Monthly Archives: April 2010

Freedom

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Our Loose Blogging consortium of Anu, Ashok, Conrad, Gaelikaa, Ginger, Judy, Magpie 11, Maria, Ramana and I, well those of us not on holiday or distracted by the calls of work, study or family concerns, turn our thoughts to the topic for the week, chosen today by Anu.

Freedom vs. Independence

I have Freedom
I have Independence
So the ‘versus’ does not come into the equation for me.

I live alone and make my own rules.  I get up when I want to and go to bed when I feel like it.  There is no waiting for a key to be turned in the door signalling the return of an overdue offspring.  I drive and have a car so I am not dependent on buses or taxis. I cook the foods I like at the times to suit me.  If I am hungry early then I eat early, if not my meal can be quite late.

My bungalow is detached, so I am not forced to listen to music I do not choose. No herd of elephants are prancing around in a flat upstairs.  If I want to make noise, I make noise. I am at liberty to open or not to open my front door.  The phone can be left ringing if I choose not to answer it.

The phone can be left ringing……

The phone can be left ringing because I am unable to reach it.  The house can be quiet because there is nobody to talk to.  Meals are easy because they are meals for one.
The dust can lie and the floor remain unwashed – because there is nobody to notice.

Nobody to give a welcome home hug.
Nobody to share the latest piece of news I heard about today.
Nobody to shout at when I feel frustrated.
No shoulder to cry on when I am sad.
Nobody to share laughter until the tears run down our faces.
No arms to hug me and tell me I am special.
Nobody to begin and end the day with.

Nobody has everything they want.  The secret is in wanting what you have!

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You’re free at last.

~ Charlie Daniels,
written en route to the funeral for his friend, Ronnie Van Zant of the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Thursday Special ~ Alligator Shoes

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After becoming very frustrated with the attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the young blonde declared; ‘Well, then, maybe I’ll just go out and catch my own alligator and get a pair of alligator shoes for free!’ The shopkeeper replied with a sly smile, ‘Well, little lady, why don’t you go on and give it a try?’

The blonde headed off to the swamp, determined to catch an alligator. Later in the day, as the shopkeeper was driving home, he spotted the same young woman standing waist deep in the murky water, shotgun in hand.

As he brought his car to a stop, he saw a huge 9-foot gator swimming rapidly toward her. With lightning reflexes, the blonde took aim, shot the creature and hauled it up onto the slippery bank. Nearby were 7 more dead gators all lying belly up. The shopkeeper stood on the bank, watching in silent amazement as the blonde struggled mightily and barely managed to flip the gator onto its back.

Then, rolling her eyes heavenward, she screamed in frustration…

Fooy!  THIS ONE’S BAREFOOT, TOO!

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Thanks to my friend Cynthia for sending this week’s story.

Art with My Needle ~ Week 35

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Cording a Roman Blind

Wisewebwoman asked last week if I could help with instructions to cord a Roman Blind.

You will need:

  • Wooden heading or batten board of the required width.
  • Angle irons and screws for mounting the heading board.
  • Non-stretch or nylon cord for each vertical row of rings plus threading across the width and down the side.
  • A screw eye for each row of cords, plus one slightly larger screw eye to take all the ends.
  • A cleat to tie the blind cords to, when it is in place.

Cut lengths of cords twice the length of the blind, plus its width to the side edge.

With the blind laid flat on a table, tie the cords to the appropriate bottom rings and thread vertically through the rings and up through the screw eyes.  Knot the cords together about 1inch from the outside edge of the blind, near the top outside screw eye.

Fix the angle irons to the top of the window and mount the wooden batten.

Trim the pulling cords so that they are all level at the bottom edge and knot them again*.  Fix the cleat to the window wall to hold the cords when the blind is pulled up.

Draw up the blind to form pleats.

* When I am satisfied that the top knot is in the correct position: I plait the cords down the side, it makes for a neater finish and then knot the enf of the tails.

Food Monday ~ Smoothies

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Mango, Banana and Orange Juice
Makes 2-3 glasses

This smoothie is filling and fibre-rich, but you have to drink it more or less straight away, as the bananas and mangoes will give the drink a sludgy grey colour in quite a short time.

1 large mango, peeled, stone removed and sliced
2 bananas, peeled
300ml orange juice

Blend all the ingredients until smooth.   Serve immediately.

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Banana Smoothie
Serves 1

1 ripe banana
½ cup non-fat yogurt
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
1 cup crushed ice
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
lime wedge or banana slice, for garnish

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour the smoothie into a large glass and garnish with a lime wedge or banana slice.

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Tropical Fruit Smoothie
Serves 2

1 frozen banana
1 cup fresh pineapple
¾ cup soymilk
1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional)

Blend all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender for 1-2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.

Some Things….

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Things I Won’t Miss When I’m Dead.

Feeling cold
Growing old
Taking pills
Loud noise
Being put on hold
Automated voices offering options I don’t want.
Impenetrable packaging.
Milk –the smell of milk, skin on milk, sour milk.
Wasps & midges.
People who think they know what other people need.

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Here Are Some Things I think I Will Miss When I’m Dead.

The touch of a baby’s skin
Holding hands
Hugs
Smiles
Laughter
Fresh coffee
Bacon grilling
Ribbon mist on the horizon
Sunsets
A warm real fire on a cold night

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Now what are on your lists?

If……

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Our Loose Blogging consortium of Anu, Ashok, Conrad, Gaelikaa, Ginger, Judy, Magpie 11, Maria,Ramana and I, well those of us not on holiday or distracted by the calls of work, study or family concerns, turn our thoughts to the topic for the week, chosen today by Maria or should that be Judy?

If I could be anything, I would be…

I wish I was a Teddy
Sitting on the bed
Waiting for my Elly
To lay down her weary head

I’d listen very carefully
As she told me all the tales
Of plays and books and games
That filled her busy days

I’d snuggle in beside her
And share secrets great and small
As we drifted off to dreamland
All cosy snug and warm

We would waken in the morning
All wet hot from the heat
I’d watch as she prepared for school
Then on the pillow sit and wait –
And wait a little longer
until I heard that sound
The pit-ter-pat of little feet that told me
My Elly was on home ground.