I Never Thought This Would Happen

 Ever since I can remember I have loved Lays Potato Chips. Sandwiches seemed to taste better with the original Lays and while snacking on the chips I never seem to be able to eat just one! I tried Fritos but they were never my favorite snack. I liked the Salt and Vinegar chips but always returned to the original Lays. One day I tried the Cheetos Puffs and found them to be a great snack. They are a bit messy to eat and my fingers turned orange after five or six puffs. The orange went under my nails, on my fingers, on my clothes, around my lips and on my teeth! I have an orange sweat shirt I like to wear because then the tiny orange dust can not be seen! 

All of a sudden, the chips seemed a bit bland and I knew I had a new favorite. Every time I go grocery shopping I buy a bag of Cheetos and lately, if I buy three bags I get a discount. But, discount or not, Cheetos have replaced Lays Chips as my favorite snack!

My orange shirt

would not show the residue

as my taste for Cheetos grew!

Can A Pot Make A Difference?

 For Christmas one year I received a set of Calphalon cookware and through the years I have wrecked some of the pots. My 3 1/2 Quart pot was perfect for making popcorn or soup. One time the pot got scorched and even though I continued using the pot, it made me uncomfortable because after washing the pot some black residue would come off on the towel. I wondered if that residue could also get into my food that I would cook in the pot. A few times I ended up throwing out what I had cooked because I detected a metallic taste. I decided I needed a new pot.

I ordered a Calphalon pot from Williams-Sonoma and the cost for the one pot cost me $139.00. I ordered it on January 6, 2021 and it was to be delivered on January 22. When I tracked the pot the delivery date changed to February 1. I called to cancel the order and was unable to do it because I was told that I needed to receive the merchandise and then I could return it. I called the credit card company and the pot had not been charged to my account. While I wait for the unwanted pot to be delivered I looked up pots and pans on the Internet.  Lately, I have been craving soups and in looking up different pots I found a few that I liked at Bed, Bath and Beyond and today I went to the store and purchased a Cuisinart 2 Quart pan for $49.00, a tea kettle for $15.00 and both items were less than the pot ordered from Williams-Sonoma. That made me feel good!

After washing the tea kettle and the pot I made my vegetable soup. It was the best soup I have ever made and I enjoyed it for dinner tonight. My question is whether a pot can make a difference? Haven't used the tea kettle yet but on another cold day I will fix me a hot cup of Chamomile tea! In Spanish it is called Manzanilla tea and while in Mexico that was my favorite drink! 

"Soup puts the heart at ease,

calms down the violence of hunger,

eliminates the tension of the day

and awakens and refines the appetite."

Auguste Escoffier

Continuation of My Disappearing Friend

 I received a phone call from my friend and I jotted down some of her conversation. Some of the things she is telling me she has told me before. She began telling me of eating breakfast and how the eggs were hard and she prefers medium fried eggs but never runny and slimy. Went on to tell me she is glad she did not go gambling because it was too far. (Referring to a time about a year ago when she was to go up with us on the Spirit of Christ bus and got lost and didn't go with us.) She told me that Bernie, her friend, told her not to go because it was too far. I said it only takes one hour to get to Blackhawk. She asked if that was to Colorado Springs. I told her, "No, Blackhawk and Central City."

She said that on Tuesday she was tired and scared. Felt cold and told her husband and he placed his warm hands on her cheeks. (Her husband passed away about six years ago.) It felt good to have him touching her cheeks. (This is the 2nd time she has told me this episode.) She will not sleep on her left side because it scares her because that is the side of her heart. She worked on her prayer book all day long and when she made a mistake she could not correct it. She said Facebook puts in weird things and thinks someone listens to her conversations. She mentioned something about eating rats and laughed. Went on to tell me about her daughter Christine who would ask to go out over and over again until she finally relented around eleven at night. Seems as if there is problems between her daughter and my friend going back to when her daughter was a teenager!

She again told me about the day she wanted to go pickup her prescriptions. Laura tried to get her to stay home and she would pickup the prescriptions. My friend took the keys and drove and got her prescriptions. Then decided to visit her other daughter Christine. Her daughter had four children ages 1-8 that she was babysitting. She seemed angry and mentioned that my friend was not a good grandmother. "Why don't you ever take the grandchildren to visit you?" Her daughter told her "why don't you believe what we are telling you. You have a brain tumor." My friend decided to leave and said, "I was afraid of my daughter, she seemed angry with me, followed me to my car and slammed the car door hard. It scared me. I backed out and fumbled with my seat belt and when I looked back my daughter was standing in driveway, her hands on her waist, laughing at me. She hates me.

Her other daughter has been staying with Christine and owes her $1000. My friend said, "I don't think she is going to pay her." Monica moved out without paying and my friend said, "I'm glad, maybe that is Christine's punishment for being mean to me." My friend talks a lot about her oxygen level. Has told me about her finger being in a little thing that measures her oxygen. She seems to rely on it a lot!

In the past she has told me how her 83 year old Dad was murdered. He was in a nursing home and the following day after visiting him he had a heart attack and died. "He never had heart problems, they killed him." They were going to give him a lobotomy and both she and her husband said they did not want that done to her father and planned to pick him the next day. When they went to get him they were told he had died.

"Let me tell you something funny," she said. She heard a voice coming from the refrigerator and then she heard, lady, lady, lady. from her phone or the vent. I asked if she asked who it was and she said, "the phone was off.: Facebook puts things on that I do not put on there. She believes she is on a party line because she hears voices. Is burping loud and big burps. After several big burps she feels better. I asked her about her breakfast but she went on about Christine. She could have hurt me because I did not take my grandchildren. Many times while she talks to me she is watching television. She spoke about Trump and sometimes she sounds so normal, other than talking too much. Now that I know she has Alzheimer's I realize there is something wrong on how she thinks.

How helpless I feel hearing how my friend goes from subject to subject. I just listen and I do not contradict her. I send a prayer up to her every night so that she can have some peace. There is so much she says and I only write down a part of what she tells me.

Inauguration Thoughts

 

Today. on January 20, 2021, while watching the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden and Vice-President, Kamala Harris, a few thoughts ran through my mind. I had a fear that something awful might happen and was relieved when the ceremony ended peacefully. Thoughts popped into my head and here they are:

-----Hope nothing bad happens.

-----What a shame that everyone had to wear masks.

-----Loved seeing the many flags flying and it made me emotional.

-----Pandemic and fear of attacks made for few people.

-----Beautiful singing and I liked the huge pin Lady Gaga wore.

-----A wonderful poem by a twenty-two year old. Who was she?

-----Felt bad for Jill Biden because she had to hold a large Bible as Biden was sworn in.

-----Kamala has such a neat smile, I like her.

-----Biden gave a unifying speech.

-----I worried he might stutter or goof up; he didn't.

-----It was nice that the incoming vice-president and her husband walked the Pence's out.

-----As Pence's big black car drove away I imagined it blowing up! I've watched too many movies.

-----Wondered if Obama's picture would now be hung up in the White House.

-----Garth Brooks looked chubby but sang Amazing Grace with reverence.

-----Happy that there were no problems or trouble.

-----Wondered why Lady Gaga wore that braid on top of her head, I did not like it.

-----Women wore blue, dark lavender or purple. Did they coordinate?

----- I missed the firework display but saw it later as a replay.

------I thanked God for a beautiful inauguration.

------Too bad Carter could not join the three past presidents.

-----Walking in heels looked painful for some of the women.

-----When I saw Trump and his wife walking to the helicopter as they left the White House, I felt sad for them.

I may have had many other thoughts but these are the ones I remember. The next four years will be interesting because no one can correct the many problems facing our country but I feel as if President Biden will try his best. May God watch over the new administration, the United States, the world, and I hope some of the hatred and anger we have seen can subside.

"We must end the uncivil war that pits

red against blue, rural versus urban,

conservative versus liberal. We can do

this, if we open our souls instead of

hardening our souls."

46th President Joe Biden

Life Has Changed, Not Ended

This morning, January 13, 2021, there were three sad happenings. The process to impeach the president of the United States, Covid continuing to to run rampant, and a funeral for a friend's mother.

I did not know Amalia Archuleta but I did know one of her daughters. On her 103rd birthday she came to mass at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community with many of her family members. That was the day I met her and she amazed me that her face did not have any wrinkles. She was an attractive lady with silver-white hair neatly coiffed! My friend had told me there were fourteen brothers and sisters in her family and I wondered if that was the secret of not getting any wrinkles!

On January 5, 2021, the beautiful lady passed away at 106 years of age. The obituary at Horan Cares was interesting to read and it gave a bit of her history beginning at her birth in 1914 and ending with her death. None of her children had passed away and most will be in attendance at the funeral! The funeral mass would take place at Spirit of Christ at 11:30 a.m. and because of Covid 19, only fifty persons were allowed to attend. 

Hail Mary; Gentle Woman was sung before mass began.  I noticed the turquoise cloth on the altar and usually they are white or off-white cloths. This cloth was different  and I wondered if the family had requested it.

After the first reading by a young lady with pink hair, the cantor sang Shepherd Me, Oh God. It is a beautiful hymn and my favorite words are: Though I should wander in the valley of death, I fear no evil, for You are at my side. D.J., the Deacon, read the Gospel and Fr. Adam did the homily. Paraphrasing what Fr. said: Condolences to the family of Amalia who lived a long life and always knowing Jesus was with her at all times. The older we get in life, the younger we are when we arrive in heaven. He mentioned that Amalia now approaches eternal life of being with God. There is mourning and sadness for those left behind but one day we will be united. The meaning of life is Jesus and even though the body is put to rest, it will rise again. Christ is shown with arms outstretched, waiting to embrace his beloved as we make our journey to heaven. Life has not ended, just changed.

Amazing Grace was sung and as I looked at my screen on my laptop I was saddened to  see the large family who had lost their mother; children and grand  an great children all missing a part of their heart and each suffering in their own way at the loss of their loved one. The Communion hymn was A Crown of Thorns, followed by a inspiring rendition of Ave Maria. I cried when I saw my "Compadre" put his arm around his wife. What a beautiful sign of love between my friends as I saw him hugging his wife. It seemed that he felt her pain of losing her mother.

The final blessing Fr. said, "One day we will see her again, comfort each other, and in peace let us take her to her place of rest." The ending hymn was a On Eagle's Wings and the words, "Will hold you in the palm of his hand," brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. I pictured Amalia floating to heaven holding Jesus' hand.

"When one person is missing

the whole world seems empty."

Pat Schweibert

Vaccinated

 

Wearing a mask when I go out has become the normal in our world of Covid 19. When I heard about the vaccinations for Covid, I thought I would wait to get it because I wanted to be sure there were no side effects. After a couple I know went in for their shot this past week they did not seem to have anything bothering them after getting the shot. I had read about other persons getting the shot; Fauci, Biden, Pence, etc. and so far no one seemed to be suffering from after effects of the vaccination. I decided I would go ahead and get one also.

Even though I had received a text from my insurance provider I still had problems trying to set up an appointment for my shot. Waiting on the phone for two hours, I finally heard a voice ready to set up my appointment for January 10, 2021 at 2:10 p.m. Since the two closest office near Arvada were all filled up, I would drive to the Kaiser office in Northglenn. I had visions of a madhouse of people getting their shot but to my surprise it was quite organized. They had helpers showing me where to go and the nurses were set up in a large room. I was directed to Britany and she explained what she was going to do. When she asked me for my birthday, she took a second look at me and said, "I would never have thought you were born in the thirties!" That made me feel good and ready for what ever she was going to do to me!

She was efficient as she filled the syringe with the fluid and I must have looked surprised because she said, "I know, that needle does seem to be a long one!" Even though there are two vaccines available I was given Moderna. Before I knew it, I was shot, band aid secured on my arm and with a few more instructions I was told to go get my card for a second dose and to wait for about thirty minutes to see if there would be a reaction. Itching, swelling, chest congestion, wheezing, swelling of tongue or throat, hives, abdominal cramping, lightheadedness or dizziness was what I might experience as an allergic reaction.  Normally people were told to wait about fifteen or twenty minutes but because I had mentioned that I was allergic to sulfites in wine, she thought I should wait thirty minutes. The second room had about eight people waiting for their time to be up and as they left others arrived. The room never got crowded.

I drove home and never felt a thing. My arm was not sore and I felt good. I went to bed around ten-thirty and in the morning my arm did feel sore. It felt as if someone had hit me in my arm. The soreness is not bad and hopefully, after my second shot, I may be protected from Covid 19.

"These so called bleak times

are necessary to go through

in order to get to a much,

much better place."

David Lynch

Revolution of Emotions

 January 6, 2021, I awoke and followed my normal routine; prayers, breakfast, washing dishes, checked Facebook, showered and what ever I usually do each morning. A blurb came up regarding the counting of electoral votes at the capitol in Washington D.C. I do not follow political happenings but I was surprised at the many people protesting and decided to turn on the television to watch what was being reported.

I heard, "broken through the barriers and are trying to get into the capitol." What the heck, I thought, can this be happening in the United States? The house and senate members were being issued gas masks and were fleeing to some place safer. I could not believe what I was hearing. My emotions were going from anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, shock and puzzlement. Where were the law enforcement people, why were people wandering inside the capitol, how did they get into the senate chamber and were looking around as if they were doing nothing wrong. One announcer made a comment, and I agreed with her; it looked like a bunch of students touring the capitol.

What happened to our Democracy? This reminded me of South American countries where their elections are often shown fighting and protesting. This was a shocking surprise that one man could be behind the upheaval. Hadn't he predicted he would not leave quietly? I pictured Trump sitting in front of a television with a big smile on his face thinking that at last he had the crowds behind him and happy because of the disruption his people were causing. I do not know what he was doing, but that is the picture that entered my mind.

In the huge crowd I did not see any violence and it seemed fairly peaceful, almost like tourists wandering around carrying flags, wearing masks for the pandemic, or standing around. Yet, rushing and breaking over the barriers was a violent act.  I could see some climbing a wall at the capitol and I wondered why the police or law enforcement weren't doing anything.  I stopped watching because I had errands to run and I needed to get away from what was happening at the capitol.

Later, when I returned I turned the television back on and this time I saw more soldiers and police trying to calm the crowd. Some remarks I heard: Disgraceful, unbelievable, attackers had evil in their eyes, right to protest but not like this, only a few were antagonizing the crowd, sickening and sad, there is a wrong way and a right way to protest, respect the constitution of the United States, pray for our nation, inciting came from the president of the United States at his rally today, and then I heard, White House is secure. That made me feel better.

President Biden will be inaugurated on January 20 and Trump should go away quietly but after the support from his people that he saw today, he may continue to be a thorn in the new government! I do not know whether to cry, be afraid, be sad, get angry or the one thing I do know is that I am in shock that this could happen in the United States.

John Brown was tried for 

treason, murder and inciting

slaves to insurrection.

John Sergeant Wise

Don't Drink The Water

 On my trips to Mexico, the one advice that I heard over and over again was, "Don't drink the water." Even when a hotel said they had a purifying system and we were told it was okay to drink the water, I never did. Bottled water is what I would use to brush my teeth and drink. In the shower I made sure I kept my mouth tightly closed because I did not want any Mexican water to enter my mouth. When staying in a condo or rental, we ordered water from a company and they would bring us a huge jug filled with purified water and I felt safe drinking and cooking with it. When washing vegetables I made sure I used purified water. In the many times I visited Mexico, from one coast to another, I never got sick except once and I blame peeling an unwashed orange with maybe hands that were not clean and I got deathly ill with stomach flu symptoms. Bananas became a favorite fruit to eat because they do not need washing and I could peel it without touching the flesh!

The above paragraph is while we traveled through Mexico. When we traveled to a resort, we stayed at a high end hotel and there was no worry about eating salads or drinking the water, because they have their own purifying systems and it is pretty safe! When I volunteered in Mexico, I would boil the water to make sure it was clean, though a group of engineers had put in a purifying system for the orphanage. I believe it is better to be safe than sorry!

Montezuma's revenge is the name for those who get sick in Mexico. If I ordered a drink it would be without ice but if it was at a high-end hotel then my drinks would come with ice, just like in the United States and I had no qualms drinking it.  One time we stayed at a place called Casa del Puente for a month and the American owner would order the 5 gallon jug of water for us. One day I thought I saw something like a tiny leaf floating in the water. I asked the girl that worked there where the owners bought their water. She said from a company known for selling clean water. I noticed something odd in her answer and because I speak Spanish, I continued asking her questions until she told me that in order to save money, the owners would fill the jug from tap water. I explained that we, being from the states, could become very ill and that we would buy our own water. We began purchasing water from a reputable company and they delivered it weekly. That gave us peace of mind!

I began going to Mexico in the late 60's and since that time I have seen many improvements though I still prefer drinking bottled water. Imagine my surprise when I saw this display at King Soopers today.

 
 Topo-Chico mineral water from Monterrey, Mexico!  A friend posted that this was excellent carbonated water and the best she had ever tasted. She thought it was better than Perrier. I bought one bottle and will taste it to see if it compares with Perrier, yet the price is the same for most of the carbonated drinks. I wondered if this was an oxymoran that  we are warned not to drink the water in Mexico but it is okay to drink Topo-Chico purchased from Mexico!

"There's over a billion people

on this planet that don't have

access to clean drinking water."

Michael Moore 

Chicken Stockings

 I belong to a group of five persons called The Chicks. Before Covid we met regularly for themed dinners, watching movies, traveling, and for conversation. After Covid hit, we were lucky if we met every other month and one member who has a large yard and patio became the hostess for our gatherings. Since I have not been socializing and have tried to stay home during the pandemic I missed seeing the other chicks. Today we thought that all six of us would gather for hot chocolate or coffee with Irish cream but one chick did not feel well so there were only five of us.

The temperature was supposed to be around 52 degrees but it felt colder because of the wind that was blowing. There were warm blankets for us to bundle in, we all had our jackets and gloves so we were able to tolerate the weather for about three hours. Amidst our conversations on many subjects, the cawing of the geese flying overhead interrupted our stories. I wondered if they were headed south where the weather might be warmer. Some one said they might be headed to Berkeley Lake in North Denver. I guess that is south from where we were!

For fun, I had found some chicken stockings for the whole group and thought it might be fun for all of us to wear them, maybe do a dance or prance around in the stockings. The weather did not cooperate today so my plan will have to wait until the weather is warmer! I wore shorts and modeled the stockings and now I can hardly wait to have all the chicks wear theirs and have lots of fun! Someone suggested Easter would be warmer and that sounded like a good idea!

Our meeting today was a great success because it was nice seeing everyone and also receiving some belated Christmas gifts. When I read or hear that we are social animals and in order to function properly we need to be around family and friends, I figure meeting up with the Chicks is important! Since my family is on the west coast and on the east coast, I am grateful for the friends who are near me. A little chickie was given to me today and I placed it in front of the Nativity so it could also adore the birth of baby Jesus!

"Find a group of people

who challenge and inspire you, 

spend a lot to time with them

and it will change your life!"

Amy Poehler 

The First Day Of The Year

 After staying up late to welcome the new year, I intended to sleep in on January 1, 2021, but my phone began beeping at five in the morning. The messages were all the same, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Of course, I had to respond with "same to you!" All of us were hoping that 2021 would be a better year than the one that we had just experienced. Time will tell since today is only the first day!

Today being a Holy Day of Obligation, I prepared to watch the mass from Spirit of Christ Catholic Community at 9 a.m. A picture of an Icon with the Blessed Mother with child is all that was on the screen. Sadly, something was wrong with the transmission of  U-Tube and even though I waited until ten after nine, nothing happened. I was ready to give up when a notice came up letting me know mass was in progress.  Fr. Adams was in mid-homily, talking about how this year should be the year to say yes. He said we should say yes to life and try and do everything as God would want. It sounded like good advice on this first day of the year. I know I can always try to be kinder, more loving, share what I have, etc. We should try and be better than we were last year.  The words of Let there be Peace On Earth and let it begin with me I think are is beautiful and also the Ave Maria, while the camera focused on Mary's statue, was extra special since today is the Solemnity of The Blessed Virgin; celebrating the maternity of Mary and her role as the Mother of Christ.

How would today be different? I suppose saying a few more prayers than I usually do might help. My thoughts turned to what was happening on the first day of January.

Looking forward that maybe this year I would be able to see my family and do things with my friends. Maybe get the casino bus ready to take gamblers to Blackhawk.

Maybe plan a trip to somewhere, anywhere!

I am confused regarding the Stimulus check. I keep reading about it; we are getting one, it is in the mail, it may be vetoed, will it be $600 or $1200 or nothing, some checks were mailed on Tuesday evening, etc. Just in case, I checked with my bank and there has been nothing posted into my account!

When will I get the Covid 19 vaccination?

On Wednesday I finished watching the series of Monarca and I knew the second episodes would begin today on Friday and sure enough I have about ten new episodes to watch. I am hooked on the story of family, violence, wealth, drugs, murder, love, etc.

The new strain of the virus is in Colorado, California and Florida. Should I worry?

Looking forward to the inauguration of Biden and Harris. Will something go wrong? More prayers needed.

I am happy that my neighbors are leaving their Christmas lights on even though Christmas is over. Gives the neighborhood a happy feeling! I am also thankful that we made it through a tough year!

And it looks as if 2021 has more questions than answers!

"There are far better things ahead

than any we leave behind."

C.S. Lewis