along the KATY...

One of my favorite rest-stops, Lewis and Clark actually over-nighted on one one the bluffs across the river.

new reads...

Last week I started reading Think Smart by Richard Restak, M.D. In his book, he combines advice culled from cutting-edge exercises to show how individuals of any age can make their brain work more effectively and efficiently.
Since reading it, I have stopped taking a daily multivitamin. I do take an adult aspirin, vitamin D gel-tab, and krill oil. Throughout the day, I chew two calcium tabs.
Yesterday, I started an easy-read, Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien. Stacey raised Wesley, a barn owl as her pet for two decades. I simply cannot put this book down, it is so entertaining. To all animal lovers out there two words: Read it!!

so far this summer...

Three funerals and two baby showers. Memorials were given to:

1. Carmelite Monastery
2. Hospice  Compassus
3. a small Catholic church in Westphalia, Missouri    

Baby shower gifts:   

1. a Bumbo
2. a baby bathtub    

new car?

Last night was a ferocious storm but this morning River City woke up to a bright, sunny day with no humidity. After two days on the treadmill, I couldn't wait to get outside. When I pass this local car-lot, I window shop for my next new car. I like this one, except for the $33,000 sticker price!! So I'll let someone else buy it, then when they get tired of it they can sell it to me at a slightly reduced price!

chicken salad

Here's a great chicken salad recipe:

• 1lb. boned, chicken breast
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 small red onion, julienned
• 1/2 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
• 1/2 medium green pepper, julienned
• 1/2 medium green apple, cubed
• 3 sprigs basil, chopped
• 1 sprigs dill, chopped
• 2/3 cup sliced almonds  

Place chicken, celery, onion, red and green peppers,apple, basil and dill in stainless steel or porcelain bowl.
Toss lightly to mix.

Sour Cream Dressing

• 1 cup sour cream
• 2/3 cup Kraft MAYO with olive oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• salt & pepper    

Add sour cream dressing to salad and blend well. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Makes 6 servings or 3 pounds of salad.

Home gym

I love to get my exercise outdoors but sometimes Missouri weather does not cooperate and today was one of those days. I am fortunate that several years ago I set up a home gym. I bought a Proform treadmill at Sears, there's no reason to buy an expensive model. Hey, they all do the same thing. I also purchased a weigh machine, again it's just a middle of the line model. I have space on my treadmill for my water bottle and of course, my remote. Here's my hint of the day: Purchase several small gel-packs at Walmart, these are made especially for Baby boo boos. I freeze them and stick them in my bra while I'm walking on the treadmill. Even though I have a nice little fan blowing on me, these really help to keep me going.

volunteering

Today I worked at a local church making braille books for blind second-graders. There were six of us in a small room. Four volunteers took over the task of loading paper into metal jackets, running these through an ancient braille machine, removing the metal jackets and stacking the pages into booklets, and then binding a front and back cover to each book. My task was punching the holes in each page in order to go through the binder. I've actually had experience doing this; as a teacher I put together many kid-made books for my classroom. After binding each book, Mildred signed  Lutheran Braille Workers on the back cover. We made thirty-six books, each with 18 pages. It was about God and forgiveness. These books are shipped to California where they are then distributed all over the world. Afterward we had lunch at Panera Bread, talking about our families and generally solving the world's problems.