tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64981301265652863172024-03-05T00:27:04.950-08:00Southern Fried and Tied UpRandom emanations from a Southern fried and tied up chick!About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-63787426395912010152013-01-11T19:57:00.000-08:002013-01-13T20:13:03.091-08:00I Didn't Fall Off A Cliff!<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">To
my readers, I apologize that it has been so long since I last posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot has been happening, to say the
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nutshell version is as
follows:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My daughter moved
back home, which was great but also a big adjustment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My kids began
homeschooling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I went back to
school at the local community college and took two classes— Intro. to
Journalism and Creative Writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first one was fine but the second one I absolutely LOVED!</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">It opened a world to me that I’ve wanted to pursue for
so long—writing!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I actually completed three short stories,
four poems, and a one-act play!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
did numerous writing prompts that may well be the inspiration for a future
writing project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class inspired me
to re-apply at a local four-year college to finish my degree so I applied for
financial aid, got approved and signed up for five classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be majoring in English with an
Emphasis in Creative Writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I start
next Tuesday and I can’t wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still
have a lot to learn and I am a little intimidated (sort of like the star high
school basketball player going to the NBA) but I’m also so excited!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I am helping my
daughter get her driver’s license, a job, and finish school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I lost my Uncle to
cancer, which is the second relative I lost in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I put my house on
the market with a realtor instead of continuing to try to sell it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, we moved to a smaller, less
expensive place as part of my simplification and debt payoff plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We recently got an offer on the house and I’m
waiting to see if it all goes through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus,
we still have a yard sale to coordinate so we can get rid of more items that
are at our former house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My family took a
couple of mini-vacations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll write
about those on my other blog <a href="http://www.explorevirginia.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Explore
Virginia</span></a> in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I got my braces
off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I started eating a
healthier, mostly plant- and juice-based diet (after watching <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Forks Over Knives</u></i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead</u></i>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I
lost my mind, found it, then lost it again many times over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Corbel; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Corbel; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Well,
as you can imagine, there are thousands of little daily problems and joys that
I’ve experienced along the way but this will at least give you some idea as to
what my life has been like over the past six or seven months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to try to update this blog bi-weekly
and actually have a pact with a blog buddy to help keep me honest and on
track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can check out her blog at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhighqualitymothering.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Flearning-independence-in-kitchen.html&h=8AQHrPzLw"><span style="color: blue;">High
Quality Mothering</span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I
will keep you posted on my weight loss journey, my debt payoff plan, my writing
classes, and so much more so stay tuned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the meantime, I leave you with a quote from Anne Lamott’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Bird by Bird:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some Instructions on Writing and Life.</u></i>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">“Perfectionism is
the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will keep you cramped and insane your
whole life.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-61382452596255671952012-05-23T17:59:00.004-07:002012-05-23T18:41:25.919-07:00Simplifying Ain't Simple!<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today was supposed to be about deep cleaning and getting
the house ready to put up for sale.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah, it’s amazing how a day can seem to start well and then go downhill
quickly.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t want to go into details since it involves others but, let’s just say,
that today was disastrous and I am spent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am cried out and my brain is fried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In less than a 10-hour span today, I have gone from mildly irritated and
impatient to extremely angry and hurt to worried to scared out of my mind to
relieved to angry and hurt again and then to just plain worn out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m left wondering what I could have done
differently and how to help the other person in this equation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also praying…a lot! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know I will be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jehovah God will not forsake me and, as
Scarlett O’Hara says, “tomorrow is another day!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">There
are just so many balls that I’m trying to juggle right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so overwhelming at times.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’ve mentioned briefly before, I’m trying
to simplify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, that means selling
my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is too big and the payments
are more than I’d like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can afford
them but I am what you would call “house poor”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t have much left over to do any of the things I’d like for me and
my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve actually wanted to sell my
house for years but have held back out of fear and uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I sell,
should I buy something else or should I rent?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should I try to buy something with a few acres out in the country and
get chickens like I’ve always wanted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
I rent, I won’t be responsible for the repairs and other costs of ownership
plus where I rent may have amenities like a pool, exercise room, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what if no one buys my house?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The economy is bad and home values are
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, it’s a nice house and a nice
neighborhood...Ugh!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are just a
few of the wishy-washy thoughts that have plagued me for too long!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least now, I know for sure what I want to
do—sell the house and find a place to rent that is a lot cheaper and easier to
care for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want any more of my
time or energy spent on the home than necessary because I want that time and
energy focused on spiritual goals, paying down debt, and doing things with my
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to enroll my kids in art
classes; travel with them; get them cell phones; help my daughter get a car and
cover insurance when she starts to drive, or give her my car and get me a
new(er) one; get new tires for my current car, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is always something!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Along with selling my house, I am also selling
furnishings, decorative items, and other things that I either don’t use, don’t
need, or don’t want to dust and care for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I e-mailed pictures of some of my items to a local furniture consignment
shop and just got a reply back that they may already have some buyers so we
just need to seal the deal and have them pick my items up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things are starting to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a bright spot in the day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I also have some items ready to go to a different consignment
shop and I’m getting some things ready for a yard sale and the rest will be
donated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like a plan, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, it is but it’s sad that this is not my
first purge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I moved from my
previous house, I got rid of a lot of large pieces, including a piano, and lots
of other items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, while in my current
house, I’ve had two yard sales; sold things at a flea market, several different
consignment shops, and book shops; and given things away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I still have so much to get rid
of?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, I’m not a hoarder like
you see on T.V.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of my stuff looks
brand new and has been either displayed nicely or packed away in a storage room
in my basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not junk lying
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My house is neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, earlier in my life, I fell prey to
consumerism and materialism and keeping up with the Jones’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s sickening to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, I am finally at a place in my
life where none of it matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I didn’t
have kids, I could easily pack up just the necessities and travel in an R.V.,
live on a houseboat, or live abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
now though, I feel I need to give them more stability than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ll simplify as much as I
possibly can and enjoy the sense of lightness and freedom that comes with it!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">P.S. My son has spent the last couple of hours in his
room doing his own purging and cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m really proud of him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-38741100676294597452012-05-15T18:28:00.000-07:002012-05-16T04:18:11.505-07:00Strawberry Muffins - Yum!<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hey, everybody!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just wanted to let you know that I tried the strawberry muffin recipe that I
found on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Strawberry-Muffins/Detail.aspx?prop31=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">allrecipes.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">com</span></span></a></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">and they were delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I meant to add chopped pecans but forgot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still the recipe was super easy to
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqHjKXFDXga4uj99bb1i7Iu55Q9VlfQ2xwAobcVMpOi8_Hl597w37Mh5XK7UV5Bl27-pm_OCqK-P-EF4Qs_UITM3qC3rD2ug5jnyK9uME_SFWbVP_GGo2SsM01_jd5SXOUKRILUAn4vI/s1600/DSC06986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqHjKXFDXga4uj99bb1i7Iu55Q9VlfQ2xwAobcVMpOi8_Hl597w37Mh5XK7UV5Bl27-pm_OCqK-P-EF4Qs_UITM3qC3rD2ug5jnyK9uME_SFWbVP_GGo2SsM01_jd5SXOUKRILUAn4vI/s200/DSC06986.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmdBWqy1oqkT5cldMIHIstiOj5IffIoUsDMAATmiPuwyhPcu7WQPlfVs9oyWM1SsvBECqxnflv9p2XdNT7kcwmuyLtUTbgZIswYY6ONZNfx6kwmziOvoHd7K4ylBfw4Cde6Mg4fQj9ww/s1600/DSC06988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmdBWqy1oqkT5cldMIHIstiOj5IffIoUsDMAATmiPuwyhPcu7WQPlfVs9oyWM1SsvBECqxnflv9p2XdNT7kcwmuyLtUTbgZIswYY6ONZNfx6kwmziOvoHd7K4ylBfw4Cde6Mg4fQj9ww/s200/DSC06988.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>As an extra step, I added a
cream cheese frosting from a recipe found on <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/282958/cream-cheese-frosting"><span style="color: lime;">marthastewart.com.
</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQe9cY44KZsSIt6Tf0a-JM6Llc07AztjNpzJtO4Yq0ni8IzEurXl2ANW9b_c5H8wAutcUZh5xSumz_vJlFcT0C71ydL478bJ8qvxHCLj2h1Voexhj4xmIgV9b-LyGdzbSxiCI7Jz354w/s1600/DSC06989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQe9cY44KZsSIt6Tf0a-JM6Llc07AztjNpzJtO4Yq0ni8IzEurXl2ANW9b_c5H8wAutcUZh5xSumz_vJlFcT0C71ydL478bJ8qvxHCLj2h1Voexhj4xmIgV9b-LyGdzbSxiCI7Jz354w/s200/DSC06989.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy24sxjlN5dNEiNy2ZexcsnxxteNfjKagp5hFOdXaMXrRs_tbXCnKVJTcxuR5cBPdppLTbou_hX4zJxqAZ8lsdJuHGg1__-eNS4h3PuTVCWf49OzIz54IbuNoz2nJ6ySTfgCM01ZpAgc/s1600/DSC06992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy24sxjlN5dNEiNy2ZexcsnxxteNfjKagp5hFOdXaMXrRs_tbXCnKVJTcxuR5cBPdppLTbou_hX4zJxqAZ8lsdJuHGg1__-eNS4h3PuTVCWf49OzIz54IbuNoz2nJ6ySTfgCM01ZpAgc/s200/DSC06992.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Give it a try, I know you’ll love
it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-40026073901922590382012-05-12T08:14:00.001-07:002012-05-16T04:19:26.209-07:00Stawberry Dreams for the Budget Conscious<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
so funny how things work out sometimes.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> I was supposed to
go strawberry picking yesterday but decided not to go to save money. So,
instead the strawberries came to me. Here’s what happened…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNK94w8jzDvRpvjGyobalRLtNNvYXUjXvye8ozuT9lKL6IrQvP6l0Rm9Jpz8MS4zp0b6VoLNjKwp9bRdslQ330PdOtbgdBMuRoMvLyp0ai6LcDQxEtBSeHe1d7bTgGxZorUMLz8tR97I/s1600/0517111744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNK94w8jzDvRpvjGyobalRLtNNvYXUjXvye8ozuT9lKL6IrQvP6l0Rm9Jpz8MS4zp0b6VoLNjKwp9bRdslQ330PdOtbgdBMuRoMvLyp0ai6LcDQxEtBSeHe1d7bTgGxZorUMLz8tR97I/s200/0517111744.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year at this time, I went with my mom, my son, and
a few ladies from our congregation to pick strawberries at a wonderful farm in
Nelson County, Virginia called <a href="http://www.seamansorchard.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Seaman’s Orchard</span></a>. What a beautiful day we had! The
surrounding area was so picturesque and we got so many deliciously sweet
strawberries! (I’ve included some of the pictures I took last year on my
phone.)</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This year, we wanted to go back and there were a few
other ladies that wanted to go as well. So, on Wednesday I tried to make plans
to go yesterday (Friday). The weather forecast was good and it hadn’t rained in
a couple of days so it would have been a good day for strawberry picking.
However, truth be told, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">I couldn’t really afford to go what
with the price of gas and then having to pay for the strawberries </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">with
a depleted grocery fund. I confessed my budgetary concerns and bowed out of
going. No problem. I was happy with my decision. Besides, I figured maybe
things would look better in June and I could go pick cherries instead. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, that was not the end of it. My friend Patrice
called later in the day and advised she was at a different farm picking
strawberries and asked if I wanted to come over. It was closer (so less gas)
and the day turned out to be absolutely GORGEOUS! I was so tempted! But no, I
advised I couldn’t go and I was proud of myself for sticking to my guns.
Instead, she invited me and my family over for dinner and a movie later that
night. Yay! Time with friends and within my budget! </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So, I made a pie to take and went to the grocery store
for a couple of sodas. On the way to the store, my mom and brother called.
“It’s such a beautiful day”, they said. “We want to go riding and maybe pick
some strawberries. Do you want to come?” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What?!
A third chance to go strawberry picking on the same day?!</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t believe in fate but this was
getting ridiculous.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> I advised I had other plans and
declined but said if they could wait until the next day, I would go with them.
Hey, at least the gas would be paid for and I wouldn’t have to buy anything if
I didn’t want to. Well, they were non-committal on that and I kept my plans
with my friend.</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadbez9JGUoK8Nz3xWbrsuFbxjZ4rTaJy3o3ZeoJDks30lcQGcbteCfBWDaiPba1aAobn9FdPBp_gpY0693-cUFrimG0qmnVyxsVBywGroEbDDPIadp44IetHbqVRvlviwVyyw7jhaGl8/s1600/0517111745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadbez9JGUoK8Nz3xWbrsuFbxjZ4rTaJy3o3ZeoJDks30lcQGcbteCfBWDaiPba1aAobn9FdPBp_gpY0693-cUFrimG0qmnVyxsVBywGroEbDDPIadp44IetHbqVRvlviwVyyw7jhaGl8/s200/0517111745.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When
I got to Patrice’s house, she had about 20 jars of strawberries </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">she had
canned (which I tasted and it was yummy!) and two trays of beautiful, plump
strawberries she had frozen and was putting into freezer bags. Yay for her!
Waah for me! Still, we had a fun evening. I absolutely love her family!!</span><br />
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, towards the end of the evening I missed a
call and had a voicemail message from my brother. He advised that he and my mom
did go strawberry picking at Seaman’s Orchard and got extras so I could pick
them up on my way home. Since all good things ultimately come from Jehovah God,
I will consider this to be a gift from Him as well as my family. And what a
lovely gift it is. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sweet, fresh, and local strawberries. Doesn’t get much better!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2SEw94DkUjOp2RZUXPQS5EszALpULFyQbnTkeH0X1e43ajV0lFygE6LI08jcYoNu9AP0OpUe3sBBAfPNNzLYjYPhhp84FmiJYtsgsR3x2CCxYLzUad8_zaCtvSdIe9uKbOqmnqer2q4/s1600/DSC06915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2SEw94DkUjOp2RZUXPQS5EszALpULFyQbnTkeH0X1e43ajV0lFygE6LI08jcYoNu9AP0OpUe3sBBAfPNNzLYjYPhhp84FmiJYtsgsR3x2CCxYLzUad8_zaCtvSdIe9uKbOqmnqer2q4/s200/DSC06915.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So,
late last night and eyeing my bounty, I considered all of the ways I could use
them (after I give some to my sister and niece). I didn’t want to get out my
canning equipment to make jam this year, at least not the next day. So I
brainstormed what I could do with my strawberries. It was late and a late-night
snack was called for so I was just going to have a mayo and American cheese
sandwich, however, a light bulb went off! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
if I slice a strawberry and put it on the sandwich? Is that too weird?</i>
Well, I tried it and it is not weird at all. It was actually quite good! Here
are a few other budget friendly ways to use fresh <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">strawberries:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make a
cool, refreshing pie by mixing whipped topping with about a third of a box of
strawberry gelatin. Stir in chopped strawberries then transfer the mixture to a
graham cracker crust. Top with more whipped topping and add a few decorative
strawberries on top. Yummy!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make
freezer jam. I haven’t tried this but another friend says it is easier and
tastier than canning. I found super easy instructions at <a href="http://frugalliving.about.com/od/foodsavings/qt/Freezer_Jam.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">about.com</span></a> and this is what I
will try soon!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make
your own angel food or pound cake and top with sliced strawberries that have
been macerated in a little sugar. Yum! You can find cake recipes online and
even find recipes to make your own whipped topping. Here are links to two
recipes that I found on cooks.com--<a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1713,145168-245196,00.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">option1</span></a> and <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,2213,158176-230203,00.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">option 2</span></a>. I’m going to try
it and, if it works, may never have to buy whipped topping again! </span></div>
</span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melt
some chocolate to dip your strawberries. Yummy and decadent! Don’t know how to
melt chocolate? Try following the tips given at <a href="http://candy.about.com/od/workingwithchocolate/a/meltchocolate.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">about.com</span></a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Add a
few strawberries to cereal or oatmeal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make
strawberry muffins. I haven't tried this yet but found a link on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Strawberry-Muffins/Detail.aspx?prop31=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">allrecipes.com</span></a> to what
looks to be a good recipe that I will try in the near future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Slice
strawberries and put in a nice spinach salad with walnuts or pecans and your favorite
cheese. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look up
a recipe online that suits the ingredients you have on hand and make your own
strawberry salad dressing. I found one at <a href="http://www.recipe.com/fresh-strawberry-dressing/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">recipe.com</span></a> that I tweaked for my ingredients.
Instead of balsamic vinegar, I used white vinegar. It got the taste test seal
of approval from me and my son.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make
your drink of choice better with fresh strawberries—daiquiri; strawberry
lemonade, smoothie, or milkshake; or add sliced fresh strawberries to some
sparkling water or lemon-lime soda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the list can go on and on. But you get the
idea. If your gas and food budget allows, go pick your own fresh strawberries
(I’ve seen as low as $1.30/lb.) and </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">enjoy their natural sweetness in any number of creative, unique, and
frugal ways!</span></i></b></div>
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-47869000390225785052012-05-11T21:11:00.000-07:002012-05-18T19:07:34.145-07:00Where have I been, you ask?<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Hey, everybody! If you read my other blog (</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.explorevirginia.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: lime; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">www.explorevirginia.blogspot.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">), you know that I haven’t been keeping up with either blog very well
as </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">a little thing called "Life" keeps
getting in the way.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> You see, since January, I
started home schooling my son; have been trying to simplify my life by getting
rid of things (that’s actually been going on for years!); lost a family member;
have been doing work to sell my home; looking for a job that will enable me to
work part-time from home; trying to be a good Mom; cooking, cleaning, paying
bills; learning some new job skills via online classes; trying to maintain a
spiritual routine; etc., etc. And, for me, it gets really hard to focus on too
many things at once. I can only keep so many balls in the air at one time.
Inevitably, one or two drop for a while until I can pick them up again. In this
case, my blogs were dropped for a bit. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Plus, truth be told, I got into a little funk there too. You know,
self-doubt. What’s the purpose of my blogs? Who is even reading them? I’m not a
good enough writer. Wah, wah, wah! I have to say that it is very heartening to
look at my blog stats from time to time and see interest from people all over
the world. I don’t know how you guys stumble upon my blogs but it is the
coolest thing ever to know that people from Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Germany,
the U.K., Japan, Latvia, Columbia, South Korea, and many more places are
checking out my blogs! So, thank you!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">And, yeah, I am definitely a wanna-be world traveler! The only times I
have been out of the U.S. I went to the Bahamas and Canada. That was great but
not enough. There is a vast, interesting world out there full of fascinating
people, languages, cultures, wildlife, and topography. Hence, one of my major
motivations for </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">simplifying my
life--getting out of debt to live the life I want and teach my kids a thing or
two about what is really important.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> I recently
stumbled upon blogs by two families that are doing this very thing. You can
check them out at <a href="http://www.manvsdebt.com/"><span style="color: lime;">www.manvsdebt.com</span></a> and
<a href="http://www.discovershareinspire.com./"><span style="color: lime;">www.discovershareinspire.com.</span></a>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">For me, these families have helped me solidify my plans for the
future. I have a goal to work toward and I'm very excited about that! I'll have
more about the changes I'm making and how I’m working to accomplish my goals in
future blog posts. I hope you’ll keep coming back and give me feedback or even
just share how you simplified your life in the comments section! </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Maybe we can inspire one another! </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Until next time, this southern fried and tied up girl wishes you all
well on your life’s journey!</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
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<br /></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-44447611843858664642012-01-31T08:29:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:24:51.734-07:00Fun with Stained Glass<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">After
years of wanting to take a stained glass class,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
finally did it and completed the last of the four-week course last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so much fun and both easier and harder
than I thought, but mostly easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
is what I learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">First, you should know that I’ve taken classes in the
past (painting, quilting, mosaics) but never finished the projects </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">due
to a chronic case of perfectionism tied to a mild lack of confidence.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d hem and haw at the starting gate about
what design I wanted to use or how to start while all of the other students
took off like they were going for the gold at the Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d get discouraged and would sometimes just
stop coming to the class altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this time I was determined that things would be different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not spend inordinate amounts of time
fretting over how to begin or bemoaning every perceived mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not focus on perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I would focus on staying with the
instructor, completing each task on the assigned night, and just enjoying the
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my first attempt after
all so my project was going to have flaws anyway but at least it would be
finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the first night, I even told
the instructor, Jack, about my sordid past with art classes and he assured all
of us that we didn’t need to be perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s all I needed to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy,
did I run with it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">First
Night:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got some
basic instructions on cutting and breaking glass and practiced doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was surprisingly easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were then given a paper with the same pattern,
a star, on it and were told to cut out all of the black lines from around all
of the pattern pieces, which would leave approximately a 1/16<sup>th</sup>
space between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could do this
with regular scissors or with triple-bladed scissors that cut the black line
out for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the triple-bladed
scissors a little hard to get used to but did like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, here is where I made my first
mistake as I cut some pieces a little too much and others not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some had remnants of the black line on them
and others were slightly misshapen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Next, still on the first night, we numbered our pattern
pieces then chose the colors and textures of glass we wanted to use for our
project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned how to lay the
pattern pieces out on the glass to cut them correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For example, you wouldn’t want to start
scoring the glass for one pattern piece in such a way that will cause the glass
to break where you have another piece waiting to be cut.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the pattern pieces were laid out, we
used a marker to trace around them onto the glass being careful to number them
and then cut out each glass piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
left the glass pieces assembled together on a tray.</span></span><span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Lesson
Learned #1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take your time and cut your
paper pattern as precisely as possible!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><u>Second Night:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the cut pieces of glass and grinded
the edges on a glass grinder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
pass was to smooth the edges of the glass but then we had to compare the glass
to our original template and grind down any excess glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></span> <span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">grinding
machine uses water with the spinning grinder so each time we had to completely
dry the piece we were working on before placing it back on the paper template
(so the template wouldn’t warp) to make further comparisons.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I found grinding to be the most tedious
and least enjoyable part of the class</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> for a couple of
reasons:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) because I had so much of it
to do; and 2) because teeny, tiny little bits of glass fly up and get on your
face, in your hair, and on your clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the last reason wouldn’t prevent me from taking the class
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Lesson
Learned #2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not squander your freedom
from perfectionism so flagrantly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut
the glass more precisely the first time around to waste less time on
grinding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, note that we wore
protective eye gear while grinding but one reference work said you should also
wear a mask so you do not breathe in any glass particles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do that next time. </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><u>Third Night:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wiped the edges of all of our glass pieces
with a cloth to make sure all dust and debris is removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then began applying copper foil to the
edges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a little challenging as
we had to apply a thin strip of adhesive backed copper to the edge of glass in
such a way that an equal amount of excess foil was on both side of the
glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked our way around each
piece, cut the foil then pressed it to the edges before pressing down the
excess foil on to the front and back flat surfaces of the glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pressed down the corners with our fingers
first then with a crimper before using a tool to burnish or flatten the foil on
the surfaces of both sides of the glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we miscalculated and got too much foil on one side of the glass than
the other, we tried to add a little more foil to that section to fix it or had
to remove the foil completely and start over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is important because when you look through the glass, it is obvious
when this is not done properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then
put each piece back on the pattern in order on a piece of wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our instructor nailed pieces of quarter-round
around our design to hold all of the pieces in place firmly.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Learned #3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apply the foil more
precisely and evenly to the glass pieces so it’s even on both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_Kx-_4EXnlaN0vWDtR55jog5yI_NVI3nwhRNkcpqeg36huEg6FJAYC1x1Zn129JurN5cKhu4hNfPiOeXGumKxhxtDDo3IfcvW8pOOvJ13kKRsZDdAkYP5JMggGUG2yK5V4qMG3PMXhA/s1600/0123121955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_Kx-_4EXnlaN0vWDtR55jog5yI_NVI3nwhRNkcpqeg36huEg6FJAYC1x1Zn129JurN5cKhu4hNfPiOeXGumKxhxtDDo3IfcvW8pOOvJ13kKRsZDdAkYP5JMggGUG2yK5V4qMG3PMXhA/s200/0123121955.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eLag_vaVzUCyVhnXCfaConzZT_v2pGs05rx0CRUnFX4ydOSbc01Z2-olZJypq5M2AjfuUE_DWbGarFHOXzAcSwHzpz0u2I-gA8YSk4V-ILwQVBk0fNhZpEUMSH7bqqruBegJMdnEyIk/s1600/0123121954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eLag_vaVzUCyVhnXCfaConzZT_v2pGs05rx0CRUnFX4ydOSbc01Z2-olZJypq5M2AjfuUE_DWbGarFHOXzAcSwHzpz0u2I-gA8YSk4V-ILwQVBk0fNhZpEUMSH7bqqruBegJMdnEyIk/s200/0123121954.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><u>Fourth and Final Night:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We applied flux (an acidic mixture to make metal
adhere to metal) to key points on our design then soldered them with an
extremely hot soldering iron and tin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was to hold the design together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then proceeded to solder the rest of the design on one side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sorry, but I didn’t get pictures of this as
I was too focused on what I was doing and forgot.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was both fun and exasperating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cool to see how the tin would melt
down the surface of the hot soldering iron and pool along the line of copper
being covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was frustrating when I
didn’t move quickly or slowly enough and the tin either formed a lump or was
too thin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cure was a blessing and a
curse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, you could apply more
flux and then touch the soldering iron to the tin and it would re-melt and be
movable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, except</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>it is possible to re-work
something too much.</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, well, it was a first attempt remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegmlQkNQH9yfeVGQ659m1reVTeS-WYcYJqLRSy0cGnRCJDLV8h_M961qCiDgvy06nzA5lrH0tE8aHQVU3DrTp-6spvCgJn6WuzCXNfUm3YiUJ0iz6DhyvFYg0fV8vuRs9wIRnx10xI0k/s1600/0131121056a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegmlQkNQH9yfeVGQ659m1reVTeS-WYcYJqLRSy0cGnRCJDLV8h_M961qCiDgvy06nzA5lrH0tE8aHQVU3DrTp-6spvCgJn6WuzCXNfUm3YiUJ0iz6DhyvFYg0fV8vuRs9wIRnx10xI0k/s200/0131121056a.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Once we were done with the first side (not the outer
edge, since that would be covered with a zinc frame), we cleaned the flux and
debris off with water and dried our piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then flipped it over and did the reverse side being careful not to
apply too much tin as it could seep through to the other side we just
completed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there was seepage and I had
to fix it by applying more flux and reheating and removing some of the tin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once this was done and the piece was washed,
Jack used a miter saw to cut out zinc frame pieces which he fitted to our
projects and affixed using a different type of more caustic flux.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I didn’t really like the way it discolored
the zinc frame but what are you gonna do?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We used a file to smooth the edges where the mitered pieces met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack then drilled holes for our frame hooks
which were applied with more solder and voilà!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My project was complete!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "CatholicSchoolGirls Intl BB"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Lesson
Learned #4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take your time soldering so
you get smoother lines with consistent and correct amount of tin.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Final lesson learned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Creative
people must do creative things.</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even just being in a creative environment is
invigorating and feels right to the bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Find new ways to express yourself creatively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a class and see it through to the
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you never want to try that
particular art form again, you will learn something about it and, more
importantly, about yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-13459607005671785342012-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:33:51.613-07:00Why Paula Deen Makes this Southern Chick Sad<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Paula Deen, Queen of
Southern cooking, announced Tuesday that she has type-2 diabetes. Ordinarily
that might be a sympathy garnering announcement but it has her critics up in
arms and trash talking the food I grew up loving and </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">that makes this Southern chick very sad.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Let me explain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6N_Zeu2T8pycN1BRWjw-b3IOl3MXuuPi_KPR2sE4iAhuG_Noh2l2VPLIo-lCfGK4OKBGaKRWQsfnOiZNvU9tBTZWz05v6f2spVbQTzz-0paFzi61feKGuNy5wna2vXioP1BAtVR5z70/s1600/Fried+Fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6N_Zeu2T8pycN1BRWjw-b3IOl3MXuuPi_KPR2sE4iAhuG_Noh2l2VPLIo-lCfGK4OKBGaKRWQsfnOiZNvU9tBTZWz05v6f2spVbQTzz-0paFzi61feKGuNy5wna2vXioP1BAtVR5z70/s200/Fried+Fish.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, I have to confess that, although I am not
a super fan of Paula Deen’s, I do like her. I’ve seen a few of her cooking
shows, as well as, other shows where she is being interviewed and I like her
folksy, down-home country charm ("<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hey,
ya’ll!”). </i>I guess it’s a Southern thing.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I also like that she tries
to preserve traditional Southern home-style cooking because I simply love the
food that I grew up with! It’s about taste and home and mama. I’ve even written
about it on my other<span style="color: lime;"> </span><a href="http://explorevirginia.blogspot.com/2011/11/country-kitchen-mecca-for-southern-home.html"><span style="color: lime;">blog</span></a>.
Still I know that Southern home cooking in the traditional sense is not the
healthiest cuisine around. We all know that. So, what’s the problem?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Well, you see, Paula Deen
has been under fire for quite some time for kicking the traditional up a notch
or two…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or ten!</i> It seems for her that
Southern cuisine can never have too much fat or sugar and so she seems to
delight in concocting the most outrageous diet busters. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Deep fried cheesecake, anyone?)</i> Add to that her age, weight, and
an admittedly sedentary lifestyle and it’s a recipe for disaster. Sounds like
it just might be her own personal problem but it’s not. Paula Deen is a
well-known and well-liked celebrity. As a result, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">many
take umbrage with her continued promotion of unhealthy foods in light of her
diagnosis that, it turns out, she’s actually known about for several years.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Really, how can someone continue to relish in
and promote dishes like hamburger, egg, and bacon between two glazed donuts
while knowing the health risks to themselves and others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVgaSbcUpxHV6obE9MvTD5VlC6X1lYb5Kyzly-vFLkc6YRSHNqJHS0iDGlqjcUo8-rbC8C8RT_E-iSQAUhBuXpKzZdgSesz1uX3B2plfkkAuZYRchcmbW2OE2R-jXXaA_hoQMn8BB-RQ/s1600/Chocolate+Pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVgaSbcUpxHV6obE9MvTD5VlC6X1lYb5Kyzly-vFLkc6YRSHNqJHS0iDGlqjcUo8-rbC8C8RT_E-iSQAUhBuXpKzZdgSesz1uX3B2plfkkAuZYRchcmbW2OE2R-jXXaA_hoQMn8BB-RQ/s200/Chocolate+Pie.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Paula’s defense, she says that she has always
spoken about moderation on her shows. She may have. As I said, I haven't
watched a lot of her shows. However, of the ones I did see, I never heard
moderation preached. Not once. Never saw anything about it in her cookbook that
I checked out from the library a few months ago either. And moderation is
definitely key when it comes to Southern cooking! I too have a weight issue and
I am currently trying to eat healthier and lose weight. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Does that mean I never want to have biscuits and gravy or
chicken-n-dumplings or chocolate pie again? Absolutely not!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> However, I know that it cannot be the mainstay of my diet. Sure, my
grandparents may have eaten that way and my grandma did live to be 98 years
old, but my grandparents worked hard on a farm most of their lives and worked
off as many calories as they consumed. They also had access to fruits and
vegetables and non-chemically processed foods. It was a different time. Few
people have that lifestyle today, which is why the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) states that one-third of U.S. adults are obese along with 17% of children
aged 2 – 19. So, the question is, in a country where an alarming portion of the
population is literally bursting at the seams, is it responsible for any public
and respected figure to so brazenly flaunt an unhealthy lifestyle?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JkLc1l6SHXXXQDo6mXOEyUMQaTcSQBeyqsV5JHpFRZjzN_p_Qiv2_lUpGDShMfSlQk_M6_QaSdfwK07AGVTW9_Ofd0V2fmO-pnqwAeUgqcp08-Om_hH1vg2LKvR-JVH1qWKQq_fleeo/s1600/cdc+obesity+rates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JkLc1l6SHXXXQDo6mXOEyUMQaTcSQBeyqsV5JHpFRZjzN_p_Qiv2_lUpGDShMfSlQk_M6_QaSdfwK07AGVTW9_Ofd0V2fmO-pnqwAeUgqcp08-Om_hH1vg2LKvR-JVH1qWKQq_fleeo/s320/cdc+obesity+rates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To rub a salted stick of butter into an already open wound,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> we also learn that Paula Deen is now the spokeswoman for Novo
Nordisk, makers of a diabetes treatment drug reportedly costing up to $500.00 a
month, and she stands to make millions from the deal. Seems sort of like being
on the board of directors for a tobacco company while promoting a patch to stop
smoking at the same time. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Still, some may feel that Paula’s diagnosis is her personal business
and that she didn’t need to tell anyone she has diabetes and I agree. However,
as a celebrity chef, she could have started changing her recipes to be
healthier years ago. She could have preached moderation more loudly and more
often. And, if she wanted to come clean about her diagnosis to help others,
then why didn’t she do when she found out about it? Why wait until she has a
deal with a pharmaceutical company? It all seems so disingenuous now and such a
big let down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To make matters worse, Paula Deen has committed the biggest crime of
all--betraying her Southern roots by putting traditional Southern cuisine in
such a bad light. And that just makes me sad.</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-15613343973298890852012-01-07T18:00:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:10:41.302-07:00Taking Advantage of Good Weather<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Short post today...Since I live in the northern
hemisphere, I now have old man winter with which to contend. Unfortunately, the
older I get, the less tolerant I am to cold. That's why, when the weather is
good, I try to take advantage of it. Today, the temperatures got into the 60's
so my son and I went fishing. We didn't catch anything but that was a minor
hiccup for an otherwise enjoyable afternoon. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">There is such a calm I feel
when I am out in nature away from a lot of people, and especially by water. </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The
browns of trees, greens of the grass, blue/greens of the water, and blues of
the sky are so serene. They seem to restore something basic and elemental
within me. We watched the geese swim so gracefully and bob for food. The wind
driven ripples across the surface of the lake was like a dance. Simply a
gorgeous day!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9dYZW7T8YFjkfdvHe6d13FwHsMnkHCVlGLBDsprNEsoDLX7fFWRkL14L_5ls9K0LTFFac8kwsj5l5vT6T7mhsGqan-7bUQABQL6WZ9k_RFbB2-9Tzd4k17TBeJtP51FpuinPUr0wPYA/s1600/DSC06557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9dYZW7T8YFjkfdvHe6d13FwHsMnkHCVlGLBDsprNEsoDLX7fFWRkL14L_5ls9K0LTFFac8kwsj5l5vT6T7mhsGqan-7bUQABQL6WZ9k_RFbB2-9Tzd4k17TBeJtP51FpuinPUr0wPYA/s320/DSC06557.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p3A4t6A7KpZ15i1e4CXCWi59oB7dCVz-ymTbTfCDjJls_IhWHFMQXoY7T-R7_5BTp2xxO9vVuQdY_bCKWCwEXVnQhUJ1e2eGud5e5EwPt5DAi1qME3V7SqU_QA3OjObHpt5FQnPPbR0/s1600/DSC06552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p3A4t6A7KpZ15i1e4CXCWi59oB7dCVz-ymTbTfCDjJls_IhWHFMQXoY7T-R7_5BTp2xxO9vVuQdY_bCKWCwEXVnQhUJ1e2eGud5e5EwPt5DAi1qME3V7SqU_QA3OjObHpt5FQnPPbR0/s320/DSC06552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-82417652691802595372011-12-31T18:37:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:10:07.056-07:00Rejection is Not for Weenies<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">At the beginning of December, I sent a query letter to a popular
magazine about an article I wanted to write for them. In my fine and most
humble opinion, it was a good query letter and an even better article! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Picture tongue in cheek smile.)</i> Still,
being my first such attempt, I knew it was a long shot but was excited that I
actually tried. That was, in fact, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">the hardest part—facing
down my fear of rejection, quelling the negative self-talk,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> loosening the death grip on my heart, shooing away the butterflies in
my stomach, and pressing the “send”button on my e-mail. But I did it and I was
proud. I gave birth and released my progeny into the world for acceptance and
approval. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, my progeny came back stamped “thanks, but no thanks”. Yep</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">, I got my first rejection letter,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> or I should say, e-mail. For someone who’s always broken out in a
rash at just the thought of rejection, I handled my “Dear John” letter
surprisingly well. In fact, I smiled. And today, I celebrate it! Lest you think
I’ve gone off the deep end so early in my career, let me explain. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I’ve always wanted to be a writer—published, paid, and happy doing
what I enjoy. But I viewed writing like a distant land that I hoped to visit
one day when the time was right or I had enough money or I believed in myself
enough. Then one day I realized that I don’t have to actually be published to
be a writer. I write, therefore I am…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a
writer</i>. What a revelation! So, when I lost my job in July, I saw it as my
opportunity to take the writing bull by the inkhorn and set out to give my
craft a serious go. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Turns out, there is a lot to the business of writing. I’m slowly
navigating my way around and finding new ways to express myself and get my
writing noticed while seeking job opportunities and trying to write my first
novel. Each step I take makes me feel more and more authentically a writer. So,
what of yesterday’s rejection? That sealed the deal, baby! I AM A WRITER!!! <em><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Woo-hoo!!
</span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I mean, do you know how many published writers have faced how many
rejections? I am sure the numbers are staggering! Still they pressed on
rejection after rejection. It’s a given that I too will face repeated
rejections. And now that I have my first, I feel I am really on my way! How
many more to go? I don’t know. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I just know that I’m on the
path I want to be on and I’m not a weenie about rejection anymore! </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Bring it on publishing world! I can take it. Because I know, one day,
it will be my turn! </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-60395685949166454582011-12-30T11:24:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:09:34.207-07:00Appreciating the Little Things - October 2011<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">A couple of months ago I
was walking my dog, Kenzie, around a local track. I couldn’t help but notice
many of the almost unnoticeable, yet beautiful, facets of Jehovah God’s creation.
I wondered how many people walk that track each day and fail to see what I saw
that morning. Here are some of the pictures I took.</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYC-OIH_suTwvskAJ0s8sF7qHaqRjcuGx9H0J9EyktsNxokbDi-Sen1B2iCf3KPzRrZFrQnUBb8qftOxN_hrFn1ExeDqHefg57lU3s6mHNQLj1dsK6p30fP_X36HcBNcplHCnCOOtOhA/s1600/DSC01446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYC-OIH_suTwvskAJ0s8sF7qHaqRjcuGx9H0J9EyktsNxokbDi-Sen1B2iCf3KPzRrZFrQnUBb8qftOxN_hrFn1ExeDqHefg57lU3s6mHNQLj1dsK6p30fP_X36HcBNcplHCnCOOtOhA/s200/DSC01446.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGihJTLr8-QY3emcrQ-0qGFk_iCQL39BFJdMtAnzaLM0mbVHMqa0UWNTtZYs_QAMszSBl_g3fsO2obVLAVxrYb-VAP8Ahu_-omR2wmmfApnWi9jImJ2SMEnHJdPV2k006Vv1XOX12KCLQ/s1600/DSC01418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGihJTLr8-QY3emcrQ-0qGFk_iCQL39BFJdMtAnzaLM0mbVHMqa0UWNTtZYs_QAMszSBl_g3fsO2obVLAVxrYb-VAP8Ahu_-omR2wmmfApnWi9jImJ2SMEnHJdPV2k006Vv1XOX12KCLQ/s200/DSC01418.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFMySwnCSC5oQMxb4e5H3iGVPam1kvrPl2PYVq_fkQR8-Qi5Bqkb7TNVVdCmAA64RufPu6TQZo-zfN-Ghi7yZ0_GXFaQTAZw6k0SyjD2hj78Ca3opRoReu_nUCVBPmtc0VafrANulsnI/s1600/DSC01425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFMySwnCSC5oQMxb4e5H3iGVPam1kvrPl2PYVq_fkQR8-Qi5Bqkb7TNVVdCmAA64RufPu6TQZo-zfN-Ghi7yZ0_GXFaQTAZw6k0SyjD2hj78Ca3opRoReu_nUCVBPmtc0VafrANulsnI/s200/DSC01425.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPCGx5ftRxb1m18BCeadDZE4-toR3uZXDxyWJZutwQ9s4D41bPFWBe4lWt0I3_JPjo4aFqXXG8ZHDFfb6w42O8486UM6dOElGP86VFkBFdgigRclrT_XqhG2Sk-s631zhQGJMzq8RVfo/s1600/DSC01431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPCGx5ftRxb1m18BCeadDZE4-toR3uZXDxyWJZutwQ9s4D41bPFWBe4lWt0I3_JPjo4aFqXXG8ZHDFfb6w42O8486UM6dOElGP86VFkBFdgigRclrT_XqhG2Sk-s631zhQGJMzq8RVfo/s200/DSC01431.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQYhSwrAG8zNOBiJJIFQ5uZwoL74IdquEe6UJR88ew-G2mkCtAsKj4vK0To4a0V0uL_ZEmDvxFxBrW44I6ZS_0Iy4XpZy64qaxwa5v6Ty2t2-enhW-3ymbV8v0QeyuvtIm_RUqY0Iqs/s1600/DSC01448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQYhSwrAG8zNOBiJJIFQ5uZwoL74IdquEe6UJR88ew-G2mkCtAsKj4vK0To4a0V0uL_ZEmDvxFxBrW44I6ZS_0Iy4XpZy64qaxwa5v6Ty2t2-enhW-3ymbV8v0QeyuvtIm_RUqY0Iqs/s200/DSC01448.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-30139968708095494792011-12-29T20:30:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:09:10.706-07:00How to Smell Like a Rose When Your Life's in the Toilet<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong>My descent into the great white porcelain abyss began long ago.</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> The Cliff Notes version, leaving childhood traumas and dramas aside, is
that I started working for an insurance company two months out of high school.
Not having a better plan for my future, the entry level job seemed like a good
idea—large stable company, better than minimum wage pay, desk of my own,
working in my small town’s downtown, parking in a two level garage. Everything
was new and grown-up and so very…practical. My post-Depression era folks
couldn’t have been prouder or felt more secure for me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The only hiccup is that within six months I knew that I didn’t want to
do that kind of work for the rest of my life. Not just in the insurance
industry but in the business world in general. This shouldn’t have been a
revelation. I didn’t want to take any of the high school business classes
(typing, accounting, computers, etc.) that my mother encouraged, no matter how
useful. My vision of my future was looser, less restrictive, and completely
undefined. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I didn’t know what I had a talent for and had no
self-confidence to pursue any of my interests</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> (writing, photography, art, teaching, traveling). Thus I chose the
road worn and packed by the footsteps of so many others that I actually mistook
it for the right path. Yeah, I took the business classes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">So post-grad (high school, that is) and master of my fate, I was at
the same crossroads after only six months of employment at my fancy-smancy new
job. I knew what I didn’t want but knew precious little else. And what did I do
with my newly re-found self-awareness? I folded it, crease by crease, into a
tiny origami prison and put it in the back of my desk drawer behind the
seemingly never empty box of 5,000 count staples. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Over the years, my dreamer self was effectively bound and gagged each
and every time it broke free and opened its’ mouth to speak.</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Practicality” and “Duty” are hard task masters so, like a train moving
ever closer to its’ destination, I made each predictable stop achieving new
positions and acquiring new responsibilities as I went. I realized repeatedly
that even though I did good work and was getting promoted, I was clearly on the
wrong train. I quit the company I started with out of high school, went to
another insurance company, went back to the first company, quit again, then
went to a different insurance company. Incredibly, twenty-four soul sapping
years later I was still working for the insurance industry, desperately wanting
to punch the time clock on that career but not having the courage or a clue of
how to do it. Almost daily </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>a line from Langston
Hughes droned oppressively on my bones like a tuneless mantra devoid of hope.</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Or maybe it was more like a truthful and enlightening question that is
just too painful to answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>What happens to a dream deferred?<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What happens to a dream deferred?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
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<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">What happens to a dream
deferred?<u1:p></u1:p>!</span></i></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">My hopes and fears came true on July 13<sup>th</sup> of this year. I
finally left the job I hated! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Okay,I was
let go.</i> But still I was free. And incredible as it may sound in this
economy, I was happy. I had the decision I refused to make decided for me.
Cowardly I know, but the desired result was achieved nonetheless. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Please note, there are those who felt the circumstances surrounding my
termination were unfair due to a recently changed company policy with no
grandfather clause. I’ve heard the policy change is now being reviewed by the
company. Some felt I should fight the decision. They thought I should call the
company’s HR Department or Ethics hotline, or call some governmental agency
like “the wage and works people”, whoever they are. Part of me agreed. In my mind,
I started forming my arguments and plan of attack to make sure justice would
prevail. I kept important e-mails and documents. I worked up a healthy dose of
righteous indignation and then considered the toll it would take on me to stay
battle ready. My stomach could have churned butter at just the thought of it.
If I fought the decision and won, what would I get? A stressful job that I
hated back? I would ultimately lose either way so I didn’t fight. I had another
source of income that would cover things if I cut my expenses and lived more
simply for a while. Sacrifice was the preferred choice. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I just wanted to walk away and never look back.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">So, no longer at a crossroads, I am on a decidedly different path and
I am taking the next year or so for me. This will be a time to learn and grow
and replace a lot of bad habits with something positive. A time to move toward
the type of future I should have had all along. It will also be a time to focus
on my kids. And this is where the “rose” part comes in. I am infinitely
happier! I am relaxed. I am hopeful. And I dream again about all of the
creative things I've always wanted to do. This is all good for both me and my
kids. As I learn and grow, I will share my journey with you here in my blog.
This blog, along with my other blog at explorevirginia.blogspot.com, is in
itself one of my new adventures so, see? I’m already on my way!</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Got any pearls of wisdom or experiences to share about how you
extracted yourself from life’s great toilet bowl? Leave a comment because I’d
love to hear from you.</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></div>
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 1.5pt; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #cc6600; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dreams</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 1.5pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by
</span><a href="http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Langston Hughes</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 1.5pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 1.5pt; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hold fast to dreams <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For if dreams die<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life is a broken-winged
bird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That cannot fly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hold fast to dreams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For when dreams go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life is a barren field<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;">Frozen with snow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-59457655765107520492011-12-23T15:22:00.000-08:002012-05-13T18:29:26.497-07:00In Quiet Slumber<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">We sail the ocean blue on a breeze the color of joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Under candy flavored clouds we dream deliciously of peace –<br />
our bellies full of hope, pure and serene.<br />
Not knowing where the journey will lead, we care precious little,<br />
as long as we can sleep and dream.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">© Cindy Chance (Written 2006 & Revised 12/23/11)</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-48523225751753612202011-12-22T23:20:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:08:15.167-07:00To Do vs. To Done<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never been diagnosed with adult ADD but believe I have it. It’s
hard for me to focus sometimes. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">My brain swims and drowns
with thoughts and ideas.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> It’s hard to
remember all of the things I need to get accomplished from day to day, which is
why I rely on lists. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I make “to do” lists every day. There is a certain amount of
satisfaction in marking off items I’ve successfully completed. But really a “to
do” list is not good enough for me. If there are items still left on the list,
I feel I’ve failed for the day. So, to counteract that, I will occasionally keep
a “to done” list. It may sound silly but every so often I track what I actually
did accomplish for the day down to the minutest detail. From washing dishes, to
folding laundry, picking up toys, making a doctor's appointment, wiping down
the counter, taking out the trash, paying bills, writing a blog, or walking the
dog. Anything can be recorded.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">A "to done" list serves as validation and proof.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Validation for me that, though there may be stuff yet to be done, I
have done a lot to work toward reaching my goals and handling my
responsibilities. It also serves as proof for anyone who dares to question what
I did all day. Since they likely won’t have a “to done” list of their own, they
will hush up right quickly!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you’ve never kept a “to done” list, try it for one whole day and see
if you aren’t similarly impressed with yourself!</span></span></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-35296043537648023162011-12-07T07:37:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:07:41.719-07:00Computer Generated Models: What's the Big Deal?<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Retail
clothing giant, H&M, is best known for selling great fashion at cheap
prices. Well-known customers include Madonna and Michelle Obama. Today, though,
H&M is in the news for creating computer generated swimsuit and lingerie
models. Some groups are crying foul claiming that H&M have taken the need
for the "ideal" model too far and are further exacerbating the problem
many women have with self-image. H&M defends it position saying that what
they've done is no different than what retailers have been doing for
years--using near perfect models or mannequins to promote a product. And,
surprisingly, I agree with them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I say
"surprisingly" because I have less than the ideal figure myself--far
less. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">It
would make more sense if I took the opposing position and villified H&M for
their actions.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
But, truth be told, they have merely used technology to continue a common
practice in the fashion world, that of displaying fashion in the best possible
light. It's no different than a car manufacturer who puts a handsome couple in
a sports car as they speed along a beautiful European street. And it's
definitely no different than using live models with "ideal" body
proportions or mannequins. You don't hear a lot of outcry over mannequins that
are too skinny! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">No, instead
of being upset by "ideal" computer generated models, I support the
practice. I hate to see anyone lose a job but the reduction in costs associated
with hiring models and photographers could further lower prices, which would
benefit the consumer and the company alike. Consistency in model body type also
helps to give a true picture of the differences between garments--how they fit,
where they sit on the body, etc. It's a potential win-win situation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I do,
however, have a suggestion for retailers. By all means, display your vision of
the perfect model on the main screen for each item being advertised but then
try something really bold and daring! How about showing other computer
generated models with varying sizes and shapes so the rest of us can get a
truer picture of what the item would look like on us? You could even designate
which items are best for pear shapes, apple shapes, etc. You might worry that
it would decrease sales but actually it would help the bottom line. If people
could pick out an outfit, see how it would appear on them, and still make the
decision to buy it, they would be less likely to return it. So, which is
better? More sales, more returns? Or fewer sales, no returns? Also, what if
your marketing and design teams had real data showing the sizes and body types
most "real world" people gravitate towards? How could that affect
your designs and future sales? It's worth thinking about. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">In summary, people,
don't let retailers and advertisers dictate how you feel about yourself.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> They are just
trying to sell clothes. The truth is the world is made up of people of all
shapes and sizes, which is a good thing. It's diverse, interesting, real, and
it will never change--no matter what ad exec's or fashion designers do to hawk
their wares!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-81375984615024949862011-12-04T19:25:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:07:17.104-07:00Person County Revisted<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqhFt41aB8ARIvi39tnUVnPxsFRsqeKRwavxFAT3dXdW8IhmSjbwbj_bWoUzdD1Q6F88NGfAEfkHzlx1A-25vfI0UwhYj3DDKhY3EpYP4t_okEolmEVK-7seD88R785PX_ZuK7Y7-voo/s1600/LOC+-+Grandma+and+Kids+on+Porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqhFt41aB8ARIvi39tnUVnPxsFRsqeKRwavxFAT3dXdW8IhmSjbwbj_bWoUzdD1Q6F88NGfAEfkHzlx1A-25vfI0UwhYj3DDKhY3EpYP4t_okEolmEVK-7seD88R785PX_ZuK7Y7-voo/s320/LOC+-+Grandma+and+Kids+on+Porch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: <span style="color: #555555;">LC-USF34- 019729-E [P&P]</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">For as long as I can remember, I have admired an 8 x 10 black and
white photograph that my Grandma Irene always had. It shows her sitting on a
front porch with my Mom as a baby on her lap and with my two aunts and uncle
surrounding her. It was taken in Person County, NC where my grandparents lived
on a farm that my grandfather worked as a sharecropper. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The photo depicts a lovely slice of time in rural America’s history
that sadly cannot be relived. </span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Well, at the turn of the century, a NC newspaper ran a feature
highlighting local moments in history for the prior 100 years. In the section
on the 1930’s, there was a photograph of a sharecropper in a tobacco field with
two of his children. They were only seen from behind but somehow a distant
relative, who is also the family geneaologist, recognized the people in the
photograph as my grandfather, aunt and uncle. This relative did a little
research and found out that seven other photographs of my family were in the
Library of Congress and could be viewed on the Library of Congress website. The
photographs were taken by Dorothea Lange. Of course, I immediately went to the
Library of Congress website (</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.loc.gov/"><span style="color: lime; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">www.loc.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">) but I was able to find
over 50 pictures of my family on the farm they sharecropped in Person County,
NC and at the local general store.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">It turns out Dorothea Lange was one of a number of photographers hired
by the Farm Security Administration during the period from 1935 – 1944. Some of
the other photographers include Walker Evans, Russell Lee, Gordon Parks, and
Marion Post Wolcott. They were charged with documenting the plight of
sharecroppers, tenant farmers, and migrant workers after the Great Depression
as a way of drumming up support for Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.
Under the direction of Roy Stryker, the program also expanded to include
documentation of daily American Life. Since Marion Post Wolcott joined the
project in later years after the new direction was given, her photographs are
more varied and, sometimes, whimsical, which I love so check her out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, throughout this post, I am sharing some of the photographs of
my family that Dorothea Lange took. They are from the Library of Congress
website (</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.loc.gov/"><span style="color: lime; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">www.loc.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">). Once you access the site, click on “Prints and Photographs”, then
click on “Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black and
White Negatives”, then in the search field type “Person County”. Once you have
one that looks like any of the photos in this post, you can then click on
“Browse Neighboring Items by Call Number” to see more of my family. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">By the way, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">the Library of Congress
website contains a wealth of information.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Besides
the documentary photography section mentioned above, I also recommend the
following collections: Civil War, Daguerreotypes, Curtis (Edward S.)
Collection, and Brady-Handy Collection. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSp09BmWeoMKnVMetNCJLowzBGu9jQslOzb8eU39uyWvRFbCdARws-e86jZ7aIEDW49ArA6WBxT_vV9pyeyjfPrPIPlKMhXYYs5XGLHEjqGpZeuRJjLXfuK5QnWjL8Fwr4_Whn3fRnyM/s1600/LOC+-+Picking+Tobacco+Pix+in+Newspaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSp09BmWeoMKnVMetNCJLowzBGu9jQslOzb8eU39uyWvRFbCdARws-e86jZ7aIEDW49ArA6WBxT_vV9pyeyjfPrPIPlKMhXYYs5XGLHEjqGpZeuRJjLXfuK5QnWjL8Fwr4_Whn3fRnyM/s320/LOC+-+Picking+Tobacco+Pix+in+Newspaper.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #555555; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: LC-USF34- 019758-E [P&P]</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcoz9eFYW6nFRFpPAzOKbm2pdIi_A6clNITVNwTpPpe4Hrc9-ZS9a_SwJ-AZ7Uo7ufU48S3nspwX8W-_x0grDxtDT_mnIsBJais3rGYWKchQVDvMTCERbCH7ZxxEvjFtTEHkBKGT2dd8/s1600/LOC+-+Granddiddy+with+Arm+Raised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcoz9eFYW6nFRFpPAzOKbm2pdIi_A6clNITVNwTpPpe4Hrc9-ZS9a_SwJ-AZ7Uo7ufU48S3nspwX8W-_x0grDxtDT_mnIsBJais3rGYWKchQVDvMTCERbCH7ZxxEvjFtTEHkBKGT2dd8/s320/LOC+-+Granddiddy+with+Arm+Raised.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: LC-USF34- 019751-E [P&P]</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG3iteGQD_Skw6Y26uWh4VtRjhwThT4aaszZjTZEgtPNHJNp-WdIj48-rA4KEkLEvVdYc7fJ8CHB0YKjaOBm4nCj-cx-GWvHeHBGahzDrJ1VSgN-x6_XFb94ykx8JqAqDozzZo11m2oA/s1600/LOC+-+Whole+Family+at+Back+of+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG3iteGQD_Skw6Y26uWh4VtRjhwThT4aaszZjTZEgtPNHJNp-WdIj48-rA4KEkLEvVdYc7fJ8CHB0YKjaOBm4nCj-cx-GWvHeHBGahzDrJ1VSgN-x6_XFb94ykx8JqAqDozzZo11m2oA/s320/LOC+-+Whole+Family+at+Back+of+House.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: LC-USF34- 019706-E [P&P]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSuJLVSFbCKagN_8j4LuZZIuue0k14FPpsSEp4iLKKtoM7S3_eXKmO77If8-T0MwxNKIb8EMeWDEnSrpxnNLHp4BfWSuCC-DbfO6obhohJs4P2mvS0R2Ebi1Cn3oqk4Jc7vJdoAWNh10/s1600/LOC+-+Grandma+Bathing+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSuJLVSFbCKagN_8j4LuZZIuue0k14FPpsSEp4iLKKtoM7S3_eXKmO77If8-T0MwxNKIb8EMeWDEnSrpxnNLHp4BfWSuCC-DbfO6obhohJs4P2mvS0R2Ebi1Cn3oqk4Jc7vJdoAWNh10/s320/LOC+-+Grandma+Bathing+Mom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number:</span> <span style="color: #555555; font-size: xx-small;">LC-USF34- 019716-E [P&P]</span></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhXpu4h2zlT3yxbkJntEs9FtxArvXeI-S9aN26_0UsWWFNeVDXyUkX1SKScAFbZ7Us2LgHp9wO9Frd-2LSoHg6Xno8AIP_3E7A5hZW2gfWUWxdRTMV7pocxLx_1Jxr50Cwr3Bn2NFmbg/s1600/LOC+-+Granddiddy+and+Mom+on+Front+Porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhXpu4h2zlT3yxbkJntEs9FtxArvXeI-S9aN26_0UsWWFNeVDXyUkX1SKScAFbZ7Us2LgHp9wO9Frd-2LSoHg6Xno8AIP_3E7A5hZW2gfWUWxdRTMV7pocxLx_1Jxr50Cwr3Bn2NFmbg/s320/LOC+-+Granddiddy+and+Mom+on+Front+Porch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: LC-USF34- 019727-E [P&P]</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fCNJuYney9kGfd2f676oZWNTDHBoxE38vtsyyzopykWplTeDk7w49Yc97KmYfR_ZLEp0eYkJAVLa4OajRg1QWDCvCZXI_y28amsaI5NDJoSYNfPtjJsufG9RG8H50vpHT08VJn4Kf-8/s1600/Colene+at+General+Stor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fCNJuYney9kGfd2f676oZWNTDHBoxE38vtsyyzopykWplTeDk7w49Yc97KmYfR_ZLEp0eYkJAVLa4OajRg1QWDCvCZXI_y28amsaI5NDJoSYNfPtjJsufG9RG8H50vpHT08VJn4Kf-8/s320/Colene+at+General+Stor.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: LC-USF34- 019740-E [P&P]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlDU_mfNgbObpTpSbniw8CoPEe8Nyq_cVARLmyEpgiM-MyYt1tl7kd3gTqIoz9Lvzh9pmlK0j5qN_5hn2IHnixxD-FzDDy9kpgVN3oop5DKMs4yVZ0j1nCevNOeSd0bSVljeJFsCzmII/s1600/LOC+-+Grandma+and+Ditt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlDU_mfNgbObpTpSbniw8CoPEe8Nyq_cVARLmyEpgiM-MyYt1tl7kd3gTqIoz9Lvzh9pmlK0j5qN_5hn2IHnixxD-FzDDy9kpgVN3oop5DKMs4yVZ0j1nCevNOeSd0bSVljeJFsCzmII/s320/LOC+-+Grandma+and+Ditt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: <span style="color: #555555;">LC-USF34- 019733-E [P&P]</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;"><div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWud2gN1bz41MV5j2sBp4l1Bv2gq-eeq_gdqyQp9t6qUvkh30JQa3bSsTDSW38jRMtulAS1FeVEqiY-P_Ypt7GOXh80FwOz_7p4Axg7d1K6LHHfzMqPYB7D55xVG_m38EtYPNXg_QKzQ/s1600/LOC+-+Whole+Family+in+Yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWud2gN1bz41MV5j2sBp4l1Bv2gq-eeq_gdqyQp9t6qUvkh30JQa3bSsTDSW38jRMtulAS1FeVEqiY-P_Ypt7GOXh80FwOz_7p4Axg7d1K6LHHfzMqPYB7D55xVG_m38EtYPNXg_QKzQ/s320/LOC+-+Whole+Family+in+Yard.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;"><div style="border: currentColor;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: <span style="color: #555555;">LC-USF34- 019737-E [P&P] LOT 1498 </span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhBRFn5mI1VJAtUrGb30bXT73lsxtoRtYqIAH3kazupy0jzDOv7htDTfAPIN_ztb5vcxZVrJyFCNb_3cg4iZUfl6u1T4EejibJDJllP8pyMd11qCDtKSp0TVdG3Wnrow3dAQP7wtrymY/s1600/LOC+-+Grandma+and+the+Butter+Churn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhBRFn5mI1VJAtUrGb30bXT73lsxtoRtYqIAH3kazupy0jzDOv7htDTfAPIN_ztb5vcxZVrJyFCNb_3cg4iZUfl6u1T4EejibJDJllP8pyMd11qCDtKSp0TVdG3Wnrow3dAQP7wtrymY/s320/LOC+-+Grandma+and+the+Butter+Churn.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: currentColor;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Library of Congress Call Number: LC-USF34- 019784-E [P&P] LOT 1498 </span></div>
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-7597117811519627362011-12-02T21:33:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:06:39.536-07:00What My Grandma Taught Me<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ic5XyyVovaz_w1cykK3vGaCkvsOgB2jrpApO_IDHc10jb9nr6VrphX4LlgGmfliKgy0rjsKWHOgWK5WJDjXn5TUmAthmIW1HBkrRWHnY1U9g2nbpywox5ucvdUAVgJbmxSJxaomo9KY/s1600/DSC06370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ic5XyyVovaz_w1cykK3vGaCkvsOgB2jrpApO_IDHc10jb9nr6VrphX4LlgGmfliKgy0rjsKWHOgWK5WJDjXn5TUmAthmIW1HBkrRWHnY1U9g2nbpywox5ucvdUAVgJbmxSJxaomo9KY/s200/DSC06370.JPG" width="150" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">Some of the best
times in my life were spent at my Grandma Irene’s</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> house in NC. She
was the quintessential grandmother with her short curly white hair and matronly
figure, pantsuit or dress with stockings, and pumps with a 1-inch heel or Easy
Spirit sneakers. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When I was
seventeen, Grandma came to stay with us over the summer. She wanted to go
walking at my high school’s track at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">six
in the morning!</i> So, I took her to walk in what felt to me like 90 degree
weather. She wore a blouse, hose under her polyester pants, and those 1-inch
pumps. While I sweated and complained and plodded along, Grandma walked—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fast</i>—and left me in the dust! In fact,
she got up early to walk every morning until she was in her eighties. She was
active all of her life. She was always bending over to prove she was still
flexible enough to touch the floor and speed walking if we were walking too
slowly in the mall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grandma
always got up early in the morning to make breakfast, water her flowers, and
tend to her garden. When I was little I loved getting to hold the hose to water
her roses. I particularly remember her huge hydrangea bushes, which I called
pom-pom bushes. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">To this day, hydrangeas are my favorite flower and
seeing them reminds me of Grandma.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6eBhqdK2cJQuXrNuFHCXF8-MuPDE6VUYqvMHTPO4Q-a3YNNQVwgyquNISPrjvCvyxTO98SFPFXaJodtYyTaox7miyg19wtSO9MmDOe1JXpF7WhkTvN_-gFnY_6NKlwnksaHAKv1-Bxw/s1600/DSC06376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6eBhqdK2cJQuXrNuFHCXF8-MuPDE6VUYqvMHTPO4Q-a3YNNQVwgyquNISPrjvCvyxTO98SFPFXaJodtYyTaox7miyg19wtSO9MmDOe1JXpF7WhkTvN_-gFnY_6NKlwnksaHAKv1-Bxw/s200/DSC06376.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grandma
Irene was a fabulous cook. Having a serious sweet tooth, I seem to remember her
strawberry preserves, pound cake, chocolate pie, pineapple upside down cake,
and fruit cake the most. Actually, she was accomplished in many ways. She
gardened, canned vegetables, sewed quilts from scrap fabric, crocheted afghans,
crafted waste baskets out of recycled egg cartons, and made lace doilies,
dolls, ceramic figures, and toilet paper covers. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grandma
Irene was fun to be around too. She loved to tell stories from her life.
Sometimes I’d hear the same story so often that I’d tune it out, which was a
mistake because, every now and then, Grandma would add some detail or tell a
new story I’d never heard before. Besides telling stories, Grandma loved to
tell jokes. No matter how many times I heard them, she was still able to trip
me up! She liked to play dominos, rook, and rummy. Oh, yeah, and she was a
cheat! I know because I was usually her partner. When she wasn’t scratching the
backs of cards to mark them, she was winking at me or kicking me under the
table to signal a play! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;"><div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdykXOqTOeeBfmLRGEu42cqaZqTwlPMRMU9Ek35N_fDDAz2YmlNaPnQhwAIyFby9anyUBf3jbZGIiLMPkPURVXweC4r-RHo0mRlGrmD2M21MkOOxcchXdR5fNi5H048NlD4zzyZ7IXFzA/s1600/DSC06378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdykXOqTOeeBfmLRGEu42cqaZqTwlPMRMU9Ek35N_fDDAz2YmlNaPnQhwAIyFby9anyUBf3jbZGIiLMPkPURVXweC4r-RHo0mRlGrmD2M21MkOOxcchXdR5fNi5H048NlD4zzyZ7IXFzA/s200/DSC06378.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught Napping. <em>Again!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grandma
loved to be on the go. She was just as happy going on a ride out in the country
as she was going on a trip out of town. She went with my family on many trips
including once to a zoo where she rode an elephant when she was in her
seventies! Even when she wasn’t feeling well, she would get dressed, put her
ear bobs on, and she was ready to go. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">She’d always say, “I can feel bad out as
good as I can at home.”</span></i></b><br />
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<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grandma was
a positive and happy person. She lived through two World Wars and numerous
smaller ones; the Spanish Flu; the Great Depression; the advent of talkies,
Technicolor, cordless phones, cell phones, and the internet; the sexual
revolution; the deaths of her husband and daughter; and a double mastectomy.
When I’d ask about farm life and living through the Great Depression, she’d
always say, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">“We
didn’t have much but we lived on a farm so we always had food to eat and a roof
over our head.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
Ask Grandma about her life and she would always say, “I’ve had a good life, a
happy life”. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAFeZZ6V8c1qbkvXXnKZirMIA1CCPa3Kd45Kg6omo0t3tZSCqGerlvPz73y4hMtCjAnqETqo7YXHMBhXW_o1ytsHKU1_02cGYUSGIpchqnaTjvPQFFr9I4q-J3jtB9Ssyogf23QAZRCs/s1600/DSC06383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAFeZZ6V8c1qbkvXXnKZirMIA1CCPa3Kd45Kg6omo0t3tZSCqGerlvPz73y4hMtCjAnqETqo7YXHMBhXW_o1ytsHKU1_02cGYUSGIpchqnaTjvPQFFr9I4q-J3jtB9Ssyogf23QAZRCs/s200/DSC06383.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grandma
Irene passed away in 2003 at the age of 98. She was a great lady, a wonderful
influence in my life, and an inspiration. I learned many things from her but I
guess what I learned the most is to keep doing, learning, going, trying,
believing, moving, enduring, appreciating, laughing, and loving!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-77872987643679519992011-12-01T21:42:00.001-08:002012-05-15T17:03:46.096-07:00Splinter in the Wind<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I wish that I
could curl up inside myself over and over</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">until I become
small and unseen and protected as if in a shell,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">but soft and
light like a dandelion. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Then when I
fall apart I could float on the wind to a new place unknown to me </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">and where I am
also not known.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I could sink
into the moist earth and be reborn—stretching, </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">growing ever
closer to the sun—</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">until the world
once again becomes too much to bear </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">and I splinter
in the wind.</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">© Cindy Chance (Written 2006 & Revised
10/14/11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-14069602880440500272011-11-30T08:56:00.001-08:002012-05-16T04:05:33.173-07:00How to Grow Old Gracefully<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Some say that aging is a natural process.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> A part of the cycle of life. They celebrate aging as a counter move
to age-<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ism </i>and cite examples set by
wealthy stars and former models who have grown older “gracefully” (i.e., they
still look beautiful and well preserved). </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">What utter
rubbish!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> These propagandists neglect to mention anything
about genes, plastic surgery or costly dermatological treatments, soft
lighting, and air brushing. In reality, we get wrinkles, age spots, sagging
skin, puffy eyes, etc., etc. Historians worry about the fall of man but what
about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fall of woman?!?</i> No,
growing old is a very <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">un-</i>natural
process that leads to one eventuality—death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Anyone who puts faith in the truthfulness of God’s Word as recorded in
the Bible knows that </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">humans were meant to live
forever.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> We were never meant to die nor meant to grow
old. Aging, sickness, and death are by-products of the disobedience that began
in the Garden of Eden and have been passed down from generation to generation
like hair or eye color. The account of man’s descent from perfection has been
carried down too, albeit with variation, in the teachings of Christian and
non-Christian religions alike, therefore what I am saying should not be
shocking to anyone regardless of religious persuasion. So, with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">un-</i>naturalness of aging established, is
it actually possible to grow old <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gracefully</i>?
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The first thing I wanted to do is make sure I understood the full
meaning of the word “graceful”. Seems elementary I know but there are lots of
words whose meaning we take for granted when, upon closer inspection, we can
obtain a much richer understanding. So, I decided to investigate. The ever
handy Dictionary.com defines the word “graceful” as “characterized by elegance
or beauty of form, manner, movement or speech; elegant”. Taking it a step
further, I also typed the word “gracefully” in a Microsoft Word document and
did a synonym search. Said search yielded results such as: </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">K<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">indly, Charitably, Benevolently, Elegantly,
With Poise, Charmingly, </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Stylishly</i></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">These words sum up quite nicely how anyone can grow old gracefully.
Simply put, be all of those things. Stylish and elegant in our dress; poised in
our carriage; kind and charming in our demeanor; and benevolent and charitable
in our thoughts and actions. No doubt we each have examples of ones in our
lives who exemplify these very characteristics. Follow their example and, to
slightly paraphrase Dylan Thomas, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“Rage against the dying of
the light”…gracefully.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-89158627076434370252011-11-28T05:55:00.001-08:002012-05-15T17:17:14.182-07:00The Power of Words<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I embrace me as I do my writings, reserved and unsure.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Though oft times the amateur, easily read and dull,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">there is a spirit to us both and raw truth aching to be understood.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ashamed of who I am in these unstudied moments,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ashamed I tend to be of all I write.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But this is me in these emotional, unpolished expressions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is me when the mask drops and I am acutely aware of my short
comings, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">my hopes, my fears, my loneliness.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Written words hold the power to express a side of me I’ve hidden so long </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">that no one knows it’s there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A side I forget about too until my secret self is revealed and I live, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">if only in written words.</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">©
Cindy Chance (Written 8/7/06 & Revised 12/17/09)</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span></span></div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-60106369177200725702011-11-27T16:55:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:04:26.333-07:00Myrtle Beach, SC - November 2011<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyWlGL0e2PkihsNV6f9f-JGKT1skhWzf1s6aikE_M4bx-2mHa6x7wmTm2q4P10bW0APW97L9TP0Q2EroIKGVU_d2xLCr9cDWc1fFy7LaneQA3ToFbd4m76orcxzKdBRa3IiZ5xffSh0Y/s1600/DSC05939.JPG"></a><br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Myrtle Beach, SC, as most
people know, is a great tourist and golfer destination. Our family went there a
few weeks ago for vacation. November may seem an unusual time to go to the
beach but actually the weather is still nice, hotel rates are slashed, and it's
not crowded. Everything I love about a vacation! Here are some pictures I took.
Hope you enjoy!</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel;"></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel;"></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-36078051622921500402011-11-26T18:10:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:04:01.275-07:00Southern Fried Manners<span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, why is my blog called "Southern Fried and Tied Up?"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Let me explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the fact
that I, like most people, prefer to do things when I want to and on my own
terms, I really am all for norms and rules. They help to establish order and
calm in a chaotic world. They give people with undiagnosed ADD a framework
within which to bounce around. The problem comes with knowing how to balance
between extremes. This is perhaps truest within the Southern culture. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You see, in the South, people run the gamut between extremes. You have
your wide-open, wide-mouthed, yee-hawing, good-ole-country boy on one end of
the spectrum, and your prim and proper, oh-so-refined, Southern belle or grand
dame on the other end. What is considered polite conversation within the
spectrum varies just as widely. Some swear like sailors </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">while others speak with such gentility that it's as if they curtsy with
their words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Case in point, I was talking with a friend who brought up the “F-“ word.
You know (<em><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">looking from side to side and whispering</span></em>)…”Fart”. My mother
can’t stand that word. As she says, it is crude slang and other words can
equally, and less offensively, be used. One could say, for example, poot or
toot or pass gas.</span><br />
<br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anyway, I remarked to my friend that </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">sometimes I feel
southern fried and tied up because of societal conventions</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> such as those governing the use of words like “fart”. I quite liked my
original expression—"southern fried and tied up"—because it is
metaphorical of a larger pull and tug between being who you are versus who you
are supposed to be, as dictated by society at large. It’s like the strain to
breach the confines of a perfectly constructed cocoon that is all at once
overwhelming, suffocating, and constricting while it is also warm, safe,
comforting, and known. How does one navigate such a narrow passage and still
feel unique? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As always, it comes down to balance. Balance between personal needs and
the needs of others. Turns out it’s really not all about you or me and what
either of us want. There is a bigger picture and still others to be considered.
Here is where manners come into play. Manners have nothing to do with the individual
who displays them but have everything to do with the recipient. Manners say “I
respect you and your feelings”. The world certainly could use more of that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Truth be told, I do let the “F-“ word, <em><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I mean “fart”</span></em>,
fly (no pun intended) every now and again but I also feel my Mom has a point. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is something safe and comforting in convention, in politeness, in
gentility.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Something that says the world hasn’t totally lost
all redeeming value. Something that speaks of our better natures and our
ultimate potential as a species. So, Mama, in harmony with Colossians 4:6, I
will try to season my words with salt, making them palatable to those along the
spectrum of society knowing that it can only contribute to the betterment of
all. </span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498130126565286317.post-74557193113630448932011-11-26T00:01:00.000-08:002012-05-16T04:03:08.834-07:00Introducing Me<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Welcome! This is my new blog called "Southern Fried and Tied
Up". Here I will blog about my life and will include essays about a
variety of subjects, photos I've taken, poetry (that rarely rhymes), fictional
prose I've written, and anything else I want to share. My next blog post entitled
"Southern Fried Manners" explains how I got the name for my blog. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, who am I exactly? Well, I am the mother of two great kids and live
with a wonderful Shih-Tzu named Kenzie, two leopard geckos named Treelo and Charmander,
and a beta fish named Shadow (a.k.a., Herman). The rest I guess you'll learn as
we go along. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Always remember that I appreciate comments and love followers!! Oh, and
don't forget to follow my other blog at <a href="http://www.explorevirginia.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.explorevirginia.blogspot.com/</span></a>
about great things to see, do and eat in Virginia. I hope you enjoy my blogs
and come back often! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cindy</span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span>About Southern Fried & Tied Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205561406983155906noreply@blogger.com0