Kitchen Table Devotions

by Rita Louise MacDonald

COVID-19 … Thoughts from A Respiratory Therapist

by Rita Macdonald

It is NO COINCIDENCE that every single time I get into my car after a shift in the Medical ICU at Royal Oak Beaumont, this song is playing.  And it was also NO COINCIDENCE that my dear friend Jean Sanders texted me the words to it this morning.  It's so worth sharing, so here you go! Great Are You Lord You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only you give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our ... View Post

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COVID-19, What’s True, False, & Even Truer

by Rita Macdonald

I feel angry this morning because I am remembering what it's like to snuggle two toddlers, and how baby soft their cheeks are when you give em a kiss.  And yes, mine are exceptionally adorable - probably more adorable than yours.  (I'm a grandmother, I'm supposed to believe this!) I'm very angry at this virus - not the Governor, the President, China, not even those imbeciles who are so defiantly out walking around, perhaps unknowingly infecting others.  (Okay, that might have sounded a little angry).   I'm angry at this evil virus.  And it is just that - EVIL, because it has taken PEOPLE away from me - people I LOVE! I'm afraid my anger at this EVIL virus has done away this morning with any creativity left in me, mostly because I miss Lyla & Owen, but also partly because I can't ... View Post

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The COVID Files – Here We Go

by Rita Macdonald

Every night for the past three weeks I've sat down to write, then wound up going to bed with intentions to do so in the morning - and failing.  This is unusual for me.  I usually sit down to do something and I get it done. This COVID stuff has really done a number on my thinking.  Nothing is the same anymore.  Not my days, not my thoughts, not my routines......   nothing.  It's really difficult to rest. Tonight I remembered though, that most of my favorite blogs have begun the same way - up to my chin in bubbles in the bathtub, half asleep.......   So jumped in the tub, I did!   And here I am now, cuddled up on my couch, wrapped in the multi-colored afghan Aunt Iris made for me decades ago, and my head on the pillowcase Mum made.  I feel smothered in love, and I'm ready to ... View Post

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I Am Is In Control (and that’s not lousy grammar)

by Rita Macdonald

Apologies in advance.......     my blog will currently not let me upload any photos to this blog.  I hope to get that changed soon, but until then, it's only a read ;)   About two weeks ago, spell check on my Iphone didn't recognize the word COVID in a text, and insisted on correcting the word to "livid." Not today it didn't though.  Now my phone, your phone, and the entire world is well acquainted with the word COVID-19. In fact, I'm sick to death of the word COVID-19, and when I get done writing this blog, my phone's getting turned off, my computer's getting shut down, and I'm going to enjoy a much-needed bubblebath.  You will NOT be able to reach me.  Sorry, not sorry. The virus has hit my beloved home state of Michigan in the past couple of weeks, and each time I go ... View Post

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Tonka’s Turkey Chilli

by Rita Macdonald

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 1 pound extra lean ground turkey 4 tablespoons of chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt One 28-ounce can of diced or crushed tomatoes 1-1/2 cups of chicken broth Two 15-ounce cans of dark red kidney beans, rinsed, & drained One 15-ounce can of sweet corn, rinsed and drained For topping - Cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, sour cream Directions: Place oil in a large pot and place over medium to high heat.  Add in the onion, garlic, and red pepper, and saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Next, add in ground turkey and break up the ... View Post

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Mothers-In-Law & Google Baloney

by Rita Macdonald

The older I get.....    and I'm really not that old (56-1/2)....     the more I realize how very little I know.   By the way, my friend told me that once you reach 50, you get to do that cute little "and a half" thing that all small children do because they are so proud of being almost the next number.  Heck yeah!   I've earned a few degrees from the School of Hard Knocks in the past five plus decades, so "and-a-half" is like a medal or a trophy.  I'll take it! Anyhoooo..... A few friends and I have, over the past five or so years, been making jokes about, crying over, laughing about, having serious and heartfelt discussions about being a........ Mother-in-law. No, really!   How does one do it?   And how does one do the daughter-in-law thing?  (I never met my mother-in-law, ... View Post

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Toothless & Smiling

by Rita Macdonald

  My friend who spends a lot of time throughout her week with the elderly, the widows, the sick, and the lonely, often shares little snippets of the cutest stories with me.  Her enjoyment of the time she spends with people is such a gift to her, and I'm the lucky recipient of some of the wisdom she passes along from her friends to me!  Some of it gleaned from spending time with those who are bitter at the end of their lives, but often from those who are cheerful at heart, even when their life seems to be coming close to the end. A while back, she shared a story with me that I have told and retold, and retold again.  The reason I've retold it is because I so hope to have the attitude of the 94-year-old woman who belongs to the story! They were sharing lunch together at the ... View Post

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Enchilada Meatballs

by Rita Macdonald

  Ingredients: 2 cups crumbled cornbread 1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce (divided) 1/2 t salt 1-1/2 pounds ground sirloin 1 can tomato sauce (8 ounce) 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend Directions: In large bowl, combine the cornbread, 1/2 cup enchilada sauce, and salt.  Crumble beef over the mixture and shape into 1-inch balls. Place meatballs on greased rack in shallow baking pan.  Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.  Then, drain. In sauce pan, heat tomato sauce and remaining enchilada sauce.  Drain meatballs and place in a serving dish.  Top with sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with toothpicks! ... View Post

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