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Thursday, May 12, 2022

Wish You Were Here-Book Review

Jodi Picoult's books are known for being thought provoking about current and past events and this book does not disappoint. I was hooked from the very beginning when the novel starts in a March 2020 time frame.

The Story

In this book Jodi Picoult says she is exploring "the resilience of the human spirit in a moment of crisis".

In the first pages we are introduced to Diana O'Toole and her boyfriend Dr. Finn Colson. They are a young couple very much in love and planning on taking the trip of their dreams to the Galapagos Islands. They are all packed and set to take their trip when Finn comes home and announces that he cannot get away to take the trip. He is a surgical resident in New York City, and it is the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Finn convinces Diana that she should take the trip without him since they have already paid their nonrefundable down payments. Dianna reluctantly agrees to go.

When Diana reaches the Galapagos, she takes the ferry over to the island where they are staying only to discover that due to the pandemic it is the last ferry to the island and the island is now shut down due to the pandemic. When she arrives, there is no transportation available, so she decides to walk to their hotel only to discover that it has been shut down. Diana is beginning to panic when a worker from the hotel is leaving and stops to talk to Diana. She offers a place for Diana to stay in a cottage she owns. She is very kind to Diana and offers her food and advice.

The next chapters find Diana exploring the island, meeting people along the way, and dealing with communication problems. She tries to contact Finn, but communication is very limited, and she finally is able to get someone to let her into the hotel to use their server.

In the meantime, Finn, is working day and night at the hospital to deal with the spreading pandemic. When he gets a moment to send Diana an email, he never knows if she is getting them. In one email, he lets Diana know that her mother who is in a nursing home is gravely ill and the nursing home is quarantined by the pandemic.

There is so much more to the story, but I don't want to spoil it for you by telling you about all the twists and turns. I will tell you it is a very compelling story made even more interesting by the fact that we are currently living in the pandemic. I highly recommend this book.

More Books I Have Enjoyed by Jodi Picoult

I have read many of Jodi Picoult's books. Here are some that I particularly enjoyed.

The Book of Two Ways explores Egyptology and I found very intriguing. Here is a review that Diana wrote on this book. Book of Two Ways

Leaving Time is a book that explores the relationships between humans and animals. The elephants in this story were delightful and I would recommend this book.

My Sister's Keeper is the heart wrenching story of a young girl who was conceived in order to provide bone marrow for her dying sister. It is considered by many as their favorite Picoult novel.

Enjoy your Reading! Books are a wonderful escape from daily life.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Tuesday, May 10, 2022

What is a Coastal Grandmother?

Discover the vibe that is being called Coastal Grandmother and determine whether or not you fit in.

I have just discovered the vibe, ‘Coastal Grandmother’. Let’s take a minute and review exactly what that vibe is all about. It’s not just a reference to a woman but it is also a feeling and a lifestyle that is currently enjoying favor and being celebrated on sites like Instagram and TikTok.

According to Tik Tok user Nicoleta (@lexnicoleta), the movement includes women young and old who “love Nancy Meyers' movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cozy interiors and more.” She also says the movement is about taking time to enjoy life. About slowing down.

I had to look up Nancy Meyers' movies and it turns out that the list includes Private Benjamin (Goldie Hawn), Father of the Bride (Steve Martin, Diane Keaton), The Parent Trap (Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson), What Women Want (Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt), Something's Gotta Give (Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton), The Holiday (Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz), It's Complicated (Meryl Streep, Mel Gibson) and most recently, The Intern (Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway). They are all very popular, fun movies geared toward women. I now know who Nancy Meyers is and can say that I love her movies even if I did not recognize the name of the American filmmaker. You can check out Nancy Meyers' movies here on Amazon.

USA Today calls the style “classic and timeless”. You might be a Coastal Grandmother if you like Grace and Frankie’s (2015-2022) home style in the program of the same name, Diane Keaton’s style in Annie Hall (1977) and Meryl Streep’s home in Complicated (2009). I definitely love those styles though I cannot say that my home style is classic or timeless. My home is simply casual and comfortable but those are Coastal Grandmother feelings, too!

Glamour says the term applies to the “perennially summertime lifestyle of a beautiful older woman.” They say that she likes natural products and looking after herself. That she enjoys simple, quality things. That she loves wine and book clubs and life. I definitely love the ideas of an easy summertime lifestyle, of relaxing with a glass of wine and of going to my book club meetings!

Most interesting, I thought, was Glamour’s statement that the Coastal Grandmother prefers real life to life online and I will take that as a reminder to walk away from my computer and celebrate life everyday.

Anne Hathaway at 39 is much younger than you would think of as a grandmother but says that she loves the style and even shared a photo of herself online sporting comfortable khaki pants, shirt and a bucket hat. All were comfortable and all were in neutral colors. Two more great Coastal Grandmother characteristics.

On TikTok, Nicoleta expanded on the comments mentioned previously by saying that Coastal Grandmother “is the feeling that you get when you’re visiting your friend at the beach. A cozy, safe feeling.” I can’t imagine not loving that feeling.

In case you are wondering, no, you don’t have to be a grandmother nor do you have to live on the coast to be characterized as a Coastal Grandmother and yes, there is a Coastal Grandfather equivalent. Glamour cites Stanley Tucci as an example.

I like TheStyleEquation’s definition of the movement as shown here in this short video from TikTok:

@thestyleequation The latest trend, not just for grandmothers! #coastalgrandmother @Lex Nicoleta #lifestyle ♬ original sound - Jennifer Ebelhar

I illustrated the top of this page with a fun, printable graphic from Echowood Printables on Etsy. I love the elements that creator Logan has woven together to create her interpretation of this trend. Click here to see Logan's visual representation on Etsy. Her print is an inexpensive way to add this trend to your home's decor.

You will also find some interesting, on trend Coastal Grandmother clothing and decor pieces here on Amazon.

Which elements of this lifestyle do you like? Are you a Coastal Grandmother in any or all ways? If you would like to learn and see more, just search for Coastal Grandmother on TikTok and Instagram.

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

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Monday, May 9, 2022

Carewell: The Caregivers Shop Review

Carewell: The Caregivers Shop is an online shop I found and used when assisting a family member to recover from surgery. This shop was a wonderful resource and their ability to ship quickly in the midst of a snowstorm was impressive!

Selection

Carewell carries all the major brands you will recognize, but the difference is the wide selection per product. Whether it be flavors, sizes, the medium or products you didn't even know were offered, the choices are voluminous. This makes shopping so much easier and definitely gives the shopper so many more options which helps to provide exemplary care.

Shipping

Quick! Very very quick even when one part of the order was caught in a snowstorm mid route. The communication was on point and efficient to give notice of the package arrival. Free 1-2 shipping is available for orders beginning at $49.00. The quantity of each product offered is similar to a big box store like Costco or Sam's Club.

Bridges The Gap

The selection at Carewell's helps bridge the gap between items which are necessary, but not easily (if at all) available for in person purchase at a bricks and mortar store. I was surprised to find a product I found at the local drugstore actually came in many more sizes and flavors, but only found online at Carewell. Phone assistance is available 24/7 to help with product selection if needed.

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Sunday, May 8, 2022

10 Questions to Test How Well You Know Your Mother

Ten Questions for You to Answer or Ponder this Mother's Day about Your Mom or Mother Figure

A mother is anyone who raises us or is an integral part of our life.

My own mom recently passed away, but I'll answer too ...

1. What is the most significant life lesson you've learned from your mother?

For me, and maybe for you too, it's hard to pick one thing, but if I had to, I'd have to say my mother taught me strength through what she handled and how she coped with all of life's challenges.

2. Have you ever seen your mother cry?

Of course, I know mom cried, but I'm not sure I ever witnessed it. Mom wanted to protect us (or that is how I felt), so she kept many "grown-up" emotions private. I always thought it was because she didn't want us to be further burdened. I was intuitive enough to read her feelings whether she cried in front of me or not.

3. If you had to pick one, which personality trait would you say best describes your mom?

If I had to pick just one, I'd have to say strength. Mom was a lot more than just strong, but strength is what I think about when I wrap a bow around her life.

4. From your perspective, what moment in time would you say was your mother's happiest?

That's a tough one to answer. I'll pick a moment that doesn't involve the kids or grandkids because that's always happy, but it's work. Perhaps when she traveled with Dad on business conventions or when they would spend winters in a warm climate.

5. Which food does/did your mom dislike the most, and which food does/did she like the most?

I'm feeling guilty that I may not know the answer to this! I'm going to say she hated any creamy white foods/sauces, and she loved pasta.

6. Does/Did your mother have a favorite color? If so, what is it?

I'll cheat; deep blues for clothes and neutral home decor.

7. Does/Did your mother have any regrets?

I think my mother regretted not pursuing the career she wanted to pursue. In her day, it was difficult to break out of the traditional jobs for women. Mom wanted to be an investigative lab technician (think CSI, lol).

8. What would your mother say was a perfect day for her?

I think my mom would answer, a day when everyone was ok, and the worries were few. I'm not sure she ever had a day like that, but there were many days I remember fun, family, and togetherness.

9. Who is/was your mom's favorite musician?

My mom loved Frank Sinatra's music, and later on, she absolutely loved Elton John's music.

10. If you asked your mom which one of her parent's personalities she believes she was most like, who would she pick?

My mom would say she was most like her dad. My grandfather was a strong family leader, and there's no doubt my mother was all of that and more.

Feel free to answer some, all, or none of these in the comments below.

Wishing You and Yours a Happy Mother's Day, and to all the Fur Baby Moms Too!

I wrote this video poem for mom years before she passed; it means even more today.

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Saturday, May 7, 2022

The Bone Island Trilogy – Book Reviews

A Trilogy by Heather Graham, the author of the Krewe of Hunters series and the Harrison Investigations series.

This trilogy takes place primarily in Key West. The name Bone Island comes from the first explorers who visited the island around the beginning of 1600. They found the bones of deceased native tribes and called it the 'Island of Bones' or Cayo Hueso.

Bone Island Trilogy

Ghost Shadow

The Bone Island Trilogy begins with Katie O'Hara who is drawn into a years-old murder when David Beckett returns to Key West. David, a photographer and film maker, had been gone from his island home for many years, working in his craft around the world. His fiancé had been murdered and some suspected that David was guilty of the crime. He returns home to deal with the paperwork involved following the death of his grandfather and perhaps to find a way to clear his name. Katie becomes involved in the mystery surrounding the decade-old murder, despite warnings from her spectral friend Bartholomew, an 18th century ghost.

Ghost Night

While filming a slasher movie, two actors are murdered on Haunt Island, a remote island in South Bimini. Two years later, survivor Vanessa Loren meets up with Sean O'Hara in Key West where plans are underway to film a documentary about the storied region, including the unsolved crime that haunts Vanessa. As they begin filming along the coral reef, the discovery of authentic pirate treasures deepen the mystery. Spectral help is needed once again before more murders occur.

Ghost Moon

Officer Liam Beckett of the Key West police force finds an old man has died in his home. His granddaughter, Kelsey Donavan, returns to her former Key West home to catalog her grandfather's collections of artifacts and antiquities. But the old family home ~ Merlin House ~ gives Kelsey the feeling she is being watched. Is the house haunted; are the ghost stories true? Liam vows to protect Kelsey and discover the truth.

Characters in the Bone Island Trilogy

Photo Credit: Pedro Lastra on Unsplash

This trilogy has continuing characters that are either related or have been good friends since childhood. They are all 'conches' – the name given to those who were born and raised in Key West. There is Katie and Sean O'Hara ~ brother & sister, David and Liam Beckett ~ cousins, Jamie O'Hara ~ Katie & Sean's uncle who runs a popular bar and restaurant where Katie does 'Katie-okie' 4 nights a week and where most of the friends congregate regularly, and several couples who make regular appearances throughout the trilogy.

Then there is Bartholomew Miller, the most interesting of all the characters. You see, Bartholomew was a 'privateer' during the time pirates and privateers wreaked havoc in the Caribbean. He plied the seas for England for years and finally found a home on Bone Island. His home at the time is the house Katie now lives in, so Bartholomew shares the house with her. Katie has been able to see ghosts most of her life. Later, the ghost attaches himself to her brother Sean, and eventually to Liam. Bartholomew plays a part in helping solve the crimes and strange goings-on that occur throughout the Bone Island Trilogy.

Summary

I just recently discovered that there is a prequel to the Trilogy – Ghost Memories - and it's all about Bartholomew!

I enjoyed this trilogy very much and recommend it to readers who enjoy mystery stories that are also 'ghost stories'.

More Series by Heather Graham

*The Bone Island Trilogy book reviews written by Wednesday Elf.

+Intro Photo by Lynn Danielson on Unsplash

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Friday, May 6, 2022

Luscious Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Frosting Recipe

For my birthday this past year, my husband decided he wanted to make me a birthday cake. He said that I bake cakes for everyone else for their birthdays and he thought I should have the gift of a specialty cake too. When he asked me what kind of cake I wanted, I told him I wanted something I had never made or eaten before. I wanted a lemon cake that actually had lemon in the cake, not just a white cake topped with lemon frosting.

Did it deter him that I did not have a recipe for him to use? No, it did not. If anything, he got really excited about baking a cake that no one we know had ever made before.

He searched high and low, through my recipe books and I think even online for a lemon cake recipe. Truthfully, I didn't realize I had given him such a difficult task. I am the only family member who loves everything lemon. When it comes to cakes, most of the family prefers either German chocolate or chocolate cake. For many years, my mother has made me a lemon meringue pie for my birthday, which is her specialty.

I went to visit my parents the day before my birthday. When I returned home, my husband had made me a luscious lemon cake with lemon frosting. He even sprinkled lemon zest on the top! It is one of the best gifts I have ever received and most definitely the best cake I have ever eaten. I truly appreciate his thoughtfulness and determination. What makes it even more special is that it is the first cake he had ever baked. He has helped me prep for cakes before, but he had never been the cake chef before.

He agreed to let me share his lemon cake recipe here, but I won't share my baker.

Lemon Cake with Creamy Lemon Frosting Recipe

Prep Time	Cook Time	Ready In	Yields
1 hr.	35 min.	3½ hrs.	1 Cake

Note: Before you begin, set out your butter. It needs to be a room temperature Then, zest 3 large lemons

Lemon Cake Ingredients

2¼ cups Swans Down Cake Flour

1 Tablespoon baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 large egg whites
1¼ cup buttermilk (we like the Bulgarian buttermilk)
1½ cups sugar
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter - room temperature
2 Tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon pure lemon extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°
Butter & flour two 8" cake pans
Set 8" cake pan liners in pans and butter them
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk & egg whites (set aside buttermilk mixture)
In a large bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder and salt. (set aside flour mixture)
In a separate large bowl, combine sugar & lemon zest by rubbing them together with your fingers until moist. Add the butter and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Beat in lemon extract.
Gradually mix flour mixture and buttermilk mixture into your sugar-zest mixture, alternating the flour & buttermilk mixture & beating well after each addition until batter is smooth
Bake at 350° for 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
Let Cool for 5 minutes, remove from cake pans.
Remove cake pan liner by gently rolling it off the cake
Let cool completely, approximately 1 hour
In the meantime, set out cream cheese & butter for lemon frosting recipe so they can warm to room temperature

Lemon Frosting Recipe

8 ounce cream cheese - softened

8 Tablespoons unsalted butter - room temperature
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 ¾ cups powdered sugar - sifted
2 Tablespoons lemon juice - freshly squeezed
1 Tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth
Slowly add powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, vanilla extract
Beat on high speed for several minutes, then add the remaining 1 Tablespoon to lemon juice if desired for taste
Frost the cake, decorate with lemon zest if desired & serve

This cake should be refrigerated

Cake Pan Liners

I started using cake pan liners several years ago with my German chocolate cakes. I found that they allow me to remove the cake easily from the pan and they keep the cake from breaking apart during removal.

To remove the liner, after I place the cake layer on a plate (bottom side up) I gently roll the liner off the cake. In spite of what advertising claims, the liner will stick slightly, which is why I choose to roll it (like cowboys roll cigarettes) instead of pulling it off.

[250 Pack] 8 Inches Non-Stick Parchment Paper - Round White Baking SheetssCheck Price

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Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Frosting Recipe Written by:

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Our Pets are Wonderful and We Can Help Them Stay Healthy! ~ A Product Review

When we think of our pets, they are more than just a pet, they are part of the family. Every dog and cat owner knows that they are not pet owners, rather they are owned by their pets. There is a big difference! We love them so much that we treat them like we treat those we love, by getting them "special treats". Unfortunately, like human "treats", animal treats are similar in that they taste good and are usually full of calories that they don't need. Just think of that big piece of Chocolate cake (that most of us don't really need)! Because we love our pets so much, many cats and dogs are now having the same problems that a lot of humans have and that is that they have become overweight!

These are my two Grand Dogs, Mabel in the upper picture and Dougal in the bottom one. Mabel is a soft haired Wheaton Terrier and Dougal is a French Bulldog. These are their puppy pictures and we love them both.

Now I must say that most of these overweight pets are more likely to be in the big cities where their exercise routines are not as robust as a dog in the country. Country dogs can run around without too much of a hassle from cars and other dangers. City dogs have to be kept on a leash for their own protection and the protection of others (both human and animal). City folks can find parks that have designated areas for their dogs to run freely, but that usually means a trip, and it might not be close to home either. If you can for your own health and the health of your dog, make that trip to the Dog Park often.

The best time to start training your cats and dogs about their eating habits and exercise programs is when they are young. Puppies and kittens need more good quality food because they are growing! But just because they are growing doesn't mean they don't need their exercise either. Strong bones and bodies are the result of both good food and plenty of exercise. In that sense they are very much like humans!

Scheduled eating times helps keep both dogs and cats happy. But what happens when your dog is just like a vacuum cleaner and he sticks his/her face into the bowl of food and literally just sucks it all in? It's not a great way for them to eat and they will quickly be begging for more. Mom and Dad or the kids will be tempted to give into their pets wants! Here is where the problem begins. Over feeding is easy to do, the results are not so easy to take care of. No one likes to be on a diet!

But what if there is a way to keep your cats and dogs from being able to just gulp down their food? Wouldn't that be a great way to slow them down, make their digestion easier and cause them to feel full once they are done? It works for humans and it works for our pets too!

There are many different kinds of dog/cat dishes that can help your animal to slow down and still get their daily allotment of food. Just have a look at these wonderful pet dishes that really do help make dinner time not only enjoyable for your pets, but it also makes it more interesting for them as well.

Overeating is thought to be partly due to boredom too! So if there is a way to keep the dogs and cats interested and still slow them down, you have a win-win situation.

JASGOOD Dog Feeder Slow Eating Pet Bowl Eco-Friendly Non-ToxicCheck Price Elongated Design Slow Feeder Cat Bowl, Cute Fish Cat Slow Feeder BowlCheck Price Juvale Interactive Dog Bowl, Spiral Slow Feeder Pet Dish (Pink and Green)Check Price

These bowls make eating out of them a little more challenging for your pets. They can't just stick their snouts into the bowl and inhale their food. They need to work around the ribs and get their kibbles out of the grooves. It just slows them down that much and makes it a little more interesting for them as well. Pet owners are all over these dishes as a way to make their pet's dinner time a little more interesting. Many different varieties of these dishes are available and have literally thousands of reviews from people who have purchased these dishes. That in itself says a lot.

Now I'm going to add another part to the puzzle of overweight dogs and cats. You should always consult with your own veterinarian regarding your pet's overall health. If weight is something that your vet has commented on, then the next thing to do is get a good quality dog/cat food that has high nutritional value, but not a whole lot of fat. I'm sure your Vet will make some recommendations. I also know that you can get good quality dog foods that are not quite as expensive as the ones your Vet might recommend. This is not to be confused with foods that pets need for health reasons other than weight! Some pets have serious medical conditions and you should always follow what your Vet recommends in these cases.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Adult Dry Dog FoodCheck Price Purina Pro Plan Grain Free Senior Wet Cat Food PateCheck Price Hill's Science Diet Light, Adult 1-6, Weight Management Support, Dry Cat FoodCheck Price Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Adult Dry Cat Food for Weight Management & Hairball ControlCheck Price

These dog and cat foods have high recommendations from pet owners. The Blue Buffalo for dogs is especially rated by over 30,000 pet owners. So you know that it has been tested and found to be a good value and liked by many pets too! Cat owners don't seem to give as many reviews on the foods, but suffice to say that there are over 1,000 pet owners who have rated these foods for their cats.

If you are a pet owner, I hope this review helps you keep your pets healthy and also interested in their feeding routines. Happy, healthy pets, make the whole family feel good and we want our pets to have the best life possible.

Whenever I want to buy something new, I do look at the reviews that have been posted and it usually is a good indicator of how much people actually liked the particular product.

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Tuesday, May 3, 2022

World of Warcraft Review - Why It's a Great Game for Older Folks

The online video game World of Warcraft was released in 2004. It was among the first major online video game that was American made and had a big enough budget to deliver on it's promises. Since it is still alive and well, in 2022, and still going strong, it has delivered everything a gamer could hope for. WoW has a great storyline, a multitude of races and classes, professions, thousands of quests, and a huge multi planet landscape to be explored.

I started playing WoW in early 2005, I was in my forties and had never played an online game in my life. I have to admit, the first time I logged in, I was in awe of what I found. You have a character and you are in a fantasy world. The other characters in the game are other people from all over the world that you can meet and make friends with. There are cities with stores and banks and inns and embassies! In the country there are cottages and animals and lakes you can fish in. It was beautiful!

It is pretty over whelming, but right away they give you things to do, and the tutorial explains most everything you need to know. You just take off and never look back! Check out the video below for a look at the fun this game is!

What does this have to do with Older Folks?

Most people think that video games are for kids and that most of the people that play are under 18. This may have been true in the beginning, but it most certainly is not true now, 18 years later, and not for the reason you might think. Sure, a lot of people who started in their teens are now in their 30s which could skew the average age upward, but also, many older people have taken to playing the game because their kids were playing it and because their friends were playing it. There is so much included in the game World of Warcraft, it has interests for all ages.

Can An Older Person Really Keep Up with Kids in a Video Game?

This is the great thing about World of Warcraft. You don't have to compete with anyone if you don't want to. WoW can be anything you want it to be. You can play completely alone, if that is what you prefer, or you can be very social and make friends, join a guild, or even role play if that is something you enjoy. If you like to compete, you can group with larger amounts of people and do raids where large groups of people get together to slay big monsters for rewards. There are even player versus player fights, should you want to participate, from one on one duels, to armies fighting armies. You can make this game whatever you want it to be.

Why Would An Older Person Want to Play a Video Game Online?

Many older people are lonely and miss the socializing that they enjoyed when they were younger and more mobile. WoW gives you the opportunity to make friends and enjoy the company of people around the world. You can explore places, go on adventures, battle monsters, or just sit and talk. It offers an outlet to a greater world instead of the smaller world that some older people live in.

It also provides fun and entertainment and a never ending list of things to do. It can give purpose and joy to people who have too many hours in a day and just sit around being bored. WoW also helps to keep people sharp and thinking. It keeps the cognitive juices flowing which something we all need!

Will the Other Players Make Fun of Me When They Find Out My Age?

For years I kept my age a secret in WoW.....until I learned that many of the people I knew were around my age, or even older! In the last 5 or 6 years, I have noticed guilds that are strictly for older people, guilds like "Over Fifty, "Ancient Artifacts," and even one called "Old Farts!" Older people that want to play WoW will be in a lot of good company.

So if you want try something new, maybe open a whole new world give WoW a try! World of Warcraft is a subscription based game, which means that in addition to buying the game itself, you also have to pay a monthly fee of about $15, to access the game. For less that a fast food meal, you get a whole month of great times! You can get a free trial of the game and play up to level 20 to see if you like it, but I am confident you will!

Click Here to Try the Free Trial of World of Warcraft

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Monday, May 2, 2022

Reviewing Why I Make and Recommend Bannock

Bannock, a type of bread that is made in a skillet or pan on the stovetop or open fire, has been something I have made off and on over the years. But recently, Bannock has been in the forefront. Between being an integral part of a book series I've just read and being what I'm making for breakfast this morning, I thought I'd share with you.

What is Bannock?

After a Google search, it seems that Bannock (with a variety of spellings) was a Gaelic word meaning "morsel" and is believed to have originated in Scotland. It is a flat, unleavened bread and it is thought to have been introduced to North America by Scottish immigrants.

You'll hear the words fry bread and bannock use interchangeably at times. The Indigenous people of North America make an unleavened fry bread. I believe that the original Scottish bannock used oatmeal and the North American fry bread originated with meal made of corn or nuts. At some point in time, both versions began using flour.

For my personal use and definition, Bannock is a yeastless bread that is made of flour, baking powder, and a liquid and is cooked on an almost dry skillet. Fry bread is similar but "fried" with a larger amount of oil. I am sure others have their definitions, but this is mine. Bannock is something that hikers, campers, and hunters can easily make while on the trail.

Bannock for Breakfast

Today has turned cold and stormy. Thunder claps and lightning had me rushing to check on the outside animals before crawling back under the blankets. I felt too lazy to make breakfast but I was hungry. When I finally got up and moving, I made bannocks and scrambled eggs with sausage crumbles.

During the moving process from the apartment to my land, my best friend was helping at one point and made a crack that I had "several" cans of baking powder. When I told him that I planned to be able to make Bannock if I get snowed in on the mountain he understood completely. He is an avid outdoorsman who has also made bannock while camping.

I started making bannock when I was camping in "The Shack" on my land. With only 4 ingredients, it was an easy thing to have on hand in off-grid conditions. As the house build began, I camped in the little shed and conditions were more austere. The shed was such a very small space for camping and storing supplies. But I could make bannock on my single camp stove burner.

I use the version by Liz Thomson. The ingredients are:

1 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 TB olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c warm water
herbs such as rosemary are optional (I use the most minuscule shake of Mrs. Dash)

I use this version because it is the smallest recipe and makes 3-4 small biscuits. I found that olive oil kept well in my off-grid camping situations. There are versions that use butter, lard, bacon grease, and so on. While those version often have more flavor, those ingredients were more difficult for me to make sure I had on hand.

Not only did I make bannock while I was camping I also made bannock at the apartment. During quarantine and supply chain situations, I sometimes made bannock in lieu of bread. I also made homemade bread that required yeast and time to rise - because I had that time. But bannock is much more quick and easy to make. It was great to have with a can of soup. And as I told my friend, I made sure to buy some (okay, many) cans of baking powder ahead. Now that I've moved to a rural area (a mountain ridge in West Virginia) I could easily be snowed in for a long period of time. Bannock is something that I can make in a pan on top of my woodstove if I am without electricity. So I'm set in that regard.

I highly recommend that people try making bannock in the event they want or need an easy-to-make bread at home or on the trail.

Bannock in the Books

I mentioned that I just read about bannock in a fictional series I was reading. I love to read. It takes my mind off of the issues at work. But I don't have much spare time, focus, or energy. So I need the story to grab me and keep me immersed.

I am so glad that I read a series that was reviewed by Sylvestermouse Cynthia here on Review This! The series is the Tales from the Highlands series. Book 3 in that series written by Martha Keyes is The Innkeeper and the Fugitive. Ana MacMorran flees her home and an arranged marriage. She does not want to marry the villainous laird of Benleith. During her criminal escape from this contract, she finds herself at Glengour Inn. There she secretly assumes an identity of another in order to try to hide.

At Glengour Inn, travelers stop for a bit of bannock and drink before continuing on their travels.

I enjoyed the Tales from the Highlands series immensely. If you'd like to know more about the series, check out Cynthia's book reviews:

The Widow and the Highlander (book 1)

The Enemy and Miss Innes (book 2)

The Innkeeper and the Fugitive (book 3)

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Sunday, May 1, 2022

The True Meaning of a Kitchen Table

I'm having a moment.

We're in the process of giving our kitchen a facelift, and our dining room table, which has sometimes doubled as our kitchen table for thirty-six years, may need to be sold.

What's the Big Deal About Selling a Table Anyway?

Thirty years ago or so, I read an eloquently and emotionally written article in Reader's Digest about a family's kitchen table; thinking about it today brings tears to my eyes. I tried to find it for you so I could link to it here, but I have yet to find it.

The author talked about her family's life around her table: gatherings, birthdays, celebrations, games, and tears. I've always remembered that article. Having such a big family, I easily relate to the memories created around the family table.

She said she didn't want to sell her memory-filled table to anyone. She wanted it to go to a family growing with it and filling it with their memories.

Why Thinking About Selling this Table Has Me in Tears

I'm a wuss. It's official.

My husband and I purchased this table in 1986. We needed a large table for our large family. I have three step-kids (all grown up now) and, at that time, one son of our own. Today, we have four sons, and we've since added six grandchildren.

We have had almost every birthday for all the kids around this table. We've celebrated baptisms, Christmas, Thanksgiving, weddings, and every other major event families celebrate.

A memory from 1987 at this very table
with my Dad, our oldest boy as a baby, making us laugh,
and my youngest brother

Our kids have gone from little to big; we've added spouses, girlfriends, and boyfriends to the family mix. In-depth conversations, teasing, and great food have been shared for decades.

I recently sat with my oldest boy, sharing tears at this table about mom's (his grandmother's) passing. Mom and Dad shared many dinners with all of us at this table. Dad passed away in 2013; missing him is now a part of my soul.

This Table Has Lived

It's not just a table; it represents our life.

I'm still determining if I'll sell it.

In fact, after typing this, I think if we can't incorporate it into the new design, I'll keep it in case there's a move to a new home in the future.

It's solid oak. In my book, it's priceless.

It's not priceless because it's solid oak but rather because the characteristics of an oak tree represent our family traits: longevity, strength, stability, and endurance.

Hey, our family isn't perfect; we've had our share of struggles, but as the mom, I see many faces passing through time whenever I glance at the empty seats gathered around.

Here's our table, our life: