The Thing Post (April, 2025)

THING ONE

I was finishing my breakfast recently when I took a moment to appreciate two items in front of me: the napkin holder Ken made when he was about twelve and one of the many trivets that has been in use since the first time I first came to this house forty-five years ago.

It’s so special that those dear items are still in our home, still in our lives, still in our line of view at the breakfast table.

THING TWO

I went to get my hair cut last week and noticed a happy sight across the room: a customer accompanied by her doggie.  That dog followed her everywhere in the salon, sitting quietly in her lap wherever she moved.

When I told the story to Steve, Tinker and Belle overheard and asked if they could go with me the next time.

I had to tell them no. They just don’t realize they aren’t cut out to be salon dogs. Belle would be running full tilt through the building, and Tinker would be hiding behind a shampoo bowl, thinking the deepest of doggie thoughts.

It hurt their feelings, but they’ll get over it.

They are my delightful (occasionally annoying) buddies.

THING THREE

Spring has sprung at the Smith house. We’re not quite in full bloom, but there are multitudinous shades of green everywhere. I love it.

Steve is not quite as happy since his allergies always kick up this time of the year and make him miserable.

THING FOUR

I  want to thank everyone who left a comment on last week’s post. It was so moving to read your stories and your struggles and yet see the way you have found courage, humor, and determination in the midst of it all. If you missed that post or (especially) the comments, I invite you to go back and read it.

I had mentioned in that post a few of my physical challenges and I read something yesterday that really spoke to me on that subject.  It said instead of berating our bodies for growing older and having difficulties, we should instead thank them for serving us all these years.  A good reminder for me.

THING FIVE

I love finding random displays of beauty wherever I go. A lamp scattering its light fits the bill.

THING SIX

I came across this photo of the kitchen before we moved in.

What really caught my eye was seeing the dates for May written in.  Vernie passed away on April 2 and when I turned the page and saw all those appointments for May she would never keep, it was sobering. A good reminder to make each day count.

Seeing the old kitchen photos reminded me of this before/after collage I made. Still can’t believe the change!

THING SEVEN

My personal chef outdid himself for Saturday night’s dinner.  He sauteed onion and red peppers, then added some chicken cooked with Monterey Steak seasoning.  He piled that into a baked potato, then topped it with cheese, sour cream, and chives.   He called his creation Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato.  Definitely a winner!

THING EIGHT

I was doing my online grocery ordering yesterday and making sure I had added all the Things We Can Never Be Out Of.

I’m curious as to what three or four things would be on your list of things that must be in the house at all time. (Apart from toilet paper, laundry soap, etc.)   Popcorn? Eggs? Favorite coffee creamer?  What are some of your must haves? (You can tell us in the comments.)

THING NINE

One of the things I have a hard time getting used to in the corporate world is Monday morning when everyone asks, “How was your weekend?”

I’m always stymied by that question.  I always want to say, “Well, I climbed Mount Everest and visited the Egyptian Pyramids” just so that I could be impressive. That sounds way better than, “I took a nap, cleaned out my sock drawer, took a walk, and ran some errands.”  I just don’t have an exciting life.

You’d think that after awhile people would stop asking but nope. Every Monday I get an inquiry about my weekend.  It doesn’t bother me; it just always makes me laugh inside because I’m sure I have gained the reputation as the most boring person in the building.

What I’ve opted to do is say, “It was good. Thanks! How was yours?” That way I shift the attention away from me and make them do the talking.   Which is probably what they wanted all along. (smile)

THING TEN

Steve and I have finally made a decision about where we are going to go on vacation. For quite a few years, we have been wanting to see a Sight and Sound production.    They are performed in Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO.  Since I am a huge fan of Amish country and the gorgeous Pennsylvania landscape, we chose to go to Lancaster.

NYC is only three hours from there by train and I’ve never ridden a train so we are thinking about doing that.  We are not sure if we’ll go in and out of the city all in one day or stay over one night.  I am just fascinated by the pulse and pace of a huge, world-famous city.   Going from Amish country to an enormous metropolis should provide us with an invigorating jolt of cultural whiplash.

Since we’ll be driving instead of flying, this will be a loosely organized trip where we can stop whenever we feel like it.  Our only real commitment at the moment is the ticket to the show; otherwise, we are going to be footloose and fancy free. If you know of any cool things to do within  4 or 5 hours of Lancaster, let us know.  (Or even on the way to Lancaster from Charlotte.)

Thanks for joining me for another Thing Post; happy day!

What about you?

Are allergies bad where you are?  If you struggle with allergies, do you have any solutions that work for you?

What things can you  never run out of at your house?

How do you handle the “weekend question?”

Where are you vacationing this summer?

Do you take your dogs place with you?

Have you ever seen a Sight and Sound production?