSEPH MIGHT HAVE BEEN THINKING AT THE TIME OF JESUS'S BIRTH!
kt2010

#74-THE LAST SANTA

Before you get started I want you to know there are “spoilers” for those of you who may still BELIEVE.  So don’t read any further.

I was in the second grade the fall of 1949, and I had a horrible revelation foisted on me by a mean classmate at school.  My parents found themselves with a hysterical child, ranting on and on about a stupid boy and his stupid ideas.

I was VERY angry because he had snidely said,” Only BABIES believed in Santa Clause."  This boy was a “know it all jerk” and made my life miserable for the entire day. 

I was extremely upset, but what I did not realize at the time was that Mom and Dad were devastated.  I was too young to be robbed of this beautiful concept.   They weren’t ready to let their baby grow up.  By the end of the day they had hatched a plan to thwart this young man’s intentions.

The first was to have a conversation with the young man and his father.  Since my father was the Superintendent of that school district, this was a sobering event for the bully and his dad.  I was never bothered again.

The second strategy was what ended up being the most memorial event of my young life.  They set out to PROVE that Santa did indeed exist! 

Mom and Dad told me this story several times over the years and now I am sharing it with you.

On Christmas Eve it was snowing and we went about our usual tasks of setting out milk and cookies after figuring out the most likely place for Santa to get into our second floor apartment.  It was finally decided that he would probably come in through my bedroom window because it overlooked the roof of the grocery store next door.  Cookies and milk was set on my nightstand and the window was unlocked so Santa could easily gain entrance. 

I will never forget what my eyes were awakened to the next morning.  It was cold in my room because my window was slightly ajar.  There was snow accumulated on my windowsill and footprints made of snow just below the window on my rug.  The footprints led off into the front room and were slowly melting from the warmth.

I bounded from my bed and bumped into my parents who were standing there pointing out the window with amazed looks on their faces.  I turned and looked out the window and THERE on the rooftop of Shindlers Grocery Store were the long straight marks of Santa’s sleigh and tiny reindeer tracks. 

Just outside and below my window was a large round place smoothed out where Santa had obviously set his large sack of presents.  I WAS ESTATIC!  It was the best Christmas ever and turned out to be my last because other kids were determined to make this BABY grow up on their timetable not my parent’s.

What I didn’t hear that day was my mother gasped as placed her hand over her mouth.  What I didn’t see was that the sleigh tracks came across the roof and drove right past (over) a chimney in the middle of the roof.   Dad in his frantic early morning effort, with a closeline pole, had failed to notice the irregularity.

Nevertheless, it had the desired effect and proved to be one of my favorite stories to be told each Christmas.  Their expression of LOVE was the best present I could have received.  Christmas is supposed to be about the expression of LOVE.  I think that a lot of the people in this world have forgotten that.
HAVE  A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!

kt 2010

#73-SUNDAY'S SONG (I BELIEVE - Natalie Grant)

This IS a beautiful song and so inspiring when sung by Natalie Grant.  I love the way Christian music has changed over the years.  I listen to the Christian station K-Love every day so I can be filled with songs that touch my heart and mind. These songs feed me with words that nourish my soul.  They express my beliefs in ways I can not.   They make me smile inside and out.  kt2010

#72-SURPRISED KITTY

I ABSOLUTELY   L  O  V  E   CATS!



THIS IS MY VERY FAVORITE YOU TUBE VIDEO!  There are other ones on this site so be sure you go to the Panda.  It is my #2 favorite.  However, you go to the others at your own risk.  There is one on there called "I'm a kitty cat," that is very annoying.


BE SURE TO READ #75 (12/21) AND #80 (12/26).  They are my only Christmas stories.


kt2010

#71-FRIDAY FLASHBACK (Poor Kid Wasn't Even a Little Bit Country - 3)

This is a true story about my 10-year-old daughter, Patty, and her problems adjusting from life in Los Angeles to living in the small rural town of Lamar, MO.  (reprint of #16)

Our first Easter in Lamar, I bought 6 bantam chickens for Patty and her brother.  There were four females and two roosters.  Both kids were delighted with the chicks and helped raise them.  That first winter was a cold one and we did not have a heater in the chicken pen so we moved them into the kitchen.  I found a large box at the furniture store and set up a home away from home for our charges. 

The young chickens had all the comforts of home.  We stuck rods through the cardboard sides for them to roost upon.  Water and plenty of food was deposited in jar lids.  We even cut out little doors so we could peek in on them.                       

One day I heard a big ruckus coming from the box.  I peeked in to see what they were all frazzled about.  They seemed to be attending to one particular chick, named Henrietta.  I watched intently as she finally deposited one tiny egg in the straw.  When I called Patty and showed her the egg she was enthralled.

The next afternoon they started up another hullabaloo so I ran and got Patty so she could watch.  This time it was Peepers, Patty’s favorite, which was doing her dance.  We watched and then there it was lying in the straw.

Patty, gasped, stomped out of the kitchen and slammed the door to her room.

I knocked on her door, went into her room, and asked her what was wrong.

Patty, replied in a disgusted voice, “Did you see where that egg came from?  I’m NEVER eating eggs again!”  To myself I thought, “Wonder what she will refuse to eat when I let the eggs hatch?”

I also wondered how long it would take a 10 year old child to starve to death?

For other stories about mu daughter's adjustment to life in a rural town see numbers 54 # 67. 

kt 2010