2022-04-01 11:41
I realized yesterday that I am older than some of the women I thought years ago to be ancient. I'm not sure if that is more frightening or more sobering. Thinking back on it, if I thought so… Read More
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My Life A Bit South Of Normal. Blog
abitsouthofnormal.com
A humorous blog about life in the south and surviving with a cast of characters I couldn't make this up if I tried.
2022-03-31 13:03
I need to purge. I have too much stuff. As I have said before, my stuff has stuff. As a southerner I am cursed with the idea we are the keepers of our past, as in the "past" 3 generations. S… Read More
2022-03-28 11:11
For something that is supposed be enjoyable and a stress reliever, art can be a pain in the ass. In my mind I envision a painting - the colors, the size, the design. At my table I asse… Read More
2022-03-22 10:45
Yes, I am blue. Well, it's more like I am blue about one of my blues.As children we all learned ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet). And if one is sticking t… Read More
2022-03-19 11:50
Do you ever see "that" someone coming toward you that makes you want to don your invisible cloak? Well, in this case, I saw her walking toward me, decked out in her white leather like… Read More
2022-03-18 09:30
I don't think so. However, there is a lady in Indiana who must be under that illusion.As many of you know, I have an Etsy shop that started as a store front for my photography. These d… Read More
2022-03-17 09:30
Do you remember where you were on this day in 1978? I certainly do. On this morning, 44 years ago, I was arriving at South West Louisiana State University in Lafayette, Louisiana… Read More
2022-03-04 12:46
Not that I ever even dare to think I am remotely close to one of the Masters, I often wonder if all painters face similar challenges. Did Da Vinci attempt to paint a "Geovanna" or a "B… Read More
2022-03-01 13:40
All of us studied the US Civil War that started in 1861 - when our great democratic experiment was truly tested. After 4 bloody years and the loss of 620,000 souls, the country had sur… Read More
2022-02-26 12:30
I'm not old. I'm young at heart. You're as young as you feel.Who said anything about feelings? Certainly that is a reference to a state of mind not the physical state of my body. I can… Read More
2022-02-25 13:09
Sometimes I have great expectations of my ability. I have always been optimistic, which has served me well until now.When I paint, I never know exactly what is going to be the final pr… Read More
2022-02-21 13:31
. . . for me, not so much. Last night I finished a small (8x8) painting that I was very happy with. Then this morning as I was looking over the piece, I saw a small, minute, minuscule… Read More
2022-02-19 11:40
As Boz Scaggs (for you children of the 70's) so famously said, "Danger, there's breakdown dead ahead."Isn't everyone entitled to a nervous breakdown every once in a while? Now southern wome… Read More
2022-02-12 13:02
My dear mother had many sayings. Some I had heard before, some made sense, a few were funny, and there were also some head scratchers.She commented once, referring to a handsome man, t… Read More
2022-02-08 12:35
I hate to be late. I am forgiving to others who are late. That is unless their tardiness delays my being at a particular place at a particular time for a particular reason - such… Read More
2022-02-05 13:55
One reads about artists and their inspirations, their muses. Sometimes it is just sitting in front of the canvas and letting my imagination flow. Other times, I have an idea I hope I c… Read More
2022-02-03 12:39
I understand why the American public despises 2 entities - the Cable Company and their Cellular Phone service. My issue today is the later. Dealing with the Cellular carrier makes me f… Read More
2022-01-28 11:51
I often feel as if I am having a 'low energy day'. This can be due to bad karma, lack of sleep, or just plain laziness. But, in truth, in addition to my PF Flyers (which gave me energy… Read More
2022-01-27 12:14
For loyal readers, bare with me, this tale was published 9 years ago. However, a new reader was curious about my mother so I thought I would share this. As I have said before, a young woman'… Read More
2022-01-26 11:15
My mother was always quick to give advice. Well, I say 'advice', it was more 'guidance' to ensure that I grew up as a proper southern lady and did not do anything to sully the family's… Read More
2022-01-25 13:58
Looking in my closet this morning, I pulled out a green sweater, one of my favorites. When I put it on the bed next to the pair of pants I had chosen, I wondered why I hadn't worn the… Read More
2022-01-17 10:30
Oh, snow!! Such a novelty down here. So much so that we are clueless as to what to do. The world may as well come to an end when the weather prediction is snow. The children are thrill… Read More
2022-01-13 13:42
OMG... The world is going to end. Armageddon is in sight. The weather prediction for this coming weekend is snow (and ice). Say it’s not so!The TV program I was watching was inte… Read More
2022-01-09 15:25
Ah, the Christmas gift of chocolate, that evil bag of crunchy and sweet and salty dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt pretzels thought it had one over on me. Go away little [bag]I'm n… Read More
2022-01-08 12:47
Part of a new year, is a new look on life. I happened upon a documentary on minimalism. This was a true "Ah Ha" moment for me. That's what I needed - to simplify my life. There ar… Read More
2022-01-07 11:30
Traditionally commercials after New Year's are about diets, exercise equipment, and vacations in the Caribbean.I can remember years ago just after Christmas, Talbots would send out the… Read More
2022-01-06 11:44
Of all things British, 2 things (as my Mother would say) slay me - follies and fascinators . fol·ly/ˈfälē/a costly ornamental building with no practical purp… Read More
2022-01-05 11:42
On the 12th Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to me, Twelve Drummers Drumming - the 12 doctrines of the Apostles Creed. re·gift/rēˈɡift/verb - to give (a gi… Read More
2022-01-04 13:28
11 Pipers Piping represents the eleven faithful apostles.This morning I noticed that my "Christmas" Cactus was finally blooming. Not sure if the plant did not the get the memo, h… Read More
2022-01-03 12:55
The 10th Day of Christmas. The number 10 referring to the Ten Commandments.I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't take imagination or creativity to be successful in the food world. It i… Read More
2022-01-02 10:30
9 Ladies Dancing represent the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galations 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness… Read More
2022-01-01 11:35
Who would have thought that 8 Maids a Milking would refer to the Beatitudes from the Book of Matthew? Not me, but then I was clueless about the gifts of the first 6 days of Christmas.Today w… Read More
2021-12-31 10:30
On to the 7th Day of Christmas which is represented by 7 Swans A-swimming. This was seen as the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconc… Read More
2021-12-30 10:30
We move on to the 6th Day of Christmas and "Six Geese A-Laying". Six refers to the number of days of creation before God's rest on the seventh day. The eggs represent creation its… Read More
2021-12-30 10:30
I can now take a deep breath and relax. Well, that is before I begin the onerous task of taking down the tree, changing the wreath on the front door (only if I can find my winter wreath to r… Read More
2021-12-29 12:36
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me 5 Golden Rings. First of all, the "Rings" are not jewelry one wears on their hand, rather it refers to the yellow bands around the necks… Read More
2021-12-28 15:40
More fowl? Seriously? Yes, but we have been wrong all these years. It is not a "Calling" bird, rather it is a "Collie" or "Colly" bird. This refers to a black bird. In Theological terms the… Read More
2021-12-27 12:50
I await my French Hens (it being the third day of Christmas). Research says that the "Three" represents Faith, Hope, and Love". But I digress.However, no one ever stated in the s… Read More
2021-12-26 13:25
Well, it's all over, Christmas Day that is. The Elf on the shelf has returned to the North Pole for 11 months. (Lots of help is.) The 'fridge is full of leftovers - which is an issue… Read More
2021-12-24 12:01
Einstein once said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That said I am certifiably insane, with the crown, the sash, and the apron (in this c… Read More
2021-12-23 16:04
There are some times I just want to yell, "Stop the Weihnachtspyramide (aka Christmas carousel), I want to get off." This is one time of year I feel that way. Christmas Day is fast app… Read More
2021-12-21 12:53
Randomly, I came upon a list of the top "50" Hallmark Christmas Movies. Whoever wrote the snippets for this list does the best job ever of capturing the camp of these movie plots.To be fair… Read More
2021-12-19 12:16
Damn! We are facing another lock down. Just for the record I have had both of my vaccinations and my booster (more than a month ago). I am very confident should I get the dreaded Omicr… Read More
2021-12-14 10:30
Like many families ours has a fruitcake recipe that has been passed down over the years. Every family has that "Great Aunt Penelope's Fruitcake" recipe that is supposed to produce the only t… Read More
2021-12-13 10:30
Contined from yesterday: Though true fruitcake aficionados argue over exactly how long you should be marinating your fruitcake in the fridge, The Spruce says that “it… Read More
2021-12-12 10:30
Ah the lowly fruitcake- the butt of many jokes It is seen as the Christmas gift one only gives to someone they either care nothing about or can think of no other appropriate gift. All… Read More
2021-12-10 12:53
The holidays are here and Christmas is right around the corner. If the past week is a sign of what's to come between now and the 25th, it doesn't look good for the home team. So far Ip… Read More
2021-12-08 13:09
A week or so ago I came upon an old album containing photos of my beloved High Acres. Some of the pictures date as far back as 1974 - hard to believe that is 47 years ago. They recount… Read More
2021-12-07 13:01
Each morning I awake at 5:30. Shortly there after the pups and are out on our constitutional. It is always dark and these days can be quite chilly. The temperatures can vary from 32 to… Read More
2021-12-06 11:26
The most I have ever read gossip magazines were the covers of the National Enquirer while checking out at the grocer. That was years ago. Now days gossip and scandal are every where on… Read More
2021-12-05 13:00
A watermark is a double edge sword, a necessary evil. It is one of those obnoxious semi-transparent words ones sees on an image. It is also embedded in the meta data, so some dastardly… Read More
2021-12-04 11:43
I was watching the news last night. Well, I say watching, I was painting with my back to the TV. However, my interest was peaked - enough to turn around and look - when I heard this yo… Read More
2021-12-03 12:37
In order to stay organized and know how far behind I am, I am a chronic list maker. In full disclosure, in making a list I will add things that have already been done. Getting to check… Read More
2021-11-29 12:56
At my age, I hope I have not fallen into a life of mediocrity - a boring one with no excitement or intrigue. This was all brought to my attention when I noticed the warning flashed on… Read More
2021-11-28 11:55
As they say in the well known carol 'Deck the Halls', " 'Tis the season". Season for what? Frustration, angst, exhaustion? Aren't we supposed to be having fun? If so, I haven't reached that… Read More
2021-11-27 10:43
As I celebrate my 61st Christmas I think back on the past ones (that I can remember) and, not to be morbid, wonder how many more I will have.Christmases when I was little, ages 2 or 3… Read More
2021-11-26 10:30
I am in the process of sending out my Christmas Cards. Late is such a complicated word and often misused in our language. Yes, the year my Yuletide cards were delivered around Valentines Day… Read More
2021-11-25 13:59
And while we are on the subject of fragrances, I still reminiscence about my Daddy, Auntie, and Hoyt's Cologne. Those two had a running joke every Christmas - one of them was going to… Read More
2021-11-24 10:30
Of all the senses, smell is supposed to bring back more memories. I cannot speak for everyone, but this is very true in my case. The smells of the holidays always bring back memories o… Read More
2021-11-23 10:30
As I have stated before, I am a true believer in the big man in red. I learned my lesson early. When I was five or six, thinking logically, I started calculating the number of hours in a nig… Read More
2021-11-22 10:30
'Tis the Season - Right? The Season for family, friends, frolicking, and, most importantly, the pièce de ré·sis·tance - the Christmas Tree. Whether liv… Read More
2021-11-21 14:44
I recently learned that Julian Fellows has come through again. It has been announced that there will be another Downtown Abbey movie to be released in March 2022 - Downton Abbey… Read More
2021-11-20 10:37
Most of you know I was brought up in South Carolina, a state where "winter" weather is limited to 6 weeks in February and March. Maybe every 4 or 5 years snow will fall, generally just… Read More
2021-11-19 12:38
Every once in a while random thoughts go through my mind - not necessarily world peace type thoughts or questions of the universe. But, there are some things I just have always wondered abou… Read More
2021-11-18 10:01
Do I look like I care? Seriously!A day or 2 ago I was in line at the grocery store. The lady checking out 2 folks ahead of me, apparently did not realize that she would have to pay for… Read More
2021-11-16 12:58
This is the time of the year when we start thinking about the new year coming up. Just saying 2022 is as if one is talking about the distant future. 55 years ago, I pictured life in 20… Read More
2021-11-12 14:21
I'll be the first to admit that I find the USPS (United States Postal Service) frustrating. However, I know of no other service where, for less than 60 cents one can send an envelope a… Read More
2021-11-11 12:42
It's that time of year again. That time, when like it or not, the Christmas season is upon us. Once again Thanksgiving is overlooked, much like the red headed step child relegated to t… Read More
2021-11-10 12:15
There is one holiday tradition that I hold dear - Christmas Cards. In these days of texts, emails, and e-cards, I feel the least I can do is take the time and effort to send a pen and ink, a… Read More
2021-11-06 10:46
As with anyone who has attained my age, I have accumulated several nemesis along the way. I think my earliest foe was a girl named Rhonda in 6th grade. That was followed by Algebra in… Read More
2021-11-03 11:34
Hazel is ill. I found her this morning on the rug, lifeless. Oh, she has been ill before. But, overall she has always been active, discreet and dependable. Usually, each morning, I find her… Read More
2021-11-01 11:20
Given this is All Saints Day, I was curious to see a list of Saints. In my mind, there are saints named as Patrons for such things as Travelers (St. Christopher), Children (St. Nicolas… Read More
2021-10-31 17:22
It's always a conundrum to me. Does one celebrate Halloween on October 31st, All Saints Day on November 1st or both. The alternative is Day of the Dead. Actually it is the "Days" of the dead… Read More
2021-10-27 11:45
What do the following have in common:Requieted loveMeet CuteSuccessful / Well to do CharacterUnder DogBest FriendSentimental SoulHot ChocolateSnowball FightInterrupted KissAbstinence&n&hell…Read More
2021-10-26 11:40
I can remember the first time I saw a Labradoodle. She was a rather large black dog with tight curly hair. Then, weeks later, I encountered a Goldendoodle. In my ignorance it looked ve… Read More
2021-10-23 11:54
This will sound odd, but what else is new, coming from me? As long as I can remember, in my mind, I see letters in specific colors. Yes, I know I should have sought help earlier. (I'll add t… Read More
2021-10-20 12:48
The Bucket List - things one wants to do before one kicks the bucket, the ultimate cliche. I happened upon the movie by the same name with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. If you hav… Read More
2021-10-19 13:18
Where are the Leaves? There ought to be Leaves. Well, maybe next year.Autumn is the season of crisp weather, bright blue skies, long shadows, and colorful leaves. Last year, I spent much tim… Read More
2021-10-11 11:18
When I think of music in the movies, two things come to mind. The first is theme song, especially if it became a commercial hit, examples being some of the award winning tunes from the Bond… Read More
2021-10-08 11:45
In this week of inclement weather, save it to the poets (and musicians) to romanticize the rain. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocketNever let it fade away … Read More
2021-10-04 09:30
Everyone has most likely played that game of naming a list of people, well there are several of these lists. One is - If you were stranded on a dessert island, what 3 things would you… Read More
2021-10-02 12:18
This truly goes under the category, "You can't make this stuff up."I was in a store yesterday, one that requested its patrons wear masks while shopping. Although I do not like wearing… Read More
2021-10-01 09:30
"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.” Jane Austin in Pride and Prejudice.I live to learn this lesson. How much simpler can it be said. We often are… Read More
2021-09-30 12:53
Someone asked me what I truly yearn for. I had to think. "Yearn" is an odd request. "Want" - yes, "Dream For" - I can see.,"Wish For", a popular question. But "Yearn" (very eager desir… Read More
2021-09-29 10:28
I take photographs and paint for enjoyment. The photography gets me outside visiting many venues - near and far. The painting relaxes me and soothes my soul. I decided to change my Ets… Read More
2021-09-28 12:40
Looking over any given group of people, one thing comes to mind - do these people have a mirror? Especially women. What were they thinking when they got dressed this morning?There are the wo… Read More
2021-09-27 11:14
When friends of mine talk about "over sleeping" and missing their morning alarm, I cannot relate. It is hard for me to oversleep due to my two little alarm clocks - Ellie and Mar… Read More
2021-09-26 10:57
I'm embarrassed to say, I still do not know my neighbors well. Oh, I know their names, basically what they do, but other than that - peanuts. I'll confess it is my fault and I should b… Read More
2021-09-22 12:57
I cannot speak for everyone, but I pine for normal. Never did I think I would miss being in a crowded restaurant or standing in line. I am tired of checking the paper daily to see where we s… Read More
2021-09-20 12:40
With Christmas just around the corner, I saw where the 2021 "Toy of the Year Awards" were named. Drum Roll Please!They are:Star Wars: The Child Animatronic Edition Toy (ie Yoda)LEGO Star War… Read More
2021-09-19 09:30
Continuing my education in pigments and tone, tints and tones I read through the color recipe book. Rather than a cup of this and a pinch of that, it was so many parts and a speck. After try… Read More
2021-09-18 11:03
Back in "Miss" Nancy's Kindergarten, I was only allowed the 16 Crayola Crayon Box. My parents did not buy my pitch for the box of 24 or, God Forbid, the Holy Grail - the box of 120 Cra… Read More
2021-09-17 12:54
We are now entering the time of purgatory. Note it is only Mid-September. The Dogwoods are still green, with maybe a tinge of pink. The stores of full of crates of orange, white, and green p… Read More
2021-09-14 09:30
September is my favorite month of the year. While most folks yearn for spring that breaks through the winter doldrums, I long for September. To me, it brings to mind the first cr… Read More
2021-09-12 11:00
With most in my generation, I am trying to do New Math with an Old Math mind. All that said, I'm pretty sure 2 x 10 still equals 20. And, Pi is still 3.14159265359 and is the ratio of… Read More
2021-09-11 10:22
Of all our genres of American music Country Music often best reflects life. It is more than just songs about unrequited love, the loss of one's old pickup truck or juke boxes and bars. As we… Read More
2021-09-10 12:27
A birthday is a celebration. Sure, but in reality it is another check on the tote board of life. Don't get me wrong I am not trying to be maudlin, but this is reality. Face it, few peo… Read More
2021-09-09 11:09
I'm not wedded to Facebook. It is not the first thing I check in the morning, nor the last I peruse before going to sleep. Sure, I'll post a picture here or there. Since any image can… Read More
2021-09-07 11:09
For most of my life I have battled my weight. The exception being the few years I was "Big as the side of a house" as my father would say. During that time of my life, I just went into denia… Read More
2021-09-06 09:30
I love the fall. To me the Fall Equinox brings about a time of crisp air, fresh apples, sweater weather, and colorful leaves. Well honestly, we know the crisp air I so crave does not c… Read More
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