Daily Archives: 11/23/2013

COLD SUNSHINE, COLD WATER

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It’s a cold sun in the November sky. The branches are bare now. Even the late-clinging oak leaves are gone. Winter is coming  — and our oil tank is empty. No hot water, no heat and the temperature is dropping.

What happened to the delivery? This is the first time in 13 years we’ve been missed. Sigh. It’s always something. Got to get the truck here to fill us! And prime the boiler too. Another sigh.

DAILY PROMPT: PLAYTIME!

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Jump!

Three kids, a hot summer day, and a pool. They are going to make quite a splash! It’s playtime! Hey kids … Any room for grandma?

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WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: AN UNEXPECTED FIRST STEP

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It’s a long first step out that front door. Maybe a ladder would help?

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SLICE AND DICE

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I almost removed the tip of my left index finger while chopping vegetables. I was doing everything right. The knife was razor-sharp. I was using a wooden cutting board. But I forgot to keep my finger out of the way of the blade and I only noticed when the knife blade stuck in my fingernail and I had to extract it. How inattentive do you need to be to not notice you’re sawing through your fingernail?

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I never fully understood why we have fingernails. I thought it was to stiffen up the ends of our fingers, make it easier to pick stuff up. This evening I realized if I didn’t have a fingernail, I would no longer have that finger — or at least not all of it. And I didn’t even ruin my manicure, because I don’t have a manicure.

I’m not sure what to do about me, knives and vegetables. I’ve been avoiding recipes that need chopped veggies, eschewing all slicing and dicing. It makes for boring dinners, but it’s the first time in years I don’t have any band-aids on my fingers, no healing scabs. I’ve also been particularly careful about how I open packages because my ongoing battle with shrink-wrap and boxes is a frequent cause of injuries — and my blood winding up all over the house.

The damage I do myself is painful and messy, but I also damage the contents of packages in frenzied attempts to extract it using any “tools” at hand. I define “tools” loosely because for me, anything with an edge may become a tool when I need one. Nail files, tweezers, screw drivers, ball point pens, butter knives — all, at one time or another have served in the ranks of the War Against Packaging.

96-knives__2My box cutter is a personal favorite. I’ve used it to pry the back off my Blackberry to get at the battery. Removing the back off wasn’t supposed to require tools, but the battery for my Torch was so tight, I could only get it out with a blade. This wasn’t good for the phone or the battery. I finally got an iPhone which eliminated the problem by sealing the battery compartment entirely.

That’s why you can find traces of my blood everywhere I’ve ever opened a package or prepared a meal. You’ll find blood on my keyboard, mouse, countertops and of course all the various items I’ve used as tools.

I keep telling my husband to save this piece so if CSI comes, he’ll have proof he didn’t do it.

I’ll be happy as long as no one takes away my box cutter.

TOO MUCH INFORMATION? AN INTERVIEW WITH ME.

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I’m not sure how much more anyone could possibly want to know about me. I suspect this post may wander far into the realm of “too much information.”

However, suzie81’s Blog suggested these questions. They’re interesting and I’ve never answered anything quite like them before. And why not, eh?

Here goes:

1. Why have you chosen your blog name?

I’ve always loved the word “serendipity” and the way it feels between my teeth. It’s a very satisfying word and it’s so me!

2. When you have an hour of free-time, what do you do?

I’m always doing something. Reading for a review, listening — for other reviews. Taking pictures, processing pictures. Writing my blog, reading other blogs. But I’ve always been busy. Idle time is a frame without a picture — my job to fill it up. This is not a complaint. I like the stuff I do. All of it. Except paying the bills.

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be?

I want my 66-year old head, but I’d be happy with my 16-year old body. Put them together? What a gal!

4. If you could learn to do something, what would it be?

I’d like to learn to use my Wacom Tablet. It’s the first computer gadget that has defeated me.

5. What would be the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?

I wouldn’t buy anything. I’d pay my bills. I’d do my best to finally, at long last, be entirely debt free. Forever.

6. What is the thing that makes you absolutely unique?

The number of chronic conditions and diseases that coexist in my body simultaneously. I may hold the international record for major surgeries and near-death experiences. Also talking to God — or someone doing a really good impersonation of a deity.

7. What is your favourite blog?

I’m glad you asked! I know this is off the beaten path, but allow me to introduce you to: Tallhwch ~ The pursuit of history using the newest and most creative methods necessary. This is a blog that focuses (mainly) on the British Isles between 500 and 700 AD, “the Arthurian period.” Those were the real dark ages for which little solid archeological evidence exists. Reading his posts is my dessert, my reward. I save them for last and read them until I’ve got each post almost memorized. Better yet? If I ask him to write about a particular subject, he will research and write about it, just for me. Isn’t that fantastic?

I read a lot of blogs. Many of you make me laugh, others make me cry. All of you inspire me, make me think about things I might otherwise never consider. Tallhwch tells me stories of hidden history and magic and mysteries. I love it too much.

That’s it. Seems like either too much or not quite enough. You can judge.

I encourage you to do your own self interview. Check out suzie81’s Blog for yourself. Maybe you’ll find out something about yourself you didn’t know.

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