Monday -- Last Monday of 2013

We had cloud cover early in the day but by the time I left to go to the post office and bank, it was beautiful. 69 degrees for a high.  I love Florida winters.  The skies are so blue and the water is a dark blue as well.

It's hard to believe another year is coming to a close.  It's even harder to believe that our "kids" are the ages they are because I don't feel as old as I know they are!  I definitely don't feel my age.  Except in the morning when I first get up and have to stretch all the aches and pains away. ;-)

Tomorrow I'll write the checks from the Friends of the Library account for the annual donations to the Tarpon Springs Public Library.  I'll do the final calculations tonight.  Our total donation this year will be at least $50,000.  

Makes all the time and effort of volunteers worth it!

Sad and Gloomy Day

We had a neighbor who committed suicide today.  We think he did so because he had been in very poor health for the past several years and had just been told he had another serious, debilitating condition that was, at best, life threatening and, most likely, terminal because of all his other issues.  He was 75.  His partner of over 30 years is 82.  She is in dementia.

One never knows what someone else is thinking when he does something like this.  Perhaps he was concerned about how he could care for her?  Maybe he thought she would get the care she needs if he took himself out of the picture?  Maybe he was just sick and tired of being sick and tired.

We may never know.  And the person closest to him is not capable of communicating with anyone re what was going on inside their home the past few months.  We knew he had been depressed for awhile now because of the forced inactivity of a very serious spine condition.  But knowing someone is depressed over a health issue doesn't mean there is anything anyone outside of the situation can do to help.  He was an independent cuss.  Neighbors like my husband tried to help him and were told he didn't need their help -- he could manage on his own.  Men of his generation, I believe, have a hard time accepting assistance from anyone.  He didn't trust doctors or hospitals, either.

I guess the only thing we can do at this juncture is to offer our condolences to the family and let her daughters know that we will help them in any way we can to help them move her to a safe environment.

Makes us think.  Makes us wonder how we would handle similar circumstances.

I hope we never have to know.

Thinking about 2013

Another Christmas has passed and I find myself thinking about the coming year and what I want to accomplish by this time next year.  Unfortunately most things that come to mind are the same things I wanted to accomplish, but didn't, in 2013.  So, I guess I'm looking at a redo for 2014.

I did lose a few pounds but need to lose many more to get anywhere close to goal.

I did become more active physically but need to do far more to feel healthier.

I did back off some of my volunteer activity but added others so the end result was still no more time for my painting.

I did do a few blog entries but ended up with less than last year.

So, although 2013 wasn't a total "bust" when it comes to New Year's commitment to change, it wasn't total success, either.

But, I have friendships that have deepened and new friends I have met along the way. No major health issues.  A good marriage of over 38 years to my best friend of almost 45 years who is also realtively healthy. And, I live in my idea of Paradise, enjoying every day.  I'm happy.  We're happy.

And if 2014 is no better than a repeat of 2013, I'm very OK with that.

An Oldie, but Goodie

Received from my friend, Trish, in an email a little bit ago.  I really do love this one.

Once again this year, I've had requests for my Tequila Christmas Cake recipe so here goes:

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup white flour

1 cup water

1 tsp. salt

1 cup brown sugar

Lemon juice

4 large eggs (room temperature)

Nuts (your choice)

1 bottle tequila

2 cups dried fruit

Directions:

Sample tequila to check quality; take a large bowl.

Check tequila again to be sure it is of the highest quality.

Repeat.

Turn on the electric mixer.

Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.

At this point, it's best to make sure the tequila is still OK.

Try another cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the fruit up off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the tequila to test for tonsisticity.

Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something.

Check the tequila.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window.

Finish the tequila and wipe the counter with the cat.

Cherry Christmas!

My preference would be Vodka or Wine -- the effects would be the same, I guess! Merry Christmas, everyone!