Book banning is back in the news (not that it ever left).
These 13 books are now banned from all Utah public schools:
“Blankets” by Craig Thompson.
“A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Silver Flames” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Fallout” by Ellen Hopkins.
“Forever” by Judy Blume.
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
“Oryx & Crake” by Margaret Atwood.
“Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins.
“What Girls Are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold.
I have read only Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood and have no idea why it's on the ban list. The book explores dystopian themes, genetic engineering, and societal collapse.
I've passed up the Sarah Mass books many times because the audio versions are quite long, but I will listen to them now. The bans on Sarah J. Maas’s books are primarily due to concerns over explicit content and themes that some consider inappropriate for certain age groups. This includes sexual content and mature themes that have led to her books being labeled as “pornographic or indecent” in some places. Additionally, there have been criticisms regarding inclusivity and controversial themes.
The books are still available in public libraries and bookstores, just not schools. You know, the places where you learn stuff.
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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 870th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
I have been going through old newspapers, looking at articles I wrote 30 years ago. I doubt I saved every word that was printed, but I saved a lot.
I also saved letters to the editor that spoke highly of my work. There aren't many - people aren't free and easy with compliments - but it was nice to know that for a little bit, I made a difference.
And my goodness, I wrote about everything from the school board to new businesses to zoning to history. I even wrote columns.
I found a picture my nephew drew when he was 7 years old amongst the newspapers. It was featured on the back of an advertisement insert. I didn't remember it, but he had signed his name.
The review is for a personal project I'm contemplating, as well as another with one of the local historic societies that I've sort of agreed to help with when I can. Double duty.
The ink makes me happy. Better times.
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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.
Today I am happy because I finally have a short way of saying what I tend to be long winded about - what it is I want from government.
I heard this from Heather Cox Richardson during one of her Facebook talks today.
Here are the four things:
1) Regulate businesses
2) Provide a basic social safety net
3) Promote infrastructure
4) Protect civil rights
And that's it. Everything else, even the military, falls under those four categories (you can't provide a basic social safety net if no one's safe because we don't have a military, right?).
Now I am going to memorize these four key items so I can spout them out next time someone asks me what I think government should be doing, or why I am in favor of a strong government.
Today it's back to school for the little kiddies. My great niece is starting her first day of kindergarten. Her younger brother headed off to preschool.
On those slate boards that parents use now to show what the little ones are doing on that date, my great niece said she wanted to be a farmer.
The great nephew said he wanted to be a firefighter.
Me thinks the great uncle has been quite an influence upon these two little ones. Their daddy was like the son my husband never had, so no wonder.
It makes me very happy to know that these two little ones love their great uncle so much they want to be just like him.
(I do not see these children as often as I would like; the family has dogs so I can't go up there with my asthma and allergies. But they see their great uncle several times a week. I am happy that he is part of their lives.)
This morning, I showered and then sat down to watch the women's basketball game in the Olympics. It was a nail-biter with the USA taking the gold medal by a single point. France really gave it their all and it showed.
I do not normally watch TV during the day, even on weekends.
Best of all, I sat there with my husband, and we watched the game together.
1. I am looking forward to . . . pretty much nothing, to be perfectly honest.
2. Least favorite words are . . . hate, evil, and sauerkraut.
3. If I ruled the world . . . women would be in control.
4. Favorite websites and blogs . . . include Saturday 9ers, Thursday Thirteen players, and Sunday Stealing players.
5. Things I do for myself . . . include showering, sleeping, and eating.
6. Weekly rituals . . . include paying bills and cleaning house.
7. DIYs I want to try . . . include new flooring in my office.
8. On my shopping list . . . would be items like bread, cheese, and eggs.
9. Places to see in your town . . . include the history museum, Roaring Run falls, and the Eagle Rock lime kilns.
10. Road trip must-haves . . . include water, snacks, and a blanket.
11. Guilty pleasures . . . include watching TV, eating stuff I shouldn't, and listening to music.
12. Things I'd rather be doing right now . . . include reading, writing, and playing music.
13. Books I'd like to read this year . . . I really don't have a list, although I have a rather large "to be read" pile.
14. Lessons learned . . . include, "Keep your mouth shut," and "Avoid left turns."
15. Vacations to take . . . include a trip to Niagra Falls, a visit to the Grand Canyon, and a visit to Chicago.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
