Thursday, December 20, 2018

Thursday Thirteen

Christmas lights near me:

This is a house off of Country Club Road.

They have thousands and thousands of lights.

Lots of cool miniature scenes to look at.

Like this.

Here it is from a distance.

This is what happens when you're taking pictures and your husband suddenly moves the car!

This display has been on Country Club Road for as long as I can remember. The deer in front used to have a red nose, or so I thought. Different lighting set-up this year.

The lights on Main Street in Fincastle.

A big red wreath on one of the administration buildings in Fincastle.


That's an over-exposed moon on top, not a Christmas light.

Lights down looking north down Roanoke Street.

Lights looking south down Roanoke Street.

I can't remember which direction these were.

Another from the house on Country Club.

And this is my tree!
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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 583rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

This is definitely not my thing, but here goes nuttin' -

1. What season has your favorite looks?

A. Fall and spring.

2. Formal or casual?

A. Casual

3. Thrift store, boutique, or online?

A. J.C. Pennys. That's a department store and not in the list.

4. What’s your favorite decade for fashion?

A. I don't pay attention to fashion enough to know.

5. Do you like to accessorize?

A. I wear my wedding band, earrings, and a necklace. That's it.

6. What does your basic outfit look like?

A. Dressed up basic: black pants, nice cotton shirt, pearl necklace, silver earrings, wedding band. Basic slob: sweats or jeans and a t-shirt.

7. What piece of clothing do you spend your money on the most?

A. Generally pants.

8. Do you wear hats?

A. Not any more.

9. What is your opinion on wearing socks and sandals together?

A. I don't like sandals and don't wear them ever, but if that's your thing, go for it, baby.

10. What colors do you like to wear?

A. Black, blue, purple.

11. What are some of the strangest outfits you have seen?

A. Just watch a celebrity nominee show and you'll see strange.

12. What fashions do you dislike?

A. Expensive ones.

13. What are you favorite styles?

A. Casual. Is that a style?

14. What do you think of body piercing?

A. I have my ears pierced but that's it. But if that's your thing, go for it, baby.

15. Do you like dyed hair?

A. I don't dye my hair because I allergic to the dyes. What other people do with their hair is none of my business.
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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, December 15, 2018

Saturday 9: We Need a Little Christmas

Saturday 9: We Need a Little Christmas (2006)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) At the beginning of this recording, Daffy says he hopes all his friends remember his size, style and favorite color. What piece of clothing would you like to add to your wardrobe?

A. Actually my entire wardrobe needs to be replaced. I have a difficult time finding clothes that fit. It's too bad I don't like to sew.

2) His friends are late for Daffy's holiday soiree. Think about the last get together you attended. Were you early, late or right on time?

A. I'm almost always on time. I haven't been late for anything in years.

3) It hasn't a snowed a single flurry where Daffy is. Have you had to shovel yet?

A. We had 15" of snow last weekend. It is still on the ground.

4) Daffy sings that he's looking forward to fruitcake. How about you? Are you a fruitcake fan?

A. My husband loves Claxton fruit cake. I usually have a tiny slice but if he didn't eat it I would not eat it.

5) Daffy is an American Black Duck. Their usual diet doesn't generally include fruitcake. These ducks more commonly dine on seeds, foliage and bugs. What was your most recent meal?

A. I had a Boost for breakfast.

6) The only Christmas card Sam has received so far this year is from her insurance agent. She never sees her agent socially. In fact, she doesn't think she's seen him at all in 2018. Have you received many cards this year? If so, were they from people you feel close to?

A. I have received 5 cards and none from anyone close to me. I sent out 60 cards. I love to mail out cards and send cherry hellos to people but apparently Christmas cards are going the way of the 8-track tape player.

7) When do you start holiday shopping: Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Halloween?

A. Actually I start right after Christmas if I see something I think someone would like. I have a little space where I put presents I purchase year-round. It's easier on the budget to, if you buy throughout the year.

8) Sam was recently driven crazy by kids running through store aisles wearing elf hats with bells. Do you have any apparel that makes noise?

A. I do not and do not plan to own any.

9) This time of year is big for charitable fundraising. Here's your chance to plug a cause or organization that's near and dear to you.

A. I'll go with the local Good Neighbors Fund. The Roanoke Times’ Good Neighbors Fund supports the Emergency Financial Assistance Program administered by Roanoke Area Ministries. It helps families who need emergency money for utility bills, medicine, rent or transportation, regardless of race or religion. The newspaper usually runs stories about people who have received assistance from the fund.

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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.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen silly little things.

1. My first job was a babysitter, but I lived on a farm so I also collected chicken eggs, helped my father with the haying, and had many other chores. I worked as a secretary/file clerk for my father's office in the summer. My first "real job" was at a machine shop, where I sold parts for things like Coates tire changers.

2. My dream job was to be a writer, though. I had always wanted to write, but my mother and father were not supportive of the idea. My mother was constantly saying, "That's fine, but you better take secretarial courses so you can support yourself." Fortunately I was able to write for the local newspaper for 30 years. It wasn't the best-paying work, but I loved it.

3. I like to wear sneakers. I dislike sandals of any kind and do not like going barefoot. I also like mocassins if they are soft-soled (as in, no sole and leather on the bottom).

4. My favorite food is not a food. I'm a chocoholic. I confess. I would eat chocolate every day if I could get away with it. From the looks of me you'd think I do that anyway, but I don't.

5. When I was about 12 years old, I stopped eating ice cream because I realized it made me wheeze. My favorite ice cream dish was a hot fudge sundae from High's Ice Cream. That was the local ice cream chain when I was growing up and it was magical to go in there and order up a sundae. Eating a hot fudge sundae is actually an item on my bucket list.

6. My house is silent but not really. We run two air purifiers constantly to clean the air, so there is always a whir. Why do we do this? Because we live a few miles as the crow flies from the cement plant, which is one of the worst polluters in the county. They have cleaned up their waste in the last 15 years and it's not as bad as it used to be, but their smoke stacks still belch out black stuff every now and then.

7. My favorite movie, to no one's surprise, is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But I also like these movies: Dirty Dancing, Under the Tuscan Sun, Star Wars, ET, Mamma Mia!, Secretariat, The Blind Side, and many others.

8. My current favorite TV show is Supergirl, which comes on the CW. It is flawed but I favor strong heroines in my shows. It is also packed with commercials. If it didn't have so many commercials it would probably run about 35 minutes. But Supergirl is a lovely moral character who believes in the goodness of people, even if she does have to kick butt sometimes.

9. My favorite flower is a purple iris.

10. I am not much on cooking. My brother loves to cook and finds it theraputic but I am not a fan. I like to bake okay, and I also enjoy making fudge or candies during this time of the year (there is a pile of fudge-making items on the kitchen counter right now), but putting together a meal is not my favorite activity.

11. My favorite color is blue, and it always has been, as far as I know. I do like purple, though. Sometimes.

12. I like to eat vegetables but not all vegetables. Brussel sprouts are okay but not my choice. I like peas and green beans the best, though I need to eat more spinich so I can be strong like Popeye. (How many people remember Popeye?)

13. I wear glasses, and can't see much without them. Over the past year, my eyesight has worsened. I can tell because I cannot read the dial on the clock in the bedroom anymore without my specs. Fortunately, now I can simply ask Alexa what time it is and decide if I want to go back to sleep or not.

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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 582nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Fincastle Marketplace

For the last decade or so, Historic Fincastle, Inc., has put on a home tour and a Fincastle Marketplace (craft show) in early December. This year it was Saturday, before the snow.

Here are pictures of the craft show and some of the crafters who offered up quite a variety of goods for folks to purchase.

Donna Henderson (left) with her baked goods, cookbooks, and other items.
 
Dorothy Etzler Barnett with her wood-burned ornaments. (She's my cousin.)

Teresa Reed, hiding behind a tree. (She's my friend.)

Some of Teresa's work. Santas painted on pelt boards.

Teresa's big Santa.

Some items for sale.

More cool stuff for sale.

Pottery by Karen Wright, my friend!

Work by Allie Hogan, The Rustic Wagon. Very pretty decorations.

Karen Wright with some of her pottery. I purchased a butter dish.
The amount of talent out there is amazing. When I go to these shows I am always thrilled at the creativity of people around me. So cool.

Monday, December 10, 2018

It Snowed






















Sunday, December 09, 2018

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Favorite novel and author?

A. I don't really have a favorite. I read a great deal and looking at my reading list, I don't often stick with one author. That said, mystery series authors like Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich are frequent reads.

2. Favorite perfume/scent?

A. I prefer unscented everything as far as perfume goes. I love the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking.

3. Coffee or tea?

A. Tea

3. Are you a cat or dog person?

A. I've always had dogs when I had a pet. But I do not have a pet anymore.

4. Which mythical creature would you transform into if you could?

A. A Valkyrie.

5. Favorite time period?

A. This one.

6. Name 3 films that have changed your life and have shaped you into the person you are today.

A. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Also all eight Harry Potter movies, Star Wars (the first three originals), Dirty Dancing, Under the Tuscan Sun, and The Rose.

7. Diamonds or pearls?

A. Pearls.

8. What’s your biggest dream?

A. I don't have one.

9. Dream destination?

A. I wouldn't mind going to New Zealand. Or Ireland. Or Scotland.

10. Favorite fictional character?

A. Eowyn from Lord of the Rings.

11. share a quote or passage that means something to you.

A. Not all those who wander are lost. - J. R. R. Tolkien

12. What’s your favorite plant/flower?

A. Iris.

13. Do you prefer the forest or the ocean? Why?

A. I prefer the forest. It gives life. The ocean takes life and you can't even drink the water.

14. What do you value most in people?

A. Kindness.
__________

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, December 08, 2018

Saturday 9: Glue 'Round the Christmas Tree

Saturday 9: I'm Gonna Put Some Glue 'Round the Christmas Tree (So Santa Will Stick Around All Year) (1954)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's featured songstress, Peggy King, sings that she'd like to extend the Christmas season all year. How about you? Do you wish the season was longer? Shorter? Or do you think things are fine as they are?

A. I'm ready to be rid of it entirely.

2) She specifically mentions toys. Have you purchased/will you purchase any toys as holiday gifts this year?

A. No, unless you count the items I gave at an angel tree. No young ones in my life anymore; they're all grown.

3) Search for "glue" on The Home Depot's website and you'll get more than 3,000 results. There's heavy-duty adhesives, all-purpose glue, clear epoxy, wood glue, and more. Do you currently have glue in your home? If yes, how many kinds?

A. I have Elmer's glue and Krazy glue in the house. My husband may have other kinds on the garage.

4) What's the last thing you used glue for?

A. I glued the sole of my sneaker back together.

5) This week's featured artist, Peggy King, was a TV staple in the 1950s. With her perpetually upbeat persona, she was known as "Pretty, Perky Peggy King." Do you consider yourself upbeat, aka "perky?"

A. Nope. Debbie Downer here.

6) Ms. King got her start singing radio jingles for Hunt's tomato sauce. Prepared tomato sauce, properly stored, can safely be kept in the refrigerator for days. Do you have any leftovers in your refrigerator right now?

A. There's a bit of chicken left from earlier in the week.

7) Her biggest movie role was in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955). Do you watch scary movies and shows all year around? Only at Halloween? Or not at all?

A. I don't watch them at all any more. I did when I was younger but I think The Shining was the last scary movie I saw.

8) In 1954, the year this record was released, President Eisenhower dedicated the Marine Corps. Iwo Jima Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside of Washington DC. If you were to play tourist in our nation's capital, what site would you be certain to visit?

A. The Library of Congress.

9) Random question: Which of these common household items would you miss most if it suddenly went on the fritz -- your bedside lamp or your hair dryer?

A. The hair dryer. The bedside lamp goes out all the time anyway. It's one of those "touch on - touch off" lamps, which are very handy next to the bed, but static electricity will make them blow easily. We have one on each side of the bed and I think we have to replace them about every two years or so. My hair looks bad if it isn't blown dry. When it dries naturally it frizzes and curls.
___________

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.

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Thursday 13

1. I have been having a discussion with a friend about dogs. I grew up with dogs and had a dog for 17 years, but I don't think dogs that aren't trained service dogs should be in Lowes or in the grocery store. I've seen them in both places. Dogs have become the new cigarette for people. I know people who will jump all over me for saying this because they think their dog should go everywhere with them, but (a) most dogs aren't trained to be around strangers and (b) like I said and will repeat, I don't have a problem with service dogs.

2.  I spent my life avoiding most places because I'm allergic to cigarettes and now that people don't smoke as much I have to avoid places because I'm allergic to dogs. When do I get my chance to simply go out to the store and be able to breathe?

3. Cat people at least do keep their cats home, or in the car, I guess. I've yet to see a cat on a leash wandering around Home Depot. Now that I've written that, I will probably see one in Walmart soon.

4. Speaking of Walmart, what is with all of the cameras in the personal products section? The cameras at my local Walmart make a noise every time you walk close to them as it takes your picture. "Wah doop," it says. I stand there and wave at my reflection sometimes. Maybe I should make funny faces.

5. Sometimes you make a decision too late and then you wonder why you waited. Waiting was a decision, too. Always remember you have made a decision even if you think you haven't. The act of not deciding is a decision. We always have choices even if we don't think we do.

6. Once when I was in the E.R. being checked for heart stuff because I was having chest pain (this was before they diagnosed my asthma, finally), I practiced making the heart monitor change by holding my breath as long as I could, or by breathing in and out as slowly as I possibly could. I could see the changes on the monitor.

7. Doing breathing exercises and something like Tai Chi can bring my blood pressure down by 10 points. I try to remember to control my breathing when I am on the way to the doctor.

8. My blog post on Monday did not go over well. I wrote about the difference between literal and figurative. I thought it was a good post myself. It was about writing, sort of, and I've sometimes written about writing in this blog. I am a writer, so of course I write about writing.

9. I need boxes. Right now I need them for Christmas, but I think a box is something one always should have. Because sometimes things simply need to go somewhere, and a box is as good a place as any.

10. A worry box would serve me well, probably. I'm one of those people who worry about everything and everyone. Some of the stuff that flies through my head would make for good science fiction. Or maybe it's fantasy.

11. My Christmas music books have been misplaced and I cannot find them. I thought I knew where they were, but they aren't there. Of course, the house has been in disarray since August, when the dishwasher went kaput and the hardwood flooring was destroyed and then the worst tile work in the history of tile work went down on my kitchen floor. I still haven't put things back in my curio cabinets in the kitchen because we have yet to put the quarter round back along the baseboards.

12. My hairdresser of 30 years retired. She is a little younger than I am. Now I have to find a new hair dresser. In the meantime, I guess I shall have longer, shaggier hair.

13. I do not have any resolutions yet for the new year. I didn't make any last year. Did you? Did you keep them if you did? What if instead of resolutions you made a life statement about what your life's purpose is. Do you know your purpose in life?


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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 581st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

A Rafter of Turkeys

A flock of turkeys is also called a rafter in some places. Don't ask me why. Maybe because turkeys sit up high in trees to roost.

Anyway, we had a whole gang of turkeys (they're also called gangs) in the backyard on Sunday. I counted 40 turkeys at one time, the largest flock (or rafter or whatever) I've ever seen. I had no idea there were that many around.

Thirty years ago we never saw turkeys. Then one or two showed up, and now we have a rafter of 40 birds roaming around. Pretty amazing, really.

Here are photos. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get all 40 in one picture because I had to wait until they left the back yard to open the door and slip outside with the camera. There are over 20 in several of these photos, though.

I count 21 turkeys in this picture.

I count 27 in this picture (don't forget the one in the tree).

I like this shot because I caught one as it flew over the fence. I count 20 turkeys in this photo.


A close-up. The tree to the left has dried-up persimmons on it.


Call me "Handsome."

There must be something there.

The gang of three.

Twins.


Joe Cool the Turkey