Category Archives: Editorial

my husband. At midnight I was looking through my email and found out I had a package. I checked it out. Last weekend I used the same 10-Minute Lasagne recipe on this blog and stuffed it into cannolini, no-boil  shells from the Italian grocery.

What did he have sent to me? Well, I don’t know what happened to my pastry bags but still have tips. Last weekend we did a Keystone Kops routine trying to fill them with a zip-top bag with the corner cut off.

Disaster. He loved it 10 times more than the lasagne (same recipe, different shape) so he bought me an old-fashioned pastry bag. How sweet.

I love having a clean home and have a plan for that. I love that dog Zoe followed our maid around for two hours and slept the rest of the day.

I love that the bank (I had my account as a single person years before adding my husband and we are co-signators on all accounts) keeps our accounts current. I cannot access my checking account I’ve had for over 20 years because our bank switched it to him and will not talk to me, who created the account.

Last week they made him change sign-in and password and he did it without me so chose names and numbers only he was familiar with, making it difficult for me to pay our bills today. This was my account for 20 years. It took an hour on the phone and probably another two this weekend when my husband is home to rectify things. I don’t like that this bank is going to eat up our weekend with their stupid rules that say once you marry, your husband has control of your accounts even though they are joint and both are signators. As a matter of fact, I will ask them about that.

I love my family, familiar and extended, and our dog. Everyone is getting older so we love time together. Views, Europe, mountains, lakes, museums, historic churches and sites. Walking the passegiatta in Florence, yes that is a gentle stroll down the main streets at twilight.

Eating a ricotta-stuffed raviolo with brown butter and sage, or delicious Tuscan beans, Fagioli all’Uccelletto (beans like birds). Try Scotland’s salmon or mussels. Canada’s smoked meat on rye, and of course, NYC’s best Pastrami with a latke on the side. There is so much more.

It’s hard not to love life with so many wonderful things, and this is just a bit of cream off the top. Cheers! Dee

I have a home in mind for us.

Yesterday in the midst of cleaning and keeping dog Zoe out of the way, I lost my glasses. After looking everywhere I went to the car for the grocery to get a few things and they were around my neck!

I know my eyglass purveyor and its docs do charitable work all over the world so also found some old “readers” to clean up and donate that will be used with new prescription lenses for those in need.

I also see forward for us. I’d love a log cabin in the woods with a view. Two bedrooms, great kitchen, alcove where I can work whilst listening to sounds that my kitchen work may boil over, wood stove (plus heat and A/C) and two baths. All one floor, heated garage, and storage.

Also, my “in my head” designed guest cottage with full kitchen and bath. One can dream, dear. My glasses are hanging out on my neck and I’m giving some eyeglasses to Chinese children. We’re supposed to be “covered” for healthcare in the USA but it’s not happening as insurance companies deny claims.

My new glasses are precious so I put on a pair of readers on before sleep and nestle the new one in its blanket and case. Doc laughed and says these children get glasses and their parents to whom they donate place the glasses in a case and will not allow the child to wear them because they’re too precious. In my mind, their children are way more important. The effort is to help children read, learn and putting the glasses away thwarts that effort that a lot of love and expertise went into.

As my old glasses are covering my eyes once again, I must tell you a story. When my husband was very young his teacher knew he had a vision problem and told his parents.

When he walked out of the doctor’s office with coke-bottle glasses he could actually see the other side of the street for the first time. It makes me cry every time I think of it. Normal. It was normal for him to not be able to see. He explained his vision to me years later. Yes, physics, math, software that runs stocks and banks and oil/gas and consulting. He could see all the time, just not through his eyes.

He just bought our nephew an oscilloscope, fancy soldering iron et al because he wants to be an electrical engineer. He’s happy to have it, and has a smart friend over so they can work on things together. Luckily Mom and Dad are near. Please be safe, boys.

Kids think things are normal until they learn otherwise. I thought every grandfather had his leg cut off in WWII. It was normal. I grew up seeing his artificial leg in the corner of the bedroom where he spent six months a year.

It is what we learn from life that is important, and that we actually learn from our education and our lives. Left hand, right hand. My husband is strong in math/science and I am in Soc/psych and dealing with people. It’s a classic combination, geek and chic. But I’m not chic, I cook and wear Crocs. Cheers! Dee

Yes, there’s my father, and we’re going on a trip for his birthday. Then there’s my husband of nearly 14 years.

When I asked Dad his New Years’ resolutions, as we were alway seeing family slides of him in the Army I used to say “wake me when I’m borned.” His Resolution was alway to be as perfect as he was the last year.

I love him dearly. There is no question that he made me who I am. He made me kind, compassionate, smart, and a competitor. He made me believe I could be an Olympian, Astronaut or President. I had a great career but am now a wife and a dog mom, the ****************, I can’t let you use it because after I hit 100K I’m changing blogs, if anyone ever uses blogs anymore as I don’t tweet.

As to my husband after 15 years together he derives value in knowing that he has to go through less stuff with the government that allows me not to be interrogated by the TSA while he goes through the quick line that does not involve shoe or laptop removal. He’s carrying BBQ beef, not allowed but he got through right away and was luckily hanging on to my purse, shoes and laptop while they ran me through naked, pat-down and bomb residue. Me?

He’s a “go-to” guy and a great leader of people with serious software skills. So am I, a go-to gal but not on that scale, as he says I’m on the “soft side” with Soc and Psych. I’ve skills, and help people and animals but am retired. Our dog Zoe is old and a mascot to the community. Recently immigrant neighbors who do not traditionally like dogs have knelt in her presence and petted her.

I only created the calmness and education, not the presence. Same with my old dog Chani. Setting the stage by making them good dogs made a difference. You know I only adopt from shelters. It is a testament to them for bringing their energy and lives to others. Neighbors bought a tree for the city for Chani, and I know when Zoe leaves us at least some folks may water a favorite tree for her. I already know a place for her ashes. It’s in Texas. Dee