On the Fritz

Just when you think there is smooth sailing ahead, life throws a little sucker punch and brings you back to reality- quick like.

Last night when leaving work I got in my car and started it up.  While it was warming I plugged my headset into my cell phone.  I needed to call Kim because we'd made tentative plans to do a little shopping that evening.  

Suddenly out of nowhere my car starts sputtering and dies.  I look at the dashboard and sigh impatiently, while turning the key in the ignition again.  The car starts right up.  I remember thinking to myself that my first stop would be Starbucks.  I could really use a cup of joe.  Monday's are always hectic at my job.

No sooner did I realize that thought than the damned car died again.  Oh brother!  Please don't start this tonight, I think to myself.  I turn the key again and give it some gas and the sputtering stops.  I put the car in gear and pull out of the parking lot. 

But all was not well.  The whole trip home my car was sputtering any time I let up off the gas or when I accelerated.  Just get me home!  And that it did. Funny thing about this car.  Regardless of the problem it has always got me home safe and sound.

Well, it goes without saying that all evening I was planning what I was going to do this morning in my mind:  I've got to call the mechanics; run my car in - hopefully with no problem;  call the rental car agency.  I figure I'll only need a car for a day or two.  No problem, I get a good deal through a rental car agency because the company I work for has a contract of sorts with them, and being an employee it's a nice little perk that I have enjoyed for several years.  I still have to pay for it, but at a reduced rate. 

I hope all of you are having a blessed day because regardless of the little hurdles that life throws at me, I will!

 

   

A Day With Sunshine

Saturday morning I awoke to sunshine streaming through my curtains.  It was such a welcomed pleaure that it put an immediate smile on my face.  I made coffee and walked out onto the sun drenched patio and stood basking in its warmth, grateful for the lightheartedness I felt.

It was such a beautiful day!  The girls played outside off and on all day enjoying the warmth of the sun. They sniffed every square inch of the yard while longing to catch a glimpse of a neighborhood squirrel that occasionally tease as they dance across the fence top.  The were disappointed this fine day because the squirrels obviously had their own agendas. 

I walked around in the yard, drinking my coffee and taking notice of the subtle changes that were already taking place; a prelude to spring.  

The Paper Whites that I planted in two big terra cotta planters on my patio are already 10 inches tall.  They are very hardy and love the cool weather.  The Dutch Iris that dot the landscape have sprouted up as well, along with some other little miscellaneous early spring bulbs that are peaking up from the cold ground.  In a few short months they will all be blooming.

The Magnolia tree outside my living room window has finally cast off its old leaves, and is now sporting the huge buds that will one day bloom a beautiful deep pink, and not long after the leaves will give way to the best possible shade tree one could ask for. 

My beautiful pink Dogwood tree is loaded with blooms too, and I look so forward to it blooming this coming spring.  It is my favorite! 

But alas!  The rains have returned this evening and Mother Nature is nurturing and feeding her own.  And while I sit in the wee hours of the morning listening to the soft rain and reciting some of the wonders I witnessed today, I realize two things:  1)  I am blessed beyond belief, and 2) my gutters need to be cleaned! 

It's a wonderful world!

 

The Girls and Doctor Burton

I took Friday off work so I could take the girls to see Doc Burton.  Just routine stuff, but I wanted to get it taken care of before year end.  Our appointment was scheduled for 12:45pm.

After breakfast and my morning cofee, I gave the girls a bath. I wanted them to look spiffy for the fine Doctor.  Around 12:30pm I loaded them up for the drive in to town.  Katie must have sensed something was up because she started fretting nervously, and by the time we arrived she had Sophie worked up a bit too.

I took Katie in first since she was already in a dither, and once she had her yearly physical, nail trimming and booster shots, it was Sophie's turn.  I peaked out Doc Burton's office window before I went out to the parking lot to fetch Sophie, and there she was with her head thrown back and howling like a little wolf!  She was so upset that her sister was out of her sight.  To make a long story short they were tickled to death to get back out to the car and on the way home. 

The good Doctor said that they are in excellent condition and was very impressed with their coats.  Apparently many Westies have skin trouble which make for poor coats.  He said that a lot of them have patches of missing hair and scabs!  Poor babies!  My girls look great though, but I only shampoo them with Johnson's Lavender Baby Shampoo.  It's mild and doesn't bother their skin.

Once home they lunched on roasted chicken breast and then climbed up on their respective blankets for a nap.  

They live a dog's life for sure!

A Random Act of Kindness

It seems that I no sooner am appalled when I read in the newspaper about some heinous act one individual has perpetrated against another, and suddenly my faith is restored in society when I witness someone bestowing a random act of kindness toward another.

Case in point: A month ago Jerry, a neighbor of mine came by and asked if he could pick some of my grapes. As you may have read in earlier journal entries, I have an arbor and this year the grapes were especially abundant. I was thrilled for him to take some of the grapes off my hands because I hate to see them go to waste.

Jerry and I have only talked on a few occasions, but through the course of our conversations I have learned that he is a Master Gardener. Since I love to garden, whenever we talk I have tried to glean as much information from him as I can in regards to my own yard. He is very informative and appreciates the hard work I put into my yard and gardens.

My grape arbor and a few dwarf sized fruit trees are located on a rectangular shaped piece of property that is fenced in, but was lacking a gate. It was on my "things to do" list, but I had just never got around to installing one. I had a make shift gate propped up to keep stray dogs out. Jerry's property butts up against this rectangular portion of my property.

While he was back there picking grapes he noticed my 'gate' or lack thereof, and said that he thought he had a gate laying around that would fit that spot. Nothing much more was said about it and he eventually thanked me for the grapes and left.

The next day Jerry was back with the gate, poles and cement. I was so surprised, but secretly thrilled at the same time. I had wrestled with that make shift gate for so long, and it was such a hassle every time I wanted access to that piece of my property. Jerry was right, the gate did fit perfectly, and it hardly took him any time at all to get it up either. Before he left he cautioned me about not using it until the cement had dried, and told me to let him know if I needed help with anything else. How often does that happen in today's world?

Now I go out almost daily to admire my new gate! It almost feels like Christmas - do you know what I mean? I doubt he realizes what a wonderful gesture that was. What a nice man and good neighbor to take time out of his day to help me.

My faith is restored in mankind once again.

In The Name of Justice

A local retired Superior Court judge who was cited this summer for driving under the influence of alcohol pleaded guilty Monday to the reduced charge of negligent operation of a vehicle.

Retired Judge Lodge, 67, served for 20 years on the bench and was known as being sharp, plainspoken and impatient. Not the kind of judge you'd want to go up against if charged with drunk driving.

Lodge was given a suspended 90-day sentence and ordered to pay $796 in fines and fees, and will be on probation for two years.

Lodge was pulled over after a police officer noticed the 1980 truck he was driving  cross the centerline.  Lodge's blood alcohol level was not measured because he declined a breath test.

His defense was, of course that he had not been drinking, and the poor driving was caused by his unreliable vehicle, not drunkenness. His attorney also cited that Lodge had been working in his yard all day and suffered from allergies and his daughter-in-law's cat, hence the red, bloodshot, watery eyes. His attorney also mentioned he had taken a cold-flu medication that was 10 percent alcohol.

Additionally the vehicle he was driving was deemed not road worthy, which was documented by a local auto shop earlier in the year.  Crossing a center line is pretty serious.  Just this past weekend another local accident occurred just the same way killing 3 people!  Of course alcohol was deemed a contributing factor in that one.   

Lodge's attorney went on to say that since Lodge had served his community for 20 years he should not be forced to sit out the mandatory 1 day in jail.

Why? The local garbage man who has served his community for 20 years wouldn't get such a break, and neither would the volunteer fireman. Who says that they haven't contributed just as much to this community as the Judge? 

Washington State law dictates that the penalty for declining the breath test (and we'll give him the benefit of the doubt here), with no prior DUI'S is an automatic 48 hours in jail, fine of $500 to $5,000, and revocation of driver's license for 1 year.

The only penalty that Mr. Lodge received was the $796 fine, per the local newspaper.

Makes one wonder now, doesn't it? If it doesn't it should. The Judge is one of my uncle's close, personal friends.

Sausage and White Bean Soup

Fall is the best time of year for good soup.  The weather is cool and brisk, and a hot steaming bowl of soup just hits the spot!  I don't usually try recipes that are featured in the newspaper, but I gleaned this one recently from a local newspaper and it is without a doubt one of the best I have ever tasted.  I hope you try it and agree!

Sausage and White Bean Soup

2 Tbs. pure olive oil

1  1/2 lbs. sweet or hot Italian sausage, in the casing

2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto ham, minced

2 medium onions, in medium dice

2 medium carrots, peeled and in medium dice

2 medium celery stalks, in medium dice

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves

3  15.8-ounce cans navy beans, undrained

1 quart chicken broth  (carton or can)

Heat oil in a large, deep saute pan or soup kettle over medium-high heat.  When pan is hot, add sausages; cook turning once or twice, until well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.  (sausage will not be fully cooked at this point)

Remove from pan.  When cool enough to handle, cut into clices 1/4 inch thick.  Add prosciutto, onions, carrots, celery and thyme to the empty skillet; cook, stirring often, until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes.  In a small bowl, mash one can of beans with a fork into a chunk puree.  Add broth, whole and mashed beans, and sausage; cover and bring to a simmer, partially covered, to blend flavors, 20minutes.  Let rest 10 minutes; serve. 

This soup is fast to prepare and is absolutely delicious served with crusty bread. 

Let me know if you like it!

Trouble In Neverland

Did you know that Michael Jackson was listed in 2000 in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world record holder for ''most charities supported by a pop star''?

Now, as the singer faces new allegations of child molestation, charities, schools and even cities that benefited or hoped to benefit from his largesse are reconsidering their affiliation with the ''King of Pop.''

I have a problem with ANY charity taking a stand like this. Who died and left them God? Who are they to decide that a donation should be accepted or not? That money is going to help people in need who probably could care less about Michael Jackson. In many cases these are people who need the very basics in life to survive and if Michael Jackson is good hearted enough to contribute then everyone should keep their opinions to themselves and take the money to better the lives of those it is intended for.

Look, I don't know if the guy is guilty of child molestation or not. And to be honest with you, when there is a lot of money up for grabs I believe some people would say or do anything to get their hands on some of it, including prostitute their own children. But if Michael Jackson is guilty it seems to me that the parent(s) of this child is too. Who would let their child go off somewhere with a man they really don't know, and especially when 10 years previously it was alleged that he molested another boy?

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure this one out.

Regardless of the situation, charities should refrain from making any moral judgements. That's not what they get paid to do.