Real Housewives

BravoTV is full of the Real Housewives shows, and the original one is Real Housewives of Orange County. That's the only one I still watch, and I caught up with it yesterday afternoon. The O.C. ladies went to a spinning class in the episode I watched.

So when I hauled out of bed at 5:10 a.m. this morning and got to my very own spinning class, I couldn't help but think back to the O.C. ladies in contrast to the housewives in the W.G. What a great juxtaposition! Why isn't there a Real Housewives of Webster Groves?????

Mismatched shorts and T-shirts vs. exercise togs from Rodeo Drive? The spinning bikes with missing knobs at the slightly grungy YMCA vs. the state of the art bikes in a pristine private club? The refillable free water bottles from our local bike store vs. bottles of Evian? The red, sweaty, make-up free faces vs. the Botoxed and expertly made-up faces?

Come to that - how about housewives going to their weekly book club instead of a LaPerla lingerie buying party? Moms carting their offspring to daycare instead of asking the nanny to get the cereal in the bowl? Women who are running the after school Girl Scout Troop meeting instead of watching the dressage lesson at the stable? How about showing up at the Habitat for Humanity work day instead of the fancy dress party for the symphony?

Actually I don't have any problem with any of the O.C. ladies' activities, and they are lucky enough to have the money to do all the things they enjoy. I'm just saying, we are living the high life here in the W.G., too, and it's all good.

I am thankful

I consider myself to be blessed by the divine spirit for so many, many things.

Herewith, a list of just a few that I think of most every day:

1) My husband Steve, who is my partner in life these last (almost) 40 years.

2) Max and Emily, who are most remarkable children in every way.

3) My parents, Sam and Martha Endicott, who gave me the best start in life one could ask for, and who continue to be bulwarks in my life.



4) A warm, cozy home in Webster Groves, where every season is a joy to experience.





5) The means to travel the world and see any and everything I would like to see.



6) Freedom to think and speak my mind.




7) Little furry cats who give me great pleasure by just observing their antics.

8) An occupation that is interesting and fun, and that allows me to be among so many unique individuals who are creative and energizing.

9) Friends who like to eat, drink and make merry with us.

10) Physical health that allows me to enjoy all the other things!

What Pets Write In Their Diaries

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watc hed TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary...
Day 983 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Day 984 of my captivity….

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Day 985 of my captivity….

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow –-but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly
released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.

High school football

Steve and I rode our bikes over to Moss Field in Webster Groves on Saturday afternoon to watch the Statesmen take on Chaminade. WGHS had not lost a game all season, and were the favorites to beat Chaminade in the District championship game. Things weren't looking all that good for Webster by half time, as Chaminade scored a touchdown and extra point rather early, and all Webster could manage by half time was six points, having been unable to get their extra point on the one TD they made.

I was ruminating on the scene at the football game on that sunny afternoon. "Same as it ever was" ran through my head as the cheerleaders waved their pom-poms, the girls flitted by glancing over at the boys, and the boys whooped and hollered.

The Marching Statesmen came out on the field, and played a medley of Maynard Ferguson tunes at half time.

I felt a little sad as I thought it was possible that the Webster team might lose in this first game of the play-offs. They had won every single game in the regular season, and had even already beat Chaminade handily early on. I thought maybe they were just a bit complacent, and I even thought maybe after the half time they would come out and tear things up. But I also reflected that a high school football game is just a blip, or less, in the grand scheme of things and that if WGHS lost the game it would not be such a big deal.

But then, take a look at this video, in which the Statesmen won in the last 6.9 seconds of the game with an 80 yard run for a touchdown!




I, and many, many others have been reveling in this victory since last Saturday! Maybe it will remain in our memories and give us happy thoughts for days, weeks, and years to come.

Guest blogger - Martha Endicott

Since we have been home from our vacation in Italy, we've seen a lot of my parents, Sam and Martha Endicott. A health problem has arisen for Dad, and everyone is dealing with it in the best fashion. Carefully considering options, weighing risks, seeking the optimal care, and staying cheerful, Mom and Dad are an inspiration to me.

While we were in Italy, in fact, I received this e-mail message from my mom, which was such a beautiful little piece, I want to share it with everyone:

Your blogs are fantastic and it sounds as if your trip is everything you could have hoped for and maybe even more! It makes Dad and me very happy to picture you biking all over and enjoying the beauty of that wonderful area. Although it makes any report from the home town seem pretty mundane in comparison one also needs to be able to appreciate the beauty of a simple day full of routine tasks because that is what 95% of life consists of. Yesterday and today are lovely October days so that is worth reporting. The highlight of my morning has been finding a poor little moth beating its wings against my kitchen window in a desperate attempt to return to the big outdoor world - and being able to open the window for him to set him free! It was not as easy as it sounds because he was at the top part and I was afraid to brush him down lest I injure him in some way. It took a bit of time but mission accomplished and little moth is out and about now so I can get on with wiping down the counters and other good tasks of that sort. We do what we can, right?

I'd like this at home!

Normally, I don't wish for household servants. It would feel too weird to have someone around all the time who is not part of the family.

On our recent trip, however, I enjoyed getting up, showering, dressing, doing a little packing, and coming into a dining room where everything is laid out for breakfast.

Hot croissants in the plexi-glass container, little pots of jam and honey at the ready along with butter curls in a dish of ice. Fresh juice in glass containers. Sweet buns and cakes with almonds, or maybe assorted muffins fresh from the oven. All sorts of yogurt from plain with muesli on the side to fruit flavored strawberry, banana, peach, and blueberry. In the covered hot chafing dishes were mounds of fluffy scrambled eggs and alongside them piles of bacon, or in some cases a mixed grill of ham and sausages. Plates of cold cuts and cheeses were spread out in attractive designs. Then a waiter might ask what we'd like for a hot drink: Coffee, tea or hot chocolate? We always had cappuccino, sprinkled liberally with cocoa.

So could someone please come over in the morning and have that ready in the dining room at 211 Rosemont?