Curtiss Ann Matlock's Blog, page 35

Rainy Day Feeling

Not on the porch this morning. I tried it early, and the rain was not only creating a mist worrisome to my books, but it was noisy through the trees and on the metal roofs. So I spent the time in the comfortable chair in the office nook. I discovered it was quite noisy there, too, under a metal roof, and a little stuffy, and my foot still itched from fire ant bites. It was not so much the spaces that were uncomfortable, as me being uncomfortable within. Really, no matter where we go, we take...

Rainy Morning…how about yours?

A rainy morning. I tried sleeping in, but couldn’t. So here I am, a bit late to the porch, but enjoying the dampness wrapped around, the stillness, the glitter of raindrops on the leaves, where the pole light shines on them through the pecan tree. It’s still warm- 74*, but didn’t turn on the fan. Listening to the sounds of crickets in rhythm–like the running engine of one of those tiny cars–a few twittering birds, and roosters crowing far off to the north and south. And glad those roosters ar...

Constant change, except the temperature here

Dark, cricket droning is low, and a single bird offers a hesitant trill, as if not wanting to wake anyone. This morning it is as if the world is standing still, holding it’s breath for the dawn.

I know most just a bit north are cool, but here the temps hold still at 75 each morning–a warm and humid 75.

Went to the bookmobile with Little Dude yesterday. I looked at the novels, actually felt interest in at least looking, and ended up choosing a couple. I noticed many names on the shelf of writer...

Ready or Not

Good morning! Wow, it is sure staying dark longer. Glad that it is still a warm morning, and I would say by the crickets, still going to be hot today, because I’d like a few more dips in the pool before summer’s end.

There–the sky grows lighter. One bird sings out loud. I suddenly think of the child’s tune, when playing hide and seek: “Ready or not, here I come!” I guess we have to do our best to live ready, and the only way I can think of to do that is prayer.

Have a blessed day!

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On the Porch Paying Attention

I am writing this from my iPhone. Amazing. I’ve been doing a morning post on Facebook and thought I’d like to post it here. In this way I am easing myself back to writing, squeezing it in at this busy time of change in my life, in hopes of keeping hold of my life. We’ll see how my efforts turn out.

It seems to get quieter on the porch as summer slips away. Crickets in rhythm, a bird giving a single chirp. Darker longer, and definitely cooler this morning, although the fan is welcome, as is ru...

A New Chapter in My Life So Far

My first post in nearly six weeks. I look at this blank post box, take a deep sip of tea, get up get up and turn on the old revolving Westinghouse fan that belonged to my grandfather, and watch it revolve with satisfaction. Back to the chair and this post box. Check the date of my last post and count on the calendar. Nearly six weeks since I have been here. It is amazing how much can happen in six weeks. My life is radically changed. I have turned the page to a new chapter entitled Widowhood....

How to Be Happy

The plural of desideratum…that would be Desiderata, the legendary wisdom from Max Erhmann. I copied it at the end of this post. I like to read it on occasion to remind myself of the truths. What strikes me this time is the last sentence: Strive to be happy.

It does take striving. Life down here on earth batters and sucks away happiness. I think everything gets easier when you realize and accept this fact. And here’s the human triumph–There’s nothing to stop you from being happy, right in the m...

Book Recommendation: The Midwife, by Jennifer Worth

At this season’s finale of the BBC series, Call the Midwife,I was left holding my addiction to the program. I had been enthralled from the first episode, which I had watched on my computer, then gone on to watch them all, one after another, as I never had any other television show. I rarely watch anything current on television, finding most of today’s entertainment far too harsh and negative and just plain unpleasant and stupid. On the other hand, it can be argued thatCall The Midwife is not...

Picking Up Pieces

Once again I am reminded of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz, when he says: “They tore off my arms and threw them over there…they tore off my legs and threw them over there…and ripped out my chest and threw it over there.” I laugh, because I have often felt that way in my life, and now here I am again.

Here’s what happened: Two months ago (I’m flabbergasted it’s been that long), my husband suffered an attack of arthritis. I didn’t even know that arthritis could come in such an attack. We kept...

Gluten-Free Raisin Pie

I baked hubby’s favorite for his birthday yesterday– raisin pie. Since I’ve had a couple of requests for the recipe, I decided to post it here.

I base my recipe on one I found when I inherited my grandmother’s copy of The United States Regional Cook Book, copyright 1949, which provides the interesting tidbit that another name for raisin pie is funeral pie. In the pioneer days, people often had to travel a long distance to funerals. Of course, they had ‘dinner on the grounds’, and raisin pie wa...