Got Wood?

When I was 7, my family moved into our 'forever" home. It was the summer of 1967.  After my dad died in 1976-my mother was determined to keep our home.  "After all", she used to say "its the best place to live in New Britain--and we are lucky to live here."  (Yes, I am.)

When my new neighbors moved in--Audrey and I talked about getting rid of the trees that are a nuisance with their ugly "boomerang" looking droppings.  This week we have had the Privilege of working with PAVO and FRANK ofJani Tree Service because they have been Fabulous. 

Frank putting the tree in the chipper.

They left the place BETTER than when they came last Tuesday. If you want great work at a great price--Call 860-818-5109

Now, I will work on my tan...

Sasha--thank you for all the licks and love.

I might have to get a dog.  Sasha, the little dog that lived with me for 10 days had to go home today. We had a great time together.  She reminded me of a teenager when she would sleep for long periods of time.  She was the best medicine for coming home from work.  She was happy I was home and of course would feed her.  Sometimes I didn't understand what she wanted, as she doesn't really come with many instructions. She would stretch out and walk that way which sometimes I thought she just wanted to play and sometimes I thought she wanted to go out. She listened to every command I made and licked me silly sometimes.  I think it was her way of saying--I'm going to lick you now then I don't want to be disturbed when I sleep.

  This morning I received a text from my Next Door Neighbor telling me they are back and to bring Sasha home.  I felt a little sad. But I carried her and most of her stuff next door. She seemed very happy to be home. 

  Now, what will I do without her?

Sasha Sitting-My Very First Time living with a dog for 10 days

When I was in fifth grade my turtle, my first pet died.  i was away on vacation with the parents and my aunt told me I forgot to leave enough water. I cried. Then I tried my hand at fish, guppies and gold---and then I stopped.  I guess I didn't have the time or want to flush anymore away.

In my 20's and 30's I house sat and the houses had animals--but for the past few days and until next Tuesday I am pet sitting in my own home.  It is very weird having Sasha sleep by my head---or in her bed and me on the couch---but we have started to understand each other,  She wants to be held---I thought the jumping up and down and running around in the circle meant she wanted to go outside or visa versa. 

She doesn't like it when I watch her eat or poop...but she always turns her head to be acknowledge for her good behavior.   She is very warm when she sits on me--and I worry every time I eat chocolate---what if I drop a piece and I'm not fast enough.

I don't understand how people have pets or children with this much worry.  I've also had to bring in help.  Well, not really. My friends daughter had major surgery and since they live together--the daughter needed rest--so the mother-My BFF (East Coast) is living with me too. Thank Heavens for her---she sort of tells me what is going on with the dog.  "Its your shadow, Leslie." 

Personally, I don't mind the snuggles, the having to go out to poop, but truly, when Sasha is in the bathroom with me it's too much.  Don't tell me to close the door. she pushed that cute little nose right through and sat at the porcelain base and waited.

She listens to many of the commands I've heard Ethan or Audrey give her but I decided to try one of my--"okay Sasha Go Now....Now Sasha.  Come on Sasha..." I know you are shocked to hear it doesn't work.  Although the first two days all I did was put on her leach and go out every couple hours.  I realized she missed her family and since they live next door--we stated doing daily visits to the house and checking on Mable the cat. 

An open Letter to Bernie Sanders

Dear Bernie Sanders:

I recently donated $10.00 to your campaign and wanted to let you know how much I am behind you.  I wonder if you have heard what the corporations are doing to us now---I ran out of money in 2014 (because my mother fell at BOA and then died and a statute of limitations)…and had to default on my credit cards.  I went on food stamps and heat assistance and finally when my house was in foreclosure---I realized if I paid 30 percent in taxes I could get my 401K.  So, I broke my only recourse for my old age and saved my house. 

Now, as I am doing my taxes (I’ve been working for my cousin taking care of my 99 year old aunt) and claim $11,002 dollars for independent consultant work—it goes into self-employment which you know is higher taxes---And, I have to add what I defaulted on as “Income”—so now my tax bill to the IRS is almost 2,000. I made $11,000 and have to pay two thousand dollars. Now that is criminal!

Bernie, I’m amazed at how much life has bit me in the ass in the past two years ---Oh, I’m 56, with a Master’s degree from Wesleyan University and a writer for a local online independent paper.  Oh, and I wrote a book called Survival in the Unemployment Line, when I hadn’t been F**KED by Big Business and Big Government.

And, don’t even get me started on my student loan. 

I also don’t know where I F**KED UP---because I must have done something. Yes, I didn’t hire a lawyer to sue BOA---My mother who was 85 when she fell at BOA received a letter saying they would pay for all out of pocket expenses.  I had no idea they would offer less than 5% percent of the total outlay of cash to pay for her Medical expenses (beyond Medicare).    

I did everything right (except according to my mother—get married and have children).  I went to good schools, volunteered for my community and was (am) a good neighbor. I gave when I could, and sometimes when I couldn’t.

But boy am I sick of not having a full time job with great benefits. I had one in 2008 and due to the financial crisis, I was laid off.

In a way I am lucky---since when I had breast cancer (remission now) I was able to go to my treatment without feeling guilty about leaving my job.

Since I work part time, my food stamps have been cutand I have to pay over $2,000 to the IRS this year. Because of the income tax laws on small businesses.  But it’s so good to work and live in US…one day I hope to find out again.

You can read more about me on my blog at lesliefjacobs.com.  When you come to CT, I’d love to tell you my story in person.

Sincerely, Leslie Jacobs

David Cassidy---How about an interview in June?

I have been involved with David Cassidy --(did you notice I use his full name, never just David or Dave) since I woke up in love on January 9, 1971--I was 11 and in the sixth grade. I wrote about it in my diary then "today I realized I am in love with DC."  He had been a topic in my conversations growing up andI even wrote about him for my French class. 

When I was in the 8th grade, I brought home a report card that was not up to my parents liking: it had a D in Math. So, besides the punishment of NOT watching the PF that week (hamster episode) I had to take all my DC photos from my walls down. So, I moved them into my closet. (I was a very lucky kid--I had a walk in closet and used it as my reading room.) Photos of DC and PF were on the 4 walls of them never to be taken down---

But being an adult and moving on with your life meant moving on from DC until a few years ago when my mother died and I inherited my childhood home.  The pictures in the closet, although now yellowed with age, still showed a handsome DC.  This week I took them down.  My old bedroom is one of the last rooms in the house to be redone and ready to sell. 

As I took them down, I saved a few- but then asked myself-what am I going to do with old pictures of DC?  I cant justify keeping them and tossing blurry photos of my family.  I also have a scrapbook that I made of David with photos from my childhood room. I have photos which take up less space than the actual photo and in better condition. 

Now, I will start working on meeting and interviewing DC soon. 

David...I have a favor to ask you-

My friend Maureen last week “talked” to her favorite author via twitter.  I was so happy for her but very unhappy for me when I realized the same couldn’t happen.  Why? Because my childhood idol doesn’t twitter, FB or –email.  Since, I do not know him personally- this is what I have read.  His people put things on FB and his own website-but he personally doesn’t tweet like many of the stars today.

David Cassidy- Please change this. There are people around you who could help- Beau I’m sure knows how to get you on twitter.   So David—how about it? 

It’s not like the two of us or any of your millions of fans are getting any younger.  BTW, could we meet?  You will be at the Wolf Den and so will I. Maybe you could have an autograph session after the concert?

Or we could host a lunch or dinner for you and the proceeds could go to a charity you support?

What do you think David? 

This is NOT A SPONSORED POST---But if anyone wants to sponsor one, please contact me.

The reason for the headline is to let the world know that I am available to be polite, honest and always colorful in my "Food Truths" posts.  There are something things in this world that I shouldn't eat and potato chips are one of the items-so I'm always on the look out for a snack that compares.  This is the closest I've come to having the crunch and satisfaction that I get from potato chips with these BEANITOS. These BEANITOS would be perfect if they came in lightly salted like my Lays do...but the fact they are gluten and dairy free and vegan is a testament to great taste that doesn't hurt anyone body part of mine as it goes through my system---and when you are 56 that is a great way to live.

This is the perfect snack to eat and serve for the Super Bowl.