Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Gum freaks anonymous


I have an oral fixation. One can always find gum, mints, or some other kind of candy (Smarties, for one) in my purse.

I started off my career as a gumball freak when I was way little. I don't remember my first piece, but I do recall doing some desperate things to get gum; scraping it off sidewalks and streets (abc - already been chewed) and picking chunks out of it before making it my own, or walking to the grocery store at 2 years old because I found a penny for the machine, or constantly getting caught chewing gum in school.

One of my worst habits was saving my chewed gum in the butter compartment of the refrigerator - where I'd park it to break for meals. My sister, Sue, complained bitterly about that disgusting habit. The blob would harden in the fridge, and then come to new life when plucked out of there and popped into my warm, moist mouth. There could be many blobs in there at a time.

I just loved the stuff. Still do.

I like to try new kinds of gums when they come out, ever encouraging inventors to develop new flavors and chewing textures.

My current favorite is a gum called "5". I haven't tried the cinnamon flavored yet, but the peppermint and spearmint flavors are delicious and have a long-lasting chew.

"5" edged out the contender for my favorite, which is Orbit's White - spearmint or peppermint. Orbit also makes two others that are respectable; Bubblemint and Melon Breeze. All of these Orbits purport to remove stains and whiten teeth, but I haven't noticed a difference.

I am still crazy about Bazooka, Fruit Stripes, and any Colossal gumball from a quarter machine. I chew them in the privacy of my own home so as not to disturb anybody but my husband with my chomping, smacking, and bubble-blowing habits. He asks me, "do you have to make all that noise?"

I had 4 teens in my car the other night, on the way to a parade (Mardi Gras season again). I asked if anybody wanted any gum - they all did - and pulled out three different kinds for them to choose from.

I figure that I will always have gum in my purse. It is better for me than the cigs I used to carry on me as well.

I no longer swallow gum when I am finished - that used to be a bad habit when I was a younger lass. My final reformation came from watching the show "Unwrapped" on the Food Channel when they visited "Double Bubble's" headquarters and the information that rubber is used in the making of gum. All those years of swallowing... I am probably quite bouncy on the inside.

Monday, January 14, 2008

On my desktop right now...


I took this picture last week in Lacombe. There is a one mile peninsula, with a rocky road, that juts out into Lake Pontchartrain, which ends at a cul de sac. There was this pelican and some other birds staked out on the posts in the water.

When one wants to get away from all noise, this spot is there. Fishermen and crabbers pick a spot along the road and cast their nets and lines.

Monday, January 07, 2008

A perfect day




The weather was excellent for hiking today. Kids were in school. Michael and I had the day off together. After a walk in the Lacombe Wildlife Refuge, where we only saw one snake, we came home for lunch. I made a grilled cheddar and swiss sandwich on sourdough bread with tomato, and I fried some french fries. Mmmmmm.

We are both off again tomorrow. When Julia gets on the bus at 7:50 a.m., I'll have the day to myself. Michael will be doing his things and I will do mine. I always enjoy my down-time.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Lest you think I've gone quiet...


My dog, Chip, is ever hopeful for some lovin'.


Besides working at Snug Harbor a few nights a week - spontaneously, as opposed to scheduled - and doing more frequent astrological consults, I am producing a monthly astrological forecast, and also astrology articles on this blog.

Time for a walk in the woods. I walk to the left of this huge puddle. Chip wades right through it.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year - 2008

I found this web-site last night before midnight. If you click on the music and then view the art work, piece-by-piece, you will be thoroughly inspired and feel the love.

Peace and many blessings to all in this upcoming year.

Awaken Visions by Daniel B. Holeman