Old Traditions or Is It Habits Hard to Break

Fiḍál (Grace), 1 Sharaf (Honour), 170 BE - Tuesday, December 31, 2013 about 9:50 am Pacific Standard Time

Old traditions habits hard to break. I can remember Grandma Mary preparing for New Year's Day, she always finished the laundry on New Year's Eve because she didn't believe in doing laundry on the first day of a New Year. Grandma said "Whatever you do on New Year's Day you'll be doing the rest of the year." That is why she didn't do laundry or most housework on New Year's Day. The only type of household chores she performed on a New Year's Day was making beds and washing dishes.

I seem to find that habit tradition hard to break because today I'm finishing up all the laundry that I can find because I don't want to do laundry tomorrow, January 1, 2014. Another tradition I have difficulty breaking fixing black eyed peas on New Year's Day. When I went to the store yesterday, I purchased one can of black eyed peas for my January 1 menu. Grandma always fixed black eyed peas on the first day of the year.

Normally, Grandma made them from scratch. She would put the dried black eyed peas to soak the night before and then on the morning of January 1 put them onto cook. Grandma usually seasoned the peas she cooked with with pigs feet. I prefer to season mine (when I make them from scratch) with a honey baked ham bone and pieces of the ham. However, this year I'm going to have the canned peas because I have no way to fix the dried ones at this time. Maybe I'll fix black eyed peas in March for Naw-Ruz.

Grandma Mary always fixed black eyed peas on January 1 because she thought they were good luck. I'll have to do some research on that superstition, I don't believe what you eat on the first attracts good luck, but it would be nice to know where the superstition originated.

Planning My New Year's Day 2014 Menu

Kamál (Perfection), 19 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Monday, December 30, 2013 about 11:08 am Pacific Standard Time

To say that I'm excited about the beginning of a New Gregorian Year is an understatement, it's also out of character or at least a little weird for me. Normally, I get excited about Naw-Ruz (the New Year I celebrate), but seldom about the New Year that starts on January 1. However, this year is different because it will be 13 months and 3 days after my mother's death and I have the feeling that it will be the beginning of a new phase of my life.

For my New Year's Day lunch I have decided to have a cod fillet, with potato surprise (I'll post the recipe after I finish making it), a can of black eyed peas, and a green salad. I don't think I'll have a desert of any kind, but I may change my mind about that tomorrow. Since I have a pound cake mix in the refrigerator I can make the desert.  I'm also going to make a carafe of fresh ground whole bean coffee made with a kona coffee bean blend.

Setting Goals for the Coming Year

Jamál (Beauty), 18 Masá’il, 170 BE - Sunday, December 29, 2013 about 11:40 am Pacific Standard Time

The way I set my goals for the New Year is fairly straight forward. I decide on the goals between December 29 to December 31 and then I make the plan for achieving the goals. I reevaluate the goals on or before Naw-Ruz, March21, and then finalize the plans for achieving the goals. When the end of the Gregorian year approaches, I again reevaluate my goals to see if I need to make any changes. At this time I also decide what new goals I want to work on for the coming year.

This year I am making my goals more concrete then in the past. I am also keeping a separate list of things I want to do once I have accomplished my goals consistently or completely. Some of the goals are those that once I accomplish them, I can move on to something else.

Goals for the Coming Year

• Join Humana's SilverSneakers program and go to the gym once a week. I may change this to twice a week once I have attended for a month.
• Participate in the 52 week money savings challenge and deposit the money in my savings account at the end of each week.
• Write 2,000 words a day consistently for 3 months. In this case, I am defining consistent as 6 days out of 7 and if I make it  7 days each week for 3 months then I will raise the word count.
• Create a group on writing.com called United in Our Grief.
• Create a website.

Those are the goals I have decided upon for the first quarter of 2014. I will list the other goals I will list the backup goals separately after I have completed the plans for accomplishing these goals.

I ate the last of the leftovers for breakfast

Jalál (Glory), 17 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Saturday, December 28, 2013 about 10:35 AM Pacific Standard Time

I ate the last of the leftovers for breakfast, so I'm going to have to fix something else this afternoon. I'm thinking perhaps a  grilled cheese sandwich with a salad. I purchased stuff for a salad on Thursday, so all I have to do is make it. I'll do that as soon as the dishes by the sink have drained.

I washed my dishes the old fashion way, but I don't dry  them with a towel. I let them drain by the sink and then put them away. It works just as good and since I don't have any dishtowels it's the best way for me to do it. I'll have to purchase some dishtowels in 2014, that way I can dry the dishes and put them away immediately.

Hot soapy water
warms my arthritic fingers
drives away the pain.

I still have a lot of work to do this morning, both online and in the house. Now that  the dishes are done I can focus on something else. I know I have to check Mom's room to see if everything is out of there. Once I do that then I can unplug the light and carry it into the dining room where I'm putting everything I want to take with me. I also need to check the other two bedroom to make sure I don't have anything in their I want to keep.

A New Year coming
a new residence and life
in 2014.

I'm looking forward to the New Year and living some place where I can keep warm without an outrageous power bill. I will be happy if that bill is less then $200.00; I'd like a place where the power and water are paid, but I'll accept a place that has a lower power bill even if I'm still struggling to pay it. I just have to place my faith in God, pray, and keep on keeping on.

A Productive Friday Morning

Istiqlál (Independence), 16 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Friday, December 27, 2013 about 10:44 am Pacific Standard Time

It's been a productive Friday morning. I finished the last of the leftover coffee a few minutes ago and, right now, I'm sipping it while composing this entry. I found the canister containing my teabags and wrapped candy, so I placed it next to the coffee maker. I finally reset the clock on the microwave, so now it's close to the actual time on my cellphone.

Things I still have to do. I have to finish setting up the coffee maker for morning by filling the water tank and putting fresh grounds in the basket. I also have to do the morning dishes, but I need to do a room check before I start that because I don't want to find any stray dishes, cups, or flatware when the dishes are washed and sitting clean beside the sink. I also have to do a load of laundry, but I'm going to have to do a room check before I start the machine.

If I wait until starting the washing machine before I do the room check then I end up leaving the lid open through the entire wash cycle and have to run the clothes through again. If I don't do a room check before starting the dishes then I usually end up finding stray flatware or cups in the living room, next to the compute, or sitting beside the coffee maker.

Midweek Reflections: December 25, 2013

‘Idál (Justice), 14 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Wednesday, December 25, 2013 about 8:29 am Pacific Standard Time

It's a joyous Christmas morning,
I inhaled the scent of woodsmoke
when I rolled the trashcan to the curb
and smiled
at the realization
that even on a holiday
some people are blessed with work.

It's a joyous Christmas morning,
I heard a nightingale singing
outside my kitchen window
and realized
how blessed I am
because I have the love
of both Christ and Baha'u'llah.

It's a joyous Christmas morning,
with a slight breeze caressing
a neighbor's olive tree
and bird songs
echoing
through the neighborhood.

At 67 My Birthday Gratitude List

Fiḍál (Grace), 13 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Tuesday, December 24, 2013 about 6:41 am Pacific Standard Time

 Since I am 67 years old today, I decided not to wait until Thursday to post my gratitude list.

Today I am thankful...

1. ...that, several years ago, I accepted the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. My greatest joy each day is intoning the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah.
2. ...that I have family that is worried about my spiritual, material, and physical welfare.
3. ...that I have an internet connection and provider so that I can access the Baha'i Scriptures online at anytime of the day or night.
4. ...for coffee and the memories of my Grandpa Newland drinking a cup brings to mind.
5. ...for the large can of chilli and beans I received when I picked up my monthly food allotment a couple of weeks ago. I can now have chilli and crackers on Christmas day.
6. ...for the 66 years I was able to have my mother in my life and watch her joy when she read or listened to someone read from the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah.
7. ...that I have a paid membership to writing.com, with a portfolio to hold my poems and stories.
8. ...that I live in Las Vegas and can go outside to see the snow capped peak of Mount Charleston.
9. ...that I survived 67 years.

I know that I normally have ten things to be thankful for, but I think that nine things on my birthday is a good list.

Monday's Changing Plans

Kamál (Perfection), 12 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Monday, December 23, 2013 about 10:30 am Pacific Standard Time

Monday's plans have changed again. All this month, I've planned to go somewhere on Monday, but come Monday morning my plans change. This morning, as every other Monday morning, it changed because of laundry. I still have one or two more loads to wash, if I can find something to use as laundry detergent.

I'm out of laundry detergent. I'm out of the other soap I was using as laundry detergent. The only thing I have left is some old bottles of shampoo (at least I think that's all I have left). I'm not sure about using it because I think I was allergic to the shampoo in those bottles, which is why I still have them leftover. As soon as the other computer finishes its virus scan, I'll check my checking account to see if (by some miracle) I have enough money in it to purchase laundry soap.

If I can't purchase soap this afternoon, then I'll just have to wait for a few days until I can figure out where to get the money. I know this is my own fault because the only time I run out of laundry soap is when I don't buy it at the first of the month. Unfortunately, I may have to wait until after January 1, 2014 to purchase laundry detergent.

Two Days and Counting

Jamál (Beauty), 11 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Sunday, December 24, 2013 about 8:24 am Pacific Standard Time

In two day, on December 24, 2013, I will be 67 years old young. I was born on December 24, 1946 at eleven minutes before midnight. I am the oldest of four children and I have two brothers and one sister. Neither of my  parents are still alive.

I'm not sure whether I'm dreading looking forward to my birthday. I could be looking forward dreading my birthday, which would explain the way I feel this morning. I would like to live to be 100; however, my health problems will influence not only how much longer I live, but how well I live those years.

I'm not sure what I can do about my health at this point in my life. However, I'm going to attempt to do something about them. I have two doctor's appointments scheduled for 2014 and at that time I will find out what I can do. I'm also going to join a gym where I can get more exercise. I will also attempt to change my eating habits. The only other thing I can do is say healing prayers.

Writing this has helped my mood, so I guess I should do a little more writing in 2014 as well. Right now, my daily word could goal is between 1,500 to 2,000 words. I put it at that range because I become frustrated when I don't achieve this goal and frustration leads to stress. I intend to give myself three months to determine if I can meet or exceed the 2,000 words on a regular basis. If I exceed the 2,000 words then I will raise the range on March 21, 2014.

Winter Solstice: The Shortest Day of the Year

Jalál (Glory), 10 Masá’il, 170 BE - Saturday, December 21, 2013 about 10:29 am Pacific Standard Time

It's winter solstice. It's the shortest day of the year. It's the day that the sun stands still. All right, the sun doesn't stand still any more then the earth stands still. The earth is always rotating on its axis and revolving around the sun. While the sun does rotate, it doesn't rotate in the same manner as Earth, but it doesn't stand still either. In addition, the sun along with its planets revolve around the center of the galaxy.

After today, the day become longer until we reach the summer solstice. In between these two astronomical events, in the northern hemisphere, winter becomes spring and spring becomes summer. Plants grow and animals give birth life moves at a faster pace as the days grow longer and the nights shorter. Poets are inspired to write odes to nature, love, or bitch about how fast time flies.

I'm looking forward to spring and summer more this year then in the past. I'm cold. I'm chilly. I'm tired of wearing three or four layers of clothes in an attempt to keep warm. True, I live in Las Vegas so it doesn't get at cold here (most of the time) as in other parts of the country; that doesn't make me feel better or warmer. I want to enjoy something cold instead of having to heat everything (all right, almost everything) in the microwave so it doesn't make me cold when I eat or drink it. I'm tired of bundling up when I go to eat something cold because it makes my body colder.

I'm going to close this before it becomes a rant. I've finished the hot tea I was drinking and I need to warm me up another cup of tea or apple juice. I'd fix myself some hot soup, but I'm full at present and couldn't eat another bit. I'll be lucky to finish my next cup of hot tea.

Groceries to put away plus other stuff equals a lot of work on Friday afternoon

Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Friday, December 20, 2013 about 1:05 pm Pacific Standard Time

I left the house this morning about 8:00 am and drove across town to pick up my December senior food allotment. After picking up the two bags of food, I stopped at the grocery store because I need carrots and an onion to finish the chicken soup I'm making for this weekend. I also purchased some bananas, clam chowder (I don't make this type of soup for myself), a pumpkin pie, and whipped topping. I think I also purchased a can of mushroom soup because I won't make that for myself either.

After leaving the grocery store, I stopped at the gas station (because I knew if I went home before stopping there I wouldn't want to leave the house again). I got home about 9:30 or 10:00 am and put some of the stuff away. I still have more items to put away, but I had to rest after my outing this morning. This is why I prefer to grocery shop when I don't have anything else to do. Walking around in the grocery store tires me out, but it's good exercise.

I still have to cook the carrots, onion, and more potatoes for my chicken soup. I had to was the glass turntable in the microwave because something boiled over yesterday and I couldn't cook anything else in there until I cleaned the turntable. Now that the turntable is clean I'm going to put in the rest of the stuff for the soup. I hope I can have chicken soup sometime tonight; the next time I decide to do this I'm making sure I have all the ingredients before I start making the soup.

Thankful Thursday: December 19, 2013 Gratitude List

Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Thursday, December 19, 2013 about 12:15 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am thankful...

1.  ...for the nine chicken leg quarters I received last Friday from Lutheran Social Service. When I came home last week, the leg quarter were still froze so I put them in the freezer. I took them out of the freezer on Tuesday morning and put them in the refrigerator so that I could cook them when they thawed. They were thawed this morning, so I started cooking them this morning and just finished fixing all nine a few minutes ago. Now I can freeze them in baggies and have chicken the rest for the next three or four days (perhaps longer).

2.  ...for the three green pepper I was able to get last Friday. I am cooking them today so that I can have green pepper and chicken soup this weekend.

3.  ...for the 5 lb. bag of potatoes I receive last Friday, as well. I am going to cook them after the green pepper are done and put some of those in my chicken and green pepper soup.

4.  ...that my EBT card came in the mail earlier this month (I cannot remember the exact date) because I was able to purchase a container of coffee and some buttermilk. As soon as I rest up from being on my feet most of the morning, I will pour me a large glass of buttermilk.

5.  ...that I have an electric skillet because it is easier to cook chicken quarter in a electric skillet then in a microwave.

6.  ...that I have a microwave because I can cook the peppers and the potatoes in the chicken broth before I begin making my soup this afternoon.

7.  ...for the silence in the house because there are no noisy distractions to interrupt my meditation or writing.

8.  ...that I still have some yogurt with cranberry sauce mixed in it because I can have that for my afternoon snack.

9.  ...that I was able to make a fresh carafe of coffee this morning.

10.  ...for the beautiful, partly cloudy and warm winter afternoon in Las Vegas.

Midweek Reflections on Coffee and Buttermilk

Idál Justice, 7 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Wednesday, December 18, 2013 about 12:12 pm Pacific Standard Time

I went to the grocery store this morning to purchase some necessary and desired items. I intended to purchase only coffee with my food card, but when I stopped by the dairy section Smiths Food and Drug Store had buttermilk on the top shelf. Since I haven't had buttermilk this year, I decided to purchase a container. I bought the largest container on display because I knew I would pig out on it this week. I always do this when I haven't had buttermilk in over twelve months.

I also bought coffee, so now I don't have to worry about running out of coffee this weekend. I purchase a darker more full flavored coffee this time because I don't use as much of it when I make a fresh carafe. If I buy the lighter coffee I have to use five scoops in the coffee maker basket to get the flavor I want, but with a darker coffee I can use four scoops. If I use fewer scoops then I don't run out of coffee as quickly as using five scoop.

I still have the problem of warming the leftover coffee over in the microwave, but I will solve that problem in the coming year. Right now, the only thing that's important is having hot coffee on cold winter mornings. I'll just deal with the taste of the warmed over coffee, besides if I use only four scoops instead of five when I make fresh coffee the warmed over coffee may not be as bitter or taste as weird.

My Optometrist Appointment

Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Tuesday, December 17, 2013 about 1:23 pm Pacific Standard Time

I went to the optometrist this morning for my normal six month eye examination. My appointment was for 9:45 am and I arrived at the office about 9:15. I sit in the waiting room for about 45 or 50 minutes before the nurse called me back to begin the normal battery of test. I enjoyed sitting in the waiting room because I could see the fish tank and watch the fish swimming around.

There were four fish nice sized small fish swimming back and forth, up and down in the tanks what was decorated with either faux coral or dead coral (I couldn't tell which). The fish in the tank were orange, striped, white with black spots, and charcoal. It was a pleasant wait sitting there watching the fish swim or sleep.

After the nurse or office assistant called me to begin the battery of tests my appointment moved rather quickly. I took a book with me, but I didn't have time to read much. I go out of the office between 11:00 and 11:30 am and drove back to the house because the doctor had my eyes dilated today and I didn't want to drive more then necessary. As a result, I still have to go to the grocery store which I'll probably do tomorrow morning.

A Blue Monday Afternoon

Kamál (Perfection), 5 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Monday, December 16, 2013 about 12:21 pm Pacific Standard Time

It's a blue Monday afternoon,
with a partly cloudy sky,
a day to remain at home
and complete
unfinished tasks.

This afternoon, the only thing that keeps me focused on any task is reciting the prayers reveal by Baha'u'llah or The Bab. This morning focus wasn't as difficult as this afternoon. Of course, this morning before starting word I prayed and meditated, so perhaps I need to stop what I'm doing to meditate and say prayers.

wisp of scattered clouds
decorates afternoon's sky
chilly a slight breeze

 I look out the window and watch wisp of clouds scattered across the blue sky. They don't seem to move while I'm watching them, but if I look away for a few minutes and then look back I can see that there is slight movement. I still have some newspapers to carry out to the garages, so I guess I should get up and do that. I think while I'm out there I'll stand in the warm sun for a little while.

Saturday Morning Thoughts: December 14, 2013

Jalál (Glory), 3 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Saturday, December 14, 2013 about 7:26 am Pacific Standard Time

Another weary morning,
after a short
and semi-sleepless night;
maybe,
another couple of prayers,
a second breakfast
(with a bite of protein)
and some more coffee
will make
the rest of the day right.

Another weary morning,
with a list of chores
that can't
be left undone -
perhaps
I should consider
an afternoon nap
or a walk in winter's
warm sun.

Thoughts on Friday, December 13, 2013

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Friday, December 13, 2013 about 3:50 pm Pacific Time

I spent most of the morning picking up food at one of the Las Vegas food pantries, which means I didn't get very much writing accomplished today. I'm attempting to catch up on what I'm supposed to write today without worrying about what I didn't get written yesterday.  Thursday was a busy day as well.

I had an appointment at 1:30 pm with wound care at UMC. I had to leave the house early because I need to stop by the bank and with draw some money to pay part of the power bill. After withdrawing the I went to the hospital and spent the rest of the afternoon in the outpatient waiting room or in an examination room. The doctor gave me a prescription for compression stocking, which I have to get filled as soon as I can raise the money.

Then last night, I went to the Feast of Questions with a friend. That was a nice experience and a refreshing break in my routine. I enjoyed the Feast and when I came home, I had a good nights rest. This morning's little outing wore me out and I've spent most of the day recovering and putting groceries away. I still have some canned goods to put away, but I may not get those done until tomorrow because I have a lot of writing to do tonight.

I had planned to go to the grocery store tomorrow, but I think I will stay home. I only have one item to purchase, but I haven't checked my bank account today so I don't know what came through. I'll probably check the account either tonight or in the morning. Since I know what's coming through there shouldn't be a problem.

Thankful Thursday: December 12, 2013

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Thursday, December 12, 2013 about 8:43 am Pacific Standard Time

This morning I am grateful...

1.  ...for the Baha'i scriptures and prayers because they give me comfort and help me get through the day.

2.  ...that my car started when I went to back it out of the garage because that means I closed all the doors tightly when I put it in the garage earlier this week.

3.  ...for the chilly, but not too cold temperatures last night, because the heat did not come on all night.

4.  ...that I still have electricity in the house despite the huge electric bill I have to pay by Friday.

5.  ...for an automatic dryer because I can wash clothes and do not have to hang them over furniture to dry.

6.  ...that I received my SNAP card earlier this week because now I can get the makings for real homemade chicken soup instead of opening a can.

7.  ...for the feel of the warm sun on this chilly December morning.

8.  ...that I have enough gas in the car to get me to my doctor's appointment this afternoon and then to the bank to withdraw some money to pay on the electric bill;

9.  ...for hot coffee on a chilly December morning.

10.  ...that I have a cable modem to access the internet.

Midweek Reflections on Frustration

‘Idál (Justice), 19 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Wednesday, December 11, 2013 about 3:31 pm Pacific Standard Time

Since November, I'm been attempting to make appointments with specialist. I have three made, but the fourth one is taking longer then I thought and longer then it should. I've called my doctor twice with the proper fax number and, as of today, the  information still hadn't been faxed. I called my doctor again today with the proper fax number. I hope it gets faxed this time.

I'm frustrated! Part of the reason is the doctors' appointments, but that isn't the only thing that's causing my frustration. I'm still living in my mother's house because the house hasn't closed yet, which means I'm still saddled with bills I can't pay. I think I have enough for the power bill, but then I will still have to deal with the car insurance and other bills.

I'm tired. I'm cold. I'm frustrated . I'm repeating myself. Maybe I need to view this entire situation from a different perspective. The managers from the apartments, whose waiting lists I'm on, haven't called yet. Perhaps it's good thing that the house hasn't closed. At least, I still have someplace to live. All though next week I may not have insurance for the car if I pay the power bill. If I don't pay the power bill then I will have insurance for the car, but no power in the house.

A change in perspective doesn't help my frustration. It doesn't keep me warm. I think the best thing for me to do at this moment is post this. Then I will make myself a cup of hot tea with a candy cane in it. After I finish the tea, then I will say some prayer.

Thoughts on a Tuesday Afternoon in December

Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Tuesday, December 10, 2013 about 3:51 pm Pacific Standard Time

Suddenly I want to cry,
I sigh,
I don't know why I want to cry.

This afternoon, I feel so alone. I'm still living in Mom's house wondering where I'll go when the sale of the house closes. I haven't heard from any of the waiting lists I'm on. Maybe I won't hear from them (at least, that's the thought going through my mind). I have to take some sort of action, but I don't know what .

I have bills to pay and I don't have the money to pay them. I may be without power after December 16 and I'm frightened. I have enough money to pay the power bill, but that will leave me short when it comes to the water bill and the car insurance. I don't know where the money for the car insurance will come from after I pay the power bill.

I'm so tired of worrying about bills. I'm so tired of being lonely. It's chilly in the house because I keep the thermostat down so low, but it doesn't seem to make any difference in the power bill. I just don't know what to do, except to write. Writing sometimes helps or at least it used to help me find a way to solve my difficulties.

Another thing that helps is prayer. I've been saying prayers off and on all day. They help when I'm saying them because then I don't want to cry. I'm rambling in this entry and that isn't any way to make a blog entry, but I don't know what else to do because I've started typing and I can't seem to stop. I think I'll close this entry and make me another cup of hot tea with a pepper mint candy cane in it.

At Sunset

Kamál (Perfection), 17 Qawl 170 BE - Monday, December 9, 2013 about 4:27 pm Pacific Standard Time

I may not be exactly sunset, but it's close enough to it. It's been a long weary day because I didn't want to get up this morning. Since I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to do much of anything. I accomplished a few things despite not wanting to get up.

I wrote, I downloaded an image from writing.com and then uploaded  it back to the website so that I could store it in my portfolio. I used the fleece throw that I purchased last week as an early birthday present to myself. The throw is black with a snowmen on it and, as soon as I can scan it into my computer, I will post an image of it on this blog.

Las Vegas sunset
sky fades from blue to off white
another day ends.

On a Cold and Windy Saturday in December

Jalál (Glory), 15 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Saturday, December 7, 2013 about 2:20 pm Pacific Standard Time

On this cold and windy Saturday in December,
the ice cream truck just drove by my house.

I heard the music playing
as he approached
with all his sweet cold treats that
in summer I would buy,
but today
it is too cold for an ice cream cone.

I think I'm getting old because today it's too cold for ice cream. The other day, I stopped at Marie Calender's to purchase a rhubarb pie. After I purchased the pie, I went to the grocery store to get a few necessities. I did not purchase any ice cream (which I normally eat on rhubarb pie) because it's winter and the ice cream with the pie would chill me.

When I was younger it didn't matter how cold it was outside if I wanted ice cream. I can remember eating ice cream on a snowy Christmas Eve because it was my birthday and I liked ice cream with my birthday cake. However, at 66 going on 67 I have stopped eating ice cream in the winter time. Now, when I eat pie or cake in the winter, I put milk on it and warm it in the microwave.

Thoughts at Sunset in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Qawl 170 BE - Friday, December 6, 2013 about 3:44 pm Pacific Standard Time

the sun is setting
neighbor's are returning home
from work and shopping

 I went to the store yesterday and wouldn't you know it, I forgot two of the items I went in to purchase. I forgot laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I have to check my account to see if I can purchase those this weekend. If I can't then I'm going to have to do without those items until the end of the month. Oh well, it won't be the first time I washed clothes without laundry detergent or dryer sheets.

the sun is setting
the cold day is cooling down
tomorrow hot soup

Setting up Doctor's appointments

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Thursday, December 5, 2013 about 1:44 PM Pacific Standard Time

I started on November 18, attempting to set up two appointment. I got one appointment, the one for the mammogram arranged almost as soon as I called. That appointment is for the early part of February 2014. The other appointment, was for wound care, which I was finally able to set up this week. That appointment is for December 12, 2013.

I went back to my doctor's office on November 26, for the results of a blood test. She gave me a referral to two specialist. One of the specialist called back on Monday and I made that appointment for the end of January 2014. I called the other specialist today and apparently my doctor's office has the wrong fax number, so now I have to call my doctor back and give them the proper fax number so they can send the paperwork that specialist needs to make my appointment.

I hope I can set that appointment up for January or February because I do not want to spend all of 2014 going to doctor's offices. As it is now, I suspect I will have to come into Las Vegas from Searchlight to keep the appointments I have already made. Oh well, that's life. I just need to take a deep breath and stop complaining because the only thing that complaining does is make  the situation worse.

Midweek Reflections on Fresh Brewed Coffee

‘Idál (Justice), 12 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Wednesday, December 4, 2013 about 6:12 AM Pacific Standard Time

Why is it that fresh brewed coffee tastes better then leftover coffee heated in the microwave? This morning, my first cup of coffee was leftover from Monday and I warmed it up in the microwave before brewing a fresh carafe. I finished the warmed over coffee and then poured myself a cup of the fresh brewed coffee.

The leftover coffee was hot and it was good, but when I tasted the fresh brewed coffee I noticed the difference.  Perhaps the difference in taste come from the fact that I let the coffee sit in the carafe since Monday or it could be that fresh brewed coffee simply tastes better then leftover coffee. I know it tastes better then instant coffee, but I did not think that there would be much of a difference between coffee that was brewed fresh on Monday and the coffee I brewed this morning.

Paradise
a cup of fresh brewed coffee
on a cold December morning.

The difference could also result from the fact that I warmed the leftover coffee up in a mug rather then my regular coffee cup. The cup I use for fresh brewed coffee is small then the one I use to heat up the coffee that is leftover from the day before, which could also be a reason for t he difference in taste. I usually finish the leftover coffee the day after I make it instead of letting it sit for two or three days.

I Wonder about the Temperature in Searchlight

Fiḍál (Grace), 11 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Tuesday, December 3, 2013 about 5:52 AM Pacific Standard Time

I wonder about the temperature in Searchlight,
is it colder there this morning
then here in Las Vegas.

According to weather.com, the temperature in Las Vegas, on this partly cloudy morning, is 44 degrees, but feels like 39.  After checking the weather in Las Vegas, I checked the temperature in Searchlight and its 42 degrees, but feels like 38. There doesn't seem to be that much difference this morning; however, I haven't moved there yet so I could feel a lot different once I'm living there.

The problem is isolation,
or at least the feeling of isolation.

I know that I have to accept the inevitability of moving to Searchlight, but I'm not looking forward to the experience or the isolation. All my friends are here in Las Vegas, true I can probably make new friends there but I can't find anyone there who is a Baha'i. In Searchlight, I won't be able to attend the nineteen-day Feast or the Holy Days. However, it's probably God's will that I move to Searchlight, so I may as well get used to it. Maybe there are advantages to living there that I haven't discovered.

Twentry-three days to go

Jamál (Beauty), 9 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Sunday, December 1, 2013 about 9:18 am Pacific Standard Time

In twenty-three days, I will be sixty-seven years old or perhaps I should say sixty-seven years young. However, I word it I will be celebrating another birthday. It is a birthday I both look forward to and dread. I look forward to it because it means I am still alive and writing. I would say kicking, but at may age kicking anything can be dangerous because I could break a toe or fall and hurt myself.

As anyone reading this entry can see, my sense of humor is still going weird and strong. The question arises, "Why am I dreading this birthday?" The answer is easy, this is my second birthday without Mom present in my life. I almost wrote this is my first birthday without her present; however, Mom died on November 29, 2012, so last year was my first birthday without her in my life. For some reason, I forgot my 2012 birthday.

Since I forgot my 2012 birthday, does that mean I can tell everyone I am only sixty-six years old? I doubt if that would work, but it could be a conversations started. I do not think I need any conversation starters because lately I have found myself with a lot say, but no one to say it to. Since I have no one to talk to my blog entries may be getting longer this month.