Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Sharaf (Honor), 166 BE – Thursday, December 31, 2009 about 3:38 PM Pacific Time
An eventful and interesting year draws to an end. I end the year with one olive and two stone pine trees in my yard. I end the year without a vacation home parked in my yard. I end the year with a complete set of dentures.
During 2009 my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and my doctor found a lump in my breast. Mom now takes medication for Alzheimer's, which is supposed to slow the progress of the disease. I have an appointment with a breast specialist on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 12:30 PM, with an arrival time at 12:00 PM.
In some ways, 2009 was less stressful then 2007 or 2008, but in other ways more stressful. I am looking forward to 2010, but then I always look forward to a New Year. A New Year is like a new loaf of bread there are so many sandwiches that you look forward to making and eating them.
I never know whether a year is going to be good, bad or somewhere in between. I have to live it one day at a time. Some days are good and some bad, but all those days go into making the year. I am looking forward to 2010 with hope and faith.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
More Clouds in Las Vegas
‘Idál (Justice), 19 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Wednesday, December 30, 2009 about 12:19 PM Pacific Time
It's cloudy again today in Las Vegas without any measurable rain predicted. We might get a few sprinkles, but nothing more. On the bright side, winds won't interfere with the fireworks on Thursday night.
New York welcomes a New Year by dropping a ball. Las Vegas welcomes a New Year by setting off fireworks. I guess every town and city has its own way of welcoming a New Year.
It's cloudy again today in Las Vegas without any measurable rain predicted. We might get a few sprinkles, but nothing more. On the bright side, winds won't interfere with the fireworks on Thursday night.
New York welcomes a New Year by dropping a ball. Las Vegas welcomes a New Year by setting off fireworks. I guess every town and city has its own way of welcoming a New Year.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New Years Day and Black Eyed Peas
Fidál (Grace), 18 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Tuesday, December 29, 2009 about 10:04 AM Pacific Time
My grandmother always fixed black eyed peas on New Year's Day, so I'm keeping the tradition. I bought two packages of black-eyed peas at Food 4 Less a couple of days ago and I have a ham steak in the freezer. I'm attempting to remember Grandma's recipe, but it was never written down so I'm going to have to use my own creativity when it comes to fixing the black-eyed peas.
Ham and black-eyed peas
a New Year's Day sensation
keep the recipe.
My grandmother always fixed black eyed peas on New Year's Day, so I'm keeping the tradition. I bought two packages of black-eyed peas at Food 4 Less a couple of days ago and I have a ham steak in the freezer. I'm attempting to remember Grandma's recipe, but it was never written down so I'm going to have to use my own creativity when it comes to fixing the black-eyed peas.
Ham and black-eyed peas
a New Year's Day sensation
keep the recipe.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Last Saturday in 2009
Jalál (Glory), 15 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Saturday, December 26, 2009 about 4:34 PM
It's the last Saturday in 2009, an interesting and stressful year not as stressful as 2007 or 2008, but stressful none the less. I have a complete set of new dentures and still getting used to them. The dentures still feel alien in my mouth, I know that isn't a good description, but that's how they feel.
I eat just about anything I want; however, the dentures have slowed me down a bit. Actually I'm enjoying the taste of food better with the dentures then I did with my natural teeth. I still have issues with the bottom dentures moving around in my mouth, but I'm handling it. I usually just slow down a bit when that happens.
The problem is I can't find a denture adhesives that I can use and still hold the bottom dentures in place. I'm going to try something new this next week and see if that works, if it doesn't work then I'll just have to get used to the dentures moving around. I'll just have to take smaller bits and chew slower.
It's the last Saturday in 2009, an interesting and stressful year not as stressful as 2007 or 2008, but stressful none the less. I have a complete set of new dentures and still getting used to them. The dentures still feel alien in my mouth, I know that isn't a good description, but that's how they feel.
I eat just about anything I want; however, the dentures have slowed me down a bit. Actually I'm enjoying the taste of food better with the dentures then I did with my natural teeth. I still have issues with the bottom dentures moving around in my mouth, but I'm handling it. I usually just slow down a bit when that happens.
The problem is I can't find a denture adhesives that I can use and still hold the bottom dentures in place. I'm going to try something new this next week and see if that works, if it doesn't work then I'll just have to get used to the dentures moving around. I'll just have to take smaller bits and chew slower.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve 2009
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Thursday, December 24, 2009 about 1:44 PM Pacific Time
It's Christmas Eve, my birthday, and Thankful Thursday. There are about seven days left in 2009. Today I'm staying home, I'll go out for a birthday lunch or dinner next week. I thought about going out today, but I don't like driving in Christmas Eve traffic in Las Vegas.
I have a pumpkin roll in the cupboard and some chocolate ice cream in the freezer, so I can celebrate my birthday. It just doesn't seem like a birthday if I don't have cake and ice cream. All right, it's a pumpkin roll, but it's close enough to a cake to make me happy.
Chocolate ice cream
and a birthday pumpkin roll
Las Vegas living.
It's Christmas Eve, my birthday, and Thankful Thursday. There are about seven days left in 2009. Today I'm staying home, I'll go out for a birthday lunch or dinner next week. I thought about going out today, but I don't like driving in Christmas Eve traffic in Las Vegas.
I have a pumpkin roll in the cupboard and some chocolate ice cream in the freezer, so I can celebrate my birthday. It just doesn't seem like a birthday if I don't have cake and ice cream. All right, it's a pumpkin roll, but it's close enough to a cake to make me happy.
Chocolate ice cream
and a birthday pumpkin roll
Las Vegas living.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
It was a good morning
When I got up, it was a good morning. Now I'm not sure, however, I reserve the right to change my mind about that. I don't know that I will change my mind because once the mood of the morning changes from good to difficult, it usually remains difficult.
After the morning
mood changes from good to bad
a long day ahead.
After the morning
mood changes from good to bad
a long day ahead.
Monday, December 21, 2009
No White Christmas this year in Las Vegas
Fidál (Grace), 11 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Monday, December 21, 2009 about 7:47 PM Pacific Time
According to the weather report, which arrived in my e-mail box tonight there going to be no white Christmas. There might be a few flake, but that doesn't constitute a white Christmas in the Las Vegas valley. That means if I want to see snow on either my birthday (December 24) or on Christmas, I have to drive to Mount Charleston.
When I was growing up, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, I enjoyed playing in the snow. I still enjoy the snow, only now I enjoy sitting inside with a cup of hot chocolate and watching it snow outside. Since no snow is forecast for Christmas, I'll just drink hot chocolate and dream about the snow.
We don't celebrate Christmas, so we won't be going out Christmas Day. However, I think we'll go out on Christmas Eve. I have a gift card to one of the local restaurants and I want to use it before the end of the year. I think we'll go out for lunch rather then in the evening.
According to the weather report, which arrived in my e-mail box tonight there going to be no white Christmas. There might be a few flake, but that doesn't constitute a white Christmas in the Las Vegas valley. That means if I want to see snow on either my birthday (December 24) or on Christmas, I have to drive to Mount Charleston.
When I was growing up, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, I enjoyed playing in the snow. I still enjoy the snow, only now I enjoy sitting inside with a cup of hot chocolate and watching it snow outside. Since no snow is forecast for Christmas, I'll just drink hot chocolate and dream about the snow.
We don't celebrate Christmas, so we won't be going out Christmas Day. However, I think we'll go out on Christmas Eve. I have a gift card to one of the local restaurants and I want to use it before the end of the year. I think we'll go out for lunch rather then in the evening.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Fresh Fruit Salad for Christmas
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Sunday, December 20, 2009 about 10:05 AM Pacific Time
I remember Grandma making fresh fruit salad. I'm not sure whether she made it for Christmas or Thanksgiving; I just remember watching her cutting up the fruit for the salad. When Grandma made the salad, she peeled the apples and then cut them into chunks. Grandma always peeled the apples because she couldn't swallow the peeling.
I picked up a Christmas fruit boxes from Angel Food Ministries yesterday. It has apples, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pears. I'm going to make a fruit salad this year. Sometime I have trouble swallowing the apple peeling, but I'm not sure whether I'm going to peel the apples or not.
In addition to the fruit, Grandma put tiny marshmallows, shredded coconut, and nuts. I have the nuts here, but I don't have shredded coconut or marshmallows. Therefore, I'm going to have to get both of those on Wednesday after my check arrives. I'm going to use yogurt for the salad dressing. I'm not sure if Grandma used yogurt for the fruit salad dressing, but I don't think she did. Grandma made her own dressing for the fruit salad and I can't remember how she made the dressing.
I remember Grandma making fresh fruit salad. I'm not sure whether she made it for Christmas or Thanksgiving; I just remember watching her cutting up the fruit for the salad. When Grandma made the salad, she peeled the apples and then cut them into chunks. Grandma always peeled the apples because she couldn't swallow the peeling.
I picked up a Christmas fruit boxes from Angel Food Ministries yesterday. It has apples, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pears. I'm going to make a fruit salad this year. Sometime I have trouble swallowing the apple peeling, but I'm not sure whether I'm going to peel the apples or not.
In addition to the fruit, Grandma put tiny marshmallows, shredded coconut, and nuts. I have the nuts here, but I don't have shredded coconut or marshmallows. Therefore, I'm going to have to get both of those on Wednesday after my check arrives. I'm going to use yogurt for the salad dressing. I'm not sure if Grandma used yogurt for the fruit salad dressing, but I don't think she did. Grandma made her own dressing for the fruit salad and I can't remember how she made the dressing.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
A beautiful December day in Las Vegas
Jalál (Glory), 8 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Saturday, December 19, 2009 about 4:18 PM Pacific Time
Beautiful December
feathery clouds hide the sun
no wind chill factor.
It's December in Las Vegas, chilly but not cold. The sky is covered by feathery clouds without ground level winds. It's a nice winter day in the desert.
Ski jacket ready
for the cold December winds
white clouds without snow.
Beautiful December
feathery clouds hide the sun
no wind chill factor.
It's December in Las Vegas, chilly but not cold. The sky is covered by feathery clouds without ground level winds. It's a nice winter day in the desert.
Ski jacket ready
for the cold December winds
white clouds without snow.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Oversleeping in Las Vegas
Istiqlál (Independence), 7 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Friday, December 18, 2009 about 11:33 AM Pacific Time
I don't like oversleeping because it starts my day out late. However, the past week or so I've overslept. The alarm goes off and I turn it off. I think the clock is too close to the bed. I need to put the clock far enough away so that I have to get out of bed to turn it off.
Most people wouldn't consider sleeping until 6:45 AM oversleeping, but I do. I have a prescription I have to take on an empty stomach and then wait an hour before I can eat breakfast. If I get up at 6:45, I take the tablet about 7:00 AM, which means I can't eat until about 8:00. I get hungry before then.
Overslept again
Friday so I started late
behind all day long.
I don't like oversleeping because it starts my day out late. However, the past week or so I've overslept. The alarm goes off and I turn it off. I think the clock is too close to the bed. I need to put the clock far enough away so that I have to get out of bed to turn it off.
Most people wouldn't consider sleeping until 6:45 AM oversleeping, but I do. I have a prescription I have to take on an empty stomach and then wait an hour before I can eat breakfast. If I get up at 6:45, I take the tablet about 7:00 AM, which means I can't eat until about 8:00. I get hungry before then.
Overslept again
Friday so I started late
behind all day long.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Another Pink Sunset
Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Thursday, December 17, 2009 about Sunset Pacific Time
Another sunset
pink clouds above the mountains
announce the day's end.
I looked out my window and saw the clouds transform from pale white to pastel pink. It reminded me of Oklahoma. Lately almost all sunsets remind me of winter in Oklahoma. This time of year, we woke up looking forward to seeing snow on the ground.
In Las Vegas, it seldom snows in the valley. Mount Charleston has gotten snow so the skiers are happy. I miss the snow, but not enough to drive to Mount Charleston to play in it. I'd rather use the gas for something else, perhaps a trip to the mall to buy chocolate.
Another sunset
pink clouds above the mountains
announce the day's end.
I looked out my window and saw the clouds transform from pale white to pastel pink. It reminded me of Oklahoma. Lately almost all sunsets remind me of winter in Oklahoma. This time of year, we woke up looking forward to seeing snow on the ground.
In Las Vegas, it seldom snows in the valley. Mount Charleston has gotten snow so the skiers are happy. I miss the snow, but not enough to drive to Mount Charleston to play in it. I'd rather use the gas for something else, perhaps a trip to the mall to buy chocolate.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Pink clouds at sunset
‘Idál (Justice), 5 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Wednesday, December 16, 2009 about 4:40 PM Pacific Time
Pink clouds at sunset
a weary day becomes night
tears wait to descend.
It's been a short and weary day. The long winter night approaches and I want to cry. Perhaps tomorrow will be better, so I'll make this entry short.
Pink clouds at sunset
a weary day becomes night
tears wait to descend.
It's been a short and weary day. The long winter night approaches and I want to cry. Perhaps tomorrow will be better, so I'll make this entry short.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A December Sunset
Kamál (Perfection), 3 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Monday, December 14, 2009 about 4:11 PM Pacific Time
Shorter daylight hours
make December's long cold night
summer wishing time.
I look out my living room window and watch the descending sun. December sunsets make me long for summer. December sunsets bring back memories of Oklahoma and snow. It hasn't snowed in the Las Vegas valley, but Mount Charleston has received snow.
I don't miss the snow
I miss Grandma and Grandpa
homemade snow ice cream.
Shorter daylight hours
make December's long cold night
summer wishing time.
I look out my living room window and watch the descending sun. December sunsets make me long for summer. December sunsets bring back memories of Oklahoma and snow. It hasn't snowed in the Las Vegas valley, but Mount Charleston has received snow.
I don't miss the snow
I miss Grandma and Grandpa
homemade snow ice cream.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Winter in Las Vegas
Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Friday, December 11, 2009 about 1:07 PM Pacific Time
Today the sun hides
behind a fleet of gray clouds
another dreary day
Today the sun hides
behind a fleet of gray clouds
another dreary day
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
It rained in Las Vegas last night
Fidál (Grace), 16 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Tuesday, December 8, 2009 about 4:00 PM Pacific Time
It rained last night. It was a nice steady rain lasting for more then an hour. This morning when I went out to get the paper, I noticed that it give my car a good bath. I'm still going to have to take it to the car wash because the rain didn't get the car completely clean.
A natural car wash
the cold December shower
washed away autumn.
The weather report, which arrived in my e-mail box this afternoon, said we could expect more rain this coming weekend. I guess I could wait until next week to take the car to car wash and see if the rain washed the rest of the dirt away.
It rained last night. It was a nice steady rain lasting for more then an hour. This morning when I went out to get the paper, I noticed that it give my car a good bath. I'm still going to have to take it to the car wash because the rain didn't get the car completely clean.
A natural car wash
the cold December shower
washed away autumn.
The weather report, which arrived in my e-mail box this afternoon, said we could expect more rain this coming weekend. I guess I could wait until next week to take the car to car wash and see if the rain washed the rest of the dirt away.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Winter Storm Warnings
Kamál (Perfection), 15 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Monday, December 7, 2009 about 12:18 PM Pacific Time
It's cooler then normal this morning. Clouds cover the sky over Las Vegas. Snow is expected in the mountains. Winter has arrived.
Snow in the mountains
sends chills across Las Vegas
skiers are happy.
It's cooler then normal this morning. Clouds cover the sky over Las Vegas. Snow is expected in the mountains. Winter has arrived.
Snow in the mountains
sends chills across Las Vegas
skiers are happy.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
I think I'm in a rut
Jalál (Glory), 13 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Saturday, December 5, 2009 about 1:42 PM Pacific Time
Am I in a rut?
The same thing day in day out
An old calendar.
I received a new 2010 Water Smart calendar through the mail several days ago. I just started looking at it yesterday and realized I hadn't been to a poetry reading in over a year. I'm in a rut, I need to get out of my rut. Therefore, I'm going to start back to poetry readings next week.
Am I in a rut?
The same thing day in day out
An old calendar.
I received a new 2010 Water Smart calendar through the mail several days ago. I just started looking at it yesterday and realized I hadn't been to a poetry reading in over a year. I'm in a rut, I need to get out of my rut. Therefore, I'm going to start back to poetry readings next week.
Friday, December 04, 2009
I discovered YouTube
Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Friday, December 4, 2009 about 9:24 AM Pacific Time
I have DSL and recently discovered YouTube. All right, I've known YouTube existed for a long time, but when I subscribed to a dial-up connection there was not use accessing that website. However, now that I have DSL I can enjoy the videos.
Christmas time is a wonderful time to listen and watch videos because of the music. I don't celebrate Christmas, but I do listen the Christmas music. Christmas music brings back memories of my childhood. Christmas music encourages my muse to write poetry.
Christmas songs echo
through my mind encouraging
childhood's memories.
I have DSL and recently discovered YouTube. All right, I've known YouTube existed for a long time, but when I subscribed to a dial-up connection there was not use accessing that website. However, now that I have DSL I can enjoy the videos.
Christmas time is a wonderful time to listen and watch videos because of the music. I don't celebrate Christmas, but I do listen the Christmas music. Christmas music brings back memories of my childhood. Christmas music encourages my muse to write poetry.
Christmas songs echo
through my mind encouraging
childhood's memories.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Thankful Thursday December 3, 2009
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Thursday, December 3, 2009 about 4:11 PM Pacific Time
The idea behind Thankful Thursday is that, no matter how difficult life gets, a person can always find ten things for which to give thanks. Those gratitude items can be anything from a coffee maker working to waking up at dawn. Sometimes it's hard to find gratitude items, especially when life kicks you in the teeth. However, if a person keeps an open mind and looks hard enough there is always something to put on the list.
The idea behind Thankful Thursday is that, no matter how difficult life gets, a person can always find ten things for which to give thanks. Those gratitude items can be anything from a coffee maker working to waking up at dawn. Sometimes it's hard to find gratitude items, especially when life kicks you in the teeth. However, if a person keeps an open mind and looks hard enough there is always something to put on the list.
- Today I am thankful that the neighbors (across the street) turned on their Christmas lights last night.
- Today I am thankful that I have enough coffee in the house to last me the rest of December.
- Today I am thankful that I have two coffee makers in the house. One is a peculator and the other is a drip coffee maker.
- Today I am thankful that I have a clock radio to wake me up in the morning.
- Today I am thankful that I remember to buy a filter for the central air unit when I went to Food 4 Less this afternoon.
- Today I am thankful for online banking and the ability to pay bills from home.
- Today I am thankful for the beauty of a desert sunset.
- Today I am thankful that I have an entire set of dentures, so that I can eat homemade vegetable soup and crackers.
- Today I am thankful that I was able to have a new digital thermostat installed before winder got cold.
- Today I am thankful that today is Thankful Thursday and I can make my gratitude list.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
A Beautiful December Evening in Las Vegas
‘Idál (Justice), 10 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Wednesday, December 2, 2009 about 4:20 PM Pacific Time
Sunset approaches turning the sky from blue to blueish-white. It is a warm 61 degrees at this time, but it will get cooler. I say cooler because it seldom gets extremely cold in Las Vegas. True it does snow on Mount Charleston, but Las Vegas is in the valley so we don't get a lot of snow down here.
I miss the snow. If I want to see snow or play in it, I have to drive to Mount Charleston and driving to the mountain when it snows means putting chains on the car. I have never bought chains for any car I've driven. I have never put chains on the tires of a car. Perhaps I've missed something, I wouldn't know.
I could fly to Colorado, I talked to my brother today (the one who lives in Colorado) and he said they're expecting snow. I have no intention of going to Colorado in December. Since I can't go to the snow and it isn't going to snow in the valley, I'll just have to dream or write about snow.
Sunset approaches turning the sky from blue to blueish-white. It is a warm 61 degrees at this time, but it will get cooler. I say cooler because it seldom gets extremely cold in Las Vegas. True it does snow on Mount Charleston, but Las Vegas is in the valley so we don't get a lot of snow down here.
I miss the snow. If I want to see snow or play in it, I have to drive to Mount Charleston and driving to the mountain when it snows means putting chains on the car. I have never bought chains for any car I've driven. I have never put chains on the tires of a car. Perhaps I've missed something, I wouldn't know.
I could fly to Colorado, I talked to my brother today (the one who lives in Colorado) and he said they're expecting snow. I have no intention of going to Colorado in December. Since I can't go to the snow and it isn't going to snow in the valley, I'll just have to dream or write about snow.
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