Posts Tagged With: September

September, Stew and Dog Stories

Posted on September 1, 2019 by emjayandthem

September is here ~ I’m delighted because it’s one of my favorite months!

I’m leaning in for:

A steady stream of sunny days
A significant drop in humidity (my hair approves!)
Stew simmering in the Crock pot
- This morning the kitchen smells of savory meat, root vegetables and pepper
  - No fall candle can top that!
The start of College Football
Windows open, A/C off
Sweater weather returns
- But we may need shorts & a hoodie in the same day!

Tracking Hurricane Dorian and scrolling through other news stories, this caught my attention:

When I was a girl, we ended up with a Pit Bull at our farm ~ one of Dad’s jockeys brought him to Canada from Louisiana, probably illegally. He was skinny and jumpy, tied up all day in the city. Brian brought him out in the spring when they broke horses and when he left, Butkus stayed. Filled out. Bulked up. He followed Dad everywhere ~ he snorted and drooled and intimidated everyone who pulled into the farm yard. But he was a big baby ~ a cuddle bear, he loved to play tug-o-war and lie on his back for belly scratches. The irony of his ruff & tuff exterior was that it was two “safe” dog breeds – an idiot neighbor’s Labrador & Dalmatian, who got to him. They fought, he lost; he crawled home where he died in my Dad’s arms. #therearenobaddogs

Now, I don’t want to end this post with you upset and sad, so I offer you this —

Ha Ha!

Any dog stories to share?
What do you love about September?
Are you craving stew now?

September, visits and Anthony Bourdain

Posted on September 16, 2018 by emjayandthem

September brings many changes, not the least of which is the arrival of Fall colors. But even more exciting, here in my neck of the woods, is the arrival of two important happenings: crystal clear blue skies and low(er) humidity. Ahh ~ bring on happy smiling skies, outside walks, Breck-girl hair and comfortable sleeps.

Every year I declare Fall as my favorite season: The colors, the smells, the tastes – yep – it’s my favorite. It’s the one season I missed more than any other when we lived down south. In Texas, the seasons were: hot, hotter, surface-of-the sun hot, and slightly less hot. I loved many things about living in Texas but always, always I longed for Fall.

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” [Indian Summer]” ― John Howard Bryant

Sometimes I sleep in on the weekends ~ I still wake early and usually I get up. But sometimes, like today, I do “tuck and roll” if only for a little while. I did so today, and with great delight, dreamed of Mom. I was back in her farm kitchen and she was teaching me how to make bread. I was an impatient teen, not paying as close of attention as I should have. She had something to teach me and I listened. But not well. When I awoke, the dream felt like a visit. And even though I don’t bake or eat bread now, perhaps the lesson was in the listening.

“No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.” ― Laurie Colwin

I’ve been catching up on past episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown.” ~Sigh. I’m late to his party. He was such a scamp, so much fun, with that wicked smile and sense of humour/adventure. If only he’d known it.

“I think preparing food and feeding people brings nourishment not only to our bodies but to our spirits. Feeding people is a way of loving them, in the same way that feeding ourselves is a way of honoring our own createdness and fragility.” ― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way

What season do you look forward to most?
Have you had any vivid ~~dreams~~ visits lately?
And are you on the Anthony Bourdain train?

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Faith, Family, Food, Growth, Humor, Joy, Life, Mom, News, Personal, Quotes, Seasons, Self Discovery, Thoughts, Travel | Tags: Anthony Bourdain, Autumn, Dreams, fall colors, farm kitchen, feeding people is away of loving them, impatient tean, Indian Summer, John Howard Bryant, Laurie Colwin, lessons in the listening, No one who cooks cooks alone. A cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, preparing food, seasons, September, sharing a meal together, Shauna Kiequist, sleeping, smells, tastes, visits | 9 Comments

R5F ~ September

Posted on September 5, 2014 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday! It’s Random! Here we go 🙂

1. Buttons. What is it with buttons now-a-days? Between Hubbs and youngest kid they break/pop/lose more buttons than anyone I’ve ever known. Between you and me? It’s the buttons. They’re cheaply made. They splinter and crack on a regular basis. Neither one has a big belly or wears their clothes tight … I blame it on the modern-day button. Mom kept a button jar – chock full of industrial strength buttons. Some looked like jewelry, others like they were from a uniform, but all were sturdy and long-lasting. I need a button jar like that!

Yes some of hers were this ornate! Google.images.com

2. Our office has become pet-friendly. A few employees have stopped by with their puppy or dog on a day off and before/after a vet visit. Dogs are good buffers ~ they can transform the quietest employee into the most popular one, just like that! I will be working in my office when the tone of the office changes and voices go from professional-normal to squeaky high pet lover. The same thing happened when an itsy-bitsy kitten visited. Grown men in suits were reduced to mere puddles. Pets are a great common denominator.

exactly!

3. Morning announcers say there’s only 111 days till Christmas. I know, I thought the same thing. Why rush my Fall? It’s my favorite!

It won’t be long before my back yard looks like this! An Emjayandthem (C) photo

4. Road Trips ~ I’m traveling next week so I won’t be blogging. I’m sure I’ll have stories to share .. there’s no end to observations and “ahas” when traveling. But in the meantime I’m thinking ahead ~~ what comfy shoes can I build an outfit around? All that airport walking means shoes first, cute & stylish second. Plus I always wear shoes that require socks .. no barefoot security jaunts for me – gross!

March on! google.images.com

5. And I can’t think of September without Earth, Wind and Fire! Groove on, peeps. 🙂

Was there a button box in your home? If pets visited your office what would happen? Do you wear socks for airport travel?

Categories: Animals, Attitude, Blogging, Faith, Family, Fun, Home, Joy, Life, music, News, Personal, Random, Travel, Uncategorized, Writing | Tags: Autumn, buttons, dogs, Earth Wind & Fire, fall colors, pet-friendly office, quotes, Random Five Friday, September, socks when flying | 19 Comments

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Posted on September 11, 2011 by emjayandthem

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA.
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watching
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
and thank God you had somebody to love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran

ButI know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love.
The greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

-Recorded by Alan Jackson