A Fishy Hodgepodge

 Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, fish or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?
I am sometimes a fish out of water here in Southwest MO. I am truly living blue in a red state, and I am actually, slightly purple, on some matters.  I am not orange at all, however!

 1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try? I would go trout fishing with my dad up close to Yosemite when I was young. I have caught a fish, I did not throw it back, I ate it.
 

2. What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer? I am always fishing for change in the bottom of my purse. Where I just toss it.

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie? Salmon Fishing in the Yemen about believing in the impossible. I love Ewan McGregor.

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer. I am sunrise, as far as beginning my day and nearing the twilight of my life.

5. What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear? I have a winter coat that I bought when we first moved here from CA that I still wear, though not this winter.  I don't hold on to old clothes, unlike Mr BC who hangs on to everything. He still has his wedding shoes.

6. We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far? Well it started out with Mr BC being unwell and is ending on a high note.  I am sitting in MO in February, with my front door open, enjoying the fine weather.  But this is Missouri, if you don't like the 

weather,

  

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune? Yes, I enjoy his music. I listened to an album of greatest hits this morning....It's still Margaritaville!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  My cataract surgery went well and I see so clear out of my right eye.  I can't wear my glasses, as the prescription would be different for the right eye and they aren't comfortable. I find out tomorrow if I can schedule the left eye soon.

Wednesday HodgePodge

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. What's the last thing you did that someone else thought was super? DD2 was so happy when I gave her some reward points to rent a car for a week, during her recent trip to CA.

2. The last thing you ate that tasted superb?  
Pastries in Paris. Fresh macarons are the best!

3. Supersensitive, superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial...pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently.   
If I were a superwoman, I wouldn't be so tired at the end of the day. But I have taken on the role of caregiver for Mr BC. He can't start or end the day without me helping with the dialysis connection, so he says! 

4. Do you love easily? If you're comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is. I'm not sure what this question is.  It is easy to love, the folks that I love.

5. Valentine's Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If you're celebrating with a dinner out somewhere will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend?  
Mr BC wants to take some flowers to his dialysis team, as his appointment is on Valentine's day.  I have my cataract surgery on the next day so, I don't think dinner is in the cards.

6. What's something you are loving right now? 
Mercy Street and Victoria on PBS.

7 Write a three word (or less) phrase you'd like to see on a Valentine candy heart.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here. IMHO

I know, the President is entitled to nominate anyone he sees fit to give him advice and certainly we saw the judicial appointment coming.  But I don't see the Betsy DeVos appointment.  He should have rewarded her support with something like an ambassadorship to some  less important country. Rather than putting her in charge of something so important as education.  Her hearings were farcical, many Republicans, thought she was unqualified. It will be interesting to see if she is up to the job, but at the expense of kids?

 

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. "The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or the sea." (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Not really, though they could be helpful, to well-being.  Of the three, which has 'cured' you most recently?  Only sweat applies.  Haven't cried or been to the sea in a while.

2. What's something you can't eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all? If it is processed or cooked by me, I salt very little and don't have it at hand.  I really need a little salt when making something really bland like rice or oatmeal. Sometimes, I really crave salty, but usually things are too salty for me.

3. Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand...which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now? At my age, it is the sands of time.  The grandsons are growing so fast and time is passing in a wink.

4. A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme? Pride and Prejudice, set in England. Covers book and film.

5. Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so?  
Oh it really ran me. Mr BC is going to have a prostate procedure, this Thursday and we had 2 doctor's appointment on Monday, When we got back we had a little lunch, and I took the dogs for a walk.   
When I got home, one of the doctor's office, called, and we had to go to the hospital to get a blood transfusion....though they call it an infusion now days. 
Mr BC has been suffering from very low blood count.  We were there so long waiting, that I went home to let the dogs out and feed them.  When I got back...it's about a 20 minute trip, both ways, Mr BC was pink and rosy. He is very perky today and breathing easier.  But it was sure a long day.

6. You're on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran?  Maybe shopping and then sailing  on the catamaran or a glass bottom boat.

7. What do you think we humans most take for granted?  Good health.
 
8. Insert your own random thought here. I cannot understand why some women of.... say....my generation are so upset about the Women's March. They had good goals, and it was peaceful.....
 
"We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country."

Oh, yeah it's because of: "the rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us." The Women's March on Washington.

My Daughter and her BFF at the LA March

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (1984)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song was inspired by a note WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley left for his parents. He accidentally wrote "go" twice. What was the last handwritten note you left for someone? I left a post-it note on Mr Bankerchick, while he was asleep in his chair, just to remind him were I was going. So he wouldn't have to wander the halls looking for me.
  
2) Born Georgios Panayiotou, George Michael was the son of the Greek restauranteur in East London. When you think of Greek cuisine, what comes to mind?

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

3) He was a terrible driver and admitted his license was suspended a number of times. Have you ever lost your license? NO! I am a good driver.

4) WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley, on the other hand, is a talented driver who got to live his fantasy by racing Formula Three in Monaco. There are companies that sell racetrack driving experiences that allow you to spin around the track at dizzying speeds. Is this something you like to try? DD1s husband took us to a Mercedes promotion many years ago at the Hollywood Race Track parking lot where we had a chance to drive the new Mercedes'
under various road conditions.  One was fast.....that was a lot of fun. I was a different driver under those conditions.

5) In 1990, Frank Sinatra famously gave George Michael advice. Ol' Blue Eyes told the younger man to enjoy his fame, to remember all those lean nights traveling from gig to gig by bus and, now that he's successful, "loosen up and swing, man." Who last gave you advice? Did you take it? Probably a relative....she is always telling me what I should do.  Sometimes it is good advice.....sometimes not. I take the relative and ignore the rest.  She is earnest and good natured.
 
6) Mr. Michael's neighbors have reported since his passing that he seemed to live rather quietly, and that they usually saw him when he was out walking his three dogs. Tell us about the last time you spoke to one of your neighbors. I am not sure, I understand this question.  Since his passing he is living quietly and walking his dogs???? We have a nodding head relationship....although....when walking my dogs.....quietly....I often speak with a couple of neighbors more far afield.  Lots of people still sit on their front porches in fine weather.

7) Fansites tell us that George Michael's favorite cereal was cornflakes. What breakfast cereals are currently in your kitchen? Oatmeal, Cheerios, and Cinnamon Life.....I love Cinnamon Life with frozen blueberries or Pomegranate seeds. I just finished some.

8) In 1984, when "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" was popular, Murder, She Wrote premiered on CBS. Today it's still seen in reruns all over the world. Are you a fan? I like Angela Landsbury, but this program was not a favorite.  I think my mom liked it the first time around.

9) RANDOM QUESTION: What's your secret to a good night's sleep? I look forward to some ideas out there.  I use to be a good sleeper.....but not so much anymore.  I wake up too many times and then if I get to sleep, I dream about odd things. This morning, I was trying to get off a tour bus, with my things, and there were too many items and I was keeping people from getting off. It was very embarrassing...dirty clothes and personal items.

Triskaidekaphobia Friday Fill-Ins and Frtday Fragments

This is a fun meme co-hosted by McGuffy's Reader and 15 and Meowing. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!

1. My guiding word for 2017 is take a deep breath before speaking or posting, and turn Trump off the TV.

2. It is hard to make it to my California class reunion now that I live in Missouri.  I would have tried to go to the 40th, last year, but we were on vacation....in Europe a few days later!

3. Truth be told I am superstitious about butterflies. When ever a butterfly comes close or even lands on me....I say hello Mom/grandma, depending on who I am with. Mom loved butterflies and I am sure she is close in spirit when a butterfly is close.

4. Lately, I have been worried about Mr BC's peace of mind and health. He has been not feeling well and has to use oxygen during the day, since before Christmas.   He is also having a surgery procedure at the end of the month and he is a bit low about that. I want to help him keep his spirits up.

*Today, as I get ready to go to the grocery store to stock up, there are reports of an ice storm that may be coming our way early Friday morning and Saturday. Snow is one thing ice is another. We are suppose to be at the hospital at 8 am, for an pre-op anesthesia appt.  That can be problematic.

* My dogs are getting older and grumpier and lately, not getting along each other. Gwennie will charge at him because, he barks at her.  He barks because he is afraid she is going to attack him. They spend the day annoying each other.  They are getting a walk most every day, if the weather permits. Mainly so they will be too worn out to argue. 

          

*Well, we woke up to rain, there was ice on the roads, but we made it to the hospital for the pre-op meeting. The temp was below freezing and the roads were slick but there was no sliding.  By the time we left it was raining and the temperature was in the 40's.  It is supposes to happen again tonite, but we have nothing to do this weekend but stay warm and toasty.....as long as the power doesn't go off.

*DD2 was here last night and she is excited to go to CA next week, she is going for the Women's March in LA, and she will be seeing the boys. I won't be seeing them for their birthdays, I am going to get out and pick something up for them. I had to postpone my visit in Feb because of Mr BC's procedure.  I would like for him to feel so much better that we can both go to CA sometime early Spring....in the RV.  We will see.

         

Throwback Thursday

As I grow older, I find myself wondering where these little girls are?  DD2 will be visiting her sister next week, she is going to the Women's March in Los Angeles, and she is looking forward to seeing her family and friends. I imagine one late evening will find them, giggling together just like the little girls they still are to me.

2016 Lessons Learned-Tuesday Coffee Chat

Tuesday, January 10th, 2017

I'm not one for resolutions, but I do hope I never stop learning.   What was your biggest lesson learned in 2016?

Several lessons learned in 2016. Early in the year I learned to help Mr BC with his dialysis.  I know his medicine by heart, we do numbers: Blood pressures,
Temperature, Blood glucose etc, and clean....everything to do with dialysis needs to be clean. My biggest worry was not to give him peritonitis, we have been doing these procedures for a year now and so far, so good. Organization and cleanliness...good lessons learned. I plan to keep him around for as long as possible.

 
One big lesson learned is:  that my neighbors and friends, here in the Red State, are a mystery to me. I would say I am a moderate, independent, voter. I have voted GOP in my lifetime as well as Democratic. I don't have a college degree, but I do have some college, I think I am knowledgeable and rational. I voted for Obama for a lot of reasons, but, to be perfectly honest, I had hoped he would do a better job. He had the challenges of opposition (The Tea Party, congress, etc.) and he could/would not find compromise. I believe he is a good man. Born in the United States. I also believe all the hate and vitriol, he has had to endure, is racism, by folks who claim, they are not racist. 

According to stories posted by people, who I became friends with on Facebook when Mr BC got sick, Obama and his family are not to be trusted. Headlines like President Obama "shocked the country" announcing he'd be running for office again. Which of course presidents can't do. The the other day a relative posted a story reporting.... that Marian Robinson, First Lady Michelle Obama's mother, will receive a $160,000 annual government pension, for taking care of the Obama girls.....it's all lies, fake news. Then...."it's now clear that so-called fake news can have real-world consequences," Clinton said reacting to:  Pizzagate. So another big lesson is......The lesson here: We really need to beware of the fake news that is swirling around social media.

I did expect that Hillary would get a lot of negative things said about her, during the primaries.....especially in red states, she had problems and baggage. All the ugly electioneering was to be expected. Trump's nomination, left my support to Hillary, (who was not my first choice of democrat candidates) I voted for her rather than a third party, believing that, third party candidate would insure a Trump win. Hah!  Her loss turned out to be similar to Dewey's loss to Truman.   My Red State friends and neighbors and relatives and the rest of the country had elected Trump. Something I still find hard to believe!

So with that, a final lesson is learned....about the Electoral College.....For the second time in my memory....a president has been elected without receiving the majority of popular votes....now what is that all about?