Sunday Stealing Archive Edition (2009)

1. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

A. I don't have one at the moment.

2. What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?

A. A ham sandwich.

3. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

A. Yes, I have had several body parts removed. It is not fun.

4. What is the last heavy item you lifted?

A. I don't know, but it reminds me of an old joke: The Texan went in to the john, and he sat down on the toilet to pee. Some scrawny guy looked at him and said, "Why are you sitting down to do what most men do standing up?" The Texan said, "I just had me a hernia operation, and the doctor said not to lift anything heavy."

5. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

A. Some days I wish I was, but I don't think so.

6. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

A. I don't know. I had a friend who was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and I think the knowledge that she only had a certain time to live was detrimental to her in some ways. But it also allowed her to prepare.

7. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

A. I don't want to change my name. 

8. What’s your goal for the year?

A. To get through it, at the rate it's going.

9. Who is the last person you hugged?

A. My husband.

10. Where was the first place you went this morning?

A. To the bathroom.

11. Do you always answer your phone?

A. No, I do not always answer my phone.

12. It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?

A. It's probably a spammer.

13. If you could change your eye color what would it be?

A. I would have blue eyes. My eyes are hazel. They look blue because I wear a lot of blue.

14. What’s on your wish list for your birthday?

A. I haven't given it any thought.

15. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?

A. Right now, the future is terrifying.

16. Do you have any saved texts?

A. Yes, I have saved texts.

17. Have you ever been in a car wreck?

A. I have been in several car wrecks.

18. Do you have an accent?

A. I have a very southern accent.

19. What was the last song to make you cry?

A. I don't recall.

20. What did you do last night?

A. Watched a little TV, read, and went to bed.

21. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?

A. Yes.

__________

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: Flowers

Saturday 9: Flowers (2023)
   
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) In this song, Miley Cyrus sings about gold as though it represents the best. Do you more often wear gold or silver?

A. I tend to wear white gold or silver. My watch is always a mix of silver and gold.
 
2) She also sings the praises of buying herself flowers. Are there any cut flowers in your home right now?

A. I never have cut flowers in the house. I am allergic.
 
3) She tells us she's going to paint her nails cherry red. Do you handle your own mani/pedi, do you go to a salon, or do you just let your nails go natural?

A. My nails "go natural," in that I keep them trimmed very short. I don't wear any polish.

4) In 2019, Miley had vocal cord surgery, and her recovery required her to go weeks without uttering a sound. Would it be difficult for you to keep your lips zipped for a week?

A. I expect I would find it difficult to be quiet for a week.

5) Dolly Parton is Miley's godmother, and Miley singles Dolly out as the one who taught her "how to treat people well." Tell us about someone who was a positive influence on you.

A. My friend Cathy is a wonderful role model. She's true to her faith in word and deed.

6) She is a massive Elvis fan and swoons every time she watches Blue Hawaii because he professes his love for Maile, pronounced "Miley." What movie have you watched many times?

A. Under the Tuscan Sun (and you thought I was going to say Lord of the Rings, didn't you).
 
7) In 2023, when "Flowers" was released, actor Sir Michael Gambon died. Though he distinguished himself performing Shakespeare with the Royal National Theater, he is best known for playing Dumbledore in several Harry Potter movies. Who is your favorite Harry Potter character?

A. I am partial to Hermione in the Harry Potter franchise, although I think her ending was messed up. I do not believe she would have married Ronald Weasly.

8) 2023 was a busy year for England's Royal Family, with the crowning of King Charles III and the publication of Prince Harry's memoir, Spare. Do you have a favorite among the Windsors?

A. I do not do much royal family watching, so I have no favorite.

9) Random question: Do your siblings have children? If yes, are you close to them?

A. My brother has a stepson and two children. I am not particularly close to any of them, which I think is unfortunate, but it is what it is. I have a better relationship with my husband's sister's children.

_______________

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. 

Hail to the Rich; Screw the Poor

The U.S. Senate took its first vote on the budget Thursday night into Friday morning. (see below)

Rejected means voted against. Most of the votes were straight partisan, only Collins and Hawley broke ranks a couple of times.

Republicans voted against stopping prescription drug price gouging, Veterans health care, fertility services (IVF), funding for law enforcement, health care accessibility, funding for school breakfast/lunch programs, staffing to stop avian flu, stopping decreases in Medicare and Medicaid funding, and many other things. Don't believe me, read it for yourself. 52 votes is generally Republican, 48 is Democrats. That's the partisan numbers in the Senate.

Here's a rather sloppy story by the New York Times on it, if you subscribe to that, although this is supposed to be a gift article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/us/politics/senate-vote-budget.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zE4.5Iid.3CV-HbXTZRKM&smid=url-share

Senate Passes G.O.P. Budget Plan After Democrats Force Long Night of Votes - The New York Times

If you want a right-wing rah-rah story about it, go find that yourself.

And here's a link to the votes that I've pasted below. Happy reading. 

 

U.S. Senate: Roll Call Votes 119th Congress - 1st Session (2025)

---

Show 100200300All rows

Search:

Vote (Tally)	Result	Question: Description	Issue	Date
87 (52-48)	Agreed to	On the Concurrent Resolution: S.Con.Res. 7, As Amended; An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
86 (49-51)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 1207: Merkley Amdt. No. 1207; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to ending price gouging on prescription drugs.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
85 (53-47)	Agreed to	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 922: Lee Amdt. No. 922; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to Congress continuing its work to rein in the administrative state by supporting legislation that prevents Federal agencies from finalizing major rules without congressional approval, strengthens the Article 1 law-making powers of Congress, cuts spending resulting from costly regulations, reduces inflation, and unleashes economic growth.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
84 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 957: Lujan Amdt. No. 957; To strike reconciliation instructions requiring damaging cuts to programs critical to rural Americans and food assistance for American families.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
83 (47-52)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 659: Blumenthal Amdt. No. 659; To ensure full and uninterrupted funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits provided by the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-168), also known as the "PACT Act", preventing any cuts or delays.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
82 (49-51)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 971: Duckworth Amdt. No. 971; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting access to fertility services, and eliminating barriers for families in need of high-quality, affordable fertility services by expanding nationwide coverage for in vitro fertilization.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
81 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 699: Lujan Amdt. No. 699; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to supporting police, which may include initiatives that provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
80 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 436: Shaheen Amdt. No. 436; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to preserving and extending vital tax credits enacted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which make heath care accessible and affordable and that have led to the lowest uninsured rate in our Nation's history.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
79 (49-51)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 233: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Van Hollen Amdt. No. 233; To create a point of order against legislation that would cut funding from the school lunch or school breakfast programs.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
78 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 664: Slotkin Amdt. No. 664; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to preventing reductions in funding and staffing necessary to respond to, control, and prevent avian flu.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
77 (24-76)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 999: Paul Amdt No. 999; To require an adequate amount of deficit reduction as part of reconciliation.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
76 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 299: Reed Amdt. No. 299; To ensure continued United States support for the Government of Ukraine to stand firm against aggression by the Government of Russia in Europe.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
75 (49-51)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 172: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Reed Amdt. No. 172; To create a point of order against legislation that would reduce Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Americans.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
74 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 276: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Baldwin Amdt. No. 276; To create a point of order against legislation that would take away health care from seniors, including those receiving care in nursing homes, through cuts to the Medicaid program.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 21
73 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 1156: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Wyden Amdt. No. 1156; To prevent millions of Americans from being kicked off their health coverage, suffering needlessly, getting sicker, and dying sooner.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
72 (49-51)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 407: Ossoff Amdt. No. 407; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting access to maternal and pediatric health care through Medicaid.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
71 (49-51)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 776: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Schumer Amdt. No. 776; To prevent tax cuts for the wealthy if a single dollar of Medicaid funding is cut.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
70 (51-49)	Agreed to	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 1029: Sullivan Amdt. No. 1029; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting Medicare and Medicaid.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
69 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 316: Schiff Amdt. No. 316; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to supporting Federal wildland firefighters and associated personnel.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
68 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 540: Bennet Amdt. No. 540; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to reinstating the fired Federal employees at the Forest Service, National Park Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
67 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 925: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Hickenlooper Amdt. No. 925; To create a point of order against legislation that would raise energy costs for Americans, including higher monthly electricity bills, building material expenses, and transportation costs.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
66 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 878: Murray Amdt. No. 878; To strike the reconciliation instructions and create a reserve fund to implement a bipartisan, multi-year agreement to provide up to $171,000,000,000 in discretionary funding for defense and up to $171,000,000,000 in discretionary funding for other programs, accounts, and activities to address border, veterans, farmers, food and nutrition, disaster relief, and other needs.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
65 (47-53)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 130: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Warner Amdt. No. 130; To create a point of order against any reconciliation bill that would not decrease the cost of housing for American families.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
64 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Amendment S.Amdt. 473: Merkley Amdt. No. 473; To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to the impacts of hedge fund ownership of single-family homes and rent prices.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
63 (48-52)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 494: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Klobuchar Amdt. No. 494; To stop tax cuts for the ultra-rich while families struggle to put food on the table.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
62 (47-52)	Rejected	On the Motion S.Amdt. 454: Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Schumer Amdt. No. 454; To prevent unwarranted tax cuts for the ultra-rich.	S.Con.Res. 7	Feb 20
61 (51-49)	Confirmed	On the Nomination: Confirmation: Kashyap Patel, of Nevada, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation	PN12-35	Feb 20

What It Stands For

 “MAGA stands for trying to erase trans people from existence. MAGA stands for resegregation and racism. MAGA stands for censorship and book bans. MAGA stands for firing air traffic controllers while planes are crashing. MAGA stands for firing the people overseeing our nuclear arsenal. MAGA stands for firing military veterans and those serving them at the VA, including canceling research on veteran suicide. MAGA stands for cutting funds to education, including for disabled children. MAGA is profoundly corrupt, unmistakably anti-democracy and most importantly, MAGA is explicitly a Nazi movement. You may have replaced a swastika with a red hat, but that is what it is.” - Chris Kluwe, former NFL dude

A Life Like This

This morning while I was showering with my unscented shampoo and unscented conditioner, using my fragrance-free soap and then drying off with my towel cleaned in sensitive skin and fragrance-free laundry detergent, and then dried with fragrance-free Bounce, I thought about how difficult it is to be someone who is sensitive to, well, pretty much everything.

I wondered how I might show that to a world where the smells of lavender or roses or lilies make people smile, not haul out an inhaler.

That first paragraph is a good start. But let me add that much of the items I do use - from my unscented deodorant to my unscented body lotion - are expensive.

Unscented shampoos and conditioners cost about $13 a bottle for each. Fortunately, they last a long while and I am not overly generous in my use of them, but still, it's not cheap.

I also cannot stand the smell of cigarettes or cigars, perfumes of any type, makeup, hairspray, other people's deodorant, other people if they've been around their pets, and on and on.

Hay season is sneeze season. I love flowers but can't have them in the house. Even plants that don't flower end up bothering me because the smell of the damp earth can set off an asthma attack (it's actually some kind of mold in the dirt).

It's hard to live in the world when many of the things in the world are out to take your breath away.

When my husband and I first started dating, he used Old Spice. My father also used Old Spice at the time, so I recognized the scent. My sensitivities were not as bad then as they are now; they've grown worse as I've aged. But I found, to my dismay, that when my new boyfriend kissed me, my face broke out.

I didn't kiss on my father, of course, aside from a peck on the cheek. My boyfriend liked to kiss, and we kissed for long periods of time. (Sometimes I thought we were going for a record.)

After about two weeks, I told him if he wanted to keep dating me, he would have to rid himself of his Old Spice aftershave. I explained that it was irritating my skin and occasionally I was having difficulty breathing when I smelled it. The more I was around him, the worse it got. (Long exposure to things will make the sensitivity worse.)

The next time we went out, he smelled . . . of nothing. He had ditched his aftershave and his deodorant and chosen to go with all unscented.

I knew then we'd marry for sure. How could I turn away a guy who'd give up his cologne for me?

In my house, there are no scents, except natural ones. Just the scents of the two people who live here, our sweat, sometimes, and the odors that new products give out occasionally. The towels don't smell fresh, they are just towels with no smell. (Gain is the worst for smells on clothes.) Clothes don't smell like anything, either.

Every new piece of clothing that comes in the house must be washed before it can be worn. Each of us has to shower if we've been outside or out in public, because the odors of the world stick to our hair and to our clothes. If I go to bed without a shower and I've been out in public, then I wake up sick the next morning.

Living on a farm means many different kinds of odors. My husband, bless him, takes his clothes off in the garage and comes in for lunch in his underwear when he's been out in the field. Either that or I make him lunch and he eats outside.

I am almost a prisoner to my sensitivities; they keep me so housebound. I don't go to many places anymore simply because they will make me sick.

Here's another example: I once went to the University of Virginia library to do research, and I had so much trouble breathing that I couldn't stay. I can't crawl through old records - something I dearly love doing - because of the molds and dust on them. I had to stop going through the records in the county courthouse for the same reason.

I also stopped spending much time in the library because it had grown musty and smelled. They recently remodeled it and aside from the new carpet smell, it is much better. Once the new carpet smell has dissipated, I may be able to spend time there again.

This disability - I'm not sure that's the right word - has really impeded my life, especially as it has grown worse as I've aged. Many things I enjoyed doing I no longer do. I prefer to be well to being sick - I have spent enough time being sick - and avoidance seems to be the best answer anyone has for me. 

If you have a person with sensitivities in your life, I hope you can find some compassion for them. They aren't simply picky or being difficult. Life is hard for someone like me.

Even though we may love the flowers, we cannot stop to smell them.

Thursday Thirteen #895

Here's a list of 13 essential skills that can empower anyone to handle everyday challenges and opportunities:

1. Basic Cooking Skills: Preparing simple, nutritious meals can improve your health and save money.

2. Household Management: Knowing how to clean, organize, and maintain your living space creates a comfortable environment.

3. Financial Literacy: Budgeting, saving, and managing personal finances are crucial for long-term stability.

4. Effective Communication: Mastering both verbal and written communication helps in personal relationships and professional settings.

5. Basic First Aid: Understanding emergency procedures, including CPR and wound care, can make a life-saving difference.

6. Self-Defense: Basic techniques and awareness help protect your personal safety.

7. Digital Literacy: Proficiency with computers, smartphones, and common software is key in today’s technology-driven world.

8. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Being able to analyze situations and make informed decisions is invaluable.

9. Laundry and Clothing Care: Knowing how to properly wash, dry, and maintain clothes keeps you looking your best.

10. Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness or exercise help maintain mental well-being.

11. Social Etiquette and Manners: Understanding appropriate behavior enhances personal and professional relationships.

12. Public Speaking: Being able to present your ideas confidently in front of others is a powerful tool.

13. Basic Home Repairs: Handling minor fixes around the house can save time and money.

I can manage all but stress management and public speaking. Neither of those are strong points. I took self-defense classes. I know basic first aid. I am not as good with computers as I once was, but I still can manage them. I keep our books and budget. Being a news writer required critical thinking skills. My manners aren't bad. Alas, I hate to cook, but we don't starve.

How do you do on that list? 

_________________

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 895th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

I Still Mask

Monday, I went out to the grocery store and the drug store.

I was the only person I saw wearing a mask.

Right now respiratory diseases are high. Here is the Virginia data:

As you can see, it's high all over the state.

And here is the CDC data, which I assume is suspect given the current administration, but regardless, it doesn't paint a rosy picture either:

See that bottom line there from my screen shot? "Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and is higher than it has been all season."

Many people did not get the flu shot this year. According to this article in Time magazine, only 44% of adults and children received the flu shot. The goal is for 70% to receive the shot in order to ensure "herd immunity" from the virus.

I received my flu shot. I am smart enough to know that doesn't mean I won't get the flu. Viruses mutate.

I don't care what people think of me if they see me in a mask. To hell with them. In fact, when people get near me, I start coughing to make sure they move on. I was sick for nearly six weeks. I don't need anything else, although I woke this morning feeling like the illness I had is back for a second run at me. I am hoping it's just the weather.

Most people have never seen me have an asthma attack. My husband has. They are scary. If I had one in the middle of the grocery store, someone would end up calling for an ambulance. I don't need that, and I don't need more asthma attacks simply because somebody doesn't want to see me masking up. It's my face and I took the extra step of having my doctor write me a note saying I should wear a mask when I am public because of my asthma. I carry it with me everywhere I go.

A mask may not keep me completely well, but it hurts nothing to wear it and if that little extra bit of precaution makes me feel proactive, then so what.

I'm taking care of myself as best I can. And that is my business, nobody else's.

Sunday Stealing Archive Edition

1. Where is your significant other?

A. As I write this, my significant other is down at the shed working on a tractor.

2. What is your favorite thing?

A. My favorite thing is my computer.

3. Did you dream last night?

A. If I did, I do not remember it.

4. Do you have goals?

A. I do not have goals much anymore. They're more like ephemeral hopes.

5. Do you have any hobbies?

A. I read, write, play music, and play video games.

6. Where do you want to be in 6 years?

A. I expect I will be right where I am.

7. Where were you last night?

A. Last night, I was in bed asleep.

8. What are you not?

A. I am not intentionally mean or cruel. I'm sure I have been at various times, but I have never intended to be.

9. Name one of your wish list items.

A. I would like to redo my office. It needs new flooring, and I would like a different desk.

10. Do you have a pet?

A. I do not have a pet, unless one counts the cattle.

11. Are you missing someone?

A. I am missing several someones at the moment.

12. What kind of car do you drive?

A. I drive a Toyota Camry.

13. What is something you're not wearing?

A. I am not wearing a dress.

14. Do you love someone?

A. I love lots of people.

15. When was the last time you laughed?

A. I laughed earlier today.

16. When was the last time you cried?

A. A few weeks ago I cried because I was so very tired of feeling ill.

17. What is your favorite past time?

A. Reading.

18. Are you a hater or a lover?

A. I am a lover, I hope.

19. Do you have any vices?

A. I swear a lot.

20. What is your favorite meme other than Sunday Stealing?

A. Saturday 9, of course.

__________

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: Cupid

Saturday 9: Cupid (1961)

 

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

 

1) In this song, Sam Cooke enlists the help of Cupid, the Roman god of love, to help him get a girl. In Greek mythology, the god of love and lust has a different name. Do you know what it is?

A. Eros, I think. I am disturbed that I am not sure because I once was a whiz at Greek mythology, about 50 years ago.

 

2) Sam Cooke was inducted as a charter member into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The museum and hall are located in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland is proud of the six major museums featured on its website. When did you most recently visit a museum?

A. I visited the local history museum last. It was months ago.

3) Sam went to Wendall Phillips Academy, the same Chicago high school Nat King Cole attended. Can your high school claim any noteworthy alums?

A. Nobody comes to mind.

4) "Cupid" was released in 1961. One of the major news stories of that year was the death of Ernest Hemingway. Have you read any of his works?

A. I have, but it has been a long time (like college). 

  

Since February 14 was Valentine's Day...

 

5) Sweethearts, those small heart-shaped candies printed with messages like "Be Mine" and "Kiss Me," are top sellers this time of year. Did you enjoy them as a child? Do you enjoy them now?

A. I always liked them and would eat a box of them, but I haven't been in the store to buy any.

 

6) While Valentine's Day is popular in Mexico, it's celebrated a bit differently than it is here. For our neighbors to the south, it's a day for love and friendship, with no distinction between romantic, familial or platonic love. Do you tell your friends you love them? Or do you reserve "I love you" for your partner and family?

A. I tell my friends I love them. I don't think it's something you shouldn't say if you feel it.

7) In Poland, Valentine's Day, or Walentynki, is often celebrated with a gift of "tea and sweets" -- a tin of black tea paired with candy. Do you more often drink tea or coffee?

A. I never drank coffee. I used to drink tea.

 

8) One of London's top accounting firms did a study and reports that in England, Valentine's Day is a 52%/48% affair. 52% of the participants planned on buying at least one card or gift, while 48% did not expect to spend anything on Valentine's Day. This year, were you one of the 52% or the 48%?

A. I was one of the 48%, but my husband was one of the 52%. Since I'd been sick and then we had ice and snow, I was not able to get out to purchase him anything.

9) A similar study in Rome showed that today's young lovers would prefer to share a romantic experience on Valentine's Day – a stroll through the gardens of Villa Borghese was a popular choice – than exchange gifts. Would you rather do something memorable for Valentine's Day or receive something you can retain as a keepsake?

A. I would just as soon not do anything at all, to be honest. It's a made-up holiday.

_______________

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

1. Yesterday, I had a great hair day. I also didn't have anywhere to go and barely saw my husband. What a waste of a good hair day.

2. We had ice overnight on top of the snow and ice that was already here. The sun is out now. I am glad to see the sunshine.

3. I had two asthma attacks yesterday. One was fairly severe and scared both me and my husband. I didn't grab my inhaler fast enough and it went on too long. The second one, I stopped quickly by grabbing the inhaler as soon as I felt that clutch in my throat and a cough that indicates a problem. I think they came from the air; it was heavy with the cold and the water coming with the current weather system.

4. Lesson learned, though. Next time, use the inhaler sooner. I dislike using them; even today I am tasting albuterol as I breathe in out - but better than not being able to breathe at all.

5. I am almost finished with the 2024 taxes, which will then go to an accountant. It is a relief to no longer have it uppermost in my mind.

6. Maybe it's time to have a little fun with something. Real fun. Like roller coaster ride fun. Only I don't ride roller coasters anymore. The last time we went on some of those rides, they beat us both to death and nearly dislocated my husband's arm. We don't do amusement parks anymore.

7. We do like historical parks and museums, though. That's more educational than fun, although seeing how people lived 200 years ago is interesting to us. My husband enjoys the farm machinery displays and most old things have to do with agriculture, because we used to be an agrarian society.

8. Now we are a technological society, but we still have to eat. It is unfortunate that many people seem to think food is grown in the warehouse of the grocery store and have no clue where their food actually comes from. 

9. I ran across an episode of MASH on TV, or rather, my husband did. I told him to add it to the DVR because I can't find it otherwise. Sometimes you just want to watch something that you know is good and pure. MASH fits that description.

10. One time I tried to tape every episode of The Partridge Family when it was running on AXIOS, I think it was, but after I watched a couple of episodes, I stopped the recordings and deleted the rest. The show doesn't hold up well. Or maybe I just outgrew David Cassidy. He's still a cutie on the show, but I don't need a cutie. I have my own fellow now.

11. My voice has mostly returned, finally, and I think I'm about over whatever I had for most of January and up until this week. I am feeling better except kind of sad about the crazy things happening in the world.

12. It is hard to complain if you aren't willing to do anything about it, and I don't know what I can do about pretty much anything sometimes. Even figuring dinner can be a pain.

13. So that's a list of 13 things. Not great, but something. Thanks everybody for reading.

_________________

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 894th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.