July 4, 1776: Gratitude to the French

         As the War for Independence progressed, France pledged to help the colonists’ rebellion against their arch rival, Britain, the empire that had defeated France on numerous occasions. Supporting the American Colonial Army seemed a great way to accomplish the goal of retaliation against the British. (Rather like cheering FOR whatever team is suiting up against Alabama.)

Therefore, today, in honor of America’s celebration of its declaration of independence, I am preparing a meal in salute to the French influence in America’s struggle for independence from England.The American colonies declared independence from Britain in Congress, on July 4, 1776. That’s today and for 241 years. 

         Arkansas became part of the United States in 1836, after Thomas Jefferson’s presidency made the deal with France in 1803 to purchase the land around the Port of New Orleans. To everyone’s surprise, France said, “How ‘bout y'all buying this whole goo-gob called Luzi-ana?” Jefferson said, “Ooooh, la-la! Mercy me beaux-coo!”

         The French influence in Arkansas culture is well-documented: Water: Bayou, Cache, L’Anguille, St. Francis. Mountains: Petit Jean, Magazine. Delicacy dishes: Shrimp Boil, and Shrimp & Grits. Desserts: chocolate éclair with French vanilla ice cream.

In salute to the French influence in America’s birthday celebration:

                        Geaux forth and git some of these things:

                                           ·        4 small pieces of corn, either fresh or frozen (if frozen, cook a bit ahead of time)

                                           ·        4-6 small red potatoes, quartered (use microwave to soften a bit)

                                           ·        1 Eckrich skinless sausage cut into small slices.

                                           ·         1 small package frozen small shrimp, with tails OFF or whatever type and quantity shrimp you prefer.

                                           ·        Olive Oil

                                           ·        Old Bay Seasoning
                            Geaux ahead and put it all together to rest in the seasonings because it’ll only take 30 minutes in a 400 oven.

                                   (It’s too darn hot to fire up the grill!):

                                                     1.       Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

                                                     2.       In the center of a 12x17 inch piece of foil, place corn, potatoes, sausage pieces, and shrimp. I                                                                     put all in the foil, inside a roaster.

                                                      3.       Drizzle lightly with olive oil and liberally sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning.

                                                     4.       Fold the foil over the contents, lifting and sealing sides tightly.

                                                     5.       Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Carefully {the steam will be hot!} unfold  packet to check                                                                              potatoes for doneness.

                                                     6.       Self-serve (take as much as you can eat).

The Lazy Gardener

         Inspired by friends who are master gardeners, I garden in my imagination. Imagining that a Roto-tiller plows up just the right amount of ground in the shape I've sketched, I dream about gardening. Beautiful back drop, mounded plantings provide just the right colors and withstand neglect. If I could wiggle my nose and nod my head like Jeannie, I'd have several marvelous garden areas.
         Last week, I bought two gorgeous ferns, full and sprouting babies. Been watering them daily and have placed them on the deck beside the deck door, flanking a welcoming door mat, "Hello."

     
      Today, I selected 6 varying types of colorful plants for the 6 levels of shelves on the metal plant stand I bought at a neighbor's auction. I donned gardening gloves, rounded up the watering pot and fertilizer, and set to work potting the plants. Now, on each level of the plant stand is a colorful flower pot: turquoise, purple, orange, terra cotta. Each contains new potting soil and a plant that also adds color to the deck area.
         I've dug no holes, tilled no soil.
         I have flowers, nonetheless.
         I am The Lazy Gardener.

Scam Alert for the Gullible

Tired and in a hurry. These enemies of rational thought caused me to jump right down the rabbit hole into a scam.

Bottom line: be careful of the various websites that claim to be Wal-Mart.  I was price-checking with retail, Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock, almost ready to leave the house to shop. The screen went white and a box of warning computer-ese print appeared with a Microsoft logo and telephone number.

"Crud." The print explained that my computer had been overtaken, hijacked, taken by ransom-ware, hacked. In a lower right-hand side box, Microsoft advised to call the toll-free number to take care of the problem. I tried to X-out, close the window, do everything I could think of and nothing worked. (I could not find the OFF button.) Every attempt to shut-down brought more panic on my part. Completely unnerved. I called.

A person answered the phone (should have been a tip!) and, after my technical explanation, he sympathized with me (!) and gave me a code to type in so he could help me because "That is horrible," he said. It went downhill from there. The man overtook my computer. I said, “How do I know you aren’t the hacker?” “Because,” he said, “if I wanted to, I could have all your information in 5 seconds. But if you doubt me, I’ll take you to the Microsoft web site and show you my credentials.” Which he did.  

I was not convinced of these name-serial number-code number and accounts because he had a bad spelling problem (but who am I to charge you with hacking because you miss-type “moderm” and can't spell your own last name) If anyone would have permission to misspell Morrison, it would be Jim or Bill.  Jay Morisson from Tx.

At one point, this scam artist got past my Webroot security system and told me Webroot was “incompatible” with Microsoft. Then he said, “For $149, I can fix your computer and give you a contract for free service for one computer forever. For two computers, it’ll be $199.” I was sure I had a shyster on my cell phone. I told him, “I’m not paying you anything.” 

“Are you saying you don’t want to clean and protect your computer?” 

“My computer is protected and I am hanging up.” Which I did. 

Shaking and angry, I called the Geeks who told me that most likely nothing was tampered with on my computer; it was a money scam and they had heard of this ploy. I took this new computer to them and the Geeks made sure all was well. They told me that when I typed in the code, that code opened the door to my computer.

 I’m not that stupid, but gullible is altogether different. Seeing a Microsoft logo, having not clicked on any questionable website, I was taken by surprise. At least, I stopped before I gave Jay Morisson any credit card numbers.

Beware of letting down your guard. Scams happen.

Agent 86 and Me

My action surprised me.
"Would you believe..." I caught myself talking into my watch.

Yep, held it right up to my mouth and yelled at the watch face.
Purchased from Verizon to sync with the Android phone, this Gear 2 is especially designed to keep up with me.
I always said, "I need a keeper."
Three of us laughed that we combined to form one brain.

I would often forget to turn on the volume of the cell phone ringer after church or a meeting or a movie. I'd miss calls and texts. And, I am going so fast and crazy sometimes, I leave the thing at home and then I'm really "out of pocket."
"Sorry about that, Chief!"

Now, I put on this fabulous watch (Gear 2), which reminds me to put my phone in the car or in my purse. When the watch "beeps, tweets, or whistles," I need not search through my purse or fiddle with the car's sync-radio-map screen to answer.

Today, my cell phone was working especially hard and lost its juice; the battery was in shut-down mode. I told hubby to call me on my "secret decoder watch" if he needed to reach me. I shared with him the secret decoder watch phone number and only "missed it by that much!"

(Thanks, Anne Winchester. I was confused with numbers. Thinking of Car 54, where are you! LOL)

Practice Listening 101

       With pleasure I accepted a new challenge with the Clay County Times-Democrat. The editor asked if I'd like to try my hand at reporting on school board meetings and city council meetings. "Sure," I said. "Anything to help out." The editor said he'd proof my reports and give me tips on wording, etc. I love to learn new things (not electricity or construction), so I ventured into new water. I smiled at one chairman's remark when I entered the conference room, "We are pleased to welcome a member of the Press."  "Hmmm," I thought, "That's me!"
      As the articles must be written in a different style, I learned quickly how to phrase the reports to give the facts in a readable style but without emotional words. That's part of the pleasure of writing: choosing the one right word to covey the action without "saying too much."
     Yesterday, I had a revelation.
     This new assignment is about more than learning a new writing style. It's about learning to listen.
     The assignment revives my note-taking skills, allows me to revisit sitting, listening, and writing down what is being said by others.
      I've decided that God is using this writing assignment for another lesson. "God gave us one mouth and two ears," I've heard stated.
     

New learning for me: Keep Your Mouth Closed-101.
      Imagine me sitting in on a school board meeting for over an hour, listening and writing about school policy, financial decisions, staffing, on-line course offerings, and keeping my mouth shut. Oh, how I want to share in their discussion. But, I can't. That's not why I am there. I'm there to listen and report.
      I have no experience in city government, so I give close attention to how the councils conduct business, what is important to them, what they struggle to solve. I do not raise my hand to be recognized, to share in the discussion. I'm an audience member, a reporter, and I am biting the inside of my mouth. I am there to listen and report.
     What a wonderful exercise in self-control.
     What an opportunity to practice listening without responding.
   

Milk Chocolate and Wilton Armatale

Chocolate.
    Milk Chocolate
    Hot Chocolate with marshmallows
       and whipped cream
       and caramel

Coffee.
    Cafe Latte
    Iced Coffee
Silver.
    Sterling.
    Silverplate
    Arthur Court
    Wilton Armatale


These colors chose me.
An over-abundance of choices led to an overwhelming desire to go shopping and an inability to make a decision.
However, Marvin and I have found kitchen and bathroom tile we both like, a subtle touch of glitz, and an understated palate of Brown and Silver.

Many of the items used for accent in our remodel I have owned for decades. By re-framing, pulling them out of boxes, I am giving them a new look and a new place to shine.

 Wilton Armatale coffee collection - It's going to be great on
the coffee bar in the kitchen.

 The pineapple motif has been a favorite of mine for - forever. The fountain in Charleston,
South Carolina with its oversized pineapple is iconic.

The pineapple as a symbol of hospitality speaks welcome to visitors as they enter our home at the carport. The photo of cotton I took just out Highway 49 and I framed it in a great black frame.

 The soaker tub with tile surround will be highlighted with a framed photo showcasing sunset on the Pacific Ocean. That art is from our trip in October 2015. Still going to sew some fashion curtains for the bathroom. Have not selected the fabric or style.

My vanity area has a marble countertop in "tweed"- gray and brown with some black. Silver accents with a tile backsplash, two silver-framed mirrors, and a make-up vanity complete the look.

Many things remain to be done, but we're on a roll. Pictures need to be hung in the best place with a new look.

More remodel adventures to come.

Fixer-Upper: Blame it on Joanna

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Give me a D - 

Route 66 and Ford plus framed puzzle

Gimme an E -   

How 'bout a C -   

Oh!----rate!

Designing mentally, making sketches can go only so far and then, the big D gene takes over. 

Decorate erupts. It bubbles out. Uncontrolled.

Fun family moments

I arranged some photos in the back entry, mudroom and
laundry room.
Wooo-Hooo!    That was fun!

Cotton, Laundry, Love