Saturday 9: Annie's Song

Saturday 9: Annie's Song (1974)

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

1) 50 years ago this month, we were all listening to John Denver rhapsodize about nature. He singles out walking in the rain as a particularly lovely experience. Do you enjoy walking in the rain?

A. I do in the summer. I don't like it when it is cold out.

2) Denver wrote this song on a ski lift in Aspen. He clearly relished the ride, but ski lifts are problematic for those who suffer from acrophobia, or a fear of heights. Acrophobia plagues approximately 5% of Americans. Are you one of them?

A. I don't have a fear of heights, but I have a thing about elevators, which makes it hard to get somewhere high.

3) John Denver recalled that this song just came to him as he looked down on the beauty of nature. Can you recall a time when something you saw in nature touched your heart?

A. This morning a fox ran through the back yard. He had black feet with a white band above them, as if he had on socks. He was quite big for a fox. I don't see them very often.

4) Wildly successful here in The States, John Denver's popularity didn't extend to the United Kingdom. In fact, "Annie's Song" was his only major hit. But it was a big one. Denver's version reached #1 in 1974 and then in 1978 James Galway hit #1 on the UK charts with an instrumental version. Do you have a favorite instrumental recording?

A. Classical Gas by Mason Williams.

5) John Denver's first-ever guitar, a gift from his grandmother, was displayed at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. Have you visited a museum yet this summer? If not, do you have plans to?

A. I have visited a museum, yes. I went to the history museum in a nearby county and visited the museum in my own county.

6) In addition to the guitar, Denver also played the violin (or "the fiddle," as he called it). If a genie appeared to magically enable you to play the instrument of your choice, which would you choose?

A. The guitar.

Let's look at the summer of 1974.

7) Elizabeth Berkeley was born. She's best known as Jesse on the Saturday morning teen sitcom, Saved by the Bell. What Saturday morning TV shows do you remember fondly?

A. H.R. Puffin' Stuff (HR Puffin Stuff, he's your friend when things get rough, HR Puffin Stuff, can't do a little 'cause he can't do enough), The Land of the Lost (Marshall, Will, and Holly, on a routine expedition, met the greatest earthquake ever known), Loony Tunes (Eh, what's up, Doc?), Underdog (there's no need to fear! Underdog is here! Speed of lightning, roar of thunder, fighting all who rob or plunder, Underdog!), Milton the Monster (now for a touch of tenderness, but I must use only a touch! for without a touch of tenderness, he might destroy me! Ooops, too much! Better hold your breath it's starting to tick, (better hold my head, I'm feeling sick), Hello Dad! What have I done? I'm Milton, your brand-new son!), The Bullwinkle Show (Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Again?), and many more. 

8) Hall of Fame pitcher and Cardinal great Dizzy Dean died. How is your baseball team doing this summer?

A. I'm afraid I don't have a baseball team.

9) The biggest summer movie was The Longest Yard starring Burt Reynolds. What's your favorite Burt Reynolds movie?

A. I don't have one, but I will say Smokie and the Bandit because Sally Fields was in it.

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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. 

Happiness - Day 9

Today I am happy because we had rain. We did not have flooding rain, at least not here (some of the neighboring communities did), but we had the rain we needed that hopefully will bring back the pastures and maybe give us some hay for the cattle.

The drought isn't over, but it helped put a little dent in it. We were starting to really worry.

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Happy 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.

Thursday Thirteen

I have not "officially" been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but that's because there really isn't a test for it. However, my doctor and my chiropractor both now seem convinced that this is what is going on with me. I will have some further testing done late next week to rule out some other things, though.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as "fibro fog." The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Here are 13 things about this condition:

1. Prevalence: Fibromyalgia affects around 4 million adults in the United States.

2. Gender: It occurs more frequently in women than in men.

3. Symptoms: Common symptoms include widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as "fibro fog".

4. Pain Sensitivity: People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than those without the condition.

5. Coexisting Conditions: It often coexists with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraines.

6. Diagnosis: There is no single test for fibromyalgia; diagnosis is based on symptoms and ruling out other conditions.

7. Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but factors like genetics, traumatic events, and sleep disorders may contribute.

8. Brain Changes: Repeated nerve stimulation in fibromyalgia patients can lead to changes in the brain and spinal cord, amplifying pain signals.

9. Treatment: While there is no cure, treatments include medications, exercise, relaxation, and stress-reduction techniques.

10. Misconceptions: Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood and sometimes dismissed as being "all in the head."

11. Impact on Life: It can significantly affect daily life, including work and social activities. Anxiety and depression are common among those with fibromyalgia.

12. Genetics: It tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.

13. Awareness: Increased awareness and understanding are crucial for better management and support for those affected.

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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 869th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Happiness - August 7, 2024

I saw a friend at the grocery store this morning, and as we walked out to the parking lot together, she told me that she had witnessed an interesting exchange between the checkout clerk and some elderly patrons who were checking out in front of her.

The elderly folks were paying with cash, and they were a few dollars short. The cashier opened up her wallet and made up the difference.

Isn't that great? There are still people willing to help out. My friend told the cashier that her good deed had not gone unnoticed, and the cashier said she tried to help out when she could.

I am happy that there are still people in this world who care about others.

Happiness - August 6, 2024

This morning, I had two friends call me. I was so happy to hear from both of them.

Not much better than a phone call from a friend, especially when you really need to talk.

My First Award-Winning Article

The article above, which published on December 3, 1986, was one of my first award-winning articles. I won a Virginia Press Association award for this piece. It was a photos and copy award, so it was multi-faceted. Good pictures, good writing. I couldn't ask for more for a first award.

It is also one of the few first-person articles I've ever published. Most news reporting is not in the first person, it's in third person, and it seldom was about me. I didn't want it to be about me. But this was about my experience taking a ride in a hot air balloon, and as such, I could only write it in first person.

The adventure came about because I'd earlier written a column about watching a small plane appear to buzz a hot air balloon and it had alarmed me. The balloonist, Natalie Haley, had contacted me to tell me the plane was much further away from the balloon than it had appeared from the ground. Then she offered me a ride.

How could I say no?

 

The Kings Guard

I don't know why it makes me happy to watch videos of the Royal Kings Guard in London, but it does.

I like the uniforms and the pageantry. I like that these young men and women stand up to guard what is, essentially, a symbol of government.

When the guards yell at the tourists for touching them or touching the reins of their horses, I find it especially satisfying. 

These entitled tourists get screamed at, and deservedly so. The tourists look startled and offended. How dare they be sternly told, "Do Not Touch the King's Guard!"

Nothing like a little Royal Law and Order, right?

Happy 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.

Sunday Stealing

1. How would your pet describe you?

A. She is the phantom woman who suddenly shows up when one of us manages to get through the fence. Then she appears, waving her arms, and shouting "Whooo cow! Whooo!" or she yells "Gayah! Get along there, you!" Sometimes she watches us give birth. She has something to do with the man who rides up in a green machine and brings us sweet feed and minerals, and sometimes he comes on a blue tractor with a big hay bale. He will scratch our noses, but she does not. She is much smaller, like a calf.

2. Tell us a story.

A. Beware of dragons, for they are bigger than you, and you taste good with ketchup.

3. What do you pack in your beach / hiking bag?

A. When we leave the hotel for the beach, we take along water, something to read (books or magazines), a snack, wallets, cellphones, towels, suntan lotion, sunglasses, etc.

4. How do you like to spend great weather weekends?

A. I spend most of my time indoors. I'm allergic to 9/10th of the stuff outside and probably half of what's in the house.

5. Describe a time when the circumstances fell in your favor.

A. We were lucky that the heat pump we purchased in 2023 died before the warranty expired.

6. Which summer sounds do you enjoy?

A. I like listening to the pond frogs at night.

7. It’s not really summer until . . .

A. We've eaten watermelon.

8. What music are you listening to these days?

A. I listen to my favorites playlist on Alexa. You will find anything from The Eagles to Billie Eilish on there.

9. How much has changed since last summer?

A. We are having a severe drought and intense heat, so the weather had changed considerably.

10. What are your favorite things to wear in summer?

A. Jeans and a t-shirt.

11. What do you miss about winter?

A. Not much. I do not like winter.

12. How would you spend summer vacation as an adult?

A. If you mean how would I spend 3 months off from chores and household duties and such, I would travel.

13. Describe your ideal get together/party.

A. I'm afraid my ideal party would be me, a book, a glass of water, and maybe some popcorn.

14. What makes you feel like part of your community?

A. When people say hello.

15. How was your July 2024?

A. July 2024 was dry and brown. We fretted over the lack of rain, and we had lots of machinery breakdowns. It has been a difficult summer.

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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.

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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Happy 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.

Saturday 9: Ghostbusters

Saturday 9: Ghostbusters (1984)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 40 years ago, "Ghostbusters" was written quickly. The Ghostbusters producers originally approached Lindsay Buckingham to write the movie theme. Buckingham took a long time to say no, and the film's production date could not be changed. That left Ray Parker Jr. only a few days to come up with a song. Do you work well with a tight deadline?

A. Actually, I do. Deadlines stress me out, but I have been known to leave something until I absolutely had to do it and then cranked out great work. Part of that is I think I need a lot of pre-thinking before writing something, and I've basically written it in my head when the time comes to sit down, but sometimes that is not the case. Now that I am older, I try harder to stay ahead on projects and not wait until the last minute.

2) Parker recalls he got his inspiration from a late-night TV commercial that kept encouraging viewers to call, call, call. What's the most recent business that you phoned, and why were you calling?

A. The last business we called was the heating and air conditioning people. We called because they replaced the heat pump under warranty back on June 19 and they still haven't sent us the paperwork on that, and we need it for the warranty. I let my husband make this call because I would not have been nice about it, since this is the third time we've asked for the information.

3) The music video was directed by Ivan Reitman, who also directed the movie. It features a variety of celebs saying "Ghostbusters!" None of them were paid for this, they all did it as a favor to Reitman. Have you more recently done or received a favor?

A. My husband rubbed some stuff on my back to help it. So, he did me a favor. But after he did that, I helped him with a cushion he needed for a tractor seat, so I did him a favor.

4) In 2009, Ray Parker Jr. made the Ghostbusters theme available as a ring tone. What's your phone's ring tone?

A. My phone ringtone is the theme of the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

5) This song is so enduringly popular that a 2020 documentary about Parker is titled, "Who You Gonna Call?" If you were to write a memoir or authorize a documentary about your life, what would you call it?

A. The Fearless Bumpkin.

6) Early in his career, Ray was in demand as a session musician. He played guitar on the records of some of the 70s most successful female singers, including Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Diana Ross. Of those ladies, which is your favorite?

A. Tough call on those choices. I guess I would go with Aretha Franklin because I really like the song RESPECT, although Tina Turner is a close second.

Let's look at the summer of 1984.

7) Released in June, the original Ghostbusters was a huge hit throughout the summer. Have you seen it? Did you see the sequel that was released this past spring?

A. I saw the original Ghostbusters at the theater. I have not seen the sequel.

8) Beverly Burns became the first female captain of a Boeing 747. She was a pilot for People Express Airways, an airline which later merged with Continental, and Continental then merged with United. Do you recall which airline you flew when you took your first flight?

A. I'm afraid I have no idea. My first flight was in 1979 and that was a very long time ago.

9) Ronald Reagan joked about bombing Russia during a mic check for a radio interview. He was embarrassed when the comment was leaked and broadcast around the world. Have you recently felt embarrassed?

A. I was slightly embarrassed Friday when I could not remember someone's name, but that's become almost a personal joke because I can't remember most people's names. I try not to let on that I am clueless as to identity. It happens so often that I have to shrug it off and let it go. I know that I am supposed to know these people, I just can't remember why or how I know them, or who they are. Sometimes I remember hours or days later. Most times not.

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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. 

August Happiness Day 2

This morning, I decided I needed to get out of the house. I took the recycling to the local dumpster where such things go, then drove to Daleville to CVS.

I didn't need anything at CVS except for sugar free gum. However, it is "tax free holiday" for school supplies, so I wandered over to check out the notebooks and such.

The yearning in me for school supplies grows wild at this time of year. I didn't need anything but bought a little planner just because it made me happy to have it.

Then I ran into a woman who called me by name and chatted with me about a variety of things. She asked if we still had cattle; I said we did, although we were concerned about the drought and the pasture and whether we'd have enough hay to get through the winter. She asked me if I was still writing. "Not much, just a little," I murmured, wondering if blog writing counts.

Then she told me she waved at my driveway every time she drove by. "How nice to have someone think of me!" I said. "Thank you."

I asked nothing of her because I had no idea who she was. I still have no idea who she was. Unfortunately, this is not unusual for me. I run into people frequently and have no clue who they are. Hopefully sometime in the next few weeks I will awaken with her name on my mind. 

It was a nice conversation, though.

Happy 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.

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:

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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 868th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Sun and Moon Flag

About six weeks ago, I picked up this flag for the garden at one of the local "country" stores that we have around here. I was flipping through the flags, saw the sun and moon, thought, "Oh, cool," and grabbed it up without thinking anymore about it (it was also on sale).

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. 

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.

My First Article

I don't know that I've posted this ever before, but I was going through some old papers and found the very first article I ever had published.

Mentions of it have appeared at various times, but here's the actual article as it appeared on November 1, 1984.

I can still remember how excited I was to have published something. I was so excited that I met my mother at the local store where she stopped every day on the way home from work to pick up bread or milk or something so I could show her the article. (I'm guessing my husband was at the firehouse, working.)

After that I knew I would be writing for the rest of my life, even though my mother had told me more than once that it was a dead-end career and I'd never make a living at it. While it did not make me rich, it made me happy, and it allowed me to contribute to the household coffers. It also made me quite knowledgeable about my community and what was going on during the 40 years I've written about it.

In looking through these old papers, I see I wrote about everything from soccer and basketball games to vultures to floods to new business openings to supervisors' meetings and everything in between. In all honesty, I don't remember 80 percent of these articles. But there they are in black and white.

Most days I don't think that what I did amounted to much, but honestly, it was quite a career, and quite an endeavor to keep the public informed.

If only they had actually read it.

Sunday Stealing

1. What are your plans for August?

A. I have a doctor's appointment in the middle of the month.

2. What are your mid-year resolutions or goals?

A. I don't have any.

3. Are you good at taking care of plants?

A. Yes, I take good care of plants, but aside from a Christmas cactus and a cactus that are out in the garage, I don't have any indoor plants. 

4. What makes you feel nourished?

A. Besides food? A good hug.

5. Which animals do you see most in your area?

A. Deer.

6. What books are on your summer reading list?

A. I have been binging on Robyn Carr's Thunder Point series of late.

7. What projects do you want to tackle this summer?

A. I need to clean my office again. For some reason it's where all the papers and notebooks gather. They must party like crazy at night when I am not in here.

8. Do you have weddings, graduations, summer celebrations?

A. I do not have any celebrations going on that I am aware of.

9. Which summer snacks are you excited to enjoy again?

A. I enjoy watermelon in the summer.

10. How much time do you like to take for vacations?

A. We usually take 5 - 7 days when we take a vacation, but we do not plan to take a vacation this year.

11. Where are your favorite picnic locations?

A. I haven't been on a picnic in at least 20 years, if not longer.

12. Name something that would be out of character for you.

A. Going on a long holiday by myself would be out of character for me.

13. Which summer movies are you excited to see?

A. I haven't been interested in the summer movies so far.

14. What are your favorite free / cost effective ways to have fun?

A. We like to take drives or visit relatives.

15. Who do you trust most to house & pet sit?

A. We generally don't need that service, but I would trust my brother or my sister-in-law to do that if necessary. Or my husband's cousin.

Saturday 9: Nevertheless

Saturday 9: Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You) 1969

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

1) In this song, Liza Minnelli acknowledges that she may be "taking a terrible chance." Have you done anything risky lately?

A. I find it risky simply going to the grocery store anymore. But that's normal risky. I haven't done anything beyond normal risky in quite a while.

2) In 1969, when Liza recorded this song, she was 23 and her career was really beginning to take off. She was a sought-after guest on TV talk and variety shows and received her first Oscar nomination. Give us a quick overview of your life at 23.

A. When I was 23, I had three years of marriage under my belt. I was attending Hollins College (now Hollins University) part-time as well as attending Virginia Western Community College part-time, working a part-time job, and doing a little freelance writing. We were getting ready to build our house, so we were looking at various house plans. I was driving a black Ford Thunderbird. I was on Interstate 581 heading from VWCC to my job at a law office when I heard the announcer say that Challenger had exploded, and I had to pull over because it upset me so much. I have always been a space program geek. 

3) Also in 1969, the first Gap store was opened in San Francisco. What have you recently added to your wardrobe? If yes, where did you buy it?

A. I bought bras last. I purchased them at Walmart. Not exciting, I know.

4) Liza says she always has apple juice in her refrigerator. What's something you're certain to have in your frig?

A. A gallon of unsweetened tea.

5) Liza's favorite card game is poker. What's yours?

A. Rummy.

6) Though Liza recorded the song in 1969, "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" was written way back in 1931. It has been recorded more than 50 times by artists as diverse as Bing Crosby, Andy Gibb and Bob Dylan. Before today, had you heard it?

A. I don't recall hearing this song before.

7) "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" is credited to Bert Kalmer and his partner, Harry Ruby. Another one of their hits was "Who's Sorry Now?" Do you owe anyone an apology?

A. Not to my knowledge. I have discovered through the years that people can be angry or upset with you for a long time and you never know it. So, there is probably someone somewhere who thinks I owe them an apology for something.

8) Together they also wrote "Hooray for Captain Spaulding," sung onscreen by Groucho Marx in the movie Animal Crackers. There were five Marx Brothers in all. How many can you name?

A. Just the one mentioned in the question, Groucho Marx. 

9) Random question: Do you believe talking to plants helps them grow?

A. I don't think it hurts anything. 

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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. 

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 Thirteen

One of the things I've noticed for a while now is the decrease in products that I buy, as in, there is less of what used to be in the box.

This is nothing new. It's cyclic and we've gone through this before. I remember when Pop-Tarts were made smaller sometime in the 1990s and I boycotted Pop-Tarts for years in protest. (Now I cannot stand them; they taste like cardboard. Were they that bad when I was a kid and I loved them?)

The eggheads who run things call this "shrinkflation," which is where you are paying about the same price you were for a widget, but the widget is smaller. So here are 13 things I've noticed that are now less in size but cost around the same.

1. Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate bags dropped from 12 oz (down from the original 16 oz) to 10 oz. It doesn't matter so much if you're making chocolate chip cookies, but it played havoc with my fudge-making capabilities last winter, as all of my recipes call for the larger amount of chocolate.

2. Dove Sensitive Skin Soap was one of the first "shrinkflation" items I noticed, as suddenly I was going through a bar of soap much more quickly than I used to. I checked and sure enough the old bars I had under the kitchen sink were 4 oz, while the new bars in the bathroom were 3.75 oz. That's about a week's worth of washing in that quarter ounce.

3. Honey Nut Cheerios boxes have gone from 12 oz to 10.8 oz. I prefer the smaller boxes anyway; no one eats this but me and by the time I get to the middle of a family-sized box they are starting to taste stale. Cereal is quite expensive now, though. I only buy it when it's on sale.

4. Candy bars are smaller. I can tell this mostly by the calories, because they used to be 240 calories and now, they're 220. Some are even less. The loss of calories is good, but the candy costs more for less. Some of it doesn't taste as good as it did, either. I don't know what they've changed in some of the recipes for candy bars, but they did themselves no favors. (Cadbury Eggs grew smaller a few years ago, and this past year I think they were smaller still. So small, in fact, that I couldn't justify the 50 cents for them. They also don't taste as good as they once did.)

5. Nature Valley bars. I eat the cashew ones, and they are not as long as they used to be. They're about 1 bite less.

6. Potato chips have changed bag size. A lot of chips have dropped from 9.75 oz bags to 9.25 oz bags, or some variation thereof. And the price of chips is through the roof; we have started cutting back on our consumption of these. We shouldn't be eating them anyway.

7. Bounty paper towels have dropped from 165 sheets to 147 sheets. I don't know why they didn't do a round number, like drop it to 145 sheets. Weird.

8.  Sun Maid Raisins are now in a 9 oz box when it used to be a 12 oz box for about the same price. Doesn't matter so much in the recipes I use, but it does matter in some things. 

9. Some toothpaste has dropped from 4.1 oz to 3.8 oz. That's probably a week's worth of toothbrushing, like the Dove soap. Essentially these drops in personal care items mean you end up purchasing at least one more item a year than you would have at the old larger size.

10. Coffee has dropped from a 2 pound can to a 1.9 oz can. Fortunately, only my husband drinks coffee and he only has one cup a day.

11. Sugar is no longer in a 5-pound bag; it's in a 4-pound bag.

12. Ice cream used to come in 1/2-gallon (2 quart) containers; now the containers hold 1.44 quarts.

13. Trash bags have changed in number in the boxes. Hefty bags went from 90 to 80 in a box. I suspect the same goes for Zip-loc and other bags, but I haven't paid attention to that. I try not to use those in favor of non-disposable storage containers.

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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 867th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway. (It's really more than that, but I've put some of them away, never to be seen again.)

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