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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

RAZOR SHARP

While working on my shed project, I went through a couple boxes recently and found my father's old razor collection.
Naturally, there was one I had never seen before, so I just had to research it. The straight razors were more familiar. Two honing stones, two straight razors and a rare old round razor have a new home in my collectible cabinet.

This is a Ladies Shermac Round Razor invented in 1930 and patented by Joseph J. Shermack of Detroit , Michigan in 1931. The handle is celluloid in a marbleized color. The head is round as you would expect and it holds the original blade. The underside of the razor is marked "SHERMAC round razor made in the USA". The box is similarly marked. The razor was manufactured by National Production Company, St. Jean Ave., Detroit, Michigan during the early 1930s.


Sunday, July 28, 2013

COOL CAKE

While cleaning out a box from the shed, I found many old papers which were trashed. One paper I kept because I knew it used to belonged to my mother. It was a recipe for the Robert Redford Cake. Sure looks good to me!


ROBERT REDFORD CAKE

Press into a 9x13 greased pan, bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

BOTTOM LAYER:
Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup soft margarine, 1 cup finely chopped pecans
MIDDLE LAYER:
1 - 8 oz pkg soft cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 1 - 8 oz tub cool whip
Beat sugar and cream cheese together, then fold in 1/2 of the cool whip and spread over COOLED bottom layer.
TOP LAYER:
1-6-3/4 oz vanilla instant pudding
1-6-3/4 oz chocolate instant pudding
1-6-3/4 oz butterscotch instant pudding
Add specified amount of cold milk to each flavor (make top layer by layering flavors separately)
FINAL LAYER:
Spread remaining cool whip over top and sprinkle grated Hershey candy bar over cool whip.

Sounds good. Anyone want to make one?

Saturday, July 27, 2013

IT'S MAGIC

I was out in the back yard the other day and saw nothing unusual. Then yesterday, while the yard man was mowing, he shouted that I had a few Magic Lilies in bloom.

WHAT? I didn't realize I had any out there. Sure enough, they sprung up quickly and will be gone as fast.

According to the encyclopedia, the leaves sprout and grow in the spring, then die back during June. Then in late July or early August the flowers appear. The flowers are white or pink and fragrant. The flowers spring dramatically from the ground in mid to late summer; it usually takes only four to five days from first emergence to full bloom.

SURPRISE SURPRISE. IT'S MAGIC!

Friday, July 26, 2013

BREAD AND WATER

Good and bad news. The good news is I will most likely live. The bad news is that for the next 10 days I will be living on bread, water, eggs, and cereal. My diet has been critically curtailed by my doctor.

Looking on the bright side, maybe I can lose a few pounds. This is not my favored life style, but when you have no choice, you HAVE NO CHOICE.

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he said I needed to have a procedure done. Ok, I don't like it, but what the hell, suck it up and just do it. Then last night I had terrible pains and called the doctor. So instead of waiting until the end of August, he has moved the hospital visit up to the first week of August. He saw a more immediate need and so did I.

Fortunately, bread, water, eggs and cereal are the only food items that DON'T give me a problem. So when the doctor's office call me this morning, I now have a new time and date for my hospital visit, and a 10 day diet that must sustain me.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these next ten days go by quickly, then the doctor can tell me why I had to eat bread and water for so long!

Monday, July 22, 2013

REMEMBERING MOTHER


CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE, Prince William and Kate, on the birth of their son today. THE ROYAL BABY HAS ARRIVED!

Monday, July 15, 2013

SHED PROJECT STARTED - FINALLY

Today was a beautiful sunny day and not too hot out. I was finally able to start my shed-cleaning project without the prospect of a rain storm to interrupt my work.

I sorted out five boxes so far. I emptied three and the other two are a lot lighter. I did find a few things of great interest to me. One - I found my grandmother's original certificate with raised seal from 1951 when she joined the DAR (Daughter's of the American Revolution). We have a relative who fought in the Revolutionary War named Thomas Rogers and it has been officially documented.

Two - I found my father's collection of antique razors from the early 1900s. I will have to research the name and style of each to ascertain the year of origin and value.

Three - My grandmother was a seamstress by trade and I found her old box of sewing notions and Singer sewing machine attachments. I have a friend who runs a sewing shop and I know these items will be put to good use. (I don't sew!)

There were many other items which I plan to keep, but too many to list now. At least the first stage of the project is finally started and I will continue this week to dig through boxes and find more treasures. The weather is supposed to be hot and sunny this week. The rain has given me a break!

Friday, July 12, 2013

RAIN RAIN RAIN

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day! I am so sick of rain everyday. I have a project to finish and I need some clear, warm, sunshiny days to get it finished. Unfortunately, all it does is rain every single day. It is not helping me!

After listening to the weather report tonight, I am encouraged that this weekend might be the start of a good shed clean-out. It is suppose to be nice Saturday and Sunday and I am certainly going to take advantage of the sun and dry weather to get started on cleaning out my storage shed. If I can just get the front half completed, I will feel better about this project.

The fair is next week and I plan to go only two times, Monday to get in free, and Tuesday to watch the demolition derby, see the sights and pick up some fair-food. If the sun shines for the end of next week, I will attempt to complete my cleaning, sorting, and throwing things away.

I have plans, goals and all I need is for the weather to cooperate. So rain - take a break and stay away for a while. My flowers are doing fine since being soaked daily this week. GIVE ME A BREAK!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

4TH OF JULY 2013


The rain came - the rain poured - the rain left, and the fireworks began at the Fayette County Fairgrounds at 10pm as scheduled. If you missed it, here are some scenes from the event:





Tuesday, July 2, 2013

JULY STARTS

I took a few days off from writing to concentrate on some household things. The hot tub was readied, heated and checked. Sunday was the trial run and all went well. I spent about an hour relaxing and enjoying some quite time. I'm sure I'll be spending more time in the tub as long as the rain storms stay away until late evening.

As soon as there is a full day without a chance of rain, I'll be starting my shed cleaning project. The weatherman was not too promising for this week, but I can wait until the weekend. I still have a little more work to do out in the garage.

I joined the Board of Directors of an organization in 1990 and we had a meeting tonight. I remember in the 90s being the Secretary of the Board. The organization has grown and two counties have merged and we now meet six times per year. Many Board members have come and gone, but myself and one other woman have been there for 20 years or more. Our Vice President recently resigned and I was just elected VP to replace him. I don't think I've missed six meetings in 20 some years. I've been very dedicated to the efforts and goals of this organization. Our Executive Director has a hard and diverse job and he is doing it with excellence. I am proud to be a member and to serve.

Like any long haired dog this time of year, my dog is shedding. I took her out to the back yard today and gave her a good brushing. She must feel several pounds lighter because my trashcan got full of excess hair. Luckily, she likes to be pampered.

So that's how my month of July started. I hope the weather cooperates so I can start my July project by this next weekend. Goals are important!