September 30, September Walk

September 29, Gray Lady

Frank

This is Frank. Frank is my mother-in-law’s boyfriend. Yes sir he is.

I asked my pastor once if it’s okay that they live together, like they have been for over ten years now. He said as long as they weren’t sharing the same bed and being intimate. ugh…tmi.

Grandma Lybrook and Frank met on the airplane on the way to Phoenix Az, where we lived a good 12 years ago. He was on his way to Tucson to see his son. They sat next to each other and that’s all she wrote. The next thing you know, they are moving in together…

I have asked Grandma Lybrook if she would ever marry him and since she has been widowed twice, she says, “I’m afraid if I marry him, he’ll die.” That’s honesty for you.

Frank is 93 years old and still has all of his hair and teeth. He’s my hero. They are a sweet couple. They keep each other company, drive each other to the doctor’s office and basically just be together.

He’s shown here giving the girl a knuckle bump yesterday. He calls it the swine flu greeting, you know, in lieu of too much contact. He’s a very funny octogenarian – and then some. (Are 93 year olds octogenarians? is there a different word for it?)

So I say rock on Frank.

Posted on Gayle’s Monday Memories. I want to be just like him when I’m 93.

September 28, Blue Rectory

I’ve decided to make this gentleman the subject of my entry for iheartfaces.com “Blue” category this week. I shot this photo during the World Wide Photo Walk in July. He is sitting in front of St. Mary’s Rectory in downtown Washington DC.

See more entries here.

Here Figgy Figgy Figgy…

A couple of weeks ago, Neighbor Corinne (notice my neighborhood is expanding) gave me some fresh figs from her yard. I had never had fresh figs before, only dried and in desserts, etc, so I was very excited indeed. They were absolutely delicious…magni-fig. Le Francais would not not me butchering their language.

She also left me some fig chutney and I ate half the figs out of the chutney on my way home from work. So I decided…I’m going to get me some more.

Did you know?

1. Fresh figs are rich in vitamin B6 which helps in the production of hemoglobin and helps maintain your blood glucose level.
and
2. That Jesus ate figs…a fact that my pastor relayed to me as he helped himself to the stash that Corinne left me. Harumpf.

The fig tree can get pretty big but the ones in Neighbor Corinne’s yard were about 7 feet high, almost like bushes. The leaves were furry and I thought they were shaped like big maple leaves.

There’s your nutritional botanical history lesson for today.

I went to her home last weekend and completely raided her trees. Neighbor Corinne’s husband Neighbor Andy came out and to see what we were doing and I asked him if he had a lot of figs lately. He said, “No, they’re disgusting.”

And all this time I thought he was perfect.

I had it in my head that I was going to make fig pie. Though I’m not sure if there was even such a thing as fig pie. No matter, I threw myself into the task…I’m not sure if I needed my mortar and pestle, fish sauce or tomatoes from my garden but I had them there anyway.

I cut the stems off the top and cut the figs in half. Then I threw in some sugar and some flour. Literally threw it in, I have no idea how much. I bought some pre-made pie crust because that’s just how I am and I put the fig mixture in it.

I used this pie plate, a ready? Polish pottery piece that my mom gave me one Christmas. It’s a perfect figgy pie plate.

Isn’t it beautiful?

I’d like to say that it tasted as good as the pie plate that it’s in…but it can be better. How?

Next time, I’m leaving out the sugar. The figs were plenty sweet on their own. I’m throwing in a pinch of salt and cinnamon and most importantly, I’m going to chop the figs up a lot smaller. So pie number two is coming up for bunco this Friday.

As soon as I get over to Neighbor Corinne’s to pick some more. Can I please?

More Mosaics at Mary’s Place and more food at Foodie Friday when Friday rolls around.

Travel Tip

I’m back home in Maryland now.

This was the scene yesterday, Saturday afternoon, in ‘Tampa.

And this was the scene today, Sunday afternoon of the same place and from the same angle.

Tip: Travel on Saturdays. It’s just my experience. Everyone seeems to be wanting to go home on Sundays. Including me.

And I have a feeling this man had a long journey as well. A salute to you sir.

The Gift of Fear

I took this photo yesterday in the Baltimore Airport. It’s the inside of the stall of the ladies room. Hold on Nellie…I have a point.

Years ago, I was watching the Oprah Show and I saw an security and safety expert. He said that thieves can steal a woman’s purse if she hangs it up on the hook of the door in the ladies room. You are sitting down doing your thing when…bam…the next thing you know someone reaches over the door and grabs your purse. You of course can’t do anything about it since you are in a state of undress.

So I never hang my purse on the hook except if the hook is away from the door or lower on the door. It’s just me.

That’s my laptop bag by the way.

So on the trip down here to Florida, I sat next to a gentleman who wanted to engage me in conversation. I normally comply but this person gave me the heebeejeebees. He may be a nice guy in “real” life, but I was very uncomfortable. My answers were short and tried to not encourage him but he just kept trying to speak to me so I finally crossed my arms, leaned over toward the girl’s seat and closed my eyes. He took the hint.

It reminds me of a book that read years ago called the Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker.

In it, Mr. DeBecker says to always trust your instincts…he says most women try to be nice and not hurt people’s feelings so they ignore their instincts in order not to appear rude.

I always think of that now…especially in situations like this.

You should read it. I’m in Florida or I would take a photo of my own copy of  the book. It’s tattered and well read.

Oh and welcome to Tampa.

I’m waiting for my plane to go home as we speak.

A Candid Look At Candidacy

My friend Music Man Nick is running for County Commissioner and he asked if I would take some photos of his fund raiser. I had not been at one before and I was happy to be there to see the goings-ons. He was nervous, but he did a fantastic job, especially as he was  host, speaker and campaign manager. He doesn’t have one of those, he’s sort of a one-man show.

But he does have a photographer. I saw this handout and I thought, hey, I took that photo.

Go Nick go!

Of all the elected VIPs, bigwigs and high ranking do-das there, his little neice was my favorite subject. Ain’t she adorable?

It was the end of a long, tiring and sad week because of Gary’s passing and I started to feel exhaustion come over me halfway through the night. I kept looking at this bar and thinking, “Boy, just one glass of wine. Just one.”

Besides, I wasn’t sure if I was really there on an “official” capacity or just there as a friend who is taking photos. In any event, I passed for fear that one drink may just put me under. And my pastor was there too…though I’m sure he knows me pretty well by now and would not be the least bit surprised.

All of these photos are SOOC for Melody because I’m leaving for Florida today and I have no time to edit. See y’all around the airport.

I’m Hooked on Polish Pottery

I alluded to a love for Polish pottery a while back and while shopping at my local (or not so local, it’s pretty far away) BX a couple of weeks ago, I ran into some.

I said I would show you my collection but I don’t have any photos of those. I promise to take some soon. In the meantime, I’m showing you my friend Shannon’s collection. She moved back here from Belgium this spring. Before she left me behind in Maryland for fun and exotic climes, I showed her my own collection of Polish pottery and told her, “You have to get some when you’re in Europe!”

And boy did she ever.

This is her cute egg plate. I’m glad to have a friend in my neurotic love for pottery.

Polish pottery is made in well…Poland. There are many different designs but most are stamped on the bottom and easily recognizable. I have found some knock-offs which I think are just as pretty and I don’t mind buying those and using them as well.

But as Shannon found out, it’s awfully fun to be in Europe and shop. Awfully fun. I’ve never been to the factory that produces these but I hear it’s a great way to spend the day. I have a feeling I may pass out had I been there. The husband has returned to Europe quite a few times since we moved away from there and he has continued to bring me a few pieces here and there. I loved it.

This is Shannon’s beautiful Christmas piece.

I confess, I didn’t stumble onto this display at the store. Shannon told me about it so I went looking. I can’t help myself.

This is the patriotic collection, I love the stars on them.

Then I had an idea. Why not bring some of them home with me? Like this cute little cream and sugar set? A girl can’t have too much Polish pottery.

The thought did cross my mind but I had an even better idea. Next week, it’s my turn to host bunco. So I bought Polish pottery to give away as the bunco prizes. I’m a genius.

I know what some of you are thinking. Isn’t this stuff expensive? Well, yes, it can be. But once in a while, you run into a bargain. And I did so that day. I’m pretty persistent about some things.

Anyway, the bunco prizes that we give ourselves are as follows: one $10 prize, two $15 prizes, and two $20 prizes. I stayed on budget. I told you I was a genius.

This scalloped plate will be a $20 prize. I’m going to do my best to win it though I don’t think I  will have any control over the outcome since it’s all chance. No matter, I may have to mug the winner.

So in order to save the winner from potential violence from the hostess, I might have bought  myself that plate that the sugar and cream set is sitting on. Because my life would not have been complete if I didn’t have it. At least that’s what crossed my mind as I stood at the store and stared at it for a twenty minutes. You will also see more than the five requisite prizes in this photo. I have no self control whatsoever.

With all that being said, what is the best way to get your Polish pottery? Go to Poland.

I asked the husband when our plane left. He said, “Have another glass of wine Puna.”

September 25, Who You Messin’ Wit?

So there.

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