Seatbelts

 I'm almost 72 years old and I can easily remember when they started making cars with seatbelts.

Many of us didn't wear them, did we.  We didn't like them . . . so we didn't wear them.

Our kids sat (sometimes stood) in the back seat unrestrained.  We didn't give it a thought.

Then the car manufacturers put in those dang bells and whistles to remind us to buckle up.  

We hated those even more.  A lot of us connected the buckles but behind our backs (or figured out a way to stop the "dinging")  because we didn't want the belts to wrinkle our clothes.  

And then?  They made a law!!!  The nerve!!!

What was behind all this stuff?  

Our safety.

Really?  The laws were put in place to protect us and our children?

hmmmm

Fast forward to "distracted driving."  

I love my cell phone.  Can't picture life without it.  It's too late to go backwards, they're here to stay.  Until, I guess, we get something implanted in our skulls that will replace them.  Yikes!

But we've all been behind someone texting/talking on their phone, haven't we.  We want to pick up our phones and call the cops, don't we.

Now there's a law - in most states. No texting while driving, etc.

Yup.  Another law to protect us and others on the road.

See where I'm going with this?

Do I want a law requiring everyone to wear a mask?  Should it be a state or federal law?  Do I really want that to happen?

If it does, I'm ok with it but I'd prefer if people would just go about their lives thinking unselfishly of others and their health and safety.

We see by the numbers that that hasn't happened so . . . . a new law?

If you're an anti-masker, don't bother replying.  My blood pressure can't take it.

A very different turkey day

 The bird is thawing in the fridge.

My killer cranberry relish is all set to go.

Crane's apple pie will hit the oven tomorrow morning.

All of that plus a few other items will be for just the two of us.

I remember back to our first Thanksgiving as a married couple.

We were living in a tiny apartment in Bethlehem, PA and would be celebrating the first big holiday with Peter's family.

Except they were all sick with the flu!!!  The least sick of them all, my sainted mother-in-law, made a quick meal of spaghetti and meat balls.  I was distraught but did a decent job of hiding my feelings.

We've had some great turkey days since then.  Most with family and several with very good friends.

This year?  Weird, eh?

I felt myself getting a bit judgey predicting how many people would be going against advice by dining with people who do not live in their homes - for safety. I even thought it would be interesting to drive around town tomorrow afternoon and see how many driveways were crowded with cars.

Then I took a step back and wondered if it would be different if we had family living close by.  Petey and I discussed it with brutal honesty.  

What if just one sister lived 12 miles away?

If my cousin up in Newaygo was there instead of at her winter home in Texas?

What would we do?
I really don't know.

So, as I reflect on family and friends and how much I miss them, we'll be Zooming our backsides off tomorrow and plan to just get through this holiday and gear up for the next one which will probably look the same.

Petey and I send out our best wishes to all who read this blog and remember - turkey makes you sleepy and gives you gas.

Just sayin'

Drill at The Red House

First and foremost - I used an electric hand drill yesterday!!! Maybe for many of you that's not a big deal but me?  Never touched one before.

The above leaded glass piece was commissioned by my mother-in-law, Stephanie Altamore, many years ago.  She had visited us in Allegan and we took her to Holland to see the tulips.  She was so impressed with the beauty and when she decided to have something made for our home, it was an easy leap to tulips.

Who knew all these years later it would be hanging in our new home in Holland.

It's hanging because while Petey was out playing golf with Randy yesterday I decided to tackle the installation.  

Removing the blind was a chore and I'll freely admit to spewing some colorful language.  With some deep breathing (thank you, Buddha) and a few well-deserved breaks, I got that stubborn thing out so I could get to work with the drill.

That went much smoother than I was anticipating and with more elbow grease the piece was hanging correctly and the blind went back up - not easily, though.

Petey was very happy.