Kiss of death – I’ve said it before. I’m the kiss of death for anything. If I like a restaurant, it will close. Same with stores. My favorite flavors are always discontinued to make way for an ice cream flavored with Swedish fish (Yuk!). It happened again. We had tickets for a concert and it was cancelled. Out of the last four concerts we had tickets for, two were cancelled. They were good entertainers! One was Cher and other Yanni. I’m tellin’ you…the kiss of death! (Do not invite me to your restaurant if you want to survive!)
It’s the farmer in me – I am starting tomato seeds. Most people would put the seeds in yogurt containers with dirt and water it. Not me. I have a heating pad to speed up germination and this week I bought a grow lamp. I have “special” dirt and a nice tray. Nothing but the best for my babies. It also keeps the cost of my tomatoes at $5 each.
Stuff you don’t want to know – Did you ever notice how you can live a happy life without knowing about something. Then something happens and you are all over Google. You know the in’s and out’s. All the gritty details. Except the positive solution. I’ve had issues with recurring acid reflux. My normal “go to” isn’t working. Now I know about all sorts of different medications (all with side effects of course) and no real direction. The doc’s office is always my last resort for things that don’t seem life threatening. If anyone wants to share, I’m all ears.
Robust? Seriously? — I was looking at a bottle of olive oil and I noticed it was described as robust. Does that mean it’s strong? Overbearing? I have no idea what that means.
The new cat – New cat Gracie is turning out to be one of those catkids that needs her toys front and center. No matter how many times I move them out-of-the-way, she always drags them to the middle of the family room. It’s a stage and she’ll grow out of it. Then I’ll miss all the fun and be sad.
So how was your week?
We could easily be sisters from a different mother! Around my house the expression is if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all! But ever the optimist, I hope for some good luck soon and maybe a restaurant that stay in business long enough to enjoy it more than once.🍀
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We used that phrase a time or two here.
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I’m sorry about your concert cancellations! Two in a short period of time really does confirm you’re living under some kind of curse, poor thing! I hope they were postponed and will be rescheduled. I hope you’ll take some photos of those prize-winning tomatoes later this summer!
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Both were cancelled but you can be sure you will see the work of my tomato growing.
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I am impressed with the love you put into your plants. Those tomatoes are going to taste amazing!
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That’s the plan. For the month of August I live on tomatoes.
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Gracie just wants to entertain you? She is so pretty. Glad she’s settled in and ready to run the world – waving wands and all.
I use olive oil for everything – makes the doc happy with my numbers and me off pills…forcing husband to do the same ( and his numbers are better). He also struggles with Acid reflux and takes meds ( and I worry because they deplete calcium…great…mess with one thing and there’a another mess). I’m sure you’re tried all the stuff he has as he’s an internet health info junkie
Our favorite just around the corner Italian place is over. It was one of those that was comfortable and you could go in there exhausted and it was so peaceful – great food. But last week we walked in and it was changed. Difficult to put finger on it at first, but once the food arrive…not to mention the antics of the trying too hard waitress and owner rushing over to tables frequently acting nervous. We are so sad…but a new place opened down the street – maybe it’s gone there.
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I forgot how active younger cats are. She wants to play (with me) all the time. She even tires out Morgan, our eternal childcat. We have a local Italian restaurant just down the street. We would go there often with our neighbors. It was BYOB so it was cheap too. The management knew us so we got good service. Something happened (don’t know what) and our neighbors no longer like going there. I sure miss it. We go alone sometimes but it’s not as much fun. I like change but some things you shouldn’t fool with!
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I think the new Gracie is making offerings to her kind Mom. These are your presents, which you will get over and over like we do from the old Roxie. I had acid reflux for a while and finally gave up. I was put on a prescription for a Prilosec generic – Omeprazole 20MG once daily and have had no problem since. Hope that helps.
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Do you take it every day? That’s the stuff my brother takes too.
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Yes, but it worked very quickly and now I may just take it as needed.
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Gracie is thriving, see, those kitties need your special touch! 😉
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Gracie is staging a take over. She is becoming very adamant about play times.
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I planted my tomato last week too. I will eventually have it in a pot on a balcony, so I also bought the giant pot, the soil, the compost and vermiculite. I think this tomato is going to cost me more than buying tomatoes all summer, but…
PS – I’m sure eventually Gracie will have you properly trained on the best places for her toys. Don’t worry. Sometimes the learning curve is steep. 🙂
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A garden fresh tomato has no price limit! The cats often wonder how they got such “slow learners” as staff.
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By the time I get here, usually on Mondays, just about everything there is to say has been said! Have you ever thought of moving your Random 5 to Monday?! No reason in particular… 😁
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Not everything has been said. You just have to be more creative and you always are.
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I think you need to give us advance notice of all your likes so we don’t get attached.
Robust probably means more expensive. Just a feeling.
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In the fall I should do a list of programs I like but are doomed. I can always depend on you for going for the simple. Marketing ploy to get more money. Perfect.
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I like the “robust” description for the olive oil… it definitely lets you know what and what not to use it for. Don’t be so sure that Gracie will grow out of putting all her toys in the middle of the room… my husband still does it and he’s in his 60s.
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When we built our house we have a separate room for my husband’s toys — guitars and other music stuff. Not enough room for them in the living room!
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Ha! Andy has a heating pad and special trays in his little green house also. You are not alone.
I am the kiss of death to new TV shows. As soon as I decide I like them, they get canceled. Now I only watch after Season I is finished and a contract for Season II has been signed.
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I expect Big Bang to be cancelled any day now. I found it after several seasons. It’s one of those programs that I can laugh at no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Yay for Andy. We like to keep our little plants happy.
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I wonder if they had a typo on the olive oil. It should be row-bust. You use a rowing machine to develop your bust.
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At my age, it is what it is……no rowbust for me.
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Cher is still singing…that’s pretty amazing.
If you’re going to have apple cider vinegar, have it in water. It’s supposed to be great in general. Make sure it’s organic though..
Tomato seeds…love the image of you as a farmer, just a chic one with cats in overalls and flannel shirts manning a tractor that Gracie will drag to the middle of the living room.
We women are all alike…our things are our things…and that’s that…:)
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Still singing at 70 is amazing! Cats are their own person. Always.
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She 70…wow..of course, she’d have to be.
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Yep, I always think of her as Cher from Sonny and Cher.
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Me too…I got you Babe…
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I just thought of something that has always stayed with me. Sonny Bono was on David Letterman who stupidly said…how do feel about your failed marriage to Cher. He said without missing a beat…my marriage to Cher didn’t fail, it just ended. We had a great marriage. I really love that. Things end, and it doesn’t mean it wasn’t once glorious…sigh
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I love that! It is an ending many times.
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I agree with Elyse, apple cider vinegar works wonders.
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Worth a try!
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Kate, your comment section is a party today! I know nothing about heartburn and I have never had it but my cardiologist put me on Prilosec to keep my heart meds from misbehaving after I got my cardiac stent. I hope you find something that helps… CH has heartburn. Gracie is a sweetie! Sorry you missed the concert!
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OMG! You have a heart stent! Now I will worry about you! Way too young…..
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Had it done in 2005!
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Ok, that’s a long time ago! Now maybe I won’t worry.
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Good! Don’t want you worrying… it will give you heartburn!
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I’m certainly a kiss of death for TV shows. I usually come around to popular shows after they’re already established– Downton Abbey, Doc Martin, and Big Bang Theory are three good examples. Those shows were safe because I was late to the party. But any brand new show that I happen to watch from its first episode, and I actually like, is bound to be toast. Last year I loved “Limitless” and it was cancelled. I can’t even remember any beyond that one, but I know there are plenty.
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TV programs! I am for sure the kiss of death for those. There are too many to mention that were killed because I liked them.
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Two people I know and believe are not crazy use apple cider vinegar for their acid reflux — about a capful. They swear by it. Can’t hurt!
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I’ve heard that. The funny thing is that you don’t want anything acidy when you have it. I’ve lost my taste for citrus fruit or any kind of fruit with a tartness to it. I should try apple cider. It’s cheap. You know people who aren’t crazy? Wow!
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Hard to believe, I know. Apparently straight apple cider vinegar tastes awful, though.
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Can you make a martini out of it?
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😂
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I felt like hugging Gracie! Kana pulls her furry “tail” on a pole out of her room every night and brings it “front and center.”
The gardener and I have “closed” more restaurants in our time than can be counted. So sad.
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Awwww, sweet Kana! I was working on taxes this afternoon and Morgan is taking a nap on the forms. I’m hoping she doesn’t put bite marks in them!
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She might crumple them just a little before inserting teeth ;). That’s how the IRS will know they are loved.
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I had a cat once that chewed up my divorce papers. I was surprised she didn’t pee on them. Very opinionated that cat. I should have listened to her.
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LOL, how funny! Some cats really do have strong opinions . . . .
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This one did.
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Neither Schooner nor Choppy seems to be out of the stage where they leave toys everywhere and in the middle of everything. I’m pretty sure we’re never growing out of that stage with Choppy (of course, being a dog, it might just go with the territory). The jury is still out on Schooner.
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Always stuff to trip over. Cats do get to a point where they sleep more during the day. So far Gracie takes very short cat naps. Every time you walk through the family room she brings the wand with the feather to you to play.
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I’m looking forward to the day Schooner starts sleeping more!
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Good luck with that. Morgan doesn’t sleep when I want her to (like when I want to get something done). She does sleep more than she did when she was young. During kittenhood she fell asleep by 7:30 or 8 p.m. and slept through the night but was awake all day long!
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Schooner does sleep through the night most of the time – so I’ll give him that. But there’s a lot of energy there the rest of the time (I just had to chase him from scratching a chair and he is now taking more interest than is healthy in my purse).
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I know that intent look. If you go away your purse will be emptied just in case there is something interesting in it. Maybe even a bite mark.
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Oh my husband and I love Yanni! Sorry you missed both concerts! I did have to laugh at how you described yourself though. Kiss of death! I thought I caused bad things to happen, but I haven’t had restaurants close on me yet . 😉
LOL at your new cat and her dragging the toys. Sounds like a toddler and Yes , the time will come when you miss the toys and fur!
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We’ve seen Yanni before and enjoy his music. Yep, I’m the kiss of death.
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A heating pad! I did not think of that! Gracie is a cutie. I’m going to buy a heating pad now!
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Heating pad? For reflux? Hmmm….
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No the seeds!😂😂
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Oh yes! There are seed starting heating pads. They speed up the germination process quite a bit. It’s not unusual to cut the time in half and keep the plant happy! We all like a little warmth!
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Too bad you missed Cher. We saw her a few years ago. She puts on quite a show. If you truly are the kiss of death I could think of someone you should have voted for 🙂 Have a wonderful Sunday!
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I saw Cher when she was with Sonny decades ago. Was looking forward to it! I did screw up the country, didn’t I?
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Well, I won’t totally blame you for that one. Seems to me there are a lot of people out there who share that responsibility. She did a tribute to Sonny that was quite touching.
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I can always count on having a chuckle and learning new stuff from your posts, Kate. Now I know way more about olive oil than I ever thought possible. 😀
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I learn too!
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Plants fear me. You can actually see them shudder when I walk out on the porch. Try as I may they all die if I’m attending them.
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I’m not good at real house plants. I have killed my fair share. The tomato plants will only be inside 8 weeks so they have a chance.
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Gosh, I hate that word. They use the word robust to describe a plan at work. I wonder if they were drinking at work.?
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It means different things to different people. Surely there is a better word!
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That is too bad about the concerts. Gracie is a cutie.
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Gracie is a sweetie and she is not disappointed that we will have to stay home and play with her another night this week!
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Bummer about being the kiss of death for Yanni & Cher ~> I can hear Cher now, “Et tu, Kate?”
Robust olive oil ~ great for savory dishes, NOT for cakes, pies, cookies.
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I never use olive oil in baked goods. Mostly sautés and salads. Since this was also labeled extra virgin oil which I have been led to believe was lighter in flavor, I was surprised.
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EVOO usually has MORE olive taste, not less:
Extra-virgin olive oil is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. There are very specific standards oil has to meet to receive the label “extra-virgin.” Because of the way extra-virgin olive oil is made, it retains more true olive taste, and has a lower level of oleic acid than other olive oil varieties. It also contains more of the natural vitamins and minerals found in olives.
Extra-virgin olive oil is considered an unrefined oil since it’s not treated with chemicals or altered by temperature. What sets it apart is the low level of oleic acid and the absence of sensory flaws. It contains no more than 1% oleic acid and typically has a golden-green color, with a distinct flavor and a light peppery finish.
While you can cook with extra-virgin olive oil, it does have a lower smoke point than many other oils, which means it burns at a lower temperature. Save the pricey good quality stuff for dipping bread, dressing, dips, cold dishes, and use the less expensive stuff for cooking and baking.
http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-olive-oil-and-extra-virgin-olive-oil-word-of-mouth-218767
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I stand corrected! Still not sure I’d bake with it.
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Same here, Kate. I use EVOO for dipping, salad dressings, sautéing, on pasta, in soups, and for roasting veggies, steak fries, etc. . . . but not in brownies or other sweet treats.
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Hmmmm…steak fries. Had those last night (with olive oil). If the potatoes are good, they are as good as French fries.
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My very favoritest martini bar (I was a regular for many years, until it shut down. But that’s a different story) rotated their selection of truly foofy martinis [think ‘candy appletini’ only more out there] on a seasonal basis. For a while, they did this completely amazeballs drink that not only had the liquors poured so they stayed in striped layers, but this drink came with three tiny swedish fish in the bottom of the drink glass!
So, while I have no experience with swedish fish in ice cream — and thus no opinion one way or another on the matter — please trust my judgment on this point: one has not truly tasted the pinnacle of what swedish fishness can be, until one has eaten fishies left soaking in the bottom of a foofy martini glass…
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OMG! Is there no limit to the lengths the Swedes will go to for attention? Fish at the bottom of a foofy drink. At least it’s not sardines.
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I don’t think this one is the Swedes’ fault!! Blame the fabulous mixologists of Philadelphia’s historic gayborhood district, if blame someone you must!
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(Oh. And if’n you wanna change my typo’ed “come” to “came” in the comment above, so’s I don’t sound like some sorta grammatical Neanderthal, I’d take it as a right kindly gesture!)
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Done! No Neanderthals here. Someday I’m going to write a post on the high incidence of grammatical/spelling errors on comments (that’s from me). I always think writers get so excited by my post that they type flat out fast!
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🙂 I don’t so much type fast, as I primarily read and comment from my phone, which doesn’t lend itself to careful proofing!
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I can’t type on my phone. Even though my fingers are not big, they are spastic!
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I’m your twin for #1… since I can vote the party who got my vote was always the epic loser of the election. and always when I ride in a bus with my mother it is the wrong one… if she is alone this never happens to her LOL
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Oh yes…if I go to an outside concert, it rains. If the sun is shining, the musician stinks or it’s 187 degrees outside. Yes, twins. Please don’t ever vote for me….
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