And the Songbirds Sing Like They Know the Score

 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Today was a day filled with tasks. I busied myself while waiting for Terry to get home from work. His weekend begins!

He arrived shortly after I started this post, and so our weekend begins. We chose to go out for a quick, fast food bite to eat, selecting Carl's Jr. to do just that. Fried zucchini was the driving force for that choice. Terry had a burger, and I gave in to three chicken strips and the zucchini, of course. Yum!

We ate and then headed for the store to pick out a gift for toddler Novalee as a first birthday gift. Both of us took an aisle and began to look up and down the shelves to locate something a one-year-old would care about. Terry found an adorable stuffed animal with a "keyboard" of buttons to push. Each button takes the child into various lessons to learn. We both loved it and put it in the cart. Now for the gift bag. 

Saturday will be an exciting day for us. We are driving to Junction City, where Jess and Brandon are hosting Novalee's party. I cannot believe she's one already! There will be play areas set up for children of all ages attending the party. A large bounce house, a giant water slide, and other fun things for the kids to do will be around the yard. Mallory and Hayden will be joining us for the party, too. 

We ate, we shopped, and we returned home to watch some TV. Our nightly streaming choice is a show called Transplant, a show my youngest daughter, Brandy, suggested. We are in love with the program! Our first choice is Brilliant Minds, but that is put on hold until they release more episodes this season. Great show there too! Shortly after a bit of TV watching, it was off to bed for me. Terry remained outside, reading his book and smoking a cigar or two. 

***

Thursday, July 17, 2025

I was talking to my daughter on the phone this morning while dusting the bookshelves in the office. I took a couple of minutes to check out the dragon salt and pepper shakers Terry had in his collection before I knew him. 

I've never really examined them closely, but I find myself actually enjoying them. Thinking they were awesome, I shot a couple of photos to send to Brandy. She thought they were pretty cool, too. 

I guess I enjoy it because it is different or unique. I've never seen one of these before. My dad used to collect salt and pepper shakers, including a pair of frogs that were anatomically correct. He used to get a real kick out of asking visitors to our home how you tell the difference between a male and female frog. Usually, they said, "I don't know." With a huge grin on his face, Dad would flip the frogs over, revealing a set of testicles or breasts. He would laugh and laugh. 

Dad had other salt and pepper shakers, too, but the frogs were his favorite. They were a great conversation piece, that's for sure. 

This set of a farmer and his wife holding apples behind their backs was also a part of my father's collection. I received both of these as part of a group of family heirlooms passed down by my mother after my father passed. Mom didn't have room to keep all of the pieces Dad had collected along his life's path, so she gave the six of us things to cherish. 

I did research on this set, and while there is nothing materially special about them, they are special to me. Each day I walked into our dining room, my eyes naturally shot toward our huge china hutch where Dad kept his salt and pepper shakers and Mom kept her good china. Seeing these two pieces in my kitchen gives me a reminder of Dad and his sense of humor. 

Terry's dragon salt and pepper shakers are awesome, too, because of their uniqueness. We keep them in the office, on the bookshelf, simply because we don't want Kit or Esme getting to them, and get to them they would! 

***

Back to the tasks at hand. I sat in the office while Terry did his thing outside. I got a couple of things done. Terry purchased a magnifying glass with light for me while at the store on Wednesday, to help me with smaller beads and tiny areas of the jewelry I have that will be coming soon. I am going to be working with metals, adding backgrounds to certain pendants, and having a blast with jewelry in general. But to do that, I definitely do need more light and better eyesight. 

But for now, I'm generally trying to use up the beads and findings I have and have had for years. This necklace set is the end result of that. I call this one "Bling Party," and it can be found in the stores. 

Gold Czech glass seed beads divide groups of three faux pearl beads to complete this set. This is "Casual Elegance." 

The last one of the day I dubbed "Blessed." 

Czech glass beads are spaced with blue and pink beads, and all come together to enhance the silver focal with "Blessed" printed on both sides. 

These are all very simple jewelry pieces. Like I said, it's a great way to use up beads and wire, chain, and other findings I've had around for years. 

***

Terry had a massage appointment. Upon return, he came into the office to let me know he was home. In his hand, in front of his beautiful smile, was a beautiful bouquet of flowers for our monthly wedding anniversary date. Yes, he surprised me again. Every month, I space what day it is, but his gentle, loving reminder of the date really makes me know exactly why I married this man. He is my soulmate. He is my partner in crime. He is "my people." He is my love. He is one of my most precious blessings. Small acts of kindness, such as the flowers every month, keep me aware of just how special he is to me. 

I saw these flowers in the midst of the roses, carnations, lilies, and other floral additions, and I couldn't believe they were real. They looked to me like they were printed and placed in the vase with the other flowers. I looked them up with Google Lens, and apparently, these are a type of carnation. Believe it or not. 

Adorable bouquet!

And all of it was in a vase, placed inside a small carrying bag. It looked like a purse of some sort. I loved it!

On Friday morning, the lily had opened! I'm waiting for the second one too, which is trying to open and will be available soon. 

***

Early afternoon rolled around. Terry had an itch to go back to Subway, grab sandwiches, go to the store and grab a bag of chips, then head to our favorite leaning blue spruce tree in Stewart Park to eat dinner and relax. We both love having our picnic time once a week. 

Chips from Safeway? Check. Sandwiches at Subway? Check. 

Mm. One foot-long meatball sandwich and one six-inch meatball to go, please. 

We grabbed the chairs, the ice chest, and the sandwich bag, and off we went to get a spot under our favorite blue spruce. Awesome day. Hot outside, but not bad in the shade of the spruce. Lovely afternoon. Great picnic. Unbeatable company. 

Dinner was great. Eating our sandwiches while watching people in the park makes for a fun evening. 

Instead of fancy eateries, candlelight dinners, and crowded restaurants, give me an ice chest, a bag of chips, and a Subway sandwich with my hubby, and I'm a happy girl. It's always so relaxing, I feel like falling asleep. Today was no different!

***

Well, readers, this is it for this post. Our trip to Eugene tomorrow will hopefully fill another post. Tune in next time for further adventures of the two old people living their lives the best they can. 

What is your favorite thing to do with your spouse, your friends, and family? We would love to hear ideas in the comment section!

Hugs to all. Share your light with others this week. 

Terry & Vicki Macrae

(Terry kissing a dolphin)