So it's come to this . . .

I was, along with the rest of the nation, shocked and horrified to hear about the Aurora, Colorado shooting at a midnight movie. What an awful and senseless death for so many young people.

So it was with interest that I saw an article in today's paper about an instructional video which the City of Houston has released. It's called Run. Hide. Fight. and it puts forth a scenario in which a gunman enters an office building. Would you know what to do? Would I? It's one of those things I don't even want to think about and, yet, in today's world ... we all know it can happen.

It's worth the five minutes you'll spend watching it. God willing, you'll never need that information, but if you ever do ... maybe it will help.

Bar stool kitty

One of Hobbes' favorite places to hang out is in one of the bar stools in our kitchen, with his front paws hanging over the back of the chair. He's so funny ... he will stand there and just survey things. Here's a few pics of him.









Crazy cat ...

A summer supper

It's that wonderful time of summer now ... when fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance. I went to our local farmer's market early this morning (to beat the heat and the crowds) and got some beautiful produce. Among other things, I picked up some fresh purple hull peas and lady peas.

So, needless to say, supper tonight is comprised of fresh vegetables and fruit. Lady peas, cornbread, corn on the cob, sauteed cabbage, sliced tomatoes, and sliced cantaloupe. This is my kind of summer meal, and pretty typical of what I grew up eating.

Lady peas are probably my favorite variety of peas. (Although, to be perfectly honest, I never met a pea I didn't like.) I'm making them using this method, which I love because it makes extra stock that I can freeze and use for future "messes" of peas or beans. And the peas turn out so creamy and satisfying.

Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying summer's bounty of fruits and vegetables as well.

More later --

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

Like much of the country, we in Memphis, Tennessee have had more than our share of dry, 100 degree days ... ugh.  The older I get, the more I want to live somewhere other than the mid-south.  I just don't do heat and humidity like I used to. 

This morning, though, we were gifted with some rain.  Not the violent, wind-driven, here-this-minute-and-gone-the-next type of summer storm that is so typical of summer ... the kind that leaves everything steamier and even hotter than it was before the rain.  No.  This was a soft, gentle pattering rain that soaked into our thirsty yard and flower beds.  Thank you. 

We have a screened-in back porch with a metal roof, and I love the sound of rain on that roof.  It just makes me happy. 

Here's a blast from the past to accompany today's post.  Sorry, I just couldn't resist.  And, wherever you are, I hope you get just the right mix of sun and rain.

More later --

Company's coming

I got a call this morning from Steve's cousin.  She and her sweet husband are in town for a wedding, which just happens to be at a church right around the corner from us.  So I asked them to stop by afterwards and they're going to!

It will be great to see them.  It's been several years.  They recently moved from Florida to Colorado, but have family in this area, so we get to see them from time to time. 

Have been tidying up the house a bit and am looking forward to our company. 

Happy Independence Day to all

The literary cat

I have a very literary cat.  Every time I try to read a book, the newspaper ... anything, he jumps on top of it.  What can I say?  He's such a lover of the written word.

My big fat iron infusion

I've been anemic my entire adult life ... low in both iron and B12.  I take B12 shots twice a month and oral iron.  But, the other day I got an iron infusion for the first time in my life.  It took a LONG time (almost six hours).  But as it turned out, it was well worth the time.

All I can say is, what took me so long??  I feel so much better and more energized and, strangely, my legs feel lighter.  I didn't have any of the horrible side effects that can occur. 

So I'm happy.