Happiness Challenge - Day 4

 

My happiness for today is I saw my chiropractor, who put me to rights, and I talked on the phone with my friend. Yay for friends!

I also overslept, which doesn't exactly make me happy but I must've been tired, so there's that.

Also, I am relieved (not happy, but relieved is close) that finally the former president is learning that actions have consequences. While I am not on a jury and it's not up to me to find him innocent or guilty, I have judged his character and I do not find him to be presidential material. How anyone can find him to be worthy of holding that office is beyond me.

***

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

This meme comes from The Gal Herself.

Happiness Challenge - Day 3

Today I am happy that I have returned to doing Tai Chi with the video I have used for about 20 years. I had stopped doing this some time ago because I grew bored with it, but I started doing it again recently and can tell a difference in my flexibility.

I'm also happy it is raining, because we really needed some moisture on our hayfields so we can get a good third cutting of feed for the cattle.

***

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

This meme comes from The Gal Herself.

Thursday Thirteen

What happens when I take a day off: 

1. The laundry does not get done.

2. The bed does get made, and the dishwasher gets emptied. Some things one has to do.

3. I spend a little cash on "play."

4. I don't eat a real lunch.

5. My writing does not get written.

6. Dinner is created from leftovers.

7. My cellphone goes unnoticed for hours.

8. The PC is never turned on.

9. I put a few miles on the car that normally sits in the garage.

10. I don't speak to my husband for a long period of time.

11. Breaking news doesn't break for me until hours after it's happened. (I didn't need to know it right away anyhow.)

12. I take a second shower to get the "out of the house" germs off of me.

13. My heart lightens up for a few hours.

*Bing AI images.*

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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 819th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

August Happiness Challenge - Day 2

I missed Day 1, but fortunately this is a no-rules sort of thing. So what am I happy about today?

At the moment, I'm happy it's 6:10 p.m. and the day is almost done. I'm ready for bed already!

I'm also happy that I finished my work and chores.

Happy too that my friends and my brother called me today. And happy I gave away zucchini! (We have more zucchini than we need at the moment.)

***

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

This meme comes from The Gal Herself.

I Did Not Go Fishing

Yesterday, I went to see the Barbie movie with a friend.

The movie is a tremendous statement about women, their role in society, and how things could be changed - if we only wanted to change it.

This is not a movie for children. This movie was made for women like me - and men with open minds - to throw back upon us the world as it is and as it could be. The political statements in this film are awesome and many.

It is no wonder I see women noting they've seen the movie multiple times at the theater. It is one I will watch again myself when it comes around to the small screen.

I may even buy the DVD. (They do still make DVDs, right?)

There is one monologue in the movie that I wish every woman could read. In fact, I found it online so I will put it here. The monologue is spoken by Gloria, a grown-ass woman who works for Mattel.

She says:

It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong.

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can’t ask for money because that’s crass. You have to be a boss, but you can’t be mean.

You have to lead, but you can’t squash other people’s ideas. You’re supposed to love being a mother, but don’t talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men’s bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you’re accused of complaining.

You’re supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you’re supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful.

You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.

I’m just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don’t even know.

As you can see, this is not a movie for children. This is a movie that can move you to tears and make you laugh at the same time. It's definitely a movie that intelligent and empathetic women will love and enjoy.

Women who love being boy toys may not like it so much, but that's their problem. I never have made a good boy toy.

Anyway, if you are one of my faithful readers, then I suspect you will find a lot to like about Barbie. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here.

And yay for me for taking some time to go do something fun for a change.

And Today I'm Outta Here

 

My Name in Elvish

I wore my Lord of the Rings t-shirt into the grocery store the other day. The checkout fellow kept giving me strange looks, and I asked if there was a problem.

"Just admiring your shirt," he said.

I glanced down to see what I had on. "Oh, Lord of the Rings. You a fan?"

"Oh yeah. My brother used to read it to me before bed every night," he said. I asked him if he'd liked the movies, and he gave me a nod. "Have you read the books?"

"Sure, several times," I told him as he slid the groceries across the little beepy thing. "I have a copy on my cellphone to read while I'm at the doctor's office."

"Have you read the Appendices?"

"Of course," I said. "And some of the extra books too."

"I learned how to write in Elvish using the Appendices," he said. Then he asked me my first name. I told him.

On the back of my receipt, he wrote this:

"Cool," I said. "Thanks. I'd never thought to learn Elvish."

I came home and looked up an online translator. It gave me this:

A little prettier but basically the same.

Nerds. You gotta love 'em.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Does love come from the brain, the heart or elsewhere?

A. It comes from endorphins and pheromones that trigger the brain.

2. Have you ever given a shot?

A. Only to cows.

3. Can you lick your elbow? (Come on, didja try?)

A. No, I can't, nor did I try.

4. If I was going to be talking to you for 10 minutes, what would be something really interesting you know a little bit about but would like to know more?

A. Well, since I don't know what *you* know, that would be rather difficult to ascertain as to what you could tell me. So first I would have to ask what you might be interested in and could share information about. Now, if you were dressed as a mail person, say, then I would talk to you about your job as I'd like to know more about delivering mail. 

5. What do you think of the Sopranos?

A. I don't think of them ever. I never watched the show.

6. Have you ever had a crush on your teacher?  How about your boss?

A. Yes, I have had crushes on teachers. I don't recall ever having a crush on a boss.

7. Have you ever seen a movie in 3D?

A. Maybe when I was quite young. I could not watch one now; they trigger migraines.

8. How difficult do you think it is for immigrants to come into your country?

A. Very difficult.

9. Do you have what it takes to go live in another country, maybe for years, where you don't speak the language as your first language?

A. No. I only know muy poco espanol and I'm not much on change. Obviously if I had to go live elsewhere, I would do my best.

10. Have you ever died in your dreams?

A. Yes, I have. It usually wakes me up.

11. What book should our political leaders read and why?

A. Apparently, none of them have read any of George Orwell's books, like 1984 or Animal Farm. Nor have they read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Perhaps they should go all the way back to the beginning of the country's origins and pick up a copy of Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

12. What is your favorite glass object?

A. The touch-on lamp beside my bed.

13. Do you like to window shop?

A. Not particularly. I don't even like scrolling around online trying to find things.

14. Are you more likely to buy one really nice expensive outfit or a couple of cheap outfits?

A. It would depend on what it was for. Lounging around the house? Cheap outfits. Going out of the home to work? More expensive, preferably something I could wear with multiple other things, like a really nice reversible pants suit or something.

15. If you could, would you wear everything once, throw it out and buy something new?

A. No, that's wasteful. I wear stuff out before I replace it.

__________

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: I've Got Your Number

Saturday 9: I've Got Your Number (1965)

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

Chosen in memory of Tony Bennett, who passed away on July 21, 2023.
 
1) In this song, Tony sings that he recognizes his lover's insecurities because she's a lot like him. Are you unsure in social situations? Or do you meet new people easily?

A. I'm not a social butterfly by any stretch of the imagination.
 
2) While singing was his livelihood, painting was Tony Bennett's passion. What hobby do you participate in with the greatest enthusiasm?

A. Probably video games, although music would be a close second.

3) Tony was a proud son of New Jersey. Many singers hail from The Garden State, including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Frank Sinatra. What heroes, heroines or celebrities hail from your home state?

A. 8 US presidents, Sandra Bullock, Wayne Newton, Rob Lowe, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Matthews Band, Katie Couric, Pharrell Williams, Arthur Ashe, Wanda Sykes, Patsy Cline, June Carter Cash, David Baldacci, etc.

4) Though Tony dreamed of becoming a commercial artist, he had to drop out of school in his teens to help support his family. Looking back on your teen years, what did you want to do for a living? Is that what you ended up doing?

A. While at various times I wanted to be an archeologist or a geologist (mostly in my preteen years), I also always wanted to be a writer. That is what I ended up doing. As a teenager, though, I made my spending money by playing guitar.

5) During WWII, Tony served in Germany. The first time his voice was broadcast was during an aircheck for Armed Forced Radio. For the occasion he sang "St. James Infirmary." That was Tony's first. Let's contrast it with your last. What's the most recent song you sang?

A. Sheryl Crow's Weather Channel.

6) After the War, Bob Hope saw him perform under his real name, Anthony Benedetto. Hope told him that, no matter how great his talent, his name would hold him back because it was too long for a marquee. And so, Tony Bennett was born. Tell us about a marquee in your town. Is it announcing a movie, play, or concert performance?

A. There's one announcing a walk to raise money for something along the highway. It's not exactly a marquee, it's more like a LED sign. We don't exactly have marquees out here, at least, not where I see them.
 
7) In 2006, he recorded his Duets album, partnering with a variety of singers he admired. Tony said he enjoyed working with Paul McCartney at London's Abbey Road Studios, where the Beatles created their classic recordings. If you vacationed in London, what would you be sure to visit?

A. Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and my email friend Inga, although she doesn't live in London.
 
8) "I've Got Your Number" was performed by Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore on The Dick Van Dyke Show. According to Dick, they were so believable as a married couple that he received glares from a hotel clerk while checking in with his real-life wife, Margie. What TV or movie couple do you feel had "chemistry?"

A. Shrek and Fiona from Shrek.

9) Special summertime random question: Would you have more fun at a pro baseball game or an art museum exhibit?

A. Art museum. I really like air conditioning.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 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 is a list of 13 things to be happy about. Can you add to it?

1. The feeling of accomplishment after finishing a difficult task or achieving a goal.

2. The smell of fresh flowers, coffee, or baked goods.

3. The sound of laughter, music, or nature.

4. The taste of your favorite food, drink, or dessert.

5. The sight of a beautiful sunset, a rainbow, or a smile.

6. The touch of a warm hug, a soft blanket, or a gentle breeze.

7. The company of your friends, family, or pets.

8. The joy of learning something new, discovering something interesting, or creating something original.

9. The thrill of adventure, exploration, or challenge.

10. The peace of relaxation, meditation, or sleep.

11. The gratitude of being alive, healthy, and loved.

12. The hope of a better future, a new opportunity, or a positive change.

13. The love of yourself, others, and the world.

Bing AI created the images.

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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 818th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

The Legend

While we were visiting the Virginia Fire Museum Saturday, my husband saw two trucks that he was quite familiar with.

One was not being displayed, but he recognized the rear end of it immediately. It is a type of fire truck called a Quint. A Quint served as a pumper and as a ladder truck.

My husband hated it. I can remember hearing him fuss about that truck as if it were yesterday instead of 1995. He said it was absolutely useless on a fire scene.

My man reviewing the Quint he used to ride on at Station 13.

The other truck, though, was Ladder 1. This was a "real" ladder truck, one that bent in the middle and had a driver in the rear.

This was a truck he loved.

My husband rode this piece of firefighting equipment. In fact, he was on the committee that designed it and was instrumental in its setup.

I'm not sure how my husband fit in that tiny little place in the back.

While we were looking at the truck, my husband struck up a conversation with one of the men helping with the museum. He told him his name, and the fellow said, "Oh, I know who you are. You're a legend at the city."

My husband has never given himself much credit for the work he did at the fire department. It was an enormous job, being a firefighter. He saved people during floods, he worked car wrecks, he put out fires, he saw things people shouldn't ever see. He rose from the bottom of the ranks to Battalion Chief, and I was ever so proud of him with each promotion. He took his role as mentor to the younger firefighters seriously, setting aside time to help them train and learn. He knew where his people were on the fire scene at all times; he never did simply "surround, drown, and burn 'em down," - his people actually put the fires out and saved people and property. They knew they were expected to do their jobs when Battalion 2 was on scene.

I was thrilled to hear someone call him a "legend" at the city fire department. I know he is highly thought of, and he left on good terms. When he hurt himself on the farm in 2014, I had to ask to the nursing staff to keep the firefighters out of the room so he could rest after his surgeries on his hand. Nearly every one of them who brought a patient to the ER wanted to come in and see how Chief was doing.

He's been retired now for three years (I can't believe it's been that long.).

They still call him Chief when they see him. Sometimes they call. "Can I talk to Chief?" they will say.

It always makes me smile.

He is a legend. They don't make them like him anymore.

Virginia Fire Museum

Saturday, we ventured off to the open house of the Virginia Fire Museum in Roanoke to see what we could see.

This is a start-up that has not yet found its footing. The collection of about 80 fire engines is significant, but not exactly historical. Two of the pieces from the City of Roanoke were purchased when my husband was working - he helped design the specs for one of them.

They have a few antiques but a lot of it is simply worn-out firetrucks. They will be antiques in a few years, though, and I know they mean something to the firefighters who used the equipment. So, I am glad these people have stepped up to save them.

Since this is state-wide, there are firetrucks from all over. I like that it doesn't simply focus on one area of the state. There have been many little fire stations, most volunteer, that have been filled with generous men and women who have wanted to serve their communities.

I'm not sure the location for the museum is the best (they're in an old warehouse that's been vacant for years) and the walking in the warehouse was difficult as the floor was covered with oil, and there was no clean walking space. I can't imagine how many kids (and parents) tracked oil into their house after visiting the exhibits.

But this is in its infancy, and I feel sure that in a few years, things will look spiffy and shiny. Time helps, as does money and awareness. I don't think a lot of people know this is going on, this saving of old fire apparatus. I hope they get a donation button on their website so people can easily send them $25 every now and then.

Here are some of the old trucks:

A quick word about the Oren trucks. Those were made locally, in nearby Vinton. Oren was purchased in 1976 by Grumman. The Oren name eventually disappeared, and has been, for all intents and purposes, replaced by KME, which moved most of its operations to Pennsylvania.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

 

Would you rather . . .

1. Live on a boat or in a treehouse? Treehouse

2. No computer use for a year or no sweets for a year? No sweets for a year

3. Have $2,000 right now or be given $100 every month for the rest of your life? $100 every month

4. Be an astronaut or an athlete? Astronaut

5. Have 50 good friends or only one best friend? 1 best friend

6. Have bright blue teeth or bright blue hair? Blue hair

7. Have the power of flight or the power of invisibility? Invisibility. (I already have that; nobody sees old women!)

8. Have a fun friend who is snarky or a boring friend who is kind? Boring and kind with a little snark on occasion.

9. Be incredibly rich but without love or be poor but have a happy marriage? Happy marriage.

10. Have a freezing cold shower every day or a pleasant hot shower once a week? Cold shower every day.

11. Be an only child or have many siblings? Siblings.

12. Quit video games forever or live in a desert for a month? Live in a desert for a month.

13. Go on a one week trip to a foreign country of your choice or a month long trip in your own country? Month long trip.

14. Celebrate your birthday every day or go on your favorite holiday once a year? Birthday every day.

15. If fish could talk, what would you ask them? This isn't a "would you rather" sort of question. But if fish could talk, I would ask them what the world looks like to them and have them describe it.

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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 9: You'd Be So Nice

Saturday 9: You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (1943)

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

1) In this song, Dinah Shore goes on about listening to the breeze. Is it windy, breezy, or still where you are today?

A. It is hot but there is a nice breeze. The humidity is high but not as bad as the day before. The skies are partly cloudy, the blue up there is a light baby blue today. The haze from the fires in Canada is not so bad so I can see the mountains.
 
2) The August moon is bright in Dinah's musical fantasy. Let's look at your calendar. Is anything special coming up in August (birthdays, anniversaries, vacation getaways . . . )?

A. Friend have birthdays but we ourselves have nothing special happening in August.
 
3) Dinah was one of TV's pioneers. Her first show was a 15-minute variety show that ran two nights/week in 1951. What's the most recent show you watched?

A. Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime. It's an intriguing series if you're into spy/government stuff.

4) She followed that in 1956 with the Dinah Shore Chevy Show. It was an hour long and sponsored by the car company. At the end of every show Dinah encouraged her viewers to "see the USA in your Chevrolet ..." Today Chevrolets are still the most popular cars manufactured by General Motors. Tell us about your car.

A. I have a white Toyota Camry. We bought it in 2014 and it has less than 60,000 miles on it.

5) From 1970 to 1991, Dinah hosted daytime TV talk shows and found tremendous success, winning 6 Emmy Awards and repeatedly appearing in the Gallup Poll of America's most admired women. Do you remember her?

A. I remember her. I didn't make a point of looking for her or anything, but I remember her.
 
6) Dinah was such an avid golfer that, in 1972, she founded one of the LPGA's major tournaments. Though now officially titled The Chevron Championship, it's still often referred to as "The Dinah Shore" in her memory. Do you golf? If not, would you like to learn?

A. I do not watch golf. It might be fun to learn.

7) In 1943, when "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" was popular, so were tablecloths. It was common to have cotton tablecloths for everyday use, fun and festive ones for 4th of July and Christmas, and linen for formal occasions. Do you use tablecloths in your home?

A. The only time I put a tablecloth on the table is Christmas, and then it is part of the holiday decorations, used to make it feel more festive.
 
8) Beatle George Harrison was born in 1943. Which of the Fab Four is your favorite?

A. I don't really have a favorite, but I will go with Paul McCartney.

9) Random question: Would you rather live on a houseboat or in a trailer?

A. I'd rather live in neither, but of those choices, a trailer at least would be on solid ground.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.  

I Baked

 

The garden is starting to produce well now. This is the first garden we've had in several years. The fresh veggies are nice to have, except for times like now, when everything comes in all at once.

I have already made two loaves of zucchini bread; one is in the freezer (we ate the other).

This time I wanted to try a different recipe for zucchini muffins. It was supposed to make 12 muffins, but the author of this recipe must make HUGE muffins. I made 12 muffins plus something we'll call a small zucchini cake from that batter. I could have made 18 muffins easily, had I been more muffin-inclined.

Since I seldom follow recipes, I can't send you, dear reader, to a link. It wouldn't be what I made. But I can give you the recipe as I prepared it (which is not the same as the recipe on Simply Recipes, which is where I found a recipe for zucchini muffins that I then changed.)

Anyway, here goes nothing:

Ingredients

2 eggs

1 1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups grated zucchini (I put mine in the food processor and chop it up that way)

3/4 cup melted unsalted butter (this works out to 1 full stick plus all but 1 tablespoon of a second stick. That's what I used, anyway, I'm not sure of my math. I melted it in the microwave.)

2 3/4 cup self-rising flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cloves

9 ozs raisins

Preheat oven to 350 F.

I used muffin cups in my muffin tins. If you don't use cups, then you'll have to spray them with Baker's Joy or something.

Mix eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Add in flour, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Stir in, then mix with mixer until it starts getting a little stiff. Add in zucchini, stir with spoon, then stir with mixer for 30 seconds or until well mixed. Stir in raisins.

Spoon into muffin pan. Cook for 20-25 minutes. They're done if they bounce when you touch the tops and/or toothpick comes out dry.

Makes 18 large muffins.

If my husband liked cranberries, which he doesn't, I would have used cranberries instead of raisins. You could also add nuts. Or go crazy and do cranberries, raisins, and nuts. You could also add nutmeg (the original recipe called for nutmeg, not cloves), but I am not a nutmeg fan so I substituted cloves.

Also, the Simply Recipe directions said prep time was 15 minutes. It took me about 40 minutes just to get this all together and into the oven. Just something to keep in mind, especially if, like me, you're not a cook and don't have everything on hand or handy.

Thursday Thirteen

One of my blogging pals (here's looking at you, Gal), called herself a "spinster" in her response to one of my recent posts. That got me wondering what else an older woman may be called.

I actually consider myself to be a crone, now. Not in the derogatory sense, but in the "I'm old and wise" sense. Most women probably wouldn't like to be called that, I imagine.

Anyway, I looked up words for older women in the thesaurus and have included their definitions.

1. Matron: An older woman who is dignified, respectable, and often associated with being married and having a family. This is not a word I see often and seldom hear used in speech.

2. Dowager: A widow, especially an elderly one who holds a title or property inherited from her deceased husband. This is another word I don't hear often. I see it in books.

3. Grandmother: A woman who is the mother of one's parent, often associated with warmth, love, and wisdom. I called both of my grandmothers "Grandma," but I know today grandmothers often prefer to be called something else, like Mimi or whatever. I think this is common usage.

4. Matriarch: A highly respected and influential older woman who is the head of a family or community. My mother-in-law is the family matriarch. I have heard this in conversation occasionally, but not often.

5. Crone: A derogatory term for an older woman, but sometimes used in folklore to describe a wise and elderly woman with magical knowledge. No one I know uses this word in speech, and I see it mostly in fantasy or mythology books.

6. Elderly lady: A polite and respectful way to refer to an older woman, emphasizing her age and experience. I have seen this in writing and heard it spoken. I personally don't think it's that polite to call someone "elderly" and would prefer "older" myself. Even "seasoned" sounds better to me than "elderly."

7. Senior citizen: A term used to describe an older person, often associated with receiving benefits or discounts related to their age. (I stopped using this in my news reporting after someone complained about it making him sound old. After that, I just said, "Jill Schmoo, 74, still climbs on her roof to fix her shingles," or whatever. Not "Senior citizen Jill Schmoo still climbs on her roof."

8. Golden girl: An affectionate term for an older woman who exudes grace, elegance, and charm with age. (This comes from the TV show, of course.) I can't imagine calling someone this, personally.

9. Sage: A wise and knowledgeable older woman who is respected for her wisdom and advice. I don't hear this as a noun very often. I usually see it accompanying the word "advice," as in "sage advice."

10. Grande dame: A woman of great dignity, sophistication, and often belonging to a high social class. I would have to be speaking about someone of nobility or high rank to use this term, I think.

11. Veteran: An older woman who has extensive experience or service in a particular field or profession. I would use this as an adjective more so than a noun. As in, she's a veteran nurse who has served for 40 years, or something like that.

12. Elder: A term used to denote an older person, suggesting their seniority and life experience. I usually see this in conjunction with religion. "She's an elder in her church," meaning she holds some position there, and has been at it a long time.

13. Old-timer: An informal term for an older woman, often used in a friendly or nostalgic manner. I generally see this use more in describing men than women. I can't recall ever seeing it used to describe a woman, actually. (I was getting low on words.)

Please note that some of these terms may carry different connotations and cultural contexts, so it's essential to use them with sensitivity and respect.

*Bing AI Image*

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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 817th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

The Wet and the Dry

For months now, we have watched the rain go around us.

It went along the mountain ranges to our north and west and missed us almost entirely. We had a dribble here and there, but not enough to make a difference in the growth of the hayfields.

While the northern part of the county has been dealing with flooding, we've been in a drought since the first of the year, more or less.

Our first cutting of hay was only half of what it should have been.

The second cutting, which should be underway, so far has been skimpy.

My husband started the second cutting last week and finished up two fields. On Sunday, the forecast was for no rain until Wednesday, so he cut 5 acres.

It rained Sunday night. Here! At our place!

And then it rained Monday. Here! At our place!

And it rained last night. Here! At our place!

The good news is it appears that the systems that had the rains passing us by have cracked, and we are now getting rain.

The bad news is, we've lost 5 acres of hay. Once it's soggy, it's (a) hard to bale and (b) the animals won't eat it because it molds.

It will be baled as soon as it dries up but put aside. Maybe it can be used as a place for the babies to lay when it snows, but that's about all it is good for.

Bing AI image

Being a farmer is weather dependent, and with climate change, it's scary. We have no way to gauge what is going on, really, because the weather isn't like it used to be. The fronts are coming in from strange directions. We have smoke-filled skies from Canadian fires, so smoky that we can't even see the clouds to judge if they're up there or not. Sometimes it's so hazy it's like the sun has been veiled.

All we can do is roll with it, and hope that this second cutting of hay perks up with the rain, and we get more than we lost on the 5 acres that is now too wet to bale.