Telling the Truth

connecting the dots of my life

Category: Just for Fun

Video | March 28, 2017

Why I Love Lucy

I still crack up watching this 1950s episode–
Lucy at her creative, in your face, unrehearsed and unashamed best!
The secret ingredient, of course, is alcohol….
a side-splitting spoof on all the snake oil remedies being foisted on us.

Lucy Pacemaker is soooooo excited I’m posting this.
I hope she doesn’t have a heart attack!

Happy Tuesday!

♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 28 March 2013
With thanks to the hands that recorded, edited and uploaded this to YouTube.
Response to Daily Prompt: Elixir

14 Comments
March 10, 2017

Kinderdijk Favorites | Viking Cruise

It’s Friday and it’s snowing outside. Time for photos that catch my eye before we leave Kinderdijk. In no particular order, here they are, beginning with barge traffic. A reminder that these inland rivers are major highways. Not primarily for the tourist industry, but for transport of goods.

The distant tower isn’t an ancient lookout for detecting the enemy, but a water tower nicely disguised to blend in with the scenery. Up close on this side of the river  are wildflowers and an empty dock waiting for another cruise ship to arrive.

Below is a more colorful barge than most. That’s the city of Kinderdijk across the river from the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Note the two automobiles on the  back deck of the barge–transportation for barge personnel when docked.

Back to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here’s another set of photos with beautiful colors. The first two are, I think, rental cabins for vacationers. The third is a bench outside a snack bar near the windmills we visited.

Speaking of color, how about these? Don’t miss the little sparrow on the grass. A little sense of proportion there.


Here’s a rare big bird not usually captured in photos! That’s my pocket watch peeking out from my magenta shirt. Note the wires going from my sunshirt pocket to my left ear. It’s my audio tour guide, so I can hear about stuff no matter where the real live guide is standing. I’m probably giving the photographer last-minute instructions too late. The sun was blazing hot, even though the air was comfortably cool.

Time for ducks and other water lovers hanging around the canal.

This roof caught my eye, as did the blooming plants that follow. Ordinary beauty waiting to be noticed.



Hoping all you beauties have a spectacular weekend! It’s still snowing here. Definitely a spectacle after an unusually warm winter.

Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 10 March 2017
Photo credit: DAF, July 2016 in Kinderdijk

17 Comments
February 28, 2017

Kinderdijk | Viking Cruise

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What’s missing from this picture? Wind! Not a breath of it while we were there. Still, the windmills were spectacular.

We sailed all night from Amsterdam, and arrived midmorning at Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was constructed as an outdoor museum, with examples of old windmills. Though they aren’t now used to drain water from low-lying land, they are functional. Citizens apply to live in them, with or without children. It’s considered an honor, and requires daily attention to maintenance and to changing winds to keep super-heavy windmill blades in motion.

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Kinderdijk means “children’s dike.” According to legend, it’s all about a cat, a cradle, and a baby who survived a storm thanks to a dike and a cat’s faithful instincts! The site includes a system of 19 windmills and was built around 1740. This is the largest concentration of windmills in the Netherlands today.

It’s 1421. A humongous storm and flood have subsided. Only one polder in the area isn’t flooded. A polder is a piece of low-lying land reclaimed from the river or sea via pumping the water up, out beyond dikes.

A rescuer goes out, walking along the dike to see what might be salvaged. There floating on the water is a wooden cradle! As it gets closer, he sees a cat in the cradle jumping back and forth, keeping it afloat and dry. Then, when it’s closer to the dike, he sees a baby sleeping in the cradle. A survivor, thanks to kitty’s great balancing act!

This story is celebrated in a folktale, “The Cat and the Cradle.” The cradle below commemorates kitty and baby’s successful cruise.

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So how about a look at one windmill that allows us to get up close and personal?
Like most windmills on this site, it’s a grondzeiler, or  ‘ground sail windmill,’
so called because the sails almost touch the ground as they turn.

 First, a view from the outside, looking up.
Can’t help noticing how huge these things are
and how much human-power it takes to move the sails
when the wind changes direction.
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Now for the interior of this ‘house.’
Don’t touch anything! Keep moving single file,
keep your head down, and be sure your walky-talky is turned on!

First, the main room. This is it, for all practical purposes.
Tiny, cramped and functional,
with touches of charm here and there.

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 I was told the short ‘double’ bed is also the lavatory.
Chamber pot conveniently located at the foot of the bed.
Out of sight.
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On our way out, we pass by some of the internal workings,
and get a welcome glimpse out the back window.

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One more look up from the back of the windmill —

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And a quick look at what it takes to drain the polder today.

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Stay tuned for more!

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 28 February 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, July 2016, Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

14 Comments
February 14, 2017

Great Expectations Greeting Card

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When our son and daughter were growing up, I salted away every decent piece of artwork they produced in any moment of their young lives. For future enjoyment, of course!

So last night our very adult daughter, here for the week, pulled the above magnificent work of art from a box. It was the front of a greeting card, probably dating back to 1st or 2nd grade. Huge, bright and cheery — as you can see for yourself.

When she opened it, she discovered the following message inside.

Dear Mother,

On this, your special day, please forgive me for the times I forget to say, “I love you.”

Love,

Only we’re not there yet. Daughter didn’t write this card. All she did was print her name at the end, and put together the cheery flower on the front of the card.

Daughter’s teacher, most likely a mother herself, had kindly printed this message in clear grade-school letters. Then she thoughtfully mimeographed (Xeroxed for those who don’t remember) the text on a full sheet of paper. One for each child in the class. With space at the bottom for each child to print his or her name. And paste this contrite plea on the inside page of the card. Brilliant!

I laughed until my belly ached. This beats all. Nothing like forgiveness in advance, and a special Mother’s Day card designed to serve in perpetuity any day at any time, just when needed. Most convenient.

Think about it. It’s like absolution in advance for every time you __________ (fill in your own blank)!

Just for today, this is my favorite Mother’s Day/Valentine’s Day/Thanksgiving Day/Christmas/Birthday card for this year and forever.

Hoping you have a happy Valentine’s Day, full of heartwarming moments and memories.

Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 14 February 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Expectation

7 Comments
February 10, 2017

River Scenes | Viking Cruise

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There’s nothing so serene as gliding through calm water in the late afternoon and overnight into the early morning. Especially when you know you’re on time. D took the photo above when we got to the Amsterdam harbor on time in early afternoon. He took the two photos below as we left on time in late afternoon. Getting out of the harbor for a two-week cruise is one thing. Then there are more than 60 locks to navigate before completing the cruise. The Rhine, Main and Danube rivers aren’t very wide, and reservations for lock passage are set in concrete two years out. Be in line on time or be sorry! And no butting in.

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Serenity

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Rounding a corner; campground and village in the distance.

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Sunset, taken from the top deck.
Do you see the small campground in the third photo below?

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Early the next morning —
Notice the  water level and houses with the river dike between.
Also note the walking/biking path along the dike.
Imagine living below the river line
and looking up over the dike from an attic window or rooftop.

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Breakfast time!
Note the rising sun reflected in the river.

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Until we left Amsterdam, I can’t say I felt very serene. Just exhausted, hungry and in need of downtime for body, soul, mind and emotions. The cruise was a priceless gift. I’ve always been drawn to rivers, oceans, ponds, lakes, creeks and waterfalls. It felt like coming home, even though it wasn’t. Hoping you find some serenity this weekend.

To be continued….

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 10 February 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, July 2016

18 Comments
January 31, 2017

Scent of Hospitality

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I used to think hospitality meant planning a big splashy event. Dinner to prepare or goodies to bake and have ready to go. With, of course, the scent of baked goodies or aromatic spices hanging in the air.

The house had to be sparkling clean in every corner. And smell clean, too! As for the hostess—that would be me—she, too, had to look and smell spiffy.

It isn’t that I’m not into social niceties anymore. It’s just that I’m older. Less energy. Less time to waste on dusting every nook and cranny. Or making sure the kitty litter isn’t fouling up the air.

If you drop by today I’m happy to make do with whatever’s in the cupboard, plus tea or coffee or water. All pretty cheap props in return for lively conversation with friends, neighbors or even strangers.

But now I’ve gone and done it. Decided to have a teeny tiny children’s tea for our neighbors and their young twins. A little boy and a little girl. You’d think I was totally out of my league, given my consternation about what to do.

I keep telling myself all I need to do is have some graham crackers, grapes and something to drink handy. Relax, Elouise. This isn’t a big deal—even though it is.

Still, though I’m a bit anxious, I can’t wait! I think our young guests will quickly set the agenda.

If things lag, there are at least a dozen mysterious boxes in our living room. Small, decorative boxes. Different shapes and sizes. Full of cheap trinkets I’ve picked up here and there. The kind of things young children love to discover.

And children’s books! Scores of them are here and there, waiting to be picked up. Maybe even read out loud.

Besides, my lovely piano stands ready for anyone to play. And then there’s Smudge, our people-friendly kitty. Or, should all else fail, D and I, in our second childhood!

Seriously, I had no idea how daunting this great idea of mine would feel. After decades of working with adults, and with our grandchildren now grownup teenagers, I’ve forgotten how easy it is to be with young children. Especially in our interesting and somewhat eccentric house.

In the larger picture of my life, getting started is always the most difficult part of all. From then on, it’s usually a great if not glorious adventure. The simple kind that puts all of life in perspective, no matter how bleak the weather or how grim the headlines.

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 31 January 2017
Image found at vintagevapejuice.com
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Scent

13 Comments
January 26, 2017

Simple food simply cooked

I’m not a foody, but I love down-to-earth delicious simple prep dishes! It’s just past 10:30 am, and my trusty old slow cooker is already hard at work on one of my favorites. It should be ready to eat by supper time.

Why a simple recipe today?

I’ve been thinking about simple actions I might take as a citizen of these United States. I want to do my bit in these next difficult years. Simple food prep popped into my mind because it leaves me free to take other simple actions.

Makes sense to me! Besides, it’s ‘Simply Great’ isn’t it?

So here it is, my simple recipe for today’s simple supper and the next 5-6 days, too.

Winter-Time Vegetables Chili – slow cooker, 4 to 5 quart round works great

Ingredients

  • 1 medium-sized butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 2 medium-sized carrots, peeled and sliced or diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1-4 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 15-ounce cans of diced low-sodium tomatoes
  • 1 4-ounce can of chopped mild green chilies
  • ½ tsp salt (optional – I don’t add any)
  • 1 cup fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 16-ounce cans of low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed

Optional additions after cooking: balsamic vinegar, fat-free sour cream/plain Greek yogurt to put on the top

Directions

  1. In slow cooker, layer each ingredient in the order given—Don’t stir!
  2. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until vegetables are tender.
  3. Stir before serving.
  4. Top individual servings with sour cream/Greek yogurt or nothing at all.

Comments

  • Don’t worry if it looks thin at first; after you stir it up it thickens.
  • Store leftovers in refrigerator. I don’t know whether it freezes well.
  • Try serving it with a side of steamed greens. Yum!
  • If you’re feeling simply brave and grateful, try giving some away.

Here’s to a simple day made up of simple things that mean a lot to you or someone else!

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 26 January 2017
Recipe submitted by Maricarol Magil, Freehold, New Jersey, USA
Found in Fix-It and Forget it Lightly: Healthy, Low-Fat Recipes for Your Slow Cooker, Good Books 2004

Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Simple

26 Comments
January 25, 2017

Amsterdam Street Scenes 2 | Viking Cruise

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Though I’m not usually an escapist, I feel like escaping to Amsterdam today. D and I were there last July at the front end of a river cruise. We’d just arrived after an overnight flight from Philadelphia. The goal was simple: Stay awake! This means our guide mercilessly kept us moving and on our feet during the afternoon.

So here we are. Note the brilliant blue sky. A perfect backdrop for roof decorations and public art. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on their architectural significance. I’m grateful D took pictures, since I was half asleep on my feet.

The first two show spires on St. Nicholas Basilica;
the third, a gargoyle.

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Next we have two business structures
designed for life along the canal before elevators or motorized lifts.

Just below, note the structure protruding beneath
the top roof line. The holes in the base are to accommodate pulleys.p1140330

Here’s a row of merchant shops on the canal, each with a pulley at the top.
Suppose you want to move a large container
or piece of machinery into the building.
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Does anyone know what the hooks below are for?
I’m guessing they might have something to do with snow.
This seems to be an old house.

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Flags on the Amsterdam Port Building near the harbor.
Note the walkway around the castle-like tower.
A lookout up and down the river?

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A Viking crusader below?
He’s scarcely visible within all those symbols of power.
Definitely designed to impress and commemorate.
Note the intricate brickwork and crowns.

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Finally, a down-on-the-street scene
on a welcome pedestrian walkway with shops and restaurants.
No bike lanes or speeding bikers.
Actually, it leads into the red light district.

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Here’s the building at the end of the pedestrian walkway above.

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McDonald’s burgers on gluten-free bread!

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And last but not least, a beautiful outdoor café across the canal.

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We got back to the cruise ship late, just in time for dinner and about an hour before we sailed from Amsterdam.

More photos later….

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 24 January 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, July 2016 in Amsterdam

6 Comments
January 17, 2017

Winter Palace

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Huddled ranks
Soar toward heaven
Stand guard
in ice-plumed headdress
before spiked doorway
Distant turrets beckon
Enter
if you dare

***

My first thought when I saw this photo was Narnia, under the spell of the Wicked Witch — who, of course, was eager to entice at least one vulnerable earth boy to her icy palace, deep within her icy world. Have you read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis? If not, get hooked and read the entire series. At least twice! Enter, if you dare….

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 17 January 2017
Photo of ice formations taken by walcek on 16 Jan 2017
in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, USA
Photo found on the Weather Underground App

Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Invitation

6 Comments
January 13, 2017

Amsterdam – Street Scenes | Viking Cruise

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Busy! Sensory overload! Unplanned chaos. Tourist magnet. Not for all the right reasons, I’m sorry to say. This post is just a taste of what kept us awake the afternoon we arrived in Amsterdam. Our guide kept us moving, and we did our best to keep up with him.

The top photo captures the reality of modernity (big bold red public buses), and of time-honored tradition (bikes — the subject of my last Amsterdam post). Pedestrians beware!

Here’s what we saw when we left the cruise ship with our trusty guide.
What do you notice?

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I love the guys fishing on the pier
right in the middle of it all.

Our first landmark was a huge, modern transportation center.
I’m glad I didn’t have to figure out which way to go.
Note traffic lanes for various types of transportation
including pedestrians.

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Here we’re in the belly of the building.
Note directional signs.
Sorry you can’t hear the sound effects. Think noise. Lots of it.

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When we came out the other side,
we began our tour near the red light district.
Not a comforting sight.
Note the cathedral tower on the right side of the photo.
We’re looking at the back side of the district.

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The next three photos give a better perspective —
without so many people in the way.
Notice the water level that’s steadily rising,
sagging architecture and uneven walls on many old buildings,
boats ready for nighttime cruises by windows
that showcase women for commercial sex,
and the cathedral tower in the background.

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Here’s one last look at one of the buildings on the canal.
It’s visible in the first photo of the red light district.
You can see why it caught my eye.

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Wednesday of this week, January 11, was
*International Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness
and honor those who offer alternatives to
women, children and men exploited for commercial sex.
I couldn’t help thinking about these photos.

Here we are, moving on behind our trusty guide.
Do you like my backpack?
Don’t miss the clutter of bikes just to our right
and the bikers ahead of us on the sidewalk.
Being a pedestrian isn’t for sissies!

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We’re headed to an area that draws hoards of tourists and shoppers.
Here’s a taste what’s coming in the next exciting installment.

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To be continued….

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 12 January 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, Amsterdam, July 2016

*To find out more about human trafficking, click here.

4 Comments