Entries by Sallie

Dear Carolyn:

It’s been a while since I’ve written but since you’re ever-present in my life these days, I thought I’d send you a quick note. During all the years we’ve known each other, you were always there to “save my bacon.”  I could list the many ways but that would take too long. You might not […]

Famous People I Have Known

All two of them. I like my famous people un-spot lighted, un-made-up, un-scripted, un-programmed, un-scheduled.  In other words, just real and down to earth. We’ve had two opportunities for that during our lives.  One was with George Gallup, of Gallup Poll fame.   See Thoughts on Listening , if you’re interested. The other was with James Taylor. James […]

SCANDAL!

Scandal has recently scorched the reputation of the venerable game of Cricket.  There’s been a major set-to in the leading Australian team.  Ball-tampering, they’re calling it.  I find it quite distressing. I really wouldn’t care except we have a Cricket bat hanging in our den.  It brings back good memories.  It came home with me […]

Two-fers.

Who doesn’t love two-fers? Talenti is our new favorite two-fer.  Buy that yummy, refreshing, tantalizingly-tart, many-flavored gelato, and get an adorable little plastic see-through container and snug-fitting lid. That’s all good except for one little issue.  Our addiction to the gelato hasn’t stopped.    The little jars, however, have become a problem.  While there’s no such […]

Let Me Count the Ways…

A friend who knows me pretty well is redoing the operative parts of  her kitchen. She’s wisely gathering data from the Internet and from her friends before she makes her new purchases.  She called to ask my opinion on one of her considerations. Her question for me was: “Do you like your oven?” Let me […]

How sweet it is.

Revenge, that is.  It sits so gently on the tongue. I’m a cross-word puzzle person.  Our local paper carries the New York Times and the Universal puzzles. I’ve always enjoyed both.  Until today. This morning, one of the down clues in the Universal puzzle was: “Any great-grandmother.”   Well, I’m one of those, twice over, and […]

I simply don’t want to. Redux.

For very technical reasons (and with extensive apologies from our technocrats), we are reposting! I know should.  I know I should go up there, to that room, to that corner.  I simply don’t want to. It’s not just any room in the house.  No, this is a special room.  It’s really quite lovely.  The sun […]

I simply don’t want to.

For very technical reasons (and with extensive apologies from our technocrats), we are reposting! I know should.  I know I should go up there, to that room, to that corner.  I simply don’t want to. It’s not just any room in the house.  No, this is a special room.  It’s really quite lovely.  The sun […]

Words.

What we hear and what was meant are frequently very different things. I had the television on the other day, just for background noise and company. With one ear tuned in, I heard the following:  “The difference has been incredible.  She has her old energy back, she’s more alert and wants to learn new things.” […]

Oh Danny Boy, The Pipes, the Pipes are Calling……

  Suddenly, it seems it’s all about the pipes.  Tending to them.  Making sure they flow freely.  That they stay uncongested. Pipes are everywhere.  Demanding our attention.  Running our lives. We have a list of pipe experts available to us, on our personal 911, because there’s rarely a day that we don’t call one of […]

Porches

Not long ago, a friend gave me a tea towel, embroidered with the following:  “I’m outdoorsy.  I enjoy cocktails on the porch.” Okay, so I may not be a fan of the outdoors but I do love porches.  They’re usually protected from bugs, have access to electricity and plumbing, and exude an aura that inspires […]

This is not a joke.

This is an actual event.  I was there and besides there’s no way you can make this stuff up. Not long ago, five friends walked into a restaurant.  They were lunching to celebrate the birthdays of two of them. The two birthday girls remembered to bring cards for each other. The three un-birthday girls forgot […]

Do I look really look THAT old?

The message from the Bluffton Christmas Parade this year was quite clear.  Yes, indeed I do.  Look that old.  Or maybe older. I opted not to be in the parade this year.  But, of course, we went to the parade.  It’s just not something you miss. We have a great place to stand and enjoy […]

Snow Days

A dream for children;  a nightmare for parents. We could always tell, as we woke up, if there was a promise/threat of a snow day upon us.  It was the quiet.  The peace that falls with the snow. But we lived in a little town where all the kids could walk to school.  No buses. […]

Lifetime Appointments

Such appointments are usually regarded as special, unique, admirable.  They might include Saint Hood, a seat on the Supreme Court, Nobel Peace Prize laureate.  All represent hard-earned, meaningful, and extraordinary accomplishments. Occasionally, however, there are lifetime appointments that come your way that you never wanted, certainly didn’t strive for, and have tried everything possible to […]