The quirkometer has been working overtime here at Just TypiKel. But there’s hope. A chance encounter with a stranger has reminded me, once again, that perhaps all one needs is a little perspective. Oddities DON’T just happen to me.
All One Needs Is A Little Perspective
The first quirky gem happened earlier in the week.
Regular readers will be familiar with Poppy, our rescued border collie/and who knows what else cross.
Over the past five and a half years, she has introduced me to a wonderful group of dogs who regularly walk their owners about the neighbourhood. Lately I’ve been feeling rather guilty. These owners have welcomed me into their birthday party circle where I’ve consumed more than my fair share of their cakes. It was beyond time for me to produce one and happily I got my chance.
I fell back on my standard recipe that was given to me by a fellow marathon runner over 20 years ago. My kids love it. It’s a white cake with few ingredients.
As per usual, it whipped up beautifully and plopped out of the bundt pan obediently once cool. The problems began with the lemon drizzle icing. Fool me. I didn’t have enough lemon juice. Did I add the necessary equivalent in water? No, that could have potentially diluted the lemon flavour. I opted for just a weensy bit more water.
Oh dear. NOT quite the thin drizzle one normally achieves with this recipe. Can you say “wallpaper paste?”
Of course, I transported this blobby beaut on the glass plate in the car. Things were fine until I took that final corner … and she tipped over sideways smashing into the door handle. Guess what? Nothing happened. The icing was so thick. Had it been the thin drizzly lemon icing we’d have had a sticky mess. Hmmm. All one needs is a little perspective …
Just TypiKel.
The second quirky event involves my trusty fitbit and another group. Every week, six or so relatives and friends from across Canada and the US “compete” to see who can get the most steps in from Monday to Friday. This past Monday was stellar for me. I got to walk around the Stanley Park seawall with my visiting nephew. A flat stroll with striking ocean and mountain views, it took us the good part of two hours. My step count at the end of the day? 28,000.
The next morning I was alarmed to find that the battery needed replacing. Abandoning any thoughts of a dog walk until it was replaced (all steps must be accounted for!) I zipped out to the local drugstore. Found the battery, slapped it in and VOILA.
Have a gander. Can you discern a slight problem?
Yes, 32,975 steps with a mileage of just 2.24 miles. After being fitted with a new battery this fitbit hadn’t recognized that we were on day two of the challenge. It simply synced with day one. And kept adding on …
and on …
and on …
Yes. I was awarded three fraudulent badges. Who knew there was a badge for 35,000 steps in a day, let alone 40,000 steps? The latter? Seriously, it should be called the Cheats badge.
I can only imagine what my fellow competitors were thinking … Just TypiKel. Thankfully it sorted itself out the next day.
Before I give your eyes a rest, remember I promised there was an event that put all things into perspective for me? Well, just yesterday, Poppy took me for a walk and as we passed a house on a quiet street a woman leapt out in front of us.
“Excuse me, would you like some wood chips? For your garden? Please?”
Long story short, she’d ordered the truckload of wood chips for her garden, online. Sight unseen, she’d no idea of the size of the truck.
This photo shows the amount that was left over after she spread the wood chips thoroughly throughout her back and front yards. That pile on the right (which she assured me had been greatly depleted by many a helpful neighbour) is available at no cost, should you want some.
Yes, all one needs is a little perspective.
This post has been loosely inspired (sorry for the stretch) by the Finish The Sentence Friday prompt of “While I was sleeping, I dreamt…” I suppose I could finish the sentence with a witty “… I met someone just like me.”
Today’s hosts are Kristi of http://www.findingninee.com and sentence-thinker-upper Deirdre Conran of Deirdre’s Daily Dose athttps://myblogforlife.wordpress.com/
Enough about me and the concept that all one needs is some perspective. I’m curious about you. Does this sort of thing EVER happen to you?
42 Responses
Oh, only ALL THE TIME…I love your cake, btw…thanks for making me laugh. It’s been a rather melancholy couple of weeks and the rest of the summer isn’t shaping up all that hot…maybe I just need perspective. Thanks, Kel…
Oh I am delighted to make you laugh, Deborah. It’s hard sometimes to get perspective. Hope this bit of blather helped you get more than a healthy dollop. And thank you for your kind comment about my blobby cake.
You are officially ready to have a charming sitcom based on your life! So tempted to add- “…and that Fitbit story takes the cake!” Too much? ?
Never too much! Thanks, buddy. As I drifted off to sleep last night I was reminded of Hammy, our hamster who shared his/her life with us for a couple of months. My son would carefully clean out her cage and line it with fresh wood chips, leave her some food and watch as she spent countless hours rolling about on her wheel. Wood chips, food and fitness … Hmmm … imagine her Fitbit step count!
I happen to like blobby frosting 🙂
Oh how I wish you lived closer, Kathy. I’d happily serve you blobby frosting …
I love it. And I am happy to know the reason behind your massive fitbit stepping. (I feel like much less of a slacker now.)
See – you just needed a little perspective. Thank you for reading and for leaving a comment, Lisa. It really was most extraordinary getting all of these badges alerts on my phone. Who knew one could walk 40,000 steps in a day?
I thought I’d commented but well, just typikal, I don’t see it here. I’m sure my original was more witty and wonderful but I’d be totally rocking those Fitbit badges, because no way would I get them without a battery default. Actually, I need a fitbit. Did you take any of that poor woman’s mulch? Seems like you should, to like, adjust the karma or something. Thanks for linking up!!
Ha! I do the same thing, Kristi. Craft a witty comment and then, POOF, it’s gone. No I didn’t take any of her mulch. The sizes of some of those chips were pretty alarming.I know, I should take some to adjust the karma but my yard would look barnlike I fear … And yes – look into getting a Fitbit. Being part of a challenge with friends and relatives has really helped me.
Oh, where do I start with my oh so many baking misadventures over the years, your icing looks marvelous in comparison and I am sure it tasted delicious ! We once had a bit of a garden misadventure too, ordering a truck load of dirt, which was delivered, and dumped at the wrong location ( same street and address, just south instead of north ) . Fortunately, the people at the wrong house had been wanting dirt, so all was good !
Good thing I’m not reading this in an office, Jane. I’d have to get up and close the door. The dirt was delivered to the wrong house? Oh man, that’s quite something. Honestly, I haven’t heard that Jane adventure before. How long did it take before you found out? Did you get a second load delivered to your house?
“a litte perspective” I’ve so needed that these past two weeks! We had a bit of a mishap with our home (fifth wheel RV) and it has been challenging to say the least. I’m hoping we are finally on our way to repairs…..and once done….I’ll be sharing all my ‘tears and giggles’ of our repair journey. It is a story…NOT for the ‘faint of heart’. Oh…..and about that deliciously looking cake…..did I mention how much I eat when I”m stressed! LOL!
Oh nooooooo. I am sorry, Debbie. Yes, please write about it once you’re finally on your way. Hope you’ve got easy access to lots of yummy cake. Sometimes, that’s all one needs. That and some gin. Or wine. Or scotch.I’ll cross my fingers and toes and eyes in the hopes that all goes smoothly for you from here on in.
Sis… I think your cake looks delish! And I come from the school of the thicker the frosting, the better the cake! At first, I thought that you took itty bitty steps and I thought how clever that was – I still might try that. Did you help yourself to any woodchips? Have a great weekend!
Oh the curse of the damn Fitbit, Sis. Truly. I love the weekends as they are Fitbit challenge free …
Nope – did not partake in any of the woodchips. Did you see the size of some of those chunks? They could take an eye out, seriously. My yard would resemble a barn, I fear. So in an effort to help them I am steering everyone else in their direction. Would you like me to ship you some? The dogs would LOVE it, I’m sure.
Oh that Poppy – such an instigator of wonderfulness! Frankly I love a cake with a little extra frosting padding. I’m sure it was the best cake of the collective lot! And it bounces unharmed off door handles. Who knew cakes had superpowers?
Personally I would like a fitbit that added things up into one highly impressive total. Good for you though for you honestly acquired admirable total earned with a lovely view on the side.
I’m laughing at the pile of wood chips – aren’t you glad that’s not one of your misadventures? I’d be tempted to post a sign in it advertising it a free woodchuck for anyone who took away the whole lot.
Grinning over the concept of cakes having superpowers, Deborah. And the offer of a free woodchuck! Very clever. I haven’t been past her place since writing the post so I’m curious as to see how she did. She put up a sign offering it for free (no woodchuck) however the pieces of wood that were left were rather huge. Poppy loves to chew on wood … hmmmm…. maybe I should pop back there.
the cake looked wonderful – it made me realize how long it has been since i baked one! hmm – maybe soon, but I think I’ll just be a southern girl and make some banana pudding. The fitbit craze went right by me – but you inspired me to get one finally. Since I’m not working right now and mom is now safely in memory care, it is time to take care of me! Let’s see if I can figure it out!
Banana pudding sounds heavenly. I’ve never made any. You’ve got me all fired up to look for some recipes.
I have a sort of love/hate relationship with my fitbit, to be perfectly honest. It can be annoying on wet, rainy days to have its low number winking at me but it does get me moving. The best thing I’ve found is to participate with others in an online challenge. One peek at their numbers and I’m fired up thinking “Hmmm… surely if Sue managed to get 3000 more steps in today, I can too.”
Thick icing can taste just as good as thin, by my reckoning.
Somehow, I don’t think an electronic gadget would really help me exercise more, I am pretty resistant to that sort of thing.
Great point, Scott. Thick icing can taste just as good as thin.
Well, at least you’re baking a cake… can’t remember the last one I made! Although I did make a frozen creamsicle “cake” a few weeks ago. It took a while to melt it out of its bundt pan and then it was slip sliding all over the plate, yikes!!! The grandboys enjoyed it though!
Oh my word – you’ve no idea how much my daughter would LOVE to be offered a creamsicle “cake” – she’d gobble it up frozen or liquid. Her dad loved creamsicles, too. I haven’t had one in years. You got me grinning here as I imagined all of you waiting for it to melt enough for it to slip out of the bundt pan. That would SO happen to me.
SEE? It all works out. If only I had known you were a runner. You could have taken my place in the 5k last weekend with my daughter. She didn’t actually end up running it with me. I was an afterthought, wondering why in the world I signed up to do a 5k WITH her when she BLEW right by me in the first bit. Then there was my helpful son at the finish line telling me how slow I was and that our daughter had finished ages ago. I’ll just go and have a slice of that Just TypiKel cake now.
Popping a slice into the mail for you right this very minute.
Well, I think your cake looks delicious, blobby frosting and all! My boys gave me a Fitbit for my birthday – but I keep forgetting to put it on in the morning, and then I don’t want to do it later because half the day’s steps are over.
Lana – pop that sucker on your wrist (or in your pocket or bra if it’s that kind) right this minute. SO helpful to keep moving.
You go, Cleats Badge winner! You know, that drizzle frosting thing is so weak. It must have been invented by the same people who thought luncheons or other meals during conference events for women’s business groups (in the 80s and 90s) should weigh no more than an ounce (I simply signed me up for the men’s groups – food’s too important ;-)). Thick blobs of icing taste much better on a cake (or on a spoon or shovel :-)). Even if those in attendance didn’t admit it, I bet they enjoyed your “wall paper” a whole lot more than they would have the “proper” drizzle.
Cheats Badge winner, more like! Ha! And man alive – we simply must meet up one day. I’m with you. Icing should be enjoyed by the spoon or shovel. I was tempted to trowel on that wall paper version. However, I didn’t and I plopped the extra into the freezer. Silly me.
Great story, Kelly! Oh my gosh. Another cake spill? You must simply take those corners slower! teehee! I think it looks like it was probably good tasting. Never skimp on taste. SO much more important than looks!
As for the FitBit challenge, that is hilarious. I wish we would have met earlier, before I went to Vancouver a few years back. I’ve been to that Stanley Park! It’s a great place to walk and get those steps in!
Oh, Amy. Do you remember the story of my mom and son’s ice cream cake that melted in the car? Thank you, if so. I really must take those corners slower. Oh yes, too bad I didn’t know you when you were here! The park is looking a little different. We had an horrific windstorm a few years back and 1000’s of trees fell down. The views from above the sea wall are spectacular now but she does look rather bald in patches when viewed from offshore.
Yes! That was it – the melted ice cream cake fiasco! So funny. You and your cakes! You make me laugh! At least you attempt them! I am SO bad at cake making. I usually don’t even try. For my daughter’s birthday, I made little cheesecakes and they would’ve been OK if I had remembered that she didn’t like cherries and I made it with cherry syrup! Doh!
Oh nooooooo. Now that is also something I would do. I suppose we must think of it as a case of you’ll never make that mistake again.
Kelly, you always make me laugh out loud! You are so funny! I love the cake story. We’ve all had our baking failures and you’re brave enough to share one of yours:) Poppy looks like a sweetheart. And thanks to her, you have a new set of dog loving friends. Thanks for making me laugh Kelly!
Thanks for your kind words, Nancy. Poppy is indeed a sweetheart. Unlike our late, mischeivous Oscar, Poppy can’t stand getting into trouble. She only errs once!
The cake still looks scrumptious to me! I love your perspective.
Thanks, Naomi. It did taste rather delicious, I have to say! And the wallpaper paste icing made for a good story at the party, so there’s that.
Yes, this stuff happens to me too. And my kid. Yesterday she made cheesecake bars, and the crust was very crumbly. She said, “You’d think there would be butter in it to hold it together.” Um – there was supposed to be butter. She put it in with the cream cheese and sugar instead of the crust! So the crust fell apart, and the cheesy part was a bit buttery. Just typiGwen.
Oh, Dana, I do thank you for sharing this. It’s just so darn refreshing.
Gracious, just ALL THE TIME… I adore your cake, btw… much obliged for making me giggle. Furthermore, I am upbeat to know the purpose for your monstrous fitbit venturing. (I feel like a great deal to a lesser extent a loafer now.)
Thanks for reading! Yes, that whole fitbit episode came about simply because I changed the battery! Who knew that’s all one needs to do to rack up the big numbers!