Author Archives: daeja's view

Men Give Me Knives

Posted on May 22, 2016 by daeja's view

While rummaging through some drawers and stored boxes, I came across a number of different knives, mostly pocket-type and folding knives, which have been given to me by various men over the years.  It is not the first time I … Continue reading →

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Miracles and Magic In Your Hands

Posted on May 6, 2016 by daeja's view

Have you stopped to notice all the little miracles that pass through our hands daily? While skimming through a number of recent and stored photographs, I could not help but realize how many beautiful things these worn out old hands … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Photography, Spring, Uncategorized, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fauxtmeal

Posted on April 20, 2016 by daeja's view

My very pregnant daughter was standing at her kitchen counter one morning eating some mushy stuff out of a bowl that looked like oatmeal but wasn’t. When I asked, she told me it was “Fauxtmeal”. Just coming into the last … Continue reading →

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Adventures in Sourdough

Posted on March 24, 2016 by daeja's view

“Why are we paying the price of whole wheat and artisan breads when we could be making it ourselves?” Almost to the day that the Significant Other made this economy-driven announcement, an old bread machine was synchronistically gifted my way.  … Continue reading →

Posted in baking, Cooking, Diet, Food, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Tale of the Traveling Chairs

Posted on March 14, 2016 by daeja's view

The Great Divorce in our family took place in California back in the 1970’s. Along with moving herself and children to the bottom half of a stucco two-family house with a Spanish tile roof,  my mother launched into her new … Continue reading →

Posted in Divorce, Friends, Perspective, Regrets, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Buzzed

Posted on March 10, 2016 by daeja's view

Our local nursery was having their annual Spring flower display, an early teaser, and it was raining, so I stopped there to get high.  On flowers.  I get pretty buzzed on flowers – it’s true.  Obviously  I am not the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Photography, Spring, Uncategorized, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

What It Boils Down To

Posted on March 1, 2016 by daeja's view

It’s that time of year in these colder regions where the maple sap is running.  This past weekend a number of local people have been busy boiling down their sap.  On a Saturday complimented by a stellar-blue jay sky, friends … Continue reading →

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My Little Black Book is Blue

Posted on February 19, 2016 by daeja's view

Not that long ago it seems, before cell phone contact lists and computer address databases, there was The Address Book.  Even though that information is stored on both my phone and in a computer file, stashed in a top drawer … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Friends, Perspective, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Priorities

Posted on February 12, 2016 by daeja's view

The Significant Other is self-employed in the construction trade and is kind of a “Mr. Fixit.”  Following a recent accident which required some surgery, the involuntary down-time has kept him home for much of the week.  He is pretty good … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me?, Humor, Perspective, Rant, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Don’t Steal This Book

Posted on February 5, 2016 by daeja's view

My books are like old friends.  When it comes time to purge items from the home, the most difficult items to reduce seem to be the books.  Even when I know I am not going to be reading a particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me?, Birds, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Machine Age

Posted on January 27, 2016 by daeja's view

You would think I had grown up in the days of my grandmother or possibly my great-grandmother if you saw the kind of appliances I had in my house, right up into the 1990’s.  As a twenty-something and even a … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Cooking, Perspective, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Bowl of Good Fortune

Posted on August 18, 2015 by daeja's view

Returning from the weekly excursion to our uptown farmer’s market, I added sweet white donut peaches and local apples to the avocados, tiny Seckel pears and other staples already filling this bowl of good fortune.   This vision required the need … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet, Food, Perspective, summer, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Telekinesis of Grief

Posted on August 17, 2015 by daeja's view

This is an odd thing that I have only shared with a very small handful of people because it is so weird. I have often wondered if anyone else has had the same experiences, and after giving it some serious … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me?, Coping, Deafness, grief | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Looking Up

Posted on August 4, 2015 by daeja's view

I just happened to have another one of those oddly moving parking lot experiences. It is a hot, bright August day with a slight tinge of humidity in the air.  Despite the delicious temptation of slabbing out in front of … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Photography, summer, Uncategorized, Weather, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

West Wind

Posted on May 13, 2015 by daeja's view

Last night the west wind blew down all the cherry blossoms from the tree across the street. They landed on our side of the road, gathering in a lovely line of candy-pink bubblegum bliss along the curb. I was filled … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Spring, Uncategorized, Wow! | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Cheese Puff Bliss

Posted on April 8, 2015 by daeja's view

You never know when and where you might discover a moment of contentment.  It feels like a gift when those times happen unbidden and unexpectedly. Having just finished shopping and while loading my groceries into the trunk of the car, … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Spring, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Power of Skunk

Posted on March 5, 2015 by daeja's view

Skunk wafting on the wind is a scent I actually enjoy.  There has been an especially strong aroma lingering around the back of the house for the last couple of weeks.  Honestly, at first I thought either someone spilled a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Stories, Coping, Uncategorized, Weather, Wildlife, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Stuff of Nightmares

Posted on February 13, 2015 by daeja's view

Being sort of a nerd when it comes to science, botany, animals and insects, it has been a regular practice to study, scrutinize and read up on many of the critters, diseases, and earthly creations that I stumble upon.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Stories, Are you kidding me?, Coping, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Trail of Panties

Posted on January 31, 2015 by daeja's view

While packing for a trip to Holland years ago, my friend suggested we should bring all of our old underwear that was on its very last legs and discard them along the way, leaving more room in the suitcase to … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me?, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

New Morning

Posted on January 2, 2015 by daeja's view

The calendar on my iPhone was serving me well until it appeared I was showing up for appointments on the wrong date and missing scheduled engagements.  This happened because in the process of scrolling to turn on the reminder alarms … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rescue

Posted on August 13, 2014 by daeja's view

Some people have issues with The Empty Nest after their children grow up and move away from home.  For me this has not been much of a problem.  The teenage years of my youngest were so dramatic disruptive emotional  intense … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Animal Stories, Dogs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Mermaid Farewell, or The Last (Hip) Hurrah

Posted on June 25, 2014 by daeja's view

While deleting over a hundred spam hits, it really drove home how lax I have been about posting anything.  Distraction has been the issue.  A lot of new things have popped up in my life that have grabbed my focus … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Bucket List, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Hamantaschen Fail

Posted on March 18, 2014 by daeja's view

Hamentaschen (or Hamentashen, or Hamantashen), the tri-cornered cookies filled with poppy seeds, fruit jelly, nut mixtures, etc.  were not part of my childhood holiday experience.  Torrone nougat candy, bow-ties covered in powdered sugar, Italian bakery cookies,  sesame and pistachio halvah……these … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Food, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Homescape Throwback

Posted on March 6, 2014 by daeja's view

I just stumbled across this old photo and it made me laugh again.  During this endlessly snowy and cold winter, it felt good to do that.  Perhaps it is just something unique to me, but since I haven’t posted in … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Pink Snow

Posted on February 27, 2014 by daeja's view

The inside of this small oval basket of woven rush is filled with very old potpourri, atop which rests a small bottle of peach-scented oil.  The basket, which once belonged to my mother, is stashed behind some framed photographs on … Continue reading →

Posted in Regrets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Just Breathe

Posted on January 23, 2014 by daeja's view

We were parallel parked on the left side of a one-way street, waiting to pull into traffic.  This was following a rather lovely lunch on a cold, gray day, with a bit of snow just starting to spit from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me? | Tagged | Leave a comment

I’m Not That Old

Posted on January 13, 2014 by daeja's view

Today was the first time I have been in a movie theater to see a feature film  in longer than I can remember.  With the exception of attending foreign films with subtitles, I have pretty much given up on going … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Coping, Deafness, Hearing Impaired, Uncategorized, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

All Manner of Comfortable Things

Posted on January 5, 2014 by daeja's view

“I’m built for comfort, I ain’t built for speed”. This line from a song keeps going through my head.  I think it was Howlin’ Wolf .  Didn’t Canned Heat do a version of it also? (I can’t find it if … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Holidays, Humor, Uncategorized, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

E

Posted on January 4, 2014 by daeja's view

My right ear rings all the time.  One day, about twenty years ago,  it just started buzzing and it has never shut off since.  As the hearing loss has progressed in that ear, the noise has seemed to get louder … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Coping, Deafness, Hearing Impaired, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Sore Throat Remedy in Our House

Posted on December 26, 2013 by daeja's view

It’s that good ol’, bad ol’ winter cold time again. There are a few theories as to why this works (and it does).  I envision the bacteria in your throat, your lungs, your sinuses, being killed off naturally – just … Continue reading →

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Double Zipper – New Year

Posted on December 22, 2013 by daeja's view

A few brief years ago, I finally reached what I consider a small plateau of maturity –  determined not to freeze through yet another Very Cold Winter, I purchased an insulated down-like coat that was long enough to cover my … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me?, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Rejoice the Winter Solstice

Posted on December 21, 2013 by daeja's view

Rejoice!  The Winter Solstice. The day began with a cup of chai.  Then lunch at a little French bistro with  family I haven’t seen in months.  Warm holiday feelings. Chocolate.  Baking.  My Mother’s Boots. There are some fruit flies pinging … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Uncategorized, Winter | Tagged , | 3 Comments

What Do You Do All Day?

Posted on November 20, 2013 by daeja's view

Since I have been officially out of the workforce, people who are working full-time or who I have not seen in a while will inevitably turn to me and say “So…….now that you are not working, what do you do … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Are you kidding me?, Bucket List, Perspective, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Writhing With Guilt

Posted on September 23, 2013 by daeja's view

Today I realize my shoe-a-holism has gotten a bit out of control.  I sit here and writhe with guilt. As posted previously in this blog, I have a lot of shoes.  Shoes of many colors. Not “designer” shoes,  just comfortable, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Perspective, Regrets, Shoes, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Disposable World

Posted on September 9, 2013 by daeja's view

There’s really no reason to get rid of my Sears Kenmore CounterCraft Food Processor if it’s still working, right?  All it needs is a replacement part. It gets taken out of its box a few times a year for some … Continue reading →

Posted in Are you kidding me?, Humor, Rant, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Hiding Behind a Tree

Posted on September 4, 2013 by daeja's view

As if my heart could not get any fuller, my first-born grandchild started his very first day of pre-school this morning.  Wasn’t it but yesterday when I had to leave my first child in daycare?  There was no choice…I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, kids, Perspective, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Two Boy Wedding

Posted on September 3, 2013 by daeja's view

It is a few days past the wedding, and I am still awash in an almost dream-state; every once in a while welling up with emotion which brings me onto the edge of tears. It is an honor to be … Continue reading →

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Spidey

Posted on August 28, 2013 by daeja's view

We have had ants this summer, the large black variety.   Not too many, but occasionally one will be spotted making its was across the kitchen floor or even the counter.  There have been so few compared to other years, that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Left Out

Posted on August 25, 2013 by daeja's view

There are always challenges in the reshuffling of families, friendships and loyalties when it comes to a divorce.  Over the many years since mine occurred, there have been waves of   problems laced with intense hostility interspersed with moments of peacefulness … Continue reading →

Posted in Coping, Divorce, Friends, Perspective, Regrets, Uncategorized, Vent | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Elusive, Delicate Rainbows

Posted on August 24, 2013 by daeja's view

A small thing for the Bucket List, but one never-the-less.  I have always wanted to visit a butterfly sanctuary, and it finally happened. Walking into that sheltered world of warm breezes, tropical flowers and rainbow-hued butterflies elicited pure joy.  They … Continue reading →

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Our Lady of the Perpetual Kitchen

Posted on August 23, 2013 by daeja's view

My grandmother was Catholic, my mother was raised Catholic, and so she tried to raise us as Catholics too.  I consider myself a “Collapsed Catholic” and will usually check “none” on any form asking my religion.  I never was able … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Salmiak is Salmiak

Posted on August 21, 2013 by daeja's view

Licorice is one of those things that people usually like a lot or totally abhor. You are pretty much into it or you’re not, there is not much waffling on the fence concerning licorice. I am in the licorice camp. … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Slowly I Turned……

Posted on August 20, 2013 by daeja's view

“Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch….” I realize I am dating myself here, because about half the people I have said this to know what I am talking about and the other half don’t. The line is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucket List, Friends, Hearing Impaired, Humor, Travel, Uncategorized, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Octopie

Posted on August 19, 2013 by daeja's view

I just could not resist the creativity of it.  OK, I know I have been running on about berries the last few posts. This is the very last thing I am going to post about pies, or blueberries, or probably … Continue reading →

Posted in kids, Uncategorized, Wow! | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tradition

Posted on August 7, 2013 by daeja's view

The tradition continued into the next generation when I took my three-year-old grandson blueberry picking for the first time.  With his little pail and my big one, we ventured off into the field and down the row of bushes together.  … Continue reading →

Posted in kids, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Pie

Posted on July 25, 2013 by daeja's view

I made a blueberry pie from all those blueberries I picked. Then I ate it for breakfast two days in a row. Just because.

Posted in Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Other Car

Posted on July 24, 2013 by daeja's view

Once we had children, I became the driver of the newer and larger car, the “safer” car, as I was the one shuttling the precious cargo around. So by default, my Then Husband, who I will call “Howie” for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Stories, Are you kidding me?, Humor, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Meditation in Blue

Posted on July 12, 2013 by daeja's view

There is a place I consider somewhat sacred – a place that I have been going to for decades.  It is an orchard farm not far from my home. It has been the place I would go to pick berries, … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Crossing a Line

Posted on July 1, 2013 by daeja's view

No stranger to comfortable shoes, one peek in my closet will reveal a significant selection of Birkenstocks, Danskos, Naots, Merrills and Clarks.  I have spent good money on good shoes because I can’t stand it if my feet hurt.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Perspective, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Saturday Market

Posted on June 24, 2013 by daeja's view
Posted in Gardening, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments