Lineman Appreciation Day

First and foremost thank you for your kind comments on the last post.  My heart still aches and I am dreading the memorial service this weekend, more than you will ever know. 

Just last night I was telling The Husband that it seems like I am receiving an email from Duke Power just about every single day.  And that this is what is wrong with doing business online (I had switched our service to this house when we moved online in order to keep from talking to someone on the phone)...because once they have your email address they send you copious amounts of ridiculous email.  And then follow it up with a paper copy - if you haven't elected for paperless statements; which we haven't because The Husband wants to see actual bills for some random reason.

Yesterday's email was to praise us for how "energy efficient" we are compared to our neighbors...followed up with a paper copy in the mail.  Which is insane because our windows are old and I am looking at condensation on one right now - so I KNOW this house isn't "energy efficient."  And, for the record, just how "energy efficient" is it to send an email to that effect AND a paper copy, Duke Power?

Today's email sent me over the edge because...really?!  Here's the subject line...

Apparently, today is Lineman Appreciation Day.  And while I do appreciate them that doesn't mean I'm about to go out and accost one.

I get that they work hard to provide us with power; particularly after natural disasters - we just had a couple tornadoes touch down not far from here so I KNOW they are working hard to restore power to the affected areas.  And I appreciate all they do.

But honestly, Duke Power?  I really wanted to hit Reply and tell them that if I went out and found a lineman to hug 1) my husband would really NOT be happy for me to to do that and 2) I'd be disrupting their work.

Now, I'm off to hit "unsubscribe" and cross my fingers that it works because for all I know tomorrow is "Operator Appreciation Day and for the life of me, I would even know WHERE to begin to find one of those to hug.

Tomorrow isn't a given...

I've been trying to post this for the past week - but it has just been too hard and I'm still on the fence as to whether I will post or not.

Last week, the world lost a wonderful person.  One who loved deeply and laughed loudly.  A beautiful soul that was loved by all who met her was lost...to suicide.

Even now, it doesn't seem possible.

She and I had lost touch over the years for various reasons.  And that makes this so much more difficult.

I had always thought there would be time to mend the broken fence; there wasn't.  I always knew that we would reconnect at some point - because how could we not - we were soul sisters; now we never will.  I always knew the day would come that would find us sitting at the table again with a glass of wine either laughing hysterically or in the throes of a deep conversation; that will never happen.  I knew that we would celebrate at our children's weddings; now we won't.  I knew we would revel in our grandchildren; now we can't. 

I thought she knew that I would always be there when she needed me; apparently, she didn't.  And I will always wonder...WHY?

I am beyond devastated.

Learn from me...mend those fences now because as the old adage goes, tomorrow isn't promised.  And. as it usually is with adages; it's true.

Please, send up prayers for the three beautiful children she's left behind...they are going to need them.  And while you are at it; say a couple for me.

The service is next week and then this will all be all too real; and I don't know if I can handle it.

Because I am still having a hard time believing that she isn't out there in the world.

New York City and Bread

So, in the event you aren't on Twitter...

Man-Child is headed off on an adventure - by himself!! - send prayers for both him and his mother; who will be a nervous wreck until he's home safe. #lettingthemfly #easytosay #hardertodo

— Gigi (@gigirambles) April 2, 2018

Man-Child headed out last night about 9:00 pm - destination NYC.  By himself.  I did not approve of this solo venture...but what could I say, because The Husband so astutely pointed out - he IS an adult (technically).  He also reminded me that when he was Man-Child's age he moved to Houston alone.  And that I was married when I was at that age.  Funny how when you are on this side - the parent side - your child/adult child doesn't seem to be old enough for things that you did at that age.

As a side note, Man-Child just called me in a panic - it seems he has lost his glasses.  You know, the things he needs to see (and drive) with...*sigh*  We are hoping he finds them - otherwise huge hassle.  Which he very well may - he "lost" his wallet right before he left only to find it under a pile of clothes. *sigh*

Why he continues to insist that he doesn't need them all the time, I'll never know.  But I do know this - based on how often he is squinting to see something far away he will have a major case of crow's feet before he hits thirty.

And then we segue to bread...

Remember WAY back to the time when I actually made homemade bread successfully?  Yeah, I can't believe it's been seven years either...so much for that recipe being a "keeper."  During this time off, I thought it would be a good idea to try that recipe again...seven years later.

Way back then I bookmarked the site but that bookmark will not let me see the recipe anymore.  It took me awhile but eventually it occurred to me that I may have blogged about it...and viola a quick search proved that I did AND I not only included the link, the full recipe and how I did it.  And that folks is why you should blog about EVERY LITTLE THING - eventually it will come in handy.

So I set about bread making.  The result - NOTHING like the original.  In fact, it was SO awful that it went straight into the trash.  Then it became a mission - that was postponed because of Easter.

Our Easter was spent with great friends and wonderful food.  The Husband thought I was crazy when I set up the bread fifteen minutes before they were to arrive - but he doesn't seem to understand - there is a time formula here.  The bread must set up for a long time...so I needed to start it then in order to be held hostage at home this morning until it was time to bake...as I noted in the link above...if you have about 16 hours to kill...

Here's today's version...

I was pleased with the result.  The crust was crisp and the bread tasty.  The Husband?  He thought it ok but hadn't risen as much as the original.

So I searched out the photo from before...

Hmmm...maybe he's right.  *sigh* Back to the drawing board for me.  Although, it will have on a weekend...see 16 hours/being held hostage.