Hello Pilgrim!

So the weekend started during my exercise at the YMCA with this view Friday morning...

The bird on the left was deceased. Probably a kamikaze scenario. You can see there is a circle of moisture surroundingtwo birds. The bird on the right flew in and landed slightly out side the circle. Slowly, and with much song, he made his way toward the dead bird until he was just this close. It took him 30 minutes to eulogize his fellow flyer. He sat shiva for the full 30 minutes. I wondered what was their relationship. Then he was gone. 

On Saturday Mr. Macho and I went on a Pilgrimage. We drove through foothills with winding roads. The ride was therapeutic and the fall colors were only slightly held at bay by the recent drought. I found myself relaxing and absorbing the autumn dress on the trees. I commented to Macho that, at a certain stretch of the road as we drew closer to our destination, I kept smelling something like bread baking. He didn't smell it.  We drove to no-wheresville (Hanceville, AL). And after all the winding rural roads our ride ended at the Shrine of The Most Blessed Sacrament. You have to see it to believe that it landed in the Middle of Nowhere, Alabama. We arrived just in time for Mass. Old school. In the lower chapel. After which we toured the main sanctuary, where I followed a pilgrimage protocol for our Year of Mercy. Check. Pilgrimage complete. 

In the gift shop I purchased the new Bible that I have been needing. 

I lit candles at the underground creche grotto for our parents. 

After a very decent Italian lunch at Carlton's, we drove to the Ava Maria Grotto. It is cheesy, but worth stopping for a look around. The above photo was taken at the Grotto. A monk built miniatures of many landmarks and shrines back in the early to mid 1900s. Price of admission $5. 

This snap was taken at the replica of the Basilica in Fatima, Portugal. Look close. It says, "Oct.-Dec. 1956". December 1956?! What a great month and year! So I had to 'capture' that for myownself. 

We drove a different route on the way home and landed at Daughter's house for a quick visit and some fried chicken! All her kiddos seem to be doing great. 

***

This morning I awoke feeling all "Pilgrim-esque". I hope this shiny feeling lasts. 

Also this morning we learned that one of our parishioners died during the night. I think I have blogged about him before. He was a heart transplant recipient over 19 years ago. He far outlived expectations. And he was a faithful communicant of our church, going to daily mass, frequently, and Sunday mass until just a few weeks ago. 

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen

New to me.

Well let me just tell you. I am all about new stuff this week. Here it is - wait for it - spaghetti squash! Who knew?! We are going to eat it for supper. I had to taste a bite after baking it...you know, just to be the guinea pig. And. It is delish! I have earned my brave points for the week. We will have to wait and see what Mr. Macho's reaction is. He isn't the daring kind. It's iffy whether he goes for it.

Also. I have a confession. My sweet neighbor keeps buying me a pumpkin spice pancake mix...I had two bags in my freezer from last year and what happens? She pops in this week with another! She buys them when she takes a trip to the mountains. It is very sweet of her. We just don't eat that many pancakes. And. Macho likes the plain kind. No fru-fru.

I am happy to report that I have found a use for the pumpkin spice pancake mix. You see. There is also a recipe for muffins on the bag. So. I added shredded carrots and walnuts and cooked muffins. I will top them with some cream cheese frosting and pass them off to the old-fart coffee club that sits in the lobby of the YMCA in the mornings. They will eat them up! Win. Win. You see? All's well that ends well. I will call it 'paying it forward'. Besides. I took a bite of these, also. And. They really are good. Who knew!? (My new phrase of the day is, "Who knew!?") I have always thanked my neighbor profusely for the pancake mix. And. From now on I will be even more thankful for it. Her act of kindness is very appreciated.

And so ends another adventure filled day. All happiness and smiles here.

Namaste.

Yada yada yada...

So it's been a good week so far. Our little Parish Picnic is in the history books. Had a regular lunch with my girl buddies yesterday. Played bunko with more friends today! Tried a new recipe and it was well received. Pecan Pie fudge. Yum-o!

No luck at the bunko, though. I am like the cartoon kid with the black cloud following me around. If I didn't have bad luck, I would have no luck at all.

I am a little jelly that 3 of my sisters are doing a fun road trip this weekend. They are going to our Texas sister's house. I know there will be lots of laughs, good drinks, and primo adventures. Heck there might even be some crafty things made this weekend. Texas sister is into crafts. She is good at it.

I was invited to go, but I'm hoping Mr. Macho and I find some adventure of our own. I am kinda hoping for a day trip somewhere. Anywhere. I'll let you know.

***

I have a piece of marble. Here is the history of it: The marble was in the post office in Laurel, MS. My Uncle Jimmy Bass got wind that it was being discarded in 1961 when a local bank bought and renovated the old P.O. He asked my parents it they would like a piece of the marble and they said yes. So Dad took two corbels off an old piano and mounted them on the wall of their living room. The marble sat right atop the corbels. There was a large mirror over the marble shelf. A frilly white vase sat on the shelf, as did a small bowl. When my Dad would come home he would drop his keys in the bowl.  I'm not sure what the bowl material was, but the sound of the keys hitting the bowl on the marble shelf resounded in the house. It was a particular sound.

Hurricane Katrina destroyed my parents' house and one of my siblings found the marble intact. A few years ago Mom asked me if I wanted the marble piece and I said I did. Until now it has collected cobwebs in my carport.

Yesterday Mr. Macho and I met with a local furniture designer. He is designing a steel table that will frame the marble. I put this on my to-do list this year. In January, I think. Well color me happy that it is going to get done before year-end!

***
Tonight we dine on baked chicken and salad. I am trying to make meals a little less caloric. Fewer carbs. Fresh veggies. Smaller portions. It is my plan. I didn't say it was working yet. I plan to do this.

Gotta go wash my tomatoes.
Namaste.

AWOL.

I know I have been absent as of late. It's been a busy month.

Estate sale is done. The old house is cleaned out. Not so the shop. Mr. Macho isn't finding the time to take off and haul off. It will get done.

Had a really good visit with my coast peeps last weekend. So glad I got to see everybody. Had lunch with Mom, Brother Pete, and his wife and middle child on Friday. Took in a Bearcat football game Friday night. More visit with Beach Boy and his family, and Mom on Saturday. After church with Beach Boy & fam we had a lovely leisurely dinner with my sibs, Mom, sis-in-law, niece and finance. Got to hear the engagement story. Ah love!

Anyway. The weeks are flying by. Lots of stuff going on...garden club, soup kitchen, bunko, keeping up with Instagram challenge, reading, family...just finished reading "The Same Different As Me". I recommend it. The movie will be out in February. Several good movies coming out that I want to see, "The Interpreter"(?) looks good. What good books and/or movies can you recommend?

We finally have cool temps outside, but not enough rain to cancel the fire ban warning.

Church picnic this weekend. Don't want to think about holidays, yet. But. I am already planning The Big Birthday Bash. Oh this is gonna be great!

Peace my brothers.
And sisters.

Life in the fast lane.

 A quick little recap of the last two weeks....Daughter and offspring came to spend the Labor Day Sunday night with us.  On Monday we went to her grandaddy's house for a look round. 

Merritt modeled several items for us. These glasses are famous in our family. A long line of wise guys. 

This hat was made famous by Grandaddy Bob. Prolly everybody has tried it on at one time or another.

I think this hat was a decoration. No problem. It looked super cute on the Super Carrot. 

Fast forward to Thursday and I drove to the Coast. I covered lots of bases while there. 

Friday morning I made it to Millie's preschool for Grandparents' Day. She was under the weather and on Saturday her birthday party was cancelled. She is recovered now. It was a viral thing that had to run its course. 

I got by the old property. I found this lovely little Indian paintbrush flower. And. I picked it and took it to Mom. I got to visit with her every day - and a good long time on Sunday. Tomorrow is her 96th birthday! 

This was taken out my car window at the end of Hewes Avenue. It was so gorgeous out over the water. Loved the puffy clouds. 

Friday afternoon 4 of us sat around and picked boiled crabs. I hadn't done that in years. 

I stayed with Sister Mimi while I was down. She is recovering nicely from a knee surgery. She had Brother Pete and Sister Marsha over for gumbo on Friday night. It was so yummy. 

I got home Monday. Mr. Macho left on Tuesday. He will be home tomorrow afternoon. I am leaving first thing in the morning for a girl trip to Florida. 

A new adventure! 

Will tell you about it when I get back.

Namaste sweetie. 

Getting busy.

Who you gonna call?

Mr. Macho had to get busy spraying for the invasion of army worms. They were everywhere. Destructive little boogers. We think round one goes to us. We haven't seen a live worm in days. 

The real busy season is about to open. September will bring welcome activity. August has been a reading month for me. I have read 4 or 5 books. But in doing so, I have been stagnant. Tomorrow, with the new month, I will start back with my Bible study and Garden Club. Friday is Mass and brunch with the church seniors.

Next week I head to the coast to visit Mom ahead of her 96th birthday. And. I plan to attend grandparent's day at Millie's preschool. We will celebrate Millie's #3 birthday while I am there, too. Plus I get to visit Sister Mimi, post-op. Hope I can cheer her up and make her feel better. The knee. She is having the surgery on the knee.

As soon as I get home from the aforementioned trip, I will turn it around and head to Florida with my girls. Yep. Girl trip! Not looking forward to the long ride, but know we will have some fun together.

Last weekend Mr. Macho and I were able to help out at his Dad's place. The sisters-in-law are preparing it for the upcoming estate sale. We have decided on a date in October. Several items have already left the premises through natural selection. A few other things have been sold.

Yikes! We found this creepy monkey while cleaning out a closet last weekend. He has taken a trip to the local landfill. And all were much relieved. This is the kind of thing nightmares are made of. 

***

A break in temperatures is predicted for the weekend. It is most welcome. Hot again next week. But for two nights it might actually dip into the '60's. Yes.

Labor Day weekend will bring unexpected adventures, I'm sure.
Hope your labors are few and your hearts are light this weekend.

"Do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

The best by far...

In the month since father-in-law died we have received many lovely sympathy cards. Then last week this one arrived...

Her Mom explained that this was totally Merritt's out of the blue idea.  Merritt wanted to make Grandaddy a card because Grandaddy Bob died.  I understood it immediately. 

Do you? (Three are standing: Nanny, Merritt, and Grandaddy. One is laying in the ground: Grandaddy Bob.)  

How much sweeter can it be? 

Out-of-Town Son and family were up this weekend. He and Mr. Macho went through Grandaddy Bob's workshop and found some tools that Son wanted. Not many. He also selected some for his brother, Beach Boy. 

On Sunday we delivered a few furniture items to Daughter. 

I am happy to have inherited a potting table...

I see it out my kitchen window. 

I think of my mother-in-law and father-in-law when I look at it.

The cabinet top will have to be replace since it is worn out and disintegrating. 

It is a happy place. 

***

Got to run get this day started. We plan to meet a sister-in-law and niece for supper tonight in Starkvegas. 

Other items on the agenda this week: 

1. battling the biblical invasion of army worms 

and 

2. tropics watching. 

Be safe. 

Be sweet.