Possible Post and More

 Let's see if I can make sense of today's entry. I am always looking for blog worthy topics. I was looking for the recipe for the bread below because I prefer it to soda bread. It is, after all, time for such things. 

Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack

Why, yes! I do love butter!

For whatever reason, writing is not as easy for me as it once was. So imagine my surprise when I found the post below hiding in a notebook just ahead of the recipe for the bread named above. How perfectly serendipitous.  I wrote the post in June of 2018. I'm using it today.  And what a title!

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Possible Post

You and I are not what we eat; we are what we think.

                                                           ~Walter Anderson

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

                                                          

                              ~Winnie the Pooh 

As so often happens, I find a new think to think every time I read my favorite blogs. This time it was about thought itself: what do I find myself thinking about? I had never truly considered it, but now that I have, I am surprised, even shocked. 

Perhaps the few things I share may also shock you. Perhaps you'll try paying attention to your own thought life. I was once told that if we could be privy to another's thoughts, we would be frightened to death. I believe it. 

For starters, I do not think in complete sentences. No. I think in little snatches of thoughts, sometimes in pictures.

I am something like the White Rabbit who runs along looking at his watch saying, "I'm late. I'm late for a very important date." 

"I've got to get going. Get going. Do something. Move. Move. Get going." Apparently, I am cracking a little whip on myself much of the time. 

Sometimes I practice double think especially while reading, watching tv or listening to the radio. This may or may not be productive. Double think is a simple repeating of what is heard or read. "Many wonderful choices" is a fragment of a commercial, for example, that has been running through my head for about twenty minutes.

There's also a fair amount of negative self-talk. Guard that stuff! I'll be paying closer attention. 

"Ouch. Ouch. Ouchie" figures prominently in my thought life. Lots of pain as I grow older...pain upon rising, bending, climbing stairs, you get the picture and may be able to relate.

"Oh John. Oh Mom. Oh, Oh, Oh."  Well this bit goes without saying.

My prayer life is greatly reduced... sometimes only "Dear Lord." Then my wee little mind wanders off to some far less important thing.

                         And what blogger caused me to ponder all this? 

Linda B! She wonders why she is not giving God the praise that He so richly deserves. I've been wondering the same thing. Obviously, I am much too busy with my fascinating thought life. 😏

You can find her post *here.*

Happy summer! 

Psalm 139

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Recipe for Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack

Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack

1 cup raisins

1 cup strongly brewed tea

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

¾ cup brown sugar, packed

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg 

Rolled oats for sprinkling

Brew one cup of tea. Pour over raisins in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours. 

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in the egg, raisins, and tea. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Then, pour into a prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle rolled oats on the top of the loaf. 

Place loaf in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees. Bake until the top is browned, about 1½ hours. (Mine was done in 1 hour and twenty minutes.) When done, cool slightly and remove from loaf pan. Allow to complete cooling on a wire rack. 

(This recipe was amended from the one listed in my Recipe Box in the sidebar.)

Have a blessed week and a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Love,

Vee

Picture Soup

It has been awhile. If anyone is still reading, it's a wonder. ツ To make things easier for me, I've tossed in a bunch of photos that I want to keep; each one will give me the push to say a word or two. In truth, I no longer feel that I have anything of great worth or note to say. Things are so strange these days and people are so easily offended one way or the other. Okay, let's get on and see how this goes. To avoid whiplash, I'll separate each picture with a divider. 

Earlier in the month, Mrs. T of Across My Kitchen Table got in touch with me to say that she and Mr. T were planning a trip to my corner. I had no idea why when their own corner is so lovely until I saw their adorable home away from home: Pebble Cottage. My sister Kim offered to drive me there and so the four of us enjoyed a delicious breakfast made by Mr. and Mrs. T. Mrs. T has shared the recipe *here.* My sister made it the following weekend to rave reviews. I haven't made it yet because it would be dangerous. Thanks to both the cooks. We enjoyed our time with you very much! It's a blessing to talk with the like-minded. 

For Mrs.T's side of the story and more look *here.*

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One day in January, Mrs. Rabe of Creekside Cottage asked if I had a Civil War soldier to look up. She and Mr. Rabe were visiting Gettysburg and they could look up his regiment and visit the memorial for it. As I had my ancestor's grave on file with his regiment prominently displayed, I knew that he fought with the 32nd Massachusetts Regiment. 

I was so surprised when they found the memorial and shared many pictures with me. I believe I must credit this one to Mr. Rabe. Can you tell what it is? It took me awhile. Mrs. Rabe shared that it is a tent and that the water canteen is hanging there. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Rabe for discovering this site.

It was wonderful to see this as I will probably never visit Gettysburg nor see this memorial. It is quite moving to think of my ancestor—a three times great-grandfather there fighting for the preservation of the Union and the abolishment of slavery. I do not know much about Hezekiah other than that he was born in Portland, Maine, that he was wounded during the war, and that he died at age 39. 

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When Tim Horton's Coffee Shop closed down a few years ago, I was very upset. It was one of John's and my favorite haunts. So I was very excited to see some updating and activity at the old shop recently. Soon enough Holy Donut came on the scene. They kinda look holy, but it turns out they are not as holy as we had hoped. Beyond that, they are terribly expensive, but pretty! 

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Abby's been at it again. Thank you, friend!

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Those blue eyes get me every time! Such a doll baby. She looks a lot like her grandmother when she was that age.

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Sitting on the dock of the bay long years past.

Our daughter Laurel who is apparently cleaning up her yard. This is for those who have mentioned that Laurel looks a lot like me. She may be a combination child as most children are, but she certainly favors her dad's side of the family.

Speaking of which...a wonderful, unexpected gift from Laurel today. 

What fun!

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Okay, my ramblings are nearly done. It has been a long difficult year. Let us be gentle with ourselves and each other. 

Love,

Vee

 

Am I Making Myself Clear?

 

There is such a lot of unsettling news in the world these days and that's an understatement. I am believing God's Word where He says that He is with us always even to the end of the world. (Matthew 28: 20) We don't need to be anxious. (Yes, I sometimes am anxious, but I don't need to be.)

As I was thinking about a post I might write, I thought I'd share a couple of fun conversations I've had recently. A little chuckle can sometimes snap me out of the gloomies. I woke laughing in the night thinking about these moments. Hope you enjoy them. 

On Saturday evening, my daughter arrived for a visit. She was going to make a delicious salad for supper—a Big Mac salad...yummy! All I had to do was provide the ingredients. Good deal. 

As we were chatting, munching on our salads, I said that I had heard a fun joke that day. Let's go with dialogue instead of my describing it blow by blow. 

me: So there was a ten-year old boy who received a big box of manure for his birthday. (I know that my timing was not impeccable...eating supper...talking about manure...yikes!)

Laurel: Why?

me: Why what? 

Laurel: Why did he get a box of manure?

me: But that's not the point. I haven't told you the rest.

Laurel: muttering... What kind of parents give children a big box of manure? It doesn't make any sense.

me: Well it might if you let me finish the joke.

Laurel: Go ahead.

me: So the boy starts shoveling right away saying, "There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!" ツ

Laurel: Still doesn't make any sense. 

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On Sunday, my grandson Jake and I had one of our Arby's dates. Dialogue ensues...

me: I have two orders here. One is a Roast beef classic double with curly fries and a medium Dr. Pepper. The second is a regular Roast beef classic, small diet soda, and no fries. 

Arby's person: So that's two doubles with two fries and two Dr. Peppers.

me: Nooo, let me try again, One is a Roast beef classic double with curly fries and a medium Dr. Pepper. The second is a regular Roast beef classic, small diet soda, and no fries. 

Arby's person: Okay, two doubles, one curly fry, one regular fry, and...

me: interrupting...Listen, pay attention, I said two orders. The first is...

Jake: Maybe he needs to know that it is #16. 

me: Two number 16s...one double with curly fries and a Dr. Pepper. The other a regular, no fries, and a small diet soda. 

Arby's person: Two number 16s and one double and one regular with curly fries...

me: 😳Stop! 

Jake: Nonni, are you still on your meds? 

me: Bwahahahahahahaha...

Yes, we did finally get our correct order. 

Do you have fun conversations with your family, too? I'd love to hear about one. 

Thank you for stopping by...

Honoring the Days

 Last Friday, I decided that the world was beckoning so I struck off looking for foliage and two mums. 

I had no sooner left my driveway when I saw this poor, struggling tree right on my neighbor's lawn. It was putting its all into perhaps its last autumn season.

I can sit right on my deck and see it from my own backyard. 

I was going to prove it, but the tree has already faded in just three short days. Plus, it has rained and taken a lot of leaves.

Just before peak and heading out of the neighborhood...

Looking for mums and I found them! This was not as easy as it had been last week when every single farmstand from here to there had mums. Not any more!

I placed my selections on the hood of the car so I didn't have to drip them through the store to the counter and back. It pleased me to find them because my sister, brother-in-law, and I were traveling the next day to my grandparents' hometown well north of Bangor.

A good chauffeur

Pleased to honor our grandparents once again...

Just to the right was a graveside service. My step-uncle passed away in Florida at the age of 92. He was the last one standing of his generation on my mother's side of the family. He lived a wonderful life and enjoyed many travels and work assignments with the railroad all around the world. My sister and I wanted to honor him and to see his sons once again. It has been such a long time. They live from California to Georgia to Ontario, Canada. You may remember that we are one of those families that spans both sides of the Canada~US border.

 

It was very surprising to me that the youngest son from Ontario was even allowed to attend his father's service in this time of you know. He, like my sister, is a dual citizen. He said that that was the only thing that got him in. On return, he must quarantine for two weeks. He jokingly said that he'd be living in a tent on his back lawn.

I have happy memories of my uncle and aunt. He was the uncle spoken of *here* where we discussed genealogy. He was the one who got me most interested in the search.

As we stood there, a beautiful September day with temps in the high 70s, we were listening to the bagpipes and drums behind us when we heard the familiar chug of a train engine. How perfect. Few trains rumble by these days. It was all so symbolic.

We wished that we had been able to join them for a family supper at a restaurant in Bangor, but Steve and Kim were leaving early the next morning for Iowa. As I type this, they are in the process of driving back to Maine with a U-haul. They are bringing Steve's mother home to live with them.

We said goodbye to this small town in middle Maine. The railroad left a decade or so ago taking all the jobs with it. Even the grocery store is gone.  My grandparents' home sits empty and looking so sad. The garage is falling down and the home will be soon at this rate...the windows gone. I refused to even take a photo preferring to remember better days. My cousins said that they had driven around and were equally dismayed. 

Saying goodbye to Brownville Junction... Hope to see it again one day.

Thanks for reading...

Love,

Vee

 

Running Late

If I don't get crackin,' it'll be September and I have only one post for August. Unacceptable. I'm taking this opportunity to thank those bloggers who are blogging regularly and those of you who are blogging nearly every day deserve a gold star.

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The most excitement I've had lately was heading to the coast to visit Abby a couple of weeks ago. She was given a last minute yelp and responded with a "sure." Amazing how quickly things can come together if everyone is willing. My sister Kim suggested the day, I agreed, and Abby did as well.

 It was great to see Abby again after all these months, eight to be exact. I was feeling so bad the last time I saw her that I felt as if it might be our final visit. Just keeping it real. This time, I was feeling ever so much better. God is good all the time, no matter how I'm feeling.

left to right: me, Kim, Abby

Abby gifted us with the masks. I wore mine because I wanted to eat and I wanted ice cream. ☺ I didn't want the extra drama of going rogue and making everyone nervous. I am almost to the place where I am not going to be wearing them anymore. I don't know why I have allowed myself to play the game in the first place. My sister, a nurse, told me from the beginning that masks wouldn't work. Now that that has been proven, I don't see the point of them anymore. I don't fault those who feel better wearing a mask, but already.oxygen. deprived.me feels better without one. Further, Sunday's news reveals the new CDC information rolled out quietly. I'm not here to connect dots so will leave it at that. I am not saying that covid isn't real, it is; I am saying that Ignorance made us all respond in excessive ways. We just didn't know. 

On our way home, we stopped by Kim's daughter's because how can one drive right by without a quick visit? 

Anneke tested out the sweet dress that Abby sent for her. It is so cute! Anneke really liked it. 

They live on a lake...wonderful spot to grow up. That's Pencil the cat. 

Here she is peeking in the window. In my world, that's an automatic win. 

Pencil likes to play fetch. Hopefully, blooger will allow me to upload a video proving it.

Enjoy this final day of August! I'm going to let you scoot. Comments are closed today...feeling lazy and tired of dealing with bad comments.

Secret Ingredient

Outside

I try to begin all posts with an attractive average photo. Sometimes blogger has messed with my plan and tossed in one of their own choosing. That's not all they're messing with. My disposition is another.

Inside on a Sunny Summer Day

There is not a whole lot going on around here so I keep busy watching what is going on beyond my windows. 

You may imagine my surprise when, one day as I was waltzing through the house in my nightshirt, this dude was right outside my window by the fence. 

I watched him like a hawk as the top of his head bobbed along my fence and down to the end of my property. He did a lot of hand signals to some invisible someone over in the forest. He seemed to be taking measurements, but I didn't request any surveying. Oh well. He better not come back because, if I'm dressed, I'm going to march right out there and ask him what he's doing. 

There's been excitement during the very stormy days we've had in the past month. My neighbor's ancient trees are falling apart so every storm has meant more limbs down. The last time it thunder stormed, the entire tree came down. I have been telling folks that this is doing my heart a lot of good...all that jumpstarting for free. I was actually using my camera to video a bird on the deck railing when the first part of the tree came down with a thwump. It startled me so much that I dropped my camera and then, like a pro, picked it back up and continued to film. I staggered to the window like Carol Burnett in a Mrs. Wiggins' skit to see what had happened: tree down in a wind storm. 

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Let me rescue this post (hey, I never promised to be fascinating) by sharing a secret I learned while watching Kent Rollins on his You Tube channel. Egg salad sandwiches are among my favorite things in all the world to eat so when he mentioned a secret ingredient that would add the perfect extra something to deviled eggs, I decided to try it for my egg salad sandwich. Yessum. It isn't necessarily pretty, but it sure is tasty. Just a tablespoon or two will be enough. Now here's a question for you: do you make your egg salad sandwich with mayonnaise or Miracle Whip?

Double screen cap

Kent doing his dance while Beag steals a deviled egg

Hahahahahaha...


If you visit Kent's channel, you will find that there are many videos from which to choose with lots of secret ingredients and fun ideas. I really enjoy them.

And that's it you'll be so happy to know. Thanks for reading!