New Year Tidings

...everybody!
May the New Year be blessed with good tidings!

Genius Within Hidden Without

Whilst reading the book 'Heidi' for the first time, I came across the scene with Heidi and Peter sharing their lunch while watching the goats. Heidi has just given Peter some of her larger portion of food saying, 'You can have these,' she said, 'I've had enough.'
'Peter looked at Heidi in speechless amazement, for never in his life had he been in a position to say such a thing, or to give anything to anyone.
There we go! If we are in a position to give anything to anyone at all, we are blessed. Yes?
Sam was sleeping on the sofa so Simmy opened the back door and snapped a picture of the sky. Then, to the computer, downloaded the pictures, and, inspired by the Glenn Gould movie, 'Genius Within,' she pulled the photos apart and recomposed them to be the 4 famous notes of Bach's 5th Symphony... Dah, dah, dah,... dah. The first collage didn't seem right so,... the photo above is the redo. That seems good.

This is the colour of Thursday, December 30, 2010.
Some days have their own special colours, they cannot be duplicated tomorrow, now can they?
Tomorrow will have its' own colour.
The keys to the shoppe are going back to Ed Polish today. I will call this the 7 week experiment. Every nuance of the experience is ours to do with as we see fit.
The shoppe had this awful smell of gas which was getting worse all the time. Sam and Simmy were glad to be out of there. It did not smell safe.
Someone had rented a spot, a couple of doors over, and a huge pile of snow had been pushed up against the 'dock door,' a few days ago, making the use of it, for clearing out the shoppe, um, useless... is there any point in complaining to the landlord,  Mr. Ed?

So, here is the colour of this Thursday for Simmy.
It's the colour of ice and sunshine and yes, books that are very much in the red making this... another blue year, financially.
Oy!

Parrot Stew Compromise?

Now, here's a lady who has suffered many things in life. She is a mother, a true one.
She grew up in the poverty of dirt floors and mud bricks for walls.
By the age of 12-13, her memory isn't perfect anymore, she was living in the home of a blind woman as a full-time maid.
What is funny, to me, her daughter, is that this home had a 'talking parrot.'
Her first attempt at making a cake resulted in utter catastrophe. She didn't know how to make a cake and she didn't have a recipe... she just made an attempt... it didn't turn out and I think she said, the stupid parrot seemed capable of 'ratting her out.' She threatened the parrot with a cake batter enema if he squawked even one word.
I'm surprised her next dish wasn't 'Parrot Stew.'
She should have been snuggled in her own home, with her parents providing a secure environment for her.
She should have been allowed to go to school past grade 6 but she is a girl... had she been a boy, she would have been in school for two more privileged years... graduating with a solid grade 8 education.
She got married and gave birth to 8 children.
Choices were a luxury she could not afford until she was around the age of 50. All of her children had married and moved out of the home by then, except the youngest son, and how she doted on that one and finally allowed herself to have a fun relationship with him.
It is ironic to me that the meaning of her name is 'sun ray' or 'shining light' for if you were to ask any of her 8 children, you may not get a character reference that sounds quite like that.
As her seventh child, I grew up spoiled... by the definition of her household.
I was allowed to choose which dishes I wished to dry every night after dinner.
I always chose cutlery. Now, when I think back, it is likely because my 4, 5, 6, an 7 year old hands weren't big enough to dry larger dishes.
It is a bit of an irony to me, as well, that I was allowed to experiment with the baking of cookies by the age of 8. Her kitchen was a bit like the Holy Grail during those years. If you were to go in there, you'd better leave it spotless. There was no latitude for compromise in that regard.

On Christmas Day, I telephoned my folks' home and had a little conversation with her. I asked if any other children had called that day to wish them a Merry Christmas.
She said, "No," quite emphatically.
I suggested that she could call them if she and my Dad were lonely.
She replied, "That's the kids' job!"
I sighed and tried again, "You could call them if you wished to talk to them, Mom."
"Yah?" She said with a question but still that hint of stubbornness.
I tried hard to convince her but I don't think I succeeded.
She is my mother and I accept her as she is, knowing, maybe, in the first half of her life she made enough changes so that she just isn't required to make any more in this half.
Or maybe, I spoil her now as she has rarely been spoiled by anyone.
P.S. She allowed me to tie this Christmas scarf around her neck and snap a picture of her.
Scarf made by Jillian.
Look of tolerating attitude- compliments of Mom.

Forgiveness Gets Harder and Harder

...in a world where nothing is ever really considered wrong and if nothing is ever wrong, there is nothing to forgive. Right?

So, why are there so many relationships that are in a state of brokenness?
People must see situations differently or... or what?
How does one determine if something is right if nothing is ever wrong?
Is it right if it makes you feel good?
Well, um, everyone with even a small part of their brain working can see that answer has to be a resounding 'No!'
If feeling is directly related to conscience or lack of... then feelings can betray us... because whose conscience is perfect?
When people 'stop sharing their innermost feelings,' according to 'Forgiving the Unforgivable' by Beverley Flanigan, 'retreating further and further into silence,' intimacy dissolves or, worse yet, is feigned.
'When deceit is at the core of two people's arrangements (whether children and their parents, or parents and their children, spouses or friends), secrets begin to displace any real communication.' People may perhaps go through the motions of keeping up pretenses and routines, but the essential element between them- truth- is gone.' p. 26

Where there are many secrets, soon there can be only silence. El's Quote
How does a person take a picture of 'nothing?'
I tried and this was the closest I got without stuffing a cotton ball into the lens... because even then, there was a colour of light in the photo.

Then I took a picture, a close-up, of stainless steel... may we try to leave less stain on each other this year so we don't all become steel.

Laissez-faire Literally

"Wow Sam, you can't imagine how hard it is to take a picture of what has been on my mind the last three days," Simmy said.
"What's that?" Sam asked.
"Remember last night when we were going to the movie, 'Red' and we were being chauffeured by oldest son, and I told you that God had been repeatedly speaking this one piece of a Biblical proverb to me?"
"Mmm Hmm," Sam was in holiday mode of laissez- faire thinking... if there is such a thing.
Likely, thinking is more work than the broadly accepted meaning of that phraseology and the literal translation in French, 'Let's do!,' is more on the pin.
"Well, I only had the phrase, 'and He adds no sorrow to it' and I said I needed to find the verse to see what the first part is..."
Sam went to do the dishes and Simmy went to take a few pictures of what the proverb could represent...
'The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and He adds no sorrow to it."
"So, that's the whole sentence," Simmy thought. 'What is a representative picture of that, Sam?'"
Sam didn't have any ideas on this one.
Simmy had come through her 'three day Jacob wrestle' and last night her spirit had been antsy and impossible to calm... but some time in the night... the battle had ended.
And that was before she had checked out the first part of the proverb.
Now, the earthly word that came to mind was 'multiplication' and David had told her, just before Christmas, that things will suddenly, multiply and multiply and multiply. Simmy had sensed that was a prophetic word... he had that gift at times.

 Snap, snap, snap,... a picture of multiplication here...

It takes a lot of faith to wade through the times of drought but... without faith it is impossible to please God.
Interesting, a person could take a lot of 'guff' from others if one was called a 'people-pleaser' but obviously the concept of pleasing is pleasing to God.
Motive... it's all about motive...
So, multiplication is always happening... P.A. once said that.
And... if it is always compounding... and it is... then, that flywheel has got to be moving.
Simmy looked for another picture of multiplication and she spotted the coin drapery. When she had chosen this for a wedding scheme, she had done it for a few different meanings and today, these coin curtains were speaking again...

Really, the sweet peas, in summer had already been shouting their message and so, it was just time to do 'next things.'
What were the lessons learned in the last few years?
1. You must not ask for an inheritance that belongs to someone else.
(I've been exploring that one for quite some time now and the meaning of that. It's not an easy one.)
2. God sovereignly gives talents, gifts, abilities to whomever He pleases... Use them!
3. Appreciate Others' Gifts... very good principle.
4. Timing is sovereign, right on time, and brings results 'more than we can ask or think'
Laissez-Faire, My Friends, literally.

Non-Traditional Traditions

Sam cut a swath through the snow to get to the wood pile. A cheery fire always set the ambiance for the day. It was old-fashioned and it felt like Christmas was being celebrated when one could sit down by a warm fire... a Vince Gill song was twigged with that phrase.
Simmy created a poem and sent it to friend since Grade 7...
Non-Traditional Traditions
All our traditions
Have done flown the coop
We know of no custom
As we jump through the hoops
To accommodate everyone
Makes a little less merry
Pour us a drink
Don't forget the cherry
Do we open our presents
At dawn, noon, or night
Agreement it seems
Is a scheduling fright
A family gathering
Set to calendar January
Ridiculous it seems
But don't be contrary
We bend and we bow
Until all are considered
Let's hope when we're done
That Christmas tree ain't withered
(Poems on this blog may not be used without permission- copyright infringement)

Merry Non-Traditional Christmas!

Neighborly Santa

"Hey, Santa is next door," Sam yelled.
"What? Where?" Simmy asked.
"Get your camera! Quick!"
"Tell him to come to our house," Simmy yelled back as she dashed downstairs to get the camera.
Quick as a wink she ran back up the stairs as Sam held out a coat for her to put on to keep away the chill.
Simmy brushed it away, slipped into some shoes owned by one of the men of the household and stepped out the door.
"Hey Santa!" She yelled.
Santa was kind of deaf.
"Hey Santa!" She tried again.
Santa hopped to and started to 'Ho, Ho, Ho!' in synchronized age-old tradition.
"Come on over here so I can take a picture!" Simmy invited. "Sam, go get one of those pumpkin pies I baked earlier. You know how Al likes my baking with that German heritage."
"Santa, Santa likes your baking," Sam corrected.

Santa was dressed to perfection as he came up the driveway.
"Oh Wow! You look great!"
"I had to go be Santa for my friend Emil's grandkids." Al, Santa said.
As Simmy snapped photos, Al, (sound of blowing out lips in frustration), Santa, kept up the
HO, HO, HO...

The outfit was superb!
Sam rushed to the door and gave Al a pumpkin pie.
"It was baked today! Enjoy! Thanks for visiting!"

As soon as Al had the pie, his hand came up and he waved in friendly form.
'It is true! Santa needs cookies or cake or pie to make him happy!

Christmas Eve- Then & Now

"Would you like a ride to the church?"
"No," Sam said.
"We can have a ride to the church in this?" This was incredulous! Simmy was as excited as a little puppy. "Yes! I'm going to have a ride. If you don't want to, Sam," she shrugged her shoulders. May I take a picture of you?"
"Sure!" The rancher was happily accommodating.

"You'll be on a blog." Simmy warned. 

"I've had lots of pictures taken of me." He mugged for the photo.

The horses were very behaved. The female was pregnant and would give birth in Spring.

Simmy asked every dumb question... 'Should she really be pulling all this weight while she's pregnant?'

"Oh, she'll work till just a few days before she gives birth," said truck driver wife.

"Just like women in the early 1900's then, huh?" Simmy asked.

"Yes, that's right," said truck driver wife.

They got off the wagon. (that sounds like it has another meaning- It does not.)

"That was just wonderful! Wow!"
There were two young neighborhood boys who were hanging around the warming barrel.
They called out, "Be careful if you try to touch the sheep with the spots. He's ornery."
"Oh, he doesn't like it, huh?" Simmy asked.
"No!" They chimed.

"I'll bet they found out the hard way," Sam whispered.

"Mmm Hmm."
"They probably got nipped," Sam said.
"Only once, I'll bet," Simmy smiled with all the knowledge of having raised three boys.
"Hey, may I take a picture of you?"
Simmy got her camera primed. The batteries were a little slow out in the cold.
The choir was singing. The Christmas trees were lit with coloured lights. The scene was perfection. It was idyllic and the weather was also cooperating.
Sam was trying to hurry her along so Simmy snapped a few blurry photos.
One of the pastor with the top hat...
One of the sheep...
One of... the kids with 'insider knowledge' of the sheep. Ahem!
One of the choir.
One of, two of, three of,...
the horses...

When Mary and Joseph headed into the church, Sam and Simmy hurried in too.
The music had some great modern arrangements to some old traditional songs.
The last song even had Christmas lights flashing and synchronized to the music.
Move over TSO, we've got RSO... Riverwood -Siberian Orchestra? or would that be TRO... Trans-Riverwood Orchestra?...
It was a great Christmas Eve!
Thank you to all the volunteers and Servants.

Unbeetable Socks

Chapter Christmas

Sam and Simmy got through some mad crowds and with a huge sigh of relief they pulled into the driveway. As Sam got out to unlock the front door of the house he turned and said, "Someone left a jar of beets!"

Simmy walked up the stairs and looked at the jar, wondering... 

"I love a mystery!" 

Who could have left these? As she went into the house, she noticed the light was blinking on the answering machine.

She pressed the button.

"Hi, this is Deborah. I'm the one who left that jar of beets on your step. I'll talk to you later."

"Hey Sam, it was Deborah. Mystery solved! And, I was just thinking that I'd love to serve beets for Christmas dinner. Now I can!"

"Hey Sam, are you okay with just giving these socks to construction son? You know, as a little Christmas fun?"

"Yeah, I'm okay with that," Sam said.

"Okay, come help me set this up. I need a piece of string, clothespins and a stringer of lights."

"I think there's some string with some little clothespins in the storage room," Sam said.

"I'll need 12 large clothespins as well. The little ones have to hold the letters," Simmy said."

When oldest construction son came home he peeked into youngest sons' bedroom, curious about the glow of lights.

"Ha, ha, did you do that?" He asked Simmy as he nodded to the 'fun little Christmas' scene.

Simmy grinned and nodded, eyes twinkling.

It's the little things!

Reach Forth Blessing

 Chapter Christmas,
Christmas gifts come in a myriad of different forms. Simmy was thinking about the family gathering at the old folks' home and the different opportunities of every person to give someone else the gift of good wishes.

With a little help from ones' friends, we can all have a very Merry Christmas and a very happy new year...
Wish someone well!

Simply Love

Chapter Christmas,
The family gathering was in the 'Harmony Room.' It was somewhat harmonious, yes it was. The t-shirt of a nephew said it all... Simply Love. Period.
That's it! It's not always easy but it works.
Just 'how,' is different for everyone... that's the sticky part.
Sticky Love...Merry Sticky Love Christmas!

Jeweler- Handing out Jewels

 As the Grandmother/ Mother was wheeled around the room, handing out jewels to all her family... there was joy and happiness and laughter on her face. She was in her glory.
After the long day, a daughter took her up to her room at the old folks' home and when she came to her bed, she tossed off the old pillows and put her head down on the brand new pillow, that Sam had purchased from the shoppe, with a deep and profound sigh.
Today, she was given the freedom to be the star of Love and then receive the gifts of Love back again.
Her head snuggled deep on the green velvet cushion and she slept with joy in her heart.

Take a Walk thru Bethlehem

   Every child has             a thousand wishes


Some wish for toys...

Some wish for candy... 

Some wish for enough money to have a wedding...

Praying...                                                         that there is a star that outshines the night

and that maybe you can find it if you close your eyes and see the light...
Cause every heart longs for more than tinsel...Something more than just a holiday... 

Come and Celebrate the Baby King...    

 Just take a walk...
You don't have to travel anywhere
Faith and Hope and Love 
will bring you there
Bring you there, 
So take a walk through Bethlehem, 

  Come and kneel before the Lamb,
   Good News for every man,
   Walking thru Bethlehem...
Every soul has a need for Peace...

Come and kneel before the Lamb...

Good news for every woman... man...

Serving Kind

Thursday Chapter
Some people just like their deeds to remain anonymous... A huge thank you to all anonymous givers out in the world today... some of us see and experience your special brand of love.

To those who are the selfless kind
Who work unlauded in daily grind
We blush at how unthanked you be
Forgive us for what we cannot see
Day after day with loyal verve
You rise again to someone serve
How graciously you do impart
And build upon an artless heart

Thank You
Romance Designer

Square Day

Chapter Wednesday
It took most of the day but the yummy square that was a favorite of oldest construction son and maybe even middle one too,... was done and ready to be cut and eaten and squarely shared...

It was one of those days when one hopes that what needs to be squared away will not require a square off and and maybe Simmy and Sam could get treated fair and square with the warranty promises of the car company who Simmy hoped was not squaring their shoulders in a defensive position by saying they'd squared away the handle problem by squarely refusing to give Sam and Simmy the solution they were seeking the day the vehicle was driven off the lot. Simmy lifted a square off the parchment and was truly hoping that they wouldn't have to go back to square one with this issue again and that the company would just square accounts because, in the end, fancy words don't cut no squares when they aren't squared up with some square action.

Department of Waylaying- Handle it!

Chapter Wednesday,
"Well, this day was coming, Sam. We are not buying a vehicle from this company again unless we see results this time," Simmy stated emphatically.
"They still aren't planning to do anything about the handles? What about the new problem?"
"Well, this woman phoned me from the 'department of waylaying' telling me that our warranty would be void if we didn't do x,y,z. First, of course, she was telling us we needed to get service things done that will cost us money."
"What?" Sam was mad now. "Did you tell them that we've tried to ask them to fix things but they just stroke us with bull excrement and then expect us to be happy? And... what about all the goof-ups and mistakes that you were so 'forgiving' of when you wasted half a day and then had to come back again for the same problem?"
"Waverley probably doesn't get to hear about how patient we've been. Oh, but I haven't been patient with them today. Even J.P. tried to do the old, "Ooh, your warranty is almost up so we should really get that looked at," Simmy said.
"What did you say to him?" Sam asked.
"I told him that any company worth their reputation would have handled the handle problem better, right from the first day. I told him if that had happened while his kids were in the car... he'd think differently about the situation. That was very serious. How can they not see that?"
"What did he say to that?" Sam asked.
"Nothing, maybe he was actually trying to envision that. I'm giving him the benefit of my doubt here." Simmy offered magnanimously.
"How did he respond about the 'gear thing'?" Sam asked.
"He said we really need to get the vehicle in while it's on warranty, so we don't have to pay for that out of our own pocket."
"I said that a warranty doesn't help us if they don't honour it and fix things so we don't have to come back again and again for the same thing," Simmy was so frustrated. "Those band-aids are made of too much gauze and not enough glue, so to speak. I told him that the company is not set up in a good way and that I realize that he doesn't have control over that part but... the company cannot expect the 'front-line' service people to work within the parameters set by the company... i.e. take all the complaints without the power to change the outcome."
"And he said?" Sam waved his hand as if to say, 'come on, I want to know his response to that.'
"He listened, so I continued. I told him that the service guy I spoke with had asked me to tell him if I wasn't happy so that he could try to deal with it. I told J.P. that those front-line people cannot be 'afraid to lose their jobs' and the burden for all this cannot be on the customers' shoulders. The top people, the people who create the systems, cannot be 'untouchable.' Those types of systems have got to be eradicated."
"He said?"
"Nothing to that... he listened." Simmy stated.
"He kept asking me questions about how many times we've complained, etcetera, and I finally told him he's got all the paperwork there and that I am busy. He should just do his (I think I said 'friggin,' I know that's not professional) job."
"Good girl. He's got to make it happen now." Sam said.

Reality Christmas

Chapter 120 Tuesday (cont'd)
Everybody is fragile, in one way or another. Being gentle with each other is a good thing.
As Simmy was about to go to the shoppe in the morning, she saw a vehicle coming down the road... honking and veering directly for her driveway.
It was the madman, mailman.
Simmy got out of the Hummer to roll the garbage can and recycle bin into the back yard.
The mailman jumped out of his car, came towards her with determination and said, "Hey, hey, look at that. Is that service or what? I'm going to be the best mailman you've ever had serve you." He fumbled with the mail and chuckled saying, "Now, if I could only read to see if these are yours."
He handed Simmy a small stack of mail and Simmy replied, "Sooner or later, we all have to admit we need reading glasses."
"I know, I know," he said.
There were three Christmas cards and each one was a blessing in its own rite.
"Oh, I love sparkles so anything with sparkles is always lovely. I like how they land on your fingers and then if you happen to rub your face, then they light up your face and I love it when they get all over the floor so that the bottom of your socks... sparkle. A card from family..."
"I love old Victorian houses. I know they're drafty and hard to keep up but 'don't they just touch the heart with sentiment... that one came from Walt, which means commander of the army, and Linnea, which means Linden tree."
Then, there was one more...

a Christmas card from Mission without Borders... a reminder that things aren't always sparkly for everyone. It is interesting to me that what we would photograph and call art and maybe even put into 'National Geographic' is someones' existence, every day... and (whispering softly) I wonder if they think it is artistic. And... it doesn't look very sparkly to me. It kind of reminds me of my Grandmothers' house, except this one does look like it is even better than the one she owned.
Adopt a child somewhere this Christmas... and change the world, one child at a time.

Squaring the Circle of Liberty

Chapter 120 Tuesday
Liberty... that was the word that was threading through Simmy's mind this morning. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
"This must be what my folks are experiencing these day," mumbled Simmy. "They're experiencing liberty and I'm trying to wade through the lack of liberty I was given as a child and I'm wondering how to knit those two, that square and circle together."
Simmy had read a little bit about Thomas Hobbes this morning, which, of course, led her to think of Calvin, from her novel... (just make the leap even if you don't understand how I got there) Calvin is a cameraman.
This, of course, led her to think about, and mentally write a scene where Calvin is the brunt of jokes with the parallel personage of 'Calvin and Hobbes' being aligned to his personality. Sacrilege!
Calvin the cameraman, will, of course, be offended that he is not given his due respect and seen as a rebel. After all, he does view life from his circular lens standpoint. And, he knows that the filmed image passes through a rectangular opening just before the film plane creating this rectangular image because part of what the lens is transmitting is blocked.
This understanding, of course, helps Calvin to know that Lucy and Ethel are often hiding things that would make their character flaws evident...
("Calvin was quite used to the stagey duo and wasn't much surprised by any lack of propriety. "Don, Bart, and I were were working on the 'Set' so it would be picture perfect when J.P. wanted to shoot." Calvin looked up with a steady gaze and calmly swung his eyes back and forth, much like a fisherman gently moves his line on a hot summer afternoon. He just met their emotional bluster with his steady gaze. His 'behind the scenes' position left him out of the fracas, but he didn't mind shedding some light into a dark corner every now and then.") Taken from April scene- 'Soup Reveal'
So, reversing the image, should make the liberty of the circle... squared up? Pun intended.

Venerable Inuksuit

Chapter 119
As Simmy thought about the last 24 hours, she realized that all is well that ends well but in between... Holy Hannah... things can get directionally confusing if communication isn't kept up.
The timing of phone calls and the new habits of aging parents who have a new-found freedom that comes with being in the 'don't need to answer to anyone' time of life resulted in some moments of panic for Simmy on the weekend.
Sam and Simmy headed out to the country to check on the footloose and fancy free old folks.

• They never used to leave the house until 10 a.m. 
• They didn't go to church if it was -20 C. 
• They usually checked in with, and left a message with one of their daughters if they left the province. 

After finding the old folks happily ensconced in their home Simmy listened to her Dad sheepishly explained why they had gone to church the coldest morning of the winter, so far.
Ahem! The preacher, that morning, lived across the street and, yes, was a second cousin as well...
After getting all the information, it was actually funny, VERY FUNNY!
As Sam and Simmy drove down a few streets of this small city whose origin meant 'keeper of wine or maker of wine,' they came across some snow art gathered into a sort of 'Inuksuit Village' on someones' yard.
According to www.inukshukgallery.com, inuksuit are monuments made of unworked stones that are used by the Inuit for communication and survival. The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is 'Someone was here' or 'You are on the right path.'
All the irony, of the old folks breaking with tradition creating some harried moments, was not lost on Simmy and the motto of this small city, in the middle of the prairies, rang out in happy church bell pronouncement.
... WHERE PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE...or, for sure, neighbors who are preachers... Oy!

Hallelujah Jalapeno Chorus!

Chapter 118
Sunday morning... knees felt swollen, throat was itchy and a little thick.
What do I want for breakfast? Simmy decided in a second... jalapeno potatoes, yum!
The potatoes in question had created quite a scene just a few hours ago on Saturday evening...
we start the scene in Sam and Simmy's kitchen...
"Okay, so how many of these jalapenos do you want me to put in the casserole? The recipe says 2-3 but I'm making tons of potatoes," Sam said.
"Well, put all 7 of them in, then," Simmy said.
"Are you sure?" Sam was hesitant.
"Yes, but be very careful you don't touch your face or anything when you cut the jalapenos. Check for rubber gloves under the sink," Simmy added.
Simmy continued sewing but, in a minute or two, got up to check if Sam was handling things .
"You have to remove all those seeds or the casserole won't even be edible."
"I know," said Sam. He sounded perfectly in control and confident.
Ten minutes later, Sam gasped and rushed into the bathroom. Gasping and choking ensued. It sounded critical.
Simmy rushed in and asked, "What happened?"
"I rubbed my eyes by accident," Sam was croaking, crying and gasping and trying to hold his breath, all at the same time, hoping that the intense pain would subside.
"I warned you about that," Simmy said, very mildly and worriedly considering the painful gasping.
Simmy ran downstairs and 'googled' the cure for this particular mishap.
"As I thought,... milk," she grumbled as she ran back up the stairs. Opening the cupboard, Simmy picked a thin, fluted champagne glass, mainly for the size of the rim that looked perfect for tipping over the eye and letting the milk bathe the flaming area.
She filled it 3/4 full and dashed into the bathroom and offered it to Sam who was still moaning, gasping and kind of squealing like an injured animal.
"I can't use a glass, I'll break it," he said.
"Well, splash it in your eyes." Simmy backed away from the situation to give Sam some room to writhe.
Twenty minutes later, Simmy had the jalapenos chopped into tiny bits... Sam was handling the milk for the sauce and the casserole was almost ready to go into the oven.
"You're going to have to forgive the potatoes before they're ready for supper or you won't enjoy them," she commented casually.
Construction son came bounding up the stairs as the event was over and Sam said, "I thought you'd have to call an ambulance."
Construction son looked at Sam with are you serious? written all over his face.
"I really did!" Sam said, still reeling from the barely subsided pain.
"You're going to have to learn to sew if you can't manage cooking," Simmy said frankly.

  The casserole came out of the oven looking picture perfect and truth be told... everyone agreed they were the best potatoes that had ever come out of Sam and Simmys' kitchen. (Photo above taken by Sam)
Suddenly Simmy remembered the "Hallelujah Chorus!" food court video that her sister had sent her...
Enjoy going to church at the food court! or Enjoy the food court and make it church! ??? You decide!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

'Mistress of Castle' magazine

Chapter 115 (cont'd) 
Still filming...
Scene II- Lucy's house- 1962
Just as the doorbell rings with another visitor, Ethel picks up her coat, gets up from the sofa and says, "Lucy, I didn't even notice that I was sitting on the Garbo sofa. Oh, how could you? I've wanted that sofa ever since I saw it in the window at this great store in Chicago called 'Crate & Barrel.' How did you get one so quickly?"
"I ordered it as soon as the 'Mistress of Castle' magazine came out," Lucy answered.

"Cut!"

Afternoon Eggnog

Chapter 115 (cont'd)
Movie scene at Lucy's house- 1962
Ethel arrives at Lucy's for a little Christmas afternoon 'eggnog.'
Lucy hears some noise at the door and calls out, "Is that you Ethel?"
"Yes!"
"Come on in, love," Lucy calls.
As Ethel takes off her coat, Lucy turns on some lights in the living room. The gray Canadian skies make things look much too dark for an early afternoon.
"Are those the lamps I bought for you, Lucy?" Ethel is quite pleased to see them prominently on display. "I'm glad they haven't landed in some dime store. I brought a new drink for you to try."
Lucy gets out the wine glasses. "Mmm, eggnog for me! I'll have to keep it away from the Rabbi if he happens by. It's his fa...vorite," Lucy dragged out the syllables.
Ethel giggles. "Does your church have a Christmas Eve service?" Ethel asks innocently.
"Oy," Lucy scolds, "Shh! That is the December Dilemma. All the intermarriage is creating quite a strain on the synagogues. Who knows what the Rabbi will resort to?"
"So, you're not having a Christmas Eve service?" Ethel said it slower and with a question in her voice, thinking this might get her the answer she was seeking.
"I'm going to a Christian service on Christmas Eve," Lucy lifted her eyebrows as if to say, 'maybe you should leave this one alone, hmm?'
There was a purple mask sitting on the table so Ethel lifted it to her face. Lucy grabbed her Polaroid 160 and snapped a picture. Lucy put the photo down on the table as they waited for it to appear.
"Your eyes look too sad, darling. We'll try again! Come on now, laugh."
Ethel burst into laughter and Lucy snapped another picture. They had a little sip of eggnog while waiting, again.

"Ahh! Your eyes look happier in this photo. You need to give yourself a break with all the family stuff you've been handling lately. Try to relax!"
Lucy grabbed her glass and headed for the sofa.
"Come, we need to sit down and be comfortable. I suppose you've got all your baking done for Christmas?"
Ethel nodded, "Oh yes, a week ago already."
"You would be snatched up by any synagogue if they knew your hard- working hands never stop," Lucy said.
"Isn't that what makes you hide out from the Rabbi at times?" Ethel asked, pointedly.
"Ahh, we all wish to escape sometimes," Lucy admitted.
Snap! Lucy squinted a little too late and then just relaxed as Ethel hefted the camera for another angle.

"Who are you today? Julia Child?" Ethel asked.

"Close, close, I did make a banana cake this morning but I think I've got on a few too many pearls."

"They look lovely," Ethel offered.

"Yes, but don't get them too close to a blender," Lucy mocked.

Ethel strained her head to look out the window. "I think the Rabbi is at the door."

"What?!" Lucy was up on her feet in a second, trying to grab the wineglass from Ethels' hand but she would have none of that as she held it aloft, laughing.

"I was only joking," she begged as Lucy backed off and sat back down. 

"Ethel, that was not funny, today," Lucy grinned and burst into laughter.

"Cut!"