Quips from Kay

 I have another story to tell you but it is not a happy one. I feel the need to share the situation with you anyway. Our restaurant, The Spanish Cellar, in Fredericksburg, Texas, was small, with a capacity of only 45 people. As I think I told you before, we prepared every dish from "scratch" which made our menu rather unique. One or two days before our initial opening we were in the cellar busy as little bees when an elderly lady came down the steps into the dining area carrying a basket on her arm. Introducing herself, she explained that she had heard we were a new place in town and she wanted to know if we would like to buy her farm-fresh eggs on a regular basis. That was what was in the basket. Nice, large fresh eggs from her own hens. Having been raised in the country myself I knew that those were a lot better than the ones we could get at the local grocery store so we immediately came to an arrangement.  I told this nice lady that if she would like I could drive out to h...

 Sitting here in my apartment thankful that I have electricity during this cold snap, I am reminded once again of growing up in the country without the amenities offered in a city. I know I have mentioned my rural upbringing before, but right now I'm thankful for the things I learned during that period of my life. For instance, I learned to conserve water because ours came from a well pumped into a tank by a windmill and when there wasn't any wind, there wasn't much water. Also, for quite a while our only heat source was a fireplace in the living room. For a short time we had a wood stove in the kitchen but we soon got an electric one. Anyway, during cold weather my mother would tuck me in to my bed and go wrap a brick in a towel in front of the fireplace. She would call to me and say, "Are you ready?" Then she would tuck the wrapped warm brick by my feet, pull the down comforter over me and kiss me goodnight. Life may have been a bit more difficult then but it su...

 I have seven great-grandchildren ranging in age from one year to sixteen. It occurred to me that the ones who are elementary school age will have a huge gap in their development. Kindergarten and the first five years or so of school are so very important. Learning to interact with your peers is not effective on your cellphone. Thus, if they do not have the opportunity to communicate in person when they are young that just perpetuates the problems they will face as they grow older. It's difficult enough to have a meaningful conversation with anyone now but without learning early, it will be almost impossible to do so at a later age.  I visualize this problem as a long blank space in a child's life and I wish we could correct that. I remember my elementary school days and am so thankful I had the opportunity to make friends and get more than just "book-learning".  School helped me in so many ways besides learning because as an only child I would not have had the opport...

 The following is an example of bored mind: Sittin' in my recliner with my doggie in my lap, Though I'd take a little nap. Closed my eyes and off I went. Best forty minutes I ever spent  But now I'm stiff and hungry too.  Wish I had something more to do.    Good grief! This quarantine stuff will drive us all mad!