Birthday View (031/365)

TIME: 12:47 pm

PLACE: Truck Lot
SUBJECT: Trucks

*~*~*

Today is HH's 65th birthday

This is what we did...

We Zoomed with MonkeyBoy for an hour.  

Then we drove to the truck lot so he could prep the truck he was going to be driving for a load he had at 2:00am Sunday morning.  

Next, we go to 2 extremely crowded supermarkets to buy groceries in order to make his birthday dinner.

Said dinner consisted of steak, salad, baked potatoes and of course, I made his fruit tart for dessert.

DQ, her boyfriend and MB's girlfriend joined us for supper.  As soon as supper was over, HH went to bed as he had to get up at 12:45am.  I took a large slice of the fruit tart to my dad to keep myself in the will.

How birthdays change as we get older.

Volume (030/365)

TIME: 1:02 pm

PLACE: 1st block of North 9th Street
SUBJECT: Tag on door

*~*~*

On this very rainy, very cold Saturday, SD and I did a bit of thrift shopping.

I needed a frame for a photo DQ had given me for Christmas and, more importantly, I needed to get out of the house for a bit.

We parked on the side of the building, but I didn't notice this graffiti tag until we returned to the car.

SD informed me that this particular tag is around St. Louis as well.  How does she know these things?

Flashback Friday (029/365)

TIME: 3:35 pm - Jan 29, 2011
PLACE: DQ's bedroom
SUBJECT: Tessa and DramaQueen

*~*~*

Once again I am going back to the archives for today's picture.

(AKA "It just occurred to me I did not take a photo today and therefore am scrambling for content")

DramaQueen in her VERY green bedroom with Miss Tessa.  DQ is 12 and Tessa is 7.

DQ has her blanket from when she was a baby...said blanket has been misplaced/lost/gone for quite some time and DQ still is sad about not having it in her possession anymore.

What hasn't changed is the staring at the cell phone.

Lunch Choices (028/365)

TIME: 2:08 pm

PLACE: Work cafeteria
SUBJECT: Open shelf vending items

*~*~*

Went into the office today so I could print and mail 1099-MISCs and 1099-NECs for certain payments made to our vendors.

The 1099-NECs are new forms.  The IRS decided that payments made to independent contractors needed their own form.  Why?  It's supposed to "streamline income reporting and differentiate it from Form 1099-MISC" - That's according to TurboTax.  I beg to differ on their choice of the word "streamlining" - I look at it as adding more complications and making life in the month of January for anyone who works in accounting, an even more living hell than it already is.

Enough shop talk - The more important/disappointing thing about today was I forgot to bring something to eat for lunch.  I ended up purchasing a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and a Twix bar from this selection in the lunch room.  

I had nothing to do with the shelf being all wonky.  It was like that when I got there.

Snow Day (027/365)

TIME: 11:14 am
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Looking out my window

*~*~*

We actually had an accumulating snowfall today.

Pancakes (026/365)

TIME: 6:19 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Pancakes

*~*~*

We had pancakes for dinner.

I used the built-in griddle on the new stove.

I am looking forward to when MonkeyBoy is back home and I can make them for him again.

It's the little things that make me happy.

Always Open The Junk Mail (025/365)

TIME: 10:25 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Today's junk mail

*~*~*

I spent most of the evening gong through paperwork.  These were papers I shoved into cardboard boxes in an attempt to clear off my desk.  My intent was to circle back and go through them later.

That never happened in 2020.

I finally got to it. I sorted everything in the boxes in folders by month.  Then I went through the papers for the 1st quarter of 2020, scanning items when needed, shredding it all and wondering how we spent so much dang money. 1/4 of the way done!

It was after 10 when I finished.  I walked into the kitchen and noticed today's mail on the table, which wasn't much.  A Costco ad, a water bill, a credit card offer and a large 8x11 envelope from NYU.  I shredded the credit card offer without opening it. Since I was on a shredding streak, I attempted to to the same with the large NYU envelope.  It was too big to fit in the shredder slot.  I decided to open it to see if it really needed to be shredded. 

There were 2-$1.00 bills attached to the single sheet of paper in the envelope.  

Good thing I didn't shred it.

Apparently they were included to entice me to complete an online survey; not sure if I am going to do that....maybe.

I did learn a valuable lesson - always open the junk mail.  There could be money involved.

 

On the Way Home Yesterday (024/365)

TIME: 3:16 pm
PLACE: MO-79, Louisiana, Missouri
SUBJECT: Abandoned house


TIME: 4:09 pm
PLACE: Elsberry, Missouri
SUBJECT: Rexall Drugs sign

*~*~*

HH took the scenic route home from Hannibal yesterday...driving down Missouri Route 79 which follows the Mississippi River.

There were several towns along the way with interesting things to see.

Hannibal, Missouri (023/365)

TIME: 12:47 pm to 2:38 pm
PLACE: Hannibal, Missouri
SUBJECT: Mark Twain boyhood home 

*~*~*

HH and I continued our weekend adventures with a trip up north to Hannibal, Missouri; boyhood home and inspiration to Mark Twain.

We stopped by the Mississippi River - I don't every recall ever seeing it being that shade of blue.

We toured the Mark Twain boyhood home and other properties.  In one of the buildings, You could spin "The Wheel of Misfortune"...

I died.
HH wouldn't spin it.  Spoilsport.

After our tour, we walked a bit downtown. The blue skies had left and it had become quite a bit windier and colder.

Nevertheless, we began our trek up these stairs to see the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse.

After that first section, we had more.

While going up this section, I managed to catch my shoe on a step and fell up the steps...skinning my palms.  Of course there were 2 older teenagers behind us.  Hopefully, I managed to amuse them with my clumsiness.  

After that section, we made it here.  More steps!

We continued on and made it to the top and the lighthouse.  It was completed in 1934 and renovated in 1994.  It is 200 feet above the Mississippi River.

(It took 244 steps to get to this point by the way.)

 

Here is a view of N. Main Street from this vantage point:

Then we made our way back down.

Halfway down is the remains of the Mark Twain Memorial Bridge.  It was closed in 2000 after construction of the new bridge.

We made it back to the bottom.  A statue of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn is here. 

It was an enjoyable time. 

I wanted to see the Molly Brown ("Unsinkable" Molly Brown of Titanic fame) birthplace and museum.  Unfortunately, it is closed due to the stupid COVID as the small house doesn't permit social distancing.

Another attraction which I would like to visit is the Rockcliffe Mansion. It is open from March 15th to November 15th.  We will have to go back another time.

*~*~*

Although I didn't get to see Molly Brown, I caught a glimpse of "Doc" Brown with his DeLorean.

Not sure if Marty McFly was with him though.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (022/365)

 

TIME: 6:05 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Record player

SUBJECT: What was playing

*~*~*

Funny story - when we were planning our wedding back in 1995, the DJ wanted to know the song we were going have for the 1st dance. The problem? There wasn't a song that we considered "our song"

At that time, when I cared about his opinion (<--- that is a joke BTW), I asked HH if he had any ideas regarding this.  

His suggestion? 

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, the long version.

My answer went something like this - "Ummm. No."

I consider this my only bridezilla moment.  

I didn't mind if it was played at the reception, but as the freaking 1st dance?...was he nuts?  

I completely disregard his suggestion and made an executive decision.  Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love" was chosen and danced to.

Fast forward 25+ years...I'm browsing a local online auction. One of the lots was this album.  I made sure I won.

Tonight, we are enjoying the long version while making supper.  We might even dance to it later.

What a good wife I am.

Green (021/365)

TIME: 8:08 am

PLACE: Back yard

SUBJECT: Moss on fabric planters

*~*~*

At this time of year, I am happy to see any sort of green in the yard. 

Taken to the Cleaners (020/365)

TIME: 7:14 pm

PLACE: Main Street
SUBJECT: Dry Cleaners

*~*~*

If you want to get technical about it, I actually drove by the cleaners.

Moon View (019/365)

TIME: 9:13 pm

PLACE: Back yard
SUBJECT: Moon view through the trees

*~*~*

Outside with the dogs on a cold night.

I wasn't out there long....neither were they.

Paw Balm (018/365)

TIME: 6:45 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Ingredients for Dog Paw Balm

*~*~*

That crazy dog lady (me) is at it again.

This time?  Homemade paw balm for the dogs.

Their pads are dry and rough, especially Mr. Mulder's.  I think that may be why he limps sometimes, because his paws are sore.

I found a recipe on the American Kennel Club's website.  I included vitamin E oil as well.

Now we'll see if Mr. Mo and Miss Scully will let me rub it on their paws.  

If not, I think it will make a great balm for my dry hands!

Sunday Trip (017/365)

TIME: 10:47 am
PLACE: Ste. Genevieve Missouri
SUBJECT: Mississippi Lime Company

PLACE: 50 8th Street, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
SUBJECT: Former Miss Elaine building (lingerie), now occupied by Missouri Moulding & Glass

PLACE: 202 La Haye St, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri (Ziegler Street side of building)
SUBJECT: Former store sign

PLACE: 481 Pine Street, St. Mary, Missouri
SUBJECT: Immaculate Conception Church

PLACE: St. Mary Antique Mall
SUBJECT: Candle holder reflecting blue tumblers behind it

PLACE: S Kings Highway, Kaskaskia Island
SUBJECT: Deadwood and bare trees in the Mississippi Channel

PLACE: My leg
SUBJECT: A small portion of the numerous burrs that attached to me
when I was taking photo above.

*~*~*

The bright blue skies we enjoyed turned gray and included snow flurries on the drive home.

From the Archives - 2011 (016/365)

TIME: 16 Jan 2011, 9:32 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: StellaDella playing "Plants vs. Zombies"

*~*~*

I started this blog way back in 2009 (holy crap!).  There were a few years when I didn't post everyday, or even at all (2019, I'm looking at you), but I've pretty much kept at it for 11, now going on 12 years.

It's interesting going back into my archived photo folders and seeing the pictures I decided against posting for the day.  They bring back good, bad and bittersweet memories.  A lot of yearning for days gone by creeps in.

Another feeling that returns?...The memory of agonizing over each post and image.

Not gonna lie, I think a LOT of my earlier stuff leaves much to be desired and, I will admit, was/is pretty pretentious.

The photo I did for this day, is okay. It goes along with the post.  But going back through the folder, I like this photo better.  SD's hair is so red here.  It is also un-brushed and tangly...it seemed like it always was.  It drove HH nuts - which was always fun to watch. LOL

 

What I See in the Shadows (015/365)

TIME: 9:27 pm

PLACE: Desk
SUBJECT: Candle

*~*~*

The desk light cast shadows on a candle that I bought on clearance the other day.

I though it looked like a moon with a sleeping face.

Either that or I am just really, really tired.

Street Scene (014/365)

TIME: 6:55 pm

PLACE: West Main Street 

SUBJECT: New streetscape & hood reflection

*~*~*

Driving back home down (up?) West Main there is a hill between 6th & 10th Street.

The new street lights make a nice pattern.  There was no traffic so I thought I would slow down and take a quick picture.

Well, the phone flipped to self portrait and by the time I flipped it back I was further up the hill than I wanted to be AND a car was coming toward me.

I took the damn picture anyway.

I will try again at some point and maybe even get the shot I imagined.  

Surgical Area (013/365)

TIME: 6:54 pm

PLACE: Daughter's house 
SUBJECT: Surgical site

*~*~*

DQ was diagnosed with a herniated (leaky) disc in her spine. It was giving her debilitating pain.  She had 2 epidurals late last year and did physical therapy.  Those things did nothing to ease her suffering.

Surgery was the next step.

I worried about her having this done - It seemed a drastic option to me.  She is so young.  What if something happens?  How will this affect her the rest of her life? I'm a mom, I worry, that's what I do.

In the end it went well. She said besides the general pain from the incision, she feels 100% better than before. So that's good.  Hopefully, it will stay that way.

I told her now she can incorporate her scar into a fancy "tramp stamp" tattoo.  Or maybe just have them tattoo an image of a zipper on it.  I'm just trying to be helpful.

Frost Gradient (012/365)

TIME: 7:40 am

PLACE: Looking out the 2nd floor bathroom window
SUBJECT: Frost on shingles

*~*~*

A bit frosty this morning.

Thankful I don't have to scrape my car windows in order to commute to work.

How You Know You're Old....(011/365)

TIME: 1:30 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Range

*~*~*

...when you get a new gas range and are pretty damn excited about it.

It has a griddle!

Dog Treats (010/365)

TIME: 12:48 pm
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Homemade dog treats

*~*~*

Why did I make homemade dog treats?

Because I found tapioca flour in the pantry.

I had no memory of purchasing it, didn't know why we had it and needed to use it for something.

Mix together pureed pumpkin (1/4 cup), peanut butter (1/2 cup), tapioca flour (1 cup), a bit of cinnamon (1 tsp) and  chicken broth (1/4 cup); roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick, use a small cookie cutter to cut shapes; bake at 350 about 18-20 minutes.

The doggos seem to like them.

Boxcars from the Car (009/365)

TIME: 4:31 pm

PLACE: North 17th Street
SUBJECT: Boxcars

*~*~*

Another grey dreary day.  It made the overtime I had to put in a bit more palatable.

I did quit about 2:30 and left to get my haircut.  While driving home, I realized I had no photo for today.  When I slowed down to cross the train tracks, I quickly took this picture.

Not a great photo, but a photo taken today nevertheless.

Fallback Friday (008/365)

TIME: 13 Jan 2008 - 1:39 pm
PLACE: ???
SUBJECT: MonkeyBoy self portrait

*~*~*

MB took this when he and dad went for a Sunday drive.

I believe the intent of the drive was to do some bonding and take pictures of interesting things.

MB took many photos - this one is my favorite.  He was probably bored and just wanting to be home to hang out with his friends and play video games.

This one is very blurry but also makes the favorite list. 

Classic.

 

What's In the Window? (007/365)

TIME: 6:54 pm
PLACE: South 14th Street

SUBJECT: Factory Window

*~*~*

What's in the window?

Other windows and a black blob thingy.

Tilted (006/365)

TIME: 6:43 pm
PLACE: 900 block of E. Main St (north side)
SUBJECT: Brick retaining wall

*~*~*

Things are off-kilter today.

I'll leave it at that.

Soon to Be Sauerkraut (005/365)

TIME: 4:02 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Mason jar of cabbage

*~*~*

HH, as befitting his German heritage, has decided to try his hand at making sauerkraut.

It seems pretty simple - cabbage, kosher salt, some brine....let it ferment a few weeks and voilà or more appropriately in the German - Et voila, sind Sie fertigr!

If this is a success, the next attempt at fermentation will be kimchi.

Wish us luck.

Fog (004/365)

TIME: 8:17 am
PLACE: Bedroom
SUBJECT: Fog

*~*~*

We had a bit of fog this morning; it decided to hang around all day.

Kracked (003/365)

TIME: 6:47 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Bag of krack

*~*~*

After putting in 4 hours of work today (month end, quarter end, year end, annual audit period - yuck!!!), the only other thing I felt like doing was making some krack (see this post for recipe).

I made 4 bags - 2 bags with light brown sugar and 2 bags with dark brown sugar - I combined the finished product into one gigantic mix and refilled the empty puffed corn bags.

One bag is being sent to MonkeyBoy, one bag is going to DramaQueen, and the other two bags are staying here.  

I would send one to my Dad, but the last time I did that, he told me not to do it again; the reason being he just eats the whole damn thing in one sitting and he doesn't want to have that temptation around!