Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
Masks, hand washing, social distancing, Three easy things to do that saves lives, but they have to be done correctly. Distancing = six feet separation. Hand washing with soap and water for twenty seconds. Masks cover the nose and mouth. I am sick of encountering people with their mask placed UNDER the nose! What part […]
In March, I began shopping for groceries via Kroger’s Click List. That seemed pretty simple in the beginning. You go Online, list the groceries you want and then they designate a time for you to pick them up. Employees bring it to your car, load it up, hand you your receipt and you go home […]
Sometimes we do the smallest kindnesses without giving any thought to what the lasting effect might be. I was thinking of this recently as I made Forgotten Cookies https://crookedcreek.live/2019/12/15/forgotten-cookies/ for a loved one. That recipe was given to me by a dear neighbor over fifty years ago. I’m sure that when she shared that with […]
A week ago, I realized that Elliott was ill. First, he became very vocal. He followed me around meowing and looking at me expectantly. Soon I saw that he was frequenting his litter box with no results. It was Saturday afternoon and our vet’s office was closed so off we go, to Elliott’s chagrin, to […]
The Atomic Bomb Seventy-five years ago the United States dropped the first ever atomic bombs on two cities in Japan, killing 225,000 human lives. The additional injuries and illnesses leading to slow deaths are not calculable. There is no dearth of information and horrific photographs to document this hell that befell the people of Hiroshima and […]
As always Halloween was fun at the Bynum’s. Dianne and Floyd had everything spooky for family and Trick or Treaters!
BOOK REVIEW – “Frankenstein” Mary Shelley, the young author of “Frankenstein,” said she wanted to write a story that “would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and awaken thrilling horror — one to make the reader dread to look round, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart.” I know […]
I had barely started dating my future husband when he invited me to attend the Kentucky State Fair with him. I didn’t know him well, but I definitely wanted to make a good impression on him as we walked around all the exhibits. I liked looking at the arts and crafts. He wanted to see […]
ADHD Awareness Month Adopt a Shelter Dog Month American Pharmacists Month Bat Appreciation Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month Computer Learning Month Country Music Month Down Syndrome Awareness Month Dyslexia Awareness Month Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month Emotional Wellness Month Fair Trade Month Family History Month German-American Heritage Month Global Diversity Awareness […]
The pandemic has changed the way we do everything. All visits with my friends and family are outdoors and that is fine in the nice weather we’ve been having. Recently I was invited to a friend’s house in Floyd Knobs, IN. It is in a beautiful setting with trees of all kinds around the house. […]
Why is it so hard to lose a dog? Having a dog die is heartbreaking. Having to euthanize one is worse. I had that experience many years ago and years after that with a cat. As much as I love my cats, I believe that the bond one has with their dog is stronger. It […]
Do you believe in ghosts? I cannot honestly answer that question. I’m open to the possibility but that is based upon the experiences of others rather than anything that I have personally witnessed. Stories from people who I trust have certainly made me wish for a personal encounter. A friend of mine has had several […]
Fifteen year-old Zoe has crossed over the rainbow bridge. Elliott and I miss her so much. She was a very good girl, reticent but sweet. .
The Plant From Hell We moved into our new condo in the spring of 2013 leaving behind a big yard and koi ponds and all kinds of trees and flowers. The condo has a small courtyard with a patio and room for a few plants. When it came to plants my husband never understood “few.” […]
Alyssa Smith was born with biliary atresia, a condition of the liver which would be incompatible with life by the time she was around three-years-old. She needed a liver transplant but chances of an infant donor becoming available were bleak. In those days only a cadaveric donor liver transplant was possible in the United States. […]
People Who Are Hit the Hardest by John Pavlovitz https://johnpavlovitz.com/2020/09/16/the-people-hit-hardest-this-year/
What Are You Feeling? These are unprecedented times of pandemic, wild fires, hurricanes, racial tension and political uncertainty. We experience so many emotions at the same time and we wonder how to deal with any one of them. Perhaps one way to sort out our feelings is to realize that we are enduring profound grief. […]
I unexpectedly heard this old song today and it struck me as being a good inspiration for the world we are currently living in. In spite of pandemics, raging fires, racial injustice, and political wars we must have hope. We must wait until the darkness is over. WHISPERING HOPE by Septimus Winner Soft as the […]
A few days ago I heard an alarmingly loud noise and had no idea what had happened. As I walked to the front of my condo I saw that a bird had flown into my storm door. It was lying lifelessly on my porch. Remembering what my husband had done in similar circumstances years earlier, […]
This is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week. During this pandemic it is more important than ever that we be there for each other. You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. Being aware of the signs, knowing where to turn for help are things we can all do for ourselves […]
Today is the Day of the Fillies! The Kentucky Oaks horse race is for female horses called “fillies” and runs each year the day before the Kentucky Derby. https://crookedcreek.live/2020/05/02/this-should-have-been-derby-day/ A few things, besides gender, are different about the Oaks race. The fillies carry 121# of weight as compared to 126# for the Derby and the […]
Like most other people during this pandemic I’ve been staying close to home. Even family get-togethers are not safe in these COVID days. Once every couple of weeks I drive one mile up the road to pick up my pre-ordered groceries that workers safely place in my car. That’s it as far as going places […]
Welcome Back Readers! I’ve missed you, but I thought of you often as I worked on Crooked Creek, trying to make it better and perhaps more relevant. Most changes will barely be perceptible, but some require an explanation. In the very beginning I declared Crooked Creek to be a “Politics Free” zone https://crookedcreek.live/2016/09/03/declaration/ and I’ve pretty […]
Haven House Mission which I have discussed here on Crooked Creek several times https://crookedcreek.live/2019/07/07/haven-house/ has undergone significant changes this summer. As of this month the Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Jeffersonville, IN has become the new owner. Haven House is now Catalyst Rescue Mission. The Mission Statement is: “to help end homelessness in Southern Indiana by […]
2020 Appointments As we age we have more medical appointments and so my calendar is full of them. Appointments today are nothing like in the past. Thanks to the Novel Corona Virus everything is complicated. And each provider’s office has a different way of approaching safe environments for patients. Some work and some confuse. I’ve […]
Return to Pope Lick Park This year for whatever the reason, I have not been going to the park to walk as I’ve done for the past four years. I’ve missed it and today I returned. It was sunny and beautiful. There is no place I’d rather see the changing seasons. Today was typical August […]
It didn’t happen overnight, but slowly the ideas for blog posts have been reduced to a trickle. There are a few technical problems with the WordPress platform, but if I had more enthusiasm I could, no doubt, work through those. Although I have some serious health problems I’m dealing fine with those. COVID lockdown? It […]
sanctuary a summer rain blows in during the heat of day and i seek shelter beneath the canopy of a bald cypress waiting for the rain to abate, i examine the trunk from where it rises out of the ground to where it terminates against a sky of gray as straight as an arrow, dressed […]
I like to keep Milk Bone on hand for the neighborhood dogs, especially Bailey the little Westie next door. He is always so polite, begs, sits, and then eats every crumb. I kept the treats in a ziplock bag in a large basket on my porch. That worked for a little while. One morning I […]
For almost four months now life has been pretty boring due to precautions around the Corona Virus. No eating out, no movies, no shopping, no family gatherings, even medical appointments are curtailed. One thing that I am thankful for is that I have a front porch. It isn’t large, but 3 or 4 people can […]
Covid Calamity Here we are almost four months in and things are not improving. I’ve posted my thoughts and feelings about the isolation involved with staying safe and I must admit that my resolve to stay productive is waning a bit. As a result, I’m reading a lot of books. You’ve probably noticed all the book […]
Do you follow your gut instincts and if so are they usually right? I believe we are given instincts for a reason and I do try to pay attention to what my “gut” tells me. If I am in a place that is potentially unsafe and I have the feeling I should not take a […]
“Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer! We must not let that happen here.” Eleanor Roosevelt Sadly, Ms. Roosevelt, It has. It has.
Case 1 Several months ago, a college student was shopping at a craft store. She paid with a $20 bill which she had received at another retail establishment. The clerk checking out her order looked at the bill and said, “I’m sorry, but this is counterfeit.” The student was shocked and produced another bill that […]
Do you ever wish you could reboot and start over? I think that sometimes we do and yet maybe not really if you hear the story I want to share with you. I came across a tiny article about Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor that piqued my interest so I researched her and was fascinated by […]
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward toward justice.” Martin Luther King Jr. 1967 How long must people of color wait for that justice? Photo by Pixabay
What colors inspire you and how do they inspire you, what feeling do they evoke? My Answer Yellow is my favorite color and I believe that is inspired by the daffodils that bloomed when my daughters were born in March. Daffodils are pure, bright, and beautiful. To me, their appearance in springtime heralds new life […]
Stay inside! Wash your hands! Wear a mask! Stay 6 feet apart! I realize all this is essential. As an extra high-risk senior, I appreciate the guidance, but it is sure getting redundant! I have been mostly inside since March 16th and I am bored. Yes, I need a haircut and a visit to the […]
Various Definitions of Hypnosis The induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. Its use in therapy, typically to recover suppressed memories or to allow modification of behavior by suggestion, has been revived but is still controversial. Webster’s […]
The Kentucky Derby This year’s Kentucky Derby will be the 146th running of three-year-old thoroughbreds. Known as the fastest two minutes in sports this horse race attracts people from all around the globe. Beginning in 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY the Derby runs on the first Saturday in May. It is preceded by […]
If you are from Louisville you will love this video of great music that also gives a glimpse of what our city is like. If you aren’t from Louisville, I think you might still enjoy the six and one-half minutes of entertainment lead by Terry Abrams, Director of the Louisville Orchestra. https://youtu.be/AcsiqH5AZ7g
If the world was to end tomorrow, what would you do and how would you spend your last twenty-four hours? Hopefully, I would spend it with my wonderful family members . . . all of them together. During the last half-hour of those twenty-four I would eat fried shrimp! Other things I’d enjoy doing, given […]
If you could communicate with animals, what species would you like to talk with? My Answer: Dogs and Cats I would want to know what they remember, if they can think of the future and whether they get their feelings hurt. I feel sure that they love deeply. Your Answer? “Children, old crones, peasants, […]
How important is writing to you and what does writing do for you? As much as I like to talk it is hard to believe but I would rather write. I express myself more clearly in writing. I especially like to write using the computer. It is clearer, neater, and gives helpful prompts and corrections. […]
What is this place? Masks, gloves, plexiglass partitions What is this place? Tape on the floor where we’re to stand I search the masked faces for a smile. I dread the touch of rubber gloved workers. Do I really need to disinfect my groceries? Has someone coughed on my fruit or vegetables? Do I even […]
John Pavlovitz is a blogger who I follow. His latest post (the link is below) says a lot that is important during this time of physical distancing. I’ve been thinking about blogging about the issues he discusses. He does it so well, please read. Thank You https://johnpavlovitz.com/2020/04/01/dont-quarantine-yourself-from-life/
https://crookedcreek.live/2019/04/01/april-fools-day/ “Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.” Charles Lamb
“Close Friend Day”
If you were going to spend a week alone away from home and could only bring three things aside from your clothes . . . what would you bring and why? Let’s assume medication and personal items like one’s toothbrush are included in the “clothes” category above. The three items I would take are: iPhone, […]
What is the one thing that you don’t eat that you really wish you could and why? My Answer: I really wish I could eat shrimp. Unfortunately I am allergic to crustaceans (shrimp, lobster and crab) as I learned in the 1980s while in Charleston, South Carolina. After eating shrimp all week I went into […]
Do you have a bucket list? According to Webster a bucket list is “a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.” That’s a more positive way of saying things I want to do before I kick the bucket. When I think of this I see an actual […]
This is the day set aside to catch up on the one hour lost when we sprang forward yesterday morning. National Napping Day began in the year 2000. I’ve celebrated today, have you? Cartoon by Pixabay
Cliches Do you speak using cliches? You might think the answer is “no” but what if I told you there are as many as 681? These are things we say often without really recognizing that we are using cliches. Because we have heard them our whole lives they come so naturally in our speech that […]
Crooked Creek blog now has 400 followers! This is a milestone of which I am very proud. There are blogs with thousands, but Crooked Creek is a more intimate blog and I appreciate each follower. I also appreciate all the comments and participation of readers. THANK YOU!
When I was growing up we called daffodils “March Flowers.” I don’t know it that was peculiar to the country or the era. Now I know they are daffodils and I look for them as soon as March appears on the calendar. I love this month when three of my four beautiful girls were born. […]
Today is February 29th, a day we only get to experience every four years. Those born today will not have a birthday for four whole years. All this so that the calendar harmonizes with the solar year. February has some fun dates like my brother’s and granddaughter’s birthdays. There is Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day and […]
Time I remember when my mother at about my age talked about time being on “fast forward.” That was during the days of cassette tapes and when she said that I could picture time chugging ahead at full speed. I agreed with her that time was flying by. Sadly when she was a few years […]
Of my nearly four hundred readers I know there are all ages. While this post is about old age, please read on even if you are young. I’d like to hear from all demographics. At what age are you old? I’ve heard that 70 is the new 50. I’m not sure what that means but […]
I’ve said here on this blog that people are good. https://crookedcreek.live/2019/04/02/people-are-good/ Today I want to tell you about one of those good people. Recently, a neighbor called me who is having serious health problems, but she didn’t call me about that. She called to see if I still “go to the homeless shelter” and I […]
My family has teased me because I say that things always happen in threes. In general, I mean bad things, e.g., deaths, appliance and other household problems, etc. Well, today I strongly hope that I am right because I’ve had three mishaps with my new car. For as long as I can remember I wanted […]
Happy Groundhog Day He definitely saw his shadow here in Kentucky. What a beautiful sixty-four degree day!
“What TV show, past or present, do you wish your life was like?” I guess it would have to be “Mayberry RFD” mainly because of the innocence of the characters. Life was simple then, but there was also Barney and other foolish folks to keep things amusing and imperfect. What would be yours? Photos […]
Just when I think I’ve heard it all . . . I hear there is more ridiculous stuff to learn. Sourtoe Cocktail has an unbelievable ingredient: a human toe. I kid you not! You won’t find the Sourtoe everywhere, but if you are near Dawson City, Canada drop into the Sourdough Saloon and order one […]
The writing prompt today is, “What is your idea of the perfect summer?” I will share my idea of the perfect summer first and look for your ideas in response. The Perfect Summer First, there would be lots of sunshine, of course, but also rains. I love to hear it raining, whether a pitter-patter or a […]
May your New Year be one of your happiest and most rewarding. Remember, 2019 is as yet “un-lived.” Choose each day to make the world a better place. Graphics by Pixabay
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or some other special day, I wish you a very happy time with those you love!
Originally posted on Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly:
Carol of the Brown King by Langston Hughes Of the three Wise Men Who came to the King, One was a brown man, So they sing. ? Of the three Wise Men Who followed the Star, One was a brown king From afar. ? They brought fine…
I’ve been making these cookies since the 1980s and they are still a family favorite. The recipe was given to me by a sweet elderly neighbor, Helen Peters. I think of her each time that I make them which includes today. They are easy. Give this recipe a try! Forgotten Cookies 2 egg whites at […]
Okay, I did it. At least I think that I did. Below is my final poem, but first I’ll share some of my initial attempts. 1. My love of nature has grown slowly year by year. Now it is so dear. 2. Haiku is silly. No fun in this […]
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on November 11, to honor persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This holiday marks the anniversary of the end of World War I which occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This day was […]
October is a month chocked full of special recognitions and celebrations not the least of which is National Cat Day. Celebrate with Zoe, Elliott and me!
We are bombarded with data and sometimes I believe we become indifferent toward predictions and warnings. When it comes to the loss of birds in our environment we do so at our peril. “Birds are important indicator species because if an ecosystem is broken for birds, it is or soon will be for people, too,” according to […]
Indigenous Peoples Day Also called First People’s Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Indian Day (Brazil), or Native American Day Observed by Various states and municipalities in the Americas on Columbus Day. Type Ethnic Significance A day in honor of Native Indigenous Americans on Columbus Day. Date Varies Frequency Annual First time October 12, 1992 Related to National Indigenous […]
What small, simple thing would you not want to live without? Notice the adjectives “small” and “simple,” so that doesn’t include family, friends, home, car, etc. Have you ever thought about something seemingly insignificant the makes you happier, makes your life easier? I have. I have thought of velcro for example and Windex. I would […]
When asked the purpose of my blog I must admit that some of the posts are silly, some I hope are entertaining but most of all I want to teach. The main goal of “Crooked Creek” the blog, is to inform, to help the reader to learn something that might be new information or old […]
Today I met a woman who discussed art with me. She commented on the Hockney print in my office stating it reminded her of a Grandma Moses. I confessed I knew little of Moses’ style. I told her that I had bought the poster at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while attending a Hockney Exhibition, […]
The Walk Her walk was possibly her most impressive attribute. There was something about her carriage that was both authoritative and sexy. She commanded attention upon entering a room with confident strides. She never resorted to tiny lady-like steps yet her movement was anything but masculine. That stride with shoulders back, head up and chest […]
Helping Baby Birds First, it is important to know it is illegal to injure or possess an indigenous bird. There are special facilities such as Raptor Rehab licensed to rehabilitate injured birds, but most veterinarians do not have the resources nor experience to handle injured wild birds. When birds first leave the nest they are […]
It’s September and I am sitting at my desk looking out into the courtyard where I have a hummingbird feeder. I’ve seen one hummingbird off and on all summer, but today the air seems full of the little hummers as they dart from bloom to feeder and then to another bloom. They look so fragile […]
This is not my story. Unfortunately, though it is the story of too many nurses today. I left clinical nursing when administrative opportunities became available after over ten years. My heart aches for what many nurses experience today. This is a Re-Blog. Source: The Day I Realized I Didn’t Want to Be a Nurse Anymore
Paris to Rome A few years ago my daughter, Dianne, and I had a delightful train experience. We traveled from Paris to Rome on one of the older trains, not the sleek bullet type so popular in Europe. We prepared for our overnight excursion by buying French foods. We purchased a loaf of bread, a […]
Sunsets, waves, gulls, pelicans, egrets and hatchling sea-turtles all helped to make it a wonderful time at the beach. Even better was the time spent with my two daughters and one of my two granddaughters. “To escape and sit quietly on the beach – that’s my idea of paradise.” Emilia Wickstead
I’m taking some time off for family, relaxation and travel. I will return! I hope all my readers are having a great summer of fun, too! Photos by Pixabay
Originally posted on misselenka:
I usually post texts about the trips or cultural aspects in a light positive way. This post will be less optimistic, so if you want to stay away from negativity, just skip reading it. I want to go back to my childhood and tell you about post-Soviet Russia. When the Soviet…
Katie, a seven-year-old felt maternal for the half-naked starling that fell out of the sky and into her life one Saturday afternoon. Twenty-four hours later the bond was solid. Every thirty minutes or so she cautiously poked a hamburger “worm” down his throat with a tiny stick. He chirped, Katie poked. When Katie’s parents arrived […]
A while back I read a blog post by Brandon Knoll which resonated with me. Knoll questioned why we talk about people being at peace after death rather than during life. The question was raised by this sign (taken from his blog post): Life can be so challenging we forget to live in peace or feel […]
Recently my youngest daughter and I took a drive down Crooked Creek Rd. The road winds along sticking pretty close to the creek by the same name. I’m sure I bored Allison silly with all my stories about things that had taken place here or there along the way back when this was a gravel […]
Bird Food Thieves Feed them and they will come! Recently I was joking about how much it costs to keep my five bird feeders supplied. I told my kids that the bird food bill was more than for my groceries. Well, on my birthday the family presented me with about 70# of different kinds of […]
Great time at the Palace last night when Trevor Noah performed. So nice of him to come to town for my birthday!
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 […]
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, […]
Who would believe that this young couple has rats in their home? https://crookedcreek.live/2019/06/13/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 […]
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 al-Fitr blessings to all who are celebrating!
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 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 […]
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 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 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 […]
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:
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” Hal Borland
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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!
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
