Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Birds in the Sky
Friday, when the fellows were cutting trees, I occasionally shot photos of birds flying overhead. I think these are hawks but I'm not positive. They were drafting on the wind currents around the house, having a good ol' time, and when the tree cutting grew boring I'd turn the camera to the birds.
Monday, November 04, 2019
The Cutting of the Trees
On Friday, Those Tree Guys, a tree-cutting firm (established by a couple of firefighters), came out to remove three trees.
One was a pine in the back that had died. The other was one of the remaining blue spruces that have a fatal fungus, and the last was a huge ash tree that had been killed by ash borers.
Lots of photos here. I have little commentary except to say that I was sorry to see the blue spruce go, but it was dying and too close to the bedroom. The fellows did a great job of clean up and removal, too, for a very decent price. (I had a lot more photos to show you, but the blogger photo loader isn't working again, so I had to do a work-around that was tedious and taking a long time.)
One was a pine in the back that had died. The other was one of the remaining blue spruces that have a fatal fungus, and the last was a huge ash tree that had been killed by ash borers.
Lots of photos here. I have little commentary except to say that I was sorry to see the blue spruce go, but it was dying and too close to the bedroom. The fellows did a great job of clean up and removal, too, for a very decent price. (I had a lot more photos to show you, but the blogger photo loader isn't working again, so I had to do a work-around that was tedious and taking a long time.)
 |
| The big and now dead ash tree. |
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| Guy stuff. |
 |
| They tied off the trees at the top (I missed how they managed to get the ropes up there). |
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| This is the pine tree in the back. |
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| This machine holds the rope taut so it will fall in the right direction as it is cut. |
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| Cutting the tree. |
 |
| And it's on the ground. |
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| This is my one-beautiful blue spruce. This one really made my heart hurt. |
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| There's a guy in the tree tying off the rope. |
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| Cutting. |
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| The tree is falling. |
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| It is on the ground. |
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The ash tree required extensive climbing and cutting away of huge branches. The branches on this were as big
as some trees. I have more pictures, but, loading issues.
|
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| Mr. Young Gun up in the tree. |
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| The cute little machine doing its clean up stuff. |
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| The tree had a hollow spot. |
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| And it's down. |
Sunday, November 03, 2019
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing
1. All things pumpkin are everywhere. What is your one very favorite pumpkin flavored food or drink? Do you wish it was available all year or do you only want it in the fall?
A. I don't like it any time of the year. Blech.
2. What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?
A. Chocolate.
3. What is the most interesting thing you have seen online this week?
A. I read an article about tree rings.
4. Is it better to be a "big fish in a small pond" or a "small fish in a big pond"?
A. I don't want to be in a pond, period.
5. Do you play chess? Are you good at it?
A. I know how to play chess. I haven't played in years. I doubt I am able to play well at all.
6. Tell us something random about your week.
A. People came and cut down trees. They made a lot of noise.
7. What is your favorite Frank Sinatra song?
A. I don't have one. I can't even think of one. Did he do Strangers in the Night?
8. Has your state approved the sale of medical marijuana? In a nutshell, what are your thoughts on the subject?
A. No, my state has not approved the sale of medical marijuana although there are tons of products with "CDB" or something in them that claim to cure everything from an abscess to zebra stripes. I think marijuana should be legal regardless of reason. It's no worse than alcohol. I know there are people who will argue that point, but honestly, I know plenty of boozers who should be in jail and aren't.
9. Einstein’s Theory of Happiness is: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” Was Einstein right?
A. Yes.
10. Do you enjoy fresh peaches? What is your favorite way to use them in a recipe?
A. I am not overly fond of peaches. They're ok in a cobbler. My husband loves them. He likes to eat them with cottage cheese.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. All things pumpkin are everywhere. What is your one very favorite pumpkin flavored food or drink? Do you wish it was available all year or do you only want it in the fall?
A. I don't like it any time of the year. Blech.
2. What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?
A. Chocolate.
3. What is the most interesting thing you have seen online this week?
A. I read an article about tree rings.
4. Is it better to be a "big fish in a small pond" or a "small fish in a big pond"?
A. I don't want to be in a pond, period.
5. Do you play chess? Are you good at it?
A. I know how to play chess. I haven't played in years. I doubt I am able to play well at all.
6. Tell us something random about your week.
A. People came and cut down trees. They made a lot of noise.
7. What is your favorite Frank Sinatra song?
A. I don't have one. I can't even think of one. Did he do Strangers in the Night?
8. Has your state approved the sale of medical marijuana? In a nutshell, what are your thoughts on the subject?
A. No, my state has not approved the sale of medical marijuana although there are tons of products with "CDB" or something in them that claim to cure everything from an abscess to zebra stripes. I think marijuana should be legal regardless of reason. It's no worse than alcohol. I know there are people who will argue that point, but honestly, I know plenty of boozers who should be in jail and aren't.
9. Einstein’s Theory of Happiness is: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” Was Einstein right?
A. Yes.
10. Do you enjoy fresh peaches? What is your favorite way to use them in a recipe?
A. I am not overly fond of peaches. They're ok in a cobbler. My husband loves them. He likes to eat them with cottage cheese.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, November 02, 2019
Saturday 9: The Addams Family
Saturday 9: The Addams Family (1964)
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
1) One of TV's spookiest families was inspired by a series of New Yorker cartoons. What's the last magazine you flipped through?
A. Reader's Digest. Except I do not flip through that magazine, I read it cover to cover.
2) The Addams' butler, Lurch, was originally conceived as a mute. But then actor Ted Cassidy ad libbed the line, "You rang?" and Lurch had a voice, and a catchphrase. Can you think of another catchphrase connected to a TV character?
A. Eh, what's up, Doc?
3) Now here's the most important question of the week: Do you prefer The Addams Family or The Munsters?
A. To be honest, as a child I never watched either one; they were on channels we could not receive out in the sticks. When they came around as reruns I was a teenager and uninterested. I've seen maybe three episodes of each. I saw The Addams Family movie and enjoyed it.
4) What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?
A. Rosemary's Baby. I was too young to be watching it. I had nightmares for weeks.
5) Thursday was Halloween. What goodies did you give the trick or treaters?
A. We have no trick or treaters at my house, ever. Another deficit with living in the sticks.
6) Are you attending/have you attended any Halloween parties this year?
A. No.
7) Did you carve a jack o'lantern this year?
A. No.
8) Do you eat candy corn all year around ... only at Halloween . . . or never?
A. Never. I think that stuff is nasty.
9) In 1964, when The Addams Family premiered, one of the most popular store-bought Halloween costumes was Bambi. It came with a plastic mask held on by a thin elastic band. Tell us about a memorable Halloween costume from your childhood.
A. Usually I dressed up as a hobo. I recall a few of those hard plastic mask things but not many of them. I don't think Halloween was as big a deal in the late 1960s and early 1970s as it is now.
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
1) One of TV's spookiest families was inspired by a series of New Yorker cartoons. What's the last magazine you flipped through?
A. Reader's Digest. Except I do not flip through that magazine, I read it cover to cover.
2) The Addams' butler, Lurch, was originally conceived as a mute. But then actor Ted Cassidy ad libbed the line, "You rang?" and Lurch had a voice, and a catchphrase. Can you think of another catchphrase connected to a TV character?
A. Eh, what's up, Doc?
3) Now here's the most important question of the week: Do you prefer The Addams Family or The Munsters?
A. To be honest, as a child I never watched either one; they were on channels we could not receive out in the sticks. When they came around as reruns I was a teenager and uninterested. I've seen maybe three episodes of each. I saw The Addams Family movie and enjoyed it.
4) What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?
A. Rosemary's Baby. I was too young to be watching it. I had nightmares for weeks.
5) Thursday was Halloween. What goodies did you give the trick or treaters?
A. We have no trick or treaters at my house, ever. Another deficit with living in the sticks.
6) Are you attending/have you attended any Halloween parties this year?
A. No.
7) Did you carve a jack o'lantern this year?
A. No.
8) Do you eat candy corn all year around ... only at Halloween . . . or never?
A. Never. I think that stuff is nasty.
9) In 1964, when The Addams Family premiered, one of the most popular store-bought Halloween costumes was Bambi. It came with a plastic mask held on by a thin elastic band. Tell us about a memorable Halloween costume from your childhood.
A. Usually I dressed up as a hobo. I recall a few of those hard plastic mask things but not many of them. I don't think Halloween was as big a deal in the late 1960s and early 1970s as it is now.
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Friday, November 01, 2019
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Thursday Thirteen
1. The scariest thing that may happen to me today is I can't seem to load photos into my blog this morning. Yikes!
2. Black cats, bats in the belfry, pumpkins, ghosts, witches, goblins. Things that go bump in the night! What do you associate with Halloween?
3. In Wicca and other pagan religions, this is called Samhain. It marks the end of light and the entering of darkness, or the end of harvest season and entering winter. It is mostly of Celtic origin. It's a time when beings from different worlds can cross over into this one.
4. In Mexico, they celebrate this time as the Day of the Dead. It is a time to remember those who have passed.
5. This is my favorite holiday even though I don't celebrate it. (I like the candy. I'm a chocoholic.)
6. The Autumn colors turned out slightly better than I expected based on the earlier drought, but still, compared to some years, the colors have been muted. One must take the blaze orange and vibrant reds where one can find them, I suppose.
7. Of course, this means November is, well, tomorrow, and thus begins the colder temperatures, freezing rain, snow, and . . . and . . . Christmas!
8. I also have a marriage anniversary in November. It'll be 36 years. Dang, that's a long time.
9. We will be "canceling" the holidays this year. My husband is having an ankle fusion before the Thanksgiving holiday. No point in celebrating much of anything if he is "non-weight bearing" for 8 weeks. Although I am wondering if I will be watching reruns of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas a lot.
10. Speaking of Christmas shows, I believe Lifetime started showing Christmas movies already. They are all basically the same plot. Maybe I should write one. Ha.
11. And speaking of writing, tomorrow starts Nanowrimo, which is a month when people attempt to write a novel. I tried it several years ago and failed miserably, and didn't even consider it this year with so many other things going on right now. I am pretty sure guys set up the date for this "event" because a woman would have chosen some other time, like March, when there is little going on. Who tries to write up a novel right before the holidays? Only a man who isn't responsible for cooking dinner and buying and wrapping presents for the holidays would think November is a great month to attempt something major like that. Sheesh.
12. Still can't get my photos to load, darn it. I will have to change browsers and see if that helps. (Nope.)
13. Anyway, Happy Halloween!
________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 628th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
2. Black cats, bats in the belfry, pumpkins, ghosts, witches, goblins. Things that go bump in the night! What do you associate with Halloween?
3. In Wicca and other pagan religions, this is called Samhain. It marks the end of light and the entering of darkness, or the end of harvest season and entering winter. It is mostly of Celtic origin. It's a time when beings from different worlds can cross over into this one.
4. In Mexico, they celebrate this time as the Day of the Dead. It is a time to remember those who have passed.
5. This is my favorite holiday even though I don't celebrate it. (I like the candy. I'm a chocoholic.)
6. The Autumn colors turned out slightly better than I expected based on the earlier drought, but still, compared to some years, the colors have been muted. One must take the blaze orange and vibrant reds where one can find them, I suppose.
7. Of course, this means November is, well, tomorrow, and thus begins the colder temperatures, freezing rain, snow, and . . . and . . . Christmas!
8. I also have a marriage anniversary in November. It'll be 36 years. Dang, that's a long time.
9. We will be "canceling" the holidays this year. My husband is having an ankle fusion before the Thanksgiving holiday. No point in celebrating much of anything if he is "non-weight bearing" for 8 weeks. Although I am wondering if I will be watching reruns of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas a lot.
10. Speaking of Christmas shows, I believe Lifetime started showing Christmas movies already. They are all basically the same plot. Maybe I should write one. Ha.
11. And speaking of writing, tomorrow starts Nanowrimo, which is a month when people attempt to write a novel. I tried it several years ago and failed miserably, and didn't even consider it this year with so many other things going on right now. I am pretty sure guys set up the date for this "event" because a woman would have chosen some other time, like March, when there is little going on. Who tries to write up a novel right before the holidays? Only a man who isn't responsible for cooking dinner and buying and wrapping presents for the holidays would think November is a great month to attempt something major like that. Sheesh.
12. Still can't get my photos to load, darn it. I will have to change browsers and see if that helps. (Nope.)
13. Anyway, Happy Halloween!
________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 628th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Monday, October 28, 2019
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Sunday Stealing: Free Talk
Sunday Stealing
1. If you were offered a job in another part of the country, would you take it?
A. There are too many variables to answer that. What does it pay? Is it in my field of work, or in a field I wish to pursue? Where in the country? Would my husband want to move, too? What kind of benefits does it provide? I consider this one non-answerable.
2. If you were in a bank and someone started to hold it up, what would you do?
A. Get out of the way and hide behind something. As much as I'd like to think I'd be a hero, I know I am not one.
3. If you found a suitcase filled with $1,000,000 what would you do?
A. I have always turned in money I have found, regardless of amount. I found $300 in an envelope in Target once, for example, and I turned that in. I assume I would do the same with that much money. For one thing, whoever found it probably obtained it illegally. So best to hand that over to the police.
4. If you had a 25 hour day what would you do with your extra hour?
A. Read.
5. If you had the opportunity to be different, what would you change?
A. I would be healthier.
6. If you received a lottery ticket as a gift and won a lot of money, would you share with the person who gave you the ticket?
A. I might offer them something. It depends on your definition of "a lot."
7. If you spoke two languages and your spouse spoke only one, would you raise your children as bilingual?
A. Yes, if I were fluent in the languages.
8. If you were candy, which candy would you be?
A. Well, this falls under the category of really weird, but I guess with Halloween coming up, it's a legitimate question. I would be a chocolate covered cherry.
9. If you were a toy, which toy would you be?
A. I don't think cellphones are actually toys, but I would be a cellphone.
10. If you were abducted by aliens, would you tell anyone?
A. Are they bringing me back? It doesn't say "abducted and returned." But yes, I probably would tell someone. I tell people I have seen ghosts. There isn't much difference, really.
11. If you could go to the moon, would you?
A. Yes.
12. If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
A. I would go into the future to see how mankind fares. If I go into the year 6565, will I find a desolate landscape devoid of life, or will humanity be thriving and flourishing? I want to know how we turn out.
13. If you saw a robbery, would you report it?
A. Yes, of course. Although I must say that in the past that has not gone well for me. When I was about 10, I was at the skating rink with my friends, and I saw this girl going through the pockets of people's coats in the coat room, stealing change. When she got to my coat, I grabbed her and hauled her to the management. He banned us BOTH from the facility. Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't pay off.
14. If you were to speak to a graduating class, what would you say?
A. I think I'd have to go with something like this:
15. If given the choice between being given great wisdom or great wealth, which would you choose?
A. I think I've answered this before. If I have great wisdom, I also want the will to use it, to take risks, to move forward and not stand still. Wisdom with those qualities would be magnificent. Wisdom alone, without desire to use it, is relatively useless. But money without the wisdom to use it wisely is also useless.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. If you were offered a job in another part of the country, would you take it?
A. There are too many variables to answer that. What does it pay? Is it in my field of work, or in a field I wish to pursue? Where in the country? Would my husband want to move, too? What kind of benefits does it provide? I consider this one non-answerable.
2. If you were in a bank and someone started to hold it up, what would you do?
A. Get out of the way and hide behind something. As much as I'd like to think I'd be a hero, I know I am not one.
3. If you found a suitcase filled with $1,000,000 what would you do?
A. I have always turned in money I have found, regardless of amount. I found $300 in an envelope in Target once, for example, and I turned that in. I assume I would do the same with that much money. For one thing, whoever found it probably obtained it illegally. So best to hand that over to the police.
4. If you had a 25 hour day what would you do with your extra hour?
A. Read.
5. If you had the opportunity to be different, what would you change?
A. I would be healthier.
6. If you received a lottery ticket as a gift and won a lot of money, would you share with the person who gave you the ticket?
A. I might offer them something. It depends on your definition of "a lot."
7. If you spoke two languages and your spouse spoke only one, would you raise your children as bilingual?
A. Yes, if I were fluent in the languages.
8. If you were candy, which candy would you be?
A. Well, this falls under the category of really weird, but I guess with Halloween coming up, it's a legitimate question. I would be a chocolate covered cherry.
9. If you were a toy, which toy would you be?
A. I don't think cellphones are actually toys, but I would be a cellphone.
10. If you were abducted by aliens, would you tell anyone?
A. Are they bringing me back? It doesn't say "abducted and returned." But yes, I probably would tell someone. I tell people I have seen ghosts. There isn't much difference, really.
11. If you could go to the moon, would you?
A. Yes.
12. If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
A. I would go into the future to see how mankind fares. If I go into the year 6565, will I find a desolate landscape devoid of life, or will humanity be thriving and flourishing? I want to know how we turn out.
13. If you saw a robbery, would you report it?
A. Yes, of course. Although I must say that in the past that has not gone well for me. When I was about 10, I was at the skating rink with my friends, and I saw this girl going through the pockets of people's coats in the coat room, stealing change. When she got to my coat, I grabbed her and hauled her to the management. He banned us BOTH from the facility. Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't pay off.
14. If you were to speak to a graduating class, what would you say?
A. I think I'd have to go with something like this:
15. If given the choice between being given great wisdom or great wealth, which would you choose?
A. I think I've answered this before. If I have great wisdom, I also want the will to use it, to take risks, to move forward and not stand still. Wisdom with those qualities would be magnificent. Wisdom alone, without desire to use it, is relatively useless. But money without the wisdom to use it wisely is also useless.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Saturday 9: Miss Me More
Saturday 9: Miss Me More (2018)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Chosen because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Learn more and spread the word that help is available.
Good cause. Never heard this song before. Women rock.
1) This song is about a girl who ditched her high heels so she wouldn't be taller than her beau. Tell us about the most recent addition to your footwear wardrobe. Do you need to go shoe shopping?
A. I do not. I'm good at the moment. My shoes are all sneakers these days, because I have to wear custom orthotics and those don't fit in sexy shoes. I'm a little old for sexy shoes anyway.
2) She sings that she misses the sheets on the bed she made herself. As you answer these questions, is your bed made?
A. Yes.
3) This video shows her in a ring. Have you ever worn boxing gloves?
A. Yes. Once I had a little boxing thing hanging in the garage. I used to go out and beat on it. I started having back problems so I ended up no longer beating on the punching bag.
4) This week's featured artist, Kelsea Ballerini, got married on Christmas Day in 2017. That makes their anniversary easy to remember. Are you celebrating any birthdays or anniversaries this month?
A. I am not celebrating anything this month, except I will note that my husband and I met in October, 1982.
5) Kelsea has been quoted as saying, "Perfect doesn't exist." She worries that we exhaust ourselves "trying to be something that isn't real." How about you? Do you believe your best is good enough? Or do you strive for perfection?
A. I am afraid so. Being a perfectionist is a curse. I do my best but it is never good enough.
6) One of Kelsea's tattoos is a square inside of a circle, aka a square peg in a round hole, on her left wrist. She says it's there to remind her that it's OK to "not fit the mold of what normal might be." Tell us about a time where you felt like a square peg in a round hole.
A. Um. Every day? I guess you want a specific incident. I don't have one.
7) In 2018, when this song was popular, French President Emmanuel Macron lowered fuel taxes. When it's time to fill your tank, do you shop around for the best price?
A. No. It's not like I have a lot of choices out here, anyway. I have three. Kroger, Sheetz, and Mama D's. I generally get Kroger gas because it has a higher octane level than Sheetz.
8) Also in 2018, Luxembourg made all public transportation free. When is the last time you rode a bus or train?
A. I have no idea. A very long time ago.
9) Random question: When did you most recently say, either out loud or to yourself, "I haven't got a thing to wear?"
A. Back in August when we were planning a vacation to Myrtle Beach.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Chosen because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Learn more and spread the word that help is available.
Good cause. Never heard this song before. Women rock.
1) This song is about a girl who ditched her high heels so she wouldn't be taller than her beau. Tell us about the most recent addition to your footwear wardrobe. Do you need to go shoe shopping?
A. I do not. I'm good at the moment. My shoes are all sneakers these days, because I have to wear custom orthotics and those don't fit in sexy shoes. I'm a little old for sexy shoes anyway.
2) She sings that she misses the sheets on the bed she made herself. As you answer these questions, is your bed made?
A. Yes.
3) This video shows her in a ring. Have you ever worn boxing gloves?
A. Yes. Once I had a little boxing thing hanging in the garage. I used to go out and beat on it. I started having back problems so I ended up no longer beating on the punching bag.
4) This week's featured artist, Kelsea Ballerini, got married on Christmas Day in 2017. That makes their anniversary easy to remember. Are you celebrating any birthdays or anniversaries this month?
A. I am not celebrating anything this month, except I will note that my husband and I met in October, 1982.
5) Kelsea has been quoted as saying, "Perfect doesn't exist." She worries that we exhaust ourselves "trying to be something that isn't real." How about you? Do you believe your best is good enough? Or do you strive for perfection?
A. I am afraid so. Being a perfectionist is a curse. I do my best but it is never good enough.
6) One of Kelsea's tattoos is a square inside of a circle, aka a square peg in a round hole, on her left wrist. She says it's there to remind her that it's OK to "not fit the mold of what normal might be." Tell us about a time where you felt like a square peg in a round hole.
A. Um. Every day? I guess you want a specific incident. I don't have one.
7) In 2018, when this song was popular, French President Emmanuel Macron lowered fuel taxes. When it's time to fill your tank, do you shop around for the best price?
A. No. It's not like I have a lot of choices out here, anyway. I have three. Kroger, Sheetz, and Mama D's. I generally get Kroger gas because it has a higher octane level than Sheetz.
8) Also in 2018, Luxembourg made all public transportation free. When is the last time you rode a bus or train?
A. I have no idea. A very long time ago.
9) Random question: When did you most recently say, either out loud or to yourself, "I haven't got a thing to wear?"
A. Back in August when we were planning a vacation to Myrtle Beach.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Friday, October 25, 2019
A Handsome Pose
Sometimes when I am out taking photos, I know the moment I have a great shot. It usually only happens once per session, if that often. That's the photo I look for out of the 100 or so I may have taken during that few minutes in the backyard. That one perfect shot.
This photo was that great shot that I took October 18 - Friday a week ago. Of course, no one ever sees the other 30 that I took of this deer as I tried to get one good shot.
But this one is straight out of the camera, just the way I shot it:
I don't even know how I managed it. The sun was slowly sinking and I was losing the light. I kept waiting on this little buck to raise his head and finally - he did and I clicked.
There's a little butterfly inside of me that does a small dance when I know I've taken a good shot. It's a nice little tickle.
Photo taken with Nikon P500.
This photo was that great shot that I took October 18 - Friday a week ago. Of course, no one ever sees the other 30 that I took of this deer as I tried to get one good shot.
But this one is straight out of the camera, just the way I shot it:
I don't even know how I managed it. The sun was slowly sinking and I was losing the light. I kept waiting on this little buck to raise his head and finally - he did and I clicked.
There's a little butterfly inside of me that does a small dance when I know I've taken a good shot. It's a nice little tickle.
Photo taken with Nikon P500.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Thursday Thirteen
1. For a while there, I thought I might miss a Thursday. But nope. Here I am!
2. I know you're thrilled.
3. I am thrilled because NOW I can say, for real, that my magazine project is out of my hands. Yesterday it went to the layout/graphics/printing people. While I expect to be asked questions and called back for proofreading, the writing is done.
4. The magazine, for those who may have missed it, is a keepsake publication commemorating Botetourt County's 250th birthday, which is next year. The magazine will be out in late January 2020.
5. It was supposed to be 64 pages total but I had nearly 90 pages of copy and photos. The committee I was working with didn't want to delete anything, so this is going to be a little larger than anticipated.
6. Basically, I wrote a short book.
7. That is over and done with. My next project - working on the taxes for this year. Blah. No wonder I put it off!
8. My real project will be nursing my husband back to health after he has a surgery right before the holidays. At the moment, he's still working and all but he's limping. He's been limping. He is finally going to have his ankle fixed.
9. I did not take nursing in school. There's a reason for that.
10. Anyway, this year is shaping up to be a full one. I guess that is better than dull and boring, but only marginally so. The older I grow, the more I appreciate dull and boring.
11. It has been almost a year since my hairdresser retired. I haven't had a good haircut since. I had finally settled on a hairdresser at Supercuts, and she cut it twice in a row and I was managing, and then I went back last week for a cut . . . and she'd left. As in, doesn't work there anymore. I let someone else there cut it. Bad haircuts will continue to be in my future, I suppose.
12. I keep thinking today is Friday, which is one of the reasons I'm writing my Thursday Thirteen after 1 p.m.
13. I figured out it wasn't Friday, obviously. So here I am. I've come full circle.
________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 627th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
2. I know you're thrilled.
3. I am thrilled because NOW I can say, for real, that my magazine project is out of my hands. Yesterday it went to the layout/graphics/printing people. While I expect to be asked questions and called back for proofreading, the writing is done.
4. The magazine, for those who may have missed it, is a keepsake publication commemorating Botetourt County's 250th birthday, which is next year. The magazine will be out in late January 2020.
5. It was supposed to be 64 pages total but I had nearly 90 pages of copy and photos. The committee I was working with didn't want to delete anything, so this is going to be a little larger than anticipated.
6. Basically, I wrote a short book.
7. That is over and done with. My next project - working on the taxes for this year. Blah. No wonder I put it off!
8. My real project will be nursing my husband back to health after he has a surgery right before the holidays. At the moment, he's still working and all but he's limping. He's been limping. He is finally going to have his ankle fixed.
9. I did not take nursing in school. There's a reason for that.
10. Anyway, this year is shaping up to be a full one. I guess that is better than dull and boring, but only marginally so. The older I grow, the more I appreciate dull and boring.
11. It has been almost a year since my hairdresser retired. I haven't had a good haircut since. I had finally settled on a hairdresser at Supercuts, and she cut it twice in a row and I was managing, and then I went back last week for a cut . . . and she'd left. As in, doesn't work there anymore. I let someone else there cut it. Bad haircuts will continue to be in my future, I suppose.
12. I keep thinking today is Friday, which is one of the reasons I'm writing my Thursday Thirteen after 1 p.m.
13. I figured out it wasn't Friday, obviously. So here I am. I've come full circle.
________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 627th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing: Firsts
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
A. I haven't looked at myself in the mirror yet this morning, but generally I think something along the lines of, "I'm fat" or "My haircut sucks."
2. Where did you go on the very first vacation of your life?
A. I have no idea. My first vacation with my husband was to Myrtle Beach, SC.
3. Open the door of your refrigerator. What is the first thing you see?
A. A bag of grapes that I picked up at the store last night.
4. Tell us about your first kiss OR your last first date.
A. I don't know when my first kiss was. My last first date would have been with my husband, the night we met. We went dancing.
5. If you had wings to fly about the universe, where is the first place you’d land?
A. I'd go to the Delta Quadrant and find some nice uninhabited Class M planet to spend my time on.
6. What is the first thing you do when you get in your car?
A. Adjust everything.
7. What is the first thing you ever said to your firstborn?
A. I don't have children.
8. What is the last thing you heard about your first love?
A. My husband was and is my first love. I had crushes. The last thing I heard about a crush was that he was in a bad vehicle accident. I never did hear the outcome.
9. If you had created the world in seven days yourself, what would you have created on the First Day?
A. The world wasn't created in seven days, for one thing. First you need the building blocks, atoms and neuron and proteins and things.
10. What is the first song in your IPOD or song list?
A. I don't have any play lists. I think Sheryl Crows' albums tend to come up first in my cellphone.
11. What is the first tangible thing you lost that you could never find again?
A. I doubt it was the first thing, but I used to have a black poodle bank that I have misplaced. We've also managed to lose several artificial Christmas trees and I'm not sure how one does that.
12. Who is your favorite First Lady of all time?
A. Hillary Clinton for trying to accomplish something with the title and being the most accomplished afterwards, Barbara Bush for grace. The rest weren't in my lifetime so I will only go with the ones about which I have knowledge.
13. Post a link to your first blog post.
A. http://bluecountrymagic.blogspot.com/2006/08/new-beginning.html
Only this isn't my first blog. I had another one on AOL but AOL discontinued the service.
14. When was the last time you needed First Aid?
A. I don't recall.
15. Can you explain what a first down is in football?
A. Yes. It's when the offense gains 10 yards from where they started.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
A. I haven't looked at myself in the mirror yet this morning, but generally I think something along the lines of, "I'm fat" or "My haircut sucks."
2. Where did you go on the very first vacation of your life?
A. I have no idea. My first vacation with my husband was to Myrtle Beach, SC.
3. Open the door of your refrigerator. What is the first thing you see?
A. A bag of grapes that I picked up at the store last night.
4. Tell us about your first kiss OR your last first date.
A. I don't know when my first kiss was. My last first date would have been with my husband, the night we met. We went dancing.
5. If you had wings to fly about the universe, where is the first place you’d land?
A. I'd go to the Delta Quadrant and find some nice uninhabited Class M planet to spend my time on.
6. What is the first thing you do when you get in your car?
A. Adjust everything.
7. What is the first thing you ever said to your firstborn?
A. I don't have children.
8. What is the last thing you heard about your first love?
A. My husband was and is my first love. I had crushes. The last thing I heard about a crush was that he was in a bad vehicle accident. I never did hear the outcome.
9. If you had created the world in seven days yourself, what would you have created on the First Day?
A. The world wasn't created in seven days, for one thing. First you need the building blocks, atoms and neuron and proteins and things.
10. What is the first song in your IPOD or song list?
A. I don't have any play lists. I think Sheryl Crows' albums tend to come up first in my cellphone.
11. What is the first tangible thing you lost that you could never find again?
A. I doubt it was the first thing, but I used to have a black poodle bank that I have misplaced. We've also managed to lose several artificial Christmas trees and I'm not sure how one does that.
12. Who is your favorite First Lady of all time?
A. Hillary Clinton for trying to accomplish something with the title and being the most accomplished afterwards, Barbara Bush for grace. The rest weren't in my lifetime so I will only go with the ones about which I have knowledge.
13. Post a link to your first blog post.
A. http://bluecountrymagic.blogspot.com/2006/08/new-beginning.html
Only this isn't my first blog. I had another one on AOL but AOL discontinued the service.
14. When was the last time you needed First Aid?
A. I don't recall.
15. Can you explain what a first down is in football?
A. Yes. It's when the offense gains 10 yards from where they started.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Saturday 9: I'd Really Love To See You Tonight
Saturday 9: I'd Really Love to See You Tonight (1976)
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
1) This song is about a guy who, out of the blue, phones an ex. Have you ever spontaneously phoned or emailed a former lover? Has an ex ever reached out to you?
A. No, I can't say I have ever done that, nor has an ex ever done that with me. Considering my "exes" would all have been from high school, this is not a surprise.
2) He suggests walking through the park, taking a drive along the beach, or watching TV. Do any of those suggestions appeal to you right now?
A. I wouldn't mind a nice long drive. It's a little chilly outside right now for a walk. I'm not a big TV fan.
3) "England Dan" got his nickname because he was a passionate Beatles fan and would affect a British accent when he talked about his favorite group. Are you good at imitating accents?
A. No, but I do seem to have a knack for imitating certain people.
4) Dan met John Colley when they were high school classmates in Dallas. When they were still kids, they agreed that "John Ford Coley" would be a better stage name. Think back to your high school days. Which of your friends daydreamed along with you?
A. I played in a pop Top 40 band in high school. I guess the five of us all had dreams of bigger things back then.
5) After the duo disbanded, "England Dan" went to Nashville, billed himself by his real name -- Dan Seals -- and recorded country music. Who is your favorite country performer?
A. I don't listen to much country music, but I'll go with Dolly Parton.
6) Today John Ford Coley lives in TN. He performs occasionally and raises horses. Have you ever been to TN?
A. I have visited that state, yes.
7) In 1975, when this song was popular, Foster Grant Sunglasses had a suggested retail price of $5/pair. Do you buy sunglasses more for fashion or utility?
A. Utility. I don't see the point in expensive anything if a cheap version will do just as well. I don't need a Rolex if a Timex keeps time the same.
8) The most popular movie of 1975 was Jaws. Have you seen it?
A. No. I don't plan to see it, either.
9) Random question: Excluding anyone related to you by blood or marriage, what man are you closest to?
A. My two nephews, my husband's sister's boys. They are both grown men now. Oh wait, they're related by blood. My husband's cousin? Does that count as a blood relationship? My brother-in-law? Those probably don't work. Let me think. Hmm. I don't think there is anyone, really, except maybe my former news editor and we haven't talked in months. As far as I know I'm not related to him. There are other men I know and see but I don't consider them close, really.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
1) This song is about a guy who, out of the blue, phones an ex. Have you ever spontaneously phoned or emailed a former lover? Has an ex ever reached out to you?
A. No, I can't say I have ever done that, nor has an ex ever done that with me. Considering my "exes" would all have been from high school, this is not a surprise.
2) He suggests walking through the park, taking a drive along the beach, or watching TV. Do any of those suggestions appeal to you right now?
A. I wouldn't mind a nice long drive. It's a little chilly outside right now for a walk. I'm not a big TV fan.
3) "England Dan" got his nickname because he was a passionate Beatles fan and would affect a British accent when he talked about his favorite group. Are you good at imitating accents?
A. No, but I do seem to have a knack for imitating certain people.
4) Dan met John Colley when they were high school classmates in Dallas. When they were still kids, they agreed that "John Ford Coley" would be a better stage name. Think back to your high school days. Which of your friends daydreamed along with you?
A. I played in a pop Top 40 band in high school. I guess the five of us all had dreams of bigger things back then.
5) After the duo disbanded, "England Dan" went to Nashville, billed himself by his real name -- Dan Seals -- and recorded country music. Who is your favorite country performer?
A. I don't listen to much country music, but I'll go with Dolly Parton.
6) Today John Ford Coley lives in TN. He performs occasionally and raises horses. Have you ever been to TN?
A. I have visited that state, yes.
7) In 1975, when this song was popular, Foster Grant Sunglasses had a suggested retail price of $5/pair. Do you buy sunglasses more for fashion or utility?
A. Utility. I don't see the point in expensive anything if a cheap version will do just as well. I don't need a Rolex if a Timex keeps time the same.
8) The most popular movie of 1975 was Jaws. Have you seen it?
A. No. I don't plan to see it, either.
9) Random question: Excluding anyone related to you by blood or marriage, what man are you closest to?
A. My two nephews, my husband's sister's boys. They are both grown men now. Oh wait, they're related by blood. My husband's cousin? Does that count as a blood relationship? My brother-in-law? Those probably don't work. Let me think. Hmm. I don't think there is anyone, really, except maybe my former news editor and we haven't talked in months. As far as I know I'm not related to him. There are other men I know and see but I don't consider them close, really.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
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