Choosing Your Costume

I know that many folks do not observe Halloween anymore or never did. We always used to do so, but our costumes were usually something funny. Not scary. And, we loved visiting all of the neighboring farmers who gave us fruit, candy, and sometimes even quarters or silver dollars. Yes, some years it was all about the candy. But, some years, it was just fun to visit with folks we liked.

When we lived in Easton, IL, there was always a Halloween parade where the sports teams would pile into the back of a truck, cheerleaders would carry their pom pons, some businesses would advertise, and the children would parade around in their costumes. Some were elaborate. This was for a parade in front of the entire town, mind you. So, time and energy were spent in first picking an idea and then constructing it. I distinctly remember one year when my best friend, Kristine, went as a bear. All day, I didn't know it was her! She was all covered up. Fur, ears, whiskers, everything....

So, I found some old photos while continuing to sort through my basement which brought back some memories of this occasion. And, if any readers were struggling with the idea of what to be for Halloween, I thought I could provide some ideas.
Let's see... I spy a witch, a ghost, a clown and a..... uh... er.... HUH??? What is that yellow blob??? That pantless, tights-and-yarn-bow-in-long-braids-and-too-much-rouge-wearin' yellow blob??? It borders on indecent.

I was young. So, please don't blame me. I have no idea how long it took for mom to think up this creation while Kristine's mom was sewing and sewing on that furry bear costume. We still laugh about this. The sad part is that MANY of Aaron's and my earliest costumes fall right into this same category: indescribable.

But, I think Phyllis' message would be the same today: If you're wondering what costume to wear, don't let the conventional standards box you in. Break out. Be free! And, if you want to be a yellow blob (or you want to inflict that on your children,) go ahead. Don't let a little thing like being identifiable stand in your way. Consider running into your room - blindfolded - while grabbing at random clothing. Do the same in your makeup stash. That evening, when you approach the door for candy and the standard question of "what are you?" is uttered with true curiosity by your concerned neighbors, don't feel burdened by the pressure of needing to have an answer - or an answer that makes sense. Just go for it, and don't hold back.

I would have loved to have known what my teacher was thinking when she saw me that day. Walking gumball? Pumpkini Longstocking?

Ahoy, Maties!

It's that time once again...International Talk Like A Pirate Day! You may remember that we celebrated last year... both in the office and with friends.

This year, I asked my co-workers to come up with a pirate name - most of which are being displayed proudly on our doors and outside our cubicles today. Then, I hid some treasure in the office. And, I circulated a quiz which should lead the salty dogs to the booty. With just a few minutes of internet research, you should be able to determine the final clue which will lead you to the treasure. Virtual foil covered chocolate dubloons to anyone who figures out where I hid the gold.

(The blanks indicate how many letters are in each word of the answer. The corresponding numbers indicate the position of that particular letter in the final clue at the bottom.)

1. When people see me flying atop a boat, they know my men are pirates. Arrrrrgh!
__ __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __
(Next to last blank = 8, last blank = 14)

2. I hear people say Captain Morgan is a popular fellow, but what is my first name?
__ __ __ __ __
(First blank = 2, Fourth blank = 6)

3. You may know me by my nickname ‘Black Bart.’
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(Fourth blank = 9, Ninth blank = 11)
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
(Third blank = 12, Seventh blank = 1)

4. After serving as Captain of the ship ‘Adventure Galley’, I was tried in a controversial case within English Parliament and sentenced to hanging.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
(Second blank = 10, Seventh blank = 7)
__ __ __ __
(Second blank = 3)

5. I was called the ‘Gentleman Pirate’, and I was one of the few that actually made my prisoners walk the plank.
__ __ __ __ __
(First blank = 15)
__ __ __ __ __ __
(Fifth blank = 5)

6. Known for my intense cruelty and lack of respect for the pirate code, I sailed the ship ‘Ranger’ and was hung at Gallows Point.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
(Sixth blank = 13)
__ __ __ __
(First blank = 4)

CLUE TO LEAD YOU TO THE TREASURE:
You will find me booty where I would...
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15!

One Year Ago

It was one year ago this weekend that Mom, Dad, Brother Chris and I went to the Illinois Sacred Harp State Convention. It was my first shape note experience (outside of singing with my family), and we've been attending regularly ever since! So, Brother Chris, Sister Lydia and I returned to the convention this past weekend. I marked some new songs which I heard (or remembered) for the first time, and we sang some goodies that I love to hear time and time again. When it becomes my turn to lead, I always have a hard time knowing what song to call. I think it doesn't help that I have TOO MANY songs marked.

At lunch, we especially enjoyed meeting up with our friends, the Eldridge Family, from southern Indiana. Here are Lydia, Rebecca and Katherine, and below are Brother Chris, Mr. Eldridge, and James. (I regret that we did not catch up to Mrs. Eldridge for a photo.) We love that family and can't wait to see them once again. Hopefully, soon.
I was able to have a good visit with Mr. Graber and Mrs. Kujawinski. Both made me feel right at home and showed me the ropes last year, so I'm extremely grateful for their friendship!

There were about 60 of us gathered in Taylorville on Saturday. Many of us were fighting colds, and my voice was pretty hoarse. But I still sang praises with all of my might and was disappointed when we had to depart to head home. But, I'm anxious to attend our regular Monday night singing in St. Louis this evening. Maybe, just maybe I'll be able to narrow down some hymn choices and make a decision before the singing starts.

My Autumn Apetite

It seems autumn is right around the corner - or upon us. (It has dipped into the 40s a couple of times here in Illinois. But, it's still up in the 80s most days.)

And, with the arrival of fall comes many memories. Most of those memories surround food. Food which is delicious. Food which reminds me of family and friends and football games and marching band competitions and fall festivals. Spiced apple cider. Funnel cakes. Corn dogs. Hot chocolate. Caramel apples. Pumpkin bread. Fried onion rings. Caramel kettle corn. In other words, Food = sugar and carbs = not good for me. Especially not now. (I think I made a post exactly like this last fall. Oh well!)

But, I will sit and daydream about those delicious treats - while gnawing on my ever-so-appetizing strips of green pepper, slices of cucumber, bowl of leafy greens and my-package-makes-your-hopes-too-high-by-stating-I'm-honey-roasted turkey slices. Daydreaming about all of the food that is ready to come out from hiding and devising a fool-proof way to avoid their taunts and claims of "I won't hurt you!" during the upcoming Spoon River Drive trip. It's the Spoon River Drive that always gets me into trouble! So, I must become prepared to be prepared even now - a month away.

Even though I can't partake, I thought you might want to enjoy some fun caramel corn if you don't have a Spoon River Drive-ish festival around you. Microwave Caramel Corn, in fact. It's great to make with kids, but you have to supervise because nothing screams trouble like piping hot caramel! (That is unless someone actually has the piping hot caramel on his/her skin!) The hardest part for me always is finding the necessary paper bag, so that's your homework assignment. If you like it, let me know. Oh! And, you might want to think ahead to pick a song with a good beat. Each time you read "shake thoroughly" in the recipe, it's a great time for a dance break. Enjoy!

Microwave Caramel Corn
6 qts. popped corn (the conventional kind or even microwave style)
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine
1/4 c light syrup
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t vanilla

Mix sugar, butter and syrup in a bowl. Microwave on high for 4 minutes (stirring at 2 min and 4 min marks.) Add vanilla and soda. Stir well. Dump popped popcorn into a large paper bag. Pour syrup mixture over corn in the paper bag. Roll down the top of the bag a couple of times leaving room for the popcorn to move around. Microwave 1 and 1/2 minutes. Shake thoroughly. (Boogie time!) Microwave additional 1 and 1/2 minutes. Shake thoroughly. Microwave 45 seconds. Shake thoroughly. Microwave 30 seconds. Shake thoroughly one last time. Pour popcorn into a bowl and eat and eat and eat! Make another batch, play around with the ingredients, and eat even more!

Surely, These Were Expensive To Create

So, why no proofreading? Or, why not take the time to ask the grammar geeks, punctuation pros, or spelling sticklers in the office?
I just don't understand.