Sisters – an unbreakable tie

All sewn up.

 

I am the oldest of three sisters, followed by that lone brother.

Growing up I was more the babysitter than a sibling, but oh the blessing of having sisters (and a brother who brought into the family another lovely sister!).

 

We lost my little sister ten years ago – colon cancer, get your checks – and whilst packing up her belongings I took her placemats as the colors and pattern pleased me. They have been used occasionally during the fall, but not as often as I could have. They ended up in a cupboard with the exception of one used as a doily on side tables acquired a few years ago.

 

My other sister, who would have loved to have been an interior decorator, often (o.k. always) has suggestions to make on my interior decorations. We are chalk and cheese, but this time she hit the jackpot. We were discussing, rearranging, rediscussing and re-re-arranging cushions on my lovely sofa when she saw the one placemat. Pinned it into place over one of the pillows and indeed it did look good.

 

She took home four of the others and the day before Thanksgiving I received cushion covers made from these placemats in the mail.

Gorgeous.

 

I now live with a permanent reminder of both my sisters – in my living room where I see them multiple times a day. Truly one of the blessings in my life.

 

The two more colorful ones on the ends

 

Thanksgiving

 

https://www.kciiradio.com/2022/11/23/area-organizations-offer-free-thanksgiving-meals/

 

The only holiday that I truly miss from my childhood is Thanksgiving.

Oh, I have splendid memories of Christmas, of birthdays, both mine and those of my siblings but they still exist.

 

I have lived in the country of my second nationality now for almost 50 years. When the children were little I made the effort of producing Thanksgiving dinner on that Thursday even if it was a work day and school day.

 

Over the years I have been with American family and celebrated it well. I have also had Thanksgiving in various restaurants here as there is a large expat community.

 

But this year, there is nothing – and, I guess as a result of age, I find that I miss it.

 

Still instead of mourning what isn’t I will choose to celebrate what is:

A good life, decent health, a great place to live, friends and family strewn throughout the world; travel, grandchildren, and even the sun is shining today. Truly a life and conditions for which I give thanks!

 

 

Morsels of love

 

Auer salty butter caramel chocolates

Now admittedly I had to ruminate over the title for quite some time as my first

Pop-into-my-head title was Love Bites. That might not have played to well in some cultures. Then I thought of Love Bits. OK not to bad, but still not quite right. Then there was Bits of Love, but hey that could have been most anything.

Then, eureka, Morsels of love presented itself.

 

After all that just about a title you may be expecting a very erudite article: no.

 

Yesterday

1)   The door bell rang and I actually heard it

2)   I made it to the door just as the person was starting to walk off (I am rarely at home, very sporadic in my answering the door, etc.)

3)   A friend handed me a small gift bag and before I could even react was down the drive, back in the car and gone.

 

Ah ha, in the bag (from my favorite chocolate store, but that doesn’t always mean anything as I have been known to pack other presents in anything that comes to hand and my family and good friends know that the sack isn’t always, in fact is rarely, indicative of the present therein) was a delightful small package of my all-time-favorite chocolates!

 

Not sure what I have done to deserve them, but oh will they be (ok two already gone) greatly enjoyed!

 

Morsels of love from good friends.

Giving up, or.....

 

Giving up, or….

 

Getting Smart!

 

I have spent a quiet weekend at home: that makes for one-in-a-row.

And during said weekend have finally started to tidy up, sort, straighten and dare I say,

Even get rid of a few bits. OK very few, but every one gone is yet another gone.

 

One of this weekends achievements, and yes I have decided that it is an achievement,

Has been letting go of that 5’000 piece puzzle. It has been over a year that it has sat on the winter garden table. I made good progress for about the first month, then life intervened, people were more important (and always will be) and I ended up getting a plastic to put over it so that I could leave it in place whilst the table was being used for other events.

 

 

My older friend in the mountains actually did finish hers.

 

For the first time in my life however, I have decided that some things just aren’t meant to be and this is one that isn’t going to happen – or at least not in the immediate future. Perhaps a few years down the road it will come with me somewhere else and I’ll have the time and patience.

 

Meanwhile, I can finally start on the smaller puzzles, several of which have accumulated during my period of “I am me, I am stubborn, I will finish this puzzle”.

 

 

 

I have finally gotten smart!

 

It’s never too late…

 

To learn.

An adage often heard, but all too true, if only we would realize sooner!

 

Today’s appointment with the dental hygienist was painless and blood free.

 

And the difference?

What they always say: floss your teeth at least once a day.

This past six months I have faithfully done what I should have been doing all along:

Flossing faithfully, in spite of the many times I was tempted to “skip it just this once” I have found that regardless of the rule that three times makes a habit, if I skip just once, there’s always a better excuse the next day… and the next…..

 

So, no pain, took less time, teeth in better condition. What’s not to like about that?

I’ll remember the next time I contemplate skipping a night.

 

OK, not me as neither teeth nor smile are this nice, still a great dream

 

Flowers again

After all the heat waves this summer, suddenly we have switched to fall. I hope that we will have many gloriously sunny, but cool days before a snowfall, or rain or whatever. This year is so unpredictable that it could be anything in any order!

But with the thought of fall comes my need to again have flowers in the house: flowers on the entry table to welcome me as I return, or to make me smile as I leave.

I have purchased the first a few days ago.

 

The party’s Over…

 

Back to “real” life, or what passes for such in mine.

Retirement is supposed to be laid-back days, time for all those you love or befriended along the way, sitting around chatting, drinking coffee, watching TV (rarely, but news for 30 minutes per day is o.k.).

 

Somehow mine doesn’t seem to be going that way: the upside? I am NEVER bored. O.K I managed to have one whole day so far this year where I had no engagements, didn’t even take the car out of the garage for almost 36 hours. It is however, not my “normal” life.

 

Mind you this isn’t a complaint – I love my life and hope it continues, with just occasionally a down day to recuperate.

My current spate of activity had my sister and brother-in-law arrive late one Friday. I picked them up at the airport and without passing go – nor home – headed for cow country and our hotel room for the night. Next morning was dedicated to watching the cows come down from the alps – in the pouring rain.

Then we managed to do a whole lot in spite of the weather until I delivered them back to the airport early that following Thursday.

One day to clean house, change sheets and it was off to meet my cousin in Zurich. We traveled by train for 4 days, taking in things that she hadn’t seen (after several trips she has done the highlights, but there’s still plenty of things to discover and to do). We got lucky with the weather and were able to go up a mountain with a view two days in a row as well as come back via one of my favorites, the MOB which runs from Zweisimmen, Switzerland to Montreux, Switzerland.

 

Days trips thereafter, even had the grandkids over one weekend day and in general kept going at a good pace. Somewhat hindered by the horrible cold I picked up, but not enough to have not sampled fondue, raclette, rösti (hash brown potatoes, but oh so much better) as well as innumerable platters of local cold cuts and cheeses.

 

I too her to the train station early this morning and now it’s back to a list longer than I wish to put into words.

Guess I’d better get on with it – the Party’s Over.