Golden People

 We've had quite the schedule for the past month or two.

It's autumn which is harvest in our neck of the woods.

Last month started off with a trip to California for my grandmother's funeral.

She actually passed last year.

Her only request was a traditional Catholic funeral.

Well, it wasn't exactly traditional due to circumstances.

Her graveside service was last year, and we only this year

11 months after her passing were able to hold her funeral.

In a way, it kinda worked out.

She was 96, only a few months shy of 97 and was ready.

Our grieving was done, and we were able to gather

and celebrate her life and cherish the time spent with family.

It was a pretty small service.

She outlived most of her peers.

My aunt had asked us each to jot down a few things we remembered

or loved about her so they could put together a eulogy.

One of the things I mentioned was

she would wipe off and reuse a paper plate, save a tablespoon of food,

and be among the first to give if someone was in need.

I love that!

She always took care of her things.

She washed her car, windows, floors, etc. and

kept things in the best condition she could.

She grew up during the depression so knew the true value of things.

She never had a lot, but made the most of what she had.

When my aunt asked if there was anything in particular I wanted,

I didn't really have an answer - just my Grammy.

My aunt is wonderful, and I can say such things.

I told her if there was something silly like Grams favorite wooden spoon

or something she used and liked, I wouldn't mind something like that.

For my birthday, she sent me the fork and knife in the photo.

It was actually my great grandmother's then my grandmother's.

Both were very right handed so the left tine is worn.

I was young when she passed, but I remember my great grandma too.

I would sit on her lap, and she would let me have a lemon drop.

We almost never had candy so it was quite a treat.

This little set was the perfect gift, more valuable to me than gold.

And, yep, I use them.

They went directly in the cupboard with the salt and pepper

so I have them handy when I need them.

(Uncle Ray & Aunt Betty - brother and sister)

They are a wonderful reminder to me to take care of things so they'll last

which is kinda funny since for the past year or two,

I've been on a mission to have things in order and good condition.

I've had two chairs repaired which wasn't cheap,

but they are both antiques and were due.

They should both now last another 100 years.

I always seem to have a mend & repair pile.

I no sooner get the bulk of it dealt with when more goes in.

I've also been trying to keep the car up, the appliance clean and in good repair, and

the little things attended to if that makes sense.

There's more to all this though.

You see, there were a couple folks at Grammy's funeral of special importance.

Well, everyone there was important, but. . .

Uncle Ray and Aunt Betty were there.

Grammy's two remaining siblings.

Uncle Ray just turned 99 and is doing pretty good.

Aunt Betty is 97 and doesn't remember very well, but otherwise okay.

Grammy was between them in age.

I don't exactly get to California very often

so it's tough telling if I will ever get to see them again just due to age.

The time spent visiting with them and the stories about them

are what makes a family and keeps those ties snug.

When someone begins a story with,

"I'll tell ya something I can't tell most normal people,"

you know you're in the right place.

I know not everyone has a close family,

but a closely knit group of friends and community can still be had.

I think that's one of the things that's been difficult for me

over the past year or so: everyone seems so distant (not just physically).

The reminder being, we need to take care of our family

just like we need to take care of our things.

We need our family - by blood or by choice.

If you do have elderly folks in your clan,

maybe pay them a visit or a call.

That chat might just be worth more than gold.

And the memory made might just last a good long time.

As we head into the holidays,

I'd like to wish all of my blog friends here

a very blessed time.

~Happy Thanksgiving~

Of Old Friends and New Tales

There is an old nursery rhyme or song that's come to mind lately.

It's rather short, kinda like Row Your Boat.

It goes~

Make new friends

but keep the old.

One is silver

and the other's gold. 

There are many quotes and sayings

advocating the importance of friends.

And I would venture to say, 

not one of them is an exaggeration.

We need friends no matter who we are or what our character.

I view myself as an introvert,

but I've been told by several employers in particular

how easily I speak with clients.

The thing is, I don't have problems talking.

(Just ask any of my grade school teachers:-)

It's the getting to know me bit that's a challenge

so my friends are real treasures to me.

There are those rare occurrences when you will meet someone,

and it's like you've known them all your life.

Those are the easiest and often the closest friendships.

There are also the friends that develop over time.

Those are nice in that there are typically few expectations

about what's ahead. 

They can become valuable in that each person knows

the habits and norms of the other person so they know well

just how to help or get along with the other person.

There are some "firey" friendships.

I'm not so sure those are real friendships.

And lastly,

there is a new kind of friendship.

Those found here online.

In a way, it's not really a new kind.

In years past, there were pen-pals that created friendships.

These friendships are a different kind of valuable

because there is no keeping up appearances.

There is no:

"I don't like going to the store with Jane because she wears too much perfume."

Or 

"She just walks so slow."

Or 

"I'm allergic to her cat."

Whatever.

Those things don't matter one iota if you aren't there with him/her.

(By the way, I actually like the name Jane and cats among other critters.

Too much perfume and slowly meandering through a grocery store

might get to me a little though.)

So what of these friends of different sorts?

What actually makes them important?

Well, you see~

humans are a herding animal.

I know there are some out there who don't take fondly to being called an animal

and others who take it as a compliment.

But we are creatures on this earth, and we were created with instincts.

Hubby and I were talking a while back, and he made the comment 

that he wasn't sure why but religious communities have lower crime rates.

The uncertainty was because people who are religious 

are just as likely to commit crimes from a statistics standpoint.

I said two words:

It's community.

He looked at me kinda sideways.

I continued~

Acceptance is what every person seeks deep down

 be it gang members or church members.

You follow the rules of what is acceptable in order to be accepted,

and you don't hurt your own.

If you break those rules, you are kicked out of the heard, gang, church,

community.

That's where those friends come into play.

Our friends accept us.

They still love us even if we snort when we laugh,

even if we spill down the front of our shirt every time,

even if we aren't super stars,

even if . . . well, you get it.

Our friends accept us for who we are.

There has been quite a bit of discord in 2020.

Communities have been shattered.

Families have been separated.

Friendships have been strained.

These things are more important now than ever.

I guess the point of this post is just don't forget.

I know different areas have different mandates in effect,

but there are still things you can do.

Leave a bag of tomatoes hanging on the door knob of a neighbor

then call and let them know it's there.

(If you don't have any to spare, just let me know.  I have tons!)

Send a quick note or card to a friend or family member.

By all means hug your kids and grand-kids!

The risk of them feeling abandoned, unloved, or neglected

far outweighs that of a virus.

I worry about the unintended consequences 

of some of the things that are happening around us.

There are ways to make new friends also.

There is always someone who could use a friend.

Ask a pastor if there is an elder who can't get out much.

A phone call or dare I say even an old-fashioned letter

can go a long ways in brightening someones day.

Or, a couple other ideas:

a nursing home director - sorta adopt a grandparent

a childcare provider or family member with munchkins 

(kids love a phone call to them rather than to Dad or Mom)

Obviously, that one would need parental approval.

Teens!  They need reassurance as much as any 2 year old.

The last thing they need is to hibernate in their room for a year.

There might be someone who has a family member in hospice.

They are typically exhausted and could use a nicety.

I really think most of you are pretty kind and creative.

If you have more ideas,

please share in the comments.

So all of this to say,

remember to remember 💝

 

By the way, I'm one of those folks who loves to do those little 

random act of kindness.

They often cost very little, but can be very meaningful.

Okay, I'll stop (see told ya I could talk.)

I just want to encourage folks to be friendly.

Have a beautiful day.

Family Activity ~ Campfire Popcorn Popper

The holidays are approaching soon.

If you need a little project to keep the young

and/or young-at-heart busy,

here is a fun little project you might try.

There are some pretty simple supplies needed:

a tin can (with lid - see below)

a stick - appropriate length 3' or so

a small nail or a wood screw
a drill or screw-driver

a dab of butter

some popcorn kernels

salt (optional)
possibly a chop saw or small hand saw

a campfire (or suitable substitute)

 Go ahead and gather your supplies.
When I open a can, I leave about 1/2-3/4 inch uncut so I can use it as a lid.
And oh yes, wash can - do I really need to say that? But if I didn't:)

 Cut one end of the stick blunt.

 I tapped a hole in the side of the can to make it easier.

Then use either a drill or screw-driver to attach the can to the stick.

Now go ahead and add butter and popping corn.
Note: I found only one option for actual popping corn.  All the other
options were for the microwave which I think is a bit sad.

 Close the lid so the kernels don't pop out.
If you have young ones doing this, warn them about the lid and
teach them how to 'use' it so they don't get cut.
(My belief is to teach children how not to get hurt rather than protecting 
them from the possibility of getting hurt, but that's me.)

 If you don't have a campfire, you could use a wood stove like I did here,
a simple stove top burner, or the burner on the BBQ.
Be patient. . . hear it?  One popped!
Let it keep going.
I have to say, the little kid in me lit up when it started popping.

You may then either eat your popped corn or string it up for the tree.

I do have a confession to make.
I don't usually eat or make popped corn, but I think it looks great on the tree.
Keeping that in mind :) my first go round,
I put the can in the very hot coals/flame and burnt it.
So the second go round, I only added about a tablespoon of kernels
to the can to pop.
This time I just found a moderately hot spot and waited.
They popped up beautifully, but that's why there's not much in the bowl.
Nothing like the smell of burnt popcorn in the house.
Go ahead and laugh, and learn from my mistake, I would.

It is a fun activity for young and old alike.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

A Funny Easter Story

This little story begins many years ago
in the country outside of a small rural town.
There lived a family who worked a dairy.
In addition to the cows, 
there were chickens, rabbits, dogs
and a billy goat that was the pet of the little boy.
This was the typical rural family:
father, mother, daughter, and son.

(source)
One Easter Sunday,
there was another family,a city family, that came to visit 'the farm'
and have Easter dinner.
They were all looking forward to the day.
Upon arrival, the son of the city family
raced out of the car and asked to see the rabbits.
Son of the rural family obliged
and asked what the excitement was all about.
The other boy exclaimed earnestly,
"I want to see if the bunnies laid any Easter eggs."
The farm boy then called him stupid
and informed him that rabbits do not lay eggs.
There may have been a bit of a scuffle at this point.
The farm boy proceeded to get in trouble.
It rather put a damper on the excitement of the day.

That is just one of the stories my grandmother tells of my father.
Dad will still respond, "Stupid kid."
My dad is not a mean person, just factual.

Dad was one of those kids who kept life exciting.
There are many many more, but I thought this one was fitting
for the season.
It does awaken one to the marketing that the American industry adopts.
Why isn't it the Easter chicken if we are to use their eggs?
And, why not a cross rather than eggs & bunnies?
It's a bit perplexing if you ask me.
Regardless, the family story still brings a laugh.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Gift Idea for Next to Nothing

I guess sometimes I get a little

Hmmmm...

not sure what word to use,

but let's just say not very merry

when I hear children wanting lists of

very big expensive items for Christmas.

The sad part is that often times

they don't know about some

smaller items that can bring

possibly even more fun

if the grown-ups would spend time

teaching them how to enjoy simple things.

So,

all that said,

over the next month-ish

I will be posting some very

inexpensive gift ideas

for young and young at heart.

Today's Featured Toy~

Wooden Pick-up Sticks

There are only a few items needed

to make these:

25 Wooden Skewers

Food Coloring with a smidgen of Vinegar

(blue, green, yellow, & red,)

Black Permanent Marker

These are the longer ones, but I found them at

the thrift store for 89 cents.  Pick-up sticks

are only about 7 inches long so I just used

a pair of angle cutters to shorten these.

At the store, there are shorter ones available.

If you think the points are a little too sharp,

just use a pair of fingernail clippers to nip the ends.

Then, with just enough vinegar to make enough dye

to cover the sticks,

mix several drops of food coloring and vinegar

and roll sticks in it.

You should have 6 of each color.

I did this on a long serving plate,

then set them on news paper to dry.

I didn't use gloves so my fingers looked like Easter eggs,

but after doing up some dishes,

you can hardly tell:)

The last one is the pointer.

Using the permanent marker, color it black.

I used a rubber-band then

tied them with red jute and a little points tag.

Believe it or not,

until just a couple years ago,

Mr. LB had never played pick-up sticks.

The kids and I taught him how.

He was pretty good at it.

We talked, laughed, and tormented for over an hour.

Family time is a real gift. 

In case you too have never played:

Keep the black stick out (this is the pick up stick.)

Hold the others together &

let them fall in 'a pile' on a table or flat surface.

Usually, the youngest player starts & play

moves to the left.

The player uses the black stick to try to pick-up

another stick without moving any others in the pile

(so only the targeted stick should move.)

If any other sticks move, play goes to the next person.

If the stick is moved away from the others successfully,

then that player gets another turn.

When all the sticks are picked up,

add up the points as follows:

Yellow 10

Red 25

Green 40

Blue 50

The player with the most point wins.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches