september gratitudes {september 30, 2022}

 

unpacking boxes {september 29, 2022}

The one thing about doing a day-to-day post is that sometimes there are other things that need immediate attention, like unpacking a ton of boxes and finding a spot for all the stuff that's in them. I want to get this house organized ASAP so that's all for now. 

Peace

and

last supper {september 28, 2022}

Our last meal in Columbus.

We were tired from packing and cleaning, it was going on 9:00 p.m. and we were HUNGRY! We drove past one favorite restaurant, googled to make sure it would be open (open until 10:00), drove around the block, and pulled into the parking lot. We were ready to pay the $5.00 valet fee, but the young man said we didn't have to pay. He even parked the car for us.

I looked down the menu and stopped at the Seared Tuna with Chopped Vegetables. Say no more.

The tuna was very good: perfectly seared with a tasty spice rub on the outside.

The chopped vegetables were delicious and for me, the star of the meal. Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, green beans, cucumber, corn, hard boiled eggs, lettuce, capers, goat cheese, with a caper-dijon dressing. This is something I want to recreate. Definitely a tasty way to eat those veggies!

where in the house is my coffee cup? {september 27, 2022}

When I worked at my friend Steph's farmer's market, we always played a version of  "Where's Waldo?" except it was "Where's Steph's coffee mug?" It was part of life on the farm.

We are in the process of moving and all at once I'm playing the same game: carry my coffee cup, someone asks me where something is or needs me somewhere, put the cup down, and then do an all out search and rescue to find that cup filled with the keep-me-sane elixir. It's all part of a crazy, exciting day.

rays of light {september 26, 2022}

One of those crazy weather days...rain, sun, blue skies, cloudy skies, warm, not as warm. The transition of summer into fall.

Driving west on I-70, the sun was doing its best to shine down on the earth but the clouds were giving it their best effort to show their stuff. It turned into a beautiful give and take. The openings in the clouds allowed the sun's rays to shine through and this went on for miles and miles. I admit, I broke my cardinal driving rule and took a photo while driving. 

sunflowers 🌻 {september 25, 2022}

“Despite knowing they won’t be here for long, they still choose to live their brightest lives - sunflowers.” ~ Rupi Kaur 

The sunflowers are in the wilting stage in Yellow Springs, as some viewers said, "Past their peak." But when is their peak? When the green bud is ready to burst open? Or when the first yellow petals begin to unfold? Or when there is at idiosyncratic all-in face? I love the seeds forming, the finches feasting, the bees buzzing, the texture of the seasoned heads all through the winter. It's a beautiful circle of life.

midnight roma tomatoes {september 24, 2022}

Proud of myself. My most favorite grocery had these gorgeous Midnight Roma Tomatoes on display and I, being the sucker I am for different, colorful veggies, did not buy them. I think the saving grace was the packaging. If they had been sold individually, I would have purchased a couple.

The deep purple-red color is gorgeous! Forget about what you've heard about midnight in Paris. This is all about the glamor of midnight in Roma! This is not an Italian tomato. The Midnight Roma got its start in the U.S., officially hailing from Corvallis, Oregon, the home of Oregon State University. 

If these beauties are still available next time I meander through the produce department, it's a safe bet they will end up in my shopping cart.

friday fun {september 23, 2022}

From a couple years ago when T and I and our big dog Ted lived in downtown Dayton...

I loved taking Ted on walks around town. Ted was big, our walks were slow, and it was easy to notice things as we strolled. Ted always smiled because he loved taking walks and he also knew there was a good boy treat in my pocket.

To Ted's left is a plaque honoring Jack Marti, "who loved and brought life to Dayton."

The plaque's dedication: "Go out and whip those devils in this world. You can do it. It's not what you've got my friend. It's the style you've got. The way you carry it. Smile a lot, hold your head high, have one hell of a blast, but, be charitable to others. If your lot is bad, or you think it is, someone else always has it worse. Spread love, my friend, until the day you die. There is no other way." ~ Jack Marti

We need to be like Jack.

Happy Friday!

3 for thursday {september 22, 2022}

1. Today is the first day of autumn.

"Autumn carries more gold in its pockets than all the other seasons." ~ Jim Bishop

2. Today is the last day for Virgo. Libra starts tomorrow.

3. 94 days until Christmas!

A couple friends love, love, LOVE Christmas and begin their countdown 100 days out. I appreciate their enthusiasm but giggle at the placement of the hat ball. Yes, I was a middle school teacher 😜 

wordy wednesday...queen elizabeth's funeral {september 21, 2022}

Along with many people worldwide, I spent a good part of Monday watching the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The pomp and circumstance, the tradition, the history, the symbolism, the precision, reflected the love and appreciation for Elizabeth's reign. As so many commentators expressed, "Nobody does this better than the British."

Right off the bat I noticed the note on Elizabeth's coffin. Such a personal, loving touch and my thought was that it was from Charles. Pretty soon, the commentators reported that the note was from Charles: "In loving and devoted memory - Charles R" 

Elizabeth signed her correspondence "Elizabeth R" and now Charles will sign as "Charles R."

"R." Regina and Rex. Latin for Queen and King. 

During Queen Elizabeth's reign, military uniform bore the letters ER. With Charles taking the throne, those initials will change to CR.

So much symbolism on Elizabeth's coffin: the wreath of flowers, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb, the Sceptre, the Royal Standard Flag.

The Wreath

At King Charles’s request, the wreath on top of the Queen’s coffin contained flowers and foliage from the royal properties of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, in London, and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. The wreath contained myrtle, the ancient symbol of a happy marriage, cut from a plant that was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet in 1947. It also contained rosemary as a symbol of remembrance and English oak, a national symbol of strength, in a nod to the Queen’s constancy and steadfast duty.

The Imperial State Crown

The late Queen’s sanctified body is represented by the crown, orb and sceptre. The crown, representing the sovereign’s power, has 2,868 diamonds, 269 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and four rubies. The Queen wore the crown when she left Westminster Abbey after her coronation in 1953. The monarch wears the crown for state occasions, including the state opening of parliament.

The Orb

The golden jewelled ball created, like the sceptre, in 1661, is topped by a gem-encrusted cross. It is meant to remind the monarch that their power is derived from God.

The Sceptre

The sceptre was created for the coronation of King Charles II, and has been used to represent the crown’s power and governance in every coronation since 1661. 

The Royal Standard

The royal standard represents the sovereign and the United Kingdom. The modern incarnation of the flag has four quarters: England (three lions passant) in the first and fourth quarters, Scotland (a lion rampant) in the second quarter and Ireland (a harp) in the third quarter. 

To me, one of the most touching moments from this funeral occurred at the very end of the committal service at St. George's Church. As Elizabeth's coffin was lowered into the burial vault, the congregation sang "God Save the King." Charles, looked so stoic as "God Save the King" was sung, but was filled with so much emotion. Thus was the end of one reign of a beloved monarch and the beginning of a new one for the new king to forge his own path.

rettichsalat {September 20, 2022}

I am a sucker for fun and colorful veggies. I will buy them because of their looks, take them home, and figure out what to do with them. My friend told me she had colorful radishes at her farmer's market. Be right there!

I bought two bunches of these beauties...oops. Now what to do? When we were in Germany, radish salad (rettichsalat) showed up on the menus. Come to find out, the Germans use a radish similar to daikon (looks like a big white carrot), not so much the orblike radishes that are popular in the US. Well, I found a recipe for Bavarian Radish Salad and used my pretty radishes in that. The vinegar acted as a pickling vehicle and took away the strong radish taste. I used a sweet onion as well and added the cherry tomatoes right before serving. Crispy and refreshing!

Bavarian Radish Salad in Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 2 fresh white radishes
• 2 bunches small red radishes
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 bunch dill chopped
• 1/2 medium size onion chopped
• 12 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 6 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Clean and rinse red and white radishes; slice thinly. Mix radishes with 1 teaspoon of salt and set aside. Wash and quarter the tomatoes.
  
• Mix together the chopped onions, dill, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper and sugar to make a vinaigrette, making sure the sugar is completely dissolved.
  
• Drain the radishes and mix together with the tomatoes and vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Decorate with the chopped dill.

hbd to #4 {september 19, 2022}

Happy first birthday as a dad to my fourth child/second son You have given me so many reasons to be proud of the man, husband and dad you've become. Wherever life takes you, your kind heart, good nature, and work hard ethic will take you far! Happy Birthday, sweet child o' mine.

3 months {september 18, 2022}

To my sweet little grandson,

Today is a very special day. You are 3 months old!

Today would have been your great-grandma H's 99th birthday. She died last month, August 12. You were her 11th great-grandchild. When you were born, you were lucky to have two great-grandmas, one on your dad's side of the family and one on your mom's side of the family. It's very special to have great-grandparents: family love that spans four generations.

Good things come in 3s and your third special event for today was your first tailgate to celebrate the Browns home opening football game. Three generations of Browns fans now: you, your dad and uncle, and your grandpa. I hope that in your lifetime the Browns will win at least one Super Bowl but today they pulled a typical lose-the game-in-the-last-two-minutes routine. Welcome to the Factory of Sadness, little one. But your dad, uncle, and lots of other friends surrounded you with "Here we go, Brownies, here we go! WOOF WOOF!" You will be a good little woofer.

I love you,

Didi

prophetic {september 17, 2022}

When I taught 8th grade Language Arts, reading strategies were a big part of helping students with comprehension by activating prior knowledge, making connections as they read, and tying text to a bigger world. The text-to-text strategy led me to think about Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence." This songs reminds us to avoid the neon gods that litter our daily life, which can trick us into indifference.

And in the naked light, I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never shared

And no one dared

Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools" said I, "You do not know

Silence like a cancer grows

Hear my words that I might teach you

Take my arms that I might reach you"

But my words, like silent raindrops fell

And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

Then the sign said, "The words on the prophets are written on the subway walls

In tenement halls"

And whispered in the sound of silence

*House rule: No phones at the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter tables. 

one year {september 16, 2022}

On my last birthday, I wanted something to do to document the year leading up to year 65. No big plans, no rhyme nor reason, just stories about events, memories, thoughts, and "stuff." And here we are, one year later, 365 daily posts, and it's been lots of fun. There hasn't been much method to my madness. It truly has been a day-to-day write about something, which just goes to show that  no matter how big or small, there is always something that one can share. You just have to notice.

Seven years ago it was time to clean my mom's house to put on the market (she was in memory care). 65 years ago my dad had a military assignment at the 98th General Hospital in Neubrucke, Germany. While sorting through all sorts of keepsakes, I found a box full of letters from my parents' time there. Letters addressed to their house in Birkenfeld, my first home. Seeing these letters planted the seed to visit this little town where I spent the first year of my life.

In September 2019, my brother, and sister-in-law, T and I took a European vacation. We each chose a spot we wanted to see and planned our vacation around those places. T wanted to go to Normandy and see the D-Day beaches, my brother wanted to hit the Oktoberfest in Munich, my sister-in-law wanted to see Salzburg, Austria and an alpine village, I wanted to go to Strasbourg, France, tour some Alsatian vineyards, and make a side trip to nearby Neubrucke, Germany, where I was born. What a trip that was! We saw what we wanted to see plus more, and the memories...oh, the memories! 

Found the street!

This is my house ~ 

We lived on the upper floor

Down the road a few miles away in Neubrucke was the 98th General Army Hospital where I made my grand entrance into the world. The hospital was decommissioned  and is now a campus for environmental studies.

Stolperstein (translation: stumbling stone). In 1992 a German artist began laying these 4x4 brass cubes to commemorate the names and life dates of victims of Nazi extermination or persecution. Holocaust memorials focus on the scale and political culpability of this time in history; the Stolpersteine focus on its individual tragedies. Today there are over 70,000 of these memorial blocks placed around cities and towns across Europe and Russia. 

I found a stolperstein in my little town. Otto Pick lived in Birkenfeld. He was part of a union resistance and escaped to a Monastery in Kilchzimmer, Switzerland. 

nooooooo! {september 15, 2022}

Oh, Costco, Costco...you're killin' me.

IT'S STILL SUMMER!

Oh, well, at least you've skipped over the pumpkin spice stuff...

wordy wednesday...fewer v. less {september 14, 2022}

Guilty as charged! 

A few years ago, a sign like this appeared in the Express Lane at my favorite grocery store. It made me cringe but I thought, "No, I'm not putting on my Grammar Police hat today. Let. It. Go."

A few days later back at the store, another grammar stickler had corrected it with a Sharpie and then a few days after that, the store had put up a new sign.

Fewer vs. Less - What's the difference? Here's a few quick and dirty tricks:

The conundrum of less vs. fewer has a simple solution. You need to figure out if fewer or less will be working with a countable or uncountable noun.

*Fewer means "not as many" and is used with countable nouns, such as cookies.

Mom told Little Johnny to eat fewer cookies.

*Less means "not as much" and is used with uncountable nouns, such as milk.

Could you give Little Johnny less milk next time?

If you can count it, go for fewer. If you can’t, opt for less.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕

A clue in the NYT Mini...the struggle is real!

 

bur oak {september 13, 2022}

It's late summer and the bur oak and the squirrels are making a mess. For the past couple weeks, cleaning up limb, leaf, and acorn debris has been a daily occurrence. This is extra messy because we were gone over the weekend.

Once you start getting into the end of summer, you'll see the bad acorns being ejected from the tree. These acorns are larger and usually have leaves attached. If you keep up with it, the mess isn't that bad. I filled a trashcan with today's cleaning.

Here’s where we get to the real culprit in all this: the squirrels are really to blame for the messy results from the acorns of a bur oak tree. Acorns themselves are simple enough to clean up, but the reality is that the squirrels chew up the shells and the cups, and they are all over the place for weeks.

There’s just no way around it; these guys are some sloppy eaters!

queen elizabeth and 9/12/2001 {september 12, 2022}

On September 12, 2001, the day after the terrorist attacks on the U.S., Queen Elizabeth ordered the national anthem of the United States be played at the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Twenty-one years later, this still makes me cry.

Now, twenty-one years later, the United Kingdom has lost Her Majesty, the Queen, and King Charles III has begun his reign. May choirs of angels sing thee to thy rest, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor.

https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1567902180274831362

never forget {september 11, 2022}

"Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?" ~ Alan Jackson 

It's been 21 years.

On September 11, 2001, I was finishing my Masters in Education doing my student teaching at Cline Elementary School in Centerville. There was a TV in the teachers' lunchroom and this was our first exposure to the events of the day. It was so hard to go back to the classroom and continue on with our normal afternoon activities but we did. And for the rest of the week my mentoring teacher and I set aside time to discuss whatever was on the students' minds. 5th graders are very insightful. 

Many parents came to pick their children up before the end of the school day. Once all of the students were out of the building, the teachers and staff didn't have to wait until our requisite 3:30 leave time. We left immediately. I got home and all my kids were home. All after school events and practices had been cancelled. One of my daughters and I were sitting on the front porch talking and all at once a hot dogging jet pilot from nearby Wright Patterson AFB flew over the house and made a sonic boom. My daughter was terrified. The yards filled up with people wondering what happened. It was a scary moment.

T was scheduled to attend the Mortgage Bankers' Conference and it was in Toronto that year. He had made his flight to Cleveland and was ready to get on his plane to Toronto but it was cancelled. He was able to rent a car and drive back home. Flight 93 was traveling from Newark to San Francisco and made its turnaround close to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Its intent was to crash into the White House but instead this flight full of brave passengers crashed in rural Pennsylvania at Shanksville.

My dad was hospitalized with some side effects from the chemotherapy to treat his Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. He was unconscious during the 9/11 attacks and was so upset when he heard the news a week later.

This is so New York: taxis, construction, and the Freedom Tower reaching toward the sky and reflecting the world around it.

We were in NYC on September 11, 2015. Walking around the Memorial Park was a humbling and reverent experience. So many tributes and remembrances placed around the reflecting pools.

The Bell of Hope at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City. St. Paul's is directly across from the World Trade Center site, suffered no damage in the September 11 attacks, and served as a staging area for the rescue workers. The Bell of Hope was created by England's Whitechapel Foundry, which also cast the Liberty Bell and London's Big Ben. Every September 11 the Bell of Hope is rung at a ceremony to commemorate 9/11. Never Forget. 

 

sunflowers 🌻 {september 10, 2022}

Sunflower overload!

After two years of an empty field (first year due to COVID, second year due to too much rain), the 10-acre Yellow Springs sunflower field is blooming and it is BEAUTIFUL!