Okay, so you know I'm a reader, right? I love to read. Sometimes my eyes and my brain get to craving something to read so badly I imagine it must be near to what an addict feels when they need that cup of caffeine, or that Marlboro or that hit off the pipe.
Me, while I buy some books, the majority of them I borrow from the library. I read almost anything and everything. Best sellers, foreign novels, etc.
HSM loans me a lot of books. She always says that people spend their money on what's important to them. To her, books are very important. She reads books that are well written. She says it's a bunch of hooey when people say 'well, at least so and so is reading' when caught with some poorly written piece of crap. She says our brains will rot if we all we 'feed' it is trash just like our teeth will rot from too much candy.
The most recent book HSM has loaned me is Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. HSM bought it from someplace on line, but I've seen it at Sam's Club.
I just finished reading the book this morning. I've been working on it for weeks. No, it's not a huge book, just a tad over 300 pages. And it's not as if I'm a slow reader, because I'm not. I read quickly, always have.
What held me up was the story itself. It's set in Mississippi, in the Delta area, shortly after World war II. It revolves around two families—one white, one black--and the hatred and racism that was so prevalent in that time. Hell, truth be told, racism is still alive and well and it's some sixty years later.
It's not a woman's book, although a woman wrote it. This is a well-written piece of fiction. If you're a reader, or you know someone who is, I think this is a worthwhile read.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
tawny_ford@yahoo.com
www.tawnyford.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Just Another Day
Some way, some how I have misplaced my winter scarf. It's a really nice one that I crocheted a few years ago. Long, really long because I like to be able to wrap it around my neck a couple of times for extra warmth. I always put my stuff back where it belongs so I'm baffled as to why I can't find it.
But okay, like I crocheted that one I can crochet a new one. I worked on the new one for almost a week. Every spare minute I had found me with a crochet hook in my hand. Mohair yarn all soft and lovely, and a nice stitch pattern.
I finished the scarf last night. Some time around midnight. This morning when I got up I tried it on. I just knew it was going to be the loveliest, warmest, best scarf in the whole wide world.
Word to the wise: When you're crocheting something, even something as simple as a scarf, try it on as you go.
My new scarf is long. Yep. It's long enough to be too long for even Shaquille O'Neal the basketball player! It goes all the way to the floor on me.
So now I'm sitting here slowly, as in very slowly, taking one end apart so I can shorten it.
Just another day.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
tawny_ford@yahoo.com
www.tawnyord.com
But okay, like I crocheted that one I can crochet a new one. I worked on the new one for almost a week. Every spare minute I had found me with a crochet hook in my hand. Mohair yarn all soft and lovely, and a nice stitch pattern.
I finished the scarf last night. Some time around midnight. This morning when I got up I tried it on. I just knew it was going to be the loveliest, warmest, best scarf in the whole wide world.
Word to the wise: When you're crocheting something, even something as simple as a scarf, try it on as you go.
My new scarf is long. Yep. It's long enough to be too long for even Shaquille O'Neal the basketball player! It goes all the way to the floor on me.
So now I'm sitting here slowly, as in very slowly, taking one end apart so I can shorten it.
Just another day.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
tawny_ford@yahoo.com
www.tawnyord.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Okay, Don't Laugh!
And I'm serious, do not laugh! Remember, we all do things differently.
Yesterday I went to the big mall. I haven't been there in a couple of years. I don't have anything against the place; I'm just not a person who goes to the mall. I purchase most of my clothes online, as well as the music I listen to. Everything else I get at Costco or Sam's Club, or the outlet mall (and I probably only get there once a year) or at small stores around town.
Twelve Oaks is big. Walking around the mall for the three hours I was there definitely let me get my exercise on. I passed numerous people, walkers, who seemed to be there primarily for the exercise. They walked quickly with their arms pumping and woe to you if you got in their way.
I only went in to a few of the stores. I wasn't there to shop. I just wanted to go someplace different and see some different things. I was there early, right when it opened up, because I wanted to avoid the crush of Christmas shoppers that I figured would descend upon the place by noon.
I went into the music store. I bought a compilation CD of old blues music. Forty-four different songs on 2 CDs. John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor to name just a few of the blues legends featured on the CDs. I listened to them last night and it's all good.
I also went into the Rocky Mountain Candy store. They sell all sorts of candy but what I'm interested in is their apples. They take huge Granny Smith apples, put a stick in them, and then dip them in all sorts of wonderful stuff. I bought two. An apple dipped in caramel, then dipped in chocolate, then covered in pecans, and an apple dipped in caramel, then dipped in white chocolate, then covered in apple pie spices. They are so good! I ate one last night and the other one is calling my name for tonight.
My last purchase was lunch. I ate at the food court. There are maybe a dozen different restaurants in the court. I chose Japanese…a plate of bourbon chicken, sesame chicken and fried rice. I love Asian food.
I'm sure you already know this; you probably get to the mall way more often than I do, but damn! Stuff is expensive! How do people afford to dress themselves, much less their spouse and their children? Even with 30% to 75% off the prices were outrageous.
I saw interesting stuff. Pretty stuff. Stylish stuff. But they wanted so much for it and, because it was 'in style', if you were the least bit fashion conscious, well, you sure weren't going to want to wear it next year. And x-number of years thereafter. Which is what you'd have to do to get your money worth.
I realize I probably sound like a country bumpkin who just got in to the big city. But I'm not, honest. I live in Farmington Hills. It is a good-sized city in an affluent suburb. I'm employed, I make good money, and I own a house.
But I'm still blown away by how much everything cost at the mall. Even the two apples I bought, Fifteen dollars and some change. Used to be it was less than ten dollars. Granted, that was at the outlet mall, but still. I spoke with Tallulah this morning and she said perhaps it's because store rent at the Twelve Oaks is higher than at the outlet mall. That makes sense. But it's still a lot of money for two apples.
I guess I shouldn't be shocked at the high prices at the mall. Everything has increased in price over the last few years, even at places I always shop. But wow! I still wonder how can people…regular people, not the wealthy…afford to dress their family at the mall?
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Tawny
tawny_ford@yahoo.com
www.tawnyford.com
Yesterday I went to the big mall. I haven't been there in a couple of years. I don't have anything against the place; I'm just not a person who goes to the mall. I purchase most of my clothes online, as well as the music I listen to. Everything else I get at Costco or Sam's Club, or the outlet mall (and I probably only get there once a year) or at small stores around town.
Twelve Oaks is big. Walking around the mall for the three hours I was there definitely let me get my exercise on. I passed numerous people, walkers, who seemed to be there primarily for the exercise. They walked quickly with their arms pumping and woe to you if you got in their way.
I only went in to a few of the stores. I wasn't there to shop. I just wanted to go someplace different and see some different things. I was there early, right when it opened up, because I wanted to avoid the crush of Christmas shoppers that I figured would descend upon the place by noon.
I went into the music store. I bought a compilation CD of old blues music. Forty-four different songs on 2 CDs. John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor to name just a few of the blues legends featured on the CDs. I listened to them last night and it's all good.
I also went into the Rocky Mountain Candy store. They sell all sorts of candy but what I'm interested in is their apples. They take huge Granny Smith apples, put a stick in them, and then dip them in all sorts of wonderful stuff. I bought two. An apple dipped in caramel, then dipped in chocolate, then covered in pecans, and an apple dipped in caramel, then dipped in white chocolate, then covered in apple pie spices. They are so good! I ate one last night and the other one is calling my name for tonight.
My last purchase was lunch. I ate at the food court. There are maybe a dozen different restaurants in the court. I chose Japanese…a plate of bourbon chicken, sesame chicken and fried rice. I love Asian food.
I'm sure you already know this; you probably get to the mall way more often than I do, but damn! Stuff is expensive! How do people afford to dress themselves, much less their spouse and their children? Even with 30% to 75% off the prices were outrageous.
I saw interesting stuff. Pretty stuff. Stylish stuff. But they wanted so much for it and, because it was 'in style', if you were the least bit fashion conscious, well, you sure weren't going to want to wear it next year. And x-number of years thereafter. Which is what you'd have to do to get your money worth.
I realize I probably sound like a country bumpkin who just got in to the big city. But I'm not, honest. I live in Farmington Hills. It is a good-sized city in an affluent suburb. I'm employed, I make good money, and I own a house.
But I'm still blown away by how much everything cost at the mall. Even the two apples I bought, Fifteen dollars and some change. Used to be it was less than ten dollars. Granted, that was at the outlet mall, but still. I spoke with Tallulah this morning and she said perhaps it's because store rent at the Twelve Oaks is higher than at the outlet mall. That makes sense. But it's still a lot of money for two apples.
I guess I shouldn't be shocked at the high prices at the mall. Everything has increased in price over the last few years, even at places I always shop. But wow! I still wonder how can people…regular people, not the wealthy…afford to dress their family at the mall?
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Tawny
tawny_ford@yahoo.com
www.tawnyford.com
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Best Laid Plans
Like I said the last time I wrote, my plan was to write you tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, while at HSM's house. Well, her computer is down. Something is wrong with her Internet Explorer 7. She's been working on her computer for a couple of days trying to fix it, but it's still not right. So, thanks to the kindness of TWG, here I am.
One of the downsides to not having the ability to post my own blog from my own house is that when I have notes filled with material to share with you, well, sometimes I misplace some of them. And that's happened again. Oh well.
Here are a few of the websites I haven't misplaced:
www.swapadvd.com
www.myloveforyou.typepad.com
connectedtv.yahoo.com
www.wolframalpha.com
wave.google.com
Hope you find them interesting.
I am wishing you a happy Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. Remember though, each day is a day to be thankful for our blessings, not just the last Thursday of November.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
One of the downsides to not having the ability to post my own blog from my own house is that when I have notes filled with material to share with you, well, sometimes I misplace some of them. And that's happened again. Oh well.
Here are a few of the websites I haven't misplaced:
www.swapadvd.com
www.myloveforyou.typepad.com
connectedtv.yahoo.com
www.wolframalpha.com
wave.google.com
Hope you find them interesting.
I am wishing you a happy Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. Remember though, each day is a day to be thankful for our blessings, not just the last Thursday of November.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Imagine My Surprise!
Truly, imagine my surprise when I found an empty computer space at the library this morning! Every time I come in here with the intent of writing to you, well, all the spots are taken. Perhaps it's the crappy weather this morning that has everyone home. I don't know and I don't care, I'm just thrilled to pieces to be sitting here at the keyboard!
Remember me suggesting a book to you, Pain Free by Pete Egoscue? Well, the library called me yesterday to say that their copy, the one I'd reserved weeks ago, had finally been returned and was waiting for me. Hurray! I picked it up this morning. Okay, the book is for chronic pain sufferers and I'm not chronic, but I have way more than I'd like and I'm looking to get rid of at least some of it. I'll let you know how the book goes for me. And if you've read it, or are using it, let me know how it's working for you. And remember, I have a new email address at yahoo. I'd put it down here but, well, I can't remember it. Maybe I need something for lousy memory, too (smile). Anyway, it's on the contact page of my website (www.tawnyford.com).
Any snow where you're at yet? None here so far. In fact, temperatures are mild, between 40 and 50 nearly every day. And two weekends ago, get this! It was close to 70! I went to Walled Lake, Michigan, a small natural lakeside community maybe 20 minutes from my house. Once upon a time Walled Lake was a summer resort community, now people live there year round. Anyway, it was so warm and sunny I sat down by the lake for a good four hours. And I got a sunburn in November in Michigan!!!
Do you like pomegranates? I LOVE them! Costco has them by the case, six huge (the size of grapefruits!) for $12-and-some-change. I'm on my second case. Thing is--and it would happen anyway because the juice is the kind that stains, but it's happening even more so because I'm eating two a day--my fingers, particularly around my fingernails, are a wierd sort of red color. I scrub and scrub them, even with lemon juice, but they're still wierd looking. Since I'm not about to lay off the pomegranates I guess it's just something I have to live with until Costco stops carrying them this season (smile). If you've never eaten one get thee to Costco, or Sams Club, or anyplace that sells them. The big ones are the best.
I have a list of websites sitting on my desk in my office that I want to share with you. Don't you know I finally scored a computer and I forgot and left them home. Oh well. On Thanksgiving Day I'll be having dinner at HSM's house, she has a computer, and I'll try to remember to bring my list so I can share them with you then.
Speaking of HSM, did I tell you her #1 Son made the honor society at his college? They are so proud of him!
And they adopted a kitten the day before yesterday! A little fiery red and white tabby female no bigger than minute and weighing maybe 3 ounces of air (smile). They named her Aidan, Celtic for fiery. HSM's husband, ABM, called home and told her there was this teensy stray kitten sitting at the back door of the body shop....a few minutes later HSM and #2 Son were on their way to ABM's work to bring that bay home. Aidan joins Brodie, their puppy.
Well, that's about it for this morning. The librarian says, even though I have a good 35 minutes left on the computer (they give you an hour at a time, you can use up to 7 hours a day), that I have to sign off because they're starting a computer class in here in five minutes. Okay, I'm outta here.
You be good and be careful, take care, stay strong and don't let all this crazy stuff happening in the world get to you. It's going to be okay.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Remember me suggesting a book to you, Pain Free by Pete Egoscue? Well, the library called me yesterday to say that their copy, the one I'd reserved weeks ago, had finally been returned and was waiting for me. Hurray! I picked it up this morning. Okay, the book is for chronic pain sufferers and I'm not chronic, but I have way more than I'd like and I'm looking to get rid of at least some of it. I'll let you know how the book goes for me. And if you've read it, or are using it, let me know how it's working for you. And remember, I have a new email address at yahoo. I'd put it down here but, well, I can't remember it. Maybe I need something for lousy memory, too (smile). Anyway, it's on the contact page of my website (www.tawnyford.com).
Any snow where you're at yet? None here so far. In fact, temperatures are mild, between 40 and 50 nearly every day. And two weekends ago, get this! It was close to 70! I went to Walled Lake, Michigan, a small natural lakeside community maybe 20 minutes from my house. Once upon a time Walled Lake was a summer resort community, now people live there year round. Anyway, it was so warm and sunny I sat down by the lake for a good four hours. And I got a sunburn in November in Michigan!!!
Do you like pomegranates? I LOVE them! Costco has them by the case, six huge (the size of grapefruits!) for $12-and-some-change. I'm on my second case. Thing is--and it would happen anyway because the juice is the kind that stains, but it's happening even more so because I'm eating two a day--my fingers, particularly around my fingernails, are a wierd sort of red color. I scrub and scrub them, even with lemon juice, but they're still wierd looking. Since I'm not about to lay off the pomegranates I guess it's just something I have to live with until Costco stops carrying them this season (smile). If you've never eaten one get thee to Costco, or Sams Club, or anyplace that sells them. The big ones are the best.
I have a list of websites sitting on my desk in my office that I want to share with you. Don't you know I finally scored a computer and I forgot and left them home. Oh well. On Thanksgiving Day I'll be having dinner at HSM's house, she has a computer, and I'll try to remember to bring my list so I can share them with you then.
Speaking of HSM, did I tell you her #1 Son made the honor society at his college? They are so proud of him!
And they adopted a kitten the day before yesterday! A little fiery red and white tabby female no bigger than minute and weighing maybe 3 ounces of air (smile). They named her Aidan, Celtic for fiery. HSM's husband, ABM, called home and told her there was this teensy stray kitten sitting at the back door of the body shop....a few minutes later HSM and #2 Son were on their way to ABM's work to bring that bay home. Aidan joins Brodie, their puppy.
Well, that's about it for this morning. The librarian says, even though I have a good 35 minutes left on the computer (they give you an hour at a time, you can use up to 7 hours a day), that I have to sign off because they're starting a computer class in here in five minutes. Okay, I'm outta here.
You be good and be careful, take care, stay strong and don't let all this crazy stuff happening in the world get to you. It's going to be okay.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
