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.
Sunday, August 04, 2024
Sunday Stealing
Saturday, August 03, 2024
Happiness Day 3
This morning, I went to the grocery store and found a great-tasting watermelon. I am a terrific watermelon thumper and usually get really nice sweet ones.
My husband, though a farm boy, cannot pick out a decent watermelon. So, the watermelon thumping is left to me.
I also saw one of my friends there.
After lunch, my husband left to go look at some work for his septic tank business, leaving me home alone. I confess I reveled in that. I took my guitar outside and played a few songs to the storm that was brewing. This made me happy because I've had an impingement in my shoulder since February and haven't been able to play the guitar much at all. I have lost the calluses on my fingers and determined today that I would have to play for a few minutes every day even if it hurt to get the calluses back.
I used my 3/4 Yamaha guitar which weighs next to nothing and didn't have much pain from playing, though. That made me very happy.
Then the storm came, along with a close bolt of lightning, so I put away the guitar and picked up the camera. The storm tracked around us, as they have tended to do for the last two years. But I could smell the rain, feel the thunder roll beneath my feet, and watch the streaks in the sky. I could see the rain bands as they went down the mountain.
It was fantastic.
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Saturday 9: Ghostbusters
Friday, August 02, 2024
August Happiness Day 2
Thursday, August 01, 2024
Thursday Thirteen
I'm tossing out a happy Thursday Thirteen today as I team up with The Gal Herself and her August Happiness Challenge. "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."
Yesterday when I was listening to a talk on Facebook, the speaker noted that authoritarianism cannot last in the face of joyful, happy people. So, let's all get out there and find our joy!
Since it's also Thursday and hence time for Thursday 13, what better thing to do than run up a list of 13 things that make me happy? These are not in any particular order.
1. A hug from my husband.
2. A call from my brother.
3. A call from a friend.
4. Reading through old articles I wrote and seeing (a) how much I wrote and (b) how good it was.
5. Eating chocolate.
6. Playing music on my guitar.
7. Singing songs to Alexa.
8. Hearing from an old friend.
9. A talk with my father.
10. Writing in my blog or working on a project.
11. Watching a good TV show.
12. Found money (the kind you didn't know you had, like a $20 in a coat pocket or something)
13. Reading a good book.
And here's my Happiness Challenge icon for this year:
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Sun and Moon Flag
It's actually a little weird, now that I've had it out and looked more closely at it. At first, I thought the moon had a mustache, but I see that's just a lip. I guess.
The sun doesn't look masculine, and the moon doesn't look feminine. I know my Greek mythology better than other kinds, and the moon has always been feminine and the sun masculine in those tales. In Greek mythology, the sun god was originally Helios and the moon goddess Selene. However, over time, Apollo became a sun god and Artemis became the goddess of the moon, and they came to be associated with Helios and Selene, respectively.
However, in Norse mythology, the sun is feminine and the moon masculine. They were considered to be sister and brother.
It depends upon the culture.
Which is to say that these celestial bodies have no sexual orientation that we are aware of, just like Earth doesn't, though we tend to say Mother Earth. We could just as easily call the planet Father Earth, though that sounds strange to my ear. It may not sound strange to other cultures, though.
What do you think of this flag? I'm glad it's starting to fade in color because I'll have to replace it soon. I'm not sure it's one I will put back out.
I'm finding it a little creepy, to be honest.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Look, Squirrel!
I think we have an addict on our hands. This squirrel is out on this stump, licking at it, almost constantly.
Back in the fall, I placed a maple-flavored deer mineral tablet on this stump in the back yard. The deer ignored it as best I could tell, and I forgot about it. It disintegrated from time, sun, and rain.
This squirrel seems to be completely addicted to what I assume are the remnants of this mineral tablet. It is there every morning when I get up. It's there whenever I look out the kitchen window.
I hope whatever it is, it is good for squirrels.
Monday, July 29, 2024
My First Article
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Sunday Stealing
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Saturday 9: Nevertheless
Friday, July 26, 2024
Notewothy
In the National News
Covid numbers are rising and are high in 26 states.
The WNBA All Stars team beat Team USA in a fast-moving and high-scoring game of women's basketball on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
An outage on Friday, July 19, left airports, hospitals, and businesses stranded when the Internet went down.
President Joe Biden decided on Sunday, July 21, 2024, to drop out of the presidential race due to health issues and concerns about his age, making him a one-term president. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run for the office. He gave a speech about his resignation on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, 2024 following the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024.
An explosion of hot water and rocks in Wyoming shocked visitors and forced the temporary closure of an area of the Yellowstone National Park. No one was injured.
A major fire in California near Chico has forced evacuations as over 70,000 acres burn. Called the Park Fire, it is believed to have been intentionally set.
Celebrity Deaths
British blues and rock musician John Mayall died at the age of 90.
Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the last surviving member of the Four Tops, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Local News
Botetourt County Board of Supervisors at its 7/23/2024 meeting approved a change (4-1) to ordinances that allow for civil fines for grass height and inoperable vehicles. The changes move these nuisance ordinances away from the sheriff's office and into the community development office under the authority of the county administrator, though the issue could still be taken to the courts if landowners do not cooperate with the locality. According to comments at the supervisors meeting, the sheriff had said he did not have the staff to enforce the ordinances.
The county supervisors declared a state of drought for the county.
The Botetourt County Historical Society won a grant of $6,500 to use for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Ugly People Doing Ugly Things
Too Much Fertilizer?
My husband pulled these extra-large radishes out of our little garden the other day. Apparently, we left them too long in the ground. The wallet is for size. My husband's hands are twice the size of mine.
They are as big as turnips! We didn't eat them; we threw them out for the animals.
Monday, July 22, 2024
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Sunday Stealing
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, July 20, 2024
Saturday 9: Disco Duck
Friday, July 19, 2024
Noteworthy
Celebrity deaths in the news recently:
- Shelley Duvall: The talented actress known for her role in The Shining passed away in her sleep at the age of 75 at her home in Blanco, Texas.
- Dr. Ruth Westheimer: The legendary celebrity sex therapist, who fearlessly discussed matters of intimacy and relationships, died at the age of 96 in her New York City home. Her legacy includes a weekly radio show called “Sexually Speaking” and over 40 books, including the iconic “Sex for Dummies.”
- Richard Simmons: The effervescent fitness guru, known for his energetic workouts and colorful personality, was found dead in his Los Angeles home. He had just celebrated his 76th birthday one day before his passing. Richard Simmons inspired countless people to get moving and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
- Shannan Doherty: The talented actress, who graced our screens in shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, fought a courageous battle against breast cancer. She passed away last weekend, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and strength.
- Jacoby Jones: In the world of sports, retired NFL star Jacoby Jones was found dead in his Houston, Texas home.
- Bob Newhart, the beloved comedian and actor known for his deadpan humor and iconic roles in sitcoms like The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, passed away on July 18, 2024, at the age of 94. His career spanned over six decades, and he was celebrated for his unique comedic style and contributions to television and comedy.