Category: THOUGHTS

Superstorm Sandy… what a fright!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS4 Comments

Frankenstorm Sandy… Just LOOK how much area it covered… (Image)

So many horrible events have taken place over the course of the past few days. This hurricane/tropical storm from hell turned vicious nor’easter, and now “Superstorm” named Sandy blew into the US with mega force winds. Her winds and flooding have not stopped yet… Look at the image above (CNN.com) – can you imagine? Click HERE for more images from CNN. Chilling… Here is the latest from several sources…

There are nearly nine MILLION people without power. This hurricane is now “SUPERSTORM SANDY” and the flooding will peak again today about 7:30 at high tide, and in some areas this afternoon…  Here is the latest from the WEATHER CHANNEL…

A surveillance camera catches a photo… the Port Authority Trans-Hudson station in Hoboken, NJ as it flooded shortly before 9:30PM Monday, can you imagine? (Image: GulfNews.com)

Sandy has caused at least 15 deaths here (bringing the total number to around 67). Dams are breaking, snow is falling, houses are burning, power is out to millions and its COLD, very cold… it’s amazing how one storm can have such far reaching consequences. Here is the latest from CNN.

The infamous boardwalk in Atlantic City… parts are washed away… (Image: USAToday.com /Dan Cuellar)

The HMS Bounty, a 180-foot sailboat, is shown submerged in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Sandy approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina in this U.S. Coast Guard handout picture taken October 29, 2012. (Reuters/Petty Officer 2nd Class Tim Kuklewski)

The HMS Bounty, a 180-foot sailboat, is shown submerged in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Sandy approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina in this U.S. Coast Guard handout picture taken October 29, 2012. (Reuters/Petty Officer 2nd Class Tim Kuklewski) (Image: Rt.com)

 You may have heard that two crew members were missing from the ship used in the movies called the BOUNTY. They did rescue one woman last night, she was unresponsive, they flew her to a hospital and, sadly, she did not make it. The captain is still missing, and I pray they find him. I cannot imagine being in the ocean in 20+ foot seas during the biggest storm of the century…

For those of you who were in the path of this storm, just know that we are all thinking about you and praying for you.

Be safe my friends… catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS8 Comments

There is something about becoming comfortable in your own skin. In my opinion, turning 50 affords you that luxury. A luxury you say? Yep, a luxury! By age 50 you’ve become your own person who can be happy with the little things in life, you don’t worry so much about what others say and do. You learn that it’s not WHAT YOU HAVE it’s WHO YOU HAVE BECOME. It’s a lesson that can’t be learned in your 20’s, 30’s and even 40’s. I think at age 50 the lightbulb goes off and you finally ‘get it’. We are grateful for our health, thankful for our family’s health and blessed to have each other. Life. Is. Good.

Fred is the sweetest husband in the world. I wanted to spend lots of money have a big party to LET HIM KNOW how much I love him, how happy I am that he’s finally as old as I am (hee), I wanted to CELEBRATE HIM… BUT… I also want him to be able to retire one day, so I have restrained… (IT. WASN’T. EASY!) Bless me, hee!

Now here’s a photo of a kid who loves his cake! A kid, who is still a kid at 50 and STILL loves his cake. He just doesn’t eat it often, but when he does, he gets this big brilliant smile, oh how I love that smile!

I know I’ve posted this photo before, but I love it, and I love you Fred! Hope you have the best 50th birthday ever, and here’s wishing you FIFTY MORE!!

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y ! !

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A pumpkin patch, Halloween candy and great memories!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Aren’t these the coolest pumpkins? When we were on Monhegan a group of locals were picking pumpkins (and assorted other goods) for a Farmer’s Market the next day… how festive is this!?

Are you ready for Halloween? Have you bought candy yet? If not… you might want to bop out and get some! I came close to getting some that I like (BABY RUTH, oh good grief), but I turned around and put them back. The candy is not safe alone with me, and I truly don’t need to be eating candy no matter how small it is, ha ha… Hopefully I will remember to run out at the last minute to get some! Long ago (17+ years) when we moved into this neighborhood, we were the “young” ones… now we’re the “old” ones… wow, how time flies. We moved in August 1995… we came from a neighborhood with LOTS of kids, so when Halloween rolled around I really needed to stock up. Halloween came in 1995 and I stocked up, and we had four kids trick-or-treat. Yikes. Our neighborhood is back to having quite a few kids, which makes Halloween a lot more fun. Some of these kids/parents can really get inventive with the costumes! Jeez and I used to get excited about a mask, ha ha… oh how things change!

I have fond memories of Halloween. Trick-or-treating up and down our street with my dad while my mom handed out candy to the kiddies… Do you remember collecting for Unicef about that same time? I loved doing that! Ah, good memories! Where’s my Zagnut, Bubbs Daddy and Slo Poke? Hee…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Is this brilliant or what? Screen garage door!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

While walking around the charming village of Wiscasset, Maine we stopped in this quaint antique store, Lilac Cottage Antiques. Nice guy, beautiful antiques… but you know what blew me away?

Don’t laugh… The antique shop was situated in an older house with an attached garage. To make the most of their space, they SCREENED THE GARAGE DOOR so that they could have a breeze in the warmer months. I didn’t look to see, but I’m sure there was another door that they closed at night, this was a very nice antique shop… it was a very bright day, so not the best photo, but LOOK! Brilliant! I would like one on our garage door in the summer so it can get some air! Hee…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sorry, just couldn’t resist… the beast is BACK!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist… Charlie the wonder dog is back! After he had eaten a 2″ section of a new blanket, he didn’t eat for two days… we tried rice, chicken, tuna, even cheese, his favorite… he ate a little of each and then absolutely nothing. We took him to the vet worried that something was lodged in him SOMEWHERE… low and behold, once we got there he appeared to be fine (next time he’s getting a car ride first!), he ate 3+++ treats, had x-rays taken, wanted more treats, got a shot in case it was nausea causing the no-eating episode… nope, wasn’t nausea, from the moment he got home he ate, then ate some more, had his homemade peanut butter/flaxseed/oatmeal/pumpkin cookies, carrots, frozen green beans… the next day (after the shot wore off) he still wanted more food, and more… and more…

So here’s where we’re at… the beast eats blanket. Fred says NO! I say NO! Fred swats ottoman (that he drug the blanket up on), then I ignored him for a while (not easy for me)… that was it. HIS FEELINGS WERE HURT! The vet laughed. She said he’s smart. Too smart. So be careful!

Oh Charlie… that $117 vet bill comes out of your chewy budget! But we’re happy to say, our beast is back! Rowdy as ever! Life is good if you’re Charlie ;)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Christopher Columbus… 1492!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Image: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3b51259/

Today is the celebration of Christopher Columbus arriving in America on October 12, 1492… 520 years ago today!

Here’s a blip from History.com

Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have appeared in recent years.

History.com has some fascinating articles… here’s one of them, check out their site for more, video’s too!

Christopher Columbus

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic in search of a water route from Europe to Asia. He never found it, but he did accidentally “discover” the Americas along the way.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

How Did I Get So Lucky?

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

That’s my mom on the left, the one that looks like a movie star… then that would be me and my dad (just call me FLASH I guess!) and my grandma… we had great times in her pool! (Watch me! Watch me!). Today is my mom’s birthday and she hasn’t aged a bit… of course this photo here was taken in the 60’s, I am a bit taller, and I tend to not run around topless…

I’m not sure how I lucked out and got such great parents, but I did. Believe me, I don’t take it for granted. I thank God everyday for giving me the life I’ve got. My mom and dad are cool and happening, they always have been. They were so awesome growing up. My mom was so nurturing, but tough when she needed to be (“Go read a book” she would tell me… I DON’T WANT TO I would say… then she sat me down and gave me her first Nancy Drew book… I haven’t stopped reading since! Now, maybe she just wanted some time alone, ha ha… smart lady!)

As I got older and moved away (going on 23 years ago, boo hoo), she remained a mom with advice when I needed it, as well as a friend to share recipes with, to talk about good books to read, places to go, where to go out to eat and all that wonderful conversation that I absolutely adore. Even though we aren’t big talkers on the telephone (neither of us has ever been), when we do talk, once a week or so, it’s quality time… not always important info, but stuff that keeps us close. Oh how I wish we lived closer. I know how fortunate I am to still have my mom. Some kids never have a mom, or have a horrible childhood. Others moms are taken too soon. So thank you God for keeping my mom around!

How did I get so lucky? I have the world’s best husband, the best parents (and inlaws too!) and the funniest sister ever! I am truly blessed beyond words!

Mom, we wish you the happiest birthday ever! I hope dad makes you a wonderful cake! E N J O Y  Y O U R  B I R T H D A Y !  LOVE  YOU!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Monhegan Island… artists everywhere!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL1 Comment

I love this photo! It makes me look like I’m an artist, hee hee… If I would have listened to my friend (KD you know who you are) I would be painting now… but instead I’m going to watch and sketch… I need to get my drawing skills perfected before I kill another canvas with a bad drawing! Maybe this winter I will paint? Hmmm. Only time will tell! Whichever path I choose to take I will always love this photo. Art is fabulous in so many ways. You can meet the coolest people through art, whether you paint or you just have heartfelt interest!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Island Inn… Monhegan Island, Maine!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, FOOD, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL3 Comments

How grand does the Island Inn look sitting atop the hill keeping watch over the entire island? Pretty darn grand! I love this place… WE love this place. The people are like family. The rooms are clean and oh so comfortable. The bonus are all the wonderful people you meet, the people that keep you coming back to catch up! There seems to be a small group of us that goes to the island about the same time every year. It’s like a family reunion, ha ha… I think this photo is from 2009… but it shows the parts that I love… Arriving with the Island Inn truck there to help schlep your bags to your room, the Barnacle (on the left), a wonderful place to play cards if its slow, or to have a hot chocolate or coffee and definitely a nice lunch! Trek up the hill to the inn, and then off to your room, how exciting! Ahhh what great memories! When you come to the island it’s an adventure… the art is spectacular and you’re likely to see artists scattered everywhere. The food… extraordinary! The views, the island itself… absolute stunning beauty!

Hey, if you want to visit the Island Inn, check out their website, it’s fabulous! I still dream about the fabulous dinners there, oh boy!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Restaurant… Hot Tip: Zia Taqueria!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

ZIA

Have you been to Zia Taqueria, on Maybank Highway, right next to the Terrace Theater (James Island) in Charleston? They have outstanding food in a relaxed atmosphere. When possible we usually eat outside, it’s so nice! On Monday’s they feature fish tacos (grilled or baja – pictured above) for only $2.50. They are TASTY! You also get a basket of chips and some to-die-for-salsa at your table. It makes for a nice relaxing day! Here’s a link to their MENU so you too can dream!

Tasty, right? I’m not even a big fish lover, but owie! THESE are good! It’s that “special sauce” that does make you drink your required amount of water for the day, an added benefit, ha ha…

On a more somber note… it’s 9/11… a day in our history when so many lost their lives September 11, 2001. Please take a moment to reflect, to think of those who’s lives were lost in such a horrible way, as well as for all those who lost their loved ones. Keep all who fought to help to save, to rebuild and to keep our country safe in the midst of such terror in your thoughts and prayers. For more, this is a great website 911Memorial.org

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Coffee Shops… as American as apple pie!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

Logo for FUEL AMERICA

Places to stop in for a cup of coffee, a snack, some company… to visit or to sit quietly and read a book. I cherish places like this… and I’d like to hear about your favorites… here are a few of mine sprinkled in a few different states…

FUEL AMERICA – Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton, MA.

Fuel America has left no stone unturned… This cleverly designed coffee house in Brighton, MASS is just what America needs… It is the perfect combination of great coffee, delicious food and healthy options?  Their marketing plan…brilliant!

From the tags on the merchandise to the menu board, everything has that retro hard working American feel to it… The classy chairs with chrome, the bookcase that soon will be full of books, the wood on the walls and most importantly… Good coffee AND good food together in one place, now THAT my friends is a rare combination. Combine that with the fact that they have healthier options and you have the PERFECT place!

One of the owners, Jeff Bonasia, a very talented artist and marketing professional took a year off from painting and along with his partners has opened FUEL AMERICA.

This place is tops on my list to visit one day. We met Jeff Bonasia, the managing partner years ago while vacationing in Maine. Jeff was part of a group of very cool artists renting a cottage down the street from ours. It was quite a treat to see their paintings! Hard workers every single one of them.

How lucky the people of Brighton, Mass are! Check out their website (link above) or their Facebook Page!

THE GROVE – Filmore Street, San Francisco, CA

The Grove on Fillmore Street in San Francisco… oooh, haven’t been there in years, but it is firmly etched in my mind. Fabulous homemade granola/bananas/yogurt, soups and salads, a roll-your-eyes-in-the-back-of-your-head macaroni and cheese, a beautiful (yes! beautiful!) chicken pot pie, delicious coffee and TO DIE FOR fruit pies… They don’t have a website that I can find, but I did see a menu on MenuPages.com. We didn’t stay anywhere near this place, yet we made the trek day after day, because the food just couldn’t be beat! The place has atmosphere, and a ton of it! Transit: Filmore St & Pine St

ROCK CITY COFFEE – Rockland, ME
This was a cool coffee shop in Rockland, Maine. What I loved about it was the fact that it was a coffee shop and a second hand book store all in one, so you could read and buy books while drinking your coffee. I will have to check it out this year when we visit… they’ve moved next door and a former employee bought the book portion of the business. It will be a bit different… I will report back! I’m sure it will be good, it was sooo good before!
ZOOT COFFEE – Camden, ME
This is a very neat coffee shop located in Camden, Maine. I remember sitting on a bench outside drinking a fabulous latte! It’s nice they use organic fruit, etc… check them out! Zoot really makes an effort to be part of the neighborhood, not just a bystander in the community.
Catch you back here tomorrow… In the meantime REFUEL… Hee…

A pretty flower and a happy day to you!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS6 Comments

Not sure what this flower is called… but it sure is pretty… it’s always a great time to get out and take some photos! Even if it’s raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing. I love to find unexpected treasures… mainly light and shadows, but hey, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got at the time, right? I love how the flower stands up against the blurred green background… it makes it quite stately (in a weather-beaten sort of way, ha ha) don’t you think?

Remember… tomorrow is a holiday for many folks, if you’re one of them… ENJOY! Time to get out and ride a bike, take a walk, read a good book (just finished an old Nora Roberts book THE SEARCH… holy cow! It was a page turner!).

Have a good day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

A few photos… Nikon Coolpix P510

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

I’ve been playing with the camera that I got for my birthday and I love it! It’s a sweet Nikon Coolpix P510 and it’s got oomph! A 42x zoom comes in handy for getting shots that would otherwise be missed. I’m looking forward to really putting this camera to the test! For now I’ve been playing with it in the house… snapping a few pictures here and there… like my trusty violet that does so well. This was given to us from a neighbor when we lost our dog Reginald. It has done so well. I think he’s helping it along, ha ha… I was trying to see where my limits were as to how close I can shoot…

I love these face forward shots in the sun with all the white, Charlie looks quite angelic doesn’t he? Ha ha… if only you knew…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

You See This Man? He Is The Love Of My Life!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS11 Comments

You see this man? This man is the love of my life. When I first met him it was love at first sight. I thank God for him every single solitary day. I am so thankful to have met him, I still cannot believe it! Fate had me dog sitting for a friend at her house, when Fred pulled around the corner in his sporty BMW with a big smile on his face. I grabbed the puppy and had him leashed up in no time (didn’t know the dog had NEVER been on a leash, or had never gone for a walk…) and was taking him for a “walk”, that little puppy pulled me right into Fred’s driveway and sat at his feet. If that isn’t a sign… ha ha… That was Easter weekend 1991. I woke up on Easter and walked out to get the newspaper. I saw a large gift bag hanging on the front door. I thought to myself how lucky my friend was to get such a thoughtful gift on Easter. I set it on the dining room table. Walking back to the house after getting the paper I thought, hmmmm, WONDER IF IT COULD BE FOR ME?? Nah… Well?? Check the bag for a card… and there it was… To: BARBARA, whaaaaaat?????? A huge stuffed Easter bunny in the bag so beautifully presented. What a wonderful beginning… we have been together ever since the day we met. I cannot imagine my life without Fred. He’s wonderful in every single way.

Today we’ve been married for 20 (TWENTY!) years. It seems like just yesterday we were planning to meet at the chapel. That we were both nervous and hopeful that all of our planning would work out as we had hoped. Fred was at the church washing windows early that morning. He wanted everything to be perfect. And it was!

We had the best time at our wedding. That was too much fun! We had the best honeymoon ever tucked away in a cabin in the woods. It was magical.

I hope you have found someone who captures your heart and makes you smile. I am so fortunate to have a husband who is truly my best friend AND the absolute love of my life bar none. I consider myself the luckiest woman in the world! I would take this kind of love over any amount of money or any other possible “possession”. Things are things. Things can be replaced. You tire of “things”.

I will never tire of Fred.

He is hands down the sweetest man I have ever met.

August 22, 1991

So thank you for coming into my life Fred, here’s to the next twenty years… and twenty after that! I love you so much… Barbara

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Art of the Staycation…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Charleston was voted #1 City in America by Conde Nast Traveler magazine… It’s been on the list for years, but this year it beat San Francisco! Whoa! I have to say, that’s another place that is near and dear to my heart! But since we live in Charleston, SC, I think a staycation is in order!

You’ve heard of it… a STAYCATION. Taking a vacation and staying at home all in one nice little package. A brilliant idea actually! However, the ART of a staycation may take some practice. It’s tricky to be “on vacation” while you’re at home. There are projects to be done, grass to cut, dishes to wash, and all of lifes everyday moments. BUT, life is short and you have to enjoy it while you can! So if you “take” a staycation, give yourself a break, you’ve worked hard, you need some R&R, no guilt!

A staycation has some nice benefits… No packing, no spending money on flights, no hotels, none of the other headaches that come with traveling. You can still get out and see some sites and still save money! (And what better place than Charleston, SC??) It gives you time to be a tourist in your own city. We don’t seem to get to many of the tourist attractions in Charleston and this is a perfect opportunity. So as of today, we are officially on STAYCATION. I guess I can’t say we’re “going” on staycation… we’re “staying” on staycation!

We have some ideas of places we want to go, for instance to the Gibbe’s Museum of Art to see the Mary Whyte: Working South exhibition! We’ve got so many great restaurants in Charleston, SC, that we’ll have to mull the options over a bit more!

I haven’t decided if I’m going to post photos from each days staycation or have a post scheduled for each day, but I guess you’ll figure it out. I will be posting every day regardless… haven’t missed a day since 1/1/2011, I’m heading into year two and I’m on a roll!

So stick with me! Have you been staycationing? Where do you go? What do you do? I was reading an article, it said when you staycation, you should do things differently, turn off your phone (eek), turn off your computer (double eek), plan different places to go (yay), etc. So we’re going to play it by ear. Maybe just cut down on computer time? Hee hee…

Catch you back here tomorrow… promise!

CHARLESTON image via CNTraveler.com

STAYCATION definition via Merriam-Webster.com