Beauty Where I Find It

stone wall

I told you I am a cheap date, easily amused.

There is more of this wall, much more. Since it is in the country, I was afraid to get out of the car...dogs, you know. So, I sit in the car and take pictures. By the way, turn off the motor so the picture won't be fuzzy from motor vibrations.

 

It may be a great fault of mine, but I find beauty where others do not. I muse about who built this. Who was he? How old was he? Was stonemason his official occupation? Did he have help from sons, daughters, workmen? Did his wife help? How proud were they when this beautiful wall was complete? How old is the wall? Did they know how special and beautiful it was, a work of art, or was it just utilitarian, holding back the bank?

 

 corner of my basement

 

My basement wall of my home is of similar construction on my home built in 1902. So, has the stone wall in the country stood for over 100 years?

 

One day, I will venture up this driveway and ask about the wall, its history and builder. There are many stone walls, basements, home, and other structures in this town. I suppose this indicates we have an abundance of raw materials, probably all once in fields to be plowed.

 

Your turn

 

Do you find cheap pleasures in pondering old things, old stone walls? Are you a stonemason? I suppose that is the term. Do you know a stonemason? 



 

You May Hate Me

It is mine.
 Pasta costs money.
 I bought it cheaply.
 But, this was originally expensive.
 I will protect what is mine.

So, if your conscience has a problem with protecting what is yours,
GO NO FARTHER.

If you are eating or squeamish, maybe you should leave.
You have been warned.

Graphic photo ahead
written on Sunday

Tonight, I was talking to a friend. I mused that tonight is the night I get rid of the rat that has been in my house. Two nights ago, the rodent decided the kitchen was his, too.

I got up and went to the kitchen and heard him to my left. When I started picking things up, I was kicking a box to scare him away. Really, I have no desire to pick up a rat. Then, I heard scritches to my right. Then, as my skin crawled, and my breathing came more rapidly, I heard mighty scratching to my right. I kicked the box to my right.

More scritches  then cries came each time I kicked the box.  My adrenaline flowed. I was puzzled. Why didn't the rat run?
Why was he screaming?
My kicking of the box could not hurt him!

I lifted a box sitting on the box and saw the sticky trap lying on its side, just like I had wedged it into a space between boxes, a natural route since all the other boxes were too close. Plus, I had seen the rat run in that direction. My idea worked days later!

The rat was stuck on the sticky trap. I ran for the kitchen garbage can, empty and very tall. The tongs were at hand, so I grabbed those from the drawer since the last rat caught on a sticky trap tried to bite the box I put near him.

Then, I ran out the door with the screaming rat in the garbage can.

The strangest thing happened. Six squirrels ran over the fence and up the trees as I emerged with the screaming rodent. They knew a distressed fellow rodent. Grabbing the bucket that the ac drips into, I dumped the rat and sticky trap. He only struggled for thirty seconds. I assure you it was a swift death with his little lungs. I do not feel one bit guilty.

Gone

At one point this evening, I thought there were two rats. Now, I have not heard one for hours, so I got the only one. The problem now is to keep others from entering. I am on it.

Sure, I could make it my job to protect the pasta. But, the one last package was still not in rodent-proof packaging. It is now.

For the last week or two, I have stored everything in upper cabinets, the microwave, the oven, in or on top of the refrigerator. But, there are germs that I don't want to live with, not just a gnawing rat. I am not sure what has been destroyed in the way of food. Last time, he ate into a one-pound bag of rice. I did not lose much, except peace of mind.

The expensive rat trap sits untouched....sigh.

About 20-years ago in my ninth grade English class, I stomped a mouse that ran from a closet. The teacher must take the lead...lol. The next day I told the guys sitting near it to stomp the next one since I could not make it to that side of the room. A kid in work boots stomped it as hard as he could, literally scattering the mouse to all parts of the room. Most of these were country kids with no tender feelings for a mouse. Some girls wanted to catch the mice and put them outdoors. The other kids told her what would happen. I told them of the health consequences. The school exterminated them.

The garbage can is washed. Rat and trap are disposed of. Tongs will be sterilized.
My heart is still pounding.

Okay, I just heard another rat!

Your turn
Are you a bloodthirsty rat killer?

Senior Citizen Discounts List

another view of the garden folly/greenhouse

The list of senior discounts came to a north Alabama site I read, sent to a member via Florida. You might want to check these before you arrive, expecting a discount. Notice there are varying ages to qualify as a senior. Who makes up this arbitrary line in the sand? For me, right now it does not matter. It appears I am well-qualified, age-wise, for everything on here.

RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.

RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

Big Lots 30% Why did I not know this. I buy little there, but this is worth looking into. A 10% discount at Rite Aid would bring me in faster. Belk's? Since when?  I am learning places to ask about the discount.

Your turn
Do you have any places to add, local or national? If it is local, include the location. If you find any discrepancies, let me know that, if you will. Can you confirm any of these? Do you go to any of these places?
 

My Accidental Pineapple Plant

I found it surviving without dirt, just decomposing leaves.

Okay, I meant to grow a pineapple plant, but just left it to its own devices to grow. Other than whacking off the top and tossing it out to deal with later, I had nothing to do with the six month life of the plant above.

I had two pineapple tops. One was on the counter and the other got tossed to the porch. The one I tossed on the porch was thrown into a terra cotta pot with a terra cotta saucer inside. I did nothing to the top, just put the whole thing out because fruit flies were living and thriving in it.

 Months later, I noticed the outdoor pineapple was growing new inner leaves while the older, bottom leaves were just brown. Water from rain blowing had watered the center even though I never did. Okay, maybe a few times at first until I just gave up on the effort. That pineapple, above, was not even sitting in soil, just a bare terra cotta saucer. Then, I put it in a pot with dirt. it looked better out of dirt!

Some leaf dying!

But, it will survive since there is new growth in the center.

When it rained for six weeks, it thrived. Now, not so much thriving as maybe dying. Everyday now, I water it a bit in the center. I am learning my lesson. Then, I started turning the hose fine spray on it for a few seconds and actually put it in dirt. We will see. Next spring, I may give it a larger pot home.

Now, for this one:

indoor plant got plenty of light but no water

indoor pineapple

 

Even though I worked hard (HA! I tell myself lies) on the indoor plant, I realized that there was no more green.  I did water it, putting water in the bowl. I knew the water went into the center, but for some reason, I was more concerned it sit in water. There is no hope since the whole thing is just falling apart. sigh... It is in the back of the flower bed, now composting.

Can I get one of these to grow?

 

I know it will be 2 years before I get a pineapple if I get a pineapple. I will just continue planting pineapple tops until I get a whole field of pots...lol.

 



Your turn

Have you ever grown a pineapple plant and actually gotten a pineapple?  I know all about the scraping of the pineapple to get the fruit off the bottom and watering the top, but is there anything else I need to know from here on out. I have read and heard lots, but could use your experience.

Ethanol in Gasoline and 100% Gasoline



This station is 22 miles from my house.



 

Difference in prices

 

It seems that ethanol with ruin small engines. I did buy 100% gas for my lawnmower until the only station that carried it disappeared. I will have to ask a motorcycle shop or a rider at my regular gas station. It is around somewhere, just a new location. Motorcycles will be ruined also, or so I have been told.

 

Do cars really get better gas mileage?

 
Your turn
Have you turned, returned, to no-ethanol gasoline? Have you had a lawn machine ruined by ethanol? Or, do you have lots of stations from which to buy 100% gas? What do the motorcycle owners think about the damage from ethanol?

Old Tools

Old tools, good tools, favorite tools

I bought the shovel in 1975 for my children. It was very expensive. I bought a short one because my son was six and my daughter was four. A long shovel in the hands of small children who have never handled a real shovel just seemed foolish. Besides, they often mishandled their toy shovels and rakes. I carry the shovel in the trunk of my car along with plastic bags, ready to dig up anything I come upon that is fair game. A good friend said I reminded her of her Aunt Doris who carried a shovel and plastic bags all the time. .

 

The garden fork cost $1 at a yard sale. It comes in handy for stirring up the dirt when I cannot dig with a shovel. I can just lean and twist best I can. I think it would be a good weapon...lol.

Nowadays, I have to have tools that are easily handled and light. These do not fit that description, so I just struggle to use them. I have never gotten rid of a tool that was usable for something "better."

These are just a few of my tools. Most are from yard sales; many are from estate sales. I suppose no one in the family wants them.

Your turn
Do you have favorite tool? Old tools? Good Tools? Do you ever buy tools at yard sales? What is your best old tool buy?

The Market and The Pig and Chicken News

trip to farmer's market
dappled sunlight caused these tomatoes to look strange

Watermelon--$3

tomatoes--$4

Scuppernong--$1

 

This was my first watermelon this year. I cannot handle a larger one and always forgot when exbf was here to pick one up. If these tomatoes are good, I may  go back on Thursday get enough to can some for soup this winter. Well, my bank account will have to be consulted...lol. My scuppernong arbor is ruined and on the ground, so these are a treat.

 

This month, I am going to track carefully what I spend on food. So, putting this on my blog will help since I did not get three receipts for my shopping today. This is the last month for the market.

 

After I had the barium swallow and before I went to the market, I went to The Pig--Piggly Wiggly. It is very bright, clean, well-appointed. So, I got a sale paper and set about making decisions. I only wanted one thing on sale--Romaine--listed in the ad for $.99. While I was looking at the really wilted heads, the produce manager walked by. All the Romaine was wilted, even the heads he brought from the cooler. So, I got the leaf lettuce for $.99. So much for The Pig.

 

Unfortunately, I did a price match at Walmart and got the Romaine. I must eat more green, leafy vegetables. I have feta cheese bought half-price from Food World as it marked things down. Now, I have tomatoes. Plus, there is leftover chicken and turkey waiting.

 

My little pink bistro table is ruined. See it above. I had put plastic over it to paint. Someone moved it and got the plastic all around the legs. Sooo, I could not move the plastic. Wellll, I could, but I kept tripping over the plastic tarp. Now, my table has rust....grrrr. Where did I put that sandpaper?

 

Hens

Patsy Cline and Thelma were interested in my bringing produce from the car to yard. They are always interested in anything in my hands. It could be food for them. I dumped the produce on the table and ran inside to go to the bathroom. While I was in the house, I grabbed two pair of pants that needed to be hung on the line. As I stood at the clothesline with the black pants draped over my arm, the hens were sort of at the other end of the clothesline, not really paying attention. As I removed one pair of pants from my arm, that pair naturally became a little longer.

Well, panic ensued. When one hen startles, they all startle. Patsy Cline is skittish, so I am sure she was the one who started it all. Both hens simultaneously screeched, jumped and cackled as they ran in opposite directions. Actually, their actions sort of startled me, then amused me. Patsy Cline ran to the side fence and ran back and forth cackling. Thelma ran the length of the back yard, cackling.

I quickly hung the two pair of pants on the line and turned to look at Patsy Cline. She was still walking back and forth, looking at the top of the 6' privacy fence, considering flying up. By this time Thelma was settled down. Giving up and going into the house was the only thing I could think of doing.

Thelma has never been afraid of me. But, with Patsy Cline startling every time I bring food into their pen, Thelma rushes to get away from my approaching feet.

I found a quarter and a dime in The Pig's parking lot--$0.35.

Such was my Tuesday.

Your turn
Are produce markets in your area still going? Do you have hens that startle and start a cacophony of cackling, run about, and generally act like the sky is falling?