Oreo - Milk's favorite cookie: "The finest of suppers, I think"

Some questions beg to be answered.  Questions such as, “If a man speaks in the woods and there is no one there to hear him, is he still wrong?” 

Questions that still surface among children and adults include, “If a white cow gives white milk, does a brown cow give chocolate milk?” Well, Duh!

Now, living in a rural farm community, I have some crazy experiences that just bring more questions which beg for answers. “If a white cow gives white milk, and a brown cow gives chocolate milk, what does an ‘OREO COW’ give?  Give me a break!

 While this question also begs “what is an Oreo cow, and have you ever seen one,” I will go ahead and answer thusly: an Oreo Cow gives both milk and cookies. 

I saw my first Oreo Cow on June 20, in a pasture on Hwy 90, just outside Rector.  Marvin pointed her out to me, as I would have missed the rarity, that was grazing peacefully with a few other heifers.  These cows, called “bandies” by cowboys and cowgirls, are rare and according to what I have read, they are raised for slaughter, providing meat for very tasty steaks and hamburgers. Not for me, not from an Oreo Cow! I am reminded of a poem from Childcraft days: milk and an oreo cookie will substitute for “the finest of suppers, I think.”          

 “Animal crackers and cocoa to drink make the finest of suppers, I think.”

"I'm CRAZY for loving you!"

One of our favorite singers is Patsy Cline.  Tragically killed at age 30 in a plane crash 70 miles from home in Nashville, Tennessee, Patsy was one of the best "torch" singers of anyone's time.  Whether belting out heart-break tunes such as "I Fall to Pieces" or "Faded Love" or entertaining with toe-tappers such as "Bill Bailey," she was a favorite performer whose career was meteoric. If anyone has ever experienced heart break or had a love go wrong, that person can fully identify with Patsy's hit, "Leavin' On Your Mind."  While neither of us have anything to shed a tear over today, we remember when it was not that way.  Hearing that powerful voice, live, on stage from a vocalist with the experience to sing lyrics that can rip your heart out, you'd think Patsy had taken up residence through channeling.
The Imperial Dinner Theatre in Pocahontas (almost due west of Rector, about an hour away) presented 3 performances in their Spotlight Series with Vicki Bishop singing the hits of Patsy Cline.  Along with the performance, in which Vicki sang 23 Patsy Cline hits with one intermission, the theatre offered a choice of desserts and coffees.  Marvin had banana pudding and I enjoyed a light caramel-apple french vanilla cake.  We both passed up Snickers Cake, a dark chocolate cake filled with rich caramel, chocolate, and nuts. Hostesses and servers kept coffee and tea filled at the private tables, appointed with place settings for the number in the party.  The room was set for about 100 patrons at each performance. While there, we met a couple who had lived in west Tennessee and then Kansas City, MO.  They had retired in Cherokee Village and had attended several shows at The Imperial.
     It was a great Date Night, which we kicked off with a good steak dinner at Don's Steakhouse, also in Pocahontas.
 

Happy Hour in Rector, AR

It's 4:00 somewhere!  Most likely, it's 4 o'clock in Rector, AR, and it's a very Happy Hour!  Cousin Pam and I have taken to having a mixed drink as a treat on some really warm days before or after shopping.  Sometimes she treats, and sometimes, it's on me.  I was quite worried as she has been on the wagon for most of her life.  When I told her not to worry, that I was driving, she wasn't completely grateful. Bossy Bertha ususally has to recalculate if I am behind the wheel!

Today, we noted the time and went to a local Happy Hour!  She got a Lemon Crush and I got 2 Strawberry Limeades, one for Marvin.  Our favorite spot:  The Sonic!  That special mixed drink with over 300,000 combinations is "the berries!"
Another take on Happy Hour is to celebrate the things that make you happy, or make you smile.

My most recent smiles have been the result of my niece's visit this past weekend.  Dawn Stewart, Pam, and I had a great weekend talking and sharing family lore plus finding a way to go shopping. We invited Marvin to join us for a wicked game of Mexican Dominoes, especially since he designed and crafted trays for our dominoes from wood he had in the shop.  He slaughtered us on most of the games.
Looking forward to some really great crock pot recipes that Dawn shared with me.  They sound delicious and will be super because I love the idea of staying outside most of the day, tending plants, fish, and enjoying the pool, and then coming in and "Voila'" supper is ready! 
Another smile is that I've been retired for 6 months now. Can't even believe that it's been that length of time. I am so at ease in this place and with this status: Retired!
I talked with Ken Demetriou, new BHS Principal, this afternoon.  He sounds so good, confident, and I was gratified to learn that Bartlett is headed in such a positive direction with SCS teachers, requesting transfers, desiring Bartlett HS as home. Their reasons could be getting in on the ground floor, if the City of Bartlett forms a municipal school system.  Whatever the reason, I am thrilled at the prospect of our new teachers and am so happy that Ken is feeling positive about the school and the future.
I wish for you MANY HAPPY HOURS!  and that you realize how happy your hours are.