Burgers, Burgs, Breakfasts, Bros, the Boogeyman, and Beads

 

Togo had been a bit edgy all day. Constantly crying, I took him out three times. It made him happy for a while, but then the whining would start again. I knew he wasn't in pain or anything along those lines. When I go into the kitchen to grab that leash, he jumps for joy. If he wants to go out, he will typically bounce around and walk toward the door. He was walking toward the door in the kitchen, meaning, "Feed me Seymour," or "I have to go out." Out it was. 

Later in the evening (Sunday, January 26, 2026), Terry and I were choosing some crap fast food for dinner rather than our usual homecooked meal. We chose a breakfast sandwich from Carl's Jr. for tonight's heart-attack-waiting-to=happen dinner. Loaded with sausage, cheese, an egg, and bacon, yeah. The secret is cholesterol. There is no substitute. 

Since I was going through a drive-thru, I took Togo with me. He loaded up into the car and got into his window position. Once I turned the key, I hit the window button to give the dog some air. Immediately his nose shot out of the window, ready to roll and suck up all the scents life had to offer. 

We pulled into the drive-thru and ordered our dinner. The man helping us looked up to see Togo staring at him. He informed me he loves huskies and that they were his favorite dog. I smiled and thought, "Yeah, so everyone says, but the hair ... oh, the hair." 

Togo watched intently as his pup cup was being made. I believe I heard his thoughts ... "Hold the onion ... oh, wait. Throw everything in there. A good steak if you have it."

Asking if Togo could enjoy a pup cup with him, I gave him a thumbs up, and off he went to grab the whipping cream bottle. He stuck the cup out of the window and held it under Togo's nose. My dog wasn't quite sure what to do with it. It was a narrow cup, so he was having a hard time inserting his muzzle. Giving up, the guy handed it off to me (thanks a lot), and the next couple of minutes became an acrobatic feat with holding the cup for Togo with one hand while dealing with the card payment simultaneously. Awkward. 

As I'm clumsily giving my dog his treat, I'm also trying to move the car around the corner so others could order. I needed to wait a few moments while our food was being prepared. I'm not really a one-handed driver, especially when it comes to going around the corners with a pup cup and large dog weighing down my other hand and having to deal with him in the backseat. Since I'm halfway turned toward the back, it made things very difficult. But park I did.  

While we sat in the food pickup area, Togo was able to complete his meal. The cup may be narrow, but our beautiful boy has a long tongue. He shoved that pink unit into every nook and cranny in the cup, slurping up that joyous fluffy goodness. Once he was done, I put the cup into the garbage holder. Now we wait for our food, which I'm most certain Togo will beg us for. 

Food in hand. Pup cup devoured. It's time to go home and watch a show. It was a quiet night. We shared some laughs and thoughts, then headed for bed. Our weekend was officially over. Ah, Monday. We meet again. Whether 'tis nobler to ... ah, you know. I'm tired. It's Monday after all. 

***

With only one run today (Monday, January 26, 2026), I had a pretty boring day. No photos today. I made one run to Sutherlin about 10 miles away, then returned home with no other bells or whistles going off. Imagine that. It is a Monday, the quietest day for delivery services it seems. The bell went off later for a trip into Myrtle Creek, about 23 miles away. That was simply not happening for the amount of money they offered for the drive and delivery. My tires would wear more tread that what they are paying me. That offer disappeared and that was it for the day. Crazy. 

***

Here we are, already on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Ready to pop on over into a new month. But, I look at it like this; while time is doing the zoomies around us, we are that much closer to spring and finally, the beautiful season of summer. I love summer. No mud to slip and fall and bust my ass in. Yes, I still think back on the accident I had two years ago. I have "fall PTSD." 

Horrible memories of that day, falling, my ankle not working, foot flopping around. Then the surgeries. No. No more. I'm hoping I can keep my composure in muddy situations. One small slip, and dislocated ankle, leg broken in three places, bruises, and being sore for weeks. I'm done. No thanks, universe. Come on, summer!

***

Still playing with beads and jewelry pieces that have a history older than I've been alive. Loving every moment of it. My latest focus is upon this set of beads, and an odd looking focal piece.

Research shows that these beads and pendant 1880-1920 and possibly earlier. This odd pendant dangled freely around the necks of mostly married women of the (most likely) Tuareg women. The beads were strung together with the pendant at the base, worn in the sternum area of the chest. Why? These beads and the focal piece would not only anchor the heavier bead strands, but signified status. Necklaces such as this one were also a way to hold symbolic meanings like fertility, protection, and to show lineage. 

Men of status would also wear the strands of beads, boasting that large pendant at the center of his chest. The necklaces would be worn daily and not just ceremonial, at markets and social gatherings as metal beads such as these were looked at as portable savings, showing financial status. 

These beads have a deep, natural patina and have indications of being hand-cast, not machine pressed. From what information I could gather, the pendant could be much older than the beads, as they were typically restrung many times throughout the life of the item. It is suggested the pendant has a good possibility of being from the mid 1800s. 

I will restring this set, although I do need to be careful as to how this is done. Soft cotton string, no wire or chain, and no cleaning. The patina is natural and needs to remain as a badge of historical wear and tear. 

Being given the box of beads and jewelry, I am elated to know the background of some of these items. I'm redefining most of the older beads into more modern jewelry, but this set? I have to maintain the significance and deep spiritual meaning behind these old beads and pendant. I believe I will restring them to keep them safe, and I will definitely hold them near and dear to my heart. No selling these. I may be putting the necklace behind glass to keep them safe and clean, and as beautiful as they are today. 

***

This was my excitement yesterday (Tuesday, January 27). I had a delivery to make to a hospital staff member and this is what was waiting on the third floor by the visitor's waiting room. The artful pig. I think it's beautiful, in its own way. 

***

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Today was a very slow day for deliveries, for the most part. Yesterday was slow due to us having no hot water, so I had to wait around for our landlord. We love Jim as our landlord, but he was in my way yesterday, keeping me from being able to work. When I wake from sleep, get ready, walk dogs, do what I have to do, I'm ready to work. 

He fixed our water heater issue by changing out the fuse in the electrical box and we were good to go again. I went out later in the afternoon, did about two or three deliveries, and ended up with a good amount of money. I was happy. 

Today was the same. Very slow. Hardly any actual calls for deliveries, but the three I got put me into the green as far as I was concerned. I returned home with a smile on my face. It's not like I am making a killing but the money I do land is plenty for our needs. 

Today I got to drive back into Oakland, just outside of Sutherlin. It's a quaint town, with a population of 1,237 people as of the last count. It's a town that is home to many retirees, making the home ownership numbers fairly high. 

I do love this little carved out piece of land. With a love of smaller towns with plenty of history, it's not a shock that I love it. 

After dropping off the package to a home I've been to about four times now, I drove down the road toward "downtown" Oakland. I got to witness a serious conversation between three goggling turkeys, and I stopped to check out the architecture of some local downtown buildings. Beautiful. 

I'm not quite sure what they were going on about. Maybe the mayor has declared Tuesday turkey and mashed potato day. Who knows, but the chatter continued for a while. 

This is at the edge of the downtown strip. The next time I go, I will photograph the storefronts, which are adorable I might add. Weather-worn bricks from decades gone by, and wood that has seen it's better days make up this little burg outside of Sutherlin. 

***

I feel a bit exhausted today and it's not even Friday. It has not been a busy week or anything, so I'm not sure what is dragging my ass. It could just be the weather, and let's face it, I'm getting as old as dirt. After walking through the store to pick up items to make minestrone soup, I came home, unpacked the ingredients, and my hubby asks if I want to go out to eat. Ah, what the hell? It means I don't have to deal with cooking or cleanup. I'm game. He wanted Denny's. Denny's it is. 

Terry chose the turkey dinner, and I ordered the Lumberjack Slam, with pancakes going to my hubby. We ordered, but Terry's dinner was shot down. They were out of turkey tonight. Ever seen a grown man pout? Neither have I. 

He asked for a few moments longer to find something on the menu that stood out to him. 

After careful consideration, he chose the Ultimate Omelet. All set. We handed our menus to the waitress and began a conversation while we waited. Ah, the wait. I can hear a tick-tock sound in my mind ...

The food came and we were ready to dig in. Great food. Cutting up the ham, I blended pieces of egg with each piece of ham, and made those eggs go down better. I can't stand eggs. They're fairly good for you, once in a while anyway, but I just can't stand the thought of what they are. But, down they went. 

Terry ate his omelet and moved on to the pancakes that came with my meal that I refuse to eat. Now for the goofy syrup bottle. We sat and watched the syrup come out of the bottle in a very slim stream. This activity eventually became funny to us both, and an all too familiar battle from previous visits to Denny's. Terry said he needed to research online about how many people have died while waiting for the syrup to hit those pancakes. Hey, at our age, it's a possibility. 

Finally, after several long moments, and many bouts of laughter, the syrup covered the two-stack of pancakes. He was a happy boy. We stopped in at Dutch Bros to get a drink for Terry, then off we went to our home. I was sleepy now, after the carbs in that dinner, and could not wait to lay on the couch for a while. It was great to be back home. 

***

Well, Harry has returned, in all his glory. For our loyal readers, Harry is a spirit that seems to enjoy messing with us. If you have no idea who Harry is, click on the link to meet Harry. Upon moving into our home, we have had the basement light come on many times while neither of us have gone into the area. I have experienced someone touching my back as I was mixing ingredients together for a dinner, turned and nobody was there. The toilet has flushed on its own, and my husband has had things fly off the top of the refrigerator and flew past his head. It's been an experience, to say the least. 

Saturday, it happened again. Terry walked through the kitchen, and the coffee creamer that sits on top of the refrigerator flew past him. It went past him, thank goodness, but nonetheless, it has no business being flung toward him at all. 

Terry reported the incident to me. Later in the day, I was in the kitchen messing with some stuff, when I felt someone behind me. I turned to look and once again, nobody was there. I yelled into the naked kitchen space with all the anger I could muster. "You are not allowed in our space! Leave me and Terry alone!" The spirit most likely laughed and disappeared for the moment, but hey, I gave it a shot. 

This is how hard the coffee creamer container hit the floor. Enough to smash the top portion and open the lid. I'm happy it didn't hit Terry. 

I had another experience with our resident ghost, about a month ago. Our kitty, Esme, always rubs against the back of my legs while I do dishes. Not only does this drive me nuts, but I'm always concerned that I will either step on her or fall should I have to move. If you read the blog, you know I have a fear of falling now that I was injured a couple of years ago. 

Once again, I verbally jumped her, asking her to go do something in the living room while I finished dishes. Did she listen? Nope. That is the typical response. As she rubbed, I became aware of her behind me and made sure I did not move. Suddenly, she stopped pressing her body against me. I was happy, at least for a second or two. 

Instead of the legs, I felt something rubbing against my back, as though Terry had come in and pressed up against me to show affection with a nice hug. I turned to see him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark shadow standing behind me, but only for a second. The shadow disappeared and the scene went back to Esme rubbing against my legs. 

Now, I have seen a lot in my life in terms of macabre activity, but that's an entire book. This experience, this glimpse into old times on a dark street left me terrified. I collected my thoughts and completed my dish washing task. 

I did tell Terry about it later, figuring he would laugh at me and consider me daft or just plain crazy. It's not my job to enforce believability. I felt it was my job to let my co-inhabitant in the home know what was going on, and to give my hubby a heads up in general. Besides, crazy or not, I do share everything with Terry.

He gets it. He understood completely, and has seen odd things as well, such as flying refrigerator objects coming for his head. Sweet man informed me that it was believable and said he would never disbelieve me during those efforts to inform him of spirit craziness. Boy, has he had an earful. Living up to his statement, he has always believed what I've said about the wild, unbelievable moments I have had in the house, and he has had many of his own too. Together, we will combat this issue. Today is Sunday. I say it's a damn fine day to do some house cleaning. Sage, anyone? It is smudge-day in our house!

***

Ah, our big guy sniffing out what the neighbors are doing in his nosy sort of way. He is on top of the world when he can look into backyards along the alley. What a guy. Little does our Mr. Swanky Pants know, but mom purchased a pair of electric clippers yesterday that will take care of all of that nasty long hair growing between the pads on his paw. Oh, the fun we will have. 

I have tried scissors that are meant for tight-fitting areas on his body, to no avail. He pulls his feet into his body. I grab him again, and he contorts his body into odd formations to avoid me. I need a good grooming table to tie his leash to, or I need to take him in. Instead, I got a larger pair of electric clippers, a shop vac to blow that coat, and the small pair of clippers to get those hairs on his paws. Next up? Clipping those nasty toenails. If none of this works and he still does not cooperate, off we go to a groomer. I would like to do it at home though and hope this works. Silly pup. 

***

Well, I do believe we will end this weekend's post here. Terry and I both wish all of you an amazing, fruitful, abundant, peaceful, happy month of February, the month of love. Take care. Sending light and love to all of you. Until our next post,

Terry & Vicki Macrae

Old people living in a crazy world