Monday Musings - Ted E. Bear

TED E. BEAR

The first day I saw him,
smiling at me from the shelf,
I knew he could be mine,
Ted E. Bear,
that cute little charmer
with brown fur and eyes.
I knew I was a grown woman,
long too old for childish toys,
but Ted E. was different
and I longed to hold him tight.
And once in my possession
I knew he was the right fit,
but little did I know that Ted E. had a mission.
As if by magic,
I was smiling and laughing again
and I felt like a child once more;
and I owe it all to a teddy bear my hubby bought,
Mr. Ted E. Bear, my friend.

Knit Christening Blanket

Needed to complete project:  US size #10 needles, 14 to 15 ounces of yarn, and a tapestry needle. Cast on 127 stitches and knit 10 rows garter stitch. Pattern is as follows: Row 1 - Knit 5, * k1, yo, k2 tog, repeat from * across ending with knit 5. Row 2 - Same as row 1. Row 3 - Knit. Row 4 - Knit 5, Purl across, knit last 5 stitches. Continue the last 4 rows for pattern. When you reach desired length end with 10 row of garter stitch. Weave in yarn ends with a tapestry needle. *k1 = knit one stitch  yo = yarn over (adding a stitch)  k2 tog = knit 2 stitches

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows

 Episode: 26 Original air date: August 1, 1965

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Victoria asks David why he attempted to murder Roger and shows him the bleeder valve. The little sociopath attacks her and she locks it in a drawer. She tricks him into leaving her room.  Victoria and David wait each other out on opposite sides of Victoria's door. David tries to run outside, telling Elizabeth "he has to get away." He also accuses Victoria of trying to hurt him. David says that Victoria is going to make up stories about him and even says that Victoria will try to blame him for Roger's accident. David is ejected from the room and tells Victoria Elizabeth won't believe her. David attempts to eavesdrop on Victoria and Elizabeth's conversation, where she recounts the last few minutes of the previous episode. Victoria tells her that she didn't try to hurt David, he tried to hurt her. Victoria tells Elizabeth she was afraid of David. Elizabeth says Burke caused the accident, and doesn't believe Victoria’s story of finding the bleeder valve.

Episode: 27  Original air date: August 2, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift 

Carolyn is happy the 9-year-old psychopath has gone into hiding. Victoria outlines the evidence and states David and the bleeder valve are now missing. While in Bangor, Burke meets Mr. Bronson in Bangor because he doesn't want Bronson near Collinsport. Bronson is apparently going to be a private investagator  for Burke and gives him the financial records from the past 5 years for the Collins Family. Back at Collinwood, Carolyn finds David's magazines with a well-worn page on removing bleeder valves.. Elizabeth can't convince Roger to come find David, who's been missing for 45 minutes. Carolyn talks with Elizabeth and storms off, typical as of late. Burke learns that his hotel room has been searched and a small boy attempted to sneak into his room.

Episode: 28  Original air date: August 3, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Burke confronts the Sheriff and he is furious. David has attempted to break into Burkes, but was stopped by the clerk. Maggie gives David an ice cream sundae, then teaches him how to make one of his own. A pissed off Roger shows up at the diner, but David has slipped away. His new hiding place is in the phone booth. Roger tells Burke he's sending him back to prison. Burke learns Sam and Roger were strangers until Burke came back to town and they had not spoken in 10 years.

Episode: 29  Original air date: August 4, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Elizabeth ridiculously blames Vicki for David's predicament. David shows up at Burke's hotel room and hides the bleeder valve under a cushion. Burke tells David that he, Laura, and Roger were friends before Roger married Laura. David and Burke talk about Roger's hatred and fathers in general. David wishes his father were like Burke. Roger used to fight with his wife about Burke. When David goes to wash up, Burke finds the bleeder valve. David tells Burke he's not what he had expected based on Roger's horror stories. Burke declares friendship with David. Carolyn scolded Elizabeth until she finally  admits she doesn't think Victoria is responsible. Maggie calls Collinwood about David and Roger goes to retrieve his son.  

Episode: 30  Original air date: August 5, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Roger finally arrived at the diner and completely lacking interest in David's whereabouts. Roger names David and Burke as the two people who dislike him most. Victoria spills the beans about David's murder attempt. Roger disbelieves her. David looks for the bleeder valve in Burke's couch, but he can't find it. Burke takes him back to Collinwood. Burke arrives with David, says he found David walking along the road. Roger takes his son into the next room and tells him that he knows about the bleeder valve. David tries to blame the whole thing on Victoria, but Roger doesn't believe him. Roger asks Victoria to repeat her accusations to David. Burke watches as Roger and Victoria confront David. And then he produces the bleeder valve.

*Dan Curtis Productions, ABC Productions, Dark Shadows Wiki

Monday Musings - Childhood Shadows

Childhood Shadows

The sun seemed to shine brighter when I was a little girl,
fresh dew covered grass would sparkle with the eastern rays
and a new day would dawn with excitement and daydreams.
Children were free to roam at will
with no fear of snatching or molestation,
and every stay-at-home mom would monitor
all the kids if they gathered in their yards.
Lunchtime would arrive with the rumble of tummies
and we’d fill up on sandwiches and sugar laden Kool-Aid.
Moms would try the old standby of “it’s naptime right now,”
but they’d only be lucky if we rested our eyes
before we dashed for the doors again.
No complaints of “I’m bored” or “there’s nothing to do,”
because children were able to imagine the possibilities of games to play
and exercise a vivid attention to detail.
Dusk would arrive with a flicker of fireflies,
floating on the nighttime air
and each child would dance through the grass
as they tried to catch the lights to fill up Mason jars for one night.
And pleasant dreams would always come as the children nodded off
to the tiny glow of lightening bugs in dreaming childhood shadows.

Monday Musings - My Angel

My Angel

On windy days, my angel visits me
Blowing a breeze through the silver wind chimes
Reminding me to live my life freely
And not hide away from the rest of the world

On windy days, my angel visits me
Bringing me serenity with each gentle sway
Reminding to live in the present
And keep the past in the past

On windy days, my angel visits me
Whispering secrets with each little chime
Reminding me she is always near
Even though far from my sight she'll be

One-sided Conversation

ONE-SIDED CONVERSATION

“Uh, huh, yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“No, I haven’t seen it yet – really? Oh, I can’t wait!”

“No, uh, uh! No way I’m going if that heifer’s going to be there.”

“Because …”

“No, because she drives me crazy.”

“It’s not funny, Linda. No, I think that red dye job has soaked into her brain and rotted the gray matter!”

“It’s true – no, I think she’s very intelligent.”

“Yes, she is – she has to be smart to be able to down that job at the law office.

“Well, let me finish – I said she’s smart, but she just doesn’t have any common sense.”

“Haha – no, seriously, I don’t think she has enough sense to come in out of the rain.”

“Well, true … she probably would melt in the rain.”

“Oh, you are so bad! No, you are, you’re evil!”

“Yeah, I know – but how could someone smart enough to be a paralegal actually think it’s okay to be dating 3 different guys at the same time?”

“Well, she’s got more energy than me, that’s for sure.”

“Well, what’s going to happen when she goes into the Old Bull Tavern with Bill and she finds Joe Bob at the bar?”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean – the fur will fly!”

“Or, maybe she’ll be eating with Kenny at the Food Affair and Bill walks in with his buddies.”

“No, I don’t care who she dates, I just think it’s wrong for her to sneak behind their backs. Those guys need to know they’re in competition with each other.”

“Oh, I know, that’s why I don’t want to go if she’s there. I can’t stand to her complaining about her love triangle – or I guess it would be a love square since there are four of them.”

“No, I can’t stand to hear one more story. No, I’ll go with you, but if she’s there I’m leaving. Oh, Linda, I’ve gotta go – that hubby on the other line. Talk at ya later. Bye!”

Mrs. Greenhands - Unusual gardening ideas

During this time of year, especially this year with its mild temperatures, many thoughts turn to garden. Now is the time to start planning what your garden will be for the coming growing season. 

You are probably receiving all types ofgardening and seed catalogs in the meal and your visions are full of all the gardening possibilities.

This year, maybe think more about container gardening. Container gardening gives you some advantages over regular gardening:

1. Contains warm sooner than the ground soil, so you are able to plant some crops sooner.
2. You can place containers where you like them in the garden.
3. Containers are easier to water and maintain than regular garden bed.

There are many things that can be used as a container for gardening: wheelbarrows, old buckets, and old cooking pots, anything that will hold soil can potentially be used to garden with.

One of my favorite items to use in gardening is used tires – either car or tractor tires. They can be used for all types of gardening, or as compost heaps. Place them in the garden, fill with good garden soil and presto, you have an instant garden.

This year I found the pictured flower garden and I have plans to make this for my coming gardens. It is basically several car tires painted different colors and stacked in varying order. When the tires are in the shape you want them, fill with garden soil and plant. Instant beauty and an easy way to have color all through the growing season.

Monday Musings - My life according to Heart

(Drawing by my daughter, Marie Huffman)

This is a meme I did on Facebook a while back, but I never posted it here. It was so much fun to do, you may want to pass it on to your friends.

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can’t use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s a lot harder than you think! Repost as “my life according to (band name).”

My Life According to HEART

Pick your Artist:
HEART (Ann and Nancy Wilson)

Are you a male or female:
"There's the Girl"

Describe yourself:
"My Crazy Head"

How do you feel:
"Crazy On You"

Describe where you currently live:
"Up On Cherry Blossom Road"

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
"Back to Avalon"

Your favorite form of transportation:
"Silver Wheels"

Your best friend is:
"Wild Child"

You and your best friends are:
"Bad Animals"

What’s the weather like:
"I Need the Rain"

Favorite time of day:
"Strange Night"

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
"Kick It Out"

What is life to you:
"The Oldest Story in the World"

Your last relationship:
"Heartless" or "If Looks Could Kill"

Current Relationship:
"This Man is Mine"

Your fear:
"Voodoo Doll"

What is the best advice you have to give:
"Tell It Like It Is"

Thought for the Day:
"I Want Your World to Turn" (just for me)

How I would like to die:
"Rockin' Heaven Down"

My soul’s present condition:
"I've Got the Music in Me"

My motto:
"All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You"

The great blizzard of 1978

The Great Blizzard of 1978

We've all heard stories of blizzards and snowstorms from our parents and grandparents, tales of epic snows and the struggles each one brought.
Of course, I have a few stories of my own, but nothing compares to my grandparent's epic storms of legend.

Not unless you count the blizzard of 1978. I was 15 years old at the time of this storm, but I'll never forget that winter. We were out of school from Christmas break until Valentine's Day.

I remember the weathermen had predicted the approaching storm several days before it hit. My parents, like everyone else, had stocked up on food and supplies anticipating a few days of cabin fever. The National Weather Service categorized the storm “as a rare severe blizzard – the most severe grade of storm.” There were wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour and there were a couple of days when the wind chill was more than 30 degrees below zero. I don't know what the official snow totals were for Harrodsburg, but in our backyard we had 26 inches.

I remember the water lines froze and we didn't have water for days on end. This happened all over town, not just in the subdivision of Riverview where I lived. I remember Daddy hauling water from my grandparents farm in Bohon so we would have water to drink and cook with, as well as to flush the toilets. We also went to the laundromat in Danville to wash clothes because the ones in Harrodsburg didn't have water.

It's funny, I can remember the water lines being frozen, but I don't remember if the electricity was on or off. Our home had a gas furnace, so I guess that would have kept us warm. And I remember we had telephone service because I kept the phone lines hot talking to my boyfriend.

The first few days after the storm were fun because we could go sledding, make snow angels and have snowball fights. My younger brother and his friends made an igloo in the backyard and it was fun watching the building process. After the igloo was finished, they spent hours having the grandest snowball fights!

Although I was a tomboy growing up, I was a wimp about snow and cold weather. After the first few days, I was tired of the snow, so I spent most of my days indoors reading. At the time I owned the first 16 “Trixie Belden Mystery” books and I re-read the entire series twice during this extended vacation. But no matter how much I loved Trixie Belden, I was getting tired of reading the same books over and over again. With school closed I was not able to check books out of the library and the bookmobile was not able to travel to our subdivision. I did have "A Wrinkle in Time" checked out from school, but even Charles Wallace and the Tesseract were not enough to hold my boredom at bay.

And bored became an understatement! After the first week, I would wake early every weekday, only to be disappointed when the radio announced school was closed again. I was actually envious of the Harrodsburg students because they went back to school sooner than we did.

Needless to say, I was so excited to go back to school - to see my friends, to see my boyfriend, to get new books from the library, and ending the overpowering boredom of cabin fever. This will probably be the snowstorm story I tell my grandchildren, and I'm sure the tale will get exaggerated, just the way my grandsparents' and my parents' stories did. But one thing is for sure, I will always remember the beauty and power of the Blizzard of 1978.

Mrs. Greenhands - Gardening journals

January is a great month for gardening – not digging in the soil or nurturing flowers, but in planning your new gardens with the use of gardening catalogs. At this time of year, gardening catalogs are arriving in mailboxes and email inboxes are full of gardening specials. It is so fulfilling to clip photos and information of new plants and flowers into your gardening notebook or journal.

In addition to including your dreams in a gardening journal, it is worthwhile to record current day to day information from your actual gardens. You can start by including the daily temperature ups and downs as well as the actual weather conditions. You will also want to note the emergence and blooming of each month’s flowers. It is fun to look back from year to year and see when the first crocus or snowdrops bloomed.

If you do not have a gardening notebook or journal, now is the time to start on and fill it with you wishes and expectations for the coming gardening season. Use your journal to plan new garden spaces or to expand current areas with new species of plants, flowers and vegetables. Gardening journals will keep all of your notes for years to come and will allow to you look at your gardening progression throughout the years.

When you have formed a habit of recording the day-to-day conditions of your garden – the plants, the challenges, what you hope for the future – you can start to add articles and research about a new plant you would love to own. As your journaling grows, you will wonder how you were ever able to garden properly without the use of your journals and notes.

Why not make it a gardening New Year’s resolution and start a gardening journal today. If you live in the Bluegrass Region, then you can record the snowfall we are having, as well as the high and low temperatures. When the newest gardening catalog arrives in the mail, plan out a new perennial border or a kitchen garden. Dream of plants to include in current gardens and work up an agenda of how you are going to meet your current gardening goals. Journals are a way of keeping you current in the gardening world and to keep you involved in gardening research.

Late is relative

Late is Relative
 

It is never too late to fall in love

Better late than never

A day late and a dollar short

You're only late if you have somewhere to go

It's never too late to start over

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date - Alice in Wonderland

Better never than late - George Bernard Shaw

You never know how soon will be too late - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Everything comes late for those who only wait - Elbert Hubbard

People never understand until it's too late - Thomas Merton

We get old too soon and wise too late - Benjamin Franklin

It is never to late to be what you might have been - George Eliot

How did it get so late so soon - Dr. Seuss

Tis not too late to seek a newer world - Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Stay out late, work is for people with jobs - Tom Petty

Tomorrow is nothing, today is too late - Marcus Aurelius

Life is like arriving late for a movie - Joseph Campbell

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows episode 16-20

Here is a summary of episodes 16 through 20:

Episode 16  Original Air Date: 07/18/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Roger emerges from the accident without serious injury, but is shaken by the experience.  He's lucky, the accident could have been worse. Elizabeth is not sure it was an accident. Elizabeth asks Matthew how he's been attending to Roger's car; Matthew jumps to the conclusion that Roger complained and says he hates him. He threatens to kill anyone who harms Elizabeth. Matthew says the brakes on Roger's car were checked two days ago, so they had to have been tampered with in order to cause Roger's accident. Carolyn attempts to get Burke to dance with her; Burke refuses. Burke decides to stop waiting for Roger; Carolyn invites him to the movie. Joe storms out after insulting Burke (who's really been quite passive in this). Burke and Carolyn go looking for Joe. Reporters hound Elizabeth because the Collins' are newsworthy. Victoria has to give Carolyn up when Elizabeth attempts to contact her at the movie house. Elizabeth is furious when she learns/realizes that Carolyn is chasing Burke. She finds out from the barkeep that Carolyn indeed left with Burke. Victoria breaks a dish; Elizabeth watches the clock.

Episode 17 Original Air Date: 07/19/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Elizabeth comforts David after he has a nightmare about Roger's car accident. Collins family employee and retainer Bill Malloy begins to suspect that Roger was the victim of foul play.

Merciless truth-devils haunt David in his dreams; the oddly-accented Dr. Reeves hopes Lucy Cameron doesn't have her baby early, so he can satisfy Bill Malloy’s desire to check the accident scene again (by nursing Roger while Bill is gone) before Bill has to take Roger home. Roger has to wear a cast for a day or two and tells Reeves that his brakes worked fine until he got ‘100 miles--100 miles, felt like 100 miles--100 feet’ up the Hill. Dr Reeves remembers the guy who died 10 years ago. David wants Elizabeth to recount his dream, which Elizabeth dismisses. Dr Reeves threatens to write a book about New England Secrets. Malloy tells Roger that his was not an accident. He explains the mechanics of bleeder valves and brakes. Roger wants to attack, kill, or in some other way confront Burke. Elizabeth gives David a history quiz (Isaac Collins landed in the area in 1690) and David asks her if she loved her father, who died over 20 years ago. David has been having nightmares about his father's death, but Elizabeth doesn't see the connection. After learning from Elizabeth that Victoria saw Burke near his car, Roger scolds Burke and resolves to grill the governess. Elizabeth talks to Bill about finding Carolyn. Roger plans to go to Victoria's room to interrogate her again. David lurks under the stairs.

Episode 18  Original Air Date: 07/20/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Learning Victoria saw Burke by his car, Roger takes her to Burke's room at the hotel to make a confrontation. Meanwhile, David harbours the bleeder valve taken from Roger's car.

A restless Victoria is awakened by Roger and summoned to the Drawing Room. David asks if Roger hurts and tells him he's sorry. Roger is cruel, but apologizes and says his arm hurts a bit, but is just sprained. David knows that someone fooled with the brakes and Roger tells him not to eavesdrop. He refuses to answer David's questions, and orders him to bed. David recants his apology and almost wishes his father dead. Victoria and David talk about David's statements and the accident. David asks what will happen if it wasn't an accident; Victoria tells him the person who did it would be found and tried. Victoria admits she'd tell if she knew who did it. David likens Victoria to Roger: They both want to send him away.

Episode 19  Original Air Date:  07/21/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift  

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Elizabeth continues to insist that Carolyn should not visit Burke again, adamant that he is attempting to destroy the Collins family. Bill Malloy attempts to learn more about Burke's motives.

Bill and Sam talk on and off about Carolyn and Burke. Sam immediately suspects Burke when Bill tells him about Roger's accident; Maggie is sick. Joe begins to suspect Carolyn's immature games. They go to Collinwood; Carolyn learns of Roger's accident and Joe is interrogated by Elizabeth. Elizabeth accuses Burke of murder to Joe; Roger is missing. Elizabeth repeats her accusation to Carolyn, who disbelieves it. Elizabeth tells her about the trial and orders her not to protect Burke, 'not even in her mind.'

Episode 20  Original Air Date: 07/22/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

 Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Roger confronts Burke, accusing him outright of causing the accident and attempting to kill him. Victoria, however, is unimpressed by Roger's assumption of foul play on Burke's part.

Roger takes Victoria to the Collinsport Inn and tells her to wait for his call; Victoria and Sam talk in the lobby. Roger goes to Burke's room and accuses him of attempted murder.

Spring bulbs are popping up

With the warm spring-like weather we have seen in the Bluegrass Region during December, it is not uncommon to have spring bulbs start popping up out of the ground.

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There are certain bulbs that will make an appearance in the fall as a normal and expected occurrence. Grape hyacinths do it, as well as most bulbs in the Allium family, including garlic. My granny used to tell me the plants were saying, "Don't dig here!'" as we would look for yet another place to put fall-planted bulbs.

Most of us would agree we have had very unusual weather here in the Bluegrass Region. In Kentucky, we had way too much rain in over the course of the spring, summer and fall.

The fall season was beautiful and it stayed warmer longer than usual. We got a nice amount of rain and the gardens perked up. Last week, during the Christmas holiday, it was 60+°F. While unpredictable weather is characteristic of the Bluegrass, this has been a strange year for weather.

No wonder our gardens are confused! With bulbs relying on temperatures to regulate their growth and blooming schedules, many of them just don't know whether to sleep or leap. The crocus are blooming and daffodils, tulips and garlic are up about two inches all over the gardens. Now I’m just going to let Mother Nature take over and protect these super producing bulbs and give me beautiful flowers in the spring.

Monday Musings - We Are Mortal

We Are Mortal

Driven by fear and desperation,
the hours tick by
as faint whispers of panic become louder,
a suspected truth unable to be seen.

A brewing storm buffets the angry spirits,
coming out of a dim past to pound against the walls
demanding attention.
Thunder echoes with the whine of rising wind,
emptiness seems alive with a fright and tension
that builds on a single terrifying fact –
We are mortal.

Moment by moment, a tight coil of tension,
drawn to the breaking point,
seems like years which have halted the flow of time;
rooted in the walls of hearts and souls.

A instant of quiet,
the unending chill of terror,
as the hand of death brushes close;
then moves away, stirring the musty air
with a touch filled with overwhelming scents of
anxiety and dread.
My time has not come.

Yesterday

Yesterday

Yesterday was a wonderful day
For happy, smiling kids
Wrappings torn and ribbons tossed
A seas of toys did form

Yesterday was full of smells
That assaulted all my senses
Mom's yummy dressing, the candied yams
And a turkey fit for a king

Yesterday did shame my diet
For I couldn't stop at smells
Oyster casserole, fluffy potatoes
Had my tummy yelling out for more

Yesterday, although for kids
Did give us grownups joy
From textured ribbons and crinkly paper
Our fingers touched them all

Yesterday, that holy day
Gave pause for carols of old
From Once Upon a Midnight Clear
To the end of Silent Night

Yesterday comes but once a year
Though we hold it deep in our hearts
That special something all year 'round
Until Christmas comes again