Monday, January 10, 2011

The Pie Chart

As I know a lot of you are aware, I recently celebrated a birthday (on the 7th as it happens).  When I got up that morning I felt rested and energetic enough to take the wild tail girlie (a mix of some ungodly breeds of dogs who are apparently site hounds and Heinz 57 doesn't even begin to cover it) for a walk in the early morning dew.  I felt 20 something.  I may walk with a limp, but my spirit is free of any such affliction.   So we walked down through the woods and up the other side and she picked up the scents of rabbits and squirrels, deer and maybe a lynx or two...and dragged me through brambles and wild berry bushes, around pines and between two cedars growing together.  When I finally made it back to the front porch, I was a bit winded but other than that in fine fettle.  But I felt about 30 something. I unhooked Chase's leash (she is aptly named, believe me) when we got inside and gave her the expected treat.  Faux bacon is her treat of choice barring a little  ginger mailman with dog safe ingredients baked inside.  I looked over at the Keurig and drooled.  My very favorite Christmas present, it offers me any blend of wonderful coffees, Doughnut Shop, Kona, Black Silk, French Vanilla...you name it.  So I went over to this little gem and putting my cup beneath it's spout, lifted the coffee tub holder and placed my coffee of choice in the slotted area.  Black Silk by Folgers.  Oh my.  Pulled down the handle and saw the red flashing light which read "add water".  Cursed the last person to make a cup and not check the water reservoir, and then drew up water from the Brita filter contraption that is attached to my faucet.  By this time I had run swiftly through my 30's and the 40's were almost in my rear view  mirror.  It was only 7:30 in the morning.  I brewed myself a cup of coffee without offering anyone else a cup, sat on the sofa with one leg tucked under me and watched the news of the morning and night before all the while  letting  that cup of coffee wash 10 years off my attitude.   Ah, pleasure, just pure coffee addiction pleasure.
I had decided that this was the birthday I would ignore.  After all, no one but me much ever remembered it anyway.  I decided years ago that it was no big deal that Mac could never remember when my birthday was or even when our Anniversary falls, so deciding that since I'd already hit the big 60, no need to worry about such trite things as birthdays anymore.  Then the Face book greetings started pouring in and I discovered that I really did care after all.  It was pleasing to see all those lovely comments, even from people who have known me 30+ years.  And a few who have known me 50+ whom I thought I'd   offended years ago had found my face book page and made mention of the day. When I saw all that, I felt 20 again.  Okay, so the afternoon approached quickly and we were trying to decide whether to run out to Roger's Smokehouse Restaurant for dinner or wait and take in breakfast with him the next morning.  I chose breakfast, because the 50's had slipped by me somehow and I was really too tired to think about doing much more than grabbing a hot bath and flannel Jammie's and warm socks and reading the book (The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters) I'd started just after Christmas. 
  
It was while I was preparing a quick supper of grits eggs and toast that it happened.  I had taken down the grit pot (all Southern cooks know that once you have found the perfect grit pot, nothing but grits ever gets cooked in it) and put the water on to boil.  I started looking for the lid to it (or led as I remember my Great Grandmother calling it).  I looked on the counter, no lid.  I looked in the pantry, no lid.  I knew I'd just had the dingdanged thing so where could it have gone?  I spent a good thirty minutes looking for the blamed thing. My mother always said that I was so high strung I could  thread a sewing machine needle with it running. I let things get to me sometimes.   Finally I just  turned off the water and we had turkey sandwiches for supper.  It really bothered me that I had misplaced the lid, and now I felt my 60+ years.  After supper I went over to the kitchen table and picked up the book I'd been reading.  And there it lay in shameless glory, the lid to the grit pot.  Right then I remembered the cute thing  that a friend had sent to me as a birthday joke  and realized the truth of it.  I spend way to much time these days looking for things that are always in the last place I look when I am no longer looking.  Being highstrung may have few advantages, but at least I can laugh at myself when the search is over!

31 comments:

Terri Steffes said...

Girl, only YOU!

LOVE the yellow note at the bottom of the post. I would have to divide the sleeping one into tiny segments.

Hilary said...

I love the way you measured your day with increasing decades. Chase is a beauty. Oh and Terri's comment cracked me up... so true about broken sleep. Still, I expect a great year for you.. with your humour and outlook.

Vee said...

Hahahahaha...you've got me chuckling. I do this ALL the time and I must be a bit high strung myself because it absolutely galls me.

Happy Birthday, Sandi! You're the youngest woman of 6# I know!

Enjoy your breakfast tomorrow...

Lee said...

Laughing right along with you, Sandi! I can't even begin to count how many times I've had my glasses or keys and other things in my hands a minute ago and now that I'm ready to head out the door and I can't find them! LOL One day all our important items will talk back to us when we call our their names. It can't happen too soon.

Happy, Happy Birthday!

The verification word was "usness." LOL Perfect!

Love,
Lee

Karen M said...

LOL!!!!!

and a very Happy Birthday to you, my blog buddy!

Sharon Rose said...

Sandi,
What if. . . hypothetically speaking. . . like say if I knew someone who was in her early 40's had a very similar looking pie chart?

Would that be bad?

Brian Miller said...

nice. happy birthday! and despite our age each day we can taste those younger moments...esp with coffee...smiles. so keep looking for those things you had a minute ago...

Pondside said...

A belated Happy Birthday to you!
I love the pie chart - but would have to switch around the eating and sleeping wedges.

Shrinky said...

My mother always said that I was so high strung I could thread a sewing machine

What a beautiful turn of phrase - now I know where you get your gift of words from! Happy belated 60th, dear lady, sounds like it was a good one.

Sally said...

You're so funny! At least, we can laugh at things still. :)

Jules~ said...

Sandi I so love your sense of humor. Happy belated birthday to you.

Shadow said...

this left me grinning at my computer. and now everyone thinks i'm crazy. wonderful post. and post-it!!!

Zuzana said...

Oh, what an entreating post, we can all recognize that the sentiments you express with such an ease here, no mater what age we are. As you know, age is relative and the feelings are mutual.;) I keep looking for things constantly and I forget everything, it is highly annoying.;)
Happy belated birthday to you, many hugs and greeting from Denmark.;))
xoxo

Gill - That British Woman said...

I too spend half my life looking for things......so I am part of the club!!

A happy belated birthday to you,

Gill in Canada

Diney said...

Happy belated birthday! Forgetting things just seems to kick in once you reach 50 doesn't it!! My husband has just had his 60th and the day after he forgot when to turn off the dual carriage to our lane!

Akelamalu said...

Great post! Being a similar age I know exactly what you mean.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to you. x

Pam said...

lol! that pie chart is hilarious!

Happy Belated Birthday my friend.

merry weather said...

What a funny post, I did enjoy reading it. I especially like your mum's sewing machine remark - ah, that strikes a chord with me -
under stress i hum through gritted teeth and my jaws vibrate. Which only adds to my annoyance - but it does stop me swearing :-)

So glad you had a nice Sandi style birthday and Mac's OK - and you yourself sound relaxed again -

I can but dream of such a luxury coffee maker - ah, what bliss that must be!

Still smiling,
Take care X

Mary said...

Happy belated birthday Our friend Ian was 72 on that day so you have a little catching up do!! How is your husband? Mary

Maggie May said...

Oh, I know so well about all that looking for stuff.I am the same.
I am intrigued to know what grits are. (I will Google it!)
A belated Happy Birthday!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Justabeachkat said...

Did you mention grits? Oh yes, you did and now I'm dreaming of a big ole bowl with a puddle of melted butter on the top. Oh my! Can you tell I'm hungry? Dinner will be soon though. Sadly, not grits though.

So glad your birthday was good.

Hugs,
Kat

Jeanne said...

Boy don't our days pass feeling various ages. Love the way you brought it together for your birthday and a pie chart too! LOL I think mine would have a bigger piece for eating and a smaller sleeping one though hehe

SandyCarlson said...

Happy birthday! That was a fun post. It's funny how the morning java can add and subtract years depending on what's where and when.

We Yankees make a hash of grits. Maybe we just haven't found the right pot in this house!

tattytiara said...

Happy birthday, whatever age you decide to celebrate! I literally said "oh wow" when I saw the photo of the road at the top of your blog - gorgeous.

NitWit1 said...

Sounds like a typical day at 70.

Please do not panic and go into depression. Except the dog walks herself in the yard. I lose everything and yes, it is under something or the last place I absentmindedly left it. Never lost a pot lid, but cooking is low on my list.

Husband likes grits, eggs and bacon or sausage for supper, so I can tell they are from the same area. NOT ME and it is not on any diet I currently try.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I could not locate my grit pot lid the other day! I used another lid, but I blamed the lumps on it. I found my lid right next to the stove when I was washing the dishes. Had it been a snake, it would've bit me!

SandyCarlson said...

Again you have me smiling.

Rick said...

I'm at the stage where I forget what I forgot! Great post.

Jay at The Depp Effect said...

Oh yeah - but I think that the 'looking for things' segment is way too small! LOL!

Glad to hear you had a good birthday - apart from the minor irritation of the pot led, that is!

Anonymous said...

This got me laughing!! I love it's simple innocence. The very fact that you would sit down and draw this chart is just great!!
Niamh

Mima said...

Love the pie chart really made me laugh, and the idea that the years go off and on is great. I think I wake up at 100 though, and lose years as I go through the morning, only to reach my youngest point mid-afternoon before fading again!!!