Milk was the last thing I put in my fridge. I’m not having cookies… but I did nom up some PB cups earlier. Yum! I took out the milk to splash in my tea and then put it back. Black tea with orange spice is my tea of choice at the mo, and I do drink it at night, though I’ll switch to herbal for my last cup of the day, around 10pm. Caffeine does not affect my sleep. In general, I don’t have insomnia ~ but it can take me a while to wind down. Other times, I’m completely sleepy by 11pm. And I will get up early even when I go to bed late. Usually, I’ll sleep solidly once I’m out unless Gatsby starts howling like a maniac. 🐈⬛
Not everyone puts milk in tea. I didn’t use to, but then in my 20s plain tea began to make me queasy, especially on an empty tummy. So does coffee. Easy fix: add milk! But there are a lot of choices. I tried to like non-dairy milk, but I failed. (At work, I have Coffee Mate.) In tea, nonfat milk tastes best, but in coffee I like whole milk or even half & half. However, the fattier milks in tea are gross. I compromise with 2%, since I’m not buying 2 different kinds of milk for one person. Two percent is also best on the rare occasions I eat cold cereal.
Trick or treaters, stay far away, From that house with the fogged glass door; Candy’s not what they have in store. If you walk upon their path, I fear you may not come back.
I found these fun questions at Melanie’s, who got them from Brian.
1. What are your thoughts on green pea soup?
It’s tasty and filling on a cold day. I prefer a veggie version sans ham. If this is about The Exorcist, I haven’t seen it, thankfully.
2. Would you rather be Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy or Sarah Jessica Parker?
Bette Midler. She’s cute and sassy and I love her voice! 🎶
3. Do you carve pumpkins or do you consider it to be a violation of their civil rights?
Heh, neither. Too much work. 🎃
4. Have you ever screamed whilst watching a horror movie? (Legitimate screaming, not mere gasping or knocking over your wine glass.)
I don’t think so.
5. Who was the actual killer in the original “Friday the 13th” movie?
I don’t know… Saturday the 14th?
6. As a young child and presumed trick-or-treater, did you carefully plan the streets and houses you would conquer, or did you rush up to each one you could find, full of great expectations, thus setting you up for a lifetime of disappointment?
Lol, the latter. But mostly I cared about my costume and having fun, not candy, which I could get anytime.
7. As an adult and presumed non-trick-or-treater (not judging if you still do), have you ever turned off your porch light on Halloween night because you just weren’t in the mood and/or somehow forgot it was Halloween despite the candy displays that have been in every grocery store since Labor Day?
Yep, not out of forgetfulness, but because I didn’t want to answer the door while alone.
8. If dared, would you stand in front of a mirror and repeat “Candyman” five times?
Sure. Maybe… 😱
9. Do you remember the time when you could safely eat anything in your collected stash of treasures without fear or worry?
Vaguely.
10. Do you remember the time when those treasures might be popcorn balls or candied apples because grownups made an effort to do it up right for the children of the neighborhood? And we would say thank you, ma’am, and really mean it?
I don’t remember getting homemade goodies, only wrapped candy or pencils or stickers.
11. Do you believe in ghosts? Spirits? Lingering traces of what once was?
Only in people’s minds.
12. Have you ever read “Something Wicked This Way Comes?” (Because Ray Bradbury is a master, and you should.)
No.
13. If you were raised in a country or culture that doesn’t observe Halloween, do you have a similar holiday or time of year? We all have shared experiences, but they often go by other names…
I was born and raised in the USA ~ NY, NJ, and Illinois. VOTE BLUE! 💙
14. Did you (or your parents) make your own costumes as a child, or were they store-bought?
Some of each, mostly bought. I tried making my own “gypsy” costume one year when I was 12 and a grown man said I looked like a hooker. 😬
15. What are your thoughts on school systems and communities having “Fall Festivals” instead of “Halloween Parties”?
I don’t care.
16. Did you ever read a scary book, in your bed and under the covers, with a flashlight?
Not exactly, but I’ve read Stephen King when alone and that was scary!
17. Who is your favorite horror author, if you read such? If you don’t, why are you still taking this quiz? Just kidding. Sort of. (Alternative question: What author best reminds you that life is far too short to read anything that isn’t worth your time?)
Stephen King, naturally. 🖤
18. What horror movie series starred a young Johnny Depp in the first installment?
Idk, but he was awesome in Dark Shadows.
19. Would you rather walk through a remote cornfield in the middle of the night, talk to a clown that you discover in a sewer grate, be the winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, live in the last house on the left, sign the guest register at a questionable motel that features a taxidermy theme, or use an ATM in the bad part of town at 3AM?
Uhhh… the house on the left?
20. If you were to write a horror story about your own life, would you change the names of the people who did you wrong?
Already have… 😈
21. If you were offered the chance at everlasting life, albeit with some not-so-good side effects like having to suck the lifeblood out of innocent people who happened to be in the Ikea parking lot at just the wrong time, would you do it?
Nah, too boring to live forever, though this year feels like an eternity…
22. Of all the people who have passed before us, known or unknown, who would you most like to see sitting across from you at a table in a tapas restaurant in southern Spain, with that golden sun making everything surreal yet perfect, and you can just talk and talk and talk? Because I shouldn’t end this thing with real horror, but with love, and remembrance, and hope, and peace, and the imagination of little Dolly Partons in green-velvet mini-skirts who clutched a bag of treasures and briefly thought that everything was right as rain…
I’m not a huge fan of candy miniatures (see what I did there?). Let’s get that out of the way upfront. Take Snickers (ack, not mine!)… the regular size bar has a perfect proportion of peanut/caramel/nougat goodness to the milk chocolate coating. When you smallify it, the ratios get goofed up. It’s mostly choccy at that point, amirite? I know some people will be like… don’t see the problem. But I like the original ratios…
Same goes for any candy bar that has yummy stuff in the middle. EXCEPT PEANUT BUTTER CUPS WHICH ARE DELICIOUS ANY SIZE!!! Hey, quit yelling. Oh right, that was me. 🤣🤪
I actually love the holiday PB creations, such as pumpkins, trees, and eggs. Are there other ones? They rock. So do regular PB cups and all the variations thereof. Anyway, back to the main point… ah, the heck with it… need to nom on some pb cups now! 😋
When was the last time you tried something new? How did that go for you? -Generally, I avoid new things like the pl… you know. But recently I have tried kefir in a couple flavors and it’s delicious! 🤩
What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say? -“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” (Maya Angelou) 👍🏻
How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? -80… I’m cranky, achy, set in my ways, and want to eat dinner early! 🤣
Lastly, I’ll be doing one “Halloween” themed question per week during October. Those who don’t observe the holiday are welcome to answer or to ignore it as they wish.
Fun CREEPY Halloween Question:
Have you ever seen a ‘fresh’ corpse (aka dead body)? -Yes, my mother. 😢💔
GRATITUDE SECTION (always optional)
Do you enjoy any seasonal traditions around this time of year? -The girls and I have a “tradition” of eating pumpkin pancakes 🥞 in the fall, which is nice. Not sure I will this year if I have to make them myself. Being efficient, I already ate a bag of Brach’s pumpkin candy, which I usually do in October. Still need some Reese’s PB pumpkins though. I guess this is all about sugary food for me! 🎃😋
Dr. Tanya continues her #5Things prompt series with fall favorites. Here are mine…
1. A break from oppressive heat. While I love summer days, by October I’m ready for cooler nights. Since I’m in Southern California, we’re not talking freezing temps (usually), just a civilized dip into the 50s or so.
2. The opportunity to wear boots!
3. Going north for Thanksgiving to visit my eldest and her hubby. Yay!
4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkin candy. (These are peanut butter/chocolate cups in a pumpkin shape, which are even more delicious than regular ones because of the ratio or some other magic.)
I try not to be constantly enraged, but it’s hard. I get so frustratedwhen things don’t work properly or when companies give crappy or nonexistent service. While I like to think of myself as calm and logical, the truth is I am very prone to anger. This is something I struggle with because I don’t want my peace of mind to be controlled by the tyranny of the marketplace. Yet, being high-strung is part of my nature and helps my creativity flow…
I’m never in a great mood, though I can have great times with family or friends. Yet, I’m always aware of pain… there’s not one second when something doesn’t hurt. I wish I could be oblivious to this, but I’m not, and maybe that’s why it takes so little to wreck my day. Except I’ve always been this way! Although I can barely remember a time when I wasn’t plagued by pain, I do know that even as a teenager I was on edge, easily triggered into anger or tears, same as now. I feel so much, including what people I care about are feeling…
But I’m also silly and funny/fun. It takes so little to make me happy. A cat being cute. A yummy cookie. A witty play on words. A riveting suspense film or book. Pictures of my grandkids… 🤩💖 I like that I have low expectations and don’t need huge thrills or expensive events to decide that life is worthwhile. I mean, I can be completely pissed off about some irritating glitch, but if I get to have a Snickers bar,everything is fantastic..
I would say I’m on the aloofside of the introvert/extrovert chart, though this is hard to classify. I’m fine around people, chatty and not awkward (usually), but I have my limits. After X amount of time, I am DONE and need to be alone to recharge. I’m okay being alone for vast amounts of time too… though I will get sad if I go too long without seeing my daughters. Before Covid-19, I had to make sure not to over-schedule social occasions, since that’s super draining emotionally for me. Even now, it’s hard for me to deal with all these Zoom mixers people want to do. Excessive audio stimulation makes me nuts. Needless to say, I’m not listening to the convention…
I’ll admit to not feeling much inclined to help strangers or be generous with my resources including time. I learned the hard way that most people who demand things from me without offering anything in return are never grateful but will just ask for more. I am not a trusting person, though I admire and respect those who are and who do act selflessly…
I hope you enjoyed these fascinating shadowy explorationsof my dark and twisted soul.
Yay, it’s double coupon day! Both Melanie (Sparks) and Di (pensitivity101) have won a Sunshine Award and offered questions to everyone. Congrats, ladies! 💐
1. If you were on Death Row, and they actually wanted to execute you, what would your last meal consist of?
Macaroni & cheese! And peanut butter cups for dessert. Yeah, I’m a cheap death.
2. In the summer, would you rather sleep with the window open or blast the AC?
Window open probably (unless noisy), plus fans.
3. How old were you when you had your first celebrity crush, and who was it?
Roger Moore… and I was like 10. Eek!
4. Would you rather cook or order in?
That depends. When I’m alone (which is always now), I nuke a Lean Cuisine and supplement with fruit. If I were with someone who might appreciate my cooking and not criticize, it could be fun to cook. If I were with a group of friends, probably I’d order in, so everyone could choose what they wanted.
5. Do you sleep with a top sheet? Why or why not?
No, they’re annoying.
6. Is there any product you simply cannot live without?
Besides my phone? Yes, black tea, hot and iced. Hot showers and decent towels too.
7.What’s your favorite morning beverage?
Usually iced tea and then a hot coffee. Later more tea, hot or cold, depending…
8. Are you more of a “work to live” or a “live to work” type of person?
I enjoy my work, but if I won the lottery I would retire!
9. What annoys you most?
People. Sometimes cats. Mostly people.
10. Have you ever had “imposter syndrome”? (Essentially, imposter syndrome is the faulty feeling of not measuring up, or that you don’t really deserve a compliment or accomplishment.)
No, since I hardly get any compliments or accomplish anything. 🤣
11. What line should someone never cross with you?
Do not criticize my children or hurt them in any way ever.
1. What is your favourite name for a dog (male or female)?
Cupcake.
2. What is your favourite food?
Pasta with seafood or just mac & cheese.
3. Do you like watching movies on the Big Screen or content to wait for the DVD to come out?
I do like movies at the cinema on the big screen. That can get spendy though, so I mostly wait. Now, of course, I have no desire to sit in a room full of strangers.
4. What is your favourite alcoholic tipple?
A margarita on the rocks with salt.
5. Do you like to wear bright colours?
Absolutely!
6. Have you ever worn odd socks on purpose?
All my socks are odd! Oh, you mean mismatched ~ nope.
7. Back to movies: would you read the book after seeing the film or watch a film after reading the book?
Book first, then movie, is my preference. The book is generally deeper, so I like to have those themes in mind while watching the screen as it makes the movie more interesting.
8. Is your idea of a holiday lazing on the beach getting a tan, or sightseeing the surrounding area?
Mostly sightseeing but relaxation time too. Not getting a tan though…
9. One for the ladies:
if your spouse bought you flowers for no reason, would you be suspicious?
For the guys:
If your spouse cooked you a special meal for no reason, how would you react?
I don’t know. My last spouse, yes. An ideal spouse who doesn’t exist, no.
10. Can you ride a pushbike, and if so, when was the last time you did?
Yes, but I probably haven’t ridden a bike in over 10 years.
11. In your home, do you prefer blinds or drapes (curtains) at your windows?
I prefer shutters, which is what I have. I’d take blinds over drapes however, since drapes get dusty and dirty so quickly.
This is a continuation of the #5Things series from Dr. Tanya…
Probably my favorite summer dessert is mango 🥭 sorbet from Trader Joe’s. Note that it is gluten free. 🙄 (Pic purloined from Pinterest.)
Next up is cherry pie, which honestly can be nommed at anytime, but I think of it as a summer dessert. (Pinterest pic.)
Starbucks’ iced mocha frappuccino with whipped cream is one of my sweet summer indulgences. (My own photo.)
Frozen lemonade is something delicious I associate with summer, but the caveat is it only tastes yummy at a fair. I don’t want it at home ~ I want to overpay for it while wandering around the games and rides. (Pic from Amazon.)
Finally, vanilla frozen yogurt with peanut butter cup pieces is one of my top faves. I’ve tried a bunch, and Golden Spoon is the best. I failed to find the exact photo I need, so I’m using this Yelp one, but it shows PB froyo, which I wouldn’t get. VANILLA with PB cup pieces is the way to go. It appears I will have to visit Golden Spoon myself, order the proper dessert, and take a pic. Gosh, what a burden…
