Sunday, September 23, 2012

Grasshopper Thoughts, Vol. VI September 2012

It's been ages since I last grasshoppered, so it's definitely time to embrace the concept again!  Grasshoppering is cathartic, after all, so here I go....

  • The great debate of ketchup vs mustard on French fries exists in my world.  Mustard, you say?  Yes, I do!  Ketchup is usually a bit too sugary for my taste.  So I usually have a puddle of each on my plate when I indulge in French fries. There is also the odd occasion where I have either sour cream or mayonnaise with French fries, but that's a whole other debate.
  • Whomever invented the little plastic prison to capture shavings on pencil sharpeners, you're my official Hero. And whomever finally incorporated that concept into sharpeners for cosmetic eye and lip liner pencils, Bravo!  I applaud your brilliance.  
  • I was looking at river rocks the other day.  What is it about their smoothly tumbled, pleasing to the touch surface that makes me so happy?  Perhaps it's just that.  They're simple and beautiful.  Dreamy in variations of colors, usually.  I have a silver bowl full on my desk that I've collected over a lifetime.  The newest one is a pale, gentle peachy shade and is blobby in shape.  It fits beautifully into the palm of my hand.
  • I have a weakness for dimples.  There, I said it.  If you're a man with dimples, and you smile at me, I'm going to get a wee bit giddy.  There's not a whit of logic to it.  Dimples just flutter me, and with one person in particular, they tend to short circuit my brain for a microsecond or two. This is not a bad thing, btw. :)
  • Vinegar is awesome!  Apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, plain old white kitchen vinegar....I love them all.  Wonderful for toxin-free cleaning, but even more so for cooking.  The more tart, sour, tangy, the better, in my opinion.  As I mentioned with ketchup, I'm not a big fan of things overly sweet.  
  • And vinegar gives us pickles!  So, obviously, it follows that I'm a pickle person.  Sour, tart, crunchy, savory.  Just the scent of pickling liquid makes my mouth water.  Being southern, I have to give a special nod to that delightful treat of pickled okra.  If you haven't tried it, don't knock it!  I promise you, it's delicious!!!  :)
  • Snort-larfing.  You know you do it occasionally!  I did it recently over a random comment at my family reunion.  It wasn't a quiet one, either.  No, it was a full fledged, less-than-feminine full out snort-larf.  Sometimes life is just that funny.
  • We're moving into the fall months here in East Tennessee, and cooler mornings, milder temps during the day, lower humidity and promise of fall color in the Smoky Mountains are upon us.  I love this time of year!
Ahhh....much better.  Now my noggin is a bit more clear of clutter.  If only I could incorporate this into housecleaning!  Alas, it will never happen.  Grasshoppering is relegated to my mental faculties.  The writing process of grasshoppering is fun, though.  The recent summer months have been challenging for many of us, myself included, so there is merit in the occasional post that addresses a moment of whimsy.  

12 comments:

  1. The next time I am having a difficult time comeing up with something to write, I am going to do one of these grasshoppers:)

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    1. Launna, that's exactly where grasshoppering was born! I found that I had all these random thoughts that kept interfering with other blog articles I was writing. So, out of frustration one day, I finally gave the thoughts their own label and space and it turned out to be very effective! It's a fun way to clear the mind. I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

      - Dawn

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  2. I adore this whimsical post, Dawn! I especially identified with your description and love for river rocks (my granddaughter is fascinated with them as am I) and your love of fall. Believe it or not, I was just contemplating writing a post about this gorgeous, yet poignant, season when I read your comment above. Can't wait for that brilliant autumn foliage!
    Blessings to you, and have a pickled okra for me! :)

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    1. Martha, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! I don't grasshopper as often as I should, but when I do, it's always fun for me as well. Pickled okra...I just opened a jar today, and YUM! They're soooo good! Enjoy the upcoming fall season in return, sweet girl! <3

      - Dawnie

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  3. we dont' have river rocks, but similar smooth beautiful ones from our local bay that our boys collect every summer. I like to keep them in bowls of water where their beauty really shines through:)

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    1. Sandra, that's a wonderful idea! My nephews collect river rocks as well, and I am going to suggest the bowl of water idea to their Daddy. :)

      - Dawn

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  4. I am with you on the ketchup thing it is pure sugar...I rarely use it.

    my grasshopper thought: French fries or Tater tots....I love both for different reasons why can't I have both at the same time.

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    1. Tinker, yep, ketchup is used sparingly for me. French fries and tater tots - I agree w/ you that they cannot be eaten together! LOL...additionally, I tend to eat one food at a time, with minimal mixing going on. We all have our Food Foibles. ;-)

      Big lovies to you, sweetie! <3

      - Dawnie

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  5. I was a big fan of ketchup until I took up this strict diet of mine. Now I can't even taste it - it's very sweet for me. I prefer spices, instead.

    And, yes, grasshopping is important. I should begin posting "grasshopper" posts on my site as well. ;)

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    1. Grasshoppering is fun and healthy, and I agree with you - it's important! Have fun with your own version; everyone tends to come up with their own unique name for the process, I find. :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      - Dawn

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  6. i enjoyed this lighter recipe after reading Faith in the waiting (intense and deep)..
    i wish i had dimples.. :(
    Ketchup.. absolute no..
    I am all for pickles..

    A delicious post Dawn..

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    1. Deepak, I'm glad you enjoyed this one! There is always room for whimsy and lighter fare with writing. I do tend to get deeply into thought with the majority of my posts here, so Grasshoppering is necessary to lighten the tone.

      I had to laugh at your "Ketchup...absolute no" comment! Someone I know feels the same, and is rather equally vehement about it. :)

      Thank you for coming along for my grasshoppering moment!

      - Dawn

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