The Cat Box by KimB

The Cat Box

Humans are funny things,

They always try to make things clean.

We get into trouble,

On the double,

When the pan we seek,

between our cheeks.

With notable flaws,

We scrape and paw,

And do our best,

to make a mess.

With broom and pan,

Humans ruin our plans,

For the sand to reach,

the size of a beach.


Kim Bigelow 2023

An Atom's Width by KimB

An Atom's Width

A touch / A finger's breadth / A hand extened,

Waiting for response.

A distance / A far nearness / A closer closure,

An approaching conjunction.

A sensation / A cold warming / A thawing warmth,

The ebbing cool.

A scent / An aroma of earth / A waft of sky,

A bouquet of fragrace.

Such craving for touch.

Such desire for closeness.

Such yearning for warmth.

Such hunger for inbreath.


Kim Bigelow 2023

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 12 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 12

MrsB:

That I always had a lot of friends

KimB:

I am thankful to my Mother for all the things she has done, not just for me but for others too. She shares the family stories and memories and knowledge. Most importantly, she spreads love like thick layers of marmalade on hot buttered toast, each bite a reminder of happy memories, family, friends, relatives and the countless people we encounter in life. Sweet memories, savory memories, sharp and spicey ones, smooth and soothing ones. Memories that "fight back" like peanut butter and the honeyed memories of hugs with all the family around. A banquet of happiness.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 11 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 11

RCane:

Such a wonderful family - able to spend quality time with mom in constant touch with sis.

KimB:

I am thankful for my DirtPile. It is the "crazy business" in my life. It provides a basis for Maybe-Perhaps-Someday dreams. We all need dreams. We all need an anchor, a line, a ship, taking us to something Impossible but full of May Be. Things that May Be are still undetermined, still open to change, still malliable. My DirtPile provides me with the courage to be all of them.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 10 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 10

MrsB:

I had the chance to travel a lot in both the US and in France & Italy.

KimB:

I am thankful for the people that hosted an All Are Welcome Weekly Dinner. The hot food was delicious and the chance to socialize was even better. The many tables were set nicely and a sit down dinner provided. Meeting other people at the tables each week, learning their stories and swapping information of services and programs. The dinner also hosted a Take It All table with fresh vegetables, fruits, snacks and grocery items, filling a dietary place that canned items cannot.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 9 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 9

MrsB:

My children are loving and take interest in my life

KimB:

I am thankful for my friend T and her family, who all share a passion for horses. She keeps me abreast of the latest information from the barns and the horseshows and how our horse-friends are doing. Sometimes I go with her to the barn to help feed the horses. Horses crunching their hay or rattling their grain buckets are like music for my heart.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 8 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 8

RCane:

generally good health and not seeing my obit in the mornings .. lol .. whilst losing folks I know every day .. (time marches on eh? .. sigh ) incredibly I am reaching 77 years of age ..in January!

KimB:

I am thankful for my 3 cats: Othello, Lucky and Bette.

Othello is my alarm clock, he reminds me to get up and FEED ME-NOW!. Othello enjoys his naps on his human pillow, stretching out on my legs.

Bette saves her affection for when I nap or bedtime. At once, she is on the bed and showering me with head bumps and demands for cuddles. She is fond of snuggling under my arm with purrs of happiness.

Lucky, has been an active companion. He follows me around, he sits next to me and watches what I do. He is curious about every thing. He likes to take my pen away when I write, as if saying: ENOUGH of THAT! He makes me laugh as he bounds around the house and when he curls up on the bed with his super long tail wrapped around him.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 7 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 7

MrsB:

Thankful for TV. So I can keep up with politiics and current news and also so I can watch baseball games on the TV

KimB:

I am thankful for my friend A. We have been friends with for a long time. She has been in similar emotional circumstances and provides wonderous and direct insights. She is compassionate and caring. Her outlook and experience shine as a beacon for me. She knows the drill and can open the door for me to see what's possible and what's important. They are not the same. She provides her knowledge freely to help me navigate the rougher parts of the future: helping me Find A Path that works for me.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 6 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 6

MrsB:

Very Very Thank for my two children, a girl and a boy

KimB:

I am thankful for the Pet Food Pantry, that provides a monthly distribution of pet food, which allows me to maintain my 3 cats: Othello, Lucky and Bette. The volunteers that lug the bags of dry food and cases of canned food for the hundreds of people now able to keep their pets with them.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 5 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 5

RCane:

love our pets and animals .. the wildlife and ducks and life in the country

KimB:

I am thankful for my friend O and her family. We have known each other for many years. Her support and wonderous gifts this year have made what is hard, a bit easier. She has been in the same emotional place with members of her family so she knows there are easier paths. None are easy but some are better to tread. Her constant encouragement to Find A Way is invaluable.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 4 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 4

MrsB:

I knew many of the family members on both the Northern and Southern parts of the US

KimB:

I am thankful to my Brother (RCane) for all his kindness and support this year, even at the most difficult times, he was there with encouragment and compassion. His generous spirit reminds me that no matter what our circumstances, we can find something to be cheerful about. And that happiness isn't always in the Having, it is in the Planning and sometimes in the Doing or re-Doing.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 3 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 3

RCane:

having finally learned Facebook.. and it has opened up several lucrative and fun opportunities plus making many new friends, & business contacts

KimB:

I am thankful to my late husband, Allen, for doing all that he did. As I navigate doing everything on my own, I see how he planned for me to take over after his death. There are of course, things I do not know yet, life is complicated. However, there are daily and monthly bills to pay and paperwork to sort out and files to update and tax forms to gather. His foresight makes this easier for me.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 2 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 2

MrsB:

That I had the parents that I had

KimB:

I am thankful that (with encouragment) I am doing what I need to do for my future. That I was able to set aside my pride and shame to stand in line with hundreds of other people, like myself. To receive the bounty of kindness from thousands of others, whom I will never know, who provide food and items for the Food Pantry. Thankful to the many volunteers that donate their time to sort it and pack it for distribution.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 1 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 1

RCane:

having a blast with my big boy toys and rare treasures .. I love treasure hunting ..

KimB:

I am gratful and thankful to my friends and family, who have been extraordinarily kind to me, and especially throughout 2022.

3 Hearts by KimB

I have 3 hearts

the first is the one beating / it has been beating for 1 year longer than my life

the second is my heart of sorrows / it holds all the sadness of my life

the third is my heart of hope / it holds love and happiness and kindness / it pours this into my life like blood / it keeps beating for a future

sometimes I think my heart will stop but it keeps going / it is pulled by the other two

someday it will stop / but only when all three have stopped together

KimB 12 10 2022

Happy Holidays Y'all !! 

1954 GM PD 4501-150

"Greyhound - Scenicruiser"

This is number 150 of  only 1001 built. 

Dressed up for the Holidays 

A sofa bed is in the future across the back 

'Elvis' is ready to roll !! 

Ho! Ho! Ho! .... from Tejas ... 

Best to all .. and seasons greetings ... !

Happiness is way of travel - not a destination! 

Happiest of Holidays to all .. !! 

Deja Vu - all over again .. by Anno Nymus

 "... just when I thought I was out .. 

they pulled me back in again .. ! " 

OR ... 

"out of the frying pan .. and into the fire ... ?"

* * *

1 - Helms Twin Coach number 146 

- has a new home - been sold! 

2 - Helms Twin Coach number 38 

- is on its way here - just bought! 

3 - Greyhound Scenicruiser number 150 

- is already here !! 

Wow !!! 

146 -as found 2019

146 - getting there .. 

146 - my blue stripe is back !! 

the final goal .. time travel to 1957 ;) 

this one - not mine - but a magnificent restoration - just sold for a quarter million .. 

* 

1 - Helms Twin Coach number 146 

- has a new home - been sold! 

Helms number 146 just found a California buyer who will finish it nicely and bring it to fruition and it will live is So-Cal again!

But .... Here is where serendipity runs smack dab into chance !! 

The funds from that sale purchased a wonderful 1954 GM Greyhound Scenicruiser Bus ... but wait ... as fate would have it .. the day the bus pulled out from Michigan en route to Texas .. 

I bid on - and astoundingly won .. due to a retracted bid -  an online auction in Virginia ... for another 1931 ca Helms Bakery truck !!!! .. complete with original woodwork ... and those amazing original drawers! Helms number 38 !! ... they only made 150 !!  OMG!!!! 

So old number 38 is being trailer-ed to Texas as we speak .. but what amazing back to back finds!!  I wonder, what ARE the odds of finding 2 unicorns??  -- much less several ? Wow! 

2 - Helms Twin Coach number 38 

- is on its way here - just bought! 

* * *

3 - Greyhound Scenicruiser number 150 

- is already here !! 

1954 GM PD 4501-150 - The Music Bus

former Greyhound  Express Scenicruiser

Chad G - an internet hero of the Greyhound bus nuts especially the PD 4501 Scenicruiser folks ... (and one man historic bus salvation crew) , and his assistant Rupen ... flew out from California, and piloted  the Scenicruiser from Michigan - where it had lived for several decades. 

He said she drove like a dream, and could feel that the bus was glad to be running the roads again - these wonderful old machines were made to run .. mine literally has millions of miles on it .. and many more to go .. they seem to have a spirit and soul .. and respond gloriously when they know you care for them and they are in good hands .. 

Chad and Rupen both made some wonderful videos of the trip and watching them .. it was almost like 1960 again .. watching rural America roll by .. truly a time machine!

 in February of 1960, I spent 9 days traveling in one of these amazing coaches ..   from San Francisco to Philadelphia ..  .. traveled solo -- with a whopping 20 bux for the round trip ! ( a burger - fries and coke in 1960 was 75 cents!) ,, used 10 bux going east .. and had 10 for the return the following year .,, in July .. Philly to SF .. another 9 days .. what an amazing experience for 14-15 year old .. see the USA and leave the driving to us .. rode thousands of miles on these old time machines! 

Chad and Rupen are great videographers  and have lots of great videos on the "Scenicruising" Facebook page ... (and soon on Chad's YouTube channel)   .. all worth viewing!!

The sleek lines on this old dog are wonderful .. she  is a marvelous old gal .. the design was ground breaking .. and changed the laws to allow a 40 foot bus .. until the Scenicruiser .. busses could only be 35 feet - and mostly 2 axle .. the added 5 feet and extra tag/ bogey axle is unique to these - changed interstate laws to allow 40 foot vehicles ... but one rear axle only has 1 tire each side - so these have 8 tires  .. wonderful machines .. the air ride was sooo smooth .. like flying really - this represents a different time of travel for sure!! The bus was a way of life for us in the 50's and 60's !

This wonderful '1950's Music themed Bus' is phase one of my master plan to film a reminiscing drive ...  up the California coast .. from Sandy Eggo to Nor-Cal .. and then down the Central valley  - possibly to  Death Valley .. then on to Arizona  - see Paul Bunyan's big ditch - hopefully swing by Phoenix and see family .. would love to go thru Tucson Saguaro Monument and environs .. and then scat right back to the shack .. :D  

The idea is a grand bucket list trip to re-live favorite spots of my youth in California and Arizona  .. whilst I have the time,  and can still dip a toe in the Pacific !!  .. YOLO baby !?! lol 

Tentative planning is for the springtime .. before brutal summer heat!  

Possibly looking at some other busses as well ... they are remarkably inexpensive .. (the bus was less than my 5 year old hybrid lol ) checking into some that might be more appropriate for long travel - more RV like inside .. but busses and nomadic travel are a wonderful and exciting world that I am having a blast exploring and revisiting .. amazed to find how many folks live full time in bus conversions .. a lot of folks that work from home have found that home can be anywhere !!!  lol  

well ...  now I have my ticket .. oh!!  I see my bus has just arrived -- gotta go!!! .. talk to y'all soon!  

 * * *

We Voted! by R Cane

We Voted!!

Me and Mum got our ballots marked and mailed.

As Centenarian, Mrs B has voted in many elections and for many candidates. Her achievement is a milestone along the pathways and history of our country.

She recalled the time when she drove Grandfather Abbott to the Drive Thru Voting site to vote when he was 101.

She figures she has a few more rounds of voting to do to match his record.

We all need to remember that:

Voting Is The American Way!

So,

Get Out There and VOTE!

MrsB 100 years old VOTING

When what you don't know.... by KimB

I get lots of interesting things at the Food Pantry. Loads of stuff I don't know what to do with or how to cook it. It's a culinary adventure-land!

Every week, it's a Door Number 3 SURPRISE! when you get home and have time to look at what's in the bag for the week. Often times it's a wonderful "WOW! YUM!" and other times is a "WTF do I do with THIS?".

In a recent grocery bag I found a large selection of Yellow Bell Peppers, about 3 lbs of bell peppers. Nice bright yellow ones, not too big, maybe a bit small for Stuffed Peppers but good for everything from salads, to rice, to meat casaroles and a bright note for sandwiches. WOW!

There were quite a lot of them, probably more than 20 in the bag. So I decided I'd make Roasted Bell Peppers, which would have great flavor and I can freeze some of it for later uses.

Sounds a Good Plan!

I decided to cut them up into sections. My personal technique is to look at the bottom of the pepper and were it pinches inwards is where the white membrane is located. So I cut off the section omitting the membrane. I get 3 or 4 wedges of good pepper and less hassle with seeds and the core.

These peppers didn't have much white membrane, actually they had nearly none, although they did have unusal black seeds. Normally black seeds make occasional appearance in bell peppers but all of these had black seeds. They looked like small bright yellow apples in shape. Interesting. Maybe a new type of Bell Pepper?

So I'm merrily slicing bell peppers and get a whole gallon size freezer bag of glorious yellow bells pieces. I drizzled olive oil and lemon pepper and some oregano into the bag, sealed the bag and gave it all a good tumble. WOW!

I toss them onto the hot BBQ grill and Let The Sizzle Begin!

I went about some other tasks while the peppers were grilling, one of which is to eat an English Muffin with my latest fruit sauce: Chunky Plum. Tastes great but... it's a bit spicy...

How can plums with sugar taste spicy?

I sniff my hands and they smell of bell peppers and I notice a tiny burning sensation on my lips..

Hmmm...

Maybe it's something about those unusual bell peppers? Maybe they are some kind of spicier bells? They look like over sized habanero peppers but habaneros have thin skins and these have thick skins.

So I hit the web to find out...

Habaneros... Indeed...

They are called Rocoto Peppers (Capsicum pubescens ¹ ) and come from South America. In Mexico they are called "apple peppers". Very popular and very spicy.

How Spicy Are They?

Scoville Heat Units
Tabasco Pepper	50,000
Thai chili pepper (aka Bird's eye chili)	100,000
Habanero & Scotch Bonnet	350,000
Rocoto Peppers	50,000 to 250,000

I have a gallon freezer bag of them...

Rocoto Pepper
Capsicum pubescens

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsicum_pubescens

The Recipe Box: Basil Rice Pilaf

Basil Rice Pilaf

From the recipe box of KimB

Going to the Food Pantry is an adventure. It's like Forrest Gump's Box of Chocolates: you never know what's going to be in the bag or on offer. Other than standing in line, sometimes for hours, being with hundreds of other people who cannot make their meager pensions last through the month, can be an enjoyable experience or at least an insightful one.

The folks running the Food Pantry are all very nice. They are as helpful as they can be. Most of these folks are volunteers and they know how hard the cost of living increases is making it for everyone, including themselves.

Since all the food is given by donation, the variety changes with each Pantry Day. While they do their best to give out the "Standard American Diet 3 Food Groups: Sugar, Salt and Fat", there are often things available that require a bit more ingenuity to turn into a tasty meal.

I have to use a lot of "ingenuity" these days.

This particular ingenuity dish is very nice. Has lots of uses and can go with many different menus. It can be altered a lot of ways. If you don't like basil, use cilantro or parsley or whatever is in the weekly bag.

Ingredients: Basil Rice Pilaf

Use a Rice Pilaf Mix (aka Rice a Roni) or Make Your Own.

To Make Your Own Pilaf Mix:

• 1 Cup of rice of your choice: jasmine, long grain etc.
• 1/4 Cup of short vermicelli pieces, often sold for soups.

1 tsp of dried onion.
1 tsp of granulated garlic.
1/2 tsp of salt.
2 1/2 Cups of hot water.
2 or 3 Large sprigs of fresh basil, on the stem.
Olive Oil

Preparation:

1. Use a small amount of Olive Oil in a skillet that has a cover. Saute the rice and vermicelli until the vermicelli gets a bit brown.
2. Add the dried onion, dried garlic and salt.
3. Slowly add the 2 1/2 Cups of hot water keeping the liquid at a simmer. Adjust for taste.
4. Place the large sprigs of basil on top and cover.
5. Cook for 15 minutes on the burner at a simmer and 5 minutes off the burner.
6. Once the rice is done, remove the large sprigs of basil. Some of the leaves will remain in the dish.

Serve hot or cold or as a picnic salad with diced tomatoes and a mild vinaigrette.

note: If using canned tomato pieces, drain well. Save the juice for vegetable stock or use it in the vinaigrette.

Basil Rice Pilaf