Categories
Family Fun

Viking

Each time I use this cuppa cup (given to me by my sister in honor of our Norwegian heritage), my internal dialogue goes something like this:

Thorvald the Viking!

Lutefisk – ugh.
Reminds me of fish paste. Also ugh.

Who would make Cream of Lutefisk? Is that really a thing? No, of course not. It’s a joke. But maybe not?

I might have had a hard time being a Viking, not liking the dried and salted and preserved fish options. However, I like Lefse. So, I’d be the Viking eating the Lefse while all the other Vikings ate the fish options. That would work.

Except Lefse is best with butter (lots of butter, mmmm butter). As long as I had Lefse and butter, I’d have been an awesome Viking.

Except I wouldn’t call myself Thorvald. I’d be Solveig. Such a pretty name but still fitting for a Viking.

By then, I’ve finished pouring my coffee, and my internal dialogue shifts to something else, such as how much coffee creamer to use and whether to sit at the table or on the couch while I drink my cuppa.

I usually come back to thinking about Lefse, however. Mmmm, butter.

Categories
Life

No Drama Llama

It’s Friday, and No Drama Llama is focused on this week’s good moments.

At the grocery store yesterday, the following items were available for (limited) purchase: toilet paper, paper towels, coffee creamer, eggs, hand soap, allergy meds.

M&Ms has a new flavor – fudge brownie. Tasty, would buy again. Slightly below peanut butter, slightly above regular peanut. Pretzel still the best. You know I’m right.

Mr. Lizard (see Houseguest) has been safely returned to his outside habitat. Youngest son heard me shrieking when Mr. Lizard popped up next to my shoulder on the couch where I was sitting. Youngest son gently coaxed Mr. Lizard into a container and took him to the backyard. No Drama Llama is making allowances for a wee bit of drama for my instinctive freak out reaction.


I hope you’ve had some good moments this week, as well. Stay safe, everybody, and keep washing those hands.

Categories
People

Kind

Thursday cuppa is a simple celebration of the beauty and the bravery of kindness.

“My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.” – Maya Angelou

Categories
Good Pets

Cats

We have 3 cats.

Tom, Catcher of Lizards, belonged to somebody who didn’t want him, so we took him in. He now takes his job as alarm clock very seriously, never missing a day. He also takes great pride in his snuggling skills and purring talents.

Tiger was adopted from a litter of kittens. He’s the Ice Cream Sentinel. He’s a Giver, willing to sacrifice his own health for ours by eating our ice cream, saving our cholesterol counts. (Don’t worry, there’s no kitty saliva in our Rocky Road. He gets his own bowl. And yes, I know ice cream isn’t good for cats. But he’s almost 14 years old, so he gets to have a small scoop now and then.)

Bandit, Seeker of Boxes, was adopted from the local animal shelter. He’s the one peeking out from a box on today’s cuppa cup. He believes in the statement if it fits, I sits. His definition of “fits” is questionable, but he’s quite confident in his body image, no matter his choice of box.

If you love your cats as I do, feel free to share your pictures and stories here. You may also want to check out the Lanai Cat Sanctuary (lanaicatsanctuary.org). A little bit of Heaven on Earth.

Categories
Family Life

Love

Today’s cuppa celebrates love.

My husband and I met in high school. Our first date was on April 21. Several years later, also on an April 21, he proposed.

We don’t have any special celebration plans to mark this anniversary today, but that doesn’t mean the day isn’t special to us. Perhaps that’s also a good way to characterize our relationship.

We’ve had oodles of great moments, lots of happiness and joy.

We’ve also had some heavy, tough, real moments when we’ve not been at our best.

Each day is meaningful and significant to us. Each day has been, and is, and will be a simple tribute to this life together that we continue to choose – intentionally, gladly, gratefully.

Categories
Life People

School

Monday morning cuppa asks: How do we measure the true impact of school this year? How do we make sense of the lessons and learning in this unexpected environment?

For some, like my youngest son, “distance learning” is vital and appreciated. He’s a Digital Native, so online work is an easy shift. But, graduation hangs in the balance. Senior Year, with all its traditional milestones and memories, has disappeared, leaving disappointment and sadness.

For others, like my teacher friends who care so deeply about the young people in their classrooms, the days are restless. They plan and design, looking for the best ways to share knowledge and stability. But they know that even their best efforts can’t answer every question or fill every need.

I do believe that the world will ultimately benefit from what teachers and students are showing us about the power of resilience, creativity, patience, humor, adaptability, and perseverance. They didn’t ask for this challenge, but they’ve accepted it and are doing their best to make things work. I hope they feel the love and support from all of us who want them to succeed and are wowed by their champion spirit.

Here’s a cuppa hug for the teachers and students. The world of education looks a little different right now, but they are showing us that the opportunity for learning continues.

Categories
Pets

Woof

This might be your mood today, either by choice or by circumstance.

If it’s by circumstance, this cuppa sends the best to you and your canine quarantine companion.

If it’s by choice, this cuppa promises not to judge. Everybody’s making things work as best they can.

And if this cuppa doesn’t apply to you, maybe you want to consider adopting or fostering a pup from the local shelter?

Have a good day, folks. Woof.

Categories
People

Connections

This cuppa cup was given to me by a work friend, and it has me thinking about my (past and present) colleagues, coworkers, work friends and family, and how much of who I am has been shaped by the work we’ve done together. I’m grateful for those experiences (even the tough ones) and am fortunate to have worked with so many truly good people. Missing so many of them today, hoping they are safe. Looking forward to the better days that will come again for all of us.


Here’s to connections and relationships, shared experiences and achievements.

Categories
Family

Housework

I respect neatniks and sometimes wish I were more like them. But I’ve gotten comfortable with who I am.

Most of the time, if the dishes are done, the laundry is folded, the trash is out, and the bathrooms are clean, I’m good. Bed-making optional, depending on mood. Grateful for my husband, who bought this cuppa cup as a joke and has never considered himself exempt from these responsibilities.

We are both glad our boys have outgrown LEGO. Cuts down on the sweeping.

Categories
People

Mr. Rogers

A little Mr. Rogers wisdom with today’s cuppa.


“All of us, at some time or another, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors – in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” – Fred Rogers