kbois

So....on my way home from work today I had to wonder what makes people think certain things are ok. Example- a good part of my drive is on a six lane highway (3 lanes each direction)with a chicken lane divider in the middle. Speed limit is 45-50mph (70-80 kph?). There's a bike lane about 3 feet wide along the curb. You would think that if you had to ride a bike on the road with traffic whipping by you might want to stay as close to the curb and away from traffic as possible (because the sidewalk just won't do). Nope, not in my universe. The cyclist made sure to ride ON THE WHITE LINE. I was in the right lane and couldn't move to the middle. I honestly thought my side mirror was going to clip them. Do you think I would've gotten extra points for stupidity? 🤔

We will have our coldest morning in a while on Wednesday. A cold front is currently moving thru. We'll be lucky if it hits 60F (15C) tomorrow and when it's time to go into work Wednesday morning it's going to feel like the upper 30s (3C). I'm sure I'll see people bundled up like they're about to explore Antarctica. I may have to wear socks.

I had so many hopes and ambitions for today.....aaaaannnddd I ran out of steam somewhere between cooking chicken and the run to Walmart. Didn't get around to decorating..... that'll be next weekend. But, I do have a huge batch of chicken I'm hoping will jump into individual containers all by itself. Two loaves of banana nut bread and a clean little dog. Don't ask. Let's just say its most definitely time to shave him down again. 🤦‍♀️ I'm glad you had a chance to enjoy the quiet. We all need it every now and again. Enjoy your evening!

I just remembered something.... When I was a kid there was a massive gypsy moth invasion one summer. Everyone slathered the bottoms of the trees with Vaseline. The caterpillars got stuck and died. I'd suggest Vaseline on top of foil around the trees. Our oak trees had rings around them forever, although by the time I moved out they were 4 or 5 feet higher from where they started.

They're flexible, I'm sure there's a way to secure them to a tree. Several sturdy bolts would probably work. It might look a little weird.

If you know where they're climbing you could try laying down a few scat mats on the ground. Good luck! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SDCK7WJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_nkaXFbDP4HF55?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Another poem inspired me today: Roses are red Violets are blue Coffee with cream I think I love you Have a great day everyone. I'm off to decorate and cook.

Congratulations Fae! I'm so happy for you!

Me too. I hold an advanced degree in that subject. We got an oil diffuser and some lavender oil which is supposed to promote restful sleep and my husband drops off like a ton of bricks while I lay there thinking "hmmm, lavender smells nice." Hopefully the zzzzz's won't stay away too long.

https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/instant-pot-jalapeno-popper-shredded-chicken/ I can't make enough of this stuff. Ever. I'd also like to apologize to everyone for the future flour shortage. I decided to make pie crust from scratch. Flour. Everywhere. I mean, how did I get it on the coffeemaker which was on another counter? I did not, however get any on my face or in my hair. I guess I've successfully trained myself not to touch my face during this whole covid thing. 🤣 But seriously, the jalapeno chicken is the absolute bomb! I usually use a little extra jalapeno and you can skip the bacon, but it's much better with it. Enjoy!

Looks like its going to be a weekend of cooking. Turkey pot pie, jalapeno shredded chicken and banana nut bread are on the agenda. Should keep us stocked in lunches for a couple of weeks! Christmas stuff going up too. Hubby brought the boxes and totes out last weekend and reminded me we threw out the old tree last year. It was getting pretty sad, the closer it got to Christmas, the more lights went out. I ordered a new tree and it got here this week, so decorations here I come! Hopefully the outdoor lights aren't massively tangled! Have a good weekend everyone!

Good thing you never met my niece when she was little. When it was time to go home she would give everyone a hug and kiss goodbye. Believe me...when a four year old grabs your cheeks and smooches you....you don't say no! 🤣

Glad you stayed. My everyday grammar has changed since I've been in Florida. I still drop "wicked" every now and again, but I will admit...... I've picked up "y'all" and "all y'all" pretty quick. If I had a quarter for everytime one of my southern friends has looked at me and said "y'all ain't right" I could retire comfortably right now. 🤣

Ranting is a way for us to deal with emotions that get out of control. It sounds like everyone let things escalate. It happens. Especially with family. The hardest thing to do is to take a step back and let go of the anger. It sometimes takes a while. It's very difficult to find a middle ground when tensions are high. I hope things will settle down for you soon. Like everyone said....this is a safe place to rant and rave.

I'm happy to say that Florida has definitely improved it's Covid test result wait time. Yesterday's test was negative. One more thing to be thankful for.

There's a lot to the whole tradition. Here's a link for the Cliff Notes version if you're interested. https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving It reminds me of the field trip to Plymouth Rock in 6th grade.

Pumpkins (and other squash) were part of the diet of the Wampanoag tribe. They introduced pumpkin to the Pilgrims. Pie and Pumpkin Spice lattes came much later.

Growing up in Massachusetts we had the whole Thanksgiving tradition thing ingrained into us from the crib. This time of year was all about Pilgrims, Native Americans, cut out turkeys made from colored construction paper and your handprint. Family, food and football was the focus of the day. We didn't do the whole "go around the table and say what you're thankful for" like a lit of people. It was a given that we were all thankful for the people and things that we had. As the years went by the family dynamics shifted to our own spouses and kids and traditions changed. I look back and smile at the memories of past holiday gatherings. This year has thrown huge obstacles at us in regards to being able to get together with those we call family. Phone calls and FaceTime are not quite the same. But regardless of where you are and who you can or cannot get together with today, I hope everyone will enjoy their day. I'm thankful that I have this online family in my life.

That pie sounds amazing! I bailed on making dinner this year. We ordered a fully cooked turkey and trimmings from Publix. I ended up getting the larger meal so I could have leftovers to make turkey pot pie. The dinner we ordered is supposed to feed 12-14 people. There's only going to be three of us. I should probably get 3 pot pies from the leftovers and I'll freeze a couple. Enjoy you dinner tomorrow!

So I was discussing the day's events with my husband and found myself actually using the word 'fratricide' in a sentence, in the correct context. He merely quirked an eyebrow at me.

Thanks spyke. At least I have 4 other brothers who will have my back. This particular brother is feeling the strain from having my mom all the time. However, after my dad died him and his wife insisted on having Mom live with them. My brother up in MA offered to take her last year. My sister in law(the one down here) said no. Now our hands are tied because we can't really move her in the middle of a pandemic and her dementia has progressed to the point where she really can't handle too much change. But you're right, I'm doing what's right to protect myself, my husband and my kids.

My brother called to let me know he and my mom both tested negative. Then he asked if I still wanted to get mom tomorrow 🙄. When I said no and not for a couple of weeks either, he huffed and said he had to go. Asshole.

I'm going in the morning. I'm just gonna to try to stay positive and hope for the best. I talked with my other brother and he reminded me that there's nothing we can do this moment so we just have to deal with things one at a time. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and wishes.

I'm a tad bit livid at the moment. I called my brother because I wanted to tell him I was going to pick up my mom on Thursday and keep her thru the weekend because my sister in law was planning on about 15 people over for dinner and I don't want my mom around so many people right now. Inagine my surprise when he tells me my SIL has tested positive for Covid. The same SIL who my Mom lives with. My brother is going to get himself and my mom tested this afternoon. These two haven't taken this virus as seriously as they should have. If my mom tests positive I'll have to go get another test as she was at my house this weekend. Which means my husband and son will have to do the same. Elevated stress levels....just what I need right now.

So....at some point in the distant future we can expect a hot, burly lumberjack character in one of your stories. Right? (I totally get the lack of writing ambition. I have ideas, but no motivation. It can get frustrating, but I'm hoping that eventually I'll feel the pull to write.) Take care Wayne!