tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82238276320963697722024-03-13T23:18:28.146-07:00Purdy WomanFrom the mind of Mary Purdy: A collection of true personal essays, creative outbursts, humorous monologues and other sundry offerings that necessitated translating ideas and whims from the brain onto the keyboard. Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-33797851073189540102023-12-02T10:33:00.000-08:002023-12-02T10:37:58.029-08:00How I Feel about Squash In Winter Time It always feels like a good idea to buy squash. It's seasonal, stays for a while outside the fridge and is incredibly nutritious. And then it comes time to figure out what to do with these petrified cultivars. They are rock hard, unyielding, take time to cook and contain a shocking quantity of seeds embedded in their squashy fascia which requires extensive dissembling. This Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-9838089462222325262023-07-17T11:32:00.001-07:002023-07-17T11:32:08.647-07:00January 10th, 2097 - Going back to Beehive January 10th, 2097,
Dear Diary,
Another treacherously hot day here in Burlington,
Vermont. I ventured outside in spite of
the heat because I was hungry and our supply of dried crickets and
thimbleberries was getting low. Besides,
I hadn’t spent a lot of time in the western part of our domain and thought I
might find some others who survived the great fire and could have resources toMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-47300150202301824232023-02-17T04:21:00.000-08:002023-02-17T04:21:06.177-08:00This Year Will Be Different 2023This is the year that things will be different. This is the year I do less. The year where I will not rush. I will not run to yoga I will not brush my teeth as quickly as
possible while also trying to complete 20 squats or clean the sink. No more
multitasking, unless the hair dryer falls off the shelf like it did last week
during a vigorous tooth washing session Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-12771731518245758722021-11-12T19:52:00.001-08:002021-11-12T19:52:20.587-08:00"Extreme" Peanut Butter!Introducing…extreme peanut butter. Yes, folks, this is not your average peanut butter, this is EXTREME peanut butter. It not only sticks to the roof of your mouth but it actually attaches your tongue to your cleft and keeps it there for at least 17 minutes. That’s right, this peanut butter is so peanut buttery that it will cause a piece of you to stick to another piece of you.&Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-69745808750528681792021-06-27T19:26:00.000-07:002021-06-27T19:26:29.018-07:00On the Theme of RED Are you ready,to hear what I read on Reddit?A red hot story of crimson truths about why our fiery future may not be so rosy.This ain't like the heat of salsa, gazpacho or cayenne pepper, but rather...Lava filled lungs, sunsets blazing and ladybugs gone.Blood stained corporations, dripping rubies, who run red lights and say they are green,cherry-picking news sound bites, and shaking their Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-48045739920829513952021-02-10T07:25:00.005-08:002021-02-10T08:54:25.794-08:00Notes to Self #14 Notes to Self:1. It's not a big deal that you put the sock labeled "L" on your right foot, and the sock labeled "R" on your left, it just may be a good idea to stay mindful of your attention to detail.2. While showering with Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile soap is like a lively ride on a stick of Wrigley's, it may not be optimal for certain areas of the body. Careful.3. Keep up your fight Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-86713675853567622882021-02-03T16:30:00.005-08:002021-02-03T16:32:40.554-08:00Notes to Self #13 Notes to Self:1. So what? Your Dentist told you he wouldn't work on your mouth until you sought counseling for your dentist-office-anxiety. I'm sure this happens to 7% - I mean - 47%- of all patients? Maybe the hypnotherapist he recommended could be a good thing. They might also help you like zucchini and reduce the need for your nightguard.2. The next time you Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-67979686712891704072021-02-01T07:40:00.001-08:002021-02-01T08:28:59.323-08:00Notes to Self #12Notes to Self:1. It's not too late to get back to your goal of learning Spanish, even if your original enthusiastic proclamation lasted only one day. (Ok, two days, but the second day was mostly spent memorizing words for the vegetables you were hoping to buy at the Farmer's Market from Cabrera Farms)2. Using that massage machine you bought in 1999 at a street fair may not have been the optimal Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-87930940821398012422021-01-30T11:36:00.002-08:002021-01-30T11:37:36.491-08:00Notes to Self #11 Notes to Self:1. Grey hair is cool. Grey hair is distinguishing; Grey hair indicates wisdom and lived experience. Those do all sound great, but it's also ok if you are just not that delighted with watching your head turn a different color.2. Sometimes a little moping is ok, especially when it means that a lot of laundry winds up getting done.3. There's a good chance you may have more Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-84260476333553370222021-01-28T08:32:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:33:29.842-08:00NoTES to Self #10 Notes to Self:1. Be sure to check the labels of the fashionably patterned and vibrantly colored shirts you pick up at Goodwill for something that says "maternity" before bringing them home unless you want to look like a human kangaroo.2. Certain plants need to be watered every few days.3. Turns out, when you write more than ONE note, you need to title these entries "NoteS to Self". Details,Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-69106324349299660842021-01-27T08:25:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:28:02.973-08:00Note to Self #9 Note to self:1. Having an intellectual crush on Adam Schiff is perfectly normal.2. With all the women you know named KERstin, CRIstin, KristEN, KIRsten, KRIstin, Kristine and Christine, it's ok that you sometimes misplace the "e" or the "r" or "c". You are still a good person.3. Face it. You just don't find potatoes that interesting.Love, MeMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-14051186650437348382021-01-24T08:24:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:25:18.715-08:00Note to Self #8 Note to self:1. It's safe to say that your male orthopedic surgeon isn't going to offer a lot of integrative therapy advice for your knee, nor do is it a good idea to ask him "Where are all the WOMEN orthopedic surgeons at?"2. Crying because of misguided decisions by senators is totally justified. Be sure you have tissues in your car when you listen to NPR.3. Cloth napkins don't need to be Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-22325005180066866032021-01-22T08:20:00.003-08:002021-01-30T08:31:36.486-08:00Note to Self #7 Note to Self:1. As well-intentioned as you are about saving the planet, you still aren't ready for Cricket Protein Bars. (It's time to give them away. Yes, even the peanut butter ones. You tried.)2. Leaving something on the stove for "just a minute" while you "check something" usually means a smoke alarm will eventually go off.3. Crying while watching someone whom you don't actually Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-77593110854598708902021-01-17T08:19:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:19:48.762-08:00Note to Self #6 Note to self:1. Just because it's only misting when you leave the house doesn't mean you shouldn't bring your umbrella (despite the fact that you "misplaced" 4 in the past year) because it's usually raining when you need to return.2. Remember gloves (despite the fact that you "misplaced 4 pairs in the past 4 months) because hands in your pockets don't stay warm and aren't useful when you Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-88532104134680662632021-01-13T08:18:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:19:07.416-08:00Note to self #5 Note to Self:1. You can TOTALLY drink a green smoothie in a wine glass2. If you buy a painting in July, it's a great idea to actually put up on a wall instead of storing it behind a table for 6 months.3. Remember to use up your under-eye cream before purchasing more so you don't have 4 different tubes in your bathroom cabinet. (Ok, 5 different tubes. Ok, 6. One's in the hall closet.)Love, MeMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-71503821757907056412021-01-09T08:17:00.002-08:002021-01-30T08:23:51.844-08:00Note to Self #4 Note to self:1. It's ok to eat a maggot every once in a while. Just remember to keep that sesame seed condiment jar closed.2. Wearing reading glasses makes you look sophisticated.3. Periodically having popcorn for dinner is ok while Trump is still our president.Love, MeMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-86506900520228150722021-01-06T08:16:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:17:03.751-08:00Note to self #3 Note to self:1. Sitting on the couch doing nothing for 25 minutes is an excellent use of your time2. You are probably not going to read those magazines from 2017, but keeping them for the past 3 years doesn't make you a crazy lady.3. Your water pik misses you. Might be time to get back to it.Love, MeMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-15338339815302749542021-01-04T08:15:00.001-08:002021-01-30T08:16:07.001-08:00Note to Self #2 Note to self:1. When you leave food in your bike side bag for two weeks, it will eventually mold. This winds up being a waste of your time and makes for an unpleasant morning. 2. You don't have to be Greta Thunberg3. You feel better when you laugh, so do it more, even if you aren't truly laughing.Love, MeMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-511175020659757032021-01-02T08:09:00.002-08:002021-01-30T08:15:06.882-08:00Note to Self #1Note to self:Jan 2, 20211. Everything takes twice as long to do as you think it will. 2. Plan for at least 10 additional hours per week of silly, unavoidable, extra stuff that comes up which you need to deal with because life is the way it is. (Eg: Falling off bike and needing to get an Xray; Replacing computer cord. Looking for phone, reading glasses and keys several times/day. 3Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-78781014599711817002020-08-01T08:32:00.004-07:002021-02-01T08:34:58.097-08:00My Experience Doing the 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet I knew it would be hard. But I had no idea how attached I was to the joy that I feel when meal time arrives.DAY 18am Breakfast nut bar. Pretty good. Not what I'm used to eating for bfst, but I'll make it for a few hours. At least I still got my green tea.12pm: Somehow I made it to 12pm with 260 calories on board and a dance class and bike ride. Packaged tomato soup Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-78676334308611879492020-03-26T11:17:00.003-07:002020-03-27T13:00:12.465-07:00When I was 5 I loved...When I was 5 I loved:
Bradley. Brown-eyed with a flop of sandy hair. Liked to hold my hand.
A green bikini I wore on a trip to Mexico. Paraded around as I munched on mangoes.
The stuffed Toto dog, greying from love with every passing month.
"Bienvenudo", my pet dragon, whom I imagined was on the end of my invisible leash.
When I was 10 I loved:
Zachary. Wrote it in my diary. Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-48088400745006060922018-06-23T15:03:00.000-07:002020-07-18T10:05:55.004-07:00Letter to My Dead Gramma
Dear Gramma,
You would be over 100 right
now were you still alive. 111
really. Wow, that is old! I remember your telling me that you would
sometimes look in the mirror and wonder who on earth that old wrinkly lady was
staring back at you. I sometimes feel
the same way now. I peer at myself, not with any sense of disgust, but rather curiosity
around this Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-56627445246004795342018-06-22T18:39:00.003-07:002018-06-22T18:39:39.923-07:00Hey, Janet! Want to go see a movie with me on Sunday? - Sally
Thanks for the invite,
Sally. Going out to the movies on Sunday sounds
great. I am a definite
maybe. If I can move some things around,
I will almost 100% possibly be there. I
just have to talk to a few people but I’d really love to come so you can certainly
count on me to probably show up. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you
so I will do my Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-2842548345814472052018-04-02T19:57:00.000-07:002018-04-02T19:58:57.368-07:00Why No One in Seattle Ever Actually Gets Together
Text from Sarah to
Jenny:
HI Jenny! What fun to run into you at Whole Foods! We should get together.
Text from Jenny to
Sarah
Hi Sarah! Yes, so
great to see you. I’d love to get
together. I miss you!
Text from Sarah to
Jenny:
I miss you too. It’s
been way too long. How about Saturday, June 24th? Come over for dinner?
Text from Jenny toMary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223827632096369772.post-30224243608797752862017-04-02T09:54:00.000-07:002017-04-02T09:55:22.469-07:00Why I Love the Heck out of Grocery Shopping - Day #5 of 31 Day Writing Challenge
(Yes, it took me two months to get to day #5 of the 31 day writing challenge I started in January. But here it is in all its lackluster glory!)
I adore grocery shopping. One of my ideal Saturday night plans is
lingering amidst the lemons, ambling around the apples, perusing the pickles and
zoning out by the zucchini. Shopping for food is more like a hobby than a
chore. It’s Mary Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09291505066410223574noreply@blogger.com2