Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A Few of Life's Mysteries

I have a curiosity complex.... I wonder about things..... but I'm generally too lazy to follow through until I find the answer, as a matter of fact I deprive much more enjoyment pondering various possible and not so possible answers, that it would be a shame to find the true and boring logical explanations to some of life's mysteries.

  • I remain baffled why, every time I do the laundry there are always a few socks that are either, widowed, single, or separated. The last time I checked we all had two feet so there must be some other explanation to this. I sometimes have the sneaking suspicion that if I would look in the right place at the right time I would find an assembly of dirty socks gleefully giving each other pointers on how to escape the soapy waters of the washing machine.
  • Why do some people spell the red glop you dunk your french fries into, ketchup and others spell it catsup? And why does almost everyone like the stuff? Is it a peer pressure thing that causes people everywhere to use it? Or is there some obscure violation to admit to not liking it? You'd think that with a mother that can't stand the stuff my children would at least use it with some sense, but they sit there and nearly drown their food in it, and then gulp it down as if it were delicious.
  • Why do you call it a yard or garage sale when you don't want to sell your yard or garage at all? Why isn't it called a used stuff sale or unwanted things sale or something along that line. And don't even get me started on flea markets.
  • Why is it that every time the house is shining and spotless, the children are all occupied quietly, there are freshly baked cookies in the jar, and you're dressed in your best, nobody pops in to say "Hi."
    And as sure as there is an extra creative mess and everybody is loudly enjoying it, someone is bound to come knocking.
    It just happened again. We had the dining room strewn with papers and glue, the breakfast dishes piled in the drainer to dry on their own, and to top it all off we were planning to attend a birthday party around noon so hadn't bothered to do our hair and even worse get into decent clothes until we were ready to get dressed and leave.
    In a condition like that, there's nothing worse than hearing the gravel crunch on the driveway and when you frantically look at the mess you and the house are in and open the door to see a friend that always looks perfect.... I gulped ..opened the door wide, wearing the best smile I could find at the moment and invited them inside. I didn't say a word about the mess in hopes that just maybe they will not notice a few of the messy details.
    It was sweet of them to drop by even though my "pride" took quite a tumble. But I made a vow. I will never pop in on anyone without giving them a warning, you just never know what they might be up to.

6 comments:

  1. I really love how you write.

    I want to know all about your former Amish life - I live in a heavily populated Amish area and would love to learn more about you!

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  2. Your home is full of 'creative chaos' when everything is strewn around and someone comes to call!!I would much prefer to see a lived in home than one that is constantly pristine.As with the yard sale..in the U.K.,they are know as jumble sales or more organised ones are car boot sales!(Oops..you would call that a trunk right?)Something that baffles me that you as former Amish will appreciate...why do you never see lines of washing out over there?With the weather such as it is,think of the benefits...but it's all machine dried.The only time I saw washing out was in Lancaster County in Amish homes.Books declare it is the old fashioned method.I always line dry so am I old fashioned.~DWL~

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  3. My orphan socks are with yours somewhere, believe me! What a hoot! LOVE your stories - keep it up.

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  4. Maybe you're not lazy for not looking up all the stuff your mind ponders, maybe you are just too smart to waste that much time. Unlike me, who will go crazy finding the answers! :)

    And the ketchup thing is all about the high fructose corn syrup! HFCS makes you crave more. :)

    According to http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/ketchuphistory.htm
    "The word ketchup is derived from the Chinese ke-tsiap, a pickled fish sauce. It made its way to Malaysia where it became kechap and ketjap in Indonesia."

    "The word is first recorded in English in 1690 in the form catchup, in 1711 in the form ketchup, and in 1730 in the form catsup. All three spelling variants of this foreign borrowing remain current." -http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/ketchup

    Love your blog!

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  5. what a wonderful blog thanks for sharing your life and family...i feel the same way about my husband, beyond blessed to have him! and the ketchup thing is quite a mystery...it smells kinda gross. I am amazed by your lifestyle and a bit envious. I grew up in the "ghetto" with lots of gangs...im so glad not all kids have to be subjected to that lifestyle.

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  6. I have been enjoying your blog so much! I went back to the beginning and am working my way to where you are currently. It's like reading a book. You have such a way with words, I can picture it!

    I love your "mysteries". I can't say too much about ketchup, because I too love it! However, my oldest daughter doesn't and eats her fries plain.

    Oh, I love to "pop" in on people! The reality of it is, we all have to live. Not always can we have a perfect house. Life happens. I do love a tidy house, but sometimes it's not realistic. ;o)

    Keep up to awesome job with your blog. I have always been fascinated with the life of the Amish. In many ways I think they have it right; the simplicity of life focused around family and community. We, Englishers, could use a little bit more of that!

    Many blessings to you and your family.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.