Great time at the Palace last night when Trevor Noah performed. So nice of him to come to town for my birthday!
Category: Musings
KRM Welcome
I would like you to meet Patrick Litanga who in the video below explains what it is like to arrive in this country as a refugee. Patrick knows because he came here years ago as a young refugee from the Congo. Since then he has completed a Masters Degree and is currently working on his […]
World Refugee Day
Today is World Refugee Day, a day designated to consider the plight of refugees, the contributions of refugees and how we might make their transition to our own countries easier. For the past few years, I have volunteered in various capacities with the Kentucky Refugee Ministry (KRM). My jobs have been very insignificant, serving food, […]
Rats Again
Who would believe that this young couple has rats in their home? https://crookedcreek.live/2019/06/13/rats-on-the-other-hand/
Rats? On The Other Hand
The last post was about the menace of rats. https://crookedcreek.live/2019/06/12/rats/ Rats in the city, rats in the house or on the farm can be real pests, but as with most things in life, there is a flip side. Rats Make Affectionate Pets! My granddaughter, Kate, and her husband, Tom, live in a flat […]
Rats!
I love all animals and, with the exception of spiders, all living creatures. They all have their places on this planet we share. I realize that some readers feel differently and I do understand, especially when it comes to destructive rodents. My birdfeeders are used by squirrels and chipmunks and I love sharing with them, but […]
Eid Mubarak
Eid al-Fitr blessings to all who are celebrating!
Trees
Trees Reach for the Heavens It seems that trees are abundant. There are so many kinds and sizes and they change predictably season by season. It would be easy to take them for granted and I probably did at one time. During the early 1990s, I had an experience that changed that. I now look […]
Kids 3
Kids Are Listening Never doubt that kids are listening to what adults are saying. They may appear to be in their own little worlds, but they hear us. An example of this (based upon contemporaneous notes) goes way back to 1993 when I was visiting the cemetery at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church with my daughter […]
CELEBRATION!
Today Crooked Creek has 300 followers! Other bloggers have many more, in the thousands even, but this is a sweet milestone for me. Thank you readers and followers for your interest and your encouragement. It has kept me going when there were times I wondered if I would continue. Thank you! Sue
Kids 2
Kids and Grandmothers and Flowers The other flower that I distinctly remember from time spent with Mammy https://crookedcreek.live/2019/05/12/kids/ was the peony. The peony is a large bush with lush blossoms in shades of red or pink or pure white. They bloom in May and were always ready for Memorial Day, known as “Decoration Day” […]
Kids
Kids and Grandmothers When I was a little kid my maternal grandmother, “Mammy,” spent a lot of time with me. Not only did I learn practical lessons about life from her, I subconsciously learned what it was like to be a loving and giving person. While I haven’t always followed her example, I know she […]
I Love Spring
Each season has its attraction, but spring has to be the best as it attests to a future filled with beauty. I Love Spring! “Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to which it clings.” Gustave Flaubert Read more at:
Venezuela
In 2000 my husband and I took a cruise to Central and South America. We visited Belize, Costa Rico, Panama, Columbia, and Venezuela. Each country was very unique and interesting but Venezuela stands out in my mind. I will never forget the first glimpse of the city of Caracas as the ship pulled into port. […]
Today at the Park
During this time of year, the woodlands change almost by the day. As more trees give birth to leaves the view changes. Some things so obvious during the winter months are now obscure. Spring brings the same beauty each year yet it is forever new. Today there were wildflowers not seen just a couple of […]
The Parklands
Yesterday, I was on duty as a docent volunteer at the Parklands’ Visitor Center. It was a beautiful day in the 70s with lots of sunshine. That made it a great day for the school children who were spending time at Beckley Park. Two schools brought their students and it was fun seeing them exploring […]
Back at the Park
Pope Lick Park It’s so good to be walking in the park after what seems like a long winter. With each walk, I notice the subtle springtime changes. Buds turn to leaves or flowers, birds are chirping happily, and the peepers are peeping loudly. Below are some of the wildflowers, blooming bulbs and weeds that […]
People Are Good
A few years ago I started taking used clothing to a homeless shelter in Indiana. It wasn’t a big deal, just sharing some things that no longer fit. I mentioned this in passing to a couple of neighbors and friends and was surprised when several offered some things for me to take on my next […]
Forest Giants
If you live in this area (KY, IN, TN) you are probably familiar with Bernheim Forest. https://bernheim.org If not you should be. Bernheim is a wonderful place to be free in nature. There are areas cultivated and manicured but many acres of natural forest as well. It has been a favorite place for our family […]
Stress Test
A Test of Stress She (we’ll call her “Barb”) dressed in her exercise clothes and walking shoes and set out early for the hospital; so early that the rush hour drivers were still at home flossing and spraying. As she pulled into the parking lot Barb had her choice of primo spots, but hardly appreciated […]
Georgia On My Mind
Georgia donned her latex gloves even though she had no idea why they were required and she set out to collect the terrycloth bibs. As she picked up each one and placed it in the big plastic bag she wondered once again at the waste and mess of the food. In spite of the special […]
Seasons
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” Hal Borland
Update
Another Year – Post #216 Just to catch up from last year’s post https://crookedcreek.live/2018/02/08/thanks/ Crooked Creek now has 263 followers. One year ago it was only 120. We welcome each and every new follower and say, “Thanks” once again to all readers. It is also significant (to me at least) that I am preparing infusion number 302 […]
When Did We get in Such a Hurry?
When I was a small child we had no telephone. Later, after moving from rural Crooked Creek, we did have a rotary dial phone. It was a party line with seven other families, which could be interesting at times. My Grandfather was Post Master of Gee, KY and letters were the way that most people […]
&^(@*$)(@+!
There are times when I just feel that I cannot keep up. No, I’m not talking technology, I manage in that way. It’s other little things that let me know I’m out of touch. Like a recent text from my granddaughter, Elizabeth. What does this look like to you? If you answered bacon on someone’s […]
POEM
This Winter Day Why can’t you decide? First, you let a few white flakes float down then you drop an anemic sprinkle on the ground. I decide this cloudy day I can abide then the sun peeks out from behind the trees. Winter Day you are such a tease. At least there is no ice […]
Field Trip
Death I’ve been told that I think about death a lot. This is true; for as long as I can remember I have been interested in the subject. Some have said that I think about death too much. I do not agree. I think of it just the right amount, because I am not afraid of […]
Music 4
Deathbed Playlist In November 2016 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/opinion/sunday/my-deathbed-playlist-and-yours.html published an opinion piece about the kind of music one would want to hear while dying. I have a list that I’d like at my funeral, but I had never given any thought to what I’d want to hear while dying. As I read the desires of […]
Music 3
Deceased Artists Isn’t it ironic that we miss music most after the death of a star musician? So many that we have lost over the past couple of years come to mind, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Prince, Tom Petty, Glen Campbell, and Chuck Berry. The day that Franklin died, I began to play her old CDs […]
Music 2
Unique Voices There are musicians with very unique voices and they are among my favorites. I listen to these three daily on my Pandora stations. Whispers Leonard Cohen (1934-1916), Canadian, whispers into the microphone as though he is engaging in an intimate moment. His voice haunts and follows. You can hear his top 20 hits […]
Music
Memories of Music Other than church hymns, my earliest memories of music are of Elvis, Little Richard, and Fats Domino. There were others, such as the Everly Brothers (I really liked “Wake Up Little Susie”) that I enjoyed, but mainly I remember these three from my early years. I, like every girl of that era, […]
Health Care
Rant #1 HIPAA – To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191, included Administrative Simplification provisions that required HHS to adopt national standards for electronic health care transactions and code sets, unique health identifiers, and security. At the same time, […]
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays For my family, it’s almost Christmas. Your special celebration may be different. Regardless, I wish Happy Holidays to you and yours! https://crookedcreek.live/2017/12/24/december/ May you have peace and joy.
Grief – Comforting Others
Most people struggle with confronting a friend or a loved one who is grieving. Attending a funeral or visitation is usually a dreaded event and often our biggest concern is what to say. Most of us know that a grieving person needs rest, food and other practical gifts such as child or pet care. What […]
Gadgets
Cell Phone My iPhone is seldom beyond my reach and I’m pretty sure you can say the same about your cell. It is like a personal secretary in your pocket. I’m not sure which feature I appreciate more, but I do know it’s not the phone part. Phone calls are necessary, but I can’t say […]
Thanksgiving
Being Thankful Thanksgiving is an American holiday and while it has historical beginnings it really has become a feast day. For those who do not live here let me say it’s about turkey & dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pies. Of course, we are thankful, too, for family, health, friends and all those things […]
Rocks
Rock & Roll Hard as a Rock Rock On! Dumb as a Rock Rock, Paper, Scissors As you can tell I have rocks on my mind. I’m sure some who know me might say I also have “rocks for brains.” And, today that might be appropriate. When I went to Great Britain recently, […]
The Last Rose
The Last Rose of Summer In 2013 my husband planted a rosebush that he knew I’d like. Yellow is my favorite color and these beautiful yellow roses are a reminder of his love. With each one that has bloomed over the past month, I’ve wondered if it’s the last for the season, but they just […]
Halloween 2018
One Day Early Due to forecasts of heavy rains, Halloween celebrations in many local neighborhoods moved up a day to take advantage of the beautiful fall evening. It was great fun and I’ve shared photos below. The Trick or Treaters were so creative! “On Halloween, the parents sent their kids out looking like me.” Rodney […]
Hope
This is what I want to believe today . . . “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.” Anne Frank
Halloween
What are you going to be for Halloween? Have you heard this question yet this year? I think it’s funny that we don’t talk about what we will wear, so much as what we will “be.” To me, this means we really take our roles seriously and enjoy being someone, or something, different for a […]
Autumn?
Today is October 22 and the flowers in my courtyard don’t seem to know it’s supposed to be Autumn. After several heavy frosts things are growing like it’s June!
Tintern Abbey
Wales’ Best-Preserved Abbey Tintern Abbey was founded in 1131 by Walter Fitz Richard of Clare, an Anglo-Norman lord. This community of buildings where monks once lived and worshiped had one of the most advanced drainage systems of its time, however, there was only one room where there was a fire for the residents to warm […]
A Castle in Wales
Chepstow Castle In beautiful Wales, there are many well-preserved castles. This Medieval one was built a year after the Battle of Hastings. For nearly 1,000 years Chepstow Castle has sat atop a cliff overlooking the Wye River below. I felt almost a reverence as I walked onto the grounds and looked up at the stone […]
Stonehenge
Wonder of Wonders Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England is approximately 4,500 years old. That in itself creates a sense of wonder. As I walked among these huge stacked stones recently I wondered what life was like in 3000 to 2200 BC. And, before the circle of stones was built there were hundreds of burial mounds in […]
Great Britain
The Unexpected Before my trip to the UK last week I was cautioned to take an umbrella, raincoat and boots. I took the umbrella, but it was not needed. What a delightful week of sunny blue skies and cool breezes. I’ll write more later, but just had to say now what a great time I […]
Pappy’s Hat
Pappy’s Hat My Grandfather’s hat was always at the ready. It was as though he was not decent, or a gentleman, without it. When dressed for church he would put it on his head as he left the house. That was his Sunday hat. When inside, whether at his little house or in his big […]
Pat
Blessed with Pats One day my daughter said to me, “Mom you have so many friends named Pat!” And I realized she was right. I truly do have a lot of friends both present and past named Pat and each has been a blessing. My first Pat was a cousin born six weeks before me […]
Way Back
Do You Remember? Way back when . . . Milk was delivered to your door before daylight in a glass recyclable bottle? Books of matches were free and had advertising written on them? You went to the “show” (movie) and sat in the balcony? Telephone poles had insulators like these? Most women were married […]
Cow Eyes
“You Have Cow Eyes” Have you ever been told you have cow eyes? It’s supposed to be a compliment. Cow eyes are big and dark and kind of dreamy looking. That’s one reason to give up beef or at least to not get up close and friendly before a steak dinner. Well, I once knew […]
August Walk (repost)
On my neighborhood walks even though it’s the dog days of August, I see secret signs of autumn to come. Goldenrods, their yellow flags announcing six weeks ’till frost remain unfurled even though I see their heads peeking out from their hiding spots. The burning bushes green all summer long now showing signs of smoldering […]
Doughnuts
Memories To those who do not live in this area, you cannot possibly know what you are missing by not ever having eaten a warm Krispy Kreme doughnut. Our family used to begin vacations with boxes of these glazed delights. The teens and kids would wear the Krispy Kreme hat as the ceremony took place. […]
August Walk
On my neighborhood walks even though it’s the dog days of August, I see secret signs of autumn to come. Goldenrods, their yellow flags announcing six weeks ’till frost remain unfurled even though I see their heads peeking out from their hiding spots. The burning bushes green all summer long now showing signs of smoldering […]
P.M. Walk
The Parklands How lucky we are who live near the Parklands. Whether one is a biker, a runner or like me just a walker, there is a trail for you. Nature is abundant and stunning. Here are a few scenes my walk today. “Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the […]
Looking Back Again
Maybe it’s my recent milestone birthday, but I keep looking back. Please walk with me as I recall some things of years past. Do You Remember When? Gas stations were Service Stations? The attendant checked your oil and cleaned your windshield as well as pumping your gas. I remember my Dad driving into the station […]
High BUN
Google Who has not looked up medical terms, test results and diagnoses Online? I do it often even when I know or think I know what something means. It never hurts to review and become better enlightened, right? Today I wondered about a BUN value on my Metabolic Panel. I knew it meant Blood Urea […]
Meema Pants
Recently I was in Lenscrafters looking into new glasses. The young man working with me was very attentive and professional. After completing my business I started to leave the store when an employee who I had not noticed loudly proclaimed “Meema!” He was looking at me, but surely not talking to me. I was wrong. […]
A.M. Walk
A rare lower humidity day brings a cute youngster out to play at Pope Lick Park. It was curious, but not a risk taker. This was as close as I came. A surprise on the walkway was this baby frog. It was definitely a day for juveniles. She/he was the perfect subject for photo […]
Birthdays
Birthdays Today’s approaching birthday has been causing me much consternation. To my dismay, this day points out that I have been present on this planet for three-quarters of a century. On my thirtieth I cried all day, on my fiftieth I laughed a lot at all the teasing I received from co-workers, friends, and family. […]
Mystery
Mystery to Solve My readers are smart and always quick with comments so I’m sure I’ll get the help that I need to solve this mystery. I just want to know why all my tee shirts get one tiny hole in the same place, lower front. I don’t even care about prevention, I just […]
Tip Re’ Tires
Confession I know nothing about tires, other than they need to be kept inflated. My tip is more about what to do to prepare for car trouble which came about for me recently because of tires. After more years of driving than I care to calculate I had my first blowout a couple of weeks […]
Year of the Woman 1993
1993 In 1993 I turned fifty-years-old. I felt old. I was teased and received all the gag gifts that go with such a milestone birthday. But there was a bright spot, it was the “Year of the Woman!” What could be a better birthday present than that! But wait, 1992 was supposed to be the […]
Today’s Walk
Nothing exciting to report this morning, no deer, no trains, no Goatman, just the beauty and peace of nature. Here are a few random photos: I hope you too, find time to enjoy nature today, whether it is inside with your pet(s), watching birds through the window or walking outside in the sunshine.
Looking Back
Do You Remember? Sprinkling laundry and refrigerating it in a plastic bag before ironing? Do you even remember ironing? Cars not having air-conditioning, turn signals, seat belts nor heaven help us, cup holders? Dialing a telephone, i.e., spinning that dial with one finger? Car hops who delivered your food order which you then ate in […]
Pope Lick Again
I sometimes wonder if we see what we look for. I realize that statement needs a lot of clarification. What I’m thinking about is my most recent walk at Pope Lick Park. I don’t take the same trails each day. I’m not in the same mood each day, although my mood always improves during my […]
Frogs 2
Frogs Are Valuable Frogs are precious and, not as dinner. Did you know that according to the Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project* (Panama) between 1996 and 2006, over 100,000 tons of frog legs worth almost half a billion dollars were consumed by human diners? Frogs are valuable and not just as pest control. We would certainly suffer […]
Frogs
I Love Frogs All my life I have been fascinated by frogs. Sometimes I wish they were not so slimy and there are poisonous ones I would not want to encounter, but overall frogs are intriguing creatures. Once as a child, I was climbing a tree and put my hand on a big piece of […]
Life is Short
There are things in life that just don’t seem worth it, especially when you consider that life is short. The older I get the more things I find not worth the effort, time or discomfort. I realize that this is in part due to simply being a senior, but I want more credit than that. […]
Pope Lick Park 2
Goatman? Today while walking I thought I had spotted the Pope Lick Monster, https://crookedcreek.live/2018/05/23/pope-lick-park/ but it turned out to be just another tree. I wanted to share it with you regardless. Friendly Deer She wasn’t shy. I talked with her a while and didn’t want to disturb her by getting out my phone to photograph […]
Movie Review – Book Club
Disclaimer: I am not a movie critic. I’m not even a movie buff. I probably see fewer than 6 movies per year at the theater. Review I loved the movie I saw yesterday with a friend. It was packed with great actors, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen. Don’t be put off […]
Pope Lick Park
After an unusually busy spring burdened with lack of energy, this morning I returned, yet again, to my favorite park. Pope Lick didn’t disappoint, so I will be there again tomorrow. https://www.theparklands.org/Parks/Pope-Lick-Park The honeysuckle was blooming abundantly and generously unleashing its heavenly fragrance. I wish there was a way to share that lovely scent with […]
National Day of Prayer
History of the National Day of Prayer (NDP) The NDP began in 1952 when it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It was amended unanimously by Congress in 1988 and signed by President Ronald Reagan. That Amendment designated the first Thursday of May as the official day of observance. It has been approved […]
Kim, the Spider
The Jumper National Geographic has announced that the University of Manchester has taught a spider named “Kim” to jump six times “her” (how do they know?) body length on demand. https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/180508-spider-jumps-on-demand-animals-vin-spd Why? Do you ask? Yeah, me too. It seems to be in preparation for tiny robot training. OK, fine. If they had to do […]
Scenes from Russia
Matryoshka (Stacking) Dolls White Nights Beginning in May and lasting into July it never gets completely dark in St. Petersburg due to its geographical location as the Northern most city in the world. This period of time is referred to as “White Nights.” It was an eerie feeling and messed with my circadian rhythm. This […]
Moscow, Russia
Welcome Guest Writer: Lula Reynolds traveled to Russia 18 years after my trip to St. Petersburg. She has graciously shared the post below about the city of Moscow. Thank you Lula! My one-day visit to Moscow in 2012 was interesting but left me with lots of questions. I had visited Communist China so knew a […]
St. Petersburg, Russia
Russia Language The Russian language is very difficult. I worked for months before the trip to learn as many words as possible. I listened to tapes (yes, cassettes) and gradually learned approximately 100 Russian words. Today after all those years, I remember about three or four: “No”, “Goodbye”, and “Thank You” for sure. Often when […]
Russia
Brief History During the “cold war” I grew up hearing about the evil Russians who lived in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). The country’s shortened name was the Soviet Union and even that sounded ominous. People with enough money to afford underground bomb shelters had them built. There were discussions about the hard […]
Springtime Walk
Back to the Park For various reasons, some more important than others, I have not been to the Parklands to walk for a long time. Mostly it’s just that during the winter months I’m a wimp about the cold temperatures and it seems that spring has been a long time coming here in Kentucky. Finally […]
150
Another Milestone! As of yesterday Crooked Creek has 150 followers. This is the point at which I had planned to update the blog to a new look. But, I couldn’t wait, so that was completed a few days ago. Thank you to all readers and followers. I appreciate each of you. I also appreciate other […]
Milestones
Followers/Readers Today Crooked Creek has 148 followers. That makes me very happy. What would be even better is if most of those signed up as “followers” are real readers. It stands to reason that some percentage “follow” and forget, but if some of my posts are read and cause people to think more deeply (or […]
Cats 4
Trips to the Vet Zoe Taking Zoe to the vet has become increasingly difficult. Part of that may be that I now must do it alone, but the biggest factor is her fear of enclosure. She is quick to sense that something is up. It makes me wonder what she may have endured in her […]
Fairy Ring
Mushrooms Again The mushroom burial suit discussed in the last post brought out several interesting comments both here on the blog and in person by those who know me personally. https://crookedcreek.live/2017/11/06/infinity-suit/ To those who no longer enjoy eating mushrooms, I apologize. My intent was never to destroy a good thing and edible mushrooms are definitely good. […]
Fashion on the Road
Recollections of Travel While trying to work in the Delta lounge during a long layover, I was distracted by the TV. It was not loud, in fact, the voice I heard droning on was barely a murmur. Perhaps that is why I could not resist listening to his descriptions of the perfect and perfectly beautiful […]
Minnie III
Minnie? Along with the coming of this new year was the realization my mother would have been 100 years old this June. I do not regret she did not live to see this birthday, because she stopped being Minnie at about age 78 when dementia robbed her of just about everything she enjoyed. I will […]
Gee, KY
This is my grandfather’s store which was mentioned before. https://crookedcreek.live/2016/12/10/minnie-ii/. I remember it as a hub of the community of Gee, but when I look at these old photos I wonder if it was my imagination that it was a place filled with activity. It looks a bit desolate in the older pictures. I remember it painted […]
Politics Free Zone
This blog is a Politics Free Zone. You, no doubt, have political opinions. Those who know me personally know that I do as well, strong ones in fact. But, I’m guessing that we have something else in common and that is being so very weary of all the political noise for the past year. It […]
