1 800 GOT JUNK

Sorry this post didn't go up this morning...Friday nights get kinda busy around here. I pick up the kids, and we usually have a movie night. Last night, we started to binge watch the Amazon series, UPLOAD...

We are into it six or seven episodes so far....and I can't believe this show. It's about having a "digital afterlife".

Also -- I've been getting ready for THE NEXT BIG THING in my life.

On Tuesday morning -- this truck will be pulling into my yard...

I've often seen these trucks -- but I never really thought about them much. Here's what I know...it's a nationwide franchised business. You can check their website to find the closest one.  You BOOK a time -- and they come to your house, assess the amount of "junk", give you a price -- then the two capable employees will load ALL YOUR JUNK INTO THEIR TRUCK AND TAKE IT AWAY...

The price depends on how much of your stuff fills their truck.  They give you a price before they start the job...and there are never any extra fees.  They will handle old appliances, stoves, refrigerators, bicycles, toys, building debris, books, clothes, excess furniture -- whatever you have..these two strong workers will load it up and haul it away.  (and I have ALL OF THE ABOVE)...

At their center, they sort and recycle everything.  Sometimes, they resell the big stuff -- but mostly, they donate things to local charities, Goodwill or Salvation Army.  And, of course, they take what's left to the landfill.  You don't pay any extra fees after they leave your house...

So, here's my plan -- there will be a pile in the yard...then, I will take them down to my basement, point and say THIS ALL GOES.... 

According to the website, their two "happy and healthy"  employees would cheerfully move everything into their great big truck...and SWEEP THE ROOM on their way out the door.

So -- I'm gonna be busy....and hope to give you a full report on WEDNESDAY...

Spring Garden Family Restaurant

Good Morning, Nancy Harp!!  Thanks for the heads-up yesterday about NO BLOG WITH COFFEE...I was strangely delighted that you missed me...lol...

And you'll never guess what happened to me last week....

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So, now that I have admitted that I am back to eating INSIDE restaurants...here's the rest of the story...

Last Thursday, I went to lunch with the MDF (My Drinking Friends). Sandy is recently returned from Florida...Evie lives in Camanche (a small town in our neighboring county), and Sue was EAGER to be with people after three months of isolation.  You should know that my friends are all older than me (76, 83 and 81, respectively).   That's what I love about the MDF -- they think of me as the YOUNG ONE..

The four of us were sitting at a large table tucked back in an alcove of the tiny family restaurant (Spring Garden) in Camanche.  We haven't been together since last fall...and we had a lot to catch up on.

It's just a quiet little joint -- and we were about their only customers...

I ordered a steak sandwich....our food looked terrific.  HOT FRENCH FRIES!!  SERVED ON A REAL PLATE!!  Hallelujah!!

Suddenly -- in the middle of all this joy -- I choked on a piece of my steak.  In my GLEE at being inside a real restaurant, I guess I didn't chew properly.  Ugh.  My first instinct was to just swallow HARDER...I thought I could gag it down.  But that only made it worse. Initially, I was just embarrassed...and I didn't want to interrupt the conversation...

But I soon realized I could not talk...and I could not breathe....I stood up and put my hand at my throat, the international sign for I AM CHOKING....

Unfortunately, my OLDER FRIENDS never got that memo...

Damn.

I mean -- DAMN....

I stumbled into the main area of the restaurant, thinking the waitress would know how to do the Heimlich maneuver...I was turning blue...but the waitress had her back turned, (sanitizing menus).

This is an old internet picture of the inside -- BEFORE they removed half their tables...

Holy Shit.

I was banging myself on my chest, and I was in real trouble.... I needed to do something QUICK..

Just as I was about to pass out, I leaned over the half-wall of an empty booth and forced my body into it as hard as I could bouncing it under my boobs, trying to force the air...

...and the piece of steak popped out.

By this time, my three friends were out of their chairs, screaming...

Wow. How fragile life is, eh?

At the moment I was choking,  strange things flashed through my brain.  Like, isn't this what killed Mama Cass?  It's  Thursday...so my funeral will be in the middle of the week...and who cares?

Nobody can come anyway...

Which reminds me --  I never did get to have my wonderful birthday party!!

DAMN


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That day, when I got home, John had spray-painted a brilliant blue stripe around the kitchen door.

He thinks it looks great.

At first, I was dismayed. Then, I remembered -- just an hour ago, I almost died.

So maybe a new blue stripe doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things..

Mickey's

My name is Rita Farro and I have been eating in restaurants.

There. I admitted it.

Actually -- I've been to several different restaurants. Several different times.  In several different counties...

But, the thing is. I feel like I'm doing something criminal.

No, that's not quite right...it's more like I feel guilty -- like I'm doing something I should be ashamed of...

Mickey's "Country Cafe" is a simple, family-owned business...that has been devastated by a 3-month closure.  So, yes, I was DELIGHTED when they were able to open...

This is an old picture of the inside...they had to remove half their tables.

The Iowa "Guidelines" for restaurants are complicated.

For starters, the restaurant can only operate at 50% capacity, so they have to either remove half their tables, or mark them as "no seating".  The new rules require a 6' social distance between every table.  Also, there cannot be a group with more than 6 people eating together.

There isn't anything community on the table -- no more salt and pepper shakers, napkin holders, ketchup bottles, etc.

So, in this new world -- our lives will be full of those individual little packets of salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, etc.

They must also use paper (disposable) menus...and the staff must wear facemasks and gloves...AND stay 6 ft. away from the customers at all times (customers are not required to wear facemasks).

Some of the fancier places are taking reservations.  But the cafes, diners and family restaurants are doing more of a "call ahead" procedure.  You drive into the parking lot, call their phone number, and if they have a table available, you can go inside.  If they are at capacity, you're told where you are in the que (#6, for example) -- and they will call you when they have a table for you. 

Obviously, it will be hard to rebuild their business...because a lot of people are still afraid.  And I can only imagine all the extra costs they're dealing with.

I'm just sayin' -- I'm rooting for them.

King Arthur Flour

I am a long-time-fan and user of King Arthur Flour. I mean -- I have THEIR POPOVER RECIPE on the right column of this blog. FOR YEARS, NOW...

So -- it was VERY interesting to read this article about how the pandemic has affected their business. It's funny how I could be such a big fan -- but knew NOTHING ABOUT THE COMPANY.
https://marker.medium.com/inside-the-flour-company-supplying-americas-sudden-baking-obsession-623034583579

YOU GO, KING ARTHUR...!!

The Summer of 2020: My Shorts Saga

Sometime in April, my niece posted on Facebook that she was having trouble buying summer clothes for her kids.  WHA???

Apparently, the empty toilet paper shelves was just the beginning of our consumer trouble.

The worldwide pandemic has completely disrupted the supply chain for many, many things.  Meat processing plants are closed down -- and farmers cannot afford to buy feed for animals that cannot be taken to market.  So they are destroying their hogs and cattle....landfills must make room for tons of dead animals.

And all those cute summer kids clothes that we expected to buy at Kohl's, Old Navy or Walmart?  Well -- they never got shipped from China.  Or, they're sitting on a dock someplace because the Denver warehouse wasn't "essential" so those workers were laid off in March.

Which brings me to my next sewing project.....Frankensewing t-shirts into shorts.

This will be a wonderful change of pace after making all those facemasks -- trust me!!

Kids grow like bad weeds...if things are working as they should, it's actually what they do BEST.  Both Lilly and Warren need summer clothes.  And nothing can be easier than making shorts out of t-shirts.

Oh, yeah -- this is going to be fun!!

Memorial Day 2020

Our Memorial Day tradition is that we attend the Memorial Day service at the Community Center in Princeton.

That won't be happening this year...

Then, we'd have the first summer cook-out. You know -- hot dogs and hamburgers -- a nice group of family and friends.

That won't be happening this year...

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I look back at posts from previous years, and it is shocking when I see a picture of a ROOMFUL of people.  I never knew how much I would miss that...the gathering, I mean.  Not only of friends and family -- but the gathering of like-minded people at an event we all enjoyed AS A GROUP.  Whether it was a quilt show or a concert...

These are my peeps...

And I miss them....

So -- today -- I'm publishing a throw-back post. From a wonderful "gathering"...to honor our veterans...

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Memorial Day is our national designated holiday to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who died while serving this country. 

On Memorial Day -- I'd like to give a shout out to the Quilts of Valor organization...

I attend their regional event at the Quad Cities Botanical Center.

My husband John and my son Elliott both received quilts.

Terry Austin is in charge of the local chapter of Quilts of Valor

She gives a big hug to every single veteran.

Terry Austin made the two matching quilts John and Elliott received. (there is a label on every quilt).

Check into your local organization -- you can honor them by making a quilt, or attending an event...

The best thing about the Quilts of Valor is that they don't have a "process"...no veteran needs to fill out a form or prove they are worthy. No officer is considered or honored before a private...their service to their country is honored, without question.

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If there is a veteran living in your pandemic bubble -- please give him a hug from all of us.

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MMWI: 226

That was THEN...This is NOW

For many years, the month of May meant I traveled all the way to Seattle to attend the planning meeting for the Sewing and Stitchery Expo. Holy Cow!! REMEMBER TRAVEL???

That trip was a highlight of my year.  And it was SO EASY!!

Gheesh...I'd wake up early one morning, drive 40 minutes to my local airport,  board a plane, take a nap, and arrive at Sea-Tac in time to go out for lunch with Joanne. 

The Pacific Northwest is stunning in May.

There are pay-offs around every corner...the azaleas are the most beautiful I've ever seen!!

And the views are so incredible.

The shopping, the people, the WEATHER...I LOVE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST...

I don't know how we're going to get back on track.  Getting on a plane and traveling halfway across the country seems like a thing of the past.

Because of Covid 19 -- 100,000 deaths and counting --  the idea of attending a big consumer show like Sew Expo or Quilt Market feels like playing a dangerous game of Russian Roulette...

Iowa is slowly opening up....but my sisters and I aren't yet ready to get together in our own homes.

However, given my particular set of life skills, I've decided it's a huge waste of my time worrying about any of that....

Instead -- today -- I'm just going to be GRATEFUL for all those wonderful memories!!  I'm so glad I did what I did when I did it...

This week, I think my mission will be to reminisce about this special trip with every one of these fabulous girls.  WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES, eh??

VBP and Basement Excavation

So, today's post is a mash-up -- about my VBP (Virtual Birthday Party) -- and my Pandemic-Basement-Excavation project.

To review -- my big birthday bash was canceled because of the quarantine. I asked YOU to attend my VBP and tell me what you were doing on my birthday.  AND YOU DID..!!

I shared many of these emails...and I also received a few special packages in the mail.

One of my favorite gifts was from Joanne Ross in Tacoma, Washington.  She sent me a custom MAT FOR MY SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT..!!

But when I called Joanne to thank her for the gift -- I thought it was a wall hanging...

She laughed -- and set me straight.  "It's a mat for your Singer Featherweight".  (I was confused by the clear vinyl pockets)

I had to wait to post the pictures until I CLEANED MY BASEMENT...but, now -- I am THRILLED to report that I can actually walk over to my sewing machines...!! (instead of climbing over a t-shirt mountain)...  And, thanks to my nifty new mat, I can also FIND things like scissors, bodkins and seam rippers...

I'm also enjoying the cover my sister Deb embroidered for me...

Here's a great picture of Joanne and Ron...

Sister Deb on the left embroidered the Featherweight COVER...Ronda in the middle didn't actually give me a damned thing (well, the party was postponed, so I'm still hopeful)...and Joanne on the right sent the FW Mat..!!

The LAST WORD on Facemasks

Like most of you -- I sewed facemasks for myself, family and friends.

But all the conflicting information was confusing at best -- discouraging at worst. So I never did ramp up to make HUNDREDS of masks (I'm looking at you, Anne).

This mask phenomenon has been fascinating for me...and one store, in particular, really became a rock star during this time. The Fabric Patch in Ephrata, Washington. I don't know these people personally -- but their effort has been very impressive. They have made and/or distributed over 167,000 facemasks...

And this video (with over a million YouTube views) is about WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED. It's 30 minutes long -- but there was so much good information, it will be worth your time.

At this point, it seems like wearing a mask will be part of our life for the foreseeable future -- and this video explains so many different aspects of mask-making, options, proper fit, care, etc. 

GREAT JOB, FABRIC PATCH!!

May 2019

Yesterday, the TMBC had another socially distanced lunch...in a park in Bettendorf. It was a cold wet day, and the four of us had a huge pavilion all to ourselves.

I kept thinking about LAST year at this time...and when I looked back at my pictures, I found these photos of that same pavilion.

In May 2019.  Bettendorf hosted a "tie dye" event which was a fund raiser for the local group.

The pavilion was jam packed with people...

Lilly and Warren learned about tie-dye...afterwards, we went out for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. STEAK and SHAKE...

May 2019 -- Memorial Day in Princeton, Iowa. Again...people...in a crowd...enjoying a small town annual event...

Also...May 2019,,,,Ross took Warren to the Miniature Golf, but the place was packed with people enjoying one of the first nice weekends-- and they had to wait at almost every hole.

Remembering LAST MAY is a bittersweet thing....

When I look at photos from last year -- all those ordinary activities -- I cannot believe the changes in our world. All the restaurants are closed...the stores, the parks, the museums. Quilt Market is canceled, Quilt Expo will be virtual...no consumer shows, no conventions.  I can't take the kids to theater, we can't go to the Y, there will be no swimming...no baseball, no sports, no music festivals, no county fairs...

And here's what I'm thinking about.  SHAME ON ME FOR TAKING ALL THAT FOR GRANTED!!

I mean -- how wonderful my life was, right??

So -- when this thing is over -- I hope that will be the take-away.  For the rest of my life I will have a deep appreciation for the simple, everyday, ordinary things...

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TODAY -- at 1:00 CST -- Rhonda Pierce will be doing  a LIVE Facebook event.  The SWIM show (See What I Made)...
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Be Kind

When the pandemic first began -- I was the one who did the family shopping.  I think stores like HyVee, Costco, and my local Kwik-Star convenience stores did a great job of sanitizing their carts, creating one-way shopping aisles, protecting their clerks, limiting close personal contact.

Like everybody else, I was afraid.  This was earth-shattering...never-before-in-our-lifetime scary stuff.  But I was heartened by the fact that, even though THOUSANDS of employees at places like Walmart and Home Depot have been going to work every day for the last two months -- we haven't heard about huge outbreaks of Covid 19 in those work forces.

The thing is -- there is no RIGHT or WRONG way to do this thing.  We're all doing our best.

I understand social distancing, but you really can't do that with two little kids. For me, it was important to spend quality time with my grandkids during this time...cuz -- maybe THIS WILL BE the Grandma time they remember the most when they are all grown up. 

Their parents are crazy busy, and with no school, I felt they needed me.  Going into this thing -- we had no idea how long it was gonna last...we could be separated all summer...

And that would be time I'd never get back...

 
I also continued to have socially distanced visits with my sisters (cuz -- WE ARE OLD -- and we've got to make the most of every opportunity)....and I eagerly added outdoor visits with friends.

Last week,  the kids and I were ABSOLUTELY THRILLED to order our usual VIB at the local Village Inn....I LEFT A HUGE TIP...

AND, last Thursday -- I got a haircut!! (another huge tip)...

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We are all handling this in our own way...doing the best we can.  But, for sure, many people are NOT ready to eat in a restaurant or get a haircut....and I respect their choices.

Obviously -- I'm one of those people who is DELIGHTED to get back out in the world.   But returning to "normal" is going to require all of us to take some personal responsibility.  I have a mask and hand sanitizer in my purse, and in my car -- I use them often, and I have no problem with social distancing...I feel like I am cautious, and staying safe.  But, there are no guarantees...

During this next phase -- it's important to not judge other people.

I read this on a friend’s Facebook post.  I’m sure it is making the rounds on social media because it is just what we need to hear.  I don’t know who the original author is.

Everyone’s feelings are okay, and we all get to feel the way we feel, but please remember to be kind:

Some people don’t agree with things opening — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some people are still planning to stay home — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are scared of getting the virus and a second wave happening — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may not lose their business or their homes — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some will wear masks for weeks — that’s okay. Be kind.

Some people will rush out to get the hair or nails done — that’s okay. Be kind.

The point is, everyone has different viewpoints or feelings and that’s okay. Be kind.

We each have a different story. So remember, be kind.

Remember this is a general message for everyone across our country. Some states are not ready for haircuts and elective surgeries. This will all come, and that’s okay, be kind.

Sometimes I get too alarmed by things I read on Facebook. I worry that people believe things that I think are untrue and dangerous.

But we can all care about each other and our individual struggles.

Be kind.

What's Next?

As promised, I posted the BEFORE and AFTER pictures of my basement. And even I WAS SHOCKED at how bad things had gotten down there. Ugh. I am ashamed that it took a world-shattering pandemic to force me to FINALLY START TO CLEAN UP MY MESS.

And it's not like I rushed into anything...it took at least a month for me to even make that first move...

yes, this thing is real --

so yes, I do have THAT MUCH time on my hands...ugh...

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Now that we are tiptoeing to the other side of the pandemic, and we are looking FORWARD...

Looking back...I am more or less satisfied with myself. Really. I met my two major goals -- I did not gain 100 pounds, and I didn't kill my husband. Honestly -- I deserve a medal...

Many of you were very industrious and took advantage of this "gift of time". You did "worthwhile" things -- you finished some really old UFO's (Rhonda Pierce gets the prize for a 15 year old Thangles project.)

I made some memories with Lilly and Warren that they will always remember.

AND I organized my basement....(I swear, I DID post those disgusting pictures -- but I took them down after 48 hours)


So, maybe the next big question is -- what does our tomorrow look like?

We are certainly NOT the first generation to ask that question...it seems to come up over and over again...

Nobody knows the answer to that big question...but I do know the FEAR is often much worse than the reality.


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MMWI:  227.2

Periogies

Gheesh...HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?? We've been quarantined for what? Three years?

For me, the first month was mostly about shock and denial. I SIMPLY COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS HAPPENING...

By the second month, I settled down, I quit watching the news, cleared off my treadmill and actually began to DIG OUT my basement...

Depending on where you live -- America is starting to step out. Fingers crossed...with a little common sense....we'll soon be on the other side of this pandemic.

When we look back at this time, I hope there will be some things I remember fondly...

Like -- for example -- COOKING.

I fell in love with Michael Symon...and he inspired me to make make John's childhood periogies.

It was a rainy day...we'd been cooped up for awhile...and this was the PERFECT thing.

The dough was easy.  2 c. flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 1/4 c. water...

The filling is mashed potatoes with LOTS of shredded cheese.

Our shapes were all over the place...

NOT very uniform, that's for sure...

I dropped them in boiling water...in just a few minutes, they rise to the top.

Then, of course, I fried them in butter (with LOTS of onions)

I could make up a story about how much the kids loved making periogies...

But that would be a lie. They only lasted long enough for me to snap this one picture...

So -- much like the pandemic itself -- I am hoping periogie making remembers better than it lived...

Morning Brew

So, again, thinking about the things that will STAY -- even after the world gets back to normal -- I know I will continue to read the daily newsletter, "Morning Brew".

At the beginning of this pandemic -- Mary Mulari recommended it -- and I've gotta say, there hasn't been a day I didn't get a chuckle out of reading my Morning Brew.

Yesterday -- I was delighted with their beginning paragraph:

Good morning. Disney is not throwing away its shot in the room where it happens because this is the story of tonight and it wants to blow us all away in addition to leaving us helpless and satisfied, knowing that you’ll be back one last time to hear the story of tonight (reprise).

Did we do that right? A recording of Hamilton is coming to Disney+ on July 3, more than a year ahead of schedule.

 

THEN, Laura posted this story on Facebook

 I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE HAMILTON MOVIE..!  And, I can subscribe just for the month of July -- so I AM ALL IN...

On the same day, the Morning Brew explained the Consumer Price Index in words I understood...and then laughed at...

CONSUMER

Prices Go Down Like a Punctured Moon Bounce

 

We knew something was up with consumer prices after we traded our neighbor 2 oz. of yeast for a Caribbean timeshare. But yesterday’s release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a more detailed picture. 

In April, the consumer price index (CPI) experienced its sharpest monthly decline since the Great Recession. CPI is an indicator of prices for a “basket” of typical consumer goods and services, from food and medical care to transportation. 

SATURDAY HEADLINES

While mega-events like SXSW and the Olympics have been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus, some lesser known gatherings have met a similar fate. Plenty of fringe hobbyists will be angered by these headlines, but one cancellation is too weird to be true. Can you spot it? 

1. "Key West cancels Hemingway look-alike contest because of COVID-19"
2. "World Championship of Farting in Prague postponed, but not canceled: 'We’re hoping to avoid a s****y situation'"
3. "Portland changes World Naked Bike Ride event due to coronavirus, still encourages people to bike naked"
4. "It's official: Lumberjack World Championships is canceled this summer"

****** THANKS AGAIN, MARY -- I am loving the snarky, excellent writing in the Morning Brew!!