Today would have been my son Steve’s 44th birthday. He died from complications of melanoma skin cancer treatment at age 39. We have a “Steve” wall: it is a narrow slice of wall that can be seen under the large tv that hangs from the ceiling. When I watch tv I look directly at that wall and his picture; him toasting the viewers by playfully tilting his beer glass toward us. The frame is adorned Continue reading

So I treated myself to this fancy-dancy underwater camera last year. It took great, clear pictures, but the last couple times out, it either would not turn on, or it did with zoom set to max (not noticed until I tried to process pictures that showed…..nothing but a blur). Then it started working again and took good shots on my last outing…..and then it would not turn on at all. New battery made no difference.  Continue reading

Last year, just after the pandemic hit, I lost two fillings. There was no way I was going to let someone dink around in my mouth, so I bought out the town’s supply of temporary filling  stuff. Fast forward a year, and now fully vaccinated, I dared to think that I might get those teeth looked at. I called the dentist’s office last week to see about getting an emergency appointment (is a year-long problem Continue reading

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/4 c milk 1/2 tsp Vanilla 1 pk Instant chocolate pudding mix, 3/4 c Flour 1 tbsp Light rum 6 Strawberries 6 Eggs ; separated Sugar 1 tsp Almond extract 1 6 oz pkg semisweet chocolate pieces 1/4 tsp Salt 1/3 c Cocoa 1 1/2 c Heavy whipping cream INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 10″ springform pan; set aside. In large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites Continue reading

I have experimented with ice cream flavors since buying my Wally World churner several years ago. At first I made the “usual” stuff: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla. Then one year my Jaboticaba tree flourished and I used some for ice cream. One year we were having guests and I asked for their favorite flavor which was coconut: sweetened condensed coconut milk filled the bill! This year I have an ABUNDANCE of avocado, and mixed avocado puree Continue reading

….Hello. And goodbye. And I love you. And love, compassion, peace, mercy. And probably some other things too, but these I know off the top of my head. And why am I pointing this out? Earlier this week Pastor Kaitlin called and asked if I would be a lector for the Easter Vigil service. I told her that no, I wouldn’t, and explained why. Tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of my son Steve’s death from Continue reading