* This 'n That on a Tuesday *

Good morning! Happy Belated Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends! I was sure I'd be able to post something yesterday, but time sped by. I hope everyone had a lovely day!

Every year, I look forward to our Thanksgiving in November. There's just something about that time of year: Aromas. Friends. Family. Pretty table settings. No commercialism! Just scrumptious food!

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On October 6th or 7th, I received the Robert Brault calendar and note cards I ordered. They are just as beautiful or even more so than the posted photos. I haven't decided which note card to use first, or who to snail mail it to. I really like the size of the cards, too. They are 5x7, blank inside, and so there is plenty of room for writing. Most note cards are TINY and there's never enough space! So, I can honestly say I LOVE THEM. They are beautiful, inspiring and uplifting. And how cool is it to tell others that I am a Robert Brault Blog Buddy?! And so can you...hop on over and check them out. Both the calendar and note cards would make thoughtful gifts for any occasion.
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I've come to the realization that I cannot keep up with all the delightful blogs I attempt to read and comment on. Therefore in an attempt to keep my sanity, I won't be leaving comments on any blogs, nor do I expect to receive comments from any of my readers. I hope everyone understands and won't be offended. By taking this action, plus my term ending December 31st as president of Saturday Writers, I hope to have the time, energy, and desire to WRITE.

“We're running out of time babe. The dream will come no closer by itself. We got to run after it now..." -- Gaelic Proverb

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Another beautiful Sunday in October.

Happy Nostalgic Sunday, everyone!

Before I begin my post for this evening, I want to address Friday's "I Wonder."

I feel as if I may have portrayed myself incorrectly, but I certainly didn't intend to. When I said "tough times," I didn't mean it was anything really traumatic! I'm so sorry! You left so many caring comments and I didn't mean to worry anyone! I pulled myself up by my boot straps, smacked myself around a little bit, and said, "Get over it!" So, I'm better now! I truly thank all of you for sending me your lovely thoughts. There is no mistaking that I have wonderful friends!☺

On to my nostalgic story for tonight: I had THE most incredible, nostalgic day in quite a long time! I won't go into a long explanation, because y'all would be bored with that, so here's the short version.

Two friends and I drove over to the small town not far from here, where we spent some of our growing up years.....our Wonder Years. They are brother and sister and lived next door to my family when we were young kids. We had a blast driving past old schools, churches, and grocery stores. Some places were still there. Some still looked a lot like they did....uh hem....50 years ago! Acccckkkkkkk! Some neighboring streets were sadly rundown, but our little one-block-dead-end street looked really good. Talk about a trip down memory lane....literally!

I'm aggravated with myself, though, because we were SO busy talking and looking and driving slowly, that I forgot to take any photos!! Duh!

Fortunately I had the presence of mind to have the waitress take our picture when we stopped for lunch. Unfortunately, she took two pictures and neither one is very good. (crappy camera plus poor lighting) Believe it or not, this is the best of the two!

That's me in the middle! I'm not naming my childhood neighbors, though.
Witness Protection Program and all....!



"I remember a place... a town... a house like a lot of houses... a yard like a lot of other yards... on a street like a lot of other streets. And the thing is, after all these years, I still look back... with wonder.”

quote from the TV show, The Wonder Years.



* I WONDER *

I Wonder: What is it about women's friendships that make them so special? And what is it that attracts one person to another in the first place?

I've never studied psychology or human behavior but I do know one thing. I know about myself and my reasons for connecting with someone as a friend, a woman friend. It only takes moments for me to know if someone has a sense of humor. Bing! And if we find out we have similar ideas about what's funny and what isn't. Bing! Instant Friend!

A very thoughtful, funny and sweet friend sent me this card a few days ago. She knew I'd been going through some tough times and thought I'd get a kick receiving a funny card in the mail. She was right!

This is the front of the card and it really does have huge fake eyelashes on it! I laughed the minute I opened the envelope and saw those.

And this is the inside of the card. Another belly laugh!
Underneath, she wrote her usual, caring and funny words.
It made my entire day....uh...week!

 

 

Welcome to my newest follower, off kilter. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"How rare and wonderful is that flash in the moment when we realize we have discovered a friend."
- William Rotsler

* A Prayer or Two *

When most people think of the The Beatles, I doubt if "prayerful music" comes to mind. We all have our favorite songs of theirs, ranging from the very first pop/rock tunes until the final more contemplative recordings.

Somewhere in my past....maybe 15 or 20 years ago....two of those songs became prayer-like to me. The music and lyrics would pop into my mind, just when I needed them. I'd either sing out loud or only "in my head," depending on whether I was alone or not.

Those two songs are:

The Long and Winding Road

Let it Be

I've read various so-called explanations about the lyrics of these songs, and it doesn't matter to me what the "real" meaning is or isn't. I know what they mean to me and that's all that counts.

What about you? Do you have certain "prayerful" songs that aren't considered hymns?


"There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is." ~William P. Merrill

* Nostalgic Sundays *

   A beautiful Sunday in October.

"Opie. Aren't you a bit chilly in that short sleeved shirt?"

"Heck no, Aunt Bee. I'm a kid."

(The above dialogue is not from the show. They are my words.)

Why did adults always think we needed a coat or sweater just because they were cold? And how many of us do that today?  ☺

My back yard neighbor's...taken in 2009.

My front yard and street...taken in 2009.

No, the fall colors are not like this yet, but I eagerly anticipate them.

 

 

 

"Once you begin looking, you may be surprised to discover just how much joy your world has to offer." --Thomas Kinkade

* I WONDER... ABOUT ROBERT BRAULT *

It's Friday....time for another I Wonder!

 

I am extremely grateful and happy to know Robert Brault. Some of my blog friends also know Robert and his writing genius. If you think you don't know him, you've probably read one of his hundred (or thousand?) quotes, and just didn't realize who the author was. If you Google Mr. Brault, you'll see what I mean.

Not too long ago, he let us in on some BIG news. Northern Sun is publishing a 2012 wall calendar and a set of note cards, with Robert's amazing thoughts and quotes, plus some beautiful photos. Oh my goodness. Can you say, "Christmas Gifts?!"

I've already placed my online order for one calendar and one set of note cards....for now. I'll buy more, as soon as I figure out how many I need!

I Wonder: How many of his 2012 calendars, and note card sets will be purchased online  just today?

Please click on the Northern Sun link and take a look, and maybe place an order!

What would be more fitting than to close with a Robert Brault quote today??

 "I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar." -- Robert Brault

* Doors Open & Keys Turn *

I've collected a few things over the years and shared an item or two on my blog. Somewhere along this journey of mine I became very interested in decorative doorknobs and vintage-looking keys.

When I began this collection, the idea of them having a deep meaning never entered my mind, until just recently. Ahhh.....doorknobs open doors (to success) and keys turn the locks (to success.)

Welcome to my newest followers, Lani and Hensrule. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

And didn't you just love Aunt Clara on the TV show, Bewitched??

Aunt Clara: Wouldn't you like to see my doorknob collection?
Phyllis Stephens: I beg your pardon?
Samantha Stephens: Aunt Clara collects doorknobs.
Aunt Clara: I have three thousand.

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Thoughts about Nostalgic Sunday:

When I was a young girl, Sundays meant going to Mass. Sometimes my mom made homemade donuts after we got home. That was a special treat. Other times, we had bacon and eggs, or pancakes. No plain old cold cereal on a Sunday. (We never went out to eat for breakfast! Whoever heard of such a thing?! In fact when I was really young, I'm pretty sure the only times we ate out was when we were on summer vacations, and stopped at those roadside restaurants. That, too, was special.)

Sundays meant the "funny papers" or just the "funnies." Even when I was too young to read, I still loved to lie on the floor and look at all the colorful drawings, trying to figure out what each little story was about.

Sunday evenings also meant certain TV shows: The Ed Sullivan Show. The Wonderful World of Disney. Lassie. I wasn't very old when I'd already figured out that Lassie lived with a bunch of not-too-smart humans. (Whenever our previous dog, Tiger-Gal, would bark at us because she obviously wanted something, The Ronald and I would say to her, "What is it girl? Is it Timmy? What?? He fell down the well?! OMG!")

And that brings me to the submission I sent Friday evening to Chicken Soup for the Soul. It's the humorous story about our first dog, Rocky, and his encounter with a houseplant. ☺

(I Can't Believe My Dog Did That!)

"Now, Andy, before you go traipsing around the country on any manhunt, you come along home and have dinner first." -- Aunt Bee