Catching Up

Hey, Y'all,
Yes, it is I, back again to write. On April first, I will be writing my first entry in the A to Z challenge. It will be fiction again this year, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I have been quite busy with quilting and will soon be doing that as well. I have at least three quilts to make over the next couple of weeks.

I also had my oriental granddaughter visiting me during the week of March 8- 15th. We had a whole bunch of fun, and we also cleaned out my garage, but Jennifer did the majority of the work; with me making the decisions, the job was done quite quickly. 

Having fun with my great grands has also been a major part of my life, and one I am so pleased to have done. We will be celebrating two of their birthdays on Wednesday evening. Pictures will be forthcoming, I am sure.  It has been two weeks since I used my sewing machine, and my fingers are just itching to be back at it.

I plan on visiting Alabama and east Tennessee in June, so I am hoping to see a lot of friends and family. I'll be flying to Alabama, and visiting Teresa, Tom, BJ, Madora and Roman, then I'll be renting a car and driving up to Knoxville and Jeff City to visit family and friends there.

I'm staying busy here with friends and church and family. Life couldn't be any sweeter right now, I reckon. 

My love to all of you. Ruby

A Lab Test

Well, folks, I have been busy doing (among other things) conducting my own testing of - Yes- denture adhesives. I have tested the original Poligrip also the Poligrip  strips and the Sea Bond strips.  May I advise you not to waste your money on any of those products.  You will not be happy with them. I also tested a generic brand, I believe it was Equate. You probably won't enjoy the results with that one either. I also field tested Poligrip powder. It worked pretty well til I tried it with something like a pickle, then it gave up the ghost, too.
I tried the newest Super Poligrip and I am going with that. It holds pretty good for a couple of meals. I use it just before an important meal.

Do you think maybe I could get a job working in a lab? I have experience now. Ha.

Forgive my absence from this place. I have been busy making a queen size quilt for Jennifer Chang, my special Taiwanese granddaughter . She is getting married in may and is coming to visit me today for a week. We have plans for a good time over the next seven days. I am also planning my next fictional story. Love to you all. Ruby.

The Search

In just about every home all over the country, a search is either in progress or has just been launched. Why, you ask. Well, just think about how often people are heading out the door to go somewhere, or needing to call or text someone. Misplaced your car keys recently or laid down your cell phone and couldn't find them?
At about 10:30 last night, I began the search for my cell phone. Since I have no land line, it is important that I keep track of the cell phone, since I could need it at any time because of poor health. Unlike many people, I am not tethered to it. After searching through the house three times, I located it  and plugged it up to the charger.
As for my car keys, I solved that problem many years ago. I have a hook near the door that I place them on my way in the door as soon as I come in.
What have you searched for recently?

For Every Problem...

For every problem, there has to be a solution. Today, I had one such situation. You see, I love the Cadbury Creme chocolate eggs, but with new lower dentures, I had no way of biting into it.  I just finished eating my first of the season. The answer?

I simply got a kitchen knife and cut up the chocolate egg. Voila!  It was yummy. I didn't even need my dentures to enjoy it.

Don't give up your pleasures in life just because you are presented with a problem that could put obstacles in your path.  Put on the old thinkin' cap and solve it..

When a Person Is 79 and Lives Alone

It's a funny thing, but I had always heard about when people live alone, they do a lot of talking to themselves, but didn't really think much about it. Now, I know it to be true, because now I do it all the time. Some of the remarks I make to the television are really humorous, too, but no one else can hear them, so they are almost wasted. After all, if they can't be appreciated by anyone else, why should I even make them?  Ha!

Actually, though, I know that I'm not going to stop because I enjoy my own humor too much to stop.

Anyone who knew my family was aware that we all enjoyed a good story or a good joke. People liked hearing my dad tell a joke or a funny story and he was good at it. He had a quick retort to anyone's comment. He also laughed at his own jokes right along with those listening to them.

What prompted me to write this post today was a remark I made to a tv commercial for a thermal patch for the aching back. It showed knots in cords in the aching back. I remarked, "Ah, so that's what the knots in my back look like!"  Now you may not think that is funny, but I thought it was at the time.

What a fun time I have at my place!

Keep Watching

Hey, Y'all,
Keep watching this space for the beginning of a new story. It is right now taking shape in my imagination. :)

A Stranger Came to My Door (A True Story)

Hey, Y'all,
 
Yesterday, I was sitting in my living room, working on a quilt, when the doorbell rang. You know, when you are expecting someone to visit, you almost always know it will be them at your front door. However, when I opened the door to a stranger, my surprise must have shown on my face (unfortunately, what I am thinking almost always registers on my face). Looking at the man, I took in his unkempt appearance, and I'm sure he could see my reaction clearly.

However, when I said, "Yes?" he replied, "Ma'am, I'm not a salesman, well, actually, I guess I am. I am trying to sell these candle holders so I can buy my children some gifts for Christmas."

I looked then at the contents of his hands. He was holding two of the ugliest Christmas decorations I have ever laid my eyes on. To describe them: they were two sections of wood about eight inches in length, that had been cut from the kind of timbers one puts around flower beds. You know, the kind that is flat on two sides and rounded on the other two sides. A hole had been cut about an inch and a half into the center of the wood. The hole held a small candle, and the one side of the wood had a painted with tempera paint decoration. 

He then proceeded to tell me that he couldn't find work, and that he was a convict and wanted to buy his children some presents and was selling those decorative candle holders for ten dollars each. 

While he was talking, I noticed he had a tattoo on one of his arms that said "Rattlers". He was wearing a white tee shirt and wrinkled blue jeans. He also had one of those badges that attaches to the wearer's clothing that stated his name and that he had a permit from the city of Bedford (where I live) to sell his goods. 

We talked about the tragedies that had taken place recently and (I was the one who brought them up, not he) I told him I would take both of the things he was selling, and asked him to wait right there. He was still outside the house, of course. 

Within a minute or so, I was back with twenty dollars and handed it to him. His response was a hearty thank you, and then he said, "ma'am, are you sure you can afford this?" I said, "Yes". Then he said, "Last chance to change your mind, ma'am." I think he believed I really couldn't afford it, because I was wearing my old red dress that has seen better days. 

I assured him that I wanted him to have it, and told him I would be praying for him and his family. He thanked me again, and said he was glad I would be praying for him. I sent him off with a "God bless you."

After he left, I had many thoughts about him, wondering about his situation. Did I do the right thing? I don't know...All I know is that perhaps I had a visit from Jesus seeking help. I couldn't turn him away.