SCADD: A True Story

Guest Writer:  Ruth Morse

The older I get, the more scatterbrained I become. I call this the SCADD phase of life. NO, NO, not SAD [the hearing is also going]. It’s SCADD.

Senior Citizen Attention Deficit Disorder

Things flit and flip through my brain at an alarming rate and many of them scoot out the exit door before finding a place to live inside.

This can lead to embarrassing situations. Like when you are checking out at Dollar General and think your transaction is complete and start to leave, only to have the clerk holler at you to come back, like some shoplifter who is trying to steal toilet paper. Hey, clerk! How many shoplifters actually go through the check out line?

It isn’t just forgetting names, though that is a steadily increasing problem. I joke that, at our age, it takes a committee to put names to faces...... 

Social Media Marketing Success: Take One

In social media marketing and content development, timing is everything. When something happens, it's on twitter and gets around the world within seconds. Your goal is to be breaking or viral -- breaking news or something that spreads like wildfire.... like..... oh....say.....  free donut day at Krispy Kreme.

When I plan my day, I always know it'll change on a dime if I stumble across something breaking (like last year's school shut-down) or something viral (like free donut day).  I have to be able to drop everything and attend to something else. I've learned to be prepared -- carry around pencil, paper, voice recorder ("note to self: pick up bread and milk"), laptop, camera, etc.  Even on my "fun" days (& they are plenty), I'm ready at the drop of a hat.

Like the other day......

Weekly News Digest

Hey remember these?  I used to gather crazy news stories and share them every now and then.  I kind of forgot about that until I discovered this outrageous news story and wanted to share it with you.

1.  Woman Dies of Heart Attack Caused by Shock of Waking Up at Her Own Funeral.  She started screaming as mourners gathered around her coffin, "her eyes fluttered but she only lived for another 12 minutes before she died for good."  Read it.

2.  Fried Kool-Aid Now Available at Fairs.  The San Diego Co. Fair introduces fried Kool-Aid.  "The 300-lb man behind the greasy treat, Charlie Boghosian says he has fried up 500 lbs since the fair started."   Read it.

3.  Hacked Road Sign Warns of Zombies in Northern KY.  "Nightly lane closures, zombies ahead."  Authorities aren't ammused and claim this prank is getting old.  Boo authorities, you old cranky pants.  Read it.


4.  Darwin Book Returned to Library 122 Years Late.  Librarian refers to patron as "the careless borrower."  Librarians are harsh!   But really.... Darwin?  Who cares?  "Where it's been we don't know.... maybe down the back of a couch."  See?  Nobody really cares.  Read it.

5.  Utah Man Accused of Eating Live Baby Rat.  The man put a video on facebook of him eating the rat.  Of course PETA reported and pursued it.   Don't nobody know nothin'?  I never put on facebook the things I do to rats.  Or cockroaches.  Read it.


6.  Deer with Wings Causes Power Outage in Montana.  A Northwestern Energy Lineman found the reason for the power outage was a dead fawn hanging way up on the power line.  Best guess is that an eagle dropped its prey.   But me?  I'm thinking it's a Santa sprint gone bad.  Read it.

The Grand Finale

7.  Prison Escapee Caught After Knocking on Wrong Door.  An escaped convict, still in prison uniform, knocked on a cabin door to ask to use the phone.  Unfortunately, the man who answered the door was an off-duty prison guard from the prison he just fled. You ever have a day like that?   Read it.

The Secret to Content Developing: Focus

I was talking with a friend yesterday about how as a content developer, I am constantly learning about new things and I love that.  She agreed that we are both the types who love to learn about how things are made and how people live and work.  Often I get to go behind the scenes and learn how things work and how businesses operate to manufacture, produce, install or sell such things.  So much exciting stuff!!

But being "a bear of little brain," I often find it difficult to focus.

I tend to filter all new information through the world of childhood fiction and fairy tales.  The worlds of Christopher Robin and Winnie-The-Pooh, Dr. Seuss, Peter Cottontail, Curious George, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (what a wardrobe!!), Toy Story, etc.

Sometimes, when the new client is talking to me -- just sometimes --

The Beauty of Humanity Movement, Book Review

The Beauty of Humanity Movement
by Camilla Gibb
The Penguin Press

Rich, vivid characters and setting.  When you read fiction, do you like characters with whom you enjoy spending a few days?  Characters that make you laugh?  Make you cry?  Make you think?  Make you care.  Do you like to come out of a book and have to look around and figure out where you are and what is real?

This is that kind of book.

Explore the parallels of human relationships among three generations in the politically torn and bruised country of VietNam. Hung is approaching the end of his life.  He's a decent, hard working man, loyal beyond compare.  Hung is the only man Tu has ever known as a grandfather and Tu adores him, protects him, loves him.  Join these two as they navigate the new VietNam, unable to shake the controversial '50's and horrific history of the 60's, 70's and 80's.  Listen as Hung slowly reveals the thoughts and feelings of humanity behind the cold, hard facts we've read about in history books.  Watch as Tu adjusts to a changing VietNam, never completely removing his rose-colored glasses and hope-filled plans....

Scrapbooking a Creature of the Night, Black, Terrible. . .

I haven't had much time to write lately so I thought I'd throw a scrapbooking layout up here today.  The kids are grown and pretty much moved out now, but one thing I loved about their high school years was finding really strange photos on their cameras.  I never knew what I'd find.

So this one time I found a bunch of pictures of Marj wearing a Bat Man mask and striking super hero poses.  I just had to steal 'em and get them in the Oddities of Humanity Album.

Unlike most superheroes, he does not possess superhuman powers or abilities, he makes use of intellect, detective skills, science and technology, wealth, physical prowess and intimidation in his war on crime.

The Sacred Journey Book Review

The Sacred Journey
By Charles Foster
Thomas Nelson Publishers

I knew going into it that The Sacred Journey would be a tough read, but I didn’t know it would be so wonderful.  Foster does a great job of explaining Pilgrimage, bringing it out of antiquity and making it relevant in our modern world.

 

Foster's theory of Pilgrimage is based on the premise that Yahweh God was a Pilgrim God, "loudly and unequivocally on the side of the nomads."  In whatever guise he appeared, he was a traveler "..and He has an alarmingly clear preference for people who can't keep still." 

 

God's values and character are demonstrated in a nomad's life in the following ways:

• Life on the edges
• Indiscriminate and costly hospitality
• Solidarity with the marginalized
• Intimate relationships with humans and the environment
• A new view at every step
• The loosest possible hold on possessions

Going To The Dogs

Guest Writer:  Ruth Morse

Since Jim had a heart attack in January, we've tried to watch what we eat. Take the time to read all the labels in the grocery, to check out fat grams, calories, sodium, look for the dreaded "high fructose corn syrup." What gives with high fructose corn syrup? When you pick up a jar of barbecue sauce or ketchup and the very first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup, slam that junk back on the shelf and back away from the display very, very fast.

We eat a lot more fish [poached salmon is yummy!] and a lot more chicken. Use ground turkey as a substitute for beef whenever possible.

But Jim does love his hot dogs.

Our favorite brand--John F. Martin & Sons-- comes from Lancaster, PA. We get them at Pine Ridge Grocery, the Mennonite place in Bainbridge, NY. Man, are they good! Man, do they have lots of fat grams!

Maybe we should try some turkey hot dogs, me thinks. One shopping day........

Beef Stroganoff ~ Tasty Tuesday

My mother got this recipe many years ago from her good friend, Ruth, who now guest posts on this blog for our Helpful Hints column.  It's become a favorite of my family and every stinkin' time I cook it, I think of Ruth and the first time I ate this at her house 31 years ago.  Yeah, it's that good.

2-3 lb round steak, cut into cubes
1 stick butter
1 medium onion
1 can tomato soup
1 small can tomato paste
1/2 c - 3/4 c sour cream

Saute the onion in butter, add the meat and brown it.
Reduce to simmer.
Mix the soup and paste and add this mixture to the pan of steak.  Simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat.  Stir in the sour cream.  Serve over rice.

Hints:  I double this for my family of 5 so that we can have leftovers.   I've often forgotten the sour cream and it's pretty good without it.  If you want to cut calories, skip it.

Grandfather Mountain, Boone NC

"5,946 feet up on a mountain, you enter a different world."

We visited Grandfather Mountain over Memorial Day Weekend.  The park is a great day trip for the family.  Easy to navigate for young, old and handicapped.  Great hiking trails, awesome views.  Entry is a little costly, but worth it for the upkeep of the park, $15 per person, kids are cheaper.

Upon entry, we received a CD which was a great audio tour as we went through the park. 


Take a picnic lunch, lots of water and wear comfy shoes.  Your first stop most likely will be Sphinx and Split Rocks, a 15 minute stop.  The views are just incredible....

Cupcake VI - Cupcake, Columbia, SC

We made it back up to Cupcake in Columbia, SC recently.  I think we tried a few new flavors, but it's getting difficult to tell anymore, we've eaten so many.   On this trip, we tried

• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Almond
• Chocolate/Vanilla

Almond tastes like Jackie Busbee's famous pound cake, very yummy, mild.  All four of us involved in the taste test voted that Strawberry Cheesecake was #1, our favorite by far.  The strawberry wasn't overpowering.   To get the scoop on all the others we've tried in the past, click on the Cupcake Reviews tab on the right sidebar.

Sadly, I forgot to get pictures of the little darlings before we gobbled them down.  My B.

TTU, Chattanooga. This Flashback Friday Gives Me The Chills.

I recently had the chance to spend the night in Chattanooga again. My, how she has changed.

I spent 8 months at Tennessee Temple University back in '82-'83.  It was my first year away from home and home was about an 8 hour drive away, so there was a lot of boo-hooing that year.

When I think of Chattanooga, I think of rain.  Lots of rain.  Run down buildings, ghetto, homeless, public transportation, nonsense in the back pew, new friends, Ziggy, dorm pranks and The Dating Parlor....

AMF's Summer Unplugged

Are you wondering what to do with the kids for the summer?

Go Bowling!

It's Active!  It's Social!

It's . . . FREE!

This Summer, children 16 and under can bowl for free at your local AMF.

Great idea, huh?

Register here for free AMF Bowling to get weekly coupons via email for two free games per child per day all Summer.  AMF also has a special deal for adults.  At the AMF Free Bowling site, you can find the nearest participating center with just a click of a button. 

Follow AMF on Twitter, Fan AMF on Facebook,  and if you want to find all the right bowling moves, check out AMF on Youtube.

Disclosure: I participated in this campaign as a member

of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing.

All opinions stated in the post are my own.

Eclaire Cake ~ Tasty Tuesday

This is an all-time favorite I got from Nancy Bonnette.  I had just given birth to Marjorie and Mrs. Bonnette brought this cake when she came to visit.  I immediately got the recipe from her and have become well known for this dessert.  Mrs. Bonnette was an incredible lady and I'm proud to carry on one of her recipes.

Eclaire Cake

2 boxes french vanilla pudding
3 cups milk
1 8-oz Cool Whip
1 box graham crackers
1 can chocolate frosting

Mix pudding and milk. Add Cool Whip and stir until smooth. Line 8x11 pan with graham crackers. Pour ½ of pudding mixture over crackers. Top with another layer of crackers and put rest of pudding mix on top. Cover with one last layer of graham crackers and cover crackers with frosting. Refrigerate. Tastes best if refrigerated for 24 hours.

You can make this ahead of time and freeze, just thaw it out the day before.

Genius of a 6 Year Old

So Eva and I were watching the Travel Channel -- a show about  Austria.  Snuggled on the couch, I pointed out some of the places I've been and shared some of my experience, perhaps disagreeing with the show's host on occasion.

Eva turned towards me,
"Pookie, why do you and Grampsy travel so much?"
"Well, I guess I just want to see what's out there. -- I'm curious."
She thought quietly.
She looked back towards the TV and said,
"Well.  If you sit still long enough, the world will come to you."

Then she popped her thumb in her mouth and snuggled in again.

I know that's profound, but I'm not smart enough to grasp it.

Peace River Wildlife Center, Punta Gorda, FL

Punta Gorda is full of surprises.  One of the best – and most secret – is the Peace River Wildlife Center, a non-profit wildlife center that cares for, preserves and protects the area's native wildlife.  Injured, orphaned, and displaced animals – 2,000 each year – are taken here, rehabilitated and released back to the wild.  Some animals are injured too much to be released and they are given a permanent home here.

I was attracted here for the sunset.  This is a fabulous place to watch the sunset on the Charlotte Harbor.  Sit in your car, sit on a park bench, sit in the sand on the beach – whatever way you prefer – you'll see a great sunset.  I was a little disappointed with the weather for our sunset, it was too cloudy, but still . . .

Camping with the Kids: Flashback Friday

We went camping over Memorial Day weekend.  Stayed along the Watauga river at Grandfather Mtn. Campground.   We have a lot of great memories from camping when the kids were small.  Now the kids have grown and the camping trips are few and far between.  But they are still magnificent.  Enjoy.

Cupcake, Punta Gorda, FL

I found the most wonderful Cupcake shop I've ever come across – Sugar Island Cupcake in the T-tiny town of Punta Gorda, FL. (332 Sullivan Street, 941.639.3030)

My sister-in-law and I were driving ferociously towards the Peace River Bridge when she suddenly remembered my proclivity to reviewing cupcake shops.  “Hey!” She screamed, “We need to stop at the Cupcake Shop!”  

“Where is it?” 

“Right there!!”

And she pointed right down the street to our right. 

At that speed, the shop was just a blue blur, but I slammed the brakes, hit the blinker and took a hard right.  We got the Mazda slowed down just enough by the time we reached the adorable blue house.

Being in post-race euphoria, hair askew, we weren't quite thinking clearly as we entered the dark building.  The sign said “Will reopen at 11."  It was then 2:00 and the door was unlocked, so in we walked.  No clue the sign meant 11 on Monday.  No clue the sign below said “Closed Saturday.” 

With our eyes adjusting to the dark, Kath commented “It needs to be more presentable if they want to sell cupcakes.”  I got an eerie Twilight Zone feeling about the place and inched forward slowly.  And that's when I saw the most beautiful cupcakes in the world!

A cupcake for a princess!