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Wit Love, Kath

~ My love letters about the funny side of life

Wit Love, Kath

Category Archives: Inspiration

An Awesome Autumn

01 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Humor, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, Seasons

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Autumn photographs, Connecticut College, humor, Mystic Seaport

I know, I know…lately this space has been more blahg than blog. I feel bad that I haven’t gotten to sit down and write, but it’s been one thing after another, and I find I’m spending more time in the car than on “land” (I liken my driving these days to the long sea voyages our ancestors once took. In fact, I’m considering putting a “widow’s walk” on top of my house, so my family can watch out for my approach from I-95—“Thar she blows!”).

It’s hard to write with both hands on the wheel—well ok, one hand on the wheel and the other around a Starbucks Chai Tea Latte—and I’m pretty sure Blogging While Driving is illegal in Connecticut. I don’t want to end up as the example in some grainy public service commercial where I and my car are seen careening through an intersection or into a ditch and my last post—“I know, I know…lately this space has been more blahg than blog”—flashes on the screen with the tag line “Was It Worth It?” I guess that would all depend on how many “Likes” I’d get.

But I digress. My head’s in such a spin that I keep having this recurring nightmare where Ben Carson and Donald Trump are vying for the top spot on the Republican ticket—I know, crazy, right?

Wait? What? Seriously? Next you’re going to tell me there’s a new Star Wars movie coming out. Ha! Oh. I see. I have been out of circulation a long time.

Well, while I reintegrate myself into the absurd side of life, I thought you might enjoy these beautiful autumn scenes from Connecticut. The drought we had this summer produced an awesome fall.

Autumn reflections near the Waterford Library

Autumn reflections near the Waterford Library.

A fiery maple on the Connecticut College campus

A fiery maple on the Connecticut College campus.

A misty autumn afternoon at Mystic Seaport

A misty autumn afternoon at Mystic Seaport.

Three pumpkins greet visitors at Mystic Seaport

Three pumpkins greet visitors at Mystic Seaport.

Fall is the perfect time to take a solitary beach walk in the purplish twilight.

Fall is the perfect time to take a solitary beach walk in the purplish twilight.

Hollywood, Florida may be weird, but it does have beautiful autumn sunsets

I know I rag on Hollywood, Florida a lot, but it does have beautiful autumn sunsets.

How nice to see this outside my window while I write

How nice to see this outside my window while I write.

Enjoy the autumn pics, because you know this is coming

Enjoy the autumn pics, because you know this is coming.

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In the garden of life…

17 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Gardening, Inspiration, Nature, Plants, Random Thoughts

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garden, gardening, Inspiration, nature, personal growth, plants, plants growing through obstacles

When life puts obstacles in your way,

WitLoveKath - Hole in leaf I

grow through them.

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Dipping into the grab bag of life

04 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Baking, Driving, Humor, Inspiration, Shopping, The Formative Years, Travel, Vacation

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Tags

grab bags, humor, Inspiration, nostalgia, vacation, Volkswagen beetle

In the 1960s to early ’70s, my mother, sister, and I were living the cliché. Packed into a red Volkswagen Beetle, we took to the open roads snaking across the country from Hollywood, Florida to St. Louis, Missouri for our annual summer vacation. We stuffed the frunk (front trunk) with sturdy suitcases and bags full of mangoes, grapefruit, and avocados from our backyard that steadily ripened in the searing heat. The odor each morning was so repellent we had to air out the car before driving away from the motel.

But once we got underway, the meandering back roads led us through quaint country towns like we never saw in Florida, over rolling farmland lush with summer crops, into one-radio-station no man’s lands where a farm auction or Paul Harvey was the only thing on, and to hours of charades, license plate games, car bingo, daydreams, and imagination.

WitLoveKath - Corn Dish - car bingo III

One and a half days into our 3-day odyssey, in Hardin, Kentucky, stood The Hitching Post & Old Country Store—an oasis of marvels with cool drinks to quench our thirst, a Conestoga wagon and stocks for fun photos, and shelves and shelves of trinkets and knick-knacks to mesmerize any child with an allowance to spend. But all those wonders paled in comparison to the mysteries of the grab bags heaped in a basket near the cash register.

I was always enthralled by the unknown: Nancy Drew was my heroine and Adam West’s Batman was my muse (what could be more enigmatic than a superhero with his eyebrows on the outside of his mask?). So, I was instinctively drawn to those unmarked, brown packages. By the age of 8, I was a hard-core grab bagger. Picking each up in turn, I carefully weighed the pros and cons of every box. The long one could be a doll or maybe a necklace; the short one a smaller doll, earrings, or maybe a stuffed animal….such wonderful treasures danced in my imagination.

As we pulled away from The Hitching Post, I’d open the box and peek inside. Of course it was never something as magical as a doll or a secret box. My mother, watching through the rear view mirror as tears rimmed my eyes, always had ready comfort: my father would like the reproduction antique bottles; the corn dish would be perfect for pickles and olives on the dinner table.

Ah, the corn dish!

WitLoveKath - Corn Dish - dish

One year, to my elation, I actually did discover a doll in the package, and back at home I added it to my collection. I now realize that it was one of those celluloid numbers with the glued-on clothes, creepy open-and-close eyes, and nightmarish haircut. It is long gone, but the corn dish still stands on a shelf of my kitchen breakfront.

Its shiny paint has not been faded by pickle or olive brine or from repeated washings. The rim has suffered no chips. In fact, the dish may only have been used once or twice—that first summer. But the corn dish is one of my favorite possessions. For me it symbolizes many things—and what kind of reader/writer would I be if I did not find symbolism in even the most common household objects?

Dipping into a grab bag represented everything life is supposed to be: unknown and unknowable until you explore, a little scary but thrilling, random, sometimes disappointing, always surprising…

And the corn dish? For me it symbolizes persistence in the face of disappointment (the life blood of any hopeful writer), longevity, compassion, idealism, hope, and humor.

I joke with my kids that the corn dish will one day be their inheritance, but really I couldn’t wish to hand down a better heirloom.

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In the egg carton of life…

21 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Baking, Food, Humor, Inspiration, Pop Culture, Random Thoughts, Travel

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eggs, humor, inclusiveness, life, musings, small world, world map

…it really is a small world after all.
WitLoveKath - Egg Carton of Life - small world IIWitLoveKath - Egg Carton of Life - small world IV II

 

 

 

 

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Just Checking Out

04 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Health, Humor, Inspiration, Pop Culture, Random Thoughts

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

body image, exercise, fitness, humor, pop culture, Women's Health

I love standing in the checkout lane at Stop & Shop for so many reasons. Here’s this week’s:

WitLoveKath - Just Checking Out I

As if you have a choice. As if you can open your closet and say, “Well, hmmm…What’s it going to be today? The stylish butt I got on sale last week?—oh, but I don’t have shoes to go with that one. My jeans butt?—I don’t know…I always choose that one. Oh My Gosh! I can’t believe this butt is still in here!—I wonder if it still fits!? I really just feel like my baggy butt today. Oh shoot, I have that meeting this morning. I guess it better be my best butt.”

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The Examined Life

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Children, Humor, Inspiration, Random Thoughts, School, The Formative Years

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Tags

examinations, humor, report cards, school pictures, Socrates, tests

Socrates famously stated that the unexamined life is not worth living for a human. Dogs, koala bears, snails, and other such creatures get a free pass, which explains a lot about why they always seem so happy—or at least nonchalant: Do I want to roll around in this mud puddle? Yes! Should I? Yes! Will I? Yes!

I was reminded of the great philosopher’s wise words recently when I delved into a yellowed Banana Republic bag full of my past that my mother has kept in her attic all this time. There, nestled within two bulging manila folders, was 16 years worth of scrutiny—all of my report cards going back to preschool; the results of IQ tests and Achievement Tests taken every two years throughout elementary school; my SAT scores; dance class evaluations, girl scout records, and—most horrific of all—every class picture from age 4 to 18. Yes, all the discomfort one could want (to escape) in one tidy package.

As I thumbed through all the numbers, letters, pictures, and brief comments that summed up my youth without actually adding up to it, I realized that reviewing  this kind of material takes a certain dogness or koala bearness of mind:

Do I want to be able to look at the picture of myself in that dress with the 1600s Pilgrim collar without cringing? Yes! Can I? No! Did you want the popular pixie hair cut in 7th grade? Yes! Should you have gotten it? No! Can you look at that school picture without wanting to run for the matches? No!

Well, I guess it takes some work to achieve true dogness. I’m determined to reach that plateau, though, so as part of my ongoing journey, I’ve decided to let go and let You:

My Pre-kindergarten class picture

This is where it all began. What emotions are in my face? ( ). Are those Rorschach tests behind us? Or early prototypes for the Orphan Black logo?

This is where it all began.

On the bulletin board behind us are these paint blots. Are they Rorschach tests? Or early prototypes for the Orphan Black logo?

On the bulletin board behind the class are these paint blots. Are they Rorschach tests? Or early prototypes for the Orphan Black logo?

My Kindergarten report card

WitLoveKath - Examined Life - kindergarten report card jen's version II

WitLoveKath - Examined Life - kindergarten report card jen's version I

Here are all the skills that were to set me on the right road in life. Did I learn them? My report is a bit contradictory. Under comments I “measure up in every way.” But the report of my readiness test states that I am “Apparently very well equipped for first grade work.” “Apparently?” All I can say is that I still paste neatly and I try.

Here are all the skills that were to set me on the right road in life. Did I learn them? My report is a bit contradictory. Under comments I “measure up in every way.” But the report of my readiness test states that I am “Apparently very well equipped for first grade work.” “Apparently?” All I can say is that I still paste neatly and I try.

Stop the Presses! The Hollywood Sun-Tattler, page 8

My one shot at fame and they spelled my name wrong. And if I didn’t know that Photoshop was a few years off, I’d say my head was simply placed on some other girl’s body.

My one shot at fame and they spelled my name wrong. If I didn’t know the technology was a few years off, I’d say my head was Photoshopped onto some other girl’s body. The picture’s caption offers its own interpretation of our faces, but I think my expression forecast a hope that I was waiting to get a neck.

My 5th Grade school picture

A perm was the answer for a little girl with stick-straight hair. And what’s up (unfortunately way up) with my bangs?

A perm was the answer for a little girl with stick-straight hair. And what’s up (unfortunately way up) with my bangs?

I’d rather sit it out, thanks

Damned with faint praise. I was not a natural tapper—couldn’t snap my head on a spin to save my life—and this progress report from Ron Daniel’s Academy of Dance seems to politely bear that out. I may have improved 100% week to week, but, really, 100% of awkward is still awkward. I was also struck by the use of the universal male pronoun in the letter to the parents. As far as I remember, there were never any boys in our classes.

I was not a natural tapper—couldn’t snap my head on a spin to save my life—and this progress report from Ron Daniel’s Academy of Dance seems to politely bear that out. I may have improved 100% week to week, but, really, 100% of awkward is still awkward.
I was also struck by the use of the universal male pronoun in the letter to the parents. As far as I remember, there were never any boys in our classes.

?????

I never, ever remember being on any sports team. I was a strong server in volleyball at recess. Was I on some team? And despite my height, I was good at nabbing passed basketballs out of the air. Could I have been on a basketball team? Or was this award for excellence in holding a ball once, or for superior watching of a game? The world will never know.

I never, ever remember being on any sports team. At recess I was a strong volleyball server and, despite my height, was good at nabbing basketballs out of the air. Could I have been on some team? The world will never know.

Now here’s a sport I was good at—but a roller skating proficiency award? Now that I think back, I do vaguely remember demonstrating my skills in a darkened rink with reality-distorting lighting and mind-bending music (Delta Dawn – Helen Reddy and Bad Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce just to name two.)  Examiner: “skate forward…Now, skate backward. You’re proficient!”

Now here’s a sport I was good at—but a roller skating proficiency award? Now that I think back, I do vaguely remember demonstrating my skills in a darkened rink with reality-distorting lighting and mind-bending music (Delta Dawn – Helen Reddy and Bad Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce to name just two.)
Examiner: “Skate forward…Now, skate backward. You’re proficient!”

One of my High School Report Cards

Isn’t all math anal? Oh, wait…that was Analytical Geometry! While I’ve never used the math I learned in that class, I do remember Mr. Gulla making it fun by dancing around and singing, “Sine sine cosine sine” and “Cosine cosine sine sine.” He also answered complainers with a pithy, “Do you see me wearing a “life is fair” button?” Now, those lessons I have often used. This report card also includes my beloved Modern European History class with Mr. Wilson for which I won the annual award. Now, that was an award I worked for and remember.

Isn’t all math anal? Oh, wait…that was Analytical Geometry! While I’ve never used the math I learned in that class, I do remember Mr. Gulla making it fun by dancing around and singing, “Sine sine cosine sine” and “Cosine cosine sine sine.” He also answered complainers with a pithy, “Am I wearing a ‘life is fair’ button?” Now, those lessons I have often used. This report card also includes my beloved Modern European History class with Mr. Wilson for which I won the annual award. Now, that was an award I worked for and remember.

The Numbers Game

A smattering of numbers comparing me to other kids. Who were these “other kids,” what were they really like, and do dogs and snails have to go through this?

A smattering of numbers comparing me to other kids. Who were these “other kids,” what were they really like, and do dogs and snails have to go through this?

A Breakthrough

After much laughter therapy, blasé meditation, and a kibble diet, I have reached a certain level of puppyness and am able to release this picture of me in the Pilgrim collar:

After much Laughter Therapy, Blasé Meditation, and a kibble diet, I have reached a certain level of puppyness and am able to release this picture of me in the Pilgrim collar.

But the pixie haircut? I’m afraid I’m still too human to post that.

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Remember “Flower Power?” Me too. Groovy, man!

03 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Animals, Art, Gardening, Inspiration, Pets, Plants, Shopping

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cactus, flowers, gardening, humor, orchids, plants, rescue animals, rescue pets, shelter animals, shelter pets, terrarium

We’ve all seen them—those sad, dejected puppy and kitty eyes gazing out at us from our TVs or computer screens begging us to care. Even the forlorn bunnies and ferrets can melt the iciest of hearts. Well…maybe not the ferrets. And when we hear of a shelter animal being adopted into a loving family after a hard knock life, we get a warm, fuzzy feeling and even think about adopting one ourselves.

In that same spirit, today I’d like you to consider another group of forgotten creatures—rescue plants. You’ve no doubt seen them at nurseries and other stores and thought, “Yikes!”: the droopy tomato plants left over after the initial rush of gardeners; the bruised and blighted roses; the trailing ivies with brown, curling leaves tangled like kite strings; the hard-bitten cactus with nothing left to lose that pricks you as you walk by. These poor souls deserve better than to be relegated to the compost pile. They need our help.

WitLoveKath - Rescue Plants - slogan bloom

A rose in any condition still smells as sweet?

A rose still smells as sweet?

That’s why I’ve made it my mission to embrace as many rescue plants as I can. I believe that given enough light, loam, and love, any plant, however scraggly, can be restored to its original majesty and bring delight to any home.

WitLoveKath - Rescue Plants - slogan room

I’ve found most of my rescues at Stop & Shop, waiting with hopeful expectation right inside the entrance. Since I hate to see any living creature caged up, I’ve been instinctively drawn to the sad spectacle of shriveled leaves clinging to the cruel bars of a shopping cart, and once I’ve become emotionally attached, how can I abandon them?

These roses deserve to live in the sun--not in a metal cage.

These roses deserve to live in the sun–not under fluorescent lights and behind bars.

I load them into the child seat of my cart, and they become my companions as I wait at the deli, pick up more macaroni and cheese (do people ever outgrow this delicacy?), hoof it to the far, far aisles for bread and milk, and trudge back to the front of the store for the garlic, cereal, honey, carrots…that I forgot the first time around (seriously, when did the grocery list become some kind of Mensa quiz?). By the time I finally exit the checkout lane and return to my car, these little guys have become my new best friends.

WitLoveKath - Rescue Plants - slogan wilt

I’m proud to introduce a few of my new family members:

These were a few of my first rescues. They brightened our kitchen for several months, and their once bedraggled leaves are now shiny and strong.

These were some of my first rescues. They brightened our kitchen for several months…

...now their once bedraggled leaves are shiny and strong.

…now their once bedraggled leaves are shiny and strong.

These orchids now sit on my desk basking in the glow of my lamp. They've acquired new leaves, and one has an ambitious little root that, curious, pokes its head over the rim of the pot. Every day it grows a little longer, a little braver.

These orchids had few leaves and dying blooms….

...Now they sit on my desk, basking in the glow of my lamp. They've acquired new leaves, and one has an ambitious little root that, curious, pokes its head over the rim of the pot. Every day it grows a little longer, a little braver.

…Now they accompany me at my desk, basking in the glow of my lamp. They’ve acquired new leaves, and one has an ambitious little root that, curious, pokes its head over the rim of the pot. Every day it grows a little longer, a little braver.

New buds on a rescue orchid prove that beauty sprouts when love is given.

New buds on a rescue orchid prove that beauty sprouts when love is given.

This is Buddy. When he was discovered at Stop & Shop last fall, he was pale and had raw patches...

This is Buddy. When I discovered him at Stop & Shop last fall, he was pale and had raw patches…

...but a tiny shoot appeared...

…but a tiny shoot appeared…

...and it grew....

…and it grew….

...and now look!

…and now look!

Buddy is one of the lucky ones. Won’t you join me to ensure no plant ever goes unloved again? Please open your heart and your window box, garden, desk, window sill, plant stand, or terrarium to a rescue plant. Remember:

WitLoveKath - Rescue Plants - slogan weeds

 

 

 

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Sometimes…

12 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by Kath Carroll in Art, Baking, Food, Inspiration, Random Thoughts, Shopping, Travel

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Advice, baking, eggs, humor, Inspiration, life, life lessons

Sometimes, in the egg carton of life you need a thick shell.

WitLoveKath - Egg Carton of Life IV

 

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