Frank “Dolly” Dillion is a door to door salesman for the Pay E Zee stores in the 1950′s. Life is hard and there is never enough money to pay the bills until an unbelievable opportunity is presented to him.
Jim Thompson has a unique writing style that we enjoyed as much as we enjoyed the story.
English: Books on shelves at UWI Library, Trinidad and Tobago (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We come into the world with nothing and we will leave the world with nothing. It is what we amass in the middle that is interesting. It helps if a couple likes the same things.
During the dating/mating ritual, Steve and I didn’t hang out at Barnes and Nobel because they hadn’t been created yet. We didn’t talk a great deal about books, but we both read, he more than me. Now, all these years later, we have many books. Every room in our house, except the bathrooms, have books.
We decided to go through our books and decide which ones we would take to Vegas when we move. I took about 100 of the extra heavy – coffee table type books – to the flea market. I sold 49 for $1.00 each.
The reactions of the people were interesting.
The best book I sold was to a man who didn’t have a dollar. He looked at the book and really wanted it, but he said he didn’t have any money with him. I gave him the book and told him to give me the money when he could. I didn’t care about the money. I was happy the man liked the book. Later in the day, the man returned with a bag containing 100 pennies.
Fortunately the world is made up of many types of people. Those of us who love books are one type. I recently meet Angel Djambazov at SOBCon. He is very likable, but he became an instant compadre when I learned he and his wife have some 15,000 books in their house.
When I glance at our book shelves I can pretty much tell from a distance, the names of the books on a particular shelf. When our realtor glanced at our book shelves, all she saw was books. She suggested maybe we could put a few books away and to break up the view and add something for eye appeal . We did that on one unit and it works. She is viewing the books through a different lens.
When Catherine McKinney came to our house, she slowly glided to the book cases as if she was pulled by a magnet. Soon we were in conversation about many of the books we had both read. It was a delightful way to break the ice and get to know each other.
Just for the record, I do read books on line. I love Kindle and am thankful for the convenience. Nothing beats instant delivery when I get to the end of a book and realize the book I just finished is book one of a trilogy.
Google+ for Business was available on Kindle before the book was released. I was trilled to read it on line. It was the first book I read on my iPhone – another wonderful convenience. Although I appreciate Kindle technology, nothing will ever replace the feel of a book in my hands.
What is your take? Do you prefer digital books, paper books or both?
Memorial Day Commemoration 2008 (Photo credit: davidyuweb)
Reflections
We can’t go back. We can only go forward. We can’t relive what might have been.
For more than forty years, Steve and I have honored those who have gone before us by placing flowers on their graves on Memorial Day. When we placed the flowers I would do a mental biography of the person and how important they were to the world. It was a family affair we shared with Steve’s parents.
This year for a variety of reasons, we were unable to place flowers on the graves before Memorial Day. We will go in June, but we will have missed the big event and I am sad.
My best friend died. Her ashes are scattered over the mountains she loved so well. On Memorial Day, does one scatter flowers over the mountain?
My parents are buried an eight hour drive from where I live. I used to pay a cousin to place flowers on their grave, until I learned he pocketed most of the money and did not do them honor.
This year I am starting a new tradition. I will make cup cakes. On top of each one I will place the name of a person who has gone before. They will be honored. This can be a tradition that I can pass on to my grandchildren without asking them to travel great distances to lay flowers at the base of a stone. Remembering people should be a happy occasion.
We could just take five minutes and look at pictures of the people we want to honor.
Happy Memorial Day
Moving to Las Vegas would be great if we could just pack our bags and go, but real life isn’t like that. Or should I say, our life isn’t like that. We are waiting for someone to buy our house. It is a lovely house with lots of conveniences. The new owner just has not found it yet.
We have a deal with our real estate representatives, Jay and Monika McGillicuddy. When they have a showing, they give us a call and we will have an hour to have the house ready for showing. That works well if we are at home. If we are not home, that is another matter. To insure the house is presentable, we make sure it is tidy before we leave.
Today for instance, we had an early morning appointment. I was out of bed and into the shower two minutes before the alarm sounded. Steve made the bed while I showered. By the time I finished dressing, he was out of the shower. I cleaned the bathroom while he dressed. He tidied the kitchen while I shut down the laptop that gets hidden in a drawer.
Very few words were spoken as we executed this fast paced routine in a strange routine of grace and beauty. As the door lock clicked in place, I smiled. We did it.
Image via CrunchBase
On May 14, 2012 Liz Strauss wrote a brilliant blog post entitled: “3 Things I Learned, Lost, and Earned by Being Off Social Media for 10 Days” I can really relate to the section:
“Being social online is a natural part of how my day goes by when it’s just me and the keys.
But when I’m with people, I like to be with people. I find it hard to be where I am, if I’m looking at a screen.”
I have been off line the last five days. I have been with family. My brother and his family from New Jersey came to visit. My niece from Maine joined us. My two other brothers and their wives came from New Hampshire. We shared stories and news. We talked about new phone and tablet technology. We talked about food and how to make it or where to get it.
In the family group, Steve and I are the only ones using Twitter regularly. It was difficult not to check in, but I wanted to be totally here with my family. That is what Liz Strauss does. I wanted to get every ounce of feeling and interaction from this live experience. Magical things happened. We talked about anything and everything.
Steve and I are moving to Las Vegas. My brother and his wife wanted to know all about the move and our plans. We had a fun time talking about why we are moving to Vegas and what we plan to do when we get there. We talked about having plenty of room for company and how they would have new areas to explore. It is a great feeling to know we are so loved.
Social Media gives me a great deal of pleasure and I have met wonderful people on line, but nothing beats face to face. Liz Strauss says it well: “I find it hard to be where I am, if I’m look at a screen.”
We are moving to Las Vegas. If wishes were magical, we could pack our bags and move into our new home in Vegas by the end of the week. Sadly, real life does not work like that, but that may be a good thing.
For better or worse I am one of those people who keeps things if it has value. You just never know when someone may need that particular item. I get blamed for and take credit for all the “stuff” in our house. Much of that “stuff” has moved with us from house to house, but this time is different. It is not moving to Las Vegas with us. I have come to the realization that no one is ever going to need that “stuff.”
News flash! I learned that I am not the only person responsible for all the “stuff” in our house. Steve and I went through the following exercise and he held on to more things than I did.
Yesterday, I asked Steve to help me go through the utensil stuff. The top picture shows the under cupboard containers that hold all those handy utensils that are needed to cook with. Who knew one would need 18 or so bowl scrapers? We made a valiant try to pare down the mountain of stuff. Other than getting rid of 14 bowl scrapers a couple of ladles and some spoons, we didn’t do so well. Obviously we need to hone our skills in this area.
Milchschaumgesicht (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On Monday we drove from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania to move our cats Spade and Diamond to their new home. Sad: The doctors say my allergies will improve if I live in a house without cats. Happy: The cats are going to live in a house with a loving couple, two young men and a dog. Sad: We will miss them. Happy: They will have lots of love and many new adventures. Ending: It was very emotional.
On Tuesday we drove the same route back. We listened to an audio book to keep from thinking about the cats. We drove straight through except for rest area stops along the way.
We stopped at a McDonald’s where quality and great service is always provided. I ordered a medium sized decaf coffee. The young man smiled at me as he took my order. That will be $2.44 he said and he disappeared in the back of the restaurant. While waiting, I took out two one dollar bills, two quarters and four pennies. My change would be a dime. Another young man came along to help me. I said I was waiting. He looked at the computer screen and said, “Oh, decaf coffee.” He smiled and took my money. He looked at it and then asked the supervisor a question in a language I didn’t understand. She scooped up all the money and put it in the register.
The smiling young man came back to collect my money. I explained the above and the fact that I did not get my change. The 10 cents was not a big deal to me, it was the register count. I used to work in a store and the register was expected to come out to the penny. He gave me a dime.
He smiled and asked if I wanted cream and sugar in my coffee. I said no thank you, I would like cream on the side. He returned with a small coffee. I smiled and inquired if that was a medium sized coffee. He apologized and rushed off. He returned with the medium sized black coffee and gave me cream on the side. In a hurried state he asked, “Would you like catsup and sugar with that?” We both laughed.
The coffee was good. I think it tasted especially good because of the pleasant experience that transpired all because of mystical power of a smile.
Diamond and Spade
Pets are part of the family. In our case, they are much like having children. Many people say we treat Spade and Diamond as if they are our children. They even have their own Twitter account @SpadeBrogan and @DiamondBrogan, but they don’t tweet very often. They much prefer to walk over the keyboard rather than pick out individual keys.
Three years ago we went to Maine and brought home two baby brothers to live with us. They have been a great source of joy. I think I get the most benefit as I watch Steve come up with ideas of how to keep the cats amused.
We have a large window with a wide ledge in the hall way. It overlooks the back yard and the picnic table. Steve places wild bird seed on the table and on the widow sill. The purpose of feeding the birds is to provide amusement for the cats. The fact that the birds, squirrels, and wild turkeys get fed is only a side benefit. Squirrels are very tame and fearless. The come right up to the window sill and eat the seeds and peanuts. It is quite something to see a squirrel and a cat nose to nose separated only by a pane of glass.
As much as possible, we try to include Spade and Diamond in our blog under their own section, Feline Friday. They don’t really understand the concept of blogs and YouTube and don’t exactly cooperate in a camera friendly manner. They are more still photo, “catch me if you can” types. Steve and I often laugh at their antics and wish we could have gotten that on film, but we would have had to had several cameras set up to capture the mad dash around the house. The cats love the open layout of the house.
We love these little guys so much. It is heart breaking to give them up for adoption. As my allergies get worse, my allergy doctor has become insistent that I need to think about finding a home for the cats. They keep increasing the medication and I keep the cats.
I recently went to my ophthalmologist who told me I have an eye infection. He gave me eye drops and several recommendations about living with allergies. He said I would be better without the cats. One of my greatest fears is going blind.
Steve has had a difficult time with allergies this year as well. With heavy heart, we made the decision to find a new home for Spade and Diamond. After making this very difficult decision we take turns crying. Giving our cats away is like putting our children up for adoption.
Praise God, we found a good home. When Whitney Hoffman learned Spade and Diamond were in need of a home, she immediately invited them to become members of her family. Steve and I are delighted. We know that Whitney, Matt, John, and James will give Spade and Diamond the love and care they deserve.
77 South Road Picture by Jay McGillicuddy
Steve and I built our retirement home in the country. After living in many houses with formal rooms and formal furniture, we designed this house to fit the casual life style we have evolved to. We are very happy here. We enjoy viewing nature all around us. We enjoy the changing seasons and the wild life. Who knew we would be leaving here less than four years after moving in.
Life has a funny way of changing our lives. Who knew I would be allergic to the beautiful trees and plants I love so much. Who knew Steve would become a professional poker dealer? Allergies and poker may not seem like a natural mix, but when you add Las Vegas as the location, we are hoping it works well.
We are moving to Las Vegas. After making that decision, Steve gave me a half smile and said, now we have to find a real estate agent. I gave him a big smile and said I already had a real estate agent, my Twitter friend, @monikamcg, Monika McGillicuddy.
Monika is half of the dynamic duo known as Jay and Monika McGillicuddy. Monika has been blogging since 2006 and she is impressive in every way. Jay gives facts, statistics and wields spreadsheets, pie charts, and that is only the paper part. They are both great photographers. Not only are they impressive professionally, they are nice people.
Check out our house and their work below.
Offered for the first time this wonderful custom-built energy efficient home is sure to be a pleaser!
Have you been dreaming about that perfect green home? One that is welcoming, cozy, and provides every comfort imaginable, while perfect for the cost conscious buyer desiring efficient living? If so then you owe it to yourself to experience this one of a kind custom designed home built to enhance functionality, efficiency and appearance.
Affordable Living with all the comforts
Enjoy gleaming hardwood floors throughout, a wonderful first floor master bedroom suite with private bath, open concept floor plan with an AMAZING custom kitchen, 7 spacious rooms, 4 bathrooms, 2148 +/- sq ft of living space,central air and affordable gas heat. This home also offers ample storage a 2 car garage under with separate finished office/studio with half bath plus 5 acres of land to roam and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Don’t pass this up! MLS # 4154284 listed at $299,999 call Jay or Monika at 603-944-9172 for more information or to set up an appointment to view this home.
Diane Brogan