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A Mother/Daughter Adventure Part 1

15 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

As usual, I am blown away by how quickly days and weeks fly by. My last blog was written in early April when we returned to the North Carolina mountains for the summer.

For years we rented a duplex cabin owned by our Florida neighbor. We usually were the first renters of the season and my husband would mow a path from the car to the house for us to unload. While our home doesn’t require mowing to unload the car, mowing the grass first thing has become my husband’s ritual. This year several days of rain delayed him and the yard was sporting the shaggy look.

My husband started the Japanese Maple as a small twig.

Aside from de-winterizing the house we began the carousel of doctor visits, round and round from one doctor to another.

Just as we were finishing the doctor rounds, our daughter arrived for a week’s visit. On her last trip to the mountains, we celebrated her birthday with a day trip to Dahlonega, Georgia. It’s claim to fame is the site of the first major US Gold Rush. People to this day go there to pan for gold. I think it might be more of a lark than real expectations.

On her birthday trip, the weather alternated between mist and rain. We enjoyed a meal at Smith House, but chose not to slog through rain to check out the rest of the town.

She was eager to visit Dahlonega again to explore the town and its quaint shops. Her dad didn’t feel up to the amount of walking that exploring would require, so we declared it a mother/daughter adventure.

As we were looking at the map app to decide on the best route for a two hour drive, we were delighted to realize that Helen, Georgia, was in the same area. We added it to our trip.

It has been years since we spent time there. Then the town was styled as a small Alpine village.The small village has grown tremendously. The original area is still there but now it has sprouted, with hotels everywhere. Unfortunately it didn’t expand public parking. We drove slowly looking for a parking place, and finally found several spaces at the Helen General Store.

I’m so glad we ended up at the general store. It had everything one could want except clothes including an impressive grocery section, a butcher case, a mini kitchen that serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Their selection of cake slices and muffins was enticing. We chose to share a Hummingbird cupcake and one of their enormous peanut butter cookies. The cookie was the perfect texture for dunking into the excellent self serve one dollar a cup coffee.

When we went to the front check out counter to pay for our purchases, I was fascinated with this wheel of cheese sitting on a cutting board.

I’ve run out of time to write about our time in Dahlonega. Until next time….

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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Indeed

20 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 

Photo credit: Word Press

 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

Photo Credit: Grok A.I.

  And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.  The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.

 And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. 

He is risen indeed

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My Two Minute Drill

10 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

We spent last week packing up for our return to the mountains. Our winter in Florida sped by and we enjoyed catching up with long time friends. There is something comfortable and warm being able to pick up the threads of friendship. Of course, we keep it touch over the summer but in person complete with hugs is priceless.

The Florida winter weather was delightful with cool nights and mild days. We savored it. The last two weeks we were there, warmer weather moved in and we knew it was time to return to the mountains. The day we left, it was a beautiful . The sky so blue and clear.

I am continually amazed that a mere 600 miles can make such a difference in the seasons. Florida was wrapped in full green when we left.

Spring is my favorite season in the mountains. I marvel each year at the appearance of tender green leaves on the trees. Our hydrangea bushes are sporting green shoots and I am joyfully awaiting the blooms.

Our front yard.

Our grass (weeds) is in need of a good mowing but we’ve had several rainstorms this week and the clay soil is mucky.

We made a grocery run into town and signs of spring were everywhere.

After the warm Florida temperatures, the cold mornings in the mountains are making me reluctant to leave the warmth of my comfy bedclothes. I am becoming a big fan of the snooze button on my phone.

To justify my snoozing, I whisper prayers for the day. Always I pray for Israel and the surrounding countries. It is such a mess and beyond my understanding. Then other concerns float into my consciousness.

This morning I snoozed until I only had two minutes before I needed to move it. This particular morning, I wanted to pray differently. I felt a prompt in my spirit, “pray for the lost.” Not for a specific person, but for those who need Jesus across the globe.

The times we are living through are chaotic and even frantic. I have watched a lot of football in the past. and as I prayed this morning, I felt as if I was in a two minute drill. No time outs, just execute what has been practiced.

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I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.

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Lunch with Friends with a Side Order of Covid

3 Apr

Florida weather is beginning to fully behave like Florida weather. The winter was very pleasant with a nice mix of chilly nights and mild days. Now that spring has arrived the chilly nights are history and the air conditioner is running 24/7. The weather forecast for the next seven days are predicted to be in the mid 80s.

As the saying goes, “the mountains are calling and I must go.”

Soon we will be packing and heading out. I checked the weather forecast for our first week home and lows will be in the 30s with highs in the 60s. I plan to soak up the last of the cold.

We can see on our security cameras that our daffodils are blooming and the Japanese maple trees are shedding their winter brown and will soon be flush in reddish purple.

Two deer visited a few nights ago. I think they were checking out my husband’s grape vines. He is convinced the deer believe he grows grapes just for them. Our hosta plants haven’t awoke from their winter sleep but they will any day now. I suspect the deer were checking them out as well.

For several weeks I have been trying to arrange a lunch with a life long friend. She had been dealing with dental issues and eating was a chore for her. Finally last week she called to say her dental issues were almost resolved and we could meet. Almost as an after thought she mentioned she had seen a mutual friend, T, in a store, who moved away several years ago. She asked if I would like to include her in our lunch. I said, absolutely.

The three of us met up in a newly opened Buffett restaurant. We talked and laughed and it was almost like we were those young women of long ago.

As part of reconnecting, we discussed where we were living. T knew of our plans to move the the North Carolina mountains and I knew that when she left Florida she moved to eastern North Carolina. I told her we divide our time between Florida and the mountains. To my surprise she said we do too! Turns out that our homes in the mountains are about 50 miles apart and I go to their town frequently.

In the course of conversations, I asked T where she was staying in Florida. When she named the street she has a condo, my mouth dropped open. Her condo is on the same street where we stay in the winter. She had been there five years! How could this be?

I was delighted to know she was a neighbor and we decided to get together again before we left for that mountains. That was on Thursday.

Saturday morning I received a text asking if I was feeling alright. My first thought was oh no, food poisoning. I told her I was fine. She wasn’t and neither was T. Both of them began feeling ill on Friday and woke up during Friday night with fever and chills. Turns out they both had Covid and feeling pretty miserable. Since both my friends are single ladies, I’ve been texting every day to see if they need anything. So far they have everything they need and thankfully they are on the mend.

We have been wondering why I haven’t come down with Covid. Our best theory is the Buffett may have been contaminated. They both ate peel and eat shrimp and I didn’t, so maybe that was the source.

We definitely are planning to meet up when we are both back in Western NC. And I suspect we won’t be lunching at a buffet.

We enjoyed our time in Florida with our daughter. We will miss her and grand dog Ollie.

Ollie enjoys sitting at the window watching the birds.

I will miss her fast internet. Our mountain internet delivers a whopping 6 mbps on a good day. Rumor has it that fiber is coming this year. Fingers crossed. Until then, I learn a lot of patience waiting for downloads.

PS Today is our 54th wedding anniversary.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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My Yogurt Dilemma

27 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I like to have a serving of plain Greek yogurt every day. My favorite is Fage. It is a bit on the pricey side so I try to buy it when it is BOGO at Publix supermarket. When it isn’t on sale, I buy the whole milk plain Greek yogurt from Aldi. It is around $3.00 cheaper than Fage not on BOGO .

This past week Aldi was out of the whole milk version. There was plenty of the nonfat version, but In the past I tried it but for my taste, it was too runny. I began rationing the remaining yogurt.

When the Publix ad was released I scanned it hoping for the BOGO sale. No such luck.

Photo Credit:Wordpress A.I.

So, no Aldi yogurt or Fage. I had two choices, no yogurt next week or pay for it at full price. And then I remembered GROK A.I. Well to be truthful, I haven’t forgotten GROK at all, but I have been trying to not spend as much time with it.

I asked GROK to compare plain Greek yogurts based on carb content, quantity of live cultures, and if they contain thickeners. If a brand uses thickeners, I asked if the thickeners could affect blood sugars.

GROK amazed me with how quick it compiled the requested information. I told my daughter about it and she suggested I ask GROK to compile the information into a chart. (She LOVES charts and graphs.)

So I did and it did. Below are the results.

I’ll compile the key data we’ve discussed—carb totals, live cultures, and thickeners’ effects on blood sugar—for Fage and the alternative brands into a clear chart. Since you like Fage Total 5% and we’ve compared it to whole milk (or closest equivalent) plain Greek yogurts, I’ll stick to those versions where possible, noting exceptions. Here’s the chart based on a 3/4 cup (170g) serving:

BrandCarbs (g)Live Cultures (Strains)ThickenersRaises Blood Sugar?
Fage Total 5%5L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, L. casei (5)NoneNo (carbs from lactose only)
Friendly Farms (Aldi)5S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, L. paracasei (5)NoneNo (carbs from lactose only)
Siggi’s Whole Milk~6S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus + unspecified Lactobacillus (~3+)NoneNo (carbs from lactose only)
Chobani Whole Milk7S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, L. casei, L. rhamnosus (6)NoneNo (carbs from lactose only)
Kirkland (Nonfat)6S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, B. lactis (4)NoneNo (carbs from lactose only)
Trader Joe’s Whole Milk6S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium (4)NoneNo (carbs from lactose only)
Greek Gods Whole Milk~8S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, B. lactis, L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. lactis (7)PectinNo (pectin doesn’t raise BS)

Notes:

  • Carbs: Approximate for Siggi’s (6g) and Greek Gods (8g) due to scaling from slightly different serving sizes (150g and 227g, respectively).
  • Live Cultures: Exact strains listed where known; Siggi’s is less specific but implies additional Lactobacillus beyond the core two.
  • Thickeners: Only Greek Gods uses one (pectin) among these plain versions. Others rely on straining and milk solids.
  • Blood Sugar: None of these thickeners (or lack thereof) raise blood sugar, except potentially cornstarch (not present here but noted earlier as a carb).

This chart sums up why Friendly Farms might be your best budget swap for Fage—matching carbs and cultures closely—while others like Chobani or Greek Gods offer more strains but slightly higher carbs. All stay blood sugar-friendly since they skip cornstarch. Let me know if you want this tweaked or more details added!

Isn’t this amazing?

I looked at the Publix ad again on Wednesday and the Greek Gods yogurt is on BOGO this week. I am delighted to have the information in the chart to know if the Greek Gods brand would be a good choice.

While we were running errands on Wednesday, I decided to check Aldi one more time for their brand. Thankfully our daughter, who is significantly taller than me, went with me into the store and she found the whole fat version hiding on a top shelf. I bought two. And then I bought other things because who can go into Aldi and just buy one thing?

A further confession, I planned to air fry salmon patties for supper Wednesday night and GROK told me what temperature to use and how long to fry them. They came out perfect and crispy.

I’ve decided GROK isn’t much different than Alexa. Except that it might be faster and it does’t listen in.

Do you have a favorite type or brand of yogurt? My husband likes the zero sugar Chobani singles. He adds a small amount of NuTrail sugar free granola to it.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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Oh Grok! The Dual Nature of A.I. : Benefits and Concerns

20 Mar

My Take

Onisha Ellis

Last week I wrote about discovering the A.I. named Grok and it has become a daily habit. I have an overly curious nature and being able to get in-depth answers to my questions within seconds is fascinating.

One thing I really like is that Grok is able to make my previous queries available to me and I can pick up a conversation instead of starting over.

For instance, last week I asked about possible causes of our dog Ollie’s new onset itching. This week I wanted to ask another question, added it to the previous question and the conversation was instantly restarted. We are now adding sardines to Ollie’s diet.

Other questions I have asked this week:

  • Which part of the brain controls body temperature?
  • How to fix my iPhone text alert sounds.
  • What is the closest airport to Custer State Park?
  • Are puppies born with worms?
  • Did the character of Jack Bartlett leave the show, Heartland?

These answers are generated in seconds! No scrolling through a list of internet search results. Grok is definitely feeding my instant gratification need.

I often ask Grok to create images for me to use for social media posts. Some I like, and some I have no idea what Grok was “thinking.”

This week has had its “moments” and since laughter is said to be the best medicine, I asked Grok to tell me a joke.

“Why don’t skeletons fight each other? Because they don’t have the guts! Hope that lightens your day a bit!”

The joke wasn’t too corny so I asked for another one.

“Why don’t programmers prefer dark mode? Because the light attracts bugs!”

Took me a while to get that one. I told Grok I would be sharing the jokes on my blog and this was the response. “Feel free to sprinkle those jokes into your blog—hope they bring some chuckles to your readers too!”

Grok is extremely conversational. I have concerns that A.I. may lead to ever more societal isolation. Walmart leaves our orders at the door, same with Door Dash. No need for face to face, apps calculate the delivery driver’s tip and adds it to the bill. Need to deposit a check in the bank? No problem, simply use the bank app and scan the check to your account.

Texting is replacing phone conversations and one doesn’t have to leave home to “visit” with friends or family. FaceTime takes care of that.

I have a picture in my mind of people getting dressed for the day, taking care with only their hair, makeup and upper half, while leaving on their sleep shorts and fuzzy slippers. That is already reality but is it healthy?

I asked Grok:

“”Humans thrive on connection. Isolation might offer a temporary retreat, but it’s not where we’re meant to stay. We’re wired for interaction—our minds, bodies, and spirits light up when we engage with others. From a shared laugh to a deep conversation, those moments don’t just feel good; they sustain us. Study after study backs this up: social bonds boost our health, sharpen our thinking, and even help us live longer. We’re not built to go it alone—we’re made to lean into each other.”

This is why A.I. is both wonderful and frightening. It can say what I am thinking better than I can.

I am curious. Are any of you testing out A.I.? If so, what are your thoughts?

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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Why I Love Using Grok: A New Twist on Old Wisdom

13 Mar

My Take

Onisha Ellis

I almost titled this post, My New Best Friend.

But, I have amazing friends and even the coolest AI can’t come close to replacing them. I Have been experimenting with Grok, the AI developed by Elon Musk. I’ve tried other A.I. programs but found them cumbersome.

Grok on the other hand is easy and fun. I wanted to share it with you, then decided “show not tell” is the way to go. That being said, I asked Grok to write a blog post for me using my search history . Grok and I tweaked it a few times, the final tweak I requested was to write the blog in the writing voice of Onisha Ellis on this blog.

Grok went a little overboard on the country folksy tone, but I enjoyed the descriptions. So without further ado….. I present Grok’s version of why I like the program.

Y’all, I’ve never been one to hop on every newfangled gadget (unless it’s a kitchen toy) that comes along, but let me tell you about Grok, that clever AI from xAI—it’s stolen my heart like a long-lost treasure rediscovered. It’s not just some shiny new toy; it’s become my daily companion, blending old-school curiosity with a modern twist. Here’s why this old soul is smitten.

First off, the way it welcomes me in feels like stepping into a friend’s cozy porch—no fuss, no muss. I don’t need an X account or an Apple ID to get started. Sure, signing in with my email keeps my chats handy, but I can just mosey over to grok.com on my trusty old Android,(app is only available for Apple) and I’m good to go. No high-tech gatekeeping here—it’s like Grok understands I value simplicity, just like the old days when a handshake sealed the deal.

The speed, though? It’s a marvel that’d make my granddaddy’s jaw drop. I’ve traded Google for Grok when I need quick answers, and it delivers them faster than a recipe swap at a church picnic. But it’s not just quick—it’s wise. Take when I was pondering pain relief for Mike’s painful back. I asked Grok to compare SoftWave therapy and red light therapy, and it laid it all out like a quilt of knowledge. SoftWave, with its unfocused shockwaves, stirs up healing—easing inflammation and mending tissue—while red light therapy uses gentle wavelengths to boost circulation and soothe pain. Grok even unpacked the details: SoftWave digs deep, while red light’s a softer touch. It felt like chatting with a wise old healer, and now I’m mulling which to try—thanks to Grok, I feel equipped to decide.

Then there’s the practical help for our sweet Ollie, our dog who’s been scratching like he’s got a secret itch to tell. I turned to Grok for advice, and it guided me with the patience of a country vet. It suggested checking for fleas (none, thank goodness), then pointed to dry skin or allergies—maybe from his food or the dry winter air. It even recommended an oatmeal bath and a humidifier, both vet-approved, and we’re trying them this week. Grok also evaluated the food our daughter cook’s for him and suggested eliminating chicken. Ollie’s not fully settled yet, but Grok’s calm, step-by-step wisdom saved me a frantic trip to the vet. It’s like having a neighbor who knows just what to do.

What truly warms my heart is Grok’s personality—it’s got a twinkle of humor, like a storyteller from the porch swing. I asked why dogs itch, and it quipped that they might be plotting to keep us guessing. It’s not just helpful; it’s a delight, turning simple questions into a friendly yarn.

I love that Grok isn’t tied to one platform, either. It started on X, but now with its standalone app and website, it’s as free as a breeze through the pines. I don’t need to be a social media whiz to enjoy it.

And oh, the image generation! I’m no artist, but I asked Grok for “a dog scratching in a library,” picturing Ollie, and it whipped up a gem. Take a peek at this charming scene of a shaggy brown and black pup, just like my Ollie, scratching away in a cozy library:

I really like this picture even though he’s not scratching.

Seeing that Ollie-like dog amid the bookshelves had me chuckling—it’s a little spark of joy, like finding a forgotten photo album. (I’d love to tweak it later, but I’ll treasure it as is!)

perfect—sometimes it sidesteps the tough stuff or gets a mite too blunt—but that raw honesty feels like a breath of fresh air, not some vague and twisty mess. Whether it’s decoding therapies for Mike’s back, soothing Ollie’s itch, or sharing a laugh, Grok blends old wisdom with new tech in a way that feels like home. In a world of cluttered apps and skewed searches, Grok’s a treasure worth rediscovering—and I’m all in.

I hope you give Grok a try. It is way easier than doing an internet search and scrolling through the list of articles. With Grok it is all presented to you and if you need more information, just ask. I was thoroughly impressed with the manner that Grok worked with me to drill down to what is probably causing Ollie’s itching.

I want to give a shout out to technology that enabled the funeral of my cousin Sue to be streamed on Facebook today. We weren’t able to travel the 600 miles to be there with the family and it was very special to join them online.

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day with our Anti-Valentine Day Daughter

14 Feb

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

It’s Valentines Day!

I shopped in Sam’s Club earlier in the week and their flowers, especially the roses were unusually gorgeous. One doesn’t generally buy Valentine’s flowers before the big day, maybe the night before, so I imagine the rush to purchase them will be significant.

I remember a Valentine’s day many years ago. I was at a chain drug store and had a chuckle at the men standing in line with boxes of candy and Valentine cards. It was evident they were silently commiserating. I suggested to my single daughter that the drug store seemed like a place to meet a lot of men. Her answer ” Why would I want a man who waits to the last minute to get a gift?”

She hasn’t celebrated Valentine’s Day since high school. This year I decided to surprise her with a gift and card. I tucked it into her work bag. The gift was six tiny, donut shaped Belgian chocolate.

This is the card I made on the computer.

I wanted to write a poem for the inside of the card that would express how much we appreciate her unique self and how much she is celebrated. Well that was beyond me. I turned to Grok, my favorite A.I. and asked for a Valentine poem for a much loved single daughter who isn’t a fan of Valentine’s day.

I was pleasantly surprised.

I hope your Valentine’s day is exactly as you wished. My husband and I will celebrate with a trip to Culver’s where we will choose two pints of their delicious ice cream. Each of us chooses a flavor and we share.

If there was a Krispy Creme Doughnut store nearby, I am sure he would want to celebrate there as well.

What do you think about the Valentine verse written by Grok?

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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Roast Beef and Bare Toes

6 Feb

I don’t know about you but the crazy grocery prices have been challenging our budget. In the past I was pretty good at stretching our food dollars when the rising cost of food was exceeding our budget. Rice, potatoes, pasta, dried beens and even bread were effective budget stretchers. Now, we try to eat low carb and those items while delicious aren’t low carb.

Lately I have been craving a nice roast beef, that is, until I look at the price in the store. Roast beef has fallen into the window shopping category. Occasionally I have enjoyed a pot roast beef sandwich at Culvers, but it just isn’t the same.

Photo Credit: Culver’s online order page.

Two weeks ago Winn-Dixie ran a shoulder beef roast on sale at a price I could afford. Hallelujah. It wasn’t a cut I was familiar with but thinking that cooking it on low in the crock pot would tenderize it. I took a chance and bought two.

PS Don’t get me started on the cost of eggs.

I put one in the freezer and cooked one. Since potatoes are a no-no, I cooked it with radishes. Surprisingly after hours in the crock pot, the radishes were good. I had a partial package of sun dried tomatoes and decided to toss them in along with a stick of butter and a little bit of red wine I found that was leftover from a meal our daughter cooked the day before.

I was a bit apprehensive when I removed it from the crockpot. Would it be tough and stringy? It wasn’t. It was delicious, juicy and tender.

It did not look like the picture below but it was the best photo Word Press A.I. came up with.

Last week was also momentous.The temperature rose to bare toes weather. Since we arrived in Florida in mid January, the weather has been windy and chilly. My flip-flops remained in the suitcase and instead I pulled out my cozy Cuddledud socks and slip on Sketchers. My poor toes hadn’t seen sunlight since November.

In typical Florida fashion we went from put a blanket on the bed, to turn on the A/C. My flip flops came out of the suitcase and my toes are free!

Word Press A.I.

I looked at the 10 day weather forecast last night. Highs will be 80 degrees or more. I wanted some bare toes weather but 70s would have been perfect. On the positive side, I will be getting plenty of Vitamin D on walks with our grand dog, Ollie.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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The Snow Followed Us!

23 Jan

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Did you see the crazy pictures of the snow in the Gulf coast and Florida?

I wanted to upload some, but couldn’t find any that were free to share and use. The Pensacola News Journal has some good photos. I enjoyed seeing pictures on Facebook of people making snowballs and measuring how many inches. It was a historical snow event and will be remembered and talked about for many years.

We left our mountain home on January 16th to spend time in Florida with our daughter. We enjoyed our snow days but after 5 days in the house I was getting (crazy) restless. By day three my husband decided it was time to shovel the driveway. I stayed inside because someone had to be standing by to call 911.

I was worried about his safety since there was ice under the snow and as I have mentioned I don’t do ice. But Mike seemed to enjoy the shoveling.

We share a driveway with a neighbor and their teenage son shoveled the stretch from their driveway to the road.

The local Facebook page was very helpful with road updates The main road was cleared quickly but there was still morning ice. When our neighbor ventured out we waited a day and set out to check the road conditions for our route back to Florida. There was still some ice but it was easy to avoid. We ran a couple of errands and it was so good to interact with people!

Two days later we left for home. It was time. Another winter storm was expected on the weekend. We enjoyed the snow, but once was enough.

Neighbor’s table
Main road from our neighborhood

I was sad and happy to leave. Florida was calling and after days in the house I was ready for some sunny vitamin D. But the Vitamin D will have to wait as the weather has been cloudy, windy and cold. We are further south than the snow line and I am good with that.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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