44  Now that the weather has FINALLY turned, I’ve been enjoying a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate in the evenings. The other night I had a cup of one of my favorites: Earl Grey. Or should I say, “Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.” Yes, Gladys, I am referring to Captain Jean-Luc Picard AKA Patrick Stewart. I’ve watched ALL the Star Treks, from the Classic Trek to the bitter end of the ill-fated Enterprise (great theme song, though). And don’t get me started on the outrageous non-ending of Deep Space Nine or the lame-o ending of Voyager…(imagine a disgusted snort at this point)

One of my favorite tag lines of ST/NG was the tea order that Capt. Picard would place to the replicator in his office. You can find a pretty funny montage on YouTube of clips from various episodes of him saying the “Tea-Earl Grey-Hot” mantra. At some point I actually went out and bought some Earl Grey and said, “Wow! No wonder this is the Captain’s favorite!” Just a wonderful, spicy brew. And though the good Captain drinks his neat, I must have sugar in mine. Once in a great while I will add a tad of milk. Other teas I might put honey in for the sweetener, but not Earl Grey. It demands sugar. Actually, I use Splenda if I have that choice.

And while we’re on the subject, WHERE’S MY REPLICATOR?!?! Ever since The Jetsons, I’ve waited (Lo, these many years) for some kind of food thingy that lets you punch buttons (or speak to) and out comes a perfectly done steak! Forget the flying cars—I want that replicator!

In the meantime, I have my tea, Earl Grey, hot, and dream of the future…

…although a holodeck would be mighty nice, too…

38  One of my first memories was when I was staying with my Aunt LoLita while my mom was in the hospital after having a miscarriage. Because of when the miscarriage took place, I know I was only about 2 years old. I woke up screaming in the middle of the night from a nightmare. My aunt took a simple hand puppet and tried to distract me with it. I don’t remember much more of that night. That puppet became a very much loved object, though. Mainly because it was from Aunt LoLita. I adored her. It was made from corduroy with 2 little ears and 2 white pompoms for eyes and a black one for a nose. I didn’t really play with it much myself, and no one at home EVER used it to play with me, mainly because I always played by myself. I don’t remember any interaction with my parents or grandparents, ever. Anyway, this little puppet with no name was always among my treasures. I would look at it and think of Aunt LoLita.

After Sarah came along, I brought the puppet out and named him Eek, because that’s what I’d make him say when I had him “talk” to Sarah. Eek became one of Sarah’s menagerie of critters. When the time came to pack up the toys no longer played with, Eek went into a large bag with the others and was stored in the attic.

Over the last couple of years, when it was time for the church rummage sales, we’d get stuff out of the attic and sort for what stayed, what was donated and what was thrown away. The occasional bag of toys was gone through as well. I would call Sarah before donating any of her stuff, as she had named a lot of the critters. At one point, when I was describing some of the stuffed animals and such, she said “Wasn’t there an 'Eek'”? I KNEW that was a familiar name, but couldn’t for the life of me remember what Eek was, and neither could Sarah. Sounds like a mouse, right? None of the mice I came across were Eek. Nothing else seemed to fit.

After Lia got a little older, I really started looking for Sarah’s things to see what might be OK for Lia to have. As I went through this huge box of miscellaneous “stuff” from both Sarah’s and Paul’s childhoods—there he was—Eek. I knew him as soon as I saw him. How could I forget Eek? Poor Eek—by this time he’d lost one eye and his nose. I washed him and gave him new white button eyes and a little pink button nose.

This past weekend, I was pleased to introduce Eek to Lia, who seemed to enjoy him as much as Sarah and I had when we were children. I just wish I could tell Aunt LoLita about it…♥

37  As readers of my blog know, I am more than somewhat fond of memes. I discovered a new blog yesterday that had a meme with questions that were new to me. So of course I must do them! Should you chose, repost them with your own answers.

1. What is your current obsession?

As has been the case for a year or so--my craft room! I can't seem to get it organized! I try, really I do, but it's like one of those nightmares where you're trying to run away from someone/thing and you're running as fast as you can, but you're not moving forward! I tidy a corner or small area and while my back is turned the rest of the room goes to hell! AAaaahhhh!

2. Which item from your closet are you wearing the most lately?

All summer long I've been wearing my capris that I got at Walmart 3-4 years ago. I tried to get every color they had in my size. Love those things. I might get one more summer out of them before they graduate to the "rag" category.

3. What's for dinner?

Casserole! The world's easiest dinner. Pasta, a can of cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup and whatever leftover meat or canned meat you have on hand. And both Paul and Marv love it.

4. What was the last "fun" thing you bought?

A cute plastic ribbon holder from Walmart. I was in the craft aisle, not really looking for anything, and the thing practically jumped into my cart! It worked so well, I went back and got another one.

5. What are you reading right now?

"The Real Animal House" by Chris Miller, of National Lampoon fame. Hilarious! Got it in the bargain section of Barnes & Noble some time back and finally got around to starting it.

6. What is your current guilty pleasure?

HGTV's Design Star. Totally worthless show, but I find it fascinating. I have to admit, though, I record it to watch at a later time. That way, when they get into their little cat fights or snit fits, I can fast forward it. Or when they're in the green room awaiting elimination and they're all trying to blame each other for possible failure and the tears start (from both guys and gals). I just can't seem to NOT watch it!

7. What will be the first "Fall" thing you do?

Seriously go through the capris and some of my other summer clothes and cull for the church rummage sale taking place in October. Also my hats. Some of them I know I'm not going to wear anymore, so it's off to the sale for them!

8. Where are you planning to travel next?

Hopefully ....Fresno..... The kids should be moving into their new house in early October, and I volunteered to stay for a few days and keep Lia entertained while Sarah unpacks and puts the house in order.

9. What do you collect?

I used to collect all manner of "cat" stuff. Figurines, of course, and whatever else came in cat shape or design. I have some neat things like staplers, tape dispensers, potholders, mirrors. I've kinda backed off that for now. I finally came to the conclision that I had enough cat stuff! I know, hard to believe...but true. So now it's back to my other main love--books. I've collected books all along, and am now getting to the point of thinking I have enough...BUT...you can NEVER have too many books! I've been going through some of them, though, and have been asking myself, "Are you ever REALLY going to read that one again?" And I will give it real consideration. Sometimes the answer is "No," and that book will go in the sale bag. As much as I'm enjoying the Animal House book, I intend to put it in the sale bag when I've finished it.

And there you have it, folk. Or folks, if there's more than one of you...Ta for the ear.