Katydid

Yesterday, I saw a leaf walking along the side of the house.

It was katydid. I don't know what it was doing on the side of the house, but it had been there for over a day.

I think this is called a "true katydid", aka pterophylla camellifolia.  It likes oak trees and makes a sound that goes "katy did" or "katy didn't," although I didn't hear this one say anything.

They generally are about two inches long; this one had very long antennae.

We used to see these a lot when we were children, but I hadn't seen one in ages. Maybe when you're younger and closer to the ground you see such things better - or maybe they're another one of those species that come and go in cycles, although nothing I've read says anything about that.

The brown part on its back makes me curious, but I am not sure what that is. 

Katydids are kin to crickets and often mistaken for grasshoppers, though they are in the same scientific family as grasshoppers, etc. 

There are about 255 species of katydids in the US alone. They are found all over the world except for Antarctica.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. To which countries have you been?

A. The USA, England, Spain, and France

2. Which countries would you love to visit one day?

A. Ireland, Scotland, and New Zealand

3. Have you been on a trip this year or have one planned for later?

A. No to both.

4. What kinds of transport do you prefer to travel by? (train, car, plane, etc.)

A. Car.

5. Do you get yourself a souvenir to take home? If yes, what do you like to buy?

A. A postcard.

6. Do you like to try local food? Can you recommend anything or advise not to try something?

A. I usually eat wherever I am told. I am not really a "foodie" so I have no recommendations.

7. Do you book your travel online or classical in a travel agency?

A. Since I have gone by car since 1993, I usually just call the hotel and make reservations.

8. Name three things that you cannot go anywhere without and have in your suitcase.

A. My medications, my pillow, and my husband. Oh wait, he won't fit in a suitcase. Clothes!

9. Talk about a funny travel experience you had.

A. When I went to Spain and France in high school, my mother said I should make my luggage stand out so I could find it, and she put colored dots all over my blue suitcase. People laughed at it when it was on the luggage rack at the airport. It is actually funny in retrospect, but it wasn't at the time. I spent a lot of time trying to get those dots off that suitcase.

10. Talk about a bad travel experience you had.

A. When I was in Spain, we had to take a local train to France because of a strike of some kind. To reach the potty on the train, several of us girls had to venture down this line of men, who groped and practically raped us as we tried to get to the bathroom. One of my companions pulled out a comb and scratched a guy, and he swung at her and hit me upside the head, nearly knocking me unconscious. We made it back to our cars without ever having found the bathrooms. Our guide, when told, just shrugged and said that was how things were. I was 16.

11. What kind of accommodation do you usually stay in when you go on trips?

A. Usually a Hampton Inn.

12. Have you ever traveled alone by yourself? Did you like it? If not, would you want to try it?

A. Aside from driving to a destination, I have not stayed by myself. I wouldn't mind a week or three off by myself somewhere sometimes, I suppose.

13. What is the first thing you do when you arrive at your destination?

A. Check out the room to see if it is moldy or otherwise unusable.

14. What kinds of activities do you like to do when you are traveling?

A. See historic sites, visit parks, take photos, go the beach if we're at the beach, visit museums.

15. How do you like to spend your vacation? (on a cruise, backpacking, etc)

A. Usually we pick a place and go to a motel and then see the sights.

16. Do you like to travel in your own country? If yes, can you recommend a place?

A. We have frequented Myrtle Beach, SC, the most, but Williamsburg, VA remains a favorite spot.

__________

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 9: Brandy

Saturday 9: Brandy (1972)

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

 

1) This song opens in a bar where lonely sailors reminisce about their homes. How long have you lived at your current residence? Does it feel like home?

A. I have lived at my current residence for 35 years. I hope it feels like home after all that time.

2) Brandy is a waitress at the bar. Have you ever worked at a job where you received tips?

A. I have not.

 

3) Brandy wears a locket on a braided chain. Are you wearing any jewelry as you answer these 9 questions?

A. I have on earrings and my watch.

4) According to the lyrics, the sailors seem to prefer whisky or wine. What's your go-to adult beverage?

A. I drink only water.

5) This song was such a big hit that, after its release, Brandy became a popular name for newborn girls. Do you know anyone named Brandy?

A. I do! My neighbor's name is Brandy.

6) Barry Manilow scored a hit in 1974 with "Mandy." That song was initially called "Brandy," but it was changed to avoid confusion with this record. Do you have a favorite Barry Manilow song?

A. I Write the Songs.

 

7) In 1972, when this song was popular, residents of South Dakota endured a catastrophic flood when Rapid Creek overflowed. Give us a little geography lesson: what body of water is nearest you?

A. The nearest "body of water" is our pond, which flows into Ruhlman Branch, which flows into Tinker Creek, which flows in the Roanoke River, which flows into Smith Mountain Lake, and then somehow or another makes a turn into North Carolina, where it flows into the ocean. The James River, which eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay, is down the road a little way.

 

8) Also in 1972, the first women were permitted to run in the Boston marathon. Have you ever visited Boston?

A. I have not visited Boston.

9) Random summertime question: Would you prefer to swim in a pool, a lake/river, or the ocean?

A. I prefer a pool, preferably a private one and not a public one. People pee in public pools. Yuck.

 _______________

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 Thirteen

Here are some things I've learned after 38+ years of marriage (39 in a few months. Eek!).

1. Each person needs his/her own space. Whether that's a craft room, the garage, or a closet, each person needs a little spot to call their own.

2. Two bathrooms resolve a lot of issues.

3. We still sleep together in a queen bed, but I would not look down upon any couple that opted for twin beds with conjugal visits. Invariably, somebody takes the covers in the night when you share.

4. Having hobbies or common interests helps. Gardening is a good one; that gives exercise and food, and hopefully few fights over where to plant the peas.

5. Speaking of fighting, make up rules before the fights begin - and follow them. Allow for someone to call a time-out during a fight. We have a code word that means all discussion must stop for an hour. Then if we want to start again, we can, but we rarely do. After an hour, whatever you were arguing about is usually irrelevant. (Our code word is hasenpfeffer, from the Bugs Bunny show.)

6. Learn your partner's love language. If you don't know about love languages, which are: 

Words of affirmation, Quality time, Physical touch, Acts of service, and Receiving gifts, read the book or just look it up on the internet as there is much about it there. Some people respond to multiple love languages.

7. It also helps to figure out if your partner is an extrovert or introvert. Once you understand that, then you'll know why you don't go to parties together. Or at all.

8. Support one another in whatever the other person is doing. Acknowledge the good; ignore the bad. (It's easier said than done.)

9. Trust your partner unless there is a solid reason not to do so. 

10. Be there in sickness and in health. It is hard to become a caregiver if a spouse becomes ill, but sometimes that is what is called for at that time. 

11. Discuss finances periodically and be sure you're both on the same page regarding expenditures and savings. If you're not, examine the budget and see where the common ground is, and then try to remedy concerns.

12. Don't hover and expect all of your partner's attention. Each person should have his or her own friends. You can have couple friends, too, of course, but there's nothing wrong with each person having a separate set of friends. In fact, it's probably healthy to do that.

13. Always keep learning. Learn about the world, but also learn about your partner. People change every day, and maybe your partner no longer likes meatloaf or whatever. Maybe the person no longer likes his/her job and needs a career change but hasn't said anything. Be alert and ask questions, but back off if you don't get answers. Marriage is very long fine and tender dance.

___________________

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 764th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Sky of Fire

After a storm late in the evening, I glanced at the sky's reflection in the back door. It looked like the mountain was on fire.

Another Bad Trip to a Carilion Facility

The reason for a trip for me to the local urgent care is silly - I popped my finger trying to get my husband's compression socks on his feet.

I felt it pop two weeks ago. I waited nearly a week before going to the urgent care. I knew they'd want an x-ray and I couldn't continue to assist my husband with his dressing if I had my finger in a splint or my hand wrapped up.

But finally, my entire hand ballooned up; all of my fingers swelled, and I couldn't use my hand anyway, so I called the urgent care.

The person answering the phone said there was only one person ahead of me, so I drove to the facility, which is about 15 minutes away. My husband went along "for moral support" even though he stayed in the car. It was a long outing for him, as it took longer to get an x-ray than it did for him to have his hip replaced.

I arrived, checked in, gave them my insurance card and $50 copay, and sat. And sat some more. 

During that time, a woman came in with gauze held up to her face. She went to the registration desk and told them she couldn't get her nose to stop bleeding.

The blood was gushing. She dripped blood on the counter. She asked for more tissues. "We don't have any tissues," the woman said. No one budged to get anything, either, and I knew there was a bathroom about four steps from the reception desk.

Can you image that? They just sat there and let the woman drip blood.

Horrified, I dug in my pocketbook and pulled out a small package of tissues I always carry and rushed to hand it to the woman. She thanked me gratefully and had to stand there giving her insurance information, etc., blood oozing out all the while, and then was told to sit and wait.

Thank heavens all she was doing was bleeding a lot. She sat down. Blood dripped onto her pants. She thanked me again for the tissues. I started to get up and go to the other public restroom to get her some toilet paper or paper towels when her husband came in with more tissues and a towel. I stayed where I was.

Finally, a nurse came out with gauze. She gave some to the woman and had her pinch her nose together and took her on back. Of course, I expected her to go before me. She was bleeding.

More people came in; a woman with a mask on and four kids who did not have masks. A man who looked familiar, but I couldn't place him. I texted my husband a few times to tell him I was delayed and suggested he get out of the car and stretch, but not to walk without a cane and his cellphone. He texted back that he was moving around. I was afraid he'd get stiff from sitting and I was afraid he'd fall in the parking lot.

Over an hour after I arrived, someone called my name. I went back to rooms that were familiar yet not - this had once been my physician's office, over 20 years ago, now - and I parked my backside in a chair beside a nurse who sat at a computer.

The room had a loud roaring fan noise going on in it. The air handler for the air conditioner was in that room. It was blowing full and hard and making enough noise to make the running of the bulls in Spain sound tame in comparison. The nurse and I yelled at one another over the noise. I held up my swollen hand and she said, "Oh gosh, yes, that needs to be looked at."

Then she yelled out my medications to update those. My regular doctor is not a Carilion doctor, so their information on me is usually out of date.

She took my blood pressure, and it was higher than normal.

Then I was left alone for a long while. I listened to the roar in the room. It reminded me of a dragon that couldn't shut its mouth, and I determined it really wasn't a good room to put a somewhat nervous person in. No wonder my blood pressure was up.

The room itself was a beige color, with nothing on the walls. Most Carilion facilities have bare walls. I'm sure it's more sterile and cleaner to do that, but it also makes what is already a bad experience that much worse. It's a total corporate look with a lack of personality.

Finally, a physician's assistant entered. She looked at my hand, touched the middle finger and watched me flinch, ordered x-rays, and left.

I never saw her again.

I went to the restroom (four steps from the receptionist desk) and then a young man told me to follow him to x-ray.

He sat me down and put my hand in position. He did not put on any kind of protective gear on me, nothing to protect my thyroid or anything else, and I was too nervous to think about it until he'd started taking x-rays. Honestly, shouldn't that be standard procedure by now, to put protective gear on anybody having x-rays?

He led me back to the room. The air handler roared. I paced back and forth. I counted the ceiling tiles (51, not including the big hole where there was one missing). I tried to read but could not concentrate. I texted my husband again to check on him.

Finally, another young man came in and said the x-rays didn't show anything broken. He put a metal splint on my middle finger, wrapped some tape around it, and then handed me the tape. "This is yours now," he said. "You can take that off to shower. Wear it about a week to 10 days."

He handed me paperwork and told me I could go.

My husband was somewhat irate when I finally got in the car. I had been at the urgent care for over two hours. "I saw a lot of people go in and out of there in the time you were in there," he said.

I shrugged. Old women with possible broken fingers were not priorities for anyone, so I was not surprised. His leg had swollen from the heat and being in the car, so I hurried home to get ice for him.

In the end, I had a "soft tissue injury" although the next day, when the radiologist report came back, there was indication of prior dislocation, a bone spur, and osteoarthritis. I copied off what it said and reported it to my regular primary care physician, who wrote me back and told me to use ice and take Tylenol since I can't take anti-inflammatories because of my stomach issues.

For a few more days, I had to help my husband get his compression socks on as he still couldn't manage them by himself. I couldn't do that and wear the splint, too, so basically, I reinjured my finger every morning until finally, Saturday, he could get his socks on without my help.

My hand is still swollen. I can't make a fist with it or play my guitar. I shouldn't even be typing this because I have to take the splint off to do that.

I am not a good patient when it comes to caring for myself sometimes.

Husband Update

The husband is doing well following his hip replacement surgery on June 20. He has his post-op appointment last week and was told to continue his physical therapy exercises and do whatever he felt like - including driving.

The physician's assistant suggested he drive first in a parking lot and stomp on the brakes a few times to see how it felt. If it hurt, then don't drive and try again in a few days.

My husband tends to brake with his left foot anyway. He has more trouble getting in and out of vehicles than anything. His truck suits him much better than my Camry.

He is still no ball of fire, but it's only been three weeks, and I think he's doing well for that period of time.

The incision appears to be healing well. I don't like to look at it but I see it when I help him dry off his feet. He still can't bend over far enough to do that.

Fortunately, he can now put on his own socks.

Purple Haze

 

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Would you rather eat pizza every day or never eat pizza again?

A. Since I currently on a no-pizza diet, and have been for almost two years, I'd at least like to eat pizza once in a while. But not every day. I'd have to go with never eat pizza again, since it looks like that is where I'm going to be anyway.

2. Would you rather stay forever at your current age or be 10 years younger?

A. What do you exchange for the 10 years? I would stay forever at my age at 10 years younger; my health was a little better then. But not forever now.

3. Would you rather have too many friends or too few?

A. Too many. They sort themselves out to the correct number after a time.

4. Would you rather have no taste buds or be blind?

A. No taste buds, I guess, although some of the long Covid people may disagree.

5. Would you rather never hear music again or lose the ability to read?

A. Lose the ability to read, because I could always listen to audio books, podcasts, and news on the TV and radio.

6. Would you rather speak “whale” or read babies’ minds?

A. Speak "whale" I think.

7. Would you rather be the richest person or the smartest?

A. In the USA, rich beats smart every time.

8. Would you rather create history or delete it?

A. I would rather create it.

9. Would you rather create a great piece of art and not get credit or get credit for a piece of art you didn’t create?

A. The first one.

10. Would you rather age from the neck up, or from the neck down?

A. This question is so silly I am not going to answer it.

11. Would you rather see the world but live in poverty or stay in one place and live rich?

A. I'm not sure how an impoverished person sees the world, but that one.

12. Would you rather become famous or powerful?

A. Powerful, if I must choose. Hopefully I would use my power for good.

13. Would you rather be a creative person or a technical person?

A. A creative person.

14. Would you rather get a paper cut whenever you touch paper or bite your tongue whenever you eat something?

A. Get a paper cut. I could avoid paper, but I have to eat.

15. Would you rather wake up in the morning looking like a giraffe or a kangaroo?

A. I'd rather look like a kangaroo. Maybe I already do.

__________

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 9: Time for Livin'

Saturday 9: Time for Livin' (1968)

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

1) This song is about taking "time for life." Do you have a busy, highly scheduled Saturday planned? Or will you have an opportunity to just relax and enjoy?

A. My husband is still recovering from hip surgery, and I have a dislocated finger on my left hand. I don't think we'll be doing much this weekend.
 
2) Lead singer Larry Ramos begins by telling us he likes to kick off his shoes and go barefoot. How about you? Do you like to feel "the good earth under your feet?"

A. I hate to go barefoot. The only time I am barefoot is in the shower.
 
3) He sings that once he took off his watch, he found he had all the time in the world. Tell us about your watch.

A. I have a Timex Indiglo watch that I bought online during the pandemic when I couldn't get out to put a battery in my other Timex. It is not digital, although it has a digital calendar in it that never is correct, so I don't look at it. It is silver and gold with a stretch band, more gold than silver.

I have worn a watch since I was 4 or 5. My first watch was an Alice in Wonderland watch with a blue band on it. I still have the Alice in Wonderland glass figurine that came with the watch. Unfortunately, I don't have the watch.

4) With lyrics that include words like "grooving" and "hang-ups," this song is very much a product of its time. Share some of the slang you used during your adolescent years.

A. Groovy, cool, get down, space cadet, brewski, chill, cred, out of sight, the lowdown, threads.
 
5) He sings that his attitude has been rearranged. What is something you have changed your mind about?

A. I don't know how to answer this without sounding conceited or uppity or something. How about this: Food Lion is a better grocery store than I thought it would be when it originally came to our area.
 
6) This week's group, The Association, was founded in Hawaii. Hawaii produces more pineapple than other state in the union. When did you most recently have pineapple?

A. Pineapple bothers me in that it makes my ears itch, so I don't generally eat it. I tried a bit about three months ago to see if I still reacted to it. I do.
 
7) In 1968, when this song was popular, Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis. Think about the last wedding you attended. Were you closer to the bride or to the groom, or were you equally close to both?

A. Most of the weddings I have attended were friends of my husband, so I wasn't close to anyone. I was just the plus one.
 
8) In 1968, when this song was popular, Laugh In was America's #1 TV show and it made a star of Goldie Hawn. Do you have a favorite Goldie Hawn movie?

A. No. I can't name a movie she was in without googling it. Even googling it, I can't answer this question in the affirmative.
 
9) Random question: Who is the most recent person you made smile, and what did you do?

A. My husband, I suppose. But he's a fairly easy-going jolly soul and it doesn't take much to make him smile or laugh.

_______________

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.  

Deer Mom

 

Thursday Thirteen

Things I recently learned:

1. It takes longer to get your finger x-rayed if you think you broke it than it does to get your hip replaced.

2. Soft tissues injuries are as bad as breaks or can be.

3. My cellphone can withstand a good drop and roll because I have a very sturdy case with rubbery sides on it. Highly recommended.

4. Listening to a book on ethics is NOT recommended; these are better off read.

5. Compression socks are easier to put on yourself than someone else.

6. Rain dances do not necessarily end up with rainfall - although sometimes they do.

7. Supply shortages include weird things like certain types of potato chips, crackers, fresh vegetables, and meats of various kinds.

8. Gasoline pumps that offer a discount (like at Kroger) are confusing because they don't give you the discount all at once, you can take just a small amount if you want, like say 15 cents instead of 55 cents. I don't know why everything has to be made difficult. Just give me the 55 cents and be done with it, I don't want to have to think about it.

9. People let you know who they are by what they say and what they do. Take them at their word and accept their actions as indicative of who they are. I'm not saying if someone is good or bad, but it is truly a measure of a person. Kind of makes me wonder who and what people think of me.

10. The thing you need will show up too late to be of use.

11. People do not take into consideration many of the things that are happening now (supply shortages, inflation, etc.) are not because people don't want to work. Many of the job openings are because over 1 million people died of Covid, and because 28.6 million (yes, that many!) people retired after the third quarter of 2020, mostly boomers between the ages of 56 and 70. When 30 million people are out of the job market in a two-year period, there are bound to be job openings everywhere and not a glut of workers when the generations coming behind are not so large in number.

12. Britain's legislature has a few members with morals, at least. That's more than I can say for the majority of the legislators in the USA.

13. Common ground and societal goods are concepts that we quickly need to learn and reinstitute into the public discourse.

Extra: Wordle resets your win count if you miss a day.

____________________

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 763rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Dazed and Confused

This female cardinal found herself somewhat trapped on the front porch the other night, and she bashed herself into the front door a couple of times and flew madly about the top of the porch, apparently unable to figure out she needed to go low to go high.

After a last head-bashing into the door, she found the grass. She sat there breathing very hard for quite a long time.

Finally, she flew towards the brushy thicket we have in the front yard, and a mockingbird attacked her.

I have no idea what happened after that. I didn't see feathers flying so I assume she was ok.

Poor bird. Just trying to go out for a fly, or to bring home a grub, and bam! Life hit her smack in the head.

Falling

This is my cover of Falling, by LeBlanc and Carr. It's not a song you hear much anymore, but it came to mind a few weeks ago so I looked it up.

I wish I could say that a performance like this is just a quick grab of the camera, placing it on video, and playing, but no.

First, the song was in a key I couldn't sing it in well (F). After much fiddling around, I ended up with the capo on the 5th fret of the guitar.

I hate playing with a capo anyway, but one that high up on the guitar makes the guitar sound too high for my taste. I tried transposing it back so I could play it in a lower register, but it's in A# now, and frankly the Fmaj7 chord position sounds so much better on the guitar, even with the capo in the 5th fret, than an A#maj7 chord position, that I left it alone.

After figuring that out, I had to find the tempo on the RC-3 Loop Station, then play it through several times to make sure I could play it and sing it. Then I taped a strumming round on the Loop Station. Later, I taped another guitar round on the Loop station, except I was finger picking it instead of strumming.

Finally, I went back and taped in the little lead runs. I had initially planned to play those while I was singing, but I've hurt my left hand, so I went with taping the lead instead.

And then, feeling like I'd had about enough of this song, I hit the video and recorded it.

This took about 10 days over all to accomplish, what with life stuff and my hand swelling up.

Anyway, here is my cover of this 1977 love song.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Favorite thing to do during the summer?

A. Eat watermelon.

2. Favorite cold food/dessert/drink that gets you through the summer heat?

A. Watermelon.

3. Gone to a drive-in movie?

A. Not since I was a teenager.

4. What are you planning to do this summer?

A. Take care of my husband while he recovers from hip replacement surgery. Sounds like fun, eh?

5. Did the pandemic ruin any summer plans? If so, what?

A. See above.

6. Rode on any water mobile (jetski, ferry, boat, etc)?

A. Not since I was much younger.

7. Gone to a summer camp?

A. I went to band camp when I was in high school.

8. Been to any Asian country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite?)

A. No. I would like to see the Great Wall of China.

9. Been to any African country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)

A. No. I would like to see the Serengeti.

10. Been to any North American country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)

A. I live in a North American country, the USA. Where I live is my favorite.

11. Been to any South American country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)

A. No. I'd like to see Machu Picchu.

12. Been to any Australian country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)

A. No. I'd like to go to Melbourne to see that big opera/music house they there.

13. Gone to a festival/fair?

A. Yes, of course. Historic Fincastle used to put on an annual arts and crafts fair for years, and I went frequently. As a news reporter, I took photos of it. Buchanan puts on a carnival every year and I used to take photos of that, too.

14. Gone to an amusement park?

A. Yes. I've been to Lakeside, which was an amusement park in Salem that no longer exists, and Kings Dominion near Williamsburg. Oh, and Disney in Orlando, Florida. How could I forget that?

15. Binge watched 5 different TV show series (what were they)?

A. I have binge watched Downton Abby, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and I think that's about it. I am not much of a TV watcher and generally I catch things as they come out or not at all.

__________

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 9: Back in the USA

 Saturday 9: Back in the USA (1978)

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

From the archives, with some tweaks

1) This song lists seven cities -- New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and St. Louis -- that Linda just loves. How many have you visited?

A. New York, St. Louis, Los Angeles.

2) The lyrics refer to hamburgers sizzling on the grill. What toppings do you believe make a perfect burger?

A. Mayonnaise, lettuce, cheese, ketchup

3) The original recording of this song by Chuck Berry has always been one of Linda Ronstadt's favorites, one she used to enjoy singing along with in the car. What's the most recent song you sang?

A. Back on the Chain Gang, by The Pretenders

4) Linda performed The National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1977 World Series. The New York Yankees won both that game and the series. How is your baseball team doing this season?

A. I don't have a baseball team.

 

5) On the sleeve for this record, Linda was photographed on roller skates. Emergency rooms report a spike in wrist injuries, with people falling off skates and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching softballs. Have you recently been to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care?

A. No, but I've been to the hospital for my husband's outpatient surgery.

 

6) It's July, so summer is in full swing. Bug bites are a big summer annoyance. Are you itching and scratching this morning?

A. No, I don't go outside unless I wear long sleeves and long pants because I know the bugs will eat me.

Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day, let's ask some questions related to the holiday. 

 

6) The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence. What's the most recent printed media you have read (newspaper, magazine, newsletter, etc.)?

A. The Roanoke Times. We still subscribe to the daily paper.

7) In high school, Sam was crazy about American history and got good grades. Science was her worst subject. In high school, where did you shine? In what subject were your grades not so hot?

A. I did well in most of my classes. My hardest subject was not intellectual - it was gym. I wasn't the best at math, but I was always on the A or AB honor roll and was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated 5th in my class. I am many things, but I am not uneducated or ignorant.

8) The first 4th of July parade each year is held at 12:01 AM in Gatlinburg, TN. Will you attend a parade or fireworks to celebrate the 4th?

A. Probably not, given my husband's recovery from his surgery.

9) Americans love to celebrate our independence. In fact, there are more than 30 towns all across the US called Independence. There are two in MN alone (one outside Duluth, the other west of Minneapolis). Please google it and let us know: does your state have an Independence?

A. Yes, Virginia has an Independence. It's a town in Grayson County, which is in far southwestern Virginia near the North Carolina border. It has about 950 people.

Thursday Thirteen

Things to see within an hour's drive of me:

1. The Mill Mountain Star. See the star here and a link to a live cam here. The star was built in 1949 as part of an advertising campaign, and at the time was the largest such structure built.

2. Roaring Run Recreational Area has a trail that leads to a waterfall and a 19th century furnace.

3. The swinging bridge in Buchanan overlooks the James River.

4. Dixie Caverns is a cave that can be walked through with tour guides. There's a campground there, too.

5. Paint Bank store and restaurant. This is way out in the sticks and is a destination point. Drive a little further and if you're lucky, you'll see buffalo. The bathrooms aren't much, though.

6. Natural Bridge. This state park is on property once owned by Thomas Jefferson.

7. The Town of Fincastle. Had this been done right, this town would be thriving with tourists, but it wasn't, so it isn't. It's still a quaint walk through the past, and many of the older structures in the county are here.

8. Mill Mountain Zoo. It's a non-profit zoo. If one likes zoos, this one is on top of a mountain.

9. Humpback Bridge in Covington. The only covered bridge of its kind in the nation, it was built in 1857 with hand-hewn logs.

10. The C&O Heritage Railroad Museum in Clifton Forge tells the story of the railroad in this area.

11. The City of Lexington is an older community with a great deal of history. The graveyard is amazing.

12. The Hollins University campus. It's my alma mater and I think it's beautiful.

13. Taubman Art Museum. They have good exhibits, but it's an ugly building with a lot of unusable space.

There are lots of other places to see in the area, too, including the Virginia Tech campus, the National D-Day Memorial, and a variety of museums.

Come visit sometime!

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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 762nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.