Lost

 

I've worn a wristwatch since I was 7 years old. I feel naked without a watch on my wrist when I go out and about. I've had several watches. A few I stopped. Yup, I can stop time. I stopped time on two, brand new, less than a month old, moon phase watches. And the jeweler couldn't understand why because the battery was perfectly good when he tested tested them. Apparently, I have some sort of weird electromagnetic force, and I can stop time on my wristwatches. Himself won't buy me watches anymore because of it.

So I  bought my own watches, and had to keep replacing batteries. Which was annoyingly expensive. Until several years ago, I heard about Citizens Watch and their Eco-Drive system. Sunlight, ambient light recharges the watch's battery. The battery never needs to be replaced. And I haven't stopped this watch.

So, Wednesday, before I left the house to go shopping, I put on my wristwatch. I don't look at my phone to check the time. I look at my watch. As I was finishing up at Target, I looked at my watch to see how long I had been out. No watch! I'd been all over Kohl's and Target. I walked across both parking lots because I always park in Nebraska (i.e. not close to the front door) whenever I go out, and I'm driving. 

If I did lose it in the parking lot or the store, I should have felt it. Heard it as it's a pretty substantial watch. I must have thought I put it on before I left the house. Yes, that's it. It must've been at home. Only when I got home, the watch was not there. It was lost.

To be continued.

Whatcha Doin?

 

I'm off to do some shopping, household items and a little Christmas shopping. Whatcha doin?

T Stands for Shane Todd, Starbuck's Cup of Tea

 

Shane Todd, Starbuck's Cup of Tea

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Holiday Decorations

 

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas around the corner, Himself asked if I was finally going to take the skeleton down.

"Nah, I'll just slap a Santa hat on him. He'll be fine."

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Snow, again!

Deep sigh. Forlorn look.

The dusting of snow didn't keep the Black and White Warbler away from the bird feeder. I'm glad the shed isn't an outhouse because the snow would keep me away.

Cloud towers

Himself started putting out his Christmas lights

The almost full Beaver Moon

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 

Kiri-e The Art of Cutting Paper

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Through the week, the Young One sent pictures of the new apartment as they moved in.

2. Lunch at D'Angelo's (subs) with Teague, and then a Napolitan (Napoleon) from the bakery for dessert

3. I watched The Electric Horseman

4. Himself fried eggplant. I put it together to make an eggplant Parmigiana. What a team!

5. Since the Eldest had to work Thanksgiving, Himself and I had Italian Thanksgiving. We had the eggplant, and I made lasagna. I also baked an Italian bread. We'll have the traditional holiday on Saturday when the Eldest has the day off.

How was your week?

Throwback Thursday - Thanksgiving

 From November 27, 2014

Remnants of Thanksgiving 1967 at Uncle Mario's

Left to right: Ma (seated), Auntie Emma, Auntie Phyllis, Auntie Olga, me, Uncle Tony, Uncle Jack

 Here we are waiting for Round Two of eating. Have a little something before you go home. Another plate of lasagna or eggplant Parmigiana. Maybe a turkey sandwich. Another slice of pie, fruit and nuts, or Auntie Emma's pizzelles  (Italian, anise flavored, waffle cookies)

If you celebrate the holiday, have a Happy Thanksgiving. If you don't celebrate the holiday, have a fabulous Thursday.

Whatcha Doin?

 

Today is prep day for the Thanksgiving holiday. I usually make side dishes and a pie. Since this post is being written ahead of time, I have no clue what I'll be making.

Whatcha doin?

T Stands for Happy Breakfast

 

After an early appointment last week, we stopped at IHOP for breakfast. 

We had finished our meal when Himself said, "Aren't you going to take a picture of your happy breakfast?"

Since I had already done breakfast at IHOP, I hadn't planned on using this outing as a T Day post. Himself seemed disappointed. So I arranged the lemon slice that came with the Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Protein Pancakes so it would look like a smile. Happy breakfast.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

2024 USPS Stamp Reveal

 

From the USPS site: "The 2024 Love stamp features a stylized bird in flight bearing a message of love in its beak. Made of four geometric shapes shown against a rich red background, the white bird carries a pink envelope sealed with a red heart. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed this stamp with an original digital illustration by Katie Kirk."

I think this stamps can also be used for weddings and Christmas.

See this stamp and all the wonderful new stamps that will be issued in 2024 at U.S. Postal Service Reveals Stamps for 2024

How Does Your Garden Grow?

On the way home from Teague's house

it was snowing!

My town made the news the following morning when the meteorologist announced we received .25 in. of snow. Fortunately, temperatures warmed up above freezing and the snow melted.

The sunset light was so beautiful reflecting off the trees

The Japanese Maple finally let its leaves drop

Bare trees in the woods.

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

If the video doesn't work you can visit Mandala Master praying ancient art will bring peace to Philadelphia

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Saw the Young One off at the airport as she begins her new adventure in Ohio

2. Teague and I went to lunch at Mooyah. It was okay. Five Guys is much better.

3. Shuttle pilot duties. Had to pick The Eldest up at the dentist but arrived 15 min. early. Sent a text to tell her I was running into the grocery store to pick up creamer. When I returned to the car, she came out of the dentist's office. Well-timed.

4. Appointment, breakfast at IHOP, and a trip to the cemetery to visit the in-laws.

5. Great dental check-up, haircut, and Five Guys

How was your week?

Throwback Thursday

 

When you were a teen, who was on your bedroom wall? Robert Redford was on mine. Teague used to give me pictures of him and other of my idols from some of the teen magazines like Tiger Beat

Last week when I was visiting, she gave me this! A whole magazine with gazillions of pictures! Be still my heart. 😻

Whatcha Doin?

 

Oh, my gourd. Time for the annual check. And then to IHOP for breakfast. Whatcha doin?

T Stands for Giant Teacups

 

Artist: Leon Keer 

Source: Futuro Prossimo

Location: Sweden

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Monday, Monday

 

After getting up at 5 am to feed the kitties, I usually go back to bed for an hour and a half. This morning things were going as planned until sitting bolt upright in bed wondering why the alarm didn't go off. Someone had set her alarm to go off at 6:30 PM. There was a mad sprint to get up, collect the trash and recycling, and get it out to the curb.

And then the realization that I didn't have a proper blog post prepared. I hope your day started off better.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

11/11 Sunrise when we got home after dropping the Young One off  at Logan Airport at 5:30 AM

Quill waiting for us

Calli wanted pets but didn't want to be touched

Frost

You would never know the Lawn Guy had cleared the leaves

The Japanese Maple hanging on

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 

 Ohio State University Drum Major John LaVange

Last Ramp Entrance vs. Illinois - 11/18/2017

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Himself participated in the Rent-A-Rower fundraiser for WPI. He rented a rower to come and help with some yardwork.  We are so grateful to the young man that came to help us out.

2. I received a nice email from a former student

3. An early Thanksgiving celebration. With the Young One moving to Ohio, this was one of the last times the four of us will be together for a while.

4. I found the video camera where I told Himself it would be.  All he had to do was look behind Santa

5. I solved the electrical problem. It was the power strip

How was your week?

Throwback Thursday - THE ONE. The Giant-Size X-Men #1

 

On the wall across from us at Lou Roc's diner were a series of comic book posters. We had just been shown to a table when Himself gasped.

"That's it! That's THE ONE I had."

THE ONE. The Giant-Size X-Men #1 comic book. The first edition. He had it one day and then it was gone (figuratively speaking). 

His mother used to organize  a fair/yard sale for Jerry Lewis' Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. There were games like ring toss with prizes and a White Elephant table where for a quarter or less, we could buy some perfume for our moms, beads, and other trinkets. All going for a good cause.

And that's what happened to the first edition Giant-Size X-Men comic book. Sold for a quarter or less all for a good cause. 

Now he might be mixing memories and another of his comics went for a good cause. See, the Giant-Size X-Men  #1 came out in May 1975. Long after his mother's fairs. Not to say that the comic book didn't find its way to a yard sale, or was given away to a cousin, or younger neighbor.

Himself still mourns the loss. 

Apparently, this particular comic book is worth a chunk of change. According to Quality Comix, "The introduction of the "new" X-MEN was a game changer for team books! Giant-Size X-Men #1 is one of the most in-demand comics on the market, and one of the most valuable books of the 70's! What's Giant-Size X-Men #1 worth in 2023? A NM/MT [ed: that means near mint to mint condition] 9.8 set a record for the book with a recent sell price of $13,300! As an investment collectible that is still a reasonable price for such a top tier book in the current market. FN 6.0 books will bring in the range of $1,500 against about $350 in 2009. Solid GD 2.0 are still well under $1,000 coming in around $600 versus just $100 in 2009. A solid performer with A LOT of upside in the wake of the news that MCU powerhouse Sony has acquired the rights from lackluster performer Fox Entertainment. The next big move in the value of this issue could be sooner than later and frankly that leaves no time to waste for the educated buyer!"

Maybe I should mourn the loss, too.

Whatcha Doin?

 

I'm trying not to think of this coming Saturday. Trying not to cry sad and happy tears. Saturday, the Young One flies the nest to begin her Amazing Adventure in Ohio. 

Whatcha doin?

T Stands for Lou Roc's Diner

Tea in the heavy, ceramic mug

Delicious, Coconut Encrusted French toast and a side of extra crispy bacon. 

What did Himself see on the wall that made him cry? Tune in Thursday

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Inktober 2023 - Finally Finished

A few days late with the last few prompts, but I finally finished Inktober

10/29 Challenge prompt: Massive

Micron Pigma pen

10/30 Challenge prompt: Rush

Micron Pigma pen, Tombow Markers

10/31 Challenge prompt: Fire

Micron Pigma pen, Tombow Brush Markers

How Does Your Garden Grow?

A critter chilling between the rails

The Black and White Warbler wasn't afraid of me wandering around the yard. He was happy to claim the bird feeder as his.

First frost of the season.

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

 Enter a date to see the words first recorded on that year. Time Traveler by Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Went to Giacomo's for dinner with Master Beef, Grandmaster E, and my "Cousin" J. Had a great time at Giacomo's Restaurant in Wayland. Turns out E knew the restaurant owners. Her oldest brother used to hang out with the owner's dad. Wherever we go, everyone seems to know Master Beef and Grandmaster E.

2. I baked a spice cake for dessert for Halloween

3. The lawn guy showed up just like he said he would. He took care of the first pass of the leaves

4. Teague and I went to Lowell's Restaurant where they serve breakfast all day.

5. The Eldest cooked steak tips for dinner.

How was your week?

Inktober 2023

 Almost finished. I was not inspired by the last few words of the challenge prompts.

10/28 Challenge prompt: Sparkle

Gelly Sparkle pen

The last three prompts have been thumbnailed, but not drawn into the Inktober journal.

Whatcha Doin?

 

I'm paying bills, making lesson plans, catching up with Inktober. Whatcha doin?