I've lost my chops

Not my choppers.  Not my pork chops.  I'm talking about my baking chops.

Oh.  I can already hear those of you who know me well saying "what baking chops?"

It's very true and if you've been around for a while, you already know I'm not a fan of the kitchen - except to walk through it to get to the rest of the house.

But let's get real here, folks.  Anyone can cook/bake.  Am I right? It's not rocket science.  Doing it well is a whole different ball game. And liking to do it is not nor has it ever been on my radar.  

Having said all that I decided to bake some chocolate chips cookies for a thing we're going to tomorrow.

I can not honestly tell you how long it's been since I last baked anything, let alone chocolate chip cookies.

I got rattled right away because I wanted to spruce them up with some chopped almonds.  I actually have a little chopper - I think it was a Pampered Chef tool.

Didn't work so well.  Not the tool's fault - all mine.  I got impatient and it hurt my hand.

Back to basics.  Then I realized I don't really have one of those deep bowls that are much better to use with an electric mixer than one of my several pottery bowls.

Had to search around, switch bowls and then put the mixer away and put some elbow grease to the batter and that was pretty much it.

Did not enjoy it AT ALL.  Won't be doing that again for a very long time but, ya'll know me, it's probably going to be never.  I'm ok with the store-bought stuff.

Fair 2017 Observations

It was another great year working the front gate at the Allegan County Fair.

This year was extra great for a few reasons: 1) the weather was outstanding!  A tiny bit of rain (not enough to keep anyone away) in the middle of the week but otherwise - all 9 days were pleasant as all get-out. 2) no computer problems.  Not one. Compared to last year (every frigging day - several times a day which caused all the gate "keepers" high anxiety), it was a walk in the park. 3) Our tech support people - Kim and Misha - were ever-present and so, so helpful. And last but not least 4) no buttheads came through my gate.

I will confess to taking an attitude adjustment break about an hour and a half before my last shift ended because . . . . it was my last shift.  I was tired, my feet and back hurt and my usual smart-ass good humor was waning. 

I observed something interesting on "Senior Day."  The majority of people that came through my gate on this day knew how much $$$ they had to hand me and had it ready - in the right amount.  Didn't need change.  What does that tell you?

"Veterans Day" was and always has been my favorite day.  I loved looking into the eyes of the young and older, the men and the women and telling them I appreciated their service.

So, one corn dog and 2 Gibby's fries later I'm back to my daily routine.  

Pride in property

Peter and I moved to Allegan 39 years ago.  We bought a house that had been vacant for 5 years and hadn't had a thing done to it for many years prior.

We worked like little doggies to spruce the joint up.  Scraped and painted the outside and started stripping wallpaper off the inside.  It didn't cost a fortune for the transformation - just a lot of elbow grease and a fair amount of swearing.

This memory brings me to the topic of this particular blog.

I was chatting with a friend this morning - a life long Alleganite who loves this town like I do.  A person who takes pride in her home, business and surroundings.

We share a sadness for un-cared-for properties.

We started naming off houses around town that had once been beautiful and now look very, very unloved.

Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled to see the opposite happen as well. It's been great watching some wonderful transformations happen around town.  Empty houses and old businesses getting a new life brings a smile to my face as I drive/walk around town.

The frowny face happens when I walk/drive past a house that I remember from my youth or simply 20 years ago that had been a beauty and now looks like a neglected soul.

Where does the responsibility lie (I have issues with the lie/lay thing so ignore it if I'm wrong)?  Well, the home owner is responsible, of course.

Am I asking the new owners to start popping thousands upon thousands of dollars to breath new life into a structure right away? No.  But do something!  

Am I asking the landlords to step up?  HELL, YES!!!

We have hundreds of rental properties in this small town and many, many, many of them look horrid.

Those are the people I want to take responsibility.

I think I'm done.