In Sorrow We Hold Vigil

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

Update: It is over. Requiesce in pace, mi amice.

Did Someone Leave Their Call LIght On?

Welcome to the TCKT infirmary, where everyone has their own personal bed!

Some of us may need IV therapy...it's a good thing we're well stocked!

And how about a luxury hospital bed that we can all fit in? The cranky old farts will probably hog the bed, and of course the brilliant young ladies will steal the blankets! 

And I think some therapy dogs would be really nice and cuddly...

And some therapy goats!

Er...on second thought, maybe not...we could play chess though, to pass the time.

I hope everyone gets well soon. It's been a tough year or so for our TCKT family, but faith and friendship will see us through.

A Change Of Pace

Things I'd love to see this year on TCKT:

More gardening, flowers, plants, and trees. More travel stories and pictures. More short stories. More stories and pictures about our animals/pets. More uplifting posts that restore our faith in our fellow man. More religious posts, of all sorts. More music. Much more music! More hunting/fishing/hiking/guns/fly rods/boating. Photography, lots of photography. More family chit chat. More funny stories from home or work. And food! We can't forget food and drink!

And....

Less politics. I'm weary, and I think you all are too. I'd like to make this place a refuge from all the deafening noise of the world for awhile.

What say you, knights and knightesses of the Order of the Kitchen Chair?

Aye, or nay?

It's Christmas Eve!

Pull up a chair, don your Christmas socks, and settle in with a mug of cocoa or an Irish coffee.

I'm feeling very blessed this Christmas to have all of you wonderful folks in my life. Thank you SO much! The Kitchen Table is a most excellent place to be. Most excellent indeed!

Merry Christmas dear friends. I'm wishing all of you a happy and prosperous 2016!

Get Well Soon Magic Fayre!

Let's tuck Fay into a comfy chair with pillows and a soft blanket and pour her a chilled glass of wine. For those who haven't heard, she fell and broke her arm on her trip to Israel. I'll let her and Matt tell the story. In the meantime....

Lady Red nailed it...great music..Friday Night

'reetha!




Jimmy Hughes, Steal Away

Stones...Wild Horses...

Double Trouble

Happy Friday everyone! How about a glass of something soothing and mellow, and some Austin City Limits?

 

 I love Stevie Ray. *contented sigh*

Happy Anniversary Fay and Matt

From all of us who love and cherish you, to two of the best friends ever!



                                 

                        Mazel Tov!

Lady Red's Musings

The Superbowl...wasn't. It was a complete mismatch. I don't know if Seattle is indeed that good or if Denver is indeed that pathetically horrible, but either way I went to bed while the 4th quarter was still playing. The only good thing was the halftime show; Bruno Mars was very enjoyable. The Red Hot Chili Peppers? Not so much.

I believe Noah has rescued my Toshiba laptop from sluggishland. It was taking up to two minutes to load a page, and was locking up on a regular basis. It seems to have gotten a second wind today, and is functioning almost normally.

 Have you all seen the price of propane? It has skyrocketed. Millions of Americans heat their homes with propane. I just read that Colorado's propane prices have jumped to $6 a gallon, from $2.30. Ouch.

There's lots I'd like to say about the effects of Obamacare in my neck of the woods, but HIPAA laws have effectively duct-taped the mouths of docs and nurses. I will say that very sick people are falling through the cracks. I've wondered if sick/elderly patients are issued numbers that won't work intentionally, a stalling tactic until Dear Leader can coerce the youngsters to sign up and start coughing up their cash. I know that sounds evil, but it may be the truth of the matter.

Random thoughts anyone? Tidbits of news? Funny happenings? Good books or movies?

Exams, and More Exams!

Our friend Matt is taking his licensing exams this weekend, but I'm sure he's cool, calm, and collected.

Happy Sunday!

Today, I don't want to talk about what's happening on the world stage. I'm weary of politics, and weary of watching the news.

Today, it's a spectacular fall day in the Ozarks. The air has the crispness of autumn, and an orange/fiery red scent only September can bring. The green leaves bask in the sun and contemplate donning their annual brilliant wardrobe of spectacular color.

Today smells like the leather of a football being tossed in the yard, brats on a grill, hymns being sung in morning church services. The hummingbirds flit around the feeder, frantically waving their colorful wings for a final sip of nectar and a fare-thee-well until spring. The squirrels waddle to their nests with another nut, another bit of birdseed.

Today, the sky is the most glorious blue, a hue no painter has ever truly captured on canvas. Today, there is peace, and softness, and life. Ahhh......

Happy Sunday friends!

Mazel Tov Annie!

Our friend has hit the Big Time, and I'm so tickled and excited!

Today, I had the great pleasure to meet three of the Israeli bloggers we link to and write about, on my road to Jerusalem.

We took the ride from Tel Aviv to Petah Tikva, one of the earliest Jewish towns, where we met Anne from … (take a guess).  Anne lives on a nice, quiet street.

Congratulations to the Professor for having the good fortune to meet and dine with our brilliant friend Annie, and to Annie for her blogging success!

I love it when good things happen to good people. Chicken soup for everyone!

It's Date Night!

Noah and I finally have an evening off together, so we plan on celebrating at a local steakhouse. We'll probably start off with a crisp salad crumbled with bleu cheese.

 

Congratulations Matt!

Today is a day for riotous celebration...Matt's graduation! Well done sir!

I'm sure you're dancing a jig of happiness...

 

 ...and looking forward to your new career!

We all chipped in and bought you a present to help you get started in your new practice...

...and a very cool hat for your Magic Fayre, who has cheered you on every step of the way!


We're all so proud of you Matt, and we wish you the very best in your new career. Congratulations!

Friday Evening Interlude

Appalachian Spring Morning - digital photography by Francesa Miller

18 year old Virginia bourbon- balanced and flavorful

Relax in a handmade rocking chair, and enjoy the concert

Celebrate Fay and Matt!

Mazel Tov! May your special day have many happy returns!

It's Official!

I took my boards this week, and was issued a license this morning. I can't tell you how giddy with excitement I am! I start my shiny new job in three weeks as a member of a top-notch cardiac stepdown unit. I'm so grateful to all of you for the unflagging support and encouragement you've given me over the past few years. Yippee! Champagne for everyone!

Beautiful Music, Beautiful Voices...A Special TCKT Christmas Eve Concert

Random Thoughts On A Quiet Sunday Morning

We've turned off the television and thrown out the newspapers. The media is engaged in the most despicable feeding frenzy I've ever seen. We'll play Christmas music, spend time with our family, and keep the memory of the lost children in our hearts. We'll pray for their families.

Gun control is coming. If you feel the need to purchase personal protection, now is the time to make that investment. Buy from an individual or at a gun show, not from a store where you must register your purchase with the feds. Use cash to purchase ammo, and don't buy too much from any one store. And don't forget cleaning supplies.

At my graduation ceremony yesterday, nearly all of the students receiving Masters degrees in mathematics were Chinese, with an occasional Indian/Pakistani thrown in for good measure. Nearly all of the students being conferred with Masters degrees in Fine Arts were Americans.  The reality shock of both students and spectators was palpable.

On a positive note, my youngest brother is coming from California to spend Christmas with us. My granddaughter and I have plans to bake lots of cookies with sprinkles and icing, and we're both excited to try the new cookie cutters we bought the other day. Hubby and I have been happily discussing the menu for Christmas Eve...we're thinking a good quality smoked ham, baked slowly with a pineapple/mustard/brown sugar glaze. Mmmm!

What are your random thoughts this morning?

Chag Urim Sameach!