The Waltons: The Homecoming Review, And Other Stuff

Recently, I found out the TV channel The CW has done a remake of the 1971 classic Christmas movie The Homecoming.  This is the move that launched the TV series The Waltons.  I watched it yesterday, and I have thoughts.  These thoughts will contain spoilers, so this is your warning.  I'm going to put my review at the end of this post, so if you haven't seen the movie yet -- and want to-- I'll let you know when to stop reading. 

In the meantime, I finally got a good look at my neighbor's house yesterday on the way home from work.  It's a total loss.  My heart goes out to them.

Honestly, I don't even know who lived there any more.  The guy who owned it when I first moved onto this road passed away a few years ago, and I'd thought his widow sold the house.  I'm not completely sure.  

The bright spot of the day, I received my first Christmas card!

Thanks,  Jenn!  I've got one more batch to mail out, then all mine will have been sent. I had so many, I divided them up and mailed a few at a time, so as not to overwhelm my mail carrier.  Probably not necessary, but I did it anyway.  I tried to be kind to those who work in service this time of year.  Well, all year, but especially around the holidays.  They catch so much crap from the Karens out there, a little extra kindness goes a long way. 

Now, for the movie review.  If you haven't seen it yet, and want to, stop reading now.  

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Still here?  OK, let's begin.  

First off, it wasn't a bad movie.  I don't regret watching it, but it wasn't a great movie, either.  It's not one I'd watch over and over again, like the original is. There were a lot of similarities between the two -- naturally -- but there were a lot of differences, as well. 

First difference, they completely omitted Ben from the story.  The producers claim that decision was to give the other kids "more story", but that just doesn't make sense.  In the original movie, all the kids had plenty of story, even with Ben.  Another change they made was that Mary Ellen was the one obsessed with becoming a pilot, and Jim Bob wanted to be an architect.  Not that there's anything wrong with that  -- Amelia Earhart and all -- but we watched for 9 seasons Jim Bob living and breathing flying, hardly taking that pilot's helmet off -- and finally becoming a pilot.  The swap is rather jarring, but it appears they wanted to make Mary Ellen a tomboy feminist.  She does become "the first female pilot for the postal service".   But still, I don't quite get why they couldn't have left Mary Ellen becoming the doctor.  In 1933, that would have been just as groundbreaking as becoming a pilot.  

Also, the story itself seemed to be rather simplified.  I guess they thought they had to dumb it down for today's dumbed down audience.  It lacks the depth and richness of the original.  Everyone already knows John Boy sits up in his room writing in his tablet, so there's no mystery there, wondering what he's doing in his room with the door locked. 

And I wonder about the casting.  The boy they cast to play John Boy was good, but  the little girl they cast to play Elizabeth was totally wrong for the part.

Elizabeth was supposed to be 5 years old.  We know this because at one point, Mama Walton tells Ike, "It's hard to explain the depression to a five year old."  But the girl playing Elizabeth looked like she was about 10 - 12 years old. She was huge, almost as tall as Mama Walton.   Not only that, she couldn't act worth a flip.  She had a couple of crying scenes, and they looked as fake and contrived as they could be.  

Finally, I think the biggest detriment to the remake is that throughout the whole movie, they kept showing you were John Sr is.  This is a huge mistake in my opinion.  In the original, you, the viewer, didn't know any more than the family did.  You didn't know if Daddy was safe or not.  If he would make it home, or was trapped under a bus somewhere.  You felt the same worry and suspense the family did, waiting to see ....

You don't feel the utter let down when Mama sends John Boy out to look for Daddy, only to return home without him -- then the overwhelming relief when the family opens the door and he's there -- with a big bag of presents, no less.  This movie robs the viewer of that experience.  

Oh don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad movie.  It just wasn't a good movie, either.  It was worth watching, but won't become the timeless classic the original movie has.  

From now on, I'll stick with the 1971 version, thank you very much.   

Bummer Of A Day

This is Jay.

We went to school together.  I took this photo from our high school yearbook.  I didn't know him really well, as we ran in different circles, but he was a good guy.  

I found out this morning he died of COVID.  

Big Teddy

Tyrone

Karen

Barbara

Harry

Jason

Mac

Miss Nancy

Gene

David

And now Jay

This list is getting way too long.  

This post is going to be short.  

I just don't have it in me today.  

Happy Hanukkah And Other Stuff

Tonight at sunset the Festival of Lights starts, so let me begin this post by sharing my favorite Hanukkah song by the Maccabeats.

And today is also the first Sunday of Advent, so here is one of my favorite Christmas carols as well.

That's really all I have for today.  I've gotten all my Christmas decorations put up, except the outside lights -- which I will get to here in a few minutes.  I won't bombard you with photos, because they are exactly the same as last year.  If you really want to see them, you can click on the link to last year's blogs in the right hand sidebar.  

I spent most of the last couple of days  -- well, not most, but a good deal of the last two days -- getting my Christmas cards ready to mail,   

while watching cheesy Hallmark movies.  Let me tell you, that new wax I bought is so much better than the cheap stuff I already had.  It melts so much easier and more smoothly.  I'll definitely be buying more of that brand.  BTW, I couldn't put wax seals on all the cards, because many of the envelopes were already decorated, so if you don't get one, don't feel left out.  Next year, I'll try to get cards with plain envelopes, so I can do my own decorating.  

Oh, and you would be proud of me.  I contacted the washing machine repairman.  He is coming tomorrow afternoon to look at my washer.  So, that's one more thing off my list.  

Now, I just need to find a plumber and call the oral surgeon, and I'll have everything marked off of my list of dreaded phone calls to make.  

If you'll excuse me, I need to go start gathering my strength...

And putting up my outside lights. 

Our Thanksgiving

 And with that, Thanksgiving 2021 is in the books.   

Cody and Brennan came down Wednesday evening, with the plan to cook gumbo for Thanksgiving dinner.  Only Cody forgot all his gumbo ingredients in his apartment, so they had to run into Walmart -- which didn't have what he wanted, so they just bought chicken and sausage.  I'd already bought shrimp, so we were good to go.  

I still fixed the traditional Thanksgiving fare, as well, and so we all had plenty to eat.  They did eat the turkey, so I guess they've decided not to be strict vegetarians after all.   

Anyway, here is the obligatory photo of our food, 

which I didn't realize Cody was being a goof until just now.  

After dinner, the kids put up the Christmas tree, and I'm telling you it goes so much faster with people around to help.  

Normally, it would take me all day to get the tree up, but they knocked it out in just a few minutes.  Just to be on the safe side, we didn't hang any breakable ornaments, because I didn't know how the cat would react to all the dangly things.  Turns out, we needn't have worried.  Other than sniffing the skirt a bit, she hasn't shown any interest whatsoever in the tree.  

Even without the glass and ceramic ornaments, we had plenty to make a really nice tree.

And here is the obligatory photo of the kids in front of the tree:

Now, as many of you may remember, it's a custom in my house to get a new ornament each year, preferably one that reflects something significant for the year.  Last year, I got a plague doctor ornament.  This year...well, what else could I get?

That's about it for our Thanksgiving, unless you want to hear how the cat was delighted to find new people to give her attention.  

She finally settled down in Cody's lap, and Brennan was like, "awww."

But a few minutes later, the cat jumped up into Brennan's lap and curled up for a nap.  From the look on Brennan's face, you'd have thought she won the lottery.

That was it for our Thanksgiving.  I spent most of today putting out Christmas decorations, which I won't bore you with photos.  They're the same as last year. 

The most exciting thing today was when I stepped outside to check the mail, I found my neighbor down the street's house was on fire. 

I saw a couple of my other neighbors standing out in their driveways watching, so I walked over and we had a good visit.  I got caught up on some of the neighborhood gossip, including finding out my next door neighbor, Mr. Johnny had passed away way back in January.  I hadn't even known.  And I met a new neighbor who had apparently been living in her house a while, but I hadn't met her yet.  When you work at ADP, you don't have much chance to get out and have a social life, you know. 

We chatted a while, then I came back in before they even got the fire put out.  It was pretty chilly, and we were all out there in our house shoes and bathrobes/pajamas and such.  I went back out later in the day, but didn't walk down the road to see how badly the house was damaged, but from what I could tell, I don't see how they can salvage any of it. 

And right here before Christmas, too. 

What Was I Thinking?

No, seriously.  What was I thinking scheduling an eye appointment right in the middle of Thanksgiving week?  

I don't think I was thinking, but be that as it may, my eye appointment is done for another two years.  I got a really cool, funky pair of frames, but you'll have to wait to see them.  I told the girl working there, "I like these.  They're funky.  I'm a little too old for funky, but I do like these."  She agreed with me -- and it seemed genuine, not like she was just trying to make me feel better.  So, those are the ones I got.  It'll take about a week for them to get here.

I also got a new pair of safety glasses for work, but those aren't as interesting.  She pulled out the frames for me to look at, and I picked up a pair and said, 'These look just like the ones I have now."  I don't know if they are, but they're the ones I got. 

 Once that was done, I came home and began frantically cooking and cleaning.  

OK, I'm an introvert, and as such, I'm a serious over-thinker.  Yesterday, I got so worried that I would forget to go to the store after my eye appointment, I went a day early.  (I was actually going to blog about it, but decided it was just a bit too dull, even for my blog.)  Turns out, it's a good thing I did, because Cody really threw me for a loop by deciding to come in tomorrow evening instead of Thursday morning.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they're coming, but I'd planned on doing a lot of housecleaning tomorrow that I'm now having to do today.  

I've got the bedroom as clean as it's going to get, but still need to give the bathroom another once-over before they get here, which will be around 7-ish.  I get off at 2:00, so I should have plenty of time.  

I can do my cooking while they're here, but want to get the house clean before they come.  Let me tell you, though, I'm so glad I found that sweet potato pie filling in the freezer.  That's one less thing I have to worry about. I went ahead and baked that pie today, and also started the strawberry jello salad.  I checked my turkey, and it's mostly thawed out.  I'd put the dry brine on it yesterday, so we're good to go there.   Tomorrow, I'll finish the jello salad, make cranberry sauce, and make a pumpkin pie.  The rest I can save for Thursday morning.  

How's your Thanksgiving prep going?  

In other news, my new phone is here, but I haven't activated it yet.  When I went to the store yesterday, I was going to buy a case for it.  Wouldn't you know it, they had cases for every single style of phone except the one I got.  When I got home, I got online and ordered one from Amazon, but it won't get here until tomorrow.  As soon as I get it, I'll break out the new phone and get going with it. 

Well, I guess that's all I have for tonight.  I'll try to check in tomorrow, but if I don't, Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  

P.S.  It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it:

I Am Finished

 Yesterday morning, I woke up to the first frost of the season. 

I walked around the yard a bit, taking some photos and taking stock of what survived and what didn't.  My lantanas and zinnias are pretty much shot for the year, as are the canna lilies.  I was kind of hoping the frost would kill the weeds in my little bluebonnet bed, but it appears they're hardier than I thought.  I'm sure they'll die off eventually, but in the meantime, I'm keeping them cleared away around my one lonely bluebonnet I have in that bed.  

It's looking pretty strong, and I hope to have some good blooms come spring.  

It was a beautiful day outside, but never quite warmed up enough to keep the doors open.  Still, it was a good day to sit in front of the fire, knitting and watching football.  Which is exactly what I did.

In between bouts of frantic house cleaning, that is.  Cody texted me and asked if it was OK for them to come down Wednesday and spend the night, then go home Thursday evening, because they both have to work Friday.  Of course I said, "Of Course!"  That means I have to clean up Cody's bedroom now, but that won't be too much of a problem.  I just have to stuff all my Christmas wrapping paper back into the closet and vacuum.  Other than that, I'm finished with the annual holiday house cleaning, other than normal house cleaning stuff like sweeping, dusting, etc., that is. Today, I got into the kitchen and cleaned my counters off really well.  

Every house has that one catch-all surface where everything tends to get set down.  This is mine.   The trick will now be keeping it clean until Thursday.  Oh, and I have to go back to the store, as I forgot one vital ingredient for my strawberry jello salad.  The plan is to run by the grocery store after my eye appointment Tuesday, since it's just up the road a piece.  I only hope I remember to do it!  

Speaking of knitting, which I did earlier in this post, this is the hat I was working on yesterday.  

I like the way the stripes are knitting up, but have decided I'm not that big a fan of Caron Simply Soft.  It's very splitty, and I've found two knots just in the little bit I've used to knit this much of the hat.  I almost --almost-- ripped it all back out, but I didn't.  I'm going to go ahead and finish the hat and probably donate it to some charity hat drive.  Next time I get wind of one. 

And finally, I mentioned to Cody that while they were here, he needed to drive Brennan down to the square, since they've decorated it up so much this year.  I told him we're have a regular tree lighting ceremony on Dec 4th, just like in a Hallmark movie.   He said, "We might come down for that, too."

But don't expect me to keep the house clean that long...I just don't see it happening. 

The Eclipse And Other Stuff

 You would know it, the one night insomnia would have actually been a boon, I didn't have it.  I didn't even take my melatonin before bed, but I fell right to sleep anyway.  Good thing I set my alarm.  I hadn't planned on watching the entire nearly 4 hour eclipse.  I was thinking I'd go out and check it from time to time, then come back in and lay down for a bit.  As it is, when the alarm went off at 2:30, I was sound asleep.  

I dragged my weary body out of bed, bundled up, and went outside to see the moon.  I managed to get a few somewhat blurry photos, but for some reason, none of my equipment wanted to cooperate.  Nothing ever wants to cooperate at 3:00 AM.  Trust me on this. 

Anyway, here are some of the photos I took:  

This one isn't the best, but shows the most totality.  I think they said it was 99.7% coverage of the moon.   Or 97.9%.  I can't remember which.  But it was still cool to see.  

Despite being up half the night, I was able to get up and have a reasonably productive day.  I think I've got everything I need for Thanksgiving dinner.  The plant gives us a gift card now, instead of a certificate for a turkey or ham.  The problem is, they give it to the most crowded, cluttered grocery store in town.  Spain's for you local folks.  I hate going into that store.  But I did it.  I went straight there after work yesterday and picked up two pounds of Gulf shrimp.  I figured, since the plant is paying for it, I'd get the good stuff instead of that cheap crap from Walmart. 

This morning, still charged up from the success of my trip to Spain's yesterday, I went...yes, I went to the  AT&T store and bought a new phone.  I'd been wanting one for a few weeks, because my old one is about shot.  The screen is cracked, and the battery won't hold a charge.  I figured that after paying to replace both of those, I might as well spring for a brand new phone.  I've been looking on the website, but haven't been able to buy one there.  I could get on and research and compare phones, but when I tried to add one to my shopping cart, I kept getting an error message.  I'd said for weeks now that I was going to go down to the AT&T store and get one there, but couldn't get my act together enough to do so.  I've even driven past the store several times, but couldn't managed to stop and go in.

Well, today, I did.  And to think, it all started with making that eye appointment.  That one little success lifted me out of the funk I've been in for weeks.  I still haven't called the plumber though.  Baby steps...

Back to phone shopping....they didn't have the model I wanted to buy in stock, so she had to order me one.  It's supposed to ship next week, and I should have it within the week.  I got the iPhone 13, but just the regular one.  Not the Pro or Pro Max.  It's the first time I've ever bought the newest model phone.  I usually go with an older model, because they're often cheaper.  Not so any more.  I was looking at both an 11 and a 12, but the ones I would have chosen were the same price as the 13 I ended up getting.  

  

After completing my in-town errands, the plan for the rest of the day was to get this house good and clean.  I started with the bathroom, which mostly involved scrubbing the grout between the floor tiles.  I hate scrubbing grout.  If I'm ever in the position I can get this house fixed up, that's the first thing that's going to go -- all that tile in the bathroom floor!  

Once the bathroom was reasonably clean, I turned my attention to this corner:

It needed a good cleaning, I'm telling you!  I still need to wipe the ash off the base under the wood stove, and I'll probably mop the whole house again before Thursday, but it looks soooo much better than it did. 

In the midst of all that cleaning, I managed to get my hat cast on again, and the ribbing done. 

Here is the cat reluctantly modeling it for you. 

Well, now my interrupted night is starting to catch up with me, so I'm going to close for now.  Tomorrow, I've got to clean out a space in my refrigerator to put my turkey in.  Right now, I'm going to finish watching this cheesy Hallmark movie and go to bed. 

'Night, all!

Thursday Miscellany

 1.  I'd planned on going out to the lake this evening and watching the moon rise over the water, but I didn't make it.  I was letting the cat out, and thought, "Hmmm, I wonder what time moon rise is..."  Then I glanced over and saw it peeking out from behind a tree.  Um, oops.  But I did get out and take a photo anyway.  

Then I took a picture of Jupiter and a few of its moons. 

2.  This is my friend Peggy. 

I took that picture when I went to Missouri in 2017 to watch the solar eclipse with Peggy and her husband Ed.  

By the way, if you ever get a chance to see a total eclipse, you need to take that chance.  There is one coming up in 2024.  Do whatever it takes to get yourself into the path of totality.  Not the path of 99%-ity.  The path of  To. Tal. It. y.  Trust me on this one.   

But this story isn't about that.

This morning Peggy told me a funny story.  See, she's recently had knee surgery and can't really put any weight on that leg, so she uses a wheelchair to get around her house.  It's just easier that way.   Last night, she was wheeling herself down the hall ...well, I'll just let her tell it: 

I was rolling down the hall in my wheelchair a little before 9 last night. Ed was sitting in the living room and said, "You made the house shake just now". I said, "Nope, must have been an earthquake".

Lo and behold, when we turned on the local news, their lead story was about the earthquake just before 9. I didn't feel it, since I was rolling in my wheelchair, but Ed did.

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Yep, there was an earthquake about 60 miles from where they live, and word is, you could feel it as far South as north Mississippi.  I asked Cody if he felt it, but he said no.  A lot of people up there were talking about it, but he didn't feel anything himself.  

Now, you may think this is an odd location for an earth quake, but it is right along the New Madrid Fault line -- which they say is even more volatile than the San Andreas fault. 

3.  Early Monday morning, I got to work and noticed that the guy who brazes our tap fittings wasn't there.  "Hmmm," I thought to myself.  "Roger"  -that's his name, Roger --"isn't here.  I guess I'll fill the flux pots."  Not that that's any big deal, but Roger usually does it.  I filled the flux pots and went on about my day.  Most of the day passed uneventfully, except for the line sending back an entire order that had been messed up by someone on a different shift.  

Along about 45 minutes before quitting time, Roger came around to pick up the scrap copper to take to the scrap dock for recycling.  That's another thing he takes care of.  I got my box of scrap and poured it into his box.  "There you go, Rog."  I said.  "All right," he said.      It's the same conversation we have every single day when he picks up the scrap.  No big deal.  He finished collecting the scrap and wheeled the buggy towards the scrap dock. 

About five minutes later, it hits me.  "Wait," I said, turning to my coworker, "When did Roger get here?"  

She looked as confused as I felt, and replied, "When did Roger get here?"  And we both dissolved into paroxysms of hysterical laughter.  I guess you had to be there. 

As it happens, Roger had jury duty that morning, and came to work shortly after 12:00.  I guess he didn't know they'd changed the company policy.  Back in the day, you had to report to work when they released you, now matter what time it was.  A few years ago, they changed the policy so that if they kept you past 4 hours into the normal shift, you didn't have to come in

4,  One day, I'd like to have a really nice telescope, strong enough to see the rings of Saturn and the Great Red Spot on Jupiter.  Oh, and one of those smart tripods where you just program in what you want to see, and it finds it for you.  But those are some high dollar telescopes, and I could never afford one. 

5.  I cast on a new hat last night, from a pattern I'd printed out several weeks ago and had forgotten about.  I don't have a picture, because two rounds in, I found a pretty serious mistake and had to rip it all out.  As soon as I'm done here, I'm going to cast it on again.  Maybe by tomorrow, you'll have a picture.  

6.  I finished my first Michael Aaron piano book this week.  I'm still practicing up those last few songs, but I'm at the end of the book.  I want to spend the next month just playing Christmas songs for fun, but if you're going to get a Christmas concert this year, I'll need to get serious about learning at least a few of them.  

7.  My computer mouse is messing up.  I think I've dropped it a few too many times. 

8.  That's about it for tonight.  Have a great Thursday, everyone. 

Small Victories

Those of you who know me know I'm an introvert.  

Those of you who don't know me, I'm an introvert.  

As is typical of most introverts, phone calls are difficult for me.  It's been this way for my entire life.  The greatest invention ever in the mind of an inny -- as we refer to ourselves -- is the technology which makes texting possible.  However, some things can't be texted.  Certain business calls, for example. 

I've been needing to call a plumber for quite a while now.  I've also been needing to call the washing machine repairman.  And an oral surgeon.  And the eye doctor.  But I want to go ahead and get this sink unclogged before Thanksgiving, if I can.  What with Cody and Brennan coming and all.   

Every day at work, I tell myself when I get off, I'm going to call the plumber, and I'm going to call the washing machine repairman.  I even stand there and rehearse the phone calls -- when I'm not mentally debunking Facebook memes, that is. 

Every day when I get home, I don't. I don't call the plumber.  I don't call the washing machine repairman.  I tell myself I just need a minute to unwind before I call, then I don't call at all.  I've made progress, though.  At least I got their numbers stored in my phone now.  

Today was no exception.  I stood there at work all day long intending to call at least one of them.  But when I got home...I didn't.  I even picked up my phone and pulled up my contacts...then put the phone back down.  

Sigh...

Then I picked the phone back up and called to make an appointment for my eye checkup.  And I thought, "That's one..."  There are three more calls I need to make, but those didn't happen today. 

I will try again tomorrow.  

And finally, it's Wednesday, and that means, whiskers!  

I've got to get better at posting Whiskers On Wednesday.  I will get better at posting Whiskers On Wednesday, now that I have someone with whiskers again.  

Falling Apart

 Hmmm, I guess y'all weren't very impressed by my new gravy boat, huh?  It's highly unusual that a post doesn't get a single like or comment on FB (thought folks on other sites did comment).  Well, I was happy to get it.  The downside to buying all my Thanksgiving food early is now I want to start cooking, even though the big day is still over a week away.  Patience, grasshopper, I keep telling myself.   Patience...

My little bookmarks are starting to fall out of my piano books.  I guess the sticky notes are losing their sticky.  If that isn't a metaphor for my life, I don't know what is.  

I have some paper clips, but I don't want to wrinkle my pages.  I'm particular about that.  I like to keep my books -- even my piano books -- as pristine as possible. I don't even use the patterns in knitting books.  I copy them off and use that one as a working copy, so my books will stay nice.  I guess I'll jsut have to flip through and see what I want to play.  That's better anyway.  I won't feel like I need to limit myself to just the songs I've marked.  

Speaking of books, many years ago, I bought a young adult dystopian novel called Unwind, by Neil Schusterman.  

There are 5 books in the series -- though the fifth one is a collection of short stories, and not a part of the main dystology.  

By the way, "dystology" is not a real word, at least not according to Mirriam-Webster.  However, after a bit of research, I found that Mr. Schusterman coined the word himself specifically for this series, and the definition is the study of imaginary situations related to abnormal or dehumanized people.  

Anyway, I'd read the first two years and years ago, but had never read any further, mainly because I didn't want to pay full price for the books. (I'm a bit tight when it comes to Kindle editions) I kept waiting for them to be put on sale, or daily deal, or whatever.  It took more than a decade, but my patience finally paid off.  A week or so ago, they finally, at long last, put them on daily deal, and I snapped them up. 

Since it had been so long since I'd read the first two, I felt like I should go back and re-read them before starting the next one in the series.  It's a good thing I did, because there was an awful lot I'd forgotten.  It was good to refresh my memory a bit.  

The whole premise of the book is (and these aren't spoilers as this is all explained at the beginning of the first book), in a future USA, there has been a long and bloody second Civil War over the issue of abortion.  The war finally ends when both the pro life and pro death side agree to a compromise called the Unwind Accord.  This agreement states that abortion is no longer legal, from the moment of conception up until a child is 13 years old.  Between the ages of 13 - 18, however, a parent or legal guardian can choose to have the child retroactively aborted through the process of what is called unwinding.  

Unwinding involves dismembering the child and selling his organs and tissues to those who may need a new heart or lungs, or arms and legs, or whatever body part is deemed to be defective.  The only condition is that 99.44% of the child's parts must be transplanted into another person. They justify this by convincing themselves that the child is technically still alive, just living in "a divided state".  

I know most fiction requires some level of suspension of disbelief, but to me, this one requires a lot of it. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone on the pro life side believing that dismembering a teenager is somehow more morally acceptable than dismembering an infant in the womb.  I know I'd never agree to anything of the sort, but in this book, everyone is happy by this.  Except, of course, the children who are being dismembered.  

There are other issues I have with these books, but I won't get into them here.  Still, if you can get past all the moral and spiritual implications -- that is, suspend your disbelief enough-- the story itself is pretty good.  I think the most amazing thing about this book is that the main character is not a whiny, self absorbed 17 year old girl who knows everything and is going to singlehandedly save the world (despite having no real life world-saving experience) right after she figures out which of her two suitors she is really in love with.  

That in itself makes it worth the read.  

It's Here!

 It's here!  It's here!  My new gravy boat is here!

I've never had my own gravy boat before!  

Don't envy me my exciting life. 

What's the big deal about a gravy boat, you may ask?  Well, I'll tell you.   A week or so ago, I got all this free food from Ibotta, and one of the free items I got was a little  packet of brown gravy mix.  Another of the free items was a packet of mashed potato flakes.   

And I thought, "Free food.  Might as well eat it."  So I'm going to make mashed potatoes and brown gravy to go with our Thanksgiving meal.  In addition to the stuffing and giblet gravy, and also in addition to the sweet potato casserole.  It doesn't have to be one or the other, so we're going to have both. 

Honestly, I don't understand these families that actually fight over what to fix for holiday meals. I mean, why?  Why fight over what you're going to serve?  My philosophy is to make it all.  Let everyone who is coming bring their favorite dishes, and have a regular old smorgasbord.  Holidays are supposed to be a time for joy, not stress.  And besides, you can freeze some of the leftovers for Christmas.  

Now, that is one thing I'm weird about.  For Thanksgiving, I want all the traditional stuff -- turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and the like, but Christmas...I'm much more flexible about what to have for Christmas dinner.  Whatever you want to have is good with me.  I've actually gotten kind of spoiled by Cody making gumbo for Christmas dinner, but he wants to make it for Thanksgiving this year, since he and Brennan are still mostly vegetarians.   Cody and I already discussed it.  I'm going to make all the traditional side dishes, most of which are vegetarian anyway, and he'd need to bring an alternate source of protein for them.  They've recently added seafood back into their diets, so he wants to make a shrimp and catfish gumbo.  I have a huge gumbo pot, so there'll be plenty enough leftovers for me to keep. 

Shh, don't tell them...I bought some sausage to put into it after they've left.  I might even put some of the leftover turkey into it, too.  And a squirrel or two, if I ever get around to going squirrel hunting, that is...

In knitting news, I got the cowl out and washed and blocked it.  

That yarn was soft even before I washed it, and it's super soft now.  One thing, though -- I was stunned at how much it bled!  The dyer must not have used a fixer.  I'm not sure what the official term for it is, but it's something that sets the dye so it doesn't run.  I usually use vinegar when I dye things, but there are other things you can use.  I don't know what this person used, but it didn't work too well.  The first bowl of wash water looked like blood when I was done because so much dye rinsed out.

Nevertheless, I finally got it washed and blocked.  Now it's safely wrapped and ready to be sent to its recipient.  

And finally, I have finished the first Schaum piano book, the red book. 

I still need to practice the pieces up a bit, but I've gone through the entire playlist on YouTube.  The one covering that book, I mean.   Honestly, I didn't enjoy it, and I'm not even sure I want to go through the blue book.  I'm enjoying both the Alfred's and the Aaron courses so much more.  I'm almost through with the Aaron Level 1 book, so I think once I'm done with it, I'll just take a break until after Christmas, then decide what to do.

And when I say "take a break"  I don't mean I'm going to stop playing the piano.  No way.  I just mean I'm going to take a break from the lesson books, and just play from my Christmas books for a while. 

I mean, that's the whole reason I'm learning to play, isn't it?  To just enjoy making music. 

In fact, I think I'll go make some music now.  

Laters. 

Y'all Would Be Proud

 Y'all would be so proud of me.  Why?  Because I did a thing today, and I am totally not a thing doer.  But today, I did a thing.  Even though I'm not a thing doer.  

And what was this thing I did?  

I left the house!  That in itself is quite an accomplishment.  

OK, here's the scoop.  I've been wanting a new washing machine for a few months now.  My old one is about ten years old, and it still works reasonably well.  It needs some repairs -- like a new belt-- but it gets the clothes clean.  Mostly.  But I've gotten it into my head that I want a front loading washer.  They're supposed to use less water, and my water bill has gotten outrageous here lately.  And these days, anything I can do to save money...  

I've been saying for weeks that I'm going to go up to Lowe's just to look at washers, but the football schedule has never cooperated. 

What?  Doesn't everybody live their lives around the football schedule?  No?  Huh...who'da thunk it. 

Anyway, this week, Navy has the bye, and LSU and Texas don't play until 6:30.  Yes, at the same time -- again.  So this morning, I got dressed and drove up to Batesville.  I didn't get a washing machine, but I was able to look at them, and kind of get a better idea of what I want.  

While I was up there, I ran into the Walmart, since theirs sometimes has stuff ours doesn't.  I'm looking for a gravy boat, but they didn't have one, either.  I ended up ordering one from Amazon.  What I did find was.....new mixing bowls!

And these have lids.  I won't have to cover what I'm mixing up with plastic wrap any more!  But wait, there's more!  Actual, real serving spoons!  

I've never had real serving spoons before!  

Don't envy me my exciting life. 

Cody has hinted that he might bring Brennan here for Thanksgiving, so I wanted to have at least the same spoons in --well, most of my dishes at least.  We're still going to eat on paper plates, though.  I know some people like to set a fancy table, but me, I'd rather spent time with my family than washing dishes.  

I'm hoping they'll stay long enough to help me with the Christmas tree, at least getting started on it.  I'm not too sure how this cat is going to react to a Christmas tree.  I don't think Mr. Clark ever put one up after Mrs. Clark passed away.  I've already said I'm not going to put any breakable ornaments on it, just to be on the safe side.  Squeaky never bothered the tree, though she did like to nap amongst the presents.  I'll have to see how the cat handles, those, too. 

Speaking of presents, I am just about done with my shopping.  My sister's family is taken care of, and I ordered my brother's family's gifts today.  My younger brother and his wife's gifts are ready.  I'll just have to get them organized and mailed. I still need to shop for Cody and Brennan, and get James a little something, then I'll be done. 

Last night, I was looking for something to knit on.   I'd put a few squares into my blanket, and needed a little variety.  In the front closet, I found this old project I'd forgotten about. 

It looks like mice got into it and tangled the yarn up.  On closer inspection, I didn't see any spots where it looks like they'd actually cut the yarn.  I spent most of this afternoon watching Cheesy Hallmark Movies and untangling yarn barf.  There is something very therapeutic about untangling yarn.  Even lace weight silk. 

Speaking of cheesy Hallmark movies, it looks like my town is trying to look like one:  

They are going to have the tree lighting on December 4.  I went last year, and it was nice, but it looks like they're going to go all out this time.  

Now, if you'll excuse me, the game has started, and I need my computer to watch one of the three games I want to see.  

Laters....

Another Inventory

Inventory has come and gone for another year, and yes, it was just as much as a mess as you might have imagined. 

It all started when I woke up this morning. 

No, wait.  It all started before I went to bed last night, when I suddenly couldn't remember if I'd double checked what time inventory was supposed to start.  I'd checked the paper, and thought I saw where it started at 7:00, and it usually starts at 7:00, but I didn't triple check to see if they'd changed the time for some unknown reason.  Why I thought they'd do that is beyond me, but you know us introverts.  We're overthinkers to the max.  

I finally said, "I'm going in at 7:00, and if I'm late, I'm just late."  But I wasn't.  Inventory actually did start at 7:00 and I was right on time.  

I didn't bother to reset my alarm before going to bed, so I woke up at the usual time for my normal shift, which gave me an extra hour before I had to go in.  It was a bit disconcerting, because I had the nagging feeling I was late.  I haven't even gotten used to going in at 6:00 instead of 5:00, and today I went in at 7:00.  I was totally discombobulated.  

While I was waiting for time to leave, I thought, hmmm, since I have this extra hour before I go in, I'll just sit and savor my coffee at home, which I did.  Not long into the work day, I was regretting that decision.  Kind of wishing I'd brought some with me.  But I didn't, so I had to muddle through without it. 

My coworkers and I got back to the sheet metal department, and as I predicted, nobody knew what was going on.  It didn't help that the parts racks were a total mess.  There were stacks of parts that didn't have a part number at all, and the ones that did have a label only had the last four digits.  Since we have to write the entire 9 digit number, that didn't help us at all.  Now, someone who actually works in sheet metal would probably know what the other 5 digits were, but we had to get someone to go look them up for us.  All of us, and I do mean all of us, were asking why they didn't just get the people who work in that area to inventory it but that would make too much sense.  If there is anything my place of employment is good at, it's figuring out what makes the most sense and doing the exact opposite. 

Then there was our chieftain, who didn't know squat.  I mean, he tried his best, and I don't blame him for not knowing squat.  He's only been working there two months, after all.  But more than once, we had to call the other team's chieftain over to answer a question.  Then there was the time he told me he was going to go get some more of the little tickets we have to fill out, only the way he said it sounded as if he were asking my permission.  Bless his heart, he was so nervous!  I don't think he's ever been in a leadership position at all.  We were supposed to have five card writers and five counters on our team.  The idea is to pair up one of each, and that way we can cover the entire department faster.  This poor fellow, he couldn't even split up the two counters who were standing there talking, and one of the supervisors had to count for me.  He shouldn't have had to do that.  It was an hour and a half into the shift before I wrote my first card.  

But we muddled through, and the long day finally ended.  

Then I came home and worked off my frustration splitting some firewood.  The stuff I bought last year had some pretty big pieces in it, and I wanted to split them into smaller pieces so they'll burn better.  It's good exercise splitting wood by hand. 

It'll come in handy this weekend.  Check out these temps: 

I need a snugglebunny for this weather!

Eh, I guess the cat will have to do. 

Three Things

 1.  On the 10th day of November, my mailbox brought to me...three packs of wax beads, two metallic markers, and a pack of Christmas washi tape.  

Admit it, you sang it...or was it just me?  Anyway, I'm about to get started on my Christmas cards over the next few weeks, so if you want a card, make sure I have your address.  I'm serious.  Even if I only know you from social media, I'll be happy to add you to my list.  

2.  November 10, 1975:   The Edmund Fitzgerald sank while crossing Lake Superior, carrying 29 souls into the icy waters with it.  We pause for a few moments to remember them.  

3.  This is going to be interesting. Inventory tomorrow at work, I mean.  Remember how I told you that they'd put several of us who normally work Tubing over into Sheet Metal?  None of us know anything about Sheet Metal.  

Not only that, they have decided they won't do card writing classes any more for those of us who fill out the little information cards.  The person who is over our team -- known as the chieftain -- is supposed to train us on how to write the cards instead.  Since I've never worked in Sheet Metal, I was depending heavily on my chieftain to keep me strait, and I'm sure the other card writers on the team were feeling the same way. 

Well, today one of the IT guys, with whom I've done inventory before, came out to the shop floor and told me the guy who is going to be our chieftain is brand new to the plant.  He's been working out there for less than two months.   He didn't even know what Sheet Metal was....Oh, boy.  The IT guy was hoping we -- meaning the card writers-- could teach him how to fill out the cards. 

I turned to one of the other card writers and said, "We're both going to end up in a ditch."  

4.  Bonus thing:

Happy Birthday, USMC

Houston, We Have A Problem

Here, I haven't even used up all the stationery I have, and what did I do?  I went and bought a new set.

I've already got a set similar to this, of antique looking paper, but this one has one thing the other set doesn't have.  Matching envelopes! 

Plus, it seems to be better paper.  The other stuff I have is kind of slick, so it's easy to smear the ink when you write on it.  This feels more like regular paper.  Now that I have a bunch of new writing paper, it looks like I'm going to have to reactivate my account on the Global Penfriends site, because I'm down to one pen pal.  All the rest have stopped writing.  

In other news, I did rip that scarf back out, and started over.  I got this far, 

and decided I didn't like the way it was knitting up either, so I've set it aside for now, and picked up the sock yarn blanket.  I'm going to take you a progress photo soon, once I've gotten a few more rows done on each.  I'll figure out what to do with the rest of the Jumbo Stripes later.  It made a nice looking hat, so I may knit a few more of those.  

Now for some good news.  We did get off at 2:00 today, but Supervisor said it would be a day to day thing, depending on how far ahead of the lines we are.   I don't like not knowing ahead of time, but it is what it is.  

I'm telling you one thing, the fog was wicked thick here this morning.  It was so thick, I couldn't even see to the end of my headlights, and had to crawl down the highway at some 40 MPH, but I finally made it safely to work.  Once I got there, I felt the need to post a caution:

I'm not saying the fog is thick out there, but if you're hiding in a lighthouse, do not go outside. 

I'm not sure how many of my friends got the reference...

Speaking of work, this is inventory week, so most of the plant will get a very long weekend.  Those of us working inventory will still get a long weekend, and even though doing inventory can be a pain in the butt, it's still a lot like getting free money.  I think the most annoying thing is having to wait so long once you're done before you can go home, but that's part of it. 

One year, we had a new production manager, and he decided we weren't going to just sit around once we were done.  We were going to clean up.  That didn't last long.  I honestly don't think he realized how very long we had to wait between finishing and getting to leave.  Maybe he thought it would be 30 minutes or so, not 6-7 hours.  Which is what it is -- or was back then.  One year, we had to stay so late, they bought us supper.  I couldn't see that happening under the current management.  

Oh, I haven't told you about our new HR director, have I?  She's a real peach, she is.  I don't even know her real name.  We just call her Karen, and it totally fits her.  She's got the attitude.  She's got the personality.  She's even got the Karen hair cut.  Seriously, were do they find these people? 

I don't see her lasting long out there, either.  None of us will miss her. 

Quiet Sunday

 After the hustle and bustle of the previous two days, today has been a quiet Sunday.  It's nice to have some down time every once in a while.  The good news is, my friend texted me yesterday and said we're back to coming in at 6:00 AM starting tomorrow.  I'm hoping we'll also be getting off at 2:00 PM instead, of 3:00, but I don't know.  It would be nice to have that extra hour in the evenings.  Not to mention an extra hour of sleep every night.   Which I probably won't get, because I'll just stay up later.  

So, what did I do while enjoying a quiet day at home?  I finished my friend's hat.

I like the way it turned out, and I think my friend will, too.  Even better, I washed and dried it, which made it soften up considerably.   I was kind of concerned, because the yarn was a bit stiff, but it turned out all right.  

Me, I'm such a doofus.  Why am I such a doofus?  Well, I'll tell you. 

I'd wanted to knit the ribbing on size 7 needles, and do the body on size 9s.  I was sure I had some size 9 circular needles around here somewhere.  I spent two days looking for them, but didn't find them.  I finally just did the body of the hat on a size 8 circular.  

I've got a considerable bit of yarn left over, and I wanted to cast on a matching scarf.  Once again, I tore up my house looking for my size 9 circs, which I was sure I had around here somewhere.  Unable to find them, I cast on a scarf on size 10.  I didn't like the way that was turning out, so I looked again for the size 9.  

That's when it hit me.  I've got some size 9 tips for my interchangeable needles.  I'd even had them in my hand while I was looking for the circs.  More than once.  

Sigh, I can't even blame sleep deprivation this time, because I slept in until nearly 6 this morning.  And got an extra hour to boot.  Be that as it may, I now have some size 9 circulars -- just the kind with interchangeable tips.  

That problem solved, I cast on the scarf, intending to make just a simple garter stitch, but I'm not liking the way it's looking. 

I know the wider scarves are back in style now, but I'm thinking about starting over and making a very long, narrow scarf.  I like those better anyway, and think the yarn will stripe better with a narrower cast on.  I just need to find a pattern...or decide whether to stick with garter stitch or not.  I'm thinking not.  

Somebody really needs to teach Red Heart how to dye self striping yarn.  

In the midst of all that, I got out my sealing wax and began making some seals for my Christmas cards. 

I make them on one of those silicone baking mats, then use glue dots to stick them to the envelopes.  I know that's technically cheating, but this way, if I mess up one, I can just melt it down and do it over.  Like that little white one on the lower left.  It'll get re-done because I don't like the way it turned out. 

I used the little wax melter Cody got me for Christmas a few years ago do to the red ones. Kindly ignore the dust on the base.  It got wiped off after the picture was taken. 

It's a handy little thing when you have a bunch of seals to do at once, and want them all in the same color, but if you're only going to do one or two, it's easier just to use the melting spoons.  I'm going to do some more seals later on, after I order some more green wax and maybe I'll even get some holiday Washi tapes, too. 

By the way, if you want a Christmas card, please send me your address.  If you got one last year, you're good, but if you're new to this blog, I'll be happy to add you to my list.  And don't feel obligated to reciprocate.  I'll still send you a card.  

I'll be happy to.  

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go figure out what I'm going to do with this scarf.  

Laters...