Valentine’s Day Dinner……

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I think I have mentioned before that we no longer go out for Valentine’s Day, Mothers/Fathers Day, or Easter. It’s just usually so crowded and hectic that unless we happen to be traveling during one of those we would rather cook a special meal at home. That was especially true this year since Valentine’s Day was on a Wednesday. We had steaks over the weekend and I didn’t get over to Sprouts to see if they had any tempting cuts of meat. We decided on lobster risotto and we already had some leftover spinach and artichoke spread from Sunday. I wanted our Florida lobster, but Publix didn’t have any and I wasn’t going elsewhere to search. I picked up the little Canadian tails which are fine for something like this.They did have this nice little heart-shaped white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake so we were all set. Oh, and champagne of course.
I know I have mentioned risotto is one of Hubby’s dishes; I’m not allowed to touch it. I shucked the lobsters, tossed the tails into the pot for him to make stock, chopped the meat and added some melted garlic butter to let it absorb the flavor for a while. If you haven’t ever  made risotto, a critical step is to take between 22-30 minutes for the dish which requires adding liquid incrementally and stirring almost constantly. After the stock was ready and Hubby chopped up the salad veggies, I warmed up the dip, and he opened the champagne. We poured one glass for “chefing”, and he commenced with the risotto while snacking on the spread and crackers and sipping champagne and I finished the salads. He opted for a frozen mixed veggies to co along and there was one lovely garlic roll also left over. It all worked nicely and was delicious.

No Same Timeline……

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Emotional content alert. For those who follow the blog, I touch into serious matters at times and today is one of them. The recent loss of a friend was not unexpected in one sense. He had a couple of different health issues and apparently another one or two that hadn’t quite manifested. Without getting into unnecessary detail, the rapidity of his decline is what took many of us by surprise.

For anyone who has dealt with the loss of a spouse, that, and the loss of a child (not something I have personally experienced) have dynamics that cannot be truly understood without having suffered that particular loss. People may care deeply about you, offer sympathy and support. That does help, is appreciated, and and it’s good to do. The irony is, of course, the one single thing you want is to have the individual back and that is the one single thing that can not happen. After the initial “buffering of shock” passes, there are so many actions to be taken and then there is your life in the new stage. One of the things difficult to grasp is there isn’t a “straight line” in dealing with the grief. I don’t recall how long it was after the famous “Stages of Grief” was published when the author explained she never intended for it to be taken as a “timeline”. There is no – “okay, it’s been X amount of time, so you should be at Y.” Other people around you get on with their lives and most of us adopt a public facade for the sake of those people. How one feels and deals with the grief in private depends on the individual. There is nothing good about having cared for a person in long-term decline and while that loss might be “expected”, it doesn’t necessarily make it less painful. The finality of death is what can be difficult. The lingering scent of someone’s clothes, the favorite foods you no longer buy or cook; the act of now cooking for one. These are things that seem small and yet can be emotionally draining. Time does help, if you allow it to do so. However, you can’t dictate how much time it will take.

How Many Names?……

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I covered an event the other day I wasn’t originally schedule for – another of those reasons I’m behind on posts. It was a “re-naming ceremony”. For those who aren’t familiar with this area, there is a peculiarity about street names and numbers. For those who know, it may be worth a chuckle. We have County and Municipal systems as well as potentially State and Federal. In this county, certain cervices such as Fire and Rescue are at the County. There are also the property records. Anyway, the County designates streets in their system and each municipality in theirs. Since Miami Dade County is north of here, this is why NE 8th in Homestead is also 312th using the County System. It is named Campbell Drive. To complicate matters, sections of a street may be further named in honor of someone. I’m not sure how long a section is permitted and in all fairness, the sign that goes up is not entered into any of the navigation databases nor is it placed on the regular street sign. It is in talking to people where confusion can happen. I was interviewing an individual once whose uncle (maybe great uncle) had a section of one street named for him and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out where he was talking about. It was maybe five or six months later I was on that street and happened to notice the extra sign showing the honor.

Anyway, in the case of the very well-attended Street Renaming Ceremony I covered, it is not a major street and probably won’t cause much confusion. The problem I had was for some reason, my navigation system wouldn’t accept the address on the press release and defaulted to a similar street in another direction. Fortunately, the route took me close enough to the correct place so after I passed it, I managed to work my way back around.

Extra Long Lapse….

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As those who follow the blog might have surmised, things have been even more hectic than usual. It’s a combination of circumstances, events, overlapping deadlines, and the finally fading effects of a sprained right wrist. I took a tumble 3 weeks ago and while I can’t say I was happy about that, I was happy for a sprain as opposed to a break. I am also taking the unusual step of not attending an annual event this weekend in order to actually have one day for the first time in three weeks to not have an external commitment. Or maybe it has been a month; I am losing track a bit. Not that my to-do list has diminished by much; any amount does help though.

It’s Rodeo weekend and Hubby has to teach today and tomorrow and will be at the Rodeo Sunday for the photo shoot. I can’t recall how many years he has done this now, and it is very different from covering races at the Speedway. He does get some incredible action shots and some adorable kid shots as well as capturing the enjoyment of the crowd. The weather is supposed to be great this year and it is the 75th anniversary. I think all three days – well, one night and two days – are near capacity in ticket sales. Allegedly, approximately 20,000 attended last year when everything was combined. I don’t recall ever seeing an economic impact statement although I imagine someone has that.

Moving on to other topics, I  am getting used to the new Escape even though some functions still confuse me. I haven’t figured out how to pre-set music channels or really try the sun roof. The gas gauge indicator is odd as it has tick marks instead of a dial. On the other hand, there is a digital readout of how many miles until empty.

Oh, and one of our lovely orchid is in bloom again. The only ones we have luck with are the outdoor ones.

Orchid in Our Front Yard

 

 

Tips and Cash……

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One friend we have lunch with every week or so generally does not use a credit card. When she does, she still leaves the tip in cash. We had the discussion about this and for quite some time, I continued to add it to my credit card. Now, as it happens, some of the places in town have switched to including an automatic service fee. Anyway, I got to thinking about this and like a lot of people, I don’t necessarily carry a lot of different bills with me. On the other hand, due to a couple of different things, I have to make bank runs fairly often. I started swapping out some of my twenties for $5s and $10s and keep those in a separate envelop at home that I then transfer some of the bills every few days into my wallet to use for cash tips now.

Aside from allowing the server to have immediate cash, I am not quite certain how a place handles tips from credit cards. For example, does the server get the entire tip or do they subtract the credit card fee? Do they give the server the tip along with their paycheck? I simply hadn’t really thought of these this until watching my friend. The one thing though is if a tip is automatically included at say 18% and I ordinarily tip 20%, that can be more complicated. Adding the extra in this case might mean I need to have some $1s to augment. That, and if the tip is more than $20 is when I may well keep it on the credit card.

Another Guest Post….

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Hi everyone. Here is a new one from Abby Holt, whom I have featured before.

Unleashing Your Full Potential: Actionable Strategies for a Fulfilling Life

In today’s fast-paced world, pursuing a fulfilling life and achieving personal goals are at the forefront of many minds. To help you on this journey, Abby Holt of Craftability has compiled a list of actionable steps you can take right now to live your best life. These strategies will empower you to make the most of your potential and enjoy a daily life that motivates you to keep growing!

 

Becoming More Resilient

Life is full of challenges, but your ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial. Build resilience by embracing adversity as an opportunity for growth. When faced with obstacles, view them as stepping stones toward your goals.

Each challenge you overcome strengthens your resilience and equips you with valuable skills for future endeavors. It’s not about avoiding difficulties but facing them head-on and emerging stronger.

Sharpening Your Knowledge and Skills

Boosting your earning potential is a key component of achieving your goals. Consider pursuing an online degree to expand your knowledge and skills. Continuous learning is an investment in yourself and can open doors to new career prospects and personal growth.

By exploring online education, you can see how this can help you study while balancing other responsibilities — whether it’s mastering a new language, acquiring technical expertise, or gaining an advanced degree. It can ultimately lead you down a pathway to a brighter future.

Practicing Self-Care Every Day

Your well-being is essential. Prioritize self-care by setting aside time for relaxation, mindfulness, and physical health. Dedicate moments in your day for activities that rejuvenate your mind and body, such as meditation, yoga, or simply taking a leisurely walk.

A well-rested, stress-free individual is better equipped to tackle challenges and pursue their aspirations. Making self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine ensures you’re in the best shape to chase your dreams.

Adopting a Growth Mindset

Embrace the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This growth mindset will open doors to personal and professional growth. Instead of fearing failure, see it as a chance to learn and improve.

Cultivate a positive inner dialogue that encourages self-improvement and resilience. When you believe in your capacity for growth, you become more adaptable and willing to take calculated risks on the path to your goals.

Letting Yourself Be Curious

Curiosity is the engine of learning and growth, so foster your inquisitive nature by exploring new interests, hobbies, and ideas. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone regularly.

Attend lectures, read diverse books, or engage in discussions with people from different backgrounds. Curiosity not only broadens your knowledge but also sparks creativity and innovation. It fuels your passion for life and encourages you to continuously seek out new experiences.

Find People Who Share Your Interests

Surround yourself with a supportive community of like-minded individuals who share your goals and values. Networking can provide valuable insights and opportunities.

Engage in meaningful conversations, attend networking events, and seek out mentorship from those who have already achieved what you aspire to accomplish. These connections can offer guidance, collaboration opportunities, and a robust support system to help you navigate the challenges on your journey.

The Bottom Line

Living your best life and achieving your goals requires dedication and proactive steps. You can unleash your full potential and create a fulfilling life by building resilience, exploring educational opportunities, prioritizing self-care, and implementing the other strategies above.

Remember that it’s the small, consistent actions that lead to significant change. Start taking these steps today to embark on your journey toward a brighter future.

Thanks, Abby.

Charlie Hudson

Gadgets Can Be Good…..

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Notwithstanding the number of amazing gadgets of all sorts that can be found today, there remains the questions of, “how much will you actually use it”; and “is there space?”. Thus, even though Hubby did like when son made his own light saber at the workshop during our Disney trip in the spring, and lots of people were getting their wands from Harry Potter World during that trip, he declined both. Cool, and appreciated, but past the time when we need to add those to the household.

As I may have mentioned, the recent addition of the toaster oven/air fryer/grill to replace our previous toaster oven is so far nice, and we will learn to use it more although the size (larger than I was expecting) has caused some rearranging. Anyway, for once this year, I did request a gadget for myself. If you follow this blog you know I have insomnia and am also an early riser. My regular morning routine is make coffee and come upstairs to the computer. If Hubby has morning boat, I’m not up here long, then come back up after he heads out. In either case, I will have 3-4 mugs of coffee (one of chamomile tea if I’ve up with insomnia.) I now have a desktop warming pad for my mug. It plugs in and has three settings. It works really well and I am quite happy with it. A bit larger than the base of the mug, it also doesn’t take much space.

I did have to request a new Kindle as well because mine was probably six or seven years old and the vinyl cover was flaking off. Hubby ordered both for me and made sure all my content was transferred over. This is the Paperwhite model although I have no idea where that is in the line-up of the types you can buy.

One Visit Done…

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Happy New Year is of course in order at least from a traditional perspective. I did get the kids off to the airport yesterday although there was more traffic than I was expecting at that time on New Year’s Day. Bowl games were disappointing for me so I don’t care which of the two teams win the National Championship. Hubby will probably watch next week.

Let’s see, kids discovered the Berry Farm and it was a big hit. Since they didn’t have time to enjoy all the activities, it might be on the list for next year. Not being able to be in the pool because of an unusual prolonged cold front was met with more understanding than I was expecting. (Yes, in the 50s at night and only 70 at peak is “cold” here) Kids had 1.5 “date days” as they did the movie “Ferrari” one afternoon and enjoyed it, then went to the Miccosukee Festival by themselves. I took granddaughter to Coral Castle which she enjoyed, then lunch at Wendy’s and she decided not to go fly the drone with Grandpa later.

New Year’s Eve party was good although dining outside was not feasible this year. That required definite “resetting” of how we usually do things, but it worked and the fire pit along with sweaters/sweatshirts was doable. The one remaining guest leaves tomorrow and I don’t plan to worry with cleaning up the guest room for a while as we don’t have anyone else scheduled. None of the other events have slowed down though and I’ve been juggling multiple things – well, okay, a couple more than usual. In other words, 2023 closed out very much on a busy note and at the moment, 2024 looks to be about the same.

Am still sorting through the leftovers as to what can be used, what can be given away and so forth.

Juggling Activities……

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Well, lots of rain caused a slight change of plans, but was manageable. The cold front – yes, I know still nicer than the frigid climes – means no pool time this year. Am waiting a report on how the Berry Farm is. That’s a place that was a traditional Berry Farm for decades and another branch of the family took it over. Their vision was more activities and especially big additions for the holidays.

Dinner was here last night as we did do Suvi Thai Wednesday. It’s White Lion tonight and again, part of the charm for them is being outside with all the decorations and the numerous cats. Too chilly for that, but there will still be good decorations, good food, and wonderful cake, so it will fun. Tomorrow, kids are having for real “date day” and I’ll take granddaughter on grand adventure to Coral Castle. She’s a great age for it and there will quite possibly be lunch at McDonalds, too. If the wind behaves, when we get back, Grandpa will take her for a drone session. The weather didn’t cooperate last year. Am still having to intersperse several tasks and have tried to tie up the loose ends today to leave the next three days clear in prep for party and the other house guest who comes in Sunday.

 

Really Early Christmas Morning…..

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This is one of those rare occasions when my insomnia strikes early. I barely made it for two hours and am obviously on the computer with my mug of chamomile tea at 1:02 a.m. Christmas morning. I am a little concerned that one of the neighbors a few houses away is still blaring music and there are lots of voices singing, etc., Not that I want to be “Grinchy” and  I am awake anyway, but I’m thinking of other people. Ah well, I suppose if someone wants to have security remind them of the accepted noise “cut-off” of whatever the time is, they will.

Anyway, TBS is running, “A Christmas Story” back-to-back for like 24 hours. While it is not one of my favorites, it is for many. Right now, the really old version of, “A Christmas Carol” is on and I imagine they will run the different versions. As I have mentioned before, my favorite is with George C. Scott as Scrooge, although the take-off of, “Scrooged” with Bill Murray is good, too.

Today’s schedule will be a bot odd as I go at 3:00 to help a friend get ready for the rest of the guests at 4:00 with meal planned for about 5:00. Back when we grew up, noon was always the big meal. I don’t recall the early Christmases, but except for those occasional years we went to my paternal grandparents in Arkansas, the holiday was with my maternal grandparents in Louisiana. Only once did we live more than half hour from them and that was a two-hour drive for a few years. Dressing is (or was) more common in the South than stuffing and my grandmother’s was really good. Another of those family recipes that wasn’t written down and my sister spent years later trying to replicate it. She did get close enough to write it out and I’m not sure what happened to it after that. I’ll try and remember to ask her.

Anyway, I’ve finished my tea and hopefully will get back to sleep soon. Not sure about those neighbors; they’ll have to call it quits at some point.