Heathens . . . missing Ma and Pa . . .

Two of the most important men in my life are heathens - it's true. P&D's Pop and my Kiddo did not take my invitation to sit on the front porch and watch the sunset seriously. Supposedly the big one watched through the window and the smaller one watched through the door! I'm supposed to be content with that knowledge. Yikes! I've been had. A sunset cannot be described; it cannot be videoed; it can not be photographed; it cannot be painted although that would be the best a human being could do - sunsets are not to be trifled with - they are the void we would enter now and in éternua - how peaceful, graceful, strong, passionate, fiery, brilliant, ephemeral, bold, startling, crisp, clear, vague, suave, clean, vaporous, transient and human. There is hope in humanity but when the sunsets end it is the end. PS The big one did come out as the sun faded away and the smaller one was busy speaking with his Mama - all is well.

Oh to have the descriptive powers of a Samuel Longhorne Clemens . . .

I wish I could do the gentleman justice. We've met him a few times in passing at James' Coffee Shop in Old Denham Springs. Today he was dressed in dark suit pants, light brown shirt, a brown tie with yellow paisley design, a medium brown suit jacket and the brightest yellow straw fedora with a brown band. As he was leaving the restaurant, having said his au revoirs to his friends who were dressed as most men in the shop, shorts and polos, he stopped by our table and offered me a choice of the flowers he clasped in his gnarled, warm hand. The stems were wrapped in tinfoil just as we used to wrap Mama's violets back in the day. I'm in love with south Louisiana.

Perry and The Peacock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJiD0301Zq8&feature=youtu.be

Fruit Delight . . .

Wanted something sweet for after dinner and had no idea what.  We don't keep sweets in the house but I was determined to have something sweet. Yesterday I also went through a sweet kick and ended up looking in the cupboard where I found raisins, bittersweet chocolate chips and pecans; put together these made a tasty snack but I didn't want that today. I remembered an easy dessert Wendel Davis, a friend and teacher at KHS back in the good old days,  made using a can of fruit cocktail. Sure enough I dug it out and we had ourselves a marvelous warm super sweet delicious dessert covered with whipped cream; didn't even have to go to the store. A la recherche du temps perdu is always fun. I had to smile when I remembered the special days at KHS where teachers and local businesses gave demonstrations of different types of jobs. Mr. Davis loved to cook and I, not loving to cook, ended up helping out in the motorcycle demonstration with D&S Cycles from Willimantic. Those were the days, my friend. Oh shitski, I'm getting nostalgic.

Maybe some day . . .

Little Blue Heron eating a Mud Bug

A lovely new young friend invited us to her home for this evening but it didn't pan out; I expect it will one of these days. She and her husband and two year old live in DS and what she'd like us to see is the sunset on the lake from her back porch and she thought P&D's Pop could fly in the field near their home. That was really thoughtful but I had to explain that P&D's Pop flies control line not radio controlled models. I'll have to give them a holler when we go to South Park in the Fall and the weather is a bit cooler than now.  I must admit that the heat and humidity have been oppressive and onerous lately but it still works out okay because I end up walking in the air conditioned house! 

Had a neat day at the Early Leaning Center yesterday when I ended up being assigned to a class with one teacher and 8 two year olds. Oh my, two years old isn't very old! After lunch I ended up sitting on the floor next to seven of the little tykes and helping them fall asleep by rubbing their backs - come to think of it maybe that's why my back is bothering me a bit today - it was easier to crawl over to each one than to get up and walk over to them - very small classroom! But it was so much fun as they seemed to enjoy holding my hand and walking with me in the shade out in the playground - I had to keep them from stealing my hands from which ever child had gotten hold of me.  It was a bit odd but kids are funny like that; I guess possessive is the word. Today I was back with the three and four year olds; they are pretty sophisticated in comparison. The only caveat I gave the director of the Center is that I don't change diapers and that worked out fine because most of the kids are potty trained. Besides the teacher said she always takes care of business so for that reason I have agreed to help out with the 2's whenever necessary. 

Not sure what's gotten into me today but I have hunger pangs!  I've already devoured a few handfuls of raisins, pecans and bitter sweet dark chocolate bits. Since I don't keep candy in the house I had to make do with what I could find in the pantry! Now I feel like Moosup popcorn. Hells' bells!

Quote:  Tact comes as much from goodness of heart as from fineness of taste.  __Endymion

Absolute first . . .

Natural Glitter

I bought a membership in PARDS (Parks and Recreation Denham Springs) and today I signed in and used the Olympic Pool. I've never been in a pool of that size before; it's amazing. The water was a bit too warm for my liking but for $30 a month I have access to the pool, the air conditioned gym, fitness classes and every exercise/weight machine imaginable.  I doubt I'll use anything but the pool but when Kiddo comes for a stay we'll definitely have some stuff to do inside since it'll be hotter than blue blazes (that's really hotter than hell.) I was surprised how tiring it was to try and swim laps. I've never been a good swimmer but I stayed in the water for 45 minutes although I was not extremely active. I'll have to try to go at least twice a week and perhaps get into a swimming class or two so I do swim properly. I was just dubbing around. My strongest stroke is the side stroke and I'm not sure if I do that correctly. I did find that walking in the pool is work! That surprised me. There seems to be tide!

Went to see the eye doctor for a check up on my dry eye and I'm doing great - so another medical AOK. Life is running along at full speed. Since I can't wear the Fitbit in the water I'll probably force myself to also get in some steps on pool days. I stopped and splurged at Waffle House for lunch since I was in Zachary.  As long as you are not in any rush whatsoever it's okay to go to Waffle House. You've got to laugh at how poorly managed a Waffle House is. I do believe that corporate should change the way they do things - it's positively nuts there.  Of course if everything were done in proper sequence it would probably work out okay.  There was a new kid on the block and he was horrible - they should have had him doing dishes and cleaning up! Oh well, I sat next to a nice lady and we commiserated with  an older gentleman who expected to get his food on the same day he ordered it! It really was funny. I saw people get their sides of bacon after they had finished their breakfasts! All's well that ends well; I did manage to have my pecan waffle and crisp bacon with out too much of a hassle. Now I won't have to eat dinner!

Just found out today that P&D's Pop's older brother is having having heart issues which put him in the hospital for a couple of days - atrial fibrillation. It seems they now have his blood thinning medicines figured out. Oy vey - this heart stuff is all over the place!

Quote:  The heart never grows better by age; I fear rather worse; always harder. A young liar will be an old one; and a young knave will only be a greater knave as he grows older.   _____Chesterfield

I am so clever I scare myself . . .

The Crape Myrtles are not very healthy this year.

Since our Connecticut Kiddo will be coming for a visit with his folks and then staying with us for a few days when they leave to go back North I decided I should find a comfortable place for us to play basketball, swim etc in this very hot humid Louisiana Summer. I've decided to take out a membership at a fantastic facility here in DS with an Olympic Pool, first class exercise machines, air-conditioned basketball court and an outdoor walking pool so I've got to talk myself into going to the pool.  I'm not really a good pool person but I do have a bathing suit that actually fits me! The problem is that I only have one prosthesis and it's not a good idea to swim with it in chlorinated water (up North I had an extra prosthesis but I gave it away as I didn't think I'd ever need it again.) Well I've found out that if I use bubble wrap (P&D's Pop's suggestion) I can make a pretty good substitute boob. Now I'll have to see how it all works when I get up the courage to go swimming.  I'm planning to go to North Park Monday to buy a three month membership but one of the ladies told me it takes a few days for them to activate it. Hope I don't lose my nerve!

Spoke with our nephew who lives on Cebu in the Philippines; he's vising his family in Massachusetts. We have an open invitation to visit him on the island.  I'm certain it would be a great visit but I can't picture us ever flying that far.  We struggled with long flight times flying to England! Getting older and more difficult in our dotage!

 Had the best Fireworks display in the entire world yesterday at a three kid birthday party put on by our Big Kiddo and his wife. Wow, I love fireworks and when they go off right smack dab in front of you it's the cat's meow. Time to finish reading today's paper before Grampa grills us some Brats and we watch the NASCAR racing in New Hampshire!

Quote:  The contemplation of night should lead to elevating rather than to depressing ideas.  Who can fix his mind on transitory and earthly things, in presence of those glittering myriads of worlds; and who can dread death or solitude in the midst of this brilliant, animated universe, composed of countless suns and worlds, all full of light and life and motion?  ___Richter