The Weekly Column – “Sinterklass and Black Pete!”

The View From My Room – Year Seven– #11

            It’s time for our fourth and final guest writer, Ghislain Devlaminck, our friend from Belgium. Gish and his parents became a part of America in 1949 before Gish was even two years old.  A former Navy man with a Technical Engineering degree, soon to celebrate 40 years of wedded bliss, Gish introduces us to the Belgium version of Santa Claus this week.  I can’t think of a better way to kick off the December columns! Thanks, Gish!

In Flanders, Belgium, Sinterklass comes on December 4^thto evaluate the children’s behavior.  The next evening, with his assistant Zwarte Pete (Black Pete), he comes to deliver the gifts the children will find the next morning on December 6^th, St. Nicholas Day.  Sinterklass is a chubby scatter-brained guy who wears a red suit and has a big white beard.  He rides up from Spain on a horse with Zwarte Pete who does the navigating and makes the runs up and down the chimneys to deliver the presents. He is black because he’s covered with soot from shimmying up and down the chimneys.

Born in Kortrijk, West Flanders, Belgium, I came to a Southwest Minnesota prairie farm with my parents in September of 1949 at the age of a year and half.  Until first grade, my parents held onto our Flemish holiday traditions.

At about four years old, I was told by my parents Sinterklass doesn’t come to America because his helper, Zwarte Pete, has no interest in crossing the frigid North Pole and his horse can’t tolerate the polar cold.  The story of Santa Claus was not an option because he came to America 19 days too late.

Somehow my parents had made special arrangements with Sinterklass to deliver our gifts and treats early to my grandparents, uncles and aunts in Belgium. This gave them extra time to mail the stuff to my sister and me in Minnesota.  Mom had two pairs of colorful wooden shoes on the piano, and on the evening of December 5^th,  they would be set by the front door. In the morning, we would find the shoes filled with Belgian chocolates and cookies. Sitting next to the shoes would be several boxes with strange postage stamps.  The boxes contained children’s books, puzzles, dolls, small wooden barn animals, etc.

Starting first grade, I could not speak English and the Sinterklass visit became a problem. My folks always spoke Flemish at home and all those books from Sinterklass were written in Dutch, which also didn’t help me learn English.  Written Flemish and Dutch are the same, but the spoken words sound different. It’s like the difference between a Boston and Southern accent in America. But, in first grade, I had to learn English quickly due to the intolerance of the nuns.

When the gifts had arrived on St. Nicholas day, my English had gotten good enough to brag to the other kids at school that I had already received my presents from Sinterklass! They didn’t know who Sinterklass was, but when I told them he was a fat guy with a big white beard in a red suit they said, “Oh, you mean Santa Claus.” Some of them got mad because they didn’t think it was fair for me to get my gifts early.

The local American Legion Ladies Auxiliary asked Santa to come to town a couple weeks before Christmas. As soon as school let out that day, we scurried at top speed to the Legion Hall. Because there was a couple of Lutheran families in town whose kids attended a public school in the neighboring town, Santa’s visit was held in the neutral territory of the Legion Hall.  It would have been too traumatic for those Lutheran children to come to the Catholic Church basement.

Some of the other kids were staring at me while I was waiting in line to meet Santa. They knew I had already gotten my stuff.  Was I going to ask Santa for seconds?

Our farm neighbor, Mrs. Baert, one of the Auxiliary ladies noticed the distressed expression I was carrying. She suggested I go outside for some fresh air, so I wouldn’t have to talk to Santa.

After the event, Mrs. Baert must’ve spoken to my parents. In second grade, Santa came on Christmas Eve but with presents from Belgium.  We now also had a Christmas tree provided to us free through the generosity of the Federal Government, but thatis a story for another time.

Ultimately, going to school ended the old Flemish tradition of Sinterklass, but I still have fond memories of him, Zwarte Pete and everything connected to them years later.  And for that, I’m genuinely grateful.

So ends the November month of guest columnists.  Thank you again to John, Scott, Linda and Gish for brightening our reading world for four weeks!  However, the party is over now.  I’m returning next week.  You’ve been warned!  Ho, Ho, Ho!

Nightly Reflections – Wednesday, November 28th, 2018

This evening’s Reflection comes to you LIVE (sort of) from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.  I arrived here once again this afternoon about 2:00.  Met up with my sister at Applebee’s, had lunch cuz I was surviving on a muffin I’d consumed at 7 in the morning, and then headed to her home.  THIS is why I chose not to return last week for Thanksgiving.  I knew I’d be coming this week and week to week trips would have been more than I could say I’d appreciate.  And with Christmas coming up, that’s another road trip, so I opted for this week.

And this week is important because tomorrow, Thursday, my sister and I are doing something we’ve never done before.  We are both Christmas fanatics and she reserved two tickets at a dinner theater here in Fort Atkinson for tomorrow’s matinee performance of Elf, The Musical.  My sister can quote the movie lines IN.  HER.  SLEEP.  I kid you not.  The woman should have worn that DVD of hers out by now.  Her husband is always delighted (not really) to hear the familiar opening credits music.  But she loves her ELF and frankly, I’m a fan too.  So, tomorrow, she will go into work earlier, then together we will head to our destination for an 11:15 lunch and a 1:30 matinee performance.  We should be back in BD by 4:30 or so.  Sadly, I won’t be able to share our reactions with you until Friday night’s Reflection because tomorrow night is column night.  More about that later.

The trip here was a pain only because of the semis.  It was once again like SEMI DAY.  I hate meeting up with so many semi trucks on the road.  Drives me a bit insane.  However, it is what it is.  There was one truck that would pass me, and then I’d pass him, and that pattern continued much of the way.  Either he’d pull off for a reason and then catch up or I’d do the same.  It was kinda weird.

It was a good day for driving, otherwise.  The sun poke its head out from time to time.  It was certainly a dry drive.  I heard that there was snow back in the metro.  It never fails.  It always storms or snows when I leave town.  I read where there’d be another 3-5 inches on Saturday night.  WTH?  Oh well.  At least the chances of a white birthday are ramping up.  More on that later too 😛

A few hours of down time with the sis and her husband before heading out to Stooges for a while.   Saw my buddy Jerra as well as Corky.  My sister’s friend showed up.  He’s a former cop from Chicago but now retired.  And with nothing really on TV to watch (I don’t care for college basketball until March Madness), it was chit chat time.  That worked fine too 🙂

The rest of the evening, we could be found at Stooges Bar, a place you should all be quite familiar with by now.  It was a ton of socializing as TV offerings were only college hoops. I’m not a college hoops guy, nor are my peeps, til March.  In any case, on the way home, my sister drove me by Swan City Park, which is only a block away from their home.  This was and remains the coolest park in this town.  It’s vintage stuff.  The city decided last year to begin the process of decorating the park at the holidays.  Each year, their plan is to increase the number of dollars spent to make the park a winter wonderland of joy for families.  This is year #2 in the process.  And they’re definitely heading in the right direction, in my humble holiday opinion.  I have many to share while I’m here, but I have a feeling there are going to be many other opportunities this trip for holiday pics.  I hope you like this one cuz I shore do 🙂  And the best part?  We came out of Stooges and there was snow on the sidewalk and there was snow falling in the air.  It was a great “Welcome Home, Chuck!” for me.  I think Mom and Dad had their hand in this 🙂

And now I write this first Reflection back in my hometown in the holiday season.  Life has changed here, obviously, over the years, but it’s still the town where Santa existed and where coming down the steps early on Christmas morning with my brother took place.  It’s where I played Santa on at least a decade of Christmas Eves for families throughout town as part of THEIR family celebration.  There are so many emotional connections I have to this town in this season, but all of them make me smile.  And being able to be here with an entire month to go before the actual holiday is pretty damn cool.  My inner child is bubbling over with glee.  🙂

Tomorrow night is Column Night.  This is the fourth and final guest column.  And it’s perfect for setting up the three Christmas columns I’ll be writing beginning the following week.  You’ll enjoy this piece and the picture that goes with it is awesome.  Believe me.  So, I’m outta here.  I have to set up my bedroom now and I’m tired after a day of driving and night of…. well, socializing.  😛  See ya live on Friday night when I can tell you all about Elf, The Musical and all that was connected to the adventure my sis and I are about to embark upon.  That’s it!

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Tuesday, November 27th, 2018

Oh, how the sun tried to lighten up our day, but try as it might, the clouds weren’t having it.  It managed to break through the clouds late morning, but once the clouds caught wind the sun had escaped, it wasn’t long before they managed to lasso it back under control and ultimately, no sun for the remainder of the day.  Perhaps tomorrow?

I recently received a gift card to Weng’s, the Asian restaurant in Farmington.  I decided today seemed like a good day to use it so I did.  I’ve eaten there before and I have to say I was more pleased in the past than I was today.  I still have two trips left on the card so hopefully next time will be better.  ON my way home, I stopped at the Post Office in Rosemount to get my Christmas stamps for my Christmas cards. (tonight’s pic)  I bought 3 books for $30.  I then shot a pic of the stamps and sent it to my friend with whom I’m doing the daily pics of holiday cheer that’s personal to us as individuals.  I told her buying these each year is one of my secret mini-joys I do.  I’m delighted to put a holiday-themed stamp on the envelope of a Christmas card.  She responded with, “Honey, without the mini-joys, we got nothin’.”  God only knows I’ve lived a life of mini-joys.  And here’s what I liken it to.  I remember when I’d be sick as a kid and I’d see my other siblings or parents feeling just fine, going about their daily lives while I was sick in bed, so wishing I wasn’t sick in bed.  I can remember thinking I wonder if they know how lucky they are to be able to do what they’re doing and not be lying in a bed like me, coughing and whatever.” Seriously.  I always thought, I‘ll appreciate being healthy when I finally get better. Being young, of course, once I felt better, I forgot about the promise.  It’s sorta like that.  If we live long enough to where we lose some independence, I suspect, at least for me, I’ll think about how I wish I had enjoyed life’s little treasures when I was able.  Thus, I take in as many mini-joys as I can get each and every single day, especially during this season, before I no longer can.  There are so many joys around us if you are able to recognize them. I think that’s an ok way to live life.  At least it works for me 🙂

Had a visitor mid-day.  Remember my former student who helped transform the mess in the garage to simply a garage?  Yup.  He stopped by to take a few whiffs of the various Christmas scents I have in candles as he’s asking me to pick him up a candle or two when I return to Beaver Dam.  While he was here, we talked about my kitchen ceiling light fixture I would like to see go bye bye.  It’s simply a flat fixture with three globes with a light bulb in each.  One of them was burnt out.  I don’t like ladders a whole lot lately.  He used my step ladder, took the globe off the one, I mentioned the globe was kinda dirty, and like the garage, suddenly I was cleaning all three globes.  I think he’s getting back at me for me cracking the whip in the classroom.  😛  I now have three working bulbs and the globes are clean!  Yay!

A couple of days ago, I got word that one of my high school classmates fell prey to lung cancer.  I hadn’t seen her in many years.  I can’t even remember seeing her at any reunions, but she may have been and I just don’t recall.  In any case, links sent me to a recent pic of her.  She looked great.  She was outside and smiling, that smile I remember with her.  She had a goofy personality and her presence in a group always brought smiles.  I don’t know the story at all regarding her death or the possible journey to the end.  I DO know, however, that I’m entering that age zone where this will happen now more than it did ten years ago.  We’ve actually been fairly fortunate in we haven’t lost as many as other classes have.  We were just under 350 at graduation time.  That was a three-year high school, by the way.  I know we still number over 300.  I remember the early deaths so well.  One went on his motorcycle a couple of years out of high school.  One went a year or two after graduation in the military, as he was doing some hang gliding one weekend and he got caught in a updraft and it took him square into the side of a mountain.  I even remember his funeral.  It was one of the first funerals I attended for someone I knew well.  Across the years, however, we’ve been lucky.  However, by all the rules of nature, our luck is running out and the natural course is taking over.  More reasons to enjoy those little joys I was talking about.

Starting tomorrow night, I think you’re gonna really enjoy the pics connected to the Reflections, including the Thursday night column.  As to why you’ll enjoy them?  Well, you’ll learn that tomorrow night.  I promise you tomorrow night’s is gonna be damn cool.  As will the story that goes with it.  So, let the adventure begin in 24 hours!

Until then, have a good working humpday.  Snow is coming for a light dusting with maybe more this weekend.  Let’s hope.  I want snow by next weekend to be covering the ground.  I’ll explain that later too 😛  Now, off with ya!

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Monday, November 26th, 2018

Sunshine!  We saw sunshine today!  Yippee!  It really DOES exist!  And one month from now, we’ll be in the direction of seeing it longer!  Good news all around!  🙂

Happy Monday.  It’s behind you, now.  How long did it take for you today to feel like you never had an extended weekend?  I remember by mid-morning while I was teaching, that time off seemed so very far away hours back on the job.  So, I feel your pain.  I don’t want it any more, but I definitely feel it 🙂

I have to come to grips with something after my last doc visit last week.  I’ve had this thumb issue for awhile now.  Late summer, I believe, was when he gave me a shot of cortisone.  It might have held for a bit, but was fast a memory only.  It feels like it shifts and clicks when I’m doing things with any exertion with my hands.  And when I feel it, it hurst like an SOB.  And today, I felt it in my other thumb.  Damn it.  Doc said I likely have arthritis settling in.  Oh goody goody.  I remember my grandmother talking about her arthritis in her back for years.  I’ve seen example after example of what arthritis can do.  Not happy about this.  I’m thinking the colder weather might be a reason for it to flare up as well.  Got an informed opinion today from a trusted source that there’s little one can do for arthritis, except ibuprofen.  Maybe an ointment like Ben-Gay.  More memories of my grandmother.  She used to ask me to rub it on her shoulders.  This is stranger, but that’s the first time I’ve thought of that in many years.  But it’s true.  She did ask me.  I just recalled it now as I was typing it.  I’m never not surprised when that happens mid-sentence.

So, arthritis and all, we carry on.  Today was a writing group day.  The experiment with four guest writers comes to a close with this week’s column by guest writer #4.  I am working on next week’s column.  I also shared with the group an idea I have for my Dec. 21st column.  I’ll share it later in December.  In any case, the group met.  As always, we touched base and people shared their Thanksgiving with the group.  Then, we shared the books we had brought.  Finally, Guest Writers #3 and #4 read their piece to the group.  By the time we got done debriefing the month of writing, it was time for us to disband, so we will discuss the next idea at the one and only December gathering.  Today’s was a fun meeting and I think productive.  I continue to be amazed that this little group of five want to hang on and continue bonding and hopefully coming up with new reasons to write.  I’m all about that!  🙂

Another reference to Mom tonight in my pic.  We had a fairly good sized Nativity scene when I was growing up.  Once Mom died, I am not sure who in the family acquired it, but the Nativity scene was Mom’s pride and joy.  She loved finding a place to put it and to set it up.  As I’ve said previously, Mom was a devout Catholic.  She prayed a ton.  She was a good example for her kids.  When I see a Nativity scene anywhere, I immediately see ours and think of Mom.  Well, when I was back in Beaver Dam in October, The Boston Store was having a clearance sale on everything because they were going out of business.  I bought my first Nativity scene on that trip.  It’s not really a big one, but it does the job.  The little light in the star sets it off nicely on my mantle.  Once again, like last night’s figurines, Mom is ever-present with me during the Christmas season.  And that’s a good thing 🙂

I ran errands today, only to be a little frustrated.  This weekend, I was going through my box of supplies for my C Pap machine.  The little filters they send for the little filter holder had changed color.  Wasn’t sure if it was the right filter or not.  Then, I looked back at my other filters and they were two colors as well, so now that makes three colors for the same product.  WTH?  Plus, I didn’t receive the replaceable filter holder.  You slip the filter into the filter holder which slides into the Dreamstation machine.  So, I stopped at the medical supplies place across from the AV Medical Clinic and asked questions.  The topic of my sleep study came up.  They wondered why I don’t do business with them versus the company I’ve been doing business with since I had my sleep study some 15 or so years ago.  I told them I would but they want the study results.  No matter who I ask, no one can tell me they have the results of this study any longer.  So, essentially, I’m screwed.  I’ll always be a customer/prisoner to the company with whom I’m presently connected.  Kinda sucks, to be honest.  In any case, the replaceable filter, I discovered after numerous calls, is a six-month filter based on my insurance.  I was told I had received one in July.  So now I had to wait until January.  Sigh.

Stopped at Target to get more litter for the cat who never stops drinking and peeing.  I bought a timer for the wall for my tree.  And I bought some new deodorant.  Major purchases, eh?  Stopped at Applebees when I was done cuz I was in the mood for the salad.  Got home to finish off the book I was reading before running out to the writers’ group meeting.  That was the extent to my busy busy day.  And now, I prep for The Good Doctor.  And then, maybe watch something from last night’s recording.  After which, I’m heading to bed.  I’m already tired 🙂

Hope your day was good and that you transitioned back into being useful without too much drama.  See ya back here tomorrow night 🙂

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Sunday, November 25th, 2018

Well, I can finally say this…ONE MONTH FROM TODAY IS CHRISTMAS!  There. That felt good.

And now I’ll repeat what I said last night…I NEED SUNSHINE!

Today was a no-brainer of a day.  I shared that I started watching a new HBO series with subtitles, My Brilliant Friend.  Well, despite my uncertainty if I was going to stay with it, after two episodes, I can say I will.  It’s compelling stuff.  If you’re interested in it, read about it through their website or Google.  The two little girls are damn fine little actresses.  The first two episodes have had a punch to the gut ending thus far.  Not sure if that will continue, but I guess I’ll see soon enough.  Tonight is episode three.  There are eight in all.  I’ll be watching.

Tonight is also the second episode of Enemies:  The President on SHOWTIME.  Last week was the Nixon scandal.  Tonight is the Reagan/Oliver North scandal.  Mind you, I’ll have to record it because tonight is the big game.  Game #2 between this state’s team and my state’s team.  Tonight will dictate whether or not I care to find a place to watch my team play on December 16th when they go up against the same game time for the purple team.  Yup.  The towel is in my hand.  I just haven’t thrown it in yet.

My friend and I are doing this daily picture exchange that’s connected to our Christmas addictions.  I shared that with you a few days ago, I believe.  Well, tonight’s picture is the one I sent her as well.  I thought it made a nice story for the Reflections tonight.  Years ago, when Mom was alive and working at the bank as a teller, she came home one night during the Christmas season with something.  Apparently, someone had come to the bank, offering the employees a deal on a box of six wax figurines, the ones you see in the picture.  I could be so wrong about this, but it seems I remember her paying $5 for a box of these.  They are actually candles, but who would light these?  She had a box for my oldest brother, the second oldest, me, and my sister.  I don’t think the twins were old enough yet, if even born, to merit a box.  Once I was on my own and decorating my apartments through the years and now my home, I never missed a year to pull them out and place them in key places where I’d see them each and every day, time and time again.  Mom is here when I see them.  And that’s good enough reason for me to continue to do so.  They’re cute, at best.  But they mean so much more years later.  They have to be over 40 years old. And I put them on my desk for the sake of the pic, but they’re scattered across my fireplace mantle with other Christmas joys.  And that’s tonight’s pic.

My sister sent me a piece of news yesterday that has shaken all of Beaver Dam and probably outlying areas.  Just outside of Beaver Dam, there has existed a tree farm.  Every year, people rely on this tree farm for their Christmas tree.  I have been with my sister and her husband when they’ve purchased theirs after Thanksgiving.  Suddenly, this year, without warning, people are driving out there only to be greeted by a THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOYAL SUPPORT sign, indicating that “WE HAVE RETIRED.”  That’s it.  No warning.  Apparently multiple semis went driving into the property, every tree on the farm was chopped down, sent through the tree wrapper and hauled away on the semis for the South.  The long and short of it?  People have to figure out what they’re doing for a tree this year.  In a damn hurry.  Today, my sis and her hubby spent much of the morning driving around town to see what they might find at various places who sell trees as a sideline.  However, their fear is when were the trees cut and how long will it live in a house before the needles drop.  And when they went to check on artificial trees, they’ve already been picked through.  Dilemma.  Seems so weird the folks at this tree place didn’t give the citizens who “SUPPORTED” them throughout the years a little more heads up.  But, they didn’t.  And now, the town scurries.  And as I’m telling this story, I can’t help but think this would make a helluva fun story to write.  The Town Without A Christmas Tree.  Hmmm…..

In any case, tomorrow is Monday.  Those of you who have been on a four-day weekend…the party is over and it’s time to go to bed early and face the sounds of the alarm clock in the morning.  But, in another month, it all happens again.  This time on the flip side of a weekend, rather than the front side of one.  Christmas is on a Tuesday so most people will be looking at another four day-er.  At least I hope.

The game is two hours away.  I have to figure out what dinner will be.  In the meantime, I think I need a cup of coffee.  Have a good start to your week.  See you tomorrow night.  And dare I say…GO PACK?  (gulp)

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Saturday, November 24, 2018

I’m reaching that point where I am going to need some sunshine real soon.  Ugh.

Happy Saturday to you all.  Today was a normal day til it wasn’t.  🙂  Had a spontaneous invite to go see Green Room.  I’d been wanting to see this, so I had no problem accepting the invite. Actually, there were several movie options, but this one was on our top priority list, so we both won.  As for my reaction, well, it’s maybe my favorite film since Crazy Rich Asians, and maybe I like it even more than that film.  If you ever saw Driving Miss Daisy, think of two men instead of one man and one woman and instead of the black character driving, in this one he’s the one being chauffeured.  The relationship that builds from their two-month tour is one to witness.  And, if it wasn’t already good enough, it ends on Christmas Eve!  Made for me!  The theater was nearly packed.  And from what I could tell, it was an appreciative group.  I’m happy we chose this one over other choices.  GO see it.  You’ll love it.  Can’t see how you wouldn’t.  Unless you’ve died.  And if you have, what are you doing reading this?

As for other options in films, we listed Overlord, Widows, Private War and Robin Hood.  I also haven’t seen Bohemian Rhapsody or A Star Is Born yet.  And I’m also going to get to Boy Erased and Fantastic Beasts.  But I’m just fine with this movie tonight.  It really was a feel-good film.  Ok.  I’m done with the movie stuff.

I was in the first quarter of the Badger/Gopher game when I was picked up.  As that game turned out, it was JUST FINE I wasn’t here to witness the slaughter.  And I dearly hope it’s not a forerunner of what’s coming down the road on NBC tomorrow night.  Dear God, I can’t take another loss to … well, you know.

I’m working on my toughest column in a long time.  It’s difficult to articulate my thoughts on this one.  Good thing I have all week to get it written.  Really good thing.

We’re getting missed by a major snow storm that’s moving through to the south of Minnesota.  Let’s hope that’s not how this next month goes.  Snow on the ground for the season is just a nice touch to enhance the season.  Despite my mother’s disapproval, I may have to get out the rosary.  When I wanted snow by December 9th, I always prayed the rosary with the rosary I received from graduating 8th grade.  I believed it was a special rosary and when I used it, I usually was given what I sought.  I never asked for anything unrealistic.  Usually just snow.  When I got older, I’ll admit I prayed it for Mom.

Willy was under the tree tonight when I got home.  It’s one of his new favorite places to park himself for the evening sleep.  It’s either there or the top of the couch, especially if I’m sitting there.  He has to be close to me.  Kinda sweet.  Can be a little irritating too.  😛

Tomorrow, since there is no game I’m dying to see til evening, will be a day where I’m not sure what I’ll do.  I could start the cards since they’re spread all across my dining room table.  I thought maybe I’d address each envelope for starters.  Then, as the week progressed, I’d personalize the card for each.  I have to get a bunch of stamps however.  This is the time of the year when I’m extremely grateful for the industry figuring out that self-adhesive stamps was a good idea.

Tonight’s pic is the start of what I told you I’d do over a month ago.  Unless I have a pressing picture need, I am going to use something from my interior decorations as my nightly pic.  And tonight’s pic is something I bought last year after Christmas.  At the candle store in my home town.  It was dirt cheap then.  When I returned from Beaver Dam, I immediately stored it with my Christmas stuff.  This year, when I went to get the decorations, I was pleasantly surprised to see it as I had forgotten I bought it.  And I totally forgot it’s little streetlight actually lit.  I think it’s charming.  And thus, I’m sharing it with you tonight.  Ho Ho Ho.

Hoping your Saturday had sunshine someplace in it.  For me, yes, it was the movie.  Tomorrow looks to be cloudy with a hope for a hint of sun.  We shall see.  Tomorrow night’s post will be early as I am NOT writing after the game.  Nope.  Not doing it.  Ain’t gonna happen.  No Way Jay.  So that’s that.  Until then, have a good Sunday.  Don’t forget to relax 🙂

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Friday, November 23rd, 2018

NOW I can play my music and strut my Christmas stuff all I want cuz it’s legit!  So there!  😛

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  Mine was fine.  Willy and I bonded all day.  Lots of football, mixed with a little reading and World of Warcraft and this and that.  The car never left the garage.  Thought twice about that even today cuz I figured any where I’d go, it’d be nuts, but I ventured out anyhow.  Being inside for an entire day is not something I prefer to do.  In any case, my meal came out fine.  And now I have leftovers for today.  And the one thing I looked most forward to was another piece of apple pie!  It’s something I never buy for myself.  And then, when I had the second piece of pie, I wonders why I don’t buy it more often! lol

Well, it sure is not winter out right now, eh?  Rain.  And today, I left my jacket in the car cuz it really wasn’t that cold out just going from car to store.  That’s about to change, I know, but today was ok.  So, the one targeted spot I wanted to get to today was Barnes and Noble.  I had a 25% off coupon for today and only today.  And, believe it or not, I wasn’t planning on using it on a book.  Or a magazine.  Earlier today, I pulled out my Christmas cards.  I always keep the envelopes from those I receive the previous year.  That way, I have a head start as to who I want to get cards off to.  And I often return from Wisconsin to find cards in my mailbox from people I did NOT send to, so this year, those people are getting a card from me before most will even think about card sending.  I have not tired of getting cards nor sending them.  Screw the internet.  Christmas cards are a special part of my season.  I can’t admit I’m a huge fan of the Christmas letter, but I love hearing from people in just a card.  Old school, I know.  Barnes and Noble sells cards and they always have a great selection of cards.  I counted how many I had left and I knew I’d need another box, but I love cards too much to only buy what I need, so yes, I will have some with which to begin next year 🙂  Tonight’s pic shows you my cards I had. The cards I bought, two different models, are awesome.  Especially one of them.  It’s vintage stuff.  I have an audience of friends who I know will enjoy receiving a card like that.  And, with my membership, their 30% off sale and then an additional 25% off, I made a killing on these two boxes of beautiful cards.  Success!

I had a turkey sandwich for lunch today and tonight I had leftovers in their original form from yesterday.  Not usually a leftover guy, but I wasn’t going to toss this stuff.  Friday night is usually pizza night, but I’ll shift that to tomorrow night 🙂  Was totally pleased to see today that college football was on from 11 this morning.  I guess I forgot in previous years they always have college ball on this day for those folks who don’t have to return to school or work.  And there have been good competitive games today.  When I ran to Barnes and Noble, before going there, I seriously gave thought to heading to Treasure Island to accommodate my obsession, but I ran through the Rosemount Starbucks first to grab a pound of beans, and when I departed, I was trying to decide what to do.  I finally made the right turn on to 42 rather than a left to head out of town.  I knew it was going to rain and I am not a fan of driving in rain to begin with and it was already 1, so it made more sense to get the cards and bond with the Willsters more.  I win 🙂

The fourth guest column was shined all up by me the day before Turkey Day and it got the thumbs up from my friend.  It also got the writer’s stamp of approval after my adjustments and my intro and closure paragraph.  So, the paper received that last night.  Now, I return after next week’s fourth guest column with three Christmas columns.  The first one needs to be written as well as any I’ve written.  I have a point to make and I want to be successful in doing so.  And I need to get it written before mid-week next week.  SO, that might be my charge this coming weekend.

I began watching HBO’s production of My Brilliant Friend last night.  They are one-hour episodes.  They are being touted highly by critics.  When I began, I was kind of disappointed to see I have to read the movie.  Subtitles.  I’ve never been fond of doing that.  My eyes want to watch the action but the words need to be consumed first.  I will say, however, the first episode is powerful.  Two little girls who become friends, only to have the one disappear years later as their friendship grows.  I don’t know how many episodes this will be, but despite the subtitle thing, I was hooked.  I’ll either consume the next one tonight or watch a movie since it feels like a good movie night.  After, of course, watching the original How The Grinch Stole Christmas on NBC at 7.  I never tire of it.  Ever.  Surprise, eh?

Today was also Day One where a friend of mine I met my first year of teaching as she was hired that same summer but now she lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  She suggested we send, beginning today through Christmas, a pic of something we hold dear to us that is connected to Christmas.  Most will be decorations that we love bringing out each November 🙂  She sent a village she has set up that lights at night. Beautiful stuff.  I sent her…well, I’ll wait cuz I probably will share it with you in a nightly pic soon.  If you’ll remember, I promised that I would wait until Thanksgiving was over, but then I’d be using my nightly pic to display that very thing.  Something I love that I own or was part of during Christmas.  Tonight’s pic qualifies cuz I love Christmas card sending and receiving.  And that’s that!

Hoping you had a good day and that you didn’t have to work.  If you did, well, it’s the weekend now.  And, despite clouds, it sounds like it’s going to be decent temps tomorrow but after that, all bets are off.  Brrrr….So, until tomorrow night, do what makes ya happy and we’ll check in to see what I did to make ME happy 🙂  Ok?  Ok!

G’Night!

The Weekly Column – “Ladies and Gentlemen, Guest Writer #3”

The View From My Room – Year Seven– #10

Happy Thanksgiving!  Our third guest writer for November is Linda Dinan, a former elementary teacher and principal who retired “home” to Minnesota in 2015.  She is a member of Rosemount Second Act Players and appreciates all the opportunities for theater and the arts in the area.  Linda shares her life-long love affair with the kitchen, just in time for Thanksgiving.  Thanks, Linda!

            11:38 AM. “It’s a girl!”

“You arrived for lunch!” my mom always said.  Apparently, my connection to the pleasures of food started early but definitely has not held static.  A favorite picture of my two-year-old self features me with a big bowl and a spoon mixing something up.  I’ve come a long way!

Growing up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, I had easy access to quality ingredients, including eggs, especially the under-sized or soft-shelled ones laid by the young chickens.  Experimenting early in my culinary career, I learned adding eggs to mud pies before you “cook” them on the sun-drenched cement cistern cover created a quality product.

My mom was a good cook, but there were other things she would rather be doing, so she encouraged my early interest in food preparation.  Eventually, I was enticed into handling some of the suppers for the family with the proposal that if I cooked, I was excused from cleanup.  That was an easy decision for me!  Status as the “cook” gave me authority to make decisions about that evening’s meal. With the resources of the family farm, presenting a tasty dinner was easy. Salt, pepper, and onion were available to “spice” things up, but no garlic, since Mom was still haunted by the memory of classmates’ “garlic breath” in her one-room schoolhouse. Sage and thyme sat on the shelf until needed for Thanksgiving turkey dressing.

By the time I left for college, I was a confident cook who could easily put together a farm feast for my roommates and our boyfriends. My skills and sophistication took a leap forward when I was introduced to an “ancient” colleague of my graduate school boyfriend.  At twenty-nine, Jim had been cooking for several years in a Portuguese restaurant on Cape Cod.  He was a pro. A new culinary world opened to me when he asked me to be part of the preparation of occasional weekend feasts. After collecting money from everyone coming to dinner, the two of us would head to Lund’s to buy ingredients, then spend the afternoon preparing a meal under Jim’s guidance.  He was the beginning of outside influences on my food interests. Who knew those raisins from Dad’s favorite oatmeal cookies could join anchovies, pine nuts, and garlicfor a delicious pasta dish?  In addition, I was gaining status among the gourmet graduate student as a “good cook!”

As a newlywed in 1968, I became a fan of Julia Child’s PBS cooking show bringing French cooking to American audiences.  Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon soufflés and beef Bourguignon were added to my repertoire.  At the same time, Lifemagazine included a tantalizing menu within each issue and introduced other cultures through their extensive Time-Life cookbook series. Another magazine, Gourmet,featured centerfoldspreads of perfectly presented full-course meals from appetizer to dessert. Having appreciative friends, new foods and gourmet dishes became part of the fabric of our social world.

Living over 500 miles from any relatives, we enjoyed over twenty Thanksgivings with friends who became our “adopted family.”  Our friends were “foodies” and willing to add recipes to our traditional ones.  In 1979, we tried Gourmetmagazine’s “centerfold” walnut-oyster dressing recipe, and it has been on our Thanksgiving table since. Sage and thyme paired with oysters and walnuts make an exquisite turkey dressing!

In my seventh decade now, I still happily explore new recipes and new techniques through TV programs, cookbooks (never leave the library without a cookbook) and the Internet.     International foods are available at supermarkets or small ethnic groceries.  If I can’t find pomegranate molasses or curry leaves locally, I can find them online. Some unique flavor combinations are becoming so familiar that McCormick has added them to their traditional spice line, such as Za’atar and Harissa.  Even whole stores are devoted to spices. My spice rack is much larger than my mother’s!

New flavors require new devices for food preparation in my kitchen such as the InstaPot, an air fryer and the latest, a Sous Videtool.  Last weekend I successfully prepared a dozen soft-boiled eggs and Hollandaise sauce with my Sous Vide and a tub of water.  Easy and fascinating!

Will future generations share this passion for cooking? Our daughter holds the same attitude toward cooking as her grandmother: “Let someone else do it.” I am, however, already working with my grandson in exploring food preparation. I hope he will continue with our Thanksgiving dressing recipe and experience the satisfaction of preparing traditional tastes for family and friends; I also hope he develops my “taste for change.”  There are pleasures in the making, and there are rewards on many levels.

(the pic is actually of the writer when she was but a young girl)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nightly Reflections – Wednesday, November 21st, 2018

Let’s get right to it as there’s much to say.

First, the morning started on the right foot as I drove to Cannon Falls to visit my doc at the clinic.  As always, a fun and successful visit.  I started my day on a positive note.

I came back and hung out with Willy for a few hours before heading out again.  This time, it was a quick pitstop at Barnes and Noble as I saw a book had been published for over a month and I wasn’t aware.  I bought a copy for a friend’s Christmas present, but because she may read this, I am not showing the pic or sharing the title.  You’ll be ok 🙂

Then, as I was at the Barnes and Noble in Burnsville, I headed over to meet my buddy/former student at the theater.  Creed 2 at 3:45 was on the docket.  I am here to tell you…I thought Creed was a success but this sequel was unusually good for a sequel.  And even better than good.  I love the way they’ve developed the Rocky Balboa character in these two films.  The relationship between him and Apollo Creed’s son is one done well.  And in this film, complications arise, as you might guess.  However, I have to tell you I was tearing up at the end of the 2-hour plus movie.  I thought it was great!  As did my movie partner.  After, we headed to TGIF for dinner.  It was a good afternoon/early evening.  Then I came home to chill with Willy, after feeding him, of course.  He was starving 🙂

Now, for the brunt of tonight’s Reflection.  Thanksgiving.  As I said last night, Thanksgiving has found me many different places over the years.  I’ll take you back to my childhood to help you understand.

When I was a little guy, I remember one thing about Thanksgiving.  While Mom baked and my brothers were in the living room with Dad watching football, I had no desire for the sport and simply wanted to watch something that I found entertaining on television in the family room.  For years, a station out of Milwaukee would air family oriented films.  Mostly, the ones I remember on that day were Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear!, The Man Called Flintstone, Gay Purree, 1001 Arabian Nights (Mr. Magoo movie), and A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court.  The first four were full-length feature cartoons I had seen in the theater and the fifth one was a live film with Bing Crosby leading the pack of what was a bit of a musical but more of a comedy.  Those films came to mean Thanksgiving to me.  I always had something to look forward to while the other guys watched football.  I even checked out a week before when I’d get the TV Guide to see what would be showing on Turkey Day.  As I’d grow older, I looked for those movies, first on VHS, but then on DVD, and I have all of them in my library and they make me smile when I put them in the player to play.

One of the few adult Thanksgivings I remember specifically was one we had at my oldest brother’s home.  Mom and Dad were alive; I don’t remember how old I was, but I can guess I was probably in the 20-22 range.  Mom was in her first battle with cancer.  My brother’s wife’s parents were there with our family.  My brother’s father-in-law was taking pictures and movies.  He kept shooting them of Mom.  His wife made a comment to sit down and eat, but he said something to the effect, “It could be her last Thanksgiving so I just want photos for memories.”  My father, nor the rest of us, ever forgave him for saying that.  And Mom, who likely heard it, behaved in a manner that was Mom.  Dignified and proud, she just continued on without missing a beat with her head wrapped in a scarf as she was dealing with hair loss.  I remember that Thanksgiving vividly.

At one point, my second oldest brother and his wife decided to hold Thanksgiving at their home to get Mom off the hook so she wouldn’t have to have all the stress that goes along with that holiday’s responsibilities.  He and his wife had many friends from college who’d stop by at some point during the day to say hi, maybe eat, and then head out.  My parents loved his college buddies.

Mom died in March of 1985 and Thanksgiving that year was going to be difficult for me.  Dad had also met a woman who he wanted to bring to the meal.  He specifically called me to ask me if I’d be ok with that.  If you knew my father, you’d know how unusual that was for him to do.  I told him I held no grudge against him meeting someone and bringing her to Thanksgiving, but that I just couldn’t come and see someone in Mom’s chair the first year.  He said he’d not invite her, but I wouldn’t have it.  He needed to move on.  This was my problem and I was prepared to be alone that day that year.  And I was.  And I survived.  And Dad was happy that day once again.

Every other year in my tenure at RHS, I’d often stay here for the holiday because OnStage would alternate between December and May.  Also, Madrigal Dinner would occur every other December.  Our trimester had ended and things needed to be done over that time before starting a new trimester.  It was less stress to stay here.

About the time I was 40 or so, Thanksgivings changed.  I’d end up having Thanksgiving dinner in Rochester for about 12 years, give or take a year.  That came to an abrupt halt and things returned to normal, with either OnStage keeping me or me going back cuz I could.  That was for the final few years of my career.  Once I retired, I returned to Thanksgiving in Hartland, Wisconsin, at my brother’s.  This year, however, I am staying.  Since I will be heading back to Beaver Dam in one more week, I just didn’t want to go down, return, a week later go down, return, then three weeks later, go down, return.  So, that’s about it.

What will I do tomorrow?  I have my dinner planned out.  I’m happy with that.  I’m even starting my morning with caramel rolls in the oven.  I never do this, but my sister has done it a couple of times for me and they looked good this week when I was grocery shopping so I bought some.  Then, I’ll likely watch some of the parades.  And then, maybe throw in one of those movies from my childhood.  Once football begins, I’ll continue to run those DVDs in my bedroom’s TV and the living room will have football on it ’til bedtime.

Anything else I do tomorrow is yet to be seen, but it’s likely I’ve already told you what tomorrow will bring.  Willy and me and Turkey makes three 🙂  It will be fine.

As for you, I hope your day is filled with food and great company.  Anything else will be a bonus!  And then, tomorrow night, the third guest columnist shares her love for baking, especially on this holiday!  So, come on back and check out her column.  We’ll have one more to share next week before I return with my columns, all three about Christmas for December!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  And to all, a…

…G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Tuesday, November 20th, 2018

Two days and coming fast!  Gobble Gobble!

Well, the house is clean once again.  And once again, three ladies showed up to the door to do the very task.  Apparently one of them, the lead, was under a time restraint and after my house, they were going to a big house that would require three people.  So, they whizzed through my place in a little over an hour and then they were gone as quickly as they had arrived.  And the place is good for another month 🙂  I still claim it’s the best money I spend each month and after giving the place a facelift four summers ago, I am glad I made the decision to take on a cleaning service.  I’d recommend it to anyone.

I figured the bathroom was going to be REALLY clean cuz the third person, a girl who I had not seen before, was in there working forever, and I can promise you, it was no different than previous visits by these people and they NEVER were in there FOREVER!  But, yup, it was clean 🙂  The lead, who is also the one I’ve had now for over a year, said it was the first house they’d been in this month with a Christmas tree.  Go figure.  lol   She said she had to admit it was putting her in the spirit.  My job here is done 🙂  Once everything was done and they were gone, I began to think about next month’s visit.  I’ve always given my regular cleaner a card with money in it for Christmas.  Now, if another shows up with her next month, I don’t think it fair I give her a monetary gift, especially if it’s someone I’ve never seen, when at the same time, I give the lead her card and monetary gift.  I know I could give her something less.  I am not sure what I’ll do, but I’ll ask around.  I got a new idea for my lead woman, however, today.  We were talking books and how her eight year old daughter is writing stories.  Then she began to talk about a poet who apparently has become quite popular.  I haven’t done any research on this person, but he calls himself “Atticus.”  And yes, apparently it’s a reference to Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird.  She said she has his first book of poetry and a second one just was released.  I will have to look into that.  A new poet is always fun to discover.

Speaking of books, I made a trip over to Barnes and Noble after they left.  Tonight’s pic shows you what I bought.  It’s a graphic memoir.  Hey, Kiddo.  I had read recently something quite positive about the book, enough to send me out to page through it.  As you can see, I bought it.  Big surprise once again.  Here’s the cut and paste from Barnes and Noble website regarding the nature of the book.  “In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka’s teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett’s family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett’s life. His father is a mystery — Jarrett doesn’t know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents — two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along.
Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what’s going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father.
Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive.”  So, there you have it.  Paging through it, I thought it looked like it was going to be an interesting read.  Graphic novels have begun to grow on me over time.  Not sure I was too excited about them when they first hit the scene, but I’ve come to think differently.  If you’re a reader and you need something different, check out Hey, Kiddo.

The rest of the day was a no-brainer.  I DID pick up an apple pie at Boston Square.  A simple-ordinary-apple pie-like-my-grandma-made pie.  It will be my dessert Thursday.  It smelled great just sitting next to me in the car.  Definitely will be the day’s highlight for me 🙂

So, I’ll shut ‘er down here.  One more Reflection before the column on Thanksgiving night and that is the guest columnist #3 as well.  I may have a movie reaction for you tomorrow if I see Creed 2 before I write this, but I am waiting to find out what my former student wants to do as to when he can see it.  He has his kids over tonight and he said he’d know after finding out what their plan was for tomorrow.  Ok.  I can wait 🙂

Have a good final day of your work week, if you are one of those lucky people.  We’ll chat in 24 hours.  Until then, get those last minute needs tomorrow so you don’t have to go out picking up this or that.  Most people end up needing to get ice.  I know it’s always one of the items I need to run and get when the siblings get together for Christmas.  Ice.  Huh.  Wonder why.  😛

G’Night!