My Mom's best recipe: IRISH LASAGNA

Tonight I read some posts and comments about mothers, memories, moments with mothers that left deep scars or the deepest fondness.

This prompted me to think of my mom, Rosemary, or Rosie as her friends called her.  She was the youngest of 6 child… Read full post »

WATER

I have always loved water.

From my first memory of bubble baths, running through the sprinkler, our summers at Lake Washington watching the hydro-plane races, looking out the car window of our station wagon, looking out onto the water crossing the "floating bridge," the feeling of the lake wate… Read full post »

"PAVLOVAS"

Made with lavender-ho… Read full post »

It has taken me a full week now to come to terms with this pit bull attack.

It is a rare day that I don't find humor in something, especially when I write.  I cannot find any humor in this at all.  None.

Last Thursday afternoon, after returning from the mountains,… Read full post »

 Totally innocent fun!

Pure and simple.  What constitutes drunk behavior?

 I don't mean seriously drunk, as in several mixed drinks of opposing alcoholic varieties here...or falling down, slurring, obnoxious behavior...drunk.

Nope.  Not at all.

I mean to say..… Read full post »

HERE IS ONE THAT'S SURE TO PLEASE EVERYONE ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!

 "SUPER BALLS" - SURPRISE CHEESE BALLS

 (Cousin Bro Tom and Reeny's secret family recipe)

1.  Goat Cheese

2. Large sweet seedless red grapes

3.  Chopped Pistachio nuts

Rinse grapes and pat dry the grapes, re… Read full post »

GO GREEN.  EAT HEALTHY!!!

Just give this recipe a chance!

TRUST ME!

These brussel sprouts are sure to please even the most doubtful here who swear to hate these nutritious little nuggets:

First, select the smallest, fresh brussel sprouts (baby brussels)

Peel away all the outer leaves and trim t… Read full post »

 Here goes:

Seriously get off my butt and walk, exercise more. (I have more muscles in the pads of my fingertips than I do anywhere else in my body.)

Yes, that means, walking my dog more than out to the yard so he can do his business while I click… Read full post »

Relative to so many New Year's Eve celebrations past, I have one that I will always remember for a special night gone horribly bad in one impulsive moment.  This moment, on New Year's Eve, 1972, set a tone for my social drinking habits for the next 25-30 years, along with… Read full post »

1.  Born Cathleen Carol Gast, December 29, 1948, Seattle, Washington; eldest of seven children (5 girls, 2 boys).

2.  Moved to San Mateo, California, early childhood and was total tomboy, loved sports, hated dolls.

3.  Babysat a lot, cleaned up sometimes after serious drinking and smok… Read full post »

My mother and father were born in 1923 and 1926 respectively.  They were fairly young when the Great Depression of 1929 hit their world and changed the course of many events to come.

My father, most of all, remembered the hardships his family endured and how it impacted his youth and… Read full post »

Nothing says Christmas is just around the corner like the one word out of the mouth of babes, when one sees the tree all decorated, lights twinkling, and a declaration of pure delight, than...

"WOW!"

The holiday magic is in full swing now.  The outdoor lights are on the… Read full post »

My first job was right here at Archer Kent Drug Store, in Greenwich, Connecticut when I was 15 years old.

I am on the left with my store manager, far right and assistant store manager, middle.  (he was an ass)

The store manager, Vicki, was very full of herself, stuck… Read full post »

We all have best friends or have had them in our life time.  They have always been there or they have not yet arrived on the scene.  They are a part of us; they are the missing part of us.  They are the essence of what we connect with, past, present… Read full post »

Unfortunatlely, my first experience with love was when I thought it was ok to kiss my father on the lips.

That was one of the first really big mistakes I ever made in the name of love.

My father set me straight with that one look of disgust and shock at… Read full post »

Gramma Cathy with Graydon

This is what I call, "Keeping it Real." Read full post »

With all the recent outbreaks of devastating fires in Southern California again, I am reminded of the worst fire to ever hit Lake Tahoe, California in June of 07 and my experiences with evacuation while caring for my then 4 month old grandson, my dog and my rabbit in tow.

    &nbs… Read full post »

 Oooo LA LA!!!  Paris in the summer of 69 and the first experiences of a TWA Flight Attendant in this romantic city. Some real eye openers and once in a lifetime memories made on warm, lusty nights where unexpected colors, aromas, music, lively swarms of celebration on every corner bistro a… Read full post »

I trained in Kansas City, MO., in May of 69...ah, what a year that was! My international training continued in June in NYC until I began flying all over Europe,&… Read full post »

There is no doubt that my daughters will look back on this day and this photograph and see their dorky mama and some crazy bad outfits...and that hat?!? 

 Let's just get serious here for a few moments...I cannot sleep tonight and wish to express a very real prayer:

&nb… Read full post »

 There is a fascination with sunsets.

It is the end of the day; the beginning of the night.

It is an illumination of all life beginnings, transitions, emerging light becoming shades of deeper, softer, dimming colors of every day.

It sweetens our senses, colors our moods, all… Read full post »

My youngest daughter, Julie, has taught me more than she will ever know.  Here, at age 9 she wrote:

 "Come see the very serious side of Julie"

"Life is a staircase:  every day is another step."

"I am a pair of arms wanting a hug.

I am a bright smile.

I… Read full post »

I am officially in brain freeze, lock down, out to lunch, back in 20 minutes or whenever...

 Condition brought on by debates, disillusion, daunting demands, dickheads, dog barking, runny nose, pounding headache, contruction workers next store, more pounding, spr… Read full post »

Dear Americans,

Can we please come together for the common good?

Can we please not be Democrat or Republican for just a while?

Can we please return to the values we once learned when we were small and untainted?

Can we please be kind to one another?  Listen to one  another… Read full post »