Fool Proof......

I have a copy of my mom's wonderful lemon bar recipe. I know I'm prejudiced....but no one can top these! I've made this easy, fool proof treat probably 100 times or more since she died in 2010. I serve them to friends after dinner parties, make them to take as dessert at other friends' homes. I cut the bars for treats at my book club or with my quilting group. I've made them many times since moving to our apartment and share them with even newer residents as a welcome treat.

Yesterday morning I assembled the ingredients and began another batch. The first step crust was perfect. I poured the egg-lemon mixture on top, set the timer for 20 minutes and went to do some computer work. Awhile later I walked into the kitchen and realized that somehow I never really set the timer.....and it was way past 20 minutes. 

The result???

Inedible. Burned on the bottom and the corner, flat and barely tasting of lemon. I failed at my fool proof recipe and the whole thing went into the compost bin. So this morning meant a walk to the local grocery store to buy another lemon and more powdered sugar.

Sigh.....trying again. As mom would say "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" Somehow that old adage applies to this task perfectly!!

Fun.....and Goofs....

I spent some time this afternoon playing a card game, Hand and Foot, with friends. We met at one player's home in Cedarburg and the five of us "rotated" around her table since only four could play at one time. It turned out to be one of the most laugh-filled afternoons in a long time.

The newly waxed table meant cards were slipping and sliding all over the place. As the sun began to move into the west it beamed through her big kitchen windows making it difficult to see the cards. So she used tape to try to hold the panels closed. Players forgot their count, one player (me) tried to go out before having the correct number of hands - two red and two black (using wild cards). We were beginning the count when my partner said "Wait a minute! We only have one red hand!" Ooops.

It just went on and on and happily everyone shared in the goofs and missteps so no one felt like a complete dunce. And we all agreed that laughter is the best medicine.

After I got home we got ready to have dinner at a friend's new apartment so we had an evening with conversation and more laughter.

Back home about 9:30 I went to change into my pajamas.....and what's wrong with this picture?

All day.....blue socks....one inside out. Oh well....I think this is a perfect end to a perfectly fun day!

Her Last Name Began with G.....

She died in 2016....so it's been just over six years I have been almost "cousin-less".  Growing up I only had two cousins, Claudia and her younger brother David. He is living in Colorado with his wife and growing family so I don't see him very often at all.

She was "my" cousin....only two years younger than I was. Growing up we spent almost every Sunday at our grandparents home in Antioch, Illinois so we had a lot of childhood memories to share. As adults we living in different parts of the country and reunions were few. But, once back in the mid-west, we often joined Claudia and the family at her farm in southern Indiana. Those holiday memories are full of laughter and good times....so many good times.

Today I opened my address book so that I could send a quick note to a friend. My friend's last name begins with "G"..... and my eyes suddenly pricked with a few tears. 

It's been six+ years....but I haven't crossed her name off - and the minute I see it all those good memories come flooding back. Interesting how some small thing will trigger just a short wallop of surprise grief.

Ah well.....the good memories outnumber the bad/sad so they will have to suffice. But I miss her.

 

One Last Gasp......

Driving home through Kentucky last week we were treated to lots of autumn beauty. The rust, orange, red and yellows were spectacular, especially up against the beautiful blue skies. Winding roads into campgrounds gave us many opportunities to exclaim "Oh!! Look at THAT one!"

I know that this short season means that colder Wisconsin weather is on the way, but I try to "ignore" the fact that I will soon be searching for gloves, hats and scarves and just take in the loveliness while it lasts.

Walking Fenway the day after we got home, where Milwaukee temperatures had been much colder and the first spattering of snow hit the ground the morning we drove up I noticed a little bright spot along the sidewalk right outside the building.

What brave little blossoms, close to the ground and peeking out from the decaying leaves and browning grass. They won't last long but maybe they are giving us a hint that spring will be back after the cold winter months are over. Yea!

Who, When, Why, Where......

An RV trip from Milwaukee to North Carolina took us along some "red roads"....off the interstate to avoid some of the trucks/traffic and give us a look at rural America. We like to make some of the trip on these smaller roads through towns we've never seen before, along fields and farms and through neighborhoods new to us. Many of the small towns are kind of "sad" and a bit left behind, others are still vibrant and boast well kept historic homes and buildings.

But when we drive through the countryside and see a home or barn such as these,

I can't help but wonder who, when, why, where? who used to live there? When did they leave and why? Where did they go? My imagination moves from one possible scenario to another. I'll never know, but these ghostly used-to-be homes and barns are some kind of testament to American history. 

I wish I knew.

Why……

We left Milwaukee on Monday with the RV heading toward Ohio and then on to North Carolina. We were looking forward to two weeks on the road and visits with friends we don’t get to see nearly enough anymore. I can’t even begin to count the number of times we’ve followed this route……94 south toward Chicago. For years, while in college, and then while living in Oconomowoc, Nashotah, Bayview, Port Washington and now Milwaukee we would take this interstate. For many years the destination was Park Ridge because we were going to visit my mom. So as you can see I am completely familiar with every mile of this highway. 

The last trips to see my mom were back in 2010. She had undergone heart surgery and the rehabilitation did not proceed as she had hoped. Early one morning I got the call from my sister and Dave and I jumped in the car to race to the hospital in order to be with her. I was holding her hand when she took her last breath.

On Monday, as so many times before, I was reading a book while Dave was at the wheel. I had not been paying any attention to the passing scenery. I looked up from my book just in time to see the sign….Golf Road Exit - 1 mile.

And the memory of sitting at mom’s bedside for those last moments flooded back…..every moment clear, the emotions experienced in 2010 filled my heart and a few tears filled my eyes. It happens almost every time we go south on 94…..this exit grabs me and reminds me of my loss. What makes me look out the window at just that moment? Why couldn’t I just continue to the next page and look up five minutes later?

Why?