Category: Home

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

No Place Like Home, by Rich Paschall "Are we taking this picture AGAIN?" the holiday helpmate asked. "We have not taken one this year," I replied. "OK, sit over here, and I will take a selfie," the iPhone partner said. The other guy has no patience for me to set up the camera for a … Continue reading FOR THE HOLIDAYS

THE GLORIOUS JAPANESE MAPLE TREE

Perhaps 20 years ago, we visited my cousin Roberta and Ray -- and their two kids. We came home with a Japanese Maple tree in a rubber bucket. It has grown. Probably about 35 feet tall, but no buds. Probably because it lacks a mate. No female with whom to make spinny little babies. These … Continue reading THE GLORIOUS JAPANESE MAPLE TREE

OUR BEST BUYS

Things We Really Like, by Rich Paschall In recent years, we have made a few acquisitions that we really like. Aside from the air conditioner I bought last year to replace the one that died on the hottest day of the summer, here are a few things we bought that were worth it to us. … Continue reading OUR BEST BUYS

WELCOME TO THE ZOO

Underneath the deck in the backyard, back in the days when everyone had jobs with incomes, and no one was retired or out of work based on disability -- or, as storytellers say, "A long, long time ago" -- we bought and installed a large, fancy, hot tub. A five-seat tub. It had all the … Continue reading WELCOME TO THE ZOO

AT HOME IN AUTUMN

I picked up Garry's cold. He's feeling better. I am hoping this is going to be a really short cold. I need to get on with life and I feel like I'm permanently planted in my recliner. As I sat in the living room, baseball playoffs on the screen, I looked outside. Today is the 14th … Continue reading AT HOME IN AUTUMN

A HIDDEN CONTRACT

I spent a very large part of yesterday trying to get a mailing address to send my tax paperwork to my mortgage company. Not the address for paying the bill, but where to send the paperwork so they can pay it. My bank wouldn't give me the information. They said it was secret. Secret? It's … Continue reading A HIDDEN CONTRACT

MONEY IS NEVER “JUST MONEY”

How many times have you heard someone say "It's only money" as if money is no more than a way to pay for "stuff" and has no other value to us. We all know it isn't "just money." Money is much more than a way to pay. A long time ago -- back in 1972 -- I … Continue reading MONEY IS NEVER “JUST MONEY”

NOW AND THEN: MARILYN’S RECUPERATION By GARRY ARMSTRONG

It's Saturday, mid afternoon under a lazy, warm February day with sunshine and April Fool's warmth. It's the one week anniversary of Marilyn's return home from a three week hospital stay, culminated by successful surgery to repair a torn mitral heart valve. From young to now. The B&W photo is Marilyn's high school portrait. She … Continue reading NOW AND THEN: MARILYN’S RECUPERATION By GARRY ARMSTRONG

ANOTHER CRAZY ASS DAY

I was just remembering back to when I had a social life. I don't have a social life.  I have doctor and hospital appointments. Cardiologists and visiting nurses, OT and PT and regular doctors, not to mention pharmacies. I'm brain dead. I hope you are having more fun than I am!  My French braid was the … Continue reading ANOTHER CRAZY ASS DAY

THE CHANGING SEASONS – AUTUMN BEGINS – SEPTEMBER 2023

The Changing Seasons, September 2023 Autumn Begins This has been the month of Garry's second cochlear implant surgery. It has been a busy month of photographing dolls, shipping and packing them. It has been a month of small changes to the house that made a big difference in how the house looks and feels. After many … Continue reading THE CHANGING SEASONS – AUTUMN BEGINS – SEPTEMBER 2023