Yesterday at church, I got to see this handsome fellow playing bass.
I love having a musical husband and a musical church!
Sometimes when I get home from work, I’ll take a quick nap while Steve gets dinner on the table. (Yes, I know I’m spoiled.) Last Thursday, I got home and told Steve I wasn’t going to take a nap; I was just going to sit in the den until dinner was ready.
Well, that’s not exactly how it went. When he came to call me for dinner, this is what he saw. Hey, when you get up at 4 a.m., and you have a cuddly sleeping companion, what else is there to do?
It reminded me of another photo with another dog–sweetSummer.
To paraphrase a country song, “To all the dogs I’ve loved before . . .”
Since we live in the south, we get to hear a lot of interesting sayings. Some examples:
It’s fixin’ to fall a flood. (Ready to rain.)
That dog won’t hunt. (That idea or theory won’t work.)
Ain’t he all grown-y? (Said about a child who is looking older.)
I’m full as a tick. (Can’t eat another bite.)
In the comments, let us know some sayings from your neck of the woods!
Last week at work, our company’s president was on hand to welcome Luke Farley, the NC Labor Commissioner, for a visit. Although I didn’t speak to him, he stood by my desk for a few minutes talking to the welcoming committee. While he was talking, I got a good gander at him. (Another southern saying.)
The next day, I had a doctor’s appointment on the third floor of a hospital. As I was riding the elevator, I glanced at the photo on the elevator wall, and there was my good buddy, Luke! (I recognised him from all my gandering). I just barely kept myself from informing my fellow elevator riders that I had just been hanging out with him the day before.
When Sarah was in the hospital so frequently as a child, we often found ourselves on elevators. I remember that every single time I’d ride up or down, I’d look at the photo of Cherie Berry on the wall. She always looked so friendly, and I considered her my elevator buddy since I saw her so often.
With all that in mind, I was delighted to run across a post on Facebook, accompanied by this photo collage.
This is some of my favourite kinds of writing, both snide and folksy.
Cherie Berry, our beloved Elevator Queen, lifted us up for years in North Carolina, and not just floor to floor, but in spirit. That smile in the elevator? It was reassurance. It was comfort. It was Cherie saying, “You got this, and this janky lift probably does too.”
Then came Joshua.Now, every mama in the South said, “Don’t get in elevators with strangers,” and buddy, Joshua always felt like one. Never smiled. Never waved. Never even blinked. Just a third grade signature and a silent presence who somehow made every ride feel like a risk. And then one day? He got off at the ground floor… and just never came back. Which, honestly, felt right. Man didn’t lift, he let down.
But behold, the dawn of a new era.Enter: Lift Us Luke.
Hair like a campaign ad. Background like a recruitment poster. Sharpie signature like he’s signing yearbooks. Luke looks like he’s about to fly a jet and fix your grandma’s chair lift.
But most importantly? Luke LIFTS.
And Queen Cherie has passed the torch, or at least nodded approvingly from her rightful throne above. (It’s in Ohio)
From the Facebook page, “The State You’re In Is In North Carolina”
Toward the end of our family get together on Easter, I was inwardly rueing the fact that my four-day break was over and I had to go back to work the next day. Out of the blue, Nathan said, “Just think, I get to go to work tomorrow!”
His line caught me up short and stuck with me all through the next day. I still think about it a week later, especially when I pull into the parking lot at work. It is a great change in perspective to say “get to” instead of “have to.”
Last week, Steve made some of the best salmon I have ever had. (I wish I had remembered to take a photo.) We had been purchasing pre-seasoned salmon, but one week, I bought plain salmon, and we seasoned it ourselves. It tastes so much better. Sometimes we have salmon on a salad, and sometimes with a sweet potato. I didn’t use to like it, but I’ve become a big fan.
We keep an ironing board set up in the spare room and I use it a couple of times a month. I am curious if anyone else still irons so I am taking an informal poll on the subject. You can answer in the comments.
During my Easter break, I tackled some cleaning, including two small dresser drawers. That doesn’t really sound like a lot, but I was amazed at how much stuff was crammed in them. Where does it all come from? Such a great feeling to open a drawer and see everything organised. (Please note my earring storage–an egg carton! I’m a classy gal.)
I know it probably seems odd to take a photo of a smoothie shaker cup, but when I walked into the kitchen Saturday afternoon and saw the way the sun was hitting it, I had to grab a shot or two. Beauty appears in all sorts of unexpected places.
I hope spring is finally springing up for you, wherever you live. We will be in the high 80’s for the next few days, so I am hereby declaring and decreeing that winter is officially over. Have a wonderful week.
What about you?
What are some sayings from your part of the country? Or maybe even just from your family?
Do you use an iron/ironing board very often?
Have you ever paid any attention to the photo in the elevators you ride in?
Are you a fan of salmon? Any simple recipes to share?
Is it spring where you are?
I have been meaning to comment on this post since I read it — and today thought of it again. I am a fellow iron-er! We have a finished basement where there is a great spot to keep the ironing board up. I can’t imagine never ironing! 🙂 I wear a lot of cotton shirts and prefer them ironed. I almost always iron my husband’s shirts as well.
The reason I thought of you/this post again today is that we are in Europe and there is an ironing board in our hotel room — that has not been the case most days. 🙂
Hope all is well!
DeLynn,
How fun that you are in Europe and hooray for a hotel room that has an ironing board. You would think every hotel would offer that but not the case. I guess they like their guests to be wrinkly!
Being able to keep one set up at home all the time sure makes things easier.
Enjoy your journeys!
I cannot iron clothes for the life of me! HOWWWW do they always come out more wrinkled than when I start? I gave up long ago. Now I DO use a heat press for T Shirts before I decorate them with vinyl.
The weather here is South Central Texas is always just whatever it turns out to be. You cannot rely on the weather channel or apps to depict the weather. I will never believe it will rain until it is actually raining. The other day we had a flood warning for our area and they were “saying” we’d get 2-6 inches of rain or something ridiculous like that. However the apps all said numbers less than half an inch. We got SPRINKLES! Even the neighboring cities didn’t get much at all. 😂 It is Spring though. Not looking forward to the summer heat but right now it really hasn’t been bad. Even when it’s been “hot”, it’s been so windy that the hot isn’t so bad.
That FB post about the elevators was hilarious!
Lizz,
My least favorite thing to iron is a men’s dress shirt. Takes me forever!
I agree. Weather apps give wildly varying info. Steve has a different app on his phone than I do and we’ll compare the forecasts and they are always so different. Enjoy the not-hot weather while you’ve got it!
“Yes ducky”, or “me duck” is common here where I am in Northamptonshire, UK. It’s local slang, though dying out compared to when I was a child 30 years ago.
Rebecca,
Those are two sayings I have definitely never heard. I like that they are quirky-sounding and made me smile. 🙂
I now live in Texas so the first saying that popped into my mind was “The higher the hair, the closer to God” ’cause after all, everything is bigger in Texas. Growing up in West Virginia, my dad always said he wasn’t a hillbilly, he was a mountainwilliam.
I still have my iron, but seldom use it (yes I will re-wash & dry something to get rid of wrinkles instead of ironing). If I had space to leave an ironing board set up I like to think I might use it more often.
I’ll have to check tomorrow at school, but I don’t think our elevator certificates have pictures.
I’m at the “it’s okay” stage with salmon. I like a lot of other fish better, and my favorite seafood is still fried oysters followed closely by seared scallops.
Spring has sprung in Texas. We’ve had a couple of 90 degree days (too hot, too soon!) but this week is pretty nice – 70’s to 80’s with rain chances.
I hope you have a wonderful week!! And as always, I thoroughly enjoyed your Thing post!
SueEllen,
Oh yes, I’ve heard that saying before. It always makes me smile. And the “Mountain William” line is hilarious! Did your dad come up with that himself?
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a fried oyster; maybe I’ve had scallops somewhere along the way. Isn’t it funny that one person’s favorite foods are foods someone else hasn’t even tried?
Enjoy your cooler weather and chances of rain. We need rain desperately in NC!
I’m not sure if my dad came up with Mountain William himself or not; but I’ve never heard anyone else use it.
SueEllen,
Well, I think it is so clever!
Well, yah sure, you betcha I do use my iron, but have a pad on a board attached to the wall in the laundry room. The board is where I fold my clothes too. 4:00 AM.????? Oh, my goodness, I thought getting up at 7:00 was bad enough. What time do you start? I definitely am not an early riser. I have 3 sisters and I am the only odd one – just let me sleep. Very clever place to keep your earrings. I use plastic fishing containers (different divisions) for a variety of items. So far I haven’t seen any pictures in elevators just the license to run the elevator. Oh, those precious dogs. Love those pictures.
Sharyn,
I love that your ironing board is attached to your wall; it gets it out of the way. And a perfect place to fold clothes, too. Hadn’t thought of that!
I don’t leave the house till about 6:50 but I don’t like to rush and I spent part of that time having devotions and also doing stretching exercises. Once I’m out of bed at 4 am, I honestly don’t feel all that tired. I love the early morning hours–just like my mom did.
Had to scrape the car this morning, winter coat is still out here in Cambridge, UK. We had one beautiful day last week, we call it false spring! April is tricksy!
Wendy,
You’re still scraping your car windows? Oh my. I hope that doesn’t happen too many more times before spring takes over for good.
Love the word “tricksy.” And a perfect description of April.
Yes I always felt safe in an elevator with Cherie Berry but Josh was another story and I’m finally glad he is gone. His signature always disturbed me because it was so 3rd grade! Cherie and Luke have fancier looking signatures and their smiles make me feel comforted riding in their lifts!
I also iron but not as much as I used to. I hang things to finish drying after taking them out of my dryer after about 15 minutes. I try to buy things these days that doesn’t require much ironing because standing at the ironing board hurts my back and I don’t have room to put a chair in the room.
I like Salmon patties made from canned salmon. I may have to try other forms of salmon and add that to my diet.
Yes it’s finally spring but it almost feels like summer with this heat! So nice to see my begonias blooming!
Donna,
That’s funny you noticed the elevator pictures, too. I’m glad we have Luke, now! 🙂
I try to get a lot of ironing done at a time so I only have to do it 2-3 times a month. Taking clothes out of the dryer early definitely helps with wrinkles.
I found a good recipe for salmon patties I’ve been meaning to try. Thanks for the reminder.
I can’t imagine getting up at 4am! You deserve that nap before dinner.
I guess I don’t pay attention, as I can’t think of any sayings.
I have an ironing board that is always up in my craft room for my quilting. I also do iron clothes, probably once a week or less, just depends on what I am wearing.
I don’t remember ever seeing a photo in an elevator. I will have to look. I do remember seeing the name Otis. Just looked it up and it was the original inventor of vertical transport
I love salmon, but my husband doesn’t. I mostly get it at restaurants. I like it with a dijon mustard glaze or just plain grilled. I grew up on salmon cakes-canned salmon mixed with egg and breadcrumbs and fried in patties. I like salmon spread as well. Salmon, cream cheese, and smoke flavoring.
Spring is starting to appear. My daffodils are blooming and lilac is budding out. It will be in the 70’s this week, but back to 50-60 next week.
Patti,
I’m fascinated by the story of Otis and elevators; they had such a huge impact on cities, businesses, apartments, etc. Can you imagine how NYC would be without those tall buildings? And you can’t have tall buildings without elevators!
Another person mentioning salmon patties. I definitely need to make those soon. I’ve had many tuna patties over the years but never salmon patties.
Enjoy your daffodils. Such a cheery flower!
Oh yes, I still iron. A lot of my summer shorts require it because they’re cotton so I hang them to dry. I don’t leave the ironing board set up though.
I’m not a fish fan. We keep saying we should get some salmon and try it because my husband likes it. I would probably like it if I gave it a chance.
I used to enjoy going to work! But am enjoying retirement much more! 😉
LeeAnne,
Yes, cotton is defimitely a fabric that needs ironing. But it’s such a wonderfully breathable fabric it makes it worthwhile.
Defiitely try some salmon soon! If you do, try Steve’s recipe. It’s delish!