to blog or not to blog

to blog or not to blog
If a computer is not part of your life, skip this column. Next week I will not say a word about cyberspace.
I have had a few computers. My first one was a hand-me-down from one of the attorneys in the office where I used to work. My second was a bargain from St. Vincent’s. Last Christmas I got the Dell laptop of my computer dreams .I knew there was something I liked about my kids.
I had a bad case of computer fear, but little by little, I got better. I still lose things and go strange places on the internet , but I keep trying.
So many people of my generation don’t think they would like it or wouldn’t be able to do it. If I can, anyone can.
Even though I have learned from trial and error (mostly error), I enjoy it immensely. I can write my column and email it to Amy at the News. Amazing.
Now when I am just getting somewhat comfortable, I was introduced to something new The blog. My daughter Kelly started a blog, and thought I should have one, too.
She thought it would be a good thing to put my column online.
My first question to her was, "What the heck is a blog.?" It took me a while to get a definition, and then it didn’t ;make much sense .to me
What I got was it is or can be like a diary- your own website where you can journal, put pictures, write about anything and anything. It’s kind of like an email to everyone.
Writers blog. Actors and politicians blog. Seems like everyone who goes online is into blogging. Except me.
Kelly first started hers because she has made her interest and talent of quilting and scrapbooking into a business. She wanted to share her experiences and love of her work.
Then she thought I should have a blog to share my column and recipes. I was not enthusiastic about the whole deal. My mind was not open to something new.
I heard that you are a blogger or you’re not. There is no "sitting on the fence." Left to myself, I would not be a blogger. But you do anything for your kids. Besides, the work was done for me. Kelly started it, even put pictures on it. Like it or not, I had a blog.
I don’t mean this to be a commercial. I’ve shared a lot besides recipes in this column. Maybe some of you do blog. Maybe some would like to. Maybe you might just want to see what I am talking about. So here is Kelly’s blog.: kellygoldsworthy.typepad.com. If you would like to hook up with mine, you can click on from hers, or go to :shirleyscottage.blogspot.com.
What I like about it is feeling close to my daughter even though she is so far away. I also like to hear from some of the people who blog. There is a place where people can email you or put comments right on your blog. You hear from people who have like interests. There is something about knowing there is some validation that what you are doing has some meaning.
S
On the other hand, I think why am I doing this. I have enough to keep me busy. I don’t have the time. It’s all a matter ov choices. Then I heard a little voice say to me, " If you have time to watch Little House on the Prairie and Matlock several times a day, you’ve got time to blog."
Each to their own. If you have an interest, I’ll see you on the blog.
Most every activity makes me hungry. Blogging is no different. My favorite dishes are coming with the cold weather: soup, stew, chilli casserole, Comfort food.. All made better with a warm biscuit or muffin. Don’t worry about the green chilies.. They are not spicy but add flavor and color to your muffins.
GREEN CHILI CORN MUFFINS
from a tattered recipe in my drawer
you will need:
miniature or regular muffin tins, lightly sprayed with oil
2 packages of Jiffy corn muffin mix (or 1 1/4 cups regular corn meal)
2 t baking powder
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
one regular size can creams style corn
1 cup sour cream
1 4 ounce can chopped green chilies
½ cup oil
2 beaten eggs
Mix all ingredients together. Do not overmix
batter will be stiff
Fill tins ½ full and bake at 400 degrees until done, about 15 minutes
Serve warm with butter and enjoy.

birthdays

Birthdays They just keep coming
In our family, the only month there is more than one birthday is July that my mother and I share.
Everyone else has their own month.
October belongs to my first born. The one that started it all. She didn’t know the responsibility the first-born in the family has. Neither did I. Even though I was the oldest, there was only my sister and me. I was five years older, and I just thought that was the way it was supposed to be: taking care of and watching our for my sister.
Deb has three siblings, and they are all bunched together in six years. She grew up with the lot of them looking to her to be the team leader.
Growing up with siblings so close can go either way When it is time to go off on your own, you can be free, and have your own life. Or-you stay close and are always part of each other’s life. They stayed close. T hey truly are each others best friends. I think I am most proud of that.
As each of them left home, they went off to different places. Deb couldn’t wait to get to the lake. She graduated from high school, and there was no question she would move to the cottage.
You think you cry the first day of kindergarten? You should have been there when she backed her car out of the driveway, packed to the hilt. Her dad didn’t cry, but the look on his face said it all.
The rest of us piled in every weekend .When we would leave on Sunday nights, she would be waving at the door. She always said she was sad to see us go, But I know she was also happy she could stay.
This is where she married, and had her precious daughter.
Yet, they were not always good times. Life is not that way., of course But good enough to stay put When things got tough, she would walk down to the shore , and just "look at the lake."
I would do a disservice to try and quote her about her feelings about the lake, but it is passionate.
They grew up on the lake. As kids one of their favorite things for the girls to do was to walk down the lake road and sit on 1913. For those that don’t get on the lake road, it is a piece of cement that serves as a bench with 1913 engraved on it. They would say, "We’re walking down to 1913."
About the lake, we agree. There are many things we don’t agree upon. We have had many rocky roads. I don’t know if every mother bugs every daughter, but I can do a pretty good job of it. I don’t do it on purpose. I think that is just what moms sometimes do.
What I probably don’t do often enough is tell her what I think of her.
It is more than a mother loving her daughter unconditionally, which I do. But there are other things like, respect and, pride and admiration
She has raised her daughter as a single mom. When Jade was a toddler, she went back to school.
She started a part-time job and has worked herself up in the company to be regional manager. She bought her own home, and is sending Jade to college. She has always told her, "Going to college is non-negotionable" and meant it.
When her birthday comes, she makes it last a whole week. This year they are off to Chicago to visit her niece, Paige, who recently moved.
She might be embarrassed to have me write this from the cottage. But I wanted to say happy birthday in a special way. A way that says how much I admire the girl who loved to sit on 1913 and just watch the world and the cute boys go by
I am very proud of the person you are.
Happy Birthday, Deb. You are loved.
When they get home, we’ll have the birthday dinner. There is plenty of time. The birthday lasts or a week, you know. One thing for sure, the cake has to be chocolate. Keeping it simple, this one is good.
DEB’.S BIRTHDAY CAKE
you will need:
one box chocolate cake mix of your choice
four eggs
one cup water
½ cup water
one small box instant chocolate pudding,
Mix all together on high mixer
Bake in bundt or angel food cake pan
bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until done.
While cake is baking, make glaze
4 T melted butter
2 T cocoa
2 T water
3 cups powdered sugar
Add cocoa to butter
mix in sugar
enough water to make a glaze
pour glaze over cake when still warm.
Serve with ice cream.
Birthday or not, Enjoy