Life

 

This week reminded me how it can all change in a heartbeat.

My friend, Brenda, who beat cancer years back...has found herself symptomatic again. She also had five falls in the past week and a half. 

Suddenly the days were filled with doctors...tests...MRI's...fear and tears.

Hours up at the hospital and conversations about mortality...death...and what will happen with my dog???

And my assurance we WILL get through this...no matter what comes...and I will be there whenever she needs me. Because that is what friends are all about.

Being there.

Beyond exhausted this weekend. 

Fixing the first pot of pinto beans and cornbread of the season....and a pumpkin pie. Arranging a vase of sunflowers.

Today is all about comfort food and football.

Monday, we will start again.

(((hugs)))

Perhaps...

 

 

There is such a thing as TOO much football!!!

Recovering from Sundays games.

Food and football from 1:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

First up was the Colts-Rams Game

Where we battled valiantly...but lost.

And the o-line has to start doing a better job of protecting Wentz...who hobbled off the field, injured, at the end.

Mid-Day was the Falcon-Buccaneer Game.

 Brady is still beastly at 44.

It was sad, because by the 3rd quarter the Falcons were briefly up by 3...and actually had hope.

Poor deluded fools.

In the 4th Quarter it would be snatched away... and Brady did what Brady does best...beat them like a rented mule.

And looked good while he was doing it.   

He kept piling on points...even after it was obvious they had lost.

The late game was the Ravens and the Chiefs.

A truly amazing game with both teams well matched.

The score would ping-pong back and forth all night.

Staying tied for most of the game.

With 3 minutes left on the clock and possession was ours...it seemed a done deal, but...a fumble cost us the game...losing by 1 point. 

Jesus Wept.

And I think Andy Reid actually cursed.

 

Waking this morning at OMG...10:30...fuzzy...confusing the cat...and probably wouldn't have woke up, then, if John had not called!

We had shared all three games...like we do...his calling me pre-game...me calling him at half-time and him calling me back when the game ends.  It was a long Sunday.

Football may be the death of me....lol.

Today, promises to be a very slow day.

 

Enjoyed a Saturday Sisters Day with Tina and Lisa...and we ordered in a KFC Brunch...and I fixed a hot apple pie and vanilla bean ice cream for afters.

Our cousin posted a photo of all of us...much much younger...I should add.

 David...me...Mike...Neil

Tina...(our bio-mom Jan)...and Lisa.

We were so young.

We are all over 50/60 now.

"Don't Blink" 

 (...like the country song says...)

Caught up with my boys on Sunday, too...all who are healthy and happy.

This Week's Movie:

And Jackman was perfectly cast for this role.

He is such an understated actor.

Can convey great happiness (or great grief) with little more than a look.

This takes place after climate change has flooded the coastal cities. The Barons (affluent) have walled off inner areas leaving the sunken coastal areas to fend for themselves/drown.

Jackman's character has carved out a niche business for himself as a "Keeper of Memories". Using a submersion tank and headgear he can create a VR of your best/fondest memories. Since the world is fairly bleak for those that live in the submersed city...the idea of going back to better times is a good business.

The SHE comes into his life.

Plenty of twists...turns and reveals.

Well worth the 2+ hours.

The Book (Books) this Week:

 

Both of which I own and try to do a slow chapter by chapter re-read, yearly.

So much wisdom packed in two small books...that speak to you differently given what stage you are in...in your life.

I recommend buying both and trying it yourself.

Now to finish my delivered gyro and chips...and make some sense of this house.

 

 

"Hi, Mom! I'm hiding from Dad....shhhhhh"

                                                                                - Gadget

 

                                 "Dispense with the Pleasantries...and FEED ME."

                                                                                                         -Sofi

 

 

 

Virtual Africa: Chad

 The part I found most interesting about the country of Chad was this.

Very similar to the western US Monument Valley.

We will check it out in a while.

Almost 1,300,000 square miles, Chad is home to about 16 million people.

Mostly desert and savanna...and Lake Chad, of course.

 

Climate change is not questioned here...this is what has happened over the years-

 

With smaller areas looking much like this-

A Continent-wide project is underway to save Lake Chad..before it is lost to the desert...and just becomes so much (more) reddish sand.

The northern third of the country is consumed by The Sahara Desert.

Our first glimpse of the Sahara.

This area of Chad is lucky to receive 11 inches of rainfall in a year.

Nothing, if not resourceful, the denizens of this dry area combine the two resources they have in abundance  (...camels and a beautiful sandy otherworldly landscape...) into tourism.

More specifically...Camel Treks through the Sahara.

Now that is making lemonade from lemons!

The Sara are the most populous ethnic group here and polygamy is common and accepted.

The official languages are Arabic and French.

The religions here are from Catholic and Protestant to 4 different sects of Muslim. Also various indigenous tribal religions. Despite the diversity, they all co-exist peacefully. 

It seems we could learn a great deal from Chad.

Except maybe how to cook.

Chad cuisine and beer seem to focus on millet. The white millet being ground and formed into paste balls...then dipped in various sauces. The red millet used for beer.

Mbege without the banana.

bleah

Camel meat and milk are also frequently consumed here.

The meat is purported to be quite delicious.

(...of course, these are the people who make food and alcohol out of birdseed...so who really knows???)

But I am willing to learn.

You can, too...

https://www.exoticmeatmarkets.com/Buy-Camel-Filet-Mignon-Steaks-Exotic-Meat-Market-p/camelfilet80z.htm

At the aforementioned you can buy 2- 8 ounce filet-Mignon of camel for only 39.00.

Needless to say...I'm going to try it...along with John, my partner in culinary crime!

Will post a recipe and photos of the process when it arrives.

Now onto what I find the best about Chad.

Exploring the Sahara by camel!

https://www.explorationscompany.com/africa/experience-africa/chad

Having actually ridden a camel before...the first thing you realize (...okay maybe the second...after their bad attitudes and smell...) is that unlike horses...they tend to sway...side to side...a lot. 

You will get used to it.

When you dismount you will have the after-effect as though you have been on a boat in the ocean.

It's odd.

But, omg, the landscape you will see from your swaying but sturdy, smelly, cantankerous perch will make it all worthwhile.

Even occasionally coming across wild herds at water sources.

 

Private camel tour

And you will never forget what you see on your ride.

And sometimes, you will regain your sea-legs and climb the sandy dunes in the 90 degree plus heat.

By the end of the day...you'll be glad that your ride on the ship of the desert is over...

Sway a bit, yourself, as you disembark...and be grateful that camels kneel down so you can get off them-

Then, gaze upon the most beautiful night sky you have ever experienced with a million stars!

I hope you have enjoyed this virtual trek.

Next time: Sudan

 

 

Virtual Africa: Nigeria

 

One day (...according to email after email...) my prince will come.

And when he does...apparently he will be from Nigeria.

In fact, if you believe the internet, the country is absolutely crawling with them...desperate to give away millions to your offshore account. You have only to provide your pass-code and bank number.

(...rolling my eyes...)

RIGHT.

Prince scam, or romance scam, aside....today we will explore the country of Nigeria.

You are here.

A rich (by African standards) bustling country in Africa.

Doing so well, in fact, that the growing population- by both birth and migration- is becoming a problem.

924,000 square miles covered with 211 million people.

Nigeria's economy is the largest in Africa.

Its name comes from the Niger River which runs through it.

Boating down the Niger.

https://youtu.be/SyVn8-DApTA

From Nigeria's Civil War in 1963 to its 4th Republic in 1999...it was a country torn by chaos and conflict. Now, relatively stable...it has flourished.

English is the official language here...and religion is fairly equally divided into Christianity and Muslim.

One of the best things to see while in Nigeria are the Lagos Marketplaces.

Where one can wander from stall to stall and literally spend an entire afternoon shopping and finding most everything! 

If they don't have it...you probably don't need it.

Visit 12 Mile Marketplace

https://youtu.be/HH_StGkd2Vg

To be honest...even the crowded conditions in the video made me a little claustrophobic. 

There are a lot of people here.

I have managed to buy (online) a half pound of Kenyan Coffee fairly reasonably though...and it should arrive soon.

Kenyan Coffee...available in a Nigerian Market.

Who knew???

Next time we will discover the country of Chad.

Until then...

Colts -vs- Sea Hawks & Chiefs -vs- Browns...A Post-Sunday Update

 

How it Started...

How it Wentz...

With the addition of a 300 pound Sea Hawk crushing him near the endzone.

(...that's gonna leave a mark...)

Honestly...they are going to have to protect him better...or he'll be DEAD by game 4.

Despite being sacked 3 or 4 times...he did look good out there. 

The Sea Hawks just outplayed us.

And so we start the regular season with 0-1     

Afterwards another game was brewing.

How it started...

How it ended...

An incredible game! It came down to the last 2 minutes in the 4th...could have went either way.

Last night it went to The Chiefs! Yay...Mahomes!!!

Both teams looking very good...but Mahomes did his magic during the second half to close a ten point gap...and the rest is in the books.

1-0 for the Season start!

And...Football might be fattening...just saying...from a breakfast of Raspberry pie...and a lunch of dogs and chips and french onion dip...to a huge bowl of probably the best chili I have ever made in my life...

(...started with fresh tomatoes...green peppers...onions...trimmings of venison steak...dark red kidney beans...chili powder and cheese...then let all the flavors meld overnight on Saturday...adding butterfly pasta before serving on Sunday..)

It was amazing.

French bread with real butter on the side...and,of course, another wedge of Raspberry Pie with milk before the game was over.

Yes...Football Sundays may be fattening.

Finished off the pie with coffee this morning- and atoning with salad later, I think.

Planning for NEXT Sunday, already.

Colts at 1

Buccs at 4-ish

Chiefs at 8:20

Football may kill me off....lol!

 

 

Football Season....The 60's...and a Cinderella Saturday

 

Football has returned!

Stayed up Thursday Night to watch the first Season Game...The Buccaneers vs The Cowboys...shared with John at our respective homes...him phoning just before the game...me phoning at halftime...him phoning after the game...and our recaps and good-nights.

Despite multiple flags and calls...and a few missed ones...despite the fact there were multiple interceptions and turnovers and fumbles (both sides)...despite the fact that Zeke took most of the game before he could make a field goal...and at one try even hit an upright...it was still one hell of a game!

Everyone (both sides) looked in fine form.

Brady and Gronk were...well..Brady and Gronk...and at 44, Tom still taught the Cowboys that he is THE CLOSER....and you can never leave the ball in his hands with 1:24 on the clock.

The Buccs used this sliver of time to make the drive...to field goal range...and kick...score...and WIN.

I learned a couple of good lessons myself.

1. Always have popcorn on hand for the game...so you don't end up looking around for snacks at half-time and baking brownies.

2. I have gotten much too old for Thursday Late Night Football...Friday was pretty much a lost day for me!

Too old.  If the 50's was a decade of expanding, self-improvement and discovery...then the 60's is certainly turning out to be my decade of Reflection.

About everything.

Life, Love, The Kids, Relationships in General, Friends, Living and Death.

My manuscript, The Road Home, has taken some odd philosophical twists and turns, of late.

Found myself realizing the other day, that I now know more people (friends, lovers and family) who have died than those currently alive.  

That is sobering.

And added another quote to my (Warhol) motto:  Try Everything

So...here I am somewhere between 60 and The Big Dirt Nap...and I'm okay with that.

Life is good.

Today, started out with Coffee and Fresh Baked Raspberry Pie...and Morning Chat with John...and it promises to be a 100% Cinderella Day for both of us.

There is laundry to do, dishes needing washed, dusting to attend to, trash to be gathered...and chili to be cooked.

All in preparation for tomorrow...when life is narrowed down to FOOTBALL and FOOD. 

The Colts first season game is against The Sea Hawks at 1 PM.

At 4:25 The Chiefs play The Browns.

Since Drew has left The Saints, I have pretty much replaced them with Kansas City and Mahomes is my QB.

I do love that Brees is now a NBC Commentator!

This Week's Movie:

 Loosely based on the actual story of Amanda Knox...this was a good role and stretch of acting skills by Matt Damon.

When his incarcerated daughter gets angry and turns against him...it is easy to empathize with this crushed screw-up of a father who is just trying to be there for her, now.

The slow twist and reveal by the end of the movie made its dragging pace forgivable.

Not the best I've seen for awhile...but certainly worth the time.

The Book:

Finally finished the 1025 page tome this week.

It is not hyperbole to say that King's work just gets better and better!

The story is the age old hit man on a final job scenario.

The LAST hit.

(...and you know they NEVER go well...)

This one is, of course, no exception.

The exception is the way that King tells the story.

This book is literally stories upon stories.

An onion.

And before it is over...it will make you cry.

Summers is a conscientious hit man.

"I only kill bad people."

All of the many many characters in this novel are well fleshed out...by the end we feel like we know them personally. 

We care.

The good guys aren't always good.

The bad guys aren't always bad. 

Sometimes you get a happy ending.

Sometimes you don't.

And sometimes...most times...you make your own.

If you love King...this is a must-read!

Now it is back to Cinderella-ing....

Enjoy the Weekend!