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.