Everything to be Blue Over

Sneaking a berry

This past weekend my daughter and granddaughter and I took a little adventure. Our local paper had a great article about a local blueberry farm that had just opened up this week for people to come and pick blueberries. Anne's Acres in Lincoln, MO is a family-owned and run farm that looks to be a great addition to our locally grown produce.

I must admit as a kid I was not a real blueberry lover, but as I have gotten older I have definitely acquired the taste for them. Ditto my daughter and granddaughter also love them.  We got up early and ventured just a few miles south of home, grabbed our buckets and started picking. I had no real idea how many we would pick since it was our first time and we were not sure how long we would be at the farm I knew that we wanted to have enough to at least freeze some and make blueberry pancakes and muffins.

The process of cleaning and drying went pretty quickly and ten Ziplock bags later (roughly a little under 5 lbs worth) we are set. We probably would have had more but unfortunately they were so enticing to my granddaughter Hadleigh she put more in her mouth than in the communal buckets for home. We threatened to have her weighed when we finished.

It was a great first experience and I am sure we will keep it in mind for next year. One to factor in a little longer time to pick more berries, and a little less taste testing.

Architecture/Construction Everybody Has to Start Somewhere

I came across this picture the other day on Pinterest and basically it made me think of my situation for the past week. I am not sure this may or may not be some one's home. The saying "a person's home is his castle" has a universal meaning. If you have watched any Home and Garden program on just about anything to do with home repairs or home remodeling it is most definitely not an easy process. What sometimes is a weekend warrior project usually turns out to take twice as long. Budgets are usually out the window after the first hour you start the project because you usually find what may have started off as a small issue now becomes much more detailed than originally thought which in turn will cost more money.

On my go to Sunday Morning program a segment on architect recently was on Moshe Safdie who has been the architect to some of the most beautiful and noted structures around the world. The Kauffman Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City, MO and the United States Institute of Peace in Washington D.C. are just two such structures. What started on paper in his mind ended up as beautiful pieces of structural artwork for all the world to enjoy.

It has always fascinated me traveling around and see some interesting architecture that you really, wonder what an interesting concept for a building! Growing up my grandparents would take me to a restaurant called The Parasol Restaurant in Torrance, CA. It is no longer there but the pretty pink parasol was always a conversation piece of the community for many years. Although I never ate at the Hollywood Brown Derby, it was a part of early Hollywood for decades. Its derby shape was known around the country and world. Who doesn't remember the I Love Lucy episode with Lucy and William Holden--classic!

With all the famous and infamous structures around the country built and designed by some of the most renowned architects and building construction individuals my little situation seemed ever so easy to take care of--NOT.

With all the unseasonably strange weather we have had the past few years it finally caught up to the roof. Little did we realize what could have been a very easy and routine fix turned out to be more than what we or anyone bargained for. Unfortunately, sometimes you are left with shaking your head as to why people do things they way they do. Safeguards, planning ahead and working in a structured environment doesn't seem to be the work plan for everyone. 

I do not, never have and probably never will live in an expensive palace but you want to be dry, and be able to move around with ease in your home. Right now I am not yet at that point, but hopefully I will see the light at the end of the tunnel very soon.

I was being overly facetious in putting the above picture up but at this time, that is exactly what is appropriate for how I am feeling.

 

Birthday Wishes--Whatever Way You Do It Will Be Appreciated

I know I am not alone when I say sometimes the older you get birthdays are just different. Every day you wake and can say you have made it another day is a birthday. When you are young like my granddaughter's both are excitement abounds with celebrating with friends, games, cake and ice cream.  A young face holding up little fingers to indicate how old they will be put a smile on your face. Yes, we all did that same gesture at one time in our life, but now not enough fingers and toes can be found to do that same gesture for me.

I am always amazed at someone who has reach 100 years old all the wonderful, interesting and ever changing world they have experienced. Sometimes the faster paced and ever changing world becomes overwhelming I am sure.

Over the weekend I again got inspiration for my blog from CBS Sunday Morning.

Toledo, OH retired salesman Jim Gagnon really always enjoyed his job. He loved meeting people and learning about them. So much so over the years he has kept track of many of them on every birthday. Many hand written ledgers of people he met selling or some he only met once briefly but believed it was important enough to keep birthday information on them and each day takes time to make a phone call, ask them how they are, and then wish them a Happy Birthday. Some might think well what else does he have to do with his spare time? But, actually such a warm, kind and thoughtful message can make a person's day even better. It really takes such a little moment in even a busy schedule.

For those social media users, Facebook will alert you of your friends birthdays if you want. Sometimes on certain days I may have two or more friends that I always try and make sure I send them even a one sentence message on the big day. I'm sure they appreciate and how long can it take really?

I have a few childhood friends that for some strange reason the date just sticks out in my mind. One is around the time my traditional school year would get out for summer break so that is pretty easy to remember. The other childhood friend was really the only person I knew for a long time that had an August birthday. A few years ago both mentioned "WOW we can't believe you remember".

Some dates really stick in my mind because they have the same birthday as a relative. No limit seems to exist for some dates. 

Be it a card, a phone message (really please don't text), a lunch or dinner date, a small token of the day its always nice to be wished birthday greetings. You never know, you just might make the person's day even more special. I kinda wish I knew Jim Gagnon.

Memorializing the Times in Your Heart

Life is funny. When I was younger Memorial Day was usually the first weekend you could usually spend outside getting a tan started. If you went back to school with a slight glow, you knew your weekend was meaningful. Of course I also knew this date was set aside usually to remember those who had died for our country or it was also a time to honor just family members who were no longer with us.

We usually went to the cemetery to lay flowers at my great-grandpa Sheldon's grave. He had passed long before I was born but he lived with my mom and grandma during World War II while my grandpa was serving and he and my grandma were very close.

Lexington, MO Confederate Cemetery

On Facebook for several days many of my friends had forwarded a post on The Blue Street Journal about May 1, 1865 was the original Memorial Day in Charleston, SC. Former slaves reburied 257 Union soldiers to honor them for fighting for their freedom. It took 2 weeks to dig the graves. In another source, Boalsburg, PA considers itself the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Personally, I don't think one answer matters as too who or where was the first real Memorial Day observance. For me its remembering family who served or didn't but still hold a strong place in our hearts. They are no longer with us so we take this day either to place flowers on grave sites, eat a favor meal, drink a favorite drink or just recall memories of the great times spent with wonderful people who left our lives too soon.

Earth Day 2014

This past week my daughter told me that at our granddaughter's preschool they planted tree saplings for Earth Day. I was happy to hear that even at the young age of four the school was taking advantage of this activity. My granddaughter has participated for all of her four years at my house when it comes to recycling. She happily takes plastics, cereal boxes, glass, paper and puts them in the two bins I have in my laundry room. Not only does it teach her about recycling but also it gives her a knowledge already into doing household chores. Killing two birds with one stone is always a plus.

My daughter-in-law this past weekend shared a story of how she received a tree sapling when she was in school and without her parents knowledge decided to plant it herself in front of her bedroom window so she could watch it grow. This didn't have such a great ending as over the years the tree grew so large it cracked the house foundation.

Several years ago, I participated in the city wide hazardous waste roundup they have at our state fairgrounds. I remember sitting in my car in line to drop off items for longer than anticipated but was just glad that our city had finally took the plunge into being more environmentally aware. It has definitely taken a while to catch on here but now when I go to drop off at our local sites sometimes I have to wait for a parking space. That I like to see. After dropping off my old printer, hard drive, scanner and large bag of various batteries and a few paint items I was handed a booklet by a volunteer Emergency Management person entitled, "Recycle in Missouri" published by the Missouri Recycling Association.

 I was shocked to read that way back in 1990 SB 530 established a statewide goal of reducing waste by 40 percent.  Not until a few years ago was it even actually visible here in my city but I guess better late than never and it does seem like more and more people are actually participating. 

Also in this publication it stated that Missouri's waste and scrap is one of Missouri's top ten exports totally $451 million dollars in 2012. 

Since 2008, the Missouri State Fair has participated in recycling by having separate recycling drop barrels during the time of the fair. In 2012 alone, 6.6 tons of recycling was collected from 330 receptacles.

I am glad to hear and see that our city has stepped forward to help recycle, reuse and help our environment.

Butterfly Visitor

Goalder Photography

A little shameless plug for my daughter Jennifer the photographer. She capture this photographic moment in her yard this weekend and the caption read, "Spring is Here 2014". After I saw the photo I had a quiet "aha" moment in church yesterday like I sometimes do just before the service. I call these quiet moments grandma times. 

When I was little I frequently accompanied my grandma Ruby to church on Sundays. I always enjoyed this time with her and I believe my early beginnings at church helped me to make the decision ten years ago to return to my Lutheran faith.

Recently I have been bringing my oldest granddaughter, Hadleigh to our blended service once a month. She has already shown a desire to sing and learn about Jesus through her pre-school time.

I also thought that the butterfly symbolized my other grandma Edith. April 18th will mark the 12 year anniversary since her passing. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe the visit was her way of wishing Hadleigh a Happy 4th Birthday a little early (April 14th).  Hadleigh and my grandma Edith also share the same middle name (Amazetta).

Unfortunately, neither grandma was able to meet Hadleigh but I think by carrying a little bit of both of them inside she will grow to be a terrific young lady.

Cashews--A Handful of Pleasure

A friend recently posted something on Facebook that I laterally had never heard of before.  Thanks Kristina. The article stated that cashews are a natural anti-depressant.

I know many people don't care for any type of nuts either due to allergies or just the taste. But as long as I can remember cashews have been one of my top nuts of choice. One reason also could be because every time I eat one I think of my grandpa Conner. Some people have dessert, other's maybe an after dinner beverage but his was to sit in his recliner, and reach for the little recycled pork and bean jar with the foil wrapped top and get a handful of his guilty pleasures.

 Now I bet he didn't know back then that a little handful of these nuts was actually a remedy for what ailed him. Gramps was a World War II veteran who kept all the stories inside. The quiet man through the years kept many things tucked deep inside I would later discover. But, those monthly routine visits to the San Pedro Commissary probably did him more good than any of us would realize. He would buy large quantity cans of the nuts to squirrel away in his closet for future indulgence. The price back then was high, not as high today(this 10 oz. bag above was $4.29 at Aldi's) but they were cheaper than apparently a doctor visit for a prescription today.

A friend that worked on the Port of Los Angeles docks one time asked him if he wanted a bag of raw cashews. The process of preparing and roasting was long and he only did it once because they just didn't taste the same to any of us.

It is hard to believe that two handfuls of cashews equals a dose of prescription Prozac.  Hey it works for me!

A few of the amazing benefits are: high in vitamins,  can prevent gallstones (wish I had known that a few years ago), can prevent cancers, helps your hair and the list goes on.

It is probably the only nuts that you don't shell yourself. Due to the toxicity of the outside shell they must be done before roasting and consuming.

As they say you learn from your elders (thanks Gramps) and quoting a Mounds/Almond Joy commercial, "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't) hey its cheaper than a doctor visit and oh so much better for you. Yummy