Wait just a second there

Mike, getting used to the way we do birthdays

Before August becomes nor more than a dim memory I suppose I should bring you up to speed on all we've been up to.

See what I did there? Up to no good.

I had a funny experience a week or so ago. If I'm honest I can say it is the first time this has ever happened to me and will most likely be the last.

It transpired at the grocery store where I'd gone to pick up maybe six or eight things. Not my usual order but it was for a particular and rather narrow purpose.

In fact it was part of the shopping I did for Henry's meals, which by the way, he has been raving about.

August is slipping from the calendar

Particularly well received was the meatloaf. Let's pull over and park here for a mo.

Throughout the decades I have made meatloaf by adding to the lean ground meat one egg, a handful of dry oatmeal, a generous squirt of ketchup, and whatever seasonings I saw fit.

One of the secrets of good meatloaf if you're asking me, is to bake it on a rack so that it does not rest in its own grease.

Towards the end of cooking, I take it out of the oven and apply a generous amount of ketchup to the top, spreading it all around so everything is covered, then bake until the ketchup forms a glaze.

And, et voilà, Bob's your uncle! That's a good meatloaf.

Persistent rain cloaked our area for days

But this time, while looking for the canned goods I would need for my chili, me pirate eye fell on this product: Hunt's Seasoned Tomato Sauce for Meatloaf. Basically a meatloaf starter.

If this product has existed for any length of time, it had previously escaped my notice.

I decided to give it a try.

To two pounds of lean ground beef I added about two-thirds of the starter sauce, plus the egg and oatmeal. At any rate I followed the recipe on the can.

I shaped the meat into two one-pound loaves -- one for TG and one for Henry. But even if I were not sharing, I would make this with two loaves. You can always eat one and put the other in the freezer for a rainy day.

Rhett was having a high old time

Towards the end of cooking, I added the remaining one-third can of starter sauce to the tops of my meatloaves.

Henry has raved about that meatloaf both to me and to my sister, to the point that she has texted to ask that I share what I did to that meatloaf to garner such a response.

(TG liked it but by no means raved; I'm not sure what to make of that, but I will make this meatloaf again.)

So now you know. If you want to wow someone with a humble meatloaf, go and do as I did.

Anyway, Henry also enjoyed everything else I made for him and I cannot tell you how glad I was to hear that.

Erica's compact canine unit, Sibi, matches the recliner

But I was at the store to get a few things I needed -- as I said, maybe ten things tops -- and in the checkout line, it not being a busy time of day, I was the only customer after the person ahead of me cleared out.

The cashier was an older lady, neat and tidy, having put on makeup and everything. She looked really nice.

Of particular interest to me was the wig she was wearing; it was a bobbed style dyed black at the roots and platinum blonde from the ears down. It actually looked cute on her.

She asked if I had one of those cards you scan to get the everyday low low prices and I said no, I thought I did but I don't.

Our Dagny loves a family get-together

We have just really started shopping at that store since we got fed up with the store where we used to shop.

So she encouraged me to visit a kiosk near the door as I left, to apply for said card, and I said that I would.

And then she said: That will be two thirty-eight. It all happened so fast.

I said, Excuse me?

She repeated: That will be two-thirty eight. And looked at me as though it was my turn.

Audrey got this balloon for Mike. No he is not a gamer.

It looked as though all of my purchases were still on the conveyor belt. I was the only person in line. I mean is that even a line? Does the pirate all by her onesie constitute a line?

Anyway I honestly thought she was asking me to pay for that card that they would later scan in order to give me access to the low low everyday prices.

So I said, I mean what is that for?

She replied; For your order. And she pointed to one item that she had scanned and put into a bag. I hadn't noticed that before.

I looked at my other stuff. But, I said, what about the rest of my groceries?

The sun did not shine! It was too wet to play!

She looked down and gasped. Oh I am so sorry! she said, and quickly began scanning my remaining items.

I'm old! she exclaimed by way of explanation for her error. I'm nearly seventy!

Well I resemble that a little more than I am comfortable with but I just said: Oh girl don't think a thing of it! I thought you were saying I had to pay for the discount card, haha!

She said: Of course you don't have to pay for that! I saw that stuff but I just thought it was someone else's order.

? ? ? ? ?

Erica's musical selections added to the cozy ambience

There was no one else but I let that slide because what does one say at such a time?

At any rate I soon paid for my purchaseS but not before she had apologized eighteen more times for being such an airhead, and I assured her it was absolutely not a problem and suggested that she forget it immediately.

But you know, I feel every day as though I am forgetting something. I think it's the wedding mode I'm in.

However we did not forget to celebrate our Mike's birthday on the sixth of this month.

Erica's incredible disappearing brownies

That was the week that we had rain, rain, rain, a brief lull, more rain, then more and more and more rain, until on his actual birthday it rained all day without stopping.

It was the storm they named Debby. We had none of the catastrophic effects as they did in the Low Country of South Carolina, from that weather event; we were fortunate.

But it was a rainy week and as I said, on the day, it did nothing but rain.

Erica had made her wonderful white chicken chili, and she'd also made brownies. Audrey made her beloved a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies, his favorite.

We had brought a small gift and it was cozy to be inside Erica's homey house full of lamplight, the skies all gray and weeping, and eat and visit and love on the babies.

I did the dishes. Yay me.

I always say I'll do the dishes if there are gloves to wear to protect my manicure, and Erica didn't have the right kind so Audrey dodged raindrops to go to her car and retrieve her heavy housecleaning gloves (they were in her car because she cleans houses for a living), so that I could wear them.

So the dishes got done and the dishwasher loaded and so forth, and that was my contribution.

Erica had lovely music floating from her bluetooth speaker that looks like a vintage retro radio, and the rain fell and Mike opened his gift and we all had a great time.

Rhett did not become emotional at the music. We are attempting to immunize him ahead of the wedding, where there will be a glut of lush, romantic tunefulness.

Mike appreciated our efforts on his behalf

You won't believe this. Mike had at first said, when I asked, that he didn't want to "do anything" for his birthday.

? ? ? ? ?

I told Audrey: Well chickie that hound won't hunt, and she prevailed on her intended to submit to being fêted on the day.

It's just how we roll. As you well know.

I told Mike when we arrived that evening, waterlogged but none the worse for wear: If you want to avoid observation of your birthdays, you are marrying into the wrong family.

Everyone misted with mirth because if that's not the truth, God didn't make the little green apples.

Audrey produced a batch of Mike's favorite cookies

No birthday left behind, is our motto. Or if it isn't, it should be.

And then a few days later, TG and I embarked on a trip to Cleveland, and later this week I will tell you about that adventure.

It involved relatives, cemeteries, ice cream, and baseball.

Oh and it involved me forgetting something: my ankle-length black Shadowline nightgown with roses embroidered at the neckline, without which garment I cannot live.

I left it hanging from a hook on the back of the bathroom door on the day we departed for home.

It's been awhile since anyone around here has had to water their grass

When I called the InterContinental Suites Hotel to make sure they had it -- they did -- I learned that if I wanted it back it would cost up to one hundred and seven dollars, depending on how quickly I wanted it.

They have a contract with FedEx.

Hmmmmm. After careful consideration I opted to send them a self-addressed, postage prepaid padded mailer into which they have promised to stuff my nightgown and zip it right back to me.

I think it's interesting that they get kickbacks from FedEx can't -- or won't -- simply put a forgotten item into a mailing envelope or box and send it back to the careless guest via the United States Postal Service, and put the charge for that on a credit card.

Ahoy and avast! That would be too easy. And that's not how we do things in the big city!

Elliot a/k/a Skippy is a sought-after lap buddy

The takeaway: Do a thorough sweep of your room before checking out of a hotel.

Ironically, I had thought to remove TG's hanging shirts from the closet, and drape them over his suitcase, lest he forget them.

I am not suggesting that he would have; I'm just saying that's what I did. Also I snagged his aviators from the bedside table and put them beside his wallet. Pirates are nothing if not helpful.

Later he told me that he had noticed my gown hanging on the back of the bathroom door, but ...

I snagged some snuggle time with my Skippy

But what? Just fill in the blank because you know what.

Dearest! Repeat after me: If you see something, say something!!!

Speaking of what, what have you left behind in hotel rooms? Did you let them keep it, or did you pay through the nose to get it back?

Tell me in the comments.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Tuesday

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

What interesting stories today! The checkout lady seems a bit absentminded and maybe even a bit of a ditz? Little Sibi does, indeed, look a bit like a fall decoration! Sounds like Rhett is doing well with the music so far. He must be extremely empathetic!

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... Yes she was a ditz for sure! But a really nice one. Sibi fits right in, doesn't she? And yes Rhett did well despite the tunes so we are hopeful he'll get through the wedding without emoting in a way that is inconvenient for the circumstances, hahaha! xoxo

[Mari]

Well - you tell Mike he is most definitely marrying into the right family, just not one that will ignore his birthday. This family knows how to party!
I loved the photos of Dagny, Rhett and Skippy - those eyes are so incredible!
I'm happy to hear that Henry is enjoying the meals. I'll be looking for the Hunts meatloaf sauce. Bob loves a good meatloaf and mine is ok, but I would like something better, so I'm listening to the Pirate.
I laughed at your checkout lady story. Somehow you end up in these crazy situations. Hmmmm...
I hate to tell you this, but so far I haven't left anything in a hotel room. Now, that I've said that, you know what will happen.

[Donna]

All your babes are gorgeous...just saying!
Larry's mother and dad took a cruise (ages about 88, 89 or so). Upon disembarking for the final time, she had left her expensive jewelry $$$$ in the room's safe...It was months before she remembered leaving them...by that time the jewelry was gone. Someone is enjoying all the bling...that was their last cruise...
I always say take only old clothes and no jewelry. But do take your Shadowline panties! That's a must! lolol
hugs
Donna

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... Yeah Mike will learn to do it OUR (my) way, hahaha! Not many options there! DO make the meatloaf! I have not tasted it but if Henry loves it, I'm pretty sure it's good. I'm going to taste it next time, that's for sure. I don't even know my own powers, hahaha! xoxo

@Donna ... noooooo her JEWELS???? She must not have cared to much about them not to remember for MONTHS!!! I would have lost my mind over that. But yes, Shadowline gown and panties are a MUST when traveling, hahaha! xoxo

[Skunk (aka Mike Bay)]

Love meatloaf. Can't make it (my Chef Boy R Dee Structive always comes out in my cooking) but love it. And no, I haven't as yet left anything of consequence in a hotel room. I'm sure my time is coming LOL.

[Carla TePaske]

Hello Pirate,
I did laugh about Mike. I love how you make birthdays so SPECIAL!!! It is something I have learned from you and making a point of doing for our family.
And I enjoyed all your stories.

[AC]

Your original meat loaf sounds a lot like my recipe, except I substitute plum sauce for the ketchup, both within and on top. I also add relish, onions and onion soup mix (just a bit) in with the oatmeal and beef. One daughter really likes it and the other really doesn't although she will admit that it isn't bad for meat loaf. lol

And did you think the $2.38 was $238.00?

I like the radio-like speaker if I am interpreting correctly.

Then I started losing some text on the left for some reason and lost my way, but I got a lot of it.

[Dianna]

First of all, I am so glad that Henry came to his senses and is appreciating the wonderful food that you prepared for him! Yay! And you can believe that the next time I go to the store, I'm looking for that meatloaf sauce. Thanks for sharing!

That dear cashier! I feel for her. It sounds like something I could have easily done myself. ;)

Glad that Mike had a wonderful birthday. My mom always made a big deal over each of our birthdays whereasmy husband's family didn't really celebrate their birthdays with anything special. So it took my hubby a year or two to get used to the idea, but he soon fell in love with the tradition of celebrating! :)

Your pictures are always amazing, Jenny. Have a wonderful remainder to your week!

[Eileen in Fla.]

My heart goes out to elderly people who must still work, or return to work, when they should be able to enjoy their waning years. Where I live, this is a common practice, and I see many older men bagging groceries or corralling carts at Publix. Lowe's is a big employer of the elderly in my State. Makes my knees & back hurt just watching them. My retiree magazine (you know the one) has written how current inflation prices, especially for food and rent, are making gainful employment a necessity for us Seniors. So glad you showed compassion & kindness to the lady at the check-out counter. After all, we're all on the same conveyor belt.

[Jennifer]

@Mike ... yes! Your time is coming! To make a meatloaf, that is. Seriously, Seymour could do this! It's that easy. Give it a try. xoxo

@Carla ... awwww I love that you've been inspired by our party-throwing. In fact we are having another (small) birthday get-together tonight, for a special friend of mine. I'm making my super-duper chicken salad. Wish you could come! xoxo

@AC ... hahaha no it did not occur to me that my bill was $238 but that's funny! I didn't really know what to think! Now, the important thing is, not which daughter likes the meatloaf, but does your Sue like it? And now I will have to look for plum sauce because I'm not familiar with that and it sounds intriguing! Yes the little radio is really a bluetooth speaker! Erica likes all things mid-century. So charming! xoxo

@Dianna ... YES to being so proud of the cashier for getting up that day, fixing herself up, and entering the fray, as it were. It takes courage and I admire that. Her error was so small that it pained me to witness her chagrin but I did what I could to reassure her that it could have happened to anyone. DO try the meatloaf sauce! I can't wait to do it again and have some of it to see what Henry was raving about! And as long as I have two brain cells and an ounce of energy, we will celebrate birthdays with all the appropriate vigor, hahaha! xoxo

@Eileen ... Hello and I loved your comment, so true, especially the part about our all being on the same conveyor belt. We're none of us getting out of this alive! And as I said to another commenter above, I admire older people who are out there in the fray. I could not do it, I don't think, but not because I don't love interacting with people; I do. But as you said, backs and knees and hips ache, and it's more difficult for elderly people to react as quickly as one sometimes needs to do in various situations. But I do think that getting up and out there is good for people too, no matter what their age. That part is a positive. It beats sitting at home doing nothing! I stay home but I'm always working away at some project or other! Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great weekend! xoxo

[Maryellen]

The only thing I ever left in a hotel was my dignity. It is a long story. Many years ago I traveled around the country on company business. One trip I was in Chicago. I had started to lose my hearing but as many people do at the outset I was telling myself it really wasn't that bad yet and that I would hear the wake-up call that I had requested. Well, they called once and I didn't hear it. They called a second time and I didn't hear it. They sent someone to my door to knock and I didn't hear it. They began to worry about me and used a key to ascertain that my door was bolted from inside. They started to think they had a medical emergency on their hands. They called maintenance and completely removed my hotel door - and I slept on. Now, when I sleep I pull the covers way up over my head. So, the hotel manager and two maintenance men entered my room and saw the hump of my still sleeping and unmoving body. One of them summoned the courage to come close enough to me to shake my foot. At that point I finally woke up, saw three strange men in my room, jumped up onto the bed in a flash and started screaming. Well, those poor men almost had a heart attack and in my memory they leaped back in a group and shouted, "We thought you were dead!' To which I responded, "I am not dead, I am deaf!" After that most memorable experience I accepted the degree of my hearing loss and started to use assistive devices. All these years later, it remains a memorable experience - for me and possibly for those men too!

[Jennifer]

@Maryellen ... nooooooo girl you did NOT!!!! Hahahahaha that is the funniest story I have heard in an long time! Those poor guys! Poor YOU! I'm glad you didn't live in Chicago or you would have spent the rest of your life trying to live that down! Hahaha mercy I am laughing out loud. Thanks for that xoxo

[Maryellen]

I absolutely did and I can't believe the men did not keel over from heart attacks because they looked terrified. That story always gets lots of laughs and it is absolutely true. Keep celebrating life and sharing it with us.

[Jeanette]

That meatloaf sounds delicious! I make a turkey meatloaf that I love but I may try yours for a change. that cashier sure had a senior moment! happy Birthday to Mike! Lucky him to be the receiver of one of your epic parties!

[Barb]

Well research says you cannot adequately do two things at one time - so I guess the cashier switched from checkout mode to card savings mode and forgot to switch back ! Now that I'm 80, I'm aware that I sometimes hurry into a room on a mission and then realize I've forgotten the mission. If I stand there a minute, I usually remember, but it bugs me. My meatloaf recipe is similar to your original, but I use bison and add 1 tsp of horseradish per pound (plus the egg and other ingredients plus herbs). The horseradish supposedly) keeps the meatloaf moist. The children are all beautiful. I kind of love that Rhett "feels" the music so emotionally (though I understand how sobbing uncontrollably at a wedding might be disruptive). I nearly sobbed aloud at our grandson's recent wedding, but was able to control myself to shoulder shaking and tears. Happy Birthday to Mike - he better get used to family celebrations!

[Barb]

Oh my gosh - I just read Maryellen's comment! Laughing hard in CO. That scene will stay in my mind.

[Jennifer]

@Maryellen ... the best part of that story is that it IS true, hahaha! Oh my goodness that is the BEST one I've heard in a long time. Apparently Barb in Colorado loved it too, and you would love her and vice versa! Hahaha xoxo

@Jeanette ... Sooooo good to see you my friend! I shall have to stop by your blog and see if you're "back" !!! Yes the meatloaf is good and easy and I think you and Rich would both love it. Mike endured his party and I think I convinced him that he will never escape us, haha! xoxo

@Barb ... oh dear I am prone to tears so I completely get you about sobbing at your grandson's wedding. I am glad you were able to keep it at least marginally together, hahaha! But happy tears are cleansing tears for sure. And one of my favorite quotes is "The days that make us happy make us wise." We will be gaining lots of wisdom on Audrey's beautiful wedding day. We had a small gathering recently to celebrate my good friend Marsha's birthday. It was just Marsha and me and Audrey and Dagny. I was playing the song for Marsha that will be played when Audrey walks down the aisle. We all dissolved in tears, hahaha! It was sort of funny but I still felt like a ninny but I couldn't HELP it! Your meatloaf sounds like one of my late mother's favorite words for a delicious mea. She would declare loudly: "That was larrupin'!" Larruping being a southern colloquialism that I think should be kept alive at all costs. But do try my extra-easy recipe! Try to ignore the ingredients label, hahaha! xoxo