I’ve been up since three o’clock. Grocery opens at eight and I plan to be there. Perhaps sausages (hand-made) but only if they have good buns, not the usual bland fare.
Lamb Robert, I just need to see the ingredients so I can shop for it. It’ll be so great! I just want to have a fun and relaxing day with my husband and dog Zoe.
Perhaps sandwiches for lunch as we look out at the regattas and kites. With a nice salad. I want to make this day special. Remember a loved one on this Memorial Day, Dee
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Tagged editorial, kites, lamb robert, sandwiches, scalloped potatoes
I hate starting posts like this, but it really was many years ago. My father was a big name in a small community, but was controversial and still is, years following his tenure and even in his semi-retirement (he likes to keep busy).
The town next door was reveling in its first and still only traffic light. It had one insurance broker, with an assistant.
Always short on cash, I was a new analyst for the Speaker of the Assembly, filling in on insurance because the real analyst was on maternity leave. Pre-internet, pre bill-pay I was concerned to get my car insurance payment in on the first, the due date so sent it by certified mail three days in advance, return receipt.
My agent indeed received the payment on the 1st of the month, waited until the 2nd to go to the only bank in this little town, and told his secretary (they were not called Admins back then) to cancel my policy. On the 3rd I received confirmation of my payment on the 1st from both the bank and postal service and a letter stating that my policy had been cancelled (after they took the funds).
I tried to call my agent and his secretary kept saying he was out. Was he at the bank, the diner or the school or the bar or only hotel. There were only a half dozen buildings on the main street. Where could he have been all day? And why wouldn’t he talk to me.
Knowing enough insurance law in a few weeks to know that even if the customer messes up a payment (I had proof I did not do so) there is a 15 day grace period. I told that to his secretary. He finally called me back and said I was late and there is no grace period in state law.
That evening my roommate and I attended an insurance function. Of course, who was there but the new Insurance Commissioner, a former lobbyist we knew from work and other events. He asked why I was so down. I told him I no longer had insurance on my ancient VW and told him the story.
He told me to call his secretary first thing in the morning with my agent’s phone number and asked if he could take care of this issue himself because it would remind him of the old days and be “SO MUCH FUN!!!!!” I messengered over copies of relevant documents.
He called and asked why the agent cancelled my policy. I swear the agent soiled his trousers in this tiny town where he was a big Muskie about to be swallowed by a whale. Of course, sir, her policy is in force and we did receive her payment on time. Why would you think we would ever cancel her policy? Fun, yeah.
Lesson learned. I kept him on until deciding my family would get multiple auto, homeowners insurance et al elsewhere and I kept mine wherever I lived until there were Internet and bill pay options from our bank. We’ve had the same auto insurance for nearly 20 years now and just change cars and prices. They treat us professionally and still, I (I pay the bills) pay them on time every month. It’s always nice to have a whale in one’s pocket. Message here is don’t mess with Dee. Cheers! Dee
My precious trackball mouse gave up with scrolling. It was about $35 eight years ago. They do not make it anymore so others are from $400-650. My laptop is eight years old and a sophomore in high school would probably buy it for $100 because it has extra memory and a new hard drive that cost us way more than that.
No way am I going to spend $600 for a trackball mouse. Now I’m using two, one just for scrolling. I’ve work to do and switching mice every few seconds means I’m losing time and time is valuable.
I’ve arthritis and this trackball has been very valuable over the years. It is no longer manufactured so my husband has found me a substitute. $32. Not $600.
Perhaps I should bury this at the ranch this winter. I hate using two and do not wish to get used to doing so because of the arthritis so will bury you, but not without accolades and a proper demise. Sorry, I had to switch to scroll. Heaven help me, I cannot do this for life. Dee
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Yes, my dog, before 7 a.m., vomited all over the lobby downstairs. My husband is not awake yet but as he uses the 16′ leash and is focused on neighbors and doesn’t always pay attention, she probably ate something icky off the sidewalk or park.
I’m certain my butt will be on camera cleaning this up. I apologized profusely and insisted on cleaning it up myself. Now she’s back on the bed and my husband is supposed to be watching her while snoring. It’s Sunday morning, long weekend.
Breakfast? No for the dog. She just passed heartworm and fecal parasite tests the other day. It’s either the pig’s ear we bought her on Tuesday as a treat from the vet visit (no to that) or my husband allowed her to eat something dead while he was focused on a conversation with an interesting neighbor.
My walks are structured. Zoe wears a hand-made Asian silk Martingale collar with a 6′ leather leash. I hold the handle with my two middle fingers and the leash with my forefinger and thumb for control. No, I never designed this, it just works. Yes, I’ll say hi and talk but she is always under my control a few feet away. Yes, we both always pick up after her. Don’t ever worry about that with us.
With agile software guidance my husband must allow compatriots the longest leash (or none) he can in order to make quality work meet delivery demands. Our dog is an eater of dead birds and frogs that she usually delivers 48 hours later on our bed and that’s seven loads of wash, one comforter has to go out to be cleaned with our own hypoallergenic soap.
A focused and methodical nature is what I expect of and receive from my dear physicist husband. This morning, whatever our old girl Zoe ate last night off the pavement came up publicly. It was not fun. I’m thinking of teaching him to use my method. As Caesar Millan would say, calm submissive. I would never say that about people but if a dog is balanced between its owners (he’s the fun guy, I’m the food wench and disciplinarian) all will be well and we’ve done this for 11 years together. Together over 14, married over 12. Pup is now 11.
A life-work balance would work for us as we haven’t had that for a while. We’ll see. Dee
I see that when my husband lets her go in the park or on the pavement she ends up very happy then vomits in a safe place, usually our bed. I don’t mind that much as it’s probably twice a year so I have to do those seven loads of wash anyway. And that’s the way it is, Sunday May 24. Good night. RIP Walter Cronkite. I was only allowed 30 minutes of TV as a kid, not counting my parents watching the news. I liked Flipper. We got an hour if it was Jacques Cousteau, as that was education.Dee
I like to think of challenges as a whole and figure out a way to get there. That is how my husband thinks of his consulting engagements. Framing.
Over the years I have also framed art and look at the colors and matting and frames as a job as well, one that I enjoy. My husband just thinks they’re pictures on our walls but then, his mind doesn’t go there as he’s concerned with other things.
My father took up painting at age 80 and I’ve three of his works, beautifully framed by his eldest child. I’m writing my will and giving these three to my dear brother. He is a framer of art, of ballet, and will care for them when I’m gone.
There are several more to do. An original work from Dad 30 years ago by an art student at a prestigious school. Four works from Dad on seasons that I’d like to do as a large piece if possible. They will go alongside a quilt my m-i-l made in the 70’s that we “framed” into a seasonal quartet.
Framing our lives is something I do every day. It’s not having a light yellow over a slight red with a particular wood frame. It is our lives. They are changing and I hope to frame them well.
Cheers and good morning! Dee
I miss the battle.
Two guys, one West Point and one Annapolis, bet an under $10 bottle of wine on the game every year. The bottle came to the winner with a black ribbon.
Both men are gone now, one at West Point and one at Annapolis. This Memorial Day I honor them for their service to our country.
Honors to AJ and Buck. D, J and Z
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the rain is gone. I can clear all obstacles from my way……
We moved here three years ago. Our place had been unoccupied for several months. They didn’t clean the windows. My husband’s allergies got me to hire Ms. T for a house cleaning the morning our furniture was coming in but she wasn’t allowed to touch any windows.
Our outside windows were cleaned shortly thereafter. I got us on a list to do the interior, for which we must pay. I’ve signed up for that list for three years. Five guys, boss and crew, showed up this morning and did all our windows inside and balcony windows outside.
My reaction? There’s a LAKE out there!!! Wow! The Air Show could be spectacular this year if we’re here. It’s night and the Coast Guard is doing helicopter exercises. We’re leaving the shades up in case the clouds pass and the stars come out.
As I age and gain wisdom I do see more clearly. Being married a long time has enhanced both our lives. I’m less emotional about things and he is more caring. It has worked out well and part of the reason is that we waited until we were older before tying the knot.
Tonight I wish for several things: people who treat us honorably and fairly; a long life together; and that pollen season gets over soon because he’s miserable.
Hope your evening is going well. I’m about to get some info about an art seminar that I’m eager to read. I always love learning new things, especially about my favorite Tuscan female artist. Dee
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It’s late for that Hallmark day, I know. I’ve one mother-in-law and one adopted grandmother to thank for one great accomplishment: their son and grandson; my husband.
I did send cards and we called, after church. As far as I’m concerned every day should be Mothers’ Day! Did you hear that, Zoe? Fetch. Dee
Anything. Any more. Not only does our healthcare system have access to and keeps our work, banking, health and other data and shares it with the federal government, everyone seems to do so.
What kind of world is this? One of our health care providers sent us a “privacy” notice that says we have no privacy anywhere we go.
Oh, we did watch a movie on Netflix the other day. I hope you can find out what it was. No, I don’t remember but it was sad, Taking Chance. All of this is invasion of privacy.
No-one cares or fights it. We all should care that the rug is being pulled from beneath our feet. The wool should come off our eyes and we should realize that this is not our government, by the people, for the people any more. Dee
ps I got hits from Brazil and Saudi Arabia today, so don’t think no-one reads this blog. The other day it was Swaziland and Spain, USA, Canada and Vietnam. If I disappear someone, at least my dog who will miss her breakfast, will know.
I was a music snob for many years, learning only classical on the violin and piano. Country music? We rarely heard it in the northeast. I barely knew who Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton were but they were a joke in my book.
Not any more. I was weaned on CSNY, Dave Mason, PPM, James Taylor and they were all near and before my time. I missed the 80’s due to work and hating punk rock, then rap.
At age 50 I took up guitar. Guess who I learned from? Johnny Cash. He is such a hero. He was supposed to perform at a venue I worked for and I was supposed to take him to said venue and give my father a check to hand his agent. He was sick, or that’s what we were told (he was in prison in Mexico) so we sent a private plane to pick up Porter Wagoner to take his place.
I love country music. Ten hours in the car listening to only that on the radio with Bible studies on all the other channels is a bit boring. And I don’t relish the music that only says my dog died, wife left me, got fired stuff.
To this day I enjoy looking up lyrics and placing chords to them. I’m still a beginner guitarist. They sent me to learn, private lessons, from a drummer and he didn’t care a whit about me learning music, only wanted me to keep the beat. Yes, we do own Rock Band, Beatles version, but it’s in storage along with my keyboard. I have the guitar here to keep it hydrated.
I’ve never tried before but I see in my head Dolly Parton’s farewell to Porter Wagoner’s show, I Will Always Love You. So simple and perfect. Lyrics would be helpful. I will find the music. It’s in my head. Alas, not my fingers…… Dee
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Cooking with Dee 