Shabby Chic or a Relic??

John and I had back-to-back wellness visits with our doctor, and I was rushing around to get ready. I reasoned it would be good to carry a pocketbook. I would dump my phone, camera, and wallet in it, so that I wouldn’t have the extra weight in my pockets when getting on the scales. I was wearing a green striped top. I remembered I had a green purse on the shelf that I hadn’t carried since we moved here six years ago. I grabbed it, threw in the three essential items, and rushed out. I’m glad I didn’t really look at it as I got in the car. I would have died a thousand deaths.

Both of us were pronounced healthy, although there was no guarantee we wouldn’t drop dead at the door. Everything was a bit strange. We called from the parking lot to let them know we were there, and the assistant unlocked the door and motioned us inside. I did not have a mask and was given one immediately. There were clear plastic sheets hanging around the reception area. My mask was fogged up, and I could barely see where I was going. Other than that, everything was normal. On the way out, I sat down to finish filling out paperwork. As I fished for my insurance cards, I saw the outside of the green pocketbook. Aaauuugggghhhh! It was a ragged mess!

Had anyone noticed? I had no idea. I remembered writing a post recently, and someone commented that what I called retro could have been called “shabby chic”. I put the purse down at home, removed the contents, and noticed green shredded pieces all around it. I had been out in the world, littering green bits everywhere. That’s when I noticed a brand name on it, which I read as Relic.

My accessory was not shabby chic, it was a bona fide relic!

When the photo was enlarged on the computer screen, I saw it might be Pelic. I’m sure you’d agree that Relic makes a better story.

Memorial Day Memories

John and I started the holiday a few days early, watching a video from blogger Linda [https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/12762988/posts/2721939870]. The Memorial Day video was touching and a very appropriate way to remember those who have defended our freedom.

At 10:00 am on Monday, I texted neighbors to see if anyone was available to have a pop-up lunch. We have planned holiday cookouts closer and closer to start time, but this was extreme, even for us. When we had one affirmative reply, John and I moved the grill to the front porch. We’ve always used the back screened porch for eating, but the front one is longer. Luckily, there were not many insects about. Our group included John, Jeff, David, Logan, Holly, Shawn, and Bob.

A pop-up lunch is equivalent to a come-as-you-are party, only for food, not clothes. Folks bring something they have at home, and they follow the unwritten rule of not going out to buy anything. Our group brought hot dogs, buns, chips, Scoops, quacamole , chopped onions, grated cheese, and deviled eggs. I love chips of all kinds and don’t allow myself to have them often. And deviled eggs! They are a particular favorite of mine, but I won’t make them myself because they take too much time. To me, this was a feast. Bob made us laugh. When asked what kind of hot dog he wanted, he said, “Steak flavored.”

Between the main course and dessert, Logan and David threw a Frisbee. After the meal was finished, Logan rode his bicycle on the street, and David got his bike out of the garage. Former neighbor Marla had tuned it up for him a few weeks ago, and this was the first time he’d done more than a test run. Shawn gave Logan permission to ride to the stop sign. Off they went, as we continued talking on the porch. We became aware of approaching rain, wondering where the fellows would be when it hit. They came back drenched, but still smiling. It began to rain when they were at the stop sign.

David and Logan were drenched. Logan’s mom always cuts his hair, so he isn’t shaggy like the rest of us.

We were amused when Logan went home to change into dry clothes and came running back through the rain. He was not nearly as wet as he had been.

David had been longing to go up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so we headed there after everyone went home. Often cloudy day scenery is more exciting than that under brilliant sunshine. We had several things – rain, fog, and sun. It began to rain while David and I were enjoying Sunburst Falls. The stream had more water than usual, making it louder and more visually interesting to us.

Fog was next. That’s what happened the last time we drove there. Both times it was so thick that John had to keep his eye on the middle line. On the other side of the fog, I took this picture of the brooding mountains flirting with the clouds.

The last time we got out of the car was at Looking Glass Falls. I was thrilled to notice lots of mountain laurel on the cliff above the falls. I zoomed in a bit and cut off half the falls to show the bushes. Because of recent rain, the stream was high. Spray billowed onto the walkway halfway down the steps. No one ventured into the water, and most didn’t even go to the bottom of the steps.

I hope you had a pleasant and meaningful Memorial Day.

Dining Out!

Yes! We went out to eat! Legally! In our own county! It was a heady experience, one that we thoroughly enjoyed. I was surprised that everything was nearly normal. We had a real menu to hold, and the table was not bare. We could reach for sugar, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, and sweeteners. The glaring difference was that half the tables had a taped “X” on them. The last time we ate there on a Sunday, all the tables were full. There was a steady stream of customers today, taking up most of the unmarked tables. We noticed there were people coming for take-out meals. With that added traffic, the restaurant might have been doing as much business as before COVID-19. Not all restaurants will be able to bounce back like that. As you can imagine, we were happy to help.

You can guess what I did. I took out the camera to record this historic moment. Look at those happy smiles and the huge bowl of salad in front of John. David’s fish did not swim into view, but it was shortly inside him.

We ate leisurely, since no one was waiting for our table. David had half an hour back at home before he had to go to work. He knows the Burger King dining room will be opening, but he hasn’t been told when. They will need a few more workers when that happens.

Blue Food!

Grandson David’s favorite color is blue. Most foods are NOT blue. When Jell-o was on sale, I noticed Berry Blue and bought it. It seemed appropriate to use it with fresh blueberries, another of David’s favorites.

None of us had ever had this flavor before, and David was pleased with the color. I told him I licked the spoon after putting the salad in the refrigerator. It tasted like a fruity Jell-o, one with no distinct flavor. Pictured is my serving, blue Jell-o with bananas and blueberries.

It looks more like a monster than something edible. This is larger than life-size.

We looked at the box to see if any particular fruit was mentioned, and it wasn’t. I read several articles on line, one saying the flavor was a combination of raspberry and blueberry. Another said it was introduced in 1992. We don’t keep up with food fads, but 28 years was a long time to wait. What about you? Do you try foods or recipes when they are in the news?

Wild Hair During Lock Down

I thought it might be fun to take selfies just before the barber shops and hair salons reopen. We heard that North Carolina will begin reopening restaurants and hair places at 5 pm on May 22. I started the day before the announcement, taking a selfie that showed my hair long. I wasn’t trying to look good, but it backfired. The photo looked better than expected, so I made it my profile picture.

The next day I took another, trying to show how bad I could look. I discovered that there isn’t much difference between when I look my best and when I look my worst! That can be taken two ways. Either I don’t need to bother any more, or I should keep trying and maybe someday I’ll look better.

Coloring Toilet Paper

Before the COVID-19 lock down, I was aware that our store brand toilet paper was embossed. I didn’t really pay attention to it and never examined it until the shelves were stripped bare. What was this commodity (commode-ity?) that was so highly valued that people fought over it and stole it from the carts of others? Good grief! It had hearts and flowers on it!

If I am EVER desperate enough to kill time, I shall experiment with coloring toilet paper. For demonstration purposes only, I used colored pens.

Seen While Walking

A year or so ago I noticed one mountain laurel bush in the former sheep pasture that we pass on our morning walk. Its claim to fame is that it’s the only one I’ve noticed in the neighborhood. You’d think, with a name that has mountain in it, that it would be fairly common here. Not so! On the Blue Ridge Parkway, I think rhododendrons outnumber the laurels.

Lonely mountain laurel in our neighborhood

We had one large mountain laurel beside our driveway on Long Island. It was ten times the size of the scraggly one pictured. There was a road in the next town where laurels lined the street, and if you drove there at peak season, you’d think snowflakes were suspended in the air. Just think! That was only a few feet above sea level! Wouldn’t you think a mountain location could top that??

After taking a photo of neighbor Warren’s scarecrow last week, I noticed a new watering system in his garden. Mr. Crow is watching over a sprinkler mounted on a pole. Leading from it is a green hose going to the little stream (Park Branch).

We can’t see the pump, but it must be inside the blue container. Ingenious! Warren has free water that otherwise would be trying to get to New Orleans.