Ch ch ch changes.....

We were supposed to be flying to California this weekend...alas, we are not. We had purchased the tickets (well, sort of purchased them; airmiles you know) several months ago and a pile of "must not forget to take to California" stuff has been collecting on the guestroom bed ever since. (No need to worry about that, when you live in the sticks like we do, your city-slicker friends are hardly beating down your door for a visit!) The reason being my elderly, 92 year old, mother is not quite well. She's had some sort of stomach complaint and loss of appetite for a few weeks and did she tell her doctor?...no.....She figured he already knew! When asked to explain, it went something like this: "He takes blood tests all the time, wouldn't that show up in the tests?" Um, I don't think so! So we are going from there: with me as accompaniment, one doctor appointment down; later this morning she'll be chugging barium and having a CT scan, followed by another appointment next week or earlier, depending. So...that trip to California just doesn't quite fit in for now. After a few tearful phone conversations we got it all worked out: if all goes well, we'll go the first part of December. If all goes not so well, Ms. California (awesome daughter) will come here.

Here's a photo of my Mom taken in July at the Garden Party we hosted for our daughter's wedding reception.

On a side note, have you ever noticed how some people talk to elderly people? It's this sort of sing-songy linguistic rhythm, as if they're talking to a child. Underlying it all is a patronizing tone, totally disrespectful and ultimately, it keeps an invisible wall between them (which the speaker probably wants). Some of my nieces talk to my mother (their grandmother) that way--drives me crazy. I'm proud to say my daughter never, ever talks to older adults like that. She does this thing where she addresses them like they're real people! And guess which granddaughter is the odds-on favorite?! Duh!

Whatever Lola Wants....

I have a Granddog now! "Lola" is eight pounds of "beefy" Chihuahua and something bigger. Daughter is sure she's a Chiwiener, also known as a Mexican Hotdog! Lola refuses to divulge much about her past: that crazy time before she was adopted from a southern California animal shelter. Much speculation from her mistress that a doggie DNA test would be appropriate. Hmm.... don't know if I have $99 worth of curiosity?

Lola will be coming to the Midwest in January....poor little thing, she's never seen snow or experienced temps below the 60's. She's in for a rude awakening! What to do?....

Why, bundle up, of course!

Isn't this cute? I especially like the adapted sweater. Perhaps I can find something of a "North Woods" cozy theme for her. Or, would it be too cliche to cut up one of my old Mexican blankets to make a little jacket for her?! Pretty sure I have one of those hokey little sombreros somewhere around the house, too.... I'm like that.

When I showed my Mom this pattern, she laughed. My Aunt and Cousin had just been visiting, bringing with them practically a suitcase full of little baby garments they had crocheted for my Aunt's newest grandchild. Well, ok, so that's where we're at!!

Semper Fido!

The Frost is on the....Tomato?!

We had a frost here last week, and even some snow a few days ago--could hardly believe it! All that snow resting on some of the still-green leaves looked funny, like when Hollywood tries to make a snow scene but doesn't bother hiding green trees in the background. As I pulled out the shriveled remnants of what was once a great tomato plant,* I couldn't help but reflect....

This one plant, ONE plant, produced enough tomatoes for 21 pints of canned tomatoes, 16 half-pints of tomato jam, 2 quarts of frozen tomatoes, several bowls of gazpacho, many a plate of sliced tomatoes (with balsamic vinegar, fresh mozzarella and basil), some tomato-bread salads, and a few giveaways to friends & family. Phew! All that for a starting price of $1.49! Add to that a little fertilizer and regular water and.... I'd say that pencils!

Here it is threatening to take over the backyard!:

Everyone who tasted it asked what kind of tomato it was.... truth be known, I don't know! Yeek! I only remember the original label said it was an Heirloom Italian of some sort and, no, it wasn't Brandywine. Guess it will just remain a sweet mystery!

The first glimpse inside offered this:

But if you looked closer, you saw this:

Even in the waning days of summer, it was putting out tomatoes like this:

Ordinary...yet miraculous...it's all there to be found!

*Ok, I tried to pull it out, but the stem was too large & stubborn---Mr. M.T. Pocketts had to do it!