Hark! Back! Issue #8

 January 09, 2008

Ironing

I gave up ironing about ten years ago when Far Guy retired from the Military.  Up until that time I would do the ironing twice a week.  I would double starch his uniforms...that is a chore I gladly gave up.  However it did relieve some of my frustrations with him over the years,  If I was upset with him...I would just imagine him in his uniform as I ironed it. 

 I just don't use pillowcases or tablecloths that require ironing. The ironing board is stashed away behind the washer/dryer in the furnace room, if for some reason my sister in law Jan visits, I have to drag it out and dust it off before she uses it.  Then there is the old iron, I think it might be an antique.  It used to be a steam iron, it isn't steamy anymore...and at one time it had a short in the plug, so Far Guy replaced the plug with a much larger one and used a lot of electrical tape to insure that I was not electrocuted while ironing...he is very thoughtful!

I do not purchase clothing that needs ironing,  Far Guy does not pay attention to types of fabric and has a thing for really wild cotton Summer shirts. I have learned that if I hang his shirts up when they are still a bit damp...they don't need to be ironed either...and if I overdry them, I just rewash and try again...those shirts are really clean.

I learned to iron when I was about ten  seven years old.  I used to love to help my Mother sprinkle clothing, roll it into a tube and put it into a plastic bag. If you didn't get to the ironing the next day it was placed in the freezer so the clothing would not mold.  My Mother still has a pile of clothing waiting on the ironing board to be ironed...and she still irons...sometime I miss the smell of fresh laundry as it is being ironed...then I remember that I am liberated:)

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Here I am ironing in 1958 when I was seven years old.

Photo taken in the kitchen of the farm house where I grew up. 

I still have the hidden away ironing board should it be needed.  My sister in law Jan died a few years back so no need to get it out for her anymore.  I traded Jen an old rotary dial phone for a new iron and threw my old one in the garbage.  When we packed up my Mother's apartment when she went into the Nursing Home she still had clothing on her ironing board to be ironed.  I am still hanging up damp clothing to dry instead of ironing!

Far Side

Hark Back! Issue #7

February 7,  2008

SHRIMP

The first time I was invited to my future in laws for supper they served deep fried shrimp. It was the first time in my life that I had eaten shrimp... Far Guy had to point that out in front of God and everyone...not to eat the tails...as I was unsuccessfully trying to chew them up.  I was a little embarrassed.

What happened next was not the least but embarrassing to me...but my future Mother In Law was horrified. 

During the quite formal meal complete with linen tablecloth, china and the good silver...their Chihuahua named "Muggy" decided that he did not like me and proceeded to take a dump on my foot.  Suddenly there was this stinky dog poop smell permeating the room...and my foot felt warm...my embarrassment about the shrimp was forgotten...and the poor dog had to be chained up to the clothesline outside. 

A few years later on our Wedding Day "Muggy" tried to get even again...he had been sent to the basement because there were a number of people in the house...he ran up and down the wooden steps so much that he pulled out a toenail and bled all over...apparently his timing was just a little off...because everyone was only a few minutes late for the ceremony...that "shrimpy" little dog with a big attitude had tried his best:)

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Good memories of a very faithful dog who eventually came to accept me and to love me too!

The old photo was taken with a Swinger Camera...Muggy is sitting in the favorite/warmest spot in that house.

Far Side

Tomato

Our Yellow Pear Tomato is really growing!  It has flowers.

It sure likes the sunny spot next to one of the garages. 

We have a very busy week with many doctor appointments...six over a couple of days. 

We are both tired of Doctors. Do this... do that... hurry up and wait. 

Far Side
 

Late Lilac

 I mowed the yard and one other area on Monday.  The weeds in the rocks near the house needed some attention.  

Daisies are allowed along the edge until they look scraggly or someone is an overachiever when trimming:)

The Late Lilac is in full bloom.  Funny that the deer don't eat them too.

We took Tilly out for a cruise to A & W for lunch.  

What's cooking? Ribs, salad and raspberries. 

Minnesota weather: High 77F or 25C     Low 46 F or 8C

Far Side  

Petunias

 My Petunias are missing...here one day gone the next.  

The deer must not like Snapdragons. 

As I was grieving for my Petunias...I noticed a possible culprit.  She looks innocent enough.

We had a quiet Sunday...we stopped by to see she who sees robins first...she is recovering from her knee replacement.  Aubrey is doing well also...she is still on a liquid diet...her Doctor says she is doing great! 

What's cooking?  Nothing as we usually go to our favorite outdoor patio place for Sunday lupper!

Minnesota weather: High 70F or 21C           Low 51F or 11C

Far Side