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Saturday, April 14, 2018

2018 A - Z Challenge - M


M   Things We Appreciate

I could live on Milkshakes. In fact, I did for a while that last year of high school. Strawberry was my favorite; chocolate was good too. Shakes were just the perfect thing for hunger abatement in between classes and after-school jobs where I also enjoyed Making Money.

Keeping busy was one thing the Sinagua people had no trouble with, as evidenced by the 600-year old rugged high-rise suites their daring builders etched into limestone cliff faces high above the valley below.  Montezuma Castle, as it is called (though no relation to the Aztec Emperor, who hadn’t yet been born), is probably the most well- preserved cliff dwellings in North America, but access to the actual ruins was deemed too unstable in 1951. The National Park operates a Visitor’s Center within plain view of the castle, which affords excellent opportunities for photographs.

Near the Arizona-Utah border lies a high-plains version of our own star of the Silver Screen. Monument Valley in all its ruddy-red glory sports panoramic views of towering buttes and spires that have appeared in numerous media outlets, including films ranging from Stagecoach (John Wayne) to Back To The Future II; fundamentally shaping America’s earliest impression of the American southwest. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located on the Navajo nation and visitors are welcome for a nominal fee.



Isn’t there just something about the scent of Maple Syrup that makes you want a pancake? Some folks drizzle it on other things as well, like bacon, ice cream, salads and roasted vegetables. What do you put syrup on?

When I’m anxiously waiting for that first clap of thunder during summer Monsoon, reading a good Mystery helps the time pass. Cranberry Mimosas at a wedding shower have the same effect ;-)
 
The only things more treasurable than the experiences we have are the Memories we keep, and as my grandson brought to mind when he insisted I add Music (of course!) to the list, Motherhood has been one of the very best!

Happy M Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter M?



12 comments:

  1. Hi, diedre!

    Thank you for remembering to add music & memories to your "M" post, dear friend! :) Can you imagine life w/o music? I doubt that I have a single memory that is not linked to a piece of music that was playing at the time the memory was installed in my brain.

    As I told you in a previous post, my parents took me to the local dairy store every Friday evening for ice cream treats and milkshakes. I always ordered a banana split, a vanilla shake and a couple of thick, foot long pretzel rods that were on display inside a large, clear plastic cylinder on the counter. For decades I could eat all I wanted any time I wanted and never gained an ounce. I wish my Metabolism was still the same. (There's another "M" word for you.)

    Mrs. Shady and I are looking into buying one of those 600 year old "fixer-upper" high-rise suites at Montezuma Castle. However we heard rumors that the homeowners' association has some strict rules about the placement of sheds and other out buildings. :)

    The natural formations at Monument Valley are spectacular. I'd love to visit. You will think I'm strange, but I don't eat maple syrup. I prefer my pancakes plain - no syrup, no butter, no nothing. I also eat plain bakes potatoes and salad w/o dressing. I never tasted a mimosa cocktail but, when I was a boy, my dad planted a mimosa tree in our yard.

    This post was like Campbell's Soup, dear friend diedre - Mmm Mmm Good. :) Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!

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    1. Hi Shady!

      Oh, I couldn't forget music and memories ;-)
      You must have been one active kid, my friend, to have enjoyed those treats without consequence. I had a ballet teacher who could smell an M&M on your breath!
      Mimosas are typically made with orange juice, which is why I had avoided them. I've read that Mimosa leaves are such that they seem to "mimic conscious life" Not sure how that relates to Champagne ;-)
      I'm glad you enjoyed,and I always appreciate your comments.
      Have a relaxing weekend!

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  2. I'm not as much of a maple syrup nut as I used to be although I still do like some good pancakes with syrup sometimes. I'd prefer the real maple syrup though--I'd probably eat a lot more if I had that.

    In recent years I haven't enjoyed eating as much as I used to and have thought about a liquid diet of mostly smoothies and milkshakes. Seems like that would be especially good in the summer.

    You are probably well aware that I like music and memories. Seems like that's mostly what I blog about these days.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Hi Lee!

      I can count the times I've even had pancakes on one hand, but I do enjoy the syrup. I doubt I've ever had what you refer to as real, more's the pity.
      On changing eating habits, I think Shady pegged it pretty well (above) metabolism seems to have a mind of its own ;-) I miss Tomato Soup.
      You bet I'm aware of your BOTB and memory blogs - I enjoy them all very much!

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  3. Hi Diedre - couldn't just do milkshakes ... I'd be a round little mound! Mountains - love seeing them - they describe their area ... but mothers and memories .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary!

      "they describe their area" So eloquently stated! Thank you ;-)

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  4. Chocolate milkshake with maple syrup... mmm...

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  5. Merlot and Muscat
    Mac made with cheese
    Marmalade, mince pies
    Marzipan please!
    Sorbet of mango
    Mocha, meringues
    These are a few of my favourite thangs!

    Mmm!


    A-Z of My Friend Rosey!

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    1. Hi Keith!

      A marvelous list of mouth-watering M-s! Thank you ;-)

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  6. Howdy, dIEDRE!

    I spent one very memorable night camping in Monument Valley circa 1990.

    Milkshakes -- Mmmm-Mmmm GOOD! (Funny you should like strawberry milkshakes so much when you actually despise strawberry ice cream. ...Oh, wait.)

    I would like to add Mojitos to the list! Right now, "I need a cold Mojito"... but I'm going to have to settle for Haagen-Dazs Bourbon Praline Pecan ice cream.

    I hope you're havin' yourself a merry little Sunday.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'

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    1. Howdy Reno!

      Funny you! Monotonous, isn't it?
      Mojitos. Got it!
      Enjoy your B-double-P, my friend ;-)

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Any thoughts? Join the conversation, comments welcome here!