About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Fun Monday - Shirl's Fridge Blog--and Mine




Hey everyone! Your October Fun Monday host here with your assignment for October 11:

Fridge Blogs--in most homes the refrigerator door is the family communications center with a great hodgepodge of calendars, announcements, reminders, photos, cartoons, and maybe some artwork from the budding Picasso in the family. Share a photo of your fridge and describe what you have displayed on it. What does this kitchen focal point have to say about you and your family?


(I first thought of the term "fridge blog" after visiting my now 75 year old friend, Shirl. To explain, I'm re-posting this entry which I wrote back in August '07 soon after I began blogging.)

Last week I met long-time friends Shirl and Steph in Lexington for a leisurely lunch and chat at the Jean Farris Winery and Bistro on the outskirts of the city. Crisp chardonnay, crab cakes and a warm brownie with raspberry sabayon sauce--yum! Whether it's bourbon or wine, Kentucky has a handle on serving spirits and great food.

Lunch conversation turned to blogs. Shirl, who's a roaring 72 years young, enjoys reading "Summit Musings" because she shares my liberal political and social views with the exception of allowing casino gambling in the state (an issue that's getting too much attention in the governor's race, in my view). However, as do many of my readers, she warned me not to expect her to comment on any blog posts. The reason? She has her own blog to maintain--her Fridge Blog.

I've known--and lived with intermittently--with Shirl's family for almost 40 years. And it's true, their fridge has always been a massive collage of family activities, achievements, community events, and daily reminders. No visit to their home would be complete without checking in on Shirl's Fridge Blog.

So, today I'm thinking about this form of family communication that most of us have used for years and are still not willing to give up in favor of technology.

And now three years later, here's what I currently have on my fridge blog:

Freezer Door--starting from the left there's calendars, monthly and annual. Since I've retired I don't have to pay so much attention to a schedule so thankfully most everything is either routine appointments and entertainment. In the middle of the door there's postcards of some of the loveliest places in Kentucky in the fall-Barren Lake, an old farmstead, Old Frankfort Pike through horse country. Then there are the dogs--Zack the border collie, Dan the golden, and Willie as a slick black and white pup. In the upper right section of the door there's programs, announcements and tickets for upcoming entertainment--The Louisville Chorus; Burn the Floor, a Broadway play celebrating ballroom dancing; tickets to an Iris DeMent concert and Greg Mortenson's talk about his book Three Cups of Tea. And a wedding invitation.


Fridge Door--on the right there's a collection of clippings from our local paper. People send in "Trip Pics" of their travels in the U.S. and abroad. I clip out the photos of places I've visited myself. Love seeing places that I've been to as well. There's clippings of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Mirror Lake in New Zealand, gondolas in Venice, overviews of Saltzburg, Swiss mountain peaks, Tuscan countryside, and San Juan Hill in Puerto Rico. These clippings are reminders of happy travels.

On the far right near the door handle there's two old post cards which I bought at an outdoor antique market a few weeks ago. They're either of famous places or of everyday life. In one a little boy is turned over his mother's knee getting his britches patched, caption "Necessary Repairs." The other is of the famous cathedral in Florence, Italy called The Duomo. I've visited that remarkable church.

When I look over this list, the essentials are there: friends, family, dogs, travel, art and the pleasures of home. Here's the list of other Fun Monday players who have signed up to share their fridge blogs. As always, if you want on the list just leave me a comment and I'll add your link right away.

1. Janis - Life According to Jan and Jer
2. Sayre - Sayre Smiles
3. Church Lady - Living Life in PA
4. Grace - Mama Rehema
5. Peter - Holties House
6. Jill - Life is Not Bubble Wrapped
7. Sandy - Myanderings
8. Molly - Return of the White Robin

Topic for October 18: We all do it. Procrastinate, that is. So for October 18 I want you to share your three favorite ways of procrastinating. And if you've figured out exactly WHY you procrastinate, could you share the secret with the rest of us?! Check back on Thursday and Mr. Linky and I will be ready for you to sign up.

10 comments:

Sandy said...

Faye, I love your fridge! It's interesting that you mention "Three Cups of Tea". Our town just finished reading it in September. Yep, our town. The local schools, public and private, as well as the local study clubs and adult societies all read the same book! It was really interesting and gave us something to discuss in line at the bank.

Molly said...

Now, that I think about it posting pictures on the refrigerator is a strange custom. How did this evolve? I even have a real bulletin board in my kitchen. Yet, my refrigerator is a place of honor for family artwork.

Three Cups of Tea is on my to read list.

Lane Mathias said...

I love that everything important to you is on your fridge. It's vibrant.

Mine too has postcards, school dates and those little triumphs - certificates.

And it has lots of fading Polaroids all keep in place with doggie fridge magnets.

ps Strictly Come Dancing is kicking off here and it's proving to be a goodie with 'celebrities we've actually heard of this year.

Jill said...

Is the 'procrastination' one 3 things you do to allow yourself to procrastinate, or 3 things you do for fun that make you procrastinate, perhaps unintentionally? Or are they the same thing? Thanks!

Sayre said...

My only place is Arches... and the beach at St. George - but the point of that picture is the people in it!

I love your dog pictures - they are your family, aren't they???

Refridgerators do tell a lot about us!

Jan n Jer said...

I love the term fridge blog it describes just about everyones fridge! I have to wonder when all this started...I don't recall having things on our fridge as I was growing up! Molly n I are on the same thought process I see. I won the book Three Cups of Tea from one of my blogging buddies...its on my to read list! Thanks for hosting Faye! My comment may say Gerald..I am using his computer.

Swampwitch said...

Well, I wouldn't have been able to participate even if I'd check what you were up to with Mon Funday anyway...I've not been home for about a month now...can't even remember what my refrigerator looks like.
Great idea for an assignment !
~sWaMpY~

Living Life said...

I so love the term "fridge blog" - isn't that exactly what it is for alot of us?! I don't think technology will ever change this. Well, at least not for me! This was a great topic, Faye!

gracie said...

nice topic, sorry I was late with my post. Love your fridge, I hope I get to do your next topic early, but knowing me...thanks for hosting grace

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