Literature Network Forums - Blogs - Kiz_Paws Bag Of Trix by kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/blog.php?30204-Kiz_Paws-Bag-Of-Trix The largest classic literature discussion forum on the Internet. Read Write Teach Share. en Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:53:50 GMT vBulletin 10 https://www.online-literature.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Literature Network Forums - Blogs - Kiz_Paws Bag Of Trix by kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/blog.php?30204-Kiz_Paws-Bag-Of-Trix Kissed By An Angel? https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15391-Kissed-By-An-Angel Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:51:51 GMT Running around today, I bumped into an old friend of mine. And her husband. I last saw her five years ago, when she and her husband moved 500... Running around today, I bumped into an old friend of mine. And her husband.

I last saw her five years ago, when she and her husband moved 500 miles away.

So it was a pleasure indeed, to see her. She was more my acquaintance than her husband, by the way.

In any case, it was so lovely to see her! She had settled into a new job and new home so far away, and was doing well... But: her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the meantime ...

This poor fellow has been bombarded with treatment after treatment … with no end in sight … so sad indeed. His last treatments were in November, and it is now March, and no new stuff has been detected... but my friend said that it was indeed TERMINAL. Gasp … how horrible life can be...

In any case, I spoke with her husband, only a few moments, and said what a trooper he was, and that he looked good (yes, he did -thinner, but still smiling). And then the worst happened -- he burst into tears, declaring how very kind people really were. It takes an illness like mine, he said, to find that out...

Then, he kissed me and thanked me so much for my kindness....

OMG -- really??? Here is a guy, fighting for his life... he kisses me?! I should have reached for him -- as HE is the sufferer here...

Anyhow … I left the scenario feeling very humbled indeed.

And that is why the title: Kissed By An Angel...

Be strong, CH... I am rooting for you!!

Over and out,

K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15391-Kissed-By-An-Angel The Woman In The Fur Coat https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15386-The-Woman-In-The-Fur-Coat Tue, 05 Mar 2019 22:58:41 GMT After an extensive one and a half hours of practicing (yes, on a Grand Piano!), I paused and went outside the building to indulge in a cigarette. I...
After an extensive one and a half hours of practicing (yes, on a Grand Piano!), I paused and went outside the building to indulge in a cigarette. I am deeply stressed, as I have ten pages of music to master prior to Sunday. Three pages are going really well, but that remaining seven is exhausting.... *sigh* … Time for a smoke break, I thought...

So, as I was standing there, well away from the entrance to the building, god forbid that a smoker is anywhere near a door entrance (hmmm, yes, I do understand and respect that, btw), I was approached by a woman who actually went out of her way to go by me. She was a prune faced woman, with a deathly scowl on her countenance. She strutted up to me, wearing a snow-white three-quarter length fur coat. Obviously seal fur. Baby seal fur....

Through a pinched mouth that probably hadn't smiled in forty odd years, she declared that I was indeed disgusting and had a terribly filthy habit. How DARE I pollute the air that she needed to breath on her way to the entrance of that building...

Say WHAT???!! She went OUT OF HER WAY to go by me... obviously wanting to give me a piece of her mind....

After a few moments of listening to the sins of cigarette smokers, I interrupted her and said that if she was finished, I would like to have a say, as, after all, SHE instigated this conversation with ME.

She sputtered and asked what I had to say for myself. (seriously??!!)

"Well", I began, "I wasn't going to say anything, as I feel that people have a right to do their own thing and all. But, since you stopped me and opened this conversation, I would like to say that I seriously wonder just how many tiny baby seals were clubbed to death, so that you could obtain that massive fur that you are wearing. I personally find that totally distasteful and ignorant. And I further wonder, just HOW do you sleep at night?"

"I sleep just FINE you, … you, ... smoker, you!!" she retorted angerly (lame, but anyhow...)

"Yeah, well, do your research on what goes on in the obtaining and creating that so-called coat that you have draped over your ample body"...

"Oh...…. go on and have another cigarette", she shrilled at me, angerly stomping off.

Yah know, that was a great idea. I could use another smoke right now...

*sigh*

Over and Out


 ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15386-The-Woman-In-The-Fur-Coat Another Week In The Life Of A Pianist https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15368-Another-Week-In-The-Life-Of-A-Pianist Tue, 30 Oct 2018 22:02:26 GMT Woo, another very busy week in the life of a pianist. This weekend I have the privilege of playing with a band, ten music pieces need to be... Woo, another very busy week in the life of a pianist.

This weekend I have the privilege of playing with a band, ten music pieces need to be played.

There will be a trombonist, a trumpet player, a drummer, a bass player and a lead guitar (12-string acoustic … and damn he is good). As well, a singer, who I have met and worked with before … *phew* … (singers can be nightmares, believe me).

I am familiar with a few of the pieces, but there are three pieces that I have never even heard of before, and each is minimum of three pages....

I only found out that I was needed because the 'normal pianist' has had a death in the family, and I got this news late last night.

Well … brain cells … kick in already!! I gotta do this! :sick:

Back to 3-5 hours a day on the piano bench... sigh …

But doggone it, this life is fun!! Challenges are what keeps us going, no? :nod:

Wish me luck!!

K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15368-Another-Week-In-The-Life-Of-A-Pianist Piano Performance, Birthday, etc.... https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15354-Piano-Performance-Birthday-etc Tue, 31 Jul 2018 02:04:23 GMT Piano Performance, Birthday, etc....

Played an epic piano solo piece for an event yesterday - an absolutely brilliant version of "On Eagles' Wings" (I got the piece from the internet). Here is a YouTube of said piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AixEC_kJlik

I had fervently practiced this till my hands were sore. But my goodness, SO worth it! With such exquisite music, I really wanted to do my very best. And, everything went extremely well! Yayness! And once again I had the privilege of playing on an impressive grand piano... *sigh* … someday maybe I shall own one? lol

My birthday yesterday began quite calmly. Coffee on the patio amidst the prairie sounds (birds, rustling grass, squirrels' chirping)… Then the piano solo (as mentioned above). Then some downtime. By dinnertime, I THOUGHT that I was going out for some fish and chips, British style and all (smiles) … but my husband decided that we would be going to a pizza 'joint' in town... I was surprised at this, because this place was the last place that I would imagine him choosing... ??!! But hey, pizza is good stuff, so why not?

Turns out that all the people nearest and dearest to me had gathered at this pizza joint, in honour of my birthday! Dang I was surprised!! And we had SO much fun!

So all in all t'was a birthday to remember....

… except for one more thing -- a very very special friend, who lives in Venezuela, sent me a lovely email, remembering my birthday!! I was deeply touched. Maybe you all don't know the political/social situation in Venezuela at this time, but it is indeed deplorable. And I very rarely hear from my musician friend due to this. Will internet be working? Maybe.... Maybe not... So when I got this email, I cried.

Twas a wonderful day, and I am so very grateful for all that I have in this life.

Till next time,

~K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15354-Piano-Performance-Birthday-etc A Week In The Life Of A Musician https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15324-A-Week-In-The-Life-Of-A-Musician Sat, 05 May 2018 13:29:31 GMT I got a call on _Monday, April 30th_ around noon. Would I be available on Saturday, May 5th at 3:00 p.m. to play at a funeral. Yes, I was... I got a call on Monday, April 30th around noon. Would I be available on Saturday, May 5th at 3:00 p.m. to play at a funeral. Yes, I was available. No music selections had been decided upon at that time, however the musician must play music prior to the Service, as well as after the Service, when people are filing out. So I gathered my music and headed to the church where the funeral would be held and commenced working. It was a grand piano, so no problem there! Worked for three hours and headed home.

Tuesday May 01, again headed to the church and worked another three hours on Bach, Schumann, etc., as well as some hymns that I have played before at funerals. Still no word on hymn list, etc. However, I did receive an email after dinner, giving me a list of four hymns. Two were familiar, two needed work, I will get on it tomorrow..... But then, a phone call. I was told that the family has hired a soloist to perform at the funeral, and she was going to be singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. And as well, the family had decided to move the funeral up by a day, it would now be on Friday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m.

YIKES!! It was set up that I meet with the soloist tomorrow morning (Wednesday), and that she would bring me a copy of the music to the Cohen piece... (what is going through my mind is that I have to learn a whole new piece with 48 hours to go....)

Wednesday May 02, I met with the soloist at 10:00 a.m. and saw the SEVEN SHEETS OF MUSIC there before me, to be performed Friday morning.... As I sifted through the pages, I realized that there was a lot of repetition, so if I can conquer at least two pages, then I have conquered the whole seven. OK, this is do-able. Scary, but not impossible. The soloist left and we arranged to get together tomorrow (Thursday) around noon, to run through the piece. I remained at that piano bench for four hours, fervently trying to get the piece at a place where I was comfortable. As well, I worked on the four hymns selected by the family.

Thursday May 03, I was at that church early in the morning, to continue my work. Yes, the Cohen piece was actually coming together... now to work with the singer (which is not always easy, nor not always pleasant) .... However, the singer was awesome!! Very kind and much more relaxed that me (I am a bit of a nervous type), and we had that piece just sailing wonderfully!! Almost like a miracle, because in 24 hours, we'd be performing it!! PHEW!!! After she left, when we knew all was well, I remained and worked more on the hymn list and the pre and post Service music.

THEN: After four hours of practicing (no, I am not joking), the presiding minister called me into his office... "the family has decided to change the hymn list"......

What is running through my mind now is 'this is the proverbial 11th hour!!!'

However, the change was simply the addition of a fifth hymn.... one that is five pages long and quite complex. *pause here where I pick myself up off the ground*

The minister, noticing that I had gone white in the face, asked if this was do-able? "If you like, I can tell the family that that is not possible..."

OF COURSE you cannot tell a grieving family that something is impossible... Heck I am a musician and I better get my midnight oil burning.....!

I told him I would work on the piece and do my best. So for a solid hour, I played that hymn over and over and over. My hands were getting pretty sore (yeah, five hours of piano playing will do that to ya) and I decided that this was where I would have to call it a day.

Friday May 04, after tossing and turning the whole night long, I am up at 5:30 a.m., getting ready and heading to the church. I worked more on the whole set of music assigned, then the funeral commenced.

It went very well ... I had never experienced such an upside down ride of a week when asked to play ... but the bottom line is that you can do anything you set your mind to, provided you aren't afraid of a little work.

I am seriously glad that the week is behind me..... and also glad that I now know how to play Cohen's Hallelujah! *smiles*

I have to say, though I never like to discuss payment, that the family were very very generous.

Over and Out
K♥zzo
 ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15324-A-Week-In-The-Life-Of-A-Musician <![CDATA[The Proverbial "Bucket List" ...]]> https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15323-The-Proverbial-quot-Bucket-List-quot Thu, 26 Apr 2018 23:55:44 GMT Bucket List ... Ever since that movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDbNSRWt5ss ) I have pondered over...
Bucket List ... Ever since that movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDbNSRWt5ss ) I have pondered over this.....

There are so many, many things that I would like to do before my time is over....

In any case, here are a few of my "must do's" before that time ever comes....

1. Learn Chopin's Ballade No.4 in F-minor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDXln9YNd50) ... I have conquered the first 3 minutes.... but MUST learn the rest!!

2. Get better acquainted with the Icelandic language, as all my father's people speak only Icelandic and English.

3. Go to Iceland, and visit the places that my father's people have come from....

4. Learn Bach's Toccata in D-minor (best suited for Pipe Organ, but I am a lowly pianist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3aI7Oo3GMo

5. Learn how to knit .... specifically to knit a sweater.

6. To conquer my HATE towards kitchens and kitchen-duties ... *sigh*

7. To quit smoking ...

8. To jump out of an airplane with a parachute.

9. To move to Normandy, France, where I feel so much at home.

10. Nope, no number 10 for me. I've listed what I have felt are my 'should do's' before my time comes....

How about you? Do you have the proverbial "Bucket List" in the back of your mind? How about sharing here...

As always,

K♥zzo
 ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15323-The-Proverbial-quot-Bucket-List-quot The Girl With The Big Bazoomas https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15318-The-Girl-With-The-Big-Bazoomas Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:51:32 GMT It was my very first date.

One of my brother's friends asked me if I would like to go to the high school dance on Friday evening ... ending a week of horrendous exams.

I was a little taken aback, as I never really even noticed him before, at least not in a dating sense. I decided that I would like to go to the dance, escorted (for once), so I said yes.

Friday rolled around and it was nice to have the exams behind me and now enjoy 'my first date'. Lester came, on foot, (he lived one street beyond my place) to our door and my mom announced his arrival. I was wearing a cotton summery dress and sandals. And Lester was wearing purple polyester 'good pants' and a crisp cotton short sleeved shirt.

PURPLE POLYESTER PANTS.... oh no, what have I gotten myself into....?? :yikes:

As we headed to the high school, he reached for my hand. His hand was sweaty and it was quite awkward, but I guess this is how first dates go...

We arrived at the decorated gym and loud music greeted us. I saw my fellow wall flowers in their usual place... with eyebrows lifted and even a stink-eye or two... Oh Lordy... but I thought how shallow it is to judge someone on their taste (or lack thereof?) in dance attire, and make the best of it. Lester was a pretty good dancer and he was even funny, which is a plus in my humble opinion. We shared a bag of potato chips and he bought us a couple of colas. It wasn't so bad at all, and I actually enjoyed myself.

After the dance, he walked me home. I opened the solid oak door to my home, and turned to thank Lester. He planted a shy kiss on my cheek and said, "can I ask you something?"

I wondered where this was going to go, the door was open and I had better get in.....

Lester said, "Would you mind introducing me to that friend of yours; that girl with the big bazoomas?"

If I may personify the solid oak door, may I close by saying that my swung door enjoyed the feel of a pimply nose....

*****************************

This is a true story.
Lester is not his real name.
And within six or seven years, i'll be darned if Lester didn't marry 'that girl with the big bazoomas'....
*sigh* ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15318-The-Girl-With-The-Big-Bazoomas Taxi Fare Shirker and the Tail of the Three Rottweiler Dogs https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15305-Taxi-Fare-Shirker-and-the-Tail-of-the-Three-Rottweiler-Dogs Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:53:27 GMT It was a warm evening. A young man hailed a taxi and proceeded to have the taxi take him to several places, to get his shopping done. After a... It was a warm evening.

A young man hailed a taxi and proceeded to have the taxi take him to several places, to get his shopping done. After a while, he had a rather large fare accumulated.

Before the taxi driver could do anything, the young man jumped out of the taxi at a stop light and proceeded to sprint through various properties, to get away.

The taxi driver decided that he was going to give chase -- there was a huge fare at stake!

Meanwhile, the young man, desperate, ran up to a property enclosed by a tall fence, and leaped over the top, and into the backyard of a homeowner, to escape the ensuing chase, crashing with bags and baggage...

HOWEVER: what the young man did not know was that three Rottweiler dogs were quietly relaxing in the comfort of their own backyard on a nice summer's evening. Yes, the young man leapt into the yard of said dogs and startled them from a peaceful doggy nap.

I don't know if you know the nature of a Rottweiler. They are large, muscular, and completely loyal to their master/s. They are NOT to be reckoned with. Personally, when I see a Rottweiler, I see the complete muscular nature of that dog. Pure muscle.

Anyhow, the bottom line is that all three of the Rottweiler dogs immediately awoke and chaos ensued. They began to attack the fugitive, whilst the taxi driver was pounding on the front door of the home.

One occupant of the house saw to the taxi driver, while the other occupant tried to end the backyard melee. An ambulance was called, as the young man was severely attacked.

After all was said and done, the fugitive paid his taxi fare.

Meanwhile ... the authorities decided that all three of the Rottweiler dogs had to be destroyed, as they were a hazard to people.

WHAT????

Neighbors claimed that one would not even know that the homeowners owned one dog, much less three, as they were good, obedient and quiet animals. The homeowners also had children, and there was not one problem with the dogs.

The problem was that some BUM leaped over a fence, startled the dogs, and that was when the dogs went into 'protection mode' ... (I would seriously hate to be on the end of that, let me tell you!).

Why am I blogging about this?

Well, the question arises -- should those dogs have been removed and killed??

Personally, I say NO. Flat out NO.

There is no grey between the white and black of The Law. If a dog attacks, it is put down. Period. But I felt that this situation was different and a little grey was needed here...

Thems my thoughts, what are yours? Either way I respect your opinion (you all know what a dog nut I am and all...)

K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15305-Taxi-Fare-Shirker-and-the-Tail-of-the-Three-Rottweiler-Dogs Crazy Indeed? https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15299-Crazy-Indeed Wed, 27 Dec 2017 23:27:08 GMT At the present time, we in the Prairies, are experiencing a bitter cold front that renders temperatures floating between -28 Celcius to -45... At the present time, we in the Prairies, are experiencing a bitter cold front that renders temperatures floating between -28 Celcius to -45 Celcius.... Yuppers. Bitter indeed.


But the silence in that kind of cold is unbelievable ... it truly is deafening when you go outside to that chill. I joke that I can hear a neighbor a mile away open their front door... but that is not far from the truth...

If you dress for this kind of cold, it doesn't bother you much ... except that your breath freezes your eyelashes such that they are frosty, if you are out for more than 15 minutes. Seriously. Dress in layers, it insulates you well. Trust me! Cars are plugged in if they have to sit more than a couple of hours unused.

Well enough about weather...

The week before Christmas, our church organist took a serious fall (ice from the deep freeze here), and cracked her pelvis. Oh no!!! Right before all the church happenings associated with Christmas festivities. Tuesday, December 19th, I got a call to see if I would take on the job of pianist (I am not trained on pipe organ playing) to oversee our organist's duties while she tries to regain her strength and get well. She is on a LOT of morphine, for obvious reasons.

YIKES!! Just a smattering of days prior to one of the biggest musical events of the year???? Sure, there were carols to be played, which of course I am familiar with. But there was a lot more music involved... some pieces I had not even heard of! Thank goodness for YouTube, let me assure you... I played some tunes back-to-back from YouTube for hours, just to gain familiarity... *sigh*

So on Wednesday, Dec.20th I headed to the grand piano at the church and began my four days of 4-hour practice. Grueling to say the least. Pleasurable, due to the exquisiteness of playing on a beautiful grand piano (*sigh* I can only dream of owning one someday...).

Bottom line is that everything did go smoothly. I felt like I was dreaming for that whole duration, my hands were literally sore from all that practice. And I now work weekly, performing the music for church services from now until the second week of February 2018. I feel so very bad for our organist ... she is such a mentor to me musically. And a really nice person. How awful that she took such a bad fall....

My husband and I hosted a Christmas dinner for 6 people. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes/gravy, meatballs, cabbage rolls, salad ... yeah, you get the picture. It was fabulous and it felt so darn good to be free of that tremendous pressure to learn music within a very short time. And my meal turned out wonderful ... for that, I am truly grateful!

I feel really bad about the homeless people during times like this -- I can only pray that they find shelter and meals during this very bitter cold snap! I plan to purchase "Hot Shots" (see this link: http://sunandsnow.ca/hand-warmers/ for more info) and hand them out to any homeless person I see at this wicked cold time.... it is the LEAST that I can do...

For all that are reading this Blog -- hope that your holiday, be it Christmas, or Hanukkah, or any other special festivity ... was so very special.... a time of good food, good memories, and time with your family, friends and special ones!!

Thank you so much for reading this blog,

Karalynne
*hugs*
 ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15299-Crazy-Indeed Eye Witnesses To A Crime ... Reliable? Or No? https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15256-Eye-Witnesses-To-A-Crime-Reliable-Or-No Sat, 04 Nov 2017 14:03:23 GMT A few years ago, I was involved in a Psychology experiment. A person was set up in a study cubicle (common to the University study halls). This... A few years ago, I was involved in a Psychology experiment.

A person was set up in a study cubicle (common to the University study halls). This person was asked to remain there until called.

In the meantime, while sitting in the cubicle for a few moments, the person 'got familiar' with his/her surroundings. The cubicle was as sparse as a cubicle gets. A chair, a desk setting, partitions separating he/she in said cubicle from other study cubicles. A radio/cd player was on the shelf above the desk.

After a few moments of waiting, the person waiting in the cubicle had a visitor. This 'visitor' told the person waiting that they had been in the cubicle prior and had forgotten their radio/cd player. They took the radio and left quickly.

Five minutes passed.

Then ... the 'interviewer' arrived.

"Oh dear", exclaimed the interviewer. "My cd player/radio has disappeared! Do you know what happened?"

It was then that the person (waiting for the interviewer) had to describe the individual who took the radio/cd player....

The interviewer asked the following:

Who took the radio? I don't know
Was it a male or female that took the radio? Ummm, I think it was a female. Yes, it was a female.
How old was the female? I have no idea, maybe between 20-30 years old?
What color was her hair? Hmmm, I didn't really see her hair
Was she wearing a head covering? A hat, veil, kerchief? Well, now that I think of it, she wore a hoodie, and the hood was over her head.
So did you see what color were her eyes? No, I didn't. I probably did see them, but cannot recall.
So she wore a hoodie -- what else was she wearing? I am not sure, but I know it wasn't a skirt or dress. It was slacks.
Blue jeans? I can't remember
What about the footwear? What was she wearing on her feet? Boots? High heels? Sneakers? I only remember that they were white, but dirty... probably sneakers?
How tall was this female? I have no idea, she seemed to be stooped over somehow, kinda in a hurry, you know?
What all did the female say to you that enabled her to steal the radio? Hey, I didn't know she was stealing, you know! It was so fast! She said something about having used this cubicle for her studies and that she left the radio behind and then she just took it.

At that moment, the interviewer said that the whole incident was not really a theft, that the person being interviewed could relax.

Then the interviewer asked if there were any other details that may have been noticed (was the female wearing gloves, did she have piercings, did she have lipstick on, etc.) Of course nothing more could be added.

So there is the scenario. An EYE-WITNESS to a 'crime' could not accurately give a good description of the 'thief'.

This scenario took place with ten different people (being witness to a theft). Each time, the descriptions were quite vague. Some people remembered a little more, but basically, accurate descriptions of the 'thief' were unavailable.

Which makes one ponder about the believability of testimony in a court of law from a sworn eye witness...

Just food for thought that I thought I would share.

Comments? Leave 'em below. :) ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15256-Eye-Witnesses-To-A-Crime-Reliable-Or-No Funeral For A Friend https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15252-Funeral-For-A-Friend Mon, 23 Oct 2017 23:15:37 GMT No, this entry has NOTHING to do with Sir Elton John's music ....

One of the most difficult things that I have to contend with, as a musician, is performing music for someone close to me at life's end.

On Friday past, I played music for a friend. She succumbed to the horrid Cancer.... how her battle went on... She left to mourn her identical twin sister, her brother, her parents, her extended family...her friends....

It was piano music, played on the best grand piano money could buy...

Oh, the choices of something appropriate.... difficult indeed. But I feel, at the end of the day, I did her proud.

Well, to my poor dear friend, Dee, who is relieved at last from her pain, I leave this Haiku.

A final farewell
your journey here is over
till we meet again


Over and Out,
K♥zzo
 ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15252-Funeral-For-A-Friend To All Nerds Out There https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15244-To-All-Nerds-Out-There Tue, 19 Sep 2017 19:59:53 GMT LoL! I must have time on my hands today. :nod:

Anyhow, I did a Google Search on "what is a nerd". I was given several dictionary definitions of said word, amongst a very long list of internet places to visit to get a feel for this 'affliction' if you will.

Nonetheless, in my perspective, growing up, you were a NERD if you:

- did not attend the local school's dances
- attended the dances without a date
- visited your grandma on the weekend instead of going to the mall with your friends
- had a curfew
- played a musical instrument (piano, violin, etc.) instead of playing your rock and roll music full blast at your parents house
- didn't dress in the latest fashions, no matter how risquι they were
- studied on Saturday night, instead of carousing with your friends at someone's house
- had to make sure that parents were home when a friend was throwing a party

That is to name a few.

So, it is with NO regret that I can proudly say that I was a nerd, if we are judging from the list above.

I look back on my life and see that my parents were actually on to something. I didn't turn out too bad. When my grandma passed away, I was proud that I was of comfort to her in her golden years. I learned to play the piano and actually make money from this skill. My schooling led to an awesome career that I could never have believed possible. And I am happy in life.

So to all 'nerds' out there: I salute you! :cheers2:

Over and out
K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15244-To-All-Nerds-Out-There Going Gluten Free? https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15242-Going-Gluten-Free Sun, 17 Sep 2017 18:59:01 GMT Well, haven't visited my own Blog for how many years???

In any case, my hubby has decided that he would like to try going Gluten Free for a while, just to see if he feels better. He is not sick or anything, but he has this idea that going gluten-free will make him feel more energetic, etc.

*sigh*

[Note that our freezer is full of stuff that is certainly NOT gluten-free: i.e. breaded fish, Tourtiere (French meat pie), etc. etc.]

In any case, I bought a package of Organic Brown Rice Pasta, thinking that hubby could enjoy gluten-free spaghetti and sauce. I stayed with the 'regular' pasta, but made him a bowl of this rice pasta.

For the love of goodness -- what a gooey sticky MESS it was!! :flare:

I felt real sorry for hubby indeed. My pasta (I made regular semolina, white pasta for me) was perfect in all sense of the word, and unfortunately he had a delightful sauce atop a mess of glue ...

Has anyone else out there in LitNet land experienced this trauma in the kitchen???

If you have any helpful hints, i'd be much obliged. :)

K♥zzo as always

 ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?15242-Going-Gluten-Free Visit To France, Part One https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?8381-Visit-To-France-Part-One Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:52:51 GMT I was in Europe for the first week of June and am just getting around to blogging about it now. My husband had business in Ireland and in England... I was in Europe for the first week of June and am just getting around to blogging about it now. My husband had business in Ireland and in England and I wasn't able to go the previous week with him, but met him in London on May 31st. He had to work the first couple of days I was there, but that was ok, I had been to London before and knew exactly what shops, parks, etc., that I HAD to go and re-visit, so that was grrrrrreat!

On the Wednesday, we took the Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel (the Chunnel) and then made our way to Paris. Oh I did LOVE France -- we did a whirlwind 'tour' of the beautiful city of Paris on the Wednesday, Thursday and the Friday. Here are a few photos:



Arc de Triomphe, the world's largest triumphal arch










These were of the breathtaking Eiffel Tower, which was a MUST to visit.




A View From The Eiffel Tower




The above photo was taken while we were on a Paris Bus Tour
I got this shot to note the Old mixed with the Newer architecture
as well as to forever remember how narrow those streets really were! Cool!



The above photo is the inside view of the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral, what an awesome and historical building indeed. We had lunch at an outdoor cafe (there are many many of those in Paris) right across the street from this beautiful cathedral.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I found the people to be charming and warm, and got to practice my 'text-book' French, which got mixed reactions for sure. Yes, Canada is bi-lingual but I think that 'our' French is somewhat different from the French spoken there. I smiled softly to myself time and time again, when my husband (who barely says hello in French, tee hee) would have me ask a person for this, or how to get to there, and so on and so forth. That was so much fun!!

Well, this was the fun leg of the journey, my Part Two will deal with a fun event -- but it was kind of family business really. It was our journey from Paris to the north of France, where there is a gravesite where my uncle is buried. But more on that at a later time.

It was great to come back home, but I would love and cherish another (longer?) visit to France, as this is a place that one can get completely absorbed in.

Au revoir!

K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?8381-Visit-To-France-Part-One Chatter From The Prairie Dawg https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?8250-Chatter-From-The-Prairie-Dawg Wed, 20 May 2009 07:37:53 GMT It's been a while.

Anyhow, what's up in my world is that I have devoted a LOT more time to my piano practicing, and it is paying off. The pieces that I used to play with ease have slowly come back to me. There's an old saying -- if ya don't use it, ya lose it. And I had got to thinking about how much I enjoyed playing piano, and the challenge of learning a new piece, so yeah ... I have caught up with my Chopin, Bach, etc., and learned the Second Movement of Beethoven's Pathιtique Sonata (No.8 in C minor, Op.13). As of late, I have begun tackling a difficult piece (in my eyes, anyway). It is Chopin's Berceuse Op.57. What a beautiful piece indeed, but will probably take me a year to get through. You can hear it on YouTube, Berceuse Op.57

Nice, eh? ;)

Since late February, I have decided to read the seven books in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. I had read a number of his books in the past, and though he is not my favorite writer, there is something to be said about the way he works his characters in a novel. In any case, my group of friends have pretty much read the series, and will mention a quip or a scenario from that series of books. And I had never bothered with any of it, because I thought it was Stephen King goes Western (the first book of the series is called The Gunslinger), and that is not a genre I really get into (sorry if I offend anyone). Well, having said all this -- the seven books were worth the read. Some of the books were better written than others, and there were some parts that should have stayed in the slag pile at the publishers, but overall, I did enjoy them and recommend anyone else curious to give it a go.

My mother-in-law is still in the hospital, having had her knee replaced. She is having a bad time of it all, and has not really gotten a whole lot better. The knee is healed, but she is quite frail. She lost her husband a couple of years ago, and I don't think she has ever gotten over it. Her health overall has slipped little by little since, and this knee surgery was probably too much for her. It appears that she won't ever have the strength and capabilities to go back home, so the family has made a decision on her behalf -- a nursing home. She isn't fighting it, she knows that she just cannot look after herself at this point. Sad situation, really. I sense a woman that has kind of given up, but she is pleasant to be around -- doesn't do the 'poor me' stuff that often happens to make the move to the nursing home difficult and wrenching. What a mess, though. We are told that there is a twenty-four month wait for most of the places that we've made inquiries to, so I don't really know what is going to happen within that timeframe.... But anyhow, that is what is going on there.

I just wanted to end with a few photos I took of my number one 'model', you might call me the Pepperazzi. Tee hee, she's a good sport:


Pepper of Sunnybrook Farm?



Frilly Days for Good Natured Dawgs



Pepper Eating Her (My?) Apple



The Only "Hot Dog" In My World


Well, over and out. Take care everyone.

~K♥zzo ]]> kiz_paws https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?8250-Chatter-From-The-Prairie-Dawg