Are You Prepared For Easter?

Easter will be here and around the corner in fifteen days. Are you prepared and ready to celebrate Easter?

Photo found through Google free use images

I am not ready. I have only bought my grandsons Easter present. I need to prepare my teens Easter Baskets. I normally choose some type of basket from "The Dollar Tree". Something the teens can use after Easter is long gone.

I select from the Easter candy selection they have at "The Dollar Tree" too. I normally pick up their toothbrushes, toothpaste and a new washcloth to place in their Easter Basket. Easter theme pencils and other small items I can fill the basket up with.

For my daughter, new hair accessories. Possible a cute pair of socks. For my son, I will browse the aisles to find something he can use that will help fill his basket. Such as : body wash, shampoo, aftershave etc.

I enjoy buying my teens their own beauty products. It is something they can use, they have their own for when they spend the night places, and it is a win win all the way around. Plus, I know the basket isn't filled with candy.

Challenge:  Write about Easter

Photo from Pixabay. Unless otherwise stated.

#Easter #prepare #holiday #candy #DollarTree #Shop #Basket

Dogs Running At Large Are Dangerous

This happened back in 2007. My story reflects back to that time era :

Two neighborhood dogs running at large killed my cat. My cat 'Bones' was a very docile animal. He would come when I called his name. He would go outside to go potty. Than right back inside to lay on my bed.

Here's the story: These two dogs that my family and neighborhood kids who have had run ins with before. Came in my yard and attacked my cat. My teen son seen it happen. One dog ran off, the other turned on my son and started growling and coming towards him. My son threw a knife he had at the dog. The dog yelled and ran off. Less than five minutes later a neighborhood kid came over and was telling us he was being chased by the same dogs down the street.

I called animal control to report it. My cat died while I was talking to animal control. 45 minutes I called animal control back and asked where they were at and if they could give me a time when they were going to show up. I was given no such time. So, I called my father in law. Who in turned called the local sheriff's office. The local sheriff's office sent an officer over. He talked to my father in law. Than went to where the dogs live at. I was told to call the animal control within an hour if they haven't shown up. Because the sheriff's office wants to talk to them as well. About these dogs terrorizing the neighborhood.

My (now estranged) husband tried calling the animal control over the weekend on these same dogs. He was told to call Monday because no one was in to take his report. I am so mad and upset right now. I have been crying my eyes out. My cat I took in as a feral when he was nothing but skin and bones on death's door. Everyone thought he was going to die. I was able to save him with my love and bring him back to health only to lose him to two vicious dogs roaming the streets.

It is against the law to allow dogs to run the streets in the Fort Myers area. I want something done. Something more than just having the last memory of my cat dying in my arms after this attack.

My teenager and I went to animal control. They claim they have picked up both dogs. They showed us a dog we know was not one of them that killed my cat. They had it listed as a pick up and it was to small to be the same dog. I told the lady there was two dogs They couldn't seem find the other one. She showed us one dog in the vicious dog area that is being put down later today. My son thought it was him but wasn't positive. I told them the dogs were owner surrender. That is when they showed us the second dog.

These dogs have finally been put to sleep. It took other neighbors calling the animal control and reporting these dogs running at large. As for some neighbors, they also feel the loss of a beloved pet to these same dogs. Two were puppies : Pitbull and a poodle/chi mix.

I feel sorry for the dogs. As I am sure they were doing what they have been taught to do. Or were never corrected from not doing. Secondly, I feel sorry for the pet owners who truly don't understand or appreciate what a pet is for, how to properly train, or just don't take responsibility for their pets.

I would like to say I feel safe to let my mini pins outside without fear of another animal attacking. The imagine and pain of watching my cat die while I was helpless to stop is still fresh in my mind. I love all animals. My fear of larger dogs is growing stronger as more stuff like this continues to happen.

Challenge : Write about an experience you have had from a irresponsible pet owner.

Note : All photos are from Pixabay. They are photos of dogs running in play. Not dangerous, like the ones mentioned in the story.

Dangerous, Dogs, Dangerous_dogs, Dogs-running-at-large, Animal, Animal-Control, Cat, Bones

He Scared Me

Photo from Pixabay

The emotion I have felt the most recent was scared. I recently came back from the grocery store. As I needed to pick up buns for tonights dinner, Sloppy Joes in the crockpot. While I was placing my items in the truck. A voice from behind spoke. I jumped with fright. As I did not hear the man walk up. He was being very nice. He told me he would take my cart back, as he was going in to the store. He did apologize for scaring me. We both laughed.

Challenge : Write about the most recent emotion you have felt.

Celebrations

There are so many things to celebrate in life. That celebrations go on every day throughout the world. You need to choose what you wish to celebrate and go from there.

Yesterday some people celebrated "Supreme Sacrifice Day". It is a day where people honor those who have sacrificed for the good of the people. Throughout history, people have gone beyond the call of duty and sacrificed themselves. So others like you and I can live.

People who have sacrificed can be :

1. Veterans
2. Police officers or Firemen
3. Doctors crossing borders
4. Jesus Christ

Today, some are celebrating "Poultry day".
Versailles, Ohio has celebrated "Poultry Day" since the early 50's. Normally in the month of June. I was surprised to find "Poultry Day" making it on the bizarre weird holiday list for today's date because of this.

Not sure if someone added the wrong day or they really like chicken. Either way there are many reasons to celebrate.

Find something you like, that makes you happy and have a celebration. Who knows it might catch on and become a worldly trend.

Photos from Pixabay.

Irish Cheddar Broccoli & Mushroom Soup

Today, is "Wordless Wednesday" posts. It is where you create a post with no or few words.

Last night I made an "Irish Cheddar Broccoli & Mushroom Soup" from scratch.

Ingredients includes :

Irish Cheddar, best cheddar I ever tasted

Sliced mushrooms

Grated broccoli, even the stalks were grated.

Onion, chicken broth, cornstarch, Parmesan cheese, sea salt, pepper, and milk.

Mix all together.

Soup is done when vegetables are nice and tender.

All photos were taken by and belong to rusty2rusty.

Magic - Do you believe?

Photo taken by and copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.

There has been stories that have been told saying magic is real. That the earth is a magical place. To be honest, I really don't know. They say only magical creatures and witches have magical abilities. I am not a magical creature or a witch that I am aware of.

I have always been interested in magic, witches and spells. I was raised in the Christian faith. So this does not sit well with me. As in my faith. I am suppose to not use any magic but believe in God and ask him for everything.

I do believe in God. I do believe he is real. I also have visions that appear in my dreams. Things that have came true later on. I also some how know things, that I can't prove but turn out to be true. Things that in the bible, says we are not suppose to know.

I have felt  things in my home. Never seeing them. While others claim to see a man in black. Like a dark shadow. Lurking in my home and sitting on my couch. I have seen shampoo bottles fly off the shelf at a friend across the bathroom. Nobody near the spot the shampoos were sitting. No explanation explaining how it could happen.

Others have claim to see a young female playing jokes on others and hiding my keys and such in my home.

I had another friend who claimed to be a witch light candles and do a spell in my home. I found out later from the childhood friend. That I should of been there. As me not being there caused the spell not to work.

All this has me wondering, is magic real? I know witches are real. I have a childhood friend who use to be a witch. She converted to Christianity a long time ago.

My grandmother had the same abilities as I have. I wonder if my daughter has them too. As I notice on her calmer days. We are more alike than I have wished to omit.

So, I ask my readers. Do you think magic is real? Do you believe in magic?

Challenge : Write about magic.

Walking Sticks

Photo was taken by and copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.

As you can tell from the picture, I have several walking sticks. As if I walk or stand long periods. I need the help of a walking stick, cane or other things to help me walk and stand without leaning to one side all the time.

I was shot in my right calf back in 2006. I went a year without any medical help. Except for the initial time in the hospital and a couple of therapy visits before my family moved from Ohio to Florida. As the insurance was fighting to pay for any of it. Siting it was a previous condition. However, I was within the days allowed in switching insurance to be fully covered. 

In that year, I started leaning to the side in walking. Something I did not notice till the doctor pointed it out. I was also involved in a vehicle accident. Where I was rear ended as I was sitting at a stop sign. These two things severely messed up my posture with my back and neck. It also caused me to have four pinched nerves in my upper back and neck areas. Two pinched nerves in my lower back area. Which I still have issues with today.

For these reasons, I will always need to use a walking stick if I walk or stand for long periods of time. When I go grocery shopping. I use the grocery cart to help steady myself. I have found ways to still get things done like non-disabled people. It does at times take me longer and I am slower at it.

The first walking stick I had was metal. It could be adjusted. It was stolen after I moved to Ohio, in my first home. A couple weeks later I attended a local 4th of July celebration my town was having. I played a game where you threw some rings to try and win a cane. I only had $2.00 to my name. I played. I won a black cane. The person running the game said I was the first person to win one from above.

As i walked away. I chuckled at the persons words. As I believe God helped me win that cane. As he knew I needed it and did not have the money to buy a brand new one.

That cane came up missing about 6 months later when I left it somewhere in town while doing my monthly shopping. I never did find it. 

I was able to pick up to walking sticks from a neighbor who picked them up from a garage sale knowing I needed them. 

 After getting with my current boyfriend of three years. He bought me a wooden walking stick with a metal ball handle. 

I keep them all by the front door in a vase.

Challenge : Write about walking sticks or canes

             

Happy St. Patricks Day

So far all month long I have been writing about Irish folklore and things that go along with St. Patrick's Day. Today, is finally the day where I can say,"Happy St. Patrick's Day".

There is no celebration in my area. Except for local restaurants and bars. Which will serve green beer and traditional Irish meals. Such as green eggs and ham for breakfast.

 I can't forget the bakeries which will have an assortment of holiday cheer among their products for sale. No matter how you celebrate St.Patrick's day, the one thing I remember is to wear green. So, one does not get pinched. 

Potato Salad

Growing up in my household potatoes were a main staple in most of our meals. It was a cheap vegetable that is easy to grow. One way we ate potatoes would be to mash them up, add a little salt, butter, and decorate with chives. Chives were only used when company came over. To make them look more fancy. Presentation was always a must in my home growing up no matter what was served.

Potatoes can be served in a variety of ways. The vegetable goes with any meal. One of the ways it was often served in my home is a salad.  My grandmother made her own potato salad, my mother made her own version of potato salad, and I to make my own version of potato salad.

Potato Salad Recipe you need basic ingredients. Potatoes, mayo, salt, pepper, onion, celery, mustard, and whatever else you would like to add to the mix. Sometimes I like to add in chicken or turkey cubes.

Dagdas harp

Photo from Pixabay

Dagda's harp is another Irish myth. A harp was own by a high priest named Dagda. her harp was stolen during a  war with a rival tribe. The harp was placed in an abandoned castle.

Dagda found the harp by calling to it, as he followed the tribe. Dagda struck the chords of the harp as it came to him. It proceeded to let out tears of music. Which made everyone in the castle cry.

The next chord Dagda struck caused all the warriors to laugh. It was the Music of Mirth.

The final stroke of the chords by Dagda causing everyone to fall asleep but him. Music of sleep was played by the harp. When everyone fell asleep, it allowed Dagda to escape unharmed with the harp.