Sam Squared

      I've always just hoped to get through Tuesdays. To change the lens a bit, I've  been using Tuesday's to capture bits of good, smiles and thankfulness. Some weeks the list just writes itself and others, like everybody has sometimes, my week was less than happy. Still, I feel better when I get the post made even if a pull. Here's some credentials joys. Looking back at vacation pictures in my phone reminds me how fortunate I am to have these kinds of experiences. I'm grateful I left and got home before the real TSA issues started in airports. The optometrist was happy with the results of the deeper tests. A baseline is set, but he saw no need to start any treatment for developing glaucoma. Plus, a small retinol bleed appeared to have healed on its own. I'll have yearly exams to monitor and stay ahead of any deterioration. My daughter had positive feedback from her presentation on her research project in front of a pretty esteemed panel.  It was so great heari...

      Delicious open grilled sandwich in Athens      I tried meal planning last week by day. It was hit or miss, but did help me maximize food on hand. I did a top off shop after my breakfast out with my MIL. By the way, it was fine. I just went with the flow of her talking in depth about people I didn't know and her experiences 15, 25, or more years ago. She appreciated that I brought her a little something back from my trip. To relate to this post, I noticed breakfast is no longer an affordable option for going out any more so than other meals. I had a breakfast sandwich and hashbrowns, no beverage but water. She had just a simple two eggs, ham, and toast with coffee. With tax and tip, it was $35. It's getting insane and will continue to be so and I doubt things will go back down. Prices never do on groceries. Anyway, here's the meal options for the week, trying to go for healthy and tasty so I dont miss restaurant meals. Most yield leftovers for my son a...

                                           I'm trying to get back into the blogging habit. For som reason, I've still been dragging (plus hip still raging) so a bit out of rythm. I owe you all a better recap, but honestly, might be a while so the snippets might have to do. For this post, as a reminder in case you feel repetitiveness to my Friday posts, I copy the previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This will help me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, March 13 to Thursday, March 19 . I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.  Use it Up/Avoid Waste    Used leftovers for last night's supper. Made muffin bread with old bananas. Consolidated travel clothes with home worn clothes to maximize laundry loads. Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs Son picked up a few needed but minimal grocery basics a...

          I didn't spend silly money on vacation but even the non-silly adds up but I have not an iota of regret. The food was delicious, and wish I'd have had even more. I'm going to be on the hunt for real plain Greek yogurt, not what passes in the US. A pleasant surprise...my ridiculously priced beer and quesadille in the Toronto Airport that after tip came to $40, was actually $30 US dollars. I had the exchange rate for Euros engrained and wasn't thinking the US dollar was higher than Canadian. Yay, I guess. Anyhow, pricey cheese on a tortilla and flat beer aside, here's my attempt at a menu requiring no additional groceries. Sunday: Chicken, cilantro rice, and black bean wraps or bowls Monday: Meatballs in mushroom sauce with penne, steamed carrots Tuesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables Wednesday: Tuna hotdish with peas Thursday: leftovers Friday: Dinner out with family, fish fry or may have something else Saturday: Chicken drum...

      It was a rough trip back yesterday with two stops, a frantic run to catch the second leg in Vienna, and delays in Canada. I'll need the next few days to catch up sleep, laundry, and pound massive amounts of something to squash my angry hip but will do a better recap soon. Here's a few snippets. The view of the Acroplis never gets old. View from Philapaupas Hill Statue at the Ancient Agora of Hadrian Law court...now museum at the Ancient Agora Need to look up this but part of Philapaupas Hill This was legendary Socrates Prison. During WWII, the Greeks hid antiquities from the Nazis then sealed the caves. We found a few sites that served that purpose.  The top of Philapaupas The Olympic Stadium Zeus arm Mask of Aggemennom  Thinking big thoughts at Hadrian's Library  Sites at the flea market Cluster of ancient clay pots outside the Odean of... Outside the Odean of... Exhibit outside Acropolus Museum  Five of six of the Caryatids Coastal scenes- not ...

  My windows seat view.      This edition is brought to you from high in the air between Minnesota and Toronto. I was very fortunate in that I got windows seats on all 3 flights. This one is particularly roomy as few people other than those that appear to be traveling together are sharing a row. On Tuesday's I try and capture a few positive things.  I am worried as most humans that are not without decency and empathy about the situation the middle east. Prayers for the inocent people and to service members trying to do their job and stay safe themselves. It feels like looking for positives is very needed. My sister is doing  great and recoverery is on target A new med for my daughter hopefully is the ticket. She declared it almost life-changing after the last experience. I won't say what as do not want anyone making assumptions but I hope it's part of a group of supports to help her be well. So far so go good on the travel- no delays and see above I look do...